Posted by libertees on May 26th, 2010 | No Comments »
are riddled all across the continent. Paris, the city of romance, happens to have some of the world’s finest hotels. They are often blessed with fine architecture and interior design, mesmerizing most travelers. So if you plan to go to France, you should shop for the sweetest Paris hotels deals, which ensures quite a memorable vacation. Remember, finding good accommodations is the top priority for any trip.
Paris hotels deals are a dime a dozen. Some of them are good and some of them are ideal. Just check on the internet or with your travel agency and you’ll find more than a few. Before selecting any of the luxury hotels Paris France, better check your budget for the trip. You can’t afford to go for the most lavish accommodations if you don’t allocate enough cash for pocket money. Determine your budget for your vacation. From there, you can adjudge the budget for your lodging. Don’t worry if you’re working with a rather tight budget. The best hotels aren’t necessarily the most expensive.
Once you have allocated your budget, the next step is to select a hotel. You can check out the flocks of hotel review websites on the internet. Each site gives you a clear view of the hotels in Paris. You’ll find reviews, ratings, hotel rates and features, and comments from people who have stayed at the luxury hotels Paris France. Just by browsing through each of the reviews and comments, you can choose the best place for you to stay. The review sites often post links to the Europe luxury hotels they feature, so you’ll get to see your prospects up close with just a few mouse clicks. If you want more information about the best Paris hotels deals, you can also check out travel magazines, your travel agency, and the recommendations of your peers.
When you have selected a hotel, there are several options for you to book a reservation. Some luxury hotels Paris France have websites which offer online booking. You can simply use the feature and find yourself a room for your vacation. If your preferred hotel does not have online booking, you can shoot an email regarding your reservation or call them up for inquiries. Also, if you have a travel agent, he or she can do the booking for you as well as provide recommendations on the best places to stay. You shouldn’t have much trouble, as far as booking is concerned, as long as all of the best hotels aren’t fully booked.
Securing plane tickets is your next concern, after making reservations. Check the internet or with your travel agent regarding the airliners that have flights going to Paris. Upon choosing an airliner, give the company a call then inquire if there are still vacant slots for the Paris flights. Reserve a ticket. Proceed to a branch of the airline company then purchase the ticket. If your flight schedule does not match with the reservation date on your hotel, contact the hotel, so they can make the necessary adjustments.
With everything arranged, your only job is to enjoy and savor the romantic vibe of Paris. Such a vacation will surely be stored in your little box of memories.
Rick Carsten is a self-made entrepreneur, a well known travel consultant and internet marketer. Over the years he has traveled across the world and has numerous writings credited to his name in many renowned publications. His areas of writing include travel experiences including reviews of , best beach resorts and .
Posted by libertees on May 21st, 2010 | No Comments »
One of the most popular strategies for budget traveling is to make what is traditionally one of the most expensive parts of travel the airfare free.
One great way to score free flights without tediously collecting frequent flier miles is to get yourself bumped off of the flight on which you are booked.
While getting bumped won’t make your current flight free, it will traditionally score you a free ticket you can use at a later date of your choosing.
Getting bumped is such a popular money saving strategy that there is a definite art and science behind it. Remember that you may not be the only person on your flight hoping to get bumped. It is important to follow the guidelines listed below to increase your chances.
- Book your flight with the intention of getting bumped. For instance, you may want to choose one of the first flights of the day, knowing that you will be able to get on a later flight after you are bumped and still reach your destination.
- Always ask if the flight is overbooked. It may be a good idea to call your travel agent the night before the scheduled flight to inquire. Always ask the gate agent if the flight is overbooked as soon as you arrive and let him or her know you will volunteer to be bumped.
- Always back a flight schedule for your departure and destination airport. Be sure to get a schedule that includes all airlines, not just the one on which you are booked.
- Always arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Try to be the first one in the check in line. Being the first in line will ensure that you are the first on the list of volunteers to be bumped.
- Before you agree to be bumped, be sure that the airline will offer a free ticket or other significant compensation. Individual airline policies vary, so be sure you know what is being offered.
- Some airlines offer vouchers in $100 increments, according to the time you must wait for another flight. For instance, a one hour wait entitles you to a $100 voucher, two hours means you get $200, etc.
- Before accepting your free ticket or travel voucher, let the gate agent know that you need to be sure of your arrangements for your current flight. Always make sure you are holding a confirmed reservation and boarding pass for a later flight before signing the agreement and accepting the free ticket.
- Tell the gate agent that you want a guaranteed, confirmed reservation on the next flight to your destination.
- If there are no guaranteed seats available on the next flight, inform the agent that you want a guaranteed seat on another airline.
- Use the flight schedule you packed to choose an alternative flight and airline.
- If the wait for the next flight exceeds two hours, ask the gate agent for meal vouchers. Most airlines make these vouchers available, but they do not always offer them without being asked.
- If you get bumped from your next flight, you could score another free ticket. It pays to be flexible any time you are flying on a budget.
- Remember there are no hard and fast rules everyone must follow. There are some regulations, but each airline sets its own policy with regard to bumping policy and compensation.
- The bumping rules are generally different for international flights, so be sure to ask the airline about their policies before volunteering.
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Posted by libertees on March 21st, 2010 | No Comments »
Tips for Choosing the Best Hotels in Spain
When planning a trip to Spain, one of the most important things you need to do is determine where you will stay during your visit. With the Spain tourism continually growing in popularity, you will find that there are many different hotels in Spain as well as other types of accommodations for you to select from. With so many choices, how is a visitor to decide where to stay while visiting this beautiful country? By keeping these simple tips in mind, you will be able to determine which of the many hotels in Spain is the best for you.
Deciding Between Hotels and Other Accommodations
One of the first decisions you will have to make is whether you want to stay in one of the hotels in Spain or you want to stay in another type of accommodation. In addition to hotels, the booming Spain tourism economy has made numerous apartments and houses available for rent as well. Often, renting one of these apartments or houses can be less expensive than staying in one of the available hotels in Spain. Furthermore, many people prefer staying in houses or apartments because they are generally more spacious and because they offer all of the comforts of home. At the same time, hotels offer amenities such as pools and onsite restaurants that may not be available with homes or apartments. Therefore, you need to weigh the pros and cons of each when determining which is the best option for you.
Choosing the Right Location
Whether you are staying in one of the many hotels in Spain or you have decided to stay in an apartment or house, the next step is to choose the location for your accommodations. If you are a nature lover or if you are looking for a relaxing retreat, for example, you might want to stay in an out of the way location that is far from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you plan to visit Spain’s many museums and other attractions, on the other hand, you might find it easier to select one of the hotels in Spain that are located in the middle of the city.
Considering Luxuries and More
Once you have narrowed down your choices according to location, it is now time to consider the amenities offered by the hotel. If you are looking for a resort atmosphere that can cater to your every need, you will need to spend a little more on your hotel. If you are looking for just the basics, on the other hand, you can get hotel for a very reasonable rate. Do some comparison shopping before making reservations so you can be certain to get the most bang for your buck.
continues to boom and draw in new tourists. Use these tips to help you select from the many houses and that are available to those visiting this beautiful country.
Paul Russell has been contributing to leading magazines for the past 10 years. He’s also an accredited researcher on the subject for leading research institutes in the US.
Posted by libertees on March 19th, 2010 | No Comments »
A holiday in Cuba presents a beguiling mixture of colonial cities, Caribbean coastline, unique cultural mix and a vibrant island atmosphere. While the beach resorts on the island (such as Varadero and Guardalavaca) are hugely popular, those who want to get a real taste of Cuban culture would be well advised to spend time in the cities. From the colonial splendour of Trinidad to the old fashioned vibrancy of Havana, the large towns and cities of Cuba are one of the country’s best holiday highlights.
When it comes to choosing your accommodation, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Converted colonial buildings, boutique hotels and grand resorts are amongst the options for a hotel in Cuba. But if money is no object, then there are a few hotels that really stand out from the crowd…
Havana – Saratoga
Havana is, perhaps unsurprisingly, home to the very best hotels in Cuba. There are plenty to choose from, but the Saratoga is perhaps the pick of the bunch. The hotel of choice for artists and writers since the 1930′s, the Saratoga is a stunning colonial hotel in the heart of Havana. Recently refurbished in a neo-classical style, amongst the many highlights of this Cuban hotel are the chic mezzanine bar and a rooftop pool with views out across the port and old town.
Santiago de Cuba – Melia Santiago
There are plenty of hotels in Cuba’s second city, but none better than the Melia Santiago. Combining a central city location with resort style facilities, the Melia offers the best of both worlds. Its “unique” architecture isn’t to everyone’s taste, but the comprehensive facilities, excellent rooms and superb location make it a firm favourite for visitors to Santiago.
Cienfuegos – Jagua
Cienfuegos, known as the “Pearl of the South” is justly named. The towering fort palace, erected to discourage pirates in the 18th, is the must-see sight here, the distinctive French architecture and the splendid bay give it a very different feel to the other cities in Cuba. The best hotel is hard to choose, with La Union (a beautiful colonial hotel at the heart of the city) being a very strong contender, but the Jagua, with its simply stunning views and excellent rooms, is the place to stay in Cienfuegos.
Trinidad – Iberostar Grand Hotel Trinidad
Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a spectacularly preserved colonial town that is without a doubt the most beautiful in Cuba. The hotels in Trinidad, naturally, are renowned for their elegant design and traditional architecture, and the best hotel in town is undoubtedly the Iberostar Grand Hotel. This boutique hotel is immaculately designed and laid out, and is the perfect base from which to explore the many sights of Trinidad.
Camaguey – Gran Hotel
The winding streets of Camaguey were designed as a maze to trap pirates and raiders, and getting lost in the streets of this city is one of real pleasures of a holiday here. Located at the very heart of this maze of a city is the Gran Hotel, a delightful colonial-style hotel that is the best in the city and is located close to all the major sights and attractions.
Emma Lelliott is the general manager of Captivating Cuba, an independent specialist in and holidays. With offices in Havana and the UK, Captivating Cuba can help you tailor-make the perfect Cuban holiday experience.
Posted by libertees on February 23rd, 2010 | No Comments »
As great as taking a vacation on cruise ships may seem, you still need to know how to plan a cruise ship vacation properly so you have the perfect cruise experience. You need to know about the different types of packages the cruise lines offer.
When planning a cruise ship vacation you need to know how to choose one that will meet your expectation or tailor to your needs. Here are some guidelines that you can follow to plan your cruise travel and enjoy the perfect cruise experience:
Think of who you want to take with you on your cruise vacation. There are many different packages offered by cruise lines. There are packages for the whole family and there are packages for single travelers.
Will you be taking the cruise vacation with children? Maybe you will take your significant other for a romantic getaway. There are cruise ships that are tailored for children and there are cruise lines that cater to single cruisers and honeymooners. There are even some ships that offer wedding services. What could be better than to get married on the ship and have your honeymoon built in?
Decide how long you want to cruise. If you just want to try it out, opt for a three day cruise. Normally, cruises start at three nights and can go anywhere from seven to fourteen days. But there are also world cruises that can last as long as three months. My advice is if you are going to cruise in Europe you should pick a fourteen day cruise because of the expense and long plane rides to get to your port of embarkation. If you live near a port and you just want to take a long weekend choose of three or four day cruise. Decide what cruise travel is best for you.
Choose the perfect destination for you and your family. Alaska is beautiful but can only be cruised in the summer months. If you live in the colder climes you may want to take a mid winter cruise to the Caribbean or even South America. If you want your cruise travel to be in the Caribbean and you want to spend two weeks on your cruise vacation, choose a line that alternates between the Eastern and Western Caribbean. This cruise vacation takes you to many different islands.
The cruise lines have a variety of destinations to choose from. Visit your cruise travel agent to go over the different itineraries or check out the individual websites of the cruise lines.
Consider the port of departure. Since 9/11 cruises have been emphasizing home port cruising. Now there are many cruises that depart from Bayonne, New Jersey, Galveston, Texas, or Seattle, Washington, not just Miami and Fort Lauderdale.. Depart from the one closest to you and you will save money on expensive airfare.
Speak to a knowledgeable cruise travel agent. Make sure they have personally sailed on many different cruise ships so they can give you an honest opinion on what each cruise line has to offer and which would give you the perfect cruise experience.
A cruise travel agent will also be able to supply you with cruise tips. Scour the cruise reviews for additional cruise tips.
Large cruise lines have a variety of activities and facilities that you can use on the ship. If you like to gamble then choosing a cruise ship with casinos is probably right for you. Or if you are taking your kids with you, a cruise ship that offers activities and facilities for children would be the best choice for your cruise travel. For instance, Disney is, of course, geared toward children but they do not have casinos. So if you are taking the family but you want to gamble steer away from Disney and choose one of the other major cruise lines. Almost all of them have children’s programs. If you don’t want to be on a ship with children sail on one of the fancier lines that don’t cater to children. Here, again, it pays to read as many cruise reviews as you can to pick up additional cruise tips.
Cruise vacations do not necessarily mean that you have to spend all your vacation time onboard. All the cruise ships offer land and shore excursions. The cruise lines offer pre and post cruise land vacations usually for two or three days.
Posted by libertees on February 21st, 2010 | No Comments »
Paris prides itself at being the capital as well as the largest city in France. It is the worldâ??s fashion hub and attracts tourists and travelers from across the world because of its world-class monuments, museums, and historic centers. It is because of the endless flow of tourists into this city that Paris hotels constantly strive to provide the best and lucrative deals. Paris boasts itself at having some of the best . These luxury hotels provide the best in accommodation, delicious and mouth-watering cuisine, excellent service, and amazing recreational events. Before choosing a hotel in Paris, make sure you check for the best Paris hotels deals. These deals may include airport shuttles, sightseeing options, and travel options as part of their package. You can also read guide reviews and travel plans to choose for the best luxury hotels Paris France.
While choosing the best Paris hotel deals, you need to keep a few things in mind. First of all, you should choose the right time of the year to go to Paris. This will significantly impact your travel cost and your accommodation cost. Most of the tourists visit Paris during the spring, which means that travel and accommodation cost is at its peak during this season. Therefore, if you are looking for an incredible Paris vacation in a budget, choose any time of the year except spring. You can choose to go to Paris during the months of July and August or the winter season with the exception of Christmas time. This is the off-season time when you can expect to find the best Paris hotel deals. Also, make sure you do proper homework like checking for promotional deals on hotels so that you get to benefit in the bargain. While choosing the best Paris hotel deals, check out the Web site of hotels that you like. This will help you get reviews from guests who stayed at the hotel and assist you in selecting the best hotel. Also, find out if the accommodation charge covers for breakfast. If it does, make sure that the breakfast is good enough otherwise you will end up paying for the breakfast and not eating it too.
Another tip while selecting one of the best Europe luxury hotels is to check for its location. Normally, hotels that are near to traditional monuments and landmarks turn out to be expensive. You may not be interested in getting a view of these monuments and landmarks from your hotel balcony; therefore, you can opt for luxury hotels Paris France that are not too near these monuments and landmarks for the best deals. However, if money is not a concern for you finding the best luxury hotels Paris France is no big deal. These hotels, which have a reputation of being the best Europe luxury hotels, will provide you with amazingly big and luxurious rooms along with unparalleled service! So, go for your dream vacation to Paris and enjoy a memorable stay in one of the best hotels in the City of Lights.
Mike Greaves is a self-made entrepreneur, a well known travel consultant and internet marketer. Over the years he has traveled across the world and has numerous writings credited to his name in many renowned publications. His areas of writing include travel experiences including reviews of , Luxury Hotels New York and .
Posted by libertees on February 21st, 2010 | No Comments »
CRUISE BOOKING â?? HOW TO BOOK A CRUISE Discount cruise vacations continue to be an excellent option for a relaxing and worry-free vacation. More and more people book a cruise online or take advantage of the numerous cruise vacation packages available. People of all ages enjoy visits to beautiful and exotic destinations, meet great new people, and participate in a wide variety of activities while they enjoy cheap cruise vacations. You need to determine which type of cruise is best for you in order to fully enjoy the benefits of cruising. You should analyze what aspects of a cruise interest you most. Once you identify your interests, you can search for cruise vacation packages that will meet your criteria. Many people become confused when it comes to cruise booking because there are so many cheap cruise vacations available. However, you can follow a few simple steps to ensure that you choose a cruise booking that is just right for you!
Step One: The first step of cruise booking involves deciding on your desired holiday destination. Search the internet and read reviews about the various cruise vacation packages and discount cruise vacations. The internet remains one of the most helpful resources when determining which cruise booking to choose. You can visit many sites that will provide detailed information on all aspects of cruise vacation packages. Many sites feature cruise reviews, cruise pictures, and additional information about particular destinations. You also have the option of contacting an online travel agent or cruise booking agent to gather as many cruise brochures as possible. Once you have found several suitable cruise ships, compare them and select the cruise line and destination best for you.
Step Two: Once you decide on the cruise ship, you can now determine the duration of your cruise vacation. Many cruise vacation packages last only a weekend and you may enjoy other vacation packages for two luxurious, fun-filled weeks or more. If you have a little more money and time to spend, you can even pick a cruise package that will last for nearly three full months!
Step Three: You need to analyze the budget of your cruise vacation. The price of discount cruise vacations can really vary depending on the particular cruise company, time of year, and your preferred destination. Many cruise packages allow you to pick the features you want to include. By choosing not to participate in some of the available activities or excursions, you can experience substantial savings during discount cruise vacations. Your vacation budget has a profound influence on your cruise booking. The amount you are willing to spend will determine the activities, duration, and destination for your particular cruise vacation.
Step Four: Once you decide on a cruise vacation package, you need to complete the actual cruise booking. However, before you actually book a cruise online, you should contact the cruise booking agents or cruise travel agent and obtain all the necessary information you require. You need to decide on several factors before you complete the final cruise booking. These include the availability of the cruise package, point of departure, size and location of your preferred cabin, cancellation fees, and any activities you wish to include with your cruise vacation package.
Step Five: Once you have gathered all the relevant information, you feel you need regarding the cruise package; you can complete the final step. This involves the actual cruise booking for the date, company and destination you choose. You have the option of using cruise booking agents or you can complete an online cruise booking from the convenience of your own home. If you are able to travel any time of the year, the best option is to book a cruise online or choose cruise vacation packages that occur during the off-peak season. Most cruise liners sail year round. You can often find amazing deals by performing a cruise booking during the off-peak season. Many more discount cruise vacations and inexpensive cruise vacation packages are available during off-peak season. The peak season for cruise booking occurs during the summer months and during school holidays. You will find that it is more expensive to take a cruise during these busy times. If you plan your cruise, you are certain to find a cheap cruise vacation package that fits within your budget.
Posted by libertees on February 15th, 2010 | No Comments »
With the recent slump in the economy, many entrepreneurs are weighing their options very carefully before jumping into a new investment or business opportunity, yet the fact that many are choosing to wait to see what happens to the economy could give the prospective business owner a jump on the competition and the kick-start needed to overcome the struggling economy. One such industry with great potential is hotel and motel franchises. These high capital franchises take quite a bit more to get going than the average small business but the payoff can be exponentially higher and if you follow some of the following tips, you’ll be on your way to starting your new hotel or motel franchise in no time.
1) Stay in the Hotels You’re Looking at
If you’re in the market to start a hotel, chances are you have some experience with the hospitality industry and you’re at least beginning to become acquainted with the franchisor you’re interested in. But knowing how a hotel or motel franchise is supposed to run is far different than knowing what a specific hotel’s daily practices actually look like, so one of the best things you can do is study the business from a guest’s point of view. If you’re curious about Hawthorne Suites, get a room for a week at one of their locations and do some first-hand research. You’ll learn more than a pamphlet can ever teach.
2) Talk to Other Franchisees
This is a good step for someone starting a franchise in any industry. Your interest, as a potential Choice Hotels franchisee for example, is not only in how the business treats its guests, but also it’s franchisees, and the only way to learn that is to go and talk with men and women who have already walked that road. Find some nearby franchises and ask to talk to the owners. Ask them about what they like and would like to change about the way their franchisor relates to them, how the purchase process went, and what kinds of ongoing support the franchisor still provides.
3) Seek Wise Council Early in Negotiations
Experts recommend that a new franchisee never even begin to make high capital franchise deals without finding wise advisors to help influence the decision-making process. There is no shame in getting the help of a whole team of seasoned businesspeople to help you navigate the negotiation process with your franchisor, and if you can do so before the deal term sheet is printed by your franchisor, you’ll have a lot more leverage in the long run.
4) Negotiate Anything and Everything
The most important thing to know when you go to the table with a franchisor is that you are not at their mercy; the two of you are making a mutual agreement, and the agreement needs to be agreeable to both parties. Whatever you have a problem or concern with in the agreement, as it is drawn up, tell the franchisor what it is and what you want. When you’re looking to get into a Wingate by Wyndham franchise, it is as much in their interest that they accommodate you as it is in yours that you accommodate them-and they have more leeway than they let on.
5) When Converting an Old Hotel, Inspect it
It’s a really straightforward recommendation, but if you’re remodeling an old hotel instead of building a new one, be sure to get every nook and cranny inspected. The last thing any franchisee wants is to spend the money for the perfect business only to find that there are structural, sewage, or electrical problems with the facility halfway through the opening year. Save yourself future headaches by being sure the real estate investment is sound.
6) Research the Local Competition
When it comes to choosing the placement of the hotel franchise you’re going to buy, it’s important to know all you can about the area you’re looking at, and competition is a big part of that. Even though Microtel Inns and Suites is the premium name in economy hotels, putting your franchise in an area overly filled with other economy locations is not the wisest of business tactics.
7) Do Your Homework on Local Development
Chances are good that a franchisor is already well aware of what’s going on in any area in which they’re proposing to start a franchise hotel, however, doing your own research can never hurt. For that reason, when looking at a potential location for your business, make a call to the local government agencies in charge of land development and road construction. See what future plans are in store for the highways and roads of the area, whether there will be more access to your location or less, and ask about what the outlook for residential, commercial, and industrial expansion is. Make sure that in a few years, the location will be even more hospitable to your business than it is now.
Hospitality is an excellent industry that has been with us for millennia and has proven profitable for millions, so starting hotel franchises is certainly a good idea. Like all things, though, it just has to be done correctly, and the earlier in the process that a franchisee starts doing things the right way, the better. These helpful tips may not make everything run perfectly, but they can provide a good start and the confidence that a new business owner needs to succeed.
Posted by libertees on February 14th, 2010 | No Comments »
So, you want to go on a cruise! It’s exciting, it’s fun and it’s your way of enjoying the great life. But how do you make the choice of where to go, when and with whom? There are so many choices with respect to cruising nowadays that it can be very confusing. Here are a few tips to consider helping you decide which cruise is right for you.
Listed below are few examples of the types of cruise you may wish to take:
1. Mediterranean cruise
2. Caribbean cruise
3. an Alaskan cruise,
4. a cruise down the Amazon or Panama Canal
5. a Transatlantic ocean crossing
6. South Pacific or Hawaiian Island cruise
7. River cruises (the fjords in Norway, the Danube in Europe, the Nile in Egypt, the Mississippi in United States)
8. Polar cruises to see the penguins in the Antarctic
9. Russian waterways cruises
10. Galapagos Island cruises
11. New Zealand or Australia
Each can be very appealing but are also very different.
1. The first thing to consider in taking one of these cruises is when you want to go—the time of the year can dictate the type of cruise. Some cruise ship lines do not offer cruises to the Mediterranean in the winter months, but transfer their ships to the warmer waters of the Caribbean. Alaskan cruises only run in certain months also due to weather conditions. Ocean crossing cruises (Transatlantic) take place only as the seasons change so that cruise ship companies can reposition their ships to match the high seasons’ tourist industry.
2. You also have to decide on the length of your cruise. A typical choice is a 7-night cruise, but you can take cruises from 3-4 nights to over a month in length, or more. The length of your vacation time available may limit you, but taking a cruise for the first time may also be a consideration. Limiting your cruise to a manageable shorter cruise may help you decide whether a longer cruise at another time may be more advisable. In other words, do you get seasick? Do you like the variety of visiting different ports? Do you wish to simply stay at one destination and relax? Do you like the busy atmosphere of the many activities on a ship?
3. Next, the ports that you wish to visit can be a great part of which cruise is the right choice for you. Have you always wanted to visit Tortugas, the Bahamas or Cayman Islands? Here is your chance to get a taste of it. Make sure that one of your chosen destinations is on your cruise itinerary, and there are endless choices of various itineraries available. Cruises are great ways to experience various places. Then you can decide which destination you would like to see more of on a future vacation.
4. Another consideration in choosing a cruise is the amount of time you wish to be “At Sea”. For a Transatlantic voyage you are at sea for many days at a time, which limits you to being within the confines of the ship at all times. This can be a bonus if you don’t want the hustle and bustle of visiting different ports, but it can also be a downside if you want a lot of variety on your vacation. Some cruises offer very little time at sea, being in a different port every day, and this flurry of activity can be too overwhelming for some vacationers. I would recommend a bit of both—for a 7-night cruise a good happy medium would be 2 days at sea with the other days stopping at various ports of call.
5. Once you have narrowed down your choice of cruise to when and where you wish to visit, the next hardest choice is the cruise line and size of ship you want to use. The size of ship can dictate the cruise line, as some cruise lines offer significantly larger ships than others. Some cruise lines only use smaller, more intimate ships for smaller groups of people. Other cruise lines offer huge ships with passengers in the thousands. You must decide whether you like a small personal touch or like the larger groups. (We found that even on a larger ship, there were still areas where we could go to get away from the crowds. Crowding on the huge ships was not a problem at all.)
6. Fitting the cruise line to your individual personality is perhaps the most important factor in determining your cruise enjoyment. There are many different types of ship lines that cater to varying personalities. Of course, the Disney Cruise Line caters to families, but others such as Carnival Cruises cater to more of a party atmosphere for adults, or Norwegian focuses on a more conservative group. Discuss with your travel agent which cruise line fits you best. Cruise lines also offer themed or special interest cruises, such as an art collectors cruise, golfer’s cruises or culinary class cruises. These may be great to fit in with the interests in your life-style.
7. Once you have found the best itinerary for you on the cruise line that suits your personality, at the best time of year for you, there are still other choices you need to make. Some cruise lines offer “freestyle cruising”, which simply put means that you don’t have a set dinner time at a set table, but you can choose to eat whenever you wish. On most cruises, however, you have a preset dinner time at an assigned table. You can choose an early dinner (usually around 6-6:30) or a later dinner time (7:30-8:00). In choosing your dinner time, take into consideration your off-ship excursions. You don’t want to have to rush back from your shore excursion just to get back in time for dinner. You also usually have a choice of how many people you wish to sit with (usually from 4 to 8 -10 people at a table.) Our travel agent suggested a table of 8 on our cruise—she stated that if you were at a table for 4 and you didn’t get along with the other couple you were stuck, but a table for 8 offered more chance of finding congenial soul-mates.
8. Shore excursions can also be a major part of your cruise experience. There are many different shore excursion packages available, from visiting butterfly farms, swimming with dolphins, exploring ancient ruins, to snorkelling or scuba diving. Of course, if you wish you do not need to go on any shore excursions. You can simply choose to stay on-board and take advantage of the ship’s amenities, or you can simply walk around and visit or shop in the port-of-call.
Choosing a cruise can seem overwhelming, but the main point is to suit the cruise to what you want to get out of the experience. If you want a whirlwind of activity choose a party cruise line with that in mind. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, choose more time at sea. If you want to sample various cultures, choose a destination-rich cruise. Different types of cruises offer at of those things, and more. Hopefully the above has given you an idea in the choices you need to make to get the most enjoyment out of your cruise. Happy cruising!
Denny Phillips has created several articles inspired by her love of cooking, travelling and art. Read other articles by Denny on her websites: www.goodcookingcentral.com and www.vacationtravelquest.com
Posted by libertees on February 9th, 2010 | No Comments »
If you are heading for a vacation or a holiday trip, then choosing an accommodation becomes an essential task. So, if you are planning a trip to Spain, the most significant thing that one must do is planning for a holiday stay. As the tourism in Spain can be seen at its best, one may easily find the best hotels in Spain. There are innumerable choices when it comes to finding an accommodation in the beautiful city of Spain. However, with so many choices, one may find it hard to decide the best one. So, by following these tips, travelers may easily access the right option for accommodation in Spain.
The first thing that the traveler needs to consider is whether they want to stay in a hotel or they are looking for any other good option. With the effect of high tourism in Spain, there are number of houses and apartments available on rent. Most of the people prefer staying in rentals as they are an inexpensive option as compared to the hotels. Various tourists prefer staying in the rented apartments that are luxurious and comfortable. The most important feature of these houses is that they are very spacious and allow the travelers to make most of their holiday in Spain. However, the hotels in Spain offer facilities of onsite restaurants and pools which are hard to find in apartments. Therefore, it is important to access the benefits and disadvantages of different holiday stay.
The essential factor that is to be considered is choosing an accommodation at the right place. You must select lodging close to the beach or near to the places of tourist attraction that allows enjoying your holiday trip. There are museums and historical places which are sure to capture to make you enjoy more. In addition to this, luxuries are another good reasons of making your holidays exciting and interesting. If you are looking out for a simple and affordable accommodation, there are number of options. And if you are ready to spend a little more, then you can choose apartments that offer total privacy and at highly competitive prices.
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