Cruise Port Profile of the Day--Victoria BC

Victoria is the provincial capital of British Columbia, and is the main city on Vancouver Island. Between the months of May and October each year, the city is also a hub for visits from Alaska cruisers.

Sightseeing in Victoria: All cruise lines that make port in Victoria have shore excursions from which you can choose, but it is also easy to "do the city" and surroundings on your own, as the cruise terminal is only a little over a mile from city center, an easy walk for most, or an inexpensive taxi ride for those who chose not to walk. One of the main landmarks in City Centre is the Empress Hotel, seen in the photo above. If you are lucky enough to be on one of the ships that makes port during day time hours, make sure to make it to the Empress for afternoon high tea.

The Royal British Columbia Museum is well worth the visit, including a number of exhibits on culture and BC's First Peoples. New to the museum is the BC Experience, a multimedia interactive guide to Victoria. Also nearby are Craigdarroch Castle and the gorgeous Butchart Gardens, both of which feature unforgettable scenic beauty.

Outdoor and Adventure Activities: Whale watching and sea kayaking are popular activities in Victoria during the summer months, and local resident pods of orca are usually seen at this time. If you are a confirmed cyclist, bicycles may be rented for your exploration of the city.

Dining: The aforementioned Empress Hotel has several good dining venues and, again, if you are in the hotel near the 4:00 hour, be sure to make reservations for high tea. This British afternoon tradition is more like a light meal than just "tea and crumpets" and the Empress does it extremely well. If you are more the pub type, be sure to visit the Snug Pub at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, where you can sample the multiplicity of ales and traditional pub food available, as well as whale watch from an outside deck.

Shopping: No port profile would be complete without suggesting various places to shop while in town, and Victoria is replete with possibilities for those who like to indulge in the sport of "competitive shopping" whilst on vacation. If you like authentic native arts, be sure to visit Eagle Feather First Nations' gallery. Also downtown is the Bay Centre, which has a number of gift stores all in one place. And don't forget to visit Chinatown for Asian Pacific items.

Ship Profile of the Day--Norwegian Spirit

Today we will profile the Norwegian Spirit, one of Norwegian Cruise Lines ships positioned year round in New York City.

Spirit, formerly known as the Starship Leo when she was a part of Star Cruises' (NCL's parent company) fleet, was transferred to the US Market in 2004; and underwent a minor refurbishment at that time.

• Staterooms: Spirit boasts over 600 oceanview staterooms, 65% of which have balconies. She also has 18 suite staterooms. Total complement of staterooms is as follows: inside 374, oceanview 217, oceanview with balcony 374, penthouse suites 16, and owners' suites 2. Most staterooms are done in cherrywood, and feature an in-cabin coffee maker.
• Public Rooms: Spirit has enough public spaces to avoid that cramped feeling that you often have on a mid to larger sized cruise ship. Notable are the two deck main showroom, the Stardust Theater; the shopping arcade, jogging and walking tracks, conference and meeting facilities, and a good selection of bars and lounges.
• Dining: Being Norwegian Cruise Lines, Spirit uses their Freestyle concept, in which guests can determine where, when and with whom they will dine throughout the entire cruise. I personally can say that, having once experienced this type of dining, I find it hard to return to the traditional method of two seatings for meals and look for a cruise and cruise line that offer this concept (though other lines have different names for it) when choosing my vacation options. Aside from the two "traditional" type dining venues, the ship has a number of specialty restaurants, some of which do have a per person service charge, but others of which are free. There is also a 24 hour buffet venue, as well.
• Itineraries: Spirit offers a variety of Caribbean itineraries, ranging from 7 to 11 days, depending on the time of year.

For more information, or to book a cruise aboard Norwegian Spirit, feel free to contact me at any time.

Cruise Ship Consumer Fact Sheet

Cruise Ship Consumer Fact Sheet

I think that one thing all of us are, and should be, concerned about is how safe the vessel that we are sailing on is. What is the ship's safety rating, and how is it determined?

This fact sheet describes how any ship that sails into or out of US waters, whether US flagged or not (and the only US flagged cruise ships at this time are sailing in Hawaiian waters only), are inspected and what is looked for.

The US Public Health Service has responsibility for monitoring outbreaks of illness on cruise ships, and you can check their sanitation scores prior to sailing.

I'm sure that everyone has heard about several recent instances of cruise ship accidents and fires, and wonders about the safety of taking a cruise. Considering the sheer numbers of people that embark on cruise vacations every year, the odds of being involved in an accident or incident are roughly the same as those enjoyed by the airlines (i.e. not reallly high). I would, though, encourage you to do your due diligence when making a cruise decision--look for the cruise lines and ships with the highest sanitation ratings and lowest rates of incidents/accidents--the same as you would with any other major purchase.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Great "Last Minute" Hawaii Cruise--7 Nights Including Air and 2 Night Pre or Post-Cruise Hotel Stay

If you are able to make travel decisions on fairly short notice, Norwegian Cruise Lines America (NCLA) is offering a great deal for a 7 night Hawaii cruise, departing 18 December 2006, which includes airfare and a 2 night pre or post-cruise hotel stay in Honolulu.

Inside cabins from $1199.00, oceanview cabins from $1299.00, balcony cabins from $1699.00 and suites from $1999.99. Pride of Hawaii is NCLA's newest ship, having made her maiden voyage earlier this year. She is American flagged and American crewed; and you just can't beat this price for an all inclusive cruise vacation (again, it includes air fare, your seven night cruise, and a two pre or post-cruise stay in Honolulu)! Specific ship and itinerary information is avaiable.

This offer is capacity controlled, and subject to availability, and must be booked by 25 August 2006. If you are interested in seeing what cabins are available, contact me as soon as possible.

Today's Featured Cruise Port of Call--Sitka AK

The picture that you see to the left is a sunset in beautiful Sitka Alaska, taken on my last visit there in 2004.

Sitka is a town of multiple heritage--Russian, American and Tlingit--and well worth a visit. Sitka is accessible only by air or by water. Since this is primarily a cruise related publication, we will address the water borne possibilities of your visit to Sitka.

Sitka can be reached either by cruise ship (several cruise lines include Sitka as a port of call) or by a trip on the Alaska Marine Highway, which is an inter and intrastate ferry line, and which serves Sitka with three different types of vessels--large coastal ferries, smaller intervillage/interisland vessels, and a fast ferry from Juneau that runs several times per week.

Things to See While in Sitka:

• Sitka National Historical Park: On the site of the Battle of 1804--fought between the Russians and the Tlingit peoples--this park houses a number of both historical and modern totems, craft workshops with demonstrations by local artisans, and spectacular scenery.
• "The Russian Bishop's House": Constructed in 1842 for the local Russian Orthodox bishop, this house has been restored to nearly original condition, and is one of only a few surviving structures from the years of Russian occupation of Alaska. There is a museum in the lower portions of the building, and the living quarters upstairs are furnished with period pieces.
• Alaska Raptor Center: The Center was created as a place where injured birds of prey could be brought for restorative veterinary care. Once treated, they are released back to the wild or, if that is not possible, placed in an appropriate zoo setting or kept in the inhouse collection. The birds can be seen up close in several different exhibits and lecture settings. Well worth the visit.
• St. Michael's Cathedral: A "working" Russian Orthodox church, St. Michael's is open to the public during weekday hours (9 am to 4 pm) in the summer time. There are a number of classic icons. A donation of $2 per person is requested.
• Sitka Tribe Dancers: Dance performances are held at the community center, and include at least three dances and an oral history during a 30 minute show. One can also sign up for tours and other activities in the lobby while there.

Sitka is well worth the visit. Make your plans today, and seek the assistance of a travel agent knowledgeable about the area.

Ship Profile of the Day--Celebrity Infinity

Today, I will profile Celebrity Cruise Line's Infinity, one of their Millenium class vessels.

General Information: At 91,000 gross registered tons, the Infinity is not quite in the current "megaship" classification, but not far from it. She features large staterooms, public areas resplendent with glass and teak accents, and facilities/amenities well worth the trip.

Itineraries: Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, and South America.

Staterooms: Infinity boasts 975 total cabins. Of these, 785 are oceanview and, of that number, 582 have a verandah/balcony. The smallest of the interior staterooms is 170 square feet in size; with a minibar, sitting area/sofa and TV. Oceanview staterooms without balcony average about 191 square feet in size, and those with balcony about 271 square feet. Suite staterooms vary in size depending upon category and amenities, which may include: whirlpool tubs (some with a second whirlpool on the balcony), VCR's and walk-in closets. The suites include two of apartment size (1472 square feet each), and have: separate living and dining areas, foyer, grand piano, butler's pantry, bedroom, exercise equipment, outbound fax, and motorized drapes. 26 of the ship's cabins are wheelchair accessible and, from having shared one of these with a family member, I can attest that they are well laid out and easily maneuverable.

Public Rooms: Since pictures are better than 1,000 words, may I suggest that you visit our Infinity photo gallery to see some of these for yourself. From the artworks on the walls to the variety of public rooms available, Infinity is in a class of her own.

Ambience/Onboard Life: Celebrity is one of the more "formal" cruise lines. Seven day cruises generally feature two formal nights, and dressing for dinner in the dining rooms is expected on a daily basis. There are, however, more casual dining alternatives available for those who so desire, even on formal nights. Dining is the traditional two seating format, with tables and tablemates assigned and permanent for the duration of the voyage. If you are a first seating type of person (i.e. you prefer to dine at 6:00 p.m. rather than about 7:30 or so), book early because first seating sells out rapidly. You can always ask to go on a waiting list, as well, if you are not assigned first seating at the time of booking.

There are plenty of activities available for non-port hours from enrichment programs to spa/workout times to Broadway style shows, and everything in between. Boredom is not likely to be a companion on a cruise aboard Infinity.

Shore Excursions: For those who prefer to use the shore excursions provided by the cruise line, Celebrity has a wide variety available, at a cost that ranges from reasonable to very expensive, depending upon your needs and wishes. It is possible to book shore excursions in advance, and the line provides a detailed description and price list for all shore excursions available on a particular itinerary on their website .

If there are any questions that I can answer for you about Celebrity in general, or Infinity in particular, feel free to browse my website or contact me by e-mail.

Happy cruising!

How Should I Go About Picking a Cruise?

Now that you have decided that you are ready to try a cruise vacation, the next questions is how to go about picking the best cruise to fit your needs and desires. We will outline a few of the best ways to go about it in this article.

• Pick a travel agent to assist you. While it may be OK to "go it on your own" after your first cruise, you will need someone to guide you through the waters, so to speak, for the first one, in order to ensure that you make the best decision. It is best to pick either a cruise-only agent from a "brick and mortar" agency, or at least one of the cruise only online agencies. With these professionals, you will get the best knowledge base as well as access to the best price specials.
• Decide where and when you want to go, and where you would like to leave from. If your profession limits you to travel in only certain parts of the year, you may have fewer destinations to choose from than if you can leave anytime or on short notice, because a number of destinations--like Alaska, for example--have a limited cruising season. The warmer climes, such as the Caribbean and Hawaii are generally available year round; while Europe and Antartica have shorter seasons.
• Who all will be going? Do any of them have special needs? The vast majority of ships (but not all) have activity programs for the younger set that will help to keep them occupied during at sea days. Most of the larger ships have accessible cabins for those who need them, and excellent medical staffs to assist with any health related issues that may arise during the course of the cruise; but it is important to know that any special needs can be met prior to putting your money down for the cruise passage.
• Having chosen a general destination, get down to specifics. Which ports within the area do you want to see? Which of the shore excursions offered by either the cruise line or outside providers might you want to partake of? What size ship are you interested in, and what sort of onboard facilities and amenities might you want or need? Are you a "party animal" or do you go on vacation to rest and read a book?
• Figure out your cruise budget. The earlier you can book your cruise, the more of a price break you are likely to get. The season in which you travel, the itinerary you choose, the length of the cruise, and the type of stateroom that you are interested in all factor into the price. You also need to budget for: shore excursions, alcoholic or specialty beverages/dining programs, gratuities, port fees and taxes, air fare if not using a cruise line's air inclusive program, shopping if you are so inclined, and just plain unforeseen expenses.
• Does it matter to you what types of fellow passengers you will be traveling with? Some destinations and cruise lines cater to the middle aged to senior set, others to younger. If you are a young single, couple or family and are used to being within your own age group, you may not be particularly happy on a cruise where most of your fellow travelers remind you of your parents (and the reverse is equally true). Cruising is all about having fun, and it can be difficult to do that if you are either bored or uncomfortable with those around you.
• How "laid back" do you want to be? Almost every ship has at least one formal night per sailing, but on some ships they are mandatory, while on others they are strictly voluntary. If you think getting dressed to the nines and strutting your stuff sounds like great fun, then look for one of the cruise lines that does formal night up right. If you are like me, and think that the extent of formal night is to get dressed up and get your formal picture taken, then head right back to the cabin to change and go to one of the specialty dining rooms, you may want to go with one of the cruise lines that has "freestyle" (Norwegian Cruise Lines) or "personal choice" (Princess Cruises) type dining. Bear in mind, though, that ALL ships have a dress code of one sort or another, and you will want to find out what it is before making a final decision on your cruise vacation.
• Watch one or more cruise videos/DVD's before making a final decision. Almost all of the cruise lines put out videos (shot aboard ship during actual cruises) that will give you an idea if the amenities and destinations of that particular itinerary will really be of interest to you. Most "brick and mortar" travel agencies have videos that they will be happy to loan to you to assist in your decision making. If you are using an internet agency, your local public library is also likely to have these videos. You can also obtain them directly from the cruise line.

If there are any other questions that you would like to have answered about the decision making process, feel free to leave them in a comment here, or go to the online chat room at my website, and I will be happy to assist you (or direct you to someone who can). Happy Cruising, my friends!

Cruise Info for Beginners: Cruise Ship Sickness Outbreaks

Cruise Info for Beginners: Cruise Ship Sickness Outbreaks

Having been the victim of a Noro virus on a cruise myself, I can heartily applaud the notion that everyone should take responsibility to ensure proper handwashing technique, and self quarantining if symptoms develop after sailing.

As a health care provider, I can't say enough about how important this is. Noro is not (usually) a serious condition unless you are very young, very old, or debilitated from an illness. But it IS horrendously uncomfortable, and dehydration is very likely if you are unable to keep fluids down. Seeking immediate medical attention at the first signs of illness is important, as is following the instructions of the medical staff (including cabin quarantine). You won't starve if you have to stay in your cabin--they will bring you the diet prescribed by the medical staff.

You might miss some of the ports of call, but it is quite possible to extend the length of the symptoms if strict adherence to medical advice does not occur.

That being the case, wash or sanitize your hands early and often, and don't expose others if you do come down with symptoms.

Why Should I Take a Cruise Vacation? Tips for First Time Cruisers

Despite the many thousands of people who cruise annually, there are actually more people out there who have NOT ever taken a cruise vacation and, in fact, may never have considered doing so for a variety of reasons. That being the case, I'm here to give you a number of reasons why you should consider taking your first cruise vacation, and sooner than later.

• Cost Effectiveness: When you go on a resort or other type of vacation, you have to look at all sorts of costs involved, such as: air fare, hotel room(s), meals, entertainment, rental car, et cetera. When you go on a cruise, the vast majority of your costs are included. Of course, there are some things that you will pay for on a case by case basis, but only if you choose to use the service(s), such as: the spa, alcoholic beverages, specialty restaurants and shore excursions. Otherwise, one price buys your stateroom, entertainment and dining.
• Cruising for Couples: Whether you are an engaged or newlywed couple looking for a romantic honeymoon experience, or a long married or committed couple looking for a way to reinforce or rekindle the romance, cruising is an excellent option. There are cruises available for every interest: exotic destinations with secluded beaches, Hawaii, remote South America, the cosmopolitan cities of Europe and the Mediterranean, the fabulous frontiers of Alaska--just about anywhere you might want to go, and anything you want to do.
• Cruising for the Cuisine: No matter if you are a gourmet with a sophisticated palate or just someone who loves a good meal, cruising has something for you. Holland America Lines has started a demonstration program called "culinary arts center" where renowned culinary artists come aboard the ship and do demonstration cooking in a special culinary arts center similar to the sets you see when you watch the Food Network and other cooking shows. All ships have a variety of dining options--from the buffet line to the specialty gourmet restaurant--sue to please even the most discriminating diner.
• Variety: Were you to live to be over 100 years old, it would be nearly impossible to take a cruise on every ship, every cruise line, and every itinerary available (unless, of course, you go on a different one every week starting in your youth, then it might be possible to accomplish the feat). Take a moment to think of someplace you have always wanted to go, no matter how exotic or off the beaten path. Chances are there is a cruise itinerary that includes the locale of your dreams, and a ship that will meet your expectations.
• Activities: If you are one of those people who loves to cram every waking moment of your vacation with something different, cruising provides you with a multitude of opportunities to do exactly that. Shopping, shore excursions, spa and workout routines, Broadway type shows, first run movies, cultural lectures, port talks, art auctions, dancing, gaming, lectures by naturalists or area historians, or just plain "chilling out" and watching the stars go by from a secluded part of the deck--they are all available to you on a cruise.
• Cruising for Families: Just because you have children (even very young ones) does not mean that you cannot take a cruise vacation. Most of the cruise ships that you may book have children's programs for children from about two years of age on through teenagers, with special age-appropriate activities. One cruise line--Disney--is geared to families with children. Babysitting is available on most ships as well, for those occasions when parents want a bit of alone time while traveling with their offspring. Dining rooms have childrens' menus, as well, with items more commonly chosen by younger diners.
• Pampering: Most of us, I'm sure, have seen the Celebrity Cruise Lines ads where they indicate that passengers are treated like royalty (and may have a difficult time returning to their "normal lives" after the cruise is over). The average crew to passenger ratio is 1 crewmember per 2 passengers. And you WILL be treated like royalty, believe it. You will have a cabin steward/ess to see to your needs on a nearly 24 hour per day basis; 24 hour room service; and much more.
• Buyer Satisfaction: Cruise vacations have the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any type of vacation experience.

If you are thinking about taking a cruise and want more information, be sure to visit a cruise specialist who can help you to make the best choice for your budget, circumstances and interests.