All About Cruises

Author: Amy Andrews

  • Is Your Cruise Ship Clean? Here’s How to Know for Sure

    Is Your Cruise Ship Clean? Here’s How to Know for Sure

    The cleanliness of your cruise ship might not be something you’d typically concern yourself with when embarking on a vacation but perhaps in addition to checking out the ship’s amenities, you should also review the ship’s Vessel Sanitation Program inspection report. Most common violations won’t kill you but they might make you feel icky and increase the chances that common illnesses could spread more easily among passengers.

    Back to Basics

    The Carnival Fantasy failed a federal Centers for Disease Control inspection last month with the second-lowest score of all those reviewed. Out of a possible 100 points, where 86 is considered acceptable, the ship rated just 77 points. Among the reasons it failed: the level of water in the pool didn’t reach the skim gutters so any debris in the water wasn’t being filtered effectively, the sneeze guards at some buffet stations had gaps that were too wide to effectively protect the dishes underneath them, some bread items served during a breakfast buffet had more than a dozen flies on them, and used serving spoons were stored with clean serving spoons. Carnival says it’s already taken, and will continue to take, corrective action, and added that the company has asked for a re-inspection of the ship.

    How Does Your Cruise Ship Rate?

    So how do you know what to look out for in deciding if your cruise ship is clean? Read the CDC reports directly. The agency’s website allows you to search Vessel Sanitation Program results by cruise line or ship. Inspection reports are posted online for everyone to view.

    Use this link to visit the Vessel Sanitation Program reports. There’s one link to all ships with perfect scores over the last year’s inspection cycle. You can also use the drop-down boxes to look at individual ships or cruise lines as a whole. Narrow your search by date or score. Not only can you view the CDC inspection reports that list the location, a description of the violation and recommendations to address it but you can also access corrective action reports submitted by the cruise line, if necessary. If it’s more convenient, you can print out these reports, too.

    Taking a cruise can be a significant investment and you should feel good about your choice. Using the CDC reports as a tool to effectively shop for your next cruise is just one way to make sure you have the vacation you’ve always dreamed of.

  • Behind the Scenes: How Does a Cruise Ship Itinerary Get Put Together?

    Behind the Scenes: How Does a Cruise Ship Itinerary Get Put Together?

    One of the best things about cruising is how easy it is to visit multiple ports of call without having to unpack your suitcase more than once. It seems so effortless. But is it really? There’s actually a lot that goes on behind the scenes when a cruise ship company plans an itinerary, and that planning starts many months, if not years, in advance.

    A Delicate Balancing Act

    A cruise line has to fine tune an itinerary so that all of its priorities are equally and satisfactorily met. That means the sales and marketing team has to be on board as does the ship’s crew, operations team, and number crunchers. A sailing needs to be marketable, attractive to passengers, affordable to run, and manageable to staff and operate.

    Making All of the People Happy All of the Time

    Itineraries are also planned to visit places that mix old favorites and “undiscovered” gems. As much as people like visiting new and exciting places, they also enjoy returning to destinations where they’ve enjoyed themselves before and have happy memories of visiting. According to Terry Thornton, Carnival Cruise Lines senior vice president, one of the goals of any itinerary is to think broadly and make as many people happy as possible, and that includes attracting prospective travelers who’ve never been on a cruise before.

    The Logistics

    And the linchpin in any itinerary is whether or not it’s actually attainable. It’s one thing to want to go to a particular port but if the infrastructure isn’t there, that’s not do-able. Cruise lines have to know if they can dock some of these new and bigger ships in ports; if not, what’s the feasibility of anchoring off shore and tendering passengers to the pier? Has local tourism been built up enough for thousands of guests to find something to do? Are there enough bars, restaurants, beaches, and other amenities for passengers to explore and enjoy? If not, then a port might get ruled out.

    Planning a cruise line itinerary is a challenge even in the best of times. As cruise ships get bigger and the popularity of cruises increases, it can get harder and harder to fit the puzzle pieces together. But as cruise lines book farther out and make even greater commitments to developing ports of call and their own private islands, there’s no doubt that itineraries will continue to attract new and returning cruise vacationers.

  • How to Manage a Packing Emergency on Your Cruise

    How to Manage a Packing Emergency on Your Cruise

    Some people are born travelers. They know exactly what to pack, how to pack, and never worry at the end of their trip that everything won’t fit back into the suitcase. And then there are the rest of us. If you’re worried that you’ll have trouble getting everything home from your cruise–whether because of size or weight–here are a few tips to help you manage a last-minute packing emergency as you prepare to disembark from your cruise:

    1. Be prepared.

    When initially packing your suitcase at home, slide a folded re-usable tote bag into your luggage. It doesn’t take up much space or weight but might be a lifesaver on the way back. You can carry fragile souvenirs or stuff the bag with dirty laundry – either way, you’ll save space in your suitcase and eliminate a few extra pounds. It’s also a super convenient way to deal with last-minute toiletries and other items you gather up as you prepare to leave your stateroom; just drop them in the bag and sort it all out at home.

    2. Roll with it.

    Believe it or not, tightly rolling your garments can actually free up some space in your luggage. Tuck smaller rolled items into shoes or between the heel and foot of a high heeled shoe. For extra oomph, pack a few SpaceBags: stuff them with clothes, seal them, and then push the air out, compacting the clothes and reducing the room needed for them.

    3. Layer.

    Take out some of the bulkier clothing items and wear them home, like a hoodie or a jacket. Don a tank top, blouse, cardigan, and jacket and that’s four things out of your suitcase. Likewise, choose your footwear carefully and wear home the biggest or heaviest shoes you’ve packed.

    4. Have your packages shipped.

    While this is likely the most expensive option, depending on your purchase and the way you plan to get home, it could still be the best idea. You could take a chance in putting items in your suitcase but things can break when luggage shifts or is tossed around at the airport. If you carry on some objects, they could still be damaged in transit or prohibited from flying with you by TSA agents at the airport.

    5. Heaviest suitcases go first.

    When checking in for your flight and getting your luggage tagged, ask the airline staff to take the heaviest bag first. That way, if that first piece of luggage is overweight, you can still grab a few things out of it to repack in your companion’s suitcase and avoid an excessive weight charge; those can be $100 or more!

    No one expects to come home with much more than they left home with when taking a cruise but sometimes these things happen. With a little preparation and some fancy packing strategies, it’s possible to get it all home intact and without extra baggage charges.

  • 4 Reasons to Take a Chance with Your Cruise’s On-Board Health and Wellness Programs

    4 Reasons to Take a Chance with Your Cruise’s On-Board Health and Wellness Programs

    Among the belly flop competitions, silent dance parties, and bingo games, many cruise ships also offer passengers the opportunity to attend various on-board health and wellness programs while at sea. Some may include products or services for sale as part of the program while others are informational (although there may still be a very soft sales pitch). It’s easy to blow off these events as “not for me” but there are a few great reasons to consider going to that brow bar event or fitness seminar:

    1. It can be fun.

    Oftentimes these programs include games, giveaways, and raffles. Even if you don’t book a spa treatment, you might win a few skincare samples or cruise line swag. It’s a nice icebreaker, too, if you’ve any interest in meeting new people with similar interests in beauty and wellness.

    2. You might discover something new.

    Learning more about overall health and well-being is always news you can use. Even if you think you know all there is to know about massage treatments, facials, or targeting those trouble spots on your hips and thighs, there may be one nugget of info or a statistic in there that captures your attention and provides food for thought or puts things in a new perspective.

    3. Be inspired for after your trip home.

    Okay, so maybe you’re not interested in having a seaweed wrap or other high-tech sculpting treatments done on a cruise ship but perhaps it sparks an interest in exploring those treatments at home. After attending a health and wellness program while aboard your cruise ship, you may be better armed with the right questions to ask a local care provider at home to ensure the right treatment for your needs.

    4. You can get a good deal.

    Let’s say you hit the brow bar event because your eyebrows are your signature beauty look. If specialty brow products are being sold “buy one, get one free”, it could be to your advantage because these are items that fit your present interests and goals.

    It’s easy to assume that cruise ship health and wellness programs are designed to persuade you to buy things you don’t want or need. But they can also provide you with an opportunity to explore something new, indulge in a personal beauty interest, or simply expand your horizons as to new beauty and body trends. Taking a chance and attending can be fun, engaging, and worth an hour of your time.

  • When Rain Threatens Your Cruise Ship Excursion

    When Rain Threatens Your Cruise Ship Excursion

    One of the most fun parts of planning a cruise is deciding what excursions to book before your trip. Whether it’s a day at the beach, strolling through local markets, visiting ruins and historic sites, or spending a day snorkeling and diving in nearby waters, there’s certainly something for everyone. And while we all imagine that our port of call visits will be sunny days, it’s also possible that they won’t be. Then what?

    The Show Must Go On

    In many of the ports of call that cruise ships visit, tourism is a critical industry that keeps entire local, regional, and national economies afloat. Even if the weather is poor, just about every excursion takes place as planned. The only exception is those for which it wouldn’t be safe to carry out. A good rule of thumb is that if your excursion is on land, expect it to continue as scheduled. If your excursion is on the water, it may be cancelled if surf conditions make it dangerous to have you out there.

    Some Common Outcomes

    Every cruise ship and every local tour company is different. However, there are some outcomes that are more likely than others when bad weather threatens booked excursions. In cases where conditions are expected to be so poor that it threatens the safety of tourists, an excursion is typically cancelled by the tour company and all reservations are refunded. In some cases, tours aren’t cancelled but passengers are given the chance to opt-out of an excursion with a full or partial refund. And finally, sometimes the excursion goes on anyway, and tourists can go and make the best of it or bow out and take the financial loss.

    The Best Way to Be Prepared

    When booking your cruise ship excursions, it’s important to read the fine print carefully. Your ticket is generally a contract and those terms and conditions govern whether the trip is cancelled or not depending on the weather. That language may also spell out what your other options could be. Know and understand what the possibilities are and that way you can plan ahead appropriately, no matter the weather.

    Even though no one wants to think about rain on their vacation, it does happen. The key to not letting it ruin your trip is to have a back-up plan, such as packing wet weather gear, and realizing that some things are just out of our hands.

  • Why Choose a Cruise Line with a Private Island

    Why Choose a Cruise Line with a Private Island

    As more of the big-name cruise lines arrange private island access for their Caribbean sailing guests, you might be wondering what the big draw is. After all, many of the cruises already visit ports of call where beach excursions are offered. So why book a cruise where the itinerary includes a private island day? Access, amenities, and convenience.

    Ease of Access

    Cruise ships that make a port of call at a private island typically dock at a dedicated pier adjacent to the recreation areas. This makes getting to the beach, small shops, picnic areas, and other island activity spots fast and easy. There are no worries about language barriers and no getting lost. Passengers with mobility issues or who don’t otherwise feel comfortable with third-party excursions at other ports of call may find these private islands easier to access and enjoy. There are no busy intersections full of cars or crowds to navigate, rarely any stairs, and hardly ever uneven surfaces like cobblestones to struggle over with a stroller, walker or wheelchair.

    Quality of the Amenities

    When a cruise ship company has control over what goes on at its island, it can provide a level of quality and service that guests expect. Beach areas, cabanas, and rest room facilities are organized and clean, picnic areas serve buffet-style lunch that’s of comparable quality to on-board meals, and activities like bicycle rentals and zip lining are often operated by cruise line staff. There’s a carefree quality to spending the day on one of these islands, where passengers may have a higher level of trust in the operation and oversight of activities.

    Convenience

    A day trip to a private island typically includes lunch, often served with local flavor and style. Passengers can enjoy a beach day without having to worry about finding a good place to eat or wandering off the beaten path and missing their on-board time. Day trips like this also make it enjoyable for families with young kids and others who might need to return to the ship quickly and often, such as for diaper changes, naps or scheduled medications. For elderly or other passengers who might not be able to bear the Caribbean sun, heat or humidity for extended lengths of time, a private island stay gives them a true Caribbean experience and still allows them to get back to the air conditioned ship quickly when needed.

    Greater Relaxation

    A private island caters to one cruise line at a time, in most cases. Passengers have the run of the island to themselves, and often discover the shoreline less crowded than at some other beach excursions at popular ports of call. In essence, a cruise line’s private island is an extension of the ship, and that familiarity and comfort often provides a high level of satisfaction for passengers.

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