My First Disney Cruise by Hazel Anderson

I want to tell you about my sneaky husband and our first Disney Cruise. My husband and I met late in life. He had never been married and I had been in 2 bad marriages that left me with two children. So I was on my own for about 15 years with the kids, thinking I would never have another husband and didn’t want one. But then an Angel came into my life that was willing to accept my kids - my daughter was married and had a child and my son had just turned 18. I married a wonderful man who turned 45 while we were on our honeymoon at Disney World. My daughter thought that it was ridiculous for old people to be spending a honeymoon at Disney World with Mickey Mouse. I thought it was wonderful. I had waited 40 years to meet my hero Mickey.

My husband was good with surprises. Every year for our anniversary we would go on vacation for a week, and I never knew where we going. I would pack my suitcase and get in the car. He would tell me once we had reached our destination. I had never been much of any place in my life, but my husband grew up traveling. We had discussed going on a cruise for our 10th anniversary. Then on our 8th anniversary my husband told me we were going to Disney World for 2 weeks to use our annual passes. On the way down he told me we were going to stop at The Kennedy Space Center. That sounded good since it was all new to me.

Just before we got to the Space Center he made what I thought was a wrong turn. Then he said “Since we are this close, let’s go look at the Cruise Ships”. We pulled into the parking lot and the guard asked if we were there to board the ship. I thought he was going to be in trouble for telling a fib when he answered “Yes”. Then he reached under his seat and handed me a small box with a ribbon on it and said “Happy Anniversary Sweetheart”. Within 10 minutes I was getting out of the car and entering the terminal. A woman asked me for a birth certificate or passport and I just looked at her in a daze. Then my husband walked up, reached into his bag and handed her what she needed. We boarded the ship minutes later and I still wasn’t sure what was going on.

The next thing I knew my husband hands me his cell phone and says “Call the kids because you can’t use the cell from the ship and we will be back in 4 days”. When I asked him where we were going he replied “The Bahamas”. When we first arrived on the ship we were sent towards a dining room where there was the nicest buffet I had ever seen. So for the next four days (I was still in shock for the first three), we dined, danced, watched movies and stage shows and had a ball.

When we got to Castaway Cay we viewed the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. They had a Bar B Q on the Beach with fresh fruits, burgers, ice cream, and cold drinks. It was a great lunch. We could have gone back to the ship for lunch if we wanted because the ship was parked right there. The only people on the island besides Disney employees were the passengers on the ship – no sharing with other cruise lines. There were also some gift shops on the island and we went snorkeling, bike riding and then went to the ‘Adults Only’ part of the beach – no kids. The water was so calm and a beautiful blue.

It was a wonderful trip. My husband thought that by surprising me on my eighth anniversary he wouldn’t have to take me on our 10th but what he didn’t expect was the fact that I loved it so much he had to bring me back again and again.

“Guaranteed Savings with the Intelligent Cruiser” – a review by Russell Anderson

If you have ever considered a cruise, but haven’t yet taken the plunge or even if you are a veteran cruiser who would like to save some money on your next cruise then this eBook is for you. The eBook is divided into 3 main parts – “Cruise Savings Guide”, “Royal VIPs” and “Truth Exposed”.

The first section of “Cruise Savings Guide” includes 20 tips that could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars for a family of four. I expect my wife and me to save at least $200 dollars and possibly more just using some of those 20 tips. Our savings would likely be more if we hadn’t learned a couple of things on the list during our 3 previous cruises. Just that short section will save most people many times more than the cost of “The Intelligent Cruiser” eBook.

The second section of “Cruise Savings Guide” details 6 different ways to cruise for free. This is a very interesting read and includes 2 methods that my wife and I will be looking into for future free cruising. It really doesn’t appear to be too difficult to accomplish.

Section three of “Cruise Savings Guide” lists several Extra Cruise Fare Discounts. I qualify for 2 of these immediately and could possibly get one more on our next cruise. The last section gives good information related to booking additional cruises once you have your first or next cruise underway. This eBook would be a bargain even if there weren’t 2 additional parts. The “Cruise Savings Guide” alone is pure gold for anyone interested in cruising.

Click here to check out “The Intelligent Cruiser”

The first section of “Royal VIPs” details 8 methods for getting better value for your money while on your cruise. Methods include how to become a VIP, how to motivate your steward/ess to work harder for you, how to become a repeat cruiser even if you have never cruised before and 5 other important ways to have more fun and get better value.

Section 2 of “Royal VIPs” tells you how to receive “royal treatment” for free. It’s an easy and painless plan to get more bang for your buck. Section 3 of “Royal VIPs” tells you who you need to meet and get to know and why you need to meet them to help make your cruise more enjoyable and valuable.

Click here to check out “The Intelligent Cruiser”

Section 1 of “Truth Exposed” explains how to save money on shore excursions. The author offers the truth about 3 common excursion myths and explains in detail how to overcome the myths while saving time and money. He ends this section with “10 Steps For A Successful Day Ashore”.

Section 2 of “Truth Exposed” offers shopping advice that will definitely save the reader money on any shopping done in port. The cruise lines definitely do not have your best interests in mind – only profit for the cruise line.

Section 3 of “Truth Exposed” offers a lesson in “The Art of Bargaining”. If you plan to do any shopping in a port city, you can save the cost of this eBook by learning this valuable lesson. The author does an excellent job of teaching this useful art.

The 4th and final section of “Truth Exposed” offers advice on cruise ship art auctions and how to avoid getting ripped off. Anyone interested in art auctions on board ship should read this section twice before attending an auction.

Click here to check out “The Intelligent Cruiser”

In summary, I have to admit that I learned something in every section of “The Intelligent Cruiser” even though I am not a novice cruiser. Yes, there was much information that I learned from personal experience during my 3 previous cruises, but at least 75% or more of the information in the pages of “The Intelligent Cruiser” was new to me and of tremendous value. I believe I can safely say that this is the best book you will ever find on cruising.

For the best in cruising information click here

Teen Friendly Cruise Vacations

Point one:   More and more Baby Boomers have taken to cruise ship vacations as their favorite way of getting away from it all.

Point two:  Most Baby Boomers have kids, and most of those kids are approaching or in their teens.

Point three:  Most Baby Boomers are reluctant to leave their teenagers behind when they head for the high seas, and prefer to vacation as a family.

The cruise industry is fully cognizant of all of these points, and they are doing their best to make sure that every member of their Baby Boomer families are provided with exactly the sort of cruise experience which will be entertaining, relaxing, and most of all, FUN.  Most cruise lines now offer planned and supervised activities geared for teenagers throughout the day, because they know that the happy teen customer of today will be the paying adult customer of tomorrow. 

Teen centers and video arcades are standard on all ships offering family cruises, and many cruise lines have age-based programs which will tempt your reluctant teen from spending his or her time moping about in the cabin dreaming of the friends or love interest left behind.  Ships with good teen activities will schedule nighttime dances or pool parties where the teens can escape from Mom, Dad, and their annoying younger siblings.  Many of the best cruise lines also have Internet cafes so your teen’s email lifeline is never far away. 

Some cruise lines, including Carnival and Disney, go out of their way to make their cruises fun for family members of all ages. For teens in particular, Carnival Cruise Lines offers Camp Carnival for kids up to age 15, and a Fountain Fun card, which will let you tens drinks as many soft drinks as they like at any hour of the day or night.  They also have 24-hour pizzerias. 

Carnival’s Destiny-class ships have high-tech video game arcades, and its Fun Ships have 2,400 square foot Fun House activity centers.  When it comes to catering to the kids and teens, however, few cruise lines have as much to offer as Disney.

The cruise ships Disney magic and Disney Wonder each have almost an entire deck (1500 square feet) set aside for kid and teen activities, including a teen club with its own coffee bar and video arcade.  Disney debuts its latest theatrical releases aboard ship on the same day that they are released into theaters, so if there’s a teen offering from Disney studios while you’re on your cruise, your teenagers won’t have to wait to see it!

Royal Caribbean will keep your teens busy in their own nightclubs and huge video arcades, and keep them happily fed with burgers and shakes at their Johnny Rocket’s restaurants.  Their latest ships also have a teen pool complete with water slide and (for a small fee) the use of a rock climbing wall to provide a crow’s nest view of the surrounding sea.  Organized activities for teens are held throughout the day beginning at 10:00 AM.  Karaoke contests are open to passengers of all ages, and the teens are often the most enthusiastic performers!

Royal Caribbean is also among the handful of cruise lines which has onboard skating rinks of some of its ships, where your teens can either skate or enjoy a replica of the Ice Capades.  They will love the contrast between ice skating and the surfing experience they’ll get on Royal Caribbean’s Flowrider, where the surf’s always up!

Cruise vacations are no longer the domain of honeymooners and retirees.  They are genuinely family-friendly experiences, with entertainment and social activities to appeal to even the most sophisticated teens!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/teen-friendly-cruise-vacations-777521.html

Common Questions About Cruise Ship Vacations

Cruise ship vacations are one of the most exotic and exciting trips that can be made. One of the most exciting parts about a cruise is that passengers travel to several different places in one trip. The passengers get all of the excitement of taking the cruise, and they also get to go on shore to the destinations on the trip.

There are many different kinds of cruises. Some are oriented for destinations, some are for ocean trips exclusively, some are designed to be romantic, some are family friendly, and some are designed for senior citizens. All of this variety makes a cruise vacation right for almost anyone.

If you have decided to take a cruise, you might wonder about how the trip may go and what kinds of things you should bring. The first thing you should make sure that you have is a passport. This is necessary for any international cruise destinations. If you do not have your passport, you will not be allowed into any other country. However, some cruises only travel within a specific country. If it is your home country then you do not have to worry about getting a passport.

Another issue that many people wonder about is money. What exactly is included in the price of the cruise package? Usually the package includes meals, sleeping arrangements, and passage. Everything else will have to be purchased per passenger such as drinks, tips, travel away from the ship, and other items. In many cases the cruise ships run off of a digital system which means that everything is billed to the passenger at the end of the trip.

Another common question about cruise ship vacations is whether or not the passengers have control over their schedules. This really depends on the type of trip. Some cruises are more regimented than others. Some ships only control meal times, while others have scheduled events, and even scheduled tours of the destination cities. If this concerns you then make sure to ask your travel agent about the ship’s schedule before deciding on which cruise to take.

What to wear on a cruise ship vacation often worries people. The best things to pack are clothes that match the climate that the ship will be sailing through. If the destination is a cold place, then pack sweaters and long sleeves. If the destination is in a warm climate, then shorts and tank tops are in order. Ask your travel agent what activities are offered on your cruise and you will be able to pack appropriate clothing from there. Most cruises also have evening activities, so packing something more formal is also a good idea.

There are many different types of cruises that focus on a specific hobby. It is a good idea to look at those kinds of cruises before deciding on which one to take. There are cruises that specialize in water parks, ice rinks, golf courses, rock climbing, swimming, gambling, and more. Each of these cruises offer something different for each person’s different likes and dislikes. Consider taking a specialized cruise if you are very interested in a particular hobby or activity. You can ask your travel agent if there are any cruises that offer the activity that you love best.

For more information on cruises, visit http://www.discountcruise.info.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/common-questions-about-cruise-ship-vacations-803402.html

Senior Citizen Cruise Ship Vacations: You’Re Never Too Old

As the members of the Baby Boomer generation have begun to reach retirement age, they have completely turned the traditional idea of the “sunset years” on its ear.  The senior citizen of today is nowhere near ready to slow down, and has more opportunities than ever before to continue enjoying life to the full.

If you’re a senior citizen who’s been exploring life’s possibilities, you’ve undoubtedly thought about traveling.   Finding vacation packages geared for seniors is easier than you can imagine, whether they be guided tours, travels with a church or other social group, or simply flying solo.  But one sometimes overlooked senior travel possibility is the cruise ship vacation.

The cruise vacation industry has grown exponentially over the past ten years, and most cruise lines operate several different ships in a variety of classes.  They have made their ships to accommodate, and fill their cruises with so many activities that you’re sure to find the one which is perfect for you.

Here’s a list of just some typical daily activities aboard one of the leading cruise lines:

- Low-impact aerobics
- Sunrise stretch class
- Walkathon
- Napkin folding
- Shopping and island information talks
- Party Bridge
- Golf putting tournament
- Art auction
- Cash prize Bingo
- Island music poolside
- Slots tournament
- Perfume seminar
- Jewelry and Cash Bingo
- Aquadynamics
- Blackjack tournament
- Piano music
- Movie
- Cocktail music
- Karaoke
- Piano bar entertainment
- Dance music
- 50s and 60s Trivia

This list, however, doesn’t include anything about the shipboard stage entertainment, the offshore excursions, or dining.  Nor does sit mention the ship’s library, pool tables, onboard shops, and private deck areas along the ship’s stern where you can simply stretch out on a lounge chair and watch the clouds and ocean drift by. 

Most cruises will offer lectures and seminars on everything from the culture of your next port-of-call to the wines being offered with the evenings’ entrees.  If you love the food, you may be lucky enough to sit in on a cooking lesson with the ship’s chef (or even a visiting celebrity chef!) One cruise line will even let you earn SCUBA certification before you reach the next great coral reef.

The stage show offered of today’s cruise ships are every bit the equal of what you can expect to see in Las Vegas,  complete with pyrotechnics, laser lighting, and huge casts of dancers and singers.  Royal Caribbean has three ships with ice skating rinks, and even if you think your skating days are behind you, you can still enjoy their version of the Ice Capades!  Vaudeville is alive and well on cruise ships, when you’re in the mood for sheer silliness.

Most cruise ships have cocktail mixers at which you can mingle with your shipmates, and most of them also have dance floors where you can strut your stuff.   The casinos and Bingo parlors are great for fun on the days you’re at sea, but the ports-of-call you’ll visit are really the highlights of your cruise.  Pulling into a tropical bay with balmy breezes and 75° temperatures when the folks back home are bundled up against the snow, and strolling along a deserted beach or playing a round of golf on one of the world’s elite courses are just some of the unforgettable experiences you’ll enjoy on your cruise.

You’ll never have a safer vacation environment than that of a cruise ship.  Regardless of whether you’ll be traveling solo or with family or friends, you can relax completely and let yourself be pampered just as you’ve always dreamed.  The only thing you won’t like about your senior cruise ship vacation is that you waited so long to take it!

myroadtotravel was created in late 2007 as way for my wife and I to do what we love most…Travel. We love to share our experiences with others and have recently created our first blog myroadtotravelblog.com to help us do just that. Through this blog, we offer travel tips, our own personal experiences/adventures and photos from our vacations. Please stop by and give us your feedback and remember, for all your travel booking needs please visit us at myroadtotravel.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/senior-citizen-cruise-ship-vacations-youre-never-too-old-777525.html

Cruise Ships: What To Do Before You Board

There’s far more to preparing properly for a cruise ship vacation than simply checking with the cruise line for recommended apparel and going shopping for the right items of clothing. You’ll have plenty of other details to see to besides what you intend to pack in your luggage, not the least of which is ensuring that you have all your paperwork in order.

The first item of importance is your identification. You won’t be allowed on your cruise ship without a photo ID and proof of citizenship A passport will suffice for both, but if you don’t have one, then your driver’s license and official birth certificate (with a raised seal) will work. Even your kids will need the right identification. Make sure you don’t put your ID in your checked luggage if you are flying to your cruise departure point, because checked baggage can get lost!

The cruise lines don’t set the identification requirements; the US Department of Immigration does. So if you have any questions, call their toll-free number, which will almost certainly be included in the information packet which the cruise line sends with your tickets.

If you’re cruising to or in a foreign country, you will need a passport. You can apply in person for a US passport at a designated Post Office, at different probate, state, or Federal courts in your area, or at an official passport office, of which there are thirteen around the US. You’ll need an official birth certificate and a photo ID, and you’ll also need two identical 2? x 2? photos taken within the past six months. You should have them taken professionally, because they MUST be taken with a special camera if they’re to be identical.

Where, if you’re a US citizen, won’t you need a passport? Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Cruises to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Central America require them. You should apply for your passport a minimum of eight weeks before your departure date, but the earlier you apply, the better, especially if you’ll be cruising at the height of tourist season. You can also speed up the processing of your passport by applying in person and paying an extra $35 for expedited delivery.

When you have your identification squared away, you can focus on your other paperwork: airline tickets; your boarding documents which will include your cabin assignment and possibly your dining table assignment (many cruises no let you eat whenever you like); you luggage tags; you transfers from the airport or hotel to your port of departure; and any papers for offshore excursions you’ve arranged. Make sure your flight leaves you time to get to your port of departure at least an hour in advance of the time you set sail.

Bring along your health insurance card in case you need medical treatment while on your cruise. Pack your medications, of course, and ask your doctor for a spare prescription in case your existing medication gets lost and you need a refill before returning home.

Get enough traveler’s checks to cover your estimated travel expenses. Carry only the minimum amount of cash, because all cruise lines will accept either credit cards or traveler’s checks. Before leaving home make sure to give your ship itinerary to whoever is looking after your home while you’re gone, so that you can be reached in an emergency. Most cruise ships now have Internet cafes, so you can be reached by E-mail if necessary. Also arrange to have someone be your contact person at home.

Once all your paperwork is in order, you can begin the fun by heading out to shop for your new cruise clothes!

myroadtotravel was created in late 2007 as way for my wife and I to do what we love most…Travel. We love to share our experiences with others and have recently created our first blog myroadtotravelblog.com to help us do just that. Through this blog, we offer travel tips, our own personal experiences/adventures and photos from our vacations. Please stop by and give us your feedback and remember, for all your travel booking needs please visit us at myroadtotravel.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/cruise-ships-what-to-do-before-you-board-777526.html

Cruise Lines - All You Need To Know

Who are the people whom you refer to when you plan a pleasure trip with your loves ones on the ship? Whom do you contact to know and compare the prices of various voyage packages? Who are the people whom you contact when you need to make sure that your safety is ensured? Well, the answer to all these questions is “cruise lines”!

CRUISE LINE-WHO?

A corporation or an organization which operates cruise ships is popularly known as cruise line. They serve two purposes, namely, transportation and leisure pleasure trips. Apart from the headquartered employees and the administrative officers, the cruise line personnel also includes the captain of the ship, the cruise crew, hospitality staff members and a hotel manager or his equivalent.

Many cruise lines that are operating currently operating are straight from the family of conventional passenger shipping lines. The others originate from the original cruising organizations which were established early in the days of 1960’s.

WELL-LIKED AND FASHIONABLE CRUISE LINES:-

Presently, there are 52 major cruise lines that are operating in many parts of the world like Europe, United States, and Asia among others. And invariably, most of the headquarters of all these cruise lines are located in Europe and the United States. So, here is the list of the most popular and well known cruise lines:-

1. Birka line:

The starting point of this cruise line is Stockholm and its cruise activities mainly take place in and around the Baltic Sea. It is an Albanian cruiser ship and it mainly focuses on cruising activities. It was created post the acquirement of this ship named M/S Princessan was later rechristened as Prinsessan. The first cruise of this ship was between Stockholm and Mariehamn.

In the year 1972, this ship, took over the M/S Olav, after which it was renamed Baronessan. Many other ships were acquired with the passage of time and passenger ferries and cars have also been introduced in the Stockholm to Helsinki route. One other addition was the M/S Drottningen, a train ferry which provides service from Stockholm to Helsinki via the Leningrad route.

2. Carnival cruise line:

The carnival cruise line is one of the ancillaries of the carnival co. which is the largest cruise corporation in the world. They used to be the leader of shorter and cheaper cruises. They have also been the producers of large ships such as the Carnival Destiny which is the greatest passenger ship weighing 101,000 tons.

In the first quarter of April of 2006, the company has successfully incorporated two more cruise ships to their already existing fleet. The new ships have been named Carnival Freedom, which would be unveiled in the year 2007 and the other one is carnival Splendor, which would be getting a spring 2008 launch.

3. Crystal cruise lines:
The crystal cruise line made its debut in the year 1988 with three high-end medium sized ships. It is more popularly referred to as Crystal Cruises. The Japanese Shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kaisha owns it. These ships have been placed as one of the best cruises almost every year by the Conde Nast Traveler magazine. They have also been placed in the top twenty in almost all guidebooks.

4. Disney cruise line:
It is held by the world renowned Walt Disney company and has its headquarters in Celebration, Florida. Two ships are operated under this line namely, the Disney wonder and the Disney magic together with Castaway Cay, an island designed as a special port for all of Disney’s ships in the Bahamas.

There variation between the two ships lies in the entertainment sections and the restaurants. They have different areas designed as per the likings and preferences of different age groups right from toddlers to children to teenagers to adults.

5. Norwegian cruise lines:

This company has its base in Florida, Miami to be precise and was initially known to be the Norwegian Caribbean Lines when it was formed in 1966. It started off by providing voyages in the Caribbean region at lower costs.

The acquirement of the France cruise ship in the year 1979 which was later renamed and rebuilt as the Norway, laid the foundation stone for the beginning of the era of huge cruise ships that are available today..

There are a variety of other cruises which would suit every other pocket and would make their voyage one of the great memories in their life.

Abhishek is an avid Globetrotter and he has got some great Budget Cruising Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 80 Pages Ebook, “How To Have An Unforgettable Cruise Vacation!” from his website http://www.Boating-Guru.com/153/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/cruise-lines-all-you-need-to-know-777091.html

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