Nestled between the nations of China and Japan is the lesser-known country of South Korea. Although sometimes overlooked as a destination spot in the region, this area of Southeast Asia is a wonderful place to visit.

Founded in 1948 when it separated from its sister nation, North Korea, the Republic of Korea became a democratic state at the end of World War II. In 1950, the North invaded the South, causing the Korean War until the two sides signed an armistice in 1953. Both the North and the South have similar, long-standing traditions, but South Korea has become a modern, global economic leader that Western culture has heavily influenced over the last half-century.

South Korea is home to roughly 48 million people of whom about 12 million live in and around the capital and largest city of Seoul. The land area is 38,463 square miles, slightly larger than the state of Indiana. The climate of the region is very mild year-round and residents enjoy all four seasons. The landscape of Korea is mostly mountainous and covered with lush forests in the rural areas, but you can also find rice fields, the country?s staple crop, in many of the valleys.

Top Attractions

Many attractions in the country are sure to lure a variety of travelers. One of the most famous is Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. While the location of the palace is over 600 years old, the actual buildings had been rebuilt a number of times due to invasions and hostile takeovers. The present buildings house both the National Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum. Once home to kings and rulers, the palace is rich with history, cultural artifacts and architecture, and enjoys a large number of visitors annually.

Those fascinated by the history and culture of the country should also check out the Korean Folk Village located near Seoul. See what life was like for Koreans during the Chosun period (from the 1700s up until 1910) in this 243-acre village. Observe and interact with residents as you encounter them in traditional Korean dress, but do not be fooled. These people are not hired actors. Many of the residents of the village actually live there! Enjoy music, shows, and authentic foods from a long lost but not forgotten chapter in Korean history.

The most popular attraction in South Korea is the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, in Panmunjom. Set at the 38th parallel, this area is where the democratic South borders the communist North. Here you will witness propaganda from both sides of the border. See what the North wants visitors to see as a stable, booming economy, complete with elaborate buildings and highways, but in actuality is a sluggish, repressed society, as shown by the South. Many South Koreans have family and friends still living in the North that they have had no contact with for over fifty years. Travel and communication between sides is prohibited and the hope is that, one day, an end to dictatorial rule will open up the border once again.

On South Koreas west coast, in the city of Incheon, you can visit the Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall. This site is a memorial to General Douglas MacArthurs combat operation that led to the liberation of Seoul during the Korean War. There are also a variety of amusements and maritime attractions in the vicinity for visitors to enjoy.

Some festivals that visitors should consider in their itinerary include the Chunhyang Festival, the Nankye Traditional Music Festival, and the celebration of Buddhas birthday. The Chunhyang Festival occurs annually in Namwon. Chunyang is the Korean equivalent of the story of Romeo and Juliet. Many visitors come to this festival in the beginning of May to experience Korean dance, music, and parades. The Miss Chunyang Pageant is held on the last day of the festival. The Nankye Traditional Music Festival is a celebration of Nankye, a Korean composer who is said to have created Chosun Dynasty Korean Music. This type of music is a beautiful ensemble of strings, winds and percussion that produce a sound unique to Korean culture. This event is held annually in Yongdong in September. The celebration of Buddhas birthday is held in May all over the country. Many Buddhist temples hold festivals and parades on this holiday that is celebrated by many Koreans, regardless of faith.

Culinary Delights

While traveling in South Korea, visitors can enjoy a variety of culinary delights. Most dishes are spicier than most Western palates are used to, however. The favorite of most travelers is pulgogi. This is a traditional Korean dish that consists of marinated slices of beef with rice and vegetables that is then wrapped in a leaf of lettuce. Along with rice, another staple food of Korean culture is kimchi. This side dish is typically served with every meal. Kimchi is a mix of fermented vegetables, usually cabbage, and is especially hot and spicy. Since it is eaten regularly, there are many variations of kimchi to choose from. For those less adventuresome, many Western restaurants have made their way to Seoul and surrounding cities, so those who want to experience the culture but cannot handle spicy foods, there's usually a McDonalds or a KFC around the corner.

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To find the best price cruises online and booking them with confidence, you need to understand a few things about how the cruising industry comes up with their lowest price, and follow a few simple steps that the travel professionals at your local agencies don't want to you know!

The fact remains that over 90% of cruise reservations are done through a travel agent, and you're not only at the mercy of their service fees, but also to the prices they charge for a particular cruise and sailing. So why do so many individuals go through this booking avenue, when they know the deals are far better online, and they have access to a computer and the Internet?

The answers simple! The cruise industry believes that customers new and seasoned may not truly understand the cruise ships industry language, or feel comfortable booking online! They put their dependency on many travel professionals to interpret the cruising lingo that is the integral part of the cruise booking process.

However, if you take the time to learn and understand the cruise lines language such as guaranteed staterooms, singles supplement, or run-of-the-ship, you should have no worries booking your next vacation cruise online, and start taking advantage of all the fantastic savings!

Booking Cruise Travel Over The Internet Is Simple and Easier Than You Think!

When you're searching the Internet to find a cruise special, keep in mind that if you go direct to the main cruise lines site, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or Princess, you may end up paying a higher cabin price than the online cruise discounters, even though they may be showing reduced cabin prices on their sites.

In order to get the best discounts, you should source large vacation suppliers such as Travelocity, Expedia, or exclusive cruise booking sites like CruiseD which specialize in selling cruises, and offer a unique booking engine that can quickly put together your cruise package in minutes.

Why go through these online cruise specialists, and travel suppliers?

Even though the cruise lines want to deal with you directly, they also need to keep a solid business relationship with their travel agencies that are currently booking a majority of cruises for them though their local offices and online vacation websites.

With online travel suppliers and Internet cruise company's, they deal with the cruise lines a little differently, and they either pre-purchase cabins at a very low discounted price, or they're large enough to be directly linked to the cruiselines inventory database system. They are also capable of receiving live updated stateroom information daily, and in most cases hourly! With this powerful online system, they can take these updated cabin inventory deals, and pass them directly to the consumer, which offers you the consumer far deeper discounted savings!

What this means to you, is that once you understand what these suppliers are offering, you will have a better chance of reserving your favourite cruise in minutes and take advantage of the incredible discounts that could easily range from 20% - 60%, depending on the seasonality, type of itinerary, and actual cruise ship you book.

Just make sure that before you make any reservations online, that if you have any doubts, or understanding what your booking, contact the customer service departments via their toll-free numbers, or the cruise lines email, and they will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have prior to booking your next cruise vacation.

William Lezubski is a professional in the Travel Industry and is the owner and author of "Discount Caribbean Vacations Web Site" at A quality source of top Caribbean Cruise information at your fingertips! If you're looking to go on a cruise to the Caribbean, or plan an All-Inclusive Island vacation, you will find great information on our Caribbean site.

Yangtze is a river of epic proportions, stretched across miles over the China mainland from its origin in Qinghai Province to the East China Sea, making it the third longest river in the world behind the Nile and Amazon. A journey along this river provides the most rarest and beautiful views of Mother Nature, exquisite wildlife, scattered industry belts, and some of the biggest cities and towns in the country. If there is a river in China to take a cruise along, this is that river!

Yangtze River Cruises are rated as the best available in China – and in world as well – and the biggest advantage of choosing to traverse the river in a cruise liner over the conventional modes of transport is that the entire journey is not at all taxing and exhausting. There are no frequent needs for packing and unpacking of the bags nor are there any unending queues in front of verification counters. Once on board, you can place your belongings in your room and focus on enjoying the journey rather than carrying it all along wherever you go. Further, all document related aspects will be handled by the managerial staff of the tour company sponsoring the cruise. The travelers need not have to worry about such technicalities. Also the facilities offered in the cruise liners - such room service, spa service, entertainment, workout facilities, medical facilities and the mouth watering cuisines in the restaurants – are simply top class, at par with the standards offered by the five star hotels in Shanghai or Beijing.

In short, a traveler on the cruise can enjoy the journey without any worries, in a leisurely pace, on his/her own terms, without getting bogged down by the thoughts of 'what next' or 'where on earth I am'? After all, we all undertake pleasure trips for sheer pleasure and not to entertain any worries.

For the best Yangtze River cruises, take few minutes to browse the various travel websites and it won't take too long for you to find out a tour schedule that matches your convenience and budget. Select a suitable one and you won't be disappointed at what you see and experience during the days in the cruise liner. Be prepared for the river cruise of your life!

Get more information about Yangtze River Cruises at

The only state named for a president, Washington was nicknamed "The Evergreen State" by C.T. Conover, pioneer Seattle realtor and historian, for its abundant evergreen forest. It is a well-known vacation place for people who like outdoor sports like hiking, kayaking or mountain biking. But may be there are not too many people who know that Washington is also home of some of the largest and famous companies in the world. In and around Seattle are the headquarters and factories of such big behemoths like Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon and Starbucks. This makes the area popular destination not only for leisure but also for business travel.

If you need to spend few days on the Eastside, the part of King County that is east of Lake Washington, you may wonder how to better organize your stay. Doesn't matter whether you are on business trip or vacation here are my tips for you.

First, finding a hotel or place to sleep should not be a problem. If you are on a business trip this may already be organized for you and hotel will be the preference. If you are on vacation you may decide to rent a vacation home for few days. One good source for that is TravelW but there are hundreds more that you can find on Internet.

Finding good food will be your next goal. What would you like? Thai, Mexican or Steak from Texas. Depends also how much you would like to spend for dinner. I will skip the trivial choices and emphasize on few dinner places that I think deserve their high rating.

The first one is P. F. Chang's China Bistro. There are three of them in Washington – one in Seattle, one in Lynwood and one in Bellevue. The last one you can find in Bellevue Square Mall, a favorite place for shopping. In P. F. Chang's you can really enjoy the food and there is such for every taste: vegetarian, pork, duck or chicken, appetizers, soups, salads or traditional Chinese dishes. Don't miss the desserts! But be careful; I'll recommend ordering The Great Wall of Chocolate only if you are at least party of 8 or… you are dying for chocolate. Don't be afraid of the prices at P. F. Chang's, you can easily enjoy good dinner for 4 for around 100 $.

Mexican food is one of the favorites for many people in US. Good place to find such is Cactus in Kirkland. It serves Mexican, Southwestern and Spanish and it is home to Seattle's very first tapas bar. They have also seasonally evolving menus nightly specials. Cactus is rated as the "Best Kirkland Casual" by Seattle Magazine in October 2002, one of the Top 100 by Seattle Weekly in 2001 and one of the Top 10 by Seattle Times in 1999. Its other location is in Madison Park in Seattle.

My favorite one is The Melting Pot in Bellevue. It is the best place outside Switzerland you can eat fondue. To enjoy the full set of courses will take you more than 3 hours; also be prepared to cook by yourself. For sure you will need reservation for that one… and also full wallet. But you will be nicely surprised by the quality of service and the taste of the food.

If you want to make short trips in the area I'll recommend going to Kirkland. Kirkland has the most beautiful parks in the region; you can enjoy fantastic views of the Seattle skyline, the Olympic Mountains and Lake Washington while taking the lake view walk. You can also take a lake cruise with Argosy and enjoy beautiful scenery, views of Mt. Rainier, the University of Washington Husky Stadium, and home of Seattle's rich and famous. It is also the only way to see the house of the reaches man in the world, Bill Gates.

Another good destination is the Chateau Ste Michelle, the Washington state's oldest and most acclaimed winery. It is located 15 miles northeast of Seattle in Woodinville. You can choose the free Columbia Valley Tour and Tasting which is approximately ½ hour long and where you can learn what makes the Columbia Valley such a premier grape growing region. The tour concludes with a sampling of the wines. If you are a wine enthusiast you can also go for the Premium Wine Tasting, Vintage Reserve Room Tasting or the Ultimate Wine Tasting; all of them take between ½ and 1 hours and the prices can go up to 45 $ per person.

Exploring hidden places will make your stay on the Eastside pleasant. Don't hesitate to check my blogs moocities and My Kind of Places for more tips.

Metodi Mladenov travels and writes for fun. Visit his blogs moocities and My Kind of Places to find out more.

Your honeymoon vacation would be wonderful on a cruise. You can even get married on some of the cruise lines. On one cruise vacation we were on, there was a couple that got married on land at the point of embarkation and then had the reception on the ship. Another time, it was funny when we were on the Grand Princess in the Casino, and in walked a bride in full bridal regalia.

We took our honeymoon vacation on a cruise which was fabulous. Ask your travel agent about cruise ships that leave on a Sunday or Monday if your wedding is on a Saturday. By taking a Sunday cruise for your honeymoon vacation you have 24 hours to make it to your ship and you won't have added stress on your wedding day. There couldn't be a better way to have a honeymoon. You can even set up through your Travel Agent a bridal registry which will enable your wedding guests to pre-pay for spa packages or champagne. It's a perfect gift to give to newlyweds who are frazzled after planning their wedding.

Cruise Tip for the Bride: You may want to book the cruise in your maiden name. All travel documents must match your ID. You will not have had time to change your passport or drivers license to your new name and Security is very strict since September 11th. So keep it simple, book the cruise in the brides maiden name and it is one less thing you have to worry about your honeymoon vacation.

On Princess Cruise Lines the following ships, Caribbean, Coral, Diamond, Grand, Golden, Island, and Star Princess, can web cam your wedding ceremony to love ones at home.

Any special occasion qualifies for a cruise, birthdays, honeymoon vacations, anniversaries, or family reunions. On the newer ships that have wedding chapels there is a storage space for your wedding gown next to the main lounge. This is useful when you purchase a package to get married at one of the destinations like Bermuda or St. Thomas.

On one Cruise in Norway on Celebrity, we had spent the day touring and we were tired when we got back to the ship. We decided that we would stay in our Cabin and have room service. The dinner arrived on a rolling table with a white linen table cloth, china, silver and wine goblets and we ordered off the dinner menu from the main dining room. What a romantic night that was. I highly recommend that. We've also had our breakfast delivered to the room and set up on our private balcony. Wonderful!!

Christmas and New Year's are a great time to cruise although they are more expensive. The ships are beautifully decorated and the air is festive. You don't do any of the work. If you cruise at Thanksgiving, trust me here, there will be a lot of families and lots of kids. An inexpensive time to cruise is the week before Christmas or Thanksgiving; all cruise lines have deals at that time.

So pick your special occasion, be it a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon vacation, whatever, call your travel agent and Set Sail!

Happy Cruising!

Choosing a travel agent should be easy. Go to travel agents that specialize in cruising. I cannot stress this enough. There agencies that book cruises only and then there are agents within Travel Agencies that are specialists in cruising. Either one of these will fit the bill.

Ask the agent a lot of questions, like what cruise lines that agent has sailed on? They should be very knowledgeable about all the aspects of cruising- food, activities, entertainment, the size of the cabins available, the size of the ship, what kind of facilities and the clientele. To be really sure of the agents' expertise, ask for a CLIA accredited agent.

Ask about a variety of cruises, not just one or two lines. Some agents push one or two lines because they either have booked a big block of space on a ship or they get a higher commission from a particular cruise line, they call these their "Preferred Suppliers". Ask them who their Preferred Suppliers are and what lines they have personally sailed on. Many times it will be the Preferred Suppliers but you want someone who has experienced many cruise lines.

Cruise Tip: When choosing an agent, ask how long she/he has worked for the agency. You want one that has been there at least two years, has been on several lines, and can answer all of your questions. It is not realistic to expect the agent to have sailed on all of the cruise lines but you want one that has sampled many.

There are a couple of tricks to get the best priced cruise. Go to one Travel Agent who specializes in cruises; go through the options available for the type of cruise you want. After the agent has narrowed it down she/he will than say it's time to call the lines and check for availability. The next step is to put a hold on the cabin which she will put in your name. Normally the cruise line will hold a cabin for a week. .

Go home and call another cruise agency and ask for their cruise specialist. Give that agency the same information along with the price quoted by the first agent. See if this agent can beat the price. If she can, go back to the first agent and tell her your mother, sister, friend, was able to get a better price and can she meet that price. Chances are she will, especially if she has placed you on a Preferred Supplier. Don't feel bad about this. You will probably book with the first agent, and the second agent did not do any work except make a phone call. This will also let you know if the first agent did a good job. If agent number 2 can't beat the price or quotes you a higher price, bingo, you've got yourself a great agent in on the first try.

The third thing you will want to do is check the internet for any deals on that particular ship. You can check by search engine or by going to the individual cruise lines website.

Your local newspaper will have a cruise travel section with lots of ads for cruises and will list discount fares. Or go to your local bookstore and browse the Magazine section for Cruise related publications. And of course the Cruise lines all have websites where you can book directly. But if you are a new cruiser it is best to go to a Travel Agent that knows cruising and can answer all your questions including the pro and cons of each and every cruise line.

Cruise Tip: If you are strictly looking for price, go to travel agents that have booked large blocks of rooms on a particular cruise and they will be able to give you a good discount. Just make sure that this is the type of cruise you want to take. Consider the ships "personality". There are ships that are completely casual all of the time, or ships that promote partying, and ships were people are elegantly dressed all of the time. Choosing your cruise style is one of the first things you should decide, this will help the Travel Agent find the ideal ship for you.

Copy the list below and take them with you when you visit your chosen Travel Agency (write answers below questions):

1. What is the total price for the cruise? It should include port charges, air fare and transfers to and from the airport.

2. Can any money be saved by traveling on a different cruise line with similar amenities or if I traveled at a different time of year?

3. Does the agency have a way of checking if the rate drops as the cruise date nears? If so, will the travel agent automatically lower my fare?

4. Does the cruise line offer travel insurance and what kind if they do? Does the agency offer insurance or know a reputable company?

5. What is the last day you can cancel without penalty? What are the penalties?

6. What proof of citizenship is expected? What other documents will I need?

7. If I want to change the itinerary or go earlier or stay later is that possible?

8. Who will make my airline reservations? When can I get seat assignments?

9. Find out where your cabin will be and if it is close to the dining room, the elevator, the disco, the pool etc. Ships are large and there will be considerable walking.

10. Arrange with the agent what type of beds you want, queen or twin.

11. Tell the agent when you want to dine and how large the table should be.

12. If purchasing an outside cabin has the agent checked to make sure the view is not obstructed? If this doesn't matter to you, you may be able to save some money by booking an obstructed view.

13. What are the weight restrictions if you are flying to the port?

14. When will I get my travel documents?

15. If you have a special diet request make it now.

16. If it is your honeymoon have the travel agent notify the cruise line. The lines usually have special gatherings for newly weds.

17. If you are traveling in a large group the cruise line should also be notified.

18. If you have any special needs such as cribs or baby food now is the time to have the agent tell the cruise line.

19. If you have a health issue, ask about the infirmary

20. Do they have any cruise reviews that you can see or get a copy of?

These questions and the information above will aide you in finding the right Travel agent to book your cruise vacation. Just a little bit of work and then you can Set Sail!

Happy Cruising!

The significance of a suitable venue must not be under estimated. It can be a factor for the make or break success of your public speaking. To make your choice, you should analyze your requirements, look at locations, study the venue, and pay visit to some listings of previous venues that you have delivered a public speaking. This will help you choose the perfect venue to do the public speaking.

Evidently, each public speaking is distinct, with its own particular mix of features distinguishing it from other ones that were held. Therefore, the public speaking organizers all have different needs when selecting a venue. This could account for the diversity of venues that may be available nowadays from hotels, universities, and cruises. Consider this point before compiling your own individual set of requirements.

Always be aware of the type of the public speaking theme you are going to deliver. You have to set some appropriate criteria. For example, an incentive event ought to be held somewhere unusual such as in a castle, or in a town or city that your audience have not been to, and which they would have consider to be enjoyable to visit.

You have to remain conscious of what you want to achieve from this public speaking. Your venue must help you fulfill your set goals. It may be easier to put over and absorb detailed and complex information in a quiet, academic, environment than a lively and distracting one, such as on board of a cruise.

Likewise, be familiar with your overall budget, and how it has been allocated. You must not book a venue, which are not within your finances. This is one factor that s usually ignored by public speakers and event organizers forcing themselves to cut their expenditures on others.

Think about how far the public speaking can be held from your head office. Also, consider where the participants are coming from. Then you must identify those towns or cities that are likely to be acceptable to everyone. You must consider these very important factors in choosing the perfect venue.

Ken Charnley is a personal finance enthusiast with dedicated to quality information on online loans. For all your online loan needs visit and Apply For Loans Online

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You want to take a cruise vacation, but how do you pick the ship? You're the cruise planner in the family so first, consider the type of ships. They run the gamut from small yacht like ships to mega-liners holding over 3000 passengers. The small ships normally do not have constant activities throughout the day while the mega-liners schedule loads and loads of things to do. Choose your type of ship by whether or not you want time to yourself or if you want to be entertained. When considering cruise travel keep the following things in mind.

A small ship, 500 or fewer passengers, will have small musical shows in the evening while you will be free to do as you please during the day. This type of ship is for an intimate cruising experience. Being on a small ship is like staying at a beautiful bed and breakfast versus being at a large chain hotel. A smaller ship can also go to less frequented destinations due to its ability to maneuver in tight spots.

A mid size ship, 500 to 1000 passengers, will usually have local groups come on board while in port and perhaps a piano player or a duo. An advantage to a mid size ship is that lines seldom form and when the do they clearer quickly.

Now, your mega-liners will boggle your mind with activities and entertainment. There are ships out there that have skating rinks and rock climbing walls! When you are on these ships, be sure to carry around the pocket size layout of the ship that will be in your cabin on day one. (Get additional ones at the purser's deck). The disadvantage of these ships is that they are crowded and you will have to stand in long lines. One important thing to know is that some of the really large ships cannot fit in some of the docking facilities therefore making it necessary to "tender" into port. The tender is a life boat that constantly goes from ship to shore. This is important if you are handicapped or afraid of small boats.

Cruise Tip: When in a large port like St. Maarten where it is necessary to tender in to shore and back to the ship, be sure you get on the tender that goes to your ship. There may be as many as 8 ships in port and it would be easy to board the wrong tender after a long day of sun and surf. It could make it quite dicey if it is near the time of departure for your ship.

Ask yourself a couple of questions. Do you want an intimate laid back voyage? Are there any facilities that are important to you like spa packages, healthy exercise, or culinary delights, cultural experiences? These are essential questions when planning cruise travel.

Cruise Tip: The Spa Experience. Use the cruise to take a spa vacation while your kids are entertained and your spouse is learning about new Computer techniques. Yes, you can have a spa experience with all the treatments that you have at a traditional spa and the spa cuisine. All of the top lines have healthy alternatives on their menus and some of the spas are state of the art, many of them managed by land based spas. So not only will everyone be entertained, but you can experience that long awaited week at the spa. I have read many cruise reviews that love the spa experience.

If you have a tendency to be seasick, book a mega-liner, you will reduce the chance of that malady. On the really big girls you hardly know you're moving. (Ships are always referred to as she, her or Lady i.e., the QE2 is known as the grand old Lady of the Seas).

The type of ship should always be considered to get the most enjoyment from your cruise. Rule of thumb is that the larger the ship the more amenities while the smaller ships are more personalized. We took a cruise on a luxury small ship to the Greek Islands and by the second day everyone knew our names and the service was stellar.

One other consideration is the number of ports that you visit. A ship that stops in a port everyday can be tiring, besides it's nice to spend a day or two at sea. If you are going back to a port previously traveled, stay on the boat. It's terrific to have the ship all to yourself. These are also good days to visit the gym or schedule a spa treatment, there's hardly anyone using the equipment or the spa personnel.

Common sense tells you that the longer the trip the older the passengers since they have the time and resources to take long voyages. Ships are very different, from the all day partying of Carnival, to the quiet laid back ultra luxury of SeaDream Yachts.

Cruise Tip: Maiden Voyages come with all the bragging rights but you might want to rethink that, especially if you are a first time cruisers. On maiden voyages the crew is "unseasoned". They don't necessarily know where everything is or how everything works and this can cause delays in service. Sometimes a cruise line will borrow a staff from another ship to sail the maiden voyage of a new ship and train the staff. Same thing applies, this is a new ship and everybody is learning. Better to let the ship break in for at least six months before choosing her to sail. Construction delays can put a new ship off schedule so don't book a month or two out from the announced Maiden Voyage, since you might then find yourself on the Maiden Voyage. There exists a chance of things going wrong like the plumbing or the electrical.

The same thing applies to a ship that is coming of dry dock or "refit". Many things can and do go wrong. Have your travel agent check to see if the ship has just been refurbished and if it has, pick another one.

Equipped with this information you should be able to find the ideal ship for your cruise vacation. So what are you waiting for? Call your Travel Agent and Set Sail!

Happy Cruising!

Cruising is an ideal way to bring families together for that family reunion or to celebrate an event such as an anniversary or wedding reception.

Family reunions can be a pain in the butt. Who's going to host them? Who's going to make all the arrangements? Who's going to make all that potato salad? Getting out of those duties is one big plus of having your reunion on a cruise ship.

One family member will be designated as the Cruise Planner. This person will be the one to talk to the Travel Agent and gather up the information on what is available. You have one family meeting (by email, telephone or lunch) to decide on which cruise lines, which ship and the date for the family reunion. After you reach your decision everything else is done by the Travel Agent and the Cruise Lines. Of course, you will still have to pack.

Cruising offers something for everyone in the family – from supervised children's activities to exquisite dining. The grandparents can enjoy afternoon tea while the kids play games in the arcade and the parents watch a movie or pamper themselves in the Spa, while teens lounge by the pool. Yet the family also can spend plenty of time reconnecting while they're all together on a leisurely seven-day or longer cruise.

Whether it's a small family of 10 or a large group of 100, a cruise ship may be the best place for a reunion. Family reunion members seek accommodations they can use as a base for dining, sightseeing and socializing together. They want good children's programs, entertainment and activities. But they also want to make sure everyone in the group has personal time to pursue their own interests.

Most cruise lines will help plan family reunion cruises including special events, sightseeing arrangements and dining reservations. Following is a sampling of options.

While small ships offer intimacy and a private ship experience, large ships offer a wealth of amenities. Carnival Cruise Lines estimates it welcomed somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000 family reunion groups last year.

Royal Caribbean International launched its Royal Reunions program to cater to those interested in family travel. There are two package options for groups with eight cabins or more. For $50 per person, a package will include at least two private rock-wall climbing sessions as well as personalized door decorations, cake, activities and more. For $100 per person, clients get an additional deluxe photo package, a scavenger hunt, VIP in-room amenities and a reunion trivia challenge.

Holland America Line just launched its new family reunion program, which is available to families booking five or more staterooms on any cruise. Features include special group pricing, unlimited soft drinks throughout the cruise, a family photo per stateroom, a choice of dinner for the entire family in Pinnacle Grill, or free rentals of snorkel gear, swim mats and banana boat rides for all family members on Half Moon Cay, Holland America's private island in the Bahamas. For families booking 10 or more staterooms, the line offers a head-of-the-family reward - a complimentary upgrade from an outside stateroom to a veranda.

Of course almost all of the cruise ships will make special arrangements for large groups. Have your travel agent contact the cruise lines and explain what you want to do. Cruise lines will bend over backwards to please you and your group. They love booking large groups and selling lots of cabins. A cruise tip on this subject is to start planning this reunion early so that you can block out the cabins that you want for this cruise vacation. For example, if you are traveling with your kids you may want to book an Ocean View cabin for yourselves and then book the inside cabin across the hall for the kids. The further out you book this the more options you will have.

In the many cruise reviews that I have read people who have held family reunions on a Cruise ship raved about their experience.

So what are you waiting for? Contact your family members and Set Sail!

Happy Cruising!

For those who are thinking about getting on board a cruise ship, here are five considerations for your first cruise.

1. Cruise lines have distinct personalities. It's good to know which crowd each line caters to. Discriminating travelers pay a premium to indulge aboard such luxury lines as Radisson Seven Seas and Silversea. More affordable luxury can be found aboard Crystal. Holland America ships are refined and exude class. Princess is both posh and pioneering. Disney beckons the whole family. Carnival boasts a fleet of "fun ships".

2. Timing is everything. The time of year you cruise dictates a lot. Cruises during summer and holiday school breaks will always have more children and families. Booking cruises well in advance of their sailing date can often translate into significant savings. Sailing in a region during its slow season (i.e. the Caribbean in summer) is usually less expensive as well.

3. Ship size matters. Smaller ships (500 passengers or less) provide an intimate environment that often features highly personalized service and unique itineraries. Medium-size ships (between 500 and 1,000 passengers) have a fair amount of onboard activity and entertainment without the volume of people found aboard a mega ship. Large ships (1,000 passengers or more) cater to travelers who crave great, diverse amounts of organized entertainment, high-tech facilities and plenty of new friends.

4. Different regions have a different focus. Canada/New England cruises are perfect for exploring the historic towns along the east coast. Nature lovers fall in love the first time they cruise Alaska. The Mediterranean is perfect for diving into other cultures. Adventure abounds along the Panama Canal. Fun and sun can always be found in Hawaii and the Caribbean.

5. Voyages come in all lengths. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), nearly one-third of all cruises are out to sea for five days or less. Short trips are economical, great for first-time cruisers who want to test the waters and increasingly popular. Most trips last a week or so, but some last as long as a year. More often than not, the shorter the cruise is, the younger the crowd will be.

It's not hard to find the best price. Just a little of your time is required.

* Determine what cruise line you may be interested in.

* Visit a local travel agent and pick up several cruise brochures.

* Find the area that you want to cruise.

* Often, a good quote that you'll receive will be 50-60% off brochure prices.

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, Celebrity, and Princess are the most popular First Time Cruiser's choices.          

Cabins are not all alike. Depending on the ship, they range from just bigger than closet-sized spaces without windows (commonly referred to as inside cabins) to apartment-sized suites with verandahs and hot tubs. And, of course, they are priced accordingly.

When you have decided what cruise line you would like to go on, 

* You need to decide what ship to go on.          

* Decide the type of cabin that you would like to stay in.

o Inside cabins (no window) are the least expensive

o Outside cabins will have a window. After that, come the

o Balcony cabins. These are very desirable and will cost a little more. If you have one, you may never want anything else.

* For example you can get breakfast through room service (room service is always free on a cruise) and enjoy it on your own private balcony.

o After the balcony cabins come the suites. They always have balconies and are the largest cabins on the ship. They usually come with a larger bath with a tub.

Avoid close proximity to possible noisy locations such as the engine room, disco and show lounge.

When you decide all the details of your cruise, but before you choose your cabin, tell your Travel Agent you want to book the "CATEGORY OR Better" which is called an open booking by category. You have a better chance of an upgrade within that type of cabin (Outside, Ocean view, Balcony or Suite) or a jump up in category. You will NEVER be down graded by the Cruise Lines! But, when receiving an upgrade find out where the cabin is located. It might be a higher category but you don't want to under the basketball court.

If you must have a specific ship, sailing date or accommodations, book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. What sells out first: Christmas/New Years, Presidents Week in February, Spring Break, Easter Week and July/August sailings when the children are out of school. To get the space you want on the cruise and necessary air arrangements, don't hesitate to book 9 to 10 months in advance if possible. The remainder of February, March and April sailings usually starts to fill up once the weather starts to turn cold in the Northeast and Midwest. You can usually find bargains both in advance and at the last minute. But if you want a specific type of cabin, you may consider booking as early as possible. If you're flexible, consider waiting for a "deal" to show up.

Cruise travel agencies will often book blocks of cabins from the cruise lines. An agent that has one of those blocks for your sailing date can give you a better rate than one that does not.

Now that you know how to book your cruise, set sail!

Once you step on board you will begin to discover all that your ship has to offer. The options are endless? Given the size of many cruise ships and options offered on all the ships and in port, you'll find it very hard to get bored or feel confined.

Today's shipboard entertainment includes ice-skating musicals, laser sound and light shows, and orchestral performances backed by technologies on par with the best of Broadway and Las Vegas. On the newer Princess Cruise ships they even have movies under the stars. A gigantic movie screen on the pool deck shows the movie as you sip your cocktail while perched on a lounge chair.

Every ship has a Cruise Director whose job is to make sure each guest makes the most of the cruise. In fact, there are so many things to do that you will probably book a longer cruise next time.

Each day can be a different adventure aboard your floating resort. The "DAILY PROGRAME", delivered to your stateroom the evening before, will offer something for everyone.

* discover the ship and its many different settings

* explore new ports of call

* relax in a lounge chair, soak up the sun and the fresh sea air

* try exercise classes

* take dance classes

* enter sports contests

* practice your basketball, golf and tennis shots

* swim or use the Jacuzzi

* stretch out in the sauna

* go to the movies

* attend a lecture

* attend a cooking class

* workout in the gym

* get a massage in the spa

* play bridge and/or backgammon

* take a chance at the casino

* try the alternative dining choices

* watch a Broadway show

* go for a jog

* attend a wine tasting

* tour the kitchen

* browse the duty-free shops

* read that book you've been putting off

* check your e-mail at the Internet Cafe

* go dancing under the stars

* listen to live entertainment in the lounge

* attend the Captain's Cocktail Party

* go rock climbing

* play miniature golf

* sleep late

* stay up late

* play bingo

* see a magicians act

* enter a passenger talent contest

* disco

* party with your new friends

* take a nap on your balcony

* attend the sail away party as the ship leaves each port

* attend an art auction

* go ice skating

* shoot some hoops

* or do nothing at all

If you are cruising with kids, they will have activities of their own. Almost all of the major cruise lines have "youth counselors" for different age groups. Your child would be put in the appropriate age group and the counselor will keep them busy all day with age geared activities. If you want to go get them for lunch you can. If you want to see at dinner you can do that too. Each time your child goes to their special area on the ship, a parent must sign him/her in and out.

For some passengers, cruise ships have become floating art galleries. These days, nearly every cruise ship visiting the United States has art auctions so vacationers can take home something to hang on the wall. Hallways, lounges and dining and recreation rooms at sea contain an assortment of original paintings and prints. These artworks are the subject of free art walks and lectures that cruise lines arrange during the course of a voyage.

On many cruises the line will have a wine tasting or what they call food pairing. Wine tasting is self explanatory. The food pairing is when the chief wine steward sets up several different kinds of wine and then has you taste different types of food with each bottle of wine. We did it on a Celebrity cruise and it was quite fascinating and enjoyable.

No, you do not have to participate in the activities onboard. You do what you want to. You can do everything or lie back and do nothing at all. That's the beauty of cruising, it's your choice.

Planning to go on a Caribbean cruise? You need to decide two things in advance – when you're going and where. Read on for useful information to help you make those choices.

Many people say that the Caribbean islands are best enjoyed during summer, but keep in mind that Caribbean cruises during this time are usually jam packed. This is when families, tour groups, and even corporate assemblies prefer to visit the islands, so if you're planning to join the pack, be sure to book your cruise in advance. The average cruise length is about seven days.

If you want to enjoy big discounts, though, then try Caribbean cruises during the fall. Rates are substantially lower (sometimes half the regular rate), and you usually don't need to wait in line for slots to free up.

When deciding between Eastern or Western Caribbean, your decision should depend on what you intend to do during the course of the cruise. As a general guide, you should go for a Western Caribbean cruise if you want to spend more time sailing (rather than going on land for other activities). Western Caribbean cruises start in either in New Orleans, Texas, or Florida, and then make their way to Palaya del Carmen in Mexico, the Caymans, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica, among many other destinations. There are many things to do in a Western Caribbean cruise, and toping the crowd favorite are tours of the Mayan ruins.

If you want to do more shopping, though, then you might enjoy an Eastern Caribbean cruise better. This way, you get to see the shopping spots and fantastic beaches of the Bahamas and Puerto Rico (among others).

If you can't decide, it might be a good idea to buy guide books to Caribbean cruises. Many books offer you great advice on the itinerary and the cruise ship to tally with your goals and interests.

Caribbean provides detailed information on Caribbean, Caribbean Islands, Caribbean Cruises, Caribbean Vacation and more. Caribbean is affliated with All Inclusive Caribbean Vacations.

With the political situation as it is, partying may not be the first thing on the minds of Mexican Americans, other Chicanos; and yanks that are looking for an excuse to tip a few Coronas. Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is quickly approaching and a night of festivities for everyone might be just what the doctor ordered. Cities throughout the United States celebrate Cinco de Mayo, also known as the Battle of Puebla, and many people mistake the holiday for Mexican Independence Day. However, Mexico declared independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810, whereas the Battle of Puebla happened on May 5, 1862, more than fifty years later.

Some History on the Battle of Puebla

In the turbulent years after winning its independence from Spain, Mexico had amassed large amounts of debt from several countries, including Spain, England and France. Due to rising political unrest in the country, Mexican President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium on all foreign debt repayments for a period of two years, after which the payments would begin again.

Spain, England and France were outraged and banded together, each sending fleets of soldiers and national representatives to retrieve moneys owed to them and seize property rights in lieu of payments.

Spain and England both made agreements with Mexico concerning repayment and withdrew their troops. However, France, under Napoleon III, had other ideas in mind, namely conquest. Napoleon wanted to place his relative, the Archduke Maximilian of Austria, into power as ruler of the country. France refused the offers given to them and Napoleon ordered troops into Mexico City.

President Juarez reacted quickly by appointing General Ignacio Zaragoza. The general rounded together 4,500 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indian farmers set to attack. The French Army had brought only 6,500 troops, assuming an easy takeover, but was met with harsh resistance throughout the march from the coastal town of Veracruz, where the troops landed.

Once the French reached Puebla on May 5, the Mexican army defeated them with a combination of guerilla tactics, inhospitable terrain and a cattle stampede from nearby villagers. The French were forced to withdraw and the Mexicans won the battle.

Unfortunately, the romance soon came to an end and the French eventually won the war, occupying the country for a short time until 1867, when Archduke Maximilian was shot and Benito Juarez reformed the government.

Celebrations in the Mother Country

Today, May 5 is celebrated in Puebla, Mexico City and, to a lesser degree, the rest of Mexico. Military parades, special meals and even a reenactment (sometimes fought with real gunpowder rifles) can be seen in different cities throughout the country.

The city of Puebla is one of the most impressive and oldest colonial cities in Mexico. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique beauty, the magnificent historic center is an ideal starting point for a Cinco de Mayo tour

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What about touring while on a cruise vacation? Tours can be purchased from the cruise line, done on your own or you can combine the two. Booking it through the cruise lines has some advantages. Some of them are obvious.

By taking a cruise ship tour you are assured that the cruise line has thoroughly examined the places they will take you and will rate them according to their difficulty. This lets you know ahead of time if this is the right tour for you. They are always run by local tour companies and these companies want to keep that business. For this reason alone they go above and beyond to keep you happy.

With a cruise ship tour you know the equipment -buses, trains, vans and sometimes airplanes- are A-one. They will always have English speaking tour directors but they also supply tour guides that speak other languages as well. You never have to wait in line to get into museums or other attractions- a big time saver. And of course, all of the work is done for you by the tour companies and the cruise lines. And it is safe. The cruise lines would never put you in a dangerous situation or take you to a dangerous location. There are always a couple of cruise line employees on the tour to make sure no one gets lost and that the bus leaves with the same amount of people that it started with.

When going to a new or exotic port I would recommend the cruise lines excursions. Some of the most wonderful excursions we have taken were cruise line tours.

Really, for a first time visit this is the way to go. And if you choose this option when the tour guide tells you to be back at the bus at a certain time, be there. By being late you are inconveniencing all the others on the tour and jeopardizing the remaining stops that are scheduled. When you get back to the ship look all around your seat for your belongings and don't forget the rack overhead.

On the flip side of cruise excursions, you will be traveling in buses with lots of people. It will always be more expensive than doing it on your own. You're paying for the work that has gone into the sites visited and the expertise of the tour guide

When touring on your own make sure you have the name and number of the port agent in case of an emergency. (This is quite handy if you miss the ship). Always know what time your ship leaves. Do NOT rely on the time printed in the initial brochure that you read at home. The departure time will be printed in your daily schedule and will be posted at the gangway. Things change and sometimes ships leave earlier than previously announced.

If you miss the ship it is your responsibility to meet it at the next port. Not a situation you want to be in. If you want to visit a place on your own make sure it is open on the day you are visiting the port.

Use common sense when touring. Don't wear lots of flashy jewelry, leave it back in your cabin locked in the safe or in the safety deposit box at the purser's office.

Use a handbag that zippers shut and keep a firm hand on it. Rome, Italy is notorious for expert picket pockets with all kinds of ways to trick you.

Wear comfortable shoes- your days are long when touring and you will probably be doing a lot of walking. Don't wander off on your own, stay with the group. Layered clothing in the colder climates is very sensible since you may leave at 8:00 am when it's still cold out but by noon it has warmed up. Pack some wet ones so you can clean your hands. We always pack an apple or candy bar for a little pick-me-up in mid afternoon on long tours (our tour from Le Havre, France to Paris was twelve hours).

I pack a small purse that has a handle that you can zip to make it into a back pack or it can be worn over the shoulder and in front of you. The pack always contains Tums, any medication I am taking, an extra pair of glasses, one for sun the other for indoors, bottled water, a book for long bus rides, a small snack, a collapsible cup, wet ones and tissues. My money and credit cards go in the inside compartment completely zipped up. When touring in large groups or large cities I put it over my shoulder with it facing forward and I always have a hand securely around it. If you are at an outdoor café don't put on the seat next to you or hang it from the back of the chair you are using, keep it on your lap. You don't have to be paranoid just be sensible. By following these guide lines you will have an enjoyable tour experience, no matter which option you choose.

© 2006, All Rights Reserved

For some, cruising is all about rock-bottom pricing. Bare-bone cruising gets you to the destination of your choice, but that's about all it does. However, cutting corners is not for everyone. The Holland America Line recognized that many vacationers are still looking for a truly distinctive experience: one that gives them total satisfaction as well as good value. That way of thinking was what sparked the Signature of Excellence program.

Starting in 2003, Holland America chose to implement a $225-million initiative that would allow them to provide unprecedented destinations and services to passengers like no other cruise line before them. It was expected that the Signature of Excellence program would take approximately three years to expand throughout the fleet. Holland America is proud to announce that it's in the final stages of implementation and will complete its program on schedule at the end of 2006.

What enhancements can be found aboard Holland ships since the execution of the Signature of Excellence program? Extensive improvements throughout every area of the ship.

Accommodations

Providing the most spacious cabins in the premium cruise category, Holland America offers elegantly appointed staterooms complete with Sealy® Euro-Top mattresses, 250-thread count cotton linens, Egyptian cotton towels, massage shower heads, flat-panel televisions and more. In addition, guests staying in suites can take advantage of personal concierge services, special luxury linens, fully stocked minibars and special embarkation and disembarkation privileges.

Kids Activities

Club HAL is Holland's youth program and was added as part of the Signature of Excellence program. With permanent, full-time directors and staff, parents can feel confident leaving their children to enjoy a full range of fun activities in a safe, age-appropriate environment. Club HAL offers the most elaborate children's areas of any cruise line. Children will find colorful surroundings, art tables, big-screen TVs, games, supervised Internet access, Sony Playstations, board games and a host of family events, including the Family Olympics.

For Teens Only

Kids aren't the only ones that can have fun on these retrofitted ships. Teens get their own hangouts as well. The Loft provides a lounge with the feel of a New York artist's loft. Filled with popular music and videos, Internet access, karaoke and more, teens can have a space all their own. The Oasis is yet another teen getaway with a teens-only sun deck, a nine-foot-high waterfall and cave, snack machines, sound and laser-light show, and more.

Expanded Dining

One of the most anticipated parts of cruising is undoubtedly the food! That's why the Holland America Line gave special attention to not only the meals themselves, but also to the environment in which guests would dine.

From the addition of fine art and antiques in the main dining room to elegant Rosenthal china and expert wine stewards, no detail was overlooked in the dining experience. Now with two servers per table, guests will experience unparalleled service along with exceptional five-course meals under the consultancy of Master Chef Rudi Sodamin. From reservations-only dining featuring Sterling Silver beef and fresh seafood to healthy alternative meals and complimentary in-room trays, passengers will not be disappointed with any aspect of Holland's food service.

Private Island

The acquisition of a 55-acre private island, Half Moon Cay, is but one of the many highlights of the Signature of Excellence program. The highest-rated port of call on Holland's itineraries, Half Moon Cay sits adjacent to an international bird sanctuary in the Bahamas. Repeatedly rated the "Best Private Island" by Porthole Cruise Magazine, guests will find horseback riding, stingray adventures, watercraft adventures, an aqua park and more.

Although the Holland America Line is concluding the implementation of its Signature of Excellence program at the end of this year, the effects of this innovative fleet-wide expansion will continue to impress and thrill guests for years to come.

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center based in Yonkers, New York. Visit them online today at for the best deals on

Alaska cruises and

Hawaii cruises. You'll find their service exceptional and their attention to detail second to none.

A longed for retreat is shared in the bright days of Caribbean. The beaches, the foods and all! What more would you ask?

The Caribbean is among the most in demand tourist spots in the world. So it is not surprising to see millions of vacationers flocking the Caribbean Islands.

Caribbean cruises are very popular as well. Cruising along the islands give vacationers the rare chance of exploring the entire wonders of this top class destination. Added to it are the fun that cruising entails; leisure at ones fingertips and luxury on the other.

Planning to go aboard a Caribbean Cruise is much easier compared to the hassles back then. Most Caribbean cruises have online portals, which make them easier to reach. Tour planners are sure to help you in your schemes with just a click of the button. They provide help that would be more than welcome especially on vacation periods when tourists abound.

While there may be a number of Caribbean cruises available at any time of the year, vacation periods are expected to be booked much earlier than normal. This then can make accommodations a challenge. You can access their web portals online and book instantly. However, you also must be choosy in the Caribbean cruise that you would want to book into.

The competition for taking the most number of passengers seems to be the ultimate motto for all cruise liners. In here, don't get trapped with the confusion of the game. Evaluate your purpose.

First, are you traveling with the family? Then it wise that you take a Caribbean cruise that will accommodate the youngest member up to the oldest of your party.

Check the facilities available. There are cruises that have equipments for childcare while there are those that does not have any.

Check also their programs for young adults and elders. With this, it would be a great idea to go on deck a Disney Cruise line where especially designed activities are made for both toddlers and teenagers. There are also themed presentations that focus on family.

Traveling on a budget? Caribbean cruises can also accommodate you with lines of medium-priced ships. However for those traveling without their minds on spending money, you will be amazed by the selections of cruises that will give you the best of everything, except only the entire sea! Take note of liners, which give high-end accommodations like the Queen Mary II or the Silversea.

Yet, prior to any decision it is wise to get as much information as you would prefer to really know the differences of each cruise.

Each one in the lines of Caribbean cruises are made to cater individual needs while providing you options for ideal combinations of activities and prices and destination stops. Whether you are traveling on extravagance, touring with your family or simply would want to get away with the one you love, Caribbean cruises are sure to provide you with whatever you require.

There are basically two types of Caribbean cruises: the contemporary or value class and the Supreme or Luxury class.

The most popular among the contemporary class are the Royal Caribbean and Carnival, which cover almost the full section of the industry. These are especially created for the vacationers who are on the budget and for famous holidays.

Premium cruise lines on the other hand, offer superiority of service that is incomparable elsewhere however, they are considerably smaller in size. These include cruise lines such as Cunard and Seabourn that are among the most well known members of the industry.

For people who have the idea of making a Caribbean trip unique, there are cruises that cover especial tours in spots that are not normally reached by other cruise lines.

Khieng 'Ken' Chho - Online Caribbean Cruise Resources. For more, visit Ken's website:

Whether honeymoon or a get-together of families or friends, a Bermuda cruise is the perfect way to enjoy. No matter what your likes or dislikes are; from pink sand beaches and shopping alleys to colorful nightclubs, Bermuda will have something to offer for the traveler looking for something extraordinary.

A Bermuda cruise is the best way to unearth the jewels of Bermuda, the total land area of which is about 22 square miles only. A variety of cruise options are offered – family, business, honeymoon or even for singles. There are two options for choosing a Bermuda cruise – you either board your cruise from the US itself or take a flight to Bermuda and then embark on your journey.

It is important to know the ports of call in order to plan your tour. Normally cruises will stop at all the three ports of Bermuda. Hamilton, the capital, is the busiest amongst all the small towns of Bermuda and is a great place for shopping and is also known for its exciting nightlife. The almost four centuries old settlements in the port town of St. George's, on Bermuda's east coast, has been designated as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The Royal Naval Dockyard, which has an extensive history of British naval exploits, also has forts and museums. The three ports will serve as your base for exploring the center, eastern coast and the western coast. Horseshoe Bay, South Shore Park and the Cristobal Colon ship wreckage are not to be missed. You can also choose from eco-tourism, golf and watersports or simply lay back and watch the waves break.

Bermuda receives moderate rainfall throughout the year. Tourist influx in the islands is at its highest during the months of April to September and cruise services during the winter months are almost negligible. Many cruises offer huge discounts during the low season. Departures for Bermuda cruises are available throughout the year; so choose a schedule that suits you.

Before embarking on your cruise it is imperative to know what activities or charges are included in your cruise package. At all the ports passengers are charged an entry tax. Cruise packages often advertise reduced rates; but find out whether it includes port taxes, the expenses of land stay, city excursions or spa and gambling charges on board. Different price options are available – you can either book for a cruise that will also include your city expenses or you can book for the cruise only while do your own thing once you are on land.

Jake M. Robinson writes on many subjects. For more info on bermuda cruises visit bermuda cruise island and try bermuda wedding cruises.

Arizona

P.M. Enterprises has opened a new tour operation in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Owner Cathie (Priddy) Marshall, formerly with GlobeMasters Travel Network and All Around Branson, identified the need for group tour receptive services which specialize in sightseeing and custom packages for groups touring in the Lake Havasu region. Services being offered include meet-and-greet at both Las Vegas and Phoenix airports, transportation and step-on guides. Other options include various theme and special interest packages, which feature accommodations, theater, entertainment, recreation, gaming, sightseeing and other activities. Contact: 928-680-7949

Nevada

Mystère, the long running Cirque du Soleil production performed in Las Vegas, is at the Bellagio and has added a Sunday matinee to its schedule. Evening shows are performed Wednesday through Sunday. Contact:

The Mirage Resort in Las Vegas has introduced several new dining options for guests. Cravings, the popular buffet restaurant, has been redesigned to resemble an international bazaar market. It has 13 culinary stations, each representing a different global cuisine. Also new at this hotel is the opening of New York Citys Carnegie Deli.

Oregon

The Woodburn Tulip Festival, mid-March through mid-April, is celebrated at the Wooden Shoe Bulb Company and City of Woodburn at the peak of the tulip blooming season. There are tours of the flower fields, wine tasting, craft fairs and other events. For a complete schedule of events, contact: 800-711-2006 or 503-982-8221.

After a three-year hiatus, the Columbia Queen has returned to the Columbia, Snake and Willamette rivers. Its new owner, the American Rivers Cruise Line (ARCL), is completing several enhancements to the luxurious 161-passenger riverboat in preparation for its launch in April. The 2005 season offers eight-night cruise vacations which visit scenic and historic points along these rivers which follow parts of the Oregon Trail and the route of Lewis and Clark. Guests have an opportunity to experience selection of price-included daily shore excursions which are led by historians, naturalists and cultural interpreters. There are several other included features being offered by the company. Contact: 800-901-9152

Texas

The Texas Historical Commission publishes guides to the states ten Heritage Trail Regions. Its newest guide, The Texas Brazos Trail, follows a path through central Texas and traces its early history and European heritage. It also highlights the regions many attractions, scenic waterways, small communities, commercial centers and the influence of the railroads and cotton industry on its growth and development. This region boasts having seven Texas Main Street Cities, ten notable parks and numerous historic sites. It is part of the infamous Chisholm Trail and home to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. It also features several colleges acclaimed for both their academic status and gridiron action. There are halls of fame celebrating Texas sports heroes and the Texas Rangers and many museums including the Dr. Pepper Museum. There are 36 historic communities in the region, each having sites of interest and most offering several celebrations and festivals at various times of the year. For a copy of Brazos Trail guide contact: 512-463-6100

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Ten Things You Must Do If You Want To Vacation In Key West

By Robert (Bob) Cohen

Planning a vacation in Key West can sometimes be a daunting task as there are so many things to do in Key West. The Key West Welcome Center can be your focal point for planning your vacation because they are in the service of assisting visitors with their vacation planning.

The Welcome Center can make all of your reservations for you so you do not have to stress over what to do, who to call or what to plan.

1. HOTELS, MOTELS, BED & BREAKFAST, VACATION RENTALS

Key West is a small island that is 1.5 by 4 miles in size with only 4,000 total hotel, motel, bed & breakfast and condominium rooms on the entire island. During special events and holiday weekends, there is usually a 3-nite minimum stay at the bed & breakfasts as well as some of the 4-star hotel resorts on the island and condominium resorts.

If you are coming in for just one night during the week, then you probably will not need advanced reservations for a hotel or motel room. Sometimes, we can get you into a nice bed & breakfast for just one night due to last minute cancellations. But, if you plan on staying for a few nights or longer, advanced reservations are definitely in order.

Working as a Concierge for a number of years, you see just when and where rooms are available for nightly rental. If you are looking for private homes for your vacation rental, then expect places that are only available for a minimum of one week. Some places are only available on a monthly basis.

On another note, if you are like me and have animal companions, they are a part of your family and do not like the idea of leaving them home when you are out having fun. Most accommodations, including the vacation rentals, are not pet friendly. The ones that have more pet friendly rooms are the bed & breakfasts. Contact the Key West Welcome Center to find out what is available that is pet friendly and they will make the reservations for you.

In the off-season (June 1 to December 15), accommodation rates start at about $89 for a basic room up to a 4-star resort starting at $200 a night. During high season (December 16 to May 31), rates can start at $169 per night.

2. FISHING THE KEYS

If you are an avid fisherman, coming to Key West is something you will never forget. There is no better fishing in the State of Florida than there is in Key West. Try your hand at game fish such as Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Tarpon, Permit, Cobia, Wahoo or even Shark. More records have been broken here than anywhere else in the State of Florida.

There are three basic types of fishing:

1. Off-Shore

2. Back Country Light Tackle

3. Flats

OFF SHORE - Off-shore fishing is where you go for the big stuff such as Grouper, Sail Fish, Marlin, Mahi-Mahi, King Mackerel, etc. The boats are usually a six-pack (maximum six passenger) and you take turns in the hot seat. The method of hooking the fish is by trolling. You can reserve by the seat (1/2 day $135; full day $185), or private charters (1/2 day starting at $600; full day starting at $800).

BACK COUNTRY LIGHT TACKLE - This type of fishing is using a spinning rod on boats that are never bigger than 28-feet with a maximum capacity of 4 passengers. This is usually sight casting and can use either lures or live bait. You will catch things such as Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Tarpon, Cobia, Permit, Bone Fish, etc. These are strictly private charter with 1/2 days starting at $450; full days starting at $650

FLATS FISHING - This is the ultimate challenge to a fisherman because you are in waters that are rarely deeper than 2 to 3 feet and you are using either 15 lb. test line on a spinning rod, or fly fishing. These boats are specifically designed for high speeds in very shallow waters. Here you can hook into Tarpon, Permit, Bone Fish, African Pompano, and sometimes even sharks. Imaging the thrill of catching a 90 lb. Tarpon on 15 lb. test line. It will be an exercise to see who tires first; you or the Tarpon (in many cases it will be you). These boats can only take a maximum of 2 passengers. Charters for 1/2 day start at $350; full day start at $550.

3. SNORKEL, SNUBA AND SCUBA DIVING

Over 80% of the visitors to Key West and the Florida Keys want to go either snorkeling or scuba diving. This is due to the abundant and colorful sea life one would see while on either a snorkeling or scuba diving experience. To Scuba Dive, one must be a certified diver (PADI, NAUI, etc) as they have anywhere from Open Water Certification to Master Diver.

If you have never done scuba diving before, there is something called SNUBA which gives you an experience similar to Scuba, but instead of having a tank strapped to your back, the regulator in your mouth is attached to a 20-foot long air hose attached to a compressor on the surface. This way you get the experience of being underwater without having to get certified.

If you want to see what it is like to Scuba Dive, you can take a Resort Course which gives you enough training to go out with an instructor on what is called a 2-tank dive in up to 45 feet of water.

Snorkel trips start at $35 per person, Snuba starts at $95 per person, Scuba starts at $90 per person and resort courses start at $155 per person.

4. FT. JEFFERSON AT THE DRY TORTUGAS

Day trips to the Dry Tortugas has to be the most popular excursion in Key West as you get to the Dry Tortugas by either a high speed catamaran or by seaplane.

The Catamarans take a little over two hours to go about 70 miles west of Key West and they give you about 4.5 hours at the Dry Tortugas. The Seaplane takes about 35 minutes to get there and they give you about 2.5 hours on the island.

Ft. Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas is 16 acres in size and it is the largest coastal fort in the United States. It just draws you into its history when the historian tells you about the place. This is a trip you do not want to miss.

Boat prices to the Dry Tortugas start at $110 to $129 depending on the boat, and the seaplane costs start at $189 per adult.

5. GLASS BOTTOM BOAT EXCURSIONS

The Glass bottom boats give you the experience of seeing the sea life at the Living Coral Reef. We call it a "Dry Snorkel" trip as it is like snorkeling without getting wet.

Large tropical fish, colorful coral await you at the reef. Prices start at $35 per person.

6. FINE DINING IN KEY WEST

Key West is privileged to have so many fine restaurants that it would be difficult to chose which ones to eat at.

We have everything from the fast food chains, all the way to 4 diamond quality restaurants. Other than a few minor exceptions, you do not have to make a reservation and you never ever have to dress up for dinner.

Key West has what we call, "Key West Casual" which means shirt, shorts and sandals and this is the code of dress for every place in Key West.

You can have something as simple as a good hamburger or Conch Fritters, to something as extravagant as Lobster Mango Tango (lobster sautéed in Brandy and covered with a Mango Salsa). The choice is yours in Key West.

7. DINNER CRUISES

Many people come to the Keys for its fabulous sunsets. Why not have your sunset and a 3-course gourmet dinner along with it. A sunset dinner cruise is the way to go.

On one of the dinner cruise boats, the chef will prepare your food while the captain of the dinner cruise takes you on a wonderful journey around the Key West Harbor and once you sample this wonderful cuisine on this dinner cruise, you will wonder how he does it for such a low price.

Formerly a chef at a 4 diamond restaurant, he will present you with mouth-watering options for your meals and it includes domestic and imported beers, wines and champagne.

Dinner cruise prices are from $65 to $75 per person not including tax and gratuity. Private Charters for the dinner cruise are available for special functions and weddings. The one we prefer for your dinner cruise has a maximum seating of 20 so this is ideal for a nice sunset wedding and dinner cruise.

8. AERIAL TOURS

Want to see Key West from the air?

Take a aerial tour in either a biplane or a helicopter to see Key West from the air. Aerial tour trip times vary depending on what you want to see. Biplane rides start at $120 for two people and helicopter rides start at $99 for 3 people to see the coral reef from the air.

9. KAYAK TOURS AND RENTALS

If you want to really see the coastline of the lower Keys and Key West, there is no better way to see it than on one of our wonderful Kayak Tours.

Take a trip with an environmental scientist or someone that was born and raised here and knows the mangroves like the back of their hand.

Visit some of the Marine and Bird Sanctuaries and see some of the life forms that you would never see otherwise.

Prices start at $40 per person for a tour.

10. SUNSET SAIL

One of the more popular things to do in Key West is to see the sunset from the water.

Take a sunset sail on either a sailing catamaran or a schooner.

Many of the younger crowd like the sunset sail on the sailing Catamarans because they can have a great party while on the sunset sail. This is very popular with the Spring Breakers during that time of year as it includes as much beer and wine one can consume in a 2 hour time frame.

A sunset sail on a schooner, however, is a lot more romantic as you can see the sails glistening when the colors of the sky change and you know that you helped to raise the sails on this sunset sail excursion.

During the months of November thru April, you can have your sunset sail and a buffet dinner all in one on one of the clipper ships that come in from Boston for these months.

Sunset sail pricing starts at $30 and goes up to $75 if you want the dinner cruise on the clipper ship.

In conclusion, by using the expert services of the Key West Welcome Center, you will save money, save time and be absolutely sure that you getting exactly what you want and not what someone else wants.

The Key West Welcome Center has been in business under the current ownership for over 10 years. The current manager of the Welcome Center has lived in the Keys for almost 16 years and knows the place like he has lived here all his life. If there is something you need to know about Key West, he is the person to ask.

Robert R. Cohen

General Manager

Listed in Strathmore's Who's Who in America

I firmly believe that we have the best Reservations Service in the Key West area and we can make all your dreams come true. Use the Key West Welcome Center for all your reservations:

Born and raised in New York City, and with a passion for photography, apprenticed with a master photographer in Manhattan during his junior and senior year in high school. In November of 1967, he joined the Navy to be a photographer and served with the Navy Combat Camera Group based out of San Diego for two years. He continued his military service and in 1983, while stationed in the Washington, DC area became Navy Photographer of the Year for his production of a multimedia show about the Navy Recruiting Command.

In 1984, he was discharged with a medical disability for his back and stayed in the DC area until 1987 when he and his wife (who was military) got transferred to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium where they stayed for a little over 3 years. Robert worked as one of two Diplomatic Photographers for the U.S. Embassy in Brussels.

Returning to the states in 1990, he started his own photography business as well as working as a computer technician for the hospitality industry in Key West. Here is where he learned who in Key West owned what as well as who could he rely on for services.

In 2003, Robert started working as a concierge and the following year became the manager of the Key West Welcome Center.

Alaska is a striking showpiece of nature at its finest: stunning forests, picturesque mountains, rivers and waterfalls, and an abundance of wildlife. The season to visit is from May through September.

The peak of the season, when weather is considered best (and prices slightly higher), is from late-June thru August. May and September can be cooler and wetter, but that's not necessarily the case.

Hiking

The beauty of Alaska cannot be put into words. It is full of outdoor adventures.

With over 1400 miles from north to south to over 2300 miles from west to east, Alaska hiking has some of the most incredible scenery to be found in the United States.

Alaska has amazing trail systems for all abilities � from accessible nature paths to mountain hikes that are physically challenging.

The Anchorage area offers over 100 miles of paved, multi-use trails and over 150 miles of wilderness trails, perfect for mountain biking, hiking and skiing. South-central Alaska has the most developed hiking trails in Alaska, with Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park the most popular hiking areas.

Fishing

From the Southeast, to the world famous Kenai River, and into the country�s interior -

Alaska offers some of the best fishing in the world. Enjoy struggling to land monster halibut or a mighty king salmon, or try your hand at fly-fishing for rainbow trout on a secluded stream.

You can fish in Alaska from an ocean charter boat, take to a river by jet or drift boat, or fly in by bush plane to a remote lake or stream.

Kayaking

Alaska offers a wide array sea kayaking opportunities with spectacular locations such as Kenai Fjords National Park,

Prince William Sound, Glacier Bay National Park and Kachemak Bay State Park near Homer.

Here you will find an ideal kayak experience with calving glaciers, rugged mountains, calm protected coves and waters teaming with wildlife such as whales, sea otters, puffins and sea lions.

Rafting

Denali National Park covers more than 6 million acres, and is home to

20,300 foot Mt. McKinley, abundant wildlife and some of Alaska's best rafting.

Nearly all raft trips travel the Nenana River, which flows to the north through the Alaska Range and borders the eastern side of Denali National Park.

The Nenana River offers great rafting adventures, from calm float sections to class III and IV white-water rafting.

Bear Viewing

Alaska is home to over 98 percent of North American brown bear population.

It is no wonder that bear viewing is a popular visitor attraction.

Bears are found in nearly every corner. Viewing a bear in the wilds of

Alaska is a truly awesome experience, and often one of the highlights of the trip.

Denali National Park is one of the most popular areas to view bears in their natural habitat.

Each year tens of thousands of visitors board buses to travel all or part of the 90 mile road that travels deep into Denali Park.

Please visit Discover the World for amazing

Alaska

Cruises and

Alaska

Holidays.

It's less than one month away before many kids and students will be out of school for the 2006 summer season, and if you don't know exactly where to take your family this year for vacation, consider taking a cheap cruise holiday!

With gas prices going through the roof, many families may be reconsidering their vacation plans, and when you have been budgeting for your family trip, taking a cruise may be your best value for your buck.

Holidays are something we all look forward to, whether they're for winter or summer, and when you finally have the time to take the entire family on a holiday, you want to have the best overall experience.

Finding A Cheap Holiday Is Easy If You Change Your Holiday!

Consider getting away from the traditional vehicle trip to the Theme Parks, or traditional annual camping trip! If you're looking to do something different this year, and you live in a cruise port city that offers many exciting cruises on select cruise ships to the Caribbean or Mexico, you may be pleasantly surprised on the cruise prices and the incredible discounts they offer for the summer season.

You and your family can enjoy an inclusive cruising experience and voyage to many exotic islands, Mexican historical cities and more! Even though this is your vacation, it can also be an educational experience for the children and you as well.

For The Price of A Road Trip You Can Easily Cruise In Exotic Vacation Style!

Many cruise lines like Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean offer deep summer discounts to the Caribbean and Mexican destinations, and with summer being their low season, families can take advantage of these savings. With that in mind, families and individuals that live near a cruise port, virtually everything is covered in your cruise package, such as your accommodations, most if not all meals and beverages, and fantastic daily and nightly entertainment.

For families that don't live in a city with access to a cruise port, summer deals from cruise companies usually provide extremely low airfare cruise packages, that can easily cost less than your Theme Park family vacation!

If you don't believe me, consider the fact that once you get to the Theme Parks of your choice, you have to think about your vehicle transportation to and from your hotel if you are far from the park property, plus all your meals, beverages, and entertainment costs for the entire family. These expenses can add up very quickly, and in most cases are very difficult to budget for on vacation, because the saying goes, "when you're on vacation, you normally spend more than you budget for in the beginning."

With summer cruising, you arrive on the ship, your bags are taken directly to your room by the ship's courteous staff, and all you have to do is get ready to hit the cruise ship's spectacular buffet prior to leaving your port to the first exciting destination on your cruising itinerary.

If You Think The Kids Will Be Bored While Cruising, Think Again!

Even though cruise destinations are the highlight of any cruising vacation, many families and individuals love to take cruises because of all the fun activities they offer, and while on board your ship, you and your children will have no problem finding things to do.

Cruise ships provide some of the best entertainment and kids services in the vacation market, and they cater to everyone including adults and your children alike! While you're dreaming about the first exotic beach you will be arriving on shortly, the cruise ship has exciting and fun things to do that range from a variety of kids activities, outdoor sports competitions, to a variety of theme parties for all ages.

As your children are completely occupied, you can relax by the pool, or take in the many daily features such as Bingo, Casino, and even a therapeutic massage in their spa. When you start to miss the kids, all of you can meet to take in a fabulous lunch buffet and get re-fuelled for the rest of the day's events that you can choose to take part in or not.

Remember this, when you plan your summer vacation you can truly have a family experience to remember when selecting a cruise vacation, and with the savings you will experience, you and your family won't be talking this year about the hot dog that fell off the grill, or the fish that got away again. This summer you will be discussing how exciting it was to see the Mexican Mayan Ruins and all the other fabulous places, how delicious the gourmet cheesecake was for desert, and your family will be laughing all day about dad winning the belly flop contest at the ship's poolside this year!

William Lezubski Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC) - William is a professional in the Travel Industry and is the owner and author of Discount Caribbean Vacations A great source for Cruise Vacations, including Caribbean Cruises and the World! Our vacation site provides you travel information and convenient access to online vacation companies that specialize in summer cruise packages, deep summer discount prices, and last minute specials on top cruise ships such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, plus many more ships and itineraries to choose from.

The world's largest and most innovative cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas, left Southampton on May 3, 2006 to make her transatlantic voyage to New York.

At 160,000 tons and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in May 2006, according to chairman and CEO Richard Fain. He noted that in choosing the name "Freedom" for the ship, the line was emphasizing how all-inclusive the vessel will be. "Whatever you want to do, you have the freedom to choose" he said.

In addition to the Voyager-class signature features – such as an enhanced rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and Royal Promenade – the 3,600 passenger ship, will feature a number of innovations: oversized sculptures spraying water in all directions, a circular current pool and a swimming pool fed by a waterfall; a full-size boxing ring and a 14-person family suite to an eager American audience.

Freedom of the Seas' combined pool area is 43% larger than on Voyager-class ships.

At night, the main pool area will be transformed into an open-air nightclub, with a large dance floor situated between the two pools. Passengers will have access to a water park, a promenade and a casino. She will generate 1,800,000 litres of fresh water and require 35 tonnes of ice cubes every day.

Freedom of the Seas will arrive at the Port of Miami on May 25, where she will make a series of short sailings until June 4, when she will begin her regular sailing schedule of 7-night Western Caribbean tour calling at Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica and Royal Caribbean's private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola.

Freedom of the Seas wrest the biggest-ship-ever title from Cunard's Queen Mary 2.

The QM2 was the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and most expensive ocean vessel ever built until the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas launches in June 2006. While QM2's passenger capacity is 2,620 passengers, Freedom of the Seas can carry 6,000 passengers.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. commissioned the world's largest cruise ship, agreeing to pay Europe's biggest shipbuilder a record 900 million euros ($1.1 billion) for a vessel that will carry 5,400 passengers. Oslo-based Aker Yards ASA will deliver the Project Genesis ship in late 2009. At 222,000 gross register tons, the Royal Caribbean International vessel, codenamed Project Genesis, will be nearly half as big again as the Queen Mary 2, and 43 percent bigger than the largest cruise liner, Freedom of the Seas.

The world's two largest cruise operators, Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises, are commissioning larger ships as increasing numbers of customers buy on-board package vacations. The number of people taking cruises surged 5.7 percent to 8.35 million in the first nine months of 2005, according to the New York-based Cruise Lines International Association.

Book a Cruise Holiday at

Book a Cruise Holiday at

No other city has such a diversity of people and cultures as New York City. Visitors can move along the bustling sidewalks of Chinatown, enjoy ferry rides, visit statue of liberty, shopping in manhattan, visit the Greek tavernas of Astoria, the Old World Russian restaurants and clubs of Brighton Beach, the sari shops of Little India in Jackson Heights, and an exciting nightlife, and so much more. New York is at the top of the charts in every area!

Its incredible architecture includes the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. The Empire state building, which is the tallest building in New York City, was completed in 1931 during the great depression, and stood almost empty for some time. Today, it's host to millions of visitors a year, most of whom ride to the fenced-in Observation Deck just a short distance from the building's top. The popular New York Skyride is launched from the mezzanine with Star Trek's Scottie (James Doohan) as the guide. The Sky ride emulates a rooftop flight over the city.

A double-decker bus tour of Manhattan is a good way to get a quick orientation. The bus line tours allow visitors to get off the bus at areas of interest and re board a later bus to continue their exploration. Manhattan is also in walk able distance, which is good since getting a cab there is difficult!

The Statue of Liberty can be visited and climbed or simply viewed from the water on a tour boat cruise or from the Staten Island ferry (which is free). Seeing the city skyline from the water is unforgettable! Ellis Island Immigration Museum, near the Statue of Liberty, conveys the experiences of our forebears as they came to the end of their perilous journey and embraced the promise of a better life in the New World.

New York City has many attractions that both entertain and educate children. In planning how to get from place to place, remember that children love to ride on subway trains. Be sure to allow for leisurely movement from place to place, and for rest stops in between. Consider the weather too. The adage "getting there is half the fun" is a good one to remember in order to keep the day enjoyable. Make a list of the must -see places, and then cut it in half for best results. One trip to New York is never enough. Each one can be a pleasant memory if the pace is right…

There are 15 miles of beaches within the city limits, 13 golf courses, four zoos . New York is on the north-south flyway for migrating birds, and in the spring and fall they are present in colorful abundance. Bird watching is popular in Central Park and at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens. Some of the discounted hotels in New york are East gate Tower, Portland Square hotel, Milford Plaza and Hotel Pennsylvania.

When visiting New York you must keep in mind your safety first, have places you want to see scheduled. Go with someone else, preferably someone who knows the city. Don't trust taxi's to take you the shortest way. Be prepared for some people to ask for money, change etc. Don't give keep going. If you are a man, keep your money in separate places. If you are a woman don't carry a long strap bag. When starting your day, wait till the city wakes up. If you are going in the summer the climate will be nice, if it's windy in the city

it can get cool. Don't forget camera, have fun.

George owns an online travel reservation website. visit

Discounted Hotels-Online hotel reservation

If you are planning a cruise to Bermuda, there are certain important things which you must keep in mind. If you have not been to Bermuda before, bear in mind that it is not a big island. In fact, it doesn't take more than 24 hours to walk across the whole island.

Bermuda is around 120 miles north of the Caribbean Sea. It has a mild climate even during the winter months. Cruises to Bermuda are generally available between April and late October. There are certain cruises which keep on making trips until the end of December. However, they are relatively rare.

Your cruise ship could land in any one of the three ports at Bermuda, though it is most likely that you would stop in the port of Hamilton, as it has two shipping berths. It may happen that you visit more than one port on your Bermuda cruise trip.

The other port is known as St. George port. It is a historical port and attracts large numbers of tourists. Then there is the third port, at King's Wharf. This port has museums, galleries and popular restaurants, which makes it a famous cultural hub. Bermuda cruises often have a large number of tourists who often make return visits to Bermuda. This indicates the island's popularity.

However, as it is a small island, restrictions are in place concerning the maximum number of cruise liners that can land here. Check out the limit before you book a Bermuda cruise. The bookings can be done online or over the telephone. There are many cruise liners to choose from. Your choice of a cruise liner depends on your budget and the kind of vacation you are looking to take. There are luxury liners for those who want to splurge, and cheaper liners for those on a tighter budget.

Discount Bermuda Cruises provides detailed information on Bermuda Cruises, Discount Bermuda Cruises, Spring Break Bermuda Cruises, Bermuda Cruise Ships and more. Discount Bermuda Cruises is affiliated with Bermuda Triangle.

Steve Mattus, Signet Ventures ©2006.

I'm 6'2" and sitting in coach is horrifying. Every time I fly and I walk through first class on my way to my little seat in the back, I turn green with envy. My long legs just don't fit in those little rows. In fact, one time I was sitting there and after take off, this very large man sitting in the row in front of me decided to lean his seat back all of a sudden. Normally that's not an issue, but because I'm tall, my knees are pinned against the seat in front of me. So, when he reclined his seat he was crushing my knee caps into my legs. I actually hollered out, "Aaahhhh!" Oh that hurt so bad. I just want a first class seat. However, I don't fly enough to get the magic upgrade.

So, one day I was taking a flight and I figured out the secret to upgrades! It's so simple and yet it's so difficult! In fact, it's so hard, it's why 98% of individuals don't get an upgrade! But I'm going to share my experience with you and encourage you to follow suit every time you travel and odds are… you'll be joining me in first class.

Now, let me set some expectations. What I'm about to tell you won't get you upgraded every time. These days, it seems like first class is always full before you have a chance to get an upgrade. But, if the flight has open seats in first… you do have a chance. And, if you approach it right, you have a good chance. Also, these days, gate agents are very persnickety (is that a word?) and many are moody, so that can also affect your chances of success.

Ok, enough expectations. Here's the big secret. I'm about to reveal to you how you can join me in first class. You ready? It's pretty complicated, so let me get started.

Ask.

Ok, that's it. Complicated, right? No, it's not complicated but 98% of people don't do it. I have to admit, I was one of those folks for a long time. But, just the other day, once again, I did it and once again, I found myself in a comfortable first class seat while only paying for a coach seat. And, all I did was ask. Keep in mind that I am not even a member of this airlines frequent flyer program. It was the first time I've flown with them.

Here's how I did it.

1. Find out if the flight is full. Iknew the flight was fairly full being that I checked on line prior to the flight. (How'd I find out the flight was full? I'll let you know in a future article.) However, first class was not full. Not even close.

2. Get to the gate early and sit as close as possible to the gate agents that will be handling your flight. This allows you to 'overhear' them as they strategize on how they are going to handle the flight. This is especially important for full flights. You'll be surprised what you learn by just sitting there. I don't mean to be rude by listening in but I do have an objective. I'm not just being nosy, right?

3. Dress nicely. Looks do matter. So, dress the part. Even though the only good thing about first class these days in the room (as for the food… on my last flight in first class, all I got was a granola bar.) they still like it when the folks in first class are dressed nice. This is not mandatory, but it can increase your chances of getting an upgrade.

4. Be in a great mood, with a great smile and in a very sincere tone, approach the desk agent when he or she is not busy. Do NOT approach if there is a line or other people standing around. This is why I get there early. Can you imagine if there are people behind you in line and you ask for an upgrade and they say, "sure!" What do you think the next person in line is going to expect? Make sure you can have the conversation "alone" and speak in a soft voice, but one that the gate agent can hear.

5. Here is my script that's helped me get upgraded, "Hi there. Is now a good time for me ask you a question? Great. I was wondering if there was any possible way I might be able to get an upgrade?" Typically, the agent will say, "no, sorry." Then I ask, "is first full?" If it is, it is, and I can't do much about it. If they say, "no, but we have a long list of upgrades already waiting." Then I say, "Can I ask you something else then? How do people get on that list? Can you help me so I can get on it for my next flight?" Then, just shut up and let the gate agent take over. You'll find out a TON of amazing stuff. They'll ask you about frequent flyer programs, etc. Act as naïve as you want. If you have a humble, appreciative manner, most kind gate agents have no problem sharing the "inside secrets" on how to 'get in the good graces' of the agent.

Many times, the upgrade list is genuinely full with people who fly that airline all the time and they have every right to be upgraded. After all, they do give the airline a lot of business.

Truly - that's all I do. I can't tell you how many times that conversation alone has gotten me an upgrade. People love to feel like they've done something special for someone. Especially if you seem very nice, easy going, appreciative, and humble. And, to top it off and make it easier for the next guy to get an upgrade, there's one more thing I do.

6. If you get the upgrade, thank the gate agent like they just saved your childs life. Usually, I tell a little story about why it's going to help me so much. (Only do this if they aren't trying to accomplish a ton of pre-flight work.) Then, prior to the time they start boarding (only if no one is at the desk) I go up again and say, "I just had to come up again and thank you. You have no idea how you've made my day." The gate agent will feel like a hero - every human loves that feeling.

That's it. May be simple, but 98% of us don't even ask. So, get up the guts to ask and you'll increase you chance of getting an upgrade 100%!

You can even use some of these tips on the plane with the flight attendant if you notice there are open seats in first, but it's much more difficult. I haven't had to use that tactic but a time or two. It's much easier at the gate.

I wish you many upgrades and happy, happy knees.

Find out how to get seated in first class without paying first class prices! It's simple!

Alaska, which has always been a source of awe and

mystery, has some of the best skiing in the world,

and the Alyeska Resort is one of the finest resorts

in the state. With a top elevation of 2751 feet and a

2501 vertical drop, the area gets an average of 631

inches of snow annually.

Although this is some of the best skiing in the world,

you won't find the slopes overly crowded, and there

are no long lift lines. There are nine lifts, including

six chair lifts and two surface lifts, and one cable

car line. There are 68 trails for beginners,

intermediates, and experts, with the majority of the

trails designed for intermediate skiers.

Night time skiing is allowed, which makes your ski

experience more adventurous and thrilling. You will

see snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and

of course, the famous Northern Lights. This resort is

ranked number nine of the top twenty-five killer ski

trips by Skiing Magazine.

The season begins at the Alyeska Resort in mid

November, and runs through mid April. This area of

Alaska boasts the longest daytime areas in the

United States, with approximately sixteen hours of

daylight each day during April. During December,

however, there are only about seven hours of daylight

– which makes night time skiing necessary if you

are going to get in the time that you want to spend

on the slopes.

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the place to stay! Here

you will enjoy elegant rooms and fine dining. Nightly

entertainment is available as well. There are other

nightlife spots in the area as well, that are not

associated with the Hotel.

If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier

Tubing Park is an absolute must! Featuring two

lanes of terrain and a surface lift, everyone in the

family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park.

The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for

snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities

that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska

Resort include flight seeing, helisking, ocean

cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back

country skiing, mountaineering, and polar bear

viewing.

At the Alyeska Resort, the ultimate winter vacation

can be experienced. Brave the elements, then return

to the Hotel for some pampering. Get a taste of what

Alaska is really like, and what skiing is meant to be!

There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, and

there are many area sights and attractions to be

enjoyed as well. This really is an awesome winter

family ski vacation!

Enjoy travelling to places around the world.

by Roy Witman © 2006, All Rights Reserved

From a shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the Crown Princess has been taking shape over the last year. Though you would never know it from seeing construction photos, this massive body of steel beams will soon be sculpted into a luxury vessel boasting a list of firsts including innovative features, fresh amenities and new ports of call that will sail you off into the sunset of your choosing.

Several distinctive differences are noted about Crown Princess. Upon her maiden voyage in June 2006, she will be the first in the Princess Cruise fleet to sail roundtrip Caribbean itineraries from New York (Red Hook, which is located in Brookland). Unique destinations await passengers including the Eastern Caribbean port of Bermuda. Equally fascinating are the added ports of Grand Turk and the Turks and Caicos Islands which have been virtually undiscovered until now.

Along with the Grand Turks port comes 20 new shore excursions. As innovative as the port itself, adventures of all activity levels will be available to passengers from exhilarating Harley rides to relaxing super-sized pools.

According to Princess Cruise Line, "Hop-On/Hop-Off Island Tours are first of their kind island tours that operate as a hop-on-hop-off tour which includes stops at a restored 1800s prison and a historic lighthouse." Also available: Harleys In Paradise, where passengers to St. Maarten can tour the scenery on Harley-Davidson motorcycles; zip line tours amid the canopy of St. Lucia's tropical rainforests; river tubing on Grenada's Balthazar River and more.

If you think you've heard the name "Crown Princess" before, you are correct. Initially built in 1990 by controversial designer Renzo Piano, the original Crown Princess has been transferred to a sister cruise line where she serves under a different name. As for the new Crown Princess, she is totally redesigned with cruising in mind and features numerable amenities not found on other ships.

Onboard the Crown Princess you'll find more firsts including Movies Under the Stars - an exclusive to Princess Cruise Line - where you can view blockbuster hit films outdoors on a gigantic, 300 square foot, LED screen. Passengers can make complimentary chaise lounge reservations for available features. Cocktail specials are available as well as free popcorn and other movie munchies. Atrium dining is also a specialty of Princess Cruises as well as Personal Choice Dining that allows you to choose seating at any restaurant at any time.

From exciting nightclubs to digital golf simulators and a nine-hole putting course, from four pools to a sports court and jogging track, you'll find something for everyone, including one of the largest casinos afloat.

Kids and teens even get their own special spaces with The Fun Zone, Off Limits Teen Center, a video arcade and the Chill Out splash pool. That's the perfect place for them to hang out while adults visit the Sanctuary - a quiet poolside area of the ship just for adults to relax and unwind.

According to Princess officials, Crown Princess' summer season will include 12 departures from New York between May 12 and September 6 on the Eastern Caribbean. Ports include Bermuda, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Grand Turk. In fact, her inaugural season is expected to be such a success that a second season in New York has already been slated.

Departing from New York in June 2006, the all-new Crown Princess offers a host of firsts designed to captivate passengers and provide exciting new adventures on and off the ship.

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center based in Yonkers, New York. Visit them online today at for the best deals on

Alaska cruises and

Hawaii cruises. You'll find their service exceptional and their attention to detail second to none.

When you're learning about something new, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article will give you the basics on the history of the Bahamas.

Those of you not familiar with the history of the Bahamas now have at least a basic understanding of its history and culture.

Christopher Columbus's first landfall in the New World in 1492 is believed to have been on the island of San Salvador (also called Watling's Island), in the southeastern Bahamas. He encountered Taino (also known as Lucayan) Amerindians and exchanged gifts with them.

Taino Indians from both northwestern Hispaniola and northeastern Cuba moved into the southern Bahamas about the 7th century AD and became the Lucayans. They appear to have settled the entire archipelago by the 12th century AD. There may have been as many as 40,000 Lucayans living in the Bahamas when Columbus arrived.

The Bahamian Lucayans were deported to Hispaniola as slaves, and within two decades Taino societies ceased to exist as a separate population due to forced labour, warfare, disease, emigration and outmarriage.

Some say the name 'Bahamas' derives from the Spanish for "shallow sea", baja mar. Others trace it to the Lucayan word for Grand Bahama Island, ba-ha-ma ("large upper middle land").

After the Lucayans were destroyed, the Bahamian islands were deserted until the arrival of English settlers from Bermuda in 1650. Known as the Eleutherian Adventurers, these people established settlements on the island now called Eleuthera (from the Greek word for freedom).

The Bahamas became a British crown colony in 1718 but remained sparsely settled until the newly independent United States expelled thousands of American Tories and their slaves. Many of these British Loyalists were given compensatory land grants in Canada and the Bahamas. Some 8,000 loyalists and their slaves moved to the Bahamas in the late 1700s from New York, Florida and the Carolinas.

The British granted the islands internal self-government in 1964 and, in 1973, Bahamians achieved full independence while remaining a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Since the 1950s, the Bahamian economy has prospered based on the twin pillars of tourism and financial services.

Despite this however, the country still faces significant challenges in areas such education, healthcare, correctional facilites and violent crime and illegal immigration. The urban renewal project has been luached in recent years to help impoverished urban areas in social decline in the main islands.

Today, the country enjoys the third highest per capita income in the western hemisphere.

This article is

If you're traveling to or planning a vacation in the Bahamas you might be interested in knowing a little about the area.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an independent English-speaking nation in the West Indies. Where in the world are they? The Bahamas are located in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Florida in the US, north of Cuba and the Caribbean, and west of the British dependency of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Bahamas are a group of about 700 islands in the western Atlantic Ocean, of which only between 30 and 40 are inhabited. That may sound like a large place but on a comparison basis, the Bahamas are only slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut.

The largest of the islands is Andros Island, located 120 miles south-east of Florida. The Bimini islands are to its northwest. To the North is the island of Grand Bahama, home to the second largest city in the country, Freeport, Bahamas.

The island of Great Abaco is to its east. In the very south is the island of Great Inagua, the second largest island in the country.

A few facts and figures: Nassau is the capital and largest city, located on New Providence. The islands have a subtropical climate, moderated by the Gulf Stream. Most people are ethnic Christians, and English is the official language.

The islands are surface projections of three oceanic banks, the Little Bahama Bank, the Great Bahama Bank and the westernmost Cay Sal Bank. The highest point is only 2480 inches (just less than half a mile) above sea level on Cat Island; the island of New Providence, where the capital city of Nassau is located, reaches a maximum elevation of only 1,457 inches.

The land on the Bahamas has a foundation of fossil coral, but much of the rock is oolitic limestone; the stone is derived from the disintegration of coral reefs and seashells. The land is primarily either rocky or mangrove swamp. Low scrub covers much of the surface area. Timber is found in abundance on four of the northern islands: Grand Bahama, Great Abaco, New Providence, and Andros. On some of the southern islands, low-growing tropical hardwood flourishes.

Although some soil is very fertile, it is also very thin. Only a few freshwater lakes and just one river, located on Andros Island, are found in the Bahamas.

The climate in the Bahamas is semitropical. They have only two seasons, summer and winter.

During the summer, which extends from May through November, the climate is dominated by warm, moist tropical air masses moving north through the Caribbean. Midsummer temperatures range from 70° to 93° F with a relative humidity of 60- 100%.

In winter months, extending from December through April, the climate is affected by the movement of cold polar masses from North America. Temperatures during the winter months range from 59° to 75° F.

Yearly rainfall averages 52 inches annually and is usually concentrated in the May-June and September-October periods. Rainfall often occurs in short-lived, fairly intense showers accompanied by strong gusty winds.

Winds are predominantly easterly throughout the year but tend to become northeasterly from October to April and southeasterly from May to September. These winds seldom exceed 15 mph per hour except during hurricane season.

Although the hurricane season officially lasts from June to November, most hurricanes in the Bahamas occur between July and October. The last hurricane to strike was Hurricane David in September 1979. Damage was estimated at US$1.8 million and mainly affected agricultural products. The most intense twentieth-century hurricane to strike the Bahamas was in 1929. Winds of up to 140 mph were recorded. Many lives were lost, and there was extensive damage to buildings, homes, and boats.

Don't let the hurricanes and heat scare you. The Bahamas are a wonderful place to vacation, any time of the year. Pick up your sunglasses, find your swim suit and call your travel agent today!

This article is

Secrets of Royal Caribbean Cruises and Celebrity Cruises

If you are looking to book a cruise on Royal Caribbean in the near future or on Celebrity, I have a couple pearls of wisdom for you. Celebrity is considered a Premium Cruise Line by just about every notable cruise industry magazine. They are my personal favorite bar none. Royal Caribbean is on the same level as Carnival Cruise Line-they compete head-to-head in every major market. Like it or not, they are priced to compete with Carnival. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Inc. owns Celebrity Cruise Line. If you look at comparable cruises and rooms, you will find that, in 80-90% of the time, Celebrity is a MUCH better rate. How can this be? Simple. Royal Caribbean has the highest repeat business of ANY cruise line we have ever sold. Therefore, higher demand translates into higher rates. They’re big ships with rock-climbing walls and ice skating rinks are bells and whistles that attract a lot of cruisers. We don’t see this trend changing any time soon so the next time you are looking at purchasing a Royal Caribbean cruise, have your agent check Celebrity for the same cruise. You will be pleasantly surprised to find that we are right. The difference between a good cruise and a great cruise is your agent!

Sincerely,

Brian James

All Aboard Cruises Corp

The Internet’s Premier Cruise Specialists!

CLIA Master Cruise Consultant

Caribbean Cruises

Caribbean Cruise

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Goa, an endearing abode of scenic charm is a paradise, squeezed between the seas and the lush forested hills. Offering glistening sands, swaying coconut palms and ultra fresh seafood. Your Goa Tours will involve exploring sensuous beaches and historical forts that have kept the legacy of Portuguese alive. Travel to Goa, to explore the mystical charisma of the exotic abode. It is a promise that Goa will add some golden moments in your memorabilia.

The whole world knows Goa as the land of fun and frolic, land of mesmerizing beaches or the destination of most effervescent carnivals. However, one thing that instantly strikes you when you land in Goa is the culture. It is just the right blend of ethnic Indian Konkani and the reminiscent Potuguese. On one side there are vast expanses of beaches where the sun, sand and sea conjugate into crystal turquoise waters and on the other, there are lavish

Konkani mountains and wild greens.

The Goa carnival, a three-day fest, had its birth in Goa during the era of King Momo.One can find a lot of excitement bubbling across Goa,in the month of February,as Goa is dressing up for the carnival festivities. This carnival is celebrated just before the Lent season(Lent is the period of fasting and penance in the Christian calendar and corresponding somewhat to the Mohammedan fast before Ramzan Id),that usually starts off on Sabado Gordo (Fat Saturday) and concludes on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday)-the eve of Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the season of Lent.So one can say that this is basically celebrated before going into the rigrous fasting,the whole of Goa gets into the carnival mood or the party mood.

Not only human beings but the atmosphere of this place seems to be dancing to the tunes of joy.At the time of carnival the air of Goa is filled with perfume of happiness, the roads are jam-packed with fun and the hearts of the people in Goa is filled with nothing but enjoyment & happiness.These three days of fun & frolic are days of continuous music & dance.

Goa is the best place to be visited during the February carnival,to forget all the wordly affairs in the extravagant fun of this carnival & simply flow along in the river of happiness and fun.The memories gathered from the carnival of Goa will never come to an end but they will grow closer to your heart as the time passes away.

To know more about GOA visit this site

Kerala is decorated by its eye-soothing green jungles, rolling hills, mind-blowing beaches, tea gardens and of course its magical backwaters. The amazing backwaters of Kerala have become an integral part of its people. It has given the visitors the opportunity to see the rural and real life in the heart of Kerala. The backwaters of kerala stretch over 1900 kms, providing, drinking water and irrigating paddy fields. The most interesting area in the backwaters of kerala is the Kuttanad region, called the rice bowl of Kerala. The area is probably the only place in the continent where farming is done below sea level, using a system of dykes and bunds.

The ancient history of Kerala is shrouded in the mists of tradition. The most popular legend would have it that the land crust that forms the state was raised from the depths of the ocean by Parasurama, the Brahmin avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu and hence the sobriquet - "God's own Country". Thus during your tour to Kerala you get an opportunity to be a part of this culturally rich country.

Today, Kerala is one of the best-known tour destinations in the world tourism map. From mind-blowing landscapes to infinite intriguing customs, high-intensity cultural life to the educated public, holidays and tour in Kerala is a unique experience in itself.

To know more about kerala backwaters and beaches visit this site

Of all the great vacations I have been on in my life, none have compared to the Caribbean cruise I got to enjoy with my parents, siblings, husband and children just a few years ago. I'll admit that I wasn't too excited about the idea of going on a Caribbean cruise when my parents first bought all of us tickets for Christmas that year. The idea of being confined on a huge boat for ten days just didn't excite me. I naively expected to be seasick and board for the entire trip and find myself wishing I were anywhere but on that Caribbean cruise.

Fortunately, my preconceptions were totally wrong. While it did take a few hours to get used to the constant motion of the boat, I no one actually got seasick during the entire trip. And I was the furthest from bored that I have perhaps ever been. The Caribbean cruise was filled with more activities than a person or family could enjoy during the ten days. Each person in our party of nineteen people was more than satisfied with the activites and options for enjoying the Caribbean cruise.

One of the greatest things about the Caribbean cruise was that it offered activites, foods and entertainment for literally all ages of guests. My elementary school aged children loved it just as much as my parents who were in their late sixties. The children enjoyed the many swimming pools and organized activities that happened throughout each day. The Caribbean cruise offered miniature golf, sports competitions of all kinds, art classes, and great kids movies at night. For the adults, the Caribbean cruise offered a workout center, many fitness classes, dancing lessons of all kinds, gambling and live entertainment in the evenings.

My fears of being trapped on the boat for ten days straight were relieved each of the four times our Caribbean cruise ported at a different island or beach in the Caribbean. We were able to get off the ship each day and enjoy a full day of exploring the area or doing fun activities like snorkeling or scuba diving in the ocean near where we ported. Of course, there was always the option of staying on the ship during these port days as well. I was simply amazed at the variety that the Caribbean cruise offered. I felt like a family could return on a Caribbean cruise several times before enjoying everything that was made available to them.

A final thing that blew my mind about our Caribbean cruise was the service we received. Our rooms were kept immaculately and we were served the most amazing food I have ever eaten. We were well taken care of from morning to night.

I'd encourage almost anyone I know to enjoy a Caribbean cruise for their next vacation. It was one of the most surprising and fulfilling trips I have ever taken.

When she is not writing, Rachael Cleipher enjoys nothing more than a good vacation. In all of her travels she is yet to find a trip that compares to her Caribbean cruise. Learn more at

A Caribbean travel vacation cruise has much to offer to sophisticated travelers who recognize the great value in traveling to the islands. If you want a vacation that is rich with culture galore, quaint architecture, seas to explore, fantastic swimming and snorkeling, then the Caribbean has it and more.

Here, you will find some great Caribbean vacation travel cruise offers that are guaranteed to give you the best value in cruise traveling.

A Seven-Night Dream

Dreams become reality when you find yourself floating through warm, welcoming waters of the Caribbean on one of several Caribbean vacation travel cruise ships. Enjoy the sun, sand, and surf of a picture-perfect island during brief land excursions in any one of your ports of call and spend the day indulging in duty-free shopping, diving in clear blue waters, or exploring Mayan ruins.

With the coming of the cold months, the Royal Caribbean, one of the leading cruise lines on the islands, is offering many fantastic Caribbean vacation travel cruise offers to its visitors who opt to book early. One of these is the seven-night dream Caribbean vacation travel beginning at $478 per person, the cruise and featuring fabulous inside cabins where you can get excellent views of the dazzling ocean.

The Mariner of the Seas, which departs from Port Canaveral, Florida and takes you to four different ports of call where you can go on brief land excursions - Labadee, Hispaniola; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico – before you cruise back to Port Canaveral in Florida.

The Voyager of the Seas lets you start your Caribbean vacation travel cruise fun in Miami, Florida, and making brief stops in Hispaniola, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Mexico. The ship offers you four kinds of room accommodations, ranging from $549 to $2,049.00.

Other midsize ships mean a more spacious and comfortable Caribbean vacation travel cruise, with all the service and amenities you'd expect, but no waiting in long lines for meals or port of calls.

Three-Night Enchantment or Four-Night Excitement

Few places on earth are more conducive to relaxation than the islands of the Caribbean. Perhaps, it's the light, tropical breezes that gently soothe the soul. Or the warm waters and warm receptions tat await you on every shore. One thing is certain: aboard a Celebrity Caribbean vacation travel cruise, a Caribbean vacation offers something for everyone.

But if you want your Caribbean vacation travel cruise to be brief but enchanting, the Caribbean vacation travel cruise offers several short cruises for your pleasure. You'll find short Caribbean vacation travel cruises, just three nights long, out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, for as little as $289 per person.

Or consider a bit longer, western Caribbean vacation travel cruise, four nights starting at $349, on the Enchantment of the Seas. Take a four-night Western Caribbean vacation travel cruise aboard the Century for only $330, starting from Miami, Florida. The cruise provides you with all the amenities you could ever wish from, from shipboard accommodations to ocean transportation, meals, beverages, and entertainment aboard the vessel.

Once your cruise is over you'll probably want to get some of the tropical sun home... easy to do: original tropical home decorating items can be found at which sells unique handicrafts brightly colored with tropical themes.

Magalie Noel Dresse is the Webmaster of which sells unique handicrafts from the Caribbean island of Haiti.

Women today take pregnancy in their stride and continue to work and enjoy everyday activities. Pregnancy does not mean termination of all work and play. If you plan carefully you can enjoy all activities throughout the pregnancy and travel for work and pleasure without experiencing any difficulties.

Here are a few tips:

• Avoid stress by leaving quite early for the airport. To alleviate rushing across terminals or parking lots have a friend drop you to the airport. Find out whether the travel agent or airline has pick ups and drops for special passengers. Travel light and only pack what you really need. Use a bag with wheels or buy a fold-up luggage rack.

• Keep your sense of humor and wits with you at all times. Eat a light meal before leaving for the airport and listen to music or read a book you love. A full stomach and happy frame of mind will ensure that you view all hassles like long queues, uncomfortable chairs, and tedious walks as a part of life. Avoid coffee and other caffeine filled beverages, these will just stretch your nerves and make things difficult.

• Plan your schedule well such that you avoid depletion of energy. Give yourself time to eat on time, catch forty winks, and to put your feet up. Quite times are crucial to pregnant women so weave in time for a long bath, reading on the beach, a leisurely walk in the garden or a slow swim. Things that relax and energize you.

• Eat well and balanced meals. Never ignore hunger pangs. Carry in your bag plenty of portable snacks, dried fruits, nuts, crackers, cereal bars, and small bottles of juice or water, fresh fruit and so on. To prevent dehydration when flying drink plenty of fluids this will prevent swollen feet and ankles. Eat 4-6 small meals a day. Ask your doctor whether you need vitamin and mineral supplements. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. When you eat light meals you will prevent uneasiness and heartburn. Suck a mint or boiled sweet this will quell queasiness.

• Make time to visit the toilet. Go before you board the plane and also after you deplane. If the flight is short then this will alleviate the need to use the toilet on the plane. If you are flying a long haul choose a flight that has a stop over or break the journey such that you get a breather. Ask for an aisle seat so that you can visit the toilet or stretch your cramped legs without being a nuisance to others.

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Keep the blood circulation going by walking down the aisle and doing simple stretch exercises while seated. Rotate your ankles and stretch your feet as well as wriggle your toes. Shoes must be supportive, use flat ones or trainers. Use blister pads to increase comfort. Slip on shoes is the best as you can remove them when seated.

• Do a few breathing exercises and try and meditate everyday. This will keep you calm and collected and ensure that plenty of oxygen reaches all the cells of your body.

Traveling when pregnant can be eased by taking sensible steps. It is safe to fly when pregnant Just carry your medical records, medicines, and first aid kit with you. Wear beautifully styled yet comfortable clothes and avoid carrying heavy luggage. Talk to your doctor before taking a trip; do ask about immunizations as well as medications you should carry. Make comfortable arrangements and you will enjoy your pregnancy.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for , the premier website to find help on Travel including topics on online travel directory, online travel planning, air tickets reservation, cruise travel, travel insurance issues, world travel, travel guide, vacation packages, travel agents, travel agencies and make hotel reservation, car rentals and more. He also freelances for the premier Airport Parking site

Travel for business or pleasure can bring to the fore several health concerns. The most common ailments people experience while on a trip are hypertension, colds, and diarrhea. In order to build up resistance to fight diseases you must adopt a healthy lifestyle. Get adequate rest, adopt a good exercise program, eat balanced meals, avoid fast foods, and food full of saturated fats, and take vitamins and any other medication prescribed by the doctor. One of the simplest rules to stay healthy while traveling is never eat uncooked foods and do not drink water that is suspect.

To protect yourself pack a small medicine kit as well as your medical records and insurance card. To maintain your health be sure to follow an exercise regime while traveling. You must walk, jog, swim, or use the hotel gym. Or you could play an exercise tape on your lap top and do your exercises in the hotel room. The secret to staying healthy is to stick to a routine and eat balanced meals at regular times.

Here are a few tips:

• For every time zone you cross, take a day's rest to allow your body clock to reset itself.

• Avoid alcohol but drink plenty of fluids. The crucial thing is to avoid dehydration.

• While on the plane try and rest as much as possible and exercise by getting up and moving down the aisles.

• Eat low fat meals on the plane, eat lightly, avoid salty, rich, and fatty foods.

• The CDC recommends that you drink only bottled water and that too the carbonated kind. The water bottles must be sealed and opened by you only. Do not use ice cubes under any circumstances and drink out of a straw.

• Use bottled water for brushing your teeth and for gargling. Wash you toothbrush in bottled water. Try and avoid using tap water.

• Eat and drink anything that is at boiling point or deep fried. Eat freshly cooked food. Avoid meat and seafood if you are traveling in interior areas where the meat is unlikely to be fresh and freezers and refrigerators are not dependable.

• While in flight you should do a few stretching exercises to avoid cramped muscles. Yawn frequently or chew gum to de-pressurize your ears. Avoid drinking coffee before and during a flight. Wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing. Include plenty of greens and carbohydrates in your pre-flight meals. Relax as much as possible and take a few deep breaths before boarding a flight.

• If you suffer from hypertension, motion sickness, an overactive bladder, weak digestion, or allergies consult your doctor before undertaking an extended trip.

Be sure to pack in your carry on bag a bottle of water, a few snacks especially if you are diabetic, as well as your first aid kit. Pack a light jacket or sweater to wear in case there are great variations in temperature.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for , the premier website to find help on Travel including topics on online travel directory, online travel planning, air tickets reservation, cruise travel, travel insurance issues, world travel, travel guide, vacation packages, travel agents, travel agencies and make hotel reservation, car rentals and more. He also freelances for the premier Music site

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 on-board contractors. These can be the on-board 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 on-board. 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 aren't 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 suprised 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 the one I came across awhile ago, which was Neil Maxwell Key's resource site. He used to travel the world on cruise ships as well, but took it a step further to gather all the resources anybody could need to get a cruise ship job.

If you're looking to do what only your friends and family dream of, then go get a cruise ship job. People are fascinated by the concept and will always be asking you what it's like traveling the world and getting paid for it.

Scott Lundergan did two world cruises on QE2, traveled to over fifty countries and six continents. When people ask him ho to get a travel the world, he simply refers them to Neil Maxwell Key's site at

© 2006, All Rights Reserved

From weekend workshops to full-service culinary academies, men and women are drawn to cooking lessons. Now you can incorporate your love for cooking with your dreams of high seas adventure because more and more cruise ships are offering cooking-related events onboard.

Originally attributed to small cruise ships that needed an incentive to gain bookings, cooking cruises have grown over the years and are now found aboard large vessels. One of the most recent announcements is from Holland America. Working in conjunction with Food & Wine magazine, Holland America's Culinary Arts Center will offer demonstrations and seminars from world-renowned chefs, wine experts, cookbook authors and more.

A fleet-wide enhancement, the Culinary Arts Center will be retrofit onto all 13 existing ships and will also be incorporated into the upcoming 14th ship due to launch in summer 2008. Each Culinary Arts Center will include theater-style seating, state-of-the-art show kitchen, plasma screens that allow every participant to see, a display counter for easy viewing and space for guests to participate in preparing some of the dishes. Upgrades to all Holland America's ships will be complete by summer 2006 allowing each ship to include Culinary Arts Center activities during each cruise.

One small cruise company offers tours featuring chefs from the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu. As you cruise the Baltic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea, you can enjoy studying under talented instructors. Other small ships sail to Greece, Turkey and other worldwide destinations offering cooking classes based on each region visited.

Over 60 top chefs are slated to appear during the next 12 months on Holland America's ships including Nick Stellino, chef and host of Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen V; Jacques Torres, chocolatier, pastry chef and cookbook author; Aaron Sanchez, chef and owner of Paladar, New York City; Michelle Bernstein, owner and chef of MB restaurant in Cancun; Neal Gallagher, chef of Oceana (and voted Best New Chef of 2003); Charles Dale, founder of Aspen's Renaissance, Range and Rustique restaurants, and the list goes on.

Food preparation, wine tasting, cooking classes, seminars, book signings, question-and-answer sessions and market tours in port are just a few of the activities passengers on various ships can look forward to.

When booking a cooking cruise, look for themes such as grilling, desserts, healthy entrees, Italian, Mexican, etc. In addition, also ask about group discounts. Holland's Culinary Group Program offers special fares for groups of 25 or more, a cabin for a guest chef, two one-hour demonstration sessions, a complimentary wine tasting or cocktail party and a color group photo.

Most cooking cruises allow you to eat what has been prepared, so you can literally taste the fruits of your labor. However, samples may not be enough for an entire meal. If the cooking tour you book is aboard a smaller ship rather than a large vessel with onboard restaurants, you might be wise to ask if a meal will be served prior to booking your reservation.

Whether you opt for an intimate-sized ship with only a few hundred passengers and a defined itinerary or a large vessel capable of sailing the world, cooking cruises are fun, entertaining and exciting for every member of the family. Ask your travel agent for the details on cooking cruises available in the destinations you want to sail.

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center based in Yonkers, New York. Visit them online today at for the best deals on

Alaska cruises and

Hawaii cruises. You'll find their service exceptional and their attention to detail second to none.

Well, first of all just let me introduce myself, my name is German Alcaniz. With only 25 years old I have been able to try a few of these and I can tell that as everything in life, there are ones that don't work and the only thing they do is to take your money and run; others that take your money, and you don't make a dime as the ones who earn the real money are the ones at the top.

There are, however, other opportunities that you pay to get involved and you actually earn money although not enough; but certainly there are the ones that we all look for that are the real deal, those that when you read the websites, you know that they are talking for real and that what they say it is truly out there, MONEY. The income opportunity where you are able to earn lots of money.

There is always a catch though… Yes, there is.

Do you want to know what the catch is?

Very simple, don't expect to earn money without moving a finger. If you want to really make money in these things you will have to work, probably as hard as you do in your job. But the best thing is that you will end up being paid more than in your current job.

Let me put it this way, money doesn't come easy in this life, and that is something that everyone knows, but in some places it comes easier than in others. It's not all about hard work, but you also have to work it smart too.

There is a fact here which is that many, or I should say the majority of them, claim that when you sign up you won't have to sell. And I just laugh at it, of course after trying a few of them that actually said that. Maybe you won't sell as: "Hey, here is your product, it's 19.99", but you definitely you end up asking for money as all this companies are based on bringing other people to the business, but to come to the actual business you'll have to pay….and who asks for this money?? It is YOU! And for me, having to pick up the phone or having to go to someone's house to make them sign a form and asking them for money, this is selling!

What is the problem with this? Well, because of this reason, more than 95% of the people who starts a home based business fails. Nobody likes to sell.

Therefore, some companies have tried to make their business as much automatic as possible adding call centres where you can send the people to them and they actually close the sale for you. This system is actually fantastic as it avoids the pain of rejection and all those fears we all feel when trying to sell.

My advice to you, look carefully the company you are about to join and decide wisely. But think that there is a big amount of money to be made out there.

Good Luck to you!!

Ps.: The company I represent now, is called Coastal Vacations and it provides you with this system of Call Centre where they do all the work for you except advertising (not all the directors within the company will offer you this possibility).

Find out more on or call Toll Free 1800 378 1169 (id# 9267GA)

If you already own a business or have a website and want FREE Targeted Traffic consider visiting

Well, first of all just let me introduce myself, my name is German Alcaniz. With only 25 years old I have been able to try a few of these and I can tell that as everything in life, there are ones that don't work and the only thing they do is to take your money and run; others that take your money, and you don't make a dime as the ones who earn the real money are the ones at the top.

There are, however, other opportunities that you pay to get involved and you actually earn money although not enough; but certainly there are the ones that we all look for that are the real deal, those that when you read the websites, you know that they are talking for real and that what they say it is truly out there, MONEY. The income opportunity where you are able to earn lots of money.

There is always a catch though… Yes, there is.

Do you want to know what the catch is?

Very simple, don't expect to earn money without moving a finger. If you want to really make money in these things you will have to work, probably as hard as you do in your job. But the best thing is that you will end up being paid more than in your current job.

Let me put it this way, money doesn't come easy in this life, and that is something that everyone knows, but in some places it comes easier than in others. It's not all about hard work, but you also have to work it smart too.

There is a fact here which is that many, or I should say the majority of them, claim that when you sign up you won't have to sell. And I just laugh at it, of course after trying a few of them that actually said that. Maybe you won't sell as: "Hey, here is your product, it's 19.99", but you definitely you end up asking for money as all this companies are based on bringing other people to the business, but to come to the actual business you'll have to pay….and who asks for this money?? It is YOU! And for me, having to pick up the phone or having to go to someone's house to make them sign a form and asking them for money, this is selling!

What is the problem with this? Well, because of this reason, more than 95% of the people who starts a home based business fails. Nobody likes to sell.

Therefore, some companies have tried to make their business as much automatic as possible adding call centres where you can send the people to them and they actually close the sale for you. This system is actually fantastic as it avoids the pain of rejection and all those fears we all feel when trying to sell.

My advice to you, look carefully the company you are about to join and decide wisely. But think that there is a big amount of money to be made out there.

Good Luck to you!!

Ps.: The company I represent now, is called Coastal Vacations and it provides you with this system of Call Centre where they do all the work for you except advertising (not all the directors within the company will offer you this possibility).

Find out more on or call Toll Free 1800 378 1169 (id# 9267GA)

If you already own a business or have a website and want FREE Targeted Traffic consider visiting

Traveling by plane requires great planning. One can minimize problems by planning well in advance and taking a few precautions before embarking on the journey. This will alleviate problems and ensure that you have a safe and hassle free trip.

1. Always book tickets on a reliable airline. Check if they are offering any special fares or discounts. Check the tickets to ensure that what you have is a confirmed booking.

2. Find out details regarding size of baggage and weight allowed. Tag all bags with your name, address, phone number, date of travel, and flight number. Pack the bags yourself and ensure that they are all locked safely. Make two sets of keys.

3. As a precaution pack documents, passport, medicines, and other immediate essentials in the carry on case. In case your luggage gets lost or misplaced in transit you will still have bare essentials.

4. Follow to a "t" all security rules. Do not carry electronics, knives, batteries, or other banned items. All dangerous objects like razors, scissors, and so on must be put in your check in luggage.

5. All electronic items like cell phones and laptops must be fully charged and in accordance to rules turned on for checking if asked. Use of cell phones while flying is prohibited. So do not plan or making or receiving calls when in flight.

6. Take along a valid photo ID to the airport. Check whether you have your tickets.

7. Make prior booking for parking at the airport this will save you valuable time circling around to find suitable parking. If the airport lots are full or inconvenient try any of the private parking lots.

8. Always check the flight schedule before you leave the house. Make sure what the check-in-time is for your flight. Leave with plenty of time to spare. This way you won't have to rush from one end of the airport to the other.

It is against regulations for passengers to carry inflammables, aerosols, or household cleaners. Other prohibited items are: firearms even if you have a license, hunting rifles, baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski equipment, hockey sticks, darts, as well as bows and arrows. Because of terrorist threats it is against the law to speak of hijackings, bomb threats, or other dangerous things. Be cautious about who you befriend. Never accept any letter or parcel to be delivered to persons known or unknown. Never leave your luggage unattended and if you do notice any abandoned parcel or luggage bring it to the notice of authorities. Be aware of what the weather conditions are like where you going and take clothes accordingly. Prepare well for your flight and enjoy it.

Before leaving check online whether there are any diversions to be made at the airport or whether any new rules have been made. Most airports have easy to use websites. Refer to the site and find out where your terminal is and where your car is to be parked. If using public transport only use transportation services from official pick up points. The vehicles must have official markings. Don't get conned by people who make offers of special privileges or deals.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for , the premier website to find help on Traveling including topics on online travel directory, online travel planning, air tickets reservation, cruise travel, travel insurance issues, world travel, travel guide, vacation packages, travel agents, travel agencies and make hotel reservation, car rentals and more. He also freelances for the premier Hotels site

Women today travel constantly and that too all over the world. Most manage to successfully juggle a professional life with a private one. Statistics reveal that almost 50% of business travelers are women and the number continues to grow each day. Travel at short notice means being organized and ready to go. Be smart and plan well ahead.

1. Keep on tab a list of baby sitters who would be willing to pitch in, even overnight if required. Keep a small book handy in which you jot down things like what the kids eat, their schedules, important phone numbers, likes and dislikes, as well as numbers of the doctors and list of medications including known allergies.

2. Keep a travel bag always packed and ready to go. Pack a combination of clothes so that they will tide you over irrespective of the weather in your destination. Wear easy to maintain and dark colors on trips. They don't show stains, are wrinkle free and will drape well.

3. Always eat lightly and foods that are cooked avoid raw salads and water as well as ice. It is wise to snack before a flight and also to try and sleep during flight. This way you will arrive at your destination refreshed. Be sure to drink plenty of bottled water during travel.

4. Set up a schedule to call home at time zones that work for you and your loved ones. Make it a point to get mementoes for your family members as also the baby sitter and others who pick up the slack while you are away. It shows them that you care.

5. Put safety first always place a "do not disturb sign on your hotel door and if nervous place a chair under the door knob like they do in movies. Keep your cell phone on and fully charged by you at all times and carry protection in the form of pepper spray, an alarm, or if you are trained and licensed a small weapon with its safety on. In most cities the police organize training classes for women to learn how to protect themselves and what one must do in an emergency. Try and make time to attend these.

6. Avoid dark lanes and abandoned roads. Never talk to strangers or accept food or drink from someone you don't know. While traveling never leave food or drink unattended. Be vigilant at all times.

7. Choose a hotel with care. Choose to stay at well established hotels or small inns and B&B where the proprietors are generally family people. Always e-mail and fax details of your staying arrangements and travel plans to your home as well as office.

8. Always carry important documents, money, traveler's checks, and passport in a money belt worn around your waist.

9. Always act confident and move around in groups there is always safety in numbers.

10. If unwell go to a state run hospital. Never to a private clinic.

11. Never travel with valuables like jewelry and always carry a small flashlight and medical kit with you.

12. For safety reasons arrange with your family to take appropriate action if you do not get in touch with them as planned.

Avoid room service and eat in the hotel dinning room. Also never reveal details of where you come from or your travel plans to anyone.

Be vigilant and smart and you will be able to travel often and safely.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for , the premier website to find help on Travel including topics on online travel directory, online travel planning, air tickets reservation, cruise travel, travel insurance issues, world travel, travel guide, vacation packages, travel agents, travel agencies and make hotel reservation, car rentals and more. He also freelances for the premier Airport Parking site

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 aren't 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 cruiselines three times in four months, so instead of going to just two countries, I went to ten. Another example is Princess Cruiselines, 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 suprised 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 resource guide. You can pick up a quick copy at 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. Not only are people fascinated by the concept, but people 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.

Family should always be first, but it's easy to forget what matters most in today's hectic world. The greatest gift we can give our children is being part of a healthy, loving family as it is their foundation and security especially in times of need. Children will always need a safe haven and the home should provide that for them. Creating a happy and safe environment is easier than most people think. I hope the following will help get you started.

Give your children the opportunity to speak openly and freely about their concerns and troubles. This is a sure-fire way to increase your family's closeness. Maintain honesty and you will find that problems get solved quickly and easily. Instilling open communication in your children will also help them in all aspects of their lives later on. "Listen" with an open heart and a willing spirit. Don't judge the thoughts and feelings of other family members. Instead, try to understand where they are coming from and figure out solutions to ease their problems.

Spend quality time together each week. Many parents have full-time jobs and it's difficult to fit in time for relaxation and leisure, however, it's very important you make time for your family. Discuss what things the family would like to do together. Try to pick activities that encourage talking and interaction like bowling for example will enhance relations better than silently watching a movie in a theater. Try to keep the activity lighthearted and fun. Laughter bonds better than anything and its affects will ripple throughout your life.

Chores doesn't sound like it will bring a family closer, but one would be amazed to see what it can do. Having a clearly defined list of responsibilities for each member of the family will ease frustration and resentment. It will also encourage family members to get involved with household responsibilities and teach them that teamwork is important. Be sure to put the list up in a place that everyone will see easily and make a point of congratulating people when they do something well.

There are many ways to gain closeness within your family. These three steps are designed to give you a head start and help you create the family life you have always wanted. Initiate conversation with your family and get their ideas and suggestions for gaining a closer relationship. Always be open and willing to listen and work together. It won't always be easy, but it will always be worth it.

Sintilia Miecevole, Administrator of provides you with information from family, your ancestors, focus on the family and family fun to family tree, american family and more. Be sure to visit for further information.

Keeping a journal is a most rewarding experience. I have had several kinds of journals; one was a book where I wrote in it and another was a binder where I wrote the events of the day and also added everything from a chicken feather to cards, thank you notes and pictures. That was really a fun book. It's amazing the things you forget until you open your journal or look at a picture and all of the related memories instantly come to mind and you can talk about it as if it happened today. That is surely amazing!

This amazing book can also tell you details of a special vacation, or your parents 50 year anniversary, or that special day when you turned 21; what about graduation and all of those feelings you felt.? Wouldn't it be neat to read those fond memories? Those words will take you right back to that moment, feelings and all. What about special times with family and friends? I can remember what an eventful day it was when I climbed a mountain. I was awestruck as I watched others climb straight up. To my amazement, my feet just kept moving and I did it too. What an experience to practically do the splits in trying to climb the huge rocks. When I got to the top of the mountain, I stood on a ledge with the very top at chest height and declared that I made it. This fellow told me I hadn't made it as I wasn't on the top. I said I was good where I was. He said I would really regret not getting to the top if I didn't get up there, so, "Get up here!" he said, as he gave me his hand. I was petrified. Though my body was rigid in fear, I crawled to the very top of the mountain that day. I even laid down over a rock straight out from the mountain top and looked down 3000 feet to the ground. I couldn't believe I did that. I am forever grateful to that fellow for talking me into going to the top of the mountain because today, I am unstoppable. I can do whatever I want to do. Success in it's finest is my intention and if I can take others with me, I help them on their way to success as well.

There are also family journals where everyone writes about family events from their perspective. There could be one person who summarizes family events from year to year such as family re-unions. All of those moments and memories come and go and it just takes a wonderful journal to flash them back right before your eyes again.

Parents can keep their favorite drawings and pictures of their children. I have a picture my son drew of me when he was very young and I still feel warm when I look at it. Grandparents can write about their fun times with their grandchildren. Children can start writing journals at quite a young age. My grandson is eight years old and he writes a lot. He writes about sports, school, his friends and other activities. We can write about our pets as we love them so much. I have had numereous pets and loved them all intensely; each one with their own special personality and they were all considered family. Vacations are a great time to keep a family journal. What fond memories and fun when you read and remember the places you visited, restaurants, perhaps new foods you tried, the new people you met and what you did or the hikes you went on. Let's not forget all the souvineres we might have taken home. The pictures that were taken that we can ooo and aaaah over are awesome memories. It is truly endless what you can write about.

Please read the exciting conclusion of The Awesome Experience Of Writing A Journal Part 2.

I'm Sintilia Miecevole and I enjoy keeping a journal. There isn't anything more important than the family. Join me at where you can find information or resources from family, genealogy, family fun and family holidays to family cruises and more. Be sure to visit soon for further information.

Special occasion memories are most important and are another area for journal keeping. Did you have a special birthday, special time or special event that you would like to remember? Start writing now before its gone. Something that comes to mind for me is during the dark winter days when my husband is driving home from work, I turn on all the front lights of the house which he can see a block away. It's a blaze of glory for him to come home to and he loves it when I do that. I always tell him, "Hurry home to me!" Truly he has the same smile when he comes home as he did years ago when we were first married. It's marvellous!

Your journal can have pictures of you taken each year and you can have fun how you change over the years. It can have pictures of your home or homes as you move about.

Your journal should be a place of inspiration for others who read it. It can be a source of comfort in solving a huge problem that you faced and conquered. I remember a day when I sat in my office all alone where the atomosphere was absolutely still, quiet and tense. I felt that the whole world stood still. I was facing a huge problem and only I alone could come up with the solution and I knew it. How could I save my business? And there I sat deep in thought and unmoving for some considerable time. I just sat and stared, it seemed forever. And then it came to me. I picked up the phone and made a call to someone with whom I treasured as my very special friend. There was no one else. He was the only one; there was no one else on this entire planet who could help me and even though I didn't know really what to say, I knew it would take care of itself. I didn't know how, but I knew my special friend, this great man I admired so much, would make it right. And indeed, he saved my business and he gave me a new beginning. He gave me that opportunity to live and fulfill my dream and intention of having a massive, passive income by asking me to be his partner. It has proven to be the best and finest business decision I have ever made.

Don't forget to record medical histories where necessary. Keeping a journal here would be critical. I have a friend who suffers from depression. I so admire her; she went off of all those pills and went a natural route to health. It was a tough go. Her wonderful husband kept a journal of her medications, the changes, her reactions and any other pertinent information. Guess what happened? Everytime a question arose about what order of pills or reactions to medications, what, where and when, he had the answers. Truly amazing! Can you see the importance of a journal? I hope in some way that I have inspired you to start a journal. I hope some of my stories helped you to have some of your stories come to life again. Write your family history. You are so very special; no one can ever replace you and each and every one of us has a one-of-a-kind story to tell; if it isn't written, it will be lost. Start today and as by-gone memories come to mind, write them down as well. Write a minimum of three successes each and every day and you will immediately find that keeping a journal will literally change your life. A journal is a number one best seller because everyone will enjoy reading it for decades to come! May I suggest you start one today.

About the Author: I'm Sintilia Miecevole and I enjoy keeping a journal. There isn't anything more important than the family. Join me at where you can find information or resources from family, genealogy, family fun and family holidays to family cruises and more. Be sure to visit soon for further information.

It seems like everybody these days is setting sail, cruising around the deep blue ocean on ships the size of small cities. Travelers return from their ocean adventures with strange and marvelous tales of grand movie theaters, huge climbing walls, water slides, and mounds of delicious food, but is this the reason why cruises have grown in popularity? What is it, exactly, that makes cruises so appealing to so many people.

Perhaps it's the price. Long cruises, especially, can be expensive, and port fees, cruise cancellation insurance, and airfare (if it's not included in the price), not to mention pricey shore excursions, can destroy your vacation budget. Just like with air travel, however, significant discounts can be found online and through travel agents, and when travelers factor in the meals, accommodation, and shipboard entertainment that are included in the fare, cruises can actually be pretty reasonable. There's also less room for the typical nasty surprises that accompany traveling to exotic locations on your own.

Unlike land tours, which offer a similar sense of security when traveling, cruises also allow passengers a great deal of personal freedom and the ability to set their own pace. If you don't feel like getting up for breakfast, then you can stay in your cabin and make it down in time for lunch. On a tour, if you miss breakfast, you might have missed the bus for the entire day, and you'll end up stuck in your hotel, while everyone else is seeing the sights. Cruises have a definite relaxation factor that accompanies the fact that you are, essentially, staying in a floating hotel, which is one reason why cruises attract passengers who are celebrating honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions.

The fact that cruises are actually carrying passengers from one port of call to the next with a minimum of fuss or fanfare is another reason for their popularity. Unlike planes, trains, or, God forbid, automobiles, passenger can sleep, eat, exercise, and even party while the ship is transporting them from point A to point B. As mentioned earlier, the pace is slower, but for many, that's a benefit rather than a drawback of cruise travel. Also, once you get to your port of call, you'll be all rested up for duty-free shopping (in the Caribbean, at least) or scuba diving or whatever draws you to exotic locales in the first place.

Traveling also entails meeting a lot of new people—some of whom are nice and some of whom are not nice. Dealing with nasty flight attendants, shady cab drivers, and grouchy hotel clerks can add a level of stress to travel that detracts from the sense of excitement and adventure that should accompany any vacation. Perhaps it's because everyone's so relaxed or perhaps it's because the staff is brainwashed (or desperate for a generous gratuity), but, in general, fellow travelers and staff on cruise ships seem to be a whole lot happier, nicer, and more accommodating than your average human being you encounter every day. Your fellow cruisers, who come from a variety of backgrounds, are not only happier but also more interesting to be around, and you're actually encouraged and able to socialize on a cruise.

But let's be honest. Nothing's more important to you than your stomach. Airlines understand that. It seems like, on some long-haul flights, attendants are walking around every hour with another opportunity to stuff your face. Airline food, however, will never be able to compete with cruise ship food. Food is often the highlight of a cruise experience. Whether it's at a buffet, in a dining room, or in your cabin, the food is delicious, and there's plenty of it. In fact, you might find yourself gaining a few pounds if you're not careful. Luckily, that's what vacation is all about. If you are worried about your waistline, there are plenty of opportunities to exercise and stay fit onboard.

Finally, one of the major reasons why cruise travel is growing in popularity is the variety it offers. Over 200 cruise ships float in the world's oceans and rivers today, and that number is growing by the year. Just like with air travel, there are the big names—Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival—and they each have their own fleet of ships. There are also smaller cruise lines, tailored to a specific region or for a specific purpose. These days, if you do your research, you can find the perfect cruise ship to fit your needs, wants and interests.

David is an experienced internet entreprenuer with over 7 years of experience. He owns and operates the site Visit the site for more info and specials on visiting Florida, plus other exciting places.

Many parents of small children find that their idea of a dream holiday differs somewhat from that of the children. For kids from tiny babies up to teenagers, the world of Disney holds an appeal that is universal. While this is great for the kids, and the parents would have a great time too, many adults would prefer to go on a relaxing cruise vacation. The luxury and opulence of this lifestyle appeals to many but when sacrifices are to be made, it is the parents who usually end up making them.

Disney, being the clever company that they are, have managed to provide both parents and children with their holiday of their dreams, combining the magical world of Disney characters with a cruise holiday. These Disney cruises offer families the best of both worlds and ensure that all of the members of the family have a holiday never to forget.

The Disney Cruises offer breaks from 3 to 7 nights in duration. These include a variety of off-shore and on-shore options and allow you to choose the cruise which is truly right for your family. The shorter 3 or 4 night cruises take in the Bahamas and call into port at Nassau and Disney's own private island, Castaway Cay. The longer cruises of 7 nights offer you the choice of eastern or Western Caribbean seas and islands but whichever you choose you can be confident that your views will be breathtaking and that you are almost certain to experience the beautiful sunshine that this part of the world is famous for.

In between the island exploring that these cruises offer you, you will be aboard a truly spectacular cruise liner. There is no need to worry about what you will do to occupy your time when sailing as there is a whole host of activities available for all the family. Activity groups are provided for children through to teenagers, and these groups are divided into ages so that you can be sure the activities on offer will stimulate and entertain your child, whatever their age. Disney cruises even offer parents their own club which is just for adults, allowing them to spend some quality time away from the children whilst remaining confident in the knowledge that they are being cared for by fully qualified staff. Activities available just for the adults include a spa and salon, nightclub and adult-only restaurant.

Family time is also catered for onboard the cruise liner. Live entertainment is provided daily, beginning with a Welcome Aboard show and ending your cruise with a Magical Farewell. In between you can be sure to be introduced to all of your favorite Disney characters and songs in shows which live up to and exceed the reputation Disney has for superb live entertainment.

The only problem you will have when it comes to food is deciding which restaurant to eat in. Catering for all tastes and palates, the cruises offer an exciting variety of menus and world cuisine. This gives everyone a real opportunity to try something new and the exceptional chefs on board will ensure that it is all prepared to the highest standard. Only the finest ingredients are selected for every dish, as you would expect from Disney.

With so much to see and do on a Disney cruise, you will have very little time to spend in your room and when you return there you will want to fall straight to sleep so that you can be up and ready for your adventure the next day. However, you can rest assured that the same attention to detail is found in the rooms as it is everywhere else on the cruise. When booking, you can select the type of room you require and you can be certain that it will exceed your expectations.

The author regularly contributes to where more information about discount cruises, Alaskan, Caribbean, and cruises, in general, is freely available.

At some point in our life, we owe it to ourselves to take a well-deserved vacation. Maybe you have thought about a Caribbean cruise but just do not know what to expect. A cruise ship has all the amenities of a five star hotel with more! In addition, you can enjoy a back to nature vacation and a vacation with nightlife and fine dining all on the same trip.

So, what is your idea of a perfect vacation? Is it getting back to nature and enjoying clear water, enchanting waterfalls, and exhilarating wildlife? Alternatively, do you prefer shopping and a more industrialized area with nightlife and fine dining? Whatever your interest, a Caribbean cruise offers all of the above.

Caribbean cruises are normally divided into three categories: Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, or Southern Caribbean. Shorter trips to the Southern Caribbean will typically depart from Puerto Rico, Aruba, or Barbados, while longer journeys may depart from the mainland of the United States. Western cruises will depart from the Gulf of Mexico for the most part: Florida, Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana. However, Eastern cruises may depart from the Gulf of Mexico, usually Florida, or New York, for slightly longer journeys.

Each territory of the Caribbean offers appealing and diverse elements. The Eastern Caribbean is slightly more commercial than its counterparts are. Offering shopping, sailing, and snorkeling, this is an area for people seeking a little more industrialization. The Western are, on the other hand, is more for the nature enthusiast. Likewise, the Southern Caribbean offers untamed adventures.

The length of your cruise will determine your itinerary. Shorter trips will typically be at sea for one or two days and likewise be at port for a short period. While you are at sea, you can enjoy all of the amenities of the cruise ship, including food, dancing, entertainment, or just basking in the sun relaxing. When you port at your destination, you may choose to stay aboard or go out and see the sights. Longer cruises generally allow you to port at several different locations, which is especially nice to see the various parts of the region. At the end of your journey, you can relax onboard ship while you set course for home. Once you depart ship, you will find yourself a little more relaxed and ready to face another day at work.

For more information about a Caribbean cruise, visit Caribben Cruise and Caribbean

The River party boat cruises in Greater London offer an experience unparallel to any other boat cruising parties. If you have a fetish for the warm sparkling waters of the river, then you should opt for such a gala cruise party to get refreshed after weeks of constant work pressure. If your town or the nearby town to your place has a frothy blue river then you can go for such parties on every weekend. The party truly seeks to test the team-building attitude present in corporate people.

The riverboat party offers you a promising time with its varieties of games, fun-filled entertainments and unique interaction. As you come to meet various people of different origin, you feel rejuvenated in soul and this induces further effective participation and productivity in you. There can be no greater alternative to this riverboat party cruise.

If you are thinking of visiting one of these evening gala parties, then you can contact Chillisauce. With the reputation of these corporate event organizers reaching skyrocketing heights, one can never ignore the functional activity of this company. Chillisauce is managed by efficient event planners that offer an array of exciting daytime and evening activities for corporate people. With the soul purpose of freshening the minds of corporate people, the river party boat cruise in greater London also tests the team-building spirit and time management skills in them.

However, river party boat cruise can only take place in Gloucestershire and Greater London.

River party boat cruises in Greater London offer great fun onboard of some famous and luxurious ships or yachts. You can dance throughout the night or simply chill at the bars with an array of exotic drinks. The deck, which remains flooded with rainbow colored lights, offers all corporate people to enjoy in the al fresco party and get thoroughly refreshed. Just as the chill sets in, the booming voice of top class DJs fill the evening air echoing fun and frolic all over. There is also a cash bar on the board that can be available at regular pub prices.

The culinary delights offered in the river party boat cruise in Greater London are simply amazing. You can enjoy dishes of roasted legs of chickens, hot jacket potato with butter, different types of salads with spicy dressings and buttered rolls. Along with the food, the party extravaganzas continue for 4 hours and leave you completely refreshed and rejuvenated in mind and spirit.

The river party boat cruise in Greater London imbibes the following factors among corporate people:

-- To increase productive efficiency

-- To test the team building attitude

-- To enhance inter-personal relationship between corporate people

Attend the river party boat cruise in Greater London to feel regenerated before going back to your hectic schedule.

Taking a cruise for your honeymoon provides an opportunity for you to start your married life in a state of relaxation by exploring the unknown and enjoying all the amenities a cruise has to offer.

Cruising presents the comfort of five star luxury accommodations and provides unending excitement, adventure, the opportunity to get to know each other and to make new friends aboard your sea adventure.

A honeymoon cruise package may include:

1. Champagne and Strawberries in your Stateroom upon boarding

2. Canapés or other treat delivered to your cabin on the evening of your choice

3. An exclusive Honeymooner's party for you and the other newlyweds aboard the ship

4. Honeymoon Photographs

5. Champagne breakfast in bed on the morning of your choice

Destination options are limitless and depend upon your taste – be it the romantic hills, historical monuments, beaches, tropical rain forests, foreign history, the list is endless. All cruise lines offering honeymoon packages have exquisitely appointed suites, gyms, swimming pools, spas, salons, shopping and casinos to pamper the cruiser and energize the mind, body and spirit.

You have the option to take a short weekend honeymoon with a three or four night cruise, or extending it to a long and luxurious getaway aboard a seven, 12 or even 30+ night cruise!

There's no need to be concerned that you won't know what to do or what to bring on a cruise, there are many resources available online and directly with the cruise line to assist you in packing, activities planning and leisure options. And fear not, should you forget to pack an item for your honeymoon, the cruise ship will have shops onboard at which you can purchase anything from basic necessities to luxury items and souvenirs for friends back home.

Considering the option of only having to unpack once, visiting multiple locations, and being able to spend some quality time with your new spouse aboard a self-sufficient floating city, you can't go wrong planning a cruise for your honeymoon!

Rebecca Sherman is an editor at ModernWeddingP Our Free Wedding Planner and Wedding Planning Guide has sections to track guest information, RSVP's, budgets, shower and wedding gifts and More! Plus export your data to Excel.

After tying the knot, most couples enjoy embarking on a traditional honeymoon of sorts. Some honeymoons are given as a gift to the newly weds from the parents or family of the bride and groom, while others are planned well in advance. Honeymoons are normally a one to two week long vacation for the newly weds, intended as a beautiful beginning to the new life waiting for them. There are many offers and travel packages available for honeymooners through travel agencies or the happy couple may decide to plan their own honeymoon without the help of a travel agency. With all the wonderful places in this world to go, the hardest part can be deciding between all of the beautiful and most romantic places in the world and choosing only one. Although there are many wonderful and romantic honeymoon locations in the US and even through out the world, here is a list of the most popular vacations for honeymooners in the US.

1. Hawaii. Ranking as the number one most popular, beautiful and romantic vacation destinations for honeymooners, Hawaii offers world class hotels, delicious cuisine, beautiful beaches, hidden coves, abounding water sports for those water sports enthusiasts and the perfect weather all year round. Imagine walking into an uncrowded, immaculate beach where the air is serene and touched with the fragrance of exotic flowers. The water a pristine turquoise blue and the thick banyan trees bow their branches to such majesty. Visit Waikiki, Maui and many of the other islands during your stay and enjoy the Hawaiian culture. There is a large variety of hotels and resorts to choose from, such as Halekulani, Hyatt Regency and the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii. All hotels and resorts offer wonderful packages and benefits.

2. Niagara Falls. Ranking the second most popular and romantic vacation destination for honeymooners, the natural wonders of Niagara Falls is both popular and affordable and can be enjoyed from either the US or the Canada side. Along with the Niagara Falls attractions is the "Maid of the Mist" boat cruise with the enjoyable IMAX feature film of "Miracles, Myths, and Magic" relating to the history of Niagara Falls. Nearby are attractions like the Guinness World of Records Museum, Mystery Maze, The Haunted House and The House of Frankenstein are simply a must-see while visiting the area. While visiting Niagara Falls, step into New York to sample the world's best theaters, restaurants and shops. There's a lot to do and see in and around Niagara Falls, with ample room to splurge.

3. Florida. Despite coming in third, Florida has plenty to offer from coast to coast. A warm festive atmosphere, beautiful sunsets and quelling beaches, Florida offers a little bit of something for everyone. The hardest thing for honeymooners with their heart set on Florida is deciding where to go. With choices from Walt Disney World and all the wonders of Orlando, Palm Beach, Miami, Daytona and the Florida Keys, honeymooners can find a variety of havens in Florida. With all the entertainment, sightseeing, water sports and relaxation, there is also an assortment of hotels and resorts from which to choose, all with their own special accommodations.

4. Las Vegas. Although coming in fourth, because it can be a bit more costly, Las Vegas is still a favorite among honeymooners. This is a city that never closes its doors and with all the sightseeing, entertainment and hotel accommodations to choose from, many couples can tie the knot and celebrate their honeymoon in the same city. Known for gambling, celebrities and fast weddings, Las Vegas is an experience that must be lived at least once in your life.

Closely following the four most popular honeymooner vacations are these most popular honeymoon havens: California (Wine Country), Pennsylvania (Poconos), Louisiana (New Orleans) and all the Southern states of the Gulf Coast. There are many beautiful and romantic honeymoon havens to escape to after tying the knot. These vacations can be bought in many different packages with a specific itinerary in mind or done at the spur of the moment. Either way, you don't have to leave the US in order to have a romantic honeymoon, there are numerous hot honeymoon vacation spots right here in the US.

David is an experienced internet entreprenuer with over 7 years of experience. He owns and operates the site Visit the site for many more interesting vacation information. There are also many special deals that can be found there.

Everyone who dreams to experience an unforgettable vacation to remember must go to Turkey. Once you have a vacation in Turkey you would most probably want to go there over and over again as most of its tourists do.

You might need to get some information before going there, so here it is: Turkey is a land surrounded by seas on three sides.

Turkey is a natural bridge linking Asia to Europe.

On the North Western corner of the Country you can visit magnificent Istanbul, the city extending on the two sides of the Bosphorus Strait, offering a natural beauty and mixing the modern times with remains of far-reaching history, the famous city which was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire for hundreds of years.

The internal Marmara Sea, and the Uludag Mountain which is a popular ski center are also in the North Western part of Turkey.

Izmir is the largest city located on the sea-coast of Aegean Sea which lies along the western coast of Turkey.

Here there are many peaceful bays and modern holiday resorts, such as Kusadasi and Bodrum on this coastline.

The remnants of the famous ancient city of Troy lie along the northern and central areas of this Aegean region. In fact, there are 9 Troys, all were built on top of the older one in different periods of history. You know the famous wooden horse and the love story of beautiful Helen and Paris lived in Troy which caused wars in this region in ancient times. You can see the replica of the historic horse here.

Pergamon stands on this region's high mount.

Ephesus, called as Asia Minor in Roman times, famous with its gorgeous library which still stands here, and enormous open-air theatre, houses Ephesus people lived in, harbor and other remains attracting great number of tourists every year. The most important site to visit in this region is the last home of Virgin Mary on Bulbul Dagi near Ephesus. This holy shrine is visited by tens of thousands of Christians and Muslims every year. The nuns serving there provide visitors with the information they need about this shrine.

The grave of St. John the Evangelist who came to Ephesus with St. Mary in her last years is in this region, too, not very far from St. Mary's last home.

The remains of Priene on its mountain side is another location of ancient times attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors year after year.

In the south, Mediterranean coast stretches to the Aegean Sea along the South Western part of Turkey, mixing the green pine forests with the beautiful bright blue color of the sea, giving this spectacular sea-shore its name; the Turquoise Coast.

Numerous small islands and coves along the coast, with breathtaking pristine sandy beaches make this seacoast ideal for sailing and yachting. Actually, you can find numerous yacht charter bureaus there offering crewed yachts and yacht vacations along the charming Turquoise Coast.

You might want to visit the historic city of Antalya which is located at the centre of the Turquoise Coast, under spectacular coastal mountains. The old city situated on a hill top overlooking a busy harbor.

In Antalya you can ski on mountain tops in the morning and swim in the Turquoise waters at a pristine beach in the afternoon the same day.

Near the eastern part of the city, 18km from Antalya lie the ruins of another ancient city, Perge, which was an important city in Pamphylia, a Hittite city around 1,500 B.C. It's known that St. Paul stopped here on his way to Rome in 46 A.D.

You would also visit the restored remnants of the magnificent Roman theater Aspendos nearby Antalya, built by the renowned Roman architect Xenon on the 2nd Century, A.D. with a capacity of an audience of 15,000 people, still famous for its outstanding acoustics, and still hosting opera and ballet festivals, and similar performances every year. You should have attended Verdi's superb opera AIDA when performed in this gorgeous Aspendos theater about a decade ago.

If you missed this opportunity, don't worry! You can attend the next performances of the opera and ballet festivals in this beautiful Roman theater Aspendos, in the month of June every year. When you are there remember to visit the small museum next to the stage where you can see some of the masks and clay tickets used in the Roman times.

Nearby also stand the ruins of a basilica, an agora and the largest aqueducts in Anatolia, built by Romans.

The Northern region of Turkey stretches along the Black Sea. This is a land of legendary Amazon women. This region is covered by Hazelnut bushes and tea groves. The Black Sea coast is a paradise for visitors who prefer to have vacations at places a little away from crowds and noise of big cities.

Turkey offers numerous natural wonders, among them are the unique scenery of travertines of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ancient city of Aphrodisias with its beautifully carved statues, which are among the best of the ancient world.

In the central Anatolia, the amazing moonlike landscape of Cappadocia with its houses and early churches carved in the huge rocks offering unforgettable sceneries. Visitors would remember this volcanic region with its fairy chimneys wearing rock hats, showing different formations in different parts of this vast region, and cities carved up to ten or more flats under ground, with surprising natural ventilation systems.

This is a place offering modern facilities, but seeming as an enchanting place out of this world. Tourists can also enjoy ballooning, seeing the story-book sceneries and volcanic rock formations in many amazing shapes from above with a bird's eye.

Turkey has many mountains and rivers perfect for white water rafting. Koprucay near Antalya and Coruh near Erzurum are top choices of experienced rafters.

In the Eastern and central parts of Turkey there are popular ski centers. Gorgeous remnants of statues of gods, godesses and kings on the Nemrut Mountain, remains from the Commagene Kingdom reigned in this region in the 1st Century B.C., then fully owned by Roman Empire, are also among the important tourist attractions in Turkey.

Tourism has been playing an important role in Turkey's recent and very rapid economic and social changes. The number of tourists visiting Turkey has a steady increase, growing from one million in 1975 to annual 21 million in 2005. Eventually, the annual tourism revenues have dramatically increased in 30 years, especially in the last 10 years.

Now Turkey has world class modern tourism facilities, offering a wide variety of hotels and resorts, accommodations ranging from small and clean rooms, some located in volcanic caves, to 4-5 star luxury hotels, including beautiful Golf and Beach Resorts in Antalya and Belek region, and in other popular regions along the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea coasts of Turkey.

Turkey offers the most inexpensive vacations without sacrificing quality. In other words, you will have an unforgettable dream vacation in Turkey enjoying world class quality on almost everything from start to the end, at the lowest prices in the world.

It is worth to visit Turkey, enjoy not only sun and swim, but also many other outstanding attractions, natural wonders and others including two of the seven wonders of the world, historic places carrying the atmosphere and remains of ancient times to us, secretive holy shrines, temples, agoras, aqueducts, kingdoms, palaces; then coming to the modern times, luxury hotels and resorts, beautiful golf resorts, beach resorts, ski centers, white water rafting, ballooning, hiking, walking, backpacking, modest and clean accommodations, warmest hospitality and smiling faces of local people, and much more.

No wonder millions of tourists and guests in growing numbers are rushing to this dream land to have dream vacations every year. Visit Turkey now and enjoy!

About the Author: S.G. OR has been an online marketer, owner and operator of several Marketing websites since 1997, providing clients with the most powerful marketing options to reach multi-millions of potential customers worldwide, substantially increase sales, revenues & ROI, & grow their businesses fast, at:

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Celebrity Cruises are special cruise lines with a semi-formal atmosphere. These types of cruise lines are specially designed for celebrities and equipped with excellent food, service, and attention to details. Celebrity Cruises are often awarded with the coveted "5 star" ratings. Art auctions, arts, dance classes and crafts, pool, volleyball, golf putting, bridge lessons, bingo, and trapshooting are just some of the many activities that Celebrity Cruises offer.

Celebrity Cruises offer a new level of premium cruising at an intelligent price. All forms of luxurious amenities are ready for the celebrities thus making their trip a memorable one. Celebrity Cruises boast of ten glamorous cruise ships (Constellation, Millennium, Infinity, Galaxy, Summit, etc.) that cruise to destinations around the world such as Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, South America, and the Panama Canal.

Celebrity Cruises has always been known for its award winning cuisine. The cruises are dedicated to meet the highest standards and are famous for the wide varieties of food seasoned with fresh herbs, and prepared with only the finest produce and provisions. In addition to the traditional main dining room Celebrity offers their guests a selection of casual and poolside venues, comprising a poolside grill, pizza, sushi bar, pasta bar accompanied by the salad, soup, and sandwich bar. Celebrity guests can also enjoy different types of lunch featuring Italian, Asian, continental etc. A world-class beauty salon with a full menu of spa treatments and fitness programs are also arranged in the Celebrity cruises to enhance guests' vacations. The spa treatment includes various offers like thalassotherapy pool, jasmine flower baths, rejuvenating facials, and exotic massage treatments like the aromatherapy, Hawaiian massage or a refreshing Egyptian ceremony of ginger and milk.

Celebrity Cruises' fitness center features magnificent floor-to-ceiling views and state-of-the-art equipment will all the latest exercise rowers, step units, bikes, benches, treadmills, and free weights. Onboard personal trainers are 24hours on duty to assist their guests. There is also cafe that serve with excellent food service. The cafe generally serves healthy entrees and snacks including chilled soup, smoothies, fresh-baked breads, gourmet salad, fish, fruit, and made-to-order specials.

There are also special types of Celebrity cruises which are exclusively for adult guests and no children onboard. Where as in other cruises Celebrity's family can come and join them on all sailings. All children below the age group of 18 can happily participate with the Celebrity's unlimited soft drinks program. Children are free to take onboard soft drinks.

Ignacio Silverstone writes about Celebrity Cruises and other interesting topics. For more information on Celebrity Cruise lines visit us today.

Everyone has their favorite Caribbean Island but if you don't know, cruising the Cayman Islands is a highlight of a Caribbean Cruise. The three islands hold many attractions some that are unique to these islands. The world's only commercial Green Sea Turtle farm is located here and is an interesting tour. Other attractions include the National Museum, Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park and Garden, Bird Sanctuaries, Nature trails and Wetlands Preserves. And, of course, for those who can't live without it, shopping is abundant without the hassle of street vendors (prohibited by law).

One of the most famous natural attractions in Grand Cayman Island is Stingray City. This is an area in the ocean not far from the northern tip of Grand Cayman where tourists can get up close to hundreds of friendly stingrays. Stingray City will be one of the organized tours from the cruise ships visiting Grand Cayman as a port of call. There will also be tours available from local operators in Georgetown where the cruise ships dock. The cruise organized tours will almost always be the more expensive option but you will save a lot of shore time.

Scuba divers can book specialized dives at Stingray City through one of the many diver operators in Grand Cayman. The scuba diving at Stingray City is at a deeper section away from the tourist crowds who are usually brought to a very shallow area. Certified scuba divers and even snorkelers are recommended to take the dive trip option with the dive shops to experience Stingray City with fewer crowds. For non-divers, the sandbars here are shallow enough to stand and feed the stingrays.

It is believed that many years ago, sailors visiting the area while cleaning their catch threw fish remains overboard and soon noticed the stingrays coming into the cove for the free food. These particular stingrays became conditioned over the years to humans and the food handouts unlike stingrays elsewhere in the Caribbean.

The stingrays here are friendly enough that people could touch them and local guides have been known to even hold them. The guides will warn everyone that even though these stingrays appear to be quite friendly, they should still be regarded as wild animals so it is never recommended to touch them by their razor sharp tails or abuse them in any manner. It is possible to feed them with the squid parts provided on site. The mouths of the stingrays are located underneath their bodies and people are instructed to hold the food in their palms flat facing up. With their keen sense of smell, the stingrays will hover towards and over the food to collect their snacks.

The guides, a devilish lot, usually target in on the squeamish of all the passengers. As soon as those passengers are in the water they throw food around the hapless folks to attract the stingrays to that area. So seem brave and you won't get picked on.

Although Stingray City can be crowded at times due to its popularity, it does offer a very unique experience to see these wonderful sea creatures up close. Stingrays are usually very shy animals and will swim away from scuba divers and snorkelers but not at Stingray City in Grand Cayman.

This is a tour that all members of your family can enjoy, you, your children even the grandparents. It is easy to get on and off the boat and the water is only about chest deep, depending on your height. Life jackets are available for all. I highly recommend this outing but book early as word has gotten around and this is a very popular excursion.

by Roy Witman © 2006

Generally the phrase "cruise ship" brings about thoughts of pampering, exceptional food, indulgence and luxury. While these are still the case, no one can deny our culture as a whole is becoming more health-conscious by the day. The cruise industry recognizes this. In fact, several cruise lines are incorporating some pretty innovative sports features into the designs of their new ships due out later this year.

Norwegian Cruise Line is looking forward to the launch of its latest vessel, Norwegian Pearl, in February 2007. Pearl will feature a fitness center (as most ships do). But most notably, Pearl will be the first ship to include a full-size, 10-pin bowling alley.

Following the fitness trend herself, Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas (which will debut in May 2006) throws some punches of her own - boxing punches, that is. Freedom will be the first ship to offer a full-size boxing ring. Freedom plans incorporate the inclusion of Royal Caribbean's popular FlowRider™ surfing simulator as well as a new group Pilates reformer studio.

Fight Klub will offer Freedom guests a variety of boxing-related activities. Go one-on-one with an experienced instructor. Run the circuit with speed bags, jump ropes, heavy bags and more. Spar with body master bags or work out with your own on-site boxing coach.

Looking for something a little less intense, but just as effective? Freedom will include the first-ever dedicated Pilates reformer group exercise program at sea. Personalized training is available for guests who can also partake of yoga classes while onboard.

The newest cruise ships, such as Pearl and Freedom, also offer a variety of fitness classes including step, total body conditioning, stretching, core, circuit training, walking, jogging, running, strength training and more.

To further your knowledge of good practices for a healthy lifestyle, seminars are also available on a wide range of topics.

Not all fitness activities take place on the ships. Freedom will also add an innovative feature for runners and walkers. "Avid runners can follow mapped-out routes at select ports of call and enjoy a safe run at each destination without having to worry about getting lost on their way back to the ship or measuring the distance on their own."

From ice skating to rock climbing to the always-popular treadmill jog, cruise ships are following the fitness craze. As you can plainly see, cruising is now more about living your best life in balance than sheer indulgence. While you're being pampered, getting a glowing tan and treating yourself to truly lavish cuisine, you can also be toning, shaping and firming so you look better than ever when you return.

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center (CVC) based in Yonkers, New York. Visit them online today at for detailed information on Alaska cruises. From Carnival to Norwegian Cruise Line, trust CVC for the best deals to the most exciting destinations.

The country of Panama holds a unique strategic geographic location, and it has tried its best throughout the ages to exploit this to the full. From the time of the Portobello fairs to the first transisthmian railroad to the present waterway, often considered to be the eighth wonder of the world.

A canal linking the Atlantic with the Pacific oceans had been a dream since the first Spanish colonizations. In fact it was Charles V of Spain who first envisaged a shortcut through the Panamanian jungle to ease the difficult crossing. So in 1524 he ordered a survey of the land. However what inspired the king initially was not so much the possibilities for trade, so much as how to bring back to Spain with least difficulty the hoards of treasure recently discovered in Peru. Unfortunately for him, earth-moving techniques were to need major improvement before his idea could be undertaken.

It was not until 1826 when the United States started investigating a treaty with South American countries to "protect the companies intending to open a communication system between both oceans", that the building of a canal attracted worldwide interest, with France, England and the United States looking for locations and means to avoid the long, difficult and dangerous voyage around Cape Horn. The first attempt at this was the construction of the Transisthmian Railroad in 1855, which eliminated about 8,000 miles from the journey.

The first attempt at a canal was in 1854 by a multinational expedition comprising the United States, France, England and New Granada. But the impenetrability of the jungle was to take its toll and the attempt failed with many resultant deaths. But not to be daunted in this most crucial endeavor, in 1878 the French obtained a concession from Colombia to build a waterway. Yet again, after seven years of fighting disease and other jungle problems, the attempt was to fail with yellow fever, malaria and various plagues holding sway. This project, with the idea of building a level canal, was ultimately abandoned at the turn of the century.

Eventually the creation of a canal was to become a military imperative for the United States who commenced (fruitless) negotiations with Colombia in 1902. Finally, Panama declared its independence from Colombia in 1903 and the project went ahead. The monumental construction took 10 years to complete at a cost of $387 million.

The Panama Canal is 50 miles in length running from northwest to southeast. About 8 hours is needed for a typical vessel to transit the canal, whilst being lifted gradually to a height of 85 feet through three sets of locks – the Gatun, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores.

Operating the gigantic locks consumes vast amounts of fresh water. For every ship passing along the waterway, around 52 million gallons of water flows into the locks then out to sea. This comes from the Gatun and Madden lakes. The lock gates, themselves engineering wonders, consist of pairs of towering leaves from 47 to 82 feet high, 65 feet wide and 7 feet thick. Their weight is from 400 to 700 tons, yet each can be opened or closed in 2 minutes, powered by electric motors.

To navigate the canal, a ship's captain must relinquish responsibility for his vessel to a Panama Canal Pilot. Currently over 250 pilots steer over 14,000 ships through the canal each year. The total time spent in the canal is around a full day. Navigating through the canal is not cheap for vessels, averaging several 10s of thousands of dollars, depending upon the size of vessel and its contents. However, whatever the toll, it is typically ten times what it would have cost to navigate around Cape Horn.

The Panama Canal Commission welcomes visitors at the Miraflores Locks on the Pacific side of the Isthmus seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm. Ships passing through the locks can be viewed from a pavilion where commentators provide an English and Spanish-language commentary, giving all the details of the canal including the amazing statistics. From yachts and small crafts through to container vessels, huge cruise liners and even small submarines, the Panama Canal is truly an international crossing point.

Dr Tavares guides you in Panama helping you learn Spanish and find romance at Spanish Love Poems.

Cruises are an ideal honeymoon getaway that if properly researched can fit into every budget. There are many different types of cruises you can take and here we will discuss some of them.

Spend your honeymoon with a romantic trip on a luxury liner. Being on the high end of the cruise scale, it is unbeatable. The moment you step aboard, the luxury is evident. You are given a grand welcome with a glass of champagne, and a crew member will show you to your suite. The suites are luxurious, with large bedrooms, beautiful bathrooms and occasionally a balcony to view all the wonders of the sea.

Many luxury liners give you many options when it comes to choosing food. They will often have several restaurants, bars, and lounges. Some will feature a theatre for viewing various shows every night. Along with a casino for you and your new spouse to enjoy the night away, or a night club to dance and celebrate your new union.

Many honeymoon cruises will have a fitness center, swimming pool, and hot tub for all of your needs. What good is a honeymoon cruise without being able to relax? That is exactly why some liners offer a spa to engage in health and beauty therapy.

Deciding where you want to go on your cruise will be a fun adventure. You can take a cruise anywhere that is accessible by sea. You will enjoy various stops and adventures that only a cruise can show you. Many cruise companies offer a wide variety of honeymoon packages. Many people choose to take winter cruises to the warmer climates such as the Caribbean or anywhere in the South Pacific.

Costly as a honeymoon cruise may seem to you at the time, keep in mind that the cost includes many benefits that a typical honeymoon destination might not. Things such as, all meals, any onboard facilities like a theatre or nightclub, wine is occasionally included, and transportation to and from various ports.

Ethan K. Roberts writes on a range of different topcis including romantic honeymoon cruises. Please visit honeymoon cruise in Ireland and honeymoon cruise packages.

by Roy Witman © 2006

When you hear the words "spacious cabin," most people don't imagine a 5,750 square-foot suite. But Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) did! Beginning with the Norwegian Dawn in 2002, NCL began creating Garden Villas aboard their most luxurious ships. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line's Garden Villas still offer the largest accommodations at sea.

Private Staff

The primary goals of the Garden Villas are to offer guests privacy, luxury and pampering at every turn. Five butlers staff these suites in order to ensure every need is anticipated and met even before guests make requests. Guests have the direct phone numbers for the suite staff in order to call upon them night or day. Want your luggage packed or unpacked? Absolutely! Need help planning and hosting a party? But of course! Hoping to receive VIP tickets to events or private excursions? The butlers are there to make it happen.

The Accommodations

The Garden Villas include a master bedroom and two additional bedrooms, each with a private, luxury bathroom. Guests also have a whirlpool tub; large, plush beds with premium bedding and a dining area. The outside, multi-tiered sundeck features a Jacuzzi as well as luxurious deck furniture and ample space for entertaining up to 100 guests. Garden Villas also treat guests to multiple private balconies.

The Views

High atop Deck 14, the views are simply unmatched. Elegantly decorated, the Garden Villas offer a spacious living room with a panoramic ocean view, courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows. In fact, panoramic views are featured throughout the suite, in every room from the master bedroom to the bathroom.

Awake to the sunrise dancing across the waves as you enjoy a made-to-order breakfast served at the time of your choosing. Then, at night, watch the lights glisten off the water right outside your bedroom, as you're lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the sea. You're even likely to spot dolphins playing in the ship's wake or a massive whale as it crashes through the waves.

The Price

At $25,000 per week, you might assume these premium suites go uninhabited much of the time. Quite the contrary is true. As one of the most popular suites in the fleet, the Garden Villas are almost always filled on each voyage.

Families, family reunions, groups of friends, multiple families traveling together and those who simply want the best accommodations available have been known for occupying the Garden Villas.

The addition of Garden Villas aboard Star (2001, later retrofit with Garden Villas) and Jewel (2005) means there are only six of these suites in the entire NCL fleet. That puts them in even higher demand.

If you want the most luxurious accommodations available, cruise critics agree that Norwegian's Garden Villas are your best option.

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center based in Yonkers, New York. Visit them online today at for the best deals on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises to the most exciting destinations worldwide. You'll find their service exceptional and their attention to detail second to none.

by Roy Witman © 2006

Selling chocolate is a delicious way to raise funds if you only need to raise a little. Silent auctions are known to bring in bigger bucks, but they are exhausting to plan and prepare for. Black-tie affairs with celebrity performers are always a hit, but require an enormous amount of up-front funding. Cruises, on the other hand, give your organization the ability to bring in large amounts of proceeds without all the work.

Fundraising cruises are becoming more and more popular because they give nonprofits the ability to generate greater interest, increase donor giving and have more fun. In addition, cruise agencies that specialize in fundraising cruises generally offer the services of an account manager or liaison with the cruise line who aids in planning and preparing for the tour. This leaves your staff free to enjoy the cruise as much as the donors who are attending.

Generate Greater Interest

Coming up with fresh ideas on an annual basis quickly becomes tiresome. Yet, those fresh ideas are absolutely vital to attract the interest of new donors and keep the interest of loyal, repeat donors. If interest in your events wanes, so does your funding for the upcoming year.

With fundraising cruises, you have the world to choose from. Most cruise lines accommodate large fundraising parties. This means you can opt for three- or four-night cruises to popular destinations such as the Bahamas or more exotic locales including Greece, Italy or Hawaii. Now that would generate a lot of interest.

Increase Donor Giving

Working with your cruise agency, you can find packages that offer the right levels of discounts in order to ensure your nonprofit receives the highest percentage of donor giving. Many cruise lines match all or part of the proceeds, allowing you to earn even more from the cruise.

Have More Fun

All the options available to regular passengers will be available to your fundraising party and more. Exceptional restaurants, pools and other water activities, casinos, nightlife, Las Vegas-style shows, full-service spa treatments and more are at the disposal of those who sail with you.

Custom excursions exclusively for your cruise party can also be arranged. Private parties aboard ship can be scheduled. Awards dinners, talent shows, golf tournaments and even silent auctions can all be lined up during the course of your cruise.

What's more, fundraising cruises can be repeated time and again without fear of burnout or boredom on the part of your donors. How? Because you choose which cruise line and what destinations you prefer. The cruise is new and inviting with each year.

When you give donors something to get excited about, they reward you with consistent funding.

Check with your favorite cruise agency for details about what they provide and how they can assist with booking a fundraising cruise for your next event. You'll surely find that interest, participation and contributions rise dramatically when you do.

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center based in Yonkers, New York. Visit them online today at for detailed information on fundraising cruises that help you generate greater interest, increase donor giving and have more fun!

I'll be forthright: I'm not a homemaker. I feel more at ease constantly on the move, city after city, mountaintop to seaside surf, living out of my suitcase and fumbling through a foreign language phrase book, than I feel even comfy and cozy, napping on my couch on a Sunday afternoon. Perhaps I'm a little crazy, but I find it thrilling sprinting to make a connecting flight (even if it's the red eye); I believe it convenient when the airline informs me my luggage is a flight behind, leaving unencumbered to begin sightseeing immediately; and I think myself resourceful when I arrive at a booked hotel only to realize I forgot to make reservations but still haggle a room. Of course, while I don't mind any of the perceived headaches of traveling, I do mind the high costs often associated with it. Traveling, for me, is primarily about escaping—whether it be work, commuting, obligations, sometimes even family and friends—but how is it an escape if I'm worried about how much I'm spending the entire trip?

I mention cost as something that would potentially worry me were it not for the fact that, in reality, it doesn't worry me at all. At least not since I wised up, did the requisite research and taught myself the agent tricks of the travel trade. Travel agents' tricks that is, because in addition to being a constant traveler and writer, I am also a licensed travel agent. Not in the sense that I work for others, booking their hotels, finding their flights, or landing them a deal on an Alaskan cruise. Truth is, I only use my license for personal escapes (well, okay, occasionally for family and friends too, but only when their remarks regarding my debonair good lucks are particularly flattering).

If you've never heard of this travel industry loophole before, this may sound somewhat (or completely) preposterous. In fact, however, it is quite common among everyday people, both those who travel often or but once a year, both those whose work relates to travel to those whose work relates only to that which remains stationary. What I mean, plain and simple, is anyone—you, me, your second cousin Otto, or my next-door neighbor Irene—can get their travel agent's license lickety-split, and immediately begin reaping the benefits.

First things first: when making travel arrangements for themselves, every agent knows not to book a single step of their journey through one of their own, i.e. other travel agents. Instead, they use travel consolidators.

Think about the difference those terms: agent and consolidator.

An agent, in any industry where they're principal players, obviously gets something in return for the services they provide. In sports, agents represent athletes, working off the field to win their clients lucrative contracts and commercial cameos so the athlete can in turn, without financial distractions, concentrate and win on the field. For these services, agents win themselves a percentage of every deal they broker. The same is true in showbiz, modeling, or corporations where headhunters wheel and deal multi-million dollar salaries and stock incentive plans for their CEO clients. Likewise, then, in the travel industry, agents receive discounts, courtesies and other special benefits, not from the customer for whom they book a hotel or flight, but from the vendor providing that service (i.e. the hotel chain or airline) who profits from the customer. As agents for airlines, etc., they drive customers toward vendors whom offer them the most in return.

A consolidator, on the other hand, does virtually the opposite. Rather than inflate the costs of travel by collecting fees, they combine, for the sake of efficiency, the expensive and unstable parts of travel into a cheaper, more solid whole. They work to maximize vendor's numbers, ratios and the cost per head. Think about it in terms of magazine publishing: the real cost in printing an issue is not the number of copies made, but merely arranging and setting the plates that will allow the print run in the first place. Once that is set to go, the only added costs are that of extra paper and ink. The travel industry is the same, the more spaces that fill, the cheaper tickets or rooms become per person. As in any industry, consumers (i.e. travelers in this case) benefit from the sheer volume of numbers (i.e. all travelers, yourself included).

You, as a licensed travel agent would obtain special contact with these consolidators and the deals vendors must offer to maximize their costs per person. But while it's all well and good to make arrangements through a consolidator as opposed to an agent, just because you acquire a license (available online in under an hour) doesn't mean the consolidator will believe you're as much a travel professional as they are. To avoid common mistakes that expose amateurs from pros, you must learn the proper lingo and travel codes. For that there are volumes of eBooks (with corresponding printed versions) that provide the requisite knowledge, which you can quickly study before contacting a consolidator and easily flip through if put on the spot. Get these references. Some of them are thick, but in reality you'll spend less than a hundred dollars on everything you need to in turn potentially save thousands on the first trip you plan with your travel agent's license in hand.

Furthermore, instead of turning to the discount fare finders like Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity or Priceline that lay-travelers search, as a travel agent, you additionally gain access to the lesser known, but more lucrative sites travel consolidators utilize.

Together, the benefits will materialize almost immediately. Buy plane tickets the day before the flight's scheduled to depart, but only pay what you would have had you purchased tickets two months in advance. Get a spacious cruise ship cabin beside the captain's quarters for the price of an ocean-level closet. Find yourself lodging in the seaside, honeymoon suite for the price you might have paid for the basement hide-a-bed beside the ice machine.

Finally, the travel industry is a weird and wonderful creature, in this case, thankfully profit driven as much as other industries we often loathe. To those who present themselves as viable agents, promoting and thus earning money for the industry as a whole, it means endless perks. I get more special offers from airlines, cruise lines, and packaged tour companies than I know what to do with. For me, casinos, theme parks, and luxury resorts are not necessarily what I strive for, but if that is your cup of tea and your hocus pocus agenting appears legitimate, you'll suddenly find yourself choosing between the best of many worlds: free weekends in the Napa Valley, first class seats to Tokyo, an all expense paid safari, a cruise down the Nile...

So what are you waiting for, get started! Find a comprehensive eBook or alternate guide that takes you through the process of becoming a travel agent, step-by-step. Don't sit on this opportunity, but rather start traveling cheaply, today…

As for me, I've got a flight to catch…

Now, where did I put my passport?

As a keen blue water sailor with 12,000 miles experience I always wondered how I'd take to swapping the deck of my 41' yacht for the deck of a cruise ship. Sea voyages for myself usually mean sleep deprivation, long hours at the helm and a little bit of cabin fever – I felt it'd be nice to let someone else do the work for a change and to sit back and relax as a passenger. The only night shift I'd be doing would be in the bar or tucked up in my cabin with a decent book.

The world of cruise, to be honest was one that traditionally never appealed; it always conjured images of pensioners playing coigts on the foredeck before a night of having your ears assaulted by red-coat style cabaret. Not so any more, cruise ships are modern, floating metropolises with huge amounts of activities and distractions. We're in an age where the power of the consumer has never been greater, cruise companies realised a while ago that they needed to broaden their appeal and bring in a younger clientele without alienating long time cruise addicts and that's exactly what they've done. Our generation are a travel thirsty bunch, hungry to see as much of the world as they can and a cruise gives you the opportunity to get back in touch with the essence of travel – no departure lounges and delayed flights, it takes us back to the idea that half the fun of travelling is the getting there. Also cruises give you the opportunity to visit multiple destinations. Companies offering Mediterranean cruises mean you can be in the Balearics one day and the next find yourself island hopping in the Aegean, taking in the wonders of a varying cultures and historical sites.

One of the things that appeals to me most as a sailor is the incredible peace of the ocean and the humbling feeling it gives you to be out there on your own. Yes it's uncomfortable, cramped and the food isn't always great but for that feeling, that moment, when you look up and the nights is lit up by a million stars, then you realise its all worth it.

Now I didn't think I'd be able to get any peace on a cruise but not so, there's always a quiet spot to think, reflect or just gaze out at the endless sprawl of the ocean. And if you're after activities then there's more than enough to keep you busy at all times with the ever attentive, but not over fussy staff always on hand to advise and help.

So there you have, a sailor turned cruiser in one easy step - maybe many of my kind will decry my actions for not making this voyage under my own steam but I for one found it a relaxing and thoroughly rewarding break (kind of like a hybrid between sailing and a normal holiday) and one I will be repeating in the future.

When it comes to budget traveling, it is hard to overestimate the importance of the season of travel. Travel costs are largely dependent on the time of the year, and every travel destination has its high, low and shoulder seasons. Knowing the seasons for the destination of your choice is a great way to enjoy wonderful travel on a budget. Work with a travel agent to find the best discounts available for the destination and season you desire or look up travel discounts on the Internet. You can find many good deals.

Remember that the high season for a particular destination varies quite a bit from location to location. For some locations, the high season can be as short as a couple of weekends throughout the year, while for other locations high season can last all summer (or all winter) long. Some traveling such as an Alaskan Cruise is best starting in mid-May and ending in mid-September. Of course, a Hawaii cruise is good all year long.

It is also important to know, however, when low season is low for a reason. There are certain locations you definitely do not want to visit in the off season. For instance, in August, most locations in Egypt approach the temperature of an oven, while hurricane season in Florida or the Caribbean can definitely put a crimp in your vacation. In addition, many beach towns, and some parts of Europe, just about close down in the off season. It is important, therefore to plan smart to get the best travel bargains while still enjoying your vacation. Usually a good and an inexpensive travel item is a cruise and you can find a cheap cruise for any season. You can travel to different destinations on one cruise alone.

The best choice for budget minded travelers is often the shoulder season, that magical time of year when bargains are plentiful but destinations are still very enjoyable. The period between high season and low, known as the shoulder season in the travel industry, is the time when prices have begun to drop, but for reasons that are related to the demand for the destination, not on its underlying value or lack of value. Many people do not usually travel during this time which means less demand which means cheap prices.

For many locations, the shoulder season begins in the fall, when the college students and vacationing families that kept demand high begin to go home. For instance, fall is a great time to visit many European locations. The temperatures are cooler, the crowds are gone, and the prices on lodgings and meals are lower.

In the Caribbean and Mexico, the shoulder season covers the late spring season. Prices drop at this time since most tourists from colder climates are enjoying better weather at home and no longer dreaming of escaping to a warmer climate.

Most guidebooks and travel related web sites will have information on the best time to go to each location for maximum value, so if you are unsure exactly when the high, low and shoulder seasons occur for your destination be sure to check one of these sources for further information.

Finding great deals is possible in all seasons, of course, but it is generally most difficult in the summer time, when interest in vacationing reaches its peak. Most people are planning and taking their vacations during summer season since school is out for most children. The winter is an excellent season to visit many locations, but remember that it is high season for destinations like ski resorts. So the mountain areas (ski resorts) in Europe and United States will be in high demand and the costs will be higher for the skier.

The winter season can be a magical one for many locations that are on sale, however. For instance, travel to Asia is often markedly cheaper in the winter, but the sight of a snow covered Shinto temple is a remarkable sight, and one not to be missed. Many locations in Asia and Europe have winters that are less harsh than those in many parts of the United States, so a winter vacation can still be quite magical. Winter season can also bring about discounts for Disney World in Florida as long as you stay away from the holiday season. Mid-January to early March might get you the discounts you need.

K Hoyng is the web master and operator of which is a good source of financial, travel, remodeling, and much more information. Visit at

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.

Mansi gupta writes about casino cruises . Learn more at

"On the last night/morning, many people were stricken with a gastrointestinal illness that caused diarrhea and vomiting. A great deal of vomit was on the stairs, elevator and other public areas by Friday morning." So a passenger from Canada, on December 30, 2005, sailing on the Zuiderdam in the Holland America Line, reported to the website

Norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus where the potential for someone who is sick to infect others exists from the moment they become sick, to at least 3 days after they get better. Disturbingly, some people remain contagious for up to 2 weeks after recovering. This may be a factor in successive cruises becoming infected. And it remains questionable whether sick passengers and crew are confined to their cabins for 3 days after they get better.

Whilst norovirus outbreaks are by no means confined to cruise ships, the nature of a cruise increases the likelihood of an infection spreading. This is similar to the potential for infections spreading in other closed communities like nursing homes. The 'cruise ship virus' can be spread through contaminated food and drink, which is particularly concerning if the crew members who serve or prepare food become sick.

Passengers can pick up the virus from touching infected surfaces like handrails, walls and mirrors. When a suspected norovirus outbreak occurs on a cruise ship, crew will spray disinfectant on all common surfaces, and sick passengers are confined to their staterooms.

Sick passengers and crew have acute symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some also have stomach cramps, headaches, a low grade fever, and chills. One 21 year old man actually died two days after disembarking from his ship. The cause of death was cited as being complications from a norovirus infection.

This isn't common however. Norovirus infections are usually not significant health risks, though they are highly unpleasant, both for passengers and cruise ship companies. For passengers, what is meant to be a relaxing holiday turns into a retching and wretched nightmare at sea. For cruise companies with ever increasing ship capacities, it is a public relations nightmare.

There is no vaccine for norovirus, nor any preventative medicine. Concerned passengers may wish to strengthen their immune system with natural remedies like echinacea, or nutritional immune supplements. This will at least support the immune system so it is in a better position to deal with an infection should one strike.

The United Arab Emirates are a prime tourist destination because they stand out as a remarkable example of how petrodollars can be used to improve the lives of Arabs. In contrast to the poverty for which so much of Arabia is renowned, Dubai features skyscrapers and futuristic amusement parks. Modern Dubai is the product of 20 years of intensive planned development; prior to this, it was a small fishing port of little importance.

The United Arab Emirates, or UAE, is 32,000 square mile political union of seven sheikhdoms, formed when the British left the Gulf region in 1971. The total area of Dubai is approximately 1000 square miles, and it is the second largest emirate in the UAE, after Abu Dhabi. In addition to a federal president and prime minister, each emirate has a separate ruler who oversees the local government. Dubai, a small fishing settlement, was taken over around 1830 by a group of Bani Yas tribesmen from the Liwa oasis, led by the Maktoum family which still rules the tiny nation today. For most of its history, main economic activities were agriculture, fishing and pearl production.

The ruling clan of Dubai was exceptionally progressive, and did their best to make their tiny nation attractive to traders from nations including India and Persia. These businessmen settled in the growing city of Dubai and made it a leading entry port for trade goods. In 1971, the independent emirate joined with the other small sheikhdoms of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and, in 1972, Ras Al Khaimah to create the federation of United Arab Emirates.

The discovery of oil in 1966 transformed the region by providing funds for the development of a modern, western infrastructure. The Maktoum family, unlike many middle eastern rulers who hoard oil wealth for their private use alone, ensured that the oil revenue was deployed in national development. Much of the modernization is due to the efforts of Sheikh Rasid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ruled from 1958 to 1990.

Well informed of the risks of oil-dependency, Sheikh Rashid actively promoted industrial ventures to build his nation's infrastructure. The Aluminium and Cement factory are the result of this endeavour. He also establised the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone, the fifth largest free trade zone in the world. Within 10 years of its inception, it attracted over 900 international companies that include global giants such as General Motors, AEG, Aiwa, BP, Ciba, Geigy, Daewoo and Heinz.

Dubai is appealing to tourists as well as business executives. Like the rest of the U.A.E., it has also been actively promoting itself as a vacation destination. In June 1996 World Travel prizes ceremony held in Las Vegas, USA, it won the gold prize for the best destination in the Middle East.

Dubai features the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, the Dubai World Trade Center which hosts innumerable international events and fairs, the Dubai Air Show, the Dubai Summer Surprises, the world's tallest skyscraper, an undersea hotel and even indoor alpine skiing at the Ski Dubai Dome.

The Dubai International Airport is reputed to be the world's second best transit airport. It currently handles 7.3 million passengers per year with a growth rate of 12% that is double that of any other airport in the world. The emirates, which will begin receiving Airbus A380 superjumbos starting April 2007, will hire 8,000 new staff members as cabin crew for its rapidly expanding air fleet. It is investing $20 million to expand its crew training facility at the Emirates Training Center in Garhoud.

Life of luxury by J Schipper Living on a Cruise Ship Cruise Ship Condo

Taking a luxury cruise vacation throughout Europe offers a unique travel experience that will not be forgotten soon. In fact, you are likely to be drawn to embarking on even more cruises aboard the luxury liners that glide effortlessly across the high seas.

Cruising above the surface of the ocean waters aboard a luxury ship enhances the value of your vacation by offering you amenities that are not usually found with other vacationing options. Doesn't the chance to see brilliantly-colored sunrises and sunsets without the usual blockage of city skylines sound appealing? How about the opportunity to truly relax, as you listen to the comforting sounds of the rolling ocean waters?

A cruise offers you this and so much more for your vacationing experience. Sailing the seas aboard a luxury liner is a no-hassle way for travelers to see the different ports of the world. Let the Captain and crew worry about navigating to different areas of interest while you spend your valuable time exploring the different cultures found at each new port along the way.

Luxury cruises provide a wide-range of services that appeal to the variety of tastes and interests among its passengers. Everything from taking it easy poolside, experiencing the exhilaration of sighting a pod of whales, taking advantage of all of the onboard entertainment and activities available, delighting the palette with delicious, fine cuisines, to exploring interesting and spectacular destinations.

European cruising vacations are appealing to a vast number of people because of the many interesting destinations available for exploration by travelers. There are a number of different luxury cruise liners, with itineraries to meet the specific needs and interests of vacationers. The internet provides a wealth of information about the different cruise lines, destinations, and package deals can even be found to help make planning your European cruise vacation easy and most affordable.

Read on about luxury cruise vacation to Europe on European Vacation Information or get to know more about European vacation.

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.

About condo cruise ships by J Schipper

Living on a Cruise Ship by J Schipper

Visiting Alaska by cruise ship has become one of the most popular ways to experience Alaska's breathtaking beauty and diverse culture. Cruises incorporate all that Alaska has to offer including glaciers, wildlife, exotic ports of call, entertainment and fine dining.

Some of the most popular Alaskan cruises are glacier cruises. Much of the Alaskan terrain consists of gorgeous, formidable glaciers and ice fields which cover over 5% of Alaska's land surface. This natural beauty can be seen from many top tourist destinations of Alaska including Juneau, Valdez, Seward and the Matanuska Valley, but is usually only fully appreciated with an up close and personal view that only a cruise can afford. From this vantage point you will stand spellbound by tidewater glaciers that reach over 100 ft. in height and the antics of wildlife such as humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, dolphins, brown bears and bald eagles.

The Gulf of Alaska is also a popular cruise option. Many cruise lines offer week-long cruises from Seward to Vancouver or vice versa. Along the way you can take in such highlights as Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord and interesting ports of call including Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. At each port you can take advantage of unique and exciting land activities such as helicopter glacier landing, guided tours, and sightseeing, just to name a few.

Because of the awe-inspiring beauty of the Alaskan inside passage and since many destinations along the Alaska inside passage are only accessible by plane or boat, these cruises have become one of the most popular tourist attractions of the state. From the waterway of the passage, one can look upon some of the most magnificent natural scenery to be found such as coastal rainforests, deep blue fjords and tidewater glaciers. Also to be found in the passage are numerous species of wildlife including humpback whales, sea lions and seabirds.

Some Alaska cruise liners even incorporate land packages as part of their cruise options. With an optional land package, visitors can spend an additional five to seven days exploring all that Alaska has to offer from land. You can explore one of the many cities or national parks, take advantage of Alaska's world-renowned sport fishing, or visit famous mining towns.

As you can see, there are many Alaska cruises to choose from, and each promise memories of adventure and excitement to last a lifetime. Which one is perfect for you? That is for you to decide.

A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards lives in the beautiful Matanuska Valley. Ron invites you to come and see Alaska. One excellent way to enjoy Alaska is by taking an affordable Alaska cruise.

America's thirst for cars of significance continues unabated. Long tired of copycat, cookie cutter, uninspiring models, consumers are demanding – and receiving – cars that are, quite frankly, retro. Yes, America's automakers are reaching back in time to build a bunch of models based on popular models from yesteryear. Let's take a look at the "Big 3" automakers and their current crop of retro cars as well as "future" models soon to be released.

Defined, retro cars are vehicles that take their styling cues from cars built a generation or two ago. No, these vehicles aren't carbon copies of earlier models, rather each retro car borrows much of their look from earlier models.

Although American automakers dominate the retro market, the Volkswagen New Beetle was one of the first cars to reach back as it went forward. Based on the VW Golf platform, the circular shaped New Beetle hearkens back to the flower child era with its current rendition of the people's car. Fortunately, VW had the presence of mind to include its famed "flower holder" in with the dash, to evoke memory of the earlier model.

Ford pushed the retro market forward with its introduction of the Thunderbird in 2002. Borrowing heavily from early sixties era TBirds, the car has had mixed success as Ford sold a very limited number of the model for a few years and then discontinued it after the 2005 model year, citing poor sales. In 2004, Ford introduced a retro version of the Mustang, based on the '67 Mustang fastback. Unlike the TBird, the Mustang has been a huge success and Ford can barely keep up with production. No word if a retro Pinto is being planned by FoMoCo.

Chrysler got in the retro craze with its introduction of the 2000 PT Cruiser. Based on 1950s era panel vans, the PT Cruiser sits on the now defunct Neon platform, but sales have been strong for Chrysler. The Dodge Challenger, another Chrysler product, is the car many are waiting to see if and when it debuts as an '09 model. Borrowing cues from the '71 model is part of the fun of this car: a hemi engine coupled with a fantastic interior will certainly help move sales. For the record, the current Dodge Charger isn't retro – it has four doors – but I am mentioning it because it is one cool car!

Chevrolet went retro with the SSR, a "truck" based on 1950s era pick ups. Word has it that the slow selling SSR – hey, $42K for THAT thing – is on its last legs. Fortunately, the HHR [Heritage High Roof] will keep Chevy in the retro business as this new for 2006 model takes its styling cues from the '49 Suburban. Some would say the PT Cruiser!

Are we likely to see more retro cars in the future? Maybe, but probably not a Caddy replete with fins or a Chevy Vega. America's love with old models is strong, but selective, and the automakers must be certain that consumers really want a particular retro car before putting it into production. Oh, by the way, the '09 Chevy Camaro concept is one hot looking car!

There has been a lot of buzz lately about living on a Cruise Ship full time as an alternative to living in a retirement home.

However, it does not seem very exciting after about 6 months or so.

Ships, even Cruise Ships, are noisy for at least 2 reasons:

1. Engine Noise.

No matter how new the ship, no matter what new turbine engines the ship may have, the 24 hour engine noise may get to people.

2. Parties, bars and restaurants.

There is always a kind of party atmosphere on a Cruise Ship, people eat and drink too much, nobody tells them when to go to bed, they don't have to get up the next morning, so, parties make noise.

It gets boring staring at the ocean 2 out of 3 days.

Although ship's activities are very many these days, after a while you'll get bored with them.

Cabins in general are very small, so after a while you're going to miss your large living room on the mainland with its 75" TV.

However, if 6 months are too long, there are other alternatives; Cruise maybe a couple of months a year.

If you follow that action things become interesting.

Here are some options:

The Monthly $18,000 route:

Residensea, the world's only floating Condo, a 47,000 ton cruise ship which sails the oceans,

reportedly offers staterooms for rent for as low as $18,000 per month.

This Cruise Ship has designer apartments with original art.

I mean, this is luxury personified.

Great if you can get it.

Around the world in 102 Days.

By small Luxury Cruise Ship

In 2005 a trip around the world lasting 110 days could be had for as low as $15,600 per person.

That is $150 per person per day including food and all facilities. That is $9000 per couple per month.

This same couple would spend a minimum of $4000 a month in an old folks home.

So going on this 3 1/2 month World Cruise would cost them $9000 - $4000 = $5000 per month.

Now let me tell you what this $5000 for 2 people gets them:

The Itinerary:

Southampton ,Tenerife - Canary Islands St Vincent - Cape Verde Islands Fortaleza - Brazil Rio de Janeiro - Brazil Montevideo - Uruguay Buenos Aires - Argentina Puerto Madryn - Argentina Port Stanley - Falkland Islands Cruise around Cape Horn Ushuaia - Argentina Transit Beagle Channel Punta Arenas - Chile Chacabuco - Chile Puerto Montt - Chile Santiago - Chile Cruise by Easter Island Cruise by Pitcairn Island Papeete - Tahiti Bora Bora - Society Islands Pago Pago - American Samoa Lautoka - Fiji Islands Noumea - New Caledonia Brisbane - Australia Sydney - Australia Eden - Australia Philip Island - Australia Melbourne - Australia Hobart -Australia Transit Milford Sound Dunedin - New Zealand Christchurch - New Zealand Transit Marlborough Sound Wellington - New Zealand Auckland - New Zealand Nuku 'Alofa - Tonga Apia - Western Samoa Christmas Island Honolulu - Oahu, Hawaii Kahalui - Maui, Hawaii Los Angeles - USA Acapulco - Mexico Huatulco - Mexico Transit Panama Canal Curacao - Dutch Antilles Margherita Island - Venezuela Barbados Ponta Delgada

The Luxury:

This is on a very luxurious Cruise Ship that has only outside or balcony cabins.

By Freighter

In 2005 a trip around the world lasting 102 days by various freighting companies could be had for $11,750 per person.

That is $117 per person per day including food and all facilities. That is $7000 per couple per month.

This same couple would spend a minimum of $4000 a month in an old folks home.

So going on this 3 1/2 month World Cruise would cost them $7000 - $4000 = $3000 per month.

For this you get a double suite with double occupancy.

Port Times range from 1 to 2 days.

The advantage seems to be that there is lots of space in four double suites.

The double suites all consist of two rooms, a bedroom with twin beds and a living room.

The cabins have showers.

Each cabin also has its own VCR and TV monitor and refrigerator.

On board facilities are a private passenger lounge and the sharing of the officers' table

There is also an indoor swimming pool.

Cruise Hopping

This is cheaper yet.

There are lots of 7 day cruises for about $100 per day per passenger.

So you could conceivably take 7 day cruises continuously in the same area, say, the Caribbean, on the same ship, or on different ships until you get sick and tired of the area.

You can then do the same thing from the West Coast.

Logistics would be more difficult because you may need a place to stay every 7th night.

Discount Cruising

Effective in 2005 there is now a discount European Cruise Line operating in the Caribbean that charges $46 per person per night but you have to get your own food.

Maximum time they allow you to cruise is 2 weeks.

Still, can't get any cheaper than this.

So, if you want to live on a Cruise Ship, it can be done in a variety of different ways.

J Shipper is very interested in living on a Cruise Ship

Have you ever dreamt about living on a Cruise Ship forever?

Traveling the world, seeing all kinds of exotic places, cruising forever with not a care in the world.

It is now a reality, and several possibilities exist.

1. The World of ResidenSea was launched in 2002 as a condominium-style residential community contained on a 644-foot cruise ship, complete with restaurants, a spa and fitness center and other amenities similar to what you'd find on a typical mid-size cruise liner.

As with land-based condo resorts, short-term rentals of a week or more may be arranged without committing to ownership, and a wide range of ports is included on The World's ongoing circumnavigation of the globe. Residensea has problems.

-disputes between owners of Condos on the ship and tourists.

Owners want to stay in exciting ports for several days, tourists that the ship needs to get full occupancy to cover the cost of unsold suites want to move from port to port every day.

Sales of actual condos on the ship have stalled due to fears of terrorism, uncertainty in financial markets and uncertainty about the future of the ship.

Annual maintenance costs run at $100,000 per suite while an actual suite now costs 1.9 to 4 million dollars. This ad recently appeared on the Internet:

"Rent an outside luxury cabin

from $600 a day"

From somebody who owns 2 cabins on the ResidenSea.

That runs to $18,000 per month.

2. Join an organization that will buy a used Cruise Ship and convert it to Condos.

This concept has been tried and it failed.

The practical problems were just too great.

-Trying to get enough people interested

-Trying to get commitments from people

-Trying to find a ship that was not going to fall apart immediately upon leaving the harbor

-Trying to get cash from people before a ship was bought.

And these were just problems BEFORE a ship was even bought.

Think about the problems there would be after the ship was bought.

3. Buy regular cruises on an on-going basis.

This seems the only practical way in which you can live permanently on a Cruise Ship.

Here are the estimated costs based on double occupancy starting on the cheap:

Basic Cruise Costs; $100 per day x 2 people = $6000 per month

This includes gratuities, all you can eat and port costs.

Independent costs of living for Seniors seems to be about $2000 per month per person = $4000

This includes food.

So for $2000 per month extra a couple can live on a Cruise Ship (or ships) forever.

The advantages of this type of living if you have that extra $24,000 per year to spend are these:

-Quality of the meals on a Cruise Ship is probably a lot better than what you would get in an independent living type of situation.

-You can vary cruise lines, use a Caribbean Cruise Line this month, an Alaska Line next month and a European Line for the next 6 months.

-Shows every night.

-Built-in new friends every week or so. Most cruises end within 7 days and a new crop of potential friends arrives for you to interact with.

-An entire Cruise Staff to help you with ANYTHING if you have a problem.

So, if you want to live on a Cruise Ship: $24,000 a year is all it takes for 2 people.

J Shipper would love to live on a Cruise ship.

Check out these sites for more information:

Why Take a Cruise Vacation? Well, with all the cruise lines available, all the cruise destinations, and the range of prices, there exists a cruise to please even the most jaded traveler.

If you think about it, it's an extremely cost-effective and time-efficient way to take a holiday. Consider all the time you'd spend driving yourself to several different destinations, packing and unpacking at each hotel, and searching for restaurants and other services. On a cruise you don't drive anywhere for seven, ten, fourteen days or even even more. Even if you were on a bus tour with no driving yourself, you haul your luggage or at least one package and unpack it at every new stop. On a cruise, you check your luggage when you check in and it magically appears in your cabin, stateroom, or even suite. You're at home for the duration of the cruise. And the food! Every ship has several restuarants staffed by world-class chefs, and the cost of the food is included as part of the cruise. At each port, guided tours are available so you won't miss any local attractions. Supervised activities such as snorkeling are available to keep the children occupied. And at the end of your holidy staff will pick up your luggage and place it on shore at the intended pick-up point. Taking a cruise vacation frees you from so many of the hassles of traveling, and leaves you with more time to relax and enjoy your destination.

Celebrity Cruise Lines offer some of the best deals in the business. Conde Nast Traveler consistently rates Celebrity Cruises as one of the world's best cruise lines. Services include informative lectures about your location, upscale boutiques, and Las Vegas style entertainment created for Celebrity by Cirque du Soleil. Try your luck in the Casino or collect fine art during an onboad auction. The nightlife spectacular at The Bar At The Edge of the Earth.

There's a whole world of pampering waiting for you at the world-famous Aqua-Spa by Elemis. Try a deluxe manicure, a luxurious facial or a relaxing massage. There is even acupuncture by a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine as well. You'll feel renewed and invigorated.

Children feel right at home on a Celebrity Cruise. The Celebrity X-Club Youth Program has age-specific activities and entertainment for every child. Science and nature exploration, talent shows, treasure hunts, children's dinner parties, slumber parties and more are all arranged by professional staff. Special areas of the ship are set aside for children only, such as the Shipmates Fun Factory, teen center and pools. When the ship is docked, adults have the option of going on tours by themselves while the children are supervised onboard. What could be more enjoyable or safer?

Age or disability are no impediment to cruising. Ships are designed for mobility-impaired passengers, and staff is always ready to assist. Celebrity accommodates those who need dialysis or oxygen, and other medical services can be arranged if requested beforehand. Emergency care is always available on board, saving you the trouble of finding a doctor who speaks your language in a foreign country.

Dinner is a vital event in itself on a cruise ship, a tradition dating back to the late 1800's when cruises were for royalty and the wealthy who expected elegant formal dinners. Again, in today's lifestyle the elegant dinner is optional, and for those who like to dine casually, food is available around the clock . However, for those who like a ritzy event where they can show off their best attire and jewelry, there are optional formal dinners where ladies wear long formal gowns or evening dresses and gentlemen have on tuxedos.

Did I forget to mention the cruise destination itself? Celebrity Cruises dock at a different port of call every day or two, depending upon distances and sailing time between points of interest. You can stay aboard the ship all day or disembark. You are free to explore every destination on your itinerary as long as you return to the ship before departure time.

For a small additional fee, Celebrity offers adventures geared toward the unique features of each destination. As an example, Caribbean cruises offer snorkeling, diving or beach excursions while Alaskan cruises offer helicopter tours or sea kayak trips. For the less adventuresome, commonly there are bus tours or even supervised shopping excursions in the local port. Every single thing, including meals, is prearranged. All you have to do is find the correct line onshore and an experienced guide handles the rest of your tour.

With all these wonderful services available at a reasonable cost, why not consider a Celebrity vacation?

J Shipper

Check out

There has been a lot of buzz lately about living on a Cruise Ship full time as an alternative to living in a retirement home.

However, I don't think it would be very exciting after about 6 months or so.

Ships, even Cruise Ships, are noisy for at least 2 reasons:

1. Engine Noise.

No matter how new the ship, no matter what new turbine engines the ship may have, the 24 hour engine noise may get to people.

2. Parties, bars and restaurants.

There is always a kind of party atmosphere on a Cruise Ship, people eat and drink too much, nobody tells them when to go to bed, they don't have to get up the next morning, so, parties make noise.

It gets boring staring at the ocean 2 out of 3 days.

Although ship's activities are very many these days, after a while you'll get bored with them.

Cabins in general are very small, so after a while you're going to miss your large living room on the mainland with its 75" TV.

However, if 6 months are too long, there are other alternatives; Cruise maybe a couple of months a year.

If you follow that action things become interesting.

Here are some options:

The Monthly $18,000 route:

Residensea, the world's only floating Condo, a 47,000 ton cruise ship which sails the oceans,

reportedly offers staterooms for rent for as low as $18,000 per month.

This Cruise Ship has designer apartments with original art.

I mean, this is luxury personified.

Great if you can get it.

Around the world in 102 Days.

By small Luxury Cruise Ship

In 2005 a trip around the world lasting 110 days could be had for as low as $15,600 per person.

That is $150 per person per day including food and all facilities. That is $9000 per couple per month.

This same couple would spend a minimum of $4000 a month in an old folks home.

So going on this 3 1/2 month World Cruise would cost them $9000 - $4000 = $5000 per month.

Now let me tell you what this $5000 for 2 people gets them:

The Itinerary:

Southampton ,Tenerife - Canary Islands St Vincent - Cape Verde Islands Fortaleza - Brazil Rio de Janeiro - Brazil Montevideo - Uruguay Buenos Aires - Argentina Puerto Madryn - Argentina Port Stanley - Falkland Islands Cruise around Cape Horn Ushuaia - Argentina Transit Beagle Channel Punta Arenas - Chile Chacabuco - Chile Puerto Montt - Chile Santiago - Chile Cruise by Easter Island Cruise by Pitcairn Island Papeete - Tahiti Bora Bora - Society Islands Pago Pago - American Samoa Lautoka - Fiji Islands Noumea - New Caledonia Brisbane - Australia Sydney - Australia Eden - Australia Philip Island - Australia Melbourne - Australia Hobart -Australia Transit Milford Sound Dunedin - New Zealand Christchurch - New Zealand Transit Marlborough Sound Wellington - New Zealand Auckland - New Zealand Nuku 'Alofa - Tonga Apia - Western Samoa Christmas Island Honolulu - Oahu, Hawaii Kahalui - Maui, Hawaii Los Angeles - USA Acapulco - Mexico Huatulco - Mexico Transit Panama Canal Curacao - Dutch Antilles Margherita Island - Venezuela Barbados Ponta Delgada

The Luxury:

This is on a very luxurious Cruise Ship that has only outside or balcony cabins.

By Freighter

In 2005 a trip around the world lasting 102 days by various freighting companies could be had for $11,750 per person.

That is $117 per person per day including food and all facilities. That is $7000 per couple per month.

This same couple would spend a minimum of $4000 a month in an old folks home.

So going on this 3 1/2 month World Cruise would cost them $7000 - $4000 = $3000 per month.

For this you get a double suite with double occupancy.

Port Times range from 1 to 2 days.

The advantage seems to be that there is lots of space in four double suites.

The double suites all consist of two rooms, a bedroom with twin beds and a living room.

The cabins have showers.

Each cabin also has its own VCR and TV monitor and refrigerator.

On board facilities are a private passenger lounge and the sharing of the officers' table

There is also an indoor swimming pool.

Cruise Hopping

This is cheaper yet.

There are lots of 7 day cruises for about $100 per day per passenger.

So you could conceivably take 7 day cruises continuously in the same area, say, the Caribbean, on the same ship, or on different ships until you get sick and tired of the area.

You can then do the same thing from the West Coast.

Logistics would be more difficult because you may need a place to stay every 7th night.

Discount Cruising

Effective in 2005 there is now a discount European Cruise Line operating in the Caribbean that charges $46 per person per night but you have to get your own food.

Maximum time they allow you to cruise is 2 weeks.

Still, can't get any cheaper than this.

Frank Hague is interested in living on a Cruise ship Your own condo on a Cruise Ship About Celebrity Cruises

It is always nice to see how the other half lives, take for instance there is the Life of Luxury: the George Hamilton way.

This is a TV show which looks at the lives of the Super Rich in which the first episode looks at the PlayBoy Mansion, a collection of multi-million dollar homes, hip-hop half-billion dollar empires and some queens of shopping.

Tom Delay's Life of Luxury over the last six years:

Public documents reviewed by The Associated Press document his 48 visits to golf clubs and resorts; 100 flights aboard private company planes; 200 stays at hotels, many world-class; and 500 meals at restaurants, some averaging nearly $200 for a dinner for two. Not all paid for by Tom Delay.

ARCHESTRATUS: THE LIFE OF LUXURY

ARCHESTRATUS was a Sicilian Greek who wrote a poem that was an actual cookbook describing styles of Greek food in antiquity In travelling throughout the Greek world - Greece, Southern Italy and Sicily, the coast of Asia Minor, the Black Sea - Archestratus shows us how the ancient Greeks were extremely cosmopolitan.

His influences - ingredients, combinations of flavours, techniques - are drawn from a wide Mediterranean background, taking in a diversity of ideas unrestricted by the topography of the Greek mainland.

The Life of Luxury: Check out the Robb Report: Luxury Homes

The Robb Report features this Beverly Hills house. The owners, a retired industrialist and his wife, who is a trustee of Los Angeles' Museum of Contemporary Art, wanted the architect to maintain a simple palette that would not compete with their art collection, which includes a beautiful collection of contemporary art.

The Life of Luxury's Most Expensive ZIP Codes

From Beverly Hills to TriBeCa, from notorious enclaves of mansions and lush lawns to little-known niches of wealth, this is where the most expensive real estate in the country can be found.

Many of these neighborhoods are rarified places, of course. They are close to beaches and golf courses and prime yacht moorings--or at least within spitting distance of the power centers that are the sources of great wealth.

They have high tax bases, expensive private schools, exclusive restaurants and they are not all located close to Rodeo Drive.

The Life of Luxury; Some Expensive Must-Have Items:

We must be getting richer. Designer items are becoming more and more popular, we are no longer happy with a cheap watch but want an Omega or a Tag Heuer.

According to the Federal Reserve, the net wealth of American households hit a high at the end of last year, increasing from $46.59 trillion in the third quarter of 2004 to $48.53 trillion in the fourth quarter.

Rising real estate and stock prices helped push the country's household net worth up 4% between the third and fourth quarters.

You can now buy a $67,000 hand-crafted bathtub; Luxury is no longer confined to the affluent. To enhance people's lives they are willing to pay more for luxury items like expensive perfumes and designer handbags.

Sometimes it's hard to justify spending much more on an item when something considerably less expensive offers the same functionality.

You can, for instance, buy a watch for $10 and you can buy a watch for $20,000 that offers the exact same functionality so where is the rationale for buying the expensive watch?

Still, the expensive watches get sold and people are proud to own them. The exclusive maker of mattresses for the British royal family will reject a container of cashmere if it is deemed to be clumpy or defective in any way, says the director for the American division.

For each bed, workers cover thousands of springs in calico cotton; the damask cases are hand-woven in Belgium. If you have to ask how much these mattresses cost you can't afford them.

Life of Luxury: living on your own Cruise Ship.

The World is the only private luxury community at sea. It is a Cruise Ship built with apartments and studios for long term residency rather than vacation cruises.

For sale originally were 106 apartments, 19 studio apartments and 40 studios, with square footage starting at 675 for studios and maxing out at 3,242 for a three bedroom apartment with optional jet pool.

With the exception of studios, which have more limited amenities, The World's residential accommodations include fully-equipped kitchens, living room, veranda and all furniture and audio/video equipment. Studios an Apartments can be had from 1.4 million to 4.8 million dollars and annual maintenance costs start at $100,000.

This is a 40,000-ton ship which could easily carry 1,500 passengers but the World Residensea carries an average of 285 guests plus a crew of 252.

The passenger distribution is about 40% Americans, 40% Europeans and 20% from other nations. The price of a "home" on board the ship includes furniture, appliances, carpet, draperies, linen, china, cutlery and crystal.

Maintenance charges will cover daily housekeeping service, repairs and replacement of appliances, fixtures and fittings supplied by the builder.

The Life Of Luxury Living on a Cruise Ship Your own Condo on a Cruise ship

The Chandris Line was the precursor of Celebrity Cruises.

One of the ships operated by Chandris was the beautiful Liner America previously owned by the United States Line and initially captained by Demitrios Challioris who had been in charge of a crude oil tanker in Southampton.

Chandris bought the largest passenger liner ever in Greece called the Australis. The Australis had served extensively as a troop ship during the second world war so underwent a major refit and became a one-class configuration geared to carry 2300 passengers.

The aft promenade decks were extended, a swimming pool was added, and air conditioning was installed.

She made 3 month voyages around the world from Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Southampton, Casablanca, Las Palmas, Cape Town,(or through the Mediterranean via Gibraltar, Naples, Malta, Piraeus, Port Said and Aden), Freemantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Suva, Tahiti, Acapulco, Balboa, Cristobal, Port Everglades and return to Southampton.

Chandris Lines also had the Australian Government's prized immigrant contract bringing tens of thousands of new immigrants out to major ports in Australia The ships were always sold out so that there were 3 sittings for dinner and special sittings for kids. P&O, a rival cruise line, had ceased the line voyage business to Australia so that the Australis was now known as "the world's largest express liner" .

In 1977 Australis tried a new itinerary from the South Pacific to points in South America to Portugal.

Interest in Sea Travel at that time was low and Australis and became the sole remaining liner on the trade.

New Immigrants now traveled by jet.

In November of 1977 Australis was laid up.

In 1978 she was sold to US investors.

They mismanaged the ship and their company, Venture Cruises, was declared bankrupt.

Guess who bought the ship in bankruptcy court?

Chandris Lines.

For $4 million less than the amount for which they sold her four months earlier!

The ship was laid up and sold in 1992.

Celebrity Cruises was created by Chandris Lines as a separate luxury cruise line, initially using Chandris's Galileo, which was renamed Meridian after she was rebuilt. She was joined by the new ships Horizon and Zenith in 1990 and 1992.

In 1989 there was a need in the Cruise Industry for a luxury product at a decent price.

Chandris wanted to establish a worldwide standard for cruising by The company was determined to set a new, worldwide standard for cruising.

Exceptional Cuisine and all its facets became the mainstay of the Celebrity Cruise experience.

Master Chefs serve as the line's revered culinary and wine consultants since its founding.

In 1995 Celebrity introduced the so called Century Class Fleet with an Industry first:

Luxurious Spa Experiences.

In 1997, Celebrity Cruises merged with Royal Caribbean International, bringing together two extraordinary cruise brands within one corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Today Royal Caribbean uses 29 Cruise Liners.

Cruising has become so popular that from 2000 to 2002 Royal Caribbean doubled its passenger capacity.

Its newest ships use gas turbine engines reducing exhaust emissions by 95% and have become traveling art shows as well.

They boast original paneling and artifacts from famous transatlantic luxury liners.

In 2001, building on the strengths of both the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands,Royal Celebrity Tours was started to offer truly unique vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe, combining outstanding cruises with exceptional pre- or post-cruise land tour packages now known as "cruisetours."

Celebrity Cruise History Living on a cruise ship Condo cruise ship living

Have you ever dreamt about living on a Cruise Ship forever?

Traveling the world, seeing all kinds of exotic places, cruising forever with not a care in the world.

It is now a reality, and several possibilities exist.

1. The World of ResidenSea was launched in 2002 as a condominium-style residential community contained on a 644-foot cruise ship, complete with restaurants, a spa and fitness center and other amenities similar to what you'd find on a typical mid-size cruise liner.

As with land-based condo resorts, short-term rentals of a week or more may be arranged without committing to ownership, and a wide range of ports is included on The World's ongoing circumnavigation of the globe.

Residensea has problems.

-disputes between owners of Condos on the ship and tourists.

Owners want to stay in exciting ports for several days, tourists that the ship needs to get full occupancy to cover the cost of unsold suites want to move from port to port every day.

Sales of actual condos on the ship have stalled due to fears of terrorism, uncertainty in financial markets and uncertainty about the future of the ship.

Annual maintenance costs run at $100,000 per suite while an actual suite now costs 1.9 to 4 million dollars. This ad recently appeared on the Internet:

"Rent an outside luxury cabin from $600 a day"

From somebody who owns 2 cabins on the ResidenSea. That runs to $18,000 per month.

2. Join an organization that will buy a used Cruise Ship and convert it to Condos.

This concept has been tried and failed.

The practical problems were just too great.

-Trying to get enough people interested

-Trying to get commitments from people

-Trying to find a ship that was not going to fall apart immediately upon leaving the harbor.

-Trying to get cash from people before a ship was bought.

And these were just problems BEFORE a ship was even bought.

Think about the problems there would be after the ship was bought.

3. Buy regular cruises on an on-going basis.

This seems the only practical way in which you can live permanently on a Cruise Ship.

Here are the estimated costs based on double occupancy starting on the cheap:

Basic Cruise Costs; $100 per day x 2 people = $6000 per month

This includes gratuities, all you can eat and port costs.

Independent costs of living for Seniors seems to be about $2000 per month per person = $4000.

This includes food.

So for $2000 per month extra a couple can live on a Cruise Ship (or ships) forever.

The advantages of this type of living if you have that extra $24,000 per year to spend are these:

-Quality of the meals on a Cruise Ship is probably a lot better than what you would get in an independent living type of situation.

-You can vary cruise lines, use a Caribbean Cruise Line this month, an Alaska Line next month and a European Line for the next 6 months.

-Shows every night.

-Built-in new friends every week or so. Most cruises end within 7 days and a new crop of potential friends arrives for you to interact with.

-An entire Cruise Staff to help you with ANYTHING if you have a problem.

So, if you want to live on a Cruise Ship: $24,000 a year extra is all it takes for 2 people.

Celebrity Cruise History Living on a cruise ship Condo cruise ship living

Glamorous, elegant, family-friendly and fun are what come to mind when talking about Royal Caribbean's newest ship: Freedom of the Seas. Determined to make Freedom the most innovative and adventurous ship of its fleet, Royal Caribbean built Freedom to be the largest passenger ship ever, then added one-of-a-kind features sure to impress.

Let the Adventure Begin

One of the most talked about activities is the Flowrider®. This exciting surfing ride gives the feeling of hanging ten on a Maui wave, all right from onboard Freedom. Grab a board and catch a wave. It's easy to learn and fun to master.

The H20 Zone is another water wonder found exclusively on Freedom. A dedicated crew mans this water park filled with giant and colorful sculptures, water cannons, fountains, jets, waterfalls, spiral-shaped current pool and more. For adults and kids alike, the H20 Zone is a blast during the day and a whole new adventure when lit up at night.

While kids usually get special gathering places designated just for them, Royal Caribbean decided to offer a solarium onboard Freedom - just for adults. Fun and relaxing, the solarium presents a rainforest theme with giant sculptures of tropical birds and palm trees, poolside hammocks, a panoramic view of the ocean and music piped underwater. While truly special during the day, the solarium is spectacular at night.

A separate sports pool accommodates the adventurous ones in your group. You'll find traditional favorites such as water volleyball and basketball and some exciting new options including golf and jousting.

For those looking to live life to its fullest, a rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and scuba lessons should provide plenty to do. If relaxation is your goal, work off your stress in the state-of-the-art fitness center under the watchful eye of your personal trainer. Then allow yourself to indulge in any of the massages or treatments available in Freedom's full-service spa.

Spacious Cabins and Family Suite

Accommodations are outstanding with four categories of staterooms to choose from. Each is of exceptional size and offers a full-sized, flat screen television and WiFi capabilities. Each cabin also offers premium bedding and a hairdryer for added comfort and convenience.

If you're traveling with a large party, Freedom offers a Presidential Family Suite that will comfortably sleep up to 14 guests. With five plasma TVs, a large wrap-around balcony, a family room, bar, work stations, four separate bedrooms, four baths and its own whirlpool, this is an exceptional suite for family vacations, reunions or wedding parties.

Children and Youth Activities

The kids haven't been left out. As with all Royal Caribbean ships, Freedom delivers a fun - and safe - place for kids and teens to relax and be themselves. Adventure Ocean® blends age-appropriate educational activities with fun for kids from 3 - 17. From the youngest travelers who receive personalized attention from a qualified and caring staff to teens who can enjoy parties, music and more - every child will find something he or she likes onboard Freedom.

Destinations

Departing from Miami, Florida, beginning in June 2006, Freedom will sale to exciting ports of call. Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and other popular destinations throughout the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean are scheduled.

Freedom truly is spectacular with several exclusive features not found elsewhere. Cruising enthusiasts who appreciate quality, value and fun will thoroughly enjoy their time aboard this ship.

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center based in Yonkers, New York. Visit them online today for the best deals on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line cruises to the most exciting destinations worldwide. You'll find their service exceptional and their attention to detail second to none.

Top 3 nude resorts in the United States

Looking to travel nude in the USA? Look no further. Below is a list of the top three nudist destinations in America.

Kissimmee, Fla.

Visit Cyprus Cove, a nudist resort and spa. Located in the center of Florida, it is close to all major attractions. As well as being excellently located, it includes all the luxuries you would expect at any spa. Enjoy tennis, golf, massages, gourmet food at their lake side restaurant, or indulge in a hair and nail treatment. After, relax with an after dinner drink at their bar and grill, all while being surrounded by sandy white beaches, crystal clear water and beautifully groomed gardens. Truly paradise.

Springfield, Ore.

Welcome to The Willamettans, the largest nudist club in the pacific northwest. Located in the heart of the Douglas Fir Forest, they welcome people of all ages, shapes and sizes. A place to truly relax and be yourself away from the stress of daily life, The Willamettans invites you to join them today for a relaxing, comfortable, clothing free stay!

Issaquah , WA.

Park Forestia is located in the foothills of the Cascades and is surrounded by a forest of beautiful evergreen trees. A fun, family park, Forestia includes a swimming pool, wading pools, spas, saunas, sun tanning lawn, playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoes, cabins, tenting areas, RV areas, hiking trails and a clubhouse. An excellent place to bring your family and friends to enjoy a relaxed fun filled adventure. Just remember to leave you're bathing suit at home!

Bart Samuri writes about various topics. This article is free to re-print as long as nothing is changed, all links remained intacked, the bio remains in full and the rel="nofollow" tag is not added to any of the links. Thank-you Please visit

Taking a Royal Caribbean cruise is one of the best ways to spend your vacations. You will have multiple Royal Caribbean destinations around the world to select from. You will also have access to a wide variety of onboard activities and entertainment during the Royal Caribbean trip. Not matter what is the main purpose of your trip, the Royal Caribbean vacation will allow you to enjoy everything that you planned to do during the trip. Also, if you are traveling with kids, the Royal Caribbean offers many activities designed specifically for kids in addition to a ton of activities for adults (including shows, casino and sport activities).

You will have a lot of fun during your Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. If you would like to slow things down, relax and enjoy the trip views, you can do that. If you would like to take a yoga class, visit a spa or spend a few hours in the sport center - Royal Caribbean offers you that possibility. You can even go shopping while you are on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The Royal Caribbean dining is also worth mentioning. You can be sure that you will find any type of dining while you are on the cruise. Whether you would like a private dinner or a buffet style dining - Royal Caribbean offers this option to you.

The second part of the Royal Caribbean cruise includes the onshore activities that you can participate in when you will arrive to your destination. You will get a chance to visit new places, meet new people, take sightseeing tours, visit museums and historical monuments and find out about new cultures and locations. These are just a few examples. Through Royal Caribbean you can participate in all activities that are available in the destination port. You will enjoy your time on the shore as well as your trip onboard of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

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Royal Caribbean is a cruse line that offers you many different travel choices, destinations and activities to make your vacation perfect. Whether you would like to travel with your family, take a slow and relaxing vacation, participate in new and exciting activities or explore the new places, cultures or countries, the Royal Caribbean will definitely satisfy all your needs and desires. You can even visit several locations and participate in a number of different activities in one single Royal Caribbean cruise. And in addition to all these benefits traveling with Royal Caribbean is one of the least expensive ways to travel. Royal Caribbean would be the best choice whether you are traveling alone or with family.

There are many different destinations where you can travel on the Royal Caribbean cruise. For example, you can take a Royal Caribbean cruise to Caribbean, Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal and other locations. You will travel in comfort. Your accommodations on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship would include all the necessities and amenities to make your trip the most enjoyable. You will have access to such equipment as radio, phone and TV. Royal Caribbean also offers you a broad selection of dining choices on the ship, including 24-hour room service, fine dining, restaurant and buffet.

There are many things to do on the Royal Caribbean cruise. Besides all the activities at the destination locations, you will have access to many activities on the ship to make your Royal Caribbean trip even more fun and enjoyable. For example, you can visit the onboard fitness center to participate in sport activities. You will enjoy the Royal Caribbean cruise by using a swimming pool, mini golf course, library, skating track and other onboard activities. Royal Caribbean also offers various entertainment options that include but are not limited to evening shows, live music, comedy shows and even onboard casino.

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If the workaday world has worn you down, you may be interested in taking a truly memorable holiday trip or vacation. In this regard, you might want to consider a Celebrity Cruise Line trip. A Celebrity Cruise Line trip truly would be a vacation of a lifetime.

(Keep in mind that while the Celebrity Cruise Line is discussed with specificity in this brief article, nothing in this piece should be construed as an explicit endorsement of the Celebrity Cruise Line or its services. Rather, the materials presented in this article are provided for informational purposes only. As you plan your own holiday or vacation, you need to undertake your own course of research to determine what sort of trip is most appropriate to your own travel needs and desires.)

Celebrity Cruise Line provides a wide range of destinations and points of call for its guests, including:

• Alaska

• Bahamas

• Bermuda

• Canada

• New England

• Caribbean

• Europe

• Galapagos

• Hawaii

• Mexico

• Pacific Northwest

• Panama Canal

• South America

• Trans-Atlantic

In addition to providing its guests with a wide array of different, interesting ports of call, Celebrity Cruise Line also schedules cruises of different lengths. From longer journeys to various ports of call to shorter jaunts that provide perfect breaks from the hustle and bustle of daily living, Celebrity Cruise Line has it all.

When it comes to onboard entertainment on the high seas, Celebrity Cruise Line works hard to have "something for everyone." One of the most popular entertainment features offered on most cruises is a "lavish Vegas style spectacular." These dazzling performances are thrilling to see.

For those people who prefer something more laid back after a day of cruising, Celebrity Cruise Line includes a Michael's Club on every ship. These richly decorated piano bars provide a perfectly relaxing venue for travelers.

The Celebrity Cruise Line has worked hard in recent years to develop a unique set on onboard amenities. Included within the Celebrity Cruise Line scheme is "Acupuncture at Sea." Through this program and regimen, the cruise company is working to give its traveling guests the opportunity to recover the balance between "the physical, emotional and spiritual." Acupuncture is a natural, comprehensive health care practice that is said to strengthen a person's immune system through the use of thin needles used at specific energy points in the body. The company created the "Acupuncture at Sea" program as part of its overall commitment to its guests. Celebrity Cruise Line believes that a cruise should be a restorative process on all levels for its guests.

Excursions to the shore are a vital and interesting part of nearly every Celebrity Cruise Line voyage. At Celebrity, you have a number of different options when it comes to going ashore. Of course, if you are so inclined, you can spend your time onshore "doing your own thing." On the other hand, Celebrity always has available knowledgeable and professional guides that can make your time onshore truly memorable. Celebrity can arrange a wide array of different types of onshore excursions -- everything from historical and cultural tours to wildlife adventures.

More information on Celebrity Cruise Lines

This is our latest installment on helping clients find the best rates on any Carnival cruise. As one of the industry’s leading online Cruise Specialists, we have put together some of easiest ways to ensure you will get the best rates on your next Carnival cruise!

First, pick a cruise specialist. Using a specialist will eliminate the uncertainty associated with using a travel agent in that a specialist knows the inner workings of the cruise line in regards to best travel dates, promotions, ship details, routes etc. When searching for a specialist, whenever possible, talk to them personally. Doing searches on the internet these days is leaving too much to chance. Everyone and their mother is selling cruises today and you want to make sure that the specialist you are buying from has actually been on a cruise! Makes sense, right? When choosing your specialist, find out if you will be taken care exclusively by the specialist through the entire booking process and not become just a number after you book. You are spending too much money to become a statistic! How do you know that you are receiving the best possible rate? Simple, call the cruise line directly and compare your rate. Make sure your rate includes all port charges and taxes. If you look close, 95% of so-called bargains on the internet are not bargains at all-you can get the same rate by dealing with the cruise line directly. Beware of outrageous internet claims-“75% off your cruise!”, “Buy one get one free!”, “Free Air”. You’ve heard it before, if it sounds too good to be true… There are literally thousands of garbage promotion hooks. That doesn’t mean there are not honest promotions out there. You can usually tell the difference by how they are presented. More to come!

All Aboard Cruises Corp

The Internet’s Premier Cruise Specialists!

Carnival Cruises

Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean Cruises

In most places the low vacation season starts around late autumn. If you scout the Internet, you will find plenty of bargain deals around that time. Some of the travel and airline sites advertise bundle deals that include hotel, car, and airfare for two. These deals can be real bargains because airlines want to sell the unused seats in those packages by heavily discounting the seats. Sign up for the news letters of major travel sites, e.g. price or airline travel sites, like You will receive plenty of last minute great vacation and airfare deals in your e-mail account regularly. Use another site called for comparison shopping of best airfares to your destination.

Go to different hotel sites to look for bargains in the form of one night free for two nights stay. Check out for the last minute great bargains. While at site, sign up for their weekly news letter to all the discounted bed and break fast gateways. Many car rental companies will not advertise their unbooked cars at a lower price but they would offer discounts via sites like and P offers two types of booking, name-your-price or selection from a listed rate. Use the listed rate first to estimate a fair market value of the bargain you are looking for. And then use the name-your-price and offer a discounted price. Start with a high discounted price to reveal the best price you can get.

Many cruise cabins are cancelled at the last minute by early birds - people who have booked these cabins sometimes a year in advance - and they are auctioned off at It is a auction type site where you bid for all kind of travel deals, including international travel, cruises, etc. Before you start putting bid, know the fair market value of the deal and refrain from emotional bidding and don't set your mind to the bid no matter what it costs.

Here is a great tip for getting bargains that most people searching the Web don't know. Clear your Web browser cookies after each search at a travel or airline Website, like or To clear your cookies from your Windows Internet browser, select Tools and then Internet Options. A window will pop up and in the middle of the Window on the left side, you will see a button with label Delete Cookies. Click the button to clear all your cookies before you start a fresh search on the site. Using cookies, some Web sites keep track of all the bargains displayed to you and clearing the cookies will reveal further price breaks that you did not see before. It is worth a try. Another great tip is to get a free e-mail account from that you can use for signing up for new letters etc.

Dr. Deepak Dutta is the creator of SemanticB - an interactive social network website based on user shared text and picture contents on any topics. Website creators, publishers, and maintainers can promote their website at SemanticB using website articles. Users can join for free, invite friends, maintain buddy lists, rate contents, comment on contents and earn points.

Formal night on the cruise - The agony and the ecstasy! How better to describe the romantic night when cruise passengers don their best formal cruise wear and strut their stuff?

For some men, it's the agony of picking out your finest formal cruise wear, carefully packing them in your suitcase, unpacking and un-wrinkling them, and then, worst of all….. having to put the threads on. For other men, it's the romantic ecstasy of seeing your dazzling beauty dressed in her finest, and walking arm-in-arm through the elegant dining room.

For some women, it's the agony of deciding what to pack for the formal cruise wear night. Should it be black or brightly colored? Long or short? Or should it be slacks or a gown? For other women it's the ecstasy of a wonderful romantic night of elegance.

Formal wear is somewhat subjective when it comes to cruises. Most often for men, it will mean wearing a dark suit or jacket and a tie. Tuxedos on some cruises are more common. In fact, many cruise ships will have tuxedos and formal cruise wear available for rent - in advance from the cruise line. You will however want to pre-plan and book your rental as soon as possible before you sail so you won't be disappointed.

That was easy for the men. There is formal cruise wear available for rent for women as well. The same early planning and booking applies as for men. For many women however, the task of preparing formal cruise wear can be much more exciting or much more daunting. Formal evening gowns are elegant and can be show-stoppers. But pant suits and slacks or skirts and tops can be glamorous as well! In fact a very practical article for any woman to pack is a pair of black silky "cocktail" type slacks. They take up very little room in the luggage and resist wrinkling! Matched them with a couple of tops, and you have formal cruise wear ensembles with very little fuss. And, most have stretchy waistbands so you can enjoy the wonderful culinary masterpieces in comfort! Flat or low heeled shoes make navigating onboard much easier and more comfortable.

These formal nights can make your cruise a wonderful romantic getaway! Exquisite cuisine, elegant dining rooms, intimate lounges, stage shows and reviews all lend themselves to enhance romance on board. Imagine a nightclub filled with tuxedoed men and sequin covered dresses on women. And everyone is basking in the radiant delight of the evening.

Some of the cruise lines request that you remain in your formal cruise wear for the entire evening. Others are more relaxed about the attire. And some, like Norwegian cruise lines operate on a relaxed "Freestyle" cruising atmosphere.

For those of you who absolutely despise getting all gussied up, most cruise ships have dining areas that always allow casual cruise wear. Remember however that most reservation only dining restaurants require formal or informal dress attire as well.

It's always best, if you have any concerns about what constitutes formal cruise wear on your chosen ship, to check with the cruise line in advance.

So…..now you can relax. The tough formal cruise wear packing has been taken care of! Check out some of the other informative pages.

Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit to book your fabulous cruise vacation! For more interesting articles visit our Article Map pages. If you have questions regarding choosing a cruise line contact us at info@ using the subject line "Questions".