Carnival LIVE 2016

Taking the stage on Carnival LIVE sailings in early 2016 will be music legends Gladys Knight, Journey, KC & The Sunshine Band and Trace Adkins, plus comedienne Kathy Griffin. In addition, Carnival has just announced that they have added country star Sam Hunt, plus comedians Chris Tucker and Jim Gaffigan to their lineup.

Chris Tucker is an award-winning actor and comedian best known for his starring role as Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour films. He became a favorite on HBO Def Comedy Jam and starred in the 1995 cult classic Friday and 2013 Oscar-nominated Silver Linings Playbook. 

Azamara Club Cruises’ Private Journeys

Shore excursions are such an important part of cruising.  In last weeks blog I talked about the different ways you can explore in a port; a couple of different types of group tours, private tours, and even taxi tours.While it can be worthwhile booking any of these tours, for a seasoned traveler it can get boring seeing a new city in the same old fashion.  Others seek something totally unique or off the beaten path while in port. Or there are those that just want a private tour arranged by the cruise line for themselves and their traveling companions.  If any of those scenarios speak to you, than Azamara Club Cruises’ “Private Journeys” may be a perfect fit!

 

Private Journeys allows guests to design any tour they can imagine, or customize any of Azamara’s standard Land Discoveries tours or signature tours. What makes this program so noteworthy is that Azamara has a team of “Destination Insiders”, seasoned world travelers with years of experience sailing aboard their ships, available to assist passengers with creating a perfect tour itinerary. Each team member has been specially selected for his or her unique perspectives on exclusive travel experiences and attentive guest service. Their insightful knowledge of their destinations ensures that every Private Journeys is an unforgettable exploration of culture, tailored just for that guest!

Choosing Your Shore Excursions

Today’s cruise ships are amazing resorts at sea. They have stunning staterooms, delectable dining, extraordinary entertainment and an abundance of amenities.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what each ship has to offer that we forget that these floating cities actually dock in foreign lands!

Yes, eventually these ships pull into port, quite often a different port every day. And how you choose to spend your time on shore is entirely up to you. Every traveler has a different comfort level when it comes to exploring an unfamiliar island or city. Here is what you need to know about choosing a shore excursion.

Group Shore Excursions: You can book an excursion as part of a group by booking with the cruise line or with an independent shore excursion company. There are benefits to booking ship-sponsored day trips.  They are a great comfort to those that get nervous in foreign lands.  Plus, you are guaranteed that the tour provider is licensed and insured. But the biggest reason people cite as why they book excursions through the cruise line is the comfort in knowing that the ship won't depart without them!  Of course you may have to contend with being a part of a large group if you book directly with the cruise line, (although some lines are now offering options that limit the number of participants). Not to mention how frustrating it can be waiting for the dawdlers in a large group…and believe me, there are ALWAYS dawdlers! Cruise line shore excursions can be expensive too.