Cruise Diva

Final Episode in Carnival Sunshine Video Series

2013-05-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

With Carnival Sunshine’s transformation complete, here’s the final installment in the video series that highlights several of the ship’s new features including Havana Bar, Liquid Lounge, and Ji Ji Asian Kitchen. Those are but a few of the many innovations incorporated during the massive $155 million dry dock. The unprecedented makeover added a variety of dining, bar, and entertainment options

Princess Cruises Joins USA Vietnam War Commemoration as Partner

2013-05-18T00:00:00.001-04:00

In a special ceremony coinciding with Armed Forces Day today, Princess Cruises was officially recognized as a commemorative partner of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. Major General James T. Jackson (U.S. Army, retired), pictured here, presented a commemorative flag and certificate from the Secretary of Defense to Princess Cruises President and CEO Alan Buckelew, a Vietnam

Natasha Bedingfield to be Featured Singer at Royal Princess Naming Ceremony

2013-05-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Adding a touch of glamour to the naming ceremony that will launch Princess Cruises' Royal Princess, British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield will perform at the June 13 naming ceremony of the new ship in Southampton. The globally acclaimed artist will make a special appearance at the celebration, where Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will officially name the ship. Ever since

SuperShuttle Launches "Destination Deals"

2013-05-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's always nice to feel appreciated as a consumer and now SuperShuttle, the nation's largest airport ground transportation company, is offering its customers the opportunity to purchase local and national discounts on dining, entertainment and shopping through its partner Deem's Offers Network. These customized Destination Deals on goods and services are sourced from Deem's™ syndicated commerce

Banana Coast Cruise Port Signs First Cruise Line for Multiple Calls

2013-05-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's been nearly a year since the announcement that the Banana Coast in Honduras is Coming Soon. As you can see from the aerial view pictured here, construction on the dedicated-for-cruise-passengers facility has moved right along and now the Banana Coast port has signed Holland America Line as the first cruise line to schedule regular calls there. Holland America Line's 1,260-passenger Ryndam

Carnival Splendor's Year-Round Schedule Expanded

2013-05-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Carnival Splendor 2014 will bring significant changes to Carnival Cruise Lines’ year-round offerings from New York. The line has significantly diversified Carnival Splendor’s itineraries by adding new 4- and 5- day Canada cruises, 7-day Canada/New England departures, and the only program of 8-day eastern Caribbean voyages operating one-way between New York and San Juan. These new voyages

Pixie-Dusted Pre- & Post-Cruise Options in Florida & California

2013-05-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Whether you're planning to sail on your next cruise from Florida or California, Disney Parks have exciting new attractions and great places to stay that will enchant the entire family. "Good timing, as much magic awaits you on pre- or post-cruise stays at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts! Our family hit both this spring and here are some of our favorite new attractions and lodgings,"

Holland America Line Reaches 1 Million Facebook Fans

2013-05-12T08:54:00.000-04:00

Holland America Line achieved an impressive milestone this week when it reached 1 million Facebook fans. The line's Facebook page is a social media hub where fans can come together to get the latest news, get cruising advice, find information on specials, find fellow travelers on the Roll Call tab, share photos, enter contests and more. As Facebook maintains its popularity with users around the

Crystal Cruisers Can Earn Huge Bonus Rewards

2013-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Crystal Cruises is dramatically increasing the incentive for guests to share the renowned Crystal Experience. On 14 upcoming 2013 and 2014 luxury cruises, Crystal's new Bonus Share the Experience program offers all booked guests $400 in shipboard spending credit for each new-to-Crystal guest they refer to sail on the same cruise, in a separate stateroom. Booked guests can earn up to $1,600 per

Norwegian Breakaway Christened by New York's Iconic Rockettes

2013-05-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

The legendary Rockettes® danced their way into their role as Godmothers to Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway during a high-kicking, high-energy christening ceremony on Wednesday afternoon. Officiated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the entertaining event was hosted by Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss.” Throughout the christening

Silversea Expeditions Introduces Galapagos Cruise & Land Packages

2013-05-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

Machu Picchu Most travelers wouldn't fly all the way to South America for a three or four night cruise, but when combined with a pre- or post-cruise land package for a total of eight to eleven days, it certainly sounds enticing. Silversea Expeditions is offering travelers just such an opportunity to experience special cruise and land packages for its 2013 Galápagos program. Eight new shorter

Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam Rescues Sailors in Mid-Atlantic

2013-05-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, May 4th, at 6:50 p.m. (UTC-2), Holland America Line’s ms Nieuw Amsterdam received a call from the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center at Norfolk, Virginia, regarding a mayday signal it had received from sailing yacht Embla, which was disabled and adrift. Nieuw Amsterdam immediately diverted from its course and arrived on the scene at 9 p.m. local time. The cruise liner

Costa Cruises Has A Deal For Baby Boomers

2013-05-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

With age comes privilege, and Costa Cruises is offering baby boomers lower fares on select European sailings with a "Senior Savings Spectacular" promotion on bookings made during May. The offer lets travelers 55 and older select among summer and fall 7- to 14-day itineraries for rates as low as $469 in the Mediterranean and $999 in northern Europe, per person, double occupancy. Guests must be

Celebrity Cruises Partners With “54 Below” to Bring Broadway Star Power to Bermuda Cruises

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

Not known for featuring real celebrity entertainers on their stages, Celebrity Cruises has upped their showmanship image by turning to one of the nation's hottest entertainment spots to entice Broadway fans to pack their bags for a cruise to Bermuda. Celebrity Cruises has struck an exclusive partnership deal with Manhattan’s noted “54 Below,” which will bring guests on Celebrity’s newly “

Prepare For A Happy Mother's Day: Cruise On, Mom

2013-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Some people ask how Cruise Diva discovered her love for ships and the high seas. I discovered the source of my fascination in a dusty box of mementos from a long ago, dimly remembered voyage. It wasn't my cruise vacation, but my mother's. You could say I have a cruise gene. It was there all along, tucked away in the corner of a closet shelf. Dormant for years, it was just waiting to be found.

Holland America Line Releases First Pinnacle Class Ship Details

2013-05-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

It isn't much, but we do have a "first look" at the planning Holland America Line is doing to make its new Pinnacle Class ships among the most gracious at sea. Holland America has selected two leading firms to create the interior spaces of the line's new 99,000-ton ship that is slated for delivery in February 2016. The first in a new Pinnacle Class of vessel, the ship will showcase decors by

Trip Flip Goes Cruising on Carnival Breeze

2013-05-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Shannon & Nathan in the Red Frog Pub So, you’re taking a vacation, but do you really know where you’re going to end up? Not if you’re a couple from Austin, Texas, who were surprised by the popular Travel Channel series, Trip Flip, with a 6-day cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, Carnival Breeze, and whisked away to the balmy Caribbean. Hosted by professional fun-seeker, comedian, and

Superstorm Sandy Sunk Their Cruise

2013-05-01T00:00:00.001-04:00

The video below will surely tug at your heart. It’s meant to and the unfortunate family of Joanne Keating will without a doubt enjoy the cruise they’ve been given in a very generous move by Royal Caribbean as a result of their complaint to ABC News’ “7 On Your Side.” You see, their plans for a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line were sunk when “Superstorm” Hurricane Sandy washed away Keating’s home

Norwegians Have An App For That

2013-04-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

Everyone seems to have a smartphone app to share these days Norwegian Cruise Line has one for fans who want to click and cruise. Norwegian tells us that it's now easier and more convenient than ever to plan your cruise vacation with your family and friends. To get the app for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, simply head over to iTunes and download it for free. Then you'll have these features

Reimagine Disney Magic

2013-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

AquaLab An extra dose of magic is coming aboard the Disney Magic, when Disney Cruise Line’s original vessel relaunches with new spaces, reimagined areas and intriguing additions for the entire family. Guests will experience new adventures from stem to stern throughout the cruise ship that set the standard for oceangoing majesty and family fun. From a new grand atrium lobby and a children’s

Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas Begins Year-Round Service From Port Canaveral

2013-04-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Royal Caribbean International has introduced Enchantment of the Seas to her new homeport of Port Canaveral, where she replaces Monarch of the Seas and continues the cruise lines year-round, 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries. Enchantment of the Seas joins fleetmate Freedom of the Seas at their Port Canaveral homeport, and her arrival marks the first time in four years that Royal Caribbean has

Disney Cruise Line Monitors "Door Decorations"

2013-04-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

We aren't quite certain how the practice of decorating cruise ship cabin doors got started, but it's grown in popularity over the past fifteen or so years. On theme cruises you might even be encouraged to decorate your door and possibly win a prize if yours is deemed the best. Passengers get very creative, but the materials they use to attach their decorations can damage door surfaces when

Crystal Cruises Extinguishes the Smoking Lamp

2013-04-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Crystal Cruises, whose current policy for smokers allows cigarette smoking in cabins and in designated areas of certain bars, lounges, and open decks, is about to tighten up their restrictions. At the beginning of 2014, all indoor smoking areas on the luxury line's two ships will be eliminated, except in the Connoisseur Club lounge, where cigarette and cigar smoking is allowed, and designated

Holland America Line Commemorates Its 140th Anniversary With 'Signature' Tulip

2013-04-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

To commemorate its 140th anniversary, Holland America Line held an unusual christening last week. There was probably champagne involved, but it wasn't broken against the hull of a new ship...it was the official christening of the new Holland America Line "Signature" tulip that took place in the Netherlands on Friday, April 19 at the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens. President and CEO of Holland

Cruise Review: Holland America Line's Zuiderdam

2013-04-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

Georgina Cruz shared that this spring she and her husband Humberto wanted to explore some of the off-the-beaten path islands of the Southern Caribbean, South and Central America, and the Panama Canal from Florida—but they wanted to do so conveniently and in a relaxed way, unpacking only once, and above all, without having to fly. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” Lao Tzu,