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Our Visit to The Carnival Vista - Part I, Dining on Carnival Vista

Author: Bill

This weekend we were lucky enough to enjoy several hours on Carnival Vista, Carnival's newest ship.  There will be lots to digest here, but I'll tell you this much - we are truly impressed.  In last week's post we pointed to seven things we were looking forward to on the Vista, and they all delivered.  This 133.5K gross ton cruise ship offers up many great options not found on other Carnival ships and it's hard to try and take it all in on a three hour visit but we sure tried.  In this review, which we're guessing will take us three rounds, we'll share some of what we saw, experienced, and tasted.  Just typing this made us hungry, so we're going to start off talking about dining on the Carnival Vista... read more

Seven Things We're Looking Forward to Seeing on the Carnival Vista

Author: Bill

 

There are few things as exciting as exploring a new cruise ship, especially one that breaks the mold and brings new ideas to sea.  Getting to share that exploration with you on the site and via social media makes our upcoming visit to the Carnival Vista all the more exciting.  Be sure you're following us on Periscope, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and reach out if there is something you'd like to see onboard.  As we prepare for this visit, let's take a quick look at seven things we look forward to seeing on the Carnival Vista... read more

Oceania Cruises Debuts Expansive Vegan Menus, Vegan Smoothie Bars

Author: Bill

Oceania Cruises, known for for cuisine and dining experiences that stand out in the cruise industry, has introduced a large variety of options on new vegan menus as well as cold-pressed raw and vegan smoothie bars.  This expands their already impressive menus and culinary crew which cater well to passengers with dietary restrictions.  The juice bars are already available on the Marina and Riviera, while the new vegan menus are available across the fleet of six ships...   read more

Cell service and internet access in Cuba - How to keep in touch when visiting Cuba on a cruise

Author: Bill

Puedes escucharme ahora? Cell phone and internet access in Cuba

One benefit of cruising is getting away from it all and disconnecting, but more and more we have internet connections on board, WiFi in port, and often mobile phone service wherever we travel.  While you might have mixed feelings about staying tethered it's also important to know that staying in touch while visiting Cuba will likely be quite a bit different than you're used to.  Let's look at where you'll be able to get online and how useful your smartphone will be on your visit to the island nation... read more

Cruising Cuba: Credit cards and changing currency in Cuba - How to pay for goods and services

Author: Bill

When visiting Cuba the amazing architecture, friendly people, pristine coast, and vintage car watching are all included in the price of your cruise.  Food, souvenirs, and tours however, are not.  While many Caribbean destinations readily accept US dollars and credit cards, but that's not the case in Cuba, so you'll need to know how to pay for things in this unique island nation with a two-currency system... read more

Why Cruise Ship Hulls Are Traditionally Black or Navy

Author: Bill
RMS Queen Elizabeth
RMS Queen Elizabeth

These days cruise ships come in all sizes and colors, but not long ago this wasn't the case.  To this day, when most of us see ships with dark colored hulls we think of them as more traditional looking, no matter what the age of the vessel.  Why is this?  Well, it has to do with how these great ships are powered, and the letters sometimes preceding ship names.  Make sense?  read more

Virgin Voyages Is Making "Ship Happen" - Cut Steel On First Build

Author: Bill

virgin voyages, ahoy sailor!Today Virgin Voyages, a new cruise line from Richard Branson's Virgin Group, cut steel on their first ship.  The ceremony, which took place at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Genoa, Italy represents the brand "becoming real", as up to now the very real effort to create Virgin Voyages has been planning and marketing without the tease of an actual ship.  Now, Hull 6287 (the name of the first Virgin Voyages ship... [click through for a video of the ceremony and more] read more

Many new cruise ships will look to the sea. Will those seeking floating hotels appreciate a return to the ocean?

Author: Bill
Royal Promenade on Independence of The Seas
Royal Promenade on Independence of The Seas

 

For decades cruise ships became more advanced and more spacious, but despite these changes, ships still looked like ships.  With Royal Caribbean’s launch of Voyager of The Seas in November of 1998 however, things started to look quite different.  With this behemoth (the largest cruise ship at the time) came the first rock wall and ice rink at sea, as well as the Royal Promenade.  The ice rink and rock wall were, and still are, impressive.  The Royal Promenade however was something truly different.  

Up until this ship, the major venues on cruise ships all had views of the sea.  Part of this was to be expected by guests – you’re on a ship after all.  Another part however was out of necessity, as the size of ships never allowed for any reasonably large venue to be located above the water line and not come up against the windows of the ship or the outdoor promenade.  The size of the Voyager of The Seas made it possible to essentially put a shopping and dining district inside of the ship in a way that to this day, makes strolling the Royal Promenade an experience which in no way reveals that passengers are on a ship rather than on land.... read more