So what happened in cruising 2007? In looking back, there were so many ups and downs…people falling overboard, some weather problems, a few virus outbreaks, and a rash of collisions! Of course, the headlines love to focus on negatives. To be honest, the good far and away outweighs any of the bad.

And this blog is about enjoying a cruise….with that in mind, here’s my list of 2007 cruise notes:

  • Technology Rules — Electronic ticketing is finally being implemented and many are still a bit uncomfortable with it. Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian all now have online registration and printable documents online now. As a matter of fact, the days of having your docs shipped out to you are gone. I know that makes many a little uneasy, but it is very much a welcomed convenience. I know that my first time I used an electronic ticket for an airline, I was very nervous and just knew something bad was going to happen. It didn’t and the new online ticketing/registration for cruising is going well. Ipod and MP3s are now available on many ships where you have access to walking city tours (very cool to have in European ports…kind of like having a cruise director with you). Ship art tours have also been available for download to your device as well as cabin reviews etc.
  • Get Married at Sea! — While Princess has kind of had a corner on this market, Royal Caribbean expanded their options for those looking to get hitched with their Explorer Weddings program. They pretty much plan everything for you and really make the occasion one that would be even more memorable!
  • Drinking Policies DRY Up — While bringing alcohol with you has been banned, Carnival extended this to include non-alcoholic drinks (juices, water, teas etc.). Not sure why one would bother to carry all this extra stuff anyway. These drinks are available for no extra charge and if buying a bottle of water while going oon a shore tour crimps the budget, good grief!
  • Hurricane Whimpers — 2007 was rated below average for major storms. Yay! While the over all numbers of storms in the Caribbean turned out to be average, the severity was limited to just one class 5 that did damage to a port, Hurricane Dean. Costa Maya was destroyed and will not open for some time. Itinerary changes have moved this stop to one of the following: Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Progresso or Roatan.
  • New Ships! — Debuts this year included the very popular Liberty of the Seas (RCCL), the Carnival Freedom (CCL), and the Norwegian Gem. These ships offer all the amenities of any major resort, the best technology, and FUN.
  • Ships Saying Goodbye — Two ships of note that are being transferred from service are Carnival’s Celebration (1987) and Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas. 2007 will be their last full year sailing with them. The Celebration was the ship of my first cruise! Lost will be the older, traditional, more intimate cruise experience. But change is good.
  • New Company — Azamara Cruises debuts. An affiliate of Celebrity, Azamara offered two newly re-freshed ships that offer butler service for all cabins, excursion experts for all ports, and unique ports of call, off the beaten path of commercialized ports.

And finally, my favorite QUOTE OF THE YEAR in cruising:

In an admitted state of excess inebriation, (really!?), and after a reported argument, a man found himself waking up in the ocean!

When asked how scary that must have been by a Good Morning America reporter, he replied, “I was hoping a dolphin would save me!” ………………………………………

The man obviously was rescued hours later and it was not known if he was disappointed the rescue was not by the dolphin.

Happy New Year and enjoy your cruise this year!