On a Crystal cruise it is not difficult to find what you seek. In fact, your search for a place beyond ordinary is over. “Splendidly Uncommon”! Ablaze with intoxicating color and high style, Crystal Cruises’ Harmony, Symphony and Serenity are ships of superlatives that capture the aura of extravagant parties, big, snazzy cars and high tea in the Palm Court while Porter, Gershwin, Mozart and Bach float on the air.

The Experience:

Six-star elegance and style personified! Accommodations include ocean-view staterooms and suites, which many are with private verandahs (Crystal Harmony offers a small number of inside staterooms as well). Full 360-degree teak promenade deck, In-stateroom Internet access, and Butler Service in categories (PH, PS and CP). Choice of classic, main, or late seating in the Crystal Dining Room. Several alternatives to dining venues, 24-hour room service, and wine cellar with over 20,000 bottles (200 vintages and a special Reserve Wine List).

Nights are full of life! Award-winning production shows and a host of other evening performances await where the spotlight shines on Tony® award-winners, Julliard grads, Broadway and West End performers as well as the Crystal Ensemble of singers and Dancers. Showrooms were custom-designed to offer perfect views from each seat and offer superior sound and lighting systems. Costumes are hand made and staging is skillfully crafted to bring every vibrant moment to life. Each cruise also has a variety of cabaret-style entertainment including vocalists, comedians, ventriloquists, instrumentalists and classical artists (you may find yourself serenaded with classical melodies during afternoon tea or whispering special requests to the trio which strolls through the Crystal Dining Room in the evening).

The Crystal Spa is the first at sea to use the principles of Feng Shui. Your journey begins with cultural therapies from around the world all enjoyed amid beautiful Asian artifacts in a restoring, peaceful atmosphere.

Crystal Cruises excels with there quite remarkable Creative Learning Institute and Crystal Visions® Enrichment Program. You can enjoy classes and workshops in the fields of Arts & Entertainment, Business & Technology, Lifestyle, Wellness, Wine & Food, attend courses as diverse as successful grand-parenting and menu planning, experience lectures on the latest advances in medicine and alternative medicine; take piano classes from Yamaha or language lessons with Berlitz. There’s a Computer University at sea, fitness centre, golf driving ranges and putting greens (PGA golf instructors are on select sailing’s), large lap pools, full size paddle tennis courts, and escorted and private Crystal Adventures (shore excursions).

All Crystal Cruises ships feature the Caesars Palace at Sea® Casino, which is run by the world famous Las Vegas operation (the expert on board staff is employed by Caesars Palace). The facility houses blackjack tables, as well as mini-baccarat, craps, roulette and more than 85 slot machines.

Accommodations:

It is in your private quarters where Crystal has lavished special attention. All the essentials and an abundance of extravagances turn every accommodation style into a decidedly personal retreat. Soft lighting, Aveda bath products and 100% Egyptian cotton bath towels in your marble bathroom. Scandinavian down duvets, 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and feather and down king-size pillows on your bed. Ship to shore phones and personal voice mail.

In every stateroom a plush Frette bathrobe awaits a cool evening or barefoot breakfast on your private verandah. Penthouse accommodation delivers the highest level of comfort and can range from 360 to 1345 square feet dependent upon the ship you select. Some are equipped with personal gyms, quite a number offer a separate living room, dining area and bedroom, master bath with a jacuzzi, complimentary beverage bars, flat-screen TV’s, CD players, and DVD players.

All, of course, have private verandahs with the services of a butler. Planning to entertain a few friends at a small party?He’ll arrange it beautifully. Prefer the appetizers, entrées, or desserts from a variety of select specialty restaurants? He’ll bring them to you, along with the movie you want from the library.

Dining:

The restaurants on board Crystal Cruises’ ships are indeed worth mentioning. All the ships offer: two seatings in the main restaurant (Crystal Dining Room), where international and regionally inspired dishes are prepared in the time-honored European tradition, and are unveiled (including “Lighter Fare” choices such as low carb, low sodium, low cholesterol and vegetarian). All ships have an excellent selection of alternative dining venues. Prego, for example, which features traditional Italian specialties plus the signature fare of Piero Selvaggio of Valentino Restaurant fame (Valentino is considered by culinary critics to be the best Italian Restaurant outside of Italy) is on all ships.

Crystal Harmony’s Kyoto features inventive Japanese cuisine, while on Crystal Symphony, the Jade Garden is a culinary crossroads of Asia with menus inspired by exotic traditions and ingredients of the Orient and specialty dishes from Wolfgang Puck’s famed Chinois restaurant. On Crystal Serenity, the eclectic cuisine of Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa (right, that Nobu) is highlighted in two restaurants, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar. In Crystal Symphony’s and Crystal Serenity’s Vintage Room, custom meals are paired with wine selections such as limited bottling of California’s Harlan Estate and Screaming Eagle, dream vintages of great Bordeaux or masterpieces from the fleetwide Reserve Wine List which reveals 20 rare wines.

Consider a Crystal Wine & Food Festival sailing where guest chefs supervise the preparation of a special five-course dinner to be matched with wine pairings selected by a participating wine expert. Each chef presents cooking techniques, offers tips and shares their favorite recipes at special demonstrations.

Afternoon tea presents a selection of savories and sweets served in the sunlit charm of the Palm Court, for lovers of fresh scones, clotted cream and finger sandwiches. An English Colonial Tea offers a British tradition and for a special treat, join the Mozart Tea, a visit to 18th century Vienna where you’re greeted by staff in velvets and brocades offering the finest cakes and most delicious pastries that Austria has ever created.

Crystal Society:

Once guests complete their first Crystal cruise, they’ll be automatically enrolled in the Crystal Society. Guests will be entitled to special savings, events and amenities every time they sail with Crystal Cruises. With every cruise guests take, the rewards become more impressive (stateroom upgrades, credit toward air travel, on board spending credits and much more).

Crystal Visions® Enrichment Program:

Popular Crystal Visions® Enrichment Program is offered on every cruise and, depending on the sailing, features a range of noted destination, cultural, historical and artistic speakers. In addition, all guests can expand horizons with the Crystal Cruises Creative Learning Institute®, an innovative series of interactive classes created to enhance guests’ quality of life in the areas of Arts & Entertainment, Business & Technology (including our popular Computer University@Sea), Lifestyle, Wellness and Wine & Food. ACBL experts offer instruction in most levels of Bridge, professional ballroom dancers share their tips on improving dance steps and on most sailings a qualified PGA pro leads a series of golf classes.

Computer University@Sea Program:

Popular Computer University@Sea® program is offered on all cruises. CU@Sea provides e-mail services, Internet access, group and individual instruction on use of a PC and extensive complimentary enrichment course offerings. Each ship has at least 25 state-of-the-art PC workstations. Complimentary lectures or classes are offered on each cruise. Details of these are listed in the daily newsletter Reflections. There is a nominal set-up fee when guests begin to use any CU@Sea services involving off-ship communication.

Extended Land Programs:

Either at the beginning or at the end of each cruise, guests can take two to six-night trips to some of the most remarkable cities and inland destinations. Local travel experts who deliver the highest level of service have created these programs.

Hotel Programs:

Many of Crystal’s selected hotels are recognized by noted publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as some of the finest hotels in the world.

Crystal “Classic” Hotel Program Includes:

Luxurious Hotel Accommodation, Meet & Assist arrangements at the airport, Group transfer by motor coach between airport and hotel, or hotel and airport, Specially designed sightseeing transfer by motor coach between hotel and ship or, vice versa, Hotel tax and porterage, Hospitality Desk offering local advice and optional sightseeing opportunities.

Crystal “Classic-Plus” Hotel Program Include:

Upgraded Hotel Accommodation, Breakfast daily, Personal Meet & Assist arrangements at, the airport, Private car transfer between airport and hotel, or hotel and airport, Specially designed sightseeing transfer by motor coach between hotel and ship or vice versa, Hotel tax and porterage, Hospitality Desk offering local advice and optional sightseeing opportunities.

Junior Activities Program:

Crystal Cruises’ commitment to excellence and quality of experience does not end with grown-up cruisers. Kids have a variety of great activities to choose from on every Crystal cruise! Offered are children’s playroom and babysitting services on all cruises. During holiday cruises and selected sailing’s, additional children’s activities are offered under the supervision of experienced Junior Activities Directors.

Junior Activities Programme is Three-Tiered: 3-7 year olds, 8-12 year olds, 13-17 year olds, Children under six months are not permitted on board without a signed waiver by parent(s).

Activities: age and the number of children on board determine Activities. On those sailings with Junior Activities Directors, a detailed schedule of events is created at the beginning of each cruise. Once on board, you’ll receive Surf Runner, or Teen Scene, the teenagers guide to special activities, our daily newsletter for kids with details for the following day’s schedule and other pertinent information.

Facilities: Fantasia, children’s playroom, offers tables and chairs for arts and crafts, popular Sony PlayStation® game titles, a large screen television set and board games. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity also feature a teenager’s video arcade, Waves. The Library offers children’s books and children’s videos or DVDs for enjoyment in staterooms.

Crystal’s Fleet: Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony, and Crystal Serenity.

During some point you might catch a certain sight or have a distinct feeling that causes you to suddenly realize - I am someplace special. It might be a sense of your own elegance as you enter the Crystal Dining Room, or perhaps the feeling of serenity that envelopes you as you sink slowly into the Cleopatra Tub in The Crystal Spa. Or perchance it will be recognition that you are part of an exclusive group who travels the world in style, searching for its very best experiences.

The adventure of grand theatres, quiet corners, sophisticated lounges, lavish shows, and delectable cuisine has earned Crystal Cruises the “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” award. Awards come from Condé Nast Traveler magazine and Travel + Leisure a record eight years in a row from 1996 - 2003 (the only cruise line to be so honored). And no wonder! Gracious comforts and small pleasures come in large quantities, including the smiles accompanying the smallest gesture from staff imbued with the finest traditions of European service.

About the author: William Lezubski (Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), and Certified Travel Counsellor(CTC) - William is a professional in the Travel Industry and is the owner and author of “Discount Caribbean Vacations Web Site” available at http://www.discount-caribbean-vacations.com A great source for Cruise information, and top Cruise Suppliers offering Discounted Caribbean Cruises, and Caribbean cruise specials all in one convenient location!

Family cruises are a special time for families to connect and spend time together. With the busyness of work and sports programs, dance lessons, dentist visits, and youth group, it’s hard for families to spend quality time together. All the more reason to get away from the hustle and bustle and go on a family cruise.

There are family cruise agencies out there, ready to help you plan the perfect getaway for you and your loved ones. A trip that will be both fun and exciting yet won’t break your budget. If you are looking for a variety of activities, ones that will allow your family some good interaction or individual activities that are of interest to everyone, it’s all just a click away. There are family cruise specialists that dedicate themselves to bring you the best rates and superior service.

Family cruises are available for numerous destinations. Depending on where you want to go, you can explore the islands of Hawaii or sail to Florida, Canada, or Alaska. If you are interested in branching out farther, consider a Disney Cruise or a trip around the Cayman Islands. Whatever you choose, it will be an educational and memorable time for you and your loved ones.

We realize the importance of planning a family cruise is budget. You can save money if you travel during times that school vacations aren’t planned. It is also important to discuss your airfare options with your travel agent. The reason for this is so you don’t get stuck with inconvenient flight times or connections. If you are concerned about traveling with larger families, there are specifications designed to meet your needs on family cruises.

Youth counselors are also available on family cruises. If your children are three and older, you are bound to find a cruise line that has youth programs suitable for your family. If you are concerned about your teenagers having fun, family cruises are equipped with dance and karoake contests, pool parties, rock climbing walls, etc. Though programs are created to allow your children to be safe and have fun, the point of family cruises is to promote unity and togetherness within your family.

There are plenty of things to take into consideration when planning a family cruise. Will everyone have fun? Is it within the budget? What’s an affordable and practical length of time to go on a family cruise? Family cruises are meant to be fun-sit down and talk with your family about where they would like to go, what kinds of activities your kids are interested in, and activities you can do together. Make it a point to write down what you hope to gain from your time together and set out to accomplish those goals. Bon Voyage!

For more information about family cruise and family cruises, visit:
http://blogs.christianet.com

Before you apply for a job on a cruise ship, or take your application any further, you should think carefully about exactly what it is a potential cruise line employer is looking for.

This has two benefits: firstly, it will help you decide if the job is really for you and secondly, it will help you decide how to put over your own personal skills and qualities to best effect.

Let’s take a look at exactly what cruise line employers are looking for in a potential candidate.

* Experience

Don’t worry, this isn’t always a necessity! There are plenty of positions onboard where you don’t need any experience whatsoever. But having some kind of land-based experience in your desired job is always going to be an advantage. Cruise line employers especially like people who can show a broad range of experience. For example, if your job involves contact with the public then experience of serving the public in several ways will be an advantage.

* High Standards of Service

All functions on board cruise ships are carried out to a high standard. So it is important that you can carry out your work to a high standard. For example, service in the Hotel, Catering and Bar Department is usually similar to that in a four or five star hotel.

* Professionalism

It is important to be professional about your work. That is, you need to take pride in your work and in achieving excellent results every time. This is not always easy when you are working long hours in a fast paced environment.

* Reliability

This is a big concern for most cruise lines. Interviewers are very wary of recruiting new crew members whom they suspect might ‘jump ship’ in an exotic port when the novelty wears off! They need to satisfy themselves that you will stay for the full duration of your contract (typically 6 months).

Obviously, once you have joined a ship you cannot easily be replaced in a foreign port, and the expense and hassle involved is something they really don’t want. You must give the clear IMPRESSION that you are highly reliable and have every intention of sticking out your contract. And preferably intend on making this a long-term career move. In other words, don’t make them think that you are just going to ‘give it a go’.

* High Standards of Presentation

It is very important that you are immaculately turned out when you work onboard a ship. This applies particularly to crew who have contact with the passengers but also to behind-the-scenes crew too, to a lesser extent. Again, if you consider that many cruise ships operate to the same standards of service as a top-class international hotel then you will get an idea of the sort of people the employer is looking for.

* Enthusiasm

You really do need to show that you are hard working and energetic. Shifts onboard can be much longer than on dry land. In particular, you certainly wouldn’t want to give the impression that you are a nine-to-five type person and couldn’t bear the thought of working weekends!

* A Cheerful Personality

You may find this a strange quality for a cruise ship employer to place much importance on, but they do. Obviously, working in the confines of a ship - and living onboard too - can be quite stressful and demanding. But since many of the passengers have paid a lot of money for their cruise, it’s very important that the crew are pleasant and professional with them. It is equally important that you are fairly cheerful and easy going off-duty so that you can do your job professionally when you are on duty.

If you bear in mind what the employer is looking for at all stages of your application - then you will be doing a great deal to boost your chances of getting a cruise ship job.

Copyright 2006 Neil Maxwell Keys

Neil Maxwell-Keys is THE cruise ship jobs expert and best-selling author of “Get a Cruise Ship Job: How to Get a Job on a Luxury Cruise Ship – Quickly and Easily!” You can get his FREE mini-course by visiting: http://www.GetaCruiseShipJob.com

The state of Florida is filled with lakes, swamps and unchartered territory
that can only be reached by airboat. Airboat popularity continues to rise
in Florida and boating enthusiasts are making new airboat purchases
everyday. Choosing the right airboat is important and can be something
like choosing a car or truck, it is a major purchase. There are a few
things that you may want to consider as you shop for the right airboat.

The following is a general outline of the topics that can help you decide
what you really want.

You have to ask yourself many questions when determining what
airboat is best for you. Including topics such as the cost factor, whether
to purchase a new or used airboat. Your stability needs to include the
size of hull that you will require will help determine the size of engine.
Also, what is the main purpose of the use of the airboat? In addition, you
need to determine the performance expectancy meaning, what do you
want your boat to be capable of?

Next is choosing your power drive and
propeller design. Reliability of all welded aluminum hulls are other items
of consideration. New or used, it is important to know your craft and the
tolerance of the hull. In reference to the boat’s warranty, materials and
construction, use quality airboat industry standard parts. And finally,
what options would you like on your airboat.

Whichever options you decide to choose, consider what you are doing
and what you are getting into before you start. And remember, you get
what you pay for, so from the safety perspective, going cheap probably
isn’t the best idea.

Airboat safety is important. The general population can’t explore the
type of territories that an airboat owner can. Airboats have the versatility
that other boats don’t. So in many cases and situations, when air
boating in the back areas of the rivers, eddies and swamps, you are
normally on your own.

It is great to have a craft that goes so many places but sometimes this
can also be somewhat dangerous. Travel in two or more craft if possible
and have reliable communications onboard such as a cellular or
satellite phone or a two-way radio.

Once you categorize your needs, it will often determine what design is
required to suit that need. This will get you into the right ballpark.
Airboats hulls come in a variety of sizes of airboats. Sizes range from
10×7 ft to the large 25×8 ft airboat. Each foot-length of boat comes in
three available widths: the 7, 7.5 or 8 ft. The most popular sized boats
are the 12-14 ft boats. There are also companies that specialize in
making large sized tour boats. Once you decide what hull is needed the
rest of the boat comes easier.

It is very rewarding to step into the right airboat and enjoy the endless
acres of fun and water forgotten and unused by conventional craft. Be
safe, know your limitations and let it happen.

Copyright Troy Denson - http://www.airboatsbyhamant.com

Are you planning a cruise vacation and looking for a great price on your special cruise? There are a number of ways that cruise clients can get reduced price cruises. We will identify how to get reduced price cruises for your cruise vacation getaway.

First of all, we need to clarify the term “reduced price cruises”. Free upgrades can constitute “reduced prices” for your cruise. In some cases, this upgrade can amount to hundreds of dollars. On-board ship credits can be considered a reduction in your cruise cost as well. Periodically, the cruise lines offer special incentives to potential cruise buyers in the form of ship-board credits of $50.00, $100.00 or more! You will undoubtedly spend on board your cruise ship, so these credits can be considered a reduction in your cruise vacation cost.

The best way to take advantage of these “reduced price incentives” is to monitor a number of cruise merchants (in some cases weekly) for their current cruise deals on your chosen itinerary - that is, if you have the time. (One must keep in mind that cruises tend to sell out and waiting may cost you getting the stateroom of choice or missing the cruise altogether.) You can get special reduced price quotes by accessing our Discount Cruises home page and clicking on the merchant links there. Fill in the requested data and you will receive a quote for your chosen special cruise vacation. These quotes may already include price reductions and incentives.

Many cruise lines offer reduced price cruises for early booking. This ensures that the cruise will have a high acceptance at the “get-go”. They can then raise their prices back to an appropriate level.

If you are having a large get-together on your cruise, you can often get reduced price cruises by planning a “group rate” cruise. Sometimes this can mean that you may receive a discount in the amount of one whole cruise fare! Divide that up amongst your group and you have a wonderfully reduced price cruise!

As with every large ticket purchase, the words are “Buyer Beware”. Make sure that what you are expecting is what you are paying for. This applies equally to on-line purchases and “brick and mortar” merchant purchases as well. Ask the questions:

Are there any other taxes, fees, port fees etc?
Are there any carrying charges?
Are my flight and transfers to the port included?
Am I receiving my choice of stateroom?
If you have pre-booked a shore excursion, is it included?

Once you have checked out the market for your special cruise vacation, picked your special stateroom and received a reduced price cruise package, book your cruise on-line from the merchants on our main A1 Discount Cruises page. Then all that’s left to do is to get excited!

Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of a1-discount-cruises.com your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit http://www.a1-discount-cruises.com to book your fabulous romantic gift cruise vacation! For more interesting articles visit our Article Map pages.

Owning a boat has an oxymoronic quality to it. “The simple life” can be pretty complex–I think of it as having a plane, a car, and a house compressed into a very small space. This specialized environment calls for specialized equipment and tactics…sometimes. In spite of what marine retailers would like us to think, there are a number of ‘normal’ (and inexpensive) items that we can put to very efficient use aboard our boats. For example:

• For easy lighting that won’t impair your night vision, stock red cellophane (the kind you get in rolls in a gift wrap store) and rubber bands. Cut squares to fit over flashlights and rubber band them in to place.

• Forget buying purpose-made bag clips. Clothespins can do double duty by securing laundry to the life lines as well as keeping the bag of potato chips (or whatever) closed. And only use rubber covered clothespins–the metal hinges on the wooden ones rust out in about five seconds in a marine environment.

• When the clothes dryer eats a sock, don’t throw away its mate. Save those unmatched socks to use as jar and bottle covers aboard the boat. They provide good shock absorbency.

• If you haven’t completely switched over to a digital camera, you should have plastic film canisters hanging around. Reuse them for storage aboard the boat–small fittings, pill boxes, herbs/spices, anything small that needs a compact home.

• Have several plastic spray bottles on board. Besides their use for cleaning solutions (e.g., a bleach/water combination for controlling mildew), they are great ‘hand showers’. Douse yourself on hot days to encourage evaporative cooling. And when you’re out on the ocean and go over the side for a bath, use a spray bottle to rinse yourself off with fresh water– works great. Just make sure you keep your cleaning solution bottles separate from your shower bottles!

• If you aren’t already doing so, save your old toothbrushes for cleaning and maintenance on the boat. There are loads of tight places above and below decks where a small brush works great. One overlooked spot: Use a toothbrush to clean the inside of anchor chain links.

• You can never have too many zip-locking bags. Keep several sizes available, and use them for more than just food storage. Spare parts, clothes, office equipment, medicines, and lots of other stuff will pack more compactly when transferred to zip locking bags. And reuse the bags: invert, wash, and then hang to dry with those double-duty clothespins.

These are just a few examples of the use of ‘non-marine’ things that have a place aboard a boat.

(c)Copyright 2004 Kerry S. Mason

About The Author

Kerry Mason is the webmaster for http://www.finesailing.com, The #1 resource on the Internet for sailing, boating and water sports enthusiasts. Be sure to visit his complete archive of articles at… http://www.finesailing.com/articles/index.html

At just twenty-one square miles in size, the island of
Bermuda in the Western Atlantic is one of the smaller
destinations in the world to visit on a cruise ship. Only
a day and a half sailing from the U.S. East Coast, a
Bermuda cruise will introduce you to a tropical gem of
an island that is a world away from The Bahamas and
other Caribbean island communities. If you want to
experience the quintessential English lifestyle set to a
calypso beat, Bermuda is the place to go!

A British colony since 1684, the island of Bermuda has
long been a favorite for U.S. and Canadian tourists. Up
to 220,000 visitors each year arrive aboard Bermuda
cruise vessels, which dock at one of the island’s two
ports - Hamilton and Kings Wharf. Bermuda does also
have an airport to the northeast of the island, ushering
in around another 380,000 visitors annually. The
Bermuda government places strict limits on the number
of visitors entering this tiny land area each year.
Booking your Bermuda cruise well in advance of your
desired sail date is therefore highly recommended.

Bermuda cruises depart from a number of ports along
the eastern seaboard. Cruise lines operating out of
Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Boston and
Norfolk offer 5 - 7 day Bermuda cruises on a regular
basis. As there is little in the way of land between the
East Coast and Bermuda, Bermuda cruises tend only to
stop at one port on the island. Cruise passengers are
then free to explore Bermuda by foot, scooter, bicycle
or boat. Bermuda cruise operators will also have a raft
of shore excursions available for passengers to enjoy,
the cruise ship acting as a floating hotel for the duration
of their stay on the island.

Bermuda cruise shore excursions

A Bermuda cruise is a great opportunity to indulge in
some high-class living. Whether your passion is golf,
lazing on a beach (yes, it is true, the sand on some of
Bermuda’s beaches is pink), or just taking it easy in
tropical surroundings, you’ll be in for a treat on the
island of Bermuda. For the more adventurous a
complete spectrum of water sports can be enjoyed in
the warm waters that lap the island’s shoreline. You
may even get a chance to take in a cricket match or two
while sipping a cup of English Afternoon tea - an
altogether more delightful way to experience ‘England’
without the drab skies and endless rain of the real thing.

Looking for Cruise information ?

Go to http://www.azcruises.com to find out all you need
to know about taking your dream Bermuda Cruise vacation.

You would like to go on a cruise this year for your vacation.

But, just looking at some of the costs that are out there is a sure enough way to worry that you may not be able to afford to do that. Yet, there are many ways that you can save money on the cruise that you plan to purchase. If you are like many of the people out there, you should carefully consider your options.

First of all, you should do a little research before you commit to one cruise or the other. There is much to be learned before you do that. The internet has plenty of travel/cruise related sites. Find the ones not trying to sell you anything for unbiased opinions.

Cruises can be affordable if you know what and when to do it. Depending on where you would like to go, what you would like to see, and what you would like to do, your options may be a little limited.

So, what you should do to save money is to be as open as possible about the cruise.

If you are able to go at any time of the year, it is best to go in the off season. You can often find the best deals on packages during the winter months. But, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be winter where you are headed. If you live in the north, a winter cruise to the tropical is ideal and it feels like summer there!

Some people go on cruise for free, by being a speaker or teacher on cruise ships. You get free room and board, plus all the meals included, just to teach people how to scrapbook, how to save money on taxes, how to play poker. The possibilities are outstanding for getting considered, as long as you have a great appealing topic.

Another way to save on your cruise is to comparison shop. Not all of the various options that are out there to be booked are offered for the same price. You may find that the same cruise will cost less on one website than it will cost on another. This is heartbreaking if you choose the wrong one. Take a few minutes to compare your prices.

Also, consider how you will get to your cruise. A sure way to drive up the cost of a cruise is to need to take a flight to get to the cruise in the first place. You may want to consider driving. Or, if you can, consider boarding your cruise ship as close to home as possible. By cutting off a few miles this way, you may be able to actually save quite a bit in airline fees.

There is no reason why you can not save money on the cruises that you plan to take. In fact, if you are one that can pick up and go, some cruises will actually offer very good rates in the off season when they do not have a lot of guests. This is ideally the best time to go!

Jeff Mills is a former Youth Pastor of 9 years, who is now a full time internet information entrepreneur, book author, speaker, sales coach, and also an avid traveler. Jeff has passionately pursued seeking the best discount travel clubs and has discovered Coastal Vacations Travel Club to be the top of the heap, saving members up to 75% off their trips for life. Discover how you can travel and earn $1000 or more in commissions immediately at http://www.coastal-vacation-club.com for a fantastic work from home career or a great travel club bargain, and there is no selling! We close your sales.

If you are a “wannabe” cruiser with questions, there are plenty of us out here to give you answers. One of the defining characteristics of the cruising community is our opinionatedness (is that a word?).

But there is a far more insidious aspect to this opinionatedness — an evangelical quality that we take on when we talk or write about cruising. We assert, either covertly or overtly, that cruising is a panacea for people like us, we who have rejected the material world, are seeking enlightenment from nature, want to living off the land, crave adventure, or whatever motivators put us onto a floating home. There is a kind of arrogance in our position — especially, dare I say it, among sail boaters — that implies that we have found “the way.”

As I look over books and articles that I and others in the fleet have written, I recognize potential snags in what we say. We do mean well when we transmit our opinions, but the assertions can be misleading, especially to novice cruisers investing our words with more weight and significance than they should have.

“Go NOW!”

One example is the “Go Now” slogan. It is usually said in the context of “There will never be an ideal time to go, so go now!” Most of us who write and talk about cruising have this message somewhere in what we’re saying. Our point is that it can be really easy to come up with reasons why you can’t take off on a boat. We are trying to keep you from just thinking about it the rest of your life, and are cheering you on to take the leap sooner than later. We talk about the great places we have visited, the challenges we’ve surmounted, the great people we’ve met along the way. Even when we talk about the down sides of cruising, we inevitably wind up saying that the rewards outweigh the discomforts.

I myself listened to the “Go Now” cheer from the crowd. My desire to go cruising overrode other matters in my first and second experiences. I first took off on a boat that was still partially owned by the bank because we didn’t want to do what we needed to pay her off first. Better to go now, right? That monthly payment was a weight around our necks the whole time we were on the water.

The second time I left before I was mentally ready to go—I had built a business that was just shifting into high gear. Because we were so focused on cruising and listening to the “Go Now” siren song, I chose to sell the business and leave. Even though I enjoyed the cruise, I still never stopped regretting that choice. I didn’t allow myself to experience fruits from all of my hard work. If I had stayed even just one more year, I could have left feeling a lot more complete about what remained behind.

“Don’t Be a Weenie!”

Another message directed especially at budding first mates comes from the “sisterhood of the water” — the distaff side of cruising couples who write and talk about cruising. Almost invariably, we (and I include myself in this group) talk about the lifestyle in glowing terms. Some of us will admit that we first entered it in the shadows of our husbands or boyfriends, but we will go on to list all the fabulous things that have come from the experience. We assert that if we hadn’t made the decision to support our partners in their dream, we would have missed out on the experience of a lifetime. And we imply, usually unwittingly, that it should be okay to leave family and creature comforts behind, that having those (or similar) issues is the mark of a milquetoast.

There are voices that are not being heard. In addition to meeting many women who love cruising, I have met a number of women on the water who were very unhappy. Some were deeply depressed. They missed their families, they missed their homes, they didn’t like sailing, and didn’t enjoy what they considered “roughing it.” And many of them felt very guilty about it. A few even admitted that they were afraid that the relationship with their partners would end if they hadn’t agreed to go cruising!

What makes a woman go cruising against her preferences? That is a very complex subject, and not one I’m qualified to tackle…so I won’t go there, except for one thing. I believe that we - the first mates who do love the lifestyle contribute to the problem unknowingly. I went back and reread some of the stuff I’ve written in the past, then I read material from other women on the water, and it came to me that we may be putting peer pressure on budding first mates. And that I experienced this kind of pressure when I first went cruising.

Don’t misunderstand. I’m glad I did it. I love to cruise. The peer pressure worked on me. I did embrace the challenges and allowed the rewards to outweigh the discomforts. But what about the women for whom the peer pressure didn’t work? Those who gave it a try, found that it wasn’t their cup of tea, but are afraid to say so? Could their unhappiness be avoided? I think so.

A first mate in training needs to be very clear with her partner about the terms under which she will participate — that is, what aspects of their cruising life are important to her, what are non-negotiable, and what she will compromise on. For example, flying home to visit family and friends twice a year might be a non-negotiable term; if so, the cost for this item will need to be incorporated into the budget, which might impact how far they will cruise.

On the other hand, she might be willing to compromise regarding how often they will stay in marinas — three nights a month, say, instead of the ten or more that she’d prefer — in order to save money. Understanding her terms will allow the cruising couple to create a plan for the lifestyle that will suit both of them.

Do This, Don’t Do That!

I recently read an article by a guy who is out cruising, giving advice about how to prepare for a life on the water. The points he made were valid, but I felt my hackles rise as I read. His style of advice-giving was so pompous. He pontificated about the “right” way to do things…the “right” way, of course, being the way that he did it. The subliminal message was that you’d better do the same or you’ll be sorry.

YOU WILL TAKE SAILING COURSES BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

YOU WILL PRACTICE AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY!

YOU WILL CONSTRUCT A BUDGET AND NET WORTH STATEMENT!

If you’re like me, anyone who orders you to follow a particular route in any of life’s enterprises is suspect. The challenge for me with these people is to keep from throwing the baby out with the bath water — I have to make a conscious effort to separate their communication style from the information, and then consider the information in its own right.

Please remember that none of us in the cruising village is an expert. The best we can do is give our opinions and suggestions based on our own experiences and style of cruising. You need to decide if the information we’re giving you fits your own circumstances. I will do my best, in giving my own opinions, to refrain from evangelizing and dictating the “right” way. Please forgive me if I slip from time to time — after all, I am a cruiser!!

Trish Lambert has been a cruising sailor for over twenty years and a first mate three times, with three different skippers and three very different cruising styles. She knows first hand what makes cruising successful, and what she has to share may surprise you! Whether you are a skipper or first mate, a singlehander or part of a cruising couple, sail boater or power boater, Trish can help make your cruising dream a reality. Check out her site at http://www.takehersailing.com for a wealth of cruising information.

A family cruise is a perfect getaway with lots of fun and a exciting time for everybody. Whenever you have kids bored with the same things like amusement parks, theater and all and your spouse needs a switch, plan a cruise get away.

You will get addicted to it. A family cruise is a sure
shot way to drive away the same oh same trips.
A flick to look at, a relaxing massage, a great game?Anything, you just name it. You have numerous activities to choose from, in reality that is the most strenuous part-to decide what to do.

A family cruise is one of the healthiest enjoyable
ways to enjoy your vacation with your family and cherish the memories forever. You will discover selective activities and tailor made services for all of you. You just need some tailored planning.

Start planning your family cruises, by defining your budget. Once you know your budget look out for cruises that fit below your budget. After short listing the cruises look for the facilities and services they are offering next to the nature
and types of activities appropriate for your children. You of course want them to enjoy the cruise so there should be adequate provisions to keep them happily occupied on the cruise.

If you have exceedingly young children, make sure
cribs and babysitting facilities are accessible. While for a bit older children loads of activities like dancing classes, escorted tours, parties, games and contests are planned. Every cruise has its own bag of goodies for children. Keep your childrens
age in mind when you re going through these activities.

Some families cruises do not admit infants or pregnant
women onboard. Consider this at the time of booking whether toddler care and baby-sitting facilities are available or not. Keep ample stock of the things your child might require like infant food, diapers, as you might not come across them onboard.

While embarking on a family cruise, make sure there are proper medical facilities are available for emergencies. Also, make inquiries about fees for cancelling or altering dates for the trip, in case any such need arises. It is better to check
current information about the cruise schedule on the cruises website.

A weeklong cruise is perfect for families and you are
sure to find additional families joining the fun.
One of the popular family cruises is a Disney cruise. With so many extraordinary facilities and fun filled activities to occupy young and old alike, Disney cruise is a perfect setting for fun, fun and more fun. You have clubs and lab for kids, Flounder’s reef nursery for your babies, a coffeehouse, custom designed programs in filmmaking and photography plus interesting teen outings along with live awsome shows.

Another attractive family cruise is the carnival cruise with its extraordinary fun ships. The fun ships have special entertainers, Karaoke parties, teen makeovers and art & photography classes, water slides, ship tours for children etc. There are special camp-site carnivals for different age groups.

There are specially designed virtual reality machines in the entertainment complex along with disco and video arcade. There is a playroom with loads of toys and electronic games. Family cruises are joyful occasions for the family where they can spend some quality time with one another. Simply put, family cruises are great places that you can visit to unwind and enjoy!

Victor Newton gives individuals up to the minute info on travel information exclusively in Myrtle Beach,South Carolina. Get the Free report: Cash On Your Vacation at Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach Vacation Guide.com