The Cruiseman Newsletter

 
 A free newsletter from The Cruiseman
Now in our 19th Year!!

Jan. 21st, 2013

Featured Articles & Stuff

Past Cruiseman Articles

Grand Turk Island
"Cruising's Newest Destination"

Discounted Shore Excursions

Travel Agent Myths

Do I need Travel Insurance?

Who is The Cruiseman, anyway?

Cruiseman Testimonials

Beware of Travel Scams

Support the Fair Tax

Passport Requirements

Top 10 myths about cruising and cruise ships.

9 Things I love about cruising

5 Myths about Cruise Travel Agents

What's an "Early Saver" rate?

To check on itineraries or rates for just about any major cruise line CLICK HERE.

Note: Disney & Princess are not in this data base.  Call our office for details on these or any other cruise line.


Recommended 
Shore Excursion Companies

Shore Trips: has excursions all around the world

Island Routes: specializes in "Adventure Tours" in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Turks & Caicos, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados & Grand Cayman

 

Cruises from:
Norfolk, Charleston, Baltimore, Philadelphia & Jacksonville

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Land Vacations

 

 

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Contact Information

The Cruiseman
Jim Antista, President
4560 S. Campbell
Suite I
Springfield. MO 65810

Toll-Free Nationwide:
800-889-7683

From Raleigh, NC area:
919-772-8855

From Springfield, MO area:
417-881-2789

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Email: [email protected]

Web Site:
http://www.cruiseman.com

 

The Fine Print

 
* A NOTE ABOUT RATES:

Unless otherwise stated, all rates quoted in this newsletter or on our web site are per person, double occupancy, and include port taxes. Govt. fees are usually additional.

Specials do not usually last very long, so we advise that you don't spent too much time "thinking about it". If you see something you like, call us immediately
 

The name "The Cruiseman" is protected by US Trademark. ™

 

From your editor

From your Editor

We're back from our fantastic voyage aboard the Carnival Conquest. It was our 2nd Annual Southern Gospel Music Cruise, and we had around 200 people in our group.  We have pictures and videos on our Facebook page, and the videos are also on our You Tube channel.

Our cruise aboard the Carnival Conquest went quite well. The food and service were great, and the new additions - such as Guys Burger Joint & the Blue Iguana Cantina (Tacos & Burritos) - seemed to be well received by everybody, especially Guys. As always the crew was very friendly and cheerful. For some reason they had difficulty keeping the Lido Buffet area stocked with cups, which was kind of odd. Our cabin steward was one of the best we have ever had.

Their new "Hasbro the Game Show" is quite unique among cruise line entertainment. This family show is staged to represent a TV studio, with participants selected from the audience to come to the stage to attempt to win prizes by playing huge versions of familiar Hasbro games. It was a lot of fun to watch.

Our 3rd Annual Southern Gospel Music cruise will be Jan. 11-18, 2014,  aboard the Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas. We will sail from New Orleans to Key West, Nassau & Cococay.  If you like Gospel Music, why not consider joining us next year?  Cruise rates start at just $619pp.
For details CLICK HERE.

Here's a couple of pictures taken at Primeras Restaurant, in the Downtown Cozumel area. This restaurant has a great location, right across the street from the "Downtown Pier" where the water taxi's leave for the mainland.  Lunch was tasty, and not too expensive.

Free Cruise! 

We're giving away another FREE 2 night Bahamas cruise today.  Scroll down to the bottom of your Newsletter, answer the question, and you might be the winner! 

Warning: if you do not follow the directions your entry will be tossed!  

Introducing The Cruiseman Travel Club.  Our Travel Club members will feature many of the special deals you read about in our Newsletter -- and many more that won't fit!  Members will receive the Travel Edge Newsletter quarterly.  And --- It's FREE!  Sign up today!  CLICK HERE to get started.

The Cruiseman Newsletter is published twice monthly by The Cruiseman of Springfield, MO.  If you wish to modify, change or cancel your subscription, please use the automated link at the end of the newsletter.  This is a free publication and we encourage you to forward it to your friends and associates.

Cruiseman news

Featured Video

Fire on Carnival Triumph

February 10, 2013 – 7.30p EST

This morning the cruise ship Carnival Triumph experienced an engine room fire while the vessel was sailing approximately 150 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.   The ship’s automatic fire extinguishing systems activated and the fire was contained to the aft engine room.  At this time, the fire is fully extinguished. There were no casualties or injuries to guests or crew.  All appropriate authorities including U.S. Coast Guard have been notified.

For the rest of this notification CLICK HERE

Royal Caribbean CocoCay STEP Eco-Certification

The attractions and tour operations at CocoCay, a private cruise destination managed by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., have been awarded the Sustainable Tourism Education Program™ (STEP) Gold-Level Eco-Certification for its attractions and tour operations.

Royal Caribbean Names Two New Ships

Royal Caribbean International named the first two “Project Sunshine” ships Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas. They will enter service in fall 2014 and spring 2015, respectively. The names were announced Feb. 5 as the first piece of steel was cut for the two ships at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The 158,000-ton, 4,100-passenger newbuilds will now be known as the Quantum class of ships. “The new ship will be such a leap forward in terms of vessel design and guest experiences that we thought the name Quantum of the Seas was perfectly appropriate,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

Carnival Cruise Lines chalks up record booking week

Carnival Cruise Lines said it set a one-week reservations record, taking gross bookings for 187,283 passengers between Jan. 28-Feb. 3.

Bookings were at unprecedented levels across the line’s 24-ship fleet, which operates three- to 18-day voyages from a range of North American homeports, Europe and Australia.

Carnival president and ceo Gerry Cahill attributed the record booking activity to factors including continued recognition among consumers of the exceptional value provided by a Carnival cruise, particularly given the line’s $500m Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement initiative, strong support from travel agents, and recent sales and marketing activities.

Goldstein’s goodbye to Monarch of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International president and ceo Adam Goldstein took a moment to bid farewell to Monarch of the Seas during Monday’s earnings call.

Referring to the 1991-built ship as ‘a mainstay’ of the fleet, he said it had carried about 4m guests over the years. Goldstein also thanked and acknowledged the crew.

Monarch will be leaving for new service with sister company Pullmantur, carrying Spanish-speaking passengers in the Southern Caribbean and giving the Madrid-based brand about a 25% capacity boost.

The ship, which lately has operated year-round from Port Canaveral, will end its Royal Caribbean service on March 29. (The 1997-built Enchantment of the Seas will take over the three- and four-night Bahamas program from Central Florida on April 25.)

Royal sees record Caribbean year, largest ‘swing factor’ is Europe 

Royal Caribbean is delighted with US booking trends and projects a record year in the Caribbean and possibly Alaska but is unhappy with the European market—notably Spain and the UK.

With less than 50% of Europe capacity booked so far, that region leaves the biggest question mark, or ‘swing factor’ in 2013 projections, as vice chairman and cfo Brian Rice put it.

Wave season is off to a solid start, particularly since the lapping of the 2012 Costa Concordia tragedy in mid January. Since then, overall bookings are up 20% year over year. That is driven mainly by the strength of the North American consumer.

CLIA seeks to open eyes to cruising's $100bn economic impact

The newly global Cruise Lines International Association unfurled a communications initiative aimed at raising awareness of cruising’s economic/social contributions. The ‘Cruise Forward’ campaign touts the industry’s economic impact—nearly $100bn and more than 753,000 jobs worldwide in 2011, according to the association.

‘Cruise Forward’ also will highlight community support, environmental programs and initiatives, and safety/security efforts. 

For example, it will tell how cruise lines provide financial support to local charities, protect the cultural heritage of port communities and involve employees and passengers in volunteer opportunities. The campaign will also address how cruise lines are working to reduce the overall environmental impact of cruising on oceans, beaches and ports.

cruiseman contest

From Last Time:  What port of call did Carnival drop?

The Answer is:   Belize.  Too much congestion

Our winner is : Mary Ann Papay; Brunwswick, Ohio!

Do You Know?  

What will be the names of the first two
"Project Sunshine" RCCL ships?

Easy Easy!!!

* Winner will receive a Free 2 Night Cruise, for two adults, to Freeport, aboard the Bahamas Celebration. (you just pay the port taxes of $59pp).   Subject to terms & conditions.  This award is transferable, but may not be sold. This program is not a time-share promotion, and there is no  purchase of anything required.  If you are selected as our winner, you do not need to call our office. We will mail you your cruise documents.  Batteries not included.

Incomplete entries will be tossed out!
You must follow the instructions below.
HINT: "Postal Address" is not your email address!!!

THE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Don't change the subject line.
2. Type your answer in the message area, not the subject line.
3. Do not copy and paste from the newsletter.
4. Include your name & postal address (in case you win!).
5. DO NOT hit your reply button, or your entry will go to the wrong address!
6. One entry per household, please.

OKAY, To enter The Contest: CLICK HERE TO ENTER

The Cruiseman Newsletter is published twice monthly by The Cruiseman of Springfield, MO. 
If you wish to modify, change or cancel your subscription, please use the automated link at the end of
the newsletter. This is a free publication and we encourage you to forward it to your friends and associates.