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July22, 2004 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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Hello Again, Cruise Fans, and welcome to another edition of the 7 Seas Cruises News. Pat is feeling a little under the weather today. I think two days of yardwork in this heat has taken its toll. So, we' ll just let him rest tonight. And I'll remind you that he'll be back in business tomorrow, eager to hear from you. Call him toll-free at 1-866-424-1090, or drop him an email at cruiseplanners7seascruises@ msn.com I want to talk a bit about choosing a cruise ship cabin, but first, here is a recap of the week's cruise news??¦ Carnival Fascination and Imagination 4 day cruises will be skipping their Key West port call from now until November 1. The Key West Pier that Carnival Utilizes has been closed by local port officials and will not reopen until November 1, 2004. They have been operating in Key West for a month by anchoring ships and tendering guests, but this has resulted in a very poor shore experience. The logistics involved have severely limited the time ashore to the point where the Key West call is unacceptable for the guests. They will have extended time in Cozumel by 5 hours as a result of this time change which allows for more shore excursion time, more shopping or beach time, or just more time to sip margaritas. On NCL's Star, Wind, Aloha and America, there is a charge of $10 per day per person for adults,$5 per day per person for children ages 3-12 added to everyone's onboard account. It just shows up at the end of the cruise! It actually is a surcharge because of the Hawaiian itinerary. It came as news to Pat, too, since the cruise line doesn't mention it when a cabin is booked. So, apologies to all Hawaii-bound NCL passengers. Rest assured, Pat will be advising future passengers! Royal Caribbean innovations Royal Caribbean has implemented a new luncheon dining option in the main dining room called "Royal Brasserie." The idea is to offer a less formal lunch setting with 30 minute plated service from start to finish. This program is intended to reduce long lines that occur at times in the Windjammer Cafe during lunch hours. The bistro style menu offers such items as fish and chips, quesadillas, seafood pasta, Rueben sandwiches, barbecue spareribs and grilled salmon. Throughout the line, Royal Caribbean has increased its investment in food and upgraded the quality of the lobster and beef onboard all RCI ships. The Ranch steak has been removed from the menu. (Don't know what this was, but if it was anything like NCL' s "Cowboy Steak" good riddance!) All new menus are in place and are beautiful, with artwork from the ship depicted on the cover. Royal Caribbean is in the process of converting all salt water pools to fresh water. A new "team Cleaning " concept that will be rolled out fleet wide by September, with two stateroom attendants working together to clean and service staterooms Guests have two staterooms attendants to call upon, and this will offer improved efficiency and guest satisfaction. Attendants will spend more time on the floor, with one member of the team serving as a dedicated 'linen runner" to replenish supplies. In Europe, local music, local food selections and local fashion shows will be added to the ships' calendars. Ship photographers will accompany shore excursions in Europe, and adding a second international ambassador on board European sailings to enhance the language experience and support foreign speaking guests. There are three new RCI production shows this season (West End to Broadway, Tango Buenos Aires and City of Dreams) and the line has introduced the Explorer Academy, where guests can take ice skating lessons from professionals, take music lessons from members of the orchestra and take dance and theater lessons from the production staff. Looking ahead, here are some deployments for 2005- 2006 The Grandeur of the Seas will operate alternating 9-Night Western Caribbean and 5-Night Bermuda itineraries out of Baltimore, Maryland on a seasonal basis every other Friday and Sunday from 05/13/05 - 11/11/05. Ports of call for the 9-Night Western itinerary include Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas; Coco Cay, Bahamas; Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; and Port Canaveral, Florida. Ports of call for the 5-Night itinerary include 2 full days in Bermuda. The Rhapsody of the Seas will operate alternating 7- Night Western Caribbean itineraries out of Galveston, Texas year-round every Sunday from 05/01/ 05-04/23/06. Ports of call for the first of the alternating 7-Night Western itineraries include Montego Bay, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. Ports of call for the second of the alternating 7-Night Western itineraries include Key West, Florida; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. The Legend of the Seas will operate 7-Night Western Caribbean itineraries out of Tampa, Florida on a seasonal basis every Saturday from 11/05/05-04/15/ 06. Ports of call for the 7-Night Western itinerary include Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. The Jewel of the Seas will operate five Caribbean and Bermuda sailings out of Boston, Massachusetts beginning September 12, 2005. Ports of call include Labadee, Haiti; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and King's Wharf, Bermuda. From October 31, 2005 through April 8, 2006, the Zenith will complete three different round trip patterns out of Miami. The two 5-night patterns depart on either Monday or Saturday and visit Port Antonio, Jamaica and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The 4-night pattern departs on Thursday and visits Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico. Pat says this is a great opportunity for people who are eager to try Celebrity Cruise. These four- and five-night voyages are something new for the line! Royal Caribbean International will receive an Achievement of Culinary Excellence Award July 18 from the nation's oldest and largest organization of professional chefs, the American Culinary Federation (ACF), Inc. This year is the first in which a cruise line has been recognized by the federation for superior foodservice. The line employs more than 3,200 shipboard chefs and cooks, as well as some 12,000 employees in the food and beverage operation on its 19 ships. So much for news. Now, for my two-cents worth on the topic of cruise cabin selection. First let me tell you that I have sailed in inside, ocean-view, balcony and mini-suite cabins on cruise lines from ??¦well, several lines that aren't anymore to NCL, Royal Caribbean, Costa and Holland America. I've been on the lowest deck and on the topmost one, and in the stern, midships and in the bow. And I can cheerfully say, "I have never been on a cruise I didn't like!" Now, having said that, which is best. The truth is most inside and ocean-view cabins are similar in terms of size and amenities. Size varies line to line and ship to ship, but it doesn't vary much between inside and ocean-view cabins on any given ship. The window is nice. Usually they are large and it is pleasant to look out and see the sea or get a preview of your port-of-call as you sail in. You will, however, sometimes encounter an obstructed view -which in my opinion is worse than no window at all. Or a porthole. Not a bad thing. Just small. If you can afford it, a balcony is nice. But make sure you will enjoy it. I have seen people who never step outside. Other people live on them- sitting outside for sail-in and sail-out and even having coffee out there in the morning. Also if you hate hot weather, skip the balcony in the Caribbean. It will be hot out there. And if you hate cold weather, don't bother with a balcony in Alaska or the Baltic. It will be cool outside. Although your cabin steward may provide you with a wooly lap robe like ours did in the Baltic last fall. Perfect for wrapping up and watching the Swedish archipelago sweep past. In terms of space, balcony cabins are usually larger than ocean-view or interior cabins, but not necessarily by too much. Sometimes the extra space is taken up by the balcony. Pat can check square footages for you if you like! As for suites, well if you've got it, go for it. Suites have extra square footage. Some have concierge services, personalized stationery, plasma TVs, a piano, a wetbar, a dining room-even a hot tub on the balcony! Costs range from expensive to ridiculous. I would, personally, prefer to go more often even if it means compromising on my cabin accommodation. Although I freely admit that I love those balconies, I would give it up if it meant not being able to afford the trip! Others disagree and believe it is better to "go big or stay home." To each his own. That's why they have different categories of cabins. And now, about cabin location. As a general rule, the lower in the ship and more mid-ship the cabin, the more stable the ride. Therefore, if you have or suspect you might have, some motion problems, choose the lowest passenger deck and select a mid- ship location. There is an upside to being on the bottom, too. You can always get an elevator! If you really like the motion of the ocean, head for the bow of the ship. That's where the pitch is most likely to be felt. (Pitch is the front-to-back motion. Roll is the side-to-side motion.) Only one word of warning-pitch is often more difficult to tolerate than roll. It is also trickier when walking downstairs! Now the downside of a bow cabin can be the proximity of the anchor chain. We once had an inside cabin in the very front of the ship and when they lowered the anchor about 6 a.m., it sounded like the front of the ship had been ripped off. We sat bolt upright in bed, reaching for our lifejackets. If there is a chance of engine noise or vibration, you are most likely to encounter it aft. Cabins in the stern (back of the ship) will feel the vibration of the propeller if there is any vibration to be felt.. Although there are fabulous balcony cabins hanging off the back of many a new cruise ship, vibration can be an issue. I would be most wary of it on very old ships and brand new ones. The brand new Holland America Oosterdam had it last fall. To make a long story short, the choices for me would be: go, even if I have to go in an interior cabin; go midship, if possible and if not, the bow as opposed to the stern; and the lowest passenger deck is just fine with me. As for you, you'll have to decide for yourself. Some of Pat's clients want to choose their specific cabin. Others will state a preference for a specific deck. Still others like the category guarantee. This is usually a money saver. Rather than a specific cabin, you pay a bit less and get a "category guarantee." This ensures you an interior cabin, or you can specify an ocean-view guarantee, or select a balcony guarantee. Then, it's up to the cruise line to make the specific cabin assignment. And if all of the lowest priced inside cabins are sold, you get an upgrade! And if you specified a balcony, and all of the regular balconies are sold out, you could be upgraded right into a mini-suite! It's a gamble, but sometimes it pays off! And you really can't lose. You will get your interior or ocean-view or balcony. If this has prompted any questions, give Pat a call. And while you're at it, have him price a cruise for you. The Mexican Riviera? Bermuda? Alaska in September? They all sound pretty good! Choose your favorite at www.7seascruises.com Ok. Until next week, here's wishing each of you smooth sailing! Teri |
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