'Home-Port' Cruising Highlight: Baltimore, Maryland



                                              

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line's Grandeur of the Seas docked in Baltimore, Maryland.
She used to frequent 'Charm City' before she was rerouted.
Photo Credit: http://www.baltimorecruiseguide.com/

   How do you cruise? Don't like to fly? Why not try cruising from a home port? Baltimore, Maryland anyone? The Port of Baltimore will host Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line now through 2011! 

Carnival Cruise Line sails Carnival Pride to the Bahamas, Florida, and Eastern Caribbean all year round.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line sails Enchantment of the Seas all year round as well to the Caribbean. RCI also sails her to Canada, New England, and Bermuda, seasonally.

Celebrity Cruise Line sails the Celebrity Mercury to the Bahamas and Caribbean seasonally (Only October 2010-February 2011).

The Baltimore Maryland Cruising Calender Until December 2011 (Click this Link)

Name Her New Home Port!

The Norwegian Star docked in Miami, Florida
Photo Credit: Adam Hoffman http://www.shipparade.com/az/Norwegian_Star/Norwegian_Star.htm

This here is the Norwegian Star and she will no longer be calling California home in 2011. She will be making a transit through the Panama Canal and be sailing into a new port... Can you guess which one it will be? HINT: It will be in Florida.

Is Bigger Really Better?

Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, sailing into Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Photo Credit: http://www.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk/ships/255oasisofthedseas.html

Would you sail on the world's largest cruise ship with a maximum passenger capacity of 6,360 people plus crew? Personally, I would pass and stick with the mid-sized cruise ships; even though I did mess with one of the 'Big Berthas' of the industry last summer. After I sailed Norwegian Epic, I told myself I would never go that big ever again. It's not that I didn't like Norwegian Epic--in fact, I loved her--but I couldn't bring myself to dealing with the masses on-board.

I could only imagine what a week on Oasis of the Seas would be like. If given the option, I'd sail Norwegian Epic over Oasis of the Seas any-day, but would you even sail either one? Are you a mid-sized ship cruiser, or a mega-ship thrill seeker? If you're willing to sail the mega-liners, cast your vote in the Cruise Ship Wars! Tell me what your preference is here, or on facebook (I would love to hear your thoughts)!  Your ship awaits, and it might be one of these--bon voyage!

Name Her Home Port!



Name Her Home Port...

 This here is the Carnival Pride, she now offers home port cruising from the bustling East Coast! Can you guess where she calls home?

Cruise Ship Review: Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Epic docked in Nassau, Bahamas

Photo Credit: Shon "Cruise Man 3000" Ford

 She weighs 153,000 gross tons, can hold over 4,000 passengers, has bowling allies, a rock-climbing wall, and a full size aqua park! Only one word can describe a vessel of this magnitude: E-P-I-C! Issued into service in July 2010, this innovative vessel has become the newest attraction to an array of cruisers all over the world. For Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), this is a ‘cruisemendous’ leap, for they did not even have a cruise ship that ranked in the world's top twenty largest cruise ships, and Norwegian Epic debuted at number two! There are twenty different and unique dining options offered on-board (most, not all, require a reservation and a cover charge fee). The food was pretty decent on-board, but I could definitely taste the food was "cooked for the masses."

Norwegian Epic has absolutely the best entertainment on any cruise ship from any cruise line in the entire world—some refer to Norwegian Epic as an entertainment Mecca. The Blue Man Group, Second City Comedy Troupe, Legends Live in Concert, and many other entertainment acts head-line every night on-board keeping passengers of all ages asking for more. Norwegian Epic also sails with Nickelodeon at Sea on-board! This is a great addition allowing kids of all ages to see some of their favorite cartoon characters. Norwegian Epic does require something other ships within the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet do not, and that is reservations in excessive amounts. In order to attend any of the fabulous shows I mentioned above, dine in one of the specialty restaurants, attend the circus, or chill-out in the 17 degree ice bar, reservations are needed.

If you don't make reservations, then you’ll be put on standby for some of the events you want to enjoy (standby doesn't guarantee you a seat in the performance, but give it a try—they got me in to see Blue Man Group with no problems even on standby). The reservations for the shows do not cost anything, but it’s something you want to plan within the first couple hours you are on-board. I think because of the people traffic on-board, NCL has reservations in place to keep things under control and monitored both effectively and with great efficiency. (The Ice Bar and Circus require cover charges, those are not free).

On the entire cruise it was hard to get a chair on the deck; there were multitudes of people all the time everywhere on the ship. The crew was one of the best I have ever experienced at sea, and truly made the cruise a ‘cruiserific’ experience. The amenities on board are truly amazing! Norwegian Epic sails with a bowling alley (2 of them), a rock climbing wall, rappelling wall, an open-air ice skating rink, basketball court, spider web obstacle course, and an adult only zone (Spice H20). The only things that I did not see on-board were a golf course and library. I give Norwegian Epic 4.25 out of 5.00 stars. Be sure to check out this immense innovative vessel, and see the word E-P-I-C redefined!