Cruising: Cheap or Expensive?

Spending our vacation on a cruise is sometimes considered luxurious vacation. Yes, it is. But the money we spend really is relatively cheap if we realize that the package price has included accommodation and meals.

Why Cruises Are A Great Way To Spend Luxury Vacations

Any travel agent worth their salt will ask a client interested in a luxury travel vacation what kind of travel they are interested in. Based on the traveler’s experience and personal preferences, the travel agent will recommend independent travel, guided tours or a cruise. One of my personal favorites is the cruise experience. A cruise is perfect for travelers interested in getting the best value, looking for convince and interested in a variety of operators and itineraries.

Value of Luxury Vacations

When pricing out a cruise, keep in mind that the price includes a lot of amenities and extras that guided tours and independent travel packages may not include. Of course, the price of your cruise includes accommodations, but they also include all food. Each cruise provider is a bit different in the dining options they provide, but rest assured that there are basic dining options available that are included in the price. Some cruise lines will include beverages, although each cruise provider differs. Your price also includes on board entertainment. From movies under the stars, instructional classes, ice cream socials and nightly shows, your cruise line will guarantee something to entertain everyone. When you take into account what is included in your price, travelers recognize how relatively cheap luxury cruises can be!

Convenience of Luxury Vacations

If you are interested in doing a grand tour of Europe, the travel from each country can be a drag. To board a train, bus or airplane every other day for two weeks can detract from the over all experience. And it is not just the travel; it is also the hassle of packing and unpacking. How can you enjoy the ambience and relaxation that your trip is supposed to be when you are constantly rushing to the next destination? Cruises simplify this process by allowing you to visit numerous ports, without the hassle of packing and unpacking. Plus, you never even realize all the traveling you do. You simply wake up in a new port. No matter if you wish to explore the coast of Italy, or if you would like to explore each continent on a luxury world cruise, there are plenty of ways cruising makes your travel experience more convenient.

Variety of Luxury Vacations

Some people often rebuff suggestions of cruising because they leave only on specific travel dates. However, the cruising industry has grown in the last few years by leaps and bounds. With over thirty cruise lines offering several itineraries that create the perfect luxury travel vacation, there have never been more options. With cruises going all over the world, even to destinations such as Antarctica, travelers can find the perfect cruise to the perfect destination at any time!

Today, travelers interested in luxury vacations are choosing a new experience for their vacations: Cruising. Cruising offers some of the greatest deals in travel today. The per person price covers the cost of accommodations, food and on board entertainment. You also get the convenience of seeing several areas, without the hassle of packing and unpacking, or being transported via bus or airplane. And there are more cruise providers than ever before, offering a number of different itineraries on almost any date. With so many upsides to cruising, travelers are flocking to this type of travel.

By: Virginia Morgan

Virginia Morgan writes tourism and travel articles for AMT American Express Travel, The Internet’s premier resource for American Express Vacations. Serving customers online since 1996.

When Do Cruise Vacations Started?

Having a vacation on cruise would be a great experience. But do you know when cruise vacation started? Keep on reading to know the answer!

The Birth of Cruise Vacations

Today's cruise industry can trace its lineage back to the nineteenth century, when passenger ships were a means of transportation, primarily from Europe to the United States and between Europe and it's far-flung colonies in Asia and Africa.

The arrival of commercial jet airplanes in the late 1950s marked the beginning of the end for the transatlantic and transpacific liners. Many of the big ships went to the breakers to be cut up for salvage. But not that long afterward, a new concept took hold: the cruise ship. Here the ship itself took center stage as a floating resort hotel.

By the middle of the nineteenth century, the traffic from Europe to America was so steady that the route across the North Atlantic became known as the "Atlantic Ferry."

The race was on, literally, as shipbuilders pushed for larger and faster ships. The queens of the line also became more and more opulent within, at least for the relatively few wealthy first class passengers; at the same time, builders crammed more and more low fare travelers into steerage areas, which were often more like bunkhouses than staterooms. Steerage, though, was the source of much of the shipping lines' profits because of the sheer number of those passengers.

The first commercial steamship to cross the Atlantic was the Savannah, an American coastal packet chip designed as a sailing vessel and 1818, but refitted with an engine during construction. The ship made its first crossing in 1819, a 28-day voyage from Savannah, Georgia, to Ireland and Liverpool; the ship was never a commercial success.

The real beginnings of the Atlantic ferry can be traced to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, chief engineer of the Great Western Railway way in Great Britain. The rail line between Bristol in London was nearly finished in the 1830s, and Brunel decided to extend his company's reach across the pond. The ship he designed, the Great Western, left England for New York on April 8, 1838.

In 1840 the Cunard Line began mail service across the Atlantic with a quartet of paddlewheel steamers that had auxiliary sales. In 1858 Brunel's company launched the Great Eastern, an iron hulled vessel that approached in size many of today's cruise ships, with a length of 692 feet.

For the next two decades, British and American interests competed for supremacy as merchant marine powers. During the U.S. Civil War, however, much of the American fleet was destroyed, and Britain regained its leading role, a position it held for the rest of the nineteenth century.

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Choose The Right Cruises

You can choose a cruise based on your hobbies or your desire, such as being on the beach or seeing historical place. Read on to identify your desire and what cruise to choose!

Cruises - Choosing the One that's Right for You

These days, cruises are getting to be like everything else. From cough drops to crackers, there are almost too many choices, and it's true of cruises as well. You might feel like going on a cruise would be a perfect getaway for you and your spouse but finding the right one can be more difficult than its worth. Luckily, if you cut down your options by deciding where you want to take your cruise, when you want to take it, and on what cruise line, you probably won't have too many options to choose from and you can pick the best cruise for you.

Where to Take Your Cruise - Part of the reason that there can be too many choices is that there are a lot of options about where you can go on your cruise. Each cruise line sends cruises all over the world. Think of this as a good thing, not something that is going to slow down your decision-making process. All you need to do is sit down and take an hour or two and just decide where you want to go.

The best way to make a decision is to think about what you already love to do and then tailor your cruise destination to match those desires or hobbies. If being on the beach on a beautiful sunny day is your idea of heaven, make sure you take a cruise in the Caribbean. If you like being outdoors, you might enjoy one of the northwest coast cruises that sail all the way up to Alaska. If you're a history buff, take a European cruise. The destinations are what differentiate cruises; each ship is really very similar while you're sailing.

When to Take Your Cruise - Deciding when to take your cruise can be almost as harrowing as where to take it. Most cruise lines offer cruises year around. Some times of the year are very popular but you can get great discounts at other times during the year. For instance, winter vacation may sound like a great time to take a cruise. You can get down to the Caribbean sun and take a break from school or work during the holidays. On the other hand, you might be able to save as much as 40% on cruises if you go in the October or November timeframe. This is an unpopular time to take a cruise and often costs less.

What Cruise Line to Take - It can sometimes seem like there are almost as many cruise lines as cruises. Different cruise lines usually attract different types of people. Some attract families, some attract couples, and some attract singles. Make sure you know what types of people usually use any given cruise line. There are a number of websites that offer reviews of different vacation possibilities, and you should be able to find this information on those. Once you've narrowed down the possibilities in these three categories, you should be left with just a few cruises that you will undoubtedly enjoy.

Kimberly Carlson is an avid traveller and preffers to do all her own research and bookings on line. She has learned the ins and out on cruise holiday pricing and options. You can find more of her interesting articles at Caribbean Cruises .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimbery_Carlson

Healthy Cruise Vacation

Some people are afraid that they would gain weight after vacation on cruise. Well, here are tips on how to stay health even if you choose cruising for vacation!

Keep reading!

Enjoy a Healthy Cruise Vacation - Top Ways

Top Ways to Enjoy a Healthy Cruise Vacation

Going on a cruise, or any vacation for that matter? Afraid you’ll gain weight? Scared you’ll stray from your nutrition goals? Want to reduce the chances of getting sick?

SANITATION

While boarding a cruise ship, you will likely be given the "option" to sanitize your hands. Some cruise lines require you to sanitize your hands when:

1. Re-boarding
2. Entering buffets
3. Entering dining rooms

See the pattern? One of the best ways to minimize your chance of on-board illness is simply to wash your hands. Just do it! And do it often.

EXERCISE

After boarding your ship or checking into your resort, make visiting the gym one of the first things to cross off your to-do list. Why? You’ll know where it is and hopefully be more tempted to pay a visit; nothing like getting on a piece of cardio equipment with an ocean view! Some ships/resorts have gyms that rival or beat land-based membership facilities.

A cruise is the opportune time to try a new physical activity! You’re exploring new places, perhaps? Why not check out a class or try a sport that you would not normally do? There’s a huge wellness movement on many cruise lines; so, take advantage of an introductory session for something different like Yoga! Do you like to dance? Want to learn something new. Most dance classes are complimentary. Just remember, you’re on vacation, but your body still needs exercise. Why not get in a work-out with an ocean view?

MEALS/SNACKS

This is you vacation, enjoy. However, here are some buffet survival tips:

1. Have fruit before trying other breakfast items.
2. At lunch, have a salad prior to enjoying other items.
3. The more fruits and vegetables the better
4. Try loading up a smaller plate; you may be surprised what a difference this makes.

Finally, during your meals in the formal dining room, remember you can ask for extra vegetables or just about anything. The wait staff and kitchens are normally incredibly accommodating. Sauce and dressing on the side please!

DRINKS

You may see a featured frozen drink of the day. While a tall frozen drink is a great way to relax by the pool, just remember that these sweet liquid libations count towards your total daily sugar intake. Also remember, sodas cost extra (unsweetened iced tea is usually free); so spend your money on something else!

CONCLUSIONS

Yes, we’ve heard that cruises have a bad rap for weight gain. Try to do something active each day; perhaps a new activity offered for free onboard. Eating foods with different colors also helps to get a wide variety of fruits and vegetables inside! Try out these tips and the scale won’t tip too far against you!

Dave Rosenthal is a professionally trained cruise specialist with America's Vacation Center / American Express. The only thing he enjoys more than travel itself is travel research and planning. He also loves to flip over all of the rocks and understand what's out there to formulate the best options. Want more? Please visit http://www.daydreamexcursions.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Rosenthal

Cruising on Alaska

Cruising on Alaska for vacation is very popular. And the summer months are favourite for vacationers because the water warmer and the days are a lot longer compared to the days in the winter months. You’d have more time to explore the Alaskan terrain on a longer day.

For some cruise lines there are only two options where to go in Alaska, the Gulf of Alaska or the Inside Passage. The Inside Passage is more popular.

Most of the stops of the Gulf Alaska cruise will be the same as the Inside Passage Cruise however, the Gulf cruise is only one-way therefore the boat will take you farther than the other option.

The Inside Passage cruise would be perfect for those who prefer more sightseeing and just looking around. But if you’d rather get out and explore the cities near the gulf then you may prefer the Gulf of Alaska cruise.

How to Book a Cruise Online

CRUISE BOOKING – HOW TO BOOK A CRUISE Discount cruise vacations continue to be an excellent option for a relaxing and worry-free vacation. More and more people book a cruise online or take advantage of the numerous cruise vacation packages available. People of all ages enjoy visits to beautiful and exotic destinations, meet great new people, and participate in a wide variety of activities while they enjoy cheap cruise vacations. You need to determine which type of cruise is best for you in order to fully enjoy the benefits of cruising. You should analyze what aspects of a cruise interest you most. Once you identify your interests, you can search for cruise vacation packages that will meet your criteria. Many people become confused when it comes to cruise booking because there are so many cheap cruise vacations available. However, you can follow a few simple steps to ensure that you choose a cruise booking that is just right for you! Step One: The first step of cruise booking involves deciding on your desired holiday destination. Search the internet and read reviews about the various cruise vacation packages and discount cruise vacations. The internet remains one of the most helpful resources when determining which cruise booking to choose. You can visit many sites that will provide detailed information on all aspects of cruise vacation packages. Many sites feature cruise reviews, cruise pictures, and additional information about particular destinations. You also have the option of contacting an online travel agent or cruise booking agent to gather as many cruise brochures as possible. Once you have found several suitable cruise ships, compare them and select the cruise line and destination best for you. Step Two: Once you decide on the cruise ship, you can now determine the duration of your cruise vacation. Many cruise vacation packages last only a weekend and you may enjoy other vacation packages for two luxurious, fun-filled weeks or more. If you have a little more money and time to spend, you can even pick a cruise package that will last for nearly three full months! Step Three: You need to analyze the budget of your cruise vacation. The price of discount cruise vacations can really vary depending on the particular cruise company, time of year, and your preferred destination. Many cruise packages allow you to pick the features you want to include. By choosing not to participate in some of the available activities or excursions, you can experience substantial savings during discount cruise vacations. Your vacation budget has a profound influence on your cruise booking. The amount you are willing to spend will determine the activities, duration, and destination for your particular cruise vacation. Step Four: Once you decide on a cruise vacation package, you need to complete the actual cruise booking. However, before you actually book a cruise online, you should contact the cruise booking agents or cruise travel agent and obtain all the necessary information you require. You need to decide on several factors before you complete the final cruise booking. These include the availability of the cruise package, point of departure, size and location of your preferred cabin, cancellation fees, and any activities you wish to include with your cruise vacation package. Step Five: Once you have gathered all the relevant information, you feel you need regarding the cruise package; you can complete the final step. This involves the actual cruise booking for the date, company and destination you choose. You have the option of using cruise booking agents or you can complete an online cruise booking from the convenience of your own home. If you are able to travel any time of the year, the best option is to book a cruise online or choose cruise vacation packages that occur during the off-peak season. Most cruise liners sail year round. You can often find amazing deals by performing a cruise booking during the off-peak season. Many more discount cruise vacations and inexpensive cruise vacation packages are available during off-peak season. The peak season for cruise booking occurs during the summer months and during school holidays. You will find that it is more expensive to take a cruise during these busy times. If you plan your cruise, you are certain to find a cheap cruise vacation package that fits within your budget.
Author: Jay Cohen