Cruising Seas

Norwegian cruise lines are an increasingly common set of companies when it comes to the cruise line business. When thinking of cruise lines the obvious destinations are placed in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. There is though big business in Norwegian cruise lines.

An increasing number of people are booking cruises with Norwegian cruise lines in order to take in the beauty of Norway and other Scandinavian countries. The coast of Norway is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful coastlines to be found anywhere in the world. There is no better way to take in the wonders of the Norwegian fjords than from the deck of a boat run by one of the Norwegian cruise lines. A fjord is an impressive site from sea level, as it is a long and narrow bay of water enclosed as it is by steep cliffs on either side. The glacial activity that causes the fjord can be seen all around.

It is though not just the fjords that attract people to make use of the Norwegian cruise lines, there are many other sites to be taken in. Pick the time of the year just right and a passenger can view the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The midnight sun is a phenomenon found within the Arctic Circle, and Antarctic. Norwegian cruise lines that take in places like Syalbard in Norway will experience daylight around the clock. Syalbard in fact is famous for having no night from the middle of April to the end of August.

Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, is nature’s equivalent to a massive laser show and is a must for anyone on Norwegian cruise lines. You do have to be on the right cruise at the right time though as Aurora Borealis can normally only be seen from March to April or September to October. If you are lucky enough to be on one of the cruises, then you will be able to view a green or red light show.

There are plenty of other things to be taken in when going on ships with Norwegian cruise lines. Norway is full of interesting towns and villages including Oslo, Bergen and Tromso. Tromso is particularly interesting to visitors due to the presence for the large number of wooden houses to be found there. Tromso is also a place for World War II enthusiasts as the place where the Tirpitz battleship was sunk.

The quintessential vacation destination, Hawaii is situated over 2000 miles away from any continent or other large land mass. As such, the Hawaiian Islands are some of the most isolated islands anywhere in the world. But modern conveniences and luxury also abound, making Hawaii a great place to get away from it all, without forgoing luxury accommodations.

Hawaii cruise packages offer a great way to travel to islands and are rated better than other modes of travel. Cruises offer you the best way to explore the islands and the bounties of enjoyment they offer. And here’s the best part - you need not spend a fortune to enjoy since Hawaiian cruise packages are easy on the pocket.

Many kinds of cruise packages are available. They are targeted at different groups, such as singles or elderly couples. Newlyweds will gain many benefits from Hawaii honeymoon cruises, such as the freedom to visit ports of call whenever they feel like it or to stay in their cabin with a view of the ocean. A newly married couple cannot find a honeymoon destination that is more beautiful than Hawaii.

Some of the best cruise packages are what is called “all-inclusive”, which means they include everything. All of your food, entertaining, and lodging budgets can be combined, because this package will pay for all of those, and even some activities where you go ashore too. This helps you save money, without feeling anxious about your budget while you should be enjoying your vacation like the rest of the passengers. It should be easy to customize your package, and add or subtract those things that interest you most and are essential for your personalized vacation.

By searching online, or asking a travel agent to do the hard work for you, anyone can find Hawaii cruise specials available throughout the year. While it is natural to envy anyone on their way to or from a fantastic trip to Hawaii, it is completely unnecessary. You too can afford to make a fabulous cruise to Hawaii. What could be better than paying less and getting more?

If you’ve been dreaming of basking on soft sandy beaches under a warm Pacific sun this winter while friends and family are shoveling away back home, now’s the time to make your dream a reality. You’ll never regret booking a winter cruise to fabulous Hawaii.

Located more than two thousand miles from any of the world’s major land masses, Hawaii is the most secluded island group in the world. There are many different types of Hawaii cruise packages, varying from singles cruises to cruises designed specifically for elderly couples. Hawaii honeymoon cruises offer many advantages to newlyweds as well. By searching online, or asking a travel agent to do the hard work for you, anyone can find Hawaii cruise specials available throughout the year. Why not treat yourself to a winter to remember this year, and book a cruise to Hawaii?

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

Cruising is in a class by itself - there’s no other vacation option quite like it. And, because of that, many folks feel lost when it comes to planning a cruise vacation. But with a few pointers and a little preparation, your cruise vacation may actually turn out to be the most trouble-free vacation you’ve ever taken.

The biggest cruise tip to remember is to do your homework before you go. Research everything, including what destinations you’d like to visit, the cruise line you’d like to use to get there, what port you’d like to sail out of, and what you’d like to do once there. Don’t let any of this overwhelm you - just try to pick up a little information about all these different facets of a cruise vacation.

Just being aboard a cruise ship is a vacation in itself. There are so many different activities aboard at any given time that you’ll never have to be bored unless you want to. This explains why many folks enjoy a “Cruise to Nowhere,” as it’s called, where they depart a certain port and don’t stop anywhere until they return a few days later.

But that having been said, it’s a great experience to visit new places. You’ll have to decide whether you want to visit tropical ports, take an Alaskan or European cruise, or one of many other options. Try to get ‘in the know’ about what’s available, where and when. For instance, a particular cruise line may or may not be visiting a certain port every week, so if you have certain destinations in mind, look into the offerings of different cruise lines to see what fits your needs. If you can be a little flexible about what week you’ll travel, you’ll find it easier to make it to most, or all, of your desired ports.

When it comes to your stateroom, I suggest that you strongly consider booking an interior room. These are far less expensive than balcony staterooms. You will find that you spend very little time in your stateroom, other than to sleep and dress, so why pay more for a balcony or suite that you will see very little? There is always more than enough room on deck to find a beach chair, relax, and enjoy the view outside. There are a few exceptions to this - for instance, if you’re going somewhere such as Alaska where you’ll be able to see something outside besides water, it’s nice to have a balcony to enjoy the ever-changing views. Or, if you are physically handicapped to the point that you’ll spend a great deal of your cruise in your stateroom, then of course this would be another reason to go for a balcony. But as a rule of thumb, because we spend very little time actually in the stateroom, we usually prefer inside staterooms due to the great price. I also recommend that you look for an inside stateroom on one of the higher decks. This puts you closer to the dining and other facilities above - something you’ll appreciate when those elevators are full and you have to take the stairs.

Check out the websites of cruise lines you’d like to sail with. Unless you’re dead set on using one certain cruise line, you can save big bucks by researching what’s available on different lines at different times of the year. For instance, we booked a 7-Day Caribbean cruise for four in February 2006 for a little over $2000. A family member booked that same cruise, for four people on the same ship, with the same destinations, a few months later, and paid over twice that amount! Cruise ticket prices can and do fluctuate wildly, even from week to week. Do your homework in this area and you may save enough money to be well on your way to paying for a second cruise!

Once you’re settled on what area you’d like to visit, start taking a look at what’s available at your favorite ports. Cruise line websites will give you descriptions of what excursions they offer at each stop. Or, if you prefer, do your homework and go your own way, by organizing your own excursion. But if you make your own plans, just be sure to be back to the pier before your ship departs, with plenty time to spare - the ship will not wait if you’re late. For this reason, I recommend, especially for new cruisers, that you stick with the ship’s organized excursions at first.

Finally, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to keep things simple. Do your homework and prepare as much as you can, but, beyond that, do what you can to simplify your trip where possible. It’s okay if you can’t make it to every activity available on the ship. It’s okay if you can’t squeeze that ninth shirt into your suitcase - wear the eighth one a second day! Remember, once you’re on board, you’re automatically guaranteed several days of everything you need - a nice room, all the food you can eat, and entertainment to spare. As long as you make it on board with a few changes of clothes, most everything else is taken care of for you. Not having to sweat these kinds of details is one of the joys of a cruise vacation - so don’t get too bogged down in the details to enjoy the experience!

Johnnie Rhodes

For more information, including cruise reviews, please visit:
http://www.kimscruisetips.com

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After three and a half years of cruising the world, mainly on the Queen Elizabeth 2, I ended up traveling to over fifty countries and six continents around the world. If you’ve ever wondered how to get a job on a cruise ship, then keep reading so I can share with you the secrets on how to do the exact same thing.

Many people wonder what it’s like working on a cruise ship and are even more curious how to get a job on one. You might be thinking it’s like an insider’s secret! In a way it is, but it won’t be when you finish reading this article. My first job on a cruise ship came when a cruise employment agent contacted a friend of mine who was unavailable to work, so my friend told him to contact me and the rest is history. I’ve also got jobs for several friends who ended up traveling the world, but for the people who don’t know me, it’s okay because I’ll show you how to do the same thing in a different way.

Here is exactly how it works. For every department on a ship, there is someone who oversees that department. That person reports to someone on land in the corporate offices for the cruise ship company, whether it is Princess, Royal Caribbean or Carnival. Now here’s the hooker. That person in corporate works with an agency or contractor that hires people by qualifying them before come aboard the cruise ship. This is what happens 70% of the time. 20% are hired through the companies that are onboard contractors. These can be the onboard shops, art auctioneers, photographers or other third party revenue vendors. The other 10% are people who contact the cruise ships directly for certain positions such as Sales Specialists, Printers, Disk Jockeys and people who have jobs that only involve one or a few people.

When people are hired through an agency, there’s a fee that’s paid by either the cruise ship or the employer. Usually this fee is paid by the cruise ship. It’s a way to hire a third party Human Resources to take care of all the logistics and coordinate with the corporate office and employers onboard. This only makes sense because there are many logistics of hiring, ticketing and travel guidelines. From there, the third party agent or administrative assistant from the corporate office will be just a phone call away for anything you need until you join.

There are plenty of jobs to choose from with the amount of ships at sea nowadays. For instance, one cruiseline will have more “entertainment” jobs, as to where another ship may have more “hotel services” positions available for you to choose from. Obviously you’ll be working, but you’ll also be traveling. To get days off in ports and spend as much time ashore as possible, work out schedules with your fellow co-workers. You may be thinking that sounds like a daunting task, but trust me, it’s no biggie and takes about thirty seconds before everyone is happy. If you work in certain departments, like the entertainment department, your department gets to make your own schedule. Other departments, like casinos and shops are not allowed to work while in port (not a bad job to have)!

If you can, try to get a job on a ship that has a big fleet or that has alot of destinations. When I was with Premiere Cruise Lines, I transferred cruise lines three times in four months, so instead of going to just two countries, I went to ten. Another example is Princess Cruise Lines, which has several ships that all follow a similar protocal throughout. That way, crew can transfer from one ship to another with ease and confidence.

You would be quite surprised to see how many resources and agencies can help you get a job on a cruise ship. You’re probably thinking, “How would I get a job out of the thousands of people who apply?”

Okay, here’s the secret. Those thousands of people you’re thinking about are thinking the same thing, so they don’t even apply! You wouldn’t believe the shortage of staff cruise ships companies always have. If there isn’t a job immediately, one will open up within three months because that is how the contracts work out with multiple ships. There was NEVER a day when all the jobs were filled in ANY department. Department heads are ALWAYS asking the agencies if they have found anyone to fill the position. In many cases, positions don’t even get filled! Many crew have to EXTEND their contracts because the agencies can’t find the right people, because everyone is wondering, ” There must be several people who would get the job before me,” or they just simply don’t know the people to contact.

Many people ask me everyday how to get a job on a cruise ship, after all, I achieved my dreams by twenty-four and have seen several others do the same. What I always tell people is simple. Get a database and resource guide so you can contact these hiring agencies and corporate offices directly. From all the resource guides I’ve seen, nothing compares to one I came across awhile ago, which was Neil Maxwell Key’s resource guide. He use to work on cruise ships as well, but took it a step further to gather all the resources anybody could need to get a job on a cruise ship. If you are serious about getting a job on a cruise ship, then I highly recommend his book for less than a meal out with two friends.

If you’re looking to do what only your friends and family dream of, then go get a cruise ship job for the experience if nothing else! The journey of seeing other cultures and learning more about yourself are priceless. I cannot even begin to tell you the amount of self-growth I’ve done over the years through travel. Also, people are fascinated by the concept and will always be asking you what it’s like traveling the world and getting paid for it.

While working on cruise ships, Scott Lundergan has done two world cruises, traveled to over fifty countries and six continents. Scott was also part of the historical Queen Mary 2 Launch and Maiden Voyage and ended up staying for another nine months on the ship. He now lives in San Diego, California and whenever someone asks how to get a cruise ship job, he refers them to http://www.thecruiseshiplife.com

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

2008 is an exciting year for cruising with the addition of 8 new cruise ships to the booming market.

• April - P&O’s Ventura , MSC Poeisa

• May - Independence of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

• July - Carnival Splendor, Ms Eurodam (Holland America)

• Nov - Ruby Princess, MSC Fantasia

• Dec - Celebrity Solstice

Each ship is being built on the promise that it will be bigger and better than its current sailing rivals, with a heavy focus on innovations at sea. Already we have ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, F1 simulators, self leveling pool tables, boxing rings, bowling alleys and 4 deck high water slides. So the big question everyone’s asking is; what could possibly be coming next?

Well, the answer is grass. Real growing green grass.

Celebrity Cruises have proudly announced that their latest fleet addition, the Solstice, will feature a grassed lawn area where guests may “enjoy bocce ball and croquet, practice their putting, picnic with a basket of wine and cheese, or simply feel the grass between their toes, while sailing the oceans of the world”. And, if all the grass isn’t too much excitement, you can go and watch the hot glass show, another industry first.

Clever, or just plain dull?

Is this really the best they can come up with? Or, are they taking a brave step outside of the current innovation trend box? In reality, the ice skating rinks are a little on the small side, the bowling alleys only have 4 lanes, and does anyone really want to go boxing? It seems the cruise companies are measuring their success on the uniqueness of their ship innovations, but I wonder if that’s what today’s typical cruise passenger is really looking for.

Pre 1960’s cruising was all about the destination, the ship simply providing comfortable accommodation. Then came more emphasis on the actual voyage itself, with the onboard experience becoming as important as the destination. It seems we may now be facing a u-turn, with more and more cruisers wanting to explore new, “undiscovered” places which offer a more intimate cruise experience which the mega liners just can’t offer.

In spite of this, the cruise industry seems to be confidently striving forward with their bigger is better approach with Royal Caribbean’s mind blowing Genesis project on the horizon. Building by far the largest ships at sea, 2009 will see a vessel that has a capacity of over 5000 passengers with a gross tonnage in excess of 220,000 tonnes, compared to the current largest, the Queen Mary 2 at a mere 160,000 tonnes, it’s a pretty outstanding figure.

Surely there must be concerns over the damage a ship that large may cause. For a long time, cruise ship damage seems to have been ignored, when, in reality, they are one of the world’s largest, uncontrolled sources of air pollution, and surprisingly, more damaging than flying. Sewage, oil contamination and coral reef damage are all becoming increasing concerns.

Royal Caribbean have recognized this and have stated that one of the most important priorities for the new ships is energy efficiency and the minimisation of waste to make the ship as environmentally friendly as possible.

What they can’t control is annoying disembarkation queues, port over crowding and inaccessible ports. But, at least there is a boxing ring to let out all those frustrations, if it’s not already been booked up…

Genna Roberts is web editor at Inside Cruise - an online cruise community with the latest cruise news, features and reviews.

Come join us! http://www.insidecruise.co.uk

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Last year, P&O Cruises ensured that the enduringly romantic notion of being married at sea became a reality, as they fully introduced their weddings at sea program. P&O Cruises have now reported that the first year saw busy captains perform no less than 184 ceremonies, and have confirmed a 40% rise in the programs second year. It seems then, that the romance of the sea is still working its magic.

So what is it that is pulling people away from the church and onto a cruise ship? A major factor is the price.

Interestingly, a report carried out by the Carnival UK Group has shown that about 3 quarters of all couples using P&O Cruise’s wedding service will have been married at least once before, therefore, they are fully aware of the tremendous costs of a traditional wedding which can average anywhere between a huge £15,000 and a staggering £25,000.

A basic ceremony onboard a P&O cruise ship starts from £948, once optional extras have been added on, such as a photographer, the average cost is coming in at a modest £5000 - this including the honeymoon cruise. When you compare this to the traditional wedding, you’re looking at paying under a third of the cost, excluding the honeymoon.

Cost is a particular issue because although couples who are marrying again tend to be older and therefore may be better off than they were the first time around, they are also likely to be stumping up the entire cost themselves. In fact, wedding planners at P&O Cruises have disclosed that the payment almost always comes from the couples themselves, and there is no evidence that the fathers bride is coughing up the funds for a second time, this is also true of the one in four couples for whom the wedding is the first time.

A further interesting find was that there has been a distinct shift northwards in those couples choosing to marry onboard. Southampton, P&O Cruises’ home port, has always been a winner for those in the South for the convenience, but statistics have shown that in comparison to 2006 where 44% of all P&O Cruise’s wedding couples came from Southern England, and just 30% from Northern England, 2007 saw a complete turnaround with 59% coming from the North and just 30% from the south.

Couples marrying onboard tend to be younger than the typical passenger, with an average groom age of 45, and brides averaging 41. The youngest couple of all those tying the knot in 2007 was just 21, with the oldest being a groom of 87 marrying his bride who was 74 years old, who said romance was dead..?!

Aside from the lower cost, the incorporated honeymoon and the magic of tying the knot at sea, there is a final, rarely admitted plus point which makes running away to sea a very tempting option for many couples. Weddings held in the UK often have huge guest lists filled with people you feel you should invite, but don’t necessarily want to invite! We’ve all got a relative or “friend” out there who could potentially put a downer on your day, whether it’s the dress, the flowers or even your future husband they have taken a dislike to, a wedding at sea can save you all this bother.

In 2006, the average guest party size was 6, with a rise to 8 in 2007. This increase may be due to booking discounts offered to groups of 10 or more. Out of all the couples marrying onboard, nearly half of them choose to invite no one at all, and the largest guest list was seen in 2007, where the ceremony was performed in front of a record 67 friends and relatives.

Unless the lucky couple are extremely generous and decide to pay for their guests, the etiquette for inviting friends and family to a wedding at sea is for the couple to send invites to their proposed guests, with information included on how they can book and pay for the cruise, if they decide to join the couple onboard.

Genna Roberts is web editor at Inside Cruise - an online cruise community with the latest cruise news, features and reviews.

Come join us! http://www.insidecruise.co.uk

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If you’re planning a cruise, there are eight key questions you need to ask yourself before you even begin to book. Keep reading to learn what these eight questions are and how to research and book the best cruise vacation for you.

1. Who’s Going?

Depending on the age of your travelers and whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a family fun free-for-all is going to have a defining impact on the type of cruise you choose.

By determining well in advance who will be going, you can really narrow down the choices.

2. What’s Your Budget?

Setting a budget in advance will help you plan how much you spend and the type of cruise vacation that you can afford. A typical cruise vacation costs about $100-$300 per day per person, excluding airfare.

Booking early, booking last minute or being willing to take an inside cabin are ways you can save money on your cruise. Inside cabins do not have a window view of the ocean.

3. How Much Time do You Have?

Knowing how much vacation you have will help you narrow down your cruise choices. For example, if you only have 5 vacation days available, you won’t be indulging in that 3-week adventure up the coast of East Africa.

Typically, a week’s vacation allows for a solid 5-7 day cruise in the Caribbean. It can also work depending where you are in North America, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe and even the South Pacific.

4. When Do You Want to Travel?

Having a rough idea of when you want to go will help you focus on specific sailing times and even destinations. For example, Alaska cruises only operate during the five summer months.

5. Where Do You Want to Go?

From Africa to the Caribbean to the South Pacific, cruises travel all over the world. If you know, for example, you want to explore the cities of the Mediterranean, you’ll be able to focus your search on Mediterranean cruises.

6. What Activities Do You Like?

For every taste, there’s a cruise ship that caters to it. From wine tasters to extreme athletes, there are cruises designed specifically for you - you just have to determine your interest.

7. Do You Like Structure?

Some cruise ships have set dining times, ranging from as early as 6:00 p.m. to as late as 9:00 p.m. Others offer freestyle service which allows you to eat when you please.

8. Do You Enjoy Formal Wear?

Before you book a luxury cruise that offers formal dining every night, ask yourself if you’re ready to pack your tuxedo. Whether you want to dress up for dinner every night, just a few nights or not at all, there’s a cruise for you. Just be sure to research your options before you purchase.

For information on practical travel cruise recommendations, please visit http://www.travel-cruise-adventures.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning help with cruise line and location ideas, such as Holland America Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruise Lines, and many more!

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

With the dollar at an all-time low against the Euro, there’s never been a better time to explore Europe on a cruise ship. A European cruise enables you to see the history, art, and natural beauty of Europe without having to navigate the roads and train stations or go through the hassle of packing and unpacking at each destination you visit. And because Europe is relatively compact, you can experience many cities during the course of your cruise. Most ships sail at night and arrive in the next port of call early in the morning, allowing you a full day to sightsee-either on your own or on a shore excursion offered by the cruise line.

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Because the widest selection of Europe itineraries are offered April to November, you need to book the cruise of your choice as soon as possible to ensure you get the date and type of accommodations you desire. June through September is the “high season” for most itineraries, so if you’re flexible, you can usually save some money by booking before June or after September. When you cruise, of course, depends on the itinerary.

Following is a brief look at some of the most popular cruising options, along with suggestions for the best time to cruise.

Mediterranean - The best temperatures are in the spring and fall. Greece, Turkey, the Rivieras, and southern Italy and Spain get especially hot in the summer.

Scandinavia and the Baltics - Northern Europe cruises are available from late May to early September, with the late summer providing the best weather. To see the midnight sun, plan to cruise mid-June to early July.

Great Britain and Ireland - Late summer and early fall are the sunniest months. Temperatures are generally much cooler than on the European continent.

Atlantic Islands, Portugal, and western France - Ships often visit Madeira and the Canary Islands as part of Caribbean/Mediterranean repositioning cruise in the spring and fall. These islands have good weather and moderate temperatures year-round. Ports of call in Portugal and western France are popular in the late spring and early fall.

Along with options for itineraries, you also have a number of ships from which to choose. Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean are popular cruise lines that offer a variety of exciting itineraries. We’d love to help you explore the options and select the cruise that’s right for you.

Visit us online at http://www.bestcruisespot.com

Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, http://www.bestcruisespot.com For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618. Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

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