Update April 2005 – Holland America Cruises, Signature of Excellence Program-Sailing
Update April 2005 - Holland America Cruises, Signature of Excellence Program
Holland America Cruise Lines has initiated a program of up-scaling their cruise ships, cruise line image and passenger cruise experience. This initiative is called the Signature of Excellence program and will soon be experienced by cruise passengers on all Holland America cruises.The award winning Holland America five star fleet of cruise ships will all have the unparalleled enhancements by the end of 2006. Included in the program are enhancements to the impeccable service Holland America guests have become accustomed to as well.Premium cruising aboard Holland America's fleet will be enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities and public areas. Included are stateroom amenities, luxury beds and bed linens. All Holland America cruise ships will include the Neptune Lounge, Pinnacle Grill, Explorations Caf
The Last Laugh: Parental Pranks for April 1
The Last Laugh: Parental Pranks for April 1
The exact origin of April Fool's Day is uncertain, but popular belief is that it began in France with the adoption of a new calendar. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar (still in use today) replaced the long-standing Julian calendar and New Year's celebrations were moved from April 1 to January 1.People who continued to celebrate the new year on April 1 were labeled "fools" and often ridiculed. This harassment evolved over time, and now "All Fool's Day" is practised in many parts of the world with each country celebrating it in their own special way.In Scotland, "Taily Day" lasts 48 hours and is devoted to pranks involving the buttocks. The Scots are rumoured to have invented the "Kick Me" sign.In France, children exclaim "Poisson d'Avril" (April fish) when playing a prank, referring to a young fish which is easily caught.In Rome, the "Festival of Hilaria" is on March 25 and is also referred to as "Roman Laughing Day".While children relish tricking us on this special day, why let them have all the fun. Here are some ways for you to trick them:Replace the cream filling out of Oreo-type cookies and fill with mint toothpaste. Put in lunches or on a plate and watch their faces.Send a cheese sandwich for lunch, but "forget" to remove the plastic wrapper off the slice. Consider even placing a note inside stating, "Got 'cha!" or "April Fool".Put some water in a cereal bowl, and place it in the freezer the night before. Offer to get your family cereal in the morning. Put a thin layer of their favourite cereals on top of the ice, and serve.Or, just before your kids come down to eat breakfast, put some food colouring in the milk. Blue, green, or yellow (it looks like soured milk)-any color will do. Watch them go into total shock when they pour the milk into their cereal or glasses.Or consider preparing a special April Fool's Day Dinner, where nothing is quite what it appears:Make your favourite meatloaf recipe and bake in 2 round cake pans. Frost with mashed potatoes that are the consistency of frosting. You could write "Happy April Fool's Day" on the cake with ketchup.Prepare lemon Jell-O and pour into glasses, insert a straw and let it set up. The Jell-O is the drink and looks like lemonade (watch your kids try to suck it up a straw).Make "fish sticks" or "French fries" from pound cake. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees until crisp and golden on the edges. Raspberry or chocolate sauce can be served in opaque red plastic "ketchup bottles".Everybody loves a well-played joke and the infectious squeals of children's laughter. So this April 1, why not try to catch your own "young fish" in a harmless prank and make it a day of family fun. Just remember ? don't leave this article on the coffee table. You wouldn't want to give your kids any good ideas.---------------------------------------------------------------Award-winning educator, speaker and author Rob Stringer coaches parents with his upbeat approach to learning and parenting. Explore articles, activities and learn how to create the family you desire.BONUS: Subscribe to the FREE monthly "Parenting with Intention" newsletter and automatically receive a special report, 25 Tips to Help Your Child Succeed In School. Sign up at http://www.robstringer.com/newsletter.htm or send a blank email to
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Holland American Alaskan Cruising – New Alaskan Cuisine April 2005!-Sailing
Holland American Alaskan Cruising - New Alaskan Cuisine April 2005!
Alaska is a place to experience not merely to visit or to see. Holland American Alaskan Cruising is the best way to experience the marvels of the Alaska coast. Add Holland America cruise tours to your Alaskan itinerary, and you have the makings of a once in a lifetime Alaskan adventure.Announced in April of 2005, Holland America will launch a new Alaskan culinary experience to its seven ships bound for Alaskan cruising. HAL's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has developed a menu of Alaskan salmon dishes. Dubbed "Going Wild for Salmon", this feature is an extensive menu rotation of Alaskan salmon during each cruise. This Alaskan delight will also include on-board culinary events, cooking demonstrations and seminars.Having spent time recently in Anchorage Alaska, Chef Rudi thought that the delicious Alaskan salmon should be brought on board. This will enhance the Alaskan flavor of cruising to Alaska aboard Holland America.Chef Rudi and his staff have developed about 50 distinctive Alaskan salmon recipes. Every night, a whole range of Alaskan salmon dishes will be available. The "Going Wild for Salmon" menu choices will be available 5 nights a week on board their Alaskan cruises. Holland America now offers more Alaskan salmon dishes than any other cruise line to Alaska.These dishes will include appetizers and entrees. Just the sound of the dishes makes your mouth water - Thin Alaskan Salmon Scallops with Fresh Herb Dressing; Hazelnut Crusted Alaskan Salmon with Sorrel Sauce; Alaskan Salmon and Lobster Chowder; Alaskan Salmon Baked in Phyllo with Shitake Mushrooms & Champagne Sauce. Are you full yet?Holland America is always looking for ways to deepen the Alaskan experience. Alaskan cruisers can now experience Alaska with their eyes, ears and their palate. A leader in Alaskan cruising, Holland America will sail seven ships on 134 cruises to Alaska in 2005. Their premium ships offer elegant spaciousness and fewer passengers than other major cruise lines.For more information on Alaskan cruising and Holland America cruises, check out some of our other interesting articles. To check out the fantastic deals see our merchant links for Alaskan cruise discounts. Compare the offers, find the best deal and book your Alaska cruise on-line. Then all you have to do is get excited!Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of a1-discount-cruises. This site is your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and deals! Visit http://www.a1-discount-cruises.com to check out the best cruise values. For more cruise related articles check browse through our article map at http://www.a1-discount-cruises.com/articles.htm to find the article pages of most interest!