Lisa McLaughlin is a frequent writer on travel and has a wide collection of articles, news, advice and tips on a wide range of travel types and destinations on her Travel and Vacation Tips site along with some Free Travel Guides.
Last Minute Discount Travel Tips For the Avid Tourist
If you like traveling so much, you may discover that booking at the last minute actually has a number of benefits, especially for your pocket. Several agencies and lines will give discounts and freebies, plus other special features for final visitors. To get the best deals, you need to study the features and determine the rates to stay safe and comfortable.Expensive or Cheap?If you travel or book at the last minute, you may realize that most options are very costly. You can, however, take advantage by traveling at very flexible periods, where you can get better deals. Traveling in the wee hours or before 9 am and after 5 in the afternoon usually gives you some perks, even by just getting a nice seat, since the influx of people usually die down. Unsold seats are usually sold at discount rates 2 to 3 days before departure. You can contact your local agency and ask for possible reductions in price for added savings.You can visit the airline or cruise line's official web site, where last-minute deals may be given. Tuesday and Wednesday are known to be the cheapest days of the week, so try to avail of promos. Staying over the weekend can also help a lot in minimizing costs, since prices tend to rise on Friday and Saturday. There are web sites specifically catering to last-minute travelers. You can simply search for these via popular search engines.Getting InformationYou can actually request your favorite airlines and agencies to send you newsletters and other items through your email or home address regarding last-minute discount travel deals. Web sites are more than willing to send you vital information to save on airfares and other types of transportation. Simply register or subscribe to your chosen airline and begin getting newsletters and other perks and advantages. You may also go to auction web sites and online markets to possibly find very cheap tickets whose owners decided at the last minute to cancel or bail with non-refundable tickets.Availability of FlightsDuring peak seasons like summer or Christmas, last-minute deals are usually not available since all ticket are usually sold out, even during irregular times of the day. Check the flights first if these are available on the dates you wish to travel. If most are already sold out, there is a lesser chance that you can get a good deal. The best deals are usually available in airplanes that have very few passengers. Airlines would wish to increase the number of passengers or payload, to compensate for the cost of traveling. Traveling with so many people will also lead to added expenses, so it is usually rare to get last-minute deals.Tips When PurchasingWhen getting a last-minute ticket, make sure you read the rules and regulations of the airline or cruise line first. There are cases wherein people have had their tickets or trips canceled because they were using a different name or developed a pattern of buying then canceling if they see a potential last-minute deal. If you want to book at the last minute, try to bid about 10% to 15% higher than the advanced purchased fare. You can add to the bid depending on factors like availability of flights on the ideal dates of travel, use of alternative airports for failed bids, weekend trips and red-eye flights.
21 Reasons Why Internet Auctions Are The EASIEST and
Calling internet auctions an Entrepreneur's Dream isn't poetic license or part of the get-rich-quick rhetoric. Net auctions are the simplest, easiest way on this planet for the little guy to make money.1. Consider the normal progression of a home business ...First, the would-be entrepreneur decides on a product or service. He begs, borrows or steals the money to bring his dream into reality.Then, he faces "The Great Uncertainty" - Where are my customers going to come from?With an Internet auction, your customers are already there and they will come to you! Someone else has very obligingly created an entire marketing structure for us. We need to do nothing to find, literally, MILLIONS of customers.Not only that, but they have very obligingly arranged themselves into appropriate categories just for us! Talk about targeted marketing!We don't have to go looking for musicians to buy our guitars, doll collectors for our Barbies or collectors to buy our cars. They will come to us!2. Start up costs? None. Zero. Zip. Nada.Can you name any other business that has no start up costs?Entrepreneur magazine claims that the average franchise costs $70,000! Whoa! And when you buy your franchise, what do you get with it? Oh, employees, rent, government regulations, incredible paperwork, the constant threat of lawsuits, grinding responsibility and twelve hour days.Auction sellers have no overhead, no utilities, no employees, no employee taxes, no rent.3. Risk? What risk?If you start your business wisely, your maximum risk is ... $3.30!On eBay, the absolute queen of the auction sites, the maximum charge to list an item for sale is $3.30. On many of the sites, there is no charge at all.It is prudent to begin with merchandise that you already own (or go rob Mom or Grandma's attic). Therefore, you have no merchandise costs.4. It takes about three minutes to set up your auction business. That is the length of time it takes to register on a site, thereby becoming a full-blown auction trader.5. If you have a business, you have to somehow let people know you are around. Otherwise, your business isn't going to last very long. This makes advertising - of some sort - absolutely critical.Recently, a mail order guru was advising novices on how they should begin. He recommended buying a mailing list of 100,000 (hundreds, perhaps a couple of thousand dollars in cost) - but - the novice should start with only 5,000 people.This same guru recommended a 12 page letter, plus an order blank, for a total of 13 pages. In my neighborhood, unless I am copying massive quantities, it costs me five cents per page, so my letter would cost 65 cents. Throw in a stamp, and the cost of the large, manilla envelope and it's at least $1/person.So, we are looking at an expense of $5,000! And this doesn't include the numerous hours it would take to create such a mailing.And, what if my mailing fails miserably? I don't know about you, but losing $5,000 is not insignificant to me! And if we think about advertising our product or service on TV or radio, our costs escalate dramatically.Contrast this with the price of an internet connection of $15 - $25 a month. And the best part is that you can market to 5,000 or 5,000,000 and it doesn't cost one extra cent.6. The internet is the only place in the world where a small business can be open open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. What kind of retail establishment can maintain those kinds of hours, unless it is a giant company?Your buyer has the privilege and opportunity of buying at any hour of the day or night.Those who assume that there is no one awake and interested in buying at 3:00 a.m. are mistaken. Do you want to be awake at this hour to sell? Highly unlikely. But with an auction site, customers can shop at their leisure, on their own schedule and pay you money while you sleep. The first time I woke up and realized that I had made money while I was asleep, it was an incredible thrill!7. If I am selling in my home town my buyers are limited to those people in my geographical area. With the Internet, the entire world is my customer. Ebay, for example, has customers in 90 countries.A merchant can expose his wares to more customers on an internet auction than would see his products in decades in his home town.8. In common with many other internet businesses, geography has become irrelevant. For centuries, humans have had to live in big cities if they wanted to engage in commerce.With auctions, you can live anywhere you please, as long as you have electricity. In fact, with laptops, we don't even need to be home.Want to run your auction business in a Winnebago, on safari, or cruising the Mediterranean? No problem.9. We never have to leave our homes to make as much money as we want. This has to improve family life in a significant way.Want to go to the kids Little League games? Have lunch with your spouse several times a week? Work at 3:00 AM because you are a dedicated night owl?I don't know about your traffic, but in my town it is a total nightmare! Occasionally, I have to travel in rush hour traffic and it makes me realize how blessed I am not to be a member of the Road Rage club.10. WalMart? K-Mart? Piffle!Internet auctions make business a level playing field. Let the big companies worry about payroll, employee theft, absenteeism, product margins and the like.No one knows - - or cares - - how big you or your company is.There is no reason for large companies to ever participate in auction sites, because there isn't enough profit in it for them to bother.I recently saw an article in the paper commenting that one of the giants had made "only miniscule" growth the past year ... $38 million! I would be very appreciate of that kind of tiny profit, myself.11. Sometimes, it seems that my computer is alive, has a definite mind of its own - and that mind can be very devious and troublesome. Nevertheless, the computer gives us tremendous power and freedom.Unlike the giant companies, our employee doesn't need a vacation, it takes no sick leave, and has no family emergencies. In other words, we have a 24 hour, seven day a week slave.12. Starting a business and getting it going, is a full-time job - and then some.Unless ... you choose to be an auction player.Because the Internet will carry on your business without you, you can keep your full-time job until you are ready to quit and become an net auction millionaire. And, I do mean millionaire! There are some people making $50,000 a month in auctions. There are others who are content with a few hundred dollars a month. It all depends on your personal goals.13. Forget about guessing, hoping and praying, lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling and wondering if you are doing the right thing.It is possible to do your market research in advance and have a very clear picture of how well your product will sell before you even put it on the market.14. Net auctions have a mercifully short learning curve.Notice that I didn't say, "No learning curve", but it doesn't take long to begin playing like a champion. It isn't brain surgery, law school or quantum physics. It just takes some observation, attention and time to become a superior auction seller.The greatest hitters in baseball only hit about three out of every ten, meaning they fail 70% of the time! You can do better than that right from the beginning.15. This is a perfect business for those folks who are shut-ins, handicapped, senior citizens or anyone who might have trouble getting a J-O-B.Everything, everything! about an internet auction business can be conducted without ever leaving a room, if you so desire. If you have a computer, that is all the equipment that you need.16. Rejection? There are people who would rather be boiled in oil than try to sell anything - because they are afraid of rejection.That will never happen on an internet auction. The worst result is disappointment that your item didn't sell, but it is impersonal and no one will see you, so the element of fear is totally absent.17. If you so choose, you can make lots of new friends.It is very satisfying to talk with people who share common interests with you. Have you ever been fascinated with a subject, so thrilled that you desperately wanted to share it with someone - and those around you stare in blank incomprehension - or boredom? You can find fellow fanatics on the auction sites.18. When you learn your field, you will automatically, without even trying, become an expert. This is knowledge which may pay off in other ways.For example, a friend who sells jewelry on eBay, recently had the opportunity to buy a large amount of it from the estate of an elderly woman. She sold the entire amount to a local jeweler before she could even get in on the auction site. She made $7,000+ in profit and was asked to help out the store in various ways - for a fee, of course.19. The future of net auctions is absolutely guaranteed! They are just going to grow and grow and grow.For one thing, the ease of Internet Shopping makes it more and more popular as each day goes by. What is more convenient than having your heart's desire ordered in your home and delivered to your front door?For another, security is getting better and better on the internet and so more and more people are becoming comfortable with net shopping. Right now the sites do billions of dollars worth of business and revenues are expected to triple in the next year.Often shoppers turned their attention toward Internet auctions because they can find goods that are much cheaper than they would be in a store or ordering directly from the manufacturer or producer.An example: I recently sold a real estate course to a gentleman be who bought it for $624. At the manufacturer's web site, this same course listed for $1,500.My buyer described his delight, saying that he desperately wanted this course and didn't feel like he could afford the full purchase price. He deliberately looked on it eBay, in the hopes that someone it would have this course for sale at a reduced price. He thought that $600 was an incredible bargain.Buying merchandise off an internet auction is such a terrific time-saver. You can place your bid on the Hummel-figure-to-die-for, and go about your business. In fact, your computer will even bid for you!So, many buyers are thrilled by the fact that they don't have to get in their cars and go anywhere to buy things that they want. The enormous popularity of QVC and the Home Shopping Channel are proof that this is a highly desirable benefit to many of today's shoppers.Sitting in traffic, dealing with crowds and finding a parking place in a crowded mall are very unappealing options to many people. There are many shoppers who value the privilege of sitting at the computer in their pajamas ordering those goodies that they want.Those who analyze modern society always concur that citizens today are very worried about crime and security. Most people feel that home is safe and cozy. Online shopping is just safer than driving all over town.This isn't likely to change, either. Every day our TV screens and newspapers scream horror stories at us ... Columbine! Unabomber! Jon Benet! Waco! We live in an uneasy time.20. Whatever you want to sell, (if it's legal!) someone wants to buy it! Right now my book contains a list of 33 pages of auction sites - with more coming every day.21. The auction sites are pure entertainment! This business is just plain FUN!There are some really incredible items for sale. Here are some examples ...- How about cigarettes to "cure" asthma - A directory from the 1800's listing all the high-class brothels in New Orleans- Petrified dinosaur dung- A (fortunately disarmed) Nike Ajax surface-to-air missile - Elvis' dental records- Seeds from a 933 pound pumpkin! That's a jack-o-lantern worthy of respect!- The skull of a Tyrannosaurus Rex - And my personal favorite ... a 1898 collection of skulls of prostitutes and murderers!Of course, the auction sites do have their limits: - In September of '99, a live kidney was for sale. The bidding began at $25,000 and reached $5,750,100 before eBay pulled the sale.- Another weird listing was from a young man who offered his virginity for sale! The listing was removed in less than 24 hours, so we don't have any idea what that is worth! :-)Don't miss out on the greatest money-making opportunity in history. There absolutely is no easier and safer way to make money. While you read these words, someone is making money on auctions. Why aren't you?- - - - -To learn more about this fabulous auction game, get a free copy of our book, How To Suck Up Hungry Customers Faster Than A Vacuum Cleaner On Steroids, by sending a blank email to: mail to: viral@auctionknowhow.com
Cruise Deals
Cruise deals are specials presented, usually periodically and during the summer months, for vacation trips aboard luxury liners, such as Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity. These cruise deals are typically provided in a package that includes the ship with all of its amenities, the hotel (should one stay overnight at the ship's destined port), and a discount on the overall total price of the trip. Cruise deals, of course, stimulate business by drawing in those individuals who want to save money on an otherwise expensive trip.Cruise deals can be found at many places, especially online. A multitude of online travel bookers are always ready to provide vacations with a great deal on cruises. Some of the bigger and more well-known online travel agencies offering cruise deals are http://Travelocity.com, http://VacationsToGo.com, http://Travelzoo.com, http://Expedia.com, http://CruisesOnly.com, and http://ecruises.com. Expedia in particular has advertised on Television and has been around for while.The amenities these cruise deals usually provide cover anywhere from three to seven days vacation time, a suite aboard ship, with unlimited access to the facilities, 24/hr restaurants and bars, entertainment including dancing and sports, casinos, shows, spa and fitness, teen clubs, and Internet cafes. The cruise deal package even covers the hotel room in many cases. This is such a long way from the Titanic!Some highlights from certain cruise lines are attractive and distinctive from others. For example, a two-hundred-foot rock tower for climbing is among the amenities included in cruise deals for Royal Caribbean. Princess Cruise Line, on the other hand, provides art galleries and auctions in their cruise deals, and Carnival offers an exciting Camp Carnival for kids 2 to 15. Each cruise line has something special, so each cruise deal is unique and unforgettable!As for cruise deal prices, they vary, depending on the time of year, the agency, the ship, the number of people going on the trip, and the particular cruise. Some can start as low as $290.00, but most average at $400.00+. Cruise deal discounts of up to $100.00 are not uncommon.All in all, cruise deals are available for days and nights of fun--for adults, young adults, and children! Get a great cruise deal and you're certain to have a wonderful vacation.
Cheap Cruise Vacations - You Don't Have to Skip Your Family Vacation
Everyone is talking about how bad the economy is doing and to prepare for tough times ahead, some families are even thinking of skipping the annual family vacation altogether. But having a holiday at least annually is good for the family. It helps everyone bond together better, and improves relationship. The children always look forward to the once a year getaway because it is a time when they can really stop thinking about schoolwork and enjoy themselves.Therefore, it is not necessary to cancel the vacation just because everyone is worried about the future. In fact, this may just be a good time to reconsider your travel options. For sure, if you take a little more effort to find great travel bargains, there will be just one for you and your family round the corner. Here is an example.Have you thought of taking your family on a discount cruise vacation?A cruise vacation is one of the best gift that you can give to your family. You and your family can enjoy all the facilities onboard the cruise ship. A cruise ship is like a self sufficient paradise. You cruise to the sea leaving all your worries behind. Once on the cruise ship, you will be in a totally different world. Well trained cruise crews work hard to pamper you in every possible way. You can dine and wine onboard, and participate in all kinds of activities. For example, you can choose to participate in a painting auction, or watch the show at night.Formal dining is always a big part of the whole cruise experience. Many travellers choose itineraries based on previous dining experiences. This is because if the food isn't of excellent quality, it's difficult to enjoy the stay. Therefore, place dining as one of your priority items when considering cruise packages. If you are unsure, you can always ask the cruise experts at Cruise Vacation World.Depending on how much you spend and schedule, there are several packages that you can choose from. For instance, there are 1 to 5-day trips, 6 to 9 day cruises, and so on and so forth. Of course, the longer the duration of the stay, the higher the price. You can also choose based solely on your available budget. In this case, you just need to browse cruise trips that falls within a certain range. For example, if you have a $1000 budget, simply look for discount cruises that fall within this range. This will help make your decision a whole lot easier.But bear in mind that usually, for longer cruises, there is more in store for you and your family. For instance, you can visit more ports if you sign up for a 7-day cruise vacation. There are many destinations that you can choose from, depending on where you reside, and where you wish to sail to. You can cruise to Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe and many other destinations.Who knows, you may find a cruise vacation so enjoyable that you want to make it an annual affair for the whole family.
Browse Cheap Cruise Vacations and other Discount Cruises at our website.
Enjoy the Beauty of Alaska with Royal Caribbean Alaskan Cruises
In the land of the midnight sun, you'll need every extra minute of daylight if you want to experience it all. For starters let's talk about the ships. With Royal caribbean alaskan cruises, even before you reach your destination, you're going to be amazed at what you see. Our cruise ships are the most innovative and exciting in the travel industry. From rock-climbing walls on every ship, to elegant dining rooms, shops and cafs, and relaxing spas, your experience onboard will be completely incredible.And there is even more. How about attending an art auction, or turn it out dancing in a nightclub. There are even supervised activities for baby and little kids and teenagers, our Adventure Ocean Youth Program and the Fisher-Price Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots programs keep younger guests interested and entertained. And the service you get will be just as amazing on every ship. When you travel with Royal caribbean alaskan cruises, you do not have to worry about nothing, we take care of your accommodations, gourmet meals in our dining rooms and cafs, and snacks throughout the day. Everything onboard is already paid for, including all activities such as our amazing fitness center and entertainment and even 24-hour room service.Everything in Alaska is bigger, including the adventures. If you want a real Alaska vacation, look for royal caribbean alaskan cruises, it is a combination of cruise vacation and land tour. With royal caribbean alaskan cruises you'll get cruisetours to Alaska, the Canadian Rockies and Whistler. In most cases, it is up to you to decide to take land tour portion either before or after your cruise.There are plenty of beautiful and incredible places to see. Take a scenic arctic adventure on White Pass & Yukon, known as the "Scenic Railway of the World". Hike through the glacial waterfalls and rain forests outside Juneau , the picturesque capital of Alaska, and relive the old days of the Gold Rush, or venture outside the city to see Alaska's wilderness closer. Get amazed with the Hubbard Glacier, one of the most active glaciers in the world, this huge Alaskan natural wonder is unbelievable. Take a wildlife cruise onboard a high-speed catamaran. Explore the famous Inside Passage of Ketchikan on a guided mountain-bike tour.And about what you should wear, we recommend jeans, jackets, warm socks, swimsuit and a camera for days onboard. Ashore, you can need comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, whatever you prefer. Cruisetours are casual, both during the day and in the evening.With so much to see and so much to do onboard you'll never be bored, and probably you will want to see and do it all. Anyway, with Royal caribbean alaskan cruises, you will enjoy anything you choose to do. It will be an experience you will never forget.B Herrera is a freelance writer for travel articles.http://www.cruise-mediterranean-royal-caribbean.com/directory/19/royal-caribbean-cruises.html
A Brief Introduction to Repositioning Cruises
Like wealthy 19th-century travelers, cruise ships go where the nice weather is. They winter where it's warm and sunny, and then when the weather changes, they go someplace else that's warm and sunny.Cruises in which a ship leaves one region to begin the season in another region are called repositioning cruises. And in addition to being good cruise bargains, they also offer several other advantages.Many of the cities that cruise lines visit, particularly in Europe, are actually quite a ways from the port. It's a good hour from Civitavecchia to Rome. And Paris is a couple of hours from Calais. So port days can be exhausting. You're usually up and out early, and you don't return to the ship until late afternoon.By contrast, days at sea can be very relaxing. With no agenda, and no reason not to sleep in, you can take life easy and just enjoy the shipboard amenities. If your idea of a full travel days is reading a book, getting a massage, maybe attending an art auction, a repositioning cruise may be your cup of tea.Around May, ships that have been in the Caribbean or South America will transit the Panama Canal for Alaska, or cross the Atlantic to sail the Mediterranean or North Atlantic. Repositioning cruises can be a short as a week or as long as a month. They can have several ports at the beginning or end, or simply sail from A to B.Because of the lack of ports on most true repositioning cruises, they're less popular than other voyages. So they're often deeply discounted - as much as 60% off the normal per diem for that ship or cruise line.This year, occupancy has been so low that there are some cruises available for as little as $60 per person, per night. When you consider all that includes - transportation, lodging, meals, and entertainment - repositioning cruises are one of the great cruise bargains.To make the days at sea more interesting, many cruise lines have themes for their repositioning cruises or include seminars or cultural programs. Golfers, food and wine lovers, and music buffs will all find sailings that cater to their interests. Best of al, with fewer fellow passengers, you'll find it easier to get a chaise by the pool, or to get into the buffet line.Sometimes, repositioning cruises are the only way to visit an off-the-beaten path destination. Trans-Atlantic cruises often call at Madeira, the Canary Islands, and ports in Iceland and Greenland. If you've always dreamed of visiting Tonga or Samoa, a trans-Pacific is your best bet.You'll need an air ticket that flies into one city and returns from another, and these can be expensive. But many cruises lines can assist you with your reservations, and some cruise companies are including the airfare as part of the cruise package.If relaxing and stretching your travel budget are most important to you, you should look into repositioning cruises. These days, they're a great travel bargain.
Sarah Forth is the author of repositioningcruisesguide.com Look here for more information about repositioning cruises
Cruise Deals - Getting The Best Value For Your Money
Cruise deal specials can be found everywhere. You only have to open your newspaper travel section to find great offers around the world. Virtually every week of the year the myriad of cruise lines plying the seas around the world, especially the big boys such as Celebrity; Royal Caribbean; Princess; NCL; Carnival, P&O and many others. And they all need to be full!So, what are you going to get for your great cruise price? Well, big discounts off the 'brochure' price, that's for sure! Indeed, you can often get prices of up to 50% off (and, on occasion, even more). But, that's not all. Often there are other benefits as well. Free collection from home by limousine (or free car parking in port); hotel stays; onboard 'money' to spend; some great room upgrades, to name but a few!Why are cruises so popular these days? Well, for those who have the bug, they will tell you of many, many reasons that they love to vacation this way. Firstly, there is such a lot of choice. Each of the different cruise lines have their own target audiences.Highlights from some of the cruise lines are attractive and distinctive from others. For example, a two-hundred-foot rock tower for climbing is among the amenities included in cruise deals for Royal Caribbean. Princess Cruise Line, on the other hand, provides art galleries and auctions in their cruise deals, and Carnival offers an exciting Camp Carnival for kids 2 to 15. Each cruise line has something special, so each offering is unique and unforgettable!So often it's the benefits package as a whole that will woo the traveller ready to be enticed and hunting for the very best cruise deal. You see, whilst many vacationers cruise often, it is amazing how many choose a cruise as a special treat - perhaps to mark a notable occasion, such as a wedding anniversary; a retirement or even a notable birthday.And that means they want a very special deal - and the cruise lines know this is what is expected of them. It has become a tradition in the business to make deals in this way to sell spaces on their boats! And bear in mind that cruises lend themselves to group and even extended family travel, when special deals, even better value than the norm, can often be negotiated.Whilst you can find deals in your local travel agent and newspapers, one of the best places to find excellent value for money is in the virtual world of online. From the broadest travel providers, such as Expedia, Travelocity and LastMinute.com, to the specialist cruise deal makers (just type the word 'cruise' into Google and you'll be overwhelmed by choice!And did you think about length of vacation? Well, you can take your choice here as well! Whether it's a short hop of a couple of days, or months away, the choice is yours, from an amazing array. What is for sure, you really can find wonderful cruise deals to make your cash stretch further. Just one more reason to consider a cruise vacation this year, even if you haven't before.
Finding The Best Cruise Deals Doesn't Need Luck - Only Timing!
When searching for the best cruise deals, many of us believe that luck is the key to finding the cruise deals of the century! Well that's not necessarily true, and we want to show you how to find a cruise deal that will have you traveling on the seas with class!If you're interested in taking a cruise, whether it be to the Caribbean, Mayan Riviera, Hawaii, or Europe, one thing to keep in mind is that many cruises are based on seasonality for each select destination, so timing in your vacation is the key.If you happen to have a flexible vacation schedule, and would like to save considerable amounts of money on your next cruise vacation, then consider traveling on what is called shoulder season, or off-season. This is where demand for cruises is lower than peak times, and in most cases your costs are drastically reduced for vacationing during this time of year!Top cruise line companies operate in the same capacity as a luxury hotel. It's all about supply and demand, and when staterooms are not filling up, they take action to fill these cabins, and in most cases in a form of a cabin discount.Sail An Inaugural Cruise! Be The First To Experience Luxury At A DiscountDepending on what your budget may be for a cruise vacation, many vessels such as Princess, Radisson, Norwegian, Cunard, and so many more ships are expanding their fleet to keep up with the demand of cruisers. however, just like any company introducing their product to the market, a cruise ship is no different. They offer incredible discounted pricing for their inaugural cruises, because they want to introduce their new fleets to the market, and they will rely on your word of mouth to spread the news on how great your vacation was on the select ship you were sailing.For Cruise Lines, this form of advertising is more valuable and cost effective than mass advertising in the media. The discount is more of a promotional savings that they hope will pay off in the long run, and in most cases it does pay off with great success. This is why they encourage these low discounts during an inaugural cruise launch.Other cruise companies that take part in these promotions are Celebrity, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean, and you can take advantage of great deals to hot destinations such as the Bahamas, Panama, as well as International cruises to the Mediterranean.Repositioning Cruises Take You From Point A To Be In Style And Class!If you have never heard of a repositioning cruise before, then you're in for a treat! Many people take advantage of the deep savings offered for this type of cruise, and why not, it's the best way to get from point A to point B in unbelievable Style and Class.Cruise destinations are broken down into geographic areas during the select seasons, and even though most of these destinations may operate cruises throughout the year, many of the itineraries during the busiest time of year need to fill the needs by sending more ships to that area. So as the Caribbean slows down for vacationers in late spring and summer, the European cruises are starting to increase during their peak season, and ships from the Caribbean are sent to European and Mediterranean ports to meet this seasonal demand.What this means for you, is that these cruise lines would rather charge an incredibly low price to fill these ships as they travel across the international waters, than to leave them empty. They have to pay staff anyway, so why not have them take care of you in luxury and style while taking in a full cruising experience!Last Minute Cruise Specials Are Easy To Find Online!At one point trying to get a last minute cruise vacation deal was like winning a lottery. You would read the Saturday morning paper, and see your local vacation agency advertising incredible last minute deals to exotic ports of call, and as you can picture yourself already there, you have one problem. There are more than likely a thousand others that are dreaming the same dream as you.You try and call this agency without success, as you're on hold for what feels like hours! Finally you get through to get the disappointing news that there were only 4 cabins available at that price and they were just sold. Now I don't know about you, but I believe that booking your relaxing vacation should be a fun experience, not a stressful one.The best way to overcome this frustrating experience is to plan your last minute cruise vacation, and I know what you're thinking right now! You are probably wondering how you can plan a last minute cruising holiday, and we say it's easy when you have a computer and the Internet.Since the Internet, relying on those ads in your paper were one of a few options, but with access to online Cruise Companies that provide sophisticated technology in selling cruise packages, they become one of the best sources for last minute cruise deals and specials.With many online travel suppliers offering special search tools, last minute email alerts, and last minute auction capabilities, they open opportunities in achieving your last minute cruise with very little effort, and practically stress free. Imagine an email alert telling you that your last minute vacation is waiting for you to book right now with a few clicks, what a concept!
Finding The Best Cruise Deals Doesn't Need Luck, Only Timing
When searching for the best cruise deals, many of us believe that luck is the key to finding the cruise deals of the century! Well that's not necessarily true, and we want to show you how to find a cruise deal that will have you traveling on the seas with class!If you're interested in taking a cruise, whether it be to the Caribbean, Mayan Riviera, Hawaii, or Europe, one thing to keep in mind is that many cruises are based on seasonality for each select destination, so timing in your vacation is the key.If you happen to have a flexible vacation schedule, and would like to save considerable amounts of money on your next cruise vacation, then consider traveling on what is called shoulder season, or off-season. This is where demand for cruises is lower than peak times, and in most cases your costs are drastically reduced for vacationing during this time of year!Top cruise line companies operate in the same capacity as a luxury hotel. It's all about supply and demand, and when staterooms are not filling up, they take action to fill these cabins, and in most cases in a form of a cabin discount.Sail An Inaugural Cruise! Be The First To Experience Luxury At A DiscountDepending on what your budget may be for a cruise vacation, many vessels such as Princess, Radisson, Norwegian, Cunard, and so many more ships are expanding their fleet to keep up with the demand of cruisers. however, just like any company introducing their product to the market, a cruise ship is no different. They offer incredible discounted pricing for their inaugural cruises, because they want to introduce their new fleets to the market, and they will rely on your word of mouth to spread the news on how great your vacation was on the select ship you were sailing.For Cruise Lines, this form of advertising is more valuable and cost effective than mass advertising in the media. The discount is more of a promotional savings that they hope will pay off in the long run, and in most cases it does pay off with great success. This is why they encourage these low discounts during an inaugural cruise launch.Other cruise companies that take part in these promotions are Celebrity, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean, and you can take advantage of great deals to hot destinations such as the Bahamas, Panama, as well as International cruises to the Mediterranean.Repositioning Cruises Take You From Point A To Be In Style And Class!If you have never heard of a repositioning cruise before, then you're in for a treat! Many people take advantage of the deep savings offered for this type of cruise, and why not, it's the best way to get from point A to point B in unbelievable Style and Class.Cruise destinations are broken down into geographic areas during the select seasons, and even though most of these destinations may operate cruises throughout the year, many of the itineraries during the busiest time of year need to fill the needs by sending more ships to that area. So as the Caribbean slows down for vacationers in late spring and summer, the European cruises are starting to increase during their peak season, and ships from the Caribbean are sent to European and Mediterranean ports to meet this seasonal demand.What this means for you, is that these cruise lines would rather charge an incredibly low price to fill these ships as they travel across the international waters, than to leave them empty. They have to pay staff anyway, so why not have them take care of you in luxury and style while taking in a full cruising experience!Last Minute Cruise Specials Are Easy To Find Online!At one point trying to get a last minute cruise vacation deal was like winning a lottery. You would read the Saturday morning paper, and see your local vacation agency advertising incredible last minute deals to exotic ports of call, and as you can picture yourself already there, you have one problem. There are more than likely a thousand others that are dreaming the same dream as you.You try and call this agency without success, as you're on hold for what feels like hours! Finally you get through to get the disappointing news that there were only 4 cabins available at that price and they were just sold. Now I don't know about you, but I believe that booking your relaxing vacation should be a fun experience, not a stressful one.The best way to overcome this frustrating experience is to plan your last minute cruise vacation, and I know what you're thinking right now! You are probably wondering how you can plan a last minute cruising holiday, and we say it's easy when you have a computer and the Internet.Since the Internet, relying on those ads in your paper were one of a few options, but with access to online Cruise Companies that provide sophisticated technology in selling cruise packages, they become one of the best sources for last minute cruise deals and specials.With many online travel suppliers offering special search tools, last minute email alerts, and last minute auction capabilities, they open opportunities in achieving your last minute cruise with very little effort, and practically stress free. Imagine an email alert telling you that your last minute vacation is waiting for you to book right now with a few clicks, what a concept!
How To Travel The World To Over Fifty Countries On A Cruise Ship Like I Did
After three and a half years of cruising the world, mainly on the Queen Elizabeth 2, I ended up traveling to over fifty countries and six continents around the world. If you've ever wondered how to get a job on a cruise ship, then keep reading so I can share with you the secrets on how to do the exact same thing.Many people wonder what it's like working on a cruise ship and are even more curious how to get a job on one. You might be thinking it's like an insider's secret! In a way it is, but it won't be when you finish reading this article. My first job on a cruise ship came when a cruise employment agent contacted a friend of mine who was unavailable to work, so my friend told him to contact me and the rest is history. I've also got jobs for several friends who ended up traveling the world, but for the people who don't know me, it's okay because I'll show you how to do the same thing in a different way. Here is exactly how it works. For every department on a ship, there is someone who oversees that department. That person reports to someone on land in the corporate offices for the cruise ship company, whether it is Princess, Royal Caribbean or Carnival. Now here's the hooker. That person in corporate works with an agency or contractor that hires people by qualifying them before come aboard the cruise ship. This is what happens 70% of the time. 20% are hired through the companies that are onboard contractors. These can be the onboard shops, art auctioneers, photographers or other third party revenue vendors. The other 10% are people who contact the cruise ships directly for certain positions such as Sales Specialists, Printers, Disk Jockeys and people who have jobs that only involve one or a few people. When people are hired through an agency, there's a fee that's paid by either the cruise ship or the employer. Usually this fee is paid by the cruise ship. It's a way to hire a third party Human Resources to take care of all the logistics and coordinate with the corporate office and employers onboard. This only makes sense because there are many logistics of hiring, ticketing and travel guidelines. From there, the third party agent or administrative assistant from the corporate office will be just a phone call away for anything you need until you join. There are plenty of jobs to choose from with the amount of ships at sea nowadays. For instance, one cruiseline will have more "entertainment" jobs, as to where another ship may have more "hotel services" positions available for you to choose from. Obviously you'll be working, but you'll also be traveling. To get days off in ports and spend as much time ashore as possible, work out schedules with your fellow co-workers. You may be thinking that sounds like a daunting task, but trust me, it's no biggie and takes about thirty seconds before everyone is happy. If you work in certain departments, like the entertainment department, your department gets to make your own schedule. Other departments, like casinos and shops aren't allowed to work while in port (not a bad job to have)!If you can, try to get a job on a ship that has a big fleet or that has alot of destinations. When I was with Premiere Cruise Lines, I transferred cruiselines three times in four months, so instead of going to just two countries, I went to ten. Another example is Princess Cruiselines, which has several ships that all follow a similar protocal throughout. That way, crew can transfer from one ship to another with ease and confidence.You would be quite suprised to see how many resources and agencies can help you get a job on a cruise ship. You're probably thinking, "How would I get a job out of the thousands of people who apply?" Okay, here's the secret. Those thousands of people you're thinking about are thinking the same thing, so they don't even apply! You wouldn't believe the shortage of staff cruise ships companies always have. If there isn't a job immediately, one will open up within three months because that is how the contracts work out with multiple ships. There was NEVER a day when all the jobs were filled in ANY department. Department heads are ALWAYS asking the agencies if they have found anyone to fill the position. In many cases, positions don't even get filled! Many crew have to EXTEND their contracts because the agencies can't find the right people, because everyone is wondering, " There must be several people who would get the job before me," or they just simply don't know the people to contact.Many people ask me everyday how to get a job on a cruise ship, after all, I achieved my dreams by twenty-four and have seen several others do the same. What I always tell people is simple. Get a database and resource guide so you can contact these hiring agencies and corporate offices directly. From all the resource guides I've seen, nothing compares to one I came across awhile ago, which was Neil Maxwell Key's resource guide. He use to work on cruise ships as well, but took it a step further to gather all the resources anybody could need to get a job on a cruise ship. If you are serious about getting a job on a cruise ship, then I highly recommend his resource guide. You can pick up a quick copy at getacruisesehipjob.com for less than a meal out with two friends. If you're looking to do what only your friends and family dream of, then go get a cruise ship job. Not only are people fascinated by the concept, but people will always be asking you what it's like traveling the world and getting paid for it.
Learn The Insider Secrets On How To Get A Cruise Ship Job, Travel The World And Get Paid For It.
After three and a half years of cruising the world, mainly on the Queen Elizabeth 2, I ended up traveling to over fifty countries and six continents around the world. If you've ever wondered how to get a job on a cruise ship, then keep reading so I can share with you the secrets on how to do the exact same thing.Many people wonder what it's like working on a cruise ship and are even more curious how to get a job on one. You might be thinking it's like an insider's secret! In a way it is, but it won't be when you finish reading this article. My first job on a cruise ship came when a cruise employment agent contacted a friend of mine who was unavailable to work, so my friend told him to contact me and the rest is history. I've also got jobs for several friends who ended up traveling the world, but for the people who don't know me, it's okay because I'll show you how to do the same thing in a different way. Here is exactly how it works. For every department on a ship, there is someone who oversees that department. That person reports to someone on land in the corporate offices for the cruise ship company, whether it is Princess, Royal Caribbean or Carnival. Now here's the hooker. That person in corporate works with an agency or contractor that hires people by qualifying them before come aboard the cruise ship. This is what happens 70% of the time. 20% are hired through the companies that are on-board contractors. These can be the on-board shops, art auctioneers, photographers or other third party revenue vendors. The other 10% are people who contact the cruise ships directly for certain positions such as Sales Specialists, Printers, Disk Jockeys and people who have jobs that only involve one or a few people. When people are hired through an agency, there's a fee that's paid by either the cruise ship or the employer. Usually this fee is paid by the cruise ship. It's a way to hire a third party Human Resources to take care of all the logistics and coordinate with the corporate office and employers on-board. This only makes sense because there are many logistics of hiring, ticketing and travel guidelines. From there, the third party agent or administrative assistant from the corporate office will be just a phone call away for anything you need until you join. There are plenty of jobs to choose from with the amount of ships at sea nowadays. For instance, one cruiseline will have more "entertainment" jobs, as to where another ship may have more "hotel services" positions available for you to choose from. Obviously you'll be working, but you'll also be traveling. To get days off in ports and spend as much time ashore as possible, work out schedules with your fellow co-workers. You may be thinking that sounds like a daunting task, but trust me, it's no biggie and takes about thirty seconds before everyone is happy. If you work in certain departments, like the entertainment department, your department gets to make your own schedule. Other departments, like casinos and shops aren't allowed to work while in port (not a bad job to have)!If you can, try to get a job on a ship that has a big fleet or that has alot of destinations. When I was with Premiere Cruise Lines, I transferred cruise Lines three times in four months, so instead of going to just two countries, I went to ten. Another example is Princess Cruise Lines, which has several ships that all follow a similar protocal throughout. That way, crew can transfer from one ship to another with ease and confidence.You would be quite suprised to see how many resources and agencies can help you get a job on a cruise ship. You're probably thinking, "How would I get a job out of the thousands of people who apply?" Okay, here's the secret. Those thousands of people you're thinking about are thinking the same thing, so they don't even apply! You wouldn't believe the shortage of staff cruise ships companies always have. If there isn't a job immediately, one will open up within three months because that is how the contracts work out with multiple ships. There was NEVER a day when all the jobs were filled in ANY department. Department heads are ALWAYS asking the agencies if they have found anyone to fill the position. In many cases, positions don't even get filled! Many crew have to EXTEND their contracts because the agencies can't find the right people, because everyone is wondering, " There must be several people who would get the job before me," or they just simply don't know the people to contact.Many people ask me everyday how to get a job on a cruise ship, after all, I achieved my dreams by twenty-four and have seen several others do the same. What I always tell people is simple. Get a database and resource guide so you can contact these hiring agencies and corporate offices directly. From all the resource guides I've seen, nothing compares to the one I came across awhile ago, which was Neil Maxwell Key's resource site. He used to travel the world on cruise ships as well, but took it a step further to gather all the resources anybody could need to get a cruise ship job. If you're looking to do what only your friends and family dream of, then go get a cruise ship job. People are fascinated by the concept and will always be asking you what it's like traveling the world and getting paid for it.
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises for Six Star Cruising!
Are you looking for fabulous luxury cruise line vacations? Look no further! Radisson Seven Seas Cruises offer customers six star cruising luxury. To emphasize this statement, you must know that Radisson Cruises has been named the prestigious World's Best Small Cruise Line by the readers of Travel + Leisure and in 2003 by Conde Nast Traveler. The fleet of luxury ships afforded Radisson to earn a leadership role in the six star cruise industry.Radisson Cruises is part of the Carlson Companies Inc. group, one of the largest privately held corporations in the United States. This corporation includes world renown brand names like Radisson Hotels and Resorts, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Carlson Liesure Travel Services, Cruise Holidays, SeaMaster Cruises and even T.G.I. Friday's. With that kind of name dropping, one can better understand how Radisson can provide such fantastic service and luxury.The Radisson CommitmentRadisson Seven Seas strives as one of their objectives to provide "an ultra-luxury cruise experience" for their cruise passengers. Their cruises offer and feature additional benefits and enhancements providing their customers true and added value. Radisson offers more imaginative itineraries and unique shore excursions making for luxurious "voyages of exploration and discovery". The Radisson staff will even custom design a special tour to accommodate your desires.The Radisson FleetNext to the company's commitment to you their valued customer, you will want to ensure that the actual venue - the cruise ships themselves - offer the "style" of pleasure or vacation cruise you desire. These luxury vessels are designed for fewer passengers than many of the other "big names" in the cruise industry. Numbering in the hundreds instead of the thousands, these cruise ships are more like large luxury yachts. At Radisson, they strive for a more personal and accommodating luxury cruise experience. The elegant ships offer beautifully designed "common" spaces as well as spacious and comfortable staterooms. Radisson has added new all-suite, all-balcony ships to their armada of luxury liners to ensure that every cruise passenger has the opportunity to travel the upscale manner they deserve. Their fleet has capacities from 320 passengers to about 700 passengers as well as an exploration vessel on which only 198 privileged passengers will experience Antarctica!Dining with RadissonLuxury travel of any description requires exquisite dining options. Radisson has addressed this need with chefs from Le Cordon Bleu of Paris dining options on their newest luxury ships. All of the "luxury yachts" in the Radisson stable offer excellent ding in the most elegant of dining rooms. And the intimate size of the vessels make for a comfortably luxurious dining experience.Radisson On-board ServiceRadisson Cruises prides themselves on providing their luxury cruise guests with their renowned "Above and Beyond" level of service. With a 1 to 1.5 ratio of passenger to staff, you are assured of personal, pampering service befitting a six star cruise. 24 room service is of course available and during the dining hours, you may wish to enjoy your meal in your suite. Depending on the level of your suite, butler service is available. Concierge service is even available on Seven Seas Mariner. All of this makes for a comfortable and pampered cruise experience. In Radisson's words, "upscale, but not uptight".Activities Aboard RadissonEach Radisson Voyage has a guest lecturer providing insights into the unique cultures and places you'll be visiting. On all but the Paul Gaugan, Classes and workshops are available. Depending on the individual ship, art auctions, a well stocked library, duty free shops,dance classes and table tennis offer cruise guests a variety of diverse activities. Again, individual ships offer golf cages, shuffleboard, jogging track, and paddle tennis present cruise passengers with sports activities. Paul Gaugan has a watersports platform offering kayaking, windsurfing, waterskiing, and scuba diving. On selected voyages only, the Club Mariner Youth Program is offered with a variety of activities for children ages 6 to 11 and 12 to 17. Of course, all have the mandatory swimming pool for exercise and relaxation. The spa and fitness area amenities vary depending on the actual ship.No matter what a luxury cruise line vacation means to you, you'll surely be enraptured with a luxurious cruise with Radisson Seven Seas Cruises!If you have questions on how to quickly and easily compare cruise lines, send us an Email at info@a1-discount-cruises.com with the subject line "questions" and let us know. If you have any specific questions regarding which cruise line to choose, let us know that as well and we will try to answer them.Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of a1-discount-cruises.com your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit http://www.a1-discount-cruises.com to book your fabulous cruise vacation! For more interesting articles visit our Article Map pages.
My Top Ten Tips For Selling Travel on eBay
Becoming a seller on ebay can be daunting. Becoming a travel seller can be impossible, unless you know the secrets. My tips on selling on eBay can apply to all categories of items, but some steps are unique to selling travel.The travel industry is highly regulated on EBay, as it should be. High standards keep out disreputable sellers and scam artists, and adds to your own company's trustworthiness when you are approved by eBay..1. Before you are even thinking about selling travel on eBay, it is important to get a username and email address just for eBay. Registration is free and only takes a few minutes. Register as a seller and you can use the same username to buy as well. Choose a name that reflects what you sell i.e., "Bermudabound" rather than "sexyblueeyes". Other eBay members will come to recognize you by your User ID, so it's a good idea to choose one you'll want to use for the long term.2. Your eBay name has sunglasses (i.e., read "shady character") for the first 30 days, so don't try to sell anything while you are wearing shades. Use this time to buy on eBay and learn good practices from other sellers.3. Set up a PayPal account. EBay buyers feel more confident purchasing something from a seller who accepts PayPal. According to PayPal, "Listings that offer PayPal are 6% more likely to sell and experience a 5% average increase in final price." Go to www.Paypal.com. Get a business account. Registration is free.4. In the first 30 days, buy small items on EBay, pay for them promptly. I have always found eBay sellers to offer good values, provided that you check their feedback listing first.5. Pay your seller promptly, because then you will always get positive feedback from your seller. Your feedback profile is the most important aspect of your reputation at eBay. Feedback is extremely important on eBay, as your future buyers can evaluate you at a glance. Even one strike against you counts heavily. Your feedback score also helps later with qualifying to run banner ads on eBay, and to have eBay pay some of your advertising costs.6. Create your "About Me" page on eBay. Use this page to tell other eBay users about yourself and your interests, your experience and your products.7. While you are waiting the 30 days, also become a) ID verified and b)square trade approved. a) Get ID Verified through eBay as an extra sign of security for buyers. When a member gets ID Verified, a third-party company working with eBay confirms the member's identity by cross checking their contact information across consumer and business databases. You'll see the ID Verify icon in verified members' profiles.b) The Square Trade Seal is one way for sellers to show bidders that they are committed to high selling standards and have had their identity verified by a third party. You will need a credit card and your IATA, ARC, or seller of travel number. Both are requirements for selling travel, and you must place these numbers as the first lines of your ads on EBay. All members listing airline tickets, cruises, vacation packages, or lodging must be participants in the Seller Verify by SquareTrade Program. This program combines verification of sellers with ongoing monitoring. For instructions on this, go to eBay.com.8. When you are ready to list your items at auction, sell small stuff first, building customers and credibility. Sell all items with no reserve, at the lowest price you can afford to accept, and fill all orders promptly. 9. Choose carefully what you will sell. You cannot sell some travel certificates, and all listing must list the exceptions, blackout dates, and extra taxes and shipping charges. Travel agents, and other businesses selling travel services are regulated in eBay. According to the eBay rules for selling travel, "Businesses and individuals who sell and/or arrange air or sea travel or accommodations (but do not directly provide the travel service themselves) may list air and ship related travel items (i.e. airplane tickets and cruise trips), along with accommodations, on eBay only if they are licensed as sellers of travel lawfully able to do business in all 50 states and they themselves will be booking the travel for the winning bidder. Their listings should clearly set out their California seller of travel license number as well as any other license information required in other states. It is against eBay policy for travel clearinghouse affiliates, that are not actual agents booking the travel themselves, to list travel auctions on the site. Sellers are required to include the following disclaimer in all listings for travel exactly as it appears below and in a text size and color that can easily be seen and read by all bidders: "By listing this auction I verify that I am the actual travel agent or travel provider and not a third party affiliate. The travel/accommodations in this auction will be booked directly through me and not an outside agency. I also verify that, other than the government taxes and related government fees stated within the listing description itself, there will be absolutely no additional fees, charges or after auction purchases associated with booking the travel within this listing." For travel services other than air or sea travel, businesses and individuals may offer gift certificates or coupons that are issued by a specific provider of travel, such as a gift certificate to a particular hotel. They may not, however, offer travel club memberships or "choice travel" certificates." 10. Build a store. EBay stores are free for the first 30 days. Afterwards, they are $9.95 a month. According to eBay, Store sellers see on average a 25% incremental increase in sales the 3 months after opening their Store." Here is where you can list all those other items that are higher priced, but good value at a low listing fee - at about 02 cents, rather than $4.80 for an item over $500. Auction and Fixed Price listings appear in your eBay Store as well as in eBay Search and Listings. The store allows your buyers to peruse your other items in addition to your auction items. Go to: http://pages.eBay.com/storefronts/openbenefits.htmlFor examples of travel stores on eBay, take a look at: http://stores.eBay.com/Travel-Ireland-and-Britain_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkmhttp://stores.eBay.com/Himalayan-International-Tours_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm
Do Your Research Before You Book Your Next Cruise
If you are ready to get out there on the big ocean, you may not know just how you can go about booking your cruise vacation.Many individuals find that the cruise is an ideal place to sit and mingle and to enjoy all that life has to offer. But, not everyone's options are what will fit your needs. You may not want to go rock climbing, but you would like the opportunity to see some hump back whales.The first thing to do is to do some research. You really need to know what is out there and what interests you. You should consider these things. Where the cruise will leave from as well as where it is traveling to. Remember, you will need to get to the port in order to get onto the ship which means an additional cost of flying to the port or driving there. For small transfer fees, most cruise lines will pick you up at the airport and bring you to the port. What is there to do on the cruise? Each of the ships that do cruises will likely offer you a wide range of choice. But, some will have more of a variety than others will. You should insure that you know what the cruise is offering. This is easy to find out just from looking at your options. Watch a movie, play games in the casino, mingle with the singles, dance, catch a big magic show, participate in an art auction. Who will be on the cruise with you? Some cruises are designed with special themes while others are not. A cruise that is designed for children may not be the one you want to take if you do not have children. Or, if you are single looking to find your soul mate, consider a singles cruise. Where will the cruise stop on the way? Many cruises will allow you to stop and enjoy the attractions of several ports. Perhaps you would like to do some sight seeing? Or, maybe you would like to find just the right location to do some whale watching. There are many options including things like water skiing, rock climbing and beautiful scenery.Once you find the right cruise for you, you can usually book them right on the web. You should note that there are plenty of options out there but many of the best cruises fill up long before they are to set sail. Look for ones that offer the things that you want but don't waste too much time.Discount travel clubs can also save some couple up to 75% off on wholesale cruises or even allow familiarization trips on major cruise lines where you could pay $299 for a 7 day cruise.Once you find the perfect cruise, to that magic location, book it immediately and guarantee your spot. Enjoy the journey.Jeff Mills is a former Youth Pastor of 9 years, who is now a full time internet information entrepreneur, book author, speaker, sales coach, and also an avid traveler. Jeff has passionately pursued seeking the best discount travel clubs and has discovered Coastal Vacations Travel Club to be the top of the heap, saving members up to 75% off their trips for life. Discover how you can travel and earn $1000 or more in commissions immediately at http://www.coastal-vacation-club.com for a fantastic work from home career or a great travel club bargain, and there is no selling! We close your sales.
How To Save Money On Your Cruise Booking
Cruise Lines generally finalize their ship itineraries from 12 to 18 months before sailing day and the earlier you book a better chance you have for the "early booking discounts".Another way to get a reasonable discount is a "last minute booking". The risk here is that your choices of itineraries will be limited as well as ship and cabin choices.Cruise lines often have a lot of cancellations just prior to the start of their penalty period. If significant enough, the cruise line will likely offer an unannounced fire sale for a day or two to try and fill the space.If you request a specific date, don't get upset when you hear the price. Check the price a week earlier or later and you may save several hundred dollars. Find a way to adjust your schedule.A good travel agent should be asking you for the necessary information to get the best deal from the cruise line. The lines are always running specials for particular groups and particular time frames. Discounts are often available for teachers, honeymooners, family reunions, seniors, frequent cruisers, groups and military personnel.Large discount agencies will often make a significant investment in booking Group Space on a particular cruise. This means they have a lower price locked in, while an individual booking may be higher by hundreds of dollars.You will Never Pay Brochure Price. Cruise lines all issue gorgeous, glossy brochures with "sample" pricing but consider those prices to be about as accurate as those per-day hotel rates posted on the back of your room's door.Cruise lines have adapted to Homeland (Homeport) Cruising from ports in cities all along the U.S. coastline. This includes itineraries that sail to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Mexican Riviera, Canada and New England, and Alaska. No need to tack on the cost of an airline ticket to more traditional send-off port cities, like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and San Juan, when you can take a train, a bus or your car.Surf the Web Before you Book to gather information or you can act as your own travel agent, from selecting a cabin to booking a cruise. The internet is a great place to shop around and gather tips.Use your Frequent Flyer Miles to pay for your airfare when traveling a great distance to the ship. It is risky but if you arrive a day early, you probably won't miss your ship's sailing.There are Cruises available in all price ranges, from budget to luxury and all represent perhaps the best value for your vacation dollar.When traveling with a family, you might consider two regular cabins instead of a Suite for all family members.Last minute sailings are a thing of the past. Because of heightened security since Sept. 11, 2001, it is no longer possible to stand by on sailing day. Most lines now require at least 48 hours lead time for bookings, but these days, a week or two in advance of sailing is regarded as last-minute. Check the Web sites of cruise lines and cruise-line booking agencies, which often have space available for flexible travelers. The plus/minus: You may get a good price, but the most desirable cabins may be booked.Ask for a "Category Guarantee" booking. This means that you can purchase the specific cabin category on the ship but a stateroom will not be assigned immediately. You will find out the stateroom number at the pier or in advance. You will never receive a cabin in a category less than the category booked and there is a chance for an upgrade to a higher category which means a better cabin at no additional cost.At specific times during the year you will find great deals. The end of August through to Thanksgiving, when school is back in season will be less expensive. But it is also the time when there will be more children on board. The sailings just before Christmas, but not over the holidays and early January, right after the holidays are always a bargain.For Alaska, the early and late season months of May, early June, and September offers the biggest savings. If you travel during these "book end" periods it's often possible to pay half of what you'd pay for an equivalent cruise in July or August.All the cruise lines will be running EXTRA SPECIAL discounts during these periods.One-way REPOSITIONING CRUISES are excellent values, when ships move to new bases. These occur twice a year: In spring, ships relocate from Florida and the Caribbean to Europe and Alaska. In fall, they move in the reverse direction. Most voyages run 14 to 17 days. Keep in mind that there will be fewer ports of call and more sea days on repositioning cruises.Cruise agencies will often book blocks of cabins from the cruise lines called Group Bookings. An agent that has one of those blocks for your sailing date can give you a better rate than one that does not. This explains the public appearance of disparity in rates for the same cruise among Travel Agents.No matter how good of a price you have gotten on your cruise, ask to be put on the upgrade list. Give them a good reason, such as checking out the ship for a future family reunion.Cruise Auctions should be investigated. Do your homework. Of course eBay Cruise Auctions is the auction GIANT but you should consider skyauction.com also. Now that you know how to get the best price on your cruise, Set Sail!Copyright 2006 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.
Why It's Best To Take A Cruise Vacation On Celebrity Cruise Lines
When planning a trip why not consider a Cruise vacation. Having sailed on Celebrity Cruise Lines after reading many cruise reviews, I can highly recommend Celebrity Cruises for a great cruise vacation.Scuba diving? Exotic cuisines? Going to a spa? Different activities for a vacation you can choose from, but why not do all of them on a Celebrity Cruise vacation.A Celebrity Cruise is a cost and time efficient vacation. You won't have to go to different destinations to enjoy the above activities. On a Celebrity Cruise vacation all the amenities you want, fitness center, restaurants, swimming pools, casino and gourmet food can be found on a Celebrity cruise vacation.You do not have to worry about your luggage. You drop if off at the pier and it will be delivered to your stateroom. Unpack once and you're done for the duration of your cruise vacation. After you have unpacked go to lunch, one of the best cruising activities is the parade of delicious dishes in Celebrity Cruise dining rooms.Each Celebrity Cruise vacation has its own restaurant administered by the finest chefs in the world. Best of all, every meal and snack are included in your Celebrity Cruise package.In every port tourist guides are readily available to assist you. Take a tour on a Celebrity cruise lines guided excursion. You do not have to worry about your children; there are several activities, which will keep them preoccupied while you are enjoying your own activity.Taking a Celebrity cruise vacation enables you to enjoy every minute of your vacation and frees you from worrying about where to eat, what to do and how much it will cost.All cruise lines offers these services to their passengers, however Celebrity Cruise Lines does it just a little bit better. Celebrity Cruise Line is one of the best cruise lines available in today's market. They offer competitive packages and are just one step above other cruise lines. They have onboard upscale boutiques and entertainment ala Las Vegas, which was created and designed exclusively for Celebrity Cruise Lines by Cirque du Soleil.You can try your luck at the Casino or even purchase some fine art at the onboard auction. Late in the evening check out The Bar at the Edge of the Earth, an exotic lounge provided exclusively by Celebrity Cruise Lines.If you feel the need to relax, visit the famous Aqua-Spa by Elemis. There, you will experience a deluxe manicure, facial treatments, and a relaxing massage. Celebrity Cruise Lines also has onboard acupuncture center if you want to feel renewed and invigorated. You can book spa packages before you go on your cruise vacation over the internetYour kids will also enjoy their cruise vacation on a Celebrity Cruise vacation. Celebrity offers the X-Club Youth Program exclusively for your kids. It has activities and entertainment for specific age groups. A professional staff administers all of these activities, which include science and nature exploration, treasure hunts, talents shows, dinner parties, and more. Celebrity Cruises have reserved areas on the ship for younger seafaring passengers such as the Shipmates Fun Factory, teen center, and pools. This allows your kids enjoy their own activities while you are off enjoying yours.Celebrity Cruise Lines has designed its ships to accommodate mobility-impaired passengers. There are staff members that are always ready to attend to any of their special needs. Celebrity has an onboard clinic staffed by a licensed doctor and nurse who can speak foreign languages Food on a cruise vacation is available 24/7 in cafeterias and dining areas. You can also request room service if you want to have a romantic dinner with your spouse. We did this while we did a European cruise and the dinner came with a white linen table cloth, china, silver and crystal glasses. It was really beautiful and I have never experienced that on other cruise lines. There are formal dinners in the famous Celebrity Cruise Lines dining rooms two or three times during the cruise vacation, depending on the length of your cruise travel. If you do not wish to participate in this cruise activity there are casual restaurants that you can visit instead.Celebrity Cruise Lines has a variety of itineraries from which to choose. Some of them our very exotic like the Galapagos or Australia. No matter which itinerary you choose you will always feel pampered on a Celebrity Cruise vacation. Celebrity Cruise Lines staff always go the extra mile to please you. Read some other cruise reviews and see if they don't agree with me.Enjoy cruising with Celebrity Cruise Lines!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.
How To Pack For Cruise Travel
You know what you want to pack as far as your wardrobe for your cruise vacation, but here are the little essentials that you might not think about.One very important thing to pack is a Wall Mount Power Outlet with 3 Outlets. Electrical Outlets in the cruise cabins are very stingy and if you want to dry your hair while your curlers are heating up you will have a problem.When I pack, I put all of my clothes in Dry Cleaners plastic bags. These will keep your clothes from wrinkling. Pack anything that can spill in zip lock bags. An international power converter and a currency converter will be needed for European Cruises. Some people pack a night light for the bathroom. I have found if you leave the bathroom light on and close the door it is sufficient to guide you there in the middle of the night.We pack a portable CD player with 20 CD's and an alarm clock. We pack "two way" radios so we can communicate when we are in different parts of the ship. I like to sleep in when we go to the Caribbean and John likes to get up and have breakfast. He quietly lets himself out of the cabin, and when I get up I call him to let him know its "safe" to come back to the room.In colder climates you will need a jacket and some long sleeve shirts. I always pack sturdy hiking boots if we go to Europe or Alaska. (Most of the time I wear them on the airplane with slacks since they take up so much room in the suitcase). They come in very handy when touring Europe's sometimes centuries old cobblestone streets. When you go to Europe you will probably visit churches, and other religious buildings and proper attire must be worn-no sleeveless tops, no shorts and in some places a head covering. In Thailand it was necessary to remove our shoes before entering their holy places. You are in some else's country and must abide by their rules. No matter where you are headed remember that cabins are small and have little closets and drawers. This is an important fact to know when you are packing.Bring all of your toiletries, film, in-cabin wine, lotions, medications and dental care products from home. They will be quite pricey on the ship. If you have an on going medical problem have your doctor write a brief medical history so you can supply it to the ships doctor if a problem should arise. You should also pack things like, Alka Seltzer, constipation relief, cough drops, aspirin and band aids. Make up a little first aid kit that suits your needs. Don't laugh, you will probably be trying new foods, eating more than usual, and you never know how you will react. Those items mentioned above are expensive on the ship.A few things that are handy are clothes pins for weighing down the shower curtain (the showers are small and the curtain will stick to you when your wet. This really gives me the creeps). A highlighter is great for highlighting the activities on your daily cruise sheet. The night before highlight the events you want to participate in and all you have to do is glance at the sheet to know where you want to be and when. Tell your room steward on the first day to leave you two daily cruise sheets so each of you will have one. This way if one of you wants to go to the wine tasting and the other wants to join in the art auction you both know where and when. Then when it's over, call each other on the two way radios and meet up for a drink or lunch or whatever. Another valuable little item is "post it notes" if you don't have the two way radios. Just write on the post it where you are going and at what time and then stick on the outside of the cabin door. Presto your traveling partner knows where you are and when to expect you back. This is great for parents traveling with children.Cruise Tip: Pack business cards with your email address on them. You meet all kinds of interesting people that you will want to stay in touch with. Some of our best friends are people we met on cruises, friends we continue to cruise with. I like to pack computer generated address labels to make it easy to send postcards.I read this tip in several cruise reviews. Send a postcard to yourself. I have postcards from all over the world with the local stamps that I have sent to our home during each of our exotic cruises. I have a stamp from the CCCP - that was the USSR- years ago. Its fun and you will always get a chuckle when the post card catches up to you after you are home.It is a smart thing to bring along your cell phone (which means the charger too). If you incur delays you can call your Travel Agent and have her call the cruise lines. You can make phone calls while you're leaving port on the ship, and in some islands. The islands I have found to be cell phone friendly are the Bahamas, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Grand Cayman. It's great for phoning for a cab to the airport, or getting in touch with friends when you disembark. On the islands that do provide service you won't have to wait in long lines (pay phones on the islands is where the crew keeps in touch with home). It's just a handy thing to do and would be invaluable in an emergency.Please don't forget a good sunscreen if you are going to the Caribbean. If you are from the colder climes and have not seen the sun in awhile you will NEED it. Even in Alaska you have to wear a sunscreen.Lastly, don't forget your camera. Put this in your carry on, do not pack it. I have a friend that went to Hawaii and video taped a wedding, packed the camera in her luggage and it was stolen on the way home. If it is digital camera take extra memory cards since you will be taking lots of pictures and the cards are more expensive once you leave home.Follow this advice and you will have a very enjoyable and comfortable cruise.Happy Cruising!Copyright 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved. This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking.Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com http://www.CruisingTips.commhanna@cruisepublishingArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Hanna
Cruise Travel Tips - 5 Ways to Save Money on Board a Cruise Ship
Cruising can be a great way to save money on your vacations, but what most people don't think about is the price of the cruise itself is just the beginning when it comes to how much they hope you will spend. The cruise lines are happy to get you on board the ship so they can get you to pull out your wallet for drinks, purchases in the gift shops, money in the casino, shore excursions and activities, and so on. Here are 5 cruise travel tips to help you hold onto more of your money on your next cruise.1. If you are going to spend money in the casino, set a predetermined daily amount beforehand and stick to it. You can win in these casinos but not as easily or as much as you will in the ones in, say, Las Vegas. It can still be a lot of fun but keep your budgeted amount in mind and don't go over.2. Art auctions. A lot of cruises have these, and I tend to get sucked into them for some reason. I bought about 5 pieces one time and they are still sitting in a box in the spare room. I just have never gotten around to having them framed and put up. If you have a lot of need for art, it can be a decent place to get some and the auctions are fun, but if not, try and resist this because you can spend quite a lot of money on art that can be obtained elsewhere for probably less money.3. I love to shop, and when limited to the gift shops on board the ship, that doesn't stop me from shopping. However, I tend to spend too much for things that I definitely don't need and probably could buy on eBay or on shore for a lot less. Sure, go ahead and pick up a few souvenirs of the ship, but don't go "overboard."4. Before using your cell phone on the ship, check and see what you'll be paying per minute. Often the charges are quite high, up to around $3.00 per minute in some cases and sometimes more. Wait to go on shore to use your phone or laptop if possible.5. Many cruises now offer the choice of an "alternative" restaurant in addition to your included meals. There's really no need to take advantage of this as it means extra money, since all your food is included in the price of your trip. However, if you hear fellow passengers giving rave reviews to the meals there, you might opt to eat one of your dinners there as a special treat. But otherwise, save your money.
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