Cruise Radio

Cruise lines are doing a phased-in approach when it comes to return-to-service. In this episode, we discuss how the landscape and policies are changing with the post-COVID. We answer some listener questions on what to look for when buying a policy and how to rebook your policy if your vacation got canceled. 

We get a review of Carnival Inspiration. This was a short cruise out of Long Beach, California to Ensenada and Catalina Island. Sherry has cruise news: Carnival is shooting for a new return-to-service. An investigation has been launched into Carnival Corporation. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are doing what it takes to get the crew members home. Two cruise terminals are delayed over uncertainty.  Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings had some good news by mid-week

This is a 58-night cruise aboard Princess Cruises Island Princess (sister ship to the Coral Princess). This ship was launched back in 2003 and is one of the cruise line's smaller ships. An interesting angle with this sailing is that COVID-19 events were happening around the world. So they were experiencing in real-time what changes were being made as the globe was continuously learning about coronavirus. 

A review of a seven-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico. This cruise went down to the Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Sherry has cruise news on Carnival sends 10,000 crew members home. Disney Cruise Line extends its cancellation. How Norwegian Cruise Line is weathering the financial storm. The new Cruise Terminal 3 in Port Canaveral is close to opening.  

Staff writer Richard Simms joins us to talk about the details of Norwegian Cruise Line's extension of their suspension of cruises. A company has an idea of putting mobile ICU units in cruise ports across the Caribbean. Norwegian Holdings and Royal Caribbean bolster liquidity. Listener Question: Should we use a travel agent?  What is the status of Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras inaugural season?

We get a review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Jewel. Part of the Jewel-class of vessels, the ship carries 2400 guests and 93,500-tons. This was a cruise down under, leaving from Sydney to Auckland. We get all the details of the cruise, itinerary, and how to approach this bucket list trip. Plus Sherry Laskin has cruise news.

We are answering your questions this week, covering everything from cruise price drops, casino offers, drink packages, to how to use onboard credit. Special guests this weekend include Sherry Laskin, CruiseMaven.com; Matt Hochberg, Royal Caribbean Blog and Becky Smith, Becky's Travel Biz. Date: April 19, 2020 

We get a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise review from a family who sailed aboard Carnival Vista. The sailing was from Galveston, Texas and went to Mahogany Bay, Belize City, and Cozumel. Here how Carnival Vista compares to a most recent sailing on Carnival Horizon. 

Already we are getting a glimpse of how differently cruising will be moving forward. Staff writer Richard Simms discuses how cruising will change once the cruise industry starts back up again and we move past COVID-19. Date: April 13, 2020

Cruise industry analyst Stewart Chiron joins us to talk about the Centers for Disease Control's decision. We discuss the financial status and how the cruise lines are raising money to keep them afloat until the return to business. We also discuss where the cruise ships will go when they start sailing again.  Date: April 12, 2020

Disney Fantasy first entered service in 2012. We get a detailed review of a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the vessel. This ports of calls on this cruises we St. Thomas, Tortola, and Disney's private island Castaway Cay. 

We have a chance to talk with maritime historian, journalist, and filmmaker Peter Knego. Peter shares the experience of going to the cruise ship graveyard in Alang, India, where cruise ships are cut up and sold for scrap metal. We also get details of what it's like being one of the last people to board. Peter also shares details about his collection of relics he's salvaged from the doomed ocean liners and some of his thoughts on modern-day cruising. Date: April 5, 2020 

We get a review of Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas. This cruise left Miami, Florida and went to the Bahamas. 

We could all use a break right now, so we try something a little different. I want you to imagine your dream cruise ship. What would it be like? Where would you sail? What dining venues would it have? What would your stateroom be like? Remember, this is your dream cruise vacation so nothing is off-limits.  Tommy Casabona takes us through his mind and talks to us about a dream cruise he just returned from. The cruise went to San Juan, St. Thomas and Aruba. 

This is a 2020 review of Carnival Magic. This is a Carnival Cruise Line Dream-class ship that is currently sailing out of Port Everglades. The ports of call were Nassau, Bahamas; Grand Turk, and Amber Cove.