TheIntelligentCruiser.com Cruise Blog » Smooth Sailing

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

T.I. Cruiser — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:45:26 +0000

I mentioned that I was on the Caribbean Princess’s, March 11th sailing that ended up being altered (basically turned into a floating San Juan hotel) due to mechanical problems. This was not the first time I had a cruise altered but never anything this severe. In the past I have had ports shuffled, cancelled, modified and swapped; but never an entire cruise that just stopped. I’m a pretty easy going guy and love cruising, so as long as I am on a cruise ship, I’m happy. However, when faced with the prospects of having a cruise cut short two days into it, I must say I was nearing my boiling point; or I was until they announced the compensation. The ability to use the ship [...]

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Monday Mailbag: April 11, 2011 Edition

T.I. Cruiser — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:00:10 +0000

This edition of the Monday Mailbag touches on three questions sent in by readers. The first has to deal with cold weather on a Mediterranean cruise. The second, dealing packing for a Caribbean cruise that sails out of New York in the dead of winter. The third question is in regards to Royal Caribbean’s policy on bringing non-alcoholic beverages on board their ships. Hopefully this will help some of you who have had or may have the same questions as these. I was looking to book a cruise to the Mediterranean but want to avoid any possible cold weather. Which months are the winter months in the Mediterranean or is there a specific Mediterranean cruise itinerary I should choose if I was looking to book [...]

Mailbag Monday: April 4, 2011

T.I. Cruiser — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:30:35 +0000

I figured today I would answer a couple of questions that I received in the mail in the past week or so. Today I will be talking about luxury cruises, cruising to Antarctica and passport requirements for Alaskan cruises. Sometimes I think its cool to make posts like these because it creates an archive of answers to questions that others can refer to over time. I have been on a couple of cruises with my extended family. My experience has been mostly limited to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. This time I want to take a cruise with just myself and my wife. I’m looking for something a little more upscale and luxurious than what the mainstream cruise lines offer. Which cruise lines are the most [...]

Carnival Victory, San Juan Alcohol Smuggling Report 2011

T.I. Cruiser — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:30:12 +0000

Last week I had the pleasure of taking a cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico (my favorite port of embarkation) on the Carnival Victory. I got a great deal on the cruise although the airfare left a little to be desired. Eager to make up some of the money I lost on airfare I figured this would be another prime opportunity to see if I could once again bring my own liquor on board the ship. Here is how it went. A Caveat About Bringing Alcohol Onboard a Cruise Ship Before any of you worry about me short changing the cruise line on alcohol revenue let me say that none of the alcohol brought on board was consumed on open decks. Rest assured Carnival [...]

Friday Mailbag: November 19th 2010 Edition

T.I. Cruiser — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:20:26 +0000

Here are some more questions readers have written to me about. I figured I would post them just in case any of you had the same questions but were too lazy busy to write. While I do know they will help at least three of you, hopefully it doesn’t stop there. Also remember if you have any questions you are too lazy busy to run down, feel free to send them my way. We are taking a family vacation on the Freedom of the Seas. My son is 12 years old and all he keeps talking about is going on the flo rider but I am afraid he may be too young for it. Is there an age limit for the flow rider on Royal [...]