Travel Ideas

by: John Metcalfe

The Bahamas is arguably the most popular cruise destination for U.S. travelers, and is especially popular with first-time cruisers from the U.S. Only 75kms from mainland USA, the outer islands that make up the group can be reached within a matter of hours. This makes the Bahamas an excellent choice of location for a short Bahamas cruise break of two, three or four nights away from home.
Some 700 islands make up the archipelago of the Bahamas, of which only around 50 are inhabited. Cruise lines generally focus on just two Bahaman ports - Nassau and Freeport.
Nassau is Bahamas’ capital, and is located on the island of New Providence. It is a beautiful compact city that is easy to explore inside a day’s shore excursion. The city’s charm is in its architecture - and of course its people. Late 18th century and early 19th century colonial buildings stand as reminders of Bahamas’ British past. Parliament Square in downtown Nassau offers a unique perspective on the city’s architecture, watched over, as always, by a grandiose marble statue of Queen Victoria.
But Nassau is not just about history. It has a vibrant modern side too. Quality shops, fine restaurants and golden beaches, up onto which the inviting warm transparent waters of the Caribbean lap, are all there to be sampled. Activities such as snorkeling, diving and passenger submarine rides make for an exciting time in this tropical paradise. The nightlife in Nassau is buzzing too, with casinos and nightclubs offering the best of Bahamian life.
A Bahamas cruise to Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama offers tropical paradise that is very close to home. Easily accessible on a two-night Bahamas cruise, Freeport is a city that welcomes cruisers and tourists with open arms. Duty-free shopping is one of the biggest draws of Freeport, and the city itself features a 10-acre international bazaar - a real shopping paradise in the tropics!
The nightlife in Freeport is world-renowned. Casinos, nightclubs and live entertainment in Freeport are amongst the best in the Caribbean, and make for a great night out when you’re on a Bahamas cruise.
For travelers looking for a Bahamas cruise of a longer duration than four nights, some cruise lines offer special extended cruises, several of which incorporate a port call at a private island owned by the cruise company.
Bahamas cruises generally depart from ports in Florida. Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale and Miami port are the big three which offer cruises to the Bahamas. So, if you’re looking to take a short romantic break, or just fancy a change of scenery for the weekend, why not get yourself down to Florida and book a Bahamas cruise. Bahamas cruises are reasonably priced, and I guarantee you that the experience will be one that lives long in the memory…

About The Author

John Metcalfe is the author and web publisher of A to Z Cruises your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit http://www.azcruises.com now to book your very own dream cruise

by: Amos Croisiri

Advance Planning Common Sense = Great Cruise!
Cruises are a wonderful respite from the cares of the world. Twenty-four hours a day you are pampered with seemingly endless food, a wide variety of entertainment, opportunities for adventure, and social events galore! In fact, there is so much to choose from that most of us ask ourselves, “How on earth do I plan for this?”
Whatever your reason for cruising, whatever the size of your cruise party, whatever the destination of your cruise, and whatever the duration of your time at sea, how you plan is dictated by what you want to get out of your cruise.
1. Packing: Keep packing as light as possible. Take only what you absolutely need. While most people’s image of cruising is everybody decked out in seersucker and linen by day and dressed to the nines at night, the reality is usually quite different for most. Most people will pack a couple of active-wear or beach-wear outfits for daytime wear on ship and on land, a dressy casual outfit or two for most evenings, and informal wear for the couple of “dress-up” nights most ships have.
2. Tipping: The service staff, those who serve you your food and clean up your cabin, relies on tips for most of their wages. Often, the men and women occupying those positions are supporting entire families in Third World countries with those tips. Yes, tipping is optional, but my advice to you is to share a portion of the good fortune that allows you to take this cruise with those who are working actively to meet your every need.
3. Plan your expenses: There are activities for almost every conceivable budget and interest on every cruise. It’s unnecessary to exceed your financial limitations during a cruise. If there’s something you want to do on this cruise that’s out-of-reach financially, start planning for your next cruise when you get home and include that particular item as a central part of that plan!
4. Time, like money, is a finite commodity that must be wisely budgeted, too. Prioritize, then stick to your priorities. By limiting your activity choices during the cruise, you’ll be able to invest more of your energy into the things you do choose, feel good about doing so, and end your cruise ready to come back for more as soon as you possibly can!
5. You probably don’t associate getting sick with taking a cruise, with the possible exception of seasickness, but it happens more often than most people realize. Much shipboard illness is avoidable simply by practicing the same healthy choices on the ship that you do at home. Yes, you do want to play hard, but not so hard that you endanger your health and well-being.
I’m convinced that there’s no better vacation in the world than a great cruise. If you take time beforehand to anticipate those needs you have that ship’s personnel aren’t likely to be able to meet, I believe you’ll likely come away from your cruise experience with the same opinion!

About The Author

Amos Croisiri is the founder of Fare Cruiser, an online cruise resource. he has collected more articles like this one for you at http://www.farecruiser.com/.

by: Corsa Roceraz

Vacationing in the Caribbean is something that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. From beautiful Belize to the truly amazing St.Barts, the Caribbean islands have tons to offer in terms of rest and relaxation. Whether you are traveling with the entire family or are planning a romantic vacation with your special someone, you can rest assured there is an island resort guaranteed to meet your every need.
When planning your Caribbean vacation, the first thing you must do is determine which island you’d like to visit. While this might seem a grueling decision, you can take comfort in the fact that when it comes to the Caribbean islands, you really can’t make a wrong choice. With crystal clear water on all sides and delicious sunshine bathing each one in warmth and luxury, the Caribbean islands are a wonderful place to spend any vacation.
Caribbean vacations can generally fit just about any budget. Whether you have several hundred or several thousand dollars to spend on your holiday, you can find several Caribbean travel packages to suit your budget. When searching for reasonable travel packages to the Caribbean, the best place to look is the Internet. Conduct a search and you’ll see: there are literally thousands of options from which to choose.
Caribbean vacations are a wonderful experience for people of all ages and cruises are the best way to truly experience everything the Caribbean has to offer. You can find the best deals via the Internet but read on below to find out more.
An Eastern Caribbean cruise is the perfect option for both first-time cruisers and experienced travelers looking for a slow and relaxing pace in comfortable surroundings. They are also ideal for people who have never been to the Caribbean before. Eastern Caribbean cruises are great for families because they visit only a small number of ports, so most of the cruise time is actually spent on board the ship and often with two consecutive days as sea.
There is plenty to do on the islands of the Eastern Caribbean. You can visit the famous beaches and try snorkeling, sailing, and or even golf. Shop for souvenirs and luxury goods imported from around the world including jewelry, perfumes, crystal, porcelain, cameras, electronics and more at tax-free prices at the extensive array of shops. And don?t forget to have a cooling drink at one of the many cafes and restaurants. And if you are a gambler then you don?t get left out either because the islands have the largest casinos in the Caribbean.
There is no doubt that the world’s most popular cruising destination is the Caribbean and one of the most in demand tours includes the Bahamas and the eastern islands that define the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. During an Eastern Caribbean Cruise you will probably visit three or four of the following islands:

Nassau
St. Thomas, USVI
St. John, USVI
St. Maarten
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Tortola, BVI
Virgin Gorda, BVI
Cruise Line Private Islands

Eastern Caribbean cruises are very affordable and available year-round for 7 nights. Longer itineraries from 10-12 nights are available during the winter months.

About The Author

Corsa Roceraz is the owner of BYE Cruises which is a premier resource for cruises information. for more information, go to http://www.byecruises.com
corsa@byecruises.com

It Is Smoke Free In This Paradise : Take A Caribbean Cruise With Fellow Non-Smokers

by: Jane Stokes (Courtesy of News Canada)

(NC)-Would a “smoke-free casino” be an oxymoron?
Until recently, I might have bet good money on that, considering it’s a pretty rare occasion when one can enjoy a cocktail in a smoke-free bar, nightclub or lounge - let alone in a casino where all around the world gambling and nicotine just naturally go together. But here’s the exception:
A policy of “no cigarettes, no cigars, no ashtrays, and no second-hand smoke anywhere” is at the core of the cruise experience aboard the MS Paradise - and it’s a policy that is unusual indeed.
The US$300 million Paradise is the only, totally non-smoking cruise ship in the world and upholding the integrity of this claim is a challenge taken very seriously by parent company Carnival Cruise Lines. Not even the construction crews in the shipyards of Helsinki were allowed to smoke when working on the vessel - and now every week, its 2,052 passengers are asked to sign an agreement to abide by the rules, even on the open decks.
Traditionally, cruise ships have not had too much difficulty containing the areas where passengers can smoke. If you choose any of the mainstream American-based cruise lines for example, chances are you will not encounter second-hand smoke until evening in some of the clubs and at some of bars. Restaurants are generally smoke-free and cruise advocates will tell you that the ratio of non-smoking areas has been increasing with every new ship. But for those who would like to go just one step further, it’s good to know that out there, cruising the Caribbean every day is a grand, luxury vessel which may be four years old now, but she still looks, feels, and smells, brand new.
This season, passengers have the choice of exploring either the Eastern, or the Western Caribbean on itineraries that include some of the more exotic tropical harbours like Belize and Honduras. And for a glimpse at shipboard tone and style: imagine the atmosphere aboard Paradise to be similar to most Carnival cruises, one of cheerful, attentive service - in a plentiful fantasyland.
The trademark decor of this cruise line is one that creates a larger-than-life playground for adults and children alike. You enter Paradise, for example, through an illuminated, sky-high atrium surrounded by grand columns and Space Age glass-elevator pods, enhanced by classical stone and mahogany fixtures. Interior designer Joe Farcus pinpoints the “grand era of ocean liners” as this vessel’s overall fantasy theme, emphasizing the impact of The Queen Mary, The Normandie, and the SS United States on the late 19th century, world of style.
At least 12 decks are configured into the 70,000-gross-ton Paradise with the top deck tiered to attract activities in the sun. Here, the Lido Deck draws everyone sooner or later. It is where you will spread out in a full-length deck chair, swim in the pool, relax in the whirlpool, partake in sports interests, or spend all afternoon on a Carnival specialty: the giant waterslide. The recreation decks on Paradise stretch the entire length of the ship, so you may even find a few private places to call your own.
These upper decks also house the ship’s mammoth, 12,000-square-foot exercise club and spa. The “bigger the better” was the consensus of the passengers I spoke to up there, with one saying that when the cruise line devotes this much space and effort to building a fitness facility, “it sends a clear and sincere message that improving one’s health and wellness can be a very real part of a cruise experience.”
They also pointed out that the more inviting the space to exercise, the more you get to eat - because it’s true what they say: on a cruise ship you can literally eat all day. On Paradise the choices are: 24-hour complimentary room service; dining room table service; a pool deck buffet, three times a day; the cake and coffee bar; plus round-the-clock deli sandwiches, a pizzeria, and of course, the midnight buffet.
Then again, for most of us food quantity will not be the main attraction. Rather, it will be the food “experiences” that really count - and that is precisely why Carnival and most of the better cruise lines these days are so preoccupied with adding and subtracting dining options, so they can be sure, for every last passenger, they get it right.
More Information:
Research the details of your cruise at www.carnival.com, or ask your travel agent for this season’s latest brochures.
- News Canada

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

by: Bob Hett

Among the dizzying array of cruise lines, Princess is one that travels to many different destinations. They have a large variety of cruises, but the most popular cruises tend to be to Alaska, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and The Panama Canal.
The Princess cruise line prides itself on providing the best cruise possible for a reasonable price. Their tagline is ?affordable luxury,? so they are obviously trying to give all their customers a taste of the good life without costing an arm and a leg. Their cruise lines offer many amenities, such as dance classes, sporting activities, casinos, spa treatments, evening entertainment, and plenty of other things to do onboard the ship, so there is no chance of boredom setting in while at sea. They also offer both traditional dining, and anytime dining, which means you can eat where and when you want.
A cheap Caribbean cruise is possible with this cruise line. Of course, the best thing to do is research the various prices online to find the lowest possible price for a seven or ten day trip to the Caribbean. Many sites offer a lowest price guarantee so that you know you are getting the lowest price. With cruise ships, where you stay is also a factor in price. If your room is in the interior of the ship, the rooms are much cheaper than those that have an ocean view and a private balcony. Suites, of course, are the most expensive choice for rooms. The good news is, that even interior rooms are quite nicely appointed, and you probably won?t spend much time there anyway, except to sleep and change clothes. So booking an interior room is a good way to save money on a cruise.
There are three choices for Caribbean cruises with Princess cruise lines. They offer trips to the Eastern Caribbean, the Southern Caribbean, and the Western Caribbean. Exotic sounding ports of call like Charlotte Amalie and St. Maarten are just some of the places you can plan to visit. When booking a cruise, it will tell you the ports of call you will be going to, so you can decide which part of the Caribbean most interests you.
The Caribbean offers all the sand and sun you are wishing for, and a cruise is a great way to have a taste of many different areas without having to spend a fortune. Some of the things you can do in the Caribbean are snorkel and dive, fish, take a drive, or swim in the frothy surf. It is a place you can do a lot of things or nothing at all. Either way, it is yours to plan and enjoy. The cruise line can schedule shore excursions or you can choose to explore on your own. Taking a cruise is a stress-free way to travel. You book everything at once, and most cruise lines allow you to change or upgrade if you so desire for additional fees, of course!
Most cruise sites advise to book both your cruise and your shore excursions early. However, if you decide to go at the last minute, there are often good discounts to be had.

About The Author

Bob Hett makes it easy to find the cuise information you are looking for. Start planning your dream vacation. Get the answers that you are seeking by visiting http://www.caribbeancruisecenter.info

hett1618@yahoo.com

by: Mary Bradley McCauley

Travel by land

Travel by sea

Be a group Leader

And you travel FREE!

Are you a member of a group?

A reunion group?

Military?

High School?

College?

Church?

An affinity group like :

Rotary!

Knights of Columbus!

American Legion!

Masons!

Sons of Italy!

VFW!

Are you retired?

Play golf / tennis?

In a bowling league/ football pool?

If you said yes to any one of these, or are a member of any group, you can become a ‘group leader and travel FREE!

Mary Ellen found a group at her book club discussion meeting. They had read Michner’s “Carribean”. While sipping wine after the discussion, one of the girl’s mentioned how she longed to take a Caribbean Cruise. Mary Ellen told her how her parents had raved about the cruise they had taken for their 45th wedding anniversary.

The more her parents had talked about the adventure, the more Mary Ellen wanted to go but knew it was beyond her financial situation at this time. Then she remembered her mother had metnioned that she’d met a woman on board who was cruising free because she got a group together from her retirement community. The woman had told her she only needed 15 people to go as a group and she could go free.

And so the idea was planted in Mary Ellen’s mind. She went to her parent’s travel agent, got information about the cruise, took it to the next book club meeting. Six months later, Mary Ellen, her husband, the book group and their husbands, plus assorted friends who signed up to go, were cruising out of Miami to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.

Mary Ellen took a copy of one of Michner’s book with her on the cruise. This time it was, “South Pacific”. She wanted to get some ideas for her next free cruise

About The Author

Mary Bradley McCauley is a retired group tour travel advisor, writer and student of web surfing. She lives in Franklin, TN, has various web sites and published a novel, The House of Annon, ‘plus a how to take free cruises and tours travel e-book.
www.mypeoplepc.com/members/sismc/anexpertsguidetofreecruisesandtours/
mbradleymc@yahoo.com

by: Mary Hanna

In May my husband and I took a wonderful steamboat trip on the Colombia River, 1,240 miles long, and Snake River, 1,038 miles long, aboard the American West?s Empress of the North. This is the first time we had ever done a ?niche? type cruise and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Yes, the clientele tends to be older, but, what a shame that the younger mature adults are missing out on all this fun. It is steam boating in the true sense of the word. The paddlewheel turns as you leisurely make your way up and down the rivers and through the many dams that have been erected since the time of Lewis and Clarke. The ship is patterned after the river boats that plied the waters of Alaska, Oregon and Washington over 100 years ago and has a distinctly Russian flavor.
On the particular adventure that we took it was to follow the path of the Lewis and Clarke expedition so it was historical as well as fun. We boarded the Empress of the North in Portland, Oregon with no mishaps just a bit of a long wait. However, they did supply entertainment and refreshments while they prepared the ship for us. Once aboard we were escorted to a lovely stateroom that was right out of the riverboat era. It was roomy, beautifully decorated and had a balcony with two chairs and a table. There was a TV but we never used it since the real entertainment was the trip and the excursions which were included in the price of the cruise. The rooms reminded you of the river boat era but were very much up to modern standards.
Just a little tidbit: The ?Portland Penny? is how Portland got its name narrowly missing being called Boston. The partners Lovejoy and Pettygrove who had filed the claim staking the territory needed to come up with a name for the quickly expanding territory. Lovejoy being from Boston, Massachusetts was adamant that this would be the name, while Pettygrove equally adamant wanted it to be called Portland after his beloved Portland, Maine. Hence the ?Portland Penny? when Pettygrove won two out of the three tosses.
The artwork on the Empress was truly impressive. There were beautiful Russian artifacts and amazing pictures of the gold rush and life in the Northwest during the 1800?s. I spent a lot of time just going up and down the four hallways perusing the artwork. (Every floor has a different theme).
Our first night out of Portland we were invited to cocktails and hors d?oeurves at the Paddlewheel lounge which is in the back of the boat and has windows overlooking the paddle wheel. We were still busy getting situated so we grabbed a cocktail and took it back to our room to get organized. Dinner was in the Romanov Dining room and the atmosphere really was one of a riverboat. The food was very good served by a courteous and fun American crew. Dinner lasted about an hour to an hour and a half and then it was off to the Golden Nugget showroom to watch the Pat O?Neal and the River Boat Jazz band play great Dixieland Music. Well, if you weren?t into it by then you never were going to be. What fun and you are sharing it with only 200 other passengers. After the show you could stay in the Showroom for dancing or go to the Paddlewheel Lounge for the duo of Kari & Jerry who were not only very good but extremely friendly.
Of course, you are in a new place everyday and everyday brings a new exciting, educational and different excursion. Our first day out we where cruising the Columbia River Gorge taking in the breathtaking vistas, granite cliffs and waterfalls from which the Cascade Mountains takes it?s name.
We thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would recommend to other adults, this not a ship for children.
For more information on the cruises please contact Mary C. Hanna or visit http://www.cruisetraveldirectory.com/.
Contact:
Mary C. Hanna

Publisher

800-577-6524

http://www.cruisegold.com

About The Author

Mary Hanna has cruised the world on ships enabling her to sail on almost all of the top cruise lines. After over 60 cruises she decided to compile her expertise in an e-book to share with other cruiser, first timers or seasoned cruisers. http://www.FirstCruiseBestCruise.com.

mary4165@verizon.net

by: Jim Christy

HOW TO SAVE, HOW TO ENJOY
SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU SAVE
Finding Cruise Values
Those inexpensive Western Caribbean cruise promotions may sound like a terrific bargain, but you really need to know more. Ships have become fancier and offer more amenities, so trying to figure out the actual cost of your trip can be complicated. There is no one simple answer.
Historically, the only extra fees were crew tipping, beverages, ship-to-shore phone calls, gambling, excursions and gift shop purchases. Today, cruise lines are adding all sorts of interesting features, available for an extra cost. Extras may include exercise classes, Internet access with per minute charges ranging from $.35 to $1.25 and alternative dining options with a $20 and up charge per person.
If many of these ?extras? are important to you, consider upgrading your cruise line. Luxury lines tend to be more all inclusive and you can get more of your needs included in the cost of your cruise.
In any event, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your vacation cruise budget.
Look for Sales
The Internet is the best source for seeking out sales. Virtual travel agencies, particularly those geared to the do-it-yourself traveler, make it possible for you to act as your own agent. You can book your own cruise and even select your own cabin.
The Internet has a handful of high profile travel agencies with great reputations for accuracy, customer service and excellent pricing. They generally offer lots of extras along with recent consumer reviews.
The prices on a cruise line?s brochure should be considered sample pricing. Unless a particular itinerary is very special and demand is higher than supply, you should never have to pay the brochure price.
Be Flexible
Pricing a cruise is a lot like looking for airline tickets. Fares constantly go up and down. Travelers who have the flexibility to wait until close to departure dates (three to six weeks before departure for cruises) may find the best rock bottom pricing. You may not be able to choose an outside room, but the pricing can be very attractive.
Another option may be to advance plan your cruise. Many cruise lines offer excellent fares and throw in otherwise expensive upgrades to people who book six months in advance and pay a deposit. The most valuable upgrade would be a ?balcony stateroom for the price of an outside cabin?.
The official season for hurricanes is from June 1st through November 30th. This can be an excellent cruise time for bargain hunters.
On-Board Savings

The bar bill can often drive your on-board costs up. Look for discount packages such as ?wine and dine? deals. Cruise lines will also offer a drink of the day special or a bucket of beer, five beers for the price of four. You can also save money by getting an all-you-can-drink soda card, which used to be limited to children.
Communicating back home from onboard can be very costly. You can expect to pay $6.95 to $15.95 per minute for ship-to-shore calling. One thing you can do is find a cyber center in a port and send emails from there at a fraction of the cost.
Using the spa on the ship can be very pricey, as much as $99 for a 50-minute massage. One tip to help you save if you want to use the spa: book your time when the ship is in port. The price is often 10% to 20% lower at that time.

SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU ENJOY YOURSELF
Some Facts
The Western Caribbean ranks as one of the world?s great vacation destinations by combining some of the Caribbean?s most vibrant cultures along with natural wonders on land and sea. If offers the rich historical treasures of the Mayan Empire, a diver?s and snorkeler?s paradise as well as an archaeological treasure trove.
The sheer volume of Western Caribbean cruises attests to the fact it truly is a year round destination. Temperatures seldom vary from highs in the 80s and lows in the 70s, with humidity at the 70 percent level all year long.
Things to See and Do
Traditional ports in a Western Caribbean cruise often include: Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Key West, Florida; Montego Bay and/or Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Progresso, Mexico. Here are some shore adventures you should take in these ports.
Belize City
Belize?s 185-mile barrier reef is the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and the scuba diving is world class. Cruise ships offer supervised excursions for snorkelers at all levels. One of the most popular snorkeling spots along the reef is Shark/Ray Alley, where you share the water with southern stingrays and nurse sharks.
Cozumel
You should definitely see the great walled city of Tulum. The sixty-acre site features stone carvings, archways and architecture with ?sundials? that light up during the solstices. Tulum?s main castle sits on a limestone cliff overlooking the Caribbean.
George Town
Take a stroll among the casuarinas trees along the white sands of Seven Mile Beach. But then take a boat trip to the famous ?Stingray City Sandbar.? As you snorkel in the shallow waters, you will be able to feed the huge stingrays with chopped up squid provided by the tour operators. The rays will eat from your hand and are quite polite.
Save some time for a quick run to the Tortuga Rum Factory on South Church Street. The factory?s rum cakes are famous with flavors such as coffee and key lime. You can even purchase mini sized cakes for about $10 and they make great gifts.
Key West
The southernmost point of land in the United States, the ?Conch Republic? of Key West has a history as one of the favorite haunts of artists, celebrities, presidents and literary giants. Be sure to visit the Ernest Hemmingway Home and Museum and ?The Little White House? where Harry Truman relaxed. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum houses millions of dollars worth of treasure salvaged from a Spanish Galleon.
You must also stroll down Duval Street, home to many shops and restaurants including Sloppy Joe?s Tavern where Ernest Hemmingway spent time writing and entertaining. Do not miss an opportunity to have some Key Lime Pie here.
Montego Bay
Take an excursion to the 6,000-acre Rose Hall plantation. The plantation?s Great House, built in 1760, is said to be haunted by the ghost of its former mistress, Annie Palmer.
Ocho Rios
Dunn?s Rivers Falls is the place to see here. Climb a 600 foot high staircase surrounded by lush foliage as you watch the falls crashing down on a white sandy beach.
Many cruises offer excursions that focus on the arts, including visits to museums, galleries such as Harmony Hall and tours of Noel Coward?s beautiful retreat, Firefly.
Progresso
The Mayan city of Chitzen Itza is a short two hours from Progresso. With its intricate temples, the famous pyramid of Kulkulcan, a sacred ball court and astronomical observatory, it is certainly worth the trip. Another important Mayan ceremonial center, Dzibilchaltun, is but fifteen minutes away.
If the ruins intrigue you, look for the face of the living Maya. The descendants of the Maya still thrive here, having preserved their language and many of their ancient ways.
These are but a few of the many adventures and sights you can visit and experience during your Western Caribbean cruise. There will be many more excursions offered by your cruise line, so investigate and take advantage of the beauty and culture of the Western Caribbean.
A visit to Luggage Pros website will play an important role in helping you meet all of your travel luggage and accessories needs.

About The Author

Jim Christy
For more information on Jim and his travel and luggage tips, go to http://www.luggagepros.com/.
luggage@luggagepros.com

by: David Dunlap

If sailing?s your thing, just because you?re single doesn?t mean you have to miss out on some of the world?s greatest excursions! You can book a cruise with an agency or a cruise ship, which organizes all the activities, on-board meals, and other amenities. There are a plethora of packages from which to choose, so there?s a ?matchmaking? cruise on a sailboat or yacht for anyone!
Also, the entire yacht will not be comprised of only single people. Some couples like to join in on the fun, too, but one thing?s for sure: you won?t have to contend with any families, or the pitter-patter of children?s noisy feet running around to disrupt the ?mood.?
Most cruise yachts catering to singles tours carry from 250 to 400 people, reserving a block of cabins for the groups of singles and the ?couple?s groups.? However, some yachts and cruise ships can carry up to 2,000. You?ll have no trouble finding the right number of people for your individual preference.
You?ll have a blast sailing the ocean blue while your hosts schedule the parties, games, lectures, pool parties, and nightly get-togethers that?ll keep you entertained. These tour guides specialize in this kind of cruise, so they?re very experienced and not apt to seat a 24-year-old free-wheelin? single gal from Pittsburgh next to a 55-year-old male librarian from Santa Fe.
There?s usually a yacht online message board where you can start ?chatting? with your sailing mates before actually meeting, if you?d prefer. And, some agencies organize a special ?meet and greet? before the cruise so you can get to know your travel partners ahead of time.
And there?s also variety: you?ll never find a ?typical? cruise; unless you?re signing on for a very specific type of cruise, i.e., ?Vegans Only,? you?ll meet singles from all walks of life, involved in all kinds of trades and professions. And many will be returning to reunite with friends they made on their last trip; maybe you?ll be next!
Traveling alone has never been so much fun! Just think ?yachting? for this year?s upcoming vacation, and you?re guaranteed to meet new people; maybe even a special someone. So whatever your tastes, interests, or age, there?s a sailing adventure waiting ? just for you!
For more information, see www.onlyforyachts.com.

About The Author

David Dunlap is the owner and founder of All About Sailboats and The Ocean Sailing Guide, two online resources for every sailing enthusiast. For sailing information and resources, including boat insurance and sailing charters, visit http://onlyforyachts.com or http://theoceansailingguide.com.
newlink@onlyforyachts.com

by: Lana Hampton

Many cruise ships today have standard cabins of similar size and accoutrements, with the price differential being the location. The least expensive, inside standard cabins on a mainstream cruise ship run from about 120 square feet to 180 square feet. Since most cruise ships are relatively new or have been refurbished, the cabins usually are tastefully decorated with twin beds that can be pushed together to make a queen-sized bed for couples. The cruise staterooms have wall-to-wall carpeting, individually controlled air conditioning/heating, dresser or storage space, closet, telephone, and satellite television. The television usually has news, sports, local on-ship channels for broadcasting information on shore excursions or from guest lecturers, and movies.
Some cruise cabins have VCRs or DVD players, and some televisions also have radio/music channels. The cabins also usually have a night table, reading lamps, and a chair. Most modern cruise ships come with a hairdryer, so you won’t have to bring one from home. Some standard staterooms feature personal safes, table, desk with chair, convertible loveseat, mini-refrigerator, and even Internet access, although it is often much more costly than in the common Internet lounge. The cruise line brochure or Web site usually specifies what amenities are in each cabin.
The standard cruise cabin bathrooms are usually tiny and most only have a shower (no tub). The shower usually has good water pressure, with the only complaint being the small size. Don’t be surprised if the shower curtain keeps trying to attack you! The bathroom also has a sink, toiletry shelves, and a noisy vacuum toilet like on an airplane. Often there is a small step up between the bedroom and bathroom, perfect for stubbing your toe. The bathrooms also usually have a retractable clothesline for drying your swimsuit or hand laundry.
The next step above an outside cabin is one with a balcony (verandah). These cruise cabins have sliding glass doors, giving you access to the outside. The sliding doors also mean you can see outside from anywhere in the cabin, i.e. lie on the bed and still see the ocean outside. Usually the cruise balcony cabins are also larger than the standard cabins, and some qualify as mini-suites. Which means they have a small sitting area with a loveseat or convertible sofa. The cruise mini-suites also usually have a curtain that can be drawn to separate the sleeping and sitting areas. This feature is ideal for couples (or friends) that have different sleeping habits.

About The Author

Lana Hampton makes it easy to find the cruise of your dreams. Visit http://www.yowscruises.com today for the latest cruise prices and information.