Carribian Cruise – Caribbean Cruise

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With the addition of so many new mega cruise liners the cruise industry has cabin inventory with thousands of berths that they must fill each week or every two weeks. Cruisers expect these beautiful ships with a plethora of entertainment venues, shops and itineraries to choose from everyday when taking a cruise vacation. Everyone that has enjoyed the cruise experience knows that cruise lines are forever trying to come up with new ideas and interesting things to entice new and repeat cruisers. The ships are getting glitzier and the perks are getting better and better. Here are a few things that the cruise lines have added to their rosters to coax you into taking your next cruise vacation on one of their ships.

The world is health conscious today, and the cruise lines have noticed this trend. The first thing that they have decided to revamp and extend is their sports activities to cater to those cruisers who wish to indulge in the cruise experience without leaving their fitness routine behind. Royal Caribbean, for example, not only offers its rock climbing wall but has added a forty foot wave pool, an ice skating rink and a boxing arena for guests to learn how to bunch a bag. These are all very diverse activities sure to meet the tastes of almost everyone on board. On the higher end of cruise lines, SeaDreams Yachts has a retractable marina. The marina opens so that guests may enjoy all kinds of water sports including snorkeling, water skiing, kayaking, and wakeboarding. The ship is even equipped with “Segways” for the clients to borrow to get around the ship or at tour ports when docked. Segways are high tech motor scooters rarely seen in port towns which make them doubly enjoyable.

Even non cruisers know the cruise lines reputation for good food, all of the time. Now the ships are creating activities that include the cruise guests when it comes to the culinary arts. The cruise lines want to show you how to prepare great food, present it and to savor it, a talent you can take back to your own kitchen. Holland America for one, has instituted the Culinary Arts Centers fleet wide. Each year they invite 20 well known culinary experts to sail and host cooking classes. Silversea on the other hand, has had Viking create a show kitchen on the beautiful Silver Wind. Jacques Pepin is the star of Oceania’s ships doing cooking lessons, taking guests on culinary excursions in port and dining with the passengers on board. What aspiring chef would not be delighted with that?

During this time, as the cruise lines are teaching you about gourmet food what would be the perfect pairing? Well, Wine of course. Carnival has taken this step by introducing the wine-themed vacation called the Presidential Wine Club Cruise. On this wine themed Caribbean cruise they offer seminars and wine tastings from famous vineyards. They have even included the Michelin-starred chef Georges Blanc to oversee culinary dishes that are wine friendly. Silversea has instituted the Slow Food Experience excursions on its Genoa, Italy itinerary. With this unique program passengers become students at the University of Gastronomic Sciences for one day and then visit the nearby Wine Bank that has the top wines produced by 200 Italian vineyards. When touring the Iberian Peninsula, Princess Cruise passengers get to create their very own cognac in Camus, France at a family owned distiller. Another Princess Cruise line offering is a trip to Leith near Edinburgh, Scotland where you can visit a Scottish Malt Whisky Society and have single-malt tastings.

When it comes to spas, some cruisers will book just for that experience. Celebrity Cruises has packages that you can book ahead of time with a variety of spa treatments. Some of their exotic treatments include the Ceremony of Milk and Ginger, the Asian Ceremony of the Stone or the pricey Daily Well-Being Ritual. With all packages you have unlimited use of the Thalassotherapy pool. Costa Cruises offers the largest spa at sea on their Concordia. In the 20,000+ square foot spa there are Turkish baths, Rock saunas and thermals. If you book a suite on the Concordia, or a spa cabin, you have unlimited access to the Ristorante Samsaru where Chef Ettore Bocchia, another Michelin starred professional, has created the menu. All of the major cruise lines have choices which include aerobics, work out rooms with equipment, saunas, whirlpools and special programs like yoga or toning and stretching.

Because of our hectic world some people just don’t want to be without internet access. Well, the cruise industry has answered your concerns. It is safe to say that all of the mega liners have internet access. Some have portals in each berth while others have internet cafes. On the higher end cruise lines you can borrow lap tops to use in your cabin. Each cruise line is different, some charge for usage or some use it as a perk for repeat cruisers. For instance, Princess Cruises has free internet usage for their Captains Club members after they have sailed a certain amount of times on the Princess ships. The cruise lines clubs (once you have sailed on a particular cruise line you are automatically a club member) all have different “perks” for different levels of repeat cruisers but that is for another discussion.

As you can see, the cruise lines are keeping up with all cruisers demands so you have lots of options to choose from on your next cruise vacation. Check out all the cruise lines with your Travel Agent and pick the one that is tailor made for your needs.

Bon Voyage!

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.

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.BestCruiseSites.com

Caribbean cruises are a popular vacation choice for adults, couples and families alike. One reason for this is the convenience of planning a cruise. Another reason is that Caribbean cruises visit a variety of destinations and last for a various amount of days. You can take a 3-day cruise to Cancun or a 10-day cruise with excursions to a number of places. You can virtually set up a cruise to meet your time and financial needs.
The benefit of taking a Caribbean cruise is that you get to visit multiple locations in one trip. You will enjoy fine dining, meet new people, experience adventure, have a wide variety of experiences and see some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Plan the Perfect Vacation with a Caribbean Cruise
Caribbean cruises are the perfect vacation for couples, honeymoons and family vacations because each cruise is tailored to meet your traveling needs. A family cruise typically offers babysitters (at an hourly rate), adventure camps and playgroups for kids. This allows kids to have fun at their own level while adults get some free time of their own to explore.
Caribbean Cruise Destinations
Caribbean cruises depart regularly from Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Houston, New Jersey, New York and Cape Canaveral. Just as you can plan the kind of activities on your cruise, you can plan the types of excursions you want too have too. There are many counties, cities and islands you can incorporate into a Caribbean cruise:
* Alaska cruises Stop in Alaska for scenic arctic tours, glacial waterfalls, wilderness adventures and salmon fishing.
* In Asia try exotic foods; see the worlds tallest building, and visit local markets and beaches.
* In the Bahamas enjoy warm temperatures, sandy beaches or swim with the dolphins when you stop in the Bahamas.
* In Mexico roam the colonial city of Mexico or enjoy sandy beaches, coral reefs and tropical fish.
* In Hawaii catch the waves, surf, hike through the rain forest, see volcanoes or stretch out on the beach.
* In Europe experience the culture, history, art and architecture of European cities.
All Inclusive Cruises
Sometimes you can find an all inclusive Caribbean ruise. Not only does an all inclusive cruise save you money, but it saves a lot of time and effort you would have had to put into planning the vacation otherwise. You can find deals that include your meals, drinks, taxes, tips, airport transfers, water sports, cruise entertainment and select activities on excursions.
Last Minute Caribbean Cruises
Travelers can save a lot of money with last minute cruise deals. Cruises that have limited spaces left open them up to the public at a discounted rate just to fill the empty spots. This allows people to travel in luxury for as little as $100 to $150 per night, which is less than a fine hotel without all of the perks.
The Luxury of a Caribbean Cruise
Cruise ships come in difference size, decor and price ranges. Each ship offers a variety of room choices, as well, from inside cabin rooms to rooms with a window and a private balcony. One thing that will not leave you disappointed is the food on your cruise. Large buffets of food are set up throughout the day and well into the night. Its hard not to overdo it, but as long as you remain active on the cruise ship and participate in offshore activities, you will not have a problem.

Enjoy a cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line today!
If you’re like me, you would do 10 cruises a year… in fact… non stop cruising… with be alright with me. But, if you can’t do that, than picking a quality ship line is the next best thing.
Who is This company?
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is one of the best ship vacationers in the world. They offer vacations to a number of destinations around the globe. Whether you want to take a voyage to Alaska, Australia, Canada, or you want to book some travel to the Caribbean, or Europe, … going with them is the way to travel!
They run many – big, beautiful cruise ships – all over the world. Wherever your travel dreams take you, This company can probably take you there. Have you ever been on a cruise holiday? Now you can! They make it easy… and fun.
Why is Royal Caribbean Lines so good?
Easy to book a cruise reservation because of their qualified holiday planners. These experts can help you decide where you want to go, how much you want to spend, and they can book your reservation for you. You can do it online or over the phone, whichever is easier for you. Check out their website, give them a call, or visit Travelocity, Hotwire… and any other number of cruise websites to help you select the perfect one for you. Don’t delay! Their vacations book fast. Cruise vacations are a hot item and you don’t want to “miss the boat.”
Once on your on your holiday, cruise planners will make sure that every moment of your stay on their huge cruise ship is filled with nothing but good times.
What will you do?
From the moment you board your luxury cruise ship, They will take care of your every need. You’ll be a pampered VIP guest. Do whatever you want on their cruise ship… it’s your vacation! Want to spend time at the spa? Want to watch a move in their onboard theatre? Want to catch a Broadway show? Want to shop in their huge cruise ship shopping mall? You name it, it can be done!
Spend the day on a shore excursion, enjoying fun activities, tours to historical sites, and local shopping. Then, head back on board your This company cruise ship to spend the evening gambling before dinner. At dinner, choose from a number of restaurants with top of the “cruise line” chefs to cater to your every dietary whim. After dinner, spend an evening dancing in their ballroom before retiring for the evening in one of their many luxurious cruise line suites. Your entire trip will be marked by This company’s stamp of exquisite luxury. Every moment will be an experience.
Go from your port of origin to your destination port. What you’ll find is that the journey is as delightful as the destination on a This company cruise ship vacation.

The first day of your Caribbean cruise vacation is here. Most of the day will be spent getting to know your cruise ship, making spa appointments, booking tours on the Caribbean Islands and trying to get cruise tips from your fellow passengers.

The first night of your Caribbean cruise vacation is always a casual night since most people have traveled a good portion of the day. It’s also the night you meet your table mates. Here is another cruise tip, be a few minutes late on the first night (only on the first night-be prompt from then on). There is usually a crush of people when the dinner bell rings and everyone is trying to find their table.

If you are eating in the traditional cruise style, always ask for a large table for several reasons. You have a better chance of meeting a mix of people, and the more people you meet during your cruise travel, the merrier. One thing to do is change seats every night at the table so everyone gets to talk to everyone else during the course of your cruise vacation. It’s much more fun. And a round table is ideal since rectangular ones make it difficult to talk to the guy at the other end. However, if you find that you are unhappy with your table, absolutely go to the maitre d’ and asked to be moved. He or she will accommodate you as best they can. There are people who chose to dine alone and the ships have tables for two but they fill up fast.

Freestyle Dining and Choice Dining are available on some Cruise Lines for those who want to eat on their own or don’t want to be delegated to a specific dining time. Your travel agent will be able to set this up when booking your Caribbean cruise vacation.

Now you are on day two, and usually that means it’s a day at sea. You are just itching to put into your bathing suit and get out in the sun. Listen to this, it is the most valuable of all the cruises tips here, do not try to get a tan on your first day of your Caribbean cruise vacation. You will spend days of your precious cruise trying to recover from very bad sunburn. The Caribbean sun is very intense and is even more so in the summer months.

Get waterproof sun block and use it liberally if you are swimming or snorkeling. Don’t forget the tops of your feet, your ears and lips, this can be extremely painful. Wear a hat so you don’t burn your scalp.

To avoid injury follow these tips. Be careful if the decks are wet, they become very slippery. Watch for the raised lips in some doorways especially between your cabins sleeping area and the bathroom. Never sit on the railings as you may fall. Wearing high heels could be hazardous in bumpy weather. When tendering to shore keep your arms and legs within the tender. These are all very good cruise tips

All of the newer cruise ships have an internet café; some even have an internet connection in your room. So if you want to bring your lap top with you, by all means do. There are some small luxury cruise ships that have lap tops available for your use. Check with your cruise travel agent, he or she will know. Most people won’t want to be bothered with their computers, but it is nice to check your email if you are going to be away for awhile, and ship to shore phone calls are very expensive on the cruise lines.

The last evening will also be a casual night since you have packed your bags and put them outside your cruise cabin. Tomorrow will be an early morning and the end of your enchanting Caribbean cruise vacation.

There always seem to be many questions about tipping while taking a Caribbean cruise vacation. These questions come up on European cruise vacations too, but we’ll stick to the Caribbean. Some cruise lines will absolutely not let you tip. These are the very high end cruise lines. Some automatically add it to your bill. If you do not like this arrangement tell the purser that you will tip on your own. Tipping on a cruise ship is very important since the room steward, waiter and busboy all make their living on tips. They work very hard to keep you happy during your Caribbean cruise vacation so please tip them. You may want to figure out the amount of tips you will be paying at the beginning of the cruise vacation and separate that from your spending money. You won’t get caught short.

If a Maitre d’ does something special, like crepe suzettes at your table, you should tip him. When you order wine or drinks there is already a 15% tip on the charge, so it is not necessary to tip here. If you find a special bar and frequent it, give the bartender a bit extra on the last night. As I said tipping policies are different on all ships so find out ahead of time. Holland American has changed their tipping policy. It used to be “no tipping necessary”. That policy is no longer in place. On NCL Hawaii a $10.00 per day per person is added to your bill and it is not optional.

A nice gesture on a two week cruise is to give half the tip after the first week, the cruise staff will appreciate this. On almost all of the cruise ships, the general rule for tipping is $3.00 per day, per person for the waiter and the room steward and $1.50 per person per day for the bus boy. If you’re not sure the Cruise Line will usually give you guidelines. If your room steward or waiter showed you excellent services tip them more.

Alcoholic beverages on board are expensive. All cruise ships have there own policy if you bring your own, some confiscate it and return at the end of the cruise, others allow you to buy bottles on board, and others will allow you to purchase it but won’t deliver it until the end of the cruise. Each cruise line has different policies so check with your cruise travel agent. In many cases you can bring wine and champagne on board.

Here’s just a small note about seasickness. On the really huge ships it should not be a problem. If you are prone to it and are taking a smaller ship, there are over the counter remedies. Dramamine and Bonine are in tablet forms and can make some people drowsy. Because of the size and the stability of the current fleet of cruise ships only 3% of cruise passengers are affected by this.

There are wrist bands that you can purchase that act on the theory of acupuncture. Then there is also the Patch that you wear behind your ear. If you do not purchase one of these before the cruise and find yourself getting a little green, the purser’s office will provide you with them. Go out on the open decks, eat saltines, green apples and drink ginger ale. Do not do anything that requires you to look down, like reading or writing.

In health food stores you can buy powdered ginger caplets which are the natural remedy. That should take care of it. Stay away from greasy foods. This is no longer a huge problem since most ships today have stabilizers that keep the ship from pitching to and fro. If you do have a problem with “mal de mar”, it is not wise to take a sailing cruise or a small ship in notoriously rough seas like the South China Sea. It is so shallow it is always a little rough. The waves bounce off the seabed and come back up making it a bit choppy. Here again the size of the ship matters and having a little information will be helpful. This is where a really knowledgeable cruise travel agent comes in.

All cruise ships have a policy on smoking. On one ship they had an absolutely no smoking policy anywhere, they have since changed that rule. There is never any smoking allowed in the showrooms or the dining rooms. In many cases they designate one side of the ship in the bars as the smoking section while the other side is smoke free.

You can smoke in the bars and in the casino. Never, ever, toss a lit cigarette overboard, it can blow back on deck and start a fire. Please be considerate of the other passengers and follow the rules. And be aware that you will encounter many more smokers on a European cruise vacation and on European cruise ships that winter in the USA.

These are just some sensible cruise tips for you to follow on you Caribbean cruise vacation.

Happy Cruising!

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.