All cabins are created the same, right?  Not so fast, world traveler.  Experienced cruisers have learned a few secrets about determining the best stateroom choices.  It’s true that most  contemporary and premium class ships being built today offer “cookie cutter” cabins that are very similar in dimension and layout.  But even if they all appear to be the same according to the deck plan, there are some things you can do to make sure you get the best bang for your buck.  The prime consideration is location, location, location. Carefully view th...

Just returned from a one week Caribbean cruise.  In the elevator during the early part of the trip, I overhead two middle-aged ladies chatting about dining on board.  The gist of the conversation was about the alternative restaurant options on board.  One comment that struck me was “You should not have to pay for your meals on a ship”.   But thinking about this conversation, it became apparent that the comment was not really correct.  You don’t HAVE to pay for dining on any ship as each cruise line offers included dining in the main dining roo...

2009 program lets customers pay for cruise vacations with AMEX rewards points.  Coral Springs, FL - (February 20, 200) Cruise Planners/American Express, one of North America’s largest cruise retailers, recently unveiled the “Cruise for Free” program allowing American Express card holders to use their accrued Membership Rewards points as partial or full payment for any cruise vacation departing world wide. Cruise Planners travel professionals provide exceptional personalized service, priceless sailing tips and advice, and complete handling of all aspects of their drea...

There is only one passenger ship that can rightly claim to be “iconic”.  Named after a reigning monarch, the Queen Elizabeth 2 recently retired after 41 years of service with Cunard to start a new life as a floating hotel and conference center in Dubai.  Since launch, she has traveled over 6 million nautical miles while sailing to fascinating ports around the world and hosting 2.5 million guests on 1,428 voyages. Classic ship historians can spend hours recounting stories about this most famous Cunarder.  One particularly interesting tidbit is how the ship’s...

We thought Carnival Valentines e-Card in the link below was just too funny and wanted to pass it along. Who can resist the charms of "Towel Art Theatre?" http://tinyurl.com/c2we2e Check out our own "sweet deals" for Valentines Day: http://www.cruise-plan.net/postcard

If you are cruising with Princess Cruises between now and March 15, 2009 (cruise must end before 3/15) you can get double on board credit for booking another Princes cruise while on board your current cruise!. That’s right, you can get up to $600 per cabin in shipboard credits for your next cruise escape with Princess Cruises!    Here is how it works:   Length of Voyage DOUBLE ONBOARD CREDITS (per person excluding 3/4th berths)* ...

What do the “Abominable Snowman”, the “Loch Ness Monster” and “Booking Cruises Directly with the Cruise Line is Cheaper” all have in common?  Answer: They are all myths!  While we may not be experts on the first two subjects, at Cruise Planners we can certainly shed some light about direct booking myths. First of all, let’s face it, a sales representative at a cruise line gets paid to sell only their company whether it’s the right product for you or not.  They will never recommend the competition.  That should be enough ri...

This year will be exciting with the introduction of 9 new cruise ships. The biggest and most discussed new vessel is Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. Slated for her first voyage this spring, this floating city will rank as the largest cruise ship in history. Weighing in at 220,000-tons, the 5,400-passenger ship has created a buzz ever since Royal Caribbean announced the project. The Oasis will feature neighborhoods that replicate land based sites like Central Park and the Boardwalk.  Other innovations include an onboard “zip-line”, Aqua Theater and a bar that raises fi...

Cruise Planners, the American Express national cruise franchise agency, announced that it has received the President's Elite Award from Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). This marks the seventh straight year that Cruise Planners has earned NCL's highest production category award. In recognition of the achievement, NCL presented Cruise Planners with a limited edition personalized and framed version of the Versace Plate used in the Le Bistro Restaurants onboard NCL ships. "This award is testimony to the fantastic working relationship NCL enjoys with the entire Cruise Planners team, demonstra...

Caribbean Princess has just emerged from an extensive three-week drydock to add many of Princess Cruises' signature features that have proven so popular on its newest ships.  The vessel now offers passengers the engaging street-café atmosphere of the piazza-style atrium with its International Café and Vines, the wine, seafood and cheese bar; the adults-only Sanctuary, seven new suites, and a more centrally located casino.  Work is also nearly complete on a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant.   These amenities became passenger favorites when they ...