An Alluring New Ship
March 31, 2009 by admin
Filed under Breaking News
The Allure of the Seas will sail seven-day, alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries beginning Dec. 12, 2010, Royal Caribbean International said Monday.
The 220,000-ton, 5,400-passenger Allure and its sister-ship the Oasis of the Seas will be world’s two largest cruise ships when they debut: the Oasis this November and the Allure one year later.
Both ships will be based out of Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, with the Allure leaving on Sundays and the Oasis on Saturdays.
Both Allure itineraries will feature three days at sea, and in the eastern Caribbean will call in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Nassau. In the western Caribbean, it will go to Falmouth, Jamaica; Cozumel, Mexico; and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach on the northern coast of Haiti.
Bookings for the Allure’s inaugural season open on April 2 for Diamond- and Diamond Plus-level members of the Crown & Anchor Society, Royal Caribbean’s frequent cruiser program, and on April 8 for all Crown & Anchor Society members. General bookings will open on April 13.
How Low Can They Go?
Ask anyone who has been around the cruise business for several years about the low prices being promoted right now. They will all probably agree that we are seeing some of the lowest prices ever for some destinations that previously commanded premium pricing. Take Alaska for example. This week NCL is offered cruises during a one day sale to Alaska for as low as $379. And Celebrity followed suit with Alaska voyages starting from $429. Perhaps the most enticing deal is a Celebrity CruiseTour – cruise plus land at only $989.
Europe has also been on “blue light special” recently with $699 lead rates from Celebrity and Royal Caribbean promoting a 12 night cruise for $1149 during high season. The general softness in the economy has affected land travel to Europe this summer meaning there are more air seats available at reasonable prices than last year. People are even reporting that they have been able to use their air miles for almost peak period travel.
The pundits also know that in the cruise business, the law of supply and demand is king. So as the deals begin to get snapped up, the rates will slowly ratchet upward. The easiest way to find the best deals is to ask a cruise agent to monitor prices on your favorite itineraries and let you know when they find a great price on the cruise or itinerary you want. It’s sort of like playing the stock market, without the pain.
Royal Caribbean Gives Back!
March 27, 2009 by admin
Filed under Breaking News
Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara cruises are offerring great deals for our local heros! In addition to military rates, Active employees of local, state or federal law enforcement agencies or fire departments in the US now can book a cruise at fares up to 20% off the best prevailing rate on select sailings with each brand. And they can bring their families along for the trip! Companions in the same stateroom also are eligible to receive the special rate.
In order to take advantage of this speacial promotion, police officers and firefighters booking at the special rates will be asked to provide proof of employment (badge or ID card) when booking and at embarkation. Call your travel agent for more information!
Super Size My Port Please
Don’t look now but Fort Lauderdale’s cruise port is more than tripling the size of one of its cruise terminals in time for the arrival of Royal Caribbean International’s 5,400-passenger Oasis-class of ships, the largest cruise ships in the world. When completed, Terminal 18 will become the largest single-ship cruise terminal in the world. Guests will be treated to the Oasis experience as soon as they enter the terminal according to port officials. The grand opening is planned to coincide with the arrival of the ship in November 2009. Oasis of the Seas will use the terminal initially and will be joined by its sister ship, Allure of the Seas, a year later.
The terminal will be more than three times larger than existing terminals, with a total of 240,000 square feet on two floors. The terminal will be large enough to accommodate both arriving and departing cruise passengers and their luggage simultaneously. In the new Terminal 18, guests will debark and embark through entirely different sections of the building, permitting the simultaneous debarking of guests from the ship while embarking guests are processed and seated inside the terminal waiting to board the ship. The terminal area for debarking guests is 102,000 square feet on two levels, while the arrival hall for embarking guests is in the new section and encompasses 138,000 square feet on two levels. The goal is that once the ship is cleared for embarkation, the transition for guests to go from curbside to the ship can be completed in 15 minutes.
There will be 22 booths for U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to process guests after their cruise. The embarkation area will feature 90 check-in counters and a bank of overhead video screens that provide arriving guests with directions and information. Terminal 18 is located in the center of Port Everglades directly on the port’s main thoroughfare. It is separated from other cruise terminals so that vehicular traffic to and from the terminal is isolated and can move smoothly.
Epic Reveal
NCL shared several more details about their new Norwegian Epic at a live press conference from the Seatrade Shipping Conference being held in Miami this week. The ship is being promoted as being “truly epic in innovation”, and seems to be living up to early expectations.
Today, NCL revealed that its “ship within a ship” concept is being taken to new levels with the creation of 3 unique areas catering to different passengers and interests. The most dramatic announcement encompassed the lower-priced accommodations with the introduction of the industry’s first Studio Staterooms. There are 128 of these interior staterooms that have a window out the hallway and are laid out much like a studio apartment (without the kitchen) in a metro city like NY. But unlike a landlocked studio apartment, these staterooms have a social gathering point, the 2 story Living Room where there is a bar, quiet reading areas and room service. Access to the studios and the living room are via a special key card.
Moving to the other end of the economic spectrum are the 60 suites in an expanded Courtyard Villa area. The Courtyard Villa was introduced on NCL’s Jewel class ships and are a popular feature for upscale cruisers. On the Epic, the entire complex has been expanded with a private pool, gym, dining facility and concierge lounge. Again, access to the private area is by key card.
And not forgetting the huge family market, NCL has designed their “family friendly” accommodations to occupy 2 decks and staterooms accommodate 3 or 4 passengers with many connecting cabins available.
Last but not least, NCL joins the “Spa Cabin” trend with 39 cabins adjacent to the large spa area that offer special access to the spa and other facilities.
Keep in mind though, that these special areas and staterooms only represent less than about 10% of the overall number of staterooms – 2100 – on the ship so even if you don’t take advantage of these unique features, there’s still an abundance of lounges, decks, and recreational areas to enjoy. The ship is due to begin service in midsummer and another press release with more details will be held on April 3 at the Cruise Lines International trade conference in Ft. Lauderdale.
Radio Waves
If you love cruising and want to stay informed about the latest things happening at sea, then you will love the Cruise Talk Radio Show. It’s an online show that you can hear on demand by clicking on the link below or by visiting www.CruiseTalkShow.com The show as well as the web site covers both contemporary cruising as well as discussions and information about classic cruise ships from the past. This is an industry that is steeped in tradition and history. While there aren’t many of the old style ocean liners still sailing a small group of supporters keeps the memories of these great ladies alive.
And for the new cruiser, there’s a boat load of information about the modern fleet of floating resorts that have something for just about everything. All you need is a computer with speakers and an internet connection to set sail.
Shows Sponsored by Cruise Planners:
Cruise Talk Radio Show March 5
Cruise Talk Radio Show March 12
Mickey and Minnie to Get New Ship Cousins
While the Disney Cruise Line ships are not known as Mickey and Minnie, we think maybe they should. But in any case the ships (Disney Magic and Disney Wonder) will be joined in 2011 and 2012 by two cousins.
The first steel was cut this week on the two yet-to-be named DCL ships during a ceremony at the Meyer Werft yards in Germany. The first piece of steel cut was part of the Art Deco-inspired scrollwork that will grace the bow of the ships. Similar to the scrollwork on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the pattern is reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s but adds a Disney touch: a Mickey Mouse medallion in the center of the design.
Not many details are available on this new pair, but they will feature 1250 staterooms and be about 128,000 tons each making them about 1/3 larger than the two existing ships which have 875 staterooms.
It’s been more than 10 years since Disney welcomed a new ship so mouse fans have a lot to look forward to. Keep your ears to the ground and we promise to give you regular updates on this magical birth event.
Are we there yet?
If you’ve vacationed with your children you know the look - a couple of bleary-eyed, bedraggled parents returning back to the hotel at 6 p.m.. In tow, are 2 hyper-active offspring wearing mouse hats or whale t-shirts sporting cotton candy hair extensions. Next it’s the big choice: wash them up and suffer through another dinner or collapse in the hotel room with another room service or take-out pizza meal. And today’s receipts for all this fun? Well, let’s just say it cost more than your first car did?
If this is how you define vacation in your household, maybe it’s time for something different. How about an experience where EVERYONE actually gets a vacation? The answer is quite simple and does not end with the words “Park”, “World” or “Land”. But it does end with the word “Happy”. On a cruise it is possible to make everyone happy with their vacation.
Contemporary cruise lines figured out quite a while ago that if you can keep the kids happy and occupied, then the parents follow right along. Over the years, children’s programs on board ships have blossomed from having one children’s counselor on board over the holidays to full blown year round programs and separate facilities for the different age groups. Every year from 6 months to 16 years is covered and child care is offered at various levels.
Cruise lines are now savvy enough to plan nighttime activities for the children so their parents can enjoy the facilities of the ship in a relaxed style simply unavailable at most land-based resorts. Cruises are an exceptionally good idea for single parents as they have a controlled environment and child care on the ship, but have the freedom and time to make new friends around the ship. Extended families also love ships because cousins and friends can hang together on the ship while the adults reconnect.
Before you plan your next road trip, let a cruise expert fill you in on the many choices and the “secret” affordability of family cruising. Oh, did we forget to mention that all meals, snacks, entertainment, accommodations and transportation are included in one upfront price? This year take a cruise and leave the mouse hats, maps, and (cotton candy remover) shampoo at home.
Cruise Deals!
March 15, 2009 by admin
Filed under Top Banana Deals
You can find some of the best savings on your cruise vacation with our CruiseJungle Cruise Deals! Here you’ll find current cruise sales on a wide variety of ships and itineraries to make planning your next vacation a breeze. And the list is updated weekly to give you a first hand look at the best bargains around.
A New Celebrity
March 4, 2009 by admin
Filed under Breaking News
Celebrity Cruises is giving its loyalty program members the first crack at reserving cruises on Celebrity Eclipse, which enters service in April next year.
Captain’s Club members can take advantage of this exclusive booking window through March 9. Sailings open to the general public the following day.
Celebrity Eclipse will begin sailing in Europe before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter 2010/11 season.
