Blue Water Holidays offers some of the following specific cruise experiences:

Europe River Cruises: Rhine and Moselle
World River Cruises: River Nile, Egypt
Coastal Cruises: Norwegian Coast
Exotic Cruises: Tahiti and French Polynesia
Yangtze River: Scenic section of Yangtze River
Scottish Highlands and Islands
Cruise the Maldives
River Mekong
Cruises from the UK
Dubai and Far East
South America
Mediterranean
Polar Cruises
Panama Canal
Greek Islands
Alaska Cruises
New England and Canada Coast
Sailing Cruises
Luxury Cruises

Sailing Cruises feature tall ships that sail around the world. Destinations include the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mediterranean, Greek Islands, and Amalfi Coast. Blue Water Holidays luxury cruises feature 6-star ships with all-suite accommodations, balconies, and butler service. Blue Water Holidays’ luxury cruise selection includes: Russia, Costa Rica, Tahiti, Monaco, Nile, Hong Kong, Caribbean, Lisbon, and beautiful Paris.

Blue Water Holidays offers dozens of cruise deals – too many to mention here. A good example of BWH cruise offers are the exotic and adventure cruise specials. These include early booking, late cruise deals, and special offers for small ship and adventure cruises to exotic destinations worldwide. BWH cruise offers range from free return flights to discounts up to 15 percent on longer expeditions. Exciting locations for exotic and adventure cruises include the Galapagos Islands, River Amazon, Maldives, Tahiti, Far East, Hawaii, Costa Rica and Panama Canal. Also features Polar cruises to the Arctic, Antarctic, and Alaska.

BWH feature cruise ships include Regent Seven Seas Navigator, Orion, Yasawa Princess, Yachts of Seabourn Spirit and Pride, Costa Cruises Romantica, Regent Seven Seas Mariner, Costa Deliziosa. Cruise holidays vary in length, so guests can expect to choose from 7, 10, 11, 14, and even 22-night cruises.

If you are interested in booking a Blue Water Holidays cruise, contact BWH Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. –5:30 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. –4 p.m. at +44 1756 706500. Blue Water Holidays is located at Bridge House, Brook Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1PP – 01756 706500. Website: www.cruisingholidays.co.uk/.

Blue Water Holidays Pricing

Blue Water Holidays pricing varies greatly depending on the type of cruise, the cruise ship, and the length of stay. The following are just a few examples of BWH rates.

-Dubai from £699 (US $1,077)
-Arctic from £835(US $1,287)
-2-week Maldives from £1635 (US $2,521)
-20-night Costa Rica from £3295 (US $5,081)
-Windstar Cruises from £1489 (US $2,296)

When reviewing prices, please keep in mind that the Blue Waters Holidays official website features many exclusive specials and discount offers. Some may be weekly, while others may be seasonal or one-time promotions. Please spend some time browsing through all pages on the website for details.

All suites include complimentary champagne upon arrival, 24-hour room service, personalized stationery, fruit basket replenished daily, fluffy terry-cloth robes and slippers, Eqyptian Cotton linens, a fluffy duvet, fine soaps by Hermés, Bijan and L’Occitane, Pure PamperingSM Aromatherapy by Molton Brown, nightly turndown service, daily newspaper, World Atlas, clock/barometer/thermometer, and umbrella. -Seabourn.com

Like other Seabourn vessels, Sojourn travels to destinations around the world. Sojourn travels to Africa, Asia, Canada, the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South & Central America, and South Pacific. Sojourn also features Transatlantic Crossings, World Voyages, and Grand Voyages. Grand voyages may take you from Copenhagen to New York for a glorious 47 days to Patagonia and the Inca Coast for an awe-inspiring 31 days. Sojourn offers voyages of all durations, but voyages typically range anywhere from 19-47 days.

In addition to spending several amazing weeks at sea aboard Sojourn, this vessel offers a wide variety of daytime and nighttime activities. During the day, Sojourn may dock at any one of its secluded ports. Daytime activities include snorkeling, swimming, windsurfing, kayaking, and waterskiing – all from the ships own built-in marina. The ship also offers beach parties on its own exclusive stretch of sand.

At night, guests can enjoy any of the ships sophisticated bars or lounges, such as the Sky Bar or head over to a lounge to listen to live classical guitar. Sojourn also features a casino where guests can test their luck and skills at the Blackjack tables. Guests can also enjoy a Broadway Revue, dance in a nightclub, take in a movie, or attend a comedy show.

If a cruise aboard the brand new Sojourn is within reach, you can book a vacation by visiting the Yachts of Seabourn Cruise website at www.seabourn.com. You may also contact the cruise line directly at 1-800-929-9391.

About Yachts of Seabourn

Founded in 1986, Seabourn Cruise Line is one of America’s top luxury cruise lines offering everything from seven-day cruises to exotic extended cruises that can last up to 100 days or more. Seabourn Cruise Line is currently owned by Carnival Corporation, which also owns other luxury lines such as Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Windstar Cruises.

Seabourn Cruise Lines caters to the discriminating traveler with time and money to burn. Most passengers range in age from 40-60 and they are not afraid to pay for the utmost in pampering and luxury. Seabourn Cruise passengers are also into adventure as Seabourn Cruise Lines smaller ships typically travel to far away regions that the larger more mainstream ships just cannot reach.

Seabourn’s first ship, Seabourn Pride, entered service in 1988, followed by Seabourn Spirit in 1989. Seabourn’s third ship, Seabourn Legend (formerly Royal Viking Queen), was acquired in January 1996. Collectively, Seabourn Cruise Lines fleet is called the Yachts of Seabourn. Seabourn plans to launch a fourth ship, Seabourn Odyssey — the first addition to the ultra luxury segment of the cruise industry in six years. With a $250 million price tag, Seabourn Odyssey is set to service in June 2009. The Yachts of Seabourn are identical, each with the capacity to carry roughly 208 lucky passengers, that will enjoy personalized service at its best.

The spacious suites of Seabourn range in size from 277-530 square feet and all feature special touches such as champagne on ice, flowers in the sitting room, and even rose-petals sprinkled on over your bed. Seabourn suites also include: large marble-clad bath, walk-in closets, five-foot picture windows, balconies, fine Egyptian cotton linens, fluffy duvets, king-sized down and feather pillows, flat screen TVs, Bose Stereo/CD player, and more. Extras include a personal stewardess, complimentary stocked in-suite bar, fresh fruit stocked daily, cookies, films, music, books, audio books, and more.

Life outside of Seabourn’s suites offers much in the way of entertainment, lounging, and dining. Each ship houses several lounges, a casino, cafes (indoor and outdoor) and restaurants, a business center, a library, a gymnasium, and a club. Outside of the ship, expect to travel to the most remote or exotic areas of the following regions: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, India, Arabia, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada. Seabourn also features Transatlantic voyages and Grand Voyages. Seabourn’s Grand Voyages combine two or more consecutive cruises for a classic sailing of 18 days or more.

There are literally dozens of different ports of call on the Seabourn menu as well as dozens of unique shore excursions or special Seabourn Journeys. Ports of call range from Aaelsund Norway and Ajaccio, Corsica to Zadar, Croatia, and Zhangjiagang China. Guest’s will experience Seabourn’s exclusive Signature Series excursions that range from marvelous meals or private visits not available to the general public, to active Adventure Collection tours that may include hiking, biking, horseback riding or water sports.

While Seabourn cruise prices vary depending on destination, type of cruise, ship, and length of cruise, prices typically range from $8,500 up to $13,000 or more. If you would like to book a Seabourn cruise, contact visit the Seabourn Cruise Line website at www.seabourn.com or you can contact the cruise line directly at 1-800-929-9391 (Seabourn Reservations).

If you book online or directly through Seabourn reservations, special offers and savings are available on select Seabourn cruises. In some cases you can save 40-50 percent or you may receive special shipboard credits.

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

Established in 2002 by well-known industry veterans Joe Watters and Frank Del Rio, Oceania Cruise Lines is one of the newer kids on the block in the world of luxury cruises. is Oceania Cruise Lines. While Oceania Cruise Lines has not been around as long as the competition, it has managed to become a heavy hitter among some of the largest premium cruise lines in the world. Oceania cruises accomplishes this by offering spectacular luxury accommodations, more exotic destinations than most other luxury cruises, stellar service, and a mature and sophisticated clientele.

Oceania Cruise Lines features three premium vessels including Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica. Each 30,277-ton vessel accommodates 684 guests, which creates an intimate environment for the ultimate in comfort and relaxation.

Oceania’s premium vessels make year around voyages to the most exotic destinations in the world including: Africa, Arabia, the Black Sea, the Caribbean, Central America, China, the Greek Isles, Iceland, India, the Mediterranean, Mexico, Russia, Scandinavia, South America and Southeast Asia. Guests traveling to China will enjoy overnight stays in amazing cities such as Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Shanghai, Hanoi, Saigon, Kyoto, Bombay, Luxor and Dubai.

Regatta, Insignia and Nautica sail to more than 80 ports in Scandinavia and Russia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, the Black Sea and exotic destinations such as Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco.

Aboard each Oceania cruise ship, guests will enjoy personalized service uncommon aboard larger ships. With 400 staff members per ship, requests are handled quickly and efficiently, meaning guests will always feel pampered—as if they were on a private yacht.

Oceania accommodations run the gamut from 160 sq. ft. staterooms to spacious suites that total close to 1,000 sq. ft. Oceania’s largest suites, called owner’s and vista suites typically feature Jacuzzis, 42-inchplasma flat-screen TV’s with Bose surround sound systems along with a 2nd plasma to enjoy from the comforts of a queen-sized Tranquility Bed. Accommodations also include an entertainment center with CD & DVD Players, Laptop computers with Internet access and refrigerated mini-bars. Rooms also feature a 2nd bathroom for guests, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and wraparound teak verandas.

Oceania Spa features a full-service spa, fitness center, and salon. The spa offers facials, wraps, detoxification procedures, massage and a spa deck while the fitness center features a full-service gym, personal training and complimentary classes combining, aerobics, body tone, dance and step.

Oceania Cruises offers fine dining at sea comparable to 5-star hotel dining. Guests have six dining options to choose from ranging from the grand to casual poolside dining. Options include: Polo Grill, Tapas on the Terrace, Terrace Cafe, The Grand Dining Room, Toscana and Waves. Oceania’s wine list features more than 150 vintages and 24-hour room service is also available.

Visit any one of Oceania’s six bars or lounges for cocktails, martini’s or wine. The Polo Lounge features single-malt Scotch and full-grain whiskey or visit the Observation Lounge for cocktails. Entertainment ranges from live jazz and comedy to magicians. In addition, Oceania offers a variety of guest and celebrity speakers as well as dance lessons, arts & crafts classes and culinary demonstrations.

How to Get a Job on Oceania Cruise Lines

Oceania Cruises has an employment center that can be accessed directly through the official Oceania Cruises website. Scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click “employment.” The page lists specific departments that are currently hiring, job openings, and specific instructions on how to apply. The website offers direct links to apply for hotel positions from butler to restaurant manager, and specific websites to visit if you are interested in casino, spa or boutique positions.

Hotel positions include:

• Assistant Chief Housekeeper
• Butler
• Cabin Stewardess
• Cellar Master
• Chef de Partie
• Executive Chef
• Executive Sous Chef
• Head Baker
• Italian Chef
• Matre’d
• Pastry Chef
• Provision Master
• Restaurant Manager
• Sommelier
• Waiter

To apply for casino, spa, and boutique positions, please visit the websites listed below to begin the process. It is important to note that casino positions require a minimum 3 years shipboard experience and you must speak German and English. Boutique positions are offered through Harding Brothers and include trainee managers, sales assistants, fragrance consultants, watch sales specialists, and jewelry sales assistants. Spa positions include spa manager, massage and beauty therapists, hairstylists, and fitness instructors.

Casino Positions: www.casinosaustria.us
Boutique Positions: www.hardingretail.co.uk
Canyon Ranch At Sea Spa Positions: www.canyonranch.com

Tip: When applying for jobs on Oceania Cruises, please follow the application procedure to the letter. The ability to follow directions is one of the top requirements on this luxury cruise line. If you do not follow the application procedures, it is likely that you will not receive a call for an interview.

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.

To get started with the application process, visit Cunard Cruise Lines OFFICIAL website at www.cunard.com. Click the employment tab at the bottom of the page. Search through listings to find a position or positions that match your background and skill set. This is very important. Top cruise lines like Cunard only hire the best, so don’t waste time applying for a cruise director position if your skill set is better suited to an administrative position. Next, follow the application procedure to the letter. Applicants that do not follow directions are typically passed over in favor of those that do. The Cunard Cruise Line Employment website states:

-For shipboard opportunities please apply to the positions specifically advertised under shipboard recruitment.

-For Corporate/Shore based positions please follow the advice under this link.

So be sure do just that and you will be well on your way to competing for one of Cunard’s coveted positions. Good Luck!

So to get started with looking for jobs on European cruise lines OR cruise lines that feature European itineraries, visit the cruise lines’ official website first. You may locate the cruise lines’ OFFICIAL website by visiting the Ships and Cruises Directory for official listings. Once you have located the website – whether it’s MSC or Norwegian, visit the OFFICIAL website and search around for job postings. Most cruise line websites have a career center or job postings page.

If the cruise line lists job openings, search for a position that matches your skill set. This is very important. Top cruise lines only hire the best, so don’t waste your time or theirs by applying for a cruise director position if your skill set is better suited to a deckhand position (see departments and jobs at the end of this article). Next, 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.

For more information about jobs on cruise ships visit Cruise Ship Jobs online. Here, you can download the 2010 cruise ship employment guide (it is totally up to you if you want to pay for it); you can read through cruise line profiles (for free); you can find out which ships are hiring and for what positions (for free) — and you can apply for a cruise ship job right online (for a fee, not recommended).

Types of Jobs on European Cruise Lines

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.

A gentleman host is not your average Joe. Gentleman hosts are typically well educated, healthy and fit, and they are usually well versed in dances such as the waltz, the fox trot, ballroom, and other formal dances. Gentleman hosts are also good conversationalists, they enjoy a variety of different social engagements, and they are well groomed and attractive. The majority of gentleman hosts are between the ages of 40-70 and retired or semi-retired from retired law, business, travel, finance, medicine, military and education industries. Gentleman hosts must be single, widowed or divorced.

In addition to free travel, gentleman hosts receive free accommodations, meals, and a small stipend. Gentlemen hosts must have their own attire and grooming supplies. Gentleman hosts will also carry their own health insurance and they must also pay for any extras such as excursions and gambling.

Now that you know all about what it takes to be a gentleman host, the next question is, how do I become a gentleman host on luxury cruise ships? For starters, you should sign up with an agency. One of the top agencies for gentleman hosts is The Working Vacation Inc. The Working Vacation Inc. is a consulting placement agency that places gentleman hosts, presenters, speakers, and lectures on cruise ships. Please visit the official The Working Vacation website to get started at www.theworkingvacation.com. If you prefer to contact the cruise line of your choice directly, visit the Ships and Cruises Directory to locate the web address. Once you have located the web address, follow the steps below to ensure a smooth process.

If the cruise line lists job openings, 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. After a week or two, feel free to make a follow-up call to inquire about your application. It is important to be brief and polite. Remember, you never get a second chance to make first impression!