Hopefully you have been following our series on Getting Ready for Your Cruise. If not, catch up real quick because today we are on the road!
Follow along for photos, live reports and more right here and on Facebook. Twitter users follow @OrlandoChris or #followmeatsea for all the latest as it happens….but don’t hold your breath waiting for tweets and posts every 5 minutes….we ARE on vacation too but promise to keep you up to date as we go along
Princess Cruises
As we continue our series on getting ready for a cruise, one of the things we like to do just before getting on the ship is to check current reviews from CruiseCritic.com and other trusted sources.
So much of a cruise experience is subjective but we get a good feel for what is happening on board right now that way. For example, I might think some dessert is fabulous and tell everyone about it but you hate something in it so that has little value to you. Still, key elements of reviews can be counted on as good information, especially if you follow a certain person, have read them before and come to trust their judgment. Also, by reading a number of reviews or comments about a specific sailing of any one given ship, common elements rise to the top and can be counted on as objective.
“I hated the food” or “I loved the food” = not subjective or reliable information, either way unless you “know” the reviewers either personally or from reading other stuff they wrote
“The ship sank” or “There was a flotation problem” = you can probably count on being accurate
Food, as we mentioned before in this series, is a tough one to rate and I probably wouldn’t try except that as we spoke of earlier, Lisa and I are following very specific dietary guidelines given to us by medical professionals. That is as opposed to “Lisa and I are on diets” which is a whole other thing and has a whole other meaning. I have been on diets before and this program we have now is much different. Part of the program is an exercise regimen that evolves over time. A critical part of planning, for us, then is finding out what kind of equipment they have in the fitness center and what might be on the menu around the ship.
I was reminded of this just yesterday with this letter from a guest on an upcoming group sailing of a different ship I am sailing on next month:
Chris, some of our neighbors recently took this cruise and came back VERY disappointed. One couple has cruised with (cruise line name) 19 times and swears they will never again. They said that the food was horrible. An order of “Surf and Turf” amounted to a small piece of meat and 2 butterfly shrimp. The menu’s were very limited and the new chef on this ship specializes in mostly curry dishes. In addition they said they had cut back entertainment to just 2 nights and it was sub-standard.
We’d appreciate your checking into this for us. We are aware that the cruise industry is hurting, but this is ridiculous. We don’t mind paying for a good cruise but we expect to get what we pay for. This will be my 4th cruise on (cruise line name) and they have always been one of my favorites.”
I thought about that for a while and realized “Damn, (and I never swear) these people are getting all worked up and mad and they have not even gotten on the ship yet. So I replied:
“Sorry your neighbors had a bad experience and were very disappointed. That sure is a shame. Your note to me is quite frank and I sure do understand your concern. Allow me to show you the same frank courtesy and address this topic right here, right now.
First, do you know if they said anything about it to the Maitre ‘d in the dining room about the food or the cruise director about the entertainment or mention this to anyone on the ship? (Don’t answer this, I’m just asking) It’s always even more of a shame when someone who could have done something about some problem didn’t know and could not do anything about it. I was not on the ship and don’t know personally what they experienced but have always found the ship’s personnel to be quite eager to help any way they could. I ask this because I know that there is no limit on the amount of food we can consume on the cruise ship. In the past I and many others I know have asked for more of an entrée or even several different entrée’s when we could not decide between the selections. This has never been a problem on any cruise line.
As far as the cruise lines “hurting” goes, I don’t think they are. I do know that, like most business’, the cruise lines are concerned with costs and waste and have taken steps to reduce it. As long as those efforts do not negatively affect our cruise experience, I’m all for it. Royal Caribbean now charges for room service in the middle of the night to keep kids from ordering all kinds of stuff that they don’t eat. Maybe you’ve seen the trays of uneaten food in the hallways on ships. That all adds up. The attractive rates we received on this cruise might not be possible if steps were not taken to reduce waste on the cruise ship. Still, an excellent dining experience is what I expect we will find on this ship. Will it be perfect? Probably not. I am confident that the ship’s staff will do whatever they can to make us happy though or I would not be sailing with you.
I’d encourage you to NOT let your friends experience with a sailing taint yours even before you get on the ship.
That’s got disaster written all over it.
I wish I could say I was on the ship last week and the food was great. But even if I was, my opinion of “great food” will be different than yours, or my wife’s, or the guy sitting at the next table. Your friends comment that the portions were insufficient is just odd to me. One thing I feel pretty confident in is that I will not go hungry on a cruise.
I can guarantee you one thing on this upcoming cruise: not everything will be perfect.
I have been on a bunch of cruises and not one has been perfect. The difference is that I choose NOT to let little things ruin my cruise.
For example, I know there will be lines to get on and off the ship so I bring reading material or chat with other guests in line…not about how long the line is and how long we have been waiting, both are very subjective observations. We’ll talk about the exciting vacation awaiting us and what we plan on doing, other cruises we have been on, etc. I used to moan and groan about the lines but took steps to avoid them as much as possible.
You asked me to check into the situation your friends experienced on their sailing or the dining situation in general. I’m a bit puzzled by that as in what would you have me say?
• “I heard the food is bad on this ship, is it going to be good when we get on and can you tell the chef to tone down the curry seasoning?” or
• “I have some clients coming on the ship that expect good food, big portions and not too much curry” or
• “What happened to the entertainment? I hear you cut back to two nights and it is substandard”
Obviously, the cruise line would respond that the food is great, the entertainment top-notch and so on. We’ll see soon enough.
For your convenience, I have attached the menus of the ship to this email. While subject to change, this should give you a good idea of what will be available on the ship.
I encourage you to look over those menus, go to the (cruise line name) website and check on possible shore excursions you might like to take and read either my weblog or column on Examiner.com for more information that you can count on between now and sailing. Studying the ship’s deck plans is also a good idea so you know your way around a bit before getting on the ship.
All that said, how about you let me worry about the food in the dining room and entertainment on board. I was in the restaurant business for decades and have no problem addressing anything that might come our way. On the entertainment, let’s see what they have to offer and plan accordingly once on the ship. I’m not expecting Frank Sinatra in a lounge or a Broadway show in the theater but what they have should be, well, entertaining or we will just have to do something else.
I hope this addresses your concerns so far and hope you’ll let me know what else I can do to help as we go along
Thanks for letting me know about this. I appreciate you taking the time to write”
Too much? Some emails are easy to answer and a short answer is appropriate, others require a more detailed response.
This sort of thing comes up from time to time and is what I call the “down side” of personal recommendations and trusting sources. By and large, the recommendations of a trusted friend or source is a fabulous element to add into your planning mix. Let’s not go overboard though, literally anyway. Be it message boards, articles in the paper or online or simply chatting with a neighbor, we have to keep these things in perspective. I don’t place a lot of weight on subjective items like food or the quality of entertainment but if I see a trend, either positive or negative, in one way or another I sure will file that away and maybe pay a little more attention to those areas once on board. I might be “on guard” to prevent a problem later.
One part of online trusted sources we can count on though is photos. They are for the most part very neutral and simply report what the camera sees. So when looking for accurate information on a topic I always start with looking up some images of what I want to know about online. That was really hard when I started writing about Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and all there was were artist’s renderings of what the ship is supposed to look like, prior to getting on the ship and taking real photos to show you. But now, 46 articles and a few thousand guests visiting later, actual photos are starting to show up online. Below are some photos of what I expect to see on Ruby Princess, these provided by the cruise line but also available with a Google image search. It looks like there will be plenty of equipment and things to do in the exercise area for example.
But say you never want to go in that area at all, maybe that is not your idea of a good vacation. The food selections might be something you are interested in and this ship which has been around for a while now should have plenty to look at. Still as noted before, food is a very subjective thing, what I might like you might not and we’ll just take it as a given that the food will be good and good to see.
Wish me luck.
In the morning I’ll start tweeting (@orlandochris) and posting photos on facebook . If you want to follow along, follow us on twitter or facebook for whatever we happen to post about.
Oh and those people who wrote yesterday replied back later in the day:
“I certainly won’t let there experience “taint” my views but it did raise concerns. Both couples are very seasoned cruisers and NOT complainers. I noticed that there was only one curry dish on the menus. Yes they did complain and perhaps the message got through. As for the entertainment, I have seen good and bad but I don’t ever recall a cruise with no entertainment for the majority of the cruise. Perhaps the cruise line has addressed that as well….we will find out.
As for the excursions, we have cruised this itinerary so many times that we will probably not take too many excursions. We just want to be with our friends, relax and have a good time.
Thanks for geting back to me”
My reply?
“I look forward to meeting you on the ship; I’m counting on you to let me know if they’re on the ball!”
I love a story with a happy ending. I’ll be “on guard” for these people’s concerns too!
Time to check the TiVo and be sure all our shows are being recorded while we are gone. I don’t know why but it seems that we always lose some when we are not here to be sure that machine does it’s job.
That’s just one of the “critical” items we check before leaving on a cruise. If you have been following this series on getting ready to cruise the Ruby Princess, you know there are a bunch of other, way more important things to check and be sure of. You also know that technically, we can leave the house with only our boarding cards, passports and a credit card and be allowed to board the ship. I keep bringing that up because this question comes up a lot, especially from those who have not cruised before.
I think that all stems from the deadline from government authorities saying everyone HAD to have a passport no matter what as of last June. Passports are indeed a great idea and highly recommended but for guests sailing on what we call a “closed loop” cruise from the United States who are United States citizens, they can board the ship with an original birth certificate or certified copy of an original birth certificate and a photo ID. Some time in the future a passport will be required and if you’re going to sail or travel much you should have one anyway. But for now, don’t let not having a passport squash your vacation plans. Do pay attention to the rules though, they will eventually change. Also, if it makes you feel better, call your cruise line to hear it directly from them. They do own the ships and ultimately will decide if you can or can not board. In the travel business we call that “hearing it from the horses mouth” …whatever than means. (Does anyone know where that comes from?…just curious…Mr Ed, are you reading this?)
Something we don’t want to hear is “Have a good time? Your house was broken into while you were gone!”
We used to simply take the dog to the kennel, turn on some lights so it looked like we were home and hit the road on vacation. These days we have a house-sitter who lives where we do when we are not there. I was surprised at how inexpensive this is compared to coming home to find your house broken into for use as a gang membership ritual of some sort. At first we used the neighbors but then figured out they too might be in a gang so we turned to professionals for this service. Google “house sitters” for more information about what is available in your area and for sure consider going that way.
Funny how things change over time. I remember as boy we would go on vacation for a week someplace and not even think to lock the front door. But that was half a century ago in Kansas. We’re not in Kansas anymore and it is surely not 1960…or 1977, the year the television program “The Love Boat” cruised on to the scene, planting the seeds that would eventually lead us here, to a sailing of the Ruby Princess, great, great, great granddaughter of the original Pacific Princess in the show.
While Princess Cruises has pulled away from the whole Love Boat thing for the most part, the cruise line still embraces it’s heritage with occasional sightings of Gavin MacLeod , the ship’s Captain and expert at Love and Romance at company events and promotions around Valentines Day among others.
Tip: before sailing on a Princess ship, review the company history and that of the Love Boat television show. Much like viewing Forrest Gump a number of times before dining at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co so you can wack the servers there in the head with their own triva game, being prepared is important. That, combined with research about the ship you are on, especially the deck plans, the ports you will visit and other related topics adds depth and a richness to the whole experience. That gets you more out of it and that means a better value (our theme for 2010) and an enduring memory that will last a lifetime.
Another great tip, this one from Shirley in Vancouver who writes
” Well if you are going on a two week cruise… I would highly recommend clothes that are a little larger for the second week… I am sorry they feed you so well that you will need a few looser clothes for the second week. I remember on my first cruise… I met some people and when hanging out in one of my new friends cabins… she was picking out something for that night… and I said what about this one… and she said “OH NO” that is my second week dress…. got to save it til next week cuz I wont be able to fit in this one next week… lol… soooo true… lesson learned.”
Thanks Shirley, I had forgotten that!
Do you have tips we have not covered here? Time is running out so send them today. You can comment here or send an email to Chris@YourCruiseDream.com. Twitter users join in @orlandochris and tag it #followmeatsea for some crazy fun.
We are looking forward to exploring the Ruby Princesss later this week
Today is tie up loose ends day as we continue our light-hearted account of what we do to get ready to go on a cruise, this one the Ruby Princess leaving in just three days.
I know from previous experience that these last few days will fly by, I just don’t know when the flying will begin. As much as we might try to plan in advance, something always comes up at the last minute that we were not counting on. Knowing that , though, we allow extra time for whatever that might be.
The critical checklists are complete. We have our boarding cards, passports and will get some cash to take along on the way to the pier. I just don’t like having a lot of cash around so we make that one of the last things we do. Today though, I will call the bank and tell them we are going out of town and will be making purchases “different than our normal spending pattern” That is important in order to be sure that good security measures put in place to protect our accounts don’t end up ruining our vacation.
This one I learned the hard way too.
Years ago I we were on a cruise and had decided to use a debit card to guarantee our onboard purchases. The cruise lines allow credit or debit cards or cash can be put down also to take care of this. Cash seems like a pain in the neck to do to me so we have never done that. But on this particular cruise I wanted to use debit cards and had not told my bank we were leaving town. Imagine my surprise when I was called to the Pursers desk after the first day to resolve the “problem” that had come up when they tried to run a charge the first day. Declined.
I thought “ok, wierd, it’s a debit card. I know how much we have spent and know I have more money than that. I made sure of it before I left home” What I did not realize at the time was that common security protocols put in place by card companies, not just credit but debit too, impose daily limits on what we can charge as well as look carefully at our common spending pattern. At the time we lived in Kansas and a charge from the cruise line in Miami was viewed as “Uh oh, somone stole Chris and Lisa’s card and are making their way out of the country” so the card company shut it down. It took a couple expensive calls from the ship to get that straightened out.
So today I will call and let them know I am going out of town. I’ll also call our cell phone service provider, tell them exactly where I am going, and find out what I need to do to minimize the additional cost for roaming outside my home area, if needed. I wait until a few days before sailing on this because these things change from time to time and the roaming plan I was on last cruise might not be the best plan for this one. Oh, by the way, St Thomas is part of the United States but not like calling your neighbor next door. It is really worth the time to pick up the phone, maneuver though all the phone roadblocks, talk to a person, and be sure I have this right.
I’ll also call the Orlando Sentinel and double check that they have my vacation stop in there. Nothing says “rob me” more than a driveway full of newspapers.
If you have been following along during this series of reports, what other steps do YOU take to get ready for a cruise? You can comment here or send at email to Chris@YourCruiseDream.com.
Robert from Tulsa reports he likes to go to cruisecritic.com and “find out all the current information he can about the ship before getting on” Great idea Robert. How about you?
We get on the ship as early as possible to beat the crowd
Today we continue our light-hearted series of articles all about getting ready to cruise the Ruby Princess
Having shore excursions, spa treatments and adding any special requests to a booking is something that is best done at least 7 days in advance. Adding at the last minute might not be possible but all is not lost if you don’t.
For example, we would like to do some spa treatments on our Ruby Princess sailing in just a few days. Deciding that yesterday, 5 days prior to sailing, was just a wee bit too late. Princess requires advance registration for all that more than 5 days prior to sailing. I was thinking a nice massage would be in order just as soon as possible after getting on the ship….just a little too late. That’s ok though, we’ll make that one of the first things we do when we get on the ship.
Getting to the ship we already talked about but once at the pier, that’s a whole other story.
The basic program is this
…and that is pretty much how we do it on any ship.
Oh, I almost forgot, a safety tip from a reader the other day for men: put a rubber-band around your wallet. That makes it more difficult for someone to slip out and steal.
Great idea huh! Let me know if you have some ideas about safety or anything that you may have picked up along the way. You can comment here or send an email to Chris@YourCruiseDream.
Little things they do on the ship make sailing during the holiday extra special
So far in this series of articles on getting ready to sail the Ruby Princess, we have talked a lot about what to pack and how to do it. We’ll be on the ship in just a few days and while this sailing does not fall on a holiday, it will be festively decorated and surely count as a holiday cruise.
The holidays are a great time to cruise and our sailing of the Ruby Princess in just five days will be no exception. We have sailed during the holidays before and they do have many extras at no additional charge (except the premium cruise fare price you’ll pay) for the holidays including:
There’s just something about being on a nice warm Caribbean beach that makes everything alright.
Be careful though, do it once and you’ll want to do it from now on. We’ve decided that if we could only cruise but once a year we would have to make that the holiday season cruise.
Tiger get's just as excited as anybody else when he gets a bargain
Living here in Orlando we take a keen interest in the Tiger Woods story you may have heard of unless you live on a different planet.
Funny how sometimes those stories hit home.
I was at my local Publix grocery store yesterday and was surprised to see Tiger shopping. I didn’t think much of it since I see him from time to time at the store and have always found him to be, expectedly, right on top of his grocery store shopping game too. Armed with all the coupons and picking all the appropriate buy one get one free offers the rest of us hard-core bargain shoppers have locked in, he’s just one of the guys. Somehow it reinforces my belief that stocking up on stuff when it is on sale is the right thing to do when I casually check out the contents of his cart and see that he too loads up on assorted varieties of Emerald nuts when they’re buy one get one free. In fact, one day we had a chat, both agreeing we would never have thought that any company could have knocked Blue Diamond off as top seller of almonds.
He’s just a regular guy even though the shopping cart adorned with the Nike swish takes a bit to used to. Not that he’s special for that, Walt used to have a cart with hidden Mickeys on it that was quite the joy to children shopping with their parents. How he got that cart to float down the isles is still a mystery. It’s something we’ve become accustomed to here in Central Florida and don’t think that much about.
I did have to sit up and take notice though when he breezed through the “10 items or less” checkout with 14 items the other day. Not everyone can do that you know. Sometimes they will let it slide if you have 11, maybe 12, but 14? Still, it was Tiger Woods and things have not exactly been rosy at home these days so we cut him some slack on that.
I did have to stop by though and ask the checker about it. Rules are rules.
“I’m number 7″ was all she had to say and I understood perfectly, as did other savvy shoppers around at the time. Apparently Tiger has his lucky checkers at several stores around the metro area and all give him cuts in line. Again, no problem for me or the other shoppers and it did explain why so many people with cameras were hidng around the Family Planning isle, looking for that money shot to sell to Entertainment Tonight. It also explained why most of the employees were wearing makeup and wired for sound like they were making another touching Publix holiday commercial.
Still, here in the store, Tiger is just one of the guys and reporters would have a hard time getting us to divulge the contents of his cart. I think that is the way it should be too. As long as he comes in the store, plays by the rules and leaves with a fabulous bargain or two, we should just leave him alone. Now if he came in drove his cart down the wrong side of the isle, flaunted his billionareness, buying stuff willy nilly and not on sale, that would be a totally different story. But Tiger is right on top of his game at Publix and while recent reports would say he’ll be sidelined from shopping for a while, we anxiously await his return whenever he is ready.
Princess Cruises photo
We always tend to overpack for cruises, no matter how many we go on. I think we are getting better though. The Golden Rule of packing has never changed though: 30 days prior to sailing, luggage takes over the living room. That’s when it’s official, accepted and expected. Before that and you’re a freak.
I have learned some stuff though as we have gone along. I know, for example, that I do not need very many clothes. I’ll wear cargo shorts most everywhere and a couple pairs is fine. This is only a three-day cruise so two is good. Actually, on Princess we are what they call “Elite” status past-guests so we have complementary wash and fold laundry service. That alone is worth cruising with your favorite line a bunch of times. They all have their programs and what they offer varies but they’re all good.
The last time we were on a longer cruise on Princess, we did take advantage of that too, sending out stuff in the morning and afternoon for return the same day or the next respectively. Many people think that not having to cook, clean, work, smile, frown, or whatever it is you do in real life for a while is reason enough to go on a cruise. For me it’s the free laundry when available. There’s says relaxation quite as nicely as folded underwear and socks . When our kids were along on their first cruises, they would save any identification bracelets they were issued by wherever we went that tagged kids as long as possible after the cruise. They liked remembering. I try really hard not to lose the laundry tag glued to my shorts as much as possible for the same reason.
I like how Lisa gets lost when it’s time to pack too.
I’ll have everything of mine packed 29 days in advance but she waits until 29 minutes to go before starting the whole process. It’s kind of the opposite of how long it takes to get ready for formal night but no lobster to top it off. She and the girls if they are along take about an hour and a half to get ready for dinner. I take 32 seconds. I usually find a lounge someplace to wait and tell them to holler at me when they walk by on the way to dinner. I can usually make it up to the cabin, shower, change and be back before they get there. But it’s fun and for the right reason. We all do whatever we want to do, when we want to do it, or not, we may do nothing. Lisa’s idea of a great cruise is reading a book a day someplace nice. My idea of a great cruise is not losing more than I have in the casino (Girls: You had a brother once. I traded him for slot play. Unlucky slot play.)
Packing is easy. Here is what you need:
That’s it.
If you are determined to make it more difficult Google “cruise packing list” and read every one of the 538,000 pages that comes up, consult a “packing expert” or weigh in on some discussion. This is really not hard. You are not going on Safari Adventure in 1895.
Can’t decide what to bring? Realize some facts and ask yourself some questions:
Ok well, reality check: The first night is always casual anyway because that’s just how they do it. That goes back to the olden days when mules brought luggage to the cabins. I can’t remember ever NOT getting our luggage in time to change for dinner the first night if we wanted to but we never do. The last night is equally casual almost universally. Many people start packing up to go home before dinner and want to wear what the will wear off the ship the next day to dinner. We usually pack after dinner because we will have bought some bottles of booze that we want to pack in our rolling luggage for the trip home. We can carry just so much then its a pain in the neck.
Luggage- we like to walk our own luggage on and off the ship these days. We started that a couple years ago when we did a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2. We had to fly back so that put the whole luggage thing into perspective. I sure as heck wasn’t going to be navigating through London all bogged down by lots of bags to carry. Lisa and I each have a rolling duffel bag sort of thing that is the largest that will possibly fit through an xray machine and they hold everything we could ever need. For this cruise we will use one of them for both of us, along with our carry-on bags, and that will take care of it. Email me for specific recommendations. You won’t but I thought it would be nice to say that
Now back to those clothes choices. Frankly, it does not matter all that much what you wear during the day near as much once you get on the ship as it did in your living room. If you’re going to the Caribbean or South Pacific, bring comfortable clothes that you actually feel comfortable in, not comfortable clothes that you look comfortable in. If you are going to Alaska, dress warm. See how easy this is? This is your vacation, it is supposed to be fun and relaxing.
That’s why I check, double-check and triple check the three things we have to be holding in our hands to get on the ship
All that stuff we get from the cruise line is good to read. There is a lot of information there that you need to know. Some night when you are having a hard time going to sleep, read the Passenger Contract that comes with your travel documents. If that won’t put you out, nothing will. I keep one handy and rarely make it all the way through before nodding off even though I know this is information I am responsible for knowing.
But you really don’t have to bring all that with you. You can if you want to. We did for a while but then didn’t bother. I have yet to be in a situation where I needed documentation of that sort to settle a bet, close a deal, or as basis for a loan while on board a ship. It’s busy work for killing time before the ship sets sail much like packing. I know I don’t need that print out of what all the possible shore excursions are so I leave it at home. We are beginning to know we don’t need all that many clothes and are leaving them at home too.
Next up? What we plan on doing while on the ship and ashore. We do plan but then take things as they come. We’ll talk about that too.
* If you think for a minute that I will be telling ladies what to pack you are crazy. Ladies: bring whatever you darn well please that makes you happy.
SECRET NOTE TO MEN: Help her pack. This is simple. Concentrate, really concentrate, and try to help her pick out the one or two formal night things she will bring. Say things like “That goes great with those shoes but what about these others” (as though you care/know/can tell the difference) just so it looks like you are paying attention and that this is important. Try not to think about sports, donuts or fertilizer. Once you make it past the formal wear you’re home free. Just a moderate amount of attention will do. At this point it is helpful to have one of those hand counter clicker things that you can hold in the palm of your hand. As she puts together outfits, if you can discern when they are complete, click once each time. I know this seems silly but this can get very confusing. You don’t want more than two clicks for each day the cruise is long. That part is easy, like building a football stadium. Deciding where one outfit ends and the next one starts up can humble the bravest of warriors on the battlefield. Remember, you will never know what this game is. The rules are secret and only women know them. Gay men think they know but they don’t. Women want to believe they know but they don’t. You can only pretend to know and hope she buys it.
Princess Cruises photo
Ok, enough talking about it, we are sailing on the Ruby Princess Thursday December 17 for three days.
Shall you join us?
I think so!
With about a week to go, I thought you might enjoy reading what we do to get ready and how we do it. Many of you have written for tips on this or that concerning getting ready for your own cruise. Here is a blow by blow account of our big 3 day adventure on Ruby Princess.
The last few days before the cruise always seem to be a flurry of activity so let me back this up a little bit.
Sailing will be myself and my wife Lisa. We live in the Orlando area so we will drive to Port Everglades for the cruise. I think, no I am sure, this is one of the very best parts of living in Florida. The drive to the port is about 3 hours or so…the “or so” part adding up if we stop on Florida’s Turnpike, something that has become somewhat of a ritual.
Up until our last sailing on Oasis of the Seas, also from Port Everglades, we would stop for coffee and some ridiculously overpriced bakery thing at Starbucks. Recently, though, we realized that we are not human garbage disposal that just don’t work very well so they retain a greater and greater amount of what they eat. OK maybe that’s stretching it a bit. Maybe we did NOT attack the buffets squashing small children in order to satisfy our gaping maws. We were really doing pretty well. But what we were doing was not really working. It’s this think I have for cookies you see. Lisa’s job at the office/tapas-lounge-for-any-occasion-someone-might-be-celebrating hasn’t helped either.
Lisa is in a health program sponsored by the place where she works. This program is the greatest. We both have been optimal-weight-challenged for forever. Personally, I could write a book on the many different “diets” I have been on. This program is the real thing and has us eating lots of whole grain stuff, lots of protein, not as much of anything, and so on combined with a excercise regime that evolves along with the program.
We’re doing well on that so the Starbucks stop on the way down won’t amount to very much I don’t think. Still, we’ll stop on the way back for some fresh (like “Hey, look over there: It’s the tree this grew on) Florida citrus fruit though. But they have changed operators or something there at the rest stop and the new management has an even more aggressive view on pricing. Their school of thought is called the “take no prisoners” way of doing business which lets them charge $7.99 for a dollar value-meal sized chicken sandwich. Actually, it might not be a bad idea to just stop and go look around on the way to the ship. Everything they sell on the ship would seem inexpensive and a super value.
Regardless of how long we take getting to the port, it beats flying here to Florida from Kansas as we did for years with the family, leaving then returning to the frozen tundra and naked wilderness (or so it seems now) of the winter desolation we called home. I liked having something to look forward to when we lived there so we always had a cruise booked well in advance.
We booked this Ruby Princess cruise about a year ago which we like to do whenever possible. Booking far in advance has proved over time to be the best way for us to go. Booking with Princess too we know if the price goes down that they will honor it if we qualify. They also have awesome travel insurance which we always get. What makes it so great is that since we have cruised with them a number of times before we could cancel for any reason and get a 100% refund in the form of a credit on a future cruise. Like we won’t use it? I don’t think that would be a problem. Like I’m going to say, “No, lets skip the (fabulous) cruise and buy some (boring) stock instead. Not hardly.
Future Cruise Credit is a thing that should be on the top of your list of terms to know inside and out on Princess.
Princess was the pioneer enabling guests to book a future cruise while sailing, giving them a reduced deposit and onboard credit for doing so. Another no-brainer. I don’t think we ever did it the way they want us to do though. The program would love to book us on a specific ship and sailing date some time in the future before we get off the ship. That helps them avoid sleepless nights by contributing to their quest to fill all the cabins on all the ships all the time. They have people like Charlie on the NUMBERS television show calculating advanced algorithms and formulas to predict that stuff.
We never know. Lots of people don’t know. So we’re not like wild and crazy rebels or anything.
Your travel agent knows though. Your travel agent will know you did it. Princess tells them everything. It’s part of a secret report the cruise line sends travel agents after you get off the ship. It chronicles your exploits on the ship, no matter what, usually with video and, if applicable, police reports that travel agents often use to blackmail you. No, thats Internet Cruise Brokers that do stuff of that flavor.
No, not really but your travel agent does know you did it and will probably send you a brochure or for sure bump you up a notch or two on the VIP list. You mean business now buddy! You were on a cruise and couldn’t even wait to get off to book another one! You. Are. Super-Pumped. About. Cruises!
I was challenged as a young boy with not peeking at the presents under the tree during the holidays. I suspect many others were too. This is a really popular program among those who know whats going on.
We will pay $100 each to Princess, they hold it in our Future Cruise Credit account (there’s that term again) and we have several years to make up our minds. That’s usually plenty of time. It’s not like they’re asking us to decide if having children was a good idea or something. That might take decades. Depending on the cabin category we choose we will get a little or a big pile of onboard credit too. We can add to that Future Cruise Credit account also by referring others to Princess as our friends. Even if they are not our friends. Even if we hate their guts and the feeling is mutual. If there’s a chance they will sail, we refer them. We turn in email addresses of friends and if they sail we get $25 added to that Future Cruise Credit account for each of them and they get a $25 discount on their cruise. Hey, it adds up. I think Princess will eventually make Future Cruise Credit replace the dollar, yen and peso. The system works just that good.
Along the way we got a packet of information in the mail from Princess along with a Cruise Answer Book that has information on pretty much everything except how to smuggle booze, drugs or hookers on the ship. In that packet is shore excursion information if we wanted to send in a form and the cruise contract no one reads until they screw up, forget to wear clothes to the ship and are denied boarding with no refund. But most everything we need to do with Princess can be accomplished thorough what they call the Cruise Personalizer. There, we can do the required online registration (almost always without swearing), print our boarding cards (well, paper really), book shore excursions, spa treatments and more.
Don’t look for those packets of information to be coming in the mail for long though. Princess is just like the rest of the cruise lines: they save paper by not giving us the priceless mementos and dance inducement that Cruise Documents represent. That makes it OK with the Coast Guard to dump icky stuff in the ocean.
We’ll get into that endangered packet of information and packing next.
Heading out to sea on Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas does not mean you have to skip the daily workout. On Oasis, the fitness and health options are many and more than most other cruise ships at thier Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness center. In fact, a case could be made for booking a close-by Central Park balcony stateroom and spending all the money you might lose in the casino on a week’s worth of these services.
Start with one of the over 150 cardio machines, take a Kinesis (full-body, no-impact) or spin class which tracks your heart reate on a monitor or pump the iron. It’s all up to you and there’s nothing quite like doing your regular regimine while at sea. Surely a view of the ocean while on your favorite machine is a great change from the everyday. But try a class on bicycles in which you and 25 or 30 of your closest friends are hooked up to heart monitors with the results displayed on a huge (of course) monitor for all to see. (Looks like way more competition than I would be up to on a cruise but cool anyway)
The new Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness neighborhood supports your healthy lifestyle, combining the latest in aesthetic skin treatments, traditional spa services and workout programs. Reconnect with your inner strength and renew your body inside and out.
Spa Features:
Fitness Features:
No health spa would be complete without treatments and Oasis has a bunch of them including
When we were on board not long ago it took a good 20 minutes just to walk through the 22,000 square foot facility that included areas for Acupuncture, Medi-Spa Cosmetic Treatments, Teeth Whitening and special areas for men and teens too.
In the Teen and Kid Spa for those under 18, treatments include facials, pedicures, manicures, a Father/Son “Chill Out” Massage, personal consultations on style and an “Ice Cream Manicure” that uses an ice cream shaped bath product and other ingredients to “give your hands a sweet treat while you sit back and relax” (Thank God they did not have these things when my kids were teens on cruises)
One of the really unique spaces in this area is an Elemis product testing area where the complete line of these popular spa products is available for testing and purchase. Called the Elemis Spa Bar, this fun and interactive tester zone gives guests the freedom to feel, smell and touch the Elemis range of products.
Once off the ship, the good things you have done on the ship do not have to end either. Spa Therapists are available to recommend a home care regimen to continue your treatment at home via the timetospa at home program at www.timetospa.com or by phone.
In the not-so-distant past, researching travel might have meant a trip to the local library to check out some guide books or background information on where you wanted to go, what you wanted to do and how you wanted to get there. The Internet changed all that with online resources no library can hold. But who do you trust and where do you go online to get the best, most accurate information?
There are thousands of web sites dedicated to cruise vacations. Some offer original content backed by the reliability of either time (they’ve simply survived a long time) or expertise (they have people on board who know what they’re doing) but all have the advantage of being convenient (you can see it all from where you sit right now). One of the big mistakes made is trusting the wrong source or not using enough sources.
Sites with original content presented in an easy to ready manner are important. Equally important in the world of travel are trusted sources that give personal accounts of their travels. Travel writers, bloggers and their websites are a great place to start. Like finding a travel agent though, you need sources you can identify with. If partying until the early morning hours and a high-energy cruise experience is not your thing, connecting with those sources is a waste of time. Let’s break down that daunting list of travel websites then to something more manageable.
News and Opinions are two great categories that most online travel content fits into. Within those categories though, some are good, some are better and some are the best. Then there’s another group that simply recycles what others have written. Those, too, may be a valuable source for you if they do the sorting and end up with information of interest to you. But where to begin? Out of all those thousands of possible places to invest your time, which will reap you the greatest rewards? Presented here is my short list of all-time favorite sources of cruise information.
These were chosen not only because they are tops in what they do but because they are accessible. Today, that is more important than ever and today’s technology empowers us to make not just smart buying decisions but to go beyond the buy and gain what we need to know to get the most out of our vacations. These sources can dramatically increase the value we receive.
CruiseCritic.com is still the undeniably best source of cruise information in the world. Long before the social media craze of MySpace, Facebook and Twitter were even a thought, CruiseCritic.com was providing accurate, timely information through a well-organized and controlled bulletin board message system on all cruise lines. I remember becoming a charter member of CruiseCritic going on ten years ago now. One of the best pieces of information I picked up and have virally spread to thousands of people was a tip to study the deck plans of a ship prior to embarkation. I got that tip shortly after my first cruise and the thought rings true today. Knowing your way around the ship will keep you from “bumping into walls and getting lost, effectively adding a half-day of quality vacation time to your cruise”. I know that I can go to CruiseCritic, ask a question, and get an answer within minutes on most topics. With a gazillion active members who have sailed recently on most ships, someone always has the answer. There are other “boards” like CruiseMates and CruiseAddicts with a lot of members too, but none comes close to matching the live information and superb editorial content of CruiseCritic.
USA Today’s CruiseLog is a wonderful source of breaking cruise news and in-depth reporting. I was in the newspaper business for many years, way before the Internet posed competition for print news. USA Today was always a favorite paper to read because of their concise, accurate information on a global scale. CruiseLog provides that same flavor of information today and hosts discussions on the various topics it covers. Again, the interactivity factor is huge; providing the pros and cons of a current story by readers and pros in the field alike.
Your Travel Agent should be another source but one that has a personal interest in you. If you don’t have one, find a travel agent that will work for you. Not some order taker, Internet Cruise Broker, or click to buy website. Those are not Travel Agents. What you want is someone, some person, who is your “friend in the business”. Someone totally accessible via email, phone or in person who knows you and can provide the information you need, when you need it. Nothing less will do. You need to hold that agent to the highest of standards for reliable information, competitive pricing, and more. The “more” is probably the most important part too. That person that is Your Travel Agent will have insights that will add value to your vacation experience. Maybe they know a guy in St Thomas that runs a great tour, maybe they know which shore excursion to avoid and which one to take, maybe they follow-up after the sale to be sure you are continually getting the most for your vacation dollars. These are just a few qualities that Your Travel Agent should have. If you are not using a travel agent you are not getting the best vacation value possible.
Travel Writers have been around forever. Some have come and gone and some have stayed and become popular because they get it. They have overcome one of the biggest challenges facing them: providing relevant content. One of the inherent difficulties in writing about travel is that not a lot changes on many topics. A travel guide written for Jamaica ten years ago may be just as relevant today as it was then. Dunns River Falls was a big attraction then and is now. The Falls have not changed much in the past decade. Good travel writers know this and can spin a different angle on the topic, perhaps suggesting alternative places to go but surely giving the best information about those must-see attractions wherever you travel. When I think about which travel writers I actually read, I like Linda Garrison from About.com for complete, accurate information as well as insight not found in other sources.
Travel Bloggers are a popular way to get that information you need from a personal perspective in a manner that is sort of like reading someone’s diary. Picking the right ones to read is as simple as just giving them a try. It should not take long to find some you enjoy reading and that provide information you are interested in.
One I like a lot is Chris Elliot. His easy-to-read style focuses not on the destinations or ways to get there but the tools you need for a successful trip. This guy does not even specialize in cruise vacations but the flavor of his writing is what you want to look for. There are a bunch of “cruise experts” out there that have their own spin on whatever topic is floating around on any given day. Elliot takes a different view and has a unique style that elicits valuable information, like what you might get from a close friend recounting their travels. That is exactly what you want.
In the world of travel bloggers, social media like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are popular avenues to get their message out. Thinking about it, I bet I spend more time reading bloggers than anything else. What you do not want in a blogger is someone who fills space with news stories. You can get that from a lot of other places. Their spin on a news story can be valuable but simply reporting the news is not blogging. Here are some great ones to check out:
One of my biggest goals in the whole travel twirl is to empower readers to get the very most out of their cruise vacation by providing them the knowledge to do so. These sources are a great start for the world of cruising.
In a perfect world, travel writers would be completely unbiased, pay for their travel experiences so as to review and write incognito and not do it as a sideline. They have to eat too though so don’t be too put off by writers who also sell something cruise-related or go on cruise line-sponsored sailings. They often have some of the best contacts and most current information of all. The trick is to spend some time with this, find a handful of writers and sources you click with and enjoy the whole process.
Celebrity’s “Eclipse of a Lifetime” sweepstakes, running from today through January 14, 2010, will entitle 10 winners and their guests to be the first outside of the line’s employees to board Celebrity Eclipse when it sets sail for the first time.
Those VIP winners will be the first to have exclusive, up-close-and-personal views of the construction process of Celebrity’s fourth Solstice Class ship in Germany at Meyer Werft, one of the most modern shipyards in the world. Winners will be the first to be led and hosted throughout Celebrity Eclipse by Celebrity’s President and CEO Dan Hanrahan; first to enjoy the ship’s AquaClass staterooms; first to sample the ship’s innovative cuisine created by the line’s VP of Culinary Operations and Chef Jacques Van Staden, and the first to have the chance to interact with the ship’s senior officers.
All this will take place surrounding an experience that will occur only once in the ship’s life, and only once in the lives of the winners: the “conveyance” of Celebrity Eclipse. Scheduled for March 13, 2010, the conveyance marks the occasion when Celebrity Eclipse departs Meyer Werft shipyard for the first time, and navigates the narrow River Ems – backwards – from Papenburg, Germany, to Emshaven, Netherlands, prior to embarking on sea trials.
The prize will also include a night in Dusseldorf, prior to boarding the ship, and a night in Amsterdam after departing the ship. Each “Eclipse of a Lifetime” prize package also includes coach-class air for two from each winner’s nearest major gateway to Dusseldorf, Germany; hotel accommodations and meals prior to boarding Celebrity Eclipse; all meals and activities onboard the ship; all pertinent gratuities; ground transfers to and from airports, hotels, and Celebrity Eclipse; the exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Meyer Werft shipyard, and coach-class air from Amsterdam to the U.S.
Celebrity has made it a breeze to enter the sweepstakes. Simply visit the Celebrity web site, at www.celebritycruises.com and click the “Eclipse of a Lifetime” tab to access the entry form and sweepstakes rules or click here. The sweepstakes runs from December 7, 2009 through January 14, 2010. Winners will be announced January 28, 2010. This sweepstakes is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada. See Official Rules on the site for complete information.
Just in time for holiday shopping, there may never have been a better time to plan your first or that next cruise vacation. Cruise lines have introduced new ships, updated the facilities and programs of older ships and are offering us more for our cruise fare than ever before. That adds up to one of the best vacation values available and “value” is what it is all about.
As sellers, the cruise lines have not missed a beat, moving on with expansion plans with new ships, updated facilities both on land and at sea, and onboard programs aimed to provide everything vacationers are looking for. All this at a time when economic woes have caused other vacation options to cut back or shut down.
As buyers, we need to look beyond simply the lowest price and concentrate on what we get for that price. There are several ways to insure we get the best value like calculating the cost per person per night, surfing the websites of the cruise lines, subscribing to newsletters and blogs of competent travel sources or doing what you are right now; keeping up on the latest information.
One of the best ways to insure your best value is to work with a professional Travel Agent rather than an Internet Cruise Broker.
In this first part of a series that will give you the tools needed to secure your best value, let’s take a look at the difference between the two.
The difference is substantial and can make or break a vacation.
First, let’s start with the Internet Cruise Broker. That would be one of the many online companies that offers unbelievably low prices on a cruise. In most all cases those are unbelievable prices because they are not accurate or do not fully represent what is being offered.
The first misleading expense is hidden fees. I call these Burried Fees because you have to dig to find them. They are there for all to see but you will find them most commonly toward the end of their “Terms of Service” , far after the boring text turned off the reader. Most all of these fees are not necessary and simply something that Internet Cruise Broker has levied upon each buyer, should they fall into the trap.
One that can add up quickly are “change fees” where you may be charged $50 or $100 for name spelling corrections. In the past, the cruise lines DID charge this fee but have been dropping it more and more. If you see this fee it should be a red flag to pay special attention to the details before buying. Processing Fees are another one that runs up the price of the cruise and is often charged by Internet Cruise Brokers.
But if you can get past all the potential or actual junk fees charged the low price may still be a good one. Reason enough to buy from your Internet Cruise Broker?
No way! One of the biggest areas where Internet Cruise Brokers fail is what happens after the sale.
The job of almost all Internet Cruise Brokers stops once you pay.
They simply don’t have time for you. To get those low prices they commonly give up a good deal of their commission. They still have bills to pay so they rely on a huge volume of business to survive, often bending the rules or taking your money but not turning it over to the cruise line. Recently, I happened to visit www.CruiseValueCenter.com , formerly one of the big Internet Cruise Broker’s websites, to find they had shut down and were offering site visitors advice on how to recoup money they had paid. If that is not enough reason stay clear of an Internet Cruise Broker, I don’t know what is.
I feel bad for those who may have had their vacation plans disrupted by the shut down of sites like that. This is a really good reason, one that savvy travelers know, to concentrate on “Value” rather than simply “Price”. Yes, that advertised price of $199 for a cruise sounds great initially. But in many cases the end price nears double that once port charges, taxes and fees that everyone pays are added in, not to mention optional buried fees one might fall into.
The smart way to go is to find a Travel Agent who offers the best value, not just the best price. Almost always, when all expenses are considered, the Travel Agent has the better value in the long run. And isn’t that what really counts? A professional, certified cruise Travel Agent can be your friend in the business that provides a really necessary service, much like you might use an accountant to help with your finances. The business relationship between you and a Travel Agent is one of trust that is built over time. “Your” agent will come to know and take a personal interest in what is best for you. He or she will be constantly on guard of your vacation plans, taking advantage of special offers, using their behind the scenes contacts and daily up to date knowledge of the industry on your behalf.
The best part? This costs you nothing. Travel Agents are paid a commission by the cruise line. You truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain There are Travel Agents who are simply sales people and Travel Agents who offer a service that will offer you great value in the long run. And the long run is what you need to think of because you’ll probably be cruising quite a bit in your lifetime
Here then are some simple ideas to consider when choosing between an Internet Cruise Broker and a Cruise Travel Agent:
There are a lot of great values out there. Your Travel Agent will know which might work for you and which ones to stay clear of.
For example, this coming Tuesday Royal Caribbean is offering it’s normally once a week “Happy Hour” sale on select sailings. One is a two-night cruise from Port Canaveral for only $99 per person. That’s an excellent value. It’s on Saturday and Sunday, January 2nd and 3rd. On Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas, this would make a great preview cruise if you had not sailed this cruise line before. It would also make a great weekend getaway for someone living in driving distance who wanted a short cruise but did not want to miss any work. Even with taxes added in, the total price is just $311 total for two. That works out to $77.97 per person per night, far less than one might spend on a nice hotel with meals and entertainment ashore. This is a great vacation value.
The problem with this is that not everyone can pick up and go that quickly so last-minute offers like this don’t work for everyone. Still, those looking for an inexpensive short cruise have many other options that will indeed secure that best value for them. A good Travel Agent with your best interests in mind will know what will work for you, be up to date on what is available and offer frank, complete information in a timely manner. They will find a cruise that is a good fit for you, offer you the confidence of knowing you have someone in the business working for you and deliver value from the initial booking all the way through sailing and beyond.
Coming up next in this series on finding your best cruise value:
Have something to say about all this? Comment here or mail Chris@YourCruiseDream.com for more information
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas does everything in a big way. The large selection of dining options is no exception. From an 8 course tasting menu in an upscale cover-charge venue to comfort foods like a fresh donut on the Boardwalk, guests have the ability to customize the culinary aspect of their cruise experience like on no other ship
This is much more than a buffet, a dining room and maybe one or two other “alternative” restaurants, like so many cruise lines offer. While some venues require a service charge, what Oasis charges is fair if not a bargain compared to land-based restaurants.
“Oasis of the Seas showcases the evolution of Royal Caribbean dining,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Both the new concepts and the established Royal Caribbean offerings found throughout the neighborhoods are designed to meet contemporary dining standards, cater to individual preferences and schedules and foster epicurean curiosity. With so many options, guests could choose a new place to dine for every meal.”
Let’s take a look at the choices, organized by the Seven Neighborhoods that make up the ship. If you’re not up to speed on those different areas, an animated video tour of the ship might prove helpful tying them all together.
Central Park
150 Central Park – The most exclusive dining venue on Oasis of the Seas, 150 Central Park provides an intimate dining experience that will combine leading-edge cuisine with modern design, creating a trendy upscale ambiance. Signature features will include a tasting menu with customized wine pairings. Open for dinner; $35 cover charge. With a unique menu designed by award-winning chef Keriann Von Raesfeld, diners are in for quite an experience at 150 Central Park
Giovanni’s Table – This Tuscan countryside influenced trattoria is a more-accessible, casual Italian restaurant featuring both indoor and al fresco seating. Old-time Royal Caribbean fans of fleet-signature eatery Portofinos, absent on this ship, will find Giovanni’s Table a good substitute and a great addition to the line-up. Giovanni’s Table offers rustic dishes with a contemporary flair, including toasted herbal breads, pizzas, salads, pastas, Italian sandwiches, braised meat dishes and stews, all served family-style. Open for lunch and dinner; $10 lunch and $15 dinner cover charge.
Park Café – A casual dining choice providing a high level of variety and flexibility, Park Café is an indoor/outdoor gourmet market with walk-up counters. From freshly prepared salads and made-to-order sandwiches, to paninis, crepes and hearty soups, guests order directly from the chefs behind food stations. European pastries, sublime chocolates and decadent fudge will round out the offerings. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night treats.
Vintages – Always a popular hot spot for Royal Caribbean guests on Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, the Vintages wine bar has evolved into a larger space on Oasis of the Seas. Great for a pre-dinner rendezvous, Vintages will provide a selection of cheeses and a broad tapas menu to accompany a robust selection of fine wines, from a tropical white Riesling to a mocha-inflected Merlot. Open for lunch and dinner; ala carte pricing.
Chops Grille – Continuing the tradition, Royal Caribbean’s popular signature steakhouse will offer premium cut, quality meats. Guests can choose to enjoy the upscale, contemporary setting indoors with views of Central Park or al fresco. Open for dinner; $25 cover charge.
Boardwalk
Seafood Shack – The indoor/outdoor casual family restaurant brings the surf style of beach side amusement parks to the Boardwalk, serving a variety of seafood, as well an extensive beverage menu of non-alcoholic cocktails and over-sized desserts. Open for lunch and dinner; $7.95 lunch and $9.95 dinner cover charge.
Boardwalk Bar – The main bar in the Boardwalk this busy venue offers on-the-go snacks like corn dogs and chicken tenders, a variety of prepackaged sandwiches, fruit and salads. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Donut Shop – Guests can stop into the classically styled shop for a casual snack any time of day. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with no additional charge
Ice Cream Parlor – The 1950’s styled ice cream venue features classic sundaes plus a variety of ice cream flavors and toppings to choose from and then mixed-to-order on a frozen slab. Open throughout the day; a la carte pricing.
Johnny Rockets – Extending the signature “eat-ertainment” hours, a diner breakfast menu introduced on Oasis is a nice addition. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; $3.95 breakfast and $4.95 lunch and dinner cover charge.
The Royal Promenade
Mondo Cafe – This new addition to the Royal Promenade features coffee, sandwiches and pastries native to countries such as Italy, Spain and Cuba. Steps from Boleros and open around the clock, it is sure to be popular after an evening on the dance floor. Open for complementary breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night treats
Sorrento’s Pizzeria – The New York style pizzeria and fleet-favorite features a more extensive menu with made-to- order pizza pies and slices, in addition to the ready-made selections introduced with the Freedom class ships along with bar service. Open for lunch, dinner and late night snacks, also included in the price of your cruise
Café Promenade – Located on the opposite end of the Royal Promenade from the Mondo Cafe, the popular café continues serving Seattle’s Best Coffee, fruit shakes, pastries and sandwiches throughout the day and night. Open 24 hours; Ala carte pricing on the specialty beverages, the ever-changing array of food options is complementary.
The Pool and Sports Zone
Solarium Bistro – Located in the Solarium the contemporary bistro offers health-conscious dining for breakfast and lunch in a casual setting. In the evenings, Solarium Bistro will transform into a romantic and intimate dining setting for specialty healthy-fare dinner and dancing under the stars. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; dinner has a $20 cover charge.
The Wipe Out Café – The casual self-service buffet will offer a variety of options from pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and fresh salads to quick snacks and desserts, for young cruisers on-the-go. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and complementary
Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
The Vitality Café – Located at the entrance of the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, the Vitality Café will feature healthy snacks, sandwiches, wraps and fruit, in addition to refreshing juices and smoothies from the Vitality spa menu for the calorie conscious guest. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Other options that are anything but standard
Opus Dining Room – The three-level main dining room will revive the grandeur of the 1920s and feature French art deco design. Catering to guests’ varying preferences, the newly introduced My Time Dining and My Family Time Dining, as well as the traditional main and late seating options will be offered.
My Time Dining provides guests with the option to enjoy the dining room ambiance with Royal Caribbean’s renowned Gold Anchor Service whenever they wish during dining hours. Guests choosing My Time Dining will not have a pre-assigned table, but will be seated in the ships main dining room and will order from the same traditional dinner menu. My Time Dining guests can make daily reservations for specific seating times or choose to walk in. My Family Time Dining accommodates parents and children by offering an expedited 40-minute dining service for young cruisers, ages 3-11. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Windjammer Marketplace – Offering the utmost flexibility for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this next generation of the brand staple will feature multiple islands, each serving a variety casual buffet fare.
Izumi – The new Asian cuisine restaurant will feature a sushi bar and hot rock cooking, as well as other Asian fare in a more formal setting. Open for lunch and dinner; ala carte pricing.
In-Stateroom Service – Guests wanting to enjoy a meal in the comfort of their staterooms will be able to choose from the complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, as well as the recently introduced Dine in Delights menu, which offers name-brand culinary options ranging from the Original Johnny Rockets hamburger to Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookies. Open 24 hours; ala carte pricing for Dine In Delights and $3.95 service charge for in-room deliveries between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
After a tour and short sailing of the ship, we found the dining options nicely spaced out and appropriate complements to the flavor of the neighborhoods.
On Oasis it seems everyone is left with a favorite area of the ship, one that fits them well. I like the quiet and tastefully landscaped Central Park area as where I might call “home” and interior-facing balcony stateroom. I can see making a healthy week out of a planned regimen of exercise, relaxation and renewal in the Vitality Spa not far from there, never venturing beyond “my neighborhood”.
…not that I wouldn’t sneak away to the Boardwalk for a corn dog and show at the Aquatheater or run up to the Pool and Sports Zone for some sun or to watch others surf from time to time.
The recent launch of Carnival Cruise Lines new Carnival Dream and Royal Caribbean’s new generation Oasis of the Seas have dominated the news for quite some time. Princess Cruises have not been idle.
Delivery of Oasis of the Seas has surely changed the spectrum of ships from which to choose as have ongoing program enhancements on the existing fleet. Also significant is what many of the other cruise lines have done recently. Carnival Cruise Lines has completed a roll out of several new features to existing ships. Holland America has done the same. Norwegian Cruise Lines continues to get their act together to where I would almost recommend some of their ships now. Just a couple years ago I never thought I would be able to say that.
All these changes were in the works well before the economic turndown forced an adjustment in pricing and marketing necessary to fill the ships. There may not ever have been a better time to sail than right now.
If you have not sailed on Princess Cruise Lines lately, take a look. The “Love Boats” offer a richer than ever cruise experience at prices that seem more reasonable all the time. And what does that add up to class? That’s right: Value, what we want above all else.
Let’s take a look at some of the new programs Princess has on board many of the ships in their fleet of 17 ships.
While none of these programs have been big headline-grabbers, Princess Cruise Line has continued their ongoing efforts to keep the line relevant and exciting.
I’ll be on board Ruby Princess in a few days sailing from Port Everglades on December 17th. Watch for reports from the ship as we discover what’s new at Princess
Princess Cruises is celebrating the new name of its ship Ocean Princess (formerly Tahitian Princess) by extending an open invitation to anyone wishing to become an honorary godparent for the vessel, with the first-ever virtual christening.
In a new twist on the time-honored tradition, the naming ceremony will occur completely online, at http://www.princess.com/oceanvirtualchristening. Each new godparent will trigger a $1 donation from Princess to the New England Aquarium, a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation, up to $25,000.
One of the small ships of Princess, Ocean Princess – fresh out of a two-week drydock – departed Singapore today on the first voyage with her new name. The virtual christening will run throughout the ship’s 16-day Southeast Asia cruise, ending on Dec. 18.
“At the end of her current cruise, we hope to have a huge group of honorary godparents for Ocean Princess,” said Jan Swartz, Princess executive vice president. “In this digital age, we wanted to design a way that all our fans worldwide could be part of the celebration. But not only do we want to entertain people with this fun approach, we also want people to think about our oceans, and in doing so support the important work of the New England Aquarium.”
In addition to virtually christening the ship and becoming an honorary godparent, participants will be able explore the following areas online:
In addition, people will be able to share their virtual Ocean Princess experience with friends and family, and encourage them to participate through send-to-friend and Facebook functions.
“We are delighted to be honored by Princess Cruises in this innovative and exciting program. Like Princess Cruises, the New England Aquarium strives to inspire and entertain people of all ages to the beauty and wonder of our world’s oceans,” said Bud Ris, president and CEO, New England Aquarium. “We hope this online event will introduce new audiences not only to the spectacular beauty of our oceans but also inspire new ocean stewards.”
During the ship’s recent drydock at the Keppel Shipyard in Singapore, the Ocean Princess name was placed on the bow and throughout the vessel. The ship also received new fuel-efficient silicone paint on its hull, and interior enhancements including new upholstery, carpet and flooring. The ship was renamed Ocean Princess to more accurately represent her global range of itineraries.
Swartz added, “As this ship begins her life with its new moniker, we would also like to congratulate Ocean Princess Captain Stefano Ravera and his crew, as the re-naming celebration is the cornerstone of our contribution to the important work of the New England Aquarium.”
Following its inaugural Treasures of the Southeast Asia cruise from Singapore to Shanghai, Ocean Princess will offer a season of unique Asia, India and Africa sailings, followed by a summer of European voyages.
Ocean Princess is a part of Princess’ fleet of small ships, which also includes Royal Princess and Pacific Princess. Offering a classic and intimate cruise experience, each small ship carries around 680 passengers and travels to more remote destinations around the world.
Building on the popular unlimited soda cards offered by most cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises as started a new program offering the same convenience for alcoholic beverages.
USA Today’s popular Cruise Log as well as an ongoing discussion at CruiseCritic.comhas readers and members buzzing with both the pros and cons of the program
Packages, making a cruise more like an all-inclusive land resort, have proved popular with the line, offering Soda Fountain, Junk Food, Celebration, Romance and other packages for quite some time. Adding liquor packages for Celebrity just seems like the next logical step in a plan they believe makes cruising even an easier vacation option.
Guests have their choice of several packages. Here they are with Celebrities descriptions of each one. Packages must be pre-reserved a minimum of four days prior to sailing or can be purchased once on board the ship from the Guest Relations desk on the ship
The packages are being rolled out fleet-wide except for the smaller Celebrity Xpedition and Solstice-class ships who have their own unique wine packages will not have the Taste of Vineyards package.
My thoughts?
It does not take an expert shopper to figure out that $80 for a bottle of liquor is no bargain. The valueclaim here is probably not all that well-founded. Convenience, though, is surely a point in favor of the program that may prove it popular for guests. Before now, the easiest way to have a bottle of one’s favorite liquor in their stateroom was to smuggle it on board, against the cruise line rules. Those who normally like to follow the rules may very well find the premium price worth it.
Some discussion has been generated on the thought that the cruise line will become a “booze cruise”. That’s probably nonsense for the most part as is the notion that the program will lead to binge drinking. There may very well be binge drinking on a Celebrity ship, just as on any other ship, but blaming it on the potential effects of this program is a real stretch.
Celebrity has the right idea here. While much of the total cost of a cruise vacation is indeed included in the cruise fare price, some of the incidentals can really add up. Enabling guests to add on packages such as this, prebook shore excursions and spa treatments and prepay gratuities makes sense.
Now if they would only have a package where I can play the slot machines as much as I want for a set fee, that would pretty much cover everything.
Feel free to comment here or email me directly to voice your opinion
Last night, Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas was officially named at a gala ceremony at Florida’s Port Everglades with not one but seven Godmothers
To start with they went back to popular performer Gloria Estefan already a one-time Godmother for now retired ship Empress of the Seas, others were taken from other performing arts and include star-studded stable of talent ranging from actors to Olympians. Here they are
Michael Jordan, Disney’s “High School Musical” teen idol star Corbin Bleu and Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson were among celebrities granting children’s wishes aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas Make-A-Wish Foundation event on Monday.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, celebrating 20 years since the organization granted it’s first wish to a terminally ill child, grants the requests of children with life-threatening medical conditions to inspire them to keep up the fight and persevere through the tough times. Jordan is the organization’s chief ambassador and has granted over 180 wishes including many for a trip to Florida’s Disney World.
“It gives me no greater pleasure to see these kids to enjoy their moments and for a split moment not think about some of the negative things they have been going through,” Jordan told NBC News. “That brings so much joy to me.”
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Just in time to forget shopping for the holidays. One stop shopping right here for as low as about $11 per person per week.
Yep, that’s right. I have a plan set up where you can join our group cruise on Oasis of the Seas sailing in September of 2011 several different ways.
Could this be any less painless? I don’t think so and you who read this get first shot at it. Click here to go to the group website for all the details over the weekend. Starting Monday the whole world gets to see and there are a limited number of staterooms available. The whole program is based on double occupancy (two to a stateroom) but if you have more, you can still go, it just costs you more up front. See the “fine print”, a few rules at the group website.
Oh, you get stuff with this package too; $100 per cabin Onboard credit, a group cocktail party, Onboard Enrichment Seminars and more coming up as we go along.
Take a look today. Y0u can register right on the group website if you are ready or let me know what questions you may have.
Unless you’re here for the very first time, you know we have fallen in love with Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas from reading this or our series of Examiner.com articles. I promised a group cruise for anyone interested and here it is, just in time to forget shopping for the holidays. One stop shopping right here for as low as about $11 per person per week.
Yep, that’s right. I have a plan set up where you can join our group cruise on Oasis of the Seas sailing in September of 2011 several different ways.
Could this be any less painless? I don’t think so and you who read this get first shot at it. Click here to go to the group website for all the details over the weekend. Starting Monday the whole world gets to see and there are a limited number of staterooms available. The whole program is based on double occupancy (two to a stateroom) but if you have more, you can still go, it just costs you more up front. See the “fine print”, a few rules at the group website.
Oh, you get stuff with this package too; $100 per cabin Onboard credit, a group cocktail party, Onboard Enrichment Seminars and more coming up as we go along.
Take a look today. Y0u can register right on the group website if you are ready or let me know what questions you may have.
First, Lisa and I took a spin on Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas . I took a bunch of photos, some of which you have seen in my Examiner.com column. But I am horrible at taking photos, especially with my I-phone. Yes, that’s it, the phone. If I had a good camera I would do better. Not my fault, the phone’s fault.
Luckily our daughter Whitney, a professional photographer, was on the ship a day after we were and took some photos without a thumb in the photo and where you can actually tell what it is you are looking at.
Take a preview look on our website or see them all in our photo gallery
Thank you Whitney, we have something good to look at. Now go get married and have me a grandchild or two ok? Thanks!
Fifth Online Drydock Journal Lets Enthusiasts Follow Along with Regular Updates
Capping a year of taking viewers behind the scenes as ships go through drydock, Princess Cruises is again offering an opportunity to follow a vessel through the renovation process. In the newest installment of the Princess online drydock journal, the current Tahitian Princess will not only undergo a makeover, but also get a new name. The vessel, one of the small ships of Princess, will be transformed into Ocean Princess during the two-week process, giving her a new moniker reflecting her global range of fascinating itineraries.
The fifth in this unprecedented series, the Ocean Princess Drydock Journal will run through December 2 on www.princess.com, and will be updated regularly with photos as the ship progresses through its drydock at Keppel Shipyard in Singapore. Viewers can follow along as the ship’s name is removed and replaced on the bow and throughout the vessel – including on equipment such as the lifeboats. The journal will also chronicle changes as the ship is lifted from the water and receives a new coating of energy-efficient silicone paint, plus the interior refurbishments, with new upholstery, carpet and flooring.
“Response to our drydock journals has been remarkable – passengers love to see what’s done to the ship and how much work is involved in such a short time,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “This latest journal will give cruise fans yet another insiders’ peek behind the scenes, with the added interest in seeing the name change.”
The Ocean Princess Drydock Journal follows the enthusiastically received online journals chronicling work on Golden Princess, Dawn Princess, Sea Princess and Coral Princess. The journal can be found on the Ocean Princess page in the website’s “Ships” section, and it will be updated throughout the ship’s two-week drydock. The photos will also be posted to Princess’ Twitter feed, Facebook page and Flicker photostream.
After the drydock the newly named Ocean Princess will set sail on a 16-day Treasures of Southeast Asia cruise from Singapore to Shanghai, beginning a season of unique Asia, India and Africa sailings, followed by a summer of European voyages.
If you have been following our coverage of the launch of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, you know there has not been anything this big hit Florida since hurricane Charlie. Oasis gets a lot of press for being the largest cruise ship in the world. But it is the little things aboard the ship that will separate her from the pack in the long run.
First, let’s start with pricing.
This one is going to cost you a starting price of somewhere around $150 per person per day to start. Luxurious two-level loft suites and others will cost a bunch more as you might expect. The opening prices though, are not all that much more (if at all) than cruise prices were a few years ago, before economic woes drove prices down.
I would love to compare the price of this ship to some other ship but there is no other ship on planet Earth like it. Royal Caribbean’s Freedom and Voyager class ships with the Royal Promenade give us a glimpse of what Oasis is all about and probably served as seed for the ideas one sees aboard but that’s about it.
Strategy for booking, three must-do’s:
This ship is so over-the-top, radically different that it has simply reinvented the cruise experience.
Sure, it is a ship that floats, goes through the water to places where people get on and off and all that but the resemblance to a traditional cruise ends right there. Beginning with embarkation at Port Everglades new Pier 18, a 90-station check-in magic show that gets guests on board in as little as 7 minutes from curb to buffet, this ship does it her way.
Actually, the experience begins well before the sailing date when guests are able to book reserved seats for nightly shows, alternative dining restaurants (there are a bunch of them) and shore excursions from home on their computers. A reader understandably concerned about the 5000 passengers on the ship all trying to get to the show at the same time asked me how the cruise line would be handling that. The advance registration system takes care of that for all those concerned. Some seats will be held for walk-ins without reservations but savvy guests will take full advantage of the pre-registration capabilities for Oasis and lock in their seats in advance.
Onboard, dining options are plentiful with many included in the cruise fare such as the new Seafood Shack on the Boardwalk, just steps from the Aqua theater where you can also find a fresh donut , corn dog or ice cream. Royal Caribbean signature Windjammer Buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on deck 15 along with the Opal dining room, a three level masterpiece of organization and culinary distinction. Prompt room service is complementary except in the middle of the night when mostly just kids wasting food ordered it anyway so they charge a small fee to keep costs down. I have no problem with that; seems fair to me as does a small fee for Johnny Rockets, a great hamburger, fries and a shake place on the Boardwalk open for lunch and dinner.
Here is a primer on the different areas of the ship
The Boardwalk
Johnny Rockets- Extending the signature “eat-ertainment” hours, a diner breakfast menu will be introduced. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; $3.95 breakfast and $4.95 lunch and dinner cover charge.
Ice Cream Parlor-An 1950s-style ice cream venue serving classic sundaes and 15 different kinds of ice cream mixed with toppings to order on a frozen slab. Open throughout the day Ala carte pricing.
Donut Shop-A classically styled shop with casual snacks available all day. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Boardwalk Bar-Full scale bar with specialty drinks tailored to the area. Also serves salads, sandwiches, and other quick food. Very popular, this overlooks the Aquatheater too
Seafood Shack-The indoor/outdoor casual family restaurant will bring the surf style of beach side amusement parks to the Boardwalk, serving a variety of seafood, as well an extensive beverage menu of non-alcoholic cocktails and over-sized desserts. Open for lunch and dinner; $7.95 lunch and $9.95 dinner cover charge.
The Royal Promenade
Mondo Cafe/Coffee Bar- A new addition to the Royal Promenade will feature coffee, sandwiches and pastries native to countries such as Italy, Spain and Cuba. Steps from Boleros and open around the clock, it is sure to be popular after an evening on the dance floor. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night treats.
Sorrento’s Pizza- signature New York style pizzeria features the read-to-go items introduced not long ago on the Freedom class ships and made to order pizza’s just for you. Open for lunch, dinner and late night (but not 24 hours, that’s Carnival)
Cafe Promenade- our personal favorite “:quick” place to eat on other ships on the opposite end of the Promenade from Mondo Café (see above), this one continues the Seattle’s Best Coffee as a centerpiece for pastries, sandwiches, fruit shakes and a menu that evolves throughout the day. Take a glance over there whenever you walk by.
Central Park
150 Central Park- with an additional fee of $35 per person, this promises to be the most exclusive dining venue o the ship featuring multi-course meals paired with wines and an extensive wine list. I bet we will hear “Don’t eat all day if you are going here for dinner” comments right off the bat.
Giovanni’s Table- Open for lunch ($10) and dinner ($15), the casual Italian eatery (think Olive Garden at sea) serves family style pizza, salads, pastas, and I bet there’s a breadstick around someplace
Chops Grille-signature steakhouse with a $25 per person cover charge. Popular on all other ships in the fleet, I bet some of the new offerings on this ship give it a run for the money, literally.
Vintages- also a signature offering on other ships in the fleet, this one will have an extensive tapas menu (that alone will make it a busy place) as well as a selection of cheeses at this popular wine bar with a la carte pricing.
Park Café- A casual dining choice providing a high level of variety and flexibility, Park Café will be an indoor/outdoor gourmet market with walk-up counters. From freshly prepared salads and made-to-order sandwiches, to paninis, crepes and hearty soups, guests will order directly from the chefs behind food stations. European pastries, sublime chocolates and decadent fudge will round out the offerings. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night treats.
Pool and Sports Zone
Solarium Bistro-Located in the Solarium, the contemporary bistro will offer health-conscious dining for breakfast and lunch in a casual setting. In the evenings, Solarium Bistro will transform into a romantic and intimate dining setting for specialty healthy-fare dinner and dancing under the stars. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; dinner has a $20 cover charge.
The Wipe Out Café-The casual self-service buffet will offer a variety of options from pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and fresh salads to quick snacks and desserts, for young cruisers on-the-go. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
The Vitality Café-Located at the entrance of the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, the Vitality Café will feature healthy snacks, sandwiches, wraps and fruit, in addition to refreshing juices and smoothies from the Vitality spa menu for the calorie conscious guest. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
More Oasis Dining Options
Opus Dining room-The three-level main dining room will revive the grandeur of the 1920s and feature French art deco design. Catering to guests’ varying preferences, the newly introduced My Time Dining and My Family Time Dining, as well as the traditional main and late seating options will be offered. My Time Dining provides guests with the option to enjoy the dining room ambiance with Royal Caribbean’s renowned Gold Anchor Service whenever they wish during dining hours. Guests choosing My Time Dining will not have a pre-assigned table, but will be seated in the ships main dining room and will order from the same traditional dinner menu. My Time Dining guests can make daily reservations for specific seating times or choose to walk in. My Family Time Dining accommodates parents and children by offering an expedited 40-minute dining service for young cruisers, ages 3-11. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Windjammer Marketplace-Offering great flexibility for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this next generation of the popular self-service buffet area will feature multiple islands, each serving a variety of different menu options
Izumi-The new Asian cuisine restaurant will feature a sushi bar and hot rock cooking, as well as other Asian fare in a more formal setting. Open for lunch and dinner;Ala carte pricing.
Room Service-guests wanting to enjoy a meal in the comfort of their staterooms will be able to choose from the complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, as well as the recently introduced Dine in Delights menu, which offers name-brand culinary options ranging from the Original Johnny Rockets hamburger to Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookies. Open 24 hours a la carte pricing for Dine In Delights and $3.95 service charge for in-room deliveries between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Sorry kids, no free steaks at 3am.
Long-time Royal Caribbean fans will like signature eateries, Sorrentos Pizza, Chops steakhouse and the Promenade Cafe (personal favorite) offering service 24 hours a day with a menu that changes appropriately as the day goes on. We had some “Sunflower seed Granola bars” that I seriously doubt had anything really healthy for you in them, they were just too good.
We often talk about what there is to do on the ship, often remarking that there is no way you can do everything there is to do.
That’s on a normal ship.
On Oasis the activities are range from rock-climbing, Ice Skating to serene spa experiences for not just adults but for kids too (in their own area) and everything in-between. I was impressed with the way they have organized everything from activities to dining availability to even how to find your stateroom though interactive boards located by elevators. The stateroom televisions offer even more information and the ships daily newsletter in easy to read format, makes carrying around the days events in your pocket a breeze.
Also a breeze was getting on and off the ship
Royal Caribbean had promised that the new Pier 18 at Port Everglades was fully capable of disembarking 5000 passengers and putting another 5000 passengers on the ship with no problems. I have to admit a bit of skepticism, especially when the cruise line said the goal was to get guests on the ship 15 minutes after they arrived at the port.
We have waited much longer than that, up to several hours on a recent MSC cruise and are always prepared to kill some time. We will bring along books to read, music to listen to or just plan on doing some people watching as we sure do see a lot of them on what is called “turnaround day” by the cruise lines. That’s when the ships come in and actually do turn around in at the port, dropping off the old guests and picking up new ones.
Arriving at the port we were pleased with how very clearly marked the directions to Pier 18 were. It took just a few minutes from the first security checkpoint (pictured) to parking. Inside the new, bright terminal we found the promised 90 check-in stations fully manned, trained well and highly efficient. Our total time from arrival to actually stepping on the ship was 7 minutes.
If you have sailed from Port Everglades before, you will notice a big difference in the embarkation experience. These improvements are hard to miss. In less time that advertised to complete the embarkation process we were on the ship and I had my cupcake from the Cupcake Cupboard
Getting off the ship was even easier. The huge expanse of space that makes up pier 18 is quite capable of handling the crowd as are the attentive Royal Caribbean shore-side staff members who have all the answers for any questions one might have.
While this was simply a one-night preview cruise, we were able to experience the ship fully. No reports on ports of call yet for you but those will be coming soon as will a general consensus of opinion from guests aboard on the week-long experience. We have several guests on most sailings in the next 6 months who will be reporting on their experience and I’ll pass that along too.
Surprises
After our short preview cruise of Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas, Lisa and I were left thinking ” Let’s book a Central Park view stateroom and spend what we would have on booze, gambling and jewelry on spa treatments!” Here, then, is my take on the Vitality Spa:
Pretty much every cruise ship in operation has a health spa. Oasis of the Seas offers a new breed of facilities with something for everyone.
Most all ships offer a nice variety of treatments and are often integrated into a fitness center which ranges from basic equipment ot a full array of the latest machinery and highly trained staff members who know all about it.
On Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas, manicures, facials and a ride on your favorite piece of exercise equipment are just the beginning of what they have to offer.
With a staff of 47 crew memebers manning the 22,000 square foot facility, guests can have everything from teeth whitening to holistic and other medical treatments performed under the guidance of an onboard doctor. Acupuncture and Medi-Spa cosmetic services are available and attack issues ranging from Smoking Cessation to Weight Management. Restylane and Perlane Dermal Filler Treatments as well as BOTOX Cosmetic and DYSPORT Wrinkle Treatments both safe and FDC approved are performed with visible results within days.
Other facilities include
When Oasis of the Seas begins sailing 7-day Caribbean itineraries from Florida’s Port Canaveral, guests will have 37 different stateroom categories to choose from.
Rather than simply inside, oceanview or balcony cabins, Oasis and her sister-ship Allure of the Seas setting sail next year have some new cabin categories not before seen on other ships.
Loft staterooms are two level suites that have a unique layout featuring a totally separate sleeping and entertainment areas, double high floor to ceiling picture windows and, depending on the category chosen, can sleep from two guests up to 16.
Promenade view staterooms, technically an inside category, but with a window that looks out onto the Royal Promenade, a shopping, dining and entertainment venue have been popular on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class ships. Divided up into neighborhoods, Oasis offers similar staterooms looking out onto Central Park, a serene, upscale and lushly landscaped neighborhood and the Boardwalk, a high energy neighborhood featuring a more family-oriented area complete with zip-line rides, a working carousel, Johnny Rockets hamburgers and opening out to the Aqua Theater, a focal point of the ship and popular amphitheater located in the aft section of the ship.
The high-end category staterooms including Royal and Penthouse suites, offer the very latest in flat-screen televisions, upgraded amenities, extra large balconies, private jaccuzis and more. These are fun to look at, have sold out on many of the available sailings as high-end accommodations tend to do but the majority of guests will not book these, opting for traditional balcony, oceanview or inside cabins instead.
That might be a mistake.
The new Central Park and Boardwalk balcony staterooms, for example, offer views of their respective areas which just might be worth giving up a private view of the ocean and what the ship is passing by for some. Non-smokers will benefit greatly as these are totally non-smoking accommodations meaning an adjacent balcony or one up-wind when the ship is in motion with guests smoking will not be bothersome. Often priced lower than an Oceanview balcony stateroom, Central Park View and Boardwalk View can be a better value.
One of the concerns we had before experiencing the ship was the noise level from the public space area of the Boardwalk and Central Park. That was quickly put to rest when touring the staterooms by our Royal Caribbean tour guide who had guests stand on the balcony talking loudly while we waited inside the stateroom. Once the balcony door was shut and locked, the interior proved to be sound-proof in both areas. Sitting out on the balcony, Central Park was a more pleasant and serene experience than the Boardwalk area. A huge trade off for the quieter Central Park location is the ability to view events unfold in the AquaTheater from the balcony of a Boardwalk view balcony stateroom.
The close proximity of Central Park staterooms to the Vitality at Sea Spa, a huge well-staffed area offering enrichment seminars, Medi-spa and holistic spa services, out-of-this-world fitness facilities and classes, separate spa for teens and a beauty salon that promises to make you look as good as you feel. One could combine accommodations in the Central Park area with an intense array of services and treatments in the Spa for a fabulous week of relaxation and renewal.
We’ll take a closer look at the Sea Spa and Fitness Center next
Today we begin a series of articles telling of our preview cruise aboard Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Internationals new 220,000 ton cruise ship based at Florida’s Port Everglades sailing year-round 7-day Caribbean sailings. First, the embarkation process piece of cake
A nice, leisurely drive from Orlando, we arrived at 11:30am, about an hour later than normal for us. We usually always try to arrive at the port between 10:00am and 10:30am, just to be one of the first in line for when guests are allowed to arrive on board.
Usually by Noon, guests begin boarding and by the time the crowd gathers to get on the ship, we have boarded, gone to our stateroom to drop off our luggage, toured the ship, had lunch and might even be taking a nap. Today we wanted to go later and see how the process went at a more peak time.
Royal Caribbean had promised that the new Pier 18 at Port Everglades was fully capable of disembarking 5000 passengers and putting another 5000 passengers on the ship with no problems. I have to admit a bit of skepticism, especially when the cruise line said the goal was to get guests on the ship 15 minutes after they arrived at the port.
We have waited much longer than that, up to several hours on a recent MSC cruise and are always prepared to kill some time. We will bring along books to read, music to listen to or just plan on doing some people watching as we sure do see a lot of them on what is called “turnaround day” by the cruise lines. That’s when the ships come in and actually do turn around in at the port, dropping off the old guests and picking up new ones.
Arriving at the port we were pleased with how very clearly marked the directions to Pier 18 were. It took just a few minutes from the first security checkpoint (pictured) to parking. Inside the new, bright terminal we found the promised 90 check-in stations fully manned, trained well and highly efficient. Our total time from arrival to actually stepping on the ship was 7 minutes.
If you have sailed from Port Everglades before, you will notice a big difference in the embarkation experience. These improvements are hard to miss. In less time that advertised to complete the embarkation process we were on the ship and I had my cupcake from the Cupcake Cupboard
Embarkation rating: 5 stars
Next: Staterooms aboard Oasis of the Seas…all 37 categories of them
The launch of Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas will go down in cruise industry history as a day of rebirth.
Even with an extensive personal cruise history on all major cruise lines, many of the travel professionals aboard the one-day preview cruise felt as though it was there very first cruise. Noting “I feel like this is my very first cruise, this (cruise experience) is so exciting” said Jim Vander a 23 year travel agent who was skeptical about the experience before getting on board.
Others had commented that the ship was too big, too expensive the wrong ship at the wrong time for the economic environment the world is in today.
I asked many what they thought of the ship and every one’s initial impression was one of shock, disbelief and amazement.
“Royal Caribbean has given the cruise business the shot in the arm it needed right now” Jeff Woodson, not in the travel business but a cruise fan noted. He went on to say how this ship, with all the neighborhoods, new features and amenities, “totally blows away anything else at sea right now”.
If you have followed our series of articles on this ship you know a great deal went into the planning, building and now the execution of the onboard programs and facilities. I will send along details of all aspects of each area in the coming weeks but just the embarkation process was a quantum leap improvement in how things have been handled at Port Everglades in the past.
The cruise line had advertised and promoted that they expected embarkation time to be 15 minutes from the time guests hit the curb to when they were on the ship. It took us 7 minutes total to complete the process, less than half the time of Royal Caribbean’s goal.
Other areas of the ship that will set new standards for the cruise business include Central Park, a “neighborhood” that I did not think all that much of in preview before boarding the ship. This is an area that has balcony staterooms that open to the middle of the ship. My first thought was that the noise level inside those staterooms could be a problem. On a tour of the accommodations, Royal Caribbean representatives were quick to point out and demonstrate that inside the staterooms were sound-proof by asking some to stand on the balcony and yell as they closed the balcony door, revealing silence to those who remained inside.
We will get into all the areas and the inaugural events including a performance by superstar singer Rihanna and live broadcast of ABC’s Good Morning America shortly. Stay Tuned
Terminal 18, Oasis of the Seas’ boarding facility at Port Everglades has been specially designed to achieve an ambitious goal: getting from the curb to the ship in 15 minutes
Today, we will see how well that works.
“We finished building Cruise Terminal 18 on time and under budget, which is a demonstration of government at its best,” said Port Everglades Director Phil Allen. Port Everglades, located within the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach, Florida, is governed by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.
“There may be bigger terminals that service two ships at the same time, but Terminal 18 was constructed specifically to handle one Oasis-class ship at a time.”
At 240,000 square feet (5.5 acres), Cruise Terminal 18 is more than three times larger than it was just 22 months prior to opening when Royal Caribbean International reached an agreement with Broward County to homeport both of the new Oasis-class of ships at Port Everglades.
“We are very appreciative of the efforts of Director Phil Allen and his team at Port Everglades to create a state-of-the-art facility that will provide a seamless experience for our guests,” said President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Adam Goldstein. “Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will present an unprecedented vacation to guests and Terminal 18 is an integral part of delivering that offering.”
To accommodate these revolutionary cruise ships, the Port invested approximately $75 million to build Cruise Terminal 18. The terminal’s mega-size will accommodate the more than 5,400 cruise guests and their luggage so that both arriving and departing guests can go through processing procedures simultaneously.
To see the videos we take today, go to YouTube or check on Facebook
From shrubs to trees, the plantings aboard Oasis of the Seas bring the ship to life.
The work on this actually began quite some time ago when landscape architect firs Wilson Butler Architects and Waterfield Design Group faced the task of finding plants that would both tolerate salt water air and be approved with the USDA as plants unlikely to transport pests and diseases between the Caribbean and Florida.
57 Trees will be lifted by crane onto the ship along with 2000 individual planters all in a 24 hour period as 4 full time gardeners work with installation crews to get the job done
Join us tomorrow and ride along on our drive from Orlando to Port Everglades where we will board the ship, taking you along with us. done
Right now I am wondering what they will do to the kids that rip the leaves and branches off the trees and plants. I say make them fish food.
Two Carnival ships preparing for cruises from Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans will be delayed due to the path of Tropical Storm Ida.
The storm, downgraded from a hurricane on Monday morning, is expected to make landfall Tuesday morning.
The Carnival Fantasy’s first sailing from Mobile will be delayed one day due to the temporary closing of Mobile’s port. The Fantasy will now operate a modified five-day cruise leaving Nov. 11. The ship will call in Cozumel and Costa Maya.The Fantasy was originally scheduled to operate a six-day cruise departing Nov. 10.
Carnival said that passengers on the shortened trip will receive a pro-rated refund of the paid cruise. Passengers also have the option to cancel and receive a full refund.
The Carnival Triumph’s first sailing out New Orleans will also be delayed due to the closure of the port there. The Triumph will operate a three-day cruise from New Orleans departing Nov. 11, instead of a four-day cruise departing Nov. 10.
Guests on that cruise will get a 50% refund of their fare and can also cancel for a full refund. Carnival updates their website with the most current information frequently.
Yesterday, it was announced that due to weather conditions on the way, arrival of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas at Port Everglades will be delayed by two days.
Today our extensive coverage of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas continues with some interactive Internet sources sure to be favorites. There are a lot of websites that mention Oasis but here are some I have run across that really do a great job of making sense of the worlds largest cruise ship. These first two from SunSentinel.com, offer some great insight and are really helpful if you’re trying to find your way around the ship, always a good idea before sailing.
All these are great sources of information. Use them to research, keep up with what is going on and plan for the future. When it comes time to book your cruise vacation don’t make a critical mistake; use a professional, certified travel agent. As more and more of them go broke, the bad move of booking with an Internet Cruise Broker is more and more like a hangover, totally avoidable. Rule of thumb: If all you have to do is click to order, you’re in the wrong place.
Fully into the Atlantic, Captain Wright turns the ship into the ocean, slowing down to just 6 knots speed to allow for a smooth ride in near-hurricane force winds.
The ship “continues to perform wonderfully” he said in the video we have for you here today which shows those conditions at sea and gives us a glimpse of what Oasis is capable of in this environment.
The environmental impact of cruise ships is a topic that has been discussed a great deal. “The Oasis of the Seas will have such a dramatic impact that she will help more people understand all that cruising has to offer,” said Richard Fain, CEO and chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises, parent company to Royal Caribbean International. “We are seeing a halo effect on the rest of our fleet,” he added. “We saw it when the Freedom entered service, too.”
Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president of maritime, said the size is a result of responding to guest expectations, and that more “real estate” allows broader product offering, more energy efficiencies and less environmental impact, and more safety by scale (more space enables more redundancies and better engine rooms, including double hull protection).
Royal Caribbean International
Now fully into the Atlantic Ocean on her way to Port Everglades the Captain reported yesterday that the ship was handling well in winds up to 60 knots. Without a doubt, advanced technology built into the ship is playing a big role in the handling and maneuverability they are experiencing on board right now. The video you see here tells more of the technology that went into building the ship.
But with the exception of this video and others like it, guests rarely get a chance to see that side of technology. There are some pretty amazing areas, some big and flashy, some small and subtle, that are built into Oasis of the Seas that guests will indeed experience first-hand.
Let’s take a look at Royal Caribbean International Chairman Richard Fain’s blog for some insight to what is in store for guests.
Gangway Button- If you have been on a cruise before you might know that guests do not always disembark from the same deck or side of the ship. It depends on which port they are docked at or even which pier at a given port. Many guests disembarking head down and follow the crowd. On Oasis, they added a special button in each elevator marked “Gangway” which will be programmed to change at each port. It’s a little thing but now all guests will have to do is find an elevator to know where to go, rather than listening to sometimes annoying announcements
Royal Caribbean has been working on announcements too though. According to Fain, “We had three objectives: (a) ensure all safety announcements are clear and properly disseminated; (b) minimize all non-essential ship-wide announcements; and (c) make sure that we properly accommodate people who do not speak English.” A lot of that will be taken care of with the very latest in-stateroom communication system.
As reported earlier, the ship’s Royal Caribbean Television network (RCTV) will have Internet capabilities, details on all ship venues, menus, hours of operation, etc as well as traffic flow updates for food venues, informing guests of which venue could best accommodate their party at any given time.
Communication has long been a strong point in the management of Royal Caribbean International. It is no surprise that they have gone to great lengths to examine what they are doing in this area and improve upon it for the launch of Oasis of the Seas.
done
A complex array of offerings in the Adventure Ocean children’s program is a good example of this communication in action. ”We have never had such an exciting Children’s Program or such extensive facilities with which to present it” Fain said along with a PowerPoint presentation to explain it all.
Stay tuned for more updates as they occur, right here
Simply sailing from Miami is part of the fun
Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas offers a value-priced short cruise sailing from Miami. This is a great cruise for those within driving distance or those who might combine one of these sailings with a land vacation in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area.
This is not one of Royal Caribbean’s new ships with all the bells and whistles they’ve become famous for like Oasis of the Seas debuting at Port Everglades next month. But the ship is well-maintained and the service on a par with any other in the fleet.
Embarkation in Miami is a breeze. By completing registration information online we were able to print a SeaPass which makes things move along very nicely. I like Royal Caribbean’s terminal operations and the ease of which one can get in and out of the Port of Miami, still the busiest cruise port in the world. I was somewhat surprised to find security lax in comparison to other, recent, visits. It has been the norm for several years here to be stopped on arrival and required to show identification. Not this time. In the terminal itself, it looked like even the cruise lines security requirements had been loosened up a bit.
Surely, the cruise lines x-ray stop is not as thorough as the airlines but on this occasion they seemed much more interested in moving the line along than what was in our luggage.
On this cruise, being just a 3 day, we’d not packed much and opted to carry on everything in our individual luggage, one for me and one for my wife. Again I was surprised that I didn’t even have to take my laptop computer out of the bag. I guess it all works out though because I am writing this at the end of the cruise and the ship hasn’t been blow up yet.
OUR CABIN
We’d opted for the least expensive, inside cabin on this cruise. The accommodations were tight at 120 square feet but had everything we needed and offered plenty of storage space. A highlight of this cabin was the shower. Unlike some other seafaring showers, this one packed a punch equal to any land based showers and offered plenty of space. Considering the age of this ship I’d expected the old-fashioned phone booth variety. This one was about double phone booth size. Still not what one might find in a hotel but, again, adequate.
One part of the cabin experience that I found odd was the television programming. I’d heard that Royal Caribbean (RCL) had a new person in charge of this area and that things had really improved. Not on this ship. We have been in the habit of watching at least one movie on each cruise. If you’ve not done this you really should. For years after when the film you saw onboard is mentioned or you see clips of it elsewhere you’ll remember it and say “Oh, we saw that on the cruise! This was the first time were we’d not been able to find a schedule of what was playing in the daily Compass ships newsletter. We did manage to figure it out though and saw our movie.
An area of cabin operations that was quite impressive was our cabin steward, Sydney. This guy did a great job of getting in and out of our cabin when we were gone. He paid attention. Some don’t. He didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. He didn’t blow us away. He just paid attention. We had a small soft-sided cooler we’d brought because we like to have extra ice in the cabin. We didn’t even mention filling it up or keeping it full; he just did it.
He paid attention.
We found service in every area of the ship to be consistently attentive. That’s saying a lot. Often there are some areas better than others. On this ship all areas were efficient and friendly.
What more could you ask for?
In the past I’ve heard others say and even on occasion said myself “they treat you like kings on a cruise” I’d found that pretty truthful and accurate in the past but had kind of shied away from it on recent sailings. The staff on this ship brought that phrase back into the spotlight with brilliant clarity.
ONBOARD ACTIVITIES
What can I say? I won in the casino and that washes away a whole lot of negatives. Not that there were many on this sailing but you get the idea.
The cruise director and staff also did a really good job of packing all the activities you might find on a longer cruise into this short one. It did not just seem like there was something going on all the time, there was. Pool games, dance lessons, rock-wall climbing, a full blown kids program in Adventure Ocean, nightly production entertainment, all the elements were there.
This would have been a great “sample cruise” for someone who had not sailed before in the entertainment area. It was also a great cruise for locals from the Miami area. With a high percentage of Hispanic guests onboard, music contained a higher amount of Salsa and Latin-beat selections.
The Cruise Director and staff were paying attention; they gave the guests what they wanted.
TECHNOLOGY
Even computer access was great. On other ships the connection has been slow, this one was good and fast. Wi-Fi access was also a breeze to get signed up for and various packages could be purchased at reasonable prices.
Cell phone use was also available at all times on this ship. A strong signal made communicating with the outside world doable if one wanted to. Again, somebody was paying attention. I did not see many using cell phones but the service was available to those who needed it.
FOOD
Let me start by saying that we tried something different on this cruise. We never ate in the dining room. We had tried this on Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign of the Seas a few months earlier with great success and I wanted to see if that was a fluke or if there was consistent quality in the buffet operations.
What I found was that this is the one area of this ship that needs work. The taste of the food is always a very subjective element and difficult to define. One person may like the flavor of a particular item while another doesn’t care for it. The trick on a cruise is to offer a wide enough variety so that there is truly something for every one. In most cases I’ve found that there is a lot of variety and finding something you like is not an issue. Here too, the variety, for the most part, was there.
There are, however, certain aspects of foodservice that are not difficult to define at all. Food handling procedures are one of these items. I was in the restaurant business for 20 years and know a thing or two about the workings of a mass feeding operation. One of the simple, basic, and critical rules written in stone is “Cold things Cold and Hot things Hot”. This operation failed miserably in this area at every turn.
Here are a few examples
Part of every buffet is a cold section with deli meats and cheeses. These are placed on a bed of ice to maintain a safe, cold temperature. Several times I saw where the ice was allowed to completely melt and the food left to come up to room temperature. On this ship part of the Windjammer service area is in the open where the ambient temperature was 80 plus degrees, a breeding ground for food-related illness.
On the hot side, the same could be said for just about everything. I wish I had a thermometer with me because I’d bet that most hot products wouldn’t make it past 100 degrees, again in the danger zone. The only products we had on this cruise that were truly hot were cooked to order omelette’s at breakfast and cooked to order pasta for dinner.
TIP: Get to know the Pasta Chef who works in the dining room preparing pasta dishes to your order. Best food on the ship.
I’ve run into this before, this is not unique to this ship. But on other ships we’ve had alternative restaurant choices. On this one, it’s the dining room, buffet or room service, that’s it.
The thought crossed my mind that it would not be entirely inaccurate to say “If you want some good food on this cruise, bring it with you” But I think that might be a bit harsh.
As mentioned, variety and taste are very subjective areas and difficult to rate. Except when it came to desserts on this ship. Somebody must have gotten a real deal on cake mix because cake was the anchor of the dessert menu that caused the menu to sink.
Don’t get me wrong.
I like cake.
But this flavorless, unfrosted, lackluster substitute, which might have been a treat to a prison inmate, was just horrible. That wouldn’t be a problem if it was just one part of the menu but often it was the entire menu with the exception of Chips Ahoy quality cookies.
This area of the ship had “we’re really trying to cut costs” written all over it.
It was at this point that I started looking for other signs of a tight budget manifesting itself into an effect on the quality of operations.
Don’t get me wrong; I think any business needs to be run in an efficient and cost-effective manner. That’s just good business.
But when budget-controlling measures affect the quality of operations to the point where they begin to define the operation then I think somebody needs to be really sure that’s what they want to do.
It’s hard for me to imagine that Royal Caribbean wants to be known for being the cruise line with the lousy desserts. Or the cruise line that can’t afford to buy enough plates so guests wait for them at the buffet line or can’t hold them in their hands because they are too hot because they just came off the dish machine and were run to the buffet line. I doubt they want to be known as the one who let spills sit on the floor, creating a safety hazard.
But maybe they were just not paying attention.
I watched one day at lunch as a uniformed officer/manager roamed the dining room completely oblivious to what was going on around him. He wasn’t paying attention. He never spoke to any of the crew. He never spoke to any of the guests. He just walked around doing nothing about elements of the dining experience screaming at him for attention. These were easy-fix things too. A guest wandering around looking for a glass of water, a spilled drink all over the floor, dirty tables everywhere with other guests looking for one to use to name a few.
To be fair, I think everything they needed was in place, they just weren’t utilizing what they had to work with well.
There seemed to be plenty of chefs, foodservice crew and managers but yet the rolls were obviously baked too far in advance. Maybe they don’t have enough ovens to make it happen. Maybe they have to bake bread earlier in the day so the ovens are available to make more cake later in the day.
If they’re serving up this low quality of food in an attempt to save money they’re really missing the boat. If they took a look at the volume of food that was left uneaten on plates they might get a clue. This was not that guests took more than they could eat. This was that they took one bite and didn’t continue eating. I would bet that this ship makes more pizza than others in the fleet. It was not uncommon to see guests eating pizza at the same table as their buffet plate which had barely been touched.
Who’s fooling who here?
On paper they might find that the flavorless institutional cake is less expensive to produce but what are they really saving if they throw it all away?
If you’ve followed my reviews you might be tempted to say “has this guy EVER been on a bad cruise?”
No, I haven’t.
On the bright side:
• The pizza was awesome and room service had some highlights worth mentioning. What made the pizza consistently good is that they never got too far ahead on it. It was always piping hot and fresh out of the oven. The pizza guy paid attention.
• On room service the Tuna Pita sandwich, Cheesecake and even the Hamburgers were very good. Ok so skip my personal opinion that they tasted good and stick to the facts. The hamburgers, for some reason, came hotter from room service than on the buffet line. Somehow the hot food was hotter and the cold food colder.
• The midnight Caribbean buffet served on deck including ice carving demonstration was worth staying up for. Lobbing off the pigs head was a bit much for the kids who probably didn’t sleep real well that night but still a cool deal
With the exception of foodservice, this ship is great. Royal Caribbean does so many things right that it really slaps you in the face when they drop the ball. I hope there are plans in the works to fix this because it is definitely broken.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
The first thing you do NOT want to do is visit the site of an Internet Cruise Broker. While the attractive pricing may grab your eye, in the end their “find everything right here” way of presenting cruise information is almost always deceiving. more…
The most efficient way to go on your own is to visit the major cruise lines website and their “find a cruise”pages. I like this method because you can
They too like to put their best foot forward and position high-profit sailings front and center. So don’t pay too much attention to their pricing. It almost always does not include taxes and any decent travel agent can make it a better value. But there is no better way to find just what you are looking for
So do your research, find some possible sailings and let me know which ones you would like value pricing on. Remember:
“the Internet is for searching, Travel Agents are for booking”
First let’s get things straight on terminology by defining two types of people. Cheapskates and Value-Oriented Consumers.
Value-Oriented Consumers want to get the most for the money they spend. These are people who know spending a bit more for something that will last longer is better in the long-run. Here is an example of what I mean by that.
I have a pair of slippers I bought from LL Bean at least 20 or so years ago. I don’t wear them every day but when we lived up North they were great for a firewood run in the Winter. There are paint drops of the Burgundy wall color that was popular decades ago that won’t go away. They’re a bit worn but, to me, they’re all the slippers I’ll ever need. Now here in Florida, I’ll put them on to run the dog out or just have around in the Winter when the temperature gets less than 50.
At the time I bought them, they were a bit more expensive than other slippers I might have bought but these were made well. I had been ordering from LL Bean for years, starting back when you got a catalog, filled in an order form and sent it in or called them on the phone. The notion of ordering “online” was not even an option yet. I remember ordering these slippers and calling in the order only because there was a variety of choices and I wanted to talk to someone about which to choose. I felt confident relying on their recommendations and placing that order because I knew they took anything back, no questions asked, much like former retail dominator Sears had when I was a child. My dad always shopped there as did most everybody’s dad I knew because they would always take something back if it did not work out for you.
I think I got my education in what kind of consumer to be at Sears. Or maybe it was the local hardware store where men were on duty who knew just what you needed for whatever it was you came in there for. That was just the way business was done. Consumers built relationships with stores, brands, even particular sales people who stayed put in their jobs in the time of life-long employment. That’s not to say there were not fly-by-night companies that would try to take advantage of consumers. There have always been and always will be those sharks out there who are not concerned about building a long-term relationship, earning our business and counting on us to make a living over a lifetime. Venture Stores come to mind as does any one of a mind-full of other failed business’.
The Value-Oriented Consumer knows what they want and if they don’t they know where to go for expert recommendations, good pricing and they consider that business their source for whatever it is they sell.
We had a florist we used who I had worked for as a boy sweeping floors. They had done flowers for my wedding, and any other special occasion along the way. At one point, the salesperson we always talked to there, moved to a different florist, so we moved with him. There was commitment on both sides. Sure, that florist dropped the ball once along the way, making a holiday wreath for us that just was not what we had in mind at all, but quickly replaced and made good on the deal.
Are you getting the hang of this concept of “Value” yet? It involves attempting to have a long-term business relationship with a company that “gets it” . Gets YOU.
The social media Twitter/Facebook/MySpace craze of today focuses on building relationships as a cornerstone of the movement. That’s wonderful. If they do it. In the long run, consumers will come out way ahead IF they find and use a business that believes in this concept of value also. Both sides have to “get it”
In the world of today, so much has changed but so much is the same.
We have computers, instant access to online resources that might appear to be a good substitute for a good business relationship with a company but they are not.
Every once in a while I hear a doctor or someone else with (supposedly) a lot of smarts who will say sarcastically, “Oh sure, if it says so on the Internet it must be true!” and I think “Uh yeah, so what’s your point?” believing that what I see on the Internet IS true for the most part. I mean, sure, I’m not stupid, if I see something unbelievable on the Internet I won’t believe it. Plain and simple. But some people just really like to believe that if someone has a slick website then they must be telling the truth and what they see before them is fact.
That right there may be the single most destructive thought the age of technology may have brought us. It plays to the worst side of us, the side that wants to believe whatever we see that supports our point of view. With billions of web pages, it does not take much looking to find just what we think we want. That’s if we let ourselves get all caught up in it all and forget the lessons learned, the gains made and the viewpoint that made sticking with a business and developing that long-term relationship over time such a smart strategy
You see, in the olden days that was the only choice. It was Sears, Montgomery Wards or JC Penney , maybe Macy’s to choose from for most stuff. Having a job working for Sears for 40 years was a common thing and there were lots of people doing that. The Information Age, Age of Technology, Computer Age, whichever you want to call it, eventually ruined that. A by-product? Maybe
Now, we have to go out of OUR ways as consumers to seek out and stick with business’ who…well…”care” about us
That is the task premiere for a Value-Oriented Consumer. Much like moving to a new city, Value-Oriented Consumers have to find those people, those business’ that “get it”.
Cheapskates are easy to define as they are so one-dimensional. They go for the flashy headline advertising to get “the best deal” missing the point altogether.
Cheapskates want so badly to get that $199 cruise that they disregard the facts. In reality they have to pay port charges, taxes and government fees that often nearly double that price. Add in a fine-print item like a non-refundable processing fee or cancellation fee that most people don’t find out until later and this is not the stuff that long-term, mutually beneficial business relationships are made of.
Cheapskates go from one source to another with no regard for the future, as though the only thing that matters is the price they pay today. That short-term thinking is killing business in America, maybe all over the world, and opening the door for those smart enough to be Value-Oriented Consumers to start a “new” movement in how business is done. A movement that should sound or feel somewhat familiar after reading this because it’s all been done before. Business is surely “sourcing” stuff to get the best value but up until recently that has meant the best price.
After going for the best price always and getting burned a high percentage of the time, business is learning. Consumers are learning.
Business is learning to offer what will be mutually beneficial to their customers in the long run, not just focusing on the day-to-day which created the environment that brought us Payday loans, cheaply made goods, poorly excecuted services and where we are right now. The old business model of putting things out on bids to three different sources and using the cheapest one with price being valued way too high led our country to the brink of disaster and a economic period that will surely be called the Great Recession decades from now with exactly the same heaviness as the “Great Depression” was from a former generation.
All society’s greed did was create a group of Cheapskate consumers not focused on the long-term. Not focused on building relationships. Not focused on doing it right, whatever it was they were or still are doing.
But I’m seeing more and more people these days looking for the long-term benefits that brand loyalty can bring. We were a “Tide” family when I grew up. That was the laundry detergent we used and there was no changing that. Tide got lazy though. Tide got lazy, forgot about our relationship, and opened the door for Cheer to come in and take over by doing what? Building relationships by providing a superior product with excellent customer service and a desire to be our laundry detergent. Think about other companies that lost their way and are not around any more. Think of the consumers that spent their time and money with those companies only to be left alone looking for another source.
Does the airline industry teach us anything here? How about the mighty American car industry? How did they let the door open to foreign imports who have taken so much market share from them?
Frequent flyer programs may have made one airline more attractive than another. More features and better craftsmanship may have made one car company more desirable than another. The Cheapskates were in the driver’s seat on that one for sure. Driving business to give them exactly what they thought they wanted, business complied…for the most part. Some did not. Coca-Cola never changed its formula and didn’t Kentucky Fried Chicken. But they practically gave away their products at a price below what that product deserved in order to gain market share. In order to satisfy the short-term thinking Cheapskates
Cheapskates either just don’t know or are stupid.
Value-Oriented Consumers are smart but might very well have been cheapskates in the past.
Business is headed back to Value-Oriented Consumers who shun the cheapo Internet Cruise Brokers and embrace highly skilled and experienced Travel Agents. Instead of putting stuff out for bids, companies are working with one supplier to source their needs at a competitive price. That price might not always be the lowest but the commitment of that business to the consumer more than makes up for it in the long-run. The focus is back on the long run. Just now. Just starting back for many. Some will “get it”, others won’t at all and they will die the financial and business death of others before them who didn’t “get it”.
The housing bubble burst, Wall Street crashed in a way not seen since that last “Great” bad time, Obesity (with a big “O”) is fast becoming the number one killer in America, taking over for long-time favorite Cancer and unemployment tops 10% in more areas than it has in decades. People are starting to reevaluate how they do things and “tightening the belt” is not the answer. The belt is so tight in some areas that there is no room to go anywhere except a new direction
Because we learn.
Some learn.
Others don’t learn.
Others never will.
Some people will buy a dozen pairs of slippers in their lives while others will buy just one or two. I am excited that every day I see more and more of my clients or those I come in contact with who do “get it”, want and demand the very best value and come out miles ahead in the long-run. That’s exciting to see. What burns me, what makes me mad and people I have no use for are the Cheapskates that don’t “get it”. I have served plenty of them, once or maybe twice, before they went on to the next “low-price-at-the-expense-of-all-else” short-term business relationship.
That’s what I think. What do you think?
I woke up this morning to less than 50 degrees outside! That’s dangerously close to 4o degrees, the temperature at which many thin-blooded Floridians (myself totally included) do not leave the house except for an emergency. It seemed only appropriate to write an article for Examiner.com that reminds Seniors, Floridians and pretty much anyone else who might be in the market for a “get away from the darn cold” cruise in a few months that now is the time to be looking for one. So here, some tips on all that….
Carnival Cruise Lines
As a cold snap descends upon Florida, a gentle reminder that even the Sunshine State is not immune to the approaching Winter, our population grows some as Snowbirds return from up North. The cruise vacation industry has some excellent values for them as well as Florida residents. Here are some tips that will be sure you get the best value
Right now there are still a lot of very good values for Seniors and residents, not just Florida but other states as well. Your Cruise Lines International certified travel agent is the best source for cruise vacation information. Building a long-term business relationship with your travel agent will pay big dividends over the course of your cruise history
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I have always enjoyed Carnival cruises.
Since our last Carnival cruise on the Carnival Fantasy we had sailed the Celebrity Century, Cunard’s Queen Mary2, Norwegian Sun two times,and Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign and Freedom of the Seas. After all those, it was refreshing to come back home to Port Canaveral and the Carnival Glory.
At 110,000 tons, the Glory is one of the big fish in the cruise business. But on this one, which reminded me a lot of the Victory, Destiny and Triumph, Carnival has done a great job of breaking up large, open spaces, into smaller, more intimate areas. Taking a page from past renditions of FunShips but adding their typical unique twist done ship by ship, they have made a great addition to cruises sailing from Port Canaveral.
At the time of this sailing it was a tie between the Disney Magic or Wonder and the Glory for the “big, nice ships” prize ( If there was one). Now with Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas adding a totally different cruise experience to the mix of what is offered from Port Canaveral, it’s a tougher choice.
Glory is the clear winner, though, in many other areas. The main area, “Fun”, has Carnival clearly in the 
lead. That’s saying a lot when stacked up against the magical Disney brand. But since we had not only been away from Carnival for a while but had sailed on several other lines, the “fun” atmosphere really slapped me in the face. I missed it and did’t even know it.
Suddenly, what was missing on those other lines was very apparent. Here was a ship capable of holding up to 3700 passengers and darn near every single one I saw was over-the-top happy to be there. The atmosphere was relaxed but the air was full of anticipation, excitement and (again) “Fun”.
Upon embarkation, guests were advised that cabin’s would be ready about 1:30PM and to head to the lido deck for lunch. First, we had a great luncheon in the dining room. By the time we got up to the Lido deck it was packed. The familiar multiple food stations were all running full throttle keeping up with the demand quite nicely. I think it was here that I remembered how well Carnival knows “fun”.
On this visit I spent a lot of time touring the different categories of cabins. Still, my favorite and what I think is one of the best values at sea, is a category 9A corner balcony cabin. Very much like the one’s we’d 
sailed several times on other Carnival ships, the 9A’s on this ship have a unique layout. The big drawing point, though, is the huge wrap-around balcony.
Touring the Category 11 and 12 cabins was a lot of fun too (and about as close as I will ever get to staying in one). If I die and come back as a cruise ship cabin it would be in one of these categories. Not that the inside, outside and other balcony cabins are not nice, they are. After sailing all those other cruise lines mentioned earlier, some with cabins a lot smaller and most with cabins of varying sizes, it was nice to see the consistency that Carnival applies to their cabins. Each is comfortable and well equipped. OK so the Penthouse Suites have a bigger whirlpool bath than the somewhat smaller standard suites, even the inside cabin showers were quite functional and a fair size.
This visit was just a tour and luncheon on the ship, perhaps about the same amount of time one might spend aboard if in a wedding party. I did’t want to leave. I can’t wait to go back. My record is perfect; I’ve never met a cruise ship I did not like and the Glory I loved!
So we’ve talked about Internet Cruise Brokers andCertified Cruise Travel Agents, but what about just picking up the phone or going on line to book directly with the cruise line? Why not just eliminate the “middleman” and deal directly with the source?
You can do that and will probably get exactly what you paid for. You might even get a complementary upgrade or some other perk not available with the Internet Cruise Broker. But when it comes to comparing dealing directly with the cruise line to using a Certified Cruise Travel Agent, there is no comparison.
You see, while the Certified Cruise Travel Agent is paid a commission by the cruise line, they work for YOU…or they should.
A good one does.
A good agent works on building a long term business relationship with you. They want to be your go-to person for cruises now and in the future. If nothing else, they have your repeat business at stake and want to do a good job for you so you will come back again for all cruise-related needs.
In Central Florida, like the rest of the planet, there are a lot of travel agents to choose from. If you have been booking on the Internet, stop and find one. Ask a trusted friend who travels who they use. Check with the local Better Business Bureau or Cruise Lines International Association for agents who have completed their certification training. Then send that potential agent an email. Give them as much information as you can; where you want to sail to, what your cruise history is (if you have one), how much you want to spend, where other vacations have been and what you liked or disliked about them.
Given enough information, a Certified Cruise Travel Agent should always be able to provide a better value for you. They will respond promptly to your inquiry, ask probing questions to get a better idea of what cruise might be a good fit for you and start to develop that long-term business relationship right
from the start.
This is the way business was done for decades before the Internet enabled us to do so much on our own. Now, in perspective, the Internet is a great tool for research but as the saying goes; “The Internet is for looking, Travel Agents are for booking”
There are three basic ways to book a cruise. Directly with the cruise line, an Internet Cruise Broker or a Travel Agent. Which is the best way? Let’s find out.
First, let’s start with the Internet Cruise Broker. That would be one of the many online companies that offers unbelievably low prices on a cruise. In most all cases those are unbelievable prices because they are not accurate or do not fully represent what is being offered.
The first misleading expense is hidden fees. I call these Burried Fees because you have to dig to find them. They are there for all to see but you will find them most commonly toward the end of their “Terms of Service” , far after the boring text turned off the reader. Most all of these fees are not necessary and simply sometihng that Internet Cruise Broker has levied upon each buyer, should they fall into the trap.
One that can add up quickly are “change fees” where you may be charged $50 or $100 for name
spelling corrections. In the past, the cruise lines DID charge this fee but it as been dropped for quite some time. If you see this fee it should be a red flag to pay special attention to the details before buying. Processing Fees are another one that runs up the price of the cruise and is often charged by Internet Cruise Brokers.
But if you can get past all the potential or actual junk fees charged the low price may still be a good one. Reason enough to buy from your Internet Cruise Broker?
No way! One of the biggest areas where Internet Cruise Brokers fail is what happens after the sale.
The job of almost all Internet Cruise Brokers stops once you pay.
They simply don’t have time for you. To get those low prices they give up a good deal of their commission. They still have bills to pay so they rely on a huge volume of buisness to survive, often bending the rules or taking your money but not turning it over to the cruise line. Not long ago, I happened to visitwww.CruiseValueCenter.com, one of the big Internet Cruise Broker websites, to find they had shut down and were offering site visitors advice on how to recoup money they had paid. If that is not enough reason stay clear of an Internet Cruise Broker, I don’t know what is.
Next up: Why use a travel agent?
I was looking through some cruise brochures yesterday (I do this on Saturday’s while sitting around the pool) and a thought crossed my mind:
“Interesting; the biggest, newest ships have so many more features and options. Why?”
The two biggest, newest and brightest stars on the horizon are the Norwegian Epic and Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. These two new ships have more features and more choices for accomodations than anything ever built before. While very different in and of themselves, both of these ships will offer some common elements that are interesting to think about. Let’s look at three of them
The loss of Oceanview staterooms (cabins with a window) is no big loss to me personally. We did a Oceanview cabin one time and I thought
“Waste of money, it’s like watching the ocean on TV, might as well get an inside cabin and actually watch the ocean on tv via the ship’s bridge cam” .
But that’s just me. Others do like Oceanview cabins but the industry trend has been to get away from them. Many of the new ships out right now have reduced the number of them to where I can’t even hold some for a group cruise. Looking at older ships though, balconies are the rage and have been for several years. Older ships going into drydock commonly come out with more balconies than they went in with. The demand is for balconies over Oceanview so it is no surprise that the newest ships don’t have any. Still, it does reduce one option a potential guest has to choose from when making a buying decision. Some won’t care, they didn’t want an Oceanview anyway. Some will care because they liked the Oceanview. In my experience those really needing an Oceanview need that point of reference that the window and what is outside of it provides.
For the cruise lines, they get to charge more for that cabin because it has a balcony now. That’s fair, a balcony offers a better cruise experience. My time on a balcony is precious. Being at sea, completely surrounded by the ocean in all directions is so peaceful and offers so much to me that it’s worth it. I have passed on many sailings when I could not afford a balcony. I am not one of those people who says “Who cares what cabin I get as long as I am on the ship” . There are a lot of people that feel that way and truly do not spend much time in their cabin. I’m glad we have the option of inside cabins for them; that’s a good match for what they want out of their cruise. I don’t see those going away any time soon but one look at Oasis of the Seas and you can sure see where the focus is; balconies one way or another. In fact, in addition to the traditional Promenade View inside cabins offering a window view of the Royal Promenade that runs the length of a football field inside the ship, they are offering similar “inside” cabins but with balconies that open inside the ship.
I also thought
“I think the cruise lines “get it”. I think they realize that the best cruise experience includes a balcony and financial gains aside, a balcony cabin does add to the whole “cruise of a lifetime” experience that I think they have been getting away from recently”
The addition of secluded areas for the top-end accomodations harkens back to the Golden Age of Ocean Liners (think the movie “Titanic”) and a class system that was undeniable.
Modern ships still had that up to this point but in a more indirect way. One could book passage on a high-end cruise line like Silversea or Regent Seven-Seas where all the staterooms were oppulent and geared toward a higher-income level guest. Is that a class system at work? You bet. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I don’t think it is either, it is just differenet marketing to groups of like guests. That notion smacked me in the face when arriving at Port Canaveral not long ago for a sailing of the Carnival Glory. We had not sailed on Carnival for a while and it struck me as unique that there were barbecues, pickup trucks and a party atmosphere somewhat like I had experienced when we lived in Kansas City before a Chiefs football game. I had not seen that on Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or other lines.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not in any way looking down on Carnival guests in any negative way, just an observation.
If I was to document the scene at Carnival though with the scene at Cunard, for example, I know I would see different groups of people. Not that Carnval guests don’t cruise on Cunard or vice versa, we do. But Carnival is all about the “fun” and they have that down pat. Cunard is a more refined experience. Those, to me, are some real extremes. So who are these new ships, Oasis and Epic, built for?
I think they are built for everyone. Bargain hunters are not going to find a $199 cruise on either ship any time soon. A $1000 per person inside cabin is more like it and that in and of itself will turn a lot of people off. I have even heard comments from other travel agents wondering when the price will come down because they sure can’t sell either ship to their customers priced as they are now. Clients tell me to let them know when the prices go down and they will take a look. I don’t know that I will be making that call any time soon.
You see, I think this is a good thing; feature-heavy ships offering the best possible opportunity for us to fully embrace what cruise travel is all about:
Ulitmate Relaxation
A cruise vacation offers the single-most effective way to get away from real life, relax and get the perspective we need to go forward with life in a productive way. That is really good for us. No matter what “relax” means to you, you need to do it. I am always reminded of the dancing waiters and dining room show they do on many cruise ships when I think of this topic. How anyone could possibly be thinking about work, bills, commitments or any of the parts of everyday life that bear on us IF they fully embrace this scene has always been beyond me. On our first cruises, traveling with our children, they would get up and dance around the dining room with the so many other guests, being silly and having a great time. Some guests don’t like this part and embrace other opportunities to relax. A spa treatment, a cozy place to read a book, shore excursions, a night at the disco, or any one of a number of other opporunities offer the same “get away from it all” value.
Once away from it all, we can take stock of where we are and where we want to go. This is the true value of a cruise vacation and one that has left me feeling a little bit different after each sailing. It’s what makes some guests into cruise addicts as it offers more relaxation, clarity and focus than any other vacation option. ”Time away” is easy to define; you’re just not at work or home. You can get that with camping, a day-trip outside of where you live or other way less expensive options. To get the clarity and focus towards the future, a cruise vacation does it like no other. I think Norwegian Cruise line and Royal Caribbean get it and these two new ships are opening a door to the past and the future for all of us. I think these ships are saying
“We know what you need and are here to deliver it. Yes, it will cost you more but oh the benefits to you when it’s all over”
So my advice is consistent: Book as far in advance as possible, plan on it costing more, but do it. Take a ride on one of these new fabulous ships but don’t step foot on one in the wrong frame of mind. If you’re looking for a bargain, these are not the ships for you. If you are looking for a life-altering experience that will allow you the clarity to forcefully impact your life in the future starting the moment you get off the ship, book one right now.
Again, it is all about “value”. This just keeps coming up, maybe more now that ever in light of our current world-wide economic concerns.
A traditional way to compare cruises to determine value has always been the cost per person, per day. That’s still a good way to calculate monetary value when comparing the exact same sailing on the same ship in the same category cabin with multilpe sources to buy from. But “monetary value” and what I believe will be the new and more accurate “Total Value” is what we realy need to concentrate on. Total Value includes price but, more importantly, includes the onboard experience front and center. Those who “get it” will have no problem understanding this concept. These will be the people, like me, who have experienced feeling a little different after a cruise. They come away a different person. They might not be able to put their finger on exactly what happened to make that a reality but it IS a reality nonetheless. All these new features, layouts, cabin choices and the overall focus of these new ships offers us the unique opportunity to maximize the clarity and focus we can gain from a cruise vacation experience.
So those are the golden words:
Clarity
Focus
Cruise Vacation Experience
Can you get that from less-expensive sailings on different lines? You bet! Coming up on our 40th cruise soon, I know this for a fact. Each and every one has fostered a new viewpoint, a new starting place and offered the renewal I needed regardless of if I realized that or not. I grew as a person as a result of each cruise I have been on. I have always been a little bit different when I got off the ship than when I got on. If you are fortunate enough to have experienced this also, you know exactly what I mean.
It is not the food, itinerary, ship, or price that keeps me coming back. It is not the people I go with or those I meet on board. It is the clarity and focus I end up with that I can not get anywhere else. It’s hard to put a price on that but the price of your cruise is a good place to start. That’s the money part; deal with it. Get with a travel agent, preferably one that specializes in cruises only but NOT an Internet Cruise Broker, one with a passion for cruising that “gets it” as a starting place. There are plenty of them out there. Get to know them either in person or through any one of the many electronic media avenues available to us today. Start building a long-term relationship with a good travel agent in much the same way you might consider a doctor or other trusted advisor. The fact is that their involvement in your cruise vacation can make a huge difference in it being the fabulous life-improving experience you can have and a great cruise. Both are good, life-improving is better. Why? Because they can handle all the details of it for you at no cost and most often at a lower cost and/or better value than you can get anywhere else. That (and this is the important part) leaves you to dream.
Yes: Dream
Dream at night while you sleep, daydream while at work, on the way to the grocery store, sitting around watching TV or hiking on a trail. The dream you have with you because you booked that cruise which will allow the clarity and focus you will experience is priceless. The experience itself, done right, will change your life. Again, if you have done this, you know exactly what I am talking about. But if you have not, take what you will view as a chance and give it a try. In the right frame of mind you can maximize the value of what many look at as a simple vacation into a life-changing experience. No matter how good your life is now, it can be better. Better may mean that you impact the lives of others in a positive way more than you have in the past. Better may mean that you got more out of the experience than you might have otherwise. But “better” is exactly what you make it. Here you have the opportunity through the clarity and focus obtainable on a cruise vacation experience to see that.
These new ships offer a new dream to be possible. Good things will come of this.
From time to time we go on short preview cruises from the cruise lines. These are ususally two or three day cruises where we may not even get off the ship, taking the time onboard to try all the services and see what the crew and ship herself are all about.
Last weekend we tried the MSC Orchestra. That cruise was pretty much doomed from the beginning…well, even before the beginning
We had decided to go later to the pier. If you have been reading this at all you know that we always suggest going to the pier early. I’ts not so much an insider tip but maybe it should be. Arriving at Noon (we usually suggest between 10:30 and 11:00 AM) we were greeted with a pretty long line. Long lines are nothing to be scared of in the world of cruises because the cruise lines have become very good at handling them. Somewhere between rarely and occasionally something goes wrong at the pier that slows things down. It could be
A computer malfunction prefenting the cruise line from checking in guests- personally I don’t understand this part. It was not all that long ago when we did not even have computers (ok, showing my age, get over it) and cruise ships were able to board. In retail businesses they have a backup plan on how to stay open, run those charges by hand and process them later.
A Coast Guard Inspection- This is rare. The Coast Guiard usually boards the ship well before it reaches port and takes care of whatever business they have on board
A surprise Health Department inspection- simply slows things down. Most all cruise ships score high in this area
A US Customs Inspection- if they suspect something bad is on the ship, this can take hours- but its for our safety so feel good about that- these people are really good at what they do and like the Coast Guard, they call the shots as to when the ship is cleared to disembark their passengers and bring on some more
An FBI Inspection- if a crime or tragedy happened at sea you can bet the FBI will be called in, again another safety thing that we should welcome but not be scared of because the cruise lines have been very good about catching up and getting back on schedule after pretty much any incident
A traffic jam- they happen at sea too. On that MSC cruise we were on last weekend the Orchestra was followed very closely by four other ships all docking at the same time.
It is really important to note here that delays from any of these events are not common but do happen. With that in mind, here is a new, revised packing list that includes two optional items, an “Embakation Kit” and a “Disembarkation Kit” which might prove useful. Want to look really cool and prepared? If the need for one of these comes into play you will for sure look like the best prepared guest in line, getting on or getting offf the ship..and who doesn’t want to be cool? Many of these things you may already be bringing with you so it is mostly a matter of placing them in your carry-on luggage rather than the luggage you check (the stuff with the smuggled booze) with the porters at curbside
Embarkation Kit
Small, wooden, foldable camping stools- driving to the port? check garage and yard sales in the months before your cruise, they will be there, flying in? Stop at a Walmart along the way
Liquids- bottled water is a good bet
Skip the fashion statement and wear comfortable clothing and especially comfortable shoes
Snacks- the buffet is not accessible when standing at the pier waiting to get on
Reading material, I-pod, cards, someting to pass the time but only for all but one person in your party who needs to be listening for reports about what is going on- the rest of your group can relax,
Sunscreen or a hat- plan accordingly for being in line for hours outside
Travel Documents, Wallet Items, and Paperwork
airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
cruise documents
passports and visas (if necessary) or proof of citizenship (check with your cruise line for requirements) – without them you may be denied boarding with out a refund
vaccination certificate (if required)
driver’s license and auto insurance card – in case you decide to rent a car when ashore
medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling alone)
copy of prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking
another picture ID – if you don’t take driver’s license
credit cards – be sure to call credit card companies before traveling to alert them you are traveling outside your normal area
ATM card
pre-paid phone card for making calls in port
cash or traveler’s checks (be sure to keep traveler’s checks receipt in separate location)
3 copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, itinerary – pack 1 copy in carry on, 1 copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home
contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or traveler’s checks
emergency numbers at home
currency conversion chart if necessary
wallet or fanny pack
watch – dual time zone watch is perfect!, I-phone is better
Reading Material and Necessities
glasses, contacts, contact cleaner
extra reading glasses
sunglasses
reading sunglasses
guidebooks and other port of call information
foreign language phrase book or dictionary
maps if appropriate
reading material – books to read while on the plane or lounging by the pool
journal or notebook and pen/pencil – for making notes to tell your friends back home about your experiences
business cards with email address to give out to new cruise friends
home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home – for sending postcards, emails, or gifts
photo album
Electronics and Camera Equipment
plug adaptor and converter if appropriate- probably not
cell phone and charger
PDA and charger
laptop computer
binoculars
disposable underwater camera – for snorkeling or beach days
digital camera and manual
extra memory cards for digital camera
batteries for digital camera
battery charger
extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins
small travel alarm clock – battery operated
small flashlight
Medicine Kit
prescription drugs and any other essential medications in carry on bag
ear plugs or “ear planes”
small first aid kit (band aids, Q-tips, vaseline, dramamine, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrheal medication, cortisone cream, aspirin/tylenol/advil)
germicidal hand cleaner
handi-wipes (for cleaning hands when ashore)
hand lotion
rubbing alcohol or foot lotion for soothing tired, hot feet
bug spray (not for your cabin on the ship, but for those pesky mosquitoes ashore)
sun screen/sun block and lip sunblock
Other “Necessities”
duct tape or strapping tape
extra plastic cable-lock ties for securing luggage for return trip (better than locks, but one-time use only)
extra luggage name tags (in case yours are lost on the outbound trip)
zip loc bags of all sizes and garbage/laundry bags
corkscrew (be sure to put in checked luggage)
Swiss Army knife or something similar with screwdriver head, etc. (be sure to put in checked luggage)
small umbrella
collapsible travel pillow for those long airplane flights
Crazy glue
playing cards
sports gear (e.g. snorkeling gear)
shoe horn for getting those shoes back on your swollen feet
sewing kit and scissors (pack in checked luggage)
travel-sized Woolite or Spray Downy or Fabreze
clothes pins
empty folding tote bag – for souvenirs or the beach
hats/caps/visors
insulated large coffee mugs so you can go get your cabin mate coffee in the morning rather than waiting on room service
Women’s Cruise Clothing Packing List
(ok I did not write this part)
bras (include strapless if needed for evening wear)
panties
lingerie/night gown/pajamas/robe
compression stockings (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
exercise/walking socks
trouser socks or pantyhose
camisole/slip
purses (day and evening)
belts
scarves
gloves and stocking cap(if expect cold weather)
walking shoes
walking sandals
rubber sandals for reef walking and beach
evening shoes
costume jewelry and extra watch
swim suit
swim suit cover-up/pareo/sarong
thongs/flip flop shoes
work out clothes and jog bra
dress/outfit for informal nights on ship
dress/outfit for formal nights on ship
dress/outfit for casual nights on ship
shorts
tops of all types (sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved)
capri pants
slacks
windbreaker jacket
sweatshirt
evening sweater
raincoat with hood
Women’s Miscellaneous
blow dryer
curling iron or curlers
comb/brush
hair gel
hair spray (non-aerosol)
shampoo
conditioner
shower cap
bar soap in plastic container
deodorant
toothbrush
toothpaste
dental floss
toilet paper
mouthwash
tweezers
make-up mirror
make-up and make-up bag(list can be endless!)
make-up remover
cleanser
moisturizer and freshener
nail polish and remover
nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
razor and shaving cream
Men’s Cruise Clothing Packing List
underwear (briefs or boxer shorts)
undershirts if you wear them
pajamas
compression socks (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
exercise/walking socks
black dress socks
belts (I always forget this)
gloves and stocking cap(if expect cold weather)
walking shoes
walking sandals
rubber sandals/shoes for reef walking and beach
evening or dress shoes
tuxedo jacket and pants (or dark suit)
tuxedo tie, suspenders, and cummerbund
tuxedo cufflinks/studs
sport jacket
regular ties
tuxedo shirt
dress shirts
swim suit
work out clothes/T shirts
shorts
casual shirts
slacks (casual and dress)
windbreaker jacket
sweatshirt
raincoat with hood
Men’s Miscellaneous
comb/brush
shampoo and hair products
bar soap in plastic container
deodorant
toothbrush
toothpaste
dental floss
mouthwash
toilet paper
tweezers
nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
razor and shaving cream (or electric razor and supplies)
Disembarkation Kit
Fruit- collect some fruit from the buffet the night before- you will have to leave it behind on the ship but you will be happy you have it if there is a long wait
Beverages- this could be coffee, water or just about anything you might need – we made the mistake of not bringing any one time and said never again
Cell phone- if someone is waiting for you back home- keep them updated on your progress if it is slow- also handy if you’re flying back home and late disembarkation will cause you to miss your flight.
Airline Schedules- Before you leave you should have a list of backup flights that depart after yours along with workable numbers to he appopriate airlines both flying in to port and flying out. Odds are you won’t use them but its another one of thoes things that make you more prepared, costs nothing and kills time between booking and sailing
I-Phone
Writing materials- write your grocery store shopping or to-do list while waiting to get off the ship. Write letters to family and friends about your cruise. How long has it been since you wrote a hand-written note to someone? This would be a great time to do it or catch up on Thank You notes you might be behind on
Agan let me say, problems getting on and off the ship can usually be minimized by being ready to board early and ready to get off early. Arrive at the pier at 10:30 or 11:00 to beat the crowd. Even if the ship is late boarding you will be one of the first. On our cruise last weekend, the first hundred or so guests made it on the ship before the computers broke down and were crowned “The Most Savy Travelers” on board. Whenever possible, take advantage of the ships “self-assis” disembarkation option, walking your own luggage off the shp rather than setting it out the night before and having to weed through the sea of luggage after the cruise ot find yours. Check with the Pursers or Information desk early in the cruise as the numbers of guests allowed to do this is oftern limited.
…especially if you use Charmin, Angel Soft or some other equally plush brand.
Every cruise line I have ever been on uses what must be called Rough And Ready Industrial Strength. I think the purchasing departments have confused cruise passengers with Elephants. While by too many trips to the buffet I may look like one, by the end of the cruise I feel like I was drugged and violated in my sleep by an elephant.
(Too graphic?) (this candid article is just one of the many bonuses you’ll find here that just don’t quite seem appropriate elsewhere in cyberspace)
I’m writing this because I always forget to pack toilet paper. I remember this the first time I need to use the “facilities”. Get prepared for that too. Operating the facilities you’ll hear a sound much like that of a torpedo being launched from a nuclear submarine. Your business travels with lighting speed away to some unknown place.
Actually, I just thought of a good way of remembering to pack toilet paper as even more essential that Duct Tape or my George Foreman Grill
I am going to bring a case next time. I’ll just tag it and check it with a porter. I checked, there are no rules about how much toilet paper you can bring with you. Smuggling should not be necessary, at least for a while.
The plan is to set up a little table outside of the dining room then sell it to guests on their way back to the cabin. Who would NOT want to buy one? I think no one would pass me by. A good marketing strategy would be to wait until about the third night. By then the need should be painfully obvious. I thought I might also write my cabin number on each roll “Need More? See cabin 8525 between 3 and 5 (well I don’t want to tie up my whole day)” Actually if I could get the wife and kids to just walk around the ship everywhere they go with a roll in each hand that would probably do it. (Think: adorable childen operating Kool-aid stand business) Imaging how popular they would be! Why didn’t I think of this when they were in high school? Think of all the money we could have saved buying their cheerleading junk- nothing says self-esteem on it more than someone who has a product that is in high demand.
I often thought “Why couldn’t I have invented this?” when using the facilities at home. I think this might be the next best thing!
Do you have tips about such matters? Please share them here?
Coming soon: Why its a good idea to bring children to fetch things for you
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a new fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
It is anticipated that ESTA screening will become mandatory for VWP travelers on January 12, 2009. However, DHS will begin accepting voluntary ESTA registrations on August 1, 2008 at the following website: www.cbp.gov/esta
ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, and VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States. If applicants’ destination addresses or itineraries should change after their authorization has been approved, they may easily update that information through the ESTA website.
In most cases, ESTA will provide an almost immediate determination of eligibility for travel under the VWP. An approved ESTA travel authorization is:
Learn more about ESTA and these VWP changes on:
Think Ahead on Creating a Scrapbook From Your Cruise
Get some ideas for what to include in your scrapbook from your cruise. Think and plan this ahead of time, not after the cruise, sorting through a pile of stuff you saved.
For many, sailing away on a cruise is the end result of a years worth of planning. Start taking those photos the day you start planning.
How did you find out about the cruise? Make copies of the literature that led you to book this particular cruise.
Did you read about the many port cities the cruise ship will stop at? Do you have brochure or internet photos of these cities? Again, make copies and include them in your scrapbook.
I know whenever I travel I never seem to have the right clothing. I am always shopping for just the right outfits to take with me. It is fun to take photos at home of the outfits purchased and include these photos in the “getting ready” section of the scrapbook.
When I renew my passport, I save the receipt and make a copy on acid free paper. This can be added to one of your scrapbook pages.
Once on the cruise, the photo opportunities are non stop until you return back home. Photos can be taken of the entire ship. The buffets are often almost too beautiful to eat from. Photos of chocolate buffets are wonderful conversation starters, over and over again.
As you land in each port, capture as much of the city as you can by camera. If you find brochures about places visited, grab the brochures for inclusion in your scrapbook. Postcards are also great for capturing photos you might not be able to capture yourself.
I personally love people photos. I always take photos of other people. On a cruise, you may or may not continue a relationship with those you meet on board. Use a small notebook to write down names and basic details of those you’ve met. If you don’t continue the relationship, those notes will come in handy when you view the photos 2 years later.
Whether on board or on land, carry your camera with you, so you can capture everything you wish to capture. Bon Voyage
What’s the difference?
The difference is substantial and can make or break a vacation.
First, let’s start with the Internet Cruise Broker. That would be one of the many online companies that offers unbelievably low prices on a cruise. In most all cases those are unbelievable prices because they are not accurate or do not fully represent what is being offered.
The first misleading expense is hidden fees. I call these Burried Fees because you have to dig to find them. They are there for all to see but you will find them most commonly toward the end of their “Terms of Service” , far after the boring text turned off the reader. Most all of these fees are not necessary and simply sometihng that Internet Cruise Broker has levied upon each buyer, should they fall into the trap.
One that can add up quickly are “change fees” where you may be charged $50 or $100 for name spelling corrections. In the past, the cruise lines DID charge this fee but it as been dropped for quite some time. If you see this fee it should be a red flag to pay special attention to the details before buying. Processing Fees are another one that runs up the price of the cruise and is often charged by Internet Cruise Brokers.
But if you can get past all the potential or actual junk fees charged the low price may still be a good one. Reason enough to buy from your Internet Cruise Broker?
No way! One of the biggest areas where Internet Cruise Brokers fail is what happens after the sale.
The job of almost all Internet Cruise Brokers stops once you pay.
They simply don’t have time for you. To get those low prices they give up a good deal of their commission. They still have bills to pay so they rely on a huge volume of buisness to survive, often bending the rules or taking your money but not turning it over to the cruise line. Recently, I happened to visit www.CruiseValueCenter.com , one of the big Internet Cruise Broker’s websites, to find they had shut down and were offering site visitors advice on how to recoup money they had paid. If that is not enough reason stay clear of an Internet Cruise Broker, I don’t know what is.
I feel bad for those who may have had their vacation plans disrupted by the shut down of sites like that. This is a really good reason, one that savy travelers know, to concentrate on “Value” rather than simply “Price”. Yes, that advertised price of $199 for a cruise sounds great initially. But in almost all cases the end price nears double that once port charges, taxes and fees that everyone pays are added in, not to mention optiona buried fees one might fall into.
The smart way to go is to find a Travel Agent who offers the best value, not the best price. Almost always, when all expenses are considered, the Travel Agent has the better value in the long run. And isn’t that what really counts? A professional, certified cruise Travel Agent can be your friend in the business that provides a really necessary service, much like you might use an accountant to help with your finances. The business relationship between you and a Travel Agent is one of trust that is built over time. “Your” agent will come to know and take a personal interest in what is best for you. He or she will be constantly on guard of your vacation plans, taking advantage of special offers, using their behind the scenes contacts and daily up to date knowledge of the industry on your behalf.
The best part? This costs you nothing. Travel Agents are paid a commission by the cruise line. You truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain There are Travel Agents who are simply sales people and Travel Agents who offer a service that will offer you great value in the long run. And the long run is what you need to think of because you’ll probably be cruising quite a bit in your lifetime
Here then are some simple ideas to consider when choosing between an Internet Cruise Broker and a Cruise Travel Agent:
If you are thinking about your first cruise or another to add to a long list of cruises, look here for valuable information.
It’s all designed to make you the most informed and most prepared cruiser possible. I want you to enjoy every minute of your vacation. Taking some time now to get ready, and learn or review what you need to know. Bookmark this site and come back often; it makes for a richer cruise experience.
With all this information, count on having some questions. That’s where I come in. Please don’t hessitate to send me an email with your questions. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Enjoy this weblog created just for you!
Chris
Chris Owen, MCC
Dream Cruise Vacations
Chris@YourCruiseDream.com
866 604 4658 Toll Free US
407 889 8947 Direct line
There are many more options available but these few will help you to get started on taking the cruise and making the most of it.
Travel Agents not only cost you nothing, they more and more frequently becoming your only hope to finding a good cruise that is right for you at a good price.
There are more and more internet cruise brokers every day.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO BUSIINESS WITH THEM AND YOU SHOULD COME OUT BETTER IN THE LONG RUN WITH A REAL TRAVEL AGENT
Internet Discount Cruise Brokers have just one thing in mind: taking your money. There is NO personal commitment to you as much as they might have you believe there is. You need to develop a long-term business relationship with a travel professional that will keep up on the ever-changing world of travel and watch out for you.
Think of it like this: What if a trusted friend owned a car dealership and they could sell and service any car you wanted. I mean someone you REALLY trusted. Would you just walk in to any old car dealer and buy a car? Of course not. You would go with someone you know, someone you trust and you would know that you’re going to get a good deal up front and honest service after.
Go to a shopping mall and meet a travel agent face to face, work with someone you “know” from online, ask around and get a personal recommendation from a friend…..all of these are better than trolling through the Internet looking for the one that has the lowest price.
That would be fine if you were looking for an easy to identify household item like a vacuum cleaner. You could pick the model number, plug it in to your computer and search for the best price.
In that case, low price is THE major factor in your decision process. Shipping policies and fees are probably next followed by a distant third-place customer service, in case it would get lost in the mail
Buying a cruise is nothing like that. Nothing at all.
There are so many other variables in the purchase decision that you NEED a professional for whom crusing is their business if not their life, to keep abreast of what you need to know right now. Not yesterday, not last week, RIGHT NOW.
One of the most important features of a good cruise travel agent is efficiency. You need the behind the scenes part of your booking to be handled correctly and on time. Attention to detail in this area is a must.
But you need to be your own advocate too.
You’re doing that right now by coming here to learn about this stuff and gain valuable information that could make or break your cruise later.
To find a travel agent, much like finding an insurance salesman, you can look to professional organizations like the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA,www.cruising.org ) who helps train and certify cruise travel agents. They’ve gone through training, attended seminars and toured various cruise ships to get a goodunderstanding of what they need to know.
Another professional organization that is a good indicator that an agency is at least doing some business is The American Socisty of Travel Agents (ASTA, www.astanet.com), the members here have rigorous criteria to meet in order to join and maintain membership.
If you do an Internet search for travel agents remember that in many cases the listings you see first are sponsored meaning those people pay the search engine to be listed at the top of the list.
Word of mouth, of course, is one of the best sources of finding a good travel agent. Because recommending specific travel agents on an Internet based forum such as this is NOT the same as a recommendation from, say, your neighbor we don’t allow it on Cruise Critic and you should be happy that we don’t. The people you come to “know” here could be travel agents, sales people, trying to make a sale without the best interest in mind that your neighbor might have.
My point here is to find neutral, unbiased sources, ones with documentation to support their recommendations if possible like your state attorney general or consumer affairs office.
Personally, I think its important to develop a good business relationship with your travel professional, be that an agent you find from one of the professional organizations, a neighbors recommendation or, yes, even an attractive yellow pages ad.
Armed with the right information about agents and the knowledge to ask the right questions you’ll fare much better than blindly accepting somebody’s suggestion.
Before you contact that agent get an idea of what you want. Search online or send off for some cruise brochures. Read reviews and other first timer information here. Ask questions (there are NO dumb ones) and get answers from the members here.
THEN make that call
While your cruise vacation is all inclusive (about 85% is covered in your cruise fare) for the most part, there are other activities to participate in off the ship, things to buy on the ship and just basic miscellaneous expenses that you’ll want to plan on…or not. You can indeed go on a cruise and spend absolutely nothing extra other than what you paid for your cruise fare except for tips for the crew. But if you want alcoholic beverages, gift shop items, spa treatments, group shore excursions or money to play a slot machine or gamble with, you’ll need to bring it along in some form or another.
For an adult who drinks booze moderately, will want to go on a shore excursion, gambles a little bit and wants to basically take advantage of some of the other premium services onboard I would budget $100 per day.
Heavy drinkers, Spa fanatics, heavy internet users, etc should budget more.
Those who do not drink, like to spend the day relaxing on deck or on a beach within walking distance of the pier when in port, don’t have a lot of need for refrigerator magnets (you are sick if you don’t- just my opinion as a magnaholic) those people could plan on $50 per day.
A common rule of thumb is “take twice as much money and half the clothes you planned on”
That can be very true and if money is of no concern to you then it is nothing more than a humorous saying.
But if you’re on a budget, there are a lot of areas you can worry about or come up short on without too much work. There are also a few key areas that have a dramatic effect on how much you spend. Control of these areas can make a big difference
The Casino is an obvious choice to watch no matter what your budget is. Savvy cruise ship gamblers have a system that is always a winner. Somehow they have a certain amount of money that they will gamble with every day. No matter what happens, that is the amount they will spend and that is it. Most use cash and a many put it in envelopes marked for each day they will gamble them store them securely in the cabin safe.Others have can just stop when they reach their limit.
You don’t have to avoid the casino, just budget for it. A lot of entertainment can be had on penny-slots for about the average price of a drink.
Alcoholic beverages too be big budget busters. But here too there are ways to save and stretch your money.
Go to all the art auctions featuing free champagne. Besides the complementary bubby you’ll very quickly find a wealth of knowledge and art information in the gallery staff that hold the auctions. If you go into it in the right (pardon the pun) “frame” of mind it can be quite entertaining
Don’t miss formal night. Still popular is the Captains Cocktail Party before formal night which all guests are invited to. I understand the current trend away from dressing up on a cruise but I still feel that you’re throwing away the best of what the ship has to offer and a real expeerience of a lifetime..plus that cocktail party is not called a “cocktail” party for nothing- the drinks are on the house
Past Guest Parties are a similar free cocktail party honoring past guests sailing with the cruise line again. Don’t miss that one either.
Wine/Liquor tastings- watch your ship’s daily newspaper for wine and/or liquor tastings, most commonly flavored rums. Like with the art auction, you can lean and experience something you had not known about before your cruise. That is a big part of the whole cruise thing.
Bring some wine with you. Check with your specific cruise line but most will let you bring along some “fine wine” to celebrate with in your cabin. Bring it to the dining room and they charge a crazy “corkage fee” which is often more than the price of a bottle of wine.
Notice I didn’t even touch on the topic of smuggling your own booze on the ship and how you are better off bringing it in your checked luggage, carefully concealed because the cruise lines DO check these things and if you’re bringing it in your carry-on luggage you might as well just hand it to the security people because they will often find it.
Decide whether you want soft or hard-case luggage. Heavier, hard-sided suitcases offer far better protection for fragile items (if packed properly). Soft luggage is lighter.
