We get a review of Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Vista. This sailing was an eight-night Southern Caribbean cruise out of Miami, Florida. Ports of call included Grand Turk, Dominican Republic, Curacao, and Aruba. 

Stewart has cruise news on: 

• Royal Caribbean gratuity increase
• MSC star-studded christening 
• Carnival expands their easy-pay program 
• Norwegian unveils new app 
• What should we look for in 2018?

‘Twas the night before the cruise, when all through the house
Everyone was packing; have you seen Mom’s blue blouse?

The kids’ luggage was set by the back door with care,
In hopes that they’d remembered to pack formal wear.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of waterslides danced in their heads.

In the morning we got up and got coffee and fraps,
And we got to the terminal without needing a map.

When we got on the ship we avoided the clatter,
We sprang to the buffet to load up a platter.

Away to Guy’s Burgers we flew like a flash,
Next to the pools of kids making a splash.

The sun on the breast of the blue ocean waves
Made me think of a drink, which I started to crave.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a goofy British man who was holding a beer.

At the site of him, someone beside me yelled,
And I knew in a moment it must be John Heald.

More rapid than eagles the cruisers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and began to exclaim:

“Now Sunshine! now, Glory! now, Pride and Sensation!
On, Magic! On, Conquest! on Spirit and Elation!

To the Caribbean and to three ports of call;
Now cruise away, cruise away, cruise away all!”

Some cruisers stood by and waved their goodbyes,
As the ship’s horn blew and the sunset in the skies.

So up to the lido deck the cruisers they flew,
With cameras in hand to capture the view.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the deck
The pouring of juice and some orange triple sec.

As I signed my receipt and left an extra tip,
Up came John Heald to the top of the ship.

He was dressed in his swimsuit, ready for the slides,
And he looked quite happy, with a pep in his stride.

A bag full of sunscreen he had flung on his back,
With a Guy’s burger inside, in case he needed a snack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
But his chest won the contest for being too hairy!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
For he’d just heard the sketch for the comedy show.

As the senior cruise director of the whole Carnival fleet,
He would shake the hand of every cruiser he’d meet.

He had a broad face and he loved the food at the deli,
And in the mornings he room serviced toast with some jelly.

He was funny and kind, a right jolly old man,
And I laughed when I saw him get a bit too tan.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know his skin would go red.

He spoke not a word, but went back to his work,
As he wrote up the Fun Times for our day in Grand Turk.

He planned out the bingos, the trivias, the shows,
And made sure to list when the ship’s bars would close.

He then sprang to the mic, to his team gave a shout,
And away they all flew, the crew so devout.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere we sailed out of sight,
“Happy cruising to all, and to all a good-night!”

This week we get a detailed review of Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Reflection in the Mediterranean. 

Stewart has cruise news on:

• Carnival Corporation's record-breaking earnings quarter and what it means for you. 
• Royal Caribbean excursion accident has 12 cruisers dead
• Norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship and by the numbers 
• Saint Maarten welcomes cruise ships back after hurricanes
• Carnival Fascination will undergo a multi-million dollar renovation 
• Norwegian Cruise Line announces 2019 cruise ship deployments 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 

Thoughts or comments? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Greg gives us a review of the Carnival Cruise Line Tampa-based Carnival Paradise. This four night cruise went to Havana, which is one of Carnival's select Cuba voyages. 

Sherry has cruise news on: 

• Carnival Sunshine going to Charleston
• Carnival revamping their boarding passes
• MSC announced line up for christening
• Holland America's Eurodam earn perfect health score
• New Holland America ship floated out
• Royal Caribbean opens Megans Bay
• Norwegian Cruise Line ups gratuities on beverage and dining

Shelly from Cruising Excursions answers your questions on Mediterranean cruise shore excursions. 

Thoughts or comments? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Richard shares his seven-night review of Norwegian Cruise Line's New York City based Norwegian Breakaway. This cruise hit Orlando, private island Great Stirrup Cay, and Nassau, Bahamas. Being this is his fifth time sailing Norwegian Breakaway, Richard offers a unique perspective. 

Stewart Chiron the Cruise Guy has cruise news:

• Norwegian Cruise Line named Godfather of upcoming ship
• Carnival Cruise Line hikes drink package 
• Carnival adds news menu items, takes some away
• MSC Seaside is delivered and more ships announced 
• Princess Cruises names fourth Royal-class ship 

Listener Question:

When will St. Maarten be 100 percent recovered? Steve - Dallas

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Scott just returned from a four-night Bahamas cruise on Carnival Conquest. You'll want to hear this review from a seasoned cruise, but first time sailing Carnival Cruise Line. 

Sherry has cruise news:

• NCL changes final payment due date
• Carnival changing up cruise ships in the Gulf of Mexico 
• Disney Magic will get an extensive renovation 
• Port Canaveral reached a milestone 

Listener Question: Going to the Western Caribbean next summer on Royal Caribbean and trying to decide between a passport card and a passport book - are there any advantages of one over the other?  Carl - Detroit 

Question or comment? doug@cruiseradio.net 

This week we are down in the Eastern Caribbean on Holland America Line's ms Eurodam to do a post-hurricane assessment. Two of our ports of call include St. Thomas and Grand Turk. This is the cruise ship's first time back to the two islands since being back in the Caribbean. 

• We talk with a local in St. Thomas
• Jack, the owner of Jack's Shack in Grand Turk 
• Cruise Director Nick on Holland America's Eurodam
• Bruce Parkinson from OpenJaw.com 

Comments or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Resources mentioned

• Returning to Grand Turk After the Hurricanes 
• Eurodam Returns to St. Thomas
• My Brother's Workshop in St. Thomas

Ed has over 1,100 sea days with Carnival Cruise Line and lets me ask him a list of questions submitted by you the listener. 

Sherry has cruise news: 

• Royal Caribbean's announcement last week included a lot of technology - what will we see?
• Harmony of the Seas is heading to Central Florida
• Royal Caribbean lays keel for next ship, Spectrum of the Seas
• Princess Cruises completed a historical milestone in the Panama Canal 
• Tampa undergoes terminal enhancements
• Passenger kicked off a cruise ship for trying to start a mutiny

This week we are in New York City for the reveal of Royal Caribbean's big announcement that is claiming to revolutionize the way cruise vacations are booked and taken. 

Anthem of the Seas Review

We get a review of Royal Caribbean's NYC-based Anthem of the Seas on a Canada/New England itinerary. Kabir details the food, entertainment options, and that accommodations on the ship, along with the ports of call. 

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news: 

• Carnival Horizon completes sea trials 
• Royal Caribbean expands presence in Alaska 
• Grand Turk cruise port back open for business 
• Port Everglades expands Terminal 4 pier 
• St. Thomas sailings on the increase after the hurricane 
• Norwegian Gem cancels a cruise from New York City

Listener Questions: 

1. What is the difference between ship's time and local time? 

2. How to contact the ship if there is an emergency and need to connect with a stateroom. 

Question or comment? doug@cruiseradio.net 

We talk to Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri about his partnership with Carnival Cruise Line and the launch of the new sit down restaurant on Carnival Horizon, Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse/Brewhouse. Plus, he answers some of your cruise and Guy's Burger Joint questions.

Sherry has cruise news on:

• The first cruise line that goes adults-only
• Disney Cruise Line is returning to the west coast
• Carnival Cruise Line is showcasing digital artwork on Carnival Horizon
• 23 countries. 40 ports. 90 days. Hear about this world cruise!  

Listener questions about a passenger with mobility issues and how accessible the private island with a wheelchair. Also about being lactose intolerant and cruising. 

With Norwegian Breakaway heading to the Baltic next year, we've been getting a lot of shore excursion questions on Northern Europe. Shelly from CruisingExcursions.com stops by to answer your Baltic cruise questions. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net