Cruise Ship Vacations – One Husbands Opinion


cruise ships

My wife and I go on a lot of cruises. It all started about 10 years ago when we got married. We honeymooned on the American Queen River Boat, a week long cruise up the Mississippi river. I must admit that was a fun trip. The boat could just pull up to the bank and drop a long gangway onto the levee and walk on or off…back then there was no security to go through…

Our second cruise a year later was aboard the Crown Odyssey, a smaller older ship, on a cruise through the Greek islands. What a trip! I discovered that I love old Greek and Roman ruins, and Mediterranean food is fantastic! Kathy says Greece has the best tomatoes of anywhere in the world. We had a blast, visiting places like Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Istanbul.

During that second cruise we built a website about the cruise and we would upload pictures and text to the site during our stops in port. We would find an internet café and do the uploading while sipping a cold drink. We have a photo on our site with Kathy seated at a computer at an internet café in Athens, and out the window over her shoulder you can see the Parthenon.

One of the best things about cruising is that you can see damned near everything you ever wanted to see by going on a cruise. For example, one day I told Kathy that if she could find a cruise where I could see the Egyptian Pyramids, then I would go. I think it took her all of about 20 minutes to book the cruise. Silly me. But hey…there I am at the pyramids and in front of the sphinx in Egypt. It turns out that the Pyramids are just a couple of hours by bus from the port of Alexandria.

Other places I’ve found myself on these cruises are eating French fries in a McDonald’s in Beijing, after seeing the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City! On that same cruise I had been to ground zero in Nagasaki Japan. Now I must admit I never thought I would ever be at ground zero where the Atomic bomb was dropped. Speaking of McDonald’s, there is one at Red Square in Moscow. I was there during our Baltic cruise. We docked for a couple of days in St. Petersburg, and took a plane to Moscow for a day.

Now I grew up in the days of the cold war, and it’s hard to get used to a McDonald’s in Moscow. Earlier on that trip I visited Berlin and we saw what was left of the Berlin Wall. It was simply remarkable for me to be visiting such places. Never thought I would find myself standing in East Berlin.

Ok so there are a lot of amazing destinations, but not all cruises are destination cruises. Some are what my wife and I call “Party” cruises. Not much to see at the ports of call, but lots and lots of partying. A recent cruise we went on to the eastern Caribbean was one of the most fun filled cruises I’ve been on. Kathy had been conversing with about 72 people who were going to be on the cruise on something called “Cruise Critics” a message board place where people meet to chat about cruises.

So we had cruise critic parties frequently on board the ship, and went to the shore excursions as a group. It was like doing everything with a whole boatload of best friends you were meeting for the first time.

I hope my wife keeps dragging me on these cruises…I’ll be kicking and screaming the whole way with a big grin on my face.



Written by William Lund our expert of the day.

Tips For Choosing The Right Cruise Ship For You


cruise ships

Cruise ships inspire images of glitz and glamour; grandiose décor, gourmet cuisine and an uber-luxurious cruising lifestyle. While all these images hold true of cruise ships, it is also true that each cruise ship has its own distinctive characteristic and flair. Cruise ships come in different shapes, sizes and designs and offer different forms of entertainment to suit individual interests, personalities and budgets.

Which cruise ship is best for you would depend on what you are looking for. Are you looking for adventure, romance or peace and quiet? Is it a family vacation that you are going on or is it your honeymoon? Would you prefer to experience the buzz of different ports or are you looking forward to drifting along the high seas marveling at the vastness of the ocean?

Almost all cruise ships offer you a wide choice of entertainment, including gambling, shopping, different sporting activities and exclusive live shows. However, if you are looking for something more specific, here a few options that you could choose from.

Luxury cruise ships: Indulge in the luxurious plush accommodation, sophisticated ambience and the elegance of black-tie dining.

Exploration-based cruise ships: Feel the thrill of excitement as you set sail on an exciting expedition to the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica or the Amazon.

Alaskan cruises ships: Sail past mountainous glaciers and gigantic humpback whales. With careful planning and the right timing you could even experience the Aurora Borealis, that spectacular show of lights that others have only heard about but never seen.

Disney theme cruises: Very popular for family holidays, this cruise offers different entertainment options for people of all ages.

Gambling cruise ships: Watch your winnings match the rhythm of the ship as it rides the troughs and crests of the waves and feel like a pirate as you gather up all the bounty you’ve won.

Barefoot cruises: Enjoy the out-of-the-ordinary experience of cruising in a sailboat and revel with the other sea lovers and sun bathers as you go island-hopping and beach-bumming all along the voyage.

Written by Gabriel Adams our expert of the day.

Cruise Ship Phone Cards For Calling Station Ports


cruise ships

When you take a cruise, one of the best ways to communicate is with calling station port cards. Because you will be on a boat, there are times when you may need to call home. Perhaps you need to check up on your family or friends, or you need to call the office to find out how things are going. Perhaps you may even found yourself in an emergency. Regardless of your situation, having a cruise ship phone cards is a great way to insure that you have a tool for communication during your trip. It should be noted that these phone cards are not only good for cruise travelers, but they are also useful for the cruise ship staff as well.

One of the best places to purchase these phone cards is over the Internet. While you may be able to get a card faster by simply visiting a physical store near your home, the Internet has a much larger selection. In addition to this, you will often find that you can find better deals on the web. However, there are some general guidelines that you will want to follow when you begin shopping for a phone card to take on your cruise. First, the card that has the lowest rate is not necessarily the best card. When you find a card online that you’re interested in, it is very important to read the description before purchasing it.

If you only plan on using the cruise ship phone cards for a short time, it is best to get the card with the lowest rate. Some of these cards may have a weekly fee for maintenance. If you plan on buying a card for long term use, you will want to purchase a card that either doesn’t have a maintenance fee, or a fee that is exceptionally low. If you’re going to be making calls from a cell phone number (which is highly likely if you’re on a cruise ship), you will want to take the time to review the cell phone rates. You will also want to find out whether or not the card has a local access number or a toll free access number. The rates will generally be higher if you use an access number that is toll free.

Cruise ship communication is extremely important, both for the passengers and the staff. In an emergency, you need a reliable tool that will allow you to call for help. If you want to call home to check up on things, you will also need a cruise ship communication tool that is reliable. At the same time, you shouldn’t be forced to pay excessive amounts of money. Purchasing a phone card is the best way to reduce your expenses while maintaining active communication lines at the same time. This is very important.

If you are buying the card for the first time, you should contact the company when its customer service department is open. This will allow you to ask questions and clear up any concerns you may have. The good thing about these cruise calling cards is that you can use them to call multiple countries simultaneously. Once you pick the country you want to call, the cards may be ranked in terms of the best rates they offer. This can help you make a better decision, and get the best value for your money so that you can enjoy your cruise.

Written by Jose Hernandez our expert of the day.

Kayaking is Increasing in General Popularity !


sea kayaks

Kayaking is increasing in general popularity. And one major reason is that they are not as expensive as boats and even by yourself, It´s fun. Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking is generally differentiated from canoeing by the fact that a kayak has a closed cockpit and a canoe has an open cockpit. However, there are many sit-on-top kayaks, and these boats are growing in popularity. They also use a two bladed paddle. Another major difference is in the way the paddler sits in the boat. Kayakers sit in a seat on the bottom of the boat with their legs extended out in front of them. Canoeists will either sit on an elevated bench seat or kneel directly on the bottom of the boat.

Whitewater kayaking involves taking a kayak down rapids. Sea kayaking sometimes also referred to as Ocean Kayaking involves taking kayaks out on to the ocean or other open water i.e a lake. Sea kayaking can involve short paddles with a return to the starting point or “put-in” or expeditions covering many miles and days. Kayaking of all kinds has continued to increase in general popularity through the 1990s and early 21st century.

Kayaks are classified by their intended use. There are five primary classifications: whitewater, surf, touring/expedition, light touring/day tripping and general recreation. From these primary classifications stem many sub-classes. For example, a fishing kayak is simply a general recreation kayak outfitted with features and accessories that make it an easier kayak to fish from. Also within these classifications are many levels of performance which further separate the individual models. In other words, not all touring kayaks handle the same.

There are two major configurations of kayaks – “sit on tops” which as the name suggests involves sitting on top of the kayak in an open area and “cockpit style” which involves sitting with the legs and hips inside the kayak hull and a “spray skirt” that creates a watertight barrier around the waist. Whether a kayak is a sit-on-top or a cockpit style has nothing to do with which classification it falls under. Both configurations are represented in each of the five primary classifications. While most kayaks are designed to be paddled by a single person, other configurations include tandem and even triple cockpit boats.

Because of their range and adaptability, Kayaking is popular amongst divers, fishers, and adventure enthusiasts. The current marathon kayaking world champion is Owen Dabney.

To find out more about the great kayaking life, visit:

http://www.futuretips.net/



Written by jens sparrow our expert of the day.

Snorkeling in the Caribbean


snorkelling

Caribbean, Hawaii, and Galapagos islands are all ideal places for snorkeling because of their calm waters and diverse sea life. Clear waters are another requirement for good snorkeling because some marine life can be viewed only at night. Night snorkeling is typically conducted with the aid of a chemical light that is tied around the waist of the diver to warn approaching boats of divers while an underwater torch is used to spot the marine life. Caribbean snorkeling is nothing new but the underwater seeing trend is catching fire all over the world and so there is a renewed interest in this activity.
Caribbean snorkeling needs gear that is quite similar to scuba diving gear and includes mask, finds, and a short tube known as snorkel (from which comes the name snorkeling). Caribbean snorkeling takes place in still water and just below the surface. These areas are typically lagoons so that moving water does not enter the snorkel to inconvenience the diver.
The renewed interest in Caribbean snorkeling is a result of the clear waters in the Caribbean that offer many good opportunities for underwater sightseeing. This is also helped by the varied marine life in the Caribbean that includes fish, mollusk, kelps, jellyfish, ray, seaweed and algae, all of which may be experienced at close range. The marine life in the Caribbean is far varied and denser than the land life, making it a good sightseeing location for nature lovers.
Unlike rafting or bungee jumping, Caribbean snorkeling is not exactly an adventure sport because there is hardly any risk involved in the activity. However, the lack of risk should not be taken to mean a lack of thrills. Since Caribbean snorkeling is done in relatively shallow and still waters, the equipment is minimal and very light, thereby making the whole experience very comfortable. Due to all these reasons, even young children can enjoy snorkeling as long as they know how to swim.
Though the amount of risk involved in Caribbean snorkeling is quite negligible, there are still some dangers that you ought to be mindful of. The most common problem faced is mask flooding, when water enters the mask that is worn underwater, diving too deep can cause high pressure build-up in the ears, and water visibility is not always reliable. Due to the varied water life in the Caribbean, corals are quite a common feature. Some of these underwater formations are quite sharp and people tend to cut themselves on their limbs, so avoid direct contact with corals. Some species of sea urchins are also poisonous and certain eels tend to bite. On the positive side, with a little prudence these dangers are easily avoided.
There are many shops that sell diving gear along with snorkeling equipment. They also provide guides for Caribbean snorkeling.

Written by James Penn our expert of the day.

Caribbean Cruises: Imagine.Sun, Beach, Great Food, Service


cruise ships

Here are some ideas for your next, or only Caribbean cruise. If you’ve been thinking about enjoying one, now is the perfect time. There are many ship lines providing excursions and that gives you some options to choose from. Want to take a cruise but need a reason? Actually, any reason is a good reason to go on a ship excursion! Do what a lot of people are doing and plan your vacation trip around a special event: For example, take a wedding cruise or for your honeymoon so that you can spend your time in the sun with someone you love. There’s nothing like the memories you share when you take a Caribbean cruise together.
But, if you’re still looking for love, why not consider a singles cruise. These trips are designed to help you find romance in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean with like-minded singles. Forget the world cruise; everything you want and need is yours when you book a reservation on a Caribbean cruise.
How to get there…booking Caribbean cruises has never been easier. With cruise websites online you’ll be able to find great deals and Caribbean cruise vacation times that work for you. Start with an online booking to find the dates that work for you. Once you’re on the site, find a port of origin that your Caribbean cruise is leaving from and see if that port is convenient for you. Caribbean cruise ships leave from many ports so you have many options to choose from in order to find exactly the right one for you. Cruise companies try to make it very convenient to get to their ships by docking in major cities so all you need to do is arrange air fare to get you to the port city and you’re off! Many people enjoy this convenience to make last minute plans.
Paying for your Caribbean cruise…Caribbean cruise discounts are available if you are able to book in an off season or at the last minute. Sometimes, you don’t have to book your Caribbean cruise in the off season to get a discount; you just need to find the right website to give you the bargain cruise you deserve. If money is still an problem, you can still enjoy a Caribbean cruise in a way you might not have imagined. Your Caribbean cruise can be entirely paid for if you work in a cruise job on the cruise ship itself! Help other people enjoy their vacation and you’ll get paid on your Caribbean cruise!
Here are a few other options: if you’re a global traveler, perhaps the Caribbean is simply too small for you. No problem! Forgo your Caribbean cruise for a world cruise on a massive ship that will show you the globe! Wherever you want to go, you’ll find a cruise trip to take you there. Not sure where to start? A Caribbean cruise will be a vacation you’ll never forget!

Written by Rc Rougeux our expert of the day.

Why A Cruise Ship Wedding Is Fun For Everyone


cruise ships

A cruise ship wedding is an experience you will hold dear forever. Wedding on a cruise ship is unique and fun. Many cruise ships even have wedding chapels designated for cruise ship weddings or vow renewals.

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 been 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.

Written by Mary Hanna our expert of the day.

Kite Surfing Tips According to American Kite Surfing Association


surfing

American Kite Surfing Association is the leading organization for kite surfers in North America. Founded in 2006 by two extreme sport enthusiasts, membership is anticipated to exceed 30,000 before the end of the year. The purpose of the enterprise is to bring heightened awareness to this fast-growing, dynamic, and fun sport. A vast array of information, products, and techniques are available to the visitors of the AKSA website, www.kite-surfingusa.com. After more than a decade of popularity through Europe and Australia, active North American extreme sport athletes are recognizing the maximum adrenaline rush through kite surfing. According to Cathi Long, co-founder of AKSA, “The exhilaration of hang time in kite surfing is unbeatable…kite surfers are simply the sexiest athletes.” AKSA will select 50 leading industry product manufacturers to highlight and profile throughout an extensive national media outreach campaign.

Kite surfers are advised to keep all equipment in the car and should never leave wind to find wind. Kite surfers must always check and double-check gear before it’s windy to be ready at a moments notice. Since the wind is very unpredictable kite surfers must be aware; it can be gusty, stronger on the outside, building, dropping, changing directions, or be accompanied by rain or lightning. It is critical to evaluate the hazards of the location and the ability to deal with them.

According to Logan Long, co-founder of AKSA, “No matter how good you think you are, you can get messed up….a broken line, a kite that has been let go, a wrong turn so be warned. Kite surfing buddies are very helpful.” Long also noted that, “Kite surfing is a great work out for your whole body: legs, abs, arms, lats and shoulders.” A yoga session before kite surfing is an excellent idea. Keep hydrated and carry protein bars for calories.

This dramatic interest in the athletically demanding sport has given AKSA founders encouragement about the value of their newly founded organization. Logan Long, co-founder of the association was not surprised by the results; “It’s just simply the biggest adrenaline rush available. The combination of air, water, land, wind power, physical strength and balance the force of nature are the qualities that attract Kite Surfers.”

Written by Thomas Cutler our expert of the day.

Learn to Surf:the Basics Part 1


surfing

Like most sports, the best way to learn to surf is to do it. Learning to surf is a fantastic way to have a lot of fun, learn something new and get in some great exercise. Undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to learn to surf is Australia. The surf culture is so deeply rooted in Australia that coupled with the extensive coastline means that practically anywhere you go in Australia you will be able to find a good cheap surf school to get you through the basics and to the fun part within a few hours.

Now is the time you have been waiting for, jumping up and riding on the surf board. Buying a Surf board: Your first board can really be the breaking point when it comes to whether you will pick up the sport or quit in frustration, many of us see the pros riding on their slick 6ft short boards slamming the lip and making it look like not only a hell of a lot of fun but also a real easy thing to do. It isn’t, Taj Burrows the current world number 2 surfer claimed that surfing was without a doubt the most difficult sport to progress in period. Unless you choose the right equipment to match your level you are just adding to the difficulty. Your first surfboard should be a big buoyant soft-top fun board. Reasons, well first they are very stable so standing up will be possible within one or two attempts, they are soft so you won’t slash open your flesh with the fin, or crack open your skull on the first wipeout, they are cheap and lastly they are very easy to paddle and generate speed on, which is one of the most fundamentally important part to surfing!

This is when the real work begins – paddling. Paddling will get you out to the good waves, and paddling will help you catch one. Beginners quickly learn that surfing is mostly about paddling. Paddling well takes some time to learn but you need to do it. Without the ability to paddle you will not only never catch a wave, but more than likely never even get to the line up! So many times I have seen a beginner surfer spend a stack of coin on all the latest cool hi-tech gear and then spend an hour getting thrown around in the white water, wondering how everyone else made it out the back, it is 90% in your paddling ability.

The Inevitable Wipe Out: Once you learn to paddle the first type of wipeout you are likely to experience is the cleanup, this is when a wave that has already broken slams into you and throws you around like a ragdoll, at first far from fun. The second type of a wipeout and without a doubt the most horrific is going over the falls, this is from not having enough paddling speed to catch the wave early enough, getting sucked up the face and pitched over with the lip. This kind of wipeout is very common with new surfers as they have yet to learn to read the waves properly and don’t have the technique to rectify the problem! YOU WILL GO OVER THE FALLS get used to the idea, it is no fun at first, but it will make you a better surfer the more you do it.

The best way to learn to surf is to go surfing. But remember to be safe, take a lesson or two and be respectful out there, surfing can kill, but it is without question the most amazing feeling on earth!

For a free Learn to surf Video check out :

YOUR LOCAL

Written by Inform 4 free team our expert of the day.

Onboard Cruise Ship Expenses – How To Keep Them Under Control


cruise ships

On many cruise ships the key to your cabin doubles up as an on board charge card. Any additional expenses such as drinks or excursions can be added to your on board account.

And in the midst of all the holiday excitement it’s extremely easy to run up a big additional bill in a short period of time. So here’s how to keep down the cost of your on board account without ruining the excitement of your vacation.

Beauty

Most beauty treatments on cruise ships are expensive extras that have to be added to your onboard account. So before you leave on your vacation, make sure that you get your hair cut and have all the beauty tratements that you want. Land based salons are often much cheaper than their ocean going counterparts.

Casino

If you want to keep your costs down, one of the best ideas is to give the casino a wide berth. And that includes bingo and all other games of chance.

But if you feel the need to experience everthing that the ship offers, stick to the timeless advice – Only gamble what you can afford to lose. Give yourself a strict budget before you visit the casino, see how long you can make it last, and once it’s gone, don’t draw any more money. And whatever happens, don’t go to the casino with the misguided impression that you can win your spending money for the rest of your vacation.

Drinks

Another hot topic at present is whether or not you should take your own drinks on board. In most cases cruise lines will turn a blind eye if you want to bring bottled water or soft drinks onboard. But alcohol is a different matter. Cruise companies make large amounts of money from the sale of alcohol, so if you try to bring anything more than a bottle of champagne of a special bottle of wine, it will probably be refused.

Another way to get your own alcohol onboard is to send yourself a gift of a bottle of your favorite drink to be delivered to your cabin, either through the cruise line or an independent service.

In the bar, the cost of drinks will be on a par with a similar land based bar. So here are a few tips to keep costs down;

Only order your drinks in a special keepsake glass if you really want one, as they cost much more than a drink in a conventional glass.

In the restaurant, wine is much cheaper by the bottle than by the glass. Unfinished wine can be kept till you want it by the restaurant.

Wine brought in to onboard restaurants will incur a corkage fee which can cost up to $10 per bottle.

On most ships, fruit juice and water are free.

And finally, never turn down the chance to go to a welcome party (the captain’s welcome party, the first time cruise party, the repeat visitors welcome party etc). These normal include a complimentary drink for every person and will allow you to meet some of your fellow passengers.

Excursions

The cost of onshore excursions can quickly mount up, so if you want to save money, think carefully about the ones that you really want to experience.

As a rough example a simple half day coach trip can cost up to $50 per person, while a more elaborate adventure can easily cost upwards of $250 per person.

However, there are a couple of ways to cut the cost of these tourist trips. Consider organising these adventures yourself. Either contact your tour operator before you leave, or hire a guide when you arrive in port. Another option is to get together with a few of your fellow passengers and share the cost of hiring a local guide and appropriate transport.

Exercise

Most cruise ships offer a wide range of exercise equipment and basic exercise classes for free. However, you may have to pay for the more specialised classes such as yoga or pilates where specialized instruction is provided. If you want to save your money for other parts of your vacation, walking around the deck of the ship is a great way to get some exercise.

On some of the larger cruise ships one circuit of the main deck can be almost half a mile. So it’s easy to save money and get the benefit of the sea air at the same time.

Written by Kristen Olsen our expert of the day.

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