These blazing hot summer cruise deals are unsinkable
The economy is slumping and cruise lines are scrambling to fill their berths. What does that mean for you? Great deals on a cruise vacation — and a good excuse for spending that tax rebate check. Anita Dunham-Potter has the details.
iPods go cruising
What’s the latest amenity on cruise ships? No, it’s not Asian spa treatments and it’s not Wi-Fi. It’s iPods. A growing number of cruise lines are now loaning out iPods, fully stocked with music, and offering tours and shipboard information as podcasts. Find out how the pocket-sized digital music phenomenon is a big hit with cruise travelers.
Banned from Royal Caribbean for complaining too much
Somewhere between the plumbing problem, the locked balcony door, multiple complaint letters, and posting their cruise horror stories on the Internet, Royal Caribbean decided it could never do right by these passengers. So it told them to get out there — and to stay out! Think you can’t get banned from a cruise line? Meet the Morans.
Bigger is better: Britons get their Independence
Will the world’s largest cruise ship that spans four football fields, rises 15 stories high, and carries 4,328 people play in the UK? Royal Caribbean is betting big that the brand new Independence of the Seas will woo Britons with a jolly good cruise.
Carnival’s ‘Man’ attraction
John Heald, Carnival Cruise Lines’ senior cruise director, has become the most famous cruise director since Julie McCoy of “Love Boat” TV fame. Except John’s not on TV, he’s taking the Internet by storm with his blog that boasts thousands of readers. Even more than that it has changed the way cruise lines interact with their customers by building online communities.
Help! My cruise has been flushed away
Bathroom plumbing is probably the last thing you want to think about on a Caribbean cruise. But Richard Schulman was so riled up about his stinky stateroom – and Carnival’s unhelpful crew — that he documented his woes on a YouTube video. Anita Dunham-Potter tells the tale from the loo.
Cruise-onomics: 12 money-saving tips
Did you know that cruise lines get most of their revenue from the things passengers buy aboard ship? Yep. That’s why they aggressively peddle their photos, spa services, art auctions, shore excursions, jewelry, casino and drinks of the day. If you’re not careful, you can easily spend more for onboard extras than you did on your cruise fare. Here are some tips to help keep your cruise budget afloat.
The next big thing: Luxury cruising
Luxury cruising is booming. With nine new ships on order, the luxury lines are looking at 32 ships and 11,790 berths by 2012 — the largest capacity in the sector’s history. Anita Dunham-Potter takes a look at the trend.
How to book air travel for your cruise
Most cruises begin with a plane ride to the port of embarkation, which raises a perennial question: Should you book your air travel through the cruise line or should you book it yourself? Anita Dunham-Potter has some opinions on the matter.
Ship of fools
Crazy about Elvis? Looking for a Star Trek fix? Want to shimmy bare-naked under the stars? Believe it or not, you can indulge these passions — and a host of others — on a cruise vacation. In honor of April Fools’ Day, Anita Dunham-Potter gives you four of the craziest theme cruises to hit the high seas.