All About Cruises

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  • Caribbean Wedding Cruises

    If you’re considering wedding cruises, good for you! Getting married at sea can be one of the most exciting and memorable ways for couples to say “I do.” And getting married in the Caribbean can add even more excitement to your nuptials. Because the Caribbean offers one of the warmest year-around climates, some of the most spectacular marine life in the world, stunning white-sand beaches and unforgettable excursions, it’s no wonder the Caribbean is the most popular wedding cruise destination in the world.

    Most Caribbean wedding cruises are not like quickie drive through weddings. They are carefully planned by actual “wedding planners,” the ceremonies are private and each wedding package is customized to fit the couple’s needs.

    There are many different options for couples wanting to marry during a Caribbean cruise. Most wedding cruises offer the options of either an “on board” wedding or a romantic beach wedding, and the wedding ceremony may also be performed just before the ship sails. Many ships offer webcam broadcasting services as well, so family and friends back home can witness the magic.

    Newlyweds can choose from a variety of different excursion types ranging from the romantic and relaxed to the active and adventurous. Couples seeking seclusion and privacy can opt for day-long excursions to private islands, private dinners and private balconies on board the ship. Couples seeking fun-filled day-long excursions can choose from activities like: kayaking, snorkeling, hiking through rainforests, 4-wheel safari tours, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, boat dives, cave exploration, and the list goes on and on.

    A few of the more popular wedding cruises include: Princess Cruise Line’s 7-Night Eastern and Western Caribbean Cruise and Carnival Cruises Eastern and Western Caribbean Cruise. Princess Cruise lines features a wedding chapel on board, private balconies under the stars, private dinners for newlyweds and options for romantic beach weddings. The cruise typically covers St. Thomas, St, Maarten, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Princess Cay and Jamaica. Excursion options are endless and depending on budget, they can be customized to accommodate each individual couple.

    Carnival Cruises also offers the option to exchange vows on board or on a beautiful white sand beach and newlyweds have the opportunity to visit places such as: St. Maarten, the Bahamas, Belize, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, to name a few.

    While a “wedding planner” is available to help plan the actual wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind before you book. Popular wedding and honeymoon tours sell out rather quickly, so it’s best to book far in advance. Also, if you want lock in your price, book in advance as well. Once your price is locked, currency dips and price hikes won’t affect your price at all. If you want to save money, keep in mind that around Christmas and Valentine’s Day, as well as May and June, prices are usually higher – oftentimes by several hundred dollars. If you decide to book a wedding cruise around this time, be prepared to pay more.

    Whatever cruise line and cruise package you choose, a Caribbean wedding cruise will ensure that your wedding is as special and magical as can be.

    Recommended reading (click on the picture for details):
    The Perfect Wedding Details : More Than 100 Ideas for Personalizing Your Wedding

  • Viking River Cruises

    Rivers offer romance. Even the ancients traveled the great rivers of the globe and today’s travelers can do the same thanks to Viking River Cruises. As the world’s largest river cruise line, Viking offers guests a close-up view of Europe, China, and Russia.

    Viking River Cruises offer an opportunity to see much more than the average world tourist. From the great cities to quiet villages and remote regions, Viking River Cruises see it all from luxurious comfort. Each Viking River cruise includes roundtrip airfare, the cruise, shore tours with English speaking guides, deluxe river view cabins with hotel style beds, gourmet meals and regional specialties, and at least one port visit each day. All twenty five of the Viking cruise ships meet the highest nautical standards for safety and are maintained with meticulous care. Prices for Viking River Cruises begin at under a thousand dollars and are available for seven, nine, ten, eleven, fourteen, or fifteen nights depending on destination.

    See the best of Europe on historic rivers like the Elbe, Danube, Mosell, Rhine, and Main. Explore Germany on cruises that include Heart of Germany, Danube Explorer, or Romantic Danube. Travel the great Mother River from Amsterdam to Budapest on the Grand European Tour.

    Holland is famous for windmills and tulips – Viking River Cruises showcase both in the Tulips and Windmills Cruise. Or, see the best of Holland on A Dutch Journey.

    Gain an introduction to France with any of three French cruises: Burgundy and Provence, Paris and the Heart of Normandy or France’s Finest.

    Other European cruises include Eastern European Odyssey and Russian cruises such as Waterways of the Czars and Footsteps of the Cossacks over the waters of the Volga, the Svir, and the Moscow canal.

    The true splendor of the Far East can be enjoyed on Viking River Cruises in China. Choose from Imperial Jewels of China, Misty Mountains of the Yangtze, China’s Cultural Delights, Roof of the World, or a Shanghai to Beijing cruise.

    Each of the line’s twenty five ships provides guests with beautiful surroundings, dining opportunities that include both gourmet and regional cuisine, on board recreational activities that include swimming pools, golf, and much more, beauty salons, exercise desks, and evening events. Medical facilities are available on the ships as well.

    Veteran world travelers and first time visitors to other continents will both delight in a Viking River Cruise, the affordable travel option that allows guests to see it all.

    Visit the Viking River Cruises site online at www.vikingrivercruises.com to learn complete details on the many exciting cruises available in Europe, China, and Russia, then plan a river cruise today!

    Recommended reading (click on the picture for details):
    China by River: The Yangtze River Cruise

    More recommended reading (click on the picture for details):
    Russia by River: The Moscow - Petersburg Cruise

  • Singles Cruises

    So what’s the big deal about singles cruises? Isn’t a singles cruise just a floating meat market? Not at all!

    Imagine a balmy evening as the sea breeze breathes through your hair and the stars twinkle like tiny diamonds in a sky that seems to go on forever. Waves lap tenderly at the hull as the faint sounds of music and laughter drift upwards from the decks below. You are on a singles cruise. You could be alone. Or seeking romance. You could be a senior spending time with your peers. Or a practicing Christian seeking the spiritual comfort of like-minded souls. You could even be a biker revving up your social life on a motorcycle cruise. Basically, you’re doing whatever floats your boat.

    Singles cruises, it seems, come in all shapes, sizes and shades and can take you to a calypso carnival in the Caribbean, a sojourn in South America, an adventure in Alaska, and anyplace in between. Where you go is up to you, and so is the price you pay. Simply type “singles cruises” into the search engine of your favorite browser and then pick a comparison site for cruise costs that can range from $499 for seven nights in the Caribbean, through $529 for 10 nights in Hawaii to $699 for seven nights in Alaska.

    Some online cruise sites will even act as a matchmaker for those of you who want a romantic encounter. There are links to message boards and online dating agencies. You can meet online or meet on board (MOB). Some sites even offer hosted cruises that can handpick the perfect roommate to help cut costs or match you with the perfect soulmate to put the wind back in your sails and make everything in your life shipshape.

    The choice, then, is yours. Travel alone with an itinerary arranged to keep you busy; hook up with like-minded singles for a spiritual retreat or swing dancing; join your fellow hog riders and pig out on great food and gas fumes; or surrender yourself to Cupid’s arrow and experience the excitement of creating your personal love boat.

    One last thing to remember if you do choose the romantic cruise: It’s always a good idea to pack the Dramamine. Because the point of this singles cruise is to get lovesick and not seasick.

    Recommended reading (click on the picture for details):
    Single's Guide to Cruise Vacations

  • European River Cruises in France

    If you are looking at Europe river cruises, you can’t do better than to consider a European river cruise in France! With over 8,500 kilometers worth of navigable rivers and canals available, France offers its visitors a veritable deluge of river cruise vacation possibilities. In fact, selecting the excursion to take will be your biggest difficulty. Organizing a boating vacation in France is as easy as sending an email or picking up your telephone. It’s a well-established branch of the tourism industry here.

    And with good reason. The wealth of sights and depth of experience to be had from a river cruise in France is overwhelming. But this should be of no surprise to anyone. The visitor to France has always had too much to choose from – and no, it doesn’t always have to be Paris – and this very variety is what makes France one of the most popular vacation spots in Europe. But this variety won’t make your choice of waterway any easier, either.

    In the sunny south, for instance, you will find the famous Canal du Midi, the Canal Laterale a la Garonne, the Garonne itself as well as the Lot. The Mitte region of central France offers the popular Canal du Nivernais and the Canal de Bourgogne. In the north you will find a very large selection of canals and rivers which connect Paris not only to the south but to the Atlantic coast, Belgium and the German network of waterway, as well – the most well-known of these being the Canal de la Marne au Rhin. In other words, a single recommendation simply won’t do. Here is one small example just to whet your appetite, however: The Canal du Midi.

    The Canal du Midi is Europe’s oldest artificial waterway and is located between Toulouse and Port-Cassfieres on the Mediterranean coast. A leisurely cruise here (one week is recommended) will take you along sights like the famous medieval city of Carcassonne, the huge and peaceful salt water lake Etang de Thau, the ancient Roman city of Narbonne with its buried port and lost delta of the Aude, and the 14th century castle at Argens, to name just a few points of interest. The Canal du Midi is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and won’t disappoint you anywhere along the way from Minervois to the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean.

    But just keep in mind a few of the essentials when booking. First of all, regardless of the cruise you choose, you will need a little time. One week should be planned as a minimum, regardless of which waterway you choose, though the more time you have with you on the water the better, of course. Many canals can be closed during the winter months and many locks operate with strict opening hours. In other words, be patient and flexible – just like the French! And don’t forget to organize a bike to bring along with you on board. There will be many an adventure waiting for you just off the beaten path, oops, waterway, that is.

    Recommended reading (click on the picture for details):
    Cruising French Waterways

    Recommended reading (click on the picture for details):
    Cycling Along the Waterways of France (Bicycle Books)

  • Caribbean Cruises

    Because the Caribbean offers one of the warmest year around climates, some of the most spectacular marine life in the world, and stunning white sand beaches, Caribbean cruises are the most popular cruises on the market today. It is estimated that Caribbean cruises account for more than 60% of the North American cruise industry. In addition to offering access to sand, scenery, and endless amounts of sunshine, Caribbean cruises also offer more flexibility and options than any other type of cruise such as year around cruise destinations and a vast selection of cruise itineraries. Caribbean cruises also embark from more ports of call than any other type of cruise.

    Common Itineraries

    There are three common itineraries including: Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean. Most Eastern Caribbean cruises embark from Florida and ports of call may include: St. Marteen, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. John and St. Thomas. Excursions are plentiful and passengers generally spend less time at sea and more time engaging in water activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, exploring rain forests and relaxing on white-sand beaches. Eastern Caribbean cruises also offer plenty of opportunities to shop or dine at amazing restaurants where unique fusion foods and drinks are the norm.

    Western Caribbean cruises may embark from New Orleans, Texas or Florida and ports of call include exotic places like: Belize, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Cozumel or Grand Cayman. Because WC ports of call are farther apart, passengers spend more time at sea, but there are still opportunities to hike through rainforests, explore Mayan ruins and amazing mountain waterfalls and engage in a variety of water activities.

    Southern Caribbean cruises generally embark from San Juan and typical ports of call include: Antigua, British Virgin Islands, Martinique, St. Marteen and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Barbados, St. Kitts, Tortola, Dominica and St. Lucia are considered Deep Southern ports of call. Southern Caribbean destinations offer some of the most amazing snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities as well as lush rain forests and majestic waterfalls. Be prepared to take pictures of unique structures and cathedrals as well.

    Pricing and Choosing a Cruise Line

    Prices vary depending on vessel size, vacation length, cruise line or accommodation type, destinations, etc. Keep in mind that prices don’t necessarily depend on ports of call. Oftentimes, they depend heavily on the type of accommodations you choose, be it luxury or budget. As a general rule of thumb, most prices include: meals, ship transportation, accommodations, entertainment and most social activities. The price may not include: alcohol, dry cleaning, excursions, gratuities, port charges or gambling. Passengers may find some of the best values during January, late spring and September-December.

    Vacation lengths may be short-term, 2-5 days or long-term, 7-10 days, with 7 days being the most popular. If time is limited, fly into San Juan instead of Miami. It generally takes two days to sail from Miami to San Juan, so the two days you save can be spent exploring the beautiful Caribbean.

    A few of the more popular cruise lines serving the Caribbean include: Royal Caribbean International, Costa Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Regent Seven Seas, and Celebrity Cruises.

    Recommended reading (click on the picture for details):
    Caribbean Ports of Call: Eastern and Southern Regions, 5th: A Guide for Today's Cruise Passengers

  • Cruise Lines and Agents

    There are more than 33 major cruise lines around the world, and literally thousands of cruise lines and agents serving millions of cruise passengers each year. Not only do cruise agents specialize in cruises, they can also help you book everything from hotel and airfare to car rentals. While seasoned cruisers may opt to simply book online directly through the cruise line, first-time cruisers might be better off talking to a cruise agent.

    Cruise agents are not just there to make reservations for you. Cruise agents 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, cruise 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 agents will be able to help you find the perfect cruise, there are some cruise agents that specialize in certain types of cruises. For example, you’ll find agents that specialize in Alaska Adventure cruises or cruise vacation experts that specialize in luxury cruises. Some may specialize in family cruises, wedding cruises, exotic cruises, or even theme cruises.

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

    For those of you that would like to consult a cruise line agent online, there are numerous options available to you. Each cruise line has in-house cruise line agents available, via online chat or email, that can help you choose the right cruise on their specific cruise line. In some cases, you may be able to chat with a cruise line agent 24/7 or opt for email communication. Another option is an “online cruise travel agent.�

    In general, an online cruise travel agent isn’t 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, in some cases chat online with “agent� and much, much more. Once you have completed the exciting process of selecting your perfect cruise, the system allows the user to book online. The only time you’ll 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, which totals a whopping “zero,� 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.

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