Carnival Fantasy Sailing Year Round - Charleston, SC

Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator, will introduce the first year-round cruise schedule from Charleston, S.C., with the deployment of the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy in May 2010.

Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages to The Bahamas and Key West, Fla., from the Passenger Terminal in historic downtown Charleston beginning May 18, 2010

Five-day voyages departing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will call at Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas. Six-day voyages departing Saturdays will visit Freeport, Nassau and Key West, Fla. Seven-day voyages depart Saturdays and will feature Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.

Carnival's 70,000-ton Fantasy-class, the Carnival Fantasy offers a host of on-board amenities and facilities: a 12,000-square-foot health spa, extensive children's facilities for kids in three age groups, Camp Carnival (2-11), Circle C (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17), a variety of formal and casual dining options and 12 lounges and bars.

Carnival will have the Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive, all-ages aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long water slide, 82-foot-long dual racing slides and a splash zone. Carnival Fantasy also offers Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat, and a resort-style main pool area.

An Internet café with ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service are also available.

Carnival Fantasy offers a variety of spacious accommodations, all of which feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Wondering How To Dress For A Cruise?

Packing smart for vacation can be very challenging especially with today’s airline rules on luggage. Having room to spare with minimal fuss is always helpful and less tiring. Try not to pack as if you are going away for months at a time. When packing consider not thinking of having a different outfit for everyday, activity or dining event. I kept an article written by Susan J. Young for Travel Agent magazine about 3 years ago and wanted to share this with you. Here are the tips she provided and certainly make sense: (1) Coordinate colors – pick one or two color schemes including prints and colors (2) Mix & Match – pick two tops from your color scheme and pair them with the same pair of cream slacks. (3) Scarves & Sun Dresses – use scarves to dress up a slacks outfit making it look different night after night. Substitute a sundress for an extra pair of shorts. It can be worn into the evening by adding a light wrap or jacket. (4) Robe & Slippers – leave your robe at home as most ships will have a nice terry cloth robe, perfect for sitting on your balcony. Your beach flip flops can double for bedroom slippers. (5) Check out cruise line brochures or web sites. Today’s cruise ships have diverse personalities with many offering resort casual. Norwegian Cruise Lines comes to mind as they offer FreeStyle cruising (no formal nights unless you want to sign up onboard) (6) Limit the nonessentials: most cruise lines have hair dryers, irons & steamers as you can hang your clothes in the bathroom while showering. Do bring sunscreen, medication & other essentials but not the entire bathroom. Ships have shops with sundries for sale. You might consider laying your clothes out, and then check later to make sure you really want to take them. Remember, leave space to bring back gifts & souvenirs.

Ten Reasons to Book a Cruise Now!

Are you dreaming of fantastic dream vacation - Ten reasons why now is the right time. (1) Unprecedented Low Pricing - major cruise lines have slashed prices. 20 to 50% off 2009 or early 2010 cruises.MSC Cruises offers 'Kids Sail Free'. (2) Cruise Vacation Inclusivity - cruise fares include accommodations, dining, entertainment,special experiences such as the Captain's Cocktail Reception for all inclusive price. Some luxury lines include extra perks, complimentary alcoholic beverages such a mini-bar in your cabin, wine with dinner, pre-paid gratuities & complimentary shore outings. (3) Airfare Inclusions or Assistance - either low fares or free air - depends on the special. (4) Special Programs - if you have a hobby or special interest,likely there is a cruse to match- ballroom dancing, quilting, music festivals, NASCAR. (5) Cash Back and/or Large Ship Board Credits - extra cash credited to your on board account is very handy when buying items in the gift shop or pay for a shore excursion. (6) Affordable Cruise Vacations to Europe! - traveling to Europe can be pricey because of the exchange rate for EUROS. Consider a European Cruise on a major cruise line and pay in US dollars. (7) Many Cruise Lines offering Advance Discounts by booking 6 months or more in advance. Avalon Waterways is offering $1000 per couple of 2010 cruises if booked by June 30, 2009. (8) High Customer Satisfaction - a survey conducted by CLIA (www.cruising.org) reports customers returning from their cruise with 95% satisfaction rate. (9) Job Loss Guarantees are included within travel insurance options (10) Book Your Next Cruise and Earn a Free Cruise when you have 7 other couples join you!

Are You License To Sail?

If you are cruising after June 1, 2009, you may meet the new requirements without a US Passport. How so? US Passport Card. This might just be your ticket for cruising when you have not desire to cruise. It's because of WHTI. What's that you say? It's the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative which is a result of the Intelligence Regorm & Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The goal is to help facilitate entry of US citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing a standardized document allowing Department of Homeland Security to quickly identify you. Click on the link I've added to this blog. If you need assistance with getting this US Passport Card for your next trip, let me know.

US Air Raises Baggage Fees!

In July US Airways will start charging $20 for the first checked bag under 50 pounds, $5 more than the current $15 charge. The fee for a second checked bag will rise from $25 to $30.
Fees for luggage weighing between 51 and 70 pounds will now be $70 for the first bag and $80 for the second bag. Baggage checked online will cost $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second bag.

According to US Airways the new fees mirror changes announced by United Airlines.

Celebrity's $10M Refreshment for the Millennium!

Celebrity Cruises is rolling out a series of new design schemes on Celebrity Millennium during a $10-million "refresh" this year.
The ship will emerge from a 12-day drydock on May 22 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with new carpeting throughout the entire ship, and new upholstery in every stateroom, on the Lido deck, in the Celebrity Theatre and in the main dining room.

Additionally, all marble and stone floors and counter areas will be renewed, and all wood hand rails on the ship's verandas and pool deck areas will be newly varnished. New decking also is being installed across the pool deck, outdoor stage, dance floor and jogging track.

When the Millennium emerges from drydock every suite will be equipped with 32-inch LED flat-panel TVs, while Concierge-class staterooms will boast 26-inch versions of the TVs. Also, all drapes, bed skirts and bed throws will be replaced in every suite and stateroom.

By October, new upholstery will adorn furnishings in the ship's retail areas, the Grand Foyer and every lounge, and the 26-inch LED flat-panel TVs will be added to all staterooms.

The "refreshed" Celebrity Millennium, which was inaugurated at the turn of the 21st century, will sail in Alaska beginning May 22 on a series of seven-night cruises roundtrip from Vancouver. The ship will then sail a series of seven-night Southbound Alaska sailings to and from Vancouver and Seward through September.

Cruising from the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico?

I love cruising from this port. Why? Because one it's a commonwealth of the United States. Second, it is amazing to see the San Felipe del Morro when cruising out of or into Old San Juan. Old San Juan has cobbled streets where you can explore shops, restaurants as well as walk to the El Morro fort. Here you can picnic, fly kites or just contemplate life. You'll need good stable walking shoes. I've added a link to this post so you can take a look at some video tours. Royal Caribbean, Carnival as well as few other cruise lines sail from this port. This allows you to explore the Southern Caribbean which includes Barbados, Antigua, Dominican Republic, Aruba & Curacao. If possible try to stay an extra day or two to enjoy the beautiful white sand beach in the Isla Verde area or check out El Yunque National Forest - a beautiful tropical rain forest. Low cruise rates are available for the fall 2009! Use my Cruise Finder to explore current rates. Don't forget to register to Win A Free Cruise!