To begin, the cruise ships of the Disney Cruise Line, of which there are three, sail all over the world. Disney cruises go to Europe, Alaska (and other areas on the Pacific coast), the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Canada, and New England. Cruise vacations can be planned to anyone of these locations, although not necessarily all year long (there are seasons for different voyages, just as there are seasons for other segments of the leisure industry).

To get an idea of what a Disney cruise vacation is all about, let’s look at cruises to the Bahamas. There are currently four different cruise packages that involve a voyage to the Bahamas. The shortest is a three-day trip that departs from Port Canaveral. The first stop is at a port in Nassau, where the ship is docked for a day. The voyage departs from Nassau in the evening and sails onto a port located at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, on which all sorts of tropical activities can be enjoyed, like snorkeling and boating. Moreover, the island is reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests.

There are also four and five-day trips to the Bahamas. These voyages include stops at the same ports, but overall the journey is longer (obviously), with more time being spent at sea and at the Nassau and Castaway Cay ports. Finally, Disney offers an eight-day trip to the Bahamas, which also includes stops at the ports of Castaway Cay and Nassau. Rather then departing from Port Canaveral, however, this voyage leaves from New York City and includes a one-day stay at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The time spent on-board during a Bahamian cruise (or any Disney cruise, for that matter) can be used for any number of activities, many of which are family-oriented. (Disney cruises tend to attract vacationing families.) One might enjoy Disney musicals performed on stage, or they may decide to attend a first-run of a Disney Digital 3-D movie. There are also a number of different restaurants, bars, and nightclubs on-board, some of which cater to adults specifically (in case they tire of watching Disney-related entertainment).

The cruises to the Bahamas offered by Disney give us a pretty good idea of what a Disney cruise is all about. They vary in length and depart from different ports, but the skeleton of the voyage remains the same, as do the on-board activities. Also, whenever possible, Disney will incorporate other divisions of their vast operation, like Disney World.

For more information about Disney cruise vacations, visit the Disney Cruise Line website here:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/

Relative to the major the cruise lines like Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, the Disney Cruise Line has relatively few ships. The fleet is currently composed of three ships, although a future ship, named Disney Fantasy, is scheduled to make its maiden voyage in March 2012.

The three ships of the Disney Cruise line are Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, and Disney Dream. The first two ships are the same size and entered service at the end of the 1990’s, and the last ship is significantly larger and just took its maiden voyage in January, 2011.

Disney Magic is 964 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 83,000. It can accommodate 2,700 passengers comfortably and has a crew of 950 people. Disney Magic is used for a variety of cruise itineraries, ranging from a two-night New York getaway to a fourteen-night transatlantic cruise.

Disney Wonder has the exact same measurements and capacities as Disney Magic. Disney Wonder sails primarily to different parts of the Americas and is used for voyages that can take anywhere from three to tens days. There is, for example, a three-night Bohemian voyage, as well as a ten-night Mexican Rivera cruise.

Disney Dream is 1,115 feet long and weighs 130,000 tons. It has a passenger capacity of 4,000 passengers and 1,458 crew members. Disney Dream is more limited in the voyages it takes. Currently, it offers only three, four, and five-night cruises, and they all go to the Bahamas.

The Disney Cruise Line’s future ship, Disney Fantasy, will have the same measurements and capacities as Disney Dream upon its completion next year.

Disney Cruises are known for their orientation towards vacationing families, with the cruise line offering activities and services that appeal to all age groups. Some of the notable services include a rotational dining arrangement, which allows guests to try three different restaurants, but with the same servers following guests from place to place, as well as firework displays at sea (weather permitting).

If you would like to know more about the Disney Cruise Line, check out their website here:

Disney Cruise Line

About Disney Dream

According to the Disney Cruise Line website:

The Disney Dream is approximately 40% larger than the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder. The total number of beds on the Disney Dream is 5007—over 1,900 more than the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder. The Disney Dream is 2 decks taller than sister ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder.

Disney Dream has youth clubs, dining options from gourmet to casual fare, 3-D movies and deck parties, three pools, and “The District,” the ship’s adults-only entertainment area with 5 distinct lounges and nightclubs. The ship also features a world-class spa and fitness center.

Prices for Disney Dream Cruises

Prices for Disney Dream Cruises to the Bahamas vary greatly by season, type of accommodations, and length of cruise. A Disney Dream Cruise during high season can cost as much as $1,574 per person or as low as $999 per person. Room accommodations include inside staterooms, oceanview staterooms, stateroom with verandah, and concierge with veranda. Concierge with verandah are the most expensive rooms on the ship and the inside staterooms are the least expensive.

To save money, you can check Disney’s “Special Offers” section online or review cruise package offerings. You can also try booking through a discount booking search engine such as :

Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com

For other tips on how to same money on Disney Dream cruises, the following information may be helpful.

Booking in Advance or Last Minute

Cruise lines will prefer advanced booking, so they typically offer deals such as special incentives, credits, and cash back just for booking in advance. However, last minute cruise deals are plentiful as well. If a cruise isn’t booked several weeks or so before the cruise departure date, cruise lines usually drop prices by as much as 75 percent.

Other Ways to Save

Other ways to save include booking off-season, booking with a group, taking advantage of package deals, booking online, and booking with popular cruise lines. Some of the world’s most popular cruise lines include Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, SilverSea Cruises, and Windstar Cruises.

If you want to book off-season, you’ll find the most cruise vacation deals in year round destinations. For example, slow or shoulder seasons for say Alaska, may differ from the Mexican Riviera. Here is a list of destinations and their slow seasons: Alaska, May and September; Bermuda, April-May and September-October; Canada/New England, July-August; the Caribbean, late April-May, September-early January; Hawaii, late August, late November, and February; Mexican Riviera, early January and May, October-November; Eastern and Western Mediterranean, March-April and September-November. Expect plenty of perks during these times as well.

Besides cruise deals for groups and families, just about every cruise line features special rates for seniors. To lock in special senior rates you can’t book online. You must call a cruise travel specialist or book directly with the cruise line. Keep in mind that a senior is typically defined as a person who is 55 or older and proof of age is required.

Silversea Cruises

The name says it all — Silversea Cruises offers the best in luxury, service and sophistication. Silversea creates exceptional ocean journeys with unique opportunities to explore remote ports-of-call from an intimate haven of incomparable luxury, each voyage is a unique masterpiece. If money is no object, then a Silversea cruise is for you. Silverseas fleet consists of the Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper, each designed to offer a level of luxury that surpasses most other cruise ships.

Silversea Cruises features an endless number of voyages to exotic places and a few familiar places. Just a few Silversea voyages include: Lisbon to NYC, Copenhagen to Hamburg, Dubai to Mumbai, Hong Kong to Singapore, Athens to Venice and Rome to Istanbul, to name a few.

For more information about Silversea Cruises visit Silversea.com or call 800-722-9955 Americas, +377-9770-2424, Monaco.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Not only is Norwegian Cruise Lines popular for its spectacular seven-day tours of the Hawaiian Islands, but Norwegian’s $400-Million luxury ship Norwegian Star offers the largest collection of restaurants among the popular cruise lines. Not only is the collection of restaurants large, the ship itself is even larger. Norwegian Star stretches well over three football fields in length and it has 25 decks and 372 staterooms including the exclusive Garden Villa Suites, which measure 5,800 square feet. The service on this ship is hefty as well — with 1,100 staff members, the ship has a crew to passenger ratio of 1:2, so excellent service will never be an issue during your voyage. The Norwegian star visits the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kuaui.

For more information about Norwegian Cruise Lines visit the Norwegian Cruise Lines website at www.ncl.com or call 866-625-1166.

Disney Cruise Lines

As families with three, four and even five children in the home continue to grow, so does the demand for family-friendly vacations. Disney Cruise Lines has answered that demand making it the leader in family cruise experiences and most families would agree — one of the best cruise lines for fun for everyone.

Disney has age-specific children activities, programs, and facilities, ranging from nursery to teenage. Just like Disney World, the staff is amazingly friendly. But before you write it off as just a family cruise line, remember, Disney isn’t just for kids — parents and even grandparents won’t feel left out. Most facilities appeal to both adults and children and some are even for adults only. Disney Cruise Lines is one of the most affordable cruise lines around.

Ports of call include Key West, Cozumel, Nassau and Castaway Cay, to name a few and Mediterranean ports of call include Barcelona, Cadiz, Naples and Gibraltar — to name a few.

For more information about Disney Cruise Lines click here to visit the Disney Cruise Lines website or call 800-951-3532. For a directory of websites for all cruise lines, visit Ships and Cruises. Here you can access all cruise lines websites along with a detailed description of each cruise line’s fleet.

After deciding where you would like to cruise (the Caribbean is popular), the next thing to consider is the cruise line. Everyone has their own preferences, so some people may prefer a casual environment and others may prefer a luxury cruise, where formal nights are always on the menu. Whatever your taste and budget, there is a cruise line to suit your needs. Some of the most popular cruise lines in the industry today include: Silversea Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line.

Silversea Cruises and Crystal Cruises feature luxury cruise ships cruise lines that are popular among affluent, seasoned travelers, while Regent Seven Seas attracts the same crowd, but the cruise ships are bigger and the environment is more relaxed. Regent Seven Seas is also considered one of the most romantic cruise lines in the world so their cruise ships are perfect for honeymoons. Couples can enjoy French and Polynesian dining, spa treatments, waterspouts, and romantic shore excursions such as river cruises, dinner cruises, horseback riding through the mountains, wading in the water underneath a waterfall, and more.

Royal Caribbean International is considered the perfect cruise line for first-time cruisers as it attracts a good mix of passengers from different backgrounds and with different interests. This means you’ll find a wide variety of activities, dining and entertainment options, and a very casual environment. Disney Cruise Line is perfect for families, couples, and singles looking for a festive atmosphere and excellent prices, while Carnival Cruise Line is tops for single, 20-30-somethings looking for a party atmosphere. Carnival Cruise Line also attracts young couples (married or otherwise) that may be interested in a festive atmosphere as well.

Once you feel that you know a bit more about the different cruise lines and cruise ships, you should get to know your destinations. Depending on the cruise line, you can expect to travel to popular destinations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii or romantic and exotic destinations such as Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, Bermuda, and Europe. Exotic destinations that are also popular for romance and adventure include Africa, Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Costa Rica.

If you want to save money on cruises, booking early and booking at the very last minute has advantages. Additionally, certain times of the year offer discounts and savings as well. For example, May through September is high season for Alaska, the fall and summer seasons are prime times for European sailings, and while the Caribbean is a year-round destination, winter is the most popular time for Caribbean travel. Peak travel times are always more expensive than off-peak travel, so keep this in mind.

When you are ready to book your cruise, you can contact your local cruise travel agent or you can contact the cruise line that you like most. A great place to search for certified cruise travel agents is with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The site has a search function that will help you locate certified cruise travel agents or counselors in your area.

If you already have a cruise line in mind, visit the cruise lines website to book a cruise or simply write down the cruise lines 800 or 866 number (listed on the website) and give tem a call. Click here for a directory of all cruise lines.

Mini-cruises may stand alone or they might be part of a larger itinerary. When part of a larger itinerary, mini-cruises may include exotic river cruises, small yacht cruises, or small expedition cruises that travel where larger ships cannot. Mini cruises offer the same variety of entertainment, dining options and leisure facilities that are found on longer sailings, but they are designed to allow passengers to get the most out of their time onboard.

Some mini-cruises may take place during the week, but many take place on weekends. These types of cruises are packaged as “weekend getaways.” Popular destinations for weekend cruises include The Bahamas, The Western Caribbean, The Pacific Northwest, and Baja Mexico. Pacific Northwest mini-cruises typically last for three nights and they leave from Seattle. Bahamas cruises leave from Miami for three nights, and Western Caribbean cruises leave from Miami for four nights. Baja Mexico cruises leave from Los Angeles for three nights.

These are not the only mini-cruises available. Most cruise lines offer short cruises, but some of the most popular mini-cruises are offered through:

-Royal Caribbean
-Disney Cruise Line
-Carnival Cruise Line
-Celebrity Cruises

Prices for mini-cruises are “mini” too. Thanks to the shorter duration of the cruises, the are perfect for cruisers that are short on time and money. Depending on the type of accommodations, a mini-cruise may cost as little as $150 per person for an interior suite, up to $500 for a deluxe suite. You can also save money on mini-cruises by booking through a discount booking search engine such as Kayak or CheapTickets.com. The links to the most popular discount booking search engines are provided below.

Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com

So why take a mini-cruise? Mini-cruises are a perfect way to test the waters (no pun intended). If it’s your first cruise, a mini-cruise will let you know if you will get seasick, if you are ok with crowds, if you will like the cruise experience overall, the food, entertainment, etc. Next, as stated earlier, mini-cruises are less expensive than longer cruises. Mini-cruises also allow you to visit a variety of locations in a short amount of time without having to deal with flying or staying overnight in multiple locations. And finally, if you are short on time and you only have a few days to unwind, a mini-cruise offers just enough time to accomplish your goals.

To book a mini-cruise, visit any of the websites listed in this article or use the Ships and Cruises Directory to locate dozens of different cruise lines around the world.

Jobs on cruise ships in the activity/entertainment department are considered some of the most glamorous jobs aboard the ship. These positions deal with anything relating to passenger entertainment. This department includes: DJs, production managers, photographers, managers, casino staff, hosts/hostesses and cruise consultants, to name a few. Those best suited for jobs in this department are typically enthusiastic and extroverted.

In addition to being extroverted and having lots of enthusiasm, face painters and balloon twisters must be talented. Several years of professional (verifiable) experience in these areas is required. In return for talent, enthusiasm, and dedication, face painters in cruise ships may receive up to $31,000 for full-time employment along with free accommodations and meals. Balloon twisters may also receive free accommodations and meals, along with a salary of anywhere from $21,000-$26,000 per year, depending on hours worked (full-time or part-time).

To get started on finding a job as a face painter or balloon twister on cruise ships, visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official cruise line listings. Once you have located the site, visit the website of the cruise line you are interested in and visit the employment page. If the cruise line lists the job you are interested in, simply follow the application directions to apply. If the cruise line does not list job openings on its site, send a polished cover letter and resume to the cruise lines Human Resources Department. The Human Resources Department is typically located at the cruise line’s headquarters. This information is usually listed on the cruise line website. It is important to include the position you are interested in so that it can be directed to the appropriate department manager.

For more information about jobs on cruise ships visit Cruise Ship Jobs online. Here, you can download the 2010 cruise ship employment guide; you can read through cruise line profiles; you can find out which ships are hiring and for what positions — and you can even apply for a cruise ship job right online. Please note that this website charges a fee. You can apply for a job on your own, free of charge, sign up with a placement agency, or use Cruise Ship Jobs’ service.

While no reasonable theme is out of the question today, the following list represents only a fraction of the types of theme cruises on the market today.

50’s Sock Hop
Adventure
Art, Epicurean/Food Wine
Big Band/Swing
Booze Cruises
Bridge Tournaments
Broadway/Theater at Sea
Cartoon/Action Figures
Christian
Classical Music/Opera
Contemporary/Dixieland
Country & Western
Couples
Family Reunion
Gambling
Gaming & Technology
Gay/Lesbian
Glacier
Golf
Health & Fitness
History/Cultural Heritage
Holiday
Jazz
Latin/Salsa
Literary
Luxury
Maya Equinox
Military
Motivational/Self Improvement
Murder Mystery
Natural History/Ecology
Nude Cruises
Pearl Harbor
Personal Finance
Polka/Square Dancing
Rhythm & Blues
Silver Screen/Hollywood Film Festival
Singles
Solar Eclipse
Spiritual/Gospel
Sports/Olympics

Some of the top cruise lines for theme cruises include Crystal Cruises, Cruise West, Clipper Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, and Holland America Line (HAL). Not only does Crystal Cruises offer technology, jazz, golf, film festival, health, and food & wine theme cruises, these cruises typically travel to exciting places such as the Caribbean and places like Monte Carlo, London and Aspen. Cruise West features a variety of food & wine theme cruises and Clipper Cruise Line highlights educational themes (technology included) and military theme cruises, to name a few. Carnival Cruise Lines is popular for games and casino themed cruises and Holland America hosts a number of gaming cruises focused on games such as Chess.

Whether you are interested in spending days or weeks at sea surrounded by technology types, casino fans, or chess champions, many cruise lines offer set dates for these types of theme cruises, so feel free to book directly through the cruise lines. If you are interested in creating your own special theme cruise, most agents can help you through the planning process.

A great place to start your search for theme cruises is Cruisemates.com Cruisemates.com features a lengthy list of cruise lines along with each cruise lines’ list of theme cruises, dates available, and destinations.

Looking for discounts and deals on cruises of all kinds? Try the discount booking search engines listed below:

Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com

Disney’s two original vessels are much, much smaller than her new big sisters, but they are still popular for traveler’s that prefer a cozier environment. Nearly identical in design and space, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder feature spacious staterooms. Disney Magic has 875 staterooms and Disney Wonder has 874 staterooms — themed dining rooms and unique areas (of each ship) that cater to every age group including: toddlers, young children, tweens, teens, and adults. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a small child or an adult, a Disney cruise has something for everyone.

Disney cruises offer a wide variety of itineraries that will appeal to the couple seeking a fun getaway to the family seeking an extended vacation. Disney Wonder, which makes frequent sailings to Nassau, Bahamas is a popular choice for families and couples alike. Passengers have the option to choose from 3-day and 4-day cruises and packages that include either a 3 or 4 day stay at the Walt Disney World Resort prior to voyage. There are currently two special 10-day and 11-day voyages.

Disney Magic offers several itineraries including Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean cruises or special cruises that sail to Disney’s private island paradise — Castaway Cay.

While a Disney cruise offers a wide variety of exciting onboard features and amenities, one of the biggest attractions aboard Disney cruise ships is the Walt Disney Theater. Broadway caliber shows are offered nightly as well as blockbuster Disney movies, variety shows and surprise appearances by some of the most popular Disney characters today. In addition, Disney cruises feature the Buena Vista movie-theater, themed deck parties, shopping galore, ping pong, shuffleboard, lounges, basketball courts, Studio Sea and even Internet service!

Pricing and Reservations

Prices for Disney cruises tend to fluctuate, so it is nearly impossible to predict exactly how much a Disney cruise will cost. One of the most important things to consider first is the time of year as this will affect how much or how little passengers will spend. The busiest time of the year is of course, summer. During the summer months expect to pay more and during spring and fall, expect to find killer deals on Disney Cruises.

Disney cruise prices are typically based on 2 adults (shared room). Passengers traveling with a child will still pay the price for two adults. After the initial two-adult price, 3rd and 4th passengers will pay a lower rate. If passengers over the initial two are under 13, the rate may range from $229 – $429 for a 3-day cruise, $329-$529 for a 4-day cruise and $349 – $749 for a 7-day cruise. This price includes land/sea vacations and varies greatly based on season.

If you are planning to book a Disney cruise, it’s best to book as far in advance as possible. Several months in advance is your best bet as the full amount for a Disney cruise is due 90 days prior to sailing. In addition, the further in advance you book, the better the deals and discounts will be.

To book a Disney cruise aboard a Disney cruise ship, visit the Disney Cruise Line website, contact your local cruise travel agent or visit any of the following discount booking search engines to shop and compare!

For discounts and deals, try:

Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com

Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line targeted towards families. Carnival offers programs that help attract families. Another cruise line, Royal Caribbean, also offers family focused entertainment, family friendly recreational programs, and family friendly restaurants and “clubs.” Although cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and even Norwegian Cruise Lines offer family friendly programs, Disney and Carnival still remain at the top of the market.

No other cruise line in the world says family fun like Disney Cruise Line. In fact, Disney Cruise Line’s ships were the first in the industry to be designed specifically for families and kids. Not only this, but Disney Cruise Line has been one of the world’s top cruise lines for more than a decade attracting more than half a million travelers each year. Owned by the Walt Disney Company and headquartered in Port Canaveral, Florida, Disney Cruise Lines is also a favorite among couples and singles interested in casual fun and excellent deals.

The Disney Cruise Line fleet includes: Disney Magic and Disney Wonder which can be found at the famous Disney Cruise Line Terminal — terminal 8. The $27 million, 70,000-square-foot facility terminal was completed and dedicated more than a decade ago on November 17, 1997. The Disney Cruise Line Terminal is Port Canaveral’s third ultra-modern mega-ship terminal and it is the exclusive home of Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.

Each cruise ship offers a wide variety of accommodations, itineraries, and activities. Nearly identical in design and space, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder feature spacious staterooms. Disney Magic has 875 staterooms and Disney Wonder has 874 staterooms — themed dining rooms and unique areas that cater to every age group including: toddlers, young children, tweens, teens, and adults. It doesn’t matter whether you are a small child or an adult, Disney Cruise Line has something for everyone.

Disney Cruise Line offers a wide variety of itineraries that will appeal to the couple seeking a fun getaway to the family seeking an extended vacation. Disney Wonder, which makes frequent sailings to Nassau, Bahamas is a popular choice for families and couples alike. Passengers have the option to choose from 3-day and 4-day cruises and packages that include either a 3 or 4 day stay at the Walt Disney World Resort prior to voyage. There are currently two special 10-day and 11-day voyages. Disney Magic offers several itineraries including Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean cruises or special cruises that sail to Disney’s private island paradise — Castaway Cay.

While a Disney Cruise Line offers a wide variety of exciting onboard features and amenities, one of the biggest attractions aboard Disney cruise ships is the Walt Disney Theater. Broadway caliber shows are offered nightly as well as blockbuster Disney movies, variety shows and surprise appearances by some of the most popular Disney characters today. In addition, Disney cruise ships feature the Buena Vista movie-theater, themed deck parties, shopping galore, ping pong, shuffleboard, lounges, basketball courts, Studio Sea and even Internet service!
Prices for Disney cruises tend to fluctuate, so it is nearly impossible to predict exactly how much a Disney cruise will cost. One of the most important things to consider first is the time of year as this will affect how much or how little passengers will spend. The busiest time of the year is of course, summer. During the summer months expect to pay more and during spring and fall, expect to find killer deals on Disney cruises.

Disney cruise prices are typically based on 2 adults (shared room). Passengers traveling with a child will still pay the price for two adults. After the initial two-adult price, 3rd and 4th passengers will pay a lower rate. If passengers over the initial two are under 13, the rate may range from $229 – $429 for a 3-day cruise, $329-$529 for a 4-day cruise and $349 – $749 for a 7-day cruise. This price includes land/sea vacations and varies greatly based on season.

If you are planning to book a cruise through Disney Cruise Line, it’s best to book as far in advance as possible. Several months in advance is your best bet as the full amount for a Disney cruise is due 90 days prior to sailing. In addition, the further in advance you book, the better the deals and discounts will be.

To book a Disney cruise, visit the Disney Cruise Line website, contact your local cruise travel agent or visit any of the discount booking search engines listed at the end of this article to shop and compare!

About Carnival Cruise Line

Besides Disney Cruise Line, no other cruise line in the world attracts more families with kids of all ages and cruisers of all kinds (especially those on a budget) than Carnival Cruise Line. In fact, Carnival Cruise Line carries more passengers that any other cruise line in service today making it the “Most Popular Cruise Line in the World.”

Not only does Carnival Cruise Lines offer some of the most affordable cruises on the market today, it also features a wide variety of exciting destinations, an excellent selection of theme cruises, exciting excursions, and flexible schedules that will appeal to the couple interested in a European vacation to the family interested in a fun-filled Caribbean cruise. Carnival Cruise Lines’ destinations include: Alaska (Glacier, Northbound Alaska, Southbound Alaska), Bahamas, Canada/New England, the Eastern, Southern, and Western, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico (Baja Mexico, Mexican Riviera), Panama Canal, and South America. Carnival Cruise Lines also offers special voyages to Bermuda and Transatlantic sailings.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fun Ship Fleet includes: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Valor, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Victory, Carnival Holiday, and Carnival Dream.

Carnival Cruises offers itineraries ranging from a two-day ‘cruise to nowhere’ from Norfolk, VA up to itineraries consisting of 10 days or more to Europe, Alaska, Mexico, and more. Depending on the type of cruise, whether it’s an Alaskan cruise or a Mexican Cruise, shore excursions run the gamut from glacier adventure cruises and historic horseback riding tours to swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling, jeep tours, motor coach journeys, and rain forest exploration, to name a few.

Depending on the length of the cruise, passengers may spend a day or two at sea or even more. Luckily, Carnival Cruise Lines onboard experience is just as exciting as its destinations. Onboard, passengers will enjoy one of Carnival Cruise Lines many restaurants ranging from casual to posh, nightlife such as gambling at casinos (all Carnival Cruise Lines’ casinos feature slot machines, black jack, poker, and roulette), nightclubs, bars, lounges, live music shows and other live performances. Passengers can also take golf lessons, swim, shop, or spend the day at Carnival Cruises’ Spa Carnival Spa Carnival features a health club with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a jogging track, and aerobics classes. It also features a steam room and sauna, full-body massage services, facials, loofah treatments, manicures, pedicures, and hairstyling.

Depending on a number of factors ranging from accommodations (interior, ocean view, balcony, suite, and penthouse suite) destination, when you book, and how you book (online, through an agent, in-person) Carnival Cruise Lines rates may start at around $299 up to $700 or more. If you book on the Carnival Cruise Lines website, there are plenty of opportunities to score a discount. Carnival cruises offers Alaska specials, Caribbean cruise specials, family deals, special rates on new itineraries, specials on European sailings, New York specials, specials on theme cruises, and ‘fun from Florida’ deals. A good example is Carnival Cruises’ 5-day Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Destiny. Starting at $349, this cruise departs from Miami, Florida with stops in Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, and Nassau, Bahamas.

For more information about Carnival Cruise Lines or to book your Carnival Cruise vacation, visit the official Carnival Cruise Lines website at www.carnival.com. You can also book a Carnival Cruise (for some of the lowest prices available) through just about any booking search engine such as Expedia.com or Orbitz.com.