Peace of Mind - Priceless

What Value is Peace Of Mind

During Your Vacation

This is a true story of two of my guests that were booked on Quantum of the Seas departing New York on Saturday March 20th.  We join the story on Friday morning.

As the day before departure approached, so did a spring snow storm in New York City.  Hundreds of flights were cancelled in advance of the storm - including theirs. This story has a happy ending.

3 Keys to Happy Ending

Springtime in Chicago and New York can be unpredictable and getting to the ship on time could be problematic.   Normally they would have flown to the departure port a day early, but this time they were unable to get out of work for the extra day, so they opted for an early departure on Saturday, the day of the cruise.

The flights were arranged by me on their behalf through Royal Caribbean ChoiceAir program. ChoiceAir benefits include assured arrival to the ship in case of airline complications, total flexibility to pick your preferred airlines and itineraries, and most importantly in this case, 24/7 support.

My day Friday began with a frantic email informing me that their flight had been cancelled. I placed a call to ChoiceAir and was fortunate to get a hold of Evarld, one of the flight specialists, who worked tirelessly looking for options to get them to the ship on time Saturday. After more than four hours of working on the problem, with phone calls back and forth with Royal Caribbean and my clients,  I received a phone call with details for flights departing that evening, which would arrive around midnight. I'd already alerted my guests to head to the airport and told them I'd provide them with the new confirmation information once I got it from ChoiceAir. They were enroute in the limo when I called them.  

Their original schedule was a non-stop flight, but the only possible choices now, with more than 800 flights cancelled, were connecting flights through Atlanta, GA.  Another bonus - they were upgraded to first class.

The second thing they had done towards peace of mind was to purchase Travel Insurance with their booking. In the event they would not have been able to get to the ship on time, they would have been able to file a claim for appropriate benefits.

And lastly, since they put their travel plans in my hands, they weren't the ones on the phone for hours Friday, trying to figure out how to get to New York.   I monitored the flights that evening and saw that they actually arrived in New York around 12:30 AM Saturday.   They emailed a picture of the two of them with big grins onboard Quantum of the Seas.   I could finally breathe a sigh of relief because I knew how much they had been dreaming about this cruise and how devastating it would have been to miss the cruise.

Thank you to Royal Caribbean for actually delivering on your promise when creating the ChoiceAir program.

Together with Royal Caribbean, I've been able to make this dream vacation come true.  If you'd like to plan YOUR next cruise, I'd be happy to assist you.   We have several exclusive offers and Royal Caribbean has a WOW sale currently.  Check out current offers here.

Anthem of the Seas Conveyance

Royal Caribbean Anthem of  the Seas         Courtesy Meyer Werft

Anthem of the Seas is almost here - she recently went through her conveyance and it was a success! Want to learn more about the conveyance process? Check out this video to learn more and let me know what you think. Pretty neat, right?


The building of the Anthem of the Seas, the sister vessel of the Quantum of the Seas, commenced with the keel laying on 19th November 2013. Work will be completed upon delivery of the ship this Spring.

Anthem of the Seas Main Characteristics  Tonnage 167,800 GT Overall Length 348 m Width 41.4 m Decks 18 Engine Output 67,200 kW Speed 22 kts Number of Passenger Cabins 2,094 Passengers 4,188

As far as entertainment, engineering and safety are concerned, the Anthem of the Seas will be of an equal standard as its sister vessel, the Quantum of the Seas. Highlights: virtual balconies into the inside cabins  an unforgettable view from the ninety-metre-high ‘North Star‘ observation capsule high-action entertainment such as bumper cars available in the SeaPlex multifunctional room simulated parachute jumping courtesy of the ‘RipCord by iFly‘ traditional attractions, such as the ‘FlowRider‘ surfing simulator

Once it has commenced service, the Anthem of the Seas will sail with its 4,100 passengers from Southampton (England) to Norway and the Mediterranean, before making its way from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to the Caribbean in winter 2015. A third quantum-class ship has been ordered from the shipyard and is scheduled for delivery in 2016.

Spring Cruise Ideas 1

Where Is Chris - Featured Spring Destination #1 It's a gorgeous May morning where I am.I've just arrived at my destination after an eight hour flight across the Atlantic. The excitement is building. Where Am I? I’m not going to tell you right away. Close your eyes and imagine you are standing next to me while I paint a picture of what I saw today, and we will see if you can figure it out. Arriving early in the embarkation port ... I decided to fly in a few days early before my cruise started to visit a city I had heard about but never visited. It is the starting point for many cruises and is a very beautiful place. There is plenty of entertainment, places to see and things to do. You will not be disappointed in exploring it. Exploring near the hotel ... We arrived at the hotel and registered, but our room would not be available until around 3 PM in the afternoon.   I am sitting in a sidewalk café enjoying the beautiful weather and a magnificent cup of coffee.   There are several attractions within walking distance of our hotel.  We decided to walk to our first site.  It takes us about 20 minutes to get there. A City of Sounds ... From the early morning when the streets fill with cars, taxis, and motor scooters, all blaring their horns and weaving in and out of traffic, the sidewalks are overrun with office workers rushing to their desks with the first coffee of the day.  By 10 am everyone from tourists to shop keepers are awake and making this place an explosion of sound. History Comes Alive ... This port is alive with history and if you don’t have a plan, you can miss out on seeing most of the most important sights. The bulk of the city lies on the east side of the Tiber River which meanders through the town. However, several very important landmarks are located on the other side. The city’s various quarters are linked by large boulevards that have been laid out since the late 19th century. St. Peter’s Basilica; the Vatican; the Castel Sant’Angelo and the colorful Trastevere neighborhoods are among the attractions located west of the Tiber River.   Where am I? ... By now you should have figured out that I am in the eternal city of Rome. It is not possible to see all this city has to offer in 1 day so it is best to schedule the visit for a few days. The list of attractions to see reads like a highlight reel of the ancients. The Coliseum; the Pantheon; St. Peter’s square; Trevi Fountain; Spanish Steps; Sistine Chapel are just a few sights that must be seen.   After you’ve visited the Coliseum, the Pantheon, made a wish at the Trevi fountain, find a café at twilight and watch everything turn from pink to gold and copper. This is the time when a truly different Rome comes alive. Night time in Rome is truly a different atmosphere to experience. Time for you to continue the exploration ... Diary of Cruise with Chris to Greek Isles (click for more posts and photos) Port Blog Posts Photo Albums 1 Pre-Cruise Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Our Rome Adventure Begins Day 1 Pre-cruise in Rome Exploring Palatine Hill and Roman Forum When in Rome Relaxing at Trevi Fountain Visiting Vatican Museum St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican Special Vatican Exhibit Pope John Paul II Walking Tour of Rome from Vatican As Night Falls in Rome Rome to Civitavecchia by Train Sail Away From Civitavecchia Rome - Colosseum Album Palatine Hill - Roman Forum Trevi Fountain Vatican Museum Line Vatican Museum Part 2 St. Peter's Vatican Pope John Paul II Exhibit Walking from Vatican Piazza Navona  Rome at Night Let me help you plan a cruise vacation which starts or ends in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.  Search:  Cruises that Depart from Rome

Change Your Clocks Tonight

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep 

As cruise passengers head off to dinner tonight, cabin stewards were busy placing cards on pillows to remind guests to change their clocks before retiring to bed. Standard Time (ST) ends tonight and Daylight Savings Time (DST) begins. It will be lighter longer, but you will lose one hour of sleep tonight.

Daylight Savings Time Begins 

Clocks will be set ahead by one hour tonight in much of America, as 2 a.m. will become 3 a.m. early Sunday, March 9. Among the states, only Hawaii and much of Arizona will keep their clocks set to Standard Time. Most of Europe won't begin what it calls "Summer Time" until March 30.

Daylight Saving is meant to adjust our clocks to match the times people are active with daylight hours.


Good-bye Standard Time

Standard time is the result of synchronizing clocks in different geographical locations within a time zone to the same time rather than using the local meridian as in local mean time or solar time.

What Time is It (Ship's Time)

It isn't unusual for ship's clocks to change during a cruise. In fact, on some longer cruises, clock changes may occur several times as the ship crosses time zones. Often, the ship won't change times but will remain on "ship time". Before departing the ship to explore your next port, be sure that your watch is set to the same time as the ship, so that you aren't waving to your ship from shore as it sails away. While this may be obvious to most readers, it can be easily overlooked as you gather you things and rush off to begin exploring your latest port of call. Sleep well tonight for tomorrow is another day of adventure at sea or back on land.

Costa Voyager Replacing Allegra in Europe

Costa Voyager Redeploying 

to Mediterranean

Red Sea Voyages Canceled

2012 continues to be a year of cancellations and itinerary shuffling for Costa Cruises, in the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster and the Costa Allegra fire.

In the wake of the Costa Allegra fire, February 27th, Costa Crociere is replacing the 28,500-ton, 1,000-passenger Costa Allegra with the 24,400-ton, 927-guest Costa Voyager, starting March 18.

The company has not determined how long it will take to repair and bring Costa Allegra back into service and restore planned cruises. Costa Cruises continues to conduct inspections and technical evaluations to ascertain what caused the generator-room fire.

Revised Costa Voyager Schedule

March 18 to July 1	various length cruises	French market - Mediterranean and Northern Europe
July 13	9-day cruise	Amsterdam to Savona
July 23 to August 20	7-day Mediterranean	Barcelona,Spain; Villefranche, France; Livorno and Capri, Italy; Malta; Cagliari, Italy and Minorca, Spain
August 28 onward	various length cruises	French market - Mediterranean

About Costa Voyager

Costa Voyager is a new-generation ship that entered service in 2000 and was renovated in November 2011. The ship has 416 cabins, three restaurants, four bars, a spa with fitness center, solarium, swimming pool, two Jacuzzis, theater, casino, disco and shopping center.

Canceled Red Sea Cruises

Costa Cruises is temporarily suspending Costa Voyager’s “Corals and Ancient Treasures” Red Sea itinerary. Guests who have booked this itinerary will be re-protected on equivalent cruises.   

Among the options offered are:

• 7-day UAE "Jewels of the Emirates" cruise - Costa Favolosa
• 7-day Caribbean "Pearls of the Caribbean" - Costa Luminosa
• any 7-day itinerary in western or eastern Mediterranean - Costa Atlantica, Costa Classica, Costa Fascinosa, Costa Favolosa, Costa Magica, Costa neoRomantica or Costa Serena.

Alternatively, guests booked on a Costa Allegra cruise may cancel without penalty and receive a full refund and a voucher equal to 30 percent of the rate paid toward the purchase of a future cruise.

Related Blog Posts:

Costa Allegra Adrift After Engine Fire

Costa Explains Fire Prevention & Fighting at Sea

Costa Allegra Arrives in Seychelles

Carnival Splendor and Miracle Swap Coasts in 2013

More Cruise Capacity for Big Apple

Every change in cruise ship deployment results in "winners" and "losers".   If you are on the East Coast, you can consider yourself in the win column of this redeployment announced by Carnival Cruises.

Carnival Splendor Moves

to New York in 2013

Carnival will reposition Carnival Miracle to the West Coast following a special Panama Canal voyage, and bring Carnival Splendor to New York, following three spectacular South America cruises. 

Carnival Splendor, a four-year-old, 3,006-passenger ship, will be redeployed in spring 2013 to New York City, where it will sail year-round Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida cruises.  The Splendor had sailed year-round itineraries from Long Beach-to-Mexico since 2009.  The Splendor will be upgraded with Fun Ship 2.0 amenities in a Q4 2012 dry dock.  


For more information on Fun Ship 2.0, see:  Introducing Fun Ship 2.0

Year-Round from New York


Beginning March 23, 2013, Carnival Splendor will launch a year-round schedule of eight-day Caribbean cruises from New York with three uniquely different itineraries that showcase the brilliant diversity of destinations throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida. 

The eight-day itineraries include Bahamas/Florida cruises with port calls to Port Canaveral (Orlando), Fla., Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas; Eastern Caribbean departures with visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. and Grand Turk; and Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruises to the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau. There will also be a special seven-day Bermuda cruise departing April 16, 2013.

Less Capacity for West Coast


The "losers" in this redeployment appear to be those passengers hoping to go to the Mexican Riviera and other parts west from their own backyard port in Long Beach, CA.

All the major cruise lines have been gradually redeploying their ships from the West Coast market, citing increased violence and drug-related incidents in Mexico. 

While on the surface that seems to make sense, given news reports, one has to wonder if that were really the case, would there be any ships sailing there at all.  So, the real truth is that the cruise lines just aren't making the amount of money they'd hope for in that market.

Carnival Miracle, an eight-year-old, 2,124-passenger ship, will move from the Big Apple to the West Coast in Spring 2013.  The Miracle will sail a seasonal Mexican Riviera itinerary along with Alaska and Hawaii itineraries which had currently been offered on Carnival Spirit.  Carnival Miracle recently underwent its facelift with the addition of the adults-only Serenity and other enhancements.

Panama Canal

Carnival Miracle will operate a 15-day Panama Canal cruise from New York to Long Beach March 16-31, 2013, positioning the vessel for its year-round West Coast deployment. In addition to the unforgettable experience of transiting the Panama Canal, the cruise will visit beautiful and historic destinations in five different countries, including Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands; Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Mexican Riviera

Carnival Miracle will operate seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach featuring the seaside resort town of Puerto Vallarta and a special two-day visit to beautiful Cabo San Lucas. These popular cruises will be offered in April 2013 and from October 2013 through April 2014.

Alaska

Carnival Miracle will reposition from Long Beach to Seattle in spring 2013 to operate the line’s seven-day “Fun Ship” Alaska program. Following a special eight-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Seattle departing April 29, the week-long voyages will depart from Seattle every Tuesday from May 7 to Sept. 10, 2013, calling at the scenic Alaska destinations of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord. This unforgettable Alaskan experience will offer consumers myriad opportunities to explore and enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery and wildlife of The Last Frontier.

 

Hawaii

Carnival Miracle will offer several 15-day Hawaii cruises in 2013 and 2014. Three cruises will operate roundtrip from Long Beach with departures on Oct. 19 and Dec. 7, 2013, as well as Jan. 18, 2014. There will also be a 15-day Hawaii cruise from Long Beach to Vancouver departing April 14, 2013 and another from Vancouver to Long Beach departing Sept. 17, 2013. These voyages feature some of the Aloha State’s most beautiful and breathtaking ports of call, including Hilo, Kona, Nawiliwili, Kahului, and Honolulu.

Carnival Spirit, a ten-year old, 2124 passenger ship, will reposition to Australia to offer the line's first cruises in that region. (more on this in another post).

We will take a closer look at some of the special itineraries, in other posts. 

Venice in Spring and Winter

A water taxi  transports tourists last Spring during our visit to Venice.  

Two Sides of Venice

Venice is known for its lagoons and canals that connect the city on water.  We visited Venice during our Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruise last June.

In the first picture, we see a water taxi moving freely in rushing waters with the city in the background.  

The second picture paints a different image of Venice as ice hampers the movements of this small boat.  Venice has not been exempt from the current freeze that has brought record cold temperatures, snow, and ice to parts of Europe snarling transportation and even causing deaths and injuries.

A vaporetto ferries passengers across the frozen Venice lagoon 
CREDIT: REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri

For more images of Venice in present day, see the following photo gallery: 

Frozen Venice: the lagoon and canals ice over as Europe's big freeze continues

Getting Around Venice

It is crucial that the various small boats and gondolas  are able to navigate the lagoons and canals of Venice.  This is the primary means of transportation through the system of canals.  While you'd see a box truck on your city streets making a delivery, that same merchandise is transported by boat in Venice.

Our ship was docked on the outskirts of Venice at the cruise ship terminal.   In order for us to tour the heart of the city, we needed to take a water taxi from the ship to St. Mark's Square.  We purchased a shuttle ticket from the ship which allowed us to take unlimited water taxi rides between the two locations during our overnight visit to Venice.   We also took an organized tour which met on land following the water taxi ride.

We've posted some more springtime images on our Facebook Page:  Venice - Water Taxi. 

We will continue our story about Venice in future posts.   When we saw these pictures of frozen Venice, we wanted to show you the other side of the city, when the waters were running freely with boats of all sizes darting along the waterways.

Additional photos can be found on our Facebook Albums.




Click on the image to the left for more Blog posts about this trip.

Connect With Us On

        

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers


Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Introducing Princess Cruises Newest Ship

Artist Rendering Royal Princess - Courtesy Princess Cruises

Click for Video: Introducing the new Royal Princess

Artist renderings of the ship are available on Princess' Flickr page.

First Steel Plate is Cut in Shipyard

In May, 2010, we announced that Italian shipbuilder, Fincantieri, who has long been associated with Carnival Corporation, had been awarded a deal to build two unnamed vessels for Princess Cruises.  The two new 141,000 ton, 3,600-passenger vessels would be the largest cruise ships ever built by Fincantieri and the flagships of Princess Cruises fleet.  The first ship would debut in Spring 2013 and the second the following spring.   Read the full article:  Carnival Corp. Places Orders With Fincantieri Shipbuilders

Today, Princess Cruises previewed the Royal Princess as the first steel plate was cut in the  Monfalcone, Italy shipyard marking the official start of construction of the new vessel.   The name Royal Princess may sound familiar to long-time cruise industry watchers.  This is actually the third time Princess Cruises has used that name for a ship.

Introducing SeaWalk^SM

SeaWalk^SM - Photo Courtesy Princess Cruises

Royal Princess will feature many of the classic design elements while adding some new features and expanded signature spaces.  As with the newest ships from other lines, at least one feature stands out as an innovation.   For Royal Princess, that will be an over-water SeaWalk^SM, a top-deck glass-bottomed enclosed walkway on the ship's starboard side extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel. From here passengers can enjoy dramatic views, including to the sea 128 feet below. On the ship's port side, passengers will find a similarly-unique cantilevered SeaView bar, featuring cocktails with unbeatable vistas.

Also on her top decks, Royal Princess will feature a new adults-only pool surrounded by seven plush private cabanas that appear to be floating on the water. Two additional pools will flank a tropical island that will offer pool seating by day, and by night will become an outdoor dance club, complete with a dazzling water and light show.

Old Favorites Return

Princess' signature adults-only haven, The Sanctuary, will be expanded both in size and amenities. The popular poolside theater, Movies Under the Stars, will play a starring role mid-ship with an expanded size and high-definition viewing.   Here you can watch your favorite movies and enjoy some of Princess Cruises signature popcorn.

The Piazza atrium, will be significantly expanded to become the social hub of the vessel, complete with always-changing quick bites and light meals, beverages, entertainment, shopping and guest services.

Princess President and CEO Alan Buckelew remarked "Princess passengers will easily recognize our next ship as a natural progression in our fleet.  We're taking the best features of our newest vessels that have been such customer pleasers, and taking them to the next level. Just as the original Royal Princess ushered in a new era for our company with its innovative design, we expect our new Royal Princess to do the same."

We will bring you additional updates during the construction of the Royal Princess.

Grand Princess Gets Major Facelift

Dramatic Transformation

Scheduled this Spring

for Grand Princess

Princess Cruises announces a dramatic change for Grand Princess this spring. During a 24-day makeover the ship, which was the prototype for the line's "Grand Class" vessels, will undergo a remarkable renovation to receive many of Princess' trademark features introduced since the ship's 1998 debut including the signature Piazza atrium. Several new features will be also be added including a unique tea lounge and library called "Leaves"; and "Alfredo's," a full-service pizzeria showcasing this renowned Princess dish.

Changes to Improve Fuel Efficiency
A brand new nightclub called The One5, inspired by its deck location, will be created on the top deck of the ship, replacing its iconic Skywalker Nightclub, which has given the ship its distinctive profile. Skywalkers will be removed from its 18th deck perch, with its replacement located on deck 15. This change will significantly improve the operational performance of the ship, including greater fuel efficiency.

"This is the largest makeover we've ever undertaken for any of our ships," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "When Grand Princess was launched she was the most innovative ship at sea, and now we're adding some of the later innovations we introduced on subsequent ships."

Drydock Schedule:  April 11 to May 4 

The following major changes will be made during the drydock in Freeport, Grand Bahamas:

• New Piazza atrium - a complete makeover of the atrium space
• Leaves Tea Lounge and Library - A fusion of tea lounge and library
• Alfredo's Pizzeria - new sit-down pizzeria serving individual-sized pizzas
• The One5 Lounge & Nightclub - located on deck 15; replaces Skywalkers
• Crown Grill - classic steakhouse with rich wood surroundings

Also part of the renovation will be seven new suites; remodeled casino, boutiques and art gallery; enhancements to the Horizon Court, Lotus Spa, and wedding chapel; and the addition of Crooner's Martini Lounge. 

Artist Renderings - Flickr Gallery

The renovated Grand Princess will return to service May 5th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a transatlantic crossing to Southampton, England.   This will be the homeport for summer and fall sailings in Europe. 

 

Princess Cruises 3 Day Sale

First Ever Princess Cruises 3 Day Sale

September 10 - 12, 2009

Announcing 3 ways to save on Princess® cruises to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal and the Mexican Riviera in Spring 2010 with our first-ever 3-Day Sale!

Book a Princess Cruise to one of these destinations during this limited-time event and receive:

Incredible Savings

• 7-day Caribbean & Mexico from only $499*
• 10-day Panama Canal from as low as $1,099*
• 14-day Hawaii from just $1,199*

Up to $100 "cash back" per Stateroom

• Up to $50 on 7-day sailings*
• Up to $100 on 10- to 19-day sailings*
  

FREE Balcony Upgrades*

• Balcony staterooms at Oceanview fares!*

Terms & Conditions: *Up to $100 "cash back" per stateroom refers to an onboard credit, applies to January-April Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal and Hawaii 2010 sailings and varies according to category booked and sailing duration. Passengers booked in an Interior or Oceanview stateroom on a 6-9 day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $25 per stateroom; passengers booked in an Interior or Oceanview stateroom on a 10+ day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $50 per stateroom; passengers booked in a Balcony stateroom or above on a 6-9 day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $50 per stateroom; and passengers booked in an Balcony stateroom or above on a 10+ day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $100 per stateroom. Reservations must be made and deposited between September 10-12, 2009. Deposits made under this promotion are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Offer is applicable to first/second-berth passengers only. Third/fourth-berth passengers are not eligible. Passengers with single occupancy will receive the per stateroom credit amount. Onboard credit may be used on a single voyage only and expires at the end of that voyage. Prior to disembarkation, please visit the Passenger Services Desk onboard to redeem any unused onboard credit. Offer is not transferable, is not combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits and applies to legal residents of the United States or Canada. Onboard credit is quoted in U.S. dollars. Void where prohibited by law.

Fares apply to minimum lead-in categories on a space-available basis at time of booking. Fares are per person, non-air, cruise-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two passengers in a stateroom. These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth passengers. Fares may remain at discounted level after this promotion. Government fees and taxes of up to $279.27 per person are additional, are subject to change and may be higher for Canadian residents. Princess reserves the right to impose a Fuel Supplement of up to $9 per person per day on all passengers if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel, even if the fare has already been paid in full. This offer is capacity controlled and may not be combinable with any other public, group or past passenger discount, including shipboard credits. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars. Ask about our optional air add-on program. See the applicable Princess Cruises' brochure or princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings. Please reference promotion code: R3D.

Princess Cruises Itineraries