Cruise Radio

Since MSC Cruises returned to cruising this past week, it's only appropriate to get a review of the MSC Meraviglia. Sheri and her family had an opportunity to sail the Yacht Club (ship within a ship concept) in the Mediterranean. We get a full review of one of MSC Cruises' newest ships.  Sherry has cruise news:  Cruises are officially underway in Europe and a couple was kicked off the ship  Cruise line cleared of health incident  Carnival Corp compromised by hackers  Grand Cayman tells cruise ships no  Carnival Corp gives a financial update  Listener Q:  We are in the early planning stages of our 2022 summer cruise. We are older and do not like crowds and crazy traffic. What is easier to navigate - Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale?  -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn  | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  | Twitter

In our series of exploring personalities within the cruise space, we speak with Bill Panoff. Bill started his career aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship where he worked at sea for 13 years and then went launched Porthole Cruise Magazine, the largest cruise magazine in the world.  Porthole Cruise Magazine Digital: https://bit.ly/3atTJ9I Cruise Control Video Series: https://bit.ly/3kQuXFk  Date: August 16, 2020

Nancy Schretter from the Family Travel Network joins us to talk about her seven-night Mediterranean cruise on Crystal Cruises' Crystal Serenity. Crystal Cruises recently announced that they will not welcome guests back until 2021.  Sherry has cruise news:  Another round of cruise cancellations  Crew members file a lawsuit against the cruise company  Norwegian Cruise Line puts rumors to bed  Recapping Royal Caribbean Group's Q2 earnings call Med cruises were given the green flag for August 15 Listener Q: What is the difference between a Bahamas and a Bermuda cruise? -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.  

We tackle your listener questions this week. Sherry Laskin joins us to break down using onboard credits on multiple sailings and the best way to remove canceled guests from a cruise.  Barbara lets us know the main differences between the cruise line vacation planner and a travel agent. Richard talks about cruise embarkation out of New York City.  Date: August 9, 2020 

We sit down with Carnival Corporation (CCL) CEO Arnold Donald on the current state of the cruise industry. We speak with Arnold about how cruising could look moving forward, what will really determine when the cruise ships can sail again, what the cruise industry resumption of service will look like, and vessels leaving the fleet.  Sherry has cruise news:  Cruise lines cancel sailings until November 1, 2020 MSC relaunching with instant testing, masks, and dining rules Norwegian Cruise Line is reclaiming loyalty points from canceled cruises  Carnival addresses rumors of selling two of its cruise lines Listener Q: Looking for a Port Canaveral hotel with a free shuttle preferably for the cruise port, on the beach or an extremely short walk to one and breakfast? -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

Over a dozen cruise ships have been sold off throughout the cruise industry shutdown, with more likely to come. But what happens to cruise ships once they are sold? What do they do with the equipment? How long does the deconstruction process take? Maritime historian and journalist Peter Knego drops in to answer our questions.  Peter also shares details about his collection of relics he's salvaged from the doomed ocean liners and some of his thoughts on modern-day cruising.  Last Look: Carnival Fantasy Remembered: https://cruiseradio.net/last-look-remembering-carnival-fantasy/ MidShipCentury.com: https://www.midshipcentury.com/ The Sands of Alang documentary: https://www.midshipcentury.com/the-sands-of-alang   Date: August 2, 2020 

A 2020 review of Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Gem. this was a 10-night cruise from New York City that went to the Southern Caribbean.  Sherry has cruise news:  First major cruise line sailed from Europe  Norwegian Cruise Line extends suspension Carnival Fantasy ends her final voyage  Cruise line debuts new safety drill  Cruise line refund policies could soon change CDC wants cruise passengers to help restart cruises Listener Q: Is the FCC refundable back to cash if needed?  -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn  | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  | Twitter | Patreon

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published 28 questions to the general public. We read the questions and tell you how you can respond with your answers.  You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CDC-2020-0087 by any of the following methods listed below. CDC does not accept comments by email. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Mail: Maritime Unit, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS V18-2, Atlanta, GA 30329. Date: July 25, 2020

PJ shares his experience of being on the last Disney Cruise Line ship before the industry shutdown. This is a seven-night review of Disney Fantasy that went down to the Eastern Caribbean with a stop at private island Castaway Cay.   Sherry has cruise news:  CDC extending the No Sail Order, again  Carnival is almost done with crew repatriation  Grand Bahama Island on two-week lockdown Carnival Inspiration heads to the scrapyard  Two former Holland America ships find a new home  Update on two new cruise ships  Listener Q: Can I transfer my future cruise credit and onboard credit to a travel agent — if so, what are the steps?  -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn  | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  | Twitter | Patreon

Cruise expert Stewart Chiron drops by the answer some listener questions. Matt Hochberg from Royal Caribbean Blog answer questions on Royal Caribbeans "Lift and Shift" program and the difference between a Quantum and Quantum Ultra class ship.  1. When a ship is said to be 130,000-tons, what does that mean?    2. We are seeing cruise lines like Princess move a lot of inventory on the West Coast in the coming years -- could that be a sign of what's to come with so many Caribbean islands having different protocols post-Pandemic?   3. What's up with all the Fantasy-class ships leaving the fleet? A lot of use cruisers, myself included, love the smaller 2,000 passenger vessels. Do you think it has to do with them not having aft balconies?    4. Do ships that sail in China have the same rules as the US and the Jones Act? Does the ship or at least part of the ship need to be built in China in order to sail throughout the country?   5. When we see cities like Key West fighting the cruise lines to limit capacity and sh

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Sunrise for a Canada/New England itinerary. This ship used to be Carnival Triumph before it underwent a $200 million renovation in 2019. The ship splits time between New York, Virginia, and Florida.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news on:  This could be the end for Carnival Fantasy Key West looking to ban large cruise ships  Florida based cruise line extends cruise suspension  Carnival CEO shares optimism in an earnings call  The caribbean island makes masks mandatory for visitors  Listener Question: What do all the added taxes and fees go to when you buy a cruise? Sometimes they are 25% of the cruise fare. - Steve -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net. Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn  | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  | Twitter | Patreon

We talk to the granddaughter of the architect of the SS United States. At one time, this ship broke the speed record and went across the Atlantic Ocean in three days.  Date: July 12, 2020 

A review of an 11-night cruise on Princess Cruises' Regal Princess. This was a Baltic cruise that sailed from Copenhagen with an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Carnival Mardi Gras launched delayed and Carnival Radiance postponed  Two cruise lines join forces to develop healthy protocols  New EU cruise guides recommend masks and no buffets  Royal Caribbean delays its new ship  P&O Cruises has sold Oceana  Listener Question: We have a couple of cruises coming up see that California is having COVID trending the wrong way. Our final payment is due July 14.  While our deposit loss would be minimal because we booked the early saver,  would we get credit for the cruise if it cancels? - Howard -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.

Aside from wearing masks on a cruise ship, buffets at sea have been another hot button topic. Royal Caribbean first said they would not have one, and then backpedaled. Norwegian Cruise Line had a computer glitch that issued everyone extra loyalty points - will they honor or take away? Staff writer Richard Simms weighs in on both topics.  Date: July 5, 2020

A preview of what casinos at sea may look like after sailing a five-hour gambling trip. A look at what we saw with protocols and safety procedures.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Carnival Corporation sells off a cruise ship during the shutdown Cruise ships head to the West Coast of North America MSC Cruises starts construction on a new class of ship  An Asian cruise line will be the first major cruise line to resume sailing  Norwegian Cruise Line cancels the remainder of Alaska 2020 sailings  Carnival Cruise Line rescues a distressed vessel  Listener Question: The map shows three cruise docks in Cozumel, how will I know where Carnival Vista is going to dock. - Kayla  -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net. 

We answer your listener questions on this weekend's episode of Cruise Radio Rewind. What is the best way to get from San Pedro cruise port to Los Angelos airport? Is an overnight stay on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California worth it? Where can we find an affordable hotel somewhere near Port Canaveral? If the cruise line books my air, does it protect me if my flight is delayed?  Date: June 28, 2020 

A review of Carnival Conquest on a seven-night cruise from Port Miami. This sailing went to the Eastern Caribbean with stops in Amber Cove, Grand Turk, San Juan, and St. Thomas.  Sherry has cruise news:  More cruise lines announced cancellations  Nassau, Bahamas could get strict on cruise passengers  Rapid covid testing could be coming to a cruise line near you Carnival Corporation announced the sale of six cruise ships  Another cruise line is bringing two ships to Port Canaveral Listener Question: What are the top three things to do in Ketchikan, Alaska? We are in our early 30s and very active. - Ellie -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.  Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn  | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  | Twitter | Patreon

Masks, social distancing, modified or no buffets, elevators, casinos, there are a lot of potential deal-breakers when it comes to cruising as the industry ramps up again. Cruise Radio Staff Writer Richard Simms and Host of the Always Be Booked Podcast, Tommy Casabona weighs in.  Date: June 21, 2020

A Panama Canal cruise review aboard Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess. This was a roundtrip voyage from Port Everglades. Mary first sailed Caribbean Princess back in 2005, she compares and contrasts the vessels over the past 15 years.  Sherry Laskin has cruise news:  Norwegian Cruise Line cancels additional sailings Bankrupt cruise ship goes to auction  Carnival Cruise Line crew member head home CDC implements a color system for cruise ships  The second Virgin Voyages ship is floated out Listener Q: On a cruise ship, would a medical plastic face shield that flips up and stays in place (only for eating) be better and more comfortable than a face or cloth mask?  -- Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net  Want daily cruise news? Subscribe to the Cruise Radio News podcast feed.  Get in-depth cruise news and industry insight at www.cruiseradio.net.  Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn  | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  | Twitter | Patreon

We get a detailed review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Joy. Joy was first launched for the Asian market, in 2018, the cruise line announced that the ship would move from Asia to North America. The first North American cruise season, the ship sailed Alaska and then the Mexican Riveria.  Date: June 14, 2020 Follow Cruise Radio's Socials: LinkedIn  | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  | Twitter | Patreon