TravelDuties

A cruise is a great way to fight away the winter blues, especially if you are planning to travel somewhere tropical. The cruise industry has grown quite large over the years and now offers many exotic and tropical locales for you to escape the harsh weather of winter.

Hawaii has long been a popular travel destination for North Americans, and now offer a large number of cruises. If you are planning to travel to Hawaii by cruise ship, you will have two options. The first option, and probably the most common is to start your cruise in Honolulu and visit some of the other islands. This allows you to see the true beauty of the Hawaiian islands without the need to book flights from each of the islands. These types of cruises usually last around a week, though some may take longer. The second option is to leave from a port on the mainland, the most popular being Mexico or British Columbia, and traveling across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. These types of cruises usually take two or more weeks, and are a great way to relax.

If you are planning to take a cruise to Hawaii during the winter months, November to March, it is important to keep in mind that these months are also the rainy season. I was recently in Hawaii for two weeks in January, and it rained almost everyday. For the most part the weather is fantastic but in the mornings there was usually light showers. However, these usually passed by mid day, and the weather was beautiful for the rest of the day.

Photo by: Diane Groves

Direct Line Cruises offers a wide variety of cruise vacations for their customers. If you’re thinking about taking the leap and going on your first cruise, or maybe you enjoyed your last one so much you want to cruise again, then make sure you set aside time to check out their offers. In business since 1995, Direct Line Cruises is one of the largest “cruise only” agencies around.

They offer vacations on a variety of cruise lines. Some of their most popular cruises are aboard Royal Caribbean where they offer travel insurance at no extra cost. With some of the best destinations around you will want to give their packages a look.

Looking for an especially luxurious vacation? A trip with Celebrity Cruises is probably what you are looking for. They offer first-class accomdations that are more like a resort hotel than a sea vessel. Right now Direct Line Cruises is offering travel insurance and savings booklets to all passengers that book through them.

If you want to book a cruise, you can contact Direct Line Cruises online or by toll-free phone. They have cruises to destinations including Bermuda, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska and more. If you’re looking for a European vacation they offer trips from Norwegian Cruise Line as well.

In 2009, Royal Caribbean will be launching their brand new luxury cruise ship called the Oasis of the Seas. This new cruise ship is more of a floating city then a sea vessel. The amenities and details on this ship are amazing. The cruise ship will have 16 decks and approximately 2,700 staterooms to accommodate over 5,000 passengers at any one time.

My favorite feature of the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship is what they call the “Central Park Neighborhood” which will contain an outdoor setting onboard. Staterooms with balconies will surround Central Park so guests can over look the natural setting from the comfort and peace of their rooms. Aside from the greenery, Central Park will also be home to a series of lavish restaurants and shops for travelers to enjoy.

The Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas will be visiting a variety of Caribbean locations but your journey will start in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. You can already book your stay on this luxury cruise ship and that might not be a bad idea. While the boat doesn’t launch until 2009 it’s sure to be a hot seller with travel agents this year.

The next time you’re looking to book your next trip make sure you stop and take a look at Cruise Vacation Center for all your cruise needs.

At Cruise Vacation Center you can book a cruise through the Royal Caribbean cruise line. Despite their name, Royal Caribbean actually offers cruises to destinations other than countries located directly in the Caribbean. They also have cruises to other places throughout the world including: Europe, the Bahamas and even destinations in the United States such as Alaska or New England.

You can also check out Princess Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Lines for even more cruise options. Princess Cruises offers trips to luxurious locations all across the world from Africa to Hawaii to Greece on three types of ships that are practically floating cities.

At Norwegian Cruise Lines, the emphasis is on schedule free cruising. Without a set schedule or timeframe, travelers on a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation are free to do what they want when they want. Not only do they offer excellent cruise packages but they also provide you with vacation plans for you before and even after your cruise is over. This helps set Norwegian Cruise Lines apart from their competition.

In this day and age you may be a little skeptical about traveling to Africa, specifically Egypt or near the Middle East. However, a great alternative to traveling to continental Africa is an African cruise. Cruise down the Nile, through the Suez Canal, and safari on the mainland; the possibilities are endless. Furthermore, if you are like me and can’t handle being on a boat on the sea, a nice relaxing cruise on a river may be a great option for you. And don’t think you will miss out on the beautiful warm weather of a Caribbean cruise if you choose an African cruise, you will still experience the same beautiful weather while you travel through ancient history.

The number one stop for a Nile cruise is the ancient temples and tombs along Egypt’s bank of the river. You will feel as if you have traveled back in time 2000 years to Ancient Egypt, while people living in mud brick huts tend to their crops on the river bank.

Egypt is not the only site you will experience. Depending on the cruise line you are traveling with, you may have the option to participate in on land safaris in the great African Savannah. Ride alongside grazing zebras, prancing antelopes, and if you are lucky, you may see a pack of lions, sleeping under the shade of a tree to escape the heat.

There you have it, a great African vacation without the need, or danger, of traveling to Continental Africa. Though an African cruise may not seem as glamorous or exotic as a Caribbean cruise, it definitely is. You will experience the cultural and the history of Africa a way you may never have expected.

Photo by: Peter Caulfield

For years, the main cruise destination has been tropical islands in the Caribbean. When we think of a cruise, we think of the sun, lying on the beach, and the beautiful blue sea. However, cruise ports are popping up all over the world, and there are many unique destinations that aren’t what some people may be use to when choosing a cruise destination. For many people, they will have to forget about the typical Caribbean cruise and open their minds to truly unique and equally spectacular cruise destinations.

Have you ever wanted to visit Europe, yet have felt overwhelmed with navigating through the continent’s highways, rental cars, and train systems? Maybe you have felt that there is so much to do in Europe that you do not know where to start? A European cruise is a wonderful solution to this. In a single trip you can travel to Spain, France, Monte Carlo, Portugal, Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, and even numerous Mediterranean destinations. Explore the vast history of Athens , the mystifying beauty of Nice and Cannes, and the fabulous casinos of Monte Carlo. In general, European and Mediterranean cruises usually attract the adult cruise goers, though family packages may be available for some cruise companies.

The far east is truly a cultural melting pot, with many exotic destinations available. Take in the Asian culture at exotic locations, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and even China. Become immersed in the unique cultural that each of these destinations offers and have a truly spectacular time.

Photo by: Susannah Huntington

With the cruise industry growing more and more every year, the number of ports is sure to increase as well, making it hard to choose a cruise destination. But choosing a great cruise destination can be easy if you do a little before hand research.

Though Africa may not be the first destination you think of when you are choosing a cruise destination, it is great place. You can cruise down the Nile, through the Suez Canal, or visit Morocco. Each cruise allows you to explore the culture of Africa. There are even some cruises that travel between Cape Town (South Africa) and Lisbon (Portugal), with stops along the way such as winery excursions, safaris, and cultural exhibits.

Alaska is amongst the most beautiful places on Earth and an Alaskan cruise is a great way to experience its wonder and beauty. Alaskan cruises have grown quite popular over the years, and with good reason. Participate in activities like sea kayaking, whale watching, golf, or go for a swim in the ship’s pool as you float by a glacier. Alaskan cruise season is only five months and during this time over one million passengers take part in an Alaskan cruise.

If you are looking for a truly exotic experience, a South Pacific cruise is the thing for you. Travel to private beaches, taste the French cuisine, and immerse yourself in the Polynesian culture. When Caribbean ships are packed with families and children, a South Pacific cruise treats adults to a romantic and truly unique experience.

Are you looking for an exotic cruise that is off the beaten track, yet still offers as much as a Caribbean cruise? Even though Caribbean cruises are the most popular of all cruise destinations, you do not have to travel there to experience the beaches, the weather, and the culture. There are many other destinations offering the same fabulous experience, though they may not be as well known as the Caribbean.

The first of the lesser known cruise destinations is the Pacific Ocean islands. These include Tahiti, French Polynesia, and Hawaii. If you are planning to take a cruise to any one of these locations, you can expect beautiful weather, beautiful white sand beaches, warm sunny days, and perfect evenings, ideal for stargazing. For many, Tahiti and French Polynesia are further flights than Hawaii or the Caribbean, thus you can expect lighter crowds, perfect for a romantic getaway or even just for some relaxation,

The second of the lesser known cruise destinations is the Mexican Riviera. For those of you who do not know where the Mexican Riviera is located, it is the west coast of Mexico, where the beautiful weather and sunny days make it the perfect destination. Much of the Mexican Riviera cruises leave from ports in California, making it ideal for anyone living on the west coast. Even better, you may not need to even get on an airplane. Some popular destinations in the Mexican Riviera are Cabo San Lucas and Peurto Vallarta, both of which you have probably heard of.

Photo by: Heather Sorenson