Monthly Archives: February 2019

Cruise lines are constantly geared toward providing a steady flow of shipboard entertainment for cruisers to enjoy. They want your time at sea to be just as exciting as the ports of call you’ll visit during your itinerary. While the standards (such as onboard casinos, Broadway-style shows and nightclubs) continue to have appeal, cruise lines are getting more and more innovative with their ideas. It was this type of what-would-the-passenger-want thinking that drove Princess Cruise Line to add “Movies Under the Stars.”

Unlike anything found aboard other cruise vessels, “Movies Under the Stars” is an impressive outdoor movie theater that Princess officials describe as a “Times Square-style, LED (light emitting diode) screen.” This is no ordinary TV, however.

With a monstrous 300-square-foot screen, featuring a 69,000-watt sound system, the “Movies Under the Stars” system is well equipped with enough lighting power to be seen clearly day or night.

Princess Cruise Line didn’t stop there. Strategically placed, this million-dollar entertainment system is located above the pool area for optimal viewing comparable to traditional movie theaters. Have you ever watched your favorite movie while floating in a pool or sunbathing? Now you can!

To make the experience fit the Princess Cruise Line style, ship officials decided to go overboard (so to speak). Passengers can make complimentary chaise lounge reservations for available features. At evening viewings, comfortable cushions and blankets are placed on the lounge chairs. Additionally, cocktail specials are available as well as free popcorn and other movie munchies. Would you rather do dinner theater? Poolside casual dining is also available.

With up to seven features playing throughout the day and evening, every member of your party will find something s/he enjoys. What’s in the lineup? Many family films including Spider Man 2 and Shrek 2. Concerts, sporting events – including NFL Monday Night Football – awards shows and other broadcast entertainment as well. One of the most popular events is Oscar® Under the Stars with the broadcast of the Academy Awards and a party.

“Movies Under the Stars” has been such a hit that Princess Cruise Line has retrofitted all its Grand Class ships with the giant screens.

“Movies Under the Stars” follows in the tradition of such other Princess Cruise Line innovations as Personal Choice Dining ®, the Cruise Personalizer® and the More Balconies® concept to make your shipboard experience all it can be.

Taking the advice of well-traveled cruisers is the best thing for first time cruise passengers to do. After all, why not learn from someone else’s mistakes or mishaps? Of course, you will still have a few of your own, but that is what makes your first cruising experience memorable.

You’ve got your cruise booked and are counting the days until you set sail. However, there are a few things for you to do before you even start to think about packing. Check with the cruise line to see what vaccinations, if any, are needed for your journey. You’ll have to make a trip to your doctor to get current on any shots.

While you are at the doctor, ask them about tips on staying healthy and avoiding the flu or colds before you depart for your cruise. It is no fun having to travel sick or canceling all together. Also ask about seasickness remedies. Some of these medications are prescription only.

Stock up on any other prescription medications just in case they are scheduled to run out during your trip. Often, insurance companies will make exceptions and allow a prescription to be refilled early if you are traveling with no access to a chain pharmacy. One last thing – get a letter from your doctor on official letterhead listing your prescriptions and stating that they were all legitimately prescribed for you. If you have to go through customs, a letter will sometimes keep you from being detained while your medication is inspected.

If you are on a special diet, let the cruise line be aware of this fact when you book your cruise. Most diets are easily accommodated, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. A few weeks before you depart, check in with the cruise line again to go over your reservations and special needs diet.

Pack a small first aid kit for those “just in case” emergencies. Include antacids and anti-diarrhea medications for those episodes of “Montezuma’s Revenge” that seem to strike no matter where you travel. Aspirin, antibiotic cream and aloe vera gel for sunburns also come in handy.

Stow away sunscreen, moisturizer and lip balm in your luggage too. When you are having too much fun outdoors, you tend to forget things like sunburn. Be sure to apply the sunscreen lotion before heading outdoors. Moisturizer and lip balm keep your skin soft. Sometimes the temperature changes from the cold air conditioner to the heat outside can wreak havoc on the skin and dry it out.

In addition to the sunscreen, protect your skin by wearing hats and sunglasses. When you are on the ship’s deck gazing at the waves, the sun’s reflection off the water can be pretty bright. The sunglasses will protect you from harmful UV rays from the sun. Of course, the hats will shield you from the sun’s rays and possible sunburn on your ears and face, two places that people sometimes forget to apply sunscreen lotion.

With the right preparation and precautions, you are well on your way to a healthy and happy first cruise. And when in doubt about something, ask your cruise line. They want to make sure your cruising experience is trouble-free. After all, they want you to sail with them again.

The arrival of a new year always inspires optimism and excitement. The struggles or concerns of the previous year can be washed away and hope can be renewed as the calendar turns and all dreams become possible once more. One reason New Year’s Eve is such an endearing holiday is that there is a sense of fellowship and belief in the air, the idea that one journey is over and an exciting new one is set to begin.

Don’t leave such a crucial day of the year to chance: Spend your New Year’s Eve on a beautiful, luxurious yacht, cruising around New York. Leave the music to the experts and get your groove on all night long. Arrange for the catering of sumptuous food and an open bar to keep the party going the right way and say goodbye to the previous year in impressive fashion. Stroll the outside decks under the stars while you check out the Big Apple landmarks that drift past. Cast your worries to the wind as you let fully licensed and accredited captains pilot the yacht with confidence and ease.

Ring in the new year in a memorable, dramatic way. You’ll have a host of great photo opportunities, all the amenities you could ever need, a group of wonderful friends, an inviting dance floor … all you would want to ensure a successful party that you will never want to end.

Marco Polo Cruises has been the premier yacht charter company throughout New York and New Jersey for 15 years. We work with your schedule, group size, preferences, tastes and budget to design a cruise that will match all your expectations. You can set your own cruise time without worrying about the weather; our enclosed boats protect against any type of inclement weather.

Look around our site to familiarize yourself with our offerings. Contact Marco Polo Cruises at 1-212-691-6693 for further information.

Ask someone to picture their perfect vacation, and you will usually get an answer that involves the words sun, sand and water. The perfect way to relax is to get far away from your daily routine and relax in the warm sun. If this sounds like the vacation for you, what you need is a Caribbean cruise.

If you truly want to experience the feeling of living on a boat, or, if you are looking for a cost-efficient way to see the Caribbean, you’ll find this aboard a mid-size cruise ship. Mid-size ships offer most of the luxuries of a large ship, but for a more economical price.

If you are nervous at the thought of sailing on the ocean, or, if you want to be pampered, a large cruise ship should be your choice. These ships contain their own swimming pools, spas, restaurants, dance floors, and much more.

No matter which size of cruise ship you choose, you will be sure to have the time of your life! No cruise would be complete without a few stops along the way, and your cruise ship would be stopping at some of the beautiful islands in the Caribbean ocean. You can shop for local hand-made crafts, explore the islands, or go sailing or snorkeling in the tropical waters. Some islands will host a feast or traditional performance – something you don’t want to miss!

If you only have a few days, or are travelling on a small budget, three and four-day cruises are available. Even though you may be away for less than a week, you’ll still come back feeling as refreshed and reenergized as if you’d been gone for a month! Often, all we need is a change of scenery and time to relax, no matter how long or short it is. If you want to get away from it all, splurge on a two-week Caribbean cruise; you’ll see more of the tropics and have time to get used to being waited on hand and foot!

There are numerous cruise lines to choose from, with ships sailing from several different ports at all times of the year. With a bit of research on the Internet or at a local bookstore or travel agent, you can find the Caribbean cruise that is perfect for you!

The world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas, left Southampton on May 3, 2006 to make her transatlantic voyage to New York.

At 160,000 tons and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in May 2006, according to chairman and CEO Richard Fain. He noted that in choosing the name “Freedom” for the ship, the line was emphasizing how all-inclusive the vessel will be. “Whatever you want to do, you have the freedom to choose” he said.

In addition to the Voyager-class signature features – such as an enhanced rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and Royal Promenade – the 3,600 passenger ship, will feature a number of innovations: oversized sculptures spraying water in all directions, a circular current pool and a swimming pool fed by a waterfall; a full-size boxing ring and a 14-person family suite to an eager American audience.

Freedom of the Seas’ combined pool area is 43% larger than on Voyager-class ships.

At night, the main pool area will be transformed into an open-air nightclub, with a large dance floor situated between the two pools. Passengers will have access to a water park, a promenade and a casino. She will generate 1,800,000 litres of fresh water and require 35 tonnes of ice cubes every day.

Freedom of the Seas will arrive at the Port of Miami on May 25, where she will make a series of short sailings until June 4, when she will begin her regular sailing schedule of 7-night Western Caribbean tour calling at Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola.

Freedom of the Seas wrest the biggest-ship-ever title from Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

The QM2 was the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and most expensive ocean vessel ever built until the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas launches in June 2006. While QM2’s passenger capacity is 2,620 passengers, Freedom of the Seas can carry 6,000 passengers.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. commissioned the world’s largest cruise ship, agreeing to pay Europe’s biggest shipbuilder a record 900 million euros ($1.1 billion) for a vessel that will carry 5,400 passengers. Oslo-based Aker Yards ASA will deliver the Project Genesis ship in late 2009. At 222,000 gross register tons, the Royal Caribbean International vessel, codenamed Project Genesis, will be nearly half as big again as the Queen Mary 2, and 43 percent bigger than the largest cruise liner, Freedom of the Seas.

The world’s two largest cruise operators, Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises, are commissioning larger ships as increasing numbers of customers buy on-board package vacations. The number of people taking cruises surged 5.7 percent to 8.35 million in the first nine months of 2005, according to the New York-based Cruise Lines International Association.

Taking a cruise to a foreign country can be a new and exciting experience if you have never traveled abroad. There are plenty of new sights to see and things to try, but there are also dangers that naïve travelers must be aware of. When traveling internationally there are a number of things to take into consideration that will make your vacation even more enjoyable.

When traveling internationally on a cruise it might be a good idea to invest in travel insurance. Not only does travel insurance protect you from any unexpected cancellations, which can be important since cruises abroad can be more costly than domestic rates, but travel insurance can come in handy in other ways as well. Before leaving check into your medical insurance plan to find out if you are covered in foreign countries. Some insurance plans do not cover medical expenses in foreign countries and in some cases insurance plans are not accepted by foreign hospitals. In case of medical emergency while you are away, travel insurance policies can be purchased to cover any unforeseen medical costs that may occur while you are traveling.

Make sure you get to the boat early. In today’s world, there are a number of security precautions and safety measures that are taken before you are allowed to board any mode of public transportation. This means that you will need plenty of time to check your bags and get through security before your boat leaves. If you end up having a little extra time before you board your cruise, most shipping docks have areas where travelers can wait for their cruises to leave. It is better to have a little extra time than to miss your boat. Also, be sure to have your boarding pass and passport handy so you can get them checked quickly and easily rather than having to search through your bags for them.

If you are traveling abroad for the first time, beware of scams that many international travelers unfortunately fall prey to. There are a number of smalltime thieves that lurk in areas where cruise ships dock, waiting to make unsuspecting passengers their next victims. Make sure to keep your bags in sight at all times, to avoid getting anything stolen. Also, be sure to only keep items you will really need in your wallet during your trip. Try not to carry a lot of unnecessary items with you. It is also a good idea to lock all baggage that you bring with you.

It is a smart idea to make copies of all important documents before your trip. You should make photocopies of your passport, credit cards, medical prescriptions, and your medical insurance information. Photocopying your credit cards will allow you to have images of them if they happen to be lost or stolen during your trip. You will have the numbers, expiration dates and the phone number to call if you do misplace them. By copying medical prescriptions you are able to have the information for any medications you might need during your trip. Medication bottles are small and can easily be misplaced. It is important to always have your medical insurance information with you in case of any medical emergencies. Of course, as previously mentioned, you should make sure that your medical insurance fully covers any medical expenses in other countries before departing on your trip. If it does not cover you, travel insurance might be a smart choice for you.

Make sure you know the currency conversions between American dollars and the currency of the country you are visiting. Make sure you are visiting places that will accept your credit cards or make certain that you have enough local currency on you for any expenses. You will also want to look into places to exchange your currency. Different places offer different rates of conversion. Banks are typically the best bet, as they usually offer the best rates. However, it is smart to look into this and do some research before your trip. Another option is traveler’s checks, which can be purchased from your local bank prior to your trip, and can be used anywhere.

The most important tip for people planning to travel abroad is to have fun and enjoy the trip. For most people it is not everyday that they get to visit a foreign country, so try your best to take in as many sights as possible and don’t forget your camera.

In case of business-to-consumer scheme there are people who offer services or products and they serve as end products for people who buy them because customers are not likely to do anything else with the purchase other than use it themselves. On the other hand B2B model is set up in such a way that both parties are exchanging some products or services intending to use it somehow in the future, either for creation of their own product/service or aiming to resell for profit generation. Currently most all big and small businesses and entrepreneurs recognize the importance and overall benefits of using Internet. Both models of business welcome the possibility to cut down production costs, elimination of multiple intermediaries and costs savings as a result of technology usage. In business-to-consumer situation Internet that can be easily accessible by everyone at any time and any place is the best tool for selling goods or services. After all Internet makes the very existence of such phenomenon possible. When we consider business-to-business model a simple Web site available for everyone will not be sufficient and most probably will be a dangerous idea. Security concerns for those who operate big sums of money or have trade secrets are essential and Internet cannot provide it thus businesses have to use different tools to still make e-business possible. In order to reduce or eliminate risk of data theft, companies have started developing sites where it was safe to share information. Mostly big companies with high profits can afford such sites for the reason of expenses involved in setting the systems up and keeping them effectively running. With the help of such Web sites companies are able to communicate with their trading partners and receive information by using passwords that guarantee restricted access to the site. Such sites are called extranets; they establish a secure communication channel between two or more companies, suppliers and vendors. With the help of such network available for all players, supply chain as the most important business component is managed more efficiently causing better returns. Before extranets were implemented those firms willing to have a secure channel of communication had to send software to their partners. Such programs were expensive and difficult to install, besides it took a lot of time. Current situation does not require a lot of time or effort from neither side, now companies just have to direct their associates to a safe Web site with a specific password. By the year 2000, more than 10% of Fortune 500 companies were employing extranets and about 75% were intending to do so. Statistics show that generally companies with more than thousand employees install extranets because small companies usually do not work with businesses but with end product buyers.