Hurricane Season: What You Need to Know

As Hurricane Earl bears down on the Eastern Caribbean, passengers aboard some Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean ships are learning first-hand what happens when you're in the path of a hurricane.

In most cases, a simple itinerary swap is in order.  Instead of visiting the Eastern Caribbean islands like St. Thomas, passengers may find themselves enjoying the beauty of the Western Caribbean instead.  Cruise lines will always pick the safest alternative; in fact, the safest place to be during a hurricane is at sea.

Passengers destined to cruise the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, or even Atlantic itineraries like New England and Bermuda need to be aware that their safety will always take priority over the published itinerary.  This includes changing port times, order, amount of sea days, or even the entire destination should it become necessary.

How much could your itinerary change?  In July of 2005, a hurricane forced Royal Caribbean to famously change the itinerary of Voyager of the Seas from warm, sunny Bermuda to the relatively cooler waters of Canada & New England.  Passengers were furious over the decision, which required several meetings between passengers and crew to explain the decision.  Newspapers carried it.  Cruise message boards debated it endlessly.  And there was a steady stream of incredibly vocal - and angry - passengers to fuel it all for weeks.

Sadly, the passengers aboard Voyager obviously never bothered to read the last few pages of their brochure - which contains arguably some of the most important information cruise passengers should know.  Case in point?  The published itinerary is a 'guide' - cruise lines reserve the right to alter it as they see fit depending on the circumstances, and a hurricane bearing down on a three-thousand passenger ship is certainly not something to trifle with.  Sandy beaches take a back-seat to Mother Nature.

In addition, your port of embarkation and disembarkation could change.  If a hurricane damages port infrastructure, it could become impossible for lines to turn around there.  This situation taxes a cruise line to the max; passengers and crew alike end up scrambling to make alternate arrangements.  

So what should you do?  Firstly, know if you book a cruise to one of the aforementioned destinations during the hurricane months of June to November, you might end up with an altered itinerary should you be the lucky chosen few that get hit with changes.  Secondly, purchase trip interruption and cancellation insurance; merely stating "no one told me" isn't going to get you your money back should things go wrong.

Most importantly, wherever you end up, go with an open mind and have a fantastic time.  After all, a day at sea is still better than a day at the office.

Conquering Antarctica with Quark

One hundred years ago, Robert Falcon Scott set sail bound for Antarctica.  His mission: to claim the South Pole for England.  Unfortunately for Scott, he didn't know two things at the time: first, that Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had also decided to take a run at the pole and was hot on Scott's heels.

Second: that his arduous, two year journey would claim his life and that of four of his companions in one of the most horrifically tragic expeditions to ever set foot on the frozen continent.

Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova Hut, 

located at Cape Evans, Antarctica.

Photo © Mari Ogawa 

In 2008, The Other Coast creator and good friend Adrian Raeside was in the beginning stages of writing a book about Scott's expedition to the South Pole.  Unlike other authors who have covered this subject, Raeside has an ace up his sleeve: his grandfather was Canadian-born Sir Charles Seymour Wright - a key figure in the expedition.  Wright, or Silas, as he was affectionately known, came within a hair's breadth of accompanying Scott to the pole, and was the first person to locate the frozen remains of the party in October, 1912.

He'd also kept a meticulously-detailed journal, which provided an astonishing glimpse into everyday life both out on the ice, and back at the Terra Nova hut.

Raeside needed a way to see his grandfather's huts for himself; the book and indeed his journey would seem somewhat incomplete if he was unable to physically stand on the spot where his grandfather had stood some ninety-eight years before.  But how to go about visiting one of the most remote locations on this Earth?

Quark Expeditions' Kapitan Khlebnikov.

Photo © Mari Ogawa

Enter Quark Expeditions.

Since its inception in 1991, Quark has focused solely on one thing: providing exceptional voyages to some of the harshest, most remote regions in the world.  You won't find any of their ships tied up at the pier in Cozumel; these are real working ships providing a true expedition voyage to those seeing a trip with a little more adventure.

Indeed, the opportunities for adventure seemingly know no limits aboard Quark.  Kayaking is offered in Antarctica, as well as the ability to go ashore via zodiacs or helicopters - both of which are included in your fare.

For the truly adventurous, nothing can compare to Quark's overnight experiences.  Offered for a small additional cost, passengers forgo their warm berth for the evening, opting to spend an evening camped out on the polar ice.  It's the closest you can get to being a modern-day explorer without physically mounting an expedition yourself.

Helicopters allow passengers to access remote

locations ashore.

Photo © Mari Ogawa 

Also remarkable about the frozen continent: the constant cold has preserved Scott's hut, as well as Shackleton's Discovery Hut.

During Raeside's journey in 2008, he was able to visit the same hut where his grandfather Silas had spent the majority of his days on the expedition, right down to the bunk he had slept in.  Indeed, the hut itself is in a remarkable state of preservation, appearing as if the occupants had just stepped out for a moment.  As the author and cartoonist observed, "I don't think there's any other place in the world you can go to and have an experience like this.  It's like stepping back in time."

The majestic Emperor Penguin in Antarctica.

Photo © Mari Ogawa 

In November 2011, those looking to experience the 'real' Antarctica have an opportunity to do so again, on one of the last voyages of Quark's venerable Russian icebreaker, the Kapitan Khlebnikov.  Built in 1981 and carrying just 108 guests, the Khlebnikov is perfectly suited to harsh Antarctic climates: her double hull is lined with water ballast which can be shifted along the length of the ship to further aid in breaking through stubborn ice.

In 2012, the ship will return to her duties for the Far East Shipping Company (FESCO) as an escort in the Russian Arctic.  

Kapitan Khlebnikov in the Ross Sea ice.

Photo © Mari Ogawa

Departing from Christchurch, New Zealand on November 9, 2011, this unique 29-day voyage celebrates the centennial anniversary of Scott's journey to the South Pole. Offering calls at Cape Adare - home to Carsten Borchgrevink's Southern Cross Expedition Hut, as well as a two-day stay in the Ross Sea.  From here, passengers will be able to visit McMurdo Station as well the nearby 1907 Discovery Hut, and if conditions permit, a flight via helicopter into the Dry Valleys will be offered.  The valleys are an anomaly in Antarctica in that there is little to no snow or ice cover; in fact, they are considered to be one of the harshest deserts in the world.

 The rugged - and beautiful - terrain of 

'The Frozen Continent.'

Photo © Mari Ogawa

Rounding out the Antarctic experience are visits to the Balleny Islands, Macquarie Island, The Snares, The Auckland Islands, and Campbell Island.

Pricing for this absolutely phenomenal experience start at $35,390 per person, and availability is extremely limited.  Guests can contact their travel agent or Quark directly for detailed pricing and availability.

One of the many impressive icebergs that greet

passengers to Antarctica.

Photo © Mari Ogawa 

For more information on Kapitan Khlebnikov, her amazing final season, and the complete range of Arctic and Antarctic itineraries offered on all of Quark's vessels, be sure to visit their website and start planning your own personal historic journey.

As for Raeside, he returned from his voyage aboard Kapitan Khlebnikov with all the information he needed to make his book, Return to Antarctica, a one-of-a kind.  A documentary is in the works, featuring historic footage shot in 1910 coupled with modern-day HD video shot on his voyage in 2008.  (full disclosure: I am the editor and director of said documentary.  And it's phenomenal.)

Mexicana Ceases Operations; Cruise Impact Unknown

A Mexicana Airbus A320 lands at Vancouver 

International Airport during better days.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Effective as of 12:01am this morning, Mexico's first airline suspended all operations indefinitely following a spate of financial difficulties that have left the airline unable to operate.

Mexicana Airlines had filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this month, and stated it needed a cash injection of $100 million dollars in order to maintain basic operations at Groupo Mexico, which controls Mexicana and regional airlines MexicanaClick and MexicanaLink - all three of which have been grounded.

The airline was hit particularly hard by the swine flu outbreak last year that saw travel to Mexican destinations drop sharply, while at the same time grappling with rising fuel costs.  The airline had recently become a member of the Oneworld Alliance, of which American Airlines is a notable partner.

While the airline isn't officially 'dead', the chances of flights resuming is slim to none.  Once aircraft aren't operational, any income generated stops as well.  Creditors and lessors usually move quickly to repossess aircraft that can be used profitably for other companies.

Though the majority of North American cruisers won't likely be impacted by Mexicana's demise, guests due to travel to South America this winter might want to double-check their tickets.  Mexicana operated a number of flights from North America to not only Mexico, but many parts of Latin America and South America, and was a codeshare partner with American Airlines.  Meaning if you booked through another airline, but your flight is listed as a codeshare with Mexicana, you should contact your travel agent or booking airline.

At the moment, it's not immediately clear what will happen to those passengers who had flights booked with Mexicana.  Affected passengers would be wise to contact either their travel agent, or, failing that, their credit card company in order to have any charges reversed. 

Sadly, it is the demise of yet another airline that should give frequent cruisers pause; for all the innovations the cruise industry has seen in the past twenty years, the majority of passengers are still reliant upon air travel to reach their ports of embarkation.  

An industry which has seen an increasingly volatile decade.

 

Unique Itinerary: Affordable Luxury in the Med

 Seabourn Odyssey towers over the historic city of Venice.

Photo courtesy of the Yachts of Seabourn.

If you've always wanted to try the decidedly sophisticated, ultraluxurious ships of the Yachts of Seabourn, but were put off by the price, you may get your chance this November.

Departing November 6, 2010 from beautiful Venice, Italy, your seven-day cruise aboard the beautiful (and new) Seabourn Odyssey takes you to some of the most beautiful islands the Mediterranean has to offer.  The itinerary includes calls in Split, Croatia; Bari, Italy; Cephalonia, Greece; Katakolon, Greece; Gythion, Greece; and Mykonos.  The cruise terminates in Piraeus - the port of Athens, Greece, and offers passengers a wonderful chance to add a post-cruise stay in this historic city.

As magnificent as the ports of call are, of equal impressiveness is the Seabourn Odyssey.  Seabourn's newest vessel continues the tradition of fine service and food the line has built its reputation on, while at the same time offering slightly larger, more modern surroundings than her predecessors.  No comfort is spared; no detail is overlooked.  A Seabourn voyage truly is a step into "the good life."

With this unique voyage, that step up just became more palatable: a mere $1,999 per person - less than most mainstream cruise lines charge - secures you this seven-day voyage through the Med.  So why are you still here?  Hop on over to Seabourn's site and prepare to experience this fantastic region in style.

Carnival Unveils the Magic

Carnival Magic is seen in this 3D composite rendering.

Illustration courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.

On Wednesday, Carnival took the wraps off of its newest vessel, Carnival Magic, with a special website dedicated solely to the ship.

Sister ship to the 2009-built Carnival Dream, Carnival's latest and greatest promises to usher in a number of firsts for the line, not the least of which is Carnival's return to the European market after an almost four-year hiatus. 

In the late 1990's, smoking clubs or cigar bars were all the rage onboard cruise ships, and lines rushed to create a version of their own.  Fast forward eleven years and the current trend lies in shipboard pubs.  Queen Mary 2 has, naturally, one of the very best, but lines like Princess and NCL have also followed suit, offering up English pub-themed lunches complimented with a variety of malty delights, both bottled and on-tap.

 The Red Frog Pub aboard Carnival Magic.

Illustration courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Magic also offers a pub, marking Carnival's first foray into the arena.  The Red Frog Pub, as it will be known, promises to offer up a slice of "Key West-style fun."  The line even has a contest in place to let prospective passengers design the coasters that will grace the bar.  Come up with a clever saying, and you could be resting your frothy drink down on a coaster of your own creation. 

The Cloud 9 Spa is another evolution for Carnival.  Somewhat behind their competitors in the spa game until recently, the Cloud 9 Spa aboard Carnival Magic is set to be on-par with the kind of facilities you might expect to find on Holland America: Thermal Beds.  A relaxation room.  A hydrotherapy pool.  What could be better?  How about special Spa Staterooms that boast priority access to all spa facilities from a private lift and staircase.  Carnival has always been about giving passenger more bang for their buck, and these Spa staterooms are no exception. 

But perhaps the most interesting feature of this 130,000-tonne, 3,646-passenger ship lies in the interior decor created by master designer Joe Farcus.  While the 3D renderings of the ships public spaces still retain much of his whimsical (and at times downright bizarre) stylings, the overall feel of this ship is...different.  Based on early renderings, the Carnival Magic may be poised to give birth to a newer, more elegant Carnival.  To be sure, there's still plenty of unique textures and colors at work here, but it all seems to mesh in a way that may best be described as Queen Victoria meets Carnival Dream. 

Experience the magic for yourself by heading over to the brand-new Carnival Magic website.

The Seasickness Remedy

 Heavy swells as seen from the deck of Crown Princess

on our way to Iceland from Norway.

 Photo © Aaron Saunders

One of the most commonly-asked cruising questions, aside from "What night's lobster night?!" is "how rough are the seas?"

For the most part, it's impossible to answer that question.  Certainly, some areas can be rougher than others; the Drake Passage, which separates South America from Antarctica, is notorious for its treacherous waters.  How rough?  A quick YouTube search helps to provide a better picture: very rough.

For the most part though, a lot depends on the weather.  Strong winds can affect the movement of a cruise ship as much as heavy swells can.  Though all modern cruise ships are fitted with stabilizers - little wing-like devices that can fold out from their resting place inside the hull - these only help to mitigate the rolling motion (left to right and vice versa) that the majority of people find most uncomfortable. They do not have an appreciable affect on pitching from forward to aft. 

So what to do if you're prone to seasickness?  There are quire a few things you can do to help yourself, and you won't need a prescription for any of them.

 Cruise ships can be quite tall; cabins higher up

are subject to more motion than lower ones.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

Book Cabins on Lower Decks or Amidships.  Staterooms that are closer to the water line are less susceptible to overall motion than those located higher up on the ship.  Passengers may also find that rooms at the extreme bow or stern of the ship have a higher degree of pitch in heavy seas than those located amidships.

Wear Sea Bands.  Available from most drug and grocery stores, sea bands are small cloth bands that you wear on each wrist like a watch.  A small pressure point is placed on the underside of each wrist, and acts as an additional inner-ear during inclement weather.  For best results, it's a good idea to wear sea bands all the time and not just when the seas pick up; if you wait until you already feel seasick to put them on, chances are the damage has already been done.

Place a band-aid on your belly button.  This sounds absolutely nuts - and it works.  Place a band-aid over your belly button so the cloth center piece is directly covering the belly button.  You can even apply two for extra effect.  Again, it sounds crazy - but I've seen this work for dozens of seasick people, both passengers and crew alike.  As with sea bands, it helps if you put this on before the onset of inclement weather.

Running into some fair-sized swells aboard 

Mariner of the Seas in the Pacific.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders 

Keep your stomach full; lay off the water!  The greatest lesson I learned when I cruised the Aegean Sea ten years ago.  Battling 34 foot seas for almost forty-eight hours was a supreme test of endurance, but I made it through, largely due to the advice of a crew member.  He'd told me to not drink any water and to ensure I had a breakfast that consisted only of greasy food.  The rationale?  Greasy food, like bacon or sausages, is heavy - thus, it stays down in the stomach and isn't as prone to movement while it's digesting.  A light meal on the other hand, washed down with water, will pitch and roll just as much as you are - making you feel even worse. 

He was right.  Because I could stomach breakfast, I was one of only two people in our group of thirty on that trip that did not get violently seasick.  As for the other guy - he had breakfast too.

So remember: the next time you're feeling seasick on a cruise, pop those sea bands on, attach a band-aid to your bellybutton, and grab a few strips of bacon and wash it down with a ginger ale - or a beer. 

You'll thank yourself later!

Hanseatic Update: Northwest Passage Progress

A few days ago, we wrote about Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' MS Hanseatic setting off from Greenland on an incredible twenty-eight day voyage through the fabled Northwest Passage to Nome, Alaska.

We've been following the ship's progress via her webcam and thought we should share some of the more interesting photos with you here at From the Deck Chair.  If these photos are half as spectacular in real-life as they are on the digital screen, chances are MS Hanseatic's passengers are truly in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The ship passed a major arctic milestone on Monday when she called briefly at Beechy Island.   This desolate, wind-swept island played host to the early days of the Franklin Expedition as their anchorage during the winter of 1845-46 and was also the site of the first three deaths to befall the expedition.  Even today, the graves of Petty Officer John Torrington, seaman John Hartnell, and Private William Braine adorn the rocky shores of Beechy Island.

Unlike many historic sites in the world which have changed and evolved with human advancement, the Arctic is largely a time capsule; appearing today very much as it did to the men aboard HMS Erebus and HMS Terror one hundred and sixty-five years ago.

All photographs below are courtesy of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

 

Passengers marvel at the approach to Beechy Island.

...and experience the desolation of the Arctic up-close.

 And yet, the beauty of the Arctic shines through.

With its ever-shifting ice fields and maze-like chains of 

islands, it's not difficult to see why this area was so feared

not that long ago.

The One-Day Getaway

 Sailing under the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver

aboard the Rotterdam's one-night trip to Seattle.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

Chances are, you've heard of one-night cruises before, but haven't been on one yourself.  If you live near (or even reasonably close to) one of the ports of embarkation, you really owe it to yourself to give these small 'taster' cruises a try; like us, you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Not only is it an excellent way to try out a new cruise line, it's a fantastic way to try out a ship you've always been curious about.  Maybe you've had your eye on it for a longer voyage, but wanted to sail it for yourself before committing to a longer duration of time aboard.  

I was always leery of a one-day voyage.  I thought it would be too much of a tease, and not replicate the cruise experience well enough.  

Was I ever wrong.

After sailing aboard Holland America's Rotterdam for one day back in May, I was astounded by just how much fun it was.  With only one day on board, everyone is there to have a good time.  Service was just as good, and all the usual suspects were open: casino, spa, bars and lounges.  The evening show was in full swing after an excellent dinner, and there were many, many opportunities to enjoy yourself aboard.  

Almost all the usual amenities were present aboard

Rotterdam, including chocolates & room-service.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders 

Of course, the downside is they kick you off the next morning - but strangely it wasn't a problem.  You  go into it knowing you only have a short amount of time onboard, and that makes it less disappointing in a way.  In short, it doesn't take a lot of convincing for me to do a one-day cruise again.

Although usually technical in nature (cruise lines offer one-day voyages as a way of shoring up a gap in their schedule, or because of legal restrictions in sailing between US ports, as is the case with the Seattle to Vancouver voyages), these short little jaunts can be a lot of fun.

 Golden Princess sets sail for Seattle on a

1-day cruise from Vancouver.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

So who offers one day cruises?

From Seattle or Vancouver: Both Holland America and Princess Cruises offer one-day repositioning voyages between Seattle and Vancouver this September.  Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Volendam and Zaandam sail for Holland America, and Golden Princess, Royal Princess, and Sapphire Princess operate the run for Princess.

Prices for these quick jaunts can be as low as $30pp in an inside cabin - far cheaper than a stay in a comparable hotel for the evening.

Norwegian Star arriving in Vancouver.  In November,

she will operate a 1-night cruise from Los Angeles.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

From Los Angeles: Residents in the City of Angels need not feel left out: Norwegian Cruise Line operates a 1-day sailing aboard the Norwegian Star that departs - and returns to - San Pedro on November 19, 2010.  Pricing starts at $129 per person.

From Boston: Once again, Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't want passengers on the East Coast to feel left out: Norwegian Spirit operates a 1-night cruise roundtrip from historic Boston on September 24th. 

From New York: Both Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Gem offer a series of one-nighters beginning in January, 2011 and continuing on into February.  

Looking for twice the amount of time aboard?  Go to your favorite search engine like Travelocity and plug in "1 to 2 nights" in the search field.  You might be surprised to find that there are two-night cruises as close to home as Vancouver, New York and Miami, and as far away as Sydney Australia or Santos, Brazil. 

Happy cruising!

Environmental - or Journalistic - Waste?

A recent article published in the Vancouver Sun, amongst other newspapers, suggests that the waters off British Columbia are quickly becoming "the toilet bowl of North America", and blatantly accuses cruise lines of dumping raw sewage into Canadian waters.

The driving force behind the recent article?  Noted anti-cruise ship group Friends of the Earth, who've railed against the cruise industry many times this year over a litany of supposed infractions, deficiencies, and neglectful behaviour.  As always, their stance is heavy-handed: we're right and you're wrong.

Which is what makes the article all the more difficult to digest: there's no balance.  Friends of the Earth come out with guns blazing every time there's the possibility of some environmental infraction on the part of the cruise lines, and they certainly don't go to the trouble to point out the sophisticated waste treatment system carried by most cruise lines (nor do they bother to point out an American small-ship line was recently accused of dumping raw sewage into Bar Harbor, Maine - twice.)

Nope, it's all happening in Alaska, and Canadians should be ashamed - and angry.  The group even trotted out noted anti-cruise personality Ross Klein to comment on the situation.  Mr. Klein, a professor in St. John's, Newfoundland, has studied the cruise ship industry extensively in the past ten years, and I have no doubt he is well-researched and read.  Sadly, like Friends of the Earth, his message operates on one note: negative.

The sad part is this: that the Sapphire Princess's recent encounter with a whale - which proved to be deceased prior to being hit - almost turned into a cause celebre for those wanting to take a run at the industry.  No one reports when a cruise line donates truckloads of beds to charity, or used televisions to those in need.  No one goes to great lengths to point out the industry's various successes in curbing environmental impact or the astronomical amount of money they've spent investing in shoreside power and emissions scrubbers for their funnels.

If cruise lines didn't give a damn about the environment - as Friends of the Earth alleges - then why spend millions of dollars on sophisticated waste-treatment facilities?  Why bother having incinerators that burn off garbage and waste products in order to heat the ship's hot water systems?  Or solar panels fitted to the roof in a bid to reduce power - and thus fuel - consumption?

One hundred years ago, during the height of the immigration boom and the peak of transatlantic travel, far more ocean liners criss-crossed the world's seas than today's modern cruise ships.  With the lucrative "third class" passsengers looking to emigrate to America, many of these liners carried in excess of three thousand passengers.  And they certainly didn't have today's waste-treatment plants at their disposal; that waste went straight into the ocean.

Is it a problem?  Yes.  Have the lines made mistakes in the past?  Yes.  Should cruise lines be mindful of it and try to mitigate and reduce their environmental impact?  Of course.

Most importantly: are cruise lines making constant eco-friendly improvements?  Yes.

We should encourage the cruise lines to continue to do better - not criticize them at every opportunity.

Why Cruise?

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

 
“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”

Rachel Carson, 1907-1964

I believe a cruise is more than just a destination; it is a chance to meet and interact with people from around the world, both in port and aboard ship. It is also the best type of vacation you can take - ask anyone who's cruised how many times they've sailed.  Now as them if they plan on stopping.

Very few do.

 Passengers disembark Zuiderdam 

in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

For me, the ship is an enormous draw; from the smallest expedition ships to liners like Queen Mary 2 or Oasis of the Seas,  there really is something for everyone - a ship to suit every taste.  But those elegant, beautiful and simply astonishing ships have taken me to a variety of countries and ports that I could never have conceived of otherwise.

Since I began cruising twelve years ago, I have seen places and done things I would have never ordinarily expected.  I've swam with dolphins in Cabo San Lucas - twice.  I wasn't initially very excited to do this; by my thinking, there was something decidedly wrong with climbing into an enormous tank of water with a creature larger than yourself.  But it was a wonderful experience - just don't eat the smoked salmon like I did for breakfast.  You'll never get away...

 Horseback riding in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

I've rode horses in Reykjavik, Iceland and was awed by the power and majesty of that small country in the middle of the Atlantic.  I've seen glaciers calve and ice floes drift by.  I've crossed the Arctic Circle - where the sun went down for all of fifteen minutes before popping back up again.

Crossing the Arctic Circle aboard Crown Princess

at midnight.  This is as dark as it got - for mere minutes.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

I've had Key Lime pie in Key West, Florida.  I've taken a gondola ride in Venice at sunset.  I've been tossed around by the worst storm the Aegean Sea had experienced since 1982, and got hopelessly lost in Mykonos, Greece.   I drank apple tea in Kusadasi, Turkey and have witnessed the enormity of Norways' fjords.

 Exploring the winding streets of Alesund, Norway.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

There's a reason I mention this , and it is because I assume you yourself are now thinking about the experiences you've had on your cruises.  Yours will be completely different from the next persons', but no less rewarding.

Sometimes, experiences won't occur in port, but onboard ship.  We managed to view an amazing spectacle aboard Mariner of the Seas in January, as literally hundreds (and I do mean hundreds) of dolphins sailing together were spotted off the port side of the ship.  They swam towards us rapidly, leaping out of the water better than any advertisement, movie, or brochure could ever hope to capture.  And I stood there, transfixed by the whole thing - knowing it would be one of those moments you remember forever.

Also notable was a close passage between Crown Princess and Hurtigruten's Richard With off the coast of Norway.  We weren't going to hit, but the Norwegians sure passed close to us!

The MV Richard With crosses our stern - tightly.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

It is the uniqueness of cruises not just as a vacation, but as a type of enjoyment and relaxation that make them so unique.  Maybe you'll meet passengers onboard who you become friends with, and decide to tour or do excursions you wouldn't normally have attempted.  Maybe - like most of us - you'll take a cruise for a few specific ports, only to discover it was the other, less-attractive ports of call that you fell in love with.

Then there's the ship.  The theatre productions.  The service.  The decor.  The relaxation.

Dusk aboard Golden Princess, sailing from

Puerto Vallarta to Cabo San Lucas.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

To me, there is something deeply mysterious - and alluring - about the sea.  The same can be said for the ships themselves; in as much as they are in almost constant motion, so too are your surroundings: public rooms change in theme and tone as the first rays of sun rise in the morning and set at night.

A ship at night - long after the passengers have gone to bed - is an intriguing thing.  The gentle hum of the engines or the slight rattling of a ceiling panel or table lamp lets you know that you are always in motion; the ship taking you ever further along on your journey.

 A Martini served in the Commodore Lounge

aboard Queen Mary 2.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

What will you experience tomorrow? 

The sunsets.

The ocean.

This year, 18.4 million people will embark on a cruise.  It's expected that number will grow by roughly 1.6 million passengers every year.  Also revealing is the fact that well over 45% of the potential  travel market - which is a vast number of people - have never set foot aboard a ship.  Clearly, new megaships like Oasis of the Seas and Norwegian Epic hope to take advantage of that untapped potential and entice new, prospective cruisers with their mind-boggling array of features.

Sunrise and sea spray aboard Mariner of the Seas

in the Pacific Ocean.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

Past cruisers might be looking to upgrade to lines like Silversea and Regent in order to enhance their experience aboard more quiet, subdued vessels with longer itineraries.  Others may be looking to the value of lines like Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line.

My fiancee aboard Queen Mary 2, waving

to the pilot boat just off Staten Island, NY.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

When I first met my fiancee, she'd never cruised.  In fact, she took it one step farther and said she'd never cruise.  It was, as she put it, 'for old people.'

She just completed her eleventh voyage and I could not be more thrilled.

My parents enjoy the evening aboard Celebrity Summit.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders 

Perhaps the greatest joy, for me personally, has been travelling with my parents.  They'd cruised before - in fact, my first cruise as a kid was to Alaska with them.  They still give me a hard time about how they paid for the stateroom, but my sister and I somehow finagled the beds from them.  So they slept on the pull-out couch in our small, oceanview stateroom aboard the Norwegian Wind.

And we loved it.

They've cruised since; I've cruised since.  But it wasn't until last summer that we all set out on a voyage together, to Northern Europe and Iceland aboard Crown Princess.  We had such a good time, we sailed together this past July, to New England aboard Celebrity Summit.  Plans are even in the works for a voyage next year, this time to the Baltic.

 A toast aboard Crown Princess to a great cruise.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

If you haven't sailed with your extended family, you should.  A ship lends itself very well to this arrangement - you can do as much or as little together as you want.  We like to get connecting staterooms so we can sit on our balconies and yak while enjoying the view.  More and more families seem to be cruising these days, and I find myself wondering why I waited so long to do so with mine.

 The Promenade Deck aboard Zuiderdam as she

cruises Alaska's Inside Passage.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

One thing is certain: with the enormous amount of new cruise ships being built each year since the newbuild boom kicked off in the early 1990's, I have no doubt that people will look back on the last twenty years with the same fondness now reserved for the Golden Age of Transatlantic travel.

Sunset dining aboard Celebrity Summit.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

It's a great time to be a cruiser.

Unique Itinerary: Post New Year's Getaway

 Norwegian Sun, shown here in Vancouver, BC.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

Every year, many cruisers flock to the holiday cruises; voyages over Christmas and New Year's are immensely popular and not only do they usually sell out, but they do so at some of the highest price points of the entire year.

Because of this, many savvy cruisers choose to postpone their winter getaway, opting to cruise instead in the 'low season' months of January and February.  And if you can make it work, Norwegian Cruise Line has a great little Caribbean getaway for you.

Newly-restored buildings in Cozumel, Mexico.
Photo © Aaron Saunders

Departing Saturday, January 8, 2011 aboard Norwegian Sun, your sun-washed five-night voyage takes you from the beautiful Port Canaveral (near Orlando) and sails to Cozumel and Key West, book-ended with two sea days.

 Key West, Florida.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

While Cozumel is indeed the staple of the Western Caribbean itinerary, the beautiful and welcoming port of Key West is something of an oddity, only appearing on a handful of Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries - usually on shorter voyages, no less.  The inclusion of two sea days helps ensure guests receive the maximum level of exploration and relaxation.

The multi-story atrium aboard Norwegian Sun,

as seen during the evening.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

Built in 2001, the 2,002-passenger Norwegian Sun was one of the first ships to be designed with NCL's now-famous "Freestyle Cruising."  While the product may have changed and evolved over the intervening years, the ship is immensely comfortable to sail on, and offers virtually the same amenities as her newer fleet-mates.  We still look fondly on a 2005 trip to Alaska aboard her; indeed, fans of the "Old NCL" will find much to like in this classy, elegant vessel: she's a decided throwback to a more...demur Norwegian Cruise Line.

Perhaps best of all: pricing for this voyage starts at a jaw-dropping $264 per person.  So stop reading this and head on over to NCL's site to get your much-needed dose of vitamin 'Cruise.'

How Carnival Got Their Funnel

The 'whale-tail': Carnival's iconic funnel as seen

on Carnival Imagination in Key West, Florida.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

Regardless of whether it's your first cruise or your hundred-and-first, there's no mistaking a Carnival cruise ship: the tall blue, red and white funnel that resembles a whale's tail is recognized around the world and remains to this day arguably one of the company's greatest achievements.

When Carnival bough the Empress of Canada from Canadian Pacific in January 1972, one of their first tasks was to repaint Canadian Pacific's livery from the funnel.  The livery CP had recently designed for their ships consisted of a green funnel with a white semi-circle and a yellow triangle; this was meant to look like an abstract 'C'.

Seizing on that, Carnival decided to use the white semi-circle already applied to the funnel as a base.  The majority of the funnel was painted red, but with the triangle changed to a blue semi-circle.  Part of the initial white base was kept from the original CP livery. 

When Mardi Gras set sail on her first - and now infamous - voyage (she ran aground shortly after leaving port) in 1972, she did not yet have her famous fins adorning her funnel.  Indeed, it wouldn't be until the 1982 launch of Carniva's first newbuild - Tropicale - that the distinctive 'whale tail' would appear on a Carnival ship.

Now longtime Carnival designer Joe Farcus apparently drew inspiration for the funnel from a somewhat unlikely source: the SS France, which was then sailing as the Norway for Norwegian Cruise Line.  The France featured two funnels with wing-like protrusions on either side designed to carry engine exhaust out and away from the ship, rather than up through the top of the smokestack like many commercial liners.  Farcus recognized these benefits and designed Carnival's funnel with a more mammal-like appearance as opposed to the jet-set styling of the France/Norway. 

Interestingly, during a later refit that saw two additional decks added to the Norway, funnel uptake pipes were added to the smokestacks which rendered the unique wing exhaust system redundant.  Not until a boiler room explosion at the Port of Miami in May 2003 would smoke pour from the winged stacks again - sealing the much beloved ship's fate.

 An upward shot of Carnival Spirit's funnel.

Note the exhaust outtakes on the side of the wings.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

So the next time you cruise on a Carnival ship - or even see one in port - you can look at tone of he most recognizable icons of modern cruising knowing its roots are seated with two classic shipping companies: Canadian Pacific, and Compagnie Générale Transatlantique.

Trouble Down South

 Carnival and Royal Caribbean both use Galveston, Texas

as a homeport for their Caribbean cruises.

Here, Carnival Fantasy and Independence of the Seas are seen

docked at Cozumel, Mexico.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

A few years ago. the Port of Houston, Texas set an ambitious plan into motion: the construction of a brand-new, $81-million dollar cruise terminal designed to draw cruise lines away from nearby Galveston.  Two years ago, that dream was realized as the last of the terminal was finalized.

Not a single passenger has passed through its doors to date.

When Norwegian Cruise Line pulled Norwegian Dream from its successful line of "Texaribbean" runs at the end of 2008, it effectively marked the end of Houston-based cruises.  Despite the fact that the new facility was nearly completed, cruise lines were hesitant about home-porting in Houston due to its distance from the ocean: ships entering and leaving the harbor face a little over an hour's worth of sailing before entering open ocean, impacting arrival and departure times, as well as fees for fuel and local pilots.

Galveston, on the other hand, is booming.  Carnival and Royal Caribbean call the area home, and despite its tendency to heavily fog in during certain months - something that's delayed more than a handful of ships this year alone - the port still remains one of the busiest outside of Florida.

While more attractive to the cruise lines, Galveston has one major drawback: it's a good hour's drive from the nearest airport: George Bush Intercontinental, located in - yep - Houston.  Which has the port of Houston absolutely pulling out their hair; shouldn't they be the ideal choice given their close proximity to air transportation?

Technically, yes.  Operationally, no.  Houston may indeed be the better choice; except for the increased sailing times, there really are no major drawbacks to the area.  NCL's withdrawal was related in part to the removal of the 1992-built Norwegian Dream and the line's increased focus on European destinations, and an increased Miami and Port Canaveral presence.  The main problem facing Houston at this point is that cruise lines have been with Galveston long enough now to have worked out the kinks and bottlenecks.  Houston is an unknown.  

However, that doesn't mean Houston's fate is sealed.

In 1999, the first cruise lines started toying with the idea of sailing from Seattle, Washington instead of Vancouver, Canada, on voyages to Alaska.  In order to satisfy the Jones Act, ships would call in Victoria, BC on the return leg of the trip so as not to be in violation of the provision which stipulates ships leaving from US homeports must call in a 'distant foreign port' before they can return.  Norwegian Cruise Line - again - enlisted their intimate Norwegian Dynasty on the run.

Many scoffed at NCL's decision - but in doing so, they launched the Port of Seattle into the stratosphere, proving that close proximity to affordable air transportation was eagerly sought after by many cruisers.  Today, the Port of Seattle plays host to every major cruise line during the summer months, much to the regret of the Port of Metro Vancouver.

All Houston needs is one ship.  Given the ease of getting to the port over Galveston, it's hopeful that day is soon.

Cruising Vicariously with MS Hanseatic

The Arctic as seen from the bridge of MS Hanseatic.

Photo courtesy of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Taken off the coast of Greenland, this remarkable image from the bridge webcam aboard Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' MS Hanseatic gives armchair cruisers a tantalizing glimpse of one of the most remote parts of the world: the Arctic.

On Monday, August 16, viewers can tune into the live webcam feed for a first-hand look as MS Hanseatic begins her amazing transit of the Northwest Passage, a voyage that will take her from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Nome, Alaska in a mere twenty-six days.  

For hundreds of years, explorers from many European countries set out in search of the fabled 'Northwest Passage; in almost every case, the amount of life lost was appalling.  Unaccustomed to the ever-shifting ice and navigating in a veritable no-man's land (most of the Arctic areas simply didn't exist on maps yet), many ships became trapped in the ice for months or even years at a time, forcing their crews to set out on foot in search of rescue or hope that the ice would break up sufficiently in spring to allow them to make a dash for the open freedom of the Atlantic Ocean.

The most famous failed expedition is, of course, the Franklin Expedition.  Having wintered for several years on the ice, the expedition finally became completely locked in the ice during the fall of 1846 - and would remain there until the surviving crew were forced to abandon their ships, Erebus and Terror, in the spring of 1848 on a desperate attempt to reach a Hudson's Bay outpost hundreds of miles to the south.  

Their fates - and how far they travelled on foot -  remain largely unknown.

With the highest ice rating available on a passenger ship, MS Hanseatic makes this once treacherous journey with an ease Franklin's men could only have dreamed of - and in five-star comfort, no less.  While the 2010 voyage is sold out, MS Bremen will make an identical journey - in reverse order - from Nome to Greenland in August 2011.  At 27 days in length, it represents an amazing opportunity to travel to a destination that is as deep and mysterious as it is rich and rewarding.

Be sure to watch MS Hanseatic's progress via the ship's webcam, and visit the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises website for all the details on MS Bremen's 2011 transit of the Northwest Passage.

Photo of the Week - August 14

The Pacific Ocean at sunset, as viewed from aboard

Mariner of the Seas.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

While we're busy at work preparing articles for tomorrow and the coming week, we thought it'd be fitting to throw up another attractive photo.  It's remarkable how something as simple as the ocean at sunset can cause an almost uncontrollable desire to set sail on a voyage right now.    It's always been a mystery to me why cruise brochures have bright, sun-washed photographs on them and not relaxed, contemplative sunset shots.

Coming this week, we take a look at the former Renaissance in her days as World Renaissance for the now-defunct Royal Olympic Cruise Line.  She was beached at Alang, India on August 10th and at this moment awaits a welder's torch - the last step in a long and storied career.

We also take a look at Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas, discuss some of the up-and-coming reasons to cruise Alaska in 2011, and we explore why you should be searching for your airfare before even deciding on a cruise.

Stay tuned!

Crystal Adds Pacific Coastal Voyages; Replaces Mexican Riviera Sailings

Crystal Symphony will ply two new Pacific Coast

itineraries in April, 2011.

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Much has been made of the fact that starting in 2011, both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are pulling out of the Mexican Riviera market completely, choosing instead to send their ships to the more lucrative - and in the eyes of the public, potentially safer - Caribbean and Mediterranean.

Yesterday, Crystal Cruises announced something along the same line: it will be scrapping Crystal Symphony's planned April 10 and April 17, 2011 Mexican Riviera sailings.  Unlike the aforementioned lines above, however, Crystal intends to redeploy the ship on another, less traveled West Coast run by offering two Pacific Coastal exploration voyages.

Departing April 10, 2011, Crystal Symphony will sail from Los Angeles to Vancouver, calling at Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Seattle, Astoria and Victoria.  On April 17, 2011, the inverse itinerary is offered between Vancouver and Los Angeles.

For West Coast residents, Crystal's move represents a unique opportunity to experience a week-long West Coast itinerary aboard a five-star vessel; many repositioning cruises are routinely offered only in May and September, and can run as little as two days in length. 

Prices for these exciting voyages start at $2,695 per person and include a $500-per person "As You Wish" shipboard credit to be used, well, as you wish.

For more information on this and other Crystal Cruises itineraries, be sure to visit their website.

Bring on the Magic

Installing the trademark funnel aboard the new

Carnival Magic.

Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

A few weeks ago, Carnival's newest vessel passed something of a milestone at the Fincantieri shipyards near Venice, Italy: the installation of the trademark "whale" funnel aboard Carnival Magic.

Set to launch on May 1, 2011, Carnival Magic is the newer sibling of the Carnival Dream - the line's most innovative, unique ship to date.  Despite launching a full three months beforehand, the maiden voyage of the Carnival Dream was somewhat overshadowed by all the hoopla surrounding the launch of Oasis of the Seas in December, 2009.

The 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic aims to change that.

Onboard amenities and comforts rival that of many premium lines, and include Carnival's largest-ever spa (complete with a special Spa Stateroom category featuring enhanced amenities and priority spa access), a waterpark, separate adults-only retreat areas and areas just for kids, and an innovative promenade deck design that saw lifeboats moved under the deck instead of being suspended above.  Not only is the retention of a promenade deck rare these days, but freeing it of shipboard clutter is almost unheard of, and could be a cue taken from the very-upscale Crystal Serenity, which also houses its lifeboats under the promenade deck.

The launch of the Carnival Magic marks Carnival's return to European sailings after a brief hiatus.  From May to October 2011, the ship will sail a variety of Mediterranean itineraries, culminating with a 16-day crossing to Galveston, Texas where the ship will homeport for the winter, sailing the lucrative Caribbean run.

For more information on Carnival Magic, including stateroom categories, deckplans, and details of her maiden season in Europe, be sure to visit Carnival's website.

Unique Itinerary: Pacific Northwest Fall Getaway

Journey from Vancouver to Los Angeles this September

aboard Norwegian Pearl.

Map courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

It's August, and that means that the 2010 Alaska cruise season is slowly but steadily drawing to a close.  It also means that some fantastic deals on repositioning cruises are available; in order to get ships to and from Alaska, many lines offer a series of short segment cruises known as Pacific Coastal cruises.  Usually sailing from Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco to Vancouver and vice-versa, these repositioning voyages can be a fantastic way to get a relaxing cruise vacation at rock-bottom prices.

For those in need of a quick fix for September, Norwegian Cruise Line has the cure: a five-day repositioning voyage aboard the beautiful Norwegian Pearl.

Departing Vancouver aboard Norwegian Pearl.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

Departing Sunday, September 19, 2010 from Vancouver, British Columbia, this unique voyage sails to Astoria, Oregon and San Francisco, California before terminating in Los Angeles.  With two days at sea complementing the days in port, this itinerary is the perfect blend of exploration and relaxation for those without the time to sail a longer voyage.

Also palatable is the price: a very reasonable $299 per person secures you an inside cabin.  Oceanview staterooms are just $319, with balconies not far behind at $399 per person. 

What makes this itinerary so unique?  Besides the attractive price point, many voyages are simple point-to-point journeys with one, two, or three sea days in between in order to keep port fees down and maximize onboard revenue.  A five day voyage such as this, with two interesting ports and two relaxing sea days, is a great find, and one that is sure to please those looking for a relaxing voyage on an incredible ship.

For more information, be sure to visit the Norwegian Cruise Line website.