Lifestyles of the rich and famous: seaside edition
Who says you can’t travel in luxury style on a mass-market cruise ship? In recent years, cruise lines have courted the wealthy with some extravagant - and pricey - offerings designed to register high on the “Wow!” meter. Want to sip from a bottle of 1959 Château Lafite-Rothschild? How about a private party on a private island, or a massage in your own cabana, or maybe a personal portside shopper? No problem. Anita Dunham-Potter tells you where to find luxury at sea.
Beat the post-cruise blues
Have you just returned from a cruise to a stack of bills and a windowsill full of dead plants? Does the prospect of doing all that laundry make you want to go straight to bed? Our condolences, matey — you’ve got the Post-Cruise Blues. Anita Dunham-Potter has some advice.
Customer bytes back at online fare “glitch”
Dave Tomasso had been saving for two years to take his family on a European cruise in 2008. While scanning Royal Caribbean’s Web site in March he found a “spectacular deal” on a 12-night Mediterranean cruise. He immediately booked two balcony staterooms. But a few days later, he learned the fare was a “glitch” and the cruise line was charging him $4,200 more. Frustrated, he contacted Tripso for help.
6 shore excursions that say “Wow!”
The ship has docked and it’s time to head to shore. Does the prospect of another sightseeing tour bore you? Does the idea of another shopping “opportunity” makes you want to burn down the gift shop? Then check out these unusual shore excursions, which are all high on the “Wow!” scale. Anita Dunham-Potter reprises six favorites.
Can’t cruise without luggage. What to do?
Losing your luggage after a long flight is bad enough, but what would you do if the airline lost your luggage on the first day of a 10-day cruise? Cruisers tell their stories.
Carnival’s Freedom takes on the Mediterranean
Can a giant, mass-market cruise ship renowned for its “Fun Ship” atmosphere make it in the sophisticated Mediterranean cruise market? Can two American kids and their mom survive the 12-day whirlwind tour? After cruising the Mediterranean with her two young daughters aboard the Carnival Freedom, Anita Dunham-Potter says yes, on both counts.
No passport, no travel
Stephanie and Kevin Hemphill were psyched about their upcoming family cruise to the Caribbean. It was a well-planned trip, and the Hemphills were aware of new passport rules, so they applied for their passports 11 weeks in advance. It wasn’t enough. Anita Dunham-Potter tells the story.
Holy high seas!
Faith-based travel is a huge business, and cruise lines and tour operators are getting into the act, offering theme cruises and religious destinations for both Christians and Jews. Religious cruising hasn’t been this busy since Noah’s Ark. Anita Dunham-Potter talks about the trend.
I want my port tax back!
You’ve paid all your government port fees in advance, but then your port call is canceled. Should you get your money back? Absolutely! But what if you don’t? Find out what happened when one passenger didn’t take “No!” for an answer.
Cruise blues: How to complain
You’ve just returned home from a disappointing cruise. Maybe the soup was cold or your hall mates were rowdy. Maybe it was something more serious. Sure, you tried to solve the problem while you were on the ship, but you didn’t get anywhere. What do you do now? Anita Dunham-Potter reprises some advice from last year while she cruises in the Mediterranean.