You can tweet via anything you like that are listed on the directory. Posting and Updating new status using cool applications like iPhone, iPad, Android, Twitter, Google and more. You do not need to have the device or applications on your own, you just need to allow your Twitter to access and you will be ready to go. Just type any status you want to post via and press the Tweet button, and you see the tweet updated on Twitter time line.

By taking a cruise ship tour you are assured that the cruise line has thoroughly examined the places they will take you and will rate them according to their difficulty. This lets you know ahead of time if this is the right tour for you. They are always run by local tour companies and these companies want to keep that business. For this reason alone they go above and beyond to keep you happy.

With a cruise ship tour you know the equipment -buses, trains, vans and sometimes airplanes- are A-one. They will always have English speaking tour directors but they also supply tour guides that speak other languages as well. You never have to wait in line to get into museums or other attractions- a big time saver. And of course, all of the work is done for you by the tour companies and the cruise lines. And it is safe. The cruise lines would never put you in a dangerous situation or take you to a dangerous location. There are always a couple of cruise line employees on the tour to make sure no one gets lost and that the bus leaves with the same amount of people that it started with.

When going to a new or exotic port I would recommend the cruise lines excursions. Some of the most wonderful excursions we have taken were cruise line tours.

Really, for a first time visit this is the way to go. And if you choose this option when the tour guide tells you to be back at the bus at a certain time, be there. By being late you are inconveniencing all the others on the tour and jeopardizing the remaining stops that are scheduled. When you get back to the ship look all around your seat for your belongings and don’t forget the rack overhead.

On the flip side of cruise excursions, you will be traveling in buses with lots of people. It will always be more expensive than doing it on your own. You’re paying for the work that has gone into the sites visited and the expertise of the tour guide

When touring on your own make sure you have the name and number of the port agent in case of an emergency. (This is quite handy if you miss the ship). Always know what time your ship leaves. Do NOT rely on the time printed in the initial brochure that you read at home. The departure time will be printed in your daily schedule and will be posted at the gangway. Things change and sometimes ships leave earlier than previously announced.

If you miss the ship it is your responsibility to meet it at the next port. Not a situation you want to be in. If you want to visit a place on your own make sure it is open on the day you are visiting the port.

Use common sense when touring. Don’t wear lots of flashy jewelry, leave it back in your cabin locked in the safe or in the safety deposit box at the purser’s office.

Use a handbag that zippers shut and keep a firm hand on it. Rome, Italy is notorious for expert picket pockets with all kinds of ways to trick you.

Wear comfortable shoes- your days are long when touring and you will probably be doing a lot of walking. Don’t wander off on your own, stay with the group. Layered clothing in the colder climates is very sensible since you may leave at 8:00 am when it’s still cold out but by noon it has warmed up. Pack some wet ones so you can clean your hands. We always pack an apple or candy bar for a little pick-me-up in mid afternoon on long tours (our tour from Le Havre, France to Paris was twelve hours).

I pack a small purse that has a handle that you can zip to make it into a back pack or it can be worn over the shoulder and in front of you. The pack always contains Tums, any medication I am taking, an extra pair of glasses, one for sun the other for indoors, bottled water, a book for long bus rides, a small snack, a collapsible cup, wet ones and tissues. My money and credit cards go in the inside compartment completely zipped up. When touring in large groups or large cities I put it over my shoulder with it facing forward and I always have a hand securely around it. If you are at an outdoor café don’t put on the seat next to you or hang it from the back of the chair you are using, keep it on your lap. You don’t have to be paranoid just be sensible. By following these guide lines you will have an enjoyable tour experience, no matter which option you choose.

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

Happy Cruising, enjoy it, we do!

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.

Staterooms:

Our stateroom was an inside aft cabin and we were not disappointed. It was roomy enough and the lighting was adequate. Closet space and drawers were also sufficient for our use. We noticed that the double beds here were actually a bit better than the one we had on the Adventure since we couldn’t really feel the split between the two separate beds like we did last time. If there’s one thing that can be improved is the shower curtain. The one installed was not adequate in keeping in all the water from the shower. The shower on the Adventure utilized a double glass door system which was far superior. Otherwise, the cabin was nice and dark for sleeping at night. Although we heard a little noise from the cabins next to us, it was minimal. We didn’t miss having any window or balcony at all since we were hardly ever in our stateroom. We were either at port or elsewhere on the ship and went back to our cabins just to relax or sleep. We would definitely book an inside cabin again with RCI unless we had a free upgrade.

Dining:

The main Cascades dining room was nice and meals were good. Breakfasts had the same menu every morning. Lunch at the dining room was okay. The dinners were good but not every meal item was a winner. There was the odd appetizer and dessert that was not up to par. One thing that my partner noticed was that the portions of the main courses seemed to be smaller than those served on the Adventure. We usually went upstairs to the Windjammer to get more food after dining at the Cascades. In some parts of the Cascades room, the tables were placed too cramp so walking to out own table was tricky at times. The self serve Windjammer was good. It usually had more variety of food than served downstairs at the Cascades. Breakfast and lunch were busy at the Windjammer but during evenings, most people chose to dine at the Cascades. The two other optional restaurants onboard Portafino and Choppe House were available at $20 US per person but we never tried them since the meals already included at the Cascades and Windjammer were fine by us. Other passengers who did go to these optional rooms told us that they were nothing special. There was another cafe available during late evenings called the Seaview and they provided fare such as sandwiches, salads and burgers. This was a nice feature. One thing we did object to was that they charged for the coffee and tea there. There was also a specialty coffee place on the main centrum of the ship and they also charged. We had more availability of free beverages on the Adventure.

Service:

The service by the stateroom attendants and dining room staff was top notch as expected.

Entertainment:

The evening shows at the Aurora Theatre were a mix of the ship’s own crew of dancers and singers plus some outside comics and singers. In general, the shows were quite good. We would have liked them to mix up the entertainment each night rather than allocate music, comedy and magic into different evenings. Rather than an entire show of magic, we would have preferred each night featuring a variety of entertainment. Live music around the ship was a nice added touch.

Amenities:

Although smaller than the Adventure, the Radiance had fine amenities including the gym/spa, mini golf, pools and the shops. There was internet access but at 50 cents per minute, the service is a bit steep. There were things to do during the days at sea such as art auctions, cooking demos and dance classes. However, we felt that there was more offered on the Adventure. As for embarking and disembarking, there was no problem on the Radiance. The 6th level contained the casino and for non-smokers, this was a problem. The ventilation in the casino was not great and as a result, cigarette smoke travelled to adjacent areas near the casino. My partner wanted to avoid going on the 6th level whenever possible.

In summary, we enjoyed our cruise on the Radiance of the Seas. However, comparing it to the larger Adventure of the Seas, we would rate the larger ship a bit higher. We liked the huge promenade on the Adventure which was not available on a smaller ship like the Radiance. Given a choice in the future, we would opt for the larger ship. For first time cruisers, the Radiance would still be a good ship to vacation on. This is simply the case of where veteran cruisers would expect more especially if they have been on higher end ships.

Selling chocolate is a delicious way to raise funds if you only need to raise a little. Silent auctions are known to bring in bigger bucks, but they are exhausting to plan and prepare for. Black-tie affairs with celebrity performers are always a hit, but require an enormous amount of up-front funding. Cruises, on the other hand, give your organization the ability to bring in large amounts of proceeds without all the work.

Fundraising cruises are becoming more and more popular because they give nonprofits the ability to generate greater interest, increase donor giving and have more fun. In addition, cruise agencies that specialize in fundraising cruises generally offer the services of an account manager or liaison with the cruise line who aids in planning and preparing for the tour. This leaves your staff free to enjoy the cruise as much as the donors who are attending.

Generate Greater Interest

Coming up with fresh ideas on an annual basis quickly becomes tiresome. Yet, those fresh ideas are absolutely vital to attract the interest of new donors and keep the interest of loyal, repeat donors. If interest in your events wanes, so does your funding for the upcoming year.

With fundraising cruises, you have the world to choose from. Most cruise lines accommodate large fundraising parties. This means you can opt for three- or four-night cruises to popular destinations such as the Bahamas or more exotic locales including Greece, Italy or Hawaii. Now that would generate a lot of interest.

Increase Donor Giving

Working with your cruise agency, you can find packages that offer the right levels of discounts in order to ensure your nonprofit receives the highest percentage of donor giving. Many cruise lines match all or part of the proceeds, allowing you to earn even more from the cruise.

Have More Fun

All the options available to regular passengers will be available to your fundraising party and more. Exceptional restaurants, pools and other water activities, casinos, nightlife, Las Vegas-style shows, full-service spa treatments and more are at the disposal of those who sail with you.

Custom excursions exclusively for your cruise party can also be arranged. Private parties aboard ship can be scheduled. Awards dinners, talent shows, golf tournaments and even silent auctions can all be lined up during the course of your cruise.

What’s more, fundraising cruises can be repeated time and again without fear of burnout or boredom on the part of your donors. How? Because you choose which cruise line and what destinations you prefer. The cruise is new and inviting with each year.

When you give donors something to get excited about, they reward you with consistent funding. Check with your favorite cruise agency for details about what they provide and how they can assist with booking a fundraising cruise for your next event. You’ll surely find that interest, participation and contributions rise dramatically when you do.

But, before embarking upon your journey, you must have some important travel information and guidelines about the place of your visit so that you and your companions can enjoy the travel to the fullest. In the era of World Wide Web, getting useful travel information is just few mouse clicks away. Websites like vacationsbesttraveldeals.com is providing detailed information to tourists around the world about popular holiday destinations across the continents. It not only guides you about the tourist spots, but also provides an easy and affordable solution of getting there such as travel on a cruise.

Europe is the hub of world economy. But, it is equally famous for its tourist centers. Located in the Central Europe, Germany occupies a special place in the world travel map. It has a perfect mix of rich cultural heritage and modern architectures. It has left its past political, social and financial turbulences far behind to induce a new lease of life. Berlin, the capital of Germany, has everything you look for in a particular tourist spot. It has nicely transformed itself from an ancient city to a modern city full of clubs, bars, restaurants and art galleries. The best time to visit Germany is between May and September.

The rich diversity of Greece makes it one of the most popular places to visit in Europe. Greece is famous for its ancient Greek civilization and mythology. Greek Gods and Goddess like Zeus, Nike and Athena are very popular worldwide. Athens, the capital of Greece is the birthplace of Olympic Games. It is a favorite holiday destination for young travelers due to its diverse culture, clean and beautiful beaches and resorts.

Like Greece, Italy is well-known for its cities full of hustle and bustle like Rome, Milan and Florence and its world famous cuisines containing lots of chicken, vegetables, seafood and of course, pasta. The friendly and colorful nature of Italian people makes outside tourists feel like at home.

Tourists have now started thinking beyond European countries. Of late, continents like Asia and Africa are drawing the attention of people. Many multi national companies have their operations in countries like India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and China. As their economy is growing, they are now more aggressively marketing their unique cultures, historical monuments and structures, food, dance and scenic locations.

The sheer ease of cruise travel is one reason for its popularity. You take in the scenery from your ship, disembarking to visit ports of call or to engage in sports activities. This compares to less than 40,000 who visit Antarctica during its short cruise season. Sixteen major cruise lines will send more than 40 diverse ships to Alaska, ranging in size from 12 passengers to over 2600! Ships sail roundtrip from Vancouver or Seattle to the southeast panhandle of Alaska. Cruises usually include famous Glacier Bay National Park, home of 16 magnificent glaciers.

More cruise ships than ever are sailing Alaskan waters. Alaska is one cruise destination that is very high on most cruise lovers’ list. Alaska’s cruise season generally runs from May through September, although some smaller ships start up in April. May and September are considered the shoulder seasons, when lower rates and more aggressive discounts are offered.

Summer is the big vacation season in the northwest, and many non-cruisers also choose to head to this beautiful part of the world. Cruisers go to Alaska to see the magnificent mountains, beautiful bays, and wonderful wildlife.

Many cruisers realise that if you love nature, you might be able to appreciate it more on a small ship. There is a wonderful variety of small ships sailing to Alaska, and each has something special to offer cruise lovers. Small or alternative ships are best suited for people who prefer a casual, crowd-free experience that offers passengers a chance to get up close and personal with Alaska’s natural surroundings and wildlife.

On the other hand, the megaships look and feel like floating resorts. Big on glitz, they offer loads of activities, attract many families and seniors, offer fancy casinos and fully equipped gyms, and provide a wide variety of meal and entertainment options.

Over the last few years, the number of Alaska shore excursions and activities available for cruise passengers has doubled. Today, shore options are focusing more than ever on adventure and outdoors activities: Kayaking, bicycling, dog sledding, river rafting and sport fishing are possible in the scenic wilderness of this great state, alongside more traditional tours focusing on culture and history.

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, has a great variety of things to see and do. A number of memorials are situated along the waterfront and boardwalk and the famous Red Dog Saloon is nearby; state and city museums and government buildings are a short walk, with shops all along the way.

Mendenhall Glacier, a 20 minute drive from downtown, is the most accessible glacier to any town on the Inside Passage. Active adventures abound in Juneau. This is an excellent spot for whale watching, wildlife viewing, kayaking and river rafting. Some whale watching companies actually offer cash refund if you don’t see a humpback or orca whale during your tour.

Sitka, on Baranof Island, has one of the most picturesque settings of any Alaskan port. Sitka is the former Russian capital of Alaska, which combines native culture, Russian history and Alaskan wilderness.

Famous for the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Skagway is known as the “Garden City of Alaska”. Garden enthusiasts should visit Jewell Gardens, which includes a miniature town site and train within the gardens. The gold rush cemetery is a fascinating spot just a short walk from town.

Every spring and summer, a spectacle blooms unlike anything else on Earth – Alaska cruising means thundering glaciers, temperate rainforests, rugged coastlines, majestic peaks, untamed wildlife, and so much more.

(Keep in mind that while the Celebrity Cruise Line is discussed with specificity in this brief article, nothing in this piece should be construed as an explicit endorsement of the Celebrity Cruise Line or its services. Rather, the materials presented in this article are provided for informational purposes only. As you plan your own holiday or vacation, you need to undertake your own course of research to determine what sort of trip is most appropriate to your own travel needs and desires.)

Celebrity Cruise Line provides a wide range of destinations and points of call for its guests, including:

• Alaska • Bahamas • Bermuda • Canada • New England • Caribbean • Europe • Galapagos • Hawaii • Mexico • Pacific Northwest • Panama Canal • South America • Trans-Atlantic

In addition to providing its guests with a wide array of different, interesting ports of call, Celebrity Cruise Line also schedules cruises of different lengths. From longer journeys to various ports of call to shorter jaunts that provide perfect breaks from the hustle and bustle of daily living, Celebrity Cruise Line has it all.

When it comes to onboard entertainment on the high seas, Celebrity Cruise Line works hard to have “something for everyone.” One of the most popular entertainment features offered on most cruises is a “lavish Vegas style spectacular.” These dazzling performances are thrilling to see.

For those people who prefer something more laid back after a day of cruising, Celebrity Cruise Line includes a Michael’s Club on every ship. These richly decorated piano bars provide a perfectly relaxing venue for travelers.

The Celebrity Cruise Line has worked hard in recent years to develop a unique set on onboard amenities. Included within the Celebrity Cruise Line scheme is “Acupuncture at Sea.” Through this program and regimen, the cruise company is working to give its traveling guests the opportunity to recover the balance between “the physical, emotional and spiritual.” Acupuncture is a natural, comprehensive health care practice that is said to strengthen a person’s immune system through the use of thin needles used at specific energy points in the body. The company created the “Acupuncture at Sea” program as part of its overall commitment to its guests. Celebrity Cruise Line believes that a cruise should be a restorative process on all levels for its guests.

Excursions to the shore are a vital and interesting part of nearly every Celebrity Cruise Line voyage. At Celebrity, you have a number of different options when it comes to going ashore. Of course, if you are so inclined, you can spend your time onshore “doing your own thing.” On the other hand, Celebrity always has available knowledgeable and professional guides that can make your time onshore truly memorable. Celebrity can arrange a wide array of different types of onshore excursions — everything from historical and cultural tours to wildlife adventures.

One of the ships operated by Chandris was the beautiful Liner America previously owned by the United States Line and initially captained by Demitrios Challioris who had been in charge of a crude oil tanker in Southampton.

Chandris bought the largest passenger liner ever in Greece called the Australis. The Australis had served extensively as a troop ship during the second world war so underwent a major refit and became a one-class configuration geared to carry 2300 passengers.

The aft promenade decks were extended, a swimming pool was added, and air conditioning was installed.

She made 3 month voyages around the world from Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Southampton, Casablanca, Las Palmas, Cape Town,(or through the Mediterranean via Gibraltar, Naples, Malta, Piraeus, Port Said and Aden), Freemantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Suva, Tahiti, Acapulco, Balboa, Cristobal, Port Everglades and return to Southampton.

Chandris Lines also had the Australian Government’s prized immigrant contract bringing tens of thousands of new immigrants out to major ports in Australia The ships were always sold out so that there were 3 sittings for dinner and special sittings for kids. P&O, a rival cruise line, had ceased the line voyage business to Australia so that the Australis was now known as “the world’s largest express liner” .

In 1977 Australis tried a new itinerary from the South Pacific to points in South America to Portugal.

Interest in Sea Travel at that time was low and Australis and became the sole remaining liner on the trade.

New Immigrants now traveled by jet. In November of 1977 Australis was laid up. In 1978 she was sold to US investors.

They mismanaged the ship and their company, Venture Cruises, was declared bankrupt. Guess who bought the ship in bankruptcy court? Chandris Lines.

For $4 million less than the amount for which they sold her four months earlier! The ship was laid up and sold in 1992.

Celebrity Cruises was created by Chandris Lines as a separate luxury cruise line, initially using Chandris’s Galileo, which was renamed Meridian after she was rebuilt. She was joined by the new ships Horizon and Zenith in 1990 and 1992.

In 1989 there was a need in the Cruise Industry for a luxury product at a decent price. Chandris wanted to establish a worldwide standard for cruising by The company was determined to set a new, worldwide standard for cruising.

Exceptional Cuisine and all its facets became the mainstay of the Celebrity Cruise experience. Master Chefs serve as the line’s revered culinary and wine consultants since its founding.

In 1995 Celebrity introduced the so called Century Class Fleet with an Industry first: Luxurious Spa Experiences.

In 1997, Celebrity Cruises merged with Royal Caribbean International, bringing together two extraordinary cruise brands within one corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Today Royal Caribbean uses 29 Cruise Liners.

Cruising has become so popular that from 2000 to 2002 Royal Caribbean doubled its passenger capacity.

Its newest ships use gas turbine engines reducing exhaust emissions by 95% and have become traveling art shows as well.

They boast original paneling and artifacts from famous transatlantic luxury liners.

In 2001, building on the strengths of both the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands,Royal Celebrity Tours was started to offer truly unique vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe, combining outstanding cruises with exceptional pre- or post-cruise land tour packages now known as “cruisetours.”

There are various ways to cruise in Alaska; here are a just few of them:

• Alaska Inland Cruise – you will have the chance to visit all the inland wonders of Alaska. You will surely be captivated with icebergs and glaciers. It is truly amazing to see walls of ice that are thousands and thousands of years old. When you see the icebergs “calving” you will be awed. The Alaskan inland cruise is offered by all of the Alaskan cruise ships.

• Alaska Day Cruise is just what it states, a tour on a day cruise. You can have a face to face with a huge wall of ice on an Alaskan day cruise. Or experience the beauty of dancing humpback whales. Of course, this is only practical for people who are doing a land package in Alaska.

• Alaska Celebrity Cruise – this is the so-called first class cruise of Alaskan ships. You will experience more royal treatment with a Celebrity cruise. On the other hand, this is a little more expensive among all the Alaskan cruises.

The usual attractions that passengers love about Alaskan cruises are the humpback whales, deep sea fishing and sailing through the Fjords and glaciers. The sights you will see will amaze you. Nothing can compare to the magic of Alaskan cruises. This is the only place where you will see the mighty glaciers and experience incredible wildlife.

The Alaskan cruise package that you choose will also determine the length of your stay. Usually, most Alaskan cruises are seven-day cruises. This is enough time for you to explore the intriguing ports of Alaska. However, the length of your stay can also be extended to as long as 14 days.

The other option is to book a day or two pre or post-cruise package where you can stay in Anchorage or even Vancouver. Many of the cruise lines run what is called land tours. This is where you take your cruise than you board a train that will take you through Alaska to places like the Denali National Park. It includes first rate accommodations and usually lasts 10-14 days including your Alaskan cruise.

Consider the size of the ship before you book your Alaskan cruise. On a smaller ship you will have less passengers and less competition for the incredible views. The smaller ships can also get into smaller coves that are less traveled.

On the bigger ships with more than a thousand passengers, it is harder for you to get out of the crowd, get a closer look, or even touch one the glaciers. But be aware that on the larger ships you will find more amenities.

Find the best Alaskan cruise that will fit your needs. When taking an Alaskan Cruise be sure to book some of the Alaskan cruise tours offered by the cruise line. Some of the tours offer amazing trips like a helicopter ride where you will land on one the glaciers. If you want to experience a real adventure, book the tour where you go dog sledding. (Book it early –it sells out fast). Go to a salmon hatchery and watch the bears eating the fish.

Nothing will ever compare with an Alaskan cruise; this will be a cruise of lifetime.

What are you waiting for?

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.

Of course, you probably want to take the kids along with you on your vacation. They can add to the fun if you take care of things right, and cruises are a great time to spend time with your children, especially if you work or go to school and so do they. Keep in mind though that if you were on a child-free vacation you wouldn’t want somebody else’s children running amok, being loud or rowdy, ruining the fun of those who aren’t involved in their rowdiness. Have enough respect for your fellow passengers/cruisers, as well as the ship’s crew, to keep your children under control.

Easier said than done, right? Let’s go over a few ideas on how to keep your children under control and make your cruise one of, if not your most, memorable family vacation ever.

The biggest and most important tip of all is not to take your kids on a cruise they will not enjoy! Idleness leads to rowdiness and mischievous, often uncontrollable behavior. Many cruise ships, especially those on the Carnival Cruise line, offer kid-friendly “Fun Ships” that have entire itineraries dedicated to keeping your little ones out of your hair and the hair of your fellow cruisers. There are kids’ pool areas, dining rooms, and game rooms. There are even scheduled and supervised trips ashore for those who wish to go along. (Who wants to take a 5-year old scuba diving in the Caribbean? Certainly not I).

All cruise liners have a list of rules and regulations to follow, and that goes for the kids as well. Many cruise liners have a separate set of rules that apply to the kids and a separate set of rules that apply to the adults. Unfortunately as a parent your parental responsibilities do not end when you venture on board your cruise liner. You have a responsibility set forth by the shipping company (yes, just about all of them) to keep your children under supervision. If you are not supervising your youngsters yourself, it is your responsibility to make sure that someone is watching them, even if it is the children’s program coordinators.

Unfortunately, the actions of your children could cause you your vacation. If the behavior of your children is in any way detrimental to the safety or pleasure of the other passengers, many cruise lines have policies that allow them to drop you and your youngsters off at the next port, and keep on sailing without you. Most people cannot or do not wish to afford plane tickets back home because your kid’s were unable to control themselves and you were unable to control them. Don’t take the risk!