Tips on Taking a Cruise Holiday

Posted on February 6, 2012 by ocean

When winter takes hold, people begin to think back to warm summer days. Join the millions of travellers who seek winter refuge by taking a cruise. Not only is a cruise an exciting way to shake off the winter blues, it is also a very cost effective way to enjoy sunshine during the colder months.

For as little as a few hundred pounds you can easily be on your way to an exotic destination or Caribbean island of your choice. These excellent deals can be found with a quick search on the internet or by speaking with your local travel agent.

There are a few matters to keep in mind when choosing a cruise. A cruise can last anywhere from a few nights to a few weeks depending on the chosen destination. If this is your first time taking a cruise, book a shorter trip. A three-day cruise is a great way to sample what cruising is all about. If you enjoy it, book another cruise for a longer duration of time. Cruise deals can be picked up on a daily basis.

Do not be shy when it comes to participating in on-ship activities. There are endless entertainment options, from lavish Broadway shows, to games for children. Off-ship, take part in some of the exciting excursions your cruise company has to offer. There is no better way to enjoy a new town or city than a day of first-hand exploring.

The Advantages of a Holiday Cruising Europe

Posted on January 21, 2012 by ocean

When you think of going on a cruise holiday, the idea of exotic islands and far off lands may well be the first thing that comes to mind. There are, however, many incredible options available closer to home and a lot of people find that going on cruises from the UK can make for an unforgettable trip.

One of the biggest selling points of last minute cruises is the sheer variety that can be experienced in a relatively short space of time. Going for a week or fortnight long trip around Scandinavia, Spain and France, or the Mediterranean, allows you to see a wide range of culture, beaches and incredible natural surroundings, as there are only short distances between each port.

Not having to travel a long distance to the departure port can be another major benefit. A long flight to a far off destination can cause jet lag and tiredness for the first few days of a cruise, but if you embark in the UK then you will be able to enjoy your entire holiday. You may also find that it reduces your costs considerably, as travelling to a British port is likely to be much cheaper and easier than an international journey.

Going on cruises from the UK to European destinations also means that you do not have to worry about luggage restrictions or weight limits when you are packing. As there is no need to fly to your initial departure port or stay in hotel before you leave, you can pack whatever you like and will only have to unpack once during your entire holiday.

Cruise Tips for the Caribbean

Posted on January 11, 2012 by ocean

No doubt the word Caribbean brings to mind sun, sandy beaches, steel band music and palm trees; when cruising, such as with Caribbean cruise deals, it’s safe to assume that all those and a lot more delights will be experienced on the trip.

Cruises are a great way to enjoy a holiday while allowing someone else to take care of the details. However, when it comes to land excursions you might want to take care of arranging them yourself. Certain ports have certain sights that should definitely be seen.

If your cruise includes docking at St. John’s, the capital of Antigua, this is one of the best stops in this area for exploring. Leave the ship and pass through the Heritage Quay area to get to Redcliffe Quay. Here you will enjoy a more authentic and rustic experience that is less commercialised and is much quieter.

Any stop at St. Lucia should include a visit to Pigeon Point. It is also easy enough to take a taxi to Reduit Beach. This has been proven to be much more interesting for cruise passengers than the capital city, Castries, where the ship makes port.

For Caribbean cruises that make port in St Thomas, take a guided catamaran trip for something different. If you can’t get enough shopping, opt to spend a half-day cruising the open waters on a catamaran where you can enjoy the local islands and see the marine life.

Cruising through the Panama Canal

Posted on January 7, 2012 by ocean

Many travellers choose cruises mostly for the relaxation provided by this calming mode of travel. Others book cruises based on the final destination and regard them as a way to get to their desired location while still having time to adjust to changing hours so they can avoid jet lag. A cruise through the Panama Canal, however, is truly a case where the cruise route itself is the major attraction for many travellers.

The canal took more than ten years to complete, using about 75,000 workers at the peak of construction. Located about 80 kilometres northwest of the capital of Panama, the canal is a popular cruising route between December and April each year, though it is open all year round.

Traversing the locks of the canal is an exciting experience that passengers will remember for a lifetime, but of course there is a great deal more to the canal zone than the science and technology that makes this journey possible. The jungle surrounds the ship on both sides and passengers have literally hours in which they can admire the passing shoreline and marvel at the tropical rain forest on display.

Since the canal links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it is a great way for travellers from Europe to reach destinations such as the famed Mexican resort town of Puerto Vallarta and the port city of San Diego, California. A Panama Canal cruise truly will be a voyage to remember.

How to get the best Cruise Deals

Posted on December 8, 2011 by ocean

It is that time of year again when people begin to look for cruise deals. Whether your need for a cruise is a personal getaway, a family vacation, or a traditional holiday, the available cruise options are almost endless.

A good place to start may be with your travel agent. Travel agents are usually informed of deals and specials that may not be publicly advertised. Speaking with a travel agent face-to-face is also the best way to get any questions that you may have, answered properly. Not all travel agents offer the same prices so if you are serious about getting a good deal, then shop around between travel agents. There are times when the larger companies will be able to pass along better cruise deals than a smaller travel agency.

While you are visiting your travel agent, collect a few brochures and see what catches your eye. These brochures are a great way to get a feel for the different cruise companies as well as what they have to offer in the way of packages, entertainment, itineraries, prices and other options. There are more and more websites each month dedicated to ensuring you get the best deal when it comes to booking your holiday. If you are not comfortable booking online then use the sites as guidelines for any deals that may be available. You can take this information with you to your travel agent.

If you are completely open to going any place as long as you get a good deal, then leave your holiday fate in the hands of the tourist season. Traditionally the months of January to March are the busiest for the cruise industry. This can often be the best time to try and land a great deal.

Cruise and Stay Holidays – a great experience!

Posted on November 20, 2011 by ocean

In a nutshell, a cruise and stay holiday combines the flexibility of a cruise with the familiarity of a one-stop destination. If you or your partner have never tried cruising before and are a little unsure as to what to expect, then a cruise and stay holiday is perfect for you. The usual length of a cruise and stay holiday is seven days on board and seven days at your hotel, but the cruise and stay holiday is nothing if not flexible, so you can lengthen your stay on either the ship or the hotel – or both if you prefer. The cruise and stay holiday puts you in control and you can spend time doing just what you enjoy.

Of course, cruising gives you the opportunity to see many more places and it may surprise you to discover how much there is to do on board the ship itself. In addition to the desk games and swimming pools there are also sport and gym activities, spa treatments and daily workshops. On offer is a range of fascinating activities you have always wanted to try – everything from tai chi to scuba diving – and the range of children’s activities and crèche facilities are second to none. With a shopping mall, theatre and shows, bars and restaurants, the cruise ship’s facilities and entertainment can rival that of any 5-star hotel.

For those who enjoy holidays on land and at sea, the cruise and stay is the perfect way to experience the ultimate holiday. Enjoy cruising for the first seven days and then spend seven days in a luxury hotel or, if you prefer, hit the hotel first and then cruise. Check out great 2012 cruise and stay deals now.

For a great family holiday, try a cruise!

Posted on September 21, 2011 by ocean

A cruise is a lot of fun for the whole family. Traditional holidays can be hit or miss when you are trying to please a whole range of different people with different ages, interests, and preferences for what they want to do in any given day while off on holiday. Maybe Mum will just want to sit around and read all day in front of the swimming pool while Dad wants to go practice his golf strokes. The teenage boy will want to do much different things than his seven year old sister.

The great thing is, on cheap cruises, everyone can do exactly what they want to, have some independence in a controlled setting since everyone is going to be on the same ship, see some new exotic places, and still have a wonderful family holiday together. Even if you separate to do your different activities during the day, that evening when the cruise ship sails away from that day’s island destination, the family can gather on the deck and watch the sunset then go to a lovely dinner together.

Dinner is not only delicious, but it is prepared, served, and cleaned up by someone else. That means more time to do fun things together like going to the nightly show for entertainment, or maybe playing a game of Scrabble together in one of the ships game rooms. It’s the perfect family holiday and one that everyone will remember fondly for many years to come.

Cruise holidays to fit your tastes

Posted on September 3, 2011 by ocean

The thing that makes cruises such great deals is the fact that even though you pay relatively very little for them, you are still going to get a great holiday experience. This is because when you purchase a cruise holiday, unlike when paying for holidays at big resorts, you do not have to pay a lot of money to get all the great amenities.

For example, if you go to a hotel and spend more money, you will probably get facilities like a swimming pool, a gym, a business centre, an on-site restaurant, etc. However, if you pay only for a very cheap hotel, you will not get all of these different features. On the other hand, with a cruise, most of the amenities and features that people really enjoy are standard on cruise ships, whether they are expensive cruises or cheap cruises. For example, you can choose a bargain priced Carnival cruise and still get a swimming pool (or several swimming pools), multiple bars, great shows and nightly entertainment, fun daytime activities, buffet lunches and multi-course dinners, just like you can if you choose one of the very nice Princess cruises.

There may be some differences in the level of glitz and glamour of the ship, the detail of the service (for example Holland America waiters may wear white gloves for dinner service but Princess cruises waiters may not), but all the cruise lines have their special strengths. All of them make for lovely holidays if you are able to properly match the kind of cruise holiday you want to the cruise line that best fits that desire.

Taking the Plunge – Cruise Holidays

Posted on August 13, 2011 by ocean

For some people, an annual cruise is a must. For first timers it can be a little daunting until they realise that planning cruise holidays is no different from planning any other holiday.

One of the most attractive reasons to book a cruise is the versatility of time. With a three or four day cruise, anyone can get away for a long holiday weekend. Someone with two weeks off can plan on a faraway destination; a long, leisurely ocean voyage, or an adventure cruise.

Many people think that cruises are an expensive venture, but once the cost of food, drinks, entertainment and accommodation is figured into the equation, cruises can actually be less expensive than paying for hotel rooms, entertainment costs, and food and beverages.

Tailor your cruise to fit your budget and interests. With cheap cruises and advertised cruise deals, the cost can be very affordable. Casual or formal, relaxed or active, there is a cruise to suit everyone. Some ships offer great family value with children’s activities and age-appropriate programmes, casinos, exercise gyms, volleyball courts and rock climbing walls. Still others offer a relaxing getaway for lazing away the day in a deck lounger reading the latest bestseller, or indulging in full service spas, massage therapies and casual buffets. Others present a more traditional cruise with gourmet chefs, formal wear in the evening, the opportunity to dine at the Captain’s table, ballroom dancing and a variety of shows.

Get a sense of what is available and how it fits in with your holiday plans then your first voyage will likely not be your last.

Dinner Cruises – a great choice for the beginner cruiser

Posted on August 1, 2011 by ocean

A long, multi-day cruise isn’t for everyone. Perhaps you don’t have the time to devote to such a long getaway. Perhaps you don’t have the money for a cruise where you would have to purchase a room and many meals. In such cases, a dinner cruise may be a better option.

Dinner cruises allow you to get the full experience of a cruise in just a few hours. You can enjoy a terrific meal without needing to back any luggage or plan for an extended stay at sea. You can even pair a dinner cruise with a traditional holiday. These types of cruises are great for all types of special occasions. From birthdays to anniversaries to reunions, dinner cruises offer a scenic, peaceful departure from everyday life.

The specific dinner cruises offered will depend on where you live. Bateaux London offers dinner cruises that specialize in classic British cuisine. You can cruise along the Thames, seeing many of London’s most famous landmarks as you dine and sail. Bateaux London even offers afternoon cruises, lunch cruises and a special Sunday lunch “jazz” cruise, featuring live jazz music performed on the ship.

Other parts of Europe have their own dinner cruises. In Italy, you can take a two hour dinner cruise along Rome’s River Tiber, enjoying drinks and music. In France, enjoy Paris’s River Seine on any number of cruises that traverse the lovely waterway. The options are vast, and depend largely on where you are located. Research dinner cruises in your area, or at your holiday destination, for a relaxing departure from landside dining.

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