Podcasts about Norwegian Bliss

We went to Alaska ! And we have reviewed the Norwegian BLISS. COME SEE US! We been invited, and appearing, at the NRA Annual Meeting 2025 in Atlanta GA on April 25-27th!! "On The Range Podcast" hosted by Rick Hogg and Mark Kelley. VOICES of the Second Amendment: https://nraam.org/events    Visit the SHOW at: https://ontherangepodcast.com Mark Kelley: https//:kelleydefense.com Rick Hogg: https//:warhogg.com Don't miss out on exclusive bonus content for "CREW" members after the show, and make sure to visit ONTHERANGEPODCAST.COM  to sign up and more information on upcoming events. Become 1% Better Everyday!!  JOIN Order Your Copy of “The Firearms Training Notebook”: https://amzn.to/3DfIOkz Visit our Websites: Find Mark: https://www.kelleydefense.com Find Rick: https://www.warhogg.com Listen to On The Range Podcast at - Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0GBzNxH... Please subscribe to the show on the podcast platform you listen to, and leave us a rating and review to help increase our reach. Thank you! Artist: TrackTribe “Riffs For Days” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBw0kBJlaVU Artist: Jimena Contreras “Alpha Mission” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWi3CangMgQ&list=PL-0N3ETTFkNvksN9dMRY7utkQB0y6bEP-

In this newscast: The Alaska Legislature passed a bill Friday that would boost per-student education funding by $1,000. Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he plans to veto it; Juneau residents who haven't filed have some extra time; A new Juneau advocacy group called the the Affordable Juneau Coalition filed three ballot petitions with the city last week, to lower the property tax rate, to remove sales tax on food and utilities, and to make in-person voting the default again; The Norwegian Bliss and its more than 4,0000 passengers arrived in Juneau yesterday to kick of the 2025 cruise ship season; Tensions over a levee that's taking shape in backyards along Juneau's Mendenhall River have come to a head as one homeowner filed a suit against the city, seeking to exempt his property or be paid for it; A Ketchikan woman now officially holds the Guinness World Record for "largest female mouth gape"

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:The first cruise ship of the 2025 tourism season, the Norwegian Bliss, is set to arrive in downtown Juneau this afternoon. An Anchorage police officer's home was searched last week by fellow officers and the FBI, as police seek a missing man last seen nearby. And well-known Alaska Native leader Willie Hensley is the subject of a new documentary.Photo: Willie Hensley, a former Alaska congressman and an Arctic Native rights advocate, briefs Alaskan Command leadership as part of ALCOM's Arctic Speaker Series at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in 2022. (Senior Airman Emily Farnsworth)

Topics in this episode include Norwegian Bliss propulsion issues A Family is wrongfully denied boarding Theme cruise announcement Norwegian Aqua gets delayed and rerouted Unthinkable crime takes place at sea Retirement congratulations to a popular exec and much more

Ben shares his cruise on Norwegian Bliss to Southeast Alaska from Seattle, Alaska. 

Chillie Chats With Cruise Director Richard Matic, taped on board the Norwegian Bliss on January 14, 2025. Matic is a talented and flamboyant cruise director with a Liberache-esque wardrobe. He is also far more accessible to guests than most others in his profession. Also on today's Travel and Cruise Industry Podcast, January 15, 2025, Liberty of the Seas Guards Fishing Vessel; HAL and Wheel of Fortune; Virgin Offers Annual $199K Pass; Immigration Inspection With The Brits; Royal Caribbean Captain Retires After 50 Years; Vision of the Seas Delayed; Princess Partners With Yee Haw ... Country Music Academy; and Lots more, live today at 11 AM EST. CLICK HERE for video feed #wednesdaytravelandcruiseindustrynews daytravelandcruiseindustrynews #podcast #cruisenews #travelnews #cruise #travel #chilliescruises #chilliefalls #whill_us Thanks for visiting my channel. NYTimes The Daily, the flagship NYT podcast with a massive audience. "Vacationing In The Time Of Covid" https://nyti.ms/3QuRwOS To access the Travel and Cruise Industry News Podcast; https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/trav... or go to https://accessadventure.net/ To subscribe: http://bit.ly/chi-fal I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.... Chillie's Cruise Schedule: https://www.accessadventure.net/chillies-trip-calendar/ For your mobility needs, contact me, Whill.inc/US, at (844) 699-4455 use SRN 11137 or call Scootaround at 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ChilliesCruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls X: https://x.com/ChillieFalls Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American Passenger Dies In Hong Kong is the lead story on Monday Travel and Cruise Industry Podcast, January 6 2025 with Chillie Falls, LIE from Norwegian Bliss. A 66 year old man from the US collapsed in his cabin just before midnight on January 4, 2025, and was unable to be revived. His name has not been released. Ports Dropped On Princess Cruise; Worker Injured at Galveston; 55 Ft Dive; New Bahamas Record; Zuiderdam Embarks on World Cruise; Epic Cancels Corfu; and Lots more, live today at 11 AM EST. #mondaytravelandcruiseindustrynews #podcast #cruisenews #travelnews #cruise #travel #chilliescruises #chilliefalls #whill_us Thanks for visiting my channel. NYTimes The Daily, the flagship NYT podcast with a massive audience. "Vacationing In The Time Of Covid" https://nyti.ms/3QuRwOS Cruise Ship Doctor Cruise: https://bookayt.net/cruisedoctor/ To access the Travel and Cruise Industry News Podcast; https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/trav... or go to https://accessadventure.net/ To subscribe: http://bit.ly/chi-fal I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.... Chillie's Cruise Schedule: https://www.accessadventure.net/chillies-trip-calendar/ For your mobility needs, contact me, Whill.inc/US, at (844) 699-4455 use SRN 11137 or call Scootaround at 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ChilliesCruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls X: https://x.com/ChillieFalls Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teil zwei mit den solamento Geschäftsführern Sascha Nitsche und Udo Lutz, die sich auf hoher See befunden haben. Die Themen: Halloween an Bord; Amerikanische Mentalität; Freundliche besatzungsstarke Crew; Gut geordnete Koordinierung der Gäste; Elektro-Kartbahn; Free at Sea-Konzept für Speisen und Getränke; Wellnesserlebnis im Spa-Bereich; Bestimmte Region wieder bereisen Die Welt ist schön, schau sie dir an. Finde Deinen persönlichen Reiseberater auf https://solamento.com/ Schreib uns deine Fragen und Anmerkungen an: podcast@solamento.de

Host Dominik Hoffmann und Vollbluttouristikerin Sainey Sawaneh im Gespräch mit den beiden solamento Geschäftsführern Sascha Nitsche und Udo Lutz, die mit einer ausgewählten Gruppe von solamento Reiseberateren auf der Norwegian Bliss in Begleitung von Janina Pfeifer von Norwegian Cruise Line unterwegs waren. Die Themen: Udo ist jetzt da; Anreise über Seattle nach Los Angeles; An Bord von Norwegian Cruise Line; So viel Platz wie sonst nie; Kulinarik speziell für die Zielgruppen; Party-Bucht in Los Cabos; Besonderheiten Nordamerika; Stadt-Land-Kreuzfahrt-Kombi Die Welt ist schön, schau sie dir an. Finde Deinen persönlichen Reiseberater auf https://solamento.com/ Schreib uns deine Fragen und Anmerkungen an: podcast@solamento.de

Norwegian Bliss Alters Itinerary is the top story on Tuesday Travel and Cruise Industry News Podcast, October 22, 2024 with Chillie Falls. The Bliss 16-night repositioning cruise from Los Angeles, California, to Miami, Florida, sailing December 6 has been significantly changed.. CLICK HERE for video feed. Also today, Half of Fleet Offers Non-smoking Casinos; New On World America; Fincantieri Cuts Steel; Weather Update; and Lots more, live today at 11 AM EDT. #tuesdaytravelandcruiseindustrynews #podcast #msccruises #cruisenews #travelnews #cruise #travel #chilliescruises #chilliefalls #chilliechats #whill_us Thanks for visiting my channel. NYTimes The Daily, the flagship NYT podcast with a massive audience. "Vacationing In The Time Of Covid" https://nyti.ms/3QuRwOS Cruise Ship Doctor Cruise: https://bookayt.net/cruisedoctor/ To access the Travel and Cruise Industry News podcast; https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/trav... or go to https://accessadventure.net/ To subscribe: http://bit.ly/chi-fal I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.... Chillie's Cruise Schedule: https://www.accessadventure.net/chillies-trip-calendar/ For your mobility needs, contact me, Whill.inc/US, at (844) 699-4455 use SRN 11137 or call Scootaround at 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ChilliesCruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls X: https://twitter.com/ChillieFalls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chilliefalls/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chilliescruises Business Email: chillie@chilliefalls.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim is back from her 7th Alaska cruise! This one was on Princess Cruise visiting the Inside Passage that cruises from Seattle and visits Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagaway and sails through Glacier Bay.  Note: Kim was hosted by Princess Cruises for her trip. This cruise visits Victoria very briefly at night so not a good choice if you really want to visit Victoria When evaluating cruises, you need to look closely at the time and length in port very carefully If you do want to pick a cruise that flies out of Vancouver, it may be cheaper to fly into Seattle and take either a train or bus to Vancouver The Discovery Princess ship carries up to 4300 guests so it is a large ship about the same size as the Norwegian Bliss (which we have talked about previously) It leaves from Pier 91 in Seattle, which is a bit north of the main Seattle waterfront and port area If you sail with Princess, do the onboard check in on the app at least a month or a few weeks in advance so that you can receive your Medallions in the mail The 16th floor on the Discovery Princess is the pool deck so you may need to walk outside to get the buffet and mid-ship elevators depending on where your room is. Kim's room also had an overhang covering the balcony The cabins on the Discovery Princess are a little small, with no additional seating beyond the bed (except on the balcony) The cabin had a very generous closet space but the bathroom was quite tight (look at the cabin layout in advance) Kim went in mid-June and had amazing weather but there are no guarantees The Princess Theater was quite large  The premier package level is $80 per person, per day includes WiFi for 4 devices per person, 2 specialty dining meals, and the highest level of drink package The 360 dining experience is something you need to book when you arrive and it is a seven-course meal with courses from around the world and it includes videos from makers around the world The food on board was good but fairly standard cruise fare outside of specialty dining Princess has a lot of lounges with something going on somewhere at all time You can buy a day pass to the Sanctuary pool and area Princess has a kids club and activities but there weren't a lot of families on board but it is great for multi-generational family trips In Juneau, Kim went whale watching and it was spectacular wildlife sighting In Skagway, Kim did the White Pass Scenic Railway and "Sip to Summit" excursion In Ketchikan, Kim did a fishing excursion and after you catch fish they cook it for you on a private island Not all cruise ships in Alaska goes to Glacier Bay National Park so be sure to look for this! There seem to be better views from the left side of the ship Bigger ships have to dock further away and some need to tender to port so this is something else to consider when taking an Alaskan cruise Smaller ship (like Holland) are better for walking on and off the ship   OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY ENJOY Holland America Caribbean cruise Barge and river cruising through France NYC to Bahamas cruise on Norwegian Norwegian Bliss cruise to Alaska Disney Cruise for First-timers

Dante Troina is the Assistant Shore Excursions Manager for Norwegian Cruise Lines on the Norwegian Bliss, a 1000-foot, 4,600 passenger cruise ship. In this episode we discuss him leaving college for a job in the cruise lines, seeing the world, taking advantage of opportunities, organizing tourists, and the importance of networking and people skills. Dante is a 2018 graduate of Ketchikan High School. 

Gandhi said her safe space wasn't safe, Froggy said his best shower experience came from Norwegian Bliss, Skeery loves being able to pick up a convo with an old friend, Nate knows what it's like to have a little brother after he met our new friend, Dennis, and Danielle says thank you to Victoria Beckham. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this newscast: The Norwegian Bliss docked in Juneau this morning, marking the beginning of the 2024 cruise ship season; State education officials continue to dispute the federal government's claim that Alaska didn't fund schools equitably during the pandemic; Athletes from across Alaska and some from the Lower 48 came to Juneau to compete in the seventh annual Traditional Games

Ketchikan residents woke up this morning to the South Tongass Fire Department engulfed in flames. A car accident on a remote road far outside of town. The Norwegian Bliss, the first cruise ship of the season makes its way towards Ketchikan. A Juneau high school swimmer makes history. Silver Bay Seafoods, Ketchikan's soon-to-be newest seafood processor, is expanding.

Bethany McDonald is an actress from England. She starred on the Norwegian Bliss in their production of Six as an alternate where she covered Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleaves, and Catherine Parr. This truly was a magical experience for her as she got to travel the world and play in one of the most successful shows of this current generation. Now, McDonald is touring North America in Pretty Woman: The Musical. In this production, she is in the ensemble and understudying the iconic, Vivian Ward. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jayme-starr/support

Nathan Doyle places his horses judiciously, and is rewarded with a consistent win rate. In this current season he's sitting in tenth spot on the NSW premiership ladder. Here is a young man born and reared in the Hunter Valley who was destined for a future with horses. After several years in the employ of top trainers, Nathan kicked off at Newcastle in 2018. He begins by talking about his current number of horses. He says he tried to get started at Scone but couldn't find enough boxes. The trainer expresses delight with his current season statistics. Nathan says more young horses are now coming into his stables. He looks back on a childhood practice of drawing horse figures on paper- an early pointer to his subsequent career. Nathan says there was no connection with racing in the family background, but his father's best friend was a trainer. He acknowledges behind-the-scenes assistance from his only sibling, sister Hayley. Doyle looks back on his apprenticeship as a budding boilermaker, mainly to appease his parents. He was surprised to gain a trainer's licence with a minimum of fuss. He looks back on his first venture into training, and a Narromine win with a cheap mare. Nathan recalls his commitment to learning from the best teachers. He was 24 when a job came up with Team Snowden. He looks back on a rewarding two years as Mark Newnham's Warwick Farm stable manager. The trainer remembers the highlight of his time at Randwick- the beginning of a relationship with long time partner Melina Gissing who was on the Gai Waterhouse team. Nathan says Mel actually owned his first winner as a trainer this time around. They found the right race at Dubbo, and almost snagged a double on the day. He pays tribute to his great mate and “go-to” jockey Koby Jennings. He talks about the veteran galloper who came out of nowhere to Give him a win in his hometown Cup. Nathan outlines the reasons a mare called Strawb was potentially the best horse he's ever trained. He has some nice things to say about the massively talented mare Norwegian Bliss. Nathan acknowledges several horses who've helped to establish him as a serious commercial trainer.  He admits to being a bad sleeper, and says many of his solutions to problems are sorted out in the middle of the night. A laid back chat with a young trainer whose reputation precedes him.

Today we are all about catching up with each other after two weeks off! Elvis talks about his trip on Norwegian Bliss to Alaska, Gandhi got kicked by an elephant in Thailand and Danielle is still in Seattle broadcasting from there! We also share our thoughts on the latest news from Britney Spears and breakdown celebrities that don't have the best reputation… Plus, find out why Gandhi almost wasn't let on her flight home from Thailand!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kaitie and Lake just returned from a 7 day cruise to Alaska aboard the Norwegian Bliss. This was a round…

Kaitie and Lake just returned from a 7 day cruise to Alaska aboard the Norwegian Bliss. This was a round trip sailing out of Seattle featuring stops in Sitka, Juneau (with a sailing up Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier), Icy Straight Point, Ketchikan, and Victoria British Columbia. During their sailing they sat down several times … Continue reading "375 Kaitie and Lake's Alaska Cruise on the Norwegian Bliss"

Well it has been a minute since we had a chance to catch up and record a podcast but in this episode Tamara shares her insights and experience from her recent family trip to Japan. Kim and Tamara also share their love for Scottsdale, Arizona and some of the things they did on a girls' trip together. Read more at: Scottsdale girls weekend Reasons to visit Scottsdale in summer Best Scottsdale Arizona resorts for girlfriends trips Scottsdale weekend itinerary Tamara also talked about her time in Paso Robles, California. You can read her Paso Robles itinerary to get inspired to visit this wine region. Kim attended conferences in Walt Disney World (read her tips for using DVC points to save money on a Disney World vacation), Disney Land, and San Antonio. She also took a family cruise to Alaska aboard the Norwegian Bliss, which was different from her Alaska cruise on Holland America last summer. Kim also took a quick press trip to Iceland, where she was able to explore Reykjavik and visit the Sky Lagoon. We really dug into Tamara's 2-week trip to Japan which included: 5 Days in Tokyo 5 Days in Kyoto 3 Days in Osaka If you are planning a trip, be sure to read Tamara's Japan travel tips! When talking about how great Google Maps can be to figure out transportation in Japan, Kim also mentioned her post about using Google Maps to plan a trip. Tamara was also just back from a short press trip to Waterton and Glacier National Parks. We will be traveling a lot over the summer so expect to hear another episode in the late summer. Then you will hear about Tamara's trip to Scotland & Wales, her river and barge cruises in France, and Kim's amazing trip to Kenya. Full Episode Transcript [00:00:00.000] - Kim Today, we're journeying to the land of the rising sun.   [00:00:14.520] - Tamara Welcome to Vacation Mavens a family travel podcast with ideas for your next vacation and tips to get you out the door. Here are your hosts, Kim from Stuffed Suicase and Tamara from We Three Travel.   [00:00:29.740] - Tamara Kim, I can't believe the last time I really talked to you was when we were together in Scottsdale in April.   [00:00:34.670] - Kim I know. It's been a crazy travel season for us. Good. I love that travel's back and everything, but it's also crazy because I thought we would be talking more and we've seen each other so much at the beginning of the year. And then all of a sudden it's like, Oh, summer is almost over.   [00:00:47.920] - Tamara Not quite. That was our intent was to have this monthly. We're struggling, guys. So if anyone is still listening and subscribe to us, which I hope that they are, we're going to do a quick little rundown of some of our recent travels. Now you'll see why we haven't been able to connect and record an episode.   [00:01:07.600] - Kim Yeah, exactly. It's been insane. The last time you guys heard from us, we were headed to Scottsdale, which was middle of April, and we both, I think, had an amazing trip there. We both published our articles, so you can always head to Wee 3 Travel and Stuff Suitcase and see the stuff that we covered. But I loved Scottsdale. It was great.   [00:01:25.720] - Tamara Yeah. I think Scottsdale just continues to be a place I want to go back to because there's so many beautiful resorts and hotels, so there's always some place new to check out. There's amazing spas. Then this time, we did a lot of really cool activities.   [00:01:41.370] - Kim I loved how it was really I think Scottsdale is a great destination a combination for being able to do outdoorsy things. We did hot air balloons, horseback riding, a few different things. But we also did wine tasting and shopping and went to some museums. Then, like you said, went to an amazing spot, the Phoenixion. Scottsdale, if you are a spa person, that's where you want to go.   [00:02:03.230] - Tamara I've been watching our friend, Colleen, that lives out in Scottsdale. She seems to be hopping around another spa every day. I'm like, Wow, I want to come be your friend right now.   [00:02:12.830] - Kim I think everyone's been saying that, I want your job.   [00:02:15.790] - Tamara I'm sure. I would definitely say romantic getaway, girlfriend get away. Scottsdale is amazing for that. There's plenty to do with the family as well because of all those outdoor activities. But definitely check out. I know I have an itinerary. You have some great suggestions on things to do in the summer and how to manage the heat out there. D efinitely check those out on our websites to see more.   [00:02:39.620] - Kim So where did you head after Scottsdale?   [00:02:41.800] - Tamara I went right from Scottsdale to T uson to see Hannah for a little bit. And then the following week, I went to Paso Robles, which I'd learned.   [00:02:51.090] - Kim I always said it was Paso Robles. Oh, it's Robles.   [00:02:52.980] - Tamara Yeah. And it's actually Robles. And I'm like, I feel silly saying Robles.   [00:02:57.270] - Kim Yeah, it sounds like Marbles.   [00:02:58.630] - Tamara But that is a wine region in central California near San Louis Biscoe. I just love it. I was there, I think it was nine or eight years ago with the family, and we were checking out some family friendly wineries there. But it has just exploded in terms of the number of wineries, but also really good food now. The downtown has expanded. I stayed in a new boutique hotel that was just I loved it, which was so cool. It has a rooftop bar. It had a wine, actually a champagne vending machine in the lobby. Oh, I saw that. I saw your story on that. Yeah. So I had a great time out there. And I definitely think anyone that's into wine, put that on your radar as a region to visit. You can easily spill a long weekend. I had a couple of really wonderful spots that I went for wine tasting, just those perfect, incredible views, great food, wonderful wine. I think where many, many years ago it was newer to the scene or it was well known for J. L oor, some of the bigger names. There's just so much going on out there.   [00:04:02.940] - Tamara Where did you go next? Because I know you were really busy right after our.   [00:04:06.130] - Kim Scottsdale trip, too. I had three trips back to back. I did go to Disney World for a conference and I got to ride the new Tron ride. I also checked out a new hotel, which was the Contemporary Hotel, which I had never been to. I loved that. I really do love the splurging on those Disney World hotels that have the monorail access and the ones we've been at Revere too with the Skyliner because, man, it's amazing how much easier it is just to get into and not have to deal with the bus system because then whenever I have to wait for a bus to one of the parks and it's like, inevitably I get there and I'm the last one, I've got to wait for 20.   [00:04:39.400] - Tamara Minutes or something. I will say that's what I liked the most about Disneyland because I've never stayed on park at Disney World. I've only stayed at partner hotels and by hotels.   [00:04:50.150] - Kim Yeah, it is a big splurge for sure. I have a great article about that, though, because we splurged and used... We rented DVC points to be able to stay, and it's still not cheap. It was for the graduation trip and stuff, and this one does a conference hotel rate. I'm definitely not saying it's cheap, affordable, but if you do want to splurge, renting DVC points, and I have a link, so if anyone wants it, or you can look up the how I saved $2,000 plus dollars at Disney World. I have how we did that in there. I actually just tried to do it for Disneyland, but they didn't have any availability because Disneyland only has one property, almost two. Anyways, I did that. But then right after that, I also went on another Alaskan cruise, which you and I have talked about a few times. I'll soon have a couple of articles updated, but this was more of just a family cruise, so I didn't actually treat it like a work trip, which was nice to.   [00:05:39.930] - Tamara Just relax. Which cruise were you on this time, though? Because I feel like was it last summer that you did celebrity?   [00:05:44.310] - Kim Holland last August, which I absolutely loved. I loved Holland. I haven't done celebrity in Alaska yet, but Holland America was awesome. This time we did Norwegian because my family has status with there, and so they like to book Norwegian. We did the bliss, which we have been on the bliss before for a little media sailing when they started it.   [00:06:02.560] - Tamara That's the one that we took.   [00:06:03.920] - Kim To Alaska. Yeah, exactly. Family trip. Yeah. Anyway, so that was that. Then I had one other conference, then back to Disneyland. I hit both the parks within about three weeks of each other, but that was a lot of fun and just...   [00:06:17.460] - Tamara You should have really had a Disney.   [00:06:19.000] - Kim Cruise in the middle. I should have. That would have been perfect. Yeah, exactly. But anyways, that was a wrap up for me. My final trip that I did was I went at the end of May and went to San Antonio for another conference. It feels like most of mine were conferences. I was just conference out. But San Antonio is a cool city. It's been a while since I've been there. I went there for one day when I went to school in Texas for a little while. It was fun checking out San Antonio. But I know you've done a lot of other travels that did not involve conferences.   [00:06:51.170] - Tamara Yeah, I'm like, Have I? I guess. You forget by now. Yeah, that's for sure. Well, I went back to T uson a week and a half later to pick up Hannah and bring her back from school. Then we were home for a week. Then we did our two week trip to Japan. Then I was home for, I don't know, two weeks. Then I just did a real quicky trip to Glacier National Park area.   [00:07:14.290] - Kim Right. I forgot you went to glacier and I went to Iceland. I forgot to mention that. Oh, yeah. I'm blanking on June. I forgot June even existed. Sorry, I was just focusing on up to May, but yeah, definitely. I didn't get to experience the Iceland you got to experience because we stuck around Reykjavik and just explored a couple of attractions that were around there. So it was a quick, quick trip. But Mia is quite the little outdoor lover and cultured lover, so I definitely want to go back to Iceland with her because I know she'll just love to do some of the exploration that you've done.   [00:07:48.850] - Tamara I was going to say, I'll meet you there. Yeah, definitely. I'm always ready to go back there. Yeah, well, I'll definitely put all of these links to articles in our show notes so you guys can read more. But I think.   [00:08:00.800] - Kim That's a good way to do it. But I think we should dive into Japan because it is a very hot destination. I'm still so sad because ours was canceled. We were supposed to be going in April 2020, so we switched off and now you got to finally live the vacation that I was dreaming about back then. I think we should give everyone just a really quick rundown because I know that you have done an amazing job of writing a whole bunch of articles that are really going to be useful for people who are planning a trip to Japan. Let's just start off and give you an idea of how many days were you there and how maybe did you break up your itinerary?   [00:08:36.480] - Tamara Yeah, absolutely. We took two weeks because especially coming from the East Coast, it's just such a long trip. Honestly, it's been on the top of our bucket list for so long, but we just haven't had two weeks where we felt comfortable to go that far knowing we're going to deal with jet lag on the way back. And then the flights are just always so expensive. But at least I was able to use points for one of our flights. So we took two weeks. I flew out on a Saturday morning. Yes, I got there on a Sunday, and then we were supposed to come back on Saturday, but we came back on Sunday because of a weather delay. But anyway, so I did five days in Tokyo, five days in Kyoto, and then three nights in Osaka. When I first started planning the trip, a lot of people told me that I would only need two or three days in Tokyo. But as I was looking at everything that we wanted to do, I was like, I really feel like I could easily spend a week here. It's just a fascinating city. There's just the ultra modern, and then there's the more traditional and each neighborhood is so huge.   [00:09:42.570] - Tamara I think what many people don't realize is just how large the cities are. It's funny, I was talking to my mom before I left, and I don't think she's kept up on modern times as much. There's no way she's listening to this podcast, so I can say it. But she was like, Oh, I showed a picture when we went. She's like, Sky scrapers? I wasn't expecting that. I'm like, What do you think? It's rural villages. But this is the biggest city in the world.   [00:10:09.310] - Kim Yeah, for sure.   [00:10:11.080] - Tamara So it's so huge. And I'm used to going to Europe where even though the cities can be really large, we always stay in that historic, more central area where you're mostly walking. You're taking the metro, but you're primarily walking around a lot. And you may pick a neighborhood, I think about Paris. You pick a neighborhood each day. But in Tokyo, to get to a certain neighborhood, it might be 45 minutes on the couple of connections with the subway and stuff. So I'm glad that we did five days. That's crazy. I could end that was within without doing the Disney stuff, which I know many people like to do when they go there.   [00:10:49.630] - Kim I do know that as a Disney person, it would be hard for me to go to Tokyo and not do Disney, at least Disney Sea, because it's considered a really unique park.   [00:11:00.330] - Tamara Yeah, that's what everyone says. It's unlike any of the others. I get it. But we're not as.   [00:11:06.430] - Kim Into the.   [00:11:06.990] - Tamara Theme parks. Glenn was like, I am not going around the world to go to theme parks.   [00:11:11.590] - Kim Exactly. When you have limited, yes, it's totally valid. I mean, it's very hard to figure out. I agree. I get what he's saying, but I also have that side of me that's like, Oh, but how can you be this close and not do it? So it's very hard to balance that. So, yeah, it sounds good. So you were saying, I know you guys... So I'm picturing Tokyo for my own planning. So you guys were in the Northwestern side of where you look at the downtown to the...   [00:11:38.990] - Tamara Right. The Shizuku neighborhood, which some people were like, oh, do you want to stay there? It's like Times Square. And the area right around the train station is lots of neon, lots of crazy, especially at night. But we were honestly within a 10 minute walk to that, but where we were was more like, business, like government buildings, things like that. So it was really quiet, peaceful. It was great. And we stayed at the Hilton, Tokyo, and it was basically on top of... You could go just down an escalator and connect to two different subway stations. Plus they had a free shuttle if you wanted to the Shinkoku train station. So it was really very accessible. It felt very convenient. And there was plenty of restaurants and things around, but it wasn't super expensive. I don't know how expensive, really, but the Ginza area is much more high end. And then the Shiboya would be nice. But it totally.   [00:12:43.620] - Kim Worked for us. We were happy with it. Nice. That's perfect. Yeah. I had looked at staying in the ginza area because of a few... I was also liked that it was closer to the Disney side, so it was a little easier to get out there. For those of you planning Genza area is basically opposite, diagonal across from where tomorrow states. I've heard the same thing from my research. You really have to allow a lot of time to transfer if you're going to different sides of what you consider the downtown center, 45 minutes to get across sometimes. Kind of crazy. Great. Well, what were some of the highlights then that you guys did when you were in Tokyo?   [00:13:17.970] - Tamara We did a sushi making workshop with True Japan, and we really enjoyed it. The ladies were just really friendly and funny and nice. And so it was fun to see what goes into making sushi. And you probably know that I'm not a sushi eater, really. And we can talk about food later because it worked out better than I expected, except for a couple of times. But it was just fun. It's such a huge part of the culture. So I enjoyed that. We didn't do a whole lot of tours and things. We did a lot of exploring on our own. But the one thing that everybody has to do, which was as amazing as you would think, was the team lab planets, which is that immersive art experience where there's water and flowers and reflections. It's just unlike anything else. And it's really cool. And we've done the traveling, like van go immersive experience. But this was turning that up times 10 or more. And Hannah really loved it. It was really cool. The thing about it is you definitely have to book your tickets well in advance because just one of those things you have a timed entry.   [00:14:30.970] - Tamara It's super popular. And honestly, when it comes to planning Japan, you really need to plan really far in advance. I mean, if you want to get restaurant reservations, some of them book up a month in advance. I think because some of them are so small that if they could take reservations, it might be for eight seats. And so they just go really quickly. And we weren't even there during cherry blossom season or golden week in early May when it's extra busy. difficult to do that. It was amazing. But I would say those are definitely highlights. I just loved exploring different areas. We did go, surprisingly, I liked this, but we went to a sumo wrestling tournament. Yeah, I wonder if I saw that. Which sometimes when people are there, they can see a practice. But there was actually a tournament going on while we were there. So that was something that I had figured out ahead of time. And when the tickets went on sale, I was able to book those the day that they were released. And it was a very cool thing. You don't want to spend hours and hours there because you don't know who the guys are.   [00:15:33.160] - Tamara But just like you could see how excited everyone was to cheer for their favorite, the local person or whatever. And it's just such a dramatic theatrical type of sport. It was interesting. Yeah, for sure. Those are some of my highlights.   [00:15:48.770] - Kim That's awesome. Because I know I saw some of the restaurant experiences you had. It seemed like sometimes you guys went simple and basic, but other times you went really over the top. Anything in Tokyo that you think somebody should splurge on or any savings tips for food or eating in Tokyo other than the restaurants making the reservations?   [00:16:08.160] - Tamara Yeah, we did mostly the casual places in Tokyo. What I was trying to do, because I'm not a sushi eater, is have a variety of foods. And in Japan, all the restaurants really specialize in one thing. They do ramen, they do tempura, they do soba noodles, different things like that. So there's so many different styles of food to try within Japanese cuisine that we just booked a different style of food each night. And honestly, in some of them, we had to line up for the first night that we got there, we went to a place where it opened up five, and we got there at 445, and there was already probably 40 people in line for a 10 seat little place. And you basically you would wait till there was enough space in line. There was people sitting at the counter eating and then people standing behind them waiting for the second that they got up to sit in.   [00:16:56.790] - Kim Their seat. Oh, my goodness.   [00:16:57.810] - Tamara Oh, wow. And you had a vending machine, which is typical. Yeah, a vending machine to order from. So it's typical in a lot of ramen shops. So there's pictures and you just hit the button of what you want. You put in the money, you get a ticket and you hand.   [00:17:11.650] - Kim The person the ticket. That's like McDonald's.   [00:17:13.780] - Tamara Yeah. I'm just kidding. Those.   [00:17:16.820] - Kim Screams in the middle. They have one at Tim Horton's as well. So of.   [00:17:20.940] - Tamara Course, I made a mistake the first time because I saw people with a broth, which I thought was a ramen, and then a bowl of noodles. And I'm like, oh, that's so I saw on the machine that they had dipping noodles and they had ramen. And then you could add extra things, but only if you could tell what the picture was because it was otherwise in Japanese. And so I ordered dipping noodles because it looked really good and ramen because I thought that that's what people had. And then when I handed the girl the ticket, she was like, for one person?   [00:17:51.710] - Kim Oh, no. And she was like, you.   [00:17:53.890] - Tamara Want small or large? Because I was like, oh, is that not what they have? And she was like, no, they have. Because the dipping noodles come with a broth, so I thought it was that they had two.   [00:18:02.980] - Kim Different things in front of them. Oh, and bologna.   [00:18:04.650] - Tamara Yeah. Okay, got you. But I'm really glad that I did it because both were delicious. So I'm happy to sample both. But then Glenn ordered on his ramen, Scallions, and it was covered. It was like a mountain of Scallions because I was like extra. But it was like, if you get extra cheese on a pizza, it's like extra.   [00:18:23.110] - Kim Extra extra. Oh, my goodness. Crazy. I mean, I love Scallions, but I don't know if I could handle the mountain of them.   [00:18:27.560] - Tamara It was crazy. So you make those little mistakes. But we did a lot of the more casual things. And the hard thing is that honestly, I kept saying this, but there's very little in between. So there are the places where you... First of all, Japanese people love to line up, which is really hard when you're visiting and you're tired and you want to be able to eat with a certain time. People wait for two hours to get into this little ramen place or whatever. Oh, my goodness. Yeah, because you're like, I'm tired. I've been running all day. We were running like 5 to 9 miles. We were doing a lot of walking every day. So I'm like, I just want to sit down. So that's why we tried to do some reservations. But there were the really casual, inexpensive, really inexpensive places. And then there's the crazy, crazy high end... Some of the Sushi places, I'm like, there's no way. Because some of them charge up to like $500.   [00:19:19.820] - Kim A person. Oh, my goodness.   [00:19:21.930] - Tamara Insane. That's crazy. So there's just not a lot of middle ground is what I found. Okay, good to know. But the low end, not low end, but the inexpensive stuff is really good.   [00:19:31.970] - Kim Yeah, of course. You just have to go on to wait for it.   [00:19:35.440] - Tamara Yeah, exactly. And honestly, one day... So we had a bit of a rough start because Glenn had a stomach bug the day before we left. So the whole flight over and everything, he basically didn't eat for a couple of days. And then I had a really bad cold the day before we left. And for two days, I was so nervous, I'm testing. I'm like, Please.   [00:19:57.490] - Kim Don't let it be.   [00:19:58.350] - Tamara And it was. And it was just a cold, but I was still super congested, so it was just hard. And in Japanese society, you can't blow.   [00:20:06.290] - Kim Your nose.   [00:20:06.970] - Tamara In public. So I'm trying to be so discreet, going outside and blowing my nose and sanitizing and tucking it into my pocket know, like very... Like trying to be really conscious of that and trying to be super sanitary. But Hannah did end up getting a cold also. One day she was just not feeling up to going out and doing a tour and stuff. So we're like, just stay here and sleep. It was going to be the day that we toured one neighborhood and then we went to the sumo wrestling, and she wasn't super into that anyway. So we're just sleep. And then she went out on her own and she found a 7 11 because just like everybody says, 7 11 has amazing convenience food. So you can buy these really good sandwiches and all that stuff. So there's definitely plenty of ways that you can eat cheap there.   [00:20:56.090] - Kim That's good to know. So then from Tokyo, you went to Kyoto? Yes. Kyoto is such a different vibe. Yeah, the bullet train, right?   [00:21:05.570] - Tamara Yeah. So a couple of things to know about the bullet train is that we had gotten the JR pass, which allows you to use all the JR trains. We got the national ones, so you could use bullet trains as well, except the super fast ones weren't included. And we had gotten one that allows us to make seat reservations. And you also, if you're bringing luggage on the train, you now need to make a reservation for the luggage. And this is for more of a checked bag size luggage, not the carry on size. But we were there for two weeks, so we had checked bags. So you can make a reservation for the last row of seats where the luggage can go behind you, or there's a couple of spots on a luggage rack, but they're really cutting down on luggage on trains. Or you can ship your bags ahead, which we ended up actually a couple of times just shipping our bags ahead. And it only costs $20 a bag. It's waiting for you in the hotel when you get there. It takes 24 hours. So you need to have a small bag with all your stuff for.   [00:22:06.140] - Kim Then one day. Yeah.   [00:22:07.320] - Tamara But we took the bullet train and that worked really well. We saw Mount Fuji because it was a nice day out. So and we ended up like, we got to Kyoto and we just put our bags in a locker and then we took a local train out to Nara, which is about a half hour away or so, maybe 45 minutes. And there's a really beautiful, huge temple out there. But also it's known for their deer park, which Glenn, years ago, because we both work for a Japanese company, so he's been to Japan many times, but 25 years ago. And so he would always tell us about the deer in Nara that bow to you to get fed. Oh, right. And the deer have changed a bit in the last few years.   [00:22:53.320] - Kim Yes. I've heard about this stuff. They have this issue at the monkey place, too.   [00:22:57.310] - Tamara They were so aggressive. That's too bad. They were grabbing my shirt and pulling on my shirt. They nipped my butt. I'm like, Whoa. I feel like all these videos of Glenn and I trying to run away from the deer and we're like, Oh, no. Let's just get away from where the food is so that the deer are calmer. But it's funny because later in the trip, we went to the island of Miyajima, and they have wild deer there also. And one of them followed me into the visitor center, went over to the desk, grabbed a brochure, and then ran out.   [00:23:29.250] - Kim Because they like to get the paper.   [00:23:31.240] - Tamara And so the person comes running out behind the desk, yelling at the deer. And then there's three people in the street trying to wrestle the paper away from the deer.   [00:23:39.390] - Kim Oh, my goodness.   [00:23:40.590] - Tamara And I'm like, You think of deer in the headlights, these gentle creatures.   [00:23:45.240] - Kim Yeah, exactly. It's sad when humanity is like, Yeah, I won't get there.   [00:23:51.560] - Tamara No, it's definitely because there's too many tourists now. They're being fed. Definitely not a great situation. But we did enjoy the day trip out there. Yeah, for sure. I love everything about Japan. It's just so clean and orderly and polite and easy to figure out. My type A personality just really appreciates the order of things. I would like that too. The fact that everybody stands in a line and waits and then you get on when you get on. I love that because in a society where everyone's pushing or whatever, I get.   [00:24:27.400] - Kim Super stressed out. Oh, my gosh, I hated it. We were on a cruise, a European cruise, and that attracts a lot of Europeans. I thought, Oh, you wait in line for your turn to go get your food that you want served. But no, people just come up from other directions and just walk right up. There's no line concept. I'm like, Oh, I like lines. What am I supposed to do? So sorry.   [00:24:49.240] - Tamara I get that. You would love Japan. I think it's such a wonderful place to visit. I think there must be challenges if you live there within the culture. I recognize that I used to work for a Japanese company. I'm aware of many of those issues, but as a visitor, it makes it so pleasant. But anyway, I was going to say that they have lockers where you can store things. Everything is just easy. The trains, everything is in Japanese and English.   [00:25:19.260] - Kim I know they did a big push with that before the Olympics were going to be there. They were trying to...   [00:25:25.180] - Tamara And all of the trains have signs that say what the next stop is. Because sometimes you're on a subway and you're trying to look and you're like, Oh, yeah. They might not answer, but you're like, What was that?   [00:25:36.320] - Kim What did they say?   [00:25:37.460] - Tamara That's Charlie Brown's.   [00:25:38.740] - Kim Teacher talking to you. Exactly. I've had that happen so many times.   [00:25:43.040] - Tamara So that part was great. And Kyoto is just very different. So it is more traditional in the architecture. They preserved a lot of the traditional architecture. There's tons of shrines and temple s o that's the thing is that you could get a little shrine and templed out, but the architecture is so beautiful. There is a downtown center city that's more city like, but it's nothing like Tokyo.   [00:26:09.310] - Kim Or Nagasaki. I remember when we were looking to stay in Kyoto, I seem to recall because we were going to go during... We were hoping for cherry blossom season, but I seem to recall there it's still pretty spread out and there's little neighborhoods in Kyoto even. It's like, okay, this one has more of this vibe and this one I can't remember where we were staying, but I was looking at the different things and getting the bamboo forest, like, oh, well, I'd have to leave here and we want to be near a train station.   [00:26:32.970] - Tamara All those plans. Yeah, you do want to be near a train station because the metro system is not as well developed there. So we took a mix of busses, GR trains, private trains that you paid for the same way you'd pay for a subway. But when we stayed at the Hyatt Regency, which was probably about a 10 minute walk to one of the train stations, but there was a bus that stopped right outside that then went to the main Kyoto station, which is where we would get on to go to the bamboo forest. And then, yeah, so it was conveniently located, but you definitely needed to plan your travel because some of those destinations, especially many of them were taking slower local trains, and they could still take 45 minutes to.   [00:27:26.150] - Kim An hour. That was one of the things in my planning that was the hardest is recognizing that there are so many different train lines, like brands, and you might have a pass with one, but it doesn't necessarily mean you can go on every train that's coming in. So it's an interesting thing that I've never... I'm sure maybe it's in other places around the world, but it's not something we think about in the states at all.   [00:27:49.420] - Tamara The nice thing, though, is that we had our JR pass, which, by the way, I don't even know if they're going to be that useful after this fall because the price is almost doubling. It's going up. It's having some. Unless ticket prices are going up a lot also, you might just want to buy individual tickets.   [00:28:04.190] - Kim Individual.   [00:28:04.600] - Tamara Ticket, yeah. But we bought, as soon as we got, we had ordered the JR passes ahead, so we had our voucher that we had to turn in to get the actual pass. Then we went to an ATM because you needed cash for a lot of things. We have to also use cash to get an IC card. So this is the rechargeable card that you would use to get on the metro or the bus or something like that. But the nice thing is that unlike, Oh, I'm going to New York, I need a metro card. I'm going to this place, I need that card for their.   [00:28:32.660] - Kim Subway system. Yeah, like Long Island Railroad and Metro card.   [00:28:35.370] - Tamara Yeah, exactly. This card worked for all of them. And it also works for a lot of vending machines.   [00:28:41.990] - Kim Some convenient stores.   [00:28:42.850] - Tamara Yeah, the vending machine.   [00:28:43.690] - Kim I forgot. And you reload it always with cash, though? You always have to reload it only cash. You can't reload it with cash.   [00:28:48.300] - Tamara Yeah, which is so bizarre. It's like this is a digital payment system and I'm loading it with cash.   [00:28:53.590] - Kim I wonder if it's because they want to make sure that you're actually paying for it. They don't want you to just be able to dispute it and have gotten the ride for free or gotten the food for free. You know what I mean? I wonder if it's a culture thing.   [00:29:04.840] - Tamara I do know that it used to be, before COVID, a very cash based society. Now more and more places will take a credit card. And if you have, there's a lot of... Not many places take Apple Pay, but a lot of them do take a tap payment system, but more one that they have in Asia. I don't know if it's really worth signing up and trying to figure that out. Got you. I just basically used my.   [00:29:28.420] - Kim Chip credit card. The IC card and.   [00:29:30.030] - Tamara The card anytime for that. And the IC card for the metro, the bus, some vending machines, some required cash still. But yeah, it's just super convenient. So even though there are different trains, so yeah, maybe you can't use your free pass, not for you because you.   [00:29:44.710] - Kim Paid a lot for it.   [00:29:45.480] - Tamara But it's still pretty easy to get around.   [00:29:49.930] - Kim Yeah, it's good. That's great. And I do want to quickly, before we jump over to finishing up Kyoto and going to Asaka, I did want to mention something that you did that I think was brilliant because I even had looked into doing it when we were planning our trip. And that was you had someone meet you at the airport, right?   [00:30:05.450] - Tamara Yeah, I did. And don't do it. At least not for the company that I did. Okay, here we go. You and I had talked about it. I think it was about $75 to $100. It was the company that I bought the JR Pass from. I also arranged to rent a mobile hotspot, so that was taken care of ahead of time to pick up at the airport. And I arranged to have a greeter meet us after customs. And then what I was told was that that greeter would then take me to do the things I need to do at the airport, which would be pick up my mobile hotspot, exchange my JR Pass, get my IC card, find where I need to go to get my transfer.   [00:30:45.390] - Kim Get the train.   [00:30:46.220] - Tamara I figured, hey, it's not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things.   [00:30:51.800] - Kim And especially.   [00:30:52.310] - Tamara After traveling.   [00:30:52.820] - Kim For 20 hours.   [00:30:53.250] - Tamara And I want to be jet lived. Yeah, exactly. This will be useful. It was such a waste of money because first I'm trying to talk to the guy, I'm like, okay, we need to go to an ATM, and he's not even understanding what I'm saying. I'm like, You're a greeter. I'm not coming in there with like, everyone should speak English, but his job is.   [00:31:11.680] - Kim To meet people. When you pay people. Yeah, exactly. I know a lot of times they'll have if you want to in English or if you want to in... You can specify a language, but.   [00:31:20.330] - Tamara It seems like it's... Yeah. So one person had my name up and then she called this guy over. So it's like a service they do for multiple people. They had multiple greeters there. I don't know if I just got an inexperienced person, but I went to the counter of the mobile WiFi hotspot place and that person spoke perfect English, no trouble communicating at all.   [00:31:40.320] - Kim And it was easy to find. And you were able to easily find everything.   [00:31:42.690] - Tamara Yeah. I mean, he led me there, but I could have found it on my own, no problem. And then I was trying to explain that I wanted to go to the JR ticket office to get our pass, but also see if he could help us make reservations. Yeah, exactly. Because I wanted to make the reservations as soon as I had my pass because I wanted to try to get the luggage reservations. And he was just like, Oh, no, they don't do reservations here. And I'm like, Oh, well, that's part of why I wanted to pay for this service because I wanted somebody to help me translate what my need was. And meanwhile, we were back and forth, just not understanding each other. So then I get in line at the JR ticket office. I get up there, perfect English from the person that's behind the desk, completely easy to talk to. They didn't make the reservations there. They told me where to go in the Tokyo station or Shinchu station, whatever, which I did the next day. That person also spoke really good English, was able to communicate no problem. And then I was trying to explain that I want to get an IC card.   [00:32:38.620] - Tamara And he was like, Well, you can get the one that requires a deposit or not a deposit. I'm like, I don't care? Can you just tell me where? And he didn't know where to go. Finally, the guy that was behind me in line at the JR ticket office was like, Oh, you want this line right here. And I'm like, Thank you. Then I'm like, What? Then I had arranged for an airport limo bus to take us from the airport directly to our hotel. I just thought first day, and it's really, it's inexpensive. Taxis there are very expensive, but this is inexpensive. And instead of having to drag some bags on multiple trains and subways, I thought it's easy. And so I was like, I thought all that would take us an hour and a half, maybe, from the time we arrived. So I had booked a later bus, but it was really quick to do all of it. So I was like, Oh, maybe we can get an earlier bus. So I was trying to get him to help us with that. No. So I ended up just doing it on my phone. But then he had to come down and he was like, No, I have to wait.   [00:33:42.890] - Tamara Because I was like, Okay, we're all set. Thank you. Bye. And he's like, No, I have to wait till you get on the bus. I'm like, All right, well, can you just stand over there? Because I'm like, I'm done.   [00:33:52.120] - Kim Yeah, exactly. You did not help me. Wow. Okay, well, that's good tip. Good to know.   [00:33:56.970] - Tamara What not to.   [00:33:58.150] - Kim Do, I guess. What not, yeah. No, I mean, it's good because I had considered that too because I was thinking the same thing like, Oh, my gosh, how am I going to get my pass? I was thinking all that same stuff.   [00:34:07.930] - Tamara Cool. I think a lot of things with travel, it feels so overwhelming. But once you're there, you're like, Oh, this is not as bad as I.   [00:34:13.260] - Kim Thought it was going to be. Well, especially in a country that you can't even get around with. It's like, Oh, I speak a little Spanish. I speak a little French. It's just like, None of that's going to help you. You don't want to go in being a ignorant traveler who's just like, Oh, why don't you speak my language in your country? Exactly. I can't stand people like that. But anyways, okay, good to know. Anything else about Kyoto you wanted to mention? I did think it was awesome, your little tip about the bamboo forest. It wasn't really a tip, but I was so happy that you had that experience because I heard the same thing.   [00:34:44.990] - Tamara When I was there, even, I saw some people on Instagram that seem to be there at the same time, but a couple of days before me. And they showed just this mass of people walking through. Because the word is out that for many of these things, you need to get there early. And so even if you show up at 7 AM, there's still this massive crowd of people funneling through this little area. And I don't want to do that. It was an hour away. No one's getting up at 5 AM to get to a place by 7 or whatever just to take a photo. My family doesn't roll like that. They're like, I don't really care about your photo. We just want to see it. And so we decided to sleep in a little bit. We went, we had lunch, then we went to the monkey forest. And I will say the whole Arashima area is, for a touristy area, so much nicer than I expected. It was really lovely. And there's a really pretty river that runs along that on some days you can run boats. It was really nice. Anyway, so we went to the monkey park first because Glenn loves monkeys, although it's such a steep climb up there, he was like, This better be worth it.   [00:35:53.700] - Tamara Actually, there was a fan of it that was like, This better be worth it for your monkeys. But it was cool. We saw a lot of baby monkeys. The monkeys were not aggressive at all. They just hung out as long as you followed the rules. You weren't staring at them in the eyes to challenge them or something. Then we went to a temple, then we went to the forest. So we got to the Grove, not really a forest. It's much smaller than you think it's going to be. We got there maybe like 2.30, 3 o'clock, and it was fine. There was people there, but no crush of crowd and plenty of space to have a photo. Yeah, there's people in the background, but that's fine. Honestly, we just wanted a couple of family photos. I'm not going to win an Instagram competition over it, but it was nice. And it's really beautiful. It's really pretty. But sometimes I think doing the opposite of what everyone says.   [00:36:47.700] - Kim You should do and work out. Especially when it's been around for so long, people are saying do that because it's very much like, oh, the gates open at seven. And so everyone who's built up, it's just like Disneyland. People say, oh, rope drop, rope drop. And you get there. And if you get there late, there's such a long line to get in. And then people come 30 minutes after opening and they walked right up to the turnstiles. There's something about that.   [00:37:10.900] - Tamara Yeah. And I looked at Google Maps is wonderful. It was so helpful for the travel, figuring out the trains because it would say what platform, but also what car to get on if you were transferring. And then when you were leaving the station, what exit to take because those train stations are huge. So you're like, you don't know where you are when you come out. So it was really, really helpful. And it would tell you like eight minutes, 3 stops, here's the name of your stop. This is how much it's going to cost. It was really very helpful. But you can also look for attractions, and it'll show you the busiest times, like a little graph.   [00:37:47.100] - Kim Yes, for sure.   [00:37:47.990] - Tamara I was like, Okay, it looks like 10 to 2 is super busy. Who knows how accurate it is, but let's go.   [00:37:53.690] - Kim After it. I have a good article about how I use Google Maps and you can make a custom and saver on map to help you with your planning to help see stuff for not just road trips, but also when you're planning a city vacation. But that's a good thing. I always forget about how they have that busy season section. I should add that to my post because.   [00:38:11.540] - Tamara That's a.   [00:38:12.160] - Kim Useful thing.   [00:38:13.300] - Tamara When you're trying to figure out, especially for public transportation, many times the night before, I would look like, Oh, how long is it going to take? Because we need to know what time should we be done breakfast? What time do we need to leave? I like that there's a little drop down where you can say when you're departing or when you want to arrive because it changes. Especially public transportation may not have as many trains when you're looking late at night versus when you're going in the morning.   [00:38:42.000] - Kim Totally. That's awesome. I always worry about the train, the car thing, because even in New York, sometimes I've been like... Because I'm not used to using trains often. When I first started going to New York and doing that, the Long Island Rail Railroad and stuff, they have certain cars they don't open the doors to all the time. During different hours of the day. I'm always like, Oh, how do I know what car I'm in? It's definitely one of those Charlie Brown teacher's voices. Sometimes I'm like, I have no idea where I'm at.   [00:39:10.980] - Tamara That's the other great thing. In Japan, it's like, on the avement on the platform, it has numbers. So it's like, you know exactly what car that's going to be. Oh, man. And then everyone lines up single file behind those on either side of the.   [00:39:26.830] - Kim Door for.   [00:39:27.350] - Tamara Everyone to come out and then they go on.   [00:39:29.780] - Kim It's lovely. Lovely. Nice. Okay, so then your last little stop was OSAKA. So why don't you tell us a little bit about that? Because I had planned that we were going to fly into Tokyo and out of OSAKA, but you ended up going back to Tokyo to go home. But what did you do in Osaka?   [00:39:45.130] - Tamara Yeah, flying out of OSAKA would be ideal, but for us, Delta doesn't do that. So we had to go back to Tokyo. So OSAKA is known as the Japan's Kitchen, so it's known for its street food. So I knew I wanted to take a food tour when we were there because it's just that's really one of the things it's well known for. So I ended up... We actually got there, we explored a little bit. We did the... You made a sky building, which actually Glenn did not do. No surprise that when we went up high, especially there's these glass enclosed elevators that go between two towers on the 39th floor. And he was like, Are you kidding me? No way am I doing that. So Hannah and I did that. And then that night we actually went to a baseball game, which was really fun because Japanese culture is really into baseball. And it was like being at a college game in a way because they were playing Hiroshima, so that's not far away. Half the stadium were Buffalo fans and half the stadium were carp fans and they all sat on the right side.   [00:40:49.140] - Tamara So it's like one half was red, one half was white. And they each had a cheering section in a band. And so you felt like you were a little bit at a college game with the marching band thing. It was a lot of fun. But then the next day we took a food tour with Arrogato Travel, and they have food tours in multiple cities. If you want to do a food tour in any of the cities, I would definitely recommend them. The guide was amazing.   [00:41:13.870] - Kim It seemed like you had a really good time.   [00:41:15.920] - Tamara Yeah, she was really wonderful. She had lived in the US for a little bit. I think she went to the University of Wisconsin. She lived somewhere else in the Midwest, too, but it's just such a funky, fun city. We toured this area called Shenzakai. It was built after World War II to attract Westerners and has more of a Coney Island vibe is what they were going for. It has carnival games and all these street food things. It's just so funky and retro. I think anywhere else I would have been like, Oh, this is cheesy. But it was actually really cool. And all throughout that area and the Dontambury area of Osaka, all of the food places, it's like Vegas for food places because they all have these three-dimensional facades with a giant octopus or a giant crab, and they're moving and lit up, and it's just so funky. There was one place where you could fish for your own fish, and then they cook it for you. It's almost hard to describe, but it is just bright lights, really funky, interesting, but lots of street food, lots of fried food on a stick, or like.   [00:42:30.660] - Kim A fair.   [00:42:31.420] - Tamara No, I'm just kidding. And the takeyaki octopus balls is like, that's where that's from. So that's like really huge. Afterwards, we went to the Don Donburi and we had Okonomiyaki. My family always laughs at me because for some reason I could never get this out. And Hannah and Glenn are like, Why can you not say this word? But Okonomiyaki, so it's like the Pancake type of thing with egg and cabbage and other things thrown in that they make on a griddle in front of you. So they have it in Kyoto and other places, but it's really known there. And in Hiroshima also, they have slightly different versions. That was just fun. So to do all the street food stuff, to have the good food tour, we really loved that. And then on our last, what was supposed to be our last day, we went to Hiroshima and we did a tour. I have a whole itinerary where it has a link to the tour company that I booked. Our guide was really sweet. He was wonderful. I highly recommend that. So we did the whole atomic bomb dome and museum, which was really heavy, obviously.   [00:43:36.130] - Tamara And you have very confused feelings.   [00:43:39.080] - Kim About it. Yeah, being.   [00:43:40.620] - Tamara A member. Our role in that. But then we went to Miyajima Island, which is just a short, like, ferry ride. And it is just beautiful. We were there, it was raining. So there was all these mist and clouds on the mountains. And it just had this magical feel to it. But it was such a... I would love to spend a night there. It wasn't overcrowded, but when the people left, have.   [00:44:07.840] - Kim It more to.   [00:44:08.650] - Tamara Yourself type of thing. But there's a really famous Tori Gate that's in the water that looks high tide like it's floating, or when we were there during low tide, so you can walk out to it. And just a shrine. It's just a really pretty lush... That's one thing that really, I don't know why it surprised me, but Japan, outside the cities, it's so lush. You're like, Oh, right. These are islands.   [00:44:34.300] - Kim Yeah.   [00:44:35.380] - Tamara And that's why I liked about Kyoto too, because it's like a city that's nestled in a valley surrounded by these lush mountains. Not like towering.   [00:44:43.150] - Kim Mountains, but these really lush. And it has a nice little river or stream or something through it too.   [00:44:47.450] - Tamara So that was how we finished. I loved that. And then unfortunately, then we got stuck in a delay on a train coming back because there was a lot of rain. And then we found out our train for the next day to get back to Tokyo in time for our plane was canceled and we were hoping it was going to be all fixed by the morning. But Glenn woke up at five and he said it wasn't. And so then we were up for a couple of hours trying to figure out, what are we going to do? Because we were like, oh, we'll fly up to Tokyo. And by then, all the planes were booked until 3 PM. But we had a 625 flight and we would have had to get our luggage, get to another terminal, recheck it. We're like, that's never going to work. If we get there at 415 or I don't know, it was 435 o'clock or something is when we would have arrived. Never would have worked. So we're like, all right, let's see if we can stay an extra night here and let's book stuff for tomorrow. And let's call Delta and see if they can switch us.   [00:45:40.700] - Tamara So then we had such a long travel day home because we flew from Osaka to Tokyo. And then we had to do Tokyo to LAX instead of Tokyo. We were booked on a Tokyo to Atlanta. So then at least the last little leg is short. Then we're in LAX for four hours.   [00:46:00.110] - Kim Then you had a six hour flight.   [00:46:02.380] - Tamara Well, and then it ended up being delayed. So we came out, we were luckily at the lounge and we actually went on the patio. The Delta Lounge in LAX has a patio, so it's loud but it was really good. It was just nice to get fresh air.   [00:46:16.400] - Kim After all.   [00:46:16.980] - Tamara That time. I actually went and I took a shower. I didn't even have any clothes. We had even checked everything, so I didn't even have any clothes to change into. But I'm like, I'm just taking a shower anyway. Yeah, for sure. And so then we came out of the lounge. We're like, Go to the gate. They're like, Oh, we're waiting on a crew member still. We're going to wait to board you. And then they started boarding us. We're like, Okay, I guess everything's all set. And then we're sitting on the plane and an hour later, they're like, Okay, the pilot's now in the parking lot.   [00:46:42.550] - Kim And we're like.   [00:46:43.320] - Tamara Oh, my gosh. Seriously? It was the pilot. They weren't even on premises when you boarded us. So we were delayed a couple hours. So we ended up... We got home at 315 in the morning. We'd been going for 30 hours, I think, or more, like 33 hours maybe.   [00:47:02.380] - Kim That one did you have? Did you have any of the upgraded seating for any of those legs?   [00:47:06.890] - Tamara Luckily, because we had booked our tickets in premium select, which if you know Delta, there's like Delta 1, which is like the nice pod lay flat thing. Then there's premium select, which has like a footrest that comes out and it reclines, but not like all the way, but it reclines some. Then there's comfort plus, which is basically like a regular seat with a little.   [00:47:26.290] - Kim More leg room. Like me coming.   [00:47:28.590] - Tamara So the reason we went through LAX is that's what we could get for premium economy. Oh, good. Okay. I mean, premium select on that, the longest leg from Tokyo to LAX. Then LAX to Boston doesn't have that. So I think we were in, I think, we were in Comfort Plus. I don't even know at that point. I was uncomfortable, that's for sure. But yeah. And then we flew into Boston, which we had flown out of Providence. So my car is still in Providence. So I had to get a car service to pick us up, bring us back. T he next day I'm like, Hannah, can you drive me down to get my car? Whatever. That's a.   [00:48:03.840] - Kim Whole long story. It worked out. It sounds like you guys had an amazing trip and it was awesome. I know, like I said already and mentioned, Tamara has quite a few blog posts and she'll link them in the show notes, but you can also just go to Wee 3 Travel. I'm sure it's pretty easy to find them, but I know she has all of her itineraries that are if you guys know Tamara, they're very in-depth with a lot of detail. So super helpful if you're thinking of planning a trip. I think it was great. I'm glad you guys had a good time and glad I got to hear about it a little more.   [00:48:31.780] - Tamara Yeah, it was definitely a bucket list trip. I think being there and being together as a family was wonderful. I think we all acknowledged, we don't know when we're going to have that opportunity again. Just know Hannah is going to be very busy the next few years. S he's going to be more than happy to take a trip with us when she can. We might just know when that will be.   [00:48:52.240] - Kim Exactly.   [00:48:52.840] - Tamara I'm glad.   [00:48:53.360] - Kim We got to do it. Yeah, that's awesome. Perfect.   [00:48:56.710] - Tamara What's next?   [00:48:58.290] - Kim I don't even know. You're like, What day is it? What month is it? Exactly. The big thing on my agenda, I'm trying to take the summer off a little bit. We do have a trip up to Canada to visit family coming right up for Canada Day. Happy Canada Day to those of you Canadians that might be listening. Then happy fourth of July to the US Americans that are listening. We are doing that. Then I have a fun trip. You'll be moving Hannah back to school, but I am going to be flying to Kenya and doing a Simara J. W. Marriott stay, which I just got a steal on points for. I'm using points to fly some nice flights as well. That's what's coming up for me. My fall is going to be crazy and booked again, but at least I have. It looks like I'm trying to keep my summer a little more calm. Although that Africa trip, I cannot wait. It's during the Wilder Beast migration. That's a pretty big trip to be. I'm really excited. It's going to be during the Wilder Beast migration, too. So hopefully we'll get some amazing pictures. I got to rent a lens, it reminds me.   [00:50:04.360] - Tamara I was telling somebody about the points deal that you got on that. Everyone just can't even believe it. What a lucky straw.   [00:50:11.400] - Kim That was. Oh, my gosh, it was amazing. I don't know if this would work always, but I'm just a little tip for you guys, if you guys are points people. If you know of any future opening hotels that haven't opened yet, that are opening in the future, just maybe keep an eye on their points rates because that's what happened. This hotel hadn't opened yet. It was opening in April, and in February or something, I saw someone mentioned, Oh, my goodness, they've got nights for 20,000, 20 ish thousand points a night. With Marriott, if you book five nights with points, you only pay for four nights. So it's like book five nights, get one free thing. I don't know how to.   [00:50:49.500] - Tamara Explain it, but you get it. And it's an all inclusive property.   [00:50:51.920] - Kim It's all inclusive property. So all the game drives are included, all the meals are included, everything. I'm paying 93,000 points total for five nights for two people.   [00:51:00.640] - Tamara That's like one night at a nice city hotel.   [00:51:04.320] - Kim Yeah, I know. I was looking at a Fairfield Inn in New York in January, and there were like 65,000 points. So it gives you a little idea there. But anyways, so that's what's up for me. But what about you?   [00:51:14.810] - Tamara As you hear this, I will probably either be in Scotland or Wales, depends on how quickly I get this out. So I leave shortly for a week with a couple of other travel writers, a week in Scotland, a week in Wales, and then I'm going to be home for a couple of weeks. And then I'm actually going to have two weeks in France, which I don't think I've even had a chance to tell you about. But I'm going to do... Glenn and I are going to go to France. We're doing the Taste of Bordeaux River cruise on Amman Waterways. Oh, nice. And then something else that came up. I was invited to do a press trip on European Waterways, which does hotel barge cruises. And I was trying to look at dates in the fall, but they didn't have any availability. But they're like, Well, how about this one on August sixth, which would have been the day I was flying back from France. I was like, Well, I will already be in France. It's to an area that I've been to before. So I was hoping to see something new, but I think it just works out for me to do this back to back, a more traditional river cruise versus a hotel barge cruise just to have these new experiences because I'm not a big ship person, but I'm definitely been wanting to try some of these other types of things.   [00:52:28.570] - Tamara And my friend Michelle is going to come join me for that one because Glenn can't stay for the two weeks.   [00:52:33.830] - Kim Take off that whole time.   [00:52:34.800] - Tamara That's awesome. And then as soon as I get back, Hannah will come back and we have one day at home and then we fly her to Arizona.   [00:52:43.570] - Kim Okie dokey. Well, thank you guys for tuning in again. If you're still with us and still listening, as you can see, we have a few trips on the agenda, so we're not quite sure when we'll make another episode. But as always, we always appreciate you guys tuning in and we'll try to share again soon.   [00:52:58.280] - Tamara Yeah, hopefully, maybe the end of the summer.   [00:53:00.250] - Kim Talk to you later.   [00:53:01.640] - Tamara All right, bye bye.

Steve and Ahnawake just returned from a 7 day cruise to Alaska aboard the Norwegian Bliss. This was a round…

Steve and Ahnawake just returned from a 7 day cruise to Alaska aboard the Norwegian Bliss. This was a round trip cruise out of Seattle, featuring stops in Sitka, Juneau (with a sailing up Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier), Icy Straight Point, Ketchikan, and Victoria British Columbia. They sat down several times to discuss the … Continue reading "369 Snippets of a Cruise: Sailing to Alaska on the Norwegian Bliss"

Hello theatre folk one and all! We jump on board the Norwegian Bliss for a special episode on both We Are Theatre and The Queendom Podcast! We chat all things ship life and SIX: The Musical! To join the WAT community head to our social channels: Facebook - We Are Theatre Instagram - We Are Theatre Instagram - Josh Mitchell Also check out the Broadway Podcast Network for some more amazing theatre podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shelby Griswold is a musical theatre actress. She graduated from school right when COVID was in it's prime when she was stuck at home she manifested different jobs she could have once theatre came back whether it was in NYC, on tour, a regional production or maybe even a cruise ship. Griswold spent part of her 2022 on the Norwegian Bliss performing in the musical, Six. In this production, she portrayed Jane Seymour. The third wife of King Henry VIII. (One of her co-stars was Kennedy Carstens; featured in season 3) The experience being in this show was truly unforgettable for her, and she was able to make new life long friends in the meantime. Six will forever and always have a special place in her Griswold's heart. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jayme-starr/support

California sports betting props go down in flames;  Diamond Jo Worth meet-up;  Bally's-to-Horseshoe transition;  Norwegian Bliss cruise-ship casino

Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle joins Big V Racing to discuss unbeaten mare Norwegian Bliss who contests the Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle joined Andrew Bensley on RSN Raceday to discuss Norwegian Bliss who is entered to contest the Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kennedy Carstens is an actress with a true passion for musical theatre. Prior to COVID, Carstens went with friends to go see the out of town try out tour of Six: The Musical in Boston. While watching the show she was smitten and knew that this was a show that was meant for her to be in. Fast forward to everything opening again post COVID shutdowns, Carstens landed the role of Anna of Cleves on the Norwegian Bliss cruise ship production of Six. In addition to performing in a show that she loved ever since the first witnessed it live, Carstens also gets to explore different parts of the world in which she never thought she was going to be able to do so. Getting to perform in Six is truly a dream come true for Carstens. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jayme-starr/support

Disney Wish Arrives at Port Canaveral. Travel and Cruise Industry News June 21, 2022 with Chillie Falls and Special Guest Bethany Bartley LIVE from Stockholm, Sweden. Catching up on all that has happened since disembarking the Azamara Pursuit, Bethany hopes to finally fly home tomorrow. Today's headlines: Disney Wish Arrives at Port Canaveral; Milestones For 2 New MSC Ships; Job Fair In Barbados; And Much More, LIVE At 11 AM EDT. Cruise Ships Sailing From North American Ports Today June 21 West Palm Beach Margaritaville at Sea paradise Seattle Carnival Splendor, Norwegian Sun Vancouver Seabourn Odyssey Anchorage Radiance of the Seas L, Koningsdam L, Majestic Princess L Fairbanks Radiance of the Seas L, Majestic Princess L, Nieuw Amsterdam, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore CLICK HERE to access video feed Thanks for visiting my channel. Recent NYTimes Feature: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/opinion/a-cruiser-sets-sail-despite-covid.html To access the Travel and Cruise Industry News podcast; https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/travelcruisenews or go to https://accessadventure.net/ Fly For Free https://bit.ly/35YeWqF Save On Airfare https://bit.ly/3h6lXLf To subscribe: http://bit.ly/chi-fal As always, I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.x=en_US Chillie's Cruise Schedule: https://accessadventure.net/chillies-trip-calendar/ For your special needs, contact me or Scootaround, https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals, 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. Special Needs Cruising: https://youtu.be/DWR5kNM2x_g Check out my streaming partner: https://streamyard.com?pal=4889083533852672 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChilliesCruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChillieFalls Business Email: chilliefalls@gmail.com Accessible Travel Blog: https://accessadventure.net/ Chillie Chats With Sue Bryant, London Times Cruise Editor About Emerald Azzurra https://youtu.be/_bnrkqPf2gE Chillie Chats With Kelly Narowski, Disability Rights Advocate and Avid Traveler https://youtu.be/NFB7LhkJ7go and https://youtu.be/LxbC5UW-Lsk Chillie Chats with Camille Segobia on Solo Cruising https://youtu.be/PsoTywFMuSo Chillie Chats with Author Ivan Cox a/k/a Dr. Gerald Yukevich, The Cruise Ship Doctor, https://youtu.be/juZmIuYv-IU Chillie Chats With Speaker, Writer and Wheelchair Traveler Lilly Longshore https://youtu.be/tyrV6KZE-9Q Cruise Amigos with Jeannine Williamson https://youtu.be/_s9L_cV72fk Chillie Chats With Jordan Taylor, of JJ Cruise https://youtu.be/O5Khw0avcTQ Chillie Chats With Coleen McDaniel, Cruise Critic's Editor-In-Chief https://youtu.be/5mbjRqNcRXk Chillie Chats With Cruise Critic's Adam Coulter from Norwegian jade https://youtu.be/NVEPLIQ-tH0 Cruise Amigos with Jeannine Williamson https://youtu.be/_s9L_cV72fk Chillie Chats With Michael Phillipus About Passion Play in Oberammergau Germany https://youtu.be/z4eLMt3lHFI Chillie Chats With Captain Mick, Active Disabled Americans https://youtu.be/B3g17D8Tv6Y Chillie Chats With Ashley Lyn Olson, WheelchairTraveling.com https://youtu.be/N4kCil4xT3M Chillie Chats with Allison More about Norwegian Fjords https://youtu.be/Y2V4c6TVauY Chillie Chats With Shelby Frenette about TA Training https://youtu.be/OhBRwS5Hp1M Chillie Chats With Cruise Buoys LIVE From Marseilles https://youtu.be/F3K_8W0p5eY Chillie Chats With Bubba Shumard On CDC, RCCL and HAL https://youtu.be/UtFrYjOVkXk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harmony of the Seas Collides With Dock. Special Edition of Saturday Travel and Cruise Industry News May 28, 2022 with Chillie Falls. Today's Headlines: Harmony of the Seas Collides With Dock. Cruise Ships Sailing From North American Ports Today May 28 Montreal Seven Seas Navigator Portland ME Independence Boston Zaandam New York Manhattan Baltimore Carnival Legend Port Canaveral Carnival Freedom, Mariner of the Seas, Disney Fantasy, Carnival Mardi Gras West Palm Beach Margaritaville at Sea Paradise Port Everglades Allure of the Seas, Caribbean Princess Miami Symphony of the Seas, MSC Seashore, Carnival Horizon, Explorer of the Seas Thunder Bay, Ontario Viking Octantis Mobile Carnival Ecstasy Galveston Carnival Vista, Carnival Breeze Los Angeles Long Beach Carnival Panorama Seattle Crown Princess, Eurodam, Norwegian Bliss, Koningsdam L&C, America Spirit Calgary Majestic Princess L&C Vancouver Koningsdam L&C, Royal Princess L&C Anchorage Majestic Princess, Grand Princess L&C, Zuiderdam L&C, Celebrity Millennium L&C, Koningsdam L&C Fairbanks Grand Princess L&C, Celebrity Millennium L&C, Royal Princess L&C Honolulu Pride of America CLICK HERE for video feed Thanks for visiting my channel. Recent NYTimes Feature: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/opinion/a-cruiser-sets-sail-despite-covid.html To access the Travel and Cruise Industry News podcast; https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/travelcruisenews or go to https://accessadventure.net/ Fly For Free https://bit.ly/35YeWqF Save On Airfare https://bit.ly/3h6lXLf To subscribe: http://bit.ly/chi-fal As always, I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.x=en_US Chillie's Cruise Schedule: https://accessadventure.net/chillies-trip-calendar/ For your special needs, contact me or Scootaround, https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals, 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. Special Needs Cruising: https://youtu.be/DWR5kNM2x_g Check out my streaming partner: https://streamyard.com?pal=4889083533852672 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChilliesCruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChillieFalls Business Email: chilliefalls@gmail.com Accessible Travel Blog: https://accessadventure.net/ Chillie Chats With Sue Bryant, London Times Cruise Editor About Azamara and Ponant https://youtu.be/61ZTnHHl2eY Chillie Chats With Kelly Narowski, Disability Rights Advocate and Avid Traveler https://youtu.be/NFB7LhkJ7go and https://youtu.be/LxbC5UW-Lsk Chillie Chats With Captain Mick, Active Disabled Americans https://youtu.be/B3g17D8Tv6Y Chillie Chats With Ashley Lyn Olson, WheelchairTraveling.com https://youtu.be/N4kCil4xT3M Chillie Chats With Jordan Taylor, of JJ Cruise https://youtu.be/O5Khw0avcTQ Chillie Chats With Coleen McDaniel, Cruise Critic's Editor-In-Chief https://youtu.be/5mbjRqNcRXk Chillie Chats With Cruise Critic's Adam Coulter from Norwegian jade https://youtu.be/NVEPLIQ-tH0 Chillie Chats With Kelly McDaniel About the MS Rotterdam https://youtu.be/cHw2BpO7J4M Chillie Chats with Jeannine Williamson about MSC Seashore https://youtu.be/aZsNm7ElQYE Chillie Chats With Shelby Frenette about TA Training https://youtu.be/OhBRwS5Hp1M Chillie Chats With Cruise Buoys LIVE From Marseilles https://youtu.be/F3K_8W0p5eY Chillie Chats with Author Ivan Cox a/k/a Dr. Gerald Yukevich, The Cruise Ship Doctor, https://youtu.be/juZmIuYv-IU Chillie Chats With Bubba Shumard On CDC, RCCL and HAL https://youtu.be/UtFrYjOVkXk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just a couple of weeks ago, I took the first cruise for the 2022 Alaska Cruise Season with Norwegian Cruise Lines on the beautiful Norwegian Bliss. This cruise was a Seminar at Sea and I share the good, not so good and what to expect when you cruise to Alaska in the Spring. Have any questions about cruising to Alaska? Email me at susie@countdowntravels.com Want to see some cruise content from me? Please give me a follow on my other platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruise_yes_please TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cruisinsusie

Just a couple of weeks ago, I took the first cruise for the 2022 Alaska Cruise Season with Norwegian Cruise Lines on the beautiful Norwegian Bliss. This cruise was a Seminar at Sea and I share the good, not so good and what to expect when you cruise to Alaska in the Spring. Have any questions about cruising to Alaska? Email me at susie@countdowntravels.com Want to see some cruise content from me? Please give me a follow on my other platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruise_yes_please TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cruisinsusie

Travel and Cruise Industry News May 14, 2022 with Chillie Falls, LIVE from Quantum of the Seas. Today's Headlines: Traffic situation in Galveston Easing; 2 Aida Ships Return From Drydock; Viking Takes Delivery of Viking Mars; MSC Launches Stay and Cruise Program; and much more LIVE at 11 AM EST. Cruise Ships Sailing From North American Ports Today May 14 Halifax NS Silversea Silver Cloud Toronto Viking Octantis Baltimore Enchantment of the Seas, American Star Port Canaveral Carnival Freedom, Disney Fantasy, Carnival Mardi Gras West Palm Beach Margaritaville Paradise Port Everglades Caribbean Princess, Allure of the Seas, Queen Elizabeth Miami Symphony of the Seas, MSC Seashore, Carnival Horizon, Explorer of the Seas Mobile Carnival Ecstasy Galveston Carnival Breeze, Carnival Vista Los Angeles Long Beach Carnival Panorama Seattle Crown Princess, Eurodam, Norwegian Bliss, American Spirit Vancouver Koningsdam, Royal Princess L&C Anchorage Majestic Princess, Grand Princess L&C, Celebrity Millennium L&C Fairbanks Grand Princess L&C, Celebrity Millennium L&C , Royal Princess L&C Calgary Majestic Princess L&C Honolulu Pride of America Thanks for visiting my channel. Recent NYTimes Feature: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/opinion/a-cruiser-sets-sail-despite-covid.html Link to Group Cruise: https://travelfunbiz.com/2022-dec-4-11-7-days-ncl-encore-caribbean-great-stirrup-cay-dominican-republic-from-miami-florida/ To access the Travel and Cruise Industry News podcast; https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/travelcruisenews or go to https://accessadventure.net/ Fly For Free https://bit.ly/35YeWqF Save On Airfare https://bit.ly/3h6lXLf To subscribe: http://bit.ly/chi-fal As always, I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.x=en_US Chillie's Cruise Schedule: https://accessadventure.net/chillies-trip-calendar/ For your special needs, contact me or Scootaround, https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals, 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. Special Needs Cruising: https://youtu.be/DWR5kNM2x_g Check out my streaming partner: https://streamyard.com?pal=4889083533852672 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChilliesCruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChillieFalls Business Email: chilliefalls@gmail.com Accessible Travel Blog: https://accessadventure.net/ Chillie Chats With Sue Bryant, London Times Cruise Editor About Azamara and Ponant https://youtu.be/61ZTnHHl2eY Chillie Chats With Kelly Narowski, Disability Rights Advocate and Avid Traveler https://youtu.be/NFB7LhkJ7go and https://youtu.be/LxbC5UW-Lsk Chillie Chats With Captain Mick, Active Disabled Americans https://youtu.be/B3g17D8Tv6Y Chillie Chats With Ashley Lyn Olson, WheelchairTraveling.com https://youtu.be/N4kCil4xT3M Chillie Chats With Kelly McDaniel About the MS Rotterdam https://youtu.be/cHw2BpO7J4M Chillie Chats With Jordan Taylor, of JJ Cruise https://youtu.be/O5Khw0avcTQ Chillie Chats With Coleen McDaniel, Cruise Critic's Editor-In-Chief https://youtu.be/5mbjRqNcRXk Chillie Chats With Cruise Critic's Adam Coulter from Norwegian jade https://youtu.be/NVEPLIQ-tH0 Chillie Chats with Jeannine Williamson about MSC Seashore https://youtu.be/aZsNm7ElQYE Chillie Chats With Shelby Frenette about TA Training https://youtu.be/OhBRwS5Hp1M Chillie Chats With Cruise Buoys LIVE From Marseilles https://youtu.be/F3K_8W0p5eY Chillie Chats with Author Ivan Cox a/k/a Dr. Gerald Yukevich, The Cruise Ship Doctor, https://youtu.be/juZmIuYv-IU Chillie Chats With Bubba Shumard On CDC, RCCL and HAL https://youtu.be/UtFrYjOVkXk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our special guests Dayna and Judi just came back from a 7 day Alaska Cruise on the Norwegian Bliss and give us all the details on what they saw, experienced, ate, and more! Find out what it is like to take a cruise to Alaska and what their best tips are for a great vacation.

Saturday Travel and Cruise Industry News May 7, 2022 with Chillie Falls LIVE from Reno, Nevada. Today's Headlines: Longtime Friend of this Channel Promoted To President of Avalon Waterways; Royal Caribbean Searching For Godmother; St Maarten Is Killing It; Carnival Provides Updates For Bermuda, Spain Sailings; Palma de Mallorca To Limit Cruise Ships; Flights To Vancouver Slashed; and much more LIVE at 11 AM EST. Cruise Ships Sailing From North American Ports Today May 7 Baltimore Independence Jacksonville Carnival Elation Port Canaveral Disney Fantasy, Carnival Magic, Carnival Mardi Gras, Mariner of the Seas Miami Symphony of the Seas, MSC Seashore Tampa Carnival Paradise New Orleans Carnival Valor Milwaukee Viking Octantis Galveston Carnival Dream, Carnival Vista Los Angeles Long Beach Carnival Panorama Seattle Eurodam, Crown Princess, Norwegian Bliss, American Spirit Calgary Royal Princess L&C Vancouver Majestic Princess, Koningsdam, Majestic Princess L&C Honolulu Pride of America For video feed: https://youtu.be/mj2t9W0ZjS0 Thanks for visiting my channel. Recent NYTimes Feature: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/opinion/a-cruiser-sets-sail-despite-covid.html Link to Group Cruise: https://travelfunbiz.com/2022-dec-4-11-7-days-ncl-encore-caribbean-great-stirrup-cay-dominican-republic-from-miami-florida/ To access the Travel and Cruise Industry News podcast; https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/travelcruisenews or go to https://accessadventure.net/ Fly For Free https://bit.ly/35YeWqF Save On Airfare https://bit.ly/3h6lXLf To subscribe: http://bit.ly/chi-fal As always, I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.x=en_US Chillie's Cruise Schedule: https://accessadventure.net/chillies-trip-calendar/ For your special needs, contact me or Scootaround, https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals, 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. Special Needs Cruising: https://youtu.be/DWR5kNM2x_g Check out my streaming partner: https://streamyard.com?pal=4889083533852672 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChilliesCruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChillieFalls Business Email: chilliefalls@gmail.com Accessible Travel Blog: https://accessadventure.net/ Chillie Chats With Sue Bryant, London Times Cruise Editor About Azamara and Ponant https://youtu.be/61ZTnHHl2eY Chillie Chats With Kelly Narowski, Disability Rights Advocate and Avid Traveler https://youtu.be/NFB7LhkJ7go and https://youtu.be/LxbC5UW-Lsk Chillie Chats With Captain Mick, Active Disabled Americans https://youtu.be/B3g17D8Tv6Y Chillie Chats With Ashley Lyn Olson, WheelchairTraveling.com https://youtu.be/N4kCil4xT3M Chillie Chats With Kelly McDaniel About the MS Rotterdam https://youtu.be/cHw2BpO7J4M Chillie Chats With Jordan Taylor, of JJ Cruise https://youtu.be/O5Khw0avcTQ Chillie Chats With Coleen McDaniel, Cruise Critic's Editor-In-Chief https://youtu.be/5mbjRqNcRXk Chillie Chats With Cruise Critic's Adam Coulter from Norwegian jade https://youtu.be/NVEPLIQ-tH0 Chillie Chats with Jeannine Williamson about MSC Seashore https://youtu.be/aZsNm7ElQYE Chillie Chats With Shelby Frenette about TA Training https://youtu.be/OhBRwS5Hp1M Chillie Chats With Cruise Buoys LIVE From Marseilles https://youtu.be/F3K_8W0p5eY Chillie Chats with Author Ivan Cox a/k/a Dr. Gerald Yukevich, The Cruise Ship Doctor, https://youtu.be/juZmIuYv-IU Chillie Chats With Bubba Shumard On CDC, RCCL and HAL https://youtu.be/UtFrYjOVkXk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday Travel and Cruise Industry News April 29, 2022 with Chillie Falls LIVE from Bedford County, Virginia. Today's Headlines: Carnival Sailed From San Francisco For First Time; Disney Halloween Offerings; Crown Princess Engine Maintenance; Crew Death Believed To Have Been Accidental; Celebrity Beyond Inaugural; Resilient Lady To Homeport In Australia; and much more LIVE at 11 AM EST. Cruise Ships Sailing From North American Ports Today April 29 Boston Norwegian Pearl Port Canaveral Disney Dream, Carnival Liberty, Independence of the Seas Port Everglades Vision of the Seas Miami Carnival Conquest, Freedom of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Scarlet Lady Galveston Adventure of the Seas Los Angeles Long Beach Carnival Radiance Los Angeles San Pedro Discovery Princess Vancouver Radiance of the Seas April 30 Toronto Viking Octantis Baltimore Enchantment of the Seas Charleston Carnival Sunshine Amelia Island American Star Port Canaveral Carnival Freedom Port Everglades Allure of the Seas, Disney Fantasy, Carnival Mardi Gras, Celebrity Apex Miami Disney Magic, Symphony of the Seas, MSC Seashore, Carnival Horizon, Explorer of the Seas Mobile Carnival Ecstasy Galveston Carnival Breeze, Carnival Vista Los Angeles Long Beach Carnival Panorama Los Angeles San Pedro Majestic Princess San Francisco Ruby Princess Seattle Eurodam, Norwegian Bliss, American Spirit Vancouver Koningsdam Honolulu Pride of America For video feed: GoTo https://youtu.be/vD_ndV7yT4U #cruisenews #travelnews #cruisenewsupdate #cruising #travel #chilliescruises Thanks for visiting my channel. Recent NYTimes Feature: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/opinion/a-cruiser-sets-sail-despite-covid.html To access the Travel and Cruise Industry News podcast; https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/travelcruisenews or go to https://accessadventure.net/ Fly For Free https://bit.ly/35YeWqF Save On Airfare https://bit.ly/3h6lXLf To subscribe: http://bit.ly/chi-fal As always, I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.x=en_US Chillie's Cruise Schedule: https://accessadventure.net/chillies-trip-calendar/ For your special needs, contact me or Scootaround, https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals, 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. Special Needs Cruising: https://youtu.be/DWR5kNM2x_g Check out my streaming partner: https://streamyard.com?pal=4889083533852672 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChilliesCruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChillieFalls Business Email: chilliefalls@gmail.com Accessible Travel Blog: https://accessadventure.net/ Chillie Chats With Sue Bryant, London Times Cruise Editor About Azamara and Ponant https://youtu.be/61ZTnHHl2eY Chillie Chats With Kelly Narowski, Disability Rights Advocate and Avid Traveler https://youtu.be/NFB7LhkJ7go and https://youtu.be/LxbC5UW-Lsk Chillie Chats With Captain Mick, Active Disabled Americans https://youtu.be/B3g17D8Tv6Y Chillie Chats With Ashley Lyn Olson, WheelchairTraveling.com https://youtu.be/N4kCil4xT3M Chillie Chats With Kelly McDaniel About the MS Rotterdam https://youtu.be/cHw2BpO7J4M Chillie Chats With Jordan Taylor, of JJ Cruise https://youtu.be/O5Khw0avcTQ Chillie Chats With Coleen McDaniel, Cruise Critic's Editor-In-Chief https://youtu.be/5mbjRqNcRXk Chillie Chats With Cruise Critic's Adam Coulter from Norwegian jade https://youtu.be/NVEPLIQ-tH0 Chillie Chats with Jeannine Williamson about MSC Seashore https://youtu.be/aZsNm7ElQYE Chillie Chats With Shelby Frenette about TA Training https://youtu.be/OhBRwS5Hp1M Chillie Chats With Cruise Buoys LIVE From Marseilles https://youtu.be/F3K_8W0p5eY Chillie Chats With Bubba Shumard On CDC, RCCL and HAL https://youtu.be/UtFrYjOVkX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get to know #JerseyBoys New World Stages sweetheart #JoeyLaVarco! Joey made his JERSEY BOYS debut as Joey Pesci (and others) and understudy Frankie Valli on the Norwegian Bliss and currently plays the same roles at New World Stages in New York City. Previous credits include Jason Robert Brown's Broadway musical 13 with Ariana Grande and Liz Gillies, as well as the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in NYC and on tour. Joey spent one of his precious evenings off with us to fill us in on the Off-Broadway craziness during Omicron, share some LaVarco family stories from the ole neighborhood, give behind-the-scenes Jersey Boys New World Stages trivia and thank his incredible mom Suzan for all she does. Suzan, we love and adore you!! Thank you, Joey, for spending the time with us and again, huge thank you to the swings, understudies, emergency replacements, wardrobe, makeup, hair, stage management, company management and COVID safety managers who keep Jersey Boys running at New World Stages, the UK and the touring productions. A' Salud. ♥️

It's time to formally meet Gian DiCostanzo, the man behind our merch and the performer whose voice sends ya to the stratosphere! Gian performed as a swing in the 3.0 and 4.0 casts of JERSEY BOYS on the Norwegian Bliss and founded Stagelight Candle Co. that features Broadway-inspired candles for theatre lovers across the country. Other credits include the national tour of PAW PATROL LIVE! and regional productions of BUDDY, THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, FOREVER PLAID and most recently A BRONX TALE at Axelrod Performing Arts Center directed by JB and Silhouettes JB Podcast alum, Richard H. Blake and starring JB and Silhouettes JB Podcast alum, Mike Backes Learn how: -FOREVER PLAID harmonies with friends in high school shaped Gian into the performer he is today -Gian developed his falsetto at Emerson college -Gian nailed the JERSEY BOYS contract (crazy timing!) -JERSEY BOYS and A BRONX TALE compare in the storytelling of Italian-Americans -Our partnership with Stagelight Candle Co. began -Gian created the name of our new WINTER CANDLE COMING THIS MONTH! Gian is stage managing a production of Legally Blonde at Theater Row — His closing show is today! Wish him a happy closing! And for any agents out there, hire him! A' Salud♥️

Overview of Ep77 In episode 77, Chris and Barry host a bumper edition of cruise news with a dash of maritime history. This week's “Itinerary of the Week” is a classic 7nt cruise from Singapore on Diamond Princess. We are delighted to share that the podcast is now available on Amazon and Audible. Donate to support Chris & zero2heroSupport Chris in his walk from Cape to Cape: https://donate.mycause.com.au/cause/263123?donateToMember=156839All donations support zero2hero empowering young people to deal with mental health.  Please VOTE for The Big Cruise PodcastVOTE for the Podcast in the “Listeners Choice” category of the Australian Podcast Awards: https://australianpodcastawards.com/voteImportant: remember to confirm/validate your vote by clicking on the link within the email sent to you. Buy Me A CoffeeThis podcast is only possible thanks to our supporters, simply buying a coffee keeps us on air. It is just like shouting your mate a coffee, and we consider our listeners close mates.  https://bit.ly/2T2FYGXItinerary of the WeekPrincess Cruises – Diamond Princess – Singapore return – 7nts – Various Date Dec 22 – Feb 23Singapore – Malacca – Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang) – Penang – Phuket – Langkawi – Singapore Itinerary: South East Asia, Malaysia & Thailand: https://bit.ly/3vYgBsC Diamond Princess: https://bit.ly/3nMgNaC Cruise NewsPrincess extends Australian Pause until March 2022 Princess Cruises, the world's leading international premium cruise line, is extending its pause in cruise vacations in Australia/New Zealand to March 14, 2022, due to the uncertainty around the return of cruising in the region. As a result of the pause extension, four sailings on Coral Princess will be cancelled.P&O Cruises Australia Extends Cruising Pause Until Mid-February 2022Amid continuing uncertainty about the resumption of cruising, P&O Cruises Australia today extended its voluntary pause in operations for a further month until mid-February next year.The pause applies to cruises scheduled to depart from 15 January, 2022 to 14 February, 2022.Crystal Endeavor Rendezvous with Crystal Serenity in The BahamasThe world's newest and most luxurious expedition vessel Crystal Endeavor rendezvoused with Crystal Serenity in a historic meet-up of Crystal ships off the coast of The Bahamas.Crystal Endeavor is on its inaugural sailing from Miami – a special two-day preview voyage for travel partners and members of the press – while Crystal Serenity is on the last leg of a week-long Luxury Bahamas Escape cruise that departed Miami on 18 Oct. Crystal Endeavor will depart PortMiami Monday on a nine-day cruise en route to San Juan then spend the winter season in Antarctica where it will offer a series of 11- to 19-night Remote Expedition voyages. Crystal Serenity continues her 7-night cruises in The Bahamas through 8 Nov.With the company's signature song, “What a Wonderful World,” serenading guests, the new 20,200-GRT expedition yacht encircled Crystal Serenity with guests of both vessels waving enthusiastically during the meet-up as the captains saluted each other via multiple blasts of the ships' horns.As the world's newest and most luxurious expedition yacht, the 200-guest, German-engineered Crystal Endeavor offers a number of industry “firsts,” including the only expedition ship to feature a Japanese restaurant, the first expedition ship to feature a casino, the only expedition ship with a two-story glass-enclosed solarium for nature viewing, largest lead-in suites in the industry, and a staff to guest ratio of one-to-one – the highest in the industry, delivering the personal and genuine service for which Crystal is known.Video: https://youtu.be/9nzyIhvAqr4 Carnival Cruise Line Christens Mardi GrasCarnival Cruise Line christened Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral, Florida. at a “Universe of Fun” celebration befitting of the world's most fun cruise ship, in the first ship naming ceremony held in the U.S. since the cruise industry's restart this summer (northern hemisphere).Carnival's Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O'Neal attended the festivities and cut the ribbon of his first Big Chicken restaurant at sea that debuted on Mardi Gras when she began cruise operations on July 31.Miss Universe, Dominican Republic, Kimberly Jimenez served as the ship's Godmother and officially named the ship and was joined by Miss Universe, Andrea Meza and Miss USA, Asya Branch who sang the national anthem. The event featured a “World of Nations” flag procession to highlight the diversity of the 120 nationalities of Carnival crew members, and, of course, a Mardi Gras parade with a Second Line Band.Godmother Jimenez blessed the ship in both English and her native Spanish and activated the traditional champagne bottle break, officially naming the ship. In a celebration of the ship's name, a special Mardi Gras parade with Duffy, Donald and O'Neal leading it, capped off the festivities.Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the Americas to be powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the first to feature a roller coaster.  The 180,000-ton ship boasts six distinct themed zones with a variety of food, beverage and entertainment options, including dining venues from Lagasse, Fieri, O'Neal and Rudi Sodamin. Mardi Gras sails weekly from Port Canaveral on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.Carnival Mardi Gras Gets Its Groove On And Raises Record Amount For St. Jude Children's Research HospitalThe celebrations on the inaugural cruise for Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras continued today while at sea, as the ship's Godmother Kimberly Jiménez, along with Miss Universe Andrea Meza and other Miss Universe titleholders, joined Cruise Director Mike Pack and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy for the Groove for St. Jude, an onboard fundraiser for Carnival's longtime partner, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Thanks to the generous donations of guests on board they broke the ship's record and raised $21,600 for St. Jude.Mardi Gras was christened during a “Universe of Fun” celebration on Oct. 23 in Port Canaveral and has been sailing a celebratory inaugural cruise throughout the Caribbean this week.Holland America Line's Rotterdam Sets Sail with World-Class Floating Art Gallery Valued at Over $4.1 MillionMore than 2,500 pieces from dozens of global artists enhance the ship's designHolland America Line ships have long been regarded as floating art galleries for their extensive collections of museum-quality pieces. When Rotterdam sets sail for the first time Oct. 20, 2021, guests are in for a visually rewarding journey with some of the most thought-provoking, striking and bold pieces in the fleet — including historical works and memorabilia from beloved previous sister ships.Rotterdam's art collection is valued at more than $4.1 million and was curated by Oslo-based YSA Design and London-based ArtLink, who collaborated with acclaimed hospitality design atelier Tihany Design. The result is a museum at sea with 2,645 pieces of diverse works ranging in value from $500 to $620,000 that spans the decks, public rooms and staterooms.More than 37 nationalities are represented by Rotterdam's artists, with the greatest number of contributors coming from the Netherlands, United States and United Kingdom. Artists also hail from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Republic of Korea, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.Many of the pieces focus on entertainment, showcasing themes of music, dance and movement, weaving the ship's narrative of a “new sound of cruising” into the art. The works are in many media, including photography, painting, mixed media, illustration, prints and sculpture.Holland America Line History Finds a Home on RotterdamHolland America Line's newest Rotterdam is the seventh ship in the fleet to bear the name, and some previous works of art from Rotterdam VI, which left the company in 2020, have found a new home on the newbuild. Eight historical paintings are now on Rotterdam, including depictions of Rotterdam I, Rotterdam II, Rotterdam III, Rotterdam IV and Rotterdam V. The ship also hosts three previous Rotterdam ship models, and the bell from Rotterdam VI can be found in the Crow's Nest.Fun Facts, Figures and Highlights About Rotterdam's Art Collection:The largest and most expensive piece is “Harps,” a 7.5-ton stainless steel sculpture in the Atrium that spans three decks. With dynamic color-changing spot lighting and a mirrored ceiling, the work is a striking focal point on board. “Harps” was produced and designed by ArtLink, based on a concept by Tihany Design. It is valued at $620,000.The smallest works are by Betty Pepper, who uses reworked books and adds intricate details and scenes made from old maps. They can be seen in the forward stairwell between decks 7 and 8. The exquisitely small elements are a testament to Pepper's ability to work at a scale that few artists can master.Each of the stairwells has a theme that reaches from top to bottom. The theme of the forward stairs is architecture, midship stairs is music and aft stairs is zoology.The oldest artist is Baron Wolman (deceased), born in 1937. The U.S. native was the chief photographer for Rolling Stone magazine from 1967 until late 1970. He was ranked among the 20th century's elite and most collectible photographers.The youngest artist is Leva Berlande. The 31-year-old rising artist is a student from Latvia and has a painting featured in the Neptune Lounge.As with Rudi's Sel de Mer on Nieuw Statendam, Master Chef Rudi Sodamin's son and emerging artist Magnus Sodamin created a visually stimulating mural that adorns the wall in his father's namesake specialty restaurant on Rotterdam. Called “Oceans Feast,” the work measures 23 feet long and 3.6 feet tall.Italian artist Federico Picci contributes conversation starters that tie in magically with the ship's design. His photographs capture how music would look if we could not only listen to it but see it, too. In one image, balloons float out of a piano, representing the evanescence of something that evaporates in the air as it is created, like the element of sound.One of the most striking and expensive pieces is a dazzling, illuminated crystal “Key” (treble clef) created by Dutch artist Hans van Bentem for Deck 3, midship. The piece is valued at $27,000.Considered among the most avant-garde pieces in the collection is a fiberglass sculpture of an otter in the aft stairwell lobby on Deck 9 by Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel. San Miguel is known for his distinctive style of colorful geometric patterns that portray animals, skulls, religious iconography and human figures.In the embarkation area is a work titled “Billie Holiday” by Ani Abakumova. It is made up of 3 miles of threads — 8,000 threads in total. Abakumova's husband is a mathematician who developed an algorithm that enables her to create images from threads that change color without using paint.One of the most valuable works is a mixed media on canvas piece in the forward stairwell lobby on Deck 8 by Mehdi Ghadyanloo, an Iranian artist, painter and muralist known for his gigantic trompe l'oeil–style murals. Ghadyanloo recently had solo exhibitions in Almine Rech's galleries in Paris and Brussels, and now Holland America Line guests can enjoy his captivating art.Yongsun Jang, from Republic of Korea, welds cross sections of stainless-steel pipes to configure clusters of “cells,” then puts it all together to represent different organic beings. For Rotterdam, he created cello and pan flute sculptures for the B.B. King's Blues Club/Lincoln Center Stage space.The vibrant work of Lisa Krannichfield is on display in the Club Orange specialty restaurant. Her pieces meld the border between masculine and feminine and explore what it means to be fashionable and make a statement. The art aboard Rotterdam comprises one of the finest collections at sea. Guests can admire the decks inside and out and discover inspired works from a global assembly of emerging artists who share the spaces alongside some of the most renowned talent in the world.Cunard announces new itineraries on Queen Elizabeth for 2022Cunard has announced that a series of new itineraries sailing on Queen Elizabeth between February and May 2022 will go on sale in November.  All sailings will depart from Southampton and will include a voyage in search of the Northern Lights, journeys to the Canary Islands and the Western Mediterranean as well as a grand voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal and on to Vancouver, Canada.The new itineraries will replace the existing published schedule.   Cunard continues to work very closely with authorities in all the destinations visited to ensure compliance with local health and entry requirements.  Unfortunately, based on the most recent advice for cruise guests, and given the complexities of many of the international destinations involved, it will not be viable to maintain Queen Elizabeth's existing schedule and all departures from 20 February to 17 May 2022 inclusive are now cancelled. Ponant pioneers safety regulations in the polar regionsPonant, the world leader of luxury expeditions, and an expert in navigation in polar regions for over two decades, recently organised the world's first international rescue exercise in a remote polar zone. During a trial voyage to the North Pole with its polar exploration vessel, Le Commandant Charcot, the company raised the bar again for maritime safety and standards in polar tourism. The one-off on-site scenario was live coordinated between Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Canada, the United States and Norway, as well as the PONANT teams aboard and PONANT's head office in Marseille, France. The exercise took place over a 24-hour period on the ice, during which the 67 participants had to set up a polar survival camp among other tasks. American and Canadian coastguards, as well as Norwegian Arctic rescue experts were also present as observers.The objectives of the simulated rescue exercise were to optimise the coordination between the region's international rescue centres and conduct medical research and behavioural studies on participants to understand the impact of spending long periods of time on the ice. Conclusions are being shared with polar environment experts and will help the expedition cruise industry and rescue centres across the world to not only devise new safety strategies, but also improve their knowledge about the impacts of such a crisis situation.For Ponant, the exercise was also an ideal opportunity to test all the rescue and safety equipment, particularly the Ice Cube, the group survival kit, the floating polar shelters and the survival suits. Developed and designed from scratch by Ponant, they currently exceed the existing safety criteria established by the tourism industry as well as the military. With the tools developed by Ponant and the organisation of such a large-scale exercise, the company continues to set new standards of safety at sea, as well as pioneering new ways of exploration.Ponant opens Kimberley 2023 Season!Ponant has released sales for the highly anticipated 2023 Kimberley Expedition season for one of the company's most popular expeditions for both adventure and beauty. Offering multiple departures between April and October 2023, the enormously popular 10-night ‘Australia's Iconic Kimberley' itinerary journeys between Broome and Darwin showcasing the wild and grandiose landscapes of the Kimberley on board Ponant's Le Lapérouse or Le Soléal, both of which will be sailing throughout the season. Highlights on the itinerary include visiting the Hunter River inhabited estuarine crocodiles; discovering the King George River on a Zodiac® excursion and reaching the majestic Twin Falls, the highest in Western Australia; and a visit to Collier Bay to explore Montgomery reef. Sailing along one of the most spectacular coasts in Australia, the Kimberley's falls, savannah, and tidal phenomena promise never to disappoint.Environmentally friendly, fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and complete with lounges designed to be largely open to the exterior, Ponant's modern, purpose-built, intimately sized ships offer a unique sailing experience, offering unparalleled comfort and luxury for exploring the region. Le Soléal provides 95% balcony accommodation while Le Lapérouse offers a balcony or private deck area for all accommodation. Both offer a selection of world-class dining options, open bar*, a spa and an outdoor swimming pool.Both purpose-built ships offer the perfect base camp to relax after spending days on immersive expedition experiences on Zodiac® outings and shore excursions with PONANT's knowledgeable expedition team.Paul Gauguin Cruises opens sales for 2023 small luxury itinerariesPaul Gauguin Cruises has launched sales of its 2023 small-ship sailings. Sun, turquoise seas, idyllic beaches and scenery await. Six itineraries crafted by Paul Gauguin Cruises' destination experts offer a chance to explore the wonders of the South Pacific and beyond aboard newly renovated luxury small vessel Le Paul Gauguin.Paul Gauguin Cruises, the South Pacific specialists, has devised six idyllic itineraries, from 7 to 16 nights, to explore Tahiti, the Society Islands, and the Marquesas, Tuamotus, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Fiji Islands.Swimming, diving, kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkelling are just some of the activities on offer to enjoy to the full these picture postcard landscapes. Aboard, impeccable service and fine cuisine take inspiration from the Polynesian lifestyle. Combining this with privileged moments such as a traditional Polynesian barbecue on private islet, Motu Mahana, off the protected Taha's Island, completes a voyage to this far-flung paradise.With 166 staterooms and suites, Le Paul Gauguin was designed to sail in Polynesian waters, her shallow draught allows her to get in close to shallow lagoons. In the heart of paradisical islands and the atolls of French Polynesia and its neighbouring archipelagos, the vessel invites guests to discover the traditional way of life and customs of Polynesia and the South Pacific.NEW ITINERARY: From Fiji to BaliDeparting from Lautoka in Fiji, this exceptional voyage takes you on a journey of discovery to seven countries in the South Seas including Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, East Timor and Indonesia in the quest for idyllic surroundings.“From Fiji to Bali” cruise – from Lautoka to Bali (or vice versa) – 17 days, 16 nights – 2 sailings in 2023Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society IslandsWhite sandy beaches, coral atolls and turquoise lagoons line the route of this stunning itinerary to explore four beautiful archipelagos of the South Pacific. Discover nature and culture among dreamy French Polynesian atolls, the Cook Islands, Tonga and Fiji.“Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands” cruise – from Papeete to Lautoka (or vice versa) – 15 days, 14 nights or 13 days, 12 nights – 2 sailings in 2023Tahiti & the Society IslandsEmbark on Le Paul Gauguin for an unforgettable tour of the beautiful Society Islands which inspired so many artists like Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel. From Papeete, guests will sail to isolated coves on Huahine, the turquoise waters of Motu Mahana, fabulous lagoons in Bora Bora and the lush vegetation on Moorea – an itinerary planned to offer the very essence of French Polynesia.“Tahiti & the Society Islands” cruise – from Papeete to Papeete – 8 days, 7 nights – 14 sailings in 2023Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society IslandsDive into Polynesian history and culture on this cruise into the heart of idyllic atolls surrounded by coral reefs. This itinerary takes guests on a voyage to discover French Polynesia's natural treasures: Tahiti, Fakarava's coral ellipse, the Tuamotus, Fatu Hiva and its sacred “tohua” sites, Hiva Oa, “Garden of the Marquesas”, Bora Bora and many other South Pacific pearls.“Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands” cruise – from Papeete to Papeete – 15 days, 14 nights – 6 sailings in 2023Available now from all good CLIA cruise specialists.Norwegian Bliss returns to the Mexican RivieraNorwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel continues its Great Cruise Comeback across the globe with the restart of its seventh vessel, Norwegian Bliss, sailing week-long voyages to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles.Norwegian Bliss, one of the most successful ships ever launched in the company's 54-year history will be the Brand's second vessel sailing from the West Coast of USA following the celebrated restart of her sister ship Norwegian Encore, which resumed voyages to Alaska from Seattle in August 2021. On Sunday 24 October 2021, Norwegian Bliss' crew members welcomed eager and excited guests as they embarked to sail the majestic Mexican Riviera while looking forward to enjoying unforgettable onboard experiences including world-class fare across its 19 dining options, 20 bars and lounges, a two-level racetrack with the Bliss Speedway and Broadway-caliber entertainment including “Six: The Musical,” which premiered onboard Norwegian Breakaway before hitting the stage on Broadway in March 2020.Norwegian Bliss will sail from the Los Angeles World Cruise Centre, offering week-long voyages and five-day sailings to the Mexican Riviera, visiting marquee Mexican ports including Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Ensenada, Mexico. On 21 January 2022 she will embark on a 14-day journey crossing the Panama Canal and making port calls to notable destinations including Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica; and Cartagena, Colombia before making her way to the cruise capital of the world, Miami.MSC Cruises invites artists to design the hull art of MSC EuribiaMSC Cruises is giving artists and designers around the world the opportunity to transform the hull of MSC Euribia into a giant, floating canvas to communicate the importance of respect for the environment. The ship, which is the most environmentally advanced ship in MSC Cruises' fleet to date, is named after the ancient goddess Eurybia who harnessed the winds, weather and constellations to master the seas and the vision of the ship is to master the deployment of state-of-the-art sustainable technologies to protect and preserve the precious marine ecosystem. MSC Cruises is calling on artists from around the world to create a unique artwork inspired by the sea and its important marine ecosystem that will be featured as a permanent design across the ship's hull, as she sails the world's oceans. The design contest, which is now open, is a first for MSC Cruises and shines a light on the Company's ongoing commitment to the environment and its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050.The entries will be judged by a panel of international judges including sand artist Jben, known for his large-scale ephemeral sand frescoes that wash away with the tide, architect Martin Francis and Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group. Jben has travelled the world sculpting Beach Art in the United States, France, Morocco, Holland and Portugal, raising awareness of sea-related environmental issues, encouraging marine protection and preservation. Only one winner will be lucky enough for their artwork to be showcased on the ship's hull, as a sailing outdoor gallery for the world to see. Five further shortlist finalists will also have their designs displayed in an exhibition on board MSC Euribia, where guests will be exposed to their art and its important message for years to come.MSC Cruises has also shared a video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8nWPhH4bRY] of artist Jben calling on other artists to join him. On 19 October, he created an immense 45 metre x 45 metre fresco on French beach the Côte Sauvage, telling designers ‘MSC wants you' and calling on them to join the competition.MSC Euribia will come into service in 2023 and become the second LNG-powered ship in MSC Cruises' fleet, marking another step forward in substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. LNG plays a key role in the journey towards climate change mitigation and MSC Euribia's engines have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 21% compared to standard fuels while also virtually eliminating other air emissions.https://www.talenthouse.com/i/Create-a-design-for-the-hull-of-MSC-Euribia-cruise-shipDream Cruises collaborates with Tourism Western AustraliaDream Cruises has partnered with Tourism Western Australia (TWA) in Singapore to feature the ‘Western Australia Adventure Awaits' showpiece on World Dream, as part of the ship's ‘Markets of the World' thematic cruises from Singapore until 6 November 2021. With current international travel restrictions, Dream Cruises brings the world and its popular cuisine and cultural activities aboard World Dream to provide Singapore residents with the ultimate ‘Super Seacation' cruise experience without leaving the waters around Singapore.Since July 2020, Dream Cruises was the first cruise line in the world to resume safe cruises with stringent and enhanced safety and preventive measures, starting with Taiwan and subsequently in Singapore in November 2020, followed by Hong Kong in July 2021. Since then, Dream Cruises had launched a series of successful global thematic cruises with the likes of “Rhythm of Korea”, “Amazing Thailand”, “Wonders of Japan” and currently “Markets of the World” with a special highlight of the “Western Australia Adventure Awaits” showpiece.Dream Cruises brings unique Western Australia adventures on board World Dream with 10 Western Australia Balcony Staterooms specifically re-created and inspired by Western Australia's iconic landmarks such as the Blue Boat House, Busselton Jetty, Bungle Bungle Range, Hutt Lagoon at Pink Lake and Wave Rock. Guests staying in these cabins are in for a real Aussie treat and will be delighted with the extra goodies, which include a Quinton the Quokka plush toy, Western Australia exclusive merchandise and a special on board lunch or dinner set menu paired with Australian Wine for 2 persons at the Prime Steakhouse & Seafood Grill Restaurant by Australian renowned chef, Mark Best.Guests can further elevate their “Down Under” experience on the ship with a variety of curated adventures and activities inspired by what Australia has to offer, complemented by delicious Australian delicacies. The month of October is also Lobster mania month with a Western Australia lobster and prawn pasta linguini cooking show, as well as Western Australia Lobster menus that are available at specialty restaurants for selected sailings.Besides that, Dream Cruises together with TWA has also put together a series of fun-filled on board activities for guests to maximise their Australian adventure on the ship. Be sure to visit the interactive and pop up booth packed with insta-worthy opportunities and don't miss the special appearance of Quinton the Quokka, the World's happiest animal on board for a meet and greet session. Fans of the adorable animal can also stand a chance to take home a Quokka soft toy and other exciting prizes by joining the exciting on board activities, including the ‘Western Australia Amazing Race' game and the ‘Western Australia Trivia Wall'. For the ultimate prize and Australian vacation, World Dream guests can also stand a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip* to Western Australia by entering the on board photo contest, available exclusively on World Dream.Royal Caribbean Group Announces “Destination Net Zero”Royal Caribbean Group announced a giant step on its sustainability journey: Destination Net Zero, a comprehensive decarbonization strategy that includes pledging to establish Science-Based Targets (SBT) and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.Royal Caribbean Group's Destination Net Zero builds on decades of progress and a deep sense of responsibility to embed sustainability throughout the organization.Over 18 to 24 months, the cruise company will develop goals to be validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the first such pledge for the cruise industry. The work will begin following the publication of SBTi's marine transport methodology. Science-based targets show companies how much, and how quickly, they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help limit global warming.Along the journey to net zero, key milestones will be critical to making progress. One of the most ambitious milestones includes the delivery of a net zero cruise ship by 2035. To achieve these ambitions, the company will rely on strong partnerships with governments, suppliers and shipyards to develop alternative and accessible fuels and technology.The company's focus on achieving these measurable goals builds on its track record of designing and operating some of the most energy efficient ships on the seas. Thanks to optimized hull design and system upgrades such as AC chillers utilizing 30-40% less energy, Royal Caribbean Group has consistently delivered a new generation of ships 20-25% more efficient than their predecessors.From Silversea Cruises' ‘Project Evolution' – the cruise industry's first hybrid-powered ship set to debut summer 2023 – to the wind farm in Kansas that will offset up to 12% of our scope 1 and 2 emissions per year, Royal Caribbean Group is already executing on its Destination Net Zero strategy to drive the development of emissions-reducing technology and alternative fuel solutions.“Royal Caribbean Group has a history of innovating in every aspect and level of the company,” said William K. Reilly, chairman, Royal Caribbean Group's board of directors' safety, environment, and health committee. “This is another important step on the serious and ambitious path to preserve the health and allure of the sea and the beauty of the oceans.”Destination Net Zero's four-pronged approach includes:Modernization of our global brands fleet through the introduction of 13 new energy-efficient and alternatively fueled vessels, including its recently announced ‘Project Evolution' — the industry's first ship to remove all local emissions while at port.Continued investment in energy efficiency programs for its fleet, including energy saving technologies, enhanced data systems and digitalization.Development of alternative fuel and alternative power solutions.Optimized deployment and integration of strategic shore-based supply chains.Pandaw closes after 26 years of pioneering river cruises. Pandaw regrets to announce that due to the continuing Covid 19 impact on international leisure travel, the closure of its destinations in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and India, and the critical political situation in Myanmar, the company has no alternative but to cease its river cruise operations due to the lack of financial liquidity and failure to find additional funding in the wake of the Covid 19 crisis.Though forward bookings for a restart in 2022 remained strong, with great support from the ever-loyal Pandaw community, the company lacks the funding to continue layup operations of their seventeen ships for another year, and then undergo essential refurbishment to prepare for renewed operations, the timing of which is highly uncertain, even assuming this may occur for the winter 2022/23 season.The company has worked tirelessly over the past year to find new investors or other forms of finance to carry the company through, but without success.Founded in 1995, Pandaw pioneered river expeditions in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and India with its iconic boutique ships. Up till the impact of Covid, Pandaw had enjoyed the support of a loyal following of travellers, high occupancy and year on year growing revenues, with positive financial results.Despite the closure of Pandaw Cruises, the Pandaw Charity, which has done much to support people in Myanmar during the on-going crisis there, will continue its work under the guidance of its trustees.And moreEthical Cruise T-Shirts Now available branded podcast t-shirts, cruise-tees and Christmas gifts or design your own in the studio. All using organic cotton, printed using green energy and plastic-free packaging! https://bit.ly/32G7RdhJoin the show:If you have a cruise tip, burning question or want to record a cruise review get in touch with us via the website https://thebigcruisepodcast.com/join-the-show/  Guests: Chris Frame: https://bit.ly/3a4aBCg    Chris's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisFrameOfficialPeter Kollar: https://www.cruising.org.au/Home  Listen & Subscribe: Amazon Podcasts: https://amzn.to/3w40cDcApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XvD7tF  Audible: https://adbl.co/3nDvuNgCastbox: https://bit.ly/2xkGBEI  Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RuY04u  I heart Radio:  https://ihr.fm/3mVIEUASpotify: https://spoti.fi/3caCwl8  Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2JWE8Tz  Pocket casts: https://bit.ly/2JY4J2M  Tune in: https://bit.ly/2V0Jrrs  Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/2BF6LnE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trainer Nathan Doyle joins Andrew Bensley to chat about his win yesterday with NORWEGIAN BLISS.

OverviewIn episode 73, Chris answers a listener question around, Jets replacing ocean liners, followed by a bumper edition of cruise news. Itinerary of the week features, Holland America's, Noordam, Circumnavigation of Australian in Nov 2022.Support the show - Buy Me A CoffeeThis podcast is only possible thanks to our supporters, simply buying a coffee keeps us on air. It is just like shouting your mate a coffee, and we consider our listeners close mates. https://bit.ly/2T2FYGXMaritime History & Listener QuestionCraig asks “Before the pandemic, I travelled a lot, flying every month and cruising a few times a year. Flying is such a drag. So I wonder, why everyone went on planes and abandoned the ships. I would have thought that after a few flights people would have given up on flying and returned to cruising. Any thought?” Cruise NewsPrincess Cruises Extends Pause of Cruise Vacations in Australia Through Mid-January 2022 Princess Cruises, is extending its pause in cruise vacations in Australia/New Zealand to January 27, 2022, due to the uncertainty around the return of cruising in the region.As a result of the pause extension, Coral Princess voyages through January 17 are cancelled and Royal Princess and Sapphire Princess seasons through to March 2022 are being cancelled.P&O Cruises Australia Extends Cruising Pause Until Mid-January 2022P&O Cruises Australia today extended its pause in operations for cruises departing from Sydney and Brisbane by a further month until mid January next year to give guests greater confidence in planning their Christmas and New Year holidays because of the uncertainty around the return of cruising.The voluntary pause will apply to cruises scheduled to depart from 18 December, 2021 through to 14 January, 2022 (for Brisbane) and 18 January, 2022 (for Sydney).P&O Cruises Australia also confirmed it was cancelling its Melbourne summer season, which was no longer feasible to deliver because of the latest extension.Carnival Australia alse extends pause until Mid-January 2022. In line with guidance from the Australian Government, Carnival Cruise Line is extending its pause in operations for Australian sailings through 16 January 2022 for Carnival Spirit and Carnival Splendor.Celebrity Edge will be making its first trip into the Southern Hemisphere to debut Down Under in Australian and New Zealand waters for the 2023/24 seasonCelebrity Cruises today announced plans for its revolutionary Celebrity Edge to debut Down Under for the 2023/24 season.The brand's signature Edge Series ship will offer an array of 6- to 13-night itineraries from early December 2023 through to April 2024, designed to immerse guests in the spoils of the stunning coastlines of Australia and neighbouring New Zealand, along with the tropical South Pacific.Reigniting guests' wanderlust to see the world again, guests will be able to select from 12 bespoke itineraries visiting an impressive collection of 22 ports with departures from both Sydney and Auckland.Highlights of Celebrity Cruises' upcoming 2023/24 season Down Under include:Uniquely themed itineraries including ‘Sun and Beach Escapes', ‘Food and Wine Classics', and ‘Five Star Getaways', providing deeper immersion into the region's unique culture, brought to life through enhanced onboard and shoreside programming.Overnight opportunities in Cairns, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; and Hobart, Tasmania, for guests to take in more of the wonders of the magnificent surroundings.A new port visiting the scenic Kangaroo Island, one of Australia's most vibrant nature reserves.Every New Zealand sailing exploring both the North and South islands of this incredibly scenic country;A sun-filled South Pacific itinerary transporting guests to some of the world's most beautiful islands – New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Mystery Island.Some of the remarkable features guests of Celebrity Edge can look forward to include:The exclusive The Retreat® with its private restaurant, and exclusive lounge and sundeck available to all suite guests. In addition, a dedicated team of hosts and concierges on-hand 24/7, ensures everything is taken care of while on holiday.Transformational accommodations, from modern two-storey villas with plunge pools to staterooms with Infinite Verandas®, that blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, all carefully curated and designed by the award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE and featuring Celebrity's signature eXhale® bedding.The Magic Carpet®, soaring cantilevered above the sea and offering guests uninterrupted vistas while sipping cocktails or having dinner.An unrivaled culinary repertoire of 29 distinct restaurants, bars, and lounges connecting guests to the destinations they will visit like never before. Globally-inspired menus crafted by a Michelin-star chef bring the flavours of the world straight to the plate, providing an epicurean journey unmatched at sea.Eden, spanning three decks and featuring more outward-facing glass than any other room at sea, offers a multi-sensory fusion of one-of-a-kind culinary and entertainment experiences.Wellness woven in throughout the ship experience including: The Spa, a sprawling 22,000 sq. ft. wellness destination offering more than 120 treatments, many inspired by the destinations the ship visits; the SEA Thermal Suite featuring eight distinct rooms including a steam room, float room, salt room, and heated tile loungers, among others; beauty and fitness experiences never before offered at sea including a Kerastase Salon; Peloton bikes and F45 Training.Celebrity Edge goes on sale to the general public on 15 October.Wonder of the Seas sets course for U.S and EuropePaving the way for the biggest adventure yet, Royal Caribbean International has announced the world's largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, will debut in the U.S. and Europe. The highly anticipated ship is set to sail from its home in Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean on March 4, 2022, before making its way to Barcelona and Rome to kick off summer vacations in May. Families and travellers alike have a new wave of possibilities across Wonder's eight distinct neighbourhoods, an Oasis Class first, that include all-new features such as the Suite Neighbourhood, a cantilevered pool bar named The Vue, and Wonder Playscape – an interactive, open-air kids' play area with awe-inspiring views. With returning favourites also on deck, like The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; Central Park, the neighbourhood filled with real plants from end to end; and the vibrant Caribbean-inspired pool deck experience, the innovative, new ship invites adventurers of all ages to reimagine, explore and make memories once again.New Adventures and Favourites Gone BolderSuite Class Neighbourhood – The eighth neighbourhood, only found on Wonder, offers Royal Suite Class guests an elevated Suite Sun Deck in a new location, complete with a plunge pool, bar and plenty of loungers and nooks to kick back; along with favourites such as Coastal Kitchen, the private restaurant, and the Suite Lounge. Plus, the grandest Ultimate Family Suite yet for a family of 10.Wonder Playscape – Joining the line-up of next-level thrills for kids, the underwater-themed play area is a whole new adventure with slides, climbing walls, games, an interactive mural activated by touch and puzzles that will make them wonder if any playground will ever be the same.The Vue – The happiest of happy hours can be found at this new cantilevered bar.The Vue offers panoramic ocean views from high above on the pool deck all day, and after sunset, it shines bright with a colourful mosaic canopy overhead.Pool deck experience – The Lime & Coconut is at the centre of the Caribbean vibes, with two poolside bars and live music; while the trio of high-speed waterslides, The Perfect Storm, and kids aqua park Splashaway Bay, keep the young and young at heart entertained. Casitas, in-pool loungers and more make for a variety of great places to kick back, especially to catch a movie under the stars at the largest poolside movie screen in the Royal Caribbean fleet. At the heart of every Oasis Class ship is a combination of unmatched signature features and experiences found from one neighbourhood to the next, including the tallest slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss; the newly designed, dedicated kids and teens spaces at Adventure Ocean, Social100 and The Patio; the FlowRider surf simulator, twin rock-climbing walls and the ten-decks-high zip line. From riding the carousel in the family favourite Boardwalk neighbourhood – inspired by renowned boardwalks like Coney Island – to fine dining in Central Park, and the variety of restaurants and showstopping entertainment in between, no day on board will be the same.Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway return to service in the Mediterranean. A third of NCL's fleet of 17 ships are now back in operation, welcoming guests back on board after the Company's more than 500-day cruise suspension.Norwegian Epic, the fourth ship in the Company's fleet to resume operations, successfully completed her first voyage to the most sought-after ports in Spain and Italy from Barcelona. During the 7-day sailing, Norwegian Epic called to Livorno, the gateway to the Renaissance heritage of Tuscany and Florence, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Palma (Mallorca).Meanwhile, Norwegian Getaway today embarks on her first voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia). Through 25 October, she will sail a mix of 10- to 11-day Greek Isles itineraries, calling to Dubrovnik, Corfu, Katakolon – NCL's newest embarkation port located on the Peloponnese peninsula –Santorini, Mykonos, Naples and Livorno (Florence/Pisa). With up to 13 hours in each port and no more than two days at sea, guests can spend their days exploring ancient ruins and medieval architecture or simply savouring a variety of the region's famous cuisine.Norwegian Prima breaks boundariesNorwegian Cruise Line, has raised the curtains to unveil its upcoming multifaceted entertainment and onboard experiences available on Norwegian Prima, the Brand's most in-demand ship ever.Thrilling ExperiencesFor the most extreme adrenaline rush at sea, Norwegian Prima will debut The Drop, the world's first freefall dry slide where users will experience a 10-story plunge reaching the highest G-forces of any cruise line; more Gs than an accelerating F1 racecar, leaving racer's hearts with the thrill of a lifetime. The edge-of-your-seat experience takes a competitive turn with The Rush, featuring dueling dry slides where guests can race each other for the ultimate in bragging rights.As the only Cruise Line to offer go-karts at sea, NCL will up the ante on Norwegian Prima, offering the largest and first ever three-level racetrack with the Prima Speedway. Featuring a longer straight section or stretch with a racetrack of more than 420 metres and 22 percent larger than the current racetrack on Norwegian Encore, the speedway will now go around and through the funnel of the ship and boasts 14 nail-biting turns where 15 drivers can simultaneously race on the open ocean, reaching speeds of more than 50 kph. After racers have completed their ultimate thrill ride, they can unwind at the new Prima Speedway Bar located beneath the racetrack.The Brand's popular indoor virtual gaming complex, The Galaxy Pavilion, levels up to offer guests 14 attractions to choose from, including four new hyper-immersive simulator experiences only available on Norwegian Prima, two different escape rooms, and a Topgolf Swing Suite, showcasing the only Topgolf Swing Suite available at sea. The Topgolf Swing Suite delivers an immersive gaming and social experience, featuring a variety of Topgolf games, world renowned virtual golf courses, and multi-player games.  The Topgolf Swing Suite is powered by Full Swing golf simulator technology, the same simulator used by PGA Tour pros such as Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm.Immersive Star Power EntertainmentFrom the powerhouse production team that brought “Jersey Boys” with current residence on Norwegian Bliss, comes “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.” This is the story of Donna Summer's meteoric rise from young starlet to the Queen of the Disco featuring a score of more than 20 of Summer's mega disco hits including “Bad Girl,” “Last Dance,” and “Hot Stuff.” The 75-minute immersive production will be a first at sea where the theatre itself transforms into a full disco and guests can become a part of the show and dance to Summer's all-time disco medleys.Taking guests from the disco glam of “Summer” to the neon lights of “Light Balance Universe” featuring Light Balance, the golden buzzer winner from “America's Got Talent,” the one-of-a-kind dance crew brings their jaw-dropping visual effects and style to Norwegian Prima.  Guests will experience high-energy choreography and acrobatics while partaking in a multisensory light spectacular.Prima Theatre and Nightclub: A Multi-Purpose MasterpieceAll of Norwegian Prima's headlining acts will take centre stage in this groundbreaking transformational theatre. The three-story venue, designed to seamlessly convert the space from a state-of-the art performance stage to expansive dance floor, will feature a customisable seating layout and awe-inspiring moving LED screen that lowers from the ceiling and is nearly half the size of the venue. The extravagant high-energy nightclub's SENSORIA theme provides clubgoers an out-of-body experience where they can dance late into the night and enjoy a kaleidoscope of high-energy music and innovative special effects.Elevated Activities for Every GuestNorwegian Prima will debut The Bull's Eye, an elevated twist on the classic game of darts featuring a sophisticated video tracking system that automatically calculates each guest's score and even offers instant game replays to ensure fun, competitive play.NCL will introduce Tee Time, a supercharged version of minigolf, where guests can enjoy nine interactive holes set among a Vegas-style backdrop and even have a chance to win worth-your-while prizes.Making its splashing first appearance on Norwegian Prima as part of the ship's Aqua Park and Main Pool area, will be the Brand's first Tidal Wave waterslide featuring gushing surf where guests can ride an innertube to catch the perfect wave. Guests looking to relax can do so in either one of two infinity hot tubs or under the area's cascading water feature.Vibe Beach Club, NCL's adult-only area returns on Norwegian Prima providing enhanced experiences including a dedicated bar and two infinity hot tubs where guests can enjoy the ocean's horizon at leisure.Syd Norman's Pour House, the onboard guest-favorite classic rock club makes its Rockstar comeback on Norwegian Prima after the concept initially debuted on Norwegian Breakaway in 2018. The venue features a stellar house band playing the greatest rock songs of all time from Aerosmith to Led Zeppelin.There will be laughs on the high seas with The Improv at Sea comedy club showcasing standup performances against an intellectual tongue-and-cheek “Science of Comedy” theme.With voyages beginning in the northern hemisphere summer of 2022, Norwegian Prima will be 294 metres long, more than142,000 gross tons and able to accommodate 3,215 guests at double occupancy.The vessel, the first of six ships within NCL's all-new Prima Class, which debuted with record-breaking sales and applause when it was announced in May earlier this year, reveals Tony Award®-nominated musical “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” as its interactive headlining act. Norwegian Prima will also showcase numerous cruise industry firsts and new-to-brand elevated onboard experiences when the ship sets sail in the northern hemisphere summer of 2022, including the world's first venue that transforms from a three-story theatre into a Vegas-style nightclub, freefall drop dry slides and the largest racetrack at sea.Discover ‘Celebrated Cultures & Treasured Temples' on Crystal's Epic 2024 World Cruise49 ports, 22 countries, 14 overnight calls and 105 nights of luxury and exploration awaitCrystal Cruises announced its highly anticipated 2024 World Cruise, a 105-night epic adventure aboard Crystal Serenity exploring the Southern Hemisphere and beyond from Miami to Rome, January 5 – April 20, 2024. ‘Celebrated Cultures & Treasured Temples' marks Crystal's 27th World Cruise and features a near circumnavigation of the globe with 49 ports of call in 22 countries and destinations including the Panama Canal; Mexico; French Polynesia; the South Pacific; New Zealand; Australia; Indonesia; Sri Lanka; India; the Red Sea, the Suez Canal; and the Mediterranean isles of Cyprus, Crete and Sicily.Guests who were booked on Crystal's cancelled 2022 World Cruise will enjoy an exclusive booking window from September 21 – 30, 2021, and opens for reservations to the public on October 1, 2021.World Cruise segments include:Panama Passage, 16 nights – Highlights include Key West, Cartagena's UNESCO-listed Old Town, a Panama Canal transit, overnights in Panama City and Cabo San Lucas and calls in tropical San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua, and Huatulco, Mexico.French Polynesian Perfection, 13 nights – Luxurious days at sea and French Polynesian wonders abound including Nuka Hiva's towering waterfalls, Rangiroa's world-class dive sites and Mo'orea's turquoise lagoons, as well as overnights in idyllic Papeete and Bora Bora.Pearls of the South Pacific, 14-nights – Beginning with an overnight in Papeete, this voyage features the beauty of Polynesia, Rarotonga's vibrant reefs, the splendor of Fiji, the culture of Tonga, New Zealand's Bay of Islands, and an overnight in Auckland, “City of Sails.”Fabled Fjords & Māori Majesties, 17 nights – The glacier-carved wonders of Fiordland National Park highlight this voyage featuring calls in Tauranga, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch and Dunedin, New Zealand; and overnights in Napier, New Zealand; and Hobart (Tasmania) and Sydney, Australia.Australian & Indonesian Discovery, 14 nights – An overnight in Cairns, Australia offers Great Barrier Reef adventures while Darwin boasts outdoor pursuits in Kakadu National Park. Komodo Island thrills with its ‘dragons' and an overnight in Bali reveals mystical temples and lush landscapes.Cultural Kaleidoscope, 13 nights – An overnight in Colombo, Sri Lanka invites options for exotic exploration including the UNESCO-listed Sacred city of Kandy, while overnights in Cochin and Mumbai, India, and calls in Malaysia and Thailand offer incredible temples, wildlife and urban vigor.The Sands of Time, 18 nights – A call in Aqaba, Jordan is a doorway to ancient Petra and Wadi Rum, while sunny Eilat, Israel, tempts with spectacular reefs and jeep tours in the Negev Desert. A Suez Canal transit, calls in Cyprus and Crete and the timeless beauty of Sicily complete the journey.Fridtjof Nansen named in SvalbardHurtigruten Expeditions' battery-hybrid powered Fridtjof Nansen (pictured) has been named in the world's northernmost naming ceremony for a passenger ship. At latitude 78˚ north in Svalbard, the local community joined the celebrations of one of the world's greenest and most advanced cruise ships. Replacing the traditional bottle of champagne with a chunk of ice, godmothers and environmental advocatesHilde Falun Strom and Sunniva Sorby named Fridtjof Nansen, continuing a Hurtigruten ritual invented by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. “It is not my intention to dishonor the glorious grape, but already now you shall get the taste of your real environment. For the ice you have been built, in the ice you shall stay most of your life, and in the ice, you shall solve your tasks,”In honouring the cruise line's century-plus-long Svalbard heritage, Fridtjof Nansen is also the first cruise ship ever to be registered in Longyearbyen.MSC Bellissima will extend her deployment in Saudi ArabiaMSC Cruises has announced that MSC Bellissima will extend her deployment in Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea for the Northern Hemisphere winter 2021/2022 season, following a highly successful inaugural season in the region this summer.MSC Bellissima and the itineraries in this region have proven very popular since she first commenced sailing there this July out of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  MSC Bellissima will replace MSC Magnifica, which was previously scheduled to serve in the region this winter.This itinerary for the Northern Hemisphere winter 21/22 is brand new for MSC Cruises and is the first of its kind, offering guests unique opportunities to discover Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan by cruise ship – visiting culturally-rich destinations and unspoiled beaches and giving guests the chance to immerse themselves in the incredible history and tradition of the region.From 30 October 2021 MSC Bellissima will offer 7-night cruises from Jeddah, calling at the ports of Ras Al Abyad, Aqaba for Petra in Jordan, Safaga for Luxor in Egypt and then AlWajh and Yanbu, in Saudi Arabia.Regent Seven Seas Cruises Returns to SailingRegent Seven Seas Cruises® began its first voyage in just under 18 months on September 11, 2021, with new ship Seven Seas Splendor® cruising from Southampton, England. Sailing with the cruise line's enhanced SailSAFE™ Health and Safety Program – which includes 100% vaccination of both guests and crew – the voyage is believed to be the first to carry international travellers on a UK cruise since the voluntary industry-wide pause in operations began in March 2020.The next ship in The World's Most Luxurious Fleet™ to resume sailing will be Seven Seas Explorer® on October 15, 2021, from Trieste, Italy. Seven Seas Mariner® will resume sailing December 18, 2021, from Miami, Florida, as will Seven Seas Navigator® on January 6, 2022. Finally, Seven Seas Voyager® will return on February 15, 2022 from Barcelona, Spain.Oceania Cruises Sets A New Single-day Booking RecordOceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line set an all-time single day booking record that surpassed the most recent record by nearly 60%. While the most recent record was for a full season of sailings across six ships, this record was driven by the introduction of one new ship with itineraries for primarily one half of a year. Vista is slated to debut in April 2023, voyages opened for sale on September 15th at 9:00 a.m. eastern and by 10:30 a.m., the number of bookings had surpassed the company's most recent record which was set in March 2021.Nearly half of the available inventory of Vista's inaugural season was sold in one day with 30% of all bookings coming from new to brand guests. The most in-demand destinations were the British Isles and Canada, the Mediterranean, Holy Lands, and Panama Canal.Saga's brand-new river cruise ship ‘Spirit of the Rhine' departs on inaugural cruiseSeptember 22, 2022: Saga's brand-new river cruise ship, ‘Spirit of the Rhine', has departed on its inaugural 13-night cruise from Trier and will take in the beautiful Moselle valley and Roman wine towns along the way such as Bernkastel, Traben-Trarbach and Piesport. Guests will have ample opportunity to taste the local grape as the vineyards bring in the local harvest, and will be joined by wine expert Oz Clarke on the tour.With a design inspired by the culture and nature found along the Rhine, guests will have access to a range of first-class facilities onboard the ship including a panoramic lounge and bar, an inviting library, fitness area, an expansive sun deck with a hot tub and alfresco barbecue and two restaurants.The ship has a maximum capacity of 190 guests who are served by 40 officers and crew. The 95 cabins are spread over four passenger decks and the ship's bespoke design means the ship will be one of the quietest and most environmentally friendly ships operating on the RhineThe Spirit of the Rhine will be joined by sister ship the Spirit of the Danube next year. Designed as a sister ship, the Spirit of the Danube will mirror much of the design of the Spirit of the Rhine, with a design inspired by the sights of the Danube. The ship celebrated its keel laying ceremony this yearAnd moreEthical Cruise T-Shirts Now available branded podcast t-shirts, cruise-tees and Christmas gifts or design your own in the studio. All using organic cotton, printed using green energy and plastic-free packaging! https://bit.ly/32G7RdhJoin the show:If you have a cruise tip, burning question or want to record a cruise review get in touch with us via the website https://thebigcruisepodcast.com/join-the-show/  Guests: Chris Frame: https://bit.ly/3a4aBCg    Chris's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chrisframeofficialPeter Kollar: https://www.cruising.org.au/Home  Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XvD7tF  Castbox: https://bit.ly/2xkGBEI  Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RuY04u  I heart Radio:  https://ihr.fm/3mVIEUASpotify: https://spoti.fi/3caCwl8  Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2JWE8Tz  Pocket casts: https://bit.ly/2JY4J2M  Tune in: https://bit.ly/2V0Jrrs  Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/2BF6LnEImage Credit: Celebrity Edge, Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MSC announces new luxury brand Explora JourneysEpisode 59 is possible thanks to David in Scotland who kindly donated coffees, which we used as an excuse to record the podcast LIVE from a coffee shop in Hillary's Boat Harbour (WA). It was very busy and does sound very different. However, let us know what you think. With so much news to get through we will leave Maritime History & Cruise News until next episode.This podcast is only possible thanks to our supporters, simply buying a coffee keeps us on air. It is just like shouting your mate a coffee, and we consider our listeners close mates.  https://bit.ly/2T2FYGXCRUISE NEWS Passing of Gavin Macleod (Love Boat) It is with sadness felt to the depth of the oceans that we mourn the passing of actor Gavin MacLeod our beloved global ambassador, dearest friend and treasured member of the Princess Cruises family for more than 35 years.From his 10 seasons staring as Captain Merrill Stubing on the hit TV show “The Love Boat” (1977 to 1986) and for more than three decades following the show's final season, Gavin enthusiastically shared his passion about the joys and adventures of exploring the world while cruising. He always reminded us that – like the popular TV series, “cruising gives people something to dream about.”Gavin, who celebrated his 90th birthday in February, officially became Princess Cruises' global ambassador in 1986, appearing in a vast array of advertising campaigns and countless public and media appearances for the company. His role for Princess continued until his passing.Dream Cruises – Hong Kong Sea-cations a hit with locals. Dream Cruises' recently announced restart of cruises on board Genting Dream in Hong Kong has been met with an enthusiastic response from the public. After only one week of sales since bookings officially opened on Thursday, 27 May, Genting Dream's first two high seas “Super Summer Seacation” cruises departing on 30 July and 1 August are close to 90% while Friday night departures throughout August are already at nearly 50% of capacity.Hurtigruten announces two Pole to Pole adventures Hurtigruten Expeditions has unveiled an epic 93-day Pole to pole expedition cruise – exploring Alaska, the Northwest Passage, Greenland, Caribbean, the Panama Canal, South America, and Antarctica in one monumental voyage.93-day itinerary, in the wake of polar hero Roald Amundsen, departs Vancouver on August 8, 2022 and will visit 11 countries – and Antarctica – before disembarking adventurous guests in Buenos Aires.  The expedition cruise will be with the MS Roald Amundsen, which Hurtigruten says is not only the world's first battery-hybrid powered cruise ship but also fittingly named after the first explorer to successfully reach both the North and South poles, as well as the first person to navigate through the Northwest Passage, which he did in 1903.A 66-day long expedition option that visits seven countries between Edmonton, Canada, and Santiago de Chile, departing September 22, 2022. MS Fram will take guests through the Canadian Arctic to Greenland, before heading south, through the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, exploring the coast of South America, and do some of the first landings in Antarctica that season. Hurtigruten Expeditions' MS Fram is named after the original explorer ship Fram, which the company says is one of the mightiest expedition ships of all times and was used on a series of expeditions between 1893 and 1912 – including Roald Amundsen's 1911 Antarctica expedition where he reached the South Pole.Princess Cruises unveils its 2022-2023 South East Asia Cruises and Cruisetours ProgramPrincess Cruises today unveiled its 2022-2023 South East Asia Cruise and Cruisetour Program designed for Australian cruise guests and their families dreaming of travelling to Southeast Asia and the Malaysian Peninsula.  The cruise line announced its MedallionClass ship, Diamond Princess would be homeported in Singapore between December and March offering a season of 21 departures to 19 destinations in eight countries on eight unique itineraries.New Experiences for the 2022-2023 season include:Seven-day Southeast Asia with Malaysian Peninsula itinerary that includes the cruise line's first call to UNESCO World Heritage site, Melaka in more than a decade, as well as visits to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi in Malaysia as well as Phuket, Thailand.New holiday voyages, sailing over Christmas and New Years', including a 10-day Southeast Asia with Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia and a seven-day Southeast Asia with Malaysian Peninsula, that can be combined for an epic 17-day cruise.‘More Ashore' late night stays in Sihanoukville, Cambodia and Kobe, Japan and visits to sacred sites including the Blue Mosque in Shah Alam (Kuala Lumpur), Temple of the Big Buddha in Ko Samui and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist Temple in Bangkok.Azamara Reveals 2022 European Voyages for its New Ship, Azamara OnwardAzamara – the boutique cruise line dedicated to Destination Immersion® experiences – reveals 22 European itineraries and three new land explorations for the brand's fourth ship, Azamara Onward. Scheduled to set sail in spring 2022 for its inaugural season, Azamara will offer guests the opportunity to join Azamara Onward's maiden and christening voyage, starting in Monte Carlo and concluding in Venice. Azamara Onward will push forward the future of Destination Immersion experiences with half of its voyages being Country-Intensive℠ itineraries, allowing more time to explore a single country's hidden gems, and 85 late nights and 21 overnight stays in multiple cities across Europe.The ship's inaugural deployment will unveil a series of exotic voyages ranging from 7- to 15-nights, where guests can uncover the mysteries of the Black Sea during a visit to Constanta or the famous Potemkin Stairs of Odessa. In addition, enjoy an exceptional PerryGolf™ Mediterranean voyage and a new selection of land explorations, including an AzAmazing Journey in Greece and another in Cappadocia, along with voyages throughout Croatia, Italy, Istanbul, Spain and moreA-ROSA launches 2021 seasonA-ROSA River Cruises extends its 2021 season, reinstates some of its signature features and adds capacity to cater for strong demand.At least 75% of A-ROSA's fleet will be deployed this year, with the first sailing scheduled for the 16th of June on the Portuguese Douro River. Sailings on Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle will launch soon after, with cruises on the Rhône in France to resume in late July. Sailings on the Seine from Paris will continue to be paused until further notice, in acknowledgment of the region's health warnings.A-ROSA was one of the few European river cruise lines that sailed during 2020, after successful deployment of comprehensive health and safety measures. Strictly following the guidelines from Germany's federal agency for disease control and prevention,MSC approved to construct new  flagship terminal in Barcelona MSC Cruises has obtained final approval by the Port of Barcelona's Board of Directors to build and operate an exclusive cruise terminal. This multi-year concession will see the construction of an innovative terminal of 11,670 square metres that MSC Cruises will operate and manage for a 31-year period. The project is estimated to represent a EUR 33 million investment by MSC Cruises. With construction work set to start shortly, the new terminal is expected to enter service in 2024.This project will allow MSC Cruises to consolidate its presence in Barcelona, which is one of the brand's most important ports in the Western Med, and to expand its homeporting operations out of the city. This will result in added direct and indirect economic benefit for the city and region as more international guests will transit through Barcelona, likely spending additional days in the city either before or after their cruise.The new terminal, which will feature shore power facilities and be ready for LNG bunkering operations, will also allow MSC Cruises to deploy more next-generation, environmentally friendly ships in Barcelona. This includes MSC World Europa, the brand's first LNG-powered cruise ship, which is currently under construction and due to enter service in 2022.Not only is Barcelona an important port for MSC Cruises, but also for the entire MSC Group. Both cargo operator MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and ferry operator GNV have a solid presence in the port. As such, the new terminal is further proof of MSC Group's longstanding commitment to Barcelona, Catalonia and the whole of Spain.MSC Cruises – has announced its restart plans for cruising from U.S. ports beginning this August.The announcement follows CDC approval of the Company's Phase 2A Port Agreements for PortMiami and Port Canaveral as well as the provisional approval of its request to conduct a simulation cruise, to be held on MSC Meraviglia from PortMiami on July 17, 2021.MSC Meraviglia will kick off MSC Cruises' restart starting August 2, 2021, with 3- and 4-night cruises from Miami to The Bahamas and featuring MSC Cruises' exclusive new private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Then, starting September 18, 2021, MSC Meraviglia will add 7-night cruises from Miami to The Bahamas and Caribbean, including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Divina will resume cruising from Orlando (Port Canaveral) on September 16, 2021, offering 3-, 4- and 7-night cruise options from to The Bahamas and Caribbean, also including stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine ReserveThe MSC Group Reveals New Luxury Cruise Brand, Explora JourneyWith More Than 300 Years of Seafaring History, Explora Journeys Will Offer an Ocean Escape that Allows Travellers to Celebrate Discovery while Reconnecting to What Matters MostThe MSC Group has announced the company's entry into the luxury cruise market with the launch of a new brand created for the next generation of discerning luxury travellers: Explora Journeys. Built by Fincantieri, the first of four luxury ships will set sail in 2023, with the remaining ships ready in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Each will utilise the latest in cutting-edge maritime technology to provide journeys of discovery through destinations on and off the beaten path. Guests will be hosted on a ship like no other, with the highest level of service and amenities.Designed in partnership with the world's foremost superyacht and luxury hospitality designers, the innovative ship will seamlessly blend elegant Swiss precision with modern European craftsmanship. With 461 oceanfront suites and residences, guests will enjoy striking views at sea and in port from their floor to ceiling windows and personal private terrace. Suites will start at 35 square metres which is among the most spacious for the category in the industry.Fourteen decks will provide ample indoor public space, maximising guest choice and seclusion. Generous outdoor decks will boast more than 2,500 square metres overlooking the sea, with 64 private cabanas across 3 outdoor pools. A fourth pool, with a retractable glass roof, will allow swimming and poolside relaxation in any weather. Combined with various indoor and outdoor whirlpool baths on the ship's promenade deck, the ship was designed with water as a focal point to put guests in an ocean state of mind.With journeys starting at 7 nights, a best-in-class guest experience will ensure relaxed mornings and exciting evenings. Non-conventional arrival and departure times combined with overnight stays will allow Explora Journeys to offer guests exclusive access to once in a lifetime experiences. With ships that travel far north and south of the equator, itineraries in the inaugural collection will offer the ideal blend of celebrated destinations such as Saint Tropez, Bordeaux and Reykjavik, and hidden gems such as Kastellorizo, Bozcaada and the Lofoten Islands. Explora Journeys will bring guests to lesser-travelled harbours to enjoy a more authentic experience and a slower pace of travel.Bookings for the 2023 Inaugural Collection will open in Autumn 2021. To learn more about Explora Journeys, please visit ExploraJourneys.com, contact your travel advisor, or join the conversation @ExploraJourneys.AIDA Cruises opens bookings for Christmas cruise on AIDAcosma and West Med summer cruisesAIDA Cruises announced that bookings are now open for AIDAcosma's voyages over Christmas and New Year's Eve, with AIDAcosma embarking December 22, 2021, on a unique positioning cruise from Hamburg to Gran Canaria. Guests will experience New Year's Eve while anchored in the harbor of Madeira with a perfect view of its famous fireworks display. The cruises are now bookable and can be combined for an extended holiday  in the travel period 22 December 2021 to 8 January 2022.The cruise line also announced that AIDAperla's new Mediterranean voyages in summer 2021 can be booked from today. From July 10 to October 30, 2021, two different 7-day voyages from/to Palma de Mallorca are on the program. Ports of call are Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena, Alicante, Ibiza, Valencia and Barcelona. The passage of the Strait of Gibraltar is another highlight.AIDA Cruises has already been successfully offering cruises since March. The following vacation options can be booked for the 2021 summer season:Canary Islands voyage with AIDAperla, 7 or 14 days, from/to Gran Canaria, until July.Greek cruises with AIDAblu, 7 or 14 days, from/to Corfu, May to OctoberCruises with AIDAsol, 3, 4 or 7 days, from/to Kiel, May to June and from/to Warnemünde, during month of JulyCruises with AIDAprima, 7 days, from/to Kiel, July to OctoberMediterranean cruises with AIDAperla, 7 days, from/to Mallorca, July to OctoberPonant outlines environmental commitments from A to Z.On June 5, as the world focusses on global environmental responsibilities and a sustainable future, PONANT has reiterated its long standing commitment to responsible tourism and the investment the group has put into providing environmentally sustainable actions for over 30 years.PONANT's governance includes a Sustainable Development and CSR department monitored monthly by a steering committee which supervises all actions.On board, currently 60% of waste is recycled with an objective to raise this to 85%. The global rate is 20%.PONANT treats all wastewater – biologically treated and filtered without chemical additives. The residue is 100% tracked, disposed via certified responsible waste disposal.The implementation of shorter supply chains where possible; monitoring the origin of meats supplied and paying attention to animal welfare.Better than carbon neutral: since September 2019 PONANT has implemented 150% offset of carbon emissions.NGO NABU has identified PONANT as the cruise company with the world's cleanest fleet in terms of airborne emissions.Executive Member of AECO – the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators aimed at responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the Arctic.Executive Member of IAATO – the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators – which advocates and promotes safe and environmentally responsible travel in the Antarctic including restrictions on the numbers of guests ashore at one time, proximity to wildlife, briefings for guests, crew and expedition personnel.The PONANT Fleet at the core of sustainability development.Investing over €1 billion, PONANT has the youngest fleet of small luxury expedition ships in the world. 10 small capacity ships fitted with electric propulsion powered by generators. Investing in and operating a modern fleet brings environmental benefits:All ships have obtained Comfort Class 1 certification reflecting low noise and vibration levels – good for guests and marine life alike.The PONANT EXPLORERS fleet of six vessels achieved a 75% reduction in their nitrogen oxide emissions by having catalytic convertors operating 24 hours a day. An industry exclusive.Fleet-wide, PONANT is the first cruise company to have ceased using heavy fuel oil (HFO) moving to 100% lower emission high grade Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil.All the ships in the PONANT fleet carry the highly regarded Bureau Veritas CLEANSHIP certification label.Each ship has a designated Environmental Officer on board responsible for briefings for guests, crew and expedition personnel.Holland America Line Captures the Aloha Spirit of Hawaii and Mexico's Vibrant Culture on 2022-2023 CruisesWith deep-rooted cultures, colourful traditions and endlessly sunny skies, Hawaii and Mexico are a celebration of the senses waiting to be discovered on an award-winning Holland America Line cruise. Travelers can explore both regions on roundtrip sailings from San Diego, California, aboard Pinnacle Class Koningsdam during the 2022-2023 season, now open for booking.Beginning in October 2022 through March 2023, guests can embark on a “Mexican Riviera” or “Circle Hawaii” getaway between five and 18 days. Two back-to-back itineraries can be combined for a 24- or 25-day “Circle Hawaii and Mexican Riviera Collectors' Voyage” for the ultimate tropical getaway. Both regions feature a wealth of cultural experiences, immersion into nature and authentically distinct cuisine.Highlights of the 2022-23 Mexico Cruise Season:All Mexico cruises are roundtrip from San Diego.All seven-day “Mexican Riviera” cruises feature three Mexican ports of call: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.One special five-day cruise departs Dec. 17 and calls at Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.A nine-day New Year's Holiday cruise departing Dec. 29 explores the Sea of Cortez and calls at the Mexican ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, Pichilingue (La Paz) and Loreto.Highlights of the 2022-23 Hawaii Cruise Season:Hawaii cruises sail roundtrip from San Diego with the exception of two departures that are roundtrip from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.“Circle Hawaii” cruises range from 16 to 18 days:16- and 18-day roundtrip from Vancouver with calls at Lahaina, Hilo, Honolulu (overnight) and Nawiliwili. 18-day also stops at Kona.17-day calls at Lahaina, Hilo, Honolulu, Nawiliwili and Kona, Hawaii, and Ensenada, Mexico.18-day calls at Lahaina, Hilo, Honolulu (overnight), Nawiliwili, Kona and Ensenada, Mexico.The overnight call at Honolulu allows guests extra time to visit Pearl Harbor, relax on Waikiki Beach, take in the breathtaking views from Diamond Head State Monument or spend the evening enjoying traditional Hawaiian food and entertainment at an authentic luau.Bookings are open for these cruises sailing roundtrip from San Diego aboard KoningsdamCoral Expeditions full steam on Australian sailing schedule for 2022Coral Expeditions, Australia's pioneering small ship cruise line, today unveiled a fully domestic 2022 sailing schedule. This includes extended sailing dates in the iconic Kimberley due to popular demand. Also released are new additions to the Australia's Coastal Wilderness Series of itineraries to replace international voyages which remain uncertain with ongoing border restrictions.Coral Expeditions has enjoyed strong patronage following its successful restart of domestic operations in October 2020.  With its Australian-flagged small ship fleet carrying no more than 99 passengers and Australian crew, and a rigorous and fully approved SailSAFE Plan, Coral Expeditions is uniquely positioned to revive low-impact cruise tourism in regional Australia.  Headquartered in Cairns, Coral Expeditions has regular communication with all state and federal authorities and operates in full compliance with all directives.NEW DATES The Kimberley Cruise – Now on sale. Australia's Kimberley is the quintessential Aussie adventure. A vast and ancient land shaped by the powerful forces of nature. Majestic waterfalls, epic tidal flows, unique bird and marine species, ancient aboriginal art sites and magnificent rock escarpments shape this experience. Now in our 26th season in the Kimberley, our Australian crew share their knowledge and connection with the land, people, and nature as only a local can do.10 Nights – between Darwin & Broome. New dates in April and May 2022 aboard Coral Geographer are timed to coincide with the waterfall season. The full schedule of 2023 sailing dates from April to October is also now released and available for booking. The Availability Tracker for Coral Expeditions Kimberley season can be viewed HERE.NEW DATES Kimberley Icons, Ashmore & the Rowley Shoals – Now on sale. This new itinerary combines the Kimberley's highlights with the addition of remote Ashmore Reef, Adele Island, and the spectacular Rowley Shoals Marine Park allowing guests to enjoy water activities including snorkel and dive. 12 Nights – between Darwin & Broome onboard Coral Geographer. Departs 12, 24, & 28 September 2022.NEW RELEASE Across the Top – Coming soon. Originally created for Coral Geographer's Maiden Voyage, this itinerary explores some of Australia's most remote coastal regions including pristine offshore reefs and islands across the top of the Australian continent. 18 nights – between Cairns and Broome onboard Coral Adventurer.  Departs: 1 January 2022, and 20 January 2022.NEW RELEASE Australia' Great Southern Coastline – Now on sale. This expedition is a special Australian Geographic Society partner voyage. Experience the company of fellow explorers as we traverse the powerful Southern Ocean crossing the Great Australian Bight. Step ashore in rarely seen islands and national parks, sail past the towering sandstone cliffs of Bunda and visit the pristine marine outpost of the Archipelagos of the Recherche. 14 Nights  – from Melbourne to Fremantle onboard Coral Geographer.  Departs 1 March 2022.Celebrity Cruises' Equinox Announces US Return to ServiceCelebrity Cruises has announced a second ship will be returning to service from a U.S. port. Celebrity Equinox will begin sailing from Fort Lauderdale on July 25. This follows the announcement that Celebrity Edge will become the first cruise ship to depart from US waters on June 26.The recently revolutionised Celebrity Equinox will sail on a seven-night cruise of the Caribbean in what will be a picturesque cruise as guests visit the breath-taking Mexican ports of Cozumel and Costa Maya, along with Nassau, Bahamas.With this announcement, nine of the 14 ships within the Celebrity Cruises' fleet now have plans to return to sailing in 2021 and are ready to take guests to breath-taking destinations, including the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and the Galapagos.Celebrity Equinox joins eight ships in the Celebrity fleet that have been announced as part of its phased restart, including:Celebrity Millennium, which began sailing seven-night Caribbean itineraries from St. Maarten on 5 June; and will reposition to Seattle to sail seven-night Alaska Dawes Glacier cruises beginning 23 July.Celebrity Summit will then sail the remaining St. Maarten season through August, followed by plans to sail a new series of four- and five-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Western Caribbean through late October.Celebrity Apex – sailing seven-night Greek Isles itineraries from 19 June;Celebrity Edge – sailing a rotating schedule of Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, beginning 26 June;Celebrity Silhouette – sailing the UK coastline as of 3 July;Celebrity Flora – returning to the extraordinary Galapagos islands as of 3 July, followed by the award-winning Celebrity Xpedition and intimate 16-passenger Celebrity Xploration on 24 July, and 18 September, respectively.NCL announces additional voyages restarting from the US Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), has announced additional voyages scheduled to set sail from New York, Los Angeles, Port Canaveral, Fla., and Miami and confirmed that its newest innovative ship, Norwegian Encore will replace Norwegian Bliss in Alaska this northern hemisphere summer.As part of its relaunch plan, the Cruise Line has announced its highly anticipated return to Miami, the Cruise Capital of the World, with Norwegian Gem scheduled to cruise seven-day itineraries to the Caribbean beginning Aug. 15, 2021 and a four-day voyage to the Bahamas in November. The Company has also opened for sale additional itineraries toBermuda starting Sept. 26, 2021 from New York on Norwegian Breakaway;the Mexican Riviera on Oct. 24, 2021 from Los Angeles aboard Norwegian Bliss;and the Caribbean on Nov. 13, 2021 from Port Canaveral, Fla. on Norwegian Escape.In addition, Norwegian Encore, the newest ship in the fleet, will make her debut on the West Coast, replacing the previously announced Norwegian Bliss in Seattle for the 2021 northern hemisphere summer cruise season, calling to the Alaska ports of Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, while also offering guests majestic views of Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier or Glacier Bay.RCI announces US comeback Travelers can once again mark their calendars and set their sights on a summer full of long-awaited cruise vacations. Building on the excitement of its upcoming return to Alaska, Royal Caribbean International has announced that six of its award-winning ships will begin sailing from major U.S. cruise ports in Florida and Texas in July and August. The cruise line's comeback will kick off on July 2 in Miami, the cruise capital of the world, with Freedom of the Seas* embarking on a special Fourth of July weekend sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay. By the end of August, 12 Royal Caribbean ships will be cruising once again across The Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska and Europe.On the heels of the first cruise in Royal Caribbean's highly anticipated return to the U.S. will be the debut of the brand-new Odyssey of the Seas* on July 3. The game-changing ship will set sail from Fort Lauderdale on new 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises, to soon be followed by Allure, Symphony, Independence* and Mariner of the Seas. In the coming weeks, the cruise line will announce its plans to reintroduce its full fleet around the globe by year's end.Royal Caribbean's full summer lineup:Freedom of the Seas* – 3- and 4-night Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailings from Miami, starting July 2Odyssey of the Seas* – 6- and 8-night Southern and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, starting July 3Serenade of the Seas – 7-night Alaska sailings from Seattle, starting July 19Allure of the Seas – 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, starting Aug. 8Ovation of the Seas – 7-night Alaska itineraries from Seattle, starting Aug. 13  Symphony of the Seas – 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from Miami, starting Aug. 14Independence of the Seas* – 7-night Western Caribbean sailings from Galveston, Texas, starting Aug. 15Mariner of the Seas – 3- and 4-night Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailings from Port Canaveral, starting Aug. 23The expanded summer line up will go beyond the U.S. to include international ports across the Atlantic, like Barcelona and Rome, when Harmony of the Seas returns to Europe. Starting Aug. 15, the Oasis Class ship will set sail on 7-night itineraries to the Western Mediterranean and visit iconic destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Spain and Provence, France.The new U.S and Europe cruises extend Royal Caribbean's previously announced plans to return to sailing, which include Adventure of the Seas departing from The Bahamas on June 12 as well as Anthem of the Seas sailing out of the U.K. and Jewel of the Seas from Cyprus in July.Saga Cruises' ship ‘Spirit of Discovery' in countdown to launch its first round Britain cruiseWith just three weeks this Sunday until Saga Cruises returns to the ocean on Spirit of Discovery, the ship is a hive of activity as it prepares to relaunch.Spirit of Discovery was initially launched on July 10, 2019 so had only recently taken to the waves when Covid-19 locked down the country. Her first sailing as restrictions lift will see her depart Tilbury on Sunday June 27 on a six-night Scottish Highlands and Islands cruise. It will then go on to complete two, six-night itineraries from the Northern Isles to the Fjords* on July 3 and 25 respectively, and in between will take in a Great British Isles Adventure cruise from July 11 for 14 nights.When she is at full capacity, Spirit of Discovery will accommodate 999 guests across 554 cabins, although this number is being capped further for these initial cruises to observe Covid protocols.At this stage, the 540-strong crew are joining the ship over the coming days ahead. Many are returning crew members so regular guests will recognise friendly faces.Once on-board the crew will re-familiarise themselves with the ship and their roles as well as go through extensive Covid-protocol training ahead of any guests arriving on board. The ship will also undertake a number of sea trials, which enable the crew to practice and refine key elements like breakfast, lunch and dinner service, theatrical performances, the daily cleaning routine, and restocking at ports. And they'll need to be well practised, as it takes nearly five days to load the ship with all the supplies needed for her first cruise around the British Isles. During a normal port of call, restocking of the ship takes around 10 hours as food, drink and supplies are brought on board.While she was in dock over the past year, the maintenance crew also took time to invest in further improvements including the installation of handwashing stations at the entrance to all the restaurants.Princess Expands Medallion capabilities Princess is introducing a new on-demand service that allows guests to call a crew member to their exact location to make an in-person request for assistanceCrewCallTM service on demand is available on stateroom TVs as well as the MedallionClass app and leverages the innovative OceanMedallion wearable to guide a crew member to a guest's exact location to be of service to the guest.The new capability is yet another example of how Princess is leveraging MedallionClass technology to increase high-touch and personalized service versus replacing it.The corresponding CrewCall Chat feature lets guests text their specific question or request using a smart device to be answered or actioned virtually by crew.Cruise Ferry Accommodation for 1,000 Police Officers and Staff During G7 Summit in Cornwall, UKMS Silja Europa, to serve as housing for 1,000 of the estimated 6,500 police officers tasked with providing security for the high-profile leaders attending the 2021 G7 Summit scheduled for June 11-13 in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, England.This is the first in person meeting of the G7 in two years and is the largest police operation in England this year. Cornwall is a small coastal County known for its natural beauty.The 60,000-gross ton Silja Europa, which is operated by Estonia-based Tallink Grupp, will reposition from Estonia in advance of the summit to be docked in Falmouth. For ten days, the ship, one of the largest and most popular passenger ferries sailing the Baltic region, will serve as a floating hotel and meeting space for the policing operation.Ethical Cruise T-Shirts Now available branded podcast t-shirts, cruise-tees and Christmas gifts or design your own in the studio. All using organic cotton, printed using green energy and plastic-free packaging! https://bit.ly/32G7RdhJoin the show:If you have a cruise tip, burning question or want to record a cruise review get in touch with us via the website https://thebigcruisepodcast.com/join-the-show/  Guests: Chris Frame: https://bit.ly/3a4aBCg    Chris's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisCunard  Peter Kollar: https://www.cruising.org.au/Home  Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XvD7tF  Castbox: https://bit.ly/2xkGBEI  Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RuY04u  I heart Radio:  https://ihr.fm/3mVIEUASpotify: https://spoti.fi/3caCwl8  Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2JWE8Tz  Pocket casts: https://bit.ly/2JY4J2M  Tune in: https://bit.ly/2V0Jrrs  Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/2BF6LnEMSC Explora 1MSC Explora 1MSC Explora 1MSC Explora 1MSC Explora 1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Genting Dream Restarts Cruising from Hong KongIn episode 58, Tedd asks Chris about the differences between an Ocean Liner and a Transatlantic Ocean Liner, before we bring the latest cruise news of the week.This podcast is only possible thanks to our supporters, simply buying a coffee keeps us on air. It is just like shouting your mate a coffee, and we consider our listeners close mates.  https://bit.ly/2T2FYGXMARITIME HISTORYTedd's Question around Ocean Liners sets the scene for this weeks maritime history.CRUISE NEWSDream Cruises Announces Resumption of Cruises in Hong Kong with Genting Dream Deployed by JuneDream Cruises is pleased to announce the restart of cruises in Hong Kong, set to begin at the end of July with Genting Dream offering 2 and 3-night “Super Summer Seacations” on the high seas. In time for the summer holidays in Hong Kong, the “Super Summer Seacations” will comprise of a 2-Night “Super Weekend Seacation”, departing Fridays, a 2-Night “Super Weekday Seacation” departing Wednesdays, and a 3-Night “Super Summer Seacation” departing Sundays. Fares will start at a special limited offer, early bird promotional rate of HK1188 per person based on twin occupancy in a Balcony Stateroom for a 2-night “Super Weekday Seacation”; bookings open on Thursday, 27 May 2021.During their journey, guests can enjoy a number of localised activities, educational workshops and fun contests to enhance their cruise. “Spot the Ship” allow guests to explore the vibrant shipping industry in the region by searching for as many different types of vessels plying the waters during their journey. The guests who can find the largest number will receive special autographed memorabilia from the Captain of Genting Dream.As cross-border travel is still currently severely restricted, Dream Cruises is bringing the world on to Genting Dream with a “Japanese Festival” during August and September and a “Nordic Christmas” in November and December. In between, additional events will include Wine & Dine at Sea, Oktoberfest and Night Market and Halloween festivities to liven up voyages and create special memories.RCI Returns to Alaska from July 2021 Royal Caribbean International's U.S. comeback marks its first step forward with the cruise line's return to Alaska this summer. Today, the cruise vacation company announced plans to launch its Alaska season with 7-night cruises – roundtrip from Seattle – on returning favourites Serenade and Ovation of the Seas, beginning July 19 and August 13, respectively. After more than a year with cruising on pause and the significant impact its had on the beloved Alaskan communities, travellers can now chart a course for the culture-rich destinations they have looked forward to discovering while helping revive the local economies. The new summer 2021 Alaska cruises on Serenade and Ovation's existing sailings are available to book today.Serenade will begin cruising in July, sailing roundtrip from Seattle – a change from its previously scheduled homeport in Vancouver. On board, the ship will deliver awe-inspiring views from its signature ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows as guests travel from one far-flung destination to the next. The week-long itinerary features a lineup of popular ports of call, including Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska, as well as the jaw-dropping Endicott Arm fjord and Dawes Glacier.Ovation follows suit in August for a different take on Alaskan adventure, pairing the region's natural wonders and wildlife-filled fjords with a thrilling lineup of experiences on board. From the North Star glass observation capsule to the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, vacationers can get their adrenaline pumping as they take in deck-defying sights of the scenic landscape and lush scenery of the destinations, such as Glacier National Park, the Inside Passage, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska, from unparalleled viewpoints. Carnival cancelsCarnival Cruise Line has extended its rolling pause in operations in Australia through to 21 Nov due to the rescheduling of a dry dock for routine maintenance of Carnival Spirit.Booked guests and their travel advisors are being notified directly of the cancellations and their options for a future cruise credit and onboard credit package, or a full refund.Carnival Splendor is still scheduled to return to service with a sailing from Sydney on 25 Sep.HAL Eurodam Extends 2021 Mediterranean Cruise SeasonFollowing a series of four cruises to Greece in summer 2021, Holland America Line's Eurodam will assume the previously scheduled cruises of Westerdam that span the Mediterranean. From Sept. 12 through its Oct. 30 transatlantic departure, Eurodam will offer five 12-day itineraries roundtrip from Venice, Italy; between Venice and Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Venice and Barcelona, Spain; or from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Bookings open Thursday, May 27, for these cruises.Guests who were booked on Westerdam cruises automatically will be rebooked on the same departure date aboard Eurodam in a comparable stateroom. As a Signature Class vessel, Eurodam has a slightly larger capacity and will be able to accommodate all Westerdam guests (Eurodam 2,104; Westerdam 1,964).Mediterranean Cruise Itineraries (all cruises are 12 days):12: Venice; Zadar and Hvar, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Argostólion, Crete, Rhodes (overnight), Mykonos and Piraeus (overnight), Greece.24: Piraeus; Istanbul (overnight) and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Sarandë, Albania; Dubrovnik, Korcula and Rijeka, Croatia; Koper, Slovenia; Venice (overnight).6: Venice; Katakolon (Olympia), Piraeus, Rhodes (overnight), Santorini and Crete, Greece; Kotor; Korcula; Venice (overnight).18: Venice (overnight); Dubrovnik; Kotor; Corfu and Katakolon, Greece; Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Livorno (Pisa/Florence), Italy; Cannes and Marseille (Provence), France; Barcelona.30: Barcelona, Cartagena, Malaga (Granada) and Cadiz (Seville), Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Funchal, Madeira; Ponta Delgada, Azores; Fort Lauderdale.The 12-day cruises can be combined to form epic 24-day Collectors' Voyages that offer in-depth exploration of the region. The Mediterranean itineraries were designed to offer nonrepeating ports on back-to-back itineraries to enable guests to visit more ports and more countries on one extended voyage. Booking a Collectors' Voyage represents a significant savings off booking the two itineraries separately.Immediately following the transatlantic crossing, Eurodam is expected to begin its scheduled Caribbean season of cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. From November 2021 through March 2022, guests can embark on seven-, 10- and 11-day itineraries that explore the eastern, southern and tropical Caribbean, as well as partial Panama Canal cruises that spend a day on Gatun Lake.Celebrity Cruises reveals new luxury program of wellnessCelebrity Cruises has today revealed the new luxury program of wellness on its latest revolutionary ship, Celebrity Beyond, announced last month and set to join the Celebrity fleet in April 2022.The exquisite new ship will feature a fully immersive, next-level wellness experience woven into every aspect of the guest journey from the stateroom to the spa. Working with best-in-class partners in every category, the holistic program has been designed to improve the wellbeing of guest's mind, body, and spirit.Key wellness and fitness highlights on Celebrity Beyond include:Start with a good night's rest in the AquaClass SkySuites, an immersive living experience with floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private verandas, luxurious bedding and other wellness amenities, thoughtfully designed by multi-award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE The new suites combine the best of the brand's AquaClass offerings with the luxurious spaces, services and amenities of The Retreat®, the exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guestsElevate your endorphins with first at sea fitness programs, including F45 fitness classes and Peloton® cycling alongside  onboard yoga, meditation, strength, stretch and cardio curated by leading experts in each discipline;Complement your journey with programming from our first-ever, “Women in Wellness” at sea initiative including Morgan Mitchell, Australian Olympic sprinter, Katie Brauer, Founder of the Yoga Professional, Noella Gabriel, Co-Founder and Global President of Elemis, Kimberly Snyder, Founder of Solluna, Ruth Zukerman, Co-Founder of SoulCycle® and FlyWheel Sports, and Kiki Koroshetz, goop Wellness Director;Step into The Spa for an escape within your escape, featuring the SEA Thermal Spa with eight different types of relaxation rooms; more than 120 spa treatment including 12 new destination-inspired therapies; the first Kerastase Salon at sea; The Ideal Image Ocean Advanced MedSpa and a new menu of Recovery Services using new technology to improve workout recovery time and overall better physical health;NCL Announces Alaska 2021 restart from Seattle. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), announced that it expects to resume cruise operations from the U.S. beginning Aug. 7, 2021 with week-long voyages from Seattle to Alaska, one of the top cruise destinations among its guests.This summer, travelers will be able to recommence their cruise adventures to Alaska with week-long voyages aboard Norwegian Bliss. She will sail revised itineraries from Aug. 7, 2021 through Oct. 16, 2021, offering seven to 13 hours of port time in Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska.  On select sailings, guests will also have the chance to take in the serene views of Glacier Bay National Park or the Holkham Bay Glacier Fjord.NCL Announces restart details of 8 additional ships. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), has announced that it will resume operations from additional U.S. and international ports this northern hemisphere autumn.Guests will once again sail aboard Norwegian Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Pearl, Jewel, Sun, Spirit and Norwegian's Pride of America to explore Hawaii, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Asia and much more. Earlier this week, NCL also announced its return to Seattle for the Alaska cruise season, with a start date of 7 Aug, 2021.The Company announced its redeployment plans for the following ships:Norwegian Joy will cruise from Miami beginning 19 Oct, 2021 with five to 11-day Caribbean voyages.Norwegian Breakaway will cruise seven-day itineraries to Bermuda from New York beginning 24 Oct, 2021.Pride of America will offer seven-day Hawaii interisland voyages from Honolulu beginning 6 Nov, 2021.Norwegian Bliss will cruise from Los Angeles for seven-day Mexican Riviera voyages beginning 7 Nov, 2021.Norwegian Encore will offer seven-night itineraries from Miami to the Caribbean beginning 14 Nov, 2021.Beginning 20 Nov, 2021, Norwegian Escape will cruise for the first time from Orlando (Port Canaveral), Fla., offering seven-day itineraries to the Caribbean.Norwegian Pearl will sail from Miami offering Panama Canal, Bahamas and Caribbean cruises beginning 23 Dec, 2021.Beginning 20 Jan, 2022, Norwegian Jewel will be the first ship in the fleet to offer roundtrip Panama Canal cruises from Panama City (Colón and Fuerte Amador).Norwegian Sun will sail for the first time in Asia beginning 28 Jan, 2022, offering a five-day Japan itinerary from Hong Kong, before sailing a variety of 11-day cruises from Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok.Norwegian Spirit will cruise 12-day Australia and New Zealand voyages from Sydney, and Auckland, New Zealand beginning 9 Feb, 2022.Oceanina Cruises announces additional restartOceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, announced that it will resume cruise operations with three additional ships, Riviera, Insignia, and Sirena, between October 2021 and January 2022. Riviera will resume its previously published voyage schedules beginning from Istanbul on 18 October, 2021 and sail a series of Mediterranean voyages prior to beginning the northern hemisphere winter 2021-2022 series of Caribbean voyages from Miami.Insignia will resume sailings with the 21 December, 2021 Panama Canal voyage from Miami prior to embarking on a sold-out 180-day Around the World cruise from Los Angeles to New York.Sirena will commence sailings starting with the 22 January, 2022 Caribbean voyage from Miami to Panama City, Panama.Voyage itineraries for each ship will continue to be evaluated for port availability and may be adjusted as required closer to the sailing dates. These additional ship restarts follow 28 April announcement of the line's Marina, resuming cruise operations from Copenhagen beginning on 29 August, 2021.  Phased restart dates for Regatta and Nautica will be announced at a later date.Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Return to SailingHaving already announced the September return of Seven Seas Splendor®, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® today confirmed its resumption of sailing plan for the rest of The World's Most Luxurious Fleet, which will see all five ships back exploring the oceans by February 2022With Seven Seas Splendor embarking on its inaugural season on 11 September, 2021 from London (Southampton), England, Regent's four remaining ships will begin their long-awaited return to the ocean from October 2021.From spacious suites and expansive social areas, to multiple gourmet dining venues and attentive, personalised service, luxury travellers will soon be able to once again enjoy Unrivalled Space at Sea™ and the peace of mind that comes with the multi-layered SailSAFE health and safety program, including 100% vaccination of both guests and crew.Seven Seas Explorer will welcome back guests on 16 October, 2021 sailing from Venice, Italy. She will complete two published Mediterranean voyages before crossing the Atlantic to Miami, Florida and, from 15 November, 2021, sail a further two published sailings in the Caribbean. The ship then begins a newly created winter Caribbean season featuring eight new sailings, starting 20 December, 2021 with a 14-night Southern Caribbean cruise. After a trans-Atlantic crossing, she will arrive back in Europe on 10 April, 2022, sailing three more newly created Mediterranean itineraries before embarking on her published 2022 European summer season on 14 May.This impacts Australia having cancelled its previously planned 2021/22 Seven Seas Explorer season in Asia-Pacific.Seven Seas Mariner Following her technical dry-dock, Seven Seas Mariner will return to sailing on a published 18 December, 2021 itinerary, cruising from Miami, Florida to San Francisco, California where she will begin an epic World Cruise on 5 January, 2022.Seven Seas Navigator's resumption will begin 6 January, 2022 from Miami, Florida with her published 2022 Southern Caribbean winter sailings, which include multiple round-trip Barbados voyages.Seven Seas Voyager returns with five new Mediterranean voyages, the first from Barcelona, Spain on 15 February, 2022, before commencing her published 2022 European summer season itineraries exploring the Mediterranean and Northern Europe from 15 April, 2022.Celebrity Edge to recommence sailings Celebrity Cruises has received approval to resume sailings from the United States after more than a year of suspended operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 26, the cruise company will mark a long-awaited return with Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Edge departing from Port Everglades in Fort LauderdaleThe cruise company's return is heralded with a sailing on its much lauded, state-of-the-art, luxury ship Celebrity Edge. The ship was given the go-ahead by the CDC to be the first ship back in the water, meeting all new standards for delivering a safe and healthy cruise experience for guests and crew. The inaugural sailing from Fort Lauderdale sets the stage for Royal Caribbean Group to announce additional itineraries, reviving local U.S. port economies and kick-starting the rebound in cruise tourism around the world.All sailings will depart with vaccinated crew and everyone over the age of 16 must present proof of vaccination against COVID-19; as of August 1, 2021, all guests ages 12 and older must present proof of vaccinationLe Commandant Charcot: Northern Summer 2022 sales open.The Arctic explored as it has never been beforeSome adventures epitomise the very essence of the word ‘expedition', the once-in-a-lifetime dream fulfilled after meticulous planning and preparation. Enter exploration of the Arctic, from on board the world-first high polar luxury exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot.Announcing the opening of sales for the northern summer 2022 season, Deb Corbett, PONANT General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific “invites adventurous travellers who are in search of purpose, perspective and knowledge, to explore the Arctic's extreme latitudes, including expedition voyages to the geographic North Pole, Northeast Greenland, Nordaustlandet, Svalbard and the Northwest Passage. Once in a lifetime out of this world travel experiences await.”Set sail for the Arctic aboard Le Commandant Charcot and embark on an immersive journey to discover a whole new vision of the world.Currently completing sea trials, Le Commandant Charcot is the world's first luxury high polar exploration vessel, with hybrid propulsion powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas), the most eco-friendly energy source currently available. The innovation driving this ship underlines PONANT's unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism. In addition to its Polar Class 2 (PC2) certification, the vessel's design incorporates the very latest in green technologies, including wastewater treatment, 100% of waste recycled onboard and a ban on all single-use plastics.Le Commandant Charcot symbolises the culmination of PONANT's corporate commitment to reduce its environmental impact – a reflection of the company's wealth of experience and expertise gained since inception in 1988.PONANT announces 14 border-bubble voyages – New Zealand & beyond in 2021, 2022 & 2023!The gradual opening of border-bubble close-to-home travel provides opportunity to confidently explore the extraordinary islands and coastlines of our region. From November 2021 to early 2023, luxury expedition cruise line PONANT has released a diverse range of itineraries – 14 voyages focused on New Zealand and beyond, varying in duration from 7 to 21 nights, each hand crafted to reveal the very best these stunning destinations offer.Examples of the 14 New Zealand border-bubble voyages available:NEW – 9 nights' New Zealand's Fiordland & the Snares Expedition – Dunedin/Wellington to Dunedin/WellingtonDeparts Dunedin on 21 November 2021 or Wellington on 30 November 2021. Le Soléal.Visit Antarctica from New Zealand! NEW – 21 nights' Scott & Shackleton's Antarctic Ross Sea Expedition – Dunedin to DunedinDeparts Dunedin on 13 January 2022 and 3 February 2022. Le Soléal.NEW itinerary: 13 nights' From New Zealand to New Caledonia – Lyttelton to NoumeaDeparts Lyttelton on 27 January 2022. Le Lapérouse.Crystal Endeavor Completes Final Sea TrialCrystal Expedition Cruises today announced the successful completion of the second and final sea trial for its new luxury expedition yacht Crystal Endeavor, marking another important milestone toward the upcoming delivery of the Made in Germany vessel from MV WERFTEN. Crystal Endeavor's final sea trial began on Thursday, May 20 and returned to the shipyard the evening of May 23 where the final steps of the construction process will be completed. The ship is scheduled for its technical delivery on May 27, 2021.During sea trials, Crystal Endeavor underwent rigorous performance and operational tests on the ship's systems, machinery and engines, including safety, navigation and propulsion systems, and noise and vibration measurements. Captain Thomas Larsen along with senior members of the Crystal Endeavor bridge and engineering teams participated in the sea trials in collaboration with the engineers, naval architects and builders from the expert MV WERFTEN team in Stralsund, part of a family of shipyards known for their passenger ship, icebreaker and private yacht building expertise.From bow to stern, the 20,200-GRT Crystal Endeavor is designed with power, efficiency, and the environments of the world in mind. Crystal Endeavor will be the most spacious, fastest and most powerful expedition ship in the industry, with a Polar Class 6 (PC6) classification that enables her to sail in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The ship's propulsion system includes two Azipod D units and a diesel electric power plant designed specifically for ice-going vessels to help them operate at optimum efficiency while providing 13,020 kW of installed power, delivering well-balanced power and propulsion installation, giving both speed and comfort.OCEANIA CRUISES UNVEILS “VISTA” SIGNATURE SPACESOceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, unveiled the signature lounges, bars, and wellness facilities of Vista, the first of two new 1,200-guest Allura Class ships that are being constructed by renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A. The 67,000-gross-ton, 1,200-guest luxury vessel, the seventh for the line, will set sail in 2023. A second Allura Class ship will debut in 2025.Purposely designed to deliver the brand's hallmark small-ship luxury experience, Vista features a wide variety of social, recreation, and wellness spaces oriented across six of the ship's 11 guest decks. A mixture of both grand and cosy spaces presents guests with a room for every mood and purpose, whether one seeks an intimate getaway spot to enjoy a quiet read, a tony bar for evening cocktails, or to dance the night away with newfound friends.The Grand Staircase: A Welcome Unlike Any OtherAn iconic element of the Oceania Cruises brand, The Grand Staircase is where every new Oceania Cruises journey begins. Sleek curves and elegant details define the grandest of beginnings. A glistening floor-to-ceiling pillar of crystal and light sets the tone for the ship and the guest experience.Martinis: A Classic TransformedSo much more than the name conveys, Oceania Cruises' reimagined Martinis bar is a true destination aboard Vista. Convivial gathering spaces are nestled among walls of shimmering glass, and custom sculptural lighting casts a warm glow over the heart of the bar. Sophistication, glamour, and elegance serve as a backdrop for extraordinary evenings.The Grand Lounge: Gatherings Made GlamorousEvoking the feeling of a private club, The Grand Lounge features sleek alcoves enhanced by a gold-infused colour palette, sculptural lighting, and elegant lines. It is a relaxing yet elegant lounge that invites guests to unwind before an unforgettable dinner or enjoy a nightcap with fellow explorers.Horizons: A View of the WorldConjuring a world of possibilities, the dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows and inspiring silhouettes in Horizons celebrate the journey. Guests will be awed by sweeping 180-degree views whether they're sharing travel stories over afternoon tea, taking in sights along the way, or enjoying a lively musical performance.Pool Deck: A Tranquil OasisMirroring the beauty of the surrounding sea, the Pool Deck creates the perfect onboard escape. Guests may revel in the solitude of a uniquely modern beach-club cabana, go for a refreshing swim, or gather with friends poolside. The variety of textures and soothing natural tones come together in a natural oasis to reconnect with nature.Vista's best-in-class culinary experiences and spacious, residentially inspired suites and staterooms will be revealed in the coming weeks, with her inaugural voyages opening for sale in September 2021.Currently under construction by Fincantieri S.p.A. in Italy, Vista will sail her first commercial voyage in early 2023. Measuring approximately 67,000 gross registered tons, the ship will accommodate 1,200 guests and be staffed by 800 officers and crew, offering industry-leading space and staff-to-guest ratios. An unnamed sister ship will debut in 2025.Oceania Vista - AtriumOceania Vista - Grand BarOceania Vista - Martini BarOceania Vista - Horizons LoungeOceania Vista - Allura PoolOceania Vista - Spa OutdoorEthical Cruise T-ShirtsNow available branded podcast t-shirts, cruise-tees and Christmas gifts or design your own in the studio. All using organic cotton, printed using green energy and plastic-free packaging! https://bit.ly/32G7RdhJoin the show:If you have a cruise tip, burning question or want to record a cruise review get in touch with us via the website https://thebigcruisepodcast.com/join-the-show/ Guests:Chris Frame: https://bit.ly/3a4aBCg   Chris's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisCunard Peter Kollar: https://www.cruising.org.au/Home Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XvD7tF Castbox: https://bit.ly/2xkGBEI Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RuY04u I heart Radio:  https://ihr.fm/3mVIEUASpotify: https://spoti.fi/3caCwl8 Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2JWE8Tz Pocket casts: https://bit.ly/2JY4J2M Tune in: https://bit.ly/2V0Jrrs Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/2BF6LnE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cruise News Briefing - May 21, 2021. MSC Virtuoso set sail on the first cruise from the UK in nearly 14-months. Royal Caribbean canceled the 2021 Bermuda season aboard Vision of the Seas citing optimism between the cruise line and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Norwegian Cruise Line is hoping to salvage part of the Alaska 2021 cruise season, by booking staterooms for later this year on Norwegian Bliss. Cruise line stocks for CCL, NCLH, and RCL. 

Sommaren gör ett sista ryck, i alla fall på västkusten. Det firade Fartygspoddens Göteborgsavdelning genom att göra en rejäl tur på havet för att spana in Norwegian Bliss och Norwegian Encore som ligger strax utanför Vinga fyr. Fartygen kom hit för att fullfölja ett besättningsbyte. Det snackar vi om i veckans avsnitt, men också om spökshipspotting i England, om mörka tider på Östersjön och om att kryssningssäsongen nu ser ut att komma till Göteborg. Välkomna ombord! /Christopher & Patrik

Welcome to episode #164!   From the depths of Davy Jones' Locker, we have found a missing interview that we recorded back in November 2019 with the Cruise Sisters.    Janice and Juliet had just completed a short media event cruise on the Norwegian Encore and were able to share their first thoughts with us just after debarking the new cruise ship.   The Norwegian Encore is a Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship and  she is the third Breakaway Plus-class ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet, following sister ships Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Escape, and Norwegian Joy,   We always enjoy speaking with the Cruise Sisters' and hearing about their stories and experiences as they travel on their cruise adventures.   We hope you enjoy this fantastic interview!   Follow the Cruise Sisters on Social Media!   Website: https://cruise-sisters.de/en/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cruise.sisters/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cruise_sisters?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cruisesisters.de   Keep On Cruising Tommy & Scott The Cruise Dudes Podcast P.S. We appreciate it when you Visit Amazon.com

Today, I had a conversation with my friend, Prakash, also known as Suprakash Nashipuri. He is Cellar Master of the Mondavi Wine Cellar on Norwegian Bliss. Bliss is one of the newest ships in the fleet of Norwegian Cruise Line. Prakash has a very interesting background from studying biology, selling pharmaceuticals, to being a sommelier on cruise ship. He is following his passion, which I love! NCL Bliss is a huge ship, but it is absolutely beautiful and well designed, with plenty of places to find your own space. In the 21 days I've spend onboard (2 different cruises), I never felt crowded. Most importantly, the staff is wonderful, and I am grateful to have met people like Prakash. I hope you will enjoy our conversation and learn some background about an Indian sommelier loving his career of working around the world on a cruise ship. Links:www.pilkingtontravels.comPodcast: InstagramTravel: InstagramPodcast: FacebookTravel: Facebook

Tiderna vi lever i har bjudit på många överraskningar under de senaste månaderna, men helgens stora snackis är nog en av de märkligaste hittills. De båda jättekryssarna NORWEGIAN BLISS och NORWEGIAN ENCORE har lämnat amerikanska Norfolk med destination Malmö. Det snackar vi om denna veckan. Dessutom tar vi upp coronautbrottet på ROALD AMUNDSEN, den gamla danska tågfärjan BROEN som nu gjort en sista resa över Stora Bält, samt om nybygget SEA CLOUD SPIRIT som fått sin första mast på plats. Välkomna ombord! /Christopher & Patrik   Foto: Meyer Werft / David Hecker.

Welcome to episode #159! We have a very special interview today with Jason Beukema, founder of Whet Travel and the Groove Cruise, the premier electronic dance music chartered cruise vacation event! Starting with an idea, a passion for music and a personal financial risk, Jason launched the first Groove Cruise over 15 years ago and has built a community and a loyal family of electronic dance music fans. From his humble beginnings of his first event to now, chartering entire cruise ships, Jason shares with us his inspirational stories of entrepreneurism, the planning and logistics of a successful chartered cruise event, to volunteerism and much more.  Jason's company, Whet Travel, has grown tremendously and also produces Groove Island, Salsa Cruise, Shiprocked Cruise, Motörhead Motorboat Cruise, Dice Tower Cruise and more.  We hope that this interview will inspire you to do something new and exciting. Also, make plans to join Jason and his Groove Cruise Family on the biggest cruise ship on the west coast, the Norwegian Bliss, Oct. 15th - 18th, 2020! Groove Cruise Cali -2020!     Please follow Jason and  bookmark these links, let him know you heard him on The Cruise Dudes Podcast!  Groove Cruise Home Page Groove Cruise Cali 2020 - The Ascension Whet Travel Whet Foundation Groove Cruise YouTube Channel Groove Cruise Instagram Jason's Instagram Keep On Cruising! Tommy & Scott  

We get a review of a seven-night Bahamas cruise on Norwegian Bliss from New York City. The cruise went to Nassau, Port Canaveral, and Great Stirrup Cay. Norwegian Bliss was launched in 2018 from Norwegian Cruise Line.  Sherry has cruise news on:  Holland America ship cancels sailing from Port Everglades  Royal Caribbean will bring a mega-ship to Texas  Cruising is only getting bigger according to a new report Port Everglades breaks a cruise world record  Carnival says watch what you wear onboard Listener Question: Best places to stay before sailing out of Long 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.

Die in der Papenburger Meyer Werft gebaute Norwegian Encore ist Ende Oktober 2019 in Dienst gegangen und Cruisetricks.de war einige Tage an Bord, um sich NCLs neuestes Schiff der Breakaway-Plus-Klasse genauer anzusehen. Im Podcast sprechen wir über Besonderheiten und Neuheiten an Bord der Norwegian Encore, beispielsweise einer noch einmal vergrößerten Kart-Rennbahn, dem exzellenten, neuen italienischen Spezialitäten-Restaurant Onda by Scarpetta, einem umfangreichen Virtual-Reality-Bereich und auch neue Shows und das West-End-Musical "Kinky Boots" im Theater. Wir gehen auf Unterschiede zu den beiden Schwesterschiffen Norwegian Joy und Norwegian Bliss ein und reden auch über Norwegians Konzept und Strategie insgesamt. Kurz gehen wir außerdem auf die umfassende Renovierung der Norwegian Spirit ein, in die NCL Anfang 2020 über 100 Millionen Dollar investiert, um sie auf den aktuellen Stand zu bringen.

In the world of art, nothing compares to the size, scope, and majesty of Wyland’s life-sized whale murals. Spanning the sides of skyscrapers, sports arenas, and structures throughout the world, these landmark public murals captured the imagination of millions and helped inspire a new generation to become better stewards for our environment. For more than forty years, the murals have served as a reminder to communities around the world that we all share a special connection with our blue planet. The Wyland Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through education programs, public arts projects, and community events.  Join bUneke Magazine as we talk with Robert Wyland, the founder and the artist behind the iconic name. We talk about his art, his foundation, the Statue of Liberty, water conservation, Ryan Hickman, Elliot Bay, Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam, O.G. Slick, streetart, Norwegian Bliss at Pier 66, Seattle WA, Mission Blue, Sylvia A. Earl, Toyota, Dana Wharf Whale Watch, Wyland Foundation, Wyland Galleries at Disney's Boardwalk Inn, Wyland Galleries at Port Canaveral FL, and quite a bit more! Learn more! https://www.wyland.com

Listener Chris joins us once again to share his families experience sailing onboard the Norwegian Bliss this Summer to Alaska.…

Listener Chris joins us once again to share his families experience sailing onboard the Norwegian Bliss this Summer to Alaska. Chris and his family have sailed Disney previously, but this time chose to sail in Norwegian’s Haven Suite’s to Alaska aboard the Bliss. We talk about what is included in the Haven, onboard dining, entertainment, […]

Welcome to episode #142! The Norwegian Bliss is quite an amazing and beautiful ship to sail on. On this new show we have our friend Connie Moreno is back to share with us her "must do's" while sailing on this ship. She even gives you a fantastic tip even if you forgot to book at one of the specialty restaurants before the cruise and how she was able snag a reservation and even save some money too. Do you have a special tip or a "must do" on the Bliss? Let's know on our Facebook page, Instagram post or any other of our social media channels. Enjoy the show!  Tommy & Scott

A review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Bliss on a seven-night cruise. We get a comprehensive review of this Breakaway-plus class ship from a guest who traveled solo. Bliss spends the summers in Alaska and winters sailing the Caribbean.  We answer your travel insurance questions regarding sailing during hurricane season, the difference between credit card insurance and a regular policy, and the cut off line for buying a travel insurance policy.  Sherry has cruise news on:  Political unrest diverts cruise ships from San Juan Allure of the Seas getting a massive makeover Carnival is beefing up Bermuda calls  Western Caribbean beaches are still struggling with seaweed Tropical Storm diverts, extends, and shortens Caribbean cruises  Listener Question: We are light sleepers, can you recommend a deck that we won't hear much noise from the engine, dining, or elevators?  Support our sponsor: Audible Get a free audiobook download and a 30-day trial at http://audibletrial.com/cruise. 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 Carnival Victory, a ship that sails three and four nights out of Miami, Florida. This was a three-night Bahamas cruise. Matt gives us a bow to stern overview of the ship and what he did in the Bahamas. In 2020, Carnival Victory will undergo a $200 million dry dock to become Carnival Radiance.  Richard has cruise news:  Toddler falls from Royal Caribbean ship balcony  Royal Caribbean honors drinking pricing error  Royal Caribbean ship heads to New Orleans  Norwegian Cruise Line app goes fleetwide  Carnival Cruise Line rolls out brunch menu to more ships Carnival starts recycling soap by the end of July 2019 Listener Question: What cruise ship do we pick, Anthem of the Seas or Norwegian Bliss?  Support our sponsor: Audible Get a free audiobook download and a 30-day trial at http://audibletrial.com/cruise. 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 first look at Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship to the Alaska market, Norwegian Joy. This was the very first passenger sailing in North America and we covered a lot of ground. With 18 dining options, go-karts, laser tag, a virtual reality gaming complex; Footloose, the musical, and other shows - it was a very packed sailing.  Norwegian Joy is the sister ship to Norwegian Bliss (launched in 2018). Many people don't know that Joy was launched first in 2017, but was purpose-built for the Chinese market.  --- 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 from Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ship Norwegian Bliss. This was a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to Miami that went to Tortola, St. Thomas, and Nassau.  Did Viking sail into the storm knowing that bad weather was on the radar? Action News Meteorologist Greg Dee to let us know how forecastable these storms in the North Sea area. Listener questions about Northern Europe shore excursions.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news on:  Viking Ocean Cruises incident in the North Seas during rough weather A famous cruise ship is getting sued because of a bed bug problem in 2018 Celebrity Summit is sailing again after a massive refurbishment Princess Cruises confirms two more new cruise ships --- 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.  

I’m back from vacation!! Yes I know, I was back like two weeks ago from Hong Kong, China but this time I’m back from our cruise trip we had booked before our Hong Kong trip!! We took a Norwegian Bliss cruise out of Miami with stops in St. Thomas USVI, Tortola BVI (my personal favourite for the lovely views of rainforest and coast line, and one of the nicest beaches I’ve been too), and Bahamas. We did some amazing snorkeling right off the beach in Magens Bay, St Thomas. I was snorkeling with land developer Charles’ Wah’s dad, he goes by Wah and my brother Tony.  My brother is an advanced diver, I’m a recreational diver, we both like to dive but when travelling with kids, snorkelling will have to do. We saw lots of tropical fish, some the size of my forearm, a school of cuttlefish and the highlight was an octopus.  We hung out with our eight legged friend for a bit and were treated to a show as it changed colours to an almost white. Snorkelling brought back memories of my brother and I snorkelling in Bahamas as kids.  This event and the whole trip was a great bonding experience for us. On the trip was my wife and kids, Tony’s wife and kid, my mom, friends of the show Charles Wah, land developer and Andy Tran best known for his basement suite consulting business.  They both brought their families including parents. Our total group was 26 and it was so much fun!!! I call this having multiple flavours of cake and eating it too!! Charles and Andy are my friends who were at first clients of mine then became close friends. We’re all young and ambitious entrepreneurs so it’s great we can get together like family to enjoy a pleasure cruise.  We get each other whereas many of you investors know, not many people “get you.” I love cruising so much, I already booked my next cruise in early 2019.  You see, I’m turning 40, I thought things were downhill at 30 so even more so now.  Cherry and I are attending the 10X Growth Conference by Grant Cardone in Miami so why not hope on a 4 night cruise i in the Caribbean since we’re already in Miami and it’s so much cheaper than staying in Miami LOL :P A couple real estate friends look to be coming too.  How great is that, a motivation conference followed by a week with fellow entrepreneurs to mastermind and have a good time.  I truly love mixing business with pleasure!!!! Quick announcement before we get to our guest, I’m still getting questions on almost a daily basis on timing real estate, the future of real estate, blockchain and real estate, am I worried about interest rates and bubbles, the recently announcement of the GM plant closing in Oshawa etc… so come January at my monthly networking meeting I will go over how I see the world and how the research drives my decisions.  I am not an economist however I am a multi millionaire investor, I’ve coached multiple multi millionaire investors, and I spend a lot of time around other real estate multi millionaires so hopefully I’ve learnt something along the way. I’ll share the research anyways so you may make your own decisions. So go to http://www.truthaboutrealestateinvesting.ca/meeting/ to get on the invite list. Our January guest speakers are currently developing a small piece of land and building from scratch two houses on a lot they bought with already two properties.  Pretty cool eh? Take two properties and sever the lot, build for a total of four properties and 8 units. How did they do it? Andy Tran and Charles Wah will be at my networking meeting to share how they went about doing it. Starting Late but Retiring 5 Years Early with Doug and Anna Scott Have you met Doug and Anna Scott? No? They are at every networking event.  They will even split up to divide and conquer if there are events going on at the same time.  I last saw Doug at the Ontario Landlord Watch Annual Conference but no Anna, she was at Scott McGilvrey’s Keyspire event in Toronto where they are member coaches. Doug and Anna also host their own networking group in Cambridge, Ontario.  I’ve been before, it’s a great, energetic group of action takers. My wife has spoken their twice, I spoke there just a few months ago. Highly recommend you check them out if you’re in the area… or not from the area as Doug and Anna will tell you.  No great event is too far as they live in Waterloo but are regulars and members of the Durham REI meetings all the way in Whitby, Ontario so that’s 90 minutes in no traffic or five hours in Toronto traffic. Anyways, here is their story on how even while starting late in life, investing in just a few properties allowed Doug to retire five years early, how retirement/full time investing really means spending more time doing what they want to do.  How they got started, how to be great networkers, and as always, advice for the new investor.   To follow Doug and Anna: Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/topics/real-estate-investors/ca/on/kitchener/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bikingchick23 Email: lautuspg@bell.net

Can you forgive us? We took 6 weeks off since the last podcast, mostly due to scheduling conflicts. But, Sunshine has also been under the weather. On this episode Sunshine and Kalani are in the lounge sipping on two of our newest cocktail. Click here for recipes and make Seven Stars or Shattered Pony to enhance your enjoyment of this podcast.

Welcome back! We hope you are all surviving back to school. Thank you to everyone who sent us an update on their summer travels. Now that we are back to a regular schedule, we wanted to share our two different experiences on the Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship. As you may recall, Kim and her family took a short media cruise on the Norwegian Bliss back in May and Tamara and her family recently sailed on the Norwegian Bliss from Seattle to Alaska. Hear what we loved (and what we didn't) and the latest and greatest Norwegian ship! ON THE PODCAST 00:32 - Presenting Sponsor 01:06 - Talking with Kim and Tamara 01:45 - Norwegian Bliss Cruise ship 03:53 - Kim’s experience on Norwegian ships 06:40 - Tamara’s experience on Norwegian Bliss 11:25 - Tamara’s cruise stops 13:05 - Room configurations 24:12 - The Haven 26:12 - Bidding on upgrades 27:00 - Restaurants and packages on the Norwegian Bliss 40:57 - Tamara’s favorite restaurant 42:17 - Kim’s favorite restaurant 46:40 - Activities on the Bliss 54:58 - Spa 1:02:30 - Upcoming ABOUT FAMILY BACKPACK Our presenting sponsor is The Family Backpack, a time-and stress-saving tool for parents researching and planning family vacations. The Family Backpack has researched and curated over 2,000 posts from over 200 blogs to provide parents the best of family travel content from over 600 destinations worldwide – all in one easily searchable place. Whether trekking around your own city, road tripping with your kids or flying around the world, visit TheFamilyBackpack.comfor itineraries, tips, packing lists, tons of travel inspiration and more! MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship 27 Useful Things to Know about the Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship FOLLOW US AND SPREAD THE WORD! If you liked this show, please be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, orGoogle Playand leave us a review! Have a question or comment? Send us an email or leave us a voicemail at +1.641.715.3900, ext. 926035# You can also follow our travels on Stuffed Suitcaseand We3Travel, or follow the Vacation Mavens on Instagram, Facebookor Twitter. Thanks for listening!

Friday September 1, 2018 Anthony and Carla Marie just got off their cruise on Norwegian Bliss and they headed straight to the studio with Sam, WIlliam and Alex. Cruise recap, weird nicknames you never agreed to, bumble relationships and a little sing-a-long at the end to cap it off. Give it a listen and share the podcast with a friend!

Friday August 24th 2018Carla Marie and Anthony prep for their Norwegian Bliss cruise to Alaska! They also show off their state knowledge (well, maybe their lack of Knowledge)

This week’s episode kicks off with an update from Becky of sightDOING on how much she was able to score in flight delay compensation thanks to EC 261 - the European Union’s passenger rights regulation she taught us about last week. Jen from Deals We Like shares the five things you want to know about Hyatt’s 10% Rebate Promotion. We cap off the episode with Kimberly of Stuffed Suitcase and Vacation Mavens - A Family Travel Podcast for an awesome review of her Alaskan cruise on the brand new Norwegian Bliss. Thanks to our Sponsors! Gogo In-Flight Internet BookYourAward.com Timestamps 01:20 - Update from Becky on how much she got from her flight delay compensation claim 03:30 - When getting compensation, do you take the cash, the voucher or the points? 09:00 - The five things you need to know about Hyatt’s 10% rebate promotion 11:40 - The ONE thing you need to do for the Hyatt promo... 14:10 - Our first cruise review! 20:00 - Norwegian’s new options and pricing for specialty dining 25:00 - What’s it like being on such a big ship? 27:05 - TF2P Show Notes & Links Becky’s Blog & Update Jen’s Blog on Hyatt’s 10% Rebate Promotion Kimberly’s Awesome Review of the Norwegian Bliss Kimberly's Podcast: Vacation Mavens - A Family Travel Podcast Check Out Some of Our Favorite Travel Podcasts Disney Deciphered Dots, Lines & Destinations

May 30, 2018. We spent the day on board Norwegian Bliss christening the brand new ship! What’s the weirdest situation you’ve ever been in with a significant other’s ex? Who pays on a first date?

Welcome to episode #122! We are back with another show about the Norwegian Bliss. This time we are comparing our notes with Don from EatSleepCruise and all about his three day cruise. We discuss the differences and improvements between the Escape and the Bliss and of course, and compare our thoughts about the food and the special onboard and unique experiences. We highly recommend you visit Don's website and follow his social media accounts. He has valuable information and honest reviews about his cruise experiences. You can find Don here: EatSleepCruise Website EatSleepCruise Facebook EatSleepCruise Twitter EatSleepCruise Instagram EatSleepCruise Pinterest   Have you booked your cruise on the Bliss? Tell us where you are going! We hope you will enjoy the show!   * * * * * Issue #3 of Seawind is out!   www.seawindmag.co   * * * * *   Please don't forget our new interactive digital magazine app, Seawind!   Our digital magazine can read on either your mobile phone or tablet. Interactive features include video, audio, websites, and webcam links (these features require an Internet connection, but you can still read and enjoy even offline). It is our desire to give you valuable information about cruising, destinations, food, activities and so much more.  We want to thank you in advance for supporting us. Please consider leaving a review at the App Stores. This will help our ranking and bring more visibility to the app. Also, please share this app with your cruise friends and family. Consider giving it as a gift to your favorite cruiser! We would really appreciate it.  Here are the direct links to the app: Seawind - Apple App Store Seawind - Google Play Store Thank you for listening and sharing our show with your family and friends - we really appreciate all of your support of our podcast and our digital magazine, Seawind! Keep On Cruising! Tommy & Scott  P.S. We appreciate it when you Visit Amazon.com     Contact The Cruise Dudes! Twitter: @TheCruiseDudes Instagram: TheCruiseDudes YouTube: The Cruise Dudes Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/321163017150953432/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecruisedudes Email: thecruisedudes@gmail.com Voice Mail: 424-272-1916 Seawind Magazine www.seawindmag.com Twitter: @SeawindMag Instagram: SeawindMag The Cruise Dudes Podcast is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. 

Norwegian Bliss has been custom-built for the spectacular - featuring a revolutionary Observation Lounge for you to soak in every stunning moment, go karts and laser tag to keep the adrenaline pumping, and staterooms for every budget. Jennifer and Emily had the unique opportunity to go on an inaugural cruise, and they have all the details about this amazing ship! * PLUS * - Jaimie shares flight attendant secrets to looking refreshed on your next trip - Melissa brings her whole family on to talk about their weekend adventure to the New England Air Museum - Melissa wants you to take a picture of your luggage ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

This week’s broadcast of Travel Today with Peter Greenberg comes from the new Norwegian Bliss sailing out of Miami, Florida. Joining Peter is Andy Stuart, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, on the little known Jones Act and how it impacts cruising and your choices of ports. Then, Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, shares where the idea to have a double-deck high race track on Norwegian Bliss was hatched. And a look at the rapidly changing behavioral and age stats of cruise ship passengers from Tom Steighorst of Travel Weekly. There’s all this and more as Travel Today with Peter Greenberg comes from NCL’s Norwegian Bliss.

This week’s broadcast of Travel Today with Peter Greenberg comes from the new Norwegian Bliss sailing out of Miami, Florida. Joining Peter is Andy Stuart, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, on the little known Jones Act and how it impacts cruising and your choices of ports. Then, Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, shares where the idea to have a double-deck high race track on Norwegian Bliss was hatched. And a look at the rapidly changing behavioral and age stats of cruise ship passengers from Tom Steighorst of Travel Weekly. There’s all this and more as Travel Today with Peter Greenberg comes from NCL’s Norwegian Bliss.

Florian joins me once again to update happenings at the Meyer Werft shipyard.  Believe it or not, but we are…

We get a review of Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder on a seven-night Bahamas cruise from Galveston, Texas. This cruise was a special cruise because it was their first time cruising Disney and their first time cruising ever! How did it stack up? We get a comprehensive review from this family.  Sherry has cruise news:  Royal Caribbean has detailed the pricing on the CocoCay makeover.  Norwegian Bliss is finally christened.  Norwegian raises the prices on go karts on Bliss.  MSC Cruises takes delivery of MSC Seaview.  Ports of call continue to be canceled in Hawaii.  Shelly from Cruising Excursions stops by to give answer some of your questions on Northern Europe shore excursions.  Listener question on cruising during hurricane season and excellent prices. More tips from Sherry can be found here.  Cruise Radio YouTube channel.  Thoughts or questions? Email me: doug@cruiseradio.net  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

Welcome to episode #121! We have another special show for you this week. While were doing our media tour on the Norwegian Bliss, we were privileged to spend a some time with Wyland  and interview him. This was such a great time to learn a little bit about his life, how he got started painting, what inspires him, the "whaling walls" and the opportunity to paint his most recent masterpiece, "Cruising with the Whales" on the hull of the Norwegian Bliss and so much more. Wyland's passion is contagious. His desire to inspire people to conserve and protect the oceans and sea life for future generations to enjoy is an important message. We hope you enjoy this interview! Interested in knowing more about Wyland and his artwork? Check out these links: www.wyland.com www.wylandfoundation.org By the way, Wyland will be back at his Santa Monica gallery, Saturday, June 16th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you are in the area, come and say hello to Wyland - we will be there too! Wyland Galleries Santa Monica, California Enjoy the show! * * * * * Issue #3 of Seawind is out! www.seawindmag.co  * * * * * Please don't forget our new interactive digital magazine app, Seawind! Our digital magazine can read on either your mobile phone or tablet. Interactive features include video, audio, websites, and webcam links (these features require an Internet connection, but you can still read and enjoy even offline). It is our desire to give you valuable information about cruising, destinations, food, activities and so much more.  We want to thank you in advance for supporting us. Please consider leaving a review at the App Stores. This will help our ranking and bring more visibility to the app. Also, please share this app with your cruise friends and family. Consider giving it as a gift to your favorite cruiser! We would really appreciate it.  Here are the direct links to the app: Seawind - Apple App Store Seawind - Google Play Store Thank you for listening and sharing our show with your family and friends - we really appreciate all of your support of our podcast and our digital magazine, Seawind! Keep On Cruising! Tommy & Scott  P.S. We appreciate it when you Visit Amazon.com Contact The Cruise Dudes! Twitter: @TheCruiseDudes Instagram: TheCruiseDudes YouTube: The Cruise Dudes Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/321163017150953432/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecruisedudes Email: thecruisedudes@gmail.com Voice Mail: 424-272-1916 Seawind Magazine www.seawindmag.com Twitter: @SeawindMag Instagram: SeawindMag The Cruise Dudes Podcast is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. 

I spent a few days on the Norwegian Bliss and it's stunning I have been lucky enough to be on many different cruise lines over the years and lately cruises are all upping their game.  Norwegian Cruise Lines Bliss is no exception.  The ship is doing Caribbean itineraries but what the Norwegian Bliss is built for is Alaska Cruises.  The Bliss is a game changer for Alaska.  With floor to ceiling showcase windows I can imagine watching the Alaska coast slowing going by as I enjoy a coffee or specialty drink of my choice.  And these lobbies are at the front and also on the sides of the ship, artfully designed into individual luxury living room spaces where a family or group can easily gather and watch Alaska or the Caribbean sea.  This is a very nice addition to the Bliss and something that is missing from most other cruise lines. Please listen to the full Norwegian Bliss Cruise Line podcast for all my cruise tips and the full review of the Norwegian Bliss.

#40: The boys recap their trip to Seattle, LA and their time on Norwegian Bliss, covering silent discos, airline baggage drama, Brody's lost bluetooth; Brody checking out Skeery's girlfriend in the hot tub; Pete Davidson's Ariana Grande tattoo- too soon or too fake; Skeery's not sure if he's qualified to host the Puerto Rican Day parade; being a public figure on Instagram; the boxed pasta sham; are you still reading this?; house made bacon; unused punchlines; listener email. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Kris recently returned from one of the first guest sailings aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Bliss. The cruise went from Miami, Florida through the Panama Canal and ended on the west coast. We get a review of this newest ship, including the Haven experience, food, entertainment, and all the things to do outdoors like the go karts and laser tag.  Sherry has cruise news on: Carnival ship delayed from Tampa for two days Royal Caribbean ship is out of dry dock with the new skypad  Virgin Cruises reveals more inside spaces Hawaii cruises still impacted by volcano eruptions  Disney Cruise Line rolls out new itineraries  Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

We're in Seattle for the christening of Norwegian Bliss, we had a hilariously terrible tour, and we discover nice Seattle people. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Welcome to episode #120! We just had a media tour of Norwegian Bliss while she was in Los Angeles this week and it was phenomenal experience!   Lot's of people have responded with great interest in our social media posts about the many different food offerings that we tried that day. And this show is all about that!    The Bliss impressed us! We were overwhelmingly amazed of all the different food options available onboard. Hopefully this episode will give you a better idea what you can expect to experience on your cruise.    We can't wait to go back on board the Norwegian Bliss and explore the culinary even deeper! It was blissful!   Enjoy the show! * * * * * Issue #3 of Seawind is out!   www.seawindmag.co * * * * *   Please don't forget our new interactive digital magazine app, Seawind!   Our digital magazine can read on either your mobile phone or tablet. Interactive features include video, audio, websites, and webcam links (these features require an Internet connection, but you can still read and enjoy even offline). It is our desire to give you valuable information about cruising, destinations, food, activities and so much more.  We want to thank you in advance for supporting us. Please consider leaving a review at the App Stores. This will help our ranking and bring more visibility to the app. Also, please share this app with your cruise friends and family. Consider giving it as a gift to your favorite cruiser! We would really appreciate it.  Here are the direct links to the app: Seawind - Apple App Store Seawind - Google Play Store Thank you for listening and sharing our show with your family and friends - we really appreciate all of your support of our podcast and our digital magazine, Seawind! Keep On Cruising! Tommy & Scott  P.S. We appreciate it when you Visit Amazon.com Contact The Cruise Dudes! Twitter: @TheCruiseDudes Instagram: TheCruiseDudes YouTube: The Cruise Dudes Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/321163017150953432/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecruisedudes Email: thecruisedudes@gmail.com Voice Mail: 424-272-1916 Seawind Magazine www.seawindmag.com Twitter: @SeawindMag Instagram: SeawindMag  

Kommt mit uns auf eine Tour mit der neuen Norwegian Bliss, dem neuesten Kreuzfahrtschiff von Norwegian Cruise Line: Ein Schiff, welches neue Maßstäbe setzt und ungewöhnliche Erlebnissen an Bord bietet, unter anderem mit der längsten Kartbahn auf See oder mit viel Spaß in der Laser-Tag Arena. Hans-Mario Praetor lädt Euch auf eine Tour über die neue Norwegian Bliss ein - mit kulinarischen Höhepunkten, tollem Entertainment und einer großen Kabinenauswahl.

Carla Marie and Anthony are LIVE from the ironing board in their hotel room in San Pedro, California! They're about to board the Norwegian Bliss. We learn about Carla Marie's pirate conspiracy theory and we debate if Anthony is gay...again.

We got to talk to Jack and Ryan from AJR about their recent collaboration with Rivers Cuomo from Weezer on their song "Sober Up!" We also talked to them about their recent issues with buses on tour and how they have grown up since their debut single "I'm Ready!" Jack and Ryan got to be on the Norwegian Bliss first and we ask them for any tips for when we go on this weekend and more!

Skeery slept in Elvis' bed on Norwegian Bliss, Producer Sam almost got pick-pocketed, and Elvis wants to be a foster parent. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Norwegian Bliss Photo https://scontent.flhr2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32083861_10216446046526402_301954544714121216_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=788d7d25d390bcfaa1409ee6816ca49a&oe=5B94E2EA Valerie and Shari are two lucky gals! They were invited to an inaugural sailing of the Norwegian Bliss. Purpose built for Alaska there are some unique features that gives new life to exploring familiar ports. Topics include: Itineraries/ Destinations Observation Deck Casino Innovations focusing on smoking areas Dining styles and options The Haven Suites private club area Family Rooms for families of four and five Extra entertainment Go Carts and Laser Tag Beach club adults only club area! Future developments Multi Generational Travel Shows and Entertainment BBQ AT SEA!!! Every episode features a new type of travel, location or supplier and pairs it with travel professional that is available to help you sort out your options. Make you bucket list travel happen this year! Discover new adventures here - the water is fine! Special Guests: Shari Kavalin and Valerie Gossett.

We are aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Bliss to test out all the new offerings. Norwegian has really upped the game with Norwegian Bliss bringing onboard go karts, laser tag, interactive shows, food options, and lots of observation areas which makes it perfect for Alaska.  Thoughts or questions? Email me: doug@cruiseradio.net  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

Welcome back Shari Kavalin! Podcast topics include: Athens, Greece Three islands for day trips from Athens City layout Accessibility History Food Wine Itinerary suggestions Shari will rejoin the podcast again shortly. Tomorrow she is invited to explore the brand spanking new Norwegian Bliss! Ship Inspection is happening and we can't wait! Every episode features a new type of travel, location or supplier and pairs it with travel professional that is available to help you sort out your options. Make you bucket list travel happen this year! Discover new adventures here - the water is fine! Special Guest: Shari Kavalin.

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We broadcast LIVE from Norwegian Bliss!! AJR performs, we debate whether or not we'd trade our pet for $100,000, and we find out what happened last night. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers