Adventure and Travelling

It seems like everybody these days is setting sail, cruising around the deep blue ocean on ships the size of small cities. Travelers return from their ocean adventures with strange and marvelous tales of grand movie theaters, huge climbing walls, water slides, and mounds of delicious food, but is this the reason why cruises have grown in popularity? What is it, exactly, that makes cruises so appealing to so many people.

Perhaps it’s the price. Long cruises, especially, can be expensive, and port fees, cruise cancellation insurance, and airfare (if it’s not included in the price), not to mention pricey shore excursions, can destroy your vacation budget. Just like with air travel, however, significant discounts can be found online and through travel agents, and when travelers factor in the meals, accommodation, and shipboard entertainment that are included in the fare, cruises can actually be pretty reasonable. There’s also less room for the typical nasty surprises that accompany traveling to exotic locations on your own.

Unlike land tours, which offer a similar sense of security when traveling, cruises also allow passengers a great deal of personal freedom and the ability to set their own pace. If you don’t feel like getting up for breakfast, then you can stay in your cabin and make it down in time for lunch. On a tour, if you miss breakfast, you might have missed the bus for the entire day, and you’ll end up stuck in your hotel, while everyone else is seeing the sights. Cruises have a definite relaxation factor that accompanies the fact that you are, essentially, staying in a floating hotel, which is one reason why cruises attract passengers who are celebrating honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions.

The fact that cruises are actually carrying passengers from one port of call to the next with a minimum of fuss or fanfare is another reason for their popularity. Unlike planes, trains, or, God forbid, automobiles, passenger can sleep, eat, exercise, and even party while the ship is transporting them from point A to point B. As mentioned earlier, the pace is slower, but for many, that’s a benefit rather than a drawback of cruise travel. Also, once you get to your port of call, you’ll be all rested up for duty-free shopping (in the Caribbean, at least) or scuba diving or whatever draws you to exotic locales in the first place.

Traveling also entails meeting a lot of new people—some of whom are nice and some of whom are not nice. Dealing with nasty flight attendants, shady cab drivers, and grouchy hotel clerks can add a level of stress to travel that detracts from the sense of excitement and adventure that should accompany any vacation. Perhaps it’s because everyone’s so relaxed or perhaps it’s because the staff is brainwashed (or desperate for a generous gratuity), but, in general, fellow travelers and staff on cruise ships seem to be a whole lot happier, nicer, and more accommodating than your average human being you encounter every day. Your fellow cruisers, who come from a variety of backgrounds, are not only happier but also more interesting to be around, and you’re actually encouraged and able to socialize on a cruise.

But let’s be honest. Nothing’s more important to you than your stomach. Airlines understand that. It seems like, on some long-haul flights, attendants are walking around every hour with another opportunity to stuff your face. Airline food, however, will never be able to compete with cruise ship food. Food is often the highlight of a cruise experience. Whether it’s at a buffet, in a dining room, or in your cabin, the food is delicious, and there’s plenty of it. In fact, you might find yourself gaining a few pounds if you’re not careful. Luckily, that’s what vacation is all about. If you are worried about your waistline, there are plenty of opportunities to exercise and stay fit onboard.

Finally, one of the major reasons why cruise travel is growing in popularity is the variety it offers. Over 200 cruise ships float in the world’s oceans and rivers today, and that number is growing by the year. Just like with air travel, there are the big names—Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival—and they each have their own fleet of ships. There are also smaller cruise lines, tailored to a specific region or for a specific purpose. These days, if you do your research, you can find the perfect cruise ship to fit your needs, wants and interests.

Taking a cruise for the first time can be one of the most exciting ventures you may take upon yourself. Cruises are a great time for fun, family, laughter and a care free lifestyle, but first-time cruisers are not advised to rush into the cruising thing very quickly. You may find yourself disappointed on a lot of levels.

The location of your cabin or sleeping quarters on the ship are a large part of whether or not you will enjoy yourself on your stay on the ship. It’s hard to have a cabin on the lower level of the ship under a veranda or walkway because people are constantly walking overhead, but if you have a cabin on sea level, you may have people outside your door at all times of the night. Having a cabin or state room under sea level can have its financial advantages, but sacrificing your cruising fun to save a little money may not be worth the extra dollars in your pocket if you are unhappy with your space. At that, state rooms are usually final after the cruise ship has ‘set sail.’

For those of you out there who are cruising for fun and want to get the most out of your voyage at sea, cabins at the rear of the ship may be your best bet. These areas do tend to be pricier than the standard two twin-bed cabins, but they are the most luxury rooms on the ship. These cabins are called aft cabins, or rear cabins and they usually feature some type of porch or balcony with a view of the ocean. The view is always breathtaking no matter what the weather, but take caution in the fact that these cabins don’t always take turbulence at sea very well. If you are inclined to sea sickness, a rear cabin may not be your best bet.

On the flip side, a bow cabin (a cabin at the front of the ship) also has an excellent view. Since it is so far above sea level, bow cabins usually take sea turbulence just as roughly, if not rougher than the rear cabins but they are excellent for the sailor at heart. Sometimes bow cabins feature balconies or verandas as well, and they certainly get an exhilarating spray of water from the ocean in these, more pricey living spaces.

While also an option to avoid if you are prone to sea sickness, higher deck cabins are also an option outside of the standard, lower level cabin quarters on the cruise ship. They are a lot closer to lounge areas, sun decks, the pool, and dance floors etc, which people are willing to pay extra money for. These cabins are usually a little above or at sea level, so the rock factor is also pretty high in these areas. Another down side to a higher deck cabin is the noise you may experience from passers by. No matter what the cost or level, cruise ship cabins generally do not offer a lot of privacy.

A mid-ship cabin is also an option available to you. A mid-ship cabin is the best choice for those prone to sea sickness but who are willing to pay a few extra dollars for a better living space. These cabins usually feature the same amenities as the rest (two twin beds or one large one, a nightstand or table, a dresser, a closet, a TV, and maybe a bathroom) but they are centrally located cutting down on walk time or elevator time; sometimes these quarters may offer a view of the ocean through a window or porthole as well.

Pay attention to the advice from frequent cruise travelers. They have seen it all and have the stories to tell. Using their guidance can make things a bit easier for an inexperienced cruiser. After all, no one wants any “surprises” to put a damper on your cruise enjoyment.

Got Your Paperwork?

Nothing is more frustrating that digging through your bags at airport security or customs on the way to your cruise. Have everything handy and in one place. Use a little carrying case, something similar to a business card holder or small pocket photo album to contain everything.

Copy several sets of your driver’s license or photo identification as well as your passport or visa. Your credit cards and traveler’s checks should be copied. Leave one set at home with a trusted, easily reachable family member. Lock one set up in the personal safe in your ship cabin or lock it in the ship’s main safe. Also keep your originals and another copy with you at all times, but in separate places. This will help you in case you lose anything or it is stolen.

Items that are handy:

If you don’t want to miss the beautiful sunrise or a particular activity, bring your travel alarm clock. If you are in an inner cabin aboard the ship, there are no windows so it will be dark and virtually impossible to know what time it is.

Take a mesh laundry bag with you to stow dirty or soiled clothing. This will keep your clean clothes separated. There is nothing worse than having some of your clothes stink like dirty, sweaty socks!

An extension cord or two comes in handy with those cabins that have electric outlets in strange places. Many times, they are not where you need them, so the cords will be helpful.

Clear Ziploc baggies are useful when packing your suitcase. Such items as shampoo and sunscreen could possibly leak, so the baggies would contain the leak and keep your clothing from being ruined. Medications can also be packed into clear baggies. Going through airport security or customs can be a hassle too, so baggies allow the security officials to see the contents of your suitcase at a glance and you won’t have to unpack a travel toiletry bag for inspection this way.

Stay Connected:

If you decide to bring your cell phone to stay in touch with friends and family at home, check with your service provider about temporarily extending your calling area or inquire about special rates during your travels. No one wants to be shocked with a cell phone bill that is a few hundred dollars higher. Or should you leave your cell phone at home, invest in a few prepaid phone cards. This is a cheaper option than using the phone service on the ship.

Take extra batteries and memory sticks for your digital camera. Your battery charger might be useful too, depending on how much your camera will be used. Should you decide to use a camera with film, do not pack it in your luggage if you fly to your cruise port. Airport security scanners could ruin your film.

Binoculars are a must for sight-seeing. Sometimes, you will not be able to get up close and personal to things, so you’ll be glad to have them. You don’t want to miss anything, do you?

This is your time! Don’t spend it fretting about your ruined camera film or lamenting about the greasy sunscreen that leaked all over your suitcase. By heeding the advice from seasoned travelers, you will save yourself some trouble in your cruising vacation. Now prepare for some fun and adventure!

Caribbean islands will be my next destination this Christmas. I already dream about Caribbean holiday since years ago and off course, I won’t miss the opportunity to make it come true this Christmas. Actually, it will be great to escape from winter freeze and get lots of sun. Well, it isn’t surprise that winter could be really bad here in British Island. I want to book a holiday to the Caribbean and since this is my longtime dream, I want everything’s to be perfect.

Among many destinations in Caribbean, I am looking to go to Antigua and Barbados. Well, there’s no certain reason about it than the fact that this country is less known than the rest Caribbean countries and I believe, less tourists mean better comfort. As I’m looking for the right Caribbean holiday packages, I found that there is no other package better than what’s offered by Kenwood Travel. It isn’t a surprise that lots of friends recommended Kenwood Travel since this company has been specializing in Caribbean holiday package with top reputation. Once I visited the website, I believe that this is the right place to find what I need to traveling to Barbados, Antigua, and the rest of Caribbean countries.

Kenwood Travel has extensive selections of holiday packages including all inclusive Christmas holiday packages. With all inclusive packages, we can save money as the package covers flights, accommodation, and various other things. You no longer need to prepare many things for your holiday plan. Just take the package and everything’s covered. The site is really informative with interactive menu to help us find the right package we need and to fit our schedule. I could easily find my preferred package and make the reservation with ease. I can’t wait the Christmas holiday to come since I will get lots of fun and great experience in Caribbean.