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Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady to Deliver Distinctly Non-Cruise Dining. Drag Brunch & Food Hall? Yes. Buffet & Dining Room? Nope.

Virgin Voyages DiningVirgin Voyages has announced more details about their first ship, Scarlet Lady, and this time, it’s all about dining.  Guests, err, “sailors” on the adults-only line will have over 20 choices when it comes to picking a place to eat, and there’s something you probably won’t guess about many of these spots.  Like some lite-luxury and luxury lines, Virgin Voyages has opted to forgo the practice of specialty dining venues coming at an up-charge, and instead, will be including all dining within the cruise fare.  That means all the interesting things we discuss below are included in your cruise fare... read more

Loyalty Programs - Do past passenger programs keep you coming back for more? Episode 5

Most cruise lines have programs that reward guests for their loyalty.  The perks are as wide-ranging as cruise experiences, and different lines let you climb the ranks of these programs in different ways.  What are some of the more remarkable benefits?  How do we value these programs?  We look at the various programs and help you understand how to take advantage of what is being offered. read more

Carnival Nears Completion of $2B Fleet Enhancement, Changes Ship Names, Marries Pizza & Tech

It’s not just the newest ships at sea that glimmer and host a great time but keeping the entire fleet fresh is the goal of every cruise line.  Often lines will spruce up entire classes of ships, adding the latest features and venues.  Carnival however has announced a drydock that represents the final phase of a $2 billion eight-year project, and this phase involves a real transformation.  Let’s look at some of the new features and venues still to come, how this all relates to pizza, and then get Billy’s take on how this positions Carnival compared to their competitors... read more

What Cruisers Need to Know About Red Tide

Red tide sign at Spanish River Park

If you're visiting South Florida for your upcoming cruise you should probably know about red tide.  This algae can cause health issues and sometimes closes beaches - but doesn't mean you can't enjoy your pre or post-cruise stay.  In the past several weeks there has been an occurrence of red tide, first on the Florida's west coast, and now on the east coast.  We'll review the basic information, especially as it pertains to those about to cruise. read more

A New Way to Talk Ship: The CruiseHabit Podcast

Ric & Billy of the CruiseHabit Podcast

Several years ago I went out to Ft Lauderdale beach and used Periscope to share images of cruise ships leaving port.  This became popular, and as I answered people's cruise questions and shared my knowledge and experience of cruising, I kept being asked what my website was - I didn't have one.  Eventually I got the hint and started CruiseHabit.com.  Over the past years many readers and friends asked me if I had a podcast - I didn't.  Today however I'm pleased to announce... read more