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cruise news
 
Celebrity Names Fourth Solstice Class Silhouette Go>
 

 New Feature Articles

Most Recent Blog Post!
Happy Holidays and Happy Cruising!
In this, my last blog before Christmas, I want to wish everyone the very best for the holidays. My Blog last week talked about trends in the ... Go>

Best of the CruiseMates Bargains
2009 - A Major Transition year for Cruising
Based on the progress made in the cruise industry in 2009, you would never know there is a recession. GO!>>
Caribbean Family Cruise Guide
The Caribbean offers more family options in ships for a family cruises than any other; but what about the ports of call?   Go>
12-21-09
 
Silversea's Silver Spirit Ready to Debut
by Paul Motter
Silver Spirit's "The Spa" takes shipboard pampering to levels rarely seen at sea before   Go>
12-17-09

Oasis Gets its Sea Legs
November 15 - December 15 was one of the busiest months in the world of cruising ever.
"One of the best cruise newsletters!" says the
Chicago Tribune.  Subscribe Here GO!>>
Crime in Cruise Ports
by Paul Motter
Cruise ports have suffered in the recession as much as our own country. True cruise port crime stories.   Go>
12-21-09

Viking River Cruises - Better Than Ever
by Paul Motter
Americans flocking to European river cruises in record numbers? What's the secret behind the success?   Go>
12-14-09

Norwegian Epic: The Next Big Thing
by Paul Motter
We now have but one all-new next generation cruise ship debut to look forward to; Norwegian Epic in June, 2010.   Go>
12-10-09

AquaTheater Not Ready for Prime Time
First cruises often mean unexpected problems. For Oasis of the Seas they happened on the two things I wanted to see the most. 12-9-09

Oasis - The Official Cruisemates Ship Review
by Paul Motter
Cruisemates is the first cruise site to offer a full review of Oasis of the Seas based upon a regular passenger voyage. Get the real Oasis story here.   Go>
12-7-09

"Bon Appétit" Offering Culinary Cruises
by Janice Wald Henderson
Bon Appétit magazine has announced it is now branding cruise vacations. What exactly does this mean for food-loving cruisers?   Go>
12-7-09

Oasis - The Real Story
by Paul Motter
Now we are traveling as regular passengers on the first revenue cruise. Lets see how the food, entertainment and service hold up with no one but paying passengers onboard!   Go>
11-13-09

20 Oasis of the Seas Secrets
by Paul Motter
You already know about Oasis of the Seas, but there are a lot of little things we bet you don't know yet.   Go>
11-24-09

Kuki Blog Update!
Cruising Over The Holidays, Good or Bad?
Christmas sailings can be great family vacations, but are more like an escape from a traditional way to celebrate Christmas. Go>

Oasis - Our First Impressions
by Paul Motter
We finally see Oasis up close, and we are more than surprised, we are in awe. Royal Caribbean delivered the promise. See all the pictures and video from our three-day journey in search of Oasis.   Go>
11-13-09

Carnival Dream Comes True
by Paul Motter
After a clever naming ceremony, Carnival Dream sails its first domestic cruise.   Go>
11-13-09

Buffet Bliss - Pleasure Without Gain
by Janice Wald Henderson
Is it possible to eat in a healthy manner on a cruise ship? Absolutely, if you heed the advice of our cruise culinary expert.   Go>
11-18-09

Princess Cruises Stays the Course
by Paul Motter
Consistent and Intuitive management are the pillars of this popular cruise line's success.   Go>
11-13-09

Norwegian Epic Innovative Entertainment
by David Beers
Norwegian Epic already boasted amazing entertainment - but NCL just added two new blockbusters to the lineup.
11-09-09  Go>

60's Rock Music Cruise is Real Deal
Not a nerdy tribute cruise, it's the real deal with Bill Medley, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Association and Drifters   Go>
10-27-09
 
Crystal's Culinary Cruises Have Star Power
The 2010 Crystal Culinary Cruises roster has celebrity star power, according to our new culinary editor, Janice Wald Henderson.   Go>
10-21-09
 
Cruise Line Cuisine: Is it Really Gourmet?
One of the biggest surprises many first time cruisers face is the outstanding quality of cruise ship cuisine. But is it truly the gourmet quality they claim?   Go>
9-25-09
 


cruise reviews
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Message Boards HOT TOPIC!
Oasis Review 12/12/09...Oh My God, What a Ship!!!!
Oasis is amazing and pictures do not do her justice. There were 4,750 cruisers on the sailing however it never felt like it. The ship is well designed and there really were no crowds in any area. It felt more like I was on a ship with 3,000 cruisers.... Royal has got a winner of a ship on their hands. Very few people will be getting off Oasis and saying they did not enjoy it. Word of mouth travels fast and I know cruisers that got off Oasis and went home will be raving to their family and friends.  Go>
 
CruiseMates Cruise Culinary Guide
Cruise Culinary Guide CruiseMates Cruise Cuisine Guide with renowned food critic Janice Wald Henderson. How cruise cuisine rates in the gourmet world - not all cruise lines are created equally.Go>
Brand New!
Cruise Picture of the Day
Oasis of the Seas Bridge
Paul Motter
This is the largest bridge anywhere. Unfortunately, you cant see side to side because the bridge curves. They also have the ship security system in the bridge area - but in a separate room which is unusual.

Our Galleries have 1000s of photos our members have contributed since 2000.   GO!>>
 
Reader Review of the Week
Carnival Cruise Lines : Carnival Legend
by Vicki Jordan
I would go on the Legend again without a second thought. I was beautiful and we absolutley enjoyed the whole cruise. We did as much or as little we wanted to do. The weather was perfect to make the cruise perfect. What an awesome time.
-- 1000's of Reader Reviews here!
 
Chef Matt Sigel's Cruise with CruiseMates
A Cruisemates group cruise with Chef Matt Sigel of the popular series Hell's Kitchen. Norwegian Epic 10-30-10   Go>
 
 
regular features
 
Consumer Affairs
Consumer Affairs CruiseMates answers the complicated cruise consumer questions. Go>
 
Family Cruising
Family Cruises Luisa Frey Gaynor focuses on children's facilities and programs on all major cruise lines. Go>
 
Singles Cruising
Singles Cruises Singles Cruisers Get Together Here. Contact other singles on Ships. Go>
 
Luxury Cruise Lines
Luxury Cruises The best food and service in the world is on luxury cruise ships. All the information here. Go>
 
The Kuki Side of Cruising
Cruise Director Kuki All the antics of our Wacky CruiseMates Cruise Director here for your pleasure!Go>
 
CruiseMates Group Cruises
Sail with us on a CruiseMates group cruise for friendship, fun, and savings. Go>
 
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Recent Port Descriptions
The Hawaii Cruise Experience
Highlights of Caribbean Cruises
The Alaska Cruise Experience
Saipan Port Guide
Trier Port FAQ
Taiwan Port FAQ
Rome Port FAQ
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Arles Port Hotels
 
 
 
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GREAT DEALS on January 2010 Celebrity Cruises from $ 199 plus BONUSES Special Sale on Tue Dec 22, 09

 Interactive Features!
Message Boards Bargain Finder Cruise Chat
Cruise Questions, personal advice, gripes and chat. Some of the busiest boards on the Web. GO>> Looking for Hot Cruise Bargains?
Cruise Bargains: Our Cruise Shopping Mall
Best of the Web: Bargains Newsletter
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 Join fellow cruisers and CruiseMates' staff in our chatroom. Every weeknight from 9:00-10:00 Eastern time. GO>>
Ship Poll Photo Galleries
Interactive User Poll. Rate your last cruise and compare three ships side-by-side GO>> Cruise Compete
Where you place a free "reverse-classified" ad and agents respond with their best offers. Complete privacy protection.		 Easy-to-use Photo Gallery. Send us your pictures and we publish them online. GO>>
Cruise Trivia Meet on Board Bon Voyage
Think you're a cruising expert? Take our daily challenge. FIVE new questions every day. GO>> Tell us the ship and sailing date for your next cruise and look to see who else might be on board. Meet online - meet on board! GO>> What CruiseMates are sailing in the next two weeks? GO>>
More Articles and Features: Our Complete Guide to Cruising!
First-time Cruisers
The basic facts of cruising. The traditions of cruising and the reasons behind them

Before You Go
How to pick a travel agent, find the best bargains, pick an itinerary, choose a cabin and pack!

Aboard the Ship
Early or late dinner? Informal or casual? Medical services, casinos, laundry, tipping and more

Best of Cruising
Best ships for romance, cuisine, service, cabins, entertainment and best-looking captain

Cruise Humor|Editorials
From the serious to the sarcastic. Opinions of our editors and staff

Ports of Call
Articles on specific cruises and ports of call worldwide.

CruiseMates' Cruises
Join us aboard ship on these special sailings.

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Rate your last cruise and check the results of our readers' poll.

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Our Consumer Affairs editor answers your questions and and addresses your complaints.

Family Cruising
Cruising with toddlers to teens. A rundown of children's programs offered by various cruise lines.

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Sailing single? Meet and mingle in our message boards and get good advice.

Teens & Kids
Teens? Will you get bored? Not if you start here! Meet other teens sailing on your ship before you cruise!

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Ship Feature Articles
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Cruise Trivia
Test your cruise knowledge with our daily challenge.

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