How to Plan the Perfect Cruise - 6 Secrets For Making Your First Cruise Exceptional

By Steve Schulman

Want to take a cruise? You're in for something special. But in order to get the very most out of it you'll want to prepare as much as possible before you leave the pier. That way, when you come aboard, you can forget all your cares and woes and just have the time of your life.

Where do you want to go?

The first thing to consider is where you want to go. There are so many fantastic and exotic locations and ports that await you. Perhaps one of these adventures will light your fire.

Cruises to Alaska

Cruises to the Bahamas

Cruises to Bermuda

Cruises to the Caribbean

Cruises in Europe

Cruises to Hawaii

Cruises to the Mexican Riviera

What cruise line is for you?

Next you'll have to decide on a cruise line. This is one of the most challenging parts of the process.

Cruise lines today offer almost countless choices. There are cruises for every budget and lifestyle. It's not so hard to figure out what's right for you, though, if you know how to break down your options.

How much does it cost?

Some cruise lines are more luxurious and more expensive than others. So figure out your budget. If the sky's the limit you're going to be blown away by what's available. On the other hand, if you're on a more limited budget and you're looking to conserve money, you will want to choose one of the cheaper options. There are great cruises available to fit almost every pocketbook.

What's the theme of the cruise?

Nowadays most cruises have themes, so you'll want to choose a cruise where you can meet people with similar interests and lifestyles as yours. Here are some of your choices.

Singles cruises

Family cruises

Gay and lesbian cruises

Seniors cruises

Honeymoon cruises

What cruise lines to consider

These are some of the especially popular cruise lines. If you haven't gone on a cruise before you'll want to look at these first.

Celebrity Cruises

Costa Cruises

Crystal Cruises

Cunard Line

Disney Cruises

Holland America Line

MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Orient Lines

Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Silversea

Windstar Cruises

What to bring

You're also going to have to figure out what you're going to do aboard the ship and bring the appropriate apparel. Will you work out, go skating, hang around the swimming pool or just stroll around the decks and take in the nightlife?

Don't worry too much about doing this yourself because most cruise lines will be happy to help.

They want to make sure that you have the best possible cruising experience when you're on their ships.

Setting out a cruise budget

Now you're going to have to consider the extra money you'll bring along for entertainment, excursions, food, drinks and purchases at stops along the way. Try to have a decent sized cushion because somehow whatever you bring often doesn't seem like it will be enough and you don't want to be caught short of cash at any point of your trip.

Take a look at Cruise Apparel to make sure you pack right and guarantee yourself a great trip. And to find out how to get the lowest possible prices on airfare, car rentals, hotels as well as cruises, take a look at a review of "Save on Airfare" at http://TheGreatestDreamVacations.com now and learn how to make it happen.

(c) Copyright - Steve Schulman.

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Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Finding the Best Caribbean Cruise Deal

By Paula H. Radmall

Do you want to take a Caribbean cruise but want to find the best deal? Many cruise lines offer great deals so you can experience the Caribbean for less. Most people only check into cruise lines they are familiar with such as royal Caribbean, which is a wonderful and popular cruise line. However there are many other ships that also offer a great Caribbean cruise deal so don't overlook them.

The trick to finding the best Caribbean cruise deal is in the timing. For instance, if you wanted to cruise during the busiest time of year you will find that it will also be the most expensive time of year. To find the best price check out different dates and compare prices. Try to find the dates that cost the least to save you money. This may take some time, but be patient, it is well worth it. Sometimes you can even find fantastic prices by booking a cruise at the last minute as this is the time that cruise lines are trying to fill all the cabins to take a full ship. The good news is that the Caribbean usually has good weather all year long.

There are many avenues to finding the best Caribbean cruise deal such as through travel agents, calling cruise lines, or searching online. Any of these options are great for finding good deals for you; however, timing is still the key. So do your homework and be flexible and you will find the best Caribbean cruise deal to fit your budget.

Spend your vacation dollars wisely with help from Caribbean Cruise Adventure and find the best Caribbean Cruise Deal available.

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Alaska Cruise Options

By Ian Pennington

Cruising through the seas of the world is beyond compare. It's like embracing nature's beauty without having to worry about anything back home. Alaska cruise options are among the sought-after itineraries that family and couples enjoy especially during summer. Cruise ships bound for Alaska are amiably willing to transport tourists to great destinations and shorelines that the state can afford. Whether you are coming from Seattle, Vancouver or San Francisco, you are being a promised a remarkable trip via any of the 15 cruise liners you can choose to sail on. As you aim your eyes on Alaska, you are likely to appreciate its richness in heritage that's dominated by amazing wildlife and unlimited coastlines. The world tourism arena acknowledges it to be a great cruising destination that tourists wish to explore around.

Alaska cruise options include those that last one week from Settle or Vancouver which is called Inside Passage, or the 12-day package that departs from San Francisco via Princess. If you are up for the Gulf of Alaska Cruise package, you can enjoy a week long trip and you'll be privileged to hop on to various inside passage ports. You'll get to explore cruise along the waters of Glacier Bay and Kenai Peninsula as well as spot ports like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Other than that, Alaska trip takes you to the magnificent mountains called the Mountains of Mystery which have been known globally to be ruggedly awesome and snow-capped. Also, Alaska boasts of the rocky shores, rich rainforests and 100 paradise-resembling islands.

Being America's biggest state, Alaska can contain a huge bulk of tourists who get the benefits and privileges afforded by Alaska cruise options. It's highly crowded in cruise ships from the month of May until September. Considered to be two of Alaska's largest cruise liners are Princess and Holland America. If you want to explore the Anchorage, Fairbanks, Alaska Range, Denali National Park and Mount McKinley, you might as well pick the cruise excursion option. If you also seek to pay a visit to Canada's Yukon Territory, then you can try out getting a cruise tour option for you and your loved ones.

Several glaciers like Hubbard Glacier await you in any Alaska cruise options. Whatever itinerary it is you take, the fun and excitement is most likely parallel. With a few thousand bucks, you get hold of an experience that nobody can take away from you. You can even take land tours as add-on to your cruise itineraries but make sure you have a slot for such because it can really go fully booked. You have the option to take a day tour in Anchorage, 2 days of appreciating bears at Denali National Park, and an overnight in Fairbanks. This package is usually inclusive of a train ride via railcars such as Wilderness Express, Midnight Sun Express and McKinley Explorer.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about Alaska cruises, please visit My Low Cost Fun Cruises for current articles and discussions.

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Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Caribbean Princess Cruise

By Ian Pennington

Cruising along the ocean promises a bunch of thrill especially when it's spent with loved ones and family members. Family vacations and couple's getaways are becoming popular in Europe and America especially that the cruise ship industry is gearing towards designing more cruise destinations and stopovers to accommodate more demands by the touring clients from all over the world. The cruising part of tourism is one of the much-awaited experiences that every traveler would love to savor. Caribbean Princess Cruise provides a paradise-like trip to whoever gets aboard to seize ultimate fun.

Whether it's seven-day or ten-day exploration to the eastern, western and southern regions via Caribbean Princess Cruise, the blue waters are a remarkable nature's gifts to catch sight off. To match your desires, there are various kinds of cruising packages for you to pick depending on how long you want to explore and how much budget you are allocating for the entire trip. Families are apparently the bigger bulk of those who go for cruises practically to enjoy some water sports, dip into beautiful beach resorts and swimming pools, listen to great live entertainment and fine dining at the ship, and savor remarkable spa experience. All these are usually integrated in a single package.

Caribbean resorts and islands are the most looked forward to spots in any Caribbean Princess Cruise experience. Every single island takes a distinctive essence of naturalness and magnificence. Islands like Willemstad located in Curacao is deemed to be a world heritage spot which makes it a pleasing destination to catch sight of. While some islands enclose colonial towns, there are others that are famed for their tropical underwater jewels. If you are housed in a beach resort, you have the convenient options to go snorkeling, diving and island hopping. You can also rent a vehicle on some islands in order to explore via land travel. Going on a trip during off-season is wise because packages are bargained through travel agencies online.

In a seven-day travel via Caribbean Princess Cruise, you get the chance to explore St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Besides a sumptuous buffer on board, you can enjoy warm accommodation in cabins and balcony rooms, elevator transport system, adult pools and hot tubs, photo ops, live entertainment, karaoke singing, etc. There are around 900 balcony rooms and a whole deck of mini-suites to choose. If you are going to the Caribbean, it's best not to go when hurricane strikes. The Caribbean surely is a promising getaway destination for you to get hold of. The state-of-the-art facilities of the ships plus the greatness of resorts and islands are hard to resist. If you are counting it for your next trip, you might as well pre-book at your earliest convenience.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cruises, please visit Fun And Sun Cruises for current articles and discussions.

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Best Cruise Ships - Important Details About New Cruise Ships

By Joseph Celestine

Did you know that the best cruise ships are changing the way they operate? Do you remember the TV Show Love Boat, which aired during the 1970s and 80s? Did it make you want to take a cruise or made you run away from the idea? Do you still believe that cruises are for senior citizens who will be playing shuffle board all day and eating dinner at 4pm? If so, you have not looked into what today's new cruise ships have to offer. Get ready to be surprised!

First, cruise ship companies are trying to attract younger people and pulling out all the stops to do so. Their destination choices are becoming more flexible, free form, and modern. Cruise companies are starting to book more modern entertainment acts and creating a more "choose your own plan" vacation. The best cruise ships now usually have casinos, night clubs, exercise rooms, spas and more, all open 24 hours a day and designed to let you pick what you want to do and when you want to do it. Cruise companies are planning vacations that combine ship travel with land excursions and one company has even done away with assigned seating meals at a pre-determined time.

Secondly, "flexible cruising" is the modern method of a boat vacation. For the most part everything is paid for by your fare, including airfare to the boat, and all you need to do is pick your activities from the available options and have fun. You can also have the option of doing your own thing and planning your own activities. No one is taking attendance or monitoring what you do. The opportunities for fun are unlimited.

Most importantly, the best cruise ships now offer shorter length cruises to cater to people who want to take a vacation but do not want to spend an entire week or more on a cruise ship. Cruise companies are also planning modern trips that center around a theme or group of people. Looking for a vacation focused around earth conservation, you can find a cruise that offers lectures and adventures that teach just that. And do not forget the popular gay cruises that started popping up about ten years ago.

Finally, Some people stay away from cruises because they believe that on the ship other people will interfere with their lives or their fun. This is simply not the case, staying on a new cruise ship is very similar to staying at a hotel. The people across the hall do not care what you do as long as you do not bug them. Check on the internet or your travel agent for the best prices. You can travel with your friends and family knowing that everyone will have a great time. There is no better time than now to take advantage of the best cruise ships built for your enjoyment and entertainment.

Learn more about new cruise ships and best cruise ships quickly and easily by visiting http://www.lakemarybusinessdirectory.com a very popular website that provides resources, articles, consumer information and business reviews.

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Holland America Line Offers Mexico Cruises to Bahia Magdalena and Santa Cruz Huatulco

Holland America Line introduces two new Mexican Riveria destinations to its 2009 cruises.

Cruise to Bahai Magdalena

The ms Oosterdam begins with seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises departing Saturdays January 3 through February 21, roundtrip from San Diego. Guests visit the popular ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, plus enjoy scenic cruising through Bahia Magdalena.

Abundant with wildlife, Bahia Magdalena is a breeding ground for migrating gray whales. It is also home to dolphins, sea lions and an amazing array of birds including eagles, pelicans, herons and ibis.

The ms Ryndam sails the same itinerary departing Oct. 10 through Nov. 21. Cruise fares start at $599 per person, double occupancy; taxes and fuel supplement are additional.

Cruise to Santa Cruze Huatuclo, Oaxaca

The ms Ryndam also sails a 12-day Pacific Mexico itinerary departing Nov. 2 and Dec. 7 roundtrip from San Diego. It visits Manzanillo, Acapulco, Santa Cruz Huatulco -- a warm seaside resort also know for its bird-watching opportunities -- Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

Starting cruise fares for the nine- to 15-day itineraries range from $999 to $1,499 per person, double occupancy; taxes and fuel supplement are additional.

Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010

Top 15 Things To Do in Juneau, Alaska

When planning your Alaska cruise, be sure to include Juneau on your itinerary.

Juneau offers amazing shore excursions for cruise ship vacationers. Here are fifteen things you won't want to miss.

Mendenhall Glacier
No Alaskan cruise is complete without a visit to Mendenhall Glacier. Capture memories on the Photo Point Trail. For an elevated view, hike along the self-guided trails in Tongass National Forest. And be sure to stop by the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center.

Salmon Hatchery
The Macaulay Hatchery produces over 150 million salmon every year. From May through June you can feed immature salmon fry. Late June through September you can see the adult spawning salmon. Exhibits teach you all about the salmon life cycle. Oh, and be sure to try the salmon jerky!

Salmon Bake
Fine dining is one of the true joys of any cruise vacation, but you'll have to leave the ship to experience the true taste of Alaska. Are you tempted by salmon barbecued over an open alderwood fire? Creekside dining with musical entertainment? Then be sure to enjoy an outdoor salmon bake at Salmon Creek.

Underground Juneau Gold
Sometimes the best shore excursions are not on land but under it. The Alaska Gastineau Mill was once the largest gold-producing mill in the world. Now you can relive the fevered days of yesteryear. Explore the conveyor tunnel, learn mining techniques, and pan for gold.

Panning for gold in Alaska
(Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)










Glacier Gardens
Dazzling plants, trees, and flowers await you at Glacier Gardens. Wend your way along the garden paths and see panoramic views of Mendenhall Valley, Douglas Island, Gastineau Channel, and the Chilkat Mountains. Remember to bring your camera!

Alaska State Museum
Discover the history, art, and culture of Alaska. Visit a replica of a Tlingit clan house and see a life-sized eagle nesting tree.

Alaskan Brewing Company
Take a guided tour of the brewery and taste their hand-crafted ales and seasonal beers.

Mount Roberts Tramway
A breathtaking ride awaits on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Soar up from sea level to 1,800 feet. Gaze across mountain ranches and over fjords, one of the best views in all of Alaska.

Dog Sled Summer Camp
Pet the puppies and learn all about the Iditarod Race at the Sheep Creek Valley dog camp. Climb aboard a sled and learn how to be an Iditarod musher, including how to care for a team of highly trained huskies.

Rainforest Zipline
Glide over the Sitka spruce pine on high tension cables from platform to platform along a 6,000-foot aerial network. Admire spectacular views of Bullion Creek and gorgeous Juneau vistas as you descend into the forest canopy and cross suspension bridges on your way to the base camp below.

Steamboat Cruise
Cruise Juneau harbor on an a unique wood-fitted passenger steamboat. Hear tales of Alaska's gold mining heyday as you explore the beauty of the harbor, downtown Juneau, and the coastal rainforest.

Whale Watching
From Auke Bay, take a waterjet-powered catamaran through Stephens Passage, a summer feeding ground for humpback whales. You may also encounter killer whales, Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, Dall's porpoises, and bald eagles.

Flightseeing
Floatplanes will carry you over the Alaskan rainforest to the Juneau Ice Field. From the comfort of your window seat, you can take aerial photos of the Norris, Taku, Hole-in-the-Wall, and East and West Twin glaciers.

Seaplane over Alaska
(Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)










Helicopter Tour
Taking a helicopter to the Juneau Ice Field allows you to set down on one of the glaciers and explore on foot the ice formations and meltwater pools.

Helicopter tour of Alaska
(Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)










Glacier Trek
After a thrilling helicopter ride, touch down on an ancient icescape and let your pilot guide you along glacial streams, cliffs, and crevasses. On the way back, fly along Gastineau Channel to view Alaska's famous gold mines.

Hiking a glacier in Alaska
(Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)

Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010