Travel and Leisure

There is nothing more breathtaking than sitting on your balcony, travelling through glacier filled waters with snow topped mountains cascading throughout the landscape before you. Celebrity Cruises can offer you this and so much more should you choose to travel to Alaska with them. There are dozens of different itineraries to choose from, depending on where you would like to depart from and if you are looking for a simple cruise or a cruise tour that includes a little bit more.

With Celebrity Cruises, you have 5 ports of departure including Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. These ports of departure are pretty standard between all the cruise lines which send travellers to Alaska; it is your choice. Many people like to combine their departure city into their vacation and do a little land exploring before departing to sea.

You also have the choice of cruises lasting anywhere between 7 to 18 nights.

This is important to weigh carefully. If you have never been on a cruise before, you may not be wise to spend 18 days on a ship if you are not 100% certain you will enjoy the experience. Start off slow in the case with 7 days to get your feet wet so to speak.

Yet another choice you are able to make with Celebrity Cruises on their Alaska cruises includes the ship you wish to travel on. They have three ships to choose from, each of which offers different levels of amenities and services to better accommodate your stay. The names of the ships currently operating in Alaska are Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Millennium.

Lastly, you have the option to book what is known as a cruise tour with Celebrity Cruises.

What this means is that you are not only booking the passage from your port of departure but you are also booking guided tours of Alaska for each of your daily port stops. If you are not interested in booking a package deal like this than you of course have the option to book on shore excursions with the local tourist companies. Popular Alaska cruise tour activities include guided tours through glacier fields, the Denali National Park, ice climbing, kayaking, bear watching, dog sled racing, helicopter flights over the glaciers and so much more.

An Alaska cruise with Celebrity Cruises is one of the most popular routes on offer today. More and more people of all ages are beginning to see what Alaska offers is so unique they want to experience it for themselves. On any one of their cruises you have the opportunity to visit Anchorage, the capital city of Alaska and so many other cities of importance as well.

No matter where you choose to depart from Celebrity Cruises offers top of the line amenities, extraordinary tours and itineraries. Get away from travelling from bus station to train and let Celebrity Cruises take you through Alaska in their luxurious ships. You will experience culture and history like you have never seen before. Alaska will leave a lasting impression on you and Celebrity Cruises is sure to be your cruise line of choice as you travel throughout other parts of the world.

The United States is so big, it is impossible to say that you have seen it all. Discover the United States by taking America Cruises which will show you a different side of this amazing country. Instead of taking a cruise that will bring you to sun and sand, opt to find out more of the interesting sights and sounds that American soil has to offer.

When choosing a cruise, you can avail of different packages that will take you to interesting and unique ports of call. Discover Alaska as never before as you take in a spectacular view of the majestic glacier. You can even have a chance to ride a helicopter out and land on the glacier. Or you can try the Colonial East Coast cruise where you can immerse yourself in history. Visit Colonial Williamsburg and historical landmarks and sites as well as participate in onboard historical lectures and presentations.

America Cruises can also take you to New England to visit the sights of New York, Maine and Boston and its beautiful coast.

A Pacific Coastal cruise will take you from California where you can experience wine country and end up in the cool weather of Alaska. Or for a more unique experience, take a steamboat journey on American rivers and unwind as you visit quaint little towns along the river and enjoy the overall steady trip. Discover a side of America that will surprise you and discover beautiful parts of the United States that you may never had known existed.

Once again the topic of Titanic comes up when talking about cruises. I can already hear you sigh, but don’t worry this article is not about the similarities between modern day cruises and the famous ship. There are, however, several ways you can recreate the sentiments portrayed by the classic love story. Here are some examples of some of the most romantic cruises and activities:

Some ships are better equipped for couples than others, you wouldn’t want go on a Disney themed cruise for a romantic getaway, so make sure you investigate the cruise thoroughly. So make sure you look into the type of cruise you are booking.

There are several companies which specifically target their cruises to couples and they have a lot of experience in this regard, these cruises are well equipped and know how to create that all important romantic atmosphere.

Star Clippers are one such company, their rigged ships are perfect for loved up evenings under the stars.

Chartering cruises in some on the most beautiful seas around the world, they sail in the Transatlantic, the Caribbean, northern Europe, Costa Rica, Panama Canal and the Mediterranean. The boats are small compared to the larger cruises offering a completely different intimate experience.

Windstar is another company which offer rigged cruises. The ship provides dining under the stars, so make a reservation at the on board restaurant, Candles, for a spectacular meal of steaks and skewers.

SeaDream Yacht Club owns some of the most luxurious cruise liners around and they only allow 112 guests on board at a time.

These luxurious ships provide staterooms with marble-lined bathrooms and double-size massage showers. To further the air of opulence, on deck are thick double Balinese beds, which can be made up at night so you and your partner can sleep under the stars.

If you are on one of the larger cruises then why not book a couples massage? The larger cruises are well equipped for couple activities, which range from seeing films on the deck at night to rock climbing and lounging on your private sundeck. The rooms are generally larger than those on the rigged boats, giving you room to lounge around.

You could always renew your vows or receive a blessing on your cruise or even propose. What could be more romantic than taking the chance to ask for your partner’s hand in marriage on your romantic cruise? Just down throw the ring over board. There are several ways that you could pop the question and the staff on board may be able to give you a little help and encouragement. You could even visit an online forum like CruiseLineFans to get some tips off regular cruisers.

Nile River Cruise

A Nile Cruise is a truly unique holiday experience. Great monuments and ancient cities line the banks of the Nile, a cruise on the calm waters gives the traveller the advantage of insight into not only ancient times but also the modern. Day-to-day life flourishes, with farmers tending their crops, irrigating their fields in the traditional ways of their ancestors as the Nile cruise boats sail by.

Lake Nasser Cruise

Lake Nasser is the world’s largest artificial lake. Surrounded by remote desert which covers the land of Nubia, Lake Nasser is the site of many tombs, temples and churches.  A cruise on Lake Nasser gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy serene desert vistas and to explore the ancient Nubian temples and monuments.

Felucca Cruises Packages

Nile felucca , typical Egyptian sailing boat, enjoy sleeping under the stars, with the feeling of the waves of the river Nile while sailing by felucca passing by the temples, small island while Egyptian farmers performing their jobs, The felucca depends on wind-power with no motor.

It carries between one to 10 passengers comfortably. It contains shady to protect you from the rays of the sun. The serene life on board allows you to be refreshed from life stress & routine.

A felucca is a sea-craft, made to a traditional design, with broad canvas sails.

Essentially, the craft is reliant on wind-power with no motor, and are dependent upon the wind factor to propel forth, so itineraries are subject to change from time to time. The craft carries between 5-10 passengers comfortably and the deck is strewn with soft colorful cushions and rugs and equipped with a canopy that offers shade and protection from the elements. Your felucca will cruise from picturesque Aswan through to Kom Ombo, taking in some stops at points of interest en-route with various stops, planned or impromptu, the peaceful routine of life aboard allows us to escape the stress of everyday life! We dock at shoreline for dinner and later sleep under the stars

Australia Cruises are a great way to discover the beauty of the coastal areas of “the land Down Under”.

Australia Cruises are a great way to discover the beauty of the coastal areas of “the land Down Under”. With 29 possible ports of call between Australia New Zealand, and Tasmania, you have the chances to visit some of Australia’s best cities, venture into wildlife parks, and explore the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, all on the same cruise.

Depending on the length of Australia cruise you choose, you can experience the Pacific Ocean not just around Australia but as far as Hawaii, Samoa, and Fiji. Cruises from Australia often include ports of call in New Zealand and New Caledonia as well. Some cruise lines offer cruises anywhere from 14 to 70 days. The standard length is 12 to 14 days. Most cruises from Australia depart from Sydney, Auckland, or Brisbane.

Both people who are experienced cruisers and those who are going on their first cruise enjoy Australian cruises because there is more to see than just miles of ocean.

Views of magnificent coastline are the norm and the shore excursions offer cultural activities, wonderful restaurants, and snorkeling or scuba diving in the many coral reefs along the coast of Australia.

There are a variety of Australian cruises that sail between Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania. While sailing and going ashore in this area, passengers can see everything from geysers, thermal pools, fjords, and glaciers to rivers, beautiful white sandy beaches, and lush tropical forests.

Some typical ports of call on Australia Cruisesinclude:

· Hobart – This Tasmanian city is considered one of that area’s best destinations. The city is friendly and exciting and offers much to do. It has a natural harbour that sits at the base of Mount Wellington where visitors can see supply vessels from the Antarctic as well as fishing boats coming and going.

· Brisbane – As part of the Gold Coast, Brisbane is home to some of the best beaches in Australia. A shore excursion here could include hikes through Lamington National Park, a beautiful rainforest and views of wildlife at Lone Pine Sanctuary.

· The Whitsunday Islands – This island chain lies in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and is an ideal spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Since there are only eight inhabited islands, there is always the chance to have a pristine beach almost completely to yourselves.

· Port Arthur – This port of call was originally a prison in the early 19th century. Today it is a Historic Site and features beautifully landscaped gardens and a number of restored houses among the ruins.

Cruises from Australiaprovide a wide array of activities while not at sea. The sites and activities available run from the cosmopolitan to wilderness adventures and relaxing on the beach in the waters.

With a strap-line under its logo of Freestyle Cruising- it’s easy to understand life aboard NCL’s fleet of 12 ships. It’s turns traditional-style cruising on its head – play when you want, wear what you want and dine when you like. Bright décors are the order of the day both outside and onboard the ship. Families and the young-at-heart will feel right at home on these lively, upbeat, and ultra-casual ships.

Freestyle Dining lets you eat your way around the world in a different restaurant each night. There’s no fixed sittings, choose your own time between 5.30pm and 10pm and dine à deux or with a group of friends. 24-hour buffet dining and room service will top you up. Dress up or dress down, the choice is yours.

Spend your days lying by the pool, sliding down the waterslides and up the climbing walls, go for a strike in the bowling alley or relax in the spa.

The kids will have a great time too with their own chill out zones. In the evening the ships come alive with Broadway shows, party nights, karaoke and dancing into the early hours.

NCL cruises around Europe, Mediterranean and Baltic with the Caribbean, Bahamas, North America, Canada & New England, Alaska, Hawaii, California, Mexico and South America on the NCL calendar too.

Hays Travel feature offer NCL Cruises, and are ABTA’s largest independent travel agent with many cruise lines to choose from. Hays Travel dedicated cruise section provides an extensive selection of cruise holidays to worldwide destinations including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Baltics, Canary Islands, North America, Far East, Middle East, Alaska and the Red Sea. Hays Travel’s longstanding relationship with all the cruise lines – both large and small – gives them access to the best prices, the latest deals and the widest choice of cruises.

Hays travel can also book your hotels, insurance, transfers, car hire and airport parking.

Hays cruise advisers are specialists in their field and offer a personal, friendly service ensuring that you get the right kind of cruise holiday for you.

Cruising is the travel industry’s fastest growing market with approximately 1.5million people from the UK taking to the seas on a cruise each year. Out of the first-time cruisers it’s worth noting that nearly 80% of them make repeat bookings – so beware once you’ve taken a cruise you may well become hooked on the shipboard life!

Looking for a relaxing holiday on the rivers? Canal cruising in France is just the thing for you then. It is a popular holidaying method for people around the world, and France is one of the places where you can enjoy this experience. So if you have decided to go river or canal cruising, the only thing left to decide is…

Canal boat or hotel barging?

Self-drive canal boat and hotel barging are very different. Both may cruise on the same canals but life on board is not the same:

Hotel barging in France is a bit like a luxury hotel with a Chef just for you on board and all sightseeing activities pre-organized. All barges are fairly up-market with rate (fully inclusive) starting from A$ 2500 per person per week.

Self-drive canal boats in France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy and now Poland, come in different size. Much smaller than a canal barge.

Self-drive canal boats can be compared to floating self-contain apartments accommodating up to 12 persons. Price starts from A$ 1360 per week for two persons.

There are some points to keep in mind before you go for canal cruising. As this is a unique holidaying experience, there are some things to be taken care of.

* No license is required to pilot a canal boat in France. When you get to the base, you will be given a personal lesson and you will learn quickly how simple and enjoyable it is to drive a canal boat.

* There are numerous bases to start from and each region has its own character. No matter which route you take, all rivers are fun, with plenty of villages and constant scenic countryside. In most cases, you have the possibility to choose between return and one-way trip.

* Finally remember that going through locks with a canal boat is fun, even if the first one is always a bit tense.

Some locks are automatic, some are hand-operated, and others are run by a lock keeper. Make sure to have a little chat with them and don’t hesitate to buy vegetables, home jam, etc. if they have some on display.

Cruises are one of the most popular holidays around at the moment. In general, a cruise can last from three days to three months. Cruises can range from very expensive luxury cruises to affordable low cost cruises. As there are plenty of cruise lines all offering great cruise deals to sun-drenched islands, exciting cities and awe-inspiring regions all over the world you will be able to find a cheap cruise that meets your requirements.

A fabulous cruise holiday of a lifetime doesn’t have to break the bank. There are two ways to get a fantastic cheap cruise, one – book well in advance and two – book at the last minute.

By booking well in advance not only will you be able to book a cheap cruise holiday, but you’ll also have a lot more choice when it comes to the destination.

If you want to travel to a specific part of the world or travel on a particular ship but don’t want to break the bank, it would be a good idea to book well in advance so that you can get all of the elements that you are looking for without going over your budget.

If the destination or cruise ship isn’t as important to and you don’t mind where you go or on which cruise ship you get there, then a last minute cruise would be your best option. With last minute cruises available from many world-leading cruise lines offering some fantastic itineraries and incredible onboard entertainment this could be the holiday of a lifetime you’ve been waiting for.

Regardless of which option you choose to book a cheap cruise holiday you can rest assured that you will still be able to experience all of the fun of a luxury cruise ship.

Finding a cheap cruise deal is not hard and is a great way to celebrate with family and friends for a special occasion or holiday.

Cheap cruise deals offer a great way to experience the luxuries of life without going broke in the process. Book your cheap cruise deal and experience the beauty and excitement of the open seas.

Honeymoon cruises are the best and the most popular option for a relaxing and romantic honeymoon. When you are opting for a honeymoon trip, it is necessary to select a destination or package which will allow you to enjoy the trip and make it the most memorable event which would be always be cherished in your memories.

Opting for a honeymoon cruise package would surely fulfill all your imaginations regarding your honeymoon at a very affordable price. The entire trip would be a very enjoyable one for all the newly married couples as they are provided with excellent amenities such as spa services, romantic dinner and many other facilities.

Besides these, they also offer many romantic activities such as special entertainment shows, breakfast being served in the cabins, romantic dinner.
However, you have to take into consideration some important aspects which are described below:

You should research and find out information about the best honeymoon cruises packages that are available. You can refer to the different websites and find out all the required information along with some useful tips which would make the task of selection quite easier.

You should opt for packages which are offering you variety of destinations to be visited during the trip. It also offers you additional benefits of visiting various popular destinations without making any extra efforts for unpacking and re-packing and making you tension free and relaxed.

Check out whether these cruise you have selected for the honeymoon offers you amenities such as spa treatment or snorkeling. All these amenities would keep you entertained and would not allow you to get bored. It will help you to enjoy the trip to its fullest.

Opt for honeymoon cruise packages which are offering you good deals and select the most suitable one. Make all the necessary payments before going for the trip as it would make you relax and enjoy. In case, you have a very limited budget, then opt for travel companies that are offering you attractive discounts.

Disadvantages of opting for not-so-famous honeymoon cruises are they may serve plain food which is not tasty, no entertainment, small cabins and you do not have the facility to spend some private moments together in the cruise. All these disadvantages could be avoided if you check out availability of all the required facilities before booking for it. You should also make your requirements clear such as your budget and other amenities that you are looking forward to enjoy during the trip.

Once you have finalized your honeymoon cruise package, you have to make the necessary bookings in advance. These bookings can be done through internet.

The information provided here will surely help all the newly-wed couples to select the best honeymoon cruises to spend some enjoyable and rejuvenating moments together.

Barcelona in Spain has become among the largest and most crowded Cruise ports for more than three decades. Its location which overlooks the famous Mediterranean, most of Spanish Cruises who leave Barcelona are from Mediterranean visiting different ports in Turkey, Spain, Italy, France and Greece. Also there are some transatlantic departing from the city, and some  northern European itineraries coming from Barcelona.

Cruise ships are generally moored at either of the following locations, with berths being assigned on the day of arrival:

Voyage lengths range from 3 to 15 nights, with the majority being seven-night cruises from Barcelona of both one-way and round-trip itineraries. Shorter options are nearly always roundtrip from Barcelona with only one or two ports of call, while seven day voyages offer a great range of destinations to choose from.

Pullmantur Cruises have announced a new itinerary sailing from Malaga Spain with dates in September October and November.

Royal Caribbean also has five night sailings from Malaga on Navigator of the Seas departing in October and November.

These cruises are great value as they feature the all-inclusive system onboard-so there are no nasty surprises when you come to settle your onboard account.

Cruises from Spain can be purchased on a cruise only basis or as a package with flights and transfers.

Many people prefer the cruise only option as it gives them more flexibility to add a hotel stay for instance and also the chance to save money.