Royal Caribbean's Tracking System for Children

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.

Well-Being Program on Holland America

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 ...

Perfect 100 on Carnival Dream’s Health Inspection

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 to sail year-round out of New Orleans

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 to allow non-cruisers aboard ships on departure day

                      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...

Good things to know about the Oasis of the Seas……

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 Solo Traveler

                      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.  ...

More about Disney Dream….

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. ...

Nickelodeon at Sea

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.  

Vacationing with the Teens

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

Carnival Dream

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

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.

Oasis of the Seas

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. 

New Disney Water Coaster

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. 

Explorer of the Seas Family & Friends Cruise

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...

Norwegian Epic

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...

Meetings at Sea

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...

Wedding Cruises…….Marriage Renewals……

                                      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...

Repositioning Cruises:

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...