by Paul Motter
Cruise line air packages only promise to "work with" the airlines to help make changes to your flights, but there is no promise to pay for any additional charges.
Go> 06-14-11
Don't allow fear of what might happen to dictate your activities; to end your sense of adventure and exploration. Just do what you do with your brain turned on.
Go> 6-1-11
by Paul Motter
This one bit of knowledge can help you find the best cruise bargain and save money every time. And it's the most misunderstood aspect of cruise pricing
Go> May 20, 2011
Kuki gives us his final thoughts on his 14 day luxury cruise to Hawaii on Crystal Serenity. Sublime food but dining room service less than perfect.
05-18-11
by Paul Motter
Putting together a group cruise may be easier than you think -- with a little bit of organizational skill and lots of help from the right people
Go> 5-14-11
Shannon Kneisler told CruiseMates yesterday that together with Crystal she is working to put a full Golf Academy at Sea on the Crystal ships.
Go> 5-09-11
Cruise ships are some of the best and last representative bastions of the finest in human courtesy and culture. Our readers give us their list of common courtesy suggestions for guests on cruise ships.
Go> 5-06-11
CruiseMates' own reporter Linda Pearl is on the brand new Carnival Magic Inaugural Cruises- and her first trip to Europe. Read her first impressions here! May 1, 2011 Go>
by Paul Motter
Just before Bill Smith left Crystal Cruises for Virtuoso Travel, we spoke to him about the New Crystal all-inclusive policy and standby fares.
Go> April 25, 2011
by Paul Motter
The Rock Legends Cruise coming next December has ZZ Top, Molly Hatchet, Marshall Tucker, Steppenwolf, Dickie Betts, Edgar Winter, Johnnie Winter.
Go> April 21, 2011
by Paul Motter
Just before Bill Smith just left Crystal Cruises for a job at the prestigious Virtuoso Travel, we spoke to him about the New Crystal all-inclusive policy and standby fares.
Go> April 23, 2011
by Judy Cuervo
SeaDream Yacht Club offers a very personalized experience on its 100 passenger luxury yachts - no matter where you cruise. We take SeaDream 2 for a spin in the Caribbean.
Go> 04-18-11
by Paul Motter
Next April 14, 2012, two cruise ships plan to stop right above the site of the Titanic wreckage and perform a memorial service for those who perished.
Go> April 21, 2011
by Janice Wald Henderson, Cruise Style Editor
CruiseMates Style! Our new columns spotlight what's hot this minute in fashion, beauty and travel for discriminating cruisers.
Go> 04-11-11
by Janice Wald Henderson
Sometimes the best place to spend the day is a world class hotel. Here are five of them in popular Mexican and Caribbean ports of call.
03-28-11
by Paul Motter
There is homage to Disney throughout from the ship's horn to the chair fabrics and bannisters with subtle Micky-ears in the patterns. 03-15-11
by Paul Motter
One of the most popular west coast ships in California, Carnival Spirit, will be moving to Australia permanently in early 2012.
Go> 03-18-11
We're presently onboard the Sapphire Princess, sailing to the Hawaiian Islands. Follow along with our daily reporting and enjoy the cruise with us. Feel free to ask any questions during the sailing, and I'll do my best to get answers.
Go> 2-26-11
A revealing interview with Carnival's John Heald - cruise director during the Carnival Splendor's Mexican Riviera cruise emergency last November. 2-22-11
The time prior to going on your first cruise can be very intimidating. It can seem like there's so much a person needs to know, and there's seems to be an unlimited number of places to find the information.
Go> 2-22-11
By happenstance, in ten days I begin a combination of journeys that should make for some interesting experiences and comparisons. Within a short time frame I'll be cruising two different ships; both sailing identical 14 night itineraries from San Pedro, California to the Hawaiian Islands and returning to San Pedro.
Go> 2-15-11
by Paul Motter
What is the role of a cruise ship butler, and do we really need one? We ask Leslie Philpott, purveyor of butler services to Azamara Cruises.
Go> 02-14-11
by Janice Wald Henderson, Cruise Style Editor
Welcome to CruiseMates Style! Our new column spotlights what's hot this minute in fashion, beauty and travel for discriminating cruisers.
Go> 02-11-11
Sometimes they are referred to as "specialty restaurants"; some refer to them as "alternate restaurants". On some cruise lines, they are included in the cruise fare; on some there is an extra cost to dine in them; on some lines there are both free, and extra cost choices.
Go> 2-8-11
"Royal Enhancements" puts Royal Caribbean on a hot streak, and Senior VP Lisa Bauer spills the latest strategies for singles, new ships, deployments, technology and staffing.
Go>Feb. 02, 2011
For some time now life has been on the move to becoming more casual. While it used to somewhat normal to run into the occasional restaurant that required all male customers wear at least a sports jacket and tie, those places have now practically disappeared.
Go> 2-1-11
Not many things in life stay the same. Sometimes the changes delight us, and sometimes we regret the changes. The world of cruising has certainly changed quite dramatically. Should we be delighted or discouraged?
Go> 1-25-11
With apologies to Jeff Foxworthy; along with some help from members of our CruiseMates message boards, I've created a "foxworthyesque" list of You Know You're a Cruiser When...
Go> 1-18-11
There's been hundreds of industry experts offer their explanations and musings on the topic, as well as thousands of experiences and opinions posted on the cruise information web sites
Go> 1-11-11
by David Yeskel
According to Holland America, I was the first writer to experience "An Evening at Le Cirque" aboard the Oosterdam in mid-November.
Go>Jan. 7, 2011
While all cruise line's advertising, at some time, will refer to themselves as a "luxury cruise", it's a simple process to determine, and recognize a true "luxury cruise" from all the other pretenders.
Go> 1-04-11
by Paul Motter
Weird passenger tricks lead to odd cruise news for 2010. Strange cruise news and other tales from the past year in cruising.
Go>Jan. 3, 2011
In a few days we'll all be saying goodbye to 2011 and in an evening full of revelry, nostalgia, and excitement, we'll be welcoming in the ...Go> 12-28-11
New marketing data shows that price is the number one concern of potential cruise buyers. The New York Times is reporting that Carnival Cruise Line has a ...Go> 12-27-11
by Paul Motter
While some cruise lines are all-inclusive, most others expect passengers to reward gratuities according to proper cruise etiquette. 12-22-11
When it comes to money matters, it's not cruise pricing that settles the equation of how much your cruise is going to cost you. One might have ...
Go> 12-21-11
Through my unscientific research, and very questionable systemic anaylsis, we learn that only the top 1% of the population has the means, or contacts necessary, to sail in ...
Go> 12-14-11
Beginning with new rules, established to come into practice in the new year, most of the major cruise lines, have severely restricted or banned smoking in ...
Go> 12-07-11
by Jason Leppert
With the introduction of Voyager of the Seas to New Orleans, Royal Caribbean heralds its return to the Mississippi port city. 12-05-11
by Paul Motter
Royal Caribbean will be placing Apple iPads in every stateroom - starting with the "currently under renovation" Splendour of the Seas.
11-25-11
This week is Thanksgiving in the United States; the first major holiday of the season. In my view it's also the best U.S. holiday in that it's all about ...
Go> 11-23-11
During the last half decade the nature of cruise ship dining has changed. With the introduction of ship's offering a variety of alternate dining venues the ...
Go> 11-16-11
Converstion is probably one of the most popular activities on a ship. Everyone is on vacation, and the atmosphere is always very social. But, there are ...
Go> 11-09-11
Key West has decided it has all of the cruise traffic it needs through 2020 - the conchs and the Cith Council have had enough. Some Caribbean ...
Go> 11-08-11
by Paul Motter
My first time on The Yachts of Seabourn, long known as one of the best cruise lines in the world, and my first New England – Canada journey.
11-04-11
by Paul Motter
Rick Steves has just written a book called "Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports" - a guide to seeing Europe by cruise ship.
11-03-11
I recently received a press release (posted below) that describes a very innovative way for people to tour a city they are visiting in what I ...
Go> 11-02-11
by Paul Motter
My first sailing experience with Seabourn Cruises finally fills a gap in my cruise experience that has haunted me for the last five years. So, how did it go? 10-28-11
Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it is unveiling a new brand platform and integrated national advertising campaign - "Cruise Like a Norwegian" - that embraces ...
Go> 10-10-11
Cruise vacations consistently rank at the top of vacation value and satisfaction polls. Most people who take a first cruise end up taking another one -- ...
Go> 9-28-11
With the Nordlys incident in Norway this week the number of cruise ship engine incidents is beyond coincidental.
Update: the ship has now been rescued and ...
Go> 9-16-11
As millions of people spent the past weekend preparing and then dealing with Hurricane Irene up and down the east coast of the United States, the ...
Go> 8-31-11
by Paul Motter
Rick Ehlert was aboard the Holland America Ryndam when he decided to let the anchor go - just for fun. Now he faces a possible 20 years in prison
8-25-11
The Carnival Breeze sports a surprisingly subdued interior not based on a Joe Farcus design. Do you like the new look? Or is it "Just not Carnival?"
8-22-11
by Paul Motter
European riverboat cruises, such as those offered by Viking River Cruises, provide exceptional onboard experiences plus fascinating historical insights.
8-18-11
As early as a decade ago, when boarding a cruise ship, your choices for dining were early (main) seating in the dining room, or late seating ...
Go> 8-17-11
by Jason Leppert
The "ship within a ship" cruising option, with exclusive access to solitude, is beneficial to some and controversial to others.
8-16-11
by Paul Motter
The Rock Legends Cruise coming this December has ZZ Top, Molly Hatchet, Marshall Tucker, Steppenwolf, Dickie Betts, Edgar Winter, Johnnie Winter.
8-12-11
Those new to cruising, and even those with a few other cruises under their belts, often look to the Internet, searching through and sifting through cruise ...
Go> 7-27-11
Veteran, or even recent past cruisers, will remember when requests from guests for a tour of the ship's Bridge were met with a grimaced face reply ...
Go> 8-3-11
Beginning in the mid 1970's through to 1983 I spent anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months spending my winter vacation time in the Hawaiian Islands...
Go> 7-27-11
By Douglas MacKinnon
I thought it would be fun to replicate the movie "Out To Sea," with Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathau, by taking my brother on a cruise. 7-25-11
by Judy Cuervo
Norwegian's new ships will introduce "The Haven," a complex of extravagant suites with private pools, restaurants and concierge. 7-19-11
by Paul Motter
It is important to draw the distinction between a boat like the Bulgaria and river cruise operators like Viking River Cruises, Uniworld and AMA Waterways. 7-14-11
by Paul Motter
Now you can see "behind the scenes" on tours offered by Norwegian, Princess, Carnival and - announced just yesterday - Royal Caribbean. 7-7-11
