3032 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Table Of Content

• Our Programs
• Outreach
• See the impact of affordable housing.
• Find Mercy Housing near you.
• Mercy Housing California
• PHASE 4: LIFE
• Local News

2020 has also seen the expansion of Mercy House’s shelter operations with two new locations in Southern California. Buena Park Navigation Center can host up to 149 individuals, though is currently running at a lower capacity due to coronavirus restrictions. A smaller facility in Los Angeles County, New Hope Emergency Shelter, can help up to 50 adults. Mercy House, a non-profit that provides housing and support services for unhoused individuals, will discontinue outreach services in south Orange County at the end of June.

Our Programs

Let’s learn a bit more about Mercy House and really gain a deep perspective on just how much good they’re doing in Southern California communities. “We are currently working with Mercy House to carefully plan the transition so that it is as smooth as possible, with no change in the level of service to those utilizing the program,” Martin said. Costa Mesa’s plans for a local homeless shelter continued to crystallize Tuesday night as City Council members unanimously tabbed Mercy House Living Centers to run the facility. Regardless of the scale and population served, each Mercy Housing community is built with an unwavering commitment to dynamic partnerships, creative vision and extensive community planning.

Outreach

Today, Mercy House offers assistance to adult men and women, families, and mothers with children. Individuals living with HIV/AIDS, physical or mental disabilities, or those who are overcoming substance addictions are also served. Mercy House doesn’t simply provide a roof over someone’s head — instead, their goal is to support each person mentally, physically, and spiritually. Individuals who come to Mercy House for help will find that their dignity will be bolstered, their self-confidence can thrive, and they will be provided the tools necessary to forge a new path for themselves economically.

See the impact of affordable housing.

We provide help with preparation for a general equivalency diploma as well as higher educational goals such as vocational training or college classes. We continually stress the importance of education as a key to a strong, self-supporting future. It’s where people live,” Mercy House Chief Executive Larry Haynes said of the living model during a tour of the site Thursday. If either Laguna Hills or Rancho Santa Margarita decide not to join the outreach program, Mission Viejo would just hire one case worker for its city. The program will consist of two outreach staff members, similar to what Mercy House has been offering. If Laguna Hills and Rancho Santa Margarita opt into the plan, the two cities would share the second case worker.

A small community garden is being planned for the space that formerly served as a motel pool. Mission Viejo is set to be responsible for funding 50% of the program while Laguna Hills and Rancho Santa Margarita would each split the remaining costs and reimburse Mission Viejo, should they agree, according to the agenda report. Mission Viejo is looking for new ways to expand its homeless outreach initiatives once longtime partner Mercy House pulls back this summer. Luke Money is an assistant editor on the Fast Break Desk, the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news team. He joined the newsroom as a reporter in 2020, specializing in breaking news and coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mercy Housing California

The decision to withdraw the outreach program was because it “ran its course” and continuing to fund the program “doesn’t make sense,” Mercy House CEO Larry Haynes said. That metric would give Costa Mesa a target of 62 beds — 50 of which would be in the new shelter. The others would be provided through a partnership with College Hospital, an acute-care facility at 301 Victoria St., and made available to people suffering a mental health crisis. Carter has called for cities to develop enough transitional and emergency beds to serve 60% of the unsheltered people documented during a 2017 countywide count.

Mercy House of Montgomery – 3rd Annual Day of Dreams Telethon Oct. 3 Helps Montgomery Families in Need - Elmore Autauga News

Mercy House of Montgomery – 3rd Annual Day of Dreams Telethon Oct. 3 Helps Montgomery Families in Need.

Posted: Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

President Kyle Paine, a Costa Mesa resident who is a friend and neighbor of Haynes, said CDP and Mercy House were looking to partner on a local project that would do something to address homelessness while increasing the city’s affordable housing stock. Today, the program allows cities to leverage federal, state and county funds and work with developers and service providers to build affordable housing units and maintain program offerings on properties motel owners are willing to sell. While the Mercy House Organization currently operates a network of facilities across Southern California, its beginnings were incredibly humble.

From construction to community development, we advance innovative solutions to meet the scale and urgency of California’s housing crisis. Mercy House operates the New Hope Emergency Shelter located in Bellflower, CA to provide emergency shelter and services to single men and single women seeking short-term services. We are proud to be able to support the most underserved populations of Los Angeles County through our necessary services in assisting individuals get back on their feet following a short stint of living homeless. Los Angeles County has been one of our long-time partners and we appreciate their continued support in our programs.

Born and raised in Anaheim, Father Jerome T. Karcher discovered that serving others was his true calling in life. After spending immense amounts of time and dedication to further his studies in psychology, philosophy, and theology, he was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1983. Several years later, he gathered a small group of close friends with the goal of helping homeless individuals in the area. Named Mercy House to reflect his intentions of hospitality and a welcoming place for all, Father Karcher operated this new organization backed by several board members. These friends provided the legal, financial, and practical expertise to help launch Mercy House into a truly impactful organization. In 1990, Father Karcher rented a home in Santa Ana and utilized it as a transitional home for men who were employable yet lacked a stable living situation.

However, the nonprofit will still provide housing and shelter assistance throughout the area. Homelessness is not inevitable, and we share the goal of making it rare, brief, and non-recurring. Mercy Housing California is all in on solutions that get people off the streets and prevent low-wage renters from joining their ranks. That means more permanent supportive housing, and expanded access to quality, affordable homes. San Francisco is one of the world’s greatest cities, with beautiful neighborhoods and a vibrant economy. But residents of Sunnydale, a public housing community in the southeastern part of the city, haven’t felt the benefits of their city’s prosperity.

Every day, people struggle to obtain the basic necessities of life that many of us often take for granted. Rather than allowing residents of Southern California to remain homeless and have to fight to make it through each day, Mercy House has developed a complex network of facilities and services that help individuals in the area. From providing long-term housing solutions and ongoing support to shelters that offer essential care during emergencies, Mercy House is making a huge impact on the homeless population. To be a leader in ending homelessness by providing a unique system of dignified housing opportunities, programs, and supportive services. Mercy Housing is a national nonprofit organization that develops, preserves, and manages program-enriched, affordable housing for a variety of low-income populations including families, seniors and people with special needs. To do this effectively, Mercy Housing operates regional business centers that manage current Mercy Housing properties while also working to develop more affordable housing opportunities in their regions.

Even though the outreach services will be discontinued, Mercy House still plans to stay “super active” in the area by assisting in shelters and housing, Haynes said. In this past year, Haynes said that the nonprofit has housed more than 500 individuals in the south Orange County area. Mercy Housing Southeast (MHSE) is the youngest regional office of Mercy Housing Inc. and is headquartered in Atlanta. MHSE provides homes to over 8,000 low-income families, seniors and people with special needs in communities across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee. A coordinated effort to transform an aging, underperforming Motel 6 on Costa Mesa’s Newport Boulevard into affordable housing for military veterans, seniors and others at risk of homelessness is taking shape after years of planning. Housing was very much on the ballot in 2022, with thousands of Californians voting on local measures representing different approaches to tackling the housing crisis.

The Senate aid bill includes about $60bn for Ukraine as it defends itself from the Russian invasion that began nearly two years ago. But Johnson has assailed the measure and suggested the House would consider alternative ways of sending aid. If you are interested in applying to the Mercy House program, simply complete and submit this Online Inquiry Screening Form. You do not have to reside locally to apply for acceptance in our residency program with Mercy House Ministries.

The decision authorizes paying the Santa Ana-based nonprofit up to $1.457 million annually to operate a temporary 50-bed “bridge shelter” planned at Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in the Westside.

80 Incredible Home Bar Design Ideas Photos

Table Of Content

• OUTDOOR KITCHENS
• Modern Bar Back Design:
• Free Restaurant Cleaning Checklist
• Good Times at Davey Wayne's
• Keep the space organised and practical
• Choose your style
• HOW TO FIELD-MEASURE EXISTING UTILITIES OF CIRCULAR ISLAND BARS

The city and the state are poised to establish a new, lasting legacy as one of America’s culinary destinations. California-style restaurants can help or hurt that effort, not only in the ways they represent California in their food, but by how they present it in their dining rooms. Soon the trend spread beyond the state’s borders and across the internet. Pastel tableware mirrors sun-bleached SoCal but also acts as a neutral backdrop for Instagram food pics. Exposed rafters evoke Malibu ranch homes but could just as easily reference other trendy getaways, like a Tuscan villa or South African winery. Much of the creative energy, Pearlman says, came from Venice, where architects like Frank Gehry, Thom Mayne, and Michele Saee inspired collaboration among architects, artists, and restaurants.

OUTDOOR KITCHENS

You’ll find literature-inspired cocktails on the menu at this downtown Calgary bar. Expertly-prepared food and drinks aren’t the only thing this bar serves up, though. Guests can also take home curated cocktail boxes, glassware, and bar tools like shaker sets and strainers. A stocked bar means you are ready to receive for guests whenever they are in your home.

Modern Bar Back Design:

Long basement family room wet bar with lots of cabinetry with white countertop. Here’s a totally glammed-out home bar and lounge with purple tufted walls, fuschia and chrome stools, bring pink window wall, black floor and one super wild zebra sofa. A large bar may include the eat-in counter with accompanying barstools, as seen above, but a smaller bar nearer to a seating area may forgo this obstruction in favor of a sleeker look. We carry a wide range of cast aluminum fire pits and also custom design fire pits and tables to fit your style and backyard area. We have a huge 10,000 sq ft showroom located in Ontario, California.

Free Restaurant Cleaning Checklist

“These California-style restaurants are serving food they think is Californian,” she says. Mellow tones and distraction-free spaces anesthetize customers, never challenging them to consider the cultural origins of their food, or the people cooking it in the kitchen. This East Coast restaurant bar design is both spacious and stunning. Lighting takes center stage on the ceiling, and greenery adds to the atmosphere, complete with leather and wood furnishings. Creative cocktails, oysters, and comfort food are mainstays at this Halifax restaurant and bar.

How Google built the Pixel Camera Bar - The Keyword Google Product and Technology News

How Google built the Pixel Camera Bar.

Posted: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

According to architectural standards, the ideal height ranges from 42″ – 45″. In Los Angeles, land of programmatic architecture, the theme bar is alive and well, whether it mimics a specific TV show or pays homage to an era. Our favorites include a Star Wars-themed pub, a throwback 1980s nightclub, an homage to Titanic (the movie not the ship) and a steampunk speakeasy. At the same time, the restaurant Sunday in Brooklyn looks more typical of Santa Monica than its own New York borough. Restaurant owners are drawn to the aesthetic because it seems easy and cheap. “You’ve got wipeable surfaces, sturdy ceramic dinner plates, succulents on the table that don’t require a lot,” says design historian Maile Pingel.

WHAT ARE THE STANDARD BAR LAYOUT DIMENSONS?

In Inside the California Food Revolution, chef Joyce Goldstein further argues LA designers were more creative than their peers in San Francisco because they didn’t feel beholden to legacy restaurants. These homes would inspire generations of the city’s designers, influencing both residential and commercial projects. Sticking with the library theme is the Bluebird Cocktail Room in Baltimore.

Keep the space organised and practical

Dinner is prix fixe and includes an appetizer (like the Corprese Bride salad), a main course (maybe the Linguini Todd or Edward Burger Hands) and a dessert. Katherine is the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she writes about trending topics in food and restaurants. The opposite of a picky eater, she’ll try (almost) anything at least once. Whether it’s chowing down on camel burgers in Morocco or snacking on octopus dumplings in Japan, she’s always up for new food experiences. If your bar doesn’t have variety, it’s unlikely that customers will come back and recommend you to friends and family.

Choose your style

Born from the need to keep liquor hidden during Prohibition in the 1920s, cabinets were made specifically to store alcohol and barware behind lock and key. Today, liquor cabinets are available in many sizes, styles, wood tones, and colors. There are many options for home bars and the decision about which one to choose will usually come down to how much space there is for a bar and the cost. Even if you live in a small apartment, you can have a stocked bar, but it will be smaller than those in large homes. If you have a room specifically for entertaining guests, such as the basement or outdoor space, then the bar should be in that area.

Two Bit Circus is a micro-amusement park with dozens of arcade and midway games, escape rooms, virtual reality experiences and a high-tech theater equipped for trivia, wine tasting and puzzle games. The main bar is located beneath a red-and-yellow striped circus tent while a robot tends a second, smaller bar. The menu consists of "elevated" carnival food, which includes corn dogs, sliders, flatbreads and tots.

To make things even easier on you, we’ve compiled our favorite ideas for creating a professional and functional backbar setup that will wow patrons. Read on to learn more about our top backbar ideas for bars and restaurants. Then the third section will be a shelving unit for displaying the glasses, goblets, and the choices of alcohol for making drinks. By having a custom back bar built, you can add a wine refrigerator beneath the straight bar to keep wines chilled and ready to serve. The shelving/cabinet unit may also have shelves for displaying the barware and alcohol, so guests will know what drinks you have to offer. For back bars with three sections, the middle one may have space to display a painting, put in a TV, or hang a mirror.

Today we’re going to review all these systems and components necessary to plan a commercial bar design. It was once part of a chain of themed restaurants and this outpost is the last survivor. Artfully and meticulously renovated by owner Andrew Meieran (who also owns The Edison), the space is filled with charming installations and detailed touches that demand thorough exploration.

Simple-to-use controllers make it possible for you to adjust the mood of your bar in an instant. The primary purpose of the back bar is to showcase bottles, so lighting is a must. You’ll want to make sure that the bottles are in clear view so guests can see the labels as they pick which cocktail to order. If you’re going to use bar décor, it’s best to keep it simple and minimal, as the bar area will already have plenty to take in. Whether you plan to hang a classic neon sign or you want to get creative, signage is a popular backbar idea for bars and restaurants. From custom chalkboards for menus and drink specials to a custom piece with the restaurant logo, signage gives a backbar a personal touch.

Cocktails feature unique ingredients like cuttlefish ink, and the food menu is complete with everything from share plates to salads to burgers. Your restaurant bar design can also highlight the less conventional aspects of decor. Try installing a floor with a funky pattern or painting a mural on the wall to create an interesting space that makes the perfect backdrop for selfies. These elements of restaurant bar design can command attention and create a stunning atmosphere when chosen carefully. While industrial and rustic lighting are having a moment lately, more traditional styles like chandeliers can also be a beautiful choice. Your restaurant bar design layout should make it as easy as possible for bartenders and barbacks to work efficiently.

When planning a bar area, consider including appliances for mixing drinks and keeping wine or beer chilled. So, you might need a blender if you want to make frozen drinks or to crush ice, and a refrigerator for chilling wine and beer. A folding bar is a good option for an apartment or small home where there isn’t a separate entertainment area. It could be placed in the living or dining room as most of them look like regular pieces of furniture. Then, when you’re entertaining, you can unfold the bar and serve drinks to your guests.

1500 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Table Of Content

• Tackling California’s Homelessness Crisis
• Our goal is simple:to end homelessness
• Mercy Housing California
• O.C. Fair officials reduce fee hike at Equestrian Center, to be renamed the Ranch
• Mercy Housing Regional Offices
• Join Our Newsletter

The city’s plan is for the interim Lighthouse Church shelter at 1885 Anaheim Ave. to eventually give way to a more permanent site, preferably in the commercial and industrial area near John Wayne Airport. Mercy Housing California (MHC) is headquartered in San Francisco, with regional offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles. We are the largest regional division of Mercy Housing, Inc., the nation’s largest nonprofit affordable housing developer. Mercy Housing California partners with Mercy Housing Management Group as the management agent for our California communities.

Tackling California’s Homelessness Crisis

The impact that Mercy House has had in Southern California is truly remarkable, but Father Karcher and the rest of the team have even more they’d like to accomplish. Funding passed by the California Strategic Growth Council is allowing Mercy House to develop additional housing structures within Orange County. Over $25 million has been awarded, with $15 million solely dedicated to the creation of a low-income housing complex. A flex space along with a community room will allow Mercy House to provide continued support to residents there.

Our goal is simple:to end homelessness

Some might say, as the adage goes, that rather than giving a man a fish, Mercy House is teaching people how to fish for themselves. Adding new affordable homes – not just permanent supportive homes for people who are already experiencing homelessness – is one important way to address this issue. Mercy House already manages or provides supportive services for more than 900 emergency shelter beds, as well as hundreds of other low-income and permanent supportive housing units, according to the application it submitted to the city. Its portfolio includes the Bridges at Kraemer Place shelter in Anaheim, which city officials say closely resembles the type of facility planned for Costa Mesa. Laguna Niguel was invited to join the partnership, but city leaders opted to operate its own in-house program, said assistant city manager Justin Martin.

Mercy Housing California

A coalition of real estate and homeowner groups have brought a lawsuit against Measure ULA, hoping to prove that California’s Proposition 13 makes “transfer taxes” for specific, designated purposes unconstitutional. LA officials say they are confident that the state constitution allows for citizens to initiate this kind of tax via ballot initiative, and the City still plans to begin collecting the tax on April 1. The bill already passed in the Senate, and support for Ukraine is broadly popular in the House, too, but a faction of hard-right lawmakers opposes sending additional aid to the country.

Burkinabè soldiers killed 44 people, including 20 children, in Nondin village, and 179 people, including 36 children and four pregnant women, in nearby Soro village in the north of the country on February 25, according to HRW. The mass killings are part of a long-running counterterrorism campaign aimed at civilians accused of collaborating with Islamist militants. The mass killings came as the U.S. counterterrorism strategy in the West African Sahel crumbled, with U.S.-trained military officers launching a long string of coups, including in Burkina Faso itself. Despite the coups and massacres, the U.S. has not cut ties with Burkina Faso, and a contingent of U.S. personnel remain in-country to “engage” with the armed forces serving the ruling junta.

Kern County Regional Advisory Group

Johnson has expressed interest in an idea floated by Trump that would send Ukraine aid in the form of a no-interest loan, which the speaker called a “commonsense suggestion”. The idea has gained traction in Washington, with the Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, proposing it to the Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, when they met in Ukraine last week. Mercy Housing Northwest owns and operates 59 properties throughout 22 counties in Washington and Idaho, providing 5,500 economically poor children and families a place to call home.

Margaret E. "Margy" O'Loughlin Hobart Obituary - Press & Sun-Bulletin - Pressconnects

Margaret E. "Margy" O'Loughlin Hobart Obituary - Press & Sun-Bulletin.

Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 16:44:28 GMT [source]

Mercy House has contracted with Mission Viejo to provide homeless outreach services for the city since 2019. Mercy House case workers offered face-to-face engagement with unhoused individuals on the city’s streets to provide immediate assistance with food, hygiene products and other basic needs as well as housing and shelter referrals. At Mercy Housing California, we develop and operate affordable, service-enriched housing that changes the lives of families, seniors, and people who have been homeless. We work with public and private partners throughout the state to help keep the most vulnerable in our communities stably housed and prevent homelessness.

US and Ukrainian officials have issued grim warnings about what could befall Ukraine on the battlefield if Washington fails to send more military aid. Zelenskiy has stressed his country’s dire need of air defense missiles, as Russia continues its deadly bombardment. We encourage each resident to understand that the support of a vibrant body of believers is critical to her future success. Each woman is provided complete prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum care from pro-life midwives and doctors. When a young woman becomes a resident at Mercy House, an opportunity begins for a complete new start. We immediately help her evaluate what she needs to begin making healthy choices and discern the direction and decisions that will be necessary for her new life.

Join Our Newsletter

These 1,700 neighborhood residents have joined with Mercy Housing California and our partners to advance Sunnydale HOPE SF, an ambitious initiative designed to improve the quality of life for current and future residents of all ages. The “Leahy laws” prohibit U.S. funding for foreign security forces implicated in gross violations of human rights. U.S. law also generally restricts countries from receiving military aid following military coups. The United States, however, has continued to provide training to Burkinabè forces, Gen. Michael Langley, the chief of Africa Command, or AFRICOM, told the House Armed Services Committee last year. Once the conversion is complete, residents will be housed in 320-square-foot rooms that allow up to two occupants and pets. Residents will have access to on-site support services, like healthcare and case management, coordinated by Santa Ana nonprofit Mercy House.

Operating in conjunction with Mercy House on the Motel 6 project is Newport Beach-based Community Development Partners, which specializes in affordable housing projects and was converting motels into living spaces years before Project Roomkey existed. While Measure ULA’s future remains uncertain, newly elected Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has already declared a “State of Emergency” on homelessness and is beginning to roll out ambitious proposals to support people experiencing housing insecurity. Officials from Laguna Hills and Rancho Santa Margarita did not respond to requests for comment.

He previously was a reporter and assistant city editor for the Daily Pilot and before that covered education, politics and government for the Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Reaching the court-set goal would allow Costa Mesa to resume enforcing its anti-camping laws for the first time in months, officials said. Our four star rating from Charity Navigator means we exceed charity industry standards in all areas. We help individuals and families learn skills and gain perspectives that make dreams of stability and hope a reality. The Burkinabè activist scoffed at the suggestion that the Burkinabè military could investigate itself and said that the junta would “erase” evidence of the massacres. The democratically elected government of that time was overthrown in 2022 by the U.S.-trained Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who himself was ousted months later by Capt. Ibrahim Traoré.

The policies that prevailed last November are now shaping the way cities plan, fund, build, lease, and preserve affordable housing. Mercy Housing California (MHC) is taking a closer look at a few of the policies and proposals with the power to make a big difference in addressing our affordable housing shortage. While council members were supportive of Mercy House, some questioned the process for awarding the contract. Because they needed to get a shelter up and running in relatively short time, city officials eschewed the typical bidding process, opting instead to approach three potential operators and see whether they would be interested in the job. In 2018 and 2019, alone, the U.S. pumped a total of $100 million in “security cooperation” funding into Burkina Faso, making it one of the largest recipients of U.S. military aid in West Africa.

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has put pressure on Johnson not to bring the measure to the floor for a vote. Mercy Housing Lakefront is proud to serve our residents in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, and we are committed to changing lives and revitalizing neighborhoods by providing safe, quality, service-enriched housing. A second phase, slated to begin early next year, will open up another 47 units for low-income seniors. Unlike a shelter, which is free but only temporary, the residents here will be asked to pay roughly 30% of their income, which may be covered by vouchers provided through the U.S. The first 40 units of the project will be move-in ready by October, providing housing for 30 formerly homeless U.S. veterans and 10 at-risk individuals eligible for assistance under the Mental Health Services Act.

Creating affordable homes and inspiring dreams as we work with residents and partners to establish engaged, strong, and inclusive communities. In Los Angeles, voters ushered in Measure ULA (short for “United to House LA”), authorizing a new funding source for affordable housing development and homelessness prevention programs. According to a report from UCLA, this new policy could generate around $900 million every year by increasing the taxes owed on each real estate deal over $5 million – or an estimated 4% of annual LA real estate transactions.

Russian military advances, including its capture of the eastern city of Avdiivka last month, and the death of the Putin foe Alexei Navalny in a Russian penal colony, have added urgency to the debate in Washington. The White House first requested fresh funds for Ukraine in October, but the proposal was immediately consumed by the fierce debate over migration at the US’s southern border with Mexico. When an attempt to address the border issue collapsed earlier this year, the Democratic-controlled Senate moved forward with a vote on the foreign aid package in February. Ukraine aid has sharply divided congressional Republicans, who were once united in toeing a hard line against Russia. But Trump’s hostility to the Nato military alliance and his flattery of Vladimir Putin have helped turn support for Ukraine into a partisan issue unpopular with his base.

Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, along with fellow council members and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, helped bring the city’s first Homekey site to fruition, allocating funds that have leveraged much larger matches from state and federal agencies. The roughly $49-million project was made possible by the state’s Project Homekey, an outcropping of an earlier initiative — Project Roomkey — which housed homeless and at-risk individuals in motel rooms shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s long been a desire for us to donate clothing, however, many facilities in the area sell garments to the homeless community rather than giving them away at no charge.

7-DAY ALASKA EXPLORER

Table Of Content

• Restaurants and Bars on HAL Eurodam
• Recently Viewed
• Fitness Center
• Visiting Alaska's Denali National Park
• ms Westerdam – The Ship
• Destinations & Ports

The label artwork was created in collaboration with Native Artist Rico Worl, a member of the Tlingit and Athabascan community, who also designed the Native artwork featured on the Alaska menus. The Killer Whale Pale Ale label represents the food chain in the Pacific Northwest, with a seal deftly maneuvering out of the grasp of a killer whale. A festive ambiance greeted us during our Friday evening port call. After sunset, 3,300 lights lit up Parliament buildings, sidewalk musicians played lively tunes and attractions stayed open late.

Restaurants and Bars on HAL Eurodam

A strong reputation for impeccable service, exquisite dining, and comprehensive itineraries ensures a truly unparalleled journey with Holland America Line. Take a memorable Alaska cruise adventure from Seattle onboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, Zaandam, cruise ships from Holland America Line. As you plan your Alaska cruise from Seattle, you’ll see lots of towns and scenic cruising areas. Shore excursions are a good place to start if you’re wondering what you to do in port.

Recently Viewed

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary. A casual, modern marketplace, Lido Market offers the widest range of food options on board for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late-night snack. Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor.

Fitness Center

Join a pickleball tournament at sea and put your dink shot to the test. Learn the basics at complimentary beginner’s lessons, starting in spring 2023. Commemorative starter kits will soon be available in our retail shops — purchase as gifts for avid players or as souvenirs, so that you can always look back on your pickleball cruise memories. We had a day and a half sailing up to Juneau, and the onboard programming included talks about the history of Alaska, the Iditarod dogsled race, native culture and wildlife. We also got a rundown from the excursion team explaining all kinds of activities we could enjoy ashore when we got to our ports. If you choose, continue the journey into the Yukon on your Alaska cruisetour.

Most like a buffet; however, passengers do not serve themselves. Check with the attendant on duty in The Retreat on the first day of your cruise to book. The fitness room has a nicely equipped weight room with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and other typical machines, along with free weights. A handful of pre-teens/teens hung out on the pool deck and were occasionally seen walking the hallways or playing ping-pong. All the kids were well-behaved, and none seemed obnoxious.

This makes for a more intimate experience and allows you to meet people from all over the world. Having never cruised before, I had no idea what to expect on the cruise, including what it would be like to board the ship. As our taxi dropped us off at the Seattle cruise terminal, I saw what seemed like hundreds of people waiting in a line in the rain.

One thing to remember is that with excursions purchased through the cruise line, you are guaranteed the ship will not leave you in port if your tour is late. Before we even set sail, HAL sent us lists of every excursion available at each port. I highly suggest reading through the activities and pre-booking them before you sail. The excellent staff held an impromptu parade for the cruise passengers, created a towel animal zoo at the pool area, and served red, white, and blue jello at the Lido Deck. The food service staff were cheerful and happy to serve you.

From pier fishing to deep-sea adventures, this post has all you need. From the stunning glaciers to the charming coastal towns, this cruise showcases the best of Alaska’s natural beauty. If booking through an independent, ensure the operator guarantees to cover the cost to get you to the ship at the next port should the ship leave without you. The entire crew made this cruise experience a vacation we will never forget.

Destinations & Ports

At first, I laughed at the laundry package, thinking, who needs that? The food, the atmosphere, and the service are all equally outstanding. The Dive-In next to the Lido Deck pool serves hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, Nathan’s hot dogs, fries, and milkshakes. The main dining room is for you if you want to be pampered and served.

Other specialty restaurants include Pinnacle Grill, a steakhouse serving the traditional cuts and sides that you expect. Holland America has been a leader with its culinary program for years. The variety of food options is excellent, and the menus have been enhanced since the creation of the line’s Culinary Council led by Chef Rudi Sodamin. Ketchikan is always lively, and Eurodam was one of five ships in port during our visit.

How a Holland America Alaska cruise is different from other cruise lines - Cruise Blog

How a Holland America Alaska cruise is different from other cruise lines.

Posted: Sat, 05 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Experience award-winning five-star service, spacious staterooms, sumptuous dining and first rate entertainment as you sail along the most beautiful coastline in the world. Guests with easy access to Seattle or Vancouver have an opportunity to cruise to Alaska at a reduced rate of $49 per person, per day with Holland America Line’s Standby program. Travelers who sign up for a cruise are alerted between seven and two days before departure if they will be sailing. Solo cruisers also only pay $49 per day and do not incur a single supplement for a double stateroom. Holland America Line is debuting a new “Killer Whale Pale Ale” on all Alaska cruises. The beer was produced in collaboration with Pike Brewing – Seattle’s oldest craft brewery – and features notes of honey, citrus and tropical fruits.

Passengers staying in solo cabins get exclusive access to the Studio Lounge (using their keycards), meaning a maximum of 82 people will share the space. On each of the ships, the "studio" zones, as Norwegian calls them, are made up of 82 special solo cabins and a private Studio Lounge where solos can gather for happy hours and other events. Only the studio zone on Norwegian's 2010-built Norwegian Epic is bigger. On Norwegian Encore, there's a much bigger version of the exclusive, extra-charge Vibe Beach Club sunning area that's on Norwegian Bliss. The pool area, a true stunner, comes with comfortable padded loungers, a pool and whirlpools.

Best Time To Book A Cruise In 2024

Table Of Content

• Best time to cruise Northern Europe to avoid crowds
• May – September
• Is There a Best Month/Season to Book a Cruise (Such as Wave Season)?
• What Are the Least Expensive Months to Sail?

Regardless of which month you cruise, the temperature will average somewhere in 80s. A 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise on Anthem of the Seas from Southampton begins at $1,270 for sailings that depart in July 2024. In July 2024, for instance, a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Harmony of the Seas starts around $980 per person for an inside cabin. The same cruise is offered for $440 less, or $540 per person, in September 2024. Weather happens -- and in the Caribbean, it happens a lot in September and October. A few years ago, I cruised the Western Caribbean near the end of October and it poured the whole time.

Best time to cruise Northern Europe to avoid crowds

Back in 1844, the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) offered the world’s first leisure cruise, taking passengers from Southampton to Gibraltar, Athens or Malta. The concept caught on, and in 1867, Mark Twain himself boarded the first cruise out of North America. Meanwhile in Asia, the Mekong and Ayeyarwady are at high enough levels to support river cruising, providing access to floating markets, colonial towns and landmarks such as the temples of Bagan.

May – September

When you book early, you can often get price protection included in your fare. As you can see, the prices for this trip are similar from one year to the next, though there is some variation across weeks. This cruise is aboard Harmony of the Seas on a 7-day cruise departing Galveston. Since the cruise is scheduled regularly for more than a year into the future, we can compare the price of the cruise now with the price of the same cruise at the same time next year. If that weren’t enough to convince you to buy as early as possible, you should also consider how waiting until closer to the cruise sail date doesn’t always save money.

Is There a Best Month/Season to Book a Cruise (Such as Wave Season)?

Rainfall does not typically last all day, however; instead, it appears in short, strong bursts. January is the coldest month for Bahamas cruises, although temperatures can be unpredictable. One week may have lows in the mid-50s with high winds and rain, whereas the following week can be 75 degrees with sunny skies. Bahamas cruises are popular year-round, but what many passengers do not realize is that The Bahamas are located further north than other Caribbean cruise ports. The location of the islands can impact their weather patterns more than ports located further south.

What is the best time of year to travel to Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean?

It seems like basic logic that if a cruise were about to set sail with empty rooms, the company would slash prices to get people on the ship. After all, once a room leaves empty, it earns no money for the cruise line. While the lure of last-minute cruise deals tempt people, data actually suggests that it’s a much better idea to book as far in advance as possible. If you don't enjoy big crowds with lots of partying, avoid a cruise to Australia during the New Year's Eve festivities, as it's one of the busiest times of year for tourists, especially in Sydney. Australia Day celebrations can also draw crowds, so be aware if your itinerary includes that January holiday.

What Are the Least Expensive Months to Sail?

Summer is also a popular time to cruise the Caribbean, and many guests appreciate more hours of daylight during this time of year. However, summer brings some of the highest crowds and temperatures, so it is not necessarily the best time to sail for all guests. Low season, on the other hand, can lead to the best savings, but you may come across poor weather and itinerary changes (i.e. hurricane season). In some destinations, such as Australia, cruises are simply not offered by Royal Caribbean during the low season due to lack of demand.

Fall: Low prices, low occupancy, risky weather

During the first half of the dry season, you can expect daily average temperatures to range somewhere between 70° F and 80° F. This means you can enjoy pleasantly warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine without risking the sweltering intensity of the summer heat. In this case the ‘shoulder’ months of May and September offer the lowest prices. This month marks the start of the Nile cruising season, with slightly cooler temperatures making onshore tours comfortable. The Galapagos’ wet season begins to draw to a close, and flowers spring up across the islands, while sea turtles and land iguanas start hatching.

Second, they know that extended families are far more likely to discuss big trips—like international cruises—over the holiday dinner table versus some random weekend in July. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.

So, When Is the Best Time for Travellers to Cruise the Caribbean?

Now we're back where we started – with you booking a Caribbean cruise that works for you and your travel group. Each season has something to offer someone, which is what makes this whole year-round Caribbean cruise thing work. If we all thought early December was truly the best time to cruise to the Caribbean, it would cease to be so. Cruise fares are higher overall in summer than in the other three seasons.

With that in mind, we've weighed factors like price and activities to help you figure out the best month for a Caribbean cruise. Look for the best prices during the shoulder seasons, from September to November (spring) and from March to May (fall). In Australia, summer is the perfect season to enjoy the country's beautiful beaches, especially in the south near Sydney. However, if you plan to head north to destinations like northern Queensland, know that summer is that region's wet season. Most days are sunny, but you'll likely encounter an afternoon or evening storm.

If you are cruising from Sydney, you may also want to be prepared for Australia Day, which occurs at the end of January, as this holiday draws large crowds to the city. No matter the month you sail, it is recommended to bring a jacket, sweater, or other warm layers. It can be chilly as your ship sails down the coast of Baja California, so it’s common to need a light jacket during the mornings and evenings while onboard. Moreover, summer is busy in general with many land-based tourists and Europeans taking summer holidays, meaning that you will encounter more people while exploring each port of call. Drop us an anchor below to share what time of year you like to vacation. Like many other regions, there isn’t really a “bad” time to visit Hawaii.

I took my first Celebrity Cruise on a new ship. We had a great time, but I missed Royal Caribbean's entertainment - Royal Caribbean Blog

I took my first Celebrity Cruise on a new ship. We had a great time, but I missed Royal Caribbean's entertainment.

Posted: Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

With that said, due to the lack of demand, fewer Caribbean cruises set sail during this time of year, which can increase costs and level them out. June and July are the peak months to cruise Alaska, and the long summer days bring out the best of the region’s wildlife including bears, whales and sea otters. As a result, both months are the least popular times of the year to vacation in the Caribbean. June and November are the least risky months during the hurricane season because they usually have the fewest tropical storms and hurricanes.

Caribbean cruises in January and February can be extremely budget friendly, with sailings available from $50 per person, per night. Now that you know the best time to book a cruise, there is one final thing to mention — cruise line sales. You might wondering if they have an impact on the best time to take a trip. In other words, if you can sail at the least expensive time, your cruise can be a sharp discount off the peak price.

For the least chance of a rain shower (but the hottest temperatures), take a cruise to Hawaii in June, July, or August. For the best prices, look into voyages that sail in November and early December. Waiting until at least February or March is a good idea for avoiding crowds, as Australian and New Zealander kids’ summer break generally runs from mid-December through January. For a voyage in northern Australia, consider March or later, as the cyclone season runs through February. There isn’t really a “bad” time to cruise to Mexico’s west coast, as the weather ranges from balmy to hot the majority of the year, and cruise ships sail there year-round. Cruise ships sail in the Mediterranean all year long, but the primary season runs from April into early November.

Carnival Cruise Surveillance Video Confirms Missing Passenger Jumped Overboard

Table Of Content

• How common is it for people to jump off cruise ships?
• Pilot explains what happens during turbulence and why passengers shouldn’t be afraid
• The Royal Caribbean have provided a statement following the devastating incident
• Survival Rate
• year-old man missing after jumping off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, report says
• Follow Us
• Gigi and Bella Hadid’s father sends racist, homophobic messages to Congressman Ritchie Torres

Reports have stated he ‘jumped off’ Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas in front of his family. For example, the temperature and visibility of the water can make a big difference. Falling overboard at night can be particularly dangerous due to limited visibility and colder temperatures. BSO's Homicide and Crime Scene units have responded to Port Everglades to investigate, while the U.S. Coast has been notified and is currently searching the sea for the crew member. "Our policies strictly prohibit guests under the age of 21 from being served alcohol onboard."

How common is it for people to jump off cruise ships?

The release of his identity comes shortly after the Coast Guard called off its search for Parker. It is hard to imagine what could have possibly led to the unnamed man leaping from the 15-deck ship.

Pilot explains what happens during turbulence and why passengers shouldn’t be afraid

She likewise assured me that no experienced diver worth his Speedo will go into the water horizontally or make a crash-landing of any sort. The tragic news has been further confirmed by passengers, who said it appeared to be an ‘impulsive’ and ‘spur of the moment’ decision. The young man is believed to have ‘jumped off’ Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas in front of his family, who were left looking on ‘helplessly’.

The Royal Caribbean have provided a statement following the devastating incident

Authorities say the man who recently disappeared from a Carnival cruise ship appeared to have jumped overboard. According to a witness, crews made multiple unsuccessful attempts to locate Robbins as the boat, resembling a pirate ship, stayed in the area for several hours. It can take a cruise ship a long time to slow down, sometimes up to a mile in distance. During this time the passenger can suffer terrible consequences, that’s if they have even survived the fall in the first place. Sea survival expert, Mike Tipton, a professor from the University of Portsmouth and co-author of Essentials of Sea Survival, calculates most cruise ship falls sadly result in death. In 2023, about 31 million passengers traveled on a cruise, and at least 10 people went overboard, with two of them surviving, Business Insider reported.

Survival Rate

This is because cruise ships have high railings, and people who go overboard are usually either intentionally jumping or doing something irresponsible. CBS Miami reported the Mardi Gras is the largest ship ever built for the cruise line. The man’s father claimed to have thrown over six life rings in the hopes of saving his son before the giant ship could come to a stop 20 minutes later where the Royal Caribbean launched search boats. Under the 2010 Cruise Vessel Security and Safety law, cruise ships must have 42-inch guard rails and man-overboard imaging or detection systems. However, not all cruise ships have implemented recently developed automatic man-overboard-detection technology, which uses thermal cameras and radars to immediately alert crew members when a person goes overboard.

The Louisiana high school graduate who disappeared after leaping off a cruise ship into dark waters off the Bahamas last week may have met a grisly fate in the “shark-infested” area, a local official said. “As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us. His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess,” Sims said of the moment before Parker jumped. Parker jumped off the 18-story Liberty of the Seas after reportedly getting into an argument with his father.

So far, crews have searched more than 200 miles of water for the missing passenger, according to the agency. “There was a lot of yelling, and the crew was alerted immediately,” cruise passenger Deborah Morrison told The Post. Heartbreaking video shows 20-year-old Levion Parker happily swimming in the ocean and fishing with his pals just a week before he drunkenly jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and was never seen again.

Follow Us

In this article, we will explore the reasons why someone might jump off a cruise ship, the ship’s response to such an incident, and the survival rate of those who have attempted it. A case of someone surviving their ordeal is taken from 2015 when a 22-year-old man fell overboard off the coast of Mexico. He was rescued by a Disney cruise ship after passengers spotted him in the water. In 2019, 26 people fell overboard out of 29 million passengers who cruised that year. This gives you a 1 in 1.4 million chance of ever falling overboard when cruising.

Staying vigilant and following safety procedures on a cruise ship can mean the difference between smooth sailing and being caught between a rock and a hard place. Before embarking on a cruise, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the ship’s safety guidelines and emergency response procedures. If you do survive the fall, you’re likely to face serious injuries, legal consequences and a lifetime ban from cruising. Cruise ships are fitted with CCTV cameras which can help, but these aren’t continually monitored. Many cruise ships are fitted with V-MOB sensors which will automatically alert the crew at the bridge of any ‘man overboard’ incident. It’s almost impossible to simply ‘fall’ from a cruise ship as the railings are quite high.

In June 2023, a woman went overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, reportedly after climbing a railing to sit on it for a photo. In the video below, Emma Cruises explains in detail the procedure that happens when someone goes overboard. She includes her own first-hand experience of the procedure when someone went overboard on her Norwegian Cruise Line sailing. The Liberty of the Seas departed from South Florida and was 57 miles from Great Inagua in The Bahamas when the passenger went overboard. Sims told the Post that after leaving the hot tub, they encountered the passenger's father while approaching the elevators. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling.

Levion Parker ID'd as Man Who Jumped to Death on Royal Caribbean Cruise - The Daily Beast

Levion Parker ID'd as Man Who Jumped to Death on Royal Caribbean Cruise.

Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The emotional toll of such an experience can also be significant, with survivors experiencing a range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s crucial to understand the gravity of the situation and to take responsibility for one’s actions to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. However, despite these incidents, travellers should rest assured that jumping off a cruise ship is not a prevalent occurrence.

The crew will plot their location at the time of the fall and navigate back to the place it’s believed that the passenger has gone overboard. According to a CLIA report, only 28.2% of passengers who fell overboard between 2009 and 2019 were successfully rescued. Last month, a 23-year-old man who felt seasick fell overboard from the MSC Euribia cruise ship while crossing the North Sea in Europe and was presumed dead.

A Guide To Celebrity's Solstice-Series Ships

Table Of Content

• Celebrating the 2023 Ryder Cup: Costa Cruises Partners With Golf’s Finest
• An introduction to Celebrity Cruises ships
• You’ll Never Want To Vacation Any Other Way
• How Long Has Costa Cruises Been a Sponsor of the Ryder Cup?
• Ship Sizes: Edge-class is Larger

When comparing the key features, I noticed that the Solstice Class ships offer a glass lawn at sea and a variety of dining options, while the Edge Class ships have an exclusive Eden venue and luxurious Iconic Suites. When Celebrity Cruises first debuted Celebrity Solstice, the first of the Solstice-series ships, a variety of travel firsts came to be. Solstice was the first ship to have a real grass lawn at sea, plus the first to have a hot glass class onboard. All of Celebrity’s ships have a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy, from dazzling entertainment to delicious cuisine. Known for their incredible service and modern ships, Celebrity Cruises has created consistency across its cruising fleet to ensure guests have an unforgettable experience. Regardless of the ship you cruise on, you will likely find similar venues and elements across all of the ship classes.

Celebrating the 2023 Ryder Cup: Costa Cruises Partners With Golf’s Finest

The line's three new Edge Class ships are widely heralded as three of the most innovative cruise ships at sea. They offer such groundbreaking features as cabins with glass walls facing the sea that open at the top to create a balcony-like feel and "Magic Carpet" platforms on their exteriors that move up and down for a variety of uses. Significantly smaller is Celebrity Xpedition, which can carry 48 passengers across 24 cabins at capacity.

An introduction to Celebrity Cruises ships

While there might be slight differences between ships within a class, these sister ships are largely identical. Stay tuned as we reveal more exciting details about the ship over the coming months, from visionary new spaces to delicious new food and drink concepts. Celebrity Xpedition had its capacity reduced from 100 passengers to just 48 passengers when Celebrity Flora launched.

All 16 Celebrity Cruises Ships, From Newest to Oldest - Travel + Leisure

All 16 Celebrity Cruises Ships, From Newest to Oldest.

Posted: Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

You’ll Never Want To Vacation Any Other Way

You will also find the Rooftop Terrace which is unique to this class of ships. Perhaps the most popular of the Celebrity Cruises ship classes is the Solstice Class. Despite the name, passengers in Concierge Class rooms do not have access to a personal concierge.

How Long Has Costa Cruises Been a Sponsor of the Ryder Cup?

There are a variety of meal options available to cater to different dietary restrictions. From breakfast to dinner, you’ll enjoy delicious and satisfying meals throughout your journey. With luxury travel, premium services, and a level of comfort that surpassed my expectations, flying first-class on this world cruise truly made me feel like a VIP. Flying in first-class on this world cruise is an incredible experience, with luxurious amenities and top-notch service.

From stunning landscapes to diverse cultures, this world cruise promises unforgettable experiences at every turn. Claire’s love affair with writing began at an early age when she discovered the magic of words and their ability to craft worlds and emotions. Her innate curiosity led her to explore various literary genres, but it was travel writing that truly captured her heart. Drawing inspiration from her own globetrotting adventures and encounters with diverse cultures, Claire embarked on a journey to become a travel writer par excellence. Claire, a creative soul with an unquenchable thirst for storytelling, is an integral part of the Voyager Info team. As a dedicated writer, she weaves captivating narratives that transport readers to enchanting cruise destinations and beyond.

To bring cruisers even closer to the ocean, Edge-class designers created one of the most revolutionary and never-before-seen innovations on any cruise ship. The Magic Carpet is a tennis-court-sized platform that hangs off the side of the ship and can move between floors to serve as temporary deck extensions. On Deck 2, the Magic Carpet is an embarkation platform for guests boarding launches to shore.

Cabins with ocean views on the same sailings start at $999 per person, and cabins with balconies on the same sailings will set you back at least $1,249 per person. They're not the least expensive vessels out there, but they're not pricey by any means. It's possible to find a week-long Celebrity voyage to the Caribbean or even Europe starting under $1,000 per person, not including taxes and fees — at least in the offseason. For 2022, some week-long Alaska sailings were selling for under $500 per person. Indeed, a Celebrity passenger staying in suites on relatively long sailings could hit the Elite level in just a few cruises. Two nights a week on seven-night sailings, Celebrity upgrades the dress code to "evening chic," which is a new take on the old cruise ship formal night that is a lot less formal.

Ship Sizes: Edge-class is Larger

Our California cruises immerse you in some of the most exciting destinations in this beautiful region while discovering the joys of a vacation at sea on one of our award-winning ships. From the charm and history of locations like Marseille, France, to the rich culture of Asia, the rugged beauty of Alaska, and the dreamy beaches of the South Pacific. We can help you broaden your horizons because we share your passion for travel.

For a supervised "slumber party." This is essentially a group kid-sitting service. While not huge with families with young children, Celebrity does draw a fair number of multigenerational family groups. It's one of the lines you take if you want an affordable ship that will appeal to your 70-year-old parents as much as your 12-year-old kid.

Celebrity doesn't offer quite as big a range of itineraries as Princess and Holland America, for instance. For the coming winter, 10 of the line's 12 main ships are scheduled to sail in the Caribbean. The line has canceled its normal deployment of one ship to Asia due to continuing COVID-19-related travel restrictions in the region.

Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just looking to have a good time, Club 6 offers a vibrant dance floor experience that will leave you wanting more. The Princess poolside theater features day and night showings of movies, concerts, and even sporting events. These shows are a feast for the senses, combining interactive sound and light effects with dancing fountains. I love how the Princess Poolside Theater on the Regal Princess offers a larger screen, making the movie experience larger-than-life.

There are plenty of loungers in the sun, shade, and poolside, and there are also cabanas available for rent. Our luxury cruise ships are filled with entertainment for all ages and preferences. Watch riveting shows at the cutting-edge theater, which feature popular music, stunning dance sequences, and gravity-defying acrobatics.

With innovation at its forefront, Celebrity Cruises made waves in the cruise industry with these elegant and beautifully designed ships during their debut. Solstice Class ships were the first cruise ships to feature real grass lawns at sea in an area called Lawn Club. While playing yard games on the grass, you can grab a bite to eat at Lawn Club Grill. With five ships in the class, you are likely to sail on one of these cruise ships at some point if you start regularly cruising with Celebrity, as it is the line's largest class of ships. With plenty of glass panels and windows for sightseeing, Solstice class ships sail to far-flung locations like Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Asia, and South America.

Don’t miss the adults-only Solarium, the Rooftop Garden, the aforementioned Eden, or the Magic Carpet, which offers the best views at sea. The Celebrity Ascent offers an expanded Retreat area (exclusive to suite guests), complete with a 40-percent-larger two-story sundeck, and the swanky Sunset Bar, which is 180 percent larger. Finally, stay in one of the Iconic Suites, the largest in the Celebrity fleet, for the ultimate splurge. It offers a new two-story sun deck with hot tubs, lounge chairs and private cabanas that are open exclusively to passengers staying in suites.

With the Birdie package, I will have access to three courses during my cruise. This package includes exclusive amenities such as priority disembarkation and embarkation, equipment storage and insurance, and a welcome kit in my cabin. I will also receive a snack basket, private transfers to and from the golf courses, and a golf kit. Additionally, I will have early breakfast times, the choice of dinner time, reserved seating in the restaurant, and special onboard offers. The Solstice Class ships provide a range of features, including the unique glass lawn at sea and a variety of dining options, with specialty restaurants adding to the culinary experience.