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Awesome Sun Protection Hats Give Travelers Fashionable Choice

7/24/2019

TenthStreetHats.com crushable sun protection hat

My new Broxburn style hat works nicely to keep my head safe from the sun and allows me to travel in style.

By John Roberts
As you can see from my picture, I have a particular need for a hat when the sun is shining and I head outside.
I've always been a baseball cap kind of guy. And when I travel, the trusty old ballcap has always been a solid choice. Easy to pack, dependable, suitable for the beaches or hiking or kayaking. Keeps the sun out of my eyes and off of my pate. Just darn reliable -- if not too fashionable.
Tenth Street Hats offered me the chance to retool my travel style a bit, giving me the choice of a new stylish hat among the website's hundreds of designs. I selected a style called Broxburn, a hat I think Indiana Jones might like.
Thus, I have a new accessory for my adventures, thanks to Tenth Street Hats. The company provided the hat and simply asked that I give it a fair and honest review. I agreed to do so as long as I could get something that would fit my travel style. This meant that it had to be easy to pack for a traveler who does carry-on only for his flights.
I was pointed to the company's lineup of "Crushable" hats, and I really liked the look of the Broxburn. When it arrived, though, I was immediately skeptical that it could be folded down and fit into my bag, but it easily pressed flat to carry in my backpack. Then, it pops right back into shape.
I think travelers will find plenty of great options in the TenthStreetHats.com lineup of Crushable Hats, Sun Protection Hats or even Beach Hats. All these categories and more are listed in drop-down menus on the website.

TenthStreetHats.com features a line of "Crushable" hats that work nicely for packing away for travel.

Tenth Street Hats has a history that dates to 1921 and recognizes the original warehouse location of the Dorfman Hat and Cap Co. in Oakland, California. The company says it sources quality materials from suppliers around the world. The hats are made in production facilities in across the globe in factories that "still use rare hat-making machines that are nearly one-of-a-kind."
The TenthStreetHats.com website offers hundreds of hat styles for men and women, and you can pick from a variety of sizes and colors for most of the hat designs.
I tugged on my new Broxburn and got a little input from Colleen for how it should look.
"Maybe don't pull it all the way down to your ears," she said.
A few minor adjustments, and she helped me get a decent enough look, with just the right tilt of the brim. Not too bad. It felt comfortable as I wore it while touring around Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna on my Danube River cruise.

On deck on my Danube River cruise in Budapest.

It has been a hot summer in both Europe and the U.S., and I got this new hat and started wearing it on my travels during this heat wave. It's made of a distressed twill cotton, and the brown color gives it the look of a soft leather. I realized that the cotton keeps my head cool even during the hottest days.
A soft twill sweatband lines the inside rim of the Broxburn, and that kept any beads from rolling into my eyes. I also like the sleek look of the braided faux leather band that encircles the hat.

The Broxburn is listed at $69 on TenthStreetHats.com, and you can find hats ranging in price from as low as $40 to more than $200, but most styles are in the $60 to $110 range. Hat connoisseurs will go crazy perusing the website, with all the different styles and varieties to pick over.
Tenth Street offers numerous classic shapes like bowler, fedora, porkpie, newsboy, boater and safari. And designer brands include Stetson, Aegean, Brooklyn, Biltmore, John Callanan and Scala.
I'm really happy with my choice of the Broxburn and have added it to my lineup of accessories, right alongside my trusty baseball cap. But now, I have something to wear for my running, hiking and other physical activities as well as a perfect accompaniment when times call for something more comfortable and stylish.
Thanks for reading, and always travel happy!
JR

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AmaMagna Will Convince Die-Hard Ocean Cruisers to Try Rivers

7/23/2019

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The innovative AmaMagna is double the width of the traditional European river cruise ship.

By John Roberts
AmaMagna is a sensation.
That's what happens when you break the mold and stand out from the crowd.
People take notice.
AmaWaterways knew this would be the case when it designed its double-wide Danube River ship. AmaMagna is still as tall and as long as the other vessels on the rivers in Europe, but at 72 feet across, the width creates a new look and new opportunities for cruisers to enjoy when taking a voyage on this ship.
In reality, the extra space allows for great added features, but the cruise ship still has a familiar feel once you're onboard. That is, it's just a few more strides across from one side to the other, and you certainly aren't going to get lost while looking for the lounge or your cabin.
However, the added width gives AmaMagna a majestic air as you cruise or when pulling up to a port city or village. You'll notice passengers and crew from the other ships and residents ashore take notice of this grand vessel.
I sailed for a week on AmaMagna, from Budapest to Vilshofen, Germany, and noted that the ship's innovative spaces take river cruising to a new level.

Budapest Parliament Building on view from AmaMagna

We started our cruise in Budapest and got a nice view of the iconic Parliament Building as we sailed.

AmaMagna owns a look and feel of a luxury boutique hotel, which is just what AmaWaterways is going for with this groundbreaking design. In fact, AmaMagna might be just what longtime ocean cruisers have been looking for if they are eyeing their first river cruise. The ship is the closest thing I have seen to a small ocean or expedition ship experience -- but on the rivers.
AmaMagna carries 196 passengers. This compares with about 158 for the line's other ships and up to 190 on Viking River Cruises' fleet of Longships. So, the space-per-passenger ratio on AmaMagna is quite generous in the public areas and the staterooms.
I was especially excited to sail on the ship because of the Zen Wellness Studio, a first-of-its-kind full-scale fitness center at the back of the ship. AmaWaterways dedicated a healthy amount of space to offer a slew of fitness classes and spa treatments. These classes take place not only in the Zen Wellness Studio but also in the fresh air up top on the Sun Deck in a "Yoga Tent" space.
AmaWaterways has long been the industry leader in fitness options. The line placed Wellness Hosts on its ships years ago, and the line's Wellness Program is fully realized on AmaMagna with a fitness center that holds two treadmills, a large studio space with free weights, exercise mats, rowing machine and exercise bikes.
On the back deck, just off the studio space, four spin cycles are available for spin classes led by the Wellness Host in the great outdoors, with amazing views while sailing or sitting in port. Our Wellness Host Tiago had full classes for spin, yoga, Pilates and line dancing classes all week. Colleen and I even went for a jog around Linz, Austria, one afternoon with Tiago, who also leads shore walks and onboard post-lunch "digestive" walks.
AmaMagna also carries a giant fleet of eight-speed cruiser bikes. These are used for organized bike tours, and there are likely to be several scheduled during each cruise. You also are free to check them out for your own use when in port, and we took advantage to go for long rides in Budapest (out to Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube) and in Vienna (also to its city island Donauinsel).
A relaxation room is located next to the fitness studio in the Zen Wellness Center. This space has a fresh-juice bar and chairs and tables with views out the back to enjoy some quiet time or wait for your massage treatment.

The pop-up bar on AmaMagna is well stocked with refreshments.

AmaMagna offers four restaurants, the traditional Main Restaurant and three reservations-required alternative venues. The Chef's Table is a multicourse meal and a is also a favorite on other AmaWaterways' ships. Passengers have new choices, though, with The Al Fresco eatery at the front of the ship beyond the lounge on Deck 3. This is an intimate place for up to 24 people, and you get a set menu of fresh and healthy cuisine, while dining with amazing views at the bow of the ship.
Jimmy's Wine Bar and Restaurant down on Deck 1 and next to The Chef's Table offers a more casual family-style choice. The menu is the same as what is served in The Main Dining room each night, and you get all the choices and courses to share with larger groups of family and friends.
If you have enjoyed a river cruise before, you will notice a few other things that stand out on AmaMagna.
The large Sun Deck is spacious and a fantastic place to chill out during afternoon sailing sessions or to take in magical night-time views of the Parliament Building in Budapest. There are dozens of spaces to find to relax in the sun or under the shade of a canopy. The heated pool/hot tub area was our favorite, day or night. This is also where you can find the pop-up bar, with a bartender ready to serve you a cocktail or beer.

You could often find me right here during the cruise. The pool and hot tub are inviting, day and night, especially when you have the nice weather that we had during our week onboard.

Check out our gallery for all the amazing spots on AmaMagna.

AmaMagna also features a few other river cruise industry firsts. An elevator to the Sun Deck is a fantastic addition that makes the area accessible for people with mobility issues. Also, the ship has a large marina -- or sports platform -- at water level at the back of the ship. A Sundowner yacht is stored here and can be launched for scenic exploration of the Danube, carrying up to 12 passengers at a time. The marina is also a spot that can be used for kayak launches and as a gathering spot for special sunset cocktail events.
Between the twin libraries in the ship's lower lounge area, just before The Alfresco, you'll find The Cinema. That's right, the ship features a large theater with a big screen. Movies are shown here nightly, and kids of all ages like to use the video gaming system. We also watched major sport events like Wimbledon tennis matches and the Women's World Cup final in there.
There is also a complimentary guest laundry room down on Deck 1, with two washers, two dryers and detergent -- along with a baskets and an ironing board.
It's all of these extras on AmaMagna that set the ship apart from the masses on the rivers and give cruisers a nice variety of spaces and activities. Closer to a small-ship luxury ocean experience, perhaps.
It really is a fun way to explore the Danube and surrounding cities like Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Passau and Nuremberg.
What do you think? Does AmaMagna sound like it's just the kind of ship that would get you to try your first river cruise? Let us know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading,
JR

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MSC Cruises Offers Full Menu of Fun Activities for Families

7/17/2019

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Photos courtesy of MSC Cruises

By John Roberts
Fast-growing MSC Cruises has been delivering new ships to the oceans at a rapid clip over the past few years. While doing so, the line with a long-entrenched heritage in Europe has offered more and more sailings from U.S. ports and included features on these shiny new ships designed to attract families.

MSC Cruises has been working hard to appeal to U.S. travelers, and we've discovered a variety of reasons why a voyage on an MSC ship can be the perfect choice for your family cruise. Check out all the interesting things you can try while sailing with your friends, family members and the kiddos.

Cirque du Soleil at Sea
MSC Cruises' industry-first entertainment partnership with Cirque du Soleil brings avant garde performances to the sea exclusively for MSC Cruises. Shows are available on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima, and they also are coming to the new MSC Grandiosa (launching in November 2019).

Cruisers can experience two original and exclusive Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows per ship. The partnership offers eight different shows in total, with two original performances on each ship in the line's Meraviglia class.

The Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows come stateside for the first time when MSC Meraviglia arrives to North America for the first time and sails two cruises (October 8 and October 18) from New York on itineraries to Canada and New England just as the fall leaves are changing.

From there, MSC Meraviglia sets off for a voyage to the Caribbean and Miami, where the ship will homeport for its Caribbean sailings.

Longest Ziplines at Sea
On MSC Seaside, you can soar high above the ship and race nearly 345 feet across the lido deck while reaching speeds of nearly 35 mph. Two ziplines (fee) cross the ship and offer incredible birds-eye views of the surrounding sea.

You also might like: My Cruise on MSC Divina Ended Up Being a Non-Stop Party

Chocolate Bar Creations
Onboard MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima, passengers can visit the decadent Jean-Philippe Maury Chocolat and Cafe to sample the acclaimed pastry chef's decadent creations.

Want an even sweeter experience? Cruisers can actually design their own chocolate bars to take home. Visit the iPad stations in the cafe and select the type of chocolate, mix-ins (like almonds) and top the chocolate bar with everything from marshmallows to sea salt and caramel. You can personalize the bar with your name -- and even stamp an image of the ship right on the bar.

Once you finish your design, chocolatiers at the shop create the bar, which you can pick up when it's ready.

Race Car Simulators
MSC Cruises features Formula 1 virtual-reality race car simulators (fee), which are found on MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa.

On these ships, passengers climb into a nearly full-size Formula 1 race car with surrounding screens displaying the race course. You can immerse yourself into the racing experience as you put your driving skills to the test and burn (virtual) rubber. The car vibrates and moves as you zoom around the track.

Ropes Course
Onboard MSC Meraviglia, the winter-themed Polar Aqua Park includes an exciting ropes course perched high above the aqua park below. The thrilling climb takes you through the park's Himalayan Bridge, nearly 200 feet above the sea.

Interactive Cinema
MSC Cruises offers interactive cinemas on a number of ships, and these facilities offer immersive shows complete with moving seats, wind, mist and more. On MSC Seaside, you can experience the XD cinema with even more interactive elements to make you feel like you're a part of the film's fantasy world.

A Wine Bath
Vinotherapy has become a hot spa trend. MSC Cruises has a partnership with Andrea Bocelli Wines and spa products company LAJATICA to curate vinotherapy treatments in the MSC Aurea Spa onboard MSC Seaside and MSC Meraviglia.

Strengthened by the anti-aging and firming properties found in grapes, these luxurious facial and body treatments are made with natural extracts from the Bocelli family vineyards and blended with Tuscan plants and essential oils. Known as "nature's antioxidants," grapes contain powerful compounds called polyphenols, which fight free radicals and stimulate the renewal of cells and collagen.

Grapes also contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B1, C, E and K; in addition to magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus.

Content Creation for Your Cruise
MSC Cruises has partnered with vlogger Luciano Spinelli to create a content master class to teach families how to capture their best vacation photos and videos. Participants learn the best ways to tell the stories of their cruises via social media. The class also teaches you how to capture the best memories so that you can relive and share your experience forever.

Also, check out these Kids Programs coming to the new MSC Grandiosa. These activities will keep the youngsters busy and happy while you head to the spa or slip into your wine bath.

Drone Academy
Taking place in MSC Grandiosa's Sportsplex venue, this high-tech and high-energy drone relay race comes to life at night with the glowing drones. Teens are trained to learn drone piloting skills before competing as teams to race through the 4,200-square-foot arena navigating 15 obstacles in the quickest time.

Spy Mission
Young audiences play a central role in this roaming spy experience, a first for MSC Cruises. Blending the lines between reality and fiction, participants are led through a number of different scenarios, taking place throughout the ship to unravel unique storylines. You follow clues to solve the mystery to win a range of prizes.

MSC Dance Crew
Developed in partnership with Fremantle, the production company behind the globally successful TV talent shows including "Idols," "The X Factor" and the "Got Talent" series, this dance competition puts together teams of 12- to 17-year-old cruisers. The dancers then battle it out to win the title of top dance crew.

Thanks for reading and happy family cruising!
JR

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Awesome Sun Protection Hats Give Travelers Fashionable Choice

AmaMagna Will Convince Die-Hard Ocean Cruisers to Try Rivers

Check out our gallery for all the amazing spots on AmaMagna.

MSC Cruises Offers Full Menu of Fun Activities for Families

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