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Holidaying and travel in the 21st century has numerous options not only when it comes to the destinations, but also the choices of when and how we explore the world. Cruising has always been amongst the most popular ways of visiting various destinations when on holidays, and has nowadays reached the ultimate dimensions. Cruising holidays are suitable for all kind of holidaymakers and the myth that they are only suitable for the more mature or retired people belongs to the past. Families with children enjoy all kinds of facilities aboard the gigantic vessels from playgrounds, climbing walls, sports facilities, carousels, shows as well as highly professional specialized Kids Clubs and Kids Zones, all ‘under one roof’. And, if you add the all inclusive option, you could not possibly think of a better value holiday for the whole family.

Romantic couples and honeymooners also enjoy cruising holidays as the modern cruise liners provide anything from chapels and wedding ceremonies to honeymoon suites, spas and the most special treatment to make your occasion very unique and special.

There are also several specialist cruises, such as cruises solely designed for younger people and younger families and these for example do not require formal wear for the evenings and have adapted itineraries and entertainment. On the other hand, cruising can also be considered for corporate events as many ships offer state-of-the-art conference rooms as well as meeting facilities, not to forget gyms and social facilities including bars or casinos.

Cruising holidays offer endless possibilities and itineraries to explore the whole world. Just imagine yourself on a voyage round the mysterious Nordic fjords or the lush Caribbean islands providing fantastic exotic scenery. Discover the magnificent European cities and picturesque ports around the Mediterranean. Spend the days relaxing on the beaches of St Lucia, Barbados or Cuba or enjoy cultural excursions to cities like Venice, Istanbul, St Petersburg or Athens, and many others. Choose a long cruise taking you right round the Far Eastern Countries to Australia and Latin America. All of these itineraries will offer the most fantastic sights and unforgettable lifetime memories.

When on board of the ship, soak up the sun on the private deck of your luxury cabin whilst sipping your favourite cocktail, watch the variety and Broadway style shows, enjoy duty free shopping in the numerous malls, join in the fitness classes, swim in the pool, relax in the comfort of your accommodation and in the morning wake up in another magnificent port…

If you still have not decided if cruising is the best holiday option for you, the following points might help you decide with your choice:

- On cruising holidays you will not need to worry about any changes or connection times as everything will be taken care of for you from the moment you step on board of the vessel to the end of your stay

- You will visit plenty of destinations and resorts in different countries within a relatively short span of time

- Everything is at your disposal to use and enjoy whilst on board of the ship from fitness centres to shops, bars, restaurants, show rooms, swimming pools, casinos, deck promenades, spas, sporting facilities, to name but a few

- You will have the most fabulous all inclusive dining experience from sushi bars to French, Italian, Chinese and the most exotic cuisines you can imagine, not forgetting the most delicious seafood specialities. You will enjoy superb quality food, drink and bespoke service.

- If you are travelling with kids, they will be in their element when you take them to the professionally run Kids’ Clubs organizing the most imaginative activities and shows. This will also give them a chance to meet a lot of new friends.

- You will have access to hundreds of excursions with the most experienced tour guides, enabling you to get cultural insight into the visited destinations

- Cruising holidays can be a very economical and good value of going on a family holiday as everything is usually included. They can also be booked at the last minute and offer some excellent bargains.

- And finally…. Just think of all the wonderful views of the open sea and the ports you can get from the top decks of one of the many magnificent vessels

If we helped you make your decision, at packyourbags.com we will be happy to turn your holiday dream into reality. Simply call us and we will advise on the best cruise options, season and itinerary choices at the best available prices.

Boy voyage!

If you’ve never experienced a cruise holiday getaway, it is a little different than many other methods of travel, so here are some of the things you can expect from this trip:

The ship is bigger than you think

In the past when people went on cruise vacations, the vessels they took were often called floating hotels, but they are even bigger these days. You will not feel like you are on aboard just a transport to a travel destination, but you will feel like you are in a floating city that will be taking you to foreign lands.

Thinking of going for a holiday in a traveling city may seem nice up front, but it may also be a little stressful if you start to get lost in all the mazes of corridors and walkways that are inside these ships. Relax. It’s not like you’re going to take a wrong turn and not make it to your travel destination! You’re ship is going the right way to a new land whether you’re lost or not! Think of all the things the ship has to offer as part of the adventure and enjoy getting to know the ins and outs. You may even find some features about the ship that you will enjoy taking advantage of such as gyms, theaters, or spa areas.

Be comfortable

Remember this is your floating home. You should enjoy all of your stay. If you had a long flight to get to the dock and are tired once you get onboard and ready to go, find your cabin first. You can take a nap, then wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy your holiday. Remember, this is your time to relax and have fun. You’re not going to have fun if you are still stressed out from traveling to get to the ship. One thing to keep in mind is that your luggage will not make it to your room for a few hours after you’ve been onboard. If you are going to want a change of clothes or need any toiletries when you head to the room, you may want to carry those onto the ship with you.

Finding Your Room

When you get onboard you will already know your cabin number, and you should have a map of the ship, but that doesn’t mean you will get your bearings right away. If you are not sure where your cabin is, look for a crewmember. They know the ship like the back of their hands and will be able to quickly and easily point you in the right direction.

Think Compact

Unless you have spent hundreds or thousands of extra dollars on one of the suites aboard the ship, your room will be small. This is not to say it will not have all the amenities you need. You will be amazed at how well they compact everything to fit into one cabin.

You will be given some sort of dining assignment, and often a ship card that is often a key to your cabin and can also be used for credit on board. The dining setup is not set in stone, so if you would like to change your dinner time or table location, ask nicely, and likely it will all be taken care of.

If you have never been on a cruise holiday before, then there are a few points worth mentioning concerning what you can expect, and what you should be prepared for. There are routines and requirements which you’ll find on a cruise ship which you won’t experience anywhere else, and it can catch the unwary travelers on the wrong foot if they haven’t had the experience before.

The first thing to consider is the clothes to pack. Obviously, this will depend greatly on the type of cruise and the planned destinations. Usually, they are themed and fairly similar in climate, but it is possible that during the course of your cruise you’ll visit countries which have different climates, and being prepared for such unexpectednesses will be of a great benefit. Going from a hot Mediterranean climate to a chillier autumnal climate should be well-planned in advance.

Another factor to bear in mind is that you will need at least one very smart, formal outfit. Professional portrait photographs are always taken of every guest, and the dinner will require formal wear. Be very aware that shorts, skirts, tank tops and swim wear will not be allowed in the dining areas, and so you will need clothes and outfits that you can wear for these occasions.

One more moment to mention is that your suitcase will be taken from you at the port, and will be delivered to your cabin. However, this is sometimes not for several hours after you have arrived at your cabin yourself, and in some rare cases can even be on the next day. In a few exceptional instances it has even been a matter of several days before suitcase and cruiser have been reunited. For this reason, it is essential that you have a carryon hand luggage bag which will contain important items that will allow you to continue enjoying your cruise whilst you wait for your main luggage.

Your essential items, medications, money, sunglasses, a change of clothes and other important items should be kept with you. Cameras and video cameras might be considered safer with you, and you can enjoy taking photos of each other before you have transformed into lobsters.

As far as your luggage is concerned, be aware that suitcases are often stacked whilst being transported to and from the cruise ship – sometimes as much as a dozen suitcases high. In this case, you want your suitcase to be able to withstand this pressure, and a hard case will be of great benefit. These hard cases are often made of either the same material that car bumpers are made from, or in the case of the more expensive ones, the same material that crash helmets are made from. In any of these cases, your case will be much better protected than a soft, flexible material one that will crush under pressure.

You will be provided with tags by the cruise line, and you would be well advised to make sure they are securely attached to your luggage to ensure their speedy return to you. Packing a spare bag is also worth considering, because, almost certainly, you will return at the end of the cruise with far more artifacts than you left with, and unless you intend tipping your clothes into the sea to make room, you’ll need to have something safe to stow them.

Repositioning cruises are not a new phenomenon, they‘re just the best kept secret in the cruising industry.  Just like migrating birds, many cruise ships leave for warmer climates in the Autumn and return in the Spring.  Some sail south to the Southern Hemisphere for the winter months and then sail back to the Northern Hemisphere for the summer months, while other cruise ships sail cross the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans to “reposition” themselves in warmer weather.  Just like most vacationers, these fleets of ships are seeking seasons in the sun.

These specific one-way cruise holidays are offered at incredible discounts to attract new and seasoned cruise lovers alike.  No cruise line wants to ever have the expense of moving a huge ship across hundreds or thousands of miles of ocean without having any paying cruise passengers onboard.  This is an opportunity for vacationers to get a luxury dream cruise for a bargain basement price.

A repositioning cruise is not a stripped down version of a luxury cruise.  It is a luxury cruise!  All passengers enjoy the same meals, the same entertainment, and have the same onboard privileges.  And your deeply discounted ticket, sometimes costing as low as fifty dollars per day, entitles you to everything that is usually included in a luxury cruise.  

The main difference between a standard cruise and a repositioning cruise is that the latter is longer, usually lasting from two to four weeks, with more time spent at sea and fewer, or possibly no ports of call.  This means more relaxing days at sea and a less hectic itinerary. 

And on certain repositioning cruises some ships will drop anchor in very unique ports of call that are usually reserved for very expensive world cruise itineraries.

Usually these repositioning cruises take place in the months of September and October, and in March and April.  Some of the destinations in the Winter are Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America including the Panama Canal, and Asia.  The destinations in the Summer are Alaska, Canada and New England, and Europe and the Mediterranean.

Depending on the season, vacationers can sail to or from Europe and North America; Alaska and British Columbia, and the United States southwest coast including destinations in Mexico; the East coast of Canada and northern United States, and a number of southern U.S. as well Caribbean destinations.  Some repositioning cruises sail to and from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

There are a few important things that you should consider if you want to go on a repositioning cruise.  First is booking an “open jaw” flight where you fly to the departure port of call and then fly home from the cruise ship’s destination port.  These air flights can be pricey compared to the usual return airfares that most travelers are familiar with.  Sometimes it is possible to book your flight through the cruise line, but not always.  Even with the usual extra cost for an open jaw ticket over a regular airline return ticket, a repositioning cruise is still an incredible value for your travel dollar.  However, if you are fortunate to live close by, or within driving distance of your departure port, then you would only have to book a one-way air flight back to your departure port and then drive back home.

If you think you would enjoy a long, relaxing, luxury cruise then you‘ll love a repositioning cruise which usually is not filled to capacity with passengers and spends more time at sea. 

P.S.  Don’t forget your camera and a wardrobe to reflect the possible weather conditions on your cruise. 

Caribbean cruise vacation is the ultimate deal and if you have not tried it, now is the time to be treated like royalty while you spend times on the idyllic tropical islands. There is no vacation that offers more and since there are numerous packages to choose, spends time selecting it. The trip can be made with your family, by yourself or your partner. Irrespective of whom you go with, there is lot of activities to while away your time.

Caribbean cruise holiday is a combination of amazing entertainment, wonderful activities and an opportunity to visit the idyllic Caribbean. Cruising can be for extended period and it is up to your budget, choice of locations and preferences. Give yourself the opportunity to experience the vacation of a lifetime.

Cruising has become widespread and cruise liner has grown considerably but each vacationer has diverse need so there are many different packages for each and a holiday is a time for unwinding, enjoyment and revitalization. Cruise liners are aware of it and have different packages to cater for diverse crowds so the vacation can meet their needs of a dream holiday.

There is a right fit for every vacationer and the right programs, meal and entertainment are designed to cater to them. Go to your nearest travel agent to find the right cruise package and always covey your requirements so that he/she can suggest the ideal vacation. Before making the trip, it is wise to find out more so as to select the right package. Comments and reviews can be found online but a check with your local travel agent is advisable.

As the Caribbean cruises travel to most parts of the Caribbean, with different price package for each itinerary together with the duration and the number of places visited. Caribbean cruise holiday usually range from three, five, seven and could be up to ten days. Seven days are the choice pick as you will have enough time to unwind and reinvigorate as well as exploring the islands.

You can begin by slowly marking out those cruise liners not suitable for you and choosing the right Caribbean cruise package, for instant, if you are getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life to unwind and recharge yourself so eliminate those that promise party carnival. But your ideal vacation is partying by the beach or the deck pool and even in disco, and then chooses one with plenty of such activities.

Booking a Caribbean cruise vacation during the peak period must be done ahead although there are plenty of cruise liners, getting your choice package may not be possible. Go to your nearest travel agent for the best deal and even discounts but you can go online of the cruise liner official website and some may have instant access to assistance to select the best packages.

Preparation of a Caribbean cruise vacation requires a lot of thoughts and a passport is required. Included is the need to consider various parts of your itinerary such as airline bookings as well as lodgings plus the booking of your cruise trip. Various other considerations have to be taken into account such as reserving of special occasion onboard the vessel. It can be for anniversary and they have available items and packages to enrich your trip.

Besides the usual, you need to pack suitable attire for formal evening, fun on the beaches as well as deck pool. For formal evening, gown is necessary for women and tuxedo for men so that you can be seen in your finest. Other Caribbean cruise may offer formal night and you need to be prepared for it. Give yourself sufficient time to pack, keeping in mind the diverse programs arrange for you.

Even if you intend to bring along your children on a Caribbean cruise holiday, there are plenty of programs to occupy them and they will not have a dull moment. Different types of activities are planned for them so that you can spend the time to do what you like. There are trained staffs to look after them so you can put your mind at ease while you are enjoying and relaxing with your spouse.

For couples, you can take a romantic Caribbean cruise vacation and you will have the holiday you look forward to. Moments spend watching the sunsets and sun shines will enthrall you as there is no place better that a tropical dreamland to share your romantic adventures.

On the other hand, you can take along your whole clan, for instant uncles, grandma, etc. With the plethora of activities, everyone will be entertained and relax. Plenty of movies, music plus entertainment, deck full of meals and fine dining; and programs to cater to diverse needs. A Caribbean cruise holiday is the ideal one for family as no one will be left out of the planning.

With possibly everyone look after and all activities to cater to different crowds, be it entertainment or meal, there is no better vacation than the Caribbean cruise holiday. Plan ahead and arm yourself with all the necessary information so that you cruise holiday will indeed be the best you have encounter.