Cruise Lines
Let’s take a look at the following major cruise lines that sail to the Caribbean:
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Princess Cruises (Carnival Cruise Affiliate)
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison and is currently a branded division within Carnival Corporation & plc. Carnival Corporation owns a number of different cruise lines including Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and the Yachts of Seabourn.
Carnival Cruise Lines is branded as the “Fun Ships” and is known for their Las Vegas décor and entertainment. Carnival currently owns 8 different classes of ships that sail from Miami to the Caribbean throughout the year.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises became famous when the “Love Boat”, a television sitcom that aired in the mid-seventies, featured the Pacific Princess as the “Love Boat”. Princess Cruises is known for giving its passengers the freedom to choose from a wide range of flexible onboard facilities, amenities and services.
Princess’ fleet offers one of the highest percentages of balcony cabins in the industry. Princess offers cruises from Miami to the Caribbean throughout the year.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) was founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison. NCL was the first to combine air-sea program which combined low cost air fares with cruise and it was the first cruise line to develop new ports in the Caribbean including Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Here is a list of interesting firsts for NCL:
• The First Caribbean cruise
• The First private island - Great Stirrup Cay
• The First alternative restaurant
• The First Internet café at sea
• The First to offer children's programs
• The First "Dive-In" snorkeling program offering equipment, instruction and snorkeling excursions to the best snorkeling sights around the world
• The First major U.S. cruise line to offer passengers the true freedom delivered by “Freestyle Cruising”
• The First to offer cell phone and WiFi service fleetwide
• The First bowling alley at sea
NCL ships sail from Miami to the Caribbean throughout the year.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has introduced several innovating ships over the past several years including a line of ships that have a climbing wall for your entertainment and another ship where you can learn how to surf. Royal Caribbean currently has 20 ships in service and one under construction.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was founded in 1968 by Anders Wilhelmsen & Company. Today, Royal Caribbean owns some of the largest cruise ships in the world:
• Voyager Class Ships
• Adventure of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas
• Freedom Class Ships
• Freedom of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Genesis Class
• Coming in 2009
Royal Caribbean sails from Miami to the Caribbean throughout the year.
Additional Major Caribbean Cruise Lines to Consider:
• Celebrity
• Cunard
• Holland America
• Norwegian Cruise Line
Cruising with Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess, or Carnival Cruise Line is an inexpensive way to visit multiple Caribbean Islands. I hope to see you on a Caribbean Cruise in the near future
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Caribbean and Alaskan Cruise Ship Vacations and Excursions: It's All There For You!
Think CRUISE if you are looking for a great escape. You can explore the Caribbean, the Mexican coast or Alaska on board a cruise ship. Enjoy many on shore excursions and on board activities or relax in your own stateroom. You have never been indulged with food as much as you will be on a cruise ship. New ships are being added to cruise lines such as Carnival, Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Holland/America, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania and Windstar. This means plenty of selection for you. Never have there been so many choices for a cruise vacation or so many opportunities to get the best cruise prices!
Whether your cruise is a family vacation or a wedding cruise and honeymoon, be prepared to be pampered. There will be all sorts of things to do on the ship. You could enjoy the pool, spend time in the casino, attend a show, enjoy a movie, take golf lessons, kick back in the lounge, or relax with a massage at the spa. There are so many cruise activities, if you can think it; I bet there is a cruise line that provides it!
You get to explore different countries and cultures through on shore activities or excursions. During an on shore trip you can spend time at the beach, or in a rain forest; shop at duty free or local markets; snorkel or scuba or windsurf in the ocean; explore the ocean in a submarine or the beach by jeep; or party on a boat or pirate ship. Romantic activities or family oriented activities are available. You can take time to talk with the natives and experience their cultures at local restaurants or venues.
On board ship you will experience wonderful restaurants with fabulous presentations of food and drinks. Usually there will be the more traditional meals in the evening at reserved seating times. Dress up, glitz up, and enjoy the Captain’s dinner. Other meals are less formal. but no less spectacular. Snack or theme type food is usually available 24 hours a day.
If you have a special interest, no doubt there is a special cruise for you: singles cruises, Christian cruises, blues cruises, family-oriented cruises, gay and lesbian cruises. There are cruises with lessons and lectures and workshops.
You can get married on a cruise ship or at port and enjoy your honeymoon on the cruise. Most of the cruise lines will provide wedding service complete with a wedding coordinator. Even more family oriented lines provide this service along with adult only areas of the ship. If you are looking for love, in love, or celebrating love a cruise ship is the place to be.
There are so many reasons to consider and then book a cruise for your vacation. You can do just as much as you want, or just relax and enjoy. Whatever your taste or style there is a cruise vacation waiting just for you.
Now that you are convinced that a cruise vacation is for you, use an online travel agency to do some of the looking for you. All the major cruise lines will have information about the various cruises available, all at one website.
So now you have your game plan to get the best cruise prices. When you get ready to book your cruise don't forget to check out all the fun activities to enjoy on your perfect vacation.
Whether your cruise is a family vacation or a wedding cruise and honeymoon, be prepared to be pampered. There will be all sorts of things to do on the ship. You could enjoy the pool, spend time in the casino, attend a show, enjoy a movie, take golf lessons, kick back in the lounge, or relax with a massage at the spa. There are so many cruise activities, if you can think it; I bet there is a cruise line that provides it!
You get to explore different countries and cultures through on shore activities or excursions. During an on shore trip you can spend time at the beach, or in a rain forest; shop at duty free or local markets; snorkel or scuba or windsurf in the ocean; explore the ocean in a submarine or the beach by jeep; or party on a boat or pirate ship. Romantic activities or family oriented activities are available. You can take time to talk with the natives and experience their cultures at local restaurants or venues.
On board ship you will experience wonderful restaurants with fabulous presentations of food and drinks. Usually there will be the more traditional meals in the evening at reserved seating times. Dress up, glitz up, and enjoy the Captain’s dinner. Other meals are less formal. but no less spectacular. Snack or theme type food is usually available 24 hours a day.
If you have a special interest, no doubt there is a special cruise for you: singles cruises, Christian cruises, blues cruises, family-oriented cruises, gay and lesbian cruises. There are cruises with lessons and lectures and workshops.
You can get married on a cruise ship or at port and enjoy your honeymoon on the cruise. Most of the cruise lines will provide wedding service complete with a wedding coordinator. Even more family oriented lines provide this service along with adult only areas of the ship. If you are looking for love, in love, or celebrating love a cruise ship is the place to be.
There are so many reasons to consider and then book a cruise for your vacation. You can do just as much as you want, or just relax and enjoy. Whatever your taste or style there is a cruise vacation waiting just for you.
Now that you are convinced that a cruise vacation is for you, use an online travel agency to do some of the looking for you. All the major cruise lines will have information about the various cruises available, all at one website.
So now you have your game plan to get the best cruise prices. When you get ready to book your cruise don't forget to check out all the fun activities to enjoy on your perfect vacation.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Caribbean Cruise - Expert Guide
Comprising of around 50 islands (750 if you count the archipelago of the Bahamas), the Caribbean is a real treasure trove when it comes to cruising. A rich variety of vistas, people and places await, along with swaying palms and idyllic beaches of golden sand. The network of islands in the Caribbean is in fact so extensive that it is possible to book several Caribbean cruises and avoid going to the same islands twice!
There are four basic Caribbean cruise routes used by cruise operators:
Western Caribbean Cruise Route - Departing from seaports in Texas, Louisiana and Florida, the Western Route takes in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the island of Cozumel, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and any number of islands off the coasts of Honduras and Belize.
Eastern Caribbean Cruise Route - One of the most popular Caribbean cruise routes, the Eastern Route typically departs from Florida and other seaports along the eastern seaboard of the United States. The route calls on destinations such as Key West, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands the Virgin Islands (including St. Thomas and St. Croix), and Puerto Rico.
Southern Caribbean Cruise Route - This route normally commences at San Juan in Puerto Rico, and takes in many possible destinations along the Lesser Antilles and the Netherlands Antilles as far west as Aruba.
Exotic/Long-duration Caribbean Cruise Route - This route takes in any/all of the above destinations, and can sometimes end in a different place to where the cruise started.
Given this broad assortment of destinations available in the Caribbean, it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to make that crucial decision on which islands to fit into your itinerary. After all, you don't want to miss out on some true Caribbean gems, do you? So,
whether you're planning a short vacation or a longer cruise break away from home, here is a selection of 'must-sees' & 'must-dos' on your Caribbean adventure.
St Croix (Virgin Islands) - Take a night kayak trip in Salt River National Park and visit the first landing site of Christopher Columbus on his voyage to the New World.
Grenada - Although ravaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Grenada is still well worth a visit for its scuba diving. You can explore the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean here and see an underwater volcano.
St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) - The Cinnamon Bay National Park offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. You can see a wealth of underwater life in the shallow waters around St. Thomas.
Jamaica - Why not try your hand at bamboo rafting in Montego Bay?
Puerto Rico - No Caribbean cruise would be complete without a visit to the world famous Condado Beach on the island of Puerto Rico.
Aruba - Want to find Caribbean paradise? How about relaxing on one of the 365 beaches that surround the Dutch island of Aruba.
St Kitts - Swim with the turtles in the waters around St Kitts and then relax on the pink sand beaches on this beautiful island.
Good luck with planning your trip and happy cruising.
Looking for Cruise information ?Go to http://www.azcruises.com to find out all you need to know about taking your dream Caribbean Cruise vacation.
There are four basic Caribbean cruise routes used by cruise operators:
Western Caribbean Cruise Route - Departing from seaports in Texas, Louisiana and Florida, the Western Route takes in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the island of Cozumel, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and any number of islands off the coasts of Honduras and Belize.
Eastern Caribbean Cruise Route - One of the most popular Caribbean cruise routes, the Eastern Route typically departs from Florida and other seaports along the eastern seaboard of the United States. The route calls on destinations such as Key West, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands the Virgin Islands (including St. Thomas and St. Croix), and Puerto Rico.
Southern Caribbean Cruise Route - This route normally commences at San Juan in Puerto Rico, and takes in many possible destinations along the Lesser Antilles and the Netherlands Antilles as far west as Aruba.
Exotic/Long-duration Caribbean Cruise Route - This route takes in any/all of the above destinations, and can sometimes end in a different place to where the cruise started.
Given this broad assortment of destinations available in the Caribbean, it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to make that crucial decision on which islands to fit into your itinerary. After all, you don't want to miss out on some true Caribbean gems, do you? So,
whether you're planning a short vacation or a longer cruise break away from home, here is a selection of 'must-sees' & 'must-dos' on your Caribbean adventure.
St Croix (Virgin Islands) - Take a night kayak trip in Salt River National Park and visit the first landing site of Christopher Columbus on his voyage to the New World.
Grenada - Although ravaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Grenada is still well worth a visit for its scuba diving. You can explore the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean here and see an underwater volcano.
St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) - The Cinnamon Bay National Park offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. You can see a wealth of underwater life in the shallow waters around St. Thomas.
Jamaica - Why not try your hand at bamboo rafting in Montego Bay?
Puerto Rico - No Caribbean cruise would be complete without a visit to the world famous Condado Beach on the island of Puerto Rico.
Aruba - Want to find Caribbean paradise? How about relaxing on one of the 365 beaches that surround the Dutch island of Aruba.
St Kitts - Swim with the turtles in the waters around St Kitts and then relax on the pink sand beaches on this beautiful island.
Good luck with planning your trip and happy cruising.
Looking for Cruise information ?Go to http://www.azcruises.com to find out all you need to know about taking your dream Caribbean Cruise vacation.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Why Not Consider A Caribbean Cruise Special?
Come winter and your mind wanders to the lovely cruise ship sailing on the idle waters in your Caribbean cruise special. Why not make that dream come true? You may have the time of your life and the kids will love it as well. The best part of a cruise, as you would know, is a hassle-free trip where you are greeted with a fresh new panorama every morning and you unpack only once. Besides, your accommodation, food, entertainment, etc all are paid for in one price. However, if you decide on a Caribbean cruise this winter then choose a Caribbean cruise special. It is simply great.
A Caribbean cruise special often comes in several versions like a choice between a three, five or seven-day cruise, though people mostly prefer the latter as that offers four different destinations yet provides a couple of days cruising the calm seas with nothing to do but relax with a capital R.
Though a Caribbean cruise special comes "all inclusive", i.e. your food, sleeping quarters and everything else paid for in one price, you may have to pay for alcoholic drinks as most of the cruise companies keep the bar apart from their usual fare. In some cases, even the tips are well looked after but here again, decency demands a generous tip to cabin and dining room stewards/stewardess.
Caribbean Cruise Special - How To Look For And Book A Cruise
Most travel agents offer a wide variety of choices in regard to a Caribbean cruise special. As a matter of fact, all cruise companies look forward to the winter season when they customarily offer their best ships for these specials. Here are some cruise lines to narrow down your choice - take the Royal Caribbean cruise or Celebrity cruise or Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise and of course, the Norwegian cruise Line. You are advised to carry out an online search to find out more about the various cruise companies, options and their specials.
Consider a Caribbean Cruise Special - If you are cruising for the first time
You want to find out whether a cruise is for you so do some research before deciding on a particular Caribbean cruise, otherwise you could be disappointed if it does not meet your expectations. Don't forget you cannot leave the ship once you are aboard. For example, if you are a happy jovial young family, you will surely like Carnival cruises which are popularly called "Fun Cruises" as they cater for younger families and are always jam packed with parties and revelry. You may, on the other hand, prefer Holland America Line for the peace and tranquility aboard the ship if you prefer the quieter life, looking for peace and serenity on the high seas.
A Caribbean cruise special could be just the ticket for your winter vacation but choose carefully and I am sure you will have the time of your life.
Copyright © Julie Harper, http://www.aboutcaribbeancruises.com/, 2007 This article is copyrighted. Please feel free to use it in it's entirety including copyright information and information about the publisher. Julie Harper operates the website AboutCaribbeanCruises.com. If you need to find out more about choosing the right cruise for you and getting the best deals then go to: http://www.aboutcaribbeancruises.com/caribbean-cruise-holidays/experience-the-thrill-of-a-caribbean-cruise-package-12/
A Caribbean cruise special often comes in several versions like a choice between a three, five or seven-day cruise, though people mostly prefer the latter as that offers four different destinations yet provides a couple of days cruising the calm seas with nothing to do but relax with a capital R.
Though a Caribbean cruise special comes "all inclusive", i.e. your food, sleeping quarters and everything else paid for in one price, you may have to pay for alcoholic drinks as most of the cruise companies keep the bar apart from their usual fare. In some cases, even the tips are well looked after but here again, decency demands a generous tip to cabin and dining room stewards/stewardess.
Caribbean Cruise Special - How To Look For And Book A Cruise
Most travel agents offer a wide variety of choices in regard to a Caribbean cruise special. As a matter of fact, all cruise companies look forward to the winter season when they customarily offer their best ships for these specials. Here are some cruise lines to narrow down your choice - take the Royal Caribbean cruise or Celebrity cruise or Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise and of course, the Norwegian cruise Line. You are advised to carry out an online search to find out more about the various cruise companies, options and their specials.
Consider a Caribbean Cruise Special - If you are cruising for the first time
You want to find out whether a cruise is for you so do some research before deciding on a particular Caribbean cruise, otherwise you could be disappointed if it does not meet your expectations. Don't forget you cannot leave the ship once you are aboard. For example, if you are a happy jovial young family, you will surely like Carnival cruises which are popularly called "Fun Cruises" as they cater for younger families and are always jam packed with parties and revelry. You may, on the other hand, prefer Holland America Line for the peace and tranquility aboard the ship if you prefer the quieter life, looking for peace and serenity on the high seas.
A Caribbean cruise special could be just the ticket for your winter vacation but choose carefully and I am sure you will have the time of your life.
Copyright © Julie Harper, http://www.aboutcaribbeancruises.com/, 2007 This article is copyrighted. Please feel free to use it in it's entirety including copyright information and information about the publisher. Julie Harper operates the website AboutCaribbeanCruises.com. If you need to find out more about choosing the right cruise for you and getting the best deals then go to: http://www.aboutcaribbeancruises.com/caribbean-cruise-holidays/experience-the-thrill-of-a-caribbean-cruise-package-12/
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Carribean Cruise
Caribbean Cruises are among the most demanded cruise vacations in the world; with almost two million plus travelers sailing on different liners every year. Warm tropical climates sprinkled with great beaches, exotic foods and excellent tourist spots in a chain of fine islands is a hot tourist destination in the world. Cruising along Caribbean is very popular as the liner anchors at different ports in different islands giving cruisers a rare opportunity to explore the whole region. Cruises to any country are fun as they offer comfort at one’s finger tips and amenities of top order.
Planning for a future Caribbean Cruise is relatively easy nowadays, as most of the cruise liners have their details listed on their own web portals. Tour operators abound all over the continent and a lightening speed service is almost assured on a click of a mouse button. A well planned tour schedule might well work advantageous as tourists clog the liners during vacation time. Depending on the season, cabins may get completely booked months before the cruise is scheduled to set sail and hotel accommodation becomes too difficult. Caribbean cruise bookings can be made either online or by tour operators. Here comes the most difficult part of the plan; choosing the right liner! Most of the cruise liners vie each other for their share of almost two million prospective travelers. The competition among these cruise line operators is very fierce and getting the major chunk of the lot is the ultimate motto! Never ever get confused as to which liner should be chosen! Well, it depends on your objective.Travelling with full family? Then choose a liner which offers facilities for tiny toddlers to mature adults. Keep in mind the comfort of elders too! Teenagers need special attention on the cruise liners. For instance, if the time allotted for the planned cruise is for the family, it makes a perfect sense to choose a Disney cruise; it might be best since these ships design activities specifically for children and teens. May be a liner which is based on family themes. There are liners for travelers on a tight budget too! Traveling couples should opt for a quiet ship with romance theme; likes of Princess Cruise is a wonder! Fat wallets can find some of the most luxurious liners which offer anything and every thing except moon! Look for liners known for their top notch services such as Crystal, Silversea, or the new Queen Mary II. However, it is best decided with a cool mind after surfing over the information provided by them in their online portals.
Of the numerous cruise liners bound to Caribbean Islands, each offers a variety of price, schedule, and island stop options. Pick your dream ship liner-be it an extravagant vacation aboard a floating luxury hotel, a romantic getaway with your loved one on a love liner, or an activity-filled voyage on a family cruiser. Almost, 20 different classes of cruise liners travel over to different parts of Caribbean! Four classes of cruises are right now available and pick any one of them depending on your objective, budget, time, places to visit and the facilities offered. Contemporary/Value class caters mostly to tight budget travels while premium, luxury and specialty classes cater to those special classes traveling on extravagance, comfort and status.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are two of the most popular contemporary/value cruise lines and together make up almost 90% of the entire cruise industry. These are designed for people with tight budget and on popular holidays. Premium cruises are more expensive and the ships aren’t too large, but the service is considered superior to that of a contemporary/value cruise. Ocean liners like Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America boast a larger online staff for fewer passengers. . Ocean cruise liners like Seabourn, Windstar and Cunard belong to this highest class and offer top-notch service and amenities and are designed for those who are high society and premium grade. Specialty cruises like American Hawaii cruises sail to a secluded and unique destination and are exclusively designed for special passengers like elders, singles and some times gays and lesbians too.
Stein O Stien is the webmaster of http://www.travel-and-vacation.com. If you want to read more, you can find it at Carribean Cruise:
Planning for a future Caribbean Cruise is relatively easy nowadays, as most of the cruise liners have their details listed on their own web portals. Tour operators abound all over the continent and a lightening speed service is almost assured on a click of a mouse button. A well planned tour schedule might well work advantageous as tourists clog the liners during vacation time. Depending on the season, cabins may get completely booked months before the cruise is scheduled to set sail and hotel accommodation becomes too difficult. Caribbean cruise bookings can be made either online or by tour operators. Here comes the most difficult part of the plan; choosing the right liner! Most of the cruise liners vie each other for their share of almost two million prospective travelers. The competition among these cruise line operators is very fierce and getting the major chunk of the lot is the ultimate motto! Never ever get confused as to which liner should be chosen! Well, it depends on your objective.Travelling with full family? Then choose a liner which offers facilities for tiny toddlers to mature adults. Keep in mind the comfort of elders too! Teenagers need special attention on the cruise liners. For instance, if the time allotted for the planned cruise is for the family, it makes a perfect sense to choose a Disney cruise; it might be best since these ships design activities specifically for children and teens. May be a liner which is based on family themes. There are liners for travelers on a tight budget too! Traveling couples should opt for a quiet ship with romance theme; likes of Princess Cruise is a wonder! Fat wallets can find some of the most luxurious liners which offer anything and every thing except moon! Look for liners known for their top notch services such as Crystal, Silversea, or the new Queen Mary II. However, it is best decided with a cool mind after surfing over the information provided by them in their online portals.
Of the numerous cruise liners bound to Caribbean Islands, each offers a variety of price, schedule, and island stop options. Pick your dream ship liner-be it an extravagant vacation aboard a floating luxury hotel, a romantic getaway with your loved one on a love liner, or an activity-filled voyage on a family cruiser. Almost, 20 different classes of cruise liners travel over to different parts of Caribbean! Four classes of cruises are right now available and pick any one of them depending on your objective, budget, time, places to visit and the facilities offered. Contemporary/Value class caters mostly to tight budget travels while premium, luxury and specialty classes cater to those special classes traveling on extravagance, comfort and status.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are two of the most popular contemporary/value cruise lines and together make up almost 90% of the entire cruise industry. These are designed for people with tight budget and on popular holidays. Premium cruises are more expensive and the ships aren’t too large, but the service is considered superior to that of a contemporary/value cruise. Ocean liners like Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America boast a larger online staff for fewer passengers. . Ocean cruise liners like Seabourn, Windstar and Cunard belong to this highest class and offer top-notch service and amenities and are designed for those who are high society and premium grade. Specialty cruises like American Hawaii cruises sail to a secluded and unique destination and are exclusively designed for special passengers like elders, singles and some times gays and lesbians too.
Stein O Stien is the webmaster of http://www.travel-and-vacation.com. If you want to read more, you can find it at Carribean Cruise:
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