Cruise Ships Board on Pinterest

Just a quick note to share my Cruise Ships pin board on Pinterest with my cruising friends.  Enjoy!

Do you have a cruise related pin board?  If so, please feel free to leave a comment so everyone can find you!

I'd Rather Be Cruising

Wouldn't you rather be cruising right now?

Rather Be Cruising Mousepad by CruiseReady
See more Cruising Mousepads

Pool Deck Chair Police

Photo courtesy of natureworks, via morguefile

Don't you just hate it when you saunter up to the Lido Deck for a little sun, or a quick dip in the pool, only to find nearly every chair empty, save a personal item 'reserving' it for someone  who is nowhere to be seen?


Well, it seems that one of the cruise lines plans to do something about that.


Carnival Cruise Line will begin a test period of enforcement of a 40 minute pool chair saving rule, beginning with the Carnival Breeze.

Crew members on the Carnival Breeze will soon be patrolling the pool areas, searching for 'saved' lounge chairs. The employees will be equipped with stickers which they'll place on chairs containing shirts, towels, books, shoes, or other items being used to save them.   They'll write the time on the stickers before affixing them to said chairs.

 If the passenger owning the items neither begins occupying the chair nor removes the item or items in 40 minutes time, the items will be removed.  They'll be taken to either the towel exchange or to  lost and found desk, where the guest will need to reclaim them.

 The plan is to implement the 'pool chair police' system fleetwide after the test period on the Breeze.

Meet on Lido Button blue
by CruiseReady

Another article you might enjoy is Cruise Ship Swimming Pools.

Happy 50th Birthday, Jamaica!

Happy Birthday, Jamaica!

Ocho Rios, as seen from the
Aft Pool Deck of the
Crown Princess

Have you cruised to Jamaica? If so, you know it's a beautiful place! I have   enjoyed visiting there several times, and would go back in a heartbeat.  If you haven't, you might enjoy a selection of pictures of Jamaica that I've put together on Squidoo.  Join me in saying "Happy Birthday, Jamaica!"
 
There are a few facts about Jamaica included in the article that you might enjoy learning, too.  It really is a cool place!

The images are mostly from folks who display their art, photos, and designs on Zazzle, and they are worth a look... 

My biggest piece of advice if you take a cruise that calls at Jamaica is to use a guide!  I am usually happy to 'go it on my own' at most ports of call in the Caribbean, but Jamaica is an exception to that rule.  IMO, a good guide is a MUST there.  Just a word to the wise.

Ernesto and Florence Heat Up the Tropics

The Tropics Come Alive - Two Storms at Once

Tropical Storm Ernesto (Image courtesy NOAA)

The tropics have been quiet for weeks, ever since Tropical Storm Debby made her exit, but this week, things changed.


Tropical Storm Ernesto is stirring up the Caribbean, while Tropical Storm Florence has begun the trek across the Atlantic.


The Windward Islands have already gotten a taste of the 2012 Hurricane Season.  Ernesto passed just north of Barbados, then collided with the southern tip of St. Lucia as he crossed over from the tropical Atlantic into the Caribbean.  Jamaica is under a tropical storm warning today, as that nation prepares to celebrate its 50th birthday on Monday.


Tropical Storm Ernesto is forecast to continue westward for now, and become a hurricane as early as tomorrow.  


Meanwhile, out in the eastern Atlantic, Tropical Storm Florence is starting to make her westbound crossing.  Will she make it all the way across intact?  And, if so, how strong will she be?  Time will tell.


Our thoughts are always with those in the path of a tropical system, whatever its name may be.   Today, it's Ernesto.  Next week, it may be Florence, and then Gordon, who has yet to make an appearance.  Stay safe, everyone! 

ESPECIALLY FOR CRUISERS

We could well see some ships change course and alter itineraries in the coming days to avoid the nastiness - and danger -  of a tropical system.  No changes have been announced yet, but you can bet the cruise lines are monitoring these storms closely!  See my 10 Tips for Cruising in Hurricane Season for more on this topic.


More articles about hurricane weather:

Know the Cone  - This is an important one.  Many people who think they know exactly what the Cone of Uncertainty means actually don't.  I've frequently heard the cone being mis-characterized!

2012 Hurricane Season Names - Just what the title says.

Weather Alert Radios -  Another important one.  Yes, you DO need one of these if you live anywhere in the US where severe weather is possible.

2012 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Journal - Here's where I'm keeping track of this years tropical weather activity.