posted by admin on Apr 29
Holland America Explores Europe and the Mediterranean
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
Because of its history, Europe and the Mediterranean are two of the most wondrous regions to explore. From the windmills of Amsterdam to medieval castles of Norway, this curious continent delivers the stuff fairy tales are made of. Holland America calls this region home. Launching her first ship from Rotterdam in 1873, Holland America has positioned herself as the leader in premium-class cruises to Europe, the Mediterranean and other exceptional ports.
Serving up Europe as only a local can, Holland America combines popular tourist spots with out-of-the-way ports for an in-depth look at all that makes Europe grand. The Netherlands, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Russia and others are available from two- to 108-night voyages on 46 itineraries encompassing 136 ports.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Probably most famous for hillsides full of tulips and windmills, Amsterdam is an enchanting city. You’ll find yourself face to face with classic creations from van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer, as you stroll through numerous museums. Tour the canals, ramble through festivals filled with music and culture, and discover the inner workings of live windmills. Don’t forget to leave room in your suitcase, so you can bring home a pair of wooden shoes!
Paris, France
Truly the city of love, Paris, France, is a delight for all your senses. Take in the sites including world-famous monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, this structure is as beautiful as it is historically significant. The Arc stands on four support bases that commemorate the triumph, the resistance, the peace and the departure. Paris is also home to the Eiffel Tower. Absolutely breathtaking at 300 meters tall, the Tower encases 1652 steps from bottom to top. And you must partake of the food while in Paris. From sidewalk bistros with champagne brunches to mouthwatering bakeries filled with warm breads and luscious pastries, you haven’t experienced Paris until you’ve dined here.
Tallinn, Estonia
This little-known gem is quite a find by those who travel on Holland America. Wedged between Russia and Latvia, Tallinn is across the sea from Finland and Sweden. Red-tiled rooftops are significant of Tallinn as are water and cobblestone streets. This ancient city offers some truly unique excursions, which can be booked during your Holland America cruise. Castles, sculptures and vodka are the cornerstones of one walking tour that unfolds interesting sites in this medieval city. Spend the day discovering the most romantic aspects of this charming town or take in the local shops and boutiques while surrounded by stunning natural beauty.
St. Petersburg, Russia
With its rich imperial past, St. Petersburg has some of the most awe-inspiring architecture in the world. Catherine’s Palace, with its grandiose design of blue, white and gold, is a must-see while in St. Petersburg. Museums are also worthy excursions if you have a love for art. A truly regal city, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back into the days of royalty.
Cairo, Egypt
The Mediterranean is also an exciting and intriguing port of exploration. Amid the wonders you’ll find in and around Cairo are the pyramids, the Sphinx and the Nile River. As the sole survivor of the Seven Wonders of the World, these pyramids are something everyone who visits Egypt should see. Cross the desert and discover exotic wildlife or fill the shoes of Cleopatra, as you take a riverboat tour of the Nile. It truly is a unique experience that won’t be quickly forgotten.
If touring Europe and the Mediterranean in style is your idea of a grand vacation, Holland America has the ships and itineraries to make it happen. Discover the best these destinations have to offer when it’s time for your next getaway.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> offering the best deals including <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/european_cruises.htm"> European cruises</a> and <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/alaska_cruises.htm">Alaska cruises</a>.
Cruise Food: Personal Choice Dining Makes A Big Splash
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
In the golden era of ocean voyages, everyone was called to a single seating of dinner in the main dining room of the ship. Whether you were hungry or not, whether you liked liver p t or not, you came and you ate when and what you were told. Special requests from first-class passengers may have been accommodated, but they were done so at the quiet protest of the chef. Dining aboard cruise ships today has made dramatic improvements in both variety and service.
Cruising is now broadly accepted among the masses as a cost-effective and fun vacation alternative. What was once reserved for only the wealthiest is now available to practically everyone. Catering to the masses, especially families with finicky children, has become the delight of chefs, rather than an insult. Stretching their creativity, most of those on the kitchen staff take pride in developing new dining alternatives that suit their guests.
Options In Cuisine
Princess Cruises is a good example. With the advent of Personal Choice Dining , Princess has not only taken the restrictions off typical cruise ship dining, it has also expanded options for its passengers. With “Anytime Dining,” guests find most of the eight restaurants open all day. Some are open 24 hours. While the main dining room still has two seatings, it is open for Anytime Dining during breakfast and lunch hours. This allows passengers to eat when they are hungry rather than when the cruise line dictates they should dine. But time isn’t the only advantage to Personal Choice Dining .
Options in cuisine have become much more diverse. Making concessions for every age and appetite, Princess offers a little something for everyone. From an onboard, upscale Italian restaurant to a refined steakhouse to burgers, dogs and pizza at the caf , adults and kids alike can enjoy what suits their fancies. In addition, guests can curb those midday (or midnight!) snack attacks with a 24-hour buffet, featuring finger sandwiches, aged cheeses, chocolate-dipped strawberries, ice cream sundaes and more.
For those who prefer a more private way to dine, 24-hour room service is available with a full menu. Simply fill out the card provided in your stateroom, and any cuisine you desire from the dining room - including steak and lobster - will be delivered to you at the time you indicate. If you desire to dine on your balcony, your server will be glad to accommodate.
Dressing For Dinner
While the main dining room does have nights where formalwear is required, other dining options onboard allow passengers to dress in whichever attire they choose. Visit the buffet in your swimsuit and flip-flops, throw on shorts and a tank top for the late-night bistro or don your khakis and golf shirt for the steakhouse and other onboard restaurants.
If you’ve been under the mistaken impression that cruising means tuxedos and entr es with names you can’t pronounce, relax! Those days are long gone. Princess Cruises and other lines now have much more casual options you and your family can take advantage of. Eat when you want, where you want, what you want and make everybody happy!
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> offering the best deals including <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/princess_cruise_line.htm">Princess cruises</a>. Visit them today!
Take Your Cruise Vacation From The Philadelphia Cruise Port
There are now cruise lines that depart the Philadelphia cruise port from early spring to late fall. All of the cruise lines are now making cruise travel a close to home event. The Philadelphia cruise port has undergone a $15 million dollar upgrade to enable it to handle cruising using state of the art facilities. Normally if you mentioned cruising, the Port of Philadelphia would never come to mind, but thanks to the new cruise lines marketing of close to home cruise travel, the Philadelphia cruise port has become very popular. Since this new concept of cruise travel, thousands more people have chosen a cruise vacation.
The Philadelphia cruise lines include Norwegian Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises, both offering cruise vacations to Bermuda. The Philadelphia cruise port is uniquely situated; 62 million people live within a five mile drive. And Philly has so much to offer. There are first class hotels, good transportation, colorful neighborhoods and lots of history. All of it is within walking distance. As the tourism board says when it is touting the Philadelphia Cruise Port, it is Americas “Berthplace”.
The United States Constitution was written in Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell lies directly across from it. In Independence Hall the chair that George Washington sat in and Thomas Jefferson’s walking stick are on view. A short distance away is the house where Betsey Ross sewed the American flag. At Penn’s Landing is the Independence Seaport Museum, a delight for people who love the sea. There is also the Reading Market, the oldest continually running marketplace in the US. The Amish people bring their homemade items to sell Wednesdays through Saturdays. Don’t forget to eat a Philly Cheese steak then run up the famous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art just like Rocky.
For people who choose to take their cruise vacation from here, the Philadelphia cruise port is five minutes from interstate 95. Parking is plentiful and will run you about $10.00 per day. If you fly in to take your cruise vacation, taxis are a flat rate of $20.00 from the airport to Philadelphia’s Cruise Terminal.
After boarding one of the cruise lines, you will most likely leave the Philadelphia cruise port at 3:00 PM. Use this time to explore your cruise ship and to unpack and settle in. Make any appointments you want on this day as spa and beauty appointments go fast. Tonight will be a causal night for dinner. The next day you will have a leisurely day at sea to do what ever you want. This night will probably be formal night and will be billed as the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.
The next day is exciting because you will land at St. George Island at two o’clock. Head to St. Catherine’s Fort, built in the 1600’s, it has spectacular views of the ocean. Go inside to view a replica of the British Crown Jewels and various military paraphernalia. St. Catherine’s Beach is at the foot of the Fort and is one of the nicest beaches around.
Bermudas oldest church, St. Peter’s, contains many relics. You will have to climb many steps but it is worth it. Don’t forget to visit King’s Square where you can view pillories, stocks and whipping posts the favored form of punishment in the 16th and 17th centuries.
You will overnight on your cruise ship at St. George Island, departing the next day at 7:00 AM for Hamilton, Bermuda, arriving there at 9:00 AM. You have the whole day and night to explore the historic Churches, Forts, Lighthouses and Museums. You may just want to go to their beautiful blue water beaches. Wonder over to the Royal Naval Dockyard or opt to experience swimming with the dolphins. Once again you will overnight on the cruise ship and depart the next morning at 8:00 AM.
You will have another day at see before returning to the Port of Philadelphia
Now that you know about the Philadelphia cruise port and their cruise lines, call your travel agent and book 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
Innovative and affordable Caribbean cruise vacation
Innovative Way In Which You Can discover the beautiful St-Vincent and the Grenadines
by Rachel Paradis
St. Vincent & the Grenadines are regarded by most as the “Jewels of the Caribbean”. Since primeval times, St. Vincent, our home base has been blessed with lush mountains, volcanic-rich soil and unspoiled landscapes of brilliant flora and beautiful crystal clear waters. Add to this the idyllic islands and deserted cays of the Grenadines and the entire country emerge as a prime eco-playground.
Health Vacation Custom Cruises offers the most innovative vacation packages available to anyone who loves to discover St-Vincent and the Grenadines, and several other Leewards and Windwards islands, very intimately, aboard the Jonalisa, a 60 foot luxurious privately owned and operated Canadian trawler yacht.
Until now you either could view these islands aboard a giant cruise vessel and from behind the ships side rails, docking now and then where the docking facilities permit it, mostly in larger commercial islands never being able to set a foot on those deserted islands and magical coves.
You can charter a boat or a Yacht locally owned and operated that comes with a captain and cook. Then if you’re not acquainted with this area you need to rely on your chartered captain for security, itineraries and food.
Health and Vacation Cruises offers a very customizable vacation itinerary that will allow you the opportunity to define the type of cruise and activities you wish to experience during your visit. Aboard the Jonalisa motor yacht you’ll enjoy one of the most unique charters and cruises experiences to be found in the world. Enjoy sunny weather and temperature averaging 85 Fahrenheit with a cooling breeze from the trade winds. Follow the sound of the wind and let experience professionals transport you to the beautiful St-Vincent and the Grenadines and several other Leewards and Windwards islands.
Dream holidays on a well-equipped, well-stocked yacht are not just for the rich and famous, they are within your reach, too. Just charter the Jonalisa motor yacht with and experienced knowledgeable staff and cruise off to your dream destinations in the West Indies. You can pick your own route, set your own pace, chose your own cuisines, chalk out your own itinerary, make stopovers whenever and wherever you feel like, and be the master of the yacht until you return to the shore and enjoy a dream vacation that will live in your memories for ever.
Ms. Rachel Paradis MA
President Health Vacation Cruises
She holds a master degree in industrial and organizational psychology. She has a vast knowledge of the Caribbeans and motor Yacht cruises.
The Health Vacation & Organizational Wellness team gathers professional practitioners in the fields of Health, Psychology, Business.
/www.health-vacation.com>
Ms. Rachel Paradis holds a master degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a professional business coach. The Health Vacation & Organizational Wellness team gathers professional practitioners in the fields of Health, Psychology, Business and Vessel management.
Some Excellent Cruise Tips For Your Caribbean Cruise Vacation
The first day of your Caribbean cruise vacation is here. Most of the day will be spent getting to know your cruise ship, making spa appointments, booking tours on the Caribbean Islands and trying to get cruise tips from your fellow passengers.
The first night of your Caribbean cruise vacation is always a casual night since most people have traveled a good portion of the day. It s also the night you meet your table mates. Here is another cruise tip, be a few minutes late on the first night (only on the first night-be prompt from then on). There is usually a crush of people when the dinner bell rings and everyone is trying to find their table.
If you are eating in the traditional cruise style, always ask for a large table for several reasons. You have a better chance of meeting a mix of people, and the more people you meet during your cruise travel, the merrier. One thing to do is change seats every night at the table so everyone gets to talk to everyone else during the course of your cruise vacation. It s much more fun. And a round table is ideal since rectangular ones make it difficult to talk to the guy at the other end. However, if you find that you are unhappy with your table, absolutely go to the maitre d’ and asked to be moved. He or she will accommodate you as best they can. There are people who chose to dine alone and the ships have tables for two but they fill up fast.
Freestyle Dining and Choice Dining are available on some Cruise Lines for those who want to eat on their own or don t want to be delegated to a specific dining time. Your travel agent will be able to set this up when booking your Caribbean cruise vacation.
Now you are on day two, and usually that means it’s a day at sea. You are just itching to put into your bathing suit and get out in the sun. Listen to this, it is the most valuable of all the cruises tips here, do not try to get a tan on your first day of your Caribbean cruise vacation. You will spend days of your precious cruise trying to recover from very bad sunburn. The Caribbean sun is very intense and is even more so in the summer months.
Get waterproof sun block and use it liberally if you are swimming or snorkeling. Don t forget the tops of your feet, your ears and lips, this can be extremely painful. Wear a hat so you don’t burn your scalp.
To avoid injury follow these tips. Be careful if the decks are wet, they become very slippery. Watch for the raised lips in some doorways especially between your cabins sleeping area and the bathroom. Never sit on the railings as you may fall. Wearing high heels could be hazardous in bumpy weather. When tendering to shore keep your arms and legs within the tender. These are all very good cruise tips
All of the newer cruise ships have an internet caf ©; some even have an internet connection in your room. So if you want to bring your lap top with you, by all means do. There are some small luxury cruise ships that have lap tops available for your use. Check with your cruise travel agent, he or she will know. Most people won t want to be bothered with their computers, but it is nice to check your email if you are going to be away for awhile, and ship to shore phone calls are very expensive on the cruise lines.
The last evening will also be a casual night since you have packed your bags and put them outside your cruise cabin. Tomorrow will be an early morning and the end of your enchanting Caribbean cruise vacation.
There always seem to be many questions about tipping while taking a Caribbean cruise vacation. These questions come up on European cruise vacations too, but we’ll stick to the Caribbean. Some cruise lines will absolutely not let you tip. These are the very high end cruise lines. Some automatically add it to your bill. If you do not like this arrangement tell the purser that you will tip on your own. Tipping on a cruise ship is very important since the room steward, waiter and busboy all make their living on tips. They work very hard to keep you happy during your Caribbean cruise vacation so please tip them. You may want to figure out the amount of tips you will be paying at the beginning of the cruise vacation and separate that from your spending money. You won t get caught short.
If a Maitre d does something special, like crepe suzettes at your table, you should tip him. When you order wine or drinks there is already a 15% tip on the charge, so it is not necessary to tip here. If you find a special bar and frequent it, give the bartender a bit extra on the last night. As I said tipping policies are different on all ships so find out ahead of time. Holland American has changed their tipping policy. It used to be “no tipping necessary”. That policy is no longer in place. On NCL Hawaii a $10.00 per day per person is added to your bill and it is not optional.
A nice gesture on a two week cruise is to give half the tip after the first week, the cruise staff will appreciate this. On almost all of the cruise ships, the general rule for tipping is $3.00 per day, per person for the waiter and the room steward and $1.50 per person per day for the bus boy. If you re not sure the Cruise Line will usually give you guidelines. If your room steward or waiter showed you excellent services tip them more.
Alcoholic beverages on board are expensive. All cruise ships have there own policy if you bring your own, some confiscate it and return at the end of the cruise, others allow you to buy bottles on board, and others will allow you to purchase it but won t deliver it until the end of the cruise. Each cruise line has different policies so check with your cruise travel agent. In many cases you can bring wine and champagne on board.
Here s just a small note about seasickness. On the really huge ships it should not be a problem. If you are prone to it and are taking a smaller ship, there are over the counter remedies. Dramamine and Bonine are in tablet forms and can make some people drowsy. Because of the size and the stability of the current fleet of cruise ships only 3% of cruise passengers are affected by this.
There are wrist bands that you can purchase that act on the theory of acupuncture. Then there is also the Patch that you wear behind your ear. If you do not purchase one of these before the cruise and find yourself getting a little green, the purser’s office will provide you with them. Go out on the open decks, eat saltines, green apples and drink ginger ale. Do not do anything that requires you to look down, like reading or writing.
In health food stores you can buy powdered ginger caplets which are the natural remedy. That should take care of it. Stay away from greasy foods. This is no longer a huge problem since most ships today have stabilizers that keep the ship from pitching to and fro. If you do have a problem with “mal de mar”, it is not wise to take a sailing cruise or a small ship in notoriously rough seas like the South China Sea. It is so shallow it is always a little rough. The waves bounce off the seabed and come back up making it a bit choppy. Here again the size of the ship matters and having a little information will be helpful. This is where a really knowledgeable cruise travel agent comes in.
All cruise ships have a policy on smoking. On one ship they had an absolutely no smoking policy anywhere, they have since changed that rule. There is never any smoking allowed in the showrooms or the dining rooms. In many cases they designate one side of the ship in the bars as the smoking section while the other side is smoke free.
You can smoke in the bars and in the casino. Never, ever, toss a lit cigarette overboard, it can blow back on deck and start a fire. Please be considerate of the other passengers and follow the rules. And be aware that you will encounter many more smokers on a European cruise vacation and on European cruise ships that winter in the USA.
These are just some sensible cruise tips for you to follow on you Caribbean 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
How to enjoy Croatia ?
How to enjoy Croatia ? 1. Why Croatia ? Croatia is the closest Mediterranean destination to central Europe. It takes 2 hours by plane from London, 45 minutes from Munchen… Croatian natural beauties are significant and amongst the best preserved in the world ( over 5,800 km of coast, over 1,000 islands, numerous national parks … ). More about Croatia find on the official web site www.croatia.hr 2. How to Croatia ? Traveling by car you have to keep in mind that the traffic is increased in summer season. National ferry line is Jadrolinija and the national airline company is Croatia Airlines 3. Where in Croatia ? Although the inland of Croatia is beautiful as well, lot of tourists decide for one of the places along the Croatian coast. Most of the beautiful places in Croatia are located on the Adriatic sea coast ( National Park Brijuni islands, Roman arena in Pula, National Park Kornati islands, old towns Dubrovnik, Zadar, Trogir, Sibenik, Split, National Park island Mljet … ). Having one day trip in inland you can visit more Croatian beauties like National Park Plitvice lakes, National Park on river Krka, National Park Paklenica, … ) 4. Stay (sail) in Croatia ? Usually tourists rent a hotel room or an apartment and spend a week laying on a beach not aware that there are plenty other places around worth to be visited. Instead of changing hotels and moving your stuff from one place to another trying to see as much as possible , you can rent a boat ( skipper if necessary ), visit all the places along the Croatian coast and islands and have an extraordinary holidays. Croatian coast has 1000 of islands so there are no big waves and high sea. The conditons are perfect for nice and easy sailing. There are no long distance routes across the open sea. You can achor anytime you want and take a swimm. The price for sailing holidays in Croatia is equal to price for a hotel accomodation. More about yacht charter in Croatia find on web sites www.Yacht-Rent.com , www.star.hr, www.Yacht-charter-Rent-boat.com … There you can find a complete yacht charter offer in Croatia: around 2000 charter yachts belonging to all relevant charter companies in Croatia ( having at least 10 to 100 boats in their fleet). You can compare the prices for different boat models and select the most appropriate one. To answer the question how to enjoy in Croatia - sail in Croatia!
Best Cruise Lines
Best Cruise Lines What is a mantra of a wonderful vacation? If you believe me, natural splendor, blue waters and white sand make the perfect and most memorable vacations you can have. And if you are really interested in going in for one, then pack your bags and get ready for a sensational trip of the most happening cruise lines. A cruise voyage will give it all right from the sprawling nature to blue waters of the oceans and the white sand on the beaches. And the best part of it, a cruise is your 24 hrs entertainment center where the sun never sets. A cruise is a one stop entertainment for many occasions and events. A cruise allows you to celebrate family cruising and reunions, wedding, birthday celebrations, vacation travel, honeymoon and much more. A cruise trip also allows and offers flexibility in planning various activities. You can plan to travel in the set of destinations from the hundreds of destinations offered by the cruise liners. Do whatever, your cruise trip will be the most cherished experience you will ever have in your life. Cruise trips have gained much popularity in the past couple of years due to which there are many cruise lines which offer the best of services to its travelers. The popularity is so much that it is estimated by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) that of the more than 10 million Americans who had taken cruises in the year 2004, around 5 million had taken the cruise for the first time. This amazing piece of statistic is a reflection of the fact that cruising can be not only fun, but a tremendous vacation value. This vacation value can be rightly explored once you are on a cruise line. A cruise line offers a quality vacation because it offers a great value in terms of the number of destinations from which you can choose your favorite one. And more value packed just because most of the cruise lines offer world class dining and various on board activities, along with many other activities like surfing, deep water fishing, skiing, kayaking etc which means you can have multiple vacations in one. Also most of the cruise lines offer you the ease of sailing from a port near your city. You can book the cruise line fro a journey onboard and also for some of the most exciting shore and land excursions which may include tours, entertainment, adventure sports and activities and much more that will make the whole lot of cruising a memorable experience. There are many cruise lines around the United States and Europe, which offer the best of the facilities and excursions. It is always to plan your trip ahead and book the cruise in advance as doing this would save you money, which obviously you can spend on some other sneaky extras. When finalizing a cruise line look for their track record and also compare the rates Looking for more information on Best Cruise Lines check out www.cruiselinesbest.com your guide to Best Cruise Lines.
Looking for more information on Best Cruise Lines check out <a href= www.cruiselinesbest.com >www.cruiselinesbest.com</a> your guide to Best Cruise Lines.
Go On An Inexpensive Cruise - Your Life May Depend On It
One of the main keys to getting an inexpensive cruise is being able to move quickly on the deals that you find. Failing to act immediately makes your efforts in looking for the most inexpensive cruise almost impossible. You have to learn to act quickly, because someone might get your spot.
Cruise lines that are lower in price are all the time getting consumed by vacationers and travelers seeking a comfortable, relaxing, and entertaining getaway. If you find something that you believe you’ll enjoy, and you’ve compared all of the other options; thus landing on that one - pounce on it, and fast.
Looking for the best inexpensive cruise means you have to look at a lot of cruise line websites. The web is a perfect way to compare cruise line prices. If you’re looking for an inexpensive cruise with a local line whose ships are clean and safe, but may not have all the luxuries of the tradition cruise liner, talk to a friend who might have found a great deal, and enjoyed their cruise.
One entertaining option is to try looking for an inexpensive cruise during spring break, these are usually very exciting cruises, but make sure you compare prices and the quality of the cruise. You don’t want to be stuck on a party boat if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway.
Finding the right cruise for the right price all depends on you and what you are looking for. Are you wanting to party? Relax? Or is it a business cruise? Cruises are a great way to fulfill many of your needs in all of those areas.
Keep in mind, however, that if you are looking for an inexpensive cruise in a very low price range you’ll probably end up in a shorter cruise (maybe 2 - 3 days) or cruising in the off season - which isn’t all that bad if you do enough initial research on which cruises go where, and what they have to offer.
If you are only looking for a very inexpensive cruise that’s short, but long enough to get your sanity back, then it will do fine with smaller ships and even smaller cabins. But keep in the back of your mind, those looking for an inexpensive cruise, you would have to look long and hard to find anything comparable for just a weekend getaway.
Although it’s not always the case, some inexpensive cruises can be a 5-day cruise for less than $600 per person, which is not the most expensive, but can be a little too pricey (but think of it as a little more than 100 dollars - close to a hotel rental, with more entertainment, food, and relaxation). To lower the price a little, you might want to consider going with more people and opting for a group rate if your cruise line allows it, or a family rate. These often get a cheaper deal per person.
Although they aren’t the absolute pinnacle of all inexpensive cruise lines, Carnival Cruise lines are one of the more popular inexpensive options. They have great rates for very good quality service, and entertainment. But don’t limit your cruise options to just Carnival.
In comparing your cruise options, and critiquing the service, entertainment, and food aboard Carnival or other lines, it’s important to understand that if they are inexpensive cruise lines they might not be as prestigious as others, but most pack a lot in for the amount that you spend on them.
In conclusion, I want to remind you that the main thing in getting an inexpensive cruise is being able to move very quickly. Cruises are great ways to relax, and most people realize this, so they strike at any deal they can get their hands on. So act quickly, and have a great time!
Imagine yourself relaxing on your dream cruise. Now that you know what you want go to http://inexpensivecruises.blogspot.com for key ways to making that dream a reality and a cheap one at that.
Brooklyn, New York Opens Its First Cruise Ship Port
by Roy Witman © 2006, All Rights Reserved
In 2003, New York announced the grand opening of a new alternative port for cruise lines. Because ports in Florida were becoming more and more crowded, additional docking facilities in interesting cities on the Eastern Seaboard were needed to provide cruise lines with a new home port. The port has been wildly popular. So much so that another has been added in nearby Brooklyn.
The Red Hook terminal in a neighborhood in Brooklyn opened in April 2006 and welcomed its first permanent resident, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 (formerly docked in Manhattan). Located on the Buttermilk Channel, the Brooklyn terminal gave the first increase in New York cruise ship pier capacity in over 30 years. With the likes of Cunard and Princess cruise lines as eager residents, the terminal has already become a success. Most other major cruise lines have also assigned vessels to sail from Brooklyn.
Princess Cruise lines will launch the Crown Princess from the Brooklyn dock in June 2006 for a Caribbean cruise. From June to October, Princess will offer numerous Caribbean tours, including calls on ports in popular destinations such as the Virgin Islands, Grand Turk and Jamaica. Star Princess will begin cruises from Brooklyn in October 2006 visiting ports up and down the New England and Canadian seacoast.
But Brooklyn? It doesn’t seem like the most exciting location for a cruise ship port. On the contrary. While not normally publicized as a vibrant city with plenty to do, Brooklyn offers cruisers an opportunity to spend a few days in New York before or after their tour.
Very similar to Manhattan, Brooklyn offers a trendy nightlife as well as diverse cultures and eclectic cuisine. Bars, clubs and restaurants line the streets, offering a tremendous variety of options for visitors and locals alike.
If culture is your thing, Chinatown is always a wonderful experience. In addition, Flatbush offers the largest Caribbean population in the United States. In either place, you’ll delight in the authentic sights, sounds and tastes on every corner.
With spectacular views of many popular attractions, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, the Red Hook terminal also offers exciting options for sightseers. However, New York City is just a short cab ride away and opens a virtual treasure trove of attractions, shows, museums and affairs.
Overall, Brooklyn offers greater value (with lower rates on hotels) and a central location, making it a wonderful choice for both vacationers and the cruise lines. If New York is closer for you than Florida, or if you’ve been longing to visit the Big Apple, consider booking your next cruise from the Red Hook terminal in Brooklyn. Your travel agent will have a complete listing of which cruise lines sail from Red Hook and the destinations available.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center based in Yonkers, New York. Visit them online today at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> for the best deals, including <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/alaska_cruises.htm"> Alaska cruises</a> and <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/hawaii_cruises.htm"> Hawaii cruises</a>. You'll find their service exceptional and their attention to detail second to none.