Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

We get a Western Caribbean cruise review of Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Breeze from Galveston.

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news:

• Carnival charging for late-night room service and ditching debarkation day room service.
• Two cruise ships are heading to NYC in 2019
• Celebrity Cruises is releasing Celebrity Edge ahead of schedule
• Star Princess gets a major refurb

Listener Qs:

What are the highlights of transiting the Panama Canal? - Nicholas, SD

Will my travel agent get mad if I ask her to adjust my price drop? I know she makes her money on commission. I feel bad. - Cindy, CT

Thoughts or comments? Email me: [email protected]

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Some brief thoughts on the Norwegian Breakaway sailing through the major 'bomb cyclone' winter storm in early January. We talk to ABC Action News Meteorologist Greg Dee to give us some insight on how powerful these winter storms can become at sea. Nick and his family just returned from the very first sailing on MSC Cruises' brand new MSC Seaside. Sherry Kennedy has cruise news on:

• Cruise executive paychecks revealed
• Cruise line paid $25M for 90-day FEMA charter
• Celebrity Cruises hikes gratuities on heels of Royal Caribbean hike
• MSC launching child finder application

Listener Questions

• What to expect when staying on deck one.
• Do cruise lines gradually release staterooms or all at one time?

Thoughts or comments? Email me: [email protected]

When the Norwegian Breakaway sailed through a winter storm, some passengers say things got rough. We speak to one of the people who just disembarked, as well as cruise expert Stewart Chiron, to find out if this was an unusual sailing or to be expected this time of year.

What are your thoughts? Let us know: [email protected]

We talk with Terry Thornton, VP of Itinerary Planning with Carnival Cruise Line. He brings us behind the curtain and explains to us about cruise ship deployments, the new destination Carnival is building in Freeport, Bahamas, and where he would like to see a new cruise port open up.

Also, I answer some follow up questions asked after our Carnival Vista interview last week.

Thoughts or comments? Email me! [email protected]

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?

Listener Question: How do I know what cruise will have fewer kids, is it the cruise line itself, the ship, or the time of year? David, CA Comments or suggestions? Email me: [email protected]

'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? [email protected]

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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? [email protected]

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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? [email protected]

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? [email protected]