The Evolution of Cruising

And now for a little bit of the history of Cruising.

In 1839 Samuel Cunard and his British North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, started the first mail service between Liverpool and Boston. About one year later Cunard decided he wanted a share in the transatlantic passenger trade and Cunard Line was born. Cunard Line’s Brittania set sail on its first passenger voyage on July 4th, 1840 from England. There were 63 passengers on the inaugural sailing including Samuel Cunard and his daughter. The ship successfully sailed into Boston Harbor 13 days later and from this humble beginning the cruise business was born. Cunard Line grew throughout the latter part of the 19th century with regularly scheduled service to New York.

Another cruise line that was formed at the end of the 19th century was Holland America. Founded in 1873, under the name Netherlands-America Steamship Company, a shipping and passenger line, Holland America sailed its first ship, the original Rotterdam, on a 15-day maiden voyage from the Netherlands to New York City. The Rotterdam not only carried passengers, she also transported tons of cargo including flower bulbs, herring and gin.

By the early 20th century the concept of the superliner was developed and the Lusitania and the Mauretania took to the sea. These two 30,000 ton liners with propulsion engines were designed to minimize the discomfort of ocean travel through elegant accommodations and planned activities. These two ships started the tradition of dressing for dinner and advertised the romance of the voyage. Traveling across the North Atlantic now took only five or six days instead of 13 or 14 days on the old steam ships. The early 20th century also brought in other European lines, including the German Hamburg American Line and the French Line.

The introduction of these new ships also brought with them a class of service system which was broken down to 1st class, 2nd class and steerage. First class passengers were often the idle rich, wealthy business barons, highly paid entertainers and the like. Second class passengers were mostly white collar workers and steerage was offered to the relatively poor.

The years between 1920 and 1940 were considered the most glamorous years for transatlantic passenger ships. During the 1930’s ship size increased to 70,000 – 80,000 gross tonnage and French Line’s Normandie and Cunard-White Star Line’s Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth came into service. America’s first entry was the S.S. United States in 1952, and was the fastest liner at that time. Ships had now become more like floating hotels and catered to the rich and famous with lavish accommodations, elegant food and on-board activities.

The war times were tough on the cruise industry. World War I and II interrupted the building of new cruise ships, and many of the older liners were used as troop transports. Transatlantic sailings were also put on hold until World War II was over. After the war ship building picked up again, but this time in addition to the luxurious amenities, ships were designed according to specifications for possible conversion into troop carriers. 1958 brought on the end of the transatlantic business for many ocean liners with the increase in air travel and the first non-stop flight to Europe. Many passenger ships were sold and a number of lines went bankrupt.

The first modern cruise line was establish in the 1960s by Ted Arison and Knut Kloster who offered fair weather cruising to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean under the name of Norwegian Caribbean Line which later evolved to Norwegian Cruise Line. Hence a new cruise line image was born, one that offered fun in the sun for every class of people. Soon to follow were Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line.

Following the modern cruise lines debut in the Caribbean, world cruising opened up to include Alaska, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Orient & Europe. As early as the 1960s Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 and Holland America Line’s Rotterdam V started sailing annual 3 month World Cruises. Starting in the 1970s cruise ships were being designed with modern innovations in mind making them more stable, adding more public rooms and providing more stateroom amenities.

The 21st century cruising experience now includes multiple dining options, state of the art health and fitness venues, Las Vegas and Broadway-style shows, world-wide itineraries, activities for both the young and old, and so much more!

With so many cruise lines and so many beautiful ships currently sailing or coming into service, its time for you to “evolve” into a modern day cruiser. Your Cruise Specialist is ready to bring you to the next level in cruising.

What are you Spending Your Stimulus Check on?

It's May 2008 and you know what that means, it's tax stimulus time. This gift from the government is being provided to get consumers spending. A recent Goldman Sacks report showed that stocks like Royal Caribbean are sure to benefit from these dollars as consumers seek out their next vacation or upgrade from an ocean view stateroom to a private balcony with their new found monies.

There are a lot of places to spend the stimulus monies like on a new sofa, paying down some credit card bills, doing some home repairs or getting away on an exciting cruise vacation. But how about spending it on all or at least some of those things? We have some amazing getaways that won't deplete your whole stimulus check.

Getaway with the whole family this summer for as little as $32 a person, a day (for a family of four). Norwegian Cruise Line just announced they are moving a ship to the Caribbean this summer that will sail 3- and 4-night cruises from Miami and for a limited time, Kids Sail Free. There are a number of other ships and itineraries to choose from for under $50 per person, per day. Sail a 4-night Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Imagination from Miami or sail a 5-night Bahamas cruise on the Carnival Fascination from Jacksonville. For under $60 per day you can sail a 4-night Baja Mexico cruise on the Carnival Paradise from Los Angeles, a 4-night Bahamas cruise on the Carnival Sensation from Port Canaveral, a 4- or 5-night Western Caribbean on the Carnival Holiday from Mobile, a 5-night Baja Mexico cruise on the Carnival Elation from San Diego, a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans, or a 7-night Florida & Bahamas cruise on the Norwegian Majesty from Charleston. How about sailing in a Balcony stateroom for under $100 per person, per day? You can on a number of 7-night Caribbean cruises on the Carnival Triumph, Liberty or Valor, on Carnival Spirit's 8-night Mexican Riviera cruises or on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas 12-night transatlantic cruise.

There are a ton of deals out there and your Cruise Specialist is just the person to find them for you. So when your stimulus check arrives, go ahead and use some of it to pay down your mortgage, or make a car payment, but be sure to keep just a little to spend on a holiday for yourself and your family. This might be the only time the government pays for your vacation.

Fantastic Opportunity from NCL!!

NCL Corp. will reflag and rename the Pride of Aloha and launch it as Norwegian Sky, offering three-day and four-day Bahamas cruises from Miami starting this summer. The 2,002-passenger ship, built in 1999, will be outfitted with Freestyle 2.0 enhancements. The vessel will be the youngest sailing short cruises to the Bahamas from Miami.

To welcome the ship to Miami, NCL is offering a "Kids Sail Free Summer Vacation" promotion for reservations on Norwegian Sky made from May 6 to May 31 for sailings taking place July 14 to September 26, 2008. Children ages six months to 17 years are eligible to sail free, although government taxes and fees and fuel supplement charges apply. Norwegian Sky four-day cruises will depart Miami on Mondays and make full-day stops at Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island. On Fridays, the ship will sail a three-day itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. Monday. These sailings are scheduled through April 17, 2009.

Norwegian Sky will enter a wet dock in Miami during which a casino will be added. In addition, the ship will receive the significant product and hardware upgrades that are part of the company's major fleetwide initiative, Freestyle 2.0. These enhancements include a major investment in the total dining experience such as all new menus and Lobster Galore, upgrading the stateroom experience, new onboard activities, and additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony and suite guests.

This is a fantastic opportunity for any of you families out there with young children to experience a shorter cruise vacation at an incredible price. The four-day sailings in particular have a great itinerary with stops in the Bahamas and a fabulous stop at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island.

Please remember there are only limited quad and triple cabins available on any ship, so you will need to make your reservations as soon as possible to ensure the availability. And, the program ends for good on May 31 so you will need to make reservations by then to qualify for this tremendous discount.

Cruise Travel Insurance – You Never Know What’s Out There

So, you are getting ready for your vacation. You’re bags are packed, your flights on time and the kids are waiting in the car cheering with excitement. You think to yourself, “This is going to be the best trip ever!” But you didn’t realize your luggage was about to get lost and you would end up having a mild heart attack on the cruise ship. Good thing you have travel insurance.

Trip Insurance is just like auto or home insurance. You hope you never have to use it but when you do, it’s important to have a good policy. No one starts off on vacation planning for something to go wrong, but each year thousands of travelers experience a problem along the way. Good travel insurance can help you visit the far flung corners of the world worry free.

If you become sick or injured on board a ship or in a foreign port of call, the cruise line has limited liability and responsibility to get you to the nearest emergency medical facility. They are not responsible for the costs incurred for medical treatment. While many foreign countries have excellent medical facilities, some are not up to normal U.S. standards. Patients and their families often desire to be transported back to the U.S. and if this involves an air ambulance the costs can run from $10,000 to over $100,000 depending on the circumstances. Air evacuation is generally covered under Trip Insurance policies.

Another popular feature of Trip Insurance is coverage for cancellation in the event of illness or injury prior to the departure. Most policies cover not only the travelers but also your immediate relatives. And your policy may even provide something called "pre-existing condition" coverage. This means that you may be eligible for coverage for medical conditions which exist before you depart on your trip. In this regard, timing of the purchase of the policy is critical to establish coverage applicability.

There are many additional benefits Trip Insurance offers including lost or delayed baggage, renter’s collision insurance, missed airline connection and more. Your Cruise Specialist can assist you in determining which Trip Insurance plan best suits your needs. Remember to carefully review all the details of your policy to insure that you have the limits and coverage needed to insure a stress free cruise. Proper insurance is the right way to start off your cruise, because you never know what’s out there.

Basic Cruise Packing List

Probably the number one question that comes up in my conversations with clients, expecially first-time cruisers is, "What should I pack for a cruise?" This is by no means a complete list for every cruise line and every passenger but it will serve a a good starting point. This is a basic list for a typical 7 day cruise. You will need to adjust accordingly.

Clothing

A Shirt for Every Day of the Vacation
2 to 3 Pairs of Pants/Skirts
Your Formal Night Outfit times 2 for a 7 day Cruise
Your Swimsuit
T-Shirts or Polo Shirts for Day Wear-For the Men
Comfortable Blouses for Day Wear-For the Women
Shorts for Day Wear
Cover-up for Swimsuit if Needed
Pajamas
Comfortable Shoes or Sneakers-Suitable for Walking
Flip-Flops or Sandals for the Pool or on Deck
Water Shoes-For Excursions if Needed
Dress Shoes for Formal Night
Underwear-1 per Day plus One Extra
Bras-1 per Day plus One Extra-For Women
Socks-1 per Day plus One Extra
Hose as needed for Women
Comfortable Hat or Visor
Lightweight Waterproof Jaket with Hood

Toiletries

Shampoo & Conditioner-As Desired, Most Cruise Lines Provide in Shower on Board
Soap-As Desired-again Most Cruise Lines provide
Deodorant
Makeup Essentials for the Women
Feminine Hygiene Products
Razor or Electric Shaver
Shaving Cream-if Needed
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Floss
Brush / Comb
Hair Care Products and Accessories
Nail File--Clippers
Tweezers
Germicidal Hand Cleaner
Dramamine of Other Sea Sickness Cure if Desired
Aspirin
Ear Plugs-if Needed
Prescription Drugs as Needed
Small First Aid Kit (pain reliever, band aids, histamine blocker)

Accessories

Sunglasses
Suntan Lotion
Aloe Vera Gel-For When you Forget the Sunscreed
Eyeglasses / Contacts-Consider an Extra Pair if Essential
Collapsible Tote Bag or Fanny Pack
Insulated Mugs-Hot Drinks Hot and Cold Drinks Cold to take Back to Room or to the Pool
Books
Camera / Film / Memory sticks
Binoculars
Snorkel and Mask-if Snorkeling
Underwater Camera
Games / MP3 Players
Playing Cards
Post-It Note Pad-To Leave Notes for your Cabin Steward
Small Flashlight-Just in Case
2 Watches (just in case one stops)
Jewelry
Alarm Clock / Batteries
Small Amount of Duct Tape-Roll some off the Big Roll onto itself-You will thank me when you need it for a minor repair to torn luggage, etc.
Power Strip-Most Cabins only have a Couple of Outlets
Bungee Cord-if you are in a Balcony Cabin-To Hold Door Open for the Wonderful Sea Air
Passport
Cruise Documents
Wallet with Credit Cards and a Little Cash for Tipping

Remember on most ships there are coin operated laundries available so if you need to you can do a load of clothes. Plus, most cruise lines have a laundry special on the second to last day of the cruise. You will not need to pack beach towels-the cruise ship will provide for you daily in your cabin. Above all, don't stress---Your on Vacation!! There is always the souvenier shop if you run out of clothes, I am sure they will sell you something to wear.

The Perils of Getting Sick Aboard a Cruise Ship

I am always looking for ways to educate my customers on the incredible benefit of travel protection insurance. Here is a fantastic post from Anne Campbell in her Cruising Blog. Please take heed of this valuable information.

Today on the Cruise Log, journalist Gene Sloan cites a report of a man getting kicked off a Carnival ship in Roatan, Honduras because he was sick. The unfortunate passenger had to pay thousands of dollars to get himself home in order to get the medical care he needed.

That’s the way all cruise lines handle passengers who are too ill to be treated by the ship’s medical staff. If you have travel insurance you’ll be lifted by air ambulance to the nearest U.S. or, if the distance is too great, best hospital in the region. If you don’t have travel insurance you can either pay $20,000 for an air ambulance or go to a local hospital.

This is why I believe you’re very foolish to travel anywhere outside the U.S. without purchasing travel insurance.

My father came down with the flu aboard Queen Elizabeth 2, spent days in bed with a nurse checking in on him frequently. If you come down with a virus like Norwalk, you’ll be confined to your cabin until you’re no longer contagious. Ships can handle viruses, a scraped knee and sunburn but little else.

Ships aren’t equipped to handle serious illness. There are no diagnostic tools, surgery or intensive care. While there is medicine for sea sickness and flu, not much else is available. Ships do have CPR machines but beyond temporarily stabilizing someone who suffers a heart attack, the staff can do little more.

A ship’s physician told me about a passenger whose life was saved because he had travel insurance. A passenger suffered a stroke and because he had travel insurance, the ship’s doctor was immediately patched through to a neurologist in Houston. An air ambulance quickly evacuated the passenger, taking him to a Texas hospital where he was successfully treated. However, if he hadn’t had insurance, the ship’s doctor would have had no choice but to put him ashore in the nearest port, Cartagena, Columbia, where, the doctor believed, he would have died.

I don’t know about you, but to me the thought of getting sick and being forced to go to a Third World hospital is terrifying.

Here’s another insider’s tip: Should the ship’s doctor make a misdiagnosis or provide poor treatment, forget trying to sue. Like the spa and gift shop, doctors and nurses are independent contractors. The cruise line doesn’t hire doctors and nurses; they are employed by outside employment agencies. Hence, the cruise line has no liability.

I hope I’ve scared you enough to get travel insurance before your next cruise. My favorite company is Travel Guard which you may purchase online or through travel agents.

Do you buy travel insurance? Have you ever had to use it?

Luxury Cruising-Is it for You?

Luxury cruising is not just about being pampered in paradise; it’s about unique, once in a lifetime experiences that will completely wow you. Many luxury cruise lines offer their own special “wow” factor, but it is up to you to choose what meets your fancy. Is it watching nature unfold on the plains of Africa or savoring vintage wines in the hills of Tuscany? Do want to explore the wild side of the Amazon or relax on a private Tahitian island? The possibilities are endless on a luxury cruise.

Discover the world of luxury cruising as you set sail across the sea. Sit back and relax as the staff attends to your every need. Spend your day exploring cities rich with culture and history while your evenings are filled with elaborate meals, top shelf drinks and world-class entertainment. Renew your soul at the spa or enrich your mind through education. From computer lessons to photography to cooking classes, you’ll not only discover new things off the ship you’ll also discover them onboard. But one of the best advantages of sailing on a smaller, luxury cruise is the simple fact that these intimate vessels can sail in and out of smaller ports, offering you less crowds and more intimate experiences on shore.

Simple touches can make such a difference between good and great! Luxury cruise lines pay so much attention to detail and layout, creating the perfect atmosphere for an unbelievable cruise experience. You’ll enjoy top of the line toiletries from leading brands like Acqua Di Parma in spacious bathrooms complete with twin sinks, a separate bathtub and shower, and terry cloth robes. Slumber on 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens; then wake up to breakfast served by your butler on your private wraparound teak veranda. Now that is cruising in style!

One of the greatest benefits of luxury cruising is the crew to guest ratio, which is most often 1 crew member to 2 guests, with some ships offering a 1 to 1 ratio. So, what does this mean for you? It means more personal attention and better service. When a crew member only has you and your traveling companion to tend to as opposed to a whole slew of guests, the crew member is able to learn your desires and becomes proficient in accommodating your every wish. When you sail on a luxury cruise you’ll discover what it means to be taken care of.

Even with all this superb service, you won’t need to keep reaching into your pocket when onboard a luxury cruise line. Most luxury cruise lines do not encourage tipping. In fact, some make it very clear that tips are not accepted at all. But what kind of service do you get with a no tipping policy, you ask? The best service imaginable. The luxury cruise lines have searched high and low to find the best staff members possible, well-trained and well-disciplined, and they pay them accordingly. Experience what it feels like to come first without having to pay extra for it on a luxury cruise.

Getting to know your neighbors is a huge advantage of luxury cruising. In this day and age of mega-ships, it’s possible to meet people once onboard and never see them again. The smaller, luxury ships emanate a cozier atmosphere, setting the stage for social butterflies to flourish. You will often see the same people at dinner, in the lounge, on the deck and even on excursions. This country club ambiance gives you plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with your newfound friends.

It’s not too early to start thinking about a luxury cruise. The best way to see the world is by sea, onboard a luxury liner, where your every need will be attended to while you sail into the most exciting adventure of your life.