Cruise Ships Divide Passenger Opinion About Haiti...

Opinion amongst passengers aboard the 4,370-berth Independence of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean International is divided as to whether they should have disembarked cruise holiday passengers at the heavily guarded resort of Labadee on the north coast on Friday the 22nd January; a second cruise ship, another Royal Caribbean International cruise liner the 3,100-passenger Navigator of the Seas is due to dock shortly. The highly respected cruise line leases a picturesque wooded peninsula and its five pristine beaches from the Haiti government for passengers to “cut loose” with activities such as water sports, barbecues, and shopping for trinkets at a craft market before returning on board before dusk.

Although the ships are taking in a certain amount of food aid with the Caribbean cruise liners pledging to donate all proceeds from the visit to help the stricken victims of the earthquake many of the passengers are unhappy. One passenger writing on the Cruise Critic internet forum said “I just can’t see myself sunning on the beach, playing in the water, eating a barbecue, and enjoying a cocktail while there are tens of thousands of dead people being piled up on the streets in Port au Prince, with those survivors stunned and looking for food and water.”

A spokesman for Royal Caribbean International is reported as saying that the question of whether or not to “deliver a vacation experience so close to the epicentre of an earthquake” had been subject to considerable internal debate before it decided to include Haiti in its itineraries for the coming weeks, believing it would be beneficial to the recovery of the country. Using Labadee in the itinerary is critical to Haiti’s recovery; hundreds of people rely on Labadee for their livelihood,” said John Weis, vice-president. “In our conversations with the UN special envoy of the government of Haiti, Leslie Voltaire, he noted that Haiti will benefit from the revenues that are generated from each call and we have tremendous opportunities to use our ships as transport vessels for relief supplies and personnel to Haiti. Simply put, we cannot abandon Haiti now that they need us most.”

Friday’s call in Labadee went well, everything was open, as usual and the guests were very happy to hear that 100% of the proceeds from the call at Labadee would be donated to the relief effort. The Independence of the Seas delivered forty pallets comprising rice, beans, powdered milk, water, and canned foods, further supplies are due on two subsequent ships. When supplies arrive in Labadee, they are distributed by Food for the Poor, a long-time partner of Royal Caribbean in Haiti. Royal Caribbean has also pledged $1m to the relief effort and will spend part of that helping 200 Haitian crew members.

Find a luxury cruise with Carnival Cruises...

If you are looking to save on your cruise holiday this year, Carnival will come highly recommended. Not only can they offer all the popular destinations of other cruise operators, but you can often find the same cruise for a significantly cheaper price – provided you book at the right time of course.

Carnival cruises have one objective on mind – fun. Each ship of their impressive fleet can provide an exhilarating selection of activities and entertainment that is sure to appeal to all members of the family.

Their ships are separated into different classes, to differentiate between size and capacity, and there are some truly spectacular boats on display.

One of the highlights is the Carnival Valor, which is part of the Conquest Class. The Ivanhoe theatre is easily the glamorous centrepiece, but other attractions include the Twister waterslide, the Carnival Valor Shogun Club Casino and the Valor Spa.

If you are looking for a cruise holiday for the family that will also give you some time to yourself, the Valor will be the perfect choice. As well a host of clubs and venues that are strictly ‘kids-only’, there are some real luxurious restaurants and bars that will be perfect locations to while away an evening.

Carnival Cruises know that the cruise market is changing – more and more young travellers are being attracted to holidays on the seas. However, they can still appeal to experienced cruisers and know exactly what to provide for an unforgettable experience. Carnival will be a great choice to suit everyone’s requirements.

Have a great holiday with Princess Cruises...

Princess Cruises are a leader in the field of cruise holidays. With a fleet of 17 luxurious seagoing vessels, they offer a choice of more than 115 cruise itineraries visiting around 350 desirable destinations worldwide.

Choose the intimate atmosphere of small ship cruising on board ships such as the Pacific Princess, Royal Princess and Ocean Princess, each of which carries fewer than 700 cruise passengers adding a real element of cruise passenger camaraderie while still offering a wonderful range of onboard experiences and delightful destinations.

Or, alternatively, opt for the large liner luxury of the remainder of the Princess Cruises fleet, each of which is carefully designed and equipped to allow passengers to experience the ultimate in ocean bound activity and entertainment.

Onboard activities range from the energetic to the artistic. Passengers can take advantage of a choice of health and fitness facilities, or ask the opinions of an onboard art expert. For a little intellectual stimulation at sea, why not take advantage of the Princess Cruises’ book club where like-minded passengers indulge their passion for literature with a fascinating programme of talks and discussions.

The Princess Cruise fleet also caters to those who fancy a little retail therapy while on board, with many liners offering a boutique shopping experience for guests to indulge themselves or shop for gifts for their families and friends.

Princess Cruises offer itineraries taking in all sorts of destinations. From short Baltic cruises to longer world cruise options, cruise lovers will find a package that satisfies their needs.

What Type of Cruise Holiday Are You?...

If you are an experienced cruise ship traveller, you will probably already know which type of cruise holiday and which destinations suit you best. But, what if you have never set foot on a cruise ship before?

You may have decided that you want to try a cruise; you may also have already decided that you want to experience new and exciting destinations and a holiday on the ocean. There are masses of cruise companies and cruise liners that will take you to some utterly amazing parts of the world, but where do you start?

If you are going on a cruise for the first time, the first thing to do and the most important part of choosing your first cruise holiday is setting a budget. Most people assume that a cruise holiday is going to set them back their entire life savings and then some. However, this doesn’t have to be the case at all.

The price of a cruise not only includes your travel and port destination costs, but also the food, gym, entertainment clubs and flights. You may have to pay extra for any spa treatments and special trips when on shore, but you can check these details out directly with the cruise operator or with the travel agent you booked the holiday with.

Once you have set your budget, you can then start to look at what destinations you want to visit and what activities interest you the most. There are cruises to the Antarctic, Mediterranean, Baltic, Caribbean and Alaska and these are just a few examples of the hundreds of options available.

The Perks and Quirks of Cruising in the Caribbean...

Caribbean cruise goers have a lot of reasons to choose this type of cruise. The Caribbean offers a wide range of wonderful sights: white beaches, fantastic islands, and many other attractions that will naturally beguile travellers both on land and water. Yet, if you’re planning to take your family or sweetheart to the alluring coasts of the Caribbean, make sure to take some time to research and plan regarding the perks and quirks of going on a Caribbean cruise.

The months considered to be the peak season for Caribbean cruises are late June to August, Christmas and New Year’s weeks, and February through mid-April. During these times, most northerners take a vacation to escape the winter chill and families take advantage of school holidays, so it can be the best time for you as well to take your kids with you. There are great numbers of children onboard, so your kids can enjoy your family vacation by meeting other kids their age, as well as join different children’s programmes that most lines offer.

Yet, if you’re seeking peace and quiet aboard, you may normally avoid these times when ships are at their highest capacity, when crowded ports and long lines are normal scenarios. Hence, try to find cruise destinations that may be farther from the Caribbean if you are really after the convenience and serenity onboard.

You can also opt to cruise during the off-peak season, when you can enjoy great weather and smaller crowds. During late April to May, and September to early January, you can even find more bargains in many cruise deals, with hundreds less per person that you would normally pay at peak season. However, you have to anticipate sudden changes in ports of call, especially from June to November as these months are hurricane season.

Caribbean cruises are great when the weather is good and the offers cover as much of the cruise costs as possible. Just remember that whenever you want to visit the Caribbean, settle your priorities and expectations before purchasing a ticket to avoid inconvenience and disappointments on your part.

Most Popular Cruise Destinations...

During these particularly difficult financial times when some people are consumed with every day worries and anxieties, it can be a great relief to take a holiday to somewhere relaxing and stress free. In fact many people around the world have made some countries and cities popular cruise destinations for that very purpose.

These are some of the most famous cruise areas that have proven to be a haven for overworked and stressed individuals.

When people think of going on a cruise, they will more than likely imagine the world’s most beautiful beaches. The Bahamas are considered one of the most popular cruise destinations due to the beautiful white beaches and blue-green waters. Caribbean cruises and Mediterranean cruises are very popular with tourists who want simply to relax whilst enjoying the kind climate.

There are also countless breathtaking beaches and islands in the Pacific, such as Palau, Tahiti, Fiji, and in French Polynesia. Couples who want to spend their honeymoon in a remote and beautiful place can visit Bora Bora, while families who want to spend more bonding time together can enjoy the exquisite New Zealand and Australian beaches. The sunny atmosphere of Hawaii also adds to its prominence as being a famous attraction and cruise destination among tourists.

Indeed many people, rich and not-so-rich alike, dream of experiencing the luxury of relaxation and of seeing the amazing sights in faraway lands. And although local and international cruises are generally somewhat expensive, many people still opt to take a cruise to escape from the pressures and hassles of daily life.

Finding Affordable Cruise Deals...

Going on holiday is one thing everybody enjoys doing. Many people choose to make the most of their holiday by going on a cruise. However, there are several factors to consider when going on a cruise so planning one can often be both exciting and taxing.

Actually there are countless cruise deals and packages that you can choose from, depending on your preference and budget. You can actually utilise different tools and communication mediums when finding the best cruise deal to suit your budget. It is important to consider other factors too, such as the time of year or season of travelling.

Most cruise lines offer discounted prices during off-peak seasons, though the months these ‘seasons’ cover differ from one country to another. Budget conscious tourists can arrange a great yet inexpensive holiday if they can wait until the late summer, but there are also deals available during the peak season for those who book last minute cruises.

Finding the best cruise lines that meet your standards and budget limits may involve some commitment on your part if you really want to find an affordable cruise deal. There are many websites now available that are completely devoted to cruises that can help you in your search for the best deals currently being offered.

Visiting your local travel agencies can also be helpful, especially if you prefer personal face-to-face communication.  They will have special deals arranged with the cruise lines that they use.

Princess Cruise passport information...

First setting sail in 1965, Princess Cruises is one of the most renowned names in cruising and is now the third largest cruise line in the world, thanks mainly to its innovative ships, excellent onboard options and its great customer service. In common with any holiday destination to a foreign country, a valid passport is a requirement and proof of citizenship is necessary at check-in for any cruise.

Princess cruises will not give any visa and passport information to anyone other than U.S. and Canadian citizens, other nationalities should contact their consular department for relevant information regarding visa requirements that are necessary for some countries. If you are a British or Irish citizen and that includes children and infants, you must have your own full 10 year passport; this is 5 years for children and for Irish infants up to 3 years of age, 3 years.

Allow plenty of time before your departure date to apply for a passport which can take up to 6 weeks to be issued, longer in busy periods, if you already have a passport, check it now, then sit back and relax on your cruise of a lifetime!

Cruise.co.uk – The Leading Online Cruise Supplie...

Cruise.co.uk, the leading online cruise supplier in the UK, has a wide selection of cruises and other holiday packages all at affordable prices. There is just something for everyone at this incredible website.

There are thousands of cruise deals from names that are well-known in the cruise industry, such as Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, P & O Cruises, Fred Olsen, and many others. One can also find luxury cruises, Mediterranean cruises, Caribbean cruises, world cruises, etc. If there is any particular cruise in mind, chances are that one will most likely be able to find it on cruise.co.uk.

When visiting this website, one can also find reviews left by people who have already taken a holiday on any of the cruises. It is essential to know fellow cruisers’ feedback and experience before going on one, so that one can be assured that the right decision is being made and the right ship has been selected. There are answers to cruise questions, cruise photos, cruise news, special offers, last-minute cruise offers, and free brochures.

Among the many deals and packages offered is the 14-night Baltic cruise on Celebrity Cruises with prices from £1239pp.  Another popular cruise is the one that offers seven nights that include Barcelona, Nice, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Naples, and Sicily on the Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas with prices from £897.  Here, at cruise.co.uk, one will find hundreds, if not thousands, of other great deals.

Browse through all the deals, compare prices, plan a dream cruise, speak to a cruise consultant, or make bookings today all at www.cruise.co.uk.

Costa Cruises newest cruise ship the Costa Pacific...

The maiden voyage of the Costa Pacifica will be in June 2009. This magnificent cruise ship is purposely designed for music lovers and those who seek adventure. It shares similar quality features with other ships, including the Fortuna, Magica, Concordia, and Serena.

Once onboard, you’ll be able to listen to the first-class music that is very pleasing to the ears. Aside from its splendid music, the magnificent and well-crafted interior will also captivate your eyes.

The ship is spacious and offers comfortable accommodation, including 58 suites and 521 cabins. It also has a Samsara Spa with 12 suites and 91 cabins having direct access to this dazzling amenity.

You can indulge in anything you want to eat and drink, from chocolates and ice creams to cocktails and fine cuisines, because the ship has five restaurants and 13 bars. If you’re not in the mood to explore the shore, you can enjoy listening to your favourite music, played by a jazz band or a string quartet. There are also a number of other activities to do while on the ship. You can have fun splashing in its four swimming pools, jog on a jogging track, exercise in the gym, relax in its five jacuzzis, unwind in the sauna and steam room, get a tan in the solarium, enjoy spa treatments, shop in the many shopping venues, play in the video arcade and grand prix simulator, surf at the Internet point, read in the library, and wallow in the Thalasso pool.

Experience the magical evenings onboard the new Costa Pacifica. You can just settle down in the piano bar while drinking cocktails or have a quiet conversation. If you feel the urge to dance and swing your body to the beat of music, you can go to the ballroom or disco bar. Meanwhile, if you want to see professional singers and dancers, you can visit the three-tiered theatre. When you have enough of dancing, you can go to the casino and try your luck.