It’s nearing the end of the school year and it will soon be time for families to gallivant around the globe on their annual summer family vacation. Although plenty of families already have their vacations planned down to the most intricate details, many of us like to wait to the last minute to start planning our getaway. Well, have no fear, there are plenty of options onboard a number of cruise lines this summer. From Alaska to the Caribbean to Europe, you’re sure to have loads of family fun onboard a cruise.
With more than one million children sailing the high seas each year, you will have no problem finding family-friendly amenities and programs on everything from today’s largest ocean liners to the smaller, more-intimate ships. With new ships making their debut each year, cruisers can choose among increasingly innovative perks like onboard nurseries, wave simulators, ice-skating rinks, bowling lanes and movies on a giant screen under the stars.
But why choose a cruise for your family vacation? The answer is simple. A cruise offers something for the whole family at a very reasonable price. Parents can enjoy rest and relaxation while kids get to hang with other kids. Don’t worry, they’ll also be plenty of time for families to come together and participate in fun activities as a group. It’s important to spend time as a family on your vacation, but let’s be honest, parents could use some time alone and kids can’t wait to participate in the children’s clubs. Many cruise lines offer extensive kids programs with age appropriate activities, so kids get to have fun with other kids their own age. On average, children ages 3 –17 can participate in the kids programs, with some cruise lines taking children as young as 6 months. The cruise lines have different age restrictions and some do not allow children who are not potty trained in the kids club. Most programs group children by age in only two- to three-year spans. Kids programs can be found on Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Crystal, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, Regent and Royal Caribbean. Most cruise lines offer the programs year round but a few only offer the kids club on summer voyages and holiday sailings.
Will my child get bored in the kids club? Of course not! There are so many activities to choose from, your kids will be begging you to leave them alone. Young ones enjoy sing alongs, arts & crafts, cookie decorating, treasure hunts, ice cream sundae parties and so much more while tweens get to hang with their new friends, play video games, take dance classes, participate in a talent show, compete in a sports competition and maybe even participate in a Junior Ranger program. A number of cruise ships have added teen only areas including lounges and discos where teens can chill with their new buds, try their hand at the latest video games on Xbox or Playstation, watch late night movies or attend a teen only party.
These days, one of the biggest advantages for families is the cruise industry’s support of US homeports. You’ll find more ships sailing year-round from the nations most popular drive-to ports of call including San Francisco, San Diego, Galveston, Mobile, Charleston, Baltimore, Cape Liberty and many more. Homeporting is a huge savings when traveling with a family. Just think, you can use the money you were going to spend on multiple airline tickets to upgrade your family to a larger cabin!
Speaking of staterooms, there is a wide variety of room options for any budget onboard a cruise. Choose from an inside or ocean view cabin, a balcony stateroom, suites, multi-family suites and even villas, with up to three bedrooms. You can even find adjoining staterooms on many ships for added convenience.
When it comes to dining, the choices abound. There’s the traditional dining room experience, grab-n-go meal options, buffets, formal & informal restaurants, and room service. Most lines offer some type of food 24 hours a day so you’ll never be hungry.
Cruising is a great option for a family vacation with one price covering your meals, shipboard activities, entertainment and more. Plus you can visit a number of ports without having to pack and unpack. So when you’re ready to start thinking about that summer family vacation compare your options and you’ll find cruising is the best and most affordable choice with fun for the whole family.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
What is Luxury Cruising?
Luxury cruising is not just about being pampered in paradise; it’s about unique, once in a lifetime experiences that will completely wow you. Many luxury cruise lines offer their own special “wow” factor, but it is up to you to choose what meets your fancy. Is it watching nature unfold on the plains of Africa or savoring vintage wines in the hills of Tuscany? Do want to explore the wild side of the Amazon or relax on a private Tahitian island? The possibilities are endless on a luxury cruise.
Discover the world of luxury cruising as you set sail across the sea. Sit back and relax as the staff attends to your every need. Spend your day exploring cities rich with culture and history while your evenings are filled with elaborate meals, top shelf drinks and world-class entertainment. Renew your soul at the spa or enrich your mind through education. From computer lessons to photography to cooking classes, you’ll not only discover new things off the ship you’ll also discover them onboard. But one of the best advantages of sailing on a smaller, luxury cruise is the simple fact that these intimate vessels can sail in and out of smaller ports, offering you less crowds and more intimate experiences on shore.
Simple touches can make such a difference between good and great! Luxury cruise lines pay so much attention to detail and layout, creating the perfect atmosphere for an unbelievable cruise experience. You’ll enjoy top of the line toiletries from leading brands like Acqua Di Parma in spacious bathrooms complete with twin sinks, a separate bathtub and shower, and terry cloth robes. Slumber on 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens; then wake up to breakfast served by your butler on your private wraparound teak veranda. Now that is cruising in style!
One of the greatest benefits of luxury cruising is the crew to guest ratio, which is most often 1 crew member to 2 guests, with some ships offering a 1 to 1 ratio. So, what does this mean for you? It means more personal attention and better service. When a crew member only has you and your traveling companion to tend to as opposed to a whole slew of guests, the crew member is able to learn your desires and becomes proficient in accommodating your every wish. When you sail on a luxury cruise you’ll discover what it means to be taken care of.
Even with all this superb service, you won’t need to keep reaching into your pocket when onboard a luxury cruise line. Most luxury cruise lines do not encourage tipping. In fact, some make it very clear that tips are not accepted at all. But what kind of service do you get with a no tipping policy, you ask? The best service imaginable. The luxury cruise lines have searched high and low to find the best staff members possible, well-trained and well-disciplined, and they pay them accordingly. Experience what it feels like to come first without having to pay extra for it on a luxury cruise.
Getting to know your neighbors is a huge advantage of luxury cruising. In this day and age of mega-ships, it’s possible to meet people once onboard and never see them again. The smaller, luxury ships emanate a cozier atmosphere, setting the stage for social butterflies to flourish. You will often see the same people at dinner, in the lounge, on the deck and even on excursions. This country club ambiance gives you plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with your newfound friends.
It’s not too early to start thinking about a luxury cruise. The best way to see the world is by sea, onboard a luxury liner, where your every need will be attended to while you sail into the most exciting adventure of your life.
Discover the world of luxury cruising as you set sail across the sea. Sit back and relax as the staff attends to your every need. Spend your day exploring cities rich with culture and history while your evenings are filled with elaborate meals, top shelf drinks and world-class entertainment. Renew your soul at the spa or enrich your mind through education. From computer lessons to photography to cooking classes, you’ll not only discover new things off the ship you’ll also discover them onboard. But one of the best advantages of sailing on a smaller, luxury cruise is the simple fact that these intimate vessels can sail in and out of smaller ports, offering you less crowds and more intimate experiences on shore.
Simple touches can make such a difference between good and great! Luxury cruise lines pay so much attention to detail and layout, creating the perfect atmosphere for an unbelievable cruise experience. You’ll enjoy top of the line toiletries from leading brands like Acqua Di Parma in spacious bathrooms complete with twin sinks, a separate bathtub and shower, and terry cloth robes. Slumber on 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens; then wake up to breakfast served by your butler on your private wraparound teak veranda. Now that is cruising in style!
One of the greatest benefits of luxury cruising is the crew to guest ratio, which is most often 1 crew member to 2 guests, with some ships offering a 1 to 1 ratio. So, what does this mean for you? It means more personal attention and better service. When a crew member only has you and your traveling companion to tend to as opposed to a whole slew of guests, the crew member is able to learn your desires and becomes proficient in accommodating your every wish. When you sail on a luxury cruise you’ll discover what it means to be taken care of.
Even with all this superb service, you won’t need to keep reaching into your pocket when onboard a luxury cruise line. Most luxury cruise lines do not encourage tipping. In fact, some make it very clear that tips are not accepted at all. But what kind of service do you get with a no tipping policy, you ask? The best service imaginable. The luxury cruise lines have searched high and low to find the best staff members possible, well-trained and well-disciplined, and they pay them accordingly. Experience what it feels like to come first without having to pay extra for it on a luxury cruise.
Getting to know your neighbors is a huge advantage of luxury cruising. In this day and age of mega-ships, it’s possible to meet people once onboard and never see them again. The smaller, luxury ships emanate a cozier atmosphere, setting the stage for social butterflies to flourish. You will often see the same people at dinner, in the lounge, on the deck and even on excursions. This country club ambiance gives you plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with your newfound friends.
It’s not too early to start thinking about a luxury cruise. The best way to see the world is by sea, onboard a luxury liner, where your every need will be attended to while you sail into the most exciting adventure of your life.
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