http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-planners-launches-industry-s-first-virtual-education-platformhttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-planners-launches-industry-s-first-virtual-education-platformFORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. – November 18, 2009 – During today’s opening ceremony of the Cruise Planners/American Express annual convention, company executives unveiled the ir upgraded Cruise Planners University educational program, which now integrates Cruise Lines Intern ational Association and select cruise line and tour company universities with Cruise Planners’ core training modules.  Graduatin...Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:53:56 -0500http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/world-s-largest-cruise-night-eventhttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/world-s-largest-cruise-night-eventIt’s that time of year again!  National Cruise Vacation month is being celebrated this month. But at Cruise Planners, we have taken the party to a whole new level.  From October 12 to 19th we are showing our Cruisitude by holding a gigantic World’s Largest Cruise Event Sale.  We have special offers from 7 of the most popular cruise lines and knock-your-socks-off promotions ranging from shipboar...Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:33:43 -0400http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/perking-along-at-holland-americahttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/perking-along-at-holland-americaHolland America Line beefed up its loyalty club with the Mariner Society Rewards Program, providing on-board discounts while sailing, special rates on select cruises and reduced or free third and fourth rates when booking future cruises. Based on past cruises recorded as cruise days, members now get Star levels and automatically collect additional cruise day credits based on their on-board spen...Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:52:37 -0400http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/royal-protectionhttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/royal-protectionRoyal Caribbean International is reminding vacationers that they can enjoy the benefits of booking early and the peace of mind of receiving the best advertised prices with the line’s Best Price Guarantee program. By booking early, vacationers have access to a much wider selection of staterooms and availability on their desired departure date. If the guest then finds a lower fare advertised by R...Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:49:34 -0400http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/royal-caribbean-joins-the-cruisitude-movementhttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/royal-caribbean-joins-the-cruisitude-movementRoyal Caribbean joined the Cruisitude movement. You should too!  We’ve teamed up with Royal Caribbean to deliver you an exclusive offer that is valid through August 15, 2009. You can get a 50% reduced deposit, pre-paid gratuities plus an onboard spending booklet, not to mention another wonderful add-on such as free spa treatment or specialty dining. Why not book now? There are many incredible s...Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:31:17 -0400http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/carnival-dream-dining-optionshttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/carnival-dream-dining-optionsDining options on Carnival Dream, debuting in September, range from a two-level casual eatery featuring a new Italian pasta station and a burrito bar to Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue.In outlining the ship’s food selection, Carnival Cruise Lines emphasized that most choices are included in the fare. Exceptions are the reservations-recommended steak house and specialty ...Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:41:23 -0400http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/oasis-of-the-seas-see-the-viewshttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/oasis-of-the-seas-see-the-views   Royal Caribbean’s chairman, Richard Fain, has been a busy bee travelling back and forth from the Miami headquarters to the shipyard in Turku, Finland where the Oasis of the Seas is being fitted out.  And he brought his camera with him on this last trip to share some amazing photos of the ship as it nears completion.  You can see them all on his blog at http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/chairmans...Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:39:18 -0400http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/why-a-travel-agent-is-better-than-shopping-opn-linehttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/why-a-travel-agent-is-better-than-shopping-opn-lineAnother “cutting edge” travel website was just announced.  It leads to the question of “how many websites does a person need to visit to get information about travel offers?”   Since we focus on the cruise business, let’s take a look at this particular segment to see if we can shed some light on the question.The first thing to understand when you let your fingers do the shopping online is that ...Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:42:24 -0400http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/the-musical-34-hairspray-34-to-debut-on-rcl-39-s-oasis-of-the-seashttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/the-musical-34-hairspray-34-to-debut-on-rcl-39-s-oasis-of-the-seasCruise ship entertainment continues to reach new heights so it is no surprise that when the world’s largest ship, Oasis of the Seas,  enters service this fall, the shows on board will also be “super-sized”.  While the ship will feature multiple entertainment venues, the current buzz is about “Hairspray” and not the kind available in the gift shop.  Royal Caribbean recently announced that it has...Mon, 11 May 2009 12:40:34 -0400http://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-lines-diligent-in-responding-to-swine-fluhttp://www.cruiseshipplanner.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-lines-diligent-in-responding-to-swine-fluYou might think that perhaps, a “higher power”, is mad at the travel industry.  First it was pirates and now Swine Flu.  From a cruiser’s standpoint the one advantage a ship has over other destinations is “portability”.  Ships can be moved but hotels, can’t.  For example, only a small handful of passenger vessels – generally the smaller upscale ones – ever come within 1000 miles of that paradis...Mon, 04 May 2009 13:36:51 -0400