So many cruises, so little time... May and June 2006 have been particularly busy, with TWO new ships to preview.

But it's not quite the end of the month yet, so why is Sea Views newsletter in your email box so early? Because Cruise Diva will be at sea on Queen Mary 2 to find out, "Does a crossing differ from a cruise?" It's been hectic, getting ready for a pre-sailing day in London and six days on QM2, but there's a lot to share before leaving...

First we discovered how Royal Caribbean gives passengers MORE freedom to "Get Out There"... 
As part of Freedom of the Seas' introduction, Royal Caribbean invited top travel partners, Diamond-plus past passengers, and members of the media to sail on an introductory three-night cruise from Miami. I've been asked numerous times what a preview cruise is like, so I'm pleased to share it with CruiseDiva.com readers. Come along as I board the world's largest cruise ship to take part in a "Royal Family Event." Complete with a private island port call at Coco Cay, our mini-cruise was so much like a regular 'short' cruise that we decided to share our entire Freedom Cruise Diary.

Want even more Freedom? Jane Wooldridge, Travel Editor of The Miami Herald, blogged for readers during the Maiden Voyage of Freedom of the Seas from June 4-11. Follow Travels With Jane.

Next we got to know the NEW Crown Princess: This elegant addition to the Princess fleet is not your parents' Crown Princess. Nor is she the Crown Princess I remember from the 1990s. Come explore the brand new Crown Princess with Cruise Diva. You're going to love the Sanctuary, the Piazza, and other evolutionary touches. And, yes, you WILL see the Statue of Liberty as you sail from Brooklyn!

Insider News from the Crown Princess at Sea: Sanctuary Fee - June 23, 2006, We anticipated it and our on board correspondent Anita Dunham-Potter has confirmed it... the adults-only Sanctuary has proven to be such a popular feature that a $15 per half day charge is now in place to lessen overcrowding.

The SUMMIT of Disappointment. What happened when Celebrity's Summit lost the use of a pod at the beginning of the Alaska cruising season? The Regans made the best of their 13-night cruise, but chronicle the atmosphere on board in their Summit Review.

What's Happening on Land & Sea: Cruise News... Announcements about enticing future itineraries continue to roll out and even new homeports are revealed in Cruise Diva's Cruise News. June highlights include: Emerald Princess floats out for the first time; Celebrity Cruises pairs with Food Network for a wedding special; and the introduction of Majestic America Line, a new cruise line with a fleet of nostalgic favorites.

Where's Cruise Diva? Cheerio! Flying to London.