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Archive for the ‘Cruises’ Category

The small ships of Princess Cruises offer passengers a much more intimate experience and they have ships sailing around the world. 

Princess Cruises has a number of small ships and they carry around 680, mainly adult, passengers on each trip.  More than 70 per cent of the staterooms have balconies, which allow the passengers to sit outside and enjoy the passing vistas that are constantly changing.  If you select a stateroom, you may enjoy a larger than normal cabin.

Small ships cruise around the world for about 100 days for that ultimate dream holiday.  During this trip, around-the-world passengers can stop off to explore 40 different, amazing ports of call, yet they need to unpack their suitcase just once. 

If you are unable to manage 100 days away from home, then consider taking one of the segment voyages Princess Cruises offer.  These shorter trips allow passengers to experience the thrill of being part of a round-the-world voyage but for just a week or two at a time.

Princess has a proud reputation when it comes to the cuisine it offers its guests.  The food is always plentiful, varied and beautifully presented.  Passengers can choose to have traditional dining experiences or a 24-hour buffet.  Other alternatives include a steakhouse and a pizzeria. 

Bars to indulge in an evening sundowner while on the water are comfortable and so, too, are lounges where passengers can spend some quiet time or chat to other passengers.

What better way could there be to step back into the early 20th century than to visit one of the greatest engineering marvels of the age?  The Panama Canal, a man-made straight through Central America that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is still in operation and welcomes cruise ships every day of the year.  Passengers who have sailed on a ship that crosses through the Panama Canal find it a fascinating and unforgettable experience. 

Many Panama Canal cruise deals operate between the American cities of Miami, Florida and San Diego, California, taking a route that allows passengers to visit islands in the Caribbean such as Aruba and Curacao, members of the Dutch Antilles island chain, and Jamaica.  After seeing much of the coastline of Mexico en route, passengers may have a chance to visit the San Blas Islands near Panama or even take a shore excursion to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico where Mayan ruins lie in the rainforest. 

During the transit through the canal, passengers can learn about the construction of this great man-made wonder and marvel at the successive locks which raise or lower the ship along the way.  The canal transit is just 51 miles long, but typically takes an entire day to travel through due to the on-shore mechanisms involved.

Once through the canal, passengers may stop at Acapulco, a popular tourist city in Mexico, before continuing the rest of the cruise to the United States.

Last minute cruises are perfect for the flexible traveller.  Whether you are a first-time traveller or an experienced one, last minute cruises are perfect for saving money and for exploring your favourite destination.

Finding last minute cheap cruises require some effort.  To start with, you will have to spend some time researching ships, cruise lines and destinations that are close to where you live.  This way, you will be able to show up at a moment’s notice and get on board.

Another way to find last minute cruises is to look for repositioning cruises: these are when cruise liners change areas or reposition for the season.  Sometimes, certain cruise schedules do not sell that well, particularly when ships reposition.  Unlike normal cruises, these trips are longer and stop at lots of ports along the way – you can take advantage of these repositioning cruises and travel to the destination of your choice.

There are several other ways to find last minute cruises.  You could speak to a travel agent and ask him or her to inform you as and when an interesting cruise is available.  You would need to give the travel agent information about the type of cruise that you are looking for, your budget and other details, and he or she can then search for bargain deals for you.  This way, you will not have to be on your toes all the time and the travel agent will do all the work for you.  You could, of course, also check online for last minute deals.

One of the great joys of Mediterranean cruises is the opportunity to explore ancient lands and cultures on shore while still enjoying modern amenities onboard the ship.  For those who like such explorations into antiquity, few cruises are better than one that visits various places that once formed part of the Roman Empire.  Such cruises generally make the first stop at Dubrovnik, a city in Croatia that features a medieval city, as well as past sites related to the Roman occupation thousands of years ago.

From there, ships travel to various locations in Greece, including Corfu, Katakolon, and Santorini.  These locations boast such tourist attractions as medieval monasteries, as well as palaces and quaint country villages.  The next stop is often Kusadasi, a port on the Turkish coast where passengers can disembark to enjoy the sand and surf of beautiful beaches.  Inland destinations at this stop include the Biblical city of Ephesus, which is a part of New Testament history and significant to the growth and spread of Christianity in the first century C.E. 

From Kusadasi, Mediterranean cruise holidays may travel back to Greece next, stopping at Piraeus.  Shore excursions here are not to be missed since most passengers will want to tour Athens and marvel at the wonders of the ancient Parthenon, which sits atop the Acropolis.  Final stops along the way often include Messina, a port city in Sicily, and Civitavecchia, which some cruises use as a final stop.

Of all the cruise holidays, Caribbean cruise deals are probably the most popular.  Before you decide on a Caribbean cruise though, it is important to learn as much as you can about the trip.  With some research, you will be able to decide the duration of your trip, the islands that you would want to visit, and the number of ports and shore excursions that you will be able to squeeze into a week.

On a Caribbean cruise, you have more than 40 ports to choose from, which are split between the Eastern Caribbean and the Western Caribbean.  Eastern Caribbean cruises generally leave from a port in Florida, and take you to some extremely popular destinations – such as the Bahamas and St. Thomas.

The Bahamas is probably the most popular cruise destination for first-time Caribbean cruisers.  The Bahamas are perfect for a four or five day cruise to Freeport or Nassau: perfect climate, thousands of beautiful beaches and an incredible array of shorelines are some of the factors that make this one of the best cruise holiday destinations you can find.

However, if you have already been to the Bahamas or would like to try something different, St. Thomas is the perfect choice.  This area is famous for its low humidity and cooling trade winds.  In addition, St. Thomas offers a wonderful mixture of Caribbean and American culture, amazing architecture, exotic wildlife and beautiful beaches.

Eastern Caribbean cruises are perfect for first-time travellers.  You will get to see some wonderful places, soak in the sun and enjoy your holiday in peace.

Many people prefer taking their holiday on a cruise, rather than staying on land.  To these people, the attractions are obvious: luxury, comfort, and the ability to visit various countries in one holiday.  If, however, you are not accustomed to sleeping at sea, or not seeing dry land for miles and miles, then you might find it difficult to understand why some people enjoy it.  This article provides more information on why cruise holidays are so attractive to many people.

Cruise holidays are good value for your money.  For the price of a weeklong holiday abroad in one location, you can travel on a cruise and visit many different countries.  Additionally, food is usually included in the price, so you never have to worry about where you are going to eat. 

The itinerary is already determined for you, so you have no need to worry about how you are going to spend your time.  All you need to do is sit back and relax, enjoy the entertainment on board, and wait to dock at the various locations on the itinerary.  A cruise, therefore, makes for a relaxing and stress-free holiday.  Furthermore, you can visit numerous locations and only have to unpack your suitcase once, because all your items will stay on board in the same room for the entire time.

Many of the cruise ships are accessible for people with disabilities, making travelling in a wheelchair incredibly easy.  Gone is the stress of travelling through an airport in a wheelchair, wondering if the hotel at your destination has wheelchair access.

Cruise holiday deals for 2011 can be found in adundance at the moment, with some fantastic offers and savings to be made if you book online.

Cruise holidays are fast becoming all the rage, with many more holidaymakers discovering the many advantages of this form of vacation. Cruise holidays are free of the inconveniences that often take the shine off regular holidays, such as the irritation of waiting in queues at the airport and having to arrange travel to your hotel. These can effectively ruin a holiday before it even gets started.

The main attraction of cruise breaks is that your scenery is never standing still, as the luxury liner docks at a series of ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic or one of the many other exotic destinations listed by cruise operators, which is growing all the time.

Opting for a cruise holiday also means that you are guaranteed the best in accommodation and entertainment, whilst the kids are showered with amusements tailored especially for them.

Your holiday begins the moment you step on board and unpack in your spacious cabin with en suite bathroom and often with its very own balcony, where you can sit in style and enjoy watching the ever-changing vistas of seascapes and historic port towns.

Do yourself a well-deserved favour this year and see what luxury cruise holidays have to offer, whether you’re travelling as a family, couple or simply looking for some relaxation and excitement on your own.

The world is becoming not only smaller by the day but a lot more hectic.  Just the thought of arranging a holiday is often enough to drive some people, especially parents, to distraction.  Many feel that it’s often a waste of time and money, and that they’d be better off staying at home for a few weeks.

This is not only an admission of defeat, and boring to boot, but neither will it go down too well with the kids, who demand everything and more.  If you value your sanity, you must do all you can to keep your little monsters as happy as possible.
Why not do yourself and everyone else a favour and book a cruise holiday this year?  Often, the worst parts of a traditional holiday are those that involve actually getting to and from your destination with traffic jams, airport check-in queues, and flight delays dooming the holiday before it even starts.

Cruises avoid all of this.  Once safely on board, you’ll be as free to relax and do your own thing as the kids are.  There is no need to feel guilt at neglecting them because they’ll be in seventh heaven with all the facilities available from internet access and cinemas, to discos and the latest in video games.

You’ll all enjoy waking up to fresh panoramas each morning as the shop docks into different ports.  Whether you’re cruising in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, there’s always plenty to see and do. Check out cruise operators such a Royal Caribbean or Cunard, they can usually give you the best cruise deals.

There’s something about the very idea of a cruise holiday that captures the essence of luxury travel and elegant living.  Cruises used to be the preserve of the rich and famous, but now they can and are enjoyed by folks from all walks of life.  Prices have been coming down since the internet came along.  You can book a luxury cruise in the Caribbean for about the same price as taking the family to France and staying in a good hotel for a couple of weeks.

One of the big attractions of cruise holidays 2011 is that you can make a proper budget and know that there will be none of the numerous extra costs that accrue to a normal holiday.  A cruise ship is a sealed container in this respect.  The amount you pay when you book will not suddenly start escalating with transport charges, meals, venue entrance fees, and assorted entertainments you had forgotten to factor in.

The other big plus is the constant change in scenery.  You have no time to get bored with one destination because you’re soon being whisked off to the next, whether a picturesque little town on the Baltic or Mediterranean coasts, or an island paradise in the Caribbean.

Treat yourself and your loved ones to a holiday of a lifetime and cut out all the hassle of a regular holiday by booking a luxury cruise break this year.

Mediterranean cruises offer the best way of seeing this historic sea with its numerous picturesque ports and ancient cities. The Mediterranean is not just beautiful; it is a cradle of our civilisation with art, science, and philosophy having their origins along these coasts.

On Mediterranean cruises, you can expect the very best in accommodation and service.  Restaurants and bars offer up the best food and drink, and the entertainment is second to none.  As well as swimming pools, tennis courts, and other sports facilities, there are cinemas, dance halls, discos, and theatre venues on board,  The kids are well cared for with internet access across the ship and a whole range of special activities tailored to all ages.

Stop in a different port each night and explore the local culture and sightseeing attractions before heading back to the vessel for a great evening meal with live entertainment. Many cabins have their own balconies to watch the world go by and enjoy romantic sunsets whilst having a drink.  There is no time to get bored because you never stay in one port long enough.

Whether you’re holidaying as a family, a couple, a group, or as a single passenger, there is plenty to keep you entertained and informed.  Many cruise liners play host to celebrity guests who run cookery classes, painting courses, exercise and keep-fit venues, and much else.

Mediterranean cruises are the luxurious way to experience this historic region in style and great for romantic holidays for couples.