It’s a moonlit night in San Juan and there’s lots of shimmying, shouting, and whooping it up on the Lido Deck of Holland America Line’s Eurodam. This isn’t your average port-of-call local folk dancing display, but glitz and glamour on the high seas as Holland America kicks off the first ever “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” theme cruise. Professional dancers from the hit show Mark Ballas and Lacey Schwimmer along with past celebrity contestants Sabrina Bryan and Joey Fatone are onboard to entertain, share dance tips, and tell fans what it’s really like to be on the show.

Theme partners

Each year, most of the major cruise lines unveil specially themed cruises that appeal to different groups of people. Trends indicate that theme cruises are one of the fastest growing sectors within the cruise industry and it’s becoming easier and more affordable to find a theme cruise that revolves around something you love to do.

It goes without saying there are all kinds of television show fanatics, but no group is more spirited than those that watch “Dancing with the Stars”. Produced by BBC Worldwide Productions the “Dancing with the Stars” format launched as “Strictly Come Dancing” in the UK in 2004. Since then the show has become the world’s most popular reality television program that is replicated in 40 countries across six continents, it has even spawned a seasonal show in Las Vegas. So, naturally it would make sense to take the franchise to the high seas.

“‘Dancing with the Stars’ is an international phenomenon and we know this exciting new addition to our entertainment line-up will be very popular with our global guests,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. It also doesn’t hurt that the average Holland America Line customer is the ideal demographic for the show – middle-aged women. Out of the 2148 passengers onboard the Eurodam sailing, over 50 percent were in that demographic.

There are six theme cruises scheduled in 2013 and early 2014 on Holland America Line that will feature exclusive “Dancing with the Stars” events including dance lessons; a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos; and a dazzling production starring celebrities and the famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show. For dance lovers the cruises offer a unique opportunity to have access and interact with dance pros and stars from the show and perhaps learn some new dances and moves.

But this is not all that Holland America has planned, they also will be featuring an exclusive “Dancing with the Stars” program on every sailing of their 15 ships where passengers can learn to dance the Tango, Quickstep or Paso Doble. In addition, winners of each sailing’s dance-off will get to dance ‘center stage’ in one of the exciting dance performances and will be entered in a drawing for a free cruise at the end of the year.

‘dam Dancing

Witnessing the inaugural cruise it was clearly a tremendous success with the passengers. Guests truly enjoyed the numerous dance lessons offered during the sailing and it proved to be extremely popular so much so that more rooms needed to be added. “Over 400 people showed up for the first lesson,” cruise director Jason Venner told me. He noted that the Queen’s Lounge was too small so they had to open up the Northern Lights disco and add more instructors. Every dance lesson thereafter required both rooms due to the large turnout.

Most passengers were star-struck by all the precise booty shaking in front of them, but many on the sailing are recreational dancers who booked the cruise to learn how to spice up their own dance moves. I spoke with one such passenger Linda Velone of Boston, who along with her husband booked the cruise to learn from the pros. The Velones are among the growing number of couples taking up ballroom dancing for fun and health benefits. Back in Boston they take weekly classes and are always looking for new ways to hone their dance skills. Linda was upset to learn that pros Ballas and Schwimmer would not be teaching the classes, but the ships’ professional dancers would be doing them. The Eurodam crew acknowledged there were some mistaken assumptions amongst some passengers regarding the teaching of the classes. Still, while the ship’s professional dancers taught the classes the “Dancing with the Stars” cast would show up for appearances during classes and at times would judge some of the dancing contests.

Indeed for Ballas, Schwimmer, Bryan, and Fatone the cruise proved to be a terrific experience albeit a nerve-racking one preparing for the stage show. It’s one thing dancing on land; however, it’s a completely different reality dancing on a moving cruise ship. Fatone told me it was stressful with the rehearsals leading up to the show, but afterwards they were able to truly able relax. Indeed the celebrities were completely in their element amongst the passengers and fans of the show always happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures. Even on Holland America’s private Bahamian island, Half Moon Cay, the cast was posing in their bathing suits with guests.

As for the Velones they had such a good time they’ve already booked another dancing cruise with another couple they met onboard. “It was the best cruise we’ve had in years,” she tells me. It’s clear theme cruises are a great entertainment and they offer and enriched atmosphere for guests with similar interests. Best of all, the shared exuberance makes for a great vacation and perhaps some lifelong friendships. Add to that the pleasures of cruise travel and visiting interesting destinations and it’s a hit.

If you go:  There are six theme cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature “Dancing with the Stars” events. Currently scheduled to appear on select sailings are two-time champion pro dancers Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson ; pros Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer; and some of your favorite celebrity competitors.* More dance pros and celebrities to be announced. Visit Holland America Line’s website for the latest itinerary information and pricing.

Reported by © www.expertcruiser.com - Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Whether you like to Tango, Quickstep, Paso Doble, or sit back and enjoy watching the sizzling performances, this program offers guests an entirely unique experience on the seas.

Six theme cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature “Dancing with the Stars” events including dance lessons; a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos; and a dazzling production starring celebrities and the famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show. Currently scheduled to appear on select sailings are two-time champion pro dancers Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson; pros Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer; and some of your favorite celebrity competitors.* More dance pros and celebrities to be announced.

In addition to the theme cruises, every sailing on all 15 ships in the Holland America Line fleet will feature an exclusive “Dancing with the Stars” program including dance lessons and an opportunity for some lucky guests to dance center stage in an exciting dance-off performance. These activities will feature the ships’ professional dancers and will be developed in collaboration with the show’s dancers and choreographers.

Currently scheduled to appear on our 2013 Theme Cruises*:

February 16, 2013, ms Eurodam, 7-Day Eastern Caribbean
Professional Dancers: Lacey Schwimmer and Mark Ballas.
Stars: Joey Fatone and Sabrina Bryan.

June 22, 2013, ms Veendam, 7-Day Canada & New England
Professional Dancers: Chelsie Hightower and Mark Ballas.
Stars to be announced.

June 30, 2013, ms Oosterdam, 7-Day Alaska
Professional Dancers: Kym Johnson and Tristan MacManus.
Star: Carson Kressley. Additional star to be announced.

July 7, 2013, ms Oosterdam, 7-Day Alaska
Professional Dancers: Kym Johnson and Tristan MacManus.
Star: Carson Kressley. Additional star to be announced.

2014 Theme Cruises: (Pros/celebrities to be announced)

January 5, 2014, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, 7-Day Eastern Caribbean

January 12, 2014, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, 7-Day Western Caribbean

*Professionals and celebrities are subject to change.

Visit Holland America Line’s website for more details.

Reported by © www.expertcruiser.com - Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Carnival Corporation today announced it has reached an agreement for the construction of two new cruise ships – a 99,000-ton ship for its Holland America Line brand and a 135,000-ton vessel for its Carnival Cruise Lines brand.

A memorandum of agreement has been signed with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of a 2,660-passenger ship for Holland America Line scheduled for delivery in fall 2015 and a 4,000-passenger ship for Carnival Cruise Lines scheduled for delivery in winter 2016.  The total cost for the two vessels combined, which includes the U.S. dollar denominated contract price and all owner’s costs, will be approximately $195,000 per lower berth. The memorandum of agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including execution of shipbuilding contracts and financing.

The Holland America ship, which will be a new class of vessel for the line, will enter service five years after the last Holland America ship, the ms Nieuw Amsterdam, delivered in 2010. The Carnival Cruise Lines vessel, also a new class of ship, will be launched four years after the introduction of Carnival Breeze, which debuted in spring 2012.  The timing of capacity additions for these brands is similar to the five year span between upcoming new ship introductions for both Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises (UK), as previously announced.

“Today’s order continues the company’s strategy of introducing two to three ships per year across the corporation’s 10 brands. We have strategically timed the introduction of these new ships to allow ample time for those brands to further grow their passenger base and absorb the new capacity while minimizing revenue yield dilution in the remainder of their existing fleets,” said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Including the newbuilds announced today, Carnival Corporation & plc currently has nine new ships scheduled for delivery – two for 2013, two for 2014, three for 2015 and two for 2016. Arison also noted that the addition of new tonnage is expected, to some extent, to replace existing capacity reductions from possible sales of older ships.

Reported by © www.expertcruiser.com - Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Anti-American demonstrations have erupted in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to an anti-Muslim movie that was produced in the United States. Since tensions are high some cruise lines have elected not to stop at ports that are near violence. Cruise lines are keeping close tabs on the situation and determining if itineraries need to be changed. Two lines have elected to make changes.

Royal Caribbean International canceled Mariner of the Seas’ port call to Alexandria, Egypt scheduled for September 18 and will instead stop in Messina, Sicily and Valletta, Malta on Monday September 19. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson stated that the decision to change course was “in an abundance of caution” and stated the company will notify guests and travel agents of the changes. Additionally, Holland America Line’s Ryndam skipped its scheduled Tunis, Tunisia port of call on Friday and elected to visit Sardinia, Italy instead.

Stay tuned for more updates from © www.expertcruiser.com - Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Why are some cruise travelers smarter than others? Simply put, they’ve been there, done that, and through trial and error have concocted strategies that avoid travel mishaps. Here are some tips that guarantee smooth sailing from cruisers in the know.

1. Loyalty=perks
Los Angeles area resident Janice Williams loves to reap the sweet rewards of being a repeat cruiser. On her last repeat cruise, she saved more than $1,000 from a single coupon. That coupon was from Princess Cruises’ “Captain’s Circle,” the line’s program for past guests. Williams is loyal to Princess because she feels the line offers the best past passenger perks in the business.

Most cruise lines confer membership in a loyalty program as soon as passengers complete their first cruise. Members then receive mailings urging them to book another cruise at a special discount. On board, members also receive special treatment; perks can include gifts, upgrades, credits, cocktail parties, in-room bar set up, complimentary laundry service, free Internet, dinner with the captain and free shore excursions.

2. Plot for the perfect stateroom
One thing smart cruisers know is that picking the right stateroom is essential to truly enjoying the cruise. Laney Adams of Ocala, Fla., always studies the ship’s deck plan before booking a stateroom. “It’s the only way to prevent problems with noise along with finding a stateroom with easy accessibility around the ship,” says Adams.

Passengers with disabilities might want to book near elevators. Watch out for staterooms with obstructed views – usually the lifeboat deck and those with close proximity to noisy areas like lounges, discos, theaters, pool areas, room service and steward service areas. Staterooms midship on lower decks are best for those prone to seasickness.

3. Keep watching your fare
The cruise line will never call you if they have lowered the price of your cruise. Therefore, it can really pay off to keep tabs on the price of your cruise after you book. Just ask Scott Larsen of Fairfax, Va.

Last year, Larsen booked a September cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas. He went for the least expensive option: an inside cabin. In July, Larsen was thinking about upgrading his cabin, so he checked the Internet for the current cabin rates. He discovered that the prices had dropped quite a bit. In fact, an outside cabin was now going for $1 less than the price he booked for his inside cabin.

Larsen called Royal Caribbean to see if he could upgrade to the outside cabin. The cruise line told him the upgrade was possible, but he would need to make arrangements through the travel agency that handled his booking: Travelocity. Larsen then contacted Travelocity and the changes were made. Larsen notes that had he chosen to keep the inside cabin, Royal Caribbean would have refunded him $200. He says, “I really prefer the upgrade and I am really happy with the outcome.”

4. Book shore excursions, spa services before you sail
Shore excursions often fill up quickly, and services like spa appointments can be overbooked in the blink of an eye. Savvy cruisers surf the Web long before they sail. When cruising to Alaska last summer Gerry Altmire booked his family’s shore excursions on Holland America’s Web site prior to sailing. “We avoided a lot of disappointment by booking early because the popular flightseeing tours sell out quickly,” said Altmire.

Advance bookings are convenient, and they make for a personalized vacation. Best of all, they save you from rushing around the ship trying to nail down reservations in the first hours of your cruise. Instead, you can actually sit back and enjoy your cruise from the minute you step on board.

5. Notify your credit card company
As credit card fraud has become more global and more sophisticated, so have efforts to ferret out illegitimate charges. Sometimes large purchases will raise a red flag, as I found out when I purchased an emerald in Cartagena, Colombia. The bank called my home to make sure I was the one using the card. Fortunately, a family member was there to let the bank know that I was indeed in Colombia, thus preventing my card from being put on hold.

A stamp of approval in advance of departure will make charging much easier overseas. If you are planning to travel to far-flung destinations, call your credit card company or the bank that issues your card and let them know your travel itinerary — both dates and destinations. Make a note of your card number and the overseas customer service number, and keep them in a safe place separate from the card. That way, if the card is stolen, you will have the necessary information to make a report.

Even with advance notification, you may not be able to spend as you please while you are abroad. Certain charge patterns will still arouse suspicion, and your card may be subject to spending limits, so you should always carry a second credit card.

6. Get to the port a day early
If you live far from the embarkation port, get there a day early. I’ve heard too many stories of people traveling on embarkation day, arriving late and literally standing at the pier, watching their ship sail off without them. That was literally the case for Dini and Tony Saponara of Toronto whose flight from Canada was delayed due to bad weather. Sadly the Carnival Sensation sailed off without them and they were unable to catch up to the ship. Padding your travel time may cost a bit more, but it pays off in the assurance of a stress-free start to your vacation.

7. Carry-on savvy
Upon boarding, you’re separated from your luggage for an indeterminate amount of time. Until then, you’re stuck wearing what you’re wearing. “I always bring a change of clothes and a swimsuit in my carry-on bag so I can change and start enjoying the ship,” says veteran cruiser Nina Lewis of Miami. A lot of first-time cruisers don’t realize it sometimes takes hours for luggage to be delivered to your stateroom. So, take Nina’s advice — bring a change of clothes so you won’t miss any ship time stuck in your traveling clothes.

8. Don’t skip travel insurance
Robert Smith and his wife were on the trip of a lifetime. The couple flew from Arizona to their destination in Europe to embark on a cruise tour of the Baltics. During the cruise Robert injured his leg and thought things would be fine – unfortunately his condition gradually worsened. Eventually Robert needed immediate medical attention. The ship had to disembark the Smiths in St.Petersburg, Russia where Robert was quickly admitted to the hospital.

His wife immediately called their travel insurance company, Travel Guard, to inquire about their coverage for the missed portions of their trip and other expenses they incurred. Upon their safe arrival home, Travel Guard reimbursed them for missed portions of their cruise, medical bills, a hotel stay for his wife while Robert in hospital, and upgraded plane tickets for the medical evacuation home so his wife could sit by him. The Smith’s were fortunate they had excellent travel insurance coverage.

Most cruise lines offer travel insurance, as do several independent third-party insurers like Travel Guard. It’s important to understand that ordinary medical insurance coverage doesn’t travel the same way aboard ship as it does within the United States. Sometimes coverage doesn’t extend to foreign travel at all. Medicare beneficiaries should always purchase travel insurance when they cruise, because they do not have Medicare coverage outside the country.

9. Affordably staying in touch
“I can send text messages from the middle of Caribbean!” marveled teen Amy Green, who was thrilled to have full coverage for the majority of her Disney Cruise Line voyage. Her cell phone looked normal and didn’t indicate it was roaming. Her, provider, it turns out, charges $2.49 a minute while roaming. When Green’s bill arrived a month later, her parents were horrified to see that she owed $225! Using the phone in your stateroom can be even worse as the service can cost between $2-$10 a minute. Internet access onboard is the lowest cost option to stay in touch from the ship; however, to reap the best savings you need to purchase in blocks of time – 60 minutes can cost $25 on up. The most economical way to stay in touch is when you get into port – phone rates are much cheaper on land.

Don’t be vexed when planning your cruise. If you do a little research on options and pricing you can board the ship without a care in the world. And that’s the only way to cruise.

© www.expertcruiser.com – Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Following the tragic Costa Concordia accident, Carnival Corporation, parent company of Costa Cruises and nine leading cruise lines around the world, today announced a comprehensive audit and review of all safety and emergency response procedures across all of the company’s cruise lines. Carnival Corporation is the parent company of ten cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and P&O Cruises (Australia).

Carnival Corporation and the cruise industry as a whole have maintained an excellent safety record over the years. “However, this tragedy has called into question our company’s safety and emergency response procedures and practices,” said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “While I have every confidence in the safety of our vessels and the professionalism of our crews, this review will evaluate all practices and procedures to make sure that this kind of accident doesn’t happen again.”

The review is being led by Captain James Hunn, a retired U.S. Navy Captain and currently the company’s senior vice president of Maritime Policy & Compliance. Following a 32-year career in the Navy, Hunn has held senior positions at Carnival Corporation for nearly a decade, focusing on corporate-wide efforts to establish maritime policy standards, while overseeing the company’s health, environmental, safety, and security practices. Hunn and senior health and safety executives from each of the lines will review all safety and emergency response policies and procedures, officer and crew training and evaluation, bridge management and company-wide response and support efforts. Hunn will report to the Health, Environment, Safety & Security Committee of the Board, and to Howard Frank, vice chairman and chief operations officer of Carnival Corporation.

In addition, the Health, Environment, Safety & Security Committee is engaging outside industry-leading experts in the fields of emergency response organization, training and implementation to conduct an audit of all of the company’s emergency response and safety procedures and to conduct a thorough review of the Costa Concordia accident.
Frank said, “This company-wide initiative will identify lessons learned and best practices to further ensure the security and safety of all of our passengers and crew.” Carnival Corporation also supports the call for a comprehensive evaluation of safety regulations by the International Maritime Organization, which was requested earlier today by the Cruise Lines International Association.

Reported by Anita Dunham-Potter (editor@www.expertcruiser.com)

© www.expertcruiser.com – Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.