Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

Meteorologist Greg Dees answers the question on why Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line always miss their private island because of weather. And lightning in the Gulf of Mexico. Colleen McDaniel from Cruise Critic joins us to talk about the big winners in their 2018 Editors' Picks Awards. Sherry Laskin has cruise news on: Itineraries for Carnival Cruise Line's new Carnival Mardi Gras Princess Cruises private destination Princess Cays caught fire Virgin Voyages is rolling gratuities into the cruise fare Princess announces the largest balconies at sea Shelly from CruisingExcursions answers some listener questions on some cruisers sailings to Rome, Athens, Mallorca, and Mykonos. Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

We get a review of Celebrity Infinity this week. This week's guest is a seasoned cruiser but his first time sailing on Celebrity Cruises. This four-night cruise left from Port Everglades and went to Key West and Nassau, and had one sea day. Dan Skilken from TripInsurance.com answers a question about a cruise guest who almost got stuck in Mexico needing emergency surgery. Sherry Laskin has cruise news on: The kid who jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and lived to tell the story. Virgin Voyages releases rock star cruise suites. MSC Cruises gives us more details about their upcoming island Ocean Reserve Cay. Dan Skilken from TripInsurance.com answers a question about a cruise guest who almost got stuck in Mexico needing emergency surgery. Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A full review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky. This ship is one of Norwegian's smaller cruise ships and sails year-round from Miami, Florida. Matt did a back-to-back sailing on this one so he sailed a four-night and then a three-night sailing. The itinerary on the cruise included Cuba, Nassau, Bahamas and the cruise line's private island of Great Stirrup Cay. To catch up on this week's cruise news please check out the Cruise Radio News feed by clicking here or by typing in Cruise Radio News where you listen to your favorite podcast. -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Bonus Cruise Radio episode. Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas had to end their cruise a day early after a norovirus outbreak of almost 500 guests onboard. We talk to a guest who just returned from the ship and gives us a play by play of what happened during the sailing. Also we talk to a Commander at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention who heads up the Vessel Sanitation Program. Video on the return of Oasis of the Seas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8OvqRq3SvU&t -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

We get a Carnival Elation review from Tony and Jenny. Carnival Elation is a Fantasy-class ship that underwent a massive dry dock in 2017 to add another deck, more dining options, and refurbishing all the existing staterooms. This was a five-night Bahamas cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and Half Moon Cay. Sherry has cruise news: Mexican cruise destination rocked by violence 2018 Norovirus report released Carnival Cruise Line reverses room service charge Venice is now charging day visitor tax 100-year-old woman celebrates a birthday on a cruise ship Carnival Cruise Line captain and crew honored for rescue Listener questions: How much does the sky suite on Celebrity Edge cost? My dining time is during sail away - what happens? -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

We get a review of Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess. Caribbean Princess was launched in 2004 and carries just over 3,100 guests. This review is of a back to back cruise doing Eastern and Western Caribbean. Sherry has cruise news on: One cruise line issued their guests a warning about Nassau, Bahamas Carnival Cruise Line signed a contract to get faster internet at sea St. Maarten ended 2018 with a record-breaking cruise day Carnival's float made a debut in the 2019 Rose Parade Royal Caribbean is testing a new program in their casino on Harmony of the Seas Listener question: Do you have any free beach recommendations for Grand Turk. We are taking our first cruise in February. -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

The 2018 Year End Cruise News Recap - December 30, 2018. We discuss the top cruise news stories of 2018 including some big changes at Carnival Cruise Line, the deterioration of Nassau, Bahamas, and the fire at Little French Key. Thank you for including Cruise Radio in your weekly lineup and Happy New Year. -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

A review of Carnival Valor. Valor is a Conquest-class ship from Carnival Cruise Line and currently (2018) sails from Galveston, TX. In 2019, she will reposition to New Orleans. This review covers a four-night cruise to Cozumel. We get a detailed review of the ship, dining, staterooms, and Nachi Cocom. We answer your shore excursion questions. Sherry Laskin has cruise news: A Royal Caribbean ship rescued two men by pure luck Another new cruise ship has arrived in South Florida An injured cruiser has won over $400,000 from one cruise line A new tax will impact cruisers heading to Amsterdam in 2019 New cruise ships for 2019 Listener Question: Which cruise line is better - Princess Cruises or Celebrity Cruises? -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Enjoy our holiday tradition this week, A Cruiser's Night Before Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. '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!" -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

We get a review of Viking Ocean Cruises' Viking Sky. This was a 14-night cruise from London to Norway. Coined "Into the Midnight Sun," the cruise hit multiple ports on the journey to the Arctic Circle. We get a full review of Viking sky covering the stateroom (every room has a balcony), dining, entertainment, the spa (included) and the ports of call. Sherry has cruise news on: Carnival Cruise Line going into a new North American cruise port Royal Caribbean returning to New Orleans Norwegian Cruise Line announcing new cruise schedules Disney Cruise Line hiking specialty dining prices by 30% Carnival Cruise Line coming to the aid of a sailor broke down Listener question: What to do in St. Thomas if we don't want to snorkel or go to the beach? -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed. Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.