Gerry Barker’s Blog

What’s next for the cruise industry: Seatrade Cruise Talks

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What’s next for the cruise industry? That topic was tackled by a panel of experts on June 25, when Seatrade Cruise Talks presented a webinar on “Steps in Getting the Cruise Industry Up and Running,” moderated by Anne Kalosh, Editor for Seatrade Cruise News. Excerpts from below: Q: Where do you see cruising re-starting, apart from domestic river cruises in July, in the U.S.? Brian: “The CDC No-Sail order applies throughout the United States to any ship …

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Dreaming of a trip to Iguazu Falls

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As we wait for the return of cruising, now’s a good time to plan and dream. We all have a personal bucket list of ships and places we want to experience. Imagine sitting in a chair, travel folder (or iPad) in hand, and wistfully letting your imagination take you to exotic destinations. Which one would you choose? One that’s high on our list is located where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay come together. That’s where you’ll find Iguazu …

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Cruising will be back. And when it is, what changes are likely to happen?

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Usually by this time of year, Pam and I would have already taken one or two cruises. As an example, in March, we were scheduled to be among the first to sail on Scarlet Lady, the ship from Sir Richard Branson’s new Virgin Voyages cruise line. We were disappointed, as was everyone, that the cruise had to be postponed as the reality of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Of course, that was just the beginning of mass …

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First Cruise

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Pam and I took our first cruise almost 20 years ago, and one was all it took. We were hooked. Like many people, we never thought cruising was for us. While we both had a lifelong love of travel, it always involved exploring the world by train, plane and automobile. A cruise seemed too confining, too regimented. It was travel for people who like their vacations programmed. But on a lark, we decided to give it a …

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Carnival Family Feud

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It’s been almost a year since Carnival Cruise Lines announced their exclusive partnership with the highly popular game show “Family Feud.” Now set to debut on Mardi Gras, Carnival’s newest ship scheduled to launch in November, it was “time to play the Feud” last week at Carnival Studios, their giant production facility in Davie, Florida. The live run-through consisted of two shows — the regular version Face Off and a round of Fast Money. Two teams were …

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Wrap-up: Crystal Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise

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If I had to choose one word to describe a cruise on Crystal Serenity, it would be “family.” Pam and I just completed our first cruise with Crystal, the “Haute Caribbean Holidays” voyage — 16 days, round-trip Miami — and from the guests to the crew, family is fundamental to the overall experience. First, consider how many of the nearly 1,000 guests onboard were repeat customers: Almost 70 percent. Among the senior officers and staff, many told …

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Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Day 15

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ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_Today is the last full day of our holiday cruise, and that means one more port of call: Key West, the southernmost point of the United States, the home of Hemingway and his famous six-toed cats, a city that exudes both party and charm, where the fishing is spectacular, and so are the sunsets. There’s only one problem: We won’t be there. When we awoke, there was the ocean in all directions, and no sign …

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Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Days 13 and 14

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ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_With Tortola in our rear-view mirror, we have two days at sea as we make a heading for our next — and last — port of call, Key West. Besides still decompressing from all the New Year’s festivities, this time will allow us to be, among other things, culturally-enriched and join Mozart for afternoon tea. For the former, there are a number of “Enrichment Program” onboard lectures scheduled, ranging from science and shipwrecks to the …

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Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Day 12

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ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_No sleeping in today. We have arrived at the British Virgin Islands and are preparing to dock in Tortola, where we have an early tour booked. Heavy clouds hang low over the island’s lush green hills, bringing rain with them. Given it’s the tropics, it probably won’t last long, but if you’re out and about, it’s a good idea to take the umbrella this time of the year. Beside us is Norwegian Encore, several sizes …

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Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Day 11 (New Year’s Day)

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ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_Happy New Year from the Caribbean! Today is a sea day as we make our way slowly to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. A good thing, too, since most of the ship is in a “Do Not Disturb” hangover from the late night partying that ushered in a new decade. Party central was the Crystal Cove atrium, where, at the stroke of midnight, 5,000 balloons, assembled and inflated by a crew of eight, were …

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