Regent Seven Seas Cruises® Takes Delivery Of The Ship That Perfects Luxury, Seven Seas Splendor

ANCONA, Italy- Regent Seven Seas Cruises^®, the world's leading luxury ocean cruise line, has welcomed to its fleet the new ship that defines luxury perfected, Seven Seas Splendor™. Delivered at Fincantieri's shipyard in Ancona, Italy, Regent's fifth ship builds on the cruise line's rich 28-year heritage offering guests An Unrivaled Experience^™ with every luxury included.

At 55,254 gross tons and 735 feet in length, Seven Seas Splendor is Luxury Perfected. On board, the highest benchmarks of personalized service and comforts will be delivered by 551 professional crew members caring for 750 guests in 375 beautifully appointed suites, ranging from 307- to 4,443-square feet. Lavishly designed public spaces include five exquisite and unique restaurants and three elegant bars and lounges, while a $5 million curated art collection, more than 500 crystal chandeliers, and over an acre of Italian marble complement the ship's sophistication.  

"Wherever you turn on Seven Seas Splendor, you will be surrounded by elegance, comfort and hospitality," said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. "Luxury travelers have anticipated this stunning new ship for more than two years. The day she opened for reservations was the busiest booking day in our company's history. We thank the talented team at Fincantieri for collaborating with Regent to achieve our ambitious vision of creating the ship that perfects luxury. Seven Seas Splendor demonstrates how Regent continues to deliver An Unrivaled Experience for guests across our fleet."

"Quality is a hallmark of both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Fincantieri, and it has been our privilege to construct this important and remarkable ship that reflects Fincantieri's extensive abilities and its reference presence in the luxury cruise segment, a unique and competitive market niche in the shipbuilding industry," said Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager, Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division.

Helmed by Captain Serena Melani, the first female captain to take charge of a brand-new ocean cruise ship, Seven Seas Splendor sails her first official voyage on February 6, 2020 from Barcelona, Spain to Miami, Florida. The ship will be christened on February 21, 2020 by her Godmother, the legendary supermodel and actress Christie Brinkley, at a glamorous and elegant ceremony at PortMiami. Seven Seas Splendor will also be showcased to global media and travel partners on preview sailings throughout February and March.

Following her christening event, Seven Seas Splendor cruises the tropical paradises of the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera, which includes two crossings of the Panama Canal and one unique Southern Caribbean cruise from Miami to New York City. In spring, Seven Seas Splendor will traverse the Atlantic Ocean once more for its inaugural European season, offering cultural and historically rich ports of call in one of the world's most popular regions, the Mediterranean.

About Seven Seas SplendorSeven Seas Splendor, the ship that perfects luxury, offers her 750 guests the most luxurious accommodations as she sails to the world's iconic destinations and less-familiar hidden gems.

The all-suite, all-balcony ship features more than 46,000 square-feet of Italian marble, and her 375 suites include nearly 52,000 square-feet of balcony space – among the largest balconies at sea. The beautifully appointed suites range from the 307 square-foot Veranda Suite to the lavish 4,443 square-foot Regent Suite.

The Regent Suite sets the tone for Seven Seas Splendor's 14 other astonishing suite categories in offering the most luxurious accommodations at sea. It features the ultimate comfort of a $200,000 Hästens Vividus custom handmade mattress, an in-suite spa retreat featuring a personal sauna, steam room and treatment area with unlimited spa treatments, unobstructed 270-degree views over Seven Seas Splendor's bow from the 1,300 square-foot wraparound veranda, and a glass-enclosed solarium sitting area on top of the bridge for a Captain's view to see the world's most beautiful destinations. Guests in the Regent Suite also enjoy first-class air accommodations, a dedicated personal butler to manage all the details of the guests' experience, and a personal car with driver and guide in every port.

Seven Seas Splendor features a Culinary Arts Kitchen with 18 stations for hands-on gourmet cooking demonstrations presented by master chef instructors, and Serene Spa & Wellness^™, a new globally inspired spa brand created for Seven Seas Splendor offering exclusive treatments that integrate techniques and ingredients from destinations around the world to soothe both the body and mind.

The ship's exquisite restaurants include Compass Rose, the largest specialty restaurant at sea; Pacific Rim, a dramatic Pan-Asian restaurant with a mythical dragon greeting guests; Prime 7, an intimate and elegant steakhouse; Chartreuse, featuring classic French fare with a modern twist; and Sette Mari at La Veranda, serving guests authentic Italian specialties and featuring stunning, over-water alcove seating that juts out over the ocean for an even closer connection to the sea, surrounded on three sides by inspiring, magnificent views.

During her inaugural 2020 season, Seven Seas Splendor sails the Caribbean and Mediterranean, helmed by 30-year veteran Captain Serena Melani.

About Regent Seven Seas CruisesRegent Seven Seas Cruises' modern five-ship fleet – Seven Seas Explorer^®, Seven Seas Mariner^®, Seven Seas Navigator^®, Seven Seas Splendor^® and Seven Seas Voyager^® – sails to more than 450 iconic and immersive destinations around the world and reflects $150 million in stunning refurbishments over the past three years. Regent will add a sixth new ship to its fleet in 2023. As the leading luxury ocean cruise line, every luxury is included in Regent voyages, such as all-suite accommodations, round-trip business-class air on intercontinental flights from U.S. and Canada, the largest collection of free unlimited shore excursions, entertainment, unlimited internet access, highly personalized service, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits, gratuities, ground transfers and one-night, pre-cruise hotel packages for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher. For more information please visit www.RSSC.com, call 1-844-4REGENT (1-844-873-2381) or contact a professional travel adviser.

Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Niagara And Buffalo,...

Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Niagara And Buffalo,...: Niagara Falls photo by Allen Barkus, #NiagaraFallsUSA A recent visit to the Niagara and Buffalo region of New York demonstrated a revita...

Marking 100 Years Of Women's Right To Vote - New Exhibit At The National Constitution Center In Philadelphia, Opening June 10th 2020

After Congress failed to act on the federal suffrage amendment, Alice Paul’s National Woman’s Party went after President Woodrow Wilson and the Democrats in 1916.Credit...Library of Congress

The 3,000-square-foot exhibit, entitled The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote, will open to the public on June 10 and feature nearly 100 artifacts from the era

Philadelphia, PA  – On June 10, the National Constitution Center will open The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote, tracing the triumphs and struggles that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The exhibit will feature some of the many women who transformed constitutional history—including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, and Ida B. Wells—and will allow visitors to better understand the long fight for women’s suffrage.

“The ratification of the 19th Amendment extended the Constitution’s promise of equal citizenship to women, underscoring the core values of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution,” said National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. “The National Constitution Center is thrilled to open an exhibit that will inspire and educate visitors about the visionary women who worked to secure this landmark amendment, which prohibits discrimination in voting rights ‘on account of sex.’”

The 3,000-square-foot exhibit will feature nearly 100 artifacts, including Lucretia Mott’s diary, a rare printing of the Declaration of Sentiments from the first women’s convention at Seneca Falls, a ballot box used to collect women’s votes in the late 1800s, a letter from jail written by a White House picketer, Pennsylvania’s ratification copy of the 19th Amendment, as well as various “Votes for Women” ephemera. A selected list of confirmed artifacts is featured below.

Beginning in the 1840s, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote will trace the roots of the women’s rights movement in early reform work and the ultimate decision to pursue voting rights. It will highlight the constitutional arguments and historical context of the fight for suffrage over 70 years, as well as the tactics suffragists used to persuade state legislatures and the national government to recognize voting rights for women. To experience these tactics, visitors will be immersed in the large-scale parades and White House picketing that defined the final few years of the movement. The exhibit will also feature a media interactive that will enable visitors to explore the state-level campaigns for suffrage, as well as a separate interactive capturing the debates for and against a national women’s suffrage amendment. The story will culminate with the ratification of the 19th Amendment—where visitors will be able to view Pennsylvania’s own copy of the amendment—and trace its impact, including the push for equal rights that followed ratification in 1920.

As part of the Drafting Table, a feature of the National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution, The 19th Amendment will also include a third media interactive allowing visitors to explore the creation and drafting of the 19th Amendment text and the key events that led to its eventual ratification. This interactive will also be incorporated into the Center’s online Interactive Constitution platform, which has received more than 30 million views since its launch and will ensure key content in the exhibit is accessible to classrooms across America.

Building on the National Constitution Center’s newest permanent exhibit, Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote will explore the continuing quest to extend the equal liberty promised by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to African Americans and women. The exhibit will examine how the women’s rights movement grew alongside the anti-slavery movement and ultimately gained momentum during Reconstruction as part of the ongoing battle for freedom and equality for all. The 19th Amendment will also feature a one-actor theatrical performance based on the words of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a key African American writer and activist who was integral to the 19th-century anti-slavery and suffrage movements.

To assist in the development of The 19th Amendment, the National Constitution Center assembled a diverse panel of America’s leading scholars to serve as an advisory board. Scholars include Bettye Collier-Thomas, professor of history at Temple University; Gail Heriot, professor of law at the University of San Diego; Reva Siegel, Nicholas deB. Katzenbach Professor of Law at Yale Law School; and Lisa Tetrault, associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

The exhibit has been supported by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, John P. & Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation, Mauree Jane and Mark W. Perry, The McLean Contributionship, and SteegeThomson Communications. Additional exhibit details will be posted to constitutioncenter.org/upcoming-exhibits when available.

The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote is a key component of the National Constitution Center’s Women and the Constitution initiative, a yearlong effort to convene America’s top women leaders and scholars to examine the historical and constitutional background of the 19th Amendment and the importance of equal citizenship for women today. The initiative will include a series of public programs, podcast episodes, and special events. The Center is also a proud partner of Vision2020’s Women 100, a celebration of American women in the year 2020, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.  

About the National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.

 Highlights from a confirmed list of artifacts follows.

Confirmed Artifacts

• Declaration of Sentiments from the first women’s rights convention at Seneca Falls, 1848 (Anonymous Collection)
• Lucretia Mott’s diary from the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London, 1840 (Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College)
• Reproduction of the Petition for Universal Suffrage, 1866 (National Archives)
• Ballot box used to collect women’s votes, ca. 1870-92 (Collection of Ronnie Lapinsky Sax)
• “Vote YES on the woman suffrage amendment” poster, 1915 (On loan from The Galbraith Family 2012 Trust)
• Letter from Philadelphia suffragist Dora Lewis—a White House picketer—written from jail, 1917 (The Historical Society of Pennsylvania)
• American Red Cross armband, ca. 1917-18 (National WWI Museum and Memorial)
• “As a War Measure” suffrage broadside, ca. 1918 (Frank Amari, Jr.)
• Pennsylvania’s ratification copy of the 19th Amendment, 1920 (Pennsylvania State Archives)
• Poll tax receipt, 1922 (National Constitution Center Collection)
• Reproduction of the Voting Rights Act, 1965 (National Archives)

National Museum Of American Jewish History Explores Successful Human Rights Campaign In Power Of Protest: The Movement To Free Soviet Jews

Panel Exhibition on view through March 15, 2020

Traveling exhibition Power of Protest: The Movement to Free Soviet Jews has returned to the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH), where the exhibition was created. Power of Protest explores one of the most successful human rights campaigns to date. The panel exhibition showcases Americans’ efforts in the late 1960s through 1990 to free refuseniks—Jews who lived in the Soviet Union and were denied the rights to live freely, practice Judaism, or leave the country due to their religion. It is on view at NMAJH through March 15, 2020 and is included in free admission.

“The successful movement to free Soviet Jews has compelling connections to modern-day advocacy, highlighting how grassroots efforts can have an enormous impact. This exhibition serves as a reminder of how individuals can help preserve, protect, and expand America’s unique promise of religious freedom, even for individuals on the other side of the world,” says Dr. Josh Perelman, NMAJH chief curator and director of exhibitions and interpretation.

Power of Protest: The Movement to Free Soviet Jews walks visitors through the human rights campaign that took place on behalf of Soviet Jews, one that brought together organizations, student activists, community leaders, and thousands of individuals—and reached the highest echelons of the American government. Americans staged public demonstrations across the country, held massive rallies, and called for politicians to speak out. The exhibition celebrates the struggles and successes of this movement, as well as the experiences of Jewish emigrants from the U.S.S.R. who came to the United States and have contributed in countless ways to American society and culture. Their stories of courage offer meaningful opportunities for conversations and activism surrounding immigration, the reception of refugees, and the continuing limits on political and religious freedom placed on minorities around the world.

Power of Protest: The Movement to Free Soviet Jews highlights stories of everyday Americans who performed extraordinary acts of bravery to help Soviet Jews, from Philadelphians Elaine and David Ravich who smuggled out tape recordings of conversations during their 1978 visit to the Soviet Union, to Leslie Schaffer of Reno, Nevada who used gum wrappers to discreetly transport information about refuseniks in 1982, to Constance and Joseph Smukler of Philadelphia who helped several well-known Soviet Jews win their freedom. Visitors will learn about individual refuseniks, from human rights activist and Israeli politician Natan Sharansky to Google co-founder Sergey Brin. The exhibition features a number of powerful graphics, rather than physical artifacts. A handbill advertising a performance by musician Mary Travers—of Peter, Paul, and Mary—at a 1984 rally for Soviet Jewry represents the singers, musicians, and artists who raised their voices in protest. A 1981 letter written by Sheryl Sandberg (now COO of Facebook) to her bat mitzvah “twin” exemplifies the thousands of American children who “twinned” their Jewish coming-of-age ceremonies with Soviet peers denied that experience. Inspired by protest buttons popular across movements around the world, visitors can take home a pin featuring the hashtag #PowerofProtest to celebrate the exhibition, commemorate the historic milestone, and highlight the contemporary significance of fighting for one’s beliefs.

Power of Protest: The Movement to Free Soviet Jews is a small-scale, free-standing exhibition consisting of 11 panels designed to travel—giving small galleries, libraries, synagogues, Jewish community centers, universities, and historic societies across the country the opportunity to revisit and raise awareness of this important movement. To inquire about bringing the panel exhibition to your community, contact exhibitions@nmajh.org.

For more information, visit NMAJH.org/sovietjews.

The National Museum of American Jewish History was awarded a generous $150,000 grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support the exhibition’s development. The grant is part of IMLS’s Museums for America program, which backs projects that strengthen the ability of an individual museum to serve its public.

The exhibition was organized by the National Museum of American Jewish History’s Chief Curator, Director of Exhibitions and Interpretation Josh Perelman and former content coordinator Yigal Kotler. The exhibition’s advisory committee includes Gal Beckerman (historian, journalist, and author), Sandra Cahn (Co-Founder, Limmud FSU), Margy-Ruth Davis (Founder and Chair, Perry Davis Associates; Former Executive Director, Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry), Marina Furman (Regional Director, Jewish National Fund), Zvi Gitelman (Preston R. Tisch Professor of Judaic Studies, University of Michigan), Jerry Goodman (Founding Executive Director, National Conference on Soviet Jewry), Malcolm Hoenlein (Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; Founding Executive Director, Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry), Pamela Nadell (Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women's and Gender History and Director of the Jewish Studies Program, American University), Jonathan Sarna (NMAJH’s Chief Historian; University Professor and Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University), Roman Shmulenson (Executive Director, Council of Jewish Emigre Community Organizations), David Shneer (Louis P. Singer Endowed Chair in Jewish History, University of Colorado), Lance Sussman (Rabbi at Congregation Keneseth Israel), and Beth Wenger (Moritz and Josephine Berg Professor of History and Chair of the History Department, University of Pennsylvania).

Power of Protest was created by the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. The exhibition is supported, in part, through a Museums for America grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a government agency dedicated to advancing innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Additional support provided by Alkemy X, the Charlestein Family in memory of Malvina and Morton Charlestein, and the Genesis Philanthropy Group.
 

 

About the National Museum of American Jewish History
The National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH), located on historic Independence Mall in Philadelphia, brings to life the more than 360-year history of Jews in America. Tracing the stories of how Jewish immigrants became Jewish Americans, the Museum invites visitors of all backgrounds to share their own stories and reflect on how their histories and identities shape and are shaped by the American experience. An open door for all, NMAJH honors the past and contributes to a better future by sharing the power of imagination and ideas, culture and community, leadership and service, in ways that turn inspiration into action.

Visiting NMAJH
NMAJH is located at 101 South Independence Mall East at the corner of Fifth and Market Streets in Philadelphia. Museum hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm. NMAJH is closed most Mondays, including federal holidays and some Jewish holidays. Admission to the core exhibition is free through February 2020. Children 12 and under, Museum Members, and active military with ID are always free. For more information on hours and admission, visit NMAJH.org or call 215.923.3811. Connect with the Museum on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Amtrak Offers 30% Off For Plan Your Vacation Day, January 28-30.

The national holiday on Tuesday, January 28 encourages Americans to plan their vacation

WASHINGTON – According to research released by the U.S. Travel Association, Americans left 768 million days of paid time off on the table last year. In light of National Plan Your Vacation Day, Amtrak is encouraging customers to not let those vacation days go unused by offering a number of discounts to see America on an adventure to destinations across the country.

Amtrak is making it more cost effective for Americans to plan their vacation this year by offering 30% off for its Plan Your Vacation Day Sale from January 28 through January 30. For travel between February 16 and May 31, 2020 customers can receive 30% off Amtrak Travel on the Northeast Regional, Acela, Downeaster, Carolinian, Piedmont, Keystone, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter, Maple Leaf, Empire Service, Adirondack and Ethan Allen.

In addition to the 30% discount, customers can also take advantage of the Saver Fare, which offers 25% off travel that’s booked 14 to 21 days in advance; Share Fares where the more you bring, the more you save with up to 45% off all six tickets; and the Kids Fares where one child is eligible to receive a 50% discount with each non-discounted fare-paying adult.

With many ways to save on travel, Amtrak wants to inspire customers to get carried away on an adventure to destinations across the country. With experiences and memories that can be kept for a lifetime, Amtrak encourages customers to not let those PTO days go unused. With the Plan Your Vacation Day 30% off sale, customers can travel one-way for as low as:

City Pair	Acela	Other
New York, NY – Washington, DC	$128	$39
New York, NY – Philadelphia, PA	$81	$29
New York, NY – Boston, MA	$90	$39
Philadelphia, PA – Washington, DC	$92	$29
New York, NY – Baltimore, MD	$120	$39

City Pair	Cost
Richmond, VA – Washington, DC	$19
Charlottesville, VA – New York, NY	$71
New York, NY – Saratoga Springs, NY	$41
New York, NY – Northampton, MA	$49
Boston, MA – Durham, NH	$15
New York, NY – Albany, NY	$31

Being able to easily travel from/to city centers, Amtrak offers the freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times (no “airplane mode”), the ability to travel with small pets on many trains, large spacious seats with ample leg room, no middle seat, and one of the most generous baggage policies in the travel industry, applicable for two personal items and two carry-on bags.

Customers can easily connect directly with Amtrak before, during and after their travels:

• Download the Amtrak app for easy booking and travel updates
• To connect with customer service follow Amtrak on Facebook and @Amtrak on Twitter
• For real time service alerts, follow @AmtrakNECAlerts for updates within the Northeast Region and @AmtrakAlerts for any other alerts outside of that region
• We encourage customers to share their Amtrak experience on all social media channels by tagging @Amtrak and using the hashtag #Amtrak in their posts

The sale is available at Amtrak.com, and all prices will be automatically discounted from the standard fare price. This offer is valid on the Acela, Northeast Regional, Downeaster, Carolinian, Piedmont, Keystone (reserved), Pennsylvanian (reserved), Vermonter, Maple Leaf (US only), Empire Service, Adirondack and Ethan Allen. Fares are one way (adult) and no additional discounts apply. This offer is valid for coach and Acela Business class; no upgrades allowed. This offer is not combinable with any other discount offer. Once purchased tickets are non-refundable.