This week we get a review of Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas.

A review of Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas. This is one of the newer Royal Caribbean ships that made its North American debut in November 2022 and is spending the summer sailing the Mediterranean. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• Carnival adds two more ships to its U.S. lineup 
• Crystal Cruises returns after bankruptcy 
• Carnival Corp brand drops pre-cruise testing 
• Disney Wish readies for its July debut from Port Canaveral 
• Norwegian delays another ship because of supply chain issues 

Listener Question: We are looking to try our first Celebrity Crusie next year and currently pricing them out. I know it's all-inclusive pricing, but the only issue is we gave up drinking years ago. Is there a way to get a lower fare if we want to opt-out of the drink package? — Linda 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Scott gives us a review of the largest cruise ship in the world in 2022, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. This was a seven-night Western Caribbean voyage from Port Everglades. We get a comprehensive review of this brand new cruise ship.  

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• CDC drops cruise travel warning 
• New zone revealed aboard upcoming mega-ship Carnival Celebration. 
• Another sailing of Norwegian Escape was canceled due to ongoing repairs. 
• Discovery Princess enters service from Los Angeles. 
• Grand Cayman welcomes cruise ships again 

Listener Question: What do I need to know about doing a back-to-back cruise on two different cruise lines this December in Port Canaveral? 

This week we talk to Nick who just returned from the very first Royal Caribbean sailing open to U.S. guests from Nassau, Bahamas. He details the process of flying to the Bahamas from Florida, the health protocols in place both in port and onboard, and how the cruising experience compared to pre-COVID times.

Richard has cruise news:

• The state of Florida won the lawsuit against the CDC — What's next? 
• The first simulated sailing has officially been completed, what are we hearing? 
• Carnival announced they'd be receiving a couple of new additions. 
• Royal Caribbean adds fees for unvaccinated cruisers 
• A proposed bill could cut Canada's stop out of the itinerary if it were only to satisfy the Passenger Vessel Services Act. 
• More Norwegian Cruise Line cancellations

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Royal Caribbean's former cruise ship Empress of the Seas that took place on the vessel's very last sailing with the company. 

Sherry Laskin has cruise news: 

• Carnival Cruise Line has canceled more sailings. 
• Phase two guidance was released from CDC, what did we learn? 
• Norwegian Cruise Line is taking its ships offshore, following Royal Caribbean's lead. 
• Royal Caribbean has taken delivery of its newest cruise ship. 
• We've been talking about this for years and it looks like Venice is finally taking action on cruise ships. 
• A new residential cruise ship is closer to becoming a reality.

Listener Q: I just booked an 8-day southern Caribbean cruise on carnival magic going to Aruba, Bonaire, and grand Turk. Was wondering what excursions would be the best that you would recommend? 

A back-to-back review of Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas. This was a three and four-night cruise that went to Nassau, Bahamas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. We learn about the recent Mariner refurbishments and what it's like sailing two cruises in a row. 

Sherry has cruise news: 

• Australia extending their cruise ship ban
• Royal Caribbean backtracks on no buffets. 
• Royal Caribbean gave us a financial update 
• We start starting to see where the first cruise ships may sail from 
• Virgin Voyages has delayed their inaugural cruise - again 

Listener Q:

A review of Royal Caribbean's Miami-based Symphony of the Seas. This was a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. Get this very detailed review from this first-time Royal Caribbean cruise passenger. 

Sherry has cruise news on: 

• Pricing glitched caused ultra-low cruise fares
• Norwegian Cruise Line ditches water bottles
• Cruise ship stuck in Caribbean port
• Norwegian raises room service
• January 2020 cruise ship dry dock schedule

Listener Q: How can we see the donkeys on Grand Turk? 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A 2019 review of Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. 

Answering your shore excursion questions. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• Carnival gives more details on the roller coaster for Mardi Gras
• Celebrity adding an all-female navigation team for National Woman's Day 
• Virgin Voyage detailing new ship and itinerary 
• Royal Caribbean adding new Caribbean sailings 
• Norwegian opening new section of Great Stirrup Cay 

Listener Question: Is it true that NCL gives free cruises with their loyalty program?

• Carnival Cruise Line is changing the rules to its exclusive Havana area
• Carnival announced a "new" ship in Alaska
• Norwegian Cruise Ship is about to undergo a massive makeover
• Tampa is testing new port security feature
• Royal Caribbean is developing another new destination
• New ship round-up for Florida