Half Moon Cay: Nature’s Perfect Kiddie Pool
What makes toddlers and their parents happy? Sand, water and sunshine… which pretty much describes Carnival’s private island, Half Moon Cay. Carnival gussied up this coral-ringed Bahamas beauty with everything you could want, and it’s just steps from the pier: A gently sloped swimming area where toddlers can splash, and an inviting place in the sand with slides. Explore a long ribbon of soft sand at the ready for sand-castle creations, use changing rooms and freshwater showers for easy cleanup, and enjoy plenty of activities and excursions for the rest of the family. Faster than you can say “Fun Ship,” the little ones will be squealing with delight in the sand … then sleeping serenely in the shade. And so will you.

Grand Turk: Underwater Wows for Tweens
Even the best video game can’t compete with the action under the sea off Grand Turk, part of the stunning Turks and Caicos Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Are your kids comfortable in the water? Then with a simple snorkel and mask, they can submerge to a scene that’s like a crazy cross between The Little Mermaid and Avatar.

Right here in the warm shallows, conch shells the size of baseball mitts slowly skid across the sandy seafloor and a rainbow of tiny reef fish swarm around castles of coral. On the Reef and Rays excursion, gentle stingrays swoop and glide through the water, their diamond-shape bodies careening past like sci-fi alien invaders. Following the guide’s lead, kids can even pet these friendly creatures. Take that, virtual reality.

Limon, Costa Rica: Treetop Adventures for Teens
Costa Rica will be the talk of every teen’s Facebook page and tweets once they check out this Western Caribbean port. It’s an Indiana Jones kind of place, where parrots shriek and monkeys howl and vines hang down from the deep, dense jungle.

On the Rainforest Canopy Adventure, teens get to play the action hero. They’ll earn bragging rights swinging through the treetops on a zipline, a series of cables and pulleys strung way up in the leafy heights. Yoweeee! What’s the only thing more fun for a teen than ziplining? Watching Dad go … and hearing him scream.

Ocho Rios: Thrillin’ and Chillin’ for all Ages
Remember the Jamaican Olympic bobsled teams? Now this tropical paradise has brought the sport home to Ocho Rios and given it a local twist. At the Mystic Mountain eco-park, bobsleds plunge downhill – not in a cold icy tunnel, but through a lush tropical forest. Kids as young as eight years old, can pilot this twisting, turning joyride on the Bobsled Jamaica excursion. And the whole family can soar over the park on the Sky Explorer chairlift, climb the jungle lookout tower and happily veg out at the gorgeous infinity-edge swimming pool.

For anyone planning a 7,10  11 night  Baltic Voyage with overnights in St. Petersburg, Russia, Crystal Cruises is about to begin offering four very unique one night excursion to the Star City Training Center for guests aboard a Crystal cruise. 

The programs range from the most expensive… “Final Challenge,” to “Russia’s Quest Beyond Earth.”

• Final Challenge will give the most adventurous a chance to be a space walker. You will  be installing a space antenna on a replica of the International Space Station wearing an authentic space suit and will also be submerged in 54,000 cubic feet of water.
• The Centrifuge G-Force Experience will allow you to experience the simulated G-Forces of blast-off, how it feels to be in orbit and then descending back to earth. All of this will take place for just a limited- reserved group of 300 participants in a 300 ton centrifuge.
• Zero Gravity Weightlessness Adventure will allow Crystal guests to board the world’s largest parabola aircraft where you will experience zero gravity.  You will be flying in a very steep parabola aircraft in formation from altitudes as high as 20,000 feet with the promise of feeling “weightless” at least 10 times within the duration of the flight.
• And for those of you less adventurous but still filled with curiosity, Russia’s Quest Beyond the Earth  will give guests the opportunity to go behind the scenes for the highlights of Cosmonaut training and Russian space travel exploring all from the 1950’s to date.

Here’s The Details:

All of these programs include round trip airfare from St. Petersburg to Moscow with an overnight stay in a hotel along with a full day city tour of Moscow. You will be taken to places such as Moscow Square and the Kremlin along with many other historic sites.  The price range depending on which adventure you choose are from $4,359 to $32,995 per person.  At the time of writing, Crystal Cruises is still running an extraordinary two for one promotion plus “As You Wish” ship board credits up to $1000 along with free air from all North American Gateways.  You can’t deny the offerings are superb considering Crystal Cruises is by far one of the top rated ultra luxury cruise lines in the world.  My only request,….if you go, please bring me back some amber jewelry as Russia is one heck of a place to buy amber!

Margie Settler
CLIA Certified Travel Consultant, MCC
margie@topcruiseclub.com
1-888-392-5643

Alas, the one and only Jaques Van Staden, Vice President of Culinary Operations since 2007,  has come up with yet another new specialty restaurant concept called “Qsine”. Guests on the soon to debut Celebrity Cruise ship Eclipse will now be able to delight in tasting small-plate food in a unique and playful presentation. So says the brainchild of this “unordinary” dining experience and I have to agree after going over the menu. Jaques came up with this idea of creating an interactive experience in the new 82 guest Qsine restaurant and his creativity has been overflowing ever since.

“The biggest focus is how we present this food, how we make this interactive to our guests”, Van Staden said. “Everything is uniquely unordinary.” 

Take for example, the fact the Mr. Van Staden searched his thoughts then worked with a manufacturer to come up with out of the ordinary ( odd??) dish designs.  If a guest orders a spring roll, it will be served in vertical holders that are made with stainless steel springs!  Aside from a traditional dessert menu, a  twistable hinged cube will also be on hand for guests to open, fold and unfold to select the dessert of their choice. Speaking of desserts, guests will also be able to decorate their own cupcakes as well as dig their hands into individual cookie jars.  Want another clue or two?   If a guest wants guacamole with their sirloin tacos, no problem!!!   All of the ingredients along with a pestle and mortar will be brought to them tableside to create their own guacamole! It won’t be too spicy if you don’t want it to be. How’s that for “uniquely unordinary?”

Wine with dinner? Guests will be handed an Apple Ipod Touch listing all of the 100 wines offered. If this is too high-tech, there will also be a traditional wine list available. There will also be a trilogy of meatballs ( kobe-style beef, veal marsala and turkey with cranberry liquid center) , sushi lollipops, lobster escargot and filet mignon all served in quite an “unordinay” presentation on quite the ” unique and unordinary” dish designs. 

Reservations should be booked well in advance  (BEFORE YOU BOARD THE SHIP) as this is the ONLY Celebrity Solstice Class ship that Qsine will be on.  The cost is only $30 per person with no limit on the quantity of dishes guests can select to taste.

Are you intrigued yet?  Terrific!!  Then take a peek at items on the menu below and make your selections now!  Do let us know how it all tasted – share on Top Cruise Club, a social network for cruisers by cruisers. Top Cruise Club is the best place for travelers to not only save money but enhance their traveling experience. Perhaps if enough ratings about Qsine, we can convince Celebrity to introduce on their entire fleet! 

• The Meatball Trilogy -Kobe Beef with Cheddar & Marinara Sauce, Veal with Mushrooms & Marsala Sauce and Turkey with Cranberry and Sage Gravy.
• Soups – Chilled Soup -Yellow Corn – Tomato Basil
• Souffles – Celery & Green Pea Hot Souffle – Crab & Asparagus – Lobster & Hollandaise – Cheddar Cheese
• Chi-Tini’s (Chinese food served in Martini Glasses) Orange Chicken – Kung Pao Shrimp – Beef & Pepper in Black Bean Sauce – Stir-Fry Vegetable – Sweet & Sour Pork  – Sticky Rice and dipping sauces.
• Taco Royale - Black Angus Sirloin Steak with home made tacos – Caramelized Onion-Poblano, Cilantro ,  Guacamole 
• Sushi – Sushi Lollipops -Nigiri Sushi with soy center, wasabi mayo & pickled ginger-Radish Salad, Spring Rolls- Baby Back Spring Rolls & chipotle coleslaw , white truffle BBQ sauce or Vegetable Melange, Cilantro, Chipotle Coleslaw Sweet & Sour Sauce
• Treseviche -Tiger Shrimp & Bay Scallops – lemon juice, tequila, cilantro, tomato & jalapeno oil Salmon -yuzu citrus, cucumber, vodka & basil, Sea Bass – lime, red onion, choclo, avocado & exvoo
• Lava Crab – Alaskan King Crab with sweet yellow corn & scallions Kataifi with Old-bay lobster sauce
• Lobster Escargot – Parsley-Garlic Butter sauce
• Disco Shrimp – Poached Tiger Shrimp, Avocado, Tomato & Celery Dressed in a Cocktail Aioli with crunchy toppings
• Fish-N-Chips – Boddingtons-battered Codfish & Chips, Malt Vinegar or Aioli
• Slider Party – Grilled Kobe beef patties, aged Wisconsin cheddar, Qsine slider sauce with Brioche buns and garnishes

Now, there are many more selections such as a mouth watering Salmon specialty, Kebobs, Salads and Vegetables such as  Carrot-Cardamom, Broccoli-Cheddar, Sweet Potato-Raisin, Spinach-Garlic Cauliflower-Apple, Parsnip-Shallot, Potato-Truffle, Green Pea-Mint, Eggplant-Tomato & Olive, Creamed Corn & Chive – (Whew)  but…… I think it’s a good idea to leave a few surprises don”t you? ………..Well…perhaps I will just give you a small taste of Desserts:

Layered Ganache, Nuetella, Rice Crispies and Chocolate, Red Velvet & Vanilla Cupcakes, Beignets, Doughnuts , Fritters, Gelato, Berries and one that ia entitled “Qsine Surprise” because, you will have no idea what it is until you order it!!   Thank goodness the fitness center on the entire Celebrity fleet is first rate……..this may be my first stop before I begin to unpack!

Ready to sail?  Contact me direct and I will spoil you more.

Margie Settler, MCC
OSO Travel
margie@osotravel.com
1-888-392-5643

Tourists are not allowed to drive automobiles in Bermuda, but readily available motor scooters and bicycles allow independent explorations of this small island. The shops are decidedly upscale with particular emphasis on fine products from around the world and especially Britain. Bermuda also has an abundance of restaurants featuring the island’s distinctively spicy cuisine.

Summer is prime time for Bermuda cruises, and ships depart for the island from a number of East Coast ports, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk, as well as from Florida. Though a small island, Bermuda has two cruise ship ports – one at Hamilton, the island’s capital, and the other at Kings Wharf.

Bermuda has three cruise ship ports:

• Hamilton
• St. George
• Kings Wharf

A great way to experience the wonderful Bermuda is through a cruise vacation. Not only do you get to observe the mountainous coastline while you cruise from port to port, but you also get to interact with Hawaiian culture and experience the breathtaking sceneries. In order to find the perfect Bermuda Cruise for you, contact one of our Member Concierge toll free at 1-888-392-5643.

Want to do some research on your own, and decide when book your Bermuda Cruise? Well Top Cruise Club has made is very simple to do research and to find people that have sailed to Bermuda to chat with.

Cruise Lines that sail to Bermuda:

• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Celebrity Cruises
• Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Crystal Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas
• Oceania Cruise Line
  

When it comes to “going green” and the cruise industry, one may think that these massive structures on water do not have the ability to conserve energy or recycle waste that is accumulated from every sailing. Well, I am here to tell you that now, more than ever, cruise lines are making sure they are doing their part when it comes to preserving our environment. They have to if they want to stay environmentally sound with these new mega ships that will be launched within the next four years (see Forty-Three New Cruise Ships by 2012)

For example, Celebrity Cruise Lines new ship, the Celebrity Solstice, has incorporated solar panels with their glass covering for the ship’s solarium. According to USA Today, Richard Fain, the chief executive of Celebrity Cruises’ parent company, Royal Caribbean International, stated “that the development of such solar systems for ships is one of several efforts the company is pursuing to bring down energy costs and reduce the company’s environmental impact.” Although the solar cells will only produce a small percentage of the power needed to operate the ship, they were designed to be upgraded over time, and have a bigger impact, as technology improves.

Another cruise line that is utilizing these key steps in order to protect the beloved oceans is Carnival Cruise Lines. Although international law allows disposal of some items at sea, Carnival chooses to recycle, incinerate or offload all waste materials from its ships for disposal on land. These include plastic, glass, rags, metal, fluorescent lamps, batteries and medical waste.

Under Carnival’s wide-ranging waste-management guidelines, solid waste is processed and incinerated on board whenever possible. Otherwise, it is sent to an approved shoreside facility for treatment, recycling or disposal. Materials to be recycled are compacted, crushed or baled, and stored on board until they can be offloaded to an approved vendor for disposal.

Prior to sending waste to a facility, Carnival’s environmental department conducts a thorough inspection, including a review of insurance, licenses and procedures, of each vendor to ensure that they are in full compliance with local, state and federal environmental regulations. As a result of these efforts, Carnival’s recycling program consistently achieves a high recycling rate.

The line also involves its guests in the recycling program. Specially marked containers are placed throughout the ships to encourage guests to dispose of different materials in a manner that facilitates sorting and recovery. Food, glass, aluminum and plastics are collected in separate bins located in public areas, open decks, steward stations, galley and crew areas, room service pantry and bar pantries. Now how is that for treating our environment well?

Other ways cruise lines are trying to decrease negative environmental impact are as followed*:

• An on-board recycling plant that recycles 100% of all solid waste products in addition to an onboard wastewater treatment plant
• Satellite positioning systems that guide the ship to prevent dropping anchors on sea beds and coral
• The ability to run on green diesel as well as the installation of special engine seals to prevent oil leakage
• On board desalinization units that turn salt water into fresh water
• Use of salt water in on board swimming pools to avoid the usage of chemicals like chlorine
• LED lighting that uses 50% less energy than regular lighting and reduces carbon footprint by 70%
• State-of-the-art washing machines that use sound waves and less water (10 gallons versus 60 gallons)
• Use of only biodegradable cleaning supplies on board
• Reduction of fuel consumption and air emissions by using “shore-power”—ships plug into a power source on the shore where they are docked, which allows them to turn their engines off and reduce air emissions by 30%.

Cruise lines have really come a long way in the past few years to ensure that their cruise ships are equipped with the technology to recycle waste and to use less energy. I hope this article informed you of the many steps the cruise industry is taking in order to ensure a “greener” future.

Top Cruise Club

Top Cruise Club likes to make sure all their readers are up to date in what is happening within the cruising world.  Top Cruise Club is an online community of avid and new cruisers who have come together to maximize their cruising experience. It provides you with the latest cruise news, ship reviews, information about popular destinations, and exceptional cruise value.  Top Cruise Club provides its members with an amazing value when it comes to cruising. Join Top Cruise Club’s free membership program, which provides you with an array of benefits, like Cruise Connect, Price Investigator and The Lense. Click here to join now!

*List of ways cruise lines are helping the environment was found through phocuswright.com.

]]> http://www.osotravel.com/cruise-industry-news/the-cruise-industry-is-going-green/feed 0 http://www.osotravel.com/cruising-editorials/smart-ways-to-save-while-cruising http://www.osotravel.com/cruising-editorials/smart-ways-to-save-while-cruising#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:28:29 +0000 Marc Cohen http://www.osotravel.com/?p=3374 Today, more than ever, you are able to find amazing cruise vacation deals onboard most cruise lines.  Ridiculously low prices are popping up everywhere. So for those budget travelers, who love cruising or thought about cruising, this is a dream come true. However, I would like you to know that after your cruise fare is paid in full, you will find other costs onboard that are not covered in the fare. I am here to tell you that they are not drastic. I just want you to be informed of what is NOT included in your cruise fare, and plan your cruise budget accordingly.

Beverages

Yes, it is true. Most beverages onboard your cruise are not covered by the cruise fare. For example soda (soft drink beverages) run around $2 to $2.50 per drink, which could cause a dent in your bill at the end of the cruise. Especially if you are a family of four, and your children are avid soda lovers. Other beverages not included in cost are bottled water and some specialty coffees. Specialty coffees are those fancy coffee drinks made famous by Starbucks, which include lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, expresso etc.

Budget Advice: Even though sodas aren’t free, that does not mean you have to pay for every drink purchased. Cruise lines have developed soda cards that can run about $4 to $6 per day, giving you unlimited access to all the soft drinks you love! Also, to help with the cost of water bottles, I would suggest bringing your own water bottle onboard and just filling it up at the water fountains located near the buffets.

What is included: Beverages that you can find at the buffets, such as orange juice, apple juice, regular coffee, and fountain water.

Alcohol

This shouldn’t shock a lot of you. Alcohol is one of the main things that can drive up a cruise bill. After all you are on vacation, and alcoholic beverages can add to your relaxation. And I am not talking just liquor here. Included in this is wine and beer. There is really no average cost per drink as costs depend on what type of drink you purchase (just like everywhere else).

Budget Advice: Cruise lines, except Royal Caribbean, have not come out with an unlimited alcohol cards like they have for sodas (sorry to burst bubbles). The policy on Royal Caribbean for unlimited drinking packages only pertains to groups. You must have a group of 50 or more people, aged 21+, to receive a $49 a day unlimited drink card. That is pretty good considering drinks on average cost $8. Not in a 50+ group? Well you are in luck because there are ways you can save when it comes to your alcohol purchases.

For Wine: At dinner, instead of ordering wine by the glass, I would suggest ordering a whole bottle. Most likely if you order wine the first night, you will end up ordering a glass every night after that. Also, when you order the bottle, you aren’t expected to consume it the same night. Your waiter will store it for you until the bottle is emptied. An average glass of wine on a cruise cost around $8+. However, the average bottle cost in the $20s. Most bottles can give you around 4 glasses of wine. So do the math!

For Beer: Buckets of beer by the pool can save a few bucks. Even though buckets can seem absurdly priced for 5 bottles, it will save money compared to purchasing each bottle separately. If you don’t drink all of them, save them. You can always refill the bucket with ice for free another day.

For Liquor: This is simple…Don’t order from the top shelf.

What is included: No alcohol is included. Sorry folks. Unless you book a cruise on a luxury cruise line (Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Sea Dream Yacht Club and Seabourn Cruise Line). But the cruise costs for a luxury cruise line is more expensive than a voyage onboard a Carnival Cruise or Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Gratuities

It’s always nice to say thank you for good service, therefore the cruise lines have made it easy instead of tipping throughout the cruise sailing. On the last day of the cruise your cabin steward will leave a sheet of paper, with envelopes, that specifies how much gratuity is recommended to give to each of the people who took care of you (costs will range, depending on who to tip, from $2 to $7 per day) This includes, but not limited to room attendant, waiter’s assistant and head waiter. Also, whenever you purchase anything from the bar, or from a pool attendant, gratuities are automatically added to your bill.

Budget Advice: There really is no way to save on gratuities. You tip in non-vacation life for service, so why should it be different on a cruise? But the amount you give should depend on the service you received, that I won’t argue.

What is included: Sometimes cruise lines will automatically add service charges to your cruise bill. If you want to give tips on your own accord, then you can go to the purser’s desk and have them remove the gratuity that was automatically added. That way at the end of your cruise you can tip however much you feel is necessary per services received.

Specialty Restaurants

Ok, so to avoid any confusion, a specialty restaurant is a restaurant on a ship that caters to a particular cuisine. You generally have to make reservations ahead of time as they have limited seating. That means, you have to physically go to the restaurant on the first day of your cruise (or any other day), to reserve your spot. There is a minimal charge for dining at specialty restaurants onboard. You may ask why? These restaurants serve gourmet food, which is a little different from the general dining on cruises. I recommend trying one. It is definitely worth spending a little extra money.

Budget Advice: If there is a restaurant that really seems to tickle your fancy, reserve one night to try their menu options. But do not forget about the free food that is at your disposal the entire cruise. In my opinion, the main dining meals are delicious with 5 star quality.

What is included: Main dining areas, buffets, and 24 hour pizza. Trust me, if you want to save money, you will not run out of food options that were already paid for in your cruise fare.

Spa Amenities/Beauty Salon/Fitness Center Classes

You didn’t think that massages and facials were included in your cruise fare, did you? Well they aren’t, unfortunately. And neither are some fitness classes, such as spinning or yoga. Let’s not forget about the fabulous beauty salon they have onboard where you can get your hair done, as well as pedicures and manicures. Nope, not included as well.

So what are the cost of these added luxuries? Spa items, such as massages, facials, body masks etc, can run you anywhere from $70 to $250 per session. For fitness classes, some cruise lines have them included in your fare, but you must reserve a spot in the class before attending. If they do not include the classes, they aren’t that expensive. Anywhere between $10 to $15 per class. And finally, the beauty salon, where last minute hair changes can make all the difference. Services in the beauty salon can run anywhere between $20 for a manicure, to $150 for a hair cut and dye job.

Budget Advice: The spas onboard are known for having discounts throughout the cruises’ duration. The discounts usually take place during the time the ship is at port, not while it is sailing. So if you do not mind staying onboard for a few hours while at port, then this route for a spa discount is best! Also, sometimes cruise lines will have spa drawings if you take a tour on the first day of the cruise. Check your cruise itinerary right when you get onboard to see if they are giving spa tours plus drawings. The beauty salon works the same way when it comes to discounts. Also, prior to sailing speak to your Member Concierge about coupon booklets and past passenger discounts. They are not always available, but always good to ask.

What is included: Jogging track, fitness center machines, some fitness classes, and on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines they have a rock climbing wall and surf simulator that is included.

Excursions

As most already know, shore excursions are not included in your cruise fare. However, these fun little side trips are worth the extra cash. They can provide you with a great way, without the planning, to see what the different ports of call have to offer. You can go tubing through caves or horseback riding in Mexico; you can see all the ancient wonders of Rome; or take a helicopter ride over Alaskan mountains. Whatever you can imagine doing, there is sure to be an excursion for you. Prices of excursions can range from $50+ per person.

Budget Advice: Limit yourself to one shore excursion at the port of call you are really excited about. This way you can splurge and take the most fun filled excursion offered. For the other ports, do your research of what there is to see. Once you have decided on the sights that really interest you, just take taxis to see them. This way you are on your own schedule, and have control of what you spend.

What is included: Onboard the ship all entertainment is included in your cruise fare. Whether it is a comedy show, Broadway shows, dance lessons, activities for the kids, activities for the adults, dancing in the night clubs, or entering in a cruise contest, all is included onboard!

Cruise Pictures

You know those fun pictures that the cruise staff take of you? Embarking, disembarking, eating dinner, learning how to salsa dance, formal night, professional photographs with beautiful backdrops….anything and everything you can be sure a photographer will be there. However, looking at them in the ship’s photo gallery is as free as they get. Pictures can run you anywhere from $10 to $50 per shot purchased (depending on the package or size of photo).

Budget Advice: At the end of the cruise, the ship usually runs specials on them! Unless you throw the photos in the discard bin, the gallery attendants will not remove them from the display until the morning of disembarkation. So wait until the last day of the cruise to get the best photo deal.

Casino

It is called gambling right? So why would the cruise ship give you any of there money to play with? Exactly. Gamble at your own risk, is what I always say.

Budget Advice: Are you feeling lucky? If not, I would not waste money that could go toward other things on your cruise vacation, like that exciting shore excursion!

What is included: Some cruise lines will offer free drinks to those who are gambling. But needless to say, anything in the casino is not included in your cruise fare.

Souvenirs

All those fun little stores onboard the ship, do not give their merchandise out for free. On top of that, nothing that is souvenir related onboard the ship is included in your cruise fare. So if you are that type of traveler that needs to bring back something to commemorate your time at sea, make sure to fit that into your budget.

Budget Advice: For souvenirs onboard the ship, wait toward the end of the cruise to see if they promote any sales. Most of the time the cruise line will have souvenirs on sale throughout the duration of the cruise, but the best sales show up at the end.

For souvenirs at the different ports of call, my advice is to bargain with the merchants (never pay full price). Unless of course you are in a Dolce and Gabana store in Italy, then bargaining will probably not pay off. I am more or less referring to markets, outside vendors, and jewelers!

Government Fees/Taxes/Fuel Surcharges

When you see cruise costs online or get cost from a travel agent, most likely it is not including the extra fees that go along with the cruise. These fees are tricky because they all depend on the cruise line and the cruises’ destination. However, I can tell you that fuel surcharges can run about $6 to $10 a day. But then again, it all depends on the cruise line.

So how do you budget when you won’t know the fees until you book? Or what about your concern with not being able to budget for all these new costs? Well, this is where Top Cruise Club comes in handy.

Top Cruise Club

Although there are other costs that could be accumulated during your cruise, don’t let it effect you purchasing the items or services you desire. After all it is a vacation, and you already invested money into it. But gaining extra value for your cruise vacation is an important opportunity you should look more into before sailing.

What do I mean by extra value?

Top Cruise Club provides its members with benefits that add value to their cruising experience. They give you ways to save with their Price Investigator, ways to find people on the same sailing with Cruise Connect and their T.R.I.P. program which is a point system giving you the opportunity to build up points to use for FREE cruising extras that you can use right here on OSO Travel. We provide you with onboard credits that can be used toward extra costs onboard the ship and other cruising goodies. Also, some cruise lines allow passengers to use their onboard credits in the casino. It is like real cash!

To gain access to these benefits that add value to your vacation, all you have to do is become a member at Top Cruise Club. Membership is free, so what are you waiting for? Join today and see why It’s Better When You Belong!

About Top Cruise Club

Top Cruise Club is an online community of avid and new cruisers who have come together to maximize their cruising experience. They provide you with the latest cruise news, ship reviews, information about popular destinations, and exceptional cruise value. Join Top Cruise Club’s free membership program, which provides you with an array of benefits, like Price Investigator. Click here to join now!

]]> http://www.osotravel.com/cruising-editorials/smart-ways-to-save-while-cruising/feed 0 http://www.osotravel.com/travel-deals/cruises-travel-deals/low-cruise-fares-for-the-remainder-of-2008 http://www.osotravel.com/travel-deals/cruises-travel-deals/low-cruise-fares-for-the-remainder-of-2008#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:06:00 +0000 Marc Cohen http://www.osotravel.com/?p=3445 So you want to take a cruise vacation before the year is up, but do not know how to go about finding the best value. Well thank goodness you stumbled upon this post. 2010 is looking pretty hopeful for those who love to cruise, as well as those who want to try a cruise vacation. The reason – cruise fares are dropping at a fast rate. An example of this is cruise vacations are available for less than $50 per day!  Most cruise line are offering amazing deals like this – which means options galore!

Good thing many cruise lines have 4-day sailings (like NCL) that still need staterooms occupied. The most you would have to take off from work or other activities would be one to two days. Also, some 7-day cruise deals are sailing during holidays, which means you probably already have days off.

Finding these cruise vacation deals is not a difficult task. Top Cruise Club is a social network designed for cruisers like you to discuss everything from cruise line promotions to favorite sailings, which means less time you have to spend searching for them. Top Cruise Club features many programs that assist you in finding the best price.  They’ve even gone one step further with their Price Investigator which guarantees you that you have the best price and notifies you if a lower price is found on your cruise booking.

So don’t let budget and cost concerns ruin your chance for an exciting and relaxing cruise vacation. Because your next vacation can cost you under $50 a night! Beat that Hilton!

]]> http://www.osotravel.com/travel-deals/cruises-travel-deals/low-cruise-fares-for-the-remainder-of-2008/feed 1 http://www.osotravel.com/member-cruising-tips/plan-to-have-fun http://www.osotravel.com/member-cruising-tips/plan-to-have-fun#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:02:14 +0000 Marc Cohen http://www.osotravel.com/blog/travel-tips/plan-to-have-fun/ Before your cruise, visit Top Cruise Club and see if any other members are going to be sailing on the same cruise as you.  Sight seeing can be a lot more fun with a few extra people, not to mention the savings that you can get with the “group rates” of some shore excursions.

During your cruise, carefully read the ship’s daily activity newsletter that is slipped under your cabin door. You will not want to miss out on activities of interest. There’s so much to do, it’ll take a little prioritization.

The 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory has resumed Caribbean service from Miami following a multi-million-dollar renovation that added a host of new facilities and features, including a Serenity adults-only retreat, a 270-square-foot Seaside Theatre poolside LED screen, and a Circle “C” facility for 12- to 14- year olds.

Eighteen new balconies were also incorporated onto existing ocean view staterooms and a new Mongolian wok venue was added to the casual poolside restaurant.  Bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access was added, as well.

From February to May, Carnival Glory operates seasonal seven-day cruises from Miami, alternating weekly to the eastern and western Caribbean. Seven-day eastern Caribbean cruises visit Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, San Juan and Grand Turk, while the western route features Grand Cayman, Isla Roatan, Belize and Cozumel.

The ship will then be deployed to New York where it will offer a series of four- and five-day Atlantic Canada voyages from June 6 – September 6, 2010, followed by a series of seven-day Canada/New England cruises, from September 11 – October 9.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve and expand our product to deliver fun and memorable vacations to our guests while at the same time offering exceptional value,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. “The new Seaside Theatre, adults-only area and Circle ‘C’ facility, which are all available to our guests on a complimentary basis, serve to enhance an already terrific, value-packed vacation choice,” he added.

New Seaside Theatre

Located poolside on Lido Deck is the Carnival Glory’s new “Seaside Theatre,” a massive 270-square-foot LED screen displaying movies, concerts, sporting events, and other programming, including the popular “Morning Show” hosted by the ship’s cruise director.  Utilizing the same technology featured in large stadiums and New York’s Times Square, the state-of-the-art entertainment system includes a 70,000-watt sound system, providing concert quality sound, even outdoors.

New Balcony Accommodations

During dry dock, 18 new balconies were added to existing Spa Deck accommodations, creating spacious 220-square-foot verandah staterooms. They are conveniently located next to the ship’s 14,500-square-foot “Spa Carnival” facility offering sophisticated exercise equipment, expansive workout facilities and a variety of soothing European-style treatments.

With the addition of these newly reconfigured staterooms, nearly 40 percent of the Carnival Glory’s 1,487 cabins now feature private balconies.

New Adults-Only Retreat

Another popular feature added during the dry dock is Serenity, a two-level adults-only retreat located forward on Sun Deck and Sky Deck. Designed as an oceangoing oasis for relaxation, with decorative latticework and teak-style decking, this area features different styles of seating, including shaded sun loungers and hammocks, a full bar, and two oversized whirlpools.

Circle “C” Facility for 12- to 14-Year-Olds

A new Circle “C” facility catering to 12- to 14-year-olds has been added as part of the line’s unique offerings for kids. The center features a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma-screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles.

Dining Enhancements

A new Mongolian wok option was added to the Carnival Glory’s Red Sail casual restaurant located poolside on Lido Deck. At the new venue, guests can select their favorite meat, sauce, vegetables and other ingredients and watch as a chef creates their custom-designed stir fry dish right before their eyes.

Additionally, the Golden dining room, located forward, was reconfigured for Your Time Dining providing guests the option of open seating between 5:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. nightly.