The attraction of whale watching cruises lies primarily in the fact that in taking such a voyage, you get to combine two cool activities: sailing the ocean and seeing one of the great creatures of the sea. Plenty of people are into taking cruises, so it stands to reason that quite a few people would also want to enhance their cruising experience by supplementing it with a specific purpose, like seeing whales. Basically, a whale watching cruise is a kind of two-for-one deal.

To be sure, any cruise is going to involve more than the mere experience of sitting on a ship in the ocean. If you are on a big cruise ship run by one of the major cruise lines (like, say, Carnival), you’ll be eating at nice restaurants, going to the spa, gambling in the casino, and so on. So, properly speaking, any cruise vacation is a two-for-one deal, but the difference with whale watching cruises is that you are dedicated to a particular goal; you are not just filling the hours at sea with an endless string of activities. By extension, whale watching cruises are purposive, and do not merely serve as a relaxing escape, as is so often the case with more traditional cruise vacations.

For this reason, whale watching cruises are structured differently than other cruises that you might take with a major cruise line. They are often very short, sometimes lasting only a few hours (e.g., there is a popular whale watching cruise in Boston Harbor that lasts a mere three hours), which of course means that you will not be sleeping on the boat as you would during a regular cruise vacation. There are whale watching cruises that last for several days, but even these multiple-day voyages are fundamentally different from normal cruises because, again, you don’t sleep on the cruise ship itself. When you are out on the ocean, your goal is to see whales, plain and simple, and then you come to shore. This means that major cruise lines, with their enormous ships that hold several thousand people, don’t offer whale watching cruises at all. You may see a whale on a cruise vacation through one of these big cruise lines, but this would be purely incidental.

This last point has implications for how you go about booking a whale watching cruise. Rather than using one of the major travel sites (e.g., Travelocity) to find a cruise, as many cruise enthusiasts do, you’ll likely have to look for individual outfits that specifically offer cruises centered on seeing whales, and book through them. The most efficient way to do this is to search online for whale watching cruises in whatever area interests you. And this gives rise to one final aspect of whale watching cruises that is worth mentioning: you can’t find whales everywhere (obviously), so if you want to go on a cruise to see whales, you’ll have to travel to a place where there are frequent whale sightings, like California or Alaska.

That covers the basics of whale watching cruises. Keep checking All About Cruises and More for additional articles about whale watching cruises that explore specific aspects of this unique form of cruising.

In general, though, cruises are very safe. Thousands of cruises are completed each year, and it is rare that anything tragic happens on these voyages. If anything does occur, it tends to be relatively minor, involving something like theft. (For more information on how to personally stay safe and secure on board a cruise ship, check out this article covering cruise vacation safety tips.) As far as major threats to safety are concerned, like a ship sinking or being attacked by pirates, the odds of this happening are extremely small, but we’ll look at each individually just the same.

The likelihood of pirates ambushing a ship or some other terrorist attack occurring is slim. While there was an incident involving pirates in 2009, during which six pirates tried to board a cruise ship after firing at it with automatic weapons, no one was injured as a result of the attack, and the pirates failed to gain access to the ship. This event occurred about 500 miles east of Somalia, a place that in recent years has come to be associated with pirating, so if you are really worried about being attacked by pirates, you should perhaps avoid taking a cruise that passes through this part of the world. (Again, though, it is not as if pirate attacks on cruise ships are anywhere near common.) A terrorist attack is also unlikely to occur, as cruise lines take strict safety measures to keep their passengers safe, and this especially true after the September 11th terrorist attacks. Cruise ships scan cargo and all the baggage that passengers take on board, and access to restricted areas is severely limited. Cruise lines also have robust security staffs, often composed of (at least in part) former military personnel, to help keep cruise ships safe.

The odds of a cruise ship sinking are also vanishingly small. Cruise ships are subject to intense federal and international regulations, and these include checking the seaworthiness of the vessels frequently. A Certificate of Compliance examination is conducted annually on cruise ships, and there are quarterly evaluations too. These inspections focus on the structural integrity of the ship and the safety systems that cruise ships have in place. This latter fact brings up another good point about cruise safety: even in the very unlikely event that a cruise ship begins to sink, there are safety systems in place to evacuate passengers. A few years ago, a Canadian cruise ship hit submerged ice off Antarctica (which is itself an unlikely event – the captains of cruise ships are highly trained) and began to sink, but all the passengers escaped unharmed on lifeboats. Obviously, this is an unfortunate event, but it goes to show you that even if the statistically improbable occurs, there are still safety nets in place to catch your fall, as it were.

Overall, cruising is definitely safe, and you shouldn’t let a few wildly unlikely events deter you from taking a cruise vacation. Life is all about calculated risks, as the cliche goes, and when it comes to cruise vacations, the calculations are favorable to the vacationer.

There are two main ways to book a cruise – one involves a telephone call, the other involves filling out a form online. Let’s start with the second option.

Booking a cruise online is a lot like booking an airplane flight. You begin the process by selecting the criteria of your cruise. You’ll enter how many people will be going on the cruise, the location you want to sail to, the desired length of the trip, and so on. After this, you have to enter increasingly specific information, down to which room you want to stay in (at least with the major cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruises, which, by the way, has a pretty smooth booking system on their website). Basically, you enter all the information you might expect to enter into an online form, just as you would to book a flight (or, for that matter, just as you would to order any number of things online). The only trick is finding the best deals.

Booking a cruise is also like booking a flight in that there are two main types of websites that allow you to schedule a cruise. There are websites that are run by the actual cruise lines, like the Carnival website mentioned above, and there are websites that exist just for the sake of booking, like cruisedirect.com. Both sites operate the same way, though, requiring you to search for a cruise and then enter your personal information.

In this day and age, it’s hard to imagine a cruise line not having an online booking portal. It’s extremely easy to book a cruise online, so unless you have a compelling reason to avoid this method of booking, you should schedule and pay for your cruise online.

If you don’t want to book your cruise online, the major cruise lines, as well as sites like cruisedirect.com, have toll-free numbers you can call. The primary purpose of these numbers is to provide assistance to potential cruisers who are attempting to book a cruise, but at least some of them allow you to do the full booking process over the phone.

At the end of the day, it’s easiest to book your cruise online. There are an abundance of quality sites that allow you do this, and it’s the quickest and easiest way.

If you start out in an entry-level position, it typically only takes 1-2 years to advance. For example, an ordinary seaman earns $1,100-$1,300 per month. These positions do not require any experience. Education is required however. But after spending 1-2 years as an ordinary seaman, you could advance to boatswain, which requires 1-2 years of experience, plus a tender captain’s license. These positions pay $1,800-$2,100 per month. Staff captain and most officer positions require 3-5 years of experience. These positions pay anywhere from $2,400-$4,500 per month.

Captains must have maritime qualifications as a captain and a captains license from a recognized maritime academy along with at least 5-8 years experience in subordinate positions on board. Captains must also have wide experience in all navigational computerized and electronic systems. Captains on cruise ships may earn anywhere from $5,900-$10,000 depending on cruise line and the size of the vessel.

There are literally hundreds of Maritime schools around the world and many are located in the U.S. Just a few top Maritime schools and academies include:

-U.S. Naval Academy
-U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
-United States Coast Guard
-Alabama Sea Lab
-California Maritime Academy
-Downeast Maritime
-Duke University
-Florida Tech
-Great Lakes Maritime Academy
-Hawaii-Ocean Engineering
-Houston Marine Training Services
-Maine Maritime
-Massachusetts Maritime Academy
-New England Maritime
-Ocean and Fishery Sciences, Washington
-Scripps Institution of Oceanography
-SUNY Maritime
-Texas A&M Oceanography
-UCSC Ocean Sciences
-University of Alaska
-University of New Orleans
-University of Rhode Island

The types of careers available for maritime graduates are open on the deck and engineering department. The Deck & Engineering Department is the most important department on the vessel. Without the expertise of the deck & engineering department professionals, the cruise ship would never sail. This department is responsible for maintaining and running the vessel.

For a description of all positions in the deck and engineering department, visit the Wind Rose Network at www.windrosenetwork.com. For a complete list of maritime academies, schools, and programs, try http://users.hal-pc.org/~nugent/school.html. Here, you will find direct links to hundreds or maritime programs around the world.

ASTA has won two Magellan Awards in 2009 and six Magellan Awards in 2008. The company also manages the nations largest travel agent trade show featuring a number of networking events and other events. These include:

• The ASTA Annual Meeting
• NACTA Annual Meeting
• International Travel Agent Summit
• International Chapter Presidents Council Meeting
• Retail Travel summit
• National Tourist Offices (NTO) Summit
• ASTA Advocacy Dinner
• Premium Business Session
• Agent Education
• Supplier Education
• Young Professionals (YPS) Seminar
• Travel Blogger Show

The American Society of Travel Agents has a code of ethics in place to reinforce the responsibilities of travel agents, the International Travel Agency Company, and the International Travel Agent Associate Members. According to the official ASTA website, The Code of Ethics an Responsibilities are as follows:

1. Accuracy. ASTA members will be factual and accurate when providing information about their services and the services of any firm they represent. They will not use deceptive practices.

2. Disclosure. ASTA members will provide in writing, upon written request, complete details about the cost, restrictions, and other terms and conditions, of any travel service sold, including cancellation and service fee policies. Full details of the time, place, duration, and nature of any sales or promotional presentation the consumer will be required to attend in connection with his/her travel arrangements shall be disclosed in writing before any payment is accepted.

3. Responsiveness. ASTA members will promptly respond substantively to their clients’ complaints.

4. Refunds. ASTA members will remit any undisputed funds under their control within the specified time limit. Reasons for delay in providing funds will be given to the claimant promptly.

5. Cooperation. ASTA members will cooperate with any inquiry conducted by ASTA to resolve any dispute involving consumers.

6. Confidentiality. ASTA members will treat every client transaction confidentially and not disclose any information without permission of the client, unless required by law.

7. Affiliation. ASTA members will not falsely represent a person’s affiliation with their firm.

8. Conflict of Interest. ASTA members will not allow any preferred relationship with a supplier to interfere with the interests of their clients.

9. Compliance. ASTA members shall not have been convicted of a violation of any federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting consumers. Pleas of nolo contendere, consent judgments, judicial or administrative decrees, or orders, and assurances of voluntary compliance and similar agreements with federal or state authorities shall be deemed convictions for purposes of these provisions.

Responsibilities of All Members:
1. Notice. ASTA members operating tours will promptly advise the agent or client who reserved the space of any change in itinerary, services, features or price.

2. Delivery. ASTA members operating tours will provide all components as stated in their brochure or written confirmation, or provide alternate services of equal or greater value, or provide appropriate compensation.

3. Credentials. An ASTA member shall not, in exchange for money or otherwise, provide travel agent credentials to any person as to whom there is no reasonable expectation that the person will engage in a bona fide effort to sell or manage the sale of travel services to the general public on behalf of the member through the period of validity of such credentials. This principle applies to the ASTA member and all affiliated or commonly controlled enterprises.

To become an ASTA member, please visit the The American Society of Travel Agents website at The www.asta.org.

American Society of Travel Agents Contact

ASTA
1101 King Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
U.S.A
Email: askasta@asta.org

The CDC states that norovirus is found in the stool or vomit of infected people. It can be spread by eating or drinking liquids that are contaminated with the norovirus; touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth; or having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms. For instance, when caring for someone with the illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill. Infected persons will feel ill and vomit several times a day. Children vomit much more, but they (and all others) tend to get better within 1-2 days, especially if fluids are continuously being replaced by drinking juice or water.

There are several reasons norovirus on cruise ships is so common. Close living quarters may increase the amount of group contact or new passenger arrivals may bring the virus to other passengers and crew. It can also occur through unsanitary practices by staff, meaning not washing their hands before preparing food.

Norovirus on ships, and other places where it is common such as nursing homes, restaurants, and catered events, can be prevented in several ways:

• Frequently washing hands, especially after bathroom visits and changing diapers.
• Washing hands before eating or preparing food.
• Carefully washing fruits and vegetables.
• Steaming seafood such as oysters before eating them.
• Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
• The immediate removal and washing of clothing or linens that may be contaminated with the norovirus after an episode of illness, using hot water and soap.
• By flushing or discarding any vomit and/or waste in the commode, and making sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.

Although it may sound obsessive, while vacationing on cruise ships, it is never a bad idea to wash your hands often throughout the day. Touching doorknobs, utensils, handles on slot machines, ATMs, and other surfaces can help transmit the virus. When washing your hands, spend a minimum of 60 seconds washing the entire hand, the wrists, between fingers, and under the nails. If washing your hands throughout the day is too much to handle, at the very minimum, consider carrying a small bottle of hand sanitizer.

For more information about norovirus on cruise ships, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.

The Costa Cruises Holistic Holiday at Sea is described as “a body pampering, relaxing, and educational vacation.” Just a few “relaxing” and invigorating activities on the menu include swimming, snorkeling in the Caribbean, and “lounging in saunas and Turkish baths.” The cruise combines “luxury, fitness, knowledge, and entertainment,” throughout the seven day cruise which makes stops at scenic Key West, FL., Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, and San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico.

Whether guests are in port or onboard, they will have a wide variety of lectures, workshops, and private consultations to choose from. These events are led by renowned “authorities in the fields of alternative health and holistic healing.” Guests have the option to purchase individual consultations and treatments ranging in price from $75 (yoga nidra experience) up to $400 (macrobiotic counseling.) Other treatments and consultations include spiritual guidance, hypnotherapy, mentoring, shiatsu therapy, private pilates mat, one-on-one workout, feng shui consultation, boot camp cooking, healing and acupuncture, private yoga with weights, integrative mind-body medicine, Bach flower remedy consultation, and craniosacral therapy.

Accommodations

Guests can choose from four different types of accommodations including inside, outside, outside with balcony, and suite with balcony. Prices for early booking (thru Nov. 1) range from $1,249 for an inside room, no window, up to $2,299 for a suite with balcony. Regular rates range from $1,299-$2,399.

Booking Information

To reserve a room for the Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise, please use the following information.

Travel Agency for the Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise: TravelGroup International, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida

Please call or email TravelGroup for your holistic cruise reservations, pre and post hotels, and travel insurance and airline reservations. TravelGroup can assist you with any and all of your travel arrangements.

Contact Information:
Office: 125 SE Mizner Blvd. – Suite 14, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Phone: 561-447-0750 or Toll Free: 866-447-0750 ext. 102 or 108
Fax: 561-447-0510
Email: Holisticholiday@travelgroupint.com

For program information, please contact Holistic Holiday at Sea directly. Toll-free 1-800-496-0989 or 1-828-749-9537
E-mail: tasteofhealth@charter.net or janbelleme@charter.net

Today, disabled passengers can travel on any major cruise line with ease. However, disabled passengers prefer some cruise lines to others. Among the best cruises for disabled passengers are Royal Caribbean cruises aboard Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, or Freedom of the Seas. These massive ships feature ample space to move about, 32 wheelchair accessible cabins, portable room kits, Braille and large-print menus, Braille-equipped elevators, close captioned TVs, assisted-listening devices, and sign-language interpreters. The ships even have pools and whirlpools with a lift.

Other Royal Caribbean ships that are perfect for disabled passengers include Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas.

If you are interested in a luxury cruise, try Crystal Cruises. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity feature all of the usual suspects including handrails, accessible furniture and closets, wide doorframes, wheel-in showers and closets, and low sinks. Crystal Serenity offers wheelchair accessible rooms with balconies as well as wheelchair accessible suites, and outside rooms. Crystal Symphony offers access in outside suites and cabins only.

Royal Caribbean and Crystal Cruises are not the only cruise lines with ships that offer comfortable surroundings and accommodations for disabled passengers. Persons with disabilities can also try Holland America’s Zuiderdam, Westerdam, Noordam, or Oosterdam; Princess’ Crown Princess, Emerald Princess or Ruby Princess; Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic or Disney Wonder; Celebrity’s Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation or Solstice; or Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner or Voyager.

For more information about the cruise lines listed in this article, please visit the cruise lines official website for details (below). You can also use any of the phone numbers listed below to call and speak with a live representative.

www.royalcaribbean.com, 1-866-562-7625

www.crystalcruises.com, 1-866-446-6625

www.hollandamerica.com, 1-877-932-4259

www.princess.com, 1-800-PRINCESS/1-800-774-6237

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com, 1-800-951-3532.

The chief engineer is responsible for overseeing all systems that keep the ship moving and functioning properly. This included engines, electrical systems, plumbing, refrigeration, and HVAC. The chief electrician must oversee maintenance and upkeep of everything on the ship that is powered by electricity. This includes, but is not limited to the main generator, microwave ovens, and automatic door openers. Whatever electrical systems (or anything electrical) break, the chief electrician is the one that performs and/or manages the repairs.

Engine department support staff assist the chief engineer and the chief electrician. Both the chief engineer and chief electrician may have one or several officers trained in their respective fields. The number of support staff assigned to each chief will vary depending on the size of the ship. Officers are in charge of passenger safety as well.

Other support staff members include carpenters, plumbers, and mechanics. These individuals help service and maintain the equipment in each area.

To become a support staff member on a cruise ship, you must have a certificate or degree in your field as well as a minimum of 2-3 years of experience. In many cases, you will have to hold a license as well. When applying for these positions, each job ad will list any necessary licensing requirements.

To begin your job hunt, pick several cruise lines you would like to work for. Locate the cruise lines OFFICIAL website by visiting the Ships and Cruises Directory for official listings. Once you have located the site, visit the website and search around for job postings. Most cruise line websites have a career center or job posting’s page. If the cruise line lists job openings, be sure to follow the application procedure to the letter.

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.

Support Staff Job Perks

Support staff on cruise ships will enjoy free travel to exciting destinations, free accommodations and meals, a competitive salary, health insurance, and free air travel to and from the ship. Salaries range from $32,000-$42,000+ depending on experience, type of cruise line and the size of the ship.

“In the morning, relax on board as you sail back to Luxor, passing through the Esna Lock en-route. In the afternoon you visit the famous Karnak Temple, a superb example of ancient Egyptian architecture depicting life around 1600 BC, and the well-preserved Luxor Temple, which is situated in the heart of town. Do not miss the Sound and Light show in the evening at the Karnak Temple.”

Because of the unique nature of African Safari Club cruises, employees of the ships must have special training and skills. For starters, if you live outside of Africa, you must apply for a work, work-seeker’s or study permit. These permits are issued outside of Africa, and function as valid visas in allowing their holders to proceed to an African port of entry. In other words, if you’re applying for one of these permits, you do not have to apply for a visa separately.

Next, if your work visa is approved, you may contact African Safari Club at 0844 875 6030. Phone hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ASC telephone lines are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. You may also forward your resume to: African Safari Club Ltd, Northside House, Tweedy Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 3WA.

You should have a degree in a related field such as global studies, history, geography, foreign language, etc., plus several years experience working in exotic locations for small to mid-sized cruise ships. If you speak several languages, this will give you a huge advantage over other applicants. Keep in mind that Africa is a continent with a very high linguistic diversity, there are an estimated 1500-2000 African languages.

River cruise experience is especially useful as well as experience working on ships that offer elaborate tours. Besides specific skills and education, applicants must be polished, poised, friendly, outgoing, dedicated, and motivated. In addition to the experience and skills listed above, you should be prepared to discuss why you want to work for African Safari Club and what you have to offer the company. This means, it is very important to visit the official African Safari Club website to familiarize yourself with all that ASC has to offer. The official website is Web: http://www.africansafariclub.com. Good luck!

Contact and Company Details

African Safari Club Ltd is a registered business name. Registration No 2128477.

African Safari Club
Northside House
Tweedy Road
Bromley
Kent
BR1 3WA

Tel 0844 875 6030 (all calls charged at local rate)
Fax 020 8466 0020

Email info@africansafariclub.com
Web: http://www.africansafariclub.com