Another Sibling for Oasis and Allure

Oasis of the Seas Meets Allure of the Seas for First Time
Photo Courtesy Royal Caribbean

Two Sisters 

Met in 2010 

Another Sister 

Planned for 2016

On Saturday, November 13, 2010, a historic first occurred when the two largest ships afloat met for the first time.   The Allure of the Seas had just arrived from Finland to its home port of  Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida when it was met by it's sister-ship Oasis of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Confirms New Build

Royal Caribbean International has been in contract talks with ship-builder STX France. It appears that talks broke down with STX Finland, who built the currently sailing Oasis-class ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.  RCI has just confirmed plans to build a third 5400 ton vessel, yet to be named, by mid-year 2016.

The Oasis-class ships have been so successful, with their seven neighborhoods and specialty dining options, that Royal Caribbean is in the midst of a $700 million revitalization program across the entire fleet.  (see our Grandeur of the Seas Revitalization articles for one of the latest upgrades).

The cost of the new sister ship was not disclosed in the Royal Caribbean announcement, but when the rumors first surfaced in November, Royal had indicated the cost of the third ship was expected to be less per berth than the previous ships.

Royal Caribbean also has a one-year option to build a fourth ship in the Oasis-class.

 

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Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas

Holidays are about families, and what better example of a happy family then the characters of Walt Disney's imagination.

One highlight for us this year was our National Conference which was held at Walt Disney World Resort and aboard Disney Dream.  During this conference, our hosts, Disney Destinations, showed us how they entertain families both on land and at sea.

It All Started With a Mouse 

As the saying goes, Disney's success started with a mouse. Today Disney provides families with great value at the resorts and ships from coast to coast. We were fortunate to be able to sail on one Disney's newest ships during our conference.

There is something for everyone that loves Disney characters during a Disney land and sea vacation. Greet your favorite characters, get an autograph or a photo with them, have some Mickey Mouse pancakes or waffles for breakfast, zip around the ship on a raft in the Aqua Duct. Get welcomed aboard the ship by your cast of Disney characters. Watch out for pirates during the Pirates in the Caribbean party.

 Most importantly, spend some time together as a family enjoying all the entertainment that the Disney staff has in store for you from the time you arrive at the resort or board the ship.

We hope that your Christmas tree was filled with many special gifts this year.   Perhaps one of them contained a gift certificate for a cruise or resort stay at one of Disney parks or ships.

Even if you didn't have a Disney vacation wrapped up in a box under your tree, there's still plenty of opportunity for you to surprise your family in the New Year with a trip that they will remember for years to come.

Make some memories in 2013 with your family and friends.

Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives this holiday season and throughout the year.  We hope that you've enjoyed our gift of stories and photos from our cruise and land trips.

We would be happy to help you plan for your next vacation.

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Grandeur Tour Deck 8

New WOWs Around Every Corner

Grandeur of the Seas

Revitalization

Here's your chance to see all the amazing WOWs Royal Caribbean added to the Grandeur of the Seas as we continue our WOW Button Tour.

During a recent 30-day revitalization dry-dock, part of Royal Caribbean's Royal Advantage SM program, the Grandeur became the next ship to complete the program, which will enhance the entire fleet. See Royal Advantage Expanded for more information about the project and schedule of ship completions.

What's New on Grandeur of the Seas? 

We were fortunate to be invited to the Revitalization Debut of the Grandeur of the Seas in November.   Continue exploring the New Grandeur of the Seas as we take you along with us on the Grandeur WOW Button Round-Up.

New Family Suite

Royal Caribbean cruises are the ultimate family vacation, so it makes sense that they are adding new Family Suite accommodations that sleeps several guests comfortably to Grandeur of the Seas.

The main part of the cabin can be divided into two sections with a queen bed in one part and sleeper sofa in the other.   Around the corner are two twin beds for the youngsters in the family.

For larger families, there are also pull down beds in that same room.


Looking out the window of your Family Suite on Deck 8, you can see the bridge.   Because of the bridge, they were unable to add a balcony, but the cabin is still ideal for families.

We have posted some additional pictures on our Facebook Fan Page;  New Staterooms - Grandeur of the Seas

 

 

Congratulations !!  

You have just collected your second Button for Deck 8

Collect all  7 !!

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Grandeur Tour Deck 6

New WOWs Around Every Corner

Grandeur of the Seas

Revitalization

Here's your chance to see all the amazing WOWs Royal Caribbean added to the Grandeur of the Seas during a recent 30-day revitalization dry-dock.   This is part of  Royal Caribbean's Royal Advantage SM program which enhances the entire fleet. See Royal Advantage Expanded for more information about the project and schedule of ship completions.

What's New on Grandeur of the Seas? 

We were fortunate to be invited to the Revitalization Debut of the Grandeur of the Seas in November.   Continue exploring the New Grandeur of the Seas as we take you along with us on the Grandeur WOW Button Round-Up.
 

DECK 6 - GIOVANNI'S TABLE & CHOPS GRILLE

Following the WOW Button trail, we arrived outside Chops Grille where we received our button for Deck 6 dining options.  We would next explore two of our favorite restaurants that are now available on the revitalized Grandeur.

Chops Grille


Chops is an elegant restaurant serving juicy steaks, fresh seafood, hearty side dishes, and delicious desserts.   There is a $30 cover charge as of this writing.  The only other expense would be any extra gratuity you chose to leave and your beverages from the bar.

Chops Grille is an old time favorite of loyal Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Members; try it on your next Royal cruise.



See our Grandeur of the Seas Dining photo album for more images from these two dining options and more.

Whether you want a romantic dinner with your significant other several of your new sailing friends, Chops Grille can accommodate your reservation request.   You can see that several tables can be combined for larger groups.


Giovanni's Table

Enjoy an Italian trattoria serving family-style rustic Tuscany dishes with a contemporary flair.  On the Grandeur, dine with your family and friends while enjoying the view out the expansive wall of floor to ceiling windows.

Make sure to leave room for your favorite Italian desserts like tiramisu. There is a $20 cover charge for this venue.  Of course, you'll probably want to pair your meal with a nice glass of red wine.

Be sure to click the photo album link above for more images of both of these fabulous restaurant favorites retrofitted into the Grandeur of the Seas from the Allure and Oasis of the Seas.

Congratulations !!  

You have just collected your second Button for Deck 6

Collect all  7 !!

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Pearl Harbor 71 Years Later

71st Anniversary of 

Pearl Harbor Attack

"December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” — Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The attack caught America by surprise, killing 2,400 Americans, sinking 12 ships and destroying 188 aircraft -- and triggering U.S. entry into World War II. In fact, the U.S. declared war on Japan the following day when FDR made the above quote.

Seventy-one years ago today the United States was drawn into World War II when Pearl Harbor was attacked. While this was before I was born, it is still a date that is impossible for me to forget.

Ceremonies mark the anniversary today.  Among those will be a special tribute to the battleship Arizona, which exploded and sank during the attack, killing more than 1,100 officers and servicemen aboard. The ship's hull remains at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, marked by the USS Arizona Memorial overhead.

These pictures were taken during a visit to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial during a cruise vacation to Hawaii. The background of this image is the oil slick which still rises to the surface of the water around the memorial.

These images remain in my mind several years after our visit. We were so moved by our visit, we went back the next day for a second visit. 

Out of respect to the Sailors and Marines entombed below, visitors are asked to remain silent during their visit. The silence adds to the eerie atmosphere at the memorial.

Visiting Hawaii by cruise ship is a great way to see the islands.  Instead of making your own arrangements to move from one island to another, the cruise itinerary is already planned for you.  All you need to decide is what excursions you want to do on your own or with a group.  You can choose from a 7-night itinerary on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America or a longer cruise, typically 14 or 15 night Circle Cruise which starts somewhere in California, goes to Hawaii and returns.

Cruise vacations to Hawaii, often start or end in Honolulu, Oahu. I would encourage you to visit the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial during your visit there. It is even more moving when you visit on or around December 7th.

For more information about U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and today's events, see the National Park Service website.

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2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season Review

2012 hurricane season animation.
Download here. (Credit: NOAA.)

2012 Atlantic 
Hurricane Season

Above Average

November 30 marks the end of the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane season, one that produced 19 named storms, of which 10 became hurricanes and one became a major hurricane. The number of named storms is well above the average of 12. The number of hurricanes is also above the average of six, but the number of major hurricanes is below the average of three.

Disrupted Cruises

Hurricane Isaac and Superstorm Sandy were the most disruptive to the travel industry causing flight cancellations and altering the courses and even cancelling cruises.  Typically one expects itinerary changes during hurricane season, but usually the ships are able to sail to more peaceful waters away from the approaching storm.

In the case of Superstorm Sandy, which was a hurricane on steroids,  ports were closed preventing people from getting to the pier and ships from getting back to the port, thus cancelling the cruise completly.

Cruise lines take the safety of passengers, crew, and ships very seriously, so decisions that were made, to alter courses or even cancel the cruises, were done in the interest of safety.

Mid-Atlantic & Northeast Hit Hard

According to a press release issued by NOAA, This season marks the second consecutive year that the mid-Atlantic and Northeast suffered devastating impacts from a named storm. Sandy, and Irene last year, caused fatalities, injuries, and tremendous destruction from coastal storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, and wind. Storms struck many parts of the country this year, including tropical storms Beryl and Debby in Florida, Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, and Post-tropical Cyclone Sandy in New Jersey.

“This year proved that it’s wrong to think that only major hurricanes can ruin lives and impact local economies,” said Laura Furgione, acting director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “We are hopeful that after the 2012 hurricane season, more families and businesses all along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts become more “weather ready” by understanding the risks associated with living near the coastline.  Each storm carries a unique set of threats that can be deadly and destructive. Mother Nature reminded us again this year of how important it is to be prepared and vigilant.”

Early Start but Ends on Time

The Atlantic Hurricane Season got off to an early start with two named storms, Alberto and Beryl, developing prior to the June 1st official start.   The season ended prior to November 30th with Sandy impacting the East Coast of the United States.

Read More:  Busy 2012 hurricane season continues decades-long high activity era in the Atlantic (NOAA)
 
Season in Review

SUMMARY TABLE

NAME                DATES         MAX WIND (MPH)
---------------------------------------------------
TS ALBERTO          19-22 MAY         60
TS BERYL            26-30 MAY         70
H  CHRIS            19-22 JUN         75
TS DEBBY            23-27 JUN         60
H  ERNESTO           1-10 AUG         85
TS FLORENCE*          3-6 AUG         60
H  GORDON           15-20 AUG        110
TS HELENE            9-18 AUG         45
H  ISAAC         21 AUG-1 SEP         80
TS JOYCE            22-24 AUG         40
H  KIRK          28 AUG-2 SEP        105
H  LESLIE       30 AUG-11 SEP         75
MH MICHAEL           3-11 SEP        115
H  NADINE        11 SEP-4 OCT         90 
TS OSCAR              3-5 OCT         50
TS PATTY            11-13 OCT         45
H  RAFAEL           12-17 OCT         90
H  SANDY            22-29 OCT        110
TS TONY             22-25 OCT         50

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Grandeur Tour Deck 4

New WOWs Around Every Corner

Grandeur of the Seas

Revitalization

Here's your chance to see all the amazing WOWs Royal Caribbean added to the Grandeur of the Seas during a recent 30-day revitalization dry-dock.   This is part of  Royal Caribbean's Royal Advantage SM program which enhances the entire fleet. See Royal Advantage Expanded for more information about the project and schedule of ship completions.

What's New on Grandeur of the Seas? 

We were fortunate to be invited to the Revitalization Debut of the Grandeur of the Seas this month.   Explore the New Grandeur of the Seas as we take you along with us on the Grandeur WOW Button Round-Up.

 
DECK 4 - CENTRUM & R BAR

The Centrum has been reinvented as a vertical theater with dazzling aerial performers providing the entertainment.  As with most ships, this is the first thing you'll see after getting onboard the ship.   The Centrum is one of the hubs on the ship.

Aerial Spectacular - Seasons of the Centrum

During the Grandeur Debut event, guests were treated to two performances of a spectacular aerial show entitled "Seasons of the Centrum".  We have posted videos on our YouTube Channel from this show.

In these pictures, you can see that the rigging is on deck 9, 5 decks overhead from the lobby of the Centrum.   You could watch the show several times and have a different experience simply by selecting a different vantage point.

View Videos on Our YouTube Channel

We opted to take our videos from Deck 6 between the glass elevators.   This provided spectacular close ups of the performers as they glided past us suspended by the devices you see in these images.

Aerial Spectacular I Grandeur of the Seas Centrum

Aerial Spectacular II  Grandeur of the Seas Centrum

Aerial Spectacular II  Grandeur of the Seas Centrum


R-Bar

Completing the enhancements on Deck 4 is the addition of the R-Bar, a sophisticated new bar with a distinct retro-glamour vibe. This is a great location to meet before dinner or the Aerial Spectacular shows.

Enhanced Technology

You may have noticed the Deck 4 sign above.  These are touchscreen wayfinders that help you navigate the ship.   Did you know that the search mechanism employed has some intelligence built in?   If several people have done a search for directions to a given location, the wayfinder will reroute you to a different route so that you don't have to wait for elevators.   We'll feature more about the new technological improvements in another post.

Congratulations !!  

You have just collected your first Button for Deck 4

Collect all  7 !!

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Grandeur Revitalization Debut

Introducing the New

Grandeur of the Seas

We've just returned from Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas Revitalization Debut Event which was hosted by Adam Goldstein, CEO of Royal Caribbean International, other executives, and the crew of the Grandeur.

We'll take a closer look at each of the improvements in additional articles, but first we wanted to give you an overview of the changes.

Joining a Totally Upgraded 

Vision Class 

Sailing Around the Globe

No ship goes untouched as Royal Caribbean added favorite dining, entertainment, and family features from the groundbreaking Oasis-class ships to their entire fleet.  You deserve the ultimate Royal Caribbean experience, no matter which ship, ocean, or continent you choose.

 
NEW FEATURES ON GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS:

More Entertainment

•Reinvented Centrum with dazzling aerial performers

•Outdoor, poolside movie screen

More Dining•
R Bar – ‘60s-sophisticated hot spot
•A la carte menu at the new Viking Crown Lounge featuring bite-sized portions of classic dishes
•Park Café, with soups, salads and sandwiches
•Chef’s Table – Five-course menu paired with fine wines
•Chops Grille – Our popular signature steakhouse
•Giovanni’s Table Italian restaurant
•Izumi Asian-fusion cuisine, featuring a la carte sushi selections

Enhanced Technology•
Smart new technology – touchscreen wayfinders, digital signs, and shipwide Wi-Fi
Flat-screen televisions
iPads® with activities planner, movies, e-books and more available in each stateroom

New Staterooms
• Refreshed staterooms – new décor, furnishings
• New Family Suite – accommodates up to six guests 

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Thanksgiving Greetings from Grandeur

HAPPY
THANKSGIVING

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here already. Where did 2012 go? As has become my tradition, I'd like to share with you some of the things that I'm thankful for and highlight some of our adventures this year.

We had Thanksgiving breakfast on the Grandeur of the Seas in Miami.  The past two months have been very busy for us with our National Conference, a Bahamas cruise on Carnival Sensation, a trip to Cancun to visit several AMResorts, and finally the Grandeur of the Seas event.  At the same time we were bringing you coverage of National Cruise Vacation Month and the Hurricane Season, including Rafael and Sandy. We are thankful to be able to share our new experiences with all of you.

We hope that you, your family, and friends have plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. I know that I have plenty of things to be thankful for, including my health, family, and friends and the ability to share my love of cruising with all of you. I’m grateful that I've been able to explore new ships and destinations with family and friends again this year.

Grandeur of the Seas Revitalization

View Videos on Our YouTube Channel

"Now Our Best Ship is Every Ship" - We were fortunate to be invited to the Revitalization Event which was hosted by Adam Goldstein, CEO of Royal Caribbean International, to unveil the changes that were just completed which will enhance guests experiences. One of the main highlights of that event was the Aerial Spectacular that is performed in the Centrum of the ship. The aerialists are suspended from 5 decks above the lobby.  This was the first time the show was performed inside the United States.  We have posted a few videos on our YouTube Channel and a few images on our Facebook Fan Page as well. Be sure to become a fan on our Facebook page so that you'll get updates on all of these trips.

Disney Dream - Castaway Cay

Cruises Inc. and Cruise One held the 2012 National Conference at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida and continued with a three night cruise on Disney Dream to the Bahamas. We have written several articles on the conference and posted many photos on our Facebook Fan Page.

Thank you for making our blog column a part of your lives in 2012. I hope that the information we share helps you to dream about future cruises of your own. I'd be honored to help you plan those trips. I have the best job in the world - helping make dreams come true. For that, I'm truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

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A Diva Like No Other

Introducing MSC Divina

Divinely inspired by Sophia Loren, MSC Divina offers fabulous new features such as The Garden infinity pool with Zen relaxation zone overlooking the ship's wake.

Other diversions include an Italian piazza with live piano music, a gelateria, candy shop, clothing and jewelry stores.

Fall 2013/Winter 2014 marks the inaugural Caribbean season of the spectacular MSC Divina, the 12th ship in the MSC Cruises fleet. Guests can sail between Venice and their newest point of departure, PortMiami, enjoying a romantic Transatlantic cruise in true Mediterranean style. Or once the ship arrives in its winter home, guests can discover some of the brightest gems in the Caribbean on 3-night and 7-night adventures.

PLEASE VOTE FOR ME
Voting Begins Nov. 19th
In honor of their new Diva, whose Godmother is Sophia Loren, MSC held a contest for agents.  I've won once, and now it's my chance to reach for the stars  with their Grand Prize cruise in the glamorous Sophia Loren Royal Suite on MSC Divina

I NEED YOUR HELP -- PLEASE VOTE FOR ME IN MSC CRUISES PHOTO CONTEST

http://www.msccruisesdivina.com/photocontestfin.aspx

Search for Christine Pappin on the page

Piazza del Doge Italian Square

If you've ever been to Italy, you are familiar with the piazza, or town square.  The are commonly found at the meeting of two or more streets. Most Italian cities have several piazzas with streets radiating from the center. Shops and other small businesses are found on piazzas as it is an ideal place to set up a business.

Imagine strolling along the piazza while on either the Transatlantic or Caribbean cruises onboard MSC Divina.   Should I be fortunate enough to win the Grand Prize in the photo contest, you'll find me here enjoying my favorite gelato.

Accomodations

Guests enjoy European elegance and style throughout MSC Divina, including the 69 luxury suites in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, available for the first time in the Caribbean. Also debuting in the Caribbean, are new Aurea Suites with select spa amenities.

The majority of guests on MSC Divina enjoy ocean views. We'll feature more about the accommodations in an upcoming post. I think you'll agree that MSC Divina is a Diva that will be sailing in the Caribbean starting next year. Contact us for more information.

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American Cemetery Normandy France

American Cemetery & Memorial Normandy France (click for album)

On June 8, 1944, the U.S. First Army established the temporary cemetery, the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II.  This marker is placed at the location of the first cemetery.

After the war, the present-day cemetery was established a short distance to the east of the original site. The cemetery is located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach (one of the landing beaches of the Normandy Invasion) and the English Channel.

It covers 172 acres, and contains the remains of 9,387 American military dead, most of whom were killed during the invasion of Normandy and ensuing military operations in World War II. Included are graves of Army Air Corps crews shot down over France as early as 1942.

Like all other overseas American cemeteries in France for World War I and II, France has granted the United States a special, perpetual concession to the land occupied by the cemetery, free of any charge or any tax. This cemetery is managed by the American government, under Congressional acts that provide yearly financial support for maintaining them, with most military and civil personnel employed abroad. The U.S. flag flies over these granted soils.  When you are in the cemetery you are on U.S. soil, just like you would be at an embassy in a foreign land.

THROUGH THE GATE OF DEATH MAY THEY PASS TO THEIR JOYFUL RESURRECTION

We have had the good fortune of cruising to many historic destinations in Europe.  Perhaps none have been as moving as the time we spent in Normandy, France.  My dad was among the troops that attempted to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day.  His tank was sunk and he was rescued so that he could storm the beach again and later fight in other battles, like the Battle of the Bulge.

He never spoke of the war, and the only way that I learned about his bravery in battle was through his brother who also served during the great war.   They are both gone now, but their memory, and memories of so many others, are honored by this sacred ground near a beach in  France.

One of my fondest memories of my dad was a story my mom told me about the time they had the opportunity to return to Normandy.  My dad wasn't one to show his emotions, but when they visited the grave of his commander, he broke down and cried.   Hopefully he met up with his CO in heaven now and they are enjoying a pint of beer on this Veterans Day 2012.

The generation that fought in that war are all but gone now.   If you still have someone you know that lived through that time, and fought for their country, first of all, thank them for what they did and then learn what you can from them.    I encourage you to travel to France, and other parts of Europe, to the great battlefields and visit the various cemeteries and memorials.  For more images, see our Facebook fan page.

Thank You To All the Past and Present Men & Women Serving in the Armed Forces

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Cruise Lines Salute Veterans

 

We could never thank our military men and women enough for their courageous service and sacrifice to our country and its people. Yet today we lift up our voices to express gratefulness and honor to these military troops both from the past and present.

THANK YOU FROM 

A GRATEFUL NATION 

Many cruise lines recognize our troops with special rates.  We've listed a couple offers which you might not be aware of.   Be sure to mention your military service when contacting us so that we can see if there are any rates that you qualify for.  We would be honored to help you plan some R & R.

 

Cruise Line	Veterans Day Offer
Carnival Cruise Line	Promotion Allows Military Personnel to Book Up To Three ‘Fun Ship’ Staterooms at Discounted Rates Reservations must be made between Nov. 1-30, 2012 Variety of three- to 12-day “Fun Ship” departures through April 30, 2014 Destinations include: Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Alaska
Royal Caribbean	Ongoing promotion allows Military, Police  & Fire personnel special discounts on select sailings The Sea is Calling Police, Firefighters, Military

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Castaway to Your Island Paradise

 Disney Cruise Line

Welcomes You to

Your Island Paradise

Castaway Cay

Hop on the island tram or set off on foot to explore the tropical paradise that awaits you as you leave your ship behind for the day. Follow in our footsteps or blaze your own trail.

Adventure is a Short Walk Away

Descending the gangway from the ship, you stop for a photo with one of your favorite characters and head along the pier to the entrance of Castaway Cay.   Along the way you get the full view of your ship laying there at anchor next to the pier.  It really looks a lot bigger from this vantage point.

It's not a long walk, so before you know it you have reached the entrance sign.   Our group split up at this point.  Part of us got on the tram and the rest started walking along the paved pathway.

For those that decide to walk, you will have the opportunity to get some iconic ship pictures from various vantage points.  You can see some of those pictures in our full Castaway Cay 2012 photo album on Facebook.

Your Private Paradise

Reserved exclusively for Guests on Disney Cruise Line Bahamian and Caribbean cruise vacations, Castaway Cay is Disney's private port-of-call paradise. On this island, enjoy tropical leisure activities, such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing.

Adults Only Fun

As you can see on this map, there is plenty to do on the island.  Much like a Disney theme park, Castaway Cay is divided into various age-specific areas.

Our initial destination for our adventure was Serenity Bay which is reserved for guests 18 years of age and over. Here you'll find a private beach, umbrellas, lounge chairs of various types, and hammocks for you to camp out in for the day.  Refreshments and lunch are nearby, so you don't even have to leave the area for food or drink.

Getting to Serenity Bay

As mentioned earlier, our group split up when we got to the island, so those that took the tram waited for the rest of the group at Pelican Point. Families that want to spend the day together on the beach will most likely stay in this area of the island (more about that later).  

You are heading to the furthest point on the island.  To get there, you can continue walking or transfer to another tram to the "Kargo Handling" stop.  The beach is a short walk along the path from where the tram stops.

If you are seeking peace and quiet - you are now in Paradise

 More Adventure Awaits

There is so much to do here, that we will devote another blog post "Castaway Cay Things To See and Do" to share more details. As you play in the water or on the beach, you have a great view of Disney Dream which is waiting for you after your island adventure is completed.

Currency on Island - Ship Bucks

When you go to a beach, you don't want to worry about losing cash. Disney Cruise Line solves that problem by only accepting your ship cabin key for payment on the island.

There is free soda and water in fountain machines available in the dining areas. For those wanting adult beverages, you can find local bars or wait staff to assist you much like while onboard the ship in the pool area.

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We Are Going to Need More Bleach

Cruise Ships & Norovirus ...
Tis the Season

Celebrity Cruises Constellation is the latest ship to need to have a deep clean following an up tick in the gastrointestinal illness, known as Norovirus on it's 12-night wine tasting cruise to France, Spain and Portugal.   

What happened and who is to blame?

Sanitation Delays Departure

When Celebrity Constellation pulled into port in Southampton, England yesterday (Nov. 6th) the Southampton's Port Health Authority confirmed about 350 passengers had fallen ill with the vomiting and diarrhea bug out of the more than two thousand passengers.  Celebrity Cruises delayed the departure until 8 PM to allow the crew to deep clean 200 affected cabins, identified by the health authority, and all public areas of the ship.

The procedures, that Celebrity Cruises followed, adhere to the guidelines set forth by the international cruise industry.  A statement from Celebrity Cruises said: “A small number of guests experienced a gastrointestinal type illness. We therefore conducted extra cleaning and sanitizing onboard the ship and within the cruise terminal as preventative measures. As a result of the additional cleaning, boarding began at the revised time of 2:00pm yesterday. Our hygiene procedures on-board are comprehensive and always strictly adhered to.”

Who is to Blame

The first inclination when you hear about an outbreak would be to blame the cruise line. Clearly, they have let you down - you expected a healthy cruise, and you got sick.   In fact there's a group of passengers that were on sister cruise line's Independence of the Seas that are suing Royal Caribbean International for £500,000 after contracting norovirus while onboard the ship.

The cruise line is responsible - right?

The cruise line IS responsible  for cleaning the ship and providing the facilities for passengers and crew to maintain proper hygiene onboard the ship.   They do that - you'll notice signs posted in all the rest rooms and crew members pointing out sanitation machines, such as the one in the picture above posted outside the restaurant entrance.  

But, ladies and gentleman - I suspect that YOU are to BLAME.   Did you stop to wash your hands after using the bathroom?   Did you sanitize your hands every time you entered a restaurant onboard the ship.   Did you do so all but one time?   That one time would be enough to kick off this sort of outbreak.

We've just returned from two short cruises on Disney Dream and Carnival Sensation.  On both ships, we noticed the sanitizing materials and signs.  We also noticed many passengers disregarding the signs and avoiding the sanitizing of their hands before entering the restaurant. 

Working together, the cruise lines and passengers could Prevent Norovirus!

USEFUL LINKS ABOUT NOROVIRUS

Facts About Noroviruses on Cruise Ships  -  gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses can be prevented

Wash hands often. Wash hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.  Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer along with hand washing.

Norovirus outbreaks, when they occur on a cruise ship, always make the news.  The truth is these outbreaks can occur anywhere there are groups of people in a small area such as nursing homes, restaurants, catered events, hotels, and cruise ships.

Vessel Sanitation Program - prevention and control of spread of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses on cruise ships

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Vote for Travel Today

Election Day is Finally Here 

According to votetravel.org:
" Everyone loves travel - vacationing, reconnecting with family, attending a productive business meeting or event - but not everyone realizes travel’s significant economic impact. Travel contributes $1.9 trillion to our economy and supports 14.4 million American jobs that cannot be outsourced, which is why we need policies that allow the travel industry to thrive.

Travel is a bipartisan industry. In fact, passage of the Travel Promotion Act was among only a few items that both Democrats and Republicans supported. Vote Travel is not an endorsement of any political candidate or a political party; it’s a vote to get America moving."

Personal Benefits of Travel

What would you think if we told you that vacation travel could have a positive impact on your life?  Would you be more apt to take an annual vacation?

U.S. Travel Association has published a report, The Benefits are Everywhere, The Personal Benefits of Travel and Taking a Vacation,which among other benefits, shows how your health can be positively impacted by a vacation.

Think about the last time you took a vacation...  

Before you left for vacation were you stressed over things going on at work, at home, or with the family?   After a couple days of rest and relaxation on the trip, did your stress level decrease?

Do you find yourself eating at irregular times at home because you have other commitments pulling you in different directions?   On your vacation, did you eat on a regular schedule?

Do you mean to exercise while at home, but just don't find the time?   Or are you a couch potato not getting any exercise at all simply because you are too tired to do anything when you get home from the office?   Did you get more exercise, on your trip - while having a good time exploring?

These are just a few items that are covered in this report.   We suggest you read the report to learn more about the personal benefits of vacation travel.

We have been a firm believer of taking time off every year for vacation.   While our son was growing up, we would take a vacation together with him and another one by ourselves each year.   This formula has worked well for us and perhaps it could work for you as well.

As We Head to the Polls Today

There may be local and national candidates that have a positive or negative view on the travel industry.  We encourage you to visit the Vote Travel.org website to learn more about their efforts to expand this industry which will help to Get America Moving again.

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Make-A-Wish Receives $60K from Conference

National Conference Raises More Than $60,000 for Make-A-Wish^®

Dreams really do come true at Disney^®. And that was the case at this year’s CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. National Conference as they surpassed their $60,000 fundraising goal for our signature charity, Make-A-Wish.

From Oct. 14-21, our Home Based division held their land/sea National Conference themed “Creating Magical Memories” at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and on the Disney Dream. There were more than 760 attendees at the annual event. The money was raised through a silent auction, 50-50 raffle and generous donations. One anonymous donor gave $25,000 while Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines also gave donations.

Conference participants gearing up for the 5K on
Castaway Cay to raise money for Make-A-Wish

During the General Session on Monday, October 15, WTH employee, Allison Daly shared a heartfelt story of how Make-A-Wish helped bring joy to her family over the past couple of years. Allison’s daughter, Caroline, was diagnosed more than two years ago with Leukemia. Today, Caroline is in the final stages of her treatment and is doing well.

“Knowing that the money raised at this year’s National Conference will be able to grant even more wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions is so gratifying,” said Dwain Wall, Senior Vice President of our Home Based division. “It is such a great feeling to see our franchisees and independent agents rally behind our company’s signature charity.”

One of the raffle items was a quilt made out of T-shirts from past National Conferences. Judy Raikes with CruiseOne, the winner of the quilt, so graciously donated the quilt back to the company where it will be proudly displayed in the Ft. Lauderdale office.

Last year’s conference raised $53,000, which helped Make-A-Wish grant 21 wishes.

A huge thank you to Make-A-Wish representative Ashley Gartland and everyone involved in the CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. National Conference fundraising efforts for Make-A-Wish.

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