Cruise Radio

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.

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 P

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.      

In this episode of Cruise Radio, host Doug interviews Mark about his 11-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Azamara Quest from Azamara Cruises. Mark shares his experiences on the ship, including the embarkation process, dining, entertainment, and amenities. He also talks about his time in various ports of call and his post-cruise time in Zurich. Mark highly recommends Azamara as a fantastic luxury cruise line and praises the attention to detail and the quality of the food.

Doug shares his initial thoughts on Carnival Venezia. Staff Writer Richard Simms has cruise news. 

This podcast episode discusses Doug's 20-day sailing experience on the Holland America Line's ship ms Rotterdam. Doug and Richard discuss boredom with all those sea days, music, meals, and internet connectivity.  Doug shares his experience at the exact spot where the Titanic sank, stepping out of his comfort zone by trying new things like painting and playing pickleball. They also briefly mention the ports of call on Richard's Rotterdam sailing, including Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid statue. Doug dispels some myths about cruising at the end of the episode.

On this episode of the Cruise Radio podcast, host Doug Parker and staff writer Richard Simms discuss various topics related to the cruise industry. They talk about the record-breaking number of passengers at PortMiami, the opening of the newly revitalized Nassau cruise port, Virgin Voyages' new ship, Carnival bringing another ship to Florida, and where to get your passport stamped in Nassau, Bahamas.  We also get a review of a 10-night Carnival Miracle cruise to Alaska. Our guest shares his experiences on the cruise including embarkation, dining, entertainment, and ports of call. We offer tips for future cruisers, such as exploring the ship, booking excursions early, and purchasing trip insurance. Despite some minor hiccups, our guest and his family all had an enjoyable experience on their Carnival Miracle cruise to Alaska.

A review of Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas and share their experiences dining and exploring on the ship.  This week we discuss recent incidents in the cruise industry, including MSC Cruises failing a CDC inspection, a Royal Caribbean guest arrested for placing a camera in a bathroom, and a man being airlifted from a Carnival ship for eating a battery. The hosts also discuss the impact of 9/11 on the cruise industry and share positive stories about Norwegian Cruise Line's Giving Joy contest and the Queen Mary hotel.  

Today's episode features a review of a Norwegian Escape cruise in the Mediterranean by a Madison, as well as cruise news segments by staff writer Richard Simms.  We discuss rumors about Carnival Cruise Line requiring passports for all passengers, which are later debunked, and stress the importance of having a government-issued birth certificate and a passport for cruises. Simms talks about Royal Caribbean's recent problem of overbooking their ships and offering compensation to passengers who opt out of their cruise.

In this episode of Cruise Radio, Doug Parker interviews Lee Mason, the cruise director aboard Carnival Celebration. They discuss Lee's background, his journey to becoming a cruise director, and the difference between an entertainment director and a cruise director. Lee also talks about the new safety drill, e-muster, and how it has been received by guests and the US Coast Guard. Additionally, Lee shares his thoughts on the exclusive shows on Carnival Celebration, his preference for the main theater in the front of the ship, and his favorite itineraries. Finally, Lee gives advice to a listener on cruising for the first time and how to avoid seasickness.      

A review of Carnival Magic from New York City down to the Eastern Caribbean. 

Richard shares his latest trip to Bermuda on a five night cruise from New York City on Norwegian Gem. 

Royal Princess review. Kurt and his wife took a 15-night cruise aboard Royal Princess from San Francisco to Hawaii over Christmas and New Year's. He goes over his thoughts of his cabin and the dining and entertainment on board, how the weather was on the way to Hawaii that time of year, and what he did while in Hawaii for four days. Richard has cruise news:  Guest dies on a Virgin Voyages sailing  Port of Galveston sees more growth  All you can cruise pass for $899 Next Disney Cruise Line ship underway  6 Changes in the cruise industry, effective this month Listen to unedited interviews with cruise line executives. Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio   

Tim and his wife recently took a seven-night eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival's newest ship Carnival Celebration. He goes over his first impressions of an Excel-class ship, what he thought of the BOLT roller coaster, how he liked the dining and entertainment options on board, and what he and his wife did while in port. Richard has cruise news:    Listen to unedited interviews with cruise line executives and public figures. Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio   

Adam, his three-year-old daughter, and his father-in-law took a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas out of Bayonne, New Jersey, this past December. The cruise visited Florida and the Bahamas. He goes over why Anthem is the perfect ship for chilly winter weather, what their experience was with the entertainment, how his daughter liked the kids' club, and what they did during their day at Royal Caribbean's private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. Richard has cruise news:  Royal Caribbean gets rid of the Sky Pad feature  Norwegian Cruise Line reverts back to e-muster drill  Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio steps down  Carnival Corporation sells Seabourn ship  Costa Venezia transferred to Carnival Cruise Line, and work beings  Celebrity Ascent opens two preview sailings for booking before the christening   

A 2023 review of Carnival Luminosa. This was a three-night sailing from Brisbane, Australia with no ports, otherwise known as a cruise to nowhere. A frequent Carnival Cruise Line cruiser, John gives us the details about the ship and his initial thoughts on the refurbishment that Luminosa underwent following its transfer from Costa Cruises.  Listen to unedited interviews with cruise line executives and public figures. Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

Daniel and his family took a five-night sailing in December aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Encore to what was planned to be a Western Caribbean sailing. The voyage was modified because of strong winds and it wound up having three sea days and two ports of call, Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Nassau, Bahamas. We get a comprehensive review of The Haven experience on Norwegian Cruise Line.  Richard has cruise news:  Trouble in Paradise with Royal Caribbean  A cruise ship magician assaulted New alcohol-free drinks on Carnival Cruise Line  Royal Caribbean accidentally sells wrong package Busted for bringing plants ashore  Owl on a cruise ship  You're invited to the conversation. Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

Getting you caught up on this week in the cruise industry. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news on: Royal Caribbean changing room service from twice to once Death on a Carnival Cruise Line ship in which the FBI is involved  Royal Caribbean detailing its Royal beach Club in Nassau, Bahamas  Disney Cruise Line giving details about its Lighthouse Point opening soon  Norwegian Cruise Line skipping a port over port congestion and detailing where Norwegian Sky is going  Holland America Line launching a new series of journeys that sail round trip from North America  Want to support Cruise Radio? Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Valor.  Want to support Cruise Radio? Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio 

In this episode, we get a review of a four-night voyage to Bermuda aboard Carnival Magic out of Norfolk, Virginia. Richard has cruise news. Want to support Cruise Radio? Join the Cruise Radio Extra Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cruiseradio