There were a few stories from the last few weeks that we wanted to talk about plus we wanted to test out a few things.  The good news though is that we’ve arrived in Ohio safe and sound, all our stuff has arrived and the Patricia’s office is running – just not fully unpacked.  However, unlike in California we have seperate offices and the Podcast Studio (aka my office) is not up and running and probably won’t be for a few more weeks.  We’re still shooting for regularly scheduled programming to resume in early August.

This week though we talk about the possible return of fuel supplements, progress on some new builds, Royal Caribbean’s latest experiment, a showing of the Declaration of Independance, and the fire on Royal Princess.

This week a trip down Memory Land to listen again to some of our more interesting comments…

Carnival announced the shows comming to Carnival Dream, and Princess will be rolling out enrichment programs with Leonard Maltin.

Bayonne after finishing their first permanent cruise berth is now seeking stimulus funds for a second berth, and there’s concern that Bermuda’s failure to revise gaming laws may cause cruise lines to consider ending port calls there.

Just a reminder, we may be on the road and the office may be packed up but we’re still taking calls and new bookings.  You may have to leave a message, but we will get back to you as soon as we’re in a safe location to do so.

Also, neither the site nor the podcast will be going dark – we have a few new episodes in the hopper to get you through the next few weeks.

NCL announced that the Blue Man Group will headline the entertainment onboard Norwegian Epic, while Royal Caribbean made an announcement of their own – that they were bringing a new dancing program onboard inspired by a senior citizen hip-hop group – and we really wish we were joking about that part.

With the decision to move the G8 meetings an MSC ship will not play host to world leaders as originally planned and MSC and STX are negotiating to revise the designs for some planned ships.

This week Disney Cruise Lines announced that several Disney Channel Stars will be sailing onboard DCL ships this summer.  Celebrity Millenium is getting a  $10 million upgrade.

Holland America is introducing new Digital Workshops, but if youre listening to our show you probably know what they’re going to teach you, and with the CDC easing their Mexico warnings cruise lines are making plans to head back to Mexico.

Bermuda is ready for larger ships – it’s opened it’s second large pier.  Crystal is celebrating the Theater Guild with some special guests and some special onboard performances.

NCL has revealed the hull art for Norwegian Epic and Holland America is trialing some new excursions that go beyond the usual sightseeing.

Costa details more about their Playstation partnership with Sony, and MSC made it’s first ever call to New York.  Finally Princess is celebrating ALaska’s 50th Anniversary in their own special way.

First NCL announced that they are moving Norwegian Sun from Alaska to Europe for the Summer of 2010.  Meanwhile Norwegian Jewel will move to New York instead of Europe for the Summer 2010 season.  Meanwhile Princess elects to have two ships sail the Caribbean over the Summer 2010 season.

Fincantieri elects to cancel the delivery ceremony for Costa Luminosa because of a labor dispute.  Royal Caribbean expands My Time Dining fleetwide.

Finally we have a quick update about MSC Melody’s pirate attack, and then we talked about the Swine Flue impact.  Expecting to go on a cruise to Mexico in the next month?  We need to talk because your itinerary has changed.  No matter where your cruise is headed there is now an industrywide standardized screening process in place.

Crystal is rolling out a photography based Experiences of Discovery.

Hairspray is coming to Oasis of The Seas and three ships will play a key role maintaining security at next year’s Winter Olympics.

Independence of The Seas will offer year round sailings from Southampton and Celebrity Century will offer year round sailings from Miami.

Seattle and Vancouver start their Alaska seasons and MSC enhances their MSC Club benefits.

The tables turn as MSC Melody opens fire on pirates.

After the news we discuss kids programs this week.  There’s a reason that cruising makes a great family vacation…

No show next week because of the big goings on.

For the first part of this week though we provide you with a lighter look at the cruise industry.  Loyal listener Rob has supplied us with some unique news for this episode…

We know many of you were eargerly awaiting Patricia’s thoughts about Carnival Splendor and we didn’t want to make you wait another week…

While we were off the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami conference was being held.  Unlike previous years there wasn’t a lot in the way of announcements – however we talked quite a bit about what was actually announced.  So we ended up with two shows so that we could also bring you Patricia’s quick review of Carnival Splendor this week too.

While we were off Cunard announced a lot of details about the new Queen Elizabeth, and NCL provided more information about the accomodations coming to Norwegian Epic.

Crystal is introducing technology concierges and there was some discussion about whether or not all of the previously announced newbuilds for the luxury segment will still be built.

Fort Lauderdale shares more about their plans for Terminal 18.  Celebrity released dates for Celebrity Equinox.

MSC Fantasia will host G8 leaders, and Royal Caribbean is increasing their presence in the Northeast.

In the news this week:

Construction has begun on Oceana’s Marina, and Disney has named their newbuilds.

James Taylor will be onboard Queen Mary 2.  Royal Caribbean is enhancing their kids programs, and Carnival will be sailing to Alaska from Seattle in 2010.

Sailings have been cancelled and Millenium is headed for some quick propulsion repairs.

The first steel was cut this past week for the first of Disney’s two new builds, and we should be seeing the first details about the new Queen Elizabeth in the next few weeks.

San Diego is pitching Disney to homeport a ship in the area (not that Disney has said that they plan to move a ship west) and Holland America is rolling out Ship to Shelter to San Diego.

We had a lot to say about Norwegian Epic this week too.  We’re not impressed.

One man is missing from Carnival Splendor in what may be a suicide attempt, and MSC Fantasia breaks away from the pier in Palma de Mallorca.

NCL is introducing travel insurance that specifically covers job loss, and Princess has partnered with Klutz for new arts and crafts programs.

In Royal Caribbean’s annual SEC filing last week they drop the bombshell that they still haven’t secured financing for Oasis of The Seas and did you hear that there was a fire onboard Costa Romantica?

Carnival Sensation gets Evolution of Fun upgrades, and Holland America announces sommalier packages and celebrities coming to their Culinary Arts Centers.

Royal Caribbean offers enhanced amenities to suite passengers and the Celebrity Equinox will be delivered early. There’s also been some notable progress on the expansion of Terminal 18 at the Port of Fort Lauderdale.

This week we take a look at Costa Cruises.  Costa’s an Italian cruise line that is very different from their US based counterparts from their theme nights to their rewards programs.

Look for an outstanding Deal of the Week.

Carnival Dream’s family spaces have been revealed, and Caribbean Princess emerged from drydock with the latest enhancements that Princess has to offer.

Delta Queen sails off to into history – or at least Chattanooga TN.

Carnival rolled out the ability to pre-book your spa treatments online, and Crystal will be offer a fantastic excursion program to Wimbleton.

NCL’s newest ship will be called an epic – Norwegian Epic that is.

Disney will have baby supplies delivered right to your stateroom and it looks like the historic Delta Queen will become a floating hotel in Chattan0oga TN.

Several lines look to be reducing their presence in Alaska in 2010 and Royal Caribbean is going to rethink their pricing strategy.

Holland America has launched a new culinary training program in the Philippines and has also partnered with Cooperative Feeding Broward to provide supplies to Fort Lauderdale area shelters.

NCL has announced their 2010/2011 Winter Deployments and the US Coast Guard is investigating a near miss between a cruise ship and a fishing boat in Los Angeles Harbor.

The keel has been laid on the third ship of Celebrity’s Solstice class the Celebrity Eclipse.

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about it so this week we took a look at the confusing passport regulations in effect and coming into effect later this year.  Remember all of these rules apply to US Citizens for our friends outside the US check with your country’s Foreign Office for more information about the requirements you’ll need to meet.

For more information about the US Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted traveler programs visit here.  In addition for information about Passports or the new Passport Card visit the US State Department’s website for foreign travel at travel.state.gov.

Are you a Facebook user?  Then make sure you become a fan of The Mail Buoy by visiting our page here.

This week we look at just what an upgrade is and why cruise lines like shipboard credits.  The two for one and free air deals are also looking very attractive, but you should still look closely at just what the bottom line really is.

There was also a bit of news this week, almost all of it construction related.

It was a slim news week this past week in the cruise industry with most of the cruise lines promoting sales more than anything else.

The one that caught our attention though was Carnival’s new discount program which can offer you a significantly discounted fare that is even price protected should the rate fall – in exchange for a non-refundable deposit.

We were kind of expecting a new build announcement from Regent Seven Seas last year, but it never happened.  There’s a theory though that they may take the slot from the option that’s still open for Oceania’s third ship.

This week we talk about New Year’s resolutions and in theory staying healthy – but like every show we wandering around the topic for a bit.

Before the predictions we had a few news stories this week – Star pulled out of NCL America and a crewmember went overboard on Carnival Sensation.

Before this year’s predictions we reviewed last year’s predictions as well as Rob’s predictions from last year.  It was a mixed bag for the year.  You’ll have to listen for our predictions for 2009, however it wasn’t easy coming up with predictions this year.

Edit- It would seem that I was so happy that the site was up that I didn’t put the post in the podcast category – so it published but not as a podcast.  Sorry about that!

Silver Wind completes her scheduled drydock.

NCL confirms that what was once a three ship order is now just a single ship.  They’ve also signed a 10 year deal with the Port of Miami.

Princess and Holland America ships will be using shore power while docked in Vancouver BC.

We’ve got some word on what the plans are for QE2 and the Port of Tampa has funded some improvements.

No long show notes – just trying to get the show up for you…

Princess announced their plans for the holidays, and Crystal’s holiday gift to you – $1500 off most European sailings next year.

All the major lines announced that fuel supplements are either gone or will be gone as of the New Year.

Carnival Corp is suing Rolls Royce and Converteam over the Mermaid propulsion pods that were installed on QM2.  They’ve also signed a deal for berthing rights in Seattle for both Holland America and Princess.

Port Canaveral has started moving on the improvements for Disney’s new ships with the awarding of the first contract.

Finally, with a name like Cruise Planners it’s easy to forget that we do more than just cruises.  This week we talk about some of the other things that we do…

First off QM2 gets some much needed connectivity enhancements, Disney is bringing 3D movies to their ships.  Oasis of The Seas was floated out but the Prince Albert II will be getting some revised itineraries.

Seabourn’s next ship will be known as Seabourn Sojurn, and QE2 reaches the end of her career with her arrival in Dubai.

Celebrity announces that they’ll bring back Bermuda sailings begining in 2010 which is also the same year that Celebrity Eclipse will make her home in Southampton.

If our sailing on Celebrity Solstice was any indication Celebrity Eclipse will be a great ship.  There was a lot we liked about Solstice (like the Lawn Club and Hot Glass Show) and a bit we weren’t impressed with (the closets).

Video from the ship is coming soon, but pictures are already online over on Flickr.

In the news this week NCL announced the upgrades Norwegian Spirit will be getting during her upcoming refit.

As fuel prices continue fall, yet another line has announced that they are dropping their fuel surcharges, this week it’s Oceania and Regent Seven Seas.

Some of Celebrity’s new ships are getting new shows.

Ruby Princess was named and Princess also announced that they will be bring Movies Under the Stars to almost every ship in the fleet over the next two years.

Holland America is bringing new Signature of Excellence improvements to select ships.

Carnival Dream has been floated out of the fitting out key and is one step closer to completion, and QE2 isn’t the only Queen that will be leaving service this year.  With no buyer in sight, the queens of Majestic America’s fleet will be ending operations in just a few weeks.

This past few weeks we’ve had the final Oasis of The Seas reveal, and some itinerary shifts from Carnival.  NCL has joined the crowd dropping fuel supplements, and Ambassador’s International says that they haven’t had a serious buyer for Majestic America Line.

MSC is looking for a long term agreement with Port Everglades and Celebrity Solstice arrived in Port Evergaldes this morning.

The majority of this show was talk about Liverpool, Belfast, Greenock/Belfast, South Queensferry/Edinburgh, and Newcastle.  The reception we had at every port was simply amazing with thousands turning out at several ports to greet the ship as we arrived and see us off as we left.

If you haven’t spotted it yet, the Photo Gallery is broken again.  We’re still trying to figure out the best way to fix it but in the mean time you can find the pictures on Flickr.  Not all the pictures are up yet, but so far here are pictures from Liverpool, Cobh, and South Queensferry.  We’ll be adding more pictures over the next few days, as a bonus almost all of the pictures we’re putting on Flickr are Geotagged which means you can look at a map and see where we took most of the pictures.