I finally sailed aboard QM2 (Queen Mary 2)

Yes it's true! A little over a week ago, my wife and I had the pleasure to sail aboard QM2 from New York to St. Thomas. As one of the top producing travel agencies for Cunard Line, we and a select few were invited as a "thank you" for our business.

The cruise was slated for 8 days, sailing from New York to the Caribbean, then back to New York. I only could go for three days, yet it was just enough time to get a real good feel for this spectacular ship.

For me, the best part of my experience was the cabin and its size. Very nice colors and NOT too much furniture to clutter the room. Best of all - lots of closet space... Our cabin had what the cruise line folder describes as a sheltered balcony. This had me a little concerned , just what does that mean?

Well to my surprise - We had a very lovely balcony with room for two big chairs and a table. Our view to the ocean was prefect and because it was sheltered, no WIND!

I would encourage anyone wanting to sail aboard QM2 to call me. There is so much more to tell. Bottom line - A cruise on QM2 is a great experience.

Are you ready for this?

New dining room fare with a modern presentation, redesigned cuisine in the alternative restaurants and signature snacks are being rolled out aboard the Princess Cruises fleet in a major culinary initiative.

Emerald Princess and Royal Princess, debuting this month in the Mediterranean, will be the first vessels to feature these enhancements.

‘We always strive to keep our culinary program fresh and up-to-date, reflecting both changing trends and what our passengers tell us they enjoy,’ said Peter Tobler, vp food and beverage operations for Princess.

The most noticeable change will be the new menus and presentation in the main dining rooms. Dishes will include non-traditional combinations, more sophisticated flavors and ethnic influences, such as Pan-Asian and Latin American. Passengers will also find a wider selection of lighter fare, designated with the ‘Lotus Spa’ insignia. Oversized white-on-white crockery and leather-bound menus will showcase the cuisine.

More than 1,350 new lunch and dinner dishes will be introduced, said Princess corporate executive chef Alfredo Marzi. Instead of many specified courses, diners may now choose from a greater variety of starters, main plates and desserts. A ‘Late-Late Riser’ breakfast will be offered at lunch on sea days.

The effort extends beyond the main dining rooms to the alternative restaurants where, for example, the menu in Sabatini’s trattoria is being updated with a lighter twist in the same number of courses. Also, the buffet service will get new touches such tables pre-set with cutlery and napkins. In addition, passengers can have pizza delivered to their cabin for a $3 charge, and fresh-baked cookies and milk will be available each afternoon, a treat that debuted with last year’s Crown Princess.

Handle your own luggage if you choose!

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises passengers with early flights can now choose Express Departure and carry off their own luggage instead of claiming it in the terminal.

Passengers who use the new option keep their bags in their rooms the night before disembarkation and carry them off between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m.

Express Departure is available on every Royal Caribbean and Celebrity vessel, in ports throughout North and South America and Europe.

Both lines also offer Luggage Valet, a pay service for those who wish to check their bags and receive their airline boarding pass before leaving the ship. When they arrive at the airport, they proceed directly to the security checkpoint.

Luggage Valet is available at ports such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Tampa, San Juan, Seattle and Vancouver. Participating airlines include American, Continental, Delta and United.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity passengers may also check in online prior to sailing and print their own cruise boarding pass.