NCL to give details on 2 New Ships!

Welcome everyone!

You might not have known this but NCL ordered 2, 143,500-ton, 4,000+ passenger ships in October. Ordered to be made in Germany's Meyer Werft ship yard, the ships are supposed to be delivered by 2013, and 2014.

(Photo by: Lawrence from Furious Photographers)
There haven't been any major announcements yet and no one really knows anything about this project except for the gross tonnage, passenger capacity, where it's being built, expected delivery dates, it's $1.7 billion USD deal, and it's name "Project Breakaway."

That will all change in a couple of days. On Tuesday, June 21, 2011, NCL will reveal some new details on the project and we can only hope (cross your fingers)  to get some graphics of what the ship might look like.

The line will also start a four-day sale called the "Freestyle Dash" in which you will receive up to $250 onboard credit (depending on cabin category) on select summer sailings. The sale will end Friday, June 24th.

I can only imagine what NCL will come up with next! I have heard they will be bringing the best features from the lines current newest, Epic onto these two new builds. What do you think? Are you a NCL cruise fan? Please leave a comment below!
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Mike

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Posted in: details on new ncl ships,NCL,ncl project breakaway,new ncl ships,norwegian cruise line new ship,norwegian epic

Voyager of the Seas to be based in China!

Welcome everyone!

Remember my post a while back that mentioned China and how I think that it will start to become a popular cruise destination similar to Europe? Well with today's announcement, we might be one step closer with game-changer Voyager of the Seas to be based in China in the summer of 2012.

The once largest ship in the world when introduced in 1999 will be based in Shanghai, China as Royal Caribbean try's to expand in the country. The 138,000 ton, 3,114 passenger ship currently sails in Europe and was scheduled to in 2012 but the change comes as RCI's CEO Adam Goldstein says, "There are clear opportunities in the China market."

There are planned 4 and 10 night sailings that will go to stops in Japan, Korea, and China. The ship will depart China in October 12, 2012 to sail voyages out of Sydney, Australia.

When it starts it's sailings in China, it will join the lines smaller 1,804 passenger Legend of the Seas ship. Legend of the Seas has proven to be a success in the Asia market and has sailed there seasonally for 3 years.

I expect that Voyager of the Seas will go under a rehab in a dry dock before entering the China market, but there has been no announcement on that yet. The line also pointed out that on both ships that will be in the region in 2012 will have more of a wide variety of products tailored to the Chinese guests such as Chinese language services, authentic Chinese food, and culturally appropriate activities.

A few interesting facts about the ship are that when it was introduced to the industry in 1999, it was the largest cruise ship ever built. Industry leaders also criticized that it would only be able to be filled in the Caribbean market. I guess the world has proven that theory wrong!

What do you think about this move? I think it would be awesome to explore Asia on cruise as I have mentioned in other posts and I think that more Americans and Europeans that like these larger ships will be more susceptible to book a cruise in China. Please share your thoughts and spread the word about this blog! Thanks again!
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Mike

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Posted in: american cruise lines,cruises from shanghai,cruises in china,Cruises on Royal Caribbean,cruises to china on royal caribbean,Royal Caribbean,voyager of the seas

Enjoy Faster Mobile Browsing!

Welcome everyone!

Whether your on the go or prefer to view websites mobile, our website will now load tremendously faster.

We have recently upgraded our mobile browsing so that our normal home page that you would normally see with all of the pictures and the sidebar will be disabled. This allows for over a 50% faster load time for most mobile devices.

Pictured in this post is what you will see while viewing our website on mobile. You will get simple posts with the pictures that are in the post. Sorry but if you would like to see the full website, you will have to log on your computer!

The new look on mobile should work with all mobile devices including,

Android devices (Droid, etc..)
iOS (iPhone, iPod)
Windows Phone
Blackberry devices

Even if your mobile phone is not mentioned above it will most likely work the way it's supposed to!

If you would like to view our website as you would normally see it, there is an option to switch back when going down the very bottom.

Enjoy the faster load times! Thanks.
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Mike

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Posted in: american cruise lines

Blog Note

Welcome Readers! 


Please note that I have added our posting times on the side of the blog under the "Video of the Week." I put these up in case you come to our blog during the day and do not see an update! 


Thanks again.
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Mike

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U.S. Customs Nightmare for Cruise Passengers

Welcome everyone!

For P&O passengers aboard the P&O Arcadia, it was "Like arriving at Guantanamo Bay," according to the Daily Mail.

News giant " The Telegraph ", reports that passengers arriving in Los Angeles during a two-and-a-half month cruise from the UK to Alaska were put through extensive, passenger-by-passenger security check points that included fingerprinting, retinal scans and verbal questioning.

It was uncomfortable and reached up to a seven-hour event that delayed the departure of the ship. People had to stand for long periods of time and did not have access to bathroom facilities, food and or water.

You might question why I have mentioned news about a popular British cruise line when this is supposed to be about American cruise lines! Well my answer is that this deals with the U.S. Customs and Boarder patrol and I don't think they should have delayed these passengers when they have been cleared at many other ports. This just gives more bad reputation towards them and U.S. cruise ports and downgrades their process. I would be furious!

Please leave your comments and thoughts below! Again please spread the word about this blog and we appreciate your return! Thanks again.
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Mike

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Posted in: p and o arcadia,P and O Cruises,U.S. Customs and Boarder Patrol,u.s. customs nightmare for passengers

Sunday Cruise of the Week #4

Welcome everyone! (SORRY THIS IS A DAY LATE! HAVE BEEN BUSY!)

Welcome to the fourth edition of Cruise of the Week! To view the third one, click here.

Navigator of the Seas
The Navigator of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's fourth ship out of five in the Voyager Class (Get it fourth cruise of the week and fourth in it's class?!). Anyways, the ship has it's differences from the other 3 in that it has glass balcony's and other changes such as the rear configuration of the Windjammer Cafe. The ship was once the largest in the Royal Caribbean fleet and it still ranks one of the biggest passenger ships in the world (surprising seeming how RCI has two classes of ships larger!).

The 3,114 passenger ship boasts 1,021 ft (longer than Carnival's largest ship), 15 passenger decks, and 138,279 gross tons. She has been in service since 2002 and usually sails in the Mediterranean in the summer and Caribbean in the winter.

The Voyager Class ships changed the industry in that the ships offered a new "mall" type area called the Royal Promenade not seen on any previous ship. The area offers a unique way in delivering a central area with shops, eateries, bars, lounges, guest services, and a new category of staterooms. The new staterooms have bay windows that look out into the huge area. It is a truly awesome area.

Even though the ship is about 9 years old now, you could still go on the ship and think it's brand new with all of its innovative features that are on most ships built last year. The ship was defiantly a turning point in the cruising industry and molded the Freedom and Oasis Class ships.

To find a cruise on this amazing ship click here. The prices on this ship are very good and some start as low as $359.

What do you think about this ship? I think it's a great hit for the whole family! Please leave a comment and spread the word about this new blog! It would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!
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Mike

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Posted in: cheap cruises to europe,cheap cruises to the caribbean,cruises on navigator of the seas,Cruises on Royal Caribbean,information on navigator of the seas,navigator of the seas,Royal Caribbean

'Kids Sail Free' on Disney Wonder

Welcome everyone!

Have you been thinking about taking a cruise to Mexico on the Disney Wonder with a child 17 or under? Now is the chance to book it! 

Disney launched a promotion on its Mexican Riviera sailings from October 30th, to December 18, 2011 on the 1,754-passenger Wonder ship. The age group for the promotion is for ages 17 and under.

You will get the deal if you reserve a balcony room (categories 4A - 6A) for two full-fare passengers then the kid that will stay in the same room.

The itinerary includes leaving from the port of Los Angeles, then to Puerto Vallarta, and then a two day stay in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Remember to mention booking code KFO when reserving. You may reserve on Disney's website by clicking here.

What do you think?! Will you be taking advantage of this promotion? Please leave a comment and spread the word about this blog. We appreciate your visit and we hope you return. Thanks.
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Mike

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Posted in: cruises to cabo san lucas,disney cruise deals for sailings in mexico,Disney cruise line,disney cruise line deals,Disney Cruises,disney wonder,mexico cruises on disney

Saturday Interesting Itineraries #2

Welcome everyone!

To see last weeks Interesting Itineraries click here.

16 Day Southeast Asia & China Cruise
Experience the best of Asia with a cruise from Bangkok, Thailand, to Beijing, China. Explore storied battlefields in Singapore, the lively Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, or indulge in serenity at Busan's Buddhist temples all on one of Princess Cruises newer ships, the Diamond Princess.

The itinerary is as follows with a departure from Bangkok, Thailand.

I think that this would be the ultimate itinerary for discovering what all of Asia has to offer! Some of these stops are paradise while others offer high tech city stops! Take a look at Nha Trang, Vietnam,

Then after visiting some places that would be described as paradise, sail through the lively Victoria Harbour and visit Hong Kong for some metropolis goodness!

To book your cruise to Asia on this itinerary and ship, click here.

What do you think about this weeks itinerary? I love it! I have always wanted to go to Hong Kong and what better of a way to do it on a cruise ship!? Leave a comment and please spread the word about this new blog! Check back daily for updates! Thanks again.
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Mike

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Posted in: cruise ship vacations,cruises from bangkok thailand,cruises to asia,cruises to asia on princess cruises,cruises to southeast asia,princess cruises,princess diamond

Movie's Featuring Cruise Ships!

Welcome everyone!

There is no big industry news to report to you today so I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorite movies with you that including cruise ships!

Poseidon
One of my personal favorites is the newest Poseidon movie released in 2006. Throughout most of the movie, you will have white knuckles from squeezing your seat. The movie is entertaining and often suspenseful. If your a true cruise lover like me and don't mind to see a cruise ship capsize and sink (highly unlikely to happen in real life) then this movie is a huge hit!

The ship used in this movie is fully animated. I think the ship looks beautiful and would make an awesome cruise if it were actually real. In fact the movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Visual Effects. The scenes shot from inside the ship are all sets from Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California!

An interesting fact is that they built two sets for the ballroom scenes where Fergie sings. Both are identical besides the fact that one is right side up while the other is upside down. Some sets were also put in a water tank for the scenes that required the water effects such as the water bursting into the ballroom.

The movie also has it's variants. The Poseidon Adventure (1972) was the original film but watching that just doesn't cut it if your not into "older ships" and or movies. According to some people the original was better but I guess it's only your opinion that counts! The movie was not a hit with many people and has gotten some rotten reviews. I think this is only because the general public is just not informed about cruise ships as some of us are and can't appreciate all the hard work gone into this!

There was also another movie similar to the two Poseidon movies named The Poseidon Adventure (2005) that was only shown on TV. The movie is not based on the same plot as the others rather there is an explosion by terrorists. I would recommend any of the Poseidon movies!

If you would like to see the Poseidon (2006) that I strongly suggest, you can rent it and watch it on YouTube here for $2.99. You can also buy the DVD or buy/rent it on iTunes. Below is a trailer.



Speed 2 Cruise Control

Another one of my favorites is the movie Speed 2 Cruise Control. This movie was released in 1997 as a squeal to the the movie Speed in 1994.

They actually used a real ship for this movie which features the Seabourn Legend. The ship was used for 6 weeks for filming during production.

The plot is a luxury cruise takes a turn when a hijacker puts explosives throughout the ship and to keep a long story shot and no spoilers (caution, I kind of explain the end), the ship ends up running into a dock to stop the ship as the hijacker made the propellers keep running to try and make it run into land.

The finale scene where the ship runs into a dock was shot in Marigot, Saint Martin. To make the scene, they used a full scale mock up of the ships bow and ran it into a dock via a rail. The team then used computer special effects to add the rest of the ship in.

The movie will be big hit if your are into action and cruise ship movies! It also has some comedy mixed in. I personally love it. It may be hard to find the movie to watch but I suggest buying a DVD over at Amazon for $14.98 by clicking here.

Below is a trailer of the movie!



There are many more movies that feature cruise ships including the most popular, Titanic but I didn't mention it because I wanted to mention some of the less popular ones that could be a personal favorite of yours.There is also an upcoming movie that will feature the Carnival Dream in the new Alvin and the Chipmunks 3: Chip-Wrecked.

What do you think? Do you have any favorite movies that feature a cruise ship? Please leave a comment and spread the word about this new blog! We appreciate your return and remember to look back for daily updates! Thanks.
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Mike

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Posted in: movies that involve cruise ships,poseidon,seabourn legend,speed 2 cruise control,the poseidon adventure,titanic movie

Detained MSC Opera issue was major

Welcome everyone!

For past readers, remember the post half a month ago about the MSC Opera broken down in the Baltic? Well now some new information has been released.

(Photo by: Claudio Bresciani AFP/Getty Images)
According to USA Today, the United Kingdom's Coast Guard detained the ship while it was in Southampton, England undergoing repairs. The UK Coast Guard wouldn't give specific details about all the issues with the ship but concluded that the multiple issues led to a major non-conformity.

There was also a statement that there were violations of the International Safety Maritime Code which is a standard for safe management and operation of a ship that included an issue with the emergency preparedness.

There was also concern over the ships stability because the ship arrived in Southampton overladen which questioned how the crew calculated stability.

What are your thoughts about the ship now? Would you sail on it in the future, why or why not?! Please leave a comment and spread the word about our new blog and hey, why don't you stay around and look at all the other exciting posts! Thanks.
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Mike

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Posted in: MSC Cruise lines,msc opera,msc opera detained in southampton,new information on why the msc opera broke down,why did the msc opera break down,why was the msc opera detained in england

Explosion next to RCI Ship; 12 Injured

Welcome everyone!

During a 14-night cruise in the Mediterranean, Royal Caribbean's 3,634 passenger Independence of the Seas was alongside a pier in the port of Gibraltar when a fuel tank exploded. A statement from Royal Caribbean says, "immediately after the explosion, the ship retracted from the gangway and moved a safe distance from the dock."

After the accident occurred, 12 passengers received medical treatment on board. The line also says that all injuries were minor.

The explosion happened just before the ship was readying for departure and only 2 guests were still ashore. Neither of the guests got injured.

What do you think about the accident? I think it would be really scarey to be in the Royal Promenade and all the sudden feel the ship move sideways when I knew the ship hadn't departed! Please leave a comment and spread the word about this new blog! Thanks.
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Mike

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Posted in: explosion in gibraltar,explosion near cruise ship,fuel tank explosion near cruise ship,independence of the seas,Royal Caribbean cruises,royal caribbean ships