The Ocean Escape 2010 Award Winners

Norwegian Epic was voted as Cruise Ship of the Year for 2010.
Photo Credit: Cruise Man 3000



Since The Ocean Escape Blog was created, in June 2010, there have been two monthly cruise award winners. Every month there is a new cruise line and cruise ship of the month. What's the purpose of these awards? Check out my previous blog post, Why Have a Cruise Line and Cruise Ship of the Month? We have 7 new cruise ships coming out in 2011, check back throughout the year to see if any of them win awards with The Ocean Escape!

Here's a recap of 2010's Cruisetacular award winners...
Month                Cruise Ship                         Cruise Line
July 2010:       Caribbean Princess          Norwegian Cruise Line
Aug. 2010:     Norwegian Epic                Disney Cruise Line
Sept. 2010:    Navigator of the Seas       Princess Cruises
Oct. 2010:     MSC Poesia                      Celebrity Cruises
Nov. 2010:    m/s Oosterdam                  Cunard Line
Dec. 2010:    Celebrity Solstice               Holland America Line

'Home-Port' Cruising Highlight: Baltimore, Maryland



                                              

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line's Grandeur of the Seas docked in Baltimore, Maryland.
She used to frequent 'Charm City' before she was rerouted.
Photo Credit: http://www.baltimorecruiseguide.com/

   How do you cruise? Don't like to fly? Why not try cruising from a home port? Baltimore, Maryland anyone? The Port of Baltimore will host Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line now through 2011! 

Carnival Cruise Line sails Carnival Pride to the Bahamas, Florida, and Eastern Caribbean all year round.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line sails Enchantment of the Seas all year round as well to the Caribbean. RCI also sails her to Canada, New England, and Bermuda, seasonally.

Celebrity Cruise Line sails the Celebrity Mercury to the Bahamas and Caribbean seasonally (Only October 2010-February 2011).

The Baltimore Maryland Cruising Calender Until December 2011 (Click this Link)

The 411 On A Cruise To Nowhere

Dawn Princess at sea.
Photo Credit: AAP Images & Princess Cruises

Taking a cruise to nowhere (CTN) is just as fun as any other cruise that you would want to book. Novice or experienced cruiser, taking a CTN is always a nice little get away from reality, just for a moment. Cruises to nowhere can be booked seasonally all year round and are relatively inexpensive. I have done many cruises to nowhere and I enjoy them every time. You get to get on a colossal cruise ship and experience what it is like to be out on the ocean for about a day or so. I highly recommend these types of cruises for those who want to take a lengthy cruise (7 days or more), but have not been on an ocean liner before, and have no idea if they will like it.

These types of cruises are great for graduation, birthday, or even anniversary celebrations. People will book these two night sea voyages, coordinate with the cruise line to reserve a lounge or two on the ship, and just celebrate and party all night on the ship. Cruise lines even coordinate with certain holidays and have special one night sailings for holiday celebrations (i.e., Mother's Day sailings on Norwegian Cruise Line). Shockingly, a cruise to nowhere price can be cheaper than any one night stay at a four star hotel in any major metropolitan city.

These cruises are great to take if you are just getting your “feet wet” into the realm of cruising. Book a cruise to nowhere today and I guarantee that you will love it! After disembarking from your mini-cruise experience, you will be completely ready for that lengthier cruise that you have always longed to take. Your ship awaits, Bon Voyage!