Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 & Artemis North Atlantic Challenge Make A Rendezvous At Sea

While sailing one of her 21 Transatlantic Crossings this season, Cunard Line‘s flagship Queen Mary 2 navigated a mid-Atlantic rendezvous to cheer on the rowing team for ‘Artemis Investments’ as they attempt to break the 114-year old world record, set back in 1896, by rowing from New York to England. The 23-foot, purpose-built rowing boat with its four-man team departed New York on 17 June.“It was

Princess Cruises Details 2011-2012 Hawaii Cruise Season

Some of our most memorable vacations have been spent in Hawaii. We love the islands, but not the flights to get there. That’s why we're interested in Princess Cruises’ just announced roundtrip cruises from California. Princess Cruises will take passengers on a variety of island voyages in 2011-2012 with a full schedule of cruises to Hawaii.Cruise travelers interested in the convenience of a

A Stupid Cruiser "Mistake" or Intentional Crime?

Bermuda's Royal Gazette reports that George Koumoulis, a passenger on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dawn admitted making what he said was a "stupid, stupid mistake" by possessing cannabis when the ship arrived at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard on last week.Passengers aboard the ship, which had sailed from New York, complained they smelled the odor of cannabis (that would be marijuana, or weed, in

What to Expect on Your Cruise: General Info & Debarkation Day

Just as there is no such thing as a perfect vacation, a flawless cruise is an unrealistic expectation. Every officer and staff member on your ship has the same goal: to meet passenger expectations and provide a safe and satisfying voyage. The more you know as a passenger, the better you will be prepared.All cruises come to an end eventually and it hardly seems fair that you have to leave when it

What to Expect On Your Cruise: Days in Port

Land Ho!The Captain deftly inches your cruise ship alongside the pier as line handlers scurry to grab the ropes and secure them. The gangway appears and everyone is anxious to proceed ashore. But first there is a delay until the announcement that the ship has "cleared."What's that all about? Simple... before anyone can leave the ship, local immigration officials must give their approval—or "clear

What to Expect On Your Cruise: Sea Days

You've embarked on your cruise and are looking forward to a day at sea. What's that like?Keep in mind that all days at sea aren't identical, but they do have a lot in common. Most ships schedule activities, port talks, lectures, games, and fitness programs on a non-stop basis. Your daily schedule will be your guide to what's happening on board.This is the time to personalize your cruise

MSC Cruises Confirms Construction of MSC Fantastica

You may recall a while back when MSC Cruises announced that their next new ship would be named MSC Favolosa. Then Costa announced their latest newbuild of the same name, which would launch nearly a year before MSC’s. Confusing? Apparently so because MSC Cruises has announced the conclusion of the legal process that finalizes their new ship order and confirms construction of a new ‘Fantasia’ class

New Cruise Review, Holland America Line's Veendam to Bermuda

When I heard that Karen Segboer had taken a cruise this summer on Holland America Line's ms Veendam to Bermuda, I wanted to hear all about it. Karen is a savvy cruise traveler whose observations are based on years of experience and she shares what's old, what's new, and even some overheard conversations worthy of a hearty chuckle.Unfortunately, Cruise Diva was unable to sail to Bermuda aboard

Gourmet Getaway Aboard Freedom of the Seas

I love food, but I could hardly be called a foodie. My favorite kitchen tools are a crock pot and microwave. However, I have traveled with a few real expert food writers who enthusistically recognize and reveal what spices were used in a dish just by sniffing it. And now, Royal Caribbean is offering them and other food fans the opportunity to transform their next cruise vacation into a gourmet

Carnival Adds More Laughs Fleetwide

Who doesn't enjoy a good joke and like to laugh? There really is something to the expression “Laughter Is The Best Medicine” when you’re feeling blue. While comedy shows have always been part of Carnival’s entertainment lineup, the concept was taken to another level aboard the Carnival Dream, which offered the line’s first dedicated comedy club last fall.And now, Carnival Cruise Lines is adding

No Cuba Libre From Our Brit Cousins

Richard Sasso, CEO and President of MSC Cruises USA (pictured here), is one of the cruise industry’s savviest executives and when he speaks it's wise to pay attention. According to a recent article in the Palm Beach Daily News, Sasso’s opinion is that “Even if the United States lifts the travel ban to Cuba, don’t expect Havana to be a port of call for American cruise lines any time soon.”The Palm

Sorry, Baltimore: Celebrity Century Is Headed Down Under

After her 2011 season ends in Alaska, Celebrity Century won't be repositioning to Baltimore, Maryland as previously planned. Instead, like the iconic boomerang, Celebrity Cruises has announced plans to return to the Pacific and Down Under in 2011-12, with an enticing new series of vacations aboard Celebrity Century. The 1,814-guest ship is ideal for offering guests spectacular views of the scenic

What to Expect On Your Cruise: Embarkation Day

No two cruises are identical. Are your expectations realistic?Once the planning, packing, and anticipation are behind them, veteran cruise passengers sometimes view embarkation day as anticlimactic. However, for first-time cruise travelers, embarking on their first ship can be more than exhilarating—it can be downright intimidating. What exactly can you expect?First of all, keep in mind that your

It's Bermuda Cruise Season

Probably the most popular misconception about Bermuda is that it’s a Caribbean island. It isn’t.Located in the North Atlantic, the nearest land mass is North Carolina, some 570 miles distant. Actually comprised of 150 tiny islands of volcanic origin, collectively Bermuda encompasses only 21 square miles of land. The locals tend to regard the connected islands as one and refer to the largest,

Princess Cruises Details Their 2011-2012 Asia/South Pacific Cruise Season

The diverse lands of Asia evoke images of exotic cultures, ancient mysteries and modern bustling cities. Whether visitors long to see the ornate gilded pavilions, ancient temples, towering skyscrapers or distinctive natural beauty, an Asia cruise offers a truly unique cruise vacation. For the Fall 2011-Spring 2012 Asia season, Princess Cruises will offer 14 itineraries that include more than 60

Tragedy In St. Thomas

If you've read the cruise news blog in an online national newspaper web site this week, you know about the death of a 14-year old Carnival Victory passenger who was, unfortunately, in the wrong place at the wrong time in St. Thomas on Monday. The young teen and other passengers, including her parents, were riding in an open-air taxi (similar to the one pictured here) bound for a day at Coki Beach

Celebrity Cruises Adds Intriguing Istanbul Itineraries

Celebrity Cruises has designed three new 12-night, port-intensive itineraries sailing roundtrip from one of Cruise Diva's favorite ports—Istanbul. Aimed at connecting cruise travelers with the Byzantine city of Istanbul and three new ports of call, Celebrity’s introduction of these new cruises in the early fall of 2011 marks the first time the cruise line has offered roundtrip cruises from the

Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth To Feature All-New Theatre Company

When Cunard Line’s new Queen Elizabeth debuts in October 2010, the Line will introduce an original concept in theatrical entertainment at sea with the newly formed Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company. Guests will enjoy a brand new repertoire of shows premiered by the Theatre Company’s 29 singers, dancers, actors and musicians.New shows will include :The hit “Slice of Saturday Night,” a popular

Carnival Cruise Lines Announces '1-2-3 Go! Sale'

Act now—or at least by the end of the month—to snag a deal on your next Carnival Cruise. The "Fun Ships" cruise line is hosting its first-ever "1-2-3 Go! Sale" which combines three of their most popular sales incentives—Cash Back of up to $160 per stateroom, best available upgrades, and attractive "Fun Select" rates—to provide unprecedented value to consumers. The promotion is available on a wide

Norwegian Epic Is A Power Saver

Something very “green” on Norwegian Epic— that we’ve only seen in European hotels and on MSC ships—is a very cool power saving feature.When you enter your stateroom, you must insert your key card in a slot by the door that activates the stateroom lights. You have to remove your key when you leave in order to get back in and the lights won’t stay on when it’s out of the slot. Thus, it’s impossible

Protecting Our Oceans: Crystal's Commitment to Sustainable Seafood & Caviar

In its dedication to protecting marine environments and preserving their habitats, Crystal Cruises has committed to serving only sustainable seafood aboard its award-winning vessels. Known for the sophisticated fare served in the Crystal Dining Room and specialty restaurants Silk Road and The Sushi Bar and Prego, Crystal is the first cruise line to publicly commit to such a policy.Since 1990,

Help Royal Caribbean Pick A Chef

When dining out it's always up to you to choose the items on the menu that you'd like to try, but how often do you get to pick the items that actually appear on the menu?Thanks to a partnership with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Royal Caribbean recently launched the Allure of the Seas Culinary Challenge, a contest open exclusively to CIA graduates for a shot at the job of a lifetime -

More Reasons to Cruise Aboard Norwegian Epic

When Norwegian Cruise Line introduced the "Freestyle Cruising" concept there were certainly many traditional cruisers who were aghast at the idea that they wouldn't necessarily be sitting at the same dinner table, with the same companions, and being served by the same wait staff every night.Other cruisers, like Cruise Diva, felt liberated. No longer would we have to suffer in silence as our

Reasons to Cruise Aboard Norwegian Epic

Now that Norwegian Epic has reached her new homeport of Miami, it's time to think about the reasons you might want to give the largest "Freestyle Cruising" ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet a try.1. You want to live differently.For many cruiser travelers, a view of the sea is an important part of their cruise vacation experience. The good news if you're considering a cruise aboard Norwegian

Join Kid Rock for the "Chillin' the Most Cruise 2011"

Here's the news that Kid Rock fans who missed the boat this year have been waiting for. Kid Rock's Chillin' the Most Cruise 2011 is now on sale to the public. Alumni guests and fan club members had first dibs at cabins, so there are fewer than 100 left; fans should book as soon as possible.The 2010 recap video below tells the story about what a great time everyone had this year. By taking a photo

Celebrity Cruises Gets Personal With Enhanced Concierge Service

Celebrity Cruises is about to offer you more personalized service by introducing a new “Personal Concierge” program aimed at further enhancing the brand’s “Designed for you” reputation, by emphasizing the customized onboard service that has long set Celebrity Cruises apart from its competitors. By individually communicating with guests to learn their personal preferences, tastes and needs,

Need-To-Know Travel Insurance Terms

Our good friends at InsureMyTrip.com realize that for most of us understanding travel insurance jargon is like learning a foreign language. However, with a little help from them, we can become proficient and confident travel insurance consumers."At InsureMyTrip.com one of our main goals is to educate travelers on the basics of coverage and empower them with the knowledge they need to select and

You're Invited To Attend Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam Christening

Holland America Line is honored to have Her Royal Highness Princess Máxima of the Netherlands serve as godmother to ms Nieuw Amsterdam and you’re invited to join in the celebration. TheNieuw Amsterdam’s dedication ceremony will be webcast live from Venice, Italy, at 9 am Eastern Time, Sunday, July 4. To see it, visit the Holland America dedication website.Nieuw Amsterdam will debut the intimate

Norwegian Epic Gets Christened Today & You're Invited

Join the Norwegian Epic’s Christening Ceremony LIVE online with legendary country music star Reba McEntire as the Godmother.Hosted by Jeff Garlin, register here in order to log on Friday, July 2 at 2:00 pm.