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From the Cruise One Studios in Jacksonville, Florida. I'm Matt Baskford.

And I'm Doug Parker. And this is Cruise Radio.

You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan of our Facebook page at cruiseradio.net. Game show host, radio personality, and travel writer Jeff Edwards will be talking to us about the Silver Sea Spirit. But first, Stuart Sheron, the Cruise Guy, who is found at CruiseGy.com, is with us, as always. Lots going on. Hi, Stuart. Hey, guys. Hey, man. All right, Stuart,

they're still trying to sort out this head tax in Alaska. How is this affecting bookings?

Well, the Alaska legislature before convening, did vote on a 25% reduction, which is a whopping

$11.50, which I don't think anyone believes that it makes a Hillabins difference.

Yeah.

The bookings are up year over year, which is definitely a good sign, but it has nothing to do with this.

Alaska will suffer by having 140,000 less passengers, which is about a 17% decrease from last year for a myriad of reasons.

But, you know, this head tax reduction doesn't really mean anything.

Jamaica, all the gangs and violence and riots.

The question is, is it safe for travelers to go over there?

Well, the U.S. State Department did issue a travel advisory for people going to Kingston

because of the increase in gang

violence in Kingston, but the ships are arriving and departing out of Montego Bay for the most

part, and it's far enough in a way. And just keep in mind the cruise ships and the cruise lines

are not going to put their ships or their passengers in arms away. So as right now, Montico Bay and whatever other trips into Jamaica right now are safe.

That's good to hear.

Moving on to European cruises, are the prices up or down from last year?

Well, your prices are significantly up this year versus last, which is really very good news.

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