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A Checklist For Planning, Buying And Enjoying Shore Tours

Enjoying Shore Tours

Shore excursions.  They’re important to some cruise travelers, not so much to others. Some play it safe, booking through the cruise line and might pay a bit more. Others book with third-party sources, gamble a tiny bit but save on the cost.  Visiting different destinations on one vacation is a big part of why we choose to cruise.  Still, planning, paying for and going on shore excursions can be made an far more efficient process if we consider a few basic rules.  

Some are general, time tested common sense recommendations while others are more specific. Add them all up, include your own and a good checklist for buying and enjoying shore excursions results.  Let’s dive right in on a process that ends in you enjoying shore tours.

  • Plan Far In Advance- It’s a good idea to start looking at ports and tours available before booking the cruise in the first place.  It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in the dream and miss the reality; that iconic landmark will require an additional tour to see.  Getting to the details requires reading them, a simple enough thing to say but not all that commonly done.
  • No, Really Plan Far In Advance- We saw the effect of that first hand on a sailing of Viking Cruises new Viking Star last summer.  In Athens, some of those on our included tour of the day assumed that we would visit the Acropolis, a big attraction perched high above the city. Never mind that the included tour description available months in advance of sailing specifically noted that the tour did not visit the Acropolis as did the tour tickets the angry man was holding.
  • Consult Multiple Sources- While booking through the cruise line is one way to go and most provide abundant information about their tours, there are other sources as well.  TripAdvisor reviews, taken with a grain of salt, can be one element as can travel bloggers specializing in a particular destination or part of the world.  Another, unlikely place to turn: a competing cruise line that also goes to the same place. While they may indeed use the exact same people on the ground to run their tours, not all cruise line are alike in providing detailed and accurate information. Note subtle differences and especially conflicting information.  If
  • Wishing Or Buying, Just Do It-Almost all major cruise lines allow the ability to form a ‘wish list’ via their online cruise planner.  Start by reading all about all excursions at every port.  That will take some time but just about any cruise line’s description will give you an idea of what will be included on the tour.  That’s important if a specific attraction is of interest and a must-see deal breaker. Many tours sound similar but have different elements. Wish list the ones that have the exact thing you want to see and skip the rest.  During this process, ignore pricing. This is all about making the dream happen
  • All Done?  Take A Step Back And Look Again– A common mistake made when planning shore excursions or pretty much any time off the ship is scheduling too much or tours that last too long.  On a Holland America Line sailing not long ago, I went on the 12-hour tour of Chichen Itza Myan Ruins, the most in-tact myriad of ruins in the world. Well worth the time spent, all agreed on the way back that once was enough.  More commonly mis-planned: tours of 6 to 8 hours in length.
  • On Board, Loop In The Shipboard Shore Excursion Team- Developing a relationship with the people who man the shore excursion desk on just about any cruise line will have a bonus effect few cruise travelers give much attention to.  More than just the place to go to book a tour, look beyond the desk and consider the people working there.  While it may very well be where passengers go to complain later, it’s not the complaint desk.  That’s the Pursers Desk
  • Get Ready To Tour- Always bring a backpack or some carrying thing that will hold bottles of water plus other comfort items you might need on tour. Towels for a beach excursion are an easy call as are wearing appropriate shoes for the terrain that might be covered while on tour.
  • Be Realistic About Your Ability- While most travelers are quite aware of the terrain they can cover, every once in awhile we see people on a tour that have no business being there. Consider the activity level stated on a tour carefully. Those with mobility issues might be better off waiting to book tours on the ship or at the very least check with the Shore Excursion desk people face-to-face and ask before going if booked in advance.
  • Provide Feedback, On The Tour– The guy or gal operating the tour should have a crystal clear idea of what you were told you would see and do on tour.  If that’s not happening as it unfolds, speak up.  You have one shot at it, they are there every week.  If the tour description calls for visiting Place A, B, C and D, in that order.  Ask why if your first stop is Place C.  There might be a logical reason for it but let’s be clear: You are there to see all four points, paid for and expect to see those.  Make them explain
  • Provide Feedback, On The Ship- Do yourself and passengers of the future a favor and give the people at the shore excursion desk feedback on the tour.  Walking by the desk, catching their attention, stating the name of the tour along with showing a thumbs up or down is enough.  These are the people who go there every week, the reason why many cruise travelers choose to wait until boarding to book, visiting the Shore Excursion desk right after boarding, as soon as they open.
Enjoying Shore Tours

Enjoying Shore tours

Considering the above can help make our time ashore a wonderful experience but be considered a starting place.  I have a list of my own that includes checklist items just for me, based on my own interests.  For example, something to listen to and earphones are on my list in case the tour guide is simply boring.  It happens.  I’d rather be listening to something I like than the drone of a scripted tour guide any day.

Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship Reaches Next Milestone in Construction

Ovation 3Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s newest and most technologically advanced cruise ship–which is being constructed at Meyer Werft, a family-owned Papenburg-based shipyard–has begun its conveyance.

The conveyance is a unique process for ships built at Meyer Werft as the shipyard is situated inland along the banks of the River Ems, and the ship must make the trip from Papenburg down the river backwards to get to the North Sea. The journey will be completed in 12 hours.

At 346 meters (1,138 feet) long and 41 meters (136 feet) wide, this 167,800 gross ton ship is one of the largest ever to go through conveyance. Thousands of onlookers from the surrounding local villages typically line the 26 mile route along the river bank to watch and celebrate the ship’s journey.

Ovation of the Seas will be officially launched in April 2016, when she departs Southampton, England, for Tianjin, China, on a 52-day global odyssey. She will begin her first homeport sailing season in China from Tianjin on JunOvatione 24, 2016Ovation of the Seas, together with Quantum of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Legend of the Seas, will make up the largest fleet of any cruise line sailing in China.

Ovation of the Seas features a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences, such as Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; North Star, a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air on a breathtaking journey; cutting-edge transformative venues including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever.

Guests also will enjoy a landscape of 18 restaurant concepts as vast and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities.

Ovation spans 18 decks, carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,090 staterooms.

 

 

Port Everglades Breaks World Record

Port Everglades
Port Everglades is one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world, typically hosting nearly 4 million passengers annually.

Serves Over 54,700 Cruise Guests in Single Day

Officials for Broward County’s Port Everglades believe that today, Sunday, March 13, 2016, marks the second time this cruise season that the port broke its own world record with a preliminary count of more than 54,700 cruise guests sailing in and out in a single day.  The last world record was set just three months earlier on December 20, 2015, when 53,485 passengers sailed in and out of the South Florida cruise port in a single day. In addition, these record days did not include passengers aboard Balearia’s Bahamas Express ferry, which departed for a day trip to the Bahamas with almost 400 passengers.

The Port hosted eight cruise ships today including Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Conquest, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette, Holland America Line’s Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam, Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess and Royal Princess, and Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas. These are the same cruise ships that called at Port Everglades for the December 20, 2015 record, but because of varying spring break vacations in March the ships came in and left full of families.

“Breaking another world record is the perfect way to kick-off the first Seatrade Cruise Global convention to be held in Broward County,” said Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director Steven Cernak.

After 27 years in Miami, UBM’s Seatrade Cruise Global is moving to the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center this week and for the next two years while the Miami Beach Convention Center is renovated. This tradeshow and conference, which begins Monday, March 14, is expected to host more than 800 exhibitors and 11,000 attendees, and is anticipated to generate more than $10 million in economic impact for the area.

If lined up bow to stern, the eight cruise ships docked at Port Everglades on March 13 would stretch 8,245 feet or the equivalent of nearly 27 football fields and extend the length of the new runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).  That is enough cruise passengers to fill between 108 and 130 747-jumbo jets or all the seats at the BB&T Center about three times for a concert or a Florida Panthers hockey game.

Located in the second largest county in Florida, Broward County’s Port Everglades is consistently ranked as one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world. The Port’s wide-ranging fleet of cruise ships provides guests with an array of cruise vacation choices from the sunny cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach.  View details on the latest cruise offerings in our online Cruise Guide at porteverglades.net or contact us by emailing PortEverglades@broward.org.

Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Select Fall and Winter 2017/18 Itineraries

Norwegian
Norwegian’s newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced select 2017-2018 fall/winter itineraries that feature sought-after destinations while offering freedom and flexibility on board. Highlights include a variety of Caribbean & Bahamas cruises from New York, Port Canaveral and Miami; immersive 10-day Canary Islands cruises from Barcelona; as well as the company’s exclusive seven-day, intra-island Hawaii sailings from Honolulu. Norwegian’s new itineraries will be available for Latitudes guests and travel partners on March 22 and open for all bookings on March 23.

Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida
Norwegian’s newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape, will continue to sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailings every Saturday from Miami year-round, bringing guests the best that this region has to offer with calls in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. Featuring 28 dining options, Tony Award-winning Broadway entertainment, the brand’s first nursery with supervised care for young cruisers ages six months to two years, and much more, Norwegian Escape is a brand-new way to explore the Caribbean in style.

Guests who wish to explore the Western Caribbean from Miami on one of Norwegian’s newest and most exciting ships can enjoy Norwegian Getaway, which will return to the U.S. from the Baltic in fall 2017 and sail seven-day cruises every Sunday from October 29, 2017 to April 22, 2018. Ports of call include: Roatán and Bay Islands, Honduras;  Costa Maya, Mexico;  Cozumel, Mexico; and Norwegian’s newest and most spectacular destination, Harvest Caye, Belize.

Norwegian Epic will also return to the U.S. in the fall of 2017 to once again homeport seasonally in Port Canaveral through the winter, offering three-, four- and seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries to fit any schedule or itinerary preference. The recently refurbished Norwegian Epic will feature Norwegian’s private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay, on all of her itineraries from Port Canaveral. As a part of The Norwegian Edge™ investment program, Great Stirrup Cay will receive new features, amenities and island-wide enhancements over the next 16 months and will welcome guests in 2017 to what will be practically an all-new destination.

Norwegian Epic will sail alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral from November 5, 2017, through March 21, 2018.  Norwegian Epic’s seven-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary will be a beach-lover’s paradise with stops in Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Guests can choose to soak-up the sun or opt for adventurous excursions on Norwegian Epic’s Western Caribbean itinerary, featuring stops in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Norwegian Epic will also offer guests who may not have the time to get away for a week-long vacation the perfect opportunity for a quick escape in March 2018 with a series of three- and four-day Bahamas itineraries with stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.

Guests looking for a longer escape can sail away on the recently enhanced Norwegian Gem, part of Norwegian’s Jewel-class, from October 21, 2017 through April 17, 2018 on alternating 10- and 11-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from New York.  Ports of call include San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands.  The 11-day cruises also feature a call in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

Europe
Norwegian Spirit will go into dry dock in early 2017 for significant enhancements and will remain in Europe for fall and winter 2017, sailing the Canary Islands with departures from Barcelona. From November 23, 2017 to April 24, 2018, Norwegian Spirit will sail an immersive 10-Day Canary Islands, Spain and Morocco itinerary. Ports of call on this exotic itinerary include: Casablanca, Morocco; Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Malaga and Alicante, Spain.

Canada & New England
In addition to the previously announced seven-day Canada & New England roundtrip cruises from New York City during prime fall foliage season, Norwegian Gem will also offer an exclusive 10-day Eastern Canada and Quebec cruise from New York, with calls in Halifax, Nova Scotia; an overnight in Quebec City; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Hawaii
The recently-refurbished Pride of America will continue to sail her very popular seven-day Hawaii itinerary departing from Honolulu every Saturday through April 2018. Offering more than 100 hours of in-port sight-seeing time, the ship features an itinerary with calls that include an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kaua`i; and an afternoon cruise past the breathtaking Nãpali Coast.

Watch Video to learn more about Norwegian Escape:

For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line and to book a cruise on one of these exciting new itineraries, contact a travel professional, call 866-234-7350 or visit www.ncl.com.

Celebrity Cruises Offers Brand-New Destinations in Europe

Travel in Europe – one of the world’s most culturally and deliciously rich destinations – just got even richer.  Modern luxury vacation brand Celebrity Cruises has unveiled a stunning lineup of new, unique destination experiences to transform the way discerning travelers experience Europe. These include tours of Greece curated by Celebrity’s own Greek officers; exclusive opportunities to discover tantalizing flavors at local markets with an expert chef; adventure-fueled experiences curated by a world adventurer, and bucket-list tours like racing along the French Riviera in a Lamborghini. All of these and more are available only when traveling with Celebrity.
“Building on the launch of our new dynamic EuroXPass package, which takes care of every travel detail for guests exploring Europe, we are adding another layer of what makes vacationing with us so special and unique, by introducing exclusive new European destination experiences,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “We are the only modern luxury brand and the only cruise line that delivers all of Europe the way affluent travelers want it – in an authentic, inspiring and truly original way.”

The Real Greece
New and unique for 2016, guests can experience Greece through the lens of Celebrity’s Greek officers. A curated menu of shore excursions have been specially designed and selected by the ship’s officers who call Greece home.

Guests will soon be able to discover some of the officer’s favorite local spots while exploring one of the seven Greek ports that Celebrity visits. More details will be revealed over the coming weeks. 
Chef’s Market Discoveries
Guests can dive deep into the local flavors of Europe with Celebrity’s exclusive new “Chef’s Market Discoveries” shore excursions. Vacationers are taken on a journey through local markets and shops guided by the onboard chef, who will pick fresh local ingredients for a specially crafted, private dinner that night onboard. Highlights from the European collection include:
  • Meeting local artisans at a food market in Rhodes, Greece and enjoying delicious homemade Greek specialties at a family tavern
  • Escaping to the Botanical Park of Askordalos in Chania, Crete, a paradise for hundreds of plants, and cooking a traditional Cretan dish
  • Experiencing how Limoncello, olive oil and mozzarella cheese are made, while traveling from Naples to the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, Italy
Uniquely Celebrity
Celebrity has expanded its Uniquely Celebrity excursions for the 2016 Europe season to include:
  • Touring Cape Sounian during an overnight stay in Athens, Greece, and savoring breathtaking sunset views over the Greek Temple of Poseidon and Aegean coastline
  • Visiting the Organic Winery of Assimomitis to learn about wine production in Mykonos, Greece, followed by a food tasting, accompanied by the ship’s sommelier 
Guests looking for an even more personalized experience in Europe can select a Celebrity Exclusive.  Highlights include:
  • Reveling in the power of 500 horses with a ride along the thrilling switchbacks of the French Riviera in a classic Lamborghini or Ferrari
  • Going where the crowds cannot in Mykonos on a private luxury yacht, visiting some of the lesser known beautiful beaches of Mykonos
Adventurer, broadcaster and author Ben Fogle is famed for his immersive travel style. His new curated list of “Great Adventures” for 2016 – only available on Celebrity – include:
  • Soft-rafting to re-discover the Tiber River and see Rome, Italy, with the eyes of a visitor from over a hundred years ago
  • Swimming, cycling, kayaking in Croatia, on an active journey from Dubrovnik, Croatia, along the Adriatic coastline
For more information on Celebrity’s incredible experiences across Europe, visit celebritycruises.com. To book EuroXPass, travelers can call 1-800-437-3111, or contact a travel agent.

New Reasons To Love Cruise Vacations

To regular visitors here it should come as no surprise; cruising is hotter than ever and popular with more travelers than ever before.  After all, by default, visiting here does indeed make you too a Cruise Addict.  But something I have noticed over the last year or so: it seems that visitors are coming for new reasons, and rightfully so. Cruise lines are branching out and going after more different groups of travelers than ever before, building new ships custom designed to appeal to, well, just about everyone.  Let’s take a look at some new reasons to love cruise vacations

  • Cruise CompeteFamily Cruising Is Better Than Ever – Families have found a home on cruise ships for decades now, leaving the old saying that a cruise is for “the newlywed or nearly dead” in the dust.  Diverse childrens programming reflects current, relevant educational standards while still making it fun for everyone. Kids go to safe facilities staffed by qualified crewmembers, many of them degreed teachers.
  • Solo Travelers Finally Catch A Break – Not all that long ago, a solo traveler had few options other than paying nearly double the price per person that two travelers would pay for the same space, occasionally catching a reduced price for singles.  Now, as new ships are rolled out, cruise lines are adding solo accommodations designed with them in mind as opposed to cutting them a break if and only if they really badly need to fill up a particular sailing.
  • Celebrity Chefs Come To Sea – More than simply lending their name to give standard cruise line fare a bit of credibility, celebrity chefs are all in on creating exclusive dining venues with cruise travelers in mind.
  • A Floating Food Court – In house dining options too are more diverse, reflecting the changing tastes of cruise travelers today. Yes, there is no shortage of all-you-can-eat buffets.  Better yet, we are finding more options than ever before with
  • Top Recording Artists – Themed cruise sailings, basically partial or full ship charters, have been around for quite some time.  Today though, in addition to the rock stars of yesteryear (fun to see in the comparatively intimate setting of a cruise ship as opposed to the giant arena we saw them at in 1982), cruise lines are bringing on board top name acts with
  • A Wide Variety Of Accommodations – Not all that long ago, the choice was inside, outside, balcony or suite; four basic choices on a first-come, first-served basis.  Today, those four basic categories have been multiplied many times over as cruise lines learn and deliver more of what individual travelers want.  Still available: an inexpensive inside cabin on just about any ship.  Not as much available: oceanview staterooms which now have more-popular balconies attached.
  • Priced Better Than Ever –  Just for fun, I looked back a bit over ten years in our cruise history and found a November 6, 2005, 4 night cruise on Carnival Fantasy then sailing from Port Canaveral, priced at $1624.29 total for three in what was then categorized as a category 11 mini-suite.  Today, I priced that same ship, sailing a 4 night cruise in the same accommodations on October 31, 2016, about the same time, noting the ‘Halloween factor’ thrown in which one might reasonably expect to be a sailing priced higher than normal.  The price? $1508.14 total for three.  That’s $116.15 less than the exact same ship was ten years ago.  Which brings us to our
  • A Better Value Than Ever – Since that 2005 sailing, Carnival Fantasy has undergone major remodeling two times adding more features for, as we see here, a lower cruise fare than paid over a decade ago.  Is it the newest ship in the ocean? Oh my no, but the comparison here highlights the extreme value cruise vacations offer today; one that is better than ever.

On the horizon, even more options for more travelers as new ships are launched by a number of cruise lines and the universe of cruise vacations continues to expand.   If history has taught us anything it’s that cruise travel is here to stay.  Unlike land-based counterparts that probably won’t increase in options unless a volcano erupts and makes new land, cruising has just begun to explore what the oceans of the world have to offer and you never know what might be coming next.  Case in point: cruise travelers will have a new place to go shortly very close to home in the Caribbean as Cuba opens up for visitors more every day.   Stay right here, we’ll have all that for you too.

Flickr photo- Carlos ZGZ


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River Cruising: Why Right Now May Be The Very Best Time To Book

In spite of worldwide concerns about traveler security and safety, river cruising is hot.   Proof can be found in the fact that new ships continue to be rolled out at a robust pace.  Like their ocean-going counterparts, river cruise ships provide a safe and comfortable way to travel that represents great value.  Cruise travelers like that and do not hesitate to continue their plans to see places around the world where ocean ships just can’t go. Still, it’s a comparatively complicated process to book a river cruise, one that may be well worth the time investigating right now, for three big reasons.

River Cruisers Have The Advantage

Cruise CompeteNot all that long ago, river cruise lines were building ships at record pace, simply trying to keep up with demand.  Ships sailed full with no discounts for anyone because there was no need.  River cruise lines could charge just about any amount they wanted and still they came.  Catering to the 55+ year old age group, the life clock was ticking and now was the time to see the world while they were still healthy enough to do so.

Then hit the 2013 Paris attacks and all of the sudden the tables were turned, putting cruise travelers in the drivers seat.  It’s rather simple really: unexpected terrorist attacks hurt travel in a number of ways. As a result, I’ve seen airport security increased to include armed guards with machine guns, closer scrutiny of passengers before boarding aircraft and far more serious screening of passengers before boarding.  That worked, making flying safer than ever.

Finally, Lower Airfare To Europe

Booked far in advance, cruise travelers enjoyed the best deals on river cruises, a fact that continues today.  Still, good deal on the cruise or not, we had to get there first which required buying a plane ticket on flights that airlines knew would fill up, demanding and getting a premium fare.  Acts of terror affected those flights too, causing empty seats and fare wars as airlines competed for our business. While we’ve never been safer in the air, that fact has still not caught up with the common belief that safety is in question and low fares continue…at least for now.

That’s a reality that won’t continue forever and as bookings increase, so will pricing at some point. It’s a rather complicated process that airlines go through to determine where and when their planes fly and not one that happens overnight.  Long term planning is required to have aircraft positioned to handle demand.  They don’t simply move planes around to where there are demand is today. Rather, routes are scheduled far in advance based on what they think they will need six months or a year from now, creating a short window of opportunity for travelers to cash in on savings.

Destinations Vie For Our Attention

We have a whole lot of choices on places to visit in our great big wonderful world and those who promote those destinations know it.  They want us to pick their popular city over others for pre- and post-cruise hotel stays, what is often an integral part of a river cruise package, driving hotel prices down to fill vacant rooms.  At a given destination, individual attractions too want us to visit, have personnel in place to handle a crowd and desperately need travelers to keep those people employed and their iconic landmark-linked property operating smoothly.

Simply put: if the visitors are not coming, those who work there will eventually not be needed and full employment ceases.  That’s when local governments jump in to help, creating an artificially wonderful situation for travelers who find once-crowded attractions nearly empty but fully staffed.  We saw that first-hand when traveling with luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent in Egypt and Jordan just last summer.  The massive infrastructure that one single travel company had in place to take good care of their guests is not something that can be turned off and on like a light switch.  It takes time and a substantial investment of manpower.

Acts of terror in various places around the world naturally urge caution, prompting would-be river cruise travelers to put plans on hold, and rightfully so. Why leave the safety and security we enjoy in North America to put ourselves in harm’s way? While the typical first-time river cruise may include an itinerary on the safe Rhine or Danube rivers, we have to get there first, passing through airports and public spaces where who knows what might happen.  Still, travelers continue to come, although at a bit slower pace than in the past.  Call it fear or an abundance of caution, reduced traveler interest has created a situation where river cruise lines have more inventory in stock than there is demand, making right now the very best time to book that river cruise.


CruiseCompete-LogoThis article is brought to by Cruise Compete. CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts.

2016 Tom Joyner Foundations Fantastic Voyage, Will Set Sail Aboard Carnival Breeze

Carnival Breeze
Carnival Breeze

Featured Musical Artists Include Diana Ross, Patti LaBelle, New Edition, Johnny Gill and Many Others

For the fourth consecutive year, Carnival Cruise Line is partnering with the Tom Joyner Foundation to present the 2016 Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage.

The Ultimate Party with a Purpose®, the voyage will take place aboard Carnival Breeze with a customized eight-day Caribbean voyage departing April 23, 2016, and visiting the beautiful tropical destinations of St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Grand Turk.

The Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage presented by Ford is hosted by renowned radio personality and philanthropist Tom Joyner and serves as a fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the Historical Black Colleges and Universities of which Carnival is a proud sponsor.

“This is one of those special experiences that will stay with you forever,” said Tom Joyner. “We sell out every year and our partner, Carnival, takes the event to the next level with a premiere ship and outstanding service.”

The star-studded line-up of artists performing during the cruise includes Diana Ross, Patti LaBelle, New Edition, Johnny Gill, and more than 60 entertainers. The ship is programmed from sunup to sundown with exclusive concerts, fitness classes, and inspiration and empowerment seminars. Each night is a colorful party with theme nights including All Black Everything, Denim & Diamonds, #FlashbackFriday, Mardi Gras, Pajama Night, Represent Night, White Night, and a formal Sneaker Ball.  There will also be “Day Parties,” including a special event to honor military veterans.

“We’re pleased and honored for Carnival Cruise Line to serve as the Official Cruise Line of the Fantastic Voyage, supporting the efforts of the Tom Joyner Foundation,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest leisure travel company with a portfolio of 10 of the world’s leading cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line.  “This year’s cruise promises to deliver an unforgettable experience featuring top entertainers, great destinations and exciting on-board activities while supporting students at our historically black colleges and universities,” he added.

Commented Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, “We’re delighted once again to serve as a proud partner of the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage which provides participants with a lifetime of wonderful memories both on board and ashore, all while raising money for a very worthwhile cause.”

For additional information on the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage, please visit fantasticvoyage.blackamericaweb.com.

Countdown to Koningsdam Episode 6: Sea Trials

https://youtu.be/LHLaMCrloPQ

Learn more about as MS Koningsdam completes Sea Trials.

Carnival Magic To Undergo Multi-Million Dollar Renovation

In preparation for its Space Coast debut this spring, the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic will undergo an extensive multi-million-dollar dry dock that will add a variety of exciting dining and bar innovations, including Guy’s Burger Joint, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, Pizzeria del Capitano and the Alchemy Bar.

guysmenu
Guy’s Burger Joint Menu

Currently sailing from Galveston, Texas, Carnival Magic will reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., in April 2016 to begin year-round Caribbean departures from that port.

“Carnival Magic is already a groundbreaking ship – it was the first to feature our popular Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant, the Caribbean-themed RedFrog Pub and SportSquare outdoor recreation facility – and with these new features we’re making this spectacular floating resort even better,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

“Following this extensive refurbishment, Carnival Magic will offer even more exciting on-board choices for travel agents to market to their clients,” she added.

The two-week dry dock will take place from Feb. 21 to March 6, 2016, and will add exciting new spaces, including:

  • Guy’s Burger Joint: a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries in an atmosphere that celebrates the chef’s California roots and love of car culture
  • RedFrog Rum Bar: a poolside bar offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red
  • BlueIguana Tequila Bar: a fun and festive outdoor watering hole offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers, perfect for chillin’ by the pool
  • Pizzeria del Capitano: an expansion of the line’s Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian eatery offering five varieties of hand-tossed artisanal-style pizza, all available free of charge 24 hours a day
  • Alchemy Bar: a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” that’s the go-to spot for guests seeking a unique experience with mixologists who “prescribe” concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients or guests’ own custom-created cocktails

CCL Carnival Brand - 00021All of these new spaces complement the Carnival Magic’s array of on-board features, including the SportSquare outdoor recreation area with a suspended ropes course offering views to the sea 150 feet below; a 22,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa with a thalassotherapy pool, thermal suite and 17 private treatment rooms; the RedFrog Pub where guests can enjoy a frosty brew while soaking up the bar’s Key West meets British West Indies vibe; a massive WaterWorks aqua park highlighted by a 312-foot-long Twister slide; the Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez offering both family-friendly and adult performances; and a Serenity adults-only retreat.

The ship also offers a variety of family-friendly options, including expansive modern spaces for kids in three age groups:  Camp Ocean (ages 2-11), Circle “C” (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17), along with Seuss at Sea, part of the line’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

Carnival Magic will continue its seven-day schedule from Galveston through April 10, 2016 then reposition to Port Canaveral to launch year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning April 23, 2016.  Prior to launching its new seven-day schedule from Port Canaveral, Carnival Magic will operate a special three-day cruise to Nassau April 20-23, 2016.

Carnival Magic will offer two distinctly different week-long itineraries from the Space Coast – a western Caribbean route featuring Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan) and Costa Maya; and an eastern Caribbean option calling at St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk and Nassau or Amber Cove.

For additional information and reservations for Carnival Cruise Line, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.