MSNBC Cruise Report-Good or Bad?

I am amazed how many comments I had today about how people thought that the MSNBC Peter Greenberg report about the state of the cruise industry, filmed onboard the Norwegian Pearl, was actually a bad reflection of the industry. Actually, I felt differently. I felt it showed the business was run like a business with revenue goals to achieve profitability (smart move), a business that admitted its errors and losses with the Hawaii project (smart move), a company that showed a detailed behind the scenes look at a well run product (smart move), and a company that showed people have a great time and receiving GREAT VALUE for what they paid. The guests were HAPPY...Isn't that what counts too? In the end, my impression is that this cruise industry is a business for profit, it is faring better than many industries, and the revenues generated onboard help create profit and offset the sometimes very low cost of the cruise. The onboard selling of bingo, drinks, art, gold by the inch, etc. is nothing new. This practice has been around since cruising started. Nonetheless, I applaud NCL for opening themselves to most everything the media wanted for this "expose" and for showing a well run onboard product in the contemporary market. They also finally explained that Norvirus is a flu introduce by unwell passengers boarding a ship and spread 23 million times a year on land and not a cruise ship bug...Happy Cruising!!! It's still the best vacation!!!!

Of “Epic” Proportions

With the announcement and unveiling of the massive superliner Oasis of the Seas coming this Winter, the cruise industry is seeing a radical change in maritime design and innovation. While this beomoth promises to be something unlike any cruise ship we have even seen, it creates a whole new window of opportunity for today’s traveler. It also sends experienced cruisers looking for intimate vacations to smaller cruise products like Azamara and Oceania Cruises where guests can travel with less than 700 passengers vs. the Oasis nearly 6000 passengers…
Today’s blog focuses on another superliner that will no doubt capture the public imagination as it offers a truly resort like atmosphere and also takes maritime design to a whole new level. The very innovative NCL has been unveiling its plans of the last several months for its forthcoming “one-of-a-kind”, 150,000 ton, Norwegian Epic. This 4200 passenger vessel is already taking the industry by storm by introducing a cabin concept that goes outside the traditional box. The new “wave” concept gives a curve to every cabin giving the appearance of more space. The ceilings are taller with a domed and back lit effect which also enhances the spacious feel. The “Wave” gives a very interesting look from a contemporary design flow and will undoubtedly be an exciting change for the cruise industry. Moreover, the traditional box like bathroom will be reintroduced into three separate components with a curved opaque glass wall with a shower stall on one side of the cabin and the toilet in another compartment on the opposite side. The sink will be in the cabin in an open area away from the bed and living area. While this is quite unconventional, it is becoming popular in new hotel room design around the World. The most interesting aspect is that this new design creates a far more spacious feel to the overall cabin upon entering.
The most interesting fascinating introduction will be a new very small 100 square foot Studio Stateroom that features ultra contemporary design , amenities, and mood lighting. These 128 studios feature a large porthole onto a cabin corridor and allows these budget conscious guests access to a 2-level “Living Room “ that has a concierge, special room service offerings, and more…
The newest feature of the Norwegian Epic is its new Ship within a ship sitting high atop the bridge called the Courtyard Villa. 60 exceptional villas and suites will have a private dining room, pool, gym, spa, and sunning area away from the activity and bustle of the rest of this ship. While NCL introduced this concept on the Norwegian Jewel Class a few years ago, this is taking the concept to a whole new level. It will clearly offer a ship within a ship concept with a capacity of nearly 200 guests occupying this massive and specially dedicated suite space…
NCL is the pioneer of great innovation and I will assuredly be talking about the Norwegian Epic as more and more features are introduced over the next two-months…

Make It a "Great Day Houston" Cruise

We are launching a very exciting cruise today at CruiseCenter wherein the Channel 11-KHOU group will be filiming its daily TV show, Great Day Houston with Deborah Duncan, onboard the Carnival Conquest October 4-11, 2009. We are the exclusive event planners for this week long cruse that will feature and exceptional value added package that can only be purchased at CruiseCenter. The most excting part of this will be to be a part of the filming of 5 episodes filmed onboard and to be shown the following week in Houston, a series of private parties and funtions, VIP gifts, many opportunites to interface with Deborah Duncan and the cast of Great Day Houston, and much more... I will be on the Great Day show with my business partner this coming Friday to talk about the cruise so check us out. You can see more details on Khou.com and CruiseCenter.com...See you there!

A Bargain & Good Deal To Alaska This Summer

Imagine sailing on an all suite 700 passenger ship that includes everything such as your deluxe verandah suite, all meals, tips, all alcohol, beverages, and wine with dinner, all shore excursions, roundtrip airfare from most US gateways, transfers, and a $900 onboard credit on top of that! It is possible for thirty five hundred dollars on the 6-star rated luxury Alaska cruises of Regent Seven Seas Mariner on many sailings this Summer.
Some might think that is pricey at $500 a day. But this includes everything from soup to nuts. Kids even sail for FREE. Compared to a suite on Holland America, Princess, or Celebrity Cruises-These cruise lines charge the same rate (more or slightly less) but do not include anything else beyond meals, accommodation, and onboard entertainment. The biggest difference is that this Regent Mariner offers a luxury product with open seating, casual ambiance, large ship with few passengers (the other mentioned lines carry 1900-2800 passengers). Regent takes care of everything-imagin no lines, pampering service, dine when you like in an atmosphere that is like a fine restaurant rather than a large convention hall, not having to wait in lines..Ahhh... If this intrigues you and you are a luxury seeker, this is exceptional value in travel for the exciting 7-day one way itineraries that travel from Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage) and vice versa. This deals ends very soon so if you are a suite cruiser-this is a deal just for you....

Tom's 25th Anniversary in the Cruise Biz...

cannot beleive I woke up this morning consumed with the realization that I am celebrating 25 years in Travel this May.I started working for Ask Mr. Foster in May 1984 after I had returned from my ss Rotterdam World Cruise (a late college gaduation gift). Boy has the industry changed. We have gone from handwriting airline tickets and typewriters to email and the internet. I must confess I prefer today's less laborious technology ehich indeed makes work more efficent and communication instant. I almost sounded like a relic saying that-a dinosaur of sorts, I suppose... The god news is that I have had the great opportunity to watch this cruise industry grow at the time when all the new ships of the mid 1980's were being built and the industry grew from an elite form of travel vacation to offering a vacation for everyone. A cruise vacation today is affordable for nearly everyone or in these wicked times, those who are employed and willing to do so... I must add a note that has truly surprised me. As times are increasingly hard in this new economic era of down turn, the cruise ships are going out mostly full. My business partner Ellen and I were down on the Carnival Conquest on Sunday to see the ship after a serious rennovation and were happy to see the ship filled to capacity with 3600 guests coming from all walks of life. It gave me a glimmer of hope that things might be okay afterall. Americans use their entitlement to vacation for sure. I remember the recession of the 1970's growing up in LA and my grandparents talking about rationing household suplies to save money and lived through the 1980's as a young man entering the work force in another downturn. This current turn of course exclipses both of those but I know the American people are enduring and will find a way to prevail. Well, I'm 25 years later into this and look forward to see what the next 25 will bring. It's still a wonderful busines to be in and a career path for which I have no regrets. Happy 25 to me....

A TV Show at Sea for Houston...

CruiseCenter is excited to announce that we will be partnering with a local TV station Channel 11 or KHOU to flm their daily show "Great Day Houston" onboard the Carnival Conquest this October 4-11, 2009. We will be filming their weeks show onboard the ship with their local star Deborah Duncan who is our local (Regis and Kelly). Deborah is a great anchor, entertainer, and singer. She has a large following and we will be offering this cruise for sale to the general public as well. It is going to be an excting week of filming and activity for those who participate in te event. I will eleborate more on this in coming blogs but get ready Houston, the Great Day Cruises is coming....