Cruise

Fireworks, pom-poms, Latin-inspired music, and the traditional smashing of a bottle of champagne were just part of the energetic fanfare at the Norwegian Getaway’s christening party in Miami, Florida. Thousands of media and travel professionals attended the bash on February 7 to experience the expansive new ship’s latest features and mix with celebrities sharing in the celebration.

Brooke Burke-Charvet, host of TV’s “Dancing with the Stars,” emceed the grand event, which featured sporty dance numbers performed by the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders in their capacity as official Godmothers of the Norwegian Getaway.

At center stage for the evening was recording artist and Latin GRAMMY Award winner, Pitbull, who kept guests dancing to hot Miami beats all night long. His performance perfectly complemented Norwegian’s latest entertainment offering: The GRAMMY Experience at Sea.

Several other top names associated with the new ship attended the event. Spotted at the party was Iron Chef and restaurant maven, Geoffrey Zakarian, who is the genius behind three of the Getaway’s most innovative eateries. Buddy Valastro, “The Cake Boss” and creator of the onboard “Carlo’s Bake Shop,” also made the rounds at the event. In addition, Miami-based graphic artist, David “Lebo” Le Batard, who painted the strikingly colorful mermaid-themed art decorating the Getaway’s hull, mingled with the crowd.

Besides star watching, attendees of the christening party also had the opportunity to experience some of the forward-thinking features of Norwegian’s newest ship. Guests previewed the highly anticipated and mysterious Illusionarium, as well as the massive shipboard aqua park and its five water slides. A few lucky partiers even danced in Spice H2O, the Getaway’s sizzling outdoor dance club and epicenter of the ship’s Miami-themed entertainment.

From her new home port of Miami, the Norwegian Getaway will take cruisers throughout the Caribbean. Passengers can look forward to an unforgettable cruise, alive with hot Latin beats and the spicy Miami culture.

Relaxation and charity will mix when a major cruise line and its passengers observe American Heart Month with a special fundraising voyage in February 2014.

For the latest event in Princess Cruises’ “Cruises for a Cause” program, the Ruby Princess will sail the Caribbean during the Valentine’s Day holiday from Feb. 10-15 in an effort to raise funds for the American Heart Association (AHA).

Cruise passengers can opt to convert a portion of their fare into a contribution to the AHA. In order to encourage charitable giving, Princess Cruises will match passengers’ contributions dollar for dollar with the goal of raising $1 million for the cardiac health organization.

For the five-day cruise, the ship will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on Feb. 10 and stop in the beautiful Caribbean ports of Cozumel, Mexico, and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Accompanying cruise passengers on the ship will be a number of cardiac health experts and celebrities hosting a range of special events. Activities will include hands-on CPR lessons, healthy eating classes, seminars, a fundraising walk, and other heart-healthy educational opportunities.

Featured guests aboard the Ruby Princess will include several authors, TV celebrities, and a motivational speaker. Other guests will include a world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Kathy Magliato, and chef Marc Anthony Bynum, who will offer cooking lessons for health-conscious passengers. In the past, promotional materials for the event featured Gavin MacLeod, who portrayed Captain Stubing on the hit 1970s romantic sitcom The Love Boat.

As a Valentine’s Day cruise, this sailing will offer plenty of opportunities for couples. During the tranquil Caribbean voyage, they can renew their vows and enjoy themed events, exquisite dining, and many other romantic activities.

The cruise is the second of Princess’ “Cruising for a Cause” initiative. The program’s inaugural sailing, which launched in November 2013, raised $600,000 for two veterans’ charities, Operation Homefront and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Cruise ship spas have come a long way over the years. The earliest spas on most ships were little more than cramped rooms with barely enough room for a massage table and masseuse. Today, shipboard spas have grown into truly luxurious spaces where patrons can receive a full range of services to promote relaxation and well-being. In fact, these amenities are so popular that many cruise lines today offer special packages and stateroom accommodations for vacationers seeking a complete ocean spa experience.

Like the spas themselves, cruise ships have significantly expanded their services over the years is response to the needs and desires of their clientele. Visitors to these facilities can generally choose from a wide variety of options, ranging from ancient to high-tech, and Western to Eastern. Following are a few of the selections offered by many cruise lines.

Salon Services

Virtually all cruise ships have an array of beauty options available using top products and the latest techniques. For elegant cruise evenings, the salons provide professional hairstyling, manicures, and other standard services. Of course, shipboard salons are pleased to offer services for both men and women.

Traditional Spa Treatments

Beyond the usual salon styling services, cruise ships possess serene spaces where passengers can completely unwind while enjoying a broad range of relaxing therapies. Beauty treatments like facials, detoxifying wraps, and exfoliating scrubs are available on practically every modern cruise ship. For relaxation, every spa provides massages – usually several different kinds. Whether it is a Swedish, hot-stone, or deep-tissue massage, the spa services are generally among the most sought-after amenities on any cruise ship.

Eastern Spa Treatments

As Americans have learned more about Eastern medicine over the last few decades, the treatments have become available on cruise ships. Many ships offer acupuncture and acupressure (or reflexology) services to help patrons with their aches and pains, as well as to simply maintain their bodily energies. Also popular is Reiki, a technique in which a therapist places his or her palms on the patron’s body to redirect its energies and promote relaxation.

Medi-spa Treatments

Most shipboard spas offer a wide selection of high-tech cosmetic services, many of which are provided by licensed medical professionals. Tooth-whitening is a popular service for those who want to show off a flashy smile. Botox and dermal filler injections are also available to those seeking to smooth out their wrinkles in a quick and minimally invasive way. Many spas can also provide a regimen of ionothermie in which a clinician applies a special mixture of clay and algae, along with gentle electric stimulation to eliminate excess cellulite.