My late picks - November 2018

Flexible schedule? If you can get away last minute, here are some interesting sailings this month that still have space ~ and good deals!

Check out these escapes to warmth as the northern lands grow chilly...

South Pacific from Tahiti!

November 11, 2018

15-Nights

Sailing from Papeete (Tahiti) to Auckland on Holland America's ms Maasdam

Very nice South Pacific cruise, offering great value.

Ports on this sailing include: Papeete, French Polynesia - At Sea - Rarotonga, Cook Islands - At Sea - Alofi, New Zealand - International Dateline - Vava'u, Tonga - At Sea - Savusavu, Fiji - Suva, Fiji - Dravuni Island - At Sea - Nuku`alofa, Tonga - At Sea - At Sea - Auckland, New Zealand
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

Great Middle East cruise!

November 11, 2018

15-Nights

Sailing from Rome to Abu Dhabi on the Celebrity Constellation

A great choice if you'd like to disembark in Abu Dhabi

Ports on this sailing include: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - Catania, Italy - At Sea - Piraeus, Greece - Suez Canal, Egypt - Suez Canal, Egypt - Al 'Aqabah, Jordan - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Muscat, Oman - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

New Orleans cruise

November 25, 2018

11-Nights

Sailing roundtrip from New Orleans on the Norwegian Breakaway

Wrap your Caribbean cruise with a little New Orleans jazz!

Ports on this sailing include: New Orleans, Louisiana - At Sea - At Sea - Ocho Rios, Jamaica - Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Roatan, Honduras - Belize City, Belize - Harvest Caye, Belize - Costa Maya, Mexico - Cozumel, Mexico - At Sea - New Orleans, Louisiana
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

3 weeks in the Caribbean

November 25, 2018

21-Nights

Sailing roundtrip Tampa on Holland America's ms Rotterdam

Lovely, relaxing 3 week long cruise... claim your deck chair!

Ports on this sailing include: Tampa, Florida - Key West, Florida - At Sea - Puerto Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala - Roatan, Honduras - Costa Maya, Mexico - At Sea - Tampa, Florida - Key West, Florida - At Sea - At Sea - San Juan, Puerto Rico - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - St John's, Antigua and Barbuda - Castries, Saint Lucia - Soufriere Bay, Saint Lucia - At Sea - Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles - Oranjestad, Aruba - At Sea - Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - At Sea - Tampa, Florida
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

Panama Canal

November 30, 2018

14-Nights

Sailing from Miami to Los Angeles on the Norwegian Star

A surprisingly affordable Panama Canal opportunity

Ports on this sailing include: Miami, Florida - At Sea - At Sea - Cartagena, Colombia - Panama Canal - At Sea - Puntarenas, Costa Rica - Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - At Sea - Acapulco, Mexico - At Sea - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - At Sea - Los Angeles, California
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.



==============================================

None of these your cup of tea?

I'm happy to help you plan an adventure wherever you'd like to go.

Please contact me to begin the planning process.



Related resources
Roberta's picks - hand picked by me
Vancouver cruise opportunities - hand picked by me
Solo-friendly picks - a list of ships with single staterooms
Transatlantic cruises - the best itineraries, picked by me

Squid Ink: Tattoos at sea

This caught my eye today.

I thought it was brilliant, and I would do it. As long as the seas aren't too high. How about you?

"It was only a matter of time. But you can now add getting a tattoo to the list of things you can do on a cruise ship. Start-up cruise line Virgin Voyages has announced that its first vessel will have a tattoo parlor – an industry first..." [read more on OpenJaw].

The aptly named Squid Ink is being designed in partnership with World Famous Tattoo Ink.

"Virgin Voyages said the idea was following in its ethos of the “Modern Romance of Sailing,” with the inspiration behind Squid Ink “steeped in the traditions of sailing” with many historians crediting the expansion of tattooing to British colonial sailors who picked up the concept from aboriginal tribes while exploring the South Pacific..." [read more on TTG].

“Tattooing is a time-honored seafaring tradition, and we’re continuing that legacy with rock and roll style by bringing some of the best ink artists to sea,” Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin said in a statement. “Our sailors are looking to make lifelong memories, and we think there's no better way to commemorate their first voyage with us than with a souvenir they'll never lose track of...” [read more on Travel Pulse].

“The World Famous Tattoo Ink family has been working with
sailors, pirates and rock stars for more than 50 years."
Lou Rubino of World Famous Tattoo Ink and Soho Ink

World Famous Tattoo Ink's Lou Rubino Jr., who is also the creator of Manhattan's Soho Ink and Freshly Inked Magazine, will handpick Squid Ink's two permanent full-time tattoo artists.

Squid Ink will also feature a rotating line-up of guest artists, including:

• Arlo DiCristina - surrealist tattoo artist
• Jime Litwalk - illustrative specialist
• Sarah Miller - star of Spike TV’s Ink Master

Squid Ink services will include:

• Exclusive voyage commemoration tattoos designed by World Famous Tattoo Ink
• Body piercings
• Permanent makeup treatments using vegan-friendly Perma Blend pigments

Artist's rendering of Squid Ink

“As global acceptance of tattoos and body art continues to grow, partnering with Virgin Voyages gives us the unique opportunity to bring colour to places people might have never thought possible before. We couldn’t be more excited to leave our mark on the sea travel industry,” says Rubino.

Reactions so far are mainly positive, though the move does have it's detractors. "We have to wonder if this won't be much more popular at the end of sailings though, as while tattooing over sunburn doesn't sound like fun, you really shouldn't go into the ocean after being freshly inked either, says Cruise Habit's Billy Hirsch.

In another industry first, Virgin has announced that it will not only hire staff with visible tattoos, but will encourage crew to also express themselves freely through tattoos, if they so wish. That alone should convince anyone doubting how different Virgin Voyages will be. 

"To date, the cruise industry's big tattoo moment came last year when Adolfo Perez, senior vice president of sales and trade marketing at Carnival Cruise Line, got a tattoo on his upper arm saying "Travel Agents Rock" at a Carnival Agentpalooza agent event in New Orleans..." [read more on Travel Weekly]


Related resources:
Lasting Memories: Virgin Voyages Ship To Feature Tattoo Parlor - Open Jaw
Inked at sea: Virgin Voyages ship will have tattoo parlor - Travel Weekly
Virgin Voyages Adding Tattoo Parlor to Scarlet Lady Ship - Travel Pulse
Virgin Voyages ship to have its own tattoo studio - TTG
Virgin Voyages Gives Cruises Another Way to Remember Their Sailing - With Tattoos at Sea! - Cruise Habit
Get a tattoo on board Virgin Voyages - Virgin.com
Got Ink? Thank a Sailor - Virgin Voyages

More from cruisetravelbug
Alaska Cruise Ships 2019 - BIG or small - What's Best?
Sailing solo on Celebrity Edge
Death by Selfie: is social media worth it?
South Pacific, without the flights
The Goroka Show
Paris: wandering the city's charming passages
New York: the Meetles

Top 5 Solo Picks - October 9, 2018

It has been awhile since I sent out one of my solo cruise deal newsletters, but am seeing some marvellous deals at the moment, so here we go.

Here are my Top 5 Solo Cruise Picks today!

Why these sailings? There may be solo cabins, reduced/waived single supplements, a great deal overall, or simply good value on an itinerary solos can't usually afford. Fares below INCLUDE TAXES, and are subject to availability.

October 27, 2018 - 15-Night Caribbean cruise from New York to New Orleans on the Norwegian Breakaway
Balcony - $1668 CAD solo
Obstructed oceanview - $1534 CAD solo
Inside - $1039 CAD solo

October 28, 2018 - 14-Night Transatlantic cruise from Rome to Fort Lauderdale on the Koningsdam
Balcony - $1970 CAD solo
Obstructed oceanview - $1970 CAD solo
Inside - $1970 CAD solo

November 11, 2018 - 14-Night South Pacific cruise from Papeete to Auckland on the Maasdam
Obstructed oceanview - $2525 CAD solo + $50 USD credit
Inside - $2266 CAD solo

December 5, 2018 - 17-Night Transatlantic cruise from Rome to Fort Lauderdale on the Pacific Princess
Balcony - $2934 CAD solo
Obstructed oceanview - $2318 CAD solo
Inside - $2318 CAD solo

December 7, 2018 - 15-Night South America Panama Canal cruise from Miami to San Antonio, Chile on the Norwegian Sun
Obstructed oceanview - $2057 CAD solo
Inside - $1923 CAD solo

If you see something you like, please contact me and I can send you more details.

Cheers,
Roberta

Expedia Extras: if you book with me, you will earn 2 Expedia+ Rewards points for every $1 spent on cruises. They add up and can be redeemed on hotels, car rentals, and more. Ask me how!

About this newsletter: With so many solo travellers looking for affordable ways to travel, without the dreaded single supplement, I am always watching for specials. Periodically, when I have time, I summarize a few into an email to send to those who may be interested.

Want this news as soon as it comes out? Just email me with the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Actually, any email works fine. A human will read it (this one), not a bot.

Want more?
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cruisetravelbug
"Like" my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cruisewithroberta
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertawestwood/
Check out my list of ships with solo occupancy cabins: Solo-Friendly Cruise Picks
Request a quote: https://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-CA/RobertaWestwood/contact

My late picks - October 2018

If you can get away last minute, here are some interesting sailings this month that still have space ~ and good deals!

Fall Colours and Sunshine! 

October 26, 2018

14 -Nights

Sailing from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale on the Royal Princess

See the last of the fall colours on the Canada New England cruise, and end up in sunny Fort Lauderdale!

Ports on this sailing include: Saint John, Sydney, Halifax, Bar Harbour, Boston and New York.
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

Sun, sun and more sun!

October 27, 2018

8-Nights

Sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on the Adventure of the Seas

You'll find plenty to do for all generations on Royal Caribbean - or just laze in the sun!

Ports on this sailing include: Labadee, San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Kitts... nice!
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

The BIG Apple & The BIG Easy!

October 27, 2018

15-Nights

Sailing from New York to New Orleans on the Norwegian Breakaway

From The Big Apple to The Big Easy, this sailing packs in big fun and great sun along the way!

Ports on this sailing include: the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Saint Lucia, Curacao, Aruba, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel - talk about a bucketlist Caribbean cruise!
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

Incredible fare on the Koningsdam - one of the newest ships! 

October 28, 2018

14-Nights

Sailing from Rome to Barcelona on the Koningsdam

Holland America's Koningsdam continues to get rave reviews, so I was excited to see such good fares on this crossing. If you can get away, you'll have a great deal on a top ship!

Ports on this sailing include: Alicante (Costa del Sol), Malaga (Picasso's birthplace), Cadiz (for Seville) and Madeira.
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

4 days in the Azores on the Prinsendam! 

October 28, 2018

12-Nights

Sailing from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale on the Prinsendam

The Prinsendam is Holland America's smallest ship, but not for long. She is being retired soon, so this is a great deal on one of the last opportunities to sail on her.

Ports on this sailing include 4 days Azores: Ponta Delgada (2 days), Praia da Vitoria and Horta
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.



==============================================

None of these your cup of tea?

I'm happy to help you plan an adventure wherever you'd like to go.

Please contact me to begin the planning process.



Related resources
Roberta's picks - hand picked by me
Vancouver cruise opportunities - hand picked by me
Solo-friendly picks - a list of ships with single staterooms
Transatlantic cruises - the best itineraries, picked by me

81 nights... with Africa!

I think this is a very clever itinerary.

Imagine sailing for 81 nights - if you are inclined to stay on that long - from Rome to Yokohama, via Africa. Or, pick 1 or more of the 4 segments to customize your trip to your liking.

2 of the segments are positioned well for land travel in Africa. You can either sail from Dubai to Cape Town, or Cape Town to Singapore.

February 10, 2020

21 Night Middle East cruise on the Norwegian Spirit

Sailing from Rome to Dubai
(ends March 2)

Itinerary: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - At Sea - Piraeus, Greece - Kusadasi, Turkey - Rhodes, Greece - Limassol, Cyprus - Haifa, Israel - Haifa, Israel - Haifa, Israel - Suez Canal, Egypt - Safaga, Egypt - Safaga, Egypt - Al 'Aqabah, Jordan - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Muscat, Oman - Khasab, Oman - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
More details...

March 2, 2020
20 Night Africa cruise on the Norwegian Spirit
Sailing from Dubai to Cape Town
(ends March 22)

Itinerary: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Fujairah, United Arab Emirates - Muscat, Oman - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Victoria, Seychelles - Victoria, Seychelles - At Sea - Nosy Be, Madagascar - At Sea - Port Louis, Mauritius - Port de Pointe des Galets, Réunion - At Sea - At Sea - Richards Bay, South Africa - At Sea - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Mossel Bay, South Africa - Cape Town, South Africa
More details...

March 22, 2020
24 Night Africa cruise on the Norwegian Spirit
Sailing from Cape Town to Singapore
(ends April 15)

Itinerary: Cape Town, South Africa - Mossel Bay, South Africa - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - At Sea - Richards Bay, South Africa - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Port de Pointe des Galets, Réunion - Port Louis, Mauritius - At Sea - At Sea - Victoria, Seychelles - Victoria, Seychelles - At Sea - At Sea - Male, Maldives - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Phuket, Thailand - Langkawi, Malaysia - Penang (Georgetown), Malaysia - Port Kelang, Malaysia - Singapore, Singapore
More details...

April 15, 2020
16 Night Asia cruise on the Norwegian Spirit
Sailing from Singapore to Yokohama
(ends May 1)

Itinerary: Singapore, Singapore - At Sea - Phu My, Vietnam - At Sea - At Sea - Hong Kong, Hong Kong - Hong Kong, Hong Kong - At Sea - Shanghai, China - Shanghai, China - At Sea - Hiroshima, Japan - Kochi, Japan - Kobe, Japan - Kobe, Japan - Shimizu, Japan - Yokohama, Japan
More details...




If sailing more than one segment appeals, I recommend booking as early as possible, so that you can get the same cabin for the duration of your voyage.

If you are considering doing one of the Cape Town sailings, to spend time ashore, there are a number of African safari options available to you (G Adventures is very popular, ask me why!). 

If you would like more information on these Norwegian Spirit sailings, or are making other travel plans, please contact me. I am happy to help!


More from cruisetravelbug
What story do you want to tell post-cruise!
7 comebacks to "I hate cruising"
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Paris: wandering the city's charming passages
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Sailing Solo on the Celebrity Edge

The brand new Celebrity Edge, which begins sailing in December 2018, promised to revolutionize cruise travel.

While there are many ways it does this - most newsworthy of all, the "Magic Carpet" (the section of the ship that will reposition up and down one side of the ship) - it is the Single Staterooms with Infinite Verandas that have my attention.

What is an "Infinite Veranda"?

Here is a visual, followed by a description of the solo version, and a link to a video:

Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda (category ES):

These new and incredible staterooms take our standard veranda stateroom and, with the touch of a button, blur—even erase—the boundaries between inside and outside living space. Your entire living space becomes the veranda, letting you walk right out to the water’s edge. Edge StateroomsSM offer the latest technology that allows you to precisely adjust nearly every comfort feature in your stateroom. The in-room automation allows you to control everything from lighting, to shades, to temperature, and service with a simple touch screen. 

• Stateroom: 142 sq. ft
• Veranda: 42 sq. ft.
• Number: 16 cabins
• Deck: 6

Curious? Check out this video of how the Edge infinite verandas transform.

I'm curious and looking forward to hearing reports back from my first clients to sail on her.

Want to sail on The Edge?

Have a look at The Edge sailings, then contact me to make your booking.

More from cruisetravelbug
Alaska Cruise Ships 2019 - BIG or small - What's Best?
Death by Selfie: is social media worth it?
South Pacific, without the flights
The Goroka Show
Paris: wandering the city's charming passages
New York: the Meetles

My Pick: Giancarlo Impiglia on Queen Mary 2

My pick today is a lovely 7-night Canada New England cruise sailing on September 30, 2018 from Quebec City to New York on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 sailing with a very special guest onboard, Giancarlo Impiglia.

Special Guest: Giancarlo Impiglia - Artist and Art Historian

Giancarlo Impiglia is an artist and art historian whose name is renowned in the world of art. His paintings are featured in the permanent collection of The Museum of the City of New York, The Kentucky Derby Museum, Absolut Collection, Sweden, The Pfizer Collection, the Cunard Art Collection, and Elton John's private collection, just to mention a few.

If you have sailed on any of the Queens in the last decade or so - Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 or Queen Victoria - you will be familiar with the work of Impiglia. Impiglia's large murals, commissioned by Cunard.

"[The murals] feature "bold, bright colors and depict scenes of people mingling on an imaginary cruise ship and at other nautical events. The figures are not realistic but rather are flat, geometric shapes, devoid of facial features. The paintings are striking and lively but at the same time, give one pause."

"There are three reasons why the figures in Impiglia's works are devoid of features. First of all, I am not painting portraits, I am painting situations so there is no need for physical features. Also, the images are very stylized and flat. Also, they reflect the idea that we live in a society that is faceless. We do not pay much attention to faces, we pay more attention to other things..." [continue reading on Beyond Ships].

To see the itinerary:
September 30, 2018 - 7-night Canada New England cruise on Queen Mary 2

Space is limited, so please contact me as soon as possible to book your cabin.

More on Giancarlo Impiglia
Artist to the Queens - Beyond Ships
Giancarlo Impiglia - official website
Giancarlo Impiglia: Paintings for the Queens & Collected Works (2012)  – paperback on Amazon.com
Giancarlo Impiglia Paints the Harvest - Dan's Papers
Giancarlo Impiglia Works - Artsy
Giancarlo Impiglia Works - Art Net

More from cruisetravelbug
What story do you want to tell post-cruise!
7 comebacks to "I hate cruising"
The Goroka Show
Paris: wandering the city's charming passages
New York: the Meetles

Alaska Cruise Ships 2019 - BIG or small - What's Best?

Picking the best cruise ship for your Alaska voyage depends upon a number of factors - personal choice being perhaps the most important - but ship size is a major consideration.

• A larger ship offers more things to do (believe it or not it can be easier to find a quiet spot alone on a big ship) and lower fares, but they aren't for everyone.
• Small ships are more intimate, can get into smaller ports and tend to be more inclusive (so more costly), but not everyone will enjoy the quiet evenings.

In 2019, quite a few cruise ships will be sailing Alaska for the very first time, so I thought a list of ships sailing from Vancouver and Seattle, organized by size, might be a helpful tool.

Alaska Cruise Ships - by cabin count

For Alaska, common industry categories aren't all that informative, because so many ships fall into the middle category. So, to make shopping for the best ship for you easier, I have broken down the cruise ships sailing Alaska in 2019 by their cabin count. The nicknames are entirely mine.

HUGE

Ovation of the Seas - 2095 cabins

Norwegian Bliss - 2043 cabins
Norwegian Joy - 2043 cabins

Royal Princess - 1780 cabins

VERY LARGE

Ruby Princess - 1530 cabins

Celebrity Eclipse - 1425 cabins

Celebrity Solstice - 1425 cabins

Golden Princess - 1316 cabins

LARGE

Star Princess - 1298 cabins

Norwegian Jewel - 1194 cabins

Island Princess - 1107 cabins

MEDIUM

Celebrity Millennium - 1079 cabins

Carnival Legend - 1062 cabins

Radiance of the Seas - 1061 cabins

ms Nieuw Amsterdam - 1053 cabins

ms Eurodam - 1052 cabins

Queen Elizabeth - 1043 cabins

ms Oosterdam - 1012 cabins

Coral Princess - 1000 cabins

SMALLISH

ms Noordam - 986 cabins

ms Westerdam - 984 cabins

Disney Wonder - 877 cabins

ms Volendam - 716 cabins

ms Amsterdam - 690 cabins

SMALL

Viking Orion - 464 cabins

Crystal Symphony - 452 cabins

Azamara Quest - 355 cabins

Regent Seven Seas Mariner - 354 cabins

Oceania Regatta - 349 cabins

Silversea Muse - 288 cabins

Seabourn Sojourn - 225 cabins

VERY SMALL

Windstar Star Legend - 106 cabins

Silversea Explorer - 72 cabins

Tip: multiply the number of cabins by 225% to get approximate passenger capacity

Updated on July 25 to reflect announcement thayt the Norwegian Joy (new ship) will replace the Norwegian Pearl for the 2019 Alaska cruise season.


Please contact me if you would like to learn more about a particular ship, or would like a quote.

Related resources
What's the Best Cruise Ship Size for You? - Cruise Critic
Planning a Travel Surprise
Death by Selfie: Is Social Media Worth It?
7 Comebacks to "I Hate Cruising!"
Vancouver Cruise Opportunities

  

South Pacific - without the flights

Here's my latest pick for an incredible itinerary.

How would you like to sail the South Pacific for 51 nights, yet only need to roundtrip flights to San Diego?

October 28, 2019: 51-night South Pacific cruise sailing roundtrip from San Diego on Holland America's ms Amsterdam

Can you identify this Coat of Arms from
one of the nations you will visit?

Itinerary: San Diego, California - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Honolulu, Hawaii - Lahaina, Hawaii - Nawiliwili, Hawaii - Hilo, Hawaii - Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii - Kailua Kona, Hawaii - At Sea - International Dateline - At Sea - The Equator - Fanning Island, Kiribati - International Dateline - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Pago Pago, American Samoa - International Dateline - Apia, Samoa - At Sea - Savusavu, Fiji - Suva, Fiji - Dravuni Island - Lautoka, Fiji - At Sea - Luganville, Vanuatu - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Mystery Island, Vanuatu - At Sea - At Sea - Nuku`alofa, Tonga - Vava'u, Tonga - International Dateline - At Sea - Alofi, New Zealand - At Sea - Rarotonga, Cook Islands - At Sea - Bora Bora, French Polynesia - Raiatea, French Polynesia - Papeete, French Polynesia - Papeete, French Polynesia - Moorea, French Polynesia - Rangiroa, French Polynesia - Fakarava, French Polynesia - At Sea - Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia - At Sea - The Equator - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - San Diego, California

Pretty nice, eh? I thought so too.

If you're interested, please get in touch. We have group space on this sailing with very attractibe fares.

Cruise Gear: Waterproof cellphone case

Welcome to my new series about cruise-friendly travel gear...

"This is a great option purchase for casual
users looking for a cheap way to keep
their phone dry." - Cruzely

So, you're going on a cruise and have some great beach excursions planned. Great!

Now I have a question for you: what are going to do with your beloved smartphone while you at the beach?

One of the client gifts I tuck into client's travel documents are waterproof phone cases (other times it's a pocket size map of a city they are visiting, a small book or a travel gadget).

With a waterproof phone case, you can do this ...
Crearive Commons image gelatobaby on Flickr

In Waterproof Phone Case Review : JOTO Cellphone Dry Bag, cruise blog Cruzely offers a complete review of one such product, the JOTO bag.

It’s listed as “#1 Best Seller” on Amazon for waterproof cell phone cases. And for good reason. For under $10, the JOTO Cellphone Dry Bag claims to offer an inexpensive waterproof casing for your phone, allowing you to take it with you to wet locations like the beach, the pool, or the river. Best of all, it claims you can also still use your phone’s touchscreen, allowing you to send texts and take photos.

... or this ...
Creative Commons image seafan on Flickr

But does it really work to protect your phone the way it claims? We recently purchased the phone case and put it through testing to see how it performed and if it’s worth the money... [continue reading].

As they say, the proof is in the pudding ~ or in the silt and sludge ~ as demonstrated in this amazing JOTO recovery video:
Underwater Metal Detecting a WATERFALL - I Found an iPhone! (YouTube) - Man + River

Granted, this is just one brand, and it's a good one, but it does speak to why it's worth reading reviews and buying quality!

.....or this!
Creative Commons image jsmjr on Flickr

More on waterproof phone gear
Waterproof Phone Case Review : JOTO Cellphone Dry Bag - Cruzely
ugowear Waterproof Phone Case & Wallet - The Boat Galley
10 Tips for Using Your Smartphone on a Cruise Ship

Cruise gear resources
39 Useful Things to Pack For Your Cruise (Including 17 You’d Never Think Of) - Cruzely
14 Cruise Accessories for Ridiculously Hardcore Cruisers - ShipMate App
17 Top Caribbean Cruise Packing List Items + What NOT to Bring (2018) - Asher & Lyric
Gifts for Travelers - Just Wander and Cruise

More from cruisetravelbug
What story do you want to tell post-cruise!
7 comebacks to "I hate cruising"
The Goroka Show
Paris: wandering the city's charming passages
New York: the Meetles

FREE gratuities on Princess Alaska April/May 2018

Creative Commons image brian_digital on Flickr

Here's a great way to celebrate the arrival of spring.

A few days ago, we announced amazing EXCLUSIVE offer for all Princess cruises and cruisetours to ALASKA in April and May 2018: FREE pre-paid GRATUITIES on all sailings, in all categories.

Best of all: this offer is COMBINABLE with Princess last minute FLASH sales. This had jaws dropping in our office... our agents and franchisee have never seen this before!

This offer is EXCLUSIVE to Expedia CruiseShipCenters. New bookings only. Book by April 2nd.

Alaska is hot this year, and selling well, so don't wait for deals later in the year - ships will be selling out. This IS a great time to travel, if you can get away.

Have a look at the sailings here:
Princess Cruises - Alaska sailings - April/May 2018.

Please SHARE this with your friends, and contact me for a quote.

Best,
Roberta

**ASK ME about our Legendary Rivers Sale - to March 31st**

Top 5 Solo Picks - March 16, 2018

Welcome to almost-Spring!

There are some pretty good cruise deals at the moment, and many are solo-friendly. If you're looking for sunshine, there are endless opportunities in the Caribbean (ask me if you want these), but for this newsletter, I'll focus elsewhere.

Here are my Top 5 Solo Cruise Picks today!

Why these sailings? There my be solo cabins, reduced/waived single supplements, a great deal overall, or simply good value on an itinerary solos can't usually afford. Fares below INCLUDE TAXES, and are subject to availability.

April 3, 2018 - 7-Night Pacific Coastal Cruise on Star Princess
Obstructed oceanview - $1466 CAD solo
Inside - $1341 CAD solo

April 15, 2018 - 12-Night Transatlantic Cruise on Norwegian Breakaway
Balcony - $1457 CAD solo
Oceanview - $1256 CAD solo
Inside - $1055 CAD solo
Studio Inside (assigned cabin) - $1653 CAD solo + $50 USD SBC

May 14, 2018 - 4-Night Pacific Coastal Cruise on Explorer of the Seas
Inside virtual balcony - $1066 CAD solo

December 1, 2018 - 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas
Oceanview - $1745 CAD solo
Inside - $1434 CAD solo

December 8, 2018 - 10-Night South Pacific Cruise on Explorer of the Seas
Oceanview - $2266 CAD solo
Inside - $1756 CAD

If you see something you like, please contact me and I can send you more details.

PS. If you are interested in river cruising, we have a huge sale on until March 31 - and there are numerous opportunities for waived single supplements. Drop me a line!

Cheers,
Roberta

About this newsletter: With so many solo travellers looking for affordable ways to travel, without the dreaded single supplement, I am always watching for specials. Periodically, when I have time, I summarize a few into an email to send to those who may be interested.

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Transatlantic Picks

Want to visit Europe but can't bear the thought of flying? Why not sail one way on a transatlantic voyage?

You can sail on the
Norwegian Bliss on her
maiden voyage on April 21st!

Transatlantics can be a very affordable way to travel, as so many ships have to reposition each spring and fall that ships often sail with empty cabins. Don't expect a lot of extras onboard, but pricing is usually very favourable. To attract passengers, cruiselines will often sweeten the deal by tacking on extra days or unique ports of call.

Transatlantic Cruise Picks - this is a page on my website that I use to highlight my personal picks of transatlantic sailings.

My picks include a range of sailings, from unique itineraries and long sailings to budget friendly choices for solos and once-in-a-lifetime maiden voyages. 

As I write today's blog post, here's what's on my Transatlantic Cruise Picks page:

March 18, 2018: Koningsdam (213599) - 24 night Caribbean and transatlantic combo!

March 24, 2018: Windstar Star Breeze (215921) - try Windstar from Lisbon to Bridgetown!

April 15, 2018: Norwegian Breakaway (941905) - transatlantic with Cobh (Ireland) and Le Havre (France)



The Norwegian Jade's Sept 29/18 sailing includes an overnight 
stay in Reykjavik, Iceland - how cool does that sound?

April 20, 2018: Serenade of the Seas (982026) - transatlantic with Ponta Delgada, Cobh (Ireland) and Le Havre (France)

April 21, 2018: Norwegian Bliss (188493) - maiden voyage with Ponta Delgada

May 5, 2018: Prinsendam (177400) - sail to Dover with 2 ports in France

May 13, 2018: Disney Magic (191771) - a transatlantic is an affordable way to experience Disney's family luxury

June 30, 2018: Rotterdam (988700) - transatlantic with Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland & Labrador

July 18, 2018: Rotterdam (1030753) - transatlantic with Newfoundland & Labrador, Greenland, Iceland and Norway

August 24, 2018: Zuiderdam (201922) - a rare summer transatlantic!

September 29, 2018: Norwegian Jade (179826) - how does an overnight in Reykjavik sound?


3 of the 8 spare propeller blades carried
aboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2, the only true
oceanliner built for winter Atlantic crossings

October 2, 2018: Norwegian Breakaway (941922) - transatlantic with Cobh, Ireland

October 27, 2018: Oosterdam (200564) - visit Lisbon and Gibraltar on this transatlantic

November 4, 2018: Norwegian Epic (179875) - transatlantic with lots of solo cabins

November 5, 2018: Jewel of the Seas (981945) - transatlantic with Valencia, Lisbon and Ponta Delgada

November 5, 2018: Norwegian Star (184365) - great budget-friendly transatlantic

December 5, 2018: Nieuw Statendam (1004064) - maiden voyage with Malaga and Madeira

January 3, 2019: Queen Mary 2 (198893) - sail the Atlantic on the only true ocean liner at sea

April 21, 2019: Azamara Journey (194229) - nice small ship transatlantic, from New York to Lisbon

November 1, 2019: Celebrity Edge (224815) - great opportunity to sail on the revolutionary Edge with transatlantic pricing

Please contact me if you would like more information on these, or other transatlantic opportunities.

View of the quay near the busy Barcelona Cruise Port,
a popular embarkation port for westbound transatlantics

Roberta's Picks

So many places to go, so little time... how do you pick cruises that bring you something truly unique? Have a look at my personal picks!

Roberta's Picks - this is a page on my cruise website - is where I post my personal picks for upcoming voyages.

Cruises on this list are unique in some way: a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary, a new port of call, a brand new ship during her maiden season, a rare visit by a ship to the West Coast, or even unique onboard guests (ask about these, you can't usually tell from the snapshots here).

As I write this blogpost today, here's what is on my Roberta Picks page:

April 15, 2018: Norwegian Breakaway (941905) - transatlantic with Cobh, Ireland and Le Havre, France

April 19, 2018: Norwegian Sun (1015164) - southbound Panama Canal from Seattle

April 21, 2018: Norwegian Bliss (970254) - brand new ship, maiden voyage!

April 21, 2018: Symphony of the Seas (979146) - brand new ship, maiden voyage!

Queen Victoria

June 24, 2018: Queen Victoria (848452) - circle Iceland from Hamburg

September 30, 2018: Norwegian Bliss (970283) - brand new ship, from Vancouver

December 16, 2018: Celebrity Edge (979732) - brand new ship, inaugural sailing!

May 21, 2019: Queen Elizabeth (1030000) - the first of 4 rare Cunard Alaska sailings

June 20, 2019: Queen Elizabeth (1035733) - cruise from Vancouver to Southampton!

If you're curious as to why I've listed something, or you are looking for something you can't find, please contact me.

Want to keep an eye on my picks on an ongoing basis? Take a moment to bookmark the Roberta's Picks page on my website now!

Interview with Matthew Eichhorst

As a proud member of the Expedia CruiseShipCenters team, I am always looking for ways to share stories.

I thought you might enjoy these insights about what its like to lead this extraordinary organization. This recent USA Weekly interview with ECSC President, Matthew Eichhorst, gives you a glimpse:

CruiseShipNews

Celebrity Cruises Booking Event: February 1

Join us for our Celebrity Cruises' booking event on February 1 at the Mary Winspear Centre from 6:00-8:00pm.

It will be an evening of Modern Luxury, with information on Celebrity's itineraries, ships and onboard experience. Plus, learn about the all new amazing Celebrity Edge!

Plus we have a great booking offer!

Space is limited. Please register to reserve your seat.

Can't come? I can get you the same offer, please contact me.