Leaderboard

Most guests on Seven Seas Navigator may not find anything unusual about the distinguished-looking man who eats alone every day, at lunch and dinner, at the same corner table of the Compass Rose dining room. But when I learned that this passenger—whom the crew deferentially refers to as the “Captain”—has been residing on this same ship for more than 13 years, my curiosity was aroused. Bish, the can-do butler assigned to our stateroom, promised to see if he could arrange an introduction. A few hours later, I was running off to my appointment to meet the Captain—at 4 p.m. teatime, in Galileo’s Lounge on Deck 11. I knew exactly where to find him because Bish told me that he also takes the same corner seat in the lounge each day, adjacent to a small stage where a pianist or guitarist performs 50s, 60s and 70s music. When I found the Captain, he was sipping his usual, a diet tonic water, on a ship with a complimentary open bar. At the age of 94, Morton Jablin could easily pass for someone twenty years younger. He is slim, well-groomed and silver-haired. He looks like the retired executive he is, with dark eyes behind his glasses that exude intelligence, confidence and warmth. He’s an engaging conversationalist with a mind and memory that are both remarkably agile. As our conversation begins, I’m anxious to get to the crux of the matter. Why has he been living on a ship, this particular ship, for so many years? “I couldn’t achieve this lifestyle anywhere else,” he says. “The crew is overly gracious and kind to me. I can’t think of enough good adjectives. They are unbelievable.” He sounds like one happy camper — or sailor. From humble roots Captain Jablin proudly tells me that he was raised in Brooklyn. After spending time abroad with the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Intelligence, he returned to the States in 1946, where he worked as a registered pharmacist making $65 a week. “My wife Charlotte and I raised two children in what was then a different world,” he says. While overseas, he met a German textile manufacturer who asked him to introduce lace-making machines to the U.S. market. From that collaboration, the Captain eventually built what became his own successful lace-making business. Since that time, much of the lace industry moved from Europe and the U.S. to China, where labor is cheaper, but his company has managed to stay afloat. (It still owns 45 of the 70 machines that currently produce lace in the U.S.) Captain Jablin retired in 1989 and left the business in the hands of one of his grandsons, now 42. A mutual love of the sea “My wife, Charlotte always traveled with me and we made friends with other couples and crew,” he says. The two were avid cruisers, sailing on a number of different cruise lines over more than a half-century. When one crew member they knew retired from another line to work on a private yacht, he suggested that the Jablins try cruising on Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (which was renamed Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 2006). The couple sailed on Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager for five years. In 2000, they decided to move to Seven Seas Navigator, the smallest ship in the Regent fleet (with fewer than 500 passengers). When Charlotte passed away 13 years ago, Captain Jablin made Seven Seas Navigator his home. He still maintains a condo in Boca Raton, Florida to keep his “stuff” and to qualify for health benefits and Social Security but it’s been three or four years since he’s set foot there, he says. About a year and a half ago, after his eyesight began to fail, the Captain could no longer go on shore excursions (except for occasional medical appointments). He says he is now 90% blind. He accepts the limitations posed by his age and health as he lives on board a ship that is sailing all over the world. “Charlotte and I had already been everywhere,” he says. “I used to get four newspapers, and do Sudokus and crossword puzzles but I haven’t been able to do that either for the last two years,” he says. Sticking to a routine Now he is keeping things simple. “My life is very routine but comfortable,” he says. An early riser, he has breakfast in his cabin. He eats lunch and dinner at that corner table in the main dining room, and he appreciates that it is always set in the same way so he has no problem finding the salt. “The food is excellent overall but I prefer to eat Dover sole at both meals, every day,” he says. He eats alone because he is self-conscious about food not making it to his mouth as neatly as it once did. Seven Seas Navigator is an all-suite luxury ship. The cruise line has made minor stateroom accommodations to make things easier for the Captain, one of their most loyal passengers. “They’ve installed brighter lights in my cabin, handrails in the bathroom and a special shaving mirror,” he says. To stay fit, he exercises regularly. He knows his way around the ship and walks about two hours daily, usually on Deck 7 where the shops are located. “I’m intelligent enough not to walk where I’d have a problem. Nobody is on that deck during the day and as an ex-Navy man, I have my sea legs,” he says. When I ask whether he ever hits the casino on the same deck, he responds, “I was never a gambler.” He does, however, enjoy some of the entertainment, especially musical performances, on the ship. Although stridently independent, the Captain maintains family ties. When the ship docks in Miami, both his sons (ages 64 and 68) often come on board to visit, sometimes with wives, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Occasionally old-timers will come aboard whom he remembers from the days when he cruised with his wife. He’s happy to see them. “At my age, most of my friends are dead,” he says. A cell phone allows him to stay connected with family in-between visits and he keeps an Amazon Alexa in his cabin, which he uses about once a month to ask a question—like when he wasn’t sure whether Mongolia was an independent nation. Sometimes people come over to his table to chat and he welcomes nice conversation but he rarely initiates small talk with fellow passengers. He is keenly aware of generational differences between himself and most guests on the ship who are closer to his sons’ ages. The exception: He feels extremely close to the crew, even the entertainers who feel like a family of sorts. When I ask him if he’s happy, he convinces me that being captain of one’s fate is what’s most important. “I couldn’t achieve this lifestyle anywhere else. If I need a nurse or doctor, someone is in my cabin within five minutes,” he says. “No matter what the time of day, if I need something, someone is here in 10-15 minutes. If I weren’t on this ship, I would have to have someone living with me,” he says. “Where else could I feel this secure and safe? Life on board couldn’t be better,” he says. By Irene S. Levine, Forbes Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

Princess Cruises has revealed the line's newly enhanced beverage menus, featuring globally inspired signature cocktail offerings created by master mixologist Rob Floyd. As one of the most significant beverage changes in the history of the company, destination-specific ingredients have been carefully selected to tantalize guests' taste buds with flavors from every corner of the world. In addition to the new cocktails, the line has added 20 new high-end and exotic spirits, 39 new wines by the glass, and 17 new international and craft beers to the new menu. "As part of our continued commitment to the guest experience, we are thrilled to debut new menus throughout the bars and lounges aboard Princess ships," said Mario Siebaldi, senior vice president of guest operations for Princess Cruises. "Broadening the scope of our beverage options by partnering with notable industry leaders like Rob Floyd on globally inspired cocktails, as well as increasing our selection of beers and wines on board are all part of our aim to provide guests the best cruise vacation experience at sea. And with our new shareable drink recipes, guests can recreate their favorite memories once back at home over and over again." Highlights of the new onboard offerings include a set of signature cocktails designed by Floyd, who used fresh ingredients and destination inspiration to develop a portfolio of new drinks for Princess Cruises. Bars and lounges throughout the ships will also feature new, themed menus, so guests can have fun exploring the different offerings at the various bars on board. "I was truly inspired by ingredients from all the amazing destinations that Princess Cruises sails," said Rob Floyd. "Guests will be able to enjoy a wide selection of fully realized drinks that combine what I refer to as the Three T's: taste, technique, and tale." Floyd believes spectacular drinks combine the best of "The Three T's." First and foremost is "Taste," as interesting ingredient combinations produce delicious flavors. The second element, "Technique," refers to the skill and craft that goes into creating each drink. And last but not least the "Tale;" a creative and fascinating inspiration behind each unique cocktail. Whether traveling to Mexico, Italy, or the South Pacific, the globally designed cocktails by Rob Floyd have the flavors to inspire. Initial offerings include: Mayan Heat: Patrón Silver tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, agave syrup, muddled jalapeño Italian Sunset: Aperol, Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Angostura bitters Ver-Jus: St. George "Terroir" gin, St-Germain, muddled green grapes, lemon juice, simple syrup Mint Divine: Bombay Sapphire gin, ginger beer, cucumber, lime juice, simple syrup, fresh mint Amaretto Manhattan: Bulleit Bourbon, Disaronno, sweet vermouth, Angostura orange bitters Princess Punch: Absolut Elyx vodka, St. George raspberry liqueur, fresh lime, simple syrup, Gosling's ginger beer East Side Punch: Absolut Elyx vodka, fresh mint, cucumber, lime juice, simple syrup, club soda A Trip to the Tropics: Absolut Elyx vodka, apricot liqueur, orange juice, pineapple juice, pomegranate juice Ivory Coast: Grey Goose vodka, Amarula African liqueur, Kahlúa, chocolate shavings The Egyptian Zombie: Bacardi Superior rum, Gosling's Dark rum, blackberry brandy, sweet and sour, orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine Rounding out the new drinks are "zero-proof cocktails," made without alcohol. These light, fruity and refreshing drinks skimp on the alcohol, but miss none of the flavor: Zero Mojito: Fresh mint, lime, simple syrup, Sprite Strawberries on Fire: Fresh strawberries, lime juice, agave syrup, jalapeño, soda The new beverage menu offerings will be available aboard all ships in fall 2018. In addition to adding the new wines by the glass, Princess Cruises worked with Doug Frost, one of only four people in the world to hold both the prestigious ranks of Master Sommelier and Master of Wine to refresh the wine menus onboard. More specific details will be shortly announced. To whet guests whistles even more, Princess Cruises also unveiled this summer a thirst-quenching deal with the Sip and Sail promotion, offering complimentary beverages for balcony, mini-suite and suite bookings. More information about the Sip and Sail offer is available at princess.com/cruisedeals. All prices are per person based on double occupancy. The Sip and Sail cruise deal runs through 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 5, 2018 and is available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Bermuda who are 21 years of age or older. About Rob Floyd: As a notable cocktail guru, Rob Floyd is a resident mixologist on the hit TV show Bar Rescue, and is cited in publications worldwide such as Esquire, Maxim, and People Magazine. He has also written and appeared as an industry expert for a variety of media outlets including the The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London, CBS, and Fox. His specialty is creating cocktails that are both accessible and inspiring. His focus on history and story combine with under-the-radar ingredients to create not just a cocktail, but an adventure in a glass. After rewriting famed programs like The Bazaar and the Library Bar, Rob went on to found RX Liquid Chef, of which he is the current acting President. RX Liquid Chef focuses its efforts on consulting with top restaurants and casinos across the globe, working to implement world-class drinks and team-based service. He also used it to create a one-of-a-kind theatrical production, Cocktail Theatre, where he dazzles audience members with the magic of molecular techniques as well as tales and stories that create indelible experiences through drink. Floyd hopes that by inspiring a belief in the all-around experience of drinking, to change the way people approach alcohol, empowering them to appreciate the whole moment, to engage in a process and a passion, and to relish the adventure. Sip Boldly. For more information, visit sipboldly.com. About Princess Cruises: One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to more than 360 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts has created more than 150 award-winning itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises has been continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries." Princess Cruises continues its multi-year, "Come Back New Promise" – a $450 million-dollar product innovation and cruise ship renovation campaign that will continue to enhance the line's onboard guest experience. These enhancements result in more moments of awe, lifetime memories and meaningful stories for guests to share from their cruise vacation. The product innovations include partnerships with award-winning Chef Curtis Stone; engaging entertainment inspired shows with Broadway-legend Stephen Schwartz; immersive activities for the whole family from Discovery and Animal Planet that include exclusive shore excursion to onboard activities; the ultimate sleep at sea with the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed and much more. Three new Royal-class ships are currently on order with the next new ship, Sky Princess, under construction scheduled for delivery in October 2019. Princess recently announced that two new (LNG) ships which will be the largest ships in the Princess fleet, accommodating approximately 4,300 guests with expected delivery in 2023 and 2025. Princess now has five ships arriving over the next six years between 2019 & 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK). By Princess Cruises Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

As Aussies across the country celebrate Christmas in July, Carnival Cruise Line today marked the official eve of the mid-winter season (24 July), Grinchmas Eve, with a thrilling spectacle across Sydney Harbour. In an unexpected sight for Sydneysiders and cruisers, The Grinch dramatically winched himself from a helicopter above Sydney Harbour, in an attempt to steal the Christmas fun from Carnival Spirit. After his fearless drop from the helicopter, Carnival cruisers then caught sight of The Grinch this morning causing chaos onboard the ship; pinching the Captain’s hat, hiding the turkey and stealing lollipops from the Cherry on Top sweet shop. Today’s visit was an unexpected secret mission, but The Grinch will return for surprise appearances throughout Carnival’s Christmas cruises. With over 45 activities to enjoy onboard each day, the fastest and steepest waterslide at sea – Green Thunder – and multiple live entertainment venues, in the end even the The Grinch couldn’t resist turning his frown upside down, dancing along to all of the fun he was witnessing onboard. The Grinch has now made his way on-board Carnival Spirit, making amends with the Captain after stealing his hat and causing mischief. The two have enjoyed a lovely Grinchmas Eve feast – they told jokes, shared Christmas stories and had FUN soaking up Sydney’s sunshine. Information supplied by: Carnival Cruise Line, Australia And www.australiancruisingnews.com.au The HOME Of Australian Cruising! Photos by: James Morgan of http://morgan-photo.com/

The cruise industry may be all abuzz about specialty restaurants, but complimentary main dining rooms are still wonderful culinary options. Many of them also happen to be spectacularly well designed venues, so here is our list of the seven most beautiful at sea. Britannia Restaurant, Queen Mary 2, Cunard Line Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 is already a gem as the last true ocean liner afloat today, and its Britannia Restaurant similarly hearkens back to a time of vintage glamour on the high seas with its art deco sconces, maritime wall tapestry and vaulted curved skylight ceiling. The ship’s unique mezzanine levels even ensure the room is three decks tall but wonderfully terraced to spread seating across only two. The Dining Room, Koningsdam, Holland America Line When hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany designed Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, he took inspiration from music, and The Dining Room is an elegant space exhibiting curved structural ribbing reminiscent of the braces inside a hollow acoustic instrument. The space is also pleasantly brighter than previous Holland America ships with an unexpected but harmonious color combination of merlot and yellow offsetting the cream paneling. Grand Dining Room, Riviera, Oceania Cruises The Grand Dining Room aboard Oceania Cruises’ Riviera is striking for appearing wide open thanks to bright whites and an abundance of crystal lighting. The room is architecturally classy with a high ceiling that contributes to the overall finesse of the ship and its exquisite dining as a whole. The Manhattan Room, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line The Manhattan Room on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Escape is handsomely arranged as a supper club with a central dance floor and double-decker opening overlooking the ship’s stern. A bright wall of windows lets natural light pour in over the elegant art deco details and rich wood paneling in a timeless manner. The Restaurant, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn For being the smallest venue and ship on the list, Seabourn’s The Restaurant on Seabourn Quest is a spacious dining room nonetheless. Occupying the full width of the vessel, the airy space has an array of bright windows on either side and flowing white drapes that swoop up into large ceiling vaults in the deck above. The Restaurant, Viking Sea, Viking Ocean Cruises Unlike most main dining rooms that are centrally focused, The Restaurant on Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Sea is intentionally positioned along the windows with the galley displacing the core. What’s more, the windows are actually sliding patio doors that open to the surrounding promenade deck to provide diners with an al fresco option as weather allows. Tiana’s Place, Disney Wonder, Disney Cruise Line The Disney Cruise Line recently remodeled one of Disney Wonder’s rotational dining rooms to the theme of the animated film “Princess and the Frog,” and the result is the stunning Tiana’s Place. The festive atmosphere includes everything from a live jazz band and appearances by Tiana herself to narrative easter egg details along the walls and in the plates as the frog prince is cleverly seen wearing a crown by the end of the meal. Article Courtesy Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more. Photo: Courtesy of Holland America Lines

For the last week, we have been inundated by reports, mostly negative about the failed sailing of the Carnival Triumph. These negative reports came from mostly the media but had also been introduced by lawyers, using an undertone of "Let's sue 'em". Much as the reporting that has been ongoing in a mostly negative manner by major media outlets about the war against terror, without an open mind, you will come away from these reports with a negative attitude towards either. I do not want to stray away from my story and get too political, but what you never hear reported by the media is the POSITIVE outcome we have had in many areas overseas during the war on terror. How do I know? I served in Desert Storm and am a 12 year Veteran of the United States Army. Removal from power of dictators such as Saddam Hussein, the assassination of Osama Bin Laden and the rebuilding of schools in those countries are just a FEW of the positive things our brave, volunteer Military, has accomplished. BUT, you never hear of these positive things being reported and there is where you get the negative attitude about the war from many. Such as the media reporting of the war, the media takes a negative approach towards the unfortunate failed sailing of the Triumph. Granted, in NO means should this situation be sugar-coated and I am not going to do that. What I am trying to do is attest to my sailing on the Triumph on a previous cruise where my wife and I renewed our marriage vows and try to show somewhat of a positive attitude regarding the Triumph incident and cover a few sea mishaps and disasters that seem to be what most of the uninformed public seem to harp on regarding taking a cruise. Let's take a look at some of the most know cruise disasters and incidents at sea. The Titanic On her maiden voyage to New York, the "Unsinkable" Titanic hit an iceberg and sank causing the death of 1502 of the 2224 souls onboard. Even with her double hull and water tight doors, she had been unable to maintain her buoyancy and sank because five water tight compartments were breached. The Titanic had been designed to withstand only four of those compartments being breached. The Cunard lines "RMS. Carpathia" was able to rescue only 705 of those souls. The failed planning came with the lack of life boats and the crew allowing life boats to be lowered and released sometimes less than half full. The designers were more interested in uncluttered decks which is why some of the life boats were removed prior to her sailing. Although only 705 passengers were saved, this disaster could have produced a much worse response. In 28 degree water and those jumping overboard to try to swim clear of the sinking vessel, many more could have perished. At the time of the sinking, cruise ships were designed less for leisure and more for transportation. Maritime laws and cruise line regulations have come a long way since 1912. The Costa Concordia On Friday, January 13, 2012, the Concordia ran aground and partially sank off the coast of Giglio Italy causing the loss of 32 souls. Although still under investigation, it seems the Captain ventured onto the rocks to get closer to land to entertain those on land. The Captain insists he was ordered by his Corporate office, knowing of the shallow conditions, to take this dangerous course. In my opinion, even "IF" ordered to do so, it is still his responsibility to make the final decision in the best interest and safety of his passengers. This disaster is one where I can see even veteran cruisers would shy away from cruising in the future, if only for some time. It has been reported that the disaster of the Concordia had absolutely no effect on the cruise industry and people still chose cruising as their vacation. The Carnival Triumph The Triumph, a ship I have sailed on in the past, developed a fire in the engine room knocking out power to a majority of the ship and due to the failure of toilets, sewerage had been found in many areas of the ship. Comfort equipment such as air conditioning, lighting and some cooking equipment were disabled. Emergency systems such as fire suppression equipment, communications and exterior lighting remained in service. But did you know that the bilge pumps, used to evacuate accumulated water in the hull was also operational after the power outage? Without the bilge pumps operating, the vessel may have sank! When we sailed the Triumph, we renewed our wedding vows during an itinerary that was the same as we had for our honeymoon cruise aboard the Carnival Celebration some 20 years earlier. We absolutely loved the Triumph and found new friends onboard that had sailed her numerous times prior. The cruise agent we had said that the Triumph seemed to always sail at full passenger capacity. After this mishap on the Triumph, would I sail on her after repairs....YES!!! The Celebrity Meridian The Meridian, also a ship we sailed on back in 1992, had been the flagship of Celebrity cruise lines. Built in 1961 and commissioned as the "Galileo Galilei" for Lloyd Triestino, she was renamed and sold to Celebrity cruises in 1990. She remained in service with Celebrity until 1997 when she was then sold to Sun Cruises and renamed the "Sun Vista. On May 20,1999, the vessel suffered an engine room fire, which cut all power and caused her to sink on May 21,1999. All 1,090 passengers and crew were safely evacuated and the ship sank near Malaysia. Let me get to my point. I have been on 8 cruises and have experienced inconveniences on only one. It was a minor one at that where the ships turbo chargers broke down and the vessel was only able to cruise at 50% of it's max speed causing an itinerary change. If you have never been on a cruise before, hearing of and reading stories such as have been reported lately by the dramatic media outlets may cause you to second guess ever going on a cruise. Taking into consideration reports of airplane crashes over the years, "There are approximately 25 plane crashes a year since records began in 1950"(wikianswers.com) as opposed to cruising, "In 2000/2001 we had 3 ships on their way to the breakers sink off our shores and over the past 20 years 2 ships which were part of our cruising industry were lost, fortunately without serious loss of life."(allatsea.co) , it is obvious that cruising is still the best choice you can make. You MUST approach your cruise vacation with an open mind. Speak to others that have cruised in the past. Read and ask questions of my fellow veteran cruisers regarding their cruise experiences right here on the Cruisecrazies forums. When you consider you can cruise for as little as $149 for a three day cruise (just to get your feet wet, so to say), you have an amazing opportunity to see what cruising really is. When reading reviews, take only into consideration the average reviews of positivity or negativity. It is very easy to be "Arm-Chair Quarterbacks" and draw our own conclusions on what was done or not done in the above situations. But do not allow yourself to be swayed by a news agency or the report from an attorney on how you should approach one of the only inexpensive, fun and beautiful vacation choices you could make. Hope to see you onboard soon. By CruiseCrazies Member Sarge6870

SEATTLE, April 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- For travelers who appreciate taking an inclusive vacation with extra amenities factored upfront into the price, Holland America Line is launching a new "Have It All" premium package that includes shore excursions, beverages, specialty dining and Wi-Fi in one base cruise fare. Available year-round on all itineraries six days or longer except Grand Voyages, "Have It All" is valued at $99 per guest, per day, for a seven-day cruise, and "Have it All" cruise fares represent incredible savings of 50% or more off the included amenities compared to purchasing them individually. "Have it All" fares will be available for booking April 21, 2021. "We conducted extensive research with experienced cruisers and travel partners to understand what they find most valuable when purchasing a cruise and the results overwhelmingly pointed toward one simple fare that included our top amenities," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "Our past promotions that offered these perks have been extremely popular, so we created a premium package that is available all the time and on nearly all our cruises." More Value and Convenience with "Have It All" In addition to all of the amenities that typically come with a standard cruise fare, "Have It All" also includes four high-value extras in the fare with more amenities as the length of cruise increase. Cruises of 6 to 9 days: One shore excursion up to $100 value or $100 off any one tour for all guests in a stateroom. Choose from among thousands of tours all over the world – from active ziplining adventures to immersive, historical explorations. Signature Beverage Package for all guests in a stateroom. Enjoy a large selection of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, soda, coffee and more. Up to 15 drinks per day allowed, and bar service charges are included. One night award-winning specialty dining for all guests in a stateroom. Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, while Tamarind showcases the traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan with sensuous flavors and dishes. Canaletto is a relaxed venue that serves authentic Italian cuisine. Ships with Tamarind receive one night at Tamarind or Pinnacle Grill. Ships without Tamarind receive one night at Pinnacle Grill or Canaletto. A Wi-Fi package for the first and second guests in a stateroom. Cruises of 10 to 20 days: All of the extras included in the package for six- to nine-day cruises, PLUS an additional $100 shore excursion or tour credit ($200 per guest total). Two nights specialty dining: ships with Tamarind receive one night at Pinnacle Grill and one night at Tamarind. Ships without Tamarind receive one night at Pinnacle Grill and one night at Canaletto. Cruises of 21+ days (excluding Grand Voyages): All of the extras included in the package for 10- to 20-day cruises, PLUS an additional $100 shore excursion or tour credit ($300 per guest total). Three nights specialty dining: Ships with Tamarind receive one night at Pinnacle Grill, one night at Tamarind and one night at Canaletto. Ships without Tamarind receive two nights at Pinnacle Grill and one night at Canaletto. When guests go to book a Holland America Line cruise, the "Have It All" fare is presented as an option with the included perks already factored into the price across all stateroom and suite categories. Guests who prefer to cruise without all of the extras have the option of a standard fare when making a booking. Each guest in a stateroom must book the "Have it All" cruise fare to receive the extras. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor. — # # # — About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)] Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon more than 70 years ago. Its fleet of premium ships visits more than 470 ports in 98 countries around the world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, is under construction and will join the fleet in July 2021. The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council, comprising world-famous chefs. In light of COVID-19, Holland America Line is currently enhancing health and safety protocols and how they may impact future cruises. Our actual offerings may vary from what is displayed or described in marketing materials. Review our current Cruise Updates, Health & Safety Protocols. ______________________ SOURCE: Holland America (Press Release, April 15, 2021) Photo Credit: Pixabay Free Images Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the next phase of technical guidance under the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) requiring cruise lines to establish agreements at ports where they intend to operate, implement routine testing of crew, and develop plans incorporating vaccination strategies to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19 by crew and passengers. This phase, the second of the CSO issued in October 2020, provides technical instructions on: Increasing from weekly to daily the reporting frequency of COVID-19 cases and illnesses. Implementing routine testing of all crew based on each ship’s color status. Updating the color-coding system used to classify ships’ status with respect to COVID-19. Decreasing the time needed for a “red” ship to become “green” from 28 to 14 days based on the availability of onboard testing, routine screening testing protocols, and daily reporting. Creating planning materials for agreements that port authorities and local health authorities must approve to ensure cruise lines have the necessary infrastructure in place to manage an outbreak of COVID-19 on their ships to include healthcare capacity and housing to isolate infected people and quarantine those who are exposed. Establishing a plan and timeline for vaccination of crew and port personnel. The next phase of the CSO will include simulated (trial) voyages that will allow crew and port personnel to practice new COVID-19 operational procedures with volunteers before sailing with passengers. CDC is committed to working with the cruise industry and seaport partners to resume cruising when it is safe to do so, following the phased approach outlined in the CSO. COVID-19 vaccination efforts will be critical in the safe resumption of passenger operations. As more people are fully vaccinated, the phased approach allows CDC to incorporate these advancements into planning for resumption of cruise ship travel when it is safe to do so. CDC recommends that all eligible port personnel and travelers (passengers and crew) get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to them. Cruising safely and responsibly during a global pandemic is difficult. While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, following the phases of the CSO will ensure cruise ship passenger operations are conducted in a way that protects crew members, passengers, and port personnel, particularly with emerging COVID-19 variants of concern. CDC will continue to update its guidance and recommendations to specify basic safety standards and public health interventions based on the best scientific evidence available. For more information about COVID-19 and cruise ships, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-ship/what-cdc-is-doing.html and www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise. ### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESexternal icon CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world. SOURCE: CDC Press Release, April 2, 2021. Photo Credit: Pixabay Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

It's nearly November. Most of us have been shoreside and land locked since February or March 2020, or even earlier. The COVID-19 pandemic with the assistance of the CDC has seen to it that we won't be cruising any time soon. The CDC has extended it's No-Sail Order, again, through October 31, 2020, and who knows when ships will return. Unless you have been lucky enough to be able to cruise one of the European lines or a small ship adventure line exempt from the CDC's order, you're probably suffering from cruise withdrawal, wondering when and if you'll ever again be aboard a cruise again. Not that we don't have feelings. We recall the rampant cases of Coronavirus on board cruise ships earlier in the year, the quarantine that kept guests at sea for what seems like forever, and the crew members stranded aboard for many months away from their families while ships were kept away. While the virus continues to rage and re-emerge around the country, especially in the U.S., we remember those friends and loved ones who have become ill and those who have tragically died. Now eight months later, and the virus is still very much alive, surging in some cases, and people are getting restless. Still, passionate cruisers want to cruise again - someday. And I believe we will, when it's deemed safe, when proper precautions are in place, and when there is a vaccine. Even now, cruise lines are working hard to secure that we can be healthy and safe when it's time to get back to the ocean. In the meantime, let's think about the ways we can survive this cruise drought. Plan Now, Sail Later! This is first and foremost the best way to combat cruise withdrawal. Just as the melancholy that takes over when you arrive home after disembarking a memorable cruise, the same principle applies. Don't put it off any longer. Book a cruise now, even if you're not sure what the future holds for cruise ships. Those of you whose cruise was canceled and you were given future cruise credit, it's easy. Just choose another cruise and move your funds over. However, if you've only been dreaming and wondering if you'll ever sail again, put those dreams to action. Book a cruise now and sail later. Most lines now have opened bookings up to 2022, are offering free amenities galore, and have instituted flexible cancellation and change policies. They value your business and are making it easier than ever to plan for later. In fact, assuming that the CDC drops the No-Sail order, cruise lines are betting that they will depart U.S. ports as early as December or January, and if you can tolerate risk of cancellation, you could snag a great deal! See Where Others Are going! Okay, so you're still not sure you want to invest your time and energy in a future cruise during these uncertain times. I get it. We're all apprehensive, cautious and nervous about how this virus will play out. It's time to read, research and stalk the internet. People ARE currently traveling - not cruising, of course, but they are taking to the roads or the air. Do you notice how other people simply LOVE to flood social media with their latest and greatest travel photos? Does it make you crazy that they are traveling and you're not? Instead of wallowing in envy and jealousy, find out how these people are making it happen. What steps are they taking and how are they getting there? For example, I have several friends and acquaintances that have recently traveled amidst a pandemic, places like Cancun, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Las Vegas and our National Parks. They post photos of pristine beaches, majestic mountains, rugged canyons and frilly umbrella drinks. They report traveling to these places easily, safely and without major incident. Take a look at the trips others are successfully taking and ask yourself - could I do this? Road Trip It! If you simply can't wait until it's safe to cruise again, take a quick road trip. A short 3-day trip will clear your head and soothe your soul. Depending on where in the country you're located, it could be a mountain retreat, a lakeside cabin or a beachside resort. Research the particular COVID policies for your destination, grab your mask and hand sanitizer, and take to the highway. Got a camper? Lucky you! Take off and see the country in your home-to-go! Or camp out under the stars in your favorite tent. Dream Up a Staycation! If accommodations make you nervous, simply plan a day trip. Take to the road for a few hours and admire the scenery, whether it be snow-capped mountains or seaside vistas. If you're a photography snob, grab your camera and do a photo shoot. Alternatively, plan a virtual vacation in your living room or on the outside patio. If you're lucky to live in constant warmth and sun, a backyard pool and garden patio can be a great escape without the expense. Make some frilly umbrella drinks and pretend you're in the Caribbean. If you live in the snow belt, loop a virtual cruise or ocean video on your TV, lay a blanket out on the floor, whip up some Pina coladas in the blender, and have a picnic. A backyard fire pit can provide hours of camp-out fun, so grab some marshmallows! Bide Your Time and Don't Give Up! If the virus doesn't seem to be going anywhere and infection rates are up in your area, don't let it get you down. Unfortunately, the virus is still here and is creating disharmony across the country, on both sides of masking. If you feel it's just not the right time to travel, you're not alone. There continue to be risks, and peoples' lives are at stake. But don't despair - be proactive. Think about the destinations on your bucket list. Particularly those that can be reached by cruise ship. Read about it and make it forefront in your mind. Prepare and be ready when the coast is clear to book your dream trip! Realize that opportunities for both cruise and land travel - and to travel freely - will return. Just be patient! In the meantime, dream about those amazing travel adventures to come. ________________________________ Thanks for reading! Comments and suggestions are always welcome. For inspiration or assistance with cruise or land vacation planning, visit me at Seven Sea Journeys.

A Virginia couple is suing Royal Caribbean Cruises and an excursion company after they sustained severe burns during a visit to the White Island volcano in New Zealand, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in US District Court in Miami. The volcano erupted on December 9, 2019, while 47 people were visiting the island. Twenty-one people were killed. Others suffered severe injuries. The couple, Matthew Urey and Lauren Barham, who were on their honeymoon, sustained burns to 54% and 23% of their bodies respectively, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges the cruise line and the excursion company, ID Tours New Zealand Limited, were negligent in not informing them about the potential dangers of visiting the volcano. Royal Caribbean responded to the lawsuit filed on Thursday, saying: "We continue to support the needs of those affected by this tragic incident. We respectfully decline further comment while the investigation is still proceeding." CNN reached out to ID Tours New Zealand Limited for comment. The Royal Caribbean's shore excursion brochure referred to White Island, located on the east coast of New Zealand's north island, as "one of the most active volcanoes in the world," the lawsuit said. The potential danger of visiting the volcano was not obvious to the couple "because an 'active' volcano is defined as a volcano that has had at least one eruption during the past 10,000 years." The volcano had erupted "multiple times" in the past 10 years and was experiencing increased volcanic activity that the couple was unaware of, the lawsuit said. The cruise line also failed to notify the couple that a 5.9 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter located about 6.2 miles northeast of the volcano occurred two weeks earlier, the lawsuit said, which is notable "since seismic activity provides an increased risk of hydrothermal eruptions." According to a statement from the couple's attorney, Michael Winkleman, "the applicable maritime law holds that Royal Caribbean has a well-defined legal duty to warn its passengers of known dangers. As the Complaint alleges, Royal Caribbean egregiously breached this duty to warn." The couple is demanding judgment for all damages recoverable under the law and a trial by jury. ______________ Credit: CNN (Rebekah Riess, June 26, 2020); Photo courtesy of A.P. Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

An Australian couple quarantined on a cruise ship due to the deadly coronavirus kept the party flowing by getting a drone to deliver wine straight to their cabin. Jan and Dave Binskin, from Queensland, have chronicled their journey of boredom and booze while stranded on the Diamond Princess ship off the coast of Tokyo for the past week. “Quarantined on the Diamond Princess in Yokohama Japan now into Day 6 of 14 we are confined to our cabin,” the couple wrote on their Facebook account while posing with masks. “[We] get let out every 4/5 days for 1 hour walk on the deck we are well and in good spirits so far would appreciate any local news.” Although the Aussie couple had an ocean view — the seas were getting rocky and the Binskins needed some vino. “Our view for the next 13 days or maybe 28 as they just found another 10 positive and are taking them ashore 😡😡,” they wrote on Wednesday along with an image of the seas. The couple then reached out to the Naked Wine Club and — much to their delight — received two bottles of Pinot Noir that was delivered to their cabin door by drone. “Naked Wine Club you’re incredible. Just got the first drop,” they wrote on Friday along with an image of Dave lounging on the bed donning a mask and holding a glass of their finest. “Thank God for drones, the Japanese Coast Guard did not know what the fu– was going on.” The Diamond Princess was floating off the coast with about 3700 people aboard as the entire vessel was held under two-week quarantine since they arrived back at the port of Yokohama. A man who disembarked in Hong Kong had been diagnosed with the virus. The Binskins, and their wine, will be stuck on the ship for another 8 days. “New update on Masks,” the couple wrote on Monday with an image of their new face protection. By Joe Tacopino, New York Post Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

TORONTO- June 11, 2019 – Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages President and CEO Tom McAlpin announced the appointment of Captain Wendy Williams as Master of Scarlet Lady. When Captain Williams takes the helm of Scarlet Lady in spring 2020, she will become the first Canadian woman to be captain of a ship for a major cruise brand. The company also announced a brand-new lineup of itineraries for their premier 2020 season. “Captain Wendy’s extensive maritime background makes her an excellent choice to lead the Scarlet Lady, but it is her spirit and drive to approach life at sea differently that make her the perfect fit to join the Virgin Voyages family,” said Tom McAlpin, president and chief executive officer for Virgin Voyages. Originally from the coastal city of Sept-Îles, Quebec on the Northeastern coast of Canada, Captain Williams now resides on her hobby farm on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Captain Williams has more than 28 years of experience working on ships at sea. Her extensive background includes more than a decade as a deckhand in commercial fishing off the western coast of Canada as well as working as a ferryboat captain. Although she has spent more than 15 years working on the bridge of mega cruise ships, her role with Virgin Voyages will be her first promotion to Master of a cruise ship. “I have salt water in my veins and nothing brings me more joy than being at sea,” said Captain Wendy Williams. “It’s a dream come true to be working with Virgin Voyages, a company that is focused on creating an incredible experience not only for our Sailors but for our Crew as well; while also taking action to minimize our footprint on our oceans.” Just last year, Virgin Voyages announced its Scarlet Squad program, an initiative dedicated to bridging the gender gap in leadership roles across the maritime industry, where women represent less than three percent of the workforce. The program aims to recruit, support and mentor female shipboard talent, and to grow opportunities for leadership roles in marine, technical and hotel management positions on board. While Virgin Voyages is still in the early stages of the crew for Scarlet Lady, the company has already recruited Captain Williams as well as nearly a dozen other female officers, including Jill Anderson as hotel director, Christin Wenge as safety officer, Lindsay Kerber as environmental officer, among other incredibly talented female engineers as well as second and third officers. Virgin Voyages’ intention is to create an onboard environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. New Voyage Offerings In response to the U.S. government’s new restrictions on travel to Cuba from the United States, Virgin Voyages has also developed an exciting lineup of new itineraries featuring destinations that its Sailors expressed interest in exploring while on a voyage aboard Scarlet Lady. Continuing the company’s mission to provide its Sailors with epic day and nighttime experiences, the all new itineraries will feature multiple late-night sail aways, including a midnight departure on all new sailings. Virgin Voyages will now offer five-night Riviera Maya sailings to Cozumel/Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Cozumel and Playa del Carmen offer opportunities for Sailors to experience some of the world’s best diving, as the area is home to 26 coral species. Sailors will also have the opportunity to explore ecological and archeological treasures, including Mayan ruins, or even opt to explore neighboring Tulum, the elevated Bohemian sanctuary with picturesque beaches and diverse nightlife. For those who just want a quick getaway, Virgin Voyages’ four-night sailings will now become Fire and Sunset Soirées including a sunset departure from Key West and a midnight departure from Bimini. Sailors will experience the cultural and boating paradise of Key West, paired with a day of rejuvenation in Bimini, Bahamas that’s topped off by an exclusive late-night beach bonfire soiree. This celebration under the stars is exclusive to these sailings, and the artistic fire installations draw inspiration from the fireball sculptures on Branson’s Necker Island and the alluring communal nature of a traditional beachside bonfire. In response to Sailor demand for longer voyages aboard Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages has developed special seven-night sailings for the 2020 festive holiday season. Those looking to get a jump start on their holiday planning can opt for the all-new Holidaze and Nights and New Year’s Ahoy voyages, which fall over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays respectively, and feature stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and late-night sail aways in both Bimini, Bahamas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All voyages will feature a stop in Bimini, Bahamas, home to The Beach Club, a private club for Virgin Voyages Sailors while Scarlet Lady is on the island. For more information on Scarlet Lady, future Sailors and First Mates (travel partners) are invited to check out Virgin Voyages by visiting www.virginvoyages.com. Photo: Richard Branson and Wendy Williams (Virgin Voyages) (Gerry Barker is a freelance travel writer who has covered the cruise industry for 10 years, formerly with The Palm Beach Post. He and his wife Pam maintain a Cruise Blog on NorthPalmBeachLife.com) 0 Comments

Virgin Voyages' inaugural season is officially on sale to everyone. The company's first ship, the adults-only Scarlet Lady is scheduled to set sail from Miami to the Caribbean beginning in April 2020. The four- and five-night itineraries will include stops in Havana, Cuba; Costa Maya, Mexico and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Onboard highlights will include 20-plus eateries, free group fitness classes, complimentary WiFi and free basic beverages such as soda, teas, coffee and water. There will also be no gratuities or service charges. What's more, each cabin will feature a custom-designed Seabed that's able to transform into a seating area while the lighting will automatically adjust to enhance the time of day. Scarlet Lady will offer 1,330 cabins and 78 RockStar suites in all, with a majority boasting ocean views and terraces. "I’ve dreamed of starting my own cruise line since I was in my 20s and now the launch is finally getting close," said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Voyages, in a statement. "We have taken the time to think about every detail and craft an experience that brings the Virgin brand to life and disrupts the travel industry." "At Virgin Voyages we are going beyond just great design to defy and redefine luxury to be rebellious luxe," added Virgin Voyages president and CEO Tom McAlpin. "This new luxury is about knowing you are taken care of, that you’re never being nickel and dimed, and what you want, even some of the things you didn’t know you wanted, are already taken care of for you." Earlier this month, Virgin Voyages launched a dedicated travel agent website called "First Mates" that offers agents and advisors access to interactive marketing and learning materials to help them book clients. By TravelPulse Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

It’s so easy for David Kirkland's family and friends to cruise for less, it seems like the cruise lines are paying them to take a vacation! While they spend practically nothing, David just shakes his head in utter disbelief as he watches what others just like you are spending for your cruise vacation. But now, the shocking truth will be exposed in David's revolutionary guide on how to cruise for less – the same guide that has the cruise industry trembling at the knees. David was a hard-working 3-Stripe Officer for 10 years at a major cruise line… …until he was forced to quit because he no longer wanted to trick passengers into spending obscene amounts of money! He took a stand and his job was threatened. This guide is his response to that threat. With David's extensive industry knowledge, he has published this astonishing, one-of-a-kind guide on how you can save a boatload of money on every cruise you ever take – the secrets that could only come from someone within the industry. David is absolutely certain that once you’ve read his guide, you will be left COMPLETELY SHOCKED AND SPEECHLESS at just how much you’ve been misled, overcharged and even flat out deceived by the cruise lines. David guarantees you that this information will absolutely transform the way you cruise like nothing else out there. Also, David insists that this guide will work with any cruise line, any ship, and any itinerary worldwide! Click the following button for your own copy of this insider information:

The good news: The cruise industry is expected to grow by 6 percent in 2019, with 18 new ships setting sail and 30 million travelers taking to the sea. The even better news: More than eight out of 10 CLIA-certified travel agents expect to see their cruise sales grow in the next 12 months. And the top trends in the “2019 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook,” released today by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), point to tips for travel agents selling cruise vacations. Here’s the list of the top trends for 2019 and what they mean for travel agents: Instagrammable cruise travel. If you are not on Instagram yet, it’s time to give it a try. “Instagram posts are driving interest in travel around the world,” the report says, with many days seeing more than 350 million posts tagged #travel, as cruisers and travel agents post photos onboard and on land. Total restoration. “Stressed out from fast-paced lives, travelers are seeking ways to check out from daily responsibilities and rejuvenate more than ever before,” CLIA reports. Be sure to tell clients about the wellness options onboard the ships they are considering, including restorative spa experiences, onboard oxygen bars, healthy menu choices, and the latest in fitness innovations. Achievement over experience. “Vacationers are looking for immersive, cultural experiences beyond sightseeing. Bucket lists have become more goal-oriented and cruise lines are meeting these demands,” says CLIA, with excursions like hiking Machu Picchu or culinary workshops hosted by Le Cordon Bleu chefs. Find out your clients’ interests and mention onboard offerings that match. Onboard with smart tech. The wearable technology includes keychains, necklaces, and bracelets designed to provide a highly personalized travel experience. Conscious travel. “Travelers want to see the world in a conscious, mindful way,” says the report, and cruise lines are working with local communities to preserve their heritage and decrease the environmental footprint. Ask if your clients are interested in touring a local school or volunteering. Access is the new luxury. “Travelers are setting their sights on destinations that were previously out of reach, some only accessible now by cruise ship,” according to CLIA. Suggest bucket list destinations like the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica. Gen Z at sea. Generation Z is set to become the largest consumer generation in the next two years, CLIA says, and this age group is looking for multiple destinations and unique experiences, such as music festivals at sea. Off-peak adventures. CLIA prompts agents to suggest traveling during the off-peak season, when travelers can “escape the cold in a tropical place or embrace the chill in a new destination. Cruising offers some once-in-a-lifetime experiences during the colder months that include: excursions to see the Northern Lights, visiting a penguin colony, and touring European Christmas Markets.” Working nomads. Many modern travelers or “digital nomads” are opting for trips where they can work remotely. Don’t hesitate to suggest longer trips, where “WiFi and work-friendly cafes can help them keep up with work while enjoying a cruise vacation,” offers CLIA. Female-centered cruising. Many travel companies are creating female-centered itineraries based on shared interests and connecting women. CLIA says, “Female-centered cruises can create a female empowerment community at sea while allowing travelers to experience the world around them, as well as visit famous feminist landmarks.” Going solo. Cruising is a great option for solo travelers, allowing them to “visit even the most far-reaching destinations and connect with other travelers, form community bonds, and experience once-in-a-lifetime things,” the CLIA reports notes. Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association, said: “Research and forecasting the year ahead allows the cruise industry an opportunity to take a big-picture look at the cruise and travel industries to evaluate and predict all of the exciting things to come. The coming year’s trends truly reflect the intersection between the experiences travelers seek and the cruise industry’s innovations.” Eighteen new vessels An impressive number of new ships will be coming online in 2019 from CLIA-member companies. Here they are: Greg Mortimer, Aurora Expeditions Carnival Panorama, Carnival Cruise Line Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Cruises Venezia and Smeralda, Costa Cruises Coral Adventurer, Coral Expeditions Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Inspiration, Hapag-Lloyd MSC Grandiosa and MSC Bellissima, MSC Cruises Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Cruise Line Le Dumont-d’Urville and Le Bougainville, PONANT Yacht Cruises and Expeditions Sky Princess, Princess Cruises Spectrum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International Scenic Eclipse, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours Spirit of Discovery, Saga Cruises Mein Schiff 2, TUI Cruises By Cheryl Rosen, Travel Market Report Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

Hi my name is Renee and I am here to help YOU solve some of the problems of packing for your next cruise! Let's face it packing for a cruise can be grueling and that is not the way it should be. Packing should be as much fun as the cruise itself! Our luggage line is ready to service your packing needs and is called "MY CRUISER™ - EZ PACK”. It is truly easy to pack because it leaves no question about where to put your shoes, solves the problem with leaking toiletries and separates used laundry from everything else. The removable hanging bag feature is great to hang up in the bathroom or inside the closet area since it eliminates the need to keep getting in and out of your suitcase. Plus NO PLASTIC BAGS NEEDED with "MY CRUISER™ - EZ PACK” Let’s get cruisin’ with "MY CRUISER™ - EZ PACK" Visit: www.mycruiserezpack.com

A plan to bring Carnival Cruise Line’s largest-ever cruise ship to Port Canaveral was unanimously approved by the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners on Wednesday morning. The board voted to enter into a 25-year operating agreement with Miami-based Carnival that will pave the way for the cruise line to dock its still unnamed, 5,286-passenger ship at the port. Under the agreement, Carnival would have access to Terminals 5 and 6 until the port’s new Terminal 3 is completed in June 2020. Then, Carnival will primarily operate from Terminals 3 and 6. The move to Terminal 3 will give Carnival the space to operate its newest and largest vessels at Port Canaveral — just in time for the completion of Carnival’s new ship. During a presentation to the board Wednesday morning, Scott Bakos, managing principal and partner at Bermello-Ajamil & Partners, Inc., the design consultant and architect on the project, revealed further details of the design for the new terminal. The all-glass facade of Terminal 3 will be titled “Launch Pad,” in a font reminiscent of the one used on the NASA logo, a move that is designed to tie in the history of the Space Coast. The 185,000-square-foot building will have a U.S. Customs and Border Protection screening area and integrated mobile passenger check-in, all targeted at making the embarkation and debarkation process more seamless. The building will also have the capability to transition as Customs and Border Protection moves to using facial recognition, Bakos said. A five-level parking garage will accommodate nearly 1,800 cars. “There is nothing like having a fantastic cruise and having to deal with long lines and wait times, so we put a lot of effort into making sure that doesn’t happen for the facility,” Bakos told the board. All told, the $150 million terminal project is the largest in the port’s history. “This agreement is a valuable milestone for the port’s cruise business and a foremost achievement for the entire region’s economy. Our partnership with Carnival has continued to grow over the years thanks to this community’s assets, our commitment to service and a steadfast focus on preserving our financial strength to invest in the port’s future,” said Tom Weinberg, secretary/treasurer of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners in a statement. The new agreement will replace an existing six-year agreement set to expire in 2019. Effective Sept. 1, the new agreement will bring Carnival’s current annual guarantee to the port from a fixed $7 million passenger fee to a $14.5 million commitment that will increase by 2.5 percent for the first five years and 3 percent thereafter. From Carnival’s perspective, the agreement cements its foothold at Port Canaveral as the largest operator. The arrival of its largest ship will also shine a light on port, which will play host to the first ship powered by liquefied natural gas in North America. Further details on the ship will be revealed next year. By Chabeli Herrera, Orlando Sentinel Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

A shower at sea should be an experience, and on this cruise ship, it will be. Onboard Royal Caribbean’s new Spectrum of the Seas, select guests will be able to indulge in a shower with “unparalleled water views” — because their bathroom is actually floating off the side of the ship with nothing underneath it. Guests who book the 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite will get a bevy of unique features, but the most eye-popping is the bathroom that juts out over the side of the ship. The suite’s bathroom is cantilevered off the side of the boat, allowing guests to shower and bathe while suspended over the high seas. (The mock-up does not show any toilets in the floating bathroom.) The two-level, three-bedroom suite can accommodate up to 11 guests, and features a slide for kids (or kids at heart) to get from the upper level down to the bottom. In addition to the floating bathroom, there’s also an en-suite recreation room for nights of karaoke, video games, or movie marathons. As always, this ultimate experience doesn't come cheap: Booking the suite for a seven-day sailing starts at $50,000. The Spectrum of the Seas will debut in Spring 2019 with cruises from Shanghai. Royal Caribbean says the new ship — capable of carrying up to 4,246 passengers — will be the largest sailing in Asia. The ship is the first in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Ultra class of ships. Other notable features on the ship include the Sky Pad, a VR bungee jumping experience, on the ship’s aft. By Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

This may have happened a good number of years ago, but it's so unique that it's definitely worth sharing once again in case you haven't seen this before. There's a quick video below too, to see it for yourself. In 2010, Jan Schwiderek in partnership with the AIDA Cruises line, performed a stunt of water skiing behind the 68,500-ton (GRT) cruise ship AIDAbella for more than six minutes to achieve a Guinness world record. The stunt was performed in 2010 off the Spanish coast in the Bay of Alicante as passengers and crew aboard the 252 meter AIDAbella gathered at the stern of the ship to watch in awe. To make this happen, a "rolling start" was deployed in which Jan Schwiderek was pulled up by a speedboat while on the skis at full speed of 14 knots. The stunt lasted for 6 minutes and 25 seconds and to this day is the current world record for pulling a water-ski rider. So, who wants to water ski behind a cruise ship?

(CNN) — Why build a bigger cruise ship when you can just cut one in half and add an extra 15 meters to the middle? That seems to be the thinking at cruise company Silversea, which has begun an eye-popping project to stretch its luxury cruise ship Silver Spirit. The elaborate engineering feat, underway at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Palermo, Italy, requires over 500 skilled workers and will take up approximately 450,000 man hours. A prebuilt 15-meter extension (almost 50 feet) has already been inserted with "military precision" to stretch Silver Spirit from 195.8 to 210.7 meters. The 36,009-ton ship is now being carefully reconnected to make it ready for sea travel. The renovation requires approximately 846 tons of steel, 110,000 meters of cabling and 8,000 meters of piping and is believed to come with a $100 million price tag. Once completed, the ship's capacity will increase by around 12%, and Silversea (whose headquarters are based in Monaco) aims to "create more space in public areas" and "enhance Silver Spirit's facilities." "Witnessing these breathtaking phases of the Silver Spirit lengthening project has filled us with pride and excitement," says Barbara Muckermann, chief marketing officer of Silversea. She says the work will upgrade Silver Spirit to more closely match the magic of its newer flagship vessel Silver Muse, which took the sea in 2017. "The lengthening and refurbishment of Silver Spirit will replicate the modern elegance of our latest vessel to make for a more luxurious traveling experience," Muckermann adds. "We are eager to share the new and improved layout of our cherished ship with our valued guests.'" Described as a "rarely performed feat of maritime architecture," the operation is the first of its kind involving a luxury cruise ship, according to Silversea. The extra space will make room for a new eight-restaurant formation as well as increased outdoor seating, an expansion of the pool deck and 34 new suites. Silver Spirit's sky deck will also increase in length and a new aerobics area is to be fitted outside. Other new additions include a spa, a free weights room and two new public spaces. The ship's current suites are also to be refurbished. Silversea says it's already donated 11 containers of furniture -- including sofas, chairs, curtains and computers -- to hospitals, nursing homes and schools in Chania, Crete. Silver Spirit first set sail in 2009 and served as Silversea's largest luxury ship until Silver Muse was launched in April 2017. The privately owned luxury cruise line's other vessels include Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper as well as expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, Silver Discoverer and Silver Cloud. The Silver Spirit is due to recommence service on May 6, 2018, offering seven-day trips between Civitavecchia (Rome) and Barcelona, with fares starting at $5,600 per person. By Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

Norwegian Encore, the latest addition to Norwegian Cruise Line’s young and modern fleet, will invite travelers to discover or rediscover the beauty and culture of the Caribbean islands with cruises now on sale for voyages beginning in fall of 2019. Guests can now book their ultimate cruise vacation on Norwegian’s fourth Breakaway-Plus class ship, the final ship in the most successful class of the company’s history. For her inaugural 2019 season, Norwegian Encore will cruise out of Miami every Sunday, and sail seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean, beginning with her first journey on November 17, 2019 through April 12, 2020. Norwegian Encore’s Eastern Caribbean cruises will feature some of the region’s most popular destinations offering a perfect mix of leisure activities, culture immersion and adventurous experiences. On this spectacular seven-day voyage, guests will first visit San Juan, Puerto Rico where they can explore everything the city has to offer. Guests can stroll through the colorful plazas and cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, tour the island’s popular Bacardi Rum distillery, and visit historic sites including the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, immersing themselves in the history of the citadel. Norwegian Encore will then make her next call into St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, notably known for its picturesque beaches, amazing snorkeling locations and bountiful shopping options. Finally, guests will have the chance to revel in the exotic, beautiful isle of Tortola, British Virgin Islands and relax on its sprawling white sandy beaches while surrounded by its lush tropical scenery. “Our decision to have the inaugural season of Norwegian Encore cruise the Caribbean reinforces our long-standing relationship with this region and strengthens our support to some of the most beautiful islands in the world,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are excited to reveal the ship’s new features and amenities over the next few months, and look forward to continuing to offer our guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ultimate cruise vacation aboard our newest ship.” In January, Norwegian Encore marked her first construction milestone with an official steel-cutting ceremony that took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Slated to be approximately 167,800 gross tons and accommodating up to 4,000 guests, Norwegian Encore will make her much-anticipated debut in Miami in November 2019 to coincide with the scheduled completion of the new terminal at PortMiami, which will be dedicated to Norwegian Cruise Line. The design that was recently revealed at the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in March is a creation of the architects at Bermello Ajamil and Partners, and will feature modern elements including state-of-the-art lighting, inviting indoor and outdoor waiting areas, new technology for a more efficient checking-in process and other innovative features to enhance the overall guest experience. Norwegian Encore will feature amenities and interactive experiences that will excite and inspire. More details on the ship’s design, accommodations, dining and onboard offerings will be shared in the coming months. By Norwegian Cruise Line Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

This is the first half of an article posted by BLOOMBERG which reveals little known facts about cruise ships. Read Part 2 here: https://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html/cruise-articles/4-little-known-facts-about-cruise-ships-part-2-of-2-r1586/ At a time when travelers are feeling more precious than ever about “authentic experiences,” the cruise industry is doubling down on the exact opposite: completely manufactured fun. Leading the pack is Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., whose mega-ships are destinations unto themselves: Its restaurants, casinos, Broadway-caliber musicals, silent disco parties, skating rinks, karaoke, dance clubs, and escape-the-room experiences are such strong lures, some guests don’t even bother to look up where the ship is docking. So when the cruise line invited me to join the ranks as temporary director of its largest ship, Harmony of the Seas—which is as big as five Titanics—I knew I was signing up for the most manic week of my life. As cruise director, my primarily responsibility was seeing to the happiness of 6,322 passengers and 2,200-plus crew. Over the course of a week, I had my hands in every department, from ship activities and entertainment to onboard revenue, making sure that everyone and everything worked in, well, harmony. From stocking the world’s biggest buffet and staving off gastrointestinal disasters to hosting celebrity guests, everything is 10 times crazier when you’re mayor of a city that’s floating in the middle of the sea. There Is Secret Cruise Code Language It’s crucial for the staff to have code words so that passengers don’t get freaked out if something goes wrong. A “30-30” means the crew is asking maintenance to clean up a mess; three times during my stint I called in a “PVI” (public vomiting incident). An “Alpha” is a medical emergency, a “Bravo” is a fire, and “Kilo” is a request for all personnel to report to their emergency posts, which happens in the event of, say, a necessary evacuation. Be wary of “Echo,” which is called if the ship is starting to drift, or “Oscar,” which means someone’s gone overboard. A crew member told me he’s had only four or five “Oscars” in 10 years of cruising. Drunk Guests Can’t Outsmart the On-Board Bartenders If you thought those all-you-can-drink beverage packages were directly correlated with drunk debauchery at sea, think again. Only eight to 10 percent of passengers purchase unlimited booze packages—Royal Caribbean’s guests are largely family travelers—and those who do are carefully monitored. Every single alcoholic beverage is poured with a jigger. Intoxicated passengers can have their SeaPasses (onboard credit cards) temporarily disabled, barring them from being served at any of the ship’s bars. As for the most popular alcoholic beverage ordered on board? It’s a cinnamon fireball shot. According to Ivan De La Rosa, the ship’s senior doctor, the biggest issue involving alcohol is when the ship is docked in Cozumel, Mexico. Mix an afternoon of unregulated drinking on land at Señor Frogs with tropical heat and a few glasses of Mexican tap water, and you’ve got yourself a guaranteed “PVI.” Cruise Staffers Regularly Engage in Subliminal Messaging The first thing guests likely see in their cabins is a gleeful jingle about hand-washing looping on their television screen. It’s catchy as a Katy Perry song and meant to steer you toward Purel pumps around the ship, each carefully positioned at high-traffic junctions (think entrances to the main dining halls and theaters) by senior staff. Along with the emcees’ banter at large group events—“Have you washed your hands 50 times today? I have!”—the jingle is part of the crew’s unwavering effort to stave off a potential Norovirus outbreak. But sanitation is just one aim of the frequent subliminal messaging. Special promotions around the ship encourage passengers to scatter when certain areas become congested, and moving guests around the ship subtly encourages them to diversify (and increase) their onboard spending. If casino revenue is low, for instance, senior management might host a raffle or karaoke event at the far side of the slots to drive foot traffic and encourage passengers to linger (or better yet, play) a while. Activities managers will even film their daily newscast about onboard events with Starbucks iced coffees in hand, as a quiet reminder that passengers can get their venti latte fix on Deck Six. Often times, these veiled announcements are aimed at boosting the ship’s bottom line. There Is a Cruise Ship Burn Book Dru Pavlov, veteran cruise director and my mentor during this Royal Caribbean stint, keeps a hallowed book of stupid comments and questions; passed down from one cruise director to the next as a right of passage, it makes great vamping material for event emcees. The book Pavlov bequeathed to me included such doozies as: “Where’s the elevator to get to the front of the ship?” Others include “Is the toilet water drinkable?” and “How long does it take the crew to get home every night?” My favorite contribution came three days into my tenure, when a passenger stopped me to complain that she could no longer find her cabin. The ship had been parked backwards, she claimed. All Cruise Guests Basically Eat the Same Things Freezers on board Harmony of the Seas are the size of New York studio apartments—and stocking them is an art form. Before each sailing, the inventory team receives enough ingredients for 20 different dining venues, plus servings for the 2,000-member crew. (The total cost, including such other consumables as paper towels, is about $800,000.) Overestimate the order, and the voyage becomes less-profitable (and wasteful); underestimate, and you’ll risk a riot over coconut shrimp. Luckily, passengers’ eating habits are fairly predictable. On the average week-long cruise, Royal Caribbean estimates its guests will be 80 percent American, consuming around 3,000 bottles of wine, 7,000 pounds of chicken breast, and almost 100,000 eggs. If more than 80 percent of the guests are American, the crew orders extra ketchup. When the percentage of Chinese passengers increases, they bump up the supply of sliced fruit, seafood, and rice. Latin Americans consume more red meat and Coronas (which also requires additional limes). And family-prone Spring Break cruises require three times as many chicken nuggets. The one thing that never changes no matter who is on board? Toilet paper. Around 9,600 rolls are used each week. By Brandon Presser, Bloomberg Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news and articles go to @ https://www.cruisecrazies.com

Lisa Lillien (a.k.a. Hungry Girl) is the creator of Hungry Girl and a guru of better-for-you eating. Nearly 3 million daily email subscribers and social media followers eagerly await her healthy recipes, food finds, and tips ‘n tricks each weekday. Come spend a week with Lisa and her team, and learn how to lose weight and keep it off for good! PACK YOUR BAGS FOR… WEIGHT-MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES THAT WORK Learn how to outsmart your cravings, overcome common setbacks, and more! Bonus: Award-winning health journalist Robert J. Davis, PhD, will reveal some shocking food and fitness myths. See more event highlights here: http://cruise.hungry-girl.com/#hgevents INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION Hear from weight-loss superstars who won the battle with the scale. Through interactive discussion panels, they’ll reveal their top smart-eating strategies and share their personal keys to success. Get inspired to sit on the panel at next year’s cruise! Plus, down-to-earth cooking demos will show you how to make smart (and delicious!) at-home choices with ease. TROPICAL DESTINATIONS A private island in the Bahamas; duty-free shopping in George Town, Cayman Islands; storybook coral reefs in Cozumel, Mexico; and beach-side architecture in Key West… It’s the adventure of a lifetime, so get your cameras ready! For port descriptions, click here: http://cruise.hungry-girl.com/#portdescriptions CALORIE-BURNING SECRETS Learn simple ways to burn major calories from Mandee Miller, a physical wellness pro and Lisa’s personal trainer. Mandee will also lead all-level workouts and reinvigorating mid-session stretches to music. And join Lisa and team for “Deckwalking,” brisk walks around the boat to rack up your daily step count! CUSTOM CUISINE Enjoy group dinners with Hungry Girl entrées and desserts, complete with calorie counts! Of course, there will be plenty of indulgent dishes worth splurging on too... Feel free to indulge -- it’s YOUR vacation! PARTIES & ENTERTAINMENT Come party with Lisa and the Hungry Girl staff! Snap selfies, sip low-calorie margaritas, and dance it up to Holland America’s world-class live music! LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS The Hungry Girl cruise is like a luxury summer camp for grown-ups. Connect with Lisa and fellow HG cruisers, and build a support system that lasts long after the cruise ends. Grab your mom, your sister, and your gal pals! (Husbands and kids can come at a discounted rate!) For more information and to book the Official Hungry Girl Cruise, visit cruise.hungry-girl.com!

It's been a few years since CruiseCrazies has gathered up its members, friends and family for a group cruise. I am excited to announce that two future cruises for our community are now planned and ready to book. With feedback from members, we were able to mutually agree on two exciting destinations on two fabulous cruise lines: Holland America's Koningsdam to Norway in summer 2017, followed by the Coral Princess Panama Canal in spring 2018. Choose one or both, and please spread the word among our members! July 30, 2017 - 7 Night Norway Fjords cruise aboard Holland America's Koningsdam. Join old friends or make new ones as we embark on a memorable summer escape aboard Holland America's newest ship Koningsdam to the beautiful Norwegian Fjords. Explore the quaint, picturesque town of Alesund. Cruise the impressive Geirangerfjord, the jewel of the Norwegian Fjords. Experience the colorful city of Bergen, the gateway to the fjords. In Eidfjord see the spectacular Voringsfossen waterfall, one of Norway's most visited natural attractions. Enjoy scenic cruising of the breathtaking Hardangerfjord region. Begin and end your cruise in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, where you can spend an extra night or two exploring this amazing city! Special Limited Time Offer is now available from Holland America - "EXPLORE 4". Reserve your cabin and receive: Signature Beverage Package Specialty Dining at the Pinnacle Grille Reduced Cruise Fares for Kids and Friends 50% Reduced Deposit Plus, suite guests receive $200 internet credit and prepaid gratuities! For complete details about our Norway cruise and how to reserve, please visit: Seven Sea Journeys/Norway 2017 April 10, 2018 - 10-Night Panama Canal Cruise aboard the Coral Princess (Partial Transit). Can't make the Norway cruise or prefer not to fly across the pond? Then join us for an exciting and memorable Caribbean adventure and partial transit of the Panama Canal aboard the Coral Princess, Princess Cruises' mid-size ship built especially for the canal! Enjoy the wonder of the Panama Canal. Relax on a beautiful beach in Aruba. Experience the rain forest of Costa Rica. Climb the famous Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and so much more. Begin and end your cruise in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where you are encouraged to spend a night or two exploring its beaches, shops and canals. For a limited time only, you can save money and enjoy these FREE amenities with Princess 3 FOR FREE offer: RESERVE NOW! For complete details about our Panama Cruise and how to reserve, please visit: Seven Sea Journeys - Panama Canal 2018 Questions? CONTACT ME for more information. Seven Sea Journeys is a CruiseCrazies Authorized Agent

(Article courtesy of Travel Pulse, "Resort for a Day: How to Take a Caribbean Beach Day Like a Boss") When you take a cruise to the Caribbean, you want to make the most of your time in the sun. For me, this means getting to the sands and blue waters. I'm talking about a beach day, that classic excursion most cruisers crave when they reach the islands. You have several options. Book a beach excursion on your ship. These can be pricey and crowded. You pay a premium for the convenience of booking onboard, and you probably will be traveling to and from the beach resort with hordes of others loaded onto coaches. Plus, your schedule is likely to be extremely structured and allow for a shorter time ashore than you would like. Or stroll off the ship, snag a taxi and tell the driver to take you to the best beach on the island. This can work out well for the adventurous traveler, but it also can be a bit sketchy. Some drivers can be unreliable, won't charge a fair price or drop you off with no way to get back to the ship. You also can find a kiosk or hawker in port rounding up cruisers looking for a snorkeling trip or beach outing. I like to try this sometimes because you can often get together with a group of fellow cruisers and negotiate a deal for a shuttle van to the beach (or a tour of the island or however you want to customize your excursion). This can be affordable but won't include any extras. How about if you want an all-inclusive, no-hassle reasonably priced beach day? On a recent sailing on Carnival Vista, I discovered the company Resort for a Day and used its Curacao day pass for my time in port there. I joined a group of about 20 people who were taking the excursion, and we were shuttled about 30 minutes from the port in Willemstad to Santa Barbara Beach Resort. The resort is one of 20 offered by Resort for a Day, a World Travel Holdings Inc. company. Resort for a Day features properties in popular cruise destinations like Cozumel, Barbados, Bermuda, Grand Cayman, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Lucia and St. Kitts. (One is coming soon in Kauai.) The most popular resort is Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas. We'll chat about this playland in a bit. In Curacao, at Santa Barbara Beach Resort, we quickly found our beach rhythm. We soon were indulging in all the resort goodness: stretches of sand, swimming pools, food and drink. For $114, you get round-trip transportation, unlimited food from the poolside restaurant Splash, which serves appetizers like fish tacos, wings and nachos and meals like half-pound burgers, Caesar salads, paninis and pulled pork sandwiches. Drinks are included, too. We enjoyed sodas, local beers, margaritas and frozen cocktails. The beach is just steps from the pool area. Bring along your snorkel gear and jump right in, or you can rent snorkels and other watersports gear like kayaks and standup paddleboards. Hiking trails, golfing and bike rentals also are available. Our Curacao resort was a blast. But not all Resort for a Day properties are all-inclusive, and some don't include transfers to and from your ship. Each resort offers a different package, so pricing differs because of this, ranging from $60 to about $120 per person for the excursions. Resort for a Day sells about 20 to 40 passes at the properties depending on whether it's high season or low season, and you'll have a full day to play -- six to eight hours. The excursions are available for cruise passengers only and can be reserved online. Atlantis Resort is such a big attraction with so much to do that it stands alone in the Resort for a Day portfolio. A higher number of passes are available at Atlantis than for the other resorts, but they still sell out quickly, says Lynn Walters, the manager of day passes for cruisers. You'll find seven different options for passes to Atlantis, ranging from simple tours to the best deal: a $194 combo pass that includes lunch, a dolphin swimming encounter and an Aquaventure pass that allows you to experience the waterslides, rivers slides, Dig Aquarium, marine habitats and pool area with loungers and towels. Article Courtesy Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more. Photo: Courtesy of Resort for a Day Like this

Program Schedule Announced for the Hungry Girl Cruise! Exciting news! The full itinerary for the Official Hungry Girl Cruise (setting sail January 28th) is now available! Learn how to end the battle with the scale (finally!) from Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien herself, all while experiencing the Eastern Caribbean aboard a luxury Holland America cruise. Nearly 3 million email subscribers and social media followers eagerly await Hungry Girl's recipes, food finds, and tips & tricks each weekday. This is your chance to get face-to-face weight-management guidance from the guru of guilt-free eating! Get the scoop on the schedule below, and book your spot ASAP -- space is limited! Saturday: Depart Ft. Lauderdale 4pm: Sail-Away Party - Meet Lisa, the Hungry Girl crew, and your fellow HG cruisers! Sunday: At Sea 9am: Intimate Interview with Lisa + Cruise-Ship Eating Strategies - A look inside the mind of Hungry Girl, plus how to enjoy vacation without gaining weight! 3pm: Swap 'Til You Drop - Lisa serves up calorie-saving swaps and TONS of recipe ideas! Monday: Turks & Caicos 8am: Arrive in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos - Quiet beaches, spectacular for diving, snorkeling, and sailing. 10pm: Hungry Girl Karaoke Dance Party - After a day on the island, sing, dance, and have a blast! Tuesday: Puerto Rico 9am: Hungry Girl Around the World + Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look at Hungry Girl - Survival strategies for every type of cuisine! Plus, Lisa’s also got the scoop on the secrets of HG recipe creation, and a video tour of Hungryland. 1pm: Arrive in San Juan, Puerto Rico - Historic-town exploration by day; glittering casinos and clubs by night. Wednesday: St. Thomas 8am: Arrive in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands - A shopaholic's dream. Plus, glimmering bays, clear blue water, and powdery sand beaches. Thursday: At Sea 9am: How to Lose Weight and Keep It Off Forever - Lisa teaches a master class in weight management, Hungry Girl style! 3pm: Makeup Mania with Jackie - Learn to maximize your natural beauty from one of the industry's top makeup artists, Jackie Mgido! 7pm: Selfie-Happy Happy Hour - Sip cocktails, snap selfies, and party it up! Friday: Bahamas 7am: Arrive at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas - A private crescent-shaped bay with white-sand beaches. Swimming, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat rides, and more. 3:30pm: Hungry Girl Book Signing, Q&A, and Trivia - Get your (free!) book signed by Lisa, ask her all your Qs, and win exclusive goodies. Plus... Morning Workouts * Deckwalking * Spa * Exclusive Hungry Girl Gifts * Restaurants * Casino * Shows * Boutiques * Bars * Pools * Live Music For more information about the Official Hungry Girl Cruise, visit cruise.hungry-girl.com! Exact schedule and events are subject to change.

Second in a series by Travel Pulse In the first of an ocean Cruising 101 series, we outlined what to consider to choose a cruise line or brand best suited to your personality and budget, but that’s only part of the picture. Within each cruise line there can be up to 25 individual ships, like in Carnival Cruise Line’s expansive fleet, in which to select from. Here are some additional guidelines to point you in the right direction. In regards to a specific ship selection, the things you’ll want to primarily focus on are vessel size and capacity, its modernity and the specific features and style onboard. Of course, fleets are ever changing as new ships come online and older ones are transitioned out, so be sure to do your research. Size The size of a ship is generally and indicator of its capacity and class. Some cruise lines have only one class of ship – that is a single design or at least basic layout usually repeated as several sister ships – like Viking Ocean Cruises’ new Venice-class ships, the identical 930-guest Viking Star and Viking Sea. Royal Caribbean International, on the other hand, has 8 classes of ships, ranging in size from the one 1,840-passenger Empress of the Seas Empress-class ship to the three over 6,000-passenger Oasis-class ones led by the largest cruise ship in the world, the Harmony of the Seas. Needless to say, by capacity alone, you are likely to have a very different experience cruising together with several hundred passengers or less versus thousands. Modernity More often than not, the size of the ship is an indicator of its age as well. Generally, the larger ships are also the newer ones, but some new ones like Viking’s are trending smaller. While a small ship is not likely to have all the bells and whistles of a larger one, older ones are not necessarily passé. In order for cruise line’s to sustain interest in their existing fleets, they have spent million of dollars updating them over the years to be as consistent across the board as their size will allow. Amenities Of course, a larger ship will spatially be able to accommodate a greater list of features which are sure to attract those looking for the most to do, but less can be more if you prefer a classic relaxed atmosphere focused more on the destination than elaborate onboard attractions. Again, it comes down to which feature set best suits your personality. Regardless of their overall size, one thing that is more common on newer ships are more comfortable private accommodations, namely larger bathrooms and showers. Style If there’s one last thing to consider, it’s specific style. Sister ships within a class can often be identical from one vessel to the next, but subtle to obvious differences can also exist. The best thing to look at are the deck plans for each ship to see if any particular layout is more to your liking. Also, photos and videos of each ship will show off the aesthetic of each. Carnival Cruise Line ships, for instance, vary greatly in their theme. Article Courtesy Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more.

(1st of a Series, by Travel Pulse) For cruising veterans, it may seem obvious how to choose the best cruise line for your vacation, but for newbies, it’s the crucial first step and begins by asking the right questions. To start, ask: What is my budget and what is my traveling personality? There are four main categories of cruise line quality increasing in cost in order of standard ones, premium ones, upscale ones and luxury ones, and in each category, there are a number of different lifestyles to be expected onboard each individual line. The guidelines below are merely a loose primer, that for the sake of this exercise excludes boutique and adventure lines, and researching those brands in your budget more extensively will point you to the one best suited to your tastes. Standard Mainstream cruise brands like Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International fit into the standard quality category, and while many are similar, they do each have their own personalities that may or may not match your own. Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean are fun casual options with MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises being a bit more refined. Premium Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line and arguably Disney Cruise Line make up the premium category of cruise brands for offering a step up in overall quality of service, dining and more. Of course, Disney is going to be more family-friendly whereas Cunard will be far more formal and traditional. Meanwhile, Celebrity and Holland America are both known for great cuisine. Upscale For an upscale experience, the likes of Azamara Club Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises near luxury quality for a lower price and are thus known for offering a fantastic value. Viking is raising the bar for this category overall while Oceania is the leader in fine dining and Azamara excels in entertainment. Luxury Then luxury brands like Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises lead the pack as the best of the best. All-inclusive is the name of the game onboard these, which are altogether very similar, with Regent perhaps being the most inclusive of the bunch. Destinations Another question to ask: where do you want to go? Not all cruise lines go to every desired port of call, or at least not with regular frequency. Upscale and luxury lines have smaller fleets and spread their ships around internationally, and standard and premium lines usually follow seasonal deployments in regions such as Alaska, Canada/New England and Europe while often having a year-round presence in the Caribbean. Plus, it’s good to remember that specific destinations affect fares as well. For example, Alaska commands a premium price that can tip the scales of perceived cruise line value. Companions One last question to ask is: Who will you be traveling with? An elderly couple that might ordinarily sail on a luxury line might be better off on Norwegian Cruise Line when with their children and grandchildren. That way they can stay in the line’s luxurious Haven ship-within-a-ship complex while the younger generations are happily tended to in less-expensive stateroom categories. Article Courtesy Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more. Featured photo credit: Travel Pulse/Thinkstock

(Reposted from TravelPulse/Seven Sea Journeys) It rarely happens, but every once in a while, a planned cruise port-of-call has to be skipped because of weather conditions. In those cases, an extra sea day is usually the alternative, but that needn’t be a bad thing. As I currently sail on Seabourn’s luxurious Seabourn Quest in Canada and New England, we unfortunately had to bypass Baie-Comeau as the heavy wind and swell conditions were such that there would not be enough water under our keel to safely dock alongside, but such things are outside the control of the cruise line and ship’s captain. Within the last year, we were also on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy when it couldn’t stop at Castaway Cay. To be sure, if you’ve planned a Disney cruise, especially for its highly-regarded private island specifically, it’s extremely disappointing to miss it, but safety must always come first. You may not be surprised to know that weather can have an affect on a smaller vessel like the Seabourn Quest, which we must admit has ridden extremely stable considering the conditions, but wonder how it could possibly deter a much larger one like the Disney Fantasy. Well, as powerful as such ships are to plow through the water forwards, they also contain lots of superstructural surface area, all of its balcony nooks and crannies mathematically included, and that collectively acts as a giant sail that can catch the wind. It’s never enough to topple a cruise ship, as they are built to withstand that, but lateral thrusters, fully capable the majority of the time, can sometimes be overcome by very high winds, making delicate docking maneuvers too difficult to achieve safely. So, the alternative is an unplanned day at sea, which are honestly some of the most relaxing and enjoyable of a cruise vacation. An abundance of shore excursions mean passengers get to see a lot ashore, but they can take their toll on a trip frequented by tours. The antidote is a sea day—perfect for getting in a spa treatment, provided you book it quickly enough to reserve limited space, or just reading a good book in the ship’s observation lounge, watching the waves go by. Usually the cruise director and entertainment staff will also swiftly modify the daily schedule of activities and dining times to accommodate more people suddenly being onboard than initially planned. That can mean bonus trivia sessions, film screenings and lots more are likely in store. In fact, as the shops are closed on port days due to shore regulations, those can now be reopened at sea as well. If, of course, you really had your mind set on the destination that was omitted from the itinerary, you can always use this time to research and book a return cruise. Either way, ships these days offer plenty to do onboard and truly are often destinations unto themselves, so all is not lost. Article Courtesy Travel Pulse/Jason Leppert and Seven Sea Journeys/News Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more. Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles. Featured photo credit: Travel Pulse

Sadly, your cruise has come to an end, and its time to disembark the ship. As the process is comparable to everyone in a sold-out hotel checking out on the very same morning, it can be a busy and complicated one. However, weve gathered seven tips to make it all that much easier. Dont Book a Flight Too Early When arranging your flights to and from a cruise long before first boarding, its important to not book your return airfare too early on the day of disembarkation. Just because your ship may be scheduled to arrive in its final port at say 7 a.m. doesnt necessarily mean youll be able to get off right away and transfer to the airport in time for an early morning departure. In fact, the ship still needs to clear customs, and the crew needs to begin offloading passenger luggage. Usually, its not advised to book a flight before 11 a.m., and unexpected delays can make an afternoon one a safer bet. Verify Your Account Statement Ahead of Time Final account statements are delivered to guest cabins late on the final night of the cruise or early morning on the day of departure. To avoid any surprise charges and a need to resolve them at an overrun reception desk at the last minute, its best to get a printout beforehand to confirm that everything looks as it should, particularly if you need to settle your account should a credit card not already be on file. Put Out Enough Clothes the Night Before In order to expedite luggage offloading, guests are asked to place their luggage outside the night before disembarkation so that the crew can have it ready pier-side before you leave the ship. Of course, that means you will be without the bulk of your belongings on that morning. It may seem obvious, but its inevitably a classic mistake that some passengers still do not set aside the next days clothes before placing their suitcases outside their stateroom. Dont forget or you will be without apparel, short of a bathrobe, crossing the gangplank. Mind Your Luggage Tag Color Most cruise lines assign luggage tags with specific colors on them to stagger the flow of guests departing the ship. That is your luggage will be awaiting you, stored in a section of the port facility that matches the time you are scheduled to disembark. The color group order is determined by the travel arrangements that you share with the cruise line to prioritize those on earlier flights. Times are usually estimated, however. So, be sure to listen for when your group is called over the PA system to know for sure when you are free to disembark. Otherwise, premature lobby crowding ensues. Take Off Your Own Luggage Alternatively, if you desire to get off sooner than later and are independent and able-bodied enough to handle your own suitcases, you can often opt to disembark first with a self-assist group. While this option is perhaps physically less convenient, as the path off the ship can be a longer one than expected to roll off your own luggage, its usually the best for ensuring the fastest disembarkation should that be required. First Take the Elevator Up to Go Down Whether you are taking off all of your own luggage or just your carry-on bags, elevators heading down to the gangway are frequently full with other passengers and their belongings. Especially if you have a lot of suitcases with you, a trick that works well is to call an emptier elevator up before descending back down. Consider Cruise Lines with Simpler Disembarkation For decades, most cruise lines have followed the system of group assignments to schedule guest departures spread out during the morning, the result of which can sometimes become complicated if delays change the priority dynamic. Disney Cruise Line instead simplifies it all by dropping a specific schedule besides a first self-help group. And you know what? It works seamlessly. Guests know when they need to be off by at the latest, they will organically depart evenly as travel dictates. It would sure be nice if other cruise lines adopted this model accordingly. Article Courtesy Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more. Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles. Featured photo credit: Travel Pulse/Thinkstock

At an event in Miami today, Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, and Tom McAlpin, president and CEO of Virgin Cruises, announced Fincantieri will build the line’s first three ships. The first vessel will homeport in Miami starting in 2020. Each ship will be around 110,000 tons with capacity for 2,800 passengers. Delivery dates are 2020, 2021 and 2022. “This is a very exciting day for Virgin and travelers around the globe”, said Branson. “We now have the right partners in place to build a world-class cruise line that will redefine the cruising experience for good. The Virgin Cruises approach will appeal to cruisers and non-cruisers alike, and we look forward to being in Miami and delivering an experience for people who want a new way to cruise”. Tom McAlpin, President and CEO of Virgin Cruises added: “Virgin is a customer built brand that listens carefully to what customers want, sharing their ideas on what the new cruise line can do to deliver an incredible experience at sea. We are committed to making waves in the cruise industry, and partnering with Fincantieri sets Virgin Cruises up to do just that. Today’s announcement and Fincantieri’s expertise in prototyping, their creativity and understanding of our vision bring together important ingredients in our future success”. The cruise line also launched its website this morning at www.virgincruises.com as well as a Facebook page. Source: Cruise Industry News ("Virgin Cruises Releases Details ...", June 23, 2015 Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more. Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles. Featured photo credit: Norwegian Cruise Lines

A new era of giant cruise ships is about to arrive in Alaska. Royal Caribbean has announced plans to send the 137,308-ton Explorer of the Seas to the 49th State in 2016 -- the first time a ship of its size has been deployed to the destination. The 15-deck-high, 1,020-foot-long vessel will sail seven-night, round-trip voyages to Alaska from Seattle, Wash., taking the place of the 90,090-ton Jewel of the Seas. One of five ships in Royal Caribbean's Voyager class series, Explorer can hold up to 3,840 passengers at maximum occupancy -- hundreds more than the next largest cruise vessel in Alaska. It carries a crew of nearly 1,200. While mega-size cruise ships as big as 225,000 tons have appeared in the Caribbean and Europe in recent years, nearly all of the cruise vessels operating in Alaska still measure under 100,000 tons. The current size leader in the state is Celebrity Cruises' 121,878-ton Celebrity Solstice. Chock full of on-board activities, Explorer of the Seas is a mega-resort-at-sea the likes of which Alaska has never seen. Unveiled in 1999, it features one of Royal Caribbean's signature Royal Promenades lined with shops, bars and eateries -- a concept that has never before made its way to Alaska. It also boasts an ice skating rink (also a first for an Alaska-based cruise ship) as well as 10 pools and whirlpools, a miniature golf course and a rock climbing wall. Explorer of the Seas will join Royal Caribbean's 90,090-ton Radiance of the Seas in Alaska. Radiance sails alternating, seven-night northbound and southbound Alaska cruises between Vancouver, B.C., and Seward, Alaska. The deployment of Explorer will increase Royal Caribbean's capacity in Alaska by more than 12% -- a significant bet on growing demand for Alaska trips. The announcement comes even as Alaska leader Princess cuts back on cruise departures to Alaska. Princess announced earlier this month that it would have just six ships in Alaska, down from seven this year. Source: Gene Sloan (USA Today, March 17, 2015, "Era of Monster Cruise Ships Arrives in Alaska”) Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more. Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles. Featured photo credit: Royal Caribbean

River cruising is the in-vogue travel trend, so popular that more than two-dozen new river ships will debut in 2014. Industry-leading Viking River Cruises alone will christen 14 ships in March, with Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Australia-based Scenic Tours and Germany's A-ROSA all adding ships in Europe next year. There's even a new river cruise company debuting, Emerald Waterways, a value-priced sister to Scenic. Closer to home, American Queen Steamboat Company is debuting a sternwheeler on the Columbia & Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest in addition to its cruises on the Mississippi. American Cruise Lines operates similar routes. Here are the best reasons to take a river cruise. Many rivers to explore. River cruises get you to inland Bucket List places including such cities as Vienna and Budapest. Cruises on the Danube and Rhine continue to be the epicenter of the industry, but that's just the beginning of where you can go. Popular destinations include Russia's Volga, China's Yangtze, the Mekong and the Mississippi. All the rage is cruising in Myanmar — with companies including Grand Circle and Orient Express. France is getting new attention, especially Bordeaux where several lines have expanded offerings. Experience is leisurely. River cruises are not about rushing here and there. You visit key sights but there is also time to relax. You can sit under a canopy on the open deck — or on some ships soak in a hot tub or pool — while catching river views that include (depending on where you cruise) castles, farms, kids swimming, fishermen and maybe a water buffalo or two. Ships are intimate. The size of river ships is limited by the need for the vessels to go through locks and under low bridges. Most carry fewer than 200 passengers, some fewer than 100 and some fewer than 50. The small-ship experience brings opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers — including at open-seating meals. There's no dealing with crowds. Time to explore. Your ship ties up right in town and you can walk to a sidewalk café or shops or markets (including Northern Europe's popular Christmas markets) and mingle with locals or head off on the ship's organized tours to museums, monuments and other must-see attractions. There is time to bike or hike and visit the places you came to see, and to absorb the local culture. Better cabins. There was a time when cabins on river ships meant a choice between tight and cozy. Today's choices include cabins with step-out balconies, French balconies, walls of glass that open and even suites. Beds are hotel-like, bathrooms comfortably-sized and amenities include flat-screen TVs. Nicer ships. The newest ships offer surprisingly hip, contemporary environments. While space is limited, the lines have gotten clever with public rooms including adding alternative al fresco dining venues. Lounges are comfortably, and sometimes even opulently furnished. Libraries offer a quiet spot to sit with a book. Open decks afford space to hang out in the sun or shade and such extras as golf-putting greens. Local tastes, culture. There is opportunity shipboard to snack on knackwurst and drink local beer as you cruise past Germany's castles, drink the wine in Bordeaux and try other local flavors depending on your itinerary. Culture comes onboard, too, in the form of local folk groups and other performers. Not a lot of extra charges. Shore excursions, wine and beer with dinner (and sometimes also lunch), soda, bottled water, and specialty coffee drinks are all included in the cruise fare. Sometimes there's also an open bar. Bonus: internet is free. Casual dress code. Don't pack the tux. River cruising is casual dress at all times. Plus you only have to unpack once. It's for grownups. Most river ships market to an age 55-plus demographic, though travelers in their 40s would feel right at home — particularly on the newer, more contemporary river ships. Kids are a rarity By Fran Golden, USA Today Travel ("10 Best Reasons to Take a River Cruise") For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more Photo credit: Janice Neves ("Porto, Portugal - Douro River")

Santa met us at the embarkation gangway. He was five days early for gift-giving, but he set the tone for a two-week holiday cruise to the Caribbean. Behind him on Oceania’s Riviera, docked last December in Miami, four carolers, dressed in English style from the Dickens era, sang for each new group of passengers checking in. Don’t plan a holiday cruise to get away from it all, if “all” includes the seasonal music, pots of poinsettias, and a Christmas goose served in the main dining room. While some cruise lines do more than others to hark and herald, most ships are decked out for the December holidays, and elevators are awash in seasonal tunes. You can expect more children aboard, too, traveling not only with their parents but also with their grandparents or perhaps aunts and uncles, as multi-generational cruising takes an uptick at holiday time. All of which recommends paying attention to your wants and expectations, as well as a cruise line’s reputation for tinsel tossing. If you are cruising round trip out of Florida — the most economical of the holiday cruises — you may want to ask how much seasoning is likely to be added to the usual Caribbean spice. Spokespersons from several cruise lines pointed out that ships on weekly round trips typically offer significantly different atmospheres when comparing Christmas and New Year’s voyages, with far more children aboard during Christmas week, and more of an adult party over New Year’s. This year, those two major holidays fall mid-week, so festivities on cruises that begin on the weekends will not spill into the other holiday week. (Hanukkah, by the way, is early this year, starting Nov. 27, the evening before Thanksgiving.) Most ships plan a Santa with gift giving for children on Christmas day — Celebrity Cruises promises a gift for every child ages 3-17 — and all ships prepare special dinners and brunches for Christmas and New Year’s. Many provide leaders for weekend religious services, as well as for Hanukah and Christmas. Ask your travel agent or cruise line for details. Crystal Cruises, which has a reputation for decorations and festivities, has one ship deployed in South America in December, while the other is sailing out of Miami for 14 days, starting Dec. 21. You can expect more children on the Miami cruise. “It’s huge for families,” says Crystal’s Mimi Weisband. “We have more than 100 children on holiday cruises, but many of our programs strategically take kids behind the scenes so even those who don’t want to be around children are not bothered. For Hanukah, we have a life-size menorah and light the candles (which carry no flame because of maritime rules). We also have dreidl games and give out gold chocolate coins.” On Riviera last December, most of the holiday decorating was subtle — a Nutcracker here, a gingerbread house there. “The key is to make everyone feel comfortable, to make everyone welcome,” said Thierry Tholon, Riviera’s hotel general manager. “For Christmas, we decorate each ship, but we don’t overdo it. The goal is stylish, not overwhelming. Even on a Christmas cruise, we draw about 100 guests for Friday night (Jewish) services.” Still, there were 110 poinsettias, greenery lined the grand staircase to the lobby, and a Santa statue stood watch next to the reception desk. If you were up and about on Christmas morning at 8, Santa and several elves strolled through the buffet restaurant on Deck 12, down an elevator to deck 6, through the main dining room, then down the grand staircase to the lobby, where a pile of presents awaited to satisfy the 52 children onboard. (The cruise line, which does not encourage children, brought on two extra employees to oversee their activities on this voyage). “Someone, go round up the children,” said Santa about 8:30, as the lobby was empty of all but a dozen adults hanging around, waiting for what the occasion might bring. Business was slow, despite a shipboard announcement heralding Santa’s mission. At 8:40, Olivia, 10, arrived with her sleepy father. She sat at Santa’s knee, chatted a bit, smiled, and walked away with two presents. By 9, after fewer than a dozen children had showed up, Santa called it a day. For the record, the temperature outside, at the port city of Kingstown, St. Vincent, was 85 degrees, perfect for a long hike in the forest. On New Year’s Eve, Oceania’s Riviera put on a pool deck party that drew hundreds (the ship sailed with more than 1,200 aboard) for drinks, snacks, and dancing deep into the night, which, thanks to the guidance of some young folks, included my writhing about, Gangnam Style. Riviera’s herd of chefs arrived before midnight, dragging out a four-piece ice sculpture. They set it up beside the pool for all to see the “2 0 1 2.” As the New Year arrived with the traditional singing and champagne toasts, the chefs appeared with one new piece of ice, to complete the dripping sculpture that now read “2 0 1 3.” Though the holidays still are months away, booking is most economical in summer, as discounts for the late December cruises tend to end by Labor Day, or sooner. And it’s not too early to plan ahead for December 2014 if you have a specific cabin suite or exotic destination in mind. Passengers onboard Azamara Journey’s 12-night Southern Hemisphere cruise in 2014 will spend New Year’s Eve anchored off Copacabana Beach, Brazil, for the midnight fireworks. By David G. Molyneaux (“No Place Like a Cruise Ship for the Holidays” - The Miami Herald, 8/17/13) For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more Photo credit: CruiseMiss.com

From high-stakes gambling to enrichment programs, rock-climbing walls to hot stone massages, today's cruise ships offer no shortage of onboard activities. However, some of the best adventures take place off ship in exotic ports of call. Get ready to disembark; we're taking you on 6 fabulous excursions. Stingray City: 
George Town, Grand Cayman
. Stingray City is one of the most popular excursions in the Caymans and hosts thousands or curious aquatic visitors each year. Guests of Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas will love going below sea level on guided tours of the island's pristine waters. For those feeling a bit squeamish about sharing the water with stingrays, Seven Mile Beach is located close by and offers a safer, sunnier alternative. Surfing: 
Arica, Chile
. Onboard the Silversea’s Silver Shadow, you'll cruise to Arica, Chile, located on the country's northernmost tip. The best part of visiting this town is its tangible relaxing atmosphere; as the local saying goes, "It's wonderful to do nothing all day & and then relax afterwards." Perhaps the only thing that will feel like work on your visit to Arica is a surf lesson. This coastal Chilean town is known for having some of the most consistent waves in the world, making it a hot spot for surfers. While the waves aren't huge, the swells pack a lot of energy, making them perfect for beginners. Bird Watching: 
The Bering Sea
. There are several off-ship excursions that are unique to Abercrombie & Kent’s Clipper Odyssey. At Russia's Itygran Island, also known as Whale Bone Alley, whale bones seemingly grow out of the ground in an Arctic, organic Stonehenge. On St. Matthew's Island, miles of Arctic tundra beg to be explored on foot. While frozen for most of the year, a multitude of wildflowers pop in the late spring and summer. The natural beauty of St. Matthew's is pristine -- it's uninhabited by people, but the tiny island is home to more than 50,000 seabirds. Crab Fishing: 
Ketchikan, Alaska. 
Going on the crab fisherman's tour is an eye-opening adventure for passengers of the Norwegian Pearl. Crab fishing is 90% more dangerous than any other job, and Alaskan King Crabs, which can weigh up to 6 1/2 pounds, are abundantly found in the Bering Sea. Even if you've never gone fishing, it's a thrilling activity unique to the Pearl. Keep watch for bald eagles, recently removed from the endangered species list. They dine mostly on salmon, and spotting them is a breeze in the port of Ketchikan, a city known as the salmon capital of the world. Hunting: Black Truffles, 
Rovinj, Croatia. 
 In Rovinj, Croatia, guests of the Seadream Yacht Club can hunt for some of the rarest and most expensive delicacies in the culinary world -- black truffles. With a team of dogs, guests head into the Croatian countryside and hunt the grounds of a successful family-owned business. The dogs are integral in smelling the black truffles distinctive perfume since they grow completely underground. This adventure is reserved strictly for guests of the SeaDream -- and it's an incomparable look into Croatian culture and the world's most exclusive cooking ingredient. Speed Sailing: 
Rostock, Germany. 
The Crystal Symphony specializes in coupling peaceful relaxation with unique, life-changing experiences, and they're kicking your vacation up a notch with this innovative off-ship excursion. Speed sailing is a heart-racing, high-speed adventure where you're not a mere passenger, you're part of a championship racing yacht's crew, chasing the wind and hoisting the sails. By Erica Walsh, The Travel Channel (“Super Excursions”) Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html Photo credit: smallshipalaskacruises.com

This is a story of love, the high seas and food. Our unlikely heroine is Norma Beazley, who is decidedly unromantic and unsentimental about most things but noticeably softens when she talks about her husband, our equally unlikely hero, Herbert. “He would have been a real geek by today’s standards, but he was the smartest man I’ve ever known,” said Mrs. Beazley, 79, who with her husband’s encouragement held management positions at Gulf Oil and Elf Aquitaine back when such jobs usually required a Y chromosome. Mr. Beazley, a lawyer, died in 2001, but his clothes still hang in the closet he shared with his wife. Also undisturbed since his death are five lateral file cabinets crammed with thousands of vintage ocean-liner and cruise-ship menus he bought for her during their 30-year marriage. Dating to the late 1800s and documenting more than a century of shipboard haute cuisine, the menu collection is probably the largest (and perhaps the only one) of its kind in the world. “I don’t know of anyone else who collected the menus,” said Richard Faber, a well-known dealer and appraiser of maritime memorabilia in New York who sold items to Mr. Beazley. “He had a good eye and spent a lot of money with me.” Mr. Beazley loved, in addition to his wife, all things nautical. If it was on a ship, he probably collected it: passenger lists, deck plans, advertising posters, ashtrays, linens, drinking glasses, plates, pennants, portholes: a trove of 19,000 pieces that Mrs. Beazley donated in 2011 to the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, Va. The menus, which she kept, were his ploy to get her to share his passion. “I love to cook and am sort of a foodie,” Mrs. Beazley recalled, so Herbert thought it was a way to justify all the money he was spending on ship collectibles. “He said, ‘I bet you’d like the menus,’ and I said, ‘No, I wouldn’t.’ ” But he gave them to her anyway and, she had to admit, “They were pretty neat.” Thumbing through them affords a fascinating tour of culinary history. Just about the only large passenger ship not represented in the collection is the Titanic. For obvious reasons, Titanic menus are hard to come by. One sold at auction last year for $102,508. For first-class passengers during the grand era of ocean liners, from 1910 to 1960, the menu choices were staggering. On storied ships like the Normandie and the Mauretania, dinner might have had 12 courses, with 8 to 10 options for each course. “I don’t see how you could go from New York to Europe without gaining 20 pounds,” Mrs. Beazley said, looking at a 1935 first-class dinner menu from the Normandie that offered three kinds of consommé, six types of ham and five choices of ice cream. “You could have everything you wanted and as much as you wanted.” Today’s cruise ships offer a largess that may go even further, with 24-hour buffets. But before the jet age, when people used ships to get from Point A to Point B (the traversed route being the “line” in ocean liner) rather than just lazily cruising about, dining was a more genteel and orchestrated event, with assigned seating and waiters recruited from Europe’s finest hotels. The menu items were also more sophisticated: iced beluga caviar, clear green turtle soup, cauliflower mousseline and venison cutlets à la Nérac. Besides the menus, Mr. Beazley tracked down the recipes for the dishes on them. He called cruise line chefs and historians, and went to the bowels of the Library of Congress to consult culinary magazines published for steamship stewards and chefs. An adventurous cook, Mrs. Beazley made many of the dishes, to the delight of her husband, an enthusiastic eater. “You have to remember, meals were the highlight of the day out in the middle of the ocean,” said Mrs. Beazley, who went on 15 cruises with Mr. Beazley, most notably on the Queen Elizabeth 2 and the ill-fated Achille Lauro, which was hijacked in 1985 and caught fire and sank in 1994. Before the 1970s, passengers dressed formally for dinner every night. Tables were assigned, and diners ate with the same group for the entire voyage. Friendships were forged, and passengers often had dining companions autograph their menus at the voyage’s farewell dinner. “You met interesting people who were going places and doing things,” said Theodore Scull, a ship historian who lectures on the Queen Mary 2 about maritime history. Today’s passengers tend to eat when they want, wearing what they want, with whomever they want. On the Normandie, which sailed from 1935 to 1942, the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Marlene Dietrich might be seen descending the curved staircase into the dining room, which was longer than a football field, with a 25-foot-high gilded ceiling and walls made of sculptured glass. Think of the party scene in "The Great Gatsby," only afloat. “Every night was like a special show,” said Sirio Maccioni, who used what he learned as a waiter on the S.S. Atlantic in the 1950s to conceive his New York restaurant Le Cirque. “Everything — the food, the service — was absolute luxury.” The glamour of this bygone era is evident in the artwork on the menus in Mrs. Beazley’s collection. Shipping lines often commissioned artists to create original menu covers for every meal served on the voyage. The covers were lithographed on shore, while the chef’s daily selections were printed on presses aboard ship. The covers include exquisite pen-and-ink depictions of European castles, dreamy watercolors of Asian landscapes and vibrant oil paintings of aquatic life. One Rousseau-inspired menu cover created by the American painter Eugene Savage for the S.S. Lurline in the 1950s has been reproduced as a mural in the trendy Tropicale restaurant in Palm Springs, Calif. “The menus live on,” said Michael Grace, a writer for the popular ’80s television show “The Love Boat” who now runs the Web site cruiselinehistory.com. “You can hardly get a cocktail napkin under your glass on cruise ships today.” In the last few years, cruise lines have seemed intent on elevating the dining experience. Celebrity chefs like Jacques Pépin, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and Marco Pierre White have consulted with Oceania, Crystal and P&O Cruises, respectively, to create restaurants aboard ships. Guided by Mr. Maccioni, the Holland America Line now offers passengers “A Night at Le Cirque,” in a sort of pop-up site with the same menu, décor and orange plates that the restaurant is known for. But these are alternatives to the main dining room, and cost extra. And the menus are nothing like, say, the ones given to Grace Kelly in 1956 when she crossed the Atlantic as a first-class passenger on the S.S. Constitution on her way to marry Prince Rainier of Monaco. Among her choices were broiled shad roe with lemon butter on the luncheon menu, and medallion de foie gras de Strasbourg for dinner. “It’s a lost era,” Mrs. Beazley said. But delicious to remember. This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: Correction: September 10, 2013 An earlier version of this story misspelled one of the menu items available on some ocean liners in the past. The dish is cauliflower mousseline, not mouselline. By Kate Murphy, NY Times (Sept. 11, 2013: "Savoring a Bygone Splendor - The Maritime Menu") Photo Credit: NY Times For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more http://www.cruisecrazies.com

If you’ve been on a few cruises, you’ve probably learned the hard way that there are a few things that would have come in handy or saved the day if you’d remembered to pack them. No, I’m not talking shoes. I mean things that come in real handy in a pinch. So, for you first-timers or for those of you who may not have thought about it, here are ten useful items to add to the top of your packing list. 1. Earplugs. Take it from me. I live with a guy who snores on a regular basis, and there are some nights I could not survive without these lifesavers. Not only are they useful for blocking out a noisy Neanderthal, but also good for muffling ship noises and annoying neighbors. 2. Flashlight: Whether you have a dark inside cabin or are unlucky enough to be caught in the dark during a cruise ship emergency, you will be very grateful for the backup light. 3. Power strip: iPod, iPad, iPhone, iMac – I-yai yai! If you are tethered to your electronic gadgets and wouldn’t dream of leaving home without them, a power strip is a must. Sure, you could alternate your devices, taking turns at the one plug, but you’ll be cursing if all of a sudden you need to call home and your cell is dead because it didn’t have a turn at getting charged up. 4. Extra AA or AAA batteries – or a camera battery. Obvious, but easy to overlook. Load up on extras before your vacation, and you won’t be paying a king’s ransom to buy them in port. Besides, you don’t want to be standing in front of one of the Seven Wonders to find that you camera just died with no battery backup. 5. Extra SD card. If you fill up the first one while shooting pictures and you’re only half way through your vacation, you’ll be grateful for the spare. It’s a good idea to bring extras from home, because you may not be able to find one suitable for your camera or your preferences in a foreign port. 6. Zip-lock bags. Bring along bags in assorted sizes. One and two-gallon size are great for packing and protecting your dress, shirts, skirts & sweaters from madness & mahem in your luggage. Just fold, insert and squeeze out the air. I also use the two-gallon size for all those newsletters, travel books and brochures to protect them from moisture. Quart size bags, of course, are required for the 4-ounce liquid airline carry-on requirement, but are also good for packing small snacks for tours and returning home with those little amenities from the cabin bathroom. Finally, the snack size bags are perfect for the smallest items – jewelry, hairpins, earplugs and other tiny objects that could potentially be lost in the shuffle. 7. Bubble wrap: Say what? Did you run out of clean underwear to wrap your breakables in for the trip home? Bubble wrap is incredibly good at protecting your breakable souvenirs, weighs next to nothing and takes up little room in your luggage. If the fragile item contains liquid, place the bubble-wrapped item in a Zip-lock bag first to protect the rest of the things in your luggage 8. Reusable beverage container. I am not a huge soda drinker, and even if I was, I’m too cheap to pay for a beverage package. Therefore, I bring a reusable bottle filled with travel packs of Crystal Lite, ice tea or other drink mix and pack it in my luggage. I fill it in the morning with water from the tap, mix up my favorite beverage and store it in the fridge for the day. A second bottle comes in handy in port or at the pool. 9. Suction hooks. Storage in a cruise cabin is at a premium, and there never seem to be enough hooks to hold scarves, caps or damp swimsuits. In fact, sometimes there aren’t any hooks at all. These little gems can be attached just about anywhere, depending on the surface, freeing up precious counter space. 10. Duct tape. Duct tape is famous for marking your luggage for easy identification at the airport and cruise port. What a lot of folks don’t realize is that is also handy for shoe repair, first-aid, emergency fixes, leaky things, and a hundred other uses. I was cursing myself for not bringing this necessity along on my last trip. My U-shaped head pillow for the plane sprouted a tiny, pin-size hole. As time went on, the hole became bigger, leaving a trail of tiny, white pellets floating through the air all around me, sticking to my clothing and everything else I came in contact with. I plugged up the hole with a foam earplug and patted my self on the back for my ingenuity. It worked for a little while, until the hole became as round as a dime and the stuff was pouring out of the cushion like a snow machine. I wound up tossing the pillow under the seat on the plane, where it stayed. I would have loved to see the crew cleaning up that mess! By Janice Neves, CruiseCrazies Contributor For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more http://www.cruisecrazies.com

The row over the presence of giant cruise ships in Venice’s lagoon was reignited this weekend after claims that a huge vessel belonging to the same company as the wrecked Costa Concordia sailed dangerously close to St Mark’s Square. The city’s environment councillor Gianfranco Bettin said the 100,000-tonne Carnival Sunshine passed within 20 metres of the water front at Riva Dei Sette Martiri, 800 yards past the famous piazza, on Saturday morning. Mr Bettin said witnesses had reported the incident. “The impression is that there was an error in manoeuvring, which among other things resulted in a water taxi being caught between the 272-metre vessel and the shore. “We would like to know the real reason for this sail-by, which appeared more like a scrape than a salute,” he said. The writer Roberto Ferrucci, was one witness, He told the Venice edition of Corriere della Sera: “I was sitting at the bar reading and I saw the ship docking; rather than moving to the centre of the canal, it brushed the shore dangerously trapping a water taxi. It was incredible. “And it’s not the first time it’s happened; it occurred with another ship 10 days ago. Afterwards that one straightened up, but it made quite an impression.” This month the trial begun of Francesco Schettino, who was captaining the Costa Concordia vessel when it crashed onto rocks off the Tuscan coast in January 2012 with the loss of 32 lives. The vessel allegedly made a risky sail-by “salute” to the island of Giglio. Some people claimed such sail-bys were commonplace. Carnival Cruises, the US parent company of Costa Cruises, made a statement denying that its vessel had performed any abnormal or risky manoeuvres in Venice on Saturday morning, however. “At that moment, the ship was under control of the captain and the distance from the shore was verified by both Carnival and the coast guard with the voyage data recorder,” it said. But the claims have once again raised concerns over the presence of such huge vessels in Venice’s Giudecca Canal. The environment minister, Andrea Orlando, said he was aware of the claimed incident on Saturday morning, and that the government was working to regulate the presence of such large ships in Venice’s lagoon. The spokesman for Venice’s No Big Ships Committee, Silvio Testa, said that Saturday’s events showed the authorities’ claims that such huge vessels represented no safety risk were not be believed, and that the vast cruise liners were “incompatible with the city and the lagoon”. In addition to aesthetic objections at seeing the giant liners blot out the sun in the evocative lagoon city, Mr Testa says the huge amounts of pollution produced by the vessel is a serious concern. His committee says the biggest vessels produce the same amount of pollution in an hour as 15,000 cars. The acid nature of the fumes is thought to speed up the erosion of the city’s medieval buildings, which are already sinking into the lagoon -- a process exacerbated by the currents produced by the enormous vessels, that sweep down the Giudecca Canal close to St Mark’s Square. Campaigners say the ships’ vast bulk displaces huge quantities of water that surges into the smaller canals of the fragile city. By Michael Day, The Independent For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more http://www.cruisecrazies.com

The oceans and the waterways are not the only place you’ll see cruise ships and riverboats these days – as these bizarre pictures show. Perched on a clifftop in South Korea stands the Sun Cruise Resort which compensates for its situation by playing recorded sounds of crashing waves and bird calls. Which is particularly odd, as the sea is only a few metres away. The resort has 211 guest rooms, two restaurants, a revolving sky lounge, swimming pool, golf range and gym. Everything a real cruise ship boasts ... except the risk of seasickness. One guest, severely lacking in taste, it has to be said, commented: “It looks like a ship which was stranded on the cliff top by a tsunami.” By John Honeywell, mirror.co.uk For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more http://www.cruisecrazies.com

Thieves love cruise ships. They know that excited passengers will disembark in port, en masse, armed with cash, credit cards and electronics. New surroundings and lack of caution can leave even savvy travelers vulnerable to opportunistic pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Rest easy, though. There are simple things you can do to prevent your happy shore trip from turning into a very sad event. Avoid electronic theft. Even before leaving home, inform your credit card companies of your travel plans and photocopy all your important documents including your passport, both sides of your credit cards, travel itinerary, driver’s license and contact information. Leave one copy at home with a trusted individual and another in your cabin's safe. In the event of a theft, you’ll have the information you need to contact the appropriate authorities. Alternately, scan and send the documents to your email or cloud storage account, so you can access the information from any computer. Don’t flash your cash. Whether getting cash at an ATM machine in port or making a store or vendor purchase, be discreet. Prominently displaying all those bills is an invitation to muggers. Don’t walk and talk on your cell phone. This tells a would-be thief that you are oblivious and not paying attention to your surroundings. That phone you’re carrying is easy money to a thief and a simple grab and run item. Not only will he get a great phone, but he’ll also have access to your personal information. Keep your phone hidden away on your person and take it out only for emergencies. Stay awake and alert at the beach. What’s the best thing about cruising to the Caribbean? The beaches, of course! You arrive in port, grab a cab and head straight for a patch of sand on the best beach in the area. You’re feeling all mellow and relaxed, and you’re in the moment. Two hours later, you wake up and not only are you badly sunburned, but you’re stuff is gone – your camera, your wallet and all your money and credit cards. Be watchful of your surroundings, and stay awake. Besides, you’ll miss all the great scenery. Stay sober. What’s another popular pastime in port, especially in the Caribbean? The bar scene, of course! You’re much more likely to be ripped off by a thief or scam artist if you’re inebriated. If you plan on partying in port, either keep the drinks to a minimum or bring along a non-drinking buddy to look out for you. Hide your valuables on your person whenever possible. The best method of carrying valuables is directly on your person. Clothing with deep front pockets secured by zippers and buttons are harder to for a thief to get into. The worst way to carry anything is in a backpack, which can be opened or slit without the wearer ever knowing – especially common in a crowded place. Cross-body bags are a much better choice than shoulder bags. A money belt worn across the body or around the waist is a good idea under a jacket, as long as it’s not visible, but easily accessible. Touring solo? Be smart but cautious. While it’s safest to travel in a group, touring alone can be a rewarding experience. You can tour at your own pace and not hold anyone else up in the process. Regardless of how independent you are at home, when you're somewhere new, it's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your personal safety. If you happen to find yourself in a secluded area or making your way back to the ship after dark, for instance, rather than taking on the streets solo, catch a cab or find a trustworthy buddy or group to latch onto. Serious photographers – don’t lose sight of your surroundings. If you're a serious photographer, you're unlikely to leave your cameras behind on the ship. While you’re taking the time to carefully compose shots of all the incredible sights you came to see, always be aware of your environment. Don’t Look Lost. We all lose our bearings at one time or another. The worst thing you can do if you're lost is to look confused or unfold a map and stare blankly at it. Try to map out your route ahead of time, look confident, and if you become disoriented, stop by a hotel or restaurant for directions or a taxi without attracting unwanted attention from thieves scanning the crowds for an easy target. Have fun on your day in port. Just be alert and smart. By Janice Neves ~ CruiseCrazies Contributor For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html

There is no substitution for a good travel agent, especially if you’re thinking about booking a first cruise. Just the same, in this electronic world we live in, many travelers find it a fairly easy process to handle all the cruise arrangements on their own via the internet - whether through a web-only agent, a brick and mortar agency’s website, or directly through the cruise line’s booking engine. When making your own travel arrangements, it’s crucial to make sure every detail of the booking is understood and properly attended to, thereby avoiding costly errors and assuring smooth sailing. Here are 10 common mistakes to avoid when booking a cruise: 1) Booking a cabin just because it’s the cheapest. That $199 Category 1A cabin deal on Carnival may seem sweet, but you could very well find yourself squeezed into a corner hole in the wall - in a bunk bed. Know the accommodations you’re getting when you book. 2) Misunderstanding the definition of an “obstructed” cabin. No, an obstructed cabin does not mean you must leap over a wall to reach it. It means that the cabin has a window, but your view will be hindered by something outside on deck – a lifeboat, for instance. Some obstructions are just partial – lifeboat on the bottom half of your window, with the sky above. Still others are hardly obstructions at all – a cabin located between two lifeboats, for instance. It pays to consult the deck plan for your ship to see just what kind of view you will – or won’t – have. 3) Booking a “guaranty” cabin without a clue as to what it means. You go on line to book an advertised promo for a balcony cabin in a particular category. All that is available, however, is a “guaranty”. This means that you cannot select a cabin at the time of booking. Rather, one will be selected for you by the cruise line, guaranteed to be in that category or higher. If this is the case, you must be content with the fact that (a) the cruise line will assign the cabin when it’s good and ready, up to the date of sailing, and (b) your cabin could be located anywhere on the ship. In other words, if there is a particular location on the ship where you don’t want to be, then don’t book a guaranty. 4) Incorrectly entering names and dates of birth. When entering your names during the on-line booking process, be absolutely certain that the passengers’ names are spelled correctly and are an exact match to the names on your government issued photo ID or passport. Otherwise, you risk being denied boarding of the flight, the cruise or both. Be certain that the dates of birth and gender are correct for each passenger. 5) Paying the cruise deposit without realizing it’s non-refundable. Cruise lines and agents more and more frequently are presenting temping offers of discounts, onboard credits and other perks – with one caveat: a non-refundable deposit. Be certain you are clear on this when booking a special promotion. 6) Not carefully proofing the cruise booking confirmation. Once you have completed your booking details and paid your deposit, the agency or cruise line will email a confirmation of your booking. Carefully proof this for errors as soon as it is received. If you discover any errors, contact the agency right away to make the necessary corrections. 7) Neglecting to pay the final balance by the due date. When failing to pay off your cruise by the due date, you risk automatic cancellation. Don’t rely on notifications from the agent. Keep a calendar or send yourself a reminder to make that final payment when due. Be certain you receive a written confirmation showing a zero balance. It’s also a good idea to log on to your cruise account. Seeing your cruise displayed on the cruise line’s web page is reassurance that your good to go. 8) Paying little attention to the cruise line’s cancellation policy. Be aware that once your booking has reached the final payment date, it goes into the “penalty phase”, and is then subject to cancellation fees, typically beginning with the amount of your deposit from 75 days out to your entire fare within 14 days of sailing. Although not mandatory, this is where travel insurance would be a great thing to have in the unfortunate event that you need to cancel your cruise due to family illness, injury or other covered reason. 9) Paying no attention to the agency’s cancellation policy. Be aware that some travel agents – online and brick & mortar alike - charge cancellation or change fees. Make certain that you know the agent’s policy on cancellations before booking. Or try another agent. Many do not charge cancellation fees at all. 10) Booking flights too late to the ship or too early for the trip home. Cruise lines will typically post the latest flight time for your travel to the ship and the earliest flight time to schedule for the trip home. Pay careful attention to these times, because it would be a sad day if you missed your ship because you flew too late in the day to meet your ship on time. An even better idea would be to fly to your city of embarkation the day before your cruise. You will arrive relaxed and you’ll be all rested up and ready to cruise the next morning. By: Janice Neves, CruiseCrazies Contributor For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html

You’ve been hard at work researching cruise vacations and finally found the one of your dreams. Have you thought about how you will get to the ship? If the port is in driving distance, outstanding! You’ve just saved yourself some time, money and aggravation. However, if you need to fly to port, this should be a priority in your planning process, especially if you are considering booking the least expensive, non-refundable air you can find, because once you lock it in, it’ll cost you if you want to change that flight. Should you fly the same day of your cruise, or should you fly in the day before? Let’s look at the benefits to flying the day of your cruise departure: Save money – no hotel needed. Keep it simple. Fly, arrive at your destination, collect your luggage, grab a taxi (or the ship’s transfer), and off you go to your awaiting ship. But wait … Even the best-laid flight plans can go amiss, leading to delays, missed connections, and possibly bidding a fond fare-thee-well to your ship as it sails away – not a good way to start a vacation. As most seasoned cruisers will point out, flying in a day or two in advance is the only way to even consider reaching your port of embarkation. As you can see, the benefits are many: Stress-free travel Allows for a wide variety of available flight options Spend a fun “night on the town” or simply relax at your hotel Awake on the day of departure rested and worry-free You’ll arrive to your ship relaxed and ready to sail Gives you an opportunity to explore your city of embarkation Allows for a mini-land vacation before the cruise vacation However, some travelers simply don’t have the time or money to fly in days before a cruise. Perhaps work or family obligations simply don’t allow for the luxury of a pre-cruise holiday, thereby necessitating a same-day flight to the ship. If this is the case, several steps can be taken to minimize delays and increase the odds of getting to the ship on time. Take the first flight out of the day. The earlier you fly, the more time you will have to play with should your plane be delayed or canceled. Allow ample time between landing and the ship’s departure – five hours or more – to allow for weather-related or any other type of delays, as well as traffic once you’re on the ground. Fly non-stop! Layovers increase the chance of delays and missed connections. Take an overnight flight. You’ll arrive to port in the early morning hours, before later flights have had a chance to become backed up. Book the cruise line air/transfer package. There's no guaranty you'll reach the ship in time, but the cruise line may offer assistance. Pack light … carry-on only. I know, it’s difficult, but not altogether impossible, especially if the cruise is 7 days or less. I once met a couple getting married on the ship, arriving on board with only a carry on between the two of them – including the bride’s dress on a hanger. As frequent travelers, they had carry-on travel down to a science. Check-in on line in advance of your flight – especially if you’re not checking any luggage – anything to reduce time spent at the airport. Be sure to follow all the rules for security regarding shoes, liquids, laptops, jewelry, etc. You don’t want to be delayed one second longer than necessary. Be sure the cruise line has your flight itinerary in their system (usually required when registering and completing the immigration information in advance on your cruise line’s website), and be sure you have the ship’s contact information. If it looks like you’re not going to make it on time, at least they will have a record of you travel plans. Although it’s unlikely they will hold the ship for you, they may be able to instruct you further on how and where to meet your ship on the itinerary. If your cruise involves an international flight, don’t even ponder the question. At the very least, always fly in a day before your ship departs in a foreign country.

Who doesn’t have a smartphone or tablet these days? While you may still encounter folks with a simple flip phone - or (gasp!) no cell phone at all - more and more people own a smartphone, a tablet, or both. With all the unlimited data and talk plans and free WiFi hotspots now at our disposal, we scarcely think about the time we spend conversing, downloading and web browsing these days. It has become second nature to turn to our electronic devices for both business and pleasure - to call, text, message, share, blog, tweet, snap and upload photos, watch videos, browse the web without even blinking. Try all this on a cruise ship at sea, and you’ll be in for a severe case of “cell shock” when your next phone bill arrives. Charges for call roaming, data roaming, streaming music and videos or downloading an app can rise into the stratosphere. Traveling with digital devices requires special close attention, and this is especially true on a cruise ship. Wouldn’t it be great to escape totally unplugged – to leave all the gadgets behind and disconnect from work, social and family obligations for just a short time and truly relax! Difficult but not impossible. However, if the thought of traveling incommunicado brings on a severe panic attack, don’t despair. There are ways you can minimize your phone and data expense when you travel. The following are generic suggestions that may or may not apply to your phone or tablet. Before traveling, always check with your service provider before making any modifications to your device or service. Sign up with your carrier’s international roaming voice and data plan. Before leaving home, check with your provider for their cruise ship terms and ask about discounted international voice and data plans. Note, however, that the discounted international plans don’t apply while on a cruise ship at sea. The cruise ship network is turned on once the ship is at sea and doesn’t turn off until the ship is close to land. When calling from your phone at sea, or whenever the display reads “Cellular at Sea”, pricier per-minute roaming rates will apply. Set to WiFi Mode. This applies not only to travel, but also for everyday use. When in WiFi mode, your phone will automatically default to and pick up any available wireless signal. If no signal is found, or when WiFi is turned off, your cellular service kicks in, eating up your precious data allowance, and possibly leading to overage charges, depending on the type of data plan you have. Set to Airplane Mode and just use your device as a PDA. This will turn off all your wireless services, preventing you from making calls or downloading data, while still allowing use of the camera, music player, video player and E-book reader to your heart’s content without getting charged. Set to Phone Mode. Turn data services off and leave voice services on. You can make calls and send texts without incurring data roaming charges in this mode. Cellular at Sea and voice roaming charges still apply onboard ship. On shore, voice roaming charges will still apply. Set Your Phone to Safe Mode. What’s that, you ask. Turn the phone off and lock it in the cabin safe - or “safe” mode. Disconnect and truly relax on your cruise! Do you qualify for free or discounted minutes? If you are a member of a cruise line’s frequent cruiser program, you may be entitled to free or discounted data minutes. If not, data packages are available at a discount off the per-minute rate, and sometimes even further discounted if you purchase in advance of your cruise. Connect to the internet only when necessary. Compose your email offline, and then only go online long enough to post. Use the onboard internet at off-peak hours. The connection will be faster in the middle of the night than midday. Use an internet café in port. If it can wait, hold off sending your email until you can find a WiFi connection in town. Uncheck Data Roaming. With “data roaming” unchecked in your phone’s preferences, you’ll never incur a data roaming charge. Turn off Location Services. This will prevent some apps from constantly trying to update your location. Uncheck Data Synchronization. Data synchronization consumes bandwidth in keeping your accounts up to date. Turn off Data Push. Some email accounts, like Gmail, push the data to your smartphone. This will incur data charges even if you don’t open the emails. Your smartphone can be a great tool for staying in touch. After all, your smartphone is - well - “smart”. So should you be! By Janice Neves ~ CruiseCrazies Contributor For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html

My husband and I recently became first-time grandparents, and we are eagerly looking forward to the joy, fun and laughter associated with the pitter-patter of little feet – a sound we haven’t heard in a very long time. I now find myself beginning to view life from a grandparent’s perspective – and, of course, that includes planning vacation time. I envision taking my grandchild - when he’s of a reasonable age, of course – on a cruise adventure with Grammy and Gramps. Oh, the fun we’ll have! I immediately became curious as to what sort of steps were necessary in preparing for such a grand undertaking as a “cruising with granny” vacation. I fired up the iMac and began my research in case I should some day find myself planning a cruise or two with my own grandson. I thought I would share what I found. Decide if the parents will come. Obviously, parental preference is key. No doubt, they will – and should – have some say in the vacation plans involving their kids. One big advantage to ditching the parents is the bonding factor. Kids will ordinarily turn to their parents when in need, and in their absence will be looking for another trusted face – yours! You have a wealth of experiences to share, and that makes for great bonding moments. On the other hand, bringing the parents along means that you can share the childcare responsibilities, making it easier to schedule “me” time for everyone. Also, take a look at the number of the little darlings you’ll be bringing. If you are planning to be surrounded by all seven of your grandchildren, suffice it to say you’ll need some help. You’ll need written permission. If they do decide to entrust you with their treasured offspring, you will need a permission letter from the parents, the kids’ health insurance cards and medical history. Involve the kids in the planning. Start by looking over cruise brochures together and ask them what they would like to do and see in the places you’ll be visiting. The web is a great resource, and most grannies and gramps are web savvy these days. If not, the kids will be more than happy to show you around. Try a test run. I once had a miserably homesick child sleep over for a night and then had to call the poor girl’s mother in the middle of the night to fetch her. Not a good scenario if you’re at sea. Are your grandchildren ready to spend a week with you in distant places? If in doubt, do a trial run. Invite the kids for an overnight at a beach resort or theme park and see how the interaction goes. This will give you some idea if they’re ready for a cruise. Bring a buddy. Owning a pair of cats is better than owning just one. The same can be said for kids on a cruise. Invite a same age friend or cousin to keep your grandchild company. Double the fun! If possible, book adjoining rooms or a family suite. The more room you have to spread out, the better. A balcony is a plus, too – you can escape to fresh air without leaving the cabin. Explore the onboard kids’ programs. Your grandkids may prefer to hang with you the entire trip – yeah, in your dreams, Granny! Still, it’s worth checking out the kids’ clubs. The kids will make friends, and you’ll each get some much-needed space. Bring along a few quiet-time activities. Even though there may be 24 hours of fun on the ship, you’ll want the kids to retreat to the cabin for rest or bedtime, and having a few games, cards or puzzles will keep them occupied – along with a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Use the ship’s newspaper to plan the next day’s activities. If you have a schedule, the day is apt to go much more smoothly. Set firm limits and enforce them. Yes, you are their loving grandparents first and foremost, but on vacation you are also their caretakers, and ground rules must be set and followed. A small whiteboard or yellow Post-Its for jotting down notes to each other will help keep the lines of communication open. Introduce the Kids to Journaling. It’s never too early – or too late - to teach them the lost art of recording their experiences in a diary. While the trip may fade away once they return home, they will be grateful for those memories when they get older. By Janice Neves, CruiseCrazies Contributor For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html

An abandoned Russian cruise ship, drifting in the sea with no crew or warning lights, has turned up off the west coast of Ireland. The MV Lyubov Orlova – once used by the Soviet Union for polar cruises and expeditions - was being towed from Canada to a scrapyard in the Caribbean in January when a cable snapped setting it adrift in international waters. At the time, the Canadian authorities said it was decided not to pursue the drifting vessel as there are no people aboard the ship and there was a serious concern for the safety of Canadian sailors involved in the salvage operation, given the weather and dangerous sea conditions. Transport Canada later claimed the ship was no longer Canada's responsibility because it had drifted out of the country's jurisdictional waters. A week or so later on February 1st, the derelict vessel was intercepted by the Atlantic Hawk, a supply craft used by the Canadian energy firm Husky Energy, only to be cut loose once again in response to fears of a possible collision. Following this incident, Transport Canada insisted the vessel no longer posed a threat to "the safety of offshore oil installations, their personnel or the marine environment". “The vessel has drifted into international waters and given current patterns and predominant winds, it is very unlikely that the vessel will re-enter waters under Canadian jurisdiction,” it said. However, earlier this week, maritime officials admitted they did not know the location of the ship as its global positioning system was no longer functioning. Since then there have been conflicting reports as to the ship whereabouts. That was until a document from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency obtained by the AFP news agency yesterday said the Lyubov Orlova had now been spotted about 1,300 nautical miles from the Irish coast. The ice-strengthened ship - named after the Soviet star of the same name – was built in 1976 by the Russian-based Far East Shipping Company. She served as an expedition cruise ship before being abandoned dockside in St John’s, Newfoundland. By Eoin Burke-Kennedy, Irish Times Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more http://www.cruisecrazies.com

Gambling is a popular activity aboard cruise ships and it's a significant money maker for the cruise lines. The types of casino games offered onboard may vary, however you can be certain the most well known and popular ones are available - Blackjack, roulette, poker, and of course a ton of slot machines. If you're a hardcore gambler and are seeking a specific type of casino game, you may want to check directly with the cruise line, prior to booking your cruise. If you're planning on gambling a good amount on your next cruise, perhaps some pre-cruise practice with an online gaming destination such as partybingo.com will be helpful. Party Bingo offers a variety of online casino games including roulette, blackjack, and more. Upon boarding the ship, you'll notice the casino is closed. That's because gambling is illegal in most of the United States. However, different rules apply in International waters, and you'll notice that after the ship departs from land and is several miles away from the coast, the casino will open. Let the games begin! In just about all cases, the onboard casino will also be closed while the ship is docked at any port of call. This is to abide by local regulations which if you think about it, makes sense. After all, cruise ship casinos remaining open while at port would result in less passengers debarking the ship to explore the local destination which may include their own gambling attractions. Gambling within the onboard casino is similar to gambling on land. Traditional casino rules apply such as minimum age limits and the prohibition of photography. If the rules for specific games differ from on land, there will likely be visible signs or rules posted. If you're in doubt, ask a casino employee. There are also pamphlets available around the casino which explain the rules for all games offered. Looking to learn a new game while onboard? Not to worry, most ships offer educational courses which teach you how to play a particular game. Looking to participate in a competition? Chances are your cruise already has this covered as part of the calendar of activities. These are always fun to watch. Whether you're looking to learn a new game or brush up on your skills before your next cruise, there are a variety of internet source which can assist. Wikipedia is one of many great resources where you can learn all you want about casino gaming. Do you gamble onboard? Have you ever won BIG? Any onboard casino stories? Add your comments below!

Plans to build a life-size sailing replica of the Titanic look set to go ahead after it was revealed that the shipyard chosen to build the ocean liner has begun upgrading its facilities in preparation of the forthcoming construction work. Titanic II is to be built at CSC Jinling Shipyard Company in Nanjing, China, and is being funded by Australian billionaire businessman Clive Palmer. The ship will take three years to build and will be constructed to the same dimensions as the Belfast-built White Star liner - 270 metres long, 53 metres high and weighing 40,000 tonnes. It will have nine floors and 840 cabins, accommodating 2,400 passengers and 900 crew members, along with Turkish baths, a swimming pool and gymnasiums. Its exterior will be an exact replica of the ill-fated vessel but engineers will incorporate the latest technology when it comes to engines and electronics. It will also remain faithful to the classifications of the original ship with passengers able to buy first, second and third class tickets. The shipyard’s director Ge Biao, told China's Xinhua news agency: 'It's difficult to replicate a luxury liner, but Jinling Shipyard has a history of 60 years of building various kinds of vessels with high quality.' Titanic II is expected to make its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in 2016 along the same route that the original ship sailed. A spokesman for the shipyard, Li Wenbao, told the Sunday Times newspaper: 'The liner will be equipped with advanced technologies including the latest life-saving and communications systems, to meet the requirements of modern navigation.' Mr Palmer’s company is reported to have been inundated with enquiries from potential passengers, with some offering up to $1m (£640,000) for a chance to be on the maiden voyage. The original Titanic set sail from Southampton on April 10, 1912 and was thought to be unsinkable at the time. But the ship hit an iceberg in the Atlantic on April 14, 1912 and sank the following morning, killing 1,517 passengers and crew. A special cruise recreated the voyage of the Titanic last year to commemorate 100 years since the ship sank. MS Balmoral set sail from Southampton with the exact same number of passengers as the famous liner that sank on its maiden voyage. Passengers onboard the 12-night cruise included relatives of people who died onboard the Titanic and a memorial service was held at the spot where the original ship struck an iceberg and sank. By TravelMail Reporter, Dailymail.co.uk Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more http://www.cruisecrazies.com

A major cruise line reportedly has provided the Cayman Islands government with a proposal to develop cruise berthing facilities in the capital city of George Town, according to Cline Glidden, minister of tourism and development. Long one of the Caribbean’s most popular cruise ship ports, the Cayman Islands nevertheless lacks a cruise terminal capable of accommodating large ships and ferries the majority of its cruise guests to shore via tender services. Speaking at a recent briefing with Cayman Islands media, Glidden said the government has a “preliminary proposal from one of the lines” following his recent meetings with cruise company officials in Florida. He did not name the cruise line, but added that “other cruise lines” have also expressed interest in developing cruise piers in Grand Cayman. Last year the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, which oversees the Cayman Islands as a British Overseas Territory, ordered then-premier McKeeva Bush to halt a deal with China Harbour Engineering Company to build a cruise facility in Grand Cayman because the agreement had not undergone required procurement processes. Bush was removed from office earlier this year following his arrest on theft charges unrelated to the cruise port agreement. In fact, Glidden called the potential cruise-line project “a challenge to government” because its structure would not follow “the traditional procurement process of a competitive tender” and represent a “whole different scenario more akin to a licensing process.” He said the United Kingdom government supports plans to a cruise ship facility “as long as it follows best practice procurement process.” The Cayman Islands is consulting with a U.K. financial consultant to determine if the proposed cruise line offer would be acceptable to the British government. The Cayman Islands has long sought to establish a modern cruise ship facility. In recent years the largest cruise lines have been very active in developing global cruise ports in partnership with destination governments. Glidden himself pointed out that cruise lines that develop ports typically guarantee a certain number of visitors to the destination for an agreed-on number of years, something other developers could not guarantee. “No one else can guarantee what the line can guarantee,” he said. By Brian Major, Travel Pulse Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more http://www.cruisecrazies.com

When many of us plan our cruise, even with the great packing list supplied by CruiseCrazies, there are some of that must think a little deeper. I am referring to those of us that must take certain medical equipment with us on our cruise. These items can be Wheelchairs, Medication that must be refrigerated, Oxygen and CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) breathing machines just to name a few. A few years ago, my wife had used a CPAP machine. The device is completely mobile so we gave no second thought when bringing it aboard the Carnival Pride as a check-in bag. Because the equipment required the use of distilled water, we had to bring our own with us. We planned on 4 gallons being enough for the 7 day cruise. When we arrived at Port Canaveral, the check in staff stopped us to inspect the device since they had seen it when going through the X-Ray machine. They also closely inspected the 4 gallons of distilled water. They asked if we had a prescription for the device. We explained to them we weren’t aware that a prescription was needed. They retained the device for two days until Carnival received a letter from my wife’s doctor confirming it was a CPAP machine and was required treatment for my wife. I did some research and all cruise lines have regulations and standards in place for special needs passengers. For example, if you use oxygen, you must bring enough of your own to sustain you for the entire cruise or make accommodations to receive replacement bottles at the ports of call. The oxygen in the ships infirmary is only for emergencies. If you must bring medication with you that must be refrigerated, please be aware that cabins that have mini-refrigerators are NOT sufficient for the storage of your medications. On Carnival, they have special refrigerators that meet the temperature requirements to store your medications but they must be requested and are in limited availability. If you require the use of a wheelchair, ensure that you are booking a cabin that is “Wheelchair Accessible”. NOT all cabins are designed for wheelchairs. The best advice I could give is if you have a question regarding your medical condition, all your respective Cruise agent or the cruise line directly. We were inconvenienced for a few days. But it’s YOUR cruise, why be inconvenienced at all. By Tim Hickey, aka Sarge6870

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — PortMiami welcomed Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto Wednesday morning as Disney Cruise Line celebrated its new homeport with Caribbean sailings departing from Miami beginning next month. “We are thrilled to welcome Disney Cruise Line to PortMiami” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “This is the first time the world renowned brand will operate from South Florida—Disney Cruise Line is a great addition to our Port’s growing roster of cruise brands.” The Disney Wonder will begin sailing from PortMiami on December 23 with a schedule of cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean. Wednesday, the Disney characters were in town to launch the move to Miami, which will serve as the cruise line’s second homeport in Florida. “Disney Cruise Line has always catered to the unique vacation needs of families—we are pleased to welcome them to Miami,” said Bill Talbert, President of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The powerfulDisney and Miami brands make a great combo in promoting our locale to visitors around the world.” PortMiami, long known as the “Cruise Capital of the World,” is in the midst of a major expansion that includes three new cruise lines and five new build vessels. “The 2012-2013 cruise season marks our largest expansion ever, bringing more new cruise brands and newly built vessels here in a single cruise season than ever before,” said PortMiami Director Bill Johnson. “Already the busiest cruise port in the world, PortMiami looks forward to continued growth of our cruise industry which is a critical component of South Florida’s number one industry, tourism.” In addition to the family oriented Disney line, the Port recently welcomed upscale Regent Seven Seas Cruises to its fleet. Regent began sailing from Miami in early November and will add a second ship to itineraries in January. Additionally, the Mediterranean line, MSC Cruises, will begin sailing from PortMiami in the fall of 2013 when it brings its newest ship, the MSC Divina here. Last week, PortMiami welcomed the Carnival Breeze, the newest and largest ship in Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet. Other new builds arriving this week, include Oceania Cruise Line’s, Oceania Riviera, and Celebrity Cruise Line’s, Celebrity Reflection. Additionally, in 2014, Norwegian Cruise Line will bring the Norwegian Getaway, to homeport in Miami.

From the pitch-black depths 2½ miles beneath the North Atlantic, salvagers of the Titanic made a notable discovery when they located the personal effects of William Murdoch, the bridge officer who tried in vain to keep the doomed ship from colliding with an iceberg. The artifacts — including a shoe brush, straight razor and pipe — are the first to be specifically linked to Murdoch, who gained added notoriety after James Cameron's polemical portrayal of him in the 1997 blockbuster movie "Titanic." In the film, Murdoch accepts bribes, kills two people trying to get on lifeboats and shoots himself in desperation as the ship sinks. Historical accounts, however, say Murdoch gave the order to try to avoid a collision and acted selflessly to get passengers on lifeboats. "This will bring Murdoch back front and center to the tragedy," said Bill Sauder, who manages Titanic research for RMS Titanic Inc. The company oversees the artifacts and gave The Associated Press an exclusive look at a new exhibit that opens Friday at Premier Exhibitions in Atlanta. RMST is a subsidiary of Premier Exhibitions. The movie created a furor when it came out. Murdoch's extended family and people from his hometown of Dalbeattie, Scotland, were angered. They asked that movie credits be amended when the video version of the Oscar-winning film was released. The studio, 20th Century Fox, refused. Executives said the movie was never intended to be a reflection of real events, and that Murdoch was portrayed as a hero because he saved many lives before taking his own. Eventually, the studio issued a personal apology and made a contribution to an annual Murdoch memorial prize that Dalbeattie High School had given out since 1912, the year the Titanic sank. Attempts to find Murdoch's extended family of Murdoch by contacting community members who had had contact with a now-deceased nephew of Murdoch were unsuccessful. "There was no controversy about Murdoch shooting himself until the movie came out," said Lee W. Merideth, a Titanic expert and author of "1912 Facts About Titanic." ''Cameron took a lot of liberties, and that's why historians don't like the movie." Controversy aside, Merideth said the artifacts are a significant find and will help viewers make a personal connection to an important historical figure. "If that is his pipe, that means he smoked it at one time," said Merideth. "All this stuff belonged to somebody." Recovering artifacts from the depths of the North Atlantic is painstaking work. Teams are only allowed to gather material from what is known as the "debris field," an area outside the actual ship; by court order, artifacts can't be taken from inside the vessel, which broke into two pieces when it sank. The Murdoch items are part of some 5,500 artifacts that are being auctioned as one lot and include: clothing, fine china, gold coins, silverware and "The Big Piece" — a 17-ton section of the Titanic's hull. Many of the artifacts are part of a handful of exhibits around the United States and one in Singapore. The winning bid will be announced April 11. The collection was appraised in 2007 at $189 million, and the public company decided to auction the collection in response to shareholders' wishes. Connecting items to owners is often impossible. Researchers have only been able to link a handful of passengers or crew members directly to artifacts, usually with items like suitcases, trunks or wallets. The Murdoch artifacts were found in 2000, but just recently linked to the former officer. The central clue came with the initials "W.M." embossed on a toiletry kit, said Alexandra Klingelhofer, Premier's vice president of collections. Some of the items inside the toiletry kit, like a button, the razor and long-johns, would seem to belong to Murdoch. Officers were given uniforms, but had to buy their own buttons, making easily-accessible spares necessary, said Klingelhofer. And while early in his life Murdoch wore a beard, he began shaving it after marrying, she said. Officers and crew members often had several pairs of long-johns, necessary for frigid overnight watch shifts. The items "bring you face to face with things that belonged to a man so integral to the story," said Klingelhofer. The items are displayed together on a table under glass. While the long-johns and toilet kit are faded and have holes, the button sparkles, and the pipe and brush appear in good enough condition to be used today, extraordinary considering they spent 88 years in the ocean. Behind the case is a portrait of Murdoch, along with blurbs about his upbringing and attempts to skirt the iceberg. "He did what an officer should do," said Klingelhofer. "He followed orders and got people into the lifeboats, and I think that tells you something about the man himself."