Archive for December, 2006

Frank Hague

Well, living on a Cruise Ship is catching on. Quite a few couples are now subscribing to world cruises and it is affecting the Cruise Ship industry.

In 2006 the Holland America Line is experiencing a 20 percent increase in the number of cruises longer than 12 days. For 2007, the demand for world cruises for Cunard is so great the company is having two world cruises, including the Queen Mary 2’s first voyage around the world, an 80-day journey. Silversea Cruises, a very, very exclusive Cruise Line has just launched a series of voyages of 34 to 123 days and is having its first around-the-world cruise in 2007.

And Crystal Cruises Inc. spokeswoman Mimi Weisband said that they saw a record number of bookings for this year’s 106-day world cruise.

Why is this happening? Nobody likes flying anymore. It is not relaxing, you are stuffed like sardines in a tin can, you have to bring your own lunch, and have to take off your shoes.

Now think about cruising. You’ve got your house with you, wherever you go, just like a turtle. You get taken care of, whatever you need. Medical Care is close by, so are 10 bars and 4 restaurants open 24 hours a day in most cases.

You don’t have to pack and unpack every day as with regular vacations, you can spend leisurely days playing pingpong and shuffleboard and relaxing with longtime friends. The key selling theme for these long cruises is COMFORT.

You can see and do exotic things from 10 AM to 12 PM, go for lunch, and do more exotic things from 2 PM till 7 PM and then have a 10 course supper. After supper there is a free show every night.

Perfect life Rather than sitting in a summer cottage staring at the walls, on a cruise you have your social life built in, with 2000 possible friends.

Cruise lines say another key attraction is that now you can visit plenty of far-flung destinations - such as Hawaii and Tahiti- without dealing with airport security and other hassles. The funny thing is that these Cruises are no longer exclusively populated by retired Seniors, but are becoming populated by entrepreneurial 40- and 50-people, who can turn the ship into a virtual, floating office.

You can successfully run a business from being on a ship, because of Wireless Internet Access worldwide available on these Cruise Ships.

Destinations are also being changed by the Cruise Ship industry; more and more exotic itineraries are being visited, because people like change, and if you have never seen the Pyramids, now is your chance on a 12 day Cruise.

The costs of a world cruise are no longer prohibitive, in 2005 a 100 day cruise could be had for $16,000 per person, that is $160 a day for travel, food, guided tours, shows and companionship.

Some people do this in their 30’s, saying that they want to enjoy this while they can. Others do this after they get a divorce, as a consolation prize to themselves.

As the demand for World Cruises increases, at some point in time entrepreneurs are going to buy a Cruise Ship at a reasonable price and are going to turn it into Condominiums.

Guess who will buy one of the first ones.

About the author:

Frank Hague is interested in Cruise Ships http://www.2qz.com/condo-cruise-ship http://www.condo-cruise-ship.com http://www.celebrity-cruise-now.com

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Kirsten Hawkins

When someone thinks about cruises, they often think about the balmy beaches of the Caribbean or Hawaii. However, there are lots of other places that people do not often think of that are great places to go on cruises. Cruises are not just for beach side relaxing, but can be used for all kinds of other expeditions in all different types of climates, and even some beach front places that you would not ordinarily think of. Here are outlined some beautiful cruise vacation destinations that you would not ordinarily plan in to your itinerary.

The Greek islands are a beautiful vacation spot, and while they are definitely not left off of people’s vacation agendas, they are not very often associated with the idea of cruises. However, they are a beautiful spot to not only to relax and enjoy the ocean and beaches, but they are also a wealth of rich cultural heritage and amazing ancient architecture. The native people are incredibly hardworking and friendly, and spending a day exploring among the sea side villages would be a great way to meet different types of people and get to know a little bit about yourself as well. Of course, there is also the added bonus of the amazing traditional Greek food.

Northern Africa is home to a lot of cruises, from Libya to Egypt to Morocco. These cruises boast not only beautiful luxurious accommodations on board the ships, but also on the land. These cruises also offer a variety of cultural experiences for the adventurous and even the not so adventurous. Archaeological guides take guests through the ruins of ancient civilizations and to renovated castles that now provide plush accommodations for passengers while on the land. Taking in the local marketplaces is a great place to buy souvenirs, instead of gift shops or on the cruise boat itself.

Antarctica is a place that you would definitely not commonly associate with a cruise vacation. However, it is for this reason that it makes such a wonderful vacation spot. It is the last frontier here on earth. Scarcely populated, the lack of development has left plenty of space for wildlife. While you should definitely pack a bit differently for an Antarctic cruise versus a more balmy environment, it is worth it to see all of continent’s rare inhabitants and to be a part of what is practically a secret society.

Costa Rica is home to a very lush and populated rain forest, as well as some very interesting locals. In addition to providing cruise passengers with a lively and beautiful environment to explore, and some very rare and interesting wildlife, the beautiful beaches and warm climate make Costa Rica a fantastic vacation spot. There are also a lot of volunteer opportunities if you would like to make your vacation a capacity building one, as well as programs wherein you can stay with families who actually live in Costa Rica. This is a great opportunity to learn a lot about another culture and expand your own horizons.

About the author:

Kirsten Hawkins is a cruise and travel expert specializing in discount cruises and travel. Visit http://www.luxury-cruise-deals.com/ for more information on how to cruise the world for little or no money.

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Bruce Pickett

 

Luxury cruising is an experience unto itself, the kind of exceptional vacation that you will always remember. Why is it so exceptional? Read on to find out why we believe a luxury cruise is such a good value and a wonderful experience that everyone can enjoy.

1. Affordable combination of sea and land vacation Luxury cruising is a very affordable combination of a sea vacation with a land vacation. You get to experience the fun of being on a cruise ship as well as visit several different port destinations, each with a different set of adventures waiting for you to discover. When you compare the cost of a luxury cruise with comparable costs of the same travel itinerary, accommodations, food and amenities, it is easy to see that the cruise is a very good value.

2. Visit several locations, but only unpack once Have you ever gone on a vacation where you stopped at two or three different locations, each time having to unpack your things then re-pack when it was time to move on? When you take a cruise, you only have to unpack once but still get to experience several different locations along the way. The ship is your “home base”, always there at the end of the day with your familiar cabin, a fresh change of clothes, a great meal, and more activities to enjoy after you leave port.

3. Do as much or as little as you like Luxury cruising allows you the freedom to build the kind of vacation that is just right for you. If you like to be active and adventurous, you can stay busy with shipboard opportunities as well as port excursions and exploration. If something more relaxed is to your liking, you can do that, too, spending long lazy hours by the pool, relaxing on deck, or enjoying a quiet corner in the ship library.

4. Take the whole family A common misconception is that luxury cruising is an “adults only” vacation. Most cruise lines welcome families and provide varying levels of accommodations and special programs for cruisers of all ages. Some cruise lines even specialize in families, building the entire ship and cruise itinerary around family needs. Whether you want to spend time together as a family, or turn the kids loose in supervised program while you enjoy some adult time, a family-focused cruise offers something for every member of the family.

5. Exceptional service If you have never been on a cruise, it is a bit hard to grasp the exceptional level of service that is found on most cruise ships. From your cabin steward to your waiter, everyone is focused on serving you and making your vacation as enjoyable as possible. The cabin steward will keep your cabin spotlessly clean, often leaving fun towel sculptures and special touches for your amusement, while your waiter will make a point of getting to know your preferences and strive to give you what you want before you even know you want it.

6. Meet people from all over A luxury cruise attracts passengers from all over the country and all over the world. You will have the chance to meet people during onboard activities and on shore excursions, but perhaps the most fun is getting to know your seat mates at the dinner table. It is typical to be seated at a table of eight people, with whom you will share conversation, laughs, and wonderful meals throughout the cruise.

7. Get away from it all When you take a luxury cruise, it is not so easy to check your e-mail, call into the office, or otherwise keep tabs on what is going on at home. It can be done, of course, but being on a cruise ship is a unique opportunity to leave the rest of the world behind and truly get away from it all. Your only job, while onboard and in the ports of call, is to relax and do exactly what you want to do. Nothing more, nothing less, with no interruptions like phone calls, voice mail or e-mail.

About the Author:

Bruce Pickett ACC is an award winning travel & cruise consultant, self taught, experienced, & motivated to help people find cruising value. He authored articles on cruising to help people create cruise holidays easily & stress free. Learn 7 essential facts to cruise value and get free weekly tips & a free draw at http://www.fivestarcruising.net Read more articles by: <'/?s=author&a=Bruce+Pickett' class='biggerlink'>Bruce Pickett

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Casino Cruises

Mansi Gupta

Casino cruises combine the zeal for gambling with the wonderful desire to drift on huge water bodies and experience perfect tranquility, caressing nature from everywhere. Casino cruises are a timeless source of entertainment and means to a perfect vacation. But since gambling often entails serious repercussions, many states do permit neither gambling nor casinos. In these states, the casinos are placed on boats that can sail into international waters to operate. Due to this the casinos of some well-known places such as Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New York etc. are swarming with gamblers who come from nearby states to enjoy.

Depending upon the needs and desires of gaming aficionados, there are different casino cruises available these days. For instance most casino cruise companies offer day trips while several others present overnight trips. Usually the day trips are functional throughout the week while some companies offer trips that run only on weekends.

Day cruises are a matter of four to five hours out of which one hour is spent in floating down to international waters. Since the day casino cruises offer limited time to gamble, it saves the players from spending lot of money and running into debts. As the time ends, all players have to make a move, be it in an unsolicited mood. Besides gambling, day cruises are ideal for short and unperturbed evenings.

In comparison to daytime cruises are overnight ones that usually happen on large cruise lines. These cruise liners are hubs of entertainment, one of its best form being ‘casino’. These casinos offer ample of time to gamble and enjoy. But on the same hand it runs the risk of many gamblers going bankrupt. There are also chances of disputes and quarrels. However if you had had enough of gambling, you can go to other wing of the ship and relish different amusement programs there. Apart from immense boozing and gambling, the greatest shortcoming of these overnight cruises is their expense. These cruises are highly expensive and so not within everyone’s reach.

Besides these several other companies promise incredible enjoyment in terms of trips that last for a complete weekend. These cruises are an absolute and perfect vacation in them. The adults who board these pricey cruise liners especially to gamble should prefer to leave their children at home and celebrate an ideal escape.

Prior to opting for a casino cruise, it is always better to consider the company that is running the casino. In order to know the repute of a company, you can consult your friends, family and also check up with the Better Business Bureau. Eminent companies not just offer delightful gambling but also several other amenities with it. These companies take good care of everything, your entertainment, well-being and comfort. Due to it’s all round entertainment in terms of gaming and voyage, the charisma of casino cruises is at a surge these days. No doubt at present it is the hottest pick in the gambling world.

About the author:

Mansi gupta writes about casino cruises .

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