Choosing Cruising Blog

Norwegian Cruise Line is planning to increase fares up to 7 %, starting from the 2nd April, after experiencing strong demand during the start of the wave season of bookings in January and February 2010.

Royal Caribbean and NCL are going head to head in Barcelona as both Liberty of the Seas and Norwegian Epic will be based there from summer 2011.

Liberty of the Seas

Norwegian Epic

As from summer 2011 NCL will be dropping Dover for Copenhagen as the departure port for summer Baltic cruises onboard Norwegian Sun.

Norwegian Sun

Whilst Carnival Cruise Lines are poo pooing the themed ‘Cougar‘ cruise, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines have jumped right in offering trips in May and December 2010.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has made roads into bringing agents up to speed with information on facilities for disabled passengers.

NCL and limited mobility passengers

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NCL have found the latest cutting-edge entertainment for their new ship Norwegian Epic which sets sail on it’s maiden voyage on 17th July 2010 ‘The Blue Man Group‘.

They are a trio who perform with painted blue faces & gloves in a theatrical, comic and musical performance. They will give a show eight times per cruise in the 85 seat Epic Theatre.

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The Mexican Centre for Disease Control & Prevention has now lifted the ban for non essential Travel.  Following on from this, here is an overview of the cruise situation in Mexico: (more…)

Here is an overview of the smoking policies onboard the major cruise lines.

Carnival Cruise Lines
In previous years Carnival ran a no smoking ships, however today all of the ships have zones where smokers are free to light up such as in the casinos, most of the bars and lounges, the discos and in designated areas on the open decks including the outside dining area of the Lido cafe. Smoking is also permitted in the cabins and on balconies. Dedicated cigar bars are provided on some of the larger ships in the fleet. (more…)

Three of the major players NCL, Princess and Royal Caribbean are reducing the number of ships cruising to Alaska. This is a direct result of the Alaska Cruise Association $50-a-head tax.

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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is now releasing information about Norwegian Epic, the spectacular new ship.  It is 329.35m in length and will hold 4,700 passengers. (more…)