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cruise news
 
Allure of the Seas (Sister to Oasis) Coming a Week Earlier Go>
 
Dollar Gaining Ground - Making Europe Cheaper this Summer Go>
 
  New Feature Articles

Going Ashore in New England and Canada
East Coast summer cruises offer historic cities like Boston, Cape Cod, Newport RI and Nova Scotia.  Go>
2-8-10
 
Aboard the Costa Deliziosa
A live report from Costa's newest "Luxury" ship slated for a world cruise and exotic destination cruising
2-5-10

The Truth about Single Cruises
I personally find cruising to be the kind of experience that is best shared with others.
"One of the best cruise newsletters!" says the
Chicago Tribune.
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Most Recent Blog Post!
Warning: Reading Warning Labels May Cause Eye Strain
Tragically, recently a passenger on a Star Clipper’s ship was murdered (knifed to death) during the ship’s call on Antigua. As a reaction Star Clipper has ... Go>

Best of the CruiseMates Bargains
2009 Cruising Controversies
Pirates, H1N1, Oasis Financing. What other calamities did the cruise industry sail through in 2009? GO!>>

Nickelodeon and NCL Form Partnership
Nickelodeon launched its first family cruise the summer of 2008. Due to its success, NCL and Nickelodeon now have a permanent partnership.   Go>
02-01-10
 
Crystal: Foodies' Gem of Choice
by Culinary Expert
Janice Wald Henderson

After a thorough sampling, I believe Crystal serves some of the best food I have ever experienced at sea.   Go>
1-29-10
 
Oceania Marina Ready to Set "Sale"
by Paul Motter
One of the cruise world's most unique success stories expands their achievement with a brand new ship design   Go>
01-25-10

Silversea's Silver Spirit Debuts
by Paul Motter
Silver Spirit is christened in Fort Lauderdale and begins life as a top of the line luxury cruise ship. We take a look at this 540-passenger vessel inside and out.   Go>
01-22-10

Cruise Viruses Down in 2009
The chance of a cruiser acquiring "the cruise virus" while on a cruise in 2009 was approximately only one out of one hundred thirty-two thousand!
"One of the best cruise newsletters!" says the
Chicago Tribune.
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Drive-to Cruises: More Sense Than Ever
by Paul Motter
Forget flying to your cruise. A road trip to your ship can be less expensive and more hassle-free than you ever realized.   Go>
01-18-10

Carnival - The "Drive-to" Cruise Leader
When you compare the costs of traveling via airline to a car trip, driving often makes better budgetary sense. Carnival has 15 drive-to port options.   Go>
01-14-10

Disney Tops in Cruise Entertainment
Disney Cruise ships were showing 3D movies not requiring red and green colored lenses but based on the advanced "polarization" process used in Avatar long before it became a hit movie.
"One of the best cruise newsletters!" says the
Chicago Tribune.
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NO Singles Supplement for Epic Studio Staterooms!
by Paul Motter
Norwegian Epic Studio Staterooms will be sold to singles with NO Supplement! These 128 specially designed staterooms rooms share a common area - perfect for single cruisers!   Go>
01-13-10

Oasis of the Seas Update 2010
by Paul Motter
Oasis of the Seas is now carrying 5900 guests on each cruise. But the AquaTheater is still facing challenges.   Go>
01-11-10

Fort Lauderdale Pre-cruise Hotels
by Paul Motter
Pre-cruise hotel recommendations for cruisers leaving from Fort Lauderdale Port Everglades   Go>
01-08-10

Hawaii Family Cruises
by Luisa Frey
Hawaii has a wonderful mixture of warm weather activities along with active explorations of the natural world.   Go>
1-4-10

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
 
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

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

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



cruise reviews
blue dot Our Cruise Line And Ship Reviews  Go>
blue dotReader Contributed Cruise Reviews  Go>
blue dotCruising Terms Glossary  Go>
blue dotCruiseMates on Twitter  Go>

Cruise Packing Lists: Men & Women
Complete cruise packing lists with checkmarks for printout or online tracking.
  • Cruise Packing List for Men
  • Cruise Packing List for Women

  • Message Boards HOT TOPIC!
    Live from Costa Deliziosa...
    I am currently just off the coast if Italy, having sailed out of Venice last night. This is a mere 5-day initial trip, directly out of the shipyard at Fincantieri (just outside of Venice) to show this beautiful new ship off to the press and travel agents. Here is the very special thing about Costa Deliziosa - imagine if Carnival announced it was building a smaller (Spirit/Vista-class) ship that was meant for its more upscale customers, and that the ship would be sailing exotic itineraries such as a world cruise...  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
    Costa Deliziosa
    by: Paul Motter
    Costa Deliziosa debuts in Venice Italy. It's snowinbg in Venice but the ship is as warm as can be. The newest Costa ship is meant for it's first class passengers.

    Our Galleries have 1000s of photos our members have contributed since 2000.   GO!>>
     
    Reader Review of the Week
    Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Gem
    by Sandra / Parrot Mom - November 29, 2009
    Never never have I seen a ship kept so spotless, I observed was continual cleaning all day long, everywhere.

    -- 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
     
    Cruise Trivia Game
    Cruise Trivia game Challenge your cruise knowledge with a new cruise trivia game every day. Go>
     
    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>
     
    CruiseMates Newsletters
     
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    Recent Ship Descriptions
    Astor
    Ventura
    Queen Victoria
    Costa Mediterranea
    Costa Serena
    Costa Pacifica
    Costa Deliziosa
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    Boudicca
    Birka Paradise
     
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    Cruise Questions, personal advice, gripes and chat. Some of the busiest boards on the Web. GO>> Looking for Hot Cruise Bargains?
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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
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    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!
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    The basic facts of cruising. The traditions of cruising and the reasons behind them

    Before You Go
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    Aboard the Ship
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    Best of Cruising
    Best ships for romance, cuisine, service, cabins, entertainment and best-looking captain

    Cruise Humor|Editorials
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    Join us aboard ship on these special sailings.

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

    Singles
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    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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