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.

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Advanced Deposit Promotion

 Too Good Not to Share

Those that read my blog on a regular basis know that our content is primarily world news, travel industry news, cruise reviews, and other articles of interest to our readers.   We shy away from advertisements in the columns.

You also know that I'm an Independent Cruise & Vacation Specialist with Cruise Inc.   This year Cruises Inc. and her sister company CruiseOne are celebrating special anniversaries (20 years for CruiseOne and 30 for Cruises Inc.) and our management wants to share some special offers with our loyal customers.

Today in the Travel Press:

BUY NOW, PAY LATER

In what it says is an unprecedented move, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. will front customers' cruise deposits for bookings made during the rest of February, and possibly beyond.

The "Advanced Deposit (Buy Now, Pay Later) Promotion" runs from Feb. 6 to 29, effectively enabling CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. franchises and agents to book clients with "no money down."

The customers will then pay back the deposit when they make their final cruise payment.

Dwain Wall, senior vice president and general manager of CruiseOne and Cruises Inc., said the program is expected to increase bookings by removing an "impediment to people making the decision to book." 

Since most clients book an average of six months out and final payment is due 90 days out, said Luis Zuniga, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc.'s vice president of marketing, the program is like giving customers "a three-month, interest-free loan." 

The deposit is capped at $500 per cabin, which Wall said was generally the most a cruise deposit would be. The promotion does not apply to group sales, usually eight cabins or more, or river cruises.

Holiday Bills to Pay?   No Money for Cruise Deposit?   

Why Miss Wave Season Deals?

Let Us Fund Your Initial Deposit

Just Pay us Back at Final Payment Time

Having to pay a deposit, along with considering the cost of airline tickets if necessary, can make it difficult to commit to a cruise this time of year.  That means consumers miss out on the plethora of good Wave season incentives from the cruise lines.  CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. have solved that problem for you.

Contact Us to Book Your Next Cruise Today.

Mag 6.7 Quake Hits Philippines - Tsunami Warning

Magnitude 6.7 Earthquake 

in Philippines

Prompts Tsunami Warning

The 6.7-magnitude quake hit in a narrow strait just off Negros Island. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued the local tsunami alert for central islands, saying the quake could trigger a 3ft wave along the island's eastern coast as well as west of the country's second-largest city, Cebu.

Note: the PTWC did not expect a Pacific-wide tsunami as a result of the quake and no warning was issued.

The epicentere was closest to Tayasan, a coastal town of about 32,000 people flanked by mountains in Negros Oriental province.

According to Benito Ramos, head of the Office of Civil Defense, a child there died when a concrete fence of a house collapsed.  Due to the aftershocks, it was too dangerous for authorities to search buildings, so the number is expected to rise.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology: PHIVOLCS

UPDATE:  At least 43 people killed, 40 missing and 100 injured, many buildings damaged or destroyed, at least 9 bridges damaged and some landslides occurred in Negros Oriental.

Magnitude	6.7
Date-Time	Monday, February 06, 2012 at 03:49:16 UTC Monday, February 06, 2012 at 11:49:16 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	9.964°N, 123.246°E
Depth	20 km (12.4 miles)
Region	NEGROS - CEBU REGION, PHILIPPINES
Distances	72 km (44 miles) N of Dumaguete, Negros, Philippines 74 km (45 miles) WNW of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines 80 km (49 miles) WSW of Cebu, Cebu, Philippines 569 km (353 miles) SSE of MANILA, Philippines
Location Uncertainty	horizontal +/- 13.5 km (8.4 miles); depth +/- 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
Parameters	NST= 72, Nph= 75, Dmin=744.7 km, Rmss=1.03 sec, Gp= 43°, M-type=regional moment magnitude (Mw), Version=8
Source	Magnitude: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D) Location: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID	usb0007wgq

Severe Winter Weather in Europe and Beyond

Nuns having fun: Sisters take pictures
in the Vatican's St Peter's Square

Vatican - Rome, Italy 
Blanketed by Snow  

The top picture appeared in the Mirror story entitled Snow Pictures: Winter weather moves in on UK as Europe shivers. Click the link for more pictures.

The lower picture was taken last Spring when we toured the Vatican during our Mediterranean & Greek Isles Cruise.

Impacting Transportation 

Motorists have been urged to take extra care in treacherous conditions as snow across much of the UK turns to ice.

The Met Office has issued nine warnings for ice after disruption to road, rail and air travel following up to 16cm (6in) of snow in some areas.

Half of the 1,300 scheduled flights at Heathrow were cancelled and some trains and Tube services also disrupted. Almost 400 transatlantic passengers are stranded overnight in Ireland after six London-bound flights were diverted.

Ice is likely to be a hazard on roads and pavements across parts of southeast Wales and much of England, except the southwest potentially leading to the risk of disruption to travel on Monday morning. Fog patches are also likely to form overnight in many areas, adding to the risk of disruption to travel in parts of the UK.

BBC News - In pictures: Europe snowstorms 

BBC News - Europe snow: Your pictures
The Telegraph Readers' snow photos

As Europe is hit with one of its worst winter storms in decades, much of the United States is experiencing unseasonably warm weather and no snow. Colorado and Nebraska was hit by a major winter storm over the weekend, snarling transportation in that part of the country.

If you are flying internationally, be sure to check with your airline to see if your flights have been impacted by this weather system that has been impacting Europe for several days now.

At Sea for Big Game

 Where Will You Be 

For the Big Game?


Patriots  vs. Giants

Norwegian Cruise Ship Perhaps?

Cruise Like a Norwegian

Super Bowl XLVI 
(Giants vs Patriots) is on Sunday, February 5, 2012, at 5:30pm CT.

Watch the game on the two-story big screens on Norwegian Pearl, Gem, Jewel and Epic while enjoying your favorite beverages.

Enjoy Food & Beverages ...
Guests will also enjoy snacking on game time favorites such as tortilla chips with cheese and salsa, popcorn, hot dogs and chicken wings in the line’s pubs, bars and lounges including O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill on Norwegian Epic; Longboard on Norwegian Sky, Red Lion on Norwegian Dawn , and Henry’s Pub on Norwegian Spirit.

Win Prizes ...
With the purchase of a bucket of Miller Lite or Coors Light, guests receive a scratch off card with a chance to win a Miller/Coors t-shirt. With the purchase of any beer bucket, guests will have chance to win a dinner for two in Cagney’s, Norwegian’s signature steakhouse.            

Cheer for the Patriots or Giants while sailing to the Caribbean on Norwegian Epic, or Norwegian Pearl from Miami; Norwegian Spirit from New Orleans; and Norwegian Sun from Port Canaveral, along with Norwegian Sky to the Bahamas.

On a Different Cruise Ship?

Royal Caribbean & ESPN

All the gridiron action of Super Bowl XLV sets sail on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas® for the second annual Super Bowl at Sea on February 3, 2011. 

Super Bowl at Sea Viewing Party
Catch the Cowboys Stadium showdown live on the jumbo screen in the Studio B. Besides the main venue, the game will be broadcast at bars and lounges throughout the ship.

"Football vs. Futbol" Events Lineup
Put on your game face for "Football vs. Futbol," when American football and soccer go head-to-head in action-packed events, taking place all cruise long. Winners score prizes, and more importantly, all the glory.

Hang with ESPN hosts, NFL players, and Soccer players
ESPN commentators Robbie Earle, Shaka Hislop, and Tommy Smyth will be onboard to host "Football vs. Futbol" matchups and partake in all the Super Bowl Sunday action.

In addition to your ESPN hosts, spend time with NFL players Verron Haynes and Rod Coleman and Soccer players onboard.

The Superbowl will air on all 22 Royal Caribbean ships worldwide, so you won't miss any of the action.

Carnival Ships will Broadcast the Game

Of course all the ships in the Carnival Cruise Line family will be broadcasting live on the big screens.   There will be fun activities hosted by the Carnival Entertainment staffs as well.

Nothing gets in the way of this special game.   From the CD of the Triumph:  "It’s been confirmed. Elegant evening (include the Captain’s Celebration) will be moved to Monday the 6th to allow for Super Bowl."

Enjoy the Game Wherever You Are ...

Plan now for next year, if you want to watch from a ship at sea

Delayed Boarding Today Voyager of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas

Delays Boarding

Boarding for February 4th sailing of Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas is being delayed to allow time for sanitation of the ship (public areas and cabins) due to an unusual reports of gastrointestinal illness.

We received the following announcement from Royal Caribbean:

"During Voyager of the Seas' last sailing, a number of guests onboard experienced gastrointestinal illness.In an abundance of caution, we are conducting enhanced sanitizing onboard the ship and within the cruise terminal to help prevent any illness from affecting your client's cruise."

Check-in Process Begins at 1 PM


"Because of this additional sanitizing, the check in process is now anticipated to begin at approximately 1:00 p.m. We apologize for this delay to your client's boarding.

We are also sanitizing guest staterooms, and they will be available to guests at approximately 3:00 p.m. Once guests board the ship, they can explore public areas, open decks and lounges and enjoy lunch, until their stateroom is ready."

Two Princess Cruise Ships Also Delayed

UPDATE: Feb 8

Crown Princess had a second outbreak this week and has cut its 7 Night Southern Caribbean short by two days to allow for sanitation.   see:   Crown Princess Cruise Ends Early

###

Princess Cruises has also announced delayed embarkation times for the next sailings of Crown Princess and Ruby Princess, following an increased number of Norovirus cases on each of the ships' current voyages. 

According to statements from the line, 81 of Ruby Princess' 3,133 passengers and nine of its 1,186 crew members have come down with the virus. Meanwhile, 364 of 3,103 passengers and 30 of 1,168 crew on Crown Princess were affected.

Although the numbers are relatively small, cruise lines are required to report all cases of Noro to the CDC, and a "special report" is created when numbers reach 2 percent of a ship's total onboard population. (Ruby Princess' have reached nearly 3 percent of passengers and Crown Princess' more than 11 percent.)

Because the gastrointestinal virus is highly contagious, both ships will be given special cleanings upon their return to their Fort Lauderdale homeport. As a result, embarkation for Crown Princess' next cruise will be delayed on Saturday, and Ruby Princess' will be pushed back until 2 p.m. on Sunday.

About Norovirus
According to health experts, as many as 300 million people worldwide are affected by norovirus each year. Only the common cold is more prevalent. However, we would prefer if none of our guests became ill.

Prevention:

Royal Caribbean asked us to convey the following preventive measures.

• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after usingthe bathroom and before eating anything
• use the complimentary sanitizing gel that is available at various locations onboard
• if you experienced any gastrointestinal symptoms within the last three days, we ask that you please consider rescheduling your cruise

Here are some additional resources that we have compiled (these can also be found on our International Travel static tab above).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (advice about any health advisories here and abroad)

Traveler's Health (CDC Travel specific topics)

  

Facts About Noroviruses on Cruise Ships  -  gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses can be prevented

It's that time of year, so PLEASE:

Wash hands often. Wash hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.  Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer along with hand washing.

Norovirus outbreaks, when they occur on a cruise ship, always make the news.  The truth is these outbreaks can occur anywhere there are groups of people in a small area such as nursing homes, restaurants, catered events, hotels, and cruise ships.

Vessel Sanitation Program - prevention and control of spread of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses on cruise ships

We had a similar experience when we boarded our Princess Cruise to the Mediterranean and Greek Isles last spring.  They also sanitized the ship and put some additional measures in place for the first few days of our sailing.  During that time, we were not allowed to serve ourselves in either the buffet or dining room.  The wait staff served all items to us, including sugar packets and other condiments.  Things returned to normal once the ship was satisfied that there were no additional reports of illness.

Hasbro The Game Show Coming Soon to Sea

CONNECT 4, YAHTZEE, SORRY!, OPERATION and SIMON
are all trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission.
©2011 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.

 

What's FUN SHIP 2.0?

FUN SHIP 2.0 is the next wave of innovation from Carnival. Imagine everything you already love about a Carnival cruise, enhanced with new experiences that get you dancing more, laughing more and simply having more fun onboard.

Coming to Carnival Breeze (June 2012)

Carnival Conquest (October 2012)
Carnival Glory (November 2012)  

You've played CONNECT 4 and YAHTZEE games, but have you ever even imagined yourself onstage, in a competition that puts your gaming skills to the test?

You'll have your chance with Carnival Cruise Lines' onboard Hasbro Game Shows, which take funtime favorites and infuses them with other games you know and love.

From SORRY SLIDERS! to YAHTZEE BOWLING, CONNECT 4 BASKETBALL, OPERATION SAM DUNK and SIMON FLASH, you'll team up to win great prizes!

John Heald, Senior Cruise Director of Carnival Cruises, and fellow CDs and ACDs were on-hand in Philadelphia, PA., to learn about the new game show experience which will be introduced starting with the roll-out of the brand new Carnival Breeze this June.

After experiencing the new entertainment first-hand, John writes in his blog:

"There will be a full evening dedicated to the show and I have to say that it’s going to be a great night of fun and excitement. The sets are huge and the games really will be crowd pleasers for sure."

Be among the first to experience this new game at sea on one of the following ships:

 Breeze | Conquest | Glory

Learn more: 

Introducing Fun Ship 2.0

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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.

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