Carnival Triumph returns to Galveston

The Carnival Triumph after a engine fire this past February is back in Galveston.  Today company officials say the nearly 900-foot Carnival Triumph departs Thursday from Galveston on a sold-out cruise to Mexico.  The Triumph underwent $115 million in repairs and upgrades. Work was done in Alabama and at a dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas. The ship returned to Galveston on Tuesday.  

After speaking to several of our Carnival customers they told us they would sail on the Triumph again, one guest commented "that the ship is probably in better shape now than when it was built in 1999"

We look forward booking customer on the Triumph after $115 million upgrade!

Nationwide Cruises and Vacations www.cruisenationwide.com 800-537-4774
For the benefit of those who are packing their appetites, let's start with BlueIguana Cantina, our taco and burrito hot-spot. (Or mild-spot, if that's more your style.) Burger lovers should direct their taste buds to Guy's Burger Joint, where they'll be delighted by original burgers and fries designed by the guy himself, celebrity Guy Fieri.

Cruisers thirsting for something a little different will be well-served by our new bar lineup, including Alchemy Bar, where highly-trained bartenders "prescribe" custom cocktails made with exotic, unexpected ingredients and compelling flavors. EA SPORTS Bar will satisfy your thirst as well as your taste for competition, featuring live scores, televised sporting events and the lifelike action of popular EA SPORTS video game titles. The friendly-rivals RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar let you choose colors, sides, and favorite cocktail ingredients... but both promise a little something cool to enjoy in the sun.

Carnival Triumph features onboard spaces inspired by cities from all four corners of the world. Experience delicious coffees, cakes, cookies and pastries at Vienna Café, encounter beach-casual fare at The South Beach Club, or explore a multi-course meal at London or Paris Dining Rooms. You’ll have your choice of spots for a drink, whether you find Hollywood Dance Club or the old-continent charm of Oxford Bar more your scene. And nobody can resist getting down to the New Orleans-style jazz of The Big Easy Bar! 

Kids will have an onboard, onscreen blast at Underground Tokyo video arcade, and even more age-appropriate fun at one of three supervised youth spaces. Kids young and old will love sinking putts at the mini-golf course, and everyone becomes a kid by simply splashing into one of Carnival Triumph’s pools. 

Today is a first in the cruise world.

Today is a first in the cruise world. We are waiting on the final word but it seems a first of partnerships between Royal Caribbean and Carnival will start on March 14, 2013.

The Carnival Fascination will make at least 19 calls and the Carnival Ecstasy will also make 11 calls to the island of Little Stirrup Cay or what is known to Royal Caribbean guest as Coco Cay.  This is a great choice for Carnival since Carnival’s private island of Half Moon Cay it not available due to the number of ships that is already scheduled to port at Half Moon Cay.

According to Carnival they examined several options for Carnival Fascination's and Carnival Ecstasy's shorter sailings, including Half Moon Cay. They decided to include Little Stirrup Cay because given the short duration of the cruises and the other ports of call on these itineraries, it would be difficult to reach Half Moon Cay and still maintain the ships' published schedule.

What is interesting earlier this month the U.S. Navy revoked the rights of all non federal vessels to dock in Key West Harbor. Though cruise ships do not typically dock in Key West Harbor, when multiple ships are calling on the port, at least one ship must dock there. With that pier off limits, fewer ships can call on Key West. 

I would have thought Carnival would have the private island Princess Cay that is also owned by Carnival Corp, but then I realized this island doesn’t have tenders on the islands and ships must use their own tenders.

This is a great option for Carnival in my opinion Coco Cay is a beautiful private island with amenities including motorized and non motorized water sports, plenty of shopping, island-style seaside barbecue and much more.

As soon as we determine all sailings that will now be sailing to Coco Cay we’ll be contacting our customers.

Happy Cruising

Danny Fisher
Nationwide Cruises & Vacations
770-729-1881x13
danny@cruisenationwide.com

The Carnival Triumph Not So Fun Cruise & Our Thoughts

Many of our customers have wanted to know our thoughts are on the Carnival Triumph engine room fire this week and we've responded to all your questions and concerns. This morning I received a call from a customer who wanted to know is cruising still safe and will I continue to cruise and my answers were yes, yes and I can't wait until my next cruise. 

I sent the following information to her and wanted to share it will everyone.

I would like to remind everyone that every aspect of the cruise experience is heavily regulated and monitored under both U.S. and international maritime law - and cruise lines meet and often exceed numerous international and federal codes and regulations designed to maximize the safety of passengers aboard ships. This is one element the media doesn't want you to know.

Nearly 21 million passengers are expected to enjoy safe cruise experiences around the world this year, according to Cruise Market Watch. That’s a 3.3% increase in capacity over 2012.

The cruise industry is one of the most highly regulated industries. Any country to which ships sail has the right to board vessels at any time unannounced for inspection.

Each and every crewmember is required to receive training in emergency procedures, safety, security, and first aid, and to participate in and abandon ship drill and fire drill once every month.

In the rare situation when an engine fire occurs on a ship, crew members are armed with the necessary training and equipment to quickly ensure all passengers and crew are safe. The average cruise ship typically has five firefighting teams whose main members have advanced shipboard firefighting training, 4,000 smoke detectors, 500 fire extinguishers, 16 miles of sprinkler piping, 5,000 sprinkler heads, and six miles of fire hose. Sprinklers and smoke detectors, as required by international regulation, are located throughout the ship.

Finally, in rare cases when lifeboats would need to be deployed, the cruise industry as a whole has worked to improve sea worthiness in which lifeboats can be loaded quickly. For example, Royal Caribbean requires its lifeboats to be capable of launching even with a 20% list. Royal Caribbean also requires its lifeboats to have 125% capacity for those on board the ship.

We are here to assist our clients; their safety and well-being is our top priority.

Whether traveling domestically or internationally, our number one priority is always our clients’ safety and well-being.

Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch. A majority of cruise clients are repeat cruisers, so they understand the safety procedures aboard the major cruise lines and have enjoyed that vacation style so much that they continue to book cruise vacations.

We also work closely with cruise lines to remain informed of security precautions they’re taking to guard our clients’ safety.

We strongly advise our clients to heed all passenger preparedness drills in the event of an emergency. We are advocates for our clients; and they know that by working with a true travel professional, we are there for them before, during, and after their trip should they need us – which gives them peace of mind.

Because we, as travel professionals, take care to thoroughly counsel and advise our clients on what they can expect, our clients are confident in the vacation choices they are making.
We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel plans.
We believe in providing the facts as we know them to our clients so they may make informed decisions regarding every aspect of their travel plans.

We closely monitor the latest news and weather updates, as well as the U.S. State Department website, for travel alerts and travel warnings for all destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.

Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination or cruise ship, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there so they can determine for themselves if they still wish to travel.
Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination where a client is currently located, we try to immediately contact the client to check on their well-being and work to assist them if they require alternate travel arrangements.

Danny Fisher
Owner Nationwide Cruises & Vacations

We look forward helping you plan your next vacation.

www.cruisenationwide.com

It's all about the balcony

Balcony staterooms are on average 80% of staterooms on most new ships and for a good reason. Who doesn't want to to enjoy breakfast, afternoon cocktails or just enjoying the views from your private balcony and you never know you just may see dolphins welcoming you to your next port.
Until December 2009 ships had interior, ocean view, balcony and suite staterooms and then the arrival of the Oasis and Allure of the Seas and Royal Caribbean delivered the biggest WOW Loft suites!

Imagine two deck high staterooms with panoramic views with over with over 640 sq including the balcony. The lofts are the highest accommodations at sea and offer spectacular views with double height windows. If your one of the few that are able to cruise in one of 28 loft suites you may never want to leave. Except to see Chicago, Hairspray, zip line, try to last more than 30 seconds on the flowrider, try you luck in the casino royale or see Ocean Aria at the aquatheater. For more information on the Oasis or Allure of the Seas loft suites visit http://www.cruisenationwide.com/ or call 800-537-4774

Buongiorno!

I've just received a exceptional winter cruise deal from Costa Cruise Line sailing to Egypt, Turkey and Greece sailing from Rome (Civitavecchia) January and February 2008 starting at $869.00* per-person sailing for 11 nights. I think winter is the best time for European travel, with lower airfare, fewer crowds and mild temperatures - similar to winter weather in California!

Egypt/Turkey/Greece The ancient and mysterious charm of Egypt attracts tourists from all over the world. Among them are those who love the overwhelming beauty of the desert, the enigma of the Sphinx and the sheer size of the Pyramids. Egypt has universal appeal for everybody, with historical treasures and breathtaking scenery. Additional ports-of-call on this exotic itinerary that begins and ends in Rome, Italy include Athens (Greece), Izmir (Turkey) and Limassol (Cyprus). What a incredible offer sailing to the Med Italian style on Costa Cruise Line.

We are only able to offer these rates until August 31 or when these incredible rates are sold out! For more information or to request a quote click here.

Until next time Buongiorno!
Happy Cruising to the Med Danny

The Grandeur of the Seas is getting a Grand Make Over

Royal Caribbean just announced today that the Grandeur of the Seas before making her winter home in Tampa will receive a make over! The Grandeur of the Seas made her maiden voyage in 1996 and a renovation was completed in 2001 and now in 2007 Royal Caribbean will make the Grandeur of the Seas "Grandeur".

She will receive a face lift in the Windjammer dinning area, the pool deck and spa area, pool bar, staterooms and the centrum. For pricing and itineraries click here and remember we still have great rates available sailing from Tampa this winter and also from Baltimore in 2008. Remember to check back often for updates early 2008 once the renovations are complete.

Happy Cruising.

Danny

Ship Highlights
• Rock-climbing wall
• Casino RoyaleSM
• Eight themed bars and lounges
• Stunning Centrum, an open atrium
featuring shopping and more
• Outdoor pools
• Outdoor jogging track
• Six whirlpools
• Indoor/outdoor pool in a Solarium
with a sliding roof
• Adventure Ocean® youth facilities
• Video Arcades for the kids
• Full Fitness Center, Day Spa,
and Salon

Passports

It seems everyday that passport issues get more complicated and with the increasing number of calls we have regarding passports I wanted to make sure all our bloggers are kept up to date on passports. I would recommend everyone who is traveling this year or next year add www.travel.state.gov to your favorites and check if often since passports laws can change at anytime. Also call us at 800-537-4774 if you have additional questions.


If you don't have a passport please visit your local passport or post office soon to apply.

Carnival Cruise Lines Liberty Guest Comments

Today I received a email from a a customer that just sailed on the Carnival and wanted to pass some of his comments along to other cruises.

"I think we all found the food to be very good. In fact we all agreed that it was better than other cruise lines. Our dining room staff was attentive and professional. The Matre d very friendly, found his way to our table twice out of the 4 nights we dined in the main dining room. I give the dining room staff an A. Eating in the buffet for breakfast or lunch, the food was good and there were lots of choices. Getting dishes taken away while you sat and talked was pretty slow.

The staff that we dealt with were all helpful and friendly. Great bar and cabin service.
The entertainment was good and plentiful.
Over all for Carnival, I give the staff and ship, (minus decor) an A rating."

Thanks Ron M from Atlanta for your comments on the Carnival Liberty.
Happy Cruising Danny