Carribian Cruise – Caribbean Cruise

Posts Tagged ‘Cruise Reviews’

The time cruises were only for older people or the rich are long gone. I  made several cruises in the Caribbean. Cruises are fun, relaxing and there are lots of things you can do or see!

And no, you won’t get bored on these ships, there is always something to do or see on the ship itself if you have a ‘fun’ day at sea. You’ll want more days on the ship, so you can just enjoy the facilities they offer on these ships.

The biggest advantage of a cruise: you unpack once and you go places all week, without having to pack your suitcase every five minutes! While you’re having fun at night or sleeping, you will be taken to your next destination. For example on a cruise in the Caribbean, like I did, you visit 3 or 4 islands in just ONE week!

So, this is the perfect vacation if you don’t have a lot of vacation days left and want to make the most out of it.

You can make it a relaxing vacation and read a book by the pool, or visit the beautiful beaches at one of the islands you dock. OR you can have an active vacation: swimming, snorkelling, horseback riding, biking… what ever you want, they usually have it! You can experience culture sights or do a mix of all of the above!

It’s a great way of travelling. And if you have a look at the price, which includes a good hotel, wonderful food, the entertainment and the places you can visit on your way, a cruise is not that expensive!

For more information, personal cruise reviews and cruise tips: check out http://www.isabellestravelguide.com

There are many cruise ships now that have Freestyle Dining (Norwegian Cruises) or Choice Dining (Prince Cruise line) available. Or on Disney Cruise Lines they have what is called “Rotational Dining”. They have you and your tablemates rotate through the three restaurants each evening.

TIP: There is usually open seating for breakfast and lunch in the main dining room. Be adventurous with the menu because if you don’t like something you can send it back for a replacement. And if they have two things on the menu that you like ask for both of them. My husband, John, always orders the Filet Mignon and the Lobster Tail when they are served on the same night. Many times he tells the waiter to bring what the waiter recommends for that evening.

This means you don’t have to choose first or second seating. (First seating is 6:00 to 6:30 and Second seating is usually 8:00-8:30). There can be more than one restaurant where you just walk in when you are ready to dine. Every ship will ask for your dining preference when you book your cruise. You can indicate first, second or flexible dining, whichever will make you more comfortable. The newer ships have a 24 hour dining spot which is always casual so if you don’t want to do the formal nights you don’t have to, although I find dressing up to be quite fun.

You will have many options for each meal. You may have any meal delivered to your room, taken in the buffet restaurant or in the dining room. There is usually outdoor dining around the pool with hot dogs and hamburgers, pizza, salads, even Tacos.

There are also alternative dining rooms available on some ships that require an additional fee but the service and food are generally 4 to 5 star and worth it if you want to splurge.

In my experience families with young children and people who go to bed early usually dine in first seating. But if you don’t want to be on a schedule or want to meet new people every night, go for the alternative dining option. Of course you can always ask for a table for two, but be aware that there are only a few of them.

If you make a special request one night, John always asks for blue cheese, your waiter will bring it every night. They pride themselves on remembering your tastes. (This only happens when you choose traditional dining). On one cruise we asked for Melba toast, and you bet, every night we had Melba toast. There is one thing I always make clear to the waiter. I am not a big eater but I like to taste everything. I tell this to them the first night so they don’t think I am unhappy with the food. It is their job to keep you happy and they take it very seriously.

If you don’t want to eat in the main dining room almost all ships have a Lido café where it is casual but you order from a menu and are served by a waiter. It’s one of the many choices if you don’t want to participate in a formal night or if you just want to eat by yourselves. On Carnivals single cruises they encourage this style of dining so the singles can meet more people. There are exceptions to this but not many. On some of the newer ships the Lido is open 24 hours a day.

On most of the cruise lines they offer the food of the region that you are visiting. While on Hawaiian cruises expect to be served Hawaiian food. When on an Alaskan cruise you will be given the choices of salmon and Alaskan king crab legs. It makes more fun to dine on the local cuisine.

All of the cruise lines offer healthy alternative menus or what they call spa menus. So if you want low-fat, low-salt, low cholesterol, vegetarian or any other type of diet, they are available. It is best however to inform your travel agent of any special needs so they can notify the cruise line ahead of time. If you have special dietary needs make sure the cruise lines knows before hand. For example, Royal Caribbean cruises cater to food allergy, Kosher, Indian, Vegetarian and Gluten Free Diets.
To be really safe read all of the cruise reviews and cruise critics sites for each ships food and service ratings.

Happy Cruising, enjoy it, we do!

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.

There are many cruise ships now that have Freestyle Dining (Norwegian Cruises) or Choice Dining (Prince Cruise line) available. Or on Disney Cruise Lines they have what is called “Rotational Dining”. They have you and your table mates rotate through the three restaurants each evening.
CRUISE TIPS: There is usually open seating for breakfast and lunch in the main dining room. Be adventurous with the menu because if you don’t like something you can send it back for a replacement. And if they have two things on the menu that you like ask for both of them. My husband, John, always orders the Filet Mignon and the Lobster Tail when they are served on the same night. Many times he tells the waiter to bring what the waiter recommends for that evening.
This means you don’t have to choose first or second seating. (First seating is 6:00 to 6:30 and Second seating is usually 8:00-8:30). There can be more than one restaurant where you just walk in when you are ready to dine. Every ship will ask for your dining preference when you book your cruise. You can indicate first, second or flexible dining, whichever will make you more comfortable. The newer ships have a 24 hour dining spot which is always casual so if you don’t want to do the formal nights you don’t have to, although I find dressing up to be quite fun.
You will have many options for each meal. You may have any meal delivered to your room, taken in the buffet restaurant or in the dining room. There is usually outdoor dining around the pool with hot dogs and hamburgers, pizza, salads, even Tacos.
There are also alternative dining rooms available on some ships that require an additional fee but the service and food are generally 4 to 5 star and worth it if you want to splurge.
In my experience families with young children and people who go to bed early usually dine in first seating. But if you don’t want to be on a schedule or want to meet new people every night, go for the alternative dining option. Of course you can always ask for a table for two, but be aware that there are only a few of them.
If you make a special request one night, John always asks for blue cheese, your waiter will bring it every night. They pride themselves on remembering your tastes. (This only happens when you choose traditional dining). On one cruise we asked for Melba toast, and you bet, every night we had Melba toast. There is one thing I always make clear to the waiter. I am not a big eater but I like to taste everything. I tell this to them the first night so they don’t think I am unhappy with the food. It is their job to keep you happy and they take it very seriously.
If you don’t want to eat in the main dining room almost all ships have a Lido café where it is casual but you order from a menu and are served by a waiter. It’s one of the many choices if you don’t want to participate in a formal night or if you just want to eat by yourselves. On Carnivals single cruises they encourage this style of dining so the singles can meet more people. There are exceptions to this but not many. On some of the newer ships the Lido is open 24 hours a day.
On most of the cruise lines they offer the food of the region that you are visiting. While on Hawaiian cruises expect to be served Hawaiian food. When on an Alaskan cruise you will be given the choices of salmon and Alaskan king crab legs. It makes more fun to dine on the local cuisine.
All of the cruise lines offer healthy alternative menus or what they call spa menus. So if you want low-fat, low-salt, low cholesterol, vegetarian or any other type of diet, they are available. It is best however to inform your travel agent of any special needs so they can notify the cruise line ahead of time. If you have special dietary needs make sure the cruise lines knows before hand. For example, Royal Caribbean cruises cater to food allergy, Kosher, Indian, Vegetarian and Gluten Free Diets.
To be really safe read all of the cruise reviews and cruise critics sites for each ships food and service ratings.
Happy Cruising, enjoy it, we do!
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.

Every year more and more people are discovering the all-inclusive pleasures of cruise vacation.Last year alone, more than 7 million people took a cruise, more families, singles, honeymooners, couples and groups of friends are taking cruises, plus company sponsored cruise vacation for employees

Cruise Lines are experiencing a 20 percent increase in the number of cruises longer than 10 days. The demand for world cruises is on the increase, Cunard lines is having two world cruises, including the Queen Mary II’s first voyage around the world, an 80-day journey.

One of the very exclusive Cruise Lines has just launched a series of voyages of greater than 50 days and is having its first around-the-world cruise in 2007. Cruise bookings are up says one cruise line spokesperson there has been a record number of bookings for this year’s world cruise.

No one likes to fly anymore. It is not relaxing, you are packed in like sardines in a tin, and must bring your own lunch, and they even ask you to remove your shoes. With cruising, you have got everything with you, you are in your house wherever you go. You are taken care of, whatever you need. Medical Care is available, plus the night clubs and restaurants.

You don’t have to pack and unpack every day as with regular vacations, you can spend leisurely days swimming and sun-bathing and relaxing with just met friends. You can see and do exotic things from 8 AM to 12 Noon, go for lunch, and do more exotic things from 2 PM till you’re tired and then have a 7 course meal.

After supper there is always a show every night. Entertainment is also second to none. Rather than sitting in a hotel room watching TV, on a cruise your social life is built in, with 1800 possible friends some of whom are always ready to party.

Cruise lines echo the fact that one of the key attractions is that now you can visit many exotic destinations – such as Hawaii and Tahiti- without having to deal with airport security and the hassles that one encounters going through customs at foreign ports.

Today, these Cruises are no longer exclusively for the retired Seniors, but are becoming populated by young singles, couples, triple honeymooners and families, who can turn the ship into a virtual city shopping and pleasure center.

For those who are unable to cut their business ties and really relax, you can virtually run your business from the ship’s Wireless Internet Access worldwide available on-board these Cruise Ships.

It’s easy to see why cruises are so popular today. First off, your all inclusive package price includes all meals and snacks, cabin or stateroom, activities, entertainment and parties plus your visit to some of the most enchanting places on the planet.

The cruise ship is a floating four and five star top quality resort and more, where you can associate and meet many new friends of like tastes and interests. On a cruise you completely eliminate all the hassles of an ordinary vacation.

This is one convenient all-inclusive package where you don’t have to make any reservations at all for dinner, night clubs or having to get in your car and drive anywhere for anything. This is a laid back atmosphere, where you are completely pampered, dine constantly, enjoy one excellent show after another and just let your cares float away.

Cruising, this excellent way to take vacations has encouraged many more people to book a cruise vacation over the ordinary fly, drive, hotel vacations, where you must decide what to do each day. Your cruise can be as long or short as you can afford, typically 7- 14 days although, 17 to 21 days are available.

There are cruises designed to suit virtually every interest and personal preference. Some cruises offer soft adventure expeditions to exotic places, while for some experienced vacationers, the cruise is focused on specialized culturally-rich ports of call with tours centered around history, treasures and antiquities.

From all indications, cruise vacations have a much higher percentage of satisfied customers than other types of vacation. Cruise vacation is a better value for your money and there is a cruise package for every budget.

Since the cruise fare includes all your meals, living quarters and all on-board activities and entertainment, you know what your cruise will cost before you go and your only incidental spending, which is optional, is on souvenirs, specialty restaurants, shore excursions and personal services, such as health spas and beauty salons.

To book a cruise, simply call your travel agent or one of many cruise lines. Their professionals will help you to pick the best fit for your pocket book and schedule.

So, what type of cruise vacation do you want? For many people the perfect cruise vacation centers around the non-stop sun and fun Caribbean cruises coupled with Island cultures and cuisines, along with that fabulous tan in paradise.