Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

Connie and her husband just returned from Holland America's ms Westerdam on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing. They are no stranger to Holland America Line with their five star mariner status. Connie chats with us about her Thanksgiving sailing, how impressions of Holland America, what draws her back to the cruise line time after time and the ports of call she experienced during her cruise.

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‘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 sun set 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!"

We just returned from a 10-night sailing aboard Carnival Sunshine. This was a special Carnival Journeys sailing that gave a longer itinerary with out the beaten path ports of call and programming that was unique to 1987 - like throwback sea days with captain cocktail parties, the original menu from formal night, specials Q&A sessions with the captain and the famous midnight buffet. We talk with the Cruise Director Jaime Dee about the Carnival Journeys sailing and some of the on board programming and also seasoned cruise veteran Stormin' Norm. Get all the details about Carnival Journeys here. This is part one of a two part show. The next show will focus on the ports of call, dining, and entertainment.

Thoughts or reviews? Email me: [email protected]

Find in-depth cruise news and ship reviews at https://cruiseradio.net

On this episode, Jason Leppert from Popular Cruising joins us for a comprehensive review of Disney Dream after an extensive refurb in November. Disney Dream went into dry dock to get a make over of some of the public areas and added the Star Wars area for the kids. Disney Dream does three and four night sailings out of Port Canaveral.

Thoughts or reviews? Email me: [email protected]

Find in-depth cruise news and ship reviews at https://cruiseradio.net

Jessica and her family just returned from a seven-night Western Caribbean sailing aboard Norwegian Star, a ship that sails seasonally from the port of Tampa. Being Jessica's first time aboard, she gives a comprehensive review of embarkation from Tampa, first impressions, staterooms, dining, entertainment and ports.

Thoughts or reviews? Email me: [email protected]

Find in-depth cruise news and ship reviews at https://cruiseradio.net

Rick joins us to give a comprehensive review of his Queen Victoria sailing in the Med. He goes into detail about what makes the ship the Queen Victoria so different, how the experience was and what keeps him sailing Cunard Line time after time.

Thoughts or reviews? Email me: [email protected]

Find in-depth cruise news and ship reviews at https://cruiseradio.net

Ben just returned from a two-night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. The world's largest cruise ship that spent some time in dry dock and Europe before coming back to her home-port of Port Everglades, Florida. On this episode, Ben talks about his first impressions of Allure of the Seas, staterooms, entertainment and what the ship is like on sea days. Since this was a two-day cruise, Ben tried to squeeze as much as he could while he was on-board.

Thoughts or reviews? Email me: [email protected]

Find in-depth cruise news and ship reviews at https://cruiseradio.net

Princess Cruises is turning 50-years-old this year, and the Love Boat cast reunited on Pacific Princess to celebrate the anniversary this week. Our West Coast correspondent, Jason Coleman, checks in throughout this week's show to give us some highlights from the event. James and his wife just returned on a seven night cruise from Norfolk, VA to Bermuda aboard Carnival Splendor. James gives us a Carnival Splendor review plus what it was like sailing to Bermuda. Cruise Guy has cruise news on:

• Princess Cruises 50th anniversary
• Margaritaville price hike on Norwegian Escape
• Grand Princess mechanical problems in Hawaii
• Broadway show Grease coming to two Royal Caribbean ships
• Social impact cruise line, Fathom, having a big sale. Is this to pick up slow bookings?

Listener question from Roger: Should i be worried about my Med cruise next summer because of these travel warnings and the recent acts of violence in Paris?

Thoughts or reviews? Email me: [email protected]

Find in-depth cruise news and ship reviews at https://cruiseradio.net

On this episode, Tommy gives us his review of his latest cruise aboard Norwegian Pearl. This wasn't an ordinary cruise, though. It was a themed cruise put on by country superstars Florida-Georgia Line. Tommy gives his impressions of the cruise overall, the food, staterooms, and, most importantly, the entertainment.

Thoughts or reviews? Email me: [email protected]

Find in-depth cruise news and ship reviews at https://cruiseradio.net

On this episode, Lisa talks about her seven-night honeymoon cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas in the Mediterranean. Lisa chats with me about her first impressions of the ship, the food, entertainment, her stateroom and ports of call. Stewart Chiron has cruise news on:

• QM2 made inaugural call to Amber Cove
• New social impact cruise line, fathom, announces layout of new ship
• Princess Cruises' Majestic Princess pre-China itineraries announced
• Do Black Friday cruise deals exist?
• Any booking advice for a black friday/cyber monday cruise deals?

Thoughts or reviews? Email me: [email protected]

Find in-depth cruise news and ship reviews at https://cruiseradio.net