One of the most well-known attractions of Norway are the beautiful fjords. However, there are also spectacular waterfalls to see. The Geirangerfjord and Naeroyfjord are the top rated fjords in the country. In addition to these wonders are the 67,000 islands along the coastline. These protected and secluded islands offer views of natural wonders – like waterfalls – sheltered from human interference.

A great thing about cruises is the activities that the cruises themselves provide. When it comes to Norway, cruise lines have a wide range of activities to pick from, making these some of the best cruises to use. Cruise ships travel to 30 different ports in Norway, including the Spitsbergen on Svalbard, the North Cape and Lofoten.

When off the ship, there are even more activities to enjoy in Norway. No matter which port the cruise ship ends up at, there will be a range of exciting activities like mountain hikes, camping, fishing, golf and even polar expeditions to choose from.

The culture and history of Norway also should not be missed. Even the smallest town has a rich cultural history to share with visitors.

Finally, a top reason to do all this in Norway is because it is a friendly and safe destination. This stable, calm corner of the world is welcoming to tourists from all over the globe.

The history of cruises dates back to the early 20th century when the first cruise ships were built.  In fact, cruise holidays became popular because of the long voyages taken across the Atlantic during the 1900s. These expeditions took days or weeks.  Consequently, they were wearisome and the passengers had to take breaks ashore. Cruise liners in a bid to make the trips more pleasurable added on board facilities.

Whilst always in demand, the popularity of cruise and stay holidays has increased significantly in the 21st century. The services and the standards of the ships have augmented, as well as the sizes of the ships.

While some cruises still maintain the transatlantic crossing, others have ventured into the Antarctic regions among other exotic locations.  Likewise, when you could only find few amenities in the past, now you can choose from an endless list of activities and accommodation.

Do

•    Seek the assistance of a cruise agent or cruise specialist.  They are some of the best sources of information and have the latest cruise deals and advice.  This is especially important for first-time cruisers; for those travelling with children or elderly people; or for those with disability or health issues.

•    Consider no-fly cruises to save money.  Cruises from Southampton or any other UK port save you the problems of crowded airports, cancelled or delayed flights and arranging transport from the airport to your embarkation port.

•    Ask friends or acquaintances for advice and about their experiences of cruise holidays.  Read reviews written by cruise passengers.

•    Follow all safety requirements, advice and signs while aboard your ship.

•    Use travellers’ cheques and keep an eye out for pickpockets when visiting port destinations.

Don’t

•    Use your social media account to announce your holiday.  Announcing to the cyber world that your house is empty may not be safe.

•    Forget to make two copies of all important travel documents in case originals are lost or stolen.  Take one set with you to keep in the ship’s safe.  Leave one set behind.

•    Forget to pack warm outer clothing.  Even if you are sailing to sun-drenched ports, the sea air – especially in the evenings – can be chilly.

•    Pack expensive jewellery or items you could not bear to lose.  Expensive jewellery can make you a target for thieves.

•    Limit your on board activities to ones you know.  Sign up for something different.  Don’t know how to salsa?  Sign up for a class.

Finally, don’t forget to have a great time and do remember that great cruise deals are always available for your next holiday.

One of the first things you need to do is decide when you want to go, and how long for.  There are cruises of all lengths available, from short trips around the Caribbean to two week voyages around the South Pacific, so there is something for everyone.  Once you have decided when, you then need to consider your destination.  Do you want somewhere sunny and exotic, plenty of culture and interesting sights, or somewhere with dramatic scenery? 

There will be several cruise lines that offer voyages to each destination, so your next step will be to choose a ship to sail on.  Things to think about include your budget; should you go for luxury or cheap cruises?  Consider the kind of atmosphere you are looking for and the facilities and activities that are available on board. 

When you are ready to book your holiday, using an agent such as Imagine Cruising can help to simplify the process.  This allows you to sort out your flights and other arrangements at the same time as booking your cruise.  They can also offer helpful advice to support your decision making.  Imagine Cruising are also able to book extras such as hotels, attractions and airport parking; helping to ensure that your holiday will go smoothly. 

A theme cruise could involve taking a cruise into an area where you can see the Northern Lights, for instance.  Other examples include trips that focus on whale watching, wildlife, or food and wine.

These types of cruises are both entertaining and educational at the same time.  For example, one cruise line offers a food and wine cruise that will take you to Italy, Greece, Turkey and Croatia.  This is a wonderful way to discover new foods and recipes that you can take home with you to try.  As well as sampling wine, you will also visit castles, mosques and palaces!

For a different and exciting type of holiday, you should book a mystery cruise.  Imagine not knowing exactly where you are going and what you are going to see?  This would be perfect for a honeymoon or  an anniversary cruise, as the experience is something totally out of the ordinary.

Another popular cruise option is one that is aimed at people who are single.  Travelling alone today can be a bit intimidating, so what better way to safely meet lots of other people than to go on an organized cruise?  This could be a wonderful to make new friendships that may last for many years.

So why not take a good look at all the various types of cruises available and book your 2012 cruises today?

Whether the upcoming cruise is a personal getaway or a family event, there is certain to be a ship and itinerary to suit your needs. It is important to keep in mind that not every cruise ship is family friendly so if you have little ones, or you are seeking a family environment for your next cruise, you will need to do some homework to make certain the holiday you choose is right for you.  

Taking a group or a family on a cruise will require some research into items such as the cruise ships onboard activities, as well as any onshore excursions. Do not be afraid to ask questions about what types of children’s activities the ship offers. Ask to see the entire list and make sure that your kids will be happy and entertained while at sea.  

It is also a good idea to also ask about the adult entertainment onboard, about family activities and shore excursions for the adults. Most children are not as interested in visiting historical monuments as their parents, however, a morning of sightseeing combined with an afternoon of adventure seeking, such as jeep tours or snorkelling can balance out the day.  

If your cruise holidays are intended for a personal getaway, there are heaps of cruise companies that cater to the singles crowd as well as the adult only group. A quick online search will provide many options from which to choose.

The first thing to consider is timing, as some of the best cruise deals can be found by booking a long time in advance; preferably several months before you plan to leave.  On the other hand, booking just days or weeks before you plan to depart can also result in a bargain, though this can be a gamble as there is no guarantee that the trip you want will be available. 

It can also be a good idea to consider the time of year you want to travel.  If you are able to be flexible with dates then great prices can be found for cruises off-season or outside of the school holidays. 

Shop around and do plenty of research before booking anything, this will give you a better idea of what is available and what suits your needs the best.  Try not to get drawn in by just an amazing price, check what the ship is like as well to make sure you are getting good value for money. 

Whatever your preferred destination, whether it is white Caribbean beaches, the yellow sands of Egypt or maybe further afield to the Great Barrier Reef, one thing is for sure – there is a cruise out there with your name on it and at a price to suit your pocket.

In real terms, cruises have become so cheap that they are no more expensive than a standard family all-inclusive holiday but they offer so much more.  Enjoy gourmet meals every night, on-board activities, entertainment and theatre shows, and experience a different destination every day.  Cruising is not only very relaxing but is also the very best way to see a variety of places in a short time.

Cheap cruises are updated on a daily basis so, if you are looking for that cruise bargain, keep on top of what is on offer and snap up your cheap cruise deal for 2012 or, if you can’t wait that long, bag yourself a Christmas Market cruise.  You’ll be glad you did!

Thomson Celebration

Picture courtesy of ozgurmulazimoglu

Their ships circumnavigate the globe so you can visit a wide range of destinations such as the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Baltic, the Red Sea, Canary Islands and Morocco and the Caribbean. On a cruise holiday with Thomson you can visit some amazing ports of call such as: Livorno from where you can enjoy Florence and Pisa, sampling a piece of Italy. Montego Bay offers you the chance to explore the rich culture and history of Jamaica and Willemstad allows you to discover Curacao in the Dutch Antilles. On a Red sea cruise you can stop off in Alanya to explore the beauty of Antalya and the Turkish Turquoise coast, in Agaba you can search out ancient histories in Jordan.

Thomson cruises also offer cruise and stay holidays to, so your holiday doesn’t have to come to an end just because you leave the boat, you can spend a week cruising before spending a week on land at a luxury hotel. Many people opt for cruise and stay holidays especially when they are visiting destinations such as the Caribbean so you can wind down before you go home and travel all that distance by air.

Because Australia is quite far away it can be fairly expensive, well compared to your Mediterranean cruises, however they tend to be comparable to Caribbean cruises in price. If you are a savvy shopper you could probably find some good cruise deals online or from a travel agent, however for an experience like this you probably don’t want to scrimp on the price too much.

There is no better way to see all of what Australia has to offer than on a cruise holiday it’s such a vast country traveling by land can be exhausting. With cruise holidays you get to explore the best the country has to offer such as; Sydney, Darwin, Kakadu wilderness, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef without having to worry about getting around.

Other Australasia cruises also include visits to Tasmania, New Zealand and Hawaii, which means you can pack even more fantastic, tropical destinations into your holiday.