May 2013
5 posts
5 Fruit Carvings that will Blow Your Mind
Carved fruit and vegetables have become a staple on cruises, where talented chefs wow passengers with new designs, recognizable characters and intricate details. They’re amazing, and they go way beyond just cucumber roses and carrot fish nets. Check out these impressive examples our own members have spotted:
1. Shrek Onboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, chefs created this display of...
6 Questions for Geoffrey Zakarian About Cruising &...
Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian is bringing fine dining to the open waters by launching a seafood restaurant aboard the Norwegian Breakaway, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian. To top it off, he’s giving cruisers two other options to choose from: casual seafood favorites served at Ocean Blue during the day, and The Raw Bar (oysters and wine) nearby. We pressed him to tell us his favorite dish...
Ice Sculptures at Sea That Wowed Us
There’s nothing quite like seeing something beautiful sculpted from frozen water. On cruise ships, ice carvers often chisel right on the deck where spectators can watch; later, these same works of art often end up as centerpieces on buffet tables. Here are a few sculptures we loved:
1. A master ice sculptor carving a fish on the Carnival Triumph. Image courtesy of Cruiseline.com member...
The Cake Boss Loves Cruising (Hates Sightseeing!)
I sat down with Buddy Valastro, star of TLC’s “Cake Boss,” this week at the ribbon cutting ceremony of his new bakery in Times Square, Cake Boss Café. Buddy is further expanding his family business onto the Norwegian Breakaway, which launches May 8, so I asked him some questions about everyone’s favorite topic: vacation. Have you ever been on a cruise? Yes! I’ve been on three cruises in my...
Most Mouthwatering Cocktails at Sea
There’s nothing quite like sipping on a refreshing drink (preferably adorned with an orange wedge or toothpick umbrella) while lounging in the sun to make you feel like you’re truly on a vacation. Here are our five favorite concoctions to order on a cruise:
The Drink: Coral Reef The Line: Silversea Cruises The Ingredients: Plymouth gin, St. Germain, Aperol, club soda, lemon twist. The Something...
April 2013
8 posts
5 Hot Features on Norwegian Breakaway
Based out of New York City year-round, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship (scheduled to be christened by the Rockettes on May 8) has everyone talking about its most notable features — and it’s not a short list! Check out five of our favorites:
5. The Waterfront This quarter-mile-long open-air boardwalk at sea features eight outdoor dining and lounging options. 4. Sports...
How to Survive Formal Night on a Cruise
Today’s blog post is by Judi Cuervo. Judi Cuervo began her freelance cruise writing in 1998 with Porthole Cruise Magazine and since then her work has appeared in a number of regional, national, Canadian, U.K. and Australian publications. A New York City native who met her husband Michael aboard Holland America Line’s Statendam and was married aboard Celebrity’s Galaxy, Judi is Associate...
Tips for Staying Healthy on Your Cruise
Given the thousands of cruise voyages going out every year, the percentage of sailings that are affected by a virus is relatively low. It is, however, better to do your research and stay safe.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) periodically inspects cruise ships and assigns them a “health score.” Click here for the advanced search: Enter the ship(s) you are considering and see their scores...
6 Coolest Features on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of...
In this morning’s press conference in New York, Royal Caribbean International revealed some of the incredible features of Quantum of the Seas, debuting in the Fall of 2014. Here are some of our favorites:
6. Larger cruise cabins.
On average, Quantum of the Seas will have 9% larger cruise cabins than Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships.
5. Virtual balconies.
Every room on...
9 Most Impressive Towel Animals at Sea
The towel-animal-making talents of cabin stewards never cease to amaze me. We’ve seen them all — from elephants to flying birds to creatures we can’t quite identify, and we have to admit, they’re impressive. Here are nine of our favorites from our very own members:
9. The unimpressed penguin. (Remind you of anyone?) Image courtesy of Cruiseline.com member ccruisequeen. LIKE it...
Is There Anything To Do On A Private Island?
I vividly remember my first visit to a cruise line’s private island, and the sybaritic pleasure of sipping a cocktail in a hammock as the waves gently lapped at the beach. For many passengers, the best part of a Caribbean itinerary is the day spent on a private island, where you can be as languid or as active as you please.
When a ship docks at a private island, guests first come ashore to...
4 tags
9 Dumbest Cruise Questions We've Ever Heard
Over the years, we’ve heard some pretty incredible questions about cruising. Here are the 9 that floored us:
9. Is this island completely surrounded by water?
Image courtesy of Catalina Chamber
8. Can I use American currency in Alaska?
7. Where is the elevator that takes us to the front of the ship?
Image courtesy of About.com
6. Why don’t inside cabins have a porthole/window?
...
11 tags
My 8 Favorite Ports Of Call
There are some ports of call so special that you never forget them. Sometimes, it’s an extraordinary shore excursion that makes one memorable; in other instances, it’s breathtaking scenery, historic treasures, or time spent exploring on your own. Picking out eight favorite ports wasn’t easy (there are some incredible ones that I’ve left out), but I’ve given it my best shot.
Kauai, Hawaii. Aptly...
March 2013
9 posts
4 tags
8 People You Can't Escape on Your Cruise
Though cruises are all different, there’s no doubt about the fact that they cater to a certain demographic. That means that you’re bound to run into certain characters over and over again every time you cruise. Here’s a list of our top eight passengers that we just can’t seem to escape (despite our best efforts):
8. The guy wearing a T-shirt in the pool.
Image courtesy...
6 tags
MSC Preziosa Christened by Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren christened the MSC Preziosa yesterday in the fleet’s home port of Genoa to music by Ennio Morricone. The christening, which attracted two thousand guests from around the world, was concluded with a fireworks display.
With 1,751 cabins, 26 elevators, 18 decks, 21 bars, a casino, four swimming pools including an infinity pool, a bowling alley, a sports area with playing...
2 tags
How to Survive a Cruise in an Inside Cabin
Image by member LeVoyageur
Today’s blog post is by Judi Cuervo. Judi Cuervo began her freelance cruise writing in 1998 with Porthole Cruise Magazine and since then her work has appeared in a number of regional, national, Canadian, U.K. and Australian publications. A New York City native who met her husband Michael aboard Holland America Line’s Statendam and was married aboard Celebrity’s...
8 tags
Non-Clothing Essentials to Pack for Your Cruise
Deciding what to pack for your cruise can be tricky, so we’ve taken the guesswork out of what to cram into your suitcase by breaking items down into two categories: the must have and the nice to have. Once you’ve got your clothes packed, check out the rundown of non-clothing essentials:
Can’t Leave Home Without
Medication: While there are medicines and medical staff on board, don’t...
3 tags
Feature Friday: Member Photos
Need inspiration for booking your next cruise? Check out our newest feature — member photos! Now members can browse photos uploaded by other cruisers and maybe even get an idea for their next cruise. Whether submitted through reviews or uploaded directly to the page, the members photos page provides access to all the photos on Cruiseline.com in one place.
Do you have photos you’d...
6 tags
How to Win the Battle of the Shipboard Bulge
Today’s blog post is by Judi Cuervo. Judi Cuervo began her freelance cruise writing in 1998 with Porthole Cruise Magazine and since then her work has appeared in a number of regional, national, Canadian, U.K. and Australian publications. A New York City native who met her husband Michael aboard Holland America Line’s Statendam and was married aboard Celebrity’s Galaxy, Judi is Associate...
2 tags
Feature Friday: Cruiseline.com Activity Feed
This week, we launched the activity feed on the Cruiseline.com home page. This feed gives you the latest updates about what members have been doing in the Cruiseline.com community. Want to read the latest review? See who joined what roll calls? Browse the most recent forum posts? Now you can — all in one place. You can also see all of your cruise history on the left hand side of the page...
7 tags
What to Expect on Your First Cruise
If you’ve never cruised before, you may not know what you’re getting yourself into. And while there are hundreds of cruise options to choose from, most cruises have the essentials in common. Here’s what to expect on most cruise lines:
Food and Drinks
Fine gourmet dining every night. Other options include room service available 24/7, lunch and dinner buffets. For an additional cost,...
4 tags
March Madness Leaderboard Contest
Cruiseline.com is hosting a contest to see if YOU have what it takes to fight your way to the top of our leaderboard! The leaderboard is our way of rewarding our most active members for their contributions to Cruiseline.com. You can beat out other cruisers and fight your way to the top by earning points (points tally up all your activities in the community). The top three members with the most...
February 2013
14 posts
9 tags
5 Exercise Classes Not to Skip on Your Next Cruise
Whether you’re a fitness guru or just want to stay in shape while cruising, you’re in luck. There’s a smorgasbord of workout options available on cruises that are anything but ordinary. Here are some classes we think you’ll enjoy so much that you’ll forget you’re breaking a sweat.
1. The Line: Princess & Celebrity Cruises
Tour de Cycle: Inspired by the Tour de France — the biggest cycling...
5 tags
How to Choose Your Stateroom
Today’s blog post is by Danielle Fear. Danielle found her passion for cruising back in 2007 when at the age of 21 when she embarked on her first cruise voyage onboard P&O Cruises Oriana. Cruising had never entered her mind, and the thought of having a holiday onboard a ship was not appealing. Her first cruise was the complete opposite to everything she had imagined a cruise to be. It...
7 tags
How to Cruise on the Cheap
Today’s blog post is by Judi Cuervo. Judi Cuervo began her freelance cruise writing in 1998 with Porthole Cruise Magazine and since then her work has appeared in a number of regional, national, Canadian, U.K. and Australian publications. A New York City native who met her husband Michael aboard Holland America Line’s Statendam and was married aboard Celebrity’s Galaxy, Judi is...
7 tags
Cruise Ships Being Refurbished in 2013
Azamara Journey
Refurbishment Date: Jan. 6 - 13, 2013
Details: Journey will have a new caviar and champagne bar in Aqualina and a new Chef’s Table concept dining. Discoveries Restaurant & Lounge Mosaic Café, and the Casino Bar will be updated with new furniture and a new color palette. Gym equipment will be updated and replaced and the steam room and showers will be upgraded. There will be...
2 tags
What’s Happening in 2013-2014 with Tauck
We sat down with Tauck and got some insight into what’s new this season. Check out the below. We’re so excited about their Gold Rush theme cruise in Alaska!
Tauck announced that it’s dropping the single supplement for Category 1 cabins on each of its 2013 European adventure cruises. The savings apply to every departure on all 14 of Tauck’s European river cruise itineraries.
Tauck’s 2013 river...
2 tags
What’s Happening in 2013-2014 with Disney Cruise...
We sat down with Disney Cruise Line and got some insight into what’s new this season. Check out the below.
We love the AquaDuck Water Coaster. Have you tried it yet?
In 2013, Disney Cruise Line will offer new itineraries, including an expanded portfolio of European cruises with new destinations such as Venice, Italy, and the Greek Isles. In addition, Disney Cruise Line will utilize a second...
6 tags
What’s Happening in 2013-2014 with MSC Cruises
We sat down with MSC Cruises and got some insight into what’s new this season. Check out the below.
We’re so excited about their partnership with Eataly – the food is amazing!
Scheduled to sail from Miami in the Fall of 2013, MSC’s third Fantasia-class ship, the MSC Divina has 1,751 staterooms, 25 elevators, 211,900 square feet of public space, a casino, 7 restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, 5...
2 tags
What’s Happening in 2013-2014 with Crystal Cruises
We sat down with Crystal Cruises and got some insight into what’s new this season. Check out the below.
We’re so excited about their new boutique adventures! Smaller, more intimate travel is gives you a better insight into the country’s culture and history.
Boutique Adventures are ultra-intimate (6-15 people max) cultural shore excursions that take guests inside private estates, art studios,...
5 tags
What’s Happening in 2013-2014 with Norwegian...
We sat down with Norwegian Cruise Line and got some insight into what’s new this season. Check out the below.
We’re so excited about Norwegian’s partnership with Cake Boss’s Buddy Valastro. His desserts alone are worth traveling for!
The Norwegian Breakaway will debut in April of 2013. This is a 146,600-ton, 4,028-passenger ship, the first of Norwegian’s two “Project...
3 tags
What’s Happening in 2013-2014 with Holland America...
We sat down with Holland America Line and got some insight into what’s new this season. Check out the below. We’re so excited about “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea!
Holland America Line announced the exciting new “Dancing with the Stars” experience, which will be featured on board the premium cruise ships of Holland America Line. Six theme cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature “Dancing...
2 tags
What’s Happening in 2013-2014 with American Cruise...
We sat down with American Cruise Line and got some insight into what’s new this season. Check out the below. We’re so excited about their Gold Rush theme cruise in Alaska!
With unprecedented success and growth in the past few months, American Cruise Lines’ recently expanded to the Mississippi River with its brand new paddlewheeler, Queen of the Mississippi, which will enter a full second season...
4 tags
What’s Happening in 2013-2014 with Carnival Cruise...
We sat down with Carnival Cruise Line and got some insight into what’s new this season. Check out the below. We’re so excited about the Hasbro Game Show! It sounds like a great activity for families.
The Carnival Sunshine is the new addition to the cruise line fun ships. After a $155 million refurbishment, the Carnival Destiny will be transformed into the Carnival Sunshine. The new ship will...
2 tags
What’s Happening in 2013-2014 with Windstar...
We sat down with Windstar Cruises and got some insight into what’s new this season. Check out the below. We’re so excited about their new focus on smaller ports!
Catering to the public’s #1 request of the cruise line, Windstar has announced that they will be returning to Tahiti in May of 2014. Wind Spirit, the line’s recently renovated 148-passenger sailing yacht, will sail seven-day voyages...
2 tags
Cruiseline.com Members Speak: Violet Bassett-Mathy
This is Violet with her favorite people at Lawn Club Grill on the Celebrity Reflection. They are a fun bunch! Violet is a retired nurse and her husband owns a machining company. They live in Alpine, CA., which is 30 miles east of San Diego. They usually do two trips or cruises every year.
What got you interested in cruising?
We got into cruising out of curiosity, mostly. We would see the...
January 2013
9 posts
3 tags
CLIA 2013 “State of the Industry” Press Conference
Today was the annual Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) industry press conference in New York City, and both Faraz Qureshi, president of Cruiseline.com and myself went to check it out. CLIA is the world’s largest cruise association and is dedicated to the promotion and growth of the cruise industry.
It was a wonderful event, during which we got a comprehensive summary of the...
2 tags
Feature Friday: Review Activity Feed
Hey, everyone! We just wanted to give you a heads up that Cruiseline.com has added a new review activity feed that updates every time someone submits or comments on a review. Want to browse the most recent reviews on the site? Now there’s a way to do it. Check it out!
How else can we improve our site to better serve you? Please let us know in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!
8 tags
Our 3 Favorite Unusual Cruise Destinations
Choosing the right destination can be the toughest part of choosing the right cruise. There are so many options to choose from, yet you often hear about people going to the same places. Here are some off-the-beaten-path options that are that are worth exploring.
1. Iceland
Iceland is as rich and mysterious as its name implies. It’s also a popular cruise destination for Europeans during the...
2 tags
Cruiseline.com Members Speak: Shon Ford
Shon has been on 30 cruises in just 10 years, sealing the deal that he indeed is a self-proclaimed cruise addict. From Baltimore, MD, Shon frequents the high seas at least four times a year. Also known as “Cruise Man 3000” He shares his passion with the masses via his blog, The Ocean Escape by CM3K, and has no problems bustin’ a move whenever he hears a great beat!
What got you...
19 tags
May I Bring Alcohol on My Cruise?
One of the most popular questions we’ve encountered about cruising is “may I bring alcohol on my cruise?” Since each cruise line has a different alcohol policy, the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” To alleviate confusion, we’ve decided to break down the alcohol policies for each cruise line.
Azamara Club Cruises
Yes. Liquor, beer and wine are allowed for private consumption in suites...
2 tags
Cruiseline Members Speak: Sonya Sherow
Sonya Sherow is a native Texan and also a single mother of one great daughter. She and her daughter love to travel and became hooked on cruising in 2009. Sonya wonders what took them so long. She is working on booking her next cruise on the Carnival Magic out of Galveston, TX.
What got you interested in cruising?
I always wanted to cruise since watching “Love Boat” as a kid. Now...
7 tags
10 Tips for Traveling Solo
There are plenty of great reasons for traveling alone. Doing the activities that you want to do, sticking to your own sleep schedule, and of course, meeting new people, are just a few of them. Traveling solo on a cruise makes these things even easier.
For the duration of the cruise, you’re essentially living in a floating city, which is designed with the express purpose of fun. Thinking of trying...
6 tags
Best Cruises for Families with Kids
Best for Families with Young Kids
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line offers a wonderful cruising experience for families with young children. Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are both popular and beautiful ships, which offer a whimsical experience for the whole family.
The best part about it? While the kids are busy on the Oceaneer Lab, conducting science experiments, taking turns going down...
4 tags
How to Cruise for (Almost) Free
Cruises are well known for being a great travel value – few other modes of transportation allow you to see so much for so little. But did you know that it’s possible to go on a cruise for virtually no cost whatsoever?
The answer is simple: get a large enough group of people to go with you. If you reach the required number of passengers for a group (which is set by each individual cruise line),...
December 2012
7 posts
1 tag
Top 10 Reasons to Cruise
Most people have already made up their minds as to what they think of cruising well before they’ve even set foot aboard a ship. But that opinion is usually formed from the few clichés they’ve seen in movies or read about in books. In reality, cruise vacations are a wonderful option for many travelers with various needs. Here are our top ten reasons to cruise:
10. It’s a low stress vacation –...
6 tags
Top 5 Most Luxurious Suites on the High Seas
Are you a person of refined taste? Is being pampered your idea of the best cruise vacation ever? There are five luxury suites that can take you where you want to go. These fit-for-kings accommodations are our favorites:
5. Spanning 1,292 feet (one bedroom) or 1,668 feet (two bedroom), the Owner’s Suite, onboard Silversea’s Silver Spirit, boasts a marble bathroom, his and her sinks, a shower, a...
6 tags
Top 5 Underrated Belize Attractions
You’ve just hit dry land, this time in Belize. What do you do now? Although it’s most famously known for its majestic Barrier Reef, Belize has more to offer than just amazing scuba diving and snorkeling. To make the most of your time in this beautiful port, stick to our top five Belize destinations.
1. Mysterious Mayan ruins await you at Altun Ha and Xunantunich. They date back over 2000 years...
4 tags
3 Most Talked About Cruise Desserts
Whether you’re a foodie, a baked good fanatic, or simply a cruiser with a sweet tooth, you’ve probably heard great cruise desserts mentioned in the past. But what’s the crème de la crème? Which cruise dessert takes the cake (pun intended) when it comes to truly being the best? Check out our top candidates.
Carnival Cruises’ Warm Chocolate Cake
Carnival’s signature dessert, this warm and...
2 tags
His & Her Essential Cruise Wardrobe Packing List
The cardinal rule of packing for cruises is to pack lightly. Cruise cabins generally offer little space, and you don’t want to be crowding it with heaps of clothing. In order to pack lightly, you have to know what to bring. Here’s our breakdown of cruise wardrobe essentials for both ladies and gents.
Ladies’ Wardrobe: Daytime Outfits: Some good essentials to have onboard for daytime wear are...
