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RIVER CRUISING IN EUROPE

2011-12-06T15:55:00.000-05:00

Once, during one of my favorite European cruises, I spontaneously popped ashore in Budapest for dinner at the historic Gundel House, one of Europe’s most renowned restaurants. There, I dined in an elegant setting and was serenaded by a violinist.

And no, I didn’t jump off the ship and swim ashore – rather, I leisurely stepped off a Viking River vessel docked right in the center of town. This is but one of the advantages of exploring the world’s inland waterways via riverboat.

Each year – as more and more Americans discover the delight of combining sightseeing in cities like Budapest, Paris, St. Petersburg, and Vienna with visits to small towns located off the beaten path – the number of European riverboats increases. And these riverboats rarely carry more than 200 passengers, so travelers can expect a more intimate cruise experience and ports of call that are less crowded.

Part of what makes river cruising so unique is your vessel’s ability to sail past castles, vineyards, historic villages, and bucolic countryside as you dine in your ship’s restaurant or sample fine wines in an onboard lounge alongside newfound friends. You’ll sail directly into the heart of most destinations, then walk right off your ship and into the middle of town. Once there, you can join a guided walk or shore excursion (they’re almost always included in your fare) or explore on your own. In larger cities, like Paris and St. Petersburg, many riverboats will dock for two or three days, allowing plenty of time for sightseeing, shopping, and perhaps a bike ride or an evening ashore.

What To Expect
As with any cruise, you’ll check-in and unpack just once. And while riverboat staterooms tend to be smaller, they’re still equipped with most of the creature comforts you’d find on a larger vessel (including flat-screen televisions and full-sized bathrooms). Breakfast and lunch are usually buffets, while dinner is almost always a gourmet experience featuring single, open seating. Onboard entertainment is typically limited (to small groups of local performers, readings/lectures, etc.), but the distance between ports is short so you’ll rarely spend more than half a day on the river.

Choosing A European River Cruise
European river cruising is seasonal, with a majority of departures scheduled during the spring, summer, and autumn months (some river fleets also offer November and December departures specifically geared towards the holidays and holiday shopping).

If there’s a challenge in planning a European river cruise, it’s selecting an itinerary. Cruises along the Danube focus on the history and culture of Austria, Germany, and Hungary while the Rhine leads voyagers to Amsterdam and Cologne. The Elbe, meanwhile, rises in the Czech Republic, flows into Germany, and empties into the North Sea at Cuxhaven (near Hamburg). If you’re dreaming of a river cruise in France, look for Rhône and Saône itineraries (exploring Provence and wine country) or set sail along the Seine, which flows through Paris into Normandy before emptying into the English Channel at Le Havre.

Once you decide on an itinerary, your dedicated cruise expert can help you to choose amongst several top-notch riverboat fleets. Be sure to ask your expert about your fellow passengers; some fleets cater primarily to English-speaking guests, while others attract a very international mix of travelers. You may also want to check on the availability of theme cruises that focus on wine, music, gardening, and other interests.

by Anne Campbell

ALASKA: WHY 2012 IS THE PERFECT YEAR TO VISIT

2011-12-06T15:45:00.000-05:00

Alaska cruising will reach new heights in 2012, with dozens of ships offering passengers a wide range of experiences and access to an exciting array of adventures ashore. Home to bald eagles, whales, sea lions, black bears, and flocks of seabirds, Alaska is one of the last unspoiled places on Earth and an ideal destination for cruisers looking to get close to Mother Nature.

Alaska In 2012: Cruise Ships

Alaska-cruise leaders Holland America Line and Princess Cruises will have a combined total of 14 ships sailing from Vancouver, Seattle, and Anchorage this year (travelers wishing to add sightseeing in Denali and other areas to their voyage can also choose from a selection of cruisetours available between May and October). Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star will both set sail for Alaska from Seattle, as will Carnival’s “Fun Ship” Spirit, while Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will each have one ship sailing from Vancouver and Seattle. Disney Cruise Line will also set sail for Alaska in 2012, with Disney Wonder scheduled for a series of one-week voyages departing from Seattle.

Luxury cruise ships will be visiting Alaska, too. Regent Seven Seas has scheduled Seven Seas Navigator for departures from Vancouver, and Silversea’s Silver Shadow will also set sail for Alaska from that port.

Alaska In 2012: Shore Excursions

My most unforgettable Alaska experience was a three-hour excursion to Juneau’s Taku Lodge, which is only accessible by floatplane. After soaring over a glacier, we gently splashed down in front of the lodge, where we were greeted by the sight of black bears meandering around the property and the incredible smell of salmon baking over an outdoor grill. Lodge staff gently chased the bears away, but they always returned (while dining on salmon during dinner inside the lodge, in fact, one such bear came to the screen door and snorted at us!).

You’ll still find this excursion offered in 2012, along with plenty of other exciting options. “Whales, Bears & Glaciers,” for example, is the perfect Alaska trifecta (a whale-watching cruise, a search for bears along a salmon-bearing stream, and an unforgettable flight above Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau’s Icefield on your way back to town). A “Wilderness Exploration & Crab-Fishing Adventure” is also available (in Ketchikan). After a scenic, 30-minute bus ride, you’ll board a skiff, pontoon boat, or catamaran and motor seven miles past snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and the Mahoney Glacial Cirque en route to crab-harvesting grounds. At Coon’s Cove, home to a personal-use fishery, guests help pull up crab pots prior to feasting on a Dungeness Crab dinner at George Inlet Lodge.

Care to give whitewater rafting a try? In Juneau, you’ll start with a float in Mendenhall Lake, with its breathtaking views of the blue-tinged Mendenhall Glacier. The current picks up, and soon you’ll find yourself bouncing along some mild, Class-III rapids with ice-cold water splashing against your face. Your journey winds through the forest and concludes with a float through a Juneau neighborhood.

Alaska In 2012: Cruising With Children

Up until about a decade ago, Alaska cruisers were predominantly seniors interested in a sedentary, sightseeing vacation; since that time, it’s become one of the hottest cruise destinations for families. Seeing a whale breech, panning for gold, or watching a glacier “calf” are experiences that children will remember forever. No other place on Earth offers a greater number of exciting adventures.

The most popular cruise lines for families are Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney; all are major players in Alaska in 2012. Princess Cruises also attracts many families to Alaska due to its extensive list of “active” shore excursions.

by Anne Campbell

Hurricane Rina - Update and Cruise Vendor Changes

2011-10-26T09:41:00.001-04:00

Hurricane Rina - Rina may either dissipate over the YucatanPeninsula (if it indeed moves inland) or weaken significantly once it turnstoward Cuba or South Florida. If Rina holds together, in someform, it may affect South Florida this weekend. At this time,there is only a slight chance of Rina affecting South Floridaas a hurricane.

Warnings and Watches:

· A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the east coast of theYucatan peninsula.

Vendor Changes:

As Hurricane Rinacontinues to strengthen and a hurricane warning was issued for part of Mexico’sYucatan Peninsula, Carnival Cruise Line changed itineraries foreight ships and Celebrity Cruises changed the itinerary forCelebrity Millennium.

On the morning ofOct. 25, the storm was about 305 miles southeast of Tulum, Mexico withsustained winds of 105 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Instead of callingat Grand Cayman on Oct. 25 and spending Oct. 26 at sea, Celebrity Millenniumwill spend today at sea and call on Nassau tomorrow.

Carnival Freedom,which departed Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 22, will visit Montego Bay on Oct. 26and Grand Turk on Oct. 28 instead of Limon, Costa Rica, and Colon, Panama.

CarnivalInspiration, which departed Tampa on Oct. 22, visited Cozumel on Oct. 24 andProgreso on Oct. 25 instead of Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Carnival Destiny,which departed Miami on Oct. 22, was at sea today instead of calling at GrandCayman and will visit Nassau on Oct. 26 instead of spending the day at sea.

Carnival Liberty,which departed Miami on Oct. 22, will visit Ocho Rios instead of Grand Caymanon Oct. 26 and Grand Turk on Oct. 27 instead of Ocho Rios.

Carnival Legend, which departed Tampa on Oct. 23, switched theorder of its ports of call and will call at Cozumel on Oct. 25 and Belize onOct. 26. It also will call at Progreso on Oct. 27 instead of Roatan and willskip the Oct. 28 call at Grand Cayman.

Carnival Valor, which left Miami on Oct. 23, will skip Belize onOct. 26 and spend the day at sea and will call at Grand Cayman on Oct. 27instead of a sea day.

Carnival Triumph, which departed Galveston on Oct. 24, willvisit Cozumel on Oct. 26 and Progreso on Oct. 27.

Carnival Imagination, which departed from Miami on Oct. 24, willskip Cozumel Oct. 26 and spend the day at sea and will visit Nassau on Oct. 27instead of a day at sea.

After Hurricane Irene - Latest Updates

2011-08-30T13:32:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Irene may be gone, but crews are working to repair damage sustained last week when the storm hit the Bahamas.

The private island of Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, will remain closed until Sept. 4, forcing three Carnival ships to miss stops there this week.

Holland America Line, which owns the island, said damage was limited and its horses, used for riding excursions, were uninjured in the storm. Over the next several days, repairs will be made to structures, vegetation will be replanted and beach erosion caused by the storm will be corrected.

Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay received some damage to the beaches and landscaping, as well as the structure that housed the dive center, but expects to reopen by Saturday to host Norwegian Sky.

"We have a team of people on the island who are working diligently to put the island back into operation," the line said in a statement.

It has canceled two visits: Norwegian Jewel's call tomorrow and Norwegian Sky's call on Wednesday. The ships will instead spend an extra day at sea.

The storm also closed Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay, but damage was minimal. Dream will change its itinerary, rescheduling a Tuesday stop until Wednesday, giving crews an extra day to freshen up the popular call.

In addition, Royal Caribbean's private island CocoCay will be open tomorrow when Monarch of the Seas calls. Freedom of the Seas will skip its scheduled stop today and instead will visit Nassau.

Other itinerary changes include:

· Carnival Pride, originally a seven-day cruise from Baltimore, left today, a day later. It will visit Port Canaveral, Fla., on Wednesday, and Nassau on Thursday, when it had originally been scheduled to visit Half Moon Cay.

· Carnival Miracle, an eight-day cruise from New York, will skip its visit to Half Moon Cay, scheduled for Tuesday, and instead spend a day at sea.

· Carnival Valor, a seven-day cruise from Miami, will cancel its visit to the Half Moon Cay today, and will now call on Nassau, Bahamas.

· Carnival Glory, in the midst of a Canadian cruise, will cancel a scheduled call in St. John, New Brunswick, on Tuesday, and instead will overnight in Halifax, Nova Scotia, tonight, leaving tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Latest Cruise Line Updates - Hurricane Irene

2011-08-28T08:01:00.005-04:00

Here are the details for the latest Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean so you don’t have to click on the links J

Carnival –

CARNIVAL IMAGINATION - 8/26/11
Day          Port of Call                   Arrive           Depart
Fri            Miami, FL                                         4:00 PM
Sat           Fun Day @ Sea
Sun          Nassau                        7:00 AM    6:00 PM
Mon          Miami, FL                                         8:00 AM

CARNIVAL GLORY – 8/27/11

In anticipation of Hurricane Irene’s arrival Sunday night, New York City is taking pre-cautionary measures that may affect your ability to arrive at the terminal on a timely basis. We encourage all guests sailing on the Carnival Glory to make plans to arrive at Pier 88 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Please bear with us as the debarkation process from the previous sailing will be ongoing, but we will do all possible to make you comfortable. Sailing time remains at 3:00 PM, however we may sail earlier.

CARNIVAL PRIDE – 8/28/11

Since Hurricane Irene is forecasted to affect the northeast coast early Sunday morning, the Carnival Pride has been directed by the US Coast Guard to arrive early from the previous cruise and proceed to a secure, alternate location until the storm passes. Therefore, if the track remains the same, embarkation is scheduled for Monday, August 29th from 10am to 2pm at the Baltimore cruise terminal. An email was sent to all guests on Thursday evening with additional information.

All other sailings departing on or after Friday, August 26, 2011 will continue to operate as scheduled. In the event we need to make a deviation to the itinerary, we will update our guests. Please continue to check back on carnival.com for further updates.

Holland America –

ms Veendam August 21, 7-day Bermuda Cruise

The ship departed Bermuda at 5:00pm on Thursday, August 25, and is scheduled to arrive in New York one day early on Saturday, ahead of the storm’s anticipated arrival. Guests who desire to leave Saturday morning in advance of the storm will be able to do so. For guests who overnight until Sunday, the ship will remain in port. These plans have been approved by the United States Coast Guard and the New York City Mayor’s Office.

ms Veendam August 28, 7-day Bermuda Cruise

The ship will remain in New York overnight on Sunday, August 28, and will now depart Monday, August 29, at 2:00 pm. Guests will be able to embark as scheduled on Sunday provided there is access to the cruise terminal. Due to the government declared evacuation of some areas of the city and impending transit challenges, access to the cruise terminal may be limited or closed on Sunday.

For guests considering embarkation on Sunday, Holland America Line encourages guests to check local New York City transit and government websites (www.NYC.gov or www.mta.info). If you are in the local area, you can also call our special information line at 732-698-1222 for the latest information on access to the pier.

Embarkation on Monday, August 29 will begin at 8:00 am and continue until 1:00 pm, at which time all passengers should be on board the ship.

The revised itinerary is below:

DATE	LOCATION	ARRIVE	DEPART
Sunday, Aug 28	New York		overnight
Monday, Aug 29	New York		2 pm
Tuesday, Aug 30	At Sea
Wednesday, Aug 31	Hamilton, Bermuda	9 am	overnight
Thursday, Sept 1	Hamilton, Bermuda		overnight
Friday, Sept 2	Hamilton, Bermuda		2 pm
Saturday, Sept 3	At Sea
Sunday, Sept 4	New York	7am

ms Maasdam, July 23, 35-day (roundtrip Boston) or August 9, 18-day (Amsterdam to Boston) Voyage of the Midnight Sun

Holland America Line expects no changes to this schedule. The ship is due to arrive in Boston as scheduled on Saturday, August 27 at 7:00am.

ms Maasdam August 27, 7-day Canada/New England Cruise (Boston to Montreal, Quebec)

Guests will embark in Boston on Saturday, August 27, as planned and the ship is scheduled to sail at 5:00pm, prior to the storm's anticipated arrival. Due to very high winds and rough seas expected near the first two port calls of Bar Harbor, Maine, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, these calls have been cancelled and the itinerary modified, adding the ports of Gaspe and Saguenay, Quebec later in the week.

DATE	LOCATION	ARRIVE	DEPART
Saturday, Aug 27	Boston		5:00 pm
Sunday, Aug 28	At Sea
Monday, Aug 29	Sydney, Nova Scotia	8:00 am	5:00 pm
Tuesday, Aug 30	Charlottetown, PEI	8:00 am	5:00 pm
Wednesday, Aug 31	Gaspe, Quebec	7:00 am	1:00 pm
Thursday, Sept 1	Saguenay, Quebec	12:00 noon	8:00 pm
Friday, Sept 2	Quebec	7:00 am	5:00 pm
Saturday, Sept 3	Montreal	7:00 am

NCL –

Norwegian Jewel will return to New York early on Saturday, August 27 and guests currently on board will disembark beginning at 6 am. Embarkation for the August 27 cruise will commence earlier beginning at 10 am. The ship will depart three hours earlier than scheduled at 1 pm. All guests are advised to arrive at the pier between 10 am and noon. Once the ship is underway, there may be a change to the scheduled Bahamas & Florida itinerary.

Norwegian Gem will remain at sea, keeping a safe distance from the storm, on Sunday, August 28 instead of returning to New York as scheduled. The ship will arrive in New York at 8 am on Monday, August 29. All guests for the August 28 cruise are asked to arrive at the pier on Monday, August 29 beginning at noon. The ship is scheduled to depart New York at 4 pm on Monday en route to Bermuda.

Norwegian Dawn is sailing from Boston to Bermuda today as scheduled.

Norwegian Sky is sailing from Miami today as scheduled. The ship will spend a day at sea on Saturday, August 27 instead of calling at Great Strirrup Cay, Bahamas. The ship will visit Nassau as scheduled on Sunday, August 28.

Royal Caribbean -

In an abundance of caution, and in order to provide our guests with a safe and comfortable sailing, Explorer of the Seas will depart Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey, on Saturday, August 27 at 4:00 p.m. – one hour earlier than originally scheduled. We ask that all guests arrive at the pier no later than 3:00 p.m.

Regrettably, the island of CocoCay, Bahamas, was impacted by the storm, and we feel our guest's experience ashore would be disrupted. Because of this, we have cancelled Majesty of the Seas' call to CocoCay on Saturday, August 27, and Monarch of the Seas' call to CocoCay on Sunday, August 28.

Monarch of the Seas will now stay overnight in Nassau, Bahamas, arriving at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 and departing at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 28.

Majesty of the Seas will now spend Saturday at sea and call on Nassau, Bahamas, on Sunday, August 28 as scheduled.

Hurricane Irene - Update & Vendor Changes

2011-08-25T13:27:00.000-04:00

Holland America itinerary changes:

ms Veendam August 21, 7-day Bermuda Cruise

The ship will now depart Bermuda at approximately 5:00pm on Thursday, August 25, rather than on Friday and arrive in New York one day early on Saturday, ahead of the storm’s anticipated arrival. Guests are welcome to disembark on Saturday or overnight until Sunday and enjoy New York. Those onboard have been notified.

ms Veendam August 28, 7-day Bermuda Cruise

There are no itinerary changes at this time. Guests will embark in New York on Sunday, August 28 as planned and the ship is scheduled to sail at 4:45pm.

Based on the storm’s progress and intensity, departure may be delayed but that decision will not be made until Saturday evening or Sunday. If there is a delay, it will be posted on our website.

ms Maasdam, July 23, 35-day (roundtrip Boston) or August 9, 18-day (Amsterdam to Boston) Voyage of the Midnight Sun

Holland America Line expects no changes to this schedule. The ship is due to arrive in Boston as scheduled on Saturday, August 27 at 7:00am.

ms Maasdam August 27, 7-day Canada/New England Cruise (Boston to Montreal, Quebec)

There are no itinerary changes at this time. Guests will embark in Boston on Saturday, August 27, as planned and the ship is scheduled to sail at 5:00pm.

Itinerary adjustments will be made if storm conditions require doing so but any changes will not impact the time of departure from Boston.

Royal Caribbean itinerary change:

Princess storm statement:

We're closely monitoring Hurricane Irene as it continues to develop. At this time, based on the forecast from the National Hurricane Center, we do not expect it to directly impact the itinerary of Caribbean Princess, including the ship's scheduled New York departure on Saturday, August 27. We'll take whatever actions are needed to avoid the effects of Hurricane Irene as the safety of our passengers, crew and ships is always our first priority. Passengers will be advised if any changes are required.

Hurricane Irene - Update & Vendor Changes

2011-08-23T09:55:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Irene is located 70 miles south-southeast of Grand Turk Island and is traveling west-northwest at 10 miles per hour. Winds are at near 100 miles per hour, making Irene a Category Two storm. On the current projected path the center of Irene will pass to the north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti this morning, will be near the Turks and Caicos tonight, and near the Central Bahamas early tomorrow. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Warnings and Watches:

Ø A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the central Bahamas.

Ø A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the north coast of Haiti and the northwestern Bahamas.

Ø A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic and all of Haiti.

Vendor Changes –

Carnival –

· Carnival Conquest, based in Galveston, Texas, will head to Mexico, visiting Costa Maya on Wednesday instead of Nassau, Bahamas; Cozumel on Thursday instead of Freeport, Bahamas; and Progresso on Friday, instead of Key West, Fla.

· Carnival Destiny, based in Miami, will visit Key West Tuesday, originally a day at sea. On Wednesday, it will call on Cozumel instead of Grand Turk, and on Thursday will visit Costa Maya instead of Half Moon Cay. Friday, originally planned for Nassau, will be a day at sea.

· Carnival Liberty, based in Miami, has altered its itinerary to visit Grand Turk today, originally a day at sea. Tuesday and Wednesday, planned for St. Thomas and San Juan, will instead be days at sea. Thursday it will call on Cozumel instead of Grand Turk.

· Carnival Miracle, which left New York Thursday, skipped San Juan Sunday, and spent the day at sea. Today, it will visit Grand Turk instead of St. Thomas, and Tuesday will call at Half Moon Cay instead of Grand Turk.

· Carnival Pride, based in Baltimore, will call at Port Canaveral, Fla., a day early on Tuesday, which was originally scheduled as a sea day. On Wednesday it will head to Freeport.

· Carnival Triumph, based in New Orleans, will skip Freeport, Bahamas, and spend Tuesday at sea. On Wednesday, it will visit Cozumel instead of Nassau, and Thursday will call on Progresso, when it had originally planned to be at sea.

· Carnival Victory, based in San Juan, cancelled its Monday call at St. Thomas and is proceeding to Barbados for its scheduled call on Wednesday. On Saturday, it will call on St. Thomas instead of St. Maarten.

Royal Caribbean –

· Oasis of the Seas will reverse its itinerary and now visit Cozumel, Mexico, first on Monday; stop at Falmouth, Jamaica, on Wednesday; stop at Labadee, Haiti, on Thursday; and return to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. Freedom of the Seas will also reverse its itinerary and will visit Cozumel on Tuesday, followed by Grand Cayman on Wednesday, Falmouth on Thursday and Labadee on Friday.

· Allure of the Seas will now stop at Nassau, Bahamas, on Saturday instead of today. The rest of the itinerary remains unchanged.

· Serenade of the Seas will reverse its itinerary as well. It will visit Aruba on Tuesday, Curacao on Wednesday, St. Kitts on Friday and St. Thomas on Saturday.

Hurricane Irene Update & Vendor Changes

2011-08-22T09:59:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Irene is located 75 miles east-northeast of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and is traveling west-northwest at 14 miles per hour. Winds are at near 80 miles per hour. On the current projected path the center of Irene will move away from Puerto Rico this morning and approach the northern coast of the Dominican Republic later today. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the north coast of Haiti and the Central Bahamas. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the south coast of the Dominican Republic, all of Haiti, the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Current predictions could bring Irene to South Florida as a Category Two hurricane by Friday.

Vendor Changes –

Carnival –

· Carnival Miracle, which left New York Thursday on an eight-day voyage, will skip San Juan and St. Thomas, and will shift its itinerary to visit Grand Turk today and Half Moon Cay Tuesday.

· Carnival Victory pulled out of port (San Jaun) early- they transported passengers who were not able to board to the Conrad Condado Plaza hotel until Wednesday--at which time they will fly to Barbados--the ship will be skipping St Thomas tomorrow so it is not an option to meet the ship there.

Royal Caribbean –

· Oasis of the Seas will reverse its itinerary and now visit Cozumel, Mexico, first on Monday; stop at Falmouth, Jamaica, on Wednesday; stop at Labadee, Haiti, on Thursday; and return to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. Freedom of the Seas will also reverse its itinerary and will visit Cozumel on Tuesday, followed by Grand Cayman on Wednesday, Falmouth on Thursday and Labadee on Friday.

· Allure of the Seas will now stop at Nassau, Bahamas, on Saturday instead of today. The rest of the itinerary remains unchanged.

· Serenade of the Seas will reverse its itinerary as well. It will visit Aruba on Tuesday, Curacao on Wednesday, St. Kitts on Friday and St. Thomas on Saturday.

PICKING THE BEST CABIN!

2011-08-10T18:02:00.000-04:00

Look at a cruise ship’s deck plan for the first time and it quickly becomes apparent you’ll need guidance when selecting your cabin. While it’s not as complicated as it looks (20 categories of cabins!), the process isn’t intuitive and can be frustrating. At the same time, it’s a very important decision – not only in terms of comfort, but also because cabin selection determines cruise fare.

There are two major cabin variables to consider: type and location. One of the ironies of cruise-ship design is that the least-expensive cabins are almost always found on the lower decks of a vessel (the lower the cabin, the lesser the motion) with fares increasing steadily as you move towards the pricey suites located on the top decks (where, if you’re prone to seasickness, you’ll feel that motion most). While on their honeymoon cruise, my brother and his bride encountered a major storm in the Mediterranean. Because my brother gets so seasick, an officer recommended that they go down to the lowest deck and sit mid-ship. They did, and he felt fine.

Types Of Cabins
You’ll see a long list of cabin categories on most any deck plan, but there are really only four types to choose from: interior (no window or porthole), oceanview (with a window or porthole), balcony (with private verandah), or suite. It simplifies things some once you realize that interior and oceanview cabins are usually identical in terms of amenities and size, but categories and prices will vary based on their location aboard the ship.

The most popular cabins are those with balconies (balcony cabins, like interior and oceanview cabins, are generally one size as well). These cabins always sell out first, and it’s easy to see why – there are few experiences in life more sublime than enjoying breakfast on your private verandah as you glide across the water.

Suites, on the other hand, can be problematical. While the term “suite” implies that the space will be larger than one room, there are only one or two cabins on most ships that are actually that large (and they’re expensive). Add in that suites do vary in size (measured in square feet) and come with a host of vague and often unhelpful suffixes (e.g. “mini,” “junior,” “superior,” “deluxe,” “owner’s,” “penthouse,” “garden,” and “villa”) and it becomes clear you’ll want to do your homework and choose wisely.

So which category of cabin should you pick? In most cases, it’s your vacation budget that ultimately determines your choice. But there are other variables to consider, including cruising region and lifestyle. In Europe, for example, ships are in port every day and most passengers will disembark early to tour, so a balcony cabin may not be that useful. Alaska, on the other hand, is so spectacularly scenic that it’s probably worth cutting back in other areas so that you’ll be able to afford that private verandah. And if you’re the sort of cruiser that’s active day and night – using your cabin only to shower, change clothes, and sleep a bit – it may not make sense to book a higher category than oceanview.

Location, Location, Location
Cruise lines almost always assign their top categories to the highest possible deck, which is usually the level immediately below the Lido Deck. You’ll enjoy sweeping vistas – but it’s often the Lido Deck that causes the most problems when it comes to noise. If you don’t want to hear chairs scraping at the crack of dawn or pool parties that last well into the wee hours, then drop down a level. When it comes to noise, in fact, it’s always a good bet to select a cabin that’s both above and below other cabins.

And if, like my brother, you’re prone to seasickness (and you’ll be cruising outside of the Caribbean, where the islands act as a barrier against the rougher Atlantic Ocean), be sure to pick a cabin that’s situated mid-ship and located far below the highest decks.

by Anne Campbell

Play Golf On Some Of The World’s Best Courses During Your Next Cruise

2011-08-09T16:35:00.003-04:00

A couple planning a vacation could definitely find itself at odds if one half is passionate about snorkeling while the other is happiest teeing off on a golf course. Happily, the cruise industry has solved the problem by offering golf excursions in some of the planet’s most beautiful settings. The Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, and Great Britain are most popular with golfers, due to their wide selection of world-class courses, but cruisers can also play in ports of call ranging from Alaska to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Today, virtually every cruise line has some form of golf program or accommodation process with which to lure and assist golfers at all levels of play. And on a cruise, you can play several courses in a variety of destinations over a very short period of time (without having to schlep your clubs through airports).

Best of all? You have a great deal of flexibility when it comes to setting up your dream golf cruise. Opt to purchase a shore excursion directly from the cruise line and everything is done for you (these excursions typically include transportation between the ship and the course, plus bag-and-shoe rental, so basically all you’ll need to do is show up and tee off). If your heart is set on a famous course that isn’t available via the cruise line, however, you’ll need to contact that club directly to arrange play. A third option is to take a golf-themed cruise offered by one of the luxury or river cruise lines.

Royal Caribbean International first began offering golf outings in 1988 with the launch of its “GolfAhoy!” program. Initially only available in select Caribbean destinations (or as a pre- or post-cruise package in either Florida or Puerto Rico), “GolfAhoy!” is now also available in Bermuda, Hawaii, Mexico, the Mediterranean, Great Britain, and North Africa (on both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises’ ships). Tee times and transportation are arranged by ship personnel (or by onboard tour operators working in conjunction with the cruise line); instruction, practice sessions (many of which feature elaborate equipment and simulators), and even tournaments are conducted by onboard pros.

Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line have partnered with Elite Golf Cruises to create their comprehensive golf programs. Norwegian’s Pride of America, for example, sails year-round in Hawaii and attracts passengers interested in golfing to their heart’s content (every day for an entire week) on their choice of 12 courses located throughout Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island. Norwegian arranges advance tee times/tournaments, and guests that wish to bring their own clubs are automatically enrolled in the cruise line’s “Club Valet” program (your clubs are securely stored for you upon boarding, then delivered to you daily on the pier).

Azamara Club Cruises, meanwhile, has teamed up with Perry Golf to offer all-inclusive, escorted golf tours at some of the world’s premier courses. Specifically designed with the passionate golfer in mind, Azamara’s golf cruises combine a range of itineraries with superior golf experiences at several of the globe’s most heralded courses including Old Head and Portmarnock (Ireland), Oitavos Dunes (Portugal), Montgomerie Links (Vietnam), Mission Hills (China), Four Seasons Provence (France), and Sperone (Corsica).

All of Azamara’s golf offerings commence with a one- or two-night, pre-voyage land stay which includes luxury hotel accommodations, a welcome reception exclusively for golfers, and dinner with wine (optional sightseeing tours are available for an additional charge). Overnight golf-shoe shining, greens fees, golf-cart rental, and golf-bag handling (to the first tee, plus return to hotel or ship for storage after each round) are also included. Onboard, Azamara guests enjoy an inclusive drink package, post-game cocktail receptions with fellow enthusiasts, and two group dinners (one in a specialty restaurant) where golfers can recount the day’s play over a gourmet meal.

By Anne Campbell

Silver Spirit - Episode 1

2011-06-01T14:26:00.000-04:00

Enjoy this 12 minute video highlighting the beautiful Silver Spirit.

My Eight Favorite Ports Of Call

2011-06-01T08:51:00.000-04:00

There are some ports of call so special you never forget them. Sometimes, it’s an extraordinary shore excursion that makes one memorable; in other instances, it’s breathtaking scenery, historic treasures, or time spent exploring on your own. Picking out eight favorite ports wasn’t easy (there are some incredible ones that I’ve left out), but I’ve given it my best shot.

Kauai, Hawaii. Aptly nicknamed “the Garden Isle,” Kauai is where I took the best shore excursion of my life, touring the Na’pali coast – where sheer cliffs, rising thousands of feet into the sky, are lined with lush green foliage and surrounded by pristine beaches – via high-speed ZODIAC®. Close to shore, dolphins leapt from the water and sea turtles languidly surfaced for air as we stopped for a picnic lunch.

New York City. Standing on the deck of a cruise ship as it enters or leaves the harbor, one can almost feel the awe that millions of immigrants experienced upon arriving in the United States to begin their new lives. The scenery is dramatic – gliding beneath the enormous Verrazano Bridge, you’ll pass the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (where those very same immigrants were once processed) en route to “the city that never sleeps.”

Prague. A highlight of any cruise along the Rhine, this historic city is among Europe’s most enchanting. A guided tour leads you through Old Town to the famed Charles Bridge. After the tour, take the remainder of the day to explore. Pay a visit to City Hall to see its intricate, 15th-century Astronomical Clock or browse the boutiques located along Wenceslas Square.

Puerto Rico. Hanging out in San Juan for a day gives me a chance to indulge in two of my favorite activities: shopping and historic sightseeing. El Morro Castle, built more than four hundred years ago to ward off pirates (including Sir Francis Drake, who unsuccessfully attacked the castle in 1595), towers over the harbor. A short distance from El Morro is Old San Juan, the city’s historic colonial area – stroll its cobblestone streets and search its shops for bargains on crafts, jewelry, and other goods.

Stockholm. Before arriving in this stunning port, your ship will pass what seems like a thousand small islands dotted with cabins, summer cottages, and elegant homes. I always make it a point to visit the Vasa Museum, which houses the restored vessel of the same name (sunk in 1628, it was raised and reassembled in 1961). And don’t forget to call upon City Hall and the Royal Palace (home to King Carl XVI Gustaf); these are the grandest buildings in town.

Santorini. The excitement begins the moment you enter the harbor. Perched 900 feet above the rim of an ancient volcano, the island of Santorini is only accessible via cable car or donkey. Once you’ve reached the summit, you’ll enjoy spectacular views and narrow (but charming) streets lined with restaurants, cafés, and souvenir stands.

Vancouver. Many people begin and end their Alaskan cruise in this city, and it’s worth at least an extra day of your time for the sightseeing alone. Ringed by high peaks, Vancouver is one of the world’s most beautiful ports of call. Stanley Park, an evergreen oasis located close to the downtown core, is a must-see attraction for both naturalists and tourists seeking a respite amidst scenic surroundings.

Venice. Venice is truly magical – one can almost feel the city’s long history seeping through its narrow stone alleyways. All streets lead to San Marco, Venice’s famous square, where you’ll encounter visitors marveling at popular sights like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

by Anne campbell

Is There Anything To Do On A Private Island?

2011-04-18T08:45:00.000-04:00

I vividly remember my first visit to a cruise line’s private island, and the sybaritic pleasure of sipping a cocktail in a hammock as the waves gently lapped at the beach. For many passengers, the best part of a Caribbean itinerary is the day spent on a private island, where you can be as languid or as active as you please.

When a ship docks at a private island, guests first come ashore to stake their claim on a spot in the sun or the shade; many will then set off to explore the island at their leisure. Of course it’s the cruise line’s job to feed you, and they certainly deliver – usually with a barbeque (and they’ll sell you a cold beer to wash it all down with). And while it’s true that every private island offers more or less the same setting (white-sand beaches and an azure-blue ocean), each offers its own brand of fun.

Castaway Cay (Disney Cruise Line)
Disney hit a home run with Castaway Cay, their private Bahamian island, because of its sheer abundance of activities and its spectacular scenery. The island boasts separate beaches for families, teens, and adults (the teen and adult beaches are further afield than the family beaches; as a result, they’re usually less populated). Alongside the teen beach you’ll find Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure, where (for a fee) you and your family can feed stingrays and swim with them in an enclosed lagoon.

Half Moon Cay (Holland America Line)
Half Moon Cay, my pick for the most pristine private island, is located less than 100 miles southeast of Nassau. A tram runs between the landing dock and the island’s main restaurant, and there are numerous paved pathways for both baby strollers and wheelchairs. There are three watersports centers on the island that rent snorkel gear, aqua bikes, windsurfing boards, kayaks, and beach floats. Half Moon Lagoon features an aqua park for the kids boasting large, stationary water toys (shaped like sea creatures) and a pirate-ship waterslide that sprays water from its cannons. Shore excursions, ranging from horseback riding and deep-sea fishing to glass-bottom boat tours and guided kayak outings, are also available.

Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian is in the midst of a $20 million makeover of their 250-acre Bahamian paradise, adding beachside cabanas, expanded dining facilities, a stingray experience, and new shore excursions (including kayak tours via man-made rivers within the island) to existing offerings. Current facilities include catamarans and rafts, and guests can circle the island via kayak or sailboat. Take a hike along one of the island’s nature trails and locate the lighthouse, play a game of volleyball, or search out one of the palm-shaded hammocks and relax. Massages, courtesy of your ship’s spa staff, are available beachside (at a cost of $1 per minute). Your ship’s calypso band, on the other hand, will come ashore to help you refine your limbo technique for free.

Princess Cays (Princess Cruises)
40 acres in total and located on the southern tip of the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, Princess Cays boasts more than a mile-and-a-half of unspoiled beach. Watersports abound (sailboats, catamarans, paddle wheelers, kayaks, and snorkeling equipment are all available for rental), and thrilling banana-boat rides are also on offer. Guests seeking a gentler pace will find floating mattresses for rent as well as plenty of free hammocks situated beneath groves of palm trees. Princess Cays also features a supervised play area for children (“Pelican’s Perch”).

CocoCay & Labadee (Royal Caribbean International)
Royal Caribbean boasts two private beach stops: CocoCay (located in the Bahamas) and Labadee (located in Haiti).

CocoCay has tons of watersports for guests to enjoy including snorkeling, kayaking, and parasailing. Caylanas Aqua Park, meanwhile, is the place to be for kids on CocoCay. This “floating playground” (the largest aqua park in the Bahamas) features in-water trampolines, oversized sand castles, and plenty of inflatable apparatus to climb, jump, and walk on.

There are tons of options at Labadee as well, including watersports rentals (similar to CocoCay) and shore excursions (a guided kayak tour through the Bay of Labadee, amidst mountains which cascade to the sea, is a highlight). On one side of Labadee’s beach you’ll find the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, a 2,600-foot zip line that stretches across the ocean and affords magnificent views of Labadee’s mountains, the sea, and your cruise ship. Labadee is also home to an extensive aqua park and the SeaTrek waterslide (40 feet high and “the world’s largest inflatable waterslide,” according to Royal Caribbean).

By Anne Campbell

Cruise Ship Entertainment That Sets A New Standard

2011-04-15T08:41:00.003-04:00

Up until a few years ago, nobody spent much time talking about cruise-ship entertainment. That’s because it was always the same no matter which ship you sailed on – the standard, Vegas-style floorshows featuring high-kicking dancers in lavish costumes, a cabaret or disco, and maybe a comedy club. For those of us casting off to relax our tired brains at sea and chill out on a beach, it was merely adequate stuff (better still, it didn’t cost a nickel extra).

But all that changed with the arrival of a new generation of mega-ships, led by Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas and followed by Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian EPIC, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream, and Royal’s Allure of the Seas (sister ship to the Oasis). If you’re setting sail aboard any of these four ships, be prepared to be amazed by the diversity and quality of entertainment that’s available. People may not have been taking shipboard entertainment into account when considering a cruise in years’ past, but it’s becoming an increasingly important factor. And it’s a major reason why travelers are so excited about these new vessels (consider that these new options are still included in your cruise fare and you’ll soon realize that today’s seagoing vacation is providing an even bigger bang for your buck). Let’s take a look at some of the jaw-dropping entertainment options that are setting new standards across the cruise industry...

Oasis of the Seas / Allure of the Seas

Hairspray

The worlds’ two biggest cruise ships are nearly identical, and they’re home to an almost limitless number of entertainment options. Royal Caribbean shook up the industry when it became the first cruise line to place an ice-skating rink aboard a ship. And while passengers can still skate during the day, the real draw is the rink’s evening ice show (dubbed “Frozen In Time,” it’s based on the works of Hans Christian Andersen). Equally amazing is the water-acrobatics show to be found in Royal’s AquaTheater. Think “Cirque du Soleil under the stars” – daring divers plunge from atop three platforms into a thirteen-foot-deep pool during this exciting mixture of extreme diving and synchronized swimming. In the Amber Theater, you’ll find an excellent 90-minute version of Broadway’s Chicago: The Musical. There’s also classic jazz performed nightly at Jazz On 4, live Latin music and dancing at Boleros, musical spectacles ranging from big bands to disco at Dazzles, and stand-up/improv performances at Comedy Live.

Norwegian EPIC

Blue Man Group

I was blown away by the quality and variety of entertainment offered aboard EPIC. Blue Man Group©, one of the world’s truly great shows, features three men painted in blue that deliver an hysterically funny performance full of surprises (It’s difficult to describe, so I’ll just mention that they do things with paint, Twinkies, and drums!). Fat Cat showcases top blues and jazz groups, while Second City® is the place to go for the best in improv comedy. Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Tina Turner are among “the celebrities” to be found at Legends (history’s longest-running tribute show), and fans of dueling pianos will want to pay a visit to Howl at the Moon. Another innovative offering is Cirque Dreams® and Dinner, a one-of-a-kind supper club experience involving aerialists, acrobats, and contortionists (Cirque Dreams®, unlike other EPIC entertainment options, does carry a surcharge).

Disney Dream

Expect to be wowed. How long, after all, has The Lion King been a hit on Broadway?

Believe

What makes Disney shows so special is that they are honest-to-goodness theater – the kind that enchanted you as a child. These are not the typical musical revues that you’ll find aboard most cruise ships. Disney shows feature real actors in speaking roles and there are actual storylines that children, especially, will love (the spectacular Believe, for example, is about a young girl that wants her father to learn how to believe in magic). Don’t miss “Villains Tonight!,” the ship’s musical-comedy revue starring beloved baddies like Captain Hook, Cruella De Vil, and Ursula. The Walt Disney Theater is the ship’s main showroom for live entertainment, and every show is a Disney production (Disney does not fly in stand-up comedians, for example). Disney Dream is also the only cruise ship to feature fireworks during every sailing.

by Anne Campbell

2011 EUROPE CRUISES: This Is The Year To Take The Kids!

2011-02-20T18:02:00.000-05:00

Your heart is set on taking a European cruise this year – but what about the kids? Do you stick them with their grandparents, or take them along?

You have no idea how enriched your children’s lives will be once they’ve visited the world’s most famous cities and landmarks by cruise ship. Whether you decide to go sightseeing via guided excursions or choose to explore Europe on your own, your children are sure to find themselves in awe of the region’s many treasures.

Seeing Europe by cruise ship takes an enormous amount of stress out of your travels, because the difficult parts – moving from one place to another, changing hotels, and making dinner reservations – are all handled by the cruise line. Once you step aboard your ship, you’ll unpack just once. And life onboard includes lots of incredible facilities plus an array of activities that have been planned based on age group.

Cruise lines are also accommodating families by revising scheduled children’s activities so that they commence before shore excursions depart. In certain ports of call, younger children may remain aboard their ship while parents and teens come ashore for the day. Select Mediterranean itineraries, for example, offer opportunities to alternate an intensive day of sightseeing with a relaxing day at beach.

Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind if you’re considering a European cruise for the entire family...

Selecting an itinerary. First, you’ll need to settle on a region. Cruise ships sail throughout both the Mediterranean and Scandinavia/Russia. I recommend an Eastern Mediterranean itinerary, since children will generally be more interested in places they’ve probably heard of before (like Athens and Rome). Ancient landmarks like Pompeii and Ephesus are sure to fascinate the entire family.

Selecting a cruise ship. Everybody’s criteria for picking a cruise ship will be different. Cruising in the Caribbean and Mexico is a resort-like experience; in many respects, the real destination is the ship itself. But in Europe, the focus is on what’s ashore. Typically, you’ll visit a port a day and be off your ship from 8:30 A.M. until departure in the late afternoon. Then it’s dinner and an earlier turn-in than normal (which is why you don’t necessarily need to book a big ship that comes loaded with non-stop activities and entertainment).

If you’re cruising with children under the age of 10, it’s a good idea to stick with a cruise line that will allow you to leave your kids aboard the ship while you spend time ashore (all of the kid-friendly cruise lines have European sailings scheduled for 2011 including Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International). But if you’re cruising with children ages 11 and above, consider all of the cruise lines (including those that fall into the “luxury” category). Princess Cruises, for example, which offers excursions like “A Family Adventure With Boat Trip” in Istanbul. That outing includes a private yacht trip along the Bosphorus featuring a stop at the Blue Mosque, a visit to a Turkish teahouse, and the chance to shop at the Grand Bazaar.

Arranging pre-cruise travel. One of the biggest hurdles to overcome involves reaching your cruise ship’s port of embarkation. After being airborne for up to ten hours, it’s likely that jet lag will affect everyone in the family. So plan on arriving at least one day before your ship departs so that everyone can get caught up on sleep. And remember – almost every European port of embarkation is worth a visit in itself, especially if you’re sailing from Athens, Barcelona, Venice, or Istanbul. All of the cruise lines sell pre- and post-cruise packages that include accommodations and transfers to their ships.

Going ashore. In Europe, sightseeing is generally done in one of two ways – on your own (which can work well in walkable cities like Barcelona and Venice) or via guided excursions (which can involve a lot of time aboard motorcoaches and/or buses). Select independent tours, which include a private car and a driver/guide, are an excellent option in ports of call where the attractions are a good distance from the ship (like Athens, Pompeii, and Rome). If you’re opting for motorcoach transport, be sure the kids have access to iPods or hand-held games that will help keep them occupied during the ride.

WANT A FREE CRUISE? IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK!

2011-02-18T16:14:00.004-05:00

Perhaps your idea of “the wonderful life” is a job in the cruise industry – a world of exotic sailings to choose from, and (best of all) the chance to pay little for them. But there’s another way. Gather a group of friends, family, colleagues, or even people you’ve never met before (but with whom you share a common lifestyle, interest, or passion) and you can cruise for free. I think a 100% discount trumps a 50% discount any day of the week!

Arranging a group cruise is a terrific way to see if you’d really enjoy working in travel. And you won’t have to fork over any money, worry about booking staterooms, or mail out documents.
The most important person in the equation is an experienced group cruise consultant. He or she will help guide you through the process (which cruise line, cruise ship, itinerary, and departure date to select). The first step, however, is deciding what shape your group will take. Here’s where you’ll discover that any list of potential groups is likely to be as long as your arm, because any assemblage of people with something in common qualifies – your friends and family, church members, golf buddies, fellow gym rats, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, literature fans, computer geeks, hikers, lawyers, photography buffs ... the examples are endless.

Cruise ships offer passengers unique opportunities to put fresh spins on traditionally popular celebrations – weddings and anniversaries, birthdays and ”sweet sixteen” parties, bar mitzvahs, or high school/college reunions – and a group cruise is also an ideal vehicle for fundraising or conducting professional workshops. An added bonus is that meeting space and audio-visual equipment are available at no extra charge should your group ever need them.

Once you’ve decided upon your group, it’s time to work with your consultant to pick a cruise line and an itinerary that suits your group’s demographics. For example: Will your group want to get dressed up, or does it prefer a more casual style? Have your fellow passengers cruised before? If so, what have their experiences been? With this information in hand, your group cruise consultant will be able to recommend suitable ships and sailings.

As soon as your vessel and voyage have been determined, your consultant will get the ball rolling with the cruise line. An experienced consultant will know the best staterooms to book, and he or she will be familiar with the best locations aboard your ship (a group will typically need to reserve a minimum of eight staterooms, but that number can grow quickly). Your consultant should also be able to secure a complimentary cocktail party for your group, and arrange for nice touches like having champagne and chocolate delivered to staterooms. And if your group needs something special, like tee times at an island’s golf course or “breakout” rooms for shipboard functions/seminars, your consultant can handle that as well.

Your job will be “marketing” the cruise to friends, family, and people who share your interests. And thanks to the Internet, it’s easy to target others that do. Your consultant will help you to create special brochures that can be distributed to potential passengers. He or she can also give you a crash course on newspaper advertising, radio advertising, etc.The more time you have, the easier it is to market. And more people

by Anne Campbell

YOU MAY THINK YOU DON’T WANT A BIG SHIP … BUT YOU REALLY DO!

2011-02-16T16:13:00.000-05:00

Back in the late 1990s, when a leading cruise line announced that it was building a 2,500-passenger vessel, I decided that cruise ships had simply become too big. That size was unimaginable ... I envisioned long lines and an interminable wait while waiting to board and disembark. Certainly there would be crowds at the lido café, since passengers always seemed to show up for breakfast and lunch at the same time. And a day at sea would be unbearable with so many people sunning themselves by the pool.

If you feel as I did and don’t want to cruise aboard a big ship, odds are you’re as wrong about what to expect now as I was then.

The two largest ships afloat – Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seassm and Oasis of the Seassm – carry up to 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew members. And they’re the most popular ships ever built. Huge hits with families, they’re also turning out to be wildly popular with couples of all ages seeking a romantic escape at sea.

A larger ship doesn’t just mean more passengers. It means a myriad of dining choices, too. Rather than spend every evening in their ship’s main restaurant, guests can opt to make reservations and “go out” for dinner instead – at a more intimate steakhouse, for example, or at a specialty venue serving up Asian, French, or Italian fare. And superb vessel designs ensure that there’s no more of a wait aboard a big ship than there would be aboard a significantly smaller ship (even on a day spent entirely at sea).

Passengers aboard a smaller cruise ship can typically expect to find a single theater for Vegas- or Broadway-style shows, a bar/disco or two, and a casino. The mega-ships, however, have taken nightlife to entirely new levels. In addition to everything mentioned above, you’re likely to find comedy clubs, champagne and martini bars, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and live performances by world-renowned entertainers like Blue Man Group© (Norwegian EPIC), surfing simulators, ice-skating shows, and carousels (aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest vessels), or sing-along piano bars and elaborate aqua parks (aboard Carnival’s “Fun Ships®”). Part of the fun is strolling from one entertainment venue or bar to the next, just to check out all of the action (Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships built over the last decade feature central promenades that help connect all of the different offerings).

by Anne Campbell

SECRETS OF A SHOPAHOLIC CRUISER

2011-02-07T10:13:00.000-05:00

I know this will sound incredibly shallow but one of the best things about taking a lot of cruises is buying stuff in port. And, as a recovering shopaholic who has visited every continent on earth -- including Antarctica -- by cruise ship I’ve accumulated a lot

One day I looked around my home with objective eyes and realized it most resembled a Third World bazaar. The result was unloading a lot of it at a local flea market where other shopaholics cleaned me out and left with enough money to buy more stuff on my next cruise. It was when I realized I’d spent years accumulating stuff I really didn’t want once I reached home, I realized it was time to get smart about shopping in port.

Use Restraint When Shopping Aboard Ship. With the exception of Princess and Crystal Cruises, cruise lines get their merchandise from outside companies that select and sell items in Duty Free boutiques. First, “Duty Free” means there’s no sales tax but that doesn’t mean it’s unique or a good buy. Aboard ship you’re paying full retail for items you can buy at a discount on the Internet or at home. This is especially true when it comes to watches, which are everywhere you turn, both aboard ship and in port.

The exception is alcohol and cigarettes and here you can save a great deal. Of course you’ll probably want a t-shirt and/or other logo items. Wait until the last day when t-shirts are typically half off.

About buying jewelry. Every cruise ship and every port in the world is full of stores selling gold, silver and platinum jewelry set with pearls, diamonds, sapphires, rubies and semi-precious stones. It’s impossible to say that jewelry is a better buy in one port over another since the price of gold and silver are set worldwide and it is the design that will pull you toward one piece over another. My advice is to never buy anything you don’t absolutely love! One of my favorite stores is Diamonds International.

In the Caribbean, there really isn’t much to buy that’s unique, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shop. While St. Thomas and St. Maarten no longer offer unbeatable deals on watches, cameras, perfume and china, it’s fun to stroll around Charlotte Amalie’s mobbed stores where vendors stop at nothing to reel you in. Personally I enjoy walking around Old San Juan, a terrific spot for handicrafts, rum and resort clothes.

On some itineraries it’s better to invest your money in one unforgettable shore excursion than shop. While Alaska is a dud in terms of buying anything but t-shirts, the scenery and wildlife is so spectacular you’ll want to invest every nickel in shore excursions to get the most out of your cruise. The same is true of Costa Rica and Panama where, aside from coffee, there’s little to buy. Instead, buy some memorable experiences like white water rafting and nature walks in the jungle.

Where shopping gets very, very serious is in Europe although thanks to exchange rates, you probably can’t afford much. While I shopped in Italy for years, on the last few visits I could barely afford a bottle of olive oil in the airport. But even though I can no longer splurge on handbags, the workmanship on an eyeglass holder is so extraordinary I still have something special.

On a visit to Florence, you can choose between sightseeing and shopping but there really isn’t enough time to do both much justice. Leather and jewelry are pricey but the best in the world. Venice is rich with hand-made carnival masks and exquisite glass while Rome treasures from all the famous designers, shoes, sweaters and leather jewelry.

You can’t do a great deal of damage in France since cruise ships can’t reach Paris but there are lots of small items like napkins and table cloths, candles, food and bottles of fine wine. Spain boasts wonderful leather so be sure to check out stores in Barcelona for jackets and handbags. While Greece is my favorite cruising region on earth, there isn’t much to buy on the islands except souvenirs. On the other hand, in Turkey the jewelry and carpets are extraordinary, especially in Istanbul.

In the Baltic, I head for major department stores in Finland, Denmark and Norway to check out local items. Stockholm, on the other hand, has extraordinary shopping in the old area of town, especially if you love glass. St. Petersburg is best just for sightseeing unless you like the stacked dolls.

Should you be lucky enough to cruise in South America, I hope you have time in both Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. The former has beautifully cut semi-precious stones (head for H Stern) while in B.A. you’ll find beautiful leather, cashmere sweaters and jewelry.

I wish you wonderful treasures, both in terms of shopping and sightseeing. However, I must urge caution when visiting several ports, especially Barcelona and Naples, where pickpockets are the most professional in the world.

By Anne Campbell

A Cruisers Final 2010 Blog Post

2010-12-21T09:34:00.002-05:00

Cruising today is all about choices. And, as always, a New Year means new choices for cruisers.

Customers will enjoy more choices than ever before when it comes to cruise ships – 2010 was an especially remarkable year for ship launches, but 2011 will feature its fair share of new vessels as well, with Disney Dream®, Carnival Magic®, and Celebrity Silhouette® all scheduled to debut by year’s end. And there will be choices to make when it comes to cruising the Caribbean and Europe, too, where industry trends and the global economy are already impacting inventory in both destinations (more sailings in one region, and less in the other).

More than anything else, however, a new year means new deals. And customers that book this year’s cruise vacation now will choose from the widest possible selection of offers and reap the greatest savings. No two years are ever entirely alike, of course, but there’s at least one thing that remains constant – and that’s the overall value of a cruise vacation. In recent times, we’ve watched as the cruise lines have lowered prices to levels we’d never seen before. Those unprecedented fares, in combination with the special and exclusive offers that are always available from CruisesOnly, offered customers terrific opportunities to set sail on a budget. And while reduced rates and valuable bonus offers (generous amounts of free onboard credit, kids-sail-free deals, and free/reduced airfare being but three examples) remain available in the New Year, the biggest bargains will disappear quickly. The time to get a great deal is now, while prices are still low and bonus offers plentiful. Reserve your 2011 cruise today and you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck by locking in that sailing at an early-bird discount.

I also want our readers to be aware of an industry-wide shift that’s already making waves in both the Caribbean and Europe. Simply put, there will be fewer ships in the Caribbean this year. All of the major cruise lines will be sending a greater number of vessels to Europe instead. Royal Caribbean International, for example, will deploy a record ten ships (up from eight last year) via ports of call throughout Spain, Italy, and England. Some of this shift is a result of Europe’s growing popularity as a cruise destination, and some of it has to do with changes in the strength of the Euro versus the American dollar. I think it’s fair to say that the Caribbean remains cruising’s “signature destination,” and I don’t think that’s likely to change any time soon, but you’ll want to keep this trend in mind if you’re planning on visiting the islands in 2011.

Do I Really Want A Mid-Ship Stateroom?

2010-12-16T16:29:00.000-05:00

One of the questions that I’m asked most frequently is “How do I pick a stateroom?” Because so many of today’s mega-ships seem to stretch on for miles in length, many cruisers assume there’s an optimal location aboard each where the best staterooms are located.

During the late 1800s, upper-class British travelers were said to have favored a “P.O.S.H.” stateroom – “Port Out, Starboard Home,” the position of the most expensive rooms aboard passenger ships sailing between England and India. In truth, this is strictly an urban legend. But it makes for a nice story, and illustrates how selecting a stateroom used to be (and remains) a rather complicated affair.

When vessels regularly crossed the Atlantic, one always wanted to be as close to the middle of the ship as possible. That’s because the middle of the ship was the spot that pitched the least in rough seas. The bow and the stern (the front and the back of the ship) were where you’d feel the greatest amount of motion when the waters were high.

If you suffer from motion sickness or have a mobility impediment, and you’re sailing the North Atlantic between Boston/New York and Northern Europe, then a mid-ship stateroom is still your safest bet. One irony of cruise-ship architecture is that the most stable staterooms (staterooms with the least amount of pitching) are found on the lowest decks of the ship. You’ll feel the most motion on the highest decks, where the most expensive staterooms are located.

Odds are, however, that you won’t feel any motion during your sailing, regardless of where your stateroom is located. The Caribbean, for example, is so calm that you can barely tell that you’re at sea (that’s because the islands act as a natural barrier against the choppier waters of the Atlantic).

In the past, when staterooms varied a great deal in size, the largest rooms were usually located mid-ship. But over the past twenty years, cruise lines have been standardizing staterooms in terms of layout, amenities, and overall size. With few exceptions, each category – interior, oceanview, balcony, and suite – will be identical. So if you’ve booked a stateroom with a private balcony, the size of that room will be equivalent to another room in that category no matter where they’re located aboard your ship.

I personally prefer a stateroom located on the aft end of a ship because of its proximity to the Lido Restaurant, which is always situated in the aft. Otherwise, the corridors just seem to get longer and longer each day, and I feel like I’m making a two-mile trek in order to get breakfast and lunch. And while mid-ship staterooms sometimes cost a bit more, they’re also subject to more corridor noise and traffic since other passengers will be passing by throughout the day and night.

If you do decide you want a mid-ship stateroom, be sure to check the location of your ship’s lifeboats (tenders). They may, in some instances, block the view from your stateroom and they can be noisy when raised or lowered.

by Anne Campbell

You Probably Never Thought Of Cruising Here (But You Really Should)!

2010-12-15T16:24:00.000-05:00

You can’t visit the Alps, the Grand Canyon, or Yellowstone Park aboard a cruise ship. But many of the world’s most intriguing destinations are best explored that way, and the beauty of a cruise vacation is that when you travel by ship you can stay as active and enriched as you desire or pursue each day at a snail’s pace.

The next time you’re planning a cruise vacation, let your imagination wander and consider visiting an intriguing destination that you’ve probably never thought of cruising to before. Here are the destinations that are at the top of my list...

The Galapagos. A cluster of islands so isolated that many of its creatures are found nowhere else on Earth, this is where Charles Darwin’s “Theory of Evolution” was conceived. From the giant tortoises that bear the Galapagos’ name to the family of finches that bear Darwin’s, the Galapagos Islands afford visitors a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore a veritable “living laboratory” of adaptation. The small (but stylish) Celebrity Xpedition® sails these remarkable islands year-round.

The Panama Canal (partial transit). The full Panama Canal transit takes place between Florida and Mexico, but I prefer the partial transit sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale which allows more time for exploring Panama’s jungles as well as Costa Rica, Cartagena, Columbia, Grand Cayman, and ports of call in the Caribbean. Both Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International offer frequent sailings.

The Arabian Peninsula & Bahrain. Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas® sails roundtrip from Dubai and calls upon ports in Fujairah, U.A.E.; Muscat, Oman; and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Germany (on the Danube). Uniworld’s collection of boutique river cruises help make the voyage along Europe’s second-longest river a very elegant experience. Passengers sail from Nuremberg and transit the Danube en route to Regensburg, Deggendorf, and Passau (Germany) plus Melk and Vienna (Austria).

Rio de Janeiro ; Buenos Aires. Visit two of South America’s greatest cities aboard Holland America Line’s ms Veendam. This itinerary includes stops in the Brazilian ports of Buzios, Ilha Grande, and Santos (Sao Paulo) as well as Montevideo, Uruguay.

Greenland, Iceland Scotland. Cruise between New York and Dover, U.K. and see some of the world’s lesser-known (but no-less-scenic) ports of call along the way. Greenland is highlighted by its beautiful fjords and charming towns, while Iceland’s rugged coastline, waterfalls, and small villages make for a memorable visit. Select itineraries aboard Princess Cruises’ Ocean Princess® will include stops in Newfoundland (Nova Scotia), Edinburgh, and the Shelter Islands en route to Dover.

The South of France (via riverboat). Journey along France’s Saône and Rhône Rivers with Viking River Cruises and you’ll sail past some of the most gorgeous vistas the French countryside has to offer. You’ll also explore Burgundy and the lavender fields of Provence, visit Gallo-Roman ruins in Venice, walk the cobbled streets of Arles, and tour the historic Papal Palace in Avignon.

The Caribbean (aboard an almost-private yacht). SeaDream Yacht Club’s 112-passenger cruise ships sail to the Caribbean’s most exclusive ports of call including Saba, St. Barts, and Jost Van Dyke. While onboard, you’ll savor extraordinary cuisine, state-of-the-art amenities, and the kind of voyage that’s normally only available to the owners of luxury yachts.

The South Pacific ; Tahiti. Sure, you can cruise through the Hawaiian Islands. But why not aim for the ultimate instead – a Paul Gauguin cruise in Tahiti or the South Pacific. Over the course of a weeklong voyage, you’ll visit Raiatea, French Polynesia; Taha’a, Society Islands; Bora Bora, French Polynesia; and Moorea, French Polynesia.

by Anne Campbell

Hurricane Paula - Update on the Itinerary changes

2010-10-13T16:38:00.001-04:00

A small but strong Hurricane Paula already has forced nearly a dozen cruise ships in the Caribbean to alter itineraries, including eight vessels operated by industry giant Carnival that collectively are carrying more than 20,000 vacationers.

Among the most affected is the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend, which is skipping a call today in Cozumel to avoid the Category 2 storm. The line also has canceled the ship's stops in Roatan, Honduras and Belize scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Instead, the ship will visit just one more port: Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Also diverting to Ocho Rios as the storm churns off the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is the 2,974-passenger Carnival Valor. The ship visited the Jamaican port on Tuesday and will visit Nassau, Bahamas on Friday instead of stops in Roatan, Belize and Cozumel.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy and 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph, meanwhile, are both skipping calls in Progreso and Cozumel this week. Both will visit just one port instead. The Ecstasy is heading to Veracruz; the Triumph to Key West.

The 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest also will head to Key West instead of calls in Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

A sixth Carnival ship, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Imagination, will visit Nassau this week instead of Cozumel.

Two other Carnival ships, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Inspiration and 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation, arrived in and departed from Cozumel ahead of schedule on Tuesday.

Also altering itineraries due to the storm are Holland America and Celebrity Cruises.

Holland America is sending the 1,258-passenger Ryndam to Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay (the line's private island in the Bahamas) instead of on a Western Caribbean itinerary to Belize City, Roatan and Costa Maya.

Celebrity says the Celebrity Solstice will skip calls in Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan and instead visit Montego Bay, Jamaica; Labadee, Haiti (home to Royal Caribbean's private beach destination) and Nassau.

Hurricane Paula - Latest Cruise Updates

2010-10-13T09:27:00.002-04:00

Hurricane Paula is a Category One storm located 55 miles east of the Cancun, Mexico moving north at 9 miles per hour with winds of near 100 miles per hour. On the current track, the storm will be near or over the western tip of Cuba tonight and or early Thursday. Gradual weakening is expected.

Watches and Warnings are in effect for the coast of Mexico including Cozumel.

Vendor Changes – Ferry service between the mainland and Cozumel has been discontinued and resorts on the Yucatan peninsula are evacuating. Over a dozen shelters have been opened to receive people fleeing the storm from Cozumel and Cancun.

Carnival - For cruises departing this Thursday through Sunday, we will continue to closely monitor the progress of the storm. We are hopeful that we will be able to operate all of the scheduled itineraries.

The safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority and we base all of our itinerary decisions on the ability to operate the ships at a safe distance from the storm. There is a chance that itinerary modifications will be required. In that situation, we will make every effort to provide an attractive alternative itinerary. While our policy does not provide for guest cancellations without penalty for weather-related itinerary changes, we know how much our guests value the ports of call and work hard to offer other destinations that will provide a great vacation experience.

We will provide updates here on Carnival.com if any new information becomes available. In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming our guests aboard all the Carnival ships this weekend.

Norwegian Cruise Line - Currently, all of our ships are sailing as scheduled. Norwegian Pearl will call on Roatán, Honduras today as planned.

Royal Caribbean – No updates at this time.

Book Your Next Cruise Early (And Here’s Why)

2010-10-12T15:50:00.001-04:00

In 2007 and 2008, a sinking global economy forced cruise lines to steeply discount fares in order to fill ships. As a result, customers waited until the last minute to pounce on rapidly falling prices. Even experienced cruisers with quite a few voyages under their belts – cruisers who understood that a cruise vacation was already an enormous value, because approximately 80% of all costs are paid upfront – held out as long as possible before booking.

But according to analysts, the cruise industry has rebounded. Fares and occupancy rates are rising. Booking trends have returned to normal, and the most experienced cruisers are once again reserving their staterooms months and months in advance of departure.

Why are they doing so? Here’s a look at the advantages of booking early.

To secure the best stateroom, ship, and sailing. I’ve always advised cruisers to put their deposits down as quickly as possible, because the best staterooms sell out first. Balcony staterooms and suites are generally the first categories to go, so waiting to grab a last-minute bargain is especially risky if you’ve got your heart set on a high-end cabin.

Last-minute deals are available everywhere. But look closely and you’ll usually find that the steepest discounts don’t apply to the best ships. And the selection of staterooms and sailings will often be limited. You can almost always find a good deal on a last-minute Bahamas cruise, for example. But that’s not likely to be the case when it comes to other destinations. Expect to book an Alaskan or European cruise at least six months in advance if you’re interested in a balcony stateroom aboard one of the industry’s newer vessels. $499 may seem like a great last-minute price for a weeklong voyage to either destination, but what if you want a room with a view and there are no longer any available?

Wait for a last-minute bargain and you may find some terrific prices on certain sailings. Then again, you may end up paying more than you wanted to because all of the early-booking deals have disappeared. Worse yet? Hold out long enough and you might discover there’s no space left on the specific itinerary you’d been dreaming about.

To pay the lowest price possible. The cruise lines want you to book early. Several, including Princess Cruises and Holland America, offer their lowest fares well in advance of departure. The closer you get to departure, the higher your price will be. Remember – cruise deals may abound on the Internet, but most are available for a limited time only (say, three days or less). Bypass a good price and there’s a good chance you won’t see it offered again.

To allow time for finding affordable airfare. I frequently see steep discounts available on Southern Caribbean cruises. And how could anyone resist the temptation of a weeklong tropical voyage on a much-touted cruise ship at fares that start at just $500? Well, there’s a catch – you have to get to the ship, and most ships that cruise the Southern Caribbean sail from San Juan. Finding affordable airfare to Puerto Rico may not be a problem if you’re booking seven or eight months prior to departure, but take a look at that same airfare four to six weeks out and the price will be sky-high (assuming there are even any seats available). The same holds true for anyone that’s planning on flying to meet a cruise ship, regardless of destination. Because airlines have cut capacity, fares are now higher than ever (and that’s especially true when you’re talking about flights to popular vacation spots).

Last but not least? Take the fear out of booking early. While the economy is improving, many people are still understandably skittish about planning a vacation too far in advance – any number of unforeseen circumstances could result in the need for cancellation. But the solution to that concern is as close at hand as your CruisesOnly expert, and that’s travel insurance. Most travel insurance policies offer a “cancel for any reason” provision that protects your investment from practically every eventuality.

by Anne Campbell

New Cruise Ships

2010-10-12T15:29:00.003-04:00

Few events are more exciting than the long-anticipated arrival of a new cruise ship, escorted by fire boats, as it enters its homeport for the ceremonial breaking of a champagne bottle over the bow.

In 2010 alone, more than ten new cruise ships will make their debut – from the world’s second 6,300-passenger behemoth to a stately British ocean liner and an ultra-luxurious vessel carrying just 450 privileged guests. Here’s our line-by-line look at several of the new stars scheduled to shine by year’s end.

CELEBRITY CRUISES
The 122,000-ton Celebrity Eclipse, sister ship to both Celebrity Solstice (which debuted in 2008) and Celebrity Equinox (which debuted in 2009), is another stunning option for cruisers in search of a more sophisticated ambience. The ship boasts a glassblowing studio, a solarium with indoor pool, several upscale “alternative” restaurants, and Celebrity’s innovative Lawn Club. Celebrity Eclipse debuted in Europe back in April and has since repositioned to Florida. She will embark upon a series of alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings (departing from Miami) beginning in late November.

COSTA CRUISES
The 92,700-ton Costa Deliziosa is distinguished by her exotic homeport – following her maiden voyage back in February, this 2,260-passenger vessel took up residence in Dubai to begin a series of weeklong cruises to the equally-exotic ports of Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Fujairah, and Muscat. Guests will find some very exotic “toys” onboard, too. Highlights include PlayStation®3 consoles in every stateroom, a 4-D cinema, a racing car simulator, and a golf simulator that allows players to choose from 37 different 18-hole championship courses.

CUNARD LINE
The 92,000-ton Queen Elizabeth, the latest addition to Cunard’s historic fleet, made her official debut in Southampton, England on October 12th. This 2,068-passenger vessel boasts an enormous ballroom (with orchestra), a grand theater (with box seats), and an extensive onboard enrichment program. Guests opting to stay in the ship’s Princess and Queen’s Grill suites will also enjoy al fresco dining nightly in a private courtyard, as well as access to separate restaurants serving some very sumptuous food. Queen Elizabeth’s inaugural voyages are scheduled for the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Once completed, she will then set sail on a 103-day “World Cruise” visiting 35 unique ports of call in 23 different countries.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
The 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam, featuring private cabanas that may be rented for the day, debuted in Venice (Italy) on July 4th. The ship’s specialty restaurants are especially elegant – both the Tamarind and the Silk Den Lounge boast stunning sea views, while guests of the Pinnacle Grill enjoy fine steak and seafood served on Bvlgari china and Frette linens. Passengers can also indulge their passion for gourmet food and wine via the interactive lessons available in the Culinary Arts Center’s state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen. After a brief stay in the Mediterranean, Nieuw Amsterdam will reposition to Fort Lauderdale for a series of 7-night Caribbean cruises beginning in mid-November.

MSC CRUISES
The 2,500-passenger MSC Magnifica entered service back in March and spent her inaugural season cruising the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic for New York. The fourth in a series of 93,000-ton MSC vessels, this Italian cruise ship is home to a 16,000-square-foot spa, five restaurants, and three pools (one of which features a retractable roof, so that cruisers may still lounge on deck whenever the weather doesn’t cooperate). After an autumn season of Canada/New England cruises (a first for MSC, and highly unusual for a European cruise line), Magnifica will make her way to Ft. Lauderdale for a series of Caribbean sailings commencing at year’s end.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Arguably the biggest star on 2010’s roster of new ships, Norwegian’s 153,000-ton Norwegian Epic is sure to please cruisers of all ages. Guests enjoy a choice of 14 restaurants or 18 different bars/lounges, and cutting-edge features abound. Kids will love the ship’s Aqua Park (home to the only inner-tube slide at sea) and live performances by their favorite NickelodeonTM characters. Active cruisers will appreciate the ship’s repelling wall, rock-climbing wall, and bowling alley. Nightlife options include an ice bar, the POSH Beach Club (featuring private cabanas and a huge cascading waterfall), and live performances by Blue Man Group© in the ship’s 685-seat theater. Staterooms for solo cruisers, who will also enjoy access to a private meeting lounge, are among the ship’s innovative accommodation options (as are Norwegian’s Courtyard Villas, lavish suites offering exclusive entrée to a pool area boasting a restaurant and grill). Norwegian Epic debuted in New York City on July 4th. The ship has since moved to Miami, her year-round homeport, where she continues to embark on a series of weeklong Caribbean itineraries.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Like her sister ship (the mold-breaking Oasis of the Seas), the 225,282-ton Allure of the Seas will offer travelers a selection of 7-night Caribbean cruises sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale (Allure will alternate Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries beginning on December 5th). Expect to find the same amazing onboard innovations, too, including themed “neighborhoods” (BoardwalkSM is home to a huge wooden carousel and lavish AquaTheater performances, while Central Park’sSM trees and other foliage accent the area’s restaurants, lounges, and shops) and Allure’s exclusive DreamWorks® Experience (featuring Shrek®, Kung Fu PandaTM, and other popular favorites). Tailor-made for active families seeking non-stop excitement and lots of dining/entertainment options.

THE YACHTS OF SEABOURN
The 32,000-ton Seabourn Sojourn, which entered service on June 6th, is the ultimate in pampered luxury. Boasting some of the largest suites in the industry, this 450-passenger cruise ship offers guests a choice of four restaurants, an enormous spa with sybaritic treatments, and some of the world’s most exotic itineraries. As is customary with Seabourn, your fare includes practically everything – your stateroom, your airfare, gratuities, and all beverages (including wine and liquor). Following her inaugural season in the Mediterranean, Seabourn Sojourn will make her way to Fort Lauderdale to embark on a series of Caribbean sailings.

by Anne Campbell

Exclusive Interview with Vicki Freed, SVP of Sales at Royal Caribbean

2010-10-12T11:34:00.001-04:00

I recently had the unique opportunity to sit down with Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Sales, Vicki Freed for a very special and candid interview.

1.I am very excited for the arrival of Allure of the Seas. What can you tell us that is different on Allure than on the Oasis of the Seas?

Everyone at Royal Caribbean is thrilled to welcome the Allure of the Seas. Though Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas are sister ships, each ship’s distinctive onboard experience will offer guests a wide selection of choices that appeals to every age and lifestyle. The features being introduced aboard Allure of the Seas include a 3-D Movie Screen, as well as a new Broadway musical: Chicago. There will be also some exciting differences to dining such as Rita’s Cantina, a new Mexican restaurant in the Boardwalk neighborhood, where adults and kids alike will enjoy some of their favorite Mexican fare. The Solarium Bistro will serve light, healthy fare during the day and then turn into the Samba Grill at night, a hearty authentic Argentinean steakhouse, or churrascaria. Allure will also feature some exciting new retail venues including one of the world’s most recognizable fashion apparel companies, GUESS, as well as the first Britto Concept store at sea by pop culture icon and artist, Romero Britto.

2. I have been seeing a lot of commercials promoting DreamWorks on the Allure and Oasis. What can passengers expect to see while onboard?

Cruisers of all ages will soon delight in interacting with some of DreamWorks Animation’s most beloved characters when a variety of new shows, activities and offerings are introduced on our ships. Year round, “celebrity” characters from Shrek®, Madagascar®, Kung Fu PandaTM, and How to Train Your Dragon will engage guests of all ages, day and night, with unique experiences, including exclusive special events and energetic parades, as well as through interactive character meals in the main dining room, and of course plenty of photo opportunities. Our younger guests who are participating in our award-winning Adventure Ocean children’s program will enjoy a variety of activities, games and adventures themed around the popular DreamWorks Animation® movies.

3. I often times hear from some of our clients or even Facebook fans, that the ships are just too big. How do you best describe the experience to someone who is leery of cruising on such large ships?

While it is true that the Allure of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas are the biggest ships in the world, the interior of this class of ship is designed in such a way that you don’t feel like you are on a large ship. By breaking it up into seven neighborhoods and offering unique amenities and activities in each neighborhood, it really helps to distribute the guests around the ship so everyone is not in one place at one time. The Allure and Oasis also features a variety of smaller venues for guests who prefer smaller and more intimate entertainment experiences.

4. On most cruise vacations, the embarkation process can take forever it seems. Recently I noticed that it took my family and I less than 12 minutes to check in, take our picture, and board. Has RCCL taken steps to improve the embarkation process?

The guest’s cruise vacation starts at the pier, so we wanted to set the stage for them to have an incredible experience right from the start. We partnered with Port Everglades to expand and renovate Terminal 18 especially for the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas to ensure that the check-in goes as quickly and smoothly as possible. It takes on average 15 minutes from the time you walk into the terminal to the time you step foot on the ship. Glad to hear that your experience was only 12 minutes!!

5. Recently we released the Top 10 ships page on CruisesOnly.com. These are the ships our customers gave the highest ratings to. Did you know that 5 out of 10 ships are Royal Caribbean Ships? The Oasis of the Seas is rated #2.That is so exciting! Social media and customer review sharing have become more important than ever in the purchase decision process, and it’s great to see Royal Caribbean ranked so highly among your customers. Although I’m not surprised…we do offer the best vacation experience in the industry in my opinion.

6. What is it about a Royal Caribbean Cruise that our customers love most that in turn rate their vacation so high?

While our incredible ships and first-ever onboard amenities are important, I think the most critical aspect to earning those top marks is the service they receive onboard, which is delivered by every member of our friendly and engaging staff and crew. The onboard staff across our entire fleet is second to none, and really make the experience for our guests. Whether it’s the waiter who has your favorite beverage waiting for you every night at dinner, to the stateroom attendant who greets you by name every time they see you, our guests will be wowed by the level of attention they receive each time they sail with us.

7. On my last cruise, I noticed a lot of families onboard. RCCL does an amazing job catering to families. What unique programs do you offer for families on board?

We are constantly working to improve and evolve our family programs onboard to ensure that all our guests, including families have the best cruise vacation possible. Our main program for our younger cruisers is our Award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program, which is offered complimentary on all Royal Caribbean ships. These programs are designed to engage and entertain our youngest cruisers, and feature age appropriate activities for guests as young as three years old. We even have the Royal Babies and Royal Tots program for babies as young as six months old. It doesn’t stop there as there are also activities such as My Family Time Dining, Family Karaoke, Family Wii Tournaments and that is just to name a few!

8. I recently read that some ships will even offer the first nursery’s at sea. Can you tell me more about that?

One of the most popular features for families, particularly those with young children, on the Oasis class of ships is the Adventure Nursery. The Nursery allows parents to drop off their children as young as 6 months old for babysitting services. This feature is so popular; we were thrilled to announce that the Adventure Nursery is being added onto the Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas in 2011! I wish they had this feature when my kids were young!

9. I sailed on Liberty of the Seas last year, and the entertainment was superb. A few months later on Oasis of the Seas, I was so impressed with the entertainment. It seems as if though it just keeps getting better and better. Has RCCL made huge investments in its onboard entertainment?

We are constantly raising the bar when it comes to onboard entertainment, and the introduction of the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas has given us more opportunity to really take it to the next level. The AquaTheater, our outdoor amphitheater on the Oasis and Allure, is such a unique venue and really provides a great space for spectacular performances, both during the day and at night. We are also the first cruise line to feature the first full-length Broadway musicals at sea – Hairspray on Oasis of the Seas, Chicago: The Musical on Allure of the Seas and just announced Saturday Night Fever on Liberty of the Seas.

10. I read recently that RCCL has a test kitchen. Can you give us a little insight on what goes on inside the Test Kitchen? Gordon Ramsey isn’t hiding out in there is he?

We do have a test kitchen in our headquarter offices in Miami, Florida. This is where our culinary team creates new recipes and tests new concepts, many of which get worked into the menus on our ships. This is also where our cookbook, Savor, was created. I haven’t seen Gordon Ramsey in there but I have been able to enjoy a taste test or two!

11. What can our customers expect to be new for 2011?

While we are incredibly excited about welcoming the Allure of the Seas, we are just as excited to be enhancing two of our other guest-favorite ships, the Freedom of the Seas and the Liberty of the Seas. Several amenities made popular on the Oasis will be added to the Freedom and Liberty in early 2011. These include the 3-D movie technology in the main theaters, the way-finding LCD systems, the Cupcake Cupboard, the Adventure Nursery and also, the recently announced Saturday Night Fever musical production.

12. Many of our customers like to wait for the last minute deal. What are your thoughts on waiting for a last minute bargain?

I think that the people who wait in hopes of getting a last minute deal are going to find themselves disappointed most of the time. They will not be able to get the best stateroom in the best location as they will already be sold. Also, we are seeing more often price increases rather than price decreases on our sailings. This is of course not always the case, but it is most of the time. So the people that waited are now looking at higher prices instead of lower prices. We also have a price protection policy which allows guests to get a refund to their credit card or in the form of an onboard credit should their stateroom price decrease prior to making final payment. So there really is no reason to wait longer to book – the earlier the better.

13. In 2011 will Royal Caribbean be doing any new itineraries, or visiting “Must See” ports of call?

Did you know that in 2011, Royal Caribbean will have a record number of ships in Europe – 11 – that is half of our fleet! Combine this with 117 different itineraries ranging from 3 - 15 nights in length and visiting 34 countries and 85 ports, there will be even more choices for guests wishing to visit this historic and cultural part of the world.

14. Before I leave I have to ask, have you tried Zip lining on the Oasis of the Seas?

I have to admit, I actually have not tried the zipline. I sailed on the Oasis during Christmas last year with my family and I very much enjoyed watching them riding the zip line. That’s the great thing about many of the activities onboard the Oasis and Allure - they are just as much fun to watch as they are to participate in!

Vicki, I want to thank you again for taking time out to spend with me and sharing the exciting things happening at Royal Caribbean.

THE BEST CRUISE ADVICE I EVER GAVE

2010-10-11T12:20:00.001-04:00

I’ve always imagined that one day I’ll receive an email asking “Who are you to tell me how to spend my time and money?” Essentially, I’m just another cruiser (albeit one who has sailed on over 100 vessels ranging from sailboats and riverboats to the largest cruise ships ever built). And while I’ve made some dumb mistakes over the years, I’ve also learned enough that I feel qualified to offer some suggestions on how to go about doing everything you can to ensure a problem-free vacation.

Based on feedback from readers, here are my top tips.

Spend an appropriate amount of time on research. The good news is we’re blessed with millions of Internet pages that cover, in great detail, every single aspect of taking a cruise. There’s also an enormous amount of feedback available online from people who have sailed on any ship we might be considering. The bad news? There’s just not enough time to read everything, and a website’s accuracy can sometimes be questionable. Once you’ve determined where and for how long you’ll want to cruise, it’s time to select a ship – and CruisesOnly’s huge collection of customer ship reviews is an unbeatable resource. Arm yourself with the names of a few vessels and browse their impartial feedback. You’ll get an excellent idea of what each ship has to offer. And don’t hesitate to ask your cruise expert any questions you might have about specific topics like traveling with children, excursions that are available when you come ashore, etc.

Fly to your port of embarkation one day early. I woke at dawn on the day I was scheduled to fly from New York to Florida to take a Caribbean cruise and found snow falling in buckets. Local airports closed, and I couldn’t reach the ship before it sailed. If I’d flown to Florida one day earlier and stayed in an area hotel, I’d have missed the storm and made the ship. And since it’s unfortunately not uncommon for luggage to get lost, an extra day helps increase the odds that an airline will be able to return any missing items to you before you board your ship.

Book your shore excursions online prior to departure. Prior to the advent of the Internet, buying shore excursions usually involved standing in interminable lines aboard your cruise ship. You can still purchase excursions onboard, but most people are now scheduling their time ashore online. There’s no additional cost associated with booking online prior to departure (CruisesOnly, in fact, offers significant discounts to customers that do), and you can always cancel if you have a change of heart. In the past several years, there’s also been a huge increase in the number of high-adrenalin activities being offered (think “zip line”), and these excursions sell out quickly. Book before sailing and you won’t miss out on these once-in-a-lifetime thrills.

Have a change of clothes handy when you board ship. You check your suitcase on the pier prior to boarding your ship after a long flight or drive. It’ll be terrific to board, shower, and change into cruise clothes so that you can start having fun immediately, right? But most of the time it doesn’t work out that way. It can take several hours for your luggage to arrive in your stateroom. In fact it’s not uncommon for luggage to arrive after a ship sets sail. Pack a change of clothes, shoes, and toiletries in a carry-on bag and you’ll be able to start having fun right away!

Disembark with your own suitcase. For this cruiser, it’s the last 12 hours of a voyage that are the toughest – saying goodbye to newfound friends, settling accounts, and packing so that luggage handlers can pick up my suitcases before midnight. The next morning, it’s waiting to disembark followed by a search for my bags in the sea of luggage that’s been assembled on the pier. So whenever possible I always make it a point to walk off the ship with my bags already in hand – I’m off the pier in a flash and among the first to exit the parking lot or board a transfer to the airport.

Leave your electronic devices at home. We’re all extremely dependent on technology today, so it may seem ridiculous to suggest that you leave your cell phone or laptop at home. But if the point of a cruise vacation is to relax your mind and escape from the everyday, then you simply must go “cold turkey” once you board your ship. If you absolutely have to check email from time to time, find an Internet café while ashore to avoid the slow connections and astronomical costs found at sea (your crew can direct you to the nearest one). And don’t even think of using a cell phone aboard your cruise ship – the roaming costs that show up on your next phone bill could exceed the price of your entire cruise.

Purchase travel insurance from your CruisesOnly cruise expert. You’ll want to protect the time and money you’ve invested in your vacation. Insurance helps guard against most of the problems that can arise while you’re traveling.

BY ANNE CAMPBELL

ROYAL CARIBBEAN ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER ROYAL 5K IN ST. MAARTEN FOR ALLURE OF THE SEAS’ GUESTS

2010-09-30T17:07:00.001-04:00

From the cruise line that first introduced the active cruise vacation concept, Royal Caribbean International today announced the first-ever Royal 5K to be held in St. Maarten, on Thursday, December 16, 2010. Open to guests sailing aboard Allure of the Seas’ December 12, 2010 voyage, fellow running enthusiasts can enjoy a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship; and opt for an entire week of exclusive, vitality-themed activities, including port explorations through group fun runs, onboard seminars and lectures with high-profile athletes; and jog, sprint or walk a magnificent five-kilometer course, taking participants through one of the Caribbean’s island jewels. There is a $50 registration fee for adults, and $35 for children,

Participating guests also will receive a commemorative race t-shirt, as well as exclusive access to a post-race reception on board.

“Royal Caribbean is delighted to offer this very special Royal 5K run in St. Maarten to Allure of the Seas’ guests,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “As part of our commitment to provide guests healthier vacation options, we look for opportunities like these to enhance our Vitality programming onboard and drive awareness of a health-conscious lifestyle. Coupled with an unprecedented line-up of new entertainment aboard Allure of the Seas, guests on this sailing will have a wide spectrum of exciting and heart-pumping options for an amazing cruise vacation.”

While the Royal 5K will be offered exclusively as a shore excursion on Allure of the Seas, all guests aboard the sailing have the chance to set the first Royal Caribbean jogging track record. Guests are invited to sign up in advance for a time slot on Tuesday, December 14, to test their running speed. Certified with RFID timing technology, they can attempt to set the cruise line’s record for the fastest run at sea on Allure of the Seas’ 0.46-mile long jogging track, the longest at sea.

Royal 5K participants also will be able to attend onboard seminars and receptions featuring running talents including Bart Yasso, the chief running officer of Runner’s World magazine; Frank Shorter, an Olympic Marathon Gold and Silver Medalist; Sonja Friend-Uhl, a member of seven U.S. world teams, 2000 Olympic trials competitor in the 1500m, and currently ranked in the top 24 women in the U.S. for distances from the 5k to the Half-Marathon; and Sean Jefferson, an NCAA All American, 1600m National Champion and professional runner and tri-athlete.

Allure of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas will tout Royal Caribbean’s exclusive neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will alternate a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Luxury Cruise Ships -Unrivaled Itineraries & Coterie Comforts

2010-09-19T12:51:00.002-04:00

Cruising aboard a luxury cruise is the sort of rarefied travel experience most of us can only fantasize about. There are only a few cruise lines – the priciest – where one finds caviar and bubbly served before dinner by a white-gloved butler or very seasoned room steward. Cruising to the most exotic ports across the globe, these exclusive ships also offer in-depth lectures by experts of each region.

While the four luxury cruise lines listed below all rank highly in terms of cuisine, service, accommodations, and itineraries, each fleet has something unique to offer discerning travelers. One thing they all have in common is intimacy: none carry more than 960 guests and most host half that amount. In a world where ships carry up to 6,000 passengers, luxury cruise lines offer superior amenities in a smaller, more private setting where every detail is an important part of the guest experience.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal's two 960-passenger ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, are the largest luxury vessels afloat. While there are lovely specialty restaurants (alternative venues with a small surcharge), this is a two-seating ship with assigned dining. Unlike some of the luxury lines, and contrary to the public’s perception of cruising in general, these cruises are not fully all-inclusive – wine, cocktails, and gratuities are extra. This is the dressiest cruise experience I've ever taken, with black tie and gowns de rigueur on formal nights.

Biggest Plus: Crystal Cruises outshines the other players with onboard lectures, lessons, and seminars. After dinner, the action continues with lavish Las Vegas-style reviews and the largest, busiest casinos in the luxury segment. You’ll find more days at sea and fewer ports of call on Crystal’s itineraries, a plus or minus depending on your preferences. It's my pick for the warmest, most professional crew, with the most consistently high levels of service. And Crystal is the only cruise line offering low-cost single supplements.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

This cruise line’s three modern luxury ships include the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager, plus the more intimate Seven Seas Navigator, accommodating 490 lucky guests. Single, open seating dining translates into a more leisurely atmosphere. Mariner and Voyager each boast a choice of four restaurants, including Compass Rose, a Le Cordon Blue French bistro, and steak houses. At night, everyone seems to disappear after dinner and head for a cozy lounge or their staterooms, where videos and complimentary CDs are popular.

Exclusive Features I Love: Regent’s ships are the most all-inclusive in the cruise industry with rates including roundtrip airfare, shore excursions, gratuities, and all beverages. Aboard these ships you’ll find a travel concierge who will book any group shore activity or individual sightseeing excursions you like. My favorite floating spas – operated by Carita of Paris – are also aboard Regent’s ships.

THE YACHTS OF SEABOURN

Seabourn is a fleet of yacht-like ships sailing the world’s best itineraries with a number of very exclusive experiences. The line's smallest and most seasoned ships – Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Legend, and Seabourn Spirit – host 208 passengers and visit unique ports inaccessible to larger vessels. One drawback this trio lacks is private verandas, although many staterooms have a “French balcony”. Aboard the newest ships – Seabourn Odyssey (2009), Seabourn Sojourn (2010), and Seabourn Quest (debuting in 2011) – there’s room for 450 guests and you’ll find enormous balcony staterooms, a sumptuous spa, and four restaurants. Entertainment and nightlife are limited, but you’ll dine on some of the best cuisine at sea, served by an impeccable crew, many of whom have been with the line for years. Service is a critical aspect of luxury cruising and Seabourn does it to perfection with the highest crew-to-guest ratio. By the end of a cruise, everyone will have been invited to dine with senior officers and, quite often, the captain. On Seabourn, everyone gets dressed to the nines a few nights during each cruise.

Biggest Plus: The best itineraries on earth, very personalized service, and haute cuisine are the hallmarks of a Seabourn cruise. In major shopping ports, Seabourn offers the services of a personal shopper complete with a car and driver. And you’ll find one exclusive shore excursion on each cruise – like caviar and champagne served by waiters as you lull in a secluded Caribbean cove. Seabourn’s fares include gratuities, all beverages, and a very special shore excursion in one port.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

The 296-passenger Silver Cloud and Silver Wind plus the 382-passenger Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper cater to a dressy, very chic international crowd of “been there, done that” travelers.

Silversea gets my vote for the most beautiful ships in the luxury category: these are gorgeous vessels with more than enough public spaces, including a good spa and fitness center, to keep guests busy during days at sea. There is one main dining room plus the upscale cafeteria, which is set up for themed alternative dining at night. A new, comprehensive "Wellness Program" helps you create a fitness regimen and dine on low-fat, low-carb gourmet cuisine. With Silversea, it's safe to say you’ll find all the glamour, service, and stylish amenities one expects from today’s luxury lines.

Biggest Plus: Beautiful ships with lovely staterooms, top-notch itineraries, and gracious service. The “Silver Suites” are not only worth the splurge – they’re my pick for the best suites in the cruise industry.

by Anne Campbell

Add a Thrill to Your Cruise Vacation by Taking a High-Adventure Shore Excursion

2010-09-18T10:08:00.001-04:00

Until I stepped ashore in Costa Rica, my style of cruising consisted of sitting contentedly in a deck chair as the sea passed by, trashy novel in one hand and a cool cocktail in the other. But then a shore excursion manager gently twisted my arm and convinced me to join fellow passengers in an afternoon of whitewater rafting. Even a couch potato like me, he promised, would have a blast.

As I donned a life vest and climbed into our eight-person raft, the river looked fairly tame. What followed, however, was a three-hour-long adrenalin rush, as I channeled my inner Meryl Streep and battled rapids to stay afloat during one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. It was so exciting that I became addicted to shore excursions that guarantee a maximum number of high-energy thrills ‘n’ spills and offer me opportunities to push my own limits.

One of the best reasons to take a cruise is that it offers you lots of chances to try something new (I imagine that plenty of the folks I see walking off ships toting their own snorkeling equipment were introduced to the sport on an earlier sailing). And each year, cruise lines add new excursions that promise adventures you never thought possible.

It wasn’t so long ago that the phrase “zip-line” didn’t exist. But the experience – of being strapped into a harness for a ride above a forest canopy at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour – is now so popular that you’ll find it offered on most Caribbean islands, as well as in Alaska and Mexico. Typically, you’ll drive to a hilly area where you’ll be supplied with gloves, a safety harness, and other equipment. After climbing a winding staircase leading to a platform, you’re connected to a cable and told to raise your legs as your guide releases a safety clip. Suddenly, you’re airborne above the jungle and taking a thrilling ten- to thirty-second ride to the next platform. Zip-lines are available over water, too. The longest, stretching some 4,000 feet, can be found in Labadee, Haiti (Royal Caribbean’s private island paradise).

If you happen to visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica aboard a Carnival cruise ship, be sure to sign up for a bobsled ride (and yes, you read that correctly). These custom-designed bobsleds travel along winding and plunging stainless-steel rails on a 3,290-foot, gravity-driven trip through the tropical forest. The bobsled track has been constructed in such a way as to avoid disturbing the natural landscape – curving around ancient trees and hugging majestic cliff faces and limestone outcroppings via narrow openings in the dense foliage. Riders control their rate of descent with an in-sled handbrake, allowing for either a leisurely tour or a pulse-quickening journey through the forest.

A more laidback airborne experience awaits those lucky enough to dock in Roatan, Honduras – home of the “Magical Flying Beach Chair.” Built by Carnival Corporation, this first-of-its-kind chairlift transports cruisers between their ship’s terminal and beautiful Mahogany Beach.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) also offers several offbeat excursions that promise an exciting time ashore. If you’re in St. Maarten, try their “power-rafting, snorkel & beach” outing (a high-speed raft ride to a secluded snorkeling cove, followed by a quiet stroll to the charming town of Marigot). Cruisers in Costa Maya (and in good shape) may want to give NCL’s “bike & kayak adventure” a try (guests cycle past a small mangrove lagoon, then paddle along a reef past beaches lined with palm trees).

Fortunately (for those of us who aren’t athletically inclined), many of the new high-adrenalin excursions don’t require that you join a gym. You simply need to gather your courage and show up – your shore excursion’s staff takes over from there and sets the stage for an unforgettable adventure.

Lastly, here’s a tip: since these are among the most popular shore excursions currently being offered, be sure to reserve them before leaving home and before they sell out (and be sure to reserve all of your excursions through CruisesOnly’s website – you’ll reap huge savings there that aren’t available when you book directly with your cruise line). You can always cancel if you change your mind (or get too comfortable in that deck chair)!

by: Anne Campbell

Latest Hurricane Update

2010-09-18T09:42:00.001-04:00

Hurricane Igor is located 475 miles south of Bermuda, moving west northwest at 13 miles per hour with winds of near 110 miles per hour. Igor is a Category 2 storm. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bermuda. Tropical Storm conditions are expected in Bermuda this evening with Hurricane conditions expected by Sunday afternoon or evening. Igor is a very large storm and swells causing life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected on the East Coast throughout the weekend. Large swells will continue to effect the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and portions of the Bahamas throughout the next couple of days.

Tropical Storm Julia is located 1525 miles west southwest of the Azores, moving west northwest at 18 mph with winds of near 60 mph. There are no watches or warnings in effect. Julia’s path does not appear to impact land.

Vendor Changes –
• Royal Caribbean International said that with King's Wharf in Bermuda closed beginning Friday and not scheduled to reopen until Tuesday, the Enchantment of the Seas will go to the Bahamas instead.

• MSC Cruises said that the 2,550-passenger MSC Poesia, currently sailing across the Atlantic to New York from Europe, will head to Boston instead of Bermuda for a two-night stay starting on Saturday.

• Norwegian Spirit’s itinerary has changed. The ship will now sail to Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship will depart Boston today as scheduled at 4 p.m. and spend two days at sea before it arrives in Orlando on Monday, September 20 and then to Nassau on Tuesday, September 21.

Latest Hurricane Update

2010-09-17T07:27:00.001-04:00

Hurricane Igor is located 760 miles south southeast of Bermuda, moving west northwest at 9 miles per hour with winds of near 125 miles per hour. Igor is a Category 3 storm. Some fluctuation is possible, but Igor is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane through the next day or two. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Bermuda. The predicted path of Igor takes it to the north, passing near Bermuda on Sunday and Monday.

Hurricane Julia is located 1450 miles southwest of the Azores, moving west northwest at 24 mph with winds of near 85 mph. There are no watches or warnings in effect. Julia’s path does not appear to impact land.

Tropical Storm Karl is located about 70 miles east northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, moving west at near 9 mph with winds of near 120 mph. A Hurricane Watch or Warning the coast of Mexico.

Vendor Changes –
• Royal Caribbean International said that with King's Wharf in Bermuda closed beginning Friday and not scheduled to reopen until Tuesday, the Enchantment of the Seas will go to the Bahamas instead.

• MSC Cruises said that the 2,550-passenger MSC Poesia, currently sailing across the Atlantic to New York from Europe, will head to Boston instead of Bermuda for a two-night stay starting on Saturday.

• Norwegian Cruise Line said that it would decide whether to change the Norwegian Spirit's Sept. 17 cruise from Boston to Bermuda on the day of departure.

What’s The Difference Between Cruise Lines?

2010-09-14T12:24:00.001-04:00

Which fleet is best? What’s the best ship? Those are questions cruisers invariably ask, and almost impossible ones to answer since everyone’s tastes and priorities are so different. That said, we could help you pick your perfect cruise vacation by showcasing the main features of the major cruise lines.

Nine of the top 20 fleets are alphabetically listed below. Keep in mind that cruise lines attempt to please a wide range of people and all provide some common amenities. However, after a little research you’ll likely narrow your choices down to a couple fleets depending on your lifestyle, budget, and interests.

Azamara Club Cruises may only enlist two ships, but their itineraries reach far across Europe, Asia, and South America. You’ll find a country club atmosphere on these medium-sized, ultra-premium ships, in part due to the more casual dress policy and wood-paneled lounges. Expect exceptional cuisine and service, outstanding itineraries (with an overnight stay in port on every cruise) and upscale accommodations.

Carnival Cruise Lines is not only the world’s largest cruise line, but also the most popular. Hallmarks of this fleet include the cruise industry’s most vibrant nightlife, above average food, and large cabins. If you love Las Vegas, these ships will certainly fit the bill since the entertainment is dazzling and the casino is lively throughout the day and night. Families also flock to the “Fun Ships” because of Camp Carnival’s supervised activities, the spiral waterslides, and other kids’ facilities. Best of all, the super-low prices on Carnival make the fleet a hit with families, singles, couples, groups... just about everyone!

Celebrity Cruises offers an upscale cruise experience with a focus on food and service. These award-winning ships have a casual European atmosphere, with a great selection of modern art and contemporary design. You’ll find more newlyweds, couples celebrating anniversaries, and families with older children here. The fleet’s newest vessels offer plenty of balcony staterooms, gourmet restaurants, posh spas, glass-blowing demonstrations, and a real lawn for picnics, putting, croquet, or bocce ball.

Holland America Line offers a sophisticated style of cruising aboard medium-sized ships with larger-than-average staterooms and a rich history of premium service. These classically designed ships cater to cruisers who like a more tranquil cruise experience with refined entertainment, fine art auctions, and immersive enrichment classes. Holland America is a natural choice for many multi-generational families, travelers over 55, and couples marking special occasions.

Norwegian Cruise Line is best known for “Freestyle Cruising”, a big hit for those seeking an unstructured seagoing vacation. Eat whenever you want, with whomever you want, without a dress code in the main dining rooms. Small surcharges expand your options to seemingly countless specialty restaurants. Highlights on the newest ships include an ultra-chic lounge with plush beds and bowling lanes, a lounge made of ice, Blue Man Group performances, Second City comedy shows, and a Cirque du Soleil dinner theater. With all this for some of the most affordable fares at sea, the industry’s youngest fleet is popular with families, singles, and couples.

Oceania Cruises says it isn’t a luxury cruise line but the experience is close to it. Oceania’s food is overseen by Jacques Pepin and is among the best in the cruise industry. The 640-passenger ships fill up quickly with loyal guests (many of them retired) who enjoy single-seating dining in four restaurants, very polished service, and staterooms boasting down comforters, high-thread European sheets and, if you’re in a suite, personal butlers.

Princess Cruises has a loyal following of travelers who love the ships’ dining program where you may choose assigned seating or dining whenever and with whomever you please. The fleet has come a very long way since earning fame on the 1970s “Love Boat” TV show. Today, Princess’ ships feature contemporary design and stylish amenities alongside very good food, nice staterooms, friendly service, and superior shore excursions. While there are families aboard every cruise, these floating resorts primarily attract couples of all ages.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises provides a true luxury cruise experience with large staterooms, superb dining, exceptional service, onboard experts, and worldwide itineraries. Both ships host less than 700 guests, showcase Scandinavian décor, and offer extraordinary spas operated by Carita of Paris. Fares include opulent accommodations, roundtrip airfare, gratuities, all beverages, and unforgettable shore excursions.

Royal Caribbean International is among the most innovative fleets in the industry, boasting the world’s largest cruise ships and arguably the most with a real “wow” factor. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas each offer an unprecedented set of onboard experiences: 2 surfing wave pools, high-diving shows at an outdoor amphitheater, scuba lessons in a pool, zip-line rides, a boardwalk carousel, street performers, loft suites, an outdoor grass park with sidewalk cafés, and much more. Previous ships in the fleet introduced the first rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, mall-sized promenades, and other onboard thrills. Endless options for dining, accommodations, and activities, plus amazing values make Royal Caribbean a favorite for families with kids, couples, singles, groups, and cruisers of every kind.

by: Anne Campbell