The RCI Fan is making his preparations to cruise once more, after far too long away from the sea.

I’ve narrowed my interest down to three ships, each leaving from Miami between January 6 and 7, 2007. The ships include Navigator, Mariner, and Freedom of the Seas. I expect to travel alone, as I did in 1999, but that may well change by the end of this year. I began my shopping at a AAA office this afternoon, and wasn’t alarmed at the price, but wasn’t pleased to think I may have to pay the entire cruise fare by the end of October. But such is life. Orbitz and Expedia did not improve on the first rate much. Travelocity has trumped all parties by about three hundred dollars. I’ve started to consider recommendations of Travel Agents from online and real-time friends.

My target is to pull the total cost below $2,000 per person, after taxes. Can it be done? Who knows, but I sense it can be. Want to join in the search, or debate the methods of finding the right fare, join me in the message forum!

News as it develops.

Taking another step towards promoting RCI as a family friendly vacation options, our favorite cruise line started the €œFamily Stateroom Team,€ refered too as FaST, and Group Amenities Plus points for travel on Liberty of the Seas.

The move is geared mainly to travel agents, which remain at the forefront of booking family travel. According to SeaTrade’s website, €œBy working with a FaST reservations representative, agents can provide extra services to parties of more than four in a stateroom without making multiple reservations under one name, the company said. Additionally, FaST agents can assist with air and dining arrangements, shore excursions and online check-in.€

The GAP points are designed to give agents the ability to provide perks to groups on Liberty of the Seas, and though I’m sure it will become a standard part of the RCI booking regime, odds are it was announced now to promote booking for LOS.

The British government took action against a plot to destroy passenger aircraft en route to the United States. More than two dozen arrests have been made world-wide. The Federal Aviation Administration has increased security at airports through-out the United States, as have its counter-parts in Europe. Details of the plot have lead to a changes in carry-on baggage rules, and this last point is most likely what will impact those of you about to fly to a cruise vacation.

From the FAA website, the following rules are now in effect for passengers:

NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

Exception: Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger€™s ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines
Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.
Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.
Some measures will not be visible to the public. In light of the elevated threat level, the Federal Air Marshals Service (FAMS) will provide expanded mission coverage for flights from the United Kingdom to the United States.
These measures will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. DHS and its components have coordinated closely with the air carrier industry, airports, and state and local stakeholders to implement these significant, but necessary, security measures. The traveling public can assist these agencies in carrying out their important security duties by:
Packing lightly, without clutter to facilitate easier screening.
Check with your air carrier well before your flight departs for information on when you shoudl arrive at the airport.
Cooperating with TSA personnel at all checkpoints and gates because TSA Security Officers will be checking carry-on baggage at the gate.
Being attentive and vigilant to any suspicious activity.
Protecting U.S.Borders. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will increase enforcement efforts in international arrival areas including the use of advanced targeting tools, special response teams including baggage and aircraft search teams, baggage x-ray equipment, specially-trained canine units, and explosive detection technology.
DHS has also mandated that all flights from the U.K. transmit passenger manifest information for intensive screening prior to departure from the gate. In addition, passengers on these flights and all other international flights will be subject to heightened inspection upon arrival in the U.S.
*********
Also, there are delays mounting at airports across the U.S. The FAA maintains a website that indicates the general level of delay at regional airports. You can click HERE to see more.

There are no direct threats related to cruise ships, passengers, or most related locations.

‘World’s Largest’ Cruise Ship Title Soon To Be Shared Honor

Royal Caribbean International Floats Out Liberty of the Seas Growing The Freedom Family

MIAMI, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –In less than a year, Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas, the cruise ship holding the title “world’s largest,” will have to share her designation with her new younger sister. With her hull now complete, Liberty of the Seas, under construction at Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, reached an important maritime milestone today when she was “floated out” — moved from dry dock to wet dock — for the final months of finishing work leading up to her May 2007 debut.

At official ceremonies held at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean executives, Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president, Maritime; Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Sales; and Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, and Yrjo Julin, president for Aker Yards Cruise and Ferries, assisted by an exclusive group of Royal Caribbean’s travel partners, turned the valve releasing 87 million gallons of water into the wet dock area.

Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will hold the dual title of largest cruise ships at sea, weighing in at 160,000 GRT and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy. Among new programs and onboard embellishments yet to be announced, amenities on Liberty will include the popular innovations already found on Freedom including the FlowRider(R) surf simulator; the wet and wild H20 Zone aqua park; cantilevered whirlpools, suspended 112 feet above the ocean; an ice-skating rink; a boxing ring; and the 1,215-square-foot Presidential Family Suite, which sleeps up to 14.

“We are pleased to announce that Captain Hernan Zini will command the newest addition to Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Liberty of the Seas,” stated Kulovaara. “Most recently serving as captain of Grandeur of the Seas, Captain Zini brings with him a passion for nautical adventures and appreciation for modern ship engineering and innovation.”

Kulovaara added, “We created Freedom based on guests’ wishes and demands and there are so many things to do, see and experience, that it allows cruisers to escape and have the freedom of choice. It’s a terrific time for our brand and we look forward to introducing Liberty of the Seas to returning guests and first-time cruisers.”

The two ships in Royal Caribbean’s new Freedom class, to be joined by a third in 2008, will alternate between 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries, Liberty departing on Saturdays and Freedom on Sundays from Miami. Both itineraries will bring guests to the Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Labadee, Haiti, before returning to Miami. In addition, Liberty’s Western Caribbean itinerary calls in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Montego Bay, Jamaica; while the Eastern Caribbean itinerary calls in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, allowing for a third day at sea to take advantage of all the ship has to offer.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and three under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through its cruisetour division. For additional information or to make reservations, go to http://www.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) 327-6700.

SOURCE: Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International has launched a consumer gift certificate
program, allowing consumers to treat their loved ones cruise vacations. The
recipients can receive their gift certificates by mail or email. The
certificates can be used toward a cruise as well as for onboard credit at
the spa, casino, gift shops, restaurants, and lounges. Travel agents can
apply the certificates toward new or existing reservations while keeping
their bookings fully commissionable. Gift certificates are available in
denominations of $50, $100, $250, or $500. To purchase a gift certificate,
call 800-722-5970 or visit www.royalcaribbean.com.
–RCI