Travel Cruise Review

Susan Bigmore asked:


Are you single and dreaming of taking a cruise, but unsure what to expect? Worried about sticking out like a sore thumb, being surrounded by smug singletons or everyone trying to be your friend and having to hide in your cabin to avoid them? Cruising is an ideal get way for solo cruisers; it offers the breathing space of a resort getaway, pampering service and the chance to visit a new place almost every day. Here are some of the top reasons and tips for going solo.

Booking your cruise

Like any holiday you need to ask yourself what appeals to you. Do you want something where you can relax, or that’s informal, or has plenty of entertainment on offer, etc? Your local travel agent should be able to pick the cruise line and ship that’s right for you. If you want to do some initial research yourself, the internet is a minefield of information whether you search on the cruise lines’ own pages or on a cruise community such as Inside Cruise where people post their own reviews.

Roll call

If you want to check out some of your fellow cruisers before you set sail, sign up on a cruise forum like Inside Cruise. On there is a section called “Roll Call” where you can meet others who are going on the same cruise. A lot of cruisers start a roll call a year or more before the cruise itself, giving them a chance to get to know other passengers beforehand and maybe arranging to share excursions and guides. For solo cruisers it’s a great way to find out if there will be other singles onboard. If you join a roll call before booking a cruise and find someone you seem to get along with you could end up sharing a cabin and saving on single supplements.

Plenty to keep you busy

The trouble with staying in a resort is that there aren’t always lots of activities you can take part in. All you end up doing is wondering around the local sites by yourself. Cruise ships, however, offer plenty of activities both aboard and on-shore. Onboard you could be learning how to cook, wine tasting, taking part in a keep-fit class or listening to a guest lecturer. If you choose to go ashore as well as visiting the local sites, you could go cycling, horse riding, abseiling, snorkelling to name a few! Getting involved in activities is a great way to meet people as you’ll have a common interest, which is good for breaking the ice.

Easy to meet people

Many cruise lines welcome singles onboard with receptions where they can meet other solo passengers. For example, Island Cruises hold a ‘Solos Lunch’ at the beginning of each cruise. Even if they don’t, getting involved in organised activities is ideal for meeting fellow passengers and making friends. Dining rooms mainly have seating for groups of 4, 6 or 8 people and can be an easy way to meet new friends. If you want to be seated with other solo cruisers, make sure you ask the Maitre’d and they will accommodate your needs. Passengers tend to be grouped together with others of a similar age and background, so you’ll never feel left out.

Dance the night away

If you like to dance but don’t want to be a wallflower, fear not. Some cruise lines, such as Fred.Olsen and Orient Lines offer male dance host that are selected on their dancing ability. If you’re a male travelling alone and love to dance, you’ll certainly have your pick of the ladies as they outnumber men travelling along by three to one.

Sense of community

As everyone is literally in the same boat (excuse the pun), there tends to be a lot of camaraderie. Unlike holidaying in hotels where you tend to see fellow holidaymakers at mealtimes only, you can (if you want to) see other passengers throughout the day, whether it be lounging by the pool or taking part in activities. Therefore, as a rule, cruisers tend to bond giving a sense of community where people look out for each other.

Safety

For starters, there are always plenty of people, including staff, around so you’re highly unlikely to get pestered. Also, you don’t have to worry about wandering around late at night to get back to your room as you won’t be walking along dark streets trying to find your hotel. If you take an organised excursion you will be in a group on land too, best in certain countries if you’re a solo female traveller. Although, of course if you want to you can go it alone and go at your own pace if you prefer.

Hopefully we’ve set your mind at ease about going on a cruise by yourself. The only downside we can think of is single supplements. Some cruise lines hit you harder than other, but if you don’t mind sharing a cabin some lines offer a share scheme and will partner you up with someone of the same sex and similar age. But don’t forget, your cruise agent should know which cruise lines are best for singles, whether it be age range, single supplements or special activities offered to introduce single cruisers to each other.

So go on, book that cruise. You don’t know what you’re missing out on.

Helen Hecker asked:


If you have a disability, are disabled in any way or have some special needs or a special handicap you can still enjoy a great cruise experience and learn all about disable travel. The first step in planning a cruise ship adventure is to consult with a travel agent who specializes in cruise travel for people with disabilities to make sure you have an accessible trip.

Because the cruise lines are all different you need to compare the cruise lines and all they have to offer; this requires a little research on your part. However travel agents who specialize in cruise travel can really shorten your work and prevent a lot of problems and help you gain the best access. I encourage you to seek out their help and not try to go it alone.

There are many differences in the cruise lines. Some cannot accommodate wheelchairs easily. Most cabins are small and you’ll need to get the dimensions of the cabin to know if your wheelchair will fit.

Some of the larger cruise lines have cabins that have wider doorways. These cabins have bathrooms that will fit wheelchairs that can roll around inside. The closets are usually built so you can reach them from a lower vantage point. But make sure to double-check that the cruise line you’ve picked has these special accommodations. This is another reason a special needs travel agent or travel specialist can help.

Most of the cruise lines have elevators that have control panels within easy reach from a wheelchair.

The cruise lines have collapsible wheelchairs available but I would consider taking my own. It may be a concern if it is going to be uncomfortable in any way. Also there is a remote possibility that they might run out of them. If you bring a motorized or power wheelchair make sure to bring your charger along - one that is adaptable to 110 volts.

Make sure to discuss with your travel agent how your visit to the various harbors or ports of call on the cruise, will be handled. This can make or break your trip. Small boats, which are called tenders, are used to take travelers and disabled travelers from the cruise ship to the port of call. These tenders are not always accessible or even safe for people with disabilities, so make sure you travel agent has had experience with these tenders before you book any cruise travel. And it is just as important make sure to find out if once you reach the shore, that they’ll be able to handle your specific special needs.

In general some of the larger cruise lines will have ADA (American Disabilities Association) compliant rooms on their cruise ships. If you’re deaf or hearing impaired, you can request special accommodations, for example tele-typewriters (TTY) or telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD). Some of the cabins may have the ADA approved kits. These kits include visual smoke alarms and alarms that vibrate and door sensors so you know when someone is at the door.

For blind travelers who bring along their guide dogs or other service animals, they’ll have a difficult time finding the best cruise. Each of the ports of call has different rules and regulations regarding guide dogs and service animals. Service animals may not be allowed to leave the cruise ship.

It’s important to work with a travel agent who specializes in disability travel who knows how to do this and may be familiar with your chosen cruise already.

Special diets are usually easily accommodated on most of the cruise lines. Vegans and vegetarians have fresh fruit and vegetable options and special diets are available for those passengers who need a low fat, low salt or low cholesterol diets. People with celiac disease may need to discus this with the cruise lines to see if their chefs are familiar with how to prepare gluten-free foods. Cruise passengers with lung impairments who will need oxygen can cruise but make sure you arrange to have plenty of oxygen on board.

Make sure that you’re not traveling alone and have someone travel with you who knows your specific needs. Don’t take anything for granted. Check everything out and double check with your travel agent. You may want to call the cruise line yourself too. Make sure your travel agent is experienced and ask for references from someone they have arranged travel for with similar needs.

Don’t forget to check with your travel agent about any discounts, free add-ons, or good deals on cruise travel too. The cruise lines want your business whether you are disabled or not.

As soon as your travel agent books your cruise, make sure the cruise line is notified of your special needs and know of your disability. With help from your travel agent for the disabled or cruise line specialist you should be able to have a worry-free and carefree holiday, vacation or adventure and make you an expert on disabled travel.

Alien asked:


Having a better understanding of the cheap can help get a good deal very soon and without much effort. The understanding of the cheap cruise, the time of the availability of the cheap cruise, place to find the cheap cruises and the reason behind offering cheap cruises are a few things that one needs to know like the back of one’s hand in order to find them easily.

Once one is well and truly acquainted with the things above mentioned, one can be in such a position form where he or she can find cheap cruises very easily. Below is the brief delineation of some of the requisite things such as the understanding of the cheap cruise, the time of the availability of the cheap cruise, place to find the cheap cruises and the reason behind offering cheap cruises.  

The understanding of the cheap cruise

The cheap cruise is all about getting the almost all the luxuries available on the board for the less price. Cheap cruise does not mean to be a cheap holiday. Sometimes, it happens that number of the cabins surpasses the number of travelers; in such scenario cabins are made available a cheaper rate.

The Time of cheap cruise:

Usually, excess cabins are not made available at a discounted rate until the date of sailing comes closer. In addition, on the basis of the historical trends of dawdling sales, a cruise company can offer great discounts as incentive so that sales can be increased. Cheap cruise can also be obtained when booked either early or late.

Source of cheap cruises:

Cheap cruise can be obtained from cruise agents, travels agents, cruise brokers and the like.

The reason behind offering cheap cruises:

There are numerous reasons behind offering cheap cruise. Actually cruise lines companies do not want to leave any cabin vacant on the ship. This is because of the fact that once the port is left by the ship, any probable revenue that could have been generated from that vacant cabin is lost for good. So, with this thought in the mind, cruise lines companies offer cabin at discount rate when the number of cabin surpass the number of travelers willing to pay for the vacant cabins.

Understanding the above mentioned facts and realties, one can easily get the cheap cruise without much effort and hassle. With fortitude, consideration, and an eagerness to inquire about the possibilities of the availabilities of cheap cruise, one can get it for great price.

Helen Hecker asked:


Going on a cruise was once an easy thing to arrange. All you had to do was go to your travel agent and look at a few brochures. But as the industry has grown it has become an overwhelming mix of itineraries, cruise packages, choices add-ons and prices. So how do you look through and search for all the available information to find the best cruise deal? The following tips will help you find the best cruise and save you money.

1. The busiest season has always been January through March. This is when the cruise industry books the most cruises. Cruise lines usually make about 38 percent of their yearly sales at this time. This is the best time to find many hot or last minute deals because they offer a lot of incentives.

2. Make sure to start well ahead of your vacation or holiday time if you can unless you want a last minute cruise deal. First of all you should call the cruise line you are most interested in and ask for the cruise line rep about any of their cruises and the staterooms. You can ask about handicapped-equipped staterooms then if this is a special need. You can always do this later after you do some research too.

Find out what specials they have running and make sure to tell them how old you are and what state you live in or if you’re traveling with a group of people or another couple or have cruised with their cruise line in the past. Does it include your airfare? Do you need a family deal? This is because your specific situation may entitle you for big discounts. Take whatever the quote given to you by the cruise line rep as your starting price point.

3. Next check out the Sunday newspaper ads in the travel section and look for cruise bargains. The bigger city newspapers and the newspapers located in or near cruise embarkation cities are great for finding good or cheap cruise deals. You can go to your local library to view the ads if they carry those news papers. Some daily newspapers even have there travel ads online.

4. Take a look at the cruise booking Web sites. There are cruise discount agencies that may have the cheapest cruise rates to be found anywhere, whether you want a luxury cruise or budget cruise. Huge travel Web sites such as Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity usually have great deals too. You can also find last-minute cruise deals too. The cruise Web sites’ prices are usually fairly similar. And the travel sites are usually similar but somewhat higher. Make sure to ask about any additional, secret or hidden fees, such as cancellation penalties. These can cost between $40 and $85.

5. Make sure to check with your cruise travel agent. Some people prefer to work with a travel agent or are not savvy about researching online. Find out if they charge a consulting fee before you meet. Some fees are usually refundable if they book your cruise. When you get together with the travel agent, say exactly what you want and that you’re comparing prices. Your local travel agent can be very helpful if you have disabilities, health problems, special needs or need visas or other documents.

6. Think about placing a “cruise wanted” ad on Craigslist online. Be specific and detailed about what you want. Then sit back and wait for replies.

7. Once you have a number of cruise line or cruise package quotes compare them and try to negotiate a lower price, extra discounts or some onboard extras.

Note that if you’re getting the same quote from your travel agent that you’re getting from the cruise line then you need to continue shopping for the best quote - your travel agent isn’t saving you any money. The best cruise deal is out there that is just right for you and will save you money on your vacation too regardless if you’re going to Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Bahamas, or Bermuda. You just need to do a little research and don’t take the first deal you see.

Genna Roberts asked:


Here at Inside Cruise we like to keep our members in the know with all the latest cruise advice. So here are some of our top insider tips to help you get the best deals when it comes to booking your next cruise.

1. Booking your Cruise

It may seem logical to book your cruise directly with the cruise line, but this isn’t always going to get you the best price. You may find a travel agent can offer a discounted price on the same cruise which means great savings for you. But don’t make the mistake of assuming you will get the best quote simply by walking into your high street agent, come on, you have to do a little work to save yourself some money! Which leads me to my next point…

2. Getting Quotes

Accepting the first price you are quoted wont always get you the best deal. The key is to get prices from a few different companies. Travel agents work hard to earn commission on each sale, and the more they have to discount for you, means less money for them. Again, this is where a little hard work now pays off later. It seems just about every travel agent promises to price beat, so, take advantage and hunt around for the lowest price. When you have it, why not go back to the most helpful agent, and see if they can beat it? It’s not always just the lowest price you’re looking for either, P&O, Princess, Cunard and Ocean Village for example will offer onboard credit to selected agents on different dates on many of their cruises.

3. Customer Loyalty

It’s sad but true; loyalty does not always pay off. You may have received a great deal on your last cruise and have gone back to your same agent expecting another. It is still important to be ringing around. As an existing customer, these travel agents know they already have your custom, they also know you are less likely to be ringing other companies for prices. Obviously, this isn’t always the case, some agents will genuinely reward their loyal customers, but it’s always worth checking.

4. Booking Onboard

We have all been there; 13 nights into your fortnight holiday, and it all feels like it’s over far too soon. And, if it’s been really good, all you can think about is when you can come back again. Well, good news - on many cruises you will be given the opportunity to rebook a cruise onboard with the purser or at the future cruise desk. They may be offering discounted prices, onboard spending money and lower deposits to secure your booking there and then. If you do rebook onboard, but feel discounts and onboard credit still isn’t enough, once you get home, why not check a few prices offered by travel agents? If they can offer a further discount, you may be able to get the booking transferred to them. The best part is, you still get to keep any benefits offered to you for booking onboard whilst taking advantage of the lower price.

5. Cruise Only

It is becoming increasingly popular to tailor make your own cruise holiday, this not only gives you the luxury of flexibility with your travel plans, but can be a more cost effective way to holiday.

It may be surprising to hear that when booking your cruise package (flights, hotel stays and transfers) with the cruise line, the flight can cost more than the cruise itself!

The idea is to get “cruise only”. This means you are just taking the cruise from the cruise line and will find alternative flights and hotels elsewhere. Your travel agent can then search around for you to find a suitable flight, transfer and hotel stay as required. This can save you a whole lot of money, and allow you to choose your preferred flight and hotel, too.

It isn’t always advisable to do this, particularly if it is your first cruise, or if you are going to a destination that you are unsure of, but for many popular cruise ports including Miami, New York, Barcelona and even Vancouver it is very easy to do yourself.

Importantly, by booking the flight through your travel agent, you will still be covered by their ATOL license which protects your travel plans, (something to check before booking) and, furthermore, they will be knowledgeable about transfer times and can book a flight that will get you to your destination in good time for your cruise.

6. Shore Excursions

My final tip is to do some research on the ports you will be visiting before you go. Yes, I’m afraid it involves a little work on your part, but its well worth doing.

It is easy to play it safe and go along with the sometimes pricy excursions offered by the cruise lines, and in many cases, an arranged excursion is a great, safe way to see places. However, often the destination is at the port, so you can explore yourself, or you may find it cheaper to hop in a taxi and head to places you really want to see and not the places the cruise lines want to take you. Also, be aware that if you pay for arranged excursions before you go, and they are cancelled, due to weather or a change in port of call on the itinerary, you may not be refunded.

Well there it is, enough inside information to make any travel agent squirm… So go out there, do a little work, and make sure you get the very best deal on your next cruise.

Joe Ewart asked:


1. Maximum flexibility = Maximum savings – Most travelers have some flexibility in their travel dates, especially if planning ahead of time. Let your cruise specialist know that you can consider alternate departure dates that may have lower rates available. Keep in mind cruise lines will offer better prices and perks on sailings that are not nearing capacity. Tip: Shoulder or off peak sailings offer the deepest price cuts. For example, the departure right after the New Year cruise might be substantially lower.

2. Ask if “guarantees” are available. This requires that you have a little gambling spirit. Many cruise lines will offer a rate on a particular cabin category instead of an actual stateroom number and in effect “guarantee” that rate to you. Then the cruise line has the option of assigning you a stateroom in either that category or better. Sometimes you win and end up in a cabin several grades higher and sometimes you end up in exactly the category you were guaranteed. Remember, there is both an upside and downside to this program. Tip: Completely understand the process before booking a guarantee.

3. Upgrade programs. Often, your cruise specialist may offer a cruise line upgrade program. This means that you book and pay for category “X” and will be moved to a higher category “Y”. Again, there is an element of risk here. The fact that a stateroom may be in a higher category does not always mean it will be a more desirable cabin. For example, you might be in a nice mid ship balcony stateroom on Deck C and get an upgrade to a balcony stateroom on Deck A. While your new assignment may be the same size and have identical amenities you might end up in a less desirable location such as near an elevator or at the extreme end of the ship. And there are outside cabins that have views partially blocked by lifeboats or other equipment. On the other hand there are many instances of guests being upgraded several categories to wonderful staterooms. Tip: Advise your cruise specialist that you will “consider” upgrades offered but you want to have final say on any changes before they happen.

4. Special Fare Eligibility - One of the reasons that savvy cruisers find a knowledgeable cruise specialist and stick with them is the fact that there are many special fare programs that may or not be visible to cruiser’s doing casual research on the web. These include things like regional fares that are made available to residents of selected states. Caution: If you are offered a regional fare and you don’t live in that area and can’t prove residency, don’t do it. Cruise lines have the right to check you eligibility on sailing day and charge for the difference before you board. It does happen. Some of the other special fares being promoted today include active duty and retired military fares, union member fares, police and public safety discounts, airline or hospitality rates and more. Tip: If your cruise partner is a member of any of the these groups, the discounts usually apply to everyone traveling in the same stateroom.

5. Past Passenger Specials - Virtually every major cruise line has a loyalty club for its members with different levels and benefits. Joining is free and entitles you to special perks and discounts when you book on that line. For many commonly owned cruise lines such as Carnival Corporation, the offers extend across all the brands – Carnival, Princess, Holland America etc. Ditto for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Tip: Many cruise lines started operation before computers become common and can not easily retrieve date for cruises you may have taken several years ago. However, if you send a letter to the cruise line listing the ships and cruises you have been on, most will take your word and credit you with those unrecorded sailings. This might have the effect of moving you from Gold to Platinum level and significantly improve the benefits.

6. Check for Group Rates: Many cruise agencies hold what is known as “block space” on ships. That means that they have reserved space at group rates, which can be up to 20% lower than individual rates. Many agencies that reserve space for groups hold aside several cabins for individual clients who might be able to depart on this date. While you may be traveling as a “group”, your cruise experience will be as an individual traveler. The downside might be that your dining time or section is affected by the “group program”. The upside is that you might benefit from some group amentias such as an onboard credit, free shore excursion etc. Tip: If your cruise specialist offers group rates, understand the features, benefits and limitations completely before you book. From the cruise line’s perspective you are a member of the “group” and fall under the policies and procedures for groups.

7. On board re-booking – Most cruise lines know allow you to book your next cruise with that line while on board. They may have what is known as an “on board sales consultant” or even a desk. This is usually a great opportunity to save. Generally, the cruise line will throw in some strong perks to retain your loyalty to their brand. Onboard credits on the future cruise can be quite substantial. Upgrades and other benefits are usually significant. Tip: Many cruise lines realize that you may not be sure when and where you want to cruise while on your current voyage. Not to worry, because most have a program where you can book on board with the flexibility to change to other sailings and ships via your cruise specialist when you get home and keep all the benefits. This is a truly a win win for you!

8. Seek out “Value Adds” – Over the past few years, cruise lines have instituted something known in the trade as The Level Playing Field. This was instituted to attempt to control the rampant rebating and discounting that occurred in the post September 11 travel slump. Basically, now the cruise lines have been partially successful in putting the genie back in the bottle by requiring cruise agents to all use the same pricing feeds. Because cruise agents do not purchase and re-sell the cruises but are paid a commission, the cruise lines themselves totally control published rates. One of the unintended side effects of Level Playing Field pricing is that the cruise lines had to find a way to promote “challenged” sailing dates. And they did this by creating Value Added features. They can include benefits ranging from dollars off certificates, on-board credits, pre-paid gratuities, free spa treatments, specialty dining experiences, casino credits to a free bathrobe or camera. Tip: Ask your cruise specialist to seek out sailings that offer value adds. They can significantly impact your bottom line.

9. Arrange your own airline tickets. If you need to fly in to your embarkation port most cruise lines have flight programs known as Air/Sea arrangements. The good news is that includes the flights and often meet and greet and transfers. The bad news is that in order to publish these add-ons the cruise lines have negotiated the fares far in advance and try to set the rates on a cost average basis. To you, it generally means that these add-ons may be up to 50% higher than the fares you can get by arranging the flights yourself. The one exception to this in many cases are Europe cruises where many lines maintain bulk contract fares. So it is always a good idea to comparison shop. Most lines allow you to purchase just the transfer package so you are able to create your own air/sea package at significant savings. And of course if you have several thousand airline miles collecting dust, this might be a good time to try to use them. Tip: If you are arranging your own flights, make sure to allow plenty of time for flight delays etc. Savvy cruisers will often invest in a pre-cruise hotel the night before the cruise so that they can avoid the stress caused by late arriving flights. Remember, if the airline leaves you on the tarmac for 7 hours and you miss the ship, that voucher for a free flight will not seem very appealing. And unfortunately, the airline will not compensate you nor will the cruise line refund your money as you are counted as a “no show”.

10. Travel Insurance: What’s the one thing you must bring on your cruise that you hope never to use? Trip Insurance! As you can see in #9 above things can and do go wrong. An affordable comprehensive trip insurance policy can cover many of these contingencies including, lost baggage, trip interruption, medical evacuation and more. Your cruise specialist can explain the various programs available as there are several. Mark sure you understand fully the coverage and limitation before accepting coverage and keep in mind that you can not get coverage retroactively. It’s a small, but absolutely vital part of your vacation expenditures. Keep in mind very few medical insurance polices cover you while out of the country and basic homeowner’s policies often do not compensate for lost luggage or other events. Just as in land based trips, the carriers responsibility to you is extremely limited by their contract and should a medical emergency arise on board or ashore you are responsible for all expenses incurred. Tip: Cancellation coverage is very specific. Understand what is covered and not covered. You can’t just decide not to go at the last minute without incurring substantial cancellation charges. And if you have any pre-existing health issues, this may or may not be a covered event. That is why it is important to actually read the coverage.

Alien asked:


One can easily find that there is a lot of offline and online ads offering cruises at discounted price. But the point in question is that how to find the cheap cruise. The answer is the reverse cruise auction sites. It not only helps one find a cheap cruise but also to save money.  These websites are completely free for users to use. With the helps of these sites, one can easily contrast and compare the cheap and best offers from various discount cruise lines agents.

Here are the wonderful ways to use these sites to make the most of it.

A plan must be chalked out. Right from the beginning, one has to keep in mind the particular cruise line and sailing itinerary to use the reverse cruise auction website in a best possible way. These websites are all basically meant well experienced and knowledgeable past cruisers who are in know of their preferences. But, there are also some other websites, which are all geared for common research, comparisons and reviews. They are CruiseReport, CruiseMates CruiseCritic and the like. One can also visit the sites of the cruise lines one is fascinated towards. They also offer a lot of information.

Next step is registration. To access these sites, first of all, one needs to register oneself. It is a fact that one’s privacy is not compromised. All of their information is concealed and not revealed to any cruise lines agents. If one is with some questions, or is willing to get a cruise booked, it is completely up to him to get in touch with the agent through any of the given contact details.

Then, there comes the submission round. Once the registration is complete, one needs to fill up a form so that the cruise agents can effectively offer one the best quotes. Once the form is complete, it will be reviewed by the agents so that a no compulsion quotes may be sent by the agent through e-mail.

The final shot comes in the form of comparison and selection.  – Usually, one receives 5-10 quotes. If one has found the best deals, they can request to stop sending further quotes at any time. After receiving several quotes, it is time to compare all the received quotes. Comparisons of all the quotes will help one choose the best and cheap cruise.  

WEBSITES –There are several such websites. Some of these websites are CruiseCompete, MyBestFareFinder and the like.

Nicole Summerfield asked:


Cruising is one of the most popular, convenient, and affordable vacation options offered in the travel industry today! With more cruise ships sailing to more incredible cruise destinations all over the world than ever before, there has truly never been a better time to cruise!

Cruise Destinations

Modern cruise ships today offer more thrilling onboard activities and travel to more breathtaking destinations than ever before. From the rugged natural beauty of Alaska, the charm of New England and Canada, the thundering volcanoes of Hawaii, the rich culture of Mexico and Panama, and the fascinating history and beauty of Europe and the Mediterranean, to the lush tropical vistas and white-sanded beaches of the Caribbean and the Bahamas, no where else than on one of these majestic and luxurious cruise ships do you get the opportunity to see and experience all these exciting and amazing new places like you never have before. And best of all, you only have to unpack once!

Cruise Ship Activities

There are a myriad of onboard activities and shore excursions that can enhance your cruise vacation experience. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, taking your chances at a game of poker in the casino, strolling through the on-board shops, enjoying a Broadway-style show, or just sipping on a drink with a new friend, you will never run out of fun, exciting, and relaxing things to do on your cruise vacation. There are even special programs and activities planned just for the kids!

Most cruise lines also offer shore excursion packages that can be added to your cruise vacation. A shore excursion is an optional, pre-planned adventure that you enjoy on-land in each of your ports of call. From snorkeling among beautiful coral reefs in the Caribbean, to whale-watching in Alaska, or exploring the ancient Mayan pyramids in Mexico, your opportunities for fun and adventure are virtually limitless. Shore excursions can be booked both online or after you board your ship at the purser’s desk.

Book Your Cruise Vacation Today!

A cruise vacation is the perfect vacation choice for the entire family! No matter what it is you choose to see or do, a spectacular cruise vacation gives you the opportunity for a vacation experience like no other!

The sooner you decide on your cruise package, the better deal you will get. With the increased popularity of cruising, most cruise ships fill to capacity weeks before their sailing date, making last minute cruise deals a thing of the past. Though booking yourself online is a good option for experienced cruisers, if you are new to cruising, working with a cruise agent is highly recommended. Your cruise travel agent will be able to walk you through the entire cruise vacation planning and booking process, explaining the differences between countless cruise lines, cruise ships and cruise destinations there are to choose from, helping you to select the cruise vacation that you and your family will enjoy most!

Before you know it, you’ll be sipping on your favorite drink and soaking up the sun while cruising the high seas aboard one of the most beautiful cruise ships in the world! This is sure to be one vacation that you and your family will never forget!!

Chenta asked:


Every year, there are about two million people boarding Caribbean cruises. Why? Simply  because Caribbean cruises offers unlimited benefits of luxury travel, spectacular destinations, preserved islands, harbors, historic places, local cultures and so much more. With no doubt, more and more people are looking for cruising nowadays and definitely will not left out Caribbean cruises in their main options.

When you search for Caribbean Cruises on the net, you will end up with hundreds of exciting choices. You can choose based on the destinations, prices, family or couples, the length of the stay or the type of cruises. For Caribbean cruises, the options are such as the Princess, Cunard, Ocean Village, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, P&O and Costa Cruises. The most common cruise that most people choose are either Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean cruises. Both offer seven days cruising. The Eastern Caribbean leave from Florida and you will spend more time on the land. This is suitable to those like shopping. There are also ports to be visited like the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. John, St. Thomas and St. Martin. Whereas the Western Caribbean leave either from Florida, Texas or New Orleans and you will spend more time at sea. This is suitable to those like natural beauty, beaches or water activities. Ports of call are such as Mexico, Costa Rico, Dominican Republic, Belize and Jamaica.

The Caribbean areas covers so many beautiful islands and each island is unique in so many ways. Furthermore, each port of calls offers unique culture and hospitality of the locals. Therefore you’ll have hard time to came out with the shortlisted Caribbean cruises list and of course, there are so many routes too to chose from. How long can you spend time with a Caribbean cruise? You can choose from one to two days to over two weeks.

Each specific cruise tailor to a particular needs. For example, if you are taking children along, you might consider Disney Caribbean, as the cruise package comes with so many entertainment activities on the board. If you go with couple, you might want to consider Princess Caribbean, as the cruise offers nice, quite, romantic cruise package and itinerary. If you are looking for luxurious vacation on cruise, you should list high class cruises like Silversea, Crystal or the new Queen Mary II.

The bottom line is, whatever Caribbean cruises that you want to choose, you are advised to do advance booking, as discounted tickets are sold early and do not forget to choose the trusted and authorized cruise agent. For more convenience, you can do your bookings online. If you are concern about the budget, you may want to consider last minutes deals where you might get a discount. Spending time searching the best cruise deals online may save you a few bucks. So good luck in looking the best Caribbean cruises for your holidays!

Arjun Singhe asked:


When you want to take a vacation, there are so many choices you have that it can seem overwhelming. You can take a road trip, you can fly by plane, you can even take a cruise. A Caribbean cruise is probably the best time you’ll ever have on vacation, even if you take the entire family along. When searching for the best Caribbean cruise deals, however, you still have a lot of choices. You can go online to try to find last minute cruise deals on Royal Caribbean or you can call your local travel agent and have him or her do all the leg work for you. If you’re looking for the best Caribbean cruise deal, have your travel agent find it for you as they’re often the first to know about the best deals available.

Do You Have An Agent?

If you already have a travel agent that you work with, finding the best Caribbean cruise deal shouldn’t be too difficult. If you don’t have one, however, you can find one by looking online or in your local phone book. Travel agents get paid to find you great deals on vacations. They do all the homework for you, they book your tickets and any extras and you don’t have to do anything but pay for it. They make taking vacations very easy and they make finding the best Caribbean cruise deals even easier.

Where And When?

Call your travel agent, or the one you decide to go with, and tell him or her when you’d like to leave. If your vacation dates are open, tell the agent that. Sometimes, you can find the best Caribbean cruise deals by going during an off peak time. This could include hurricane season, when a lot of people like to stay off of cruise ships in the middle of the ocean in case a deadly hurricane comes through. However, these are often when the best Caribbean cruise deals are offered. If your vacation dates are set and you’re limited to when you can go, just tell your agent what dates you have to work with, what you’d like to do on your best Caribbean cruise deal and how many people you’re taking with you.

That’s it. Soon, you’ll get a call from your agent telling you that your best Caribbean cruise deal is all set up and you’re ready to depart. All you have to do is pay for it, pack and get ready to go on the vacation of a lifetime.