Blog address

http://Linda@Zoe's Cruises & Tours blogspot.com

Monday, November 24, 2014

Sydney, Australia - Port of the day on the Celebrity Solstice

Sydney, Australia on board the Celebrity Solstice - Considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney offers just about anything—from beaches and wineries to stunning landmarks and world-class shopping. Tour architectural marvels like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, view life below the surface from Sydney Aquarium’s underwater walkways, or take it all in from above on a tour of the Sydney Tower. Book now 503-780-5819 or Linda@ultimate-dreamcruises.com #SunshineTravel #CelebrityCruises #Sydney

Enjoy a tour that takes you through the streets of Sydney and inside its most iconic landmark. Explore a city where the past and the present live side by side, from the old streets of The Rocks to the gleaming mega-yachts of Watson's Bay. Of course, no tour of Sydney is complete without a visit to the Opera House, Australia's most recognized landmark. Rest assured, you'll find the interior just as magnificent as the exterior.


Love to shop? Sydney shopping has it all, from luxe labels and home-grown fashion to buzzy markets and outlet tours.

In the city centre, Pitt Street Mall is Sydney's fashion hub encompassing several retail centres across two city blocks. Westfield Sydney sets the pace for sensational shopping with four floors of fashion favourites. Check out Australia's two largest department stores, Myer and David Jones, which stock many top brands and offer personal shopper and stylist services.

Stroll through the historic Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade, as popular for their beautifully restored interiors as they are for the fashion boutiques they house featuring local and international brands. The Galeries Victoria on George Street is home to urban brands while World Square spans three levels of an entire city block.


See the best of Sydney on a relaxing, scenic tour drive around the city. Visit The Rocks, the Darling Harbor Complex, Sydney's Chinatown, and the stately Queen Victoria Building. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. And no trip to Sydney would be complete without a visit to the internationally recognized Bondi Beach.

Hyde park honors the original Hyde Park in London, England. Containing over 580 trees, it is located in the eastern section of the inner city district of Sydney. It is beautiful. I enjoyed all the trees and flowers in this great park.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Celebrity Cruises - Solstice -Cruising Milford Sound, New Zealand

Cruising Milford Sound on the Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Cruises- Solstice -Cruising through Milford Sound, New Zealand.
As we sail into the narrow fjords of the Milford Sound, even your massive ship seems to shrink in comparison to the towering cliffs topped by lush mountain terrain. Situated within Fiordland National Park, this natural wonder is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site and is protected by its natural geography, which makes it a haven for all types of wildlife. Book now - 503-780-5819 or
Linda@ultimate-dreamcruises.com #CelebrityCruises #SunshineTravel#NewZealand

Milford Sound is incorrectly named, as a sound is in fact a large sea or ocean inlet larger than a bay, deeper than a bight, and wider than a fjord, while Milford Sound is formed by the actions of glaciers.
The fjord was a playground for local Maori who had acquired a large amount of local marine knowledge including tidal patterns and fish feeding patterns over generations prior to European arrival. The fjord remained undiscovered by Europeans until Captain John Grono discovered it c.1812 and named it Milford Haven after his homeland in Wales. Captain John Lort Stokes later renamed Milford Haven as Milford Sound.
MItre Peak towers over Milford Sound.

Enjoy a shore excursion to Queenstown -Milford Sound
Immerse yourself in the spectacular natural beauty and rich culture of Queenstown on an overnight tour that features historic mining communities, a lush, emerald gorge, an exemplary winery and incredible cuisine. Explore vibrant lakeside towns and picturesque villages as you journey across commanding snow-capped mountains, awe-inspiring fjords and the pristine alpine scenery New Zealand is famous for.




Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Give the Gift of Cruising with a Princess Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Line Gift Card.

Princess Cruises New Gift Card


Princess Cruises now offers GIFT CARD! It is the perfect gift for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and all special occasions. Easy and flexible to use, the Princess Cruises Gift Card gives travelers a chance to share the valuable gift to Come Back New. Princess Cruises Gift Cards can be redeemed for payment towards existing bookings as well as for most onboard products and services. If you are interested in giving the perfect gift to someone special call
503-780-5819 or Linda@ultimate-dreamcruises and I will help you arrange it all. What a TERRIFIC GIFT. Wouldn't you like a Princess Gift Card? #comebacknew #Christmasgift
 Norwegian Cruise Line 

Christmas Gift Card - Norwegian Cruise Line - Norwegian Cruise Line Gift Card, the perfect way to give the gift of cruising to friends and loved ones. Gift Cards can be used toward the purchase of a cruise or anything else Norwegian — like a relaxing massage, an adventurous Shore Excursion or a special night out. Purchase one today, and invite someone special to Cruise Like a Norwegian®. Just call to purchase 503-780-5819 or Linda@ultimate-dreamcruises.com #cruiselikeanorwegian #SunshineTravel

Celebrity Cruises Solstice -Cruising Doubtful and Dusky Sound, New Zealand


Cruising Doubtful and Dusky Sound, New Zealand

Imagine cruising Doubtful and Dusky Sound, New Zealand on board the Celebrity Solstice. As cold mountain water cascades from the cliffs above Doubtful Sound, it creates an unusual phenomenon-a dual-layered marine ecosystem of fresh and saltwater. Steep cliffs that have been carved over centuries by dozens of waterfalls surround the largest and most complex of the many fjords along the New Zealand coast, Dusky Sound. Don't let life pass you by book now. Call 503-780-5819 or 
Linda@ultimate-dreamcruises.com #SunshineTravel #CelebrityCruises #NewZealand

The fiord lands of New Zealand are truly a beautiful sight. Celebrity Cruises will give you a unique perspective of this area. Most of what you see can only be seen by ship. Amazing!

A playground for a number of species, including fur seals and two types of penguins - the fiordland crested and blue penguin.
A wildlife paradise, with seals and dolphins patrolling the water, and birds like broad billed prions, mottled petrels and sooty shearwaters floating on the overhead thermals.

Dusky Sound
One of the most complex fiords on the New Zealand Coast.


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Celebrity Solstice - Port of Dunedin, New Zealand


Port of Call -Dunedin, New Zealand - Were it not for the absence of the Scottish brogue, you might think you'd landed in Edinburgh. Both the scenery and the architecture borrow heavily from Scotland. You can even shop for kilts or dig into a piece of fresh haggis. Dunedin is also home to New Zealand's only castle, a 15-year construction endeavor complete with the only staircase of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and magnificent woodwork. A fantastic Port of Call for the Celebrity Solstice. Call to book - 503-780-5819 or Linda@ultimate-dreamcruises.com

Only a combination of Mother Nature's power and the indomitable Kiwi spirit could create the incomparable Dunedin. The mansions, the gardens, and the mountainous terrain are truly a sight to behold. You will marvel at the beautifully restored Dunedin Railway Station; decorated with Royal Doulton tiles, it's one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand.

Venture deep into the New Zealand countryside and then into the sordid past of Larnach Castle. Begin with a vintage train ride into the Taieri River Gorge. Pass old gold mining sites. Stretch your legs at a scenic overlook. Travel through old sheep farming territory. Then, visit Larnach Castle. It took more than 200 men three years to build this magnificent home. Behind its lavish history lie stories of scandal, tragedy, and intrigue.

Relive the elegance, comfort and style of the 1960's as you drive through historic Dunedin in a chauffeur-driven Jaguar or Daimler. The sites will astound you as you learn about New Zealand's oldest University City and the Scottish settlers who established it in 1848. You will tour the city's most famous mansion - the Olveston House - and botanical gardens, and even have a chance to drive on Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world.

Feel the rattle and rumble of your vintage railcar as you wind through the mountains of Taieri River Gorge. See the very spot where a lucky miner found gold on Christmas Day of 1863. Stop at Pukerangi Plateau to soak up the view and the fresh mountain air. Enjoy a light lunch as you chug along. Pass through a land the Maori called the "Hills of Heaven," When you see this territory, you'll understand why.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Celebrity Cruises -Port of Call - Akaroa, New Zealand

Volcanic formed harbor of Akaroa, New Zealand 

Celebrity Cruises -Port of Akaroa, New Zealand - Nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano, Akaroa is rich with beautiful bays, French and English colonial history, even the largest little penguin colony on the mainland. It's also home to the rarest and smallest marine dolphin and lots of water sports-kayaking, sailboats, also hiking paths and cycle tours. Pick up a unique souvenir from one of the many local craft shops and boutiques. Book your cruise now - 503-780-5819 or Linda@ultimate-dreamcruises.com #SunshineTravel #CelebrityCruises #NewZealand
Akaroa Sea Kayaking - A sense of genuine inner peace will overcome you as you paddle through 17 square miles of remote beaches bays and inlets in the sea-flooded crater of an extinct volcano. Experienced kayak guides are matched with small groups to ensure a personal and intimate experience.

Commune with nature in the most fantastic setting imaginable when you head across Akaroa Harbor for an unforgettable encounter with New Zealand's adorable dolphins. Your boat will seek out the friendly dolphins that inhabit the area, including the rare Hector's Dolphins, the world's smallest dolphin


Discover a touch of France in the Southern Hemisphere as you walk through the historic township of Akaroa. Founded in 1840 by French settlers, Akaroa still bears a distinctive French colonial flavor.

Over the millennia, as the Earth's crust was taking shape, Mother Nature's vision of perfection came to fruition in New Zealand. Her plan for Akaroa Harbor was an especially vivid one of pristine blue water and verdant mountains.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Celebrity Solstice - On board delights!

Celebrity Solstice® is one of our more decorated ships at sea. So it's no wonder that it's full of "firsts." Like the first Lawn Club at sea. The first Hot Glass Show?. The first cruise line to have 5 women, also known as "the Leading Ladies?" redesign, and redecorate the staterooms. Some other things that set the Celebrity Solstice cruise ship apart are its specialty restaurants. The passion for outstanding cuisine has taken the restaurants, the food and the overall dining experience to a whole new level in the cruising world. Book your next Celebrity cruise - Call 503-780-5819 or Linda@ultimate-dreamcruises.com

Main Restaurant- Grand Epernay Dinning room
A grand stage for dining. The Main Restaurant is the centerpiece of the immersive and enriching range of culinary experiences. Celebrity is proud to present an unparalleled wealth of choices every evening. Working literally around the clock, the galleys delight in sending out artfully presented dishes, every delicate micro-green garnish perfectly in place.

The Hot Glass Show
Don't just appreciate art, experience it. Witness the incredible, gorgeous art of glassblowing with intimate live demonstrations. Watch and learn from professional glassblowers in this popular, one-of-a-kind exhibition from the renowned Corning Museum of Glass.

Murano.
Exquisite fine dining in a distinctive setting with stellar service. Impeccable service, classic design, world-class cuisine and comfortable sophistication are celebrated to the utmost in Murano. Experience tableside lobster presentation, an expansive selection of artisanal cheeses from around the world, or the extensive American and French wine list.

Charming and timeless, Murano transports you, through palate and décor, to a modern and sophisticated level of dining

Immerse yourself in the culture of wine within the inviting atmosphere of Cellar Masters, at the wine bar. Cellar Masters offers you the opportunity to try a bold collection of both familiar and unknown wines from around the world.