Wedding Cruises - How to Plan for a Glitch Free Event at Sea

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By Mae M.

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Planning for the purpose of wedding ceremony is one important aspect in your life you should not ever neglect. Your personal day has to be very romantic and as far as possible, distinct. One interesting way to commemorate this day might be on board a cruise liner. Gurus provide their help and advice and share wedding cruises tips.

You can decide on several different wedding event bundles and also venues. You might opt for a plain wedding, a conventional one or maybe if you have the money, a luxurious one. If you are the daring kind, you could include some fun functions to your wedding reception guests as well as party members.

You could have the alternative to place your own wedding ceremony inside the shipboard chapel or maybe on one of your port of call. You may also have it around the lounge, boardroom or the ship's library. If you choose to have it on one port of call, it is possible to plan the wedding ceremony in an exceptional Caribbean lawn or maybe in a beautiful shore during sunset.

If you find wedding cruises hard to arrange, you could contract in-house wedding directors to accomplish it. They're going to take care of the menu, cake, tunes, flowers as well as the ceremony. Oftentimes, they even help you get a wedding license or even create the wedding invitations. They even work with added services for instance massage appointments and even tuxedo rentals.

However, not all cruise companies allow wedding cruises. Cruise lines tend to be limited legitimately by the ship's country of registry. Quite a few of those that enable a wedding ceremony on board consist of Princess Cruises actually registered in Bermuda as well as Celebrity and Azamara Cruises that happen to be both registered in The island of Malta. Despite the fact that Disney Cruise Lines make it possible for a wedding ceremony on board their particular cruise ship, you will have to manage all the paper works and also lawful marriage just before the particular cruise ship set sail.

Most expensive cruise lines just like Cunard and Crystal Cruises usually do not accommodate wedding cruises. Some luxury, expensive cruise providers might allow however it has to be a do-it-yourself event. Always remember the fact that certainly not all cruise lines charges at no cost. Royal Caribbean as well as Carnival charges a certain price for specific periods of the entire year.

Bookacruiseship.com is a blog dedicated to writing about cruising experiences. Visit us if you want to find out more about cruising guidelines especially for first time cruisers, cruise planning tips for the best cruise deals, world cruise and cruise ship reviews. We invite every cruise enthusiasts to share their own stories on cruising, your cruise ship reviews as well as your tips and suggestions on cruising. Just visit http://bookacruiseship.com/submit-your-articles.

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Watch Your Worries Drift Away

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Caribbean Cruises

By Arlo Weaver

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It can be hard to find time to relax even when you aren't stuck at the office. You work hard all day long and even if you don't have to take some of it home with you there are still a hundred other things you are going to have to deal with. Bills pile up. The house needs to be cleaned. You have to worry about your family and everyone else in your life. When are you going to get a break?

Usually this reprieve comes when it is time for a vacation. But planning your getaway can cause a whole new pile of stresses. You have to plan where you are going, how you are going to get there, where you are staying, and on and on. It can feel like a job in and of itself.

That is never the case, however, when you make your getaway a Caribbean cruise vacation. On a cruise it is all laid out for you so you can focus on what is important, relaxing. There is no worry about how you are going to get around and where you are going to stay because your transportation IS your accommodations!

There are all kinds of different Caribbean cruise packages that will satisfy people with a myriad of tastes and preferences. The important thing is that they all focus on taking it easy and letting you enjoy your valuable time off. Here are a few examples of Caribbean cruises that will give you some much needed time to relax.
Western Caribbean

Celebrity Cruises offers a relatively short and affordable 5-night cruise aboard the Celebrity Century. You will start your vacation leaving from Miami, Florida. Show up a couple days early to spend some time admiring the historic art deco architecture in South Beach.

Once you hit the high seas your first stop will be in the northern Jamaican town of Ocho Rios. Though once a fishing village this town now primarily caters to tourists. It has a wide variety of fine restaurants and nightclubs. There is even a place called Dolphin Cove where you can literally swim with the dolphins!

The next stop is Grand Cayman, largest of the Cayman Islands. The great thing about Grand Cayman is the variety. Stick to the west side of the island if you prefer the comforts of home with fast food restaurants and plenty of tourist amenities. If you are feeling adventurous, however, you can check out the eastern district restaurants that specialize in native Cayman Islands cuisine.

Even on just this five-day trip, you are sure to return suntanned and relaxed!

Eastern Caribbean

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers a slightly longer 7-night cruise of the Eastern Caribbean on their ship the Norwegian Pearl. You will leave from Miami with your first stop in Samana before heading to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

When you are crossing the street in St. Thomas, be extra careful. This is the only place under U.S. jurisdiction where the rule of law is to drive on the left side of the road! If you can make it across the street try and check out the Magen's Bay Arboretum. It has many exotic and rare plants including some that can only be found on St. John's.

After that it is off to Tortola, largest of the British Virgin Islands. Surfers flock to popular swells like Cane Garden Bay and Apple Bay. Get out there and catch a wave or just sit on the beach and take in some sun.

Great Stirrup Cay and its crystal clear 80-degree waters are your last stop before returning, chilled out and feeling great, to the city of Miami.
Southern Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has a great 7-night cruise of the Southern Caribbean on board the Serenade of the Seas. You will set sail from beautiful and historic San Juan, Puerto Rico. Get there a few days in advance so you can take some time to wander around the maze-like streets of Old San Juan.

Once everyone is on board you will head to Bridgetown and then to Castries, capital city of Saint Lucia. There are lots of historic landmarks in Castries to explore. These include the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Derek Walcott Square, and Fort Charlotte, located on the top of Morne Fortune hill.

This cruise ports in St. John's before heading on to Philipsburg in the Netherlands Antilles. One unusual attraction in Philipsburg is the short runway of the airport, located just by the beach. Planes have to fly unusually low (30-60 feet) over nearby Maho Beach to land. The jet blast from departing aircrafts actually causes artificial waves that are a hit with visiting and local windsurfers!

This cruise winds down in St. Croix before heading back to San Juan. You'll have had so much fun you won't be ready to go home!

If you feel like the stress of your days is finally getting to you. If you are looking for a trip that can please the whole family and allow you to just kick back and relax. Don't hesitate. Book your Caribbean cruise vacation today.

Arlo Weaver is a freelance writer who writes about travel and leisure topics and options such as cruise vacations.

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Cruises to the Bahamas Discovered

By Matthew Anton

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Going straight to the Bahamas

One of the great destinations for the cruise ship holiday is to the Bahamas. The very rich have created some private islands for their leisure time but even ordinary people can enjoy this unique experience if they make the right selections in terms of the tour agents and the providers. The trip is meant to emphasize fun and commitment to high end holidays. The temperatures are spectacularly high and they fall at mainly eighty degrees throughout the year. You will land in the Nassau and Freeport. There are plenty of cruises to the Bahamas of various lengths. You can even go for the extended Caribbean cruise. Some people end up selecting the private stops as part of their itinerary.

There are certain highlights that should not be missed on any cruise ship holiday. For example Nassau is one of those areas that are just geared up for some great advantages to the passengers. It combines a West African theme with a Western outlook. It is especially geared up for families that want to spend some quality time together. There some companies that have been rated very highly for this sort of trip. They include the Explorer of the Seals, the Carnival Miracle, the Carnival Conquest and the Carnival Glory. You can also go for the Celebrity Mercury. The Carnival Pride and the Carnival Imagination are also highly rated by the experts in this sort of thing. For a grander feel you can go for the Majesty of the Seas or the Monarch of the Seas. Finally we have the Carnival Sensation.

There is a cruise ship forum for the Bahamas and it involves the different elements that can appeal to the customer segments. For example you are given the option of different cruise styles as well as a selection of items of cruise food. There are discussions about the provision for people that are disabled. There is also some reference to the expedition cruises and the family provision in them. If you are one of the people that like recreational activities and fitness programs then the cruise ship holiday will not leave you behind. There is the issue of sexual minorities and the cruise ship holiday industry has worked to ensure that they are included within the customer profile. Unfortunately some of the jurisdictions are still held back in the dark ages. You can explore the themed cruises for various groups or the provision for single people.

The provision for single people has been a thorny issue for a long time. There is so much loneliness for such people and some of the providers have not been able to meet their needs adequately. That is why some of the cruises to the Bahamas are taking up the mantra and trying to come up with ways of exploring this market segment. Single people have the capacity to enjoy the cruise but they need some support and encouragement from the people that are organizing them or else they will remain in the minority.

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Top Tips For Planning a Holiday Cruise

By Paul J Jones

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Planning and booking a cruise can be a daunting experience, especially if it is your first time going on one. Whether you are organising your cruise through a travel agency or directly with a cruise line, here are some tips to make the trip an enjoyable one.

The first thing you have to decide is who is going on the cruise. Most cruises are family friendly and will accommodate everyone from toddlers to grandparents, but if you don't have children or don't particularly want to be around them while on holiday, there are cruises that are adult-only. Some cruises will have a dress code, particularly for dinner services, so take this into consideration too. More information about this will be available through your travel agent or cruise line.

You'll then have to decide on a budget. Generally all food and non-alcoholic beverages will be included in the booking price, but many ships will charge extra for specialist dining, casinos and additional shopping. You can save money by booking more than 2 people per cabin or by taking advantage of last minute and advance purchase offers. Cabin selection is normally a function of how much you want to spend and many cruisers will try to book cheaper rooms to free up cash for shore excursions or shopping.

Like most of the travel industry, holiday cruise prices are affected by the seasons, being more affordable in the spring or autumn. This is because children will be in school and the weather can sometimes be unpredictable. If you are travelling without children and don't mind the odd spell of bad weather, this is a good time to get a great price on a holiday cruise. Some cruises, such as ones crossing the Norwegian fjords or the Baltic Sea, have limited seasons, roughly mid-May to mid-September. Tropical destinations will be available all year long, although the amount of rainfall will vary.

The next thing you have to take into account is how long your holiday is going to be. The longer the holiday, the more options you have for cruise destinations. Shorter cruises from Britain are available for Scandinavian destinations, Dublin, Amsterdam or Hamburg. Longer cruises popular with Britons include Caribbean and South American destinations.

The most critical point is where you want to go on a holiday cruise. This is often the most difficult decision for travellers. Remember that over three-quarters of the planet are covered by water, meaning you can reach each of the four continents and a great many countries on a cruise. Your choice of destination will of course be dependent on external factors dealt with previously, but remember that cruises are a relaxing and rewarding way to travel and there are many destinations to suit any budget or time period.

Going on a cruise offers a wide range of recreational activities, which will depend on your destination, and size of ship. Larger ships can offer gyms, spas, climbing walls and more, but there's obviously the option of sitting on the sun deck and taking in the view. Scuba diving and other water sports can also be an option. Once you dock at destinations, cruises can offer port excursions to see historical and cultural sites, including museums and galleries. Your cruise line will provide a list of shore activities available to you before you book, often cheaper if you book before departure.

When arranging travel to your departure port, remember that many hotels offer long and short term hotel parking offers near international ports and docks, many with overnight accommodation, which can be a relief for early departure times.

Bearing all this in mind should help you make an informed decision to book the right holiday cruise for you and your party that will leave you with experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

Paul Jones is an avid model enthusiast and has been involved with model assembly, design and painting for over 20 years.

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Royal Caribbean Cruises Better For Late Risers

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By Ian Gilder

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Royal Caribbean Cruise lines are rolling out a new service that will benefit passengers on the day they disembark to return home, this will be of special benefit for travellers that have later flights.

Those familiar with being wrenched awake far too early only to have disembark their cruise holidays before spending hours waiting for flights, need no longer despair after Royal Caribbean cruise lines revealed that they are to roll out their Late Departure scheme across Europe.

Tested successfully before on the firms 'Brilliance of the Seas' and 'Splendour of the Seas' ships in the summer of 2009 the programme offers individuals access to the liner up until 90minutes before it is due to depart. Costing an additional $35 per adult and $17.50 per child whilst not being able to remain in cabins the liners services such as spa, fitness centre and some restaurants stay open, allowing for people to prepare to leave at their own pace rather than ending up in an airport waiting lounge several hours early.

The move by Royal Caribbean will be of particular benefit to many in the UK who utilise cheap flights to connect to liners already out in the Mediterranean. However, with late night flights commonplace, British returns passengers often have to spend the whole day staggering around with luggage in the heat and waiting for travel connections to go home. It will also likely prove beneficial for Royal Caribbean, one of the only cruise lines offering such a facility, by offering an attractive programme that allows late risers an extra lie in and less stress on the final day of their holiday.

Jetline Cruise are fully bonded agents for all major cruise lines, Our area of expertise is offering discounted cruise deals and cruise holidays, as the saying goes we sell cruise holidays cheaply not cheap cruise holidays.

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7 Top Things to Consider When Choosing Among Caribbean Cruises Packages

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By Caroline Hawthorn

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Taking one of many Caribbean cruises could be an enchanting opportunity to spend days filled with fun activities, exquisite dining and endless entertainment for all sorts of travelers, old and young, relaxed and full of energy. Rest assured that cruise travel can satisfy even the most demanding travel connoisseur if you know how to choose the best cruise package to meet your needs.

Listed below you will find some important tips to consider and discuss with your travel agent before embarking on one of the Caribbean cruises.

1. Cost of Caribbean Cruises is the highest in the spring and summer, however if you are a traveler on a budget, consider cheap Caribbean cruises during the off season, or if you are a risk taker, get the best bargain for a cruise during a hurricane season. Talk to your travel agent about what is included and what is not to avoid as many hidden fees as possible.

2. Picking the size of the ship is another important factor to consider. The general rule for picking the ship for your cruise travel is the larger the ship the more amenities it's going to offer to its travelers. Some mega-sized modern cruise ships can hold up to 5,000 people on board making them literally floating entertainment centers. Travelers can choose from giant water slides to huge swimming pools, walls for rock climbing and even skating rinks. Statistically speaking, first time cruise takers tend to choose larger ships, while seasoned cruisers will opt for smaller ships traveling to more unique destinations. The choice is all yours.

3. Caribbean cruises itineraries are carefully planned to include seeing three or at times five islands within the average 7 day cruise travel period. Each Caribbean island has its unique geographic and historical significance. Choose among three major Caribbean cruises destinations, Southern, Eastern and Western. Shorter itineraries of less than a week are also offered and usually include Bahamas and Key West, Florida Sea ports.

4. Choosing your cabin in advance is one of the most important decisions to make before setting on your cruise vacation. There are four general types of rooms you can choose from, namely, inside and outside cabins, balcony and suite. Interior cabins are usually smaller settings without windows and tend to be the least expensive cabin choices on the ship. Outside cabins will boast a window to enjoy the ocean view, however be aware that some windows are partially obstructed and might not offer the best possible viewing options.

A balcony cabin will have full length sliding doors to take you to a small veranda overlooking the ocean with a small table and two chairs. This type of arrangements costs considerably more compared to the interior and outside cabins. Suite cabin is a choice of luxury and lavish travel with roomy quarters, balcony, private sun deck, a Jacuzzi tub or even a butler at your services if requested.

5. Dining options are multiple to choose from and offer a plethora of fine dining experiences. Choose between early or later dinner services or indulge at a buffet station at any time during the night. Discuss if in room service dining options are going to add to your cruise cost.

6. Time spent in the ports and days of cruise travel at sea are also important factors to discuss with your booking travel agent. Keep in mind that Sunday is usually an off day for many shopping and sightseeing adventures at many Caribbean Sea ports.

7. If you have a family member with physical limitations or in a wheelchair, it's important to discuss these matter with your travel agent at the time you book your travel package to ensure that the ship is equipped with special ramps and safety features necessary to accommodate persons with disabilities. In addition, certain Caribbean Sea ports do not have facilities for the ships to dock forcing them to anchor offshore and creating difficulties to transport individuals in wheelchairs by small boats.

Follow these tips to get the most of your Caribbean cruises adventures and match your needs and needs of your family.

Caroline Hawthorn is one of the fellow contributors of the travel blog at http://www.TravelInformation123.com.

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Cruise Entertainment and Dining Activities

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By Farrukh Baig

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Entertainment activities.

Cruise ship offer different types of entertainment activities like dancing, bingo, art auctions, lectures, pool and deck games, cooking classes, casinos, wine testing, special children's activities, production shows, pool side entertainment, shopping, internet, quiz's games, library, bands playing, cards, cinemas and discos. With these kind of activities to do it is very unlikely to get bored on a cruise trip. Cruise liners provide there daily program list. So be sure to get this list every day. The cruise director led the entertainment staff and organizes all the events.

Dining activities.

On cruise trip you will find yourself spending more time eating than doing anything else. Food is one of the main stars of any cruise trip. In majority of cruise trip meals will be included in your fare with the opportunities to eat all day; early breakfast, full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and midnight buffet. The quality of food will be reflected in the cruises ratings. Some cruise lines still assign all passengers to a table and a meal time in a main dining room, but traditional cruise dining no longer exists so your diner can be served near by pool. Some economical level cruise will prepared frozen meals and luxury cruises will off freshly cooked food.

Extra costs.

The cruise fare include meals and entertainment cost. Your cruise trip cost increase with the cost of alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, cabin telephone calls, casino, photographs, shopping, gift ships, tips and shore extensions. Due to competitive cruise pricing, the cruise liners have implemented different ways to increase there income. Some cruise liners have increased the facilities to get extra money. Here are some tips to save money. Like lot of shore excursions, increase the cost of trip, try to upgrading to cruise that includes these outings in the fare. Shore excursions on-board cost more then quayside excursions. Use email facilities then phone. Look for special offers of cruise liners, it will save money.

Medical facilities.

Majority cruise ships consist of medical facilities and a licensed doctor on-board. The medical center should be able to treat, evaluate and provide reasonable emergency medical care for passengers. The on-board doctor is available for 24 hours. For serious problem there are procedures.

Safety concerns.

For passenger safety there are large number of rules and regulations. Regular inspections are carried out by the cruise liner staff. Cruise ships are built and operate under international rules known as safety of life at sea (solas). This requires the ships to have lifeboats and lifebelts for all passengers and crew and on most cases smoke detectors, sprinklers and low-level emergency lighting for escape routes. Cruise within 24 hours on-board, you will be asked to participate in a safety drill.

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