Cruising Tips

Cruise Ship Etiquette

Leave a comment

Cruise Ship
Image by AnnaAM

Cruise Ship Etiquette

The thing to remember when you are on a cruise is that
you are traveling with a lot of other people, and what
you do can affect them. We never know how what we say,
do, or wear can affect other people. Here are some
tips so that the cruise is enjoyable for everyone.

1. Dress appropriately

It’s important to know ahead of time what the dress
will be for evenings, and for on the ship. If there is
a dress code for meals, make sure that you adhere to
it. If you dress inappropriately, you will be
uncomfortable and so will the other diners.

2. Be courteous with lounge chairs

Everyone wants to have a deck chair, but when people
are constantly saving them for people who may or may
not come to the pool it takes away from people who are
wanting to use them. Don’t reserve any more deck
chairs than necessary, so that everyone has a chance
to have a lounge chair and it’s fair to everyone. This
is one of the biggest problems on cruise ships.

3. Smoking

Make certain that when you smoke you smoke in areas
that are designated for smoking. There may be people
that are allergic to smoke, and it’s not fair to
compromise their health.

A good rule of thumb is to think about the things that
make you uncomfortable about other people, and make
sure that what you are doing isn’t affecting someone
else the same way. When people respect one another,
everyone has a better time and enjoys their vacation.

Find your next cruise at TopCruiseFinder.com.

Cruising Tips

Take The Kids On A Cruise? You Bet. Here’s A Few Tips.

Leave a comment

Cruise Ship
Image by ginatrapani

Take The Kids On A Cruise? You Bet. Here’s A Few Tips.

A cruise offers the chance to enter a totally different world and that’s appealing to all ages. So bring the whole family along. Most cruise lines have special children’s rates and provide lot’s of entertainment specifically aimed at youth.

Many cruises have trained personnel whose sole job is to supervise the wide variety of children’s programs. One example is Princess Cruises’ Love Boat Kids program. It includes complete Youth and Teen Centers and a toddler’s play area and theatre. The kids can enjoy movies, games, arts & crafts, computers and more.

Teenagers are notoriously difficult to entertain. Being stuck with Mom & Dad for a week is especially hard their mood. Cruise lines such as Disney, Carnival, Princess and others have set up adult-free zones and special “nightclubs” that provide a wide range of activities and a place to hang out with other teens.

Of course, you would expect that a Disney cruise would be geared towards kids. And you are right. They provide a whole array of age-appropriate activities including children under three.

When dining onboard with the family you will normally find that the earlier dinner seating is less formal. There will be more families present so it makes it much easier to get a table with other kids close to your own children’s ages. If you ask, the server may be able to seat your family alone.

Even though many cruises cater to kids, it’s not a good idea to bring small babies. They demand so much attention that you just cannot enjoy the cruise experience.

Children are usually more prone to sea sickness so it’s a good idea to discuss with your doctor what medication to bring.

There are a lot of amenities that are not necessarily obvious like ice, extra blankets, pillows, games, crib or high chair, etc. Just ask your cabin steward what’s available. The crew is more than happy to help you have a pleasant stay.

Stops at ports of call are typically brief. You don’t have to spend your brief visit browsing the same old duty free shops. Do a little research ahead and you can find some interesting local spots for the family to visit such as a museum, zoo or beach.

It’s a good idea to get the kids involved in the activities immediately rather than waiting a day or two. This gets them involved and lets them feel a part of the program. Joining in later they may feel like outsiders and have a more difficult time interacting with the kids who already know the ropes.

Even though the programs are there to be used, don’t forget that this is a family vacation. Be sure to allot plenty of time together. The kids can have a lot of fun with the planned programs but they also need time with Mom & Dad.

Before you book a cruise, be sure to ask a lot of question of your travel agent or the cruise line. Don’t accept vague answers. You want to know exactly what the cruise lines attitude is towards families. Let them know what ages your children are and get specifics on the activities, programs and training of supervisory crew. Choosing the right cruise line and ship can make all the difference in the world.

Find your next cruise at TopCruiseFinder.com.

Cruising Tips

Caribbean Travel Magazine

Leave a comment

Cruise Ship
Image by Olf:P

Caribbean Travel Magazine

The Caribbean. Ask anyone and you’ll find that the word is nearly synonymous with fun and relaxation. That’s pretty obvious. When you want to travel, those are the only things you want to experience. And what better way to have the ultimate experience on fun and relaxation than to know more about the place you’re visiting? This is where Caribbean travel magazines come in.

From the mundane to the spectacular, from the humdrum to out-of-this-world spectacles – these are what Caribbean travel magazines have in store for you. For all the necessary information and minor details about how life is like in the Caribbean and some travel tips and vacation ideas, pick one of these babies from any newsstand and magazine store at the airport and learn about your ultimate vacation destination.

Below is a list of our top picks of Caribbean travel magazines. Take time to browse through these Caribbean travel magazines and when you’re done, see if you can’t be as knowledgeable about the famous islands as any local tour guide.

Port Hole Cruise Magazine

If your Caribbean travel is all about cruisin’ and cruises, then the Port Hole Cruise Magazine might just serve as your ultimate resource guide. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a veteran sailor of the high seas, you will certainly want a copy of this Caribbean travel magazine for tips on who, what, when, where, and how to go on a dream Caribbean cruise.

Entice your senses. Trigger the explorer in you. Let the pages of this magazine answer all your cruising questions. The Port Hole Cruise Magazine comes out twice a month, setting a non-stop course to become the cruise vacation source.

Caribbean Travel & Life

For the beach bum at heart, the Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine presents the perfect opportunity on how to bum it all out in the islands. This Caribbean travel magazine offers hotel and resort reservations, travel specials, free travel info, marketplace (rental property listing and classified ads), and contests – everything you could ever want.

Simply visit this Caribbean travel magazine’s site at CaribbeanTravelMag.com and fill up the form provided to get a free complimentary issue of Caribbean Travel & Life. Every issue of this Caribbean travel magazine is devoted to exploring the Caribbean islands, one of the most fascinating regions on the planet.

Caribbean World

As the first Award Winning quarterly Lifestyle & Caribbean Travel Magazine in the World, the Caribbean World features its best section yet, called the Island Focus where the ingenious writers of magazine focus on one out of many enchanting islands in the Caribbean and tell you all about its nitty little details from local legends to fabulous attractions. Other sections of this Caribbean travel magazine are hot gossip, fashion, food, sports, and weddings.

The Caribbean travel magazine also gives you a list of monthly events and happenings all over the island, complete with date and some tips on how to best enjoy yourself on such a day. Indeed, the Caribbean World offers so much that even John Jefferies, Chairman of the Coco Reef Resorts in Tobago said that the success of the magazine over the last ten years “is due to a rare combination of great journalism, mauvais langue, cutting-edge features, and a rare style that pleasurably informs the readers.”

NUMBER OF WORDS: 552
KEYWORD: “Caribbean Travel Magazine” = 12
DENSITY: 2.2 %

Book your dream cruise at TopCruiseFinder.com.

Cruising Tips

Vacation Cruise Theft – Safeguard Your Valuables

Leave a comment

Cruise Ship
Image by Like_the_Grand_Canyon

Vacation Cruise Theft – Safeguard Your Valuables

Life on a cruise ship is like no other. The crew likes to have fun and the fellow passengers are carefree and easy going; the atmosphere is very relaxed. For this reason you need to be on guard to keep your valuables safe. Here are some tips for preventing theft while on a vacation cruise.

Before you board your ship, you’ll need to sign a waiver releasing the cruise line company of any stolen property. If you do have something stolen while on the ship it will be a huge hassle. You’ll need to file multiple police reports and the ship security will do little to find your stolen items since it’s unreasonable to search every passenger and crewmember on the ship. Prevention is crucial to ensure a hassle free travel tour cruise.

The ship has safety boxes for guest to store their valuables. Take advantage of these especially if you have expensive jewelry or other pricey items that you won’t be carrying with you everyday. Don’t rely on hiding your valuable in your room; everyone knows to look under the mattress.

Don’t bring too much cash with you. While you’re on the ship there will be little need for cash. You can pay your tab at the end of your trip. Credit cards are widely accepted and many ports of call, even in foreign countries, will have bank machines. Make a list of your credit card institutions, the card numbers and bank contact details. Keep the list separate from your cards and consider giving it to a family member for safekeeping. Also think about getting traveler’s checks; there is only a small fee involved and they are easily replaced if lost or stolen.

While 99 percent of the crew and fellow passengers are honest, there can be one or two who are dishonest. Don’t let your guard down and keep your wallet or purse close to you. While you’re at the pool make sure a family member watches over your valuables. Though pickpockets are rare, keep your wallet in your front pocket. Never leave money or jewelry out in your room; it can be a temptation for dishonest crewmembers. Keep track of your room key and always make sure your cabin door is securely shut.

If you see anyone that appears to be suspicious report it to security. Make sure you let your kids know that even on a cruise where everyone is friendly they should not talk to strangers.

Taking a cruise is sure to be a “once in a lifetime” vacation that will bring you years of wonderful memories. Cruise ship safety is essential to ensure a hassle free and enjoyable vacation. Keep your valuables secure, don’t carry too much cash and report anything suspicious.

Find your dream cruise at TopCruiseFinder.com.

Cruising Tips

Boat-Buying Tips to Save Time and Money

Leave a comment

Cruise Ship
Image by Olf:P

Boat-Buying Tips to Save Time and Money

You’re in the market for a boat and you’d love to buy one at the next boat show. But which boat is the right one for you? It’s hard to know, especially if you’re a first-time buyer.

A boat is a big investment, so it’s important to do careful research to find the one that best meets your needs. Buyers should consider not only the price but also the manufacturer of the engine and the boat, the size and fuel capacity.

The first step is to determine how you will use the boat. What types of activities do you plan to do on your boat? Will you be cruising, fishing, playing watersports or a combination of these? After you have an idea of the type of boat you need, it’s time to weed through the options.

One helpful resource is Boat Test.com, a site that allows prospective boat buyers to compare boats by type, size and manufacturer. After you specify what you’re looking for, Boat Test.com generates a head-to-head comparison of all the models that fit your criteria.

Visitors to the site can see articles about various boats and watch videos of independently conducted tests for each model as well as video clips on engines, electronics and more. After narrowing down your options to a few models, you can go to the manufacturer’s dealer locator through BoatTest.com to get more information and pricing.

If you plan to attend a boat show, doing research beforehand will save you a lot of time because you only will need to visit the exhibits of the specific boats you are interested in. At the show, take some time to look at the boats up close and check out the workmanship, ergonomics and other factors that may influence your decision.

If you prepare ahead of time, you’ll also be able to tell the dealer exactly what you want in a boat. Armed with price and performance comparisons, you can simply walk from one dealer to the next until you get the price that is acceptable to you. In the end, you’ll head home with a new boat and the satisfaction that you got the best deal possible. – NU

Book your dream cruise at TopCruiseFinder.com.