Let's Cruise!

Disney Names Two New Ships

This month at the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders at the Walt Disney Company they announced the names of their two new ships.  Robert A. Iger, Disney President and CEO announced "The Disney Dream will sail on 2011 and Disney Fantasy will hit the high seas in 2012."  Their names were chosen to celebrate Disney's unique heritage of creating enchanting places and stories where dreams come true!

The new ships will be built at the Meyer Werft ship yard in Papenburg, Germany.  They will be built with families in mind.  Each ship will have 1,250 staterooms and double their capacity for Disney Cruise Lines.

For more information you may visit:  www.disneycruise.com     

Senior Citizens Can Now Live On A Cruise Ship

 Seniors can now live on a cruise ship for less money than independent-living facilities charge.  Waterfront Lifestyles International is currently taking reservations for retirement condos on the "Alegria."  This is a mid-size cruise ship that is home based in Port Canaveral, Florida.  The prices for an individual condo cabin range from $159,000. for a single room to $399,000. for a larger suite.  There will be a nominal residents care monthly fee that will cover all operating expenses such as:  fuel, maintenance, insurance, 3 meals daily, port fees, medical center and housekeeping.  On the Alegria the residents actually own the ship.  It will make monthly sailings to the Bahamas.

The ship has a spa, workout room, gift shop, dining room, beauty shop, library and resident storage area.  It also has twelve inside cabins that owners friends and relatives can use at no charge, and this includes their meals!

Waterfront Lifestyles International is based in Florida.  Although, the ship in Port Canaveral is the company's first, it expects to offer additional retirement ships in Tampa, Jacksonville, Palm Beach and Sarasota.

This article was found on www.cruiseindustrywire.com    

Top 10 Questions Asked On A Cruise Ship

 
1.  Does this ship have cable t.v. ?

2.  How does the Captain know where to go?

3.  Is an outside cabin outside the ship?

4.  What time is the 2:00 o'clock tour?

5.  When the Captain if sleeping, who is steering the ship?

6.  The photographer took our picture, which one's are ours?

7.  Can we ski off the back of the ship?

8.  Do you have cruises going to Las Vegas?

9.  What elevation are we at?

10.  If it's raining will we get wet in an outside cabin? 

MSC to Host Finals of "Miss Italia USA 2009"

Yesterday on the beautiful MSC Orchestra it hosted the "Miss Italia USA 2009" finals.  The winner was crowned on-board and will travel to Italy in June.  She will then compete against 49 other winners from around the world for the title of "Miss Italia Del Mondo 2009."

The March 21 sailing is round-trip from Fort Lauderdale and will visit ports in the Western Caribbean and Key West, Florida.

I have been unable to find the results of this contest, so if anyone knows the name of the lucky lady who was chosen please let me know by way of clicking on the "comment" section of this post,  thank you.

How Safe is the Gulf of Aden for Cruise Ships

  BULLETIN:  Somali Pirates seized a Greek freighter in the Gulf of Aden!  The ship was carrying iron to Korea when it was seized yesterday.

Lately, there have been numerous stories of pirates seizing ships in the Gulf of Aden.  These pirates are part of a large operation on the Somali Coast.  They're only interested in making money!  They first decide which ships would be the easiest and most profitable to take then they make their move.  They capture a ship, hold it for ransom, get paid and let it go.  Cruise ships don't really fit into this category.  Slow moving cargo ships are their primary target.  Cruise ships are built differently and even if the pirates get alongside of one, they are not easy to board.  Cruise ships also have a much larger security force to defend themselves than a cargo ship would have.  It is also believed that many cruise lines have a state of the art defense system, that we are not aware of and won't divulge what that system is for security reasons.  Cruise lines would never travel in an area that would put their passengers at risk, so if they should go through the Gulf of Aden they must believe the risk to their ships and passengers is minimal.

TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Announce a Joint Venture

TUI and Royal Caribbean Cruises announced a joint venture to serve the German Cruise Market.  Both partners will hold a 50% interest in the joint venture.  TUI Cruises will begin with one ship in 2009 and they asked the public "What should the first ship be called?"  More than 11,000 people sent in 30,000 ideas.  One of the most frequent suggested name and the winner was  "MEIN SCHIFF".  ( The name translated is MY SHIP)  She will be christened May 15, 2009.

"We are thrilled to partner with a company as highly regarded as TUI AG" said Royal Caribbean chairman and CEO Richard Fain.  Plans call for the new cruise line to be based in Hamburg, Germany.

Costa Cruise Contest for Past Guests

 Costa Cruises is having a "Buon Appetito" culinary contest, however you must be a past guest to enter.  Between February 17 and April 17,2009 guests who have sailed with Costa may enter by visiting www.costacruises.comand submitting an entry detailing their favorite Costa dining experience or dish in 300 words or less.  One winner will be selected by a Costa panel based on creativity and style.  The winner will win a cruise aboard the new Costa Pacifica.  The winner will be selected on or about May 17,2009 and be notified via mail.

Cruise.com Has Double Digit Sales Growth

 Cruise.com is one of the largest Internet cruise sellers and has just reported their 4th quarter sales are the best in over ten years.  The company is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and "Sales are well beyond our expectations for the 4th quarter," said Anthony Hamaway, President of Cruise.com.  The company has just begun a nationwide search to fill new job openings created by demand.

I can personally attest to the fact that this is an excellent company to do business with.  A year ago we booked a group cruise, ( consisting of 24 people ) with them and they took excellent care with each and every person.  We were all extremely pleased with their service to us and would definitely go through them again.

A Boat, a Lady and One Dead Bird

A lady on a cruise bought a parrot on an island stop and took it back to the ship.  After two days at sea the lady found her new friend laying on it's back - feet pointed straight up.

She hailed the ship's doctor, "Please help my friend," wailed the lady.  "I'm sorry the bird is quite dead" said the doctor.   "No, no....it can't be," cried the lady.

The doctor called in his own pet, a Labrador retriever, which sniffed the bird, shook his head and walked out.

Next, the doctor called in his cat which carefully walked a circle around the bird and walked out.

"No doubt about it", said the doctor, "That is a dead bird!"

The doctor reached for his pen and pad.  He wrote out a bill and handed it to the lady.  "Eight hundred dollars?" cried the lady.

"That's correct! I'm charging you for three procedures.  There is my opinion, a lab report and a cat scan.

Love Me Tender Cruise

  If you're an Elvis lover, then this is the cruise for you!  There are lots of "theme cruises" coming in 2009 and one of the best is the "Elvis - Love Me Tender Cruise."  Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas is offering a 9-night sailing ( July 30 - August 8 ) from Baltimore to the Eastern Caribbean dedicated to "ELVIS."  There will be Elvis talent contests, trivia contests and a celebration of the King's greatness.  Rates start at $1,199. per person.  For more information you can call Royal Caribbean at:  1-800-256-6649