Carnival Hasbro the Game Show at Home

Images courtesy of Hasbro & Carnival Cruise Line

Fun Ship 2.0 

Carnival Cruise Line took family fun to new heights in 2012 when they introduced Fun Ship 2.0 which included Hasbro the Game Show on their ships. This all night entertainment event brought several of your favorite family games to life on stage. Families were pitted against each other on stage while the rest of the passengers watched. This took family game night to a new level. 

You can read more about their introduction in our old blog post: Hasbro The Game Show Coming Soon to Sea.

Additional ships were added to the fleet and the popular game show theme remained one of the featured entertainment options.

Fun Ship 2.0 at Home

When the pandemic locked families inside their homes, many had time to get reaquainted with the old pastime of playing board games. We are certain that some Hasbro favorites were among the games played. Carnival's ships were grounded during this time, but the imagation wheels were not idle. Earlier this year they introduced a Carnival Branded Monopoly game and now have introduced a Carnival Branded Family Feud offering. Both of these can be purchased on their Fun Shop website (individually or in a bundle).

Monopoly Carnival Fun Edition

In this cruise-themed version of the classic board game that people around the world seem to either love or hate: Monopoly Carnival Fun Edition, popular elements of the game are present with a sea-going twist. 

Mardi Gras, their latest ship, is prominently featured on the cover and throughout the game. Features highlighted include the brand-new BOLT roller coaster that will debut on Mardi Gras, the Cherry on Top ice cream and candy story, the Lido Marketplace, and JavaBlue Café — all of which will serve as landing spots for players.

Just like the traditional Monopoly game, players purchase properties when they land on them if desired. However, they pay the designated amount with money emblazoned with the cruise line’s iconic funnel. There are also Cruise Director Announcements and Funnel Chest Cards with challenges and directions for players, while game pieces (of course) include a cruise ship. Test your cruise vacation knowledge with this fun land edition of their Hasbro the Game Show Monopoly game.

Family Feud Carnival Edition

Inspired by the hit television show and in anticipation of audience participation show Family Feud Live! that’s debuting on Mardi Gras, Family Feud: Carnival Edition introduces a fun new spin on the popular game. 

Over 150 questions test players’ knowledge of ‘America’s Cruise Line’ and cruise vacations in general. Sample questions include “Name a Famous Captain” and “Name Something You’d Hate to Forget When Packing for a Cruise.” Popular game features like “Fast Money,”Pass or Play,” “What Ifs,” and “Face Offs” are all included, allowing players to recreate their favorite elements of the game at home. 

Are you planning a cruise on Mardi Gras this year or next?  Maybe you need to purchase one or both of these games to sharpen your skills for the onboard versions.   However, don't count on the questions being the same onboard - we wouldn't anyone to have an advantage - would we?

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Search for Cruises on Mardi Gras

Introducing Mardi Gras

These games highlight features you will find on the brand new Mardi Gras. She is quite different than her name sake which debuted in 1972.

This ship introduces Zones — six themed areas packed with brand-new experiences for eating, drinking and spectacularly getting down to fun. There's BOLT™, the first-ever rollercoaster at sea, Emeril's Bistro 1396™ from yes-that-Emeril, Family Feud™ Live for everybody... plus incredible new bars like The Brass Magnolia and Fortune Teller. Everybody can enjoy Mardi Gras, sailing this year. Come on down!

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Christmas 2020

Merry Christmas

Holidays are about families, and what better example of a happy family then spending time together on a cruise ship.

Unfortunately, 2020 was not a year that would be possible.  However, with the promise of vaccines and improved treatments for COVID-19, we are hopeful that next holiday season it will be possible to sail the seven seas again during this time of year.

Holiday time is a great time to sail on a cruise ship.  Ships have festive decorations, usually starting early, so sailing before Christmas is also a special treat if you want to be home for Christmas.  You do need to plan in advance if you want to sail on the holiday itself as those cabins sell out quickly.

Celebrity Edge Martini Bar

We've had several opportunities to sail during the holiday season.   We thought we'd share a few images from those journeys in this post.

Celebrity Edge

This giant Christmas tree stands in the atrium of Celebrity Edge.  Listen to music or enjoy a martini while watching this tree come to life with lights and music or listen to one of the other performances throughout the evening.

This isn't the only tree you'll find onboard the Edge.   Everywhere you turn there are some holiday decorations. They come in many sizes and shapes.

We hope that your Christmas tree is filled with many special gifts this year.   Perhaps one of them contains a gift certificate for a cruise or resort stay on Celebrity Cruise Line or any of our other travel partners.

Even if you didn't have a cruise vacation wrapped up in a box under your tree, there's still plenty of opportunity for you to surprise your family in the New Year with a trip that they will remember for years to come.

Make some memories in 2021 with your family and friends.

Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives this holiday season and throughout the year.  We hope that you've enjoyed our gift of stories and photos from our cruise and land trips.

We would be happy to help you plan for your next vacation.

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Vacationing When We Can Travel Again

What's Next From a Cruise Specialist's Perspective

Traveling has been put on pause in 2020.   This year has been filled with fear, anxiety, and lot's of stress for most families.  If you are like me, you've been cut off from friends, co-workers, favorite restaurants, churches, and much more.  Perhaps you didn't realize how much you could miss those things. 

Vacationing, when it is safe to do so again, will play a large part in the healing process.  There is hope since the CDC has just published a framework that will allow cruising from America to resume.  Europe has already been sailing.  It may be possible to vacation soon, so let's dream together.

Tropical breezes are blowing, the surf is calling, but if you are like most Americans, you are feeling guilty about taking time off to relax with your family, even though you desperately need to.   This year, those feelings might be more intense.

Did you know that most Americans, earn on average 14 days of vacation compared to Britain (24 days), Spain (30 days) and France (36 days). Also, a recent study discovered that most Americans don’t even use their vacation time. 

Another study discovered that women who took holidays were more satisfied with their marriages and less likely to become depressed, while a separate study showed that among men who were at high risk for coronary heart disease, those who took vacations had a lower death rate. So don’t feel guilty about taking a vacation; it’s healthy for you to do so.

While tropical breezes sound inviting, you are yearning for something different.  If you are going to take time off,  it has to be all about the experience.

So while that is sinking in, let’s pretend that you’ve decided to take the big plunge. You call me and say that you have a large bank of vacation time stored up, you’ve always wanted to go to Norway to see the Fjords, and experience the Northern Lights.  You and your family want to get away for a couple weeks. Checking the available itineraries, looking at various demographics, your budget and other factors, I recommend the 12 Night Coastal Voyage on Hurtigruten Vesteralen which departs from Bergen, Norway.   I suggest adding the pre-cruise Train from Oslo to Bergen.  This time of year it will be amazing with all the snow capped mountains and other scenery.

Fast forward to departure time for your Norway adventure ...
You sleep on the plane ride over the pond, you are already feeling relaxed even before you get off the plane in Oslo. Your pre-cruise stay included bus transfers from the Oslo airport to the Bus Terminal which was down the block from your hotel. After a short walk you arrive at Clarion Royal Christiana Hotel. After checking in, you drop off your luggage and explore the neighborhood in search of a restaurant for dinner. You notice that the train station is just across the street, so it will be quite easy continuing your journey in the morning. You decide to head back to your room to relax and get some sleep.

After a good nights sleep and breakfast, you were ready for the adventure in this winter wonderland to begin. A short walk from the hotel, and you were inside Oslo Central Railway Station. Checking the departure board, you found that the train's departure track wasn't posted yet. You'd given yourself plenty of time so that you didn't have to run through the train station to get to the platform on time. Once the track was posted, you headed to the entrance gate.

The European rail system is a very reliable way to travel. The train arrived at the station on time and you made your way to car 7, stowed your suitcases, and found your reserved seats. You were off on a six hour journey through the Norwegian countryside.

Onboard the train you were able to communicate using free Wi-Fi. When you got hungry, you purchased sandwiches from the dining car. Winter in Norway brings lots of snow in the mountains. You got your first glimpses at the beautiful scenery you'd be experiencing throughout the rest of the adventure.

The train arrived in Bergen on time and you gathered your luggage and headed towards the station exit. There you were greeted by a representative from Hurtigruten who directed you to a shuttle bus for the short ride to the ship. Once at the pier, you dropped off your luggage, and checked in to get your cabin keys. Before you got onto the ship, there was a mandatory safety drill where they showed a safety movie and demonstrated how to put on the thermal protection suit and life jacket. This was the only compulsory activity of the voyage. The ship sails on time and you get ready for dinner and your first night at sea.

Let's fast forward to the morning of arrival in the first Norwegian port, Alesund. You step onto

the deck and get your first glimpse of the Norwegian Fjords. In the still of the morning, the only sound is that of rushing water from a nearby waterfall flowing from one of the nearby mountain peaks. The sight exceeds your expectations. You pinch yourself to make sure you are awake. This is truly beautiful country. You are now extremely happy that you took your cruise vacation.

Several days have passed, you've seen amazing sights, gone dog-sledding and crossed the Arctic Circle.   There's still one highlight that you can't wait for.   You go to dinner and share stories about your adventures with your table mates and then head to the lounge for some coffee and entertainment.  The loud speaker cuts in with an announcement ... Northern Lights have been spotted.  Everyone races outside to watch the lights dancing in the night's sky.  The lights fill the night sky and you can't believe the amazing sight unfolding before your eyes.

Clap! Clap! Wake up! Have you been dreaming? It's time to go to work, or you'll be late! You reluctantly come back to reality, but alas, you've decided that you DO really need to plan a cruise vacation. You've worked hard and you deserve some time away from work with your family. Don't wait too long, you might change your mind. Give me a call and tell me about your dream. Every day I help clients plan their dream getaway. No matter if it's a 3 night Bahamas cruise or a 108 night World Cruise that you are dreaming about, let me put my 30+ years of cruise experience to work for you to plan your well deserved vacation. Until then, sweet dreams.

This Concludes the 2020 National Plan a Cruise Month Mini-Series


We hope that this series of articles has answered some of your questions about cruising, for those that have never experienced it before, and sparked your desires to continue your life's adventures at sea.

Continue to follow our blog as the story has just begun. We will continue bringing you our personal experiences and industry updates.  If this Norway getaway sounds interesting, check out my mini-series, Diary Hurtigruten Classic Voyage Bergen, which details our 12 night roundtrip from Bergen.

When you decide to travel again, please reach out to your Travel Professional.   Like your favorite local restaurant, their doors have been closed this year.   They have been keeping in contact with their suppliers to stay updated on the latest industry news as well as protocols which should be followed for safe traveling once it resumes.

They've always had destination and industry knowledge to help find the perfect vacation for you, while making it a stress free trip.   

If you don't already have a Travel Professional you work with, I'd be honored to plan your next vacation.   Besides cruises, I can also assist with land-based adventures such as resorts or tours.

Looking Forward to Traveling Again Soon

 

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5 Tips to Stress Free Packing

As airline baggage fees continue to rise with no end in sight, creative packing strategies have become the budget-savvy traveler's best friend. With airlines charging upwards of $75 dollars for a second bag and some even charging for the first, packing lightly is now a must.

October 30th is Checklists Day

As a local Cruises Inc. independent vacation specialist, we frequently consult with our clients on the best way to pack for their travels. The Top 5 tips to save space and money include:

1. Make a list. Before packing anything, create a list with each day of your vacation and what you will need. Having a list saves time, creates less hassle and even more excitement about your upcoming trip. Plus, having a list can save you from realizing you've included ten pairs of underwear for your 3-night cruise!

2. Always pack full outfits. It is easy to throw items randomly into a suitcase that you `might need, but it is more efficient to include outfits for your respective days on the road or at sea. Remember your accessories, shoes, hats and more.

3. Keep it simple! If your vacation includes sun and sand, don't over pack sweaters and pants. Most likely, you will end up in a bathing suit and flip flops with a suitcase of heavy (and costly - remember the airline fees!) clothes you never use.

4. Don't overdo toiletries. Sure, you may love your uber-concentrated overnight moisturizer, but if it's not a must, leave it at home. Packing only the essentials will save space. And remember, most resorts and cruise ships today offer blow dryers and complimentary amenities (even some created just for them by your favorite cosmetic companies). Don't forget airport security policies limit your carry-on liquids (this includes lotions, creams and sprays) to 3.4 oz. If you don't want it confiscated, don't bring it.

5. Finally, don't stress. Preparing for a trip can be overwhelming, needing to pack for your entire family, cleaning the house, remembering your important documents, finding a pet-sitter and more. The ultimate goal is to relax and unwind with your kids, significant other and friends. If you're organized about your packing, you can save time and money.

Travel agents are trained experts in every aspect of travel - from packing to specific airline or cruise line rules/regulations and more - so don't feel like you're alone in the vacation planning process. For help with your next trip, Contact Us.

 

Click the banner above for the latest cruise promotions

 

Cruise lines are offering special promotions and pricing on popular cruises to encourage consumers to plan their next cruise vacation now. We'll be featuring promotions on our website and social media.

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