Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas"

This "new concept" ship is the most highly-anticipated of the year. Check out Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas," redefining the future of travel in the 21st century.

Uniworld River Cruising - Itineraries

With river cruising, you travel from one grand city to the next, making it the most efficient way to see the historic attractions and breathtaking scenery of Europe.

Crystal Receives Perfect Score for Cleanliness

Crystal Cruises' award-winning Crystal Serenity received a perfect score of 100 from Health Canada, following an intensive inspection by a team of environmental health officials. A ship's level of sanitation is considered satisfactory if its score is 86 percent or higher. The unannounced audit on May 3rd, took place in Victoria on its final segment of the line's world cruise. Scoring is based on 41 inspection items including food preparation and storage, waste management systems, ventilation device, sanitation temperatures, and potable water systems.

Canada's Federal health department developed its Cruise Ship Inspection Program (CSIP) to inspect cruise ships visiting Canadian ports. The guidelines were coordinated with the United States' Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Carnival to Resume Sailings to Mexico

Carnival Cruise Lines will resume visits to Mexican ports of call based on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, which is no longer recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico. Once all voyages with previously modified itineraries are completed, those ships will revert to their original itineraries featuring stops in Mexico. Most itineraries were modified through mid-June with the exception of the Holiday which was modified through late May. Click here to see which date each ship will resume its original itinerary.

The Norwegian Epic, Coming to a Caribbean Port Near You

Norwegian Cruise Line recently unveiled the hull design of its largest and most innovative ship to date, the Epic. Scheduled to set sail in July 2010, the ship's interior will have a sophisticated modern, sleek design seen in everything from the curved New Wave staterooms to the ship's public areas. The ship will boast a rock-climbing wall, the most bowling lanes at sea, 14 restaurant choices, and an expansive Aqua Park, and the largest bowl slide at sea -- the Epic Plunge.

The 4,200 passenger Norwegian Epic is scheduled to sail year-round to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with cruises going on sale May 21st, 2009.

Swine Flu Outbreak Redirects Cruise Ships Towards Victoria

Royal Caribbean International has suspended trips to Mexico due to swine flu fears, and has redirected six of its sailings to Victoria, Canada during the month of May. This is welcome news to British Columbia as it is projected this move will bring $4.5 million to the local economy.

Carnival Splendor is also providing a makeup sailing for the temporary cancellation of its Mexico cruise. This sailing departs June 7th from Los Angeles, and visits Astoria, Victoria and Vancouver before returning to Los Angeles.