posted by admin on Jun 28
Yacht Delivery Skippers Thrive In Growing Yacht Industry
Rapid growth in the global yacht industry has caused many new yacht owners to hire professional yacht delivery captains to skipper their boats on long or dangerous voyages. Yacht delivery skippers confirm that boat deliveries are growing with international trends. “If you have the money it’s relatively easy to buy a new yacht”, says one, “but sailing long distances through potentially difficult waters or weather conditions requires skills that can take years to learn”.
Comparing Alaska Cruise Itineraries
There are many ways to see Alaska by cruise ship. This piece breaks down the various options and gives the reader the tools to make the most appropriate decision.
What to See on a Mediterranean Cruise
To get a good taste of Europe without the hassle of travelling by land, take a Mediterranean Cruise. A Mediterranean cruise is ideal for the traveller not wanting to visit some of Europe’s most fantastic sights by land. The type of itinerary that takes shape on a cruise is “Tuesday, Venice”, “Wednesday, Rome” etc as each day the ship will be in a different port.
NCL Freestyle Cruising: Vacations the Way You Always Wanted
by Roy Witman © 2006, All Rights Reserved
NCL Freestyle Cruising is radically different from any other cruise line. Rather than adhering to preset schedules, you actually get to relax and enjoy your vacation. Traditionally, cruise lines are famous for setting schedules and rules for dining, seating arrangements, dress codes, activity times and more. However, NCL Freestyle Cruising set out to break that mold and free vacationers to spend their time the way they wanted to. After all, isn’t that what a vacation is all about?
Stripping the restrictions from the cruise experience, NCL Freestyle Cruising brings a fun, whimsical and unconventional environment to all its ships. With the newest fleet at sea, NCL has either built or recently retrofitted all its vessels specifically for the Freestyle Cruising experience.
While aboard, you’re completely on your own schedule. Eat whenever you like. Sit with whoever you want. Dress however suits you. Do whatever you choose. The clock stops ticking the moment you come onboard. You can be free to enjoy a laidback atmosphere filled with fun, adventure and relaxation just the way you always wanted.
Freestyle Dining
Unlike other cruise lines that make you dine at a specific time, in a specific dining room, Freestyle dining operates just like making a reservation at your favorite spot back home. Restaurants open at 5:30 p.m. and stay open until midnight. You choose the dining room and cuisine that suits you that day and make a reservation, so you can eat when you want to eat. A wide range of menu selections gives you more taste-tempting treats than you might be able to hold. From Italian to French, from sushi to burgers and fries, the choices are all yours.
Freestyle Dress Code
What’s the dress code while NCL Freestyle Cruising? Simply put, there isn’t one! No evening gown and tuxedo are required (unless you want to dress for dinner). For dinner, shows, nightclubs or anything else on the ship, “resort casual” is as dressed up as you will ever be expected to get. For those who like to get decked out for the night, many restaurants offer formal options.
Freestyle Activities
Want to do it all? Or rather do nothing at all? It’s entirely up to you. Get active with a round at the golf driving range. Practice your backhand with a set of tennis. Relax and melt away with a multitude of luxurious spa treatments or just sit on deck and watch the world go by. When it comes to excursions, each port of call offers an exciting array of activities, tours and shopping.
Freestyle Service
While NCL Freestyle Cruising may be drastically different from other cruise lines in many respects, one thing is certain: Service is the top priority. With a premium level of guest services on every ship, you’ll find that the atmosphere is casual, but the attentive pampering you receive is highly rated.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center. Visit them at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> for the best deals on <a href=" http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/ncl_freestyle_cruising.htm">NCL Freestyle Cruising</a> including <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/alaska_cruises.htm"> Alaska cruises</a>.
Planning A Cruise Vacation For The Perfect Cruise Experience
Cruise vacations are one of the most exciting and fun vacations you and your family will ever have. Planning your cruise vacation is the key to making the most of the cruise experience.
Cruise ships are floating hotels that sail through ocean while you enjoy all the hotel s amenities provided. They have casinos, swimming pools, theaters, restaurants, shopping centers or boutiques, spas, gyms and more.
As great as taking a vacation on cruise ships may seem, you still need to know how to plan a cruise ship vacation properly so you have the perfect cruise experience. You need to know about the different types of packages the cruise lines offer.
When planning a cruise ship vacation you need to know how to choose one that will meet your expectation or tailor to your needs. Here are some guidelines that you can follow to plan your cruise travel and enjoy the perfect cruise experience:
Think of who you want to take with you on your cruise vacation. There are many different packages offered by cruise lines. There are packages for the whole family and there are packages for single travelers.
Will you be taking the cruise vacation with children? Maybe you will take your significant other for a romantic getaway. There are cruise ships that are tailored for children and there are cruise lines that cater to single cruisers and honeymooners. There are even some ships that offer wedding services. What could be better than to get married on the ship and have your honeymoon built in?
Decide how long you want to cruise. If you just want to try it out, opt for a three day cruise. Normally, cruises start at three nights and can go anywhere from seven to fourteen days. But there are also world cruises that can last as long as three months. My advice is if you are going to cruise in Europe you should pick a fourteen day cruise because of the expense and long plane rides to get to your port of embarkation. If you live near a port and you just want to take a long weekend choose of three or four day cruise. Decide what cruise travel is best for you.
Choose the perfect destination for you and your family. Alaska is beautiful but can only be cruised in the summer months. If you live in the colder climes you may want to take a mid winter cruise to the Caribbean or even South America. If you want your cruise travel to be in the Caribbean and you want to spend two weeks on your cruise vacation, choose a line that alternates between the Eastern and Western Caribbean. This cruise vacation takes you to many different islands.
The cruise lines have a variety of destinations to choose from. Visit your cruise travel agent to go over the different itineraries or check out the individual websites of the cruise lines.
Consider the port of departure. Since 9/11 cruises have been emphasizing home port cruising. Now there are many cruises that depart from Bayonne, New Jersey, Galveston, Texas, or Seattle, Washington, not just Miami and Fort Lauderdale.. Depart from the one closest to you and you will save money on expensive airfare.
Speak to a knowledgeable cruise travel agent. Make sure they have personally sailed on many different cruise ships so they can give you an honest opinion on what each cruise line has to offer and which would give you the perfect cruise experience.
A cruise travel agent will also be able to supply you with cruise tips. Scour the cruise reviews for additional cruise tips.
Large cruise lines have a variety of activities and facilities that you can use on the ship. If you like to gamble then choosing a cruise ship with casinos is probably right for you. Or if you are taking your kids with you, a cruise ship that offers activities and facilities for children would be the best choice for your cruise travel. For instance, Disney is, of course, geared toward children but they do not have casinos. So if you are taking the family but you want to gamble steer away from Disney and choose one of the other major cruise lines. Almost all of them have children s programs. If you don t want to be on a ship with children sail on one of the fancier lines that don t cater to children. Here, again, it pays to read as many cruise reviews as you can to pick up additional cruise tips.
Cruise vacations do not necessarily mean that you have to spend all your vacation time onboard. All the cruise ships offer land and shore excursions. The cruise lines offer pre and post cruise land vacations usually for two or three days.
Land excursions are a great way to explore different cultures and destinations when taking a cruise vacation. You can choose from many activities once you reach a port of call. You can go kayaking, scuba diving or go shopping in the markets of the ports of call.
Following these guidelines will give you some ideas on planning your cruise vacation properly. Proper planning will give you a more exciting cruise experience.
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
Orissa Tour Operator
Eastern Wonders India has always been known for its rich cultures. The ancient traditions and mores are so many in number - it could fill volumes. Forget about the whole of India - even a small part of it has so much to say for itself. So why should one of its states be any exception? But Orissa has managed to do it with aplomb and beauty. Though there is so much to say, Pradakshina Tours Private Limited says it all through its website, which is a treat in itself. Wonderfully done, it does full justice to what the state has to offer. Set against the background of a beautiful beach, the site page presents true eastern glory. Every important tourist attraction is mentioned on the first page - whatever catches your fancy, you can enter. The thing that is really impressive about the website is the comprehensiveness with which they have put everything in without making it look crowded. They talk about the tourist attractions, main festivals, beaches, spiritual tours, wildlife-everything is so varied, but still it s all there. Quite impressive. In the midst of all this you also get hotel, transport and tour packages-talk about multitasking! Even the designing is uncluttered and very structured. All the information about the above mentioned is given as little tabs that stick out of a planner-very attractive and useful at the same time. So the verdict? Well, if you plan to go on a holiday, just log on to this site because not only will it make you want to go to Orissa, but you won t even have to ask others for information. For more details log on to http://www.orissatourism.in/
vikas is a author <a href="http://www.orissatourism.in/">Orissa Tour Operator</a>
Holland America Invites the World to Celebrate 50 Years of Grand Voyages
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
As the first cruise line to take on the world, Holland America began Grand World Voyages in 1958. As 2008 approaches, Holland has grand plans for a global-size celebration! Guests can choose from full circumnavigation and circle continent sailings onboard either ms Amsterdam or the intimate ms Prinsendam for tours lasting up to 114 days.
Global Circumnavigation Onboard Amsterdam
With a total of 320 days of cruising, 118 ports and 74 countries, the 114-day global circumnavigation cruise literally puts the world at your feet. The Amsterdam will usher 1,380 guests on January 4, 2008, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, through the Panama Canal and on to the South Pacific, New Zealand, the Far East, India, Arabia, the Mediterranean, Black Sea and North Africa. A stop in Bermuda rounds out the tour before returning to North America. Passengers can disembark in New York or continue on to Fort Lauderdale.
While you might expect to see classic destinations on the itinerary, Holland America has also opted to include several lesser-known, but equally exciting, ports. A maiden call at Phu My, Vietnam, is one of the most intriguing, but those onboard Amsterdam can also look forward to visiting Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Fuerte Amador, Panama; Christchurch and Dunedin, New Zealand; Sochi, Russia; Sevastopol, Ukraine; Split, Croatia and Tripoli, Libya.
Overnight stays are scheduled for Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, Venice and other popular destinations. Plus, a first for Grand World Voyages: Guests will get to tour Fiordland National Park’s Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound in New Zealand.
73-Day Grand Africa Voyage on Prinsendam
If intimate cruising is more to your liking, Prinsendam (which accommodates 793 guests) is the perfect vessel for your world cruise. Visits in the Caribbean and Caicos Islands start your voyage in a tropical and relaxing manner before whisking you away to the remote Madeira Islands. As you embark on the African continent, plan to explore the untouched savannahs of Cape Town and Durban, South Africa; the stunning beaches of Mombasa, Kenya and the amazing wildlife of Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Late-night departures are planned regularly throughout the cruise to allow you the most time for excursions, shopping and sightseeing.
Both Ships Upgraded for 50th Anniversary
But the ports are only part of the excitement! In additional efforts to make this noteworthy occasion truly spectacular, Holland has recently upgraded both Amsterdam and Prinsendam. Mariner’s Dream staterooms with plush linens, the Neptune Lounge exclusively for suite guests, the Pinnacle Grill for reservations-only dining of the highest caliber and many other exceptional features have been retrofitted to the two ships, which will carry world-tour passengers.
Shorter Tours Also Available
For those who can’t spare 114 days to explore the world, shorter tours are available. Segment cruises and circle continent sailings can range from 16 to 58 days. While shorter voyages, these tours focus on specific regions of the world and offer multiple opportunities for exploration.
Special Incentives
Currently, Holland America is offering early-booking bonuses for travelers who book world tours now. Those perks can include free airfare, prepaid gratuities, shipboard credit, packages, luggage shipment, limousine transfers and more. Check with your Holland representative or your travel agent for details when booking.
For most people, a world cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime event. If you’re going to invest the time and money to see the world, doesn’t it make sense to do it in grand style? Choose the destinations, the length of time and the ship you prefer and then make plans to see wondrous things you’ve never even dreamed of before!
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/alaska_cruises.htm"> Alaska cruises</a>. Visit them today!
Group Cruises — The Superior Alternative to Resorts
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
Planning a corporate event, family reunion, wedding, or any group activity is a challenge. You can spend countless hours contacting lots of different vendors to book rooms, schedule, entertainment or plan activities: or you can make one phone call. With one point-of-contact you can create a custom event that includes deluxe accommodations, extensive dining options, travel to exciting locations, and more, in one complete package. What’s this refreshing change from the usual resort event? Group cruises!
Group Cruises Are Convenient and Customizable
All big events require coordination and advance planning in order to be successful. If you’ve ever organized a family reunion or a corporate conference you know the effort it takes. Whether you’re commemorating a special occasion or recognizing the efforts of your valued employees, you want your affair to stand out from all the others. Travel is a desirable and glamorous way to delight family members, motivate key employees, or impress your clients. With group cruises you’ll give them diverse and spectacular surroundings in your chosen travel locations. Instead of just one city, as with a typical resort event, your group will travel to multiple exciting destinations like Alaska, Mexico, Bermuda, Europe, the Caribbean, and more, without having to pack and unpack along the way.
Many cruise lines give you direct access to your own event planner, to help design a program that meets your needs and expectations. If you’d rather do it yourself, you’ll find convenient online services, such as those offered by Carnival. You can create and send invitations, poll your guests for desired travel destinations, and choose the cruise that’s right for you. As an incentive to book group cruises, cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival may offer air supplements and flight transfers.
Conducting Business During Group Cruises
Group cruises can be as full of activities or as free and easy as you desire. For meetings, seminars or workshops, cruise ships offer conference rooms with extensive audio-visual and computer equipment at no extra charge. Need to host an awards dinner? Private dinning options are available. Family talent shows, employee recognition banquets, networking cocktail parties and more can be arranged with the help of your travel agent and the cruise line of your choice.
In addition, you’ll find unique extras. For example, Royal Caribbean offers team-building exercises such as Team Trivia or Scavenger Hunts, to forge stronger business relationships in a relaxed setting. Family group activities are also available.
All Work and No Play:
But group cruises aren’t all work. There’s plenty of play, too! When you’re ready to relax, entertainment abounds on cruise ships with full production shows, live bands, and theatres. Whether they enjoy casinos and nightlife, spas and relaxation, pools and on-shore excursions, or want to experience everything, it’s all available. Many cruise lines offer programs designed especially for teens and younger passengers, and attractions created exclusively for their ships. Royal Caribbean’s rock-climbing wall is always popular as is its exclusive ice-skating rink and FlowRider .
It’s not only easy to plan, but one price covers it all with group cruises. Everyone will enjoy luxurious rooms, dining, recreation, and the unique experience of taking it all with you while you explore thrilling destinations.
Make It Personal
Group cruises can be personalized with logo items, gift packages, door decorations, and more, The vast array of dining choices aboard cruise ships lets you choose how casual or formal you want to be: an elegant lobster dinner; a buffet with something for everyone; or laid-back informal dining — you can have it all on a cruise ship.
The unique experience of traveling to fascinating ports of call; all the convenience and luxury of sailing on a cruise ship; and the bonus of incentives offered by cruise lines; all make group cruises a cut above the usual meeting facility. If you’re looking for something a little different that will make a big impact, check into group cruises. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with how much you receive for such an affordable rate.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> offering the best cruise deals including great <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/family_reunion_ideas.htm">family reunion ideas</a>.