Grandeur of the Seas to cruise to Bermuda

The Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas will make 5-night cruises from Baltimore to Bermuda from May through November of 2005. The Grandeur of the Seas has a full-service spa, six whirlpools, an outdoor jogging track and a seemingly endless choice of bars and restaurants. While adults enjoy the relaxing surroundings of the Solarium or the state-of-the-art day spa and fitness center, kids have the time of their lives with the Adventure Ocean Youth Program.

Click the link for all of the Grandeur of the Seas' itineraries and for the best deals on cruises.

Bermuda weather watch

The Bermuda weather forecast for Friday calls for sunny to mostly cloudy conditions, with occasional showers. Winds will be moderate to strong. A high near 67F and a low tonight of 60F. It's warm enough for golf, but that wet stuff and wind really puts a damper on play.

The Bermuda golf and spa season

The Bermuda Department of Tourism has begun two new ad campaigns in an effort to redefine the slow January-to-March period as the golf and spa season, and also attract affluent African American travelers. The islands' close proximity to the eastern United States is promoted in "Putting Distance" ads. Bermuda's winter weather is certainly milder than the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic states in the U.S., so I'd say the campaign has a chance.

"No one wants to play golf when its 95 degrees," said Arnold New York executive creative director John Staffen.

Wiki Bermuda

The Wikipedia entry for Bermuda provides a short but thorough introduction to the islands. It includes links to more entries about Bermuda's history, music, economy and many other topics.

The Wikipedia is an open encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Celebrity Xpeditions expand to Bermuda cruises

Just one year after launching "Celebrity Xpeditions," an extension of Celebrity Cruises offering elite, exotic travel experiences, the line is making good on its promise to offer one Xpeditions experience on every major cruise itinerary. With Bermuda cruises they offer an aquatic archaeology course.

From a 42' private Catamaran (fully stocked the Celebrity way of course), you'll sail toward the Eastern Blue Cur-Barrier Reef for snorkeling and water play with great water toys like underwater scooters, glass bottom kayaks and more. You'll also get to snorkel the famous shipwreck of The Lion Cage on a marine archeological site in Bermuda's waters.

New Bermuda tourism plan

The Bermuda government's new tourism plan seeks to increase air arrivals to 400,000 over the next three years, as well as increase the number of cruise ship passengers and tourist spending. The Tourism Department’s “efficiency, effectiveness and productivity” are also in for improvement.

"It’s time to wake up Bermuda," Dr. Brown said. "The way forward is a series of bold new steps — steps that are intended to change the very nature of tourism."

The Department of Tourism's official website is here.