Carnival's Behind the Scenes video Episode 6

The latest Behind the Scenes video from Carnival returns to the non-public spaces on the Carnival Vista. Thee clip discusses the ship's water, power and redundancy. Considering the power issues Carnival faced a few years ago, backup power seems like a prudent idea.

Why doesn't Holland America have better Youtube content?

Holland America has beautiful ships, excellent crews and a wonderful reputation. They are remaking their logo. They have new ships coming online. Yet it still feels like some of their marketing is an afterthought. Take their Youtube content for example. They put up this video above about the custom chocolates made for their ships. It is interesting enough, but doesn't have the purpose or production value of many of the shorts produced by other cruise lines. HAL doesn't even have the same sort of variety and quality that their sister Carnival brands do.

We hope that HAL invest a little more in their online videos in 2016. They have a very loyal fan/customer base who would embrace the medium, plus it might get a few more customers to try their ships.

Princess is making you sleepy

We love sleeping on a cruise. The rocking and the rumble are unique to cruising and never fail to put us to sleep. Princess is taking it one step further with their new bed designs. In the video above, the company's design team explains the innovations and what guests can expect.

Aside from the bed investment, this video is another example of Princess successfully using their YouTube videos in ways other cruise companies do not.

Princess' smart YouTube strategy now includes Cat Greenleaf

We've mentioned before that Princess uses their YouTube channel well. In addition to the typical cruise videos, they also post unique takes on their own ships and bring in unique perspectives. In this series of videos, they follow TV host Cat Greenleaf as she takes her family on their first cruise.

With so many other TV hosts being cruise veterans, Greenleaf's fresh takes are welcome.

Carnival's Behind the Scenes video Episode 4

Peter Gonzalez is back in the latest Behind the Scenes: Carnival Vista video. This time Peter's joined by Carnival CEO Christine Duffy. Together they explore the ship's new dining options and talk guilty pleasures of the ship's cuisine.

Adding Duffy is a nice touch. So is focusing on food. Unlike previous episodes that focused on the technology that most cruisers don't appreciate or an on-board experience that not all will try, dining is an essential part of any cruise vacation. Seeing the new locations and learning about the potential menus, sells the idea of what the Vista will be.

Behind the Scenes on the Norwegian Escape

Like Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line is using YouTube to introduce their newest ship. In this episode of Norwegian Escape: Behind the Scenes with Andy Stuart, Andy tours the Supper Club. The entertainment spot will have a variety of shows including a music review inspired by John Hughes' '80s teen movies.

To watch other Norwegian Escape videos, go to NCL's YouTube Channel.

Cruise Capital's Royal Princess review and tour

While not a slick as some video reviews, this tour and review of the Royal Princess is very worthwhile. In addition to the usual stops in dining and activities, Cruise Capital also includes some action shots of the staff and celebration from the actual cruise. As you are researching a potential trip on the Royal Princess, certainly watch the video above.

Carnival's Behind the Scenes video Episode 3

The Carnival Vista will have many unique features all over the ship. But what really stands out is their new brewery. In Episode 3 of Carnnival's YouTube series Behind the Scenes: Carnival Vista, the company shows how they are building the brewery and explain how sourcing won't be an issue.

Carnival's Behind the Scenes video Episode 2

Power, paint and propellers are all featured latest episode in Carnnival's YouTube series Behind the Scenes: Carnival Vista.

This Episode still gets a bit too much into the technical and engineering of the ship, instead of just showing Carnival fans what they can expect. However, it does give a sense of Carnival's investment and commitment to new technology. You can infer that if they are implementing cutting edge technology to power the ship, they will also invest in the best possible passenger experience.

Samantha Brown Cruising 101 with Carnival

We've been somewhat nitpicky with Carnival's YouTube videos before, so it is only fair to point out this good clip above. Hosted by Travel Channel star Samantha Brown, this video covers most of the common questions of first-time cruisers.

Carnival uses Brown just like the Travel Channel would. The always perky host gives a tour of the ship while working in policies on food, alcohol and activities. If not for the shortened length and the full screen graphics, it would feel just like a typical Travel Channel special.

The final benefit of hiring Brown for this sort of promotion is that it elevates Carnival a bit to new cruisers. The fun ships aren't always known for their elegance or exclusivity, but Brown's usual resorts stops are. Here she makes the Carnival Breeze look like an upscale spa and resort. By focusing on the luxury, Carnival can impress those new to cruising and begin to change perception with frequent cruisers.

The highpoints of Princess' new Alaska promotional video

Princess might be using YouTube better than any other cruise line right now. We've written about Princess' own unique reviews on YouTube before. The video above is a little more traditional, but that doesn't mean it is not well done.

The clip focuses on Alaska, so there are plenty of beautiful scenery shots. It also includes an emphasis on the Alaskan-inspired dining, excursions and activities. Princess is careful to hit all the highpoints, yet keep the video moving and engaging.

What Carnival got right and wrong on their Behind the Scenes video

Carnival released Episode 1 of their new series Behind the Scenes: Carnival Vista. Producing a video series with exclusive looks at their newest ship is a great idea. And it seems like Carnival is putting a lot of effort into the look and quality of the videos. But we do have a few nits to pick with the first episode and the direction of the series.

What we like
Peter Gonzalez is the perfect host. He's got the right look and right voice and has just the right energy. How many behind the scenes travel videos have you watched where the host is just too into it and too corny? Gonzalez doesn't come off that way.

The cinematography and editing is very good too. For a YouTube video this looks great. The graphics work well with the images and keep everything moving. The video also captures the scale of the project and the ship.

What we don't like
As cruise junkies, it pains us to write this, but what's the point of this first episode and potentially the series? Clearly Carnival put time and production money into the project. However, who is the target audience? Cruise nuts will get excited about a new ship regardless of how much they see in advance. The cruise media would (and will) gladly cover ship building and at a much lower cost to Carnival. But will this get many non-cruisers to finally take a Carnival Cruise? Are they even going to find the video online? Will the size and scope and unique building process motivate anyone new? As much as those of us in the industry might tire of the same images and selling points (fun and excitement on the seas), that message works. Images of people having a great time on a sunny cruise ship do motivate people to finally try cruising. A state of the art shipyard tour does not.

The series may take a predictable and more marketing-friendly turn. As a fan of ships and ship making, I am thankful to Carnival for making it available. If I were a Carnival stockholder or a cruise seller, I would wonder: "what's the point?"

Popular Cruising's Viking Star Review

Popular Cruising put up another video review of Viking's new ship the Viking Star. The video also coincides with their review of the same ship in the San Diego Union-Tribune. Both reviews highlight the ship's beauty and unique touches, but also point out the ship's challenges in entertainment and activity.

Full coverage of Cunard's special day in Liverpool

If your a cruise history fan, then Monday the 25th was a special day. Cunard's three Queens -- the Queen Victoria, the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth -- sailed together in Liverpool. As part of the ongoing celebration of the company's 175th anniversary, the ships coordinated a "dance." Thousands cheered along the River Mersey and the Royal Air Force provided a flyover. There is extended coverage in the video below.

While Cunard's product might not appeal to everyone, anyone who loves cruise should appreciate their contribution to the industry.

Anthem of the Seas video reviews

That didn't take long! Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas just debuted to the public a little more than a week ago and already there are plenty of video ship reviews. Here are a few of the better new ones from passengers who sailed out of Southampton.

Cruise Tips TV Video Review: Liberty of the Seas' Food

This is a good way to do a video review. No surprise then that it comes from Cruise Tips TV. Cruise Tips TV is a YouTube Channel with a series of niche and expansive video reviews of various cruise ships and their amenities. For the food reviews, they create a slide show for each meal with quick commentary and a few tips. The straight-forward presentation is helpful and more practical than many of the longer, meandering reviews you can find in other places.

Cruise Tips TV also has full ship reviews and other videos on specific aspects of your cruise vacation. Watch more as you prepare for your next trip.

Popular Cruising's MSC Divina Review

Popular Cruising posted another one of their great video reviews this week. In this YouTube clip, Jason focuses on MSC Cruise's MSC Divina Review. Check it out and be sure to go to Popular Cruising to see more of their video reviews.