Cruise vacations
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
February 24th, 2009 at 11:38am
Under Attractions+ Cruise vacations
Celebrity cruises are gaining in popularity. Not to be confused with the Celebrity Cruise Line, celebrity cruises are cruise vacations that include the opportunity to see or even meet popular celebrities like television actors, movie stars and musicians.
But, is cruising with a celebrity worth the cost?
What is celebrity cruising?
Most celebrity cruises will advertise several performances by their celebrity or celebrities along with a chance to dine or participate in ship activities featuring their advertised star.
The cruise line then either pays or offers free passage as a way of bringing celebrities on board. Typically, fans are attracted by the chance to not only meet, but also interact with their favorite public personality.
Why do well-known people participate in celebrity cruises?
In addition to being paid or compensated with free travel, many actors and musical performers use the cruise as a way of promoting upcoming ventures like a new album, a stint in Vegas, an upcoming movie or a tour.
Meanwhile, some celebrities use celebrity cruises as a way of supporting a particular charity. Often, a charity will sponsor a specific sailing and the cruise line will donate a portion of the profits or proceeds. If you’re interested in supporting a charity and meeting a favorite celebrity, these charity cruises are a great way to do so.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of cruising with a celebrity?
Before you book a celebrity cruise, you should look at why you want to take this specific cruise. Is it because you are interesting in meeting your favorite celebrity or because you wish to enjoy a cruise vacation?
If you’re actively interested in the idea of taking a cruise with a celebrity, look at how much time the featured person will actually be on board. Also consider what performances are scheduled and if there are any extra costs associated with attending those events.
You’ll also want to investigate the size of the cruise. Realistically, if your favorite celebrity is only scheduled to make a one-night performance on a ship that has thousands of passengers, you’re unlikely to meet or make any contact with the individual. However, a cruise can still be a great, intimate environment to see a concert.
Finally, if your purpose for booking the cruise is to have a nice cruise vacation, you may want to reconsider the celebrity cruise option.
If you’re completely uninterested in the “celebrity element” on board the ship, you’ll find yourself at sea with hundreds – or possibly thousands – of fans on a ship where the majority of activities and events are focused around a specific individual – something that may not enhance your cruise.
Follow these links for more information: cruise vacations, cruise line, cruise market
Technorati Tags: celebrity cruises, charity cruises, cruise vacation, cruising with celebrities
By SK
December 20th, 2008 at 01:43pm
Under Cruise vacations
Planning your next family vacation? Dreading spending ten hours in the car followed by five days dragging your kids to the beach, the hotel pool and a local restaurant that doesn’t offer a children’s menu?
If you’re looking for a vacation that will show both you and the kids a good time, cruising could be it.
To learn about the benefits and drawbacks of family cruise vacations, keep reading to find out the best tips for planning your first or next family cruise.
Why a Family Cruise Vacation?
Because so many cruise ships are targeted directly toward families, you’re getting a fully packaged vacation in a safe and contained environment.
There are daily, scheduled activities for the children along with parental getaways that both allow you to enjoy time with your children, and also have your own private vacation.
Most cruise lines either offer “day camp” options with regularly scheduled, on-board activities or supervised day care facilities. Because your children are on a boat with you and under the care of a well-screened and professionally-supervised staff, you can rest a little easier.
Isn’t it Expensive?
Cruising can be expensive, but most family cruise destinations typically cost about $500-$1000 per person per week. Add up the cost of all the hotels, meals, souvenirs and mileage that your last vacation cost you and compare it to that figure. You’ll quickly see that a cruise vacation budgets in at about the same rate as a full, family vacation.
How do I a Book a “Family” Cruise?
Most cruise lines offer family-specific or family-friendly cruises that are geared specifically toward families with children. Ideally, you want to choose one of these rather than, say, a Seniors cruise or a Singles cruise.
Cruise lines like Disney or Norwegian also offer themed ships with full youth programs that are targeted to specific age groups from toddlers to teens. Again, this affords you the chance to take a break and enjoy the pool on your own.
When booking a full family cruise, you may want to consider a travel agent. Often, they’re able to discuss ship amenities, past client reviews and possible discounts.
However, if you’re searching alone and online, try reading traveler reviews of each individual ship. This will provide you a clearer indication of the ship’s facilities and accommodations than the cruise line’s promotional website.
Things to Consider Before Departure
Make sure everyone in your family has their passport, travel health insurance and extra medication. Keep all of your documents in a safe and secure place with one person.
Follow these links for more information: cruise vacations, cruise ships, cruise destinations
Technorati Tags: disney cruises, family cruise vacations, family cruises, themed cruises
By SK
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