New Adventures from Los Angeles

As Royal Caribbean® continues their return to service, they’ve listened to their guests and valued travel partners and are heading back to the West Coast of the United States for sailings out of Los Angeles.  San Pedro pier is only 23 miles from the airport.       Don’t just get away. Get more from your cruise on the newly amped Navigator of the Seas®. The newly amped Navigator of the Seas® delivers a maxed out adventure in just a few short days. Take on record breaking thrills, like the longest waterslide at sea. Soak up bigger, bolder, splashier pool days. Swap going out for going all out with next level nightlife and new dining for every craving. This is your short vacay, turned way, way up. Only on Royal Caribbean®. Think tide-turning new rides, next level lounging, and a new pool deck with double the surface area for you to swim, splash and lounge. Plus craveable dining and new nightlife hotspots that dial the excitement way up. LA becomes your jumping off point for epic weekend adventures along the Baja coast and the Mexican Riviera. For the first time in over a decade, Royal Caribbean® heads west with the Amplified Navigator of the Seas®, sailing a mix of short cruises from Los Angeles to Catalina Island, Ensenada and Cabo — plus longer wanders to Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán.  Arrive in LA prior to your cruise and enjoy some time exploring Hollywood, or simply relaxing on one of the pristine beaches as the gentle winds of the Pacific wash over your body.  Indulge in California's unique cuisine at one of the posh restaurants, or shop for that treasure you've been seeking.   Each port has something for everyone - here is just a sample of what awaits you in each port. (Click images to enlarge)   Navigator of the Seas Sailings

Current Royal Caribbean Offers   RESERVE YOUR ROYAL CARIBBEAN VACATION WITH US TODAY!  Stay Updated on Recent  Cruise Industry  & Other Travel News Click Image for Related Posts Connect With Us On         Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions. Where have you explored?  Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat Starting July 7, 2021 our new time will be 4 PM Eastern

Love That New Ship Smell - Meet Norwegian Escape

NORWEGIAN ESCAPE - NOV. 14-21, 2015

7 NIGHT CARIBBEAN (R/T MIAMI)

This year's National Conference was held onbord the first revenue sailing of Norwegian Escape from its homeport of Miami, Florida. Ports visited were St. Thomas, USVI, Tortola, BVI, and Nassau, Bahamas. There were more than 800 people in our group. This post serves as an anchor for our mini-series of posts about the conference and the new ship.Please come back often for updates.

The images above highlights our first 24 hours in Miami. We flew from Chicago to Miami, where we had a pre-cruise conference reception at Key Biscayne Marriott Hotel. The next morning we transferred by shuttle bus to the pier, where we got our first glimpse of Norwegian Escape.

Norwegian Escape

View Itineraries          Click to Learn More about Norwegian Escape

 Ship Review

1

Conference

Pack For a Purpose
National Conference 2015

2

Ship

Norwegian Escape Embarkation
Norwegian Escape Two Icons

Norwegian Escape Hull
Escape Mini-Suite
Escape Haven Cabin
Escape Video Arcade

3

Dining

Margaritaville at Sea
Food Republic a Fun Dining Experience
Escape to Garden Cafe
 

Food Republic
Margaritaville at Sea
Escape - Garden Cafe

4

Ports

Dreams Sugar Bay

5

Entertainment

6

Travel 

From Cruise to Winter in One Day

Large Ships Banned from Venice Lagoon

Venice

Cruise Ship

Restrictions 

2014 & Beyond

Shortly after the Concordia disaster, the government of Italy and various organizations rekindled their efforts to restrict cruise traffic in the Venice Lagoon.   A law was passed that banned large cruise ships from passing close to Italian shores.  It was to be a countrywide restriction, but due to the large tourism industry in Venice, the law was suspended temporarily.

Effective November 2014

According to the press reports out of Italy, officials have now banned large cruise ships (over 96,000

tons) from the Venice Lagoon starting in November, 2014.  This doesn't mean that cruise ships won't be visiting Venice, but rather cruise ship traffic will be rerouted perhaps through the Contorta Sant'Angelo Canal, which is farther away from the best-known parts of the city.

This scene, taken during our Mediterranean cruise which included Venice, will be a thing of the past.  Until that time, we highly suggest you take advantage of cruises that include a stop in Venice and be sure to get up early as the ship sails into the lagoon.

Starting January 2014

Even before the ban goes into effect late next year, there are other restrictions that will begin starting at the beginning of the year.  The number of cruise ships 40,000 tons or more sailing in Venetian waters must be reduced to 20 percent of the current volume.  That limit means no more than 5 cruise ships over 40,000 tons would be in port on any given day during the cruise season.

Cruise lines will continue to include Venice in their itineraries, but they will have to make alternative plans, perhaps including tendering, in order to make that possible.   What will be gone however is the sail by of attractions such as Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Square.   When that is in effect, we suggest that you be sure to take a water taxi so that you are still able to see the city from the water.  That is a perspective that is one you will cherish forever.

We have been following this developing story for some time now.  We've included links to some of our previous articles.  Also, be sure to visit our post, Diary of Cruise with Chris to Greek Isles, for more information about Venice and ports that we visited.


Related Blog Posts:

Future of Cruise Ships in Venice
Concordia Disaster Rekindles Venice Restrictions
Sailing Into Venice by Cruise Ship

Epic Storm Bearing Down on Alaska

Watches, Warnings, and Advisories

Hurricane-force Winds 

Heavy Snowfall 

Coastal Flooding & Severe Erosion

NOAA is predicting a major Bering Sea Storm bearing down on Western Alaska with a mix of strong winds, high seas, blizzard conditions and major coastal flooding. Warnings and forecasts for Western and Northwest Alaska can be found here. Warnings and forecasts for the Aleutian & Pribilof Islands here and Southwest Alaska can be found here. An additional resource for total water level estimations for some western Alaska communities can be found here. (11/08/11)

  ...Life-Threatening Epic Storm Continues to Impact Western Alaska Coast This Morning...
Published (NWS): Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:16:35 EST

A powerful and extremely dangerous storm of near-record magnitude is now impacting western Alaska. Impacts will spread northwest and continue through Thursday in some communities. Coastal Flood and Blizzard Warnings are in effect for most of the Alaska’s west and northwest coasts. At 3:00 a.m. EST (11:00 p.m. AKST) the center of the low pressure system was located about 100 miles west of St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, with a minimum central pressure of 943 mb (27.85 inches). This is one of the deepest systems in recent history to move through the Bering Sea. The storm is expected to move north-northeast this morning, as conditions worsen, creating a life-threatening situation for a large portion of the western Alaska coast today, especially in the Seward Peninsula near Nome, which is getting hit hard by blizzard conditions and 70 mph winds, along with 8 foot coastal storm surge.

Lack of Sea Ice Problematic

Arctic sea ice this year reached the second-lowest coverage since satellite records began in 1979, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado. While powerful storms in the North Pacific and Bering Sea are common for this time of year, this storm is unusual because it is going farther north.   Also, without the cover of sea ice, Alaska's coast will feel the full brunt of the 6 to 9 foot storm surge.

Be Prepared for

Winter Storms & Extreme Cold 

Federal, state and local agencies were making emergency preparations in advance of the storm.

Carnival Cruises November Military Promotion

November 2011 Promotion

Promotion from Carnival Allows Military Personnel to Book Up to Three ‘Fun Ship’ Staterooms at Discounted Rates

In recognition of Veteran’s Day, Carnival Cruise Lines is offering a promotion throughout the month of November allowing active and retired U.S. and Canadian military personnel to book up to three “Fun Ship” staterooms at discounted rates for themselves and their friends and family members.

Carnival Cruise Lines offers Military Rates all the time, but those are normally restricted to one cabin.   Now is the time to take advantage of this special promotion and bring family and friends with you on your cruise vacation.

Reservations must be made between November 1-30, 2011, to qualify for this special offer, which is available in conjunction with a variety of three- to eight-day “Fun Ship” departures through April 30, 2013, including voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska.

Rates start at $229 per person for three-day cruises; $259 per person for four-day cruises; $299 per person for five-day voyages; $399 per person for six-day departures; $449 per person for seven-day voyages; and $579 per person for eight-day sailings. 

Voyages operate from a wide variety of convenient North American homeports along the east and west coasts and Gulf of Mexico.

The promotion is valid for individual bookings only. Military personnel must provide proof of service. Eligible military personnel must sail to take advantage of this offer.  Certain other restrictions apply.

We salute all Veterans and their Families and would be honored to help plan your cruise vacation.  Thank you for your service and sacrifice for your country.

Carnival Splendor Cruises Cancelled until January 16

The Mexican navy vessel P110 holds position off the
port bow of the Carnival cruise ship C/V Splendor
(Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy)

Carnival Splendor Out of Service

Miami - November 16, 2010 – 11am

Carnival Cruise Lines has cancelled voyages of the Carnival Splendor through the departure of January 9, 2011, to allow time for repairs following an engine room fire last week. The ship is scheduled to re-enter service on January 16, 2011.

Guests who were scheduled to sail on these voyages will receive a full refund of their cruise fare and air transportation costs, along with a 25 percent discount on a future cruise.

Carnival Splendor was towed to San Diego following the fire which occurred off the Mexican coast on November 8. A team from the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB and flag authorities, along with Carnival's engineers and technicians, is currently on board investigating the cause of the fire. Carnival personnel are being assisted by representatives of the shipyard that built the vessel and other manufacturers of engine room components in assessing damage and necessary repairs.

"We realize how much guests look forward to their vacations and know that they are very disappointed by this news. We too are disheartened that we are not able to fulfill the dreams of those who have entrusted us with their important vacation plans. We sincerely apologize to everyone who was scheduled to sail on these cancelled voyages and look forward to welcoming them aboard in the future. Now that we have a full technical team engaged in the assessment, we wanted to provide this information as quickly as possible," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Carnival is contacting travel agents and guests on the affected sailings and providing assistance in finding alternate cruises. Travel agent commissions on the cancelled sailings will be protected.

Please continue to check back here for updates. 

If you are affected by this, please click here for an important notice detailing your options.

Related Blog Posts:

Carnival Splendor Fire Investigation 
Assisting Carnival Splendor 
Carnival Splendor Without Power After Engine Fire 

AMA WATERWAYS Wine Cruise

AMAWATERWAYS Wine Cruise Celebration!

SPECIAL AIR OFFER
FLY FOR ONLY $500 FROM JFK AND $700 FROM LAX or SFO

Airport Transfers, Air Taxes, Fuel Surcharges
& Fees All Included with purchase of an
AMAWATERWAYS cruise

PLUS RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE AND
$100 SHIPBOARD CREDIT!

AMA WATERWAYS invites you to cruise along Europe’s Rhine and Mosel rivers, famous for their picturesque scenery, historic destinations and hillside vineyards on a very unique river cruise.   

Experience the pleasures of river cruising on one of the top cruise lines in the market.   The crew is very attentive to your needs as they deliver a superior cruise experience.   There are no crowds, no long lines, just friendly and courteous service.   Your ship docks in the heart of town in most cases so you don't even have a distance to go before you are experiencing the ports of call.


The Vineyards of the Rhine & Mosel
Spend 7 nights aboard the luxurious MS AMALEGRO, followed by 3 nights in romantic Paris  November 11-22, 2010      Starting from $2689* per person

RESERVE THIS UNIQUE WINE CRUISE

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS:

Your Celebrated Hosts:

Rudi Schreiner, AMAWATERWAYS President

Archie McLaren, Chairman of Central Coast Wine Classic

Jim Clendenen, Owner of internationally-acclaimed Au Bon Climat Winery, California 

Hosted dinner and wine tasting with the world-famous Georg Breuer winery at the Rüdesheimer Schloss in Rüdesheim

Gourmet luncheon on board, with special wine pairing from the Heymann-Lowenstein winery

Visit to the spectacular Reichsburg Castle perched above the Mosel in Cochem

Wine fest in Zell, famous for its “Zeller Schwarze Katz” (Black Cat) wine, including a greeting by the Mayor, Wine Queen and a special performance by the “Black Cats”

Wine tasting at the Bernkastel Wine Museum, hosted by Mr. Stahlmann from the Dr. Loosen Winery 

Closing note:   We have sailed on Ms Amalegro and enjoyed the trip immensely.   The Cruise Director and the staff were among the best we've ever had in over 30 years of sailing.  

Magic Coming to Galveston

Everything is Big in Texas

Including Carnival Magic 

Galveston, Texas will become the new home for Carnival Cruise Lines' new ship, Carnival Magic. Beginning November 14, 2011, Carnival Magic will operate 7-night Caribbean cruises from it's new homeport.  The Carnival Dream and Magic are the largest ships in Carnival's fleet so it is fitting that one of those two ships will be sailing from Texas.

Select from two different itineraries: a seven-day Western Caribbean voyage to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and a week-long Eastern Caribbean cruise to Nassau, Freeport, and Key West.

Carnival Big Screen
&
Waterworks

Carnival Magic Highlights

Class and type: Dream class cruise ship Tonnage: gross tonnage (GT) of 130,000 tons Length: 1,004 feet (306.02 m) Beam: 122 feet (37.19 m) (37m) Decks: 14 decks Propulsion: 6 Wärtsilä 12V46 engines (75,600kw) Speed: 22.5-knot (42 km/h; 26 mph) Capacity: 3,652 Passengers Crew: 1,369

Like its sister ship, the Carnival Dream, the Carnival Magic features exciting amenities including a spectacular water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat, a wrap-around promenade with whirlpools that extend out over the ship's sides, and expansive spa and children's facilities.

Carnival Magic has a range of stateroom choices, including family-friendly, five-berth deluxe two-bathroom ocean view accommodations; cove balcony cabins located closer to the water line; and special spa staterooms.  Some special unique features will be announced in the future.

The Carnival Magic will debut in Europe in May 2011, offering seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona May 1 to October 16, 2011; followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to Galveston departing October 28, 2011. 


For more information about Carnival Magic Itineraries, click here.


Perhaps you are close enough to drive to Galveston instead of flying there.   If so, the addition of this new large ship will give you opportunities to sail to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from close to home.

STS-129 Atlantis Mission a Go for Launch Monday

STS-129 Mission a "Go" for Launch - Photos Courtesy NASA

Space Shuttle Atlantis

Launch Monday, November 16

Launch countdown operations are on schedule with no issues to report, according to officials at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida during the STS-129 prelaunch briefing. With the unfortunate scrub of the Atlas rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station today, space shuttle Atlantis is cleared for launch at 2:28 p.m. EST Monday.

Why am I blogging about a Space Shuttle Launch?

Have I upgraded from Cruise Ship to Space Shuttle?

NO, I've not changed fields or unfortunatley, I'm not "cruising" on the space shuttle next week. There is a cruise connection, however ...

The space shuttle launch could impact YOUR plans ... if you are on the Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas cruise that departs Monday from Port Canaveral, Florida.

As of now, weather is predicted to be perfect for launch, so barring any unforseen problems, the shuttle should take off at 2:28 PM Eastern time Monday.

Monarch of the Seas is scheduled to depart Monday, November 16, on a 4-Night Bahamas, Port Canaveral R/T. The cruise is scheduled to depart at 5 PM. That means that guests will start boarding the ship mid-day.

Allow extra time for heavy traffic

Due to the shuttle launch, traffic will be quite busy in the Port Canaveral area. Passengers should allow extra time to get to the pier. Also, if you are on the ship prior to launch, you might have a bird's eye view of the shuttle launch. This could be a once in a lifetime experience that you don't want to miss.

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