Are some ships better than others for single cruisers?
While most cruise lines welcome singles, many make you pay  dearly for the privilege of keep a cabin all to yourself.  Now, Norwegian Cruise Line has changed all that. On their new Norwegian EPIC, they have built single occupancy specific staterooms Norwegian Epic has 128 "Epic Studios" designed for single occupancy. Each stateroom has a separate shower, sink, and toilet, a full-size bed, flat-screen TV, and small desk. All studios are inside, and some have connecting doors to others. There is also a two-story "studio lounge" where you can mingle with other singles, get your morning coffee or an evening cocktail.

...more cruise tips

Where the Boys Aren’t

A 23-year-old administrative assistant had just begun a new job—and combined with caring for two small children, she longed for an escape.

So escape she did—for 4 night Bahamas cruise with over a dozen of her girlfriends, where they danced, went sight-seeing—partied all night.
 

“Being with friends, laughing, drinking and dancing was exactly what I needed,”
“The best time I had with 15 of us laughing so hard we cried.”

Girlfriend getaways: Get used to ‘em There are a growing number of female travelers who book “girlfriend getaways,” leisure vacations free of the men and children in their lives. An American Automobile Association survey found that in the past three years, 24% of American women went on a women-only vacation, and 39% plan on a girlfriend getaway in the near future. Given these numbers, you can expect girlfriend getaways to join the ranks of honeymoons, family vacations and short cruises as a leisure travel prototype. Especially because these experiences can be so rewarding, women say. “Time away from your daily responsibilities benefits you, your spouse and your friends" Girls just wanna have fun … and shop … and ... You could go on shopping tours to London, New York City and Scottsdale, Arizona. Or focus on girls-only adventure escapes, or wine-tasting. When it comes to girlfriend getaways at sea, Cruise Direct Online offers a wide array of options, from weekend cruises to week-long adventures. This trend is here to stay. A weekend with the girls is seen as a “necessity” by more and more women, the AAA study found. After all, the same women who book girls-only cruise vacations will also plan family reunions, romantic getaways and other trips.

Group Cruises Fun, Affordable, and a Unique Way to Celebrate Girls Getaway Cruises Trying to get all the girls together? Group cruises are a fun-tastic, hassle-free way to bring your best friends, enjoy a special "girls week"  or 3-4 day girls weekend together.  A Group Cruise Specialists will help you choose the right destination and the perfect ship, plus book your airfare, hotels, and shore excursions. Also, you won't get stuck with the bill because everyone can pay separately, and as the group cruise leader, you'll receive a free cruise fare. Who goes on a girls getaway cruise? Bachelorette party at sea Girls' college reunion Group of Girlfriends Yours or a friend's special birthday Co-workers Neighbors Relatives Professional woman's organizations fellow classmates, sorority members,

“A girls weekend is a nice way to de-stress and escape my everyday, hectic life”
 “It’s amazing how little ‘me time’ we have these days.”

CRUISE NEWS

Love is in the air at Princess

Editors Choice : Most Romantic Cruise Line

You know.. it's the "Love Boat".

A cruise with Princess is always a romantic occasion, but recently princess held their first-ever Romance Summit aboard Crown Princess®. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's Day.  This special event welcomed the members of Princess' Department of Romance — experts on affairs of the heart — who were onboard to host activities and lectures.

During the February 13th–20th sailing, passengers were treated to an abundance of romantic happenings and had the opportunity to personally meet with all the members of the Department of Romance. The Bachelorette's Trista and Ryan Sutter, and destination-wedding expert Lisa Light join three new relationship experts who made their debut at the Romance Summit: Anna Post, the great-granddaughter of Emily Post, who discussed romance etiquette; "The Dating Diva," Dee Frazier, an authority on finding love at any age; and the hilarious Princess comedian Kevin Hughes, who highlights the lighter, funnier side of relationships.

The Romance Summit was created to celebrate the many romantic features of a Princess cruise that can help couples reconnect and infuse romance into their everyday lives. Guests enjoyed a variety of romance-themed activities including the gala Valentine's Ball — where red finery is the dress code of the evening. At every turn, passengers enjoyed entertainment, events and specialty dishes prepared with romance in mind.

Summer is the season of love on Princess

Warm carefree days, cool ocean breezes and spectacular sunsets — it's no wonder summer is considered the most romantic of all the seasons.

The French say "Je t'aime," the Italians "Tia mo,” and the Chinese "Wo Ai Ni," but no matter what language you speak or your travel destination, the perfect way to say "I love you" is aboard a summertime cruise with Princess.

It's the little touches that say "you're mine" and with Princess you can say it all day long. Order a Princess Roses Bouquet directly to your stateroom; the fragrant blossoms say love is in the air. Spend a relaxing morning together at The Sanctuary, a retreat just for adults, and indulge in an open-air massage in your own private cabana. A refreshing dip in the pool and a fresh fruit smoothie replenishes you — mind, body and soul. As the sun gently sets, you'll savor an authentic dinner at Sabatini's, where classic Italian cuisine is passionately prepared. A heavenly tiramisu for two is a decadent finale to the meal. Your evening ends under a cozy blanket and star-filled sky watching a romantic film at Movies Under the Stars.

A Romantic Cruise Tip For a truly unforgettable evening, step outside on your balcony into the balmy summer air and share an outdoor, private celebration just for two — Ultimate Balcony Dining allows you to enjoy a multi-course meal served by your own personal wait staff on your stateroom balcony. Your table is set with crisp linens, crystal glasses, fine china and colorful flowers in bloom. Featuring fresh lobsters and filet mignon, this unparalleled luxury is available for dinner.

A truly romantic gesture, surprise your loved one with a Renewal of Vows ceremony, all the more meaningful when performed by your ship's captain. Toast to your happiness with champagne and two engraved souvenir glasses delivered to your stateroom. Celebrating an anniversary? A personal card from the captain and a lavish array of chocolate-dipped strawberries and some "bubbly" will sweeten your milestone day.

With a long history of romance on the high seas, and endless variety of services and amenities to inspire you, make this summer "the Summer of Love" — with Princess.

About US

My husband Marty & I are a husband and wife team with more than 30 years experience cruising the world. Our commentary has been quoted by MSNBC, CNN,  Budget Travel, Chicago Tribune, the New York Times and in syndicated travel columns and online sites across the country.

We are publishers of Cruise Travel Magazine, and  are also editors of Cruise Reviews Online. Our mission is plain and simple. To provide real-life accounts and expert advice, not just a flood of information. We literarily have cruised "round the world", sailing thousands of nautical miles, visiting ports of call, inspecting ships, sampling itineraries and critiquing shore excursions... And now we hope to pass on that knowledge and information to you. Our stories offer the best possible cruise options based on your lifestyle, interests, budget, travel experience, etc....plus we'll point out where to get group rates( without joining a group!), free upgrades, shipboard credits and other amenities or discounts. Get advise about tipping; packing; clothing; flights and schedule options; shore excursions, proper immigration documentations and much more.

We tell you how to avoid travel scams and common travel mistakes, and share insights on the latest cruise news and how it affects your vacation planning.