posted by admin on May 17
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.
Glacier Bay Alaska Cruise
A Glacier Bay Alaska Cruise has perhaps the most breath taking views of all the Alaskan cruises.
Glacier Bay is located in the Southeastern corner of Alaska. The sheer beauty of miles and miles of Alaskan landscape will be remembered for years to come. A cruise around the national park in Glacier Bay is an unforgettable experience. With all the activities and entertainment that is aboard ship creating an itinerary will be necessary if you want to do a little of everything.
Glacier Bay Environmental Gems
The natural beauty of the Glacier Bay Landscape is second to none in the entire world. The fresh water lakes, and tidewater glaciers have inspired many to return again and again. The regal mountains are alive with brilliant color and playful wildlife.
From the deck of the ship you will see the humpback whales and sea lions playing carefree in their native waters, and the bears lounge around in the tidal inlet. High above in the snowcapped mountains the goats and small animals frolic happily throughout the day. Indian pass is the playground for the ever playful sea otters.
There is something for everyone on a Glacier Bay cruise. For those who are avid bird watchers, there are over two hundred different species of birds to observe in their natural habitat. For the botany enthusiast, a Glacier Bay cruise is an incredible experience. From the deck of the ship, the view of over two thousand different flowers that line the shoreline is an awe-inspiring sight. If you are an adventure seeker, you can sign up for kayaking or hiking where you will observe moose, wolverines and coyote in their natural surroundings.
Alaskan Glacier Bay Cruise Activities
If you choose to stay aboard ship, there are many things to do. You can take advantage of all the ship has to offer. There is something for everyone, whether it is relaxing in the restaurant enjoying a five course meal and top rate entertainment, then taking advantage of the state of the art fitness center, sauna or steam room.
There are some cruises that have a casino room for those who love to roll the dice or the slot machines, or even try their hand at blackjack.
For those who crave the nightlife, the Vegas inspired entertainment routines are the attractions that they seek. Comedy clubs and sports bars provide a fun, relaxing atmosphere. There are a number of different activities for children including pizza parties, storytelling and video games.
The best time to plan a Glacier Bay cruise is during the summertime. The beauty and native animal activity has brought people from all over the world to observe. This is truly the most wonderful experience you will ever have and it will be remembered for the rest of your life.
If you liked this article then you will love all of our other Alaska Cruise articles that we have avaliable at our website. So please visit: http://enjoythecruise.com/alaska_cruise.htm now and experience Alaska like you never have before.
Cruise Tips For Cruise Travel At Your Ports Of Call
Cruise travel is one of the best vacations you can take. During your cruise vacation you will visit several different ports of call. Your cruise ship will dock at exotic islands or new countries almost on a daily basis. Check out the cruise reviews on line for cruise tips before you visit your destinations to find out what fantastic experience each port has to offer.
During your cruise vacation you will visit ports to shop, explore, beach, sightsee or hike. There are a wide variety of activities in each cruise destination. Or you could just depart the ship for a chance to walk around for a change of pace. Although this is a great cruise adventure, you should realize that you will only get a small sample of what each port of call has to offer. And be forewarned, as you step of your majestic cruise ship there will be hordes of natives trying to sell you a trinket or a tour around the city.
If you take the advice above and search the cruise reviews, you should have a pretty good idea what each destination has to offer. Choose the one that has the most encompassing tour of your port. In exotic ports they have full day tours, including lunch, that will take you to the highlights of the place you are visiting. This is an ideal way to sample the city or island getting ideas for what you may want to come back for at a later date. On island tours you may want to take an organized tour in the morning, go back to the ship for lunch, then light out on your own to explore more fully, shop or just go to the beach.
If you are more adventuresome, skip the lunch on board and dine in the city. You get to experience the local cuisine and soak up the native culture. This is your vacation, learn new and different things. If you chose to do this check with the cruise director for the best places to dine and make sure you know the exchange rate. On of the cruise tips is to put your meal on a charge card so you will be charged the exchange rate on the day the bill hits the credit card company.
A cruise tip that is very useful is to use the brochure that the ship gives you for their organized tour and follow it on your own. Only do this if you are comfortable with the country you are visiting. If it is your first time overseas to a port of call, it is best to stick with the organized tour for safety and convenience. Other cruise tips can be found online about some of the wonderful things to see and do in various ports of call. Be conscious of one thing, if you chose to explore on your own, know what time the ship leaves and how long it will take you to get back on board. If you are not on an organized tour it is your responsibility to get back on time or the ship will leave without you. You then have to meet the ship at the next port of call at your own expense.
If you opt for an organized tour sponsored by the cruise ship, it should cost you anywhere from $20.00 to over $200.00 depending on what you choose to do. It could be just a simple bus ride around town for two hours or a two day trip from St. Petersburg, Russia to Moscow. The options are endless.
Most cruise lines will let you book in advance on their websites. This is very convenient and helpful with tours that sell out quickly. For instances, in the Cayman Islands the Stingray City tour is very popular and will sell out. If you book it in advance you guarantee your spot. The more inexpensive tours also tend to sell out because of some cruisers watching their budgets. So, don’t miss out, check out the cruise lines website to see if you can book your ticket in advance.
It is good to know the game plan that the tour offers. Things you should be aware of is how much the guide will be with you and do they speak English clearly. Mostly the cruise lines have very competent tour guides, but better safe than sorry. Will have any time on your like for shopping or stopping in a caf ©? It is very important to find out how much physical activity is required before you sign on for any tour. If you have limited mobility you don’t want to go on a tour that climbs the Acropolis in Athens or Dunns River Falls in Jamaica. Find out if a snack or lunch is provided, so if it isn’t you can bring along adequate funds to get your own.
There are private touring companies that you can contact on your own if you wish to tour in a more private fashion. Another alternative is to buddy up with some fellow cruisers and share taxi tours to cut your expense in half. Many times you will meet people on a cruise that have similar interests and you will spend a lot of time together on the cruise ship, why not touring also? It’s a way to save money and enjoy other passengers company.
Only hire licensed taxi drivers. Their credentials should be prominently displayed in the front of the cab. With a licensed driver you are ensured a safe trip and a guide who is knowledgeable about the islands or cities background, where to shop, eat or gamble. And of course they will know the best beaches available. Negotiate the price of your tour up front. If you chose to go to a destination where you will be dropped off for a couple of hours, negotiate with the driver to come back and pick you up. Settle on a price and pay half up front and half on the way back. If the driver has been helpful and friendly, please tip him or her.
Some cruisers like to rent cars in their ports of call. It is recommended that you only do this in destinations that you are familiar with and have a good knowledge of where you are going. Be careful when renting a car. Be sure to check out the entire car for any damages that may already be there and note them on your rental contract. If you fail to do this you may be charged for damage that was already done.
Lastly, use common sense when touring. Don’t travel in dark tight alleys, put your money under your clothes, don’t wear expensive jewelry and don’t let yourself be surrounded, especially by children. Always carry identification and the name of the cruise lines agents in the port of call in case you get in trouble.
You are on a cruise vacation make the best of it. Get off the ship at all of your ports of call whether you are touring or are just poking around. Be sure to take lots of pictures so you will have years of beautiful cruise travel memories.
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
Along The Yangtze River
For those of you going on to China ( or already there) if your looking for something well - mystical - I recommend the yangtze river cruise for sheer splendor and spectacle .
Go sometime in April when the weather is temperate. You’ll marvel at the mist in the morning surrounding the gorges that impose its majesty on its visitors. Bring a lap-top to ensure you have enough space for your pictures- your going to need it!
Your journey begins in Chongqding where you board the Victoria Katarina which will be your home for three lovely nights. This fine ship offers an array of shipboard ammenities, including a lounge, panoramic observation deck, outdoor jacuzzi, fitness center and beauty salon. Cabins are well appointed and each has a private bath and balcony - perfect for viewing 120 miles of spectacular gorges as you float past the ancient cities and villages that dot the majestic Yangtze.
Along the way youll pass Shibouzhaou’s grand pagoda a breath taking monument built without the use of a single nail! Further on the demons in Fengdu’s rooftops regard you with aspect from beyond -tales of ghosts and specters are common in these areas-(not for the faint of heart)
Arrive in Wushun and cruise through the stunningly beautiful Three Lesser Gorges then continue to the site of the biggest dam in the world. You disembark in Yichang and nicely round off your trip by flying out to Beijing , Shanghai or Hong Kong for some shopping.
For more information about luxury cruises and mystical places to go - Visit www.deluxecruisenews.com
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Cruise Ship Vacations Are An Exceptional Approach To Travel.
A Cruise Ship is about not anything if it’s not about having choices: sleeping in from a late evening disco get-together or savoring a cup of latte as the sun rises over your balcony; dressing up for a formal evening or lacing up for a race around an inline skating course. And every cruise ship out there is competing for your interest, doing everything they can to lure you onboard.
You can have the sojourn of a lifetime, see the globe, thoroughly unwind, grab a walk on the wild side, cavort the night away, feast on remarkable food, take in something unfamiliar, forge friends, bond with your kinsmen, and steal peaceful moments with your spouse. Whatever your heart desires, is yours, when you choose to take a cruise ship holiday.
A Cruise Ship offers the best travel buy you can obtain for your bucks. It includes your meals, your cabin, you’re onboard activities, evening parties and all sponsored fun. Each cruise ship is a entire resort and destination unto itself.
Cruise ships and holidays are a logical equivalent: Both are in the good - times biz. Besides, when you sail during the holiday season you get the fun of built-in parties and feast on excellent meals plus someone else to cook them, someone else to do the decorating and entertaining, and someone else to spruce up the holy mess afterward. The solo thing they don’t do is knock out out your Christmas cards for you.
A cruise ship holiday removes 90% of the bother of a land - based visit. Your cruise ship is your floating hotel, restaurant, resort, nightclub, sightseeing office, and health club. You spend time enjoying your vacation, not waiting in hotel or rental car check - in lines.
On a typical Vacation, the Family is pretty regularly stuck together, on a Cruise ship vacation they are not. Each individual can follow his or her interests and rejoin the Family at some prearranged hour. A Cruise ship is sensational for Family Reunions because there is something for each generation to delight in.
Expect to be pampered, massaged, and stuffed with culinary delights. Expect your mind to roam, thinking of the cruise ships of old. Expect to feel intensely relaxed, exhilarated, caressed by sun, sand and wind; expect the exceptional. In brief…. RELAX and ENJOY!
Whether it s a humble family of 10 or a substantial group of 100, a cruise ship may be the best venue for a reunion. Family get-together members search accommodations they can use as a base for dining, touring and socializing together. They want first-rate children’s programs, entertainment and activities. But they also want to make sure everyone in the party has exclusive time to follow their individual interests.
You are usually going to understand what the fee of your cruise ship vacation will be before you go. Your added costs will be shore excursions, cocktails, spa treatments, beauty shop and casino gambling.
You can view it as a prepaid holiday with extras of your picking. Discerning what’s included and what’s not included allows you to control your holiday spending more closely.
The payment of your cruise ship vacation will depend on your preference of accommodations. These accommodations range from an inside Stateroom to a Suite with a Private Balcony overlooking the sea. Each Stateroom includes two twin beds or queen - size bed, bathroom, shower, TV and makeup table / desk.
When comparing the price of a cruise ship vacation versus a land - based holiday, consider that transportation, hotel, meals, entertainment and major activities are included. Even an all-inclusive land resort package can not top that ( it doesn’t go anywhere ).
A Cruise Ship is the super way to experience a number of destinations that you may wish to revisit for a longer interval the next time.
These days’s cruise ships offer rock climbing, basketball, video arcades, swimming pools, spas, vast gyms with yoga and spinning classes, an indoor ice - skating rink and, yes, even mini - golf.
Remember, you only unpack once, no matter how many ports of call you visit. No checking in, or checking out and no running to make plane connections in order to obtain the following port. You’ll be sleeping while the ship takes you to a new destination. Fall asleep in one spot and awake to a fresh one, and you re already unpacked.
All your movies, shows and lounge entertainment are included.
You already have a place at the best restaurant in town.
You have various choices for shopping, sightseeing, entertainment and sports activities.
Cruise travel is for everyone who wants to have peerless vacation at the best possible cost.
Choose to cruise for CUISINE. Tantalize your taste buds with gourmet cookery that showcases fine ingredients, old standbys like pizza and ice cream or spa cookery for a healthy choice. Depending on your disposition, dine in a usual ballroom setting, a wee bistro or a casual eatery.
Carbohydrate Counter Menus are the latest rage among the Cruise Lines.
Don’t neglect the 24 - hour room service, which is also costless.
Here s a cruise tip: Choose to cruise for ROMANCE. Secluded beaches, in suite dining on a balcony overlooking the ocean and spa services for two are just some of the loving pursuits available.
In various cruise reviews, cruising routinely earned the highest ratings in customer enjoyment among all vacation categories.
When you try cruising for the first time, you will be fascinated. The one major lament the Cruise lines hear over and over again, is that cruises end far too soon!
What’s not included in your cruise?
Typically those items and services there are of an individual nature are extra. Most alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, the salon services, shore excursions, shipboard gift and sundries purchases, Internet usage, long - distance phone calls, tips, casino gaming and your transportation to and from your cruise, are extended payment.
So what are you waiting for? Set Sail on your cruise ship sojourn!
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © 2007 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: <a target="_new" href="http://BestCruiseSites.com">http://www.BestCruiseSites.com</a> <a target="_new" href="http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com">http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com</a> and <a target="_new" href="http://www.CruiseGold.com">http://www.CruiseGold.com</a>
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.
The Real Cruise Ship Employment Guide
Securing a job, while avoiding the advertising hype
Picture yourself plying over thousands of miles of ocean, while occasionally docking at historic ports of call. Not only are you traveling free, you’re getting paid for it, too.
The average cruise ship salary range is between $3,000 to $5,000 per month with zero living expenses and full insurance. The core sacrifice is being away from family for 4 to 6 months at a time. The core benefits are traveling the world, making great money, and meeting great people from around the world.
Most cruise ships built today resemble small cities. The average crew includes: personal trainers, chefs, wait persons, security guards, housekeepers, bartenders, blackjack dealers, and even golf pros. You can find hundreds of other jobs available on each ship.
With an average contract of about six months, and with high turnover rates, it’s obvious why companies need to fill so many positions.
However, for most people, finding one of these dream jobs can be as unpredictable as the treacherous waves in the high seas. Should you mail your application? How about faxing or e-mailing it? Would a direct call to a cruise line company help?
The mountainous information that is available on the Internet can make your job search even more confusing. Much of the information is vague, while other information is misleading, or is a straight up scam.
The Truth
What about web sites that claim to mail, fax and e-mail your application in for you? What are the real chances of getting hired that way? Common sense should tell you, that if someone is sending your application in with 100 others, you’re probably not going to get a job.
With a jovial chuckle, Damien Caldera, a former Carnival Cruises staff member states: “I don’t know a single hiring manager who employs anyone from any of those faxed or resume e-mail services in the marketplace. It’s just not done. Moreover, it’s a routine to delete and trash this volume of unsolicited applications!"
Richard Marshal, HR Fleet Operations, Management Recruitment, Royal Caribbean International, completely agrees with Damien’s declaration here.
The truth is that cruise ships never advertise 90% of their entry-level jobs. Instead, those jobs are handled by companies like eCruiseShipJobs.com. Yet, the cruise ship lines own Human Resources Department handles most management level jobs.
ECruiseShipJobs global hiring network is an independent confederation of cruise industry hiring managers with key relationships and hiring access with every major cruise line.
Further Investigation
On further investigation of the countries that supply most of ship crew members, I discovered that all of those countries use crewing agencies. In other words, prospective applicants need to apply through those agencies (who collect fees), and then they are usually employed within months, or within a year. Each agency has direct contact with H.R. personnel from various cruise ships.
Relationships are the easiest way to land a job on a cruise ship. Like the old cliché, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” The cruise industry is rife with this conduct, mainly, because it’s a hospitality driven industry, and the staff are conditioned to behave this way all the time.
Top 5 ways to get hired on a cruise ship!
- A referral from a hiring decision maker who works in the Human Resources Dept of a major cruise line. What better way to get a job than to have reference.
- Get a referral from a friend who has influence within the cruise line industry. This friend who has contact with those higher up in management, might have enough influence to help you get in.
- A referral from a current employee of a major cruise line. It sometimes helps knowing anyone who already is aboard a ship. They can sometimes give you helpful information about the people you need to contact.
- Replying to an ad placed by the cruise lines Management Human Resources Dept for a senior or non entry-level job! Sometimes, it’s possible to look in the local newspaper and see jobs offered directly from the cruise lines. These are usually found in newspapers in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and any other major cities where cruise ships embark.
- A top alternative way to land an entry-level job on a major cruise line is with the eCruiseShipJobs.com global network. They service the world. They have a 13 year hiring success record, and that record of achievement continues today. They have the contacts and the proper guidance to land you a cruise ship job.
The truth is, there are up to 30,000 jobs available each year aboard cruise ships. Plus, that number increases every year. Unfortunately, if you don’t follow the correct procedures, you could find yourself on dry land.
Stan Hawkins is an American freelance writer currently living abroad. He has traveled to over 50 countries in the past 25 years. Visit his site at http://www.stanhawkins.com or contact him by e-mail at: mailto:info (AT) stanhawkins DOT com
Cruise Lines Enhance The Cruise Experience By Offering Up-To-Date Amenities
With the addition of so many new mega cruise liners the cruise industry has cabin inventory with thousands of berths that they must fill each week or every two weeks. Cruisers expect these beautiful ships with a plethora of entertainment venues, shops and itineraries to choose from everyday when taking a cruise vacation. Everyone that has enjoyed the cruise experience knows that cruise lines are forever trying to come up with new ideas and interesting things to entice new and repeat cruisers. The ships are getting glitzier and the perks are getting better and better. Here are a few things that the cruise lines have added to their rosters to coax you into taking your next cruise vacation on one of their ships.
The world is health conscious today, and the cruise lines have noticed this trend. The first thing that they have decided to revamp and extend is their sports activities to cater to those cruisers who wish to indulge in the cruise experience without leaving their fitness routine behind. Royal Caribbean, for example, not only offers its rock climbing wall but has added a forty foot wave pool, an ice skating rink and a boxing arena for guests to learn how to bunch a bag. These are all very diverse activities sure to meet the tastes of almost everyone on board. On the higher end of cruise lines, SeaDreams Yachts has a retractable marina. The marina opens so that guests may enjoy all kinds of water sports including snorkeling, water skiing, kayaking, and wakeboarding. The ship is even equipped with Segways for the clients to borrow to get around the ship or at tour ports when docked. Segways are high tech motor scooters rarely seen in port towns which make them doubly enjoyable.
Even non cruisers know the cruise lines reputation for good food, all of the time. Now the ships are creating activities that include the cruise guests when it comes to the culinary arts. The cruise lines want to show you how to prepare great food, present it and to savor it, a talent you can take back to your own kitchen. Holland America for one, has instituted the Culinary Arts Centers fleet wide. Each year they invite 20 well known culinary experts to sail and host cooking classes. Silversea on the other hand, has had Viking create a show kitchen on the beautiful Silver Wind. Jacques Pepin is the star of Oceania s ships doing cooking lessons, taking guests on culinary excursions in port and dining with the passengers on board. What aspiring chef would not be delighted with that?
During this time, as the cruise lines are teaching you about gourmet food what would be the perfect pairing? Well, Wine of course. Carnival has taken this step by introducing the wine-themed vacation called the Presidential Wine Club Cruise. On this wine themed Caribbean cruise they offer seminars and wine tastings from famous vineyards. They have even included the Michelin-starred chef Georges Blanc to oversee culinary dishes that are wine friendly. Silversea has instituted the Slow Food Experience excursions on its Genoa, Italy itinerary. With this unique program passengers become students at the University of Gastronomic Sciences for one day and then visit the nearby Wine Bank that has the top wines produced by 200 Italian vineyards. When touring the Iberian Peninsula, Princess Cruise passengers get to create their very own cognac in Camus, France at a family owned distiller. Another Princess Cruise line offering is a trip to Leith near Edinburgh, Scotland where you can visit a Scottish Malt Whisky Society and have single-malt tastings.
When it comes to spas, some cruisers will book just for that experience. Celebrity Cruises has packages that you can book ahead of time with a variety of spa treatments. Some of their exotic treatments include the Ceremony of Milk and Ginger, the Asian Ceremony of the Stone or the pricey Daily Well-Being Ritual. With all packages you have unlimited use of the Thalassotherapy pool. Costa Cruises offers the largest spa at sea on their Concordia. In the 20,000+ square foot spa there are Turkish baths, Rock saunas and thermals. If you book a suite on the Concordia, or a spa cabin, you have unlimited access to the Ristorante Samsaru where Chef Ettore Bocchia, another Michelin starred professional, has created the menu. All of the major cruise lines have choices which include aerobics, work out rooms with equipment, saunas, whirlpools and special programs like yoga or toning and stretching.
Because of our hectic world some people just don t want to be without internet access. Well, the cruise industry has answered your concerns. It is safe to say that all of the mega liners have internet access. Some have portals in each berth while others have internet cafes. On the higher end cruise lines you can borrow lap tops to use in your cabin. Each cruise line is different, some charge for usage or some use it as a perk for repeat cruisers. For instance, Princess Cruises has free internet usage for their Captains Club members after they have sailed a certain amount of times on the Princess ships. The cruise lines clubs (once you have sailed on a particular cruise line you are automatically a club member) all have different perks for different levels of repeat cruisers but that is for another discussion.
As you can see, the cruise lines are keeping up with all cruisers demands so you have lots of options to choose from on your next cruise vacation. Check out all the cruise lines with your Travel Agent and pick the one that is tailor made for your needs.
Bon Voyage!
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.BestCruiseSites.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruiseGold.com
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: <a target="_new" href="http://BestCruiseSites.com">http://www.BestCruiseSites.com</a> <a target="_new" href="http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com">http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com</a> and <a target="_new" href="http://www.CruiseGold.com">http://www.CruiseGold.com</a>