The Jeffrey And Tracey Info Emporium

When dreaming about an Alaska vacation you may
envision the romantic essence of yourself reeling in King Salmon, roaming the Alaska wilderness shooting wildlife pictures or simply observing the awe-inspiring beauty…but there’s more.

Alaska still remains one of the last frontiers on our
planet. Its harsh extremely rugged environment can put any well-equipped adventurer to the test. Yet for the wise, you can engage in a thrilling Alaska vacation, experience the rugged Alaska environment, the awe-inspiring beauty and participate in Alaska’s beckoning adventurous surroundings as much or as little
as you want. And you can do it all from the safety of your home away from home!

Your Alaska vacation setting, your home away from home, is
aboard one of the most spectacular means of transportation known today, a luxury cruise ship. Granted, these cruise ships are monstrous in their own right, dwarfed by jutting mountain peaks and colossal glacier ice fields. Yet, you have the opportunity to experience some of Alaska’s finest, right from the luxury and comfort of your home away from home, a cruise ship. What a
romantic way to travel!

Advantages Of Living In The Northwest…

For those living in the Pacific Northwest, you have the ease and
advantage of experiencing a wondrous Alaska vacation by driving a vehicle to your departure port, either Seattle, Astoria
or Vancouver, B.C.; making your Alaska vacation that much more of a vacation.

You’ll experience the joys from NOT having to deal with the anxieties of a possible flight delay or flight cancellation and no additional strain on the pocket book requiring additional money for flights or possible hotel stays.

If you’re driving, the ideal is to find a friend or family
member to drop you off and pick you up. You do, however, have the option of parking at the Bell Street Garage located directly across from Pier 66, the cruise terminal in Seattle.

Fee: $12.00 per day.
On-line reservations are available through Republic Parking.
Location: 9 Wall Street. Enter at the corner of Alaskan Way and Wall Street.

The ability to leave home and drive to your cruise ship
is truly remarkable. We took that opportunity to engage in an Alaska vacation with Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) the summer of 2004. Previously we’d explored Alaska by air; vehicle, foot and most recently the favorable moment came, to explore Alaska by way of a cruise ship.

Past Vacations Were Work…

In the past, our Alaska vacation required an immense amount of
planning, organization, and ultimately, “work”, yielding very little time for some true relaxation and quality time with loved ones. An NCL Alaska Cruise allows you to truly relax and spend the necessary quality time with loved ones. The cruise gives you options. If you want to engage yourself into an intense schedule, you can. If you don’t want the intensity, that’s your option.

Cruising With NCL…

We elected to cruise with NCL for various reasons:
they’re very competitive in price, they offer “Free-Style Cruising”, they have fabulous children programs (we could spend some quality romantic time together while the kids were fully involved in the children programs), superb entertainment, an international crew and they were the first cruise line in Seattle. We had to check them out…and that we did!

Six of us, 2-adults and 4-children, set off to explore the
qualities of NCL on an Alaska vacation. Our vessel, the “Norwegian Spirit” was docked at the Port of Seattle, the Pier 66 Terminal. Our scheduled departure was a Saturday afternoon allowing us the relaxing time to get some last minute things together. We were in no rush whatsoever. We could arrive at the ship between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. How soothing this was to all the family members.

Arriving at the terminal was a little confusing; it appeared as if every passenger descended on the ship at the same time. Amongst the confusion we found a courteous NCL employee who directed us to the appropriate baggage check-in and ticketing lines. We were impressed how quickly and orderly the lines
flowed. NCL did a fantastic job of getting us through the baggage check-in, ticketing and on-board the ship.

Each passenger is issued an ID card before boarding.
This ID Card serves as your room key, boarding pass and credit card for any onboard shopping. It’s imperative that you guard it like your credit card, do not leave it unattended. You’ll need it in ALL ports of call for departing and boarding the ship.

Before the ship left the Seattle dock, on to our Alaska
vacation, we were exploring. The Spirit carries 1,996 passengers with a crew of 920. That’s nearly 1-crew member for every 2-passengers! And we have to say; the crew was there to serve us and make sure we had the absolute best Alaska vacation. We appreciated all of the nationalities represented on the Spirit. It’s truly a vessel of international flair.

Our kids, of course, loved the stern section of the ship,
the Kids Club. It’s amazing, an entire mini-amusement park with tunnels, tubes and balls, a pool with slides, fountains and a mock pirate ship yielding water-spouting cannons that make up the upper portion of the stern section. This is a kid’s heaven. When our kids were tired of the water games (that rarely
happened), the arcade was only steps away.

The restaurants on board were numerous from fine dining to
buffet style and fast food offered 24-hours a day. You’ll never go hungry. If you’re dieting to lose weight, put the diet on hold for the duration of the cruise. You’ll want the flexibility to enjoy all the fabulous food entrees.

The Many Options…

We especially enjoyed the many options of simply watching
whales spout, the beautiful scenery passing us by, picking up a movie in the theater, dining, playing cards, trying our luck in the casino, listening to some live entertainment at one of the many bars, lounging on the deck by one of the pools, pumping iron at the gym, shooting some hoops on the basketball court…the
list seems endless. This is the ultimate Alaska vacation; you can do it all, part or nothing.

Our family of six always had something to do, there was
never a dull boring moment. Each one of us had the option to choose what we wanted to do. My wife, for example, read a book in the library while I watched a movie in the theater, our oldest hung out with some new found friends and the other three played on the water slides. Our Alaska vacation was unlike any other,
there was literally no sacrificing the wants and likes of other family members. And above all, we didn’t have to drive to any of these recreational activities!

One of our favorite functions were the evenings live
high quality professional entertainment in the grand Moulin Rouge showroom. It’s unique in that the Moulin Rouge utilizes two decks, with theater style sitting. You ultimately get a great view from every seat, including the seats in the balcony! On our
particular cruise, the Cruise Director, Adrian Lewis, did a fabulous job organizing all of the professional entertainment. The picture depicts a special attribute to all the crew who made our Alaska vacation an unforgettable experience.

Ports of Call…

And of course, there are the ports of call: Ketchikan via the Inside Passage from Seattle, Juneau, Skagway and Prince Rupert with a sneak into the Sawyer Glacier. The ports are all awesome. You have the choice of departing the ship and venturing out into the Alaskan territory or stay in your second home, onboard the Spirit. It’s your choice to expand your Alaska
vacation to meet your adventurous needs and desires.

On shore you can experience nearly any level of excitement
you so desire. You’ll have at your disposal helicopter flights, fishing opportunities, river rafting, guided tours, shopping expeditions or simply strolling around on a self-guided walking tour. The ports of call, on our Alaska vacation, were relatively small. This enabled us to walk around the towns to capture the Alaskan lifestyle. Granted, our stay in each port was limited but it did yield enough time to get a taste, an experience of Alaska. The ports were showcased enabling us to see the highlights and if so desired we could return at a later date.

Ketchikan was our first port of call after cruising through the majestic Inside Passage. Ketchikan is a
shoppers dream, an added feature to experience the ultimate Alaska vacation. The historic downtown and specialty shops are within minutes from the cruise ship docks. You’ll find a wide selection of native art, jewelry, sporting goods and even the Alaskan themed toys.

We especially enjoyed walking around town, watching the
salmon run through a stream in the center of town and riding the
city bus to Saxman Village, a native village 2-miles south of Ketchikan. The village is literally a totem pole park revealing the native’s culture. Returning to the ship we decided to walk the 2-miles back along a fabulous waterside walkway that portrayed the beauty of this Southeast Alaska area.

Juneauwas the second port of call. We were amazed how much the city had changed over the past 10-years. The
cruise ship industry had a great effect on the coastal Alaskan towns. Shops literally sprung up overnight to accommodate the thousands of passengers descending upon Juneau and the other coastal towns.

Juneau is the capital of Alaska, nestled between
towering mountains. The enormity of the cruise ships makes for an awesome sight as they cruise between the mountain ridges.

Juneau is also home to the Mendenhall Glacier. This is a sight to be seen, especially if you’re not familiar with glaciers. We took the city bus to the Mendenhall Valley and walked about a mile to reach the glacier. Of course, there are other options to get to the glacier via helicopter or one of the many bus-guided tours.

If you plan on visiting the glacier bring along your
National Parks Pass. This will entitle you free entrance to the visitor’s center.

Our third Port of Call was the infamous little town of
Skagway. Our route to Skagway took us up the Tracy
Arm to the Sawyer Glacier. We cruised past icebergs and gushing water falls. The captain brought the cruise ship near the spectacular ice-flow, a sight you have to see. Our kids continued playing on the water-slides as we cruised along
the towering pieces of ice, truly an amazing sight.

Skagway welcomed us with open arms. It’s here that
the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 began. It’s hard to imagine more than 30,000 gold seekers set out from this once tiny village. And now, Skagway is experiencing it’s second gold rush. Approximately 5- cruise ships visit Skagway every day during the months of May – September, that’s 10,000 visitors per day bringing money into the community!

The town is very easy to get around; it’s about 7-blocks
long all encased with specialty shops. The prices are extremely competitive yielding some good quality products. Regarding the tours, you can always sign up for a tour aboard the ship; however, if you didn’t make previous tour arrangements you still have ample opportunities on shore.

Skagway is known for the famous scenic railway. It’s a
3-hour ride out of Skagway following the gold rush route into the Yukon. We decided against the train ride and hopped aboard a personalized driving tour with the Skaguay Tour Company. We like the added edge a personalized tour gives. The tour consists of a historic city tour and a drive to the summit of White Pass, essentially paralleling the train route but only half the cost. We also had the opportunity to stop at various points of interest along the way, unlike the train. Before you go to Skagway check out Skagway Tour Company. Be sure to bring your passport, you’ll cross into Canada and may need the identification for re-entry into the U.S.

Our last Port of Call, before returning to Seattle, was
Prince Rupert. This cosmopolitan city encompasses
many cultures and is the home of the First Nations people for 10,000 years. Near the cruise dock is a native museum with a variety of shops nestled along the waterfront. Compared to the other ports, we found the various gift items expensive even with the good U.S. dollar exchange rate.

There are tours that you can participate in; however, we
took advantage of the walking tour along the waterfront visiting the sunken gardens. It made for a nice walkabout; however, our kids were anxious to return to the ship and engage in the many wonderful activities. That’s the beauty; you have a home away from home, a comfortable place to return to creating a relaxing and enjoyable Alaska vacation.

Seattle, our off-boarding port, came far too soon. None of us were very anxious to leave the ship; we were ready to do the cruise again, back to our Alaska vacation. But the reality, we had to disembark. NCL made this an extremely easy process.

Each passenger is given a color-coded baggage tag depending upon your on-shore schedule. For example, if you had a morning
flight scheduled out of SeaTac Airport, your color-coded baggage tag indicated early ship disembarkation. You’d simply listen to your color tag announced over the loudspeaker system and proceed to depart the ship.

NCL makes it a relaxing experience even when the ship has reached its final destination. You can sit
back, relax and continue to enjoy your Alaska vacation while eating breakfast looking out at Seattle’s skyline.

Foremost, the things we bring with us from any vacation is
the memories, the experiences. It, therefore, makes sense to have a memorable vacation. Unfortunately there is a cost to it, any vacation or anything we do in life will cost in some form, either money, time, material things, etc. A cruise costs money. If money is a concern to you then we can show you how to save money before you purchase your cruise tickets.

The Alaska cruises book-up quickly. We encourage you to get the most of your Alaska vacation by booking early. You will not be disappointed. And we’ll help you through the booking process, your memories are a keepsake; therefore, book early.

We do not sell cruise tickets, airline tickets or any travel tickets, we simply reveal the Facts so you can make an informed decision and get the most for your hard earned dollar.

Step out into the exciting, adventurous, and romantic wonderlands our planet has to offer…make your Alaska vacation an Alaska Cruise.

Some Things To Remember Before Leaving The House:

Craig Dahl - Senior Editor

Craig Dahl is a Professional travel/tour operator revealing the facts about an Alaska Vacation.

Check us out for more information about crusies and savings at
Luxury Romantic Vacations

You have plenty of choices for Bahamas cruise lines. The cruise lines include the Carnival cruise lines, Celebrity cruises, Costa cruises, Crystal cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise line, Holland America line, MSC cruises, Norwegian Cruise line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silver Sea Cruises and the Windstar cruises. All these cruises differ in the amenities they provide.

Carnival cruises form the world’s largest fleet of cruise liners, with a vibrant and sizzling night life and excellent programs. Carnival liners have huge casinos, Camp Carnival for the 2-15 age group, supper clubs and sushi bars on select ships, lobster served in every meal, Spa Carnival and fitness program, gala midnight buffets, Vegas-style shows, internet café, 24-hour pizzeria and ice cream bars, 3 or 4 swimming pools and spiral waterslide, and teen club with disco on select ships.

Celebrity cruises offer award-winning cuisines, aqua spa, champagne and martini bars, Broadway-style productions, poolside massages and sunset yoga, dine-in wine cellars on select ships, a 2:1 guest-to-staff ratio, butler service in all suites, adults-only celebrity escape sailings, movie theaters, Internet cafe and sushi bar, music library with iPod rentals, and Monte Carlo-style casinos.

Costa cruises offer Italian style cruising, spacious teak sun desks, Italian cooking classes, midnight buffets, a romantic piano bar, full-scale dazzling casino, talent show karaoke contests, sophisticated European ambience, spa and fitness center, multiple dining options and an Internet café.

Crystal cruises have verandas attached to most accommodations, wine and food festival cruises, Feng Shui designed crystal spa, personal butler service for penthouses, over 200 vintages in the wine cellar, keyboard lessons by Yamaha, Berlitz language classes, golf equipments, and golf pros.

Cunard lines combine modern-day luxury with the grandeur of a bygone era. The ships have bridge and dance instructions, computer learning centers, bookshops, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, cabaret and stage productions and classical music performances.

A Disney cruise is ideal for the entire family. These include Private island: Castaway Cay, Adults-only and family pool, Nursery for kids under age 3, Disney’s Oceaneer Club for ages 3-7, Disney’s Oceaneer Lab for ages 8-12, teen coffeehouse with Internet cafe and dance floor , 3 theme based restaurants and 3 nightclubs, Dining with Disney Characters on select voyages, beaches for families and adults on Castaway Cay and Musical extravaganzas at the Walt Disney Theatre.

The very mention of Alaska conjures up awe-inspiring glaciers in pristine blue seas, breeching whales and otters, kayaking and underwater exploration in submarines, and a really cool atmosphere. This is the driving force for a hundred thousand people to go to Alaska every year. Over a hundred popular cruise lines provide all kind of vacation packages to cruisers from all over the world. The best months for taking a cruise in Alaska are the summer months of May to September. The period between June and July is particularly packed due to the length of the day, making more exploration possible.

An Alaskan cruise vacation can refer to the cruise itself or the cruise tour package. Broadly divided, there are two kinds of Alaskan cruises – those that go around the Inside Passage and those which go one-way along the Gulf, popularly known as Alaska Glacier Cruises. The roundtrip cruises sail from Seattle or Vancouver and stop at Alaskan and Canadian ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway, Hubbard Glacier, and Haines. Those that follow glacier paths begin from Vancouver and end at Seward or Whittier for northbound cruises, and reverse for southbound cruises. Cruise tours offer motor coaching from Vancouver, Seward, or Whittier up to Anchorage, from where people can continue exploring Alaska on land. Cruise passengers are lodged at luxurious hotels at Denali, Kenai Peninsula, or Fairbanks.

Generally, Alaskan cruise vacations are at least a week long. Cruise tours, which continue with land exploration, may go up to eighteen days. There are also short weekend cruise vacations or five-day cruise vacations. Major cruise lines that offer packages on Alaskan cruise vacations are the Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Silversea, Radisson, Holland America, Norwegian, and Carnival. Lindblad and American Safari cruise lines specialize in cruise vacations for small groups, mostly on chartered yachts.

Smaller cruise lines like Clipper and Cruise West make adventure cruising possible for their passengers. Big ships cannot navigate most of the coves of the Alaskan shore line. Hence, adventure seekers prefer smaller ships for better navigability. Small ship cruises also make many water sports possible for cruisers, along with a catamaran cruise. Apart from that, there are onshore activities like a helicopter flying session, mountain biking, and hiking.

Unlike sail boats, motorboats and houseboats, cruise ships are floating paradises and are like staying in a 5-star hotel. All the amenities offered on cruises are equivalent to the hospitality offered in grand hotels or resorts of the highest cadre and make a “cruiser” feel on top of the world at sea.

Cruise ships are usually huge and have a large crew to cater to every individual traveler’s needs. Hospitality rates high on cruises, and vacation packages might be expensive but offer a luxurious and unique experience.

Many consider vacationing in the high seas the ultimate in romantic vacationing, and cruise liners are striving to prove this to be true with elegant and romantic settings onboard, along with quality, intimate services and a wide range of entertainment and recreational activities.

Excellent packages are available for cruise ship vacations. Depending on the package, travelers usually decide what places they would like to visit, what type of atmosphere and conditions they’d like their cruise to consist of, i.e., singles cruise, freestyle or traditional. Most of the time, travelers are allowed to go off the ship for day trips to various destinations. These trips usually include a sight seeing guide who is well versed on the port of stay and eager to relate historical and interesting facts.

Ships are often equipped with swimming pools, formal staterooms, lounges, casinos, health clubs, spas and salons. Entertainment is varied and goes on nightly in various staterooms and clubs. There are great travel package specials for cruises if you plan ahead. Vacationing by sea is a unique experience — a combination of all the elegance and sophistication of a 5-star hotel on the ocean.

Cruise Ships provides detailed information about cruise ships, alaska cruise ships, cruise ship jobs, cruise ship reviews and more. Cruise Ships is the sister site of Cheap Caribbean Cruises.

In the time that has followed since the tragic events of September 11, we have seen numerous changes happening to us all.

These changes began with shock, disbelief and anguish and so overwhelmed us, that they made all work related issues seem trivial and personal relationship seem especially dear. And believe me, this hits very close to home with a wife who works in the cruise industry in the United States.

Those of us in the travel business began to see numerous cancellations of long planned holidays and vacations, mostly from fear and misunderstanding of security, schedule changes even with the combined will and effort of the cruise industry attempting to keep passengers traveling and enjoying the process.

Should you take a vacation? Should you travel? I think we North Americans pride ourselves on our freedom to travel and enrich our lives by interacting with cultures from all over. To cocoon and avoid travel allows those who seek to destroy our freedoms the power to bring us to our knees.

I believe that America will not stop travelling, it is in our blood. The key is to increase your knowledge of travel related issues and to understand how the process has changed. What follows is a synopsis of the changes you can expect to see for the near and distant future.

What can I expect at the airport? There are stricter security measures on airport employees, merchants, airline employees, and vendors that service the airports…and also on travelers. Expect the line that you are standing in to take longer than before. Plan for longer time at the airport to park, check-in, and get to departing gate. You may also experience some inconveniences and delays - please be patient.

There will be thorough searches of all airports and airplanes before passengers are allowed to enter the aircraft. You will be required to limit carry on baggage and to possess government issued photo identification, and as always, I strongly urge you to obtain a passport as the most important piece of identification. You may also notice additional uniformed law enforcement officers and canine teams patrolling airports - all to guarantee your safety.

What changes will you see regarding your cruise experience? Embark and Disembark may take longer due to additional security measures. Strict enforcement of required identification and nationality/travel papers. Boarding will be denied without presenting proper documents. Your documents must be original - no copies will be allowed.

Here are the Top Ten Cruise Traveler Tips

1. Purchase trip/vacation interruption insurance. Check with your travel agent as to the coverage benefits and limitations.


2. Review your cruise documents in advance for important guidelines and travel tips. Again check with knowledgeable cruise agents to ensure you are well prepared.


3. Prior to leaving home, call the airline - or check their website for flight arrival and departure information


4. Be at the airport early - 2 hours or more unless local circumstances dictate allowing a longer time. Security screenings will take additional time.


5. Minimize carry-on luggage OR be prepared to have them searched and suspicious items confiscated (nail files, scissors/clippers etc.) Please make sure luggage is clearly tagged with the complete color bag-tags provided with your documents.


6. Make sure necessary medical items are with you rather than in checked luggage.


7. Make sure you have your passport and other identification on your person - not in checked baggage.
8. Lower the stress level of “getting to the ship on-time” by arranging a pre-cruise land package. Consider coming in a day early - especially when flying a long distance to the cruise.


9. Expect delays and longer lines than usual - and be pleasantly surprised if they are not that bad.


10. Be patient - once on board your cruise, you will have the fantastic time cruising is noted for.

To be very practical consider that if you look at the damage on September 11, the total number of deaths on the airlines is 288 including crew and militants. I will guarantee you that since September 11 more than 288 people have lost their lives on America’s highways. It is estimated that greater than 34,000 will lose their lives traveling on the road and if you average that per day, 93 people daily will not make it to their destination via car. Flying is still the safest form of traveling.

This writer believes we have an obligation to continue the business of life, to live freely and to travel when and where we want within the constraints of common sense. To do other would suggest the terrorists have won.

Rest assured the cruise lines have made major changes in itineraries to place their ships in the safest and most enjoyable voyages possible. The Middle East itineraries may be eliminated for the duration but there are fantastic values on hundreds of other itineraries.

If you are concerned, sit down with a cruise expert and discuss your situation face to face to learn why cruising remains a safe, and enjoyable vacation and why now is the time to make your plans.

The good news today is that more people than are enjoying the hassle free way of cruising than ever before - securely!

Talk to your agent about price protection, deposits, penalties or lack of for cancellation and all the little details that will help assure a vacation like none other on earth. See you on board!

Sid Kaplan
Cruise Vacations Guide

Sid Kaplan has extensive experience in the travel business. He owned and operated a large retail cruise only agency in Canada and his wife has 25 years experience working for major cruise lines. Their website is Cruise Vacations Guide which offers advice and tips to those looking to create memorable cruise vacations. Shore excursion and land tour information is also provided. Cruise, hotel, car rental and vacation adventure booking online.

Purchasing one of Sunreef’s floating palaces might make the owner weary with the thoughts of not getting enough use out of it. Many future boat owners don’t know how much time their boat could sit at idle. A recent survey showed that the average boat owner spends about 45 days per year on his/her yacht. For the rest of the time that yacht sits at a marina, when it could be making them money. If you take the cost of the yacht, its upkeep, and divide by the days used? It becomes costly indeed!

Add to this the effort of keeping the catamaran clean and well maintained for the season and you can see it takes a big commitment to own a cat, especially, one of Sunreef’s million dollar yachts.

If you have purchased a Sunreef through us or another company there are ways of reducing the work and cost of owning a yacht. A great way to do this is to put your Sunreef Yacht into our charter fleet. While not is use your new yacht could be paying back for itself and even better yet, earning you money. You will have the privilege of always having your yacht is sailing shape in a convenient Caribbean location.

When you own a charter yacht you can sail any time you like. Your yacht is always in perfect condition, clean, technically perfect. You won’t have to worry about getting your yacht ready when it comes time for you use it. It will be always ready to sail where the sun is shining and the wind is blowing.

With more leisure time and expendable income, demand for charter mega yachts is strong and rising. Our strategic location down in the beautiful British Virgin Islands gives us an advantage in the growing charter market. The Caribbean is the area in which the most charter revenue is earned. Within the Caribbean the British Virgin Islands is renown for the amount of sailing vacations they have. Interested? Become a partner in this exiting venture.

For additional information, please visit www.catamarans.com

Kids and vacation – trying to find the perfect option can be a
real challenge but with a kid-friendly cruise, it does not have
to be. If you were like most parents, you want to take your
family on a special vacation, some place different, fun, adventurous,
and affordable. For some reason, people forget about cruise
ships when in fact, this is by far one of the greatest choices you could
make.

Family cruise vacations are growing in popularity by leaps
and bounds.
Not only are cruises a great way to expose kids to different
cultures in
an affordable way, but cruises are also very safe. Because
of that, we
see the number of families taking to the seas growing. As a
matter of
fact, of all areas within the cruise industry, family cruises is
the
fastest growing.

Recent reports show that more than one million children
took a cruise
with the family in 2002, an increase of more than 50% from
just a few years
prior. Just 10 years ago, cruises were considered a luxury
vacation
taken only for a special occasion such as a honeymoon or
anniversary.
However, over the years, cruise lines have recognized the
value in
offering different options for the entire family. Because of
that, the
current offerings have been revamped. Today, we see new
destinations,
themes, and activities to better match the younger
passenger’s needs.

If you think about it, families run at 100 miles per hour in
today’s
society. Between work, soccer, baseball, dance, doctor’s
appointments, homework, and all that is involved in running
a family,
parents look for options that provide them with relaxation
while
giving the kids tons of fun things to do. With kid-friendly
cruises,
this is exactly what you get – a convenient, stress free, and
fun
environment for all ages.

Consider the value of a family cruise. No longer expensive,
you can
choose a number of options that fall within the budget. Keep
in mind that
the price paid includes all meals, entertainment, and
activities.
Then, with a kid-friendly cruise, special programs are
designed to
give mom and dad a much-needed break while the kids
enjoy spending time
with other kids their own age.

Additionally, cruise ships are very safe. Although some
parents still
have concern about taking kids on board a ship, you can be
assured that
the reputable cruise lines such as Disney, Carnival, and
others have
gone to great lengths to ensure every child is watched in a
safe,
controlled setting. If you have any concern over your child,
there are
many different cruises that provide beepers or two-way
walkie-talkies, allowing you to communicate with your kids
at any
time.

An experienced and professional staff is also essential,
especially
when talking about cruises for kids. After all, kids will be
kids at home
and on a cruise ship. Therefore, as you conduct your search
for the right
cruise, look for those that provide trained and experienced
staff with
backgrounds in recreation, education, and child
development. That
way, your mind is put at ease so you too can have an
exceptional time.

Jake Kelly is a writer for MyCruiseTips.com. For an extensive
informational resource about Cruises and an Article/Tips
Forum, please visit us at http://www.MyCruiseTips.com

Caribbean Aboard Royal Caribbean……………………..

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

Highlights of Some Exciting Shore Excursion when Cruising:

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

Snapshot of the 3 parts of the caribbean:

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

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

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

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

Travel today is more accessible to the masses than ever before. People around the world are traveling and vacationing at an ever increasing rate. This increase has made some of the world’s most fashionable resort areas a trendy vacation spot. Among the most popular holiday travel options are the Riviera Cruise Vacations.

French Riviera

In the past, we have heard of the glamour and pizzazz of the French Riviera. Situated on the Mediterranean, The French Riviera is blessed with beautiful beaches – a prerequisite for a ‘Riviera’ resort.

One of the most glamorous ports in the Mediterranean is Cannes. This world renowned port famous for the International Film Festival was once a small fishing village owned by monks.

Further up the coast, on the Bay of Angels, is the capital of the Riviera, Nice. Here one can experience some of the best restaurants. While wandering past the high-class apartments, hotels, and cafés, one can get magnificent views of the Mediterranean.

North of Nice on the Mediterranean is the municipality of Monaco. Of course, we all know the name Mont Carlo as the home of chic casinos, luxurious hotel resorts and fabulous beaches. Monte Carlo increased in stature in the 1950’s when Grace Kelly became Princess Grace of Monaco after marrying Prince Ranier II.

Many of the large main cruise lines and smaller local cruise lines offer cruises that start, finish or visit ports in the French Riviera. For a sampling of itineraries options see the link to our articles in the ‘Bio’ section at the bottom.

Italian Riviera

At the top of the ‘boot’ of Italy just east of the French Riviera and you’ll find the Italian Riviera. Situated on the shores of the Ligurian Sea, the Italian Riviera is glamorous but in a distinctly old-fashioned way. The rustic and provincial are blended together with the elegant and chic as cosmopolitan cities and small towns come together.

Portofino is one of the most photographed villages on the coast of the Italian Riviera. Many of Europe’s wealthy visit this small harbor even though there is little to do there. And unless you are traveling on a larger budget, you may want to stay elsewhere and day-trip to Potofino. Hotels, restaurants, and cafés are very expensive ( a beer here may cost you EUR8!)

Genoa (or Genova in Italian) is a very busy and sprawling city, not what one might expect in this largely old and quaint Riviera. The city does however offer visitors numerous sightseeing adventures from ancient hill top fortresses to magnificent palaces.

San Remo, the largest resort in the area is also considered the capital of the Italian Riviera. It offers visitors world class hotels, and a romantic setting with its exotic gardens. And oh yes, the famous casino!

Visitors to the Italian Riviera can opt to stay in cities, towns and villages including Lerici, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portovenere, Rapallo or the villages that make up Finale Ligure. Or, visitors can stay on their cruise ships and explore the area on day excursions.

For more information regarding Italian Riviera cruises see the link to our articles in the ‘Bio’ section at the bottom.

Mayan Riviera

As more cruisers and vacationers travel the Caribbean, the Mayan Riviera is becoming better known and extremely popular. The beautiful sand beaches, the sun and the sapphire clear waters make for a dream vacation. Running form the city of Cancun on the Mexican Caribbean to the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, the Mayan Riviera draws snow-birds to its mystic and paradise-like shores. The waters around the coral reefs of Cozumel are a delight to snorkelers.

The area is quickly being built up with more and more lavish resorts. Many all-inclusive resorts have been constructed and more are being planned.

In contrast to the luxurious resorts, is the ancient city of Tulum whose ruins are a must-see for anyone slightly interested in history and archeology? Dating back as far as 600 A.D. you can witness the pyramid shape of El Castillo or the ruined magnificence of the Temple of the Descending God.

The Mayan Riviera has become a very popular Caribbean cruise destination as well. To explore the Mayan Riviera cruise options see the link to our articles in the ‘Bio’ section at the bottom.

Mexican Riviera

Mexico’s Pacific coastline offers vacationers yet another Riviera to explore. The rich culture of the area is witnessed by the Quebrada cliff divers of Acapulco and the cobbled streets of Puerto Valllarta.

One can enjoy the atmosphere of the Mexican Riviera by day and by night. Dancing to the salsa, or dining and enjoying the areas bold flavors you won’t want to miss a step.

The long sandy beaches of Mazatlin will certainly be drawing you nearer. As will the deep water lagoons and the relaxed, laid back atmosphere of Zihuatanejo.

Can you feel being drawn towards a Mexican Riviera Cruise? See the link to our articles in the ‘Bio’ section at the bottom for more information.

American Riviera

Having a number of nicknames – both good and bad - Miami is also dubbed the American Riviera. Known as the ‘cruise capital of the world’, Miami has a lot to offer cruise vacationers on a post- or pre-cruise visit.

World renowned beaches, fantastic nightlife, a Latin flavor and wonderful and unique culinary experiences bring vacationers from all over the world to this American Riviera. Enjoy in-line skating along the beaches on Ocean Drive. If adventure is on your vacation agenda, visit the near-by Everglades Safari Park, the only subtropical preserve in North America.

Miami is the jumping point for some of the most desirable cruises in the Caribbean – including some of the Mayan Riviera itineraries. (As a matter of note, the Santa Barbara area of California also lays claim to the American Riviera nickname.)

No matter what your picture of a Riviera should be, there is at least one place in the world that will accommodate. And to top it all, many of the world’s top cruise lines offer fantastic cruises to these destinations aboard their magnificent and luxurious cruise ships. Enjoy the opulence and luxury while experiencing the Rivieras of the world!

Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of a1-discount-cruises.com, your #1 source for cruise information, romantic getaways, cruise wear and great deals! Visit A1-Discount-Cruises to access some of the best deals on-line for cruises, cruise wear and romantic getaways. For more information regarding the various riviera cruises see Romantic Getaways Articles. Please feel free to contact us with your comments or questions.