I see from our www.mynextcruise.com news that the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas has donned a set of massive horns, and started sailing from Galveston. This could lead to some good values for our New England cruisers until the demand catches up with the size of this great ship. Galveston airfare is often not very different in cost than Miami or Ft Lauderdale.
I am concerned that the port facilities in Galveston could turn this dream into a nightmare. When we last cruised from Galveston on the Carnival Conquest, the port facility was not equipped to handle the passenger load. Long lines were encountered on the highway and in the terminal. I hope that the port authority has got these bugs worked out to make the Voyager's stay there a big success.
Please respond to this post when you experience how embarkation and debarkation are working out. Meanwhile, plan some extra time for the trip from Houston to the decks of the ship.
Dick leaves Vancouver for Alaska
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Crystal Cruises to Ban Smoking on Balconies
Beginning in May, Crystal Cruises will prohibit smoking on verandas of all staterooms and suites aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. In keeping with lifestyle trends, most areas of Crystal ships have been non-smoking for several years, including restaurants and the main entertainment lounges. Non-smoking areas dominate most bars and lounges, although there are some tables that permit smoking. Cigarette smoking is permitted in private accommodations, although pipe-smoking and cigars are only permitted in the Connoisseur Club and most open decks.
"The majority of our guests are non-smoking, and travelers are used to more non-smoking environments today," said Gregg Michel, Crystal president. "We respect that smoking is a personal lifestyle decision but there is growing discomfort from non-smokers about veranda smoke negatively impacting the enjoyment of their personal outdoor living space." As with the current policy, guests who do not observe the non-smoking policy will first be asked to comply. Failure to do so can result in a guest being asked to leave the ship at his/her own expense. The new smoking policy takes effect with the May 7 London to Rome cruise on Crystal Serenity and the May 25 Athens to London cruise on Crystal Symphony.
Comment from Patti and Dick Malone of CruiseOne South Hero Vermont:
Our recent Island Princess trip showed a beefy sprinkler system added to our balcony. We wondered why they had not outlawed balcony smoking completely after the massive fire last year on the Star Princess. Kudos to Crystal. There's still a place for you smokers to partake without unnecessary danger or unwanted sharing of your smoke.
"The majority of our guests are non-smoking, and travelers are used to more non-smoking environments today," said Gregg Michel, Crystal president. "We respect that smoking is a personal lifestyle decision but there is growing discomfort from non-smokers about veranda smoke negatively impacting the enjoyment of their personal outdoor living space." As with the current policy, guests who do not observe the non-smoking policy will first be asked to comply. Failure to do so can result in a guest being asked to leave the ship at his/her own expense. The new smoking policy takes effect with the May 7 London to Rome cruise on Crystal Serenity and the May 25 Athens to London cruise on Crystal Symphony.
Comment from Patti and Dick Malone of CruiseOne South Hero Vermont:
Our recent Island Princess trip showed a beefy sprinkler system added to our balcony. We wondered why they had not outlawed balcony smoking completely after the massive fire last year on the Star Princess. Kudos to Crystal. There's still a place for you smokers to partake without unnecessary danger or unwanted sharing of your smoke.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Webcams and Bridgecams to track your Vermont cruisers
We Vermonters can keep up to date on the progress of friends or family as they cruise. Webcams, or Bridgecams constantly broadcast pictures from the ship. Here are links to paste into your Favorites to keep up to date on their experience.
Princess Cruises
Just log into www.princess.com/bridgecams/
Crystal Cruises
www.crystalcruises.com/liveviews.aspx
Norwegian Cruises
www.ncl.com/ Select ship, and use webcam option
Celebrity Cruises
http://www.celebrityatsea.com/ Not Responding today! Royal Caribbean can't make it work either.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
www.royalcaribbean.com/multimedia/webcam/ship Not responding today! Royal Caribbean can't make it work either.
Cunard Line
www.cunardline.com/bridgecam/qe2_cam1.asp
www.cunardline.com/bridgecam/qm2_cam1.asp
Carnival
www.carnival.com/cms/ships/funships.aspx
Oceania
www.oceaniacruises.com/exploretheships/controls/liveshipviews/imageretriever.aspx
Click on "Explore the Ships", and then "Live Ship Views"
You can even tune your jealousy to a fever pitch by setting one of these links as your screen saver!
Princess Cruises
Just log into www.princess.com/bridgecams/
Crystal Cruises
www.crystalcruises.com/liveviews.aspx
Norwegian Cruises
www.ncl.com/ Select ship, and use webcam option
Celebrity Cruises
http://www.celebrityatsea.com/ Not Responding today! Royal Caribbean can't make it work either.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
www.royalcaribbean.com/multimedia/webcam/ship Not responding today! Royal Caribbean can't make it work either.
Cunard Line
www.cunardline.com/bridgecam/qe2_cam1.asp
www.cunardline.com/bridgecam/qm2_cam1.asp
Carnival
www.carnival.com/cms/ships/funships.aspx
Oceania
www.oceaniacruises.com/exploretheships/controls/liveshipviews/imageretriever.aspx
Click on "Explore the Ships", and then "Live Ship Views"
You can even tune your jealousy to a fever pitch by setting one of these links as your screen saver!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Who would be thinking of Alaska cruising now?
Smart people - That's who!
Even though the temperature is plummeting to -7 degrees F tonight here in Vermont, this is the time to think of that unforgettable Alaska Vacation. Alaska in season is like May/June in Vermont - The best.
Reason 1: Balcony cabins sell out first. With 20 hours of daylight, you really need a balcony to see it all. When wildlife or a spectacular view comes up while you're recovering from a great day exploring ashore, It's sooo nice to just put on your robe and slip out on the balcony for a minute or 2.
Reason 2: If you're planning to travel with family, inside cabins near your balcony are a great way to save money. Unfortunately, the secret is out and they go fast too!
Reason 3: Alaska cruises are not inexpensive, and planning ahead makes the strain on your budget palatable. Start putting money aside now, and don't find yourself home when the weather is perfect.
Reason 4: Some shore-side hotels and CruiseTours sell out long before the ship is sold out. You may have to settle for "Someone-else's favorite cruise" instead of your own.
Reason 5: Cruise lines want you to get an early start too, and they have low early booking fares. Princess is currently offering $200 off their published Early Booking Discount, and an additional $200 on-board-credit for each couple!
Reason 6: Access to the best Glaciers and Park tours is limited for environmental reasons. The good ones go first.
Reason 7: We think that these are enough to get action started, but please share your other reasons with us.
Choosing a date:
While the discounted early and late cruises are not a frigid as you would expect, the peak season cruises are a safer bet for actually seeing the things that you came to see. It's very complex, with several Salmon runs dispersed throughout the season, more active Glaciation in summer, Animal migration patterns, Clear days, etc. Whales arrive and leave for Maui at the time when fares change.
Unless one particular aspect of Alaska is a lifetime interest for you, you can look for the highest rates to see the most. The pricing is similar to a yearly auction, with the best weeks and itineraries demanding the highest price. This is more that putting a pin in a map, you need to experience as much of this wondrous state as you can. While shopping the "shoulder season" can often be a good way to save on travel, our experience tells us that this in not the place to do it.
Even though the temperature is plummeting to -7 degrees F tonight here in Vermont, this is the time to think of that unforgettable Alaska Vacation. Alaska in season is like May/June in Vermont - The best.
Reason 1: Balcony cabins sell out first. With 20 hours of daylight, you really need a balcony to see it all. When wildlife or a spectacular view comes up while you're recovering from a great day exploring ashore, It's sooo nice to just put on your robe and slip out on the balcony for a minute or 2.
Reason 2: If you're planning to travel with family, inside cabins near your balcony are a great way to save money. Unfortunately, the secret is out and they go fast too!
Reason 3: Alaska cruises are not inexpensive, and planning ahead makes the strain on your budget palatable. Start putting money aside now, and don't find yourself home when the weather is perfect.
Reason 4: Some shore-side hotels and CruiseTours sell out long before the ship is sold out. You may have to settle for "Someone-else's favorite cruise" instead of your own.
Reason 5: Cruise lines want you to get an early start too, and they have low early booking fares. Princess is currently offering $200 off their published Early Booking Discount, and an additional $200 on-board-credit for each couple!
Reason 6: Access to the best Glaciers and Park tours is limited for environmental reasons. The good ones go first.
Reason 7: We think that these are enough to get action started, but please share your other reasons with us.
Choosing a date:
While the discounted early and late cruises are not a frigid as you would expect, the peak season cruises are a safer bet for actually seeing the things that you came to see. It's very complex, with several Salmon runs dispersed throughout the season, more active Glaciation in summer, Animal migration patterns, Clear days, etc. Whales arrive and leave for Maui at the time when fares change.
Unless one particular aspect of Alaska is a lifetime interest for you, you can look for the highest rates to see the most. The pricing is similar to a yearly auction, with the best weeks and itineraries demanding the highest price. This is more that putting a pin in a map, you need to experience as much of this wondrous state as you can. While shopping the "shoulder season" can often be a good way to save on travel, our experience tells us that this in not the place to do it.
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