There are currently 17 ships in the Princess Cruise fleet. These 17 ships are broken into three separate classes: the Grand class, the Sun class, and the Explorer class. The Grand class, which is composed of the largest ships in the fleet, has nine ships. The Sun class has five ships and the Explorer class has three. Regardless of the class to which a ship belongs, the vessel’s name always ends with “Princess.”

The cruise ships of Princess Cruise range in size. On the larger end of the spectrum, there are ships like Ruby Princess, which belongs to the Grand class. With a passenger capacity of 3,080, the ship is 951 feet long and weighs 116,000 tons. Compare this with the Royal Princess, a member of the Explorer class. The Royal Princess has a passenger capacity of 826 and is 592 feet in length. It weighs 30,227 tons, making it only slightly more than one quarter of the weight of the Ruby Princess.

Princess Cruises offers voyages all over the world, ranging from Alaska to Europe to the South Pacific. Princess Cruises offers several different cruise packages for each destination. Some of these voyages are short, lasting only a few days, and others are very extensive, lasting months. For example, Princess offers “world cruises,” voyages that take place on small vessels and can last over 100 days.

Like other major cruise lines, Princess offers a wide range of activities and entertainment for their passengers. In addition to standard amenities like restaurants and shopping areas, Princess also offers stage shows, wine tastings, and painting lessons, to mention but three of many options.

If you would like to learn more about Princess Cruises, visit their website here:

Princess Cruises

Guests will also enjoy a seven-day Voyages of the Glaciers which will take them through the Gulf of Alaska and on a tour of Glacier Bay National Park. Ths tour also includes two nights at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, and one night in Anchorage. Other scenic tours will take place aboard the Princess Rail and the cruise also features a Natural History Tour in Denali National Park.

Fishing Excursions Include:

· Alaska Sportfishing Expedition (Ketchikan)
· Halibut/Bottom Sportfishing Adventure (Juneau)
· Kenai Upper River Sportfishing (Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge)
· Alaska Sportfishing (Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge)

Fishing cruisetours may take place aboard one of several stunning Princess vessels that frequent Alaska. These include Coral Princess, Diamond Princess, Golden Princess, Island Princess, Sapphire Princess, and Sea Princess.

Princess Cruises is one of the world’s top luxury cruise lines. It is also considered one of the most affordable. In addition to exclusive amenities, a wide variety of destinations and ports of call, 17 vessels, and dozens of excursions to choose from, there is always something new to explore at Princess Cruises. In fact, just recently, Princess Cruises announced its new Pacific Coast Routes, in addition to the New Alaska Fishing Tour. The new Pacific Coast Routes offer the opportunity to take anything from a short overnight coastal cruise to a week-long cruise around Wine Country.

If you would like more information about Princess Cruises New Alaska Fishing Tour, you may contact the cruise line directly at 1-800-PRINCESS. If you are ready to book, you may make arrangements online at www.princess.com or contact your local cruise travel agent. Prices for the fishing tour start at $3,248 per person, based on double occupancy.

Tip: Pre-reserving for cruise tours and excursions is highly recommended, as spots tend to fill up rather quickly. You can pre-reserve shore excursions up to 120 days before your departure date.

Princess Cruises Contact

Princess Cruises
(Corporate Headquarters)
24844 Avenue Rockefeller
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Princess Tours
800 5th Avenue, Suite 2600
Seattle, WA 98104-3176

Reservations Information
For questions about making a new reservation, existing booking, payment, and cancellation, please contact your local travel agent or call Princess Cruises at 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) for assistance.

Five major cruise lines feature weekly service from Seattle aboard 10 premier vessels. Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises depart from the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66. Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean depart from the Terminal 30 Cruise Facility. Celebrity Cruises offers weekly departures to Alaska onboard the Infinity, plus 3 and 4 day Pacific Northwest itineraries on the Mercury. For sales information please contact your local travel agent or call (800) 722-5941.

Holland America Line offers seven-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the ms Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam and the ms Westerdam. Holland America passengers depart from the Terminal 30 Cruise Terminal located at the south end of Seattle’s downtown waterfront. For sales information please contact your local travel agent or call (877) 932-4259.

Norwegian Cruise Line has made Seattle its homeport for seven-day summer cruises to Alaska on board the Norwegian Star and Norwegian Pearl. Passengers depart from the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 on Saturdays and Sundays. For sales information please contact your local travel agent or call (800) 327-7030.

Royal Caribbean offers seven-day cruises to Alaska on the Rhapsody of the Seas departing from Terminal 30 every Friday. For sales information please contact your local travel agent or call (866) 562-7625.

About Seattle Cruises Cruise Lines

Celebrity Cruises’ Infinity and Summit feature AquaSpas with thalassotherapy pools and a wide assortment of beauty treatments. Art aficionados on their way to Alaska will also appreciate the Celebrity’s impressive art collections as well. Guests aboard any of Celebrity’s 11 ships can expect an endless number of unforgettable cruises filled with excursions highlighting culture, wildlife, history, and geology. Alaska excursions will include all highlights along with everything from flightseeing and flights to the Arctic Circle to dog sledding.

Princess Cruise Lines and Holland America Cruise Line is considered the best Seattle to Alaska cruise line thanks to their excellent cruisetours. These cruise lines currently lead the industry in interior voyages (Alaska and Yukon Territory) and Holland has exclusive passage into the Yukons Kluane National Park, as well as Tombstone Territorial Park. Princess Cruise Line’s 7-day Gulf of Alaska cruise should be noted as well.

While the majority of Alaska cruise lines mentioned above are kid-free, there are several cruise lines that top the list for families interested in an Alaska cruise. Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line feature special shore excursions for kids and teens, as well as onboard activities that will keep kids busy during long days at sea. Royal Caribbean may also be a bit more family friendly.

Other cruise lines with itineraries from Los Angeles include Crystal Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, Holland America Line (HAL), Yachts of Seabourn, Silvrsea, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean. The following itineraries are not the only itineraries from Los Angeles, of course, but they represents the types of voyages you can expect to find if you choose to cruise from LA. And, the great thing about sailing from LA is, you can set out on a voyage, year-round.

Silvesea 17 Nights – Los Angeles to Bridgetown – Silversea Cloud
17 Days – Starting in Los Angeles with stops in Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Puerto Quetzal, Puntarenas, Panama Canal, Cartagena, Oranjestad, Bridgetown
2010 Sails: Dec 4

Yachts of Seabourn 99 Nights – World Sojourn II
99 Days – Starting in Los Angeles with stops in Cruising the Pacific Ocean, Cross the Tropic of Cancer, Crossing the Equator, Nuku Hiva, Papeete, Bora Bora, Rarotonga, DATE LINE GOING WEST, Bay of Islands, Auckland, Cruising the Southern Ocean , Wellington, Akaroa, Lyttleton, Port Chalmers, Cruising Fjordland, Cruising the Tasman Sea, Hobart, CRUISING THE COAST OF VICTORIA, Sydney, Cruising the Bass Strait, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cruising the Australian Bight, Fremantle, Cruising the Indian Ocean, Padang Bay, Cruising the Makassar Strait, Cruising the Sulu Sea, Sandakan, Cruising the East China Sea, Hong Kong, Cruising the South China Sea, Cai Lan, Ho Chi Minh City, Sihanoukville, Laem Chabang, Singapore, Cruising The Strait Of Malakka, Penang, Phuket Island , Cruising the Andaman Sea, Cruising the Bay of Bengal, Cochin, Mangalore, Cruising the Malabar Coast, Mumbai, Cruising the Arabian Sea, Dubai, Khasab, Muscat, Salalah, Cruising the Gulf of Aden, Cruising the Red Sea, Safaga, Aqaba, Sharm el Sheikh, Sokhna, Transiting the Suez Canal, Ashdod, Cruising the Mediterranean Sea , Heraklion, Cruising the Strait of Messina, Sorrento, Civitavecchia
2011 Sails: Jan 5

If you would like to learn more about the Port of Los Angeles and what it has to offer while you wait or for when you return, visit the 2009 Guide to the Port of Los Angeles at www.seaportsinfo.com/LA/. To book a cruise on any of the cruise ships listed in this article, visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official listings.

Let us take Bermuda, for instance. This is one of the most popular destinations on the cruise menu, making cruises to Bermuda accessible and affordable. Just think, the summer of 2007 saw the highest number of cruise ships sailing to Bermuda in history.

Bermuda attracts more than half a million visitors each year. It’s 120 islands offer something for everyone, from couples to singles to families and groups of friends alike. Bermuda’s largest (and most festive) islands include: Bermuda (Main Island), Boaz, Ireland North, Ireland South, Somerset, St. David’s and St. George’s, and Watford.

Bermudas islands are all connected by bridges and causeways, so no matter where you find yourself, you can always hop over to the next island, and the next in a relatively short period of time. Shore excursions feature opportunities to go shopping, sailing, surfing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sunning, and sipping cocktails on the beach at sunset. Bermuda is also golfer’s paradise. It is estimated that Bermuda has more golf courses per square mile than anywhere on the planet.

Most Bermuda cruises depart from the Eastern Seaboard (Baltimore, Ft. Lauderdale, New York, Norfolk, VA, and Philadelphia). Some of the most popular cruise lines for Bermuda cruises include: Crystal Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise lines.

Passengers can choose itineraries lasting from six days to fifteen days or more at sea. Just a few popular Bermuda cruises include:

-Bermuda-only cruise: features overnight stays in Hamilton, St. Georges or King’s Wharf
-Extended Bermuda cruise: guests spend one day in Hamilton, King’s Wharf, or St. George’s with several Eastern Caribbean ports of call
-Repositioning cruise: combines Bermuda with the Caribbean or Europe

Before you book your Bermuda cruise there are several things to consider. The Bermuda cruise season runs from April through the end of October. Keep in mind that Bermuda’s location puts it right in the Atlantic hurricane belt, so be careful about booking around storm season, which is between August and October. Average temperatures during cruise season range from 66-77 degrees April-June, and in the 80s July-October.

To book a Bermuda Cruise with any of the cruise lines mentioned above follow the links below. You can also contact your local cruise travel agent to get the best deals or visit any of the booking search engines listed below. Good luck!

CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com

For 2010-2011, Princess Cruises will offer Wine Country Coastal Cruises, California Coastal Cruises, Pacific Coastal Cruises (Los Angeles/Vancouver), Pacific Coastal Cruises (San Francisco/Vancouver), Pacific Coastal Cruises (Los Angeles/Vancouver), and Pacific Coastal Cruises (Vancouver/Seattle). Wine Country Coastal Cruises feature seven days aboard Sapphire Princess as she travels through California wine regions of Santa Barbara and San Francisco. The cruise will also visit the microbreweries of Astoria, Oregon. Guests can expect wine tastings, demonstrations, and special meals. This cruise departs from Los Angeles and sails to Vancouver with calls at Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Astoria, Seattle, and Victoria.

The California Coastal cruise sails for five days. Guests will stay aboard Sapphire Princess as they sail from Vancouver to Victoria, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Besides visits to exciting destinations, Princess Cruises’ California Coastal journeys offer variety in pricing and itineraries. If you cannot afford a five day or seven day cruise, you can take an overnight cruise starting at only $99 per person, based on double occupancy.

About Sapphire Princess

At 115,178 gross tons, Sapphire Princess has the capacity to hold 2,670 passengers. The vessel is 945.964 feet (288.33m) long, it features 18 decks, and 1,337 staterooms. Nine-hundred and sixty are outside and 377 are inside. Twenty-eight suites have private balconies and two family suites offer interconnecting cabins. Sapphire has 186 mini-suites with private balconies and 532 outside cabins have private balconies. Seven hundred and forty-eight cabins have third and fourth berth accommodations and most suites have amenities such as balconies with hot tubs, fireplaces, wet bars, dining rooms, computer stations, and marbled bathrooms.

Guests aboard Sapphire can choose from a large selection of nightlife activities. Sapphire is home to a casino, Club Fusion, Skywalkers Nightclub, Wake View Bar, Churchill Lounge, Crooners Martini Bar, Terrace Pool, and Wheelhouse Bar. Dining options are endless and include the International Dining Room, Santa Fe Dining Room, Pacific Moon Dining Room, Savoy Dining Room, and Vivaldi Dining Room.

Sapphire is also home to the Fun Zone. The Fin Zone is a place where children can play board games and video games. Children can also watch movies, and participate in arts and crafts. Outside of the Fun Zone, activities for adults include the Calypso Reef Pool (with hot tubs), Neptune’s Reef and Pool, Terrace Pool, and Oasis hot tubs.

Guests will also enjoy a jogging track, nine-hole golf simulators, Lotus Spa, gym and fitness area, art galleries, 24 hour Internet Café, and a library and writing room. The ship also offers a number of high end boutiques and other retail shops.

How to Book a Princess Coastal Cruise

If you would like more information about Princess Cruises New Pacific Coast Routes, you may contact the cruise line directly at 1-800-PRINCESS. If you are ready to book, you may make arrangements online at www.princess.com or contact your local cruise travel agent.

FYI: Pre-reserving for cruise tours and excursions is highly recommended, as spots tend to fill up rather quickly. You can pre-reserve shore excursions up to 120 days before your departure date.

Princess Cruises Fleet

Princess cruise ships are ranked among some of the most luxurious vessels in the cruise industry. The Princess Cruises fleet features 17 vessels that appeal to people of all backgrounds. Princess Cruises’ fleet of 17 ships include: Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Dawn Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Pacific Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess, Star Princess, Sun Princess, and Tahitian Princess.

Some of the world’s top international cruise lines include:

Celebrity Cruises
Costa Cruises
Crystal Cruises
First European Cruises
Holland America Line
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC Cruises)
Norwegian Cruise Line
Orient Line
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Silversea Cruises
The Yachts of Seabourn

Collectively, these international cruise lines cover every corner of the world. Guests of international cruise lines will travel to Turkey, Italy, Spain, France, Black Sea, Egypt, Israel, Canary Islands, Portugal, Baltic, Russia, Scandinavia, North Cape, Honduras, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Africa, Asia, South America, Indian Ocean, Australia, and Canada.

If you are interested in sailing with an international cruise line, choose one or more of the cruise lines from the list above and visit the website. You can locate the official website for all of the cruise lines listed above by visiting Ships and Cruises Directory at www.shipsandcruises.com. Each website will offer all of the information needed to select the best international cruise for your budget. You may also book your cruise on line.

Please feel free to browse our archive to read about other cruise lines, get cruise news, and discover some of the most popular cruise destinations today.

According to the Alaska Cruise Association, “Alaska has some of the most stringent marine environmental standards in the world. In addition, the cruise lines have voluntarily adopted higher standards than those required by law spending more than $200 million in environmental upgrades in recent years. In fact, the industry has been recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard for its efforts to safeguard Alaska’s environment.” As an employee of an Alaskan sightseeing cruise ship, you have your work cut out for you.

To become a member of an Alaskan sightseeing cruise team, many of the required skills will depend on the type of job you are interested in. For example, for food service positions that require cooking, management, or say, advanced wine knowledge, you may have to have no less than an associate degree in a related field plus several years of experience working in hotel restaurants, cruise ship restaurants, or stand alone restaurants.

If you would like to become part of the deck and engineering department, you will also have to have no less than an associate degree (all upper level positions require a bachelors degree or higher), plus knowledge of Alaska’s strict environmental laws, and experience working on cruise ships. Once you begin your search for positions, each job posting will offer a detailed description of the skills and requirements the ship is looking for. Please read through the descriptions carefully and follow the application procedure to the letter. If the job posting requests an online application and copies of any relevant certifications or licenses, submit the application and documentation promptly. Visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official cruise line listings and contact information.

In some cases an Alaskan cruise line, or a cruise line that makes frequent trips to Alaska and other locations around the U.S., will list a few job openings, but not the openings you are looking for. In some cases, but not often, a cruise line will offer contact information only and no job postings page. If you cannot find job postings for the cruise line you are interested in, you can handle the situation this way:

Send a polished cover letter and resume to the cruise lines Human Resources Department. The Human Resources Department is typically located at the cruise lines 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.

Tip: The more flexible you are, the better your chances of landing a job on an Alaskan sightseeing cruise. Applicants willing to work any time of the year, any itinerary, whether extended or a few days, are most attractive to employer’s.

Top Cruise Lines for Alaskan Cruises

Celebrity Cruise Line
Princes Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Holland America Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Disney Cruise Line

At the other end of the spectrum is Carnival Cruise Lines. Carnival Cruise Lines is one of the world’s most affordable cruise lines. It’s a top choice for families, groups of friends, and anyone looking for a fun and festive atmosphere. Couples looking for romance might choose a luxury line like Costa Cruises, while groups of friends interested in a more “adult-friendly” atmosphere may choose Holland America Line. The following list includes the top ten cruise lines for traveler’s and cruise jobs!

1. Carnival Cruise Lines
2. Princess Cruises
3. Royal Caribbean International
4. Holland America Line
5. Costa Cruises
6. P & O Cruises
7. Norwegian Cruise Line
8. Celebrity Cruises
9. Cunard Line
10. Star Cruise

Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival cruise lines may very well be the most popular cruise line in the world. With more than 20 vessels in it’s fleet, dozens of cruise vacations to choose from and outstanding values, its no wonder Carnival is the first name that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘cruise’. With so many cruise vessels and vacation types to choose from, how can you pick just one?

One of the ways to help narrow your choices down is to take a look at the vessels in Carnival’s fleet. Are you looking for a small ship or a large one? One that travels to a handful of destinations or to all destinations? Do you prefer newer ships or older ones? Chances are, you’ll have no problem finding a Carnival cruise ship to fit your style taste and budget.

Carnival cruise ships ‘Fun Ships’ run the gamut with names that speak volumes about each individual vessel. Carnival cruise lines fleet includes: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Valor, Carnival Victory, Celebration, Ecstasy, Elation, Fantasy, Fascination, Holiday, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise, Splendor, and Sensation.

Each Carnival fun ship has spacious accommodations, swimming pools, dining, shopping, entertainment and gambling, but some may have a few added extras that may appeal to you. Carnival Conquest is one of Carnival’s megaliners and features a spa, golfing/lessons, dancing shows and numerous activities for families while the brand new Carnival Freedom features ‘Carnival Seaside’, a 12-foot-high, 22-foot-wide LED screen for movies, sports and more. Carnival Conquest sails from Galveston, Texas to the western Caribbean and Carnival Freedom sails the eastern and western Caribbean. Carnival Freedom also makes frequent voyages to Europe and it also offers transatlantic cruises from Miami, Florida, Ft. Lauderdale, and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.

If you like to spend your days splashing about in the pool or taking in the views from your balcony and your nights dancing, Carnival Glory is the perfect Carnival cruise ship for you. Carnival Glory has a 214-foot waterslide, loads of nightclubs and spacious staterooms with 80% featuring ocean views and 80% with private balconies. Carnival Glory sails from Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL to the eastern and western Caribbean.

While Carnival cruise ships are synonymous with fun for the whole family, many cruisers prefer a laid back environment that will allow for a bit more R&R. Carnival’s Ecstasy features 3-4 day getaways aboard a vessel that offers a slower pace, spacious staterooms for relaxing, large lounging areas designed specifically for taking it easy and numerous pools and whirlpools. Ecstasy also offers both formal and casual dining options, so romantic dinners are easy to come by. Carnival’s Ecstasy sails from Galveston, TX to the western Caribbean.

Cruise vacations come in all shapes and sizes and luckily, Carnival Cruise Lines has the perfect vessel for just about any type of cruise under the sun.

For more information about Carnival cruise lines and its fleet, visit www.carnival.com or call 1-888-CARNIVAL.

Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is a luxury line, a big ship line, and a small ship cruise line all rolled up into one. This makes it easy for passengers with a wide variety of tastes and budgets to find the perfect cruise through Princess Cruises. A Princess Cruise offers an abundance of options in the way of amenities, destinations, ports of call, ships, and excursions. There are a dozen destinations to choose from, hundreds of ports of call on the menu, 17 cruise ship options, and hundreds of shore excursions and cruisetours to choose from.

Princess cruise ships are considered some of the most luxurious vessels in the cruise industry featuring ships that appeal to the traveler looking for an intimate atmosphere or those looking for more people to mingle with. Princess Cruises fleet of 17 ships include: Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Dawn Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Pacific Princess, Royal Princess, *Ruby Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess, Star Princess, Sun Princess, and Tahitian Princess.

With room for 3,100 passengers and 900 balcony staterooms, Princess Cruises; largest ship is the Caribbean Princess. Caribbean Princess sails to Princess Cruises’ many exciting destinations ranging from Alaska, Asia, and Australia to Europe, Hawaii, and Tahiti. Of course, Caribbean Princess also sails to the Caribbean, as well as Canada, New England, the Mexican Riviera, and South America.

Island Princess falls somewhere in the mid-range on the size scale with room for 1,970-passengers with 90% ocean view staterooms, and more than 700 balconies

The 670-passenger Pacific Princess and the 670-passenger Tahitian Princess are two of Princess Cruises’ smaller ships. Both ships offer a peaceful, small ship environment with big ship amenities. Each vessel features more than 200 balcony staterooms. The Pacific Princess frequents Alaska, Asia/Orient, India/Asia, and Tahiti and Hawaii, while Tahitian Princess will take you to Tahiti, and Hawaii as well, and Polynesia.

Princess Cruises’ *Ruby Princess made her debut in 2008 and features 900 staterooms, all with private balconies.

Princess Cruises sails to a wide variety of destinations across the globe, with hundreds of exciting ports of call on the menu. Princess Cruises sails to Alaska, Australia & New Zealand, Canada & New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii & Tahiti, the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal, and South America. Ports of call depend on the destination, but expect to visit off-the-beaten path ports such as Dominica and Roatan, Honduras, as well as historic ports such as Alexandria, Egypt; Santorini, Greece; Naples/Capri, Italy, and Cartagena, Spain.

There are so many shore excursions and cruisetours available during your Princess Cruise that it would be impossible to list them all here. So here is an example of a typical list of offerings on one of Princess Cruises’ Panama Canal cruises.

Panama Canal: Huatulco, Mexico

Highlights of Huatulco Tour
Rural Communities & Traditions
Mexican Cuisine Cooking Demonstration
Las Brisas Resort Beach Break
Eco-Walk & Birding Adventure
Princess Golf at Tangolunda Golf Course
Mountain Bike Excursion
Huatulco by Land & Sea Tour
Huatulco River Float
Deep-Sea Fishing Tour
Huatulco Sail & Swim Tour
Five Bays by Catamaran Swim

To book a cruise on any Princess Cruises ship, you can contact the cruise line directly at 1-800-PRINCESS. You can also book online at www.princess.com or contact your local cruise travel agent. FYI: Pre-reserving for cruise tours and excursions is highly recommended, as spots tend to fill up rather quickly. You can pre-reserve shore excursions up to 120 days before your departure date.

Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Cruises is the second largest cruise line in the world offering 170 destinations worldwide and more than 140 ports of call. Established in 1968, Royal Caribbean Cruises is also one of the most trusted names in the cruise line industry today. The Royal Caribbean Cruise International fleet features a variety of vessels to accommodate everything from large families and low-key couples to party animals, the mature set and singles.

Royal Caribbean International Fleet

The Royal Caribbean International fleet includes the: Freedom Family, Voyager Family, Radiance Family, Vision Family, and the Sovereign Family each with its own special amenities and amazing extras.

Freedom of the Seas is the latest addition the Royal Caribbean family. Freedom is the largest in the Royal Caribbean Cruise family with a maximum capacity of 3,634 passengers. Passengers can enjoy a day spa, rock climbing, ice-skating, a fitness center and a full-service casino as well as Wi-Fi services and flat screen TVs in every stateroom. Just a few of Royal Caribbean Cruises exciting destinations include: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Jamaica, and Hispaniola, to name a few.

The Voyager Family includes: Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. Passengers can enjoy pubs and promenades or restaurants and nightclubs while exploring the Eastern, Southern or Western Caribbean, Bermuda, the Mediterranean or the Transatlantic.

Whether you’re interested in touring Barcelona or Istanbul, Scandinavia or Russia or the Greek Isles, Venice or the Hawaiian Islands, the Radiance Family was built to suit some of the most extravagant tastes. The Radiance Family ships include: Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas. Each vessel features glass walls and elevators offering guests a front seat to all the beauty the sea has to offer. Glass solariums, day spas, a country club and adventure programs for kids are just a few amenities the Radiance Family has to offer.

For the party animal in you, the Vision Family features lounges and bars galore, non-stop nightclubs, mini-golf and beautiful spas for relaxation during the day. The Vision Family includes: Enchantment of the Sea, Grandeur of the Sea, Legend of the Sea, Rhapsody of the Sea, Splendor of the Sea and Vision of the Sea. The Vision Family travels to Alaska, Belize, Costa Maya, the Greek Isles, Iberia, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Turkey and anywhere in the Caribbean.

Each ship has the capacity to hold in excess of 2,200 passengers per ship. Great for couples and families alike, the Sovereign Family includes three ships: Majesty of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Sovereign of the Sea. Sovereign ships feature complimentary adventure programs for kids along with great restaurants and casinos as well as a nightclubs and large outdoor pools. These vessels can hold anywhere from 2,700-2,850 passengers and destinations range from Baja Mexico to the Bahamas. The Sovereign Family is also extremely popular for holiday cruises.

Couples looking for a little romance should consider Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas. With a maximum capacity of 2,020 guests, the Empress is the smallest and most intimate ship in the fleet. The facilities include: a day spa, a world-class fitness center, a romantic Italian restaurant called ‘Portofino’ and a Latin themed lounge called ‘Boleros’. Ports of call are located throughout the Caribbean and Bermuda and cruises range anywhere from 3-11 nights.

Things to know before you go
Royal Caribbean Cruises will include: meals, accommodations, snacks, access to fitness centers, entertainment and 24-hour room service. Keep in mind that the price does not include tips. In general, guests should tip the stateroom attendant, suite attendant, dining room waiter, assistant waiter, and the headwaiter. Guests should also figure port charges and excursions into their budget as well.

Prices for Royal Caribbean cruises vary greatly and depend on a wide variety of factors. Destination, ship size, ports of call, type of accommodations and time of year will determine how much or how less you will spend on your Royal Caribbean cruise. Typically, deluxe suites and rooms with balconies or ocean views cost more, with interior rooms costing considerably less.

The best deals are typically offered in January, September-December and late spring. Prices may range anywhere from $400 up to $5,400. The higher prices are usually for deluxe accommodations aboard any of the ships in the Radiance Family. If your interests lean more towards excursions rather than ship activities, it’s best to select and purchase your excursions online far in advance as tours tend to fill quickly. In general, you have 10 days prior to departure to purchase excursions online; otherwise you’ll have to purchase them on the ship or with a tour director, if available.

Canoeing, deep sea fishing, hiking through rainforests, shopping, land or landmark tours, scuba diving and cave exploration are just a few of the many tours and activities Royal Caribbean cruise passengers can enjoy during their Royal Caribbean cruise vacation!

To book a Royal Caribbean cruise visit the official Royal Caribbean website www.royalcaribbean.com or contact your local cruise travel specialist.

Holland America Line
No matter how you say it, ‘Holland American Cruise Lines’, ‘Holland America Line’, or ‘Holland American Cruises’, Holland America Line (HAL) is considered one of the world’s top luxury cruise lines.

Holland America Line has more than 130 years of experience in the cruise industry. This luxury cruise line covers all seven continents, offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 homeports. Because it sails to so many places, Holland America Line has the means to offer itineraries ranging from two days to a whopping 108 days. Its no wonder Holland American Line is the most well-respected and highly recognized name in luxury cruising.

Holland America Line destinations include: Alaska, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, the Panama Canal, and South America. Some of Holland America Cruise Lines most popular cruises include: Australia/New Zealand, Asia sailings, the world cruise, the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, and Europe. Holland American Cruise Line also offers winter sailings to the Caribbean from its homeport in New York City. Winter sailings typically take place aboard Holland

1,918-passenger ms Noordam (introduced in early 2006).

Including the ms Noordaam, Holland America Line features a five-star fleet of 14 stunning ships ranging from the small and intimate to the large and luxurious. Holland America Linefamous fleet includes: ms Amsterdam, ms Eurodam (to be delivered in summer 2008), ms Maasdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Ryndam, ms Statendam, ms Veendam, ms Volendam, ms Westerdam, ms Zaandam, and ms Zuiderdam.

Excursions run the gamut from sightseeing and flightseeing to adventure tours, snorkeling, shopping trips, glacier tours, and more. Because there are so many ports of call for each destination and hundreds of land excursions, it would be tough to list them all here. But a good example of HALs exciting offerings is the Alaska cruise. Ports of call include: College Fjord, Glacier Bay, Haines, Alaska, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Alaska, Ketchikan, Alaska, San Diego, California, San Francisco, California, Seattle, Washington, Seward (Anchorage) Alaska, Sitka, Alaska, Skagway, Alaska, Tracy Arm, Alaska, Vancouver, B.C., and Victoria, B.C.

Land tour excursions cover places such as: Alyeska, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Whitehorse, Yukon, Denali, Homer, and Dawson City, to name a few. Passengers will tour a plethora of parks and highlights such as: Gates of the Arctic National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kluane National Park, Nome and Kotzebue, Alaska, Prudhoe Bay, and Alaska Tombstone Territory Park.

All Holland America Line excursions are on a first-come, first-served basis. Many tours have very limited availability, so advanced booking is highly recommended to avoid any disappointment. Requests for excursions that are fully booked are placed on a waiting list.

Prices for Holland America Line cruises vary greatly depending on a variety of factors such as season, destination, vessel, accommodations, length of cruise, departure port, excursions, number of passengers in your party and more. Accommodations play an important part in pricing, so it is important to keep in mind that there are plenty of accommodation types to choose from. The following list ranges from the most expensive room type to the least expensive.

• Penthouse Verandah Suites
• Deluxe Verandah Suites
• Superior Verandah Suites
• Verandah Staterooms
• Large Outside Staterooms
• Large Inside Staterooms
• Large Standard Staterooms

While some suites are more spacious and luxurious than others, all staterooms offer different levels of luxury and include: fine linens, Egyptian cotton towels and bathrobes, massage showerheads, and flat-screen televisions.

To book a Holland America, contact the cruise line directly at 1-800-426-0327 or you can book with a Holland America Travel Professional online at www.hollandamerica.com. Contact your local cruise travel agent or any of the booking search engines listed below for possible discounts and deals on a Holland America cruise.

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

Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises is the largest cruise company in Europe featuring more than a dozen ships that travel to more than a dozen exciting destinations. Costa Cruises’ fleet includes a wide variety of ships to suit varying tastes, styles, and budgets. Some are large and luxurious, while others are small and intimate. The fleet includes: Costa Serena, Costa Magic, Costa Victoria, Costa Romantica, Costa Marina, Costa Concordia, Costa Fortuna, Costa Atlantica, Costa Europa, Costa Classica, and Costa Allegra.

The two largest (and longest) ships in Costa Cruises fleet are Costa Serena and her sister ship Costa Concordia. Costa Serena features a Samsara Spa that spreads over two decks, more than 500 cabins with balconies, 13 bars, five restaurants, four swimming pools, and spacious decks with panoramic views. Costa Classica, the most popular ship, features a modern design, art and sculptures throughout, a ballroom, and a theater on two decks.

Costa Cruises luxury doesn’t stop with the interior of its ships, this cruise line is all about pampering, and entertaining its guests. Passengers may personalize their cruise by selecting from a list of offerings such as Costa’s red and rose wines special, floral arrangements, a variety of cabin comforts such as chocolates or a fresh fruit basket daily, gift sets, champagne and sparkling wines, white wines special selection, and beauty/spa packages.

Costa Cruises destinations include: Atlantic Ocean and Canary Islands, Eastern Caribbean, Eastern Mediterranean, Far East, Grand Oriental, Indian Ocean, Middle East, Northern Capitals, Norwegian Fjords & Highlands, South America, Transatlantic, Western Caribbean and Western Mediterranean. With so many exotic destinations to choose from, you can bet the itineraries this cruse line offers are even more spectacular. Sample itineraries include: Bahamas, Bermuda, Antilles, Canary Islands, Spain, (24 nights); Dubai, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Italy (16 nights), Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Madagascar (14 nights), Italy, Corsica, Tunisia, Malta (five nights), and Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Shetland Islands (14 nights), to name a few.

You’ll find a wide variety of shore excursions no matter what your itinerary or length of stay may be. Costa Cruises offers shore excursions specifically designed to allow the passenger to become fully immersed in different cultures, environments, and habitats. Guests will have three different levels to choose from including: Easy, Moderate and Hard — all specially designed to provide something for all tastes and abilities. For example, you will find natural and cultural tours that are designed with age in mind. Some are suitable for older guests, while others will suit younger guests. In addition, active and sports-oriented excursions are also available for individuals who are on the adventurous side.

Costa Cruise vacations are available 365 days a year and booking far in advance is highly recommended as space tends to fill up rather quickly. To book a Costa Cruise, you can contact the cruise line directly by phone at: 020 7940 5398, or visit the cruise lines’ website at: www.costracruise.com. You can also contact your local cruise travel specialist to help you book a Costa Cruise.

Please follow the links below for articles and profiles for P & O Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, and Star Cruise.

• www.allaboutcruisesandmore/po-cruises
• www.allaboutcruisesandmore.com/ncl-cruise-lines
• www.allaboutcruisesandmore.com/celebrity-cruise-line
• www.allaboutcruisesandmore.com/cunard-cruise-lines
• www.starcruises.com

If you want to increase your chances of landing a job on a cruise ship, look no further than the Big Four. The Big Four are the top four cruise lines for job opportunities. They include:

Royal Caribbean International
Princess Cruises
Carnival Cruise Lines
Norwegian Cruise Lines

These cruise lines have the largest fleets in the industry with state-of-the art spas, salons and fitness centers and dozens of options for entertainment and dining. Cruise lines that offer these types of amenities and features usually have to best and the highest number of job opportunities. Several smaller, specialty cruise lines are also ripe for the picking. These include: Delta Queen Steamboat Co. and Lindblad Expeditions.

Continue reading to learn more about the different departments on cruise ships and how to apply for a cruise job.

Cruise Ship Departments
Jobs on cruise ships will fall under several categories: Activity/Entertainment Department, Deck & Engineering Department, Service & Hospitality Department, Personal Care Department and Office Positions.

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, Host/Hostess and Cruise Consultant, to name a few. Those best suited for jobs in this department are typically enthusiastic and extroverted.

The Deck & Engineering Department is one of the most important departments on the vessel –without it the ship would never set sail. This department is responsible for maintaining and running the vessel. Please note that the positions in this department are not typically entry-level positions, especially on large ships. The department consists of deckhands, maintenance workers, engineers, and officers. These positions help to motor or sail the ship, attend to the physical maintenance needs of the ship, and keep it in accordance with fleet regulations and international maritime laws. Officers are in charge of passenger safety as well.

Staff members in the Service/Hospitality Department or Hotel Management Department have the responsibility of managing the bars & restaurants and passenger cabins, as well as shipboard retail concessions like gift shops. Just a few Service/Hospitality positions include: Hotel Manager, Cabin Stewards/Stewardesses, Accountant, Executive Chef, Wine Steward, Chief Purser, Purser Staff, Chief Purser, Bellman, Pastry Chef and the list goes on and on. Most service positions such as bartenders, waiters and cocktail servers can earn a good amount of extra money from tips.

No cruise would be complete without a department devoted to helping passengers pamper themselves. The Personal Care Department includes spa, fitness, beauty and medical services. It helps manage hair stylists, manicurists, massage therapists, fitness instructors, beauty therapists, spa attendants, nurses and physicians all dedicated to the well-being of passengers.

Most office positions are onshore — employees typically work in the main office performing administrative tasks, arranging cruises or performing general office tasks. Office positions generally fall under the following categories: Accounting, Administrative/Clerical, Air Operations, Marketing/PR and Reservations/Sales.

How to Apply for a Cruise Job
When you are ready to apply for a cruise job, locate the big four cruise lines’ websites first by visiting the Ships and Cruises Directory for official listings. Once you have located the official web address, visit the website and search around for job postings. Most cruise line websites have a career center or job postings page in plain view. If the cruise line lists job openings, be sure to follow the application procedure to the letter. Applicants that do not follow directions are typically passed over in favor of those that do.

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 lines 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.