Princess Cruises Details 2011-2012 Hawaii Cruise Season

Some of our most memorable vacations have been spent in Hawaii. We love the islands, but not the flights to get there. That’s why we're interested in Princess Cruises’ just announced roundtrip cruises from California. Princess Cruises will take passengers on a variety of island voyages in 2011-2012 with a full schedule of cruises to Hawaii.

Cruise travelers interested in the convenience of a roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles can choose to sail aboard Golden Princess or Sapphire Princess to the Land of Aloha with calls at Hilo on the Big Island, Honolulu, Kauai, and Lahaina on Maui, plus Ensenada, Mexico. The ships will sail between Sept 28, 2011 and April 25, 2012.

“Everyone dreams of running away to an idyllic Pacific island,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “Our cruises can bring these wonderful islands to life, with more choices than ever to find the perfect vacation.”

The Hawaiian Islands each have their own personality. On Oahu, the state capital of Honolulu offers a wealth of historic, cultural and scenic attractions, including famous Waikiki Beach, America’s only royal residence the Iolani Palace, and Pearl Harbor. The Big Island, the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands, has the most varied in landscape–with striking black sand beaches, tropical rain forests, and the famed Volcanoes National Park, home to three volcanoes, including the actively erupting Kilauea. Known as the "Garden Isle," Kauai offers lush green valleys, cascading waterfalls and geological wonders, such as the dramatic Nã Pali Coastline, and spectacular Waimea Canyon. The second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui boasts some of the world's most superb beaches and dramatic mountain landscapes. Visitors can also explore the port town of Lahaina which was once King Kamehameha’s capital.

Take a look at these and other South Pacific options from Princess in Cruise Diva's Cruise News.

A Stupid Cruiser "Mistake" or Intentional Crime?

Bermuda's Royal Gazette reports that George Koumoulis, a passenger on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dawn admitted making what he said was a "stupid, stupid mistake" by possessing cannabis when the ship arrived at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard on last week.

Passengers aboard the ship, which had sailed from New York, complained they smelled the odor of cannabis (that would be marijuana, or weed, in case you wondered) coming from the room the 37-year-old financial analyst from Abingdon, Maryland shared with his brother. Cruise ship staff investigated and found Koumoulis, as well as his stash and rolling papers.

Bermudian Police were informed and Koumoulis admitted the drugs were his.The Bermuda government takes drug offenses seriously and the man was fined $1,500. He also missed the rest of his cruise back to New York. Not only was his a stupid mistake (although we consider it intentional), it was costly as well.

What to Expect on Your Cruise: General Info & Debarkation Day

Just as there is no such thing as a perfect vacation, a flawless cruise is an unrealistic expectation. Every officer and staff member on your ship has the same goal: to meet passenger expectations and provide a safe and satisfying voyage. The more you know as a passenger, the better you will be prepared.

All cruises come to an end eventually and it hardly seems fair that you have to leave when it feels like your vacation has just begun—days on a cruise fly by!

Your debarkation process actually begins the day before you arrive at your ship's homeport. Sometime during that day your cabin steward delivers special luggage tags to your stateroom, along with Customs forms and instructions. Be organized and avoid a lot of last-minute anxiety.

Cruise Diva shares General Cruising Information & Wrapping Things up on Debarkation Day.

What to Expect On Your Cruise: Days in Port

Land Ho!
The Captain deftly inches your cruise ship alongside the pier as line handlers scurry to grab the ropes and secure them. The gangway appears and everyone is anxious to proceed ashore. But first there is a delay until the announcement that the ship has "cleared."

What's that all about? Simple... before anyone can leave the ship, local immigration officials must give their approval—or "clear" the passengers to go ashore. Procedures vary, depending on the port of call, but generally it means the identity/nationality of all passengers is verified. This can be accomplished by examining the manifest (often the case in non-US Caribbean ports) or checking passports that are held by the Purser (in Europe, Asia, South America, and the South Pacific). When ships enter, or re-enter, US ports (including Puerto Rico—pictured above—and the US Virgin Islands) after visiting a foreign port, all passengers are required to report to Immigration with their identity papers. Hint—if you don't have a passport, get one. A passport smooths the way and is always acceptable identification.

Port calls add an allure to cruise ship travel that cannot be duplicated by any other type of vacation experience. What you do ashore depends entirely on your interests and comfort level when confronted by a new environment and culture.

Cruise Diva shares What to Expect, Days in Port on A Cruise

What to Expect On Your Cruise: Sea Days

You've embarked on your cruise and are looking forward to a day at sea. What's that like?

Keep in mind that all days at sea aren't identical, but they do have a lot in common. Most ships schedule activities, port talks, lectures, games, and fitness programs on a non-stop basis. Your daily schedule will be your guide to what's happening on board.

This is the time to personalize your cruise experience—you can participate in any or all the activities scheduled or do nothing more strenuous than lift an umbrella drink while reading a book poolside.

Cruise Diva shares What to Expect, Sea Days on A Cruise

MSC Cruises Confirms Construction of MSC Fantastica

You may recall a while back when MSC Cruises announced that their next new ship would be named MSC Favolosa. Then Costa announced their latest newbuild of the same name, which would launch nearly a year before MSC’s. Confusing? Apparently so because MSC Cruises has announced the conclusion of the legal process that finalizes their new ship order and confirms construction of a new ‘Fantasia’ class cruise ship to be named MSC Fantastica. Instead of fabulous, the new MSC Cruises vessel will be fantastic. Got that? MSC Fantastica, or U32 as it is referred to in the shipyard, is being built by STX France, making it the 12th ship in the MSC Cruises fleet. MSC Fantastica will build upon the success of the ‘Fantasia’ prototype, offering a unique experience for guests in its class thanks to innovative features such as the MSC Yacht Club, exclusive ship-within-a-ship area onboard, for unprecedented levels of privacy and personalized service.

Pierfrancesco Vago, worldwide chief-executive-officer for MSC Cruises, said, “We are delighted at the confirmation of this important investment—a sign of the success of our ambitious growth strategy. Together with STX France, we are focused on further enhancing MSC Cruises’ leading positioning within the world’s cruise industry.

An important factor in the success of the project was the financial backing provided by French financial institutions, and especially by Coface, the French Export Credit Agency, making it possible for the vessel to be delivered as required by MSC Cruises by the end of spring 2012. Does this mean MSC will stray from the tradition of having its ships christened by Sophia Loren in favor of another Italian beauty? Will the Italian-born first lady of France, Carla Bruni Sarkozy, be the godmother of this fantastic ship? That’s an idea we’ve seen floated.

For more information on MSC Cruises, visit MSCCruisesUSA.com.

New Cruise Review, Holland America Line's Veendam to Bermuda

When I heard that Karen Segboer had taken a cruise this summer on Holland America Line's ms Veendam to Bermuda, I wanted to hear all about it. Karen is a savvy cruise traveler whose observations are based on years of experience and she shares what's old, what's new, and even some overheard conversations worthy of a hearty chuckle.

Unfortunately, Cruise Diva was unable to sail to Bermuda aboard Veendam this summer due to scheduling conflicts and other commitments. Fortunately, I'll have the opportunity next year as Holland America Line will offer twenty-four 7-day cruises to Bermuda aboard ms Veendam in 2011, continuing the schedule established this year with weekly cruises to the popular vacation destination. Holland America Line returned to regular Bermuda service departing from New York in 2010 after more than 25 years. The 2011 voyages begin May 1 and will sail roundtrip from New York through Oct. 9, calling at St. George's and Hamilton.

"Bermuda offers our guests an outstanding warm-weather vacation experience, with pristine beaches, cultural charm and world-class shopping and golf," said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our roundtrip departures from New York also provide exciting pre- and post-cruise stay and sightseeing opportunities, making this a unique and very attractive itinerary."

The 1,350-guest Veendam will spend one day at St. George's and two nights at Hamilton, providing guests with multiple opportunities to experience the island's British charm, world-renowned pink-sand beaches and abundant cultural heritage sites by day and to sample its lively evening restaurant and nightclub scene.

Bermuda offers vacation activities for the entire family, from the historic Globe Hotel in St. George's—a center for Confederate blockade runners during the American Civil War and today a museum—to water sports including kayaking, deep sea fishing, and snorkeling. Guests can choose from more than 40 shore excursions, including Atlantic Reef fishing, scuba diving and dolphin encounters in Hamilton and horse and carriage tours and a glass-bottomed kayak eco-tour in St. George's.

The weekly itineraries will call first at St. George's, Bermuda's original capital. Founded in 1609, the town of St. George's in the northeast area of Bermuda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest continuously inhabited English settlement in the Americas. Narrow, twisting streets and pastel-painted houses create a European feel. Its diverse historic and cultural sites include St. Peter's Church, the oldest continually used Anglican Church in North America, and Fort St. Catherine, with displays of weapons, artifacts and a replica of the British Crown Jewels. More than a dozen forts dating to the 17th century command the surrounding hills.

Following St. George's, guests will have the opportunity to explore the island's capital, Hamilton, which is the commercial hub and seat of government located at Bermuda's geographic center. From Veendam, docked at the center of town, guests can take a short walk to Front Street and explore its array of colorful shops and restaurants. Hamilton also is home to a massive 19th-century, neo-Gothic cathedral and the Georgian-style Sessions House, built in 1815.

Gourmet Getaway Aboard Freedom of the Seas

I love food, but I could hardly be called a foodie. My favorite kitchen tools are a crock pot and microwave. However, I have traveled with a few real expert food writers who enthusistically recognize and reveal what spices were used in a dish just by sniffing it. And now, Royal Caribbean is offering them and other food fans the opportunity to transform their next cruise vacation into a gourmet getaway, thanks to 12 specialty voyages onboard Freedom of the Seas that are part of the cruise line’s “Epicurean Discovery” series. Designed to provide culinary enthusiasts with an experience of a lifetime, this mouth watering package features a variety of special events throughout the week devoted to cuisine and fine dining, with each sailing hosted by a different renowned celebrity chef, such as “Iron Chef” contender Johnny Vinczencz; 2010 James Beard winner for “Best Chef in the South” Michael Schwartz; and “Top Chef” Chicago contender Spike Mandelsohn.

Available exclusively to guests booking suite accommodations or higher, the 7-night “Epicurean Discovery” package offers foodies a unique educational endeavor led by gastronomic mavericks, including private dinners, a wine tasting, experiential lecture and private tour, as well as a tapas sampling reception, signed photo and cookbook.

Guests participating in the new onboard experience will still have ample time to enjoy Freedom of the Seas’ signature amenities, from the FlowRider surf-simulator, H20 Zone interactive water park, signature rock climbing Wall and only full-size boxing rink at sea to Broadway-caliber production shows, one-of-a-kind ice shows, and fully equipped Freedom DaySpa and Fitness Center, as well as enjoy the various ports of call. Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida,

Freedom of the Seas sails 7-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, calling on Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten and Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay, Bahamas; and to the Western Caribbean, calling on Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean’s private destination Labadee, Haiti. A complete list of chefs and respective sail dates is available at RoyalCaribbean.com/epicurean.

Carnival Adds More Laughs Fleetwide

Who doesn't enjoy a good joke and like to laugh? There really is something to the expression “Laughter Is The Best Medicine” when you’re feeling blue. While comedy shows have always been part of Carnival’s entertainment lineup, the concept was taken to another level aboard the Carnival Dream, which offered the line’s first dedicated comedy club last fall.

And now, Carnival Cruise Lines is adding more laughs and upping the fun quotient at sea with the introduction of Carnival Punchliner Comedy Clubs—dedicated comedy lounges rolling out fleetwide on all 22 “Fun Ships” by the end of the year. Building on the tremendous success of its first comedy club, Punchliner Comedy Clubs will feature a wide variety of side-splitting comics.

Located in the ship’s aft lounge, each Punchliner Comedy Club will offer guests loads of laughs with five 35-minute shows on multiple nights during each voyage, with at least two comedians performing each night. The two early-evening shows offer fun for the whole family while the later performances will feature adult-oriented comedy. Carnival Punchliner Comedy Clubs will feature hilarious, laugh-out-loud performances from established comedians as well as rising stars, with approximately 10 shows per voyage offered on short cruise itineraries and approximately 20 shows per cruise on longer length departures.

Along with Carnival Dream, comedy clubs are also currently featured on Carnival Glory, Carnival Pride, and Carnival Sensation — with the concept being incorporated into the remainder of the fleet over the next several months. When Carnival Magic enters service in May 2011, a Punchliner Comedy Club will also be featured on the line’s newest “Fun Ship.”

All of Carnival’s aft show lounges will be converted to comedy clubs with a special stage and branded glassware, menus, employee uniforms and other items featuring the Punchliner Comedy Club logo. Guests can learn about the performer lineups and schedules in the ship’s Fun Times newsletter. For additional information, visit Carnival.com.

No Cuba Libre From Our Brit Cousins

Richard Sasso, CEO and President of MSC Cruises USA (pictured here), is one of the cruise industry’s savviest executives and when he speaks it's wise to pay attention. According to a recent article in the Palm Beach Daily News, Sasso’s opinion is that “Even if the United States lifts the travel ban to Cuba, don’t expect Havana to be a port of call for American cruise lines any time soon.”

The Palm Beach paper reported that Sasso is heartened by the recent news that congressional support for ending the American travel ban to the island nation appears to be on the rise since reports by Cuba’s Roman Catholic Church indicate the government there has agreed to release 52 political prisoners. However, while Sasso said he foresees the day when Cuba will be on every major cruise lines’ Caribbean port roster, he is quoted as saying, “Right now, though, they lack the infrastructure and facilities to handle the huge influx of vessels and visitors. It’ll probably take one, two or maybe three years before the necessary developments are completed. Lots of work has to be done. We also have to be sure there’ll be no political backlash.”

Not everyone is happy with the prospect of North American-based cruise ships calling on Cuba some day. Two of my media colleagues in the UK have expressed their opinions in blog articles this week and I must say I was surprised by their negativity. Travel writer Jane Archer said in her blog, “I can't bear to think of the place becoming yet another Caribbean island clone, with overpriced jewellery shops, tacky t-shirt emporiums and liquor stores right by the port so Americans can buy their souvenirs without having to see too many locals.” Ouch. The other writer, John Honeywell, whose blogs appear under the name Captain Greybeard, was a bit less harsh, but stated that his countrymen (who are presently visiting Cuba on UK-based cruise lines), would “be able to tell Mr Sasso—and the rest of the American cruise industry—that the Cuban experience is more enjoyable now than it will be after the island develops the infrastructure he thinks it will need to meet the demands of US passengers.”

Gee, it almost sounds as if the Brits want to keep the Yanks out of Cuba for fear that we’ll “spoil” it by boosting the Cuban economy with our tourist dollars. We wonder who the Cubans would rather have visit. Freely spending Americans who would help to build their infrastructure, or stingy Brits who prefer to see an impoverished 1950s-style Havana remain that way? You decide.