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When it comes to cruising, we think that longer is better. Recently though we enjoyed the newly refurbished Norwegian Sky for a three night sailing, and it reminded us that sometimes a weekend getaway on a great ship is just what the doctor ordered. Ric and Billy talk about their staterooms, the various packages NCL offers, as well as dining, drinking, and enjoying all that Norwegian Sky and Great Stirrup Cay has to offer.
Usually when we think of planning for a cruise, the thoughts are about fun, relaxation, and getting away from it all. Things happen though, and travel insurance can help take the sting out of unfortunate circumstance - but only if you understand it, and buy the right type of policy for your needs. We've discussed trip insurance before at CruiseHabit.com, but with hurricane season just beginning, we thoughts we'd cover the seven things you should know about travel insurance.
On this special episode we sat down with Frank Del Rio, the President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. We discuss his journey from a boy in Cuba to the CEO of a publicly traded company, the cruise industry growth potential, fleet expansions, what he's most excited about at NCL, Oceania, & Regent Seven Seas, and more.
Planning a cruise requires a lot of decision making. Some things come down to preference, but if you're looking for the cheapest time of the year to cruise Alaska or the Caribbean we can help. After analyzing thousands of price points across the year, we go over the most economical and most expensive times to sail, as well as why the time of year matters.
Cruise pricing can require a lit bit of explanation, but sales and promotions can be even more confusing. Some promotions aren't combinable, sales can take percentages off rates that aren't easily found, and different packages offer different levels of value depending on what you're looking for. Whether you're hunting for the best deal, or just trying to understand how much a cruise will cost you, we'll try and make it a bit easier to understand.
Over the past couple years we've had the opportunity to watch a new cruise line emerge. With details of Virgin Voyages trickling out at a pace that leaves us constantly wanting more, we thought we'd take this episode to share what we know so far about Sir Richard Branson's first dive into cruising. We talk about who is behind the line, what the ship will be like, the things that make Virgin Voyages so different - and even tattoos. Check out the links below for photos, renderings and more information.
One thing every great vacation has in common is a beginning. On a cruise, that's called Embarkation Day. From when to show up at the terminal, to where to find food, but avoid crowds when everyone else is heading to the buffet, we're covering everything you need to know about your first day onboard.
Looking back on great cruises is nice, but looking forward to those trips we have ahead of us is even more exciting. On this episode Ric and Billy discuss their 2018 cruises and talk about where they'll be sailing in 2019.
When cruising Celebrity Edge, we found that Eden isn't just a bar, restaurant, show, cafe, or lounge - nor is it all those things smashed into one space. Struggling to describe Eden, and especially the experiences this fantastic space provides, we decided it would be best to dedicate an entire episode to just this topic. We've also linked to a number of relevant photos in the notes below.
In part two of our review of Celebrity Edge, we start discussing the entertainment options around Edge, mention some crew members and officers, and even cover what we wish was different on this great new ship. If you've not yet listened to the first part of this episode, you can find it linked in the show notes below, along with pictures, video, and more.
Ric and Billy were fortunate enough to be among the first guests to sail on Celebrity's newest ship, Celebrity Edge. Being the first ship in a new class there is a lot to share, so we've split our review of our three night sailing into two episodes. They're a bit longer than usual, but we think you'll enjoy learning about the Magic Carpet, Eden, La Petite Chef, the wonderful crew, and so much more that Edge has to offer. For photos and videos, be sure to check out our live blogs and other articles linked in the show notes below.
Early in November, Carnival Cruise Line invited Ric to tour the Carnival Paradise while she was docked in her home port of Tampa, Florida. On this bonus episode, Billy interviews Ric about what he saw (and ate) on that ship tour. We close out the episode with a listener question.
Cruising can be habit forming, but among those who've not yet taken their first cruise, there are some common concerns, ranging from sea-sickness and boredom, to safety and weather. On this episode we take a look at some of these concerns and provide information to clear up fact from fiction, and offer tips along the way.
Celebrity Edge is the first in a new class of ship, and in less than a month, we'll be among the first to sail her. We talk about some of what makes her so different as Celebrity tries to redefine the cruise experience, and we discuss how we plan to see and do as much as possible on our December 6th three-night sailing. read more
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
The cruise experience is inextricably tied to dining, but what is specialty dining? This concept may not be as new as you think, so we dive into what exactly specialty dining is, where it started, and we look at the types of experiences available now, plus some in the near future. read more
A lot of attention is paid the biggest ships with the most outrageous features - and for good reason. We discuss what megaships are, why they're so appealing to some people, and talk about how they fit into the bigger picture of the world of cruising. read more
You can take cruises all over the world, sometimes sailing for a week just to arrive at your destination. There are some cruise destinations however for which those leaving from Florida don't have to travel very far. On this episode we discuss excursions, sites, tours, and dining in The Conch Republic, The Southernmost Point: Key West. read more
Whenever a cruise line introduces a new class of ships, it’s easy to forget about the great ships they already have. Last year, during the fanfare of the Edge class announcements, Celebrity Cruise Lines unveiled Celebrity Revolution. Now the scale of this $500 million fleet upgrade program has become more clear, and we're even more excited. Ric and Billy discuss what is ahead for the Celebrity fleet. read more