Time 2 Cruise

Pretty much everything is ala carte when flying with most major airlines now. But would this work with the cruise line industry? In Europe there is a cruise line that has been around since 2005 called EasyCruise that works this way that seems to be doing okay. However, one cruise line is not an industry breaker. Its hard to see cruising following the ways of the airlines if only because the airline industry has not proven to be the best judgement makers on decisions . Cruising is far from all inclusive to begin with except when it comes to a select few luxury lines. Alcohol flows freely on board but is in no way free. Many ships now have alternative restaurants that require a surcharge and a few activities on board will also require a fee such as many of the offerings at the spa. But for the most part meals are included in the price of your cruise unless you choose the specialty restaurants. Well not so fast. Royal Caribbean is now trying something new and its getting mixed...

Looking to plan a Disney vacation in 2009? I may just be cost effective to plan it around your birthday. Planning around your child's birthday may work as well but not save you as much as an adult admission would. At current prices it can cut upward of $40 off the cost of a family getting into the parks. It was announced that annual pass holders would get other incentives on their birthday and nothing has been mentioned yet on how this will affect multi day passes. Looking for deals that include hotel stay and even flight can even help decrease costs more. 2009 may seem far off, but when planning a family vacation its not as far off as one may think.

The cruise ship industry is in full bloom, even with the economy hurting. With the number of ships on order, there are more cabins due to be in service over the next five years than the total number of cabins that were available just 20 years ago. With all the extra ships coming into service, the cruise lines have to find a home for them in both home ports and ports of call. This could open up many new destinations for the cruiser that has been everywhere and also help keep prices down as well. But its not just new ships, its bigger ships as well, which are to large to call on some of the smaller ports. Just like with the new jumbo jets that are now coming into service, some popular cruise destinations are going to have do some upgrading to accept and handle the new ships and the number of people they will be bringing with them. I doubt that the local economy won't complain when these new ships come to visit in the near future.

Lower prices at the fuel pump - what a beautiful site! They have dropped on average about fifty cents from where they were at in July. When prices rise like they do, a sharp fall is welcomed with open arms, but unfortunately the prices don't usually fall to the levels that they were at prior to the spike. This fact is usually overlooked just because they are "lower" than they were yesterday. Can you imagine having to fill a thousand gallon fuel tank? You would definitely notice every fluctuation. Cruise ships, which get gallons per mile instead of miles per gallon, are still feeling the pain. Even with the fuel surcharge they have added to their invoices, the cruise industry is still looking for ways to decrease costs. One of the ways is to decrease the travel distance between destinations. MSNBC has an article on the different ways cruise ships are trying to become more efficient. Not only do they need fuel to trek across the ocean, they also need fuel to powe...

With all the bad weather, the cruise ships have been diverted to different ports of call than what passengers re expecting. Instead of beautiful Caribbean islands, they are ending up in places like Baltimore. Personally, I feel when you cruise during hurricane season, you should know the risks, but that does not stop passengers from complaining. Standard protocol when this happens on board ship is to try to keep the passengers informed and do things to lighten the situation. However, once in a bad mood, there is nothing that can be done to help for many people. My only advice to those that don't like sudden changes like this to not book a vacation during hurricane season. Otherwise, its go with the flow.

Jet Blue Airlines is auctioning flights on Ebay starting from 9 different locations to over 20 vacation destinations. Could this be the future of flying? Starting price is/was five cents and there is no reserve. However there is an included tax and standard fees that do apply that are stipulated on the page based on the flight. Be careful when bidding because while many of the auctions are for two people, some are for just one. The dates and times are noted on the page, so you need to know if you can make those before bidding as well. Just looking at one auction for a flight from Long Beach California to Washington D.C shows the flight dates from September 19th to D.C and the 22nd for the return flight and the auction ends on the 12th. So if you have the opportunity, and time, this could be a chance to get in on a opportunity of a lifetime. The Jet Blue Ebay Site can be found here.

People often ask me what happens during hurricane season with cruise ships and if they should worry about booking a cruise furring this time. My advice is simple. If you think it will affect your vacation, then you should either change the location, type or time or year for your vacation. Cruising during this time of year can be an adventure for sure. I would not recommend booking any personal tours or excursions because weather can re direct the ships and if you booked something personally it can be difficult to handle changes. Booking through the cruise line gives you the insurance that refunds are easy to get. And speaking of insurance, if there is any time that one should think of insurance, this is it. Be aware that the cruise companies are going to do everything in their power to stir clear of bad weather and give the best vacation they can. But unfortunately, like the person on the weather channel, they don't make it. I say this, because I was told earlier this week...

It was announced earlier today that Southwest Airlines is going to stop taking cash for alcohol on flights. Instead, they are going to start taking debit and credit cards along with the rewards coupons that will still be in effect. The good news is that it will do away with flight attendants frantically asking if anyone has change for a twenty. But will it speed up thing, make things slower or just be status quo. I have a hard time seeing them doing on the spot transactions with a credit card machine while in the air. So look forward to some sort of method where they are going to have to record the card number, have you sign and then not see the $4 charge show up for a day or two after your flight. This system could drive a few people to not buy that drink while at the same time others who don't like to carry cash see this as a good thing. Either way, starting September 9th those of us that fly Southwest will get to see first hand just how it all is going to work. I will ha...