After scaling back Bermuda cruises the past few years, Carnival plans to increase trips to the island in 2016. Bermuda-bound ships will depart from five different ports (Baltimore, Charleston, New York City, Norfolk and Port Canaveral). All the ships will dock on King's Wharf.
This is big news for Carnival fans but also big new for Bermuda. With Carnival sailing from new and different ports, there will be more first-time visitors to the island. The hope is that those first time cruisers return as regular tourists. It is also good for Carnival fans in some of those cities who have been longing for different destinations.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Grand Celebration using YouTube clips to combat bad reviews
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has a challenge. Their one ship -- the Grand Celebration -- receives mediocre to poor reviews on most of the major cruise sites. How does a still new company turn perception around? With their own customer testimonials. The company continues to post glowing endorsements from real passengers on their Grand Celebration Live YouTube channel.
In the clips real customers talk about the ship, the service and the price. It is not the most slick way to market, but it does combat the complaints on other sites. Is it enough? Probably not based on the number of views the videos are getting, but every little bit counts.
Grand Celebration is offering an inexpensive price and targeting many first time cruisers. They are going to have a fair number of people who don't want to cruise again. But if the videos are to be believed, many of their passengers will sail with them again.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Bahamas warnings from Cruise Law News
Cruise Law News published another warning on traveler safety issues in the Bahamas. The post cites a series of statistics and warnings from the U.K. and Canadian governments on the dangers of the island nation. While the reports mentioned Grand Bahama and Freeport, for cruise goers, the main Bahamian destination remains Nassau.
Should you avoid the Bahamas on your next cruise? No. Any port in the Caribbean has a certain level of danger and risk. Do your research and take news reports and warnings seriously, but there is still plenty to see and do on the islands. While the ship's official excursions do not guarantee safety, they do provide an extra level of comfort and local knowledge. As with all tourism, use your best judgement, know where you are and always have a plan.
Should you avoid the Bahamas on your next cruise? No. Any port in the Caribbean has a certain level of danger and risk. Do your research and take news reports and warnings seriously, but there is still plenty to see and do on the islands. While the ship's official excursions do not guarantee safety, they do provide an extra level of comfort and local knowledge. As with all tourism, use your best judgement, know where you are and always have a plan.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Cruise Needs' Tweets of the Week
Amsterdam With Azamara, AFAR http://t.co/g3pm4FiS8m
#cruise pic.twitter.com/YXHc2XrYFN
— Chris Owen (@OrlandoChris) August 27, 2015#avidcruiser Wind, Water & Weather: What You Need To Know About Cruising During Hurricane Season http://t.co/TfCs9T8M3o
— Avid Cruiser (@avidcruiser) August 26, 2015Lovely to see turtles swimming in Argostoli harbour - Holland America cruise stop @HALcruises @myrtle57 pic.twitter.com/3Zk6sPhCLm
— Andrew Fox (@Travelfoxuk) August 28, 2015A simply #beautiful #sunset on board #Braemar in #Travemunde, #Germany yesterday. #cruise #lovecruise #cruiselife pic.twitter.com/JLJBe8lkVL
— FredOlsenCruiseLines (@FredOlsenCruise) August 21, 2015When I retire, I too aspire to tear up the dance floor to hip hop #jetsetter #cruiselikeanorwegian… https://t.co/vzUBI4OFPy
— Jetsetters Homestead (@jetsettershome) August 25, 2015Breakfast has a little more character on a #DisneyCruise. pic.twitter.com/6eu0289tnZ
— Disney Cruise Line (@DisneyCruise) August 22, 2015Thursday, August 27, 2015
Cruise Log provides tour of Regent's new all-suite ship the Seven Seas Explorer
When it sails in 2016, Regent Seven Seas' Seven Seas Explorer will set a new standard for luxury at sea. The all-suite ship will have large cabins and Regent's concierge services. Cruise Log has a photo tour of the new staterooms and examples of what passengers will experience.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Disney Cruise Blog looks at fitting in the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal has always been a popular and unique cruise itinerary. But as the demand for mega-ships grow, fewer are able to fit in the Canal. In an effort to give some perspective, Disney Cruise Blog posted the graphic above to illustrate how the current Disney Fleet fits (or doesn't fit) in the Canal.
There is good news for those who want to sail through the Panama Canal on a new, large ship. The Canal is nearing completion of an expansion that will enable more traffic and larger ships. The Bridge of the Americas still limits certain heights, but ships can adjust based on tides and what detachable towers and rods they can lower.
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