THIRD 'OASIS-CLASS' SHIP POSSIBLE

(Photo: Gerry)

Cruise Industry News is reporting Royal Caribbean has confirmed in their earnings report they are indeed looking into possibly ordering a third Oasis-class ship to join Allure and Oasis in their lineup, which might debut in 2016. Given the spectacular success and customer acceptance of the first two, it's a logical move. As they say in TV, stay tuned. -- Gerry

WELCOME CATHERINE ALIA TO THE WORLD

Catherine Alia Barker

Pam and I would like to interrupt this blog for a very special announcement. Please join us in welcoming a beautiful new baby girl to the world. Catherine Alia Barker was born October 22 to proud parents Brittany and Brandon Barker. As you would expect, the beaming grandparents are on Cloud 9. For this occasion it seems fitting to cite a traditional Irish blessing:

"May all the blessings of our Lord touch your life today.
May He send His little angels to protect you on your way.
Such a miraculous gift, sent from above.
Someone so precious to cherish and love.
May sunshine and moonbeams dance over your head.
As you quietly slumber in your bed.
May good luck be with you wherever you go.
And your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow."

-- Gerry and Pam

THE FINE ART OF CRUISING

Companies like Royal Caribbean have made cruising a fine art. Literally. They have invested some $200 million into artworks aboard their ships. We passengers who are art lovers are the beneficiaries. Below is a new video from Royal Caribbean that goes into their artist-in-residence program, providing a unique opportunity to actually meet and interact with the artists they promote. Ask Pam to tell you about the bidding war she got into at a ship-board art auction. Who won? Hint: The painting is hanging in our study. -- Gerry

'QUEEN ELIZABETH' GETS TRAVEL AWARDS

The Grand Lobby atrium on Queen Elizabeth (Cunard)

Congratulations to Cunard, whose cruise ship Queen Elizabeth was recently voted “Best Luxury Cruise Ship for Entertainment” and “Best Luxury Cruise Ship for Atrium Design” out of 550 entries for this year’s Travel Weekly Magellan Awards. If you are looking for elegance on the high seas, you can't go wrong with the "white glove" service you experience on any of Cunard ships. And if you haven't enjoyed one of their shows from a private box in the Royal Court Theater, add that to your bucket list. Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries -- need we say more? -- Gerry

NORWEGIAN LAUNCHES 'LET'S CRUISE' OFFER

It's getting down to the wire for those Cruise Vacation month specials. Here's the latest from Norwegian: "Norwegian Cruise Line celebrates the last week of National Cruise Vacation Month by launching a last chance 'Let’s Cruise' limited time offer on all sailings fleet-wide, starting today. Guests who book any Norwegian cruise vacation by Wednesday, October 31, 2012, can receive up to $250 per stateroom to spend on board (based on cruise length and stateroom category). Additional savings include reduced deposits on all of Norwegian’s sailings of three days or longer and an e-coupon booklet worth up to $300 in on board savings."

PRINCESS PROMOTES N.C.V.W. SALE

The deals are coming fast and furious for National Cruise Vacation Week. Princess Cruises is offering an Escape Completely Sale October 22-29. "More than 200 cruise departures are on sale, and passengers can enjoy a free balcony upgrade as well as 50 percent off their cruise deposit. Featured destinations include Caribbean cruises as well as cruises to Alaska, Europe, Hawaii and the Panama Canal. Cruise departures run from January to July, 2013." More information about the sale details and pricing can be found at www.princess.com/sale. -- Gerry

'VOTE FOR VACATION' AND BOOK A CRUISE

As we reported earlier, October is National Cruise Vacation Month, which means all kinds of great deals on cruises. Over at Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network, they are celebrating with The World’s Largest Cruise Event (WLCE) from October 21-27, 2012. Taking a cue from the election hoopla, their campaign is titled "Vote for Vacation," just to remind us of the importance of taking those vacation days and experiencing the joy of cruising. For more information on those incredible deals, visit www.cruiseplanners.com. And please, keep reminding us! -- Gerry

A VISIT TO THE MECCA OF ART DECO IN NY

Pam and I are huge fans of art deco, the design style that had its roots in 1920s Paris and flourished worldwide in the 30s and 40s. When you talk art deco in this country, the best known icon of that era has to be the Chrysler Building in New York. So naturally that was a "must" stop on our recent trip there. Visitors are welcome in the magnificent lobby, but you have to have an appointment with one of the businesses there to go any further. Our pictures speak for themselves. Happy Friday, all! -- Gerry

CRUISE SPOTLIGHTS BALLROOM DANCING

Dancing and cruising just seem to naturally go together. That popular combination will be in the spotlight on  Crystal Cruises' March 31 "Big Band and Ballroom Dance" voyage. Guests will find triple the number of its Ambassador Host dance partners, from the normal four aboard every sailing, to 12, as well as double the usual amount of dance instructors, along with the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra. It promises to be a toe-tapping time all the way from Miami to Lisbon aboard the Crystal Serenity. Fares booked by October 31 start at $2,210/person, double occupancy. Guys, better throw in an extra tux. -- Gerry

'BREAKAWAY' BOW LOCKED AND LOADED

Norwegian Breakaway’s construction, underway in Germany, celebrated a milestone October 17 when the ship’s bow was lowered into place. The bow, known as block 73, weighed 361 tons, measured 72 feet long, 101 feet wide and over 39 feet high. The process of putting the bow in place was efficiently completed in just 30 minutes. (Credit: Norwegian)

NORWEGIAN ORDERS 'BREAKWAY PLUS' SHIP

Norwegian orders "Breakaway Plus" (Norwegian)

Norwegian's new "Breakaway"-class ships are a success before they hit the water. Even though Norwegian Breakaway doesn't debut until May of next year, and her sister ship, Getaway, in 2014, Norwegian has announced another ship is on order.

Dubbed Project Breakaway Plus, German shipbuilder MEYER WERFT GMBH  will build a new cruise vessel, for delivery in October 2015, with the option for a second ship for delivery in spring 2017. Here are the details from Norwegian:

SURPRISE! PRINCESS GUEST WINS FREE CRUISE

A few posts back we told you about the Princess Cruises campaign to "Escape Completely." Recently  a passenger aboard Ruby Princess got "surprised completely" when he was randomly selected and his stateroom steward placed a “Golden Ticket” under his pillow. "He then was asked to join a special cocktail party where Princess crew members asked him to reveal his surprise – a free Caribbean Getaway cruise for two!" The moment was captured on video:



"The Campaign to Escape Completely," which launched September 18, offers consumers the chance to win free cruises and gifts through a series of consumer emails and a “Ballot Box Trivia Challenge.” The campaign runs through November 6. -- Gerry