The class of ’12 is almost complete. With the arrival of the Carnival Breeze in Miami yesterday, there's only one new ship left to make its debut this year (debut being an operative word, since a ship's arrival is incomplete until it has touched down in North America). Yesterday, the Breeze was as much… Continue reading New Ship 'Breezes' into Miami
Economy Moves Carnival in Europe
With all the reports about Europe's economy over the past couple of years, it was only a matter of time before it showed up in cruising. Cruise lines can run from the facts but they can't hide…and not just because their revenue generators weigh thousands of tons and carry around whole towns of people. Enter… Continue reading Economy Moves Carnival in Europe
Cruise Tip: Use Travel Agents
We confess. We haven't used travel agents often enough, and probably never will. Old habits are hard to change. However, especially if you're cruising for the first time (and maybe even if you're not), consulting a travel agent is one wise move. Why? There are things about cruises that make it a different kind of… Continue reading Cruise Tip: Use Travel Agents
Houston: Return of the Ships
A white elephant turned green last week. The much-maligned, little-used cruise port terminal in Houston is going to get busy. More importantly, it's going to get cruise ships that will make it busy. For three years, the state-of-the-art terminal has been empty. When something costs more than a $100 million and it's empty, this is… Continue reading Houston: Return of the Ships
Special Help for Special Needs
We're heading into the time of year when everybody feels a little trapped and in need of an escape. Say, a Caribbean cruise. Imagine how people who feel a little trapped all the time by wheelchairs or oxygen tanks or medical conditions can be intimidated by the prospect of negotiating a path to a… Continue reading Special Help for Special Needs