Jillian Michaels Ultimate Wellness Cruise Features New Trainers, Comedians, Music & More Entertainment

Jillian Michaels wants her fans to have fun on their ultimate wellness vacation and assures us that the Jillian Michaels Ultimate Wellness Cruise, sailing Oct 21-25 on Norwegian Star, will not be "all work, no play." As Jillian says in the video message below, it is both a family cruise and a cruise for single travelers: there is something for everyone and anyone. The cruise will feature friendly

Cruise Travel: Effective Complaining

Sadly, there’s no such thing as a perfect vacation and things can go just as wrong at sea as they do on land. Minor quibbles can be brought to the attention of the crewmembers you come in contact with on a regular basis. However, for the really big problems, you should work your way up the managerial ladder to the top until you are satisfied.The most important thing to remember is that you should

Hurricane Earl Prompts Itinerary Adjustments

After the quiet opening months of the 2010 hurricane season, things are beginning to heat up with Hurricane Earl, the fifth named Atlantic storm of the year, moving in on islands in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Proactively, Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have altered some ships' itineraries to avoid the storm.Cruise Ship Itinerary Alterations, Updated Noon

Cruising From New Orleans

Many people know that the Cruise Diva team is based in the South, but aren't aware of our Louisiana history. Throughout the 1980s, our home was in Baton Rouge and we grew to love the city, the state, and, of course New Orleans as well. We watched the televised coverage of Hurricane Katrina five years ago with sadness and growing concern.Less than two years post-Katrina, it felt good to be going

Find a Cruise, or an Embarkation Port on Your iPhone

As a rule, I'm not one to promote products that I don't own or have at least tried out. However, I'm not about to give up my trusty BlackBerry for an iPhone, so this is something I can't share first-hand experience with. The ability to view deck plans on a small screen is probably better left to people with keener eyesight than mine, but I do like the idea of having port directions at hand

Carnival Invites Cruisers To 'Make The Magic Yours'

With only 246 days left before launch, let the magic begin! As Carnival Cruise Lines unveils new details about its newest "Fun Ship," Carnival Magic, fans and fun-seekers can learn more and join in the action, well before the ship sets sail next year. Carnival's new, interactive online home for Carnival Magic at www.carnivalmagic.com showcases the ship's standout features through a full-screen

Carnival Magic: The Countdown Continues

Now that they're down to 247 days until launch, here's one of the new spaces on Carnival Magic that will have sports junkies jumping for joy. It's SportsSquare. Taking Carnival's popular outdoor recreation areas to an entirely new level, SportsSquare will feature the cruise industry's first ropes course where thrill-seeking guests can traverse across nets suspended above Spa Deck 12 and offering

Carnival Magic: The Countdown Begins

They're counting down the days (only 248 more) at Carnival Cruise Lines' Miami headquarters. That's when their newest "Fun Ship," the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic, sets sail.While we wait, Carnival is giving us a peek through the porthole at some of the ship's unique spaces and fun features. From Carnival's first-ever pub, featuring its own private label beer, to an authentic trattoria that brings

Featured Cruise Review: Celebrity Solstice

Last January our frequent contributors Mary and Vincent Finelli cruised on Celebrity Solstice to the Eastern Caribbean and enjoyed a memorable experience. So memorable, in fact, that they booked Celebrity Solstice again in order to give the new Aqua Class a try.Cruise Diva is happy to share their Western Caribbean Aqua Class cruise aboard Celebrity Solstice.

Retail Therapy: Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth

Ever since Queen Mary entered service in 1936, Cunard’s Queens have been famous for offering the best on board shopping featuring some of the finest luxury brands and gifts from around the world. The new Queen Elizabeth, which enters service in October 2010, will be no exception. Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Arcade will feature iconic products from Fortnum & Mason. Since 1707, Fortnum & Mason has been

Plan Your Cruise Vacation With Carnival Cruise Lines On Facebook

Only a few days after announcing that a little Fun Ship birdie is answering cruiser questions on Twitter, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced the launch of a new social commerce Facebook application that allows users to easily view, compare, select, and share Carnival cruises with their Facebook friends. The application, the first of its kind in the cruise industry, allows users to engage their

Malt Shop Memories Cruise, Class of 2011

Break out your bobby socks and poodle skirts and get ready to join the Class of 2011. Sixthman and Time Life proudly announce that the second annual Malt Shop Memories Cruise will set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Nassau, Bahamas, aboard the Carnival Sensation. The cruise leaves on Sunday, May 8, 2011, and returns on Thursday, May 12. Performers include Chubby Checker, Little Anthony &

Does My Cruise Vacation HAVE To End?

Other than hearing “are we there yet?” from little ones in the back seat during a family road trip, the saddest vacation quote I can think of is “it’s time to disembark the vessel.”Royal Caribbean International has felt our pain and passengers on European sailings who wish to remain on board longer on departure day may now sign up in advance of the cruise for their Late Departure Program. Sign up

Tweet Carnival With Your Questions

When you have a question or concern about your Carnival cruise, who you gonna call? Provided that you can ask it in 140 characters or less, now you can tweet Carnival Cruise Lines for an answer.Carnival has expanded its guest service options with a new Twitter profile that is specifically assigned to cruise-related questions or pre- or post-cruise comments from guests sailing aboard the “Fun

Where The Cruises With Character Are

What's that!?! You think you saw a mouse on your ship? Definitely yes, if you are sailing on Disney Cruise Line ships!And, as our special contributor Georgina Cruz points out, you'll find some of your favorite movie and television cartoon characters and mascots at sea on other cruise lines as well.Follow along as Georgina introduces you to Cruises With Character.

Halfway Through Hurricane Season 2010

Hurricane Season officially started on June 1st and lasts until November 30th, so we're almost halfway through it for 2010. Thus far, it's been pretty quiet out there in the Caribbean, but savvy cruisers know... storms happen. They're a fact of life. And, quite frankly, Mother Nature isn't interested in whether or not she spoils your cruise vacation. She does what she wants and when she wants to

The Perfect Family All Inclusive Vacation

By Adam Hermann

Is your family the type who loves to go on vacation and try new places and things together? Is your family really tight and values being together a lot? Do you want to make the most out of a vacation or family trip? If your answer is yes to all of these questions and you are looking for a family all inclusive vacation then you are certainly at the right page. One of the best

Another Cruise Line Says Adios to Mexican Riviera

Other cruse lines have steadily trimmed back on their sailings to the Mexican Riviera so it came as no surprise that Crystal Cruises is doing so as well. The luxury line has announced two new 7-day getaways exploring the Pacific Coast that depart on April 10 and 17, 2011. Sailing between Los Angeles and Vancouver aboard Crystal Symphony, the northbound and southbound "Pacific Escape" and "Coastal

Contemporary Art & Ultra-Contemporary Technology Converge On Celebrity Cruises

The artwork cruise lines display on their vessels has always been truly extraordinary and some of the finest modern art at sea is found on Celebrity Cruises’ ships. While other cruise lines have offered art tours, usually with audio loaded on an iPod®, Celebrity is playing off the series of hip, high-tech “firsts” it has introduced in recent months by debuting the industry’s first self-guided art

New FOX TV Shows Premiering Aboard Princess Cruises Ships

It’s been a while since the Princess Cruises vessels were the first cruise ships to star in a television show (“The Love Boat”), but the line hasn’t shied away from those heady days and their connection with the small screen. In an industry first, Princess Cruises and FOX Television have joined together this summer to premiere two of FOX’s fall primetime shows across the line’s 17-vessel fleet.

And the Allure of the Seas' New Chef Is...

After hosting an eight week-long contest, which culminated with five intense hours in the competition kitchens at The Culinary Institute of America, Royal Caribbean has found the next culinary superstar to lead the kitchen of the signature restaurant onboard Allure of the Seas, the cruise line's newest ship which will make her debut in Dec 2010 and share the title of world's largest and most

Top Vacation Spots in the United States

By Robert Vrabe

If your looking for the top vacation spots in the united states, you'll generally find that they are located near the coasts. There are literally hundreds of places to choose from, but here are some of the top places that I have been to.

New Jersey beaches

New jersey has some of the finest beaches on the east coast of the united states. From the north eastern tip of Sandy hook,

Costa Favolosa, Costa Cruises’ Fifteenth Ship Set to Debut in Summer 2011

Costa’s newest ship, the Costa Favolosa, took to the sea for the very first time last week at a ceremony held at Fincantieri’s Marghera ship yard in honor of the ship’s technical launch. Costa Favolosa (114,500 tons; 3,000 double occupancy), will set sail on her first cruise in July 2011. She is the fourth of five new ships delivered or set to be delivered between 2009 and 2012 for Costa, Europe’

Crystal Adventures Offer New Perspectives

If you've been there and done that, you might want to consider a Crystal cruise for something different. This fall, Crystal passengers can see what backstage life is like at the Monte Carlo Ballet, how the ponies live at St-Tropez's Polo Club, view Mexico's Sierra Madre mountains from a private plane and Copper Canyon by privately chartered rail, among other "private access" experiences. The

Celebrity Cruises Introduces A More Flexible Group Policy

On a positive note for travel agents and their clients, Celebrity Cruises has announced a new and improved group policy to better align with consumer booking trends. This change provides travel agents with options, depending upon the number of staterooms they need to hold, with one of the key benefits being more time to market and sell their group inventory. That also gives their clients more

Great Theme Cruises You Won't Want To Miss

Our friends at Sixthman are at it again. They've scheduled some of the best theme cruises at sea and Cruise Diva is always happy to share the news and updates.JILLIAN MICHAELS ULTIMATE WELLNESS CRUISE is Sixthman's first non-music cruise, and we're so ready for it that we've even started a challenge in the office to see who can get the healthiest by the time we sail. Healthy Lifestyle Coach

Holland America Line Introduces Intimate Approach to Shipboard Entertainment

With the recent launch of the 2,106-guest ms Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America Line is showcasing its new approach to shipboard entertainment, opting to bring more intimacy to evening shows. Exemplifying this new direction is the singing group Cantare (pictured here), a quartet of male performers with a pop music repertoire covering several eras."With this new approach we've focused on getting

Trusting Your Cruise Travel Resources

Every now and then I receive an email inquiry about something specific regarding a particular ship or a cruise line's policies. I try to answer such questions as responsibly as possible, either from first hand experience or by asking a trusted contact for details. I cover the cruise industry exclusively and won't write about subjects with which I'm unfamiliar. You really wouldn't want to read a

Carnival Launches New Superstar Live Karaoke

Get ready to break out your untapped American Idol. With the band warmed up, amps cranked, spotlight set, and the adoring crowd ready to explode, Carnival guests will take the stage, grab the mic, and live out their music-star daydreams on the open seas. Introducing Superstar Live Karaoke, Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest entertainment feature puts guests into the act, fronting a live band and

All Inclusive Jamaica, Bahamas, and Brazil Vacations

By Alice LaneThe great thing about all inclusive travel is the wide variety of options and destinations available. No matter who you are, or what your interests and budget, there is an all inclusive package which will make for the vacation of your dreams. If you like the beat of Reggae, spicy jerked chicken, and lilt of Jamaican patois set against a British colonial atmosphere, then consider an

Cruise Travel: What You Can... & Can't Bring Home

You know you can't bring your cabin steward home at the end of a cruise, but what you may--and may not--take with you when you prepare to disembark might be a bit confusing.Cruise Diva clears up what You Can & Can't Bring Home. You may be surprised by our advice and our revelations.