Examiner.com Cruise Column - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

thevacationstop · 11-04-2009, 05:42 PM

Hello,

I have started writing a column for the Baltimore section of Examiner.com devoted to cruises, mainly those that sail from Baltimore. However, there will be articles on other cruise topics as well. You can find my column at: Baltimore Cruise Travel Examiner

LuLu · 11-04-2009, 06:20 PM

Thanks for this, Steve!

Not only is this good for folks sailing out of Baltimore... but also, for EVERY cruiser.

Your ports of call info is GREAT!

timwilloughby · 11-04-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thevacationstop

Hello,

I have started writing a column for the Baltimore section of Examiner.com devoted to cruises, mainly those that sail from Baltimore. However, there will be articles on other cruise topics as well. You can find my column at: Baltimore Cruise Travel Examiner

Steve,

Congrats and thanks for sharing. I just saw the port of Baltimore broke all previous cruise visitor records this year. Seems like a good time to be covering the industry and the region.

Please do come back and post when your new articles go up.

thevacationstop · 11-04-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timwilloughby

Steve,

Congrats and thanks for sharing. I just saw the port of Baltimore broke all previous cruise visitor records this year. Seems like a good time to be covering the industry and the region.

Please do come back and post when your new articles go up.

Thanks Tim,

Typically new posts are done every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. At least that is the schedule I've kept for the last 8 or so weeks. However, there will not be any articles next week, as I will be busy taking classes toward my MCC during a Seminar at Sea onboard the Carnival Splendour. I know its a hardship, but somebody has to do it.

timwilloughby · 11-09-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thevacationstop

Thanks Tim,

Typically new posts are done every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. At least that is the schedule I've kept for the last 8 or so weeks. However, there will not be any articles next week, as I will be busy taking classes toward my MCC during a Seminar at Sea onboard the Carnival Splendour. I know its a hardship, but somebody has to do it.

Ha!

What a great way to get a certification or class done...at sea. Can you enlighten me and some of the others that might be wondering what a MCC is?

Many thanks, Steve.

nealberk · 11-15-2009, 12:32 AM

Hey, Steve. Used to live in the Lexington Park area of Maryland so I made a few trips to Baltimore. Beautiful city.

Having Galveston right down the road from us (alright, it is a five hour drive but far closer than FL or Seattle) what do you think about the second tier ports. Are they just for the locals or do you think over time they will get more and more traffic? Just want to know what your ideas are.

thevacationstop · 11-15-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timwilloughby

Ha!

What a great way to get a certification or class done...at sea. Can you enlighten me and some of the others that might be wondering what a MCC is?

Many thanks, Steve.

MCC is one of the certifications offered by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). It is for cruise travel counsellors. The initial certification is Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), which I have already obtained. Next is the Master Cruise Counsellor (MCC) which I am working on. I have now completed the required number of classes. I still have to turn in several essays, and I have to meet the cabin sales requirements. If anyone wants to throw business my way to help with the latter requirement, I won't turn it down.

After MCC is Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC) and Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar (ECCS). I'm not sure if those certifications are worth the effort or not.

CLIA provides this training to agents to educate agents on sales techniques, inform them about the member cruies lines, their ships, the services they have to offer and much more. When booking a cruise it is a good idea to see if your agent has obtained or is at least working on one of these certifications. It shows they are keeping up with the latest in the cruise industry and are probably more knowledgeable about cruising in general and thus better able to serve you.

thevacationstop · 11-15-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealberk

Hey, Steve. Used to live in the Lexington Park area of Maryland so I made a few trips to Baltimore. Beautiful city.

Having Galveston right down the road from us (alright, it is a five hour drive but far closer than FL or Seattle) what do you think about the second tier ports. Are they just for the locals or do you think over time they will get more and more traffic? Just want to know what your ideas are.

I think the "second tier" ports (to use your term) are mainly for those that want to drive to a port rather than fly. In the case of Galveston, New Orleans, and Mobile, I don't think they will ever compete with Tampa, Miami, and Ft. Lauderdale, simply because the cruises go to many of the same places, and the latter three are closer, allowing for more ports in the same number of days sailing.

The same is true for most of the east coast ports, with the exception of the Bermuda and Canada/New England itineraries. There, they have an edge over the Florida ports because they are closer to the ports being visited. NYC will always be bigger than Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Philadelphia, or Boston, simply due to the population in the area. As a result, there are longer cruises out of NYC so that the people can visit some of the Caribbean ports without going to FL.

What it comes down to though is why you go on a cruise. If it is to visit specific places, then you need to book the ships that go there, and make sure you get to the right port of embarkation. If it is to have a good time on a ship, regardlesss of where it goes, then the local ports are a great option.

nealberk · 11-15-2009, 03:55 PM

One of the nice things about the local ports is that you do not have all the airline restrictions on suitcases. So, if you want to take along formal outfits, you won't have to worry about the extra $50 for the suitcase you need to pack it in.

Then, an airline flight adds quite a bit to the cost of a cruise. When the cruise is only $400 the additional $200-$300 for the airline fare is significant!