tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18444143636262597542011-11-27T20:39:26.981-04:00The Official Blog of The Cruise Company -- where having fun is serious business.CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.comBlogger171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-58221985884116612802008-11-11T15:52:00.003-04:002008-11-13T00:01:49.116-04:00

One of the things that first-time cruisers seem to like about freestyle dining on NCL is the idea that you can eat whenever you like; you don't have to go to dinner at the same time every night and eat in the same restaurant. And that point is stressed often, in TV ads and while you're aboard. Although it sounds good in theory, I was doubtful of its practicality even before I experienced it for

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-20203592410993744572008-11-08T02:45:00.008-04:002008-11-10T17:20:16.766-04:00

One thing that irked me a bit on the Dawn was the surcharge for certain menu items in the premium restaurants -- the ones that charge a cover to get in the place. After paying a $15 cover charge for the privilege of dining in Le Bistro (see nearby photo), I was somewhat dismayed to see a surcharge tacked onto to a few items, not just certain entrees but some appetizers as well. As it turns out,

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-37560320305459222022008-11-02T00:06:00.009-03:002008-11-10T17:15:05.616-04:00

It's been a week since my cruise ended, and I just haven't been in the mood to blog about it. It occurred to me that that is because it wasn't great but it didn't suck. Had I had a tremendous cruise experience, I would have been eager to tell you all about it, and had it been the cruise from Hell, I would have been very inclined to write, as well. But the fact is, it was neither awful nor

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-41273975456833434322008-10-18T13:32:00.006-03:002008-11-10T17:11:54.037-04:00

Well, tomorrow's the day Donna and I set sail for Bermuda on the Norwegian Dawn, one of NCL's "freestyle" ships. At around 90K tons, it'll be the largest ship we've ever sailed on, and it'll be the first time we've experienced freestyle cruising. As "traditional" cruisers, ourselves, this represents a bit of "paradigm shift" for us. We are going to ask for a set time and waiter in the main

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-13820770105340815352008-10-16T01:08:00.003-03:002008-10-16T01:12:03.180-03:00

Vacationing can be a double-edged sword. While the thought of getting away is exciting, the actual planning and act of vacationing can be quite stressful and even overwhelming at times. That’s why cruising is such a great alternative to other vacation options. Where else are you waited on hand and foot and pampered 24/7? Once on board, your worries simply “float” away, because you’re not

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-24815804516330149582008-10-14T02:23:00.003-03:002008-10-14T14:29:54.072-03:00

Ever wonder how your fellow cruise mates scored their treasure-trove of on-board (shipboard) credits? While you’re busy pulling cash from your wallet, they’re enjoying drinks, souvenirs and tux rentals on the house. Although they remain somewhat of a mystery, finding on-board credits is actually quite easy. You just need to know where to look. Here are a few of their favorite hiding places:

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-26386815896895278042008-10-09T00:18:00.005-03:002008-10-09T01:16:09.084-03:00

For me cruises are as stress free as a vacation could be. But one thing that doesn't really float my boat is trying to find a deck chair at the pool -- or anywhere on deck, for that matter -- on one of the days at sea. If you're alone, well, it's a bit easier to find a solitary chair, kinda like finding a single seat in a movie theater on a Friday night. But if you're with somebody, well, it

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-34491697218617505852008-10-02T23:00:00.004-03:002008-10-02T23:27:00.321-03:00

On cruise lines that still use the traditional model, there are two times for dinner in the main dining room: main seating and late seating. The doors to the dining room usually open around 6:00 for main seating and about 8:30 for late seating.But which is better? Well, that depends upon you, of course.Many people who prefer late seating say it gives them more time in port, and they don't feel

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-26515428141548654342008-09-27T00:40:00.004-03:002008-09-27T01:03:20.532-03:00

One thing cruisers should think about when booking a cruise is shore excursions. Although you could wait until after you board and then inquire about what excursions the cruise line is offering, you might be disappointed to learn the ones that interest you are already sold out. It's a good idea, therefore, to talk to your cruise agent about booking tours before you sail.One of the things you

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-36808165205243582552008-09-24T23:36:00.008-03:002008-09-30T02:33:53.066-03:00

A valued customer -- Brian C from Corona, CA -- asked me to put something together for him for a family reunion, and I thought to myself, "Self, there is a niche market if ever there were one." I challenge anyone to come up with a better idea for a family get-together than a cruise.The beauty of it is this: On a cruise, you don't have to hang with everybody every minute of the day. (Let's be

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-31237774213244066782008-09-23T00:11:00.004-03:002008-11-08T12:51:45.298-04:00

Cruises are nearly all-inclusive vacations. I say nearly because, well, there are ways to spend money above and beyond what is included in the price of the cruise. Only on the most upscale, deluxe cruises are shore excursions or alcoholic beverages covered. And needless to say, what you spend ashore is entirely at your discretion. But there are ways to cut down on those sneaky expenses that can

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-44894186322372809552008-09-17T21:21:00.006-03:002008-09-30T02:25:56.954-03:00

Okay, so Donna and I will taking a fam trip on the Norwegian Dawn. It'll be the largest ship we've ever sailed on, and it will be our first NCL trip in many, many years. The last time we sailed NCL, it was on the Dreamward, before they stretched her. That was one of the most bizarre ships I've ever been on. Its layout was a nightmare, not just to the passengers but to the crew. The dining-room

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-90310923811627228852008-09-16T19:02:00.004-03:002008-09-27T01:08:29.127-03:00

Flying is a drag -- it just took me 12 and a half hours, door-to-door, to travel from Toms River to Corona, California -- which is why, for people who live within driving distance of New York City, cruises to Bermuda, and elsewhere, are so great. Ships leave from the passenger ship terminal on 52nd street. (It spans more streets than that, but that's kinda right smack in the center.) Just as

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-27956511757551312082008-09-14T16:09:00.003-03:002008-09-27T01:09:11.980-03:00

One thing I liked about homeschooling our son was the flexibility it afforded us in choosing vacations -- which for us always means cruising!! To be able to travel at any time of the year usually means two things: 1) You rarely have to compete with your co-workers for vacation time since you don't have to travel during the summer months, and 2) you get great deals because you can travel off

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-73441751995146839212008-09-13T23:42:00.006-03:002008-11-08T12:56:00.662-04:00

I've noticed over the years that people are tending more to under-dress at dinner. (I said under-dress, not undress.) I'm no longer surprised to see people show up in shirtsleeves, when a jacket and tie are expected, or in just a sport coat (with or without a tie), when a tuxedo, dinner jacket, or (at the very least) a dark suit is required.This trend may have peaked -- or should I say "bottomed

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-61547016183757929892008-09-11T21:01:00.005-03:002008-11-08T12:53:10.537-04:00

I just heard through the grapevine that Holland America is returning to Bermuda in 2010. This is HUGE news. I was so disappointed when Celebrity pulled out of the Bermuda market, because I just didn't think the remaining cruise lines could adequately serve all of my customers who wanted Bermuda. I think HAL now fills a niche that was under-served.-- Joe L. , CruiseCounselor

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844414363626259754.post-55655852309643157172008-09-10T00:07:00.005-03:002008-11-08T12:56:54.445-04:00

Well, it took me long enough, but I'm finally getting around to posting my first post to the "CruiseLines" blog. It's so hard to prime the pump. But I think this should get the ball rolling. Er, I mean, the water flowing. (Don't wanna mix too many metaphors.)Holland America Lines hit me with a great product: a trans-Atlantic, 15-day Fjords and Highlands cruise out of New York to Rotterdam via

CruiseCounselorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656107730383401657noreply@blogger.com0