Category — First-Time Cruisers

By Viviane Temchine, Senior Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

Cruising began as a means of transportation, a way to cross oceans. Passengers were either wealthy persons flaunting their wealth and their couture gowns in first class or poor immigrant traveling in steerage with the few clothes they possessed.

Times have changed since the 1920s when long gowns and tuxedos were required after 6:00pm for first class passengers. Cruising in the 21st century is all about our need to feel relaxed while exploring new destinations on vacation and to get away from the restrictions of a “work” dress code. Each of the different cruise lines today offer a range of dress codes from super-casual and “country club” casual all the way to “elegant” dressing. For most cruise lines, it basically comes down to casual attire during the day, bathing suits with cover-ups in the restaurants for breakfast and lunch, and no jeans and t-shirts in the dining room at dinner. On most evenings, men will feel comfortable in nice pants and collared shirts (think Polo shirts) and ladies can get away with almost anything, including dressy Bermuda shorts, capri pants, nice slacks, sweaters, blouses, dressy tees and sundresses. [Read more →]

A compilation by The Cruise Web employees.

While it’s tempting to classify a cruise as strictly formal or casual, the truth is that many are a combination of each. Others are going through a transition from one end of the spectrum towards the other. This all serves to benefit cruisers as there are now plenty of cruise options suited to our varied tastes. To demonstrate this, we’ve compiled a list of our preferences for formal vs. casual cruising, along with our favorite aspects of each. No dress code required for further reading. [Read more →]

By Julie Atkins, Manager of Client Services & Group Administration. The Cruise Web, Inc.

Service is very important when it comes to vacations, so much so that it can make or break your trip. After a few vacations, our expectations become loftier and our definition of “great service” changes. Luckily, cruise lines are also raising the bar and finding ways to exceed our expectations, taking their service from ordinary to extraordinary.

One of the reasons I enjoy cruising is definitely the service. From the moment you step aboard you find friendly attentive crew standing by to welcome you aboard (often with a glass of champagne) or guide you to your cabin. Then after you relax and enjoy a refreshing cocktail, it’s off to your stateroom where your luggage has already been delivered – all without you having to lift a finger. Upon arrival to your room you notice that there is a plastic mat on top of your bed to ensure that you do not dirty your bed as you unpack your luggage. After all, who wants to sleep in a dirty bed? [Read more →]

A compilation by The Cruise Web employees.

In honor of this month’s “Service” theme, we’ve compiled several stories of above and beyond service as experienced by our employees on cruise vacations.

Tina C.
When I stayed in the Courtyard Villa on the Norwegian Epic my butler James was so amazing. My sundress strap broke and I asked him to take it to the cleaners on the ship. He said, “No, I will have my friend Ming sew it for you.” The next morning he brought it to me and it was perfect. I feel like he went far above and beyond.

Beth T.
Azamara Club Cruises is a wonderful line, and when I sailed on the Azamara Journey with my husband a few years ago we had a butler that went above and beyond for us. Not only was he extremely friendly and attentive the entire time, but when we first got on the ship we found out our clothes had been tossed all about and were quite wrinkled. We were discussing this in our cabin and he overheard us and offered to have them complimentary pressed for us. It is that type of service that really sticks out and makes a cruise even more memorable! [Read more →]

By Jennifer Crivelli, Senior Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

What happens when you can’t find a friend or family member to share a stateroom with you on your cruise vacation? Consider taking the cruise by yourself.

This past December, I was in this exact situation. I held a reservation on a 12-night Caribbean cruise on Azamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Journey and found myself without anyone to travel with me. I needed a vacation, so instead of canceling my trip, I decided to go on the cruise by myself. Having never cruised alone before, I had some concerns that I know many cruisers have when it comes to sailing by yourself. Who will I eat dinner with? Will I have fun?  Is it safe to explore the ports of call by myself?  [Read more →]

By Ken Cho, Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

As a consumer and inhabitant of this planet, I’m always interested in the conservation movement and alternative/renewable sources of energy. That includes when I go on vacation and travel abroad. Practices in countries like Japan where conservation and “green” methods/products are part of everyday life have always impressed me. Ever since I began my career as a cruise consultant with The Cruise Web, I’ve wanted to know what the cruise lines do to help foster such practices. [Read more →]

A compilation from The Cruise Web employees.

When on a cruise or touring a new destination, everyone loves to indulge in the local foods and treats, usually breaking away from our healthy eating! The Cruise Web staff has come together to share with you some secrets behind our favorite treats, both on and off the ship! We would love for you to share some of your favorite “treats!”

Chris R.
My favorite treat is a tough one, because there are so many and I like to take advantage of all of the treats. So here are my treats, in no particular order: A midnight slice of pepperoni pizza, soft serve ice cream by the pool, Celebrity’s Sorbet Parade, an after-dinner drink of Frangelico, NCL’s Midnight Chocolate Buffet, and waffles with whipped cream and fruit for breakfast. I’m sure I’m missing some, but that just means I have to go on another cruise so that I can refresh my memory. Happy Halloween! [Read more →]

A compilation from The Cruise Web employees.

This month’s spotlight takes you behind closed doors to provide a glimpse of the mysterious behind-the-scenes operations of cruise ships. Several members of our staff have experienced areas of cruise ships that most passengers never see, including steering a ship and partying with the crew. Continue below to find out which behind-the-scenes operations were most interesting to our employees.

Adam W. – Senior Cruise Consultant
In April 2009, I was invited to participate in a “Behind The Fun” VIP travel agent tour of the ship during the inaugural Carnival Pride sailing from Baltimore, Maryland. During a 2-hour tour on the last sea day of a 6-night Bahamas cruise, I visited many secured areas around the ship not seen by passengers. The tour took us through the engine room, main galley, photo lab, crew and staff quarters, and theatre. The highlight for me was meeting Captain Alessandro Galatto up on the bridge while the ship was sailing.

Tina C. – Senior Cruise Consultant
As a courtyard villa guest, I was able to get a private tour of the bridge. The Norwegian Gem is a very modern ship, and almost every instrument, procedure, and deck role has been automated, streamlined, and digitized. The deck officers, trained in Maritime Academies and their home countries’ navies, often spoke up about how much lower their workload is compared to every other ship they have sailed. For instance, instead of plotting a course on traditional paper maps, LCD moving maps chart their position in real-time and show their projected course. They steer the ship with a trackball and keyboard, yet there is still a traditional helm used mainly for piloting the ship in tight quarters. There are an array of radar sensors, video cameras, and computerized warning systems to alert the crew to any possible danger. According to the ship’s Captain Mikael Hilden, the Norwegian Gem is a “complete joy” to sail; “much better than retirement.” [Read more →]

By Adam Wolf, Senior Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

In the northern hemisphere, fall marks the transition between summer into winter, usually beginning in September and ending in November.  As a former teacher, I have always thought about fall in terms of either going back to school or work, as well as the beginning of football season.  It’s a great time of year to take a cruise vacation, and there are plenty of destinations to consider.  Popular fall itineraries include Canada and New England, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and repositioning voyages.

Leaf peeping in Canada and New England is an annual tradition.  Any area that is covered with trees comes alive in the fall, when cooler temperatures arrive and the leaves begin to change color before winter.  Mountains and valleys can look completely different during this time of year, with a potpourri of colors typically peaking in late September and early October.  Cruise lines offer many fall cruises ranging from 7- to 14-nights out of New York, Baltimore, Boston, Montreal, or Quebec City.  These itineraries sail along the Atlantic Coast of New England and Canada, as well as along the St. Lawrence River.   The best way to see the ultimate fall foliage and visit this region full of history and natural beauty is definitely on a cruise ship. [Read more →]

Sometimes the best word to describe a suite is, well, sweet! Cruises vary widely depending on the type of cabin booked, and there’s no denying that the suite is in a class of its own. From the moment passengers step into a suite, it’s clear that their vacation is going to be extraordinary. The following suite experiences represent some of the sweetest as remembered by The Cruise Web’s employees:

Raquel Grinnell
The Penthouse Suite on the Celebrity Solstice has the most amazing bathroom I’ve ever seen at sea… There’s a flat-screen TV in the bathtub area so you can bubble-bath and watch a movie at the same time!!! As a European, I also loved seeing a bidet. The master closet was also amazing; more beautiful and organized than mine at home! I really liked the decor, as well — very sleek and modern with quiet golds and browns, dark wood finish on all the furniture and the kicker of course is the big hot tub and bar area for entertaining out on the balcony.

[Read more →]