Cruise type

Cruise vacations offer a range of options from expedition-style journeys sailing to far-off destinations to classic voyages that visit the world’s greatest cities. You name it, traveling by cruise ship offers a wealth of things to do to suit all tastes, abilities and inclinations.

But,the size of the cruise ship does matter. There are benefits to both large and small ships. Therefore, it’s imperative for prospective cruisers to define what’s important to them. Do you want a vessel small enough to call at remote ports or one large enough where there’s a never ending list of organized activities? Do you prefer to wear formal clothes or will casual options suffice?

Also, keep in mind the kind of facilities you want on your cruise. After all, the amenities of the ship are considered an essential part of the cruise experience. What matters to you most: a state-of-the-art spa and gym, a lively casino, multiple dining venues, Vegas-style entertainment, children’s program – or all the above?

Small ship

Anyone who cruises knows the potential for crowd in ports when numerous large ships have tied up to the pier on the same day. There is something to be said about the more personal and intimate aspects of small ship sailing. When docking in port small vessels are often able to moor at the center of town allowing more accessible sightseeing without the big ship crowds. Additionally, getting on and off the ship is much easier so there are less lines and more time to spend in port.

Smaller ships have an advantage over bigger ships in that they can visit remote destinations and undiscovered areas. With their smaller size, these ships can visit more exotic ports, traverse rivers, and call at tiny islands off limits to larger cruise ships.

An important factor in choosing a ship is the other passengers. At the end of a cruise on ship with thousands of passengers, you will still be seeing people for the first time. Whereas small ship cruises have a small town atmosphere where you’re more likely to socialize and see familiar faces.

Still there are some issues to consider with smaller ships. The numbers of dining areas are limited and seating options could vary from open to assigned tables. Nightlife tends to be less vibrant and that could pose an issue for those who prefer a robust entertainment selection. Some expedition vessels don’t have elevators and that could pose a problem for older or mobility challenged guests. Additionally, for those travelling alone, smaller cruises rarely offer dedicated singles events like the big ships do.

Big ship

When it comes to booking cruise vacation, it’s easy to think bigger is better. Indeed, the majority of new ships are getting bigger and bigger each year with many carrying over 3,000 passengers. The aforementioned figure can be hard to comprehend. With so many passengers how will the onboard service be? Regardless of size, cruise lines do a very good job taking care of their guests. It’s also worth noting that the bigger the ship the more facilities and capabilities to absorb those massive numbers.

If you’re looking for premium restaurants and extensive facilities with large spas, gyms, organized activities, casinos and glitzy shows, the bigger cruise ship tends to offer more round-the-clock entertainment choices.

If you’re a family with young children, booking cruise vacations on larger ships is always more likely to keep the kids entertained since these vessels tend to have more to offer for children including children’s clubs and children’s entertainments on hand, as well as babysitting facilities.

Cruise vacations are traditionally popular with older travellers since facilities are accessible and easy to get around on. With on-board facilities and entertainment, elevators from deck to deck and organized activities, cruise vacations are the perfect option.

Big or small, there is a cruise ship out there that will fit your idea of the perfect cruise vacation. All it takes is a little detective work to end up on your dream boat.

1. If you are going to spend money in the casino, set a predetermined daily amount beforehand and stick to it. You can win in these casinos but not as easily or as much as you will in the ones in, say, Las Vegas. It can still be a lot of fun but keep your budgeted amount in mind and don’t go over.

2. Art auctions. A lot of cruises have these, and I tend to get sucked into them for some reason. I bought about 5 pieces one time and they are still sitting in a box in the spare room. I just have never gotten around to having them framed and put up. If you have a lot of need for art, it can be a decent place to get some and the auctions are fun, but if not, try and resist this because you can spend quite a lot of money on art that can be obtained elsewhere for probably less money.

3. I love to shop, and when limited to the gift shops on board the ship, that doesn’t stop me from shopping. However, I tend to spend too much for things that I definitely don’t need and probably could buy on eBay or on shore for a lot less. Sure, go ahead and pick up a few souvenirs of the ship, but don’t go “overboard.”

4. Before using your cell phone on the ship, check and see what you’ll be paying per minute. Often the charges are quite high, up to around $3.00 per minute in some cases and sometimes more. Wait to go on shore to use your phone or laptop if possible.

5. Many cruises now offer the choice of an “alternative” restaurant in addition to your included meals. There’s really no need to take advantage of this as it means extra money, since all your food is included in the price of your trip. However, if you hear fellow passengers giving rave reviews to the meals there, you might opt to eat one of your dinners there as a special treat. But otherwise, save your money.

The gay group on a large ship might be between 1 and 10% of all the passengers. The experience is somewhere in between being on a mainstream cruise and an all-gay cruise, as you might expect. Meetings and activities will be arranged, which will make it easy to find friends and dining buddies, but gay activities will sometimes be in closed quarters, so as not to offend other passengers. There are some special events though, parties, bar events or access to certain areas or lounges that might otherwise not be available.

The good thing about gay group cruises is that there are far more options than with gay cruises. They have different ports of call, destinations, timings and are far more numerous in availability. As a result, pricing may also be more competitive than it would be with an all-gay cruise.

Gay group cruises are like a half-step into all-gay cruises. You get to sample a lot of the benefits, but aren’t forced into that atmosphere. On the other hand, all-gay cruises go to destinations that they’ve found to be gay-friendly, and there’s no chance of weird looks from other passengers.

As always, the best option is to thoroughly investigate your options, give it a lot of thought, then make your decision and be happy with it!

The first question you will be asked after choosing your destination is where on the ship you want to stay. Now if you have a cabin in mind with limited availability and you have set your heart on staying there then booking ahead isn’t such a bad idea. You will know where you are staying and you know you will have the best seat in the house, however, if your not too concerned about the location of your cabin then booking last minute might be the way forward.

Here are my top tips for making a last minute cruise booking…

1. Don’t be too picky about what cabin you want, you are only sleeping there after all, there is plenty to do above deck!

2. Compare prices on all the latest deals and use this information to get a ball park figure of what you should be paying.

3. Book online and take the hassle out of call queues.

4. If you’re offered an upgrade on a cabin, ensure the ‘special rate’ isn’t just the standard rate; make sure you’re getting the best deal.

5. You can get an even better deal if you’re not bothered about your destination.

Well, that’s about it really, not that hard is it! Just following these simple steps can ensure you get a cruise bargain. Oh, and one more thing – enjoy your cruise holiday!

Number 10 – For The Gay Atmosphere
A gay cruise is full of fun (gay) activities, and there’s always something to do. However, there’s an intrinsic value associated with gay cruises, and it can be attributed to an unspoken understanding and care shared by all the people on the boat. We all understand where we’re coming from, the issues we’ve had to face and the day-to-day struggles we see. With that kind of bond already formed, you know good times are ahead!

Number 9 – To Feel The Acceptance of Straight People
Straight people never have to wonder if people are accepting of their relationship. They can just march right onto any cruise ship, make out, feel each other up, and all people will do is say “get a room!” Have you ever felt what it’d be like to not think what others are thinking? If they’re judging? A gay cruise is full of people like you, and a no-discrimination philosophy abounds. You can relax, lay back, and pretend the whole world’s gay, because, as far as you can see, it is!

Number 8 – To Show Off Your Summer Collection and Get a Tan
We’re gay, and we love to look our best! This is a great way to show off the body you’ve been working hard to get, along with great summer clothes, flip-flops, or however far you wanna take it (just a banana hammock). Plus, you get to work on your tan (or blacken your blackness, if you’re black) and look all exotic when you come back to the real world.

Number 7 – To Eat Nice Food and Not Cook
Why cook when you don’t have to? Sure, you could apply this philosophy at home, but then you’d be limited to MSG-laden takeout or cardboard microwavable “dinners.” No, a better idea is to just get on a boat, and have a team of chefs prepare gourmet food for you, and deliver that food to you anywhere on the boat. Yes, that is a better idea.

Number 6 – To Get Drunk and Do Stupid Things
Worried about that deadline? Recession eating into your profits? Clients not liking your designs? Just say, “I dunno. I was drunk, and I don’t remember a thing!” You can’t say that in your normal life, but you can on a boat!

Number 5 – For All The Fun and Funky Activities
Gay cruises are the most fun cruises in the world, seriously! They get awesome cruise boats that have all the cool stuff (shops, casinos, live theater, live entertainment, swimming pools, hot tubs, water slides etc.), but they have a ton of superb gay activities too!

Number 4 – To See an Exotic Part of the World
Tired of the flat North American landscape? Want to pretend you’re in Lost? Or maybe, you just wonder how the rest of the world lives? Cruising to a hot, spicy exotic destination is just the ticket. You’ll get to see a unique local culture, sample deliciously different cuisine, and surround yourself in an environment that is very different from your own. This is really great fun!

Number 3 – To Meet Gays, er… Guys
Yes, the fact is, a gay cruise is a great place to meet guys if you’re single. It’s also a great place to meet other gay couples. You’ll make temporary boyfriends, friends, and maybe even something better!

Number 2 – To Get It On
We’ve established that a gay cruise is a great place to meet guys. Duh. Thousands of gay guys, you. Rocket science, I know. But think about this… if you want to get it on, where better? Other people want to get it on. You want to get it on. You’re isolated on a boat, with nowhere to go.

Number 1 – To Get On a Boat With Other Guys, Get Away, and See What Happens
Really, the best reason to go on a gay cruise, is to just get away, and let nature or destiny (whatever you want to believe in) take its course. Once in a while, we all need to just let go completely, let our guard down (us gays more than anyone), and see where life takes us.

Are you thinking of taking a cruise? Planning and booking a cruise vacation is much different than booking other types of holidays. Here are some tips to finding the right cruise vacation for you.

First off, you should consider where and when you want to go. Many routes are seasonal since cruises usually stick to warm weather so many times when you want to go will narrow down your options. The most popular time for the Caribbean is in the winter months since there is hurricane-free weather and the cooler climates such as Alaska and Canada are more popular in summer when the weather is pleasant. If you have your heart set on a certain destination then you’ll need to schedule your time around the cruise season of the location.

Once you’ve settled on when and where, you’ll need to choose your cruise company. There aren’t too many to choose from so sometimes you’ll have little choice and sometimes price and schedule are the determining factors. Go online and take a look at the actual cruise lines’ ships. There are maps of the ships and what services and amenities are offered. To help you decide on a company and ship you can also search for online consumer reviews and ask friends who have taken cruises.

After you’ve settled on the ship and cruise company, you’ll want to decide on the type of cabin. Remember that all cabins aboard ships will be small. Other than splurging on a suite, your optional amenities will be a porthole (window) or a balcony. If your budget is extremely tight then this might not be an option. If you can though, daylight can be a surprising luxury. Cabins with windows and balconies book up fast especially on Alaska cruises where the sights are the main draw.

If after looking at choice times, destinations, and cruise lines you realize that it’s too pricey then you may have to have more flexibility. Think about going in off peak or shoulder season when the demand is lower and the weather is not ideal (though still pleasant). You should usually plan ahead but sometimes cruise companies need to fill up a ship at the last minute so if you don’t care where you’re going then you can find a great deal on a cruise departing within 30 days.

The internet is a great resource for researching and planning your cruise holiday but also consider using a travel agent. They have loads of brochures and many agents have first hand experience on cruises so they can suggest a cruise that fits your needs. They can book your flight, car, excursions and hotel so it’s one stop shopping.

Taking a cruise is sure to be holiday that you won’t soon forget. Bon voyage!

Traveling to Australia is an experience. The biggest attraction in going to Australia is its natural beauty, from the exquisite beaches to the impeccable landscape.  I think most of us would want to have this kind of experience and relax for a while.

A cruise is an ideal setting for a family vacation.  Large ships are designed with kids-only facilities, where there are planned activities and babysitting too.  On cruise lines with full youth programs, the parents can also plan their vacation knowing they can relax and enjoy themselves and their children will enjoy it too.

An Australian luxury cruise is an ideal means to travel especially if you want to see the beauty of Australia, and have things planned and on schedule.  With this travel, you will visit the Opera House.  Not only that, you will explore Hobart’s penal colonies, or immerse yourself in New Zealand’s Maori culture because usually in this kind of travel, Australia and New Zealand come in as a package.  So, isn’t it wonderful that you can see Australia and see the side of New Zealand too?

As you cruise, you will explore Australia’s sophisticated cities, visit wildlife parks, or take an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkeling, scuba diving and even sailing.  So just like the others, why not spend your vacation here the way other people do.  It is not only because of the perfect sceneries but also be one of the thousands of tourists who have been attracted into it.

Beautiful blue ocean, as far as the eye can see.  Private Islands with white sand beaches & even private water parks.  Sound inviting?  Welcome to the world of cruises!

Family cruise vacations are a great way to keep the entire family entertained.  There truly is something for everyone in these all-inclusive family vacations!

Everyone that knows me can tell you that I hate to make decisions.  With all of the cruise options available today, I can’t decide what to write about first!!  Okay, I guess the first question in planning your cruise is..why?  People take cruises for a variety of reasons & the reason you are going can narrow down your choices.

Family Vacation with the Kids – You need to consider the ages of all of the children going.  Many cruise ships offer programs for babies & toddlers and on up.  Some programs will be better than others for your kids.  You also need to consider this – Is your main goal on this trip to entertain the kids or the adults?  Most cruises offer so many choices that the whole family will enjoy it either way.  If you are looking for something specific in your cruise, however, you should shop around until you find exactly what you want.

The top choice if you are traveling with babies and younger children is the Disney Cruise Line because they have the best children services & childcare.  And while most ships offer showers only, Disney has bathtubs in every stateroom!  Disney also offers entertainment especially for Tweens & Teens, making Disney the all around best pick for families with kids.

If all of the kids are tween-teen age, Royal Caribbean is great choice.  Their ships are packed full of activities like rock walls, mini golf & even onboard surfing!  They also have a dedicated teen room.

Family Reunion – Many families take a cruise as an opportunity to get the entire family together.  I can’t think of a better way to do it!  You should check to see which cruise lines will offer a group rate.  Keep every body’s needs in mind.  Some people may have disabilities or medical needs that should be considered.  Again, also consider the ages of the children that will be attending before making the final decision.

If your group is primarily adults, you may want to consider a summer cruise to Alaska on a Princess Cruise! Is your family or group full of energetic fun-seekers?  Maybe a Carnival Fun Ship is more your style!  They have plenty to offer for children and adults, like supervised children’s programs and Las Vegas style entertainment.

Romantic Vacation – You may want to select an adults only cruise, however you will not be able to find one in the US.  Check into ships that do not have as much to offer children, if you prefer not to be distracted by the youngsters.  Most families with kids will opt for cruises that have the most to offer for the kids.  Even two adults on a romantic vacation could enjoy a great Disney Cruise, though!  You may want to check into special wedding & honeymoon packages that are offered by the cruise line.

Holland America may be the best choice for an elegant & exotic vacation!  While on board, relax at the spa or enjoy Culinary or Photo workshops.  Once you hit shore you can explore  fabulous locations like Alaska, Asia, Australia, the Mediterranean, and more!

Christian Cruises – Planning a vacation or retreat for you church group?  Even if you are going alone, with family or friends, these specialty cruises are great!  They offer favorite christian artists, even VeggieTales characters for the kids, and renowned Christian speakers.  Enjoy all of the fun of cruising & get your spirit fed as well!

If you are interested in Christian Cruises, check out Premier Christian Cruises, they have several coming up.  There will be something for everyone on the Music Boat 2009 with artists such as Mercy Me, Toby Mac, Hawk Nelson, and many more…all the concerts you want to see on the same ship!!

When I use the phrase “Best European Cruise” I am not referring to the very best vacation money can buy, but rather the greatest amount of luxury and adventure to be found without slipping the restraints of your budget. As much as we’d like to be able to ignore our accountants and max out our credit cards it is an unrealistic dream, particularly in these difficult financial times. That being said, there is nothing stopping you from finding the best European cruise deal you can with the money you have available to you. Here are a few tips to going about that:

1 – Determine which ports of call you would like to visit.

Though the bulk of your time will be spent aboard the ship the highlights of your trip will be the time you spend visiting Europe’s amazing historic cities. If you’ve always wanted to see Rome, or Athens, or Barcelona then you need to plan your itinerary around one or many such destinations. Visiting the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome might bring you more joy than the rest of your journey combined, so you really need to focus in one this one aspect of your cruise planning more than any other. Don’t just concentrate on the cities in the Mediterranean basin. You can also enjoy wonderful cruises in the Baltic, Black or Caspian Seas. European river cruises are also immensely popular and are a fabulous way to explore inland Europe.

2 – Decide how long you want to be at sea.

A European cruise can vary widely in length from a quick 5 day trip to a voyages that last nearly a month. Obviously the longer the cruise the more money you can expect to pay. This is an important consideration in planning your trip. You don’t want to come halfway around the world just to turn around and head home a day after finally getting over your jet lag. On the other hand you don’t want to have to sell all your worldly possessions in order to finance your vacation. Find a compromise that will make the long journey worthwhile without leaving you in the poor house. If no such compromise exists then you might want to consider holding off and taking the trip at a later date.

3 – Figure out what luxuries and amenities you want aboard ship.

As I mentioned above the highlight of your trip will be the amazing cities you’ll visit, but don’t forget that much of your time will still be spent aboard ship. You want there to be enough to see and do to keep you from growing bored on your cruise. Find out what kind of entertainment each cruise line offers, what other amenities such as pools, hot tubs, fitness facilities, climbing walls etc. can be enjoyed, and what the dining experience will be like. Depending on the level of luxury the price can fluctuate significantly.

Ultimately choosing the best European cruise is in your hands. By following these simple steps you should be able to plan a cruise vacation that you will remember for a lifetime without putting undue financial stress upon yourself and your family.