A guide to Carnival Cruises

Carnival Cruises are considered to be the worlds most popular cruise line because they offer much variety and good value cruise holidays. Carnival cruises can by booked over the telephone, online, or via a travel agent.

Carnival’s fun ships sail to over sixty destinations in Europe, South America, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Transatlantic, Canada/New England, Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska and their shore excursions are planned so that you really enjoy every port of call. There are nearly always special offers and savings to be made from early bookings. All of which help passengers get the lowest price possible.

Acquiring a Carnival Sea Miles card allows you to earn vacations at quality resorts, air travel, a free cruise on Carnival or one of the other cruise lines.

Carnival offer dream wedding packages where a wedding coordinator takes care of every detail, you can choose a private ceremony for your shipboard wedding or a large affair with more than hundred guests.

A destination-wedding package to Barbados, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Key West, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios or St Thomas includes transportation to the wedding destination, a traditional ceremony with a selection of sparkling wine and champagne, as well as a traditional wedding cake, wedding invitations and photography service.

If you take a cruise with Carnival you will be assigned a stateroom steward who will be at your service for the entirety of the journey, whilst a cruise director and his staff provide a variety of entertainment and activities from morning till night. There is a cruise ship newspaper delivered each evening before your retire, which includes the program for the next days activities.

Fun shops offer an excellent selection of duty frees including designer watches, top fragrances, souvenirs, jewellery, alcohol and tobacco. Carnival cruises also have a shopping program that allows you to save up to 60% on goods at ports of call.

All Carnival ships offer a golf academy at sea program, which is suitable for all ages and levels of skill. There is a fun ship casino where you can play the slot machine games, Wheel of Fortune, black jack, Caribbean stud poker and Mega Cash and there are even casino lessons at the start of each cruise. Bingo is also available.

All Carnival ships have a selection of swimming pools including those suitable for young children and for those interested in what goes on behind the scenes, there is a chance to take a galley tour.

Baby sitting is available between the hours of 10pm and 3am and throughout the day Camp Carnival offers three children’s activity programs run by specially trained camp counsellors. These are for toddlers and juniors with the aim of entertaining groups of two to nine year olds. Circle C is a program for the twelve to fourteen year olds and Club O2 is a teen program for those aged fifteen to seventeen.

Medical services are available onboard and there are various dining options.

Carnival is the only cruise line to give a vacation guarantee and if you are not fully satisfied they will make a refund and fly you back to your port of embarkation.

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http://www.directline-cruises.co.uk provides you with the latest cruise holidays as well as essential information on cruise lines, cruise ships, ships cabins and full cruise itineraries from every major cruise line including Cunard, Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, RoyalCaribbean, Princess, Fred Olsen and P&O cruises.

Cruise holidays for young people

According to statistics the average age of cruise ship passengers is fifty, yet thirty percent are under forty, and it is becoming more and more the in thing for young people looking for nightlife. Taking a cruise was once only for the rich but now there are some excellent cruise lines that are budget as well as comfortable, yet another reason making cruise holidays a more attractive package for young people.

One of the best-known companies is Carnival, who sails around Europe from the UK and also to the exotic east and west Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexican Riviera and Baja Mexico to more than sixty destinations, via numerous routes.

They were the pioneers of budget shorter cruises and offer non stop entertainment in a party like environment, which has made them one of the most popular cruise lines in the world especially with the younger generation.

The Carnival Conquest caters extensively for the younger generation, operating caribbean cruises with countless discos, dance clubs, bars and various types of music, including reggae, jazz and rock and roll. So what ever your choice there will be music all the way.

However, the younger generation expect more than just nightlife but thankfuly the Carnival Conquest doesn’t fall short in anyway, providing thirteen decks, four swimming pools, a water slide, sports courts, a running track, a golf centre, as well as a wide range of spa facilities. Although there are two formal restaurants, there are also casual options and a café, sushi restaurant and twenty-four hour pizza station, as well as a choice of bars. You will probably need a Rimadyl after all that!

If you are under thirty and looking for a budget cruise but not sure how to get the best value for money and have the best time ever, then here are a few tips that may help:

Firstly ask about theme packages, for example 18 – 30’s, single, lesbian, gay and if it’s a family affair see if family discount packages are an option, as you will find that most cruise lines have something for everyone.

If you are flexible about when you want to depart, you are more likely to find some better deals at the last minute. Alternatively, many cruise lines offer discounts for booking early and there are also savings to be made for looking for departures closer to home.

If you use a travel agent who has plenty of experience with selling cruise holidays then you will find that there could be access to some better deals. Always ask what is available, as some fares are fax specials and are not publicized.

Another budget cruise line providing an essential product for a basic cost in cruise holidays for young people and worth looking out for is Thompson who sails to Europe, Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Baltic’s and North Africa.

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http://www.directline-cruises.co.uk provides you with the latest cruise holidays as well as essential information on cruise lines, cruise ships, ships cabins and full cruise itineraries from every major cruise line including Cunard, Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, RoyalCaribbean, Princess, Fred Olsen and P&O cruises.

Unforgettable Luxury Yacht Birthday Party Experience.

People often are looking for something new and unique to do for their birthday celebration or special event.

When it comes to a yacht birthday party, the is no other party that compares. A birthday cruise is one of the most unique and greatest ways to celebrate your special day with family and friends.

La Paz, Baja Mexico is most definitely amongst one of the hottest destination spots for anyone who may be thinking of a luxury yacht birthday party.

Birthday cruises are certainly packed with fun, excitement memories to last a lifetime, from a wide assortment of outstanding activities and not to mention the whole yachting experience itself. A yacht charter can make any special event much more memorable, host your wedding, reception, corporate party or other events aboard a fine yacht charter.

Imagine sharing your special event and experiences of chartering a yacht for your very own birthday, or for that of a loved one or anyone dear to you.

No doubt a birthday cruise is a wonderful opportunity to leave your cares behind, envision how you want to celebrate your special occasion with colleagues, clients and friends. In Baja, the Sea of Cortez Cruises are the perfect setting to lounge or play aboard a luxury yacht, the experience is nothing less than a world all of your own; from your very own custom itinerary right down to the exquisite gourmet dining, on or off-shore excursions and an array of water sports all planned according to your birthday wishes.

The ideal weather in Baja Mexico make yacht charter cruises available all year long, allowing ease to plan your yacht birthday party from La Paz or all through-out Baja California Sur at any point of the year. Cruises vacation packages are known to offer luxury as well as affordability to everyone.

For the most part yacht charter companies will work with all kinds of people with various budgets.

Most yacht charter companies prices will vary for hosting a yacht birthday party, dependent on the number of guests as well as how extensive you want the experience to be.

For most, birthdays are a special time, whether you plan to celebrate alone or with friends and family, go fishing, swimming, diving or snorkeling in crystal clear warm azure waters, or simply relax in the Baja sun; a unforgettable Yacht Birthday Party at sea in Baja Mexico may just add the unique touch you’re looking for.

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Anita McKenzie is an experienced internet marketing expert; appling her years of experience and knowledge, and versatility with online marketing; to the promotion and exposure of tourism, travel and business in Baja Mexico.
virtual-la-paz.com

Seven Ways to Maximize Your Cruise Experience

A cruise is a great vacation value, but there are ways that people booking a cruise (even seasoned travelers) can diminish their overall cruise experience. Likewise, even people new to cruising can enhance the cruise experience by following certain guidelines. Here are seven ways to get the most from your cruise.

First – Travel with a like-minded partner or friends. Most cruise ships are like Noah’s Ark: people board in pairs or in groups. While cruise lines will gladly allow you to cruise solo, it is not the best way to enjoy a cruise. Not only will you sometimes feel awkward during dining or cruise ship activities, you also get slapped with a surcharge since all cruising is based on double (or more) occupancy rates.

Furthermore, travel with compatible people. If you like to party, don’t decide to go on a cruise with a tee-totaler or a recovering drinker. Whether you are a sun bather or a casino denizen, you are going to have your best time if you travel with people who share your interests and values.

Second – Board your ship as early as you can and take any tours of the vessel or facilities that are offered. Most ships allow you to board many hours before the ship sets sail and during that time you may be offered free tours of the ship, the spa – you might even get to see the moving pods. Although they aren’t going to be the highlight of your vacation, these tours help you get oriented and can give you a glimpse of facilities on-board that you may have not known about.

If you can’t get an official tour, try to walk through the ship systematically. This will help you get your bearings plus you may find out about lounges, snack bars, clubs, meeting rooms, or other areas that you might not have known about.

On a recent cruise, I found out on the tour that the cruise ship had a guarantee program for purchases made in port. If you bought merchandise from certain recognized stores, the cruise line would guarantee them providing you filled out certain paperwork and turned it in to the onboard shopper. It was a great tip, and I never would have known about it had I not taken the pre-sailing tour of the ship.

Third – Do everything. This may sound counterintuitive to most cruise fanatics, who seek unstructured time and the opportunity to just lounge around and do nothing. Actually, most cruise directors will tell you the best cruises are those in which you really attempt to try and do everything offered.

This means you should extend yourself a bit. Sample the dancing, casinos, the pools, on-board games, art auctions, spa services, bingo, shows, and fine dining. Even if you don’t normally do those things, the more you try to take advantage of all that is offered, the more fun you’ll have.

Fourth – Don’t overeat. While some people do take cruises to gorge themselves, this is usually a rookie mistake. It may sound counter-intuitive to avoid overindulging on a cruise ship, since most cruises really emphasize the wonderful food they offer. But here’s how to handle it.

Do enjoy yourself. Order what you love. Chances are that cruise ships will offer it, whether it’s steak or lobster, ice cream or pizza, eggs benedict at sunrise, or chocolate decadence at midnight. Do, by all means, eat the foods you love.

But don’t stuff yourself. You’ll wind up feeling miserable during the cruise and fat after you get off the boat.

When in doubt, pass on food. Why? Because on a cruise ship, you’re never more than a few minutes away from the next opportunity to eat. Sample all you can, but don’t eat too much of any one thing and say no to a lot of the food and drink offered.

You’ll wind up feeling fitter and stronger and you’ll really enjoy what you do eat.

Fifth – Drink water. That’s good advice anywhere, but most of us forget about it on vacation, particularly on a cruise. Furthermore, if you drink alcohol or spend a lot of time in a hot climate, your need for water increases so you need even more water to avoid dehydration.

Even mild dehydration can cause headaches, aches and pains, and digestive disturbances. Why ruin your vacation? Drink lots and lots of water. It’s available just about anywhere beverages are offered on a cruise ship and bottled water is typically brought every morning to your cabin.

Sixth – Protect your skin. Even if you cruise to Antarctica, you will still need sunscreen. The sun’s intensity is amplified by the water’s reflection, so ramp up your sunscreen protection for a cruise. Put on sunscreen when you go to the pool or beach or even if you’re just sitting on deck in the shade.

If you do get burned, use some of the after-burn products on the market. They should be available on board ship if you don’t bring your own. Whatever you do, protect any burned skin from further sun exposure. If you get a burn on top of an existing sunburn, you can do serious damage to your skin and may even require medical intervention.

Seventh – Don’t be cruise-stupid. That’s a term I made up for a behavior I frequently observe on cruise ships. For some reason, being on a cruise makes some people act foolishly or recklessly and do things they would never normally do. Maybe it’s the unreal experience of being on a cruise ship.

On a cruise ship, people wait on you. Everything is nice and clean. You don’t have to do any work at all. Everybody seems happy. You never have to worry about pulling out your wallet, cooking a meal, or even picking up after yourself. After a couple of days at sea, it really starts to seem like “another world.”

Some folks take that as a cue to start behaving irresponsibly and sometimes they get hurt. I’m not trying to minimize anyone’s pain or say that the bad events are deserved, but let’s face it. People who start acting recklessly sometimes get hurt.

If you stand on a guard rail, you can fall off. If you leave your purse or wallet unattended in a public area, you can get robbed. If you get roaring drunk at a foreign port of call, you can get yourself in trouble.

Observe the same good, common sense tactics you use on land or in your everyday life.

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For more information on cruising, pick up a copy of Ten Things to Consider Before You Book Your Cruise, available only at thecruise-shopper.com/sign_up.html . It’s free with our compliments. This article was written by Mandy Karlik, a frequent contributor to TheCruise-Shopper