The Prince of Packing Procrastination!

Don't let the smile fool you...
Cruise Man 3000 is a HUGE packing procrastinator! 

I have been procrastinating since I could remember. In my high school days, college days, and even my cruising days. As you all know, I am getting ready for my next cruise (yes, the cruise countdown is on) and I wanted to know what the "normal" way of packing was when it came time for a cruise. Now I normally pack the night before. I know it's risky, but I feel if you're within a four hour radius from your cruise port--as I am for this next cruise--then that's okay, right? Well, I took to Twitter and Facebook to see what my cruise friends do when preparing for a cruise vacation, and this is what they had to say:

You all know David Stern (@StarshineCruise), my "RCI Go-To Man?" Sure you do. Well, he said he normally packs the night before the cruise but he used to pack as far as a week in advance. I used to be that way, too? Well, no, I have always been a night before kind of guy, lol. But I'm happy to know he and I share in the procrastinating realm of packing. But my friend from Connecticut, Craig Kell, said he packs a least three weeks prior to sailing. Man, he's not a firm believer in last minute packing (maybe his packing zeal will trickle down a few states). One Facebook fan on her A-game, Denise Jiles, says she begins a month in advance (good thing we don't live under the same roof, haha)!

One of my favorite gals on the West Coast, Carrie Finley-Bajak (@CruiseBuzz) told me that she has learned from some past mistakes, so days in advance is her packing choice. She never told me what the past mistake was, but I hope she didn't fall asleep while packing (talk about making a b-line for your ship)! And my pal from the Mid-West, Mikey Faust (@MikeyCruiseBlog), even chimed in with his methods. Mikey told me he feels comfortable knowing his bags are packed at least a week before the cruise. He doesn't like the added stress that can overwhelm him when trying to gather things at the last minute. And the cruisetastic peeps over at Cruise Legend (@CruiseLegend) say they pack at least a day in advance, but make a list of what to bring weeks prior.

You would think I'd get the message by now, right? To pack in advance... and I think I have. I have started gathering things, but nothing's in a suitcase. They may sound like nothing to you, but I'm patting myself on the back for having that much done, haha. Pray for me, y'all. Pray I will be packed by Friday (at least that's two days in advance). Be sure to share your packing tips below, or on the Facebook fan page! Happy packing and cruising--Shon!

Port of Call Review: Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida

Video Credit: The Ocean Escape YouTube Channel

Let's talk about the happiest port on earth: Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida! Now, when thinking about this port what's the first thing you think of? For many, many years, I never pictured this port of call as a destination for a cruise, but many cruise lines have been ushering more and more ships into the waters closest to mouse town in recent years. Common, popular, and normally sold-out cruise routes leaving from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast (typically embarking from Baltimore, Maryland or New York, New York) are week-long Bahamas and Florida cruises. Each have variations in where they call in the Bahamas, but normally all ships sailing down the Eastern Seaboard normally stop in Port Canaveral.

Like my Mickey Ears?
No matter which cruise ship bring you into Port Canaveral,
you have to go give Mickey and company a visit! 

Before setting sail on one of these unique Bahamas cruises, I never looked at Port Canavaeral as a port of call, but a port of embarkation. I've sailed from Port Canaveral before and thought there wasn't really much to do there in the immediate cruise ship terminal area, but it wasn't until I returned to the port on Norwegian Gem when I realized there was more to do there than I could ever imagine. So don't arrive with a "We're not somewhere exotic, so there must not be anything cool to do here" attitude.

The Ron Jon Surf Shop is a cool place to visit...
Tiki statues and all!

No matter what your taste is, this port of call has more than enough for whatever your palette may desire. Of course, there's Disney World and all the theme parks within the happiest place on Earth. But don't forget about other amusement parks like Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Are you and animal lover?Do you have an aquatic and marine desire? Well Sea World might be the best place for you! Want to get lost in space? Then head on over to the Kennedy Space Center which can be seen from your ship at the port. Check out the close-by Water Cove Market for some shopping and CoCo Beach for some fun in the sun. The beach is actually right behind the Ron Jon Surf Shop--a pretty neat place to roam around (they have a Starbucks inside and an aquarium with sharks and eels)!

Nothing like finding just a nice beach to lay out on, right?
Be sure to check out CoCo Beach--it'll hit the spot!

No matter if you're looking for thrills, some sand to be a beach bum, or an aeronautical adventure, this port of call has everything you could ever want and so much more! One thing to keep in mind is Orlando is approximately 50-60 minutes away from the Port Canaveral cruise terminal; so be sure you allow yourself enough time to and from the ship. May you come to enjoy this city as much as I have with your travels into her welcoming waters! Your Port Canaveral charted-ships await--hop on yours today!

What the Hull?

Currently sailing as Grand Celebration, former Celebration
was the smallest ship I have ever sailed... or was it?
Photo Credit: Cruise Critic 

How small have you sailed when a cruise ship for a vacation? I was pondering this last week for a few reasons. I was trying to really hound in on which ship size is my speed.... and some house cleaning helped, too (haha). I was doing some spring cleaning last week and came across the pictures from when I sailed Celebration from Jacksonville some years ago. Then I said, "I can't believe I sailed a ship that small!" I will never forget the look on my face when I pulled up to the Port of Jacksonville. Having just disembarked Star Princess the cruise prior, Celebration did not even compare in size. We were solo in ports for the duration of our cruise--so we weren't blown out by any other ships--but she was truly a ship I will always remember (to date, she's the last Carnival Cruise Line ship I've sailed).

I remember sailing bigger ships, like Norwegian Epic, and having a great time, but feeling lost in the masses. Then on the smaller ships, such as Celebration, I felt too cramped and too close to everyone else on-board. You know what I'm talking about? Then it dawned on me (after all these years), I love mid-sized cruise ships. I mean it only took me a lifetime to have my Ah-Ha Cruise Moment, haha (thanks, Oprah)! Ships that are similar to the frame of Norwegian Jade, Carnival Spirit, or Radiance of the Seas are my cups of sea indeed! What does your cup of sea taste/look like?

Then there's Regal Empress (no longer in service). She's definitely a toy
compared to what's on the high seas today, right?
Photo Credit: SS Maritime

So, Celebration isn't the smallest ship I've been on... Regal Empress clearly takes the cake. What's your preference? I know 'big' is the new trend, but I'm not breaking my neck to sail Allure of the Seas or any other mega-liner out there... at least for now. Be sure to share your thoughts below, or on Facebook. Happy cruising--Shon!

Cruise Ship of the Month Highlight: May 2012

m/s Nieuw Amsterdam sails long and tall--one of the best contemporary
ships afloat to date.
Photo Credit: Forbes

New York and Amsterdam are not just associated together from historical interactions, but they are contemporary partners in maritime. This month, The Ocean Escape welcomes history-rich m/s Nieuw Amsterdam into the cruise ship of the month spotlight for May 2012. Launched in 2010, this sleek vessel has been gracing the globe with "a signature of excellence" for two years, come this July. Amsterdam shaped her, New York showers her, and once you step aboard, you're going to love her!


Caring just over 2,000 passengers and slicing through the ocean at an impressive 23.9 knots, m/s Nieuw Amsterdam is easily one of the more notable sophisticated cruise ships in this day and age. Equipped with an array of tantalizing eateries, areas for every member of the family--children, teens, and adults alike, and even industry-distinct spa staterooms, she will keep you coming back for more visits to her 930 foot long frame. 


Want to sail her soon? No worries, she'll take you to all the places you love and dream of. Currently, Holland America Line has her playing a game of ping-pong between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean--exchanging Florida for Spain or Italy, depending upon the season, as ports of embarkation. Are you a sea lover? Yes? Well be sure to hop on her transatlantic sailings that last up to two weeks in some cases--it'll be the voyage of a lifetime!


With this ship, you'll not only get to see tastes of the old and new world together in rarity, but you will be ambushed with top-of-the-line service (and a cherry on top if you're vacation deprived). m/s Nieuw Amsterdam is the fourth edition issued by HAL. HAL liked the first one, loved the second, made the third one the charm, and ensured the fourth time around was over the top! Be sure to explore and see all this ship has to offer to you and your family on her very own website. She awaits your arrival! Bon Voyage!