Best Cruise Deals Online

Hey, I understand.  In these economic times, most people don’t cruise-shop for the most extravagant cruise, the one that hits the most ports, or the one with the biggest liners. They go for the one that offers good quality at the lowest prices. And no one can blame the public for this. So who offers the best overall prices?

As recently as the early 1990s, Premier Cruise Line offered some of the most reasonable cruise prices available. They’d specialized in purchasing older ocean liners and converting them into cruise ships, primarily around the tropics. Premier began transporting scads of people to Disney World and was raking in money like autumn leaves. Disney even allowed them to bring Mickey and Goofy on board as guests to charm the families. But then, alas, Disney initiated its own cruise line and yanked the cartoon characters. Then, to make things worse for Premier, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean began a massive building program of new liners. They grew so large that they could undercut almost any discount cruises Premier put out there. The company finally folded in September of 2000.

There’s one small cruise line left and, at the time of this writing, it still offers the lowest priced package, all things considered. It is the Imperial Majesty Line with its two ships: the Regal Empress and the Ocean Breeze. The prices start at $39 per person per day in the lowest category cabin, and the two-day cruise starts at $45 per day. The ships sail primarily to the Bahamas.

A travel expert claimed recently that of the large cruise lines, the least expensive cruises are offered by Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), and Royal Caribbean. Of course, a few lines such as Celebrity and Princess occasionally compete with a lower priced package, and Costa is a property of Carnival.

Another situation in which any large cruise line can offer rock-bottom rates is on repositioning cruises. This means that when a liner must be repositioned to a different part of the world, the trip for vacationers is offered at a huge discount. A repositioning cruise such as a trans-Atlantic voyage can cost as little as $32 per person per day.

But, aside from situations like that, Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean usually offer the lowest prices. The briefer cruises are often on older ships but you get some incredible deals. And don’t imagine that just because a ship is older, it is shabby or inferior. In many cases, passengers are not even aware that their liner has been in service longer than others. Carnival and NCL now offer three-day cruises for $56 per person per day, and you can get a four-night cruise for about $52 per day. If you do a 7-10 day Mexico or Caribbean cruise, your rate will probably be the lowest of all. However, as the economy improves, expect that rates may go up a bit.

I’m not about to try to compare the overall quality of the three most economical cruise lines. Why not book brief cruises with all three and you decide? Or read up on them yourself and decide which one you like the best. However, whatever you decide I seriously doubt that you will come away disappointed, no matter which company you select. Go out there and have some fun.

Debra Fortosis is a professional travel agent. You can book travel on her user friendly website. She can even help you easily launch your own turnkey e-travel business.
Register for a free monthly vacation giveaway!
Book Travel: http://www.mndgetaways.com
Contact Debra: mndgetaways@comcast.net

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/finding-the-cheapest-cruise-vacation-packages-1556670.html

Prepping for your Caribbean Vacation

Article by Andrew Beene

An Overview Of The Bonaire Caribbean Vacation

Article by Mike Selvon

Tired of the same old Caribbean vacation packages year after year? Fed up with cheesy tourist towns, themed hotels and fighting the crowds at amusement parks? Why not try something different? Why not try what some call the best Caribbean vacation ever – the island of Bonaire? The only complaint visitors have had about this island was there wasn’t enough time to do all the things they wanted to!

Located in the southern Caribbean, Bonaire is mostly known for its fabulous scuba diving, snorkeling and windsurfing. The people of Bonaire are very conscious about preserving the wildlife in their area both on land and under the water; this is what makes Bonaire a key destination for adventurers.

Bonaire also offers kayaking, cycling and mountain biking in an almost perfect climate. Statistics have shown that over thirty percent of all first time visitors to Bonaire end up returning again and again. It makes a wonderful family Caribbean vacation.

When looking for the Caribbean vacation packages that include scuba diving, Great Adventures at Harbor Village has an excellent reputation. Great Adventures offers personalized instruction to those who have never been on a dive before, and advanced dives for those with more experience and who might be looking for more of a challenge.

The children won’t be left out either, Great Adventures has a program for the younger members of your family, age 5 and up called SASY or Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth. You can give your child the experience of sailing, kayaking, scuba or snorkeling at a reasonable price. Bonaire also offers many all inclusive Caribbean vacation packages that not only include the diving, but lodging and accommodations at luxury resorts.

Bonaire has 86 dive sites and 30 years of environmental protection laws that have resulted in some of the most pristine dives in the world for the most exciting of Caribbean vacations. There are more than 300 species of aquatic life around the island. Located outside the “hurricane belt” helps to keep the climate on an even keel and amazing visibility no matter how deep the dive.

One practice you will find throughout the Caribbean is that of taking ships seized in drug raids and sinking them off shore to form artificial reefs. Not all of these wrecks have such a notorious background; the Our Confidence, sunk in 2004, has a very colorful and honorable history.

The Our Confidence started out as a Danish fishing boat that, during World War II, helped to transport refugees. The Our Confidence was also the first ship to bring help to the victims of the hurricane that struck St. Maartin years ago. Complete Caribbean vacation packages need to include a visit to this sunken ship.

One of the best Caribbean vacation packages you can find is Bonaire. Bonaire is known the world over as the foremost destination for diving. CNN and Scuba Diving Magazine rank it high as a place for both beginners and the experienced diver. But what if you don’t want adventure?

Well, Bonaire can fulfill that need too. Bonaire has many spas, shops and restaurants that are sure to appeal to those of you looking for that laid back, tropical vacation. Bonaire’s clean, white sand beaches are the perfect place for relaxing with a drink in your hand or a good book. Whatever your vacationing goals are, Bonaire is sure to meet them.

Vacation cruises are becoming the holiday of choice among more and more people, as holiday makers learn about the benefits and true relaxation that can be found on cruise liners.

If you have never been on a vacation cruise before, you may wonder what the attractions of such a holiday would be, and there is a common myth that being on board a ship for the majority of your vacation would lead to boredom.

There are many different types of vacation cruises available to you, and possibly the most luxurious (and probably the most extravagant) are the all-inclusive vacations.

However, if you have a smaller budget, do not believe that you would be unable to afford this type of holiday – vacation cruises can suit all manner of budgets.

The other attraction of vacation cruises is that once you have decided on the ship you would like to holiday on, and booked the required length of stay and appropriate dates, all other hassle of planning a holiday is dealt with by the cruise company.

The itinerary will be planned on your behalf; often all you need do is wake up in the morning to find yourself in a new place and step off the ship. Vacation cruises allow you to see numerous places/countries in one single holiday, and yet eliminate the stress associated with travelling from one place to another over land or air.

Parties that go on vacation cruises come in all different forms; families are finding them more and more appealing as they can guarantee their children are safe without having to spend every minute of the day supervising them. Older holidaymakers like the security of being in one place but seeing new things, and even honeymooners are often drawn to such a vacation due to the luxury and extravagance of cruise ships.

Ben Stott has been working in the travel industry for over 15 years. He enjoys writing about travelling, destinations and especially cruises.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/what-makes-a-vacation-cruise-the-perfect-holiday-1503174.html

Although there are all sorts of great parts of Alaska to check out when on a cruise there will generally be two or three days during a cruise where the ship is at sea. Fortunately there are all sorts of cruise activities that are available. These options for Alaskan cruise onboard entertainment range from sports activities to spa areas and even casinos on some boats. There are even shops and shows on these boats.

Many boats will have sports activities. One of the most notable things people will see on a boat is that of a pool or other outdoor court area. Many different ships will have pools of all sorts of sizes ranging from an Olympic-size pool to a pool for kids. Basketball and volleyball courts, some of which can be outdoors, are also available on many ships. All sorts of fitness center activities are available too including exercise equipment, fitness classes and even a jogging track.

Spa services are available on many Alaskan Cruise ships. These are among the most popular cruise activities in that these offer all sorts of different relaxation activities. There are many different features that are available on these ships including acupuncture and massage therapy sessions. These can be popular so it helps to contact the Alaskan cruise liner for details before departure on scheduling an appointment.

Some Alaskan cruise ships will have casinos. Many different popular groups offer full casinos on their ships with a variety of activities. These include slot machines, blackjack tables, roulette, craps and different types of poker tables. Many groups will offer lessons on how to play these games and in some cases tournaments are available.

Shopping is another of the top Alaskan cruise activities in that many ships offer a variety of shops. These include beauty stores with fine fragrances, liquor stores and drug stores for convenience and even gourmet food stores. Some ships offer stores with jewelry and electronics products.

All sorts of classes are offered on Alaskan cruise ships. All sorts of groups offer enrichment courses for a variety of things. These include wine education lectures, lectures on how to handle one’s finances, computer skill classes and even golf clinics.

For kids there are many activities to check out. These include skateboarding areas, arcade rooms, movie theaters and many other popular places. Child care services are available for parents too.

Finally there are many different shows that are popular among these Alaskan Cruise onboard entertainment options. All ships have different types of shows ranging from a dance hall with live bands with different themes, musical shows and even interactive game shows.

With all of these cruise activities it can be seen why Alaskan cruises are popular. Alaskan cruisesonboard entertainment comes in all sorts of forms and features things that all people will enjoy. These options show how a cruise has something for everyone. Find out more tips about Alaskan cruise vacation at http://alaskancruisevacation.myreferenceguide.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/choices-and-activities-available-onboard-the-alaskan-cruises-for-vacation-1509150.html

An Alaskan cruise vacation can be one of the most exciting and memorable types of vacations in the world. There are all sorts of considerations to use for these vacations though. These in particular are the types of rooms that are available on many of the Alaskan cruise liners.

There are four different types of Alaskan cruise liners vacation rooms.

1) Interior Type of Room
The Interior type of room is the least expensive of these rooms. This is a type of room that is located on the interior area of the ship hence the name. It does not have any windows but it does have many of the features that a variety of different rooms on an Alaskan cruise liner will have. The general thing about these rooms is that there are usually single beds but in some cases there can be double beds available. What’s more is that there can be two or four passenger rooms in different cases. Contacting the group that offers the cruise for more information is always a helpful thing to do.

2) Oceanview Room
An Oceanview room is another of the types of rooms found on Alaskan cruise ships. Although this type of room is going to be about the same size as an Interior room it will have a window for an impressive view of the ocean and other surroundings. This can be very comfortable when in some of the colder parts of Alaska.

3) Balcony Room
Balcony rooms are the third of these types of rooms. This room can be larger than that of a typical Interior or Oceanview room and in many cases can fit four people. What makes this different is that the passengers have a full outdoor balcony available for use. This allows for a personal and unique view of the ocean.

4) Suite Room
The last of these rooms is the Suite room. This is a staple of many Alaskan cruise ships. Suites can come in different sizes ranging from about three hundred square feet in size to more than a thousand. All sorts of unique features can be found in these rooms, including a full service bathroom with vanity area and dining tables.

The main difference between these rooms deals in an Alaskan cruise ships is more than just sizes and features. It also deals with costs. An Interior room can cost about $600 in many cases while an Oceanview room can be $700. Balcony rooms can be about a thousand dollars in value and suites can be worth hundreds more.

These types of Alaskan cruise vacation rooms are great to consider when looking for a great place to stay while on a cruise. These different rooms offer all sorts of sizes and unique views of the ocean. These all come in different budget levels though. With all of these great rooms an Alaskan cruise can make for one of the most impressive Alaskan trips to experience. Find out more tips about Alaskan cruise ship vacation at http://alaskancruisevacation.myreferenceguide.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/four-different-types-of-rooms-for-a-cruise-ship-vacation-1509160.html

A Caribbean cruise vacation – an ultimate deal

Article by Sam Gregory

A Caribbean cruise vacation is the ultimate deal and if you have not tried it yet, now is the time; what better way to spend time is there than visiting some of the most beautiful islands anywhere. You can have everything you want with a different Caribbean island every day and all the wonderful evening entertainment of a resort on board the cruise liner. Whilst short breaks are available, perhaps over a weekend period, the vast majority of passengers sail for seven days and sometimes in excess of fourteen but depends on how much you are willing to spend.

Everyone on board a ship will have individual needs and they can cater for them all, it is your vacation and it can be as quite or lively as you want it to be. If anything, you will have a hard time keeping up with everything that you can possibly do on a cruise liner.

Before making the trip, it is wise to find out more, so go to your nearest travel agent to find the right package, but you can also find comments and reviews online. Each Caribbean cruise will visit a certain number of islands on that particular voyage so you must decide if you want to visit certain islands like Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas or Antigua for example.

For those individuals and couples that enjoy parties and event filled vacations then choose a cruise vacation that perhaps is designed more for adults than families. Some Caribbean cruise liner companies actually produce virtual tours and other information on DVD’s which can be collected from your travel agent or ordered online.

Besides the usual, you need to pack suitable attire for many occasions like formal evening wear as well as beach, deck and other casual wear. Women may want to take two or three evening dresses and men will need a tuxedo, they will probably get to wear it for a number of evenings.

The great thing about cruise vacations is that if you take your children along you can be sure they will have a fun filled time. You can even take time off for a little quality adult time as there is fully trained staff to look after them.

Some Caribbean cruises are specifically for adults only, which ideal for couples, honeymooners and people that would like to have a child free vacation. Honeymooners and couples celebrating wedding anniversaries can also have cruise liner packages tailored to suit them as well.

A Caribbean cruise will be your vacation of a lifetime as it has the scenery, locations, beaches and the first class service you can expect on board a cruise liner whether you are alone or with others.

When most people think of luxury vacations, cruises rank high on the list, but until you’ve experienced one yourself, it’s tough to know exactly what to expect. This brief overview will fill you in on what the average 7-day cruise has to offer, from your cabin to time spent on the sea to day-tripping at foreign ports.

Accommodations

Cabin sizes vary greatly from ship to ship, and different cruise lines offer a whole range of cabin categories from inside cabins, with no windows at all, to rooms with balconies to suites. Your choice of cabin is an important personal choice, as it will serve as your “home-base” while aboard the ship. Cabin rates can range anywhere from $400 to $3000 per passenger.

Inside cabins are the cheapest type and lack the added space, windows and balconies of more expensive rooms. Inside cabins are good choices for passengers with a tight budget or for those who will likely be spending little time in their rooms. Window and balcony cabins may be well worth the extra cost if you tend to desire a peaceful place to relax in privacy.

On Board Activities

The activities you might encounter on board a cruise ship can vary widely from ship to ship and depend on the type of cruise you choose. A good rule of thumb is that the larger the ship, the more activities and options you’ll find.

Most large ships keep packed schedules every day to keep each and every traveler happy and engaged. Some examples of pre-arranged programs include deck parties, wine tastings, karaoke parties, quiz shows and much more. And whether you may be in the mood for a Broadway-class musical, live music or just taking in a movie, one usually only need wait a few hours, if that. And for those who crave nothing but relaxation, many ships come standard with a top notch selection of spa treatments, salons, yoga and meditation classes. Certainly, there’s no better time to focus on one’s self than on a cruise. And that’s just for the adults!

Nearly all cruises offer some level of activities and events geared toward young passengers. While you can always find an onboard babysitting or daycare service, some family cruises feature day and trip-long programs for kids similar to camp. Activities can include sports, video games, scavenger hunts and trips to onboard water parks for older kids and story time, finger painting and play-dough sculpting for toddlers. Programs like these are great ways to keep the kids occupied and happy while the grownups spend some time partying or relaxing together.

Indeed, cruises can be so fun, you may never want to leave the ship . . . until your first call at an exotic port.

Going Ashore

One terrific aspect of cruises is the ability to visit a wide array of destinations, some exotic, some not as exotic, but all of them beautiful and fascinating. The fun of spending time on your cruise ship might only be eclipsed by the time you spend in port.

The most popular cruise hot-spot is the Caribbean, boasting nearly perfect weather year round, breathtaking beaches and a plethora of aquatic activities. Other appealing and common trips let passengers see the Alaskan Wilderness up close and personal from the comfort of warm ship, take a gastronomic adventure through Mediterranean coastal cities or enjoy a pub crawl around the Irish coast.

On a seven day cruise, travelers can expect about two to four stops at ports. When going ashore, you’ll have a tough time deciding on what to do, from taking adventure tours hiking through the jungle or observing bears, moose and caribou in their natural Alaskan habitats, exploring an ancient European port city, SCUBA diving among colorful aquatic life in crystal clear tropical waters or enjoying a round on a world-class golf course.

Cruises and port cities work together to give travelers the best possible experience when going ashore. Depending on how independent you would prefer to be on your visit, you can take advantage of the extensive knowledge of seasoned crew members who can set you up with city tours, adventure excursions, shopping trips and much more. Or go it alone and find fun on your own. At the end of a long day of touring exotic ports, cruise passengers will appreciate the benefit of having a safe and secure haven to escape to.

The cruise ship is the quintessential oasis away from the hassles and stress of everyday life. Nothing could be more relaxing than drifting quietly to an exotic location on a floating resort town. And if you’ve got dreams of rock climbing or ice-skating in the middle of the ocean, a cruise vacation can unlock them for you.

Matt Cragle is a freelance writer who writes about vacationing, often discussing a specific kind trip such as cruise vacations.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/stops-sights-and-activities-on-a-7-day-cruise-vacation-1486485.html

You’ve been dreaming about a cruise vacation for a long time. All your friends say it’s the vacation of a lifetime. But the fun can be significantly lessened if you don’t know some inside secrets learned by experience. Here are some pointers that will help make your cruise all you dream it will be. First, here are a few tips about stuff to bring on a cruise. Bring binoculars to see on-board shows up close, to view wildlife, and to enjoy the landscape. Make two copies of your passport, driver’s license, and credit cards before leaving home. If the ship’s purser holds your passport, take a copy ashore with you at ports. Leave the other copies with a friend or family member at home. If you’re prone to seasickness, bring a patch or medication—and consider requesting a cabin on a lower deck, midway between bow and stern. Don’t forget to bring an insulated mug. Onboard, fill it with your desired beverage and keep it hot or cold no matter where you go on the ship. Second, you must decide if you’re a destination passenger or a resort passenger. Destination passengers like the idea of a cruise but their greatest excitement comes from on-shore activities at the ports of call. The resort passengers love simply being on the ship. They like the idea of being fed and pampered and entertained on a sleek ocean liner. If you’re a destination passenger, you can schedule some on-shore excursions through a cruise critic board online for significantly lower prices than you’ll schedule on-board or onshore. Third, you must choose the type of cruise that fits you in regard to cost, ship, port activities, and stateroom. If you’re on a tight budget, brand new ships are more expensive than older ones, very short cruises (2-3 days) are usually more expensive than longer ones (7-14+ days). If you need less expensive but nice, you might want to consider Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian. Don’t be too impressed if a cruise line offers you an upgrade. See if it’s really any better. For example, if they simply offer you a cabin a few floors up, you may be getting essentially an identical deal: same service, same amenities, same everything. However, if they’re upgrading you at no charge to a room with a window or a balcony, that’s something to get excited about. For lower prices, book either 3-6 months early or book last minute. Days before the cruise, the line is trying to fill up the ship, so you could get a nice discount. The only problem is that most of the nicest staterooms may be taken. Fourth, if you don’t want a cruise-full of kids, don’t book during Spring Break, the holidays, or summer vacation. On the other hand, if you have kids, find out what sort of free kids’ programs are offered. Inquire for what age groups programs are offered? What sort of activities are planned? How many hours per day does the program run? Is babysitting offered and how much does it cost? A great kids’ program can be terrific for parents needing some down time for themselves. Fifth, one of the most popular features of a cruise ship is the dining. Here are a few hints. Decide when you book the cruise whether you want early dining or late in a main dining room. Early dining could be at 6:00 p.m., late dining may be at 9:00 p.m. Early dining gives resort passengers time to attend both early shows and late; later dining is convenient to give the destination passengers plenty of time to get back from their shore excursions. You’d be wise to confirm early/late dining times as well as seating arrangements. Mistakes are easily made by cruise personnel and you don’t want to get stuck with eight strangers at a 9:00 p.m. seating when you planned for early dinner at a table for four. Sixth, a few little-known dining tips. One a given ship, there are burger grills, pizza shops, sandwich stands, and cafeterias, so try out different offerings at different mealtimes. At dinner, any pasta dish on the main entrée section of the menu is also available as an appetizer, so taste away! You can order as many entrees as you want at dinner. Even if they aren’t on the menu, Cappuccino and Espresso are usually free in the dining room for the asking. If you’re not crazy about the dessert offering of the evening, ask to see the children’s menu. They often list great favorites like banana splits and chocolate sundaes. Seventh, for mailing friends, they usually offer free postcards of the cruise ship at the desk. You can bring your laptop onboard, but compose email in Notepad before you connect—at 75 cents per minute, you don’t want to be composing letters and such. Alternatively, most ports will have an internet café somewhere with rates like $3.00 for 30 minutes. With all these clues, you probably think I’ve been on fifty cruises—wrong! I’ve cruised and I loved it, but most of this invaluable info I scoured from seasoned cruise veterans. So enjoy benefitting from what took them many years and many cruises to learn.

Debra Fortosis is a professional travel agent. You can book travel on her user friendly website. She can even help you easily launch your own turnkey e-travel business.
Book Travel: http://www.mndgetaways.com
Contact Debra: mndgetaways@comcast.net

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/make-sure-your-cruise-is-the-vacation-of-a-lifetime-1452636.html

Nothing is more luxurious than taking a cruise vacation?  Traveling to fantastic destinations on a luxury ship, catching sunrays, and breathing in the fresh salty air can regenerate and energize anyone, no matter how tired from the worries of a job they are.  However, a cruise vacation requires planning for it to be all that it can be.  Check out these hints to have a cruise experience you will remember.

So how do you start planning a cruise holiday?  Firstly, look into your budget.  Do you need to watch the money?  Then here are a few points for saving on your cruise holiday.

When planning your cruise vacation, you should be mindful that there are off season and on peak dates and seasons, and that you want to schedule your trip in the off peak to get the savings advantage.  What is interesting to know however, is that cruise lines actually adjust prices several times throughout the year.  Ask and find out when their absolute lowest season prices are.  In addition, keep your plans reasonably flexible so that you can change ships at the last minute.  Sometimes a ship is not filled to capacity, so the cruise line will sell the last few tickets at a good bargain.  It is always to their advantage to sail filled to capacity because people on vacation spend money on souvenirs, drinks, etc.  Use this knowledge to get a better reduced price deal.

The destination of your vacation can make a tremendous difference in your cost as well.  If you choose a popular location, you can travel cheaper than if you choose a less popular spot.  Another consideration is whether you really want to stop at ports of call.  If you just want to stay on the ocean liner and savor the on board luxuries, reserve a cruise that doesn’t stop anywhere.  These “cruises to nowhere” are just as luxurious as the others – but cost less.

You want to be safe on your cruise vacation, don’t carry a lot of expensive equipment or jewelry with you.  Make sure your passport, health insurance, and other papers are up to date.  Be sure to ask about laws you may inadvertently be violating when you get off the shore you are accustomed to or when taking onshore excursions.  Laws in ports and even on the water can vary, and you don’t want a big hassle with a foreign law enforcement agency.

To travel lighter, find out what equipment is available on board ship.  For example, if the cruise line offers irons and hair dryers, there’s no need to take yours.  Pack your own sample size  shampoo, toothpaste, and other toiletries because these items will cost more in the gift shop.  You should have access to washing facilities on your cruise vacation, so no need to take a enormous amount of clothing.  Pick a wrinkle proof lightweight outfit for each two or three days and pick combinations in colors that combine so you can get different appearances.  Make sure to pack a formal and or semi-formal outfit if you will be taking part in this kind of activity on your cruise holiday.

Jos Marlin has travelled around the world several times and invites you to visit his travel site for interesting travel stories and tips to help you get the best out of your vacation.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/cruise-holiday-ideas-for-improving-vacation-enjoyment-1406952.html