Bring a day bag – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

First-time cruisers are sometimes surprised to find that their luggage may not be immediately available upon boarding the ship. It can sometimes take a few hours for your luggage make its way to your stateroom. So that you can get started enjoying your cruise right away, be sure to pack a day bag to carry with you.

Include things like a book, swimsuit, sunscreen, medications, your MP3 player, and even dinner clothing for your first night, just in case.

Pro tip: you’ll need a similar bag on your final morning, after your bags have been collected.

Princess Cruises brings back the good old days of saying bon voyage to friends on the ship

by Scott Carmichael on

Princess Cruises just announced the return of a great nostalgic cruise feature – embarkation day “bon voyage” visits.

With the return of this service, friends and family can come on board with you on departure day to say their goodbyes.

The “Bon Voyage Experience” will roll out to the Princess fleet starting on March 6th on the Sapphire Princess making its way to the other vessels by June 1st.

For just $39, guests can join passengers for the day. Their $39 gets them a lunch with wine, a ship tour and even a souvenir photo. And best of all – the $39 can be applied towards a future Princess cruise.

Seriously – how brilliant is this? You get to entertain your friends or family for a day, and they get to see just how awesome a cruise ship is. Chances are, once they see the fun, they’ll be booking their own cruise as soon as they can.

Passengers can book a Bon Voyage experience beginning 120 days before the cruise, up to six days before departure. Of course, guests will need to go through the same security procedures as the passengers. If you are sailing on a Princess Cruise, you’ll receive an email telling you about the program, and how to make reservations.%Gallery-71848%

Second chance for swinger cruise

by Tom Johansmeyer on

It’s not the waves that are rocking the boat. This year, YOLO Cruises is bringing back its swingers trip. Since you only live once (YOLO), the reasoning goes, you should get out on the water and work up a sweat.

YOLO’s last Swingers Cruise trip was a bit controversial, but that hasn’t stopped the company from giving it another run. It’s chartered a Carnival vessel for a three-night voyage to the Bahamas, which is set to depart Miami on October 29, 2010. Once you cross into international waters, there are no rules, aside from common sense (so bring a little protection). At $399 a person, this is a great way to enjoy what YOLO’s offering: “playful, sexually themed parties, cruise activities and shore excursions.”

What’s on the itinerary? Well, there’s the “Carnal Cravings Halloween Ball, which is followed by a “naked and recuperating day” at sea. But, some of the fun is a little less structured … after all, this is a trip for swingers.

The last YOLO swingers trip, according to company president Marlene Brustle, offered “an open, erotic atmosphere,” which seems to be the goal this time around, too.

BYOB – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Cruise lines are notorious for unlimited food and fun, but what’s not unlimited? Drinks.

Beverages are pushed more than anything else on a cruise, and of course, the bill can add up quickly — especially after seven days of alcoholic indulgence.

One way to bypass this system is to fill some water bottles with some of your favorite spirits, throw it in your checked luggage, and there you go — potentially hundreds of dollars saved. With mixers on the ship usually being incredibly cheap, just go to the bar, order a can of tonic, and your mixed drink will cost you about 50 cents, instead of 6 bucks.

New Disney Dream cruise ship to feature “Goofy Sports Deck” and “Nemo’s Reef”

by Scott Carmichael on

The newest cruise ship in the Disney Cruise Lines fleet won’t sail till 2011. As we get closer to that Date, Disney has started to release images of the amazing amenities guests will be able to enjoy on the Disney Dream.

Today, Disney announced the details of several new amenities on the ship”

Goofy’s Sports Deck – a miniature golf course with Goofy and his son Max leading you through nine wacky holes. The sports area also features two mini sports courts with soccer, basketball, volleyball and a walking track.

Nemo’s reef – a 1500 square feet infant and toddler play area with slides, an “inking” octopus, and of course a chance to swim in the EAC (the east Australian current).

Quiet Cove pool and bar – adults can escape all the kid friendly attractions at the cove. The area features several pools, hot tubs and of course, poolside cocktails.

AquaDuck – one of the highlights of the new ship will be the world’s first shipboard water coaster. Forget water slides – Disney is adding a high speed flume ride with twists and turns.

To learn more about this amazing new ship, or to see where it will sail, check out the promo page over at the Disney Cruise Line site.

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