While everyone was reeling at the 2012 Volkswagen Beetles that Oprah gave to her lucky audience in yesterday's final "Ultimate Favorite Things" episode, we were busy scoping out her other picks from the double-episode free-stuff extravaganza. And no, we don't mean the glittery Uggs—really, Oprah? Among the goodies, there were a number of great gifts for travelers on your holiday list, or yourself. We won't judge.

Check out our version of Oprah's Favorite Things: Travelers' Edition after the jump.]]> Jennifer Kester 2010-11-23T08:34:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/10/27/95051/494

Cruise ships these days have though of just about every creative way to squeeze a couple extra dollars out of you, including yoga classes, Johnny Rockets and "premium" restaurants, but they still don't have Starbucks. That is, until today. Royal Caribbean announced this morning that their newest ship, the Allure of the Seas, will be the first to have Starbucks at Sea.

As it is, most modern cruise ships already have specialty coffee stands (like "Creams" onboard the Carnival Glory), and although they can make you all the frappuccinos and venti soy lattes you wanted, they couldn't call them that (because Starbucks owns copyrights, you see). USA Today has the first image of the Starbucks at Sea here, and it looks pretty meh. You could be anywhere, like a suburban mall, from the way it looks. And although we understand that Starbucks has their brand to maintain, but this is just super not exciting.

Anyways, the ship debuts next month and knowing that it'll hold some 5,400 passengers, who wants to place bets that the Starbucks line will be even more annoying than morning rush hour at your nearest local drive-thru 'bucks?

[Photo: Jaunted]]]> JetSetCD 2010-10-27T10:45:09-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/10/1/93513/4042
What typically happens on a cruise ship

So, Royal Caribbean cruises has pretty much announced the one thing that contradicts the point of taking a cruise, but we'll run with it (no pun intended). During one of the December sailings on the Allure of the Seas, the cruise line will stage it's first 5K Marathon, called "The Royal 5K," to take place on the island of St. Maarten. We doubt it'll include the famous road at the end of the airport's runway, over which plane's fly dangerously low, but trust that there will be scenery involved regardless.

All guests sailing will have the opportunity to join, to quickly shave off whatever fat they've already piled on at shipboard buffets. The marathon is $50 for adults and $35 for children, and you're welcome to walk, run or jog the course. If you're quite serious about running, they've got an optional training program to follow as well: ]]> JetSetCD 2010-10-01T09:35:13-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/7/29/15941/6902

How much do you love Shreak or Kung Fu Pands? Hopefully you love them enough to be stranded with them for days out on the open ocean...that is, onboard a cruise ship. Royal Caribbean Cruises has announced that beginning during the holiday 2010 season, popular characters from Dreamworks films will hit the decks to entertain passengers onboard select ships.

The first to get a dose of Madagascar, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon madness will be the Allure of the Seas, followed in early 2011 by the <>Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas. All of this includes themed ice shows—because yes, these ships have ice skating rinks down in them—as well as 3-D Dreamworks movies onboard and the characters roaming about the ship looking for photo ops. The promise of "table-side visits" at dinner makes us shudder, but then we aren't starry-eyed 8 year old kids on their first cruise.]]> JetSetCD 2010-07-29T15:51:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/7/26/171947/019

The year is more than half over, which means we're more than halfway done with 2010 travel stories. Since things slow down over the summer, we figured this was a perfect time to pause and reflect on just how insane this year has been. And by insane, we mean stupid.

We wanted to avoid things that were stupid in the "that obviously won't work" kind of way and instead turn to the mind-boggling, inexplicable, "what could they have been thinking" sort of stupidity. And, thanks to the nature of the travel industry and airport security, there was more than enough to go around.]]> Omri 2010-07-29T09:36:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/5/26/125114/907

Royal Caribbean is now offering guests aboard Oasis of the Seas the chance to spend an afternoon giving back. The cruise line has just added three new excursions in Cozumel, Mexico, including an afternoon of volunteering for the Mexican Red Cross.

The first new excursion, the "Xcaret Shark Encounter", lets passengers snorkel near nurse sharks while learning about shark physiology at the Xcaret Eco Park for an additional feel. The trip is geared toward families with children. It's pretty standard fare for cruise ship excursions, so we're mostly excited about the aspect of getting into a little volunteer travel on our next cruise with the Red Cross option. ]]> cmb 2010-05-26T16:25:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/5/14/144156/465

Cruise ships these days... What don't they have? You can install real grass one deck for a 12-hole putt-putt course, turn the funnel into a rock climbing wall, and even create an entire planetarium at sea in a modern boat. Just as cruise lines continue upping the ante with onboard amenities, they're also constantly reinventing typical cruise offerings, and yes—this includes the all-you-can-eat buffets.

Royal Caribbean is introducing free chocolate breakfast across their entire fleet, as they have just finished testing the idea on their largest and newest boat: Oasis of the Seas. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-05-14T14:56:53-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/