Simple Advice for Cruising on a Budget...

Cruises have the reputation of being extravagant and expensive, but this does not have to be the case.  Finding cheap cruises does not have to be a difficult task; the secret is to know where to look to find good deals.  By looking in the right places it is perfectly possible to find an affordable cruise.

One of the best ways to get a good deal is to search for budget cruise lines.  Choosing a cheaper ship may mean that you have fewer amenities and slightly less luxurious surroundings, but it is still possible to have an excellent holiday on one of these vessels.  You may also find that opting for an older ship from one of the more expensive lines gets you a better deal.  Remember to keep an eye out for special offers and promotions from cruise lines and travel agents.

Another way to save money is to go away for a shorter period of time.  A two week cruise on a luxury cruise line might be out of your budget, but you may well be able to afford a shorter voyage for a week or five nights. This is a great way to get the experience of sailing on a luxury cruise liner without breaking the bank.

Finally, consider travelling out of peak season as this can be a really good way to find cheap cruises.  Sailing around the Caribbean in the autumn, for example, will be considerably cheaper than doing so in the middle of spring or summer, and winter is a great time to get a good deal in the Mediterranean.

Mediterranean cruises are a fantastic choice...

Mediterranean cruises are some of the best cruises available, whilst Caribbean cruises are great for families with kids or for people who want to be either really active or really lazy as they indulge in their beach holiday, waterskiing or horseback riding, or just lying about in the sun with a book. Alaska cruises are fantastic for retirees who want to take it easier and move at a much slower pace but still get to take in some incredibly breathtaking scenery. Mexico cruises tend to be very popular with young Americans who are out of school on their spring break holiday and want to head south of the border to get a lot of cheap alcohol running through their system as soon as possible, and to be able to take advantage of the great entertainment opportunities that are provided.

Mediterranean cruise deals, on the other hand, offer travellers a wide variety of sights and activities. While they may certainly include some world famous and beautiful beach locations on their interesting itineraries, a lot of the time these cruises are truly fantastic for the fascinating culture and the history of this exotic and beautiful part of the world. There will be so much to see and the shore excursions to ancient cities and ruins, museums and churches will delight anyone who has ever wanted to go see what the Mediterranean has to offer.

River Cruises an Intriguing Option...

When the word “cruises” comes up in a conversation, the vast majority of people picture an enormous luxury liner designed to sail around the world’s oceans.  That is certainly a large share of the cruise business, and most people who take cruises do so on such ship, but that is not the only option when it comes to cruising.

River cruises are also increasingly available from many companies.  A river cruise allows tourists to travel with small numbers of fellow shipmates.  Ships that cruise up and down the world’s rivers provide comfortable accommodation, and unlike their larger cousins, they stay close to shore at all times.  This means that tourists have the opportunity to sightsee in more towns and cities than is possible when traveling on an ocean liner.  Typical river cruises may make up to three shore calls each day.

A representative river cruise is the River Shannon Cruise offered by European Waterways.  This river is the longest one in the British Isles and crosses through a full third of Ireland’s counties as well as three provinces.  Interspersed with frequent lakes, it provides travellers with an idyllic and relaxed atmosphere and allows them to get to know Ireland without feeling rushed through it.

Another popular option is a cruise through the canals of France, a nation with almost three thousand miles of inland rivers and waterways.  Tourists in southern France can travel from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean without ever resorting to land means if they take a French canals cruise.

Ancient Civilizations, Modern Cruises...

Mediterranean cruises offer a diverse sampling of the world’s oldest civilizations from Roman ruins, ancient Greek sites and Turkish landmarks celebrating the Holy Land to World Heritage Sites and medieval fortifications.

Many of the Mediterranean cruises begin at the Port of Civitavecchia in Rome. Almost all major cruise lines operate out of Rome or Venice for Mediterranean cruises. Since cruise line companies recommend arrival in the port city a day or two before departure, this is a lovely time to discover the rich history and culture of Italy.

Here are some of the most enchanting destinations in the Mediterranean region:

Athens, Greece: The seat of Greek history and philosophical debate, Athens is home to the ancient site of the Acropolis and Hadrian’s Arch.

Barcelona, Spain: Enjoy the age-old traditions of Spanish culture set amidst the bustle of the modern world.

Dubrovnik, Croatia: A World Heritage site with a land tour of the city and its ancient medieval walls.

Istanbul, Turkey: Discover the beauty of the Sultan’s Topkapi Palace and marvel at the incredible Blue Mosque.

Seville, Cadiz, Spain: Southern Spain’s cultural centre must be visited for archaeological treasures and historical landmarks.

For a more intimate cruise, board one of Windstar Cruises’ tall-masted sailing vessels and explore the many wonders of unspoiled beauty and Mediterranean sea breezes throughout the Greek Islands.

Most cruise lines offer Mediterranean Sea cruises, including Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean.

Taking a Cruise with Kids: What to Expect...

Many families decide to take a cruise during their holidays. This is a very convenient way to see several locations. There is no need to worry about finding hotels, and guests have easy access to meals. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when travelling with kids.

First, it is important to find both a cruise and an itinerary that are kid-friendly. Larger vessels that travel on ocean cruises are better suited to children. Smaller vessels used for river cruises typically do not have any children’s’ facilities. Caribbean, Alaskan, and Mexican cruises generally offer the most activities and programmes for children.

One option is to consider a suite or connecting rooms when booking a cruise. This is an ideal option for older children who may appreciate some privacy. Most cabins have additional berths that can comfortably accommodate younger children. Parents may also wish to find out if a crib may be placed in the cabin.

Larger ships will have dedicated areas where children’s’ activities take place. Usually, the kids are divided up into different age groups to allow for more age-appropriate activities. These typically include crafts, games, and musical activities. Teenagers may have dedicated clubhouses of their own with video games, computers, and possibly discos. There are often special, supervised shore excursions available for kids.

An advantage to having access to children’s’ programmes is that some run until late at night, which is helpful if adults plan to attend a show. Group child minding for a small fee per child is also standard on most ships. This is often treated as a slumber party to make the experience more fun for the kids.

The Caribbean Mix – Cruise Holidays...

The great cultural diversity, tropical wonderlands, and beauty of the deep blue sea will always amaze travellers who choose Caribbean cruise holidays year after year because there are over 40 cruise ports in the Caribbean.

Choosing the right Caribbean cruise is almost as much fun as getting there. The weather is beautiful almost all year long and the different islands offer a background of diverse cultures in their everyday life.

The architecture, attitudes, customs and music are all coloured by the native tropical climate and physical landscape. While some island life is based on colonial standards, others are more influenced by the heritage of African slaves and native indigenous tribes.

Barbados is most closely associated with British colonialism. Carefully preserved, many island landmarks are a history lesson come to life. Antigua still feels the colonial influences, but there is a much more laid-back approach to life on this island.

Jamaica, on the other hand, is passionately self-sufficient and more closely influenced by post-colonial island life, where colourful Rastafarians blend seamlessly into a modern world with a few remaining staid British customs.

There are Dutch elements that flavour the lifestyle of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Aruba, although American influences are creeping into island life. Guadeloupe is the island of African and French influences with the emphasis on French customs and culture.

Nearby Puerto Rico is a hybrid of Spanish and American lifestyles with modern, teeming cities on the coastline and a simpler, more rural life in the interior. The Dominican Republic is almost the exact opposite; largely undeveloped, except for the city of Santa Domingo, it is a throwback to native tribal life.

Cruise holidays – how to stay in touch...

If you have decided to take advantage of cruise deals, you might then wonder how, or if, you can remain connected while you are away enjoying a holiday on the sea. 

Can you still chat to your friends and family using MSN or Yahoo messenger, update your friends on Facebook and email the latest photographs from the last exotic port of call?

You probably don’t want to use up valuable time when the ship has stopped at a port of call trying to find an internet connection, so having a connection while on board is critical.

Ships vary on the services provided for passengers but, generally, you can remain connected while on board the cruise ship.

If you have particular business, or personal, requirements then you might be advised to contact the cruise line to check available coverage, upload and download speeds, the times the internet is available and the cost of the transactions.

It is also worth noting that Facebook, and some other applications, are not available in particular countries, so you may want to check that out, too.

Many people like to take their own Wi-Fi-enabled computer to use, so if that is the case, you might want to check out whether Wi-Fi is available, the signal strength and where on the ship you can use it. It is possible that you may only be able to use it in certain public areas rather than in your own cabin.

With all of this knowledge, you will be able to make decisions and let your friends, family or business colleagues know about your availability.

Cruises – a great choice for your family holiday...

If your time is limited or you simply want to try shipboard life, why not consider taking a weekend getaway or short cruise?  Cruises are available for just a few hours, an overnight stay, for a weekend and longer.

Weekend cruises are an ideal, no-fuss way to escape normal day-to-day routine.  You simply board the ship, unpack your suitcase, just once, and relax while the captain and crew negotiate water to a new port of call.  

Weekend cruises depart from several key ports around the world.  If you want to maximise the time on board the ship, then choose a cruise that leaves from a port close to your home. 

Some cruise schedules allow for the ship to travel throughout the night, stopping at a new place in the morning for passengers to disembark and enjoy all the new port of call has to offer.   

As cruises are an all-inclusive holiday, budgeting for the trip is so much easier.  You make one main payment. 

Food is always fresh, varied and tasty.  One of the wonderful things about an all-inclusive holiday is that when you sit down to a meal, you don’t need to check out the price of the food.  If you feel like eating what is usually the most expensive thing on the menu, when on a ship, you can.  There is no need to worry about finishing the meal and having a huge bill to settle. 

After your short trip away, you can return home feeling rejuvenated.

Cruises to Northern Climes...

The word “cruise” may call to mind images of tropical seas or the coast of Mexico, but in fact, there are cruises that go to all regions of the world.  The Arctic is no exception, and when it comes to cruise holidays, 2011 is shaping up to be an excellent year for UK tourists.

Cruises to northern climes allow tourists to see Norwegian fjords at close range from large luxury vessels.  Smaller ships with hulls designed to navigate through icy waters can get even closer to natural features in the Arctic, including glaciers and ice floes where arctic wildlife such as polar bears can be found.  Common cruise itineraries take tourists around the coast of Norway toward Murmansk, which was once one of the most important port cities in the Soviet Union.  Other popular destinations include Baffin Island and the Islands of Svalbard, also known as the Svalbard Archipelago, which lies within 600 miles of the North Pole itself.

An even more adventurous route for cruise deals 2011 is a cruise across the Atlantic to Greenland.  Far-flung towns in this Danish possession welcome tourists from the ships that visit.  Some cruises are now even beginning to carve out a course that echoes the old idea of a “Northwest Passage,” a route through the Arctic that takes tourists north of both Canada and Alaska; few people can claim to have ever taken this route.

Cruise Holiday Deals for 2011: South America...

Travel can be challenging on the South American continent.  Roads between cities are not always in good repair, and in some cases, travellers will have to cross large expanses of desert where few services are available.  A better way to get around the continent and see major cities in different nations is to take a cruise.  Several major carriers are offering cruise holidays for 2011; this may be the best year yet to take a cruise around the continent of South America.

There are several popular routes.  One takes passengers down the west coast of the continent all the way to Santiago, the capital city of Chile.  Another cruise focuses on a route the winds around the Galapagos Islands where Charles Darwin made observations that eventually lead to his theory of evolution.  Another popular route is from Santiago to Buenos Aires; this voyage takes passengers around Cape Horn, the tip of South America. 

River cruises on the continent frequently trace the route of the Amazon, taking passengers over a thousand miles upstream to reach Manaus, the so-called “capital of the Amazon.”  Along the way, passengers can expect to stop at Belem, a port on the Amazon Delta, which is fully 150 miles wide.  Tourists on such a cruise can also enjoy brisk trading at Santarem, a swim in the Amazon, and many opportunities to explore the rainforest.  There is no limit to the available cruise holiday deals for 2011.