posted by admin on Jun 1
You re Guide to Houseboat Sales
Have you thought about the idea of buying your own houseboat to either escape to on the weekends and holidays? or maybe you want to sell the house and live in your houseboat full time. If so a houseboat sale is the best option for you if you are considering this type of investment in such a prestigious and ever growing boating market.
Without a doubt one of the biggest trends to rise up recently is that of house boating. The houseboat industry is gaining in popularity day by day and more and more people are discovering the potential of a houseboat sale as a great way to secure their own unique watercraft for a very reasonable price. To help people such as yourself, I have put this article together for people who wish to look further into buying a houseboat from a houseboat sale and just what exactly you have to look for when you attend a houseboat sale and wish to make a purchase whether you re a first time buyer or an experienced boater.
When attending a houseboat sale you should also check the age of the vessel and also the manufacturer that originally built the boat, do some research to see whether the builder is a popular and reliable builder and doesn t have a bad reputation. Even call the builder up and let them know that you are attending the houseboat sale for one of their boats and verify the background of it. When inspecting the houseboat sale go over the whole thing with a fine tooth comb from checking the engine log books to making sure the oven works properly. Also look for structural integrity and make sure there are no cracks throughout the craft and major parts are not rusting. Check the engine hours and verify the service log books and generally make sure they are in good condition. Also check the hull or pontoons to make sure they are in good condition and have whether or not they have been sandblasted and repainted recently.
Although a houseboat is essentially a marine water craft you still have to approach a houseboat sale in the same way you would a house made of bricks and motor because in hindsight this is essentially what you are buying, a house. So before you get started you should do some research into a houseboat sale and get a good feel for the boating market in regards to price size brands of builders etc. You should also consider the amount of passengers also know as berths that your desired houseboat should have before attending a houseboat sale. You don t want to buy a 5 berth houseboat if there is 6 members in your family do you! There are strict laws regarding how many people you can carry on a houseboat so this is very important.
Jason Rusch is a houseboat enthusiast that writes information articles for www.modernhouseboat.com for more of Jason s great houseboat articles head on over to the site!
NCL Freestyle's Newest Ship - Norwegian Pearl
by Roy Witman © 2006
The youngest fleet at sea. That’s the goal of NCL Freestyle, and they are continuing in their efforts with the call to service of Norwegian Pearl. Purpose-built to deliver Freestyle Cruising, Pearl is currently sailing through the Inside Passage of Alaska and to the southern and western Caribbean.
Shipboard Amenities
Several features set Pearl apart from other ships including her 14 bars and lounges, more than any other cruise line. Making use of an innovative Bar Central concept, Pearl offers a martini bar, champagne and wine bar, and a beer and whiskey pub all connected.
Exclusive to NCL Freestyle Cruising are Garden Villas. With shared access to a private pool, hot tub, sun deck and workout facility, families that opt for the Garden Villas can take advantage of a private staff of five butlers who are at your beck and call.
Families choosing NCL Freestyle Cruising have more options than the Garden Villas. Connecting rooms in almost every class make for family-friendly vacations regardless of budget. For those cruising as couples, other accommodations are available including value-minded inside staterooms that allow you to make the most of your vacation dollars. Each cabin includes TV, refrigerator, safe, duvet and hair dryer.
Another unique aspect of Pearl is her rock-climbing wall - a first on a NCL Freestyle cruise ship. Positioned high atop Deck 14, you can see for miles once you reach the top of the wall. But, the most innovative feature by far is her bowling alley at sea - a first on any cruise ship! Included within an entertainment complex called Bliss, passengers will be able to use the four-lane, 10-pin bowling alley during the day. This sports bar will also feature sporting events via television, air hockey, foosball and other arcade games. At night, however, Bliss will be transformed into a high-energy lounge with videos and music.
Destinations
Pearl is making her way through the frigid waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Sailing from Seattle, Pearl calls on ports including Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska, plus Victoria, British Columbia.
While in the 49th US state, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to participate in excursions, including dogsled adventures, rainforest canopy and zip line exploits, whale encounters and wilderness kayaking.
If warm and sunny sounds more appealing to you than cold and frosty, then board Pearl in Miami for a southern or western Caribbean tour. Spending nine days flirting with the sun in balmy Barbados, Antigua or St. John is the perfect way to de-stress. Five-day cruises to Cozumel or Belize are also available.
Kid-Friendly Vacation
Of course, Pearl has plenty for the kids to do. With numerous age-appropriate group activities, kids of all ages can have a blast while at sea. The Kid’s Crew program provides a t-shirt (for painting), mom and dad’s night out, a chef’s hat (for cooking class), Crew News and more. Junior Sailors (ages 2-5), First Mates (ages 6-9) and Navigators (ages 10-12) all have special, supervised games and activities. Children under 12 are not allowed to leave the area unless picked up by a parent.
Teens also get special treatment onboard Pearl. With their own disco, movie events and teen parties, they’ll have a wonderful time meeting kids their own age.
NCL Freestyle Cruising allows you to choose how you dress, when you dine, who you dine with and what you do. This new freedom in cruising is only expanded with the addition of Pearl to the fleet of the youngest ships at sea.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">Cruise Vacation Center</a>. 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>.
The Master of Design: Joe Farcus, Carnival Cruise Line's Ship Architect
by Roy Witman © 2006, All Rights Reserved
Who in the world came up with these ideas? Aboard the Carnival Celebration you’ll find yourself transported into the heyday of New Orleans Mardi Gras. On Fascination and Hollywood, you can step back into the golden era of ocean liners with vintage designs throughout the ships. But who thinks up and executes these amazing design plans? Joe Farcus, that’s who!
Joe Farcus is the ship architect for Carnival Cruise Lines. It is his vision passengers see each time they step foot onto a Fun Ship . Raised in Miami Beach, Florida, Farcus always fantasized about ships. His constant sketching of ocean liners was no doubt part of the reason he pursued an architectural degree. After graduation from the University of Florida in 1967, Farcus landed his first Carnival project - the redesign of the Carnivale - while employed for a local architectural firm.
Described as bold, daring and sometimes even brash, Farcus creates interior designs from his heart and his imagination. Working from an initial central concept, Farcus expands from idea to application, as his vision touches every part of the ship. From atriums to restaurants to staterooms, full control of the aesthetics of the ship is placed in the hands of this one man, as he gives each ship its own distinct personality.
Miracle is whimsical with an array of fictional characters splashed about throughout her common areas. Spirit is refined, featuring a Louis XIV-inspired casino and Chippendale Internet Caf . Destiny is dazzling and bright with a towering mirrored atrium elevator that stretches nine-decks high.
Where do the ideas come from? The Amber Palace show lounge (on Glory) was fashioned after the Amber Room in Russia while the Starry Night Jazz Club (aboard Pride) was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s painting of the same name.
What lies ahead for future ships? Freedom, set to debut in 2007, will carry a central theme of Decades Through the Centuries. From ancient Babylonia to the Victorian era to 1970s disco and beyond, passengers will walk through time, as they sail the sea. When asked about the concept, Farcus replied, “I thought it would be interesting to go back in time to find inspiration for the various public rooms. As always, I tried to use the function of the room to suggest how the room will reflect the central design idea.”
And other ships? What does Farcus hold in store for them? Splendor is slated to enter service in the fall of 2008, and Carnival has a super liner (yet to be named) under construction and scheduled for delivery in fall 2009. “I design each ship to tell a story, and it gives me great joy to be able to share these stories with guests.” So much so, in fact, that Carnival will soon be broadcasting videos aboard ship highlighting Joe Farcus and his design process.
With a seemingly never-ending supply of brilliant design concepts, Joe Farcus will surely continue to contribute to the fun that the Carnival Fun Ships have become so famous for.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center. 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/hawaii_cruises.htm"> Hawaii cruises</a> from <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/carnival_cruise_line.htm">Carnival Cruise Line</a> and others.
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.
A World Cruise - The Grandest Voyage On Earth
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
Who doesn’t dream of one day taking a trip around the world? Practically everybody! With a planet filled with so much glorious wonder, most people long for faraway places they usually see in magazines or on television. Considering two-thirds of the earth’s surface is water, there simply isn’t any better way to accomplish this “one day” dream than by cruise ship. If you plan to travel in regal style, the Queen Mary 2 is the way to go.
Since 1922, Cunard cruise line has been sailing the world via channels, passages and open seas. So much more than a cruise ship, the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 are legendary ocean liners designed for service to royalty, heads of state, celebrities and the wealthy. Calling on ports others won’t even consider, Cunard allows you to explore to your heart’s content.
Crossroads of Civilization
Crossing the Gulf of Oman, you’ll spill out into the Arabian Sea and then the Red Sea. Navigating the Suez Canal en route to Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt is an exciting adventure in and of itself. Founded by Alexander the Great and deemed the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” Alexandria possesses a more modern feel than Cairo or Giza. The setting for one of the greatest love affairs of all time - that between Cleopatra and Mark Antony - Alexandria is also home to Pharos’ lighthouse, formerly one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Cruising the Mediterranean Sea takes you to world-famous ports including Athens, Greece and Rome, Italy before heading up the Strait of Gibraltar to catch a glimpse of the renowned Rock. A jaunt across the Atlantic Ocean delivers you to Le Havre, France (within close proximity to Paris and Normandy) before arriving at your final destination: Southampton, England.
Dynasties of the Orient
If exotic ports are more to your liking, then a tour of the Pacific Ocean and East and South China Sea may be in order. After exploring Sydney, Australia, embark on a journey that takes you across the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea to New Guinea. An unspoiled tropical paradise, New Guinea is home to several active volcanoes, many of which you can tour. Its rugged landscape is a contrast of lush, green mountain ranges set against calm, blue waters. With an amazing array of wildlife, New Guinea is an adventurer’s dream.
With ports including Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai, China; Hong Kong; and Bangkok, Thailand, your exotic tour of ancient, mystical cities on the Asian continent will be one you won’t ever forget.
While onboard the Queen Mary 2 or Queen Elizabeth 2, you’ll find white-glove service at every turn, reminiscent of the golden era of ocean travel. With exhilarating activities for the entire family and cuisine truly fit for crowned heads, you’ll simply be as awe-struck by the vessel itself as the destinations she lays at your feet.
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 cruises on <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/cunard_cruise_lines.htm"> Queen Mary 2</a> aboard <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/cunard_cruise_lines.htm">Cunard Cruise Lines</a>.
Resolving to Get Fit for the New Year? Cruising Is the Way to Go!
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
Countless people make New Year’s resolutions to get into shape and lose weight. Many of them fail reportedly due to lack of motivation, support or a viable plan. There is a new trend developing among fitness enthusiasts, however, that overcomes these three obstacles while delivering luxury, scrumptious food and fun. What’s the trend? Cruising into shape.
Cruise ships have offered well-equipped fitness centers on their vessels for years. However, with fitness and nutrition experiencing an increase in popularity, many ships have taken great strides to create an atmosphere that nurtures a healthy lifestyle without compromising the lavish cruise experience. With onboard fitness instructors, innovative and fun exercise opportunities and healthy gourmet meals, a cruise ship has become the perfect starting point for your New Year’s resolution.
Fun Is the Key to Exercise
If you don’t enjoy exercise, chances are you won’t keep up any fitness routine you establish. But with exciting activities available to you 24/7, you can quickly discover new ways to keep moving while having a blast.
For example, instructor-led aerobics, stretch and cardio classes are available on most cruise ships as are jogging tracks, volleyball (on deck or in the pool) and dancing. With professionally created fitness sessions designed to be fun, it doesn’t seem like exercise at all. Royal Caribbean offers ice skating, rock climbing, trampolines and even boxing. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) provides a bowling alley and basketball while Holland America offers personal trainers plus yoga and Pilates classes.
Each cruise line has its own key fitness features, so check for the one(s) that pique your interest.
Exceptional Dining for Those on a Diet
But what about the food? One of the greatest pleasures of cruising is indulging in gourmet meals prepared by world-class chefs. Fitness buffs are often nervous about entering a den of food sin and blowing everything they have worked for. The question that is often asked is, “Can I indulge and not regret it later”? The answer is a resounding yes!
The cruise lines constantly have their pulse on public opinion. That includes requests for amazingly delicious meals that offer less fat, sugar and other undesirable carbs. These flavorful meals are just as luxurious, just as tempting and will have you feeling just as spoiled. All without any guilt.
You can even make special dietary requests before you embark on your voyage. Check with your cruise line for details.
What better way to get into shape than while surrounded by a staff that can pamper and spoil you 24/7? Would you rather suffer through the beginning stages of shaping up or be counseled and aided by personal trainers? Would you rather starve yourself with rabbit food or dine on scrumptious meals prepared by professional chefs? Would you rather pound out mile after mile on a gym treadmill or take part in activities that get you moving while having the time of your life?
If you’re serious about shaping up, then you won’t find any better place to begin (or to maintain!) than a voyage at sea.
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/mediterranean_cruises.htm">Mediterranean cruises</a>.
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
Review: Windstar Cruises Offers Unique Vacations Aboard Motor Sail Yachts
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
When the frantic, fast-paced flurry of most cruise vacations isn’t appealing to you, there is an exceptional alternative: Windstar Cruises.
Distinctive in every way, the most notable difference between Windstar and other cruise ships is the ships themselves. Not your standard luxury liner, Windstar voyages are aboard three stunning, intimate-sized motor sail yachts. With sails billowing in the breeze, you can head out to the far reaches of the world to many of the most sought-after destinations known to man.
Classic in every detail, Windstar cruises offer popular ports of call, luxurious amenities, access to everything onboard and a wide array of choices in dining and other options. Casinos, gourmet restaurants, spas and well-equipped fitness centers are among some of the appointments you’ll find, depending on which ship you choose. With a casually elegant atmosphere, Windstar Cruises also delivers some pleasantly unexpected alternatives as well.
Regardless of which ship you sail (Wind Star, Wind Sail or Wind Surf), these intimate-class vessels accommodate no more than 312 passengers. As you might expect, that equates to a level of personalized service unlike any other. From spa treatments to room stewards to dining staff, you’ll find your every whim accommodated with lightening speed. That’s absolute freedom!
In addition, your Windstar cruise also adheres to an open bridge policy. Stop by and introduce yourself to the captain and his crew, tour the bridge and discover the inner workings of a cruise ship. When you’re finished, make your way to the rear of the ship (aft) for skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling and other water sports directly from the water platform of the vessel. (Did I mention they are complimentary?)
Destinations
But the ships themselves are only part of the cruise experience. Not to worry! The destinations available from Windstar offer a grand selection of classic favorites that bear visiting again and again.
St. Thomas and Barbados are frequent stops on Windstar voyages to the Caribbean. Ports in Rome, Athens, Barcelona and Nice are all called upon during weeklong European tours. Costa Rica offers a tropical playground virtually year round and is available to you at any time you choose. Or, for a regal cruise in the tradition of the majestic days of ocean travel, book a transatlantic crossing - two glorious weeks at sea. You’ll quickly discover why Windstar gets an amazing 60% repeat booking rate.
Atmosphere
Intimate and casually elegant, all the ships in the Windstar fleet give you an entirely new cruise experience. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of other overcrowded ships, Windstar’s philosophy is to make you right at home. Certainly exciting, always fun, these motor sail ships bring a more dignified air to cruising. It’s as if you’re sailing on your own private yacht with 300 friends.
Dining
As you might expect, the cuisine onboard Winstar vessels is second to none. With a restaurant and a veranda on each ship, you have a choice as to when and where to dine. Gourmet meals prepared to order by expert chefs are served daily for your enjoyment.
Generally catering to adults, Windstar proclaims, these adventures are “180 Degrees From Ordinary.” You’ll agree. With teak decking, granite-topped surfaces and elegant sails, Windstar gives every appearance of a world-class cruise ship.
If you’re a cruise enthusiast who is looking for a new direction for your next vacation, Windstar might have just what you’re looking for.
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/windstar_cruises.htm">Windstar cruises</a>.
