What About Charm City, NCL?

Norwegian Jewel sailing at sea.
Photo Credit:
http://www.allaboutcruisesnc.net/Cruise_Lines/Norwegian/Jewel/jewel.html 

Where is Norwegian Jewel headed in this picture? I am not really sure, but I would like to vote on her new home-port! Recently, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced that they would be swapping Norwegian Pearl with Norwegian Jewel who is currently calling New York home (Norwegian Pearl is just a year younger than Norwegian Jewel). So with this new move, Norwegian Jewel will be headed back to her original home-port of Miami, Florida--allowing Norwegian Pearl to make her NCL debut in New York, October 2012!

But wait a minute, NCL, can she make a pit-stop in Baltimore, Maryland for a hot minute? Why not? The Port of Baltimore is truly becoming very popular with an array of cruisers--so much in fact a new port location is being discussed to host more ships into the blue crab epicenter (full story here). Back in the day when no one sailed ships from my home-town, I remembered seeing Norwegian Cruise Line here with seasonal service despite the apprehensiveness from other cruise lines. They sailed Norwegian Crown^ and Norwegian Majesty^ to Bermuda. Can we get the NCL love back to Baltimore via Norwegian Jewel? I think she'll be a cruisetacular addition (just my 2 cents, having cruised her a few years back).

Well, if it isn't in the next year or two, and even if Norwegian Jewel doesn't swing into the Chesapeake Bay, I hope NCL comes back to give Charm City some love soon! If you haven't cruised from the Port of Baltimore, you need to get hip with the program ASAP! You can sail to Canada/NewEngland*, Bermuda, the Eastern Caribbean, Florida, or the Bahamas on either Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line's Enchantment of the Seas, or Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Pride. What do you think? Do you see NCL fitting in well with cruisers from Charm City? Share your thoughts below or on facebook. What are you waiting for? Your ship awaits, Bon Voyage!

^These ships are no longer sailing within the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.

*This destination is only offered service to via Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line's Enchantment of the Seas. Otherwise, either cruise line can provide you with service to the other destinations mentioned.

Calling all Junior Cruisers!

Carnival Imagination docked at the cruise port in Key West, Florida.
She was the first ship I ever sailed at eleven years old.
Photo Credit: http://www.shipparade.com/az/Carnival_Imagination/Carnival_Imagination_2.htm 

Can you remember when you first begin hitting the high-seas? My first cruise is a lasting memory, and I will never forget what a cruisetastic adventure I had with Carnival Cruise Line! I was eleven years old and my mother took me on Carnival Imagination in the peak of summer vacation before I went to sixth grade--we sailed to Belize City, Belize and Key West, Florida for 6 days and 5 nights! It was my mother's cruise on Carnival Victory, the year before, that got me interested in this vacation style. She wouldn't stop talking about all the amazing things on-board, I got a little jealous I have to admit. I begged her to take me on a cruise... and we know the rest to be history!

When did you start your kids cruising? I know some friends of mine started their youngsters practically out of the womb. @LetsCruiseNow began taking their kids onto cruise-liners at the age of only 18 months! They just added a new bundle of joy to their family and are anticipating another early introduction to the seven seas, with their new baby, as soon as possible! My Canadian friend, Renata Grant (@CruiseDivas), says, "My older daughter has been cruising for 10 years, since age 6, and the younger one started at age 2 and is going to be 10 this year!" As a family, they are getting ready to experience the sights and sounds of Alaska on the beautiful Disney Wonder this week!

You no longer have to ask grandma and grandpa to watch the kids when you're ready to hit the seven seas, because contemporary vessels come equipped with every toy, trinket, and tall water slide your children could only dream of! I remember when I cruised with my mother throughout my teens years, we became very close and our family bond grew to become even stronger! Use a cruise to bond as a family, it will make all the difference! To this day, when an opportunity opens, we will hit the high seas together in a heartbeat!

Do you want to know what ships would be perfect for your kids? Read this article by Frommer's, or this one by parenting.com ,which feature and array of ships from Disney Dream, to Norwegian Epic, to Queen Mary 2, and even Celebrity Millennium! Do your research, find a ship that works best for your family, and get ready to set sail for the vacation of a lifetime! Your ship awaits, Bon Voyage!

Experience Europe the 'Freestyle' Way!

Video is courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Be sure to book your next cruisetacular adventure to Europe with Norwegian Cruise Line! This summer Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Sun, and my personal favorite, Norwegian Epic will be taking vacation-goers around to see Europe's finest! These three innovative vessels bring a refreshing approach to cruising and have earned a number of awards and accolades since their respective debuts. Here's one great benefit to sailing Europe with NCL: if you book Norwegian Epic, you can garner as much as $300.00 in on-board spending money (limited time offer)! Now that's a deal for sure!

Having sailed two of these ships (Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Sun), you're bound to have nothing but a cruisetastic time! If you're traveling alone, no worries, Norwegian Epic will welcome you with open arms into one of her state-of-the-art studio staterooms! You want to bring your kids, you say? Well Norwegian Epic will be having a special Nickelodeon 'All-Access' sailing on July 24, 2011 departing from Barcelona, Spain! The whole family is bound to have a cruiserific getaway indeed!

These ships are some of the best in the industry, and are sure to be true crowd pleasers with you and your loved ones! So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, book your cabins, and immerse yourself with the breath-taking treasures of the eastern hemisphere today! Your ship awaits, bon voyage!

Cruise Ship Wars: Epic vs. Allure

Which ship would you rather sail? Are you #TeamNCL or #TeamRCI? Share your reasons below or on Facebook! Your ship awaits, bon voyage!

Why Do You Like To Cruise?

Here I am in the Norwegian Epic's Ice Bar.
Photo Credit: Louise Ford

I was asked by a friend the other day why I loved to cruise so much. I looked at him like he was crazy for even asking me such a question. If you don't know anything about Cruise Man 3000, you should at least know that he loves sailing on the high-seas whenever he can! Well, I thought I'd share with you all the top 10 reasons why I love to cruise below:

1. The "All-inclusive" value I get!
2. The awesome people I get to interact with and meet from all over the world!
3. Trying new delicacies and foods I wouldn't normally eat at home!
4. Being able to experience pure serenity while at sea!
5. Having the opportunity to catch-up on reading books I've neglected at home!
6. Being able to travel to an array of destinations in such a short amount of time!
7. Trying newer ships and exploring the awesome amenities they have to offer.
8. Being in non-cell-phone zones (What a peace I receive, haha)!
9. The endless choices of food and drinks... enough said!
10. Being able to see crystal-clear waters (not the murky Chesapeake Bay), haha!

So what are the reasons why you love to cruise? Share them here, or on Facebook! Your ship awaits, bon voyage!