How Carnival's Old Year Turned Happy

Carnival was due for some good news. In November, the Splendor caught fire off the coast of Mexico/California and, while nobody was hurt, there was a lot of bad press. In December, the Inspiration was caught in high winds and high seas off Tampa, delaying its arrival at its home port in Florida by a… Continue reading How Carnival's Old Year Turned Happy

Cruising Notes from the Boats

The right price………………..$349 January 14, 2011: 7 nights     Ship: Costa Atlantica Departure: Miami return Bonus: Balconies just $549, Suite for $999 Contact: iCruise.com or 1-800-427-8473 * * * In the latest issue of her monthly magazine, O, TV super star Oprah Winfrey named her favorite things, and one of them — first identified on… Continue reading Cruising Notes from the Boats

Cruise Ships and Muster Stations

We’ve almost come to the conclusion that the mandatory muster station drills are in the same boat as the seat-belt drills on airplanes. Nobody’s listening, in part because most of the people have heard it all before, and know — or at least think they know — what to do in an emergency. The cruise… Continue reading Cruise Ships and Muster Stations

Cruising Notes from the Boats

The right price………………………………………….………………………$639 December 19, 2010: 7-day Christmas cruise on the MSC Poesia Departure: Fort Lauderdale round-trip to Western Caribbean Ports: Key West, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel Bonuses: 3-category upgrade; 2nd cabin price $324 Contact: MSC * * * In light of the fire on the Carnival Splendor this week,the knee-jerk reaction is that… Continue reading Cruising Notes from the Boats

Cruising Notes from the Ecstasy

The right price………………………………………………………$626 November 14, 2011: 6 days    Departure: Galveston, TX, round-trip to Mexico First U.S. cruise for Carnival’s new Magic Bonus: $75 on-board credit with Early Saver Rate Contact: Carnival Cruise Lines or 1-888-227-6482 * * * On the streets of Cozumel, we were approached this week by a cheery young entrepreneur pitching the… Continue reading Cruising Notes from the Ecstasy