The Constellation:
This time I really have a laundry list of things to tell you about so let’s get started. Regardless of popular opinion travel agents do not get many if any “freebies.” Even training is not free. Most recently I had the opportunity to participate in a “Seminar At Sea” on the Celebrity Constellation sailing a 12 night itinerary cruising New England and the St Lawrence River. These seminars consist of classroom training, and a look behind the scenes of the operation of the ship. The Constellation is the newest of Celebrity’s Millennium ships and was launched in May of 2002. I had been on her sister ship, The Summit, three times and since the ships are almost identical it was easy to find my way around . The “Connie’ is rated #`1 in several categories by the readers of Conde’ Nast Traveler Magazine, and after my experience I can easily see why. The food was superb, service outstanding, and the ship was in great shape. To be sure there were a few signs of wear here and there, but I did notice the maintenance crew was busy while we were at sea and in port. The itinerary included Prince Edward Island, Portland and Bar Harbor, Me, Quebec, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. In a future article I will talk in more detail about each of those ports of call. One of the neat things that I got to do was spend some time on the Navigational Bridge. This is someplace that not a lot of people get to see, so I was very pleased when the District Sales Manager who coordinated the Seminar arranged the tour. Being a fan of “high tech” stuff I was impressed by the fact that a ship of this size, 91,000 tons, and some 953 feet long, could be controlled by a 4” joystick. Yes they still do have a wheel; I almost wondered if it was for show. Modern ships have adjustable propulsion pods and bow thrusters that can actually move the ship sideways in port, which the Constellation did several times during the cruise. While I was on the bridge ,the ship was on auto pilot, and I watched as the ship adjusted course and speed as necessary. For the benefit of my friends, no, they did not let me play with the controls as the Second Officer was with our group all the time.
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Friday, December 5, 2008
North To Alaska Part 2
When people talk to us about booking their “Alaskan Experience” we are often asked about the different ports of call. This time I thought I would highlight favorites from my customers and myself.
With the 50th anniversary of Alaskan statehood next year I fully suspect that all the ports of call will be rolling out the red carpet. After all, each time a cruise ship docks there is the potential of 1,800 to 2,500 people coming ashore. .
My two particular favorite cites were Juneau, the capital and Skagway. Both are easy to navigate and offer a variety of on shore activities. There are of course some tourist traps along the way but in general the shore excursions are a decent value
In Juneau we opted to use the Mt. Roberts Tramway, located adjacent to the docks. This takes you 1,800’ above the harbor to the Nature center. There are ample viewing locations for a spectacular view of the harbor. The Nature Center has a gift shop, wild life sanctuary, restaurant, and a short historical movie amd there are also many hiking trails on Mt. Roberts. There is a fee of course to use the tramway but the pass is good for all day. While we were there we also took advantage of the replica trolley tour of the city, the driver was knowledgeable and you can get on and off the trolley at your leisure. Many of our customers have taken the Mendenhall Glacier excursion, quite impressive in size at over 1.5 miles wide and six miles long.
Skagway is a “Gold Town.” When the Klondike Strike of 1896 happened, it was gripped by “Gold Fever, now the only prospecting is by visitors hoping to find a souvenir nugget or two. I highly recommend the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. This narrow gauge line follows trails that first were used by pack animals supplying the miners. The approximate 3-½ hour round trip is narrated and the scenery is spectacular. Also along the way you will see several waterfalls, and abundant wild life. I found the tour guide on the train to be very knowledgeable and entertaining. You are allowed to step out on the platform of the cars to take pictures. For the more adventuresome you might wish to take a Helicopter trip to one of the glaciers.
Other ports of call you will find interesting are Sitka once part of the Russian Empire, Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the world, Icy Point Strait home of the Tlingit Indians, and a great whale watching location, and Seward, the gateway to the Kenai Fjords wilderness.
Depending on your particular itinerary you may also have ports of call in Vancouver, BC and Victoria, both are lovely cities and afford a lot of sightseeing possibilities. Also popular with our Alaskan adventurers is the Cruise/Tour package that can include Fairbanks, Denali, Talkeetna, and Anchorage. The land portion of the cruise tour can be added as either a pre or post cruise experience and range between 3 and 7 nights.
Now is a great time to plan your Alaskan Adventure for 2009. Plenty of good travel dates are still available and a good selection of cabins can be found on all the cruise lines. Ship size varies from the smaller ships operated by Cruise West and Princess, to the larger ships of Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess, and N.C.L. Regardless of your choice of ship and excursion, or land based vacation, a trip to Alaska is one to remember.
If you don’t want to cruise there are also several different companies that have land packages, rail tours, and even R.V. rentals. Stop in and we will be happy to offer suggestions.
OVERHEARD FROM A CRUISE LINE CALL CENTER: The caller asked IF the crew stayed on board at night when they were off duty.
With the 50th anniversary of Alaskan statehood next year I fully suspect that all the ports of call will be rolling out the red carpet. After all, each time a cruise ship docks there is the potential of 1,800 to 2,500 people coming ashore. .
My two particular favorite cites were Juneau, the capital and Skagway. Both are easy to navigate and offer a variety of on shore activities. There are of course some tourist traps along the way but in general the shore excursions are a decent value
In Juneau we opted to use the Mt. Roberts Tramway, located adjacent to the docks. This takes you 1,800’ above the harbor to the Nature center. There are ample viewing locations for a spectacular view of the harbor. The Nature Center has a gift shop, wild life sanctuary, restaurant, and a short historical movie amd there are also many hiking trails on Mt. Roberts. There is a fee of course to use the tramway but the pass is good for all day. While we were there we also took advantage of the replica trolley tour of the city, the driver was knowledgeable and you can get on and off the trolley at your leisure. Many of our customers have taken the Mendenhall Glacier excursion, quite impressive in size at over 1.5 miles wide and six miles long.
Skagway is a “Gold Town.” When the Klondike Strike of 1896 happened, it was gripped by “Gold Fever, now the only prospecting is by visitors hoping to find a souvenir nugget or two. I highly recommend the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. This narrow gauge line follows trails that first were used by pack animals supplying the miners. The approximate 3-½ hour round trip is narrated and the scenery is spectacular. Also along the way you will see several waterfalls, and abundant wild life. I found the tour guide on the train to be very knowledgeable and entertaining. You are allowed to step out on the platform of the cars to take pictures. For the more adventuresome you might wish to take a Helicopter trip to one of the glaciers.
Other ports of call you will find interesting are Sitka once part of the Russian Empire, Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the world, Icy Point Strait home of the Tlingit Indians, and a great whale watching location, and Seward, the gateway to the Kenai Fjords wilderness.
Depending on your particular itinerary you may also have ports of call in Vancouver, BC and Victoria, both are lovely cities and afford a lot of sightseeing possibilities. Also popular with our Alaskan adventurers is the Cruise/Tour package that can include Fairbanks, Denali, Talkeetna, and Anchorage. The land portion of the cruise tour can be added as either a pre or post cruise experience and range between 3 and 7 nights.
Now is a great time to plan your Alaskan Adventure for 2009. Plenty of good travel dates are still available and a good selection of cabins can be found on all the cruise lines. Ship size varies from the smaller ships operated by Cruise West and Princess, to the larger ships of Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess, and N.C.L. Regardless of your choice of ship and excursion, or land based vacation, a trip to Alaska is one to remember.
If you don’t want to cruise there are also several different companies that have land packages, rail tours, and even R.V. rentals. Stop in and we will be happy to offer suggestions.
OVERHEARD FROM A CRUISE LINE CALL CENTER: The caller asked IF the crew stayed on board at night when they were off duty.
North To Alaska (part 1)
“North to Alaska, North the rush is on”, so goes a lyric line form the great Johnny Horton song out of 1960. Our 49th state has gained a lot of attention in the national Media because of the selection of its Governor Sarah Palin as a Vice Presidential Candidate.
In the travel business Alaska is one of our most popular destinations, with a wide variety of things to see and do. Of course this has not gone un-noticed by the many cruise lines we represent, with scores of trips during the short cruise season from May to September. Every major cruise line and several smaller lines operate cruise trips from 7 to 14 days, and combination cruise and land trips that range in length from 11 to 14 days, with the opportunity to add even more time with pre or post cruise or tour stays.
Alaska cruises can be divided into roughly three different itineraries, North Bound, South Bound, or Round Trip. The questions we are asked is which do you recommend. There is no easy answer to that question as each itinerary has its own strong points. North Bound Cruises typically depart from either Seattle, WA or Vancouver, BC and for the most part end in Seward where you will be taken by motor coach to either Fairbanks or Anchorage for your flight home. South Bound, just the reverse. And roundtrip cruises leave from San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver. The Cruises from San Francisco typically are 10 days long and include stops in Vancouver and Victoria, BC.
On any Alaskan cruise adventure you will have the opportunity to take in the view of some of Alaska’s beautiful glaciers. Hubbard Glacier is the biggest, covering an area 25% bigger than the State of Rhode Island. Hubbard Glacier “calves” off icebergs as tall as a ten story building. You will get an idea of the tremendous size if you look at the ice cave in one of the accompanying pictures. The bow of our 985’ long cruise ship would easily have fit in the opening. When a glacier “calves” the sound is like thunder, BUT, because you are for the most part one mile away, you do not hear the sound till the iceberg is in the water. However, a careful eye will allow you to catch this awe inspiring sight, if you are lucky you may get a picture or video, something you will want to see again and again. All the cruise lines get you as close as is safe and most will turn the ship 360 to allow you to see this amazing site. Other cruises will allow viewing of Tracy Arm Fiord, and Mendenhall Glaciers, and while I have not seen those personally, our customers tell me they are extremely impressive. In addition to viewing one of Alaska’s “giants”, many itineraries include cruising through the Inside Passage, Alaska’s summertime playground for a wide variety of whales and other aquatic animals.
In addition to the big ships that travel to Alaska , Princess and Cruise West also operate some smaller ships that are able to explore beyond the everyday cruises.
So what trip is right for you? Stop by and see us, we have the 2009 brochures and we will help you decide just what cruise, or cruise tour is right for you.
Next time I will look at some of the Ports of Call and shore excursions you might want to add to enhance your “Alaskan Experience”.
REPORTED: from a major cruise line call center, a potential cruiser asked “if all the balcony cabins were above the water line.”
Till next time, remember local travel agencies do more than just sell you a cabin. We help you plan your trip and are there to answer all your questions, for the same price, and sometimes less than you would pay on the internet.
Happy Traveling!
In the travel business Alaska is one of our most popular destinations, with a wide variety of things to see and do. Of course this has not gone un-noticed by the many cruise lines we represent, with scores of trips during the short cruise season from May to September. Every major cruise line and several smaller lines operate cruise trips from 7 to 14 days, and combination cruise and land trips that range in length from 11 to 14 days, with the opportunity to add even more time with pre or post cruise or tour stays.
Alaska cruises can be divided into roughly three different itineraries, North Bound, South Bound, or Round Trip. The questions we are asked is which do you recommend. There is no easy answer to that question as each itinerary has its own strong points. North Bound Cruises typically depart from either Seattle, WA or Vancouver, BC and for the most part end in Seward where you will be taken by motor coach to either Fairbanks or Anchorage for your flight home. South Bound, just the reverse. And roundtrip cruises leave from San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver. The Cruises from San Francisco typically are 10 days long and include stops in Vancouver and Victoria, BC.
On any Alaskan cruise adventure you will have the opportunity to take in the view of some of Alaska’s beautiful glaciers. Hubbard Glacier is the biggest, covering an area 25% bigger than the State of Rhode Island. Hubbard Glacier “calves” off icebergs as tall as a ten story building. You will get an idea of the tremendous size if you look at the ice cave in one of the accompanying pictures. The bow of our 985’ long cruise ship would easily have fit in the opening. When a glacier “calves” the sound is like thunder, BUT, because you are for the most part one mile away, you do not hear the sound till the iceberg is in the water. However, a careful eye will allow you to catch this awe inspiring sight, if you are lucky you may get a picture or video, something you will want to see again and again. All the cruise lines get you as close as is safe and most will turn the ship 360 to allow you to see this amazing site. Other cruises will allow viewing of Tracy Arm Fiord, and Mendenhall Glaciers, and while I have not seen those personally, our customers tell me they are extremely impressive. In addition to viewing one of Alaska’s “giants”, many itineraries include cruising through the Inside Passage, Alaska’s summertime playground for a wide variety of whales and other aquatic animals.
In addition to the big ships that travel to Alaska , Princess and Cruise West also operate some smaller ships that are able to explore beyond the everyday cruises.
So what trip is right for you? Stop by and see us, we have the 2009 brochures and we will help you decide just what cruise, or cruise tour is right for you.
Next time I will look at some of the Ports of Call and shore excursions you might want to add to enhance your “Alaskan Experience”.
REPORTED: from a major cruise line call center, a potential cruiser asked “if all the balcony cabins were above the water line.”
Till next time, remember local travel agencies do more than just sell you a cabin. We help you plan your trip and are there to answer all your questions, for the same price, and sometimes less than you would pay on the internet.
Happy Traveling!
How far ahead?
There is one question we are asked a lot, just how far ahead do we need to plan our vacation for the best availabilities and pricing. I certainly wish there was a clear cut answer to this one, but there isn’t.
When making reservations for a cruise the rule of thumb is the farther out the better is a good place to start. While we may not have brochures that show the itineraries, because of publication schedules, we do have the capabilities to search out as much as one year to as much as fifteen months. When you book a cruise or land based vacation six months to a year in advance there are usually some very good early booking discounts, and sometimes that is added on top of other promotions these companies may offer. Additionally you usually get an excellent choice of accommodations when booking that far in advance. While in same cases you may find some last minute deal, booking closer in, in all probabilities you will not find the accommodations that you prefer.
Another area that can get you a deal is booking a guarantee cabin. The deal being that you are guaranteed a cabin in that class or higher. It is not un-common for us to see someone with a guarantee cabin being upgraded to a better quality cabin for the same price. Again the downfall to this is that you do n’t have a choice of cabin space. We would be happy to explain this program to you, and of course see if a guarantee cabin or special promotion would be available for you.
While I am on the subject of early bookings, it is worth mentioning that if you are looking for something different for a family or class reunion, or even a special occasion such as a milestone birthday, anniversary or an at sea wedding and reception, why not consider a cruise. We are happy to talk with you regarding the facilities and benefits to this popular type of travel. What is a group you may ask. The cruise lines generally consider eight double occupancy cabins to be a travel group. A group can be comprised of friends, relatives, classmates, club members, or any number of people sharing a common interest. You will find that cruise lines really love group bookings. There are many special things that can be arranged from private receptions, and dinners, to special meeting facilities with the latest audio visual equipment. We would be happy to talk about group travel with you, but again the key is early planning for the best accommodations.
!
When making reservations for a cruise the rule of thumb is the farther out the better is a good place to start. While we may not have brochures that show the itineraries, because of publication schedules, we do have the capabilities to search out as much as one year to as much as fifteen months. When you book a cruise or land based vacation six months to a year in advance there are usually some very good early booking discounts, and sometimes that is added on top of other promotions these companies may offer. Additionally you usually get an excellent choice of accommodations when booking that far in advance. While in same cases you may find some last minute deal, booking closer in, in all probabilities you will not find the accommodations that you prefer.
Another area that can get you a deal is booking a guarantee cabin. The deal being that you are guaranteed a cabin in that class or higher. It is not un-common for us to see someone with a guarantee cabin being upgraded to a better quality cabin for the same price. Again the downfall to this is that you do n’t have a choice of cabin space. We would be happy to explain this program to you, and of course see if a guarantee cabin or special promotion would be available for you.
While I am on the subject of early bookings, it is worth mentioning that if you are looking for something different for a family or class reunion, or even a special occasion such as a milestone birthday, anniversary or an at sea wedding and reception, why not consider a cruise. We are happy to talk with you regarding the facilities and benefits to this popular type of travel. What is a group you may ask. The cruise lines generally consider eight double occupancy cabins to be a travel group. A group can be comprised of friends, relatives, classmates, club members, or any number of people sharing a common interest. You will find that cruise lines really love group bookings. There are many special things that can be arranged from private receptions, and dinners, to special meeting facilities with the latest audio visual equipment. We would be happy to talk about group travel with you, but again the key is early planning for the best accommodations.
!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
How fair is the Fare?
In the past few months the price of fuel has affected the travel industry, from fuel supplements to higher fares, no one is left un-touched. For a minute lets look at some ideas, that just might help you have a great vacation or trip without killing your budget.
Air Fare: In recent days we have seen the cost of air fare climb faster than a 757 out of Philadelphia, when we quote air ticket prices people just can not believe that now they are paying fares for coach that used to be first class! A few simple rules apply to get the best fare. We often get people in the office who want to go tomorrow or next week and can't understand WHY the fares are so high. Unfortunately the law of supply and demand comes into play here. Airlines are forming loose partnerships, such as you may have a United Airline Flight number but be on a U.S. Airways plane, or visa versa. The goal, FILL THE SEATS! In my recent travels that certainly seems to be the case on mainline routes.
Flexible travel dates: Our advice to find the least expensive, notice the wording here, make your travel plans flexible, if you can leave or come back a day or two earlier or later you might save a few hundred dollars. Make your reservations as far in advance as possible, not even the airlines can predict what the fare will be in 6 months, so by making your travel plans early, you will probably save money. The downside, is that most airline tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE, meaning you bought it, you got it! If you want to change your ticket, most times you can, BUT with a fairly substantial cost involved.
Fly on off days, Tuesdays and Thursdays are a good choice, they are not usually business travel days so the fares may be a little less, supply and demand, and more availabilities. Consider flying to a major airport rather than a regional one. The hub and spoke system the airlines use created a system of "feeder" or airlines. Because they are serving smaller airports, with less passenger load and no competition, they charge more. A good example is that I can book a flight to say New York for a lot less than one to a smaller airport such as Elmira, N.Y.
Fly to a "Hub" airport: Consider flying to a hub airport near your destination and rent a car, in a lot of cases you will be able to do that cheaper than if you fly to a smaller airport. You might even be able to arrive at your destination hours earlier, rather than sitting waiting for the sparse service connections to a smaller airport. Recently coming back from Pennsylvania I spent 7 hours in Philadelphia International because my originating flight was delayed because the aircraft from the regional carrier , Piedmont, was grounded. The regional airline uses the last inbound plane of the day for its first outbound in the morning. What amazed me the most was that in the 8 hours between times it seemed no one could figure out, "hey we need to get another plane in for our morning flight."
Pack light: I travel with a wheeled duffle bag, that one is checked, and a so called "California Pack" like a back pack with wheels that is my carry on. If you are going on a long trip and need more than one checked bag, consider using a luggage service, to pick up your bags from your home and deliver it to your destination. While I am on the subject of packing, don't forget to check with your travel agent or airline on the latest rules for checked and carry on luggage. Most airlines will allow one checked bag (usual maximum weight of 50 lbs.) and one carry on as well as one personal item. Medical equipment such as portable oxygen a wheel chair or CPAP does not usually count as a personal item. Toiletries? 3 ounces or less, in a one quart closeable plastic bag. On my most recent flight the T.S.A. officer at the regional airport gave me "grief' about my plastic bag. I pointed out to him that in the 2 years I have used it I never had had a problem or question and in fact it was issued at the security checkpoint at Phoenix Sky Harbor as was stampped "courtesy of Sky Harbor Airport." He said, "no matter, it was not right." Yes I did file a complaint with the regional airport and the T.S.A. about the lack of consistancy in rules and the attitude of this employee.
The joy of flying? No such thing, crowded airplanes, long lines, high fares, charges for aisle and window seats, second and sometimes first bag, fuel surcharges, makes me feel like a head of cattle in a chute. Are there exceptions to the above? Yes, a few airlines still maintain customer service and treat you like a customer, they un-fortunately are few and far between. Wilber and Orville didn't forsee this I am sure!
Air Fare: In recent days we have seen the cost of air fare climb faster than a 757 out of Philadelphia, when we quote air ticket prices people just can not believe that now they are paying fares for coach that used to be first class! A few simple rules apply to get the best fare. We often get people in the office who want to go tomorrow or next week and can't understand WHY the fares are so high. Unfortunately the law of supply and demand comes into play here. Airlines are forming loose partnerships, such as you may have a United Airline Flight number but be on a U.S. Airways plane, or visa versa. The goal, FILL THE SEATS! In my recent travels that certainly seems to be the case on mainline routes.
Flexible travel dates: Our advice to find the least expensive, notice the wording here, make your travel plans flexible, if you can leave or come back a day or two earlier or later you might save a few hundred dollars. Make your reservations as far in advance as possible, not even the airlines can predict what the fare will be in 6 months, so by making your travel plans early, you will probably save money. The downside, is that most airline tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE, meaning you bought it, you got it! If you want to change your ticket, most times you can, BUT with a fairly substantial cost involved.
Fly on off days, Tuesdays and Thursdays are a good choice, they are not usually business travel days so the fares may be a little less, supply and demand, and more availabilities. Consider flying to a major airport rather than a regional one. The hub and spoke system the airlines use created a system of "feeder" or airlines. Because they are serving smaller airports, with less passenger load and no competition, they charge more. A good example is that I can book a flight to say New York for a lot less than one to a smaller airport such as Elmira, N.Y.
Fly to a "Hub" airport: Consider flying to a hub airport near your destination and rent a car, in a lot of cases you will be able to do that cheaper than if you fly to a smaller airport. You might even be able to arrive at your destination hours earlier, rather than sitting waiting for the sparse service connections to a smaller airport. Recently coming back from Pennsylvania I spent 7 hours in Philadelphia International because my originating flight was delayed because the aircraft from the regional carrier , Piedmont, was grounded. The regional airline uses the last inbound plane of the day for its first outbound in the morning. What amazed me the most was that in the 8 hours between times it seemed no one could figure out, "hey we need to get another plane in for our morning flight."
Pack light: I travel with a wheeled duffle bag, that one is checked, and a so called "California Pack" like a back pack with wheels that is my carry on. If you are going on a long trip and need more than one checked bag, consider using a luggage service, to pick up your bags from your home and deliver it to your destination. While I am on the subject of packing, don't forget to check with your travel agent or airline on the latest rules for checked and carry on luggage. Most airlines will allow one checked bag (usual maximum weight of 50 lbs.) and one carry on as well as one personal item. Medical equipment such as portable oxygen a wheel chair or CPAP does not usually count as a personal item. Toiletries? 3 ounces or less, in a one quart closeable plastic bag. On my most recent flight the T.S.A. officer at the regional airport gave me "grief' about my plastic bag. I pointed out to him that in the 2 years I have used it I never had had a problem or question and in fact it was issued at the security checkpoint at Phoenix Sky Harbor as was stampped "courtesy of Sky Harbor Airport." He said, "no matter, it was not right." Yes I did file a complaint with the regional airport and the T.S.A. about the lack of consistancy in rules and the attitude of this employee.
The joy of flying? No such thing, crowded airplanes, long lines, high fares, charges for aisle and window seats, second and sometimes first bag, fuel surcharges, makes me feel like a head of cattle in a chute. Are there exceptions to the above? Yes, a few airlines still maintain customer service and treat you like a customer, they un-fortunately are few and far between. Wilber and Orville didn't forsee this I am sure!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Life at sea, yes there is a LOT of it!
One of the questions we get about cruises is "besides eating what is there to do while you are at sea?" To me the sea days are often more fun than port days, because you can do as much or as little as you wish. All the cruise lines print a daily activity sheet and deliver it to your state room the evening before, usually mine is waiting for me when I return from the evening entertainment. No matter what your interests are you will find something happening every hour of the day while you are at sea. On any given sea day you will find such activities as trivia games, bingo, enrichment lecture series, first run movies, crafts, art auctions, cooking classes, photography classes, gold lessons, wine tastings, and more.
Of course while you are at sea the on board duty free shops and the casino are open. Please note that the Disney Cruise Lines do not have casinos, and N.C.L. does not have a casino on its Hawaiian based ship.
Evenings on a cruise ship can be a whole lot of fun with entertainment in the theatre, such as Broadway style production shows, or individual performers like magicians, comics and solo artists. Additionally there is usually live entertainment in several of the on board lounges, BTW no cover charge! The activities staff also has something going every night my favorite being the 50's
60's night! Some of the newer ships also are now featuring movies on their BIG (and I do mean big) screen on deck. I was quite surprised when I was on a ship inspection on the Carnival Liberty at how clear the picture was and this was in the daylight. Other ships have on board golf courses, rock climbing walls, golf simulators, and of course the cruise ship staples of swimming pools, shuffleboard, table tennis, basketball and health clubs.
The great thing about all this, is you can pick and choose what you want to do, as much or as little. Usually during one sea, and sometimes a port day, day I plan an afternoon in a deck chair relaxing!
A handy tip! When I am on board I carry a set of walkie talkies with me, this enables my wife and I to got separate ways, if we choose, and arrange to meet at area's of mutual interest. There are several types available that can be purchased for well under $100.00 a pair and for the most part they work very well on board. Please note that some units are required to be licensed by the F.C.C., if that is the case with the ones your purchase a license application will be included with your radios.
Of course while you are at sea the on board duty free shops and the casino are open. Please note that the Disney Cruise Lines do not have casinos, and N.C.L. does not have a casino on its Hawaiian based ship.
Evenings on a cruise ship can be a whole lot of fun with entertainment in the theatre, such as Broadway style production shows, or individual performers like magicians, comics and solo artists. Additionally there is usually live entertainment in several of the on board lounges, BTW no cover charge! The activities staff also has something going every night my favorite being the 50's
60's night! Some of the newer ships also are now featuring movies on their BIG (and I do mean big) screen on deck. I was quite surprised when I was on a ship inspection on the Carnival Liberty at how clear the picture was and this was in the daylight. Other ships have on board golf courses, rock climbing walls, golf simulators, and of course the cruise ship staples of swimming pools, shuffleboard, table tennis, basketball and health clubs.
The great thing about all this, is you can pick and choose what you want to do, as much or as little. Usually during one sea, and sometimes a port day, day I plan an afternoon in a deck chair relaxing!
A handy tip! When I am on board I carry a set of walkie talkies with me, this enables my wife and I to got separate ways, if we choose, and arrange to meet at area's of mutual interest. There are several types available that can be purchased for well under $100.00 a pair and for the most part they work very well on board. Please note that some units are required to be licensed by the F.C.C., if that is the case with the ones your purchase a license application will be included with your radios.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Do I have to dress for meals on a cruise ship?
With the airlines enacting new policies on the number of checked bags you may have, this is becoming a frequently asked question. The answer is both yes and no, confused, well let's see if we can shed some light on the policies.
Most all cruise lines have a number of formal nights each cruise, usually 2 in 7 nights and 3 in 14 nights. You can address this in a number of ways. First off what constitutes "formal." For the ladies it is a dressy pants suit or evening dress, for the men a tuxedo or dark suit. In my own experience I have a mix and match closet where I have a dark blue blazer,(suit coat)and a couple of different pairs of slacks so on "dressy informal" nights I can use my slacks with another sport coat or visa versa. Other times a sport shirt and dress slacks for the men, I wear a polo shirt and khaki slacks, for the causal dining nights. Shorts and tee shirts are seldom permitted on casual nights in the main dining rooms. Coats and ties are never required on most cruise lines for breakfast or lunch in the dining room.
Other options:
The Buffet: Ah, maybe this is what cruise line dining is all about! Dress is always casual and the food plentiful and varied. Cruise lines will have themed nights in the buffet areas, as well as the normal buffet line fare.
Snack bars: There you will find a wide variety of items from, burgers, and pizza, to made to order sandwiches, sushi, and of course ice cream.
Other dining options:
Speciality restaurants: These come in two categories, very formal and themed restaurants. The very formal category requires formal dress and there is a cover charge that ranges in price from $20.00 to $50.00. The cruise lines promote this as the ultimate dining experience. Many lines have such themed restaurants as Italian Bistro's, steakhouses, 50's dining etc. Ask your travel agent for a list of these speciality restaurants on your ship. Most all of them have a small cover charge and the dress code is informal but most do not allow shorts and tee shirts.
Casual dining: At least one cruise line, Celebrity, has what they call "Casual Dining." It is as the name implies, casual in dress, but not in service. Celebrity uses their "casual Dining' as a training ground for the main dining waitstaff. Usually reservations are required as a limited number of tables are available. In most cases when I have used casual dining the service has been fantastic as the new main dining room wannabies are looking to make an impression on the matre'de. Also customer comments mean a lot to them as well, I know of one case where we happened to be on the same ship several months apart and one of our "Casual Dining" waiters was promoted to the dining room. I like to think I had some part in that as I gave him a glowing review to Guest Services.
Healthy Dining: With the move to a more healthy dining fare in the public sector, the cruise lines have not missed that either. Most lines today have an area or restaurant dedicated to healthy fare. Again your travel agent can inform you of those dining options on your ship.
Snack bars: They run the gambit on cruise ships, from burgers, and pizza to Sushi, Chinese, and more.
Room Service: I found this to be a great option to "formal dining" nights. I seldom pack any formal clothes on long cruises (14 nights) so all I do on those dress up nights is order room service from the dining room menu. Most all items are available, except Baked Alaska, and are delivered to your stateroom by your Cabin Steward. While there is no extra charge to use room service, we always tip him extra. Room Service on most ships is available 24 hours a day, and in many cases can be accessed from your interactive television.
What can I have? I get a great kick out of being creative with the dining room menu! I am not a fan of chilled soups, which my wife tells me are delicious, so on the nights when the soup course is that, I usually order an extra shrimp cocktail. On one trip it got to be a standing joke with our waiter, on chilled soup nights he would say, "now for your soup this evening a shrimp cocktail?" Have trouble deciding on menu items, well then order one of each of the items you like, on nights when lobster tail and prime rib are on the menu, I order both, my at sea "surf and turf." Deserts are always a challenge as well, in addition to the varied offerings most ships have ice cream available as a desert option. Several cruise lines make their own ice cream on board and some other lines may use a premium brand like Ben & Jerry's.
Most all cruise lines have a number of formal nights each cruise, usually 2 in 7 nights and 3 in 14 nights. You can address this in a number of ways. First off what constitutes "formal." For the ladies it is a dressy pants suit or evening dress, for the men a tuxedo or dark suit. In my own experience I have a mix and match closet where I have a dark blue blazer,(suit coat)and a couple of different pairs of slacks so on "dressy informal" nights I can use my slacks with another sport coat or visa versa. Other times a sport shirt and dress slacks for the men, I wear a polo shirt and khaki slacks, for the causal dining nights. Shorts and tee shirts are seldom permitted on casual nights in the main dining rooms. Coats and ties are never required on most cruise lines for breakfast or lunch in the dining room.
Other options:
The Buffet: Ah, maybe this is what cruise line dining is all about! Dress is always casual and the food plentiful and varied. Cruise lines will have themed nights in the buffet areas, as well as the normal buffet line fare.
Snack bars: There you will find a wide variety of items from, burgers, and pizza, to made to order sandwiches, sushi, and of course ice cream.
Other dining options:
Speciality restaurants: These come in two categories, very formal and themed restaurants. The very formal category requires formal dress and there is a cover charge that ranges in price from $20.00 to $50.00. The cruise lines promote this as the ultimate dining experience. Many lines have such themed restaurants as Italian Bistro's, steakhouses, 50's dining etc. Ask your travel agent for a list of these speciality restaurants on your ship. Most all of them have a small cover charge and the dress code is informal but most do not allow shorts and tee shirts.
Casual dining: At least one cruise line, Celebrity, has what they call "Casual Dining." It is as the name implies, casual in dress, but not in service. Celebrity uses their "casual Dining' as a training ground for the main dining waitstaff. Usually reservations are required as a limited number of tables are available. In most cases when I have used casual dining the service has been fantastic as the new main dining room wannabies are looking to make an impression on the matre'de. Also customer comments mean a lot to them as well, I know of one case where we happened to be on the same ship several months apart and one of our "Casual Dining" waiters was promoted to the dining room. I like to think I had some part in that as I gave him a glowing review to Guest Services.
Healthy Dining: With the move to a more healthy dining fare in the public sector, the cruise lines have not missed that either. Most lines today have an area or restaurant dedicated to healthy fare. Again your travel agent can inform you of those dining options on your ship.
Snack bars: They run the gambit on cruise ships, from burgers, and pizza to Sushi, Chinese, and more.
Room Service: I found this to be a great option to "formal dining" nights. I seldom pack any formal clothes on long cruises (14 nights) so all I do on those dress up nights is order room service from the dining room menu. Most all items are available, except Baked Alaska, and are delivered to your stateroom by your Cabin Steward. While there is no extra charge to use room service, we always tip him extra. Room Service on most ships is available 24 hours a day, and in many cases can be accessed from your interactive television.
What can I have? I get a great kick out of being creative with the dining room menu! I am not a fan of chilled soups, which my wife tells me are delicious, so on the nights when the soup course is that, I usually order an extra shrimp cocktail. On one trip it got to be a standing joke with our waiter, on chilled soup nights he would say, "now for your soup this evening a shrimp cocktail?" Have trouble deciding on menu items, well then order one of each of the items you like, on nights when lobster tail and prime rib are on the menu, I order both, my at sea "surf and turf." Deserts are always a challenge as well, in addition to the varied offerings most ships have ice cream available as a desert option. Several cruise lines make their own ice cream on board and some other lines may use a premium brand like Ben & Jerry's.
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