Welcome to this issue of the World Wide Cruises newsletter! We've just heard the latest figures about the top ten cruise destinations - can you guess what they are? Think about it and then check at the bottom of the page - were you right? What are your favorite cruise locations? Don't forget to join us in our discussions forum and let us know. Come on, join the fun! Do you have cruise questions? Or maybe you're a seasoned travelers and can offer advice and tips to others? Or maybe you have some interesting (or even better, funny!) stories about your cruise experiences?
Just click here to come and join us!



When you join us the the forum, don't forget to tell us your favorite destinations - and please tell us all about them and just why you like them! This can include general areas and specific towns and ports too. Let us know if you've found a great restaurant in one of your ports-of-call for example,  or a lovely white beach you can recommend to fellow-travelers.

We'd really like your input. Share your stories about your cruise experiences. Can you recommend any restaurants in various ports of call? Or shops? Or tours?  Come and chat with us and let us know!

In this issue we are looking at Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. San Juan is known as La Ciudad Amurallada  (the walled city). San Juan was founded in 1521. In 1508 Juan Ponce de León founded the original settlement, Caparra, now known as Pueblo Viejo, behind the almost land-locked harbor just to the west of the present metropolitan area.

A year later, the settlement was abandoned and moved to the site of what is now called Old San Juan. San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean and is the second oldest city in the Americas.

REMEMBER - IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL ABOUT YOUR CRUISE OR VACATION, JUST
CONTACT US AT  800-882-9000 AND WE'LL BE HAPPY TO HELP!


 

One of our favorite places to eat in Old San Juan is Aguaviva. This fabulous restaurant specializes in the freshest fish and seafood prepared with Latino– Caribbean flair, and features a wonderful oyster and ceviche bar in front of the open kitchen. A must!

Aguaviva opens 7 days a week, Monday thru Saturday at 6pm, and Sundays at 4 pm. The kitchen closes at 11pm Monday thru Wednesday, 12am Thursday — Saturday, and at 10 pm on Sundays.

Dress is casual elegant, and there are child seats available as well as a few special dishes for them.

Holland America Line, in a multi-year partnership with Food & Wine magazine, has launched an exciting new onboard culinary program that will provide guests with an experiential way to immerse themselves in the tantalizing tastes of the exotic ports they visit.

The Culinary Arts Center - one of the marquee features of Holland America Line's $225 million Signature of Excellence® program - is much more than a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen. Guests can learn tricks of the trade from world-class chefs in action through demonstrations and intimate hands-on cooking classes, plus learn from expert sommeliers at wine tasting events.

Additionally, on select sailings special culinary events include demonstrations by celebrated guest chefs, question-and-answer sessions with renowned culinary authorities, market tours in ports of call, book signings and specially designed onboard menus. It's a unique way for culinary aficionados, devoted "foodies" and those who simply love to cook to gain an enlightened perspective on the cultures and places they visit.

"We are excited about the myriad possibilities of this partnership," said Julie McGowan, Food & Wine's senior vice president/publisher. "By pairing Holland America Line's stellar reputation and worldwide itineraries with Food & Wine's expertise and celebration of the epicurean lifestyle, we'll attract the most dynamic, sought-after talents in the world of food and wine."

Culinary Arts Centers are currently operating on most ships and will be in place on all ships by Fall 2006. It's one more reason Holland America Line is the leader in premium cruising.

For more information, visit www.hollandamerica.com
 

This issue, our recipe comes from Roberto Trevino, the renown chef who oversees and creates superb dishes for four restaurants in Old San Juan in Pueto Roco: Dragonfly, Aguaviva, the Parrot Club and Fogata.

LatinAsian Halibut Ceviche
Ingredients:

1.5 # fresh west coast halibut
1 large white onion, finely julienned
2 ripe tomatoes, seeded and finely julienned
½ stick lemongrass, finely chopped
2 oz. recao, finely chopped
¾ cup chopped scallions
2 cups sugar
9 oz. coconut milk
12 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 oz. fine salt
1 Tbsp. sesame oil

Filet the fish into sashimi cut pieces. Reserve in the fridge. Take the onions peeled and cut into quarters, removing the core pieces from each quarter. Finely julianne the larger pieces. Core and seed the tomatoes, cut into ¼'s and finely julienne. Finely chop the stick of lemongrass. Finely chop the recao and chop the scallions into cylinders. In a pan, mix all the vegetables together. Add the lime juice and salt. With a wooden spoon, stir in the coconut milk and the sugar, mixing well to make sure the sugar dissolves in the liquid. Fold in the halibut gently. Add the sesame oil and wrap tightly, storing in the fridge for at least 3 hours.

 

Top cruise destinations: 1. Barbados 2. Virgin Islands 3. French Riviera 4. Alaska 5. Australia/New Zealand 6. Cayman Islands 7. Norway 8. Hong Kong. 9. Aruba 10. Panama Canal.

Copyright © 2006 World Wide Cruises. All Rights Reserved.
All trademarks and brands are property of their respective owners.