Cruises Inc. - Your cruise dreamfinder!

2008 - New Ships

GRT - Gross Registered Tons

Carnival Splendor - July - grt 113,300; capacity 3006 - The most notable new feature is a retractable dome over the mid-ship pool, the first for Carnival. It will also have the largest spa aboard any Carnival vessel (40,000 square feet), including 68 staterooms and suites with direct access to the spa and the line's first thalassotherapy pool. In addition, Carnival Splendor will boast the largest Camp Carnival facilities (5,500 square feet) above which there will be a new water play area. A summer program in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean before repositioning to Ft. Lauderdale in the fall for a Caribbean series.

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas - May - grt 160,000; capacity 3600 - This will be the third of the Freedom-class and expected to be a near-duplicate of the first two. 14-night cruises round trip from Southampton to the Mediterranean.

Holland America Eurodam - Summer - grt 86,000; capacity 2100 - This ship will be a progression from Noordam. The ship will be sized to fit through the Panama Canal and feature a new restaurant deck, more verandah staterooms and new entertainment venues. In June 2007, the line announced that the number of staterooms was being increased to bring double occupancy capacity to 2,100. It will have only 15% inside cabins and 67% of the staterooms will have private verandas.

Celebrity Solstice - December - grt 122,000; capacity 2850 - This will be Celebrity's first post-Panamax vessel. It will be powered by a diesel-electric podded propulsion system and meet 2009 stability standards. It will also make use of numerous new technologies for energy savings.

Ruby Princess - November - grt 116,000; capacity 3100 - The ship will feature a piazza-style atrium with small-bit eateries and a changing lineup of 'street' entertainers. Dining venues include the signature Sabatini's Italian trattoria and the Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, plus an adults-only deck area called The Sanctuary. Ruby Princess will sail to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Princess Cays.

2009 - New Ships

Celebrity Equinox - August - grt 122,000, capacity 2850; This is the second in the Solstice-class. It will be powered by a diesel-electric podded propulsion system.

Carnival Dream - grt 130,000, capacity 3652; This ship will be a completely new design for Carnival, although not the Pinnacle Project about which there has been so much talk.

Seabourn Odyssey - June - grt 32,000, capacity 450

Royal Caribbean unnamed - Fall - grt 220,000; capacity 5400 - The first of the Project Genesis vessels.

CLIA's Top Ten Reasons to Choose to Cruise

Choose to cruise for VALUE. One price buys your cabin, dining,
entertainment and more.

Choose to cruise for ROMANCE. Secluded beaches, en suite dining on a balcony overlooking the ocean and spa services for two are just some of the romantic pursuits available.

Choose to cruise for CUISINE. Tantalize your taste buds with gourmet fare that showcases exotic ingredients, old standbys like pizza and ice cream or spa cuisine for a healthy alternative. Depending on your mood, dine in a traditional ballroom setting, a small bistro or a casual eatery.

Choose to cruise for VARIETY. With over 150 distinctive ships, 1800 ports-of-call and an unbelievable array of places to see and things to do, there is a perfect cruise for you. For even more choice, consider a pre- or post-land tour.

Choose to cruise for ACTIVITIES. Fill your days with sightseeing, sports activities, cultural lectures, educational tours led by naturalists and historians or simply lounge by the pool and relax. At night, enjoy dance extravaganzas, musical revues, gaming or a quiet evening gazing at the stars.

Choose to cruise for SIMPLICITY. Don't come back from your vacation needing a vacation. Planning a cruise is simple; your Cruise Specialist can handle all of the details. Once you're on board, nearly all expenses are pre-paid... talk about hassle-free.

Choose to cruise for NEW HORIZONS. Fall asleep in one destination and awake to a new horizon... and you only have to pack and unpack once!

Choose to cruise for FAMILY. Families love cruising. Children's programs, kid-friendly menus and tours of the ship will keep your children happy, while affording you some time alone.

Choose to cruise for PAMPERING. Regardless of your budget, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first-class service around the clock.

Choose to cruise for SATISFACTION. It's a fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience.

Choose to cruise for YOU. You can have the vacation of a lifetime, see the world, completely unwind, take a walk on the wild side, dance the night away, feast on fabulous cuisine, learn something new, make friends, bond with your family, or steal quiet moments with your spouse. Whatever your heart desires, is yours, when you choose to cruise.

You haven't lived until you've cruised!

The Suite Life!

Suites range from deluxe to “over the top” in terms of size and amenities. Here are some reasons why there should be a suite in your cruising future.

Size does matter and there’s more of it in a suite. Some people claim, “We don’t spend a lot of time in our cabin”. But imagine relaxing in your private enclave complete with private balcony, butler and ultra-plush furnishings!

Suite size can range from spacious to outrageous – As an example on Regent Seven Seas’ all-suite, all- balcony Seven Sean Mariner accommodations run from 301 sq. ft for a Deluxe Suite to 1204 sq. ft. for a Master Suite not including the private balcony.

On NCL’s Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn there are 10 penthouse suites that share a private courtyard, complete with swimming pool, Jacuzzi and a small gym. These are only eclipsed by NCL’s signature Garden Villas with over 5000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living area including 3 bedrooms! Imagine cruising down the picturesque rivers of Europe on a Uniworld river boat suite featuring a sitting area with a sofa and two chairs, three floor-to-ceiling windows and an extra-spacious bathroom.

Suite accommodations on cruise ships rival the amenities of world-class hotels. For example Oceania Cruises suites offer sumptuously comfortable twin or queen sized “comfort beds”, a large living area, an intimate area for private in-suite dining, a refrigerated mini bar and ample closet space.

Enhanced Services
Luxury lines such as Regent Seven Seas and Crystal Cruises provide Butler and Concierge Service to their top categories In addition many of the contemporary and premium cruise lines such as Holland America, Celebrity and NCL offer similar services.

Be decadent in one of Crystal Cruises Penthouse Suites by dining in your bathrobe and slippers. Choose from a full selection of delectable dishes from the In-Suite Dining menu, order from the evening's menu in the Crystal Dining Room, or request whatever your heart desires and the Crystal chefs will do their best to fulfill your wishes.
Princess recently upgraded their suite guest amenities to include afternoon tea and complimentary internet access, dry cleaning, laundry and shoe polishing.

Holland America’s Guests who book the Penthouse or Deluxe Verandah Suites have access to the private Neptune Lounge. This lounge features a private place to relax, socialize with other suite guests and enjoy personalized service for making reservations for shore excursions, spa services, car rentals, the exclusive Pinnacle Grill restaurant and more.

Suite guests on most lines also receive expedited cruise embarkation and early disembarkation. Indulge your “suite” tooth – ask your Cruise Specialist today to show you just how affordable a cruising in a luxury suite can be.

An Alternative Retirement Home

There will be no nursing home in my future! When I get old and feeble, I am going to get on a cruise ship. The average cost for a nursing hom eis $200 per day. I have checked on resrevations on a cruise ship and I can get a long-term discount and senior discount priceof $135 per day. That' leaves $65 a day for:

Gratuities, which will only be $10 per day.
I will have as many as 10 meals a day if I can waddle to the restaurant, or I can have room sercie (which means I can have breakfast in bed every day of the week).
Cruise ships have as many as 3 swimming pools, a workout room, free washers and dryers, and shows every night.
They have free soap and shampoo.
They will even treat you like a customer, not a patient. An extra $5 worth of tips will have the enitre staff scrambling to help you.
I will get to meet new people every 7 or 14 days.
T.V. broken? Light bulb need changing? Need to have the mattress replaced? No problem! They will fix everything and apologize for your inconvenience.
Clean sheets and towels every day and you don't even have to ask for them.
If you fall in the nursing home and break a hip you are on Medicare. I you fall and break a hip on the cruise ship they will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life!!!

Now hold on for the best! Do you want to watch TV in your nursing home or do yu want to see South America, the Panama Canal, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand and Asia? You name where you want to go and a cruise ship will have a ship ready to go.

P.S. And don't forget, when you die, they just dump you over the side. No cost!!!