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 we are at Disney World, which got us thinking about the differences between cruising and land vacations. We examine the pros and cons of each, and talk about the things we take for granted while cruising that we miss in a land vacation. Cruise news features stories of recent deployment announcements including Royal Caribbean and Costa in China, and increased summer ship capacity in the Caribbean.

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!

Mikey of mikeyscruiseblog.com joins us this week to talk about his recent tours of the Holland America MS Maasdam and the Carnival Liberty. We also cover lots of cruise news including stories about the Titanic II, new features on the Carnival Breeze, and new regulations from Costa.

Show Outline 
  Cruise News
     al Qaeda considered terrorist attack of cruise ship
     Costa institutes new safety measures
     Australian Billionaire to build Titanic II
     Carnival Breeze to feature new sushi and barbecue restaurants
  Cruise3Sixty Tours with Mikey
      MS Maasdam from Holland America
      Carnival Liberty
         Guy's Burger Joint
       Stories from Cruise3Sixty
  Wrap Up
      Find Mikey at mikeyscruiseblog.com, Marian at travelshopgirl.blogspot.com & Hans at disneycruiseblog.net
      Join us on facebook, twitter or email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we give tips and advice for touring Florence, Italy from the cruise ports of Livorno or LaSpezia with details on attractions and much more! Cruise news includes some new ship features from the Norwegian Breakaway and Royal Princess, as well as a new MSC ship in Miami and a new route for Carnival.


Show Outline
   Cruise News
     Norwegian Breakaway to feature waterpark, Spongebob Squarepants kids area & Nickelodeon events
     Royal Princess will have a television studio, Princess Live! for morning show with audience & more
     Brand New MSC Divina will homeport in Miami
     Carnival Glory heading back to Boston next year with Fun Ship 2.0 Features
   Florence Itinerary
     From the cruise ports of Livorno and LaSpezia, we suggest the "Florence on your own" shore excursion transfer, usually around $79 per person, due to the difficulty in getting there on your own which requires two bus rides and a train each way.
      Transfers usually drop you near Santa Croce church, where we begin our itinerary.
      Don't visit Santa Croce unless you have time to spare and want to see elaborate tombs.
      Head to Piazza della Signoria to see outside gallery and Palazzo Vecchio.
      Go to Piazza del Duomo (or the square with the Duomo) Santa Maria de Fiore, and see outside of baptistry and church. Climb dome if you wish and have time.
       Eat at La Mescita

   Visit the Accademia to see the statue of David by Michaelangelo
   Visit either the Pitti Palace or the Uffizi Gallery, depending on your tastes. 

    See the Ponte Vecchio 
    Shopping and General Tips
    Eat Gelato (in this article, the one we recommend is the second gelateria discussed)
    Who should take an organized shore excursion in Florence and why
    General Florence gushing ;)
  Closing
   Mikey's Cruise Blog's Cruise3Sixty coverage

Our Florence port touring page
Our Florence Review