I ran across this informative article today . . .
The Cruise vacation you have been planning for a year is now a reality.
You’ve packed your bags with the appropriate clothes for cruise travel. You have filled out all of the cruise documentation, do this at home, don’t wait to get to your cruise ship, and now you are ready for this highly anticipated cruise. There are a few cruises tips about embarkation day that you should know before you head for your cruise vacation.
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Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Crystal Cruises Launches Cosmonaut Training Program
Crystal Cruises launches a first-ever itinerary in which passengers can experience a Cosmonaut-training adventure, featuring one-night excursions to Russia's former top secret cosmonaut training center, Star City.
From extreme g-force experiences and weightlessness to the "Final Challenge" in the world's largest hydrospace laboratory, guests can train like modern Russian Cosmonauts on some of the largest, most advanced space equipment in the world.
Four distinct Crystal Adventures, available from St. Petersburg with five Crystal Symphony summer Baltic voyages, take guests to Star City, built in the secluded forests outside Moscow.
1. Hydrospace: "The Final Challenge" - Considered the most advanced cosmonaut training, participants must install a space antenna on a replica of the International Space Station while wearing an authentic space suit and submerged in 54,000 square feet of water.
2. Centrifuge G-Force Experience - On the ride of a lifetime, experience the simulated g-forces of blast off, flight in orbit and spacecraft descent on the specially-reserved 300-ton centrifuge.
3. Zero Gravity Weightlessness Adventure - Aboard the world's largest parabola aircraft, experience the absence of gravity. Flying in a steep parabola formation from as high as 20,000 feet, participants literally take flight at least 10 times during this adventure.
4. Russia's Quest Beyond the Earth - Delve into the behind-the-scenes highlights of cosmonaut training and Russian space travel from the 1950's and beyond.
The Cosmonaut programs include roundtrip air transportation from St. Petersburg to Moscow, overnight hotel accommodations and a full-day Moscow city tour, including Red Square and the Kremlin. Cosmonaut Training fares range from $4,359 up to $32,995 for "The Final Challenge."
Seven-, 10- and 11-day Baltic voyages depart from London, Stockholm or Copenhagen - with overnights in St. Petersburg.
Promotional two-for-one per person (double occupancy) cruise fares start at $4,375, including $500 or $1,000 "All Inclusive - As You Wish" shipboard credits and free air transportation from numerous North American gateways.
Visit www.crystalcruises.com.
From extreme g-force experiences and weightlessness to the "Final Challenge" in the world's largest hydrospace laboratory, guests can train like modern Russian Cosmonauts on some of the largest, most advanced space equipment in the world.
Four distinct Crystal Adventures, available from St. Petersburg with five Crystal Symphony summer Baltic voyages, take guests to Star City, built in the secluded forests outside Moscow.
1. Hydrospace: "The Final Challenge" - Considered the most advanced cosmonaut training, participants must install a space antenna on a replica of the International Space Station while wearing an authentic space suit and submerged in 54,000 square feet of water.
2. Centrifuge G-Force Experience - On the ride of a lifetime, experience the simulated g-forces of blast off, flight in orbit and spacecraft descent on the specially-reserved 300-ton centrifuge.
3. Zero Gravity Weightlessness Adventure - Aboard the world's largest parabola aircraft, experience the absence of gravity. Flying in a steep parabola formation from as high as 20,000 feet, participants literally take flight at least 10 times during this adventure.
4. Russia's Quest Beyond the Earth - Delve into the behind-the-scenes highlights of cosmonaut training and Russian space travel from the 1950's and beyond.
The Cosmonaut programs include roundtrip air transportation from St. Petersburg to Moscow, overnight hotel accommodations and a full-day Moscow city tour, including Red Square and the Kremlin. Cosmonaut Training fares range from $4,359 up to $32,995 for "The Final Challenge."
Seven-, 10- and 11-day Baltic voyages depart from London, Stockholm or Copenhagen - with overnights in St. Petersburg.
Promotional two-for-one per person (double occupancy) cruise fares start at $4,375, including $500 or $1,000 "All Inclusive - As You Wish" shipboard credits and free air transportation from numerous North American gateways.
Visit www.crystalcruises.com.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Queen Elizabeth Maiden Worldwide Voyages
In 2011 Cunard world voyages will cover Europe, the Americas, Transatlantic, and the Caribbean.
For the first time Cunard will be sailing with three modern ocean liners and now has the youngest fleet in the world - younger than all other cruise lines.
The newest ship Queen Elizabeth will join sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2.
In Cunard's 170 years of history, there has been an ‘Elizabeth’ in the fleet. The new Queen Elizabeth is the second largest for the Cunard line.
The maiden voyage Season will run from October 2010 to January 2011 and include voyages to the Western and Central Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Queen Elizabeth’s Maiden Voyage departing Tuesday Oct 12, 2010 is SOLD OUT. The 13-night celebration departs from the home port of Southampton (UK), and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal.
The 23-night Caribbean voyage from Southampton in December will take in 6 Caribbean ports including Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St Maarten.
Queen Elizabeth departs Southampton on Jan 5, 2011 on her 103-night epic Maiden World Voyage featuring 35 ports of call - including Cunard’s first call ever at Port Denarau (Fiji).
In total, Queen Elizabeth will call at 38 ports in 23 countries as she makes her way west around the globe, with maiden transits of both the Panama and Suez Canals and calls at Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Lisbon.
The 23-night Caribbean voyage from Southampton in December will take in 6 Caribbean ports including Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St Maarten.
For the first time Cunard will be sailing with three modern ocean liners and now has the youngest fleet in the world - younger than all other cruise lines.
The newest ship Queen Elizabeth will join sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2.
In Cunard's 170 years of history, there has been an ‘Elizabeth’ in the fleet. The new Queen Elizabeth is the second largest for the Cunard line.
The maiden voyage Season will run from October 2010 to January 2011 and include voyages to the Western and Central Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Queen Elizabeth’s Maiden Voyage departing Tuesday Oct 12, 2010 is SOLD OUT. The 13-night celebration departs from the home port of Southampton (UK), and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal.
The 23-night Caribbean voyage from Southampton in December will take in 6 Caribbean ports including Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St Maarten.
Queen Elizabeth departs Southampton on Jan 5, 2011 on her 103-night epic Maiden World Voyage featuring 35 ports of call - including Cunard’s first call ever at Port Denarau (Fiji).
In total, Queen Elizabeth will call at 38 ports in 23 countries as she makes her way west around the globe, with maiden transits of both the Panama and Suez Canals and calls at Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Lisbon.
The 23-night Caribbean voyage from Southampton in December will take in 6 Caribbean ports including Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St Maarten.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Oasis of the Seas Video Tour
Video tour of the World's Largest Cruise Ship - Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
Click on arrows at bottom right to view video in full screen - then hit escape when finished.
Click on arrows at bottom right to view video in full screen - then hit escape when finished.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Queen Mary 2 Circumnavigates Australia in 2012
The Sydney Morning Herald estimates that the tour will boost Australia's economy by $9 million.
The ship is expected to spend 28 sailing around Australia.
The 2012 voyage will reportedly be the longest period Queen Mary 2 has been based in any country outside her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.
Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks said in a statement he expected very strong demand from Australian and international markets when tickets for the Australian tour go on sale in mid-2010.
NCL's Solo Cabins Big Hit
NCL's (Norwegian Cruise Line) rooms designed for solo travelers on the Norwegian Epic - without paying the supplemental charge - have solo cruise travelers ready to hit the high seas.
The Epic, which launches this summer, will offer 128 studios for singles - and the cabins open onto a lounge area where solo travelers can socialize.
For years cruise lines have charged a single person occupying a double cabin addtional fees. The obvious answer was for a cruise line to design single cabins.
Paul Motter, editor at CruiseMates.com, said he thinks the single studios "will take off. We have a whole message board on CruiseMates for people seeking cruise companions. It's a huge potential market."
The Epic, which launches this summer, will offer 128 studios for singles - and the cabins open onto a lounge area where solo travelers can socialize.
For years cruise lines have charged a single person occupying a double cabin addtional fees. The obvious answer was for a cruise line to design single cabins.Paul Motter, editor at CruiseMates.com, said he thinks the single studios "will take off. We have a whole message board on CruiseMates for people seeking cruise companions. It's a huge potential market."
Monday, March 8, 2010
Norwegian Cruise Price Increase
Last month Carnival announced an increase in cruise fares effective March 22 -and NCL has just announced cruise fares will increase on sailings.
Norwegian Cruise Line experienced an unprecedented year-to-date increase in booking volume during its "Year of the Freestyle Vacation" wave season promotion in January and February.
The company also saw a strong interest in its new ship debuting in June, Norwegian Epic, and for its Hawaii-based ship, Pride of America.
Because of this demand, prices are set to increase fleet wide up to 7% as of Apri 2, 2010.
Norwegian Cruise Line experienced an unprecedented year-to-date increase in booking volume during its "Year of the Freestyle Vacation" wave season promotion in January and February.
The company also saw a strong interest in its new ship debuting in June, Norwegian Epic, and for its Hawaii-based ship, Pride of America.
Because of this demand, prices are set to increase fleet wide up to 7% as of Apri 2, 2010.
Norwegian Cruise Suite and Villa Deal
Book a cruise on Norwegian at least nine months in advance and receive an onboard credit of up to $300 per cabin. Deal applies to suites and villas.
Cruises of five days or longer receive a $300 credit; shorter cruises get $150. Credit is good for shore excursions, spa services, specialty restaurants, etc. Pricing varies by cruise.
Seven-night Florida and Bahamas cruise aboard the Norwegian Gem starts at $2,958 per couple per suite, including taxes.
Depart from New York on Feb. 26. Book by April 1.
Cruises of five days or longer receive a $300 credit; shorter cruises get $150. Credit is good for shore excursions, spa services, specialty restaurants, etc. Pricing varies by cruise.
Seven-night Florida and Bahamas cruise aboard the Norwegian Gem starts at $2,958 per couple per suite, including taxes.
Depart from New York on Feb. 26. Book by April 1.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Star Clippers Video & Virtual Tour
It’s as if you had your own chartered yacht and could sail anywhere you wanted. Except we do all the work for you while you laze in our pool, or watch the dolphins play in their pool.
Royal Clipper explores the lush, exotically beautiful islands like Dominica and St. Lucia, where jungle trails abound with sweet-smelling vanilla orchids and other wild-growing tropical flowers and visits privileged enclaves in the lesser-known Grenadines.
Clipper is the perfect platform from which to launch diving adventures in the Tobago Cays, where the reefs are a marvel of colourful marine creations.
Royal Clipper sails from Barbados on alternating voyages to explore the Spice Islands of the Grenadines or the Windward Islands.
Star Clippers Video
Virtual Tour
Clipper is the perfect platform from which to launch diving adventures in the Tobago Cays, where the reefs are a marvel of colourful marine creations.
Royal Clipper sails from Barbados on alternating voyages to explore the Spice Islands of the Grenadines or the Windward Islands.
Star Clippers Video
Virtual Tour
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Seabourn Offers Savings on Europe, Asia Cruises
Deal Dates: February 22, 2010 - April 30, 2010
The Yachts of Seabourn is offering a special two-for-one, cruise-only savings on a slew of its Europe and Asia voyages aboard its fleet of five, all-suite vessels.
Guests who book before the end of April will receive reduced round trip add-on airfares from $499 economy class and $1,999 for business class from 40 North American airports.
The cruises, which range from seven to 15 days, depart between May and November. Choose the Seabourn Spirit for cruises in the Adriatic and Dalmatian Coasts or Legend in the French and Italian Rivieras.
The Seabourn Odyssey will sail the Greek Isles, Turkey and the Black Sea. Seabourn Sojourn will kick of its maiden season in June sailing Northern Europe including Scandinavia, Russia, Scotland and Norway. And Seabourn Pride will visit Asia, hitting Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and China.
Cruise-only fares start from $3,550 per person. All bookings must be made by April 30.
The Yachts of Seabourn is offering a special two-for-one, cruise-only savings on a slew of its Europe and Asia voyages aboard its fleet of five, all-suite vessels.
Guests who book before the end of April will receive reduced round trip add-on airfares from $499 economy class and $1,999 for business class from 40 North American airports.
The cruises, which range from seven to 15 days, depart between May and November. Choose the Seabourn Spirit for cruises in the Adriatic and Dalmatian Coasts or Legend in the French and Italian Rivieras.
The Seabourn Odyssey will sail the Greek Isles, Turkey and the Black Sea. Seabourn Sojourn will kick of its maiden season in June sailing Northern Europe including Scandinavia, Russia, Scotland and Norway. And Seabourn Pride will visit Asia, hitting Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and China.
Cruise-only fares start from $3,550 per person. All bookings must be made by April 30.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Alaska Cruises Can't Meet Proposed Pollution Limits
The cruise industry is not happy with the new pollution limits for ships that could go in effect in Alaska later this year.
The Juneau Empire today reports an industry representative told a public hearing that more than half of the cruise vessels operating in the state would not be able to meet new limits for the pollutant ammonia that are part of proposed wastewater rules for 2010.
The news outlet says Alaska Cruise Association consultant Mike Tibbles argued the limits are too strict in general and there's not enough time for the industry to comply before the start of the Alaska season in a few months.
Source: USA Today Cruise Log
The Juneau Empire today reports an industry representative told a public hearing that more than half of the cruise vessels operating in the state would not be able to meet new limits for the pollutant ammonia that are part of proposed wastewater rules for 2010.
The news outlet says Alaska Cruise Association consultant Mike Tibbles argued the limits are too strict in general and there's not enough time for the industry to comply before the start of the Alaska season in a few months.
Source: USA Today Cruise Log
What to Do When Ship Happens
I ran across this article at CruiseMates today by Paul Motter, and wanted to share . . . Linda
Every once in awhile the cruise industry has a tough week, and this has been one of them.
This morning we got the news that one of the nicer Costa cruise ships, the Europa, was blown by a strong wind up against the dock in Sharm al Sheik, Egypt, resulting in the death of three crewmembers. We are not sure exactly how the crewmembers died, but weather conditions were bad enough that all of the passengers were disembarked from the ship, put up in hotels and will be flown home.
Another ship, Celebrity Mercury, suffered one of the worst outbreaks of Norovirus on a cruise ships we have seen for a few years. Approximately 8% of the population of this ship was affected by the virus, about 300 people.
Even five years ago, before much more stringent practices to prevent the spread of diseases on ships were put into place, this would have been a significant outbreak. Fortunately, the recovery seems to be working out well and the line is doing a thorough cleaning that should prevent a similar outbreak from occurring on the next cruise of the same ship.
Finish reading article at CruiseMates
Every once in awhile the cruise industry has a tough week, and this has been one of them.
This morning we got the news that one of the nicer Costa cruise ships, the Europa, was blown by a strong wind up against the dock in Sharm al Sheik, Egypt, resulting in the death of three crewmembers. We are not sure exactly how the crewmembers died, but weather conditions were bad enough that all of the passengers were disembarked from the ship, put up in hotels and will be flown home.
Another ship, Celebrity Mercury, suffered one of the worst outbreaks of Norovirus on a cruise ships we have seen for a few years. Approximately 8% of the population of this ship was affected by the virus, about 300 people.
Even five years ago, before much more stringent practices to prevent the spread of diseases on ships were put into place, this would have been a significant outbreak. Fortunately, the recovery seems to be working out well and the line is doing a thorough cleaning that should prevent a similar outbreak from occurring on the next cruise of the same ship.
Finish reading article at CruiseMates
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