Major department stores and discount retailers aren’t the only ones offering super savings this week. Several cruise lines are also trying to entice customers to buy, buy, buy while the deals are hot, hot, hot. Princess Cruises just unveiled incredible discounts that will help save travelers up to $1,000 per cabin. The six-day offer, which ends on November 26, is good on more than 200 sailings to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal that depart from January through July 2013. In addition to the radically reduced rates, the promotion will also help you score on-board credits. For example, … Continue reading →

If you have always dreamed of setting sail on a floating resort, now is the time to make your plans. National Cruise Vacation Week kicked off yesterday, and to celebrate, two of North America’s largest cruise lines are offering super savings on extravagant getaways. Sound too good to be true? Well, there’ a catch: the promotion ends on October 28th. Still, that gives you nearly seven full days to take advantage of these special sales: Royal Caribbean: The cruise line giant is offering up to $100 in on-board credits to individuals who book a European voyage–including trans-Atlantic sailings–totaling seven nights … Continue reading →

I am obsessed with the reality TV series “Undercover Boss.” Do you watch? If so, please tell me that you cry like a baby at the very end of the show. I do. Every.Single.Time. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen every episode. If you tune in regularly, then you’ve probably picked up on a running theme: The gift of cruises given to employees featured on the show by the undercover CEO. My 7-year-old daughter and I always joke that the only way we’d be able to set sail on a luxury cruise is if one of us ends up on the … Continue reading →

Summer cruises are extremely popular with travelers looking to spend part of the season on the high seas. In addition to providing an excellent escape from the hustle and bustle of their land-based lives, summer sailings offer families a cost-effective vacation option, as they can bundle all of their expenses into one low price. The key to saving on a cruise is to time your departure just right. For example, you are more likely to score deep discounts if you wait until the end of summer to sail. Many families hit the high seas as soon as school gets out, … Continue reading →

In a previous blog I detailed some of the extraordinary amenities offered to families on Disney Cruise Lines’ ships. In addition to being able to dine with Mickey and crew at sea, the company also provides a feature that’s exclusive to their vessels. It’s called a rotating dining system and it allows pint-sized passengers and their parents to can change restaurants every night, but keep the same servers and tablemates. Unlike its competitors Disney Cruise Lines also offers a bath and a half in most staterooms. This is a huge bonus when you are traveling with young kids. The bathtub … Continue reading →

Given the recent string of cruise line disasters, you’d think that you’d be able to snag a hefty money-saving offer by a major carrier right about now. Well, think again. I checked, and no luck. Cruising with my child is at the top of my bucket list and I figured I would dig around a bit to see if we could score a last-minute deal on a spring break sailing. While there are some deals out there, none of them coincide with my daughter’s break from school. What’s more, in most cases, flights to the cruise’s departure city cost more … Continue reading →

Watching video of the doomed Costa Concordia after the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy doesn’t exactly make one want to rush out and book a spring cruise. The maritime disaster has resulted in 16 confirmed deaths. In addition, 16 other crew members and passengers are still missing. Despite the horrific tragedy, cruise experts maintain that setting sail on an upcoming spring or summer voyage is perfectly safe. What’s more, they point to a number of enticing benefits you can enjoy on a floating resort, including: Amenities: Modern-day cruise ships are akin to floating cities. They include everything … Continue reading →

Attention cruising fans; there’s good news and bad news on the sailing front this season. The not-so good news is that you will have to dig a bit deeper if you are planning to take a holiday trip on the high seas. Carnival Cruise Lines just announced that it plans to raise its tipping guidelines for the first time in more than a decade. Rather than paying $10 per passenger, per day, the company is instituting a suggested gratuity of 15% or $11.50, which is automatically added to your bill. For couples cruising together the increase means shelling out an … Continue reading →

It’s called the “Love Boat” for a reason. Each year tens of thousands of couples head out on the high seas to celebrate their relationships. While some decide to tie the knot on cruise ships, others come for the quiet sunsets, romance and intimacy. Often, though, the sentimental setting can spark lovebirds to rededicate themselves onboard luxury ocean liners. Most major cruise ships offer vow renewal ceremonies for passengers who request them before setting sail. A generic package includes: A vow renewal ceremony performed on the ship, music, a bouquet for her and a boutonniere for him, as well as … Continue reading →