Cruise ships feeling new pirate pressure
As Americans get tired of the same old Caribbean ports, more and more cruise lines are basing ships out of the country for more exotic itineraries. Now pirates that used to feast on merchant ships in the Caribbean are lurking on the high seas off the coast of Africa and Asia.
10 tips to protect valuables from travel theft
Cash stolen at TSA security checkpoints, belongings taken from checked-in luggage at airports or cruise terminals, jewelry stolen from hotel rooms or cruise ship staterooms, handbags slashed and stolen while strolling down a promenade are making travelers victims every day. Ned Levi has 10 suggestions to protect yourself.
NCL’s Sky casts off early — did you remember your insurance?
NCL’s Norwegian Sky departed two hours early Monday to avoid Tropical Storm Fay, stranding twelve passengers in Miami. While NCL is refunding their cruise fare, it won’t reimburse hotel or airline costs.
Passport or passport card — which is best for foreign travel?
Travelers, it seems, have a choice these days of whether to travel with a US passport or with the new passport cards being issued by the Department of State. Each has its use, however which is best for what kind of traveler. Ned Levi dives into the issue and sorts out the differences.
The worst place on a cruise ship
What’s the worst place on a cruise ship? If you ask regular cruisers, they might tell you to avoid the cigar bar or the Lido Pool area. But for me, it’s the art auction area.
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.