Following our last blog about greedy eating, we have had lots of response and even more opinions about it all
!
Here are just some of those comments and some more of the original remarks in our now non-existent chat rooms:
From Sue MacQuire:
Why are we surprised at the obscene gluttony on cruise ships? Our eyes are always bigger than our stomachs. The eating options are just vast. You walk along the buffet tables at lunchtime and there are 16 different starters. Which to take? Oh well, let’s have a bit of each. The greed is quite revolting when you think about it. And now on to the main courses ...
A lady in New York asks:
I hope I don’t seem like one of these greedy gobblers when I ask what has happened to those lovely formal afternoon teas we always enjoyed on many cruises. Some cruise ships no longer seem to serve them. Or have we just been unlucky? We miss those neat cucumber sandwiches, those clotted cream and scones, the selection of different teas, the staff formally dressed and some of them even with live chamber music.
A couple in Seattle after another Alaska cruise wrote:
I’ve been surfing the various blogs and message boards and I’m still scratching my head. The complaints about food! Someone who had been on an Alaska cruise said the food was inedible (I won’t name the cruise line because we’ve been on that same line and the food was magnificent). Twice she noted that the “awful” food was “like eating wedding food”. What’s that all about?
A response to her comments included:
What? Running down wedding food? I’ve been to some great weddings with great food ... like I’ve been on some great cruises with great food. Every ship I’ve ever been on provides a huge variety of dishes. You must find something you like.
And at last a sensible response to all this negative chatter came from a couple from New York:
You get what you pay for .... that’s the long and the short of it. We’ve been on many cruises and I have to agree with Samantha, generally the food is wonderful. In lines like Silversea, Regent, Seabourn, Cunard and a few others the cuisine is nothing but superb. Close on their heels are Crystal, Princess, Holland America ...
If you have any comments of your own, we would love to hear all of them.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Greed on Cruises
We all have stories of our cruise - but few of us ever tell the really negative side of things – we’d rather come home and tell everyone how wonderful it all was and hopefully make them very envious.
That is one thing about cruise forums (and we all know how much Prow’s Edge despises them) that can sometimes offer some honest opinions. Not often - but ...
Here are a few comments about greed and over-eating from our own now discontinued forum...
A couple in England after a Caribbean Cruise started the whole span of comments:
We have seen so much gluttony on cruise ships it is obscene. On a Carnival Cruises forum passengers talk about how many entrees they can order on a cruise and proudly claim to ordering 3 or more lobster entrees on the Captain's dinner night. We saw just that on our Carnival cruise. And it’s quite disgusting. Pure greed.
That post - edited from the forum about eating healthfully on a cruise - started a whole new topic about greed and gluttony on cruise ships.
Jack and Alice (?) from New York (whoever they may really be) responded by saying:
Don’t think that greed and gluttony is restricted to the budget cruise lines. We were sailing with Regent, and there was a guy on board who would appear for breakfast every day, head for the buffet, and nab the extra large, “display-only” croissant that was perched at the top of the buffet display. For 4 days, the astonished dining room staff replaced the display croissant - then finally gave up. The cream topping to the story is that the guy then made a huge fuss that they were not providing his large croissant each morning. It takes all sorts!
JollyRoger (or so he called himself) said in response:
The breakfast buffet attract the worst in passengers, doesn’t it?. You think the guy who nabbed the display croissant every morning was greedy? Forget it. He runs a poor second to the many passengers who march the length of the buffet table piling the plate with fruit salad, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns with two pancakes perched on top and then pouring syrup over the lot. On ONE plate. No kidding! The travel agent probably didn’t alert them to the fact that they could go back a second time (or a third)?
That is one thing about cruise forums (and we all know how much Prow’s Edge despises them) that can sometimes offer some honest opinions. Not often - but ...
Here are a few comments about greed and over-eating from our own now discontinued forum...
A couple in England after a Caribbean Cruise started the whole span of comments:
We have seen so much gluttony on cruise ships it is obscene. On a Carnival Cruises forum passengers talk about how many entrees they can order on a cruise and proudly claim to ordering 3 or more lobster entrees on the Captain's dinner night. We saw just that on our Carnival cruise. And it’s quite disgusting. Pure greed.
That post - edited from the forum about eating healthfully on a cruise - started a whole new topic about greed and gluttony on cruise ships.
Jack and Alice (?) from New York (whoever they may really be) responded by saying:
Don’t think that greed and gluttony is restricted to the budget cruise lines. We were sailing with Regent, and there was a guy on board who would appear for breakfast every day, head for the buffet, and nab the extra large, “display-only” croissant that was perched at the top of the buffet display. For 4 days, the astonished dining room staff replaced the display croissant - then finally gave up. The cream topping to the story is that the guy then made a huge fuss that they were not providing his large croissant each morning. It takes all sorts!
JollyRoger (or so he called himself) said in response:
The breakfast buffet attract the worst in passengers, doesn’t it?. You think the guy who nabbed the display croissant every morning was greedy? Forget it. He runs a poor second to the many passengers who march the length of the buffet table piling the plate with fruit salad, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns with two pancakes perched on top and then pouring syrup over the lot. On ONE plate. No kidding! The travel agent probably didn’t alert them to the fact that they could go back a second time (or a third)?
We’re just sick of watching people pile up their plates at the buffet and then leave a whole wack of food on the plate and get up for more, and do the whole thing all over again. This is not just greed : this is criminal waste.
If you have any stories of your own experiences, we would love to hear all about them.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Updating Cruise Ship Vocabulary
For full details about cruise line vocabulary - even if it is just to refresh your memory – find out more at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-advice-tips-vocabulary.html
In the meantime, here is a shorter highlight of some of those sea / shipboard words you might not necessarily encounter on land - starting with one very big NO NO!
NEVER refer to your cruise ship as a "boat". A cruise ship is NEVER referred to as a boat - it is always a “ship”
Other basics include:
AT THE FRONT OF THE SHIP
bow – word used to refer to anything at the front of the ship
fore / forward – more words used to refer to anything at the front of the ship
AT THE BACK OF THE SHIP
aft – word used to refer to anything at the rear of the ship
stern – another word used to refer to anything at the rear of the ship
AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SHIP
starboard – word used to refer to the right side of the ship
AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SHIP
port – word used to refer to the left side of the ship
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHIP
midships – word used to refer to the middle of the ship
For many more such basics visit:
http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-advice-tips-vocabulary.html
In the meantime, here is a shorter highlight of some of those sea / shipboard words you might not necessarily encounter on land - starting with one very big NO NO!
NEVER refer to your cruise ship as a "boat". A cruise ship is NEVER referred to as a boat - it is always a “ship”
Other basics include:
AT THE FRONT OF THE SHIP
bow – word used to refer to anything at the front of the ship
fore / forward – more words used to refer to anything at the front of the ship
AT THE BACK OF THE SHIP
aft – word used to refer to anything at the rear of the ship
stern – another word used to refer to anything at the rear of the ship
AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SHIP
starboard – word used to refer to the right side of the ship
AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SHIP
port – word used to refer to the left side of the ship
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHIP
midships – word used to refer to the middle of the ship
For many more such basics visit:
http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-advice-tips-vocabulary.html
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Food - Part of Your Cruise
If food is an important part of your vacation / cruise, and you won’t be alone in admitting that, it is worth doing some research before you book your cruise.
This is not say that we’re all gourmets and only want the best and exotic things on offer.
If you’re traveling with your family, and your kids like a burger as much as anything else – it really is not worth paying extra fares on a cruise that specializes in gourmet food. If you are traveling just with adults, and if food is an important part of your vacation experience, then it is worth really checking out what the various cruise lines you are choosing between are really offering.
Admitting that food is important is nothing to be ashamed of. In a recent poll Prow’s Edge found out that over 70% of those researching their possible cruise options made it clear how important the food is.
The first thing to do is to really, honestly admit what you want, what you need, what you can afford and what would appeal to every one cruising with you.
If your idea of heaven is a selection of 6 different pastas (and whose isn’t!) without even a sliver of truffle in sight at the luncheon buffet, then the food on the contemporary cruise line ships is probably going to fit the bill and be more satisfying than all the gourmet recipes of the ultra-luxury boutique cruise lines.
But if you can really tell the taste difference between a clawed lobster from Maine and a spiny lobster from the Caribbean, however, the fact that one of those contemporary cruise lines offers you as much lobster as you can eat is probably not going to be too enticing and you are probably going to want to spend more money on a premium cruise line or luxury cruise line cruise.
That is not to say that one is better than the other. Each just caters to different tastes, and many of the contemporary cruise lines offer quality as much as they do quantity.
If your are a gourmet you will probably want to find a cruise line that is smaller, and considerably more expensive than most and which allows a higher budget for cuisine.
In this case you are entering a world in which celebrity chefs are wooed to create designer menus and tastes and a good old fashioned cheese sandwich is going to be practically unrecognizable. Great for some, not for others.
The point of all of this is that you really do need to do your research before booking your cruise and find out out exactly what the cruise lines offer and whether that is what you really, honestly want.
This is not say that we’re all gourmets and only want the best and exotic things on offer.
If you’re traveling with your family, and your kids like a burger as much as anything else – it really is not worth paying extra fares on a cruise that specializes in gourmet food. If you are traveling just with adults, and if food is an important part of your vacation experience, then it is worth really checking out what the various cruise lines you are choosing between are really offering.
Admitting that food is important is nothing to be ashamed of. In a recent poll Prow’s Edge found out that over 70% of those researching their possible cruise options made it clear how important the food is.
The first thing to do is to really, honestly admit what you want, what you need, what you can afford and what would appeal to every one cruising with you.
If your idea of heaven is a selection of 6 different pastas (and whose isn’t!) without even a sliver of truffle in sight at the luncheon buffet, then the food on the contemporary cruise line ships is probably going to fit the bill and be more satisfying than all the gourmet recipes of the ultra-luxury boutique cruise lines.
But if you can really tell the taste difference between a clawed lobster from Maine and a spiny lobster from the Caribbean, however, the fact that one of those contemporary cruise lines offers you as much lobster as you can eat is probably not going to be too enticing and you are probably going to want to spend more money on a premium cruise line or luxury cruise line cruise.
That is not to say that one is better than the other. Each just caters to different tastes, and many of the contemporary cruise lines offer quality as much as they do quantity.
If your are a gourmet you will probably want to find a cruise line that is smaller, and considerably more expensive than most and which allows a higher budget for cuisine.
In this case you are entering a world in which celebrity chefs are wooed to create designer menus and tastes and a good old fashioned cheese sandwich is going to be practically unrecognizable. Great for some, not for others.
The point of all of this is that you really do need to do your research before booking your cruise and find out out exactly what the cruise lines offer and whether that is what you really, honestly want.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Dealing with Jet Lag
It may be exciting to consider those exotic cruises with destinations in a totally different time zone so far away from your home town – but you need to be careful. That change in time zone can seriously effect your holiday, or at least the first few days of it.
In the old days, experienced travelers would laugh at anyone saying they were suffering from jet lag. But that’s unfair. Some of us may react more to a change in time zone. Some of us may not react at all. But it is a fact that changing time zones can have a serious impact on your energy levels and your sleep patterns.
Here are some tips on how to make sure you don’t suffer too badly from the dreaded “jet-lag” and get to enjoy every day of the cruise more fully.
Don’t anticipate the jet lag
Don’t assume that your jet lag is going to be as bad as those “doom” merchants may relish telling you how bad it can be. Very often they’re the ones who are envious of your exciting vacation and say these things to ease their jealousy – or they just like to put a dark side to everything.
Avoid herbal remedies and magic cures for jet lag
Unless you have already tested something that works for you, no matter how much those “doom” merchants may recommend them, avoid strange herbal remedies to ease jet lag. Such things may just cause you trouble.
Try to adjust your time clock before you travel
Many experienced travelers say that they are able to reduce the effects of jet lag by adjusting their patterns of sleep and meal times at home closer to what they will be to those of the actual vacation. The idea is to do this at least 3 or 4 days before departure. While this may not be entirely possible, adjusting your time clock as close as possible to that of your destination will help!
Adhere as quickly as possible to the new time clock
Once you arrive at your point of departure for the cruise, you should NOT succumb to the temptation to have an afternoon nap, or gotobed inthe veryearly evening. Even if you do feel tired, it is best to try and adapt to the new time zone as quickly as possible. A good way if doing this is make sure you’re getting a lot of fresh air - not too difficult a task as the cruise ship heads out to sea, or if you haven’t boarded yet, take a stroll out of the hotel and into the open air.
Avoid nicotine, alcohol and caffeine
It is also advisable to avoid your favorite glass of wine or cocktail during your first few evenings, and certainly it is a good idea to make sure the coffee you’re drinking is decaffeinated. The third thing to avoid is having a cigarette. These three things can only make it more difficult for your body to adjust to the new time zone.
Make your cabin or hotel room more conducive to letting you sleep.
Once in bed, later than you really wanted, and you’ve followed all the other tips, it may be advantageous to make sure your cabin or hotel suite is as dark as possible. This can only help you get to sleep more easily. Experienced travelers also try earplugs to blog out any new sounds you are not used to.
Taking these tips in mind - you may actually find you have absolutely no jet lag at all!
For more advice on a variety of topics to do with your cruise, take a look at the Advice section of Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine
at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-advice-tips.html
Here are some tips on how to make sure you don’t suffer too badly from the dreaded “jet-lag” and get to enjoy every day of the cruise more fully.
Don’t anticipate the jet lag
Don’t assume that your jet lag is going to be as bad as those “doom” merchants may relish telling you how bad it can be. Very often they’re the ones who are envious of your exciting vacation and say these things to ease their jealousy – or they just like to put a dark side to everything.
Avoid herbal remedies and magic cures for jet lag
Unless you have already tested something that works for you, no matter how much those “doom” merchants may recommend them, avoid strange herbal remedies to ease jet lag. Such things may just cause you trouble.
Try to adjust your time clock before you travel
Many experienced travelers say that they are able to reduce the effects of jet lag by adjusting their patterns of sleep and meal times at home closer to what they will be to those of the actual vacation. The idea is to do this at least 3 or 4 days before departure. While this may not be entirely possible, adjusting your time clock as close as possible to that of your destination will help!
Adhere as quickly as possible to the new time clock
Once you arrive at your point of departure for the cruise, you should NOT succumb to the temptation to have an afternoon nap, or gotobed inthe veryearly evening. Even if you do feel tired, it is best to try and adapt to the new time zone as quickly as possible. A good way if doing this is make sure you’re getting a lot of fresh air - not too difficult a task as the cruise ship heads out to sea, or if you haven’t boarded yet, take a stroll out of the hotel and into the open air.
Avoid nicotine, alcohol and caffeine
It is also advisable to avoid your favorite glass of wine or cocktail during your first few evenings, and certainly it is a good idea to make sure the coffee you’re drinking is decaffeinated. The third thing to avoid is having a cigarette. These three things can only make it more difficult for your body to adjust to the new time zone.
Make your cabin or hotel room more conducive to letting you sleep.
Once in bed, later than you really wanted, and you’ve followed all the other tips, it may be advantageous to make sure your cabin or hotel suite is as dark as possible. This can only help you get to sleep more easily. Experienced travelers also try earplugs to blog out any new sounds you are not used to.
Taking these tips in mind - you may actually find you have absolutely no jet lag at all!
For more advice on a variety of topics to do with your cruise, take a look at the Advice section of Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine
at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-advice-tips.html
Monday, May 20, 2013
Entertainment on a cruise
Depending on your experience of cruise travel and what’s usually on offer in your home town, entertainment on cruise ships can either thrill you or appall you.
If you live in New York, for example, and have seen all the latest shows, nothing on board any cruise ship is going to satisfy you. If you live in the heart of the midwest and haven’t seen a decent show in a long time, almost anything offered by the major cruise lines will probably make your trip a very memorable one.
The entertainment you’re going to be offered depends entirely on the type of cruise line you will be sailing with, and whether you enjoy it or not depends entirely on your experience of entertainment and what is offered at home – and of course your personal taste in what makes “quality” entertainment.
The contemporary or budget cruise lines that are continuously recognized for their entertainment are Royal Caribbean International who is often cited as offering the best in entertainment, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival. They offer everything from Broadway shows to nightly presentations inspired by today's popular theatre hits that pay tribute to show biz greats and musical eras.
Premium cruise lines such as Princess, Celebrity and Holland America showcase less elaborate productions but feature celebrity performers and leading popular musicians on selected sailings.
The more luxury of the cruise lines, such as Silversea, Crystal, Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn offer an even higher standard of entertainment and very often present local and regional folkloric troupes on board for performances that are designed to enhance the destination experience.
These cruise lines tend to offer another step up the ladder with stars of classical music as well as the “easy listening” alternatives.
Other cruise lines like those on rivers or the Arctic offer very different entertainment as well.
If cruise ship entertainment is important to you, study the brochures and their web sites very thoroughly to make sure you won’t be disappointed in what is on offer.
Most cruise lines feature smaller lounges and showrooms where cruisers can enjoy cabaret singers, classical quartets and piano recitals. Again, the quality of the performers tends to match the tastes of the majority of passengers that each cruise line caters for.
Depending on the cruise line you sail with, cruise ship entertainment has become much more sophisticated and choices of the type of entertainment on offer is much wider than before.
If you live in New York, for example, and have seen all the latest shows, nothing on board any cruise ship is going to satisfy you. If you live in the heart of the midwest and haven’t seen a decent show in a long time, almost anything offered by the major cruise lines will probably make your trip a very memorable one.
The entertainment you’re going to be offered depends entirely on the type of cruise line you will be sailing with, and whether you enjoy it or not depends entirely on your experience of entertainment and what is offered at home – and of course your personal taste in what makes “quality” entertainment.
The contemporary or budget cruise lines that are continuously recognized for their entertainment are Royal Caribbean International who is often cited as offering the best in entertainment, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival. They offer everything from Broadway shows to nightly presentations inspired by today's popular theatre hits that pay tribute to show biz greats and musical eras.
Premium cruise lines such as Princess, Celebrity and Holland America showcase less elaborate productions but feature celebrity performers and leading popular musicians on selected sailings.
The more luxury of the cruise lines, such as Silversea, Crystal, Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn offer an even higher standard of entertainment and very often present local and regional folkloric troupes on board for performances that are designed to enhance the destination experience.
These cruise lines tend to offer another step up the ladder with stars of classical music as well as the “easy listening” alternatives.
Other cruise lines like those on rivers or the Arctic offer very different entertainment as well.
If cruise ship entertainment is important to you, study the brochures and their web sites very thoroughly to make sure you won’t be disappointed in what is on offer.
Most cruise lines feature smaller lounges and showrooms where cruisers can enjoy cabaret singers, classical quartets and piano recitals. Again, the quality of the performers tends to match the tastes of the majority of passengers that each cruise line caters for.
Depending on the cruise line you sail with, cruise ship entertainment has become much more sophisticated and choices of the type of entertainment on offer is much wider than before.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Crimes at Sea (3)
We have already talked about how and why you need to take some cautions on a cruise – cautions that you might not always think of when you’re in a holiday mood.
As we have said before, this is not just about Prow’s Edge being morbid and as we mentioned in our last blog, more and more popular TV and radio stations, such as NBC Chanel 6 in Miami and WKMG-TV/Local 6 - CBS in Orlando are now bringing the news about crimes at sea.
You need to be aware of your surroundings - not to the point of making your trip frantic with worry, but to make sure that nothing happens because you are not paying the same attention you would at home.
Here in our THIRD blog about this topic in which we talk about the safety and security of your cabin / stateroom.
Check your stateroom whenever entering
When entering your stateroom, especially at night,leave the door open at first as you check the space thoroughly (including the bathroom and closet) and then make sure you lock the door.
Keep your stateroom door locked
Keep your stateroom door locked at all times and do not open your door to strangers. Most cruise ships have peep holes in their stateroom doors.
Safeguard your cabin keycard
It makes little sense to keep your cabin locked but leave your keycard about for someone to steal. Never let your key card out of your sight. Lock your jewelry away What jewelry you do bring with you, make sure you don’t leave it lying about, but lock it up in your cabin safe. If there is no safe in your cabin, take it to a safety deposit box at the reception desk or purser’s office..
Leave expensive jewelry at home
As tempting as it might be to take your most prized valuables, like the diamond ring you inherited from Aunt Mazie, on your cruise vacation with you - it’s really best to leave such items at home. Minimize your risk for theft.
Don’t bring a bank vault of cash
Even if you prefer to use cash when at home, it is much safer to use credit cards on a cruise vacation.
As we said before, this is not about focusing on the gloom - it is about taking necessary precautions so that your cruise DOES turn out to be incident free.
For more information about the reality of crimes at sea visit International Cruise Victims at: www.internationalcruisevictims.org
Also see the Prow’s Edge extensive section about Safety at Sea at: http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-ship-crime.html
As we have said before, this is not just about Prow’s Edge being morbid and as we mentioned in our last blog, more and more popular TV and radio stations, such as NBC Chanel 6 in Miami and WKMG-TV/Local 6 - CBS in Orlando are now bringing the news about crimes at sea.
You need to be aware of your surroundings - not to the point of making your trip frantic with worry, but to make sure that nothing happens because you are not paying the same attention you would at home.
Here in our THIRD blog about this topic in which we talk about the safety and security of your cabin / stateroom.
Check your stateroom whenever entering
When entering your stateroom, especially at night,leave the door open at first as you check the space thoroughly (including the bathroom and closet) and then make sure you lock the door.
Keep your stateroom door locked
Keep your stateroom door locked at all times and do not open your door to strangers. Most cruise ships have peep holes in their stateroom doors.
Safeguard your cabin keycard
It makes little sense to keep your cabin locked but leave your keycard about for someone to steal. Never let your key card out of your sight. Lock your jewelry away What jewelry you do bring with you, make sure you don’t leave it lying about, but lock it up in your cabin safe. If there is no safe in your cabin, take it to a safety deposit box at the reception desk or purser’s office..
Leave expensive jewelry at home
As tempting as it might be to take your most prized valuables, like the diamond ring you inherited from Aunt Mazie, on your cruise vacation with you - it’s really best to leave such items at home. Minimize your risk for theft.
Don’t bring a bank vault of cash
Even if you prefer to use cash when at home, it is much safer to use credit cards on a cruise vacation.
As we said before, this is not about focusing on the gloom - it is about taking necessary precautions so that your cruise DOES turn out to be incident free.
For more information about the reality of crimes at sea visit International Cruise Victims at: www.internationalcruisevictims.org
Also see the Prow’s Edge extensive section about Safety at Sea at: http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-ship-crime.html
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Crimes at Sea (2)
We have already focused on some very ugly things that can happen on a cruise - not to ruin you trip or your looking forward to it, but to make sure you concentrate on how to keep yourself safe and stop yourself thinking that you don’t have to be unthinking just because you’re on a cruise ship.
And again, this is not just about Prow’s Edge being morbid. As we have said before, more and more popular TV and radio stations, such as NBC Chanel 6 in Miami and WKMG-TV/Local 6 - CBS in Orlando are now bringing the news about crimes at sea.
Here in our SECOND blog about this topic are a few brief, common sense tips about being isolated on your cruise which might make you a possible target.
Don’t be isolated on your cruise
Make sure you know where your friends and family are when on a cruise and that they know where you are. No one likes to have tabs kept on them, especially on a vacation, but it works to everyone’s advantage to know where friends and family members should be at various times of the day.
For those traveling with children, it is recommended that you implement a check in system, where children need to check in with parents at regular, appointed intervals.
This of course does not just apply to being on ship. It is actually equally important when venturing ashore, especially when on your own, that somebody knows what you’re up to and where you’re headed, and when you expect to be back.
Don’t be afraid to report something suspicious
If you sense that something is not right, either on a tour, or on board ship, trust your instincts and report the matter to the cruise security officer. Better safe than sorry!
Avoid deserted areas of the ship while on your own
Just as you would be street wise and sensible on land when you are not sure of your surroundings, so you should stay in public areas where there are other people about, rather than wandering into deserted areas of the ship on your own.
As attractive as that 3 o'clock in the morning walk around the decks to enjoy the moonlight over the tropical seas on your own may seem like fun – it may not be the most sensible idea!
Again - this is not to make your next cruise sound like an horrific, danger-ridden adventure - it's just about being aware of things you might not think of when you're in a holiday mood and have had a few cocktails more than normal.
Our next blog will offer some sensible advice about keeping your stateroom and your belongings safe and secure.
For more information about the reality of crimes at sea visit International Cruise Victims at: www.internationalcruisevictims.org
Also see the Prow’s Edge extensive section about Safety at Sea at: www.prowsedge.com/cruise-ship-crime.html
And again, this is not just about Prow’s Edge being morbid. As we have said before, more and more popular TV and radio stations, such as NBC Chanel 6 in Miami and WKMG-TV/Local 6 - CBS in Orlando are now bringing the news about crimes at sea.
Here in our SECOND blog about this topic are a few brief, common sense tips about being isolated on your cruise which might make you a possible target.
Don’t be isolated on your cruise
Make sure you know where your friends and family are when on a cruise and that they know where you are. No one likes to have tabs kept on them, especially on a vacation, but it works to everyone’s advantage to know where friends and family members should be at various times of the day.
For those traveling with children, it is recommended that you implement a check in system, where children need to check in with parents at regular, appointed intervals.
This of course does not just apply to being on ship. It is actually equally important when venturing ashore, especially when on your own, that somebody knows what you’re up to and where you’re headed, and when you expect to be back.
Don’t be afraid to report something suspicious
If you sense that something is not right, either on a tour, or on board ship, trust your instincts and report the matter to the cruise security officer. Better safe than sorry!
Avoid deserted areas of the ship while on your own
Just as you would be street wise and sensible on land when you are not sure of your surroundings, so you should stay in public areas where there are other people about, rather than wandering into deserted areas of the ship on your own.
As attractive as that 3 o'clock in the morning walk around the decks to enjoy the moonlight over the tropical seas on your own may seem like fun – it may not be the most sensible idea!
Again - this is not to make your next cruise sound like an horrific, danger-ridden adventure - it's just about being aware of things you might not think of when you're in a holiday mood and have had a few cocktails more than normal.
Our next blog will offer some sensible advice about keeping your stateroom and your belongings safe and secure.
For more information about the reality of crimes at sea visit International Cruise Victims at: www.internationalcruisevictims.org
Also see the Prow’s Edge extensive section about Safety at Sea at: www.prowsedge.com/cruise-ship-crime.html
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Crimes at Sea
Not everyone wants to focus on the dangers and some horrors of taking a cruise – but as we have often said before at Prow’s Edge, it is worth knowing the dangers, wise to be aware of the problems so that one can be cautious and actually enjoy a problem free cruise.
And this is not just about Prow’s Edge being morbid.
More and more Popular TV and radio stations, such as NBC Chanel 6 in Miami and WKMG-TV/Local 6 - CBS in Orlando are now bringing the news about crimes at sea - especially those where no action was taken to bring justice for the victim.
And again, this is not about dwelling on some horror stories - it is about making sure cruise passengers remain safe and incident free.
Here in our FIRST blog about this topic are a few brief, common sense tips about general awareness and taking care with alcohol on a cruise.
Be aware of what is happening around you on a cruise
Although you’re on holiday and should be enjoying it all without any worries, you still need to make sure that you are always aware of what is happening around you and to be a aware of your surroundings - just as y would be at home.
And in fact, many travelers will maintain that you need to be even more vigilant and cautious about your surroundings than you are at home.
Taking care with drinking (alcohol) on a cruise
Excessive or heavy alcohol consumption can make you less aware of your surroundings and hence less aware of possible threats.
Alcohol in large amounts also means that you do not always make the sensible decisions at that time when your senses and judgements are a little tampered.
The latest in warnings about drinking on a cruise concerns the problem of unattended drinks. It is no longer just a part of horror stories and movies in which drinks can be doctored when you are not keeping a close check. Passengers who are drugged with out realizing it, raped and left with an inability to recall any part of the crime is sadly no longer a very unusual crime. Watch your drink being prepared, avoid leaving your drink unattended, and be careful in accepting drinks from strangers.
Our next blog in this series will offer some sensible advice about being isolated on your cruise, and in the blog after that there will be comments about keeping your stateroom and your belongings safe and secure.
For more information about the reality of crimes at sea visit International Cruise Victims at: www.internationalcruisevictims.org
Also see the Prow’s Edge extensive section about Safety at Sea at: www.prowsedge.com/cruise-ship-crime.html
And this is not just about Prow’s Edge being morbid.
More and more Popular TV and radio stations, such as NBC Chanel 6 in Miami and WKMG-TV/Local 6 - CBS in Orlando are now bringing the news about crimes at sea - especially those where no action was taken to bring justice for the victim.
And again, this is not about dwelling on some horror stories - it is about making sure cruise passengers remain safe and incident free.
Here in our FIRST blog about this topic are a few brief, common sense tips about general awareness and taking care with alcohol on a cruise.
Be aware of what is happening around you on a cruise
Although you’re on holiday and should be enjoying it all without any worries, you still need to make sure that you are always aware of what is happening around you and to be a aware of your surroundings - just as y would be at home.
And in fact, many travelers will maintain that you need to be even more vigilant and cautious about your surroundings than you are at home.
Taking care with drinking (alcohol) on a cruise
Excessive or heavy alcohol consumption can make you less aware of your surroundings and hence less aware of possible threats.
Alcohol in large amounts also means that you do not always make the sensible decisions at that time when your senses and judgements are a little tampered.
The latest in warnings about drinking on a cruise concerns the problem of unattended drinks. It is no longer just a part of horror stories and movies in which drinks can be doctored when you are not keeping a close check. Passengers who are drugged with out realizing it, raped and left with an inability to recall any part of the crime is sadly no longer a very unusual crime. Watch your drink being prepared, avoid leaving your drink unattended, and be careful in accepting drinks from strangers.
Our next blog in this series will offer some sensible advice about being isolated on your cruise, and in the blog after that there will be comments about keeping your stateroom and your belongings safe and secure.
For more information about the reality of crimes at sea visit International Cruise Victims at: www.internationalcruisevictims.org
Also see the Prow’s Edge extensive section about Safety at Sea at: www.prowsedge.com/cruise-ship-crime.html
Monday, May 6, 2013
Health Issues on Board Ship
Following our blog a few days ago covering how to be prepared for a disaster at sea - not to put a blanket on your anticipation of a great time but to make sure you are physically and mentally prepared for any thing so that you can forget about it all and have a good time, Prow’s Edge continues to talk about how to be truly safe and prepared for anything on your cruise.
This time, Prow’s Edge talks about keeping healthy on your cruise.
It is a well known fact that many cruise ships are riddled with all sorts of viruses and germs layering every elevator button, railing and door handle. This is NOT to say that cruise ships are necessarily dirty disease-ridden vessels – but this news should not be a surprise when you realize that cruise ships pack in a huge number of people into a comparatively small space. It is obvious that a virus or set of germs sees this as a heaven.
Also,most people taking a cruise, whether they will admit it or not, are in a holiday frame of mind, and all the natural precautions they naturally take at home and in the office at work go flying out of the window.
The same rules you live by at home apply even more importantly on a cruise.
The basic and most important rule is avoid touching every person, hand, railing and door handle you see.
Avoid shaking hands with everyone. While this may seem a little unfriendly you will find more and more people accepting that shaking hands with every stranger is not a good idea, and certainly not on a cruise.
Even many Captain’s Cocktail events now restrict the shaking of hands. It’s not that the captain doesn’t want to be friendly - he just wants to keep us all healthy.
Wash your hands as often as possible, and make good use of all the hand sanitizers located in almost every corner on every deck.
And if the worst should happen, and you come down with a virus, or even just a simple cold, see the doctor or nurse on board – that is what they are there for – and stay away from the other passengers. As awful as that may seem – it is the decent thing to do, and your recovery will be much quicker.
And finally, if you have any particular health problems, make sure that you bring enough necessary medications, not only for the cruise itself, but for several days after the trip in case of any emergencies.
This may all sound a little gloomy - but it’s not meant to be. Precautions becoming a natural part of your life mean that you more than likely to enjoy a problem free cruise.
This time, Prow’s Edge talks about keeping healthy on your cruise.
It is a well known fact that many cruise ships are riddled with all sorts of viruses and germs layering every elevator button, railing and door handle. This is NOT to say that cruise ships are necessarily dirty disease-ridden vessels – but this news should not be a surprise when you realize that cruise ships pack in a huge number of people into a comparatively small space. It is obvious that a virus or set of germs sees this as a heaven.
Also,most people taking a cruise, whether they will admit it or not, are in a holiday frame of mind, and all the natural precautions they naturally take at home and in the office at work go flying out of the window.
The same rules you live by at home apply even more importantly on a cruise.
The basic and most important rule is avoid touching every person, hand, railing and door handle you see.
Avoid shaking hands with everyone. While this may seem a little unfriendly you will find more and more people accepting that shaking hands with every stranger is not a good idea, and certainly not on a cruise.
Even many Captain’s Cocktail events now restrict the shaking of hands. It’s not that the captain doesn’t want to be friendly - he just wants to keep us all healthy.
Wash your hands as often as possible, and make good use of all the hand sanitizers located in almost every corner on every deck.
And if the worst should happen, and you come down with a virus, or even just a simple cold, see the doctor or nurse on board – that is what they are there for – and stay away from the other passengers. As awful as that may seem – it is the decent thing to do, and your recovery will be much quicker.
And finally, if you have any particular health problems, make sure that you bring enough necessary medications, not only for the cruise itself, but for several days after the trip in case of any emergencies.
This may all sound a little gloomy - but it’s not meant to be. Precautions becoming a natural part of your life mean that you more than likely to enjoy a problem free cruise.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Cruise Ports of Call
One of the most popular sections of Prow’s Edge is the part that deals with the main ports of call that are usually the port of departure or port of arrival at the start and/or end of the cruise.
Although things have begun to improve as cruise lines are now starting to concentrate on ports that are featured at the start or end of a cruise, most cruise lines still tend to concentrate on the ports featured during the cruise where there is usually at least eight hours to at least marginally truly showcase those individual destinations.
Those cruise lines that do offer tours of starting and ending points, they are usually limited to a short sightseeing glimpse of those locations as passengers are whisked off to the airport or collected from the airport and rushed to the cruise trip.
Cruises to Alaska that begin and end in Vancouver, Canada for example concentrate on all the Alaska ports of call and people arriving home eventually have very little experience or new knowledge of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
To make sure this does not happen to you - it is always a good idea to add at least a night in departure and arrival ports and to take the opportunity to experience what is on offer there.
The very popular part of Prow’s Edge dealing with these ports offer an extensive overview of the port itself, the main attractions, all about the cruise terminals and a host of information from weather and climates, currencies, languages.
For a list of over 50 of these ports take a look at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-ports-terminals.html
Although things have begun to improve as cruise lines are now starting to concentrate on ports that are featured at the start or end of a cruise, most cruise lines still tend to concentrate on the ports featured during the cruise where there is usually at least eight hours to at least marginally truly showcase those individual destinations.
Those cruise lines that do offer tours of starting and ending points, they are usually limited to a short sightseeing glimpse of those locations as passengers are whisked off to the airport or collected from the airport and rushed to the cruise trip.
Cruises to Alaska that begin and end in Vancouver, Canada for example concentrate on all the Alaska ports of call and people arriving home eventually have very little experience or new knowledge of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
To make sure this does not happen to you - it is always a good idea to add at least a night in departure and arrival ports and to take the opportunity to experience what is on offer there.
The very popular part of Prow’s Edge dealing with these ports offer an extensive overview of the port itself, the main attractions, all about the cruise terminals and a host of information from weather and climates, currencies, languages.
For a list of over 50 of these ports take a look at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-ports-terminals.html
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Being Prepared for Disaster at Sea
While you don’t want to dwell on all the horrific things that could happen on any cruise, it is well worth while preparing yourself for what could happen and learn about a few sensible precautions.
It is not that you want to dwell on all the terrible things that could happen on any cruise, but you do need to be prepared – even more than you might have originally thought.
It is somewhat incredible that good sense seems to fly out of the window along with the larger portion of your hard earned savings whenever you book a cruise.
And while you don’t want to dwell on all the horrific things that could happen on any cruise, it is well worth while preparing yourself with a few sensible precautions.
In fact, the main precaution to keep in mind, on any cruise, is that you are prepared for any possible disaster.
Again, this is not something you want to dwell on but something you want to be prepared for so that you can actually put it out of your mind and actually enjoy the trip.
While lifeboat drills, for example, may seem to be boring and a waste of time, especially if you have cruised before, it is a known fact that when faced with a real disaster, your calmness about how to handle things like lifeboat boarding etc flies off the ship before you do.
For this simple, and proven reason alone, it is worth packing away your cynicism and paying attention to life boat drills.
It is also worth paying attention to all the other information about emergencies available on the cruise ship. This is not to say that you need to be obsessed with this – just pay attention to announcements, and the notices on your cabin door that detail your escape routes.
Some savvy cruise travelers suggest that you follow the escape route outlined in your cabin. As practice. Again, this not something to dwell on too much, but it is something to be aware of so that should such action become necessary, you will be able to handle the whole situation much more successfully.
Think of these things now, prepare yourself, and then you can forget about it all, and enjoy your cruise, knowing that you are as prepared for anything that might happen.
Don't be one of those big-headed, smart alecks who think they know all the answers. They don't!
Check our next blog entry for some more advice on how to deal with the less wonderful things that can happen on a cruise, how to be prepared for these issues and how then you can put it at the back of your mind and enjoy the cruise all the more.
It is not that you want to dwell on all the terrible things that could happen on any cruise, but you do need to be prepared – even more than you might have originally thought.
It is somewhat incredible that good sense seems to fly out of the window along with the larger portion of your hard earned savings whenever you book a cruise.
And while you don’t want to dwell on all the horrific things that could happen on any cruise, it is well worth while preparing yourself with a few sensible precautions.
In fact, the main precaution to keep in mind, on any cruise, is that you are prepared for any possible disaster.
Again, this is not something you want to dwell on but something you want to be prepared for so that you can actually put it out of your mind and actually enjoy the trip.
While lifeboat drills, for example, may seem to be boring and a waste of time, especially if you have cruised before, it is a known fact that when faced with a real disaster, your calmness about how to handle things like lifeboat boarding etc flies off the ship before you do.
For this simple, and proven reason alone, it is worth packing away your cynicism and paying attention to life boat drills.
It is also worth paying attention to all the other information about emergencies available on the cruise ship. This is not to say that you need to be obsessed with this – just pay attention to announcements, and the notices on your cabin door that detail your escape routes.
Some savvy cruise travelers suggest that you follow the escape route outlined in your cabin. As practice. Again, this not something to dwell on too much, but it is something to be aware of so that should such action become necessary, you will be able to handle the whole situation much more successfully.
Think of these things now, prepare yourself, and then you can forget about it all, and enjoy your cruise, knowing that you are as prepared for anything that might happen.
Don't be one of those big-headed, smart alecks who think they know all the answers. They don't!
Check our next blog entry for some more advice on how to deal with the less wonderful things that can happen on a cruise, how to be prepared for these issues and how then you can put it at the back of your mind and enjoy the cruise all the more.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Still About the Cruise Chat Rooms
The hot debate about the value of chat rooms dealing with all sorts of aspects of cruises that we brought attention to in Trusting the Cruise Forums and Chat Rooms continues with some very heated reactions to our comments about this topic.
In fact - this topic is one of Prow's Edge's most popular, blog topics!
In fact - this topic is one of Prow's Edge's most popular, blog topics!
We still maintain that any information gleaned from such forums has to be treated with a little caution.
As we reported in our last blog on this topic, it is a sad fact that a lot of the regular participants in these forums are in fact only taking part in order to gain some benefits for themselves. Some complain incessantly until the cruise lines take notice and offer some benefits.
This does not happen as frequently as before – as we showcased in Trusting the Cruise Forums and Chat Rooms – but it should make readers a little cautious about what they read in these forums.
Others taking part in these forums, while not after some benefit as mentioned above, can can also inwittingly pass on incorrect information - not necessarily on purpose, but simply because they do not know much better. They like to see their opinions on the internet.
Another development in terms of cruise forums and chat rooms is the growth of such sites by the cruise lines themselves.
One has to wonder about the unbiased honestly of commentary on such web site forums as well.
Having said that - there are a number of chat rooms that deal specifically with certain topics and provide information that cannot be found elsewhere.
We can only suggest that you treat all such forums with some kind of caution.
If you would like to send us ALL here at Prow's Edge on a number of cruises to test the validity of commentary about many of these cruises on various forum websites - we would be happy to carry out the chores for you - providing of course, that champagne is served every night in our cabins, before dinner, with dinner, after dinner, as a bedtime treat, and hey - even for breakfast as well!
We would, of course, be totally unbiased.
:-)
Friday, April 19, 2013
Cruises for Those with Special Needs
Cruise line brochures and websites are filled with images of hale and hearty, fit, younger passengers enjoying some very active pursuits, and even those cruise lines that are a little more honest about their passengers in general, their ages and their abilities, tend to to paint a rosy pictures of cruise travelers in the prime of their time.
The actual truth is nothing like the images the cruise lines paint. In fact, more than 60 million cruise passengers each year are those with some kind of disability who need a variety of special needs - from oxygen requirements to motorized scooters and even power chairs.
The positive update these days is that despite the glorious pictures of only hale and hearty passengers about to leap ashore and run around the block, the cruise lines have in fact become very much more aware of the special needs of a growing number of their passengers.
While the solutions they offer are not always as ideal as they should be, every year, more and more cruise lines seem to be paying attention to these issues.
At least twelve of the popular cruise lines, for example, from Carnival to Cunard and all levels between now offer special disabled cabins.
Lots more information about accommodating cruise lines and what they can offer can be found at www.disabledcruiseclub.com – a web site specializing in special needs cruises from the Red Sea to the polar regions.
And where they are not able to accommodate the very special needs of their passengers, there are companies such as Special Needs at Sea, at www.specialneedsatsea.com who can help make any trip easier and more hassle-free.
But be warned - there are still a lot of problems still with this issue, no matter the promises and some cruise passengers with special needs to to their cruise research very thoroughly before booking and embarking on a trip of a lifetime.
The actual truth is nothing like the images the cruise lines paint. In fact, more than 60 million cruise passengers each year are those with some kind of disability who need a variety of special needs - from oxygen requirements to motorized scooters and even power chairs.
The positive update these days is that despite the glorious pictures of only hale and hearty passengers about to leap ashore and run around the block, the cruise lines have in fact become very much more aware of the special needs of a growing number of their passengers.
While the solutions they offer are not always as ideal as they should be, every year, more and more cruise lines seem to be paying attention to these issues.
At least twelve of the popular cruise lines, for example, from Carnival to Cunard and all levels between now offer special disabled cabins.
Lots more information about accommodating cruise lines and what they can offer can be found at www.disabledcruiseclub.com – a web site specializing in special needs cruises from the Red Sea to the polar regions.
And where they are not able to accommodate the very special needs of their passengers, there are companies such as Special Needs at Sea, at www.specialneedsatsea.com who can help make any trip easier and more hassle-free.
But be warned - there are still a lot of problems still with this issue, no matter the promises and some cruise passengers with special needs to to their cruise research very thoroughly before booking and embarking on a trip of a lifetime.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
More Safety Tips for Your Cruise
Originally posted almost two years ago here at Prow's Edge, we have now updated this topic.
It is of vital importance.
Unlike other cruise magazines, here at Prow’s Edge we have been highlighting this issue for many years - not to wallow in gory details or to sensationalize the problem, but to make our readers aware that there is real problem on cruise ships and that passengers need to be aware of it.
The good news is that many of the problems concerning safety at sea can be eased with being sensible and taking a few precautions. Here are a few tips, most of which are common sense.
For a full article about safety at sea and how to avoid becoming a victim, please take a look at www.prowsedge.com/cruises-safety-things-to-do.html at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine.
SAFETY TIPS
• Be vigilant
• Don’t be afraid to report something suspicious
• Avoid deserted areas of the ship
• Limit your alcohol consumption
• Be aware of excessive alcohol consumption by others
• Avoid unattended drinks
• Know where your friends and family are
• Check your stateroom when entering
• Keep your stateroom door locked
• Safeguard your cabin keycard
• Leave expensive jewelry at home
• Lock your jewelry away
• Don’t bring a bank vault of cash
Reaffirming the need for vigilance and awareness of the safety issues at sea, the International Cruise Victims Association(ICV)
represents the victims of crime on cruise ships, their families and
friends, and those concerned about the problems of victimization and
disappearances on cruise ships.The very fact that the International Cruise Victims Association(ICV) is steadily growing and that membership now reaches 20 countries around the world simply enforces the point that this is an issue we need to know more about.
Don’t sit back and say that this could never happen to you. Get your head out of the sand!
Visit the Safety at Sea section at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine at www.prowsedge.com/cruises-safety-at-sea.html for news and information on this topic.
The Reality of Cruise Safety Issues
Passengers missing after winning large amounts at the cruise ship casino, robberies at knife point, sexual assaults and rapes, general assaults and even passengers overboard?
Sounds like the thriller you’re reading beside the pool as your ship heads to the next port of fun?
Well, it’s not! This is not an excerpt from the latest best-selling novel - this is the truth about the other side of cruising that very few people know about.
Those who do know about it, victims and family members alike, have had their lives changed forever.
One of those family members is Ken Carver who founded the International Cruise Victims Association to support the families like his own who are victims of crimes, disappearances, and accidents aboard cruise ships.
With several hundred members, the organization advocates for legislative reform to protect passengers from crimes and increase the rights of victims of crimes that do occur on cruise ships, and provides support to victims of crimes occurring on cruise ships.
In an interview at TravelTalkRADIO, Ken Carver, President of the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) urged the public to become more informed about the issues, and to support the association in its efforts to make the cruise lines more accountable.
“We suggest that you contact your congressional people, take action,” he said, “because we are not proposing things that are really out of line. They would just make cruising safer and more fun for everybody.”
You can find the petition to improve safety on cruise ships at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/CruiseSafety/index.html
Read more about this issue in Ken Carver’s own words as he shares his View From the Bridge at Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine
Sounds like the thriller you’re reading beside the pool as your ship heads to the next port of fun?
Well, it’s not! This is not an excerpt from the latest best-selling novel - this is the truth about the other side of cruising that very few people know about.
Those who do know about it, victims and family members alike, have had their lives changed forever.
One of those family members is Ken Carver who founded the International Cruise Victims Association to support the families like his own who are victims of crimes, disappearances, and accidents aboard cruise ships.
With several hundred members, the organization advocates for legislative reform to protect passengers from crimes and increase the rights of victims of crimes that do occur on cruise ships, and provides support to victims of crimes occurring on cruise ships.
In an interview at TravelTalkRADIO, Ken Carver, President of the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) urged the public to become more informed about the issues, and to support the association in its efforts to make the cruise lines more accountable.“We suggest that you contact your congressional people, take action,” he said, “because we are not proposing things that are really out of line. They would just make cruising safer and more fun for everybody.”
You can find the petition to improve safety on cruise ships at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/CruiseSafety/index.html
Read more about this issue in Ken Carver’s own words as he shares his View From the Bridge at Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine
Friday, April 12, 2013
Hotel Key Cards in Thieves Hands
After you've handed in your key card at the hotel you stayed at the night before your cruise began, and while your'e happily watching the shore slip away and the great sense of euphoria build as you head out the harbour and out to sea – are you ever possibly thinking that maybe handing in the room key card as not such good idea?
If you are thinking that - you're right. Never return the room card.
That room card is simply an open book supply of information, from your home address to your credit card number and expiration date.
Which means that while you're sailing out into the middle of the ocean, someone at that departure port town is going out on a major shopping spree - using your card - and getting away with it.
And in case you think we're being just a little too cautious, it is actually a fact that some hotel employees in the past have managed to take a hand full of cards home and using
a scanning device, access the information on a laptop computer and go on a wild shopping spree.
Yes, times have changed, and some of the newer hotels have more secure systems than before but the dangers of theft using your credit card are not unheard of.
The information they need to empty your credit card accounts is all too easily accessible.
Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an employee reissues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the new guest's information is electronically 'overwritten' on the card and the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process.
But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT and within easy access of a number of people.!
The bottom line is:
1: Keep the room cards, take them home with you, or destroy them.
2: NEVER leave
them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and
3: NEVER turn them into
the front desk when you check out of a room.
They will not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader.
ANOTHER WORD OF WARNING: If you have managed to keep a hold of your room card just remember that it's NOT OK to throw it away at the airport garbage bin. Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the electronic information strip!
They will not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader.
ANOTHER WORD OF WARNING: If you have managed to keep a hold of your room card just remember that it's NOT OK to throw it away at the airport garbage bin. Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the electronic information strip!
Here at Prow's Edge we do not like to focus on all the things that could go wrong on a cruise, like theft and more - but the more you are aware of these things the more likely you are to be able really relax and enjoy your cruise vacation
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Trusting the Cruise Forums and Chat Rooms
Initially, Cruise forums and chat rooms were a new and unique way for cruisers to be able to comment on and spread the news about their latest cruise and favorite cruise lines and cruise ships.
While some of the commentary may not have been in the best of prose, or even targeting anything of any real importance, these forums and chat rooms were very popular.
Inevitably, however, the chat rooms became ripe for abuse. One example of this was a couple from Ohio, Brenda and Gerald Moran, who apparently enjoyed Royal Caribbean so much that they had six voyages with the line in three years. Oddly enough, however, that did not stop them complaining about the cruise line in all the chat rooms. They found fault on every cruise, from plumbing problems in their stateroom, a birthday greeting delivered to the wrong cabin, the husband locked out on the balcony when a door latch failed, and much more.
Each time, Royal Caribbean Line turned the other cheek, offering the couple discounts on the next cruise and/or onboard credits.
But things were now beginning to change and the cruise lines were starting to take the internet a little more seriously than they had done before. They had to start taking part, promote their products and avoid the damage that could be done by the likes of Brenda and Gerald Morn.
The straw that broke the camel’s back as it were was that after each trip Brenda Moran continued to voice her complaints about their treatment by posting their cruise experience on the Internet.
Some fellow cruisers sympathized, others believed the couple were "teaching" fellow cruisers how to scam Royal Caribbean.
"Why keep booking a trip with Royal Caribbean?" wondered one of our contributing writers. "If every trip had so many problems, why did they keep going back to them".Which was exactly what they seemed to be doing."
But by now Royal Caribbean had had enough and they banned the couple from ever cruising with Royal Caribbean again.
Some people feel that this was a little harsh a reaction, others do not. Some see Brenda and Gerald Moran behaving with any need for criticism. Other would not agree.
Prow's Edge takes no side here and passes no commentary - simply reporting the story as we have heard it.
What this whole episode WAS, however, no matter our opinions on it, the marking of the end of the “chat room” as an efficient and accurate supply of information for anyone wanting to take a cruise.
It is a fact that the complaints in the chatrooms are voiced by only a tiny number of all the people who have taken cruises and who have actually enjoyed them and have no complaints.
Chatrooms for cruises were doomed, cruise line web sites were taking over!
Even here at Prow's Edge the chat room section was finally removed and destroyed. And we were not the first cruise web site to do that.
Watch out for our next blog feature on this topic in which we look at other modern things in a brand new world that have had an impact on cruises.
While some of the commentary may not have been in the best of prose, or even targeting anything of any real importance, these forums and chat rooms were very popular.
Inevitably, however, the chat rooms became ripe for abuse. One example of this was a couple from Ohio, Brenda and Gerald Moran, who apparently enjoyed Royal Caribbean so much that they had six voyages with the line in three years. Oddly enough, however, that did not stop them complaining about the cruise line in all the chat rooms. They found fault on every cruise, from plumbing problems in their stateroom, a birthday greeting delivered to the wrong cabin, the husband locked out on the balcony when a door latch failed, and much more.
Each time, Royal Caribbean Line turned the other cheek, offering the couple discounts on the next cruise and/or onboard credits.
But things were now beginning to change and the cruise lines were starting to take the internet a little more seriously than they had done before. They had to start taking part, promote their products and avoid the damage that could be done by the likes of Brenda and Gerald Morn.
The straw that broke the camel’s back as it were was that after each trip Brenda Moran continued to voice her complaints about their treatment by posting their cruise experience on the Internet.
Some fellow cruisers sympathized, others believed the couple were "teaching" fellow cruisers how to scam Royal Caribbean.
"Why keep booking a trip with Royal Caribbean?" wondered one of our contributing writers. "If every trip had so many problems, why did they keep going back to them".Which was exactly what they seemed to be doing."
But by now Royal Caribbean had had enough and they banned the couple from ever cruising with Royal Caribbean again.
Some people feel that this was a little harsh a reaction, others do not. Some see Brenda and Gerald Moran behaving with any need for criticism. Other would not agree.
Prow's Edge takes no side here and passes no commentary - simply reporting the story as we have heard it.
What this whole episode WAS, however, no matter our opinions on it, the marking of the end of the “chat room” as an efficient and accurate supply of information for anyone wanting to take a cruise.
It is a fact that the complaints in the chatrooms are voiced by only a tiny number of all the people who have taken cruises and who have actually enjoyed them and have no complaints.
Chatrooms for cruises were doomed, cruise line web sites were taking over!
Even here at Prow's Edge the chat room section was finally removed and destroyed. And we were not the first cruise web site to do that.
Watch out for our next blog feature on this topic in which we look at other modern things in a brand new world that have had an impact on cruises.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Cruise Lines Offering the Best Food
Now that we’ve outlined some of the things to avoid while taking a cruise in terms of avoiding over-eating - here is a good look at some of the main cruise lines and what to expect from them in terms of the awards they have earned.
Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine awarded 3 cruise lines (Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Windstar Cruises) with the Best Cruise Line Food aboard Luxury Cruise Lines 2012/2013 awards, and 3 other cruise lines (Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and Costa Cruises) with the Best Cruise Line Food aboard Other Cruise Lines 2012/2013
Cruise Critic singled out Oceania Cruises with their Best Dining award saying that “Oceania Cruises does an exceptional job on it’s cuisine”.
Cruise International recognized 6 cruise lines as having the best food. These are Celebrity Cruses, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, and Oceania Cruises.
Condé Nast Traveller recognizes Seabourn with very high scores for Best Food, Carnival Cruise Line has been recognized by CruiseMates as providing more for your money than any other cruise line, Crystal Cruises has been recognized for their outstanding on board restaurants by Howard Hillman’s popular Cruise Guide, and Best Food Awards have also been granted to Silversea and Regent.
And finally, after studying the various popular chat rooms about cruising and the quality of food at various cruise lines, it is clear that the repeated winners and favorites as far as those offering the best food are Crystal Cruises, Celebrity Cruises.
Overall - the three cruise lines consistently winning awards for the best food are Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, followed closely by Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises.
Follow our next blog as we investigate the chat rooms in more detail and find out what is being said about food on cruise lines, and whether we should be taking these comments and awards very seriously!
Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine awarded 3 cruise lines (Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Windstar Cruises) with the Best Cruise Line Food aboard Luxury Cruise Lines 2012/2013 awards, and 3 other cruise lines (Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and Costa Cruises) with the Best Cruise Line Food aboard Other Cruise Lines 2012/2013
Cruise Critic singled out Oceania Cruises with their Best Dining award saying that “Oceania Cruises does an exceptional job on it’s cuisine”.
Cruise International recognized 6 cruise lines as having the best food. These are Celebrity Cruses, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, and Oceania Cruises.
Condé Nast Traveller recognizes Seabourn with very high scores for Best Food, Carnival Cruise Line has been recognized by CruiseMates as providing more for your money than any other cruise line, Crystal Cruises has been recognized for their outstanding on board restaurants by Howard Hillman’s popular Cruise Guide, and Best Food Awards have also been granted to Silversea and Regent.
And finally, after studying the various popular chat rooms about cruising and the quality of food at various cruise lines, it is clear that the repeated winners and favorites as far as those offering the best food are Crystal Cruises, Celebrity Cruises.
Overall - the three cruise lines consistently winning awards for the best food are Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, followed closely by Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises.
Follow our next blog as we investigate the chat rooms in more detail and find out what is being said about food on cruise lines, and whether we should be taking these comments and awards very seriously!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Eating on a Cruise Part 2
A few weeks ago in Eating on a Cruise we talked about eating sensibly on a cruise, about how to avoid the average weight gain of over 2lbs per day and how to hit the happy medium – watching what you eat without becoming obsessed with the problem - and actually enjoying the process.
We mentioned before things like that one needs to slow down your eating, eat more times a day (yes, really!) and why you should drink more water. You can find all this at http://prows-edge-cruise-magazine.blogspot.ca/2013/03/eating-on-cruise.html
Our new advice on this topic are:
Avoid being obviously greedy ...
We have all experienced a cruise where we have had to share a table with people who are actually proud of ordering 2 entrees at a time and at least three deserts as well.
“We just can’t make up our minds” they quip as if they are actually proud of such behaviour.
Don’t be tempted to follow suit, as tempting as it may be - and don’t think you’re being smart or clever. Remember our blog and remember that none of us like to see such obvious greed.
Exercise ...
Not strictly about eating, but certainly related to it. The idea of taking exercise on a cruise may not sound like the point of a vacation. On the other hand you certainly don’t want to end up like one of those exercise obsessed passengers who do nothing but run round the ship all day long and show off in the gym.
There is a happy medium. You don’t even have to set foot in the gym. Unless you really get fun out of it. There is plenty to do on the ship and on shore excursions to keep you gently active and actually doing more than you would normally do at your desk at the office.
Take excursions that involve some kind of activity, rather than ones that just have you sitting on a bus for six hours and certainly avoid those that feature yet another special meal - as if you're not getting enough on board.
Walk around the ship and count your laps and build up the miles. This can be fun - very often meeting people you wouldn’t have contact with otherwise and getting to chat to them. And it’s certainly going to be healthier than dozing all day on your deck chair - which ultimately means that the 5th day with yet another cream desert is not going to cause too many problems.
Get enough sleep ...
This might sound a little silly in terms of “eating” advice for someone going on a cruise, but you would be surprised at how many people burn the candle on both ends and over do their leisure activities which often concern eating yet another meal or snack. They reduce their hours of sleep.
It has also been shown that not getting enough sleep my well affect the hormones that govern your appetite and the way your body process food. All in all, not a good idea.
Some of these tips may sound like common sense to you, but sometimes when you’re spoiling yourself, common sense goes flying out of the window and you forget things that right now seem very obvious.
For more advice about cruises and how to make the best of them, take a look at the Prow’s Edge Adive section at : http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-advice-tips.html
We mentioned before things like that one needs to slow down your eating, eat more times a day (yes, really!) and why you should drink more water. You can find all this at http://prows-edge-cruise-magazine.blogspot.ca/2013/03/eating-on-cruise.html
Our new advice on this topic are:
Avoid being obviously greedy ...
We have all experienced a cruise where we have had to share a table with people who are actually proud of ordering 2 entrees at a time and at least three deserts as well.
“We just can’t make up our minds” they quip as if they are actually proud of such behaviour.
Don’t be tempted to follow suit, as tempting as it may be - and don’t think you’re being smart or clever. Remember our blog and remember that none of us like to see such obvious greed.
Exercise ...
Not strictly about eating, but certainly related to it. The idea of taking exercise on a cruise may not sound like the point of a vacation. On the other hand you certainly don’t want to end up like one of those exercise obsessed passengers who do nothing but run round the ship all day long and show off in the gym.
There is a happy medium. You don’t even have to set foot in the gym. Unless you really get fun out of it. There is plenty to do on the ship and on shore excursions to keep you gently active and actually doing more than you would normally do at your desk at the office.
Take excursions that involve some kind of activity, rather than ones that just have you sitting on a bus for six hours and certainly avoid those that feature yet another special meal - as if you're not getting enough on board.
Walk around the ship and count your laps and build up the miles. This can be fun - very often meeting people you wouldn’t have contact with otherwise and getting to chat to them. And it’s certainly going to be healthier than dozing all day on your deck chair - which ultimately means that the 5th day with yet another cream desert is not going to cause too many problems.
Get enough sleep ...
This might sound a little silly in terms of “eating” advice for someone going on a cruise, but you would be surprised at how many people burn the candle on both ends and over do their leisure activities which often concern eating yet another meal or snack. They reduce their hours of sleep.
It has also been shown that not getting enough sleep my well affect the hormones that govern your appetite and the way your body process food. All in all, not a good idea.
Some of these tips may sound like common sense to you, but sometimes when you’re spoiling yourself, common sense goes flying out of the window and you forget things that right now seem very obvious.
For more advice about cruises and how to make the best of them, take a look at the Prow’s Edge Adive section at : http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-advice-tips.html
Friday, April 5, 2013
Cruise Weddings
Having your wedding on a cruise is becoming an even more popular option than ever before.
And there are many reasons for this.
The first and more obvious is that combing your cruise with your wedding offers you the choice of organizing two distinct and very different actual weddings. One at sea with the roar of the sea behind you as you complete your vows, or one at one of the destinations - maybe even a tropical beach. And nothing can be more romantic that that.
Another reason for planning your cruise as the ideal home for your wedding means that your wedding will involve a lot LESS stress than it would entail were you doing it at home. The cruise lines take care of everything, from the flowers to the champagne, to the place on the ship or the location on the shore.
And, very often, a cruise at sea is a cheaper deal than the 500-guest reception in your home town. Yes, you are paying for a cruise, but you would have paid something for a honeymoon, anyway, and generally the marriage at sea is a private affair, so no costs for huge grand weddings packed with friends and relatives you probably won’t see again for many years.
If the wedding on the cruise IS to be attended by family, this too is not going to be added to your wedding account. Sometimes it could be a treat even for close friends and relatives. And sometimes it does cost something to bring someone you love who really cannot afford the trip.
Also making things relatively easy, most cruise lines are very well organized now to make weddings at sea very easy to create events. Some cruise lines have their own wedding coordinators. Some, however, do not encourage such events. Some, like Crystal Cruises and Cunard do not even allow them take place. The distinctly luxurious and up-market cruise lines do not offer any special packages or services.
Those cruise lines that do offer the chance to have you wedding on your cruise include Princess Cruses who offer what is considered to be the best selection of events and offerings of service, Disney Cruise Line who offers something a little different to the very much more adult stressed themes of other cruise ship weddings, Norwegian Cruise Line which offers what is considered to be the widest range of packages, and Carnival Cruise Line who also offers a wide range of options.
Planning your wedding on a cruise really is one of the easiest ways to go about the whole process. And, very often it is one of the cheaper options too.
And there are many reasons for this.
The first and more obvious is that combing your cruise with your wedding offers you the choice of organizing two distinct and very different actual weddings. One at sea with the roar of the sea behind you as you complete your vows, or one at one of the destinations - maybe even a tropical beach. And nothing can be more romantic that that.
Another reason for planning your cruise as the ideal home for your wedding means that your wedding will involve a lot LESS stress than it would entail were you doing it at home. The cruise lines take care of everything, from the flowers to the champagne, to the place on the ship or the location on the shore.
And, very often, a cruise at sea is a cheaper deal than the 500-guest reception in your home town. Yes, you are paying for a cruise, but you would have paid something for a honeymoon, anyway, and generally the marriage at sea is a private affair, so no costs for huge grand weddings packed with friends and relatives you probably won’t see again for many years.
If the wedding on the cruise IS to be attended by family, this too is not going to be added to your wedding account. Sometimes it could be a treat even for close friends and relatives. And sometimes it does cost something to bring someone you love who really cannot afford the trip.
Also making things relatively easy, most cruise lines are very well organized now to make weddings at sea very easy to create events. Some cruise lines have their own wedding coordinators. Some, however, do not encourage such events. Some, like Crystal Cruises and Cunard do not even allow them take place. The distinctly luxurious and up-market cruise lines do not offer any special packages or services.
Those cruise lines that do offer the chance to have you wedding on your cruise include Princess Cruses who offer what is considered to be the best selection of events and offerings of service, Disney Cruise Line who offers something a little different to the very much more adult stressed themes of other cruise ship weddings, Norwegian Cruise Line which offers what is considered to be the widest range of packages, and Carnival Cruise Line who also offers a wide range of options.
Planning your wedding on a cruise really is one of the easiest ways to go about the whole process. And, very often it is one of the cheaper options too.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Eating on a Cruise
The whole point of a vacation of any kind – even cruising – is to relax and leave the normal day to day worries at home – and this includes everything from fretting about repainting the kitchen to getting too anxious about all those extra calories every time you go out to dinner.
Being too anxious about food consumption is not the point of a cruise or any kind of vacation.
No one wants to go on a cruise and start a diet at the same time. But then no one wants to add 10 lbs of body weight around their hips during a week on the high seas either.
It is a well known fact that the average weight gain on a cruise is 2lbs a day. This is not something any of us want.
But there IS a way of avoiding this happening to you. There IS a way of hitting the happy medium – watching what you eat without becoming obsessed with the problem - and actually enjoying the process.
Here are some tips which may seem a little bizarre, but actually are very helpful.
Slow down your eating ...
As tempting as the buffet may look , and as much as you want to rush up to get your second and third helpings of everything - slow down. It is a vacation after all - there is no need for any rush. And by taking it slowly, you actually give your body a chance to register what you have already consumed ( which normally takes 10 to 15 minutes) and you may well find that the thought of another helping of that food after at least ten minutes is not something that actually appeals then anymore.
Eat more times a day ...
As bizarre as this may sound when talking about avoiding putting on weight, it is a well known fact that it is much healthier to eat 5 smaller meals a day than just two or three large ones. After the first day of what may seem like sheer gluttony, your body learns to make sure that the desire in terms of quantity for each of the 5 meals is very less than for that huge dinner when you’ve been starving yourself since breakfast. And it is not difficult to eat 5 times a day on a cruise.
Drink more water ...
It is a fact that the body can sometimes mistake simple thirst for hunger, and being dehydrated can exaggerate the desire for food. A solution that often surprises people is that a simple glass of water can eliminate that hunger until the next meal.
NB: Note that the same thing does not apply to grabbing another beer or gin and tonic and think the results will be the same. Your hunger pangs may well be reduced, but the calories taken in with the beer or gin and tonic are sometimes even worse than yet another snack. And the peanuts you’ll be tempted to nibble while you’re sipping your cocktail are certainly not going to help either.
Check in again soon to see our next blog for more tips on eating on cruise or take a look at the advice section of Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine.
If you have some tips of your own, please leave us a message here that we can all enjoy!
And don't forget to watch out for the next blog posting still on the same topic of eating on a cruise.
Being too anxious about food consumption is not the point of a cruise or any kind of vacation.
No one wants to go on a cruise and start a diet at the same time. But then no one wants to add 10 lbs of body weight around their hips during a week on the high seas either.
It is a well known fact that the average weight gain on a cruise is 2lbs a day. This is not something any of us want.
But there IS a way of avoiding this happening to you. There IS a way of hitting the happy medium – watching what you eat without becoming obsessed with the problem - and actually enjoying the process.
Here are some tips which may seem a little bizarre, but actually are very helpful.
Slow down your eating ...
As tempting as the buffet may look , and as much as you want to rush up to get your second and third helpings of everything - slow down. It is a vacation after all - there is no need for any rush. And by taking it slowly, you actually give your body a chance to register what you have already consumed ( which normally takes 10 to 15 minutes) and you may well find that the thought of another helping of that food after at least ten minutes is not something that actually appeals then anymore.
Eat more times a day ...
As bizarre as this may sound when talking about avoiding putting on weight, it is a well known fact that it is much healthier to eat 5 smaller meals a day than just two or three large ones. After the first day of what may seem like sheer gluttony, your body learns to make sure that the desire in terms of quantity for each of the 5 meals is very less than for that huge dinner when you’ve been starving yourself since breakfast. And it is not difficult to eat 5 times a day on a cruise.
Drink more water ...
It is a fact that the body can sometimes mistake simple thirst for hunger, and being dehydrated can exaggerate the desire for food. A solution that often surprises people is that a simple glass of water can eliminate that hunger until the next meal.
NB: Note that the same thing does not apply to grabbing another beer or gin and tonic and think the results will be the same. Your hunger pangs may well be reduced, but the calories taken in with the beer or gin and tonic are sometimes even worse than yet another snack. And the peanuts you’ll be tempted to nibble while you’re sipping your cocktail are certainly not going to help either.
Check in again soon to see our next blog for more tips on eating on cruise or take a look at the advice section of Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine.
If you have some tips of your own, please leave us a message here that we can all enjoy!
And don't forget to watch out for the next blog posting still on the same topic of eating on a cruise.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Getting a Deal on a Cruise
The vacation, for everyone, is one of the biggest costs on the budget list every year.
The first and most obvious thing to do is to spend some time on your choice. Do not rush into anything. No matter how tempting the TV or magazine offer may be, and no matter how strong the whim for a particular cruise line or destination is, it is always worth checking your full range of options. Even if the first offer or discovery seems to be perfect, there is always the possibility of finding something more generous. And one of the most important things to consider while doing your research is as to what time of year or season you plan to take your vacation. These differences can be vast. Cruises during some periods, such a peak school holidays, will obviously be more expensive especially if the cruise line is catering specifically for children and families.
2. FOR SOME - BOOK YOUR CRUISE A LONG WAY AHEAD OF TIME
If your needs as to time of year, and the size of family traveling with you, the type of cabin you need, or if you have special needs of any kind, it may well be advantageous to book your cruise a long way ahead of time. Fulfilling special needs are not always easy and many cruise lines very often and very quickly sell out of cabins and itineraries that meet special criteria.
3. FOR SOME - BOOK YOUR CRUISE AT THE LAST MINUTE
If your needs are very flexible as to when, and where you finally end up cruising, it is worth considering a last minute booking. A lot of special offers show their faces as little as 3 to 6 weeks before departure. Many people with flexible calendars boast of amazing savings and are often able to take two or three cruise every year rather than just the one.
4. TAKE CAUTION IN PAYING FOR YOUR CRUISE
It is considered advisable to use your credit card when paying for your cruise. Generally, a credit card payment is safer, especially when made to the cruise line direct. While we all would want to support the local new travel agency started up by your great aunt’s daughter, and feel confident in handing over the money to her - it is not the safest thing to be doing. That is not to say the travel agencies are continuously folding down - but a payment made to a large cruise company directly is inevitably more secure.
5. INVEST IN ADEQUATE TRAVEL INSURANCE
Cruise vacations are more vulnerable than other types of holidays to cancellations because of weather conditions, a flu bug rushing through all the passengers on the voyage before yours, delayed flights and missed connections. It is wisest to invest in the best insurance available, even though it may seem a little expensive. These are just a few of the cautions we would advize when taking a cruise, especially for first timers. If you have cruised before, you may be a particular fan of a particular cruise line, or a particular destination and/or time of year for the holiday, then things are undoubtedly a little easier for you, if may be the savings may be a little more limited. For many people , however. the self insurance that the cruise line they are booking with is exactly what they like and has been good in the past and this may well be the best part of the vacation coming up ahead.
For more advice on a number of topics take a look at the advice section of Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Cruises for Jewish People
A topic hardly ever discussed in relation to cruises in the past was that about kosher foods. In fact, when Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine began over 14 years ago, little was known about cruises or cruise lines that cater to those passengers requiring kosher foods. In those days, it was a topic not usually explored by most cruise lines or cruise oriented web sites.
In reality, very few cruise lines and even fewer passengers knew what was meant by the word “kosher”!
Things have changed. Most people now understand what “kosher” means, and that is it simply a series of rules about what Jews can and can not eat.
Kosher foods are those that come from animals and animal by products deemed kosher in the bible and food prepared as outlined by rabbis in the Talmud.
Nowadays, cruises for Jewish people and those requiring kosher foods is a growing market and details about such cruises and kosher foods is a much more commonly broached topic of discussion.
Simply put, Kosher Cruises are cruises for Jewish people to travel around the world while upholding the traditional glatt kosher lifestyle and Glatt Kosher, and Chalov Yisroel Pas Yisroel cuisine. Further more, Kosher cruises now highlight and concentrate more than ever before on Glatt Kosher gourmet meals and snacks, Minyanim and Shiurim, Jewish concerts and kumzitses, and on-board events.
In this day and age,cruisers seeking kosher travel are not limited to the luxury liners (like Holland America, Celebrity, MSC, Costa and Crystal) but can look further afield at specialized cruises on medium-sized ships, river and canal boats and even small ships.
Nor are cruise lovers restricted in their choices of possible destinations. Nor are passengers limited to just a few web sites dealing with this subject or highlighting those cruises available for anyone wanting a kosher cruise.
Leaders of such web sites include Kosher Cruises at www.koshercruises.com who are now recognized as one of the industry leaders as far as kosher cruises are concerned, Kosherica Kosher Cruises at www.kosherica.com who is known as The Glatt Kosher Cuisine Leader, www.koshertravelers.com, www.slkosher.com and many more.
There is a string of travel groups and agents who offer kosher cruises, among them Totally Jewish Travel and Kosher Cruise Enterprises. Google is full of them.
As you would say in Hebrew – “nesi'a tova”. Bon Voyage.
In reality, very few cruise lines and even fewer passengers knew what was meant by the word “kosher”!
Things have changed. Most people now understand what “kosher” means, and that is it simply a series of rules about what Jews can and can not eat.
Kosher foods are those that come from animals and animal by products deemed kosher in the bible and food prepared as outlined by rabbis in the Talmud.
Nowadays, cruises for Jewish people and those requiring kosher foods is a growing market and details about such cruises and kosher foods is a much more commonly broached topic of discussion.
Simply put, Kosher Cruises are cruises for Jewish people to travel around the world while upholding the traditional glatt kosher lifestyle and Glatt Kosher, and Chalov Yisroel Pas Yisroel cuisine. Further more, Kosher cruises now highlight and concentrate more than ever before on Glatt Kosher gourmet meals and snacks, Minyanim and Shiurim, Jewish concerts and kumzitses, and on-board events.
In this day and age,cruisers seeking kosher travel are not limited to the luxury liners (like Holland America, Celebrity, MSC, Costa and Crystal) but can look further afield at specialized cruises on medium-sized ships, river and canal boats and even small ships.
Nor are cruise lovers restricted in their choices of possible destinations. Nor are passengers limited to just a few web sites dealing with this subject or highlighting those cruises available for anyone wanting a kosher cruise.
Leaders of such web sites include Kosher Cruises at www.koshercruises.com who are now recognized as one of the industry leaders as far as kosher cruises are concerned, Kosherica Kosher Cruises at www.kosherica.com who is known as The Glatt Kosher Cuisine Leader, www.koshertravelers.com, www.slkosher.com and many more.
There is a string of travel groups and agents who offer kosher cruises, among them Totally Jewish Travel and Kosher Cruise Enterprises. Google is full of them.
As you would say in Hebrew – “nesi'a tova”. Bon Voyage.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Cruise Ship Sanitation Inspection Results
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the mastermind of the Vessel Sanitation Program, regularly and without warning inspects cruise ships carrying more than 13 passengers and with itineraries including the USA.
The latest of these results, often updated, can be found at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-vessel-sanitation-program.html
Generally results of 96% and more are very much acceptable, those below 90% begin to ensure that you look out for the next inspection and hope for an improvement. Anything at 85% or less is not considered to be acceptable.
Some cruise lines often feature a number of their cruise ships coming up with 100% scores.
Of the cruise lines with a huge number of large vessels each, five of the Royal Caribbean Cruise ships, four of the Carnival Cruises ships, four of the Princess Cruises ships, four of the Norwegian Cruise Line vessels, and two of the Holland America Line ships, have each earned the 100% score.
Of the smaller cruise lines, with smaller ships, top scorers include vessels of P&O Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Silverseas, and Cunard Line.
For full details take a look at the latest scores updated on 6th March 2012 at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-vessel-sanitation-program.html
Friday, March 8, 2013
Prow’s Edge Best Cruises Awards
Most cruise lines and cruise information sites will announce their awards for the best in all sorts of categories of cruises and cruise companies.
Prow’s Edge is pleased to be one of the first this year to announce their findings as to “the best” in various categories of cruise lines and the kinds of cruises they offer.
It has proven practically impossible, however, to find single winning cruise lines for each award, just as it is impossible sometimes to chose the best film at the Oscars because they are all so different and so good for very different reasons.
Each Prow’s Edge award this year is allocated to three equal winners in each category.
Some cruise lines have earned more than just one award, some as much as three.
Actual details about the awards listed here according to the cruise lines, are actually explained at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-best.html
Crystal Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Cruise Lines - 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Seniors - 2012/2013 and
Best Food Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
Holland America Line has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Food Cruise Lines - 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Single Cruisers - 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Line for Senior Travelers - 2012/2013
Norwegian Cruise Lines has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Contemporary Cruise Lines - 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Single Cruisers - 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Romance – 2012/2013
Fred Olsen Cruise Line has been declared as one of the top three:
Best Cruise Lines - 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Single Cruisers - 2012/2013
Oceania Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Luxury Cruise Lines - 2012/2013 and
Best Food Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
Costa Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three :
Best Contemporary Cruise Lines - 2012/2013 and
Best Food Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Cruise Lines 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Senior Travelers – 2012/2013
Princess Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Cruise Lines for Romance 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Entertainment – 2012/2013
Royal Caribbean International has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Cruise Lines for Families 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Entertainment – 2012/2013
Carnival Cruise Lines has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Cruise Lines for Families 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Entertainment – 2012/2013
Celebrity Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Food Cruise Lines 2012/2013 and
Best Cruise Lines for Romance – 2012/2013
The Yachts of Seabourn have been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Luxury Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
Paul Gauguin Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Luxury Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
SeaDream Yacht Club has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Exclusive Boutique Luxury Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
Silversea Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Exclusive Boutique Luxury Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
Hebridean Island Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Exclusive Boutique Luxury Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
MSC Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Contemporary Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
Windstar Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Food Cruise Lines 2012/2013
AmaWaterways has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best River Cruise Lines 2012/2013
Disney Cruise Line has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Cruise Lines for Families 2012/2013
Orion Expedition Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Adventure Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
Lindblad Expeditions has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best Adventure Cruise Lines - 2012/2013
Viking River Cruises has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best River Cruise Lines 2012/2013
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has been recognized as one of the top three:
Best River Cruise Lines 2012/2013
Again, the actual details about the awards can be found at: www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-best.html
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Alcohol on a Cruise - Take it Easy
Following our last blog taking a humorous look at the outcome of red wine and beer consumption on a cruise ( http://prows-edge-cruise-magazine.blogspot.ca/2013/02/food-and-alcohol-related-heart-attacks.html) here is a more serious look at the over indulgence in alcohol on a cruise.
This is not to say that too many cruisers are all alcoholics - it’s just that many just think that part of the fun of a cruise is to drink more alcohol than they normally would at home – and to enjoy it.
Very few people gurgle several cocktails before dinner every night. Nor do they follow this unusual indulgence with a bottle of wine with their meal, and then carry on afterwards in the bar, the disco, even the theatre show and then add to it all with a closing night cap before they head off to bed.
And yet on a cruise this is considered to normal and quite acceptable.
Our fist tip is that you should remember before your cruise that this NOT “normal and quite acceptable”. Fun maybe - but not a good thing.
Before you sip your third beer at the poolside, just remember that too many of those over a long time will mean you will have to avoid stripping off down to your swimming costume. Drinks have calories, and too many of them will result in too many extra inches around your waist line. And this can happen very quickly.
Who hasn’t come back from a cruise and been horrified to see the increase in weight. It’s not all just because of the extra food.
One beer at the poolside, or a cocktail with exotic ingredients before dinner is fun. But leave it at one.
And it’s not just your waist line that suffers because of the over indulgence in beer and gin and tonics. As nice as they might be, they’re not doing your liver much good - and that’s not something we think of every time we take another gulp of perfectly chilled lager. It might even not be evident until the next visit to the doctor.
Also, over consumption of alcohol on a cruise is not doing your wallet much good either.
Sound too obvious?
You will be surprised to learn how often turns out to be a bit of a shock at the end of the cruise when passengers have to settle the onboard account to see just how much all those treats are now actually costing. No need to avoid alcohol - just take it easy!
This is not to say that too many cruisers are all alcoholics - it’s just that many just think that part of the fun of a cruise is to drink more alcohol than they normally would at home – and to enjoy it.
Very few people gurgle several cocktails before dinner every night. Nor do they follow this unusual indulgence with a bottle of wine with their meal, and then carry on afterwards in the bar, the disco, even the theatre show and then add to it all with a closing night cap before they head off to bed.
And yet on a cruise this is considered to normal and quite acceptable.
Our fist tip is that you should remember before your cruise that this NOT “normal and quite acceptable”. Fun maybe - but not a good thing.
Before you sip your third beer at the poolside, just remember that too many of those over a long time will mean you will have to avoid stripping off down to your swimming costume. Drinks have calories, and too many of them will result in too many extra inches around your waist line. And this can happen very quickly.
Who hasn’t come back from a cruise and been horrified to see the increase in weight. It’s not all just because of the extra food.
One beer at the poolside, or a cocktail with exotic ingredients before dinner is fun. But leave it at one.
And it’s not just your waist line that suffers because of the over indulgence in beer and gin and tonics. As nice as they might be, they’re not doing your liver much good - and that’s not something we think of every time we take another gulp of perfectly chilled lager. It might even not be evident until the next visit to the doctor.
Also, over consumption of alcohol on a cruise is not doing your wallet much good either.
Sound too obvious?
You will be surprised to learn how often turns out to be a bit of a shock at the end of the cruise when passengers have to settle the onboard account to see just how much all those treats are now actually costing. No need to avoid alcohol - just take it easy!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Food and Alcohol Related Heart Attacks
This great nugget comes from one of our regular blog readers and comment makers, June, who runs the website http://www.travelscribbles.com
For those of you who watch what you eat and drink on the cruise, here's the final word on nutrition and health when you’re at sea. Apparently it all depends on your nationality! It's not such good news if you are American.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like - it's being American that is apparently what kills you.
For those of you who watch what you eat and drink on the cruise, here's the final word on nutrition and health when you’re at sea. Apparently it all depends on your nationality! It's not such good news if you are American.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like - it's being American that is apparently what kills you.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Over-eating on a Cruise
Prow’s Edge used to have a very popular chat room. Sadly, because some computer web trouble makers thought it fun to contaminate our website through the chat rooms and actually make the website unattainable, we have had to erase the chat rooms.
But we still have the posts on file and are able to share some of the fun ones with you now.
One of the most popular topics of conversation on our blog was about food and people who thought it was justified to eat three portions of everything - and more.
Here’s a look at some of what was said.
Here’s a look at some of what was said.
From: High Seas
We have seen so much gluttony on cruise ships it is obscene. On a Carnival Cruises forum passengers talk about how many entrees they can order on a cruise and proudly claim to ordering 3 or more lobster entrees on the Captain's dinner night. Pure greed.
From : Jack&Alice (New York)
Don’t think that greed and gluttony is restricted to the budget cruise lines. I was sailing with Regent, and there was a guy on board who would appear for breakfast every day, head for the buffet, and nab the extra large, “display-only” croissant that was perched at the top of the buffet display. For 4 days, the astonished dining room staff replaced the display croissant - then finally gave up. The cream topping to the story is that the guy then made a huge fuss that they were not providing his large croissant each morning. It takes all sorts!
From: JollyRoger
The breakfast buffet attract the worst in passengers, doesn’t it?. You think the guy who nabbed the display croissant every morning was greedy? Forget it. He runs a poor second to the many passengers who march the length of the buffet table piling the plate with fruit salad, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns with two pancakes perched on top and then pouring syrup over the lot. On ONE plate. No kidding! The travel agent probably didn’t alert them to the fact that they could go back a second time (or a third)?
From: Able Seaman We’re just sick of watching people pile up their plates at the buffet and then leave a whole wack of food on the plate and get up for more, and do the whole thing all over again. This is not just greed : this is criminal waste.
From: Una (Florida)
You wonder why we’re a nation of obese people - go on a cruise and watch them there, and you won’t wonder anymore.
From: rickbend
And these are the very people, ordering 2 or three entrees and preparing a path to the cardiac unit who are screaming at me for smoking on the aft deck. These gluttons are going to be as much a drain on the National Health Service as I am, if not more. Greed AND hypocrisy.
From: BobT
Not sure how you work that one out, rickbend, but I get your point. Folks in glass houses etc.....
From: ejthompson
I am a member on two other cruise forums and I am astonished to read so many posts of people trying to justify their greed - even encouraging each other not to worry about what the dining room staff think when they order their banquet of gluttony.
We wonder why Americans have such a bad reputation as being loud and obnoxious when they're abroad. Can we be surprised. What else can the struggling serving staff on board the cruise lines think when they see overweight passengers ordering double portions of everything on sight - two entrees, sometimes even three - plates piled up with food at the buffets and only a portion of that being eaten, not one slice of cheesecake in the afternoon, but three, not to mention endless rounds of free ice cream, popcorn and chocolate. But the greed in of itself is not the worst part of it : it is the attempts to justify the greed that is truly obscene.
Watch out for our next blog in which we will continue to share with you these great and sometimes very funny blog posts. And if you wish to make any comments below, please do so - we would love to hear from you.
Or - if you'd like a gander at a whole mass of cruise ship recipes presented by some of the best chefs in the world, take a look at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chefs.htmlhttp://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chefs.html
We have seen so much gluttony on cruise ships it is obscene. On a Carnival Cruises forum passengers talk about how many entrees they can order on a cruise and proudly claim to ordering 3 or more lobster entrees on the Captain's dinner night. Pure greed.
From : Jack&Alice (New York)
Don’t think that greed and gluttony is restricted to the budget cruise lines. I was sailing with Regent, and there was a guy on board who would appear for breakfast every day, head for the buffet, and nab the extra large, “display-only” croissant that was perched at the top of the buffet display. For 4 days, the astonished dining room staff replaced the display croissant - then finally gave up. The cream topping to the story is that the guy then made a huge fuss that they were not providing his large croissant each morning. It takes all sorts!
From: JollyRoger
The breakfast buffet attract the worst in passengers, doesn’t it?. You think the guy who nabbed the display croissant every morning was greedy? Forget it. He runs a poor second to the many passengers who march the length of the buffet table piling the plate with fruit salad, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns with two pancakes perched on top and then pouring syrup over the lot. On ONE plate. No kidding! The travel agent probably didn’t alert them to the fact that they could go back a second time (or a third)?
From: Able Seaman We’re just sick of watching people pile up their plates at the buffet and then leave a whole wack of food on the plate and get up for more, and do the whole thing all over again. This is not just greed : this is criminal waste.
From: Una (Florida)
You wonder why we’re a nation of obese people - go on a cruise and watch them there, and you won’t wonder anymore.
From: rickbend
And these are the very people, ordering 2 or three entrees and preparing a path to the cardiac unit who are screaming at me for smoking on the aft deck. These gluttons are going to be as much a drain on the National Health Service as I am, if not more. Greed AND hypocrisy.
From: BobT
Not sure how you work that one out, rickbend, but I get your point. Folks in glass houses etc.....
From: ejthompson
I am a member on two other cruise forums and I am astonished to read so many posts of people trying to justify their greed - even encouraging each other not to worry about what the dining room staff think when they order their banquet of gluttony.
We wonder why Americans have such a bad reputation as being loud and obnoxious when they're abroad. Can we be surprised. What else can the struggling serving staff on board the cruise lines think when they see overweight passengers ordering double portions of everything on sight - two entrees, sometimes even three - plates piled up with food at the buffets and only a portion of that being eaten, not one slice of cheesecake in the afternoon, but three, not to mention endless rounds of free ice cream, popcorn and chocolate. But the greed in of itself is not the worst part of it : it is the attempts to justify the greed that is truly obscene.
Watch out for our next blog in which we will continue to share with you these great and sometimes very funny blog posts. And if you wish to make any comments below, please do so - we would love to hear from you.
Or - if you'd like a gander at a whole mass of cruise ship recipes presented by some of the best chefs in the world, take a look at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chefs.htmlhttp://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chefs.html
Saturday, February 23, 2013
How to Pick the Best Family Cruise
This follows our blog about Why Cruise? To Vacation with the Whole Family! and offers advice on how to chose the right cruise for you.
The are plenty of reasons why cruises are the ideal vacation for so many people, and this includes families with children. But there is a lot to bear in mind and a lot of things to consider.
The first and most obvious thing when deciding on a cruise with your children is to spend some time on your research here on the internet and to see what the cruise lines offer, and which cruise lines specialize in catering to families traveling with children.
There are cruise lines that do not necessarily cater to children. Where this may sound heartless, it is in fact a natural way to offer a vacation for those who don’t particularly want to travel with children around them.
And then, of course, there are cruise lines that very often offer cruises for families but also feature “break-a-way” events and facilities on board so that Mom and Dad can get a break while the children are being well looked after. In fact, they all get so much fun, they probably don’t even miss each other.
The whole point in planning a cruise is to do the research before you make your mind up.
In doing your research and planning an ideal cruise for you and your children, there are many things to take into consideration.
WHICH CRUISE LINES ARE PERFECT FOR CHILDREN?
The first of your research chores of course is to look at which cruise lines blatantly advertise that they offer vacations that cater to families with children.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER SPECIAL RATES FOR CHILDREN?
The second thing then for many to consider is to find out if these cruise lines offer special rates for children. Their ages may make a difference.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER DIFFERENT FORMS OF ACCOMMODATION COMBINATIONS FOR FAMILIES?
It would be sensible to find out if the cruise lines now on your short list offer cabins that can accommodate one or two children a well as the two adults, or/and whether the cruise line under inspection offers adjoining cabins - the ideal solution if traveling with teenagers - so that they’re close enough to keep an eye on but they don’t have worry about Dad’s snoring.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER WHAT IN THE WAY OF FOOD FOR DIFFERENT AGES?
Once of the equally important things to find out is the type and range of food available on the short list of cruises and cruise lines you now have in front of you. Many cruise lines offer special eating times for those with very young children, and for those older than that, a lot of cruise lines offer a wide range of alternatives that they might enjoy more than the older members of the family.
WHICH CRUISE LINE OFFER WHAT IN THE WAY OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR FAMILIES?
Considered the next important thing to ask in your research is what exactly the cruise lines on your short list offer in the way of special activities for the children and for those age groups of your own children. This would include activities and entertainment on the ship itself as well as the type of shore excursions available. You also want to check wether the cruise you finally decide on has any special theme. You children might not really appreciate a ballroom dancing cruise, while you might not cherish the idea of cruise with a cartoon theme.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER THE BEST IN THE WAY OF DESTINATIONS?
The choice of where you take your cruise depends entirely on the tastes, hobbies and interests of every member of the family. We can’t offer any advice on this except that you need to make sure that the destination ( or the ship for that matter) does not cater to purely one or two members of the family.
The ship the part of the world she sails to should feature something to satisfy everyone.
Mush easier said than done, of course.
If planned well, however, a cruise can well be the perfect family vacation.
The are plenty of reasons why cruises are the ideal vacation for so many people, and this includes families with children. But there is a lot to bear in mind and a lot of things to consider.
The first and most obvious thing when deciding on a cruise with your children is to spend some time on your research here on the internet and to see what the cruise lines offer, and which cruise lines specialize in catering to families traveling with children.
There are cruise lines that do not necessarily cater to children. Where this may sound heartless, it is in fact a natural way to offer a vacation for those who don’t particularly want to travel with children around them.
And then, of course, there are cruise lines that very often offer cruises for families but also feature “break-a-way” events and facilities on board so that Mom and Dad can get a break while the children are being well looked after. In fact, they all get so much fun, they probably don’t even miss each other.
The whole point in planning a cruise is to do the research before you make your mind up.
In doing your research and planning an ideal cruise for you and your children, there are many things to take into consideration.
WHICH CRUISE LINES ARE PERFECT FOR CHILDREN?
The first of your research chores of course is to look at which cruise lines blatantly advertise that they offer vacations that cater to families with children.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER SPECIAL RATES FOR CHILDREN?
The second thing then for many to consider is to find out if these cruise lines offer special rates for children. Their ages may make a difference.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER DIFFERENT FORMS OF ACCOMMODATION COMBINATIONS FOR FAMILIES?
It would be sensible to find out if the cruise lines now on your short list offer cabins that can accommodate one or two children a well as the two adults, or/and whether the cruise line under inspection offers adjoining cabins - the ideal solution if traveling with teenagers - so that they’re close enough to keep an eye on but they don’t have worry about Dad’s snoring.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER WHAT IN THE WAY OF FOOD FOR DIFFERENT AGES?
Once of the equally important things to find out is the type and range of food available on the short list of cruises and cruise lines you now have in front of you. Many cruise lines offer special eating times for those with very young children, and for those older than that, a lot of cruise lines offer a wide range of alternatives that they might enjoy more than the older members of the family.
WHICH CRUISE LINE OFFER WHAT IN THE WAY OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR FAMILIES?
Considered the next important thing to ask in your research is what exactly the cruise lines on your short list offer in the way of special activities for the children and for those age groups of your own children. This would include activities and entertainment on the ship itself as well as the type of shore excursions available. You also want to check wether the cruise you finally decide on has any special theme. You children might not really appreciate a ballroom dancing cruise, while you might not cherish the idea of cruise with a cartoon theme.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER THE BEST IN THE WAY OF DESTINATIONS?
The choice of where you take your cruise depends entirely on the tastes, hobbies and interests of every member of the family. We can’t offer any advice on this except that you need to make sure that the destination ( or the ship for that matter) does not cater to purely one or two members of the family.
The ship the part of the world she sails to should feature something to satisfy everyone.
Mush easier said than done, of course.
If planned well, however, a cruise can well be the perfect family vacation.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Why Cruise? One Stop - Multiple destinations!
It may be an obvious advantage of a cruise as a holiday option but it is a reason for taking a cruise that is rarely pointed out.
In fact, there is no other vacation option that give you this advantage – the ability to be based in one place and yet enjoy many different destinations and locations.
One of our fans of Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine, Hilda Oscar of Seattle, USA makes it clear.
“What other vacation offers me multiple destinations, different locations, sights and experiences with out having the hassle of finding out how best to get from one to the other and packing and unpacking every single day before carrying on,” she writes to us. “Obvious yes, but it only really dawned on me now why I like cruise so much. I stay in one “hotel” but move all over the location and get to see lots of different places. What could be more ideal!”
Obvious?
Yes! But how many regular cruisers ever put that at the top of their list of reasons to take a cruise as a holiday option.
In a study with reader participation at Prow’s Edge last year about “reasons to cruise” and anther one earlier about “why cruise”, not one singe reader put this at the top of their list.
Number one on the list, the number one reason to take a cruise, was about the food. People praised the luxury of all the amazing food and menus (and meals) aboard a cruise.
The next main reason our readers gave for cruising, in no real discernible order, were referring to the appeal of the entertainment offered on most cruise ships, from cabaret shows to pool side competitions.
The most obvious reason and advantage to a cruise barely made the list.
Hardly anyone pinpointed that one of the main advantages of a cruise as apposed to another kind of vacation is that you get to see many different places and you only have to unpack once.
When you wake up each day you are somewhere different, and you haven’t had any hassle getting there. You haven’t had to spend countless hours checking into yet another hotel, or jolting from one island to the next, or from yet another port or city to the next.
As Hilda says : You want to see somewhere new? Every day? What could be easier than a cruise!”
And she’s right! In fact - there really is no better way to see any area. Nothing easier or more comfortable.
In fact, there is no other vacation option that give you this advantage – the ability to be based in one place and yet enjoy many different destinations and locations.
One of our fans of Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine, Hilda Oscar of Seattle, USA makes it clear.
“What other vacation offers me multiple destinations, different locations, sights and experiences with out having the hassle of finding out how best to get from one to the other and packing and unpacking every single day before carrying on,” she writes to us. “Obvious yes, but it only really dawned on me now why I like cruise so much. I stay in one “hotel” but move all over the location and get to see lots of different places. What could be more ideal!”
Obvious?
Yes! But how many regular cruisers ever put that at the top of their list of reasons to take a cruise as a holiday option.
In a study with reader participation at Prow’s Edge last year about “reasons to cruise” and anther one earlier about “why cruise”, not one singe reader put this at the top of their list.
Number one on the list, the number one reason to take a cruise, was about the food. People praised the luxury of all the amazing food and menus (and meals) aboard a cruise.
The next main reason our readers gave for cruising, in no real discernible order, were referring to the appeal of the entertainment offered on most cruise ships, from cabaret shows to pool side competitions.
The most obvious reason and advantage to a cruise barely made the list.
Hardly anyone pinpointed that one of the main advantages of a cruise as apposed to another kind of vacation is that you get to see many different places and you only have to unpack once.
When you wake up each day you are somewhere different, and you haven’t had any hassle getting there. You haven’t had to spend countless hours checking into yet another hotel, or jolting from one island to the next, or from yet another port or city to the next.
As Hilda says : You want to see somewhere new? Every day? What could be easier than a cruise!”
And she’s right! In fact - there really is no better way to see any area. Nothing easier or more comfortable.
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