Don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars for a cruise line-sponsored shore excursion? You might want to consider going online and browsing Cruise Critic’s “Roll Call’ forums where guests booked on your cruise look to find other like-minded guests to share tours and save a lot of money.
The Delta Queen is the last remaining example of the thousands of paddle-wheel steamboats that once traveled America’s waterways and it’s about to be put out to pasture because of politics. Find out why and how we must save this great American treasure.
The economy is slumping and cruise lines are scrambling to fill their berths. What does that mean for you? It means a great deal on a cruise vacation and a good excuse for spending that tax rebate check.
Somewhere between the plumbing problem, the locked balcony door, multiple complaint letters, and posting their cruise horror stories on the Internet, Royal Caribbean decided it could never do right by these passengers. So it told them to get out there — and to stay out! Think you can’t get banned from a cruise line? Meet the Morans.
John Heald, Carnival Cruise Lines’ senior cruise director, has become the most famous cruise director since Julie McCoy of “Love Boat” TV fame. Except John’s not on TV, he’s taking the Internet by storm with his blog that boasts thousands of readers. Even more than that it has changed the way cruise lines interact with their customers by building online communities.
Did you know that cruise lines get most of their revenue from the things passengers buy aboard ship? Yep. That’s why they aggressively peddle their photos, spa services, art auctions, shore excursions, jewelry, casino and drinks of the day. If you’re not careful, you can easily spend more for onboard extras than you did on your cruise fare. Here are some tips to help keep your cruise budget afloat.
Luxury cruising is booming. With nine new ships on order, the luxury lines are looking at 32 ships and 11,790 berths by 2012 — the largest capacity in the sector’s history. Here’s a look at the growing trend.
Most cruises begin with a plane ride to the port of embarkation, which raises a perennial question: Should you book your air travel through the cruise line or should you book it yourself? Here are some opinions on the matter.
Crazy about Elvis? Looking for a Star Trek fix? Want to shimmy bare-naked under the stars? Believe it or not, you can indulge these passions – and a host of others – on a cruise vacation. In honor of April Fools’ Day, here are four of the craziest theme cruises to hit the high seas.
What happens if you book a cruise, then the cruise line unexpectedly pulls your ship from its fleet? Find out how five friends from Wisconsin navigated the frustrating, fee-filled waters when Norwegian Cruise Line removed a ship from its Hawaii fleet.
It’s one of the most popular excursions for cruise travelers in the Caribbean: swimming with stingrays. The untimely death of Australian naturalist Steve Irwin, who was killed by a stingray barb, has many people asking questions, mainly, “Is it safe to go in the water with these ordinarily docile creatures?”
Cruise line executives speaking at the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami last week presented a surprisingly rosy outlook despite record oil prices and the U.S. economy’s bleak outlook. Still, with 36 new ships to be delivered within the next four years they can’t afford to feel any other way.
Cruise entertainment used to come down to three things: bingo, shuffleboard and shtick entertainment. Today, cruise lines are going all-out to entice younger, more adventurous and curious travelers to their ships by upgrading their shipboard activities and entertainment offerings. Here are the three better things to do with your time on your next cruise.
Plenty of things can go wrong on a cruise vacation. You could get seasick, or sleep through breakfast, or lose at blackjack, or puke over the rail. But there are five cruise miseries that are often preventable. Here’s some advice for steering clear of them.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And while love is in the air, cruise lines are going all-out to entice couples to choose a wedding at sea. Here’s a look at the trend.
Currently, there are 42 new cruise ships on order from 2008-2012 and that number is expected to increase. From luxury lines like Seabourn, Silversea and the new Pearl Seas Cruises through to the next generation of megaships like Royal Caribbean’s “Project Genesis” and Norwegian Cruise Line’s “F3″ series, here’s a look into the future at the massive number of new vessels on order.
It’s Christmas Eve - high tide of the holiday season - time to raise a wassail cup to toast another year of adventures at sea. Fellow voyagers I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with 25 wishes for the year to come.
It’s that time of year again: time to see what’s on tap for the high seas in the new year. Here’s what’s to come in 2008: fuel surcharges, more tonnage, more adventure, healthier cruising, improved “fantasies,” and a sad November farewell to two great queens.
Grace Watson just wanted to get away with her husband a few times a year to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation, so she joined a discount travel club. But when her “complimentary cruise” turned out to be far from free, Watson took a closer look at her “club.” Here’s what she found.
Going on a cruise just got more expensive as sixteen cruise lines announced new fees to be imposed upon passengers to cover rising fuel costs. Read what the new fuel surcharges mean for the consumer and the cruise lines.
Going on a cruise just got more expensive as ten cruise lines announced new fees to be imposed upon passengers to cover rising fuel costs. Read what the new fuel surcharges mean for the consumer and the cruise lines.
If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you’ve no doubt received fliers and announcements touting savings if you book your next cruise while still aboard this one. Is it a good idea? Let’s survey the benefits.
Never been on a cruise before? Then you probably have some questions. Like, “Will I get seasick, gain weight, or go crazy cooped up on the ship?” And, “What do I wear, who does the laundry, and how much should I tip?” Here are answers to seven newcomers’ queries.
Buying a cruise can be complicated with so many choices and pricing options, so how do you score the lowest fare possible? If you’re flexible, you can take advantage of a great little-known program that allows you to “piggyback” your way to cruise savings. Here’s how…
What happens when an adventure cruise vacation doesn’t live up to the brochure? Are you entitled to compensation, and if so, how do you go about getting it? Find out as one reader demands answers from the cruise line.