How would you like to stay at a “LUXURY” all-inclusive resort?!  Boy, do I have the place for you!  If you want adults only, no children, then it’s ‘Sandals Luxury Included Vacations’.  If you have children and you want adult and children’s activities, then it’s ‘Beaches by Sandals’.       I just returned from Beaches in Turks & Caicos and it was beautiful and relaxing, yet, filled with exciting activities with 16 restaurants to choose from.      For the adults, they hav...

Beaches, Negril located on the breathtaking stretch of the world famous 7-Mile Beach in Jamaica; this wonderful luxury all-inclusive resort for families. The fun & laughter never stop with supervised camps for kids of all ages.   There are 5 specialty restaurants & a beach bistro; 3 pools (2 have swim-up bars); scuba diving programs; spa & fitness; Sesame Street themed activities; Kid Kamp & Nursery; Pirates Island Waterpark with its gushing lazy river; state-of-the-art XBOX 360® Game Garage; teen-only nightspot called Liquid, DJ Academy classes and so much more. ...

Just spent 4 days in Sandals, Whitehouse, Jamaica.  It’s a luxury all-inclusive couples resort with three European-inspired villages – Italian, French and Dutch.  Each room & suite are oceanviews offering magnificent views overlooking the two-mile long beach, some with Butler Service.  We had the butler service.   At first, we couldn’t think of what to do with a butler…???  One night, a small, frog (Whistling Frog) got into our suite.  I wanted to call the butler to help us get rid of it, but I felt a bit embarrassed asking, so we...

Just returned from seeing Sandals, Negril which is a luxury all-inclusive couples resort. They offer suites called Beachfront Crystal Lagoon Suite which are set upon a relaxing pool where you can dip your toes right outside of your patio.  That's where I'd like to stay next time I return!! The resort has seven miles of unbelievable silky white sand beach.  Spectacular sunsets can be seen sinking into the sea from this westernmost tip of Jamaica.  Great watersports & scuba diving.  Unlimited gourmet dining at their restaurants with unlimited brand drinks and Ber...

Keep track of your children on the Oasis of the Seas!  No, not by following them around. The muster station wristbands that all young children on cruise ships must wear will be enhanced with an electronic device that will allow their parents to track them in real time as they wander the ship; an industry first. Guests can also rent Royal Connect phones for $17.50 which can be used to track their children, call and text other passengers who have Royal Connect phones and call cabins.

How does this sound on a cruise ship?  Morning Tai Chi, Sudoku, afternoon Pilates, Wii bowling, yoga, step classes, spinning, Golf Challenge, ballroom dance classes, team trivia, and more……ready to sign up?!  Explore Wellbeing has extended the offerings of the Greenhouse Spa to incorporate new entertainment.  Other interesting activities include the Party Planner hosting Explore Food & Entertaining events in the Culinary Arts Center.  More than 70 culinary experts come onboard each year, in addition to classes and demonstrations on every sailing. The ...

Carnival Dream, the newest and largest ship of the Carnival fleet earned a perfect 100 score on its first full U.S. Public Health inspection conducted in Port Canaveral, Fla.  The Carnival Splendor also earned a 100 score on its USPH inspection two weeks earlier. In order to earn a 100, cruise ships must receive perfect marks on all 42 items that comprise the USPH’s Vessel Sanitation Program checklist. These inspections are unannounced and are conducted twice a year.  The checklist includes proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures, proper filtration of water...

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the Norwegian Spirit would begin sailing year-round out of New Orleans.  Norwegian Spirit will operate weekly seven-day Western Caribbean voyages every Sunday from April 2011 through April 2012. The itinerary will take the ship to Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico); Roatán, Bay Islands (Honduras); and Belize City (Belize). Three months earlier, it was announced that Carnival Triumph was coming to New Orleans.  This is the first time since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that a vessel of its size has sailed out of the city.

                      Princess Cruises will be starting a new program in March which will allow non-cruisers to board ships on departure day.  This gives them the opportunity of coming onboard to wish their friends and family a "bon voyage."  This was a common practice which stopped more than twenty years ago as security procedures tightened. Princess says visitors who sign up for the new program will get a four-course dining room lunch with wine on the ship, a tour of the ve...

Besides all the exciting & adventurous activities offered on the Oasis of the Seas, here are some special points of interest to know: WOW phones can be rented onboard and..        -  Used to call other WOW phones, or guest rooms        -  Used to text message between devices        -  Retrieve onboard real-time & can locate another member within the traveling party        - Track your children onboard     &nbs...

                      Norwegian Epic, launching this July, 2010 introduces “Studios” which are staterooms designed and priced for single occupancy, starting from $799 on the ship’s seven-day alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean. The Studios are a private key-card access complex on two decks consisting of 128 staterooms and the Studio Lounge.  Each Studio is approximately 100 sq ft with a full-size bed and separate areas for the bathroom, sink and shower.  ...

Disney Dream, the 3rd ship to join the fleet is due to come out in 2011. In addition to the water coaster called AquaDuck, which was announced back in Nov 2009, Goofy’s Sports Deck will feature Goofy and his son, Max. The sports deck leads guests through nine themed holes of wacky fun. Each hole offers special golf instructions with a goofy twist. To make it even more challenging and fun, some of the golf clubs are crooked and bent. There are also two digital sports simulators which will provide a variety of virtual game experiences such as soccer, tennis, basketball, golf and more. ...

Norwegian Cruise Line has teamed up with Nickelodeon at Sea.  SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and other characters will be sailing on the Norwegian Epic & Norwegian Jewel.  

A family vacation with teens doesn’t have to be a trying experience......

I just got off the Carnival Dream, which is Carnival’s newest ship in their fleet.  She’s 130,000 tons and accommodates 3,652 passengers (based on double occupancy).  She is the biggest the line has ever built; her sister ship, the Carnival Magic is expected to enter service in June 2011. For a Carnival ship, this was quite upscale and tastefully designed.

Crystal Cruises (luxury ship) - Sail on your birthday in 2010 and receive a gift of 50% savings on a future cruise before your next birthday! Birthday cruise must be booked by December 31, 2009.

The Oasis of the Seas is quite an amazing ship.  This will be the biggest cruise ship ever, at 220,000 tons, accommodating 5400 guests.

There are 7 “neighborhoods” on the ship. 

It is a water coaster which boasts a thrilling 4-deck drop, and because of the clear acrylic tube, it offers breathtaking views of the ocean and ship below. 

I just returned from a 9 night Royal Caribbean, Explorer of the Seas cruise leaving from Bayonne, NJ.  We were a group of 38 people.  Our trip started off with a chartered party bus which shuttled us from Queens, NY to Bayonne, NJ.  What a sight that was to see this HUGE white bus come rolling down the street.  That alone set everyone into a CRUISITUDE party mode!!!! Our group consisted of 13 kids ranging in age from 12-15; 5 kids between 17-20 and 20 adults.  We had 4 large tables for early dining; kids sat together & adults sat together.  Every night was...

Have you heard about the Norwegian Epic yet?  It’s NCL’s newest ship that will debut in May 2010.            It is 150,000-ton, 4,200-passenger, the largest and most innovative ship ever built by Norwegian Cruise Line.   Get ready to be soaked….. Included are some fabulous activities for the kids and the “kids young at heart”. There will be a sprawling Aqua Park consisting of three waterslides, including one that utilizes an inner tube; a twisty slide, and one just for kids that actually goe...

There is no better value than a Meeting at Sea….whether it’s corporate meetings, incentive meetings or seminars at sea.       Cruise lines have come to recognize the necessity to accommodate the needs of group meetings on cruise ships. Newer ships have been designed with expanded, easily accessible, dedicated meeting space. Whether your group consists of 25 or 500 participants, there are ample options on board to facilitate your group's meeting requirements. From conference rooms to boardrooms, from large lounges and theaters for awards presentations t...

                                      A cruise ship is a fun and exciting location for your memorable  wedding ceremony & marriage renewals.   Five years ago, there were practically no weddings performed on cruise ships; now there are thousands.   According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise weddings have grown at a phenomenal rate the last few ye...

Good deals can be found with repositioning cruises. Although some ships spend 365 days a year sailing the same itinerary, or in the same region, many relocate a few times a year. For example, depending on the season, they may move from Canada/New England to the Caribbean, or Alaska to Hawaii.  Instead of sailing the ships empty, the cruise lines will usually sell these one-way routes at a discount. These voyages, known as repositioning cruises will often feature themes on subjects ranging from theater to wine, or are enhanced with enrichment options such as guest lect...