Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

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? [email protected]

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

Question: We're taking our first family cruise in 2018 and need help with selecting a balcony stateroom. The wife and I usually get an inside stateroom but with four of us, we're gonna need more room. I'm wading through a dozen different balcony room categories. How do I know which one will be big enough? We're torn between Oasis and Harmony of the Seas. - Thomas, Davenport Questions or comments? [email protected]

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? [email protected]

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? [email protected]

We sit down and have a casual chat with John Heald, Senior Cruise Director and Brand Ambassador with Carnival Cruise Line. John talks about everything from weight loss struggles at sea to taking some of your listener questions. This was taped when sailing aboard Carnival Fascination in mid October.

Sherry Kennedy answers some of your cruise questions on:

• Finding a better cruise deal and how to secure it
• Does it pay to stay loyal to one cruise line
• Passport renewal deadlines

Thoughts or comments? [email protected]

We get a review of Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Victory on a Western Caribbean sailing from Miami. The ports of call on this sailing were Key West and Cozumel.

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news:

• Cruise lines update the public on the state of the Caribbean islands impacted by this year's hurricanes
• FEMA charters Carnival Fascination
• New Guy Fieri sit-down venue coming to Carnival Horizon.
• Carnival Conquest gets an adults-only area.
• Royal Caribbean set to return to St. Thomas
• Royal Caribbean details upcoming ship

Questions or comments? [email protected]

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This is a news brief with Senior Cruise Director John Heald about Carnival Cruise Line chartering of one of their ships to FEMA to help in Hurricane relief because of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. I'm currently sailing aboard Carnival Fascination.

Thoughts or comments? [email protected]

We talk with Adolfo Perez at Carnival Cruise Line about the latest refurbishment of Carnival Elation and why they are spending so much money on these ships that are 20 years old.

Richard Simms joins us with commentary about the beverage package increase with Norwegian Cruise Line and how it compares to the other packages out there.

Tim gives us a review of his eight-night sailing on Caribbean Princess.

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Don gives us a full recap of his Cuba cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line from Port Miami.

Comedian Tommy Davidson stops by to talk about the new season of Vacation Creation featuring Carnival Corporation.

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news:

1. The Bahamas wants cruisers to cough up $90 million
2. Norwegian Breakaway is heading to the Big Easy
3. NCL drink package price goes up
4. Class-action hurricane lawsuit against Royal Caribbean
5. Disney Cruise Line ship hits the pier in Nassau

Thoughts or comments? [email protected]

Sarah shares her six-night Western Caribbean cruise review aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Vista from Miami. This Caribbean sailing went to Cozumel, Ocho Rios, and Grand Cayman. This was Sarah's first time cruising in three years.

Tommy Casabona from the Always Be Book Podcast weighs in on cruisers complaining about itinerary changes due to the recent hurricanes.

Sherry Kennedy has cruise news:

• Key West reopens since Hurricane Irma
• Carnival Fascination is temporarily repositioning to Florida
• Cunard Line is ordering new cruise ship
• NCL donates money to hurricane relief
• Listener question on cruise prices during hurricane season.

Comments or questions? [email protected]

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