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.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
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.”
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
What is "thecruisingdoctor"
I spent so many years in a career where I was referred to as Dr. Marshall, it seemed only natural to continue using that designation in my 2nd career as a cruise specialist. So, what can "The cruising doctor" do for you?
I can prescribe just the right cruise for whatever you need.
Looking for a get-a-way from working stress - you could use a relaxing cruise to the Caribbean.
Looking for new adventures - a cruise to exotic Galapagos Islands could be just the tonic you need.
Looking to explore history - take a 10 day cruise to the Mediterranean area with stops in places like Greece, Egypt, Italy and Spain.
The Doctor is In
I can prescribe just the right cruise for whatever you need.
Looking for a get-a-way from working stress - you could use a relaxing cruise to the Caribbean.
Looking for new adventures - a cruise to exotic Galapagos Islands could be just the tonic you need.
Looking to explore history - take a 10 day cruise to the Mediterranean area with stops in places like Greece, Egypt, Italy and Spain.
The Doctor is In
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Holland America now offers "As You Wish Dining"
Holland America is the latest cruise line to offer two main dining options - the traditional fixed time and table or now, a new option, "Any You Wish" Dining. This will be similar to Princess which offers Personal Choice Dining options.
Holland America has recently introduced As You Wish™ dining in their main dining room. This innovative program allows you to choose from the best of both worlds; either traditional pre-set seating and dining times, or a completely flexible dining schedule. One level of the two-tiered restaurant will offer a flexible/open dining service from 5:15 to 9 p.m. daily, and the other will host two seatings, an early and main seating. At the time of booking choose the plan the best suits your lifestyle and needs. If you choose the flexible/open seating program, you may make reservations daily up to 4 p.m. - or simply walk up during dining hours.
Holland America has recently introduced As You Wish™ dining in their main dining room. This innovative program allows you to choose from the best of both worlds; either traditional pre-set seating and dining times, or a completely flexible dining schedule. One level of the two-tiered restaurant will offer a flexible/open dining service from 5:15 to 9 p.m. daily, and the other will host two seatings, an early and main seating. At the time of booking choose the plan the best suits your lifestyle and needs. If you choose the flexible/open seating program, you may make reservations daily up to 4 p.m. - or simply walk up during dining hours.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Latest passport news for Canada, Mexico and Caribbean
Looks like the new rules requiring passports for CRUISE travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean have been postponed again. Implementation of the passport requirement is now set to begin in June, 2009.
Here is the latest information from the Dept of State:
As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.
Here is the latest information from the Dept of State:
As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
New Check-in Requirements
New check-in requirements have been announced:
"Starting Feb. 18, cruise ships sailing from U.S. ports will be required to transmit passenger and crew manifests to Customs and Border Protection no later than 60 minutes before sailing.
That means passengers must be checked in and on board at least one hour prior to departure. However, some lines are setting earlier times to ensure compliance".
Most companies already urge customers to submit required identification data such as birthdate, nationality and passport or identification document number after they make final payment and well in advance of sailing, by completing online forms.
Like airline tickets, cruise tickets are going the way of e-docs. By completing the guest documentation form online, you avoid having to complete these forms at the pier and can print out your boarding pass as well.
In my opinion, the e-doc process is good except for the problem with luggage tags. Luggage tags printed on regular paper are not useful. Passengers will have to wait until the luggage is at the pier and then request regular luggage tags from the porters that handled the luggage.
"Starting Feb. 18, cruise ships sailing from U.S. ports will be required to transmit passenger and crew manifests to Customs and Border Protection no later than 60 minutes before sailing.
That means passengers must be checked in and on board at least one hour prior to departure. However, some lines are setting earlier times to ensure compliance".
Most companies already urge customers to submit required identification data such as birthdate, nationality and passport or identification document number after they make final payment and well in advance of sailing, by completing online forms.
Like airline tickets, cruise tickets are going the way of e-docs. By completing the guest documentation form online, you avoid having to complete these forms at the pier and can print out your boarding pass as well.
In my opinion, the e-doc process is good except for the problem with luggage tags. Luggage tags printed on regular paper are not useful. Passengers will have to wait until the luggage is at the pier and then request regular luggage tags from the porters that handled the luggage.
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