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Cruise Ship Cabin Considerations

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Although a cruise ship cabin might serve as your landing pad for just a few days, you should think through your choice of cabin as you would when choosing a place to live. When you choose a home, you consider location, size, and surroundings; think about them when choosing a cruise ship cabin , too. Most ships have a few different categories of cabins, and larger ships may have dozens. Anita, your professional travel advisor, can help you sort through it all, but here are some tips to help you get started. Check the size of the cabins you’re interested in, as well as the number of passengers it can accommodate. Some smaller cabins can accommodate four people efficiently, but without much extra space (and with one small bathroom). Knowing a cabin’s square footage can help you decide if the space will be comfortable or if you should consider a larger cabin or suite. If you’re okay without a view to the outside, an inside cabin can be an excellent and economical choice. Some even ...
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Late Nights and Overnights in Port

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If you love cruising but sometimes wish you could stay longer in port, talk with your professional travel advisor – he or she can help you find cruises with late-night departures, or even overnight stays, in selected ports. A late-night departure means you can spend more time on shore, with less of a rush to get back to the ship. You can enjoy the sunset, relax over a dinner of local cuisine, and even get a taste of the port’s nightlife. An overnight stay might even give you the chance to enjoy a morning stroll or bike ride on shore before departure. To find itineraries with late departures or overnights, look to cruise lines that emphasize on-shore experiences – including, but not limited to, those mentioned here. Azamara Cruises ’ Destination Immersion program includes late departures and overnight stays in a variety of ports. Some itineraries feature double-overnight stays in ports like Seville, Spain ; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ; or Hamilton, Bermuda . Azamara also offers special n...
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What Cruisers Should Know About Tsunamis

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In July, a strong earthquake in eastern Russia caused tsunami warnings to be issued across the Pacific, including popular cruise destinations like Japan, Alaska, Hawaii and New Zealand. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries to cruise passengers or crew. And, the event put a spotlight on what cruise ships do to maintain safety during tsunami warnings. Here’s what you should know. A tsunami is a series of powerful ocean waves that most often result from earthquakes and can be strong enough to travel across an entire ocean basin. You may be surprised that the open sea is actually the safest place for a cruise ship to be during a tsunami; passengers may not even notice the waves, because they don’t have much impact in deeper water. Tsunamis become much more dangerous in shallower water, where they can compress and increase in height and power. That’s why ships that are docked when a tsunami warning is issued often move out to sea. If a ship remains in port, anyone who is on boa...
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Cruising Vietnam

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Spectacular Halong Bay is a highlight of cruising in Vietnam, the Southeast Asian country with more than 2,000 miles of coastline along the South China Sea. Halong Bay’s emerald-green water is dotted with thousands of limestone karsts that form small islands. Some are low and adorned with tiny lakes and beaches; others rise to an impressive height, with fantastical shapes and nearly hollow insides. But the picturesque bay is just one reason to cruise in Vietnam. After a prolonged series of wars that finally ended in 1991, some of the scars have healed, and Vietnam has emerged as a destination with natural beauty, flavorful cuisine, and deep cultural traditions. A port call at Halong also gives cruise passengers access to Hanoi, Vietnam’s buzzing capital city. There’s a lot to see, including ancient temples, French colonial architecture, water puppet theaters, and streets lined with the best work of local artisans and food vendors. On Vietnam’s central coast, the port of Da Nang b...
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A Star Joins an Icon

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The last day of August saw the start of the inaugural voyage of an exciting new cruise ship: Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas , sister ship to Icon of the Seas . These sisters share the title of “World’s Largest Cruise Ship” and have much in common, including the number of cabins, neighborhoods, and Chief Dog Officers on board (there’s one delightful Golden Retriever on each ship). Still, Star of the Seas isn’t a complete duplicate of her 18-month-old sister. Both ships offer seven-night cruises of the Eastern or Western Caribbean. But while the Icon departs from Miami, the Star sails from Port Canaveral, less than an hour’s drive from Orlando. Also, the Icon ’s seven-day cruises sail Saturday to Saturday, while the Star’s run Sunday to Sunday. Both ships’ seven-day itineraries include a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas. But the Star usually visits this idyllic spot early in the cruise, while the Icon tends to visit toward the...
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MSC’s New Ship: World America

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 There’s a new option for sailing the Caribbean from Miami, and it’s a big one. Europe-based MSC Cruises launched its first ship specifically designed for U.S. passengers, MSC World America , in April. The cruise line says this 6,762-passenger ship is where European style meets American comfort. The second ship in MSC’s World Class, World America, boasts seven unique districts. They include Family Aventura, with thrills for everyone; Aqua Deck, home to pools, whirlpools and other water features; World Promenade, where sea views give way to light shows at night; World Galleria, with live music, shopping and nightlife; The Terraces, lined with specialty dining and entertainment options; the Zen Area, an adults-only oasis; and MSC Yacht Club, MSC’s ship-within-a-ship concept. Innovations on this new ship include the only Eataly at sea, serving authentic Italian classics. The ship also has MSC’s largest-ever water park, as well as cruising’s longest dry slide – the Jaw Drop – a sp...
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Cruising Social Media

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When it comes to selecting the best cruise line, itinerary, stateroom, and shore excursions for you, your number one resource is your professional travel advisor. They have the knowledge, expertise, and industry contacts to set you up for a wonderful cruise vacation. But if you would like to combine your travel advisor’s guidance with some research of your own, there’s a lot of cruise information available via social media. Just keep in mind that while social media posts can offer helpful cruise insights, they can also reflect personal preferences, be influenced by sponsorships, or consist of purely promotional content. Whether you’re a seasoned user or a stranger to social media, where should you begin to look for cruise information? Cruise line websites are a good place to start. They are packed with information about ships, itineraries, destinations, and much more. There are also independent websites and blogs dedicated to cruising, which can provide helpful background informa...
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