CruiseLines

Some cruise lines -- NCL comes quickly to mind -- ...

2008-11-10T17:10:00.000-04:00

Some cruise lines -- NCL comes quickly to mind -- offer $100 in on-board credit just for placing a deposit on a future cruise, even if you don't know which cruise you wish to take. If you book within 24 months, the credit is good, even in the casino!

I wasn't very good about keeping a journal, and Do...

2008-11-09T14:34:00.000-04:00

I wasn't very good about keeping a journal, and Donna and I never did make it to Cagney's, which is the steak joint with a surcharge.

That's very helpful information. Not that I've eve...

2008-11-05T21:44:00.000-04:00

That's very helpful information. Not that I've ever been on a cruise but I can tell my parents, my in-laws, and my friend who is planning a cruise.

Well, being a woman who turns into Lara Croft if s...

2008-10-05T13:26:00.000-03:00

Well, being a woman who turns into Lara Croft if she doesn't eat on time, I would have to say that main seating would be my choice. Those five milliseconds mean everything! I'm also a mom and would want my children dining in a family setting. But I have never been on a cruise, so I'm going with my gut here (which usually takes me down the right path).

Great blog, BTW! Love the blend

I've been lurking on some other travel forums, and...

2008-09-25T23:37:00.000-03:00

I've been lurking on some other travel forums, and I'm hearing some negative things about NCL's freestyle model. One common complaint I see is that diners have long waits, even at the main restaurant. One poster complained that he and his wife showed up at 10 pm, well before closing, and were told that no table would be available for them that evening. Another poster, a single traveler, was told

What a great point, Carol. Which reminds me of ano...

2008-09-24T23:32:00.000-03:00

What a great point, Carol. Which reminds me of another thing: shopping at ports of call.

People -- particularly Americans -- really go overboard (pun intended) shopping near passenger ship terminals. Only occasionally are significant deals to be had, and frequently the merchandise isn't even authentic -- that is, made in-country. (The Chinese make products for everyone, not just

Memorabilia is another area where people tend to o...

2008-09-23T18:46:00.000-03:00

Memorabilia is another area where people tend to overspend. It is quite tempting to buy keepsakes in those oh-so-appealing (but oh-so-overpriced) gift shops; however, over the course of a seven-day cruise, there are sure to be plenty of free give-aways, such as t-shirts, key chains, pens, and photo albums, headed your way. If you play a few rounds of trivia or excel at pool games and table