I wanted to test out sending information from my phone.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Regal Princess - First Caribbean Cruise
In November, 2014, we were aboard the new Regal Princess to kick-off the Caribbean season for this new ship.
On board with us were members of the cast of the TV show The Love Boat.
I have included a few pictures of our inside cabin.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
World Cruise becoming more popular
World Cruise becoming more popular
Fans of cruising have done the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe and look for their next adventure. World cruising used to seem so exotic, something a very few would ever do. However, I expect more and more experienced cruisers will be setting their sites on either a complete World Cruise or several segments. For now, you can count on Holland America and Cunard to have complete World Cruises each year. Princess also is in the mix.
Just read some of the blogs being posted by World Cruisers to really get excited about doing this yourself. I know I’m looking forward to such an adventure.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Allure of the Seas
Last week I was on Allure of the Seas for a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise. This is the largest cruise ship in the world holding 6000 passengers.
Royal Caribbean has done an amazing job handling this many passengers on one ship. You really don't feel crowded except the first day trying to have lunch in the Windjammer buffet restaurant. Speaking of the Windjammer, this is the best cruise ship buffet restaurant I have experienced. The food selection and quality is excellent. As soon as we sat down at breakfast, a waiter soon appeared to ask if we wanted juice or coffee.
I would not hesitate to recommend this ship to anyone looking for an active cruise experience. There are so many choices aboard the Allure and its sister ship, Oasis of the Seas. However, I would not recommend this to anyone with mobility issues just due to the size of the ship and the need to move large distances to get from one venue to another.
There are many entertainment choices and some of these allow advance reservations which I recommend doing. There is no charge and it insures that you will have a seat at the time you select.
Pricing on the Allure is typically higher than other 7 night Caribbean cruises, but I believe it's worth the extra cost to experience all this ship has to offer.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Fuel Surcharges Eliminated - for now
Happily, the fuel surcharges that were imposed by the cruise lines this year have now been eliminated. However, they carry a disclaimer - should oil prices go back above $70 a barrel, look for the surcharges to return.
Here is part of the announcement from the largest cruise line, Carnival Corp:
CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC TO SUSPEND FUEL SUPPLEMENT FOR ITS NORTH AMERICAN BRANDS EFFECTIVE DEC. 17
As fuel prices continue to decline, Carnival Corporation has announced that it will suspend fuel supplements for its six North American brands effective for all voyages departing on or after December 17, 2008.
The fuel supplement suspension applies to the following brands: Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.
A refund of the fuel supplement will be made in the form of a shipboard credit for all bookings within the final payment period for departures on or after December 17, 2008. All bookings outside of the final payment period for departures on or after December 17, 2008 will be adjusted to remove the fuel supplement and guests will be provided with a revised final payment amount.
The company reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day (except Seabourn, which would be up to $15 per person per day) should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above $70 per barrel.
Here is part of the announcement from the largest cruise line, Carnival Corp:
CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC TO SUSPEND FUEL SUPPLEMENT FOR ITS NORTH AMERICAN BRANDS EFFECTIVE DEC. 17
As fuel prices continue to decline, Carnival Corporation has announced that it will suspend fuel supplements for its six North American brands effective for all voyages departing on or after December 17, 2008.
The fuel supplement suspension applies to the following brands: Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.
A refund of the fuel supplement will be made in the form of a shipboard credit for all bookings within the final payment period for departures on or after December 17, 2008. All bookings outside of the final payment period for departures on or after December 17, 2008 will be adjusted to remove the fuel supplement and guests will be provided with a revised final payment amount.
The company reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day (except Seabourn, which would be up to $15 per person per day) should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above $70 per barrel.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
NCL Welcomes Return of Norwegian Sky to Miami
Ship to sail three and four-day cruises to the Bahamas beginning mid-July 2008 with introductory kids sail free promotion
NCL announced today that it will reflag and rename Pride of Aloha and launch the ship as Norwegian Sky, offering three and four-day Bahamas cruises from Miami commencing this summer. The 2,002-passenger ship, built in 1999, will return to the NCL international fleet, and will be outfitted with NCL’s Freestyle 2.0 enhancements. It will be the youngest and highest quality ship sailing three and four-day Bahamas cruises from Miami beginning July 14, 2008. Norwegian Sky will depart Miami on Mondays sailing four-day Bahamas cruises with full-day stops in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. On Fridays, the ship will sail a weekend getaway three-day Bahamas itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings. These sailings are scheduled through April 17, 2009.
Norwegian Sky will enter a wet dock in Miami during which a casino will be added. In addition, the ship will receive the significant product and hardware upgrades that are part of the company’s major fleetwide initiative, Freestyle 2.0. These enhancements include: a major investment in the total dining experience such as all new menus and Lobster Galore; upgrading the stateroom experience; new wide ranging on-board activities for all guests; and additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony and suite guests.
Originally launched in 1999, Norwegian Sky has more than 240 balcony staterooms, a choice of six different restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, two pools, extensive children’s facilities, a sports deck and a variety of spacious public rooms. Norwegian Sky had been reflagged and renamed Pride of Aloha in 2004 and sailed Hawai`i inter-island cruises until May 2008.
NCL announced today that it will reflag and rename Pride of Aloha and launch the ship as Norwegian Sky, offering three and four-day Bahamas cruises from Miami commencing this summer. The 2,002-passenger ship, built in 1999, will return to the NCL international fleet, and will be outfitted with NCL’s Freestyle 2.0 enhancements. It will be the youngest and highest quality ship sailing three and four-day Bahamas cruises from Miami beginning July 14, 2008. Norwegian Sky will depart Miami on Mondays sailing four-day Bahamas cruises with full-day stops in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. On Fridays, the ship will sail a weekend getaway three-day Bahamas itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings. These sailings are scheduled through April 17, 2009.
Norwegian Sky will enter a wet dock in Miami during which a casino will be added. In addition, the ship will receive the significant product and hardware upgrades that are part of the company’s major fleetwide initiative, Freestyle 2.0. These enhancements include: a major investment in the total dining experience such as all new menus and Lobster Galore; upgrading the stateroom experience; new wide ranging on-board activities for all guests; and additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony and suite guests.
Originally launched in 1999, Norwegian Sky has more than 240 balcony staterooms, a choice of six different restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, two pools, extensive children’s facilities, a sports deck and a variety of spacious public rooms. Norwegian Sky had been reflagged and renamed Pride of Aloha in 2004 and sailed Hawai`i inter-island cruises until May 2008.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
News about the Largest Cruise Ship now under construction
ROYAL CARIBBEAN UNVEILS FIRST ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
ONBOARD PROJECT GENESIS SHIP
Central Park Brings the Outdoors In, Creating Open-air Neighborhood for Guests That Reaches to the Sky
MIAMI, April 15, 2008 – In its latest evolution in cruise ship design, Royal Caribbean International’s Project Genesis will bring the best of the land to sea with Central Park, a revolutionary design in which the center of the ship opens to the sky and features lush, tropical grounds spanning the length of a football field. An exquisite public gathering place featuring serene pathways, seasonal flower gardens and canopy trees, Central Park will provide cruisers with more choices in a unique outdoor space. One of the ship’s most ground-breaking spaces, this new concept is the first of seven neighborhoods to be unveiled on Project Genesis. Each neighborhood will provide vacationers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences in various locales based on their personal style, preference or mood.
Elegant and lively, Central Park’s central piazza will be the ship’s “town square” which evolves from a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere during the day to a gathering space for alfresco dining and entertainment in the evening, where guests will enjoy concerts and street performances. The neighborhood is lined with balcony staterooms rising six decks high with views of the Park below and the sky above.
Surrounding this social space will be an array of restaurants, with choices ranging from fine dining to casual chic. Guests will have the option of an elegant dinner at the new 150 Central Park or a picnic lunch from the more casual Central Park Café, where they can sit outdoors and people-watch.
Other dining choices will include: Giovanni’s Table, an Italian restaurant; Vintages wine bar; and Royal Caribbean’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse. Several bars will be scattered throughout the Park, including the Canopy Bar, located at one of two impressive glass-domed canopies, and the unique Rising Tide bar - the first moving bar at sea. Truly an engineering feat, Rising Tide will span three decks and allow cruisers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly ascend into Central Park and then descend back into the public spaces below. Central Park also will have stylish boutique shops, showcasing a selection of upscale merchandise.
“Building such a large vessel allowed us to add even more of the choices and amenities that our guests value and Central Park is a dramatic addition to our already extensive array of exciting features,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Central Park is the first of many dynamic neighborhoods on Project Genesis which will enable each guest to find his or her own space and activity.”
ONBOARD PROJECT GENESIS SHIP
Central Park Brings the Outdoors In, Creating Open-air Neighborhood for Guests That Reaches to the Sky
MIAMI, April 15, 2008 – In its latest evolution in cruise ship design, Royal Caribbean International’s Project Genesis will bring the best of the land to sea with Central Park, a revolutionary design in which the center of the ship opens to the sky and features lush, tropical grounds spanning the length of a football field. An exquisite public gathering place featuring serene pathways, seasonal flower gardens and canopy trees, Central Park will provide cruisers with more choices in a unique outdoor space. One of the ship’s most ground-breaking spaces, this new concept is the first of seven neighborhoods to be unveiled on Project Genesis. Each neighborhood will provide vacationers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences in various locales based on their personal style, preference or mood.
Elegant and lively, Central Park’s central piazza will be the ship’s “town square” which evolves from a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere during the day to a gathering space for alfresco dining and entertainment in the evening, where guests will enjoy concerts and street performances. The neighborhood is lined with balcony staterooms rising six decks high with views of the Park below and the sky above.
Surrounding this social space will be an array of restaurants, with choices ranging from fine dining to casual chic. Guests will have the option of an elegant dinner at the new 150 Central Park or a picnic lunch from the more casual Central Park Café, where they can sit outdoors and people-watch.
Other dining choices will include: Giovanni’s Table, an Italian restaurant; Vintages wine bar; and Royal Caribbean’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse. Several bars will be scattered throughout the Park, including the Canopy Bar, located at one of two impressive glass-domed canopies, and the unique Rising Tide bar - the first moving bar at sea. Truly an engineering feat, Rising Tide will span three decks and allow cruisers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly ascend into Central Park and then descend back into the public spaces below. Central Park also will have stylish boutique shops, showcasing a selection of upscale merchandise.
“Building such a large vessel allowed us to add even more of the choices and amenities that our guests value and Central Park is a dramatic addition to our already extensive array of exciting features,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Central Park is the first of many dynamic neighborhoods on Project Genesis which will enable each guest to find his or her own space and activity.”
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