Destinations
Military Discount – Disney Cruise
Posted on January 27, 2012 |
It seems quite impossible to think of something that Disney doesn’t have. Disney also has its own cruise line. Don’t you just love it if Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are riding on a cruise ship with you? They are offering different kinds of cruises. It depends on you which one you will choose. They are even offering discounts and lower rates for people serving the military.
Be it a 3, 4 or 7-night Disney cruise, a military personnel can have a discount. This is a way of thanking them for the hard work they have put on in serving their country and risking their lives. These incentives depend on the qualifications Disney Cruise has provided. Whether you are Active or retired, as long as you have served the country as an Air Force, Marine, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and other military units, you are qualified to avail the discount provided by Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Cruise Line can make your travel even memorable and special. The entire cruise will provide you with pure entertainment. This unique, yet exciting way to cruise gives fun to the guests. This cruise line has the best on board staffs that will provide you with everything that you need during the travel.
Just like any other ship, this cruise also has different rooms created for different purposes. They also have a dance floor and club where people could dance and sing. The ship has a bar for all the beverages you need. Try traveling on this cruise line with your family. It will be a never-ending experience that you will surely keep for the rest of your life.
Cruises Out of Galveston
Posted on January 26, 2012 |
Living in Texas and just getting plain tired of the same old vacation? Then it’s probably time that you looked into cruise vacations out of places like Galveston, Texas. You can enjoy more than just a few experiences and a few pleasures. And the best thing that there are actually two options waiting for you.
First of all, you can settle with a cruise that includes Galveston itself. There’s no sense in leaving Galveston without first trying out the different things that it has to offer. But your other option, of course, is to take a more international vacation and find yourself on a Caribbean cruise from Galveston through the Gulf of Mexico. This is something that many vacationers find themselves doing and it also includes excursions within Galveston Island itself.
If you look hard enough on the Internet or through your own resources, you will even find all-inclusive cruises out of Galveston. Of course, they may charge a little for some drinks and a few specialty restaurants but the point is that you can enjoy 3-day, 4-day, or even 7-day cruises from Galveston. These cruises are almost always offered from December to April by major cruise lines. It’s not the kind of vacation for everyone but you can be sure that it is something unique from your regular holiday splurge.
Check out websites like carnival.com or royalcaribbean.com to get more information on cruises coming from or going to Galveston. You will find what you need to help you relax over the holidays. Tell your friends and family about it as well.
Baltimore Cruise to Nowhere – Tips and Tricks
Posted on January 23, 2012 |
Intro to Baltimore Cruises
A couple of major cruise lines, as well as a small ship cruise line provide cruises straight from Baltimore, MD. The two most popular among visitors are the Chesapeake Bay Cruises and Baltimore to Bermuda Cruises. These are very ideal for Americans who live very near the port. You can choose any of the available cruises online. At times, you may also want to invest in a travel agency to help you avail of promos and discounts. Baltimore hotels are also located conveniently just for the cruise passengers before and after the trip. There is the new Baltimore Cruise Terminal, situated very near the Inner Harbor site.
The Cruise Lines
From Baltimore, cruise lines may go to the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and nowhere, depending on the package and season. Smaller-ship cruises generally depart from Baltimore to sail the Intracoastal Waterway and Chesapeake Bay. The Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas generally cruise from Baltimore in the month of May up to November. Expect top quality amenities and services on the ship. Packages may include a 5-night cruise to Bermuda or a 9-night cruise to the western Caribbean.
Norwegian Cruise Line also offers cruises from Baltimore to Bermuda. The ship, Norwegian Majesty offers 7-day cruises during the months of May to August. These are the ideal periods to go, when you can enjoy great weather and smooth waves. Carnival Cruises offer year-round cruises with the Carnival Pride. You get to cruise for 7 days to the eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas.
American Cruise Line can also take passengers around the Intracoastal Waterway and the Chesapeake Bay. Ports can be visited by the small ships, thereby exploring shallow waters that bigger ships cannot move into. Luxury Celebrity Cruises are destined for the Caribbean, via the Celebrity Mercury. You get to take a vacation for 9 nights to the Bahamas or 12 nights to the Caribbean. The best time to go would be during the winter months.
Cruising from Baltimore
Baltimore belongs to the state of Maryland. It is an urban location featuring several attractions, world-class sports and restaurants. The launch of Harborplace triggered the growth of tourism. Baltimore actually dates back to 1729, growing into a major seaport on the East Coast. Before, the city’s cruise port used to be quiet until recent years.
Final Tips
All cruises from Baltimore leaves from the South Locust Point Cruise Ship Terminal. Passengers will find it easier to enter the Port of Baltimore South Locust Point Marine Terminal via a private vehicle or taxi. The address is at 2001 E. McComas Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. If you come from the south points, follow I-95 North leading to 55 Exit, Key Highway. Stay straight on East McComas Street after passing the ramp. The entrance will be on the right side. From the north points, follow I-95 South via the Ft. McHenry Tunnel. Go out at Exit 55, Key Highway. Simply follow the signs until your reach the terminal on the right side.
Car Hire is the Easy way to travel now
Posted on January 22, 2012 |
With internet there is so much ease of travel and comfort for a traveler. Especially in vehicle rental when faced with new places and new things. It is advisable to check out the site known as compare-car-rentals.com and go through the various offers from myriad vehicle rental companies there. This site has a super search engine which in a couple of minutes after entering the trip details will give you a wide range of cars in all makes and mileage with different add on so that you can decide what is best for you.
Especially when travelling with kids or lots of luggage or sporting equipment then there is a lot of hassle to get a car in the taxi stand at the railways stations or airports. And the cost can be lethal too. So I find by just spending a few moments on the internet I can solve this problem. After I register myself with email and age and other simple details about my trip the search engine instantly gives the best deals. Thanks to this site many of my past trips have been trouble free and thoroughly enjoyable.
3 Day Cruise, a Great Choice For a Short Getaway
Posted on January 20, 2012 |
With meals and entertainment provided on board, a 3 day cruise can be the best bang for your vacation buck. It is a great choice for vacationers short on time, money or both. An abbreviated 3 day cruise can also be an excellent way to determine if you would enjoy a longer cruise vacation. A cruise short on time doesn’t have to be short on fun and relaxation. There are 3 day cruise packages to fit the need and budget of passengers whether you are going solo, on a romantic getaway for two, or bringing the whole family.
Though several cruise lines offer on board activities for children, the folks at Disney are hard to beat when it comes to keeping the little ones happy. The Disney ships offer different activities and clubs for children aged 3 months to 17 years. Ship entertainment includes live shows, and deck parties with the characters. The Disney 3 day cruise offers a stop in Nassau and a stop at Castaway Cay, a private island owned by Disney. Activities offered at the ports of call include swimming with dolphins and sea lions, snorkeling, kayaking, and para-sailing to name a few. With free childcare offered at the Disney owned Castaway Cay, grown-ups can enjoy an adult-only beach with open air massages, yoga classes and adult beverages from the bar.
If romance is what you had in mind, a 3 day Caribbean cruise fits the bill. Most cruise ships offer round the clock dining options, making it easy to sleep in or arrange a late night romantic dinner. For a little fun with your romance, check out the ship’s entertainment. All the big boats offer casinos, lounges and dance clubs. These larger ships also provide stage acts to keep guests entertained. Add a couples massage and a late night swim in the ship’s pool, and you have the makings of an unforgettable romantic getaway. Once the ship docks, you and your love can see the sites, stroll on the beach or shop til you drop. For the adventurous couple, ports in the Bahamas offer snorkeling, jet skiing, and scuba diving, as well as hiking and nature trails. You could also choose to stay on-board and have the ship to yourselves.
Just looking for a little relaxation solo? Try a 3 day cruise to nowhere. The Holland American line offers several different varieties of a 3 day cruise to nowhere. These ships go out to sea and come back without offering a destination stop. The Carnival Cruise Line Triumph 3 day cruise leaves from Norfolk, Virginia and boasts four pools, seven whirlpools and a world class spa. With a 3 day cruise to nowhere departing from New York City, you can board Friday after work and step off the boat Monday morning in time to get to the office. The Dream Carnival 3 day cruise from New York offers a spa, a casino, a pool and live music and entertainment.
With a little planning and a very little suitcase, a 3 day cruise could just be the vacation of your dreams.
Cheap Last Minute Cruises – Be Spontaneous and Save Money
Posted on January 19, 2012 |
Cheap last-minute cruises are yours to be had IF you’re a flexible traveler. Do you keep a bag packed, maybe even by the door? Are you an experienced cruise passenger who knows what to look for? Are you a potential first-time cruiser who won’t try out this vacation experience unless you can get a great deal? If you’re even partially in one of these profiles, then last-minute cruising may be for you.
Research the cruise lines, ships and destinations closest to where you live. You’ll have the most flexibility if you can show up at almost a moment’s notice, and that doesn’t include a cross-country airplane trip. If you find a couple of destinations that interest you, pack a bag with toiletries and extra clothing that’s suitable for those destinations. Put a luggage tag on it, and put it in your closet. If you find a cruise you want leaving tomorrow, there’s no last minute panic. Just grab your bag and go, knowing you’ve saved yourself hundreds of dollars, if not thousands.
Look for a “repositioning” cruise. Most cruise lines have more cruises than ships. There are winter cruises and summer cruises, and they’re rarely the same. For instance, summer cruises might head for destinations like Alaska, Canada or New England, while winter cruises might feature locations like Mexico, the Caribbean or South America.
However, that ship needs to be moved, or repositioned, from New England to Mexico if it’s going to make its winter routes. Cruise lines used to just sail the ship to the new location and start the new round of travel, but then someone got wise. What if people were willing to pay for a one-way cruise? And repositioning cruises started. You’ll need airfare back to your departure location, but most times the savings on the cruise will more than offset that. These cruises are, of course, offered in the “shoulder” seasons, between the winter and summer peak periods.
And speaking of shoulder season, that’s another great time to find a bargain, even if you want a more standard round-trip cruise. Summer and winter are the busiest travel and cruising times–but that could mean your ship will be crowded. Try the shoulder season between those points, when there is lower demand, which equals lower prices.
Act fast. That should go without saying for a last minute cruise, but we’ll say it anyway. When cruise lines are approaching departure date with a few empty cabins, they lower prices to put an extra body in a bunk. But they’re only willing to do that so long. And eventually the ship will leave without you, or someone else will snap up that deal. This is getting more difficult to do, since cruising is becoming more popular, but if you’re persistent, deals can be found.
Find a travel mate to go with you. For last-minute cruises, this can be difficult. Another option is to ask the cruise line for a share rate. This will give you a cabin mate of the same gender, though likely someone you don’t know. Still, it’s a chance to make a new friend, assuming you hit it off. If not, well, the ships are huge and you’re only likely to run into each other when brushing teeth.
Use the standard travel websites to check for last-minute bargains. Most have tabs or an icon for last-minute deals, and some of these will include cruises. Then check the web sites for cruise specialists, like CruiseCritic.com or CruiseMates.com.
With pre-planning, flexibility, and a quick mouse-click finger, you can find cheap last minute cruises that will make your vacation even more relaxing.
Repositioning Cruises Over the Thanksgiving Holiday
Posted on January 13, 2012 |
Thanksgiving is a terrific holiday. Many businesses close both Thursday and Friday. The weather in most parts of the world is still manageable, and then there’s all that food.
As much as we like a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, a few years ago, we did a cruise over the Thanksgiving holiday, and it was really fun. Plus, it was nice having someone else do all the cooking – and then clean it all up.
If you’ve never thought of taking a cruise over the holidays, you might want to reconsider. And if your family and friends are available to join you, so much the better.
Because repositioning cruises are usually such a bargain, taking one over Thanksgiving can be an affordable way to create a special holiday that everyone will remember for years to come. There’s plenty of time to bond during the days at sea, and the atmosphere on board is festive.
Nowadays, many cruise ships have bars with big-screen TVs, so you’ll likely be able to follow all the big games. And instead of spending the day in the kitchen, mom can spend it in a deck chair.
This year, most of the repositioning cruises are transatlantic crossings. So if you have some extra time, you can see some of Europe before you board your ship.
Repositioning cruises that sail from Rome.
Seabourn Legend is one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world. The 208 passengers – usually fewer on repositioning cruises – are indulged with delicious food and impeccable service. Travelers who love Italy can board the ship on November 13 and call at Livorno (for Florence or Pisa), and three ports in Spain before reaching Malaga. Those with less time can board Legend there a week later for the 11-day voyage to Fort Lauderdale. Cruisers will celebrate Thanksgiving dinner at sea, perhaps in the fantastic Charlie Palmer restaurant.
Azamara Journey is a mid-sized ship – 694 passengers – with an enviable crew-to-passenger ratio, a great wine program, and very good service. On November 15, she sails from Rome and stops in Cartagena, Gibraltar, and Tenerife. A week later, she arrives in Nassau for a port call. Passengers will disembark in Miami on November 29.
Repositioning cruises that sails from Portugal and Spain.
One of the old Renaissance vessels, the 700-passenger Oceania Regatta offers its guests half a dozen restaurants, a Canyon Ranch SpaClub, and lots of ways to keep fit. On November 13, she leaves Barcelona for Hamilton, Bermuda, stopping in Tangier and Funchal along the way. The ship spends the night in Bermuda, giving cruisers the opportunity to enjoy the evening ashore. She arrives in Miami on November 27.
One of the two smaller Windstar ships, Wind Spirit carries just 148 passengers. She’s an ideal choice for those who love sailing and yachting. She leaves Lisbon on November 20 for a two-week cruise to St. Maarten in the Caribbean. There are no stops, so passengers will have no choice but to completely unwind, relax, and enjoy life at sea.
Cruises From Barcelona
Posted on January 7, 2012 |
More than one million passengers a year take cruises from Barcelona. The city has great food, shopping, nightlife, architecture and art galleries to enjoy either before or after your cruise. The monastery at Montserrat has a spectacular mountain setting; take a train there from Barcelona. Plan to spend time in the city before or after your Barcelona cruise.
The Port of Barcelona has seven cruise ship terminals and several quays. It is very well-connected with the city’s airport (by bus, train or taxi), train stations and subway system. In addition to such practical offerings, the port is also walking distance from the historic city center and the scenic Ramblas.
The Barcelona Port Authority is co-founder and member of the association Medcruise, which promotes Mediterranean ports as tourist destinations. The port’s great facilities make it an appealing and hassle-free destination, both as a port of call and point of departure.
There’s much to delight and amuse in Barcelona and cruise lines offer excursions to satisfy many tastes. All cruise lines operate a half-day, city highlights tour, which is perhaps the best option for first-time visitors.
During the cruise season – from March to October – the Barcelona port is a hub of activity. All of the bigger cruise lines make Barcelona their port of call and an ever increasing number choose the Catalan capital as their point of departure, including prestigious international companies like Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Windstar Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, MSC Italian Cruises, Holland America Line, Crystal Cruises and Island Cruises.
Cruises from Spain are a wonderful way to discover the Mediterranean and some of its most celebrated destinations. The most popular Mediterranean cruises, usually five to fourteen days in length, call on famous ports like Rome, Venice or Marseille, visit islands like Capri, Rhodes, Santorini or Lesbos, or go as far east as Dubrovnik, Tunis or Istanbul. Upscale shopping in Saint Tropez or Cannes, a game of chance in Monte Carlo, historical landmarks in Palma de Mallorca, Valletta, Naples/Pompeii or Athens, tours of the Adriatic or Ionian Seas – a cruise is the most comfortable way to get lost in the charms of this wonderful region.
New York Cruises – 10 Tips For Cutting Cruise Costs
Posted on January 3, 2012 |
While the economy is unstable and we may think about eliminating our vacation, cruise line CEO’s report that their industry is still going great. The reason? A cruise is one of the best travel deals you can find: some 80% of your travel costs are included in the price of the cruise ticket, including a stateroom, mountains of food and entertainment. In 2007, roughly one million people opted to take a New York cruise, a trend that is continuing as air travel gets pricier and more unreliable and a gallon of gasoline pushes the $4 per gallon level.
For example, Bermuda is one of the priciest destinations in North America. But Bermuda cruises make the destination highly affordable since the ship is both your hotel and restaurant. Instead of taking a Canada/New England vacation by car, let the cruise line worry about the price of fuel as you spend a day in lovely ports like Newport, Bar Harbor, Newfoundland and Quebec City. And, why fly to the Caribbean when a dozen or so ships sail from the three ports of New York?
Since New York cruisers are bargain hunters who want the very best deal possible, I’m passing along my tips for cutting cruise costs even further.
1. A terrific travel agent is critical to getting the best deals. He or she can steer you to another, in many cases, better ship and show you a discount you didn’t even know about. Travel agents know when bargains become available before the public. The best way to find a terrific agent is to ask for referrals, as you would a doctor, lawyer or anyone in a service business.
2. Whenever a great deal on a cruise pops up, pounce! Sometimes a few staterooms
are available a month before departure and these will go in a nanosecond
3. Run “cruise travel agent” in Google and you’ll pull up hundreds of travel agencies. Sign up for weekly bargain newsletters from a bunch of them.
4. Know what a bargain is and is not. For example, cabin upgrades rarely are: today, cabins are standard in size and amenities and cruise lines will only upgrade you in the category you’re already booked in. Free gratuities and/or onboard credit will save money.
5. Cruise during the shoulder season. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, ships are normally full of families. Peak season for Canada/New England cruises is September and October. You’ll find the best prices outside these periods
6. Cut down, or eliminate, the cruise line’s shore excursions, which are over-priced. You can arrange the same excursions on your by visiting the port’s web site. For example, one cruise line offered a one-day Budget car rental for $70. By going directly to Budget, I got the same deal for $30.
7. Repositioning cruises are the very best deal of all. While a few ships sail year round from New York, most change cruising seasons in March and October/November.
8. I know it’s fun to buy new clothes for a cruise, but do you really need anything? If the answer is “yes”, then buy it on EBAY or head for your local discount store.
9. If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and plan to drive to New York or Brooklyn, check out alternative transportation such as Amtrak or bus service. Not only is driving in New York a nightmare, but gasoline keeps climbing and parking is very expensive.
10. Before departing, decide which on-board expenses are unnecessary. Today cruise lines get the bulk of their revenue from onboard purchases so they push the spa, art auctions and other revenue generating areas. Do you really need more T-shirts? I’ve eliminated massages since they’re never as good as what I’ll get in New York and cruise ship spas charge 40% more.
A World Cruise on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2)
Posted on December 30, 2011 |
For twenty-five years the Queen Elizabeth 2 has been circling the globe, nobody knows their way around the world like she does. 2007 is her Silver Jubilee and she’ll be visiting more of the world than ever on her Silver Jubilee World Cruise; 41 great cities and 25 nations on five continents in 108 days. She’s became the international symbol of luxury travel and at virtually every stop along her way, she’ll be welcomed with all the fanfare of a celebrity.
The full 108-day cruise will start from New York City on Jan 8 2007, returning to New York on April 22. Two alternatives are available for those on the West Coast of the USA. One leaving Los Angeles and ending in New York City in 94 days; the other leaving San Francisco ending in New York in 92 days. Whether you book the full 108 day cruise or merely a portion, you’ll have chance to see the major highlights along the way, with multi-day tours to such sights as Beijing and the Great Wall of China. And you’ll be sure to enjoy the days you spend on board, as the QE2 is practically a “City at Sea” with all the amenities you could need for an extended voyage.
The Queen Elizabeth 2 will sail from New York City to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and two days later will call in at Georgetown, Grand Cayman. Then it’s on to Puerto Moin, Costa Rica with a side trip available to visit the Braulio Carillo National Park. Here there’s an aerial tram that glides silently and easily above the jungle canopy – there’s no hiking required!
Next is the passage through the Panama Canal and north to Acapulco, then on to Los Angeles and San Francisco to take on those who will be joining the cruise from these ports. Four days later, you are in Honolulu, Hawaii. The next day a tour of the Haleakala Crater on Maui, followed by four days at sea crossing the South Pacific to Papeete in Tahiti and later Moorea. Another four days at sea to the Kingdom of Tonga, named the Friendly Islands by Captain Cook, not that much has changed over the intervening centuries. On to Suva in Fiji, where passengers will have the opportunity to sample the ceremonial drink kava, made from the root of the pepper tree.
Next on the cruise is New Zealand with visits to the ports of Auckland, Wellington and lastly the picturesque town of Christchurch, a nostalgic recreation of an English college town on the South Island with ivy-covered brick homes, manicured gardens and even a river Avon. From New Zealand she turns North to Hobart, Tasmania with a side trip to the Bonorong Wildlife Park, where one might catch a glimpse of the rare Tasmanian Devil.
Melbourne is the first of four ports of call in Australia. One of the side trips here will be a ride on the historic steam train “Puffing Billy”, finishing with a lunch at a Yarra Glen vineyard. Next up is Sydney with its famous Opera House. After a brief stop in Brisbane there will be a two-day respite at the seaside resort of Yorkey’s Knob outside Cairns. You might even learn how to throw a boomerang at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
Leaving Australia the next port of call is Rabaul in Papua New Guinea and then five days at sea before docking at Yokohama, Japan. In Japan’s second city you’ll have the opportunity to tour the old Imperial Palace, home of the ruling dynasty for 140 years. Leaving Japan after a stop in Kyoto to see The Golden Pavilion, a two-day cruise will end with a stay in Shanghai. Here the passengers will be given the option of excursions inland to Beijing’s Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the 400-year-old Wu Gardens. After two days in Hong Kong, the beautiful and peaceful beaches of Da Nang will be a welcome change in Vietnam.
After a two day visit to Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand, the QE2 will cruise for two days to Singapore and then across the Indian Ocean to Colombo in Sri Lanka, the former Ceylon. A short tour of Kandy is on the menu here. Here also is the beginning of an optional multi-day adventure to Jaipur and the Taj Mahal before rejoining the QE2 in Mumbai. Those who elect to stay with the ship will be visiting Cochin, India next. Once a major stop on the Spice Route, this old port city predates Roman times. One can walk along streets lined with 15th century Portuguese house and step into an ancient synagogue; the local Jewish community dates back over 2000 years.
Next port is Mumbai, formerly called Bombay. Here one can take a tour of Bollywood, the center of the Indian film industry. After the passengers who left the ship in Columbo come aboard again, the ship is off to Port Victoria in the Seychelles followed by Port Louis in Mauritius. A one day stop in Durban, South Africa, will be followed by two days in Cape Town, South Africa’s capital at the foot of Table Mountain. Here a tour is available of the countryside of Stellenbosch with its famous vineyards, Dutch gabled houses and an old fashioned trading post.
From here the QE2 will steer north as it cruises to Walvis Bay, Namibia. Six days cruising the South Atlantic and crossing the Equator before tying up at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, with a quick visit to Funchal, Madeira the following day. Three days later, The Queen Elizabeth 2 will tie up in Southampton. The port where the Mayflower set sail from centuries ago, it’s now Britain’s premier seaport and has an historic harbor. A tour will be available for the medieval Salisbury Cathedral. A last the QE2 steers west across the North Atlantic and finally ties up at its homeport for this tour, New York City, after 108 days at sea.
So ends a once in a lifetime world cruise on the Queen Elizabeth 2, celebrating her Silver Jubilee.