We have moved!

In order to bring you more information and present it to you better, we've moved The Mail Buoy off of blogger. On our new site www.mycruiseplanner.info not only will you be able to find the same news that we posted here, but also more specials presented better. Plus there's a photo gallery with shipboard photos and we hope to add reviews to our offerings as well. In addition, the move allowed us to escape from the overwhelming number of spam blogs that seem to be taking over blogger.

So please visit us at www.mycruiseplanner.info!

We haven't forgotten about you!!!

It's been pretty quiet over here we know. But don't worry we haven't forgotten about The Mail Buoy, actually the opposite is true.

The Mail Buoy is getting ready to start floating on it's own! We're getting ready to cast off from Blogger and embark on some independent steaming with our own site and our own domain!

Some of the features that we'll be including as part of The Mail Buoy V2 is a photo gallery and hopefully some reader submitted shipboard reviews in addition to the news and specials that we've posted here on blogger.

If all goes well, we'll have the details up on the new and improved Mail Buoy before the start of the New Year....

STAY TUNED!!!!!

Weird Cruise Story of the Week

Carnival Cruise Lines shareholder James Morgan is seeking to get Carnival to end it's relationships with media companies that "seek to undermine the travel industry by disseminating Anti-American propaganda" according to a story in today's Miami Herald. Apparently Mr. Morgan believes that the coverage on several media outlets "diminishes the US in the eyes of the world and enflames terrorists."

Mr. Morgan, who owns 100 shares of Carnival stock, wants the Board of Directors to require Carnival to end the line's contracts with CNN, BBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, claiming that their "propoganda" will "lead to future terrorist attacks that will adversely affect the travel market."

Carnival has filed a request with the Securities and Exchange Commission to drop Mr. Morgan's request. The line believes that decisions regarding what media outlets are available onboard it's ships really should be left to it's managers... Something tells me that they're probably right...

The Luxury of a Holland America Cruise in Your Own Home

Some of the most popular amenities offered onboard the ships of Holland America Cruise Lines are now available for you to purchase for your home.

Following the lead of hotel chains like Starwood which has launched online stores where you can purchase the beds and linens just like those that are used to furnish hotels in the Sheraton, Westin and other chains, Holland America has launched The Holland America Shop at www.shophollandamerica.com

While the website is still under construction, there's still quite a bit to chose from on it already, with more to come. The Holland America Shop features a wide range of products, not just bedding and shower items.

Items available for purchase include reproductions of some of the artwork on display onboard various ships, gift baskets, flowers, drink mixes and maritime collectibles. Holland America's signature Mariner's Dream bed is available for purchase, as well as their bathrobes, bed linens will be available for purchase soon. Did you enjoy the deck furniture onboard your cruise? A selection of it is available for purchase in The Holland America Store. You can even purchase a variety of wines and wine accessories, as well as Riedel crystal used onboard Holland America's fleet.

Coming soon to The Holland America Shop, a wider selection of Mariner's Dream bed items, a selection of spices, coffees, teas, and even Bulgari China just like what's used onboard.

Embattled Reporter to Lecture on Silversea Cruises

Now that she's been released from jail and her job as a reporter for The New York Times, Judith Miller is now onboard Silversea's Silver Wind on it's voyage from Ushuala , Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile. But this isn't a pleasure cruise for Ms. Miller, she's taking part in the cruise line's Written Word onboard enrichment program according to the journal Editor and Publisher.

During the voyage Ms. Miller is expected to give lectures on a federal shield law to protect journalists and she will also talk about US involvement in the Middle East.

Future sailings where passengers will be able to participate in the Written Word program include the January 5 departure of the Silver Whisper which will feature Ambassador Richard Gardner. In addition the February 28 sailing of the Silver Wind will feature biographer Nicholas Gage.

For more information on Silversea's Writen Word program or any of the available Silversea's itineraries please contact us at www.mycruiseplanner.net

More Cruise Ship's for The Carnival Family

Both the Miami Herald and Business Week are reporting that Carnival Cruise Lines has signed a $2 billion deal with Italy's Fincantieri for 4 new ships.

These four additional ships bring the total number of new ships that will be entering Carnival's fleet between 2006 and 2010 to 16. By 2010 Carnival will have 95 ships as part of it's fleet which includes the ships of Cunard, Princess, Holland America, and Costa, as well as those of Carnival Cruise Lines.

The ships ordered as part of this deal are:
A $450 million 2,044 passenger ship for Holland America Cruise Lines that is to enter service in the summer of 2008. Expected to weigh in at 86,000 tons, this new ship will be the largest in Holland America's fleet.

Princess Cruises will get a $570 million 3,100 passenger ship also expected to enter service in the fall of 2008.

Carnival Cruise Lines will be taking delivery of a massive 560 million euro ship. This massive 130,000 ton ship will be the largest ship in service for Carnival Cruise Lines. The 3,608 passenger ship is expected to begin sailing in the fall of 2009.

Costa Crociere will be getting a 485 million euro 3,004 passenger ship. Weighing in at 112,000 tons, this shp is expected to enter service in the summer of 2009.

But the deal doesn't end there. Carnival also has the option to purchase two additional ships as well, one would go to Holland America and the other to Carnival Cruise Lines.

More Changes to US Passport Requirements

The following information comes from the US State Department. The US Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 mandated that by 2008 travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico and Central and South America have a passport in order to enter the United States. The requirement applies to all travelers including US citizens. This requirement is to be implemented in stages with the first stage beginning December 31, 2005, however this stage has been pushed back and the first stage will begin on December 31, 2006.

Beginning on December 31, 2006 passengers traveling to the US, or from the US by plane or by sea to the following countries will be required to have a valid passport: Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. On December 31, 2007 the requirement will also include all land border crossings as well.

US Passports are obtained through the US State Department, for applications and more information visit travel.state.gov

In other passport news, the New Orleans Passport Agency is closed until further notice due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. If your passport application was affected by the closure
of the New Orleans office, you should have received a letter providing you with further instructions.

If you applied for a passport before August 25 at a Passport Acceptance Facility in the New Orleans, New York or Los Angeles and have not either received your passport or a letter with further instructions, contact the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 to receive information about your application.

The Holidays--- As Only Disney Does Them...

Disney Cruise Line that is!

If you've been to any of the Disney resorts over the holidays then you know that they are a big deal at the house the mouse built. Well according to magicalmountain.net the holiday magic isn't just at the parks...

As with every Disney Cruise, the experience begins at their Port Canaveral cruise terminal. For many cruise lines, the departure terminal is merely someplace that the line holds you until they're ready for your to board. Often these terminals are really nothing more than (badly) converted dockside warehouses. Disney on the other hand designed and built their own private terminal, it's a building that from the minute you pull up to it is intended to get you excited about your upcoming voyage. On many ships, your experience really doesn't begin until you start up the gangway and board, on Disney the experience begins the moment you step into their terminal. Guest's (on Disney you're never a passenger or a customer, always a guest) will find the Disney terminal decorated for the season as will even be greated by Disney characters dressed up for the holidays.

Once onboard the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder guests will discover all sorts of holiday surprises. Some of the things planned for holiday voyagers include a tree lighting ceremony in the 3 story atrium complete with falling snow! A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy who will have surprises for all of the good little girls and boys, international caroling by crew members from around the world, Mrs Claus reading T'was The Night Before Christmas, traditional feasts in the three dining rooms, and multi-faith and inter-denominational holiday services. Of course there will also be a ship wide party to celebrate the New Year.

Even Disney's private island Castaway Cay in the Bahamas will be a snowy winter wonderland for the holidays. Disney's magic will not only cause it to snow in the atriums of their ships, but also on the sandy beaches of Castaway Cay, which will make it very inviting for Mr and Mrs Snowman (with shell noses and comfy tropical shirts) who will be greeting the guests on the island. Even the tram which transports guests around the island will be sporting a reindeer look right down to a set of antlers and a tail!

But there's more fun on the beach where familys can learn about sandscuplting and kids can make candy cane reindeer, paper plate angels and snowflake mobiles...

While Disney Cruise Line is one of the most family friendly of any of the major cruise lines, guests young and old will find plenty to do and will be amazed by a classy and enjoyable cruising experience like only Disney can provide.

For more information on Disney's holiday sailings, or any of Disney's wide variety of vacation options please visit us at www.mycruiseplanner.net

New Ships for 2006 Part Two

Princess Cruise Line will debut the 116,000 ton Crown Princess, and it's 3,080 passengers will get to experience an extremely well rounded dining experience onboard. The dining venues in the atrium will have a sidewalk cafe atmosfere including strolling musicians and a central fountain.

In addition several signature Princess restaurants will also be onboard including a traditional English pub, a 24 hour food court and even a restaurant with a theater style kitchen.

But there will be more to do onboard than just eat including watching movies on the poolside screen and a two story spa and fitness center, you can even get married in the onboard wedding chapel.

Last but certainly not the least is Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of The Seas. This 3,600 passenger 160,000 ton ship has taken the title of Largest Cruise Ship from Cunard's Queen Mary 2. Odds are you've already seen ads featuring Freedom of The Seas' one of a kind onboard surf park. After attending a safety brief, passengers can hang ten on a 32 foot wide by 40 foot long FlowRider that guests can either surf or body board on.

But that's not the only water activity available in it's three large pool areas. Sculptures shoot water through the wading pool in the H2O Pool Zone, and passengers can soak each other with water buckets and cannons or even relax on a river ride. The Solarium has two large hot tubs that are actually cantilevered out 12 feet from the sides of the ship where they are perched 112 feet above the waterline.

But it's not all about the water activities onboard. Freedom of The Seas will also feature Royal Caribbean's signature ice rink, and now the largest rock climbing wall at sea.

Freedom of The Seas will set sail this May. Stay tuned, becuase we hope to be able to bring you a first hand review of the Freedom of The Seas this May.

For more information or to book a cruise on any of the ships mentioned, please visit us at www.mycruiseplanner.net

New Ships for 2006

Here's a quick rundown of the ships expected to enter service in the upcoming year:
Costa Cruise Lines newest ship the Costa Concordia will weigh 112,000 tons and carry 3,780 passengers in 1,500 cabins. One of it's more unique features will be the 55 staterooms and 12 suites that will have direct access to the ship's two deck spa.

The ship's Samsara spa will be the largest spa afloat measuring 20,500 square feet, inside you'll find a gym, thalassotherapy pool, several treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, and a solarium.

You'll also find a Formula 1 driving simulator, and two swimming pools with retractable roofs. One of the pools will even have a 194 foot video screen over it.

The Costa Concordia is expected to offer Mediterranean sailings in July.

Holland America Cruise Lines will introduce the Noordam this February. The Noordam will feature all of Holland America's new Signature of Excellence improvements which includes things like flat panel TV's, DVD players and complimentary fruit baskets in all 924 staterooms.

The Noordam's Culinary Arts Center is part of a parnership with Food & Wine magazine and will feature cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and culinary experts in it's state of the art kitchen. Plasma screens will offer passengers an up close view of the cooking area, however passengers can also view the action from their cabin televisions.

The line partnered with The New York Times to create a modern internet cafe with listening stations, an extensive library, and of course New York Times crossword puzzles.

The Noordam will offer New York departures starting in February.
MSC Cruises will introduce the largest member of it's fleet, the 2,550 passenger MSC Musica which will have 1,275 staterooms with 65% of them having private verandahs.

Passengers will find a 13,000 square foot spa and fitness center featuring aerobics, a variety of therapies, and a Turkish bath. In addition there will be a 7,000 square foot casino, three deck theater, and a variety of ondeck activities including a golf simulator, a tennis court, a jogging track and a minature golf course.

While there will only be two main restaurants, the ship will also offer a seperate specialty restaurant, a pizzeria, and even a sushi bar.

The MSC Musica will enter service in Venice this July offering summer and fall cruises to Greece, Turkey, and Croatia. In November the Musica will move to the Caribbean.This summer NCL American will add a third ship to it's fleet, the Pride of Hawaii. Like it's sister ships, Pride of Hawaii will feature NCL's signature Freestyle Dining program which doesn't assign passengers to set seating times for meals, instead passengers can choose when they would like to eat and in which restaurant. Passengers will have a variety of dining options onboard including a sushi bar with teppanyaki area, Tex-Mex, tapas, and an Italian restaurant that will resemble a village trattoria. NCL will even be installing plasma screens where passengers will be able to check the restaurant wait times and make reservations.

At the ship's NCL Golf Hawaii pro shop passengers will even be able to book golf rounds on a variety of golf courses.