Sure, cruising during the holidays sounds great. Time with family, amazing food, no cooking or cleaning, but check out my 5 tips first! Steer clear of Complainers Grumpy relatives can spoil a cruise fast. You know the ones! They constantly criticize everything from the service to the temperature of the …
Read More »Holland America Line “Club Orange” offers premium benefits
Speaking as a 3 star Mariner on Holland America Line, I’m excited about the new Club Orange that offers great benefits to those of us who haven’t had the opportunity to gain higher loyalty perks. Of course, if I spring for a Neptune or a Pinnacle Suite, I get Club …
Read More »Not a travel agent, I’m an experience designer!
For years, travel visionaries like Groove Cruise Founder Jason Beukema has preached the sermon of collecting experiences, not things. The experience of spending time with my grandson is much more important to me than buying the latest iPhone! Now an article from Bloomberg is telling travel agents like myself to …
Read More »Virgin Voyages Big Reveal: Restaurants
“Sailors” who cruise on “The Scarlet Lady”, the first ship of the Virgin Voyages brand new fleet of ships will enjoy off the chain dining venues; no buffets on this Sir Richard Branson vessel! Virgin Voyages tells us, “With an interior scheme that nods to the namesake, the bold camouflaging of …
Read More »Passport or Passport Card
One of the top questions I get from cruise passengers is “do I need a passport?” The short answer is yes. Sure, if you are sailing on a U.S. “closed-end” cruise (leaving and returning from a U.S. cruise port), you can get by with a government-issued photo i.d. and a …
Read More »Navigator of the Seas takes on water
Newsweek.com is reporting that the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas took on water on a recent Mediterranean cruise. “A Royal Caribbean cruise ship was reportedly forced to make an emergency stop over the weekend after experiencing technical problems and “leaking water like crazy.” The vessel—named the Navigator of the …
Read More »Titanic II to retrace famous voyage
Several years ago, news reports stated that a “Titanic II” was being built, a true replica of the original ship. Unfortunately, like any multi-million dollar project, problems come up. Now it seems like everything is back on track and the ship will sail by 2020. Cluck on the link below …
Read More »Cruise ship becomes a hotel for gas restoration workers
In 2005, several cruise ships became floating hotels in Jacksonville during Super Bowl XXXIX due to lack of hotel capacity. Cruise ships were also used to house victims of hurricane Katrina in 2005. WCVB in Boston is reporting that yet another cruise ship is serving as a floating hotel. “A …
Read More »Holland America raises fee for daily gratuity.
Cruise Radio is reporting that Holland America Line is raising the fee for daily gratuities. “On sailings after December 1, 2018, the gratuity will increase to $14.50 per person per day for non-suite guests, and $16 per person for those staying in suites. Somewhat ironically, the (Holland America FAQ) page …
Read More »Accessible Travel Advocate
I’m honored to have earned the designation from the Special Needs Group as a Accessible Travel Advocate. I recently completed a course to help me offer cruisers options to increase their mobility during their vacation. My daughter Brittany has always had a special place in her heart for those with …
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