Port Canaveral & Carnival Cruise Lines Begin To Build Terminal 3

Canaveral Port Authority and Carnival Cruise Line will invest in building and equipping a new two-story 185,000-sq. ft. terminal to accommodate the as-yet-unnamed 180,000-ton Carnival Cruise Line ship, engineered with Carnival Corporation’s state-of-the-art LNG “green cruising” design platform. The new cruise vessel will have a 5,286 lower berth capacity with a maximum capacity of approximately 6,500 guests.

“This agreement will have lasting economic benefit for both the Port and Carnival Cruise Line,” said Capt. John Murray Port CEO.  “We are excited, thrilled, and honored to enter this new generation of an exceptional relationship with Carnival Corporation.”

“With its convenient location, excellent facilities and friendly staff, Port Canaveral is one of our most popular and fastest-growing homeports and we’re delighted to bring this exciting, one-of-a-kind ship to the Space Coast in 2020,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

“The most exciting aspect, and the reason a new terminal is necessary, is that this groundbreaking new class of ship – the largest ever constructed for Carnival Cruise Line – will be home ported at Port Canaveral when it’s delivered in 2020.  This ship, which can carry up to 6,500 passengers will be the first LNG-powered cruise ship based in North America,” said Capt. Murray.

Constructing the new CT-3 terminal, plus an adjacent elevated parking facility to accommodate nearly 1,800 vehicles, and related wharf, road and access improvements will total $150 million – estimated to be the largest single project in the history of the Port. The new terminal is planned for completion by June 2020.

T3 Port Canaveral

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The Cruise Experts Wins Angie’s List Super Service Award

The Cruise Experts International, Inc. Earns Esteemed 2015 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

The Cruise Experts has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2015.

The Cruise Experts has strived to give the very best customer service to all of our valued clients since opening in 2004. We are proud to have earned this prestigious award from Angie’s List and look forward to providing World Class Service for many years to come! We are a full service agency that offers concierge service to our clients by booking resorts, tours, land packages, and we specialize in cruises.

“Only about 5 percent of the Travel Agents in The U.S. have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2015 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

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 Angie’s List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than three million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie’s List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

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Free Air on Viking River Cruises

Traveling with the Best
When you cruise with Viking you sail with the world’s leading river cruise company, and you enjoy the rewards of more than 175 years of heritage and a level of expertise second to none.

Inspiring destinations, beautifully crafted itineraries, expert tour guides, luxurious ships, fine cuisine, excellent service, remarkable value—our success is defined by all these things, and something else, too: personal attention to every detail. It’s the way the bartender has your drink ready for you, at just the right time. It’s the gentle guidance from your tai chi master in a lesson you take while sailing along the Yangtze. It’s the handwritten directions from your concierge to the best coffeehouse in Vienna.
At Viking, we never forget that looking after you is why we have become the world’s favorite river cruise line, and why our guests return to cruise with us again and again. Indeed, it is our guests who are our greatest ambassadors, making us the most honored river cruise line in the world.

If you have experienced the pleasure of traveling with us, then you will appreciate what makes a river cruise with Viking so special. And if that experience is still ahead of you, then it is one you are sure to enjoy.

The Most Award-Winning River Cruise Line
Viking River Cruises is the World’s Best River Cruise Line in the Travel + Leisure 2012 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey and has consistently placed high on competitive rankings like Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List, Reader’s Choice and Best Small Ships awards. We have also been honored by prestigious international organizations like the World Travel Awards. Meanwhile, travel agents have recognized us with awards including TravelAge West’s Best Line for River Cruising and Travel Weekly’s #1 River Cruise Line. And Viking is featured in National Geographic’s The 10 Best of Everything. Enriching Encounters – If you want to truly experience, explore and discover your destination, Viking takes you up close to meet the people, tour the places, learn about the customs and sample the cuisines.

Choice – A river cruise is unique in the extent to which you can make the experience your own; the choice in accommodations, excursions and dining styles cannot be matched in other ways of travel.

Celebrating Fine Food – In the company of friends, old and new, you will share one of the greatest joys of travel: the discovery of new and exciting dishes and the places they represent.

The Best Service – Unparalleled service is one of Viking’s cornerstones, and over the years we have been recognized by esteemed magazines and travel industry organizations for service excellence.

Viking Value – All Viking itineraries offer great value because they are all-inclusive; your fare covers accommodations, meals, tours, cultural enrichment and more. So you get the most out of your vacation dollar.

Link to travel offer

 

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New Private Island from MSC Cruise Lines

First posted by Cruise Radio;

MSC Cruises has signed a lease with the Bahamian prime minister Perry Christie to develop a private island for the cruise line.  The project will be developed in the next two years and will be called Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. 

The cruise line will work closely with the Bahamian government and ecologists to develop the cay into a thriving marine reserve that will coexist flawlessly with the ecosystem.  The island will offer some of the best beaches in the world, and a variety of Caribbean-inspired experiences.

MSC will invest about $200 million into creating a lush, natural haven from the desert island it currently is.  At 95 acres in size with 11,400 feet of beach front across six beaches, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will be the biggest island development by any cruise company in the Caribbean.  It will feature a berth and pier, meaning that guests will not have to tender; they’ll be able to walk right off the ship onto the island.  All shipboard operations, including the casino, will stay open while docked there. 

The cruise line has an extensive landscaping plan for the island, and will be bringing more than 80 indigenous plants, such as Beach Morning Glory and Jamaica Dogwood, to be planted across the island.  There will be an architecturally accurate Bahamian village, full of shops, restaurants, and bars, all surrounding an island-themed music gazebo.  Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will also feature a family beach with a kids’ restaurant, a inland lagoon, a zip line crossing the island, and a pavilion for weddings and other celebrations.  For MSC Yacht Club guests, there will be an exclusive wellness sanctuary and spa with private bungalows and massage huts on the northwest corner of the island.

MSC plans to break ground in March 2016 and the island will open to guests in December 2017.  Guests aboard the upcoming ship MSC Seaside‘s maiden voyage will be the first to visit the cruise line’s island.

Island rendering and photo courtesy of MSC Cruises.

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Norwegian Sky offers Free Beverage Package on all 2016 Sailings

Effective for Norwegian Sky sailings booked on or after 4/22/15 for sailings embarking on or after 1/1/16 – guests will receive Norwegian’s Ultimate Beverage Package which includes spirits, cocktails, bottled beer, draft beer, and wines by the glass, up to and including $15, and unlimited fountain soda and juices, at all bars, lounges, restaurants and Great Stirrup Cay. A 20% discount will be applied to all bottles of wine purchased on board. Does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines or wine stations. One (1) beverage per person per transaction. Beverages over $15 will receive up to an $15 discount; the difference will be charged to your account, including gratuity. Your check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase and consume alcohol. See the terms of our guest alcohol policy.

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Disney Cruise Lines New Alcohol Policy

Disney Cruise Lines has changed it’s policy about bringing alcohol on board their ships. It used to be that you could pretty much bring whatever you wanted on board and they didn’t seem to mind. The new policy takes effect on September 30th, 2015. Taken from the Disney website, this is the new policy that passengers need to be aware of:

ALCOHOL POLICY

Effective for cruises embarking on or after September 30, 2015, each Guest 21 years and older may bring two bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750ml) or six beers (no larger than 12oz) onboard in carry-on luggage at the beginning of the voyage and at each port-of-call. All wine/champagne and beer brought onboard must be packed in the Guest’s carry-on luggage. Any alcohol packed in checked luggage will be removed and stored until the completion of the cruise. Guests are not allowed to bring liquors or spirits (including powdered alcohol) onboard.

Almost all of the other cruise lines have similar policies in place now about bring alcohol on board, but these days you are able to purchase beverage packages to include unlimited beverages. Some cruise lines are currently offering pricing packages that includes unlimited beverages, gratuities, on board credit, and unlimited wi-fi.

Call The Cruise Experts at (469) CRUISES or (469) 278-4737 for details on all cruise lines, and remember “You Won’t Save a Dime If You Book Online”

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Celebrity Adds Overnight Stays in Caribbean

CELEBRITY CRUISES ENHANCES CARIBBEAN ITINERARIES TO OFFER GUESTS EVEN MORE OVERNIGHTS MIAMI, FL – Celebrity Cruises is offering guests an unmatched experience by introducing additional overnight stays on more than 40 Caribbean sailings for January 2016 and beyond, more than any other cruise line. The popularity of Celebrity’s current overnight program has led to 43 newly enhanced itineraries, giving guests the chance to enjoy exciting evenings in destinations such as Cartagena, Colombia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Cozumel, Mexico; Aruba; Curacao and Barbados. “Guests and travel agents love our overnight program in Europe, Asia and around the world, and their feedback has been amazing. This demand led us to revisit our current Caribbean itineraries and add even more overnights in one of the most beautiful places we sail to each year,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “With more overnights in the Caribbean than any other cruise line, we are offering our guests an incredible, unrivaled experience. They can enjoy the destination like a local before returning to our stylish, modern luxury ships.”  For more information about Celebrity’s newly enhanced Caribbean season, visit celebritycruises.com/ caribbeanovernights. About Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises’ 10 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents immersive cruise tour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-866-202-6343, visit http://www.TheCruiseXperts.com.

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Greece rejects spending cuts

By: Jena Tesse Fox, Travel Agent Central

Results from the Greek referendum on Sunday showed voters soundly rejecting the terms of an international bailout, according to the BBC and other sources. Greece’sgoverning Syriza party encouraged its citizens to vote “No” on the bailout, saying the terms were humiliating.

The “Yes” campaign warned that rejecting the terms could see Greece ejected from the Eurozone. Some European officials had also said that a “No” would be seen as an outright rejection of talks with creditors. But Greek government officials have insisted that a “No” vote would strengthen their hand and that they could rapidly strike a deal for fresh funding in resumed negotiations. They expect Greek banks to reopen by Tuesday.

According to Al Jazeera, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande announced after the voting had ended on Sunday that they would meet in Paris on Monday evening (local time) to discuss the results and the country’s future role in the Eurozone. The New York Times is reporting that Yanis Varoufakis, Greece’s “combative” finance minister, who took a strong stand in demanding that creditors write off some of his country’s debts, abruptly resigned on Monday morning. Varoufakis had played a key role in rallying votes for a resounding “no” on the referendum, and as the paper noted, Greece’s Eurozone creditors may be more willing to continue negotiations on a further aid package without him. His departure, reportedly at the urging ofPrime Minister Alexis Tsipras, could be seen as a concession to the sensibilities of other Eurozone leaders, whom Varoufakis allegedly alienated.

“I consider it my duty to help Alexis Tsipras exploit, as he sees fit, the capital that the Greek people granted us through yesterday’s referendum,” Varoufakisposted in his blog. “And I shall wear the creditors’ loathing with pride.”

The Impact on Travel and Hospitality

The turmoil may be good for Greece’s travel and hospitality industries, however. As the Washington Post notes, the instability and the “massive” stimulus program by the region’s central bank have sent the Euro “plunging” against the dollar. The currency hit a 12-year low in March of $1.05. It began to grow again in the ensuing months, but began sliding again in mid-June as the crisis in Greece became headline news.

This means that the American dollar is now much stronger throughout Europethan it has been in years, meaning visitors may well be able to not only stay longer, but upgrade their hotel and travel experiences.

Several travel sites have advertised deals on European vacations. Orbitz touted Greece as “a world of destinations,” and Lufthansa named Athens its “pick of the week.” (The Post noted the irony in Germany’s flag-carrier promoting Greece’s capital, as Germany has drawn the hardest line among European nations in negotiations with Greece.)

Tourism accounted for about 16 percent of Greece’s economy in 2013 and supported 657,000 jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. The Australian Financial Review noted that international tourist arrivals to Greece rose almost 21 percent in 2014 to more than 24 million. Hotels, restaurants and bars had expected similar growth this year, but with the recent news, “many” visitors have canceled their Greek trips while others arrive with wallets “stuffed” with euros.

According to the country’s ferry operators’ union, bookings for journeys around the Greek islands are down 30 to 40 per cent from the same period last year, and schedules are being pared back to conserve fuel.

The Nation’s Economy

According to the Washington Post, Greece’s banks are at risk of collapse in the coming days, and the country could be forced to leave the historic monetary union. Investors may refuse to lend Greece money at almost any cost, as banks and the government lack essential funds to operate. Over the weekend, formerU.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers wrote:

“Greek banks will run out of cash early in the week, probably on Monday. There will be an immediate need to either provide them with some sort of IOU scrip to meet demand for funds or to resolve them in some way, as Greece lacks the capacity to create Euro. What the Europeans do and the decisions the Greeks make will shape the future of Greece and the Euro area.”

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Carnival To Expand Its Port Canaveral Operations

Carnival Cruise Line will build upon its leadership position in Port Canaveral, Fla., expanding capacity on three- and four-day Bahamas cruises by 34 percent and deploying its newest class of ship on seven-day Caribbean voyages in 2016.

Carnival will enhance its short Bahamas cruise program from Port Canaveral with Carnival Victory replacing Carnival Sensation on this popular route in February 2016. The move not only increases capacity on the three- and four-day cruises but also provides guests with a greater variety of on-board features and amenities, including more than 500 balcony staterooms aboard Carnival Victory.

Additionally, Carnival Magic will reposition to Port Canaveral in December 2016 to offer two different seven-day Caribbean itineraries, providing consumers with exciting new week-long cruise vacation choices from Central Florida.   Carnival Magic is part of the line’s newest class of ship and offers such features as a WaterWorks aqua park, Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant and SportSquare outdoor recreation area.

In turn, Carnival Sensation, which boasts WaterWorks, Serenity adults-only retreat and numerous other features, will shift to Miami in February 2016 to operate the line’s attractive and convenient year-round four- and five-day cruise schedule.

“We are significantly ‘upping our game’ in Port Canaveral with the addition of these great new ships to the important and growing Central Florida market,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president. “When these ships join the spectacular Carnival Sunshine, this dynamic trio of ‘Fun Ships’ will offer our guests and valued travel agent partners the widest array of attractive and convenient cruising options from the Space Coast,” she added.

Expanded Capacity on Short Cruises from the Space Coast

Carnival Victory, currently based in Miami, will reposition to Port Canaveral to launch a schedule of three- and four-day cruises beginning Feb. 25, 2016, dramatically expanding the line’s capacity on this program. On this route, three-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Nassau, while four-day cruises depart Sundays and call at both Nassau and Freeport.

In addition to providing a newer, larger ship on short cruises from Central Florida, Carnival Victory boasts a variety of on-board features, including a 14,500-square-foot spa, four swimming pools – one with a 214-foot-long water slide – along with 18 lounges and bars whose stunning interiors are inspired by the world’s most famous bodies of water.

During their time in the Bahamas, guests can relax on gorgeous white-sand beaches, enjoy numerous shopping, dining and sightseeing opportunities and partake in a wide range of watersports, from snorkeling and scuba diving to kayaking, parasailing and deep-sea fishing.

In October 2016, Carnival Valor — currently based in Port Canaveral and scheduled to undergo an extensive dry dock in March 2016 that will add a variety of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations — will take over Carnival Victory’s three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Central Florida on a year-round basis. Carnival Valor will be the only ship operating three- and four-day cruises to offer the line’s highly acclaimed Fun Ship 2.0 features. Carnival Victory will subsequently move to another homeport.

Exciting New Seven-Day Choices from Port Canaveral

Carnival Magic will kick off its Port Canaveral-based program with a special eight-day cruise departing Dec. 9, 2016, and featuring St. Thomas, San Juan, Amber Cove (Dominican Republic), and Grand Turk.  The ship will then launch year-round seven-day cruises from Port Canaveral Dec. 17, 2016, offering two distinctly different week-long itineraries – a western Caribbean route featuring Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan) and Costa Maya; and an eastern Caribbean option calling at St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk and Nassau or Amber Cove.

Carnival Magic features a wide variety of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations, including a massive WaterWorks aqua park featuring a 312-foot-long Twister water slide, the DrainPipe funnel-style water slide and a 300-gallon PowerDrencher tipping bucket, along with an expansive SportSquare outdoor recreation area highlighted by a suspended ropes course with breathtaking views to the sea 150 feet below, and a Caribbean-inspired watering hole called RedFrog Pub.

Carnival Magic will join Carnival Sunshine which offers seasonal five- to eight-day Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral and is the only ship in the Carnival fleet to offer all of the line’s Fun Ship 2.0 innovations, along with unique features like the Speedway Splash water attraction, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen and the Latin-infused Havana Bar.

Special 12-Day Carnival Journeys Cruise on Carnival Magic

In preparation for its Space Coast debut, Carnival Magic will offer a special 12-day Carnival Journeys cruise departing Galveston Nov. 27 and arriving in Port Canaveral on Dec. 9, 2016.  Featured ports will include Cozumel; Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama; Cartagena and Santa Marta, Colombia; Aruba, and Grand Turk.  Carnival Journeys is a unique collection of nine- to 15-day voyages featuring exotic, less visited ports in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Hawaii and offering a number of exclusive on-board experiences and activities.

Carnival Sensation’s New Miami-Based Short Cruise Program

Carnival Sensation will reposition from Port Canaveral to Miami to offer year-round four- and five-day cruises featuring top ports in the Caribbean, Mexico, The Bahamas, and Florida beginning Feb. 25, 2016.  On Carnival Sensation’s new Miami-based schedule, four-day cruises depart Thursdays visiting Key West and Cozumel or the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, and Nassau, while five-day cruises depart Mondays and Saturdays featuring some of the top ports throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas, including Grand Turk, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Amber Cove, Freeport, Nassau and Half Moon Cay.

Additional Information and Reservations

These new itineraries from Port Canaveral and Miami are currently open for reservations.

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Avoid that Cruise Hangover

We’ve all been there. That dreaded cruise hangover.  But on a cruise, the  captain is your designated driver, so why not live it up?  The only thing  you have to do is have a good time! Right? – but be smart!

Hangovers suck. It may cause you to miss an excursion, late for debarkation or just feel like crap the next day. Here are some tips crowdsourced from fellow cruises and professionals on how to avoid that dreaded cruise hangover.

Before You Drink

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. It’s no secret that alcohol causes dehydration. Keep your body well hydrated before you head to the bar. Slam some extra waters before slamming the drinks.

2. Carb it up. Your body will metabolize alcohol based on what kind of food you eat. Eat a lot of protein, fats and carbs before ordering your first drink. This isn’t going to stop your hangover but will give your body nutrients before the big night.

3. Go (Port) Shopping. And make sure Gatorade is on that list. Gatorade is also known for its large number of electrolytes; consuming a bottle the next day can help your body regain its balance.

While You Drink

4. Stay clear. The darker liquors have more toxins and sugars in them. Try switching it up to a clear alcohol like Vodka. According to a study at Brown University,  bourbon contains 37 times more toxic compounds than vodka.

5. One to one ratio. Try matching an 8 oz. glass of water with every drink. It’ll keep the tissue around the brain hydrated and will assist in keeping you headache free the next day. This works wonders for me.

6. Avoid Champagne. “The carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages like champagne helps absorb the alcohol,” says Boris Tabakoff, a pharmacology professor at the University of Colorado. “You get a faster rate of absorption, higher blood alcohol levels – and brain levels – if you drink champagne as opposed to something non-carbonated.”

After You Drink

7. Take a multivitamin. This tip comes from a Harvard article. Those who drink may benefit the most from by getting extra Vitamin B, since alcohol moderately depletes our body’s store of it.

8. Water. This is a reoccurring theme. Our bodies are around 65% water. Alcohol is a diuretic (makes you pee) and purges water from our body. So it’s obvious that we must replenish the fluids we lose. So put that big bottle of expensive water bedside!

9. Go for a deck walk. Even though bright light is probably the last thing you want to see, did you know that oxygen increases the rate that alcohol is broke down? Fresh air also promotes metabolism and blood flow, so it’s good all around.

Final Thoughts

The only surefire way to avoid a hangover is to not drink, especially on the last night of your cruise. There’s nothing worse than having to disembark and travel with a hangover.

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor, nor have I ever played one on TV or the radio! The contents of this post are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

photo: Flickr

The post 9 Ways to Avoid a Cruise Hangover appeared first on Cruise Radio.

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