The Cruiseman Newsletter
A free newsletter from The Cruiseman Now in our 15th Year!! March 2nd, 2009 This weeks features: Cruiseman Articles Cruise From Seattle Grand Turk Island "Cruising's Newest Destination" Happy Hour Cruises from New York / New Jersey Discounted Shore Excursions Travel Agent Myths Do I need Travel Insurance? Who is The Cruiseman, anyway? Cruiseman Testimonials Beware of Travel Scams Support the Fair Tax Passport Requirements CDC Inspections Top 10 myths about cruising and cruise ships. 9 Things I love about cruising 5 Myths about Cruise Travel Agents Some old ships get new lease on life  FLEET INFO: Carnival Fleet Royal Caribbean Fleet Princess Fleet Holland America Fleet Celebrity Fleet Radisson Fleet   POPULAR STUFF Cruises from: Norfolk, Charleston, Baltimore, Philadelphia & Jacksonville Fund Raisers, Incentives & Rewards Travel Insurance Pre-Cruise Registration Land Vacations   Cool Tools:   Search 23 Cruise Lines Search By Departure Port Resort Vacations Request a quote Check Airfare - All Major Airlines         The Cruiseman Jim Antista, President 4560 S. Campbell Suite I Springfield. MO 65810 Toll-Free Nationwide: 800-889-7683 From North Carolina: 919-772-8855 From Springfield, MO 417-881-CRUZ Monday - Friday  9 - 5 CST Saturday  10-2 CST Closed Sundays Email: jim@cruiseman.com Web Site: http://www.cruiseman.com   * Free Cruise Offer: Winners will receive a Free 2 Night Cruise, for two adults, to Nassau aboard the Regal Empress. (you just pay the port taxes of $59pp).  The Regal Empress sails from Ft. Lauderdale year-round. Reservations are made by Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, not The Cruiseman. Subject to restrictions as stated on the certificate.  Certificate is transferable, but may not be sold.  This program is not a time-share promotion, and there is no  purchase of anything required.       The Fine Print: *A NOTE ABOUT RATES: Unless otherwise stated, all rates quoted in this newsletter or on our web site are per person, double occupancy, and include port taxes. Govt. fees are usually additional. Specials do not usually last very long, so we advise that you don't spent too much time "thinking about it". If you see something you like, call us immediately   Past issues of this newsletter are stored HERE   The name "The Cruiseman" is protected by US Trademark. ™   From your editor From Your Editor Sifting through the baloney!  We noticed that a major on-line agency is having a "secret sale" with "exclusive pricing".  Once again we have to warn you that these pitches are pure baloney. They say that they will give you free upgrades and free on board credits.  These upgrades and credits are coming from the cruise lines themselves, and not this agency. They are trying to create the perception that they have some kind of an "inside deal" going with the cruise lines when all they are doing is offering you what the cruise line is currently offering.  Now you know ..... the rest of the story.  The Cruiseman brings the best deals available without all the baloney! For instance one of our clients recently told us that we are the only agency on the entire Internet that regularly posts the weekly Happy Hour specials from RCCL & Celebrity. These are the best "last minute" deals from these lines.  We want you to have access to the very best deals --- without the baloney! Web Site Hacked -- A week ago some hacker got into The Cruiseman Web Site and managed to cause some problems. If you experienced anything unusual on our site, we apologize. The problem has been fixed, and all is well. Now you can book your flights, hotels & rental cars  from The Cruiseman Web Site. You will get the very best rates!  Last week I needed to book a hotel room. I called the hotel directly and was told the rate was $199 + tax. I booked it on my own web site for $78 + tax!  It works.  Try it out today! Cruiseman Funnies  The young man entered the Ice Cream Palace and asked, "What kinds of ice cream do you have?" "Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry," the girl wheezed as she spoke, patted her chest and seemed unable to continue. "Do you have laryngitis?" the young man asked sympathetically.     "Nope," she whispered, "just vanilla, chocolate and strawberry."   Tip of the week Pack some bottled water in your suitcase. You'll know why when you see how much they charge for water on the ship! Or - buy some water at your first port of call. For more "Tips For Cruisers" CLICK HERE From The Mailbox This was our first cruise and we enjoyed it very much. I had one bad experience ...... My steak was so bad that I could barely swallow it. The problem was resolved immediately and I was given a different meal. ... I was pleasantly surprised that all other meals were excellent! ...The service was excellent in both food service and the cabin staff. Our room was clean, the cabin staff seemed to observe our habits and maintain our cabin in between those times. The wait staff was some of the best that I have ever experienced.  Over all, a great first experience!  We had spoken to a few other cruise agencies, some were even recommended by others. We went with The Cruiseman because of the speed of their response and the assistance they provided in booking our trip. No others that we spoke to provided that level of service. Would I recommend them, absolutely!    --   Lynd McCormick -- Finleyville, PA  (Carnival Valor  1/25/09) Bargains of the Week We still have cabins available for the Sept. 14th sailing of the Carnival Fantasy. This is a 5 nighter sailing from New Orleans to Cozumel & Progreso. Rates start at just $327.91pp (all taxes included), and you get a $75 onboard credit!  Carnival's Early Saver program will save you up to 30% off and you get a price-drop guarantee. CLICK HERE for the details. Remember - these "Happy Hour" rates are only good tomorrow 3/3 The Cruiseman Newsletter is published twice monthly by The Cruiseman of Springfield, MO.  If you wish to modify, change or cancel your subscription, please use the automated link at the end of the newsletter.  This is a free publication and we encourage you to forward it to your friends and associates. worldwide destinations  --  The Far East and The Orient To most North Americans, the Far East and Orient define the essence of exotic destinations. Far from home in nearly every sense, these lands have dazzled and enthralled travelers with their fascinating traditions, stunning beauty, rich history and rich cultural heritage. The diverse countries and cultures of this area of the world encompass a vast area and countless ports of call from Japan to the Indian subcontinent. Those who journey here can experience the wonders of some of the oldest known civilizations - and delight in the region's unique architecture, cuisine and art. Source  --  cruising.org CLICK HERE for the rest of this article and the Ports of Call   Cruiseman news Royal Caribbean gives West Coast its largest cruise ship ever Cruise fans on the West Coast finally have something that East Coasters have had for years: A mega-ship to call their own. Royal Caribbean's 142,000-ton Mariner of the Seas -- one of the line's much-ballyhooed, super-sized Voyager class vessels -- debuted Thursday in Los Angeles. By far the largest cruise ship ever to offer regular sailings out of a West Coast port, the 3,114-passenger Mariner will sail seven-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera through at least 2010. It's more than 50% larger than the largest vessels currently based on the West Coast. This is the first time Royal Caribbean has deployed one of the next-generation Voyager class ships west of Texas, and it brings such Voyager class innovations as an ice skating rink and an interior Royal Promenade to the West Coast drive-in market for the first time. Royal Caribbean also has announced plans to move another ship, the 90,000-ton Radiance of the Seas, to the West Coast this fall to sail four- and five-night Mexican Riviera voyages. It'll be the newest and largest ship to sail short cruises from the region. Mariner's itinerary includes stops in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. Radiance will call at Cabo and (on five-night itineraries) Ensenada. Rates start as low as $549pp.  CLICK HERE for the schedule of the Mariner of the Seas Meyer Werft cuts steel for Disney ships 3/2/09    Disney Cruise Line began construction on two newbuilds today with a steel-cutting ceremony at Meyer Werft. The vessels are scheduled for completion in 2011 and 2012.  The first piece of steel cut was part of the Art Deco-inspired scrollwork that will grace the bow of the ships.  Similar to the scrollwork on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the pattern is reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s but adds a Disney touch: a Mickey Mouse medallion in the center of the design.    Further details will be unveiled at a later date.  DCL president Karl Holz noted the newbuilds will more than double capacity for the brand. Each 128,000gt vessel will have 1,250 staterooms. Taiwan firsts for Royal Caribbean and Costa  Both Royal Caribbean and Costa have been granted approval from the Chinese authorities to operate a total of nine direct cross-straits cruises (six by Royal Caribbean and three by Costa) this year from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan. The charterer for all voyages is Amway (China) Co. Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas will operate six cruises from Shanghai to Taiwan between March 14 and April 19. The planned itineraries last for six nights and seven days, featuring Taiwan’s Hualien, Keelung and Taichung as ports of call. Royal Caribbean reports the first batch of Chinese passengers to arrive in Taiwan will number around 1,700. This will be the largest single group of Chinese tourists to Taiwan since the establishment of the cross-Straits ‘three direct links’. Special Scenery, No Extra Charge  Passengers aboard MSC Orchestra's March 21 Caribbean sailing have a free bonus coming. If they aren't aware of it, at first they may wonder if there might be some kind of beauty quota required to sail aboard the ship, because there will be lots of beautiful women aboard. (If they do wonder, ironically, few of them will probably wonder how they passed the test.) But there is a simple explanation. The ship is hosting the finals of the "Miss Italia USA 2009" contest. CLICK HERE to read the rest of these articles. French Caribbean - Pas Maintenant  The Great Wall of Port Everglades  Summer Is Coming Early Next Year  Honduras president opens Roatán Town Center   cruiseman contest - Last Time's Question:   Which port has asked cruise ships and cargo vessels to observe a new, lower voluntary speed limit? The Answer is :  San Diego Here are our two winners:  Mary Clark  - Escondid, CA Vickie Hawkiins -- Willard, MO This weeks Cruiseman Contest Question: How many staterooms will the new Disney ships have? (each) We will select two winners.  Each winner will receive a certificate good for Free Cancellation Insurance for their next cruise booked with The Cruiseman!  Good Luck!  If you are listed as a winner,  you don't need to call or write.  We will mail your certificate out to you in the mail. Incomplete entries will be tossed out! You must follow the instructions below. HINT: "Postal Address" is not your email address!!! THE INSTRUCTIONS 1. Don't change the subject line. 2. Type your answer in the message area, not the subject line. 3. Do not copy and paste from the newsletter. 4. Include your name & postal address (in case you win!). 5.  DO NOT hit your reply button, or your entry will go to the wrong address! 6. One entry per household, please.   OKAY, To enter The Contest: CLICK HERE TO ENTER The Cruiseman Newsletter is published twice monthly by The Cruiseman of Springfield, MO.  If you wish to modify, change or cancel your subscription, please use the automated link at the end of the newsletter. This is a free publication and we encourage you to forward it to your friends and associates.