The Cruiseman Newsletter

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

March 25th, 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

Travel Insurance

Pre-Cruise Registration

Land Vacations

 

 

Cool Tools

 
Search 28 Cruise Lines

Search By Departure Port

Resort Vacations

Request a quote

Check Airfare - All Major Airlines

 

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

Monday - Friday   10-5 CST

Saturday  10-2 CST

Closed Sundays

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

If you're not in the mood for a cruise, may we suggest a luxurious Sandals All-Inclusive Resort? When we say "All-Inclusive" we mean it.  Everything is included.  CLICK HERE for information on a Sandals (couples only) or Beaches (couples and families) Resort Vacation.

  

Facebook Update: We have been overwhelmed by the response to our Facebook campaign to add new "friends".  In the last couple of weeks we have added over 400 new "friends", and everybody seems to be enjoying the pictures, trivia and quizzes we have been posting daily. If you're not our "friend" yet ...  click on the Facebook icon above and "like" us today.  Also, please "share" our Facebook posts with your friends.  Thanks!

Media Exaggerations:  Nobody should be surprised to learn that the media, once again, did a real "hit job" on the cruise industry. This time it was the Carnival Dream.  The media called the ship "dead in the water",  and a "nightmare cruise". In fact it turned out to be an extended vacation for everybody onboard on the beautiful island of St. Maarten ...  for FREE! 

Here's what happened:  A back up diesel generator failed during a routine maintenance check.  Apparently the generator kept tripping a breaker. So ... the correct protocol was to end the cruise and fly everybody home.  While the passengers waited for their flights home, they had full use of all the facilities onboard the ship; entertainment, dining, etc. as well as extra time to explore St. Maarten. One night they brought in Jon Secada to do a concert.

The generator has now been replaced and the Carnival Dream is on another cruise this week. 

I suppose after the terrible experience on the Carnival Triumph, the media was looking for another juicy story, but this wasn't it. 

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

To read the full-length version of these articles CLICK HERE.

Fewer new ships but many new features

It is no secret that cruise lines aren’t taking delivery of as many new ships as they have in the recent past. Executives have explained their strategies as a more measured approach to capacity growth. So deliveries are spaced out, and some lines may get a new ship only once every three or four years.

One consequence is that more new features are being packed into newbuilds than ever before. The innovations come so fast and furious it becomes hard to remember them all.

Arison says Carnival bounced back after Triumph incident

Booking volume at Carnival Cruise Lines has recovered "significantly" in the recent weeks following the Carnival Triumph incident, Carnival Corp. CEO Micky Arison said.

For the company overall, he said, "Booking volumes during our seasonally strong Wave period have remained solid, with pricing comparisons improving in recent weeks."

Norwegian Cruise Line unveils magic-themed dinner theater

Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled a magic-themed dinner theater called Illusiionarium for the Norwegian Getaway ship, a ship that will debut in Miami in early 2014.

Speaking at the Cruise Shipping Miami conference, Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan said the concept was inspired by magicians, the science fiction of Jules Verne and popular blockbuster movies featuring supernatural characters.

Bermuda shops allowed to open for cruise season opening day

Merchants in Bermuda were allowed to open their stores on Sunday, March 17, when the Azamara Quest docked in Hamilton, marking the official start of the island's cruise season.

The government allowed a one-time waiver to the 1947 Public Holidays Act that prohibits store openings on Sundays, but the waiver does not apply to the sale of Bermuda-made liquor, such as Black Seal rum.

St. Kitts confident about continued cruise growth

Cruise tourism to St. Kitts is on a roll, and the growth in that sector over the past six years is forecast to continue, according to Ricky Skerritt, minister of tourism and international transport.

Cruise calls to St. Kitts in the 2011-2012 season brought more than 629,000 passengers to St. Kitts’ Port Zante cruise terminal, up from half a million the previous season.

Cunard to celebrate 10th anniversary of QM2 in 2014

Cunard Line announced its 2014 deployments, and said its Queen Elizabeth ship will spend the second half of the year in the Mediterranean.

This year, it is spending most of the summer in northern Europe before transitioning to the Med in late August.

Cunard said it will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Queen Mary 2 with two May commemorative crossings that include special events and celebrations.

Carnival extends pact with New Orleans

Carnival Cruise Lines has extended its berthing agreement with the Port of New Orleans for three years.

Under the contract, two Carnival ships will sail year-round from New Orleans through February 2016.

Those two ships are currently Carnival Elation and Conquest. In November, Carnival Sunshine, now being renovated, will make New Orleans its home port.

cruiseman contest

From Last TimeWhere did we take the picture of "Husband Daycare" sign?

The Answer is:   Cozumel, Mexico

Our winner is :  Linda Parker -- Fort Mill, SC

Do You Know?  

What date marked the official opening of the cruise season in Bermuda?

 

* 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.