Royal Caribbean’s newest ship Liberty of The Seas suffered a Norovirus outbreak. Mail Buoy reader Joanne Giorgianni (aka The Savy Old Lady www.thesavyoldlady.com) was onboard Liberty of The Seas on her third sailing and experienced first hand what it’s like to sail on a ship while the crew works to get control of a virus outbreak. While her trip was far from ideal, she provides a seldom heard perspective of what it’s like to sail on a ship coping with a Norovirus outbreak.
We really appreciate her taking the time to share her experience. 
CRUISING THE HIGH SEAS WITH THE NOROVIRUS; T’AINT FUN!
ROYAL CARIBBEAN LIBERTY OF THE SEAS VOYAGE #3 June 2, 2007
By The Savvy Old Lady Joan Giorgianni
A few weeks ago Hubby and I decided to treat ourselves to a little quality fun time by cruising the high seas on an impromptu cruise. We have finally reached our semi-early retirement days that we have long awaited after raising five little cherubs to adulthood. Okay, so we are not completely finished raising them because from my viewpoint, we will continue parenting until the day we die. Guess that’s just one of those little things that should have been in the instructional manual that we never received when they were born.
Fortunately for us, we live in southwestern Florida and are a mere two hour drive from three major cruise ship ports of call and while on any given day we usually with financial considerations of course, can take advantage of the really good specials (sometimes called “Happy Hour Specials”) the cruise lines have for same week sailings. Let me tell you, these cruse ship price deals are steals! We have had suites with butler service for the same price some people pay for an inside cabin; however, that’s another story for another blog.
Click on “more” below to read the rest of Joan’s story.
(2) have commentedFiled under: General News Posted by Michael on 06/27/07
Book from a wide selection of Royal Caribbean cruises and get up to $400 in savings.
Available sailings range from 3 to 9 nights, to a wide variety of destinations around the world with departures between July and September 2007.
Click below to view the flier from Royal Caribbean with more details. Call us at 888-286-9827 to take advantage of this new sales event.
Royal Caribbean’s July Fourth Sales Event
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Royal Caribbean International Posted by Michael on 06/27/07
Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride will operate a series of eight-day cruises from San Diego, Calif., to the Mexican Riviera beginning in March 2009. Featured ports on this itinerary include Acapulco, famous for its sizzling nightlife, excellent beaches, myriad shopping and dining experiences, and death-defying cliff divers; Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, offering a unique combination of a quaint fishing village and world-class resort renowned for crystal-clear waters and gorgeous white-sand beaches; and Manzanillo, offering magnificent beaches and a variety of watersports opportunities.
Carnival Pride will operate the eight-day schedule from San Diego March 22 – April 30, 2009 (the vessel will also operate a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise from San Diego departing April 23, 2009).
The 88,500-ton Carnival Pride offers a highly memorable vacation experience, with amenities that include a reservations-only supper club located at the top of a soaring nine-deck-high atrium, indoor and outdoor promenades, and 16 lounges and bars, including an elaborate multi-level theater showcasing lavish revues.
Also featured is a wedding chapel, 13,300-square-foot health and fitness center, a full gambling casino, and extensive areas for children’s and teens, part of the line’s top-rated “Camp Carnival” and “Club O2” programs, respectively. In addition to an Internet café, Carnival Pride offers Wi-Fi access and cell phone service.
Carnival Pride also offers a wide range of accommodation categories, including several levels of private balcony staterooms and suites. All of the Pride’s 1,062 staterooms feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.
Prior to the start-up of its San Diego-based cruises, Carnival Pride will continue its current schedule of seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., through the departure of March 15, 2009. The new 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor will assume the Carnival Pride’s year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera itinerary beginning March 29, 2009.
Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Pride’s Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego. Prices for the eight-day cruises start at $ 579 per person; the seven-day cruise starts at $479, based on double occupancy. Special discounts for third and fourth guests and round-trip air supplements from dozens of North American gateways are also available.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Carnival Cruise Lines Posted by Michael on 06/26/07
Seabourn Cruise Line has announced the name that will be given to its new, ultra luxury cruising vessel, presently under construction in Italy. The all-suite, 450-guest ship will be christened Seabourn Odyssey when she debuts in Venice in mid-2009.
Seabourn invited its Seabourn Club, an exceptionally loyal coterie of repeat guests, to participate in the fun by guessing the name before it was announced. With the incentive of a free cruise for two during the new ship’s maiden year for the winner, the contest drew thousands of entries from around the world by mail and email. Over fifty of those entries divined the correct name, and the winners, John and Hazel Coleman of Monaco, were drawn at random from among those who answered correctly.
Beginning last May, more than 8,500 tons of steel is being cut and welded to form the sleek hull and graceful superstructure of the line’s new, $250 million flagship, which, when she is launched, will be the first addition to any fleet in the ultra luxury segment of the cruise industry in six years.
Although three times the size of her smaller 10,000-ton sister ships, Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend, Seabourn Odyssey will carry just over twice as many guests, and boast the same gracious ratio of hospitality staff to guests and among the highest space-per-guest ratios in the cruise industry. In addition, the new vessel will offer more dining options than her sisters, as well as more types of suites, more verandas, more entertainment venues and enhanced spa and recreational facilities.
While Seabourn has yet to announce the first itineraries, there is some information on some incentives the line is offering to passengers interested in the ship’s maiden voyages. Click “more” for details.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: The Yachts of Seabourn Posted by Michael on 06/26/07
From the jeweled palaces of Bangkok and the grandeur of China’s Great Wall to the unique wildlife of Tasmania and the towering fjords of New Zealand, each year Princess passengers delight in the many unique destinations offered on cruises to Asia and Australia/New Zealand. The 2008-09 season will be no exception as the line will once again return to these exotic destinations with a full program of sailings, aboard the amenity-filled Diamond Princess. In addition, Sun Princess and Dawn Princess will be based in Australia for a series of unique voyages.
In total, Princess will now offer more than double the Australia and New Zealand capacity of any other cruise line, and will feature more capacity in Asia on voyages longer than 10 days.
The 116,000-ton Diamond Princess will offer 16 Asia and Australia/New Zealand sailings with a choice of five different itineraries traveling to some of the region’s most intriguing ports. The season features more departures on the favorite Southeast Asia and China itinerary, and offers several spring sailings in addition to the traditional fall cruise options - representing a 33 percent increase in Asia capacity. A passenger favorite, Diamond Princess will be the largest and most feature-rich vessel sailing in the region, with more than 50 percent of staterooms offering a private balcony, perfect for enjoying the dramatic harbor views found on these itineraries.
Rounding out the program with new options, Sun Princess and Dawn Princess will sail between Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Asia, including an expanded series of cruises around the continent and new home ports in Melbourne and Perth.
“The wonder of Asia and beauty of Australia continue to delight our passengers year after year,” said Jan Swartz, Princess’ senior vice president of customer service and sales. “We’re dedicated to providing our passengers with these rich exotic itineraries that never fail to create memories that last a lifetime.”
Click below for more information about these newly announced itineraries. Call us at 888-286-9827 to book onboard.
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