Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

A Southern Caribbean review of Carnival Vista after its dry dock. Dan Skilken, President of TripInsurance.com stops by to answer some listener questions on the Norwegian Cruise Line guests being stranded in Africa and medical conditions on a cruise ship. Staff writer Richard Simms drops by with cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Celebrity Cruise Line, Celebrity Infinity. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of a nine-night Southern Caribbean cruise aboard the ms Rotterdam that included a stop at the ABC islands, and Carnival Corporation's private island Half Moon Cay. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A Southern Caribbean review of Norwegian Viva from San Juan, Puero Rico. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas from Kevin. Kevin's family took a three-night weekend cruise to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral on this Oasis-class ship. Staff writer Ricahrd Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Will gives us a review of Carnival Spirit. This was a seven-night cruise to Southeast Alaska from Seattle, Washington. Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Celebrity Silhouette during a transatlantic crossing. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Full review of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Joe reviews his family's seven-night cruise on Carnival Jubilee from Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Angie has a review of her seven-night cruise aboard Holland America Line's ms Eurodam. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas review from a preview cruise with around 5,000 guests onboard. Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, stops by the talk about the new resort Celebration Key. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of MSC Meraviglia to the Bahamas and Florida. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Carnival Vista during a Caribbean review. We are also answering your travel insurance questions. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Sheldon took an Eastern Med cruise on Celebrity Apex last fall and gives us a comprehensive review of his sailing and trip. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A seven-night review of Carnival Venezia cruise out of New York City to the Bahamas. Plus, this week's cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Scott gives us a review of Virigin Voyages' Scarlett Lady from Port Miami. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Cruise news with staff writer Richard Simms.

An overview of Carnival Cruise Line's new ship, Carnival Jubilee. Cruise news from staff writer Richard Simms. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ships Norwgeian Viva on a 10-night cruise. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A seven night review of Norwegian Joy during Thanksgiving in 2023. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Kevin gives us his review of Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of P&O Cruises Iona. This was a 14 night cruise to Lisbon and Spain from the UK. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of the brand new Celebrity Ascent from Port Everglades, Florida. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Escape. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A seven-night review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky to the Caribbean. Staff writer Richard Simms has this week's cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of a Celebrity Millennium Alaska cruise that started in Anchorage, Alaska and went south to Vancouver. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news on Carnival Corporation losing a court lawsuit, a man overboard, data charges at sea, and a shipyard employee stealing trade secrets. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Adam gives us a review of Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas up to the Canada/New England area. Staff writer Richard Simms gives us this week's top cruise industry news stories. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Mark gives us a review of Disney Wonder out of San Diego. Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Virgin Voyages latest vessel, Valiant Lady. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Nick and his wife cruised on Carnival Vista from Galveston, Texas. We get a full review of the ships and the ports of call. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

An eight-night Southern Caribbean review of Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Celebration. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Holland America Line's Nieuw Statendam to the Southern Caribbean. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of MSC Seaside from Port Canaveral, Florida. This was a three night cruise down to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Dan Skilken of TripInsurance.com drops by the tackle some of your listener questions. Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Matt reviews his seven-night Mediterranean cruise on MSC Seaview that sailed roundtrip from Barcalona, Spain, over Memorial Day weekend. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

In this podcast episode, Doug welcomes Heather as a guest to review her recent cruise on Carnival Glory. Heather and her husband chose this seven-night cruise out of New Orleans and booked a suite on the ship. They had a smooth embarkation process and were impressed with the spaciousness and storage of their suite. Heather mentions that the ship sometimes felt crowded, especially in the atrium and pool deck areas. She also talks about their experiences in Key West, Freeport, and Nassau ports. Heather highlights the convenience and ease of disembarkation with a suite and shares some tips for first-time cruisers on Carnival Glory. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Norweigan Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky . Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Carnival Luminosa on an eight-night sailing from Seattle to Southeast Alaska. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Celebrity Cruise's , Celebrity Beyond. Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of a Caribbean sailing aboard Scarlet Lady. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A Christmas cruise that Dale and his family took aboard Carnival Magic. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Norwegian Cruise Line's 2013-launched Norwegian Breakaway. Staff writer Richard Simms had cruise news. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Celebrity Summit out of Bayonne, NJ that sailed a seven-night Bermuda cruise. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Panorama. This was a seven-night cruise from Long Beach, California down to the Mexican Riviera. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news: Topic 1: Passenger Falling Overboard: A passenger on Mariner of the Seas fell off the ship while trying to take a selfie. The crew was able to rescue her after 45 minutes. Topic 2: Carnival Corporation's Financial Success: Carnival Corporation announced during its quarterly report that they are making money again and have seen a record number of bookings. They currently have $72 billion worth of deposits for future cruises. Topic 3: Port Miami Accident: An accident involving a 30-foot boat hitting a ferry boat caused Port Miami to be shut down, impacting about 30,000 cruise passengers. Three ships were waiting at sea to enter port, causing a chaotic situation. Topic 4: Conversion of Jazz Clubs into Non-Smoking Casinos" Explanation of the conversion of jazz clubs on Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Allure of the Seas into non-smoking casinos. Topic 5: Celebrity Cruises to Visit Perfect Day at CocoCay: Announcement that Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Beyond will sail out of Fort Lauderdale Port Everglades to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay starting in the summer of 2024. Carnival Panorama review Boarding the Carnival Panorama. Angie discusses their experience of boarding the Carnival Panorama, including the check-in process and the organization of the terminal. First Impressions of the Carnival Panorama: Angie shares their initial thoughts on the Carnival Panorama, describing its fresh look, bright colors, and unique digital screen in the central atrium. Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom: Angie describes their deluxe ocean view stateroom, highlighting its spaciousness, additional sofa, and the surprise of having two bathrooms. Discussion about cabin space, luggage storage, and availability of USB plugs. Review of the buffet options on the ship, limited dinner offerings, and alternative casual dining options. Experience with the main dining room, use of the Hub app for reservations, and overall satisfaction with the food. Ship Crowds and Ocean Plaza Description: Angie discusses the crowded areas on the ship, mainly the Ocean Plaza venue and the small pools on Lido deck. Smoking in the Casino: Angie talks about the casino's smoking policy and the balcony cabins above the smoking area. Exploring Puerto Vallarta Description: Angie shares their experience exploring Puerto Vallarta, including visiting art galleries, walking along the Malecon, and visiting the cathedral. Late Night Departures. Discussion about the departure times of the itinerary, explicitly mentioning Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. Whale Watching in Cabo. Describing a whale watching tour taken in Cabo, including the option to book through Carnival or with local vendors. Facial Recognition and Disembarkation. Talking about using facial recognition during embarkation and disembarkation, as well as the process of getting off the ship and organizing luggage. Discussion about trying different cruise lines and the motivation behind it. Description of the Carnival Panorama ship and its comfortable spaces. Conclusion of the interview with Angie about her first-time sailing experience with Carnival Cruise Line. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's new ship, Carnival Venezia, as it sailed its first cruise from New York City to Bermuda. he most valuable lesson from Ben's experience is that the ship is not designed for short cruises, as it is more suited for longer, relaxing trips. Ben recommends that those looking for a party cruise consider a four or five-day trip from Miami, which is better equipped for such an environment. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

Bahamian government's plan to raise port taxes [00:01:00] The Bahamian government wants to raise port taxes, which is an expense that cruise lines pass on to cruisers. Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, recently told Travel Weekly that Carnival would like to push these new fees off for a while. NTSB report on a cruise ship collision in Alaska [00:03:52] The NTSB released their report about a cruise ship that hit the dock last year in Alaska, and it turns out that back in 2021, the pier had been extended as part of a renovation process, but the information was not actually passed along to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Royal Caribbean's new ship Utopia of the Seas [00:05:50] Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, an Oasis class ship, will start sailing next summer and doing short cruises out of Port Canaveral. Princess Cruises' New Ship [00:07:36] Discusses Princess Cruises' new ship, Sun Princess, and its family-oriented features, including a new area called Park 19 with a sea breeze attraction, splash zone, and ping pong tables. Norwegian Cruise Line's New Shows [00:10:34] Discusses Norwegian Cruise Line's decision to replace their Broadway-style shows with cheaper, jukebox musicals, and the potential impact on guest experience. New Carnival Cruise Line Menus [00:13:22] Discusses the new menus being introduced on the Carnival Dream, which include more vegetarian options and the ability to order items from specialty restaurants for a surcharge. Food Talk [00:15:38] Doug Parker and Richard Simms discuss the new menu on Carnival Cruise Line's Dream ship, including the steakhouse selections and the main dining room's comfort food. Travel Insurance during Hurricane Season [00:20:55] Dan Silkin, President of tripinsurance.com, advises listeners to buy travel insurance to protect against hurricanes canceling their vacation, but notes that cruise ships are not considered destinations by insurance companies. Compensation for Missed Ports [00:23:25] Doug Parker asks Dan Silkin if missing a port due to political unrest, like Royal Caribbean's abrupt departure from Haifa, would be compensated by travel insurance, but Silkin notes that ports of call may not be considered destinations by insurance companies. Norovirus and COVID-19 [00:25:13] Discussion on how travel insurance policies cover norovirus and COVID-19, and the importance of having third-party medical proof for filing a claim. Medical Coverage on Cruise Ships [00:30:38] Explanation of how travel insurance policies cover medical treatment on board a ship, even if the incident was not reported locally, and the importance of having travel insurance for medical coverage. Primary Coverage for Medical Expenses [00:31:12] Importance of buying a travel insurance plan with primary coverage for medical expenses, as domestic health insurance policies may not cover medical treatment on board a ship or outside the United States. Travel Insurance Coverage [00:32:18] Discussion on the importance of medical evacuation coverage and recommended coverage amounts for different travel destinations. Disputed Insurance Claim [00:36:03] Advice on how to appeal a denied insurance claim and the option to file a complaint with the state insurance bureau. Customer Perception of Carnival [00:40:12] Discussion on a customer's negative experience with Carnival Cruise Line and the importance of customer perception in the service industry. How to Contact Trip Insurance [00:41:25] Dan Silkin, President of Trip Insurance, shares how to contact their customer support line or send an email for assistance. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

In this episode of Cruise Radio, we interview Chris about his 11-night cruise on Windstar Cruises' Star Breeze to Alaska. Chris shares his pre-cruise thoughts, experience boarding the ship, and itinerary highlights. He recommends Windstar Cruises for their knowledgeable expedition leaders and the Star Breeze as an expedition ship. Doug and Chris also discuss dining options and enrichment and entertainment options on the ship. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon