Don’t look now but Fort Lauderdale’s cruise port is more than tripling the size of one of its cruise terminals in time for the arrival of Royal Caribbean International’s 5,400-passenger Oasis-class of ships, the largest cruise ships in the world. When completed, Terminal 18 will become the largest single-ship cruise terminal in the world.   Guests will be treated to the Oasis experience as soon as they enter the terminal according to port officials.   The grand opening is planned to coincide with the arrival of the ship in November 2009.  Oasis of ...

This week marks the unofficial 20th anniversary of the birth of the World Wide Web.  Wow, 20 years?  It seems like only yesterday that “the web” was this strange and scary place.  Now most of the world lives, works and plays on or near the internet.  Grandma and Grandpa are attaching and sending photos of their grandchildren.  And the grandchildren are sending their own photos out starting as young as age 4. From the cruiser’s perspective the internet has become a great research tool.  You can view cruise schedules, ships, deck plans, and m...

At the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami Convention, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) revealed the full range of innovative and varied accommodations to be offered on its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic. In another industry first, Norwegian is also opening group block space reservations on Norwegian Epic today exclusively for its travel partners before the ship goes on sale to the general public later this spring. To see the announcement via webcast, click here www.greatlookingmedia.com/nclwebcast and enter the username of ncl and password of webcast, click to Join then...

If you love cruising and want to stay informed about the latest things happening at sea, then you will love the Cruise Talk Radio Show.  It’s an online show that you can hear on demand by clicking on the link below. The show, well as the web site covers both contemporary cruising as well as discussions and information about classic cruise ships from the past.  This is an industry that is steeped in tradition and history.  While there aren’t many of the old style ocean liners still sailing a small group of supporters keeps the memories of these great ladies al...

Cunard Line revealed itinerary and design plans for its newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, which is scheduled to enter service on 12 October 2010, giving one of the oldest names in shipping the strength of operating the youngest fleet in the industry. Queen Elizabeth will be the third new ocean liner to be introduced by Cunard in six years and the second largest Cunard ship ever built. Queen Elizabeth will feature the uniqueCunard traditions linking her with her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, and their predecessors. She will also debut some exciting features that will give th...

If you’ve vacationed with your children you know the look - a couple of bleary-eyed, bedraggled parents returning back to the hotel at 6 p.m..  In tow, are 2 hyper-active offspring wearing mouse hats or whale t-shirts sporting cotton candy hair extensions.  Next it’s the big choice:  wash them up and suffer through another dinner or collapse in the hotel room with another room service or take-out pizza meal.  And today’s receipts for all this fun?  Well,  let’s just say it cost more than your first car did? If this is how you define vac...

Cruise Planners/American Express is making room in its crowded trophy case for its second Home-Based Partner of the Year award from Royal Caribbean International. With the win, Cruise Planners/American Express remains the only company to receive the prestigious award. It's a tremendous honor being the sole recipient of this great award, said Michelle Fee, CEO of Cruise Planners/American Express. All the praise goes to our wonderful agents and the strong team we have here at headquarters that provide an unmatched level of training and support to make this kind of victory possible. T...

While the Disney Cruise Line ships are not known as Mickey and Minnie, we think maybe they should. But in any case the ships (Disney Magic and Disney Wonder) will be joined in 2011 and 2012 by two cousins.  The first steel was cut this week on the two yet-to-be named DCL ships during a ceremony at the Meyer Werft yards in Germany. The first piece of steel cut was part of the Art Deco-inspired scrollwork that will grace the bow of the ships. Similar to the scrollwork on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the pattern is reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s but ...

What are two of life’s greatest indulgences?  Cruising and Food!  Now combine both with a culinary festival on Celebrity Cruises.  The cruise line known for recognizing, pampering and celebrating its guests is teaming up with the magazine known for celebrating the world of great food and sharing it with others. This year, Celebrity Cruises and Bon Appétit will present “Celebrity’s Mediterranean Experience with Bon Appétit,” an at-sea experience focusing on the joys of cooking and dining. This tantalizing cruise experience will take pla...

 Princess Cruises has teamed with Klutz?, an innovative publisher of award-winning activity books for children, to provide high-quality arts and crafts projects for young passengers and their families while onboard. Klutz and Princess Cruises collaborated to develop custom-built kits designed to engage young cruisers in fun and creative activities. Unique in the cruise industry, the new activities are available fleetwide. Children sailing aboard Princess ships will have the opportunity to participate in up to seven Klutz activities during their cruise. Kids will be able to build the...

 Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a new, innovative and personalized approach to pre-cruise information with the debut of its "Welcome Aboard" booklet, a customized cruise guide featuring everything a guest needs to know in preparation for cruising with NCL. The 21-page booklet is one of the more than 75 new programs and services launched as part of Partnership 2.0, NCL's company-wide commitment to its travel partners. The personalized "Welcome Aboard" booklet front cover features the guest name, ship and sailing date, stateroom number and the name of the trave...

As a part of a pilot program, a huge new inflatable laser tag arena is being periodically placed on the stage of the Carnival Valor's main lounge. The on-board attraction operates at various times throughout the day (and even a few night sessions) and thus far hundreds of guests have challenged their friends and fellow guests to a thrilling round of laser tag.   Each session allows four players at a time -either individually or in teams of two - to battle it out against each other in a fog-filled dome for an exciting five minute session. The cost is $5 per person. Based on guest fe...

Royal Caribbean International announced a comprehensive enhancement to the cruise line's program for guests booked in suite category staterooms. The new suite program is designed to focus on distinctive and personalized servicing and touch every aspect of the guests' experience from arrival through departure. Suite guests will enjoy a myriad of special privileges and upgraded amenities for their cruise, along with Royal Caribbean's world-renowned friendly, engaging and attentive Gold Anchor Service from every member of its staff and crew. The new suite program will be implemented fleetwide ...