Royal Caribbean’s Barbie Premium Experience brings aboard the styling of the iconic doll, including fun, fashion and runway moments.
On the seas
Royal Caribbean International is targeting little girls with its upcoming Barbie Premium Experience. The cruise surcharge price of $349 (U.S.) brings pink decor into the stateroom and free gifts, including a Barbie doll, blanket, tote bag and toothbrush. Invitations to a Tiaras & Teacups party and a mermaid dance class are also included. Participants can also design their own Barbie fashions and model them in a fashion show. The program starts on select ships in January and will be available fleet-wide by March.
In the air
Cases for tablet computers have become a hot giveaway item for business-class passengers on three airlines. Turkish Airlines started the trend by switching to a leather-looking amenity bag that can be used later as an iPad case. Now Condor airline is handing out an iPad bag with its regular amenity kit and Virgin Atlantic is using an amenity bag made from recycled plastic and designed to hold tablets. Turkish and Virgin Atlantic also provide kits in their other classes, but without the tablet case.
In the room
King Pacific Lodge is Canada's most expensive hotel, according to a survey by Reader's Digest. Rates at the luxury, floating eco-lodge moored to a British Columbia Pacific island range from $4,750 to $12,300 a person for a three-night stay. Meals, beverages, activities and the flight from Vancouver are included. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louse in the Rockies ($449 to $1,449 a night) comes second, followed by the Wickinnish Inn in Tofino, B.C., the W in Montreal and the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver.
In the museum
Sure it serves pizza, but Pizza Brain, which recently opened its doors in Philadelphia, also claims to be the world's first pizza museum. Exhibits, intended to showcase the history and cultural significance of the Italian snack food, include toys, recipes, music albums and artifacts. Don't miss the pizza cutter in the shape of Star Trek's Enterprise. Among the unusual pizzas on offer is one featuring meatloaf made from Kobe beef and another topped with sweet potato, honey, goat cheese and brown sugar.