L.A.'s Loss is Galveston's Gain . . . eventually

Royal Caribbean announced today that the Mariner of the Seas will make her last Mexican Rivera cruise from Los Angeles on January 9, 2011. She'll then head for a "short season" in South America, following which, she'll make Rome her homeport from March to October. Galvestonians will be happy to hear that her 2011-2012 winter homeport will the the Port of Galveston, from which she'll sail 7 night Western Caribbean vvoyages, replacing the Voyager of the Seas.

Mariner of the Seas, at a former home port - Port Canaveral

Texans (and others sailing on Mariner out of Galveston) are sure to relish the fact that they'll have an opportunity to try Royal Caribbean's excellent alternative dining venue, Chops Grill. Oh, the Steak! Oh, the Chocolate Desert! If anything is worth a few extra bucks, this is!

More good News for another hurricane ravagaed port: When Mariner deploys to Galveston, Voyager will head for New Orleans.

It's great news to see these two gems of the Royal Caribbean fleet being deployed to ports that have seen their share of hard times, and can use the economic boost a great ship with strong demand will bring to their area.

This happy news (for Texans and Louisianans)

brought to you by Shirts for Cruising

at Cruise Ready Store

Brand New Eclipse to the Rescue

Celebrity Cruises has made an alteration in the launch schedule of their brand new ship, the Celebrity Eclipse, in order to assist a boatload of U.K. travelers who have been stranded as a result of the eruption of Iceland's volcano.

The new ship was originally scheduled to begina 2 day launch celebration cruise today, but will, instead, sail for Bilbao, Spain. this evening, on a mission of mercy this evening. She'll arrive there very early Thursday, where she'll "collect" stranded travelers, and sail back to  Southampton, arriving late Friday evening. This special voyage replaces the scheduled two-night, round-trip launch celebration cruise from Southampton.

Company chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Richard Fain said, ““Collecting stranded British and Irish holidaymakers is a fitting first mission for new ship Celebrity Eclipse – what better way for a ship dedicated to the UK to mark her arrival?”

KUDOS from Cruise Ready Store to Celebrity and parent company, Royal Caribbean International,  for once again sailing to the rescue!

Does your Mom Cruise?

With Mother's Day coming soon, many folks will be looking for someting special for Mama. If your mother loves to hop on a cruise ship and get away from time to time, think Cruise Gifts. Maybe you can't afford to give her a cruise, but how about a piece of cruise memorabilia from her favorite ship or cruise line?

Or, maybe she's going on a cruise soon? If so, how about a special shirt or hat with a nautical theme? Perhaps one of these, from CruiseReadyStore.com:

Or, for a personalized shirt, hat, bag, magnet, or other item.... there's still time to have one made up with her name on it at Cruise Ready on Zazzle. Here are some examples from there:

Have her name embroidered on this "Official Cruiser" shirt... shown here in a blue short sleeved polo, it's available in a variety of styles and colors. IDEA: A long sleeved pink tee and matching cap for cruising to Alaska.

If, like many, you find you must be cost-conscious this Mother's day, here's a budget tote for just $11.00 - and that includes personalization with her name!

(Other styles and designs also available)

Crossed Palms Personalized Budget Tote

Or - make her a personalized magnet with the name of her ship, itinerary and cruise dates on it. Available in more styles, with different ships, or caribbean and cruising themes. Magnets, buttons and name badges are $2.00 to $3.50 at Cruise Ready on Zazzle, with quantity discounts starting at just 10!

For even more ideas for Mom you are cordially invited to browse my little collection of Mother's Day Cards and matching gift items at TropiCards . . . some even suitable for (!) non-cruising moms.

An EPIC Display

Norwegian Cruise Lines and Macy's Department store in New York have announced something special for this years Independence Day fireworks display. Always special, this years program promises to be even more so - especially for cruise fans. NCL's new mega-ship, the EPIC, will be the host venue!

Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

It's the 34th year for the event, and, according to the press release, ". . . includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. and takes place on board Norwegian Epic where invited guests will have a front row view of the fireworks display."

Those lucky guests should have a spectacular view of the fireworks celebrating our nation's birthday from the Norwegian Epic's pool deck and outer decks.  NCL says their hosting of the Macy's fireworks display will serve as the finale of inaugural festivities for their brand new ship.
The Inaugural Sailing of the Norwegian Epic departs Southampton on June 24.  She'll arrive in Manhattan  July 1.  

BONUS -  Macy's and NCL will be giving away a cruise for four on the Epic.  Look for more details in June.  They'll be published at http://www.macys.com/fireworks

Cruise Sweepstakes from MSC

We've found another contest for you to enter, with a cruise as the grand prize.  MSC Cruises is giving away a free New England cruise for two.

FROM the entry page - Just enter our sweepstakes and you could win a free cruise for two to Canada and New England during our inaugural fall season, September-October 2010.
Here's the link to enter:  http://www.freecruisesweepstakes.com/

Good Luck, and happy sailing from http://www.cruisereadystore.com/

An early Mother's Day Special

Lest we forget, here's a little reminder that Mother's Day will be here soon.  If you haven't had time to give it much thought yet - or even if you HAVE, but have come up short on ideas -  here are a couple of suggestions to get you started off:

AN EARLY MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL

A Mom of any age would appreciate this Blue Hibiscus Canvas Mini Tote . It's on sale right now at Cruise Ready Store - regularly priced at $15.99, you'll only pay $13.99 from now through April 14, and that includes shipping within the U.S.  After April 14th, these bags (if there are any left) will go back to their regular price.

 

And, though it's not on sale right now, here's another item in a blue hibiscus theme...

a hand painted enamel wooden bangle for her wrist. It would make a thoughtful gift for any Mother who has a love for flowers or the tropics.  Several other colors also available...

Whatever you decide, just make sure you DO remember Mom on Mother's day... we hope yours has a happy one.

Crew Appreciation Cards

Oh, the last day of the cruise... they always come, don't they? I'm bring back a few photos ... but not a lot. I'll try to post one or two next week sometime.


Tonight, when we give our final tips to our cabin steward and dining room wait staff, I'll be using one of Cruise Ready Store's newest items - specially designed (by me) Crew Member Thank You cards. They have a very short pre-written message inside, with plelnty of room left for a handwritten message. (or not) Those folks work SO hard to make our few days at sea so very special, and they succeed. So, I'm happy to finally have a special card in which to enclose our tips... and I hope it will bring an extra smile to their faces. They bring so many to ours.

We Sail Today!

Some persnal notes for today - Sailaway day! It's been SO long since we curised that I hardly know how to act, but today's the day!

We'll be on the Monarch of the Seas, with our good friends Sue and Dickie, and it will be three days of relaxing and catching up. Everything's ready. Bob and Marilyn are here to mind the house and Walker, and I've got my Bon Voyage to Me T shirt ready to wear.

Dickie informed me he brought his nautical tie clip - the one from my store with the cruise ship on it - but doesn't intend to dress up. Does THAT make sense??? Why bring it if you don't intend to wear it? We'll see. And Sue brought everything but the kitchen sink, as usual. The two of them are such fun. It's going to be great to cruise with them again.

They were really pleased with the way our little magnet door markers turned out. These come in handy for my guy, too, who can never remember his cabin number. Since all the doors on those long hallways look pretty much alike, I 'mark' ours for him with a pretty magnet. Here's a pic of the ones I did for this trip ... one for each of our two cabin doors. They'll be a nice little keepsake afterwards, too. This is just one of several designs available for personalization in my Zazzle Gallery. (There's buttons and shirts, hats, bags, and other things, too)

Well - time to get in gear... first, breakfast at our favorite pre-cruise spot - The Sunrise Diner. So, now IT BEGINS.