Crystal Cruises Introduces Their 2008 World Cruise

Crystal cruises is the best luxury cruiseline in the world - pampered luxury, excellent crew, beautiful accomodations, specialty dining and exceptional ship ammenities that makes them second to none. Imagine 108 days of first class cruising aboard the Crystal Serenity, visiting the world. This cruise promises exotic destinations, exciting shore excursions and a world of wonder. Just be ready for the cruise of a lifetime!

The 2008 World Cruise aboard the Crystal Serenity is divided into eight voyages:

World Voyage I : Enchanted Islands January 19, - February 1, 2008
Los Angeles, Oahu/Honolulu, Maui/Lahaina, Hawaii, Raiatea, Mooréa, and Papeete

World Voyage II : South Pacific Sojourn February 1 - February 13, 2008
Papeete, Huahine, Bora Bora, Apia, Lautoka, Auckland, and New Zealand(overnight)

World Voyage III : Walkabout Wonders February 13 - February 27, 2008
Auckland, Christchurch/Lyttleton, Wellington, Dunedin, Hobart, Melbourne (overnight), and Sydney

World Voyage IV: Coral Treasures February 27 - March 15, 2008
Sydney, Australia, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Bandar Seri Begawan, Hong Kong and (overnight)

World Voyage V: Opulent Asia March 15 - March 27, 2008
Hong Kong, Chan May, Ho Chi Minh City (overnight), Bangkok/Laem Chabang (overnight), Ko Samui, and Singapore(overnight)

World Voyage VI: Indian Ocean Exploration March 27 - April 10, 2008
Singapore, Kuala Lumpur/Port Kelang, Phuket, Yangon/Rangoon (overnight), Cochin, and Mumbai (Bombay) overnight)

World Voyage VII: Exquisite Empires April 10 - April 26
Mumbai (Bombay), Salalah, Luxor & Karnak/Safaga (overnight), Alexandria/Cairo, Aghios Nikolaos, Catania, Naples, and Rome/Civitavecchia

World Voyage VIII: Iberian Dreams April 26 - May 7, 2008
Rome/Civitavecchia, Sun Monte Carlo (overnight), Valencia, Gibraltar, Lisbon, La Coruna, and London/Southampton

If you have decided to book Crystal's world cruise, do not procastinate by waiting for the best deal. It is a fact that world cruises never go on sale, and my prediction is that Crystal's world cruise will be sold out by early 2007. Going on a cruise for 108 days, you want to make sure that you have the cabin of your choice, and on the deck that you prefer. Not to mention, having your preferred dining times! Make sure to call your travel agent as soon as possible to get the best deal!

Of course, since you are cruising with the best, your world cruise includes:

Round Trip Airfare

Chauffered private car transfers between your home, airport, and Crystal Serenity before and after the cruise

Overnight luxury hotel accomodations and a gala bon voyage party in Los Angeles before embarkation

Pre-paid gratuities

Two exclusive shoreside gala events and eight Crystal Adventures shore excursion

CruiseBank of $1000 per person shipboard credit

Like most world cruises, you can book the segments separately or combine several segments, if you prefer not to take the full world cruise. However, chances are, you will be put only on a waitlist for a cabin. Your travel agent might require a deposit to hold your booking.

Don't forget to send us folks here at Cruise Headlines a postcard from your cruise!

Cruise Destination - Mediterranean

A Mediterranean Cruise Like No Other
The Mediterranean - Of tall ships, tall tales and the european splendor. That's exactly what you'll get when you cruise the Med on Star Clippers. Cruise in casual elegance, relaxed atmosphere, pampered comfort, Read The Full Article.

Eastern Mediterranean Island Food Trek on Silversea Cruise Line
Imagine a trip of a lifetime - an exotic tour aboard the exclusive 6 Star luxury cruise ship Silver Cloud sailing through the Eastern Mediterranean seaports. Tony Princiotta will take you on an "insider's only" exploration Read The Full Article.

Silversea Cruises

Eastern Mediterranean Island Food Trek on Silversea Cruise Line
Imagine a trip of a lifetime - an exotic tour aboard the exclusive 6 Star luxury cruise ship Silver Cloud sailing through the Eastern Mediterranean seaports. Tony Princiotta will take you on an "insider's only" exploration Read The Full Article.

Single Cruisers Can Go With A Group Or on Their Own

Single cruising is a lot of fun because of the friendly people you meet. Many cruise lines have special parties for single cruising passengers so that you can get to know your other single cruisers.

However, if you are a first time cruiser it is recommended that you go on an organized single cruise. There are a lot of reasons for this. First of all you are guaranteed that there will be other singles on board. As a group you will have all kinds of special activities. The first night of your cruise the group will hold a cocktail party. It is a kind of "getting to know" you soiree for the entire single cruising group. There are other advantageous, sometimes they arrange a hotel stay the night before the cruise so you will already know who your fellow single cruisers are. During the cruise they will host games, organize group tours and of course, group dining. The organizers sometime set up message boards so the group can talk before the singles cruise begins.

Don't try to go around the travel agency that is organizing the singles cruise because you think you can get it cheaper. Yes, you will be on the cruise with all the singles, but you won't be able to participate in the activities. The organizing travel agency will issue identification for the group of single cruisers and will have security at the functions so there will be no crashing the party. I spoke to a guy once who tried to do this and found out to late that he would be excluded. He even tried to pay to get into the activities but that was not allowed, so he missed out.

There are always questions on whether or not you should book a single cabin or take the risk of a roommate assigned by either the cruise line or the organizing travel agency. This depends on how agreeable you are. Of course, you might end up with someone who is rude, so you are taking a chance. If you don't want to take the chance, book your own cabin which will be a bit more expensive.

The travel agency will try to pick someone that is compatible. Criteria such as age, a smoker or not, and naturally, sex are used when trying to match cabin mates. If you opt to let them choose a cabin mate they may supply you an email address to contact the cabin mate so you can set some rules in advance. Find out what your cabin mates sleep habits are. If you're an early riser and your cabin mate likes to party, there will be a problem. Be flexible, the other person may want to set some rules too. The biggest problem with a stranger in the cabin on a singles cruise is that they might meet someone special and want to use the cabin for a few hours with you not in it.

The organizing travel agency will set up the dining arrangements. If after the first night you are uncomfortable with your table talk to the Maitre D' he will help you. From the information I have gotten, the organizing travel agency will usually mix the tables up every night so that everyone has a chance to interact. That is the ideal solution. If you have taken the plunge solo and booked your own cruise the same goes for you, speak to the Maitre D' and he will help you. Many ships now have a variety of dining options where you and pick where you want to eat and when.

Younger single cruisers should stick to three and four day cruises. One, because they're cheaper and two, you don't use up a lot of vacation time. Pick a three day cruise on a weekend that falls on a holiday and you won't use up any vacation time at all. Three days is a short time to meet people, but single cruisers are sailing with the intention of meeting people so they won't be shy. If you booking this on your own, research which cruise lines offer special single cruising dates. The over 40 crowd will be on longer cruises because they have more money and time.

If you are a single parent and you want to cruise with your kids choose a line that has a good children's program. That way your kids are supervised and you are free to do what you please. Many travel agencies are catering to this need and are setting up single cruises for parents and their kids. So do some research to find agencies that are offering a program for single parent cruisers with children.

If you are a single cruiser and you don't want to go on an organized single cruise, there are message boards out there where people post that they are looking for a roommate. It's a gamble, but if you really want to take a cruise and need to save money it is an option. There are two ways to do this. Choose a singles cruise; get the prices and the post a message to see if there are any takers. Or pick a date or an itinerary, do your post and see if anyone else is interested. It's risky but if someone answers your post you have plenty of time to talk over the internet to see if you are compatible.

Single cruising is fun but don't set your heart on finding that special someone. Take a single cruise with the idea of having fun and meeting new people that may become fast friends. Chances that you will meet your life mate are very small but it will be fun trying. Maybe, when you least expect it, your dream will come true.

For more mature female cruiser, look to the fancier cruise lines. They are a bit pricier but they usually have dance hosts and will seat you with the single gentlemen for dining.

Some cruise lines have seen the advantage of attracting single cruisers and have lessened the single supplement. In the past Crystal, Radisson and Sliversea have reduced their single cruisers supplements. These are all luxury lines.

For you single cruisers who want to brave it on your own here are some cruise lines that offer single cabins.

Cunard's QE2 was built with 122 single cabins, the new Queen Mary 2 has none. Besides the QE2, only Costa, Peter Deilmann Cruises, Holland America, NCL, Orient Line and Swan Hellenic still have a few single cabins on some of their ships, and these tend to be the older ships. One exception to the rule is Discovery World Cruises. While their ship MV Discovery has only two dedicated single cabins, 169 double cabins are also designated as singles and sold at a single rate. Peter Deilmann Cruises also offers a single rate on double cabins on most of their river ships.

Call your travel agent and talk about single cruising and what's best for you.

Happy Cruising!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

About the Author
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com, http://www.CruiseGold.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com

Extend Your Cruise Vacation Without Breaking The Bank

Most cruiselines offer pre and post hotel packages to compliment your cruise booking. I always tell my clients to take advantage of that offer if they are new to cruise travel. What if your plane is late coming in and you miss your cruise? Or what if the cruise does not make it back on time for you to take your flight out? Not only that, you will also get a chance to see the port city's attractions. Would you really just want to fly in, take your cruise and fly back out?

For the savvy cruisers, I always recommend that they book their own hotels. Repeat cruisers always know that booking your hotel with the cruiseline is more expensive. There are so many hotel deals available on the internet and membership discounts that are not available to you if you book with the cruiseline. You can save your cruise travel dollars, and spend it on enjoying the city.

Whether your cruise is departing from Honolulu, San Diego, Port Canveral, Miami, Tampa, New Orleans, New York, Galveston, Los Angeles, Vancouver, or anywhere worldwide, there is always a good deal to be had. Here are some hotel coupons you can use for your upcoming cruise:

Best Online Rate Guarantee. Get our best rate guaranteed or your first night is 25% off! with Country Inns.

Book Now And Save Up To $100 at ExtendedStayHotels.com

Orlando 2 Nights for $79 includes Hotel Stay + Disney Park Tickets

4 Nights in Oahu for $369 includes Hotel Stay + Luau Tickets

Ft. Lauderdale 2 Nights for $79 Hotel Stay + Dinner Certificate

Radisson Hotel Best Online Rates - 50% off

Best Online Rate Guarantee. Get our best rate guaranteed or your first night is 25% off! with Park Plaza Hotel & Resorts

Howard Johnson - Get Our Best Available Rate or Your First Night is FREE!

Days Inn - Get Our Best Available Rate or Your First Night is FREE!

Ramada - Get Our Best Available Rate or Your First Night is FREE!

Travelodge - Get Our Best Available Rate or Your First Night is FREE!

Save up to 70% off when Hotels Bid on You

Save up to 60% on hotels worldwide

Save between $20 and $100 on ALL Hotel Bookings Now!

Send us an email if you are looking for a specific hotel coupon that is not listed. We will be happy to locate it for you if it is available.

The Maiden Voyage Of Costa Concordia Is Set To Sail

The Costa Concordia, the newest ship in the Costa Fleet will be sailing its maiden voyage on November 23, 2006. This ship will be sailing an 11-day itinerary through eastern mediterranean starting from Rome and returning to Rome. Its scheduled port stops are Savona, Olympia, Athens, Izmir, Rhodes, Limassol and Cairo. There has been a big demand for eastern mediterranean sailings in the last few years, and cruise ships have been adding more and better ships to sail this exotic itinerary.

The Costa Concordia, is by far, the biggest and largest Costa ship to sail these waters. Finished in 2006, this ship will be carrying a maximum capacity of 3700 passengers. Like most new ships, the Costa Concordia has more emphasis on cruising in luxury and comfort. It has more outside cabins available and the balcony cabins number almost the same as the inside cabins. It is rated a 4.5 stars and is a very good rating for a Costa ship. Her sister ships - Atlantica, Classica, Europa and Victoria sailing the same waters are rated between 2.5 to 3.5 stars.

So what ammeneties does the Costa Concordia have?

There is a fitness area on two decks, covering a total of almost 20,450 square ft., with a swimming pool in its center.

The beautiful Samsara Suites have direct access to the Spa.

There are also four swimming pools, two with retractable glass roofs.

Choose from 13 bars, including the Bar Sport.

Over 500 cabins have balconies. The decks are spacious and panoramic.

The Costa Concordia will be alternating from 11-Day and 10-Day eastern mediterranean itineraries and moving on to 7-Day western mediterranean ports in Spring.


Cruise Tip By CheapTickets.com on the best time to take this cruise:

January 17, 2007 - 11 Day Eastern Mediterranean Itinerary
Ports: Civitavecchia/Rome, Savona, Katakolon, Piraeus, Izmir, Rhodes, Limassol, Alexandria, Civitavecchia/Rome
Inside Cabins starting at $1074.00 US per person
Outside Cabins starting at $1294.00 US per person
Balcony Cabins starting at $1489.00 US per person
Suites starting at $1994.00 US per person

Caribbean Cruise

Thomas DeSimone

Caribbean Aboard Royal Caribbean...

No one knows the Caribbean better than Royal Caribbean. After all, it is their middle name. And when it comes to beautiful beaches and sparkling blue waters, the Caribbean is really the place. There are countless adventures within reach when you cruise the caribbean. Snorkle with stingrays in Grand Cayman. Join in an actual race on one of New Zealand's former America's Cup yachts in the Bahamas. Then, there's the El Yunque Rain Forest in Puerto Rico, Christoffel National Park in Curaçao, and the Mayan Ruins in Cozumel, just a few of what can be done at the ports of call.

Highlights of Some Exciting Shore Excursion when Cruising:

-Climb Jamaica's Dunn's River Falls.
-Go mountain biking in Costa Rica's rain forests.
-Snorkel with stingrays.
-Go horseback riding on the beach.
-Dive 800 feet below sea level in a research submarine.
-Discover the inhabitants of a coral reef on a glass-bottomed boat.
-Visit Labadee®, one of Royal Caribbean's exclusive, private destinations.
-Explore ancient civilizations as you climb mysterious Mayan pyramids.

Snapshot of the 3 parts of the caribbean:

Western Caribbean
Besides their tropical paradise settings, the islands are home to rich culture and complex histories. Explore archaic ruins, beaches, rain forests and numerous waterfalls. Spend a fun-filled afternoon at Royal Caribbean floating Aqua Park in Labadee®, a private destination available only to Royal Caribbean guests.

Eastern Caribbean
Take in the Sun surrounded by the white-sand beaches and beautiful turquoise waters of the most beautiful islands on earth. Find adventure parasailing high above it all or at the Dolphin Encounter. Or visit Labadee®, one of Royal Caribbeans, tropical private destinations where nature brings striking mountains and pristine beaches within arm's reach.

Southern Caribbean
The most Fasinating Caribbean islands await you down south. Activities are endless in this area. You can navigate the Hato Caves in Curaçao. Take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race an America's Cup sailboat. Kick back and take in some sun at Magens Bay Beach in beautiful St. Thomas. Walk down the streets of Old San Juan and explore the largest Spanish citadel built in the New World. And study the many cultures that make up these exotic islands

About the Author:

http://www.CruiseDealership.com is a Discounted Online Cruise Agency - Any cruise, Any ship, Any cruise line, Any destination.... Always Low Rates!

Read more articles by: Thomas DeSimone

Shore Excursions - Things To Do When You Get To The Port

One of the most frequently asked questions about cruising are about shore excursions:

What is available?
Do I have to buy it with my cruise booking?
What if I want an excursion that is not available through the cruiseline?

Viator has taken the guesswork of what to do when you get to your ports - Aruba, Belize, Croatia, Tahiti, or anywhere else in the world! Want to book an Unusual Private Walking Tour of St. Petersburg? Or catch the Whistler Resort Couch Tour in Vancouver? Or the 3-Day Best of the Bay of Islands Extended Tour in Auckland? Take a tour, go sightseeing, book an activity, or visit a museum. Guaranteed the lowest prices on tours and activities.

Viator has a very good selection of activities:

Air, Helicopter & Balloon

Attractions & City Passes

Bus & Coach Tours

Cultural & Theme Tours

Food, Wine & Nightlife

Outdoor Activities

Sightseeing & Guided Tours

Shows, Concerts & Events

Water Sports

Weird, Wonderful & Extreme!

And what's more? Earn frequent flyer miles on sightseeing tours and attractions when you book your shore excursions with Viator.com!

Australia and New Zealand Itinerary With Celebrity Cruises

Experience luxury and class as you cruise to Australia and New Zealand aboard Mercury. This Celebrity cruise ship is impressive, with an array of world-class amenities. The extensive 14-day itinerary features stops at the ports of Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Melbourne, New Castle, Hobart and Sydney. This incredible itinerary starts in December 2007 and runs through the first week of March 2008. Consistently ranked among the best ships in the world, Celebrity's fleet takes you to beautiful and amazing destinations.

While at port, visit some of the world's most incredible modern architecture, fascinating aborigine and Maori culture, and miles of breathtaking coastlines. Take in the vast mountains, ancient forests and active volcanoes. You'll shop in the chic, modern districts of Sydney and Auckland and experience the melting pot of culture that resides in these countries.

Back at the ship, you'll get to sit back on your veranda and watch the sun wash over Sydney's famed Opera House as you sip an afternoon cocktail. After an exhilarating day of shopping, treat yourself to a chilled sorbet and bathrobe onboard.

Combine your cruise with a land tour that reveals Australia in a completely different way. The tour takes you to places where no ship can. Land journeys aboard luxury motorcoaches, led by experienced Tour Directors who serve as your personal guide, are available before or after your cruise and provide a comprehensive way to experience Sydney, Ayers Rock, Port Douglas and Cairns.


Travelocity Tip on the best time to take this cruise
14 Night Auckland to Sidney
December 9, 2007, January 6, 2008, February 3, 2008

Inside cabin starting at $1799.00 US per person

Oceanview cabin starting at $2199.00 US per person

Balcony starting at $3299.00 US per person
Visit Travelocity for Cruise Deals

When do I tip on my Cruise?

by Cindy Bertram

When is tipping expected, and exactly how are tips handled on cruise vacations? These are legitimate questions passengers face today,because cruise line policies have changed over the past few years. In the earlier days of cruising, gratuities were extended at the end of the cruise via cash only, with suggested amounts given per staff member per day. Usually this covered waiter and assistant, as well as the cabin steward or stewardess. Gratuities were considered an essential element of staff members' wages. Rather than tipping after each meal, on the last evening of the cruise, tip envelopes were put in passengers' staterooms to be used that evening. One company that did not recommend gratuities amounts back in the 1980s and early 1990s was Holland America.Line - gratuities could be extended if the service was exception.

NCL Simplifies the Gratuity System

In 2000 Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) launched "Freestyle Cruising." Part of this program simplified the gratuity system by automatically adding a $10 per person per day charge, which could be adjusted by the guest, to the onboard account. Other cruise lines lines per person, per day include $3.00 for the waiter, $1.50 for the waiter's assistant, $1.00 for the head waiter,and $3.00 for the steward. Costa also allows groups to prepay gratuities.Like some of its counterparts, Carnival Cruise Lines has also adopted the $10.00 per person per day gratuity charge, which can be adjusted at the Purser's Desk. The maitre d' is not included in this, and can be tipped at the guest's discretion. The company advises onboard staff which guests have prepaid gratuities.

Gratuities on the Shipboard Account

NCL now calls gratuities "service fees." If a problem occurs during the cruise, NCL asks that guests bring this to their immediate attention.According to Heather Krasnow,Public Relations Manager, "We ask that guests come to us with a problem if there is one, so that we have the opportunity to fix the problem rather than just adjusting the service charges at the end of the week. If we don't know about the problem, we can't fix it." In addition, the service fee cannot be prepaid in advance;NCL's thought is the service fee is charged to the shipboard account because it is adjustable.

Gratuities for Spa Services

Spa services' gratuities also vary. Costa Cruises builds the gratuity into the fee.The same holds true for Cunard Line,Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean.Cruise lines whose spa treatments do not automatically include the gratuity include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises.

Get more information on Group Travel at Leisuregrouptravel.com

For more information on Cruises Visit Grouptraveldirectory.com

Passport Requirements for Cruise Passengers

American citizens going on a cruise to the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico departing from a U.S. port do not need to worry about carrying a passport until January 1, 2008. A birth certificate and driver's license will be accepted for re-entry to the US.

Although the WHIT - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - regulations will not go into effect for at least a year, advance notice is being provided to encourage cruise passengers to obtain their passports. This new requirement is designed to improve border security and help officials identify a traveler quickly and accurately. In anticipation of this new law, some cruise lines have already started to require passports for their upcoming 2007 itineraries. By January 1, 2008, everyone travelling by sea between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by sea will be required to present a valid passport.

Why wait until the last minute to get your passport? If you are an avid cruiser, now is the time to get it. We all know that carrying a passport is going to be a mandatory travel requirement so avoid the rush! More people will be applying closer to the deadline. Typical wait time to receive a passport is about 8 weeks!

To apply for a passport, you will need to go in person to one of the passport acceptance facilities - probate courts, post offices, public libraries, federal and municipal offices. You will need to bring two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.

To know more about the new travel regulations, please visit the U.S. Department of State and the US Department of Homeland Security websites.

Top 10 Smartest Cruise Deals

Cruise Deals of the day brought to you by SmartCruiser.com



Ship: Grand Princess / Princess Cruise LInes
Embarks: Southampton, 12-day Iceland, Norway & British Isles Cruise
Offer: Interior -- $2665 Oceanview
Balcony $2965 $3640 Mini-Suite
Dates: JUN 22
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance -or- $100 Onboard Cruise Credit

Ship: Galaxy / Celebrity Cruise Lines
Embarks: San Juan, 11-day Southern Caribbean Cruise
Offer: Interior -- $849 Oceanview
Balcony $1949 $2349 Concierge Class
Dates: MAR 26, 2007
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance, 20% Future Cruise Credit & Perrier-Jouet Champagne Set with Cova Chocolate

Ship: Wind Surf / Windstar Cruises
Embarks: Venice, 7-day Mediterranean Cruise
Offer: Interior -- $2441 Oceanview
Balcony -- $3978 Suite
Dates: JUN 24, 2007
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance and $350 Onboard Cruise Credit

Ship: Tahitian Princess / Princess Cruise Lines
Embarks: Papeete, 10-day South Pacific & French Polynesia Cruise
Offer: Interior -- $1445 Oceanview
Balcony $1695 -- Mini-Suite
Dates: APR 04, 2007
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance -or- $100 Onboard Cruise Credit

Ship: Seabourn Pride / The Yachats of Seabourn
Embarks: Ft Lauderdale, 36-day South America Cruise
Offer: Interior -- -- Oceanview
Balcony -- $13935 Suite
Dates: JAN 05, 2008
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance

Ship: ms Westerdam / Holland America Line
Embarks: Rome, 12-day Mediterranean Cruise
Offer: Interior $1599 $1849 Oceanview
Balcony $2199 $3549 Mini-Suite
Dates: JUN 09, 2007
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance, $100 Onboard Cruise Credit & Bon Voyage Champagne

Ship: Diamond Princess / Princess Cruise Lines
Embarks: Whittier, 7-day Gulf of Alaska Cruise
Offer: Interior $724 $774 Oceanview
Balcony $1324 $1449 Mini-Suite
Dates: MAY 19, 2007
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance -or- $50 Onboard Cruise Credit & Bottle of Wine

Ship: ms Zaandam /Holland America Line
Embarks: San Diego, 15-day Circle Hawaii Cruise
Offer: Interior $1699 $1799 Oceanview
Balcony -- $3499 Mini-Suite
Dates: FEB 04, 2007
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance & $100 Onboard Cruise Credit

Ship: Norwegian Dream / Norwegian Cruise Lines
Embarks: Houston, 7-day Western Caribbean Cruise
Offer: Interior -- $599 Oceanview
Balcony -- -- Mini-Suite
Dates: DEC 30, 2006
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance -or- $75 Onboard Cruise Credit

Ship: Norwegian Jewel / Norwegian Cruise Lines
Embarks: Miami, 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise
Offer: Interior -- -- Oceanview
Balcony -- $1253 Mini-Suite
Dates: DEC 24, 2006
Bonus: Free Trip Insurance

Cruise The Greek Isles and the Mediterranean with Carnival Freedom!

Carnival's newest ship the Carnival Freedom makes her exciting 2007 debut in Europe.

Setting a new standard for Carnival's floating resorts, the Carnival Freedom has an abundance of duty-free shops, delicious dining options, bars and clubs, onboard activites. The addition of the Carnival Seaside Theatre – a 12-foot-high by 22-foot-wide LED screen located poolside on Carnival Freedom’s Lido deck showing movies, sporting events, concerts, and various other programming -- makes the Carnival Freedom as much an attraction as the destinations themselves.

Ship Facts:
110,000 tons
952 feet in length
116 feet wide
Passengers: 2,974
Cabins: 1,487
Crew: 1,150

Carnival Freedom offers two exciting itineraries:

THE GRAND MEDITERRANEAN - Experience the best of the Mediterranean – including stops in historic Italian, French and Spanish ports-- on this amazing 12 Day voyage.

GREEK ISLES & MEDITERRANEAN - From Rome and Naples to Athens and Istanbul, you’ll spend 12 unforgettable days aboard the Carnival Freedom sailing from one spectacular port to another.

Carnival Freedom - The right time to cruise at the best price!
April 7, 2007 12 Night Greek Isles & Mediterranean starting at $1249
September 22, 2007 12 Night Greek Isles & Mediterranean starting at $1299
October 28, 2007 14 Night Transatlantic starting at $799
Bonus: Onboard Savings Booklet

Why A Cruise Ship Wedding Is Fun For Everyone

By: Mary Hanna

A cruise ship wedding can be more fun than a traditional wedding. All cruise lines have different packages and rules for receptions and number of guests. The internet and your travel agent should have all the information about a wedding on a cruise ship for any particular cruise line. Not all the captains are licensed to marry you, but many lines will have a priest or rabbi or some other officiate that may provide these ceremonies. If you considering a cruise ship wedding, plan early so you won’t be disappointed. Lots of cruise ships limit the number of ceremonies per cruise. Some of the Cruise Lines that offer cruise ship weddings are discussed below.

Princess Cruises has a wedding chapel where they perform the cruise ship weddings. The Grand Princess and her sister ships all have wedding chapels. Here the Captain is able to perform the ceremony. Wedding options start at $1400.00 per couple with receptions around $70-$80.00 per head. There will be hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, drinks and an official marriage certificate, a cake and music. The ships photographer is available and the ships florist can design any arrangements that you have in mind. You can check out their packages on line. Click on the On Board link and then the wedding/special occasions link to get information on weddings on a cruise ship. They even supply you with a phone number for a wedding consultant. The Hearts and Minds Chapel is quite quaint and perfect for a wedding on a cruise ship.

A more upscale option is Crystal Cruise who will perform ceremonies for weddings, vow renewals or anniversaries. Your cruise ship wedding will be performed by the captain or a member of the clergy and includes Champagne, a Portrait, and a cake. They also have a Honeymoon Package with a cake, champagne, a picture and a certificate signed by the captain. I would discuss this one with your agent but of course you could check out their website.

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas has a wedding chapel and performs cruise ship weddings on the day of embarkation. Their wedding packages start at $800.00. They include flowers for bride and groom, a photo session, champagne and a cake. Go to their website to check out their options.

Carnival Cruises has shore side packages that are all inclusive. There will be a toast with keepsake flutes, a photograph, the wedding cake topper and an engraved announcement. You can also customize any extras for a fee. Talk to your travel agent, or, if you want to do some research on your own, go to the Carnival website.

After your cruise ship wedding take tons of pictures. Especially today with digital cameras, this helps to keep the cost of film and the film development down. Be sure to bring a lot of memory cards. Save stubs from tours you have taken, the invitation to the Captains Table for dinner, any notes you receive from the officers, the brochure that lists the itinerary, the dates of each port of call. You can make many beautiful well documented photo albums that will bring lots of smiles and many fond memories. It is highly recommend building a scrapbook from your trip; you will love it later when you pull it out and relive the experiences. It takes some time but is so worth it to have these pictures after your cruise ship wedding. On our honeymoon aboard the Volendam at the end of the cruise they supplied us with a beautiful menu from each dinner. On one side was the menu and on the other a beautiful scene from Holland.

All ships have a Newlyweds game. Go to it. It’s fun and hopefully, you’ll only be a newlywed once. Participate in all the activities, they are a little bit corny but they do make you laugh. Let everyone know you’ve just had your cruise ship wedding, people love that. You might even get a few free drinks.

Honeymooning on a ship is a great way to kick back and relax after that year of stressful planning for the cruise ship wedding. It is now time to enjoy you and your spouse and the journey of a lifetime. Take advantage of your time together in a luxurious atmosphere. Have fun, meet new people, make new friends and be yourself, most of these people you will never see again.

Here’s to a Bon Voyage, a wonderful cruise ship wedding and great honeymoon.

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

About the Author:

Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.comhttp://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com

Read more articles by: Mary Hanna

Article Source: http://www.iSnare.com

Caribbean Stopover At St. Thomas Of The U.S. Virgin Islands

By: Clint Leung

One of the most popular ports of call for Caribbean cruise ships is St. Thomas, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. On the three Caribbean cruises that I took so far, two of them included a stopover in St. Thomas. On both occasions, there was a consensus among other passengers we met that St. Thomas was one of the nicer islands visited. Although the driving in St. Thomas is on the left hand side, it is still U.S. territory so this Caribbean island features many other conveniences of being American soil. These included easy telephone connections for calls back to the mainland, the use of U.S. currency and English as the main language. St. Thomas is also one of the cleanest of Caribbean islands and the locals do not aggressively hustle the tourists like they do on other islands. Many passengers stated that St. Thomas is a place they would like to come back to in the future.

During my first visit to St. Thomas, I took the Atlantis submarine excursion which took tourists down to see an actual ocean reef. It was a bit pricey but that was expected. Seeing an ocean reef with the marine life up close for the first time during this submarine ride actually influenced me to take up scuba diving. During my second trip to the island, we decided that we would spend some time snorkeling in the local waters since at that time, my partner wasn't a certified scuba diver yet. My advance research suggested that Coki Bay on the northeast side of St. Thomas was a nice place to snorkel. When our cruise ship docked at Charlotte Amalie, the capital city of the U.S. Virgin Islands, we hailed one of the many taxi cabs at the port. It was a $15 US fare to Coki Beach where Coki Bay is located. It took only about 15 minutes to get there. The scenery along the way was magnificent as we went up a hill and saw our cruise ship in the distant harbor below. The island itself is very lush with greenery everywhere.

At Coki Beach, my partner rented her snorkeling gear for $20 US (I brought my own). To my surprise, the rental attendant gave us each a hard biscuit to feed the fish while we were in the water. Once we got into the water, dozens of tropical fish immediately crowded around us. I guess they knew the drill quite well. We ripped off small pieces of the biscuits and the fish went for it, even if the food was just inches away from our face masks. The yellowtail snappers, sergeant majors and occasional parrotfish displayed no fear of us at all. At one point, my partner held out a larger piece of her biscuit and some of the fish darted in to nibble at it. After about an hour in the warm water, it was time to say goodbye to our new aquatic friends. This experience at Coki Bay with the fish was one of the factors which eventually influenced my partner to become a certified scuba diver herself.

Another $15 US cab ride took us back to the cruise ship port where we spend the rest of the day browsing the many duty free shops located there. A similar snorkeling trip arranged through the cruiseship would have cost us double the amount we paid. St. Thomas is definitely not an inexpensive island for either cruise ship passengers or resort tourists staying there but extra comfort and quality of the island are quite noticeable compared to many other Caribbean destinations. From my readings, the other main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands which are St. John and St. Croix, are more laid back and less commercialized than St. Thomas. I would like to visit them in addition to another return trip to St. Thomas in the future for a multi day scuba diving trip. For those thinking of going on a Caribbean cruise, I would definitely recommend one that has St. Thomas as one of its ports of call. It is one of the better islands on any Caribbean cruise itinerary.

About the Author:

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca , an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.

Read more articles by: Clint Leung

Article Source: http://www.iSnare.com

Biggest Cruise Ship For 6400 Friends

By: J Schipper

Miami-based Royal Caribbean International, the world's second-largest cruise line, announced on February 6, 2006 that it had ordered the largest and most expensive cruise ship in the world, a $1.24 billion vessel which can hold up to 6,400 passengers. It is to be named Project Genesis.

This ship, which is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2009 by shipbuilder Aker Yards of Oslo, will be 220,000 gross register tons. A gross register ton, a standard measure of a ship's size, is a unit of volume equal to about 100 cubic feet. It is to be built at a Finnish shipyard.

Aker is to be paid 900 million euros ($1 billion) to build the ship, making Project Genesis the most expensive ship ever ordered in the history of commercial shipbuilding. The $1.24 billion figure includes all expenses required for interior finishing of the ship. Royal Caribbean contract with Aker includes an option for a second ship.

Richard Fain, the chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean said of Project Genesis, "It is exhilarating to take such a giant step into the future. Project Genesis truly is a remarkable ship. Its bold design, daring innovation and technological advancements will delight our existing customers and help us draw in new ones."

Aker Yards Finland currently builds Royal Caribbean's "Freedom" class vessels. However, the Project Genesis ship will be 43 percent larger than the present recordholder, "Freedom of the Seas", which is currently under construction and scheduled to be finished by April 2006.

The biggest ship currently in operation is the Queen Mary 2, at 151,400 gross register tons. It is owned by the Cunard Line, a unit of the Carnival Corporation, which is the world's largest cruise ship company. The British-registered liner is 1,132 feet long, more than 236 feet high, and can hold 2,620 passengers. The QM2 is capable of crossing the North Atlantic at a speed of 30 knots. The 14-day 2004 maiden voyage from Southampton, in southern England, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 12, 2004, was completely sold out months before departure.

The QM2 has 17 decks which hold five swimming-pools, sweeping staircases, a grand ballroom, a 360-degree promenade deck and many luxury shops. Cunard Line built the ship in hope of reviving the glamour of ocean liners, whose mystique has largely been dispelled since jet travel made trips across the Atlantic routine.

A one-way passage from Southampton to New York ranges from $1,817 to $28,000 per person, depending on the type of cabin selected, as well as a daily service charge.

The original Queen Mary was launched in 1934 at Southampton by the queen's grandmother -- Queen Mary, wife of King George V. This ship was slightly more than half the size of the new model. In the second World War, both the Queen Mary and its sister ship, Queen Elizabeth, were painted grey and served as troopships, since they were fast enough to outrun German U-boats. Winston Churchill later stated that the military use of these two ships shortened the war by a year.

The ship was retired in 1967 and sold to private investors. It is now docked permanently as a seaside hotel in Long Beach, California.

The QM2 took the title of world's largest cruise liner from Royal Caribbean's 1,020 foot-long Liberia-registered "Voyager of the Seas," launched in 1999.

As a sign of just how much passenger ships have increased in size during this century, the QM2 is three times the size of the Titanic, which at 46,300 tons and 800 feet was called the "largest movable object built by man" when launched in 1911. However, all the giant cruise ships are comparatively tiny compared to the largest of all ships - a 564,700-ton supertanker Seawise Giant built in 1979, and now called Jahre Viking.

A ship still in the planning stage would dwarf all current sea-going vessels : the Freedom Ship. It is essentially a plan for a floating city, a giant barge that would slowly circle the globe every 2-3 years. At 4,320 feet (1,317 meters) long, 725 feet (221 m) wide and 340 feet (103 m) tall, the ship is taller than the length of a football field and wider than two football fields put together.

It would hold 18,000 condominium units for full-time residents ranging from $180,000 to $2.5 million, including a small number of premium suites priced up to $44 million. 3,000 commercial units for vendors would also be offered in a similar price range. For part-time residents, there will be 2,400 time-share units and 10,000 hotel units. It will also hold a casino, a ferryboat transportation system, a medical facility offering both Western and Eastern medicine as well as preventive and anti-aging medicine. A landing strip for small jets will cover the top. An onboard school will give students a chance to take a field trip into a different country each week for academic purposes or to compete with local schools in sporting events. There will also be an International Trade Center to give on-board companies and shops the opportunity to show and sell their products in a different country every week. More than 100 acres of outdoor Park, Recreation, Exercise and Community space have also been planned.

Norman Nixon, who developed the idea for the massive ship, has estimated it will take approximately three years to complete once construction begins. So far, this ambitious project has not been able to attract sufficient investment funds to get off the drawing board.

About the Author:

J Schipper is interested in Cruise Ships, Living on a Cruise Ship, Condo Cruise Ship

Read more articles by: J Schipper

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Take The Kids On A Cruise? You Bet. Here’s A Few Tips.

By: Peter Shannon

A cruise offers the chance to enter a totally different world and that’s appealing to all ages. So bring the whole family along. Most cruise lines have special children’s rates and provide lot’s of entertainment specifically aimed at youth.

Many cruises have trained personnel whose sole job is to supervise the wide variety of children’s programs. One example is Princess Cruises’ Love Boat Kids program. It includes complete Youth and Teen Centers and a toddler's play area and theatre. The kids can enjoy movies, games, arts & crafts, computers and more.

Teenagers are notoriously difficult to entertain. Being stuck with Mom & Dad for a week is especially hard their mood. Cruise lines such as Disney, Carnival, Princess and others have set up adult-free zones and special “nightclubs” that provide a wide range of activities and a place to hang out with other teens.

Of course, you would expect that a Disney cruise would be geared towards kids. And you are right. They provide a whole array of age-appropriate activities including children under three.

When dining onboard with the family you will normally find that the earlier dinner seating is less formal. There will be more families present so it makes it much easier to get a table with other kids close to your own children’s ages. If you ask, the server may be able to seat your family alone.

Even though many cruises cater to kids, it’s not a good idea to bring small babies. They demand so much attention that you just cannot enjoy the cruise experience.

Children are usually more prone to sea sickness so it’s a good idea to discuss with your doctor what medication to bring.

There are a lot of amenities that are not necessarily obvious like ice, extra blankets, pillows, games, crib or high chair, etc. Just ask your cabin steward what’s available. The crew is more than happy to help you have a pleasant stay.

Stops at ports of call are typically brief. You don’t have to spend your brief visit browsing the same old duty free shops. Do a little research ahead and you can find some interesting local spots for the family to visit such as a museum, zoo or beach.

It’s a good idea to get the kids involved in the activities immediately rather than waiting a day or two. This gets them involved and lets them feel a part of the program. Joining in later they may feel like outsiders and have a more difficult time interacting with the kids who already know the ropes.

Even though the programs are there to be used, don’t forget that this is a family vacation. Be sure to allot plenty of time together. The kids can have a lot of fun with the planned programs but they also need time with Mom & Dad.

Before you book a cruise, be sure to ask a lot of question of your travel agent or the cruise line. Don’t accept vague answers. You want to know exactly what the cruise lines attitude is towards families. Let them know what ages your children are and get specifics on the activities, programs and training of supervisory crew. Choosing the right cruise line and ship can make all the difference in the world.

About the Author:

The author, of this article, Peter Shannon, is the owner of the website http://www.1001-vacation-ideas.com. Here you will find a large collection of vacation and getaway ideas for travelers searchable by theme and location.

Read more articles by: Peter Shannon

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Family Cruise Vacations - Eight Hidden Costs!

by Terry Timmons

Beware! Cruises are not "all-inclusive"! While family cruise vacations can be the perfect family vacation, most of the cruise lines have policies that, if you are not aware of them, will shatter your vacation budget.

As a general rule, most all of theses policies regard charges or prices for merchandise and services. You need to be conscious of them to keep your family cruise vacations budget from blowing up.

Here are eight that I bring to your attention:

In-Cabin Child Care
You want to go out as a couple and leave your kids in the room? Nearly all of the cruise companies do offer in-cabin babysitting, but generally on a restricted basis and for a charge, usually in the neighborhood around $8 per hour with a two child maximum. Also, there are only a limited amount of babysitters, so it is important that you make reservations for these sitters as soon as possible.

Programs for Kids Under 3
Generally speaking, there are no formal kid's activities for kids under 3 years of age and they generally are prohibited from entering the Kid's Program areas. Much of this has to do with health rules and hygiene, but be aware that you will have to pay for sitters.

Sodas
Almost all of the cruise companies charge for sodas. Most have an "unlimited sodas" card or program available for purchase for those under 18. The cost is generally somewhere around $4.50 to $5.00 per day plus a 15 percent tip. By itself, this alone could blow family cruise vacations budget if you do not know about it.

Children's Activities While the Ship Is In Port
Most of the family cruise vacations companies make you pay for any children's activities services when they are in port. And in many cases, the kids prefer the activities on ship more than what is planned in the ports of call. Yes, the cruise lines know you will get out your wallet to make your kids happy, but it is an added expense that you need to budget for.

Slumber Parties and Afternoon Socials
Many of the cruise lines ask you to pay for afternoon parties and such. For instance, Celebrity charges $6.00 per hour per child for the evening Slumber Party from 10:00 P.M. - 1:00 A.M. daily. The same company charges the same rate for children ages 3-12 years old to participate in their Afternoon Party from 12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. on days in port.

Excursion Tours and Trips
For the parents and adults on board, it is important to know that excursion trips generally have large extra fees to pay if you want to participate. Understand also that most of these tours or trips are very good and worth the price. But use this rule for your family cruise vacations budget: If you get off the ship, be prepared to pay. In some cases, there is a possibility that you could save money if you plan your own tour through a travel agent or a third party tour company while in a port rather than the ones the cruise companies have arranged.

Port Fees and Additional Fees
Also, when booking family cruise vacations, make sure that the total that you are quoted includes all port fees and any additional taxes or fees. Many of these could run as much as the cost of the cruise itself.

Tips
Be prepared to add a 15% tip to just about everything that you eat, drink, or do. Remember that many employees of the cruise lines work for tips, so reward good service with god tips. And budget for that, too.

While these nine items are not terrible, good vacationers need to be aware of these costs associated with a cruise so that they can be managed.

The bottom line is this: If you know about the costs ahead of time, you can budget for them early. You want the memories of your trip to last a lifetime, not the bills paying for it.

For more information on family cruise vacations including specific family cruise line information visit http://www.perfect-family-vacation.com/familycruisevacations.html

About the Author

Terry Timmons is a family man and an avid leisure traveler. Visit http://www.perfect-family-vacation.com/ for his tips on creating lifelong vacation memories for your family.

Snorkeling And Diving In Curacao

by Justin Burch

Home to over 80 miles of pristine coral reef, myriad tropical fish, sponges, sea turtles, seahorses, eels and dolphins, the waters surrounding Curacao beg to be enjoyed and photographed. Besides boasting the clearest water in the Caribbean, with average visibility between 80-140 feet, year-round water temperatures of 78-83°F allow the ocean to be enjoyed regardless of season. Whether you want to snorkel or scuba dive, there are plenty of experienced dive operators providing daily boat trips and tours to all the best locations. From quiet coves with shallow reefs perfect for snorkelers and beginning divers, to coral walls with strong currents for experienced drift divers, there are sites in Curacao for everyone. In addition to being recognized as the best snorkeling and scuba diving location in the Caribbean, Curacao was also named the "3rd Best Destination in the World" by Scuba Diving Magazine. With over 80 unique dive and snorkel sites to be explored, this article will merely scratch the surface of what Curacao has to offer.

Porto Marie is a wonderful site for all levels of divers and snorkelers with a quiet, scenic beach to relax before and after your dive. Currents and swells here are light and the visibility averages 80 feet. Porto Marie offers a unique double reef dive, with a 100-foot wide, 50-foot deep sandy valley separating the inner and outer reefs.

Klein Curacao is a tiny, idyllic island southeast of Curacao. Day trips are available from a number of dive shops and charter companies. The island offers a serene day away from civilization with a long stretch of powdery sand, shallow snorkeling areas, an old scenic lighthouse and the wreck of the Maria Bianca Guidesman tanker resting against the rocks. Additionally, visibility is usually over 100 feet, allowing divers the opportunity to observe sea turtles and dolphins.

The Superior Producer is a fantastic wreck dive located near the Mega Pier where cruise ship passengers disembark for daytrips into Willemstad, the island's capital. The currents are strong here, so the site is limited to experienced divers. Roughly 200 feet long, you'll find this wreck sitting upright on a sand plateau between two reefs in about 100 feet of water. After 27 years beneath the surface, the ship is completely encrusted with tube sponges, cup coral and patches of black coral, producing a colorful garden complete with snails, rays, eels and darting fish. Also, the bridge has recently been opened up and is safe to swim through.

The incredibly popular Tugboat is a wreck that can be enjoyed by snorkelers and divers alike. Sitting upright in just 20 feet of water, the 30-foot vessel is accessible from shore or by boat. After three decades beneath the sea, it is fully encrusted with elaborate formations of brain coral, star coral, sponges and Christmas tree worms. The area is also teeming with such photogenic fish as sergeant majors and parrotfish.

Watamula lies off the coast of a national park at the northwestern corner of the island. The reef starts at 30 feet and runs down to a sandy shelf at 100 feet. Sea turtles favor this area, with a huge resident logger head, the barnacle-encrusted "Crush," regularly spotted resting between 30 and 60 feet.

The Mushroom Forest, regularly cited as one the Caribbean's premier dives, is also located on the sparsely populated northwest side of Curacao. The Forest starts close to shoreline cliffs in 40 feet of water and runs several hundred yards out into the sea, reaching a depth of 60 feet. The site earns its name from the giant mushroom-shaped coral formations sprouting from the seafloor. Formed over many decades as the bottoms of Great Star and Plate Corals were undermined by fish, sponges and clams, some have grown to over ten feet in diameter.

Oswaldo's Drop Off, another of Curacao's celebrated sites, is suitable for all levels of divers with great snorkeling on a shallow terrace. The drop off is only 100 yards from shore with the reef wall starting in 30 feet of water, gradually plunging to a depth of 130 feet. The remains of the Car Pile, an artificial reef created in the 1960s, also rests in this area.

Playa Kalki, also known as Alice in Wonderland, is a fantastic site located on the west side of the island. Sheltered from the wind with minimal surf, this is a great place to rent a diveyak, an inflatable kayak that can hold all your gear.

Playa Jeremi offers a quiet sandy beach with an easy dive entry. The sheltered bay is ideal for beginning divers and snorkelers, with plenty of coral at depths of 3-20 feet. For experienced divers, the outer reef offers a fantastic variety of unspoiled corals and abundant fish populations.

About the Author
This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes select pieces about travel in the Caribbean for the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino. - http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/CURMC