Making the most out of your cruise tour

The only thing you have to remember when you are on cruise is that you have to have fun and enjoy yourself! You have to make the most out of your trip because this pays for your well earned efforts at work. Having the time and budget to go on a cruise is a blessing in itself. Not everyone is gifted with this chance so you wouldn’t want to spoil it.

When you are on cruise, tour around and look around. Avoid staying inside your room because there is so much to see outside. Explore the insides and outsides of your ship and take photos. This will make you remember the beautiful memories you had while on board the ship.
Experience every single part of the ship you are touring in. Visit the stores, swim in the pool, attend evening parties, and enjoy good food and good music. Mingle around and make friends with strangers. Who knows, your cruise might help you make friends with really nice people you can trust and spend the rest of your life with.

It is up to you to make your cruise magical and exciting. Enjoy your tour by buying souvenir items from gift shops. The souvenir items you buy for yourself will be a constant reminder of how hard you’ve worked for this cruise. Don’t forget to bring home some souvenirs as well. This will make your loved ones feel that you constantly remembered them despite the distance.
To make your cruise even more memorable, spend time pampering yourself with the special amenities that they offer. Spend time at the spa or at the gym just so you can experience everything that you paid for. Relax and have fun. Now is the perfect chance to forget about the demands of your work.

You will surely enjoy your cruise tour most especially if this were your first time. Don’t feel scared of the tides and the waves. Cruise tours are meant to ensure your safety and have but one goal and that is to make you feel relaxed and happy.
You have to remember to take photos! Lots and lots of them! So that your loved ones can see how much fun you had and make them feel as though they were with you on your cruise tour.

Set Sail On The Showboat Branson Belle

If you've always wanted to go on a cruise but would rather stay closer to home, we have the perfect compromise – that you'll be convinced is no compromise – for you! Silver Dollar City's Showboat Branson Belle two-hour lake cruises on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri bring an exceptional cruising experience to the Midwest. The Showboat, an 1880s-style paddle wheeler, features outstanding food, first-class on-board entertainment and beautiful lake scenery the whole family can enjoy. To describe the on-board entertainment as first-class is an understatement.

Todd Oliver, nationally acclaimed comedian and ventriloquist, has appeared twice on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno among other TV shows. And he is a favorite act among Showboat goers of all ages. The thrilling acrobatic adiagio dancing styles of Elena and Vadim Serykh , who together have been recognized for over ten years as preeminent performers in Russia and abroad, is sure to take your breath away! Also certain to take your breath away is the view. Mother Nature paints a beautiful portrait as you journey past lush Ozark Mountains on the crystal clear waters of Table Rock Lake. You're sure to snap a truly magnificent picture of the landscape from any of the three decks on the Showboat, so don't forget your camera! TIP: Need another reason to be sure you've got your camera? A once in a lifetime unique opportunity, the Captain will let your kids "steer" the Showboat! Your child will never forget how it felt to be behind the wheel of the Showboat Branson Belle.

A moment in time you'll definitely want to capture on camera. You can also find the perfect treasure at one of the specialty shops at White River Landing. Ladies enjoy searching through enticing trinkets, specialty candies, coffees and clothing at Layton Mercantile. And for those whose heart is at sea and feet planted in the Midwest, McAdoo's Boatworks is filled with nautical treasures and scrimshaw crafts. Once on board, be sure to visit the Showboat Branson Belle's souvenir shop for something unique to remember your one of a kind experience in Branson, Missouri. The Showboat Branson Belle has amazing dinner shows and noon cruises scheduled through the end of 2008. So be sure to check in often with the panel of moms who run the MomsBlog at silverdollarcityblog(dot)com to get the most up to date information on what's happening on the Showboat. Plus, you can ask your own personal travel and Branson related questions to the Moms themselves.

Holidays on Cruise Ships with Kids

If you're like most couples with young kids, nothing sounds worse than being cooped up with a boatload of geriatrics and your little kids. While the image of cruising is changing, it's still hard to get over this preconception. In reality, a cruise might be a perfect vacation for you and your family.

Here are some key things to think about when planning a cruise adventure.

1. Number one is cost and relaxation. While a cruise with a baby in a small cabin might work, packing 2 older kids in with mom and dad might spoil the relaxation of a cruise. Think of the cost/benefit trade-offs when planning and deciding to take a cruise. For example: No sex for a week, 8PM bedtimes and living in a perpetual mess you have to step over, may not seem like a vacation.

2. Most cruise lines have excellent and FREE child-care programs that will take care of kids 3 or older (2 or older for potty-trained kids on Carnival and Norwegian), which makes even thinking of 4 to a cabin imaginable. Many kids end up preferring childcare to being with mom and dad and it gives parents total flexibility in planning excursions and alone time. However, kids must be potty trained and may even be excluded if they violate "3 strikes" rules.

Additionally, you'll find out very quickly if your child does not like the childcare concept. On a recent cruise to Alaska, our five year old couldn't stay away from her new pals, while the couple we were traveling with could not convince their son to try it more than once.

3. Cruise ship pools do not allow swimming diapers due to different public health rules, so no babies in the pool.

4. Talk to cruise staff about the appropriateness of excursions for your kids. While cruises always try to have you reserve excursions up front, most, if not all, do not get completely booked until the days before they take place, so you can almost always book on the ship after talking to staff with direct experience.

Make sure to ask whether the excursion might be scary for little kids, whether rest rooms are available, and importantly if there's a chance dad might have to carry a four-year-old up 450 steps.

5. Bring a group. Cruising is really a perfect way to travel with extended family or another couple or two with kids. The size of the ship and the number of excursions allow for plenty of separation, while providing lots of opportunities for friends and family to re-unite at dinners or events.

Long travel gives dads the added concern of keeping kids from getting bored on the journey. There are many more ways to do this than the good old portable DVD player. For other travel activities with kids, there are some good ideas you can keep at the back of your mind when the "how much longer?" questions start coming fast and furious.

The Mystery and Majesty of St. Petersburg, Russia

With its long and regal past, St. Petersburg, Russia has seen and survived many of the world's tragedies. Through it all, this majestic city has retained her elegant appearance as well as her vibrant spirit. Today, St. Petersburg offers some of the most dramatic architecture in the world. Here are just a few of the amazing sites you'll encounter upon visiting this stately city.

The Hermitage/The Palace Square/Winter Palace

All parts of the same complex, The Palace Square is the main gathering place for most official performances and city-sponsored festivals. The primary architectural masterpiece within The Palace Square is Winter Palace. This wonder was commissioned by Empress Elizabeth from 1754-1762 who wanted to show off her court. Grand in nature, this structure is graced with decorative columns, gold tracery and huge bronze figures that keep lookout from their positions on the roof. Unfortunately, the death of Elizabeth occurred before Winter Palace was completed.

The Palace has seen its share of discord through the years. It was used as a hospital during World War I. It has been occupied by the Provisional Government and the Bolsheviks and suffered damage courtesy of Nazi air strikes in World War II.

Several rooms within the complex were set aside to house unique and historical objects. These rooms have been titled as the Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, Hermitage Theater, New Hermitage and other names over time. Today, they are collectively referred to as the State Hermitage.

The other "point" of interest in Palace Square is the Alexander Column. This bronze figure commemorates the victory of Russia over Napoleon in 1812. The angel atop the column is said to be Emperor Alexander and the snake trampled under his foot, Napoleon. At almost 156 feet tall, this is the biggest one-piece monolith in the world. It stands, amazingly, without support clamps.

Although tours are conducted year round, the Palace Square and its accompanying buildings are especially popular during warmer months.

The Admiralty

One of the first buildings built in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), The Admiralty was originally constructed to be a dockyard. Evolving through two renovations after its initial construction, this "H" shaped building was designed in Russian Empire style with rows of white columns and plenty of statues. The gilded spire and weather vane are St. Petersburg landmarks in their own rights. Today, The Admiralty houses the Higher Naval Engineering School.

Saint Isaac's Cathedral

Built in honor of the Romanov family in 1710, St. Isaac's Cathedral is an honorarium to their patron saint. Forty years in the making, massive solid marble monoliths each weighing 114 tons were used in the design of this structure. However, history has not been kind to this beauty.

Sustaining destruction by fire, floods and the incompetence of architects, sections of the Cathedral had to be rebuilt as many as four times. In the end, St. Isaac's is a luxurious accomplishment that is truly grand in nature. It is reported that nearly 88 pounds of pure gold and 1,000 tons of bronze were used in its construction as well as semi-precious stones, granite, marble and other exceptional materials.

There's little wonder as to why it took 16 years to decorate the interior. With reportedly over 380 works of art, sculptures, paintings and mosaics, this cathedral is a masterpiece all to itself.

St. Petersburg is home to dozens of cathedrals and palaces just waiting to be explored. When planning your next cruise vacation, consider an itinerary that includes a stop in this majestic city!
Roy Witman

Yacht Charter in the Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday Islands lie off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north eastern corner of the mainland continent. It is neighboured by the Northern Territory to the west, South Australia to the south west and New South Wales to the south. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean. The area was first colonised by Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, who arrived between 40 000 and 65 000 years ago. Later, Queensland was made a British Crown Colony that was separated from New South Wales in 1859. Queensland is often nicknamed the Sunshine State, since it enjoys warm weather and a sizable portion of the state is in the tropics. Their geographic co-ordinates are 20°18xS, 148°56xE. The Whitsunday Islands are situated between Townsville in the north and Mackayin the south. They are 500 miles north of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland.

The Whitsunday Islands can be divided into four groups; The Whitsunday Group, the Lindeman Group, The Molle's and the Northern Group

The Whitsunday Group includes; Bird Island, Black Island, Border Island, Cid Island, Cowrie Island, Deloraine Island, Dent Island, Dumbell Island, Dungarra Island, Esk Island, Fitzalan Island, Hamilton Island, Harold Island, Haslewood Island, Hayman Island, Henning Island, Hook Island, Ireby Island, Langford Island, Long Island, Lupton Island, Nicolson Island, Perseverance Island, Plum Pudding Island, Teague Island, Titan Island, Whitsunday Island, Wirrainbela Island, Workington Island

The Lindeman Group of islands is located at 20°27'S, 149°04'E. The islands in the Lindeman Group include; Baynham Island, Cornston Island, Gaibirra Island, Triangle Island, Keyser Island, Lindeman Island, Little Lindeman Island, Maher Island, Mansell Island, Pentecost Island, Seaforth Island, Shaw Island, Thomas Island, Volskow Island

The Molle's group include; Daydream Island, Denman Island, Goat Island, Mid Molle Island, North Molle Island, Planton Island, South Molle Island

The Northern Group comprises; Armit Island, Double Cone Island, Eshelby Island, Gloucester Island, Grassy Island, Gumbrell Island, Olden Island, Rattray Island, Saddleback Island

English is spoken throughout the Whitsunday Islands. The currency is the Australian Dollar. Major credit cards are accepted widely.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. And a divers paradise. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects 70% of the region fostering superb coral formations and an abundance of marine life. The tranquil and turquoise waters are home to whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays. The Great Barrier Reef stretches nearly 1500 miles along the northeast coast of Australia; it is the largest structure on the planet built by living organisms. It can even be seen from outer space. Up close, however it is truly spectacular. New fish species are found in the Great Barrier area every year. There are approximately 4,000 molluscs and 350 hard, or reef-building, corals. One coral chunk the size of a basketball yielded 1,441 worms from 103 species. The Great Barrier Reef is comprised of more than 2,800 coral reefs. The carnival of colourful marine life that call it home provide some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world. Novice divers find it hard to describe the unforgettable encounter of seeing over a 100 fish per minute. Experienced divers will be moved by this ultimate experience.

Sunny tropical weather is almost guaranteed year round in the Whitsunday Islands. Avoid school holidays for off-peak periods. Yacht charters are cheaper and the Whitsunday Islands are not as crowded. At any time of year, there is usually enough wind for a pleasant sail.

Summer runs from December to March and is warm and humid with rain showers. Winter runs from June to September and is warm by day and cool at night. Trade winds usually blow slightly stronger from May to August. There is a risk of cyclones from February to March. Late September to early November are considered by some to be the best cruising weather in the Whitsunday Islands. The average daily temperature of is 27°C. January is the warmest month averaging 30°C and July the coolest month averaging 23°C. The water temperature remains a pleasant 23 - 27°C with the average year round water temperature being an inviting 24°C.

The months from October through to May are "stinger" season. Stingers are jellyfish. Jellyfish are the most common wildlife hazard in the area. There are many species of jellyfish in the area; the toxicity of their stings is just as varied. Jellyfish are a problem during stinger season when swimming is not advised at all. An encounter with one is very painful and can be life threatening. You may want to hire or buy a lycra suit to swim in if you plan to swim in the ocean during those months for safety reasons. A stinger suit is usually a full body lycra suit designed to prevent the effects of jellyfish. In recent years a major element in jellyfish injuries is the Irukandji jellyfish.

Tide will be a major factor in planning your sailing day. The tidal flow floods the area to the South, and ebbs to the North flowing around 3 knots. Where the islands are situated close together particularly at the Solway, Fitzallen and Hook Island passages, the tide flows at around 5 knots.

Each island has it's own fringing reef system and you will need to use your eyes carefully when choosing your yacht anchorage. You should aim to anchor before 16.00 while the light is still perfectly OK and you will be able to avoid the coral reefs. Buoy markers and public moorings are located in sensitive areas in several locations around the islands in order to protect the coral. You will find them in on Hook Island, Hayman Island and Daydream Island. You are required to either pick up one of the many mooring balls or anchor outside of the reef markers.

Many yacht charter companies are based in Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine is situated about 10 milers inland from Airlie Beach. Flying times are a 1 hour and 30 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes from Brisbane and Sydney respectively. As Airlie Beach is located on a peninsula that stretches out to the Whitsunday passage, it is an ideal base. The colourful beach town is focused on serving the needs of the large number of travellers who gather there to embark on a long yacht charter or just a day sail. Airlie Beach provides many of the essential services for sailors. Shopping areas are open seven days a week for provisioning and there are plenty of dining and entertainment options as well.

Whitehaven Beach is one of the most outstanding xsandscapesx in the world. It is recognized as one of the best beaches in the world it will be a highlight of your sailing holiday. Whitehaven Beach is located on the eastern side of the uninhabited Whitsunday Island; the natural silica sand spans 3 miles. The sand is said to be 98% pure Silica, giving new meaning to xsandy white beachx. This is a popular spot and you are likely to encounter other yacht charters. There are no moorings at Whitehaven Beach but plenty of space for anchoring the yacht.

Hamilton Island is one of the Whitsunday Islandsx most well known resorts and offers a vast range of activities and facilities. Hamilton Island has a fifty-acre fauna park featuring kangaroos, koalas, goannas and other local wildlife. The harbour is very impressive and comprehensive: fuel, water, shipwright, electrical and engineering services and a large range of supplies are all available. It is a good idea to contact the harbourmaster a few days in advance to reserve a berth even though there are many berths for both large and smaller boats. The harbour is located on the western side of Hamilton Island and is relatively easy to navigate. With the largest island airport Hamilton Island is very convenient and some large yacht charter companies have their base on the island.

South Molle Island is just 5 miles from the mainland. Take the walking trail, which brings you through lush forests to hilltop lookouts to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding islands. The many trails will provide opportunities to ponder magnificent views. Anchor the yacht on the eastern side of the jetty being sure to leave enough room for the very large water taxis to manoeuvre.

Hook Island is home to a number of quite, sheltered bays that offer some relief from the multitude of yachts sailing the Whitsunday Islands. In the northern bays of Hook Island public moorings are provided and their use is encouraged. These moorings are there to protect the fantastic coral formations fringing the entire northern coast of Hook Island. Hook Island has some of the best sites in the Whitsunday Islands for snorkelling and diving.

Hayman Island is another popular spot for divers. Dolphin Point offers a great diversity of marine life including clown fish, mackerel and trevally with the occasional hammerhead shark. Blue Pearl Bay is very popular with yacht charter boats and again here is much marine life to see.
By: ken jones

Cruising to Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai is a small island west of Oahu, and what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. It is known as the Garden Isle, for it is covered with flowers and vegetation, the pleasant byproduct of a more generous supply of rainfall than received by the other islands. In fact, the summit of Mount Waialeale is one of the wettest places on the earth, receiving an average of 444 inches of rainfall annually. If you are lucky enough for your cruise ship to dock here, you will be swept away by the magnificent scenery, including towering cliffs and jagged peaks, lush green valleys and abundant rain forests, beautiful sandy beaches and swaying palm trees. Kauai has such an exotic beauty that several movies have been filmed here, including "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "King Kong", "South Pacific" and the "Jurassic Park" series. Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by Mark Twain, is located here, too, and it is almost 3000 feet deep with beautiful red earth cliffs.

Ships dock at Nawiliwili Harbor, which isn't known for much except its fun name. A local law mandates that no building may be constructed taller than the height of a coconut tree, so you won't find glitzy hotels or large shopping centers here. Less than one mile from the pier, you will find some of the best shopping on the island - especially of pearl jewelry - at Anchor Cove Shopping Mall. Just behind the shopping mall is a spectacular beach called Kalapaki Beach, which is supervised by lifeguards and is safe for swimming. Further south you will come to Poipu Beach, which is worth the 15 mile ride for its crystal clear water, pure white sand, and lava rocks. Kauai's most famous beach is at Hanalei, where you can catch surfers riding the waves. There are several shore excursions which bring you closer to the unbelievable beauty of this island, including river tubing, hiking and kayaking. You can even sign up for a zipline adventure, soaring high above the spectacular scenery on a high wire zipline.

If your taste runs more to history than scenery, visit Old Koloa Town, located about an hour's drive from the port. This town has been preserved from the days when waves of immigrants came here to work on the sugar plantations, with its original buildings now converted into shops and restaurants. In the center of town is a small history center, and individual buildings are labeled with plaques detailing their original functions and unique histories.

By: Stephanie Larkin

A cruise to the Galapagos Islands

Lying 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of 19 main volcanic islands formed by the periodic eruptions of several volcanoes. Several of these volcanoes are still active and although the oldest islands are thought to be between 5 and 10 million years old, the youngest of the Galapagos Islands (Isabela and Fernandina) are still being formed, with eruptions of their volcanoes as recently as 2007.

Getting to the Galapagos Islands
Generations of backpackers have tried to find cheap ways to get to the Galapagos, but the fact remains that the only reliable and regular way is to fly from mainland Ecuador. Several airlines have daily flights to either Baltra or San Cristobal from Quito and Guayaquil.

Galapagos Tours
Few cruises to the Galapagos Islands take in all 19 of the major islands and access to several of them is prohibited or restricted. Today even on the islands that tourists can visit as part of a cruise, there are strict regulations to control tour numbers in order to preserve the unique and fragile ecosystem. You should make sure when booking any cruise to the Galapagos Islands that you do so with a responsible tour operator so that not only you but future generations can enjoy them!

Galapagos cruises are generally of either 4, 5 or 8 days in length and each yacht has a slightly different itinerary according to the rules set down by the Galapagos National Park and, to some extent, the preferences of the captain. Obviously, the longer the cruise you decide upon, the more incredible wildlife you will be able to see.

Yacht types on your Galapagos Cruise
There are several types and standard of boats operating cruises to the Galapagos Islands. One obvious split is between yachts and catamarans. A yacht is a traditional type of ship, with a single hull while a catamaran has two or more hulls and offers increased yaw stability at the cost of slightly more up-and-down motion. Generally speaking in the Galapagos, catamarans are being preferred at the higher end of the spectrum.

Within both types of ship, there are several classes, from quite basic boats to cruises offering absolute luxury. The grading system can be quite confusing, as every company providing cruises to the Galapagos islands seems to have its own system. At Real Ecuador Holidays, we have opted for a star system like that of hotels, which hopefully keeps things as simple as possible!

Generally speaking, a 3-star yacht will tend to have bunks rather than beds and the cabins may not be air-conditioned. Public areas will be well-equipped but may be a little dated - for example, offering a VCR rather than DVD. A 4-star cruise will give you proper beds, greater comfort levels and often some really nice facililites - jacuzzis, anyone? Finally, 5-star Galapagos cruises give you superb facilities, incredible comfort and boats with real character - a fantastic way to enjoy these fantastic islands.

All yachts have a trained naturalist guide as part of the crew and he/she will act as your tour guide on each Galapagos island. The rule of thumb is that the better the yacht, the better the guide, with 3-star yachts employing Level II guides, 4-star yachts, Level III guides and the 5-star cruises employing the best of all.

Staying on the Galapagos Islands
For those of you who aren't keen on taking a long cruise to the Galapagos Islands, there are other options such as staying on a hotel on either Santa Cruz or San Cristobal (the main islands) and taking day-trips out to some of the other islands to enjoy the wildlife there. This can be quite cost-effective and more comfortable if a cabin on the high seas doesn't sound like its for you. Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruzin particular has some excellent hotel accommodation, as well as all the restaurants, bars and other facilities that you could wish for.

Hopefully all this has been helpful for you if you are planning, or thinking of planning a cruise to the Galapagos Islands - there's obviously a lot to think about but the main thing is to know that whatever type of Galapagos cruise you decide on, you can be sure of seeing one of the most amazing places on earth and coming back with stories (and photos!) that will be the envy of your friends!

What Cruise Passengers Must Know About Duty-Free Shopping Onboard Ship!

Cruise passengers often overlook one aspect to cruising that is fun, easy, convenient, and can save them a lot of money. It's called duty-free shopping. Even if you're not willing to turn your next cruise vacation into a shopping trip, you can still take home some serious bargains from the duty-free stores onboard ship. It's fast, convenient, and--if you do it right--can save you some real money on luxury purchases.

I don't know why they call it duty-free shopping, since the name is a bit misleading. It ought to be called tax-free shopping. When you venture into international waters (50 miles off shore), merchandise can be sold without having to add on city, state, or national taxes. Duty-free stores are shops that sell the merchandise for exactly the price marked, with no taxes tacked on at the cash register.

Many cruise shops feature luxury items, the kinds of things that would surely attract sales tax and possibly other taxes in many countries. If you are interested in buying a watch that you know costs $500 or a bottle of perfume that retails for about $75 at your local department store, you may not be initially impressed at the duty-free store. The price tags for these two items will likely be $500 and $75 or very close to it.

The difference is that the duty-free price is the total price you'll pay. Buy that same watch in a U.S. jewelry store and you can expect to pay sales tax of around $40. The perfume would tack on about $6 in sales tax. This is based on a rough 8% sales tax rule for the U.S. If you live in Canada, sales tax hovers around 12% and it is even higher in Europe.

Europeans may notice the bargains at duty-free shops more quickly than Americans because in Europe, it is customary for the sales tax to be figured into the price tag before you get to the cash register. In the U.S., sales tax is one of those things nobody talks about until you get to the cash register when it just magically appears on your bill.

Many cruise lines will offer certain luxury items at competitive or even discount prices. If you are shopping for jewelry, particularly gemstones, certain gold and silver items, pearls, and watches, you may be able to nab a good deal besides getting the duty-free benefit. If you are looking for something specific (tanzanite earrings, for instance) and you happen to know the going prices and can assess quality yourself, you should feel very comfortable in the cruise shops. You'll be able to know if you're getting a good deal or not.

I've heard a lot of cruise anecdotes about cruise passengers who combed local ports of call seeking bargains only to find out they could have done just as well or better by sticking to the duty-free shop onboard!

When making a duty-free purchase, keep the receipts. You may be asked to show them upon returning home. A U.S. citizen may bring up to $800 of merchandise back into the country without paying duty. If you rack up more than that, you may be asked to pay a certain amount of duty or tax on the purchase. I guess the idea is that you can bring a reasonable amount of personal purchases back home from your vacation duty-free but not so much merchandise you could go into business!

Another advantage of buying duty-free on your cruise ship is convenience. You can shop at leisure, the cruise ship personnel will likely be friendly and speak English, and you need not carry your purchases around. Many cruise ships offer guarantees on their merchandise, meaning that once you're back home you can contact the cruise line if you experience a problem with what you've purchased. This service is not likely to be as handy from foreign shops, if it is even available at all.

Airports may also have duty-free stores but only for people who will literally be traveling from a foreign country back home. The same principles apply: you may not see radical mark-downs (but then again, you often see good prices) but you will not be charged taxes.

Keep in mind that when you return to the U.S., U.S. citizens can only have $800 in total purchases (duty free or not). After that, the customs officials have the prerogative of charging duty, a tax on what you're bringing in. (Note that duty is not necessarily levied against anyone who brings in more than $800 but it may be.)

If you are traveling with your family, you may combine each family member's $800 duty-free allowance. As an example, a married couple with two children would have $3200 duty-free allowance.

Cruise Holidays And Alcohol Restrictions - What You Need To Know

One of the confusing factors about alcohol and cruise holidays is that the ship will be moving from one country to another, and often the laws in each country will vary as far as age limits are concerned. Yet at sea, the ship's own rules apply. This can mean that during the course of your cruise, if you are lucky enough to be 21 years old or younger, you may find that on some days you are able to buy and drink alcohol, whilst on other days you are not. This can all be very confusing, and it is important that, if you are aged between 18 and 21, you asked the stewards or other relevant staff what the current rules are, and if they are aware of any imminent changes to these.

Some cruise lines have a standard policy of no alcoholic consumption for anyone under 21 whilst on board. Of course, this can mean that when the ship docks at port, you can disembark and go off into the local town where you are free to drink. Of course, this can result in some cases of drinking to excess to take advantage of the opportunity. You need to be very careful about this, especially since the local drinks may be stronger than you are used to, the hot climate may have made you more dehydrated and therefore more susceptible to the effects of alcohol, and with a relaxed, carefree environment it is easy to drink for longer than you intended. All these points need to be borne in mind carefully, as you do not want to end up ruining your own holiday, and those of your fellow passengers.

Other cruise lines have a standard age limit of 18 which is easier to work with, although it is still important to bear in mind that when you arrive at a port the rules for that country will apply, and there will be instances when the age limit will have to be raised to 21 to comply with local restrictions. You will normally be given this information, but make sure you look out for this advice - the consequences of not heeding it and falling foul of local law are not to be considered!

Another issue as far as alcohol on board cruise ships is concerned is that you are not normally allowed to take your own drinks on board. If you do buy alcohol whilst stopping off at a port, once you return to the ship this will be taken from you and stored carefully until the end of the cruise when it will then be returned to you. The same is true for any alcoholic drinks you buy in the duty free shops which may be on board. You can certainly enjoy buying the cheap drinks, but they will not be made available to you until the end of your voyage.

There are occasional exceptions, perhaps a special celebration party or other event, and in this case prior approval must be obtained from the ship's staff. Almost certainly they will only allow you to open your drinks if you pay a corkage fee, which is a price of between ten and fifteen dollars per bottle opened. Obviously the ship earns some of its money from the sale of drinks on board, and if everyone brought their own drinks with them this would represent a substantial loss, which is why this extra fee is charged.

Taking A Look At Your Luxury Cruises Options

Taking a cruise vacation is more popular than ever and if you are ready to move cruising off the "to-do" list and into reality, then you should take some time to review the various information about cruises before making those reservations. Sometimes, all of the available choices can be bewildering because there are so many to consider. You will need to choose the cruise line, the size of the ship you prefer, the category of cabin, and the duration of your voyage. Then you will need to determine if your finances will keep you afloat.

The major lines visit about 1,800 different ports that span the globe, and not all of these ports will be places that you'll be interested in visiting. Because there are so many destinations, the first thing to do is decide which ones hold the most interest. For instance, you can focus on Caribbean or Mexican cruises if you are looking for warmth and sunshine, or you can go for the scenery and whale watching possibilities of an Alaskan or Antarctic cruise. Once you have narrowed down the general area that you want to cruise to, then you can more easily make your final decision.

The cruise lines have a wide variety of offers for different lengths of cruises. You can get away for a long weekend for a 3- or 4-day voyage, for a week, or choose an itinerary of ten days that usually encompasses two weekends. These shorter trips are very popular and are well-suited for couples and for families.

The major ones also offer longer voyages, with itineraries that span anywhere from three weeks to several months. Often these longer voyages provide opportunities to visit ports-of-call in several countries and sometimes more than one continent. Most of these longer itineraries are especially geared toward the affluent or retirees who have the time and financial freedom to be voyaging for weeks or months at a time.

Some ships are referred to as "megaliners" and are so large that a person can actually get lost onboard. In fact, they are so large that they cannot even go through the Panama Canal. Cruises on megaliners can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers and provide a plethora of activities to keep passengers of all ages entertained and active.

The mid-size ships are the most common and usually have up to 900 passengers, but still provide a nice variety of activities. The smaller ships are more intimate and usually accommodate less than 400 passengers.

There is also a class of cruise ships called "boutique ships," which could be compared to luxury boutique hotels. They offer exceptional attention to service and usually have an even higher standard of gourmet food, which is saying something considering that these floating hotels are well-known for the quality and selection of fine foods.

The vast majority of cabins onboard ship are considered to be standard-size and are generally quite cozy, which helps encourage people to take advantage of the many amenities during their time aboard. Cabins with ocean views and verandas are very popular, but will cost more than an interior cabin.

Many of the newer ships are being designed so that virtually all of the cabins have at least a minimal exterior view and some even boast that every cabin has a veranda, albeit small ones. For cruisers with the cash, there are spacious suites, but the cost of these puts them well out of reach for the average person.

You can learn a great deal about the cruises available to the area you are interested in visiting by spending some time on the travel websites, especially those that specialize in cruise travel vacation packages. Many times there are hot deals and discount cruise travel packages that you can find on these websites, which can help you maximize your vacation budget.

By: MIKE SELVON

Is a Christmas or Holiday Cruise Right for You?

Home for the holidays has a nice sound to it, until you actual get on the freeways, compete for precious parking space, and unwrap your presents for the nice airport security people so you can wait for four hours for your flight. As some heroic individuals do try to go home for the holidays, another travel is also heading out of town. But there's no security checkpoint, no weather delay, and no gift-giving anxiety. These people are going on a holiday cruise. For the right people under the right circumstances, there is no better way to spend the holidays than on the sea.

Most cruise lines offer special packages that cruise over Christmas and New Year's, typically with an upcharge that reflects some of the extra festivities that passengers will experience. Many holiday cruises offer special meals, decorations, and parties to commemorate Christmas and New Year's Eve, and the fare reflects this.

Holiday cruises sell out early, so if you want to try this next year, make your decisions as early as you can. In fact, it might be good timing now to book for the 2008 Christmas cruise!

While the cruise lines do an outstanding job of making the voyage as festive as possible, the fact is that Christmas on a cruise ship is just not a traditional experience. Particularly in the Caribbean, the warm weather, palm trees, and pristine beaches just don't seem to match the mood of the season. For that reason, cruise passengers for the holidays should make certain mental as well as physical preparations.

First, be flexible. If you have a Christmas card holiday in mind, a cruise vacation may make you feel like you're missing Christmas. You need to have a sense of adventure and a desire to create new traditions and seek new experiences.

Second, take some Christmas with you. Whether you're traveling with one person or a group, take along some gift-wrapped presents to exchange on the big day. If your family always had certain holiday traditions (such as a midnight snack on Christmas eve or chocolate candy on Christmas day or opening stockings stuffed with presents early in the morning) you might be able to figure out a way to "import" that to the cruise. This will help you merge the traditional Christmas with the cruise Christmas.

Third, you need to ponder for a moment the real meaning of the holidays for you. Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year's Eve, holidays are holidays for a reason. Think about what they mean to you and allow the cruise to complement that.

For example, New Year's Eve may be a time when you enjoy getting dressed up for big parties and when you like to relax and reflect on the year gone by. Great, you can do that (and more) on a cruise ship.

Get in the party mood. The crew on your ship is working this holiday and that can be hard thing. Many crew members have long-term contracts and don't see their families or native countries for months at a time. They are tasked with creating a festive mood for you; do them a favor, reciprocate. Be generous with your tips and your thank-yous.

Holiday cruises work out well in situations where you can cruise with your family (like a combination reunion-Christmas cruise) or in situations where you feel like you can't face a traditional holiday. If you're recently divorced or widowed or find yourself in a situation where you can get some time off but can't (or don't want to) go home, a cruise is a great solution.

Talk to your cruise line about what sorts of activities are planned and if you might need special attire. Many cruises offer formal or lavish holiday type events, so you may need to bring evening clothes (or perhaps more than one set of formal wear).

If you've grown up in a cold climate and plan on spending Christmas or New Year's in the Carribean or other warm-water destinations, be prepared for a jolt. Even if you know it's going to be warm, even if you think you'll love the fact that it's warm, even if you think you don't care that it's warm.

Even people who grow up in warm climates will tell you that it is an odd experience to watch an 80-degree breeze ripple the tinsel on the Christmas tree and how odd it feels to hum along to carols in your bathing suit. Sunbathing on Christmas Day may sound delightful, but you will get a sort of weird sensation if it actually happens.

Be prepared for this by making sure you do get some familiar holiday traditions worked into your cruise vacation.

While last-minute cruising is a bit of an art form (and can be a good way to save a few bucks on a great cruise), it hardly ever applies to holiday cruising. It really is a good time right now to plan a cruise for next year's holiday.

Why so early? Well, for one thing, holiday cruises book up early. Some people have literally made a Christmas or New Year's cruise a tradition. And cruises are getting increasingly popular in general, so holiday cruising is only going to see increasing demand.

The other reason is that you will save money but have lots of choices. Most cruise lines are very open-handed with two types of passengers and can offer some nice deals: those who book early and those who book very, very late. The late-comers are really just filling up space that would have gone empty otherwise. Late-comers can get deals, but they never get a choice. You pretty much have to take what you can get.

On the other hand, most cruise lines are very generous to early birds. It's good business. The theory is that if the cruise ship can sell out far in advance, the cruise company will not have to scramble to sell fares at the last minute ... less advertising, less promotion, less last-minute discounting frenzy. It helps them to encourage passengers to book early, so they encourage you the best way they know. They offer discounts.

Don't expect massive discounts by booking early. But you can probably land a pretty good deal. One thing that most cruise lines will do for people who book cruises months ahead of time--they will work in some upgrades. You may be able to upgrade your stateroom or get some on-board credits as well as a less-than-rack-rate passage.

Think it's really too early to start planning next year's holiday cruise? Go online and look at the cruise companies. They all have announced their schedules for 2008, some far beyond that.

Maybe next year you can get a suntan for Christmas!

Holiday cruises are increasingly popular and they can be a great, non-traditional way to spend the holidays. Keep in mind--they're not for everyone. But if you think you might like to get a suntan next Christmas, it's not too early to book your Christmas cruise 2008!
By: Mandy Karlik

Our Mediterranean Cruise on the Millennium - A Passenger's Review

This cruise began for us with a two day stay in Istanbul minus one suitcase that Delta Airlines lost. We had been in Istanbul for a couple of days at the end of our last cruise, and my wife fell in love with it. We spent the time checking out things we didn't see on the last trip, and shopping for underwear, pantyhose, shoes, and other things Kathy needed after the lost luggage fiasco. There we were, at the Grand Bazaar, Kathy in a pair of my boxer shorts and a T shirt the ship gave her. But we found some great bargains on knock-offs.

The Millennium set sail for Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey in the early afternoon. The next day we arrived in Kusadasi, known for its very extensive ruins at Ephesus. These are the most impressive ruins we have ever seen, be sure not to miss them when you are in Kusadasi. Cleopatra and Mark Anthony were tourists at Ephesus!

We toured a rug factory which was actually a rug store. However, they gave a very interesting presentation on how Turkish rugs are woven and how to determine the quality of rugs. We saw a demonstration of a young girl weaving a rug.

While in Kusadasi we spotted an internet cafe sign and so we went on in. They were quite excited that we had come in; they uncovered their single computer, taped some cardboard to the window to reduce the glare on the screen, and brought us some cokes to drink. After we finished surfing the net we asked how much we owed. They said "nothing!" and they wouldn't let us pay for anything. Odd but interesting and nice.

The next day was a day at sea with no stops at any ports. We consider days at sea as our lazy kick-back and relax part of our cruises. So we "bagged some rays" by the pool and checked out the drink of the day.

The next day we arrived in Limasol, Cyprus. Originally we were supposed to go to Haifa Israel, but due to some Middle East unrest, the destination was changed to Limasol. There was an interesting castle that we toured, and then we went looking for an internet cafe. We found one and did a little updating of our website while we were there. Internet cafe's can be found in most cities and it is truly amazing to see the differences. There isn’t really much in Limasol.

Our next port of call was Alexandria Egypt. The port was HUGE! There were quite a few sunken ships poking up out of the water as we entered the port...wonder what that was about? Our ship was greeted with a giant red carpet and a large band playing music.

We took the shore excursion to the Pyramids, about a three hour bus trip. The busses traveled in convoys with police escorts. I presume it's an anti terrorist thing. The Pyramids were awesome! We got to actually climb up on one of the pyramids. There were also cool tombs that we toured, and of course, shopping for jewelry and papyrus art.

Our next port of call was Athens Greece. Since we had been to Athens recently we opted not to take any of the excursions and just went to the Plaka. We found yet another Internet cafe where we could update our web site. Although it was about 3 flights of stairs to get to the cafe, were given the "Computer with a view" .. Just out the window was a spectacular view of the Acropolis. And we found another fabulous open air cafe.

We arrive next at Naples, Italy. The day was kind of a whirl wind of a day as we took a hydrofoil to the island of Capri where we toured the island, an interesting and beautiful island and playground for the rich. Then on to Sorrento where we had lunch and wandered around the scenic town, and finally we toured the amazing ruins at Pompeii. There are enough ruins at Pompeii to spend weeks there and still not see everything. Thousands of years ago and they had plumbing fixtures...running water in their homes, taverns, saunas, and all sorts of surprising things. A very busy day!

Next stop, Rome and the Vatican City including St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican museum. At the Vatican, we visited the Sistine chapel which was mind blowing. Following that we visited the Coliseum. The Coliseum was another amazing place. Kathy was really impressed with the Trevi Fountain in Rome (she threw in the required 3 coins so we could come back to Rome).


Our next port was Nice, France. We visited a famous flower market, had coffee at a little side walk cafe, and we took a shore excursion to Monaco. Monaco isn't very big! We could stand in one spot and see the whole country. There are lots of shops on the tiny narrow winding streets. We had lunch (at an open air cafe) and Kathy liked the Roquefort cheese so much she asked the waiter where should could get some, and he directed her to a market. We bought some and brought it home with us.

The following morning we disembarked in Barcelona and within hours we were on our way home! Another fantastic cruise ship adventure under our belts!

By: William Lund

Cruising to Loreto, Mexico

The scenery in Loreto is spectacular, as the rugged Sierra de la Giganta Mountains converge with the bright blue Sea of Cortez. The first mission was founded in Loreto in 1697 by the Jesuit priest Juan Maria Salvatierra, and eventually Loreto became the capital of the Baja region. When Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, the new Mexican government ordered all of the missionaries home, and the mission at Loreto was abandoned. A major hurricane in 1829 virtually destroyed the rest of the settlement, and the capital was moved to La Paz. Over a century passed before Loreto was built up again, this time because the government had tapped the area for development to promote tourism. The Trans-Peninsula Highway reached Loreto in 1973, and an international airport was built, along with resorts and golf courses.

Sport fishing reigns supreme here, as the waters are teeming with dorado, sailfish and marlin. There are also plenty of water sports to try, including waterskiing, sailing and windsurfing. Whale watching tours and scuba or snorkeling trips can also be arranged for those wanting to get up close to the wildlife inhabiting these crystal clear waters. Those who wish to stay dry can take a relaxing stroll along the malecon along Calle de la Playa, or visit El Museo de los Misiones, which is located next to La Mision de Nuestra Senora. There you will find religious relics and displays on Baja's history.

It is 20 miles to the Mision San Javier, but well worth the trip as long as the roads are dry. Arrange a tour or have a guide take you in a high clearance vehicle, as the dirt and gravel roads take you through palm groves and the cliffs of the Cerro de la Giganta en route to the mission village. Be sure not to miss the marked trails with caves and Indian paintings along the way. Once at the mission, you'll see the mission church which was built in 1699 of grey volcanic rock, along with religious vestments from the1700s and bells in the bell towers from the 18th century. If you happen to arrive at the beginning of December, you'll be joined by many of the residents of Loreto, who make a pilgrimage to the mission for the patron saint's feast day.
By: Stephanie Larkin

Cruising Australia's Majestic Murray River

Cruising is the only way to discover the serene beauty of Australia's largest inland waterway. A Murray River cruise allows you to experience the magic of inland Australia in leisurely comfort.

There's something special about cruising on a large river. It is a peaceful, relaxing voyage of discovery. Australia's longest river, the Murray stretches over 2500km from the Australian Alps to the Southern Ocean.

Like the Mississippi and Rhine, it is an economic and tourist powerhouse. Sadly its future is clouded by drought and climate change.

This mighty river has a catchment covering over 20% of Australia's land mass and supplies most of Adelaide's water as well as a huge fruit and wine industry. The river is also a major tourist attraction and no visit to South Australia would be complete without a boat cruise.

Most Murray River cruises operate out of Adelaide and you have a wide choice. If you wish to spend a few leisurely days on the river, a number of companies run 2 to 4 day cruises, exploring longer stretches and mooring overnight at selected spots. On board meals and accommodation are provided and the beauty and serenity of sunset and sunrise are memorable holiday moments.

If your time is short, a full day tour from Adelaide, including a short river cruise, is your answer. I chose Prime Mini Tours because of the tour features, the price and the fact that you can cruise on the Murray for a full 3 hours. Other cruises only spend an hour on the river and this is insufficient time for you to enjoy the true beauty of this lovely waterway.

Prime is also a small, family run business based on personal attention. They provide tour coach transport to and from the river base at Mannum and have an arrangement with Jester Cruises, the boat operators.

Helen and Geoff were amiable hosts, and as our cruise trundled up the river, we were provided with lunch, while Helen entertained us with a running commentary on the river, its interesting history and its abundant wildlife.

The visual impact is stunning and there was an overwhelming feeling of serenity that only a cruise can provide. Helen pointed out places of interest as other cruise boats, vineyards and numerous varieties of water birds passed by. She also mentioned that as a result of the drought, the river level is constantly dropping and this lifeline, relied upon by so many people, may soon dry up.

Further up the river, the old port town of Echuca is another base for cruises. Echuca is home to many houseboats and they can be hired for as long as you choose. These floating homes are the most comfortable way to explore the region.

Many, including "Luxury 5", provide state-of-art comfort for those seeking more than a Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn adventure. Houseboats can be moored almost anywhere by securing them to a couple of stout trees.

At sunset, you will be enveloped by the tranquility of the bush as the Murray casts its lazy spell. Time to sit on the deck, enjoy a sumptious meal, washed down with a glass of local red and experience the serenity of inland Australia.

The message is clear. If you are visiting this part of Australia, go where the river runs, but do it soon. Experience and enjoy this Australian icon while you can.
By: Graeme Lanham