<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:openSearch="http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/" xmlns:blogger="http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr="http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0" version="2.0"><channel><atom:id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438</atom:id><lastBuildDate>Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:09:09 +0000</lastBuildDate><category>Caribbean Vacation</category><category>Cruise Ship</category><category>alaska vacations</category><category>family cruise discounts</category><category>holland america cruise</category><category>Adventure</category><category>Carnival Cruise</category><category>Complete Guide</category><category>Travel Cruise</category><category>US passport</category><category>alaska cruise</category><category>china tour</category><category>cruise planner</category><category>cruise ships</category><category>destinations</category><category>emails</category><category>florida vacations</category><category>fun cruise ships</category><category>internet</category><category>jamaica travel</category><category>kids cruise</category><category>travel insurance</category><category>virgin islands</category><title>fun cruise travel</title><description>Fun Family Travel Tips and Stories Directory</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/</link><managingEditor>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</managingEditor><generator>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>17</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-3547928851315505703</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:14:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-03-03T02:15:45.042-08:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">alaska cruise</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">alaska vacations</category><title>Alaska Cruises Are The Ideal Way To Visit Alaska And Experience The Unique Alaskan Cruise Wonders</title><description>Have you ever wanted to go to Alaska and explore the unique beauty of this state? Try planning your vacation by taking an Alaska Cruise. An Alaskan cruise can take you to the great wonders of this majestic place.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Most of you have not experience the Alaskan cruise experience. This is because when someone talks about cruises, people tend to think about beautiful and exotic beaches of the tropical paradises of the Caribbean. Cruise vacations in Alaska also exist, and anyone can enjoy a relaxing Alaskan cruise with all the amenities and services you would get on a cruise vacation in the Caribbean.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Alaska cruises offer a lot of things to vacationers or tourists different from what you would usually find on a regular cruise in a tropical paradise. If you want something different for your vacation, why not consider taking a vacation cruise in Alaska.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One great feature of Alaska cruises is that most cruises to Alaska give you the chance to experience pleasurable things onboard and also view the incredible glaciers and varied wildlife unique to Alaska. This type of vacation is perfect for the whole family.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Alaska is the 49th state in the U.S. It is known for being cold. There are so many things that someone can enjoy and witness in this state. Most people feel that Alaska is incomparable especially for cruising and discovering. It is the largest state of the United States of America with lands reaching up to 586,000 square miles. Just imagine the many things that you will enjoy on an Alaskan cruise.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are some of the attractions available that will fill you with fun and awe.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;• Wildlife&lt;br /&gt;• Helicopter trip&lt;br /&gt;• Train rides&lt;br /&gt;• Bus trip to Denali State Park&lt;br /&gt;• King Salmon fishing&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Most people would say that it would take two lifetimes to experience all of these things. But on an Alaska Cruise, you will experience them in a week or two.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With the Alaska’s huge wilderness, it will give you the chance to viewing nature from up close or from a distance. For instance, cruisers will have the chance to witness the large eagle population in this part of the world. It will definitely amaze you, whether you’re a nature lover or just a curious person who wants to see these wonderful birds in flight. Alaskan cruises offer a view of huge glaciers and snow capped mountains.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This incomparable trip on an Alaskan Cruise will be a memory that you will cherish. Witness the glacier formations and the remarkable waterfront towns. An Alaskan cruise will certainly invite you to discover and observe Alaska’s unique beauty and magnificence.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One of the best means to view this incredible state is by cruising the Inner Passage. Being on one of Alaska cruise ships is the best and easiest ways to discover the wonders of Alaska in comfort and style.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In addition, on an Alaskan cruise all the basic needs such as the meals, transportation and accommodation have already been handled and cruisers have the choice of selecting any events and activities in which to participate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You will also have the opportunity to go whale watching or have a helicopter ride that lands on a glacier. It all depends on which town you drop by. Another fun excursion is to take a ride on the amazing White Pass Railroad. Or you could experience a jeep trip on different roads and off road trails.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Each town you visit will have their own unique culture and beauty with many historical events. Museums are also available where you can find out all about Alaska’s history and culture.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Visiting Alaska in fall will let you experience the fantastic light display of the Aurora Borealis.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Many people believe that Alaska got all the wonders that the nature can give, from the world’s most popular parks and volcanoes to the mighty glaciers and Fjords.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Because of Alaska’s unique beauty it is expected that Alaska will soon become one of the most famous and favorite cruise vacation destination of every cruiser. Make Alaska a destination that you have visited and enjoyed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What are you waiting for?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Happy Cruising!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size:85%;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(192, 192, 192);&quot;&gt;source:isnare.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2009/03/alaska-cruises-are-ideal-way-to-visit.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>1</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-6615944105187417943</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:10:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-11-17T00:19:50.868-08:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Carnival Cruise</category><title>Carnival Cruise Bargains</title><description>Ahh, cruising! There are a multitude of travel methods, but only &lt;a href=&quot;http://tipspics.com/free-cruise&quot;&gt;cruising offers&lt;/a&gt; you the chance to choose on an almost hourly basis whether to seek excitement or solitude, activity or relaxation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Relaxing on a cruise ship is a wonderful vacation at any age; however, such a getaway comes with a hefty price tag. Especially on higher-end cruise lines, these excursions can be very expensive and extract a toll on your bank account. Fortunately, many &lt;a href=&quot;http://tipspics.com/free-cruise&quot;&gt;Carnival Cruise deals&lt;/a&gt; are available year round, so you can still take advantage of a cruise without spending every nickel you&#39;ve saved.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;First, check out Carnival’s web site to see what deals are available. Often, when departure time is fast approaching, Carnival will offer huge savings to book empty suites on &lt;a href=&quot;http://tipspics.com/free-cruise&quot;&gt;upcoming cruises&lt;/a&gt;. The more available beds they have to offer, the larger the savings may be. The company generally loses money when a ship is not fully used, because many costs are fixed, and therefore will offer significant discounts to avoid that happening. Likewise, a full ship makes passengers feel as though they made a good decision in purchasing tickets -- their fears are assuaged because of the popularity. Besides, no one wants to cruise on an empty ship.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Similarly, empty rooms are also sometimes available on discount web sites. There are several sites that specialize in cruise lines, and you can purchase tickets at moderate to strong savings. Of course, these sites are usually less accommodating than the host cruise line itself, so what you see is what is available. Therefore, you may not be able to customize your list of options as you would if buying from another source. However, you can still get a great deal on a luxury cruise online.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Carnival cruises itself offers various special promotions from time to time. The company may celebrate an anniversary or other significant milestone with a discount package, and there may be discounts available at other times as well. It can&#39;t hurt to check the company’s website periodically to see what is available. Obviously, the more research you do, the less you will pay in the end. It is just a question of balancing the hours you spend at the computer, looking for bargains, versus how you might spend that time in more valuable ways. As with all things in life, striking a balance is key. Don&#39;t let bargain hunting ruin the fun of planning a vacation; instead consider taking fewer, but higher quality vacations.</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/01/carnival-cruise-bargains.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-6350081236955899723</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:36:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-10-20T02:37:58.251-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Caribbean Vacation</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">destinations</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">emails</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">internet</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">jamaica travel</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">virgin islands</category><title>Caribbean Jamaica Travel</title><description>A Caribbean Jamaica travel offers so much more than rum, sun and reggae. When it comes to diversity, few Caribbean islands can come neck to neck with this island country. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Jamaica’s motto is “Out of Many, One People” and this saying can very well apply to the very heart and essence of Jamaica. While good beaches and great food take up much of the day for the typical vacationer, a Caribbean Jamaica travel could also offer a lot of sightseeing, especially in Montego Bay (or just “MoBay” to locals), which is home to a large concentration of great hosues, formerly homes of the wealthy plantation owners whose kingdoms were powered by sugarcane.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So with Jamaica’s great diversity, here are the things you should know before you go on that dream Caribbean Jamaica travel:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Banks/Currency&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Money is not much of a problem when you go on a Caribbean Jamaica travel. There are licensed cambios and bureaux de change in all resort areas. They are easily and readily accessible, so you don’t need to get Jamaican money before you get to the island. And if you’re worried that your resort doesn’t have a money exchange, banks in the area can exchange all currencies. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The official rate of exchange varies daily so if you want a rate that suits you, it’s not a bad idea to shop around first. In addition, many Jamaican ATMs accept international bank cards with Visa, Mastercard, Cirus, and Plus logos. Credit card advances? Banks give that too, as well as change traveler’s checks, and offer other financial services.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Climate&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Like any typical Caribbean island, Jamaica has a tropical climate at sea level and a temperate climate towards the highlands of the interior. One popular Jamaican poem sums it all pretty accurately: “We have neither summer nor winter/Neither autumn nor spring….” &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So when you go on a Caribbean Jamaica travel, bring clothes that are suited for tropical climate. Swim suits are a must if you’re crazy about water sports, but bring a jacket or a light sweater if you included hiking in your Caribbean Jamaica travel itinerary.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Communications&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Being a popular Caribbean destination and all, Jamaica is well connected to the rest of the world. So when you go on a Caribbean Jamaica travel, expect direct international telephone service 24 hours a day. There are also telephone operators who will gladly facilitate collect, third party, or credit card calls, too. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Most hotels, resorts, and parish libraries offer Internet and email access, as well as fax, telegrams, and cables. There are three daily national newspapers and five weekend newspapers, and of course, other international editions of major newspapers and magazines, such as the New York Times, TIME, The Economist, and the London Times.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Driving&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Do you prefer to take a 4WD-drive to your hotel destination? One thing you need to remember while driving on a Caribbean Jamaica travel is that driving in this island country is on the LEFT. Some flexibility is required to avoid collisions with pedestrians, cows, goats, chickens, and other domestic animals, but the roads aren’t too bad. And Jamaica has over 17,000 kilometers of road networks connecting all major towns and cities.</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/10/caribbean-jamaica-travel.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-1324709510349663909</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:37:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-09-25T13:41:12.868-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Caribbean Vacation</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">US passport</category><title>Caribbean Travel Tip</title><description>People have been taking Caribbean travel vacations since the colonial times. Today, millions of U.S. citizens visit the islands each year to experience the tropical extravaganza that a Caribbean travel usually has in store for all its visitors.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Below are some Caribbean travel tips to help you get the most out of your tropical excursion:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Get an early start.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If there’s anything you absolutely must do when you go on a Caribbean vacation that is to start early. There are a lot of things you need to take care of. Trip planning can be a tough nut to crack. Often, a passport may be required before you can enter the country you are planning to travel. One Caribbean travel tip you ought to consider is to prepare all your travel documents as early as now. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Choose an island.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Culture-shock. That is bound to happen if you don’t do your research beforehand. One thing you should remember about the Caribbean is that it has a culture that is as widely diverse as its people. So take this Caribbean travel tip: read up on the culture and people for the places you will travel. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another thing, as you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you are in an area experiencing civil unrest or a natural disaster, or if you are going to a place where communications is poor, register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for your own safety. Registration at the State Department’s TravelRegistration.state.gov website takes only a few minutes, and certainly invaluable in case of emergency. In addition, you can also get up to date Caribbean travel tips and information on any country in the world by obtaining the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Entry.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Every island in the Caribbean has its own entry requirements. That is why your first Caribbean travel tip is to prepare all your documents before you leave home. If you can show proof that you are a U.S. citizen and a return or onward ticket, most countries will allow you to visit for up to two or three months.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Take this as both a Caribbean travel tip and caution: There are countries in the Caribbean with areas infected with yellow fever. If you come from any of these areas, you may be required to have a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Also, some airports may require departure tax of up to $25.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Return.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There are some Caribbean countries that require only your birth certificate as an entry requirement. However, this should be reason for you to slack off on your travel documents. Remember that U.S. Immigration requires that you document both your U.S. citizenship and identity. Take this Caribbean travel tip and make sure you can return to the United States with both these documents.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But what is the best document that can prove your U.S. citizenship? The best proof is a valid U.S. passport. However, other travelers give these Caribbean travel tips as documents you can use besides that to prove U.S. citizenship:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;• Expired U.S. passport&lt;br /&gt;• Certified copy of birth certificate&lt;br /&gt;• Certificate of Naturalization&lt;br /&gt;• Certificate of Citizenship&lt;br /&gt;• Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/09/caribbean-travel-tip.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>2</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-5385349068590891558</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:29:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-08-19T23:30:07.054-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Caribbean Vacation</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Travel Cruise</category><title>Caribbean Vacation Travel Cruise</title><description>A Caribbean travel vacation cruise has much to offer to sophisticated travelers who recognize the great value in traveling to the islands. If you want a vacation that is rich with culture galore, quaint architecture, seas to explore, fantastic swimming and snorkeling, then the Caribbean has it and more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here, you will find some great Caribbean vacation travel cruise offers that are guaranteed to give you the best value in cruise traveling.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A Seven-Night Dream&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Dreams become reality when you find yourself floating through warm, welcoming waters of the Caribbean on one of several Caribbean vacation travel cruise ships. Enjoy the sun, sand, and surf of a picture-perfect island during brief land excursions in any one of your ports of call and spend the day indulging in duty-free shopping, diving in clear blue waters, or exploring Mayan ruins.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With the coming of the cold months, the Royal Caribbean, one of the leading cruise lines on the islands, is offering many fantastic Caribbean vacation travel cruise offers to its visitors who opt to book early. One of these is the seven-night dream Caribbean vacation travel beginning at $478 per person, the cruise and featuring fabulous inside cabins where you can get excellent views of the dazzling ocean. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Mariner of the Seas, which departs from Port Canaveral, Florida and takes you to four different ports of call where you can go on brief land excursions - Labadee, Hispaniola; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico – before you cruise back to Port Canaveral in Florida. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Voyager of the Seas lets you start your Caribbean vacation travel cruise fun in Miami, Florida, and making brief stops in Hispaniola, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Mexico. The ship offers you four kinds of room accommodations, ranging from $549 to $2,049.00. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Other midsize ships mean a more spacious and comfortable Caribbean vacation travel cruise, with all the service and amenities you’d expect, but no waiting in long lines for meals or port of calls. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Three-Night Enchantment or Four-Night Excitement&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Few places on earth are more conducive to relaxation than the islands of the Caribbean. Perhaps, it’s the light, tropical breezes that gently soothe the soul. Or the warm waters and warm receptions tat await you on every shore. One thing is certain: aboard a Celebrity Caribbean vacation travel cruise, a Caribbean vacation offers something for everyone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But if you want your Caribbean vacation travel cruise to be brief but enchanting, the Caribbean vacation travel cruise offers several short cruises for your pleasure. You’ll find short Caribbean vacation travel cruises, just three nights long, out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, for as little as $289 per person. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Or consider a bit longer, western Caribbean vacation travel cruise, four nights starting at $349, on the Enchantment of the Seas. Take a four-night Western Caribbean vacation travel cruise aboard the Century for only $330, starting from Miami, Florida. The cruise provides you with all the amenities you could ever wish from, from shipboard accommodations to ocean transportation, meals, beverages, and entertainment aboard the vessel.</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/08/caribbean-vacation-travel-cruise.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-3440537536569119284</guid><pubDate>Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:23:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-08-10T01:29:44.072-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Complete Guide</category><title>Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships</title><description>Lending libraries catering to travelers in general and the elderly who appreciate cruises in particular won&#39;t want to miss Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising &amp;amp; Cruise Ships 2008, a survey packed with independent reviews of cruise companies based on personal experience, not advertising or hearsay. Chapters do more than offer reviews of nearly three hundred cruise ships: they discuss what to look for in a ship and crew, how to compare the major lines for pros and cons, and where to find the best among different types of cruises. Simply packed with essential &#39;know before you go&#39; detail.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;reviews by Midwest Book Review&lt;a href=&quot;http://amazon.com/gp/product/9812682406/?tag=creativewri09-20&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;width: 227px; height: 211px;&quot; src=&quot;http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51av1fIf0cL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Cruise Ships&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/08/complete-guide-to-cruising-and-cruise.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-2885518075012901767</guid><pubDate>Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:57:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-08-01T23:05:46.806-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">cruise planner</category><title>Plan Your Cruise for Convenience and Fun</title><description>&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;&lt;a onblur=&quot;try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}&quot; href=&quot;http://www.africansafariclub.com/images/slides/cruise/z29.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 142px;&quot; src=&quot;http://www.africansafariclub.com/images/slides/cruise/z29.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;In order to ensure that you have fun and relax on your cruise, it is essential that you plan your cruise meticulously. You go on a cruise to have fun on water. The cool sea breeze and the spectacular view of the vast expanse of water in front of you can really intoxicate you with pleasure. Since you spend so much on a cruise, you should ensure that you enjoy every minute of it. Planning is the first thing you should focus on if you are going on a cruise.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;Pick the Best Cruise Liner&lt;br /&gt;The first step in planning a cruise is to choose the best cruise line and the destination. Study the offerings of the various cruise lines and base your decision on what you really want from the cruise. It is also important to decide the duration of your cruise.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You can choose from any of the world famous cruises such as the panama cruise, Mediterranean cruise, carnival cruise, Caribbean cruise, Europe cruise, Alaska cruise, and Norwegian cruise.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Check with People Who Have Gone On Cruise&lt;br /&gt;Check out with other people who have experience in such cruises and then decide on the cruise line. You should also check the facilities being offered by them and whether these are in consonance with your aspirations. The next step is to check if the cruise that you select operates to the destination that you want to visit.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Booking the Cruise&lt;br /&gt;Having selected the cruise line and the cruise, you should make the booking for the cruise either through a travel agent, or through online sources. You should also select the type of room that you would like to have and book the same with the cruise booking. If you want to avail of shore excursions or other off-ship activities you should also book these early.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A good planning will really stand you in good stead and you can have all the fun in the world on your cruise. A good planning will ensure that you come rejuvenated from the cruise and ready to face the realities of life once again.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Barney Garcia&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/08/plan-your-cruise-for-convenience-and.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-3876802952056578304</guid><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:19:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-07-23T03:25:30.199-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">china tour</category><title>Go Oriental - Travel To China</title><description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;cap&quot;&gt;&lt;a onblur=&quot;try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}&quot; href=&quot;http://www.beijingholidays.net/cyber_manage/images/upfile/20062151652378694.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;&quot; src=&quot;http://www.beijingholidays.net/cyber_manage/images/upfile/20062151652378694.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;People touring all the important countries of the world; prioritize their travel to China. People’s Republic of China is the world’s most populated country, touching the 1.3 billion mark. With such a huge population and the large area, it is bound to be diverse and hence makes for a hot tourist destination..&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Natural And Man-Made Wonders&lt;br /&gt;China is a beautiful blend of natural beauty and man-made architecture. Nature here is bountiful with magnificent mountains of Guangxi Zhuang, deserts like Xinjiang and rivers as Yangtze. Man has erected splendid structures like ‘The Great Wall of China,’ beautiful bridges, structurally planned buildings and other monuments. This makes it one of the worlds most sought after tourist spot and the reason for people to travel to China.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Getting and Staying There&lt;br /&gt;While planning to visit China, it would be wise, if you take a tour package for travel to China. However, be sure to do some research of your own, so that you can choose a suitable tour. While in China, you can go around by road, train or even by air. Accommodation is available to suit all budget and taste.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Places to Visit&lt;br /&gt;Beijing, the capital of China is a must-see during your travel to China. Cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou are extremely beautiful. The most popular destinations in China are: The Great Wall of China, which is one of the seven wonders of the world; Tiananmen Square; the Forbidden City of China, the famous temples of Shibaozhai and Yangtze River, which is a very astounding natural marvel. Boat cruise on River Yangtze is breathtakingly beautiful as it takes you through various exquisite Chinese cities and places of historical importance.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;People of China&lt;br /&gt;People of China are very gentle, hardworking and thoughtful. Their main religion is Buddhism and Taoism. Most people speak Chinese and local people do not understand English very well. This can cause a little problem for the tourists. Other languages spoken here are Korean, Tibetan, and Mongolian etc.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;China is rich in culture and has vast areas to explore. Your world-tour will never be complete, if you do not visit this oriental country.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Barney Garcia&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/go-oriental-travel-to-china.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-7033348956042799294</guid><pubDate>Sun, 04 May 2008 12:38:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-05-04T06:12:32.062-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Cruise Ship</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">fun cruise ships</category><title>Cruise Ships - Then And Now</title><description>When you think of taking a trip to another country, there is no doubt you immediately consider airline ticket prices. But, that was not always the most popular mode of travel. Before there were 747 jetliners to ferry people across oceans, the way to travel was by cruise ship. But when it came to the masses, they were not necessarily the luxury vessels we are used to seeing today.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;script type=&quot;text/javascript&quot;&gt;&lt;!--&lt;br /&gt;google_ad_client = &quot;pub-8881778946004647&quot;;&lt;br /&gt;/* 336x280, created 5/3/08 */&lt;br /&gt;google_ad_slot = &quot;5402095284&quot;;&lt;br /&gt;google_ad_width = 336;&lt;br /&gt;google_ad_height = 280;&lt;br /&gt;//--&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;script type=&quot;text/javascript&quot;&lt;br /&gt;src=&quot;http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Everyone has seen the blockbuster movie, Titanic. It tells a story about a couple that fell in love on the fateful ship before her sinking. While it may just be a story of fiction, it also gave you a little glimpse into what it was really like to be aboard this method of transportation years ago. As you saw in the movie, not everyone was treated equally aboard the cruise ship. There were the very elite customers who were served everything on a silver platter, but on the lower decks were those who were just hoping to get from one place to another and were forced to scrape by in an area where they were packed as tightly as a can of sardines. If you wanted to enjoy your trip, you had to be filthy rich.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Back in those days, there were not quite as many cruise liners as there are today. Those that were in existence were names that everyone knew. Some of the names you may recognize are the Lusitania and the Queen Mary.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For a while, the popularity of luxury cruise travel waned, but it had resurgence in the 1970’s. It was all thanks to a television show, The Love Boat. The staff on the television sitcom showed how great of a time passengers were having. They showed passengers relaxing, playing a number of fun games, meeting new friends over great meals, and getting to see new places. People started booking holiday cruises again hoping to cash in on some of the excitement. And for the most part the cruise lines delivered. They offered people a chance to stand on the deck and watch as they headed to new worlds, unexplored to them. In one trip they would allow those on board to see a lot of places they had never been before, and give them a great setting to talk about it at the end of the day. Some cruises didn’t even have an end destination, they merely were ‘cruises to nowhere’, a chance to experience cruise ship life for a few days. The trend never really died and has been popular ever since.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What is involved in a cruise has changed from the early years. While you can still take a transatlantic cruise, that is not the most popular choice. There are now a number of 3, 4, 7, and 10 days cruises to a variety of destinations. The accommodations are no longer just lush or poor, but instead a number of different cabin choices at a wide array of prices. Because of the variety, anyone today can enjoy a cruise, no matter what his or her budget.</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/05/cruise-ships-then-and-now.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-6222435548453150290</guid><pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:49:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-04-24T16:50:13.392-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">travel insurance</category><title>Travel Insurance? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Travel Insurance! (do We?)</title><description>Should you have travel insurance? An interesting question. But if you question the need for travel insurance, perhaps you are the same person who questions the need for any kind of insurance. Most people have auto insurance, health insurance, homeowners’ insurance or renters’ insurance, and maybe even life insurance or disability insurance – so I ask you: Why not have travel insurance?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Insurance is for “What if’s”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Insurance is protection for that unwanted and unexpected challenge. Your auto insurance protects you from shelling out $2,000 for that unexpected fender bender that wasn’t even your fault. Travel insurance does likewise. Have you ever had luggage “misplaced” by an airline and been left with no clothes to wear on your trip? Have you ever had to cancel a trip that was fully paid due to some unforeseen incident that arose before you even had an opportunity to leave? Or have you had to cut short that cruise because of something that happened at home? Ever gotten sick on vacation?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;These are all travel problems that can be covered by travel insurance. One company I reviewed will reimburse your trip cost for covered (always read the small print) cancellation, and 125% of the cost due to an interruption of the trip. They will also pay $500 for your accommodations if you missed your connecting flight and can’t get another until “tomorrow morning, at the earliest.” Ever slept in an airport on behalf of your Atlanta-based flight crew, who were very happy to serve you, but couldn’t manage to get the airplane to your connecting airport by the time they said they would? A $500 hotel room might not get you to your destination, but it sure could be a sweet wait. Can you say “honor bar?”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here’s another swell deal: your travel insurance could pay you $1,000 for lost luggage, or $200 for delayed luggage. That’s some pricey underwear and deodorant, but I’m not arguing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Travel insurance can also be purchased to cover emergency medical treatment or “medical evacuation and repatriation.” Or, if you prefer, you could just click your heels together three times and say, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place…”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yeah, but how much is it going to cost me?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The cost of travel insurance is based on the number of people traveling and the value of the trip. Time away can also be a factor if you will be gone for more than a month. For example, a family of four taking a trip valued at about $3,000 could expect to pay in the neighborhood of $250 for all of the coverage mentioned above. Is it worth it? On the website of one travel company it stated, “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Can I ask my uncle?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sure. Uncle Sam says medical evacuation from a foreign country can cost $10,000 and up. And in his inimitable way, he warns that Social Security Medicare does not provide coverage for hospital or medical coverage outside of the US. If you have a private insurer, you might want to check on what out-of-country coverage you have if your trip will take you outside of the good ol’ USA.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;OK, OK, you’ve convinced me. Any last bits of advice before I leave for Katmandu?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am so glad you asked. Here’s a little extra for you - at no additional charge:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Take all your travel insurance documentation with you – DON’T put it in your luggage!&lt;br /&gt;2. Put all of your policy numbers on a separate piece of paper in a separate location from the actual policies in case of loss or damage to your policies.&lt;br /&gt;3. Leave a copy of your policy(s) at home with next of kin, or whomever knows your whereabouts.&lt;br /&gt;4. To expedite service in case of an accident, fill in all of your vital statistics on the information page of your passport (name, address, phone number, etc.), or carry it on a card that you keep in your wallet or stuffed into the sleeve of that tag that says Hello My Name Is_____.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In a coconut shell…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Travel insurance can help you with:&lt;br /&gt;· Reimbursement of your travel investment due to cancellation or early termination&lt;br /&gt;· Reimbursement of unexpected travel expenses (delays, loss of luggage)&lt;br /&gt;· Covering emergency medical assistance and medical referrals&lt;br /&gt;· Obtaining medical assistance abroad&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bon Voyage!</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/04/travel-insurance-we-dont-need-no.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-1828213016940916432</guid><pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:40:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-01-24T17:41:37.758-08:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Adventure</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Cruise Ship</category><title>Your Adventure Awaits On A Cruise Ship</title><description>When most of us think of the words cruise ship, we envision the Love Boat or the Titanic. Well, not all the time, but often that&#39;s the first thing that comes to mind. Actually, a cruise ship doesn&#39;t have to be that big, and many countries have their own cruise ship lines. A cruise ship is also called a luxury ship, but that doesn&#39;t mean that only rich people can sail on her. You may not find Gopher or Doc on board, but a cruise ship offers a unique way to travel at a slower pace so that you get to know your fellow passengers and are able to intermingle at various venues provided by cruise ship activity and entertainment directors. Airline or train travel doesn&#39;t allow for such pleasures, nor does driving. For anyone who hasn&#39;t been on a cruise ship, adventure awaits!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A cruise ship is also called a passenger ship and is used for those seeking a pleasure voyage to various destinations around the world, from Tahiti to Rio, to the Canary Islands and Hong Kong. Today, a cruise ship line offers the best in travel comforts and perks. With a cruise ship, the entertainment on board is as important as the ultimate destination, and most cruise ship lines will make sure to schedule exciting events that will entertain various age groups.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The very first cruise ship built expressly for the purpose of transporting vacationers from Point A to Point B was called the Prinzessin Victoria Luise. She was built in 1900. So began the age of transatlantic transportation that hit a rough spot after the sinking of the Titanic. Following that accident, Albert Ballin, the manager of Hamburg-America Line, made it a point to send his cruise ship captains across the North Atlantic is the worst winter weather to prove that the ill-fated sinking of the queen of all liners was not the norm, but rather an isolated incident. He succeeded, and other shipping lines followed his example.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A cruise ship is equipped to withstand bad weather and is capable of sailing great distances to exotic ports of call or down your country&#39;s coastline. One of the most popular cruise ship destinations for world travelers is the Alaskan cruise, which offers delighted passengers sights and sounds that can&#39;t be seen anywhere else.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There are many different kinds of cruise ship, and some are large, which others are only moderately so. Most come with affordable small to medium sized cabins, and a cruise ticket will generally include all the food and entertainment on board as well as tickets to events or locations listed on the ships port of call sightseeing lists. A cruise ship offers hotel style living, fine dining and even theatrical entertainment all in one place. Some cruise lines offer a cruise ship geared more toward the younger crowd, like Disney, while others offer nothing but exquisite elegance. Which cruise ship you choose will not only depend on your tastes, but your pocket book as well.</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2008/01/your-adventure-awaits-on-cruise-ship.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-3269708920180458126</guid><pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:45:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2007-08-09T16:48:58.758-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">cruise ships</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">holland america cruise</category><title>Elegant Holland America Cruise</title><description>&lt;a onblur=&quot;try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}&quot; href=&quot;http://images.forbestraveler.com/media/photos/inspirations/2006/11/06111301_01_g.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;&quot; src=&quot;http://images.forbestraveler.com/media/photos/inspirations/2006/11/06111301_01_g.jpg&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Holland America Cruise has since the eighteenth century been the most trusted and loyal liner of America. The liner, which is most sincere to its slogan –“it’s good to be on a well run ship” is no doubt the Holland America Cruise. The homely service of the friendly crew is a sure reason for the passengers to prefer sailing in this cruise. In addition to this, the superbly done interiors no doubt make it a luxury liner. This liner is undoubtedly the Undisputable Queen of the Seven Seas since the last two centuries.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Holland America Cruise started out as a shipping and passenger line and in due course of time has ferried almost 10 million passengers in it’s over 130 years of existence. Every traveler is sure to find a tour option to his specification to any part of the globe through this liner. Holland America Cruise has a fleet of 12 luxury ships sailing to all the continents across more than 280 ports. The ships encompass huge staterooms, private verandahs with fresh flowers and unique art collections. A stroll along the broad deck with the refreshing ocean air and wide expanse of exotic views is most tempting aboard this cruise.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Holland America Cruise’s ‘Half Moon Cay’ won the Editor-in-Chief award for “Best Private Island” in the year 2003 from Porthole Cruise Magazine. In the year 2002 it was rated as the highest-rated premium cruise line in the “World’s Best” award from Travel &amp; Leisure Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Holland America Cruise offers sailings to various destinations like Alaska Cruise, Caribbean Cruises, Europe &amp; Mediterranean, Hawaii Cruises, Mexico Cruises, New England Cruises and Panama Canal Cruises across South America. This cruise offers the best value for your money with dinner and nights at five-star resorts. Here&#39;s a few reasons to choose Holland America :-&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Holland America Cruise has been voted as the “best overall cruise value” by the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society for the seventh year in row.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. The ships are nothing less than floating resorts in themselves with amazing entertainment facilities, exquisite dining and innumerable other activities. Spacious ships with royal ambience are the trademark of Holland America Cruise.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. “Tipping not required” policy personifies the exemplary service and attention of the crew on board and the passengers are relaxed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. World famous master chefs dish out exciting cuisines to satiate everybody’s palette.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. It is always possible to either take part in varied activities aboard the Holland America Cruise or spend solitary moments in nature’s bounty.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;6. World over scenic cruising spanning Alaska, Canada, South America, Panama Canal, and Hawaii as other European locales is the fine point of Holland America Cruise.</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2007/08/elegant-holland-america-cruise.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-4772019884722521326</guid><pubDate>Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:22:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2007-08-02T03:25:15.209-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">florida vacations</category><title></title><description>&lt;a onblur=&quot;try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}&quot; href=&quot;http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A2RMD6/103-0831663-6388668?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=creativewri09-20&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creativeASIN=B000A2RMD6&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;&quot; src=&quot;http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NPVZSJATL.jpg&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2007/08/blog-post.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-7919426041268006708</guid><pubDate>Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:33:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2007-07-28T13:34:30.252-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">alaska vacations</category><title>Thinking Of Traveling To Alaska?</title><description>Today Norm Goldman, Editor of www.Sketchandtravel.com and www.Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as a guest, writer and travel book author, Nancy Thalia Reynolds. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy’s principal area of expertise is Alaska, British Colombia, and the Yukon Territory. Nancy is co-author of Going Places Family Getaways In The Pacific Northwest.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Good Day Nancy and thank you for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please tell our readers something about yourself, your educational background, and the books you have written and are now in the process of writing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I’m a 5th generation Pacific Northwesterner. My father had a profound wanderlust and an enthusiasm for discovering new people and places that rubbed off on me. A university professor, he held jobs around the U.S. and Brazil. I lived in California, Brazil, Washington and Oregon before moving to New York at age 17 to attend Sarah Lawrence College. My upbringing allowed me to feel at home in widely different milieus and engendered deep curiosity about other lands, and I’ve had a passion for travel since childhood. Although I did cherish dreams of writing a great novel as a kid, the passion for travel writing came later.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After college, I moved to Canada and worked a few years before attending York University Law School. On graduating, I worked at public interest law firms first in Toronto, then Vancouver where I wrote and edited legal self-help materials before moving to the US to marry. At that time I made a strategic decision to abandon law and become a full-time writer. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My first venture into authoring a book was when I wrote Adopting Your Child was published in 1993.&lt;br /&gt;This opened the doors for me.&lt;br /&gt;I contributed the British Columbia section to the fourth edition of Going Places: Family Getaways in the Pacific Northwest, published in 2000, and went on to write Going Places: Alaska and the Yukon for Families, which comes out in April 2005. Both titles are available from Sasquatch Books.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I just completed a new Alaska travel book, Activity Guide to the Inside Passage: Whether You Have Four Hours or Four Days. Sasquatch will publish it in January 2006. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Where is the Yukon Territory and Alaska, and how easy is it to travel from the United States, Canada or Europe to these areas?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yukon Territory is bordered to the south by British Columbia, to the east by the Northwest Territories, to the north by the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic and to the west by the state of Alaska. Most of Alaska sits to the left of Canada, but the gorgeous Alaska panhandle, a narrow coastal strip with widely separated communities, many on islands, runs several hundred miles south, bordered to the east by BC. At the top of the panhandle, the towns of Skagway and Haines offer road access to the rest of Alaska, the US and Canada. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The easiest way to get here is by air. International air carriers serve Vancouver and Anchorage. National carriers serve these destinations and Whitehorse (the Yukon capital). Alaska Airlines serves major Alaska cities and many smaller communities. Air Canada and its partners serve BC and the Yukon. Throughout the region, huge distances make plane travel essential. Smaller airline, charter and air taxi service is widely available across the north. From Seattle, a non-stop flight to Anchorage takes 3.25 hours. From Vancouver, a non-stop flight to Whitehorse takes 2.5 hours.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Highways run north through BC and Alberta, connecting to the Alaska Highway, which starts officially at Dawson Creek, BC, and runs through the Yukon into central Alaska. It is 817 miles from Seattle to mile zero of the Alaska Highway; and 548 miles from Calgary.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Alaska Highway itself is 1,390 miles long, ending at Delta Junction, Alaska. Another 98 miles brings you to Fairbanks. The road is paved all the way, and services are rarely more than 100 miles apart--usually closer.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Once in the Yukon, motorists can drive to Dawson City, ground zero of the Klondike Gold Rush, and over the Top of the World highway to Alaska. The Dempster Highway leads north from Dawson to Inuvik, through the Northwest Territories. It’s not paved but in good summer weather can be driven comfortably.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In Alaska one can drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park, home of the continent’s highest mountain, spectacular Mount McKinley, in eight hours on good paved highway. Four more hours brings you to Fairbanks, with road access to the Yukon and points north. Many northern highways offer good driving conditions, breathtaking mountain and ocean views, and very little traffic apart from the occasional moose or bear ambling across the roadway.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Would you consider Alaska and the Yukon Territory a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The answer is a resounding yes--for the right couple. This region contains the world’s largest protected wilderness, spanning Alaska, British Columbia, and Yukon Territory and designated a UN World Heritage site. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The scenery is magnificent, access to wildlife unequalled, and despite its ever-increasing popularity as a tourist destination, has many all-but-undiscovered destinations to explore. Native cultures, largely eclipsed down south, are major players in the north, and are glad to share their world with visitors. However, if your idea of a holiday or honeymoon is lying on a tropical beach, you’ll want to look elsewhere. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Let’s look at weddings first.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Getting your wedding party up north can be a challenge, although it could also be a magnificent experience. Alaska has several five-star hotels in the Anchorage area; otherwise most choices can be characterized as comfortable but rustic. A large wedding party and guests--more than 100 people--could be accommodated in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks or Whitehorse. The Captain Cook, in Anchorage, or the nearby Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, would be top choices. Smaller wedding parties can be comfortably accommodated in many places.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For honeymoons and romantic getaways, options are endless. Cities offer the usual urban amenities; but to experience the unique attractions of Alaska and the Yukon, try:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· An out-of-the-way spot like the Boardwalk Lodge on Prince of Wales Island, a great choice for fishing enthusiasts. In recent years, visitors have clamoured for a look at the world’s largest brown bears (AKA grizzlies). &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· An August trip to Katmai National Park &amp; Preserve, with a stay at the Brooks Lodge, a short walk from brown bears fishing for salmon, is unforgettable.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· The lovely Windsong Lodge near Seward on the Kenai Peninsula makes a great home base from which to explore Kenai Fjords National Park where you can get up close to beautiful Exit Glacier, hike some of Alaska’s loveliest trails, and kayak among glacier-carved fjords. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· The Yukon, especially Dawson City and Whitehorse, come to life in summer. A trip at the start or end of the season is recommended. Even in August, fall colours are rampant and yet temperatures can rise above 25C/77F. Take a day trip up the Yukon River to Eagle, Alaska.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You mentioned to me that you have traveled to the north by just about every means available: plane, cruise ship, sailboat, motoring. Which one did you prefer and why?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I enjoyed all of them. Driving is great because it allows the most access to the region. If you have the luxury of time, the options are infinite! For visiting southeast Alaska, travel by water is my top choice. The variety of options grows every year. At the high end are small luxury cruise lines, or you can book a sailboat, complete with captain and crew, for your party and go exploring. For most visitors, especially those unfamiliar with the region, large cruise-ship travel is often the most comfortable choice. To experience Alaska as Alaskans do, I suggest taking the Alaska ferry up the Inside Passage; it combines the most access at the least cost in time and money. And to simply get north fast and start exploring, nothing beats flying. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When is the best time to visit Alaska and the Yukon Territory from the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada and Europe?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The most affordable time to visit is the so-called “shoulder season.” Up north, that’s May and September. Attractions are open and flights are available, but crowds are thinner. Mosquitoes, which can be a trial throughout the north, are scarce in those months, yet days are still long. Thrifty-minded visitors can find cheaper flights and often bargain for lower hotel rates at this time. Cruise fares tend to be lower as well. For a winter trip, avoid Christmas holidays and school midwinter breaks to obtain the best rates. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How safe is it to travel to Alaska and the Yukon Territory?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Quite safe. The crime rate is low and human-generated risks are few. However, if you plan to get into the wilderness, you’ll need to be prepared, inform yourself and take sensible precautions. Read up on the terrain and the wildlife. Learn how to handle bear and moose encounters. If you’re visiting in January, you’ll need cold-weather clothing suitable for average low temperatures of -22C/-9F. It’s not unheard of for temperatures to reach -40C/-40F. On the other hand, it comes as a nice surprise to many summer visitors to the Alaska and Yukon interior that summer temperatures can soar to 27C/81F or even higher. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Could you give our readers an idea of the costs involved if travel originates from the USA or Canada?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Given the wide variety of travel options, it’s hard to be precise. If you can be flexible, you can often find a return flight from Seattle to Anchorage for around $250. Although it’s closer, flying to Juneau will cost more, from $50-100 usually--US dollars of course. From Vancouver to Whitehorse, return; expect to pay at least $200, Canadian.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Drivers will find gasoline prices moderate in Canada and low to moderate in Alaska, thanks to the oil pipeline. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Restaurant prices run higher everywhere; budget about 20% more than you’d need in urban Canada or the U.S. Motel and hotel costs are similar to those down south; don’t be afraid to bargain during the off or shoulder season. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Cruise fares are complex and bewildering, but if you’re prepared to do the homework and cost comparison required, you can obtain remarkable deals. It’s possible to snag an inside stateroom for a seven-day cruise between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska, for under $700 per person. This includes stateroom and meals, but no alcohol or shore excursions. Still, it’s a deal that’s hard to beat. For a romantic getaway, consider traveling in the early shoulder season and apply the savings to upgrading to an outside stateroom with a veranda. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you had to choose 6 unequalled venues in Alaska and the Yukon Territory for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, which would you choose and why?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I noticed that you had mentioned to me there is some great hot springs just south of the Yukon border on the Alaska Highway and in central Alaska. Perhaps, you would like to elaborate as how this venue qualifies as a unique romantic destination?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Only 6? That’s not easy; I’ll have to commune with my inner travel agent! OK, here goes. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For more information, my book Going Places: Alaska and the Yukon for Families explores each of these destinations in greater detail. Government Web sites are another good resource.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Glacier Bay National Park &amp; Preserve, Alaska &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It’s accessible (Alaska Airlines offers service to Gustavus, just outside the park) and offers a taste of just about everything the north has to offer. Although Gustavus has excellent B&amp;Bs, for honeymooners I recommend staying at Glacier Bay Lodge, the only accommodation inside the park, which offers rustic comfort (get a room with a view of Bartlett Cove), fine dining, and activities like kayaking, fishing, biking, guided boat tours of Glacier Bay, and free guided hikes with park rangers. Go flightseeing high above the bay to get a look at the enormous icefields that generate the glaciers. If time allows, extend your trip to Juneau (a gorgeous, 3-hour ferry trip south) to visit Mendenhall Glacier, tour superb museums, shop for Tlingit art and take a boat tour to Tracy Arm-Ford’s Terror Wilderness. The lodge is open and tours are offered between late May and early September.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Haines Junction, YT &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Come again? You may never have heard of it, but this tiny town perched at the edge of Canada’s spectacular Kluane National Park has a lot to offer--location, location, location, as they say in real estate. It’s highway-accessible from Skagway (4.5 hours), Haines (3 hours) and Whitehorse (1.5 hours). The national park’s main visitor centre is in town along with a superb small European-style inn--the Raven--with 12 spacious rooms and one of Canada’s top restaurants. Also in town are several decent motels and an excellent bakery and cafe. From here, you can access excellent hiking trails for all levels of fitness, and explore the largest protected wilderness in the world. You will need a vehicle. If you don’t have one with you, rentals are available in Haines, Skagway and Whitehorse. Or book a stay with one of the area’s full-service resorts and let them take you exploring. NOTE TO CANADIANS: For reasons no one seems able to explain, Canadians are not permitted to bring a vehicle into Canada, which they have rented in the US. Luckily, Whitehorse has many rental outlets.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Homer, Alaska&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On the southwest of the Kenai Peninsula, Homer is the better part of a day’s drive from Anchorage. It’s tiny (about 4,000 residents) but with city-sized amenities--such as one of Alaska’s best bookstores, a first-rate museum, and exceptional arts and crafts galleries. Homer Spit, which extends 4.4 miles into scenic Kachemak Bay, is studded with cafes and shops. At the far end, with Homer’s best view, is Land’s End Resort, a great destination for honeymooners. Book a suite or rent a luxurious condo. The restaurant is first rate. Soak in the hot tub at the water’s edge and watch the sea otters float by.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Denali National Park &amp; Preserve, Alaska&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;First the bad news: Unless you are lucky enough to win the road lottery that allows you to drive deep into the park in mid September, you will have plenty of crowds to contend with. The good news is that it’s worth it. Not only is this closest you can easily get to Mount McKinley, wildlife viewing and spectacular scenery are among the best in Alaska, and accommodation choices are superb and varied. At the park entrance you can find many choices at all price ranges, some with views to die for. To get away from the crowds and closer to the natural world of Denali, consider a stay deep inside the park at the beautiful, rustic Kantishna Roadhouse or Denali Backcountry Lodge.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, Alaska&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This Japanese-owned hotel offers sheer, unabashed luxury. Plus it’s 40 miles from Anchorage and a day trip from Portage Glacier and the Kenai Peninsula. In winter come for skiing, tubing and snowboarding; in summer, for golf, hiking and wildlife. Any time of year, enjoy the first-class amenities that include a superb health club and pool and a tram up to a mountaintop restaurant This is a popular spot for weddings, well equipped to handle even lavish affairs. The high season here is winter; summer stays can be quite moderately priced. For a cheaper romantic getaway, &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Muncho Lake, BC&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;OK, it’s not in the Yukon, but so close! This gorgeous turquoise lake lies in the northern Rocky Mountains--a little-known but enchanted region where caribou and stone sheep wander the highways, fishing is excellent, and crowds are nonexistent. The Northern Rockies Lodge offers fine accommodation and European dining and arrange fishing and other excursions. Hiking and fishing are great here, but the number-one romantic attraction is nearby Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park, 34 miles up the Alaska Highway. A boardwalk trail leads from the park’s parking lot to two large hot springs pools. TIP: A short walk from the first, most popular pool is the second hotter and deeper pool that’s more secluded and less visited, a great destination on a drizzly day. Stopping at the springs is a tradition for just about everyone who drives the Alaska Highway. If you don’t want to bother with a vehicle, the lodge (it’s owned by bush pilots) will fly you here from the US or Canada. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You have also mentioned to me that Asian tourists in recent years have been flocking north in winter on aurora-viewing packages. Could you elaborate as to what these entail and what can someone expect to see?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;These are great fun and growing in popularity every year. For some years, Chena Hot Springs Resort, a rustic but delightful spot a few hours drive from Fairbanks, Alaska, has been offering such packages. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The resort has always been a favorite getaway for Alaskans for winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The resort has several indoor hot pools, but the favourite is its hot-springs lake outdoors. Bask in the warm waters, surrounded by snow and subzero temperatures, while you gaze up at the aurora overhead.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Winter packages include rides on a “snow catch” to view the aurora. The “aurorarium,” nicely heated, offers a comfortable vantage point to watch the light show. Yukon and Alaska tour companies now offer aurora-viewing tour packages, usually three or four nights.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Norm:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In recent years cruises to Alaska have become very popular. Could you tell our readers why and do you have any preferences as to which cruise to take?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· The answer is simple. Some of Alaska’s most spectacular attractions are to be found along the Inside Passage. Yet, because they are separated by water and most are inaccessible by road, the only way to reach them is by plane or boat. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Another reason: cruise travel is a remarkably flexible way to plan a vacation. No matter your age or fitness level--honeymoon couples, large wedding or family-reunion parties, toddlers, college students, and retirees--anyone can enjoy a cruise. There is onboard entertainment (usually casino gambling, art auctions, Vegas-style shows, and gala dining), programs for kids, shore excursions to sample the principal attractions of major ports of call and whales, bald eagles and other wildlife to view, all from the comfort of the ship. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Cruises permit access to a beautiful but remote and rugged part of the world in sheer luxury. Visiting Alaska, I often encounter visitors who are making their third or fourth trip, but whose first was by cruise ship. Considering the bargains available, it’s also one of the most cost-effective ways to visit the north.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· For those unfamiliar with Alaska, I recommend taking a one-way cruise from Vancouver, BC, that includes a visit to lovely Sitka (round trip cruises rarely stop at Sitka). Finishing at Skagway, Whittier, or Seward, visitors can make their way to Anchorage for a couple of days and even tack on a short 2-3 day train trip to Denali before flying out of Anchorage back to Vancouver or the point of origin. TIP: check out one-way airfares offered by the cruise lines. They are often cheaper than anything you can arrange on your own.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Amenities among the biggest cruise lines tend to be similar. For a romantic getaway on a major line, I like Royal Caribbean, Radisson or Silver Sea. If you can do without a pool and gambling, try one of the smaller lines like Cruise West or, Lindblad (if your wallet can handle the strain). &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;NORM:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How far in advance should a couple prepare themselves for their honeymoon, romantic getaway or wedding in Alaska and the Yukon Territory?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· We’re trending out of my area of expertise here, but let’s take a wedding first. If you need lodging for 20 or 30 people, you’ll find a wide range of options, many of which can be booked with no more than 6 month to a year’s notice--the amount of advance planning most weddings require. If, however, your guest list includes 80 or more, you’ll find fewer suitable destinations and those you do find will need to be booked as soon as possible. A popular choice for weddings, such as the Alyeska Resort, can be booked far in advance.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· For a honeymoon, if you want the top suite at the Captain Cook in Anchorage, a remote but popular resort such as the Kantishna Roadhouse in Denali or a first-class suite on a popular cruise ship, the sooner you book the better. Otherwise, six months should be adequate. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· And for a romantic getaway, surprisingly you can often make spur of the moment plans--especially if you’re willing to travel in May or September--and find topnotch options. TIP: if you’re looking for a great place to roost during the summer high season, try towns along the Inside Passage. Because most tourists visit via cruise ship or ferry and don’t spend the night, you can often find excellent accommodation in Ketchikan (try the WestCoast Cape Fox Lodge with a spectacular view of Tongass Narrows), lovely Sitka (the Westmark Sitka is a good bet) or Haines (the historic Hotel Halsingland has several antique-studded suites). But in Juneau, the state capital, if the legislature runs a summer session the top hotels--the Goldbelt and the Baranof--are likely to be booked solid.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;NORM:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What resources are available on the Internet pertaining to weddings and honeymoon vacations in?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Again, this is not my area of expertise. The ALYESKARESORT.COM has a wedding and reception planning page on its website. Anchorage has several wedding planners, but I’m not aware of any in Whitehorse. However, a nice thing about the north is the informality and ease of booking and planning a trip. And maybe it’s the long cold winters, but even tiny communities in the Yukon and Alaska usually have up-to-date web sites and are more than happy to help you find what you’re looking for.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;NORM:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Is there anything else you would want our readers to know about Alaska and the Yukon Territory?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nancy:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just one more tip--for adventurous-minded couples with more taste (and wanderlust) than money, consider touring the Inside Passage via the Alaska ferry. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ferries run north year round from Bellingham, in Washington State, 20 miles south of the Canadian border, and from Prince Rupert, BC, up to Skagway, stopping at Ketchikan (Bellingham-originating runs only), Sitka, Juneau and Haines. Their website (www.dot.state.ak.us) is handy for trip planning. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Amenities are admittedly Spartan--but private--staterooms for two or four passengers, with bath. Bring your vehicle and pet with you. Food is good and free naturalist programs are offered in summer. It’s easy to craft an itinerary allowing you to get off and stay a night or two in each destination before continuing on. If you want a stateroom and/or you’re bringing a vehicle, you’ll need to book six months in advance. Or you could do as Alaskans (even some honeymooners) do--pitch a tent on deck and enjoy the wild beauty of Alaska at a remarkably low cost.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thanks Nancy</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2007/07/thinking-of-traveling-to-alaska.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-8122149951827086312</guid><pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:17:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2007-07-26T13:19:32.235-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">family cruise discounts</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">kids cruise</category><title>Family Cruise: Family Get-Together for Fun</title><description>A family cruise is a perfect getaway with loads of fun and excitement for everybody. Whenever you have kids bored with the usual stuff amusement parks, theater and all and your spouse needs a change, plan a cruise. You will get addicted to it. Family cruise is a sure shot way to drive away boredom. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A movie to watch, a relaxing massage, snooker game…anything, you just name it. You have many activities to choose from, actually that is the most difficult part- to decide what to do. Family cruise is one of the healthiest entertaining ways to enjoy your vacation with your family and cherish the memories forever. You will find selective activities and tailor made services for all of you. You just need some planning.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Start planning your family cruises, by defining your budget. Once you know your budget look for cruises that fit into your budget. After short listing, the cruises look for the facilities and services they are offering along with the nature and types of activities suitable for children. You of course want them to enjoy the cruise so there should be sufficient provision to keep them happily occupied. If you have very young children, make sure cribs and babysitting facilities are available. While for a bit older children loads of activities like dancing classes, escorted tours, parties, games and contests are planned. Every cruise has its own bag of goodies for children. Keep your children’s age in mind when you re going through these activities. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some family cruises do not allow infants or pregnant women onboard. Check at the time of booking whether infant care and baby-sitting facilities are available or not. Keep ample stock of the things your baby might need like baby food, diapers, as you might not find them onboard.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While embarking on a family cruise, make sure there are proper medical facilities are available for emergencies. Also, make enquiries about fees for cancellation or changing dates for the trip, in case any such need arises. It is better to check latest information about the cruise schedule on the cruise’s website. A weeklong cruise is perfect for families and you are sure to find more families joining the fun. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One of the popular family cruises is a Disney cruise. With many special facilities and fun filled activities to occupy young and old alike, Disney cruise is a perfect setting for fun, fun and more fun. You have a club and lab for kids, Flounder’s reef nursery for your babies, a coffeehouse, specially designed programs in filmmaking and photography plus interesting teen outings along with live shows.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another interesting family cruise is the carnival cruise with its special fun ships. The fun ships have special entertainers, Karaoke parties, teen makeovers and art &amp; photography classes, water slides, ship tours for children etc. There are special camp carnivals for different age groups. There are specially designed virtual reality machines in the entertainment complex along with disco and video arcade. There is a playroom with loads of toys and electronic games.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Family cruises are joyous occasions for the family where they can spend some quality time with one another. Simply put, are great places to unwind and enjoy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;~~~~~&lt;br /&gt;Looking for information about cruises?&lt;br /&gt;Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com &lt;br /&gt;&#39;What Cruises&#39; is published by Colin Hartness - &lt;br /&gt;An excellent resource for Cruises! &lt;br /&gt;Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2007/07/family-cruise-family-get-together-for_26.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-7036453867728890898</guid><pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:52:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2007-07-19T12:58:52.601-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">holland america cruise</category><title>Elegant Holland America Cruise</title><description>The Holland America Cruise has since the eighteenth century been the most trusted and loyal liner of America. The liner, which is most sincere to its slogan –“it’s good to be on a well run ship” is no doubt the Holland America Cruise. The homely service of the friendly crew is a sure reason for the passengers to prefer sailing in this cruise. In addition to this, the superbly done interiors no doubt make it a luxury liner. This liner is undoubtedly the Undisputable Queen of the Seven Seas since the last two centuries.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Holland America Cruise started out as a shipping and passenger line and in due course of time has ferried almost 10 million passengers in it’s over 130 years of existence. Every traveler is sure to find a tour option to his specification to any part of the globe through this liner. Holland America Cruise has a fleet of 12 luxury ships sailing to all the continents across more than 280 ports. The ships encompass huge staterooms, private verandahs with fresh flowers and unique art collections. A stroll along the broad deck with the refreshing ocean air and wide expanse of exotic views is most tempting aboard this cruise. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Holland America Cruise’s ‘Half Moon Cay’ won the Editor-in-Chief award for “Best Private Island” in the year 2003 from Porthole Cruise Magazine. In the year 2002 it was rated as the highest-rated premium cruise line in the “World’s Best” award from Travel &amp; Leisure Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Holland America Cruise offers sailings to various destinations like Alaska Cruise, Caribbean Cruises, Europe &amp; Mediterranean, Hawaii Cruises, Mexico Cruises, New England Cruises and Panama Canal Cruises across South America. This cruise offers the best value for your money with dinner and nights at five-star resorts. Here&#39;s a few reasons to choose Holland America :-&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Holland America Cruise has been voted as the “best overall cruise value” by the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society for the seventh year in row. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. The ships are nothing less than floating resorts in themselves with amazing entertainment facilities, exquisite dining and innumerable other activities. Spacious ships with royal ambience are the trademark of Holland America Cruise. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. “Tipping not required” policy personifies the exemplary service and attention of the crew on board and the passengers are relaxed. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. World famous master chefs dish out exciting cuisines to satiate everybody’s palette. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. It is always possible to either take part in varied activities aboard the Holland America Cruise or spend solitary moments in nature’s bounty. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;6. World over scenic cruising spanning Alaska, Canada, South America, Panama Canal, and Hawaii as other European locales is the fine point of Holland America Cruise.</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2007/07/elegant-holland-america-cruise.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255982537435713438.post-7081207044609989640</guid><pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:33:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2007-07-16T10:35:50.226-07:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">family cruise discounts</category><title>Family Cruise: Family Get-Together for Fun</title><description>A family cruise is a perfect getaway with loads of fun and excitement for everybody. Whenever you have kids bored with the usual stuff amusement parks, theater and all and your spouse needs a change, plan a cruise. You will get addicted to it. Family cruise is a sure shot way to drive away boredom. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A movie to watch, a relaxing massage, snooker game…anything, you just name it. You have many activities to choose from, actually that is the most difficult part- to decide what to do. Family cruise is one of the healthiest entertaining ways to enjoy your vacation with your family and cherish the memories forever. You will find selective activities and tailor made services for all of you. You just need some planning.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Start planning your family cruises, by defining your budget. Once you know your budget look for cruises that fit into your budget. After short listing, the cruises look for the facilities and services they are offering along with the nature and types of activities suitable for children. You of course want them to enjoy the cruise so there should be sufficient provision to keep them happily occupied. If you have very young children, make sure cribs and babysitting facilities are available. While for a bit older children loads of activities like dancing classes, escorted tours, parties, games and contests are planned. Every cruise has its own bag of goodies for children. Keep your children’s age in mind when you re going through these activities. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some family cruises do not allow infants or pregnant women onboard. Check at the time of booking whether infant care and baby-sitting facilities are available or not. Keep ample stock of the things your baby might need like baby food, diapers, as you might not find them onboard.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While embarking on a family cruise, make sure there are proper medical facilities are available for emergencies. Also, make enquiries about fees for cancellation or changing dates for the trip, in case any such need arises. It is better to check latest information about the cruise schedule on the cruise’s website. A weeklong cruise is perfect for families and you are sure to find more families joining the fun. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One of the popular family cruises is a Disney cruise. With many special facilities and fun filled activities to occupy young and old alike, Disney cruise is a perfect setting for fun, fun and more fun. You have a club and lab for kids, Flounder’s reef nursery for your babies, a coffeehouse, specially designed programs in filmmaking and photography plus interesting teen outings along with live shows.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another interesting family cruise is the carnival cruise with its special fun ships. The fun ships have special entertainers, Karaoke parties, teen makeovers and art &amp; photography classes, water slides, ship tours for children etc. There are special camp carnivals for different age groups. There are specially designed virtual reality machines in the entertainment complex along with disco and video arcade. There is a playroom with loads of toys and electronic games.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Family cruises are joyous occasions for the family where they can spend some quality time with one another. Simply put, are great places to unwind and enjoy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;~~~~~&lt;br /&gt;Looking for information about cruises?&lt;br /&gt;Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com &lt;br /&gt;&#39;What Cruises&#39; is published by Colin Hartness - &lt;br /&gt;An excellent resource for Cruises! &lt;br /&gt;Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive</description><link>http://funcruisetravel.blogspot.com/2007/07/family-cruise-family-get-together-for.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item></channel></rss>