want to plan an alaska cruise, whats the insider recommendations?
June 10, 2009 by Cruise Tips
Filed under More Cruise Answers
Can you answer Karen W’s question about Cruises?:
We usually cruise Royal and have completed 16 cruises, 45 yr olds & no children are going. Which ship is better for food, activities, & price does matter. Any good ideas of how to add an economical land portion too
We are willing to try another cruise line!
Cheap Mediterranean Cruises
We usually cruise Royal and have completed 16 cruises, 45 yr olds & no children are going. Which ship is better for food, activities, & price does matter. Any good ideas of how to add an economical land portion too
We are willing to try another cruise line!
Cheap Mediterranean Cruises
How to Choose a Cheap Cruise Vacation
June 4, 2009 by Cruise Tips
Filed under About Cruises
The cruise vacation has become more and more popular in recent years. Many people are considering the cruise as the vacation of choice during any time of year. It is important if you have children to select the best family friendly cruise to be sure everyone will be satisfied. Not every cruise is family friendly, some cruises are meant strictly for singles or just for couples. You’ll want to double-check and be certain the cruise you are selecting is ideal for families.
Every family is different, so keeping in mind what your children like to do is critical. Some children love outdoor activities and others like creative activities such as arts and crafts. Visit the cruise line’s website and see exactly what activities are planned for children to see how children will be entertained. You’ll want to be sure that your children will enjoy the activities and entertainment that will be on the cruise. After all, once you are on the boat there is no way you can simply pack your family up and drive them somewhere else for the afternoon! Whatever the cruise line provides you with is what you have to enjoy.
Some potential guests are hesitant to ask questions before booking a trip. Asking questions can help you find exactly the right cruise line for your family. Ask your travel agent which cruises they would suggest for your family. Give them the ages of your children and describe their personalities and what they like to do. This will help the travel agent have some idea of the best cruise line and ship to suggest to you. Fortunately, there are many trips to select from — and certainly there is bound to be a cruise that will please your family.
There are cruises for all sorts of people and all types of themes. Families with gay parents can enjoy cruises specifically for these families. Cruises also exist for vegetarians and those that enjoy specific sporting activities. There are also family friendly cruises that feature popular cartoon characters that your children have most likely watched on the television set and video literally since they were born. These cruises are ideal for families as they offer great entertainment for children.
Talk over the idea of taking a cruise with your family. When you have never gone on a cruise, sometimes the idea seems very new and foreign. It may be a great idea to consider taking a short cruise to “test the waters” so to speak and help decide if your family enjoys cruising. Remember that larger cruise lines will most often offer the most options and everyone’s experiences are different. A shorter trip is an excellent way to get a sense of what your toddler or teenager would feel like on a cruise ship and how your family feels about the cruising experience.
Many families consider cruising the ideal vacation. Everything is planned for you when you take a cruise. Your meals are prepared for you and your activities are all available for you, all you have to do is simply sign up and enjoy. Cruises are typically all-inclusive for most services. Many families feel that they get a real bargain in many ways for the type of vacation they wind up enjoying. Cruising is a wonderful way to visit just about anywhere in the world, at just about any time during the year.
There are family friendly cruises that will appeal to many. Choosing the best cruise for your family is critical. You deserve to be happy and relaxed on your family vacation. Like every family that has tried cruising you’ll certainly discover it is the best way to take a vacation!
Thanks to Daniel Millions for contributing this article to our Cruises blog:
Every family is different, so keeping in mind what your children like to do is critical. Some children love outdoor activities and others like creative activities such as arts and crafts. Visit the cruise line’s website and see exactly what activities are planned for children to see how children will be entertained. You’ll want to be sure that your children will enjoy the activities and entertainment that will be on the cruise. After all, once you are on the boat there is no way you can simply pack your family up and drive them somewhere else for the afternoon! Whatever the cruise line provides you with is what you have to enjoy.
Some potential guests are hesitant to ask questions before booking a trip. Asking questions can help you find exactly the right cruise line for your family. Ask your travel agent which cruises they would suggest for your family. Give them the ages of your children and describe their personalities and what they like to do. This will help the travel agent have some idea of the best cruise line and ship to suggest to you. Fortunately, there are many trips to select from — and certainly there is bound to be a cruise that will please your family.
There are cruises for all sorts of people and all types of themes. Families with gay parents can enjoy cruises specifically for these families. Cruises also exist for vegetarians and those that enjoy specific sporting activities. There are also family friendly cruises that feature popular cartoon characters that your children have most likely watched on the television set and video literally since they were born. These cruises are ideal for families as they offer great entertainment for children.
Talk over the idea of taking a cruise with your family. When you have never gone on a cruise, sometimes the idea seems very new and foreign. It may be a great idea to consider taking a short cruise to “test the waters” so to speak and help decide if your family enjoys cruising. Remember that larger cruise lines will most often offer the most options and everyone’s experiences are different. A shorter trip is an excellent way to get a sense of what your toddler or teenager would feel like on a cruise ship and how your family feels about the cruising experience.
Many families consider cruising the ideal vacation. Everything is planned for you when you take a cruise. Your meals are prepared for you and your activities are all available for you, all you have to do is simply sign up and enjoy. Cruises are typically all-inclusive for most services. Many families feel that they get a real bargain in many ways for the type of vacation they wind up enjoying. Cruising is a wonderful way to visit just about anywhere in the world, at just about any time during the year.
There are family friendly cruises that will appeal to many. Choosing the best cruise for your family is critical. You deserve to be happy and relaxed on your family vacation. Like every family that has tried cruising you’ll certainly discover it is the best way to take a vacation!
Thanks to Daniel Millions for contributing this article to our Cruises blog:
Browse our data base of Cheap Cruise Vacations and Discount Cruise Packages for your entire family.
Planning my honeymoon and we are leaning towards a Mediterranean cruise in August, any experience?
May 19, 2009 by Cruise Tips
Filed under More Cruise Answers
Can you answer Sunidaze’s question about Cruises?:
Our original plan was to just go to Italy, which we ended up deciding may be too expensive once the planning got underway so we started looking at cruises. While researching cruises the other night, came across a few different options for a Mediterranean cruise - each starting and ending in Rome (kinda killing two birds with one stone I guess). Has anyone taken a similar cruise before and what was your experience?
Carnival Cruise Honeymoon
Our original plan was to just go to Italy, which we ended up deciding may be too expensive once the planning got underway so we started looking at cruises. While researching cruises the other night, came across a few different options for a Mediterranean cruise - each starting and ending in Rome (kinda killing two birds with one stone I guess). Has anyone taken a similar cruise before and what was your experience?
Carnival Cruise Honeymoon
Which cruise destinations are better?
May 17, 2009 by Cruise Tips
Filed under Cruise Destinations
Can you answer chocolatelover2292’s question about Cruises?:
I want to go on a 4-night Royal Caribbean cruise this July, but I don’t know which destinations to pick this time (I have gone before). I am debating between taking Enchantment to Key West and Cozumel or Majesty to Key West, Cococay, and Nassau. I have been to Nassau and Cococay before (and Cococay was my favorite part of the trip!!), so I don’t know whether I should pick the one to Cococay (where I have been and loved it) or Cozumel (Mexico, where I have never been). The other thing worth noting is that Majesty is a smaller ship than Enchantment. From your experience on these cruises, which of them do you recommend? Is Enchantment a lot bigger or better than Majesty (which I believe is similar in size to Sovereign, which was pretty small)?
I want to go on a 4-night Royal Caribbean cruise this July, but I don’t know which destinations to pick this time (I have gone before). I am debating between taking Enchantment to Key West and Cozumel or Majesty to Key West, Cococay, and Nassau. I have been to Nassau and Cococay before (and Cococay was my favorite part of the trip!!), so I don’t know whether I should pick the one to Cococay (where I have been and loved it) or Cozumel (Mexico, where I have never been). The other thing worth noting is that Majesty is a smaller ship than Enchantment. From your experience on these cruises, which of them do you recommend? Is Enchantment a lot bigger or better than Majesty (which I believe is similar in size to Sovereign, which was pretty small)?
Thanks so much! I will give a best answer if you are helpful.
also, what flights are the cheapest to these departure ports (airlines, etc.)
Alaska Cruise Package
Your Cruise Vacation - Cruise Ship Embarkation Procedures for Cruise Travel
April 22, 2009 by Cruise Tips
Filed under About Cruises
The Cruise vacation you have been planning for a year is now a reality. You’ve packed your bags with the appropriate clothes for cruise travel. You have filled out all of the cruise documentation, do this at home, don’t wait to get to your cruise ship, and now you are ready for this highly anticipated cruise. There are a few cruises tips about embarkation day that you should know before you head for your cruise vacation.
Keep all of your documents with you, that includes tickets for the cruise, any vouchers, passport and any immigration forms that the cruise line has sent you. That includes bus vouchers from the cruise line that will deliver you to the ship from the airport. In is wise to pack a change of clothes in your carry on in case your baggage gets delayed. If you have purchased the vouchers from the cruise line, a cruise line representative will meet you at baggage claim and take you to the bus or van that will transport you to your cruise ship.
If you decided to handle the transfer on your own, check ahead of time to find out how much a taxi will cost from the airport to the pier. It is good to know how long it will take to make the transfer so you have timed your flights accordingly. Make sure you have attached your cruise line tags with ship name, cruising date, and stateroom number. When you arrive at the pier a porter will relieve of your bags. He will expect to be tipped. The going fare is one dollar per bag.
Cruise tips are always helpful so pay attention to this one. Let the cruise line make your airline reservations. The reason for this is that if your flight is delayed the cruise line will handle it. If there are several other passengers on the same flight the cruise line will delay the departure of the ship. If it’s just you and your traveling companion they will probably put you up in a hotel in the town of your embarkation and get you on the ship at the next port of call. If you opted to do it on your own, you will have to make all those arrangements. So, for safety and peace of mind let the cruise lines do it.
If you have decided to go to the town of embarkation a few days before the cruise, that will not be a problem, so make your own reservations. Some travel insurance companies will pick up these expenses but make sure you read the fine print on the policy BEFORE your cruise vacation.
When you get to your cruise ship, embarkation could be a little chaotic. There will be lines, especially early in the check in process. There will be a lot of stressed out people so just relax and take it in stride. After you have gone through the check in process you will be aboard and your cruise vacations begins. Here is where it pays to have all of your documentation completely filled out. Many of the cruise lines have loyalty programs so if you are a repeat cruiser many times they have preferred check in areas. Many of the cruise lines will have preferred check in for cruisers who have booked suites or mini suites. Check this out with your cruise travel agent.
This is a little off topic but it’s one of the best cruise tips you will hear. Use a cruise travel agent for all of your cruise travel. It is important to deal with an agent that has sailed on many different cruise lines so they can give you an honest opinion on the difference between cruise lines. Check and see if they are CLIA certified cruise lines organization. Be careful they don’t push you onto cruise ships where they have preferred status which means they get a higher commission. Scour the internet for cruise reviews on cruise travel to back up what your travel agent is telling you.
Now back to the pier. While you are checking in you will have to give the cruise line a credit card for any on board charges. Most times your room card is also your credit card and identification for getting on and off at ports while on the cruise ship. If you can get on the ship early in the process you get two benefits. One you get to have lunch and two you get the first shot at spa and beauty appointments. It will also give you time to peruse your cruise ship and then head for the pool. Having been a savvy cruise traveler you knew to bag a bathing suit into your carry on luggage.
Just before you get to the gangway you will be stopped by the ships photographer and a picture will be taken to commemorate your cruise vacation. It will be on display in the ships photo gallery but you are under no obligation to purchase it. Check in procedures will be different from ship to ship even within the same cruise lines. It depends on the experience of the staff and the cooperation of the passengers. Remember that these folks that are checking you in have been working since seven o’clock in the morning off loading the people from last weeks cruise vacation. Then they turn around and start putting on a whole new set of passengers for the next cruise.
The most important advice is to try to keep a cool head. You are headed for the best thing you can imagine, a cruise vacation.
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com
Thanks to Mary Hanna for contributing this article to our Cruises blog:
Keep all of your documents with you, that includes tickets for the cruise, any vouchers, passport and any immigration forms that the cruise line has sent you. That includes bus vouchers from the cruise line that will deliver you to the ship from the airport. In is wise to pack a change of clothes in your carry on in case your baggage gets delayed. If you have purchased the vouchers from the cruise line, a cruise line representative will meet you at baggage claim and take you to the bus or van that will transport you to your cruise ship.
If you decided to handle the transfer on your own, check ahead of time to find out how much a taxi will cost from the airport to the pier. It is good to know how long it will take to make the transfer so you have timed your flights accordingly. Make sure you have attached your cruise line tags with ship name, cruising date, and stateroom number. When you arrive at the pier a porter will relieve of your bags. He will expect to be tipped. The going fare is one dollar per bag.
Cruise tips are always helpful so pay attention to this one. Let the cruise line make your airline reservations. The reason for this is that if your flight is delayed the cruise line will handle it. If there are several other passengers on the same flight the cruise line will delay the departure of the ship. If it’s just you and your traveling companion they will probably put you up in a hotel in the town of your embarkation and get you on the ship at the next port of call. If you opted to do it on your own, you will have to make all those arrangements. So, for safety and peace of mind let the cruise lines do it.
If you have decided to go to the town of embarkation a few days before the cruise, that will not be a problem, so make your own reservations. Some travel insurance companies will pick up these expenses but make sure you read the fine print on the policy BEFORE your cruise vacation.
When you get to your cruise ship, embarkation could be a little chaotic. There will be lines, especially early in the check in process. There will be a lot of stressed out people so just relax and take it in stride. After you have gone through the check in process you will be aboard and your cruise vacations begins. Here is where it pays to have all of your documentation completely filled out. Many of the cruise lines have loyalty programs so if you are a repeat cruiser many times they have preferred check in areas. Many of the cruise lines will have preferred check in for cruisers who have booked suites or mini suites. Check this out with your cruise travel agent.
This is a little off topic but it’s one of the best cruise tips you will hear. Use a cruise travel agent for all of your cruise travel. It is important to deal with an agent that has sailed on many different cruise lines so they can give you an honest opinion on the difference between cruise lines. Check and see if they are CLIA certified cruise lines organization. Be careful they don’t push you onto cruise ships where they have preferred status which means they get a higher commission. Scour the internet for cruise reviews on cruise travel to back up what your travel agent is telling you.
Now back to the pier. While you are checking in you will have to give the cruise line a credit card for any on board charges. Most times your room card is also your credit card and identification for getting on and off at ports while on the cruise ship. If you can get on the ship early in the process you get two benefits. One you get to have lunch and two you get the first shot at spa and beauty appointments. It will also give you time to peruse your cruise ship and then head for the pool. Having been a savvy cruise traveler you knew to bag a bathing suit into your carry on luggage.
Just before you get to the gangway you will be stopped by the ships photographer and a picture will be taken to commemorate your cruise vacation. It will be on display in the ships photo gallery but you are under no obligation to purchase it. Check in procedures will be different from ship to ship even within the same cruise lines. It depends on the experience of the staff and the cooperation of the passengers. Remember that these folks that are checking you in have been working since seven o’clock in the morning off loading the people from last weeks cruise vacation. Then they turn around and start putting on a whole new set of passengers for the next cruise.
The most important advice is to try to keep a cool head. You are headed for the best thing you can imagine, a cruise vacation.
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com
Thanks to Mary Hanna for contributing this article to our Cruises blog:
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com
