Let's Cruise!

Panama Canal Expansion Project

We just went through 3 locks in the Panama Canal and are currently cruising in Gatun Lake!    It's an awesome cruise and going through the canal is just as exciting this time as the first time we came through.

Since 1914 when the Panama Canal first opened it's popularity has grown to see 14,000 ships each year pass through it.  It has always been billed as one of the "Engineering Marvels of the World."  However, with the huge amount of traffic continually growing and the ship builders building bigger mega-ships, Panama has started to work on an expansion plan that should be completed in 2014.  The program will add a third passageway to accomodate the new larger ships.  The plan also includes adding 2 new 3-chamber locks at either end of the canal and 2 new navigational channels to connect the new locks to existing channels.  The "mules" or electric locomotives will be replaced with tugboats.  When completed the changes will double the canal's annual capacity.

NCL - Freestyle Cruising

 On Norwegian Cruise Line, you can eat where you want, when you want and with whom you want.  For those of you who hate to "dress up" this is the cruise line for you, because you can dress the way you want.  NCL has no set dining times or dress codes.  At the end of your cruise you can also get off the ship whenever you like.

Most people are aware of NCL'S freestyle cruising program, but I'll bet most of you haven't heard that NCL offers Union Discounts!  Norwegian Cruise Lines offers union members 5% on all sailings and up to 30% on select sailings.

Here are a few more facts on NCL that may be a surprise to you.  They operate the only deep-sea U.S. flag cruise ship in the industry.  They sail to over 150 ports of call on 5 continents.  Their fleet is relatively new and consists of 15 ships.  They were the first cruise line to offer a bowling alley at sea and an Internet cafe.

For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line go to:  www.ncl.com or check with your travel agent.

Cruise Ship Job Scams

  Working on a cruise ship is a very exciting job, however it's also extremely difficult to land one of these jobs.  There are literally dozens of scam artists out there that make lots of money off job seekers by promising them positions that don't even exist!  There are many known schemes from Ghana and Malaysia and they change their names weekly.  Job seekers are asked to send them an application fee of about $59.  Once they received your money you "may" receive a brochure or a promise to put your name on a list.  That's it !  No job!

The best way to get a job on a cruise ship is "word of mouth".  Another good way is through hiring agents that assist cruise lines to recruit prospective employees.  These agencies do NOT charge any up-front fees.  If they like your resume, then you will be asked to be interviewed and a reference check will be done.  IF your lucky enough to be hired there is orientation followed by an intense training period.  Cruise lines usually offer 6 month contracts to their employees.

The Art of Towel Animals

 Not only are your cabin stewards extremely good at keeping your cabin in first rate shape, but they are also very talented at creating awesome creatures out of your cabin towels.  Each night your on board it's a surprise what you will find in your cabin staring at you.  My all time favorite was an orangutan hanging from the ceiling with my sun shades on.  We have had elephants, sting rays, swans and bunnies, just to name a few.  However, we have had a couple of creations where we had no idea what they were.  It was a toss up one night, if it was a dead fish on our bed or your brain on drugs!

Some waiters make napkin animals at your dining room table that are also quite impressive.  They're not easy to make, I've tried!  On one cruise we decided to have a contest at our dining room table of who could create the best napkin creation on the last night of our cruise.  I've never laughed so hard in my life, trying to guess what each one was!  Jerri won with her interpretation of a bird.  It may have been an extinct species, but it definitely had "wings."  Good Job Jerri!

Happy New Year

  The wonder of a new year beckons, and all our quiet hopes are born anew.

I wish all of you a world filled with love, peace, prosperity, health and happiness.

My thoughts and best wishes will be with you all through the New Year and always.

It's a New Year!  Capture the Magic!

Thoughts.......by Mark Twain

  Thoughts.....  Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.      Explore.  Dream.  Discover.             Mark Twain

Ten Helpful Cruise Tips

  1.  Join the frequent cruiser program.  This is usually free and your benefits increase with each cruise you take with that cruise line.

2.  After booking your cruise, make sure you pre-register on line early.  This will save you lots of time when you actually check on board.

3.  Book excursions early, they fill up quickly.

4.  Bring binoculars and a camera, those two are a must.

5.  Punch a hole in your key card and hang it around your neck.  This will leave your hands free and no need for pocketbooks or purses.

6.  When going ashore at each port, make sure you return to the ship at least one hour before it's scheduled to leave.  If you get left behind, your only option is to hire a small plane (at your expense) to get you to your next port.

7.  Don't eat or drink any of the local foods or beverages at any of the ports.  Most ships offer their passengers bottles of water as you get off the ship for a small fee.

8.  Have fun and party on your cruise, but also practice moderation when it comes to drinking all those "cute little umbrella drinks."

9.  Walkie-Talkies...... the latest craze is to have a couple of walkie-talkies on board to keep in touch with the people your with.  Most ships nowadays are quite large and almost impossible to find someone when you need to.

10.  On the last night of your cruise, you have to pack your bags and place them outside your cabin door to be picked up.  Don't forget to leave something unpacked to wear home!  It's quite embarrassing to have to dis-embark your ship in Mickey Mouse pajamas!

Seniors - Retire and Live on a Cruise Ship

  There once was an old lady who lived in a shoe.    NO - she actually lived on a cruise ship!  She said living on a ship was cheaper than living at a retirement home.  The average cost for a nursing home is $200. per day.  The average cost on a cruise ship is $135. a day.  Think about this:  you get free shampoo, soap and toothpaste.  You also receive clean sheets and towels every day.  There's always a doctor on board and most likely a dentist also.  There are numerous amenities and don't forget, when you die, they just dump you overboard!   NO charge!

Disney Cruise Line Has Cell Phone Service At Sea

 The good news is:  Passengers on Disney Cruise Lines are now offered cell phone service at sea.  Subscribers of Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless, A.T. & T. Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile and Alltell are all supported on this network.

The bad news is:  Guests who use this service are billed by their cell phone provider and rates vary.  The ships network is enabled while the ship is at sea, however the network is disabled while in port.  Also, this is only available in guest staterooms.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

  May you have the gladness of Christmas, which is HOPE.

The sprite of Christmas, which is PEACE.

The heart of Christmas, which is LOVE.

And may all of you be warmed by the celebration of the season!