CRUISE VACATIONS
Cruise lines introduce new ships. Click for the latest reviews of the sophisticated Celebrity Solstice, the Ruby Princess, the Carnival Splendor, Holland America's Eurodam
Click for all New ships At right, glass blowing on Celebrity Solstice
Exploring European ports on your own: With the Internet and local tourist boards, you can plan your own active tours in ports, hiking in the Shetland Islands, riding a mountain train in Norway, trekking above the French Riviera, biking in Copenhagen
Crossing the Atlantic: Passengers may watch Movies Under the Stars, day and night, on the Emerald Princess, left.
When cruise lines reposition ships between the Caribbean and Europe, bargains abound. Expect long, lazy days at sea, iffy weather, lots of reading. Big ships have room to roam.
Repositioning cruises for 2009 from CruiseCritic
Choosing a big Royal Caribbean ship: After you consider cabin choices such as private balconies and suites, take a look at all the shipboard options, some free, some rather pricey, on big new ships such as Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.
Tips for cruisers:
How to plan a shore excursion on your own. Be careful when booking your own tours. The best way to beat the Euro or any other rising foreign currency is to buy your
vacation package ahead of time in U.S. dollars. That's one of the
reasons that summer cruises are so popular with Americans traveling to
Europe. Germs from your fellow vacationers are out to get you, so Don't forget to wash your hands at sea
It's a class thing: Queen Victoria is built for older passengers who like to dress in gowns and tuxedos. Cunard's new queen is a 2,000-passenger ship designed for yesterday's style, fancy, refined and formal. Your cabin class determines where you get to dine.
At right, Queen Victoria's two-story library.
Oh-so British: After successful cruises out of Miami on the oh-so British Balmoral, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be back next fall with voyages into the Caribbean.
Bowl, barhop on Norwegian gems: NCL's newest ships sport a rock climbing wall and cruising's first bowling alleys. The trendy Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem are free of structure, with an edgy style.
Dancing at Carnival's Supper Clubs: For that special occasion, a romantic evening with wine and dancing, Carnival Cruise Lines has one of the better deals at sea -- a top-deck supper club with a nightly menu of steaks, chops and seafood, personal service and an intimate atmosphere that is the equal of a fine-dining, big-city eatery. Cruising on Carnival.
WORTH CLICKING on the Web:
Cruise Critic's news and reviews
Best alternative restaurants at sea
Cruise news and interactive chat at USA Today.
Peter Knego's cruise ship reviews and news
Remember to get a U.S. passport: To Avoid confusion for you and your children on cruises and other trips, get a passport now. Passports are required to enter the United States. CLICK for passport information on the rules and how to apply.
Stop smoking at sea: Smoking should be forbidden in all passenger areas of all cruise ships, as both a health and a fire hazard. At the least, offer smokers a designated room or a private deck up near the ship's smoke stack, so the rest of us can breath easier. Cruise Critic reports on ship smoking policies.
CRUISE BLOGS from the Mavens:
Trimmed by the barber of Eurodam
Nicholas the barber, right
Where coffee is free in Europe
Royal Caribbean's steak option: Put a fork in it
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