Archive for the 'Cruise News' Category

That's the way the headline should have read but instead the media gives us: Drama at sea: U.S. Coast Guard rescues alleged cruise ship jumper off Florida coast.

Stories about a crew member jumping from a cruise ship in Miami harbor to escape immigration issues are not very exciting and reflect badly on the whole immigration thing but if a person bothers  to read the whole article it's pretty easy to infer what really happened.

A crew member, not a passenger, took a flyer off the back end of Royal Caribbeans Majesty of the Sea as it was approaching Miami harbor. Why? No one is talking right now but the ship did what it was supposed to do, radioed the Coast Guard with a "man overboard" call, turned around and assisted in pinpointing the man in the water. The Coast Guard picked him up and he is now in a Miami hospital being treated for injuries sustained by a seawater enema.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and the other cruise operators that take us on water-borne adventures work really hard to ensure their passengers comfort and safety. These ships are so majestic in size that anything that happens on them can get totally blown out of proportion.

When headlines like these appear the cruise PR firms go into damage control mode.  Just a whisper of any kind of trouble on a cruise ship can effect thousands of bookings, many resulting in canceled cruises from the nervous Nellies among us. That costs the cruise line money, money that is later made up by rate increases passed on to the consumer.

All because some reporter needed some drama for a non-story.

Join over a hundred of your fellow low-carbers on the 3rd Annual Low-Carb Cruise To The Bahamas. On an aside to Debby and Ailsa "I really need to be there" so am posting this all over Twitter to help promote. If I can get enough ad dollars together I could write about it …sweeeet

So if I go I will write about the adventures of Low-Carbers on a cruise ship. Should be interesting. Real Low-Carb Houswives of ?

This story about a Caribbean cruise adventure, A taste of Europe while cruising the Caribbean is an article by Ken Brooks, well-known big-city radio personality, now Mr. Small Town himself found on (KMOG-1420/AM Payson) and a sometimes contributor to the Payson Roundup Newspaper. A newspaper serving a readership in and amongst the communities of Payson, Pine and Strawberry, Arizona, referred often to as "Rim Country," due to it's proximity to the Mogollon Rim. And now my new home town.

Retirement is a strange concept for me but I couldn't have picked a better place. Visiting here from Scottsdale, Arizona, (a mere hour and a half away) for past 25 years to camp, hike, fish, or just to sit on my Mother's deck enjoying cool mountain breezes and pine scented air (she moved here from MO in 2003).

To me, it seemed the day would never come. Over the years my wife and I would sit at a table in the Payson Airport restaurant (Crosswinds) with a gorgeous view of the rim, real estate brochures spread out among the remnants of biscuits and gravy. I always hoped I would be fortunate enough to actually live here someday. Well, here I am!

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Golfer Tees Off Near Spot Where Wounded As A Marine Over 40 Years Ago!

Now wouldn't that be an interesting headline and a passel of PR for Crystal Cruises? They could kick-off their first Golf-Themed cruise to Hong Kong and Singapore (with a stop in Vietnam) with a salute to Vietnam vets represented by yours truly. Be one of the fortunate few to sail on the luxurious Crystal Symphony accompanied by a former-marine, Vietnam vet, golfer and golf-oriented travel agent! An 11 day adventure by sea into Asia, transported in first-class style with a special group of people on a journey through Asia unlike any other. Pausing with a stop in a country that was once in turmoil, now on the list of places to see before you die, this cruise will be special. No doubt, the golf trip of a lifetime aboard the world's most luxurious floating caddy – the Crystal Symphony. Are you listening Crystal Cruises PR people?

More Like A Comfortable Small Town Than A Ship At Sea

A truly astounding ship, only 922 passengers and one of the most spacious cruise ships at sea. No worries of being hip-checked out of the desert que by an overeager youngster and the most spacious accommodations you will find at sea. First-class amenities are just too many to list but include: grand lounges, full-service fitness facility, Crystal casino, Feng Shui-inspired spa, 360° teak Promenade Deck, two pools, Jacuzzi®,award-winning cuisine and entertainment, in addition to, elegantly appointed staterooms most with private verandas. Make your reservation now and be one of the select few people to experience this once in a lifetime cruise aboard The Crystal Symphony – Departing April 20 – 11 Days, Hong Kong to Singapore, it's the "mother" of all golf cruises!

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Travel Advice for Current Times

With all the changes in current economic conditions, I felt it appropriate to offer the readers of this blog an inside look at what is going on in the travel industry these days. No matter the challenges of our current environment, people still feel the need, and deserve the opportunity, to get away and remind themselves about the importance of family, relaxation and fun. So, where are the deals and what should readers be looking for?

For international travel, one of the best deals these days is cruising. Cruises are paid for in US dollars, so if you desire to travel internationally, especially Europe, this is your best bet for value. However, one misperception is that if you wait until the last minute you’ll get a better price. This is not necessarily true. Yes, there are deals and discounts in the market from many of what are termed the “mass market” cruise lines. However, for popular or exotic itineraries, waiting until the last minute may well find you shut out of your vacation. In addition, by waiting until last minute to book your cruise, the savings you gain may well be lost on what you’ll pay for last minute airfare. (more…)