Princess Launches Alaska Wilderness Sale on Convenient Cruisetours from Seattle, with Special Pricing Including Travel Between Seattle and Alaska Plus Stateroom Upgrade!
Princess Cruises announced today that it is again offering its popular Alaska Wilderness Sale promotion, but this promo also features a special lineup of cruisetours that offer passengers the extra convenience of roundtrip travel from Seattle. These unique packages make planning an Alaska land/sea vacation easier than ever by including ALL travel once the passenger gets to Seattle. This even includes airfare between Seattle and Alaska! The Alaska Wilderness Sale runs through December 31, 2009, and features 10 Seattle-based cruisetour options. Air travel between Seattle and Alaska, motorcoach transfers between Seattle and Vancouver, and an overnight stay in Seattle are all included in the package. Fares start at $1,899 for an interior stateroom and $2,299 for a balcony stateroom for an 11-night land/sea vacation, which includes a free stateroom category upgrade.
Princess Cruises offers a wide variety of Alaska Cruisetour options, including both northbound and southbound routes, with itineraries ranging from 11 to 15 nights. All passengers will experience Princess’ signature seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise, combined with a variety of Direct to the Wilderness tours, or Explorer tours to the Copper River or Kenai areas. All tours feature Princess’ own riverside wilderness lodges, with at least two nights in the Denali National Park area and luxury train travel on ultra-domed railcars. “These packages make a visit to the heart of Alaska more convenient than ever, so the only other planning needed is travel to and from Seattle. We handle all other arrangements, so visitors can simply enjoy this incredible opportunity to experience Alaska’s top attractions, including Glacier Bay and Denali National Park.”
What sets Princess apart from many other cruise lines' Alaska cruisetours is that all of Princess' cruises feature daylight cruising of both Glacier Bay National Park AND either College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier. These itineraries provide guests with the best opportunities to view fantastic glaciers and wildlife. Another important distinction is that many cruise lines only offer one night in the Denali National Park area, but Princess includes at least two nights in this important area on every cruisetour so guests can maximize their experience there.
I think Princess has done an amazing job in deciding to offer roundtrip cruisetour packages from Seattle and I applaud them wholeheartedly. As a Cruise Specialist, I am very aware of the difficulties that come with booking a one-way cruise or cruisetour. On a northbound itinerary, arrangements often need to be made to get a passenger back to Vancouver or Seattle from Anchorage or Fairbanks; and on a southbound itinerary passengers often need transportation back to Anchorage so they can purchase the often lesser-expensive roundtrip air fares. It can often be very expensive and challenging to make this all work, but now Princess has made it so much easier.
With Princess' roundtrip Seattle cruisetour packages and their new Family Fun Cruisetours which I previously blogged about, there really is no reason now to forgo that trip to Alaska! So come on people and get those bookings done, as the Alaska Wilderness Sale ends December 31!
For more information, contact Sheila McPherson, Your Independent Cruise Specialist, at 630-868-6719, or toll free at 877-823-8597; or visit my website at http://www.serenitycruising.com/.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
CruiseOne Agents Say Demand For Cruises Continues to Bounce Back
USAToday.com reported that travel agents attending the CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. National Conference last week on board the Carnival Pride say they're seeing a surge in last-minute bookings for fall and early winter as consumers grow more confident about the economy.
"Within the past two to three months the pendulum has swung upwards," says Ralph Santisteban, a Miami-based CruiseOne agent who has been in the business for 11 years. "I think they've been waiting to make sure they could leave with a clear [conscience]." Santisteban and other longtime cruise-selling agents at CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. say they're seeing people who have put off booking vacations all year long finally pulling the trigger.
"People have said 'enough is enough, I'm going,'" says Becky Piper, a CruiseOne agent in the Cleveland area. "I think they've realized that they still have a job, and they're mentally exhausted and need a vacation." Piper says her business began bouncing back in July after a horrible start to the year. As of March, her bookings were off 60% year-to-date from the previous year, she notes, but after a good July, August and September she's now caught back up and even is ahead a bit for the year.
The travel agents at the CruiseOne/Cruises Inc. conference, which took place last week on the Carnival Pride during a seven-night itinerary out of Baltimore, admit that heavy discounts by the big cruise lines has been a key factor in bringing back demand. Santisteban says customers definitely remain cost conscious. "The person who used to call to ask me for a suite is now calling to ask about a balcony," he notes. "The person who would call asking for a balcony is now calling to ask about an inside."
That said, the booking window -- how far people book in advance of a voyage -- is starting to move back out, say agents, and pricing is starting to edge upwards after months of rarely seen discounts. "Pricing is moving up, but what's funny is the client's expectations is that the pricing is still where it was (a few months ago)," says Piper. "It hasn't been an easy year," Piper adds. "But I really believe things are getting better."
CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. are part of World Travel Holdings, which bills itself as the nation's largest cruise retailer. The company also owns Cruises Only and Cruises.com, which sell cruises on their websites. It is important to note that each CruiseOne franchise is independently owned and operated, and CruiseOne agents like me offer unique personalized service that you can't get by booking on the internet or through a call center.
I would agree with my CruiseOne colleagues that pricing has started to creep upwards, but even if pricing is headed higher than it was a few months ago, there are still tremendous deals out there. However, I think the trend with my clients is that the booking window is holding steady from where it was early in the year, but this is still a shorter window than in the past.
Remember that it's not too late to book a cruise for the end of 2009, and you can take advantage of special deals in celebration of World's Largest Cruise Night, which is on October 13. Check out my website for more information at www.serenitycruising.com.
"Within the past two to three months the pendulum has swung upwards," says Ralph Santisteban, a Miami-based CruiseOne agent who has been in the business for 11 years. "I think they've been waiting to make sure they could leave with a clear [conscience]." Santisteban and other longtime cruise-selling agents at CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. say they're seeing people who have put off booking vacations all year long finally pulling the trigger.
"People have said 'enough is enough, I'm going,'" says Becky Piper, a CruiseOne agent in the Cleveland area. "I think they've realized that they still have a job, and they're mentally exhausted and need a vacation." Piper says her business began bouncing back in July after a horrible start to the year. As of March, her bookings were off 60% year-to-date from the previous year, she notes, but after a good July, August and September she's now caught back up and even is ahead a bit for the year.
The travel agents at the CruiseOne/Cruises Inc. conference, which took place last week on the Carnival Pride during a seven-night itinerary out of Baltimore, admit that heavy discounts by the big cruise lines has been a key factor in bringing back demand. Santisteban says customers definitely remain cost conscious. "The person who used to call to ask me for a suite is now calling to ask about a balcony," he notes. "The person who would call asking for a balcony is now calling to ask about an inside."
That said, the booking window -- how far people book in advance of a voyage -- is starting to move back out, say agents, and pricing is starting to edge upwards after months of rarely seen discounts. "Pricing is moving up, but what's funny is the client's expectations is that the pricing is still where it was (a few months ago)," says Piper. "It hasn't been an easy year," Piper adds. "But I really believe things are getting better."
CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. are part of World Travel Holdings, which bills itself as the nation's largest cruise retailer. The company also owns Cruises Only and Cruises.com, which sell cruises on their websites. It is important to note that each CruiseOne franchise is independently owned and operated, and CruiseOne agents like me offer unique personalized service that you can't get by booking on the internet or through a call center.
I would agree with my CruiseOne colleagues that pricing has started to creep upwards, but even if pricing is headed higher than it was a few months ago, there are still tremendous deals out there. However, I think the trend with my clients is that the booking window is holding steady from where it was early in the year, but this is still a shorter window than in the past.
Remember that it's not too late to book a cruise for the end of 2009, and you can take advantage of special deals in celebration of World's Largest Cruise Night, which is on October 13. Check out my website for more information at www.serenitycruising.com.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wanna Take the Kids to Alaska? Now Princess Cruises Makes it FUN!
According to Cruise Industry News, Princess Cruises has just announced a new Alaska family-oriented cruisetour. To make it easier for families to plan a trip to the 49th state, which offers stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and plethora of active adventure opportunities, Princess Cruises has added a fun new cruisetour option designed especially with family groups in mind.
Princess already offers a variety of Alaska cruisetours, but this one is different, as this 12-night cruisetour includes a variety of special features not usually included in a cruisetour package. Families will have the opportunity to travel on a jetboat, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and experience what Alaska is like in the winter when it’s many degrees below zero. The cruisetour (number: FUN) is offered at a 25 percent discount for all berths, so all members of the family are included in the special pricing. “This is really the ultimate family vacation,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “Alaska is a wonderful travel destination with kids, so we wanted to make it easy and affordable to plan the perfect Alaska experience for everyone in the family.”
Included in the Family Fun cruisetour are a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour featuring one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. At sea, families can also take advantage of Princess’ many onboard programs especially for children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park. Princess owns all of its lodging options in Alaska and all are conveniently located to nearby activities.
These are the special inclusions for the Family Fun Cruisetour:
Daily Breakfast – Everyone in the family can start their morning off with the most important meal of the day.
Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service with Lunch – Princess’ acclaimed Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service gets families to their wilderness lodge faster, and includes lunch aboard the train.
Three Rivers Jetboat Tour (Mt. McKinley) – An exhilarating alternative to taking a motorcoach to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, this tour travels from Talkeetna to the lodge by jetboat, with stops along the river to view historic encampments and learn about the native wildlife.
Arctic Blast (Denali) – Family members can experience winter in Alaska – in the summertime. This special chamber is chilled to wintertime temperatures, so visitors can find out what happens to hot water when it is thrown in the air and whether soap bubbles can survive the cold.
Music of Denali Dinner Theater (Denali) – This rollicking musical comedy tells the legend of the first expedition to the summit of Mt. McKinley, accompanied by a hearty, family-style meal featuring smokehouse ribs and Alaska salmon.
Experience Alaska with Alaska Geographic Tour (Denali) – A more intimate tour of Denali National Park, this special experience includes a variety of interactive experiences, including an enhanced view of the Denali ecosystem and current research taking place. The narrated bus tour takes guests 15 miles into the park to a beautiful river valley where they embark on a short walk to the historic Savage River Camp, where they can participate in a number of hands-on experiences.
Denali Sourdough Expedition Breakfast (Denali) – While fueling up for the day with a family-style, Alaskan roadhouse-style breakfast, guests experience an unforgettable journey up Denali through breathtaking images in Laurent Dick's Climb Denali. Participants have the opportunity to meet this real mountain climber and ask questions about mountain climbing.
Riverboat Cruise and El Dorado Goldmine Tour (Fairbanks) – Families can enjoy traveling on an authentic sternwheeler for a fully-narrated cruise along the Chena River and try their hands at gold panning at the El Dorado Gold Mine, where they will learn about Alaska's gold mining history.
Princess already offers a variety of Alaska cruisetours, but this one is different, as this 12-night cruisetour includes a variety of special features not usually included in a cruisetour package. Families will have the opportunity to travel on a jetboat, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and experience what Alaska is like in the winter when it’s many degrees below zero. The cruisetour (number: FUN) is offered at a 25 percent discount for all berths, so all members of the family are included in the special pricing. “This is really the ultimate family vacation,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “Alaska is a wonderful travel destination with kids, so we wanted to make it easy and affordable to plan the perfect Alaska experience for everyone in the family.”
Included in the Family Fun cruisetour are a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour featuring one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. At sea, families can also take advantage of Princess’ many onboard programs especially for children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park. Princess owns all of its lodging options in Alaska and all are conveniently located to nearby activities.
These are the special inclusions for the Family Fun Cruisetour:
Daily Breakfast – Everyone in the family can start their morning off with the most important meal of the day.
Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service with Lunch – Princess’ acclaimed Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service gets families to their wilderness lodge faster, and includes lunch aboard the train.
Three Rivers Jetboat Tour (Mt. McKinley) – An exhilarating alternative to taking a motorcoach to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, this tour travels from Talkeetna to the lodge by jetboat, with stops along the river to view historic encampments and learn about the native wildlife.
Arctic Blast (Denali) – Family members can experience winter in Alaska – in the summertime. This special chamber is chilled to wintertime temperatures, so visitors can find out what happens to hot water when it is thrown in the air and whether soap bubbles can survive the cold.
Music of Denali Dinner Theater (Denali) – This rollicking musical comedy tells the legend of the first expedition to the summit of Mt. McKinley, accompanied by a hearty, family-style meal featuring smokehouse ribs and Alaska salmon.
Experience Alaska with Alaska Geographic Tour (Denali) – A more intimate tour of Denali National Park, this special experience includes a variety of interactive experiences, including an enhanced view of the Denali ecosystem and current research taking place. The narrated bus tour takes guests 15 miles into the park to a beautiful river valley where they embark on a short walk to the historic Savage River Camp, where they can participate in a number of hands-on experiences.
Denali Sourdough Expedition Breakfast (Denali) – While fueling up for the day with a family-style, Alaskan roadhouse-style breakfast, guests experience an unforgettable journey up Denali through breathtaking images in Laurent Dick's Climb Denali. Participants have the opportunity to meet this real mountain climber and ask questions about mountain climbing.
Riverboat Cruise and El Dorado Goldmine Tour (Fairbanks) – Families can enjoy traveling on an authentic sternwheeler for a fully-narrated cruise along the Chena River and try their hands at gold panning at the El Dorado Gold Mine, where they will learn about Alaska's gold mining history.
Fares for the Alaska Family Cruisetour (#FUN) start at $1,743 per person for the first and second berths, and $1,191 per person for the third and fourth berth passengers. That's under $100 per night for the third and fourth berth passengers, so a really good deal!
For more information on this Family Fun Cruisetour or any other cruise vacation, please contact Sheila McPherson, Your Independent Cruise Specialist, at (630) 868-6719 or toll-free at (877) 823-8597.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
CruiseOne Agents Now Officially Sell Land Vacations!
It's official! On October 7, 2009, during its national conference aboard the Carnival Pride, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. launched their first land division. As reported in today's edition of Travel Pulse, "As part of the new integrated program, 1,000-plus CruiseOne franchise owners and Cruises Inc. independent agents are now officially licensed to sell land travel and will be rewarded for doing so with exclusive incentives. The new land division of CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. will be rolled out in several phases. The first phase includes 10 preferred land partners -- Apple Vacations, Club Med, Disney Destinations, Funjet Vacations, Globus Family of Brands, GOGO Worldwide Vacations, Sandals Resorts, Trafalgar, Travel Impressions and US Airways Vacations. Future phases expected to launch over the next 24 months will include the addition of new land partners."
This is REALLY big news for us CruiseOne agents because so many times we have gotten requests from clients for land packages, but we've never really had access to great deals before. Traning on land operators has always been on-our-own -- I am already a Certified Apple Vacations Agent, and am in the process of completing my training with Disney Destinations -- but now we can expect more formal training and support from our corporate headquarters. But the best part about this news is that now, by forming partnerships with these top land providers, we can access great deals for our clients and earn top commission dollars as well. So it's definitely a win-win situation and I am very excited about this opportunity.
So start thinking about that next vacation to Hawaii, Europe, DisneyWorld or Las Vegas and call me, your Independent Cruise Specialist, at (630) 868-6719 or toll-free at (877) 823-8597.
This is REALLY big news for us CruiseOne agents because so many times we have gotten requests from clients for land packages, but we've never really had access to great deals before. Traning on land operators has always been on-our-own -- I am already a Certified Apple Vacations Agent, and am in the process of completing my training with Disney Destinations -- but now we can expect more formal training and support from our corporate headquarters. But the best part about this news is that now, by forming partnerships with these top land providers, we can access great deals for our clients and earn top commission dollars as well. So it's definitely a win-win situation and I am very excited about this opportunity.
So start thinking about that next vacation to Hawaii, Europe, DisneyWorld or Las Vegas and call me, your Independent Cruise Specialist, at (630) 868-6719 or toll-free at (877) 823-8597.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
What Time is Dinner Again? Oh, Yeah, When We're Actually Hungry!
With the recent announcements by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity regarding their new flexible dining programs aboard their ships, I thought it would be a good time to comment on this major change in the industry.
Evening dining on cruise ships used to be all about schedules. You'd tpyically have two seatings for dinner each night, early or late, and you'd select your preferred seating time when you booked. Each night you'd sit at the same table with the same companions, and the evening entertainment would be scheduled around those dining times. There would be an early show for the late-seating diners, and a late show for the early-seating diners.
I have had both good and bad experiences with the traditional dining. One great experience was on the Carnival Jubilee way back in 1990. Our loud family of 5, who enjoyed laughing and having fun, was seated with another couple whom we did not know, but they enjoyed laughing along with us. Each night of the cruise we joked around with our waiter and busboy, who seemed to really enjoy our jokes, and it really was a lot of fun. Dinner was more than just dinner; it was an event. Our tablemates really got into our silly spirit and it really was a memorable experience for all. The opposite, however, was true the following year when my husband and went on our honeymoon on a Royal Caribbean ship. We were seated at a table with 2 other couples, and it was a disaster. One couple never spoke to us, even to greet us or say goodnight when they left the table; the other couple spoke but had about zero personality. We tried conversing with them but there were so many awkward silences that we eventually gave up. For some reason which I cannot recall, we were unable to change our seating assignment, so we began eating in the buffet instead.
Overall, the best part about traditional dining is forming a relationship with the waitstaff. On a recent Celebrity cruise, our waiter and busboy enjoyed making little animals from our napkins, and it seemed like every night they had something different with which to entertain us. On my husband's and my anniversary cruise last year on the Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas, we had a wonderful waiter who really helped make our cruise special. And on our most recent cruise on the Carnival Valor, our waitstaff really pleased our kids by knowing their likes and dislikes right away. The smile on my son's face as our waiter poured his ketchup on his nightly chicken nuggets dinner was priceless, as was my daughter's delight at being brought a shrimp cocktail without even asking. Those are the kind of experiences that really make cruising a wonderful vacation.
Unfortunately, you oftentimes forfeit that relationship when you have flexible dining. Since you eat at a different table each night and at different times, it is hard to get the same waiter and busboy more than once, unless you remember their names and specifically ask for them. Sometimes your request can be accommodated and sometimes it can't, so the whole experience becomes less personal and more like going to a typical restaurant.
Yet the flexibility of being able to eat when you are hungry and with whom you would like certainly has its merits, and I think it is great that almost all of the American contemporary cruise lines are now offering their own versions of flexible dining to give us more of a choice when we cruise. There are slight differences and distinctions between the cruise lines' programs, so I am briefly outlining them here.
I think it is important to begin with NCL, because their Freestyle Dining is probably what started the movement. NCL's program is very flexible, allowing you to eat wherever you want and whenever you want. Reservations can be made onboard the ship or you can walk up to a restaurant and be seated, but depending on the time you arrive, you may encounter a wait. NCL actually will charge a fee if you fail to cancel a reservation, but I think this is a good way to deter passengers from making reservations at every restaurant on the ship and preventing others from dining there when they'd like. Overall, I really like NCL's Freestyle cruising experience, and I think the Freestyle dining works well, but I have found some of their waitstaff to be very impersonal.
Princess has offered its Anytime Dining for quite a while now, and I think it works quite well also. One of the main dining rooms is used for traditional seatings, and the other is used for Anytime Dining. You can make reservations once you get onboard, or you can just show up, and sometimes, depending on what time it is, you may encounter a wait. I have taken a number of Princess cruises and never had to wait more than 15 minutes to be seated, so that turned out good, but on my last Princess cruise I encountered waitstaff that was impersonal and seemed rushed. Perhaps the waitstaff needed to be better trained or we caught them at a bad moment. Overall, the program works well in my opinion.
Holland America's As You Wish Dining works similarly to Princess's program. This program was introduced about 2 years ago and has been implemented fleetwide for about a year. As You Wish dining operates much like Princess's program does, with one dining room designated for traditional dining, and the other for flexible dining. Reservations can be made once onboard the ship.
Carnival now offers its Your Choice Dining on some of its ships and it should be implemented fleetwide in mid-2010. When booking, guests now choose which dining option they want, be it Early Seating, Late Seating, or Your Choice, and the dining selection is then confirmed. With Your Choice Dining, guests can make reservations once onboard and will be seated at 15-minute intervals. Too bad this program wasn't available when I sailed on the Valor last July because I would have liked to experience it. I assume that the program will operate similarly to Princess and Holland America, with one dining room for traditional and the other for Your Choice.
Royal Caribbean offers My Time Dining, which allows guests to make daily reservations once onboard. The difference with My Time Dining is that guests must enroll in the program in advance of their cruise, and they must pre-pay their gratuities to participate. I do not really understand why Royal Caribbean requires guests to pre-pay their gratuities, since the line charges gratuities to guests' onboard accounts anyway, but perhaps they do so to ensure that the waitstaff get what they are entitled to.
Royal Caribbean also offers a unique program called My Family Time Dining, which offers an expedited 40-minute dinner experience during the first seating in the main dining room for kids, ages 3-11, enrolled in the Adventure Ocean youth program. Once seated, kids will enjoy expedited service and be immediately served. Forty-five minutes into the seating, a youth counselor will escort kids from the main dining room entrance back to the Adventure Ocean spaces for continued evening activities, allowing parents to enjoy the rest of their dinner quietly while the children play elsewhere. This isn't flexible, in that it is only for early seating guests, but it sounds like a great program and apparently there is no charge to participate.
At the end of August, Celebrity announced its Celebrity Select dining program, which offers a feature that the other flexible dining programs do not offer: the ability to make dining reservations before you even board the ship! Guests can book reservations online up to 4 days before boarding, so they can really plan ahead! Like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity requires guests to enroll in the program in advance and requires pre-paid gratuities. The program became available on the September 26 sailing of the Equinox, and will be introduced on other ships according to a schedule on the cruise line's website. The online system for reservations is supposed to become operational for most sailings on October 15, and guests will always have at least 30 days before sailing to begin making their reservations.
With Celebrity's program starting up, we now have almost every contemporary and upscale American-market cruise line offering some form of flexible dining. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America all offer a program, and I think this really shows how the industry is open to change. The only player in these American-market cruise line categories that does not offer a flexible dining program is Disney, although the fixed dining program they offer isn't exactly "traditional". Disney's program truly is unique, but I choose not to elaborate because the program is really beyond the scope of this blog entry. Nevertheless, this shift towards freedom to dine at guest's schedules instead of the cruise lines', shows how the cruise lines are constantly evolving to meet our needs and desires. This is yet another reason why cruising is about the best vacation experience around.
Evening dining on cruise ships used to be all about schedules. You'd tpyically have two seatings for dinner each night, early or late, and you'd select your preferred seating time when you booked. Each night you'd sit at the same table with the same companions, and the evening entertainment would be scheduled around those dining times. There would be an early show for the late-seating diners, and a late show for the early-seating diners.
I have had both good and bad experiences with the traditional dining. One great experience was on the Carnival Jubilee way back in 1990. Our loud family of 5, who enjoyed laughing and having fun, was seated with another couple whom we did not know, but they enjoyed laughing along with us. Each night of the cruise we joked around with our waiter and busboy, who seemed to really enjoy our jokes, and it really was a lot of fun. Dinner was more than just dinner; it was an event. Our tablemates really got into our silly spirit and it really was a memorable experience for all. The opposite, however, was true the following year when my husband and went on our honeymoon on a Royal Caribbean ship. We were seated at a table with 2 other couples, and it was a disaster. One couple never spoke to us, even to greet us or say goodnight when they left the table; the other couple spoke but had about zero personality. We tried conversing with them but there were so many awkward silences that we eventually gave up. For some reason which I cannot recall, we were unable to change our seating assignment, so we began eating in the buffet instead.
Overall, the best part about traditional dining is forming a relationship with the waitstaff. On a recent Celebrity cruise, our waiter and busboy enjoyed making little animals from our napkins, and it seemed like every night they had something different with which to entertain us. On my husband's and my anniversary cruise last year on the Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas, we had a wonderful waiter who really helped make our cruise special. And on our most recent cruise on the Carnival Valor, our waitstaff really pleased our kids by knowing their likes and dislikes right away. The smile on my son's face as our waiter poured his ketchup on his nightly chicken nuggets dinner was priceless, as was my daughter's delight at being brought a shrimp cocktail without even asking. Those are the kind of experiences that really make cruising a wonderful vacation.
Unfortunately, you oftentimes forfeit that relationship when you have flexible dining. Since you eat at a different table each night and at different times, it is hard to get the same waiter and busboy more than once, unless you remember their names and specifically ask for them. Sometimes your request can be accommodated and sometimes it can't, so the whole experience becomes less personal and more like going to a typical restaurant.
Yet the flexibility of being able to eat when you are hungry and with whom you would like certainly has its merits, and I think it is great that almost all of the American contemporary cruise lines are now offering their own versions of flexible dining to give us more of a choice when we cruise. There are slight differences and distinctions between the cruise lines' programs, so I am briefly outlining them here.
I think it is important to begin with NCL, because their Freestyle Dining is probably what started the movement. NCL's program is very flexible, allowing you to eat wherever you want and whenever you want. Reservations can be made onboard the ship or you can walk up to a restaurant and be seated, but depending on the time you arrive, you may encounter a wait. NCL actually will charge a fee if you fail to cancel a reservation, but I think this is a good way to deter passengers from making reservations at every restaurant on the ship and preventing others from dining there when they'd like. Overall, I really like NCL's Freestyle cruising experience, and I think the Freestyle dining works well, but I have found some of their waitstaff to be very impersonal.
Princess has offered its Anytime Dining for quite a while now, and I think it works quite well also. One of the main dining rooms is used for traditional seatings, and the other is used for Anytime Dining. You can make reservations once you get onboard, or you can just show up, and sometimes, depending on what time it is, you may encounter a wait. I have taken a number of Princess cruises and never had to wait more than 15 minutes to be seated, so that turned out good, but on my last Princess cruise I encountered waitstaff that was impersonal and seemed rushed. Perhaps the waitstaff needed to be better trained or we caught them at a bad moment. Overall, the program works well in my opinion.
Holland America's As You Wish Dining works similarly to Princess's program. This program was introduced about 2 years ago and has been implemented fleetwide for about a year. As You Wish dining operates much like Princess's program does, with one dining room designated for traditional dining, and the other for flexible dining. Reservations can be made once onboard the ship.
Carnival now offers its Your Choice Dining on some of its ships and it should be implemented fleetwide in mid-2010. When booking, guests now choose which dining option they want, be it Early Seating, Late Seating, or Your Choice, and the dining selection is then confirmed. With Your Choice Dining, guests can make reservations once onboard and will be seated at 15-minute intervals. Too bad this program wasn't available when I sailed on the Valor last July because I would have liked to experience it. I assume that the program will operate similarly to Princess and Holland America, with one dining room for traditional and the other for Your Choice.
Royal Caribbean offers My Time Dining, which allows guests to make daily reservations once onboard. The difference with My Time Dining is that guests must enroll in the program in advance of their cruise, and they must pre-pay their gratuities to participate. I do not really understand why Royal Caribbean requires guests to pre-pay their gratuities, since the line charges gratuities to guests' onboard accounts anyway, but perhaps they do so to ensure that the waitstaff get what they are entitled to.
Royal Caribbean also offers a unique program called My Family Time Dining, which offers an expedited 40-minute dinner experience during the first seating in the main dining room for kids, ages 3-11, enrolled in the Adventure Ocean youth program. Once seated, kids will enjoy expedited service and be immediately served. Forty-five minutes into the seating, a youth counselor will escort kids from the main dining room entrance back to the Adventure Ocean spaces for continued evening activities, allowing parents to enjoy the rest of their dinner quietly while the children play elsewhere. This isn't flexible, in that it is only for early seating guests, but it sounds like a great program and apparently there is no charge to participate.
At the end of August, Celebrity announced its Celebrity Select dining program, which offers a feature that the other flexible dining programs do not offer: the ability to make dining reservations before you even board the ship! Guests can book reservations online up to 4 days before boarding, so they can really plan ahead! Like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity requires guests to enroll in the program in advance and requires pre-paid gratuities. The program became available on the September 26 sailing of the Equinox, and will be introduced on other ships according to a schedule on the cruise line's website. The online system for reservations is supposed to become operational for most sailings on October 15, and guests will always have at least 30 days before sailing to begin making their reservations.
With Celebrity's program starting up, we now have almost every contemporary and upscale American-market cruise line offering some form of flexible dining. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America all offer a program, and I think this really shows how the industry is open to change. The only player in these American-market cruise line categories that does not offer a flexible dining program is Disney, although the fixed dining program they offer isn't exactly "traditional". Disney's program truly is unique, but I choose not to elaborate because the program is really beyond the scope of this blog entry. Nevertheless, this shift towards freedom to dine at guest's schedules instead of the cruise lines', shows how the cruise lines are constantly evolving to meet our needs and desires. This is yet another reason why cruising is about the best vacation experience around.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Flying to Get on a Cruise Ship? Check the Bottom Line Carefully Before you Buy!
I was reading an article on MSNBC this morning about escalating airline fees so I thought it would be a good point to note in my blog, since so many of my clients need to fly to get to their embarkation port for their cruises.
Flying to an embarkation port is certainly nothing new, but with the airlines hurting so much with the economy the way it is, they keep coming up with new and more ridiculous fees. It is important for consumers to watch out for hidden fees and make sure they understand these days just what is included in their airfare and what isn't.
Remember the days of free beverages and meals on flights? I know most people never liked airline food, but I always enjoyed getting a meal on a plane. To me, it was a nice distraction from the boredom of being cooped up in a tiny seat on a long flight. The food was never very good, but I welcomed each meal and savored it because at least I was doing something. When I fly nowadays I always take my beloved iPhone and other electronic gadgets to keep myself from going insane with boredom (I am one of those unlucky people who can never really sleep on a plane, no matter how hard I try) but I'm never really engaged in any type of activity. So a meal to me was a great way to break up a long flight. Those days are long gone, of course, unless you are flying international. For domestic travel, you might have at least gotten a complimentary small snack in the past few years, but not anymore. Many airlines are now charging for snacks, and at ridiculous prices, no less. Want a bag of chips? That will be $3.00, please! While airlines certainly feel they might need the extra revenue by selling meals and snacks, I don't think it's necessary that they completely gouge us consumers, either.
Sure, you can grab some food at the airport before you get on your flight, but that's not exactly an inexpensive proposition, either. While airports might be increasing the food items for sale because we poor shlubs who fly coach need to eat something while we're flying for 6 hours, we're not talking about healthy or inexpensive fare. With my family of 5, which includes a teenage boy who can eat copious amounts of food and still be hungry afterwards, we need to increase our travel budget now for airport or airplane meals because I know my kids will start whining for food at least once during a 4 hour flight. So the next time you fly, remember to eat in advance so you won't be hungry in the air, bring food with you, or be prepared to pay an arm and a leg while you're on the plane if you want to eat.
Many cruise passengers pack very heavily for their cruises, especially those that are long and have several formal nights. While checked baggage fees certainly aren't new, the airlines are now charging more if you check those bags in at the airport instead of online. Expect to pay $5 more per bag now on many airlines if you decide at the airport you need to check those bags! Also check the weight of your bags before you leave home: if one weighs more than 50 lbs. you will get hit with exhorbitant fees, some upwards of $100! Here's a tip for all you women out there cruising with your men: pack some of your stuff in his bag so yours won't go over the weight limit. Of course, travel experts have always recommended that couples split their clothing between their bags so that if one bag gets lost, the both of you will still have some clothes to wear, but now this another reason to follow that rule!
Airlines have been charging for onboard "entertainment" for a while, and now that internet access is available on many flights, that can be quite costly, so be prepared if you desperately need to check those football scores while in the air. While I always bring my own electronic devices to keep me occupied while flying, as I stated earlier, what really irks me is now you have to pay for a pillow and/or blanket on a flight! Some airlines now charge as much as $7 for a pillow and blanket -- I'm not sure if that's a "rental" or if you get to keep them as souvenirs of your wonderful flying experience. When flying in the winter time, I now always pack a lightweight shawl/shoulder wrap thing that I can use as a blanket in a pinch if I get cold. It's better than paying $7 for a crummy pillow and blanket!
So what's a cruise passenger to do when purchasing airfare for his next cruise? If you're not using your agent to book airfare for you, be sure to check fares often (even daily) before you decide to buy. Fares can change on a moment's notice, so if you see a really great fare your best bet is to purchase right away because that fare might not be available the next day. Also, when you see a great fare, be sure to check the fine print so you know exactly what is included. As we've now seen, between checked baggage fees, meals/snacks, entertainment, and even a pillow and blanket, your wallet could end up being a lot lighter by the time you reach your final destination. Third, take advantage of many websites' fare alerts, so you can keep track of when your flight to Florida to get on your cruise ship will cost you less.
I should probably note here that, comparatively speaking, it is cheaper to fly these days than it was in the past, so that certainly is a good thing. Airline travel is safe and convenient, and pretty reliable, and I am thankful that we have the freedom to travel when and where we want at such a relatively low price point. I just think that consumers continually getting hit with higher and higher fees and having to pay for things that used to be included, is getting ridiculous, and I for one, would like to see it end.
Flying to an embarkation port is certainly nothing new, but with the airlines hurting so much with the economy the way it is, they keep coming up with new and more ridiculous fees. It is important for consumers to watch out for hidden fees and make sure they understand these days just what is included in their airfare and what isn't.
Remember the days of free beverages and meals on flights? I know most people never liked airline food, but I always enjoyed getting a meal on a plane. To me, it was a nice distraction from the boredom of being cooped up in a tiny seat on a long flight. The food was never very good, but I welcomed each meal and savored it because at least I was doing something. When I fly nowadays I always take my beloved iPhone and other electronic gadgets to keep myself from going insane with boredom (I am one of those unlucky people who can never really sleep on a plane, no matter how hard I try) but I'm never really engaged in any type of activity. So a meal to me was a great way to break up a long flight. Those days are long gone, of course, unless you are flying international. For domestic travel, you might have at least gotten a complimentary small snack in the past few years, but not anymore. Many airlines are now charging for snacks, and at ridiculous prices, no less. Want a bag of chips? That will be $3.00, please! While airlines certainly feel they might need the extra revenue by selling meals and snacks, I don't think it's necessary that they completely gouge us consumers, either.
Sure, you can grab some food at the airport before you get on your flight, but that's not exactly an inexpensive proposition, either. While airports might be increasing the food items for sale because we poor shlubs who fly coach need to eat something while we're flying for 6 hours, we're not talking about healthy or inexpensive fare. With my family of 5, which includes a teenage boy who can eat copious amounts of food and still be hungry afterwards, we need to increase our travel budget now for airport or airplane meals because I know my kids will start whining for food at least once during a 4 hour flight. So the next time you fly, remember to eat in advance so you won't be hungry in the air, bring food with you, or be prepared to pay an arm and a leg while you're on the plane if you want to eat.
Many cruise passengers pack very heavily for their cruises, especially those that are long and have several formal nights. While checked baggage fees certainly aren't new, the airlines are now charging more if you check those bags in at the airport instead of online. Expect to pay $5 more per bag now on many airlines if you decide at the airport you need to check those bags! Also check the weight of your bags before you leave home: if one weighs more than 50 lbs. you will get hit with exhorbitant fees, some upwards of $100! Here's a tip for all you women out there cruising with your men: pack some of your stuff in his bag so yours won't go over the weight limit. Of course, travel experts have always recommended that couples split their clothing between their bags so that if one bag gets lost, the both of you will still have some clothes to wear, but now this another reason to follow that rule!
Airlines have been charging for onboard "entertainment" for a while, and now that internet access is available on many flights, that can be quite costly, so be prepared if you desperately need to check those football scores while in the air. While I always bring my own electronic devices to keep me occupied while flying, as I stated earlier, what really irks me is now you have to pay for a pillow and/or blanket on a flight! Some airlines now charge as much as $7 for a pillow and blanket -- I'm not sure if that's a "rental" or if you get to keep them as souvenirs of your wonderful flying experience. When flying in the winter time, I now always pack a lightweight shawl/shoulder wrap thing that I can use as a blanket in a pinch if I get cold. It's better than paying $7 for a crummy pillow and blanket!
So what's a cruise passenger to do when purchasing airfare for his next cruise? If you're not using your agent to book airfare for you, be sure to check fares often (even daily) before you decide to buy. Fares can change on a moment's notice, so if you see a really great fare your best bet is to purchase right away because that fare might not be available the next day. Also, when you see a great fare, be sure to check the fine print so you know exactly what is included. As we've now seen, between checked baggage fees, meals/snacks, entertainment, and even a pillow and blanket, your wallet could end up being a lot lighter by the time you reach your final destination. Third, take advantage of many websites' fare alerts, so you can keep track of when your flight to Florida to get on your cruise ship will cost you less.
I should probably note here that, comparatively speaking, it is cheaper to fly these days than it was in the past, so that certainly is a good thing. Airline travel is safe and convenient, and pretty reliable, and I am thankful that we have the freedom to travel when and where we want at such a relatively low price point. I just think that consumers continually getting hit with higher and higher fees and having to pay for things that used to be included, is getting ridiculous, and I for one, would like to see it end.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Instead of Getting Dad a Tie for Christmas This Year, How About a Cruise Instead?
Royal Caribbean International recently announced an exciting new program where consumers can give the gift of a cruise to family and friends. Consumers can now purchase Royal Caribbean's Royal Incentive Rewards certificates from travel agents through September 18. The Royal Incentive Rewards are individual cruise certificates that can be redeemed for a Royal Caribbean cruise for two. A range of certificate levels are available, which offer choices in departure ports, ships, itineraries up to 12 nights, and accommodations. There is no expiration date, and gift recipients of Royal Incentive Rewards can upgrade their certificate or transfer it to another person. Certificates redeemed after two years of the issue date will provide a cash value toward the cruise price.
Royal Caribbbean has some great holiday cruises available, which would be a perfect way for family and friends to celebrate. How about having someone else cook the turkey and all the trimmings? Royal Caribbean has an eight-night Bahamas itinerary over Thanksgiving aboard Explorer of the Seas. sailing on November 21 from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J. If you want to celebrate Hanukkah on board Royal Caribbean, a rabbi will be onboard every ship to conduct services and preside over a menorah-lighting ceremony. Guests can also enjoy Kosher meals in the main dining room! Check out the December 12 sailing of Independence of the Seas from Port Everglades; it will combine the Jewish holiday with an eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. How about Christmas with the family at sea? Families can still book staterooms aboard the December 19 sailing of Oasis of the Seas, which enters service in December from Port Everglades. This is Royal Caribbean's newest and largest ship, with so many innovations, you have to check it out! A Catholic priest also will be onboard to lead the holiday’s observances. And what better way to ring in the New Year than doing it on a cruise ship? Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas will depart Los Angeles on December 27 on a seven-night Mexican Riviera voyage, where you can usher in the New Year with a Cruise Director and Captain’s Countdown, and themed parties in all onboard lounges. It will be one heck of a party, so don't miss out!
To book any of these fantistic holiday cruises, or to purchase Royal Caribbean's Royal Incentive Rewards certificates, call me today at (630)868-6719 or toll free at (877)823-8597.
Royal Caribbbean has some great holiday cruises available, which would be a perfect way for family and friends to celebrate. How about having someone else cook the turkey and all the trimmings? Royal Caribbean has an eight-night Bahamas itinerary over Thanksgiving aboard Explorer of the Seas. sailing on November 21 from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J. If you want to celebrate Hanukkah on board Royal Caribbean, a rabbi will be onboard every ship to conduct services and preside over a menorah-lighting ceremony. Guests can also enjoy Kosher meals in the main dining room! Check out the December 12 sailing of Independence of the Seas from Port Everglades; it will combine the Jewish holiday with an eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. How about Christmas with the family at sea? Families can still book staterooms aboard the December 19 sailing of Oasis of the Seas, which enters service in December from Port Everglades. This is Royal Caribbean's newest and largest ship, with so many innovations, you have to check it out! A Catholic priest also will be onboard to lead the holiday’s observances. And what better way to ring in the New Year than doing it on a cruise ship? Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas will depart Los Angeles on December 27 on a seven-night Mexican Riviera voyage, where you can usher in the New Year with a Cruise Director and Captain’s Countdown, and themed parties in all onboard lounges. It will be one heck of a party, so don't miss out!
To book any of these fantistic holiday cruises, or to purchase Royal Caribbean's Royal Incentive Rewards certificates, call me today at (630)868-6719 or toll free at (877)823-8597.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Carnival Valor: Big Ship, Big Crowds. A Review by Sheila
SAILING DATE: JULY 12, 2009
My last sailing on a Carnival vessel was in June, 1990, so this voyage on the Valor was quite new to me. Carnival has changed a lot over the past 19 years (has it really been that long?!?), and of course, so have I. The ship itself is quite large, especially in comparison to the Carnival ship I last sailed on, and, unfortunately, you really do feel the crowds. The décor of the ship was actually pretty nice, and the staterooms were decently appointed, but I found the theme of the ship quite confusing.
The ship’s name is the Valor, and I thought it was supposed to celebrate our nation’s heroes. The American pride showed through in the red, white, and blue marble tiles on the atrium floor in the shape of the American flag, and faces of presidents molded into tiles along the ceiling lines. However, different areas of the ship that had nothing to do with America or our history confused me. Paris Hot Lounge… Shogun Casino… hello? Whatever. I didn’t get that, but that was the least of my concerns.
CROWDS, CROWDS, AND MORE CROWDS!
The ship’s passenger capacity is almost 3,000, and as I mentioned before, you really do feel the large crowds on this ship. I have been on other ships that accommodated almost the same number of passengers and in the same size range as the Valor, but those ships did a much better job of dispersing people throughout the ship. The biggest problem was that the Promenade deck, deck 5, which was where the most happening areas of the ship were located (show lounge, main theater, casino, nightclubs), was designed with one relatively narrow walkway that went from one end of the ship to the other. In the evenings, it could take a long time to go from the Ivanhoe Theatre, which was all the way forward, to the Eagles Lounge, which was all the way aft, simply because of the sheer number of slow-walking people congesting that one walkway. Making matters worse were an array of small portrait areas set up along that walkway, probably about every 25 feet or so, which caused small crowds to form and block the already too narrow walkway. The only shortcut available, which was to cut through the Shogun casino, afforded little relief as most of the congestion occurred as you tried to make your way forward enough to even get to the casino.
Another problem area was the inadequate seating in both the Ivanhoe Theater and the Eagles Lounge. We had the early seating for dinner and arrived at the Ivanhoe Theater 20 minutes before the first nights’ show was to begin, and there was not one seat left in the entire house. Once the show began, people were standing in the aisle at the back of the theatre at least 20 deep. The other nights if we wanted to see a show, we got to the theatre way early, usually during Bingo, which inevitably seemed to be going on, so that we could get decent seats for the performance. If you wanted to get a good seat for a show in the Eagles Lounge, it seemed you probably had to get there at least 45 minutes early. I’m just guesstimating, of course, because I never did get there that early. We usually arrived 15 or 20 minutes early and took the few seats that were left over. Arrive 5 minutes before the show starts? Forget about getting a seat. Even the late-night adults only comedy shows were incredibly crowded.
SO HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The food overall was much better than I expected. I don’t remember too much about the food on my last Carnival voyage, other than the fact that it wasn’t very good.
I thought the buffet had a pretty good selection of food and most of it was quite tasty. The buffet was divided into several different areas, two of which were the typical buffet setups, and then there was a dedicated deli, which offered very good sandwiches; and a dedicated Oriental (I prefer the term Asian) area. You could also head up the stairs to the Fish & Chips place and get some awesome fried calamari and other items from the sea. My kids, of course, loved the self-serve ice cream that seemed to be available almost all the time.
While we appreciated the self-serve drink stations in the buffet area, which featured juices, iced tea, fruit punch, and lemonade, you could not go to a bar on the ship and get iced tea or lemonade. If you wanted either of these items, you had to go to the buffet and get it yourself. I had thought about bringing some insulated mugs with us, but left them at home, which is too bad, because they could have been useful. Fill them up in the buffet with iced tea or lemonade, and then we’d bet set for a while. Oh, well, we’ll know that for next time.
In the main dining room, dinners were quite good. Presentation was okay, nothing special, but the food always arrived at the right temperature and the selection was very good. There was always a good selection of appetizers, with at least a couple of different soup choices, including some cold ones which were quite good (the chilled melon soup was delicious). Entrees usually included some type of meat or two, a pasta dish, and a vegetarian dish. I enjoyed most of the entrees, with the sole exception being the risotto that I ordered one night. My kids got to order from their own kids’ menu every night, which included the standard kid fare: spaghetti, pizza, chicken nuggets, etc. but they could order off the adult menu as they wished. My daughter asked for a shrimp cocktail with her dinner the first two nights, and she loved it so much that our waiter automatically brought her one each night after that. Desserts were very good, and the molten chocolate cake was to die for! Served hot, with a small dish of vanilla ice cream, it was the best dessert I had had in a long time. I couldn’t have it every night (even though it was always on the menu) because it was so rich, but thinking about it now, I can still smell that wonderful chocolate. Of everything I had to eat in the main dining room, that was a true standout.
Room service consisted of cold items like salads and sandwiches with potato chips, but the chicken tortilla wrap thing that they had was really good. My kids loved ordering room service for those late night food cravings, and my husband and I ordered it often for breakfast. I was disappointed that the breakfast menu was limited to continental breakfast items (coffe, tea, juice, pastries) but I guess every cruise line can’t offer hot breakfast items on their room service menus. Room service breakfast always arrived at the requested time, but ordering in the late evening often meant a wait of about 45 minutes.
HOME, SWEET STATEROOM
For our family of five, we booked two staterooms: a balcony for my husband and I, and an inside across the hall for our 3 kids. The kids’ room was small, but seemed about typical size for an inside stateroom, and consisted of two twin beds with a nightstand in between, and then one upper bunk with a ladder. There was a desk area with a little bit of storage and decent-sized closet space. Amazingly, my kids kept their room pretty neat in the small space that they had, and most of the fighting seemed to stem from which one of them got to sleep in the top bunk.
Our balcony stateroom was almost all the way aft on deck 6, so we had a room that was configured a little differently from a typical balcony stateroom. As you entered the room, the closets lined the wall to your right in a narrow “hallway”. As the hallway opened up into the room itself, there was a small round table with a chair on either side against that wall to the right. Next to that was the desk area. The rest of the room was taken up by the bed with a nightstand on either side, and you had to walk around the bed to get to the very small bathroom and to access the balcony through an outward-swinging heavy door. Since our room was much wider than a typical balcony stateroom, our balcony was about twice as long as a typical one, but it was the same depth; therefore, the lounge chair that was placed there did little good because you had to sit sideways on it to see the ocean. With the unusual configuration of our stateroom, we also had two large windows, but it would have been a real plus if they were centered in front of the bed instead of being off to each side.
As I mentioned, the bathroom was very small and had barely enough room to turn around, with the sink and counter on the wall to the left and tiny round shower and toilet on the right. The shower had good water pressure but the shower curtain was always fun as it tried to stick to your body and consequently spilled water onto the floor.
I always sleep like a baby on cruise ships, and this voyage was no exception, as the bed was very comfortable. I was a little concerned because I had read on the internet complaints about noise in this stateroom coming from the Eagles Lounge immediately below, but it really wasn’t bad at all. We heard some bass pumping at times but it wasn’t so bad that it prevented us from sleeping.
WHERE WE VISITED
On this cruise we hit Grand Cayman and Cozumel, which we had been to several times before; as well as Roatan, Honduras and Belize City, Belize. On Grand Cayman we went to Sea Grape Beach, part of Seven Mile Beach, for a while. The water there was clear but the sand felt rough, and we didn’t feel like staying too long, so we left to do some shopping and have lunch. Since we had been there before, we just didn’t feel like doing too much and spent most of the afternoon on the ship.
In Cozumel, we went to Paradise Beach. This is a nice beach with free access (you are expected to buy drinks and/or food if you take up the chairs on the beach) with some water-related activities (water trampoline, climbing “glacier”, snorkeling gear (although there aren’t any fish to see!), floats, etc.) for a $10 per person fee. The drinks were pretty good, but the food was disappointing. We ordered a Mexican platter which had a whole variety of foods, and it really wasn’t very good at all. I’ve had much better Mexican food at local restaurants than I had at Paradise Beach, so that was really a shame! There were stands nearby for hair braiding, temporary tattoos, parasailing, and jet ski rental so there were a lot of things to do if you wanted to do more than just lay around.
Belize was disappointing for us because of the excursion we took; it was a boat trip out to some tiny private island, of which I cannot recall the name, and then a guided snorkeling tour. We bought this excursion from one of the many vendors waiting at the dock and were promised excellent snorkeling, but this turned out to be one of the worst snorkeling experiences I’d ever had. They took us out to some spot in the water than had several other boats anchored there, each with many snorkelers in the water. With so many people in the water, there were hardly any fish to see, and the coral really wasn’t all that interesting. The private island had little more than a few chairs and some over-priced barbeque food to offer, and we had to wait around for about 45 minutes after our snorkeling trip before they would take us back to the dock so we could then tender back to our ship. We paid almost $50US per person for this excursion and we would never do that again. Next time we go back to Belize, we are going to go to Ambergris Caye where the really great snorkeling is!
Our best port day was Roatan, where we hired ourselves a van and “tour guide” to take us to West Bay Beach, where we stayed all day and had a great time. The beach were we were had free access because there were no facilities, so we just lay our towels out on the sand and enjoyed the wonderfully clear water. Our “tour guide” stayed there all day and set us up near a few vendors who offered the usual services: hair braiding, tattoos, snorkeling gear, etc. We rented some snorkel gear and swam way out where there was a nice coral reef. We saw some fish, but not as many as we had hoped, but we still enjoyed it because there was hardly anyone else in the water. After a while we walked down to the Thirsty Turtle Bar and Grill and had some fish and chips for lunch. The food was very greasy and the service was very slow, but there were a couple of guys playing some pretty good music so it was a nice atmosphere – very laid back. When we got back into the van and headed back to the dock, our “tour guide” offered to take us to the driver’s house, where we could get some fresh mangos right off the tree. We didn’t think we could take them on the ship with us, so we ate them right there, and they were delicious! The only bad part of the day was when we arrived back at the dock and our “tour guide” demanded more of a tip than we gave him. We almost got into an argument with him (we felt the 15% tip we gave him was sufficient) but finally gave him another $20 and left.
CAMP CARNIVAL NOT MUCH OF A CAMP
One of the reasons that we took this cruise is because we thought our two youngest children (9 and 10) could spend the days in Camp Carnival so that my husband and I could have a vacation as well. Not so fast, though! It turns out that the program for kids that age consists of scheduled activities; if you don’t want to participate in that activity, you can’t just hang around in the kids’ area and have supervised free play. Our kids weren’t really interested in most of the activities that they offered during the sea days, so they were with us all day on those days. During port days, our kids participated in Camp Carnival because they had more “free play” time, but it still wasn’t really what we expected.
There were also several parties offered during the cruise, but they all were at an additional cost. Overall, we were not impressed with the kids’ program for our kids, but the facilities are nice and for younger kids the program is less scheduled and leaves time for lots of supervised play.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS AND FINAL THOUGHTS
Carnival has changed a lot for the better over the past 19 years, that’s for sure. The ships are nicer, the food better, and the entertainment MUCH better (although we still weren’t very impressed with the singers and dancers). There is still somewhat of a party atmosphere, but the line is definitely more geared towards families now.
There is the typical amount of nickel-and-diming going on throughout the ship, as far as the Contemporary lines are concerned. There is a Java Café on board but the “gourmet” cakes, cookies, and pastries available there were at additional cost; seems ridiculous considering those items are all baked in the same place where all the other food is made, so why should they be at an additional charge? Every performance was preceded by the Cruise Director’s staff selling “instant win” tickets. The Camp Carnival program had “party nights” that carried additional charges, some as high as about $25 per child! Bingo was offered several times per day, and the jackpots were several hundred dollars each time, getting higher each day.
There were several fun games and contests in which we participated, but overall we were not really impressed with the Cruise Director’s staff; however, the Cruise Director was one of the funniest I’ve seen in a long time. He was great!
Overall, this was a pretty good cruise; we enjoyed the entertainment, and the food was pretty good, and it gave us a chance to relax and spend time together as a family. But, the large crowds from which it was difficult to escape, and the overall clientele on the ship, left much to be desired, unfortunately. The truth is, we picked this cruise because of our kids, and while my husband and I would have preferred more luxury, this cruise served its purpose well enough.
My last sailing on a Carnival vessel was in June, 1990, so this voyage on the Valor was quite new to me. Carnival has changed a lot over the past 19 years (has it really been that long?!?), and of course, so have I. The ship itself is quite large, especially in comparison to the Carnival ship I last sailed on, and, unfortunately, you really do feel the crowds. The décor of the ship was actually pretty nice, and the staterooms were decently appointed, but I found the theme of the ship quite confusing.
The ship’s name is the Valor, and I thought it was supposed to celebrate our nation’s heroes. The American pride showed through in the red, white, and blue marble tiles on the atrium floor in the shape of the American flag, and faces of presidents molded into tiles along the ceiling lines. However, different areas of the ship that had nothing to do with America or our history confused me. Paris Hot Lounge… Shogun Casino… hello? Whatever. I didn’t get that, but that was the least of my concerns.
CROWDS, CROWDS, AND MORE CROWDS!
The ship’s passenger capacity is almost 3,000, and as I mentioned before, you really do feel the large crowds on this ship. I have been on other ships that accommodated almost the same number of passengers and in the same size range as the Valor, but those ships did a much better job of dispersing people throughout the ship. The biggest problem was that the Promenade deck, deck 5, which was where the most happening areas of the ship were located (show lounge, main theater, casino, nightclubs), was designed with one relatively narrow walkway that went from one end of the ship to the other. In the evenings, it could take a long time to go from the Ivanhoe Theatre, which was all the way forward, to the Eagles Lounge, which was all the way aft, simply because of the sheer number of slow-walking people congesting that one walkway. Making matters worse were an array of small portrait areas set up along that walkway, probably about every 25 feet or so, which caused small crowds to form and block the already too narrow walkway. The only shortcut available, which was to cut through the Shogun casino, afforded little relief as most of the congestion occurred as you tried to make your way forward enough to even get to the casino.
Another problem area was the inadequate seating in both the Ivanhoe Theater and the Eagles Lounge. We had the early seating for dinner and arrived at the Ivanhoe Theater 20 minutes before the first nights’ show was to begin, and there was not one seat left in the entire house. Once the show began, people were standing in the aisle at the back of the theatre at least 20 deep. The other nights if we wanted to see a show, we got to the theatre way early, usually during Bingo, which inevitably seemed to be going on, so that we could get decent seats for the performance. If you wanted to get a good seat for a show in the Eagles Lounge, it seemed you probably had to get there at least 45 minutes early. I’m just guesstimating, of course, because I never did get there that early. We usually arrived 15 or 20 minutes early and took the few seats that were left over. Arrive 5 minutes before the show starts? Forget about getting a seat. Even the late-night adults only comedy shows were incredibly crowded.
SO HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The food overall was much better than I expected. I don’t remember too much about the food on my last Carnival voyage, other than the fact that it wasn’t very good.
I thought the buffet had a pretty good selection of food and most of it was quite tasty. The buffet was divided into several different areas, two of which were the typical buffet setups, and then there was a dedicated deli, which offered very good sandwiches; and a dedicated Oriental (I prefer the term Asian) area. You could also head up the stairs to the Fish & Chips place and get some awesome fried calamari and other items from the sea. My kids, of course, loved the self-serve ice cream that seemed to be available almost all the time.
While we appreciated the self-serve drink stations in the buffet area, which featured juices, iced tea, fruit punch, and lemonade, you could not go to a bar on the ship and get iced tea or lemonade. If you wanted either of these items, you had to go to the buffet and get it yourself. I had thought about bringing some insulated mugs with us, but left them at home, which is too bad, because they could have been useful. Fill them up in the buffet with iced tea or lemonade, and then we’d bet set for a while. Oh, well, we’ll know that for next time.
In the main dining room, dinners were quite good. Presentation was okay, nothing special, but the food always arrived at the right temperature and the selection was very good. There was always a good selection of appetizers, with at least a couple of different soup choices, including some cold ones which were quite good (the chilled melon soup was delicious). Entrees usually included some type of meat or two, a pasta dish, and a vegetarian dish. I enjoyed most of the entrees, with the sole exception being the risotto that I ordered one night. My kids got to order from their own kids’ menu every night, which included the standard kid fare: spaghetti, pizza, chicken nuggets, etc. but they could order off the adult menu as they wished. My daughter asked for a shrimp cocktail with her dinner the first two nights, and she loved it so much that our waiter automatically brought her one each night after that. Desserts were very good, and the molten chocolate cake was to die for! Served hot, with a small dish of vanilla ice cream, it was the best dessert I had had in a long time. I couldn’t have it every night (even though it was always on the menu) because it was so rich, but thinking about it now, I can still smell that wonderful chocolate. Of everything I had to eat in the main dining room, that was a true standout.
Room service consisted of cold items like salads and sandwiches with potato chips, but the chicken tortilla wrap thing that they had was really good. My kids loved ordering room service for those late night food cravings, and my husband and I ordered it often for breakfast. I was disappointed that the breakfast menu was limited to continental breakfast items (coffe, tea, juice, pastries) but I guess every cruise line can’t offer hot breakfast items on their room service menus. Room service breakfast always arrived at the requested time, but ordering in the late evening often meant a wait of about 45 minutes.
HOME, SWEET STATEROOM
For our family of five, we booked two staterooms: a balcony for my husband and I, and an inside across the hall for our 3 kids. The kids’ room was small, but seemed about typical size for an inside stateroom, and consisted of two twin beds with a nightstand in between, and then one upper bunk with a ladder. There was a desk area with a little bit of storage and decent-sized closet space. Amazingly, my kids kept their room pretty neat in the small space that they had, and most of the fighting seemed to stem from which one of them got to sleep in the top bunk.
Our balcony stateroom was almost all the way aft on deck 6, so we had a room that was configured a little differently from a typical balcony stateroom. As you entered the room, the closets lined the wall to your right in a narrow “hallway”. As the hallway opened up into the room itself, there was a small round table with a chair on either side against that wall to the right. Next to that was the desk area. The rest of the room was taken up by the bed with a nightstand on either side, and you had to walk around the bed to get to the very small bathroom and to access the balcony through an outward-swinging heavy door. Since our room was much wider than a typical balcony stateroom, our balcony was about twice as long as a typical one, but it was the same depth; therefore, the lounge chair that was placed there did little good because you had to sit sideways on it to see the ocean. With the unusual configuration of our stateroom, we also had two large windows, but it would have been a real plus if they were centered in front of the bed instead of being off to each side.
As I mentioned, the bathroom was very small and had barely enough room to turn around, with the sink and counter on the wall to the left and tiny round shower and toilet on the right. The shower had good water pressure but the shower curtain was always fun as it tried to stick to your body and consequently spilled water onto the floor.
I always sleep like a baby on cruise ships, and this voyage was no exception, as the bed was very comfortable. I was a little concerned because I had read on the internet complaints about noise in this stateroom coming from the Eagles Lounge immediately below, but it really wasn’t bad at all. We heard some bass pumping at times but it wasn’t so bad that it prevented us from sleeping.
WHERE WE VISITED
On this cruise we hit Grand Cayman and Cozumel, which we had been to several times before; as well as Roatan, Honduras and Belize City, Belize. On Grand Cayman we went to Sea Grape Beach, part of Seven Mile Beach, for a while. The water there was clear but the sand felt rough, and we didn’t feel like staying too long, so we left to do some shopping and have lunch. Since we had been there before, we just didn’t feel like doing too much and spent most of the afternoon on the ship.
In Cozumel, we went to Paradise Beach. This is a nice beach with free access (you are expected to buy drinks and/or food if you take up the chairs on the beach) with some water-related activities (water trampoline, climbing “glacier”, snorkeling gear (although there aren’t any fish to see!), floats, etc.) for a $10 per person fee. The drinks were pretty good, but the food was disappointing. We ordered a Mexican platter which had a whole variety of foods, and it really wasn’t very good at all. I’ve had much better Mexican food at local restaurants than I had at Paradise Beach, so that was really a shame! There were stands nearby for hair braiding, temporary tattoos, parasailing, and jet ski rental so there were a lot of things to do if you wanted to do more than just lay around.
Belize was disappointing for us because of the excursion we took; it was a boat trip out to some tiny private island, of which I cannot recall the name, and then a guided snorkeling tour. We bought this excursion from one of the many vendors waiting at the dock and were promised excellent snorkeling, but this turned out to be one of the worst snorkeling experiences I’d ever had. They took us out to some spot in the water than had several other boats anchored there, each with many snorkelers in the water. With so many people in the water, there were hardly any fish to see, and the coral really wasn’t all that interesting. The private island had little more than a few chairs and some over-priced barbeque food to offer, and we had to wait around for about 45 minutes after our snorkeling trip before they would take us back to the dock so we could then tender back to our ship. We paid almost $50US per person for this excursion and we would never do that again. Next time we go back to Belize, we are going to go to Ambergris Caye where the really great snorkeling is!
Our best port day was Roatan, where we hired ourselves a van and “tour guide” to take us to West Bay Beach, where we stayed all day and had a great time. The beach were we were had free access because there were no facilities, so we just lay our towels out on the sand and enjoyed the wonderfully clear water. Our “tour guide” stayed there all day and set us up near a few vendors who offered the usual services: hair braiding, tattoos, snorkeling gear, etc. We rented some snorkel gear and swam way out where there was a nice coral reef. We saw some fish, but not as many as we had hoped, but we still enjoyed it because there was hardly anyone else in the water. After a while we walked down to the Thirsty Turtle Bar and Grill and had some fish and chips for lunch. The food was very greasy and the service was very slow, but there were a couple of guys playing some pretty good music so it was a nice atmosphere – very laid back. When we got back into the van and headed back to the dock, our “tour guide” offered to take us to the driver’s house, where we could get some fresh mangos right off the tree. We didn’t think we could take them on the ship with us, so we ate them right there, and they were delicious! The only bad part of the day was when we arrived back at the dock and our “tour guide” demanded more of a tip than we gave him. We almost got into an argument with him (we felt the 15% tip we gave him was sufficient) but finally gave him another $20 and left.
CAMP CARNIVAL NOT MUCH OF A CAMP
One of the reasons that we took this cruise is because we thought our two youngest children (9 and 10) could spend the days in Camp Carnival so that my husband and I could have a vacation as well. Not so fast, though! It turns out that the program for kids that age consists of scheduled activities; if you don’t want to participate in that activity, you can’t just hang around in the kids’ area and have supervised free play. Our kids weren’t really interested in most of the activities that they offered during the sea days, so they were with us all day on those days. During port days, our kids participated in Camp Carnival because they had more “free play” time, but it still wasn’t really what we expected.
There were also several parties offered during the cruise, but they all were at an additional cost. Overall, we were not impressed with the kids’ program for our kids, but the facilities are nice and for younger kids the program is less scheduled and leaves time for lots of supervised play.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS AND FINAL THOUGHTS
Carnival has changed a lot for the better over the past 19 years, that’s for sure. The ships are nicer, the food better, and the entertainment MUCH better (although we still weren’t very impressed with the singers and dancers). There is still somewhat of a party atmosphere, but the line is definitely more geared towards families now.
There is the typical amount of nickel-and-diming going on throughout the ship, as far as the Contemporary lines are concerned. There is a Java Café on board but the “gourmet” cakes, cookies, and pastries available there were at additional cost; seems ridiculous considering those items are all baked in the same place where all the other food is made, so why should they be at an additional charge? Every performance was preceded by the Cruise Director’s staff selling “instant win” tickets. The Camp Carnival program had “party nights” that carried additional charges, some as high as about $25 per child! Bingo was offered several times per day, and the jackpots were several hundred dollars each time, getting higher each day.
There were several fun games and contests in which we participated, but overall we were not really impressed with the Cruise Director’s staff; however, the Cruise Director was one of the funniest I’ve seen in a long time. He was great!
Overall, this was a pretty good cruise; we enjoyed the entertainment, and the food was pretty good, and it gave us a chance to relax and spend time together as a family. But, the large crowds from which it was difficult to escape, and the overall clientele on the ship, left much to be desired, unfortunately. The truth is, we picked this cruise because of our kids, and while my husband and I would have preferred more luxury, this cruise served its purpose well enough.
Friday, May 29, 2009
You Can Rock Climb, Ice Skate, Surf, and Now Hip Hop on Royal Caribbean!
Well, looks like Royal Caribbean has done it again, coming up with a new activity on its ships. We all know that you can rock climb, ice skate and surf aboard Royal Caribbean's ships, but now you can learn to Hip Hop Dance, too! The new Hip Hop dance adventure that transcends all ages, languages, and skill levels is taking Royal Caribbean ships by storm. This program is offering guests the opportunity to let loose, chase a dream, and ‘wow’ their cruisemates with cool new dance moves beginning summer 2009, all on ships in the fleet. Based on the documentary film by Dori Berinstein, award-winning director and producer of film, theater and television, the guest-participatory Gotta Dance experience is being exclusively offered by Royal Caribbean International.
“Gotta Dance is the newest Royal Caribbean International program that offers guests an opportunity to try something different on their vacation regardless of age and experience,” said Peter Compton, vice president, Entertainment, Royal Caribbean International. “Every age is welcome and no experience is necessary. As with many of our onboard programs, Gotta Dance helps bring families closer together and build lasting relationships among guests for an unforgettable cruise vacation.”
Royal Caribbean’s Gotta Dance is inspired by the award-winning documentary film of the same name, which will hit the big screen across the United States beginning in July 2009. Gotta Dance (www.GottaDanceTheMovie.com) chronicles the first-ever senior-citizen, hip-hop dance troupe for the New Jersey Nets Basketball Team. Just like the film, Royal Caribbean’s Gotta Dance program will offer guests, from the young to the young-at-heart, a chance to grab their moment in the spotlight.
Kicking off each cruise will be a special screening of the film. Guests sailing on select ships before the nationwide roll-out of the movie will be treated to an advanced viewing of Gotta Dance. Participants will then be divided into teams and, over the course of their vacation, will learn choreographed routines with a member of the Royal Caribbean dance team in rehearsals during sea days. The program will culminate with the main event – a farewell show on the last evening of the cruise, whereby each of the teams will perform their routines in the ship’s main theater.
Each of the groups will perform a different routine, all of which were choreographed by New Jersey Nets Dance Coach Kimberlee Garris, who also appears in the Gotta Dance film. For each song an easy and more complex choreography has been designed, and Royal Caribbean’s Gotta Dance instructors will have the option of tweaking these versions further based on group skill level.
So if you plan on taking a Royal Caribbean cruise starting this summer, be sure to pack your dancing shoes and prepare to dance, dance, dance!
“Gotta Dance is the newest Royal Caribbean International program that offers guests an opportunity to try something different on their vacation regardless of age and experience,” said Peter Compton, vice president, Entertainment, Royal Caribbean International. “Every age is welcome and no experience is necessary. As with many of our onboard programs, Gotta Dance helps bring families closer together and build lasting relationships among guests for an unforgettable cruise vacation.”
Royal Caribbean’s Gotta Dance is inspired by the award-winning documentary film of the same name, which will hit the big screen across the United States beginning in July 2009. Gotta Dance (www.GottaDanceTheMovie.com) chronicles the first-ever senior-citizen, hip-hop dance troupe for the New Jersey Nets Basketball Team. Just like the film, Royal Caribbean’s Gotta Dance program will offer guests, from the young to the young-at-heart, a chance to grab their moment in the spotlight.
Kicking off each cruise will be a special screening of the film. Guests sailing on select ships before the nationwide roll-out of the movie will be treated to an advanced viewing of Gotta Dance. Participants will then be divided into teams and, over the course of their vacation, will learn choreographed routines with a member of the Royal Caribbean dance team in rehearsals during sea days. The program will culminate with the main event – a farewell show on the last evening of the cruise, whereby each of the teams will perform their routines in the ship’s main theater.
Each of the groups will perform a different routine, all of which were choreographed by New Jersey Nets Dance Coach Kimberlee Garris, who also appears in the Gotta Dance film. For each song an easy and more complex choreography has been designed, and Royal Caribbean’s Gotta Dance instructors will have the option of tweaking these versions further based on group skill level.
So if you plan on taking a Royal Caribbean cruise starting this summer, be sure to pack your dancing shoes and prepare to dance, dance, dance!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Chill and Thrill with Royal Caribbean!
Looks like Disney will no longer be the only cruise line that combines theme park packages on land with its cruises. It has recently been announced that Royal Caribbean International and Universal Orlando are teaming up to offer vacation packages that combine a theme park visit with a cruise out of Port Canaveral. Now you get to chill out on the ship and then get your thrills at Universal all in one convenient package!
The “Way More Than a Cruise” packages will pair three- or four-night stays at Universal with a three- or four-night Bahamian cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas or a seven-night Caribbean sailing aboard the Freedom of the Seas. The packages include hotel and shipboard accommodations, multi-day passes to both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, admission to some CityWalk venues and ground transfers between airport, hotel, theme parks and Port Canaveral. I think this is a great idea for those cruise passengers who would like to extend their vacations in Florida and have all the components planned out for them; no worries about transportation or tickets or anything. Just book and go!
These packages will be available for travel beginning March 31, 2009. “Universal Orlando Resort is thrilled to enter this partnership, bringing together two incredible experiences to create one memorable vacation,” Bill Davis, president and chief operating officer for Universal Orlando Resort, said in a written statement. “Our guests will not only enjoy some of the most entertaining theme-park attractions ever created, but also the world-class experiences and service Royal Caribbean is known for delivering.”
As always, to take advantage of this offer, contact Sheila McPherson, Your Independent Cruise Specialist with CruiseOne, at (630) 868-6719 or (877) 823-8597.
The “Way More Than a Cruise” packages will pair three- or four-night stays at Universal with a three- or four-night Bahamian cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas or a seven-night Caribbean sailing aboard the Freedom of the Seas. The packages include hotel and shipboard accommodations, multi-day passes to both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, admission to some CityWalk venues and ground transfers between airport, hotel, theme parks and Port Canaveral. I think this is a great idea for those cruise passengers who would like to extend their vacations in Florida and have all the components planned out for them; no worries about transportation or tickets or anything. Just book and go!
These packages will be available for travel beginning March 31, 2009. “Universal Orlando Resort is thrilled to enter this partnership, bringing together two incredible experiences to create one memorable vacation,” Bill Davis, president and chief operating officer for Universal Orlando Resort, said in a written statement. “Our guests will not only enjoy some of the most entertaining theme-park attractions ever created, but also the world-class experiences and service Royal Caribbean is known for delivering.”
As always, to take advantage of this offer, contact Sheila McPherson, Your Independent Cruise Specialist with CruiseOne, at (630) 868-6719 or (877) 823-8597.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Cruise Carnival, Get Paid? Carnival Cruise Lines Now Offers Cash Back!
Carnival Cruise Lines announced a few days ago a new promotion offering "cash back" of up to $240 per stateroom for a wide range of the line's "Fun Ship" departures this summer.
The new promotion is available in conjunction with virtually all three- to eight-day summer departures, including voyages to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico from fourteen (yes, 14!) convenient North American homeports. Bookings must be made between March 9 - May 10, 2009, to qualify for the promotion, which is valid with the line's "Fun Select" advance purchase discount fares.
The cash back option is provided in the form of a shipboard credit that can be redeemed once on board. Guests will receive a $100 per stateroom shipboard credit on three- and four-day cruises; $150 per stateroom shipboard credit on five-day voyages; and $240 per stateroom shipboard credit for six-, seven- and eight-day sailings. $240 is quite a bit of money to spend, so this is a great deal!
The shipboard credit is automatically applied on guests' Sail & Sign accounts when they board their cruise and can be redeemed toward shore excursions, spa treatments, supper club reservations, gift shop items and a variety of other shipboard purchases. Any unused funds at the end of the cruise will be returned to guests on debarkation day in the form of a check. And that's the greatest part about this promotion, because usually shipboard credit is not refundable, so if you don't spend it, you lose it.
"A 'Fun Ship' cruise is already an affordable vacation option for today's value-conscious consumers and this new promotion - which provides guests with cash back that can be used toward any shipboard purchase -- makes the value of a Carnival cruise even more outstanding," said Lynn Torrent, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and guest services. I heartily agree!
The new promotion is capacity controlled and applies to new individual bookings for stateroom categories 4A to 11. To book, give me a call today at (630) 868-6719 or
(877) 823-8597, and you'll be on your way to getting some bucks back from Carnival!
The new promotion is available in conjunction with virtually all three- to eight-day summer departures, including voyages to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico from fourteen (yes, 14!) convenient North American homeports. Bookings must be made between March 9 - May 10, 2009, to qualify for the promotion, which is valid with the line's "Fun Select" advance purchase discount fares.
The cash back option is provided in the form of a shipboard credit that can be redeemed once on board. Guests will receive a $100 per stateroom shipboard credit on three- and four-day cruises; $150 per stateroom shipboard credit on five-day voyages; and $240 per stateroom shipboard credit for six-, seven- and eight-day sailings. $240 is quite a bit of money to spend, so this is a great deal!
The shipboard credit is automatically applied on guests' Sail & Sign accounts when they board their cruise and can be redeemed toward shore excursions, spa treatments, supper club reservations, gift shop items and a variety of other shipboard purchases. Any unused funds at the end of the cruise will be returned to guests on debarkation day in the form of a check. And that's the greatest part about this promotion, because usually shipboard credit is not refundable, so if you don't spend it, you lose it.
"A 'Fun Ship' cruise is already an affordable vacation option for today's value-conscious consumers and this new promotion - which provides guests with cash back that can be used toward any shipboard purchase -- makes the value of a Carnival cruise even more outstanding," said Lynn Torrent, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and guest services. I heartily agree!
The new promotion is capacity controlled and applies to new individual bookings for stateroom categories 4A to 11. To book, give me a call today at (630) 868-6719 or
(877) 823-8597, and you'll be on your way to getting some bucks back from Carnival!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Lose Your Job? No Problem! "CruiseAssurance" to the Rescue!
This is big news! Just the other day, Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it was offering job-loss protection as part of its travel insurance plan for cruises booked with NCL after May 1, 2009. If you had been at your job for at least one year, then lost your job and couldn't afford to take your cruise and cancelled, you'd get reimbursed in full for any cancellation fees. Sounds pretty good, right?
Well, now the news gets even better. CruiseOne has just announced their innovative "CruiseAssurance" travel protection policy, which covers guests sailing on ALL cruise lines. Plus, there's no extra charge for this added protection, which provides full reimbursement for cancellation fees, so you can book your cruise and not have to worry if you need to cancel because you just got a pink slip.
Under the “CruiseAssurance” policy, clients can cancel their trip up to the day of departure, or even during their vacation! The only requirements are that travelers purchase an entry-level travel insurance plan – administered by Travel Guard – and present their termination letter. One year of employment is required. “CruiseAssurance” applies to bookings made March 1 through May 2, 2009 and is offered in addition to an already comprehensive travel protection policy.
Like I said, this is really big news in the cruise industry, and everyone needs to know about it. With unbelievable pricing and promotions going on right now, there really is no better time to book a cruise, and with "CruiseAssurance", that just makes it even better!
To book your next cruise vacation, contact Sheila McPherson, Your Personal Cruise Specialist with CruiseOne, at (630) 868-6719 or toll free at (877) 823-8597.
Well, now the news gets even better. CruiseOne has just announced their innovative "CruiseAssurance" travel protection policy, which covers guests sailing on ALL cruise lines. Plus, there's no extra charge for this added protection, which provides full reimbursement for cancellation fees, so you can book your cruise and not have to worry if you need to cancel because you just got a pink slip.
Under the “CruiseAssurance” policy, clients can cancel their trip up to the day of departure, or even during their vacation! The only requirements are that travelers purchase an entry-level travel insurance plan – administered by Travel Guard – and present their termination letter. One year of employment is required. “CruiseAssurance” applies to bookings made March 1 through May 2, 2009 and is offered in addition to an already comprehensive travel protection policy.
Like I said, this is really big news in the cruise industry, and everyone needs to know about it. With unbelievable pricing and promotions going on right now, there really is no better time to book a cruise, and with "CruiseAssurance", that just makes it even better!
To book your next cruise vacation, contact Sheila McPherson, Your Personal Cruise Specialist with CruiseOne, at (630) 868-6719 or toll free at (877) 823-8597.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Carnival Conquest is Now a "Funner" Fun Ship!
The Carnival Conquest has resumed service out of Galveston, Texas, now that she has undergone an extensive, multi-million-dollar renovation.
So what has been renovated? She got a new Circle "C" club for 12 to 14 year olds to hang out in, a massive LED screen on the Lido Deck, and eighteen balconies were added to existing oceanview staterooms.
I really like the Circle "C" club for tweens. The facilites are excellent, including a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles. This gives these kids who aren't quite teenagers a perfect place to hang out and have fun in a setting all their own. They won't have to worry about their younger siblings interrupting their fun, because the younger set is safely installed in another area of the ship: the 4,200 square foot Camp Carnival play area. This area was also remodeled with updated gaming stations and various cosmetic enhancements.
The teens onboard will enjoy some enhancements to their 1,800-square-foot Club O2 teen center, which now features new plasma TVs. Carnival's programs for its younger guests are fleetwide and give them a real chance to play with others their own age while their parents get a break as well.
The addition of the Seaside Theater now puts the Conquest within a special "club" of ships within the line. The massive 270-square-foot LED screen on Lido Deck displays movies, concerts, sporting events, and other programming, including a “Morning Show” hosted by the ship’s cruise director. Utilizing the same technology featured in large stadiums and New York’s Times Square, the state-of-the-art entertainment system includes a 70,000-watt sound system, providing concert quality sound, even outdoors. The concept is similar to a program called "Movies Under the Stars" on some Princess ships and is quite enjoyable.
Eighteen staterooms on the Carnival Conquest that previously featured floor-to-ceiling windows have been retrofitted with private balconies, creating expansive 230-square-foot verandah staterooms. Including these accommodations, Carnival Conquest now has 573 total balcony staterooms – ideal for scenic Caribbean cruising.
Other improvements to the ship include replacing dozens of individual pieces of exercise equipment in the ship’s 14,500-square-foot Spa Carnival facility. Even more impressive, the Carnival Conquest is also the latest “Fun Ship” to offer bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access, enabling guests to use their laptop computers from any location on the ship, including their staterooms. This is a boon to those of us who need to stay connected even while we're at sea!
The 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest operates year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises departing Galveston every Sunday. In addition to seven-day western Caribbean cruises to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, the ship begins a new weeklong eastern Caribbean option Feb. 15, with calls at Key West, Freeport and Nassau. The Feb. 15 departure will be the first of 11 eastern Caribbean cruises this year.
For more information on the Carnival Conquest or any ship in the Carnival fleet, contact me, your Personal Cruise Specialist, at (630) 868-6719.
So what has been renovated? She got a new Circle "C" club for 12 to 14 year olds to hang out in, a massive LED screen on the Lido Deck, and eighteen balconies were added to existing oceanview staterooms.
I really like the Circle "C" club for tweens. The facilites are excellent, including a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles. This gives these kids who aren't quite teenagers a perfect place to hang out and have fun in a setting all their own. They won't have to worry about their younger siblings interrupting their fun, because the younger set is safely installed in another area of the ship: the 4,200 square foot Camp Carnival play area. This area was also remodeled with updated gaming stations and various cosmetic enhancements.
The teens onboard will enjoy some enhancements to their 1,800-square-foot Club O2 teen center, which now features new plasma TVs. Carnival's programs for its younger guests are fleetwide and give them a real chance to play with others their own age while their parents get a break as well.
The addition of the Seaside Theater now puts the Conquest within a special "club" of ships within the line. The massive 270-square-foot LED screen on Lido Deck displays movies, concerts, sporting events, and other programming, including a “Morning Show” hosted by the ship’s cruise director. Utilizing the same technology featured in large stadiums and New York’s Times Square, the state-of-the-art entertainment system includes a 70,000-watt sound system, providing concert quality sound, even outdoors. The concept is similar to a program called "Movies Under the Stars" on some Princess ships and is quite enjoyable.
Eighteen staterooms on the Carnival Conquest that previously featured floor-to-ceiling windows have been retrofitted with private balconies, creating expansive 230-square-foot verandah staterooms. Including these accommodations, Carnival Conquest now has 573 total balcony staterooms – ideal for scenic Caribbean cruising.
Other improvements to the ship include replacing dozens of individual pieces of exercise equipment in the ship’s 14,500-square-foot Spa Carnival facility. Even more impressive, the Carnival Conquest is also the latest “Fun Ship” to offer bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access, enabling guests to use their laptop computers from any location on the ship, including their staterooms. This is a boon to those of us who need to stay connected even while we're at sea!
The 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest operates year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises departing Galveston every Sunday. In addition to seven-day western Caribbean cruises to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, the ship begins a new weeklong eastern Caribbean option Feb. 15, with calls at Key West, Freeport and Nassau. The Feb. 15 departure will be the first of 11 eastern Caribbean cruises this year.
For more information on the Carnival Conquest or any ship in the Carnival fleet, contact me, your Personal Cruise Specialist, at (630) 868-6719.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
CruiseOne is Celebrity's National Account Partner of the Year!
Celebrity Cruises announced today that it has named World Travel Holdings (WTH) its 2008 “National Account Partner of the Year.” WTH owns and operates several cruise brands, including Fort Lauderdale-based CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. CruiseOne is a leading U.S. franchise operation of more than 550 Franchise Owners specializing in cruise travel, and I am one of them! Our sister company, Cruises Inc., is the original host agency with nearly 500 independent contractors selling cruise vacations. With these brands, WTH is the nation’s leading retailer of cruise travel, and we love doing what we do!
“Throughout 2008, Celebrity Cruises showed that they are willing to make a continued investment in the travel agent community,” said Brad Tolkin, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of World Travel Holdings, and all-around good guy. “Celebrity was the first to implement a no rebate policy and was among the first to eliminate fuel surcharges. They are clearly committed to helping travel agents succeed. This level of respect does not go unnoticed by our agents and as we proudly accept this honor, we pledge to continue doing our part in 2009.” You go, Brad!
The recognition of WTH as Celebrity Cruises’ 2008 “National Account Partner of the Year” follows a year of shared milestones for the industry leaders.
In September, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. held the companies’ annual National Conference aboard the Celebrity Mercury, and I was there. Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales for Celebrity and Azamara Cruises, served as the event’s keynote speaker, and her speech was, to use her words, "super fantastic!" Her speech was quite motivational and I will remember it for years to come. Also during the conference, Celebrity was named “Premium Cruise Line Partner of the Year.” That award was voted on by nearly 1,100 CruiseOne Franchise Owners and Cruises Inc. Independent Agents, although I didn't get to vote. I don't know why.
In November, WTH, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. exclusively chartered the Celebrity Solstice for a special two-night sailing. The companies’ Franchise Owners and Independent Agents had exclusive access to this unique sailing and built widespread national consumer demand for the ship’s anticipated debut. I wanted to go on that sailing but wasn't able to, unfortunately; however, I heard it was s huge success.
"We are thrilled to recognize World Travel Holdings as our National Account Partner of the Year," said Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales, Celebrity Cruises. "Day in and day out, the WTH team demonstrates nothing but professionalism and a desire to succeed, and it is a pleasure to partner with such a terrific group of people. We look forward to a long and continued partnership with WTH."
A good majority of the cruises I sold last year were on Celebrity, and I am proud to be a part of WTH's success in being named National Account Partner of the Year. Here's to being Celebrity's National Account Partner for 2009!
“Throughout 2008, Celebrity Cruises showed that they are willing to make a continued investment in the travel agent community,” said Brad Tolkin, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of World Travel Holdings, and all-around good guy. “Celebrity was the first to implement a no rebate policy and was among the first to eliminate fuel surcharges. They are clearly committed to helping travel agents succeed. This level of respect does not go unnoticed by our agents and as we proudly accept this honor, we pledge to continue doing our part in 2009.” You go, Brad!
The recognition of WTH as Celebrity Cruises’ 2008 “National Account Partner of the Year” follows a year of shared milestones for the industry leaders.
In September, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. held the companies’ annual National Conference aboard the Celebrity Mercury, and I was there. Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales for Celebrity and Azamara Cruises, served as the event’s keynote speaker, and her speech was, to use her words, "super fantastic!" Her speech was quite motivational and I will remember it for years to come. Also during the conference, Celebrity was named “Premium Cruise Line Partner of the Year.” That award was voted on by nearly 1,100 CruiseOne Franchise Owners and Cruises Inc. Independent Agents, although I didn't get to vote. I don't know why.
In November, WTH, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. exclusively chartered the Celebrity Solstice for a special two-night sailing. The companies’ Franchise Owners and Independent Agents had exclusive access to this unique sailing and built widespread national consumer demand for the ship’s anticipated debut. I wanted to go on that sailing but wasn't able to, unfortunately; however, I heard it was s huge success.
"We are thrilled to recognize World Travel Holdings as our National Account Partner of the Year," said Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales, Celebrity Cruises. "Day in and day out, the WTH team demonstrates nothing but professionalism and a desire to succeed, and it is a pleasure to partner with such a terrific group of people. We look forward to a long and continued partnership with WTH."
A good majority of the cruises I sold last year were on Celebrity, and I am proud to be a part of WTH's success in being named National Account Partner of the Year. Here's to being Celebrity's National Account Partner for 2009!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Got the Late-Night Munchies? Don't Order Room Service on Royal Caribbean!
Well, here we go again with another cruise line surcharge! Royal Caribbean recently repealed their fuel surcharge on cruises for 2009, so could they now be trying to recoup some of that lost revenue by sticking it to passengers who get the late-night munchies? Royal Caribbean International recently announced that it will be implementing a service charge for room service orders placed between midnight and 5:00 am. The service charge of $3.95 per delivery is supposedly "intended to minimize onboard food waste" and "is based on an exhaustive review of demand for room service by hour of day and the corresponding amount of food wasted,” the company said in a statement. To compensate for this, Royal Caribbean will extend the hours of one of its other onboard eateries (Solarium Cafe or Sorrento's Pizza) on some ships, while the Freedom and Voyager class ships will keep the Cafe Promenade open 24 hours.
I have several problems with this new surcharge. First of all, complimentary room service has always been a big selling point for cruise passengers, especially those who like to order room service for breakfast. To all of a sudden start charging for this service (even if it is only late at night) is to me an insult. Not only that, I think it could cause a great inconvenience to some passengers. What if there were an elderly passenger on board who needed to take medication late at night and had to take it with food? Is it right to charge that passenger $3.95 when he needs that food that originally would be free? Is it right to make him get dressed and walk down (or up) to whatever eatery is open just so he can take his medication and avoid having to spend $3.95?
And if Royal Caribbean is really so concerned about food waste, then why don't they make sure that everyone who eats at the buffet actually eats all of the food they put on their plates? Are they going to start charging those passengers who don't clean their plates at the buffet because they're wasting food? What about the main dining rooms? What if you don't finish your dinner -- will you not be entitled to eat dessert because you wasted food?
I honestly do not believe this is about food waste, no matter how Royal Caribbean wants to spin this. I simply believe that this is another way for them to make money and to try to make up for some of the revenue they lost when they repealed fuel surcharges. And let's be honest here -- if Royal Caribbean gets away with this, the other cruise lines will quickly follow suit, and pretty soon nobody will offer complimentary room service because they won't have to. The practice will just become "accepted" because the market will bear it. Look at those fuel surcharges; people raised the roof with complaints when they first started being imposed, but nobody really actually stopped cruising because of it.
I genuinely love the cruise industry and Royal Caribbean has really been quite innovative in its cruise ship design and offerings so I appreciate what they have done for this industry, but I can't sit quietly back and say nothing about this. I truly feel this is a big step in the wrong direction. Everybody is hurting right now from the downturn in our economy, but that doesn't mean Royal Caribbean needs to kick people when they're down by charging money now for something that used to be free. We need to draw people in to the benefits of cruising, and this might just give those people who are unsure of the value of cruising another reason to turn away.
Bad move, Royal Caribbean. Shame on you!
I have several problems with this new surcharge. First of all, complimentary room service has always been a big selling point for cruise passengers, especially those who like to order room service for breakfast. To all of a sudden start charging for this service (even if it is only late at night) is to me an insult. Not only that, I think it could cause a great inconvenience to some passengers. What if there were an elderly passenger on board who needed to take medication late at night and had to take it with food? Is it right to charge that passenger $3.95 when he needs that food that originally would be free? Is it right to make him get dressed and walk down (or up) to whatever eatery is open just so he can take his medication and avoid having to spend $3.95?
And if Royal Caribbean is really so concerned about food waste, then why don't they make sure that everyone who eats at the buffet actually eats all of the food they put on their plates? Are they going to start charging those passengers who don't clean their plates at the buffet because they're wasting food? What about the main dining rooms? What if you don't finish your dinner -- will you not be entitled to eat dessert because you wasted food?
I honestly do not believe this is about food waste, no matter how Royal Caribbean wants to spin this. I simply believe that this is another way for them to make money and to try to make up for some of the revenue they lost when they repealed fuel surcharges. And let's be honest here -- if Royal Caribbean gets away with this, the other cruise lines will quickly follow suit, and pretty soon nobody will offer complimentary room service because they won't have to. The practice will just become "accepted" because the market will bear it. Look at those fuel surcharges; people raised the roof with complaints when they first started being imposed, but nobody really actually stopped cruising because of it.
I genuinely love the cruise industry and Royal Caribbean has really been quite innovative in its cruise ship design and offerings so I appreciate what they have done for this industry, but I can't sit quietly back and say nothing about this. I truly feel this is a big step in the wrong direction. Everybody is hurting right now from the downturn in our economy, but that doesn't mean Royal Caribbean needs to kick people when they're down by charging money now for something that used to be free. We need to draw people in to the benefits of cruising, and this might just give those people who are unsure of the value of cruising another reason to turn away.
Bad move, Royal Caribbean. Shame on you!
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