Cruise Safely With Tips From Travel Mom

Planning a family vacation? Don’t take off without some kid-friendly tips from Emily Kaufman, the Travel Mom.

Cruise Safely With Tips From The Travel Mom « CBS Los Angeles

The Mystery of the Muster: Cruise Ship Safety Laws Explained

Cruise Critic is a great source of information - every cruise passenger needs to be aware of cruise ship safety laws.

All cruise lines have to follow regulations called Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which were adopted following the sinking of the Titanic and are administered by the United Nation's International Maritime Organization (IMO). The U.S. Coast Guard also gets involved by making sure those regulations are followed by passenger ships that stop in the United States.

The SOLAS regulations pertaining to muster drills are fairly short and straightforward. They require that the drill take place within 24 hours of embarkation. The regulations differentiate between a muster and a "safety briefing."

According to SOLAS rules, whenever new passengers embark, a safety briefing must be held "immediately before sailing, or immediately after sailing," consisting of at least a PA announcement. This may be supplemented with other info -- by written materials contained within each cabin, for instance. Regulations require that the safety briefing provides "clear instructions" that "detail the actions each person on board should follow in the event of an emergency."

But a muster, where passengers are physically assembled, is required only within 24 hours of sailing. (In Concordia's case, the muster drill was scheduled to take place after additional passengers boarded on Day 2 in Savona, Italy, which would have been within the required 24-hour window.)

Head over to Cruise Critic and read . . . The Mystery of the Muster: Cruise Ship Safety Laws Explained - Various

Opinion: Big Cruise Ships Are Safe

The terrible tragedy of the Costa Concordia has raised a lot of questions about cruise line safety and even the notion of are the big cruise ships that cruise lines like Costa, Carnival or Royal Caribbean sail still safe.

While there is no doubt in anyone's mind that what transpired in Italy with the Concordia was absolutely awful, I think it's time to rid ourselves of the notion that cruise ships aren't safe.

Read futher - Opinion: Big cruise ships are safe | Royal Caribbean Blog

Splendour of the Seas Wow Revitalization

During a five-week revitalization program in Spain, the guest staterooms on Splendour of the Seas will get an extensive makeover including 124 new balconies and state-of-the-art technology including iPads and flat screen televisions. So cool - an iPad in every stateroom hooked up to wifi!





In 2011, experience the Royal AdvantageSM when Royal Caribbean expands our most popular innovations to select ships, giving more to see, more to do, and more to love, to more guests than ever before. In fall 2011, Splendour of the Seas will boast the addition of two specialty restaurants, a nursery, two high-end lounges, and other venues. Balcony staterooms will be created, and public areas of the ship will be enhanced.

After enhancement, Splendour of the Seas will explore South America on a selection of itineraries featuring the continent’s most diverse and vibrant ports.

Balcony staterooms added, public areas refreshed

More than 100 balconies will be added to Splendour of the Seas, along with more inside and oceanview staterooms. Existing staterooms will boast flat-screen televisions, plus enhancements to bathrooms and other upgrades. Public areas including the atrium, pool deck and Shops Onboard will also be revitalized.
Outdoor, poolside movie screen

More info on revitalization

Cruise Line Deals and Popular Cruise Destinations

DEALS

Royal Caribbean - Call-in Special! Get $100 to $400 Cruise Credit with ChoiceAir

Norwegian Cruise Line - Receive $50 Onboard Credit

Carnival - Early Saver Rates: Save up to 20% + Get the Absolute Lowest Rate with Carnival’s Price Protection Guarantee!

Celebrity - Receive up to $100 Onboard Spending Credit

Holland America - Receive $50 to $125 Onboard Credit

And More!

POPULAR DESTINATIONS



Alaska from $73 / night

Bahamas from $32 / night

Bermuda from $60 / night

Caribbean from $34 / night

Europe from $35 / night

Hawaii from $64 / night

Mexico from $46 / night

Canada / New England from $56 / night

DEALS AND POPULAR CRUISE DESTINATIONS

Ultimate Guide to Alcohol on Cruise Ships

Check out Cruise Critic's guide to (responsible) drinking at sea. The article discusses info on cruise line alcohol policies, ways to score free drinks and information about special cruises for wine enthusiasts.

Ultimate Guide to Alcohol on Cruise Ships - Cruises - Cruise Critic

NCI's New Branding Campaign

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it is unveiling a new brand platform and integrated national advertising campaign, "Cruise Like a Norwegian," that embraces and celebrates the community of diverse vacationers who embody the passion, freedom and flexibility inherent in a Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle Cruising(R) vacation.

Cruising like a "Norwegian" is for those who live life to the fullest, embrace new adventures and are passionate about their experiences.

The visual embodiment of the campaign is a brand essence video that illustrates the passion and enthusiasm of Norwegian cruisers who can "Dine like a Parisian," "Surf like a Hawaiian," "Party like a Brazilian," and "Love like a Venetian," among other things.

An original score "Let's Go!" was created to accompany the video. Television advertising includes one 30-second and two 15-second spots running during prime time on the ABC and CBS television networks, as well as on seven national cable channels, including Travel Channel, HGTV, MSNBC and Discovery Channel.

The brand platform comes to life onboard Norwegian's ships when guests are officially welcomed into the Norwegian community and can experience the "Cruise Like a Norwegian" themed Sail-Away Party and drink menu; all new White Hot Party with "Norwegian" elements; special "Cruise Like a Norwegian" photo and video opportunities; and a revised farewell show, so guests will continue to feel a part of the Norwegian community until their next cruise.

To experience the campaign and watch the brand essence video, visit www.ncl.com/facebook and click on the See How We Cruise tab.

10 Tips for Better Cruises

An invaluable list of suggestions on how to make your cruise the best it can possibly be.

Even experienced cruisers can probably learn something new here, or remember something they may have forgotten.
Read more

Cruise Line Smoking Policy Revision

Carnival Cruise Lines: As of last month, smoking in public areas is permitted only in dance clubs and designated areas of casinos and open decks on all its 23 ships.

It is also allowed in jazz clubs on 13 of its vessels. Starting Dec. 1, the line will ban smoking fleetwide in all staterooms, though smoking still will be permitted on private balconies except for spa staterooms, which will continue to remain entirely smoke-free.

Princess: Starting with all cruises departing on or after Jan. 15, Princess Cruises will no longer allow smoking in staterooms or on balconies. Passengers will still be able to smoke in designated areas, including Churchill’s Cigar Lounge and portions of the disco, casino and open decks.

Holland America: Smoking in staterooms will be prohibited on sailings on or after Jan. 15, but will be permitted on stateroom verandas. Smoking is also banned in designated indoor public areas, but allowed in certain other designated venues, including open decks.

Cruise Daily Twitter

Cruise Packages - Pier Transfers and 21-Day Parking

Travelers set to sail out of Florida should look into Homewood Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruise Port, whose two cruise packages include pier transfers and parking for up to 21 days through December 30, 2011.

Located in Dania Beach/Fort Lauderdale, the Hilton property has released the Fort Lauderdale Cruise Package from $109 per night with transfer to Port Everglades and the Cruise Miami Package from $129 per night with transfer to Port of Miami.

Cruise Packages Include:

• 24/7 Shuttle service to-from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

• Hot breakfast buffet

• Evening shuttle to-from restaurants, shopping and entertainment

• Mon-Thu evening reception/meal

• Wireless and high speed Internet connection

Hotel amenities include rooms with LCD HD flat panel TV with Hi-Def programming, DVD library with DVD rental available, Serta Suite Dreams bedding and fully equipped kitchens, among many other things.

Contact Area Director of Sales Carolina Torres at carolina.torres@hilton or visit www.hwsfllairport.com

Source: Travel Agent Central

Cruise Prices Dive, Value Skyrockets

The cruise lines thought they had a great plan.  Deep discounts were given last year at the bleakest moments of the Great Recession when cautious buyers hesitated to book. 

After the first of the year, consumers felt better about it all and bookings increased.  A strong Summer sailing season seemed to solidify a feeling that things were getting back to normal. 

That was good news for cruise lines eager  to raise pricing back to a pre-recession level.  The news was not so good for consumers  now able to book but finding higher pricing. 

Buyer hesitation again set in but this time cruise lines are reacting differently.

Continue Reading Article at Examiner.com

Cunard Line Takes Delivery of Queen Elizabeth

Cunard Line has taken delivery of Queen Elizabeth  - the second largest ship ever built in the fleet and the third new liner for the luxury cruise vacation company in six years. 


This is just the first of a number of significant events over the next few weeks - including the ships official naming by Her Majesty the Queen in Southampton on Monday, October 11, 2011.


Queen Elizabeth left the shipyard on September 30 to sail to Southampton, where she will berth at the Ocean Cruise Terminal on October 8.  

Queen Elizabeth will depart on her maiden voyage at 5 p.m. on October 12.

Cruise Line Alcohol Policies

Do you know your cruise line's alcohol policy?

Drinking rules certainly vary across lines -- European companies like Costa Cruises may lower the drinking age to 18 when sailing from non-U.S. ports; luxury outfits often include open bars, and allow for "bring your own booze" as well.

And some lines have even outlawed bringing wine onboard, something that's almost always acceptable (there is, however, usually a corkage fee assessed for consuming your wine in the dining room).

Cruise Critic breaks down the rules into 3 main categories:

• Drinking Age

• Rules for Bringing Booze Onboard

• And All Things Wine 

Visit Cruise Critic to view the article

New Travel Channel from YouTube

YouTube has introduced a new online travel channel called the YouTube Vacationer.

The new channel is sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line, and features short destination videos and activities for the Caribbean/Bahamas; Europe; United States and Canada; Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Some of the videos are provided by Lonely Planet (Honduras, Costa Rica, Italy) and National Geographic (Egypt, the Northern Lights), along with practical travel guides and tips from Howcast and eHow.

Subcribers can create and share their own "Vacation You" experiences - and new videos from travel experts will be posted weekly. 

http://www.youtube.com/vacationer

It is always great to go on a cruise holiday and look forward to having an amazing time with your friends and family, but most of the problems come up in the cruise vacation planning. 

More often than not, a lack of planning and coordination gets in the way of being able to enjoy one's vacation.

If you avoid some common mistakes during the planning phase, you can be assured of a hiccup-free, unforgettable vacation you would like to live over and over again.
 

Cruise Vacation Planning: 3 Mistakes to Avoid

Cruise Insurance - Primary Or Secondary Policy?

Choosing cruise insurance - or for that matter any travel insurance - can be time consuming, as well as confusing. Be aware that policy plans vary greatly - so each individual has to determine which plan best covers your needs.

Cruise lines offer their own travel insurance, however it is NOT the best option, and prices are far more than finding insurance on your own. You should also be aware that these type of policies are "secondary" policies. Cruise lines are notorious for offering compensation in "on-board credits" - not hard cash in many situations!

Read the full article and become familiar with the difference between a primary or secondary cruise insurance policy for your next cruise vacation

Cruise Insurance - Primary Or Secondary

 

Luxury Cruise Auctions

Luxury Cruise Vacations - Fantastic Destinations.
 

Discover a spectacular collection of luxury cruises on ships that keep guest counts low and service levels high.

Luxury Link is proud to offer exciting cruises to destinations from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, Auckland to Alaska and even entirely around the world.

Whatever cruise vacation you desire, rest assured that Luxury Link's collection of cruise vacations will take you to unforgettable places in incomparable style.



LuxuryLink.com

Hurricane Earl Hammering Caribbean, Impacting Cruises

Hurricane Earl, the fifth named storm of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season, is passing through the Eastern and Southern Caribbean as a major hurricane, bringing powerful winds and rain and causing flooding on several islands.

Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and NCL have announced storm-related itinerary changes.

Read more at Cruise Critic

Staying in Touch While Cruising

Most of todays cruise ships offer internet/wi-fi service in order for cruisers to stay in touch.

 On my last cruise, I paid in advance for the service, but found the internet connection extremely slow - which obviously subtracts from your time. 

Also you may have to wait to get a seat depending on how many passengers have the same idea in mind. Bottom line - it's very expensive to check and send e-mails while onboard.

A good money saving suggestion would be to wait until you get into port. You can investigate internet cafe's  prior to your cruise, and you will save a great deal. If you are still unsure where to go, ask one of the crew for directions.

Prior to leaving, get a free e-mail account, and use that account to e-mail friends and family back home. Using internet cafes can bring a lot of SPAM to your personal inbox.

Staying in touch by phone -you will need an international phone. Again you will be paying a premium via the cruise ship's satellite - and that's in addition to your calling plan. To avoid the extra charge, make calls while in port.