Posts Tagged ‘cruise’

Dead whale found pinned to Alaska cruise ship

Dead whale found pinned to Alaska cruise ship
A dead whale was discovered pinned to the bow of a luxury liner near Juneau, Alaska, the 3rd such incident involving the company’s Alaska fleet in a decade, officials said Thursday. Alaska – Cruise ship – Juneau Alaska – United States – National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

Read more on MSNBC

Cruise Secrets ? Getting the Best Price

Here at Inside Cruise we like to keep our members in the know with all the latest cruise advice. So here are some of our top insider tips to help you get the best deals when it comes to booking your next cruise.

1. Booking your Cruise

It may seem logical to book your cruise directly with the cruise line, but this isn’t always going to get you the best price. You may find a travel agent can offer a discounted price on the same cruise which means great savings for you. But don’t make the mistake of assuming you will get the best quote simply by walking into your high street agent, come on, you have to do a little work to save yourself some money! Which leads me to my next point…

2. Getting Quotes

Accepting the first price you are quoted wont always get you the best deal. The key is to get prices from a few different companies. Travel agents work hard to earn commission on each sale, and the more they have to discount for you, means less money for them. Again, this is where a little hard work now pays off later. It seems just about every travel agent promises to price beat, so, take advantage and hunt around for the lowest price. When you have it, why not go back to the most helpful agent, and see if they can beat it? It’s not always just the lowest price you’re looking for either, P&O, Princess, Cunard and Ocean Village for example will offer onboard credit to selected agents on different dates on many of their cruises.

3. Customer Loyalty

It’s sad but true; loyalty does not always pay off. You may have received a great deal on your last cruise and have gone back to your same agent expecting another. It is still important to be ringing around. As an existing customer, these travel agents know they already have your custom, they also know you are less likely to be ringing other companies for prices. Obviously, this isn’t always the case, some agents will genuinely reward their loyal customers, but it’s always worth checking.

4. Booking Onboard

We have all been there; 13 nights into your fortnight holiday, and it all feels like it’s over far too soon. And, if it’s been really good, all you can think about is when you can come back again. Well, good news – on many cruises you will be given the opportunity to rebook a cruise onboard with the purser or at the future cruise desk. They may be offering discounted prices, onboard spending money and lower deposits to secure your booking there and then. If you do rebook onboard, but feel discounts and onboard credit still isn’t enough, once you get home, why not check a few prices offered by travel agents? If they can offer a further discount, you may be able to get the booking transferred to them. The best part is, you still get to keep any benefits offered to you for booking onboard whilst taking advantage of the lower price.

5. Cruise Only

It is becoming increasingly popular to tailor make your own cruise holiday, this not only gives you the luxury of flexibility with your travel plans, but can be a more cost effective way to holiday.
It may be surprising to hear that when booking your cruise package (flights, hotel stays and transfers) with the cruise line, the flight can cost more than the cruise itself!
The idea is to get “cruise only”. This means you are just taking the cruise from the cruise line and will find alternative flights and hotels elsewhere. Your travel agent can then search around for you to find a suitable flight, transfer and hotel stay as required. This can save you a whole lot of money, and allow you to choose your preferred flight and hotel, too.
It isn’t always advisable to do this, particularly if it is your first cruise, or if you are going to a destination that you are unsure of, but for many popular cruise ports including Miami, New York, Barcelona and even Vancouver it is very easy to do yourself.
Importantly, by booking the flight through your travel agent, you will still be covered by their ATOL license which protects your travel plans, (something to check before booking) and, furthermore, they will be knowledgeable about transfer times and can book a flight that will get you to your destination in good time for your cruise.

6. Shore Excursions

My final tip is to do some research on the ports you will be visiting before you go. Yes, I’m afraid it involves a little work on your part, but its well worth doing.
It is easy to play it safe and go along with the sometimes pricy excursions offered by the cruise lines, and in many cases, an arranged excursion is a great, safe way to see places. However, often the destination is at the port, so you can explore yourself, or you may find it cheaper to hop in a taxi and head to places you really want to see and not the places the cruise lines want to take you. Also, be aware that if you pay for arranged excursions before you go, and they are cancelled, due to weather or a change in port of call on the itinerary, you may not be refunded.

Well there it is, enough inside information to make any travel agent squirm… So go out there, do a little work, and make sure you get the very best deal on your next cruise.

Experience the Difference With an Upscale World Cruise

If its glamour and luxury you want to combine in a cruise around the world, then you have the option of paying a little extra for an upscale world cruise. These cruises consist of many ports of call in as many as 27 countries on five continents of the world.

You can choose to cruise the coast of Africa and the Mediterranean, experience the culture of the Far East and relax in the ambiance of Hawaii, Australia, and the islands of Fiji all while experiencing sights that few people get to see. The aim of an upscale around the world cruise (http://www.amttravel.com/cruise-lines/5-star-world-cruises.html) is to make the cruising experience as glamorous and luxurious as possible.

Instead of having an overnight or day-long stay in a port of call, with an upscale world cruise you could spend several days or even a week in one location so that your get to experience everything this destination has to offer. In this manner you have ample time to explore the sights and attractions as well as immerse yourself in the culture.

How does a cruise that will take you to both Alaska and Hawaii sound to you? This is one of the unique around the world cruises (http://www.amttravel.com/cruise-lines/around-the-world-cruises.html) you can choose to take. In this manner you will get to see two different types of temperatures, which means you have to bring clothing for warm and cold climates. You can choose a cruise that departs from either Alaska or Hawaii or from a point in between at Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada.

Another unique upscale world cruise will take you to Australia and New Zealand so that you can experience the culture and attractions of the land down under. Some of these world cruises also include points in China, Thailand and other countries of Southeast Asia. Start your cruising vacation in Vancouver, B.C. and sail to the islands of the Caribbean and points in Mexico. You will sail through the Panama Canal and stop in the popular tourist vacation destinations.

There are also packages for an upscale world cruise that will take you to destinations within Europe. An example of this type of world cruise will depart from Holland, travel to London, England, Paris, France and destinations in Ireland, Wales and Belgium. The cruise will then continue down the Atlantic coast to destinations in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, giving you the experience of many different cultures rolled into one package.

Some of the upscale world cruises are quite long, spanning several months in duration. The longest upscale world cruise departs from San Francisco and visits the countries of Rarotango, the Cook Islands Mandang, Papua New Guinea,Vietnam, Kuala Lampur and back to Spain.

You then sail across the Atlantic ending the cruise in Fort Lauderdale, Florida so that you sail both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the South China Seas. It lasts for about 115 days and is very popular with those who want to escape the cold winter months by spending them sailing in warmer waters.

The cruise ships used for upscale world cruises are smaller, which makes for a more intimate vacation. The amenities on the ships are world-class with everything designed for your ultimate comfort. The gourmet meals are prepared by famous chefs from all over the world and the minute details are considered in planning your comforts in the spacious staterooms. The cruise ship is very similar to that of a five star hotel where you have everything you need at your fingertips combined with individual pampering and attention.

Princess Cruises Announces Details of 2011-2012 Asia Cruise and Cruisetour Season

Princess Cruises Announces Details of 2011-2012 Asia Cruise and Cruisetour Season
From Ancient Temples to Modern Skyscrapers This Land of Contrasts Offers an Array of Cruise Vacation Options

Read more on PRWeb via Yahoo! News

Cruise Bargains are a Great Way to See the World

There are plenty of cruise bargains and websites offering excellent cruise deals all year round. Outlined below are some of the great destinations with the best times to take a bargain cruise to some of the most wonderful places in the world. Discount cruises are a great way to see European cities of culture, the Alaskan wilderness, the remote Falklands, Cape Verde Islands or a selection of Caribbean islands. The choice is yours and the list is endless!

Mediterranean Cruise Bargains

Visiting the historic cities of Europe is a wonderful experience but it can be expensive. The roads are busy, hotels are expensive and packing and unpacking as you tour can be stressful. Discount cruises to the Mediterranean avoid all these problems as your ship carries you overnight from one wonderful city to the next while you relax, dine in style and get a good night’s sleep. Open the curtains on a new day and a new adventure, be it Venice, Corfu or Monte Carlo. Mediterranean cruises are most popular from May to September and the ships then relocate to the Caribbean for the winter sunshine.

Caribbean Cruise Deals

Last minute cruise bargains to the Caribbean are the best way to see this idyllic part of the world if you don’t have your own luxury yacht! Most cruises are based in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or San Juan on Puerto Rico with plenty of cheap flights available. There are many different Caribbean cruise deals so you never need repeat the same itinerary twice. From delightful Key West and the Bahamas to colourful Jamaica and the upmarket Cayman Islands there are many cruise ports to enjoy. Activities are equally diverse with snorkeling and diving trips, beaches, historic towns, waterfalls, rainforests, markets and historic homes which can all be enjoyed on shore excursions from your cruise ship.

Hawaiian Cruises

Get to see not one but all four main Hawaiian Islands in one holiday with a great cruise deal. 15-day cruises sail out of San Francisco, Ensendad in Mexico or Vancouver. Shorter cruises simply circumnavigate the main Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Big Island, Kauai and Maui. There are cruise bargains to be had at any time, as Hawaii enjoys tropical temperatures and sunshine all year round. Onboard entertainment will include Hawaiian theme nights. Trips ashore to attend a traditional luau will include grass-skirted dancers, drumming, fire knife dancing and floral leis will be distributed.

Norwegian Cruise Bargains

Cruise bargains up the Norwegian Fjords on mail boats are a wonderful way to discover this unspoilt region in the summer. Old ports such as Bergen have cobbled streets and quaint shops. Christmas cruises are offered by some companies and are truly magical with horse drawn sleigh rides, carols in historic wooden stave churches and fabulous smorgasbord meals making this a truly memorable trip.

Alaskan Cruises

Cruises to Alaska have a short season from May to September. It is almost impossible to find a bargain cruise in July and August to this popular destination but the shoulder months usually have some last-minute cruise deals. Prepare to see spectacular natural sights, glaciers, wildlife and remote communities as well as the Midnight Sun. September onwards is the best time to see the spectacular Aurora Borealis, colourful dancing lights in the night sky.

As you can see, almost every island and continent can be explored from a cruise and it does not have to cost the earth. Start searching for your cruise bargain today and make a start on your world travels!

Your Summer Cruise Options

Summer cruises remain the most popular with both singles and families who have had enough of going to the same vacation rentals year after year. The kids are out of school, and most people just enjoy taking their vacation time when the weather is fine. And there is no shortage of destination options to choose from. don’t be surprised if you spend many spare hours just trying to narrow down which of the cruises you want to take first.

Perhaps you would like to take a trip from San Diego to Baja Mexico. Looking for something a little cooler? How about a trip from Vancouver to Alaska. Done those? Maybe it’s time for something a little more unusual.

Look for the smaller cruise ship offerings, they offer great accommodations while also offering great destinations that are too small for the larger ships.  If you are looking in the area of the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas you will find a number of cruises that will take you to otherwise little-known destinations.  Many people like to explore the South of France, others choose better-known locals like Venice or Dubrovnik. But if you are looking for something really different, look for stops at little islands such as Cres and Hvar.

Want to know what it would have been like to be a Viking?  Consider a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords. These cruises tend to leave from Helsinki and on your trip you will see some ice flows as well as the rest of the scenery offered by Iceland and the Shetland Islands.

On one smaller cruise ship, you can completely take on the culture as well.  The ship, which holds only 245 passengers is manned by a Finnish crew that will surround you with the Nordic foods and even teach you their heritage dances.

If you have ever found your self looking longingly at the National Geographic shows about the wildlife in Iceland or Greenland, why not get away from the vacation rentals and  be in the midst of it? By taking a trip out of Reykjavik, Iceland or Svalbard, Greenland you will see this beautiful scenery and may well get to see the wildlife you’ve only seen on TV before such as caribou, lemmings, and polar bears.

If all this talk of cold destinations is doing you in, you may want to instead head south of the border.  You can take in some culture while you’re at it!  There are a number of Mexican cruises out there that in addition to offering you the sun and surf of the region, also will take you to locations of the Mayan Ruins so you can understand the history of this area.

There are a seemingly endless series of cruises available to locations such as Peru, Panama, and Belize, counties that are rich with history and scenery, from rainforests to pristine beaches, that you can experience. If you want to see the view from underwater, off the Belize Coast is one of the world’s best reefs for scuba diving and snorkeling.

If you are more of the European flair style of person, how about a voyage through the Azores. There are many cruises that will take you to the mid-Atlantic islands of Saõ Miguel, Portugal, and Ponta Delgada. If you want the natural experience, there are expeditions that will allow you to get up close to whales and dolphin. And at the end of the day, your floating hotel is waiting with a hot meal.

No matter what destination you consider, you should make sure to book early, many of these summer cruises sell out quickly, especially for the more lower priced accommodations.

Top Royal Caribbean International Cruise Destinations

Royal Caribbean International Cruise is another popular cruise company offering great packages for amazing cruise experiences. Apart from great services, you can expect excellent ship conditions and affordable prices for your perfect cruising holiday. There are many destinations where you can choose to spend your cruising holidays, but which are the top destinations that most people choose for their cruising holidays?

First of all, we have Alaska. You might think that no one wants to cruise in such a cold country, but you are wrong. Many people prefer to cruise in Alaska, starting from Vancouver all the way down to Icy Straight Point, Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Juneau and back to Vancouver in a period of seven days. You will be able to make foot trips to the cities where the ship is docked for a few hours before continuing the journey.

Then we have Australia in the list. This country down under is so popular all the time and the cruise makes its way from Sydney all the way to Melbourne, Burnie, Port Arthur and Hobart before heading back to Sydney. In Australia, you get to experience a totally different culture and learn the special Australian slang when you communicate with the locals. Of course this is not the only route available. In fact, you can choose different packages with different routes.

Bermuda is another popular location for cruising. You might have heard about missing ships in the Bermuda Triangle, but worry not when you choose the Bermuda cruise because you will be cruising from Norfolk or Baltimore to Kings Wharf and vice versa in five days. There will be no missing ships, and you can enjoy your cruise holiday just like any other cruise. Royal Caribbean International ensures the safety of all passengers on board.

Caribbean is not only popular for its beaches but also for cruising along Fort Lauderdale down to Belize City and back up to Costa Maya and Cozumel before reaching Fort Lauderdale again in seven days. I am sure this is perfect for those who are looking forward to having a sunny and warm holiday. However, you can also choose to have an eight-day cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten and St.Thomas.

Do not forget Europe as one of the top destinations. There are many cruises in Europe, and one of them starts at Italy going all the way to Croatia and Greece. There are also more pit stops on European cruises, so you get to go on shore to shop and experience the local cultures. Take photos as souvenirs and shop for local specialties before heading back to the ship on time for departure to another great city.

Panama Canal is definitely a must go cruise, that offers a ten-day cruise from Miami making its way to Haiti, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Grand Cayman. A longer cruise definitely means more excitement and experiences. Enjoy a nice, quiet holiday on board while having fun on shore. There is nothing more exciting than a cruise holiday with Royal Caribbean International.