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Greetings, Cruise Fans! Welcome to the 4th of July edition of the 7 Seas Cruise News. It may be the July 3, but you'd never know it from the fireworks blasting all over our quiet So. Florida neighborhood. It's not too hard on us, but it's really tough on our dog, Bob. Bob is a big white cross between a Golden Retriever and a Great Pyrenees. He's pretty, fluffy and white, a fierce watchdog ---and a big chicken. Your dogs may be having the same problem tonight. Maybe all pet people are in this together! Tonight, in response to a number of questions Pat has heard over the past couple of weeks, I thought I'd give you my 2-cents' worth about how to pick a cruise ship cabin. Many people ask, "Is it worth it to get an ocean-view? balcony? or suite?" Well, yes and no. There is some truth in the idea that you don't spend much time in your cabin, so why splurge, but that's not true for everyone. If you like to read quietly, take naps, cuddle up and watch movies in your cabin, then maybe it is well worth the extra money to step up to an ocean-view, balcony or suite. Over the years, I have sailed in everything from an interior cabin for four (with one grandmother and two daughters) to a Princess mini-suite. Although I can't say I had more fun on the cruise with the more expensive cabin, I will say, bigger IS better! If you can afford it, go for it. As for me, I absolutely have to have a window at a minimum. I spend a lot of cabin time, so it's not wasted! Now, where to locate that cabin? Hold a pencil out in front of you. Eraser up. Sharp end down. Now mimic the motion of a windshield wiper with the pencil. You will notice that the pointy end doesn't move nearly as much as the eraser. This same thing applies to a cruise ship. Motion is minimized at the bottom and emphasized at the top. And the middle of the ship doesn't move like the front. Therefore, if you really want to know you are sailing, go high and forward. If there is motion, you will feel it. On the other hand, if you want a smoother ride, go low and mid-ship. Another thing to remember, low in a ship doesn't put you below the water line! The bottom one, two or three decks are below you. This is where the crew lives, where fuel is stored and where ships stores are kept. You, precious cargo that you are, are well above the water! Among the most popular cabins out there are mid- ship balconies, aft balconies so you can look out over the wake and see where you've been ( balconies in this location often have larger balconies). Suites sell quickly (but not to me. Sigh!) On Royal Caribbean mega-ships like the Navigator of the Seas, people love the interior cabins with windows. These overlook the ship's main promenade (like a big shopping mall). You must close your drapes when changing, but you also have a great view of the ship's parade and the non-stop parade of the public. It wouldn't be my pick, but many do! Rest assured that Pat will help you select a great cabin (at the best possible price). Just give him a call at 1-866- 424-1090 or drop him an email at cruiseplanners7seascruises@msn.com. And you are always welcome at the website-www.7seascruises. com. Another question Pat has been hearing this week concerns sailing in the fall. We're all for it! It is the value season and Pat can save you a pile of money on a cruise after Labor Day. Ok. Ok. I can hear you saying, "But what about hurricanes?" Well, after last year, you have to believe it can happen. But do not forget -no ship is ever allowed to get anywhere near a hurricane! The cruise lines believe in protecting their investment and they will not let you get close to bad weather! There is a great big Caribbean down there, so if the ship bound for Grand Cayman might encounter a hurricane, you will skip that port and go somewhere else. It's that simple. Pat and I were on the Navigator of the Seas last fall when Florida's first hurricane dropped over. Our seas were smooth and all was well. Granted the port got silted up and we had to go into Miami instead of Port Canaveral and the 7-day cruise lasted 9 days, but we were always safe, always informed, always cared for and comfortable. In fact the worst thing that happened was the cooks had to cut the tomatoes into thinner slices to stretch them for some extra days. Not too big a compromise! Come on then, let's go fall cruising! It's time to remind you once again about this passport thing. If you are leaving the country after Dec. 31 or if you will be returning to the U.S. after Dec. 31, you MUST have a valid passport. No exceptions! To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver's license. Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases. You'll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time; if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; or if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you are under 16 your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost of stolen. Go to www. travel.state.gov for all the rules and regs. And now, some cruise news... Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are changing the rules. Formerly minors had to be accompanied by someone at least 25. Here's the new rule: No guest under the age of 21 will be booked in a stateroom unless accompanied by an adult 21 years or older. The only situations where minors ( under 21) can be berthed without an adult (21 or older) in the cabin are (1) when at least one parent is sailing, or if under 21 and legally married. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have changed the rule in order to be more competitive with NCL and other lines. People who have seen her say that she's a beauty! America's first ocean-going U.S- flagged cruise ship in nearly 50 years features a vibrant artistic interpretation of the Stars and Stripes combined with the United States' national bird - the Bald Eagle - on the hull of its new ship, Pride of America. The eagle artwork, splashed with stars and stripes in striking red, white and blue colors runs on both sides of the hull in a dynamic celebration of America. NCL is continuing a trend it started with Norwegian Dawn last year in utilizing its hull as a canvas illustrating attributes of the ship. Pride of America sails under the company's new U.S. Flag brand - NCL America- with 100 percent U.S. officers and crew. Pride of America features the innovative attributes of NCL's newest Freestyle Cruising fleet. She features eight restaurants offering traditional dining experiences in two main restaurants plus multiple alternative dining venues, from formal to casual and 24-hour room service. With over 660 balcony staterooms, the ship offers the broadest range of family-friendly interconnecting cabins available at sea, state-of- the-art entertainment venues, three pools, extensive children's facilities, an abundance of spacious public rooms, and the largest dedicated meeting facilities at sea. All inspired by the diverse regions of America. The ship will also include several firsts for NCL including a Conservatory, a new category of Family Suites, Tennis Court and an Art Gallery. Graphic designer Keith Allan was born in Mozambique, grew up in South Africa and began his career as a graphic designer in Johannesburg. Allan moved to London in 1996 to continue his career with SMC & Tillberg Design Group, world-renowned architects and interior design company who designed Pride of America. Allan, who did the hull artwork on Norwegian Dawn, has been instrumental in the design of Norwegian Star and several Star Cruises vessels, including the Superstar Leo and Superstar Virgo. A new stateroom sleep system manufactured exclusively for Carnival Cruise Lines is the latest in a series of cabin amenity upgrades that are part of the "Today's Carnival" fleetwide product enhancement program. The Carnival Comfort Bed ensemble, including custom pillows, duvet and cover, pillowcases and mattress set, provides an unsurpassed level of lavishness in shipboard sleep accommodations. Introduction of the new bedding system, already on several ships, is ongoing and is expected to be implemented fleetwide by the end of the year. Manufactured in Europe, the Carnival Comfort Bed features an eight-inch spring mattress designed exclusively for Carnival Cruise Lines. Completing the custom sleep system is a duvet made from 100 percent hypoallergenic down and sheets made of a high quality cotton blend. The duvet covers and pillowcases are of an ultra-fine, ring-spun, satin-striped cotton blend, creating a luxurious and comfortable sleep environment. The material is also highly durable for long-lasting use and attractiveness. New Generation Pillows, made of non-allergenic micro fiber to create a fluffy, down-like consistency, will be featured in all staterooms. In suite accommodations a special " suite pillow menu" will offer guests the choice of a variety of different pillow types for their sleeping comfort, including a luxury goose down and a firm latex pillow. Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino has been chosen as godmother for Carnival Cruise Lines' newest ship, Carnival Liberty, set to debut in Italy this summer. Sorvino is scheduled to break the traditional bottle of champagne against the ship's hull during a naming ceremony July 19, 2005, in Civitavecchia, Italy. Early in her career, the Italian-American actress shot to stardom in her breakthrough role in Woody Allen's 1995 movie "Mighty Aphrodite," for which she won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a National Society of Film Critics Award, and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has an extensive resume that includes numerous leads in feature films, including "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, " "Mimic," "Summer of Sam," "The Replacement Killers," "The Triumph of Love," "Barcelona," and "Quiz Show." She is also the official ambassador for the Stop Violence Against Women Program with the worldwide human rights organization, Amnesty International. This past April, Sorvino's work with Amnesty International was recognized at the Artivist Film Festival, which acknowledges socially conscious filmmakers, activist celebrities, and charitable organizations. That's about it for this week. (And, at last, the fireworks have stopped) So, give Pat a call and chat about a cruise! He'd love to hear from you. Smooth sailing, Teri |
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July11, 2005 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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