Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas West Coast Debut
Feb. 20-22, 2009 saw the re-inaugural sailing of the Mariner of the Seas, the largest and most beautiful ship to sail from a west coast port. Mariner will be sailing from Los Angeles (San Pedro) on a 7 night Mexican Riviera itinerary, including ports of call at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.
Mariner, one of the Voyager class ships from RCI, features an ice skating rink, a miniature golf course, an in-line skate track, basketball court, and the signature rock climbing wall. This showpiece of technology is 1,020 feet long, weighs 138,000 toms, and has a guest capacity of 3,114. Yet it doesn’t seem crowded, due to having one of the highest space-per-guest ratios on the cruise market. The 3 story dining room is absolutely elegant, complete with chandelier.
Kelly and Carol Watts of Cruise Port Travel had the privilege of sailing on the Mariner’s west coast debut, and were completely awed by the ship’s Royal Promenade, a 5 story open area complete with specialty and gift shops, a wine bar and pub, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream parlor, and Seattle’s Best Coffee shop. The promenade is also used for parades and special gatherings. The buffet area, Windjammer Café, is huge, and does not have the congested traffic of other buffets at sea. Royal Caribbean really does deliver the WOW with this new to the west coast ship.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Small Ships, not for everyone
Small Ships: Advantages and Disadvantages
Many times we get requests from people who are tired of the lines, crowds, and formality of the larger cruise lines, namely those holding more than 2,000 passengers. While we normally choose these lines because it is the mass market that we sell to, I do admit to sometimes feeling like cattle herded into the chute. Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, set to debut in December 2009, will have the capacity of over 5,400 passengers, and that does not count the crew! While the ship is huge, there are some people who would consider that number of passengers as just “too many fellow travelers”.
For this article let’s look at ships with a guest capacity of 500 or less. (Princess does have 3 ships that they call small, holding from 670 - 710 passengers.)
Small ships come in many classifications, such as expedition cruising, coastal and river cruising, sailing ships, soft-adventure cruises, freighter, and barge cruises. Because of their smaller size, these ships and get into smaller ports that are often gems as far as experiencing the native culture. One example that comes to mind is Petersburg, Alaska. It is a small fishing port that retains much of the Norwegian heritage of its founders. It is located in the Wrangle Narrows of Alaska’s Inside Passage, and the main stream larger cruise lines just don’t fit.
Small ships can also get closer to shore for wildlife viewing. You’re not going to see a bear when your large ship is several miles off shore. Many small ships are equipped with inflatable zodiacs, which can get you ‘”up close and personal” with whales, sea otters, and seals. Indeed the emphasis on small ships is more toward outdoor activities, nature and wilderness exploration. There is often a naturalist on board, and your evening “entertainment” is his lecture and slide show. No Broadway production shows or poker tournaments of these ships. The food is usually very good, often specializing in local cuisine, always fresh, and there is no assigned seating. There is also only one seating, and no room service. Also no grill by the pool, no pizza or ice cream parlors, and no place to buy your espresso mocha-chino latte. Most of the small ships are not suitable for families. There are no quad cabins nor children’s programs. Often there is no TV in your room, much less wi fi service.
Then there’s the “ride”. There are no stabilizers on these small ships, and when they get in the open seas, like the gulf of Alaska, they do bob around a little. Most do not have a doctor or nurse on board should you get sea sick or worse, but since they sail close to land they can put you off for any medical treatment needed. Cabins are simple, and there usually is not a large choice of cabin style, so if you’re the penthouse type, you won’t find any on the small ships. Very few small ships are equipped with elevators, or have handicap cabins, and are decidedly wheelchair unfriendly. Also, there are not a lot of activities to fill your day, since the emphasis is on the world beyond the ship.
The biggest advantage to small ship cruising: the personalized treatment you receive from the staff, who will know your name and preferences within a few days. The atmosphere is casual and intimate. Think bed and breakfast versus mega resort.
The biggest disadvantage: the price. Why are small ship cruises so expensive? Despite their size, large ships are often more fuel efficient. It costs almost as much to push a large ship through the water as a small ship. The fees that the ship pays for docking in a port of call are the same, regardless of the size. But on a small ship you have fewer people to divide that cost into. And if you have ever cruised before, you know the pitfalls to your pocketbook that exist on large ships: the casino, the spa treatments, the photographs, the bingo games, the art auctions, and the shore excursions. Remember that on many small ships, like Cruise West, the shore excursions are included in the cruise price.
So whether you want a barefoot windjammer cruise, where you actually become part of the crew, or more of an expedition experience, a coastal, river barge, or Great Lakes cruise, or even a freighter cruise (now that’s really roughing it), we can find the cruise and destination to fulfill your expectations.
Many times we get requests from people who are tired of the lines, crowds, and formality of the larger cruise lines, namely those holding more than 2,000 passengers. While we normally choose these lines because it is the mass market that we sell to, I do admit to sometimes feeling like cattle herded into the chute. Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, set to debut in December 2009, will have the capacity of over 5,400 passengers, and that does not count the crew! While the ship is huge, there are some people who would consider that number of passengers as just “too many fellow travelers”.
For this article let’s look at ships with a guest capacity of 500 or less. (Princess does have 3 ships that they call small, holding from 670 - 710 passengers.)
Small ships come in many classifications, such as expedition cruising, coastal and river cruising, sailing ships, soft-adventure cruises, freighter, and barge cruises. Because of their smaller size, these ships and get into smaller ports that are often gems as far as experiencing the native culture. One example that comes to mind is Petersburg, Alaska. It is a small fishing port that retains much of the Norwegian heritage of its founders. It is located in the Wrangle Narrows of Alaska’s Inside Passage, and the main stream larger cruise lines just don’t fit.
Small ships can also get closer to shore for wildlife viewing. You’re not going to see a bear when your large ship is several miles off shore. Many small ships are equipped with inflatable zodiacs, which can get you ‘”up close and personal” with whales, sea otters, and seals. Indeed the emphasis on small ships is more toward outdoor activities, nature and wilderness exploration. There is often a naturalist on board, and your evening “entertainment” is his lecture and slide show. No Broadway production shows or poker tournaments of these ships. The food is usually very good, often specializing in local cuisine, always fresh, and there is no assigned seating. There is also only one seating, and no room service. Also no grill by the pool, no pizza or ice cream parlors, and no place to buy your espresso mocha-chino latte. Most of the small ships are not suitable for families. There are no quad cabins nor children’s programs. Often there is no TV in your room, much less wi fi service.
Then there’s the “ride”. There are no stabilizers on these small ships, and when they get in the open seas, like the gulf of Alaska, they do bob around a little. Most do not have a doctor or nurse on board should you get sea sick or worse, but since they sail close to land they can put you off for any medical treatment needed. Cabins are simple, and there usually is not a large choice of cabin style, so if you’re the penthouse type, you won’t find any on the small ships. Very few small ships are equipped with elevators, or have handicap cabins, and are decidedly wheelchair unfriendly. Also, there are not a lot of activities to fill your day, since the emphasis is on the world beyond the ship.
The biggest advantage to small ship cruising: the personalized treatment you receive from the staff, who will know your name and preferences within a few days. The atmosphere is casual and intimate. Think bed and breakfast versus mega resort.
The biggest disadvantage: the price. Why are small ship cruises so expensive? Despite their size, large ships are often more fuel efficient. It costs almost as much to push a large ship through the water as a small ship. The fees that the ship pays for docking in a port of call are the same, regardless of the size. But on a small ship you have fewer people to divide that cost into. And if you have ever cruised before, you know the pitfalls to your pocketbook that exist on large ships: the casino, the spa treatments, the photographs, the bingo games, the art auctions, and the shore excursions. Remember that on many small ships, like Cruise West, the shore excursions are included in the cruise price.
So whether you want a barefoot windjammer cruise, where you actually become part of the crew, or more of an expedition experience, a coastal, river barge, or Great Lakes cruise, or even a freighter cruise (now that’s really roughing it), we can find the cruise and destination to fulfill your expectations.
Groups Groups, we love Groups
Groups: a win-win proposition
What constitutes a Group? What are the benefits of group travel? These are all questions that come to mind when talking about group space, whether it's on a cruise or a land tour.
A general definition of "a group" is people traveling together who have something in common. Actually, a group can be almost any combination of people that cruise or tour together. It could be a family reunion, bridge club, church group, country music lovers, Harley riders, scrap-bookers, the list is endless. It may be as simple as people who want to travel to Alaska, or any other destination.
Group travel has many benefits: socialization with friends, meeting new people with common interests, and a feeling of safety and security that comes with traveling with people you know.
There are also monetary benefits. Almost everyone has heard about a group leader traveling for "free". The technical term is tour conductor, and that particular person may do all the work of organizing the group, or may do very little, just acting as a "figurehead". The most common example that comes to mind is a clergyman who travels with people from his church, and who receives a "discounted" rate. (If there is no designated tour conductor, the TC credit can be divided among the group.) Some tour conductor ratios are as low as 1 free for 9 full fare bookings, but most common is 1 free for 15 full fare.
But what about the other members of the group? Some cruise lines offer discounted rates for groups. Additionally, there are Group Amenity Points that vary from sailing to sailing. They can be enjoyed by everyone in the group, and might include a bottle of wine, a fruit basket, an on-board credit (money that can be used for any onboard purchases), cocktail parties, activities that are limited to the group, such as private concerts, and "meet and greet" with the performers; even special shore excursions can be organized for groups.
So it's more fun, safer, and beneficial to travel in a group. It may even be less expensive. It's enjoying free little extras and a feeling of camaraderie. The nice thing is, you can be as "together" or apart as you want. Nothing says you have to spend every waking hour with your group.
You may be thinking, o.k., where do I find a group? You can get a group of people together yourself, OR, you can join one of our "ready made" groups.
How about the "3rd Annual Remembering the King" 7 night Mexican Riviera cruise leaving August 30, 2009 from LA? That happens to be the 32nd anniversary of Elvis's passing. Mahwey Productions provides cruisers with a full Elvis experience, with several tribute performances from the many decades of Elvis's career. Additionally there will be Sing Like a King Talent Night, Elvis trivia contests, and Elvis "sightings" around the ship.
Is Country music more to your taste? Then join us for the first annual Riders on the High Seas, featuring the legendary Doo Wah Riders, a country group with a Cajun flair that has been performing in California, Arizona, and Texas for 30 years. This is a 5 day Mexican Riviera cruise from San Diego on Nov. 16, 2009. You can hear their music at www.thedoowahriders.com.
There's a Whodunit Mystery Cruise from San Diego on Oct. 29, 2009. This 4 night Mexican Riviera cruise to Cabo San Lucas. Clues will be revealed at dinner until the guilty party is identified.
For crafters, we have a Quilters Cruise scheduled for Oct. 19, 2009, which is also a 4 night cruise from San Diego to Cabo. Classes and kits will be available for purchase.
Veteran cruisers know that the bargains are on "repositioning" cruises, that is in the Fall when a ship leaves Europe and moves to the Caribbean for the winter months. And yes, we have group space booked on the Nov 29, 2009 sailing from Barcelona, Spain to Galveston, TX on Royal Caribbean.
Finally, there's the trip of a lifetime: Imperial Jewels of China, a combination Yangtze River cruise with side trips by air to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, starting Sept. 28, 2009.
For information on any of the above scheduled groups, or to create your own, call 472-7878, or stop in at Cruise Port Travel, 408 S. Beeline Highway, Payson. Please see our web site at www.travelpayson.com.
What constitutes a Group? What are the benefits of group travel? These are all questions that come to mind when talking about group space, whether it's on a cruise or a land tour.
A general definition of "a group" is people traveling together who have something in common. Actually, a group can be almost any combination of people that cruise or tour together. It could be a family reunion, bridge club, church group, country music lovers, Harley riders, scrap-bookers, the list is endless. It may be as simple as people who want to travel to Alaska, or any other destination.
Group travel has many benefits: socialization with friends, meeting new people with common interests, and a feeling of safety and security that comes with traveling with people you know.
There are also monetary benefits. Almost everyone has heard about a group leader traveling for "free". The technical term is tour conductor, and that particular person may do all the work of organizing the group, or may do very little, just acting as a "figurehead". The most common example that comes to mind is a clergyman who travels with people from his church, and who receives a "discounted" rate. (If there is no designated tour conductor, the TC credit can be divided among the group.) Some tour conductor ratios are as low as 1 free for 9 full fare bookings, but most common is 1 free for 15 full fare.
But what about the other members of the group? Some cruise lines offer discounted rates for groups. Additionally, there are Group Amenity Points that vary from sailing to sailing. They can be enjoyed by everyone in the group, and might include a bottle of wine, a fruit basket, an on-board credit (money that can be used for any onboard purchases), cocktail parties, activities that are limited to the group, such as private concerts, and "meet and greet" with the performers; even special shore excursions can be organized for groups.
So it's more fun, safer, and beneficial to travel in a group. It may even be less expensive. It's enjoying free little extras and a feeling of camaraderie. The nice thing is, you can be as "together" or apart as you want. Nothing says you have to spend every waking hour with your group.
You may be thinking, o.k., where do I find a group? You can get a group of people together yourself, OR, you can join one of our "ready made" groups.
How about the "3rd Annual Remembering the King" 7 night Mexican Riviera cruise leaving August 30, 2009 from LA? That happens to be the 32nd anniversary of Elvis's passing. Mahwey Productions provides cruisers with a full Elvis experience, with several tribute performances from the many decades of Elvis's career. Additionally there will be Sing Like a King Talent Night, Elvis trivia contests, and Elvis "sightings" around the ship.
Is Country music more to your taste? Then join us for the first annual Riders on the High Seas, featuring the legendary Doo Wah Riders, a country group with a Cajun flair that has been performing in California, Arizona, and Texas for 30 years. This is a 5 day Mexican Riviera cruise from San Diego on Nov. 16, 2009. You can hear their music at www.thedoowahriders.com.
There's a Whodunit Mystery Cruise from San Diego on Oct. 29, 2009. This 4 night Mexican Riviera cruise to Cabo San Lucas. Clues will be revealed at dinner until the guilty party is identified.
For crafters, we have a Quilters Cruise scheduled for Oct. 19, 2009, which is also a 4 night cruise from San Diego to Cabo. Classes and kits will be available for purchase.
Veteran cruisers know that the bargains are on "repositioning" cruises, that is in the Fall when a ship leaves Europe and moves to the Caribbean for the winter months. And yes, we have group space booked on the Nov 29, 2009 sailing from Barcelona, Spain to Galveston, TX on Royal Caribbean.
Finally, there's the trip of a lifetime: Imperial Jewels of China, a combination Yangtze River cruise with side trips by air to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, starting Sept. 28, 2009.
For information on any of the above scheduled groups, or to create your own, call 472-7878, or stop in at Cruise Port Travel, 408 S. Beeline Highway, Payson. Please see our web site at www.travelpayson.com.
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