We talk in detail about Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas. This is one of Royal Caribbean's first ships sailing for US residents. Where are the quiet spots, how does it manage passenger flow and any special spots that stick out.    Sherry has cruise news on: The CDC has changed some rather important guidance.  Florida is heated and things could get there in Alaska More cancellations  A big payday for one cruise line executive  A royal ship plans to move to the west coast sooner than expected Listener Question: I took a cruise in 2005 aboard the Norwegian Wind out of Honolulu that had a foreign port stop at Fanning Island (Kiribati, Gilbert Islands).  Whatever happened to Fanning Island? Will it ever be a cruise stop again?  - Paul  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.  

Cruise Radio

636 First Ship Back, A Look at Adventure of the Seas | Royal Caribbean

A review of Royal Caribbean's former cruise ship Empress of the Seas that took place on the vessel's very last sailing with the company.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Carnival Cruise Line has canceled more sailings.  Phase two guidance was released from CDC, what did we learn?  Norwegian Cruise Line is taking its ships offshore, following Royal Caribbean's lead.  Royal Caribbean has taken delivery of its newest cruise ship.  We've been talking about this for years and it looks like Venice is finally taking action on cruise ships.  A new residential cruise ship is closer to becoming a reality. Listener Q: I just booked an 8-day southern Caribbean cruise on carnival magic going to Aruba, Bonaire, and grand Turk. Was wondering what excursions would be the best that you would recommend?  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. 

635 Empress of the Seas Throwback Review + Cruise News | Royal Caribbean

We compare and contract cruise vacations to all-inclusive resorts. What is the difference between the two? How are they similar? We get a full over of everything from the stay, dining, excursions, and the overall experience itself.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Two more Royal Caribbean ships open up for US Bookings A cruise industry trade group starts a campaign to restart cruising  Florida's governor met with cruise line executives down in your neck of the woods on Friday  Carnival made a bold statement at last week's meeting with government officials, stating they are "America's Cruise Line" More ships flock to the UK for a restart  The future does not look bright for the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California Listener Question: Cynical question but inquiring minds want to know. I'm a nurse in the northeast and an avid cruiser, what's stopping people from saying they have the vaccination and they really haven't? Will the cruise lines be checking against a national database? Seems like anyone could get their hands on the vax card. - Shirley    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. 

634 Comparing All-Inclusive Resorts vs Cruise Vacations

 The show must go on for cruise lines, whether the CDC likes it or not. If Nassau, Bahamas or Bermuda isn't your cup of tea, you can head further south.   Some positive news from the White House regarding the future of travel in general.  More summer cruise for UK cruisers. It was touch and go for an American river cruise ship late last week A close call for a Disney Cruise Line and the Victory casino ship.  Q:  Long-time listener here wondering IF the cruise ship restrictions voted on in Key West stay in place (not overturned by Florida's legislature) can any of the major cruise line ships call on Key West? I know the mega-ships are out, but how about some of the older classes of ships? — Brian   Q: Hi. Last week Shery mentioned Europe land/cruising. In 2022, we are looking to spend a couple of months in Europe. Is it better to start in the north or the south? - Di   

633 Cruise News with Sherry Laskin

This week we catch up with Sherry Laskin with a busy week of cruise news.  Sherry has news on: The first major cruise line sailing from the United States will now require a vaccination  More uncertainty for the already struggling Alaska cruise season  Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings drops the ax on June 2021 sailings  A scary incident aboard a MSC cruise line ship.  Two U.S. river cruise lines are back to sailing again  Royal Caribbean deploys a ship in Los Angelos in 2022  Listener Question #1: What's the difference between a passport card and a regular passport? We are traveling to the Bahamas next summer. -Leeann  Listener Question #2: How kid-friendly of a cruise line is Cunard? We are looking for a family reunion cruise with 30 people, half of them are under 35.  - Dave 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. 

632 Weekly Cruise News Update

What have you been doing since the cruise industry shutdown? We catch up with listener Tommy to see what he's been doing and what are some of the first things he'll do once he gets back to sea. Sherry Laskin has cruise news: One cruise line is looking to homeport in Cozumel.  And speaking of Cozumel, a gulf coast port is about to receive a big ship.  Here is one for you, Sherry. One cruise line is giving away a transatlantic voyage for two.  Port Canaveral continues to gear up for the arrival of Carnival’s mega-ship Mardi Gras.  Princess and HAL opening up a small part of Alaska  Listener Question: How does Carnival Cruise Line's shareholder credit work?  -- 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. 

631 Passing Time During the Shutdown + Cruise News

Stewart Chiron, The Cruise Guy catches us up to date with some of the decisions the cruise lines have made over the past few months and what the landscape is starting to look like as we start to move into the spring and summer 2021 cruise season.  Sherry has cruise news:  Two more cruise lines delay sailings into 2021 The U.S. Transportation Committee asks Canada to help save the Alaska cruise season  Grand Cayman considers limiting the number of cruise ships  The upcoming Royal ship will debut in a new homeport in Europe  Royal Caribbean ship passes an air quality test  Question: What are your thoughts on catching an 11:35 flight out of Miami on disembarkation morning?  -- 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. 

630 Alaska, Key West, and Returning to Sea + Cruise News

 Carnival Cruise Line released return-to-cruise protocols, then hours later it was rescinded. We break down what the rules initially said and why they were quickly taken down. Some of the protocols touched on gaming, swimming, and onboard activities. Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  More cruise line cancellations Vaccines are paving the way for future cruise bookings MSC detailed some features on a ship that is coming to Miami  Miami is going green One luxury cruise line will require a shot in the arm The future is looking bleak for the Queen Mary in Long Beach Listener Question: I haven't heard anything about NCL Pride of America. Is there any discussion about restarting these cruises at all? -- 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. 

629 Return to Cruise Rules Released and Rescinded + Cruise News

A review of Seabourn Sojourn on an 11-night sailing from Vancouver, BC to Anchorage, Alaska on a luxury cruise line. Find out what the difference is between a regular Alaska cruise and taking the luxury route.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Norwegian Cruise Line cancels sailings through June 1, 2020  Nassau, Bahamas says cruise ships could start doing test voyages there as early as the spring Royal Caribbean is requiring crew members to be vaccinated  Royal is also remaining bullish on the 2021 Alaska season  MSC Cruises shows us that the machines are in control  Listener Question: I have a cruise booked for December 2021, and haven’t really been shopping around outside of that. My question is, should we expect prices to rise due to ships not filling all the rooms?  There is such a pent-up desire to cruise, I’m afraid the competition will be steep for a while. -Kayla -- 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. 

628 Seabourn Alaska Cruise Review + News | Seabourn Sojourn

We get a review of a cruise aboard Norwegian Epic. This was a seven-night sailing from Rome that hit all the popular ports of call. We learn what it is like sailing Norwegian Cruise Line in Europe and how it differs, if at all, from sailing in the Caribbean.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Carnival reveals details about a space onboard the upcoming Mardi Gras  Carnival publishes return to cruise protocols early, then pulls them off the website.  Mexico is suggesting that some cruise lines homeport in Cozumel  The future looks grim for the Alaska 2021 cruise season  Viking Cruises starts construction on the new ship  Listener Question: I am curious about this Titanic II ship. Was wondering if this for real? Mike  -- 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. 

627 Norwegian Epic in the Mediterranean | Norwegian Cruise Line

 What will be some of the pros and cons of being the first cruise ship back to sea. Staff writer Richard Simms weighs in on what guests will have to look out for and what we know so far about the return-to-cruise process.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Two US-based river cruise lines will now require the COVID vaccine for crew and guests.  Carnival Cruise Line breaks ground on a new cruise terminal at PortMiami.  NCL is sending crew members back home until they get more guidance on resuming sailings.  MSC takes delivery of their latest cruise ship.  One cruise line is bringing sports betting to sea  If you miss Freeport, Bahamas, you can now get there with a negative test.  Listener Question: Will the CDC still have jurisdiction to enforce the mask mandate when the ship is in international waters?  Or would a mandatory vaccine allow the cruise lines to avoid the mandate?  -- 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. 

626 Pros and Cons of Sailing the First Cruise Ship Back to Service

We get a review of Princess Cruises' Sky Princess. This was a 14-night cruise that consisted of a back-to-back seven-night to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, stopping at all the popular islands.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is getting closer to having all crew members vaccinated Carnival Cruise Line delays a few dry docks and pushes the inaugural sailing of Mardi Gras One cruise ship goes from one cruise line to another  The cancellations already start for the 2021 Alaska cruise season  Celebrity pulls a ship from Europe and repositions it to the Caribbean for summer 2021 Listener Question: Are the perks really worth it? It seems like it's actually cheaper buying the perks a la carte instead of all-inclusive pricing.  -- 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. 

625 Cruise News + 2020 Sky Princess Review | Princess Cruises

Over the past few weeks, we've spent quite a bit of time talking about the health and safety protocols that are going to be put in place when sailing resumes. But one thing we haven't really discussed is what the port situation will be like and how it will impact cruising. Joining me to dive into this a little deeper is staff writer Richard Simms. Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Royal Caribbean sells a cruise brand Norwegian Cruise Line extends its cancellations Two former Carnival Cruise Line ships are getting scrapped COVID test requirement are coming for all people entering the United States A bucket list cruise for 2023  Listener Question: I currently have a Disney Cruise scheduled for Aug 28th and only have paid the deposit. Do you think I should pay the balance or wait till closer to the due date in April?  I’ll be honest...I don’t know how ready I’ll be to cruise, if things don’t get better. Will I get my money back if I change my mind? -- 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. 

624 Looking at Ports When Cruising Resumes + Cruise News

An Alaskan cruise on the Alaska Marine Highway System this past fall. How much is this like a real cruise ship? We find out.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Two more cruise lines have announced cancellations Popular cruise director trades sea for land  The ruling on banning large cruise ships could be overturned  European brands adds new ship during shutdown  Carnival earnings report shows big loss  Listener Q: When cruising finally does resume (whenever that might be), do you anticipate that proof of completion of COVID-19 vaccine will be required before boarding?  Also, do you anticipate cruise lines requiring rapid COVID tests and temperature checks as part of the embarkation process? -- 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. 

623 Cruising Alaska During COVID + Cruise News | Alaska Marine Highway

 Is the cruise industry getting a fair shake by media outlets? We discuss a land-side outbreak that received minimal coverage while the cruise industry continues to get hammered.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Carnival Cruise Line cancels more cruises in 2021 Cruise ships are starting to make their way back to the west coast Viking Cruises announces the godmother of an upcoming ship A 55-year-old ship is getting scrapped Carnival earn a few more travel awards in 2020 Listener Question: Is there a wave season in 2021?  -- 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. 

622 Is The Cruise Industry Getting a Fair Shake?

Doug Parker gives weekly cruise news, ship reviews, money saving tips, answers your travel questions, and helps you make the most of your cruise vacation.