This week our new co-host, Jason Leppert of popularcruising.com, shares his recent experience on the Viking Freya river cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg. He details the ports he visited along the Danube and explains the differences between river and ocean crusing, as well as similarities.  Cruise news features the new Oasis-class ship with name speculations and expanded kids programs on the Royal Princess.

Direct mp3 Download http://traffic.libsyn.com/cruizecast/Viking_River.mp3

This week we discuss our ship visit on board the brand new Celebrity Reflection.  We talk theming, dining, special touches, new features and much more! Our cruise news features all inclusive packages on Royal Caribbean, a Miami-themed ship for Norwegian and a new waterpark for MSC. 

Visit travelshopgirl for a live blog review of the ship.
Direct Download http://traffic.libsyn.com/cruizecast/celebreflect.mp3

Listen to our complete review of the Crown Princess with details on dining, entertainment, activities, ship layout, staterooms and more! Cruise news features stories from Carnival, Grand Cayman and Venice.

This week we recap our recent vacation with surprises, disappointments, and favorite moments.  Cruise news features tons of new ship announcements, a review of the new Celebrity Reflection and a policy change from Royal Caribbean.

Jason from PopularCruising.com joins us to tell us all about his experience on the inaugural cruise of the Disney's Pixar Themed Cruises on the Disney Wonder in California. We get an unexpected treat in the interview when we find out that Jason has dined at Remy's, the most expensive specialty restaurant at sea, and he reviews it for us.  News features stories from the upcoming Norwegian Breakaway, upgrades to a newer Carnival ship, and a refurbishment of the Serenade of the Seas.

This week we review a wide variety of cruise books including the Berlitz guide, Frommer's Cruises and Ports of Call, Fodor's Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises, and Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports. We also review autobiographies Cruise Confidential, Ship for Brains, and The Truth about Cruise Ships. The cruise magazines we review are Porthole Cruise Magazine and Cruise Travel Magazine. Our news features more talk of the all-inclusive drink package on Carnival and their new deck chair policy, plus the resolution of an old story from Princess and some Royal Caribbean controversy.

This week Shon Ford, aka CruiseMan300, joins us to tell us all about his love for Norwegian Cruise Lines.  He gives us details from his most recent sailing aboard the Norwegian Star as well as tons of port information for Bermuda. Cruise news features Royal Caribbean's upgraded Internet on the Oasis of the Seas and a lawsuit concerning the Costa Concordia. 

Vanny from CruiseExpertsTravel joins us this week to tell us all about her experience on board the Oceania Riviera including first hand tidbits about what sets this "premium plus" ship apart from premium or luxury cruise lines. Cruise news features stories of strikes in Oslo, Royal Caribbean new deployments to China and a missing iPhone found via an interesting way on the Disney Wonder.

This week our friend, Becca, tells us all about her experience on Princess Cruise Line's Sapphire Princess.  She details her cruise on the California coast with information on dining, staterooms, entertainment, activities and more. Our cruise news features stories from Celebrity, Oceania, and new itineraries from Princess.

Show Outline Coming Soon!

Our friend and resident Norwegian expert, Scott, joins us with his friend, Tracy, to give us a full and detailed review of the Norwegian Epic.  They discuss food, the controversial staterooms, ship layout, entertainment and activities. Cruise news includes a rumor from Royal Caribbean, new cruise regulations and a tragedy involving the Star Princess.

Show Outline
  Cruise News
    Viking Cruises to build new ocean going vessels
    Rita's Cantina to be replaced with Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville?
    New Cruise Industry Regulations
    Star Princess fails to aid fishing boat in distress
  Norwegian Epic Review
    Embarkation and First Impressions
    The Controversial Staterooms
    Ship Layout
    Dining- main and free restaurants and specialty
    Entertainment- Blue Man Group, Legends in Concert, other entertainment
    Daily activities and outdoor decks
    Spa and fitness center
    Casino and gambling
    Final Reflections