Oasis of the Seas
Published Tuesday, November 10th 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.
Repositioning cruises
New Disney Water Coaster
Published Sunday, November 1st 2009
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.
Cunard Ocean Liner Queen Mary 2
Published Thursday, March 19th 2009
Queen Mary 2 is definitely a “huge” ship of 150,000 tons with passenger capacity of 2,620. There are over 200 activities available onboard.
There are many enrichment programs onboard: Book Club, Academy at Sea conducted by leading professors in topics from opera to oceanography. There are numerous workshops which include literature, food, wine, interior design. There are art & dance workshops, discussion groups and computer center. There are master classes by performers and directors from the renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, plus readings, one-act plays, celebrity appearances.
Queen Mary 2 offers sports facilities like golf simulators, putting green, paddle tennis, shuffleboards, basketball, darts. They have Canyon Ranch SpaClub, pool with retractable dome, shops, lounges, casino, karaoke, high tea, a virtual space ride in the planetarium, a bookstore, largest library at sea, movie theatre, live jazz, Maritime Quest Exhibit (a museum-quality audio tour that takes you back to the golden era of ocean cruising), art gallery.
The Queen Mary 2 is more formal than others. Jeans and shorts are frowned upon, even around the pool area. Khakis, capri, and pantsuits are worn during the day; black ties and tails in the evening. There are children on board, but a lot less than some of the other cruise lines.
Their cabins are categorized by inside, oceanview & balcony and these passengers all dine at the magnificent Britannia Restaurant.
The suites are Queen & Princess suites, which offers concierge/butler services. These passengers dine at the Queen or Princess Grill.
Repositioning Cruises:
Published Sunday, March 15th 2009
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 lecturers.
These “special” itineraries occur at the beginning or end of a regional cruise season. They will consist of voyages from the Caribbean, Florida, and U.S. East Coast to Europe (or vice versa) with stops in the Canary Islands or Azores along the way. On the West Coast, you'll find repositioning sailings between Alaska and the Southern California homeports, as well as Panama Canal voyages between California and Florida.
To find a repositioning cruise….. Look at regions that have very specific seasons year after year. For example, ships that spend summertime in Alaska have no choice but to relocate in September or October. This gives you an opportunity to find unique itineraries along the California coast, to Hawaii or through the Panama Canal.
In the springtime, look for trans-Atlantic cruises as ships reposition from the East Coast (like New York or Ft. Lauderdale) to Northern Europe for Mediterranean sailings. Other repositioning itineraries will journey to Asia, the Middle East and Africa. . Since South America and Asia are becoming more popular cruise destinations, you might also find repositioning cruises from the USA across the Caribbean to South America or across the Indian or Pacific Oceans.
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