If you are looking to traveling the world, you can easily take a plane and get places with speed. But why do that when you can take relaxing and luxurious tours by boat through a cruise line? You can literally soak in the sun and the sea breeze as you travel to popular destinations around Asia, Europe, and South America.
If you are wondering what this is about, look up Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL). This is a company that really knows it all when it comes to luxury vacations by the sea. Why would you go through the hassle of building an itinerary and packing your things in each destination when you can leave everything up to RCCL? They can bring together cruise packages that will blow your mind!
On their website, it’s as simple as picking a time for your vacation, picking the destination, port of departure and the ship you want to be on. That’s how easy it is to plan for your next vacation! They even have people who can help plan your vacation for you. Just pick your destination and they will take care of everything else. Now that is a service well thought out if you are the kind of person who just can’t deal with schedules. But then again, you shouldn’t be thinking of schedules when you are on vacation. So stop planning your world tours by yourself. Leave it to the experts at RCCL. They will definitely hook you up on a journey you won’t soon forget.
Elijah James -
About the Author:
For more great information on a www.desktopscripts.com today.http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/royal-caribbean-cruise-lines-1182991.html
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Royal Caribbean Cruise lines are rolling out a new service that will benefit passengers on the day they disembark to return home, this will be of special benefit for travellers that have later flights.
Those familiar with being wrenched awake far too early only to have disembark their Royal Caribbean will be of particular benefit to many in the UK who utilise cheap flights to connect to liners already out in the Mediterranean. However, with late night flights commonplace, British returns passengers often have to spend the whole day staggering around with luggage in the heat and waiting for travel connections to go home. It will also likely prove beneficial for Royal Caribbean, one of the only cruise lines offering such a facility, by offering an attractive programme that allows late risers an extra lie in and less stress on the final day of their holiday.
Ian Gilder -
About the Author:
Jetline Cruise are fully bonded agents for all major cruise lines, we are members of the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE). Our area of expertise is offering discounted cruise deals and cruise holidays, as the saying goes we sell cheap cruise holidays.
http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/royal-caribbean-cruises-better-late-risers-2827891.html
Starting life in the late 1960’s the Royal Caribbean now stands as the world’s second largest cruise line and also one of the most popular. It started due to the fact a consortium of Norwegian ship owners wanted to get involved in the rapidly expanding American market and that is exactly what they have done. Its first ship debuted in 1970 and since then they have prided themselves on introducing new shipboard innovations. By the early 1990’s the Royal Caribbean moved into their next challenge, which involved designing ships for use outside its traditional cruising grounds in the Caribbean. This challenge was then met in 1995 with the introduction of Legend of the Seas, a spectacular new ship that brought Royal Caribbean into a whole new era.
The Royal Caribbean cruise line now visits over a hundred ports of call in some of the world’s most stunning locations. These locations include the rugged beauty that is so often associated with Alaska and Canada through to the appeal of Europe and the luxuriant landscapes of Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii as well as the Panama Canal, Bermuda and the Bahamas. This particular cruise line isn’t however only popular due to its vast list of locations it is also down to the diverse activities that they ships have to offer, so what are these activities? And is there something to suit all tastes?
Rock climbing, mini golf and ice skating as well as swimming pools and FlowRider® Surf Park are just some of the activities that holiday makers are able to take part in. It is important to have variety when it comes to activities in order to cater for everyone’s needs, plus on top of this you also get to take part in shore excursions that occur across a vast array of destinations. These leisure facilities and entertainment also go on throughout the day and even late into the night
Staying on the subject of entertainment, all good cruises need a decent selection of both daytime and evening entertainment. On a Royal Caribbean cruise you are generally presented with two main types of evening entertainment. The ships tend to put on glitzy Vegas style production shows, which have been named as some of the most impressive among cruise lines. As well as this they also host passenger participation games that allow guests to get a bit more involved. These two examples represent the main forms of entertainment but as I previously mentioned there needs to be variety, which is why there is also a wide range of musical entertainment available in a number of public rooms. These ships even have parades and “street performers” in the Royal Promenade, which is a unique entertainment feature that can’t be seen on any other ships.
The ships that make up the Royal Caribbean cruise line were voted the best family ships available so what makes this particular line stand out from others? Well one factor is they are considered to be the most diverse as they cater the most for everyone, where as other lines tend to focus on a particular age group or section of people. For example the NCL line considers itself to be a ‘freestyle’ line. This generally means you will have to undertake aspects such as making dinner reservations every day. Another example is Carnival cruise. They are an example of a cruise line that is aimed at a particular crowd of people; they aim at a younger crowd as they have more of a party atmosphere, where as the Princess line leans more towards an older crowd.
It is important that when you are considering this type of holiday that you look into the different cruise lines that are available to you, including the Royal Caribbean cruise line, who I genuinely feel you will find what you are looking for with.
Carla Prosser -
About the Author:
Carla Prosser is an experienced cruiser and regularly writes articles for www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise_line/royal_caribbean
http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/what-makes-royal-caribbean-cruises-so-popular-961955.html
Most people who book a cruise for the first time (92%) will make their selection based on when they can go and how long they can stay. The second most important factor will be how much it costs. Everything else is dependant on those two items. In 2006, there were 112 different cruise ships operating out of U.S ports transporting about 10 million passengers on some 4,500 cruises. 70% of those 10 million people went to destinations in the Caribbean, and four cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity- The Big Four) accounted for about 3/4 of passengers.
If you fall into that broad category, your choices will be fewer, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for something you don’t want. But simply asking “What’s the best ship (or cruise line)?” is kind of like asking “What’s the best beer?”, or “What’s the prettiest color?” The very things that one cruiser likes about a cruise are the things that other cruisers vigorously dislike. The good news is that whatever you do like, there is somebody out there doing a bang-up job providing it.
Generally speaking, the Big Four specialize in the “more-is-better” approach to cruising, while smaller cruise lines focus on more specific areas, such as 5-star quality, small intimate ships, enrichment, etc. Here are some factors you can consider when choosing your cruise.
Size of the Ship.
Here some general observations one can make regarding the size of the ship.
What the passengers are there for.
The bigger the ship, the greater the attention paid to make sure that the ship-board experience is as unforgettable as possible. This translates into activities, distractions and a festive, socially liberal, fun-and-games atmosphere. If that annoys you, these big ships may rub you the wrong way.
How many people you’ll be traveling with.
The bigger the ship, the more people there will be on it (duh). Generally speaking, families, singles and singles traveling in groups will prefer the non-stop beat of the large ships. On the other hand, if you prefer quiet and don’t like the crush of crowds at poolside or in the dining room, you’ll have much better luck in the smaller ships, especially the ones that hold fewer than 1200 passengers.
The types of ports you will visit.
Big ships go to big ports. Certain ports, such as Roatan, Honduras or Vera Cruz, Mexico, are only available to smaller ships. Sometimes those ports are the very thing that makes the cruise quite special. If the ports of call are at the top of your list of reasons to take a cruise, consider booking passage on smaller ships that have extended itineraries.
Age of the Ship
“Old” is a relative term in the cruise industry, meaning ships that were launched around 1990 or before (15+ years a go). Many of these ships were state-of-the-art at the time and trumpeted the absolute best cruising had to offer. But in the last 15 years, cruise ships have gotten bigger and more extravagant in ways that were unimaginable two decades ago.
Older ships are not bad, just different. Many are less efficiently designed and have more traditional layouts. Some of the extras and amenities that are common on the newer ships, like internet in your cabin, themed alternative dining restaurants, wave pools and ice rinks don’t usually exist on the older ships. Cabins are smaller, critical traffic areas (such as elevator lobbies and disembarkation lines) are congested and shops can be pretty cramped. Some passengers (not all) notice stale odors or complain that the ventilation systems in the cabins are cranky.
On the flip side, many of the older ships have been up-fitted and remolded in the last few years, and so are fine cruising vessels. They are primarily used on the shorter cruises (3-5 days) and generally charge lower fares. Take into the account the value of the cruise experience. Maybe the older ships aren’t as fresh and perfect as the newer ones, but the value they offer – what you get for what you pay – can be outstanding.
Design of the Ship
Whether it’s accomplished with an extreme makeover or during the building stage, cruise ships place a premium on the design. Some are designed for luxury, some for fun, some try to strike a middle ground. Ships are often given “star” ratings similar to those given to hotels. Some ships are 5-star, such as Holland America. Others are 4-star, such as Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Keep in mind, if you want 5-star, take a cruise on a 5-star ship. Don’t take a cruise on a 3- or 4-star ship and then be unhappy because it’s not top quality. A good source available on the internet, is the “Galaxsea.com” Cruise Ratings site (http://www.galaxsea.com/ratings.html).
I also highly recommended the various message boards that populate the internet. Such sites as Cruisecritic.com or Cruisemates.com are an excellent way to see what other people say about the ship and the itinerary you are considering. You can browse the hundreds of posts by people who have been there, and you can ask specific questions of people who take cruising very seriously.
Type of Entertainment
Whether it’s the combo that plays at poolside, the bands that perform in the clubs or the glitzy production numbers that grace the theatres, cruise ships put a lot of thought and a ton of money into presenting entertainment. Pick the right entertainment environment and you’ll spend sun-drenched days in blissful happiness. Pick the wrong one, and you’ll feel like you’re surrounded by a bunch of people scratching their fingernails on a chalkboard.
Entertainment isn’t just about the lounge/club/party scene. It’s also about cooking classes, lectures, watching a movie, wine tasting, the casino, getting your golf swing computer analyzed, karaoke, bingo, “game-show” games or touring the galley. You can get a good feel for the type of entertainment and activities a ship offers by going online and checking out the ships on-board newsletter. It lists EVERYTHING happening on the ship. Each cruise line’s website will have a sample version of their newsletter. If your travel agent is any good at all, they will have copies from a variety of cruises they have taken.
Dining
For many people, a cruise is all about the food. If you’re one of them, you’ll want to learn what your prospective ship has to offer.
Main Dining (aka Formal Dining). All cruise ships have at least one Main Dining venue and many ships have more than one. The main dining room is the embodiment of luxury and service on your ship and they all work hard to offer classy selections. It’s an opportunity to try food and preparation styles that you would never experience otherwise. The main dining rooms will also open for breakfast and lunch. There is no assigned seating for these meals, but you still get great service and the menu selections are very good.
Many ships now offer alternative restaurants that require reservations and/or a surcharge in which you can choose from restaurants that specialize in French cuisine, seafood, or any number of other themes. There is a $5 – $15 surcharge for each person, but for people that like the choice, it’s well worth the money. This option usually isn’t available on ships built before 1990, because the idea wasn’t popular enough to include the extra space needed.
Alternative Dining. In addition to the main dining room, all ships have a variety of interesting food options. Each has their own version of buffet lines that operate through-out the day, and naturally, some are better than others. New York style delis, pizza and sushi bars, and the always popular poolside grills are but a few of the ideas that are employed. Most ships now also provide coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream counters which usually cost extra. Room service is available 24-hours a day (no charge), with pastries and fruit in the mornings and sandwiches and pizza the rest of the day and night.
Available Services
Child Care and Youth Programs. Cruise lines understand that the people paying the tab need to have a good time if they are going to come back again. And the way that you make sure parents have a good time is to make sure the kids they are traveling with have a good time.
If you are planning a family cruise, you’ll want to travel on a ship that provides the best environment for the youngsters in your group. On the other hand, if you don’t want to have your space invaded by youngsters, you’ll want to stay away from cruise ships that make their youth programs a priority (such as Disney). Programs are set up to provide age appropriate activities and are usually free of charge. There will be an orientation about the youth programs on the first day of your cruise so you can get all the information you need, as well as meet the people who will be overseeing your kids.
Almost all ships provide in-cabin baby-sitting services for an extra fee. When provided, these services require you to pay cash directly to the sitter, rather than place the charge on your ship-board account.
Educational/Enrichment Programs. Alongside the more traditional programs like yoga, nutrition counseling and towel folding, some ships now offer programs on gourmet cooking, wine tasting, art education, digital photography, computers, flower arranging, ceramics and much more. Most are offered at no extra charge. The availability of programs increases the longer the cruise. Shorter cruises usually only have a single day at sea, which is the most popular time to offer these classes. Some cruise lines place as high a premium on enrichment programs as other cruise lines place on partying and fun.
Spa Facilities. Across the board, most ships consider a good spa and gym to be essential. Most cruise lines outsource their spa operation to Steiner Leisure Ltd. of London, England, who operate the spas on over one hundred cruise ships, including all of the spas on Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney ships. In all probability, no matter which ship you select, you’ll have a quality menu of options and a good spa.
Gymnasium/Fitness Center. While you can generally count on a consistent level of quality and service in the spas, unfortunately the same can’t always be said of the gyms. Some are absolutely spectacular. Others are little more than a closet with treadmills. The newer ships will have very nice gyms regardless of the cruise line. The older ships, i.e., those built before 1990, may or may not, depending on whether the ship has been recently refit. Exercise equipment usually includes treadmills, stationery bikes, weights and cardio machines and most come staffed with one or two Fitness Directors. Fitness centers usually include men’s and women’s locker rooms, whirlpools, saunas and steam baths.
Internet. Most ships have some kind of internet access, but it is a relatively new technology as far as passenger services go. On the newer ships, there is access all over the ship, even in many cabins. But the older vessels have more limited access. “Internet Cafes” are as common as casinos. Cruise lines are working hard to implement ship-wide wireless internet access and they are definitely getting there. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to check your e-mail at poolside. In some cases, wireless access is limited to one or two locations. If you do bring your laptop, finding electrical outlets on the ship can be REALLY hard. Make sure your battery is charged. Laptops and wireless cards can be rented on board.
Cabin Size and Options
There are basically four options for cabins; inside, ocean view, suite or balcony (some ships call it “verandah”).
Inside: The least expensive cabin aboard. The size of cabins can vary greatly from one ship to another. RCCL Sovereign-class ships are ridiculously small (119 square feet), whereas a similarly priced cabin on Carnival is about 50% larger (187 square feet).
Outside: Usually an identical layout to the inside cabins, but has a window or portal. The difference in price between a standard inside cabin and an ocean view cabin ranges from $10 – $40 per night (NOT per cruise) depending on the ship and the time of year. In almost all cases, outside cabins, whether or not they have balconies, are larger, sometimes by as much as 15%. If your outside cabin is on one of the decks that has an exterior deck, you won’t necessarily see much ocean and you’ll have to deal with people walking outside your window all day.
Balcony. Before 1990, balconies were not considered important, and so most ships built during that time either didn’t have any at all or have only a few. For all of the newer ships, i.e. those built after 1995, balconies are plentiful. A balcony will add $20 – $30 per night to the cost of an outside cabin, which usually works out to about twice as much as the cost of an inside cabin. For a 3-day cruise, given the short amount of time you’ll spend in your cabin, a balcony may not be worth double the cost.
Suite. Actually, “suite” is a pretty generous description, since what you’re actually getting is an extra large cabin (about twice the size of your standard cabin and 3 – 4 times the cost). There are some suites that provide separate sleeping quarters and private hot tubs on the balcony but these are very limited and very expensive (5 – 10 times as expensive as an inside cabin). Most suites are a larger, and usually better furnished, version of a standard cabin.
When considering cabin options, think about how many people will be sharing it and much time you’ll be using it. The longer the cruise, the more important size and balconies become. Location of the cabin also determines desirability (and cost). For example, lower cabins sometimes pick up engine noise or the sound of the anchor dropping, but they do tend to be more stable in rough seas. Cabins located close to the action near the middle of the ship are convenient, but may also be in high traffic areas which translates into noise in the halllway outside your cabin.
Itinerary
Caribbean cruises are broken down into 3 broad regions – Western Caribbean (Cozumel or Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West, FL; the Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Belize; or Costa Rica), Eastern Caribbean (Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. John, Puerto Rico, or Turks & Caicos) and Southern Caribbean (Aruba, Martinique, Barbados or St. Thomas).
Western Caribbean cruises tend to include more sea days because the destinations are so far apart and the distance one must travel across the Gulf of Mexico is so long. If you take one of these, make sure you choose a ship you’re going to like because you’ll be spending a lot of time on it.
Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises usually include more ports of call (the islands are right next to each other) and therefore offer a wider variety of venues. That doesn’t mean you’ll have a wider variety of activities. The basic offerings from port to port will generally be the same type of activity, just different scenery.
Some things you’ll want to consider in addition to where you are going:
How long will you be there? Ships that are in port for only part of a day only allow enough time for one shore excursion and may not leave time for shopping or bar hopping. Ships that stay in port overnight, or at least until midnight allow for more diversity of activities in port.
When do you arrive/leave? This can matter, for example, if you want to do a sunset dinner cruise, but the ship pulls out sundown. Likewise, if you’ve booked a shore excursion on your own that requires a pick-up time at 9:30 am, but your ship doesn’t dock until noon, you’ll lose your money.
How do you get ashore? Sometimes the cruise ships tie up at a pier and you just head down to the gangway and walk ashore. Other times the ship has to anchor away from the dock and deliver people ashore via tenders, which means there will be a bottle neck getting on and off the ship. This can be a major pain, especially if the ship is one of the super liners that has to disgorge 3,000+ passengers. Also, the roughness of the wind and water can hamper tender activities and can even cause the ship to decide to not stay in the port.
In Summary
For many cruisers, you won’t really care about all of these factors. No problema. Just pay attention to the ones that are important to you. Whether you are booking through a travel agent or directly with the cruise line, ask about the issues that are important to you and make sure you check out the online reviews and message boards to get objective info.
HAPPY CRUISING!
Fred Tutwiler -
About the Author:
Fred Tutwiler is a best-selling author, consultant and speaker whose current passion is to explore the vast, beautiful domains of the Caribbean aboard huge cruise liners. He has written 7 books on cruising and is working on a video documentary. Download Fred’s FREE e-book .
http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/frat-house-or-dream-house-choosing-the-right-cruise-for-you-227337.html
“If you build it, they will come.”
That advice, which prompted an Iowa farmer in the 1989 movie “Field of Dreams” to plow over his corn field and build a baseball diamond, has become the mantra of many high-tech startups promoting electronic commerce on the Internet. And the cruise travel industry has also embraced this “shop by computer” concept.
Indeed the Internet can be a wonderful source of information to help you plan an exciting holiday, obtaining ship and stateroom descriptions, itineraries, tips on sites to see, passport and visa requirements, shore excursion, shopping, weather and local interest information,but is it the right place to book your dream vacation?
Cruise lines are investing over US$15 billion to build at least 50 new ships in the first half of this decade in addition to the over 300 vessels already in service. Each of these ships offer different amenities with unique ambiance and often this kind of information can only be understood and communicated by face to face discussions with a cruise expert to avoid turning a terrific vacation into a mediocre experience.
There is a common misconception that because something is offered for sale on the Internet, it will be an exceptional or a major saving for the consumer. More often than not however it is the ease of completing a transaction that is the major benefit for certain types of travel.
Do not assume that pricing on the Internet will automatically be the lowest. Often local agencies will have agreements with the cruiselines that allow them to offer exceptional “not to be advertised” specials.
Sometimes there are “residents specials” which are applicable only to residents of a particular country, state or province. Most cruise lines offer price protection to the consumer should the fare for your category of stateroom be reduced. A good agent will watch for reductions and ensure you receive the adjustment. Using an electronic service may not provide the same protection or make available specific specials applicable to your requirements.
Arrangements unique to your vacation such as special dietary requirements, handling disabilities, and providing meet and greet services, may be overlooked booking on-line and there may be no way to get answers your very specific questions.
On the other hand booking your frequent flyer points travel directly with the airlines or even obtaining a air ticket can be a simple process with little risk if you are dealing directly with the airline’s booking engine. Above all make sure about who you are giving your credit card to.
Where are they located, and how long have they been in business? Can you get references? Are the web transactions secure? Is the currency my currency? How will my documents get to me and are there additional charges that have not been itemized? What happens if I do not receive the tickets?
Now for the good news! As a research tool, the Internet is second to none. Most cruiselines have sites that provide detailed information on their offerings. Carnival Cruise Lines at www.carnival.com offers comprehensive information on their ships, itineraries and even the shore excursions available for each sailing.
Similar sites are available from Princess Cruises at www.princess.com or Royal Caribbean International at www.rccl.com where you can print a custom information brochure in full color if you wish!
The official trade organization of the cruise industry is the Cruise Lines International Association (www.cruising.org). They work in partnership with nearly 21,000 affiliated travel agencies throughout North America to ensure the highest caliber of cruise sales expertise and service for cruise vacationers.
This is a fun place for exploring what cruising is all about and CLIA provides links to all major cruiselines, frequently asked questions, vacation planning information and even a cruise expert locator to find an Accredited Cruise Counsellor near you.
If you would like to create a printed mini-guide to your vacation destination, you may wish to visit www.fodors.com. The creators of the famous travel books allow you to create your own mini-guides to a destination covering transport, lodging, dining, currency, health, and more in a personalized format.
The Columbus World Travel Guide (www.wtgonline.com) is a resource often used by travel agents for complete information on almost any destination in the world. This site will give you history, maps, visa and passport requirements, how to get there, public holidays, political structure, useful addresses, accommodation, business profiles, climate, social profiles and much more.
There are also links to other very useful areas on the Internet such as Mapquest, Yahoo Weather, Traveller’s Health Services, World Tourism Offices, the Government Travel Advisory and Information services as well as links to ship bridge cameras offering live pictures from their vessels.
Having both a computer and travel background, I am excited by the potential of the Internet as a comprehensive research tool. My practical side reminds me that there is no such thing as a “free lunch”. It is not how much you save but what you get for what you pay!
Sid Kaplan
Sid Kaplan -
About the Author:
Sid Kaplan has extensive experience in the travel business. He owned and operated a large retail cruise only agency in Canada and his wife has 25 years experience working for major cruise lines. Their website is Cruise Vacations Guide
which offers advice and tips to those looking to create memorable cruise vacations. Shore excursion and land tour information is also provided. Cruise, hotel, car rental and vacation adventure booking online.
http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/internet-cruises-shopping-online-257922.html
Cruise drumming is a very unique and fun gig to have. I worked for Royal Caribbean Cruises from June 2001 – Jan 2003; doing over 800 shows and working with over a dozen Grammy Award winners.
Getting the Gig
I auditioned for an agency that came to Berklee. The audition consisted of playing a medium tempo jazz groove, a ballad w/brushes, samba, bossa nova, rhumba, and then playing along to big band charts w/music minus drums and a click track. The emphasis was on good time keeping and chart reading.
I later learned that I could have auditioned directly for Royal Caribbean instead of going through an agency that wanted 12% of my pay. I recommend contacting the cruise’s “musician specialist”, human resources, directly.
Arrival
I was assigned to the Voyager of the Seas; RCCL’s flagship at the time. I met the ship in Miami FL. on it’s homeport day. That’s the day/port that the previous passengers leave and the new one’s begin their trip. I brought a suitcase full of summer clothes and a Tux, my stick bag, and cymbal case. The first sight of the ship was amazing. It was Huge! If you put the Voyager on it’s side it would be as tall as the Empire State Building.
After getting on, signing in, and getting my closet, I mean room, I started looking through the music given to me for the week ahead. Tony, the music director, gave me books of music for the Welcome Aboard, Farewell shows, two stock shows, and over 300 pages of Big Band charts….deep breath.
Day 1 :The Welcome Aboard show.
It’s a short show with snippets of entertainment to be seen throughout the cruise. As the new drummer I had to quickly learn the music review piece and the play-ons. The review piece had parts from the stock shows that are played every cruise with the on-board cast.
Play-ons are 5-10 second sections of songs used as a sort of theme music to introduce someone coming onto the stage. The horn sections of I Wish and Jungle Boogie are two commonly used examples.
The review piece was relatively easy as far as the drum part went. What was tricky was quickly getting comfortable with playing live to a click track and canned horns, strings, and percussion that augmented the already ten piece band. It was a real rush playing in a 1,500 person theater with a million dollar sound and light system for the first time. Two shows a night makes 3000 people a day. Don’t get stage fright! In situations like that, you just have to hang on and believe in yourself.
Day 2 : The first big show.
On a weeklong cruise there are usually two music review shows performed with the cast. The shows are 50 minutes of almost non-stop music. The Monday show was a mix of R&B, Top 40, and Cirque du Soleil. I spent a few hours that day studying the charts while listening to the CD’s that Tony gave me. Plus, I played a run through of the show during the cast’s rehearsal.
The stage crew places the drums so, all I had to do was give myself enough time to tweak the set up , make sure my charts were in order, and adjust my headphones. Ready to go. We received our 1 min cue and…….click, click, click, click off we go. See you in an hour! It can be a blast to be in the hot seat and have to concentrate for 50 straight minutes. The first time you nail an entire show, I mean every little thing, it’s an accomplishment!
Day 3 : My First Star Act
A Star Act is a guest artist. They come on and rehearse with the band for about 1 1/2 hours in the afternoon for the show that night. You run down all the songs once, twice at the most. You are rehearsing to make sure the band is together with the transitions and tricky bits. If there was something difficult, you better look at it on your own before show time.
Star Acts range from famous older groups like The Drifters and Bowzer (Sha Na Na) to Sinatra impersonators, magicians, and Broadway vocalists, among many others.
Sometimes you perform to a click but most of the time the song is counted off by either the music director or the artist. You only had a short rehearsal so, it’s important to have one eye on the chart and the other on the artist in case they want you to adjust the tempo a little.
Side Story. On these one week cruises, the Star Act does a Friday show for one cruise and then a Tuesday show for the next cruise. Seeing that I arrived on Sunday, this artist had a different drummer last Thursday. Apparently Tony had fired three drummers in a row when I got there. Being right out of school and only twenty two, I really had to prove myself to Tony, the band, and the Act. Each night was different and it’s own test.
Day 4 : Big Band
Alright. No Star Act. No review show to study. I got off and went to the beach in Jamaica. This was incredible! Especially after spending the winter in Boston.
That night we set up for Big Band in one of the many lounges on the ship. Tony would call out tunes from the over 300 numbered charts. They ranged from Take The “A” Train to Love For Sale. They’re all standards and mostly the original arrangements. Easy day.
Day 5 : The Hard One
Thursday we performed the second review show of the cruise. This one was mostly musical theater. There were lots of abrupt tempo changes and meter changes. High concentration is needed. Again, I spent a few hours reading and listening and I played the run through with the cast. I just held on during the run through so, I did some more studying before the show. It paid off.
I didn’t “own it” but I got through it pretty well and that’s what it took for Tony and the band to approve my staying in the band. The rest of the cruise was pretty easy after that.
Friday was another Star Act and Saturday was the Farewell show. First cruise completed.
After a few months you really start to feel like you can read anything put in front of you and your confidence grows. The review shows become second nature after a while. It’s important to be able to play with energy and concentration the first and 101 times you play anything. Tony once told me that the best way to keep your concentration level high is to pretend that every show is being recorded. You want to finish a show and be able to say “that’s a take”.
I try to do that with everything I play now. It’s the same as the legendary drummers who advise us to “Play with Purpose”.
Ship Life
O.K. yes the cabins are small but you have cable TV and a dorm size fridge. But who wants to stay in their room anyway? It’s a place to sleep, shower, and change. You have to get out and see the world.
I’ve been all over the Caribbean, Canadian East Coast in the Fall, and Northern Europe in the Summer. I’ve spent a week in Amsterdam, many overnights in St. Petersburg, and had my favorite bars and Cafe’s in La Harve France, Stockholm Sweden, and Copenhagen Denmark among others. All of this was while getting PAID, living free of rent, and all of my meals provided for free on the ship if I chose.
The staff on ships are very unique. Of 1,500 crew members, only 50 of us were American! You can’t beat the experience of living next to and learning about people from all over the globe. You see very quickly that we’re all people. We all have the same dreams no matter where we grew up. Priceless.
In conclusion, my time on cruise ships was incredible both musically and personally. From the music to the people and places you’ll experience, I highly recommend trying this exciting job.
Adam Giannelli -
About the Author:
My name is A. Gabriel Giannelli and I have played close to 2000 gigs in the last decade. After attending Berklee College of Music, I did two years on cruise ships and am currently in the Navy band. http://www.Gigging-Drum-Charts.com
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The cruise line that you choose for your cruise travel will give you guidelines on what to pack for evening wear. Seven day cruises usually have two formal nights, a dark suit or tuxedo for the gentlemen, and a cocktail dress or gown for the ladies. All cruise ships have Tuxedo rentals but I recommend purchasing your own. You will get plenty of use out of it after you fall in love with cruising. (Ten-day cruises have three formal nights).
There are also “informal” nights where it’s a jacket and a tie, and a dress or pants suit. The remainder of the evenings will be “resort casual”. On some of our cruise vacations Scottish Gentlemen wore kilts and sporran and we have also seen ceremonial African Garb. Shorts, jeans and tee shirts are unacceptable in the dining room at dinner.
There are cruise lines that have no “formal” nights. Windjammer is shorts and T Shirts all day and all night. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of dressing up tell your travel agent so he/she can give you the options for ships that have alternative dining or ships that don’t have the formal nights.
Some of the Cruise Lines have theme nights, RCCL has country and western night, Costa has Toga Night, Princess throws a Caribbean Party etc. Your Agent should know if the cruise line you have selected has any of these special party nights so that you can be prepared if you wish to participate in the activities.
If you are going to a warm climate I recommend that you pack at least two bathing suits since you might swim in the morning (water aerobics anyone?) then go to the dining room for lunch, and decide afterwards to go back to the pool. There is nothing worse than putting on a cold, wet suit.
Don’t forget the suntan lotion and a hat plus a good quality pair of sunglasses. If you are planning to wear a dress that has no sleeves, remember this when tanning so that you don’t have unsightly tan lines that will completely ruin the look of your dress.
I bring several pairs of prescription glasses (both clear and sun) in case one gets lost. Even in Alaska the glare was pretty strong and you will get sunburned there too. Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!
I pack a bathing suit and cover up in my carry on luggage. It may take a few hours for your luggage to be delivered to your room and this way you have a suit to wear on the deck right away, if you are on a ship that you have previously cruised.
Cruise Tip: It is smart to pack a light sweater for day time and a pretty shawl for the evening even on Caribbean Cruises since some of the ships are quite cold. Twice I have broken this rule and had to buy a sweatshirt on board.
If you haven’t cruised on the cruise line before, after dropping off your carry on luggage in your room, head for the buffet, then tour the ship to get your bearings. This is especially important on the huge mega-liners. Some cruise lines give a tour of the ship on the first day, if they do, take it. Check your daily sheet for the time. The sheet will be in your cabin when you arrive. Ask your cabin steward to leave two in the future so that both of you know what is going on and at what time. There should be a layout guide of the entire ship in your room. If not, go to the purser’s office (reception) and ask for one for you and whomever you’re traveling with.
The day you arrive at the ship, after you’ve gotten the layout, make any appointments you want; hair, nails, or massages, appointments sell out very quickly for formal nights and days at sea. If you are using the traditional dining option make sure it is correct, if it isn’t go see the Maitre d’. He will try very hard to accommodate you.
And by all means don’t miss the sail away party on deck as you are leaving port. Some ports make a big deal out of this. For instance in Fort Lauderdale the Condos at the end of the channel toot horns, blink lights, and ring bells to the departing ship. The ship then toots back three or four times. In Edinburgh they had a group of bagpipers serenade us out, and in Viet Nam they had a local group of young girls do traditional dances in traditional garb as we left port. Very cool, and great pictures for your photo album.
On the subject of packing, don’t over pack, every cruise review stresses this. I am very guilty of this particular problem, but I live across the channel from the port we frequently use. Keep in consideration that if you are flying there are definite weight restrictions. They will make you pay if your bags are too heavy.
Stuff things little items into your packed shoes to save on space. Don’t bring shoes for every outfit. One pair of sturdy shoes for touring, one pair of casual shoes and one pair of dressy shoes will get you through.
Buy travel size appliances i.e., curlers, irons and blow dryers (on most cruise lines today hair dryers are provided but they are not very powerful). Shampoo and Conditioner, body lotion, soap and shower caps are all provided. On Caribbean Cruise I pack a small spritz bottle, the kind you use to spray your plants, so when we are swimming in the salt water I can spray off the salt on my face and body when we get out. It tends to dry out my skin making me very uncomfortable. The beaches in Fort Lauderdale have showers but that is not always true for the rest of the world.
Tape a copy of your itinerary on the inside of your suitcase so if it gets lost the airline will know where to send it. Make sure your have toiletries, medications, bathing suit and cover up (if going to a warm climate) as well as a couple of pairs of clean underwear packed in your carry on in case your luggage is delayed.
So call your travel agent, layout your wardrobe and Set Sail!
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.
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chandan thakur -
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Hi i am CHANDAN THAKUR from MUMBAI
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Alberto Stellpflug -
About the Author:
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Who are Royal Caribbean Cruise lines?
The next time you’re looking to book a cruise vacation, consider Royal Caribbean lines as your choice. They are considered one of the best floating hotel companies on the water today. You’ll love your holiday vacation with this premier company.
As well, you should know they don’t just go to the Caribbean, as the name “Royal Caribbean Cruise lines” might imply. They go all over the world! With Royal Caribbean, you can enjoy an Alaskan, European, Hawaiian, a Panama cruise, a Mexico… and, of course, going to the Caribbean. So you need ask yourself…, where do you want to go?
Why are they so good?
Check out their website and you’ll see right away that they have professional planners available online or through their toll free number who can help you plan the perfect vacation… and make a reservation.
It is very evident that this “top of the line” company works hard to make sure that your next vacation is a trip you’ll never forget!
Once you’ve booked your holiday, all you have to do is start counting down the days until you board your “floating hotel” and set sail for your destination – wherever that may be. Once aboard the ship, you’ll find your room – there is always one for every budget and taste. Be warned however, you’d better just leave your bags because there’s so much to do and see on these water cities!
What you’ll do on a Royal Caribbean vacation:
Ship liners are designed for your comfort and enjoyment. Royal is no different! Each one has great shopping in its shopping plaza, enjoyable gambling in the casino, entertainment for the kids, Broadway-style shows in a theater, and hit movies in the cinema.
Periodically, the boat will dock and you’ll enjoy a well-planned shore excursion. You can view the historical sites, shop at a local market, wander the streets or take a pre-planned tour. Then, it’s back to your cruise ship to set sail again!
Now let’s talk about the meals: What do you eat? Royal Caribbean lines takes great care of its guests and that includes the meal service available on each and every boat in its fleet! There are several themed restaurants on each ship serving a variety of foods throughout the day so you’ll always have something you want to eat. There are dinners that are more or less formal – all suited to your style and preference.
So, if you’re looking for fun… and who isn’t… check out this “fun” company and discover all of the things you can do… lounging at the pool, eating, casino quality time, dancing… and no evening would be complete without visiting one of the boats nightclubs to dance the night away! Remember your bags in your cruise ship room? They’re still there, waiting for you to return after a full day of fun.
Ronald Rougeaux -
About the Author:
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/royal-caribbean-cruise-lines-floating-fun-hotels-810556.html
Whenever you imagine the Caribbean the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines come into your mind also. There are so many aspects of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines that go without say that the true nature of the cruise is almost unfathomable in a mere imagination.
One of the ships that carry the name proudly is the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas. This magnificent seagoing city includes such amenities as ice-skating, a full-sized basketball court, and nine holes of miniature golf thrown in just for flavor. There are pleasurable activities to suit all ages, youth facilities certain to please all the youngsters on board, and themed bars and lounges certain to entertain all the adults.
With the capacity for large numbers of guests the Royal Caribbean offers more fun in the sun than any other cruise line. The fun begins before you set foot in the islands and lives in your heart forever.
The day spa and fitness center will treat you to the magic of massage and exercise in a way that will create the illusion you are vacationing in a dream. With the Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas cruise you will find there is a cinema with the latest hit movies, a rock-climbing wall, and pools with hot tubs on both decks.
Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas both offer themed bars where the idea of having fun is more than a social statement it is a way of life. Casino Royale offers gambling adventures for anyone with an eye for luck. And if you like to shop, you can shop until you drop in the pleasant shopping experience that rivals none in an open atrium.
There are always conference rooms available aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ships. And with all the activities and fun planned there should not be an idle moment. There can not possibly be an excuse for anyone alive to be bored or boring when the Caribbean cruise ships have taken you to lands far away. Enjoying the Caribbean by cruise ship is the only way to go.
The latest addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet leaves nothing to be desired as far as Caribbean Cruises go: The Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas is the largest cruise ship worldwide and has overtaken the Queen Mary 2 in size and importance. It’s first ever cruise departs from Miami Florida and call on these ports: Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti before returning to Miami. There are some spectacular pass times possible on the Freedom of the Seas: a very high rock-climbing wall and the Royal Promenade and ice-skating rink. This cruise ship also offers extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones.
With the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines at your service there are no regrets only fond memories. Even if you go alone there are so many new friends to be made. What better place for romance than the Caribbean? Fantastic sunsets, warm sunny days, and cool tropical nights are there to great you no matter when you decide to cruise.
Rolf Zimmerli -
About the Author:
Rolf C. Zimmerli is the author; he runs the Cruise Lines Review Forum. Ask your cruise question at the forum. This site makes it possible to share your cruise pictures with your friends: Creating your free cruise mini albums is easy and fast. Give it a try!
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/caribbean-cruises-with-the-ships-of-royal-caribbean-cruise-lines-33561.html
If you are unfamiliar with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, you might think as well that its cruise ships are only sailing to the Caribbean. Although it also includes the Caribbean in their cruise itineraries, they are also sailing in different locations like Alaska, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Hawaii, Europe, Mexico, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, the Panama Canal, and the transatlantic destinations as well.
They also have some great cruise tours, which includes an escorted land tour that happens before or after your cruise. It is done with first-class motor coach or train and gives you an option whether you want to see more of the country to which you are travelling.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is operated by the Royal Caribbean International which is based in Miami, Florida. It has a total of 19 ships in service and two more that is under construction. All their ships have names ending in “of the Seas”.
Each of their ship includes the signature top-of-ship lounge known as Viking Crown Lounge which offers you a panoramic view. It also has a program called Adventure Ocean that is intended for kids on-board.
So what are the best deals that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines offer to its passengers? First are the informative lectures about your destination and the ship itself. You will be toured around the cruise ship where you will find lots of amenities on-board such as ice skating rinks and on-board Casino. You will not be missing your classic Pachinko game in Las Vegas.
What about relaxing your whole body? There is an on-board massage center and spa that will make your body feel relaxed. There is also an acupuncture center, where you can experience the Chinese style of massaging and healing.
As mentioned earlier, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines also features the Adventure Ocean Youth Program for your kids. It includes Fisher-Price Aqua babies and Aqua Tots for toddlers. There is a children-friendly rock-climbing wall that will surely make your children happy together with other kids on-board. They will be pre-occupied by their own activities while you are on a land tour.
Cruising for disabled or elderly persons is not a problem. Their cruise ships are designed to cater to the needs of aged or mobility-impaired passengers. Cruise ship staffs are also ready to attend to their needs as well. There are also medical services for everybody on-board, which includes an emergency clinic with CPR equipment placed on all of their ships. This is staffed by an English-speaking doctor and nurses.
Dining activities are also one of the major attractions when you go on-board with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. They offers wide variety of delicacies- Italian, Southern, European—these can be found in their dining facilities, either in the cafeteria or in the main dining area.
Booking for a cruise is simple. All you have to do is to log on to travel agents online and ask them to book you on a cruise. You can also go direct to the official Royal Caribbean Cruise Line website. They are offering discounts on varying instances and amazing specials designed to fill up empty spaces on the ship. Either you book early or late, there are great deals reserved for you on every destination that you will choose.
With these pleasant and first-class services in affordable prices, there is no reason for you not to include the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines on your next cruising vacation.
FOR MORE VACATIONS GUIDE visit at VACATIONS CRUISING GUIDE
dian agung wibowo -
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