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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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Smooth Sailing at the Cruise Ship Dock

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Arriving at a cruise ship only to be told you can’t get on board is the stuff of bad dreams – but it can and does happen. Cruise lines may deny boarding for a number of reasons, but many of them are easily avoided. Here are some of the most common reasons for denial of boarding: Lack of documentation. When you make your cruise reservation, ask your professional travel advisor what documents you will need to bring with you. Then, make sure you have all the right documents, which may include a passport or other government-issued identification, a birth certificate, and any required visas. Note that the cruise line may require your passport or ID to be valid for at least six months from the day you return to your home country. Being ill. Health screening practices vary between cruise lines, but you may be asked to complete a health questionnaire, have your temperature taken, or be tested for contagious diseases before or when you arrive for boarding. Anyone who shows signs and symptom...
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When a Cruise Ship Repositions

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If you love the relaxed pace and big views of a “no port” day, you can take a type of cruise that features plenty of days at sea. Repositioning cruises are one-way voyages that move ships from one region of the world to another. Because they sail with seasonal changes, most repositioning cruises take place in spring and fall. Repositioning cruises are special in several ways. A string of sea days means plenty of time to enjoy all the ship’s dining options, entertainment spaces, and other amenities. The fares can be very budget-friendly. And while there will be few ports of call, repositioning cruises often visit places that are hard to find on other cruise itineraries. So, where do repositioning cruises go? Transatlantic cruises sail between North America and Europe, such as from Miami to Barcelona. Some of these cruises call on the Azores Islands, an Atlantic archipelago about 900 miles west of Portugal. These islands are prized for their dramatic landscapes, geothermal springs,...
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