Sunday, September 19, 2021

Brand New Ship!!! Carnival Mardi Gras!!

Get Ready For Six Distinct Onboard Zones Featuring Brand New Experience For Spectacularly Getting Down To Food, Drink & Fun!!

GRAND CENTRAL
On a Carnival cruise your vacation starts in the atrium, and on Mardi Gras™ that's in the Grand Central zone. By the way... on this ship the atrium's different. Don't be surprised if you step inside and the first place you want to look is upwards. Up there are high ceilings that hint at even more fun living on the three decks above! But look around down here too... you'll find floor-to-ceiling windows that really bring in the ocean views. Of course you'll be back here throughout your cruise, taking a break with a nice cup of coffee or a menu of great food choices at JavaBlue™ CafĂ©, enjoying performances up on stage, or killing time fabulously at the Grand View Bar. Just wait until the sun goes down and the space slips into evening dress, transforming into an amazing show venue after dark! In Grand Central you're never far from great dining spots like Bonsai Sushi™ and Bonsai Teppanyaki™, plus feel-good entertainment like Piano Bar 88™ and The Punchliner Comedy Club™.

FRENCH QUARTER
If "big" and "easy" sound about right for your vacation, you might just make the French Quarter on Mardi Gras™ your home zone. What inspired this area is no less than New Orleans itself… and if all this talk of NOLA has you half as hungry as we are, you’ll be pleased to hear that our French Quarter is lined with bars and eateries worthy of their namesake. For one thing there’s the spectacularly, authentically delicious Emeril’s Bistro 1396™, developed in partnership with yes-that-Emeril. Just steps away is entertainment clearly influenced by the world-renowned Crescent City nightlife — yep, The Brass Magnolia bar features not only great drinks but also hot jazz, live. What’s more, you’re just steps away from sipping mystically at the Fortune Teller bar, and definitely save time to browse some funky little shops.


SUMMER LANDING
Go ahead and call Summer Landing 'the greatest chill spot at sea'... and we'll be right there with you, any time of year! What's three letters long and goes great with chilling outdoors? BBQ, so we're building a Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse™ into this zone so it always tastes like summer here with freshly-smoked faves designed by Guy Fieri and original Parched Pig® beers brewed just feet away. If you're wondering where the pool and whirlpool are, we're so alike, you and us... and that's why we're sure you're gonna love The Watering Hole, a poolside bar we're building for aficionados of backyard-style relaxation. And for military folks — or folks who just want to raise a glass to them — please report to Heroes Tribute™ Lounge for great service. We know you guys like soft serve too, so we're throwing in a Swirls™ location — one of two! And why wouldn't we? At Summer Landing, fun this cool is literally always in season.


LA PIAZZA
La dolce vita is within reach at La Piazza... and we'd know, with all the Italian seafaring spirit that's literally driving the ship. This zone stands for atmosphere and flavor, and it starts with Cucina del Capitano®, which brings your party together for an evening of Italian favorites served family-style, while Pizzeria del Capitano makes delizioso happen for you 24 hours a day atop a base of imported Italian flour and fresh mozzarella. Mardi Gras™ debuts Piazza Panini where the handhelds are hot and pressed, plus Bar della Rosa, where you'll sip authentic espresso drinks by day and classic Italian cocktails when the sun goes down. All this flavor and flair we’ve got in here may practically transport you straight to Italy… but don’t forget that so much of it can be enjoyed outdoors, where the sea breeze is just bellissimo.


LIDO
If you’ve cruised with us before, you know Lido... but aboard Mardi Gras™ this poolside zone features even more delicious and fun experiences among the familiar flavors. Evolving the classic poolside rum-bar was a tall order, but RedFrog Tiki Bar will be serving up the good stuff across two decks’ worth of South Pacific atmosphere. Also first-time-fresh is Street Eats, bringing together highlights from the world’s fast-good cuisine like kebab, bao buns and seriously upgraded fries. Shaq’s latest Big Chicken™ restaurant is here, and fan-fave spots like Guy’s Burger Joint™, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack™, and BlueIguana Cantina™ taco spot aren’t done with your taste buds yet. And for folks hoping we haven’t forgotten: yes, Lido is absolutely home to one of two Swirls™ locations, the free 24-hour soft-serve spot!

THE ULTIMATE PLAYGROUND
Don't let the name fool you — this zone is ages everybody and up. Kids, you're going to love this. And adults, the playground has grown up with you. So yay for play! Of course The Ultimate Playground starts with BOLT™, the first rollercoaster at sea, an all-electric thrill ride that puts the power of speed in your hands. But that's only the beginning — this playground has the largest Carnival WaterWorks™ ever with three huge spiraling slides, plus SportSquare™ is here featuring an entire mini-golf course, full-court basketball and a ropes course. And, of course, more. Ultimate enough for you?

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Getting Back To Cruising!! Updated Protocols For Traveling!!

We Are Excited To Announce The Latest Information Available Regarding Cruises. Get Ready To Cruise!! Please Read Through The Information Carefully. Each Cruise Line Has Different Protocols. 

 Carnival Cruises 

1) Vaccination & Testing Requirements

Vaccinated Cruises Are Available For Guests Who Have Received Their Final Dose Of An Approved Covid-19 Vaccine At Least 14 Days Prior To The Beginning Of The Cruise And Have Proof Of Vaccination. Guests Will Be Asked To Confirm Their Status As Fully Vaccinated For Covid-19 During Check-In And Provide Proof Of Vaccination In Advance Of Boarding.* It’s Important For Guests To Come Prepared, As Those Who Arrive At The Embarkation Terminal Without The Proper Proof Of Vaccination Will Not Be Able To Cruise, And No Refund Will Be Issued.

Guests Must Present Proof Of Vaccination, As Well As All Required Travel Documents, At Embarkation. Acceptable Proof Of Vaccination Must Be In The Form Of The Original Vaccination Record Document Issued By The Country’s Health Authority Or Healthcare Provider That Administered The Vaccination (E.G., U.S. CDC's Vaccination Record Card). The Name On The Vaccination Record Must Match The Guest’s Travel Documents And Show That The Guest Is Fully Vaccinated. This Means That The Guest Has Completed The Full Cycle Of Required Doses For The Vaccine Administered (E.G., Received The Second Dose In A Two-Dose Series) And That The Guest Has Received The Final Dose At Least 14 Days Before Arriving Their Cruise Departure.

Vaccinated Guests Do Not Have To Be Tested For Covid-19. However, Based On Medical Screening That Will Take Place On Embarkation Day, Testing May Be Deemed Necessary As A Precautionary Measure, Which Will Be Provided At No Charge. In The Event A Test Result Is Positive, The Guest And Their Traveling Party Will Unfortunately Not Be Allowed To Sail And Will Receive A Future Cruise Credit. In Such Cases, Guests May Have To Quarantine Locally And Carnival Will Assist In Helping To Make Those Arrangements.
 
2) At This Time Carnival Cruises Is Not Allowing Unvaccinated Guests To Travel

3) Masks Are Not Required In Common Areas Once On Board The Ship. Mask Are Required 
In The Cruise Terminal 

4) Shore Excursions Must Be Booked Through The Ship. The Guests Can Not Disembark On Their Own

5) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Your Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing

6) Guest Must Visit The Website Prior To Sailing To Complete The Online Check In & Complete The Health Questionnaire
 

Celebrity Cruises

1) Vaccination Guidelines 
We Strongly Recommend All Guests 16 And Older Be Fully Vaccinated. To Be Considered Fully Vaccinated, The Final Dose Of The Vaccine Must Be Completed At Least 14 Days Before Sailing.

At Check-In, Guests Will Be Asked To Provide Documentation Of Their Vaccination, Such As The U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention’s (CDC) Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card. Those Who Are 16 And Older And Do Not Have Or Are Unable To Provide Documentation Will Be Considered Unvaccinated.
Our Unvaccinated Guests Must Undergo Additional Covid-19 Testing At Their Own Expense, And Follow The Health Protocols Described Below, Which Are Based On Guidance From The CDC.

For Unvaccinated Guests 16 And Older, The Total Charge From The Third-Party Testing Vendor For These Tests Is $178.00 USD Per Guest For Celebrity Cruises. This Amount Will Be Applied To The Guest’s Onboard Expense Account. Celebrity Cruises Will Pay The Testing Vendor(S) On The Guest’s Behalf And Will Not Retain Any Part Of The Testing Costs. For Guests Age 2 To 15, We Will Cover The Cost Of Any Required Testing.

Pre-Cruise- Unvaccinated Guests 16 Years Of Age And Older Will Need To Undergo An RT-PCR Test Administered By An Accredited Laboratory Of The Guest’s Choice, And Taken No More Than Three Days Before Sailing. We Will Require Documentation Of A Negative Result For This Test Prior To Embarkation. All Costs For This Test Are The Unvaccinated Guest’s Responsibility.

Prior To Disembarking - While Onboard, Unvaccinated Guests 2 Years Of Age And Older Will Be Required To Undergo Antigen Testing Before Disembarking At The End Of The Voyage. This Test Will Be Conducted The Day Before The Cruise Ends By One Of Our Testing Vendors. Guests Will Be Notified Onboard About How To Register For This Test.

2) Masks Are Required In Common Areas 

3) In Casino, Theater & Dining Room Will Have Areas Specifically For Unvaccinated Guests 

4) Shore Excursions Can Be Booked Through The Ship OR The Guests Can Disembark On 
Their Own 

5) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Your Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing

6) Guest Must Download The App On Their Smart Phone To Complete The Online Check In, The Health Questionnaire & The Life Boat Drill 
 

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises Highly Recommends Guests Are Fully Vaccinated In Order To Enjoy A Superior Experience While Sailing With Us. Guests Who Are Not Fully Vaccinated Will Be Required To Purchase Our Travel Insurance & Covid-19 Protection Services And Will Be Subject To More Stringent Protocols Which Will Be In Place By The Time You Cruise. At The Moment, These Include But Are Not Limited To The Wearing Of Masks, The Required Purchase Of MSC Sponsored Shore Excursions In Order To Go Ashore And Required Testing Upon Embarkation And While On Board.
 
1) You Will Be Required To Take A Rapid Antigen Test At The Pier Prior To Embarkation (Covered By MSC Cruises) And Test Negative

2) Masks Are Required In Common Areas For Unvaccinated Guests

3) In Casino, Theater & Dining Room Will Have Areas Specifically For Unvaccinated Guests 

4) If You Are Unvaccinated Shore Excursions Must Be Booked Through The Ship. The Guest 
Can Not Disembark On Their Own 

5) If You Are Vaccinated Shore Excursions Can Be Booked Through The Ship OR You Can Disembark On Your Own

6) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Your Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing

7) Guest Must Download The App On Their Smart Phone To Complete The Online Check In, Complete The Health Questionnaire & Complete The Life Boat Drill 
 

Norwegian Cruise Line 

1) Mandatory Vaccinations Against Covid-19 On Initial Voyages
All Guests And Crew Must Be Fully Vaccinated, At Least 2 Weeks Prior To Departure, In Order To Board. Guest Vaccination Requirements Are Currently For All Sailings Embarking Through October 31, 2021– We Will Follow The Science To Make Determinations On Requirements For All Other Future Sailings.

Universal Testing & Pre-Embarkation Protocols - All Guest Will Be Required To Take A COVID-19 Antigen Test, Administered And Paid For By The Cruise Line, Prior To Boarding & Receive A Negative Result. Guest Are Also Responsible For Complying With All Local Health & Safety Requirements Which May Include Additional Testing. 

2) At This Time Norwegian Is Not Allowing Unvaccinated Guests To Travel.

3) Masks Are Not Required In Common Areas Once On Board The Ship. Mask Are Required 
In The Cruise Terminal.   

4) Shore Excursions Can Booked Through The Ship Or The Guests Can Disembark On Their Own 

5) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Your Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing. 

6) Guest Must Download The App Prior To Sailing To Complete The Online Check In & Complete The Health Questionnaire
 

Royal Caribbean

1) Vaccination Guidelines 
We Strongly Recommend All Guests 16 And Older Be Fully Vaccinated. To Be Considered Fully Vaccinated, The Final Dose Of The Vaccine Must Be Completed At Least 14 Days Before Sailing.

At Check-In, Guests Will Be Asked To Provide Documentation Of Their Vaccination, Such As The U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention’s (CDC) Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card. Those Who Are 16 And Older And Do Not Have Or Are Unable To Provide Documentation Will Be Considered Unvaccinated.
Our Unvaccinated Guests Must Undergo Additional Covid-19 Testing At Their Own Expense, And Follow The Health Protocols Described Below, Which Are Based On Guidance From The CDC.

For Unvaccinated Guests 16 And Older, The Total Charge From The Third-Party Testing Vendor For These Tests Is $136.00 USD Per Guest For Royal Caribbean. This Amount Will Be Applied To The Guest’s Onboard Expense Account. Royal Caribbean Will Pay The Testing Vendor(S) On The Guest’s Behalf And Will Not Retain Any Part Of The Testing Costs. For Guests Age 2 To 15, We Will Cover The Cost Of Any Required Testing.

Pre-Cruise - Unvaccinated Guests 16 Years Of Age And Older Will Need To Undergo An RT-PCR Test Administered By An Accredited Laboratory Of The Guest’s Choice, And Taken No More Than Three Days Before Sailing. We Will Require Documentation Of A Negative Result For This Test Prior To Embarkation. All Costs For This Test Are The Unvaccinated Guest’s Responsibility.

Prior To Disembarking - While Onboard, Unvaccinated Guests 2 Years Of Age And Older Will Be Required To Undergo Antigen Testing Before Disembarking At The End Of The Voyage. This Test Will Be Conducted The Day Before The Cruise Ends By One Of Our Testing Vendors. Guests Will Be Notified Onboard About How To Register For This Test.

2) Masks Are Required In Common Areas 

3) In Casino, Theater & Dining Room Will Have Areas Specifically For Unvaccinated Guests 

4) Shore Excursions Must Be Booked Through The Ship. The Guest Can Not Disembark On Their Own 

5) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Ycour Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing

6) Guest Must Download The App On Their Smart Phone To Complete The Online Check In, The Health Questionnaire & The Life Boat Drill 

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Returning To Travel

Very Imforative Article https://thepointsguy.com/guide/reopening-soon-a-country-by-country-guide-to-coronavirus-recovery/

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Royal Caribbean Announces New Cruise Ports!

Royal Caribbean Announces New Sailings!!! Vision Of The Seas Sailing From Bermuda Beginning June 26, 2021! Adventure Of The Seas Sailing From Bahamas Beginning June 2021! Jewel Of The Seas Sailing From Cyprus Beginning July 10, 2021! When Traveling Guests Must Be Fully Vaccinated, Negative Covid Test Within Five Days Of Traveling With Proof Of Negative Results. Mask Will Be Required In All Common Areas. Bahamas Requires A Travel Health Visa At An Additional Cost Of $ 25.00 Per Person. Please Email Our Office With Any Questions.