Carnival Cruise Lines Debuts New Ship: Carnival Dream

The new Carnival Dream will be the largest cruise ship run by Carnival Cruise Lines in the Caribbean. Now in Europe, the Carnival dream is making its U.S. debut on a voyage from New York to the Bahamas. Port Canaveral, near Orlando, will be the new home port of this 3,646-passenger, 130,000-ton beauty. The cruise ship will specialize in week-long sailings around the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Source: NY Daily News

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Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Royal Caribbean Debuts New Cruise Ship: Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas, the new cruise ship run by Royal Caribbean, is the first-ever cruise ship larger than an aircraft carrier. A veritable floating city, the Oasis of the Sea cost $1.4 billion to complete, carries up to 5,400 passengers, and weighs in at an impressive 220,000 tons. It is currently the world's largest cruise ship, and features an open-air park with trees, a boardwalk (think Coney Island), a pool with aqua acrobats and divers, and much more.

Source: NY Daily News

Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Cruise to Romania

Romania is a beautiful, friendly country that offers much to the world traveler. Once known as "little Paris," the capitol city of Bucharest is a charming, bustling mix of the old world and the new. The fall of the Soviet Union has ushered in many changes to Romania in the past two decades. This is still very much a country in transition.


















Many major cruise lines, including Princess Cruises and Seaborn, offer cruise vacations to Romania via the Port of Constanta, the largest port on the Black Sea. These include Princes Cruises, Holland America, Seabourn, Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, P&O Cruises, and many others. More than 90 cruise ships and 30,000 tourists enter the port every year.

Here are some pictures from my recent vacation to Romania...

Arcul de Triumf ("Arch of Triumph"), Bucharest:
























Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest:



















City Hall, Bucharest:
























Here is Poienari Castle, the fortress of Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula:


















Village Museum, Bucharest:



















Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

What Happens If You Miss Your Cruise Ship?

If you miss returning to your cruise ship at port, they won't wait for you and they won't come back to pick you up. You'll somehow have to get to the next port-0f-call in time to board the cruise ship there.

But what if you're running back to the ship and you cut it a little too close?

You get publicly embarrassed.

Like this guy:



So always wear a watch and make sure you get back to your cruise ship!

Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Caribbean Cruise: Antigua

Antigua is famous for its beaches and harbors, but there is a lot more for cruise vacationers to explore on this Caribbean paradise.

The Block House Ruins
On a sheer cliff 446 feet above the seas, this was in 1787 the principle lookout for the First West India Regiment. From the officer's barracks, you get amazing views over Indian Creek and the Atlantic.

Shirley Heights
Named after Sir Thomas Shirley, this was the main fortification of the British Fleet at English Harbour. The stunning view from Shirley Heights takes in nearly the entire east coast of Antigua, including English Harbour and Flamouth Harbour.

Nelson's Dockyard
Named after its former commander, Horatio Nelson, Nelson's Dockyard is the last remaining Georgian naval yard still in use. Here you can see the Admiral's Inn, museum, mystery pillars, art gallery, and bakery. After your tour of the dockyard and the old stone quayside, refresh yourself with drinks at the 18th-century inn.

Cades Reef
Take a catamaran over the azure waters to Cades Reef and snorkel amid the Caribbean corals.

English Harbour
During the 18th century, the British Royal Navy established a base at the extreme southern end of Antigua. Today, English Harbour offers great yachting and other boating adventures.

North Sound National Park
This cluster of islands and reefs is home to a variety of birds and sea life.

Great Bird Island
Hike to the blow holes and catch panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean islands.

Soufriere Hills Volcano
Take a helicopter tour over the exclusion zone, which features this volatile 3,000-foot volcano.

Darkwood Beach
A white sand beach with turquoise waters.

Harmony Hall
This sugar plantation has views of the east coast and outlying islands.

Observation Tower
One of Antigua's newest landmarks, the observation tower offers an amazing 360-degree view of the island, but you'll have to climb 82 steps to get to the top.

Stingray Enclosure
Take a skiff ride out to the stingray enclosure. Put on your snorkel gear and join the stingrays in the sea. The waters are clear the and the stingrays friendly. You can touch and feed them, as the stingrays will only use their barbs when threatened.

Cedar Valley Golf Course
This par 70, 18-hole course was designed by Ralph Aldridge. It opened to the public in 1977. Cedar Valley's 6,157-yard course features rolling hills, tropical trees, and unmatched vistas.

Cricket
Antigua boasts a rich history in the sport of cricket. Fans should visit the Antigua Recreational Ground, the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, and the Sticky Wicket Restaurant and Bar.

Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Rescue Crew Medevacs Cruise Ship Passenger to Hospital

An 85-year-old passenger aboard the Holland America cruise ship Zuiderdam was medevaced to Torrance Memorial Medical Center on Wednesday after suffering stroke-like symptoms. The incident occurred 20 nautical miles southwest of Long Beach. A Coast Guard crew responded to a 6 pm call from the cruise ship. They flew in an HH65C Dolphin rescue helicopter from the Coast Guard Air Station in Los Angeles. The medevac team lowered a rescue basket to crew members aboard the Zuiderdam, who secured the man in the basket. He was then hoisted up to the helicopter and taken to the hospital. The patient's medical condition is not known at this time.

Source: LA Daily News

Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Staying Safe on a Cruise

When visiting other countries on your cruise vacation, safety should be a primary concern.

Cruise Lines remain in constant contact with authorities, monitoring travel advisories that might impact their cruise ship itineraries. If the U.S. State Department issues a travel advisory for a specific location, the cruise line may make adjustments to their published itinerary.

Most recently, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico caused several cruise lines to avoid Mexican ports of call. However, these situations are rare. Understand that such changes are made for the safety and security of passengers.

Keep in mind that travelers must assume the ultimate responsibility for their actions while ashore. When visiting ports-0f-call, travelers should take some common-sense precautions:

• Stay in the normal tourist areas. If you travel far afield, it is best to take a guided tour. Book shore excursions through the cruise line so they can track your whereabouts and know if you'll be late getting back to the ship.
• Never leave your belongings unattended in public areas.
• Be aware of people around you.
• Never accept packages from anyone you don’t know personally.
• Dress and behave conservatively. As a tourist in a foreign port, keep a low profile. Drawing attention to yourself may put you at risk.
• Be careful when eating and drinking ashore. Alcohol can impair your judgment. If you are planning to dine in port, get recommendations from the cruise line.
  

Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Cruise to Cabo San Lucas

For those who enjoy sun-kissed beaches when they travel, Cabo San Lucas beckons. Crystal-clear waters and white-sand beaches await on the tip of the world's longest peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.

There are lots of fun things to do at Cabo San Lucas...

Catch a tourist boat to the amazing rock formations of Los Arcos and get a glimpse of pelicans, sea lions, and migrating whales. Humpback, minke, and gray whales are common sights during whale-watching season, January through March. But remember, whale sightings are not guaranteed on whale-watching tours.

Snorkel and scuba dive at Pelican Rock Cove, where you'll swim among the angelfish, Moorish idols, and yellowtail.

Kayak in the secluded waters of Santa Maria Cove.

Visit the village of San Jose del Cabo. Shop, explore the mission church, and wander the tree-lined plaza. See 750 species of cacti in the ecological garden of Cacti Mundo.

Explore the village of Todos Santos, where the Jesuit mission dates back to 1724. Now, shops and gallaries greet tourists, as well as the famous Hotel California.

Take a catamaran to Lover's Beach, which is only accessible by boat.

Discover the Cabo Canopy, a UNESCO protected area in Baja California's high Sierras. Tour groups with trained guides are available. Features include the "commando bridge," the "crazy ladder," and an 800-foot zipline.

Board the Nautilus II for a semi-sub tour of the Sea of Cortez. View ports below the waterline give you a spectacular look at the marine life around Lover's Beach, Los Arcos, and the sea lion colony.

Swim with the dolphins. Talk, touch, and play with the fun-loving bottlenose dolphins. There are special programs available for kids aged 4 to 9.

Be sure to visit the Los Cabos Corridor, the glass-blowing factory, Pedregal, and the San Jose Estuary.

Other fun activities include vehicular expeditions: Baja buggy, ATV, and 4x4. Horseback riding on the beach is always popular.
Public and private yacht tours are also available. Adventurers may prefer surfing and sportfishing.

A few cautions:

• Beaches may be crowded during tourist season.
• Do not wear sunscreen or jewelry in the dolphin pools.
• Beware the steely knives of Hotel California.

Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Two Cruise Ships Collide in Cozumel

Two cruise ships were damaged in a collision in Cozumel, Mexico. The Carnival Legend and Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas were pulling out of Cozumel late Wednesday when the incident occurred. Strong winds apparently pushed Legend into the Enchantment of the Seas. The Legend carries 2,124 passengers; the Enchantment of the Seas carries 2,446. No injuries were reported, and both cruise ships will continue on their scheduled itineraries.

Source: USA Today

Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010