Doug shares his initial thoughts on Carnival Venezia. Staff Writer Richard Simms has cruise news. 

A review of Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas and share their experiences dining and exploring on the ship. 

This week we discuss recent incidents in the cruise industry, including MSC Cruises failing a CDC inspection, a Royal Caribbean guest arrested for placing a camera in a bathroom, and a man being airlifted from a Carnival ship for eating a battery. The hosts also discuss the impact of 9/11 on the cruise industry and share positive stories about Norwegian Cruise Line's Giving Joy contest and the Queen Mary hotel.

 

Today's episode features a review of a Norwegian Escape cruise in the Mediterranean by a Madison, as well as cruise news segments by staff writer Richard Simms. 

We discuss rumors about Carnival Cruise Line requiring passports for all passengers, which are later debunked, and stress the importance of having a government-issued birth certificate and a passport for cruises. Simms talks about Royal Caribbean's recent problem of overbooking their ships and offering compensation to passengers who opt out of their cruise.

A review of Carnival Magic from New York City down to the Eastern Caribbean. 

Richard shares his latest trip to Bermuda on a five night cruise from New York City on Norwegian Gem. 

Royal Princess review. Kurt and his wife took a 15-night cruise aboard Royal Princess from San Francisco to Hawaii over Christmas and New Year's. He goes over his thoughts of his cabin and the dining and entertainment on board, how the weather was on the way to Hawaii that time of year, and what he did while in Hawaii for four days.

Richard has cruise news: 

• Guest dies on a Virgin Voyages sailing 
• Port of Galveston sees more growth 
• All you can cruise pass for $899
• Next Disney Cruise Line ship underway 
• 6 Changes in the cruise industry, effective this month

Listen to unedited interviews with cruise line executives. Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

 

Tim and his wife recently took a seven-night eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival's newest ship Carnival Celebration. He goes over his first impressions of an Excel-class ship, what he thought of the BOLT roller coaster, how he liked the dining and entertainment options on board, and what he and his wife did while in port.

Richard has cruise news: 

 

Listen to unedited interviews with cruise line executives and public figures. Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

 

Adam, his three-year-old daughter, and his father-in-law took a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas out of Bayonne, New Jersey, this past December. The cruise visited Florida and the Bahamas. He goes over why Anthem is the perfect ship for chilly winter weather, what their experience was with the entertainment, how his daughter liked the kids' club, and what they did during their day at Royal Caribbean's private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Richard has cruise news: 

• Royal Caribbean gets rid of the Sky Pad feature 
• Norwegian Cruise Line reverts back to e-muster drill 
• Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio steps down 
• Carnival Corporation sells Seabourn ship 
• Costa Venezia transferred to Carnival Cruise Line, and work beings 
• Celebrity Ascent opens two preview sailings for booking before the christening 

 

A 2023 review of Carnival Luminosa. This was a three-night sailing from Brisbane, Australia with no ports, otherwise known as a cruise to nowhere. A frequent Carnival Cruise Line cruiser, John gives us the details about the ship and his initial thoughts on the refurbishment that Luminosa underwent following its transfer from Costa Cruises. 

Listen to unedited interviews with cruise line executives and public figures. Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

Daniel and his family took a five-night sailing in December aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Encore to what was planned to be a Western Caribbean sailing. The voyage was modified because of strong winds and it wound up having three sea days and two ports of call, Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Nassau, Bahamas. We get a comprehensive review of The Haven experience on Norwegian Cruise Line. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• Trouble in Paradise with Royal Caribbean 
• A cruise ship magician assaulted
• New alcohol-free drinks on Carnival Cruise Line 
• Royal Caribbean accidentally sells wrong package
• Busted for bringing plants ashore 
• Owl on a cruise ship 

Getting you caught up on this week in the cruise industry.

Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news on:

• Royal Caribbean changing room service from twice to once
• Death on a Carnival Cruise Line ship in which the FBI is involved 
• Royal Caribbean detailing its Royal beach Club in Nassau, Bahamas 
• Disney Cruise Line giving details about its Lighthouse Point opening soon 
• Norwegian Cruise Line skipping a port over port congestion and detailing where Norwegian Sky is going 
• Holland America Line launching a new series of journeys that sail round trip from North America 

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Valor. 

Want to support Cruise Radio? Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

In this episode, we get a review of a four-night voyage to Bermuda aboard Carnival Magic out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Richard has cruise news.

Want to support Cruise Radio? Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

A review of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas from Cruise Tips TV. This was a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral.  

Want to support Cruise Radio? Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

Kabir recently took an eight-night Caribbean cruise aboard Virgin Voyages' ship Valiant Lady out of PortMiami. He goes over what sets this cruise line apart from others, how the food and entertainment were on board, and what he did in each port of call.

Richard has cruise news on:

• Carnival's oldest ship is back in service after a two-week dry dock
• Royal is making something free that once had a cost attached
• That pesky rock slide in Alaska may soon go away
• One island is considering limiting the number of cruise ships
• Heads up, if you're getting a passport soon

Listener Question: Selina asks, I’m going on a cruise in December. My passport expires three days after we’re supposed to board. Will that be a problem?

Want to support Cruise Radio? Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

Mentioned in the show:

• www.cruisedirectorkabir.com
• www.instagram.com/kabirbageria
• www.twitter.com/kabirbageria
• www.youtube.com/c/travelwithkabircd

 

Kristin and her husband Scott recently took a seven-night western Caribbean cruise out of Miami aboard MSC Cruises’ newest ship, MSC Seascape. Hear what they thought of their cabin, the food on board, the entertainment, and how they ended up with an extra day at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay.

Richard Simms has cruise news on: 

• Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) is moving the financial needle in the right direction 
• Carnival Cruise Line releases a lot of sailings from 15 to 31 nights to and from the Pacific region
• Nearly half of Princess's cruise fleet will sail Alaska next year 
• Details revealed on Sun Princess 
• Crystal Cruises is back and will sail this summer 

Cruise Radio Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

Kevin, his wife, and their two-year-old son took a Thanksgiving cruise aboard Carnival Horizon to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. He shares their thoughts on their Grand Suite stateroom, the dining on board (including the Thanksgiving feast!), the kids’ club, and more.

Richard has cruise news:

• Cruise line cancels sailing over food and drink technical issues
• Smoking in Mexico could land you in jail or a $550 fine
• Protests in Cozumel over new cruise pier
• Norwegian Cruise Line adds ship to Baltimore, MD 
• Carnival Cruise Line sends letters to guests asking them to behave

We get a five-night review of Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Beyond. The ship debuted in the Spring of 2022 and sailed its inaugural sailing in November 2022. This sailing went to Mexico, calling at Cozumel and Costa Maya. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• Two changes at Norwegian Cruise Line
• Nassau, Bahamas, admits they were wrong when it comes to cruise passengers 
• Carnival Corporation makes changes to the internet 
• Another ship floats out and picks the captains 
• Brooklyn's cruise terminal houses migrant workers 

On this episode, we get a review of a seven-night cruise aboard Norwegian Breakaway out of Florida to the western Caribbean. Adam goes over the experience his family — including two kids — had on the ship, plus gave details on Norwegian Cruise Line's private destination in Belize, Harvest Caye.

On this episode, we get a review of a special seven-night 'The Love Boat' themed cruise aboard Princess Cruises' newest ship, Discovery Princess out of Los Angeles. We hear details on the food, entertainment, and all of the special activities that took place with the cast of 'The Love Boat.'

A review of Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas to Southeast Alaska that sailed from Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• Carnival raises gratuities and internet prices
• Norwegian Cruise Line cuts back on turndown service and eliminates cabin stewards 
• Ship goes to dry dock mid-cruise
• Norwegian restarts testing for select guests  

Dan from TripInsurance.com drops by to answer listener questions on navigating their way around airline cancellations and delays. 

 

Review of Carnival Pride in Northern Europe and the Baltic. 

The top cruise news stories of 2022 and a question about visiting St. Thomas. 

A review of MSC Cruises Seashore from PortMiami that was taken in summer 2022. 

A review of Carnival Celebration's first passenger voyage: a two-week transatlantic crossing from the UK to Miami with seven sea days in a row. 

Why you need to travel with trip insurance in 2023. Richard Simms has cruise news. 

A review of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas from Bayonne, NJ. 

Looking at some of the changes of Carnival Celebration, Carnival Cruise Line's newest excel class ship.

Richard Simms has cruise news on:

• Diamond Princess returns to sea
• Royal Caribbean tests changing main dining room menu
• Carnival Celebration christened 
• Disney brings back old-school mustering 
• MSC drops the testing requirement 

The first sailing on Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship Carnival Celebration. We give some initial thoughts and feedback. 

On this week's episode, we get a review of a western Caribbean voyage out of Port Everglades aboard one of Princess Cruises' newest ships Sky Princess. This interview was recorded in May 2022.

Details on Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ship, Norwegian Prima.

Richard has cruise news: 

• Making changes at Carnival Cruise Line and the delivery of the Carnival Celebration 
• Details revealed for Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas 
• Pre-cruise testing has dropped on a lot of cruise lines
• A dog service dog reaches 700 days at sea 
• Norwegian Prima makes the rounds 

A review of Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas from the summer 2022. 

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Splendor to southeast Alaska from Seattle. This voyage was taken in summer 2022. 

We get a review of Disney Cruise Line's brand new ship Disney Wish. This was a three-night cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and the private island Castaway Cay. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• A busy week in the Caribbean with Hurricane Ian 
• Canada and two more cruise lines drop vaccination mandates 
• Carnival Luminosa is now sailing and picking up crew ahead of its Australian season 
• Port Saint John has welcomed its three millionth cruise passenger 
• Saying goodbye to Celebrity Cruises' former ship Horizon 

Listener Question: When is the deadline for buying travel insurance during hurricane season? 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Spirit that sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti earlier this summer. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• An active week in the Caribbean with storms 
• Carnival Vista experiences another technical issue 
• Carnival Luminosa is making progress 
• A new class of Princess ships

Listener Question: Regarding the NCL Platinum specialty dining perks. I will be Platinum after my cruise next month and going on the NCL Prima in January. Some of the restaurants listed like Moderno aren’t on the Prima. Any idea if we will get to choose from any of the other restaurants instead?

A review of Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas on a nine-night cruise to Bermuda, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and the Bahamas. 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night Western Caribbean cruise review of Carnival's Mardi Gras. 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night review of Disney Crusie Line's Disney Fantasy. 

A 2022 review of Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises drop mandates on most cruises 
• Carnival Luminosa itineraries now listed on the Carnival Cruise Line website
• Grand Cayman lifts COVID protocols for all visitors and could get a pier
• Princess goes all in on bidding for an upgrade
• You can live on a cruise ship for as little as $600,000

Listener Question: What is a cruise duck? 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Seven-night cruise on Celebrity Eclipse to Southeast Alaska sailing from Vancouver, British Columbia.  

Richard has cruise news: 

1. More cruise lines relax or drop vaccination mandates and pre-cruise testing

2. This past Monday, Carnival Cruise Line had a recording booking day for the first time since 2019 

3. Virgin Voyages is getting a surge of a half billion dollars in fresh capital

4. An extra day for guests sailing Carnival Splendor in Australia in October

5. The rockslide in Skagway, Alaska, has closed one pier for the rest of the 2022 season 

6. Princess Cruises partners with a NASCAR race team

Listener Question: Should I buy the Cloud 9 Thermal Suite on Carnival in advance for $199, or will it be cheaper once onboard? We are on a week-long cruise on Carnival Panorama in October. 

A review of a six-night Caribbean sailing on Carnival Magic from Port Canaveral. The ports of call on this sailing were Carnival's private island Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove. We get a bow-to-stern review from this family of three. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• Cruise protocols are changing again
• More changes at Carnival Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line had a Q2 business update 
• Hawaii-based Pride of America is sailing at half capacity because Americans don't want to work
• Diamond Princess is back in America but won't be going anywhere until November 

Listener Question: What are the best Haven upgrade strategies? My assumption is eggs in one basket. Daniel 

 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night cruise on MSC Cruises MSC Lirica that was roundtrip from Athens, Greece. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• Policy changes regarding testing across most major cruise lines 
• Norwegian Cruise Line is changing up menus and celebrating the float-out of its next Prima-class ship
• Carnival Cruise Line has over three million guests served 
• Glacier Bay National Park is tightening the reins on cruise ships
• A fishing boat hit a cruise ship in New England 

Listener Q: I have a medical condition and can not get the drink package. Can my wife get one on our Royal Caribbean cruise next summer? — Tim

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night review of Princess Cruises' Regal Princess in the Med. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• More developments on the rock slide impacting an Alaska cruise port 
• Another U.S. cruise line drops pre-cruise COVID-19 testing before embarkation 
• Carnival is re-opening another dining venue after being shutdown over the summer 
• One cruise line is celebrating a year back to service with some cool facts 
• Virgin Voyages is coming to a TV near you

Listener Q: Does NCL now have an Unlimited Starbucks Coffee Package for purchase? 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of a 10-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. This was a Baltic cruise from Northern Europe that was very port intensive. We get a bow-to-stern review of the cruise ship and the itinerary. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• CDC drops cruise ship program for cruise ships 
• One cruise line takes a public approach to get more to sail while the other drops negative testing
• Royal Caribbean Group purchases a former Crystal Cruises ship 
• A couple spends 1,000 days on one cruise line 
• Record cruise week in Central Florida 

Listener Question: I have a treatment booked in the spa, does this mean I'll be able to use the thermal suite that day? 

We get a review of an eight-night southern Caribbean voyage on Carnival Freedom out of PortMiami.

Richard Simms has cruise news:

• Carnival provides updates on crew shortages, the kids' clubs, and pre-cruise testing
• Disney Cruise Line is increasing the recommended daily gratuity amount
• Norwegian's PortMiami terminal has a new mural, Norwegian Sun is returning to service
• Explora Journeys orders two additional ships

Listener Question: We are going to Bermuda this summer and keep reading that we need a health passport to get to Bermuda. Is this something that we should take care or does the cruise line satisfy it for us? — Heather

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night review of Norwegian Breakaway from New Orleans. This was a Western Caribbean cruise with The Haven experience. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• Two companies loosen COVID testing protocols
• NCL cancels another sailing of Norwegian Sun and wants more of your money before you cruise 
• Keel laid on the next Royal Caribbean LNG vessel
• Faster internet could soon be coming if Royal Caribbean has anything to do with it. 

A 2022 review of Carnival Radiance from Long Beach, California. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• Disney Wish has been christened in Port Canaveral, Florida 
• Carnival Corporation releases Q2 earnings and makes money again 
• Carnival Cruise Line debuts new food menu item, new ship entertainment team 
• Norwegian cruise ship damaged when hitting an iceberg in Alaska 
• Celebrity Cruises' full fleet is back in service, completing all 63 Royal Caribbean Group vessels 

Listener Q: Any idea when Carnival will bring back some of their VIFP perks? — Donna 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Discovery Princess in Alaska. Dan from TripInsurance.com answers your listener questions as the U.S. government drops restrictions on inbound COVID testings for flights. 

This week we get a review of Carnival Sunshine, a Sunshine-class ship that is sailing year-round from Charleston, South Carolina. This was a Bahamas cruise calling to Princess Cays and Nassau. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• Carnival Celebration details revealed 
• Norwegian Escape sailings canceled 
• Carnival Freedom set to return after fire 
• Two more lines complete the restart 
• Holland America Line ship christened in Rotterdam 
• A bankrupt cruise line starts over 

This week we get a review of Celebrity Reflection. 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Holland America Line's 2016 built ms Koningsdam from San Diego, California. This was a California Coastal cruise with a stop in Ensenada, Mexico. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• Could Carnival Corporation offload Seabourn Cruises? 
• Two cruise ships are for sale in The Bahamas 
• Norwegian Cruise Line has staffing issues on one ship and redeploys another 
• A full return to service for Royal Caribbean International 
• Carnival Cruise Line sees two-million guests since the cruise industry restart 

Listener Question: Can I use a birth certificate to board a cruise ship? 

XXXX

A review of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's last Vista-class ship, Carnival Panorama. This was a seven-night cruise from Long Beach, California, to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan, Mexico. We get a comprehensive review of the cruise ship, dining onboard, and ports of call down in the Mexican Riviera.  Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• Australia has reopened its cruise industry 
• Grand Cayman drops cruise ship restrictions 
• Jimmy Buffett's cruise ship is being converted to a Margaritaville at Sea 
• Self-serve buffets are back on Royal Caribbean 
• Norwegian Escape returns to service 
• Another drug bust on MSC Seaside in Europe

This week we get a review of Celebrity Constellation. This was an 11-night cruise from Tampa, Florida to the Caribbean and Central America.

We get a full review of the ship, the destinations, and what Kirk and his wife thought of a longer-than-normal cruise. 

Richard Simms has cruise news on: 

• Cruising is back for Canada and Alaska
• Royal Caribbean cuts steel for one ship and names the next vessel 
• Prices are on the increase at Carnival Cruise Line 
• Another Fantasy-class ship scrapped 
• 10 guests on MSC Seaside were busted for transporting drugs 

Listener Q: What are the requirements for iFly on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas? 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

We get a review of Disney Dream. This was a three-night cruise from Port Canaveral to Nassau, Bahamas, and the private island Castaway Cay. 

Dan Skilken from TripInsurance.com drops by discussing the importance of travel insurance over the past few months, including the Crystal Cruises' bankruptcy, Norwegian Escape running aground, CDC lifting cruise travel advisory, and canceling an Eastern European vacation because of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. 

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's Miami-based Carnival Sunrise. This vessel used to be Carnival Triumph before a $200 million refurbishment in 2019. The five-night cruise stopped in Ocho Rios and Bimini Island before returning to PortMiami.  ---

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• The CDC lowers the cruise travel health warning
• Norwegian Escape cancels voyage mid-cruise after running aground
• Australia is returning to cruising in April 2022 
• Princess Cruises adds two more U.S. homeports this year 
• Carnival Cruise Line wraps its 50th birthday with a giant party on Carnival Conquest

Listener Question: Was your cruise on Norwegian Getaway free? 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

In this week’s episode, we speak with Adam about his five-night Mariner of the Seas voyage out of Port Canaveral in December 2021. He discusses his cabin, the ship’s food and entertainment, and what he did at Royal Caribbean’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Richard has cruise news:

• Norwegian details upcoming cruise ship
• Carnival's 50th anniversary meet up 
• MSC goes year-round in NYC 
• Carnival Spirit and Carnival Esctasy return to service
• Allure of the Seas goes to three- and four-night sailings in 2023 

Listener Question: What is cruising like in 2022?

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Chris and his wife just returned from a five-night cruise to the western Caribbean aboard Norwegian Getaway. He tells us about his experience with a Haven aft balcony suite, the dining and entertainment on the ship, and his time in Cozumel and Norwegian’s private destination in Belize, Harvest Caye.

Richard has cruise news: 

• Carnival details more itineraries 
• 8 cruise lines drop masks mandates
• Norwegian details business in a latest earnings update 
• Could cruise ships become apartments?
• Norwegian Sky returns to sailings 

Listener Question: Should I prepay my gratuity or tip cash at the end?  

Marc and his family recently returned from a six-night New Year's Eve cruise aboard Carnival Miracle from Long Beach, Califonia. This cruise went down to Cabo and Ensenada. We get a comprehensive review of the ship, what he thought of the food, the condition of the vessel, and his overall thoughts of this Carnival Miracle cruise. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• CDC drops cruise travel warning down one level
• Crystal Cruises hangs it up after 30 years 
• Smoking in the casinos are back for Carnival Cruise Line 
• Virgin Voyages opens its new terminal in PortMiami 
• Most 2023 Norwegian Sky sailings go dark

Listener Q: What is a Carnival Sailabration cruise and are they still available to book? 

We get a review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Gem. This was a five-night cruise to Bermuda from New York City, with a double-dip at the island. Daniel traveled as both a solo guest and for the first time on Norwegian Cruise Line. 

Cruise news will return next week. Check out the Cruise News Today podcast feed or the Cruise Radio YouTube Channel for daily news. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A Sky Princess review is on deck this week with Marc. This was his very first Princess sailing and it won't be his last. The ship sailed from Port Everglades on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary with stops in Princess Cays, Nassau, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• A cruise ship on the run 
• Carnival opens bookings for new ship 
• Virgin Voyages is already doing a cabin refresh 
• COVID tests could soon be $10 on Carnival 
• Carnival doubles down on COVID protocols with masks, testing, and vaccinated-only sailings 

Listener Question: Will Carnival Cruise Line require a booster shot? 

 

 

We talk with Isaiah about his recent seven-night cruise aboard Carnival Magic out of Port Canaveral, Florida. He goes over his experience in a balcony cabin for the first time, the food and entertainment onboard, and his time in the ports on this eastern Caribbean itinerary.

Richard has cruise news on: 

•  The CDC has let the Conditional Sailing Order expire
• Crystal Crusies' parent company has filed for bankruptcy 
• Norwegian changes its Free at Sea program 
• Royal Caribbean debuts a new venue on Wonder of the Seas 
• Celebrity is delaying the return of a west coast ship, and canceling a Mediterranean season for one ship
• Mardi Gras cruise director takes a promotion 

Listener question: I signed up for the free testing kit the the United States Postal Service is sending out. Will that test work for my pre-cruise testing requirement? — Billy 

 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Chad chats with us about his recent sailing aboard MSC Cruises' new ship MSC Seashore. He discusses his stay in the vessel's ship-within-a-ship complex The Yacht Club, as well as his experience with other dining, activities, and entertainment around the ship.

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Sheldon chats with us about his experience on Celebrity Apex's third cruise ever — a six-night Greek Isles voyage out of Athens. He goes over his first impressions of the brand-new ship, his cabin with infinite veranda, the dining, entertainment, and how the extremely low capacity on board affected the sailing.

Richard just returned from a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruise Line's newest megaship Mardi Gras. This was his first cruise and two years, and he treated himself to an aft excel suite balcony. We get a comprehensive review of the ship, ports of call, and what he thoughts of BOLT the first roller coaster at sea. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Kevin and his family just returned from a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. We get a full review of the ship, itinerary, and the new protocols that Royal has during the cruise industry restart on its largest ships. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Staff writer Richard Simms checks in with us from Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship Mardi Gras. He is on a seven-night cruise and gives us his first impressions and how he's enjoying his Excel suite (that includes access to Loft 19). 

Walter just returned from a seven-night cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Jade from Athens, Greece. This was a Greek Isles cruise with vaccinated guests only. On top of sailing in the Mediterranean this summer, he also booked a Haven Suite. We talk about his experience and just how it was. 

Listener Q: Matt from Royal Caribbean Blog answers a listener question on getting a child tested for a Christmas sailing with a lot of the pharmacies being closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

This week Richard Simms gets us caught up on this week's cruise news. 

1. Another Carnival Cruise Line ship has issues 
2. John Heald gets dumps a bunch of cruise line news 
3. Celebrity Cruises' changes its vaccination policy 
4. Norwegian Cruise Line resumes sailing from the Gulf Coast 
5. Virgin Voyages donates 100s of cabins on Scarlet Lady
6. NCL cancels sailings from South Africa

Listener Question: 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

• One of the big guys at Royal Caribbean is stepping down after 33 years 
• World's largest cruise ship hits milestone
• Carnival Vista will move ports in 2023 
• A milestone out in Los Angeles this past weekend. 
• Carnival is doing it again 
• This restart is ramping up quickly, what are the latest ships back in service? 

Listener Question: Can I buy a mask on a cruise? 

Mark just returned from a seven-night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. This was a cruise that went down to the Bahamas with a brief stop in Florida. Departing out of the New York City metro area, Mark shares his thoughts, his first impressions, and what it was like being a first-time cruiser on Royal Caribbean. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

We catch up with Holland America Line's President about the brand new ms Rotterdam and speak with Seth Wayne, Holland America Line's brand ambassador. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Travel insurance policies have changed over the cruise industry shutdown. In some areas larger than others, especially when it comes to a test yielding a positive test result.  Dan Skilken, President of TripInsurance.com joins us to break down what has changed, and what hasn't over the course of the pandemic. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• A recording-breaking passenger day in Nassau, Bahamas 
• Celebrity Apex is christened in Port Everglades, Florida 
• Royal Caribbean updates Ultimate World Cruise sales 
• Two cruise lines have earnings calls and it looks good moving forward 
• Cruise line enters Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 
• You can cruise with Chef Emeril this Thanksgiving 

Listener Question: We do not have a smartphone, do we have to use the Ocean Medallion token on Princess Cruises? 

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's newest mega-ship Mardi Gras. This was a seven-night Western Caribbean sailing from Port Canaveral. This is a special interview because our guest is legally blind and his wife is blind. We go into detail about Carnival's special needs department and how the line accommodates ADA requests. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• The CDC has extended and modified the Conditional Sailing Order 
• Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship Mardi Gras was officially christened 
• Carnival Radiance is officially in North America
• Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady comes to the aid of distressed boaters off the coast of Florida 
• A former cruise ship is now the largest floating nightclub

Listener Question: I read in one of your articles that on Mardi Gras, you can use the Hub App to order food and have it delivered anywhere on the ship. I always get hungry halfway through a show... can I have a snack delivered to the theater? 

A review of Princess Cruises Majestic Princess. This ship was built for Asia and has been sailing in the region since 2017, until the pandemic. In the summer of 2021, Majestic Princess start sailing Alaska, and then was repositioned to Los Angeles. Next summer, the ship will head back to Alaska offering seven-night voyages to the last frontier. 

Richard Simms has cruise news on: 

• The verdict from the MSC Cruise collision with a riverboat in 2019 in Venice 
• Royal Caribbean launches first world cruise, how much does it cost? 
• Celebrity Cruises goes heavy on Europe in 2023 
• A former Carnival Cruise Line ship heads to the scrapyard
• Cruise lines prepare for the international travel ban to be lifted on November 8. 

Listener Q: Does the Royal Caribbean Ultimate Dining Package work for all the venues onboard, even the a la carte. 

 

 

A review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Encore. This ship was launched in 2019 and only sailed a couple of months before the cruise industry shutdown. William and his family sailed this seven-night cruise to Southeast Alaska from Seattle. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• Grand Turk could see cruise ships by the end of 2021 
• More Carnival Corporation cruise ships returned to service over the weekend 
• San Francisco reopened to cruise ships this week 
• Nearly 250,000 guests have sailed Carnival Cruise Line over the past three months 
• Another cruise line adds a second world cruise

Listener Questions: 

If you've got a minute could you tell me if the Covid home test for Royal Caribbean can be done anytime during the day/night.  We are heading to Miami 2 days before sailing and need to be at the airport by 9:00 a.m. Thursday (sailing Saturday).  Would be nice if we could use the test kit around 7 a.m. — Carol

We are sailing Mardi Gras and have a question about Carnival Kitchen. How much does it cost, what is involved, and how do we make reservations for it? Is this like a chef's table experience?

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. This was a four night cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas from Miami, Florida.

Richard Simms has cruise news. 

Listener Q: What is the best cruise to take to see if I even like cruising? 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

On this episode with talk with Tom McAlpin, CEO and President of Virgin Voyages. Virgin's newest ship Scarlet Lady is finally home in PortMiami where she is about to start sailing revenue cruises on October 6. 

Sheri Griffiths from CruiseTipsTV stops by to give her first impressions of Scarlet Lady. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• The State of the Industry address at SeaTrade Cruise Global
• Royal Caribbean will start allowing pre-cruise testing at pier for a fee 
• Norwegian Breakaway is sailing again out of New York City
• Virgin Voyages gears up for Caribbean sailings from PortMiami 
• A cruise line teams up with a submarine company 

Listener Q: What is the best way to use my onboard credit? 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Kirk just returned from a seven-night Alaska cruise on Celebrity Millennium from Seattle, Washington. We get a full review of sailing Alaska in 2021 and if cruising to the last frontier is different.

Richard Simms has cruise news:

• Carnival backtracks on pierside pre-cruise testing
• Royal Caribbean pulls a cruise ship from China, moves to the US
• Proposed Alaska bill would stop mandatory Canadian port calls
• MSC Cruises returns to Divina from Port Canaveral
• A beer company is teaming up with cruise lines to help train staff in a new era of bars

Listener Question: What is the feedback from cruise passengers taking the at-home COVID-19 test? — Anne 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Carter and his wife recently returned from a cruise aboard one of MSC’s newer ships, MSC Meraviglia.

In this interview, they talk to us about the boarding process, dining, entertainment, and how MSC has adjusted things since COVID. They also detail their experience on MSC’s private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Richard Simms has cruise news:

• Virgin Voyages's Scarlet Lady is back in the USA
• Carnival Cruise Line revamps its Have Fun. Be Safe. policies for the casino 
• One-third of Norwegian Cruise Line's ships are sailing again 
• Carnival gives more testing options 
• Royal Caribbean updates sailing protocols on all cruises through October 15. 

Listener Question: What is the best option for taking my pre-cruise COVID test before embarking from Port Canaveral, Florida on a seven-night cruise? — Mark 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

In August, Daniel and his eight-year-old daughter took a four-night cruise aboard Disney Dream — their first cruise in 20 months. He joins us on the show to discuss how embarkation differed from the last time he sailed, the dining experience, the entertainment quality, and the sailing’s double-dip at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay.

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

 

In the episode, we interview Kerry about his seven-night Western Caribbean cruise aboard Norwegian Gem. This was the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to depart Florida since the shutdown in March 2020. 

Kerry also discusses what life was like on board during the seven-night voyage and the kind of health protocols the company has in place. 

We also learn what it was like being in the Caribbean while a hurricane is spinning around. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

 

Cruise writer Dave Monk recently took one of Virgin Voyages’ first revenue sailings ever out of Portsmouth, England. Sailing a four-night “cruise to nowhere” aboard the line’s first ship, Scarlet Lady, he had plenty of time to explore and check out its various offerings.

In this interview, he offers his impressions of this trip vs. his first time on board last year, the dining options, whether the ship REALLY doesn’t have a buffet, and what amenities the ship has for passengers to enjoy.

Dave also discusses who the cruise line’s target audience is and goes over how to decide whether or not a Virgin Voyages cruise is right for you — because it’s quite different than any other cruise line in the world.

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Today we get a review of Celebrity Equinox. This is Celebrity Cruises' second cruise ship sailing from Florida. The cruise was a seven-night sailing to the Eastern Caribbean. This was a last-minute cruise for John and his wife, booking just a week before the ship set sail. 

We get a comprehensive review of the ship, the itinerary, and health protocols as ships return to sailing again. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A sneak look at Carnival Cruise Line's maiden voyage of Mardi Gras, the ship that holds the same name as the company's first vessel in 1972. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

We talk with former cruise line executive Art Sbarsky about the cruising industry restart and talk shop about moves the cruise lines are doing to earn extra revenue. 

Richard Simms has cruise news:

• It's been a long 16 months but a lot of ships are back into service
• The UK greenlights international cruises 
• The CDC and Florida lawsuit drags on — has it ended yet?
• Norwegian has finally returned to sailing 
• Disney has announced new testing protocols 
• Bimini island gets first Carnival ship call 

This week we get a review of Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. This was a four-night cruise that called to private island Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas. Freedom is one of the Royal Caribbean was one of the ships that conducted a simulated voyage so it could allow more unvaccinated guests to board, most of them being families with kids under 12. 

Stewart Chiron the Cruise Guy is sailing in the Aegean Sea on Celebrity Apex this week. We catch up with him while on a sea day between cruise ports. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

 

Celebrity Apex check-in

This week are sailing on the first Carnival Cruise Line ship from Florida. This was a six-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from PortMiami to Amber Cove and private island Half Moon Cay. 

We speak with:

• Carnival Cruise Line President, Christine Duffy
• Brand Ambassador John Heald 
• VP of Beverage Operations, Eddie Allen 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Just back from Celebrity Cruises' first ship revenue sailing back from the United States that took place aboard Celebrity Edge. This was a seven-night Western Caribbean sailing to Mexico and Nassau, Bahamas. In this show we talk about how cruising is different, how is it the same, and what are the major changes. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

This week we broadcast from Celebrity Cruises' first ship to sail from the United States in 15-months, Celebrity Edge. Royal Caribbean Group CEO Richard Fain joins us on the program, along with Stewart Chirson the Cruise Guy. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

This week we get a review of Celebrity Millennium. This was the first North American cruise for Celebrity that was open to residents of the United States. The cruise took an interesting turn when two guests onboard the ship tested positive. Luckily, all turned out good and in the end, it proved that the protocols the cruise line has in place worked. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• Last week it was Celebrity Cruises, this week it's Royal Caribbean that set sail on its first journey welcoming US guests. 
• 8 Royal Caribbean crew members from Odyssey of the Seas tested positive, delaying the first cruise.
• Millennium had an isolated incident last week on their first cruise back. 
• The state of Florida vs the CDC, what's the latest delay about? 
• The Gov of USVI is also for cruise lines asking for vaccine status.

We check in with Stewart Chiron who is sailing aboard Celebrity Millennium this week from St. Maarten. This is the first cruise open to U.S. residents. We get a glimpse of life at sea, what it's like cruising in 2021, and what about the buffets? Staff writer Richard Simms also discusses Celebrity Cruises' new vaccination policy. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• The first Caribbean cruise ship to welcome U.S. guests has sailed 
• Another ships has been cleared to sail from Florida 
• Carnival announces Caribbean restart dates 
• A policy change for Carnival guests sailing from Galveston, Texas
• More cancellations for Disney and an app update 
• MSC announces restarts dates for North America 
• Royal has also announced a handful of ships restarting