Dreamworks and RCCL Pair Up

Shrek and Donkey usher a cast of Dreamworks' characters
on board to Royal Caribbean Ships

Giving Disney Cruises and Mickey a run for their money, RCCL has announced their joint venture with Dreamworks, the movie studio responsible for such classics as Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, Monster Vs. Aliens and more. Live characters will be introduced on the soon-to-be-launched Allure of the Seas, the giant sister megaliner to the much loved Oasis of the Seas. The Dreamworks Experience will then come to the Liberty of the Seas starting January 30th, 2011, Oasis of the Seas starting February 26th, 2011 and Freedom of the Seas starting March 27th, 2011.

Don't be Surprised to Find that the Penguins from Madagascar are Steering the Ship

You'll be able to experience photo opportunities with your favorite characters, watch character themed parades, enjoy the How to Train Your Dragon Ice Show (yes, these mega ships have ice arenas for shows and for your own ice skating enjoyment) and the Madagascar Aqua Show, Character Dining (don't worry you're not the meal), Adventure Ocean-an experience for kids sailing onboard, and 3-D movies including Shrek 3, How to Train Your Dragon and Monsters Vs. Aliens, plus special Dreamworks' programs for you in-room TV viewing.

You can learn more at www.royalcaribbean.com
Above images are copyrighted to Dreamworks and Royal Caribbean

Tropical Storm Bonnie is Disrupting Cruises

Tropical Storm Bonnie Interupting Cruises in the Caribbean

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms can disrupt cruise itineraries. Tropical Storm Boonie is making it's way through the Gulf and in her path some ships are being rerouted to avoid rough seas. Here's a list of interuptions;

Carnival Pride: Will skip port call in Freeport, Bahamas replacing it with a day at sea.

Carnival Destiny: Will skip port call in Key West today and head directly to it's next port, Cozumel. On their return route to Miami they will visit Key West.

Grandure of the Seas: Will skip port call in Key West today and head directly to it's next port, Cozumel. They may stop in Key West on their return route from Cozumel.

Following the Fleet...

Where's My Ship?

Ever wonder where your favorite cruise ship is at any given moment? Sailwx.info has a cool "ship tracker" or locator that allows you to locate ships on Sailwx's shipping maps. The site also tracks tides, currents and weather systems. This is a fun website for friends and family to track you as you cruise...unfortunately while they are stuck back at home. P.S. Remember to send your mom a postcard.

Mal de Mer...sea sickness

Overcoming SeaSickness Need Not Require an Exorcist

Many people suffer from motion sickness. I suffer from it when sailing on small boats. There are few things in life that I have experienced that are worse than motion sickness. I once went sailing for 4-hours on a 40’ yacht off of San Diego during clear seas and I was as green as Linda Blair in the Exorcist, exhibiting many of the same symptoms as she did, sans demon. I spent 3 of those hours praying for a quick death.

You may ask yourself why someone who suffers intense motion sickness is an avid Cruise Enthusiast. The simple answer is that I rarely suffer any motion sickness on board a cruise ship. And I’ve never experienced any mal de mer, or seasickness, that couldn’t be cured by popping a Dramamine (an over-the-counter remedy for motion sickness). I’ve been on a cruise ship off of Baja California in Mexico in 25’ swells and didn’t feel any motion sickness.

Cruise ships can help control the roll and pitch, the motion that causes seasickness, by using stabilizers. Stabilizers are ingenious devices that are composed of two small underwater fins on the sides of the ship that interrupt the sea’s natural flow around the ship which normally causes it to pitch and roll (move side to side). They literally stabilize the ship and make it much easier for passengers to enjoy a vomit free cruise experience. Even with stabilizers most passengers still feel a little bit of motion, but it is the fun kind of motion that you go “Oh gurl, I just felt the earth move” and order another round at the Martini Bar.

If you do experience the “Mal” on board there are several remedies that will help settle your ailment. Simple remedies include lying down, keeping your eye focused on the horizon, get fresh air, avoid strong odors like cigars, perfume or garlic, avoid alcohol and caffine. If these don't help then you have additional options.

Drugs:

- Dramamine, Antivert and Bonine are over-the-counter pill remedies that can be bought at any drugstore or provided by your room steward. May cause drowsiness. Ask your physician or pharmacist if it is alright to use if you are taking prescription medications

- Transderm Scop "The Patch” is a small circular patch that you wear behind your ear that delivers scopolamine, an anti-motion sickness drug, into your system. Each patch lasts 3-days. Side effects can include dry mouth and blurred vision

- Vitamin C at doses of 3000mg to 5000mg (3-5 grams) taken on the onset of nausea can immediately settle your stomach. The brain makes histamine that causes motion sickness. Vitamin C can effectively cut the production of the histamine

Homeopathic Remedies:

- Ginger Ale and saltine crackers are a great way to help settle nausea caused by motion sickness

- Bitters, a drink your bartender can prepare, is a remedy sailors have been using for years

- Wrist Acupressure Bracelettes can be purchased at most pharmacies and onboard. Brands include Bioband, Seaband, or the Oprah Magazine's favorite Psi Bands. These are very popular but must be worn correctly on the pressure point for them to be effective.

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Tropical Depressions…Oh My!

Don't Rain On My Parade..or Cruise Vacation

June 1 through November 30, prime vacation season, is Hurricane Season in the Caribbean. What happens when a storm is barreling down on the Caribbean while you’re cruising the high seas? Unlike most land based vacationers who may have to be evacuated or spend days in a hurricane shelter, a cruise ship has sophisticated hurricane information systems on board and the Captain is able to divert the ship out of the intense activity of the storm. The worst things that might happen is missing a scheduled port or having to endure a rainy day. Cruise lines do everything possible to keep their passengers safe and happy and their reputation is at stake. They want you to become a repeat customer so when at all possible they’ll steer clear of storms and bad weather.

If you are extremely hurricane weary you may consider taking a Hawaiian Cruise or Mediterranean Cruise as an alternate warm-weather option (Mexican Riviera cruises often encounter hurricane and tropical storms during the same Season). August and September have historically been the most active Hurricane times in the Caribbean so booking a cruise early in the Season may be a good alternative for you. And if you find yourself skirting a hurricane, you can make the best of it by enjoying some of the indoor activities the ship has to offer and by all means join in on the “conga-line” when the ships in rougher water… it’s an experience that you’ll talk about for days.

You can track current weather conditions real time at www.goes.noaa.gov/g8hu.htm

Interior Rooms with Outside Views

Inside-Outside Staterooms on Disney Dream

The designers of Disney's soon to debut ship Disney Dream (debuting January 26, 2011) have outdone themselves. Interior cabins will have High Definition "Video Portholes" that will bring the outside... in, way in to the interior staterooms of the ship.

For many cruisers, an interior stateroom is a great way to save on cruise fares, providing most of the important amenities of an outside stateroom without a view to the outside world. Disney Dream will debut "Video Portholes" in the interior cabins. Using camera's positioned on the outside of the ship, the cameras will project the outside world, in real time, to the Video Portholes.

But Disney does not just stop with an outside view...there's never a missed opportunity to parade the beloved characters by passengers on board the Disney ships. Mixed into the real time outside views will be projections of Disney Characters, Mickey Mouse and Nemo, and even a Haunted Pirate Ship, periodically integrated into the view... to remind viewers, once again, that they are on a floating Disney Resort. And for those who are a little sheepish with the idea of having a Peeping-Mickey watching you in your staterooms, the Video Porthole can be turned off.

Disney Cruises are a great option for LGBT travelers who love the Disney Resort experience. The ships have adults-only decks, showrooms, clubs, restaurants, pools and spas, so those who prefer a kid-fee experience will have ample sanctuaries to retreat to. They're a good option for gays traveling with families or friends that have kids. The food, entertainment and accommodations will be certain to satisfy everyone...and who doesn't like a little Mickey Mouse once in a while?

Disney cruises to the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and Europe.

Norwegian Epic's

Norwegian Epic Studio Rooms

Norwegian Epic debuted earlier this summer to raves and just a little criticism (ok, so she has a profile like Bab's). For solo cruisers Epic has cool new studio rooms that are synthesize both glam and modern into a small 100sq foot space. The rooms are really well laid out for a cruiser seeking an economical room with fun and modern accoutrements. The studios have mood lighting, similar to the cabin lighting in Virgin America's planes (red for sex), a double size bed, a window looking into the interior hallway of the ship (with blinds for privacy) and a space age bathroom. And studios residents get access to a private retreat for socializing. More on Epic to come.