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Cruises

A Different View with Celebrity Cruises

November 12, 2015 by cheriecity

When I travel, I like to stumble upon the unexpected and experience a different side of the destination I’m in. Whether it’s at the top of a steep hill or through a secret passage, there’s usually something good to be found there and my curiosity is often rewarded.

As part of the Celebrity Cruises Destination Bloggers group, I’ve discovered some inspiring views, from glorious candy-coloured streets in Puerto Rico to secluded golden sand beaches on the island of St. Maarten and breathtaking thermal springs in Iceland.

Inspired by unique travel landscapes, Celebrity Cruises launches it exciting new national campaign, A Different View. From 14 November, 20 frames will pop up around the UK (in central London, Chester, Birmingham, Weymouth, Canterbury and Southampton) offering a different perspective of a popular spot.

Frame locations have been chosen by photography and travel experts and Celebrity Cruises ambassadors such as travel-savvy TV presenters, top chefs, clued-up Instagrammers and all of us Destination Bloggers.

I’m excited to have my very own frame made of ice from the Celebrity Cruises Martini Bar in buzzing Central St. Giles. This lively location is one of London’s everyday architectural gems (designed by Renzo Piano) where you can enjoy public art and watch the world go by over a tasty lunch.

Other frames feature materials based on objects or experiences found onboard Celebrity Cruises’ ships (think turf to represent the real grass of the Lawn Club and Persian tiles from the spa and steam room) and can be viewed at Tower Bridge, the V&A Museum and Chelsea’s Albert Bridge.

The frames will be present at the locations from 14-21 November and to celebrate, you are invited to enter an exclusive competition to WIN a luxury travel prize.

Simply snap your own view through my chosen frame at Central St. Giles (it’s easy to spot) and post the photo on Twitter or Facebook using #ADifferentView (don’t forget to tag in @cheriecity). The two entrants with the best photographs over the week will receive a pair of leather luggage tags by Aspinal of London (I already own a pair myself and they’re fabulous). Competition closes: 21st November.

For destination inspiration and to see a different view with Celebrity Cruises, watch this beautifully-shot video…

To find out more about #ADifferentView and to view the frame locations and brand film, visit: ADifferentView.co.uk or celebritycruises.co.uk.

Photos by Chérie City (luggage tags by Aspinal of London)

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Cruises

Celebrity Eclipse: A Taste of Modern Luxury

May 21, 2015 by cheriecity

Last week, I joined Celebrity Cruises in Southampton for a two-night Taste of Modern Luxury sailing to Paris onboard the recently refurbished Celebrity Eclipse.

I first experienced Celebrity Cruises with a 7-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway onboard the Celebrity Reflection late last year and was excited to see how the two ships would compare. As well as a fresh new look, the Eclipse has a number of new features and partnerships.

The Room

My mum accompanied me as my cruise companion and we were assigned to a lovely Ocean View Balcony Room on deck seven. The spacious, brand new room was designed in a similar style to the Reflection and was the perfect base for our two-night onboard adventure.

Sail Away Drinks

We watched the ship sail away from Southampton over drinks in the Sky Observation Lounge with panoramic, floor to ceiling views of the port. Late afternoon was spent exploring the ship’s new features such as the Slush poolside bar and the new Gastrobar, offering over 40 craft beers.

World Class Bar

Our evening began with an exclusive media cocktail party at the world’s first permanent World Class Bar. Launched in partnership with leading drinks group Diageo, the bar is an extension of the prestigious competition that annually names a bartender the best in the world.

Mixologists from around the world are rigorously put through their paces with a number of challenges, including creating new cocktails that are set to impress.

Spike Marchant, pioneer of the World Class competition, demonstrated some cool cocktail tricks such as how to make a smoking drink. Diageo ambassadors introduced some of the premium spirit brands that are used at the bar and best of all, we had the chance to sample some of the cocktails on the menu, served in cute mini martini glasses.

Our favourite cocktail was the refreshing Celebrity No. Ten made with Tanqueray No. TEN, raspberries and crème de violette. World Class Bar is currently debuting on the Celebrity Eclipse but will soon be followed by bars onboard the remaining four Solstice Class ships.

Dinner in the Moonlight Sonata Restaurant

The boozy event was followed by dinner in the Moonlight Sonata Restaurant – the ship’s elegant main dining room. We enjoyed an international four-course menu of Thai Beef Spring Roll with Ginger Glass Noodle Salad, Baked Onion Soup, Grilled Pork Chop with Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes and String Beans and Apple Pie à la Mode.

Menu Tasting in Luminae

The next morning, our foodie adventure started with a delicious breakfast of banana and blueberry pancakes and Eggs Benedict in the Ocean View Cafe. This was followed by a late-morning menu tasting in new Suite Class restaurant Luminae.

The bright, shimmering restaurant is the epitome of modern luxury with stylish interiors and a bespoke menu.

The chefs source market-fresh ingredients for the daily-changing menu, so they can cook with the best that the destination has to offer.

We started with a glass of Champagne and were served a tasting plate of beautifully-cooked Poached Lobster with pineapple and radish, Iberico Ham Croquette, Steak Tartare and Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Iberico ham, sourdough croutons, black trompette mushrooms and mascarpone.

We were also treated to petite handcrafted desserts including a Layered Chocolate Mousse, Blackcurrant Marshmallow, Nougat and Chocolate Truffle. Lucky Suite guests can then round off their meal with a few sweet bites from the exquisite sweet trolley.

Wine Tasting with Oz Clarke

As if that wasn’t indulgent enough for midday, we continued with a special wine tasting with wine expert Oz Clarke in the Moonlight Sonata Restaurant. I thought I knew which wines I like and the ones to avoid, but Oz completely changed my perceptions.

Oz took us through the fascinating history of wine, from New Zealand to the rugged coasts of California, ending in Shiraz in ancient Persia, where wine-producing dates back almost 7000 years.

We sampled two delicious, top notch white wines including Wairau River Sauvignon from New Zealand and St. Francis Chardonnay from the US – all paired with suitable cheeses. Then it was on to the reds – Montgras Carménère Reserva from Chile and Ross Estate Lights Out Shiraz from Australia.

Oz also dispelled a few wine myths – apparently cheese isn’t really a heavenly match for wine, as the cheese takes away the tanin and makes it harder to detect flaws in a wine.

He really made us laugh when musing on why Chardonnay has been hijacked by Bridget Jones and the Footballers’ Wives character who managed to set fire to her own breasts. While Chardonnay has fallen out of fashion, Oz told us that in fact, the seemingly more refined Chablis is in fact made from Chardonnay grapes.

Cookery Demonstration with Chef Robert Thompson

After my favourite cruising lunch of Chicken Caesar Salad followed by a selection of cakes, we headed to the Eclipse Theatre for a Great British Chefs event – a cookery demonstration by Robert Thompson, one of the youngest chefs in the UK to receive a Michelin star. He whipped up a tempting pasta dish and talked about the imminent opening of his first Isle of Wight restaurant, Thompson’s.

A Travel Talk with Ben Fogle

One of the highlights of the sailing for me was hearing Ben Fogle talk about adventure travel. His stories were simply captivating and had everyone on the edge of their seats as he talked about competing in the Atlantic Rowing Race with James Cracknell, the perils of swimming with crocodiles and running the six-day Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert.

Dinner at Tuscan Grille

That evening, I joined the other Celebrity Cruises Destination Bloggers – Suzanne of The Travelbunny and Lucy of On The Luce – in Tuscan Grille for a four-course dinner prepared by Adam Simmonds, winner of Great British Chef Menu 2014.

I’d already sampled Adam Simmonds’ cooking at the opening of his Kensington restaurant Pavilion, so I knew we were in for a real treat.

Tuscan Grille is the perfect sailing away restaurant with its location at the back of the ship and panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. We started with a light and tasty Pan-Fried Breast of Quail with confit leg, broad beans, asparagus, Spring truffle and crispy sourdough.

This was followed by a flavoursome Flame Grilled Mackerel with English wasabi, compressed cucumber, avocado and ponzu. The main course of succulent Roasted Loin of Lamb with belly, goats curd and onion ash was a real crowd-pleaser on our table, so much so that we fell into momentary silence to really enjoy it.

Dessert was a refreshing Dark Chocolate Delice with peppermint granita and peppermint gel. The dark chocolate mousse was velvety and not overly sweet and I loved the intense yet natural flavour of the peppermint.

With our newly-acquired wine knowledge, we appreciated the wines paired with each course – Pouilly Fussie, Riesling, Côtes du Rhône and Douro Port (Oz Clarke would certainly approve).

Ovations at the Eclipse Theatre

After dinner, we headed over to the Eclipse Theatre to see the Ovations show with live performances of musical numbers by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. The night ended with drinks at the lively Martini Bar and we took a couple of mini pastel iced eclairs and choux from the pretty Marie-Antoinette-inspired dessert counter in the Ocean View Cafe to graze on in bed.

With some much happening onboard, we didn’t quite have time to get off the ship and explore Le Havre. However, if you want a full day of sightseeing in the City of Lights, there are a number of shore excursions to Paris.

We managed to pack a lot into our short time onboard the Celebrity Eclipse and were really impressed with the ship’s new features, particularly the World Class Bar and Luminae.

If you’re sailing on the Eclipse this summer, look out for eco-awareness centre Team Earth on deck seven, where you can view shortlisted and winning entries to the World Photography Organisation’s Global Encounters Stories, in partnership with Celebrity Cruises.

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises

Photos by Chérie City (Luminae and Tuscan Grille by Celebrity Cruises)

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Cruises

Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas Cruise

May 13, 2015 by cheriecity

Royal Caribbean has just launched its new game-changing Quantum Class ship Anthem of the Seas, sailing for just one season from the UK. The world’s third largest cruise ship is truly impressive with cutting-edge technology and a number of exciting new features.

A few weeks ago, I attended a two-night pre-inaugural sailing onboard Anthem of the Seas from Southampton, voyaging around the English Channel. It was a rare opportunity to be the first to experience the onboard accommodation, dining and entertainment and I was blown away by just how amazing this ship is.

Curb to Cruise in 10 Minutes

Anthem of the Seas boasts a ‘curb to cruise in 10 minute’ policy with its clever new online check-in system that allows you to upload your identity photo in advance. Happily it went as smoothly as promised for us – check-in and security were a breeze and before we knew it we were boarding the ship and scanning the corridors for our stateroom.

The Room

Our spacious Deluxe Ocean View Balcony Room on deck six was beautifully designed in a palette of royal blue and cream with light and dark wood highlights. There are some stylish design touches that give it the feel of a boutique hotel room, such as a matching geometric pattern on the lamps and curtains, bold cushions, a circular mirror and vibrant artwork.

Room features include a super-comfy double bed, long sofa, writing desk, flatscreen Smart TV, two wardrobes, drawer unit, minibar and a kettle with tea and coffee. The best part of the room is of course the balcony with a table and two chairs to relax and enjoy those sunset views.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is top notch with a walk-in shower with good water pressure, single sink, storage space, plenty of towels and face cloths, bathroom products produced by Gilchrist & Soames and a hairdryer. Before cruising, I didn’t have high hopes for stateroom bathrooms, but Royal Caribbean and its sister Celebrity Cruises have always impressed with the facilities and reasonable amount of space.

Dining Onboard Anthem of the Seas

Dining is a massive highlight of cruising, with most conversations focusing on what you’ve eaten, how much you’ve eaten and where you’re eating that evening. Anthem of the Seas features so many dining options that it’s impossible to get bored – in fact, you’d need a lengthy sailing to experience all of them.

American Grill

An exciting new initiate for the complimentary restaurants is Dynamic Dining, where guests can have dinner on rotation at three main restaurants – American Icon Grill, Chic and the Asian-inspired Silk. We dined in American Icon Grill on our second evening and enjoyed a special taster menu of dishes from all three restaurants, such as Baked Artichokes with Monterey Jack cheese, Surf and Turf Filet Mignon with Grilled Prawns, Tarte Tatin and Baked Cheesecake.

Coastal Kitchen

We also enjoyed a fabulous lunch in the rustic, California-inspired Coastal Kitchen, exclusively for Suite Class guests and Pinnacle members. Our menu included a selection of charcuterie and flatbread starters followed by Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with roasted squash, Provencal tomatoes and lemon essence and a selection of desserts including Honey Baklava, Tiramisu and Cafe Con Leche.

Windjammer Marketplace

Windjammer Marketplace, the all-day restaurant described by Royal Caribbean as a ‘global culinary pavillion’ (it’s so much more than simply a buffet) is a foodie focal point. The numerous stations offer high quality international dishes, pasta and paninis made to order by the chefs, fresh salads and antipasti and delicious waffles and pancakes at breakfast.

There’s even an in-house bakery with bountiful viennoiserie station, a bespoke celebration cake ordering service and a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine.

The two-floor Promenade feels like a mini village, filled with complimentary and speciality restaurants such as traditional pizzeria Sorrento, Promenade Café, Michael’s Genuine Pub by Miami’s Michael Schwartz, Jamie’s Italian and the theatrical Wonderland.

Izumi

On our first night, we had dinner at the Japanese sushi bar Izumi. We shared plates of delicious chicken kara-age, pork gyoza, crispy shrimp and avocado maki and Champagne-poached lobster rolls – perfect for a light and interesting meal.

Other speciality restaurants include The Grande Restaurant, Chops Grille, Prime Table and the calorie-controlled Devinly Decadence by author and chef Devin Alexander.

The Pool Deck

Of course, there’s plenty more to do onboard other than eating your way around the ship (as fun as that is). The pool deck is ideal for soaking up the sun with outdoor and indoor pools, whirlpools, an adults-only solarium, jogging track and the very cool FlowRider 40-foot long surf simulator.

For the particularly daring, there’s the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, outdoor rock climbing and the North Star observation pod, offering 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level.

Vitality Spa

To take it down a notch or two, pay a visit to the enormous, maze-like Vitality Spa, where you can have treatments ranging from a simple and effective massage to acupuncture and even fillers performed by qualified doctors. I kept it low-key with a refreshing Elemis Tri-Enzyme Facial to brighten and resurface my skin.

SeaPlex Centre

SeaPlex Centre is a real playground for both adults and kids and we loved spending time there. The main area is multi-purpose, so at different times of the day, you can have a whirl on the bumper cars, roller skate, play football or dance to DJs when it turns into a nightclub at night (Lauren Pope was spinning on our sailing).

The Xbox Lounge

The Xbox Lounge has great games and comfy sofas, plus you can battle it out at table tennis, air hockey and the retro arcade games. There’s also the SeaPlex Dog House within the centre for refueling with a gourmet hot dog between games.

Two70 Theatre

One of my favourite part of the ship was the Two70 Theatre with ground-breaking Vistarama technology that turns a two-floor sea view into any scene, real or imagined. There’s also the delightful adjoining Café Two 70 offering fresh salads and deli sandwiches made to order as well as cakes and pastries, so it really feels like a social hub.

Spectra’s Cabaret

Royal Caribbean has partnered with digital innovators Moment Factory to produce Spectra’s Cabaret exclusively for Anthem of the Seas, performed each night in Two70. This truly spectacular, edgy show will change your perceptions of cruise cabaret with it’s dazzling visuals, contemporary music and stunning choreography (you may also recognise Spectra as Raven O of The Box London).

We Will Rock You

On the second night, we watched the Olivier Award-winning We Will Rock You in the Anthem Theatre. I thought it would be an abridged version, but it was in fact the full-length musical straight from London’s West End.

To make the night last even longer, have a drink in the rock ‘n’ roll bar Music Hall, listen to live jazz in the intimate Schooner Bar or sip a cocktail created entirely by robots at the state-of-the-art Bionic Bar.

Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas is a triumph of technology, however the human touch is still there and all of the staff that we encountered were so welcoming and friendly. With such a focus on digital innovation and world dining, it is definitely my kinda ship and I hope to have the chance to sail on Anthem of the Seas again.

Anthem of the Seas is sailing from the UK until October. For more information and booking, visit: www.royalcaribbean.com

Chérie City was a guest of Royal Caribbean

All photos by Chérie City

Cruises, London

Cooking Demonstration with Eric Lanlard

January 14, 2015 by cheriecity

Last weekend, I headed to the Telegraph Cruise Show at ExCel, to check out the latest in the world of cruising.

If you have your eye on a cruise, the Telegraph Cruise Show is the place to come and get inspired by the destinations and talk to a real person about life on board and the different routes.

You can also book a cruise at the show and take advantage of some exclusive discounts and deals.

The big players in the cruise industry such as Celebrity Cruises, Silversea and Viking were all present, but there were also some smaller boutique cruise liners for those looking for something a little different.

The highlight of the show was a cooking demonstration by master pâtissier Eric Lanlard in the Kitchen Theatre. He joined celebrity chefs James Martin and Atul Kochhar and wine expert Olly Smith as part of the cruise liner’s new Food Heroes programme.

Guests sailing on the P&O Britannia will be able to book daily cooking classes with the chefs onboard. There’s even the chance to dine with the chefs and ask them all of those burning cookery questions.

Eric Lanlard brings his expertise to the Market Cafe and gives Britannia’s afternoon tea experience a little je ne sais quoi. At the live cookery demo, Eric showed us how to make Brittany-style Chocolate Salted Caramel Truffles. Not only was it an informative and fun session, but we also got to taste the truffles at the end.

Here are some of Eric Lanlard’s top tips for superior chocolate-making:

– Never cook with ‘baking chocolate’, as it’s simply the factory off-cuts of average quality chocolate. Instead, head to the confectionery aisle and pick up a bar that you would usually eat.

– Bake with chocolate that has a maximum cocoa content of 70% – anything higher will be too bitter.

– Baking with margarine? Just don’t even go there! Your cakes will rise and become fluffy but won’t taste good.

– Try using proper salted butter with flakes of sea salt in baking to get that unique Brittany taste.

– Use chocolate truffle cases and pipe in the filling for a more professional look.

– Don’t be too snobby about chocolate – even Eric Lanlard often has a bar of Cadbury Fruit & Nut and a Lindt Bunny in his fridge.

Are you planning a cruise? Where would your dream cruise destinations be?

Chérie City was invited by Telegraph Cruise Show

Photos by Chérie City and Telegraph Cruise Show

Beach, Cherie Soleil, Cruises, Miami, USA

The Best Art Deco Spots on South Beach

January 7, 2015 by cheriecity

After our recent Celebrity Eastern Caribbean Cruise, we spent two extra nights in Miami before flying home. It was a great chance to explore the port city and the perfect end to a relaxing, inspiring trip.

Discovering Miami can take time, as it’s quite a spread-out city with long causeways connecting the centre of Miami to Miami Beach. As we were only there for a short weekend, we concentrated on two areas – Wynwood Art District near Downtown Miami and of course South Beach.

South Beach is such an intriguing place, bathed in a neon glow with the biggest cars you’ve ever seen and gym bunnies rollerblading on the boardwalk in front of the perfectly-manicure beach.

It can at first be disorientating, but I quickly fell in love with Miami and it’s dreamy, pastel-hued Art Deco architecture. Luckily, our hotel for the weekend, The Tides South Beach (an Art Deco gem itself), on Ocean Drive is ideally positioned to see the very best of South Beach.

The long powder sand beach has mostly calm waters and is punctuated with the coolest deco-style lifeguard huts. We loved strolling up and down the beach to spot them and admire their different colours and patterns.

After the devastating Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the city of Miami Beach set about replacing the damaged huts (only one of 17 survived) and took the opportunity to jazz up the beach landscape.

Brooklyn-based painter Kenny Scharf, among others, lent his pop art style to the design of 29 huts and each took around 5 weeks to build. It would now be difficult to imagine Miami Beach without these colourful beacons.

Miami Beach’s famous Art Deco Historic District is the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world with 960 historic buildings. Built during the 1930s and 40s, Miami’s historic buildings have their own unique ‘Tropical Deco’ style, reflecting the spirit and glamour of its seaside location.

The buildings are recognisable by their pastel painted facades, aquatic motifs, eyebrow window overhangs, neon lighting and nautical design features such as porthole windows and ship-like railings.

Thanks to the Miami Design Preservation League, established by the late Barbara Capitman in 1976, the buildings have been protected as landmarks and restored to their former glory, after falling into neglect.

Some of the most striking and well-known Art Deco and Streamline Moderne buildings are on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue and ones we saw include The Breakwater, The Barbizon, The Carlyle, US Post Office, The Marlin Hotel and The Colony Hotel.

Not to be missed is The Webster on Collins Avenue – it’s the epitome of Miami glamour, complete with illustrated flamingoes and splashes of pink neon. The beautifully-designed concept store offers three floors of covetable designer womenswear, menswear and accessories, as well as a ground-floor bar and buzzing roof terrace (there’s even a happy hour on selected evenings).

It’s worth paying a visit to the Art Deco Welcome Center to find out more about the area and book a walking tour. There’s also a fantastic gift shop filled with kitsch Miami souvenirs, vintage jewellery and art prints of the Art Deco buildings.

While out spotting Art Deco treasures, we took some time to people-watch with a cup of frozen yoghurt on the South Beach promenade. It’s definitely a stage for Miami’s tanned, toned locals and with such a fabulous beach on the doorstep, who wouldn’t want to be outside?

We were also treated to a few iguana sightings, watching them climb up the palm trees and bask in the sun. Can you spot one of the little creatures camouflaged among the palms?

Our weekend in Miami really enhanced our already fabulous cruise and if your flight leaves late on disembarkation day, you can add a whirlwind excursion to explore the city. Cruisers can glide along the Everglades on an airboat or enjoy a Hop On Hop Off Miami City Tour with a seamless airport drop-off.

Miami is a truly unique city with so many amazing sights and neighbourhoods that you can’t help but be charmed by it. Florida still owes us for the all-day torrential rain on Sunday and we’re convinced it’s a sign to return soon.

All photos by Chérie City

For more Miami travel ideas, read my review of:

Art, Cafes, Cruises, Miami, USA

A Guide to Wynwood Arts District Miami

January 4, 2015 by cheriecity

Miami’s Wynwood Arts District was high on our list of sights to see and even a tropical storm couldn’t deter us from visiting.

Wynwood is a semi-industrial neighbourhood north of Downtown Miami where derelict warehouses have been given a new lease of life as art galleries, artist studios, restaurants, cafe-bars and shops. It’s become known for its riotously colourful, large-scale street art and is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon discovering local talent.

Wynwood is a huge part of Art Basel, hosted annually in Miami, with a number of gallery events, parties and open studios.

Wynwood Art Walk

The best time to visit, however, is for the Wynwood Art Walk on the first Saturday evening of each month, when there’s a real party atmosphere. There’s even a direct shuttle bus from South Beach to make getting there even easier.

On Sunday afternoon, we crossed the enormous Julia Tuttle Causeway from our base on South Beach and started from the top at North 36th Street and 2nd Avenue.

Immediately we encountered cool graffiti, vintage clothes stores, coffee shops and a number of Puerto Rican shops and restaurants (Wynwood has been known as ‘Little San Juan’ since the 1950s). If you hadn’t already guessed, Wynwood is Miami’s hipsterville.

Wynwood Walls

At the heart of the district is the Wynwood Walls, a permanent outdoor mural exhibition, featuring work by over 50 artists from around the world including Shepard Fairey, Swoon, Aiko, Faith47 and Retna.

Created by the late Tony Goldman in 2009, Wynwood Walls has become a revolutionary platform for street art and the murals now extend far beyond it.

Zak The Baker

A highlight of our trip to Wynwood was seeking shelter from the storm over lunch at Zak The Baker. I’d read about Miami born and bred baker Zak Stern before our trip and the bakery was just as good as I’d hoped.

Housed in a converted warehouse with a large open-plan kitchen, Zak The Baker is a rustic-urban bakery and cafe that Zak states ‘happens to be kosher’.

Zak has quite an intriguing background – he turned his back on a pharmaceuticals degree to travel the world and learn how to bake bread. His travels took him to an ashram in India and farms in South America, Israel and across Europe.

Zak The Baker is a popular spot for lunch and serves hearty stews, home-made soups, gourmet sandwiches and tempting cakes. I ordered a fantastic sourdough toast topped with sage pesto, roasted calabaza and fontina. The combination of simple flavours was incredible and the ingredients were of such high quality.

Steven went for an equally delicious toast topped with tuna, cranberry, cilantro and grated carrot. If we have the chance to return, we’d try one of the more substantial sandwiches and an indulgent chocolate and almond butter toast.

We finished on a sweet note with a double chocolate cookie and a cup of Earl Grey tea. The heavenly cookie had a rich, fondant-like centre and a delicate, crumbly crust – a perfect way to brighten a rainy day.

Panther Coffee

Another Wynwood hotspot is Panther Coffee – a Miami-based speciality coffee roaster with a second cafe on Miami Beach. They have some pretty cool coffee-making apparatus and there’s a good selection of bites to choose from. It’s a small cafe and seemingly home to the laptop brigade, but there’s plenty of space on the terrace on brighter days.

Wynwood is such an inspiring, unique creative hub and it should be high on your list of places to visit in Miami. Unfortunately Sunday was our only option on this short stay in Miami, so quite a few galleries and shops were closed.

Then again, Zak The Baker is closed on Saturday – and that’s an experience you won’t want to miss – so perhaps visit midweek and take a closer look on the Saturday evening Wynwood Art Tour.

Chérie City started and finished a Celebrity Cruise Eastern Caribbean Cruise in Miami. Join Celebrity Reflection on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway fly/cruise from £1,650 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom).

For more information or to book, call 0845 456 0523 or visitwww.celebritycruises.co.uk

All photos by Chérie City

For more Miami travel ideas, read my review of:

Caribbean, Cherie Soleil, Cruises, Tours, USA

Exploring Philipsburg & Marigot, St Maarten

January 2, 2015 by cheriecity

The third destination on our Celebrity Eastern Caribbean Cruise was the stunning island of St. Maarten. It was our favourite day onshore, thanks to our fantastic excursion – the 5-hour Sightsee Marigot and Beach Getaway.

St. Maarten is a unique island, as it has both a Dutch and French side (named St. Martin), complete with different local languages and currency.

Originally discovered by Christopher Columbus, St. Maarten was colonised by the Dutch, French and British, who established salt mines on the island. They were later exiled by the Spanish, but after the 80 Year War, were able to return and the land was eventually divided between the Dutch and French.

The Celebrity Reflection docked on the Dutch side in Philipsburg and we swiftly set off on our large air-conditioned coach driving through the town and countryside. Our first stop was close to Fort Amsterdam, boasting spectacular views over Great Bay and Philipsburg.

Marigot

We spent two hours exploring Marigot, the island’s picturesque French capital. Marigot’s Rue de la Liberté is lined with colourful sidewalk cafes, fresh seafood restaurants, local shops and an open-air market selling clothes and handicrafts.

Marigot feels unmistakably French with designer stores such as Hermès, Cartier and Longchamp at Plaza Caraïbe, pharmacies selling French skincare brands and a number of quaint boulangeries offering freshly-baked baguettes and tempting pastries.

The town has a relaxed, friendly vibe and is slightly off the tourist trail, so it doesn’t feel crowded. We had a great time strolling through the town, admiring the colourful Creole houses and pretty gardens.

For a spot of culture, climb up to the historic Fort Louis. Built in 1789, the fort was ordered by the governor of St Martin and St Barth for Louis XVI of France. Originally built to protect the harbour warehouses, the fort is perched on a hill above the marina and offers breathtaking views of Marigot and Anguilla.

Marigot Bay is a delightful place to sit and watch the world go by and enjoy the warm, humid weather.

Orient Bay

We then drove on through the lush, green countryside to Orient Bay for a relaxing beach break. On the way there, our driver slowed down so we could spot a number of iguanas basking in the sun. It was a nice surprise to see so many of them together, all different sizes and shades of green and orange.

Orient Bay is a stunning beach destination with golden powder sand, gentle waves and lush green hills. The excursion included use of sun loungers and we were offered a complimentary drink of rum or fruit punch from the beach bar.

We took a dip in the sea and walked along the shore, but if you have more time to spend at Orient Bay, you can hire a jet ski.

On the way back, our excellent tour guide shared more facts about the island and took us through some of the residential neighbourhoods.

Philipsburg

While Marigot is the place for duty-free designer fashion, Philipsburg’s Front Street is lined with a number of diamond and fine jewellery stores. The port is also lively and fun with plenty of shops and rum shacks – look out for the bar that makes delicious coconut smoothies.

St. Maarten is such a beautiful island and I highly recommend booking one of the longer shore excursions, so you can explore both the French and Dutch side. We covered quite a distance to get to Marigot and our tour guide was so knowledgeable about the island and eager to share.

For a more leisurely day, you can relax on Grand Bay beach, within walking distance of the port in the centre of town.

Join Celebrity Reflection on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway fly/cruise from £1,650 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom). For more information or to book, call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises

All photos by Chérie City

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Caribbean, Cherie Soleil, Cruises, Shopping, USA

Places to See in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas

December 15, 2014 by cheriecity

The second destination of our Celebrity Cruises Eastern Caribbean Getaway was Chalotte Amalie on the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

One of my favourite parts of a cruise is sailing in to the port of a new destination and feeling the excitement build as the scenery unfolds. Even better if it can be from the privacy of my own balcony, complete with a plush bathrobe and room service breakfast.

Arriving in Charlotte Amalie was a real thrill as we admired the colourful buildings and lush green hills along French Bay and Prince Rupert Cove.

We decided to explore Charlotte Amalie on our own, however there are some tempting shore excursion such as a tour of nearby island St. John, snorkeling in Shipwreck Cove or a trip to Magens Bay Beach.

Downtown Charlotte Amalie

From Havensight Port, we took one of the public safari buses for a short ride into Downtown Charlotte Amalie. The open-sided buses are frequent, comfortable and the most popular form of transport for Celebrity Cruises guests to get around the town.

Charlotte Amalie is a haven for duty-free shopping and most cruisers head to Main Street with its pretty, colonial-style buildings to pick up some bargains.

On arrival, a friendly local bar owner spotted us and kindly gave us a mini factual tour of the nearby buildings. Proud of the town’s historical spots, which may often be overlooked by the lure of shopping, he said emphatically “shopping, that way… history, this way”.

Frederick Lutheran Church

On his recommendation, we took some time to visit the pretty, Georgian-style Frederick Lutheran Church. Built by the Danes in 1820, it’s the oldest Lutheran church in the Western Hemisphere.

The church was open and quiet when we visited, so we had a chance to step inside. It was so tranquil and atmospheric with a mahogany alter, an elaborate chandelier and simple stained glass windows.

Blackbeard’s Castle

If you fancy a challenge, climb the 99 steps (actually 103) behind the church up to Blackbeard’s Castle, one of five National Historic Landmarks in the U.S Virgin Islands.

Dating back to 1679, the watchtower is said to have been used by the notorius English pirate Blackbeard (real name Edward Teach) as a lookout point.

Diamonds on Main Street

Charlotte Amalie’s Main Street (also called Dronningen’s Gade) is filled with a number of high end diamond boutiques and large stores selling every spirit you could imagine, as well as rum, coffee and chocolate produced in the Caribbean. There’s even a dedicated Chanel cosmetics and fragrance boutique, a Tommy Hilfiger outlet and a number of Little Switzerland watch stores.

There’s a real vacation atmosphere around the town with a live Calypso band by the harbour, cheery shopkeepers and copious amounts of rum. So many residents greeted us as we wandered around, which made us feel welcome rather than burdensome tourists.

Camille Pissarro’s House

An exciting discovery in a courtyard off Main Street was the home of Danish-French painter Camille Pissarro. Born on St. Thomas in 1830, Pissarro lived on the island until he went to boarding school in France, aged 12. He later became known as a father figure for the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, influencing the likes of Cézanne, Monet and Gaugin.

The second floor is now an art gallery, offering a selection of original paintings and prints by local artists. There is a collection of Pissarro works depicting the island life of his childhood, as well as pieces by artists inspired by the great painter.

The Skyride

Our plans to take the Skyride and see Charlotte Amalie from Paradise Point were hampered by an unexpected tropical storm (well, it was the rainy season after all). We took shelter in one of the many passages filled with shops and restaurants before catching a safari bus back to the ship. Even the intense rain, thunder and lightening couldn’t dampen the spirits of the Celebrity cruisers – they remained chipper, cracking jokes throughout.

Charlotte Amalie is a delightful destination with a relaxed, friendly Caribbean vibe. To get the most out of your day there, it’s worth taking a short excursion to the other side of the island to swim in the crystal clear waters at Magens Bay Beach before an afternoon of shopping and sightseeing.

It’s so easy to get around that you can easily do both and still have time for a cheeky rum punch in one of the port bars before embarking the ship.

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises and all views are my own.

All photos by Chérie City

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Caribbean, Cruises, USA

Exploring San Juan Old Town, Puerto Rico

December 12, 2014 by cheriecity

On our recent Celebrity Cruises Eastern Caribbean Getaway, the first destination we visited was San Juan in Puerto Rico.

After two glorious days at sea relaxing and finding our way around the Celebrity Reflection, we were excited to start exploring the Caribbean. The ship docked at 4pm and we headed off on our first excursion – a tour of Old & New San Juan.

Our tour bus driver took us on a spin around new San Juan and neighbouring Carolina, pointing out authentic local restaurants, residential areas, golden sand beaches and the glittering new Condado strip.

It was an insight into San Juan life, but historic Old San Juan is the area with the most monuments, colourful architecture and charm. On the way to the Castillo San Cristobal, we drove along the rugged coastline and admired the grand and imposing El Capitolio de Puerto Rico (home of the Puerto Rican legislative assembly built in the 1920), the Colegio San Agustín and the Museo de la Guardia Nacional.

Castillo San Cristobal

Castillo San Cristobal is a historic fort built by the Spanish in 1783 to protect San Juan from land attacks. It’s perched along the coast and offers breathtaking views of the rough, tempestuous sea. If you stand by the main view point, the salty aromas and fresh sea breeze are intoxicating.

The fort has quite a history of endurance, surviving a major earthquake, multiple attacks by the Dutch and the British, the Spanish-American War and World War II. It’s now part of the San Juan National Historic Site – a World Heritage Site awarded by the United Nations.

Colourful Houses

Exploring Old San Juan on foot was my favourite part of the visit, as we raced up the steep hills to see as much as possible before sundown. The elegant Spanish colonial buildings were everything I’d hoped they would be, painted in bold and pastel shades with attractive white framing.

The winding, cobbled streets are a delight to explore with side streets hiding dusty old bars and local restaurants. I can just imagine them hosting some fabulous salsa parties come nightfall.

La Perla

We then walked along the Calle Norzagaray coastline road overlooking the barrio of La Perla towards the striking Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. Further on is the Castillo San Felipe del Moro, a 16th century citadel built on the north-western point of the island.

Plaza Colón

After that, it was an easy stroll downhill towards the port, where we visited the jewellery and local crafts shops around the Plaza Colón. A statue of Christopher Columbus stands majestically over the square, commemorating his discovery of Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the new world. It’s a pleasant spot to rest your feet and take in the buzz of the Old Town at one of the open-air cafes.

The Port

We’d planned to have dinner on the ship that evening, but Old San Juan is the place to sample authentic Puerto Rican specialities such as roast pork with plantains, whole barbecued fish, traditional tres leche cake and potent, island-grown coffee.

The port area is lively at night with plenty of bars, cafes and shops open late, so you can have a quick nightcap before heading back to the nearby ship. The Celebrity Reflection looked particularly pretty at night, lit up in multi-coloured lights.

If you have just a short time in San Juan, I recommend simply exploring the Old Town and leisurely absorbing the atmosphere of this characterful area before sundown.

Join Celebrity Reflection on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway fly/cruise from £1,650 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom).

For more information or to book, call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises and all views are my own.

All photos by Chérie City

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Caribbean, Cherie Soleil, Cruises, Miami, USA

A Celebrity Cruises Caribbean Holiday

December 1, 2014 by cheriecity

When I took my first European cruise last year as part of a group trip, I knew immediately that I’d been bitten by the cruise bug. As seasoned cruisers will tell you (and we met many), it really is addictive and a fabulous way to see the world.

With one cruise under my belt, I was excited to venture further afield and experience the Caribbean for the first time with Celebrity Cruises.

The younger sister brand of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity has a creative, design-led approach to cruising and attracts a diverse age group. Quite quickly we discovered it’s this point of difference and youthful vibe that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Pre-Cruise

Our trip began in comfort with an overnight Halloween stay at Sheraton Miami Airport (part of the cruise package), following our breezy Virgin Atlantic flight from London Heathrow.

The next morning, we joined fellow Celebrity Cruisers in the lobby to catch our coach transfer to the Port of Miami to board the Celebrity Reflection (the newest ship in the fleet). Embarkation was a little delayed due to first-time immigration procedures for the ship, but the check-in process was easy and we were given bottles of mineral water while waiting.

Stateroom

Our Ocean View Balcony Stateroom was an absolute delight to spend a week in, with more than enough space for two people and pristine contemporary interiors.

On arrival with a Mimosa in hand, we were greeted by our fantastic Stateroom Attendant Ozy who came to introduce himself and ask if we had any particular preferences for our room. We were kindly welcomed with a bottle of Celebrity Cruises Champagne on ice, a fruit bowl and a vase of colourful flowers.

Room features include a plush double bed with sumptuous embroidered Egyptian cotton linen, a comfortable seating area with a wide sofa and coffee table, minibar, a cabinet with bar top and drawers and a double wardrobe. There’s also a large interactive flatscreen Samsung TV on which you can order 24-hour room service, book excursions and watch TV channels including the ship’s exclusive Top Chef at Sea.

It was a real treat to have a private balcony with a table and two chairs – perfect for sailaway drinks, breakfast al fresco and sunbathing. There are some staterooms that simply have a window, but I recommend choosing a balcony room, as it really does enhance your stay.

The Bathroom

We found the bathroom truly impressive with an excellent walk-in shower, single sink, storage space, plenty of fluffy towels and face cloths, bathrobes, a proper hairdryer and a full set of Bvlgari White Tea bathroom products.

Our stateroom was serviced twice a day and we were brought turndown treats, invitations to onboard events such as the new Bvlgari store opening and the daily Celebrity newspaper with information about the destinations, excursions and the dress code for the following evening.

Dining

Food is a huge part of a Celebrity Cruise and with an unlimited selection of meals, snacks and drinks included, you’re guaranteed to never go hungry. In fact, we were blown away at the standard of cooking, fresh ingredients and choice.

Ocean View Cafe

A popular spot around the clock is the Ocean View Cafe – an enormous self-service restaurant conveniently located on the 14th deck, just a few steps from the outdoor pool. Chefs are present at each station to help serve dishes or cook up bespoke orders.

The lunch and dinner offering is quite dazzling with international dishes including fajitas, Thai noodles, spicy curries, fresh pizza and pasta, grilled chicken Caesar salad, charcuterie and antipasti.

The breakfast is particularly impressive with everything from yoghurt and granola and sliced exotic fruits to Eggs Benedict with freshly-carved Canadian bacon and a full American breakfast. I really liked the sweet station laden with waffles, pancakes, French toast and crepes, served with fruit compotes, maple syrup and the most amazing orange butter.

There’s also high tea in the afternoon, all-day ice cream, a candy bar and the most addictive home-baked cookies. Ground coffee, a wide selection of tea and iced water are free on tap as well as non-carbonated soft drinks such as iced tea, lemonade and fruit punch. Alcohol, premium soft drinks and bottled mineral water can be purchased on their own or as drinks packages.

AquaSpa Cafe

The AquaSpa Cafe by the indoor pool is great for fresh salads and light bites while the Mast Grill keeps it simple with crowd-pleasing hot dogs and burgers.

Opus

In the evening, we ate in the elegant main dining room Opus, which was every bit as grand as we’d hoped. We enjoyed some fantastic meals there including a Top Chef at Sea menu and a very special dinner at the Captain’s Table with copious fresh seafood on formal night.

Fine Dining

For something a little different, the Celebrity Reflection offers a wide selection of speciality restaurants, where you can dine for an additional fee. Modern French fine dining restaurant Murano has all the old world refinement that you would expect on a cruise ship, while the Lawn Club Grill is like a ‘country club on the sea’ with tempting barbecued meats and flatbreads, plus the chance to be the designated Grill Master for the table.

Qsine

One evening, we dined at Qsine, the high-tech concept restaurant where dishes are ordered for the table from iPads – perfect for a blogger who can’t quite let go of technology! Inspired by destinations around the the world, each dish comes in a tasting portion for the whole table. We tucked in to treats such as popcorn fish ‘n’ chips, spring rolls, chilled soups in test tubes with hot soufflés, filet mignon with a palette of tasty sides and a kobe beef ‘slider party’.

I ended with a Red Velvet cupcake with cute little icing piping bags and sprinkles to decorate it myself, while Steven tried an inventive Cheesecake Martini.

A luxurious feature of the cruise is the 24-hour room service with most items offered complimentary. There was so much food readily available that we only used it a few times for evening pots of tea and warm milk with cookies.

Facilities

Poolside was the place to be on sea days with a live DJ, pool volleyball and zumba classes. For the ultimate relaxation, guests can unwind in the Persian Gardens, take a meditation class or enjoy a treatment in the Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

Other features include an art studio, designer boutiques (Bvlgari, Michael Kors, Kate Spade New York and more), theatre, casino, games room, library, lawn, private alcoves and jogging track. One of my favourite peaceful spots was The Hideaway, an intimate lounge with cosy seats and a dedicated tea and coffee station.

Entertainment

There is always something creative happening on the Celebrity Reflection, whether it’s a fantastic Motown band, Thriller flash mob, Sin City burlesque show, Daft Punk-esque dancing robots or an impromptu guest dance-off (to the Titanic theme song, no less). There’s a lovely sense of community onboard with everyone getting involved and not taking it too seriously.

The ship also has an extensive contemporary art and photography collection, with striking pieces to be found on every floor. It’s worth spending some time to take the iPad Art Tour and discover new artists.

Destinations

The seven-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway was super-relaxing with three days docked at the destinations and the rest spent at sea. We explored historic San Juan (Puerto Rico), the beautiful beach and shopping haven Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) and the island of St. Maarten with both a Dutch and French side. We also stayed in Miami for two additional nights and would recommend building this into your cruise – Celebrity has a good selection of partner hotels for easy booking.

Verdict

Our Celebrity Cruise was a dream from start to finish and it’s easy to see why some guests book back-to-back cruises. There’s a real feel-good vibe onboard yet it never feels overbearing and the staff are genuinely friendly and helpful.

A Celebrity Cruise is ideal if you want a bite-size experience of some interesting destinations and plenty of relaxation time. It’s the opposite of my usual style of travelling, trying to get under the surface of a destination and exploring local restaurants and hotels. However, the ship is an experience in itself and we liked the simplicity of having everything we needed on our doorstep.

It was hard tearing ourselves away from the ship on the last morning, but every time London life stresses me out, I go back to my happy place on the Celebrity Reflection pool deck with an iced tea.

Are you tempted to try a Caribbean cruise? If you’re planning to take a trip with Celebrity Cruises, send me your questions in the comment box below…

Join Celebrity Reflection on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway fly/cruise from £1,650 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom).

For more information or to book, call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises and all views are my own.

All photos by Chérie City

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Cherie Soleil, Cruises, Sicily, Tours

A Day in Trapani, Sicily

November 12, 2013 by cheriecity

On my recent Silversea Mediterranean cruise, we docked for one day in Trapani, Sicily, and what better way to spend a lazy Sunday than at an olive oil farm in the countryside.

Our Panoramic Trapani and Olive Oil Tasting Tour took us on a short tour around Trapani’s harbour. Our guide explained about the city’s fishing industry and pointed out the Ligny Tower, built by Prince di Ligny in 1671.

We then drove along the salt road towards Paceco to Fontanasalsa, an olive oil farm and charming bed and breakfast owned by Mrs Burgherella.

Walking through the olive trees and bougainvillea, we were greeted in the courtyard by one of our hosts singing traditional Sicilian folk songs with a guitar from a top window.

After short time perking up with an espresso or a glass of chilled mineral water in the orange garden, we were taken on a tour of the olive oil factory and talked through the pressing process.

In the beautiful converted barn dining room, we tasted four different olive oils served with freshly-baked bread and coarse sea salt.

This was followed by a stunning lunch of Sicilian delicacies and local wine. We helped ourselves to plates of traditional lasagne, tomato and basil pasta, local cheeses, rice salad, roasted vegetables, olive tapenade and caponata. All of the dishes were tasty and beautifully-prepared, plus we got to try some ice cream made with olive oil for dessert.

While munching away, we were serenaded with Sicilian folk songs and all ended up having a jolly sing-along. We picked up some bottles of olive oil and tapenade from the small shop before the coach took us back to the port.

I spent a short time wandering around Trapani’s pretty streets and the town’s central beach before boarding the Silverwind. Trapani was very quiet on a Sunday, so the olive oil farm excursion was a great way to spend the day and a perfect, idyllic Sicilian experience.

Silversea’s Silver Wind departs on 9th August 2014 for a 9-day cruise from Venice to Rome and prices start from $4,450 per person. Calling at Venice, Koper, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Sorrento and Rome. For more information and booking, visit:www.silversea.com / tel: 0844 251 0837

Read more about my Silversea Cruise around the Mediterranean:

Chérie City was a guest of Silversea

All photos by Chérie City

Cruises, Malta

A Morning in Valletta, Malta

November 5, 2013 by cheriecity

The last stop on our Silversea Mediterranean cruise was Malta’s picturesque capital city, Valletta. With just half a day there before catching our flight home, it was a fleeting visit of leisurely strolling and taking in the atmosphere of the city.

From the harbour, there is a steep hill climb to the centre of Valletta, so save yourself some energy and sweat and take the funicular (€1). Bypass the crowd of taxi drivers, as the funicular is so quick and simple, climbing

The funicular takes you right in front of the Upper Barrakka Gardens, which offer breathtaking panoramas over the Grand Harbour. The gardens are filled with beautiful statues, monuments and sculptures, depicting personalities and events in Maltese history. Despite being a tourist hotspot, the gardens remain tranquil and calm – perfect for a quiet rest.

Valletta has the most beautiful Baroque palaces and elegant piazzas with open-air cafes and fountains. Head to Republic Square to see the National Library of Malta and its statue of Queen Victoria, then enjoy a spot of people watching at the famous Cafe Cordina.

Also nearby is the Grandmaster’s Palace, including two museums – the Palace Armoury Museum and the Palace State Rooms. If you don’t have time to explore the museums, watch the changing of the guard and the water fountain display.

Valletta’s dusty, romantic side streets are just as interesting, with their tiny shops and pavement cafes. Step off the main streets and brave the countless steps to discover the quieter, charming side of Valletta.

Valletta is a small, manageable city that you can explore in a day or so. It’s a place that I’d love to visit again, to see inside the city’s museums and try some authentic Maltese food and wine.

Read more about my Silversea Cruise around the Mediterranean:

All photos by Chérie City

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