Luxury Travel
Sail under London's Tower Bridge as Silversea’s Silver Cloud embarks on an 18 day Culinary Voyage around Britain and Iceland. By combining two nine day cruises, Silversea is offering extra savings with all-inclusive fares from US$6,071 per person, based on double occupancy in an ocean view Vista Suite.
Continue reading "Cruises: 18 Day Voyage Around Britain and Iceland Aboard Silver Cloud " »
Travel Planning
With the arrival of Easter, you know that spring is in the air. While holidays at the beach or a ski resort are always popular, there are lots of other things you should consider.
Continue reading "Spring Break: 2012 Easter Travel Planner" »
Consumer Information
An increasing number of leisure travelers are choosing boats over airplanes, an industry insider says. Increasingly expensive baggage fees and lengthy delays at airports are among the reasons cited by leisure travelers for opting for cruises rather than flight and stay packages, an on line social media poll reveals.
According to a report published by the United States Bureau of Transportation, airlines in the United States collected close to US$900 million in baggage fees and US$600 million in reservation change fees during the third quarter of 2011.
Pictured: Oceanliner Grandeur of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Cruise
Excessive Fees and High Fuel Surcharges
Excessive fees and charges together with gasoline prices driving up the price of airline tickets are causing some travelers to look for alternative vacation options, and a growing number of them are deciding to take a cruise rather than flying somewhere and then staying at a hotel or a resort.
Since most Americans live within a six hour drive of a cruise ship port, that makes ocean voyages an attractive option.
What is interesting is that while airfares continue to rise, cruise fares are actually dropping – especially if your book your cruise late.
"For those of you who are flexible with your travel, it can pay to wait until the last minute," says Steven Fischer, Vice President of Cruise Development at Travel Holdings, Inc.
"That's when cruise lines need to unload inventory, so stay on top of deals through last minute booking sites like LastMinuteCruises.com and LastMinuteTravel.com. To get a great deal you don't have to book six months in advance."
Value for Money
With cruising, getting there quite literally is half the fun – perhaps even more than half the fun. There are lots of things to see and do on board a ship. Meals are usually included. And there are all kinds of facilities, activities, and entertainment.
If you factor in the cost of transportation, accommodation, meals, and entertainment, a cruise can actually cost you less money than a conventional holiday.
Unpacking and Packing
With a cruise, not only can you take more things on board that you could ever afford to take if you travel by airplane, you also only have to pack and unpack once – at the beginning and at the end of your voyage.
"Whether you are traveling with your family, friends or planning a romantic getaway, there is a cruise ship, price point, and destination perfect for every traveler," Steven says.
"Take a much deserved vacation this spring and start it off right with a drink in hand waving bon voyage as you set sail to sea – instead of waiting in the airport bar for your delayed flight that cost you an arm and a leg."
Copyright: Michael Taylor
For More Information
For complete information of all of the world's top cruise lines, please click on the following link: Online Exclusives - Find the Perfect Cruise
Daily Feature
The Royal Princess will embark on a seven day maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to Barcelona, Spain, on 16 June 2013.
A series of 12 day summer voyages through the Mediterranean between Barcelona, Spain, and Venice, Italy, will follow. The first will depart the Spanish city of Barcelona on 23 June 2013. The last will depart on 27 September 2013.
Passengers can combine the voyage from England to Spain with the first Grand Mediterranean cruise from Spain to Italy for a 19 day Grand Adventure.
Cruise Itinerary
There will also be two three day preview cruises on the Royal Princess sailing around Southampton, England, on 10 and 13 June 2012.
"It's fitting that our new ship will cruise on our most popular Europe itinerary, the Grand Mediterranean," says Jan Swartz, Executive Vice President for Princess Cruises.
"And the shorter preview cruises prior to the Mediterranean season certainly offer a unique opportunity to sample the new Royal Princess experience our passengers are eagerly awaiting."
Tickets for the Mediterranean cruises of the Royal Princess will go on sale on 15 March 2012.
For More Information
Please click on the following link for complete information of all of the world's top cruise lines, please click on the following link: Online Exclusives - Find the Perfect Cruise
Daily Feature
Crystal Cruises is planning more local shipboard overnights at the beginning, middle, and end of cruises.
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will offer twice as many voyages that begin with days (and nights) in port in the upcoming European cruise season. This will ease the worry of late night flight arrivals, lost luggage, transferring to and/from hotels, finding restaurants, and settling into your cabin.
It will also allow passengers more time to enjoy the facilities on board ships that they wouldn't find at hotels.
"By adding more overnights to the cruises, especially at embarkation, travelers only have to unpack once, yet get even more time to experience a culture, while still having their Crystal home as a luxurious base," explains President Gregg Michel.
"They also begin meeting the people who will be sharing their time aboard - the staff and other travelers who will become their Crystal family by vacation's end - all the sooner."
Crystal has also added overnights to the middle and/or at the end of most of its European cruises this year.
An overnight stay at the disembarkation ports of Venice, Italy, Barcelona, Spain, or Istanbul, Turkey, for example, will give passengers significantly more time at their final destination without having to move to a hotel or rush to the airport to fly home.
For More Information
Please click on the following link for complete information of all of the world's top cruise lines: Online Exclusives - Find the Perfect Cruise
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Special Package
The newly renovated luxury ocean liner Radiance of the Seas (pictured left) will depart from Sydney, Australia, for Honolulu, Hawaii, on 5 April 2012.
Ports of calls will include Auckland, New Zealand, Papeete, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Hilo on the Big Island in Hawaii.
The ship has floor to ceiling picture windows enclosing a central atrium that is fully nine storeys tall.
There are restaurants including an all new Brazilian steakhouse, an indoor/outdoor country club with golf simulator, a rock climbing wall, basketball and volleyball courts, a poolside cinema, and many other facilities.
A special package offered by ecruising.com includes 17 nights on board the ship with full board, one night's accommodation at the Hilton Waikiki in Honolulu, transfers, a flight from Honolulu back to Sydney, and port charges and government taxes.
For complete information of all of the world's top cruise lines, please click on the following link: Online Exclusives - Find the Perfect Cruise
Daily Feature
Wine experts Richard Nurick Lyn Farmer to host six Wine Series enrichment curises in 2012.
Richard is a retired London wine merchant that has taught wine appreciation courses at Newbury and Henley colleges in the U.K. Senior editor of The Wine News magazine, Lyn is a widely published wine and food writer
Passengers on these wine enhancement cruises will have the chance to sample great vintages at special lectures and tastings. Some of the voyages will have stops at well known wine regions, where there will be optional shore excursions to wineries.
For More Information
For complete information of all of the world's top cruise lines, please click on the following link: Online Exclusives - Find the Perfect Cruise
Consumer Protection
Imagine that you are about to embark on an ocean cruise.
Just as you are about to depart, you witness the kinds of harrowing images that have been all over the media in recent days: a cruise ship capsizes, rescue procedures are botched, and there is general chaos as panic stricken passengers and crew struggle to save themselves.
Would you still want to go?
According to Squaremouth, a website that compares and sells travel insurance, you might not have a choice – unless you are willing for forfeit your money if you decide to cancel.
Pictured: lifeboats of the MS Mega Smaralda. Photo Credit: Rama via Wikimedia Commons.
Limited Reasons for Cancellations
“While looking for a travel insurance policy, travelers should consider whether they are content with being able cancel for limited reasons, such as health and weather, or if they want the option to cancel if they are concerned a similar accident could happen on their cruise ship,” says Sarah Byrne, Marketing Manager at Squaremouth.
Fear that an accident might occur is not usually covered.
“Since canceling for fear of a similar situation happening isn’t covered under the standard Trip Cancellation benefit, travelers will want to look for policies with the Cancel for Any Reason benefit,” advises Chris Harvey, CEO of Squaremouth.
Cancel for Any Reason Benefit
Unlike Trip Cancellation, Cancel for Any Reason clauses allows you to cancel your trip without explanation and receive up to 75% of the cost of the trip. There might, of course, be certain restrictions.
“Most travel insurance programmes do not provide coverage under the Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption benefits for events similar to the recent cruise ship loss since it was caused by the cruise line,” explains Bill Dismore, Executive Vice President at iTravelInsured.
Generally speaking, the reason for cancellation would have to be listed under the qualified reasons for reimbursement clause of the travel insurance policy, and fear that an acciddent might occur is not usually one of them.
Comment
It really does make you wonder what you would do in such a situation. Consider these other harrowing scenarios -
This Cancel for Any Reason Benefit sounds like a very good idea, but I don't know how much it costs - and if it is available for airline travel and hotel bookings. Might be worth looking into.
Copyright: Michael Taylor
Travel Insurance
Check out these links for more information on travel insurance.
Captain Cook Cruises is offering 20% off on two night weekender cruises of Sydney Harbour in what it has dubbed a Drop Anchor Sale.
Bookings must be made by 19 March 2012 for through 31 March 2013.
The ship sails on Friday evening for a two night leisurely cruise through Watson's Bay, the Rocks, Bradley's Head, Botanical Gardens, Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers with fine food and wine, spectacular views, sightseeing, excellent service, exciting shore excursions, music, dancing, and relaxation.
Stops include the Botanic Gardens, the historic Rocks district, the old artillery emplacement on Bradley's Heads, and a beach at Watson's Bay.
The ship has 60 cabins with a choice of twin or double berths. All have harbour views and en suite facilities.
How Much: from A$400 per person (normally from A$499 per person). What You Get: prices include accommodation, on shore excursions, meals, and entertainment.
Book Your Hotel Room Now
Readers in Australia can book hotels at the following link: Hotels.com Australia
Readers in New Zealand can book hotels at the following link: Hotels.com New Zealand
Adventure Travel
Gecko Adventures has launched an affordable new range of Antarctic cruise adventures.
Included are three Antarctic voyages, which will depart between November 2012 and February 2013. And if you book by 29 February 2012, you will get a 25% discount. Discounts do no apply to triple cabin bookings. Voyages depart from and end up at Ushuaia, Argentina.
Itineraries
These prices all include the 25% discount. There are seven different types of accommodation, from triple and twin cabins to spacious balcony suites. All cabins and suites have private facilities and exterior views.
Activities
These are some of the activities you can enjoy. They are included in the price unless marked "extra", in which case, there will be an additional charge.
Book Your Hotel Room Now
Accidental Travel Writer responds: Yes, I can. Actually, I know of several nice properties. Can you tell me more in terms of your expectations and budget?
We're looking for a resort on the beach, more luxurious than not. Something like SALA is out of our price range. We're going to hop on to Phi Phi Don for 2 nights. Any suggestions for that would be great too. Thank you! Via Email.
Accidental Travel Writer responds: Click of the following link for my answer: Phuket: Can You Recommend a Good Hotel on the Beach?
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