SELL TRAVEL -- NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Ever thought about selling cruise travel as a business but didn't think you had the necessary credentials? Not a problem, according to our friends at Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the cruise industry's largest home-based travel agent franchise network. They are finding many of their new franchise owners are enjoying success without any prior experience in the travel industry. CEO/Co-founder Michelle Fee cites training and innovative marketing as two keys to their success, saying, "The data we collected on our new franchise owners is clearly a testament to our turn-key business model." Quoting from their release: "From stay-at-home moms to former pet sitters and retired real estate agents, Cruise Planners has seen an influx of new franchise owners from all walks of life with no previous familiarity in selling cruise or land travel, yet have exceeded all expectations by selling hundreds of thousands of dollars in travel bookings." 

Headquartered in Coral Springs, Florida, Cruise Planners has more than 800 franchisees across the country that independently book cruises and associated travel. For more information, visit www.cruiseplanners.com.

PRIDE OF AMERICA GETTING MAKEOVER

New suites will be added (Credit: Norwegian)

When we started planning our vacation to Hawaii, trying to decide what islands to experience made for some tough choices. Then we discovered Norwegian's Hawaii cruises on the Pride of America, where you can visit just about all the islands over seven days. Sold! We had a great time and came back with tons of photos, and memories.

Today comes news that Pride of America will get a major makeover, entering drydock next March, and emerging $30 million dollars later with new suites, restaurants and appointments throughout.

Here's the rundown from Norwegian on what to expect:

SHORTER CRUISES GROWING IN POPULARITY

The Caribbean is a popular short cruise destination
(Photo: Gerry)

Don't have time to take a two-week cruise? A little short on cash? No worries! This week the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports on the growing popularity of short cruises, saying: "These 'mini' or 'sampler' cruises are proving popular with frequent as well as first-time cruisers." If you live close to a port, you can enjoy a long weekend getaway on many of the major cruise lines. The main message here is there are lots of options to fit almost any budget or schedule.

Here's CLIA's press release:

THE FINE ART OF TRAINING 7,000 WAITERS

Have you ever wondered how Royal Caribbean's 7,000-plus waiters provide such consistently good service, dishing out such consistently good food, thousands of times every day? One word: Training. Lots of it. This week's video from Royal Caribbean takes you behind the scenes of their culinary academy at sea:

PETER MAX PAINTS BREAKAWAY HULL

Peter Max painted the hull of Norwegian's Breakaway
(Credit: Norwegian)

Any cruise ship based in New York should look the part, right? Norwegian Breakaway, which will call the City That Never Sleeps its home when it debuts next April, will be cruising Big Apple-style with hull artwork designed by world famous artist Peter Max. This is the first time Norwegian has commissioned an artist to paint the hull on one of its ships. In this case, the "canvas" is 40,000 square feet. I bet that meant a few extra trips to Home Depot!

More from the press release:

“While it has been an honor to have my art exhibited in museums and galleries, I have also enjoyed creating giant ‘canvases’ for public view, including my 600 ft. Woodstock stage, a giant World’s Fair mural, the body of a Continental 777 super jet, and now, the hull of Norwegian Breakaway,” said Peter Max from his New York studio. “The artwork is a composite of New York City and cosmic imagery— the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline, a giant sunburst, planets, stars, and musical notes. That’s my New York! And now Norwegian Breakaway is my New York cruise ship ‘canvas.’”

“Norwegian Breakaway is New York’s ship and this colorful artwork by Peter Max will make the ship an instant icon,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “The Big Apple is known for its love of art and its many galleries – and now, Norwegian Breakaway becomes a floating piece of art that will cruise in and dock every Saturday on New York’s West Side. With this distinctive design, unlike anything else on the water, the ship will be recognizable to the millions of New Yorkers who will see her as she journeys up and down the Hudson River each week.” -- Gerry

ENJOY A 'PICNIC' ON LABOR DAY

Can you name the famous movie featuring this dialogue?

"Nobody works today -- it's Labor Day." 

Of course that's the neighbor, Mrs. Potts, speaking to the just-arrived-in-town drifter, Hal Carter, played by William Holden, from Joshua Logan's 1955 classic, "Picnic." Watching the movie every Labor Day has become a tradition for Pam and I, and this year will be no exception. Who could ever tire of one of the hottest movie scenes ever, where William Holden and Kim Novak dance beneath the Chinese lanterns to the song "Moonglow"? Or the brilliant performance by Rosalind Russell as the old maid school teacher, Rosemary. In "Picnic," Logan and screenwriter Daniel Taradash create an indelible portrait of the American heartland in simpler times.

Gotta run and get the popcorn ready! Happy Labor Day, all! -- Gerry

GET YOUR 'PARTY' ON AT DAZZLES

Dazzles  (Photos: Gerry)

Okay, you're on the ship. After you hit the Lido Deck buffet, and settle into your stateroom, you'll plan your evenings around the shows, restaurants and the casino. But don't forget those places in the ship where you can party into the wee hours -- the dance clubs. When it comes to clubs that dazzle, you should plan a visit to Dazzles, aboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships.

Whether it's a live band or DJ, you'll be dancing the night away to the sounds of Michael Jackson, ABBA, Madonna, with some country-western to boot. Dazzles is two stories of sound and lights. And when you aren't dancing, you can find a dark corner and enjoy cocktails for two. Best of all, there's no cover charge and you won't need to hail a taxi to get back to your room. -- Gerry

Are you ready to party?

TAKE AN INTIMATE CRUISE TO THE CARIBBEAN

Pacific Princess (Credit: Princess)

For passengers who want to experience cruising on a slightly smaller scale, one option is the 680-passenger ship, Pacific Princess. This week Princess Cruises announced a 10-day sailing in the Caribbean prior to Pacific Princess going into drydock. According to their release:

"This 10-day sailing features the line’s only calls at the boutique ports of Tortola and St. Barthelemy in 2013. Sailing from January 17-27, this Eastern Caribbean voyage also offers full-day calls in Antigua, St. Lucia and St. Kitts, which features a late evening departure for more time on the island.

"Among the in-port opportunities for passengers on this sailing are tours to Virgin Gorda from Tortola to see the famous geologic formation 'The Baths,' as well as the chance to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park on St. Kitts and the dramatic Pitons in St. Lucia."

“Because Pacific Princess travels the globe, we rarely have the opportunity to offer a Caribbean cruise on this popular small ship,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “But because we’re rescheduling the ship’s drydock, we now have a wonderful chance to offer this unique one-time itinerary option before she takes off on her yearly world cruise.”

CELEBRITY INFINITY ALASKA EXCURSION

The Mendenhall Glacier, seen from the air (Photo: Bob Nesoff)

By Bob & Sandy Nesoff
Special to Cruising Squared

Over the years we’ve flown in virtually every type of aircraft you can imagine from antique open cockpit bi-planes of the sort Snoopy and his Red Baron flew in, over the Poconos to single engine puddle jumpers in Haiti and the luxury of Air France and Virgin Atlantic jumbo jets. We still feel a bit of excitement as we board any plane, knowing that when we land there’s going to be an adventure ahead of us.

Coming down the gangway of Celebrity’s luxurious ship, the Infinity, in Juneau, Alaska brought with it a bit of extra tingle. Spread out at the foot of the gangway were dozens of tour operators pitching their wares and trying to snag tourists for scores of trips around the Alaskan countryside.

NEWEST PRINCESS SHIP IS 'REGAL'

The keel-laying ceremony for
the Regal Princess (Credit: Princess)

Princess Cruises has started construction on what will be the sister ship to Royal Princess. The new ship, which will make its debut in the Spring of 2014, will be named Regal Princess. The official keel laying ceremony was at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

For those not in the nautical know, the keel is the "bottom-most part of the ship." According to their press release: "Following a traditional blessing by a priest, the ship’s keel – which weighs approximately 500 tons – was moved into position by a huge crane onto the keel blocks. The computer-guided maneuver took only minutes, belying the more than 2 million man hours that will ultimately go into building the vessel. The 3,600-passenger, 141,000-ton ship will remain in the building dock until its float-out next summer."

Regal Princess will offer many of the same special features as Royal Princess, which debuts in June 2013. More information and video previews of Royal Princess are available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.

LABADEE: ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S PRIVATE RETREAT

It's something most of us can only fantasize about: Our own private island.

While it may be a fantasy, cruise passengers can experience at least some of what that would be like on the private ports of call owned by the cruise lines. Take, for example, Royal Caribbean's private stop in Haiti, Labadee, which they describe as:

"On the north coast of Hispaniola, surrounded by beautiful mountain slopes and exotic foliage, sits Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private paradise. This exclusive destination offers pristine beaches, breathtaking scenery and spectacular water activities. We even have an amazing new Aqua Park for kids. Regardless of where you go, you'll find yourself embraced by the beautiful landscape."

If you still can't visualize it, here's a video that will help. -- Gerry

VINTAGE CUNARD AND DACHE

There is so much to adore about Cunard. It is timeless and classic in many ways.

Take this sailor hat from the 1930's. Still stylish and would look just as good today, wouldn't you agree?

If only we wore hats like they did back in the day.

Wearing a little vintage chapeau created by Lilly Dache while strolling the decks of Cunard, or any cruise ship, would be divine.

Oh, I say let's start a trend and bring the glamor back, with hats! --Pam