Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

A 2020 review of Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Gem. this was a 10-night cruise from New York City that went to the Southern Caribbean.  Sherry has cruise news :  First major cruise line sailed from Europe  Norwegian Cruise Line extends suspension Carnival Fantasy ends her final voyage  Cruise line debuts new safety drill  Cruise line refund policies could soon change CDC wants cruise passengers...

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published 28 questions to the general public. We read the questions and tell you how you can respond with your answers.  You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CDC-2020-0087 by any of the following methods listed below. CDC does not accept comments by email. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov . Follow the inst...

PJ shares his experience of being on the last Disney Cruise Line ship before the industry shutdown. This is a seven-night review of Disney Fantasy that went down to the Eastern Caribbean with a stop at private island Castaway Cay.   Sherry has cruise news :  CDC extending the No Sail Order, again  Carnival is almost done with crew repatriation  Grand Bahama Island on two-week lockdown Carnival Ins...

Cruise expert Stewart Chiron drops by the answer some listener questions. Matt Hochberg from Royal Caribbean Blog answer questions on Royal Caribbeans "Lift and Shift" program and the difference between a Quantum and Quantum Ultra class ship.  1. When a ship is said to be 130,000-tons, what does that mean?    2. We are seeing cruise lines like Princess move a lot of inventory on the West Coast in...

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Sunrise for a Canada/New England itinerary. This ship used to be Carnival Triumph before it underwent a $200 million renovation in 2019. The ship splits time between New York, Virginia, and Florida.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news on :  This could be the end for Carnival Fantasy Key West looking to ban large cruise ships  Florida based cruise line ex...

We talk to the granddaughter of the architect of the SS United States. At one time, this ship broke the speed record and went across the Atlantic Ocean in three days.  Date: July 12, 2020 

A review of an 11-night cruise on Princess Cruises' Regal Princess. This was a Baltic cruise that sailed from Copenhagen with an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news :  Carnival Mardi Gras launched delayed and Carnival Radiance postponed  Two cruise lines join forces to develop healthy protocols  New EU cruise guides recommend masks and no buffets  Royal Caribbean de...

Aside from wearing masks on a cruise ship, buffets at sea have been another hot button topic. Royal Caribbean first said they would not have one, and then backpedaled. Norwegian Cruise Line had a computer glitch that issued everyone extra loyalty points - will they honor or take away? Staff writer Richard Simms weighs in on both topics.  Date: July 5, 2020

A preview of what casinos at sea may look like after sailing a five-hour gambling trip. A look at what we saw with protocols and safety procedures.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news :  Carnival Corporation sells off a cruise ship during the shutdown Cruise ships head to the West Coast of North America MSC Cruises starts construction on a new class of ship  An Asian cruise line will be the first major...

We answer your listener questions on this weekend's episode of Cruise Radio Rewind. What is the best way to get from San Pedro cruise port to Los Angelos airport? Is an overnight stay on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California worth it? Where can we find an affordable hotel somewhere near Port Canaveral? If the cruise line books my air, does it protect me if my flight is delayed?  Date: June 28,...

A review of Carnival Conquest on a seven-night cruise from Port Miami. This sailing went to the Eastern Caribbean with stops in Amber Cove, Grand Turk, San Juan, and St. Thomas.  Sherry has cruise news:  More cruise lines announced cancellations  Nassau, Bahamas could get strict on cruise passengers  Rapid covid testing could be coming to a cruise line near you Carnival Corporation announced the s...

Masks, social distancing, modified or no buffets, elevators, casinos, there are a lot of potential deal-breakers when it comes to cruising as the industry ramps up again. Cruise Radio Staff Writer Richard Simms and Host of the Always Be Booked Podcast, Tommy Casabona weighs in.  Date: June 21, 2020

A Panama Canal cruise review aboard Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess. This was a roundtrip voyage from Port Everglades. Mary first sailed Caribbean Princess back in 2005, she compares and contrasts the vessels over the past 15 years.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news :  Norwegian Cruise Line cancels additional sailings Bankrupt cruise ship goes to auction  Carnival Cruise Line crew member head ho...

We get a detailed review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Joy. Joy was first launched for the Asian market, in 2018, the cruise line announced that the ship would move from Asia to North America. The first North American cruise season, the ship sailed Alaska and then the Mexican Riveria.  Date: June 14, 2020 Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn   | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube   | Twitter...

A 2020 review of MSC Grandiosa. This was a Mediterranean cruise that was cheaper than a lot of his other vacation options.  Sherry has cruise news :  Royal Caribbean announces delays and cancellations  Good news for 3,000 Carnival Cruise Line crew members A cruise line will be sailing from Port Canaveral for the first time  Norwegian Cruise Line talks masks, buffets, and muster drills  You must te...

We discuss picking and booking a cruise ship stateroom. Every person has a different strategy when it comes to booking a stateroom. Cruise Radio Staff Writer Richard Simms and Always Be Booked Podcast Host Tommy Casabona weigh in on the cruise ship cabins. 

We get a review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star. This was a seven-night cruise that sailed round trip from Venice.  Richard has cruise news : Norwegian's return-to-cruising health details  Canada extending its cruise ship ban  Carnival Cruise Line doubling down on thermal imaging cameras River cruising is back  So is ocean cruising in Asia  Listener Question : Hardcore Royal Caribbean cr...

Where is my cruise refund? That is a question that is being asked by thousands of people. Are the cruise lines really doing the best they can or are they holding on to your money until the last minute possible? After all, the Fair Credit Bill Act The FCBA has set strict guidelines for creditors to follow that protect consumers.  Date: May 31, 2020

A back-to-back review of Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas. This was a three and four-night cruise that went to Nassau, Bahamas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. We learn about the recent Mariner refurbishments and what it's like sailing two cruises in a row.  Sherry has cruise news:  Australia extending their cruise ship ban Royal Caribbean backtracks on no buffets.  Royal Caribbean gave us a fina...

Cruise Director Kabir returns this week to discuss your questions about life at sea. Some of the questions he tackles is what a cruise director's day is like, is there a hookup culture onboard the ship, social distancing, and speculation on what it could be like as we resume cruising.  Date: May 24, 2020 

We get a review of Holland America's Zuiderdam. This was a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing. This cruise went to Grand Turk, San Juan, and the private island Half Moon Cay.  Sherry has cruise news : The Bahamas could welcome cruisers back as early as July  Massive layoffs across multiple cruise lines  Disney Cruise Line has extended its cancellation Carnival Breeze made it to Southampton to d...

Royal Caribbean hinted this week that they could be getting rid of its cruise ship buffets once they start sailing again. The cruise industry is going through a financial nightmare right now. They are all in a zero revenue environment. Norwegian Cruise Line recently had its first-quarter earnings call late last week, we break down the findings.  Date: May 17, 2020

We talk to a cruise director who was onboard a cruise ship during the COVID outbreak. Our guest chats with us what it was like being onboard when the cruise industry shutdown and how he had pivot as they attempted to get cruisers home.  Sherry has cruise news :  Grand Cayman isn't ready to take back cruise ships  Marine firm launches a project to keep ships clean A video could show the future of c...

Cruise lines are doing a phased-in approach when it comes to return-to-service. In this episode, we discuss how the landscape and policies are changing with the post-COVID. We answer some listener questions on what to look for when buying a policy and how to rebook your policy if your vacation got canceled. Find more information about travel insurance policies here . Date: May 10, 2020

We get a review of Carnival Inspiration. This was a short four-night cruise out of Long Beach, California to Ensenada and Catalina Island with only one sea day. Carnival Cruise Line sails two Fantasy-class ships out of Los Angeles, Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Imagination.  Sherry has cruise news :  Carnival is shooting for a new return-to-service  An investigation has been launched into Carn...