Cruises Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Sophisticated Travel

Celebrity Cruises confuses passengers by promoting no perks pricing

UPDATE: Celebrity "Always Included" offering includes beverages, WiFi, and gratuities but ADVERTIZED rates don't include those perks Celebrity has changed its pricing once again and it is confusing buyers. After introducing its "Always Included" program several years ago, which included its Classic Beverage package, Wifi, and gratuities. Celebrity is now promoting bare-bones fares which do not include anything - no Classic Beverage package, no WiFi, and no pre-paid gratuities. (Suite guests receive the Premium Beverage package and premium WiFi, and pre-paid gratuities unless they select a bare-bones rate.) Celebrity's guests have come to expect the "Always Included" perks in ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:35:17-05:00November 21st, 2022|

8 best cruise lines for solo travelers

Many people may think that traveling alone is not the best way to go. In reality, a solo trip can be more fun and less stressful than you would imagine! For those who are traveling on their own, there is a special kind of freedom that can be found when you book as a single traveler. Solo travelers have access to not only more space but also greater personal service from staff members and crew members alike! Plus, on a cruise ship you rarely find yourself alone. More often you are surrounded by others wherever you go. ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:40:45-05:00October 10th, 2021|

Venice bans large cruise ships sailing through the city

After years of protests and discussion, the Italian government has issued its bans on cruise ships sailing through Venice’s Giudecca Canal. These ships dwarf the ancient city and create waves that erode underwater walls & undermine the supports holding up the city. Cruise ships have long been sailing through Venice on the Giudecca Canal passing St Marks Square and several historic cathedrals. Ban on most cruise ships starts August 1 Starting August 1, 2021, cruise ships will be banned from using the Guidecca Canal. Instead they will traverse a southern lagoon and dock near the mainland at the port ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:40:53-05:00July 21st, 2021|

5 reasons why cruise fares are so high!

You may have noticed a significant rise in the price of cruise fares recently. We’ve been watching them rise since the resumption of sailing began over the last couple of months. There are several reasons for this increase and we’ll cover them all below. 1) Increased demand For most of us, its been nearly 18 long months of no cruise sailings and no vacations. This absence of cruises & vacations has caused demand to skyrocket as we are all ready to get out and start sailing again. Demand pushed up cruise line bookings by 30 – 40% this year ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:40:54-05:00July 21st, 2021|

2021 Cruise Wave Season Specials

As 2020 sails into the sunset, we all look forward to 2021 when we can begin to start cruising again. As many of you know, "Wave Season" start the end of December and runs into March. During "Wave Season" the cruise lines offer some of their best deals. With cruise lines shut down for a year, demand is high. Its even higher than the same time in 2019. The reason? People are have cooped up at home and they all want to get out and get back on the seas. We will post the various offers on this page ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:41:30-05:00December 16th, 2020|

Norwegian Cruises to install continuous air disinfection and purification system

Oceania's Marina Norwegian Cruise Line today announced a partnership with AtmosAir Solutions to install continuous disinfection air purification systems across its 28 ship fleet for its three brands, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The new air filtration system technology will feature continuous active COVID disinfection through bi-polar ionization in the air and on surfaces, an all-natural solution with no harmful chemicals, radiations or by-products. One of the advantages of the bi-polar ionization process is that it allows air purification to occur within the desired space, treating a larger volume of air, instead ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:41:32-05:00December 7th, 2020|

What are “non-comm” or “non-commissionable” (NCF or NCCF) fees

COMPONENTS OF A CRUISE FARE? When you receive a quote or purchase a ticket for a cruise, there normally up to 5 components to the price: 1) Room or Voyage fare (the cost or fare for the stateroom/cabin) 2) Non-commissionable fees (NCF) 3) Governmental taxes and fees 4) Gratuities (optional, but depends on the cruise line) 5) Travel insurance (optional) WHAT DOES NON-COMMSSIONABLE FEES MEAN? The most confusing component is “non-commissionable fees.” What does “non-comm,” “non-commissionable,” or “NCF” fees mean? They are called “non-commissionable fees” (NFC) because the travel agent is not paid a commission on those fees. So ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:41:33-05:00November 24th, 2020|

Cruise bookings up over 2019 as everyone wants out of quarantine

Across the board, we are seeing cruise bookings for 2021 up 9% - 15% over 2019 levels as people are anxious to escape home and live life again. Cruise lines are offering early booking savings on most cruises which further entices the home weary. Swiss bank UBS analysts reported on March 31 an increase of 9% in year over year bookings while a more recent report from Cruise Compete showed a whopping 40% increase in 2021 bookings for Asian & Alaskan cruises. Cruise Planners has seen a 15% increase with European sailings leading the way. As we've talked with ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:37:17-05:00April 16th, 2020|

Are cruises for you?

?THERE IS A CRUISE FOR YOU! So what is fascinating about sailing on top of the waters of the world? No doubt you have met well-traveled individuals who sing the praises of cruising. For the uninitiated, the fascination with sailing on a floating city with hundreds, even thousands, of strangers may seem…well… strange. But cruising has some merit you may not have considered and you may find yourself appreciating aspects of the experience well enough to take the leap yourself! Celebrity Silk Harvest The large following cruising has garnered to itself is really due to the varied nature ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:37:19-05:00April 13th, 2020|

Coronavirus – my perspective

Not surprisingly, I’ve been getting calls over the past few weeks about the coronavirus. It is an issue of concern that we should all take seriously, but not panic over. I am not a doctor and not giving medical advice. After reading many articles by health experts, the cruise line industry, and public health experts, here is my take on coronavirus: How Does the Coronavirus Affect My Cruise Plans 1) THE SITUATION IS CHANGING ALMOST DAILY This is a new virus and health professionals are still learning about how it spreads, who is most at risk, what treatments are ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:37:20-05:00March 7th, 2020|