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The Value of a Dollar (Cost of Cruising over the Years)
2007-08-05 09:09:00
When Carnival Cruise Line started out over 30 years ago, a seven day cruise started at around $600 per person. Today, not including specials, a seven day cruise starts at about $600 per person on the same cruise line. However, a car that costs around $20,000 today sold for around $5000 30 years ago. Given those inflation numbers, had cruising followed the same path, a 7 day cruise would currently start at around $2400 per person. Given this, no wonder the cruise industry has become more popular every year. With more cruise lines and ships to choose from than ever, and even more ships on the way, cruising is a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck come vacation time. Today, a good bargain hunter can find deals in the range of $50 a day per person, bringing a 7 day cruise to $450 each (for an inside cabin, before taxes) at a time when on a land based vacation it can be difficult to get three meals a day and spend less then that before adding in hotel room and entertainment.
More About: Dollar , Cost , Years , Year , Ears

Special Needs While Cruising
2007-08-04 20:05:00
I hear a lot of people say that they are afraid to go on a cruise because of their diet, a handicap, or because of medications. Let me just say that a cruise ship is well equipped to handle just about any type of special need. Give advanced notice of your need or request. Letting it be known at the time of booking will help ensure that anything needed will be ready when you board. If you require a handicap cabin, it is best to book a cruise early because there are limited cabins that may meet your need. Many cruise lines have a varied menu when it comes to meeting different diets. Low sodium, sugar free, and vegetarian options will be labeled accordingly, but letting the cruise line know ahead of time of your needs, may increase the options available for that cruise. When taking medications that need refrigeration (such as insulin), you may be given the option of storing your supplies in the infirmary on board, extra care in making sure you have ice in the cabin, and on some...
More About: Special , Special Needs , Needs

Fall Repositioning Cruises
2007-08-03 15:17:00
As the seasons change, so do the itineraries of a few cruise ships. These changes are called repositioning cruises, and they happen in the Spring and Autumn. This fall, more than 50 ships from cruise lines belonging to CLIA will be moving away from their summer destinations in Europe, Alaska and Canada, to Winter destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. A brief list of Cruise Lines, ships, and dates can be found here on the CLIA website. Repositioning cruises are great for the avid cruiser that is looking for a unique route, or destination.
More About: Cruises , Fall , Posi , Position

Cruise Ship Cleanliness
2007-08-02 20:26:00
After the recent outbreak of Legionnaires disease on the Fred Olsen's Black Watch Ship , the question of cleanliness has come up again. While Legionnaires disease is rare (last outbreak on a ship was 10 years ago) this latest incident reminds people of the more common outbreak of norovirus which makes the news every time there is a outbreak on a cruise ship. It is not that these are not newsworthy, but that many times, the news leaves out vital information that can scare people away from cruising. What normally happens is someone, whether passenger or crew, boards the ship already contaminated and unintentionally causes it to spread. This could happen at a concert or a sporting event and still spread, but with the short period together, people would already be home before ill effects took place. Now given the right environment, like a ship, or hospital, or even a school campus, where large numbers of people are spending a lot of time together, it makes it easier to spread and b...
More About: Cruise , Cruise Ship , Cleanliness

Carnival Victory Strikes Pieir in NYC
2007-08-02 18:35:00
While docking this morning after a 4 day Canadian cruise, the Carnival Victory damaged the pier. No passengers or crew were hurt, but there was minor damage to both the pier and the Victory. The ship is not damaged enough to not make its next voyage according the Carnival Cruise Lines.More info can be found here.
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Trip and Travel Insurance
2007-08-01 16:00:00
What is it?Travel insurance is a policy that will protect you if your vacation is interrupted, and in some cases if you have to cancel your vacation. The insurance can be purchased from a variety of companies, including the cruise lines.What does it do for me?Depending on the policy purchased, travel insurance can cover many things including, emergency evacuation off the ship, airfare home, hospital bills, reimbursement of the cost of the vacation, and accidental death. The key is to make sure the policy has what you need, and you understand the policy.How much is it?Price depends on a few factors, including but not limited to, ages of insured, options of the package, overall cost of the vacation, and any predetermined health issues. Most base packages start at around 7 - 20% of the cost of the vacation (cruise, airfare, hotel etc.).How do I get it?When booking a cruise, many cruise lines will offer their insurance policy. Usually cruise line policies are only trip interruption poli...
More About: Insurance , Travel Insurance , Trip