Royal Caribbean Sales Event

7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from San Juan ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 1/31/2010 $749* $789* $429* $449* $349* $359* 200% N Category N/A D1, D3, E1 N/A PR, L, N

7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from San Juan ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 1/10/2010 $849* $899* $649* $689* $549* $579* $449* $469* $399* $419* 175% N Category JS D1, D2 I PR, L, M

3 Night Bahamas Cruise from Miami MAJESTY OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/18/2009 $499* $529* $209* $219* $179* $189* $139* $139* 150% Y Category JS N/A F1 K

5 Night Bahamas Cruise from Miami MAJESTY OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/21/2009 $429* $449* $259* $269* 150% Y Category N/A N/A G, H N/A

5 Night Bahamas Cruise from Miami MAJESTY OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/28/2009 $639* $679* $399* $419* 150% Y Category N/A N/A G, H N/A

4 Night Bahamas Cruise from Port Canaveral MONARCH OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/14/2009 $419* $439* $169* $179* $139* $139* $129* $129* 150% Y Category JS N/A SO L

3 Night Bahamas Cruise from Port Canaveral MONARCH OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/18/2009 $449* $479* $239* $249* $139* $139* 150% N Category JS N/A SO N/A

4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami NAVIGATOR OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/10/2009 $499* $529* $309* $329* $229* $239* $189* $199* $179* $189* 150% Y Category JS D2, D3, E1 F, H Q 1/7/2010 $799* $849* $419* $439* $349* $369* $249* $259* $219* $229* 150% Y Category GS D1 H PR, L

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami NAVIGATOR OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/14/2009 $749* $799* $399* $419* $279* $289* $219* $229* $219* $229* 150% Y Category JS D3, E1 I L

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami NAVIGATOR OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/28/2009 $799* $849* $749* $799* 175% Y Category N/A N/A N/A M

6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/6/2009 $319* $329* $249* $259* 150% Y Category N/A N/A N/A Q

8 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/12/2009 $479* $499* $399* $419* $299* $309* 150% Y Category N/A N/A I Q

6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/20/2009 $1,799* $1,919* $949* $1,009* $899* $949* $849* $899* $799* $849* 175% Y Category JS D2, E2 I Q

8 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/26/2009 $3,149* $3,369* $1,699* $1,809* $1,469* $1,559* $999* $1,059* $949* $1,009* 175% Y Category JS E2 I Q

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami LIBERTY OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/13/2009 $1,549* $1,649* $499* $529* $349* $359* 175% N Category GS N/A I N/A

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami LIBERTY OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 1/3/2010 $1,249* $1,329* $949* $1,009* $729* $769* $549* $579* 200% N Category N/A D2 H PR, N

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami LIBERTY OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/20/2009 $1,699* $1,809* $1,349* $1,439* $899* $949* $799* $849* 175% N Category JS D2 N/A PR, L, M

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston VOYAGER OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/20/2009 $1,499* $1,599* $999* $1,059* $699* $739* 150% Y Category JS D2, D3, E1 N/A N/A

10 Night Caribbean & Panama Canal Cruise from Miami JEWEL OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/11/2009 $1,599* $1,699* $1,179* $1,249* $1,099* $1,159* $449* $469* 175% Y Category FS E1 FO N/A

4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Tampa GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/17/2009 $499* $529* $449* $479* $249* $259* 150% Y Category JS D1 N/A N/A

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Tampa GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 1/4/2010 $699* $739* $549* $579* $349* $369* $229* $239* $219* $229* 150% Y Category JS D2 F, G L, M

7 Night Dubai Cruise from Dubai BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 1/25/2010 $1,299* $1,379* $849* $899* $699* $739* $649* $689* $399* $419* 175% Y Category JS E3 I Q

7 Night Dubai Cruise from Dubai BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 1/18/2010 $869* $919* $719* $759* $669* $709* $399* $419* 175% Y Category N/A E3 I Q 2/1/2010 $1,299* $1,379* $849* $899* $699* $739* $649* $689* $399* $419* 175% Y Category JS E3 I Q

9 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego RADIANCE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 1/2/2010 $999* $1,059* $749* $789* $499* $519* $449* $469* 175% N Category JS D1 H N/A

10 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego RADIANCE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/11/2009 $1,099* $1,169* $549* $579* $499* $519* 175% N Category JS N/A N/A Q

12 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego RADIANCE OF THE SEAS Sailing Date Deluxe Balcony Ocean View Interior 3/4 Rate Single Supplement Combinable w/Air? US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD US CAD 12/21/2009 $1,999* $2,129* $1,499* $1,589* $1,299* $1,379* $1,199* $1,269* $699* $729* 175% N Category JS E1, E2 H L, M

by Max Pesling

When I spent several hours visiting the Oasis of the Seas last week, I certainly shared the sense of being overwhelmed, described by fellow Tripatini member Marcia Levin in her blog post. I certainly have to hand it to the designers — in spite of this 20-story behemoth’s mammoth size and complexity, it is indeed surprisingly easy to navigate and classier in many of its features than I expected — the crushed-velvet furnishings in the Dazzles nightclub, the elegant design of the peaceful indoor-outdoor Solarium, to cite just two. The fare I sampled at the Windjammer Marketplace buffet was quite tasty. Everyone with whom I spoke seemed duly impressed.

And yet, would I want to spend a whole week on the Oasis? Frankly, not so much. Call it a matter of taste, but I’m simply not nearly as much of a cruise fan as is Marcia and many like her. Throughout my entire life, I’ve always strongly preferred to travel as an end to a means — meaning a destination — rather than the means in itself. So spending a lot of time lounging around a big floating hotel was never my thing. In fact, probably my favorite cruise to date was on a ship in the Med that was fairly modest in both size and amenities; what really made the experience for me was the shipboard comfort and convenience of not having to constantly pack and unpack, combined with active shore visits each day between Athens and Istanbul, to fascinating places like Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and Kusadasi/Ephesus. Granted, I would rather have spent several days in each port instead of part of one, but on balance, it was a great way to take in an island sampler in comfort and a reasonable amount of time.

But with the Oasis and its upcoming sib Allure of the Seas, it seems clear it will pretty much be all about hanging out on the ship and being aggressively entertained nearly 24/7. The upcoming itineraries bear this out, heavy on days purely at sea or stopping off at either at ersatz “private beaches” or ports like Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, which has been largely turned into a glorified shopping mall (there’s already recreational shopping and malls at every turn at home — what’s so special about yet more of same at sea or in port, I wonder?). Furthermore, I found parts of the Oasis a bit crowded even at a couple thousand passengers short of full capacity; I do wonder how it’s going to feel once it starts sailing at its full 5,400-passenger occupancy. You won’t be able to just stroll into the theater without a reservation, that’s for sure, and who knows what kind of waits you’ll have to endure for those fancy FlowRiders, mini-golf, and zip line?

Well, whatever. I’m sure the Royal Caribbean folks have done all their homework, and chances are the Oasis and the Allure will indeed be successes. And if it’s not my cup of tea, that’s certainly not your problem. You still have to wonder, though, where does it all end? Once the economy starts firing up again, the cruise-ship arms race is likely continue spiraling out of control. What would be next, an 8,000-passenger ship? 15,000? Seagoing roller coasters, snorkeling lagoons, and swimming with dolphins? And what will be the effect — environmental and otherwise — on ports of call of such ever growing monsters disgorging ever more massive hordes of daytrippers?

Eh, don’t mind me too much, I guess — even now, I’m still reeling a bit from all that sensory overload. And in the travel world, there’s certainly as much a place for this kind of mass tourism as, say, exquisite boutique inns, camping safaris, or off-the-beaten-track solitude. I just have to hope that, as once happened with the nuclear arms race, the battle at sea eventually stabilizes and moderates before the industry collapses under its own ever growing weight. And if you scoff at that, remember that just a couple of years ago, many even supposedly smart people thought the real estate bubble would keep expanding forever.

Check out the BBC website for their coverage of what it is like onboard the Royal Caribbean  Oasis of the Seas  – the largest passenger cruise ship in the world.

Check out BBC Oasis of the Seas by clicking here

Alternatively catch up with the Captain of the Oasis of the Seas below

Book a Stateroom, Receive Complementary Spa Treatment

Book an Outside and above stateroom on any of these Royal Caribbean International holiday sailings to receive a Complimentary Spa Treatment per stateroom!

Once onboard you can choose from one of the following treatments: La Thérapie Hydrolift Facial – Swedish Massage – Reflexology including Massage

Booking Window November 23 – December 23, 2009 Terms & Conditions:Spa Offer Valid for NEW Individual cruise bookings made between November 23, 2009 and December 23, 2009. Valid on above Royal Caribbean International sailings. Applicable to Outside and above categories. Groups cannot be applied. This offer is not combinable with any other National Account Offer. Email redemption must be completed by booking agent no later than 4 weeks prior to sailing and after final payment is posted. Offer will not be applied until redemption email is received. Please note Royal Caribbean Reservations is not aware of these promotions, direct all questions to naredemptions@rccl.com. All itineraries are current at the time of printing and subject to change without notice. ©2009 Royal Caribbean International® ships registry: The Bahamas. Brilliance of the Seas is operated by RCL (UK) Ltd. Subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Royal Caribbean construye un barquito capaz de transportar a seismil doscientos noventa y dos (6.292) turistas y a una plantilla de dos mil ciento sesenta y cinco (2.165) empleados en un crucero de máximo lujo.

Zarpará por primera vez el cinco (5) de diciembre y cuenta con teatro, pista de hielo, feria, parques… Para aquellos que piensen en estrenarlo, facilitaré el dato de que la habitación más barata cuesta unos mil (1000) dólares ($), un precio no muy excesivo, pero a saber qué entra en el billete.

En resumen, tenemos delante un montón de hojalata de doscientas veinticinco mil (225.000) toneladas, trescientos sesenta y un (361) metros de largo y dieciséis (16) pisos, que dicen que es el buque más grande jamás construido – ya harán otro.

A este pie izquierdo se le viene a la cabeza la catástrofe del emblemático RMS Titanic, aquél barco que blah, blah, blah…

Buenos días, pies izquierdos.

The Oasis of the Seas is by all accounts is an architectural and design wonder.  In a private tour of the Oasis of the Seas, Royal Loft Suite you will the inside one of my favorite new innovations on the Oasis of the Seas.  The new Loft Suites on the Oasis of the Seas takes the Cruise Ship stateroom to the next level.  On the 17th deck, Royal Caribbean has varying sizes of their new loft suites.  The Royal Loft Suite is the largest at 1500 sq. ft. inside and 800 sq ft. of balcony space. 

www.1Cheapcruise.com 866 733-2845

CARNIVAL INSPIRATION SM Itinerary

Cruise Line : CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
Date : Sat 05 Dec 2009
Cruise Length : 5 Nights

Date Port Arrival Boarding Departure Remark

Sat 05 Dec TAMPA, FL 4:00PM DOCK
Sun 06 Dec FUN DAY AT SEA FUN AT SEA
Mon 07 Dec GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS 8:00AM 3:00PM TENDER
Tue 08 Dec COZUMEL, MEXICO 11:00AM 8:00PM DOCK
Wed 09 Dec FUN DAY AT SEA FUN AT SEA
Thu 10 Dec TAMPA, FL 8:00AM DOCK

$727.34 total for 2. Includes: Cruise (inside guarantee), tax and port charges.
$25.00 On board credit also included. Space is limited and fare based on availability.

Thanks,
Dan Rondeau
www.1Cheapcruise.com
Follow on Twitter

by Marcia R. Levin

O…M…G…

Words almost fail. I’ve been covering the cruise industry for many years, but I can tell you right now that experiencing the beauty, sophisticated design, and of course sheer size of Royal Caribbean’s newest, largest and definitely most impressive cruise ship will forever be one of my bigger “wow” travel moments.

Yesterday I got off a two-day introductory cruise on the Oasis of the Seas, blown away not just by bells and whistles not long ago undreamed of, but also impressed by the ease with which passengers maneuver around this mega-to-the-max vessel. And yet, I have to agree with Royal’s CEO Richard Fain, who told us, “Bigger does not mean less personalized.”

Fain added that Oasis is “one-third familiar, one-third evolutionary and one-third revolutionary,” and the numbers on this game-changer tell a good part of the story: 16 passenger decks and capacity for 5,400 guests in 2,700 double-occupancy staterooms that start at 170 square feet; 2,191 crew members; four pools and 17 whirlpools; 25 dining spots (nine of which are specialty restaurants involving an extra fee and one, the Solarium Bistro, with menu items with calorie counts of 500 or less); 37 bars and lounges. Other superlatives include an expansive, two-level spa/fitness center; a kids’  facility that’s the largest in Royal’s fleet; a family-friendly open-air promenade with a full-size merry-go-round; and another open-air promenade that’s elaborately landscaped, parklike, and lined with restaurants and bars.

Décor is low key meshed with cutting edge, and signage is among the best at sea today. It includes interactive maps and charts for restaurant reservations, as well as well lighted corridors and elevators (with button pads to the left and the right of the doors). Entertainment choices are varied; choose from a casino with smoking and non-smoking sections, jazz and comedy clubs, a huge indoor theater, and an outdoor aqua theater for water shows. For more active pursuits, you’ve got a zip line, a pair of FlowRider surfing simulators, two huge rock climbing walls, an ice-skating rink, and a sprawling sports deck with copious space for mini golf, basketball, and volleyball.

And despite the scale, and the hugeness of certain spaces such as the promenades, I found in roaming the ship that much of it somehow manages to feel unexpectedly cozy. I had no trouble finding my cabin, the media room, a cocktail party venue, the dining room, and casino (yes, my evening’s entertainment), all without so much as a wrong turn, thanks in part to well designed signage and no you-can’t-get-there-from-here elevators or stairwells.  I found the design superb and while I don’t know I’ll ever get used to a balcony overlooking the vast interior spaces like the Boardwalk (in my case) and Central Park instead of open ocean, I do appreciate the open feel it imparts. Besides, unlike with the Voyager-class ships where this concept debuted, there is blue sky above (and, if you crane your neck, blue sea at the end).

So, yes, Oasis definitely raises the bar significantly on cruise ship design and amenities, with the sheer multiplicity of dining and entertainment choices, plus innovations such as duplex suites; dedicated comedy and jazz clubs; the zip line; elaborate kids’ areas on different decks depending on age, even the first seagoing cupcake shop. And thanks to the current economic contraction, it could well turn out to represent the industry’s high-water-mark for quite some time.

Oasis will start Caribbean itineraries in early December, with seven-night fares starting at $1,199; it will be joined in late 2010 by a similar sister vessel, Allure of the Seas.

Departing on the Oasis of the Seas 2 night inaugural event tomorrow, 11.22.09.  I got back from the Social Fresh Social Media Cruise on Monday and I leave tomorrow for the Oasis of the Seas.   The Oasis of the Seas will change the Cruise Industry and it has been argued all over the internets whether or not it is good or bad.   This has been a huge month for the Cruise Industry on Social Media.  There has been lots of chatter, pictures and videos distrubuted for millions to view.  The Miami Herald reported that I would live tweeting from the Ship on Twitter.  Follow ME -> @CruiseSource.  

I will also be Videoing all over the Oasis of the Seas…. Interviewing as many people as possible about their opinions of the Oasis of the Seas.   Subscribe for FREE to the CruiseSource Blog so you do not miss any of it!

Search for the Best Oasis of the Seas Prices Now

FULL Disclosure, this is a non-revenue Event for Royal Caribbean to celebrate the Oasis of the Seas… no one onboard the 2 day inaugural paid including me.   ~ Happy Sailing Rich Tucker

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship.  It holds 6,300 passengers.  Click on the link below to take a peek inside this amazing vessel.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=16751907

After a full four days in Sharm el Sheik on conference our Hays Independent Group Gala Dinner and award ceremony was finally here. As we are a fairly new company we were delighted to hear the words ” Top IG Members for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines are…… Designer Travel!”
Well done to all our team and thank you to all our customers that continue to give us support. Long may it continue and to our fantastic Directors Amanda Matthews, Karen Pocock and Peter Dawson we certainly couldn’t do it without your continued support.

Take a peek: World’s Biggest Cruise Ship Pulls Into Port.

The Brand New 225,000 ton Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas is so big she needs 7 Godmothers- one for each of the 7 neighborhoods onboard the ship. And today the seven Godmothers were announced with lots of fanfare throughout the course of the day.

Drum roll please while the announcements are made (and you’ll get them all at once)

Number 1: Miss Miami herself: Gloria Estefan. Gloria and the Miami Sound Machine put the Latin rhythms on the map.    

Number 2: Champion Figure Skater and Olympian Michelle Kwan. Michelle, please do a spin around the ice. Yes, there is an ice skating rink on the ship. (There’s even a carousel!)

Number 3: Actress and recent Dancing with the Stars alumni: Jane Seymour

Number 4: Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres

Number 5: Actress: Keisha Knight Pulliam (remember Rudy from the Cosby show- well she’s now a Godmother)

Number 6: Olympian gymnast: Shawn Johnson

Number 7:  Internation Television personality: Daisy Fuentes

And here you have the complete list. Ladies take a bow. See you on the Oasis!

Brits and Tips Royal Caribbean International vice president and UK managing director Robin Shaw disclosed that the payment of gratuities to remunerate cruise ship employees had become a “significant issue”. Shaw said the company was experiencing a “huge cultural difference” between US passengers who are used to tipping for service and those from the UK who are not. He admitted that cruise ship staff received far less tips when British passengers are on board.

British cruise passengers have been complaining about the US tipping system on board cruise ships for years. I think this issue is coming to a head now we have more big US ships visiting UK ports each summer and ‘Independence of the Seas’ will be offering year-round ex-UK sailings from the end of next year.

Now our American friends may simply regard us Brits as ‘mean’.  However I think than many Brits feel that ‘Tips’ are a hidden cost. Many feel that the crew should be paid a living wage and the cruise fare should simply include their wages. Let’s not also forget us Brits (and Europeans) also pay much higher fares for our cruises than our American Friends often do. £100 per nigh, per person for an inside cabin is our norm and often on a ship that has hundreds of Balcony cabins.

Us Brits are not big tippers at home. For example we do not tip bar staff and we may not tip in cafés. When we do tip, 10% might well be our maximum. Therefore the employees of UK catering staff and bar staff have to pay a living wage. The employer cannot say “You will make your salary up in tips” because they probably won’t.

Cruise tipping is probably the most emotive subject on the nets many cruise forums. Here are some of the recent forum comments in response to Royal Caribbean’s review of their tipping policy:

“Well in my honest opinion all Brits and Aussies (and any others) should simply get a grip, tips are a fact of life”.

“In Britain a tip is something you add on afterwards as a reward for service over and above the call of duty.

One expects ‘normal service’ to be part of the included price”.

“Then they should not cruise on ships that cater to North Americans. When in Rome, do as the Romans do”

“If US based cruise lines are going to reposition their fleet to do cruises in regions where they know the bulk of the guests will be UK or AUS then they need to tailor their policies to minimize guest dissatisfaction.”

Celebrity Cruises were obviously well aware of the UK’s Cultural differences back in 1998. I did a Celebrity cruise to Alaska. Tips were included in the fare for Brits. I was given some vouchers to give to key crew members, which represented my tips. If I was not pleased with the service, I could simply not pass over the vouchers. American’s passengers on board tipped in the normal manner. I’m not sure how long this system was employed for Brits, but Celebrity does not use it now.

Personally I feel the system where the crew rely on passenger’s generosity is an antiquated system. I appreciate that American’s feel that tipping ensures good service. However, I feel that good service can be achieved by good training and good management rather than by a primitive ‘carrot and stick’ method.

Tipping is also inconsistent: I assume American’s do not tip on trains, planes and Ferries, do they? ‘Thomson cruises’, who mainly cater for British passengers has a ‘no tips required’ policy. This is a big attraction for many Brits (in addition to their reasonable drink prices which do not include a 15% service charge – but that’s another story.)  Interestingly their crew on Thomson ships are as good as I’ve experience on any ship, in fact some are better. The friendliness and on board atmosphere is second to none. This is surely proof positive that it can be achieved.

Personally I am convinced that Royal Caribbean will be introducing a ‘Tips Included’ policy for Brits in 2010, although the traditional system seems to still work well for American passengers. Other lines will almost certainly follow suit if RC take the lead.

What do you feel about this ‘hot’ issue? (No need to join to post a message)

Malcolm Oliver

Set your TIVO! Royal Caribbean will unveil their newest and most innovative cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas. ABC’s “Good Morning America” will be there to welcome Oasis of the Seas into her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and give viewers an exclusive first glimpse of the highly anticipated ship during a special live broadcast.

GMA fans across the country can tune in on Friday, Nov. 20th, 2009 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. (EST) on ABC to join “Good Morning America” for a never-before-seen sneak peek at the seven distinct neighborhoods and many spectacular elements and features on board the Oasis of the Seas. Some of these unique features include Central Park, the first park at sea with nearly 12,000 plants and trees; Boardwalk, a family oriented environment with a hand carved carousel; a thrilling zip wire ride that races diagonally over Boardwalk 90 feet above the deck; 28 multilevel loft suites boasting floor-to-ceiling windows; and the Aqua Theatre – an amphitheatre style space that serves as a pool by day and a dazzling oceanfront theatre at night.

But wait! We are driving down to Dania on Nov. 11th to take the first photos of the exterior of the ship as it arrives into Ft. Lauderdale. Then, I will be on the Oasis of the Seas on Nov. 19th for an overnight stay, and plan to upload photos and videos from the ship, as long as the Wifi connection is working, so I hope to have lots for the public to see before this Good Morning America broadcast.

Make sure and check our blog, Flickr and You Tube accounts for more images of the ship. As we mentioned in previous posts, November 19th, we will be able to upload images of the interior of the Oasis of the Seas. We can’t wait to share them with you!

Much fanfare and press was made for the arrival of The Oasis of the Seas as it arrived at Port Everglades this past Friday. The worlds largest cruise ship, at 226,000-tons, is 40% larger than the next largest ship.

So when will these new cruise ships become too big? Not physically, but perceived by cruise passengers? it may already have started. View the article, and make sure to view some of the comments at the bottom. To paraphrase, “I’ll stick with the “little” ships.”

Sunday, November 15, 2009 – 2:01 a.m. – 46.6 F

Oasis of the Seas-- human cargo freighter.

Wow. That’s about all I can say after seeing some photos of the new monster cruise ship Oasis of the Seas, the latest addition to the Royal Caribbean cruise ship fleet. Oasis arrived Friday in Port Everglades, Florida, her new home port, after traveling from her birth shipyard in Finland. The Oasis of the Seas is close to 1200 feet long, will accommodate some 6,000 passengers and more than 2,000 crew, and displaces 100,000 tons. A U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft supercarrier displaces 103,000 tons, fully loaded. (Most media stories are quoting the Oasis at 220,000 or 230,000 tons, but that figure is gross tonnage, not displacement tonnage. Gross tonnage is a measure of volume, not weight.)

An oil derrick? No, the Oasis, headed away.

Topping out at an incredible 213 feet above the waterline, the Oasis of the Seas has a total of 18 deck levels, with 16 of those devoted to passengers. Seen from the side, Oasis looks like a stacked Dagwood sandwich that’s ready for the top piece of bread to be slapped on. This is one butt-ugly ship. Speaking of butts, here’s a rear view. It looks like . . . like . . . well, it doesn’t look like anything that belongs floating around on the ocean.

Note the umbrella way at the bottom of the canyon, to block the sun for the tiny period of the day it reaches down that far.

Just think-- some of these people are getting away from working in indistinguishable cubicles.

There’s even an onboard water park with a Flow-Rider. It’s on deck 15. Let’s see–  you pay for the cruise, climb 200 feet above the ocean’s surface, (OK, there are probably elevators), and then surf. Does this make sense?

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Navio Splendour of the Seas. Foto: divulgação

Com o dólar com uma taxa BEM amigável, a temporada 2009/2010 de cruzeiros pelo Brasil promete ser um sucesso.

São dezenas de navios se deslocando da Europa para a costa brasileira (principalmente Nordeste e Sul ), além do Uruguai e Argentina, nesse verão.

Citando alguns números, só a Agaxtur está operando com as  empresas de cruzeiro Costa, MSC , Royal Caribbean e Ibero Cruzeiros, totalizando 13 navios, com uma média de 1500 passageiros, por navio! É muita gente!

Além da “mamata” padrão incluída (refeições all-inclusive, festas, academia, spa e cassino), o mais inusitado desses cruzeiros por aqui é que existe toda uma temática envolvendo eles.

É só festa a bordo do Grand Celebration, da Ibero Cruzeiros. Foto: Divulgação

Há aqueles para famílias, solteiros, os só de balada e para o pessoal da dança! Aliás, só nesse tema, os navios da Ibero Cruzeiros vão realizar  cruzeiros com os temas “Movida Latina” (com muita salsa e zouk) e “Anos Dourados” (com toda ambientação da década de 60). Para qualquer perfil de viagem e viajante, com absoluta certeza vai ter um cruzeiro que combina mais com você. Opções é que não faltam!

Para atrair um público ainda maior há uma série de promoções e vantagens como: 3º/4º passageiro ou 2ª cabine grátis, bebidas incluídas no sistema all inclusive e equipes treinadas para atender as exigências do consumidor brasileiro (entre elas, algo óbvio, mas essencial: a tripulação falar português a bordo!).

O negócio é que pela essa cotação do dólar e as férias de verão logo aí, a procura já está grande e as vagas estão acabando (inclusive para Janeiro e Fevereiro). Por isso, se você quer aproveitar suas férias em um cruzeiro, corra para fechar logo a sua viagem!

Vista do Gran Voyager. Foto: Divulgação

Todos a bordo? Então Vambora embarcar num cruzeiro nesse verão!!!

November 13: The world’s largest cruise ship, ‘Oasis of the Seas’ arrived in Florida after her 14-day voyage from the STX shipyard in Turku, Finland, where she was built at a price of US$1.4 billion. Oasis was for two days behind schedule after waves over 40 feet high and hurricane-force winds slowed on her voyage across the Atlantic Ocean (see post below).

These pictures paint a thousand words:

(Photo from intelcam.com)

(Photo: RCI)

(Photo: Inletcam.com)

(Photo: Carlos Fernandez)

 Malcolm says: Wow!

See these fantasic design concept models of Oasis:

www.flickr.com/photos/22805329@N02/sets/72157622790992490/

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas has arrived at her home port – Fort Lauderdale!!!  WOW, she is AMAZING!   Look at how many balconies she has – WOW, WOW, WOW:

Hopefully, next week when I am sailing on the brand new Celebrity Cruises’ Equinox out of Fort Lauderdale, I can see the Oasis in person.  Stay tuned!

This ships is off the hook!  She has a Central Park which opens up to the sky and has lush tropical groups (real live plants at sea!);  Levitating Bar that ascends & descends over 3 decks;  a Boardwalk with the first ever Carousel at Sea;  High diving water shows at the Aqua Theater;  Zip Lining (on a cruiseship?  CRAZY, but exciting all at the same time) and much, much more!!!

Check her out at http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/index.php

The much awaited Oasis of the Seas sailed into it’s home port of Ft Lauderdale this morning.

There’s a great story with photos and a video of the ship arriving on the website of the Sun Sentinel News.  Click here to go directly to it.

Here’s a great video too. It gives me chills just watching it!

Dr Kruz Nutty

(O.K. I'm no expert with photoshop!)

A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman told USA TODAY that the storm in Atlantic has damaged two Oasis of the Seas lifeboats.  

A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman the storm damage to Oasis of the Seas lifeboats is “minimal,” and they will be repaired once ship arrives in Florida.  This will not delay the inaugural events or maiden voyage.

Richard Fain (CEO) said: “The weather has been anything but cooperative,” he writes. “In fact, far from diminishing, the storm has gotten worse and they are now facing significant wave heights of up to 35 feet. Some peak waves exceed 60 feet. Nature is certainly impressive.”

Malcolm Says: This story reminds us of the differance between an ‘Ocean Liner’, such as the QM2 which is specifically designed for the North Atlantic (even in winter) and a cruise ships such as ‘Oasis’ which is designed for fairer weather.

The world’s biggest and most expensive cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, was recently handed over to the Royal Caribbean cruiseline in Finland.

The vessel, worth 900 million euros (1.3 billion dollars), can accomodate up to 6,360 passengers and 2,160 crew members.

The cruise ship features a variety of traditional and new activities including swimming pools, a casino, pool surfing and a zip line above the boardwalk.

Oasis of the Seas is 16 decks high, or 65 metres (213 feet) above the waterline, and measures 360 metres (1,180 feet) long and 47 metres (154 feet) wide.