We finally get to talk to an executive at Carnival Cruise Line and ask him some questions we've been dying to know about booking and other things. This is a pull the curtain back type of interview with Adolfo Perez.

We answer a listener question about buying cruise line stock and where to ship watch out of Port Canaveral if you want to stay there pre- or post-cruise. 

We'll also tackle some of your shore excursion questions with CruisingExcursions.com. 

Comments or suggestions? Email me: doug@cruiseradio.net

We talk to cruise ship architect, Joe Farcus. Joe has been designing ships for Carnival Cruise Line and Carnival Corporate brands for over 30 years. We had a chance to talk with him about some of his past work and how he designs the cruise ship. 

Note: If you've been listening to Cruise Radio for over six years, you have have heard this interview back in April 2011. It has been one of the most listened to episodes over the past few years so I wanted to make it a bonus episode. 

Thoughts or comments? doug@cruiseradio.net 

This week we get a review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America. Tommy Casabona stops by from the Always Be Book podcast to talk this past week's solar eclipse. 

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news: 

• Carnival extending their sailings to Cuba 
• Carnival is testing a new port day menu
• Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas has dreaded technical issues 
• San Juan is seeing record cruise traffic 

Thoughts or review? Email me doug@cruiseradio.net.

EDITED TO REMOVE TROPICAL STORM STORY ON AUG 24.

• New details on Norwegian Bliss

• Royal Caribbean names upcoming ship - details?

• Carnival ship missed a port because of propulsion issues - what happened?

• The Bahamas wants cruisers to spend more money.

• A class action cruise lawsuit is in the works - but this lawsuit isn't against the cruise lines. Check your phone number here.

• Is it possible to share a wifi package among friends?  - Diane from Fargo
• How does the disembarkation process work with getting back to the airport?  - Heather from Seattle

Questions or have a review? Email me: doug@cruiseradio.net. 

We get a review of a 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Gem. Craig gives us the details of the Norwegian Gem, what he thought of the ship and what he did on his Caribbean ports of call. 

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news on: 

• Carnival's Senior Cruise Director celebrates 30 years with the company 
• Captain Kirk to NCL: Save the Dolphins! 
• Carnival LIVE adds another performer for the fall 
• Why one cruise line is hiking cruise prices 
• Celebrity Cruises adds another female captain 

Listener Questions

• Room locations 
• Using Norwegian Cruise Line's bidding system

Thoughts or questions? Email me: doug@cruiseradio.net 

We get a review of Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas. This sailing left Miami, Florida and headed for Nassau, Bahamas and Royal Caribbean's private island Coco Cay, Bahamas. We get a full review of the ship, the dining, entertainment on board, a glimpse into a day on Coco Cay, and some overall thoughts. 

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news on: 

• Sad news on a Princess Cruise in Alaska last week.
• Carnival Cruise Line gave Mobile, Alabama some great news
• New report shows norovirus is down on cruise ships
• Norwegian Cruise Line is testing a surcharge on another restaurant
• Bookings now open for Norwegian Sun
• Listener question on Carnival Cruise Line specialty dining. 

Link Mentioned: Unscripted interview on Always Be Booked Podcast

Thoughts or comments? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Mitchell just returned from Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream where he did a five-night honeymoon Bahamas cruise. Mitch is a seasoned cruiser and his wife has only been on one voyage prior to this sailing. We hear his thoughts on planning the cruise, dining, Castaway Cay, and the public areas aboard Disney Dream. One special feature on this cruise is that it stopped in Castaway Cay twice.

Cruise Critic just released their Cruiser's Choice Destination Awards for 2017. The award highlights the most popular cruise ports in every region. Ashley stops by to give us some of the highlights.

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news:

• Terminally ill cruise passenger is headed home thanks to some generous donations.  
• Carnival expands keyless embarkation
• Disney Cruise Line adds 7th ship
• MSC changing final payment policy
• Kid jumping in cruise ship pool from railing (for more, listen to our bonus episode released prior to this show)

Article link mentioned:

• Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice Destination Awards

Show thoughts or suggestions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

One of the things seasoned cruisers complain about on a regular basis is “out of control” kids who seem to have absolutely no adult supervision whatsoever, and a disturbing video posted to YouTube seems to take this behavior to new heights. We talk to travel agent Scott Lara and contributor Richard Simms on their thoughts.

Read the article: https://cruiseradio.net/kid-jumps-cruise-deck-railing-pool/  

We talking to travel agent Scott Lara and contributor Richard Simms on their thoughts. 

Thoughts? Email me: doug@cruiseradio.net. 

We get a review of Carnival Cruise Line's Baltimore based Carnival Pride, on a seven night exotic Caribbean cruise. We get a run down of the ship, what makes Carnival Pride so unique, and how to deal with curve balls thrown your way during your cruise. 

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news on: 

• Sad news out of St. Maarten's famous airport beach - what happened? 
• Does Royal Caribbean have big plans for Independence of the Seas?
• Royal Caribbean sending another ship to Cuba
• This world cruise in 2020 lasts 131 nights

Answered a listener question about pre-paying gratuities and why it sometimes works out in your favor. 

Share your review: doug@cruiseradio.net. 

• Norwegian Cruise Line just made some announcements
• Carnival's third Vista-class is underway 
• Carnival hosts first social media powered bbq
• Royal Caribbean is testing a new drink program that is aligned with the other cruise lines
• Norwegian Cruise Line is ditching their Second City comedy partnership

Cruise lately? Come share your review. doug@cruiseradio.net.