Rabu, 11 Oktober 2017

A Cruise Ship Learning Center Helps You Get More Than Your Money's Worth

Cruise line ratings indicate how well a cruise line performs in the realm of customer service. Going on a cruise isn't a common occurrence for most people. While it often is a means of transport, taking a cruise is a vacation in of itself. Doing proper research is an excellent way of weeding out cruise lines that underperform or deliver unfavorable experiences. Consulting the various sources that exists for cruise ship ratings is a very prudent way to know that your upcoming vacation will be done in style, class and elegance.

Cruise ship resources can come from several sources. Professional cruise ship reviewers exist and often will rate how effective a cruise liner is at delivering the goods. These individuals often have discerning tastes and can be a great source to consult when planning your next trip. Often these professionals are commissioned by hospitality ranking magazines or services to provide examinations of particular cruise liners. Sometimes these may be independent agents or experts in travelling accommodations. Either way these knowledgeable authorities can offer insight on the ups and down of a particular cruise liner with a detailed cruise ship learning center.

However, the experts can sometimes be compromised by their level of notoriety. A famous travel expert or cruise liner reviewer may be known to be abroad a certain ship. Often special treatment may be given, knowingly or unknowingly, to this person. This can compromise the validity of the rating if there is special attention lavished on this individual. Personalized ratings from passengers are a second viable means of securing reviews on cruise liners. These can be more reliable because they are filed by actual passengers that lack the visibility of professionals. Also, their experiences and position within a certain section of a cruise ship may be helpful for determining which level of accommodation to opt for. A bad review from someone in a luxury suite may convince you to book something a bit more practical.

Again, these reviews may not be completely reliable. Ratings given by passengers may lack the sophistication and technical abilities a professional rating has. Objectivity is also important to consider in both review cases. Each cruise liner experience is different. One room may have a very satisfied occupant while the one next door may loathe the entire experience. The key is to synthesize the ratings available and determine your own verdict. Ratings are great for a cruise liner but the decision on to go or not are ultimately up to you. Take each rating as a reference point from which to form your own opinion.

Kamis, 28 September 2017

Cruise Ship Reviews - Review of the Carnival Fantasy

The Carnival Fantasy is one of the older ships in the Carnival fleet. It was taken out of service some time ago and completely retro-fitted to offer the same amenities as the newer, grander Carnival ships.

During the retro-fit, they added Serenity, an adults-only retreat, a water slide for the whole family, as well as having added high-definition televisions to her completely refurbished suites. At 70,000 gross tons, the ship may be a little older but it is certainly large enough to carry it 2056 passengers in spacious comfort. She also has all of the comforts that you have come to expect of the entire fleet of Carnival ships such as Camp Carnival, its "fun-ified" retreat for cruisers age 2-11.

However, unlike most ships, all the ships amenities are within a few floors of each other. Instead of the Promenade deck being near the bottom of the ship, and the Lido deck being on the top, all the fun and food are clustered on a few of the top floors. The benefit of this is the close proximity of the buffet and the Broadway-style shows, the Casino among other things, all without having to spend a great deal of time travelling between floors.

The dining room is nicer than average for a Carnival ship. One might expect, as most of the fleet is, that "funship" means less elegant. This is usually the case but not on board the Fantasy. The dining room is as elegant and formal as the nicest Holland America ships that I have sailed on. As always, Carnival is more fun than any other cruise line.

When I cruise, I really enjoy everything it has to offer. From the first-class Broadway style shows to the five-star gourmet cuisine.

If you are going on a cruise vacation, you will also want to get the most out of it. I can help you learn the cruise basics as well some more advanced money saving, cruise enjoying techniques.


Selasa, 05 September 2017

Cruise Ship Review - Review of the Carnival Triumph

The Triumph is an older, not as well designed ship, in the Triumph class of ship sailing under the Carnival banner. The theme of this ship is cities. You can have dinner in the Paris dining room or watch a stage show in the Rome lounge, or enjoy a drink in the New York Bar.

Most of the Carnival ships are designed for fun, hence the advertising tag, "the Funships". Your cruise on board one of these funships will be less elegant and the service will not be as good as on board one of the more expensive and therefore, more refined other cruise lines such as Princess or Holland America. It is for this reason that the Carnival ships are difficult to review.

The design of the ship can best be described as unfortunate. It is not possible to get all the way across the Promenade deck of the ship without going up and down the stairs. And it is most unfortunate that you almost always have to go through the casino to get anywhere on decks 3 and 4. But the major flaw of this ship is the fact that it is the only vessel I have ever sailed on that does not have an around the ship walking track. The only way to go for a fitness walk around the ship is either on the running track or the Lido deck.

Since the predominate theme of the Carnival ships are fun, more than luxury, service or class, a lot of your enjoyment of the cruise will be in the Cruise director and his or her staff. It is especially important to take full advantage of all the seemingly crazy activities on board the ship. On my recent carnival cruises I have performed Island dancing, been runner-up on Carnival fear factor, and even been a finalist on Carnival Idol. These sorts of activities are as far from my homelife persona as one could be but I really enjoy my cruises and you should too.

When I cruise, I really enjoy everything it has to offer. From the first-class Broadway style shows to the five-star gourmet cuisine.


Selasa, 22 Agustus 2017

Cruise Ship Reviews - Take a Worry Free Vacation

A cruise vacation is something to look forward to; hence if you are going for one, you might as well ensure that you'll have all the fun that you can probably get even without spending a lot. Before you decide to embark on a cruise trip, it would help if you can read cruise ship reviews first. By doing this, you can very well compare rates, amenities, dress codes, and other factors.

First of all, fare rates should be considered. Of course, you need to consider this factor not unless you are living in a land that happens to rain money all the time. After all, you surely want to enjoy yourself to the fullest without allowing yourself to experience any guilt because you have spent all your income just on that tour. Be wise, there are reasonable fare rates that are given during off seasons where you can avail of a substantial discount. Plus, the good thing about availing during this time of the year is that you will be able to enjoy your privacy better since the crowds are thinner.

A good cruise should be able to go with your expected cruise culture. There are ships that are extremely informal while some are highly formal that you will feel skeptical in moving around or meeting other people. Knowing the kind of people you will meet in the trip will prevent you from being like a sore thumb among other vacationers.

These features are vital information to look at every cruise ship reviews so you can make your trip a truly memorable one!



Sabtu, 05 Agustus 2017

The Top Eight Secrets to Enjoying Your Cruise Vacation

Get to the cruise terminal early and relax - If your cruise documents tell you boarding begins at noon, do your best to be at the cruise terminal on or before this time. This will ensure you don't miss your ship by getting caught in traffic or any number of problems with your flight. I also suggest you fly-in or drive a day before your cruise and stay at a hotel the night before. If you're driving, some hotels allow you to park your car for free in a special lot for the duration of your cruise. So for the price of parking at the port (normally $10 a day) you can book a night at the hotel and relax. The hotel normally drives you to and from the cruise terminal for free before and after your cruise.

Use a Porter/Bellman when available - Your on vacation, so be sure to use the resources the hotel offers. The hotel will be able to transport your bags to and from the lobby. Once at the cruise terminal a porter will offer to take your bags from your car (hotel shuttle or taxi cab) to the ship. The suggested tip is $1 per bag, this is well worth it and you will save time, energy and maybe even some future back pain. The next time you will see your bags is in your cabin.

Pick the right Cruise Line and Ship for you - Be sure to learn about the cruise vacation product your buying. This is a major purchase so do your homework with your travel agent and also via brochures, cruise line websites and read ship reviews. Your choice will greatly affect things such as the ships decor & ambiance, the level of service from crew, the quality of food in the restaurants and more.

Choose the Correct Cabin - Many modern cruise ships hold 3000+ passengers. Unlike a hotel you can actually choose your exact cabin. Will your cabin be the cheapest cabin available, so you can get onboard at the lowest price or will it be something more luxurious? What are your expectations? Is it price or comfort? If you want the best experience aboard your cruise I suggest a balcony cabin. It will cost you on average $30 more per-person, per-day but, it's worth it. It used to be said that passengers don't spend much time in their cabin aboard a cruise. This is now a myth; passengers are now spending an ever more increasing amount of time in their cabins. Why is this you ask? It's because the modern ships have much larger cabin and some upwards of 80% outside cabins with balconies. A balcony cabin rewards you with allowing you to step outside 24/7 and watch the ship sail through the seas, into ports and hear the sounds of the waves. You can also look at the wildlife, sunsets, and more, anytime; even in your pajamas if desired. You can even enjoy the free room service by having breakfast or any other meal on your balcony. These are things you just can't fully do by booking a standard inside cabin or ocean view (window only) cabin.

Participate and Attend - Your cruise vacation is going to offer you many ports of call. You will have both excursions on land and also many shows and events onboard you're floating resort. The best way to fully experience this is by booking exciting shore excursions and attending the shows, events and classes you're interested in. Be sure to book excursions either before you sail or the day you get onboard as some of the best shore excursions sell out fast. Then relax and have an experience of a lifetime.

Try the Specialty Restaurants onboard - Many new ships now offer reservation only specialty restaurants onboard. These normally come with a per-person charge but, they are definitely worth it. Prices can range from $15 or more per person. The level of service and food are normally incredible, so please consider one of these options for one night onboard your cruise. Each cruise line varies offerings so check with your travel agent and your cruise line brochure. Some examples are Royal Caribbean's (Portofino's and Chops Grill), Carnival Cruise Lines (Supper Club, Nick & Nora's, etc), Princess Cruise Lines' (Sabatini's), Holland America Line's (Pinnacle Grill), Celebrity Cruise Lines (Varies Per ship), Norwegian Cruise Line (Numerous Offerings), etc. Be sure to make a reservation shortly after boarding as these specialty restaurants are indeed special and reservations fill up fast by those in the know. Some guests even eat at these restaurants several times during a normal cruise, because it's just that good.

Read your ships Newsletter/Daily planner - To get the most of your vacation read your ships daily activity sheet when you get it (normally placed in your cabin the night before). It's a good idea to find events that you are interested in doing and schedule them within your day. Be sure to also know what all your dining options are onboard (Where and when are they?). Your cruise will normally be seven nights long, so the more you know about the services onboard your floating resort (AKA Cruise Ship) the better your time onboard will be. This may seem obvious but, some cruisers miss out on things because they didn't read the daily planner and know it was available and/or scheduled.

Kiss the Ship Good Morning & Good Night - Kissing the ship good morning and good night is advice I was given from a veteran cruiser when I first began cruising. What's this mean? You basically need to get out of your cabin and walk the outer decks before the rest of the ship wakes up. This time can be as the sunrises and good night when the sunsets. This simply allows you to fully enjoy being at sea. It further lets you enjoy the ship as she sails into a port during these early morning hours. You'll most likely find that only you and a handful of other passengers are up for this wonderful show. You're welcome to go back to bed for a nap but, this morning kiss allows you to experience things most passengers miss by sleeping in. Don't get too busy that you miss the real show given by Mother Nature and experience some of the simple pleasures of life at sea.

Senin, 24 Juli 2017

Cheap Cruise Deals - 3 Tips to Cruise on a Budget

People ask me all the time how to cruise on a budget. After giving it a lot of thought, I have decided on 3 important tips for cruising on a budget.

1. Book your cruise early, not last minute: While it is possible to find last minute cruise ship deals, usually the best thing is to book early. I have found from experience that prices of cruises go up, not down, as they get closer to cruise time.

Of course there are exceptions, but cruising has become very popular in the last 10 years and most cruise now tend to be mostly sold.

Last minute deals are often available for less popular destinations such as Alaska and Eastern Canada but for most Caribbean and Mexican Riviera cruises, you should try to book as early as possible.

2. Drive to the cruise port rather than fly: Another technique that I use to save money on my cruise is to drive instead of fly to my cruise port. I do not believe that flying saves as much time now as it once did, with all the security measures. If I factor in my trip to the airport, the time it takes to clear security, wait for departure, finding my luggage at my destination, a two hour flight can easily take 12 hours.

That is why on my next cruise, I intend to drive. I will save about $1000 in airfare and I will arrive with a lot less stress.

3. Read your ships daily Newsletter: Whether it is the Princess Patter or the Carnival Capers all the cruise lines will slip under your door a daily newsletter. This will outline the days itinerary and allow you to plan your day with events that will not cost any additional money. Otherwise you could easily end up in the casino or the bingo simply because you feel that you have nothing else to do.

When I cruise, I really enjoy everything it has to offer. From the first-class Broadway style shows to the five-star gourmet cuisine.



Kamis, 06 Juli 2017

Panama Canal Cruises - Taking A Panama Cruise Tour

Panama is one of the most exotic countries with constant cruise destinations and ports because of its many different attractions and of course the gorgeous Panama Canal. When you choose Panama as your cruise destination, there are several different ports you can leave from and different destinations within your cruise you can stop at. It can take some time choosing the destinations you are interested in visiting, and each cruise line offers different routes and ports for your cruise package.

First and foremost is the Panama Canal cruise package. This is by far the most popular Panama cruise tour package because you literally have the opportunity to travel from coast to coast and right through the famous Panama Canal. You can choose to depart from several different ports for this cruise package including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles and New Orleans to name the most popular department ports. This makes it incredibly accessible and easy for anyone in the USA to take advantage of this once in a lifetime Panama Canal cruise package.

Not only will you be able to see the Panama Canal at an exceptional view point but you will also be able to view and visit some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Each beach is only a few minutes drive from Panama City, which makes enjoying the beach life and city life of Panama during your cruise activities and days extremely easy. El Palmar is one of the most popular beaches for those of you looking to do water excursions during your free time in Panama, as it offers the most ideal water conditions.

The Panama Canal cruise six immense locks literally raise the cruise ship from sea level up 85feet then gently lower it, sometimes with only inches to spare on each side. This is an experience everyone should enjoy once in their lifetime as it is unique and almost incomparable! As Panama is so far from the USA, you will find the shortest and average length of a Panama Cruise is generally 10-15 days. When you are traveling from coast to coast like this it takes time, this is one of the longest cruise ship tours created today.

What is great about the Panama Canal cruise is your ability to choose whether you are looking for a round-trip cruise or you can simply choose to take the cruise to Panama and then stay there for your vacation and fly home. This type of cruise offers so many different customizable features and destinations that you can literally create the cruise vacation of your dreams through your preferred cruise line.

Take your time planning your Panama Canal cruise and consider the aid of a travel professional to help make sure you have covered every detail and have created the trip of your dreams so when you leave, there is nothing to worry about. Panama is a beautiful country and the ability to see it from all its glory from the ocean and the famous Panama Canal is quite frankly a once in a lifetime opportunity!