Pre-cruise Hotel Stay in Ft. Lauderdale

As we have mentioned in the past, whenever possible we prefer to arrive in our cruise departure port on the previous day. This way we can enjoy the start of our vacation, even if something were to go wrong, such as a flight delay.

 Our 2011 National Conference Cruise is on Allure of the Seas which departs from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We bookedd a hotel room at the Hyatt Ft. Lauderdale which is just across from Pier 66, where Allure departs from. Since there was a pre-cruise cocktail part planned, we booked flights that would get us in mid-day. 

The down side of that meant we had to get up early to drop off the car near the airport and catch our fight. The parking lot shuttle dropped us off at the terminal and we proceeded to check our bags and then go through security. The line was long, but once it got moving, it went pretty quickly. Our gate wasn't far from the security checkpoint, so we still had time before the plane was scheduled to board.

After purchasing a couple bottles of water, we waited in the gate area for the boarding announcements. hecking in. The flight took off on time and was smooth most of the way to Florida. The skies were overcast as we approached Ft. Lauderdale and in fact, it had been raining. The captain had the flight crew prepare the cabin early for landing since some turbulenced was expected. As predicted, it got a little bumpy as we approached, but all and all, it was a good flight. By the time we got to baggage claim, our bags were coming around the bend. We claimed our bags and headed to the taxi stand.

The Hyatt hotel isn't far from the airport, so within 30 minutes of landing, we were checking in at the hotel. The bellman brought our luggage to the room and we decided to go get some lunch.

When we got in the lobby, we met the same bellman and asked him if the marina restaurant was open. We weren't sure it would be since it had started to rain and was quite windy. He took us to the restaurant via a golf cart.

We had a lovely meal at the marina restaurant and then walked along the pier back to the hotel.  There are several yachts docked in the marina that are for sale.   The prices ranged from several hundred thousands to millions.

This is an excellent location  for anyone departing on a cruise from the Ft. Lauderdale cruise port.  You can see your ship come in from your balcony window (if you ask for a tower room facing the pier).  It is a short cab ride from the hotel to the pier.

We will be writing more about our conference cruise in future articles.  The Allure of the Seas is an amazing ship with so much to offer, especially for families.   Each time we are on her, we see something new since you can't experience everything on one cruise.

2012 World Cruise on Pacific Princess

Princess Cruises Brings the World to You

2012: 107-day World Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice. Experience the world’s treasured places on this magnificent sailing on Pacific Princess.® You’ll transit the Panama Canal, sail through the South Pacific, cruise New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and visit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Ahead lies even more, from ports like vibrant Hong Kong and dazzling Phuket to bustling Mumbai and thrilling Cairo, Egypt. You’ll visit some 40 destinations with maiden calls in Santa Marta (Colombia), Puerto Quepos (Costa Rica) and Manama (Bahrain) before your voyage ends in Venice. You can see even more with overland tours to such places as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, China’s Great Wall and Ayers Rock in Australia.

Highlights of this New Route

• Maiden calls highlight 2012 World Cruise. Santa Marta (Colombia), Puerto Quepos (Costa Rica) and Manama (Bahrain) are included among the 38 destinations on the 2012 World Cruise sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice.
• The 2-Day Experience. Overnight stays in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai give passengers ample time to explore these spectacular destinations.
• Segment voyages. Passengers can choose from segments ranging between 15 to 32 days for a taste of the world cruising experience.  Choose from Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego, San Diego to Sydney, Sydney to Singapore, or Singapore to Venice.

The first segment of the 2012 World Cruise begins in Ft. Lauderdale on January 13th.  There are special discounts and reduced deposits for past passengers of Princess Cruises.   For more information about Pacific Princess, click here.

Bookings are  being accepted starting June 17th 

And, don't forget, the 2011 World Cruise on Dawn Princess is already open for booking. The Aussie Experience awaits on this 104-day World Cruise, with 43 intriguing destinations, including Morocco, Singapore, Dubai and others.

New Star Princess 2011 Itineraries

Rio de Janeiro - Courtesy Princess Cruises

 Exotics 2010-2011

Princess Cruises announced some additional sailings for Star Princess.   The added sailings are in the Exotics and Caribbean markets.

New exciting itineraries to radiant South America

• 29-day Cape Horn & Brazilian Grand Adventure (February 23) sailing from Santiago, around the southernmost tip of South America to Ft. Lauderdale
• 15-day Brazilian Adventure (March 9) staying overnight in Rio de Janeiro before sailing to Ft. Lauderdale

Closer look at 29-day Brazilian Grand Adventure

Sail onboard Star Princess® for a 29-day adventure around the southernmost tip of stunning South America before traversing the sun-swept Caribbean en route to Ft. Lauderdale. From Buenos Aires, you’ll sail around historic Cape Horn before setting sail for points north, including Salvador and Recife in Brazil and the sunny splendors of Barbados and Antigua.

Time permitting, I'd suggest arriving in Buenos Aires early so you can explore the capital and largest city in Argentina.   We looked at this city in a past post: Where is Chris - Featured Destination Sept 09

Once the cruise adventure begins, you'll have the opportunity to sail where explorers have gone before - around the tip of Cape Horn and the Strait of Magellan.  Your voyage includes an overnight stay in Rio, ideal for experiencing the nightlife of one of the world’s most exciting cities. 

Departing Rio, your voyage begins the journey north towards Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.   This will be a cruise adventure you'll remember for many years to come. 

Additional voyages in the Caribbean

• 10-day Southern Caribbean Medley (March 24, April 13)
• 10-day Eastern Caribbean Voyager (April 3 & 23)

 Learn more about these and other Princess Cruises.

MSC Cruises Welcomes Big Band Lovers

Swing and sway to a Big Band

aboard MSC Poesia

Turn the clocks back to the 1930's and 1940's. Times were tough, much like they are today. The Great Depression was in full swing and the world was about to go to war once again. It was during these dismal times that the Swing Era began and became an important part of musical history.

Enter the Big Band, a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music. Big bands evolved with the times and continue today. A big band typically consists of approximately 12 to 25 musicians and contains saxophones, trumpets, trombones, singers, and a rhythm section.

Teenagers and young adults were the principal fans of the Big Bands in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. They danced to recordings and the radio, and attended live concerts whenever they could. You'll probably remember greats like Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington.

Big Bands played a major role in lifting morale during World War II. Many band members served in the military and toured with USO troupes at the front, with Glenn Miller losing his life while traveling between troop shows.

MSC Cruises rekindles the music of the 30's with two Big Band themed cruises aboard MSC Poesia. Whether you want to hear Big Band music for the first time, or if you are a lover of this era gone by, you will enjoy this special themed cruise.

Featured Musicians:

The 15-piece Les DeMerle Orchestra, featuring vocalist Bonnie Eisele, is sure to have toes tapping, bodies swaying and guests singing along to the sounds of Ellington, Basie, James and Miller, plus the biggest Broadway hits, rock ‘n’ roll classics, hot Latin grooves and show-stoppers from the 40s through today. In addition to their regular appearances, the band will perform a Big Band Jazz Concert and conduct a lecture on the Big Band Era.

Chose one of the following cruises:

REMARKABLE RAINFORESTS & THE PANAMA CANAL
DECEMBER 10, 2009 11 days 10 nights
Fort Lauderdale • Grand Cayman • Cartagena • Cristóbal • Puerto Limón • Playa del Carmen • Fort Lauderdale

ISLAND TREASURES & ANCIENT TEMPLES
FEBRUARY 27, 2010 8 days 7 nights
Fort Lauderdale • Key West • Playa del Carmen • Grand Cayman • Montego Bay • Nassau • Fort Lauderdale

For more information about MSC Poesia and these cruises, see my website or give me a call. Don't forget that Kids 17 and under Sail Free (in same cabin).

It's Polka Time on MSC

It's Polka Time Aboard MSC Poesia

Sunny Caribbean ports and two well-known polka bands will keep guests dancing and swaying to chase those winter blues as the MSC Poesia sets sail in January 2010 for a polka theme cruise.

Featured Performers:

Joe Stanky and the Cadets have been performing classic polka sounds for more than 25 years. The group also features a range of styles, including honky, country, Slovenian with both English and Polish vocals.

John Stevens DoubleShot, a popular Pennsylvania-based group that plays its contemporary polka rhythms at numerous festivals throughout the country.

EASTERN CARIBBEAN:

Roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale

January 9, 2010 Departure

San Juan, Puerto Rico Philipsburg, St. Maarten Tortola, British Virgin Islands Nassau, Bahamas Fort Lauderdale, Florida

For more information about MSC Poesia and this cruise, see my website or give me a call.

Princess Announces 2010-2011 Caribbean & Mexican Riviera Program

Announcing the Fall 2010 - Spring 2011

Caribbean & Mexican Riviera Program

Princess® - Escape to sunny isles in 2010 - 2011

Nothing says escape like the warm, welcoming islands and colorful cultures of the turquoise Caribbean. Princess® has a variety of festive voyages sailing eastern, southern or western Caribbean on six of their grandest ships in 2010 and 2011, visiting over 25 of the region’s very best ports. Frolic on white sand beaches and swim above reefs teeming with colorful sea life on islands such as St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola, Barbados, Grenada and more.

The convenience of Ft. Lauderdale, New York and San Juan.

Princess sails year-round in the Caribbean and departs from a variety of convenient ports including Ft. Lauderdale, New York and San Juan. Choose from easy week-long sailings to a relaxing 14-day itinerary. For an extensive Southern Caribbean exploration, departures from Barbados are also available.

Six spectacular ships.

The Princess Caribbean fleet includes some of the best ships in the region. The magnificent Ruby Princess® sails 7-day Eastern Caribbean voyages from Ft. Lauderdale. Caribbean Princess® sails two alternating 7-day port-intensive Southern Caribbean itineraries from San Juan. Crown Princess® sails a week-long Western Caribbean itinerary, Emerald Princess® sails on two alternating 10-day itineraries to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Sea Princess® a range of 14-day Eastern and Southern voyages from Barbados and Grand Princess® the immersive 14-day Caribbean Collection from Ft. Lauderdale among other options. Whichever ship you sail, you’ll enjoy warm, welcoming Princess service and wonderful amenities including Movies Under the Stars,® the adults-only retreat, The Sanctuary, the freedom of Anytime DiningSM and more.

Princess Cays® — a private paradise in the Bahamas.

All 7- and 10-day sailings from Ft. Lauderdale feature a call at Princess Cays,® Princess own Bahamian paradise where the relaxing options range from sunbathing and shopping for crafts to volleyball and snorkeling.

Warm Sandy Beaches are Calling You!

Why not grab a group of your friends and plan a Caribbean vacation for next winter. There are special offers for early booking and groups. For more details, visit me on Facebook and my website.

Mexican Riviera Program (information on my Facebook page)

Request More Information on Princess 2010-11 Caribbean & Mexican Riviera Program via email

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Princess Cruises - Summer Caribbean in 2010

2010 Summer Caribbean

Now Open for Booking!

Emerald Princess® joins Caribbean Princess® for Summer 2010 Roundtrip sailings from Ft. Lauderdale and New York

Emerald Princess features alternating 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale throughout the summer. Both itineraries visit Princess Cays®, an exclusive island experience in the Bahamas.

Caribbean Princess returns with 9-day itineraries roundtrip from New York featuring visits to Bermuda and a special 7-day Eastern Caribbean sailing from San Juan to New York.

Emerald Princess® – Sail to sunny shores on alternating 7-day sailings

In Summer 2010, you can enjoy voyages to Eastern or Western Caribbean islands on this exquisite vessel. Spend a week sailing our popular sailings of the region, visiting Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Jamaica – all featuring Princess Cays®.

Caribbean Princess® – More time to explore at sea and ashore on9-day sailings

Relish more leisurely days at sea while you visit the irresistible islands of Bermuda, St. Thomas, Grand Turk and beyond. Sail during the months of May to July with departures from New York, making your Caribbean adventure as carefree as it is unforgettable.

A Bahamian island reserved just for Princess® guests

A delightful island retreat awaits your discovery on sun-drenched Princess Cays, featured on all 7-day Emerald Princess® Eastern or Western Caribbean voyages from Ft. Lauderdale. From snorkeling and kayaking to island cuisine and drink, there's something to do for the entire family.

Are you a past guest on Princess Cruises?

Princess Captain's Circle® Launch Savings Exclusive

$50 per person discount for past passengers on 2010 Summer Caribbean voyages. Expires 12/31/09. Call or email me for more details about any of these summer cruise vacations.