Best Cruise Deals Online

my video post to Akward Family Holidays
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Montego Bay, Jamaica (PRWEB) August 03, 2011

Following on the heels of being voted the highest rated all-inclusive Resort in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas and the #1 Hotel Spa in the Region in Travel+Leisure magazine?s 2011 annual World?s Best Awards, Couples Resorts, Couples Tower Isle is introducing full in-room dining and mini bars at the resort.

?In an effort to further ?wow? our guests, Couples Tower Isle has just announced that it will be adding to its all-inclusive package full room service for all room categories, which will be available from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., effective August 21, 2011,? commented Gary Stephens, Vice President of Operations at Couples Resorts.

?To complement this exciting new inclusion, all rooms will feature personalized mini bars, which will be stocked with the hard and soft beverages according to the guests specific preferences,? he added.

Full breakfast, lunch and dinner will be offered on the new Room Service menu, which has been designed by Stefan Spath, award winning Corporate Executive Chef of Couples Resorts, and will include such mouth-watering dishes as Pan-Fried Jamaican Snapper, Caesar Salads with Sliced Jerk Chicken or Grilled Shrimp Skewers, Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse. ?This makes Couples Tower Isle one of the most inclusive all-inclusive vacation packages in the Caribbean,? said Mr. Stephens.

About Couples Resorts:

Couples Resorts, headquartered in Montego Bay, Jamaica, owns and operates four properties in Jamaica ? Couples Tower Isle, Couples Sans Souci, Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril. Pioneered by the legendary Abe Issa, ?father of Jamaican tourism,? each Couples Resort is an unsurpassed model of the all-inclusive resorts concept, boldly designed with local inspiration to create a harmonic sense of nature and authentic Caribbean spirit. For over 33 years, Couples has delighted guests and refined the Caribbean all-inclusive resort experience by providing unparalleled service, exceptional dining experiences and exclusive added value inclusions. For further information please visit http://couples.com/.

Contact:

Andrea Washington, Director of Marketing

Couples Resorts, Jamaica

(p) 773-895-6662

(e)andrea(at)couples(dot)com

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SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (PRWEB) January 12, 2012

Princess Cruises has revealed story #2 on its blog ?Inspired to Cruise,? featuring a single mother who cruised to take one last vacation together with her three sons before they ?flew the nest.?

In the story, found at http://www.InspiredtoCruise.com, Beth Shaw of Dublin, Ohio, shares her mixed emotions about her sons leaving home and her desire to get away with them one last time before they grew up and moved on. Their Caribbean cruise proved to be the perfect send off for two of the boys, headed to college and the military.

Each week during 2012 the blog will feature a new reason to cruise, gradually sharing a total of of 52 inspiring passenger stories about what compelled them to take a cruise vacation.

The blog also showcases a short ?Escape Inspiration? video about a favorite moment at sea. This week?s video features a sensational sunset at sea introduced by Filipina Dela Cruz, Security Staff aboard Dawn Princess.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company’s website at http://www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 16 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.3 million passengers each year to destinations around the globe ranging in length from seven to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Find us:

Blog: InspiredToCruise.com

Facebook: facebook.com/PrincessCruises

Twitter: twitter.com/PrincessCruises

YouTube: youtube.com/princesscruises

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/princesscruises

Pandora: princess.com/radio

Newsroom: princess.com/news

Google+: plus.google.com/112949289750199509638/posts

For further information contact:

Karen Candy, kcandy(at)princesscruises(dot)com, 661-753-1540

Julie Benson, jbenson(at)princesscruises(dot)com, 661-753-1530

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All Inclusive Cruises Caribbean Locations are Easy to Book Online

Article by Ken Cunningham

Europe Cruise Deals – Where to Find Them

Looking for Europe cruise deals? Here are some valuable resources to help you find the best deal available on a dream European cruise vacation:

1 – Visit a travel agent – Though it might seem like these people are starting to go the way of the dinosaur as more and more people book their vacations online through sites like Expedia nothing could be further from the truth. With years, or even decades of experience to draw upon they can still be an enormously valuable resource in helping you plan and book your trip. Remember, they are working in the industry 40 hours a week, so their finger is on the pulse of the business. Also, they’ve likely made hundreds of contacts over the years that they can draw upon to find deals that may not show up online. Not only can they help you find the best deal on a cruise, they can help you in other ways as well.

Most travel agents are well traveled and can give you personal recommendations on where to go, what to see, and what cruise companies are likely to offer you the type of vacation you are looking for. Even if they haven’t had personal experience they can draw upon feedback they’ve received from other clients over the years who’ve made similar journeys. Don’t overlook this resource. You might ultimately wind up booking your cruise online, but there is no harm in exhausting all possibilities before doing so.

2 – Ask on travel forums – Arguably your greatest resource when planning a vacation are the experiences of other travelers. By posting your queries on a forum like the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree you can tap into the knowledge of thousands of other travelers, many of whom have likely taken trips similar to the one you are planning.

They may be able to point you to a resource to find cheap European cruises that you never would have uncovered on your own. Again, like your travel agent their advice can extend far beyond that, letting you know what shore excursions to take, what sort of service, food and amenities you can expect to receive on the cruise ships you are considering and more.

3 – Check company websites for their best last minute deals on cruises – Though you may spend days researching sometimes it ends up being best getting your information straight from the horse’s mouth. Major cruise companies update their websites on a daily basis, posting their best deals in an effort to fill ships that are due to sail soon. Granted, this takes a more flexible vacation schedule as many of these deals are last minute. But if you have the luxury of being able to take off at a moment’s notice you can save significantly off the rack price.

These are just 3 great ways to find Europe cruise deals. By doing your homework and not rushing to book the first option you see you can make sure you save as much money possible on your dream vacation.

Tips for finding Discounted Caribbean Vacation Packages

Caribbean is an exciting vacation paradise with the imploring images of pristine sand beaches and blue waters, decorated with palm trees, verdurous plantations, quaint wildlife, tropical forests, delish and distinctive cuisines. Unlike any other place in the world, the Caribbean allures you with its enthralling past, its effulgent colonial heritage, assorted communities and impressive architecture. Thus the Caribbean is one of the most popular holiday destinations for people all over the world and availing Caribbean cruise is the best way in which you can explore the Caribbean seas and the hundreds of Caribbean Islands. Though choosing a Caribbean cruise in advance gives a complete peace of mind on your Caribbean trip, selection of the best Caribbean cruise is not an easy process. Here we have discussed some of the factors that you can take into account while selecting an ultimate Caribbean cruise for your Caribbean vacation trip.

Plan your budget for the cruise

It is always better to plan beforehand the amount you wish to spend on your Caribbean cruise and select the cruise accordingly.

This will help you in staying within your budget. The prices of most of the Caribbean cruises generally consist of meals including tea, coffee or water. It also includes prices for the gym and other onboard entertainment. However additional expenses of alcohol or any other special drinks, fine dining or availing the spa or any other luxurious facilities onboard have to be borne by you. In addition to this you also have to bear the expenses of fine dining and entertainment on visiting the port of call. You should therefore clarify beforehand about the prices of the Caribbean cruise and the facilities it include.

Caribbean Cruise length

Before booking online or speaking to a travel agent for the Caribbean cruise, it is very important that you consider the length of the cruise beforehand. In most of the cases, the Caribbean cruises lasts somewhere between three to eight days. If you wish to have only one port of call, you may select a three day Caribbean cruise. For those of you who wish to have three to four ports of call, can go in for a week long Caribbean cruises or even more.

Caribbean cruise activities

You should definitely consider the activities of the Caribbean cruise before making the ultimate selection. If you are travelling with your family, you should select a cruise that offers entertainment activities for the entire family. If you have children onboard with you, you can opt for the Caribbean cruise that specifically caters to the entertainment of the entire family. However, you can select the cruises that are adult specific, if you are on vacation only with your spouse or friends.

The Best Cruise Line Deals for 2011

Article by Colleen Turner

Getting the Most out of Your All Inclusive Caribbean Holiday

It is easy to be lured by the charm of all inclusive holidays that promise total relaxation without the worry of additional costs. However, packages can vary widely and it is worth thoroughly checking exactly what is included in the price of your holiday so that you don’t end up out of pocket or gazing wistfully at fellow travellers enjoying facilities that are just a little out of your price range.

The knowledge that you won’t have to shell out any more money during your stay offers invaluable piece of mind. After all, who doesn’t want to leave their wallets and purses securely locked away whilst concentrating on making the most out of their holiday. You could treat yourself to that second helping at the dinner buffet, sample the many flavours of delicious Caribbean rum punch and spend your days snorkelling to your heart’s content.

Dining options can vary considerably in different resorts.

Some will include buffet dining whilst others offer à la carte meals or are restricted to certain restaurants within the resort. The last thing you’ll want to do once you’ve paid for an all inclusive holiday is to fork out to dine at a restaurant that isn’t included in your package. Afternoon tea, beach barbecues and evening canapés can also be included and some resorts offer exchange dining facilities at sister resorts. For wine, beer and spirits connoisseurs it is worth noting that some resorts only include local brand drinks and house wine with a limited selection of international brands.

If you are travelling as a family then you will be fully aware of the importance in finding a resort that offers enough variety, fun and stimulation to keep little ones entertained. Once the kids are happy having the time of their lives making new friends and learning new skills, then the rest of the family can relax and enjoy time doing the things that they enjoy the most. There may be age restrictions for certain clubs and inclusive facilities can range from a playground and kids’ pool to supervised activities, beach outings, discos, ‘kids only’ restaurants and even training from world class sports coaches!

Whilst some resorts offer free use of health and fitness facilities and non-motorised watersports, others include a dazzling array of activities ranging from daily spa treatments, diving and kayaking to fencing, dance classes and even circus training! Other little touches such as complimentary sunloungers, picnic lunches and bicycle hire can all contribute to making your stay even more enjoyable.

If you long to see what lies beyond the gates of your resort then it is worth checking if any excursions such as trips into town, island tours, horseriding or free entrance to local attractions are included. When the sun sets evening entertainment begins in a number of resorts. From cocktail evenings and film nights to steel bands, live shows and late-night discos, the options can be wide-ranging and provide more than enough fun and entertainment during your stay.

So whether you wish to simply soak up the sun on one of the Caribbean’s most stunning beaches or you are seeking endless sports and activities, there will never be a lack of choice for all inclusive Caribbean holidays. Just be sure to check the small print and understand exactly what is included.

General Tips for Caribbean Cruises

When the air begins to chill and the snow begins to fall, the minds of many flee to warmer places. This is often the perfect time to book one of the dozens of Caribbean cruises that are available. Although booking a cruise may seem easy with the endless options on offer, there are still a few things to keep in mind when you’re picking a destination and a cruise company.

Large Ship versus Small Ship

There are as many advantages to deciding on a large ship voyage as choosing to cruise on a small ship. Large cruise ships may well offer more high-end entertainment such as Broadway shows, contests and tournaments. However, when cruising on a large ship, it takes much longer for passengers to get to and from the shore for land excursions. Passenger transfers to shore can take up to 90 minutes each way.

This consumes valuable shore time. Cruising on a smaller ship may mean less people and quicker transfers. 

Shore Excursions

There is no doubt you will want to participate in several, if not many, land excursions. A piece of advice is to book them in advance. The best or most popular shore excursions tend to fill very quickly, usually before the ship even sails. To make sure you get a place on the excursions you want, book them through your travel agent or online. If for some reason you cannot do this prior to the trip, make the effort to be the first in line when the ship’s onboard excursion desk opens. If you have already missed out, you can always request to be added to the waiting list.

Caribbean Towns and Tours

Unlike Europe, most Caribbean towns share a similar feel and look.

If you are at a port of call, your time may be better spent devoted to touring native or special sites rather than touring the towns. Head off on your own if you have to, but seek out the culture, monuments, historical places of interest and even seaside nature sites. The town can be quickly explored on the way back to your ship. This is also true with the type of tours you book. Read the itinerary to make certain a large amount of your valuable shore time is not devoted to more shopping and less sightseeing.

Excursions

Once you begin booking your excursions you may find the costs suddenly adding up. If you’re concerned about the prices, booking independently is an option. It can be a creative way to save a few pounds however, there is something you need to know. When you book the land excursions independently and encounter an issue, such as broken down transportation, the ship may not always wait for you. This means if you’re delayed returning to the ship, you may find it has sailed without you. Passengers who book their land excursions with the ship are given some time to return. If the ship is unable to delay its departure, they will often make free transportation arrangements for you to meet them at the next port of call.

Question by Dave: Last year I read a book called, “The Economics of a Cruise Ship” What do you think is the average cost of
food aboard a ship per passanger per day? The closest guess will win the 10 points without going over. My bet is that nobody will win.

Remember this is the food that you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the average…This does not include the extra money spent for upgrade meals that are optional aboard some cruise lines. This price is the average among the normal cruise ships…like Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Celeberty. OK…NOW GUESS!

The average amount a cruise line spends per guest per day is $ …………….?

Best answer:

Answer by ll2
$ 9

Add your own answer in the comments!