http://www.allcruisestravel.com/http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-lines-and-swine-flu-and-youhttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-lines-and-swine-flu-and-youIs the Man Upstairs Mad?You might think that perhaps, a “higher power”, is mad at the travel industry. First it was pirates and now Swine Flu. From a cruiser’s standpoint the one advantage a ship has over other destinations is “portability”. Ships can be moved but hotels, can’t. For example, only a small handful of passenger vessels – generally the smaller upscale ones – ever come within 1000 m...Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:36:31 -0400http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/celebrity-offers-prepaid-gratuities-and-onboard-creditshttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/celebrity-offers-prepaid-gratuities-and-onboard-creditsCelebrity and its sister company, Azamara Cruises continue to provide exceptional cruise experiences at great prices.  Celebrity treats you famously with its signature white glove service and premium cruise experience.  Azamara’s more intimate ships, Journey and Quest offer a deluxe ambiance in a “country club casual” setting.  If you still are planning to travel between now and the end of the ...Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:52:05 -0400http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/first-actual-tour-of-oasis-of-the-seashttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/first-actual-tour-of-oasis-of-the-seasRoyal Caribbean's executive team just returned from the shipyard in Turku, Finland, where Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, is under construction. And spokeswoman Tracy Quan said the feature that had everyone most amazed during the "total immersion" tour was the Royal Promenade."It was the first time with the scaffolding down and it's double in width and has views of the Centr...Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:35:49 -0400http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/freestyle-seating-vs-reserved-seatinghttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/freestyle-seating-vs-reserved-seatingI have done both.  The advantage of freerstyle is that you go when and where you want.  Beware though of long waits and crowds.  I like the old method of going to the dining room at the same time, same place and same waiter each night.  Why?  My waiter knows his service will be rewarded at the end of the week and he strives to take extra special care of us.  He or she makes you feel like you ar...Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:25:09 -0400http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/a-tip-for-new-cruisershttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/a-tip-for-new-cruisersI have heard time and again from passengers who have traveled on all of the lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, and Norwegian that they were not able to get their seaqting at dinner or get that day at the spa on the day at sea.  Tip....the very minute you set down your suitcase on the ship, immediately go to the spa and book that massage for the day at sea so you will not be di...Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:17:30 -0400http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/funny-questions-from-our-passengershttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/funny-questions-from-our-passengersHere are a few humorous questions from passenger to onboard staff collected by Cruise Directors over the years .  But the questions are real:Q. Does the crew sleep on board?A. Of course not, late at night a water taxi picks them up and takes them home!Q. Do these stairs go up OR down?A. Yes!Q. Does the ship make it’s own electricity?A. No, don’t you see the long extension cord trailing behind t...Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:46:12 -0400http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/premium-restaurant-thoughtshttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/premium-restaurant-thoughts Just returned from a one week Caribbean cruise.  In the elevator during the early part of the trip, I overhead two middle-aged ladies chatting about dining on board.  The gist of the conversation was about the alternative restaurant options on board.  One comment that struck me was “You should not have to pay for your meals on a ship”.   But thinking about this conversation, it became apparent...Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:44:07 -0400http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/first-time-cruisers-tips-for-a-great-first-cruisehttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/first-time-cruisers-tips-for-a-great-first-cruiseFirst Time CruisersThings to know Before you go!Most "first-timers" have a lot of questions - so here's a list of questions most commonly asked to help you get ready and ensure "smooth sailing" both before and during your cruise. If your question isn't here, please do not hesitate to call me.WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO TAKE?For the most current government requirements, please go to: http://trav...Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:50:08 -0400http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/here-are-the-new-ships-and-release-dateshttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/here-are-the-new-ships-and-release-datesGuide to New ShipsCarnival Cruise Lines Carnival Dream - September, 2009Carnival Magic - June, 2011CelebrityCelebrity Equinox - July, 2009Celebrity Eclipse - April, 2010unnamed - fall, 2011unnamed - fall, 2012Costa Cruise LineCosta Luminosa - May, 2009Costa Pacifica - June, 2009Costa Deliziosa - January, 2010unnamed - spring 2011unnamed - spring 2012CunardQueen Elizabeth - October, 2010DisneyDi...Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:47:44 -0400http://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/hits-and-mythshttp://www.allcruisestravel.com/blogPosts/view/hits-and-mythsHeadline Option:  Hits and Myths What do the “Abominable Snowman”, the “Loch Ness Monster” and “Booking Cruises Directly with the Cruise Line is Cheaper” all have in common?  Answer: They are all myths.  While we may not be experts on the first two subjects, at Cruise Planners we can certainly shed some light about direct booking myths. First of all, let’s face it, a sales representative at a c...Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:36:40 -0400