Cruise vacations
July 14th, 2009 at 03:09pm
Under Cruise vacations
Princess Cruises offer their passengers the chance to escape to a world of luxury and discover exciting cultures and breathtaking sights on their top super liners. You can relax or live the high life according to your mood.
The brand ‘Princess Cruises’ became famous when it starred in the television series ‘Love Boat’. It is now part of Carnival PLC and one of the principal cruise lines in the world. Princess Cruises sail to more worldwide destinations than any other major cruise lines including Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific, the Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and luxury world cruises.
Princess cruises have one hundred and fifteen exclusive itineraries taking in over three hundred and fifty thrilling ports of call with the larger vessels carrying more than three thousand guests.
The Princess ships offer an innovative program known as Personal Choice Cruising, which is an unstructured, individually tailored style of cruising. Customers are given the opportunity to tailor their own cruise so it is more enjoyable for individual passengers. The idea of passengers being able to manage their own cruise began in the 1990’s when Princess introduced their innovative Sun class ships with multiple dining locations, affordable private balconies and flexible entertainment.
Pre-cruise preparations are taken care of by Princess Cruises with their own cruise personalizer. You just have to give them your immigration information, then boarding will be much faster and less trouble. You can also send in pre-cruise information to say what you would like from the cruise, including your favorite drink or any special requirements. You are also able to reserve spa treatments and shore excursions within four months of your departure date.
Daytime activities include lectures, digital photography workshops, cooking demonstrations and ceramic painting lessons. There are a few swimming pools, one of which has a current that you can swim against. Other sporting activities include golf, scuba and snorkeling lessons, jogging, basketball, volleyball, ping-pong and shuffleboard.
If you want to take it easy you can visit the ships extensive library, laze beside the pool or visit the Sanctuary for a relaxing spa or massage and be waited on by a Serenity Steward with light meals and signature drinks.
The Lotus Spa and Fitness programs offer all you need to both pamper and keep fit and the salon services offer hairdressing, manicure, pedicure and a barbers shop.
Other facilities include boutiques to buy duty free gifts, room service, bars and lounges, specialty restaurants and personal choice dining. There is a casino, art auctions, book club and an amazing choice of nightly entertainment with live theater, shows, dancing under the stars, parties, karaoke, comedy, TV and movies.
A complementary, “Passport to Value” allows substantial savings on shopping, photo services, and art and spa treatments. There are several packages to celebrate special occasions and you can even fill your room with freshly cut flowers.
Princess Cruises are great for all the family whatever their age, and youngsters age three to seventeen are catered to with a wide range of stimulating onboard activities to keep them happy throughout the day.
Copyright (c) 2009 directline-holidays.co.uk
directline-cruises provides you with the latest cruise holidays, including Caribbean cruises and Mediterranean cruises, as well as essential informaton on cruise lines, cruise ships, ships cabins and full cruise itineraries from every major cruise line including Cunard, Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, RoyalCaribbean, Princess, Fred Olsen and P&O cruises.
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By Jez Rourke
April 29th, 2009 at 05:44pm
Under Cruise vacations+ Travel tips
Cruise vacations are a fun way to see many different exotic locations, involve the whole family and really relax and enjoy yourself. Unfortunately, there’s also a dark side to cruise vacations.
To keep you and your family safe, keep reading for essential tips on cruise safety tips that will teach you how to stay healthy and secure while on board.
1. Always Be Aware
Generally, cruise ships are safe and secure contained environments. Because of this, we’re more likely to let our guard down. But, just because the life is good and the weather is warm does not mean you shouldn’t always be aware of others and your surroundings.
Particularly on large ships, don’t traverse dark passageways, leave your drink alone or allow yourself to get in a situation that feels uncomfortable or wrong.
2. Use the Safe
Like hotels, all cruise ships will have an on-board safe. First, leave your expensive jewelry and designer watches at home. Second, use the safe to store passports and extra cash.
Most cruise ships have smaller, lightweight safes in the cabin that are fine for storing small electronics and tip cash, but they are easily picked or bypassed.
3. Watch Your Diet and Water
Typically, the food and water on a cruise shape is safe. However, when you’re on-shore always drink bottled water and try to eat at clean, upscale restaurants. You don’t want to ruin your beautiful cruise adventure with a bout of dysentery.
4. Be Careful with Alcohol
Booze can really flow on a cruise ship, particularly an all-inclusive sailing adventure. Remember, alcohol compromises your facilities and your judgment. You are not only surrounded by strangers, but you’re also on-board a moving vessel that’s traveling at 20 knots.
5. Set a Gambling Budget
Keep yourself and your wallet safe by setting a firm gambling budget, and remember that thieves cruise too. If you’re ahead, cash your winnings occasionally and have them escorted to the ship’s safe, and never – ever – carry large sums of money, winnings or not, around with you.
6. Be Aware of the Crew
Cruise lines carefully screen their employees, and cruise ship employees are hardworking and honest. However, you should always bear in mind that most cruise ship companies have a strict policy about not allowing crew members to interact with passengers outside their duties. If a crew member invites you back to their cabin, say no firmly but politely and report it to the cruise director.
Overall, cruise ships are safe. However, you should always be aware of the presence of others and your surroundings.
Follow these links for more information: Cruise vacations, cruise ships, cruise adventure
Technorati Tags: cruise security, cruise travel, cruise travel safety tips, Cruise vacations
By SK
April 26th, 2009 at 08:28am
Under Cruise vacations+ family vacations
Are you interested in planning your next vacation in Mexico? If you are, you are not alone. Each year, a large number of tourists make the decision to travel to Mexico. Most are interested in vacationing at some of the most well-known beaches in the world.
While Mexico is home to a number of well-known beaches, there are many individuals who are unsure which beach they should visit. If you are interesting in scheduling a beach vacation, the best way to choose a destination isn’t by beaches, but by beach resorts.
Beach resorts typically offer overnight hotel accommodations and private beaches. Below is an overview of five of the most popular beach resorts found in Mexico.
Le Meridien Cancun Resort and Spa is one of the most popular beach resorts in all of Mexico. It is located in Cancun. The resort differs from other resorts in that it does not have a Mexican theme. Instead, the theme is French.
If you are interested in vacationing at the Le Meridien Cancun Resort and Spa, you will find a wide range of on and offshore activities. Popular resort activities include swimming, golfing, and beaching. The on-site spa is ideal for travelers who just want to pamper themselves.
La Jolla de Mismaloya is located in Puerto Vallarta. Similar to the above mentioned Cancun resort, La Jolla Mismaloya has a French theme. La Jolla de Mismaloya is most well-known for being a resort that caters to children of all ages.
The resort is popular for its beach front activities which may include relaxing by the spa, swimming or boating. As with most other beach resorts, La Jolla de Mismaloya has an unlimited number of activities that are geared towards adventure lovers. These activities often included guided tours that require horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, or biking.
The Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach is located in Cancun. It is known as one of the top rated beach resorts in the Cancun area. The resort’s top notch service is often hard to find at other area resorts.
Aside from traditional beach activities, the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach is most well-known for its amazing, unique, and exciting adventures. These adventures often include snorkeling, scuba diving, boat tours, sailing, and jet skiing.
The Fairmont Acapulco Princess is located in Acapulco. The Acapulco area is well known for its wide range of landscape sceneries. Beaches, jungles, and deserts are all located within a sort distance of each other in the Acapulco area.
The Fairmont Acapulco Princess is best known for its unique, but intriguing structural design. The hotel is stocked with modern accommodations, but the structural design of the hotel takes you back in time. On-site resort facilities include multiple pools, multiple tennis courts, a day spa, fitness center, and shopping center.
The Westin Regina Beach Resort is located in Puerto Vallarta. While the resort is best known for its golf accommodations, the beach area is just as spectacular.
Aside from a golf course, on-site facilities include swimming pools, tennis courts, and amazing restaurants. If you are looking for an adventure on or under the water, the Westin Regina Beach Resort may have just what you are looking for. Popular water activities include swimming, boating, fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
The above mentioned beach resorts are just a few of the many that can be found in Mexico. With so many to choose from, you may find it difficult or impossible to choose. You may want to consider obtaining feedback from friends, family members, or co-workers who recently vacationed at a Mexico beach resort. In addition to asking those that you know, you can easily read online reviews posted by travelers.
While examining and researching multiple resorts may seem like a time consuming process, it will pay off in the end.
Taking the time to select the perfect beach resort in Mexico is the best way to ensure that you will enjoy your Mexico vacation. You can also get lots of info on cheap last minute all inclusive cruise vacations on our site.
Technorati Tags: beach resorts in mexico, mexico beach vacation, top mexico resorts
By SK
April 23rd, 2009 at 07:31am
Under Cruise vacations+ Travel tips
Christmas cruises are an easy way to host a full family vacation without losing the spirit of the holidays. Most holiday cruise vacations offer decorations, holiday-centric events and meals that allow you to focus on your family and not the strain of hosting guests, cooking dinner and planning activities.
To learn about the basics of holiday cruise vacations, keep reading for great tips on how to book a Christmas cruise and save money.
Book Early
As Christmas cruising grows in popularity, cruise lines are adding more ships, but they can’t always keep up with the demand, so book early. If you’re planning to cruise with a large entourage like a full, extended family, you may need to book as early as six months to a year in advance.
By booking early you’ll get greater cabin selection and possible early-bird discounts that can save you money.
Look for kid-friendly options
If you’re traveling with children this Christmas, look for a sailing that’s geared toward families with kids. These boats will not only be fully decorated for the Christmas season, but they’ll most likely have a Santa on board along with kid-friendly Christmas activities.
If you’re traveling with teenagers or older children, a Disney cruise may not be for you. Look for a cruise option that hosts activities that appeal to all age groups. Today, cruise ships offer everything from on-board surfing to rock climbing. If you’re curious about what the ship specifically offers for the holidays, don’t hesitate to call the cruise line directly to ask.
Arrive a day early
Depending from where your ship departs, you may need to fly or drive to your port of departure. If you’re traveling with a family or a large group or if you’re all rendezvousing in your departure port city, arrive a day early. December can be a stormy month with storm delays and heavy traffic, so don’t get left behind this Christmas.
Have a point person
If you’re booking as an extended family, make sure you have one very patient point person in charge of all the details from collecting money to distributing itineraries. Having one responsible family member be in charge of the details keeps all the information in one place and creates less confusion.
Stick to small presents
Cruise ships are big, but the cabins are small. Either opt for one small present each or open your presents before or after you depart.
Finally, have fun.
Follow these links for more information: cruise vacations, cruise lines, Disney cruise
Technorati Tags: christmas cruise travel, cruise lines, cruise vacation, disney cruise
By SK
April 7th, 2009 at 06:50pm
Under Cruise vacations
Themed cruises are cruise vacations that focus on a specific type of customer or a specific theme like a type of music or a skill like gourmet cooking or painting. Essentially theme cruises allow passengers with similar tastes to enjoy a relatively all-inclusive vacation that tailors specifically to their interests.
To learn about the different types of theme cruises from family themed vacations to adults-only themes, keep reading for great tips on how to find the best theme cruise ship for you.
Theme Cruises for Families
Theme cruises for families are typically centered on a theme that appeals to children. Popular themes include pirates, undersea adventure or popular animated characters.
For example, Disney Cruise Lines offers a number of ships and sailings that are designed for the whole family. Much like a trip to Disney World or Disneyland, kids are greeted by their favorite characters, can go see a full, live-action performance and indulge in activities that focus on their favorite Disney films and television series.
Typically, most theme cruises for families also offer activities for adults. They’re a great opportunity for the whole family to actively enjoy a safe vacation that allows for quality together-time, but also much-needed private relaxation.
Theme Cruises for Couples
Most cruise lines offer specific sailings that are targeted directly toward couples who are looking for a private and romantic getaway or a quiet cruise for a wedding or anniversary.
Most often these romantically-themed cruises include couples’ dining tables rather than large, group dining, romantic touches like champagne on arrival and extra room service, spa packages that include treats such as couples’ massages, and also age restrictions.
Typically, age-restricted cruises only allow unmarried passengers over the age of 25 or married passengers over the age of 21. Check with your individual cruise line’s age restriction policies before booking.
Singles’ Cruises
Some cruises are targeted specifically toward single travelers. They often include social mixers, activities designed to get passengers interacting with one another and group dining.
Singles’ cruises can be a great way to meet new people.
Skill Cruises
In addition to the above cruises, many lines offer cruises that are geared specifically toward painters, golfers, athletes, aspiring chefs, wine lovers, bicyclists, runners and many more. Typically, these cruises offer classes, workshops and shore excursions that appeal directly to those interests.
If you have the inclination to take a cruise and prefer general commonality among the passengers, a themed cruise adventure might be right up your alley! Follow these links for more information: cruise vacations, Disney Cruise Lines
Technorati Tags: athletes cruise, couples cruise, craft cruise, cyclists cruise, disney cruise, family cruise, golfing cruise, gourmet cooking cruise, kids cruise, painting cruise, romantic cruise, singles cruise, skill cruises, themed cruises
By SK
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