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There are more than 200 cruise ships that you can choose from today. But the one thing that they all have in common is that a little advance planning and “insider” knowledge can help you save time and money on your next cruise. Here are the “top ten tips”:

1. Maximum flexibility = Maximum savings. Most travelers have some flexibility in their travel dates, especially if planning ahead of time. Let your cruise specialist know that you can consider alternate departure dates that may have lower rates available. Keep in mind cruise lines will offer better prices and perks on sailings that are not nearing capacity.

Tip: Shoulder or off peak sailings offer the deepest price cuts. For example, the departure right after the New Year cruise might be substantially lower.

2. Ask if guarantees are available. This requires that you have a little gambling spirit. Many cruise lines will offer a rate on a particular cabin category instead of an actual stateroom number and in effect guarantee that rate to you. Then the cruise line has the option of assigning you a stateroom in either that category or better.

Sometimes you win and end up in a cabin several grades higher and sometimes you end up in exactly the category you were guaranteed. Remember, there is both an upside and downside to this program.

Tip: Completely understand the process before booking a guarantee.

3.Upgrade programs. Often, your cruise specialist may offer a cruise line upgrade program. This means that you book and pay for category ‘B’ and will be moved to a higher category ‘A’. Again, there is an element of risk here. The fact that a stateroom may be in a higher category does not always mean it will be a more desirable cabin. For example, you might be in a nice mid ship balcony stateroom on Deck C and get an upgrade to a balcony stateroom on Deck A.

While your new assignment may be the same size and have identical amenities you might end up in a less desirable location such as near an elevator or at the extreme end of the ship. And there are outside cabins that have views partially blocked by lifeboats or other equipment. On the other hand there are many instances of guests being upgraded several categories to wonderful staterooms.

Tip: Advise your cruise specialist that you will consider upgrades offered but you want to have final say on any changes before they happen.

4.Special Fare Eligibility - One of the reasons that savvy cruisers find a knowledgeable cruise specialist and stick with them is the fact that there are many special fare programs that may or not be visible to cruisers doing casual research on the web. These include things like regional fares that are made available to residents of selected states.

Caution: If you are offered a regional fare and you don’t live in that area and can not prove residency, don’t do it. Cruise lines have the right to check your eligibility on sailing day and charge for the difference before you board. It does happen. Some of the other special fares being promoted today include active duty and retired military fares, union member fares, police and public safety discounts, airline or hospitality rates and more.

Tip: If your cruise partner is a member of any of the these groups, the discounts usually apply to everyone traveling in the same stateroom.

5. Past Passenger Specials - Virtually every major cruise line has a loyalty club for its members with different levels and benefits. Joining is free and entitles you to special perks and discounts when you book on that line. For many commonly owned cruise lines such as Carnival Corporation, the offers extend across all the brands such as Carnival, Princess, Holland America etc. Ditto for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

Tip: Many cruise lines started operation before computers become common and can not easily retrieve date for cruises you may have taken several years ago. However, if you send a letter to the cruise line listing the ships and cruises you have been on, most will take your word and credit you with those unrecorded sailings. This might have the effect of moving you from Gold to Platinum level and significantly improve the benefits.

6. Check for Group Rates: Many cruise agencies hold what is known as block space on ships. That means that they have reserved space at group rates, which can be up to 20% lower than individual rates. Many agencies that reserve space for groups hold aside several cabins for individual clients who might be able to depart on this date.

While you may be traveling as a group, your cruise experience will be as an individual traveler. The downside might be that your dining time or section is affected by the group program. The upside is that you might benefit from some group amenties such as an onboard credit, free shore excursion etc.

Tip: If your cruise specialist offers group rates, understand the features, benefits and limitations completely before you book. From the cruise line perspective you are a member of the group and fall under the policies and procedures for groups.

7. On board re-booking. Most cruise lines now allow you to book your next cruise with that line while on board. They may have what is known as an on board sales consultant or even a desk. This is usually a great opportunity to save. Generally, the cruise line will throw in some strong perks to retain your loyalty to their brand. Onboard credits on the future cruise can be quite substantial. Upgrades and other benefits are usually significant.

Tip: Many cruise lines realize that you may not be sure when and where you want to cruise while on your current voyage. Not to worry, because most have a program where you can book on board with the flexibility to change to other sailings and ships via your cruise specialist when you get home and keep all the benefits. This is a truly a win win for you!

8.Seek out Value Adds. Over the past few years, cruise lines have instituted something known in the trade as The Level Playing Field. This was instituted to attempt to control the rampant rebating and discounting that occurred in the post September 11 travel slump. Basically, now the cruise lines have been partially successful in putting the genie back in the bottle by requiring cruise agents to all use the same pricing feeds.

Because cruise agents do not purchase and re-sell the cruises but are paid a commission, the cruise lines themselves totally control published rates. One of the unintended side effects of Level Playing Field pricing is that the cruise lines had to find a way to promote challenged sailing dates. And they did this by creating Value Added features. They can include benefits ranging from dollars off certificates, on-board credits, pre-paid gratuities, free spa treatments, specialty dining experiences, casino credits to a free bathrobe or camera.

Tip: Ask your cruise specialist to seek out sailings that offer value adds. They can significantly impact your bottom line.

9.Arrange your own airline tickets. If you need to fly in to your embarkation port most cruise lines have flight programs known as Air/Sea arrangements. The good news is that includes the flights and often meet and greet and transfers. The bad news is that in order to publish these add-ons the cruise lines have negotiated the fares far in advance and try to set the rates on a cost average basis.

To you, it generally means that these add-ons may be up to 50% higher than the fares you can get by arranging the flights yourself. The one exception to this in many cases are Europe cruises where many lines maintain bulk contract fares. So it is always a good idea to comparison shop. Most lines allow you to purchase just the transfer package so you are able to create your own air/sea package at significant savings. And of course if you have several thousand airline miles collecting dust, this might be a good time to try to use them.

Tip: If you are arranging your own flights, make sure to allow plenty of time for flight delays etc. Savvy cruisers will often invest in a pre-cruise hotel the night before the cruise so that they can avoid the stress caused by late arriving flights. Remember, if the airline leaves you on the tarmac for 7 hours and you miss the ship, that voucher for a free flight will not seem very appealing. And unfortunately, the airline will not compensate you nor will the cruise line refund your money as you are counted as a no show.

10. Travel Insurance: What is the one thing you must bring on your cruise that you hope never to use? Trip Insurance! As you can see in #9 above things can and do go wrong. An affordable comprehensive trip insurance policy can cover many of these contingencies including, lost baggage, trip interruption, medical evacuation and more.

Your cruise specialist can explain the various programs available as there are several. Mark sure you understand fully the coverage and limitation before accepting coverage and keep in mind that you can not get coverage retroactively. It is a small, but absolutely vital part of your vacation expenditures. Keep in mind very few medical insurance polices cover you while out of the country and basic homeowner policies often do not compensate for lost luggage or other events. Just as in land based trips, the carriers responsibility to you is extremely limited by their contract and should a medical emergency arise on board or ashore you are responsible for all expenses incurred.

Tip: Cancellation coverage is very specific. Understand what is covered and not covered. You can not decide not to go at the last minute without incurring substantial cancellation charges. And if you have any pre-existing health issues, this may or may not be a covered event. That is why it is important to actually read the coverage.

Joe Ewart is a 30 year cruise industry veteran and a member of the Cruise Lines International Association Hall of Fame. He is CEO and editor of http://www.CruiseJungle.com an informational cruise web site designed for consumers.

Cheap and honeymoon, two words that most people don’t think go together. But there are ways to save some money on that vacation after the craziness of a wedding, which usually uses up every last dollar that you, the happy couple have. A cheap honeymoon doesn’t mean spending the night in some cheap motel either. With a little effort and some planning a cruise can be a great way to keep that honeymoon expense in check.

Honeymoon cruise can be anything from very expensive to affordable for just about anyone. It just depends on the package you get and the length of the cruise. A cruise is also a lot of fun, hassle free and will leave the newlyweds with many unforgettable memories.

Cruises are cost-efficient vacations, especially if you leave from your home port rather than flying to meet the ship. While this isn’t always possible for the more land-locked, for those who live close to cruise ship home ports it can be a great way to have an inexpensive honeymoon. Many cruise lines also offer honeymoon packages which can significantly lower the price, and if you choose to take your cruise off season chances are you can save even more money.

Probably the biggest way a cruise can save money is that almost all of them are all-inclusive. This means that everything including your meals, room and board, and ship board entertainment are paid for up front. You will need extra money for things like alcoholic drinks, duty free shopping, and off ship excursions to the many ports of call, if you choose to leave the ship.

Another way to save money on a cruise is to book your trip before a major holiday when many cruise lines offer bargain prices. And if you have been on a cruise before book with the same company as they normally offer discounts for returning customers. Last but not least be sure to shop around and see what the different lines have to offer. If you look hard enough you are sure to find a cruise that will satisfy any budgetary constraints you may have.

You may choose destinations to visit almost anywhere in the world for your cruise and be sure that you will be entertained, pampered, well fed and secure. If you choose honeymoon cruises to exotic locations like the Suez Canal or Australia, the Caribbean, Central or South America, or the more local destination of Hawaii, you will smoothly sail while you sleep or partake of ship board night life and enjoy the exotic ports of call and beautiful islands during the day, where you can go island exploring, enjoy pristine tropical beaches, go on scenic tours for day excursions, and other numerous off the boat adventures.

So if you think you can’t afford an exotic honeymoon then think again. For a cheap honeymoon a cruise can be a great way to go.

For more information about a cheap honeymoon cruise check out the website Honeymoon Destinations.

Here are five great reasons that the cruise vacation deal you decide upon might not be quite so extravagent after all.

In fact it might even save you more money than you might believe…

1) You only need to unpack once and visit a number of places - Unlike most vacations, where if you want to move about you have to pack/unpack no end of times (I once did 13 hotels in 22 days and felt like I needed a vacation at the end of it!). Then, once you stop at a port of call, you have the wonderful opportunity to see all sorts of varied destinations, all without paying another cent at all. How about that for a great cruise vacation deal?

2) All your food is included - It’s the ultimate all inclusive and more! Not only are all your meals free (apart from the absolute once a cruise treat of a special meal in an exclusive restaurant that some cruises now have), when you want a snack, they’re on tap, whenever you want, 24/7! From breakfast, through elevenses, your cruise vacation deals leads gently to a relaxing lunch and afternoon tea. Then it’s a dinner like you’ve never, but never, experienced before! Are you ready to watch that waistband then?

3) And did you hear that the entertainment was all free too? - On one of the great cruise vacation deals you can easily get nowadays, every kind of entertainment you care to think about is ready and waiting for you free! That’s evening stuff and to fill your days as well. Broadway style shows; jazz bars. Cinemas to smoochy dancing too. Remember the days when you had as much varied entertainment as you could handle? Well here it is again!

4) Kids need looking after? - Well, there is enough entertainment for all age groups as well. So the grown ups can have their fun and the kids theirs too - it’s a win-win! You can even get a minder for them in the evenings, though that might cost you a little of your spending money! During the day, your cruise vacation deal will give you organized entertainment to suit all ages, so feel safe in the knowledge that they are having the time of their lives too!

5) The price is pretty much fixed - No unexpected out of control meal deals. No costly retals of equipment to keep the kids amused. In fact, apart from the alcohol you consume; land excursions and, well, of course shopping, with your cruise vacation deal you know just what it’s going to cost you from the start - so no nasty surprises either. Your budgeting can start well ahead of your vacation and you can get a clear expectation of what your additional daily costs are going to be too!

Are you getting the picture? There is a whole world of value in a cruise vacation deal and at the end of the day, this may well be the best deal of the whole vacation market.

(c) 2007 Hawaiian Cruises Online. Look no further - all the Hawaiian Cruising information you’ll ever need, in the 50+ pages that are totally free. Destinations; cruise lines; ‘what’s on’; eating options and more, all at Martin Haworth’s website, http://www.Hawaiian-Cruises-Online.com

Many families are taking cruise vacations these days. The various cruise lines have taken on board (if you will forgive the pun!), that there is a market out there. And several of them are playing the family cruise vacation card these days.

So, if you are considering this for the next time the family go on vacation, what might you need to consider - and, above all, what will it be important to pack, particularly when you have your kids along, to ensure that everyone has a good time?

Prevention is Better Than Cure

Depending on the age of the kids going on the family cruise vacation, there will be some best practices to make sure that they stay well during the trip. It’s always better to prevent illness, wherever possible, than it is to get into the realms of treatment.

That said, if anyone is going to be sick on vacation, a cruise ship is probably one of the better places, as they pretty well always have excellent facilities to fix you up - and that includes your kids.

Three key areas:-

1) Tummy troubles

Number one issue on any vacation, just as often as a family cruise vacation, is the irritating sickness and diarrhoea that can happen anytime.

Often caused by little more than a change in the chemical balance of the water we drink, these illnesses can be debilitating and need close attention. The rule is the younger or older we are, the more likely the effects are to be severe.

The easiest prevention is to avoid anything that might trigger an upset by drinking plenty of simple fluid. Seafoods, rich and spicy dishes are the most likely foods that can cause problems. Drinking bottled water may help too.

On a family cruise vacation, you need to pack some essentials for kids. The very best thing you can ensure that you have are rehydration salts. Basically, sickness and more particularly diarrhoea prevent the absorption of fluids back into the body, which is how we normally keep the right fluid balance.

When this is not working, due to some bug, overheating or eating something that ‘didn’t agree with you’, kids and elderly especially need to get that balance rectified as soon as possible. So take some rehydration sachets that you can buy from any pharmacy and give small amounts frequently.

If in any doubts, particularly with young children, checkout the sick bay onboard sooner rather than later.

2) Sunburn

A great family cruise vacation will, hopefully, find everyone enjoying a bit of sun, which is great for any trip. In fact absorbing the sun’s rays is good for our health as it promotes the body to make Vitamin D, which is valuable.

Trouble is it is easy to get too much sun. When onboard, it is easy to get burnt unless you make a real effort to get protected. This is for three particular reasons:-

- There may be a breeze on the ocean, which masks the strong rays of the sun. You feel a cooling wind, which stops you feeling the sun as much - then it’s easy to burn, esp[ecially for children whose awareness is not yet fine tuned.

- Secondly, there is a lot of reflected light that comes off the ocean and bounces burning rays upwards.

- Finally, children’s skin is especially susceptible to sun damage, whether on a ship on the ocean or otherwise.

It’s vital to get protected well, with a very high factor and keep protected. Then a nasty attack of sunburn will be avoided.

If burnt, always seek good medical advice. Sunburn is no different from any other burn and can easily lead to serious consequences. Drink plenty of fluid as damaged skin loses fluid far more easily than usual. Seek medical advice early if in any doubt.

3) Travel Sickness

Generally modern cruise liners are very well stabilized, so it’s not that common to have sea-sickness. The routes plied on family cruise vacations are not those where you might expect a rough journey (though it can happen!).

That said, susceptible folk may feel ill even if the ride is on an ocean that’s as smooth as a millpond, so it might be best to take precautions, especially if you know that one of your kids is likely to feel a bit queasy.

You pharmacist will be able to advise you what is available where you come from. One thing that can often work really well are little wrist bands that you can get that have a little dimple on them, facing inwards onto a pressure point on the wrist.

These are non-invasive and non-ingested, so are a lot less likely to cause side-effects. Often available in attractive colors for kids, they might be a solution to a problem that never gets it’s feet wet, because you nipped it in the bud!

Everyone wants a relaxing time when away, so for a great family cruise vacation, have a think about the best ways to ensure everyone, including the kids, feels well too.

Always check with your medical advisor before taking the actions suggested or implied in this article.

(c) 2007 Hawaiian Cruises Online. Look no further - all the Hawaiian Cruising information you’ll ever need, in the 50+ pages that are totally free. Destinations; cruise lines; ‘what’s on’; eating options and more, all at Martin Haworth’s website, http://www.Hawaiian-Cruises-Online.com

Are Baby Boomers that much different from other cruise passengers? According to many cruise line executives this one group of guests has probably created more changes in cruise ship programming than any other travelers since Noah’s Ark. The same group that made cell phones, BMW’s and flat screen TV’s a cultural phenomena is having a strong impact of how cruise lines go to market.

At a recent industry conference sponsored by Cruise Lines International Association, Marketing Chairman Dan Hanrahan (who is also president of Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises) pointed out that the lifestyle and interests of baby boomers has led to some unique new experiences on board for all passengers.

Baby Boomers, he said, tend to collect experiences as they get older versus physical possessions. So computer classes are often more popular than Bingo.

While at home, busy boomers dine out more often and therefore seek a wider variety of dining experiences on board a cruise ship. This has led to a movement from one or two main dining rooms with fixed seating times to more flexible alternative restaurants approximating the feel of a good bistro at home. Flexibility of dining times has led to a change in the old first and second seating system that has been around for 40 years. One cruise line, NCL threw out the concept completely when it introduced Freestyle Cruising a few years back and its new ships boast up to 10 restaurants touting an eat-when-and with-whom-you-choose option. Most other contemporary cruise lines offer a more limited version of this concept ranging from Princess Cruises Anytime Dining to Holland America’ recently announced As You Wish open seating program in a section of their main dining rooms. Along with the dining hours and options, healthy lifestyle selections on cruise ship menus including spa cuisine has been a steadily growing trend.

Speaking of spas, cruise ships have witnessed a transformation from a small sauna and one massage table to elaborate complexes that offer everything from Thalassotherapy pools to hot stone massages. On board gyms have followed that trend with most ships now dedicating thousands of square feet and coveted ocean view space to their exercise facilities.

Ashore, Boomers seek excursions that are more action-oriented although soft adventure is the key here. They want adventure but in a comfortable environment. Cruise lines call it Culture in Comfort. Forget the tours buses, today’s cruisers are more likely to be found river rafting in a cave or cycling down a volcano than buying t-shirts at a local shop.

Cruise ship casinos have evolved from afterthoughts to carefully planned and important centers of revenue. The rule of thumb is the larger the ship, the more extensive the casino. The notable exceptions are Disney Cruise lines (a corporate choice) and NCL America (Hawaiian law) ships that offer no casinos at all. But on the rest, you can find everything from the most popular slots to Texas Hold em poker.

Of course, Boomers need to stay connected, so internet cafes on the ships are an important asset to them. And while some of us don’t especially like this idea, cell phones are beginning to work at sea as well as in ports where there is service. Busy boomers are used to instant gratification in their communications world and expect this to carry over to cruise vacations.

And last but not least are the musical proclivities of the boomer generation. They grew up on jazz, blue grass and rock and roll. The cruise lines keep this in mind when planning and selecting musical groups and live shows. In the mind of these travelers the only rap they are interested in is probably a sea weed wrap at the spa!

See you on board.

Joe Ewart is a 30 year cruise industry veteran and a member of the Cruise Lines International Association Hall of Fame. He is CEO and editor of http://www.CruiseJungle.com an informaational cruise web site desgined for consumers.

It’s one thing to shop for a discount cruise but another knowing how to get the most out of your deal. Discount cruises are virtually available all the time and there are some outstanding bargains to be found.

In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to look beyond what’s actually being advertised and how you can take advantage of some higher benefits.

Book Early Or Wait

There’s an old saying that goes something like this… “six of one, half a dozen of the other.” Basically you’ll be able to locate a discount cruise whether you book early or wait to the last minute. The crux of the matter here is what are your circumstances? Can you afford to wait to the last minute to book a cruise? Are you flexible enough with work committments to be able to take time off at short notice?

Choosing Your Discount Cruise Class Of Travel

Competition is fierce amongst cruise lines for your holiday business. The great thing about discount cruises is while you’ve secured a holiday at an excellent price, just reflect for a moment on what you get for the price you paid. When you compare it to most other holiday packages involving land or air, cruising comes out on top most of the time as the best value-for-money vacation.

When booking a stateroom and you are on a budget, naturally you’ll be looking at the cheapest alternatives first. Here are a few tips on getting the best stateroom for your budget.

- when you have your quote, always ask for the quotes on the next couple of state room categories. You’ll be surprised in many cases at how little difference there can be between the prices of different class staterooms.

- Initially, you may be looking at a stateroom without a view. The difference in price between a stateroom with or without a view may not be a lot. If it is within your scope to pay the extra amount then do it. Just having a view can make a big difference to your discount cruise enjoyment.

- Depending on availability, always choose a stateroom which is near amenities you are likely to frequent such as the restaurants and pool area. It can be a long walk back to your room when you retire for the night!

How To Locate Discount Cruise Deals

The online factor is a huge resource area in most facets of life and shopping for the best cruise deals is no different. There is some weight online these days with countless opportunities to book through online cruise agents.

Before you book though make sure the credentials of the company is listed and available. Also, make sure you can actually speak with a live customer service person rather than communicating through email. When you are happy you’ve found a helpful website, sign up for their newsletter if available as these are usually an excellent way to be kept right up to date with the latest cruise discounts being offered.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. We’ll tell you what you can do to get the most out of your discount cruise. You’ll want to read this informative guide! Plus, read the latest cruise news and reviews at:http://www.cheapcruiseheaven.com

In recent years many people have joined the millions who take cruises for their vacation. Cruising has become one of the growth phenomenons of the travel business

In fact, with more choice, there’s probably a cruise for anyone and everyone, old or young; single or families. To get the best from your experience, especially if it’s your first, take note of these six ideas to consider:-

1. Cruises Are Just About For Anyone

With the wide range of cruise lines around at the moment, you would be hard pressed to be unable to find something that suits you, whoever you are and whatever your situation. Just a short look at the variety of options available will help you realize the opportunity. Families - retirees - affluent - cost-conscious - upmarket - partying - all of these have cruise lines that tend towards these specialities.

2. You Don’t Have To Be Posh To Cruise

Remember Titanic, where there were very different classes, from the very posh to those at the bottom of the ship who paid the least? Never to mix? Well, there are still different price ranges, but the differences have become much less defined. Everyone who takes a cruise can expect exceptional service and wonderful experiences as a minimum.

Whether you have a relatively small inside cabin or a stateroom, you will still have wonderful accommodation, activities and eating. No-one suffers the ignominy of the earliest years of cruising and that has grown the market immensely.

3. Cruise Eating is Amazing

One of the unsung values of cruising is the opportunity to eat well. In fact, more than well! Cruising offers the chance to try out new tastes and eat till you pop! From expansive breakfasts to start your day, through elevenses to lazy lunchtimes, your mornings will be just the beginning.

After resting up a little, it’s time for afternoon tea, followed by the gastronomic highlights of wonderful ocean bound dinners. And if you are still hungry, there’s always time for that 2am snack, whilst checking out the full moon on the ocean. What could be better? Well, the choice of eating opportunities, that’s what!

Almost every variant is possible, and that’s on many individual ships too! Any large cruise will have several restaurants offering different types of fare, from casual to formal. From snacks to full-blown many-course offerings. And then there’s the wide-world of culinary delights to sample. From Sushi to Indian. From traditional American fare to the heights of French cuisine. From Mexico to Thailand and beyond. The possibilities are huge - if you are up to it!

4. Go Wherever You Want (almost!)

There is hardly a spot on the planet that you can’t visit. The traditional cruise destinations like Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean are still there, amazing as always. And now there’s the far east, Alaska, Mexico and South America.

Newly popular are the Baltic countries, like Russia and Norway, with a touch of the new, like Estonia too. And who could resist the possibilities of arriving in Sydney to the view of the Harbour Bridge or the Golden Gate in San Francisco, to make it nearer to home. It’s making the decision that’s the tough bit!

5. Be Prepared to be Entertained

Whether you want to climb those Royal Caribbean artificial rockfaces or lounge by a pool. Maybe it’s the ‘Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food and Wine Magazine’ on Holland America. Or perhaps for kids there’s the Fun House - the home of the Camp Carnival program. Each line has their own specialities, so it’s worth to check the line that has what you want.

And not to forget the evenings! Did you want Broadway shows? Well, that’s just what you get. The most spectacular revues are waiting for you - again line by line have their particular favorites - and guests come back year on year for more.

Don’t want a big show? Well, many cruises recognise that this isn’t for everyone and guests want variety. So whether it be a few drinks in an atmospheric jazz bar or an energetic spin around the dance floor, you have to choose. But then again, maybe there’s an evening to try everything!

6. Making the Most of Onshore Excursions

They let you out, sometimes! Remember that this is a vacation where not only do you get the most fantastic accommodation, eating and entertainment, but each day (mostly) brings a new place to visit. Those onshore activities can be very wide-ranging. From a leisurely stroll round quaint backstreets, to a no-holds-barred mountain top trip in a four-by-four.

Make no mistake the ports of call are ready for you. Often you will get a whole day onshore which you can freely explore or buy a great trip and be shown the sights!

So, there you have it - a vacation opportunity that is out there waiting for you. If you need more information about cruise lines, destinations and what to expect, there’s plenty of information online, right now for you.

(c) 2007 “Hawaiian-Cruises-Online”. You can have vacation of your dreams. Look no further - all the Hawaiian Cruising information you’ll ever need, in the 50+ pages that’s totally free at Martin Haworth’s website, http://www.Hawaiian-Cruises-Online.com

Planning on taking a cruise in the caribbean? These five tips will help you make your cruise a great one!

1. Everyone thinks of only one clothing item to pack when planning a Caribbean cruise; their swimsuit. Eventually, several tank tops and shorts are packed, as well. Mother Nature can be very unpredictable, so you should always include a light jacket and at least one set of warm clothing, as rainy days and cool weather can sometimes surprise the most well prepared travelers. When filling your suitcase, be sure to remember sun block, sunglasses and sun burn ointment, just in case. To ensure maximum enjoyment, bring your camera, some reading material and your favorite portable music player with music.

2. How much cash can you carry and still feel safe? A good rule of thumb is to carry as little cash as possible. ATMs have made this much easier and more convenient to achieve. Cash may be required for some island shopping excursions, as well as, for the customary tip at the end of the cruise. Try to use an ATM whenever possible, though, to avoid carry excess cash.

3. Leave your house in good hands while you are gone. This will help you relax and thoroughly enjoy your cruise. Make sure that you plan ahead of time for someone to watch your pets, if you have any. Also, it is a good idea to have a neighbor, friend or family member check on your house every few days while you are gone. Have them retrieve your mail regularly or place your mail on hold at your local post office for the duration of your stay. Leave close friends and family members contact numbers for the cruise line and any on shore locations in case of emergency.

4. Being sick is never a good way to enjoy a Caribbean cruise. Do your best to stay as healthy as possible before you leave on your cruise. Because sickness can pop up at unexpected times, bring any medications you’d need for different sicknesses. And, find out the best way for you to prevent sea sickness.

5. Above all, choose a destination that interests you and fits within your budget. Find out which durations and destinations best suit your interests and your cruise experience. A first time cruise passenger might find that a shorter duration cruise is more to their liking. Gradually work your way to longer cruises. Popular cruise destinations are popular for a reason. Stick to the main destinations for your first time, and let your experience guide you on future destinations.

Find Travel Deals: Cheap Flights, Cruises, Hotel Reservations, Caribbean Cruise Deals, Vacation Packages and more at http://www.travelersbest.com

Well apart from the blindingly obvious, here are a few more ideas that you might not have thought of.

Did you realise?

- Not only are all the meals free, you get some of the world’s best cuisine to sample - the ultimate ‘all-inclusive’! In fact you’ll find it hard to resist all those culinary concoctions!

From East to West and all stops in between, you will have the opportunity to delight in what the very best chefs have to offer up. Can you save yourself - well, maybe, but only after you get home!

- Dining doesn’t usually require a tux anymore, (though you get to glam up if you want to!). Most ships offer choices of dress in at least a selection of the restaurants on offer.

In fact, depending on the cruise line you use, there might even be no chance at all to try to squeeze into that fabulous black jacket that fit perfectly just a few years ago (remember Steve Martin in ‘Father of the Bride’!).

- The food is almost on tap, 24-hours a day, even as room service. From breakfast to mid-morning snack; through lunch, ever so quaint tea; dinner and supper, it’s possible you might still fancy a snack as well at 2am in the morning.

Well, no fear, you can! Oh and if that’s still a problem, you can always ask in between meals and there will be no refusals!

- Often the biggest of all concerns for cruisers, especially on their first trip, tipping, has been removed from the ships as an ‘issue’.

You can get ‘all-in’ prices on some cruise lines to ensure that every dollar you spend is ultra-indulgently, just for you!

- Pretty usually, the cruises are geared up so that you get almost all of your daytime at leisure, to visit the most wonderful of destinations, many with exclusive excursions.

So, a lot of the fun can be off the ship. Don’t miss out on these - often they will be just as, if not more memorable than the cruise you are on - and that is saying something!

- The most amazing range of leisure activities are available. It is not just ‘quiots’ these days! From rock-climbing to culture; watersports to specialist courses and seminars by some of the world’s leading experts.

- Want to see fabulous shows like on Broadway, Las Vegas and the West End? You can and will. In fact cruise lines are one of the biggest opportunities for top stars.

So, you will not be disappointed. And if that’s not quite your scene, most cruise lines have a wide variety of opportunities for evening entertainment.

- Need your fix of ‘www’ or need to keep in contact with your business? Many ships have internet access for you, often from your cabin through wi-fi. On others, special internet cafes are available in neatly designed areas to make you feel like you are at home.

So there’s no reason not to keep in touch. And with technology as it is right now, there are all the opportunities for friends and family maybe even to share your fun onboard through photos and video through the computers available.

- Shopping - did you say shopping? Both on-board and on-shore, you have as wide a range of fantastic value shopping opportunities. This really is the time to relax your wallet. Often the things you find will be unique to your cruise line.

Maybe it’s about souvenirs. Perhaps a line in exclusive jewellery. Or fashion designs you just haven’t seen before. On land local traditional products can be found if you get past the stalls selling the usual tourist trap merchandise.

And finally, the key that brings so many back to their cruise idyll. Think too, of the fresh air of the sea, the memorable views, the comfort and luxury. Cruise lines have it all - you, can have it all!

(c) 2007 “Hawaiian-Cruises-Online”. You can have vacation of your dreams. Everything you’ve ever wanted - beautiful ships; wonderful food and destinations like you wouldn’t believe! And did I mention the weather? Look no further - all the Hawaiian Cruising information you’ll ever need, in the 50+ pages that’s totally free at Martin Haworth’s website, Hawaiian Cruises Online.

About half a dozen different cruise lines offer Alaskan cruises. There are several things to consider when planning your Alaskan cruise. A very important component is the length of the cruise. You don’t want to book a 7 day cruise if you only have a 5 day vacation. Also, check to make sure the departure date is compatible with when you can travel.

Price can be a big factor in choosing a cruise. Different rooms offer different prices ranging from around $500 to over $4,000. Make sure you book a room and a cruise that fits within your budget. Check around with different travel agents and booking services both online and offline to find the best rate. You might be surprised at the amount of money you can save to buy souvenirs.

Unlike Caribbean cruises, you probably won’t be planning to pack only a swimsuit on your Alaskan cruise. So, what should you pack? Alaskan weather can be unpredictable to a certain extent. However, some factors are fairly common. For instance, rain is common between the months of May and September. This is also when the majority of Alaskan cruises take place. This would make an umbrella or raincoat a good idea to bring along.

Alaska can also surprise you with a cooler spell, so make sure to bring a sweater along, just in case. Most Alaskan cruises will have a Captain’s Gala, which is a formal dinner. Pack one formal dress or suit for this occasion since you won’t want to be the only one in casual dress.

During the summer, Alaska has a lot of daylight. This means that you will have a longer period of time to tan ‘ or burn. Bring sunscreen. Turning the color of a lobster is a surefire way to put a damper on an otherwise terrific cruise. Above all, don’t forget your camera. An Alaskan cruise is something that you will want to remember, so bring your camera and use it.

Just because your in Alaska doesn’t mean you should leave the swimsuit at home. Pack your swimsuit along with some cool summer outfits. Keep in mind that springtime in Alaska can be downright cold, though, so know what the weather is expected to be during your cruise.

Alaska is a hotspot for mosquitoes, so remember to pack your insect repellant. Unlike most cruises, an Alaskan cruise can be complicated to pack for. However, you will enjoy your cruise to the fullest if you are fully prepared.

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