TRAVEL

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019 L

TRAVEL

Photo of the Grand Plaza martini bar on Celebrity Edge by Rosemary McClure

CRUISING ON THE EDGE

The maiden voyages of the avant-garde Celebrity Edge and Holland America’s musically marvelous
Nieuw Statendam impress. Also, we sail the Mediterranean with five children, experiment with
onboard spa treatments, and detail the trends you’ll see on cruises — or at least on Instagram. L3-7

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L2 S U N DAY , JA N UA RY 27 , 2 019 L AT I M E S. C O M /T R AV E L

BEFORE YOU GO
NEED TO KNOW ON THE SPOT CATHARINE HAMM

Ontario airport offering

discount parking online Learning another language
The Inland Empire’s Ontario International Airport
just raised the bar for convenience in parking. A new park-
ing reservation program allows travelers to go online,
book a space and pay in advance.
Reservations are accepted for daily and/or valet park-
ing at the airport through a system that tracks available
is so fun it’s embarrassing
spaces. To make a reservation, travelers may go to book A reader recently wrote to ask about a language-immersion program. How in the world do you narrow your choices and
ing.flyontario.com and select a check-in and check-out
figure out whether that program is right for you? Will the Spanish you learn in Mexico be comprehensible in Spain and vice
date, just as you would for a hotel reservation.
A bar code sent by email allows you to enter and exit versa? What if you make horrible mistakes and embarrass yourself?
the parking lot on the selected dates.
If visitors don’t want to use the new digital program, Learning a second lan-
they can still park without a reservation, but online prices guage puts you in good com-
will be cheaper. Posted lot prices start at $13 a day at econ- pany these days, Francois
omy Lot 3, and $18 to $24 a day at Lot 2. Grosjean wrote in Psychology
LAX doesn’t offer online booking for airport parking Today: In 1980, about 11% of
but is on track to adopt such upgrades, which could go the U.S. population was
into effect as soon as 2020. bilingual. Today it’s nearly
— Mary Forgione double that.
“The position of promi-
nence that English has in the

Sea-Tac alternative airport delay U.S. is in no danger, but some

room is now being made for
other languages,” he wrote.
Alaska Airlines had planned to start commercial serv- “This can only lead to a per-
ice at Seattle’s alternative airport on Feb. 11. But opera- son’s personal enrichment,
tions at the small airport in Everett, Wash., stalled be- increased ties between gen-
cause the workers needed to complete Federal Aviation erations and cultures, and
Administration requirements had been furloughed be- more diversity in job opportu-
cause of the partial government shutdown. nities.”
On Friday, President Trump announced a deal to fund Some pretty great reasons
the government through Feb. 15. to undertake this, but before
Paine Field, about 30 miles north of Seattle in Sno- you plunge headlong into this
homish County, is a small private-public airport posi- adventure for yourself or your
tioning itself as an alternative to busy Sea-Tac Interna- child, consider these factors
tional Airport. Alaska and United were the first two air- that you may need to be Cat O’Neil For the Times
lines to sign on. successful:
As the shutdown lingered, Alaska moved the start •Interest in the language. Marc L. Greenberg, a classes. for it and know you will need
date for service to March 4 for select flights, with service to Taking on a new language professor of Slavic languages “Students have greater to substitute some expres-
L.A. starting March 5 and to Orange County starting isn’t easy, but if you have the and director of the School of gains in oral proficiency and sions for others.
March 12. desire — the interest — your Languages, Literatures and higher self-confidence,” when •Be prepared to make mis-
Before the shutdown compromise was reached, chances are better. (Attention Cultures at the University of they are immersed, she said. takes.
Alaska told passengers who were supposed to fly between parents who are forcing their Kansas in Lawrence, noted “They have larger gains in Having the confidence to
Feb. 11 and March 4 that they would be rebooked on a Sea- kids to learn [fill in blank]). that language learning is an cultural competence.” speak the language helps you
Tac flight as close to their original flight times as possible •Time. Language acquisition exercise in “humility.” Interestingly, buddying up forge ahead, even if you err,
or that they would be given a refund. takes time for formal classes if So why subject yourself with a person in another such as insisting you need
It was not clear by midday Friday, the deadline for the you pursue that route, but to such an ordeal these country who speaks some of “squid — like you wear on
Travel section, how quickly Alaska could be up and run- hanging out with people who days? Aren’t there trans- your language is a bigger help your feet” to the extremely
ning at Paine Field. are native speakers can be lators that will turn another than someone who knows puzzled shopkeeper in Quito,
United Airlines service set to connect with hubs time-intensive too. Both are language into yours? Doesn’t none, Bryant said. Ecuador, if what you really
in Denver and San Francisco is scheduled to begin time well spent, but they are much of the world speak How do you begin narrow- wanted were socks. Not that
March 31. time. English? ing the choices? anything like that ever hap-
The partial government shutdown, which began Dec. •Resilience. Admitting what Both of these things may •Ask friends who have done pened to me.
22, also affected other airline operations. you don’t know is often more be true to a certain extent, an immersion. Don’t be shy. •Even knowing you will stum-
Southwest Airlines’ California-Hawaii service has difficult than showing off but there’s also a sense of They have no reason not to ble, be fearless, Greenberg
been delayed because the long-haul certification what you do know. pride in accomplishment and be frank. said. Your mistakes are un-
could not be completed while FAA workers were fur- “To learn a language, you a sense of belonging to a •If you have a specific lan- likely to be fatal. Unless you
loughed. have to humble yourself,” said community that’s different guage in mind, check with die of embarrassment.
The government could shut down again if lawmakers Julianne Bryant, an associate from your own. the faculty at a community He told this story:
fail to reach an agreement on border security. professor of Spanish at Biola Further, Bryant said, college or university and get He was in Croatia and was
— Mary Forgione University in La Mirada. having a second language can their advice on what works, ordering a pizza in Croatian,
benefit your brain. Greenberg said. which he read and wrote
Making the commitment You may notice different pretty well, he said. He asked
may be more difficult than words are used in different for various toppings, none of
finding the right fit for you, countries to mean the same which was available. In frus-
but here are some of the ways thing; just as American and tration he asked the woman

UP TO
you can begin to explore: British English differ (trunk what was available to put on
•Classes do help. You can do vs. boot, diaper vs. nappy), the pizza.
some online learning other languages do as well. At least, that’s what he

2,300
through, say, extension How do you adjust what thought he said. Instead he

$ 1 classes to help with language
basics or with such learning
tools as Rosetta Stone.
•Immersion helps too. There
are different ways to immerse
yourself, Bryant and Green-
you’ve learned to the lan-
guage you’ll now be hearing?
Bryant, who studied in
Spain, ended up working in a
community that spoke Carib-
bean Spanish. Here are her
had just asked her what was
available to put on a specific
female body part.
“She cracked up,” he said.
He realized what he had
done, and although it was

IN SAVINGS
berg said. You might listen to
TV programs or watch mov-
ies in that language or listen
to music. You might hang out
suggestions: cringe worthy, laughter
•If you have the basic struc- knows no language barrier.
ture of the language, you can Plus he will always have a
do two things: learn to tune story to tell.

Sale !
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nity who speak only that of speaking and ask ques- Like you wear on your feet.
language. tions when you don’t under-

AAA TRAVEL
But an away-from-home
stint in which you are sur-
rounded by that language
GET A may be the best teacher of all,
stand. Have a travel dilemma or
It’s less important, she question? Write to
said, to learn strictly the travel@latimes.com. We
language you will be speaking regret we cannot answer

$50 OR $100
perhaps aided by formal than to have the framework every inquiry.

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elmvilla Getty Images

A CRUISE SHIP moors in the Bay of Villefranche, France, which was recently named the most beautiful Mediterranean port, with Cap Ferrat on the left.

TEN DAYS, FIVE KIDS

BY BLAKE SNOW >>> Cruising the Mediterranean is an excellent way for families to explore Europe. The landlocked sea touches many of the
continent’s most popular destinations, including major ports of Spain, France and Italy in the west, and cozy ports of Croatia, the Balkans and
Greece in the east. ¶ Port-hopping also removes much of the logistical and (linguistic) hassle of crossing borders and planning schedules. The
“floating hotel,” all-inclusive food and entertainment travel with you, and getting on and off the ship typically requires only your key card
instead of a passport, paperwork and long immigration lines. ¶ Does cruising the Med with children live up to its reputation? After recently
doing so with our five children on a Celebrity Mediterranean excursion, my wife, Lindsey, and I can say yes. ¶ You’ll need to budget more (plus
the cost of transatlantic flights) than you would, say, for a Mexico or Caribbean cruise. ¶ Cruising Europe also comes with trade-offs; some
experiences are not as deep as if you were on foot. ¶ Before booking your family cruise to the Mediterranean, here’s what you need to know.

Choosing sides with a straight face, if Rome was

Do you want a quieter cruise to
smaller ports, or would you rather
expose your kids to lots of iconic
points of interest? Cruising the
Med forces you to answer that
question, because most of the itin-
eraries are divided into eastern or
western routes.
Because we wanted iconic Eu-
rope, Lindsey and I chose a west-
ern route with stops in Rome; Bar-
celona, Spain; Florence, Italy; and
Nice, France, among others.
Although the eastern and west-
ern routes are equally picturesque
and relaxing, I’m glad we started
on the western route. Another
American family, who had done
both, confirmed our choice.
Favorite destinations
We didn’t have a single dud
among the eight ports we visited.
Rome was wonderful, made even
better with the “skip-the-line”
tours of the Vatican and Col-
osseum that we booked through
Get Your Guide.
Barcelona was as bright, col-
orful and tapas-filled as I had
imagined. Villefranche-sur-Mer on
the French Riviera lived up to its
recent selection as the most beau-
tiful port in the Mediterranean.
We couldn’t have chosen a bet-
ter place to hire a catamaran for
the afternoon than in Palma de
Mallorca. And the monkeys and
tunnels of Gibraltar Rock Tours
were an unexpected hit for parents
and children.
On 11 nights and only two full
days at sea, we saw and did more
than we had on our Caribbean and
Alaskan cruises.
Culture clashes
Different societies behave dif-
ferently, and Europe is proof of
that. I wanted our children to expe-
rience this — and the cruise did not
disappoint.
On a beach in Spain, we saw
men in the briefest of swim trunks
and women wearing nothing at all
on top. In parts of Italy, we saw
more scooters on the road than
cars and learned what it’s like to be
without air conditioning in 100-de-
gree heat. We saw strangers eating
hamburgers with cutlery and were
delighted by every bidet we en-
countered.
There’s nothing wrong with any
of that. I’m grateful our kids got a
chance to see another way of life.
Priceless moments
I won’t forget many things
about our trip, some of which we
were lucky to have experienced
firsthand. We stumbled upon a pri-
vate Mass in Rome’s Pantheon and
BARBARY MACAQUE monkeys in Gibraltar, one of the ports of call on the Celebrity itinerary.
THE FOUNTAIN in the Piazza della Rotonda in Rome with the Pantheon in the background.
saw Pope Francis speaking im-
mediately after we left St. Peter’s
Basilica.
Other things were simple but
just as memorable: indulging in ge-
lato and street pizza; surviving the
sweltering Mediterranean heat
with bottomless soft-serve ice
cream on the ship; seeing Italy’s
Tuscan countryside full of green
hills and tall columns, and watch-
ing golden sunsets from the ship’s
Timothy Knox Getty Images
Giulio_dgr Getty Images
deck.
More than anything, though, I’ll
remember the pride I felt hearing
my kids say “Grazie,” “Merci” and
“Gracias” without my prompting.
That and my 5-year-old asking me,
built before or after he was born.
In their own words
For this story, I asked our chil-
dren what they enjoyed most
about the cruise. Here are their re-
sponses.
“I liked silent disco,” said my 8-
year-old, referring to the popular
onboard activity in which you don
headphones and choose one of
three dance music stations to en-
joy privately. Part of the fun is see-
ing which color-coded station the
crowd is most enjoying, not to men-
tion walking up on a bunch of
silent, headphone-wearing danc-
ers.
“I liked how kid-friendly the
ship was,” my 10-year-old said. “I
felt safe at the kids club and while
navigating the ship without you
and mom.”
The others had simpler an-
swers. “I liked the arcade,” my 6-
year-old said.
“I liked the pool,” said my 5-
year-old.
“I liked the food,” added my 12-
year-old — a sentiment I would
mostly agree with, although there
were some misses.
Worthwhile trade-offs
Because you’re staying on a
cruise ship with included meals,
you’ll experience fewer food, enter-
tainment and lodging options than
you would if traveling by land. This
results in fewer encounters with lo-
cals and ultimately less depth.
That’s not to say the crew didn’t
try. One night in Barcelona, staff
brought in a local flamenco group
to perform in the ship’s audito-
rium. And every day, the cooks
served local dishes of the ports we
were headed to, sometimes with
spectacular results.
As for the unauthentic experi-
ences, we still had a good time.
Highlights included the aforemen-
tioned disco dancing, outdoor
movies under the stars and kids
club “babysitting” that the kids ac-
tually enjoyed.
Final judgment
Is cruising the Mediterranean
the best way to expose kids to Eu-
rope? Not necessarily. But it is cul-
turally rich, highly educational and
convenient.
Cruising the Med lets you kill
two birds (a top-rated ocean and a
culturally rich continent) with one
stone (a cruise ship). The attempt
to showcase the continent suc-
ceeded far more often than it failed.
Bottom line: If you appreciate
cruising, your family will like it. If
not, you might feel constricted by
the predictable format. As for me
and my household, we believe.
L4 S U N DAY , JA N UA RY 27 , 2 019
A ROOFTOP GARDEN sits atop the Celebrity Edge. The 1,004-foot-long vessel was launched in December with an array of ballyhooed features, including a “10 minutes from car to bar” boarding process powered by facial recognition and an app.
CELEBRITY AIMS TO BE CUTTING-EDGE
The line launches a $1-billion ship with tall windows instead of balconies, reimagined dining rooms and an exterior platform that changes functions, personalities
By Rosemary McClure
ABOARD THE CELEBRITY
EDGE — I peered through the
open window of my stateroom and
watched the lights of southern
Florida grow smaller by the second
and finally disappear.
We had left the dock about 15
minutes earlier. I usually celebrate
the beginning of a cruise from my
balcony, where I would do a happy
dance as the land grew smaller and
the sea grew larger.
But a major innovation in the
design of this ship has eliminated
standard balconies in favor of en-
larged cabins with floor-to-ceiling
windows. The top half of the win-
dow slides down with the touch of a
button. I could still do a happy
dance, but no one would see me.
More than a thousand of us had
set sail earlier in the day on the
maiden voyage of Celebrity Edge,
the most ballyhooed vessel of 2018-
19.
The hype had been nonstop for
more than a year before the De-
cember launch. Celebrity Edge, its
marketing staff had said, would be
“revolutionary,” “game-changing,”
“visionary” and “transform how we
experience the world.”
And then there’s the name: It
had been chosen “to leave the fu-
ture behind.”
How does the billion-dollar ship
stack up?
It’s a high-seas hit for Celebrity
and its corporate parent, Royal Ca-
ribbean Cruises Ltd. There are
plenty of wow factors packed into
its 1,004-foot length; the vessel will
have people in the cruise industry
— and travelers alike — talking
about it for a long time.
The ship, Celebrity’s first in six
years, is the initial vessel of four
scheduled to launch through 2022.
It’s aimed at people who aren’t nec-
essarily cruisers.
“People tell us they haven’t con-
sidered cruising before, but they
want to be on this ship,” said Lisa
Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity’s chief exe-
cutive and president. “Edge is the
future of cruising.”
Edge, selected in December by
CruiseCritic.com as the best new
ship, is as avant-garde as its name
implies, a groundbreaking vessel
that may convince non-cruisers —
especially travelers who picture
themselves as trendsetters — to
hop onboard.
There are innovative design im-
provements throughout the ship,
plus sexy new entertainment and
culinary upgrades. But Edge may
not be as popular with veteran
cruisers and thrill seekers who pre-
fer lots of top-deck toys; Celebrity’s
persona is “modern luxury” — no
water slides or climbing walls in-
cluded.
Adventurers may be happier
with Royal Caribbean’s Symphony
of the Seas, which hit the water
three months ago and was the larg-
est ship in the world when it
launched, or Norwegian Cruise
Line’s Bliss, which launched earlier
in 2018 and often sails out of West
Coast ports.
The coming year will bring a
host of other new ships to chal-
lenge Celebrity Edge, including
vessels from Princess Cruises, Nor-
wegian and MSC Cruises. Carnival
Cruise Line will launch the Carni-
val Panorama, which in December
will make its home port in South-
ern California.
All of these will have plenty of
bells and whistles, but it may be dif-
ficult to best Edge in the near fu-
ture in terms of trailblazing ideas.
Quick boarding
My introduction to the 2,900-
passenger ship came during a
three-day, round-trip cruise that
sailed from Fort Lauderdale’s Port
Everglades in Florida, where we
boarded through a new, $125-mil-
lion terminal built for Celebrity.
True to promise, we spent little
time waiting in line. Lutoff-Perlo
had said before the ship’s launch
that the goal for passengers would
be “10 minutes from car to bar” —
and we made it.
The secret: Facial recognition
teamed with an app that speeds
the process for guests who have
checked in, scanned their pass-
ports and taken a selfie. Even with-
out completing these steps in ad-
vance, I was onboard within10 min-
utes.
Although the cruise was short,
it was historic because it included
the ship’s christening and naming
party, a splashy event that in-
cluded bagpipers; singer Andra
Day; and the ship’s godmother, No-
bel Peace Prize winner Malala
Yousafzai, co-founder of the
Malala Fund, which supports edu-
cation for girls and young women.
At 15, Yousafzai survived an as-
sassination attempt by the Tali-
ban, which targeted her because of
A MOVABLE , tangerine-colored platform is called the Magic Carpet. On Deck 2, it becomes a transit area for passengers boarding tenders.
her public stance on education for
women. She is now 21and a student
at Oxford University. Lutoff-Perlo
said she was chosen because she
exemplifies Celebrity’s focus on
women as employees and leaders.
Before the christening, passen-
gers had a few hours to survey the
L AT I ME S . CO M / T RAVE L
ship. Many of us hustled up and
down the 16-deck vessel, eager to
get a look at its innovations. There
were too many to see that day, and
the hustling went on for the rest of
the cruise.
That’s one reason short inaugu-
ral cruises like this one often don’t
L AT I ME S . CO M / T R AV E L
stop at a destination: We spent sev-
eral hours anchored off the Baha-
mas but never went ashore. Cruise
lines assume passengers are more
interested in learning about a new
ship than learning about a port.
Here’s a quick look at some of
Edge’s innovations:
Michel Verdure Celebrity Cruises
Michel Verdure Celebrity Cruises
Infinite Veranda
In the1970s, balconies were rela-
tively unknown on ships; today,
some high-end ships advertise
that all cabins have balconies.
Edge has flipped this trend inside
out by expanding rooms right to
THE EDEN BAR is characterized by a towering display of plants, some used as cocktail garnishes.
A PLATFORM called the Magic Carpet serves upper decks as an open-air restaurant or lounge.
If you go
To book, contact your travel
agent or Celebrity Cruises, (888)
751-7804, celebritycruises.com.
Edge is currently sailing in the
Caribbean; rates for a weeklong
western Caribbean cruise (Feb. 17
and other dates) start at $1,299
per person, double occupancy,
for an inside room; rates for the
Infinite Veranda cabin start at
$2,699 per person, double
occupancy.
the edge of the ship, almost like an
infinity pool — thus the Infinite Ve-
randa moniker.
The design adds about 23%
more space to the cabins. Floor-to-
ceiling windows open, offering pan-
oramic views. At night, passengers
can close bi-fold doors to shut out
light and sound.
Edge has more than 900 Infinite
staterooms, most of which are 243
square feet. A smaller version, at
131 square feet, is available for sin-
gle travelers.
I like the design and the extra
space, but some fellow passen-
gers complained that opening a
window — even a cabin-wide win-
dow — isn’t the same as going out-
side.
Will we see this type of room on
other ships? I got a quick “Yes”
when I asked Richard Fain, chief
executive of Royal Caribbean
Cruises Ltd. They will next appear
on a new Royal Caribbean ship, he
said.
S U N DAY, JA N UA RY 27 , 2 019
Magic Carpet
A 90-ton platform, called the
Magic Carpet, hangs over the side
of the ship, slides up and down
from Decks 2 to 16, and acts as an
open-air restaurant or lounge on
the higher floors. On Deck 2, it be-
comes a transit area for passengers
waiting to board tenders that will
take them to shore.
The Magic Carpet is the size of a
tennis court and offers great views
from the higher decks. It also
makes access to a tender much
easier because there are no stairs
to descend. Passengers who use
wheelchairs can make the transi-
tion without much trouble.
The tangerine-colored platform
is being called the world’s first can-
tilevered venue at sea and makes
the ship recognizable from miles
away. It’s a fun place to have a drink
and socialize. On the flip side,
some passengers complained that
the wait to board a tender is longer
using the Magic Carpet.
New spaces
As the Edge was being de-
signed, one of the goals was to in-
crease passengers’ connection to
the sea, Lutoff-Perlo said. Conse-
quently, floor-to-ceiling windows
can be found in the fitness center,
spa and many other areas.
An unusual open-air Rooftop
Garden, featuring metal sculp-
tures and live plants, has ocean
views during the day; at night it
changes into a dining room and
club with live music.
The Club, another day-to-night
venue, offers daytime activities
L5
Steve Dunlop
Rosemary McClure
such as a Laser Maze that passen-
gers can try to navigate. (Think
“Ocean’s 12.”) At night Undercover
at the Club takes over, a space-age
venue with a bar and live music.
But the edgiest — there’s that
word again — venue is the Eden bar
and dining room at the back of the
ship.
It’s a stunning space; three
decks tall with enormous windows,
incredible views and a terraced
lounge that begins on Deck 3 and
ends on Deck 5. In between, there’s
a bar with a 20-foot-tall wall of
plants and day-to-night entertain-
ment that includes aerialists and
performance artists who interact
with the audience.
Dining
There isn’t one main dining
room on Edge. Instead, there are
four new-to-the-line themed din-
ing rooms: Normandie, inspired by
Murano, Celebrity’s French spe-
cialty restaurant; Tuscan, featur-
ing dishes from southern Italy;
Cyprus, offering Mediterranean
dishes; and Cosmopolitan, with
choices from the line’s other main
dining-room menus.
Other specialty restaurants
and a host of bars bring to 29 the to-
tal number of places to dine or
drink.
There’s much more to explore
on Edge — two-deck-tall, martini-
glass-shaped hot tubs, a Grand
Plaza with a combination bar/light
show, and two-story suites with
plunge pools.
But try the ship for a week: a
three-day cruise isn’t enough time
to see it all.
L6 S U NDAY , JA N UA RY 27 , 2 019
CELEBRITY EDGE’S spa has 11 heated tile loungers with panoramic views for relaxing.
SPA TREATMENT
WASHES AWAY ...
The services offered are
expansive and expensive.
A teeth-whitening session
is brilliant — until dinner.
By Rosemary McClure
ABOARD THE CELEBRITY
EDGE — Luxurious rooms lined
the hallway ahead of me. A woman
or a man stood in each doorway
beckoning; each wanted to tell me
about a service they could pro-
vide.
For a few moments I wondered
whether I had taken a wrong turn
and wandered into a chichi red-
light district somewhere.
No, I was definitely in a cruise-
ship spa, I thought, walking into
the nearest room, where a woman
urged me to try a quartz table
massage.
“Warm crystals will mold and
shape around your body to release
muscle tension,” she said. It would
cost only $169 for a 50-minute
treatment.
It was the first of several
pitches I heard as I explored the
spa on Celebrity Edge, a ship that
debuted in December.
Some of the world's toniest
spas are now located offshore on
cruise ships like this one.
Everything about the beauti-
fully designed Edge spa is over the
top: 22,000 square feet of space,
124 different treatments, a
MedSpa that offers fillers and
other therapies that can cost
thousands of dollars.
But it’s not all that different
from other new cruise-ship spas.
Today every major cruise line
offers amazing spa facilities that
include dozens of treatments,
thermal suites, pools, ice rooms,
Turkish hammam steam baths,
salons and fitness centers.
In fact, most cruise-ship spas
are operated by the same Miami-
based company, OneSpaWorld,
which opened its first facility on
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 more
than a half-a-century ago. It now
runs spas on more than 160 cruise
ships, including Edge.
Cruisers love spas, and cruise
lines love to provide these money-
makers. Prices usually exceed
those of land-based spas, not sur-
prising when you consider there’s
no competition in the middle of
the ocean.
The facilities are so popular
that treatments sometimes book
up the day of embarkation, which
is why experienced spa-goers rush
to register for treatments when
they board, even before going to
see their cabins.
I was among those who hit the
spa early on Celebrity Edge. Eager
passengers crowded inside to tour
the facility, learn about services
and make appointments. Equally
eager technicians made their
pitches, hoping to book massages
and sell products.
After visiting the crystal mas-
sage room, I stopped at the acu-
puncturist’s suite for a consulta-
tion. “Stick out your tongue,” he
told me. “Oh,” he said, shaking his
head when I did so.
“What?” I asked.
“In Chinese medicine, tongue
quality indicates a diagnosis as
well as symptoms,” he said, add-
ing that he would tell me more
with a $169 treatment. I declined.
Next on my tour was the
MedSpa room, where I learned
about the ship’s aesthetic treat-
ments: injectable fillers such as
Botox, Restylane and Dysport to
combat wrinkles, CoolSculpting
to freeze fat away and Thermage
to tighten skin.
I looked closely at the Ther-
mage before-and-after pictures
the MedSpa doctor was holding. A
woman’s double chin had seem-
ingly disappeared.
“What about this?” I asked.
“That’s not for you,” he said.
“You’re beyond the place where
Thermage could help.”
Ouch. I tried to make myself
feel better by thinking about the
money I was saving by not having
the $2,750 Thermage treatment.
Later that day I ran into a fel-
low traveler who had been ac-
cepted for the treatment (yes, I
was jealous) and paid big bucks
for it. My new acquaintance, a 46-
year-old woman from Manhattan,
had thought the fee was fine but
was unhappy about the $400 tip to
the doctor. She said she didn’t
think she should have to tip a doc-
tor and said she hadn’t been told
about the gratuity.
To the spa’s credit, it refunded
the money when she complained
later that day.
It also responded quickly to me
when I asked for a refund.
Bright smile
I’d decided to book a Go Smile
teeth whitening treatment in-
stead of a massage. It was $149; the
least expensive massage cost $169.
Why not try something that cost
less and would last longer than
the effects of a massage?
After I was seated the techni-
cian told me the effects would last
only a few days unless I spent $249
more for Go Smile treatment
packs that I would apply twice
daily to my teeth for a month.
“Then it will last for years,” she
said.
I told her no, then I said yes,
then I said no again.
I was at war with myself,
mainly because I was unhappy
about being told I needed to spend
more money. On the other hand,
why should I go through an un-
comfortable dental treatment for
results that lasted only a few
days? I agreed to spend the addi-
tional money.
During the treatment, the
technician dabbed something on
my teeth, then darkened the room
and focused a brilliant light on my
teeth. After several minutes she
came back into the room, whip-
ped out a hand mirror and told me
Steve Dunlop
Cruise to comfort
Here’s a quick Spa 101 course:
8 You can request a male or
female technician.
8 Some treatments may not
be safe for you, depending on
health issues. Skin problems
such as dermatitis, psoriasis or
even a bad sunburn can
heighten the risk of infection.
Seaweed wraps have a high
iodine content so check with
your doctor about that or
anything else that’s new
to you.
8 Some customers say that
technicians use high-pressure
sales techniques after a
treatment to sell products. To
avoid this, tell your technician in
advance you don’t want to buy
anything and you don’t want to
hear why you should.
8 Check your receipt: You’ve
probably been billed for a
gratuity.
— Rosemary McClure
to look at my teeth.
Wow! They were super white.
But my excitement was short-
lived. The bright-white look dis-
appeared when I ate dinner.
Dental reality
“The effects of a quick treat-
ment like that wouldn’t last long,”
said Dr. Ed Hewlett, a professor at
the UCLA School of Dentistry.
The combined light and bleach
treatment would have caused de-
hydration that made my teeth ap-
pear whiter, he said.
“As soon as you ate or drank,
your teeth would have lost that
look,” he added.
Hewlett said cruise-ship whit-
ening treatments, like the whit-
ening treatments now available in
mall shops, are too brief to be ef-
fective and recommended cus-
tom-made whitening trays, avail-
able from dentists.
Even though my teeth had lost
their original whiteness, I duti-
fully used my $259 Go Smile
bleach for two weeks, stopping
only when my gums started to
hurt. My teeth looked the same as
when I started.
When I called to ask for a re-
fund, I was assured there would be
no problem.
“If you’re not happy with your
service, we refund the money
immediately,” said Cristina
Sorondo, marketing director for
OneSpaWorld. “Our job is to
assure that everyone leaves
happy.”
She added that the company
also has a full-time customer serv-
ice department to help passen-
gers post cruise.
“Whether it’s a massage or a fa-
cial or whatever it is, everything is
100% guaranteed,” she said.
A massage would have been
the better choice after all.
L AT I M ES . C O M /T R AV E L
NEW PORTS,
FOOD, TECH,
ACTIVITIES
By Rosemary McClure
Where will your passport take you this year? Thanks to the booming
cruise industry, you can choose from a bumper crop of destinations.
More than 20 new ships will launch in 2019, bringing the number of
cruise vessels to more than 300. They’ll visit more than 1,200 ports and
will carry an estimated 3 million passengers.
As the popularity of cruising has increased, the industry has devel-
oped new ways to appeal to passengers of varying ages: new itineraries,
entertainment, technologies and adventures.
Here’s a look at some trends cruisers will find this year, according to
Cruise Lines International Assn. and other cruise industry insiders.
Health and wellness players are investing millions of
If you’re a runner, Weight dollars in systems that offer in-
Watcher, CrossFit fan or vegan, creasingly reliable Wi-Fi service.
there’s a cruise with your name on Some are making Wi-Fi more
it. affordable: Carnival Corp.’s cruise
Themed sailings occur year- ships, for instance, offer passen-
round; you’ll find a list of more gers a package that offers access
than 500 at ThemeCruiseFinder to all social media sites for $5 a
.com. day.
Cruise lines are tapping into Technology is improving other
America’s fitness and wellness elements of the cruise experience
desires by offering more health- too. Princess Cruises now offers
related classes and excursions on the Ocean Medallion, a wearable
most sailings. device that can be used to order
Among the new options: Learn food, drinks and custom enter-
the flowing motions of tai chi on tainment and participate in inter-
the beach of the Spanish island of active gaming. Other lines, such
Mallorca with Regent Seven Seas; as MSC Cruises, have developed
practice yoga at dawn on the deck similar systems.
of Lindblad Expeditions’ National
Solo travel
Geographic Venture on the Gulf of
California; or spend a day medi- Traveling solo can be addic-
tating with a monk in a golden tive. You can do exactly what you
temple in Bangkok with Oceania want, when you want. Cruise
Cruises. companies are making it easier
and less expensive.
Although some lines still force
Instagrammable single travelers to pay two fares,
cruise travel an increasing number of cruise
Along with improved Wi-Fi is a companies are creating solo cab-
greater use of Instagram, which is ins with lower fares.
changing the way people travel. Norwegian Cruise Line is a
They’re not just looking for beau- leader, with studio cabins on
tiful places and cultures to dis- many of its ships. It also gives solo
cover for themselves; they also travelers access to a lounge where
want to show their friends where they can meet other single trav-
they are and what they’re eating. elers. Holland America, Royal
That’s why culinary travel, on Caribbean International and
board and ashore, will continue to Celebrity Cruises also offer solo
draw travelers. Most lines are cabins.
tapping into this trend by seeking Other lines sometimes dis-
outside experts. count fees for single travelers.
Holland America Line, for
instance, has developed an inter- Girlfriend getaways
national culinary council made up Spend time in the spa, shop
of celebrity chefs who bring a until you drop or laze by the pool:
global flavor to dining venues Sometimes it’s easier to indulge
across the fleet. without guilt when you travel with
girlfriends instead of a spouse or
boyfriend.
Experiential and
As the number of women trav-
achievement travel elers continues to grow, many
Experiential travel — a popu- travel companies are creating
lar form of tourism that focuses on female-centered itineraries based
experiencing a place by engaging on interests and connecting with
its history, people, culture and other women.
food — will continue to grow in
2019. So will achievement travel, New destinations
the cruise line association said in Cruise lines are having to find
its “2019 Cruise Trends and Indus- new ports and adventures to
try Outlook” report. attract passengers as the number
“Vacationers are looking for of ships increases. Earth’s polar
experiences beyond sightseeing,” regions are a prime draw; places
the CLIA report said. that once were too remote to
“Bucket lists have become explore are now being opened up
goal-oriented and cruise lines are by new Polar Class icebreaker
meeting these demands. Passen- vessels.
gers can conquer Machu Picchu The Norwegian line
[in Peru] or complete culinary Hurtigruten, with a new ship in
workshops hosted by Le Cordon 2018 and another this year, is a
Bleu chefs.” prime example, and Ponant,
Lindblad Expeditions and
Smart tech Silversea are among other lines
The days when cruise passen- offering passengers a chance to
gers felt disconnected from the see these frozen landscapes.
rest of the world are almost gone. Four polar ships are expected
Some of the industry’s biggest to launch by 2020.
Mark Katzman Mark Katzman
YOGA on the deck of Prin- PRINCESS’ wearable Ocean
cess Cruises’ Ocean Medal- Medallion can be used to
lion is part of a fitness trend. order food and drinks.
Nathalie Michel Studio Ponant
ANTARCTICA is a destination for Ponant cruises, as interest
grows for trips to remote areas such as the polar regions.
L AT I ME S . C OM / T R AV E L
HOLLAND AMERICA’S sleek, new ship, the Nieuw Statendam, caters to “modern explorers.” The ship’s maiden voyage in December took it from Italy to Florida.
THE SHIP’S many allures include the World Stage, left, which incorporates wrap-around screens in productions, and a tasting bar with a wide variety of whiskeys.
A ‘LANE’ CHANGE
On the Nieuw Statendam’s maiden voyage, a pair of ‘Mariners’ find plenty to love
about the Holland America ship, including its many musical and culinary experiences
By Karl Zimmermann
ABOARD THE NIEUW STAT-
ENDAM — Maiden voyages are
catnip for ship enthusiasts and
cruise-line loyalists. Of the 2,093
passengers aboard the Nieuw Stat-
endam on its December maiden
voyage, only 178 had never sailed
with Holland America.
The rest of us were repeat pas-
sengers whom the cruise line calls
Mariners. The Nieuw Statendam
can carry 2,666, but this voyage was
underbooked in case of vessel-re-
lated teething problems, which
turned out to be few.
Holland America’s demo-
graphic trends older and more tra-
ditional. Because my wife, Laurel,
and I know the line well, especially
the Konigsdam, Nieuw Stat-
endam’s sister ship, we expected
the familiar, but we discovered new
features as well.
Besides the thrill of a maiden
voyage, a bonus was the presence
for three days of Orlando Ashford,
Holland America’s 48-year-old
president. When he joined the now
145-year-old line in 2014, he had ne-
ver been on a ship.
His presentation left no doubt
that this was not our grand-
parents’ Holland America Line.
“I avoid focusing on demo-
graphics,” Ashford said, preferring
“psychographics, matching the
brand personality with the person-
ality of our guests.”
He also identified what he
called the line’s “swim lanes”:
catering to music and food lovers
as well as “modern explorers.” For
the better part of two weeks on
the voyage from Civitavecchia,
Rome’s port, to Fort Lauderdale,
Fla., we would see how well the ship
and its crew performed.
Music for all
“Our goal is to have the best live
music at sea,” Ashford said. The
anchor is Music Walk, with live
performance venues: B.B. King’s
Blues Club, the Lincoln Center
Stage (sharing the same space)
and Billboard Onboard.
All were introduced on the
Konigsdam and are being added
to most of the 15-ship HAL fleet.
The Rolling Stone Rock Room, a
classic rock club, is new to the
Nieuw Statendam.
We caught most of the Lincoln
Center performances, its pro-
grams set and musicians selected
by New York City’s Lincoln
Center. We heard a quintet, made
up of a string quartet called Atlys
and a pianist, that played pro-
grams such as “Masterworks by
Brahms,” “Movie Classics” and
“A Night at the Ballet.”
We also liked Billboard On-
board, which featured a young
married couple playing dueling pi-
anos. Any song that “charted” was
eligible, and themes included “One
Hit Wonders” and “British Inva-
sion.”
Our crossing also featured the
Netherlands-based Tiny Little
Bigband: vocalist Franklin Brown
backed by an excellent jazz trio.
Also marvelous was vocalist and
stride pianist Judy Carmichael,
whose two shows in the World
Stage we wouldn’t have missed.
And the Rock Room and Blues
Club certainly had their enthu-
siastic followers.
Dining report
Our group of nine chose the sec-
ond sitting in the dining room
(open seating was also available),
and we tried four of the five spe-
cialty restaurants.
Maiden-voyage glitches were
minimal, because 85% of the crew
had come from HAL ships, half
from the Konigsdam alone.
The food was good to great,
and the presentation was sophis-
ticated: Soups were always poured
from pitcher to bowl at table, and
the logo china was gone in favor
of unadorned pieces suitable for
the meals selected.
The dining room has intro-
duced upselling, with a $20 charge
for a broiled whole Maine lobster
and $75 for a 36-ounce, bone-in
rib-eye.
The specialty restaurants carry
a surcharge of $15 to $35, with
some discounts available for mem-
bers of the Mariners loyalty club
and others.
Our favorite was the Asian-fu-
sion Tamarind, which shares space
with a la carte Nami Sushi (the one
specialty restaurant we did not
try). Canaletto, with an Italian ac-
cent, is an evening venue carved
out of the Lido Market, as the buf-
fet is now called.
Pinnacle Grill, featuring Pacific
Northwest cuisine, seafood and
steaks, is the longest-running
Holland America specialty restau-
rant and better than ever. Rudi’s
Sel de Mer, an intimate brasserie
conceived by master chef Rudi
Sodamin, is heavy on dramatic
S U N DAY, JA N UA RY 27 , 2 019
flourishes and, because it is fully a
la carte, pricey.
Neptune and Pinnacle Suite
passengers (or others paying a
daily $50 per person fee) can
choose the intimate Club Orange,
new with this ship, featuring the
regular dining room menu with
a few additions such as surf and
turf, and enjoy some other perks
such as priority check-in and dedi-
cated lines.
At Blend, passengers can create
their own wine styles, and at Notes,
sample fine whiskeys.
For breakfast and lunch, we pa-
tronized the Lido Market, well or-
ganized and a cut above average.
For our morning cappuccino, we
usually chose the Grand Dutch
Café, a pretty Delft jewel box that
nods to the line’s heritage with its
menu, décor and Dutch staff.
Shore excursions
The Crow’s Nest was our other
coffee spot. Repurposed on Nieuw
Statendam, it’s now a place for
drinking, viewing or borrowing
a book from the ship’s skimpy li-
brary.
It’s also home to Explorations
Central, dubbed Exc, the shore
excursions department that is
focusing on smaller-group on-
shore experiences geared to spe-
cial interests such as food, wine or
art.
This is a good direction, be-
cause it distributes passengers
through a port and mitigates their
effect to a certain extent.
We prefer to explore on our own,
and by docking downtown at all
three ports, the Nieuw Statendam
made this easy.
L7
Photographs by Karl Zimmermann
If you go
Holland America, (855) 932-1711,
hollandamerica.com. HAL’s 15
ships call at 450 ports worldwide.
The Nieuw Statendam will sail
from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to the
Caribbean through April 21, when
it will reposition to Amsterdam
for Baltic and Norway cruises. In
September, it will cruise the
Mediterranean from
Civitavecchia and on Oct. 27 will
leave that port for Fort
Lauderdale on a crossing similar
to the one we took.
In Cartegena, Spain, we visited
the Spanish Civil War Museum and
Casa Romana de la Fortuna, de-
picting family life in the Roman pe-
riod.
In Malagá, Spain, we went to Picas-
so’s birthplace.
Best of all was a van we hired
at the port of Funchal to take us
into the mountains for a walk along
one of the island’s many levadas,
small, open canals.
Among the other highlights of
our journey: Calm seas and perfect
weather for basking on our port-
side cabin’s spacious veranda; two
performances by the Step One
Dance Company, which made
spectacular use of background vid-
eos that washed across the 270-de-
gree video screen; and the circular
Promenade Deck, which made ex-
ercise inviting.
All were ingredients in a cross-
ing that was always satisfying and
mostly splendid.
L8 S U NDAY , JA N UA RY 27 , 2 019
GEO QUIZ
The Jura mountain
range extends along
the border between
France and which
landlocked country?
* Switzerland
* Austria
* Hungary
Answer below. Source:
National Geographic Bee
TIPSHEET
Dig into
the Year
of the Pig
By Mary Forgione
On the lunar calendar, the
Year of the Pig starts Feb. 5.
Here are five places to em-
brace the Pig, which rules
until Jan. 24, 2020, when the
Rat takes over.
Portland, Ore.
Head to Portland for a
chance to meet Shadow, a
friendly New Zealand
Kunekune pig. The long-
haired creature will be hold-
ing court at the Lan Su
Chinese Garden from 2-4
p.m. Feb. 5, 8 and 15 (in-
cluded with $10 general
admission). Feb. 17-19, you
can see glowing red lanterns
and an illuminated dragon
($15-$45).
Info: lansugarden.org
Toronto
Activist and sculptor Ai
Weiwei created bronze sculp-
tures of the 12 creatures in
the Chinese zodiac that
toured the world’s museums.
Last year he used colorful
Lego pieces to create por-
traits of the Pig, Monkey, Rat
and others in a work called
“Zodiac.” See them Feb.
28-June 9 at the Gardiner
Museum in Toronto.
Info: gardinermuseum.on.ca
Seattle
Money and prosperity are
themes for Chinese New
Year, which is why a visit to
Seattle’s 550-pound bronze
piggy bank should be on your
calendar. Rachel the Pig has
stood beneath the Pike Place
Market sign since 1986, col-
lecting about $20,000 a year
to help the needy in her
community. Add your dona-
tion, then share a selfie on
Rachel’s Instagram site.
Info: lat.ms/rachelpiggy
bank
Las Vegas
Eight is considered lucky in
the Year of the Pig, which is
why the Bellagio Conserva-
tory and Botanical Garden
created eight piglets as part
of its Chinese New Year floral
display. The show features
other good-luck new year
icons: blooming cherry trees,
Chinese Fu dogs and giant
ancient coins. It’s free and
continues until March 9.
Info: lat.ms/bellagiogarden
San Francisco
The golden dragon Gum
Lung is the star of San Fran-
cisco’s Chinese New Year
Parade, one of the oldest and
biggest in the U.S. It takes
more than 180 men and
women to carry the 288-foot
figure through city streets.
The parade will be 6 -8 p.m.
Feb. 23; you can watch for
free or buy $35 tickets for
seats in the viewing stands.
Info: chineseparade.com
GEO QUIZ ANSWER:
Switzerland
AIRFARES
ATLANTA CHICAGO
LAX $318 $254
SNA 326 318
BUR 326 294
LGB 335 318
ONT 318 303
INT’L AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND*
LAX $903-$1,326
Restricted round-trip airfares are researched on Thursday, the day before the Travel section goes to press. Fares change daily, and availability is not assured. Fares, which may involve a change of
planes, are for airlines serving Los Angeles International (LAX), Orange County/John Wayne (SNA), Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB) and Ontario (ONT). Domestic fares and interna-
tional airfares include taxes and fees. *These international fares vary because of differing fuel surcharges on different airlines. Sources: Sabre reservation system, airlines and Web.
THE CONCIERGE
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foot motion; golf-ball-size My Audio Pet generates a big sound; Biaggi is easy to stash and expandable.
GEAR
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A large lightweight microfiber
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The Monster Towel is a 100-foot-
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The towel has large corner anchor
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wallet and other small items in an
inconspicuous sewn-in zippered
pocket (although the towel can be
stolen).
The Monster Towel comes in
seven colors, air-dries quickly and is
machine washable and dryable.
Cost, info: The Monster Towel costs
about $90; monstertowel.com
A shoe-in for comfort
Imagine your feet could roam free
and unencumbered by shoes but
shielded from hazards. FitKicks may
be the next best thing. The light-
weight hybrid slipper/loafer/water
DEAL OF THE WEEK
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fast. You must book by Feb. 15 for
stays through Aug.13. Blackout dates
apply; offer is based on availability.
Info: lat.ms/airtahitinuideal
— Mary Forgione
DENVER HONOLULU LAS VEGAS NEW YORK/NEWARK, N.J.
$202 $449 $98
222 552 122
242 521 146
232 409 119
222 560 192
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO
$228
Monster Towel
Biaggi
shoe has stretchy, breathable span-
dex uppers that allow plenty of toe-
wiggle room.
Black pebble-ridged rubber soles
provide protection and traction yet
allow full range of foot motion, so
you can point, twist or flex. They
fold in half for packing. FitKicks
come in solid colors and whimsical
patterns in men’s, women’s and
children’s sizes.
For extra warmth, a version called
KoziKicks (available in women’s
sizes) is lined with fleece. A women’s
Maritime model has white pebbled
soles to prevent scuffing boat sur-
faces.
Cost, info: FitKicks cost $20 to $24
in men’s and women’s sizes; $18 in
FitKids styles; Fleece-lined Kozi-
Kicks are about $30; Maritime mod-
el, $23; fitkicks.com
Bluetooth buddy
The penguin, goldfish, monkey
and panda Bluetooth speakers from
My Audio Pet can boom surprisingly
big sound for such tiny audio devices,
which are about the size of a golf ball.
The colorful creatures have multiple
little holes in their heads for belting
out whatever’s streaming plus a
built-in rechargeable lithium-ion
battery that charges using an inte-
grated micro USB port (cable in-
cluded).
DOES FIVE NIGHTS at the Manava Beach Resort and Spa sound
good? The Air Tahiti Nui deal also includes a daily buffet breakfast.
PHOENIX SAN FRANCISCO
$388 $138
388 166
384 167
364 186
379 167
LONDON* PARIS* SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA*
$546-$1,171 $752-$1,241 $747-$1,312
An LED indicator light and
chimes show when the animal is up
and running — about four contin-
uous hours on a charge — and a
built-in microphone can be used for
phone calls. The power button can
activate a cellphone’s camera func-
tion for selfies on the go.
My Audio Pets are available in 17
big-eyed animal shapes and include
a lanyard.
Cost, info: My Audio Pet Animal-
Shaped Wireless Bluetooth Mini
Speakers cost about $30 at
myaudiopet.com
Space changer
Most expandable luggage has a
zipper around the perimeter, that,
when unzipped, provides an inch or
so of extra storage room. The new
Zipsak Boost from Biaggi starts as a
stashable nylon pouch, unzips to
become a 22-by-14-by-9-inch-deep
carry-on with four spinner wheels,
handles on the side and top, and two
exterior zippered pockets.
Unzip the wrap-around zipper
just above the wheels, and the Boost
lengthens to a 28-inch check-through
suitcase. The Boost weighs less than
4 pounds.
Cost, info: Biaggi Zipsak Boost, in a
choice of six colors, lists for $95;
lat.ms/biaggiboost
Manava Beach Resort and Spa
SEATTLE WASHINGTON, D.C.
$88 $157
88 158
92 168
104 158
112 160
TOKYO* VANCOUVER, CANADA
$766-$1,257 $270
L AT I M E S . C O M/ T R AV E L
TOURS &
CRUISES
IRELAND
Celebrate
St. Patrick
at a parade
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
in Dublin on a six-day tour
offered by CIE Tours Inter-
national. Participants will
get a behind-the-scenes
look at preparations for the
city’s parade and join a
FitKicks private party in the General
Post Office, one of Dublin’s
most famous buildings,
where they will watch the
parade. Other highlights
include visits to the Wicklow
Mountains, Stone Age
tombs at Newgrange and
the ruins of Glendalough.
Dates: March 14-19
Price: From $1,490 per
person, double occupancy.
Includes five nights’ accom-
modations, five breakfasts
and two dinners, and trans-
portation. International
airfare not included.
Info: CIE Tours Interna-
tional, (800) 243-8687,
lat.ms/stpatricksdaydublin
— Anne Harnagel
My Audio Pet
NORWAY
Ferry to fiords
Explore the rugged coast-
line, fiords and islands of
western Norway on an inde-
pendent tour that features
coastal travel by ferry and
inland transportation by
private minivan. This new,
eight-day 50 Degrees North
tour begins in Bergen,
where participants tour the
city and then board a ferry
to Kalvag, a picturesque
fishing community. From
there, they travel overland
on a hop-on, hop-off mini-
van. Travelers can hike
glaciers, see waterfalls and
visit small towns and local
museums.
Date: Weekly from May to
September, with Friday
departures from Bergen.
Price: From $2,207 per
person, double occupancy.
Includes seven nights’ hotel
accommodations, some
meals, transportation be-
tween destinations, activ-
ities and tours. Interna-
tional airfare not included.
Info: Fifty Degrees North,
(888) 880-0286, lat.ms/west
ernfiordstour
— Rosemary McClure
MEXICO
Cleansing detox
Kick off your wellness goals
for 2019 with a detox pro-
gram at Rancho la Puerta in
Tecate, Mexico. Choose one-
to three-day juice cleanses,
offered Saturdays through
Wednesdays through Feb-
ruary, or try a two-week
retreat in March or Septem-
ber. . Five spa therapies and
consultations with Michael
Finkelstein, author of the
book “Slow Medicine,” also
are offered during the detox
retreats.
Dates: Short-term retreats
in January and February,
two-week courses are March
16-30 and Sept. 14-28.
Price: From $2,959 for one
person for a four-night stay,
including a one-day juice
cleanse, in January or Feb-
ruary. Rates for the 14-day
detox programs start at
$12,200 per person, double
occupancy. Includes fitness
classes, meals, accommoda-
tions and transportation
from San Diego Interna-
tional Airport on Saturdays.
Info: Rancho la Puerta,
(858) 764-5500, rancho
lapuerta.com
— Rosemary McClure
$699 TO AUSTRALIA
Fare: From LAX, $699
$303
round trip, including all
348 taxes and fees, to various
cities in Australia and New
356 Zealand, which allows a
353 stopover of 72 hours or less,
on Fiji Airways.
378 Restrictions: The fare,
subject to availability, is for
travel from Wednesday to
Dec. 10. Tickets must be
purchased by Feb. 8.
Info: (800) 227 4446,
fijiairways.com
Source: Airfarewatchdog