Archive for August, 2009

Like building with LEGO blocks, big ships like Oasis and its sister Allure are constructed from “grand blocks.”

Posted from my Blackberry.

Announced this morning in Turku, Oasis of the Seas will boast the first Coach store (think fine clothing and leather goods) at sea.

Posted from my Blackberry.

Happening right now: Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain addresses a group of international journalists at the STX shipyard in Turku, Finland, where Oasis of the Seas is in the final stages of construction. Later, we will step aboard the world’s largest cruise ship for a tour. Stay tuned.

Posted from my Blackberry.

From Southern California, it’s a short haul by sea to the storied western shores of Mexico. Leaving Los Angeles and San Diego, cruise ships ply the gentle Pacific along the same routes as the gray whales that make their annual migratory journeys between Alaska and the lagoons of Baja California. Yes, you will likely see whales on your Mexican Riviera cruise, particularly if you sail during the peak winter months. And you’ll have ample opportunity on and off the ship: Whale-watching excursions are offered throughout the region.  Read more... (396 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Beginning Wednesday, look to this space for coverage from Turku, Finland (two hours by train, I hope, from Helsinki) of the world’s most-anticipated big ship, Oasis of the Seas.

Posted from my Blackberry.

[This Avid Cruiser profile of Micky Arison was first published in 2005.]

Standing in the discotheque aboard Holland America Line’s new Zuiderdam, Micky Arison hardly seems like the cruise industry’s most powerful executive. Tanned, relaxed and smiling, his silk shirt unbuttoned three down and wife Madeleine on his arm, he could be mistaken for just another passenger enjoying a Caribbean cruise.

He chats with guests, responds politely to wait staff; he laughs easily. If he appears to be enjoying this cruise more than most, there’s good reason. He owns the ship—or at least his Carnival Corporation does—along with the many others in the company’s fleet.

By all measures, Carnival Corp. leads an industry that provides vacations for millions annually. The company has more ships, carries more passengers, generates more revenue and earns more profit than any other cruise line. Period.  Read more... (1375 words, 4 images, estimated 5:30 mins reading time)

I thoroughly enjoyed my week on Seabourn Odyssey last month. No doubt that the fine ship delivers one of the industry’s best luxury cruise vacations.

But, of course, as I am often reminded, there is always room for improvement. Based on my experience and conversations with other guests, here are a few areas that I believe Seabourn could improve on Odyssey.

 Read more... (584 words, 4 images, estimated 2:20 mins reading time)

Next week, I will be visiting the shipyard in Turku, Finland, for a walk through Oasis of the Seas. If you’re interested in up-to-the-minute reports from the ship, please mark your calendars and return to the site Monday August 24.

In December, Royal Caribbean International will introduce the world’s largest cruise ship: the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas.

Let’s start by getting the size factor out of the way. Yes, the ship is mammoth. It will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons, and if full, could hold 6,200 guests. But as the bigwigs at Royal Caribbean tell us, the company has been here before – twice in fact.  Read more... (877 words, 1 image, estimated 3:30 mins reading time)

Promising a “painless” Swedish history lesson from the Ice Age to IKEA, our Viking guide “Sigrid the Small But Dangerous” makes exploring Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, fun and informative. Offered daily during the summer at 11:30 and 2:30. SEK125. 80 minutes. For more info, visit http://www.gallivantproductions.com. Highly recommended.

Posted from my Blackberry.

A measure of cubic space per passenger, space ratio is derived by dividing gross tons by the number of passengers, double occupancy (by contrast, total occupancy counts for all occupied berths in a cabin, including third and fourth beds).

The greater the space ratio, in theory, the less crowded the ship feels. So if you want a ship that does not feel crowded, choose one with a generous space ratio. On the other hand, if you’re worried about feeling all alone, choose a ship with a smaller space ratio.  Read more... (193 words, 1 image, estimated 46 secs reading time)