While thousands of incidents and crimes are reported each year, unfortunately thousands more go unreported each year. Others are simply buried by the cruise lines themselves. So it may be tough to check out a cruise ship’s safety without doing some hardcore researching to get the answers. A great place to start looking is CruiseBruise.com. Cruise Bruise features reports of cruise ship incidents that include the name of the cruise line, the date the incident occurred, the events surrounding the incident or crime, and if available, the outcome of the case.

You will find information about the following: Assaults On Cruise Ships, Bed Bug Infestations Aboard, Bombs & Terrorist Attacks, Child Abuse On Cruise Ships, Collisions & Damage At Sea, Crew Abuses Alleged, Deaths On Cruise Ships, Destinations, Dive Excursion Deaths, Doctor’s Malpractice, Drug Busts On Cruise Ships, Epidemics On Cruises, Fires On Cruises, Groundings & Sinkings, Mal de Debarquement, Mutiny On Cruise Ships, Pirate Attacks On Cruises, Overboard - Deaths By Line, Port Of Call Incidents, Sanitation Reports, Sexual Assaults, Thefts - Robbery Aboard and Travel Agent Fraud – Cruises. You may also obtain inspection scores for ships at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In some cases, you can do all of the research in the world, choose the ship where an unfortunate event is likely to take place, and for some reason, you still find yourself in an unsafe situation. There are several things you can do increase your chances of avoiding an unsafe situation or from being victimized and there are also several steps you can take immediately following an incident (for yourself), and to prevent others from being harmed or victimized. As mentioned above, you can check out inspection scores at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

It is also important to always keep your guard up, meaning, do not walk down dark hallways, simply walk away from heated arguments, never accept a drink from a stranger, and always trust your instincts. If you feel like something is wrong, chances are, it is. Next, if you are considering bringing valuables on vacation, don’t. Sure, the ship will have a safe with a bypass code, but in most cases, you won’t be the only one with the code. The crewmembers will know the bypass code as well.

In addition, do the best you can to watch what you eat. If it tastes strange or you are not too sure what it is, don’t eat it – no matter how adventurous you may be feeling. It is also imperative that you watch how much alcohol you consume. Too many people have gone (or almost gone) overboard in a drunken stupor. If you’re gambling, and you happen to win big, don’t broadcast, simply walk away with your winnings quietly, and hide it anywhere you can. And finally, always be careful on shore excursions (stay close to your group or partner), report any suspicious behavior whether it’s the behavior of other passengers or the crew, and if an incident or crime takes place, report it immediately.

No matter what the crime or incident may be, you must report it to security immediately and as soon as you reach your homeland, report it to authorities there as well. Depending on the nature of the crime or incident, take photographs, gather any witness statements, document the crime or incident while it is still fresh in your mind, do not disturb any evidence, and if the crime involves rape, you should have a rape kit done onboard through the ship doctor immediately. If for some reason the doctor refuses, have one done at the next port of call. If they also refuse, have one done as soon as you reach your homeland.

This information is not meant to scare you or deter you from taking a cruise vacation. Its purpose is to inform you about what could possibly happen on a cruise ship and how to prevent or deal with it. Chances are, you may never find yourself in any of the situations listed above, so relax and enjoy yourself on your cruise vacation, as it can be a truly breathtaking experience.

The site features a wide variety of vacation packages, flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services right at the users fingertips. Additionally, by using Expedia, you can travel cheap. How? Expedia offers a “Best Price Guarantee,” which means, Expedia.com promises to offer its customers the best rates available online for all types of travel. Expedia makes traveling cheap easy by offering the most comprehensive customer guarantee in online travel.

While the site is quite simple to navigate, occasionally, you may need assistance. If you are an Expedia.com customers and need assistance with booking travel or using Expedia.com, please follow this link or call 1-800-EXPEDIA. If you need to reach the Expedia Headquarters the mailing address is:

Expedia Headquarters
3150 139th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA 98005
Main switchboard: 425-679-7200

In addition to finding cheap travel via Expedia, you can also travel cheap by utilizing several other booking search engines such as Kayak.com, Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com or VacationsToGo.com.

There are numerous other websites in addition to Expedia, Kayak.com, Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com and VacationsToGo.com that can help you travel cheap as well. These include: Bargain Travel Cruises, Cruise.com, Cruise Travel Outlet, and American Discount Cruises. You can find outstanding cruise offers that will allow you to travel cheap by simply selecting your destination, choosing a cruise line, and entering your dates of travel. If you are in the beginning stages of planning your cruise vacation and you aren’t sure about where or exactly when you want to go, each website (Expedia included) features a hot list or listings of popular cruises, along with pricing, discounts and deals. There are also other ways to increase your chances of finding cheap travel.

Cruise lines prefer to book their cruises way in advance, so you may enjoy special cruise offers, incentives, credits, and cash back just for booking far in advance. If you’re one to procrastinate – you may be rewarded too! If a cruise isn’t booked several weeks or so before the cruise is set to sail, prices are slashed and cruise special offers are available in abundance. If you book last minute, you may enjoy special offers and savings up to 75%. Cruise lines will do anything to fill up those last few cabins!

Other ways to score cheap cruise travel include: booking off-season, booking with a group, taking advantage of package deals, booking online, and booking with popular cruise lines. Some of the world’s most popular cruise lines include: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, SilverSea Cruises, and Windstar Cruises.

If you want to book off-season, you’ll find the most bargain opportunities in year-around destinations. For example, slow or “shoulder” seasons for say Alaska, may differ from the Mexican Riviera. Here is a list of destinations and their slow seasons: Alaska, May and September; Bermuda, April-May and September-October; Canada/New England, July-August; the Caribbean, late April-May, September-early January; Hawaii, late August, late November, and February; Mexican Riviera, early January and May, October-November; Eastern and Western Mediterranean, March-April and September-November. Expect for the “quirks and perks” to be plentiful during these times as well.

Besides special offers and special rates for groups and families, just about every cruise line has special offers and rates for seniors. A senior is typically defined as a person who is 55 or older. The only drawback is that in order to lock in the special rates, you can’t book online. You must call a cruise travel specialist or book directly with the cruise line. Keep in mind that proof of age is required.

If you don’t have the time (or patience) to search on your own, you can always contact a cruise travel specialist. A cruise travel specialist will have access to thousands of cheap cruise travel cruises with just about every cruise line available whether you are looking for a family cruise vacation or a luxury cruise.

Happy cruise shopping!

Finding quality people to work on cruise ships has never been more demand than it is today. With literally millions of vacationers choosing to cruise each year, there is certainly no shortage of positions with some of the world’s most popular cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruises, Royal Caribbean International Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, to name a few. Because cruise lines typically have a high turnover, due to the nature of cruises, job seekers can always count on an interesting mix of job openings aboard some of the world’s most exciting cruise ships.

While working on cruise ships is in high demand today, this doesn’t mean that landing that perfect cruise job is easy. It doesn’t matter if you’re a top-notch chef, an entertainer, one of the best bartenders in your city or if you’re interested in becoming a crewmember, the hiring process is still the same - somewhat complicated, fairly strict, and extremely competitive.

Before you begin your journey through the hiring process, the first thing you should ask yourself is “What kind of cruise ship job am I interested in?”

When it comes to working on cruise ships, there are literally dozens of job types and hundreds of titles in the industry today. The numerous titles typically fall under the following categories or types: Activity and Entertainment Department, Deck and Engineering Department, Service and Hospitality Department, Personal Care Department and Office Positions.

Cruise ship jobs in the Activity and Entertainment department are considered some of the most glamorous jobs aboard the ship. These positions deal with anything relating to passenger entertainment and are often synonymous with “cruise staff.” This department includes: DJ’s, Production Managers, Photographers, Managers, Casino Staff, Host/Hostess and Cruise Consultant, to name a few. Those best suited for jobs in this department are typically enthusiastic and extroverted.

The Deck and Engineering Department is one of the most important departments on the vessel — without it the ship would never set sail. This department is responsible for maintaining and running the vessel. Please note that the positions in this department are not typically entry-level positions, especially on large ships. The department consists of deckhands, maintenance workers, engineers, and officers. These positions help to motor or sail the ship, attend to the physical maintenance needs of the ship, and keep it in accordance with fleet regulations and international maritime laws. Officers are in charge of passenger safety as well.

Also called the “Hotel Management Department,” staff members in Service and Hospitality positions have the responsibility of managing the bars and restaurants and passenger cabins, as well as shipboard retail concessions like gift shops. Just a few Service and Hospitality positions include: Hotel Manager, Cabin Steward/Stewardess, Accountant, Executive Chef, Wine Steward, Chief Purser, Purser Staff, Bellman, Pastry Chef and the list goes on and on. Most service positions such as bartenders, waiters and cocktail servers can earn a good amount of extra money from tips.

No cruise would be complete without a department devoted to helping passengers pamper themselves. The Personal Care Department includes spa, fitness, beauty and medical services. It helps manage hair stylists, manicurists, massage therapists, fitness instructors, beauty therapists, spa attendants, nurses, and physicians all dedicated to the well-being of passengers.

Most office positions are onshore — employees typically work in the main office performing administrative tasks, arranging cruises or performing general office tasks. Office positions generally fall under the following categories: Accounting, Administrative/Clerical, Air Operations, Marketing/PR and Reservations/Sales.

For more information about applying for positions on cruise ships visit Cruise Ship Jobs online. Here, you can download the 2008 cruise ship employment guide; you can read through cruise line profiles; you can find out which ships are hiring and for what positions, and you can even apply for a cruise ship job right online!

After deciding where you want to go, the next thing to consider is the cruise line. Everyone has their own preferences, so some people may prefer a laid back environment where dressing down isn’t a sin and others may prefer a luxury cruise, where glamour and formal nights abound. Whatever you prefer, rest assured — there is a cruise line to suit your individual style, taste, and budget. Some of the most popular cruise lines in the industry today include: Silversea Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line.

Silversea Cruises and Crystal Cruises are luxury cruise lines that are popular among affluent, seasoned travelers, while Regent Seven Seas tends to attract much of the same, but the ships are bigger and the environment is more “relaxed.” Regent Seven Seas is also considered one of the most romantic cruise lines – perfect for honeymoons. The newly married can enjoy French and Polynesian dining, spa treatments, waterspouts, and romantic shore excursions such as river cruises, dinner cruises, horseback riding through the mountains, wading in the water underneath a waterfall, and more.

Royal Caribbean International is considered the perfect cruise line for first-time cruisers as it attracts a good mix of passengers from different backgrounds and with different interests. This means you’ll find a wide variety of activities, dining and entertainment options, and a very laid-back environment if you’re the super casual type. Disney Cruise Line is perfect for families, couples, and singles looking for a festive atmosphere and excellent prices, while Carnival Cruise Line is tops for single, 20-30-somethings looking for a party atmosphere. Carnival Cruise Line also attracts young marrieds interested in a party atmosphere as well.

Next up — know your destinations. Depending on the cruise line, you can expect to travel to popular destinations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii or romantic and exotic destinations such as Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, Bermuda, and Europe. Exotic destinations that are also popular for romance and adventure include: Africa, Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Costa Rica. This list of destinations represents some, but not all of the destinations on the menu.

If you want to save, booking early and booking at the very last minute has its advantages. Additionally, certain times of the year offer discounts and savings as well. For example, May through September is high season for Alaska, the fall and summer seasons are prime times for European sailings, and while the Caribbean is a year-round destination, winter is the most popular time for Caribbean travel. Peak travel times are always more expensive than off-peak travel — so keep this in mind.

And finally, when you are ready to book your cruise, there are several options available to you. You can contact your local cruise travel agent or you can contact the cruise line that appeals to you the most. A great place to search for certified cruise travel agents is with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The site has a search function that will help you locate certified cruise travel agents or counselors in your area. If you already have a cruise line in mind, visit the cruise lines website to book a cruise or once at the site, jot down the cruise lines toll-free number and give them a jingle. Click here for a directory of all cruise lines – including the cruise lines mentioned in this article.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines postal address is: Royal Caribbean International, 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132-2096. Reservations can be made by calling 866.562.7625 or simply visit the Royal Caribbean International website. If you’re not familiar with Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines here is a bit of information about the line. Royal Caribbean Cruises is the second largest cruise line in the world offering more than 140 ports of call. Established in 1968, Royal Caribbean Cruises is also one of the most trusted names in the cruise line industry today. The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line International fleet features a variety of vessels to accommodate everything from large families and low-key couples to seniors and singles.

The Royal Caribbean International fleet includes the following classes: The Freedom Family, The Voyager Family, The Radiance Family, The Vision Family, and The Sovereign Family, each with its’ own special amenities and amazing extras.

The Freedom Family includes three of the largest cruise ships ever built: Independence of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas. All Freedom Class ships have a gross tonnage of 160,000 and a maximum capacity of 3,634 passengers. ON each ship, guests can enjoy a day spa, rock climbing, ice-skating, a fitness center and a full-service casino as well as Wi-Fi services and flat screen TV’s in every stateroom. Just a few of Royal Caribbean Cruises’ exciting destinations include: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Jamaica and Hispaniola, to name a few.

The Voyager Family includes: Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. Guests can enjoy pubs and promenades or restaurants and nightclubs while exploring the Eastern, Southern or Western Caribbean, Bermuda, the Mediterranean or the Transatlantic.

Whether you’re interested in touring Barcelona or Istanbul, Scandinavia or Russia or the Greek Isles, Venice or the Hawaiian Islands, the Radiance Family was built to suit some of the most extravagant tastes. The Radiance Family ships include: Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas. Each vessel features glass walls and elevators offering guests a front seat to all the beauty the sea has to offer. Glass solariums, day spas, a country club and adventure programs for kids are just a few amenities the Radiance Family has to offer.

The Vision Family features lounges and bars galore, non-stop nightclubs, mini-golf and beautiful spas for relaxation during the day. The Vision Family includes: Enchantment of the Sea, Grandeur of the Sea, Legend of the Sea, Rhapsody of the Sea, Splendor of the Sea and Vision of the Sea. The Vision Family travels to Alaska, Belize, Costa Maya, the Greek Isles, Iberia, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Turkey and anywhere in the Caribbean.

Each ship has the capacity to hold in excess of 2,200 passengers per ship. Great for couples and families alike, the Sovereign Family includes three ships: Majesty of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Sovereign of the Sea. Sovereign ships feature complimentary adventure programs for kids along with great restaurants and casinos as well as a nightclubs and large outdoor pools. These vessels can hold anywhere from 2,700-2,850 passengers and destinations range from Baja Mexico to the Bahamas. The Sovereign Family is also extremely popular for holiday cruises.

Couples looking for a little romance should consider Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas. With a maximum capacity of 2,020 guests, the Empress is the smallest and most intimate ship in the fleet. The facilities include: a day spa, a world class fitness center, a romantic Italian restaurant called “Portofino,” and a Latin themed lounge called “Boleros.” Ports of call are located throughout the Caribbean and Bermuda and cruises range anywhere from 3-11 nights.

Things to know before you go

Royal Caribbean Cruises will include: meals, accommodations, snacks, access to fitness centers, entertainment and 24-hour room service. Keep in mind that the price does not include tips. In general, guests should tip the stateroom attendant, suite attendant, dining room waiter, assistant waiter and the head waiter. Guests should also figure port charges and excursions into their budget as well.

Prices for Royal Caribbean cruises vary greatly and depend on a wide variety of factors. Destination, ship size, ports of call, type of accommodations and time of year will determine how much or how less you will spend on your Royal Caribbean cruise. Typically, deluxe suites and rooms with balconies or ocean views cost more, with interior rooms costing considerably less.

The best deals are typically offered in January, September-December and late spring. Prices may range anywhere from $400 up to $5,400. The higher prices are usually for deluxe accommodations aboard any of the ships in the Radiance Family. If your interests lean more towards excursions rather than ship activities, it’s best to select and purchase your excursions online far in advance as tours tend to fill quickly. In general, you have 10 days prior to departure to purchase excursions online; otherwise you’ll have to purchase them on the ship or with a tour director, if available.

Canoeing, deep sea fishing, hiking through rainforests, shopping, land or landmark tours, scuba diving, and cave exploration are just a few of the many tours and activities Royal Caribbean Cruise passengers can enjoy during their cruise vacation.

Besides Project Genesis, other ultra mega ships that all future cruise ships will have to compete with include: Cunard Lines Queen Mary 2,
Carnival Cruise Lines $500 million Glory, Carnival Cruise Lines $500 million Valor, and any other ship that falls into the “Voyager Class” category. Voyager Class ships typically start at a cool $520 Million.

Queen Mary 2 is still considered the most magnificent and luxurious Ocean Liner ever built. With a price tag of $800 million, it is second only to Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas in price as well. The Queen Mary 2 is 1,132 feet in length and it is 151,400 gross tons. Queen Mary 2 can accommodate 2,592 passengers (lower berths) and a maximum of 3,056, including the third and fourth berths. The ship features ballrooms, theaters, casinos, lounges, discos, grand dining rooms, 13 spacious decks, a basketball court and the world’s only planetarium at sea.

Queen Mary 2 also features apartment-style accommodations and nearly three quarters of the apartments here have private balconies. The Queen Mary 2 travels the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, Canada/New England, and the Canary and Atlantic Islands, as well as Transatlantic cruises. Cunard Lines million dollar cruise ship Queen Mary 2 is not only popular for her size, she also travels around the globe on world cruise voyages for 84 days, 90 days, 99 days, and even 105 days. Lucky passengers can expect to visit exotic ports of call such as Cape Town, Da Nang, Dubai, Fuerte Amador, Hong Kong, Kobe, Mumbai, Penang, Puerto Montt, and Rio de Janeiro, to name a few.

Many future cruise ships may resemble cruise ships, but a closer look just might reveal something different. Future cruise ships may actually be full-blown houses and condos at sea – like The World. The World, managed by ResidenSea Ltd., is a luxurious private community at sea featuring residential options and rentals – meaning ocean residencies that can be purchased for a hefty price or rented. Rentals range from $1,300-$4,500 per night with a six night minimum stay. The World has 106 spacious private apartments, 19 studio apartments, and 40 studios for a total of 165 residencies. The World residencies range in price from $825,000 up to $6.3 million. Besides being the first and only ship of its kind, The World is also the first ship of its size burning marine diesel rather than bunker fuel.

The World amenities include a grocery store and deli, five restaurants, several lounges, bars and swimming pools, a boutique, complete athletic facilities that include a golf simulator, a putting green, a casino, as well as a full-sized tennis court, jogging track, a fully equipped gym, a movie theatre, a library and a variety of music performances, to name a few.

The World travels, well, around the world, with itineraries most can only dream of. Full-time residents of The World and short-term guests alike will find themselves in places such as Greece, Ghana, Namibia, Sao Tome, Cape Town, Dubai, Turkey (Bodrum), Istanbul, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Monte Carlo, Aruba, or Portugal, to name a few.

Carnival Fantasy has a gross tonnage of 70,367. It is 855 feet in length, it has a total crew of 920 members, and it can accommodate up to 2,056 guests. Carnival Fantasy has 10 decks, and a total of 1,026 staterooms with 54 private balcony staterooms. The ship has nine public rooms including the Universe Lounge, Cleopatra’s Bar, the Celebration Dining Room, the Jubilee Dining Room, Club 21 Casino, Cat’s Lounge, The Bistro and the Internet, Electricity Dance Club, and the Majestic Bar. The massive Universe Lounge can hold a maximum of 1,300 guests and the Universe Lounge can hold up to 540 guests. The Electricity Dance Club has room for 230.

Carnival Fantasy also has a library, a card room, a 500-guest Verandah Deck and a 800-guest outdoor main pool area. Carnival Fantast features a wide variety of staterooms to suit dozens of different tastes and budgets. Passengers can choose from Interior Staterooms, Ocean View staterooms, and Suites. Amenities will vary, but all staterooms feature Carnival Comfort Beds, soft carpeting, indirect lighting, tons of closet space, and individual climate control.

Carnival Fantasy sails from New Orleans, LA to the Western Caribbean on four day or five day cruises. To browse through hundreds of helpful Fantasy Cruise reviews visit any of the following top cruise review websites: Cruisecritic.com, Cruisereviewsonline.com, Cruisereport.com, Cruisedirectonline.com, and Cruisemates.com

Cruisecritic.com offers more than just passenger reviews, this site has several search functions to help you find everything from bargains and discounts to theme cruises, and exotic itineraries. The site also includes features, news, planning tools, and a variety of cruise message boards where fellow cruisers can exchange stories and information.

Passenger reviews, ratings, rankings, and popularity contests — at Cruisereviewsonline.com find out which cruise ships are at the top and which ones are not. Get other information on cruise lines, as well as information, ratings and rankings on embarkation ports, and ports-of-call.

Cruisereport.com offers the lowdown on cruise lines from A to Z. Unbiased passenger reviews, cruise searches, quotes, and feature articles are just a few of the sites extras. You can also search for “the perfect cruise,” and browse through news pieces about cruising. After checking out their ratings and reviews, you can also search for discounts and deals. With more than 50,000 visitors per month, Cruisereport.com has information on roughly 8,500 current sailings.

Cruisedirectonline.com relies on reader surveys to help keep reviews & ratings in check. In addition to cruise ship reviews and ratings, visitors to the site will find top ten and top thirty lists, as well as feature articles about the best of the best in the world of cruises. The site has other information about discounts, as well as information on roughly 12,000 sailings. Cruise Direct Online has been featured in Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine, and on MSNBC, CNBC, MSN Money, and more.

Cruisemates.com offers short passenger reviews and ratings. The two types of ratings include: star ratings and value ratings. Star ratings are based on one question — “how good is this ship?” One star is the worst, five stars is the best. Cruisemates.com takes everything from age and accommodations to food, service, and entertainment into account when rating the worlds cruise ships. Value ratings or “thumbs up” ratings are all about the “Bang for your Buck.” Five thumbs up means the ship is an excellent value while one thumb up means you won’t find much of anything that resembles a value here.

Oceania Cruises offers three mid-sized premium vessels to choose from including: Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica. It is estimated that Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica sail to more than 80 ports throughout Scandinavia and Russia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, the Black Sea and other exotic destinations such as Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco. Each of these 30,277-ton vessels accommodates 684 guests. Aboard each Oceania cruise ship, guests will enjoy personalized service that can’t be found aboard the larger ships. With 400 staff members per ship, requests are handled quickly and efficiently, meaning guests will always feel pampered and as if they were sailing on a private yacht.

Oceania accommodations run the gamut from 160 sq. ft. staterooms to spacious suites that total close to 1,000 sq. ft. Oceania’s largest suites, called “Owner’s” and “Vista Suites” typically feature Jacuzzis, 42” plasma flat-screen TV’s with Bose® surround sound system with a 2nd plasma to enjoy form the comforts of a queen-sized Tranquility Bed, entertainment center with CD & DVD Players, Laptop computers with Internet access and refrigerated mini-bars. Rooms also feature a 2nd bathroom for guests, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and wraparound teak verandas. Oceania Spa features a spa, fitness center and salon. The spa offers facials, wraps, detoxification procedures, massage and a spa deck while the fitness center features a full-service gym, personal training and complimentary classes combining, aerobics, body tone, dance and step.

Oceania cruise ships house some of the industry’s best fine dining establishments at sea. Comparable to 5-star hotel dining, guests have six dining options to choose from ranging from the grand to casual poolside dining. Options include: The Polo Grill, Tapas on the Terrace, The Terrace Café, The Grand Dining Room, Toscana, and Waves. Oceania’s wine list features more than 150 vintages and 24-hour room service is also available. Visit any one of Oceania cruise ship’s six bars or lounges for cocktails, martini’s or wine. The Polo Lounge features single-malt Scotch and full-grain whiskey or visit the Observation Lounge for cocktails. Entertainment ranges from live jazz and comedy to magicians. In addition, Oceania offers a variety of guest and celebrity speakers as well as dance lessons, arts & crafts classes and culinary demonstrations.

Although Oceania Cruises feels like a veteran cruise line, it is actually one of the newer kids on the block in the world of luxury cruises. Established in 2002 by well-known industry veterans Joe Watters and Frank Del Rio, Oceania Cruises has become a heavy hitter among some of the largest premium cruise lines in the world. If money is no object and elegance and sophistication are top priority, Oceania Cruises is the perfect choice for your cruise vacation.

For more information about Oceania Cruises visit the Oceania Cruises website. Here, visitors can learn more about Oceania Cruises, take a virtual tour, request a brochure, search for a travel agent, plan a cruise using the site “cruise planner” or book online. Passengers can also contact Oceania Cruises toll-free at 1.800.531.5619.

The new Disney cruise ships will stick to Disney’s traditional Mickey Mouse color scheme of black, white, red, and yellow combined with art deco touches of 1930’s ocean liners. The new ships will stand two decks taller than Disney Wonder and Magic, and they will have much more room for verandahs – and then some!

Royal Caribbean plans to introduce the world’s first $1.24 billion cruise ship in 2009. The $1.24 billion new Royal Caribbean cruise ship will belong to the new Genesis Class. It is currently called “Project Genesis” and it will weigh in at a whopping 220,000 tons. This new cruise ship it will accommodate 5,400 passengers. The only other ships on the planet with this kind of tonnage, and worth billions of dollars are military vessels and submarines.

There are many great websites available that offer photos of new cruise ships (and all cruise ships) as well as unique galleries featuring photos of different elements of the ship such as decks, staterooms, fitness areas, lounges, restaurants and more. There are several standouts in the bunch offering photos of the exterior of the new cruise ship, and tours of the decks, cabins, lounges and bars, restaurants, spas, fitness facilities, and common areas. Some even offer photos of meals and buffet layouts. Some of the most popular cruise ship photo websites include: ShipParade.com, Cruise411.com, CruiseMates.com, and CruiseCritic.com.

ShipParade.com is an “online magazine dedicated to cruise ships.” At ShipParade.com, visitors should visit the ShipAlphabet section to access the most up to date photos of cruise ships and photos of new cruise ships. Visitors can also browse through more than 250 cruise ships currently in service. In addition to gorgeous photo galleries for each individual ship and thousands of cruise ship photos, the site also includes ship facts, ship reviews, and valuable cruise tips. Visitors can also tour various destinations and photos of ports, and the site highlights a special cruise photo each week. ShipParade.com also has links to most major cruise lines and some lesser known cruise lines that are listed among ShipParade’s favorites.

Cruise411.com features all of the tools and information needed to choose the right cruise line and ship for your cruise vacation. Cruise411.com features photos, 360° tours and movies. Visitors to the site can simply choose the cruise line and ship that interests them, then search through photos, take tours, and watch movies about the ship and cruise line. The site also features cruise reviews, a booking search engine, deck plans, customer reviews, cruise brand overviews, information about cruise ports, destinations, and shore excursions. After browsing through pictures of cruise ships, visitors can even select the ship they are interested in and plan their cruise entire cruise at Cruise411.com. Cruise411.com also features some of the lowest prices on the market.

CruiseMates.com galleries are a combination of photos from users and various cruise lines. In addition to photos of cruise ships and ports, CruiseMates.com also features a quick search for discounted cruises up to 75%, news and features, ship reviews, shop and compare, message boards, and cruise ratings. Visitors can even create their own cruise photo gallery.

CruiseCritic.com offers crisp photos of cruise ships along with informative articles and reviews. When you visit the site, go to the features section on the menu and scroll down to “Shipyard Snapshots.” Here, you will find photos of a variety of different major cruise ships including interior and exterior images, pictures of common areas, restaurants, cabins, spas, and more. CruiseCritic.com is a news and reviews site, so other major features include planning tools, message boards, articles, destination search, detailed information about cruise styles, and listings for cruise deals.

TIP: Already have a favorite cruise ship in mind? Visit the cruise lines website to take a virtual tour of your top ship!

“Born out of the California Gold Rush of 1849,” The Port of San Francisco consists of 7.5 miles of San Francisco Bay shoreline covering the areas from Hyde Street Pier in the north to India Basin in the south. In addition to hosting cruises, the Port’s other major activities include promoting maritime commerce, navigation, and fisheries; preserving the environment; and providing public recreation. The Port of San Francisco welcomes 60-80 cruise ships and 200,000 passengers each year. Cruise itineraries typically include round trip cruises to Mexico, Hawaii, and the Alaska/Pacific Coast. Cruise lines departing out of San Francisco also set sail numerous repositioning cruises during the spring and fall months. While repositioning cruises sail from San Francisco, many also end in San Francisco.

The following cruise lines and ships enter the port of San Francisco regularly: Celebrity Cruises (Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Summit), Cruise West (Yorktown Clipper), DR Holdings (Delphin Renaissance), Holland America Line (Oosterdam, Statendam, Zuiderdam), Japan Grace (Topaz), Mitsui OSK (Nippon Maru), Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Wind, America Pride of Aloha, America Pride of Hawaii), NYK Line (Asuka II), P&O (Aurora), Princess Cruises (Coral Princess, Dawn Princess Diamond Princess, Island Princess, Regal Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sun Princess), Regent Seven Seas (Mariner), Royal Caribbean (Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Vision of the Seas), Saga (Saga Ruby), Silversea (Silver Shadow) and Swan Hellenic (Minerva II). Click here for a directory of all cruise lines listed above.

For visitors opting for cruise lines departing out of San Francisco, The popular Port of San Francisco offers numerous conveniences and attractions. The Port of San Francisco is located at the Embarcadero on the Bay side and it is served by San Francisco International Airport, which is only an hour’s drive away. The port is easily accessible via the 101 freeway or 280 North. Passengers can expect to pay around $12 to $14 per day for parking. Parking is in a covered garage with valet parking (cash only). The Port of San Francisco attractions draw 15 million visitors a year. The waterfront of home to Fisherman’s Wharf, Hyde Street Pier, PIER 39, and access to the 12-acre Alcatraz Island.

For more information about cruise lines departing out of San Francisco and attractions or other information about The Port of San Francisco visit The Port of San Francisco website or contact:

Michael Nerney
Maritime Marketing Manager
Port of San Francisco
Pier 1, The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone 415-274-0416
Fax 415-732-0416
E-mail: Michael.Nerney@sfport.com