The Windjammer Barefoot Cruises fleet includes the lovely S.V. Legacy, S.V. Mandalay, S.V. Polynesian, and S.V. Yankee Clipper. The S.V. Legacy makes voyages to Treasure Isles and Costa Rica while the S.V. Mandalay makes voyages to Windward & Leeward, Panama & San Blas, and the West Indies. The S.V. Polynesian travels to the French West Indies, the ABC Islands, and BVI & French West Indies. Finally Windjammer’s S.V. Yankee Clipper makes voyages to St. Lucia & Grenadines, and St. Vincent & Grenadines.

Most Windjammer Barefoot Cruises last seven days and a typical cruise features a wide variety of ports. A good example is the Legacy Treasure Isle cruise, which includes the following exciting ports: St. Maarten, Anguilla, Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda. Cruisers can expect to indulge in a variety of activities such as the sailing, windsurfing, and swimming. And, a plethora of beach-accessible coral reefs and calm lagoons make for incredible snorkeling and scuba diving. Land lovers will enjoy great shopping and sightseeing as well as delicious local cuisine.

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises also features a variety of special romantic cruise options, cruises for families, cruises for vacationers interested themed adventures, cruises for groups, and charters. Couples can choose from special wedding cruises, “vow renewal” cruises, and honeymoon cruises.

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises hosts several theme cruises a year such as singles cruises and “Rum Race” cruises. The most recent Rum Race cruise took place from April 30, 2007 to May 12, 2007. During this special theme cruise, passengers learned everything there is to know about rum. The two-week cruise, starting at around $1,200, featured stops at the most beautiful islands in the Grenadines and Venezuela. This very rummy cruise also included 1-2 days of blue water sailing.

Families can enjoy Windjammer Barefoot Cruises year round. Kids as young as 6 years old can enjoy a variety of Windjammer programs for kids complete with kid-friendly counselors certified in CPR, lifeguarding, and first aid. Windjammers Polynesia and Legacy ships host programs designed for kids 6-11 and older kids 12-17.

Windsurf, kayaking, swimming with the dolphins, and rain forest hikes are just a few of the activities kids will enjoy and for smaller children, programs include scavenger hunts, museum visits and snorkeling. Windjammer cruises wouldn’t dare leave parents out of the mix — scuba diving and sailing and navigation are offered as well.

Windjammer Barefoot Cruise Lines attracts a laid-back crowd — so, suits, tuxedos or cocktail dresses are not required. This cruise line fully believes in “come as you are” so the environment is super relaxed. Windjammer Barefoot Cruises rates include accommodations, meals, entertainment onboard the ship and select drinks such as early morning Bloody Mary, Rum Swizzles, wine with dinner, coffee and tea.

For more information about Windjammer Barefoot Cruises or to order a brochure, visit the Windjammer Barefoot Cruises website at www.windjammercruises.com. You can also call 800-327-2601 to book your cruise vacation today.

Planning a cruise ship wedding takes much more than booking a cruise, of course. You have to consider the invitations, narrowing down the number of guests, deciding on a destination, selecting the appropriate types of entertainment, and of course, selecting the perfect cruise line (and ship), to showcase your special day. Luckily, cruise lines have wedding cruise consultants available that can help you through the process. You can even hire your own wedding planner to handle any special extras.

So, what are some of the top cruise lines for wedding cruises? How about the top destinations? Some of the most popular cruise lines that specialize in wedding/honeymoon cruises include: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), and Windstar Cruise Lines. With an estimated 2,000 weddings per year, Carnival Cruise Lines offers a wide variety of three-day and seven-day (or more) wedding and honeymoon cruise packages. Destinations include Jamaica, Mexico, and the Bahamas, to name just a few. Royal Caribbean features three-day, five-day, and seven-day wedding cruises to places such as Alaska, St. Thomas, and more.

While most weddings are on the ship — in a chapel, Disney Cruise Line offers something a little different — weddings take place on Disney’s private Bahamas Island — Castaway Cay. With Norwegian, check out their Hawaii wedding and honeymoon package, and for Princess, try the 10-day Tahiti wedding cruise. Considered the most romantic cruise line, Windstar offers luxury wedding and honeymoon cruises to amazing places like Tuscany. Couples can marry on deck, shore-side, or on a private beach in the Caribbean.

The most popular cruising destination for couples is the Caribbean/Bahamas. Hawaii is the second most popular cruising destination for couples, Europe is the third, and Alaska is the fourth.

So what are the costs for wedding and honeymoon cruises? In some cases, a cruise ship wedding costs no more or less than a regular wedding on land, while in other cases it depends on a number of factors. Wedding cruise costs do actually depend on a wide variety of factors including: season, destination, cruise line, number of guests, length of stay, etc. Cruise ship weddings could range anywhere from several hundred dollars per couple up to several thousand or more. Most couples report an average of $1,000-$6,000.

To book cruise ship weddings or a honeymoon cruise contact your favorite cruise line directly by phone or book online. When searching keep in mind that you will find a large number of discounts and package deals. It’s best to call the cruise line to confirm what’s included in the price before booking.

It’s quite obvious that cruise lines such as Disney Cruise Lines and Carnival Cruise Lines don’t offer relaxing adults only vacations, so skip the colorful cruise ships and look to cruise lines that are considered upscale, luxury, or adult entertainment oriented. These types of cruise lines will highlight a hefty number of casinos, lounges, bars, and singles events. Fortunately, adult cruise lines can be found just about anywhere in the world. Some market heavily to singles, while others offer “dance hosts� and events targeted towards couples and singles. These types of activities tend to deter families with children.

Some of the top adult cruise lines in the business today include: Orient Lines (specifically Orient’s Marco Polo cruise ship), Cunard Line (Queen Mary 2), Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Classic International, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred Olsen, Hebridean Island Cruises, African Safari Club, Crystal Cruises, Discover Egypt, Ocean Village, and P&O Cruises as well as some Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line vessels.

When searching for adult cruise lines (luxury or otherwise) there are also several telltale signs that the line is probably adult-oriented. Look for cruise lines that sail to exotic locations, cruise lines that offer under 50% supplement, cruise lines that offer single cabins, cruise lines that offer shared cabins, and cruise lines that offer “hosts.â€? Adult cruise lines that offer hosts are not in the business of “sex for sale,â€? so never insult a host or the cruise line by asking or even implying this. Hosts are simply “gentlemen” selected on the basis of their dancing ability. Dance hosts can be found on Cunard Lines’ Queen Elizabeth, Orient’s Marco Polo, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and Silversea ships as well as some Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines vessels.

Orient Lines is probably the best cruise line for adult travelers and singles. Voted one of the Top 10 Large-Ship Cruise Lines by Travel+Leisure (2007), Orient Lines offers 0% supplements on selected grades (25% for other grades and 75% for A grades and suites); a social staff including congenial gentleman on hand to serve as social hosts, and 8 single cabins (Marco Polo) consisting of: B Grade – 816, D Grade – 643, 648, 656, 661, and K Grade – 267, 101, 102.

Orient Lines cruises to Europe, Africa, Egypt, South America, Antarctica, and (spring) Transatlantic. Orient Lines cruises may range from 11 days up to 52 days or more. At the time this article was written, Orient Lines (owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines) was in the process of acquiring a new owner. Details will be posted to Orient Lines website as they become available.

For links to all cruise lines’ websites, including the cruise lines mentioned in this article visit: Ships and Cruises. Please continue reading to find out about the best romantic cruises on the market today.

Holland America Cruise Line

Holland America “Just For Us� Package

Red roses, sparkling champagne, sinfully delicious chocolates. Nothing says, “I love you� more romantically than the gifts wrapped into this special offering.

Features:

One dozen roses in stateroom upon arrival
Mumms Cordon Rouge champagne in stateroom upon arrival
A pair of terrycloth bathrobes to slip into
Dessert served with bottle of champagne one evening in stateroom
Guaranteed table for two in dining room
Couples massage
Framed 8 x 10 photo

Holland America “Romantic Voyage� Package

Features:

Bon Voyage flower bouquet in stateroom upon arrival
Bottle Domestic Champagne in stateroom upon arrival
5×7 Photograph in engraved Silver frame
Card lesson including $25 in Casino chips
25-minute Aromatherapy massage

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers a variety of anniversary and honeymoon packages, but for couples seeking a sizzling stay onboard for no special reason at all, the following packages should do the trick!

Norwegian Cruise Romance Package

Features:

Champagne and strawberries in your stateroom upon embarkation
A traditional Mandara Spa® pedicure and manicure for one
Two 25-minute Mandara Spa® half-body Seven Seas Massages

Norwegian Cruise Deluxe Romance Package

Features:

Champagne and strawberries in your stateroom upon embarkation
Choice of Mandara Spa® Exotic Frangipani Body Nourishing Wrap or Exotic Coconut and Milk Ritual Wrap for one.
Two 25-minute Mandara Spa® half-body Seven Seas Massages
Tea service in stateroom on the afternoon of your choice
Breakfast in bed on one day of your choice
Romantic dinner for two in the Bistro with a complimentary bottle of wine

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines offers one of the widest variety of romance packages in the cruise industry, each one designed to suit a variety of tastes and budgets.

Royal Caribbean Classic Romance Package

Features:

Welcome aboard bottle of Domaine Chandon and canapés for two
Breakfast for two delivered to your stateroom
A formal 8″ x 10″ portrait in our signature silver-plated frame

Grand Romance Package

Features:

Welcome Aboard bottle of Veuve Cliquot and canapés for two
Two waffle woven robes
Breakfast for two delivered to your stateroom
A formal 8″ x 10″ portrait in our signature silver-plated frame

Ultimate Romance Package I

Features:

Welcome Aboard bottle of Dom Perignon and canapés for two
One dozen long-stem roses
Two velour robes
Breakfast for two delivered to your stateroom
A formal 8″ x 10″ portrait in our signature silver-plated frame

Ultimate Romance Package II

Features:

All items in the Ultimate Romance Package I
Two spa appointments (a massage and/or facial)

If you’re interested in any of the Romantic Packages listed above simply contact:

Holland America Cruise Line, 1-877-SAIL-HAL
Norwegian Cruise Line , 1-866-234-0292
Royal Caribbean, 1-866-562-7625

Enjoy!

The National Association of Cruise-Oriented Agencies (NACOA) named Carnival Cruise Lines “Cruise Line of the Year� for three years in a row, it earned “best value� honors for six years in a row by the World Cruise & Ocean Liner Society, and Carnival received the “Gold Excellence Award� by American Express Travel Service.

Carnival Cruise Lines has also received nine platinum awards including: Best Family Oriented Line, Best Bang for the Buck, Best Singles Line, Best Entertainment, Best Children’s Program, Best Onboard Activities, Best Disco, Best Casino and Best Tropical Drink in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s “1999 Annual Readers’ Choice Awards,� topping more categories than any other cruise line.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet — the appropriately named “Fun Ship Fleet,â€? features 23 ships that sail to roughly a dozen destinations with dozens of ports of call on the menu. Carnival Cruise Lines Fun Ship Fleet includes: Carnival Conquest, Destiny, Ecstasy, Elation, Fantasy, Fascination, Freedom, Glory, Imagination, Inspiration, Legend, Liberty, Miracle, Paradise, Pride, Sensation, Spirit, Splendor, Triumph, Valor, Carnival Celebration, and Victory. Carnival Splendor made her debut in Europe in July 2008.

Carnival Fun Ships sail to Alaska (Glacier, Northbound Alaska, Southbound Alaska), Bahamas, Canada/New England, the Caribbean (Eastern, Southern, and Western), Europe, Hawaii, Mexico (Baja Mexico, Mexican Riviera), Panama Canal, South America, and special voyages to Bermuda, and Transatlantic sailings.

Carnival Cruise Lines guests can choose cruise itineraries ranging from two to 10 days or more. Shore excursions run the gamut from swimming with the dolphins and snorkeling to jeep tours, motor coach journey’s, rain forest exploration, and more. Below is a sample (from the Carnival Cruise Lines website) of one of Carnival’s most popular Jamaican excursions – the “Dunns River Falls Jeep Safari� (5.5 hours).

On this fun-filled excursion guests will:

·Drive up through the famous Fern Gully for a glimpse of over 200 different species of ferns.
·Get a spectacular view of the mountains and valleys of Jamaica from the highest viewpoint at Murphy Hill (2,000 feet above sea level).
·Travel through small villages and pass old historical churches, colorful local markets and statues of historical figures.
·Drive through a coffee plantation to learn about the process of making coffee.
·Stop at the world famous Dunns River Falls to climb the 600- foot waterfall or just enjoy the scenery.

While Carnival Cruise Lines travels to exciting destinations and it offers some of the most adventurous excursions around, Carnival Cruise Lines onboard experience is fun and exciting as well. Onboard, you can gamble at casinos, take golf lessons, swim, go dancing, attend a live show, shop, or spend the day at Carnival Cruise Lines Spa Carnival. Spa Carnival features a health club with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a jogging track, and aerobics classes. It also features a steam room and sauna, full-body massage services, facials, loofah treatments, manicures, pedicures, and hairstyling. All Carnival Cruise Lines Casinos feature slot machines, black jack, poker, roulette, and more.

For more information about Carnival Cruise Lines or to book a cruise visit the official website www.carnival.com. You can also book a cruise through just about any booking search engine such as Expedia.com or Orbitz.com, or you can contact your local cruise travel agent.

About Hawaii Cruises

During your cruise to Hawaii, you will visit some of the most beautiful islands in the world from Maui and Oahu to Kauai and The Big Island. You will also have the opportunity to swim, scuba dive, and snorkel in some of the earth’s most pristine waters. In addition to recreation and exploration during a Hawaii vacation, you will also have your choice of exciting excursions such as waterfall tours, hiking through rainforests, flightseeing, historic tours, and elaborate luaus. You will also have unlimited opportunities to relax and enjoy the natural sights in a serene environment that can only be found in Hawaii.

Cruises to Hawaii offer feature 7-21 days or more of a combination of island exploration and long days at sea. During long days at sea, vacationers will enjoy onboard activities ranging from cultural events and hula lessons to culinary demonstrations highlighting Hawaiian cooking and Hawaiian music. And just about every cruise ship offering service to Hawaii features bars, clubs, fine dining, shows, spas, shopping, and even casinos.

How much will a cruise to Hawaii cost?

Depending on a variety of factors such as season, cruise line, itinerary, accommodations, cruise ship, and excursions, your cruise to Hawaii may cost anywhere from several hundred dollars up to $1,000 or more. If you want to save on your cruise to Hawaii, there are many options available to you. Cruise lines prefer advance booking, so you may enjoy special incentives, credits, and cash back just for booking far in advance. If you prefer to book last minute, you may enjoy savings on cruises to Hawaii as well. If cabins are still available several weeks or so before the departure date, prices are instantly reduced. This means, you may enjoy savings up to 75 percent for booking last minute. Cruise lines will do anything fill those last few cabins.

Other ways to enjoy additional savings on cruises to Hawaii include: booking off-season, booking with a group/family, taking advantage of package deals, booking online, and booking with popular cruise lines with frequent sailings to Hawaii such as Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruises, and Holland America.

When you’re ready to book your cruise to Hawaii, keep in mind that the vast majority of tourists don’t come to Hawaii when the weather’s best in the islands — they typically come when it’s at its worst everywhere else. High season in Hawaii is typically from mid-December through March or mid-April.

The off-season features the best cruise deals and during the off-season, the islands are mush less crowded. This means, more room to breathe, better service, and sales galore. Off-season runs spring (mid-April to mid-June) and fall (September to mid-December). Keep in mind that during off-season, Hawaii’ss weather is at its very best as well.

Besides special rates for groups and families, just about every cruise line has special rates for seniors. A senior is typically defined as a person who is 55 or older. In order to lock in special senior rates, you must call a cruise travel specialist or book directly with the cruise line. Proof of age is required.

For more deals on cruises to Hawaii, visit any of the following popular discount booking search engines and websites to check out the lowest prices on cruises, to shop and compare, and you can even book your Hawaiian cruise online.

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

To find out more about cruises to Hawaii, you can visit any number of cruise review websites to read reviews from real passengers, with real experiences. While there are many cruise review websites to choose from, some of the most popular (and reliable) cruise review websites include:

Cruisecritic.com
Cruisereviewsonline.com
Cruisereport.com
Cruisedirectonline.com
Cruisemates.com

On a Hawaii cruise, passengers will spend anywhere from 7 days up to 21 days or more exploring the islands of Hawaii. During long days at sea, vacationers will enjoy onboard activities ranging from cultural offerings and hula lessons to culinary demonstrations highlighting Hawaiian cooking and Hawaiian music. Excursions range from historic tours, waterfall tours, and rainforest hikes to horseback riding and scuba diving.

Depending on a variety of factors such as season, cruise line, itinerary, accommodations, cruise ship and excursions, a cruise to Hawaii may cost several hundred dollars up to $1,000 or more. If you want to save on your cruise to Hawaii, there are many options available to you. Cruise lines prefer advance booking, so you may enjoy special incentives, credits, and cash back just for booking far in advance. If you’re one to procrastinate, no worries, there are benefits for you too! If a cruise isn’t completely booked several weeks or so before the departure date, prices are slashed. So, if you book last minute, you may enjoy savings up to 75 percent. Cruise lines will do anything book those last few rooms!

Other ways to cruise Hawaii on the cheap include: booking off-season, booking with a group/family, taking advantage of package deals, booking online, and booking with popular cruise lines with frequent sailings to Hawaii such as Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, and Holland America.

Keep in mind that the vast majority of tourists don’t come to Hawaii when the weather’s best in the islands — they typically come when it’s at its worst everywhere else. High season in Hawaii is typically from mid-December through March or mid-April.

The off-season features the best cruise deals and the islands are less crowded. Off-season runs spring (mid-Apr to mid-June) and fall (Sept to mid-Dec). An added bonus is, during off-season, Hawaii’s weather is at its best.

Besides special rates for groups and families, just about every cruise line has special rates for seniors. A senior is typically defined as a person who is 55 or older. In order to lock in special senior rates, you must call a cruise travel specialist or book directly with the cruise line You cannot book online. Keep in mind that proof of age is required.

For more hot deals on Hawaii cruises, visit any of the following popular discount booking search engines and websites to check out the lowest prices on cruises, to shop and compare, and you can even book your cruise online!

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

On cruises to Hawaii, passengers will visit some of the most beautiful islands in Hawaii from Maui and Oahu to Kauai and The Big Island. Not only do cruises to Hawaii sail to some of the world’s most beautiful islands, passengers will also have the opportunity to swim, scuba dive, and snorkel in some of the earth’s most unspoiled waters.

In addition to recreation and exploration during a Hawaii vacation, you will also have your choice of exciting excursions such as waterfall tours, hiking through rainforests, flightseeing, historic tours, and elaborate luaus. You will also have unlimited opportunities to relax and enjoy the natural sights in a serene environment that can only be found in Hawaii.

Cruises to Hawaii offer feature 7-21 days or more of a combination of island exploration and long days at sea. During long days at sea, vacationers will enjoy onboard activities ranging from cultural events and hula lessons to culinary demonstrations highlighting Hawaiian cooking and Hawaiian music. And just about every cruise ship offering service to Hawaii features bars, clubs, fine dining, shows, spas, shopping, and even casinos.

Depending on a variety of factors such as season, cruise line, itinerary, accommodations, cruise ship, and excursions, cruises to Hawaii may cost anywhere from several hundred dollars up to $1,000 or more. If you want to save on your Hawaii cruise, there are many options available to you. Cruise lines prefer advance booking, so you may enjoy special incentives, credits, and cash back just for booking far in advance. If you prefer to book last minute, you may enjoy savings on cruises to Hawaii as well. If cabins are still available several weeks or so before the departure date, prices are instantly reduced. This means, you may enjoy savings up to 75 percent for booking last minute. Cruise lines will do anything fill those last few cabins.

Other ways to enjoy additional savings on cruises to Hawaii include: booking off-season, booking with a group/family, taking advantage of package deals, booking online, and booking with popular cruise lines with frequent sailings to Hawaii such as Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruises, and Holland America.

When you’re ready to book your Hawaii cruise, keep in mind that the vast majority of tourists don’t come to Hawaii when the weather’s best in the islands — they typically come when it’s at its worst everywhere else. High season in Hawaii is typically from mid-December through March or mid-April.

The off-season features the best cruise deals and during the off-season, the islands are mush less crowded. This means, more room to breathe, better service, and sales galore. Off-season runs spring (mid-April to mid-June) and fall (September to mid-December). Keep in mind that during off-season, Hawaii’s weather is at its very best as well.

Besides special rates for groups and families, just about every cruise line has special rates for seniors. A senior is typically defined as a person who is 55 or older. In order to lock in special senior rates, you must call a cruise travel specialist or book directly with the cruise line. Proof of age is required.

For more deals on cruises to Hawaii, visit any of the following popular discount booking search engines and websites to check out the lowest prices on cruises, to shop and compare, and you can even book your Hawaiian cruise online.

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

To find out more about cruises to Hawaii, you can visit any number of cruise review websites to read reviews from real passengers, with real experiences. While there are many cruise review websites to choose from, some of the most popular (and reliable) cruise review websites include:

Cruisecritic.com
Cruisereviewsonline.com
Cruisereport.com
Cruisedirectonline.com
Cruisemates.com

If you are a first-time cruiser and you are unsure about which cruise line to choose, you may need to locate an independent cruise planner or expert. Luckily for you, there are plenty to choose from.

There are more than 33 major cruise lines around the world, and literally thousands of cruise planners and experts serving millions of cruise passengers each year. Not only do cruise planners specialize in cruises, they can also help you book everything from hotel and airfare to car rentals.

Cruise planners are not just there to make reservations for you. Cruise experts can give you advice on destinations, and they can also inform you about weather conditions, suggest certain cruises to suit your taste, style and budget, and they can also find the best deals. In some cases travel agents are the only ones with access to special travel packages, discounts, and deals. In a nutshell, a cruise expert can help you sort out travel options and help you weed through all of the travel information that’s out there today.

While most cruise planners will be able to help you find the perfect cruise, if you have no idea which type of cruise you want to take — there are some cruise planners that specialize in specific types of cruises. For example, you will find cruise planners that specialize in Alaska Adventure cruises or cruise experts that specialize in luxury cruises. Some may specialize in family cruises, wedding cruises, exotic cruises, or any number of theme cruises.

To find a cruise expert in your area, there are several ways to go about it. You can flip through your local yellow pages, you can locate a cruise planner through referral, or you can search for a cruise planner online through a popular sites such as TravelSense.org. Finding a cruise expert through referral (word of mouth) or through a site like TravelSense.org is highly recommended.

In addition to cruise planners, you can also opt for an online cruise travel agent. An online cruise travel agent is not a specific person or agent, so to speak, but rather a system that allows you, the potential cruiser, to shop and compare the prices of different cruise lines, search activities and destinations, take virtual tours, browse recommendations and reviews, checkout Top Ten lists, and in some cases chat online with an agent. Once you have completed the exciting process of selecting your perfect cruise, the system allows the user to book online. The only time you will speak with an actual agent is when a travel agent calls to confirm the details of your trip. 99% of the browsing and booking process typically takes place online and through email correspondence.

The vast majority of Internet users opt for online cruise travel agents for 24/7 access to the online cruise travel agent site, the cost to use the site — zero, and the incredible savings that can be enjoyed by booking online, and the amazing time-saving benefits.

With an online cruise travel agent, everything you need is right at your fingertips and most agent sites are so easy to navigate, a child could do it. While it is recommended that potential passengers use an online travel agent that specializes in cruises, there are a few top-notch online travel agents that are excellent at helping users find the perfect (and least expensive) cruises.

Below is a list of some of the top online cruise travel agents available today.

*Cruisedirectonline.com: Cruise Direct Online has been recommended by Frommer’s, Budget MSNBC, CNBC, MSN Money and Travel Magazine.
*Cruisespecialists.com: Specializing in luxury travel.
*Cruisecompete.com: Find the best deals and sites for cruise travel.
*Cruisequick.com: 100% Internet based, quick quotes.
*Cruise411.com: Great at sniffing out special rates, last minute cruises, best sales.
*Cruisebrothers.com: Since 1972, MSNBC ranks cruisebrothers.com in the top 15.
*Moments-notice.com: Offers best buys, deals of the week and killer Internet specials.
*Cruisesonly.com: Last minute cruises, reviews, the skinny on blowout sales.
*Cruisebrokers.com: Covers all cruise lines and destinations, luxury cruise line specialists, recommended in AOL Cruise Critic.
*Expedia.com: Flawless search function, endless amounts of information and deals.
*Travelocity.com: Great for shopping and comparing, quick and easy.

Millions of passengers choose to take a cruise vacation each year mainly because cruises offer the opportunity to explore more than just one place. Depending on destination and the number of days you plan to cruise, you will visit just a few ports of call up to a dozen or more. Some ports of call feature areas that are rich with history and culture and others may feature cities that offer an endless number of places to shop and exciting nightlife. If you plan to take an island cruise vacation, you may visit exotic ports of call where you can snorkel, animal watch, or relax on a black, green or white sand beach all day!

Some of the most popular cruise lines in the industry include: Silversea Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line. Silversea Cruises, Crystal Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas are popular among affluent, seasoned travelers. Regent Seven Seas, however, features bigger ships and the environment is a bit more “relaxed.� Regent Seven Seas is also considered one of the most romantic cruise lines in service today, so it offers the perfect cruise vacation for honeymooners and couples. Couples will enjoy French and Polynesian dining, spa treatments, waterspouts, and romantic shore excursions such as river cruises, dinner cruises, horseback riding through the mountains, wading in the water underneath waterfalls, and more.

Royal Caribbean International attracts a unique mix of passengers from different backgrounds, with different interests making it the perfect cruise line for first-time cruisers. This means vacationers find a wide variety of activities, dining and entertainment options, as well as very laid-back environment. Disney Cruise Line cruise vacations are perfect for families, couples, and singles looking for a festive atmosphere and excellent prices, while Carnival Cruise Line is tops for single, 20-30-somethings looking to party all day and all night. Carnival Cruise Line also attracts young married couples as well.

Depending on the cruise line, you can expect to travel to popular destinations on your cruise vacation such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii or romantic and exotic destinations such as Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, Bermuda, and Europe. Exotic destinations that are also popular for romance and adventure include: Africa, Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Costa Rica.

When you are ready to book your cruise vacation, there are several options available to you. You can contact your local cruise travel agent or you can contact the cruise line that appeals to you the most. A great place to search for certified cruise travel agents is with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The site has a search function that will help you locate certified cruise travel agents or counselors in your area. If you already have a cruise line in mind, visit the cruise lines’ website to book your cruise vacation (click here for the cruise lines directory). If you prefer to call, jot down the cruise lines’ toll-free number from the website and give them a call.

A great way to get the scoop on a specific cruise vacation before you book is by reading cruise reviews. The vast majority of cruise reviews have been written by people just like you that would like to share their cruise vacation experiences – good or bad. Continue reading to find out about the top cruise review websites.

The top cruise review websites are:

·Cruisecritic.com
·Cruisereviewsonline.com
·Cruisereport.com
·Cruisedirectonline.com
·Cruisemates.com

Cruisecritic.com offers more than just reviews, this site has several search functions to help you find everything from bargains and discounts to theme cruises, and exotic itineraries. The site also includes features, news, planning tools, and a variety of cruise message boards where fellow cruisers can exchange stories and information.

Cruisemates.com offers short reviews and ratings. The two types of ratings include: star ratings and value ratings. Star ratings are based on one question — “how good is this ship?” One star is the worst, five stars is the best. Cruisemates.com takes everything from age and accommodations to food, service, and entertainment into account when rating the worlds cruise ships. Value ratings or “thumbs upâ€? ratings are all about the “Bang for your Buck.” Five thumbs up means the ship is an excellent value while one thumb up means you won’t find much of anything that resembles a value here.

Reviews, ratings, rankings, and popularity contests — at Cruisereviewsonline.com find out which cruise ships are at the top and which ones are not. Get other information on cruise lines, as well as information, ratings and rankings on embarkation ports, and ports-of-call.

Cruisereport.com offers the lowdown on cruise lines from A to Z. Unbiased reviews, cruise searches, quotes, and feature articles are just a few of the sites extras. You can also search for “the perfect cruise,� and browse through news pieces about cruising. After checking out their ratings and reviews, you can also search for discounts and deals. With more than 50,000 visitors per month, Cruisereport.com has information on roughly 8,500 current sailings.

Cruisedirectonline.com relies on reader surveys to help keep reviews & ratings in check. In addition to cruise ship reviews and ratings, visitors to the site will find top ten and top thirty lists, as well as feature articles about the best of the best in the world of cruises. The site has other information about discounts, as well as information on roughly 12,000 sailings. Cruise Direct Online has been featured in Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine, and on MSNBC, CNBC, MSN Money, and more.

It’s quite obvious that cruise lines such as Disney Cruise Lines and Carnival Cruise Lines don’t offer relaxing adults only vacations, so skip the colorful cruise ships and look to cruise lines that are considered upscale, luxury, or adult entertainment oriented. These types of cruise lines will highlight a hefty number of casinos, lounges, bars, and singles events. Fortunately, adult cruise lines can be found just about anywhere in the world. Some market heavily to singles, while others offer ‘dance hosts’ and events targeted towards couples and singles. These types of activities tend to deter families with children.

Some of the top adult cruise lines in the business today include: Orient Lines (specifically Orient’s Marco Polo cruise ship), Cunard Line (Queen Mary 2), Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Classic International, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred Olsen, Hebridean Island Cruises, African Safari Club, Crystal Cruises, Discover Egypt, Ocean Village, and P&O Cruises as well as some Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line vessels.

When searching for adult cruise lines (luxury or otherwise) there are also several telltale signs that the line is probably adult-oriented. Look for cruise lines that sail to exotic locations, cruise lines that offer under 50% supplement, cruise lines that offer single cabins, cruise lines that offer shared cabins, and cruise lines that offer ‘hosts’. Adult cruise lines that offer hosts are not in the business of sex for sale, so never insult a host or the cruise line by asking or even implying this. Hosts are simply “gentlemen” selected on the basis of their dancing ability. Dance hosts can be found on Cunard Lines’ Queen Elizabeth, Orient’s Marco Polo, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and Silversea ships as well as some Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines vessels.

Orient Lines is probably the best cruise line for adult travelers and singles. Voted one of the Top 10 Large-Ship Cruise Lines by Travel+Leisure (2007), Orient Lines offers 0% supplements on selected grades (25% for other grades and 75% for A grades and suites); a social staff including congenial gentleman on hand to serve as social hosts, and 8 single cabins (Marco Polo) consisting of: B Grade – 816, D Grade – 643, 648, 656, 661, and K Grade – 267, 101, 102.

Orient Lines cruises to Europe, Africa, Egypt, South America, Antarctica, and (spring) Transatlantic. Orient Lines cruises may range from 11 days up to 52 days or more. At the time this article was written, Orient Lines (owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines) was in the process of acquiring a new owner. Details will be posted to Orient Lines website as they become available.

For links to all cruise lines’ websites, including the cruise lines mentioned in this article visit: Ships and Cruises. Please continue reading to find out about the best romantic cruises on the market today.

Holland America Cruise Line

Holland America ‘Just For Us’ Package

Red roses, sparkling champagne, sinfully delicious chocolates. Nothing says, “I love you” more romantically than the gifts wrapped into this special offering.

Features:

One dozen roses in stateroom upon arrival
Mumms Cordon Rouge champagne in stateroom upon arrival
A pair of terrycloth bathrobes to slip into
Dessert served with bottle of champagne one evening in stateroom
Guaranteed table for two in dining room
Couples massage
Framed 8 x 10 photo

Holland America “Romantic Voyage” Package

Features:

Bon Voyage flower bouquet in stateroom upon arrival
Bottle Domestic Champagne in stateroom upon arrival
5×7 Photograph in engraved Silver frame
Card lesson including $25 in Casino chips
25-minute Aromatherapy massage

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers a variety of anniversary and honeymoon packages, but for couples seeking a sizzling stay onboard for no special reason at all, the following packages should do the trick!

Norwegian Cruise Romance Package

Features:

Champagne and strawberries in your stateroom upon embarkation
A traditional Mandara Spa® pedicure and manicure for one
Two 25-minute Mandara Spa® half-body Seven Seas Massages

Norwegian Cruise Deluxe Romance Package

Features:

Champagne and strawberries in your stateroom upon embarkation
Choice of Mandara Spa® Exotic Frangipani Body Nourishing Wrap or Exotic Coconut and Milk Ritual Wrap for one.
Two 25-minute Mandara Spa® half-body Seven Seas Massages
Tea service in stateroom on the afternoon of your choice
Breakfast in bed on one day of your choice
Romantic dinner for two in the Bistro with a complimentary bottle of wine

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines offers one of the widest variety of romance packages in the cruise industry, each one designed to suit a variety of tastes and budgets.

Royal Caribbean Classic Romance Package

Features:

Welcome aboard bottle of Domaine Chandon and canapes for two
Breakfast for two delivered to your stateroom
A formal 8″ x 10″ portrait in our signature silver-plated frame

Grand Romance Package

Features:

Welcome Aboard bottle of Veuve Cliquot and canapes for two
Two waffle woven robes
Breakfast for two delivered to your stateroom
A formal 8″ x 10″ portrait in our signature silver-plated frame

Ultimate Romance Package I

Features:

Welcome Aboard bottle of Dom Perignon and canapes for two
One dozen long-stem roses
Two velour robes
Breakfast for two delivered to your stateroom
A formal 8″ x 10″ portrait in our signature silver-plated frame

Ultimate Romance Package II

Features:

All items in the Ultimate Romance Package I
Two spa appointments (a massage and/or facial)

If you’re interested in any of the Romantic Packages listed above simply contact:

Holland America Cruise Line, 1-877-SAIL-HAL
Norwegian Cruise Line , 1-866-234-0292
Royal Caribbean, 1-866-562-7625

Enjoy!