We’ve got some more news from the Pacific Ocean, but this time it isn’t as successful or cool as those two dudes who decided to take a rowboat across the ocean. This story involves an ocean rescue and a couple of people that might want to reconsider their new career opportunities before they even began.

Two people from Seattle were rescued about 400 miles outside of Hawaii when their boat hit some rough seas last Friday. The winds were whipping and the waves were easily 40 feet high, and to make things worse, the two had to look after their dogs as well—don‘t worry they had life vests for their furry friends. Everything turned out well in the end as they signaled the Golden Princess cruise ship, and the vessel was glad to give them a lift. No word on whether they were allowed to eat in the dining room without formal attire. ]]> kjb 2009-11-17T10:49:28-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/11/7/152831/313

The brand new, unbelievably huge Oasis of the Seas cruise ship has been rocked by some serious waves on its first voyage. As USA Today points out, the 5,400-passenger vessel encountered hurricane-strength winds and waves over 60 feet high in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. Fortunately for the cruise line, there aren't any passengers on board, as Royal Caribbean is merely transporting it from the shipyard in Turku, Finland to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for its inaugural cruise. But while many passengers would have likely gotten seasick, they wouldn't have been in any serious peril, as the ship has weathered the waves quite smartly. For maximum stability, Captain William Wright has slowed the world's largest cruise ship down and steered it head-on into the waves. He probably wouldn't admit it, but I bet he's having fun. ]]> Victor Ozols 2009-11-07T15:28:31-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/22/132118/21

Sail away with Jacques Pepin

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Top Chef restaurant profile with food news of a different sort. Today, instead of highlighting an aspiring top chef, we're calling attention to a few names who earned their stripes after years in the industry and a consistent record of putting out great food. Nothing against the current crop of Vegas hopefuls, but there is something to be said for gaining cred in the days preceding reality television.

Some of these real-life top chefs, like Nancy Oakes of San Francisco's Boulevard and Jacques Pepin, will be joining 2010's Food & Wine Trails cruise roster, allowing fans to follow them to the ends of the Earth, in a manner of speaking.

As you can guess, deck volleyball isn't a high priority on-board. Travelers are there for tastings and pairings alongside some of the country's most famous wine makers, with stops at European cities and wineries—not one of those oh-so-perky family resorts you see advertised on television. ]]> Heidi Atwal 2009-10-22T16:03:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/7/105654/235

Are you anxious for winter to hit so that you can embark on a Carnival Cruise to Antigua, get drunk, and get your brawl on? Too bad, since six Brooklynites already went and spoiled your fun by doing exactly that and getting arrested. Not only were they arrested for getting into a fight with a cabbie and then assaulting the plain-clothes cops who tried to break it up, but their legal issues have turned Carnival off of the island for the time being.

Carnival's ships that sail the Caribbean—the group in question was onboard the Carnival Victory—will no longer stop at Antigua for the reason that they have "a desire to incorporate a new port of call." Right, we're sure that's the only reason, and that the detainment and guilty pleas of their brawling passengers had nothing to do with it. Carnival can try to keep up appearances, but the fact is that they are embarrassed; no cruise line wants to be pegged as the one that sails with shiploads of rowdy Brooklynites looking for a fight. Possible punishments for those under arrest include 2 years in jail or a $4,000 fine each. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-10-07T11:37:59-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/3/144534/082

Some travelers endeavor to make every trip an educational and spiritually uplifting experience, seeking out museums, parks, and cultural sites and making a point to get to know the local people and understand their unique way of life. Other travelers simply want to relax and have fun in a warm, beautiful place, the more delicious food and fancy drinks the better. I've always been the former kind of traveler, but there's a part of me that seeks the comfort, luxury, and sheer simplicity of the latter. So while I might speak disdainfully of those who book vacations at all-inclusive resorts and never leave the property, I secretly wouldn't mind changing places with them every once in a while, spending a week learning nothing at all about my destination and returning home just a little bit dumber than I left. ]]> Victor Ozols 2009-10-03T14:45:34-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/2/9222/27279

First there was the Samantha character on Sex and the City, then an entire generation of hot, over-35 single women started identifying themselves as cougars, and then there was the Cougar Convention. But now that Courtney Cox has gone an made the term quite official with her new show "Cougar Town," cougar parties are sprouting up all over, including on the high seas.

That's right; the "World's First International Cougar Cruise" is open for reservation, and the 3-night getaway cruise is basically just an excuse to drink copious whiskey sours and use an entire box of condoms in one long weekend. The boat ships out on December 3 from San Diego and returns on December 7 after making a port stop at Ensenada, Mexico and a "fun day at sea." ]]> JetSetCD 2009-10-02T10:08:53-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/1/32637/3299

If you're looking for a cheap, quickie getaway, do it up right and go tropical. Set sail on a two-night cruise to the Bahamas for only $99. To make it a weekend-long trip, you can sail away on a three-night cruise for $149. Travelzoo is offering the two cruise deals through Dec. 22 for all you snowbirds and those who just plain hate raking up autumn leaves.

Nassau is the island destination for both round-trip cruises, and rest assured there will be a number of Nassau shore excursions to take advantage of those crazy-clear blue waters, including the Atlantis water park, snorkeling with tropical fish above the coral reefs and taking glass-bottom boat tours. When you board the MS Bahamas Celebration, run by Celebration Cruise Line—oh yea this is totally a party cruise—all meals and entertainment are included. This new cruise line features four restaurants, a two-deck nightclub, a casino, a full-service spa and two pools.

The two-night trips depart from Fort Lauderdale on Mondays and Wednesdays, while the three-nighters leave on Fridays. To snag this deal, you have to book it by calling (800) 314-5527 and mentioning Travelzoo.

Related Stories:
· Lower-Upper-Middle-Class Cruisers Aghast at Influx of Unwashed Masses [Jaunted]
· Pink Floyd Cruise Wishes You Were Here [Jaunted]

[Photo: bryce_edwards] ]]> Jennifer Kester 2009-10-01T09:14:44-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/