Luxury cruise line, Crystal, has begun to offer new shore excursions for their European itineraries that cater toward cruisers who pursue more active endeavors. From May through November the award-winning Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will offer guests 28 unique voyages showcasing the best-loved cities of Europe and the Mediterranean, now with an expanded roster of Crystal Adventures shore excursions that allow guests to live the experience in a dynamic new way.
This is different take on the typical shore excursions offered in Europe and the Mediterranean. Steering away from the general walking and bus tours of museums, historic sites and shopping tours, Crystal will offer bicycling in Barcelona, cliff climbing in Croatia, and a self-driven off-road Jeep adventure in Mykonos, among many others. According to John Stoll, Crystal’s director of land programs, “Our new outdoor Crystal Adventures offer more rugged encounters unique to each destination -- in some of Europe’s most spectacular settings.”
Many cruise lines have begun to expand their shore excursion programs to include “off the beaten path” destinations and activities. Time will tell if cruise passengers embrace these new options or if the tried and true selections will prevail.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
All About NY
Great news from the Jungle! We’ve launched our newest site, www.CruisingFromNewYork.com. Our staff has teamed up with editor, Anne Campbell, one the co-founders of Cruise Critic and Cruise Mates to bring you the best information on cruising from the New York area. The site offers just about everything you need to know about the three cruise terminals in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape-Liberty (Bayonne, N.J.) From the parking facilities to traffic tips for people driving to them, we’ve got it all. There also are comprehensive reviews of the ships that sail from the terminals and a detailed look at the many itineraries available to Bermuda, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, Canada, New England and Europe.
New York is one of North America’s fastest growing cruise home ports. More than one million passengers embarked or disembarked through New York's cruise facilities in 2006. Eight lines now sail regularly out of the city, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Cunard and Celebrity. In addition to cruise information, our site provides tips on hotels, sightseeing, nightlife and shopping in the New York area.
New York is one of North America’s fastest growing cruise home ports. More than one million passengers embarked or disembarked through New York's cruise facilities in 2006. Eight lines now sail regularly out of the city, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Cunard and Celebrity. In addition to cruise information, our site provides tips on hotels, sightseeing, nightlife and shopping in the New York area.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Dancing like the stars
Royal Caribbean is featuring a unique opportunity on their Explorer of the Seas! They’ve teamed up with two time champion Cheryl Burke of the TV show Dancing with the Stars and Louis van Amstel, the Emmy-nominated choreographer for the ABC-TV show to bring guests an all new, interactive dancing competition. Guests can now compete in popular ballroom dance styles and mambo their way to the spotlight in “Invitation to Dance”, RCI’s newest production show featuring guests as the stars.
With the guidance of professional dancers, stylists and make-up artists, guests may just realize their true calling while on vacation. Guests are chosen during an evening of ballroom dancing at the beginning of each cruise, and four couples are selected to participate in the “Invitation to Dance” production show later that week. The finalists will then work with Royal Caribbean’s professional ballroom instructors to learn slick dance moves, attend costume fittings, and receive star treatment in preparation for their Royal Caribbean stage debut.
“Invitation to Dance’ is another example of Royal Caribbean’s dynamic and innovative approach to offering engaging entertainment and activities for our guests,” said Peter Compton, vice president, Entertainment and Guest Activities, Royal Caribbean International. “With all the excitement surrounding competitive dancing on television, we are now challenging our guests to live out a dream while enjoying their cruise vacation.”
With the guidance of professional dancers, stylists and make-up artists, guests may just realize their true calling while on vacation. Guests are chosen during an evening of ballroom dancing at the beginning of each cruise, and four couples are selected to participate in the “Invitation to Dance” production show later that week. The finalists will then work with Royal Caribbean’s professional ballroom instructors to learn slick dance moves, attend costume fittings, and receive star treatment in preparation for their Royal Caribbean stage debut.
“Invitation to Dance’ is another example of Royal Caribbean’s dynamic and innovative approach to offering engaging entertainment and activities for our guests,” said Peter Compton, vice president, Entertainment and Guest Activities, Royal Caribbean International. “With all the excitement surrounding competitive dancing on television, we are now challenging our guests to live out a dream while enjoying their cruise vacation.”
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
IMPORTANT TRAVEL BULLETIN
The U.S. Government has updated the travel requirements for cruise travel. Effective February 18, 2008, all passengers must board the cruise ship one hour prior to departure. Cruise ships departing from U.S. ports are now required to provide full passenger and crew manifests to the government authorities 60 minutes prior to the ship's scheduled departure.
If you will be cruising in the future here are some travel tips to ensure your cruise leaves on time and with you onboard!
· Submit your full passenger information as soon as possible but, at the minimum, prior to arriving at the pier. Many cruise lines now offer online check-in that customers are urged to participate in.
· Leave plenty of time in your travel schedule to get to the cruise terminal. If you are flying into the port city, it is suggested you arrive the day before to avoid in-transit delays. Each cruise line may have different final boarding times so check your cruise documents thoroughly when making travel arrangements.
· Make sure you bring the appropriate proof of citizenship documents with you to the port. Do not pack them in your luggage! At this time, cruisers are required to have a government issued ID, typically a drivers license and proof of citizenship including:
o Passport
o Original or certified copy of birth certificate*
o Naturalization papers
o For more information please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm#3
Cruise passengers on international cruises who do not have proper identification will not be allowed to board their ship after January 31, 2008.
*Please note that Photocopies that do not have an original raised seal are not acceptable and may result in denied boarding.
If you will be cruising in the future here are some travel tips to ensure your cruise leaves on time and with you onboard!
· Submit your full passenger information as soon as possible but, at the minimum, prior to arriving at the pier. Many cruise lines now offer online check-in that customers are urged to participate in.
· Leave plenty of time in your travel schedule to get to the cruise terminal. If you are flying into the port city, it is suggested you arrive the day before to avoid in-transit delays. Each cruise line may have different final boarding times so check your cruise documents thoroughly when making travel arrangements.
· Make sure you bring the appropriate proof of citizenship documents with you to the port. Do not pack them in your luggage! At this time, cruisers are required to have a government issued ID, typically a drivers license and proof of citizenship including:
o Passport
o Original or certified copy of birth certificate*
o Naturalization papers
o For more information please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm#3
Cruise passengers on international cruises who do not have proper identification will not be allowed to board their ship after January 31, 2008.
*Please note that Photocopies that do not have an original raised seal are not acceptable and may result in denied boarding.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
What’s New for 2008?
Greetings cruisers! We hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday. There are lots of new and exciting things coming to the Jungle in 2008. We’re working hard to make sure you get the best information on cruising at our sites.
Starting in early February, our sister site, www.GreatPorts.com, will feature information on the top cruise ports in Europe. GreatPorts is the number one spot to find hotels, transportation tips and sightseeing operators at all of your favorite North American ports. And you can find all this and more for many Europe destinations, just in time to kick off the European cruise season. And don’t forget, our Port Concierge is here to answer any and all questions you may have on your departure port!
Also, due for release toward the end of winter is our new site, CruiseXpertFinder.com Here we will compile and showcase a list of cruise travel agents who are experienced in many areas of special interest cruises like honeymoons, family reunions, music and art cruises etc. They can help you find and plan a special theme that is already existing or start one of your own. We like to think of it the "Yellow Pages of Cruising".
You can count on us to bring you great articles, the latest cruise news and hot deals for your future voyages. Check out our Community Boards for the latest updates and for all your cruise reviews. We look forward to hearing from you!
As always,
Happy Sailing!
Starting in early February, our sister site, www.GreatPorts.com, will feature information on the top cruise ports in Europe. GreatPorts is the number one spot to find hotels, transportation tips and sightseeing operators at all of your favorite North American ports. And you can find all this and more for many Europe destinations, just in time to kick off the European cruise season. And don’t forget, our Port Concierge is here to answer any and all questions you may have on your departure port!
Also, due for release toward the end of winter is our new site, CruiseXpertFinder.com Here we will compile and showcase a list of cruise travel agents who are experienced in many areas of special interest cruises like honeymoons, family reunions, music and art cruises etc. They can help you find and plan a special theme that is already existing or start one of your own. We like to think of it the "Yellow Pages of Cruising".
You can count on us to bring you great articles, the latest cruise news and hot deals for your future voyages. Check out our Community Boards for the latest updates and for all your cruise reviews. We look forward to hearing from you!
As always,
Happy Sailing!
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