Monday, February 18, 2013

Researching Your Cruise Ship Options




Each year, a large number of individuals make the decision to book a cruise ship getaway. When it comes to vacationing aboard a cruise ship, you are presented with an unlimited number of options. There are a large number of cruise lines that operate numerous cruise ships. In fact, there are so many cruise ships available that many individuals, maybe even yourself included, do not know where to start.





The first step in planning a cruise ship vacation is making the decision to take one. Traveling aboard a cruise ship can be a fun and exciting experience, but it is not for everyone. Cruises ships often require residing in close corridors for an extend period of time. If you have a difficult time dealing with crowds or you are looking for an overnight vacation, you may want to reexamine your decision to schedule a cruise ship vacation.





If you have already decided that a cruise ship vacation is what you want, you will need to find a cruise ship that interests you. This is where many individuals develop a problem. As previously mentioned, there are a number of different cruise lines. Each of these cruises lines operates a number of different cruise ships. Each cruise ship is likely to travel to different destinations and offer different activities, services, and facilities.





When searching for the perfect cruise ship, you have numerous options. Many travelers automatically start searching for the cruise ship of their dreams. Searching for a cruise ship is, in a way, different than searching for a cruise line. If you do not have a preference as to which cruise ship line you’d like to travel with, it may be easier to search for cruises based on themes, destinations, or onboard activities. A standard internet search is a great way to educate yourself on the cruise ships available.





If you prefer to travel with a specific cruise line, you will want to research that particular cruise line. You can visit the cruise line’s online website to further educate yourself or else you can perform a standard internet search. If you are unaware of the cruise line selection you have, you can easily familiarize yourself. There are a number of travel websites that offer information and links to the websites of popular cruise lines. Performing an internet search with the keywords “cruise lines,” is likely to produce a large number of results.





In your search, it is likely that you will come up with popular cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruse Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, and much more. Once you are able to view the online website of each cruise line, you can begin to search for cruise ships with reservations still available. When browsing through each cruise ship, you will likely be presented with standard information. This information may outline the activities available onboard, destinations, travel stops, and the cost of reserving a cabin.





The Disney Cruise Line is one of the most well-known and sought after cruise lines for individuals vacationing with a family. If you are interested in scheduling a Disney cruise, you will see that the two cruise ships used are named Disney Wonder and Disney Magic. Each ship has onboard Disney characters and beautiful décor. The main differences between the two ships are the character statues found onboard.





Carnival Cruise Lines is well-known among frequent travelers. They offer a wide range of cruises; however, their main focus seems to be on “fun” cruises. When researching Carnival Cruise Lines, you will see that they have over 20 “fun” ships. These ships target cruise goers who are interested in socializing, partying, and having an adventure over the water. Popular cruise ships include, but are not limited to Fantasy, Ecstasy, Celebration Fascination, and Sensation.





Royal Caribbean is another one of the many well-known cruise lines in the world. They are famous for their international cruises. Just a few of their many cruise ships include Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas. With twenty-one cruise ships, you are sure to find what you are looking for with Royal Caribbean





Researching each cruise line and cruise ships, individually, may take time. If you are pressed for time you can seek the assistance of a travel agent. Whichever method of research you select, research is important. It is the best way to find the perfect cruise ship for you and your family.


Common Cruise Ship Amenities




Are you interested in taking a cruise? If so, you are not alone. Each year a large number of individuals consider vacationing aboard a cruise ship. If you have never been on a cruise ship before, you may be wondering what activities, facilities, and services can be found onboard. The activities found onboard a cruise ship will vary from ship to ship, but many cruise ships have a number of activities and services in common.





Some of the most well-known facilities found on cruise ships are dining halls, restaurants, and cafeterias. Large cruise ships may offer a number of onboard dining facilities. It is important to note that many of these dining facilities are considered upscale restaurants. In addition to a sit-down restaurant, there area usually a number of small eateries located onboard. Elegant dining restaurants are popular among cruisers. To ensure that you are able to enjoy an elegant meal, you are encouraged to schedule a reservation as soon as you board the ship.





Aside from dining facilities, bars and dancehalls are also found on most cruise ships. As with most of the bars and dancehalls found on land, there may be age restrictions in place. If you are traveling with your family, they may have to complete other activities while you enjoy the nightlight over the seas. If this should occur, you are in luck because most cruise ships have daycare centers and other activities geared towards children of all ages.





When it comes to placing your child in the care of a ship’s daycare center, you are urged to quickly familiarize yourself with the staff. This familiarization may help to calm your nerves. It is also important to note that cruise ship employees are often closely monitored, highly educated, and properly trained. While it may be difficult at first, you should feel comfortable leaving your child in the care of a cruise ship childcare worker.





Childcare is ideal for smaller children; however, if you are traveling with a teenager, daycare may not be an option. Swimming pools, libraries, video arcades, and movie theaters can often be found on cruise ships. Adult supervision is a policy that prevents children under a certain age from roaming freely around the ship.



Teenagers may be able to visit these facilities without adult supervision. Each cruise ship is likely to have different adult supervision policies. You are encouraged to review these policies before purchasing your tickets.





In addition to the above mentioned bars and dancehalls, gaming halls or casinos can be found on most cruise ships. As with gambling on land, there are age limits on those that can gamble aboard a cruise ship. Popular gambling activities include slots, blackjack, poker, and much more. Many onboard casinos are open for business twenty-four hours a day. Gambling is a popular cruise ship pastime. If you are booking a cruise just to gamble, you may want to further explore the gambling options aboard each ship.





Cruise ship operators know that many travelers take a cruise to escape their daily routines. Unfortunately for some, one routine that cannot be left behind is exercise. That is why almost all cruise ships have onsite fitness centers and fully equipped gyms. These gyms are often similar, and sometimes even better, than the gyms found in your hometown. In addition to a fitness center, a large number of cruise ships have jogging tracks.





If a particular activity or event is the only reason why you are interested in booking a cruise, you are urged to physically check for that event or activity before making your reservation. The above mentioned services, facilities, and activities are found on a number of popular cruise lines. These cruise lines are likely to include, but are not limited to, Carnival Cruise Lines, Paradise Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruises. With the click of a mouse or a toll free phone call, you can easily determine if your favorite activities can be found aboard the cruise ship of your choice.


Celebrating Spring Break aboard a Cruise Ship




Are you a hardworking college student? If so, are you looking forward to spring break? Spring break is an extended break that all college students in the United States are granted. Unlike holiday breaks, spring break is often a time to vacation, let loose, and have fun with your friends.





Selecting a bring break destination is a fairly easy process. There are a large number of college students who flock to the most popular spring break destinations. These destinations include Cancun, South Beach, the Bahamas, or Panama City. Each of these destinations is famous for their sunny weather and amazing nightlife. Despite their popularity, these beaches often become overcrowded during spring break. If you are interested in swaying away from the norm, you may want to consider spending your spring break aboard a cruise ship.





When it comes to cruise ships, many individuals mistakenly believe they are only for family vacations or romantic getaways. The truth is that you can take a cruise at just about any point in your life and go just about anywhere you want. That includes spring break. If you are interested in spending your break partying and enjoying life, you do not have to worry. There are a number of cruise lines that have cruise ships that are just for you.





To find a cruise ship that allows adventure, partying, and all-around fun, you will need to do a little bit of research. This research involves familiarizing yourself with popular cruise lines and the ships they offer. If you are looking to examine popular cruise lines, you are encouraged to learn more about Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, or Costa Cruises. In addition to these well-know cruise lines, it is likely that you will come across additional cruise lines offering fun filled cruises, all around the world.





When you are searching for a cruise ship that offers excitement and adventure, you are encouraged to stay away from ships that target families. Family cruises are often limited on the amount of gambling or alcohol assumption that goes on. If gambling and alcohol consumption is allowed, excess amounts are often frowned upon. To avoid confrontation, you are encouraged to stay away from these family cruise lines. That is unless you plan on spending your spring break with your family.





In addition to family cruises, you may want to avoid cruise ships that target couples. These romantic cruises are often geared towards couples that are interested in experiencing a romantic and relaxing cruise. If you are traveling with your partner, a romantic cruise may be acceptable for your needs. Gambling and alcohol consumption is allowed aboard most romantic cruises, but excessive amounts are also often frowned upon.





To find the perfect cruise ship for your summer vacation, you are encouraged to find a cruise ship that targets those seeking adventures. In addition to offering exciting onboard activities, you are likely to find that the land adventures are just as fun. Many party cruises or adventure cruises dock in well-known ports. These ports may have activities that are just what you are looking for.





Spending your vacation aboard a cruise ship is the perfect way to enjoy your break. This unique vacation experience will often eliminate overcrowded beaches and unsafe adventures. Aboard a cruise ship you can safely enjoy your break, while having fun at the same time.


Protecting Your Health While Aboard a Cruise Ship




When it comes to cruise ship safety, there are many individuals who are concerned with their physical safety. Physically staying safe aboard a cruise ship is important, but so is staying healthy. Due to a large number of individuals in a fairly small space, cruise ships have a number of health concerns.





The health problems and concerns found on cruise ships are often highly publicized. Despite this publicity, most cruise ships are fun, safe, and clean. Being concerned with your health aboard a cruise ship is one thing, but you should not let it prevent you from enjoying your vacation. Rather than letting the fear of getting sick ruin your vacation, you should take a few simple steps to ensure that your health will be the same as, if not better, when you first boarded.





Before your cruise ship is scheduled to set sail, you are urged to schedule a visit with your family physician. Be sure to inform him or her that you are planning a vacation aboard a cruise ship. Your physician will likely check your health to make sure you are fit for travel. In addition to examining your general health, it is possible that your physician may require a number of immunizations. These immunizations may offer you extra protection; therefore, you are urged to obtain them.





If you are taking multiple medications at the time of your cruise, you will want to make sure that you have an adequate supply. If you are running low on your medication, you may want to obtain a refill before you leave for your cruise. It is also likely that your doctor may request that you bring along extra medication. This request is often made to individuals who must take their medications to survive. In the event that you misplace your medication, you will have an extra supply to fall back on.





Taking health precautions before you board the cruise ship is important. However, it is also important to take precautionary measures after you board. These measures are simple; however, they may be vital to your health. One of the first things that you should do is familiarize yourself with the layout of your ship. Determining whether or not there is a doctor onboard and where they are located is important.





Since germs and illnesses spread easily aboard cruise ships, you will need to protect yourself. This protection involves washing your hands on a regular basis. When most individuals are at home, they wash their hands after completing certain activities. In addition to eating and using the restrooms, you should wash your hands after using all public facilities. If you find it difficult to wash your hands regularly, you may want to obtain a package of disinfecting wipes. If used properly, disinfecting wipes can be just as effective as soap and water.





Cruise ships are popular for their relaxing atmosphere. This relaxation may include lounging. When lounging or taking a stroll, it is advised that you keep your shoes on at all times. As previously mentioned germs can easily spread aboard a cruise ship. Keeping your feet covered at all times will not only protect you from contagious illnesses, but it will prevent you from stepping on harmful objects.





In addition to cruising along water, most cruise ships dock in a port. It is likely that you will be visiting a foreign country. In the event that you end up on foreign land, it is important that you carefully monitor what you eat and drink. If you notice drinking advisories, you are urged to follow them. Instead of drinking tap water, you may want to opt for bottled water or another bottled beverage. Many individuals are concerned only with the drinking water, but you should also be concerned with ice cubes and water in uncooked foods.





As you can see, the above mentioned precautionary measures are simple and easy to follow. Why put yourself at risk for illness; especially when it requires little or no effort to keep your health in good standing.


Family Fun aboard a Cruise Ship




Are you and your family interested in taking a vacation this year? If so, you are not alone. Each year a large percentage of American families make the decision to have a summer vacation. Popular vacation destinations include amusement parks, beaches, and campgrounds. But, did you know that you can also have your next family vacation aboard a cruise ship?





Cruise ships have been successfully operating for a number of years now. Many families enjoy summer vacations aboard a cruise ship, but even more don’t consider it as a possibility. If you are looking for a different way to spend quality time with your family, you are urged to at least considering taking a family cruise.





When it comes to vacations aboard a cruise ship, there are many individuals who automatically assume that cruise ships are not “family friendly.” If you believe this popular misconception, you could be missing out on one of the greatest opportunities of your life. There are a large number of cruise lines, each offering different cruises. With all of the cruise ships available, you are sure to find at least one that can offer your family fun on the water.





Just a few of the many family activities found aboard a cruise ship include dinners, movies, and plays. Additional activities may be available. The family activities found a cruise ship often depends on the cruise ship line. In addition to activities for the whole family, a large number of cruise ships have activities that are designed specifically for children. While your children are participating at these fun, but supervised activities, you could be enjoying a private moment with your spouse.





If you are interested in learning more about the family fun activities found aboard a cruise ship, you are encouraged to start researching. This research can easily be done by examining a number of cruise ships. In your search, you will likely see that there are a number of cruise ships designed specifically for those with children. You do not have to limit yourself just to family cruises, but you may find them beneficial.





To find a family fun cruise, without doing all of the legwork yourself, you may want to speak with a travel agent. For a small fee, a travel agent can research and arrange your next family cruise ship vacation. In addition to compiling information on family cruise ships, your travel agent is also likely to offer you a satisfaction guaranteed policy. These policies are designed to assist you or offer you a refund in the event your vacation is unsuccessful or not what you expected.





If you are unable to afford the assistance of a travel agent, you should be able to book your own cruise vacation online. A large number of popular cruise lines, including Celebrities Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Disney Cruise Lines, have online websites. These websites can be used to view the activities aboard a particular ship, review the costs associated with booking a cruise, and to make online reservations. Booking your own cruise ship vacation is an excellent way to find the perfect cruise ship for your family and save money at the same time.





Whether you book your own family cruise vacation or you use the professional assistance of a travel agent, you are likely to enjoy your vacation choice. In fact, so many families enjoy the family vacation they took aboard a cruise ship that many return the next year.


Estimating the Cost of Your Cruise Ship Vacation




When it comes to planning a vacation, many families are concerned with the cost. Whether you consider yourself to be middle class, lower class, or upper class, the cost of your vacation is often of great importance. If you are spending your next vacation aboard a cruises ship, there are a number of different ways that you can estimate the total cost of your vacation.





The first step in estimating the cost of travel is to select a particular cruise line and cruise ship. The cruise ship you select is vital to estimating your vacation costs. This is because a number of cruise ships offer all-inclusive vacation packages. All-inclusive cruise ship packages may seem high priced, but you often do not have to worry about carrying along excessive amounts of money.





In addition to the type of cruise ship package you select, you will also need to consider where your cruise ship will depart from and what its destination is. If you are unable to book a vacation aboard a cruise ship with a departure port located near your home, you will have to include the cost of reaching your the port into your cruise.





If you are planning a cruise ship vacation, on a budget, the method of travel you select could have a significant impact on the overall cost of your vacation. For long distance travel you may want to compare the cost of airline tickets, bus tickets, or train tickets. Air travel is often considered the most preferred method of travel, but it is the most expensive. In addition to purchasing a bus ticket, airplane ticket, or train ticket, you may want to examine the cost of driving your own vehicle.





As previously mentioned, all-inclusive cruise ship packages help to eliminate the cost of food, drinks, and entertainment. While all-inclusive packages are nice, they are often hard to come by. If you are unable to book an all-inclusive cruise, will have to estimate the amount of money you will spend onboard. This estimate is not only important to estimating the cost of your vacation, but it should also be used to make sure you bring along enough spending money.





Estimating the cost of onboard entertainment is often easier than estimating the cost of your food and drinks. Most cruise lines have websites that offer detailed information on all of their ships. This information is also likely to include the cost of using a particular entertainment facility. You will find that many cruise ships charge their passengers to watch a movie, view a performance, or participate in many onboard activities. These onboard activities may include, but are not limited to, rock climbing, onboard surfing, gambling lessons, dance lessons, and swimming lessons.





Speaking of gambling, if you are interested in gambling on a cruise ship casino, you will need to keep this in mind when estimating the cost of your vacation. As with most land-based casinos, you can gamble with different amounts of money. If you are planning to estimate the cost of your vacation, you are encouraged to estimate the amount of money you will spend gambling. Since estimating money spent on gambling is difficult, you will want to aim your estimate high.





As previously mentioned, estimating the cost of your food and drinks can also be a difficult task. You can estimate the number of meals and drink you will have in a day, but it is important to remember that it is only an estimate. It is also difficult to estimate the cost of your onboard food and drinks because cruise ship menus are often difficult or impossible to obtain online. As with cruise ship gambling, it is advised that you overestimate the cost of food and drinks.





In addition to the cost of food, child care, travel, entertainment, and gambling it is advised that you consider the cost of obtaining items or souvenirs at the ports your ship plans on docking at. Whether you need to know if you can afford a cruise ship vacation or you’d just like to know where your money is going, there are an unlimited number of ways to estimate the total cost of your vacation.


Cruise Ship Vacations on a Budget




Millions of individuals and families wish to take a vacation; however, many are financially unable to. If a vacation does occur, it is often a visit to a local amusement park or campgrounds. These small vacations often occur because individuals limit themselves. If you are interested in taking an extravagant vacation, such as a cruise, you are advised not to limit yourself. With the willpower to do so, just about anything is possible with a budget.





If you and your family are interested in scheduling a cruise ship vacation, but you feel that you may be unable to, you are urged not to assume. This assumption could prevent you from enjoying the vacation that you want and deserve. To make a cruise ship vacation possible for you and your family, all you will have to do is a little bit of budgeting.





For many individuals, developing a family budget is a small sacrifice, but for others it may be larger. The more money you need to save for a cruise, the harder it may be to save. The first step in saving money for your cruise ship getaway is to determine where all of your money is going. This can easily be accomplished by documenting your spending habits. Everything from the mortgage payment, rent, car insurance, even that cup of coffee you purchased should be recorded.





After documenting your spending habits for a week or a month, you will have to examine your findings. Many individuals are surprised to learn how much money they are wasting on unnecessary purchases. These purchases often include, but are not limited to single serve beverages, cigarettes, alcohol, and out-of-home dining. To save money for your cruise ship vacation, you will need to cut all unnecessary purchases.





Cutting unnecessary purchases may sound easy, but the reality is that it often isn’t. There are some individuals who cannot do without their cigarettes or their morning cup of coffee. If you are unable to curb your spending habits, you are encouraged to change them as much as possible. For instance, instead of purchasing a cup of coffee each morning, you can brew your own at home. Additional alterations could be made to prevent your habits from impacting your cruise ship vacation fund.





When saving money for a vacation aboard a cruise ship, you need to make sure that you actually save the money. All too often, many individuals take the money they saved by creating a monthly budget and spend it on something other than what they originally intended. If you find it difficult to hold on to your savings, you may want to open a savings account at your local bank. In addition to accumulating interest, you are less likely to spend the money because it is safely tucked away.





Curbing your spending habits is one of the best ways to raise funds to take your dream vacation aboard a cruise ship. While saving money is important, it is not the only way that you can plan a cruise ship vacation on a budget. There are a large number of online travel websites. These websites may offer you significant deals and savings. Other cruise discounts can be obtained through membership clubs or your local travel agent.





Obtaining the financing needed for a cruise ship getaway may seem like a difficult task, but aftertime it may become a part of your daily routine. Saving money and obtaining cruise ship discounts are both great ways to obtain the needed financing, but together they can save you more money than you ever imagined.


Cruise Ship Activities for Children under Twelve




Each year, a large number of individuals make the decision to take a cruise. Cruise ships are a great location to have your next vacation. If given the opportunity, many parents would choose to take a cruise alone. This isn’t because of a lack of love, but because of a common misconception among parents and cruise ships. Many individuals, including parents, believe that cruise ships are not designed for children, but that is simply not true.





If you are the parent of a child under the age of twelve, you may be wondering whether or not they should accompany you on your next cruise. If you are able to financially afford an additional ticket, you are encouraged to consider bring your child along. Not only will a cruise be memorable to your child, but it will be exciting. That is because a large number of cruise lines have tailored their cruise ships to children of all ages, including those under the age of twelve.





If you have yet to book your cruise ship reservations, you are encouraged to keep cruise ship activities in mind. The activities for children, under the age of twelve, will vary from ship to ship. That is why it is important that you examine each ship before making a final decision. Despite the fact that activities will vary from ship to ship, there are many activities geared towards children, under the age of twelve, which can be found on almost all cruise ships.





One of the many popular activities found aboard a cruise ship is a gaming. Arcade rooms are common on most cruise ships. They offer children, under the age of twelve, a safe place to have fun and be a child. Many cruise ship arcade rooms are staffed with cruise ship employees, but this should not deter you from keeping an eye on your child. When leaving them alone in an arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment.





Another fun activity for children, under the age of twelve, includes swimming. All vacation cruise ships are equipped with a swimming pool. In addition to an adult sized swimming pool, wading pools can often be found aboard a number of popular family themed cruises. As with the arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment when allowing your children to swim unattended. Lifeguards will be on duty; however, they cannot always guarantee the safety of your child.





In addition to a swimming pool and an arcade room, most cruise ships have an onboard movie theater or a performance stage. A large number of cruise lines offer family friendly movies, plays, and other performances. Children, under the age of twelve, may find these performances and movie showings fun and exciting. To determine if movie showing and performances are targeted to those under twelve, you are encouraged to check a cruise ship’s itinerary. A ship’s itinerary can be viewed with or without previously booked reservations.





Cruise ship restaurants and other dining facilities are likely to cater to children, under the age of twelve. Many restaurants offer children’s menus. These menus are likely to include tasty, but kid sized meals. The cost of your kid’s meals will vary from ship to ship; however, many cruise ships offer discounts on meals for children under the age of twelve.





Cruise ship childcare centers are facilities that benefit both parents and their children. While on a family vacation, even you need a break. For free or a small fee, you should be able to leave your children in the care of a trained and experienced childcare worker. Since a cruise ship is likely to have passengers of all different ages, many childcare facilities are grouped together by ages. As with most other services, you will find that a cruise ship’s childcare policy may vary form another’s.





The above mentioned activities, services, and facilities are just a few of the many that are targeted to children, aged twelve and under. If you are satisfied with the above mentioned services, facilities, and activities, you may want to consider scheduling your next family vacation aboard a cruise ship.


Family Vacations aboard a Cruise Ship




Each year, millions of families make the decision to take a family vacation. If you and your family are interested in becoming one of those families, you have a number of different options. Your options may include, but are not limited to, camping, visiting the beach, visiting a local amusement park, or setting sail on the water.





Setting sail on the water is a something that many individuals would like to do. Unfortunately, most individuals do not own a boat or know how to operate one. The good news is that you do not have to know anything about boats to enjoy a fun family vacation aboard a cruise ship. For years now, cruise ships have been creating fun, exciting, and safe vacation environments for families.





You may be wondering if you and your family would enjoy a vacation aboard a cruise ship. The reality is that all families vary. Each family member is likely to have a personal preference. Despite that preferences, cruise ships are often enjoyed by everyone, not matter what their age. This is because cruise ships offer a wide range of activities. These activities are geared towards individuals of all ages.





To decide whether or not your family should take a family vacation aboard a cruise ship, you are encouraged to consider cruise ship benefits. The most obvious benefit, as mentioned above, is the onboard activities. On any given cruise ship, you are likely to find an unlimited number of activities for both children and adults. These activities may include swimming, gaming, gambling, eating, watching movies, and dancing.





Other one of the many benefits of taking a family cruise ship vacation is the fact that almost all cruise ships have onboard childcare. If you are traveling with small children, these childcare centers may allow you to have private moments by yourself or with your spouse. These childcare centers are often operated free of charge. That means that within a few minutes, you could drop your child off and be on your way to pampering yourself.





A cruise ship vacation benefit that many individuals do not consider is the quality time spent together. While it is true that this quality time together can be spent anywhere, it is often more memorable on a cruise ship. Many travelers view the close corridors as a disadvantage, but in a way it may benefit your family. This benefit is most often seen with teenagers. When a child becomes a teen, spending time with their family is often eliminated from their list of priorities. A cruise ship will provide them with fun and exciting activities, but it will also allow you and your child to reconnect.





The memories made on a cruise ship are often incomparable. The majority of children will be unable to, for one reason or another, take a cruise when they reach adulthood. This memory is one that could serve them for a lifetime. To cherish this memory, you are encouraged to bring along a camera or video recorder. In addition to enjoying the cruise in the present, you and your family will also be able to enjoy it in the future. Can you imagine sitting around your kitchen table twenty years from now reminiscing with your family?





Wherever you and your family decide to vacation, whether it be on a cruise ship or not, your vacation is sure to be memorable. For a reasonable price, you can have an unforgettable vacation. If a cruise is financially within your reach, why not grab hold of the experience while you can?


Cruise Ship Vacations for Seniors




In many areas of the world, including the United States, we often view senior citizens as having limits. While health issues may plague some senior citizens, most individuals are healthy and happy. In fact, many consider their senior years to be the prime of their live. If you are one of those individuals, you could experience fun and excitement aboard a cruise ship.





One of the most common concerns aboard a cruise is safety. Many senior citizens and their family members are concerned with the health risks of taking a cruise. If you or your family has fears associated with extended cruises, you may want to seek guidance from your family physician. With a simple visit, your physician may easily be able to determine whether or not you are up for the voyage.





If and when you receive the okay from your doctor, you can begin to further examine vacationing aboard a cruise ship. When examining cruise ships, you are encouraged to examine a number of cruise lines and each of the ships that they have available. To get started on your search, it is advised that you examine Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Princess Cruises. The foresaid cruise lines are just a few of the many that service travelers; however, they are often considered the most popular.





When examining a particular cruise ship, you are encouraged to search for activities and services that you are attracted to. These services are important because they are often the only way for seniors to find the perfect cruise ship. At the current time, there is not a large, well-known cruise ship company that offers cruises specifically for senior citizens. That does not mean that you shouldn’t take a cruise. It does; however, mean that you may need to spend more time researching your available options.





You can and should search for cruise ship activities based on your own preferences. Many seniors prefer cruise ships that offer elegant dinning facilities and activities geared towards mature crowds. If safety is a concern, you may wish to vacation aboard a family fun cruise. These cruises are geared towards individuals and families of all ages. Many times, a family fun cruise has a more appropriate environment. Seniors, including yourself, may find this environment warm and welcoming.





Once you have made the decision to take a cruise ship vacation, you may be excited to book your reservations. Senior citizens are urged to refrain from purchasing tickets and making travel accommodations on a whim. This is because many seniors qualify for cruise ship and other travel discounts. Many of these discounts are offered by AARP, Triple A, and other membership clubs. Even if you may not qualify for travel deals and discounts, you should still see if they exist. Until you look, you never know if you can book a cruise at a discounted price.





Cruise ship travel is a fun, exciting, and rewarding experience, no matter what your age. All most all cruise ships are safe enough that you can even vacation alone. If you are concerned with your safety while traveling alone, you may want to invite along family or your senior friends. With a large number of discounts, it is quite possible that you can all enjoy a vacation aboard a cruise ship, without having to go broke.


Everything You Need To Know About Themed Cruise Ships




It is likely that you have heard of a themed cruise ship before. Themed cruise ships are popular, all around the world. While most individuals have heard of a themed cruise ship before, many are unaware exactly what they are. If you are interested in making travel plans aboard a themed cruise ship, there are some vital pieces of information that you must first consider. This information is vital to selecting the themed cruise that best fits your needs.





When it comes to themed cruise ships, many individuals automatically think of cruises designed for families with children. Family themed cruise ships are the most popular types of cruises available. In fact, it is likely that you have heard of a number of these cruise ships before. One of the most well-known is Disney Cruise Lines. Disney Cruise Lines offer a wide variety of different cruises that are targeted toward the whole family. Disney is most well-known for are their cartoon characters. These characters are aboard all themed Disney cruise ships.





Disney Cruise Lines is a cruise with a specific theme. In addition to a cruise with particular cartoon characters, it is possible to book a traditional family cruise. To be considered a themed cruise cartoon characters do not have to be present. Simply targeting the cruise to individuals with children is enough to have a created a themed cruise ship. Themed cruise ships with a family focus often include a wide range of services, facilities, and activities that are tailored to children of all ages.





While family themed cruise ships are often considered the most popular of all cruise ships, they are not the only themed cruises available. Another popular themed cruise includes celebrity cruises. A number of different cruise lines offer this popular and highly sought after theme. Celebrity cruises have special onboard guests. These guests may include popular television stars, movie stars, and music artists. Special dinners and autograph sessions are often included in a celebrity cruise.





Romance is another theme that many cruise lines focus on. Romance themed cruises are offered onboard a number of different cruise ships. These cruise ships often target couples. To keep the ship setting mature and in good nature, an age restriction may be placed on passengers. Age restrictions are effective at eliminating excess amounts of children aboard a ship that is designed for couples. Romance is a wide theme that covers many categories. These categories are likely to include honeymoons, weddings, and anniversaries.





In addition to the above mentioned themed cruises, there are a number of other cruise ship themes. These themes may include, but are not limited to, dancing, movies, gambling, and adventure. Almost all cruises ships have a casino or gaming facility. It is also possible to find a cruise ship that offer gambling as their theme. These cruises are often referred to as casino cruises.





Cruise ships with dancing themes are popular among individuals of all ages. Despite their wide range of popularity, dancing cruises are often most enjoyed by senior citizens. Dancing cruises tend to offer a number of different dancing halls. Each of these halls may incorporate a different style of music. In a way, dancing cruises can also be considered romantic. There are many travelers who enjoy being able to relax and spend quality time with their dancing partner.





Thrill seekers may find fun aboard a cruise ship with an adventure theme. Traditional cruise ship services, facilities, and activities can be found aboard a cruise ship. In addition to traditional cruise ship services, it is likely that you will find a number of onboard activities designed for those seeking a thrill. Many of these activities include onboard surfing and rock climbing. The adventure activities found aboard a themed cruise will all depend on the cruise ship in question. As more cruise ships are being developed, so are the number of activities designed for those who want action and adventure.





It is easy to see that there are a number of different themed cruises. If you are interested in scheduling a vacation aboard a themed cruise ship, you will need to find the cruise ship of your choice. This can most easily be done by searching for the activities or themes that you most enjoy participating in.


Popular Cruise Ship Destinations and Ports of Call




When considering vacationing aboard a cruise ship, there are many individuals who are unaware of what to expect. Individuals that have never been on a cruise ship before are likely to be a little bit confused when it comes to cruise ship destinations and ports of calls. If you are interested in taking a cruise, it is advised that you familiarize yourself with cruise ship destinations and ports of calls.





A port of call is a termed that is used by many cruise lines. It is used to describe stops that a cruise ship will make along the way. If you are interested in booking a vacation aboard a ship that makes multiple port stops, you will want to consider the ports available. Vacationing on a cruise ship is enough to make any vacation perfect, but selecting the right ports of calls will make your vacation even more enjoyable.





When examining the cruise ships offered by multiple cruise lines, you should automatically be provided with cruise ship stops. This information will likely tell you where and when the cruise ship will stop. Information may be available as to how long the cruise ship plans on staying at a particular port. If the stop is long enough, you may be able to view local attractions.





All around the world, there are a number of ports that cruise ships regularly stop at. Many of the most popular ports are found in the Caribbean. If you are searching for a tropical cruise, you may want to consider the climate of each port before making your reservation. Popular ports include, but are not limited to, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas.





Caribbean cruises are often viewed as the most popular types of cruises, but they are not the only ones that are available. Vacation cruises are popular all around the world, including in Europe, Canada, and the Northern United States. The ports of call on these cruises may be not be considered tropical, but they still offer many fun and exciting attractions for cruise ship travelers.





In addition to ports of call, you will also see information on a cruise ship’s final destination. When selecting a cruise ship, the final destination is extremely important. This is because most, but not all cruise ships return to their originally place of departure. For prevent unnecessary travel, it is advised that you search for a cruise ship that returns to its original port of departure.





As previously mentioned, cruises ship vacations are popular all around the world. When selecting a cruise ship to vacation on, you are encouraged to keep this in mind. In addition to the ports of call and onboard activities, you should consider selecting a cruise ship based on its location of departure. If you are interested in vacationing on a cruise, but while on a budget, you may want to select a port of departure that is located close to your home. Doing so will likely prevent unnecessary travel expenses.





Cruise ships depart from ports all around the world. Popular departure locations in the Untied States include, but are not limited to, Texas, New Jersey, Louisiana, Hawaii, and Florida. Overseas cruise ships often depart from England, Italy, Germany, Spain, Norway, and Portugal. Additional departure ports may be available; however, it will all depend on the cruise ship in question.





With all of the available cruise ship destinations and ports of call, selecting a cruise ship to vacation on may seem overwhelming. Despite this overwhelming feeling, you are still encouraged to research all of your available options. Taking the time to research popular cruise ship destinations and ports of call is the best way to make the most out of your cruise ship voyage.


Cruise Ships: A Romantic Getaway for Couples




With large workloads, hectic schedules, and children, many couples need a break from their daily routines. This break often comes in the form of a romantic getaway. If you and your partner are searching your next romantic adventure, you may want to examine the possibility of taking a cruise.





When it comes to romantic getaways, there are many who don’t even consider a cruise ship as an option. However, there are others who literally live for cruises. These couples are likely to take two or more cruises each year. Whether you’ve been on a cruise ship before or not, it is possible for you and your partner to have a romantic cruise ship getaway.





Before booking a cruise ship getaway, you are encouraged to consider a number of factors. These factors are important when planning a romantic getaway aboard a cruise ship. There are a number of different cruises ships and cruises lines. You may be unable to enjoy a romantic vacation if you are on a cruise ship that is overrun with children.





If you are interested in having an intimate, relaxing, and romantic cruise, you are encouraged to search for a cruise ship that has an age limit for its passengers. These cruise ships often restrict children from coming aboard. Many times, cruise ships with a passenger age limit target their voyages specifically to couples looking for romance.





While it is possible to find a cruise ship with an age limit for their passengers, you may find it a bit difficult. If you are unable to find one, inquire as to where couples with children will be placed. A number of popular cruise ships work to keep families and individual couples separated. If this policy is in place, a cruise line is likely to state the policy on their website. The same information can be obtained by directly contacting a cruise ship representative.





The size of the cruise ship you are interested in vacationing on is also likely to determine the level of intimacy onboard. If it is intimacy that you want, a smaller cruise ship may be your best bet. Larger cruises ships have more passages and more passengers often make it difficult to have onboard, private moments. A number of romantic cruise lines target their smaller cruise ships to couples looking to vacation alone.





In addition to the size of the ship, the ships style and décor may determine whether or not you can experience romance onboard. As previously mentioned, there are a number of cruise lines that target couples looking to vacation alone. Part of that targeting may include creating a romantic environment. On romance themed cruise ships, you may find romantic cabins, room service, and other similar services.





Vacationing aboard a cruise ship is a great way for you and your partner to spend quality time together. When selecting a cruise ship to vacation on, the intimacy off the ship is just as important as on the ship. Almost all extended cruise ships dock in a port. These ports are often located in another country, but not always. To make the most out of your vacation destination, you will want to consider a cruise line that offers stops in romantic ports. These ports may include, but are not limited to the Bahamas, Hawaii, or the Caribbean.





The Bahamas, Hawaii, and the Caribbean all have a number of cruise ship ports. Additional ports can be found in the Untied States and overseas. What many passengers enjoy about these particular ports is their climate. The climate and the overall weather could have an impact on the romance aboard your ship. Tropical weather tends to add to the romance in the air.





Cruises ships are often viewed as large, oversized vessels. In addition to traditional cruise ships, it is possible for you to take a local cruise. If you are looking for a romantic getaway, but you fear the cost of an expensive cruise, you are encouraged to look into local cruises offered near your home. These cruises often involve dinner, dancing, and sometimes an overnight stay. They most often occur on a large river or a lake.





Now that you know what to look for when booking reservations for a romantic getaway aboard a cruise ship, you can start making preparations. With a small amount of time and research, you could be sailing the seas in luxury, with the one that you love.


Advantages and Disadvantages of All-Inclusive Cruise Ships Vacationing is a pastime that is enjoyed by many. While vacations are nice, needed, and important, they can become costly. This cost is often associated with additional expenses such as food, beverages, and entertainment. If you are interested in vacationing aboard a cruise ship, but you are worried about the cost, you don�t necessarily have to be. All-inclusive cruise ships are cruise ships where just about everything is included. The cost of your drinks, food, and entertainment are often taken care of. If you are wondering whether or not you should book reservations aboard a traditional cruise ship or an all-inclusive cruise ship, you are not alone. A large number of travels wonder the same thing. When it comes in all-inclusive cruise ships, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages. To determine whether you could benefit from an all-inclusive cruise ship, you are encouraged to weight the advantages and disadvantages each. After you have considered each, you are encouraged to make a decision. If the advantages outweigh the disadvantages then an all-inclusive cruise ship may be just what you need and visa versa. The biggest advantage of all-inclusive cruise ships is that most of your needs are taken care of. As previously mentioned, most all-inclusive cruises cover food, drinks, and entertainment. If you are interested in drinking a large amount of alcohol or feasting on the amazing onboard food, you may be able to do so free of charge. You may also be granted exclusive admittance into movie theatres and video arcades. To many, having foods, drinks, and entertainment provided free of charge sounds too good to be true. In some cases, it may be. While many of your food and drinks are included in an all-inclusive package, not all are. It is possible that you may be required to pay for your alcoholic beverages. There are some cruise ships where alcohol beverages are included in the package, but on others it is not. When it comes to food, your food at a sit-down restaurant may be provided free of charge, but your snacks are typically not covered. This often includes snacks or small meals purchased at onboard specialty shops and vending machines. If your snacks and small meals are not covered, you can prevent the extra expenses by eating a large meal. You may also be able to save money by brining your own snacks onboard, if the cruise ship allows it. As mentioned above, entertainment is often included in an all-inclusive cruise ship package. As with food and drinks, the entertainment is often limited. It is likely that you will gain free admission into a dance or ball, but you will not be able to gamble free of charge. If you are interested in gambling aboard the ship�s casino, you will have to come up with your own funds. When it comes to the cost of an all-inclusive cruise, there are many travelers who get confused. The cost of an all-inclusive cruise may seem high, but it is often that way to cover the cruise line�s expenses. For many individuals, the cost of an all-inclusive cruise is a great value. To determine whether or not you will save money aboard an all-inclusive cruise, you need to estimate your cost of food, drinks, and entertainment aboard a traditional cruise. Simply by comparing the two, you can easily determine which cruise package offers the better deal. The advantages and disadvantages of all-inclusive cruise ship vacations are important. By examining each and comparing them to what you want and need out of your cruise, you can easily determine which cruise ship vacation package is right for you. PPPPP Word Count 607

Vacationing Aboard an Overseas Cruise Ship




In the Untied States, many Americans dream of vacationing overseas and visa versa. Despite wishing to vacation overseas in Europe, there are many individuals who are unable to do so. If you are able to take the time and set aside the money to, you are encouraged to vacation there. When vacationing overseas, you will see that you have an unlimited number of options. One of those options includes an overseas cruise.





Vacationing aboard an overseas cruise ship has a number of advantages and disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the cost of doing so. If you live in the United States, to arrive overseas you will often have to make the appropriate travel accommodations. The most viable option is by airplane. The cost of flying to another country can be high and travel time can be long. Despite the length and cost of travel, many find the trip to be rewarding.





The main advantage of vacationing on an overseas cruise ship is that, in a way, you will be having two vacations at the same time. A cruise, itself, can be considered a vacation. Traveling to a foreign country can also be considered a vacation. Combined all into one, you have the vacation that most individuals only dream of.





If you are concerned with the activities found onboard an overseas cruise ship, you will not have to worry. With all other cruise ships, overseas cruise ships activities include swimming, gambling, dinging, and dancing. The only difference between a domestic cruise and an overseas cruise may be the cruise theme. If you are vacationing aboard a cruise ship in Europe, you may find that the cruise ship décor has a European theme or style.





While the activities, services, and facilities found onboard a cruise ship is important, so is the opportunity to see foreign land. Depending on the cruise ship in question, you may dock at a number of foreign ports. When researching the ports of call, it is important to determine exactly how long your cruise ship will stay docked there. If the time is long enough, you may be able to leave the ship and see what the port area has to offer.





If you have never had the pleasure of traveling overseas, you may find an overseas cruise ship rewarding. If you are able to leave the ship and sightsee, there are a number of attractions that you could visit. This is the time when it often appears that you are on a completely different vacation. Since the time an overseas cruise ship will stay docked at a port will vary, you are encouraged to research your stops ahead of time.





Simply by performing a standard internet search, you could familiarize yourself with the city or town that you will visit. In addition to internet search, you may be able to request travel brochures. If requesting travel brochures, it is advised that you request them well before your cruise ship sets sail. By familiarizing yourself with popular tourist attractions, you may be able to visit a number of attractions in a short period of time.





By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you could make the most out of your overseas cruise. If you are interested in booking a vacation on a cruise ship overseas, you are encouraged to schedule your reservation today. Overseas cruise ships are popular, worldwide. A reservation is the best way to ensure that you will be able to have this amazing experience.


Honeymooning on a Cruise Ship




Each year, thousands of couples make the decision to get married. If you are planning on becoming one of those individuals, then it is likely that you and your new spouse will plan a honeymoon. When it comes to selecting a honeymoon destination, you have a number of options to choose from.





Honeymoons are often thought of as vacations. In a way, the only difference between a family vacation and a honeymoon is romance and the lack of children. Honeymoons are supposed to a fun, exciting, memorable, but private time. Instead of vacationing with the whole family, a honeymoon often only involves the bride and groom.





As previously mentioned, you have a number of different options when it comes to planning your honeymoon. Many newlyweds schedule their honeymoons at popular beaches, ski resorts, or other secluded areas. Did you know that you can also have a honeymoon aboard a cruise ship? Cruise ships are increasing in popularity, but still many individuals do not consider them as a vacation option.





One of the reasons why cruise ships are rarely thought about when selecting a vacation destination, let alone a honeymoon, is because of their cost. It is no secret that cruise ship tickets are expensive, but this cost should not prevent you from having the perfect honeymoon to go along with the wedding of your dreams. If you are concerned with the cost, you may want to try obtaining discount cruise ship tickets.





Most discount cruise ship tickets can easily be found online or with the assistance of a travel agent. Discount cruise ship tickets are nice, but they are often hard to come by. Discount cruise tickets are sought after by many newlyweds and other vacationers. If by chance you do come across discounted tickets, you are urged to purchase them while you still have the chance.





Even if you must pay full price for the cruise of your dreams, it is likely that you will still receive a good deal. Despite the large cost of tickets, it is important to examine the activities available onboard and the length of the cruise. The longer the cruise and the more services available, the more expensive tickets are likely to be. If you take the time to figure out all the services that are included and the cost of overnight accommodations, you may see that cruises aren’t all that expensive after all.





Once you have made the decision to spend your honeymoon aboard a cruise ship, you will have to book reservations. As mentioned above, if you are looking to save money on your honeymoon, you are encouraged to search for discounted cruise ship tickets. If money is not an option, you may want to search for cruise ships that have romantic settings and romantic destinations.





When examining cruise ship destinations, you may want to take into consideration the possibility for romance at each destination. Since your honeymoon is supposed to be a romantic and relaxing time, you will want to select an environment that will keep those feelings alive. Cruise ship destinations are located all around the world. Popular destinations include Alaska, Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico. To find the perfect honeymoon cruise, you are encouraged to select a cruise that offers stops at destinations of your choice.





In addition to taking cruise ship destinations into consideration, you are also encouraged to examine the type of cruise that you wish to set sail on. Multiple cruise lines have ships that are targeted to specific groups of individuals. These cruises often include cruises for adventure lovers, the whole family, or couples. As a couple, you should be welcome on any cruise. If you are looking for a private, romantic, and intimate setting, you may want to avoided cruises that are targeted for family vacations.





Before booking your honeymoon trip on a particular cruise ship, you are urged to examine want you want and need out of your trip. Doing so will enable you to select the perfect cruise ship for you and your new spouse.


Popular Cruise Ship Travel Options




When it comes to planning a vacation aboard a cruise ship, many individuals focus their planning solely on their cruise. For many individuals, this can be a costly mistake. While the cruise itself is important, so is how you plan on making it to your vacation.





Unfortunately, a large number of individuals are unaware that they must make travel arrangements to their cruise ship’s departure location. When many individuals become aware of this fact, it is often too late for them to change their mind. You are encouraged not to be one of those individuals. When booking a cruise, it is important to keep a cruise ship’s departure location in mind. Doing so may prevent unnecessary travel expenses.





Selecting a cruise ship, with a close departure location, is advisable. Unfortunately, for many this is impossible. A limited number of costal locations serve as cruise ship departure ports. If you are unable to find a cruise ship departure location that is within a short distance to your home, you need to consider the cost of travel while booking your reservations. This cost is important because it may cause your vacation costs to exceed what you had previously expected.





In the event that you must make travel plans to reach your cruise ship departure location, you should consider all options. These options may include driving your own vehicle, renting a car, flying on an airplane, riding the bus, or taking the train. All of the foresaid travel methods are doable, but the option you select will likely depend on convenience and the cost of travel.





There are a number of advantages and disadvantage to driving yourself to your cruise ship departure location. The greatest advantage of doing so is that your travel will be easy. Simply by hopping into your vehicle and hitting the road, you could be on your way. When driving your own vehicle, planning is often easier. The only downside to driving your own vehicle is the cost of gasoline. If you are required to drive a long distance, the cost could substantially add up.





If you are worried about the excessive miles on your own vehicle, you could rent one. Vehicle rentals are a popular way to reach your designation without an excessive amount of planning. Unfortunately, the cost of gasoline will also have an impact on driving. In addition to the cost of gasoline, the length of your cruise may also have an effect on the total cost of renting a vehicle. Vehicle rentals are charged by the day; therefore, if your car rental is left in a parking lot you may be wasting money.





Flying is a popular travel method; however, it can be a costly one. Individuals trying to reach their cruise ship departure location are often encouraged not to arrive at their destination by airplane, unless absolutely necessary. This is due to the cost of flying. If your cruise ship departure port is only a few hours a way, air travel may not be the best option. However, there are some cases where air travel may be the only option. If you are without your own vehicle, flying may be necessary to reach your cruise ship’s departure location.





Traveling to your cruise ship’s departure location by bus or train are other acceptable travel options. Each is likely to take some time, but they are both inexpensive ways to travel. Many individuals can easily afford a bus ticket or a train ticket. Aside from excessive stops, it is possible that you may not have access to either. Bus stations and train stations are only available in limited locations. You may find it difficult or impossible to find a station that offers service to the location of your choice.





Each of the above mentioned travel methods all have their advantages and disadvantages. To find the perfect method of travel to reach your cruise ship’s departure location, you should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Once you have decided which method best fits your needs, you can rest assure knowing that you will make it on time for your cruise ship’s departure.


Cruise Ship Activities Geared Towards Teenagers




When it comes to taking a family vacation, it is often hard to find a vacation destination that targets the whole family. This becomes even more difficult when teenagers are involved. If you and your family are interested in having a relaxing, yet exciting vacation, you are encouraged to consider vacationing aboard a cruise ship.





Cruise ships are not what they were in the past. They have evolved in something spectacular. Aboard a cruise ship, you are granted access to a number of services, facilities, and activities. If you are the parent of a teenager, you may be wondering what cruise ship activities will peak their internet. The activities found aboard a cruise ship will all depend on the cruise line and ship in question. Despite the fact that cruise ship activities vary, there are number of common activities that are targeted towards teenagers.





Children of all ages, especially teenagers, enjoy swimming and relaxing by the side of a pool. All vacation cruise ships come equipped with a pool. These onboard pools are ideal for teenagers. With a lifeguard on duty, you can feel comfortable allowing your teenager to swim unattended while you enjoy other onboard activities. Most cruise ships have a standard adult size swimming pool, but additional pool styles may be available. A limited number of cruise ships have onboard lap pools or wave pools.





Arcade rooms can also be found aboard many cruise ships. Many arcade rooms are targeted towards younger children, but not all are. On a number of cruise ships, you may be able to find numerous arcade games that have a focus on teenagers. These games may include, but are not limited to fighting games, air hockey, and other interactive sports games. Most games found inside a cruise ship arcade require coins or tokens. If you plan on leaving your teenager unattended, be sure that they have enough money to play the games of their choice.





In addition to a swimming pool and an arcade room, most popular cruise lines have an onboard movie theater. At any given point throughout the day, a popular movie could be playing. Most of the movies shown onboard a cruise ship are designed for adults and teenagers. If you do not have a restriction on the types of movies that



your teenager can watch, they can have fun watching a movie in state-of-the-art movie theatres.





Arcade rooms, movie theatres, and swimming pools are facilities found on most cruise lines. Additional teen activities may be found aboard particular ships. These activities may include surfing, rock climbing, or ice skating. To determine whether these additional activities can be found aboard a cruise ship, you are encouraged to examine the cruise ship’s layout. All facilities and onboard activities should be explained in a diagram or in a printed explanation.





One of the few cruise lines that currently offers onboard ice skating is Royal Caribbean International. Royal Caribbean’s ship, Adventure of the Seas, has one of the most well-known onboard ice skating rinks. In addition to enjoying open skating, ice skating shows are offered on a regular basis. These shows can come in the form of a competition or an ice capades show that is geared towards the whole family.





The popularity of rock climbing walls has increased overtime. Onboard rock climbing walls are fun for teenagers. Similar activities are often explored in high school gym classes. For a small fee, your teenager could spend the day climbing high in the air. In addition to the excitement of climbing itself, extra excitement and thrills are added when you realize exactly how high you are above the sea.





A recent development in cruise ship activities has caused excitement among many teenager travelers. This activity is known as onboard surfing. Royal Caribbean recently developed the “Flowrider,” aboard their cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas. The “Flowrider,” simulates surfing waves in a safe and fun environment. This onboard activity is something that many teenagers would enjoy doing, time and time again.





The foresaid activities are just a few of the many that target teenagers. If you want to take a cruise, but are worried that your child will be bored, do not worry. It is easy to see that most cruise ships have a large number of fun and exciting activities that are geared towards teenagers, just like your own.


Staying Safe aboard a Cruise Ship




Every summer, millions of individuals take a cruise. The majority of those individuals have a memorable experience. Over the past few years, there have been numerous reports of missing persons and cruise ship crime. While it may seem like the cruise ship industry has a problem, the reality is that they do not. Cruise ship accidents are few and far in between.





Despite the fact that you are safe aboard a cruise ship, you should still take precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your belongings. There are a number of steps that you can take. Most of these precautions are simple and can be done with little or no effort. Despite being simple, these precautions could keep you safe and your finances in check when you are on a cruise.





Many individuals believe that cruise ship safety should begin once they board the ship; however, it should begin well in advance. When traveling on a cruise ship, it is likely that you will visit foreign countries. In the event of a mistake or disaster, you are encouraged to have all of your important documents on hand. These documents should include your passport and driver’s license. Before boarding your cruise ship, you are encouraged to make copies of all of these documents. In addition to the originals, you should carry a copy with you and leave the other at home.





When you finally board your cruise ship, there are a number of steps that you should take to ensure your safety. These steps include familiarizing yourself with the cruise ship. Today’s most popular cruise ships are large in size. It may take some time to examine the ship, but you are still encouraged to do so. In addition to physically seeing the ship, it is advised that you request a map. This map should be carried with you at all times; it may come in handy if you lose your way.





Familiarizing yourself with your cruise ship is important, but so is familiarizing yourself with other passengers. You do not have to be outgoing or social to accomplish this. Simply keeping an eye out for individuals that appear to be shady or mysterious is a great way to protect yourself. If you were on land, it is likely that you would avoid individuals that make you feel uncomfortable. The same should apply aboard a cruise ship.





When walking around a cruise ship, you are advised not to travel alone. As with land, traveling with others is likely to reduce or eliminate your chances of becoming a crime victim. If you must move around the ship alone, you need to inform a number of individuals where you will be headed and when you expect to return. In the event that something does happen, a relative or friend should know exactly where to find you.





When on a cruise ship, your personal safety should be your first concern. In addition to personal safety, the safety of your belongings should also be important. If you are traveling with expensive luggage or large sums of money, you may want to take extra precautions. Before you leave home, you way want to consider leaving your expensive belongings behind. Most cruise ships will not reimburse their passengers for lost money or belongings; therefore, if you can’t afford to replace it, you might not want to bring it.





When it comes to theft, cash and credit cards are often the most sought after items. Instead of carrying a purse or a wallet, you are encouraged to carry a money pouch. To offer the utmost protection, you may want to obtain a money pouch that can be worn around your neck and tucked into your shirt. These pouches often make it impossible for thieves to strike.





In the event that you are unable to use a money pouch or you left yours at home, you are urged to divide up your money. Keeping your money in multiple locations may provide you with financial protection if a theft does occur. If you must use a purse, you are encouraged to keep it with you at all times. Women and men, with wallets, are urged to keep their wallets in their front pockets.





Cruise ships are exciting and, for the most part, safe. With a few simple precautions, you can safely enjoy your vacation aboard a cruise ship without fretting over the safety of yourself and your belongings.


Cruising With a Celebrity: Are Celebrity Cruises Worth the Money?




You may have seen advertisements on the television, the radio, or online. Your celebrity is vacationing aboard a cruise ship and they want you to join them. The advertisement you heard is for a celebrity cruise. Celebrity cruises are gaining popularity in the Untied States and all around the world. The question that many want answered is, are they worth the money?





Celebrity cruises are not to be confused with the popular Celebrity Cruise Lines. Celebrity cruises are cruises that are offered by a wide range of different cruise line companies. The intention of a celebrity cruise is to attract travelers. To do this, celebrity cruises are booked with well-known television stars, movie stars, and musicians. For some reason, and they are right, cruises lines know that fans follow their idols.





If you are interested in determining whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, there are a number of factors that you should first consider. One of the most important factors is the purpose of the cruise. A number of well-known musicians, television stars, and movie stars are compensated for their appearance. While this may not have a direct impact your reservation, it may be in your best interest to know.





In addition to being compensated for their appearance, a large number of movie stars, television stars, and musicians use a celebrity cruise to promote one of their upcoming shows, movies, or music albums. It is not guaranteed, but you may be granted behind the scenes information and footage. To many fans, this information makes a celebrity cruise worth it.





Promoting a charity or another good cause is another reason why a number of well-know celebrities make the decision to participate in a cruise ship voyage. If you are interested in promoting a specific charity or cause, you may find it beneficial, in more ways than one, to attend the cruise. In addition to being able to meet one of your favorite celebrities, you could be helping to bring awareness to one of the many world charities that need assistance.





Another important factor to consider when deciding on a celebrity cruise is the amount of time the celebrity will be onboard. Due to busy schedules, celebrities may be unable to stay onboard for the whole length of the cruise. To determine whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, you will want to know how long each celebrity will be on board. If they will only be onboard one or two days, you may find that the cruise is not worth your time or money.





In addition to the length of a celebrity’s stay, you will want to know when certain promotional events are scheduled. These events should be established ahead of time. To determine when you may be able to dine with, meet, or get an autograph from your favorite movie star, musician, or television star, you should check the ship’s itinerary. This will enable you to determine if you will even get a chance to meet the celebrity onboard.





It is also important to estimate how many passengers will be the celebrity cruise you wish to take. The number of onboard passengers may have an impact on how much time you get to spend with the cruise ship celebrity. If there are a large number of onboard passengers and the celebrity will only be on the ship for a short period of time you may be unable to meet with them. This is something that should be closely examined when determining if a celebrity cruise is worth any value to you or your family.





Finally, the cost of the celebrity cruise should be closely examined. The cost of a celebrity cruise is often higher than other traditional cruises. This is because you are often paying to meet the person who is onboard. That is why it is important to take the above mentioned factors into consideration.





Celebrity cruises are nice, but a celebrity is not the only reason why you should plan a vacation on a cruise ship. You can still enjoy a cruise, with or without a celebrity.


Selecting a Cruise Line: What to Consider and Where to Look




In the United States and all around the world, cruises are a popular vacation choice. Instead of visiting a beach, an amusement park, or going camping, more individuals are making the decision to book a cruise. If you are interested in vacationing aboard a cruise ship, there are a number of decisions that you will have to make. One of those decisions includes finding a cruise line to vacation on.





Selecting a cruise line to vacation on may seem like a fairly easy decision, but for many it is not. There are a large number of cruise lines currently operating vacation cruises. These cruise lines often operate all around the world. To find the perfect cruise line to vacation with, you are encouraged to research and fully examine all of your choices. This includes examining well-known and lesser known cruise lines.





If you have internet access and a television it is likely that you have heard of Carnival Cruise Lines before. Carnival Cruise Lines are one of the most well-known cruise lines in the world. Carnival Cruise Lines operate cruises in the Untied States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. They are most well-known for their “family fun ships.” With over twenty cruise ships available, you are sure to find the cruise ship of your dreams.





In addition to Carnival Cruise Lines, it is likely that you have heard of Royal Caribbean International before. Royal Caribbean International services the Untied States, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean is most known for their onboard cruise ship activities. Many of the activities offered onboard some of their cruise ships, such as simulated surfing, are not available on any other cruise lines.





As previously mentioned, you are encouraged to examine cruise lines that may not be as well known as the two mentioned above. If you are interested in booking a romantic cruise ship vacation, you may want to examine Windstar Cruises. Windstar Cruises is a cruise line that offers cruises aboard three ships. While the cruise line may not be well-known, the services and onboard activities they offer will forever remain in your heart. Additional cruise lines that are often considered well-kept secrets include, Costa Cruises, the Seaborn Cruise Line, and Silversea cruises.





When examining each cruise ship line, you are encouraged to view the company’s online websites. These online websites are a source of valuable information. In addition to learning about onboard cruise ship activities, you can often take a virtual tour of each ship. A virtual tour will give you an idea as to what you should expect from a particular cruise ship. If you do not have internet access, similar information can be obtained by speaking to a cruise line representative.





Selecting a cruise line to vacation with is almost important as the cruise ship itself. You are encouraged to review feedback from previous customers. This feedback can easily be obtained online. You should also examine the cost of vacationing with a particular cruise line. You will see that a number of cruise lines charger higher prices for their cruises. Your ability to afford a these fees should be close examined.





Taking the time to research each cruise line is the best way to make an informed decision. You are encouraged to take what you learned and apply it to want you want and need out of a vacation. Doing so will ensure that you book a cruise with the cruise line that can provide you with want you want.


Cruise Ships: Preparing For Your Voyage




When it comes to vacationing aboard a cruise ship, many individuals consider preparation to be the luggage that they plan to bring with them. Packing for your cruise ship vacation is important; however, it is not the only preparation that should occur. Preparation shouldn’t wait until the week before your trip. Rather, it should begin as soon as you book your cruise ship reservation.





The type of cruise that you will be taking is vital to preparation. A large number of cruise ships travel on international waters. In addition to being on international waters, many dock at international ports. Before begin able to board your ship, you may have to show proper identification. With international cruises, this identification often includes a drivers licenses and a passport.





Unfortunately, when it comes to obtaining a passport, there are many individuals who wait until the last minute. Last minute passports can be obtained in the event of an emergency, but most require at least a week or more to process. You will not be automatically granted a passport; instead you are required to apply for one. Almost all individuals that apply for a passport are granted one, but planning ahead is the best option. If error is made on the information you supplied, you will have enough time to fix it before your cruise ship departs.





The proper identification is needed to board a cruise ship. Your passport and your driver’s license are not the only forms of documentation that you should bring onboard. If you are covered under a health insurance plan, you are encouraged to bring your health insurance cards. In the event you fall ill while on vacation, your insurance cards will allow you to obtain the needed medical attention.





In addition to your medical insurance cards, it is advised that you bring along all of your needed medications. You may even want to consider brining along extra medication. Many physicians will write extra prescriptions for their patients that are traveling on a cruise ship. Should your medication become lost or misplaced, the extra prescriptions can be used until you return home. While requesting extra medication from your healthcare provider, you may want to question them on safety precautions aboard a cruise ship.





To pay for onboard and port activities, you will need to bring along extra money. Vacationing aboard a cruise ship is similar to vacationing anywhere else in the world. You are encouraged not to carry large sums of cash with you. If you must bring cash along, you are encouraged to divide your money up and place it in safe locations. Almost all cruise ships and popular cruise ship ports accept credit cards, cashiers checks, money orders, or traveler’s checks. These forms of payments are great alternatives to carrying cash.





When traveling aboard a cruise ship, you are urged to give a copy of the cruise ship’s itinerary to multiple friends and family members. This will make it possible for you to be contacted in the event of an emergency. When registering for a cruise ship, you may also be required to give the contact information of someone that should be contacted in an emergency. Your first thought may be to give the contact information of your spouse, children, or a close friend. When doing so, it is important to make sure that they will be on land and accessible.





Once you have made the above mentioned preparations, you can begin focusing on other preparations, such as packing your luggage. When packing, you are urged to keep the climate of your cruise in mind. At the same time, you should be prepared for unexpected weather. Making the proper cruise ship preparations will ensure that your vacation will be a success.


Discount Cruise Ship Vacations: Do They Exist?




In today’s society, we live for deals, discounts, and other savings. If given the opportunity to save money, just about everyone would take it. The need to save may be apparent in your daily shopping habits. Many shoppers, maybe even yourself included, shop at discount stores or use multiple coupons. These actions may save you thousands of dollars each year. Do you know that in addition to saving money on your groceries, you could be saving money on your next cruise?





Discount cruise ship vacations are often viewed as a myth by many individuals. These individuals are most likely infrequent travelers. If you are interested in scheduling your next vacation aboard a cruise ship, you are encouraged not to believe this popular myth. Automatically assuming that cruise ship discounts do not exist can cost you a large amount of money and it may even prevent you from making a reservation.





When it comes to booking a discount cruise ship vacation, you have a number of different options. These options vary; therefore, you are encouraged to examine each and every one of them. You never know where cruise ship discounts may be found, that is until you begin searching for them. To get started, you are encouraged to visit a number of online discount travel websites.





Discount travel websites are a popular and easy way to obtain discounts on a wide range of vacations, including cruises. With a simple click of the mouse, you could easily compare prices and make your reservations. Expedia, Obitz, Travelocity, and Yahoo Travel are just a few of the many online discount travel websites. If you happen to come across additional discount websites, you are encouraged to fully research the website before providing them with your personal information.





In addition to viewing the discounts obtainable through an online travel website, you are also urged to contact cruise lines directly. In the event that you decide to take a last minute cruise, you may find a number of deals and discounts offered to last minute travelers. Last minute cruise ship discounts are often offered in a final attempt to fill empty cabins. These deals and discounts can easily be found online or by directly contacting a cruise ship representative.





It is also advised that you considered any membership clubs that you belong to. Triple A is a well-known travel agency. In addition to providing roadside vehicle assistance, they also offer valuable discounts on a wide range of vacations. AARP is another membership club that regularly offer travel discounts to its senior members. These discounts often include airline tickets and cruise ship reservations. Additional membership clubs may offer discounts. The only way to determine if discounts are available is to ask a club representative.





One alternative to researching cruise ship discounts yourself is to obtain the services of a professional travel agent. Travel agents operate online and locally. You may be able to obtain the services of a low-cost travel agent. Travel agents are popular. In addition to researching and suggesting particular cruise ships, they are often offered discounts that are not available to the general public.





With a small amount of time and research or professional assistance, you can easily obtain discount cruise ship tickets. Why avoid cruises altogether or pay full price for a reservation that can be obtained for a discount?


Cruise Ship Gambling: Everything You Need and Want to Know




Gambling is a popular pastime of many American citizens. Despite the popularity of gambling, it is illegal in many areas of the Untied States. Currently, casinos are only allowed on Indian reservations, in Las Vegas, and in Atlantic City. What does this mean for those that love to gamble? It often means long trips and large amounts of money spent. That is unless you want to incorporate gambling into your vacation.





Aside from the casinos offered on land, cruise ship casinos are some of the most popular casinos in the Untied States. If you are interested in gambling on a cruise ship, you can also enjoy a vacation at the same time. That is if you intend on booking an extended cruise. Extended cruises are cruises that tend to last more than three days. In addition to extended cruises, it is possible to visit stationary casino cruise ships along the coast.





When it comes to cruise ship gambling, there are many passengers who are concerned with the legal aspect of gambling. It is true that gambling is illegal in most of the United States, but different rules apply when you are on international waters. As soon as your cruise ship leaves the port, the casino is likely to open. To stay on the safe side, a number of cruise ships wait until they are a few miles away from the coast.





Gambling aboard a cruise ship casino is similar to gambling on land. Traditional casino rules should apply. If a cruise ship’s gambling rules differ, you will likely see signs or rules posted somewhere within the casino. If you are ever in doubt it is advised that you speak to a casino employee or a cruise ship representative.





In addition to seeking guidance or clarification from cruise ship employees, it is also likely that they may teach you how to play a particular game. Similar to dance lessons, you could easily learn how to play a number of popular casino games with the assistance of an experienced gambler. Many of these onboard casino game lessons are free; however, not all are. On some cruise ships, you may be required to pay a small fee to participate in a gambling lesson.





The casino games offered aboard a cruise ship are likely to vary. Many popular games include blackjack, roulette, poker, and slot machines. The casinos games found onboard a cruise will all depend on the cruise ship in question. Certain casino games may be available on one ship, but not on another. If you are interested in playing a particular casino game, you may want to check to see if that game is available before booking your cruise ship reservation.





As previously mentioned, cruise ship casinos are most often found on extended cruises. These are classified as cruises that stay over the water for a period of time. These cruises also travel from one destination to another. Extended cruise ships often have a large number of activities, aside from gambling. Cruise ship reservations and cabin rentals are often compared to the hotel rooms found at most casino resorts. When compared, an extend cruise is often the better value.





Despite their popularity, not everyone is able to take an extended cruise. If you still want to experience gambling aboard a cruise ship, but you don’t want to stay overnight, you can visit a coastal casino or a river casino. Along the Untied States coast and a number of popular river banks, casinos are legal. These casinos were often legalized by local governments. Stationary cruise casinos are similar to legalized land casinos. The only difference between the two is that they are located on the water.





To gamble aboard a casino, whether it is a vacation cruise, a river casino, or a costal casino, you will have to make plans. River casinos and costal casinos do not require reservations, but vacation cruises do. If you are interested in spending your vacation at a cruise ship’s casino, you must first make a reservation. Once you have made those reservations, you can make plans to enjoy gambling on your vacation until you wish to gamble no longer.


Cruise Ships: Activities for Seniors




Increasing in age does not mean what it used to mean in the past. In many cases, the popular stereotype of senior citizens relaxing in a nursing home is thrown right out the window. As medical developments have helped to increase life expectancy, more and more senior citizens are making the decision to get out and enjoy life.





If you are a senior citizen, you are likely to know that there are a number of fun and exciting activities that await you. One of those activities includes travel. Each year, a large number of senior citizens are take a vacation getaway. These getaways may include guided tours, traveling with friends, or vacationing solo. If you are looking for extra excitement, you may want to consider vacationing aboard a cruise ship.





All around the world, there are a large number of cruise lines. These cruises lines often operate multiple ships. With a large number of cruise ships, you are sure to find a number of cruise ships that will fit your needs. When selecting a cruise ship, you are encouraged to examine the services, facilities, and activities that can be found onboard. Many of theses activates are geared to senior citizens.





One of the many activities for seniors, found on most cruise ships, includes fine dining. Fine dinning halls and restaurants are often elegant in design, décor, and food. Many of the fine dining restaurants found on cruise ships have a dress code. This dress code may not require elegant evening wear, but jeans and t-shirts may not be allowed. If you enjoy dining with touch of class, you many enjoy the elegant dinning restaurants found on most cruise ships.





While gambling and drinking alcohol are often viewed as activities appreciated by the young, they are both popular senior activities. Many cruise ships are able to note the difference between partying and social drinking. That is why a large number of cruise ships have multiple bars and restaurants. On many cruises ships, you may find an upscale cocktail party. These parties will enable you to socialize with other guests and cruise ship employees.





When it comes to gambling, you may or may not enjoy playing traditional casino games. Cruise ship casinos are often filled with roulette tables, blackjack tables, poker tables, and slot machines. You may find a number of these gaming activities exciting. In addition to traditional casino gambling, a large number of cruise ships are targeting bingo lovers. Bingo halls and other similar gaming halls are increasing in popularity aboard cruise ships.





Dancing is another cruise ship activity that may offer you and other seniors some enjoyment. Almost all cruises come equipped with a dance hall. In fact, many cruise ships have multiple dancing facilities. You may be able to receive dance lessons with a trained professional or spend the night dancing away with your friends and family. Themed dances are exciting. On extended cruises, you may find that the crew designates a specific type of dancing for the night.





A spa visit may put the finishing touches on your cruise ship vacation. Almost all cruise ships come equipped with a spa. Cruise spas are similar to the day spas that can be found in or around your hometown. At an onboard spa, you could get a haircut, have your hair styled for an elegant event, or get a massage. Spa visits are enjoyed by individuals of all ages. If you book a cruise and you are interested in visiting the cruise’s spa, you are encouraged to make a reservation ahead of time. Your reservation will ensure that you are able to enjoy this popular cruise ship activity.





Cruise ship activities, services, and facilities are important, but so are the destinations you will be visiting. Depending on the length of the cruise, most cruise ships stop at numerous ports along the way. At these ports, you are usually granted time away from the ship. Selecting a cruise ship with beautiful, relaxing weather is a great way for you to enjoy your trip. If the right cruise ship is selected, you could spend your time away from the ship walking along the beach or visiting with local residents.





Cruise ships are one of the safest places to vacation in the entire world. Whether you vacationing alone or with someone you know, you are sure to have a fun and memorable experience aboard the cruise ship of your choice.