Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

Latest Episodes:

630 Alaska, Key West, and Returning to Sea + Cruise News Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

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

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Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

629 Return to Cruise Rules Released and Rescinded + Cruise News Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

Carnival Cruise Line released return-to-cruise protocols, then hours later it was rescinded.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.

628 Seabourn Alaska Cruise Review + News | Seabourn Sojourn Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

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

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Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

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627 Norwegian Epic in the Mediterranean | Norwegian Cruise Line Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

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.

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626 Pros and Cons of Sailing the First Cruise Ship Back to Service Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

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.

625 Cruise News + 2020 Sky Princess Review | Princess Cruises Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

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.

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624 Looking at Ports When Cruising Resumes + Cruise News Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

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.

623 Cruising Alaska During COVID + Cruise News | Alaska Marine Highway Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

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.

622 Is The Cruise Industry Getting a Fair Shake? Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

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: