We Sailed the Oasis of the Seas!!

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Jason's 40th Birthday Cruise 225Jason's 40th Birthday Cruise 248

Jason's 40th Birthday Cruise 172Jason's 40th Birthday Cruise 247

Yeah!!  We celebrated Jason’s 40th birthday onboard Oasis of the Seas!!  My first thought was, hmmmmm, it doesn’t  look that much larger :)  Once we were onboard however, I couldn’t have been more wrong.  This ship is literally a floating city.  We had so much fun!!  So much to do and a week hardly allows one to see it all.  From the incredible entertainment, to the scrumptious food, to the variety of clubs, shops and alternative dining, there is something for everyone. There are seven neighborhoods including Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, Pool &Sports Zone Vitality at Sea Sap and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.  There is a thrilling zip line that races diagonally nine-decks above an open-air atrium that is home to a carousel and an amphitheater-style theater that serves as pool by day and a dazzling ocean front theater by night.

 It turned out to be a successful first time vacation with both of the in-laws.  Jason’s parents went (their first cruise) and my parents all sailed together to celebrate Jason’s birthday.  We may have to make this a New Year’s resolution.  Happy Sailing 🙂

RCI’s Allure of the Seas Arrives in Port Everglades

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Allure-of-the-seas-arrives-at-its-new-home-in-FloridaThe world’s largest cruise ship has made her transatlantic maiden voyage and sailed right into her homeport, Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.   Allure of the Seas, sister ship to the other world’s largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, is approximately five millimeters longer.   Not noticeable when you are already 4 football fields in length!  Wow, is she beautiful! 

While Oasis and Allure are sisters, they are not carbon copies.  Allure of the Seas will feature her own special personality that includes incredible new entertainment, restaurants and retail shops.  Allure of the Seas will offer a huge array of entertainment options including the Broadway production, “Chicago: The Musical,” as the headlining show in the ship’s main theater.   The Allure has the first ever “Guess” store at sea, along with the first “Starbucks” at sea.  The theater on the Allure is equipped to handle 3D movies, also a first for movies at sea.  New as well, each stateroom on the Allure has an iPod docking station.  Some of the new eateries include:  Samba Grill, Rita’s Cantina on the Boardwalk and Boardwalk Doghouse.

A lot of similarities, but enough different to make sure and sail both ships to get the best of both.  That will be my excuse anyway 🙂

Happy Sailing!

My Cruise Bucket List

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349370786_c9202dd19aCelebrity Solstice - First Arrival Port Everglades 11/03/2008

Jason and I started our “Bucket List” tradition a couple of years ago.  We visit this list annually on Valentines Day.  It’s been a great way of sharing our dreams and fun to check them off our list as we accomplish them.  One major wish on my bucket list is to sail all of the contemporary and premium lines.  So far we have sailed Carnival, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise lines.  In deciding where we will cruise next year, we took into consideration the lines we have still yet to sail.  We booked our next Caribbean voyage on Princess.   Aruba, here we come!  We are looking forward to sampling the rest of the lines and I’m most looking forward to the new ships of Celebrity.  The Solstice class ships are really unbelievable.   After touring and having lunch on the Solstice a couple of years ago, I have been anxiously awaiting our chance to sail on her or her sister ships.  They have many themed sailings next year, mostly for foodies and wine lovers.  Fun!!    Can’t wait to check this one off my bucket list!

Happy Sailing! 🙂

World’s Largest Cruise Night, 2010

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The single biggest cruise promotion of the year is almost here. Sponsored by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA,) the date to save on your calendar is October 13, 2010.

On this day, you will find savings and special offers from just about every cruise line in the industry. Offers may include reduced deposits, ship board credits or dollars off. It’s a great time for consumers to book to take advantage of the savings. Keep in mind in most cases your cruise deposit is refundable, so you risk nothing in locking in the prices.

Here’s a sampling of special offers and incentives cruise lines have already announced.

  • Carnival Cruise Line  is offering upgrades on virtually all departures through December 2011.  To sweeten the deal, Carnival will offer not only best available upgrades, but up to a $200 onboard credit per stateroom for all Carnival Magic Europe voyages booked on October 13.  The WLCN best available upgrade offer applies to new individual bookings. The Carnival Magic Europe offer includes best available upgrades and a $100 onboard credit per stateroom for seven-day Europe sailings and a $200 onboard credit per stateroom for nine- and 12-day sailings.
  • Celebrity Cruises will have a 3 sale (Oct 13-16th,) for cruises sailing April through December 2011.  For new bookings receive – onboard credits of $50 per stateroom for oceanview accommodations; $100 per stateroom for veranda accommodations; and $150 per stateroom forAquaClass (only on Solstice-class ships), suites, and Concierge Class.
  • Norwegian Cruise Line is offering: up to 4 category upgrade plus reduced deposit plus up to $250 onboard credit per stateroom.
  • Disney Cruise Line is offering $100 onboard credit for 14-night transatlantic cruise sailings May 14, 2011 and Sept. 10, 2011,  $75 onboard credit for 7-night, 10-night and 11-night Mediterranean cruises sailing May 28 through Sept. 3, 2011 and a $50 onboard credit for 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises sailing Sept. 25 through Dec. 11, 2011.
  • Royal Caribbean International is presenting a two-part offer to travel agents for World’s Largest Cruise Night on Oct. 13. New bookings in ocean-view or higher category staterooms on select sailings made between Oct. 11 and Oct. 15 get an onboard credit of $25 per stateroom for three- to five-night sailings, $50 onboard credit per stateroom for six- to nine-night sailings, and $100 for 10 nights or longer. In addition, Royal Caribbean is offering two extra Groups Amenities Plus (GAP) points on new group bookings to redeem for additional onboard incentives, such as complimentary welcoming bottle of wine and other additional value items.

If you are thinking of cruising, now is the time to book with all of these special promotions going on.  I’d be happy to help you plan your dream cruise vacation!

Happy Sailing!!  🙂