posted by admin on Aug 18
Caribbean Cruises are your best value for 2007
Caribbean cruises are the best value for 2007 because the highest demand is for Alaska Cruises and Mediterranean Cruises . A simple check of cruise rates will show that both Carnival cruises and Royal Caribbean cruises have lowered their usual rates on Caribbean cruises compared with last years rates. Both cruise lines have strengthened their presence in both Alaska and the Mediterranean to capitalize on this trend. Royal Caribbean has moved several of their Voyager-class ships to the Mediterranean from the Caribbean and Carnival has just launched their newest ship, the Carnival Freedom, in the Mediterranean-the first time Carnival has debuted a new ship in a market other than the Caribbean. Even Norwegian Cruises is moving its ship, the Pride of Hawaii, to the Mediterranean! Although this has left the Caribbean market with less ships, the rates are underperforming all other destinations. This means it is the perfect place to look for bargain rates and promotions. This is an ideal opportunity for some to book a new ship that otherwise would have been cost-prohibitive last year. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have some fantastic 8 day and longer Caribbean itineraries that are just beautiful bargains waiting to be picked up by the savvy researcher. To the victor goes the spoils-so to speak! The cruise industry has always been cyclical. What is hot this year, won’t be hot next year, so you have to roll with punches, so to speak. If you follow the crowd, and the trends, it will cost you. Going against the crowd will save you a lot of money! Not only are the rates low for the Caribbean, but the promotions the cruise lines are offering a better than normal, also. It is not uncommon to find onboard-credit deals and free upgrades being offered on certain Caribbean itineraries and ships. Look here for more information on all Caribbean Cruises and good price hunting!
President of All Aboard Cruises Corp <a href=http://www.allaboardcruisescorp.com>Caribbean Cruises</a> <a href=http://www.allaboardcruisescorp.com>Alaska Cruises</a> <a href=http://www.allaboardcruisescorp.com>Mediterranean Cruises</a>
The Southern and Western Caribbean
The Islands of the Southern Caribbean are some of the hottest tourist spots there are. With an endless supply of overwhelming rainforests and ancient Mayan ruins to visit, there is never a dull moment. Try these tropical paradise islands on for size.
Best Alaska Day Cruise Destinations
In Alaska there is a lot of great sightseeing to be had. Unfortunately much of it must be done by water or air. In this article I will help outline the top destinations for day cruising in Alaska as well as what you can expect on your journey.
When you are going to be on a day cruise it is important to remember to make plans for accommodations after your cruise is over. Each of these destinations does offer many wonderful accommodations options from Hotels to the stylish bed and breakfast. It is however important to make reservations ahead of time because during the peak season accommodations can be difficult to find.
The peak cruising season for each of these destinations is May through August. In May and June you can expect a good chance for the sun to be out. In July it will be on and off again type weather and in August there is a good chance you will find the rain. None the less, whether it is sunny or overcast a day cruise in Alaska is still a lot of fun.
Popular Alaska day cruise destinations:
Whittier ” Whittier is a small town close to Anchorage that is now accessible by car or train. Through Whittier you will have access to all the beauty that can be found throughout the Prince William Sound. It is a well protected port with many amazing Glaciers nearby. There are several day cruise options out of this port and even a ferry that will take you all the way to Valdez if you like.
Valdez ” From Anchorage you can reach Valdez by air, car or the ferry out of Whittier. Valdez also offers access to the amazing Prince William Sound with its crystal clear waters. Out of Valdez you are likely to see Glaciers, whales, puffin otters and more. Being one of the furthest ports from Anchorage can be a drawback of this day cruise destination but the beauties of the scenery will more than make up for it.
Seward ” Seward is probably the most popular cruising port in Alaska. The large cruise ships will dock here because of the easy access. From Anchorage you can access Seward by car, tour bus or train. There are many Alaska day cruise options here including stop on private islands such as Fox Island. You will have the chance to see otters, sea lions, puffins, orcas and humpback whales. At this popular Alaska port there is never a dull moment.
Homer ” Homer is known mainly as a fishing port however, there are still some day cruise options here. Homer can be accessed from Anchorage by car or air. There is a water taxi that will take you from Homer to the secluded town of Seldovia. There are private boats for hire that will allow you access into Tutka Bay and other secluded area nearby. Out of Homer you can expect to see many sea otters, puffin, humpback whales, beluga whales and even the occasional pilot whale.
One thing you will find that all of these great day cruise destinations have in common is the amazing experience to be had by all who participate. You will see sea life, most likely a glacier or two, possibly some orca or humpback whales but for sure everyone will witness the amazing landscapes and scenery Alaska has to offer. A day cruise in Alaska will definitely be an experience to remember.
Ryan T. has compiled a comprehensive <a href="http://www.onlyalaska.com/pages/index.html">Alaska Travel Guide</a> and <a href="http://www.onlyalaska.com/photo/index.php">Alaska Photo Gallery</a> which he credits to his many years in Alaska . Learn everything you need to know and expect from your <a href="http://www.onlyalaska.com">Alaska Travel</a> before you begin your travel.
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
