Archive for September, 2008
By: Brian Jenkins
Cruise ships have long understood the importance of making the trip as much fun as the destination. While each cruise line offers their own unique blend of amenities and activities, and some ships are more geared toward families and others toward singles, all cruise lines provide a wide range of entertainment and activities to keep you as busy as you want to be during the cruise.
For those who consider vacation to be a time to relax, a cruise presents no pressure. Although you will be surrounded by a wide variety of choices in activity, if you want to stay in your room and nap, or lounge by the pool, that is fine as well. No one will pressure you to join in the fun. You can be as active or as passive as you want while on a cruise.
Activities for the Kids
Cruises have traditionally been thought of as the domain of honeymooners and retirees. Various cruise lines have gotten on board and realized that families make a great market for cruises as well. For parents, cruise ships can make a great vacation choice because mom and dad can have time to do what they want, while their children are entertained and having fun. This eliminates any guilt that the parents may feel about leaving junior with a babysitter.
Cruise ships that cater to families often have “camp” programs. These programs allow you to drop off and pick up your children. While they are at camp, they can play games, swim, make crafts or kick back in an arcade.
Educational Opportunities
Educational opportunities abound for those that want to participate in them. The educational opportunities can include everything from wine tasting classes to a behind the scenes look at how the boat operates. Cooking classes and history lesson of the destination are also common activities.
Relaxation Activities
Most cruise ships offer some level of spa services. These can range from massages to facials, to exotic treatments derived from the areas that you will be visiting. A visit to the spa is often worthwhile, and a fun way to end a busy day in port.
Fun and Games
Perhaps what cruise ships are best known for is the fun and games atmosphere on board. Gambling is a popular on board activity, with many ships having casinos. Many ships also have their own versions of game shows, picking volunteers out of the audience to play in front of their shipmates. Poolside, there are often awards given out for things such as the most impressive dive. The atmosphere on cruise ships is often that anything can be a game if approached in the right way.
What is Right for You?
With many cruise lines available, and the various ships and tours within each line, it can be hard to narrow down your choices. The best way to decide what cruise is right for you is to decide what is important to you, make a list, and prioritize that list. Then contact a local travel agent and share your desires. A well-trained travel agent is familiar enough with the services offered that they will be able to pair you with a cruise that will meet your expectations.
Some of the things to consider when deciding on a cruise:
- What area do I want to visit?
- What types of activities do I want to do in port?
- Would I rather spend more time on the boat, or exploring port islands?
- Do I want to be around lots of families, retirees or singles?
- Do I want to dress up every evening, or at all, for dinner?
Once you have found several tours that meet your expectations you can narrow down your choices by choosing a tour that offers classes that sound interesting, sports opportunities that sound fun or stops that are appealing to you. Another thing to keep in mind is that many cruises have a goal. If you want to lose weight, meet a significant other, or have another goal, ask the travel agent if there are any cruises that cater to your interest.
With the wide variety of tours available, you are certain to find a cruise that interests you. However, even with the large number of cruises to choose from, it is likely that you will have to make some compromises in the search for a cruise. Only you can decide what items are worth compromising on, but destinations and ports are two that may seem like a big decision. When it comes down to it, however, these two are likely to surprise you. While you may want to visit one particular island, a stop in another is probably just as wonderful, and may introduce you to a whole new world.
Article Source: http://articles-mart.com
About Author:
Brian Jenkins is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and special deals, often discussing specific subjects such as cruises.
By: Brian Jenkins,
Packing for a cruise is similar to packing for any other vacation. While there are some specifics to keep in mind, the most important thing that you can do to make your life easier is to ask your travel agent if there are any recommended items for your cruise or destination. Aside from packing the usual clothes and toiletries, you should keep in mind that items deemed tourist essentials will be expensive in port cities. If your camera takes film, you should bring enough for the entire trip. Batteries and sunscreen are some additional necessities that you should bring along.
When packing, carefully consider each item of clothing, as you want to ensure that you have enough clothing for the entire trip. It is important to check with your cruise agent for confirmation, but most ships offer laundry service, either self-service or full service. This can drastically reduce the amount of clothing you need to pack.
When packing for your trip, it is important to think of all phases of the trip. Many cruises require that you fly to the departing city. If you are flying into an area to depart on a cruise, make sure that all of the paperwork required for the cruise, such as tickets and passport, are in your carry on luggage. It is also a good idea to pack some extra clothing in your carry on bag in case your luggage is misplaced and this way you can continue on your cruise.
What to Wear
One of the things that many people enjoy about going on a cruise is the opportunity to get dressed up. In today’s world, there are not many opportunities to wear a formal dress or a tuxedo, outside of a wedding. Many cruises have a “formal night” where dressing up is encouraged. If you want to participate in this, it is important to plan ahead of time when packing your bag. Of course, if you do not want to participate, you can eat in another dining room on formal night, or order room service. Other than the formal night, there is little to differentiate between packing for a cruise vacation and packing for a regular vacation. Your cruise location will have more to do with what type of attire you should wear than the fact that you are on a cruise. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that because you are on the water, you can expect a near constant breeze at the least, and an occasional bracing wind as well. A jacket, sweatshirt or wrap should definitely be included in your attire, regardless of your destination.
What Not To Bring
What not to bring is almost as important as what you should bring. Do not bring anything that you will be devastated to lose. Do not bring expensive jewelry, unless you plan on keeping it in a safe, and not your room safe. Do not bring so many clothes that you can barely shut your bags, because you will certainly do some shopping while at various ports.
Cruising
Cruise vacations are wonderful adventures, but they are not much different from traditional vacations when it comes to packing. Pack a variety of mix and match clothing, in neutral colors and a variety of weights. Layering will help ward off the chill if you run into unexpected weather and a lightweight shell that acts as a rain jacket and a windbreaker is a nice item to have. Plan your wardrobe around one neutral color to reduce the number of belts, shoes and other accessories that you must carry on board.
Consider each of the ports that you will be visiting when packing for your cruise. If you plan to go hiking, snorkeling or sailing, make sure that you have appropriate clothing and footwear for your adventures. It is easy to think that all you will do in port is shop and eat, but many of the ports visited by cruise lines offer wonderful adventure opportunities, and it would be a shame to miss out because the only shoes that you have are sandals. If you have any questions about the activities that are available in port, simply contact your cruise agent prior to your trip. They can let you know the popular and not so popular activities available at each port.
When you pack, roll your clothes and place delicate items inside sturdier items. If you have more than a carry on bag, and will be flying to your destination, pack at least one change of clothes as well as any medication that you will need on your carry on bag. This way, if you are separated from your luggage you can go on your cruise. You can buy any additional clothes that you need at ports along the way.
About Author:
Brian Jenkins is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and special deals, often discussing specific subjects such as cruises.
With Norwegian Cruise Line, Freestyle Cruising® is all about flexibility and freedom. Freedom from stress. Freedom from schedules. Freedom to create your own vacation. On an NCL cruise, you can eat where you want, when you want, with whom you want. And with up to 13 different restaurants and dining rooms on board, you can certainly eat whatever you want. You can also dress the way you want and, at the end of your cruise, get off the ship whenever and however work best for you.
Because NCL has the youngest fleet on the planet, you also know you’re getting the coolest, hippest, most innovative vacation on water. There are activities galore both on board and on shore. And, with the widest array of accommodations, you’re sure to find the perfect combination of staterooms no matter how many people are cruising with you.
Norwegian Jewel
