By Jack White and Jill Weinlein
Jack and Jill's Cruise Reviews
~ Staying Ship Shape While on a Cruise ~ Can It Be Done?
Is there a way
not to gain a pound
while vacationing on
a cruise with all the
rich food and
midnight buffets?
Try These Tips:
Always take the stairs,
instead of elevators, drink water and icetea,
instead of sugary soda or fruity
flavored alcoholic beverages, and dance at
least thirty minutes each evening in one of
the piano bars, ballrooms or discos.
While on Crystal Cruises, walk
around the 360-degree promenade several
times before breakfast. Guests may use
Crystal’s Walk on Water weighted vests and
Nordic Poles to maximize the morning
stroll.
At least one night, forgo the main
dining room, and eat at Crystal’s Nobu
restaurant for sushi and sashimi. It’s a
healthier alternative to higher calorie
dinner specialties.
At least one meal a day on a Carnival
Cruise Line should be ordered from the
Carnival Spa Fare. Enjoy the tasty lower
in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories
dishes. Poultry and meats are broiled or
roasted, and
salads are
prepared with
low-fat or fat-free
dressings. Even
the sugar
substitute desserts
are delicious.
Twenty-one of Carnival’s “Fun
Ship” spas offer a full gym complete with
the latest exercise equipment and free
weights, weight circuit classes, and
workout classes at different interest and
activity levels.
During stops at Disney Cruise
Line’s private island, Castaway Cays,
take a sunrise yoga session on the beach
or a massage at one of the cabanas
overlooking the ocean. Walk or jog on
Deck 4. One lap is 1/3 a mile.
Skip lunch one day while on
Holland America and attend their Royal
Dutch High Tea. Instead of loading up on
cookies and cakes, eat the fresh fruit and
sip an elegant cup of tea. They offer an As
You Wish dining alternative that allows
passengers to choose a festive, five-course
menu or a quick and casual meal. Health
conscious, vegetarian, diabetic and glutenfree
dining options are offered if arranged
before boarding the cruise.
Royal Caribbean’s mega ship, Oasis
of the Seas, is so large with its 16 decks and
2,700 staterooms, burning calories is easy
while walking through the 7 distinctive
neighborhoods around the ship. Try a
Pathway to Pilate’s class for the complete
novice or if you enjoy sweating, the
Tour De Cycle is a unique indoor
cycling program.
The key to staying fit and healthy
while cruising is to get out of your
stateroom and take advantage of the
fun activities each line offers to
passengers.
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By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg
 Tucked into the northeast corner of Santa
Monica Bay with Venice and Malibu at its
shoulders, Santa Monica’s crystal seaside
and golden brown sandy beaches, defines
the essence of California living.
Jetting along scenic Ocean Avenue,
Palisades Park gives a sweeping panoramic
view of stunning natural beauty. Further
igniting the excitement and energy of Santa
Monica is the fresh salt air, ocean mists, and a
sprinkling of sand between your toes.
The true essence of the city is found by the
sea. The 22-mile paved oceanfront path, the
epicenter for fitness buffs, is a haven for
power walkers, joggers, in-line skaters and
cyclists. The path connects Will Rogers and
Santa Monica State beaches north from Pacific
Palisades and down to Hermosa Beach in the
South Bay.
Along the path, Santa Monica boasts the
widest stretch of sand on the Pacific
Coastline.The original Muscle Beach, a surfside
workout facility is a three-acre al fresco
gym, that sparked a national fitness craze in
the 1930’s and 1940’s spawning such greats as
Jack LaLanne, Steve Reeves, Vic Tanny and
Joe Gold.
In 1999 historic Muscle Beach was restored
and moved a little further South and now
showcases a fresh set of gymnastic equipment
for all ages, a grassy rolling lawn and
expansive sand pit.
Santa Monica is sandwiched between the
150,000-acre Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area and the sea. The
Santa Monica Mountains share hiking trails
with mountain bikers, while bird-watching,
botany tours and horseback riding are all
available.
Also along the mountain chain lies Will
Rogers Historic Park, where tours of the
humorist’s home offer a quick study in
cowboy history.For decades, the city was a
favorite health haven for wealthy Easterners
and Europeans.
It was also the Hollywood hideaway for the
likes of Mary Pickford and Douglas
Fairbanks, Sr., Greta Garbo, Cary Grant,
Shirley Temple, Clark Gable, Betty Davis and
Joan Crawford. Today it’s home to a variety
of producers and film stars.
Popular Attractions include the famed
Santa Monica Pier that opened originally in
l909 is the city’s fun attraction. The updated
two-acre amusement park has eleven exciting
rides that includes an old-fashioned Ferris
Wheel and Roller Coaster, built for kids of all
ages.
The Pier offers spectacular views of the
coastline. The historic Carousel from l922
whirls 44 handcrafted gilt and painted horses.
The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (under the
carousel building at the Pier) has three touch
tanks featuring over 30 species common to
the rock shores. There’s also the Shark &
Ray tank, Pier tank, Kelp forest tank,
Octopus & Phylum Discovery tank, Rocky
Reef tank, Sandy bottom tank and
Crustacean tank. The Pier’s restaurants
include Rusty’s Surf Ranch, Mariasol
Cocina Mexicana, Bubba Gump Shrimp
Company, Surf View Café, and Santa
Monica Pier Seafood. Fishing off the pier,
vendors, mimes, and street entertainers
enhance the experience.
The California Heritage Museum is set
in a converted l894 Queen Anne home, rich
with cultural traditions, period rooms with
Monterey furniture, photographic displays
and changing exhibits. Santa Monica
Society of History and Culture features an
exhibition gallery, audiovisual theater,
vintage clothing and photographic archives
(310) 392-8537 or check the website at
www.Californiaheritagemuseum.com
The Museum of Flying houses a rare
collection of World War II Fighter Planes.
AirVenture offers simulated rides, practice
cockpits and a front row view of Santa
Monica Airport www.museumofflying.com
Angels Attic in a two-story blue 1895
Victorian house, showcases antique
dollhouses, miniatures, dolls and toys
(310)394-8331 or www.angelsattic.com
Santa Monica Society of History and
Culture features an exhibition gallery,
audiovisual theater, vintage clothing and
photographic archives (310)395-2290 or
www.SantaMonicahistory.org
Culture and the Arts have burst its way
into Santa Monica- onto walls of buildings,
sidewalks, and beachfronts to the art
museum and collectors’ galleries.
Santa Monica Museum of Art located at
Bergamot Station Arts Center, features
contemporary and emerging artists (310)
586-6488 www.smmoa.org M. Hanks
Gallery showcases African-American artists
(310) 392-8820 www.mhanksgallery.com
Angles Gallery exhibits the work of
contemporary artists (310) 396-6019
www.anglesgallery.com 18th Street Arts
Center is where the artists in residence hide
out (310) 453-3711 www.18thstreet.org
Cultural theater and musical excursions
run the gamut from classical concerts to
theater and jazz. The Morgan-Wixson
Theater has classic and contemporary
performances (310) 828-7519 www.morganwixson.
org; the Santa Monica Playhouse
features ongoing programs (310) 394-9779
www.santamonicaplayhouse.com;
Santa Monica Civic Light Opera (310)
372-4477 www.civiclightopera.com; Santa
Monica Symphony (310) 395-6330 or
www.smsymphony.org
When thinking about where to stay,
nothing quite defines the timeless tradition
of the finest hotels of France’s Cote
De’Azur, than Le Merigot Santa Monica
Beach Hotel and Spa.
Located at the beach, with
the great Pacific Ocean in its
backyard, Le Merigot offers
its guests luxurious accommodations
combined with a
full-service European-style
Spa and superb cuisine.
Spacious guest rooms offer
tranquil ocean views, and
the finest amenities. The
hotel’s exclusive Cloud 9
beds are dressed in Frette
line, down duvets and
feather pillows for the ultimate in sleeping
comfort.
On property you will find The Spa Le
Merigot, a full service spa and health club,
dining at Cezanne, Le Merigot’s acclaimed
restaurant, and the lobby bar, Le Troquet.
Located at 1740 Ocean Avenue, uncover
this JW Marriott treasure by calling for
available packages and reservations (888)
539-7899 or www.LeMerigotHotel.com.
Area dining is a veritable culinary
hotbed from world-class cuisine to Japanese
noodles to Caribbean akee.
Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois
on Main; Hans Rockenwagoner namesake
restaurant offering a savvy blend of
contemporary California-European cuisine;
the avant-garde Mexican and Southwestern
fare at the colorful Border Grill;
Celestino Drago’s for trendy Northern
Italian fare; Pieri Selvaggio’s elegant
Valentino restaurant; and Schatzi on Main
owned by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Santa Monica plays host to an array of
shopping areas, each with its own character.
Montana Avenue, Main Street and Pico
Boulevard feature specialty shops. The
Third Street Promenade, featuring the
bustling three-block long pedestrian
only strand, is an outdoor center of
shopping and dining, and a great
stage for people watching and
funky-fun. Live music, magicians,
mimes and street performers avail
themselves on every corner.
At the Promenade’s south end,
Santa Monica Place is still completing
their transformation that will
include a rooftop dining deck. Mid-
2010 was the last proposed opening.
If shopping is part of your fun, you
will want to check before making the
trip. The city also boasts one of the
most extensive selections of booksellers
west of SoHo.
For a free copy of Santa Monica’s
Official Visitors Guide, call:
(800)544-5319 or
www.santamonica.com
Mel & Ronnie Greenberg are local
FreeLance Travel Writers and fit into our
‘older adult’ crowd. Not Born Yesterday!
appreciates their contributions.
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