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Archive for the ‘Cruises’ Category

In a time when most types of holidays are struggling to attract people, why are cruise holidays bucking the trend? Over the past couple of year cruise holidays are on the increase and travel expert believe more people will look to taking a cruise holiday. This is good news for many cruise operators as many have invested in new liners in the past couple of years and many have new ones planned for the future.

Many travellers are looking to get the most from their money and with air travel costs on the increase so it’s no surprise that people are looking at other holiday types. The standard accommodation on board a cruise ship is relatively inexpensive and costs the same as it would to stay in a standard hotel room, of a mid range hotel. The food although can be a large outlay of a cruise holiday is also average to on land prices, you also have more expensive options, just like you would on dry land which you can avoid if your budget wont stretch.

Added bonuses of cruise holidays is that your travel costs are kept to a minimum, you don’t have to worry about getting around as that is all taken care of, so no trains, buses or taxies to worry about which can be expensive. You also have the bonus of visiting a few ports on your holiday, getting a taste of each destination, which is a great way of exploring a region you haven’t been to before. You also get a great selection of on board entertainment which means that even though you are confined to a ship you won’t run out of things to do.

There are plenty of cruise holidays to choose from offering voyages all around the world which means you can easily visit far flung destinations you have only dreamed of and you won’t have to shell out a small fortune as there are a wide range of cheap cruses available online for all the family.

Many families are finding that money is tight at the moment and a lot are having to forego summer holidays, however if you have a little bit of spare cash and are looking for some cheap holiday ideas then we have a couple for you.

There are quite a lot of last minute holidays around at the moment and you may find prices could drop further as travel agents lower their prices to entice people if take up is poor for holidays abroad. If you don’t want to book through a travel agent, you can find good deals for hotels and flights separately on the internet for foreign holidays however you must be careful and make sure you book through a reputable company the is ABTA covered.

If flying isn’t your cup of tea then you should have a look at what cruise deals are available, just like other holidays, the cost of cruises will also drop if there is not much take up, plus many cruise lines offer great deals for families and have very cheap accommodation available, even on some of the bigger name ships. Like many foreign holidays if you keep your eye out you should be able to find some cheap cruises, especially online and remember you won’t have to worry about the expensive airport tax either.

Finally if you can’t stretch your budget for foreign holidays you should have a look at places right here in the UK, camping and self catering can be very cheap especially if there is a large number of you to share the costs. Plus if you choose somewhere that has a good selection of free places to visit then you can go away for even cheaper.

The winter months can usually be classified as ‘miserable’ in most parts of the UK, with wet and windy weather sure to make people long for a sunny getaway.  It is no surprise then that this period coincides with the most popular time for holidaymakers to climb aboard a Caribbean cruise ship.

With a climate that is normally sunny and mild, a break in the Caribbean is the perfect way to get rid of the winter blues.  Stopping off at some of the world’s most desirable holiday destinations on the way, a Caribbean cruise is many holidays rolled into one.  Prime locations like Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados and St Lucia set the scene for a relaxing break from the hectic situations at home and open up a world of exciting cultures ready for exploring.

Caribbean culture is a heavily influenced by African, European and Native American cultures, making it truly unique.  It encompasses music, dance, food and traditions not showcased anywhere else in the world.  There are a whole host of carnivals and festivals to indulge in for holidaymakers, with each island offering something different.

Cruise ships now feature a multitude of onboard entertainment in addition to any activities on the islands, and with huge pools, discos, cinemas and comedy and music performances, the activities on the ship may be just as appealing as the adventures off it.

The Caribbean offers both peaceful tranquillity and unbridled excitement in a unique setting, making it one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. If you fancy a Caribbean cruise holiday, then there are a wide range of cruise deals available online, so you should be able to find something to fit your budget.

The Festival de Cannes is drawing to a close and soon the ‘A’ List celebrities will be swanning off home after pedalling their latest project at the world famous film festival. Cannes is famously know as a super glamorous destination on the French Rivera, along with Saint Tropez and Monaco, however when the film festival is in town it sets itself apart from the other places and becomes the ‘it’ place to be.

Yachts line the marina and not a night goes by when some fabulous party or another is being thrown on board. It may be hard to imagine for us mere mortals living like this, however you can sample a bit of the highlife yourself, without having to splash the cash with a cruise holiday. France features highly on many of the itineraries of most of the major cruise lines, with the opportunity to sail round the Cote de Azure and stopping off in ports such as Toulon, Cannes, Marseille and Villefranche. It’s all about experiencing little tasters of the high life when you dock in these ports, as well as onboard your cruise ship.

When you take a Mediterranean cruise holiday, France isn’t the only port of call you stop off at all sorts of diverse countries where you can explore a huge range of different cultures, which is why it’s the most popular cruise destinations for British travellers.  You can soak up the sights in Spain including famous attractions in ports such as Palma, Majorca and Barcelona. As well as indulge in the history of Italy and Greece, with ease as you visit top tourist sites including UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The Mediterranean has long been a favourite holiday destination for thousands of tourists.  The area benefits from one of the best climates in Europe and is home to many well-known attractions, including such cities as Rome, Athens, Cairo and Jerusalem, islands like Crete and Rhodes and popular beach resorts in Spain, Italy and Turkey.  There are many different types of Mediterranean cruises and cruise operators, such as Royal Caribbean, P&O and Princess Cruises, each of which can offer a different holiday package depending on your taste and budget.

A popular type of Mediterranean cruise is the city stop tour.  The cruise ship sails around the Mediterranean, with the chance every one or two days to stop at a new city.  In Athens, Greece, visitors can travel to the Acropolis, the ruined city dating back to Greek antiquity.  In Barcelona, Spain, the Olympic Stadium and Spanish village as well as a lively social scene are the main attractions.  Nice, France, is renowned for its weather, high-end shops and entertainment as well as the chance to spot some of the world’s most famous people. 

Venice, Italy, has plenty of attractive historic buildings to admire, and is built on a series of small islands crisscrossed by canals and open water vistas.  Cairo, Egypt, is home to the Pyramids, grand mosques and an historic city centre that welcomes visitors all year round.  Jerusalem, Israel, is one of the oldest cities in the world and a place of pilgrimage for many people all around the world.

The best part of a cruise holiday is that you can easily visit the destinations above without having to worry about getting yourself there and food and accommodation when there as it is all provided for.

If lounging by a pool or on a beach all day doesn’t float your boat when it comes to holidays and you prefer to explore and learn something whilst you’re away then why not get some inspiration from our selection of historical holidays. You can look at taking cruise holidays, which will easily get you to destinations around the world, hiking holidays which give you added adventure whilst you’re away and city breaks where you can fit in culture in one simple weekend.

Europe is full of historical castles, literally you can’t move without seeing one, well almost. Dotted across the European landscape you can find historical castles such as Medieval or Baroque dictating the historical time line of the country.  Some must see castles include; Ireland’s Blarney Castle, Leeds Castle in England, Sintra Palace in Portugal, Turkey’s Topkapi Palace, Prague Castle in the Czech Republic, Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle and France’s Palace of Versailles.  If you take a European Cruise holiday you can see some of these Castles as part of your itinerary, so you don’t have to worry about travel.

Visiting the Wonders of the World could prove to be a very fulfilling holiday experience, although you couldn’t do them all in one holiday obviously, unless it was a long, long break away! There are Seven Ancient Wonders of the World and at some point you may have come across them in your travels, if not they are great to base your holiday around. They are; Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Now obviously not all of these wonders are with us today, but there is plenty of historical information available at the areas they once stood and it’s a great way to soak up the local culture. There are also Seven Wonders of the Industrial World, the Medieval World, the Natural World, Underwater World and Modern World, to keep you going, if you run out of holiday ideas.

There are a wide range of cheap cruises available for Easter that the whole family can enjoy, so if you’re struggling to find something to do or somewhere suitable to go way then have a look online for some deals. There is one thing that can be hard for parents and that is keeping your children occupied on holiday, a cruise holiday can take that hassle away from you, no matter where you sail to. 

Once cruise holidays were considered for older people and those who had retired, but now that has all changed, many cruise lines also offer cruises that are tailor made for families and can cater to their needs. After all what is better than a holiday where you don’t have to worry about travelling, childcare, finding places to eat and all the stress sorting out activities for the children.

Cruise holidays take care of all that stuff for you and many cruise ships which are tailor towards children such as the Disney cruise line have plenty of on board activities to keep them occupied as well as different kids clubs for babies all the way up to teenagers. You can spend your day in the company of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto, plus many more which is great fun for people of all ages. 

If you like more excitement and plenty of hair raising activities then you should look at booking a cruise onboard Royal Caribbean’s, Oasis of the Seas, which is the world’s largest cruise ship. It also offers a whole host of activities and entertainment for the guests onboard including; two rock climbing walls, two Flowrider surf simulators, miniature golf, basketball court, H20 Zone Water Park, four swimming pools, spa and fitness centre, plus many, many more facilities.

Many young people think going on a cruise holiday is just for old people, which is a common misconception, in fact now many people under fifty are taking a cruise holiday, recent research shows that a third of holiday makers who have booked a cruise holiday are under thirty.

Popularity in the younger generation is increasing because of the wide range of cruise holidays available; there are ships which can cater for families with a wide range of entertainment themed around young children such as the Disney cruise line. If you have older teenagers or like lots of onboard entertainment then the Royal Caribbean have plenty of ships that fit the bill, especially their large vessels like the Oasis of the Seas. Even smaller ships feature signature chefs, wine tasting, adult only cruises and onboard gyms and spas which are perfect if you’re looking for romantic holidays for couples.

If you like to explore a lot on holiday, then a cruise holiday which stops off at many ports and has a bursting itinerary will be for you. Many cruises stop off at numerous ports and in general you get a whole day to explore your destination if you wish, with numerous excursions offered. It’s a great way to see lots of popular holiday destinations, such as the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, without having to worry about getting around.

There is so much to consider if you’re booking your cruise holidays 2011, so we have compiled a list of the top cruise holiday destinations to give you a few helpful hints if you’re struggling with deciding where to go.

10. Panama Canal

Panama Canal

 Picture courtesy of roger4336

Noted for being one of the most remarkable engineering projects ever built the Panama Canal also offers some sensational scenery as well as where two enormous join and two continents are separated by the canal.

9. Aruba

Aruba

Picture courtesy of roger4336

Described as the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, Aruba is a luxurious resort where you can find time to splurge, or if you wish enjoy the beautiful beaches and wild environment.

8. Hong Kong

Hong Kong Harbour

Picture courtesy of Wolfiewolf

A cruise holiday is a great way to explore Hong Kong and the surrounding area and get a real taste for the Far East.

7. Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman, Caymen Islands

Picture courtesy of toddwickersty

Probably known by most as a tax haven for the mega rich and famous, the Cayman Islands offers more than just expensive shops, it also has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean and is known as ‘the ultimate heaven’.

6. Norway

Norway

Picture courtesy of posotivesustainability

It might not pack the same temperatures of the Caribbean, but Norway can’t be easily beaten on scenery with amazing fjords, mountains and crags to discover.

5. Australia / New Zealand

New Zealand

Picture courtesy of kangotraveler

A great way to see the land ‘down under’, a few years ago you would be hard pressed to find a cruise holiday to New Zealand, but its slowly picking up pace as a cruise holiday destination.

4. Alaska

Alaska

Picture courtesy of Tom Mascardo 1

With an Alaskan cruise holiday you will be hard pressed to find scenery to match this, plus if you don’t like the heat then this is the perfect holiday destination for you, exploring ice-tipped mountains, stunning backdrops.

3. French Riviera

French Riviera

Picture courtesy of Serge Melki

It may not be that exotic only a short distance from the UK but the French Rivera makes a great first cruise holiday with all the fun of the Mediterranean on your doorstep.

2. US Virgin Islands

US Virgin Islands

 Picture courtesy of F H Mira

If your craving, peace, quiet and tranquillity in the Caribbean with turquoise waters and white sandy beaches then the US Virgin Islands is the cruise destination for you, especially if you’re looking for romantic holidays for couples.

1. Barbados

Barbados

Picture courtesy of gemtek1

Barbados is voted one of the best holiday destinations for sun, sea and sand, so it’s no surprise it also a top cruise holiday destination with its immaculate beaches, turquoise water, sweltering sunrays, courteous people, tropical vegetation, and unspoiled charm.

If you are looking for a holiday where you can visit numerous places of interest, experience different cultures and have your every need taken care of then you should look at taking a cruise holiday. You won’t have all the travel worries that come with making your own travel arrangements and you can get a great personal service, no matter what your needs.

There are really endless possibilities for your cruise holiday, so it can be quite hard to choose just one, let alone which cruise line to go for, so I would suggest doing plenty of research before you go. Online travel companies can offer plenty of information on cruise holidays, such as virginholidaycruises.co.uk who actually specialise in all types of cruise holidays, whether it’s just a cruise holiday, fly and cruise holiday or fly, cruise and stay holiday. Some cruise holidays aim to be more relaxing, so more time will be spent at sea but the cruise ships will have plenty on offer to help keep you relaxed during your trip. Others offer plenty of ports to dock in so you can visit as many places as you can and take in lots of new cultures.

There are cruise lines and holidays that have been specifically tailored for families with plenty of fun and entertainment available, as well as romantic holidays for couples which offer a personal service and also for single travellers which are made to feel part of a family and a larger travel group, so everyone is covered.