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This local watering hole is the central gathering place for travelers from around the world who are looking for lively conversation, want to spin a yarn or two and share their cruising experiences.

The Dockside Cafe' News, a service of Cruise Traveler Magazine, brings you the latest cruise news. The Dockside Cafe' News is flown in daily from the small French island of Nautique. Located halfway between your dreams and reality. Partway between here and there, and right now, just where you'd rather be....

... On a cruise of course!

Costa Promotes Special Thanksgiving Cruise

Costa Cruises is promoting its Thanksgiving cruise on the Costa Magica in the Western Caribbean, and children sail free. The seven-night cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 19 and calls at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Grand Turk. Early-booking fares begin at $499 per person, double occupancy. Children sail in the same cabin for free, excluding government fees.

Holland America Charts 2007 Culinary Themes

More than 40 chefs, wine experts and cookbook authors are scheduled to sail on culinary cruises with Holland America Line in 2007. They range from Marcus Samuelsson, executive chef and owner of New York's Aquavit, to master mixologist Ryan Magarian of Seattle’s Liquid Kitchen. The program is presented by Food & Wine magazine and operates in the Culinary Arts Centers aboard Holland America ships. Aquavit’s Samuelsson will sail with Noordam’s March 10-21 Caribbean voyage, and Magarian will be aboard the April 13-20 segment of Amsterdam’s world cruise. Other guest experts, to name just two, include Suvir Saran, co-executive chef of Devi (New York) and Veda (New Delhi) and author of ‘Indian Home Cooking,’ on Rotterdam’s Jan. 11-31 South America cruise and the March 5-22 segment of the Amsterdam’s world voyage, and Holly Turner, winemaker with Three Rivers Winery (Walla Walla, Wash.), aboard Oosterdam's March 3-10 Mexico sailing.

Seabourn Adds Al Fresco Dinner Option

Seabourn Cruise Line vessels are offering a new casual al fresco dinner option a couple nights per cruise, weather permitting, at the ship-top Sky Bar. The fare is simple: steaks, seafood and other grilled specialties suited to the on-deck ambience. The Sky Grill can accommodate about 40 of each ship’s 208 guests per night, by reservation, at no extra charge.

Carnival Freedom Sets Special 9-day Cruise

The new 110,000gt Carnival Freedom will operate a special one-time nine-day cruise in March with visits to five ports in Italy, Greece, Croatia and Turkey. The voyage begins with an overnight call in Venice March 5 and includes stops at Dubrovnik, Croatia; Katakolon and Piraeus, Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; and Naples, Italy; before arriving in Civitavecchia on March 14 to begin its inaugural season of 12-day Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises. Prices for the nine-day voyage begin at $699 per person, double occupancy.

Crystal Offers Europe Incentives for 2007

Crystal Cruises is offering reduced business-class air upgrades in connection with more than two dozen 2007 Europe sailings and early-booking savings on four voyages. Customers who book by Oct. 31 will save 5% on penthouse accommodations and 10% on other categories on four departures: London to Rome (May 1), Istanbul to Venice (May 25), Rome to London (May 31) and Copenhagen to London (Aug. 9). Fares start at $3,505 per person, double occupancy, for a 10-day cruise. Crystal said average savings translate to $800 to $1,200 per couple. The reduced business-class air upgrade applies to all 2007 European and trans-Atlantic voyages booked by March 31. The price of $999 one way to upgrade from coach to business is approximately 50% lower than unrestricted business-class airfares to Europe, Crystal said. The air upgrade is available from 20 Western, Central and Eastern gateways in the U.S. and Canada in conjunction with more than two dozen cruises.

Learning Is the Latest Trend in Cruise Vacations

There was a time not long ago when the words 'education' and 'vacation' were rarely used in the same sentence. But, with the graying of the baby boomer generation, more travelers are seeking intellectual fulfillment while on vacation, and the member companies of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) are responding with enlightening onboard enrichment programs that provide guests with a variety of learning experiences while at sea. Today’s cruise lines offer enrichment programs to sate mind, body and spirit. Depending on the cruise line, vacationers can attend a workshop in Shakespearian acting taught by alumni of London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, or study French with a Berlitz instructor or discover undersea wonders with oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau. Guest lecturers also include noted astronomers who shed light on the galaxies; celebrated authors who discuss their best-selling books; celebrated diplomats, politicians and professors that help bring foreign peoples and cultures to life; and scientists, naturalists and explorers who explain little-known destinations, flora and species.

The following is a listing of CLIA Member Cruise Lines Offering Onboard Enrichment Programs

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES: During Carnival Cruise Lines' Alaska voyages aboard Carnival Spirit, marine biologists and wildlife specialists describe the passing scenery and sea and animal life from the ship's bridge.

CELEBRITY CRUISES: invites two to five special guest lecturers on board to participate in its Discovery Enrichment Series program. Topics range from finance and astronomy, to wine education and politics, to history and culture.

COSTA CRUISES: Guests can experience a true mind and body overhaul with the "Holistic Holiday at Sea" cruise, which sets sail in March 2007 aboard Costa Cruises' Costa Magica. T

CRYSTAL CRUISES: From destination experts, scientists, authors, politicians and actors Crystal Cruises offers a diverse spectrum of enrichment lecturers for its well-educated and discerning clientele.

CUNARD LINE: ships have a long tradition of onboard enrichment. Queen Mary 2 offers "Oxford Discovery," in conjunction with London's prestigious University of Oxford, which features guest lecturers who speak on such topics as entomology, creative writing, political science and art.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE: enhances the destination experience with region-specific enrichment opportunities such as the Explorations Speaker Series and demonstrations and classes presented by noted chefs in cooperation with Food & Wine magazine.

MSC CRUISES: enrichment program features experts in a variety of fields including golf, art and bridge. Instructors also conduct arts and crafts, photography and wine tasting workshops.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE: vessels operating intra-Hawaiian island itineraries feature Hawaiian arts and crafts classes that include lei making.

PRINCESS CRUISES: Princess Cruises' ScholarShip@Sea program, offers a robust portfolio of "edu-tainment" courses in which experts edify travelers on such topics as the culinary arts, visual arts, computer skills, digital photography, finance, web page design and pottery.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES: "Circles of Interest" program is designed to enhance the destination experience for guests with onboard lectures, workshops and specially crafted shore excursions whose themes include art, design and museums, history, archaeology and literature.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL: Programs run the gamut, from home improvement and gardening to the performing arts and entertainment.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE: The program, called "Dress Circle," offers an intimate association with the enrichment personnel who share the voyage with guests and are carefully selected to ensure compatibility with the intimate, sociable atmosphere onboard.

WINDSTAR CRUISES: Windstar Cruises' Costa Rica itineraries feature a naturalist who is an expert in the flora and fauna, geography and culture of the destinations visited. The naturalist provides special presentations in the lounge that focus on the region's biodiversity. The lecturer socializes with guests in the evenings and is available to answer any questions.

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About Nautique

Nautique was named for a shipwreck that happened off the leeward side of the Island back in 1489. That's how the Island was discovered, by accident. ...and that's how many people have come to live there as well. They just happen to stumble upon the place and shall we say, were awe struck by the islands beautiful green hills, pristine beaches, private coves, and idyllic year-round temperatures.

The tranquility and calm that surrounds Nautique is what lure's us to it.  Visitors don't come here to be "seen". On the contrary they dress anonymously in jeans, shorts and T-shirts, or whatever they want to wear while on their computer. Everyone has an e-mail address. No one will know who you really are.  They share with their fellow travelers the belief that a great cruise vacation means doing everything, or nothing -- but doing it up in style.

Stop by the Dockside cafe, chat for a while and take in the breathtaking panorama of the harbor, with its views of a turquoise bay full of visiting cruise ships surrounded by coconut palms, hibiscus and just beyond, a great blue sea.

Nautique is located halfway between your dreams and reality.

Partway between here and there, and right now, just where you'd rather be.

Nautique is a fictious Island. A figment of our imagination.