You ain’t seen nothing yet, kid!   Some 60% of cruises are in the Caribbean and I’m certain the Mexican Riviera is a close second.   But after they take their first seagoing vacation in one of these two areas cruisers ask their agent for recommendation of new areas of the world to explore by ship.  My favorite cruising regions are best visited by ship or boat because you’ll see much more than you would by taking a land tour.

1.  Alaska.   Combine the most spectacular scenery on earth with wondrous sights not found anywhere else and you’ll get a glimpse of what awaits on an Alaska cruise.  From calving glaciers to soaring eagles, whales breaking the surface, bears fishing for salmon and moose grazing on shore the experience of Alaska will remain with you always.  You’ll fly to either Seattle or Vancouver to begin what is, for many, the voyage of a lifetime.

2. Hawaii. What I discovered on a one-week cruise, sailing round-trip from Honolulu, was a tropical paradise with more natural beauty and diversity than I’d ever dreamed. Each port was distinctive, and my shore-side activities ranged from going to the top of the world’s largest volcano to a high-speed zodiac ride along Kauai’s Napali coast, with hundreds of dolphins leaping around us as we navigated into caves and marveled at the sheer cliffs that line this part of the island.  Norwegian Cruise Line sails year-round on seven-night Hawaii cruises from Honolulu.

2. The Panama Canal. The “path between the seas” is considered to be one of the greatest engineering projects ever undertaken. It is awesome to stand on deck as your cruise ship is raised and lowered in locks on the nine-hour journey between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as you inch through the Panamanian jungle. The 48-mile canal, which opened in 1914, accommodates 40 ships per day ranging from private yachts to large container ships.  While the full canal voyage between the Caribbean and Mexico is 14 days, you can also opt for a ten- or 11-night cruise sailing round-trip from Florida on Princess and Royal Caribbean.

4. The Greek Islands/Turkey. Spectacular beauty and world-famous antiquities abound on a one-week cruise to Greece and Turkey. From Kusadasi, Turkey, it’s a short ride to the 2,000-year old city of Ephesus, where a two-story ancient library lies at the end of the main thoroughfare, still marked with chariot tracks. In Delos, a short hop from Mykonos, you’ll walk among the 7^th century BC ruins of what was once the capital of the ancient world. Santorini is my pick for the most spectacular Greek island. You’ll sail into the bay — a huge volcanic crater — then ascend 900 feet to the winding streets of Thira, a tiny terraced town overlooking the Capri-blue Mediterranean.

5. The Baltic. Every port in this varied region called the Baltic is loaded with history, pride and tradition. From the opulent palaces of the tsars in St. Petersburg to Stockholm’s breathtaking harbor and historic walking area and Copenhagen’s spectacular Tivoli Gardens, few cruising regions offer such diverse treasures. Best of all, most ships dock right in the center of town, allowing you to hop off and explore on your own. A beloved port is Stockholm, built on 14 islands with charming meandering streets lined with stores selling glass.

6.  Western Mediterranean. From Barcelona and Venice are dozens of ships visiting some of the world’s most treasured sites.  If you opt to explore Italy, the treasures of Renaissance await in Florence while Rome holds ruins of one of the greatest civilizations on earth such as the Coliseum and Pantheon.  During a port stop in Naples the historic ruins of Pompeii and scenic towns like Sorrento and the Isle of Capri will make the day unforgettable.   Many ships spend an extra day in Venice, my pick for the most beautiful city on earth.    Some itineraries feature visits to some of the chicest spots on earth such as Monte Carlo, Cannes and St. Tropez.

Be sure to email me when you’ve completed these fantastic cruising regions and I’ll recommend a few more.

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1. CRUISERS CONTINUE TO BOOK AT THE LAST MINUTE

According to a November, 2009 American Express survey of 405 member travel agents, 79% of customers are waiting until the last minute to book travel as a way of scoring the best deals. As long as the cruise industry continues to steeply drop cruise fares a month or so before departure the public will be conditioned to wait as long as it takes to score a deal.

AMEX travel agents also say that many travelers are choosing more “all-inclusive” types of vacations such as all-inclusive hotels and resorts (seen by 43% of agents) and cruises (seen by 40% of agents)

*** I personally think it’s better to book a cruise four to six months in advance, especially when your heart is set on a balcony cabin or suite. These staterooms sell out first and those who wait may only find inside and outside accommodations available.

*** Always factor in incentives offered by travel agents such as on-board credit, free gratuities and, in some cases, free airfare and shore excursions. Cruise enticements like these can lower the total cost of your cruise significantly.

2. LOWER CRUISE FARES WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE NORM

In its fourth quarter earnings report, Carnival Corporation forecast 2010 fares to be flat or up a bit.  An executive of the company, which owns Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn, Costa and Cunard, said that while bookings are the strongest they’ve ever had, prices haven’t increased. According to Jeffrey Sherota, Sr. Vice President of Cruises Only, “ in 2010 we’ll see a gradual increase but prices won’t rebound to 2007 levels for a while.”

The cheapest prices continue to be Mexico cruises due to the number of high-capacity ships repositioned to this region and lack of itinerary options. Unless you want to cross the Pacific to Hawaii (five days of sea travel), cruisers must settle on taking 3-, 4- and 7-day voyages along the coast of Mexico. Cheap? We’ve seen a few seven-day Mexico cruises starting at $199 per person, double occupancy.

3. FEWER SHIPS IN ALASKA

Alaska cruising has changed more than any other popular destination.  While for years the average annual increase in passengers was a healthy 12%, the number of cruisers dropped significantly last year. Much of it was price related: not only are airfare and shore excursion very pricey, but the State of Alaska levied a $50 per person tax. Last year, cruise lines began pulling ships from this region or basing them in Seattle for the season because airfare is lower.    With fewer ships you’ll likely find prices a bit higher in 2010, but there will still be lots of bargains.

According to the Anchorage Daily News, “the cruise industry — the biggest player in Alaska tourism — is sending fewer ships to Alaska next year due to the taxes and environmental restrictions approved by voters three years ago. That will mean roughly 140,000 fewer cruise ship passengers for Alaska.”  Last summer you could get a one-week Alaska cruise for fares starting around $350 but rates may be higher in 2010 because of decreased capacity.  Your best option is to pick a ship sailing round-trip from Seattle because flights are more convenient and less expensive.

4. NEW LARGE SHIPS ADD TO CAPACITY

According to Micky Arison who heads Carnival Corp., in 2010 capacity in the Caribbean will increase by double digit numbers due to the influx of new mega liners such as Carnival Dream and RCI’s Oasis of the Seas plus a steady steam of enormous new vessels entering service during the next 12 months.

In 2010 we’ll continue to see brand new mega ships enter service.  Norwegian Cruise Line debuts the 153,000 ton Norwegian Epic, Celebrity Cruises introduces Celebrity Equinox (an identical sister ship of Solstice) and Royal Caribbean continues to trump all its competitors by welcoming Oasis of the Seas‘ sister ship, the 6200 passenger Allure of the Seas.

Other new ships are Holland America’s 86,600 ton Nieuw Amsterdam, sister ship of Eurodam, MSC Cruises’ 93,300 ton MSC Magnifica and Cunard Line’s brand new Queen Mary at 92,000 tons.

Fortunately there are still a few small ships entering service, including the 450-passenger Seabourrn Sojourn, which joins the ultra luxury fleet of the Yachts of Seabourn.  American Cruise Lines, which specializes in small ship cruising off the beaten path welcomes two new vessels,
104-passenger Independence and the 210-passenger Pearl Mist.

*** 5. WILD CARD: AIRLINE FARES AND CAPACITY

When I flew to Fort Lauderdale to board Oasis of the Seas last November the airport was mobbed already thanks to the addition of a 6,200-passenger ship.  Will this airport be able to handle another influx of passengers when sister ship Allure of the Seas starts sailing from the same home port this year? And, will consumers decide they don’t want to fly to take a ship because air travel is too much of a hassle after Christmas Day terrorist incident and subsequent new security measures?

In the end, it’s airfare prices that will determine whether many people can afford a cruise this year. Airlines cut capacity in order to keep fares as high as possible and this can make or break cruises departing from major cruise home ports like Florida.

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What Gives?

According to a report in Travel Weekly, four cruise lines — Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line — have cancelled a popular Segway shore excursion in Nassau.  This follows November robbery of 18 Royal Caribbean and Disney passengers at gunpoint while participating in the excursion.

To get an idea of how harrowing the experience was, click here to see an interview with one of the victims.

But this isn’t an isolated incident.  In October, eleven tourists on a taxi tour of Queen’s Staircase were also robbed at gunpoint.  And, two security guards were shot at the mega-resort Atlantis in Nassau

The U.S. State Department warns visitors about crime in the Bahamas, saying “Criminals tend to target restaurants and nightclubs frequented by tourists” and “The U.S. Embassy has received numerous reports of sexual assaults, including assaults against teen-age girls”.   To read the full warning, click here.

According to the Nassau Guardian, “Crime statistics released last week reveal that armed robberies up to November 24 of this year increased to 786 from 670 incidents recorded for the same period last year.”

In all likelihood nothing will happen if I decide to disembark in Nassau; I simply don’t want to think about crime on a vacation.   And, since I can buy duty free stuff and go snorkeling in every Caribbean port,  I’ll admit I’m a wimp and stay aboard the cruise ship when she docks in the Bahamas.

Here’s the clincher for me:  In the old days of high crime in New York (we now have one of the lowest crime rates in the U.S.!), the belief was that there is safety in numbers.  We assumed we were unlikely to get mugged in broad daylight when other people were around.  Not so in the Bahamas.

Will the growing crime rate in the Bahamas cause you to pick an itinerary that doesn’t include a port stop in this country?   Should cruise lines bypass Nassau and Freeport as a port of call until local officials get the problem under control?

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The $62 million Mahogany Bay Cruise Center, a five year project funded by Carnival Corp and a local businessman, officially opened today with the arrival of its first ships, Seabourn Legend, Crown Princess and Carnival Valor.    The new facility expects to host 500,000 passengers per year aboard vessels in the Carnival Corporation brand (Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises and the Yachts of Seabourn).

Mahogany Bay Cruise Center encompasses 20 acres of waterfront property and includes a two-berth cruise terminal which can accommodate up to 8,000 passengers daily.   Passenger facilities include stores, two themed bars and a restaurant.  From the center cruisers can access taxis, rental cars and tour buses.

Unique to Mahogany Bay is a new chair lift system that takes cruise ship guests from the welcome center to beautiful Mahogany Beach, a 10-acre private island featuring an 825-foot-long white-sand beach with a beach volleyball court and myriad water sports opportunities.  The six-minute ride across nearly 1,200 feet of suspended cable.  All-day passes for the beach chair lift are $5 per person.   Eight exclusive cabanas are also available for rent.

Carnival Corp. and plc has funded the upgrading and addition of numerous piers including the Grand Turk Cruise Center in Grand Turk, Puerta Maya Cruise Center in Cozumel and the Red Hook Passenger Terminal in Brooklyn, New York.

For more information on the new Mahogany Bay Cruise Center, visit www.mahoganybaycc.com.

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This Ship Is For You If … You love high energy Las Vegas hotels…endless dining choices, even if they cost more …. on-board activities like zip-line, rock climbing, simulated surfing and ice skating … are a family not on a tight budget … the more people the better … being at sea is irrelevant … reserving shows and restaurants before leaving home … constant walking long distances sounds great

This Ship Isn’t For You If …. impersonal service and walking constantly sound dreadful …. have a fear of heights …. mind paying extra for food …. want to see the ocean and hear the waves …. seek quiet, secluded places to get away from the crowd … to quickly and easily go ashore … you mind making reservations for shows and restaurants before leaving home … want a mega-resort with 6200 fellow passengers

OASIS OF THE SEAS — The Vessel

I sailed on Oasis’ first voyage carrying passengers on a two-night voyage that hugged the Florida coastline.   At 230,000 tons, Oasis of the Seas far exceeds every other ship in terms of size and passenger capacity of 6200 people.  (For the purpose of comparison, the largest vessel in Carnival’s fleet, the Dream, is 130,000 tons and carries 3500 passengers.)   This isn’t a floating city, it’s a floating country.   Rising six floors from the main deck are two towers with interior balcony cabins facing each other.  I was reminded of New York high-rise buildings where shades are pulled when the sun goes down to avoid flashing folks in adjacent rooms.

Neighborhoods

Royal Caribbean created two “neighborhoods” for those who want to stroll outside.   In the center of the two towers is Central Park, an open-air mall-like walkway dotted with tropical trees and plants that is lined with stores, bars and dining spots.  There are four restaurants, three with a surcharge.  A nice spot to have lunch is the Park Cafe with dining alfresco (no extra charge for making grilled sandwiches).  You’ll find a Coach handbag store, art gallery and wine bar plus areas for sitting and people-watching.  At night the foliage is softly lit making it enjoyable to have dinner or a drink outside.

The second neighborhood is “The Boardwalk” which resembles Coney Island.  Here you’ll find Johnny Rockets and Seafood Shack (both with a surcharge), a premium ice cream parlour plus stores selling candy, clothes and toys.   At Seattle’s Best Coffee there’s a charge for the coffee but the donuts are free.  The carousel creates a festive touch and best of all, it doesn’t cost anything extra.

Royal Promenade

The most popular area aboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, the mall-like Royal Promenade is wider and longer on Oasis of the Seas. In addition to stores, you’ll find the stunning Champagne Bar and Schooners which are mainstays on other Royal Caribbean ships.   Add to that the Globe and Atlas Bar, an English/Irish Pub, and a very active Sports Bar.   Here you can also the Rising Tide Bar, which very slowly moves between two floors as you sip a cocktail.  You’ll find complimentary food at Sorrento’s Pizzeria and, at the Mondo Coffee Bar, free pastries.   The Cupcake Cupboard sells delicious cupcakes for $2.25 each.

Solarium

My favorite area of the ship is the adults-only Solarium on Deck 15, an oasis of tranquility in what is otherwise a pretty noisy ship.  While the foliage and plants are plastic, the area boasts a fresh water pool and two cantilevered whirlpools overlooking the ocean.   There is a breakfast and lunch buffet (complimentary) and an evening bistro ($20 surcharge) specializing in healthy fare.  At night the setting is elegant and low-key, a very romantic spot for having cocktails or dinner.

Sports & Fitness Activities

Children and athletic adults will find extraordinary activities aboard Oasis of the Seas and, best of all, are included in the cruise fare.  The Zipline, which must be reserved in advance, is a nine-second thrilling/terrifying ride between two areas of the ship.   Two rock climbing walls are three decks high overlooking the Boardwalk and Aqua Theater.  And, if you’d like to test your mettle at surfing, try FlowRider, where you step on a board and try to stay upright against a strong current.  Additional activities found in the Sports Zone (Deck 17) are miniature golf course and full-size basketball court.   In the ship’s spa there is an enormous exercise room with the most advanced pushing and pulling machines plus treadmills and exercise bikes.

Keep in mind that with the exception of Zipline, all of these activities are available on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager- and Freedom-class ship which are significantly smaller (although still large by industry standards).

Entertainment

Entertainment and nightlife aboard Oasis of the Seas are unequaled in the cruise industry and included in the cruise fare.  Be sure to make reservations before leaving home or you probably won’t be able to see them.  Be sure to make reservations for the Aqua Theater , a wonderful show on the aft deck featuring Olympic-class divers and aquatic performers who provide a spectacular show with special lights and music.  Be sure to also reserve a show at Studio B, the enormous ice skating rink where professional skaters do amazing leaps and twirls.   The ship’s main show lounge, Opal, has production shows of Hairspray and the “Come Fly With Me Aerial Show”. Additional entertainment includes a Jazz Bar and Comedy Club plus one of the largest casinos I’ve ever seen.

Cocktail Lounges

Oasis of the Seas boasts some of the most stunning cocktail lounges at sea.  The Champagne Bar serves the best vintages in a cool blue and aqua setting with enormous chandelier.  My favorite watering holes are the nautically-themed Schooner’s, a low-key piano bar and Dazzles, a two-deck high lounge with floor to ceiling glass overlooking Central Park.   For those seeking even greater heights head for the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 17.   You’ll also find a pub and numerous other bars scattered throughout the ship.

DINING:

A week isn’t time enough to dine in all the restaurants aboard Oasis of the Seas and best of all, they vary enormously in terms of cuisine and ambience. In terms of quality of food, the best is found in restaurants with surcharges ranging from $4.50 to $75 per person.

While Royal Caribbean builds astounding ships, the company’s biggest weakness is food, also true aboard Oasis of the Seas. For example, I was surprised at the few choices available during breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Windjammer Cafe, the ship’s Lido buffet restaurant.  There seemed to be lots of pasta and noodles but not much meat, poultry and fish.  The ship’s three-deck-high main dining room is beautiful and romantic even though it holds thousands of passengers.  Here you can choose between assigned seating or dine when and with whom you please.  And, although the food is far from gourmet, it was better than the cafeterias.  For the best breakfast and lunch without a surcharge, head for the Solarium, Sorrento’s Pizzeria in the Royal Promenade or the Park Cafe in the Central Park area.

Those not on a tight budget may want to upgrade their dining choices and eat at a restaurant with an extra charge.  Be sure to book a reservation before you leave home.  The top restaurant aboard Oasis of the Seas is 150 Central Park ($35), a true gourmet experience in an elegant setting.  Another place for exceptional cuisine is the Chef’s Table, $75 including wine.  Seafood Shack, located on the Boardwalk, is a casual seafood restaurant (mainly fried food), $8.95, and Johnny Rockets is $4.95 for burgers and shakes.  In the Central Park area you’ll find Giovanni’s Table, boasting Italian family style, $15, Chops Steak House ($25),  and the more formal Antonio’s Table (……).  As mentioned above, lean and light spa cuisine (no butter or cream) can be found in the romantic Solarium ($20 at night). Izumi Asian Cuisine has a la carte pricing.   After midnight, room service carries a surcharge of $3.95.

Children’s Facilities

Royal Caribbean, already the top cruise line for families with kids, has added even more programs on Oasis of the Seas. Adventure Theater gives kids an immersion into the performing arts and on each sailings teens and kids will be able to learn vocalization and dance techniques in three 45-minute sessions.   This is the first ship which has a nursery for infants aged six months to three years (this may have a surcharge) plus babysitting when parents want a night alone.

Teens have their own private club with discos, computers and video games while tots can splash in a special pool on deck called the H20 Zone.  One of Royal Caribbean’s most innovative features for family is “My Family Time Dining” in the ship’s main dining room.  It expedites dinner for families with children aged three to 11 by arranging for staff to pick children up and take them to Adventure Ocean so that parents can relax over coffee and desert.

Extra Charges

The biggest complaint cruisers have is being nickeled and dimed aboard ship and in some instances, it felt that way aboard Oasis.

While a seven day cruise aboard Oasis of the Seas starts at a reasonable $729 per person, double occupancy, at times I felt nickled and dimed.  For example, like most cruisers I expect to find bottled water in the stateroom when I board, the first one free with subsequent bottles charged to my account.   Water wasn’t available in my cabin so I called room service which told me to purchase water at a bar since cabin service wasn’t operational yet.  Then my steward informed me that they weren’t allowed to provide water to staterooms any longer.  So off I went to a bar and found the least expensive bottle of water priced at $6.95.   Add to that, staterooms no longer come with bathrobes or amenities.

Royal Caribbean makes the point that some food items with a charge are also available for free.  For example, cupcakes cost $2.25 in the Royal Promenade but donuts are free in the Boardwalk area.  This is true, but you have to walk the length of the ship and go to another deck to find them.  Premium ice cream in the Boardwalk area costs $2.75 but you can get soft serve frozen yogurt from a machine — as long as you’re willing to hike to Deck 15.

During each one week cruise the ship stops in Royal Caribbean’s private island, Labadee.  While there’s no charge to go to the beach, parents may encounter some difficulty in saying no when children want to take a three-minute roller coaster ($35 for two) ride or Zipline ($95) over the tropical foliage.

Those accustomed to resorts that aren’t all-inclusive will probably be accustomed to the extra charges that can quickly run up a tab.

Is it Crowded?

Since Oasis of the Seas was half full during my cruise, I can’t say what the ship will be like carrying a full complement of passengers.  Because there are so many places to go it probably won’t feel crowded.  We certainly boarded the ship quickly in Fort Lauderdale in the enormous pier Royal Caribbean had constructed for this ship.  However, because the ship is so big in St. Thomas she must dock a good distance away from Charlotte Amalie, the island’s duty free shopping area.  You’ll have to take taxis and while Royal Caribbean execs assured me there were enough to accommodate everyone, there could lines and delays.

Will I Get Lost?

No.  Oasis of the Seas is one of the easiest ships on earth for finding your way around.  Royal Caribbean goes to great lengths to provide easy-to-read deck plans.

Itineraries: Oasis of the Seas sails year-round from Ft. Lauderdale on seven-day cruises, alternating each week on Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.  The Eastern itinerary is St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau, the Western itinerary is Labadee, Haiti, Jamaica and Cozumel, Mexico.

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I boarded this super behemoth in New York when she arrived from Europe for her christening and discovered all the touchstones that make me a Carnival fan (terrific food, large cabins) plus some noteworthy innovations.

NOTE: If you’d rather listen to my review than read it, hop over to Cruise Radio, where it’s posted.   And, for a number of high resolution photos of the ship, click here.

The 130,000 ton Dream carries roughly 4,000 passengers making it Carnival’s largest ship but still significantly smaller that Oasis of the Seas which carries over 6,000 cruisers.     And, unlike Royal Caribbean’s new ship, you won’t find extra charges popping up: there is still only one alternative restaurant (the best at sea!) with an extra charge.  Carnival is still the biggest bang for the buck in the cruise industry.

Below are the ship’s innovations:

ENTERTAINMENT: Brand new aboard Carnival Dream is a designated Comedy Club with six adult and three family shows per day.  Carnival has also enlarged the very popular piano bar, Sam’s Club, in order to hold all the people who want to sing along.  At night, go out on deck for laser shows.  Smoke machines enhance the laser light effects amplified by rock music amplified by a 70,000 watt sound system.

FOOD: In my opinion, Carnival serves the best food in the cruise industry outside the luxury segment so I was particularly interested in seeing enhancements in this area.  In the upper level of the ship’s Lido Restaurant, Carnival has added a pasta restaurant where it is made to order.  Additional features include a Burrito Bar (again, made to order) and and an Indian restaurant.  Of course there’s still pizza available 24 hours per day and a deli station.  And of course, there is no extra charge.

In the main dining rooms you can opt for traditional assigned two seating or choose a flexible plan that lets you dine when and with whom you please.   I was also impressed by the room service menu with no extra charges no matter what you order or the time of day.

INNOVATIONS ON DECK: Perched high on deck is “Carnival Water Works”,an extensive aqua park with a 303-foot long twister and other thrilling slides located near the pool and a 22-foot wide LED screen.  Parents who want to ditch their kids for a few hours will love Serenity, a large adults-only area with enormous lounge chairs for sunning.   The Lanai is a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling the ship on Promenade Deck, great for fast walking or lounging on a deck chair with a good book.

INNOVATIVE INDOOR FEATURES:  But you don’t have to go outside to find new features.  A first aboard any cruise ship is the “FunHub”, an intranet which lets you connect with other passengers aboard the ship.  The free on-board social network lets passengers create a personal profile to help meet other people, form groups based on interests and send email with others aboard ship.  Of course Carnival hopes you’ll also use the computers for a much more pricey activity — to email other back home and surf the net.

Ocean Plaza is an indoor/outdoor cafe with live music.   The area boasts Wi-Fi access along with 12 “PlayHub” stations.   You’ll also find four scenic whirlpools that extend out over the sea with magnificent ocean views.

STATEROOMS: Some cruisers would like to be closer to the ocean than is possible aboard modern mega-ships.   It wasn’t possible until Carnival Dream where you’ll find the first “cove” balcony cabins on Deck 2 much closer to the water line.   A new stateroom category is perfect for families:  large ocean view cabins with five berths and two bathrooms.

EXPANDED KIDS PROGRAMS: Carnival Dream boasts a teen-only club with disco, video games and computers plus babysitting service available until 3 a.m.   Camp Carnival offers supervised activities and facilities for kids ages 2-11 plus Circle “C” for 12- to 14-year olds and Club O2 for teens ages 15 to 17.

IS THIS SHIP FOR YOU? Again, Carnival Dream is much closer to Las Vegas than any other cruise ship I’ve seen.  The on board tempo is high energy and upbeat, the casino always lively throughout the day and night.   It’s perfect for families with kids and those who want to stay up late to see shows, cabaret, piano bar and comedy.   The destination you’re picking is really the ship itself; ports of call are secondary.

I don’t recommend Carnival Dream for people seeking a classical cruise experience — head instead to Princess or Holland America where on-board activities still include napkin-folding and vegetable-carving classes.  More importantly, if a low-key, subdued atmosphere suits you best, this ship isn’t for you.

Would you pick Carnival Dream for a vacation cruise?

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As the number of families and active cruisers has increased, cruise lines have added more intriguing shore excursions, especially in the Caribbean. While you can still take a Bacardi rum factory tour in San Juan, there is also the option of a Bioluminescence Bay Kayak Tour or a rainforest hike in El Yunque. From mountain biking in St. Martin to a zipline canopy ride in Barbados, each Caribbean port offers the chance to try new experiences that enhance the travel experience.

Cruisers who aren’t seeking high adrenalin adventure will also find Caribbean tours that suit any interest. For example, if golf is your passion it’s a cinch tee off at some of the world’s top Caribbean courses and photographers can join local photo experts who take them to places that capture the most scenic shots on the island. Nature lovers can explore local flora on an off-road Land Rover expedition while learning about local culture, history and folklore.

While the Caribbean was best known for pristine beaches, cruisers today are often introduced to activities they never experienced before. After taking a white water rafting excursion in Costa Rica a few years ago, I became hooked on the sport and explore it close to home. A friend signed up for an intensive scuba program that resulted in getting certified and today follows her new passion on repeat Caribbean cruises.

Multi-generational cruising, which has grown in popularity especially in the Caribbean, is further enhanced by the opportunity for passengers to pick excursions that are fun for the whole group or let each family member pick his or her own activities. For example, the kids may opt for a jet boat ride while the parents go kayaking or play a around of golf. Grandparents may opt for something more leisurely, like a 4×4 tour of the island.

Cruising today is about choices and you can be as active or laid-back as you choose, especially when it comes to planning your time ashore. With a list of excursions as long as your arm, plan to try at least one activity you’ve never done before on your next Caribbean cruise.

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What we tend to forget is that our time is the most precious commodity of all.  To spend precious vacation time on a ship where we dislike the food, service, our accommodations or fellow passenger is being penny wise and pound foolish.  In the end, it’s a huge waste of money.

For example,  I’ve seen complaints about MSC Cruises from dissatisfied passengers.  The company touts itself as a “premium” cruise line and too many travel agents parrot that description to clients attracted by low ticket prices.  Keep in mind that ”premium” is strictly an advertising term first introduced by Celebrity Cruises in the mid 1990’s. 

Now plenty of people enjoy MSC’s ships but chances are they weren’t over-sold a bill of goods or think the $50 per person, per day price tag translates into refined dining and great creature comforts.  The best agents will undersell a ship so high expectations don’t spoil your vacation but there aren’t enough of them to go around.

This year your vacation budget may be lower but you still want to take a cruise.  Here are my suggestions for cutting costs while still having a wonderful cruise vacation.

1)  Some cruising regions are more affordable than others. In 2008/09, and probably into 2010, the price of a cruise will largely be affected by cruising region.  You’ll find the lowest fares on Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico itineraries where there is an over-capacity of ships.  Add to that, there’s an oversupply of ships making three-, four- and five-day cruises; you’ll find some of your best deals here.

2)  There’s a good reason why homeland cruising continues to be popular.   With cancelled and delayed flights on the rise, not to mention high fuel surcharges, you can save an enormous amount of aggravation and money by sailing from a nearby port.  For example a million people sailed from the three ports of New York (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bayonne, NJ) and you’ll find three cruise lines offering year-round cruises to the Caribbean.

3) The very best travel agents can frequently steer you to bargains you never knew existed and, with some cruise lines, offer you a lower price than competitors.  If you don’t have a wonderful agent, ask friends for referrals.  However you do it, find an agent who has lots of experience in the cruise industry.  It can make all the difference in getting the biggest bang for your buck.

4)  The newest vessels typically command the highest prices so opt for one that’s been around for a few years, especially if you prefer one cruise line over another.  The food, service and entertainment will be the same and, in most cases, cabin sizes don’t vary by category. 

5)  As any cruiser knows, it’s easy to run up a hefty tab aboard ship.  Since cruise lines consider on-board spending to be their primary source of revenue,  expect to be bombarded with ads urging you to attend art auctions, purchase items in the gift shops and overpriced spa treatments, gamble and buy shore excursions.  Before you board the ship, decide which expenditures to eliminate and, in the case of shore excursions, research shore-side activities you plan on your own.

6) In terms of family vacations, it’s nearly impossible to top a cruise in terms of affordability.  Cruise lines don’t charge for wonderful, fully-staffed children’s programs that will keep the kids entertained throughout the day.

Do you plan on economizing on vacation plans this year?  If so, how will you cut back?

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Keep in mind, Carnival has changed a great deal over the past 12 years, including making significant upgrades in their on-board product. While I’d been aboard all the ships as they entered service on two-night introductory cruises for folks in the travel industry, it wasn’t until I spent a week on Carnival Valor that I became a big fan.

These are the areas where Carnival excels:

* Ship Design. I’m not a “fun ship” sort of person: I don’t gamble, stay up late at night or lounge by the pool sunbathing. But these ships are so wonderfully designed I can find my own nook and cranny. I do like piano bars, hanging out in the atrium listening to live classical music while people-watching. While I cringe at the thought of hairy chest or beer drinking contests that are part of the daytime fun by the pool, I can easily skip them and have a good time elsewhere.

* Food. In my experience Carnival’s food is the best outside the luxury cruise companies. After a hundred or so cruises I can determine what the quality of food will be by heading to the Lido buffet when I board. I sample the ship’s coffee and chocolate: if one or both fall down I know the quality of food won’t be very high. Carnival not only scored high in both, the food was exceptionally good throughout the cruise. I had one of the best meals of my life in Carnival Valor’s alternative restaurant.

* Staterooms. Carnival’s standard cabins are larger than those found on Princess, Celebrity, NCL and Royal Caribbean. Only Holland America has staterooms this large. There is more than enough storage room for a seven day cruise. Note: balcony staterooms are only found on the newer ships in the fleet.

* Entertainment. No cruise line comes close to Carnival in terms of quality and diversity of entertainment. The company produces its own floor shows and they outshine every other cruise company. Of course there’s a disco, but I’ll also find cabaret, a piano bar, jazz, classical and adult comedy.

The atmosphere aboard Carnival’s ships is upbeat and energizing, which appeals to me personally.

I wish Carnival offered the option of single, open seatings similar to what is found on Princess’ ships, but at least passsengers have the choice of four times for assigned dining. And, you can always head for the Lido restaurant if I don’t want to bother with a formal meal.

I think Carnival delivers a quality cruise product, especially when the price is factored in.

If you’ve cruised with Carnival what is your opinion? If not, what is your perception of a Carnival cruise?

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Best Fares has big savings on Spring Break Cruises aboard Carnival Destiny available throughout the month of March. Sailiing on alternating one week Southern Caribbean voyages round-trip from San Juan, the ship visits St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados; Antigua; St. Kitts and Nevis plus St. Maarten. Per person, double occupancy fares begins at $479 (inside); $579 (outside) and $789 (balcony) and $1269 (suites). Best Fares members will also receive up to $700 in onboard credits (annual membership, $65, also includes discounts on airfare, hotels, car rental and vacation packages). For reservations and additional information call (800) 516-9829 or visit Best Fares

Board Cunard Line’s brand new Queen Victoria on a 12-night Scandinavian cruise departing July 6, 2008 offered by Cruise Brothers. Sailing round trip from Southampton, U.K., ports of call include Stavanger, Olden, Tromso, Honningsvag, Trondheim, Hellesylt, Geiranger and Bergen with four days at sea. Fares start at $2782 per person, double occupancy. For reservations call (800) 827-7779 or visit Cruise Brothers.

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