Caribbean Cruise surrenders to the Sweet Secrets of LoveBy Madelyn Miller, the Travellady Early in my chocolate career, I went on a Chocolate Cruise. It changed my life, and my dress size.
It started with a bon-bon voyage party where they passed trays of scrumptious chocolates and gave everyone on the cruise a goody bag to fill with their favorites. Each day we had special chocolate lectures, such as Chocolate Cocktails, Chocolate Sculptures and Chocolate and Sex (the most popular lecture of the trip) Each meal ended with a spectacular chocolate dessert or two. And that is not even to mention the legendary chocolate buffets each night on a cruise. http://www.travellady.com/ARTICLES/article-chocolatefantasies.html Am I still a chocoholic? After seven days of being saturated with chocolate, I thought I had eaten enough for my whole life. After I was home for a week, I renewed my eagerness for anything chocolate. If that was a rehab program, it failed miserably. But eating chocolate has gotten me to some very interesting places.
I visited the Lindt Chocolate headquarters in Zurich, Switerland. http://www.travellady.com/Issues/October05/1903CocaoBean.htm Last March, I judged the Kona Chocolate Festival on the Big Island of Hawaii http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November06/3714ChocolateNewYear.htm Double Your Pleasure Two of life's exquisite indulgences will melt into one sumptuous experience in April 2008 when Norman Love surrenders sweet secrets of his edible chocolate art aboard Celebrity Cruises' Millennium. The master chocolatier who has earned international recognition for his ultra-premium confections will be sailing with an intimate group of 120 passengers on the eight-day/seven-night Caribbean cruise.
Highlights of The Norman Love Cruise are the Welcome, Meet and Greet Cocktail Party immediately after the ship departs, plus three private events orchestrated by Love himself – a demonstration of how he creates his signature chocolates, a forum that includes a photo and autograph session, and a secluded after-dinner happening that would make the staunchest of devotees swoon. Love is the owner of Fort Myers-based Norman Love Confections, and the cruise is being coordinated by Tom and Nicole Delaney of CruiseOne who thought Love and a luxurious experience were as natural as the ingredients in his chocolates. "Cruises often have culinary themes, but we wanted something special and fun that would appeal to the clients we serve," said Tom Delaney, who added it was an easy choice to decide on the chocolate theme and approach Norman Love.
 "The Norman Love Confections Salon is just incredible as are the sweets and pastries, and anyone who has seen him on The Food Channel and other TV programs will understand why we are so pleased he will be the celebrity host of the group functions," Nicole Delaney added. "This is an opportunity for me to do two things I enjoy, but my schedule allows only occasionally," said Love. "Finding time to get away is a challenge, so the cruise is a luxury, but the second is most important to me – the pleasure I get from being with people who are passionate about chocolate and teaching them the art of making fine confections. The Norman Love Cruise is going to be a memorable event for me, and it will be my pleasure to make it memorable for each person who joins us." Millennium departs from Fort Lauderdale Sunday, April 13, 2008, and the itinerary is provided by Celebrity Cruises. � Day 1 – Depart Fort Lauderdale, Florida
� Day 2 – At Sea
� Day 3 – San Juan, Puerto Rico
� Day 4 – Tortola, British Virgin Islands
� Day 5 – Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
� Day 6 – Labadee, Haiti
� Day 7 – At Sea
� Day 8 – Return Fort Lauderdale, Florida Passengers enjoy Celebrity Millennium amenities, from pools and virtual golf to casino play and entertainment, and onboard pleasures including world-class cuisine, 24-hour complimentary room service, even children's and youth programs. And chocolates, chocolates, chocolates reserved for those who join the Norman Love Cruise. To preserve the exclusive and intimate nature of the Norman Love Cruise, CruiseOne has chosen to reserve only 60 cabins with accommodations for a maximum of 120 passengers, early reservations are encouraged. Four levels of accommodations are available with prices beginning at $970*: A portion of the Norman Love Cruise proceeds will benefit the Lee County chapter of the American Heart Association. Celebrity Cruises ( www.celebritycruises.com) has consistently been ranked among the world's finest cruise lines and in February 2006 was voted The World's Best Large Ships by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. CruiseOne is affiliated with World Travel Holdings, one of the nation's largest online and offline leisure travel companies. Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes ultra-premium, handcrafted chocolates. The Chocolate Salon, located near the airport off Daniels Parkway, features a retail shop with an intimate ambience where customers may purchase chocolates, gift baskets and gift cards as well as enjoy a selection of pastries, coffees, lattes and smoothies. Love's list of accolades includes Consumer Reports' designations of Norman Love Confections' chocolates as the No. 1, "most delectable gift-boxed confections" in February 2007, "Best Gift" idea for the holidays in December 2006, and the No. 1 chocolates in the nation in February 2006. In 2005, USA Today named Norman Love Confections as one of the 10 best places to purchase chocolates, while in 2002, the company was selected as one of the top 10 artisan chocolate companies in the country. For more information about Norman Love Confections, visit the Chocolate Salon located at 11380 Lindbergh Boulevard in Fort Myers, call (239) 561-7215, or visit www.normanloveconfections.com . For information about the Norman Love Cruise, or to make reservations, contact CruiseOne at (239) 332-3335, toll free at (866) 908-3335, by e-mail at tdelaney@cruiseone.com or visit www.delaneycruise.com. *Rates are based on double occupancy. Availability and rates are subject to change. Restrictions apply. Travel insurance can be purchased for an additional fee. Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who is a confirmed chocoholic. Read he stories on www.travellady.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaatlas.com and www.carladynews.com | 