The dog days of Summer

As the summer wanes, my thoughts turn to fall, and naturally, cruising.

August sales bring a deep discount to the Alaskan cruise itinerary. Late August and September are the least expensive times to cruise the Alaskan waters.

September/October means repositioning cruises. When the cruise lines move ships from their summer itinerary to its 

winter one, you can get a great deal to ride from the old to the new location. 

A great example would be from Barcelona (summer season Mediterranean cruise) with a couple stops then to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. Many sea days which is heaven to me!!

Another fun itinerary would be a Halloween cruise. Let your imagination run wild. Love a masquerade? This is the cruise for you ! ( I would love it!)

No matter your cruising wish, talk to those who are knowledgeable about cruising. Knowing what you're looking for and what time of the year is the best, can save you a lot of money. Maybe enough for a Halloween  short cruise!

Happy Cruising, 

Mary

I want to cruise...but how?

Do you ever look at various cruise lines or cruise ships and are confused on what to book?  Each cruise line has their own benefits and quirks.  Some are always more expensive BUT you won't get nickle and dimed to death.  Some have a better itinerary BUT you may pay more for that vs. other itineraries.
Do I choose the 7 night cruise or pay a little more for an 8 night? (I would choose the 100 night cruise if I could afford it!)  

Regarding a Caribbean cruise, you can choose from Southern Caribbean, Western Caribbean or Eastern Caribbean.  Southern Caribbean is affordable but most cruise out of the San Juan port which means airfare could cost more.  The western Caribbean cruise will usually be less expensive than an eastern Caribbean cruise.  I prefer eastern to western but have done both.  The most beautiful port on an eastern Caribbean cruise is St. Thomas.  It is breathtaking to wake up in the morning, stroll out onto the deck and see that landscape.  

Western Caribbean itinerary best port (to me) is Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  Beautiful!! 

You see, it all depends on speaks to you.  If you're not sure - please speak to a cruise/travel professional and your friends who have cruised before.  Keep in mind that they may love a specific cruise line and will be biased against others.  This is normal with cruise addicts.  I know-- I am one!!  Best of luck in your search.

Happy Cruising,
Mary

Catching up!

I am a really horrid Blogger. I bought a new phone and I didn't download the app on this phone so I've been missing in action for months and months and months!!

So what's new you ask?  Oh you didn't ask? I'm going to tell you anyway! 

In the cruising world there's always something new. New ships, new Innovations, new ways to find bliss all over the globe!

Right now I'm starting to research a cruise for either next year or 2016. I have the most days at sea with Royal Caribbean/Celebrity. I've cruised once with Carnival  (my first cruise)  and once  with  Norwegian Cruise line. Our NCL cruise was amazing as we were blessed to get an upswell from a mini-suite to a penthouse suite for $300 total. It was totally worth it!

I was really looking at the Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest ship, (That is until Quantum of the Seas comes out this year) nut I'm also looking at going a little old-school with Freedom of the Seas, and being able to get a nicer room with a lot less money. It's a tough choice because I've never been on Allure and I do enjoy all the amenities that we would receive sailing on her but on the other hand, the suite life is a very sweet life indeed!!

For now, Happy Cruising!

Ok, so I've been busy.......

Wow, it's been awhile.

Life post cruise is always tough, no one is waiting on me hand and foot and I actually have to go to work. It's cold albeit sunny which is nice, but I sure miss those balmy Caribbean breezes. Worst yet, I know we can't afford to take a cruise in 2010 since our new home really needs to be finished inside. Sigh. However, life is good so I'll quit my complaining.

What's new in the cruising world? Oasis of the Seas. This innovative and stunningly HUGE ship is on it's way from the shipyard in Turku, Finland and on it's way to it's home port of Port Canaveral, Florida. There are daily video's on www.oasisoftheseas.com and they are incredibly interesting. I'm addicted of course!

This ship is so different from anything out there. It has neighborhoods on the ship with greenery and lush trees. Central Park is one and Boardwalk is another. It gives a nice twist from the standard inside stateroom, oceanview, balcony and suite. You can overlook Central Park and the levitating (3 decks!) bar, shops and eateries. In Boardwalk, you can overlook the full size carousel and other shops, bars and eateries. You can have an Aquatheatre stateroom that overlooks the aft of the ship where thrilling water shows will happen. You can get a loft stateroom - yes, a two story stateroom with huge glass windows. Another first!

There's so many different and new items about this ship that I could type all day. However, look for yourself. Oasis of the Seas - what an amazing ship. I wish I was booked on her. Guess I'll have to live vicarously through those that are taking her maiden voyage on December 5th and read about it at the cruise boards.

Happy Sailing!
Mary

23 Days...and counting

Our meet & mingle is now at 111 people! I'm so amazed at how many will be on our cruise. I'm very excited about it as there are a lot of teens so Jake will have plenty of new friends to hang out with!

Because the fair is imminent, it will make at least 10 days fly by quickly. That's a good thing because I'm so excited!

Happy Sailing!
Mary

25 Days!

Twenty five days until our cruise. I'm looking forward to it like you can't believe. This is our busy, busy time of year. The Fair takes up 90% of our time the 3 weeks preceding it and all of our time once we're at the fair.

However, 2 weeks post fair I'll be on the ship, and that makes me able to put up with all the rest. Jake is getting so psyched and already has two emails of teens his age so he can get to know them. I am extremely excited for HIM. He has no idea how much fun he's going to have and I want this to be extra-special for him. Mike and I will have fun no matter what.

25 days...go by quickly!!

43 days!

I decided to go back to rccl.com and look at shore trips. We've decided to kind of take it easy on this trip and not book ourselves up. Truthfully, there are some really cool adventures you can book. No dolphin experience though which is a bummer. My son really wanted to try that.

However, the great thing about not booking shore trips is having the ship almost to yourself. I don't have to be in a hurry to get on the tender or to get off the boat. We can have a leisurely breakfast and just chill. LOVE this part of cruising. I love everything about cruising but what I don't like is being scheduled too much.

43 days...can't get here soon enough!!

Happy Sailing,

Mary

44 days...

Oh I'm loving how quick the countdown is going. Summer is my busy time at work and so I'm not paying as much attention.

Jake and I watched our travel channel show of Great Cruises - Freedom of the Seas. (our sister ship) I recorded it with our dvr. Our dvr also records anything with cruises or cruising in the title so I love seeing what was recorded. Plus I absolutely adore Samantha Brown. She's so fun and she has my dream job!

RCCL we are just so excited!!!

Happy Sailing,
Mary

Cruising and You Tube

I absolutely love You Tube. Not only because you can find a video of almost anything but because you can find thousands of cruising video's. Not sure what your ship looks like? Just put your ships name in the search box and go for it. I've seen some really informational video's and some that are just silly. Thing is, they're all FUN.

You can hear the ocean, experience the honking of the ships horn at the sail away, see a full dining room on formal night, watch as people dance under the stars or watch a movie under the starts. It's all cruising and it's all wonderful!! What a great way to research an upcoming cruise. Thanks You Tube!

Happy Sailing,
Mary

Jimmys cruising right now!

My friend Jimmy is cruising as I type with his two kids. One thing that is common amongst cruising addicts is we get so excited for friends of ours that cruise as well. I have to wait 89 days until I'm in Miami but I've sure lived vicariously through him while he was getting ready.

Have fun Jimmy. I expect a full report when you return!

Why cruising is a perfect vacation

Greetings. I am a cruise addict. I've taken 14 cruises and can tell you that there is no vacation on earth that really gets you away...I mean really away. No cell phone calls, no one to tell you what to do or not to do, and you can cruise with someone or just get away on your own. It's your nirvana and you can mold it to what you want.

Think cruising is not for you? All you see are huge lines and being stuck at sea? That is the furthest thing from the truth. This is not your fathers cruise! You can gamble, rock climb, have a massage, mini-golf, box (!) and do just about anything a thrill seeker would do. Looking for a little tamer vaca? Shipboard shopping is wonderful as is their top notch spa's. Check out the onboard internet or library. Definitely a frozen drink and a comfy deck chair overlooking the ocean is an onboard must.

Afraid you'll get seasick? Nah! You have to remember these are floating cities! As a precaution you can take one Bonine tablet in the am and you'll never feel a thing. The motion of the ocean does one thing right. You'll never sleep better than on a cruise ship. It lulls you sleep better than a hot toddy.

I am probably the most enthusiastic person alive when it comes to cruising. If you want any info, let me know. I am NOT a travel agent. I am just someone who has a passion for cruising.

Happy Sailing,
Mary