Cruise Vacations

Fantastic Cruise Deals Abound at the Last Minute

Fantastic Cruise Deals Abound at the Last Minute: "Fantastic Cruise Deals Abound at the Last Minute
By: Lori Wilkerson
eing a spur of the moment person has its advantages. It means you can �seize the day� and run with it, enjoying an opportunity when it comes your way. So the next time you�ve lined up your vacation time and decided you�re just going to drive to the nearest lake or maybe visit some relatives, keep an open mind and check in on the great online cruise deals that show up as you get closer to your vacation dates.

You may discover that as your vacation rolls around the deals are getting better and better, and you simply can�t pass up the opportunity to take advantage of the great offers out there. At first glance you may tell yourself that even with the reduced cost of a cruise you�re still paying more to go on a cruise than you are to drive to a popular lake resort of beachfront rental property, but the discounts on last minute cruises are great bargains because they�re all inclusive!

All-inclusive Means Savings on Entertainment and Meals

A cruise includes your entire trip, the accommodations, all of your meals (and the meals onboard ship are fantastic!), and all of the ship�s entertainment, from dancing to Vegas style shows. Compare that to your vacation and you�ll discover that by the time you add up your room, transportation, meals and entertainment expenses, the cruise deals that are available at the last minute just don�t compare to your routine vacation plans � the cruises are much better!

Think about the total relaxation factor � no trying to find a good restaurant or wondering if there�s anything decent in the way of entertainment. On a cruise vacation, everything�s right there, every night. Your vacation is filled with every kind of ente"

posted by Hugh Goble @ 11:42 AM 2 comments

Fantastic Cruise Vacations Abound at the Last Minute

Cruise Vacations
Being a spur of the moment person has its advantages. It means you can “seize the day” and run with it, enjoying an opportunity when it comes your way. So the next time you’ve lined up your vacation time and decided you’re just going to drive to the nearest lake or maybe visit some relatives, keep an open mind and check in on the great online cruise deals that show up as you get closer to your vacation dates.

You may discover that as your vacation rolls around the deals are getting better and better, and you simply can’t pass up the opportunity to take advantage of the great offers out there. At first glance you may tell yourself that even with the reduced cost of a cruise you’re still paying more to go on a cruise than you are to drive to a popular lake resort of beachfront rental property, but the discounts on last minute cruises are great bargains because they’re all inclusive!

All-inclusive Means Savings on Entertainment and Meals
A cruise includes your entire trip, the accommodations, all of your meals (and the meals onboard ship are fantastic!), and all of the ship’s entertainment, from dancing to Vegas style shows. Compare that to your vacation and you’ll discover that by the time you add up your room, transportation, meals and entertainment expenses, the cruise deals that are available at the last minute just don’t compare to your routine vacation plans – the cruises are much better!
Think about the total relaxation factor – no trying to find a good restaurant or wondering if there’s anything decent in the way of entertainment. On a cruise vacation, everything’s right there, every night. Your vacation is filled with every kind of entertainment, relaxation and fine dining imaginable even before you get to your ports of call!

Some of the amenities found on the typical cruise ship – and available with last-minute cruise deals – include:
Ø Fine & casual dining
Ø 24-hour room service
Ø Swimming pool
Ø Fitness centers & spa facilities
Ø Day spa and beauty salon
Ø A variety of lounges and stages with world-class entertainment
Ø Casinos
Ø Duty-free gift shops

Is there a vacation anywhere that provides all of this in one location, all within walking distance, with gorgeous vistas of water and moonlight thrown in?

Finding Sizzling Hot Cruise Deals is Easy
How do you find fantastic cruise deals? The best way is to be flexible – keep in mind that there are several reasons that last minute berths open up on cruise ships. Most commonly, cruise ships simply don’t fill every one of their rooms on most cruises, and they understand that it makes more sense to offer these spaces at a discount than it does to leave these rooms empty. The level of service and amenities are exactly the same as that for passengers paying full price!
There are also sometimes last minute cancellations for whatever reason, and the cruise company will try to fill these rooms as well. After all, they had anticipated having these sales and when a cancellation comes through at the last minute, they will want to fill that spot.

Tips for Getting the Best Cruise Deals
You can compound your cruise savings by booking last minute deals during off-season times when the rates are lower to begin with or cruising to destinations that you find intriguing but have unusual departure dates. A few general guidelines for finding great last minute cruise deals are:

Ø Start watching about two months before your vacation, and check back often – special discounts are snapped up quickly.
Ø Be flexible – if you can shift your travel dates by a few days one way or the other you may be able to save even more.
Ø Be adventurous – if you see a fabulous deal on an exotic cruise to someplace you’ve never thought of but that sounds intriguing – go for it! This is the time to use the savings to invest in broadening your horizons.
Ø Online is the best and quickest way to stay informed – the Internet constantly updates information on cruise deals as cruise lines post available openings.
Ø Know what you’re looking for – there are so many kinds of cruises now available with different themes that it can be confusing. If you and your husband are going, don’t bother looking at singles cruises – the savings isn’t worth being surrounded by singles. But a cruise geared toward honeymooners might put a bit of spark back in your marriage, especially if you’re looking for an anniversary getaway!

Theme Cruises are the New Trend in Packaged Cruise Deals
You can find some great savings on theme cruises, a new trend for people with special interests or hobbies. Because these cruises cater to very specific tastes, the price of open spots can drop more quickly when they are discounted because they realize the chances of filling the spots may not be as high as for a general cruise.

So if you’re interested in a last minute cruise and also happen to be a food and wine connoisseur, you may be able to find a drastically discounted price on a Wine Tasting or Chef’s Taste of Cultures cruise, combining two interests and saving money at the same time.

There are also cruises that correspond with times of the year, such as foliage cruises or whale watching cruises that may offer special savings if they have cancellations since these are only offered during small windows in time. If you happen to hit one of these, you can expect some really amazing discounts on unique, once-in-a-lifetime cruise opportunities.

Trade Up to a Cruise for a Lifetime of Memories
So when that staid vacation is planned and you’ve already blocked out your vacation days at the office, don’t be afraid to periodically check out the last minute cruise deals that can be found at rock bottom prices if you book just a few weeks in advance. Throw caution to the winds and pass on the lakeside fishing trip in favor of an unforgettable cruise to the Bahamas – with last minute bargains and fabulous all-inclusive packages you can turn that ho-hum trip into truly memorable one!

About the Author
Lori Wilkerson is a full-time freelance writer who loves her job because it gives her the opportunity to learn more about the world every day. Right now, she knows a little bit about almost everything, and a lot about cruise discounts, and cruise deals. Lori once led a Conga line to the tune, "Hot, Hot, Hot," throughout an entire cruise ship sailing to Nassau. Discount Cruise

Cruise Vacations

posted by Hugh Goble @ 1:56 AM 1 comments

Cruise Vacations have Something for Everyone!

Cruise Vacations

The traditional view of cruises has been that they’re for couples who are getting away for romance and adventure. More recently people have also begun thinking about cruises as a way for singles to meet each other and have a great time as well. But even that is a limited view of cruising. The reality is that there are cruise packages available today for everybody – if you like to travel and are looking for a unique vacation opportunity, a cruise offers more diversity and choice than any other kind vacation out there!

Cruise Packages Cater to Every Group and Need
There are cruise packages for couples, singles, groups of friends and families, and each of these take into consideration the specific needs and interests of these groups. This is what makes a cruise vacation so special – the attention to detail and specialized service. Most vacation packages simply can’t provide this kind of service.

Family cruises can be amazing bargains when you’re traveling with your children because the cruise ship staff takes care of your children’s entertainment needs from the moment they step aboard ship. Kid-rated movies, live kid-friendly theaters, pizza parlors, organized games and activities and free baby sitting for the younger ones mean you’ll have the opportunity to have some couples time while your kids have a blast! The best part is the all-inclusive price – they can play, watch, swim and eat to their hearts’ content! How many hotels give you that?

Worried that teens will be bored? Not a problem! Cruise packages with families in mind have age-specific activities planned that range from crafts for the younger set to karaoke and coffee houses for the teens, so you’re practically guaranteed to find something for every age group.

Honeymoon cruises cater to your desire for romance and pampering. Little extras like champagne and chocolates are typically included in the price of your cruise, and discounts are usually offered for luxury accommodations onshore when you get to your port of call if you are staying there a few days. You can also upgrade for a small fee and get extras that really stand out, such as chocolate covered strawberries and canapés in your room, breakfast in bed and matching robes to take home with you.

Let the cruise ship know ahead of time that you’re on your honeymoon and you’ll almost always receive some free gifts as well, and a special invitation to dine at the Captain’s table one evening. It’s thoughtful touches like this that make a honeymoon cruise such a popular choice.

Cruise ship staff members are some of the most highly trained in the world, and excel at being both unobtrusive and ever-present to cater to your needs, making your honeymoon magical in every way. For a romantic vacation getaway, a honeymoon cruise can’t be beat. Fine dining, spas, world class entertainment, sumptuous rooms and moonlit nights with sea breezes all combine to make these romantic cruise packages a honeymoon vacation you’ll never forget.

Girlfriends’ Getaway Cruises are the newest alternative to Girls Night Out. Hey, we all have those days when we throw up our hands and say, “I can’t take it anymore!” don’t we? Why not take a two or three day discount cruise for the weekend? It’s so much nicer than the yearly trip to the outlet malls! Pack up your bathing suits and get ready to relax!

A three-day vacation with the girls can be all about you – spas, saunas, drinks on the deck while reading a great paperback. Nights of relaxing and chatting or seeing a great show; or maybe playing the slots in the casino. It’s three days of just the girls, and when you go home you’ll be refreshed, relaxed and full of great memories!

You can get a great discount on three day cruises that will bring in the weekend at a lower cost than driving to those outlets, renting a hotel room and buying all of your meals in restaurants – and the food will be better, too. No driving around looking for the nearest movie theater, no looking for something to do – it’s all right there on board ship.

Singles Cruises are usually booked as groups of singles onboard cruise ships that may have other groups as well, but because the singles group organizer is buying a block of rooms to keep the singles all together you can get a great discount on this kind of vacation. If you’re looking to meet and mingle with other singles, these cruise packages offer activities, dining and dancing with other singles onboard.

These have become increasingly popular and are also a great way to enjoy great vacation destinations – why not go snorkeling off Nassau or shopping in the Bahamas and meet some great eligible singles, too? Today’s single professionals don’t want to wait until they find someone special to enjoy the finer things in life, and a singles cruise means they can enjoy an amazing vacation and find someone special at the same time!

Cruise Packages to Fit Your Vacation Schedule
Cruise packages come in several different sizes to fit your budget and your time constraints. You can even start with a day cruise if you’d like to try out your “sea legs” and see what cruises are all about. But be warned – once you’ve tried a day cruise, you’ll be ready to book the next step up, and you’ll be looking at four day, seven day or longer cruises!

If you’re looking for a great getaway for a long weekend, check into the three- and four-day cruise packages that are available; you can find savings of up to 50% on these if you book in advance and are flexible on which port you leave from.

For a longer vacation, there are cruise packages of a variety of lengths, with the most common lengths being seven day, eleven day, and then two and three week cruises. For seriously intense vacations, you can even book a discount cruise that’s a month or two months long (travel around the world on a cruise ship, anyone?). The fabulous thing about a really long cruise is that the discount is often substantial – an empty cabin is expensive for a cruise ship, so they’ll offer it a significant discount rather than have it sit empty for two months, so be sure to check out all possibilities – you may be surprised by what you can afford!

About the Author
Lori Wilkerson is a full-time freelance writer who loves her job because it gives her the opportunity to learn more about the world every day. Right now, she knows a lot about last minute discount cruise deals. Lori once led a Conga line to the tune, "Hot, Hot, Hot," throughout an entire cruise ship sailing to Nassau. More Cruise articles at can be found at Discount Cruise

Cruise Vacations

posted by Hugh Goble @ 1:42 AM 1 comments

Why Cruise Vacations?

If you haven’t been on a cruise yet, then you're missing out on one of life’s greatest adventures. Have you spent years envying those who take cruises to Alaska or the Bahamas while you're stuck at home or driving to Florida? Well, now is the time to take action. Cruises aren't just for the rich anymore; they're for everyone! More and more people are discovering the fun and value of cruising, but many more still have not heard the good news. Now more than ever, a luxury cruise is affordable and accessible to everyone. Regardless of which cruise you choose, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first-class service around the clock. The Staff are there to make sure you needs are met. From chocolates on your pillow to your favourite drink waiting for you at your dinner table, you will feel like you are being spoiled day and night.

The hassles of an ordinary vacation are completely eliminated because a cruise vacation is one convenient package. You don't have to worry about making dinner or nightclub reservations, running to make flight connections as you travel from one destination to another, or packing and unpacking. Once you're on board, nearly all expenses are pre-paid... it just does not get more carefree than that.

Regardless of the size or cost of your stateroom, you have full access to the ship's facilities and amenities, and the ship's crew will do everything in their power to make your experience exceptional.

The price of your vacation includes all of your meals and in-between snacks on-board; your accommodation, activities, children programs and entertainment. Throw in the exciting journey to some of the most fascinating and charming places in the world and you have yourself a deal!

You will also know what your vacation will end up costing you before you go. Most cruise packages do not include the cost of soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, guided shore excursions, or optional shipboard services like a massage, spa treatment, photographs, access to the internet, etc. Many cruise lines also add an automatic 15% gratuity to the cost of drinks, and you will also need to tip your steward and waiter at the end of the cruise. Check with your cruise line in advance for a complete list of what is included in your ticket price and what will cost extra.

If you think you might be bored while on a cruise, think again. There are so many options and activities that you will never be able to participate in them all. And don't worry about being in the close quarters of a ship; there really is plenty of space to move about so you're not likely to feel confined or claustrophobic. Nearly every cruise line offers special programs and accommodations to families, and some even specialize in entire cruises designed completely around the needs and wants of a family. On these family-focused cruise lines, you will find special supervised areas of the ship where your children can go to do age-appropriate activities while you enjoy adult time.

When it comes to nightlife, a cruise ship offers many options. Common choices include Broadway-style entertainment, dance bars, quiet piano lounges, casinos, movie theaters and arcade game rooms. There truly is something on board to suit every entertainment taste. For a whole seven days, I didn't have to cook or clean or even make up the beds. There were maids and professional chefs there to do it for me. There is no need to buy fancy clothing or a tuxedo to go on a cruise, although some cruises do require formal dress in specific on board restaurants. Your general packing list does not need to be much different from any other vacation; simply include clothing that is appropriate for the climate and expected weather conditions. And don't worry about items like hair dryers, shavers, and other personal appliances - they all work just fine on board a luxury cruise ship!

Every port you visit is different, and each one will have excursions, activities and places to discover. Just as on board the ship, you will not be able to do everything there is to do at each port. You can choose a paid tour excursion or you can explore on your own. Many cruise lines have cooperative arrangements with hotels and resorts in the ports they visit so that cruise passengers can use hotel facilities like swimming pools, fitness rooms, spas and other amenities.
More and more people are finding out about the pleasures of cruise vacations including singles, families, couples, honeymooners, second honeymooners and groups of friends or families.

Cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience, once people try it, they come back again and again. You can see the world on a cruise. Feel free to completely unwind or take a walk on the wild side. If you want you can dance the night away or go up on deck and steal a kiss from your love. Make new friends, feast on sumptuous cuisine, learn something new, or just hang out and bond with your family.

Cruising is the fastest growing leisure vacation choice today, and it also enjoys the highest rate of repeat satisfied customers of any type of vacation. The choices of destination, experience, accommodations, and cuisine are nearly limitless. There is a cruise for everyone -- especially – you!

Booking a cruise online is both easy, fast, and the most economical method to purchase a cruise. There are no commissions to pay online, so the prices are the best you can find, and with most sites, your can browse the ship, see your room, check out the dining room, and more, right online.

Whatever your heart desires, it can be done on a cruise so be sure to “choose to cruise” for your next vacation.

posted by Hugh Goble @ 7:53 AM 0 comments

Welcome ....

Welcome to my Cruise Vacations blog. it's definitely my favourite type of vacation. Let's see if we can help people with their cruise vacation decisions.

posted by Hugh Goble @ 6:42 AM 0 comments