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Cruise Advice 101: Expert Advice from the Cruise Doctor

Filed under :Books

Product Description
Cruise Advice 101 offers both first-time and veteran cruisers a wealth of insider tips and information.

Learn how to:
• Get value from your cruise by making a smart purchase decision.
• Save money when booking a cruise.
• Select an expert travel agent.
• Choose just the right cruise line for you.
• Avoid the risks of Internet “discount” agencies.
• Pack for a cruise.
• Choose where to cruise and what to do.
• Dispel cruise myths (“I’ll be bored,” “I can’t afford it”).
• And much, much more!

Cruise Advice 101: Expert Advice from the Cruise Doctor

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The Rough Guide to Cuba 4

Filed under :Books

  • ISBN13: 9781843538110
  • Condition: NEW
  • Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product Description

The Rough Guide to Cuba is the ultimate guide to the home of sun, salsa and rum From down town Trinidad to small-town street parties, the full- colour section introduces the best Cuba has to offer. This revised 6th edition contains … The guide is full of informed descriptions and accurate listings of the best bars, restaurants and music venues to be seen at, from the lively city of Havana to the seaside resorts of Cayo Coco and Guardalavaca. This guide also takes a detailed look at the country’s turbulent history,sport, music and wildlife, and comes complete with new maps and plans for every area.

The Rough Guide to Cuba’s is like having a local friend plan your trip!

The Rough Guide to Cuba 4

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Disney Cruise Ship Live Show Dreams Clip 1

Filed under :Cruise Videos


Disney Cruise Ship Live Show Dreams Clip

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A Disney Cruise – The Perfect Compromise

Filed under :Caribbean Cruise Lines

Many parents of small children find that their idea of a dream holiday differs somewhat from that of the children. For kids from tiny babies up to teenagers, the world of Disney holds an appeal that is universal. While this is great for the kids, and the parents would have a great time too, many adults would prefer to go on a relaxing cruise vacation. The luxury and opulence of this lifestyle appeals to many but when sacrifices are to be made, it is the parents who usually end up making them.
Disney, being the clever company that they are, have managed to provide both parents and children with their holiday of their dreams, combining the magical world of Disney characters with a cruise holiday. These Disney cruises offer families the best of both worlds and ensure that all of the members of the family have a holiday never to forget.
The Disney Cruises offer breaks from 3 to 7 nights in duration. These include a variety of off-shore and on-shore options and allow you to choose the cruise which is truly right for your family. The shorter 3 or 4 night cruises take in the Bahamas and call into port at Nassau and Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay. The longer cruises of 7 nights offer you the choice of eastern or Western Caribbean seas and islands but whichever you choose you can be confident that your views will be breathtaking and that you are almost certain to experience the beautiful sunshine that this part of the world is famous for.
In between the island exploring that these cruises offer you, you will be aboard a truly spectacular cruise liner. There is no need to worry about what you will do to occupy your time when sailing as there is a whole host of activities available for all the family. Activity groups are provided for children through to teenagers, and these groups are divided into ages so that you can be sure the activities on offer will stimulate and entertain your child, whatever their age. Disney cruises even offer parents their own club which is just for adults, allowing them to spend some quality time away from the children whilst remaining confident in the knowledge that they are being cared for by fully qualified staff. Activities available just for the adults include a spa and salon, nightclub and adult-only restaurant.
Family time is also catered for onboard the cruise liner. Live entertainment is provided daily, beginning with a Welcome Aboard show and ending your cruise with a Magical Farewell. In between you can be sure to be introduced to all of your favorite Disney characters and songs in shows which live up to and exceed the reputation Disney has for superb live entertainment.
The only problem you will have when it comes to food is deciding which restaurant to eat in. Catering for all tastes and palates, the cruises offer an exciting variety of menus and world cuisine. This gives everyone a real opportunity to try something new and the exceptional chefs on board will ensure that it is all prepared to the highest standard. Only the finest ingredients are selected for every dish, as you would expect from Disney.
With so much to see and do on a Disney cruise, you will have very little time to spend in your room and when you return there you will want to fall straight to sleep so that you can be up and ready for your adventure the next day. However, you can rest assured that the same attention to detail is found in the rooms as it is everywhere else on the cruise. When booking, you can select the type of room you require and you can be certain that it will exceed your expectations.

The author regularly contributes to http://www.thecruisepage.com
where more information about discount cruises, Alaskan, Caribbean, and cruises, in general, is freely available.

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Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Filed under :Cruise Videos


Our Voyager adventure begins! The kids say “Awesome!” and “Looks more like a mall than a ship.” Welcome to the Royal Suite! Real People having Real Fun! You can view travel videos in full screen

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Cruise Tips to Maximize your Cruise Vacation

Filed under :tips

You are getting ready for your much anticipated cruise vacation. The best way to maximize your cruise travel is to have some of these cruise tips about the little things you should know. Many cruisers have questions about phoning home, seasickness, laundry facilities, and photography while on their cruise vacation. These are not big items that should concern you during your cruise travel but helpful hints nonetheless.
Phoning home always gives one peace of mind when they are on vacation. It is natural to want to check on your children, or check into the office, just remember that ship to shore phone costs can be very hefty. They can cost up to $15 minute, so I if you must, keep it brief. You can use your cell phone but be aware that in some areas roaming charges will apply. Your cell phone will not work in Europe unless you have universal service.
It is very important that you leave the information on how to contact you at home in case of an emergency. When you receive your cruise packet there will be contact information included. Make sure you leave the name of the ship, the cruise line you are traveling with, and the itinerary that you plan to follow. Make it very clear that it is for emergencies only.
There is a way to get around this expense and that is to buy a phone card and call home from your ports of call. The connection will be far greater and your savings too. Be aware that this is where the crew members make their calls home so you may want to venture further from the dock to find a not so busy public phone.
All of the modern ships are wired for the internet so you can stay in touch with email. This is a much easier and cheaper way to but your mind at ease. On some ships if you are a frequent cruiser the internet time is free. If you are not, connections can run from fifty cents to a dollar a minute. Just keep in mind that they are not high speed hook ups so they will be slow. Compose offline and then send your message. Some ships will offer you package deals to save a little money. Here again, if you can wait until you get to port, internet cafes ashore are relatively inexpensive.
Seasickness is almost a moot point on today’s cruise ships. They are so large that you don’t even know you are moving unless you look out the window or you are up on deck. With today’s technology for weather tracking the cruise lines know in advance if any storms are approaching and therefore can avoid the area. Earlier cruise ships had stabilizers but nothing compared fo today’s technology which enables them to counter act any motion the sea has to offer.
If that doesn’t calm your fears about seasickness and cruise travel there are a number of ways to ensure a very comfortable cruise. Take a cruise vacation in an area of the world that has calm waters on a modern ship with the aforementioned stabilizers. It is best to book a cabin in the middle of the ship on one of the lower levels. If just looking at a horizon that is moving sends you into a tizzy, book an inside cabin. A little known cruise tip is to arrange your beds in alignment with the ship, bow to stern. Rocking is always easier to handle than a rolling motion. Once, you’ve got yourself situated on board go up on deck and stare at a fixed position on the horizon to get your body use to the motion.
Your doctor may have some medication you can take, or try the acupuncture bracelets that go around your wrists. If you do feel queasy eat crackers and green apples to settle your stomach. Ginger capsules have been said to work wonders and are available in your health food store. By all means avoid any alcoholic beverages which will only make your symptoms worse.
On board laundry services are very expensive. Book a ship that has an onboard laundry room for passengers so you can do your own. These laundry rooms will be equipped with an iron and an ironing board. An alternative is to pack a small bottle of laundry liquid and a few clothes pins in you luggage, hand wash them in your stateroom and hang them from the shower line provided.
Photography is always a big question. Should you bring a camera or rely on the ships photographer? The answer is to bring your own. If you don’t want to worry about your expensive digital camera, buy a lot of the throw away types. Pick up a few waterproof ones too for when you take you snorkel adventure. Take twice as many as you think you need. If you don’t use them on this cruise vacation you can always use them at the next holiday or birthday celebration.
You could also opt to pick up a cheap digital. You can buy them for about $20.00 and you won’t have to worry about losing it since your expensive one is at home. These are usually smaller than the pricey ones so they are easier to carry around.
On formal nights you will want to get your picture taken by the ships photographer. These pictures are wonderful memories of your cruise but they are expensive. The ships photographer will take pictures of you all through the cruise. Getting on and off the ship, on deck, in the dining room at your table and when you enter the dining room on some nights. Although these pictures are fun, you are not obligated to buy them. If you are on a cruise vacation for a special occasion like a honeymoon or an anniversary, splurge and buy them, they will be more than just memories.
These are just a few cruise tips for the little things you should know about cruise travel. Having this knowledge before your cruise vacation will help you on the way to clear sailing.
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com

Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com

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The Absolute Best Western Caribbean Cruise – Costa Maya

Filed under :Caribbean Cruise Lines

If you are looking to do something different on you Caribbean cruise, I highly recommend looking into Costa Maya.  Costa Maya has quickly become very popular and is now when of the best western Caribbean cruises you can take.  If you are looking to go to Mexico, but do not know what to look for then this best western Caribbean cruise is perfect for you.

What Makes Costa Maya The Best Western Caribbean Cruise Destination

Not rich in history but rich in history may sound strange, but it is this that makes Costa Maya stand out as the best western Caribbean cruise.  The best way to describe it as an amusement park for adults on a private island.  This area was created from scratch specifically for cruisers and tourists, so naturally it has everything you would want to make it a best western Caribbean cruise.  Nestled right near the border of Belize, this man made village has bars, restaurants, shops and pools all around.  There are performance stages and all manner of entertainment for travelers including its own crocodile pit. 

One of the big fears traveling throughout Mexico is the drinking water.  The founders of Costa Maya worked with Coca-cola to create an internal water sanitation system so that all of the water in the park is safe to drink.  While this is all interesting and makes Costa Maya great, it does not put it on the level of best western Caribbean cruise destination.  For that you will have to venture a little bit outside the friendly man made village.

Here you will find Chacchoben, a Mayan city dating back to 350 A.D.  Here you can explore and experience the ancient history of the Mayan peoples and still be able to venture back to the comforts of civilization when you are done.  This crazy juxtaposition of worlds is what makes Costa Maya truly unique and the best western Caribbean cruise destination.

You can also visit Majahual, a costal sea village home to fisherman and some of the freshest and most ceviche you will ever find.  White sand beaches, shallow surf, and many locals make this a hot spot for relaxation.

If you get a chance, swing by this new and unique tourist destination and see everything it has to offer.  With some of the most modern amenities in the Mexican Caribbean, you can truly enjoy everything that this paradise has to offer.

Visit here for: Tips about Caribbean Cruises , Travel Tips and Free Health Tips

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Carribean Heat Barbecue Chicken Wings

Filed under :Southern Carribean

FOR THE WINGS4 Garlic cloves2 Shallots1 1/2 teaspoons Salt1 tablespoon Chinese 5 spice2 teaspoons Paprika1 teaspoon Dried rosemary — crumbled1/2 teaspoon Cayenne — or to taste2 tablespoons Vegetable oil4 pounds Chicken wings — about 20-24Tips removedFOR THE SAUCE1/3 cup Natural style peanut butter1/4 cup Canned cream of coconut –Well stirred2 Garlic cloves — chopped1/4 cup Water1/4 cup Red bell pepper — chopped1/8 teaspoon Dried hot red pepper flakesOr to taste1 teaspoon Soy sauceCoriander sprigsTHE WINGS: Prepare the chicken wings:  Mince and mash the garlic and shallots to a paste with the salt. In a large bowl stir the paste together with the 5 spice powder, paprika, rosemary, cayenne, and the oil. Mix well. Add the chicken wings.

Toss and stir them until they are completely  covered with the marinade. Let them marinate, covered and chilled for 4 hours or over night. Arrange the wings, skin side up, on the rack of a foil lined large broiler pan and bake them in the upper third of a preheated 425F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are golden.

The wings may be prepared one day in advance, kept covered and chilled and then reheated before serving. THE SAUCE: In a blender, blend together the peanut butter, cream of coconut, garlic, water, bell pepper, red pepper  flakes and the soy sauce until the mixture is smooth, season the sauce with salt, to taste. THE PRESENTATION: Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl set on a platter. Arrange the wings around the bowl and garnish the platter with the coriander and serve.

Barbecue Party is a leading resource that provides a regularly updated news feed, a BBQ store that stocks BBQ smokers and grills from dozens of popular manufacturers, and provides competition schedules and results, product reviews, guides and hundreds of delicious BBQ recipes, restaurant reviews and much more.

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Cheap Alaska Shore Excursions

Filed under :Shore Excursions

Taking a cruise to Alaska? No doubt you’ve read about all the wonderful helicopter tours or float plane adventures you can have on one of the many shore excursions during your cruise. You may also have noted the price of some of these excursions. And, while a helicopter tour is great fun, tacking on several high-priced adventures onto your moderately-priced cruise can quickly add up to one very expensive vacation.
Can you have fun shore excursions without over-taxing your travel budget? Absolutely, especially if you plan in advance. Also, be aware that you don’t have to go on the shore excursions through your cruise ship. You can always venture out on your own and explore Alaska, sometimes getting to destinations on the city bus for much less than what you’d pay for transportation through your cruise ship. Remember to always compare the cruise ship’s shore excursion prices with similar tours offered by independent tour companies.
What cheap Alaska shore excursions are waiting for you? Here are several inexpensive shore excursions at some of the most popular Alaska ports of call:Juneau:
Want a great adventure for under $25? Take the Mount Roberts Tramway, a 6-minute ride to the 1,800 foot level of Mount Roberts. The great thing about this excursion is that the tramway is located where the cruise ships dock, so you can just walk to the tramway at your leisure.
If you want to get out and see Alaska’s beauty as well as take a hike, then the tramway is perfect for you, as there are trails on Mount Roberts for all levels of ability, from nature walks to strenuous climbs, including a trail that is handicap-accessible. Depending on the time you have, some people like to take the tram to the 1,800 foot level and hike down. There is also a restaurant on the mountain, as well as a nature center.
Another inexpensive, yet must-see Juneau shore excursion is a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier. No doubt your cruise ship offers some type of package tour to the Glacier, ranging from the inexpensive bus/walking tour to the more expensive adventure tours where you can kayak, canoe or ride a float plane. If you want just a no-frills bus ride to the Glacier so you can explore on your own, there are many tour bus companies offering such rides. MightyGreatTrips.com offers a roundtrip service to the Glacier for $12, with transportation running every 30 minutes. If you don’t mind the extra walk, you can also take a city bus which will drop you off a mile and a half from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. City bus fares are $1.50 for each direction of travel.Skagway:
One inexpensive shore excursion in Skagway is a float tour, which combines sightseeing and rafting. Skagway Float Tours offers a tour lasting approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours which includes a 10-mile drive along the coast to the Dyea Valley, with a 45-minute gentle float down the Taiya River. This excursion costs $75 and is suitable for all skill levels. Call 907-983-3688 for more information.
If floating’s not your thing, but riding a bike is, consider a bicycle tour of the Rainforest. This bike tour is suitable for all skill levels, and follows a flat path through rainforest, historic ruins and coastal tidal flats. Your cruise ship may offer this as a shore excursion, or you may go independently through Alaska Bicycle Tours, for a price of $78 for a 3-hr. tour. You can also rent bikes by the hour if you wish to ride around town. Rentals are $14 for 2 hours, $25 for 4 hours, or $35 for 8 hours. Call 877-292-4154 for more information.
Just want to get out and explore the town of Skagway by foot? Go to Skagway.com to download a walking tour map and have a great shore excursion in Skagway for free.Ketchikan:
Ketchikan is a wonderful place to see totem poles, and many cruise lines offer shore excursions where you can tour the city of Ketchikan and then go view totem poles at the Saxman Native Village and Totem Bight State Historical Park. While these tours usually are inexpensive, you may be able to see the totem poles for even cheaper if you take the city bus on your own to Totem Bight State Historical Park – $1 each way.
Researching and planning ahead is a sure way to find fun, cheap shore excursions. Not only will you keep your cruise within your budget, but you may also find you save enough on one shore excursion to help pay for those more expensive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as a seaplane exploration of the Misty Fjords. When booking independent excursions, do keep in mind the time you have in each port of call, and book trips with plenty of time to arrive at the departure point and get back to your ship on time.

Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of a boating vacations website, where you can learn about such things as cruise line vacations.

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Why You Should Choose Antigua For Your Next Caribbean Island Vacation

Filed under :Eastern Caribbean

Choosing a Caribbean Island Vacation is difficult because to the outsider the Caribbean is just the Caribbean, with each island being much like the other. The insider will however tell you that each island has its own identity, none more so than Antigua.
The island of Antigua is always associated with Barbuda, but this article isn’t about Antigua and Barbuda, but about what it is that should make you want to choose Antigua for your Caribbean Island Vacation.
Antigua is the largest of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, north of Montserrat and Guadeloupe, and to the south and east of Nevis, St Kitts, St Barts, and St Martin. It is some fourteen miles long and eleven miles wide, totalling 108 square miles. This means with its 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, there is plenty Antigua to explore, and furthermore there is lots to see thanks to the close links with Britain and the British Navy in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.
Visitors who have chosen Antigua for their Caribbean Island Vacation, also inevitably visit English Harbour which is Antigua’s evocative historical district, around Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. The whole harbour area was the headquarters of the fleet in Nelson’s time. There are historical buildings and fortifications to be seen around the park.
Antigua’s beaches are of course a huge reason for taking a Caribbean Island Vacation here. The majority of the beaches are on the west coast , which is the more sheltered calm and protected part.
All of the beaches are open to the public and each has different characteristics, so the main difficulty you will have is finding the perfect Antigua beach for you. One piece of advice is to never go to isolated beaches on your own, and another is to make sure you get good directions before you go.
On the northwest coast you will find Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, both highly developed and great resort beaches. Closest to St Johns are Fort James, and Deep Bay. In the winter surfers go to Galley Bay and the four beaches at Hawksbill are impressive, just beware that one is a nudist beach.
On the southwest and south coast of Antigua are where you will find the less visited and developed beaches because the area is quite hilly. A road winds along the coast here and you will find beaches like Fryes Bay, Darkwood Beach, and the beaches around Johnsons Point.
Rendezvous Bay, and Doigs Beach are especially very quiet beaches but not easy to get to. If you are looking for an Antigua Beach to relax on after visiting English Harbour then try Pigeon Point.
On the east coast, the south east corner is Half Moon Bay, is a national park, and if you want a family beach, then this and Long Bay which is as far to the east as you can go are both outstanding. The beaches facing east are quite rough but great for beachcombing.
Whether it is history and sightseeing or beaches, Antigua has something for everyone as a Caribbean Island Vacation
For more information on Caribbean Vacation Spots go to http://www.caribbean-vacationspots.com/pages/Site-Map.html

Gordon Steven writes about Caribbean Vacation Spots as well as authoring several articles about Worldwide Vacation Spots and he recommends in Kenya Safaris.

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