Carnival Liberty Photos; Luxury Cruising on NCL; and a New Look for Beyondships

This week there is a new look and some new features on Beyondships. While one is mindful of the adage that “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it,” I hope these changes will make for a better experience in using the site.



First, I am shifting the list of new articles and items from the home page to a separate page. This will make the home page less crowded while at the same time making it easier for viewers to find some of the permanent items. There are also various technical advantages in doing it this way.



Second, I am adding a Beyondships Cruise FAQ section. Often when I am cruising people ask questions about the ships and the way they operate. Since the questions are often similar, it follows that they must be topics that are on a lot of people’s minds. Despite a friend’s warning that I won’t have anything to talk about at dinner if I did so, I have posted some answers to some of the questions that often come up. My intent is to keep expanding this section over time. The section index is at http://www.beyondships2.com/beyondships-cruise-faqs.html



In addition to the aforementioned changes to the site, this week Beyondships is featuring two new items. The first is a photo essay about Carnival Liberty. This essay shows the Liberty returning to her homeport of Miami just as dawn is breaking. It is at http://www.beyondships.com/CarnivalLiberty-photoessay1.html



Finally, there is a new illustrated article about luxury cruising on NCL. Most people know NCL as a mass market cruise line. However, when I have been on NCL’s more recent ships, I have been struck by the fact that there is also quite a good luxury operation going on side by side with the mass market operation. The facilities are quite lavish and the service is excellent. Heretofore, NCL has seemed almost reluctant to talk about it. However, in connection with Project Breakaway - - the two new ships NCL has on order - - the line has turned the spotlight on its ship-within-a-ship luxury operation and even given it a name - - The Haven By Norwegian. Accordingly, I have put together an article discussing NCL’s luxury operation along with some photos of the existing ships and some artist renderings that NCL has provided of the new ships. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/ncl-luxury-cruising.html