http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/peace-is-loudhttp://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/peace-is-loudI want to introduce you to Peace is Loud, a registered 501 3 non-profit based in New York City, that grew from and was inspired by the story told in the award-winning documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell.  This film tells the extraordinary story of a small band of Liberian women who joined together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their country.   Ok, so what does this have to wi...Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:22:56 -0500http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/have-you-heard-cooking-at-seahttp://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/have-you-heard-cooking-at-seaAs someone with a chef as my son in-law, I am always looking for ways to promote the culinary experience.  Over the past few years, I have put together culinary cruises for friends, family members and customers of my daughter and son in-law's restaurant.  I am so excited that Royal Caribbean has introduced onboard cooking classes.  Just in case you missed my "cooking at sea" blog---you can read...Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:10:02 -0400http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/cabo-cuisinehttp://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/cabo-cuisineOk, so you did not read the email about my culinary experience in Cabo San Lucas.  I am giving you another chance plus a picture of the most delicious tortilla soup I have ever eaten.  Read, view the picture and just close you eyes and taste!  First port day and we are ready, fortunately for a few in the group who stay up very late last night, we did not dock until 9:30 AM.  We all left the shi...Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:03:15 -0400http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/cooking-on-a-sea-dayhttp://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/cooking-on-a-sea-dayOh, the beauty of a sea day—sleep in, eat in, read in, and do nothing in.  On the other hand, you can do something a little different.  How about a cooking class?  Royal Caribbean has just introduced a hands-on cooking program presented by ­ChefMakers Cooking Academy. Classes like Cooking Boot Camp, Healthy Eats, One Pot Meals and my favorite Tapas & Cocktails.  The Tapas & Cocktail class was f...Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:56:33 -0400http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/puerto-vallartahttp://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/puerto-vallartaI am a little behind in my journal of daily events on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas.  Puerta Vallara was a day without an organized tour.  Instead, we hired a private guide from one of many waiting at the pier.  We selected wisely and found Jorge who escorted us on a very informative and fun tour.  The day was ours to design in any way we wanted.  We saw the beauty of Puerto Vallarta, e...Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:21:21 -0400http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/salsa-salsa-and-margaritas-in-mazatlanhttp://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/salsa-salsa-and-margaritas-in-mazatlanOk!  I know you are waiting with excitement to hear about my day making salsas, dancing the salsa and drinking marguerites.  The wait is over and I am back from a rather long, hot, and humid but fun day.  The setting was magnificent.  The cooking class was setup by the swimming pool on the ocean side of the Las Flores Hotel.  With marguerita in hand, we began making six different salsas.  We st...Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:09:56 -0400http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/first-port-day-cabo-san-lucashttp://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/first-port-day-cabo-san-lucasFirst port day and we are ready, fortunately for a few in the group who stay up very late last night, we did not dock until 9:30 AM.  We all left the ship at various times to pickup our shore excursions while a few spent the day going from shop to restaurant and then to the next shop and the next restaurant.  Of course, as expected in Mexico, the entertainment in each restaurant is a big draw e...Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:32:53 -0400http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/port-on-the-seahttp://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/port-on-the-seaOne week until I cruise with a group on the Mariner of the Seas out of LA.  This is not my first cruise on the Mariner of the Seas and certainly not my first cruise to the Mexican Riviera.  However, it is my first cruise on the Mariner of the Seas since it was moved the West Coast.  As you know, we have few choices of cruise destinations out of LA.  So, I consider this ship a "port" on the sea!...Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:03:47 -0400http://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/define-oasis-as-in-oasis-of-the-seashttp://www.conciergeforcruises.com/blogPosts/view/define-oasis-as-in-oasis-of-the-seasOk, so in the dictionary, Oasis is defined as a small, green area in the desert.  The Oasis of the Seas will not be in the desert but it will be a large area in a very blue green ocean.  Oasis is also described as a “pleasant change from what is usual”.  That definitely describes Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.  It will be the largest and most innovative ship in the world.  Why?  Because R...Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:05:35 -0400