With all the negative cruise press recently, we decide to tackle the things that might convince us to consider not cruising in the future. We look at cruise line specific issues including the recent Carnival drama.  Our cruise news features new information about upcoming ships from Norwegian and Princess, a new dress code for Cunard, as well as the aforementioned Carnival woes.

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]

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
    

Dress codes are the conversation this week as we discuss what the cruise lines suggest vs. what they allow. We also talk about how cruise lines might lessen the confusion regarding what to wear in the main dining room, and discuss the various opinions on the subject.  Our cruise news focuses on two stories: the Costa Allegra's fire and subsequent engine failure and the robbery of twenty-two cruise passengers in Puerto Vallarta.  

Our show this week focuses on the tragedy of the Costa Concordia. We give a full account of what has been reported as well as our impressions on how this will affect cruising.  We also discuss cruise ship safety and what to expect from a muster drill.