To those who haven’t been watching, there’s been a sea change in suggested dress codes, and what is considered acceptable attire, on board an ever expanding list of today’s cruise lines.

Harken back to the days of ocean travel, when every passenger was expected to be “dressed to the nines” “in all their finery” every evening when they left their cabins, and entered any of the ship’s public rooms.

You’re not going to find that on even the most tony lines anymore.  But, from that tradition, the “cruise industry had adopted their 20th century version of “traditional suggested dress codes”; with that suggested code featuring formal nights, semi-formal nights, and casual attire nights.

For more than a decade any thread on cruise related message boards mentioning “dress codes”  generated heated debates going on for many days, with one basic theme; those who “dressed up” calling those who did not “low lifes”, and those who did not favor “dressing up” calling those who did “snobs”.

As the calendar moved into the 21 century, there’s been a steady move away from what was once thought of as “traditional dress codes”.  Using the “word of the week”, the view of the cruise industry towards what is acceptable attire on ships is “evolving”, from both the industry and the passengers.

Today spotting a male passenger in a tuxedo on any of the mass market (contemporary) cruise lines is as rare a sight as seeing a penquin on a cruise  that isn’t on an Antarctica itinerary. While most lines still to offer at least one “formal night” during a cruise, the “evolved” definition of “formal attire” makes  suits and ties (or even sports jackets and slacks) for men, and dresses (of almost any style) for women, the true present day acceptable norm.

And, frankly, even that relaxing of the definiion of “formal attire” is continuing to push the further relaxing closer and closer to what is actually very simple… casual attire.

In fact, several of what were the more stayed luxury cruise lines have already stepped ahead of the mass market, and have moved to making  ”resort casual” dress code  the norm for every night onboard. I believe, in very short order, that is going to be the absolute norm on all cruise lines.

My own views on this topic have certainly evolved in this same direction. I used to be one of the proponents of  having everyone adhere to the formal dress codes. I’d argue that is was disrepectful to your fellow passengers and the cruise line to not do so. I probably thought that if I were dressed up in a nice tuxedo and my wife in a beautiful gown, for at least a moment, we appeared to be at a higher “station” in life, than we were.

Today, I don’t really care about what I’m wearing, nor to I really care what my fellow passengers are wearing. My rule for what I’d like to see other passengers wearing is now determined more by what body parts I want to make certain are covered, than what brand of clothing they are covering it with.

My only caveat to completely accepting more relaxed attire on ships is I still do have a bit of a mental block about seeing the dining room staff dressed “better” than the passengers they are serving.

As the airlines, who still transport the vast majority of cruisers to their ships, have further reduced the allowable weights on luggage, and continued to increase the fees for overweight, over-sized, and extra bags,  those policies have made it easier for passengers and cruise lines to rationalize the relaxing rules for acceptable attire.

I’m choosing 2017 as the date that all but perhaps 2 or 3 lines no longer even use the terminology of  “formal night”, and transition to every night being “casual”.  I guess I still do wonder how far the term of “casual” will go. Will that every be changed to “relaxed” or ” comfortable” attire “suggested”?

Or will there simply end being a list of body parts which must not be exposed?

- A View From The Kuki Side of Cruising -

Ever since travel by cruise ship evolved into “cruising”, as we know it today, there have been hundreds of thousands of words written, as helpful information, explaining what you “need to know before you go”.

 It’s unlikely you’ll store this week’s Blog entry in that category.

Rather I’ll be approaching this subject from a slightly different perspective; one you most likely haven’t considered, unless you are a mental deviate.

When first even considering a cruise one should be prepared; understand the ship travels in water. You might think it travels on water, but it is in water. If it were on water, the ship would simply fall over. It’s somewhat important to understand that doesn’t happen.

The next thing to check off the list in cruise planning is that you are going to be required to pay to cruise. There are actual costs involved. Other than free-loading travel journalists I’ve never heard of any member of the cruising public who have been received their cruise ticket without first paying for it. If you happen to own an oil well, there might be a chance to barter; exchanging your oil for passage, but you’d have to attempt to make the arrangements for that trade in advance. Otherwise, you will be expected to pay for your cruise.

In order to board the ship you are also going to be required to have identification. There are various types of identifications necessary depending on the type of itinerary your ship will be sailing.  In some cases a simple birth certificate will be all that’s required. In other cases a passport. But the regulations of which is required when are much too complicated for me to explain a fluff piece such as this.

If you’re going to travel, you are going to find you need some form of luggage. A suitcase, a duffel bag, a suit bag, a back pack may all work. I advise against using paper (or plastic) bags. They don’t tend to stand up well against the rigours of travel. Plus, they look so much like everyone elses’  bags when turning on a carousel.

Whichever mode of “baggage” you choose, once you have managed to get on your ship, and have found your cabin, you should know, you are allowed to unpack your belongings.

Other than cruise lines which are “all-inclusive” , cruise lines are “almost all-inclusive”. On the “almost all-inclusive” cruise lines everything you could want, other than the things you have to pay extra for, are included in the cruise fare.  Keep your list of things you don’t want to pay extra for very short and you’re likely to be very satisfied.

I certainly do hope that you’ve found this list of  “know before you go” tips helpful, though for the life of me I don’t see how you could.

- A View From The Kuki Side of Cruising” -

In these still tough economic times there’s few people who don’t look to get excellent value for each and every dollar they spend.  And this holds true, even for those who can afford a vacation.

People cruise for a variety of reasons, but I believe the majority do so for a combination of travel, adventure and relaxation. In recent years we’ve seen a rise in complaints of “nickel and diming” on board cruise ships. There’s little doubt the cruise lines have attempted to enhance their on board revenues. However, I honestly find the complaining about it somewhat amusing.

How much does it cost for a hotel room per day? How much does it cost to purchase 3 meals per day, plus snacks. How expensive is room service at that hotel?  How much does it cost you for entertainment each day? And how much are your transportation costs, even considering only those which apply to getting to and from meals or entertainment?

Granted, some hotel chains are now offering complimentary breakfast service. It’s a bid odd that people tout and enjoy this amenity, and rarely complain about the lack of selection they serve. Yet, they’ll get on a ship, and somehow a fairly common complaint is lack of variety at the buffet.

This is just a small part of my objection to some of things people complain about. I’m not sure why people believe they’re justified in having much higher expectations, almost across the board, for cruise lines… irregardless of what they pay, it seems.

As with hotel chains, and even all-inclusive resorts, there is a heirarchy of levels of accommodation, and goods and services available on cruise lines, normally in direct relation to what the customer pays.

However, on a cruise ship, one has the choice to choose, and pay for,  lower priced accomodations, yet still receive the same goods and services as those who choose to purchase more expensive accomodation — with the exception of those purchasing top level suites. Everyone on the ship has access to, and the ability to take advantage of all the other amenities on the ship, including restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

With little effort it’s possible to book a cruise for as little as $75 -$100 per person per day. Want a cabin with a private balcony? Add another $25 -$50 per person per day, and you can upgrade to very comfortable accomodation, with a private balcony.

It is easily possible to take all your meals in only the facilities where the cost of the food is included in your fare. Most modern cruise ships do offer some variety of restaurants which do require a surcharge above the cost of our fare to dine there. Though I personally think there’s excellent value in taking advantage of those options on occassion, there is certainly no requirement to do so. In fact, I object when I hear complaints asking why “they” should have to pay for “better” food.  The reasoning is quite simple; it’s like on land when you have a choice from an average, standard, restaurant, as compared to dining in a more upscale bistro.

Included in your cruise fare is a twice, sometimes three times, there’s also an all you can eat buffet. Included in your cruise fare is complimentary room service at any time you choose. Today many of the cruise lines allow you to have anything on the dining room menu served to you in your cabin, if you so choose. These are not options I can recall seeing in any hotel room.

I view all the amenities made available on a ship that require an extra charge as optional. And I do often choose to parktake in some of them, and pay the extra fees. But, knowing that, I budget in advance for those extra charges. Taking those extras into consideration, I then add that total to the basic cost of my cruise fare.  If the total cost is in the realm of what I want to spend, then I book, and get on board fully prepared to enjoy all I’ve paid for.

Despite the very occassional glitches I’ve encountered in the 50+ cruises I’ve sailed, I have yet to feel I didn’t get outstanding value for the dollars I spent. Perfection is a difficult goal to define, I think.

- A View From The Kuki Side of Cruising -

While I always prefer to head to my port of embarkation a night prior to sailing,  there are some are some ports of embarkation/disembarkation where more than an overnight visit is a must.

#1 on my list of incredible cities which scream out for a visit of more than just a few hours is New York City.  The capitol of the world offers so much to see and do it’s the extended vacation destination of many.  But, there’s not a more spectacular feeling than standing on deck or your balcony while sailing in or out of New York’s Manhattan pier; sailing close to the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

I highly recommend booking yourself into a hotel close to Time Square, where you are in the center of the heart of the city.  You can easily spend a full day on your own walking tour, with your neck on swivel to catch and feel the life of the city.  Then you spend your evening catching live theatre in a Broadway show,  followed by dinner in any number of superb and world class restaurants.

Do you often take extra time to see special places before or after a cruise? Tell us about it.

For those less inclined or unable to do a lot of walking, it’s very simple to do a tour of the various wonderfully flavored  neighborhoods of New York using the Hop On Hop Off Bus. Certainly a visit to Ground Zero is mandatory, to stop for a moment and remember the horror and  atrocity of 9/11, and witness the growth and return to life that has come to stand as a beacon against the evil that occurred.

Of course the shopping in New York City is unrivaled anywhere in the world.

For those visiting New York I have my own secret spot for a wonderful Italian Dinner; Becco,  located just outside the theater district, occupying the basement and upper floor of a walk up, serves up delicious Italian food, at remarkably affordable prices.

#2 is Istanbul, my personal favorite city in the world.  The city is simply a spectacular blend of centuries old history and modern life.  While the ruins of Kusadasi, Turkey might be better known as a tour destination for cruisers, the city of Istanbul is a marvel.

Along the length of one street in the Sultanahmet neighboorhood,  and thus easy to tour,  are the three most important structures in the city demonstrating the incredible history of the city;  The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Hagia Sophia.

I highly recommend staying in this area for ease of access.  As well, both the world famous Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market are near enough to walk to.

In the evenings take a taxi to Taksim Square to get a taste of the modern night life of Istanbul; a large pedestrian mall area, filled with modern shops, restaurants, and street vendors.

#3 on my list is Barcelona. Barcelona is a, perhaps unexpected, very romantic city, with plenty of unusual sites to visit, highlighted by the odd and eccentric works of artichitectural visionary,  Antoni Gaudi.  The Bari Gotic neighborhood, the famous still uncomplete La Sagrada Familia Cathedral can easily eat up a ful day.  Spend the evening strolling the La Ramblas pedestrian mall, and choose an intimate restaurant in the area for dinner.  In your travels the next day be sure to take in the Picasso Museum to see the world’s largest collection of this magnificently bizarre artist’s works.

#4 is New Orleans. One doesn’t have to say any more about New Orleans than just saying The French Quarter. There’s not a cruiser on earth that doesn’t know the French Quarter, or haven’t heard of Cafe du Monde.

What places would you put on this list? Give us your special experiences or ideas.

This is a city whose heart and soul is always on display. Great jazz and blues clubs, incredible restaurants with all variety of creative and decisively local cuisine make  this city a must visit for at least a few days. And don’t forget about touring the plantation architecture, and a night time graveyard tour.

#5, Venice is probably considered the most romantic city on earth.  Surely everyone remembers at least one of the multitude of romantic movies featuring an evening ride through the canals of Venice in a gondola.

Venice is a wonderful city to walk through. The bustling narrow alleyway like streets filled with shops and restaurants make this floating city strollers perfection.  Just start off in the marvelous St. Marks Square, and walk of through one of the many alleway appendages leading off the square and you’ll be immersed in the feel of Venice and it’s history. Though, without a map, it is easy to get a bit lost, if you just keep walking, eventually you find yourself dining at a delightful waterfront cafe, and finding your way back to a landmark you know and recognize.

Also compulsory during a visit is a water bus or taxi to Murano, to visit the home of the delicate yet incredibly beautiful Murano glass.

Spend the extra Euros and book a hotel in the city itself. Hotels there are generally more expensive, but you are able to immerse yourself in the feeling of the city, without worrying about wasting time on transportation getting you to and from.

There are many cities throughout the world, that are port cities, which no doubt also demand at least a few nights to experience.  However, I have only listed the cities I have personally visited.

I can’t imagine sailing from Rio, without spending a few days there; or Sydney, Australia, or Hong Kong, or Singapore, or Dubai. It’s a huge wonderful world we live in, always giving us new opportunities of adventure, to explore, experience, and learn.  It’s a shame to not take advantage of those opportunities when a cruise takes you there.

We do invite our readers to post tidbits of their favorite embarkation cities, along with a few highlights that made them “must visit” cities to them. Join us here!

- A View From The Kuki Side of Cruising -

Flying  PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor) to YYC (Calgary International) direct non-stop; flying time 2:38 minutes. It sounds simple and easy enough, right?

Admittedly, I am a pathetic flier. Even before the various security measures were (necessarily) put in place I was a terrible, white knuckle, flier.  And naturally, with all the heavens lined up against me,  the majority of the times I fly I find myself involved with some sort of foible.  I’ve had luggage lost numerous times all over the world. 

 Heck, I’ve even had my luggage lost, found, and then lost  again on the same trip. Though I have never had to suffer the ultimate “glitch” and have my luggage lost permanently. The truth is I’ve come to accept those sorts of indignities as part and parcel of traveling.

However, as I’ve grown older, I have become impatient with the inefficiencies of the system in getting me, never mind my luggage, to my destinations. The feeling is magnified considerably on shorter haul flights, such as the route I flew yesterday.

In preparation for yesterday’s flight, I checked in on my smart phone, and signed up for text message notification of changes. Prior to departing for the airport I went on my computer to check the “flight status” for my flight, and as a precaution also checked on the “flight status” of the incoming flight (that would be the aircraft I’d be boarding for my flight). 

 The arriving flight was showing delayed by 20 minutes, but my departure time was still listed as “on time”.  One would be lead to assume the airline believed they would make up some time in flight, and succeed at a quick turnaround.

Even en route to the airport, I checked the flight status of both flights using my smart phone, and it was still unchanged, and I’d received no notification of any change either.  Upon arriving at the airport check in counter, to drop my luggage,  I was informed my flight would be delayed.

This being an international flight, I was expected to be at the airport 2 hours prior to departure.

Once on board the pilot offered an apology to the passengers, explaining the delay was caused by strong head winds on the way in… with no mention of their late departure on the earlier leg in.  He did say that because we’d have a tail wind going back they would likely make up the time in the air, which seemed logical enough.

Once the airplane go into the air the trip was (for me, oddly) quite uneventful. However, of course, even after pulling back from the gate late, we sat on the tarmac for some time waiting for a runway to taxi to. And surprisingly we were not able to make up any time in the air. But… it was only a 2 hr. 38 minute flight.

When we did arrive to our destination, there was over a 30 minute wait for the luggage to start flowing around the carousel. I was in shock when my bags were in the first group to drop down, as the usual in my case is to be standing waiting until the entire arrival area has emptied, when suddenly my lonely bags appear, or do not.

The problem flying today is not really all the incidents of things going wrong that I’ve described above. We are all rather used to that being the rule of air travel these days. And in comparison this flight experience had a minimum of disruption.

The real problem is that this ” reasonable” flight experience ate up 7 hours of my time (from arriving at the airport to leaving the terminal) for a 2hr 38 minute flight.  That occurred despite my using the modern technology available, and despite the fact this was what all would consider a fairly reasonable flight experience with minimum disruption.

If this is “the norm” for flying, is it any wonder more and more people are avoiding flying, and more and more people hate even the idea of booking a flight?

The cruise lines understood the ” I hate flying” attitude was growing awhile ago, and in response “invented” “home port cruising”,  to allow many more people the ability to drive to their ship.

- A View From The Kuki Side of Cruising -

A few weeks ago, here on my Blog, I was lobbying to become the first male Godfather of a ship (ignore the obvious fact in that sentence, that in order to be a godfather, I’d have to be a male).

But a much more critical need for my very special services in regard to the cruise industrsy has surfaced. It seems to me the cruise industry is in desperate need of someone to name their new ships.

This is an industry which builds amazing new ships. They must have buildings full of engineers working to make certain these ships float. They likely have several floors filled with interior design teams selecting the materials they are going to use on the interiors of the ships. They likely have several buildings full of people developing the new concepts of amenities that are being put on ships. No doubt they have a building full of culinary experts building menus, and cooking items for sampling by the multitudes of Chefs, and cruise line executives.

And it seems they must have one guy or gal in a basement office with no windows whose job it is to name the new ships.

Below you’ll find a list of all the ships that have been using the same name (in some cases multiple times).  I am not necessarily listing them by which cruise line used a name first, and which cruise lines copied those names rather than using some imagination and coming up with their own.

Carnival Fantasy/ Disney Fantasy
Carnival Magic/ Disney Magic
RCI Legend/ Carnival Legend/ Seabourn Legend
Carnival Spirit/ Seabourn Spirit/ Silver Spirit/ Norwegian Spirit/Wind Spirit
Star Princess/ Norwegian Star/ Wind Star
Carnival Dream/ Norwegian Dream

Carnival Splendour/RCI Splendor of the Seas

Azamara Quest/Seabourn Quest

Carnival Pride/ Pride of America

Norwegian Dawn – Dawn Princess
Norwegian Sky – Sky Princess
Norwegian Sea – Sea Princess
Norwegian Sun – Sun Princess

Seven Seas Mariner – Mariner of the Seas
Seven Seas Voyager – Voyager of the Seas
Seven Seas Navigator – Navigator of the Seas

RCI’s Project Sunshine/Carnival Sunshine

The cynical would say the cruise lines intentionally copy names to confuse the customers. Maybe…

Aside from the above list of copy-catters some of the cruise lines have simply reused the names of ships that previously sailed for the company, but have either been sold and renamed, or are no longer sailing.

For some time Celebrity cruise line was simply naming their ships after automobiles.

NCL recently announced their next new ship due;’ Project Breakaway. Sorry Norwegian, but, as much as I truly like the new amenities you’ve announced in your reveals to date, that name… the namer must have just woken up from a nap before the executives walked in, and blurted it out by accident.

Cruise lines take note; I am available to rescue you, and that person working in the basement in an office with no windows.

Now, in my opinion, Crystal cruise line has already taken the very best names for cruise ships, in Serenity and Harmony. Please don’t ruin it by copying them.

But, I, and I bet the people who are  kuki enough to read my blog, can supply you with a list of appropriate ship names that are suitable, and actually show some imagination.

How bout it folks, toss them out here. Maybe a cruise line will be reading!

Here’s a couple freebies from me-

Regent Commander

Silver Comfort

Precious Princess

Costa Precarious (OK, that’s a joke)

They’ll get better if you hire me… but I want an office with a window.

- A View From The Kuki Side of Cruising -

A very significant portion of the cruise industry these days view their target audience to be families. 

It’s rather obvious if you look at their marketing, as well as all of the new activities and amenities being placed on new ships the last few years.

When schools are out of session, whether spring break, Christmas holidays, or during the summer, rates cruise lines are able to charge are as a rule, quite a bit higher as well.

I used to cruise with my sons quite a bit when they were younger. They always enjoyed the cruises, but these days they’ve grown up, and are more involved with establishing themselves and their own lives.  My views of cruising with kids, has changed quite a bit these days, mainly because I am no longer in that demographic… of family cruisers.

For those who are, I’m going to allow you the benefit of my experience with tips on how I learned to “handle” the kids while cruising with them.

#1 – Rethink! Don’t do it! Why one earth would you want to ruin your vacation by bringing your children with you. They aren’t that much fun at home, so what makes you think they are going to be fun to be with on a ship.

#2 – If you’ve chosen to ignore my #1 recommendation, be sure to book a separate cabin for you and your spouse, and a separate cabin for the children; on a different deck if at all possible. Slip their cabin steward $5 at the beginning of the cruise, and tell them to take care of your kids.

#3 – A little white lie never hurt. When giving your kids your cabin number, in case they need you, make one up. Even on a big ship you’re going to run into them eventually. If they are teenagers, you’re very likely to trip over them while they are “hanging out” on a stairwell anyway.  Why would you want them to infringe on your time by actually telling them where you are?

#4 – The very first day on board show them where the kid’s programs are held. Give them the hours they operate, and tell them they must be there whenever it’s open. Be sure to tell the kid’s program counsellors the same cabin number for you as you gave the kids. You really don’t want them bothering you either. If they really need to find you they have access to the ship’s video surveillance system.

#5 – On the first night of the cruise insist they have dinner with you in the dining room. Make them understand that this is a “family vacation”, and dinner together on the first night is your “family time”.  Then show them the buffet, and the direct dial for room service, and let them know they are never to come to dinner in the dining room again.

If it makes you feel better you can tell them you are trusting them to show you they are mature, and you’re accepting that they can handle the responsibility for their own behavior.

The truth is, you don’t really care. Your ideal is you just hope they don’t get arrested during the cruise.

All hate mail and complaints regarding this blog topic  may be sent directly to editor@cruisemates.com :)

- A View From The Kuki Side of Cruising -

Carnival Triumph was seized by order of a federal magistrate on Saturday citing a lawsuit filed by the family of Siglinde Stumpf, a German tourist who died aboard the Costa Concordia in January when the ship ran aground in Italy.

The order was signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge John Froeschner of Galveston who wrote “The court finds that the conditions for an attachment of defendants’ joint and collective property within this district, mainly the MS Carnival Triumph, appear to exist upon an admiralty and maritime claim,” in the warrant.

The ship will be allowed to load and unload passengers and cargo and move between berths within the port until a “prompt hearing” can be scheduled, at which “the plaintiff shall be required to show why the attachment and garnishment should not be vacated,” according to the order. It is scheduled to sail today for a five-day cruise to Yucatan and Cozumel.

Oddly, the ship is being seized while the plaintiff (the person asking for the ship to be seized) has to show why the attachment and garnishment should not be vacated,” in a court hearing.

Meanwhile – the bond for the ship is $10-million, which it appears Carnival is putting together today and expects to have ready by the time the ship due to set sail for its next cruise.

The attorney for the Stumpf family, John Eaves Jr., a Jackson, Mississippi-based lawyer, said that although the Triumph “is currently seized” and must remain in port until the magistrate issues an order releasing the ship, “If Carnival posts a $10 million security bond, then everything can be done by agreement on the phone today.”

Eaves says he is part of an international consumer movement lobbying for increased oversight and safety standards in the global cruise industry. A more accurate way to describe him would be another attorney looking for any way possible to harass the cruise industry to force them into higher settlement agreements.

The cruise industry is the safest form of travel by far, with far fewer deaths and injuries per capita, than any other form of travel by far. But a large group of lawyers who have witnessed the boom in the cruise industry in the last 20 years have helped regular citizens create organizations with claims that the cruise industry is unregulated and not trustworthy, despite its exemplary safety record.

For the most part, these people refer to themselves as “cruise victims” regardless of the nature of the incident in which they were involved, the idea being to place the blame for everything that happens during a cruise on the shoulders of the cruise lines operating the vessels.

It is hard to say whether or not this order will stand, but the logic seems very convoluted in the case. The vessel was seized based upon the plaintiff’s complaint. But the judge said it will only remain seized if the plaintiff can show why the order to seize it should not be vacated. If that has not already been shown – why was the vessel seized?

The sad truth appears to be that the cruise industry is being attacked by government – looking for anything it can find to make life difficult for the successful cruise industry, which makes me wonder “what is happening in this nation?”

When companies fail we give them money to bail themselves out – generally with no restrictions on what they can do with that money, and much of it (billions) is now unaccounted for – but when you have a fully independent, successful industry that has never needed a bail out, the government decides to harass them – for being too successful. This is similar to the way Christine Duffy was treated in the recent Senate hearing led by Jay Rockefeller last month.

In 2013 Princess Cruise Line will debut it’s newest cruise ship; Royal Princess. At 141,000 gross tons, and capable of carrying 3800 passengers, she will in fact be the 3rd ship to carry the name Royal Princess.

The MV Artania carried the name proudly from 1984-2005. Then the MV Adonia carried the name from 2007-2011, before she was transferred to P&) cruise line.

The newest Royal Princess will be the most innovative Princess ship yet. She’ll feature a Piazza & Atrium 50% larger than any previous Princess ship. While there are some inside cabins in the design, on this ship all outside cabins and suites will have balconies.Thus there will be no outside ocean view cabins, without a private balcony.

Fans of Princess Cruise Line have been lining up to book a cruise on what is sure to be the standout ship in the fleet. She will debut and sailing in European waters through the summer of 2013, until she sets sail for her United States debut in Oct. 2013.

We’ve chosen to make her final cruise through the Mediterranean, and continuing on to Ft Lauderdale, Florida a CruiseMates Group Cruise.

 This is announcing your opportunity to sail through the Med and then on to the United States with a wonderful group from our CruiseMates.com community.

Jump in early to join Mrs. Kuki and me on the inauguaral transatlantic sailing of the New Royal Princess!!

Sailing Oct. 9/2013

Enjoy this 18 day cruise, sailing through the Mediterranean, prior to beautiful, lanquid sea days crossing the Atlantic, to bring this incredible new ship to Ft. Lauderdale for its United States debut.

 This Fabulous Itinerary : Venice (overnight), Sicily (Messina), Naples (for Capri & Pompeii), Rome from (Civitavecchia), Cannes (for Monte Carlo), Barcelona, Madeira Island (Funchal), Ft. Lauderdale

Insides starting at $1,699 p/p

Balconies starting at $2,099 p/p.

Deluxe balconies starting at $2,179 p/p

Mini-suites starting at $2,799 p/p

Mrs. Kuki and I will be hosting a complimentary cocktail party for all group participants.

We’ll also be planning plenty of optional fun events for everyone in the group to participate in; including group tours, group dinners, and group antics & laughs!

 ** the prices above are base pricing. With various promotions available that you may likely qualify for it’s best to contact our CruiseMates’ Travel Agent, for exact pricing.

Don’t WAIT to book as this is one RED HOT sailing!!

 Nancy S Bogert, MCCCruise Plannerss900 Grampian BlvdWilliamsport, PA 17701

Toll Free 1-800-561-0802

Fax-570-323-0702

E-mail- nancy@planningcruises.comOn the web- www.planningcruises.com

At least in terms of “Caribbean cruising”, the main stream contemporary cruise lines have always felt their #1 competition came from sea-side all inclusive land based resorts.

The most definitive advantage that cruise ships continue to have over land based resorts is they float, and move people from port to port. Passengers on cruise ships travel, whereas resort guests do not.

Yet, particularly over the past decade, within the various cruise line’s new build programs, there has been a rather focused attempt in design work to incorporate dining and entertainment activities which historically have been more commonly found at land based resorts.

Where on ships, a water slide on the ship’s pool deck used to be about the most extreme activity on board, newer ships today have expanded from having one water slide to now having rather extensive water parks on deck. Expanding from there, flow-riders (surf machines), zip-lines, rope courses, aqua-theaters, and aqua ducks (Disney’s roller coaster like device) are being added to new ships as fast as someone can come up with the idea.

This added diversity by including these activities in the ship’s designs, has had some effect; resulting in more guests opting to choose to use the ship, as the destination, and passing on touring in the ship’s various ports of call. I surmise that those people are the ones whose personal experiences are more of the traditional land based resorts, as well as those who have perhaps cruised the Caribbean so many times they feel they have been over-exposed to the island’s tourism options.

Yet, in my mind, the one weakness of all the resort like amenities which have been added to all the new ships is that they are pretty much restricted to being located on the ship’s upper decks, on or above the Lido deck ( the resort/pool decks). The weakness in this type of design is it tends to remove one of the biggest attractions of cruise ships hold for me; one’s connection to the sea.

When all the activity amenities are located 12, 13 or more decks above the sea, one must go to a railing, just to get a glimpse of the waters you’re sailing. Once you’ve left those top decks, on many previous ships, once indoors they feel more like being in a mall than on a ship at sea.

Now, this past past week, when Norwegian Cruise Line revealed some of the details of their newest new build project, Project Breakaway, I’ve become more excited about an upcoming new ship than I have been for years.

The reason – what Norwegian is calling “The Waterfront”. To be located on Promenade Deck, “the Waterfront” will be a length of open to the sea, restaurants and bars, with seating both inside (open to the outside) and out on deck.

Every great sea-side resort in the world has such an area; a length of shops, bars, and restaurants, sitting along the waterway or along the beach; where people can enjoy the views, the smells of the sea, and the action on the nearby beaches, from their seats while dining or enjoying their favorite libations.

And now, with Project Breakaway, this marvelous feature is going to be added to a cruise ship!

Just as at sea-side resorts, I believe this area is going to be buzzing with passenger activity and fun, and is going to set the pace for the heart of the ship. I can’t wait to sail the Breakaway, and experience this for myself; dining on great food, or enjoying some of my favorite fu fu drinks, while still enjoying the connection to the sea that only cruising on a ship at sea can give you.

You can read more specific details about the recent Norwegian announcement here:

http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/feature/norwegian-breakaway-waterfront-120314.cfm

- A View From the Kuki Side of Cruising -