|
WELCOME |
Featuring the CRUISE INSIDER'S
LIST®
|
  |
|
8 |
Related Topics |
|
|
|
|
Cruise Ships |
|
|
|
...for taking the kids and teens, a high
adventure, or the best romantic cruises. All
the tips and tricks to choose the right ship
to have a successful cruise vacation.
From staterooms and dining to nightlife and
youth programs, first-time cruisers will
find all the information you need about
cruising right here. |
|
Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Cruise
Destinations |
|
|
|
Read all about the most popular cruise
destinations--and view itineraries that
visit them.
Last Minute Cruises |
|
Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Cruise Reviews |
|
|
|
Read hundreds of cruise line reviews and
cruise ship reviews by travelers and cruise
experts on today's most popular cruise
ships. Unbiased and unedited, they share
their cruise experience with you.
|
|
Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Cruise Resources |
|
|
|
Dozen's of Articles, Cruise Tools, Tips
References
and Resources |
|
Learn More |
|
More Articles
-
Last
Minute Cruise Advice
-
Cruises Tips for Alaska
-
Caribbean Cruise Tips
-
Singles Cruises - Party Time?
-
3 & 4 Day Bahamas Cruises
-
Why Take A Europe Cruise
-
Mediterranean Cruises
-
Where to Find Cheap Cruises
-
How to Save with a Group Cruise
-
Family Cruise-Top 6 Cruise Lines
-
River
Cruise Adventures
About The Authors
|
|
10 |
Must Reads |
|
|
|
|
|
World's Largest Cruise Ships
Online Cover Story |
|
|
|
The Title of "World's Largest Cruise Ships"
goes to Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
and Allure of the Seas. And,
as
of December 1, 2010,
Allure of the Seas is the first to
welcome the DreamWorks
Experience onboard an already stunning
collection of experiences for the whole
family. Allure of the Seas will be the
exclusive ship in their fleet with the How
to Train Your Dragon Ice Show and Madagascar
Aqua Show.
More Articles
|
|
|
What's Inside...
From planning to packing, from discount
rates to departure dates, everything you
need to know before you go. Such as
our Ultimate Packing List. The definitive
guide to what to pack on your next
cruise....read about exciting locales
in Destinations Uncovered...or read about
readers favorite cruise lines for taking the
kids and teens. All the Tips and tricks to
have a successful cruise vacation.
|
Now That's
Entertainment...
Norwegian Epic features
performances by world-class
entertainers such as Blue
Man Group, Second City
Comedy Troupe, Legends in
Concert and Howl at the Moon
Dueling Pianos and unique
theatrical shows like Cirque
Dreams & Dinner. |
|
With such as star-studded lineup,
entertainment on board Norwegian Epic will
rival that of any shows you can see in top
cities like New York or Las Vegas. With 20
different dining options, including Cirque
Dreams & Dinner, an innovative concept
mixing high flying acrobatics with dinner
under the first big top at sea, Norwegian
Epic will provide cuisines and dining styles
to fit every guest’s palate.
Photo
Gallery
More
about Norwegian Cruise Line
Family
Cruisetours of Alaska: Lots of Memories And
Tons Of Fun!
Last minute cruises have become the best
deals afloat for savvy travelers.
Last-minute cruise deals let you
book a cabin on a cruise that has not sold
out around 60 days of sailing. Just like the
airlines who want to sell every seat, cruise
lines don't like to sail with a vacant
cabin. Cruise lines make a lot of more money
than the cruise fare. Guests spend big money
on drinks, the spa, photos, gambling,
on-board shopping and shore excursions.
Empty cabins mean less profit. Because all
the cabins need to be sold so the ship sails
full,
last-minute cruises are deeply
discounted. Travel agents work with the
cruise line to make these last minute
cruises very attractive. Big retail travel
websites offer deals to cruise destinations
at prices as much as 80% off. Guests should
visit these websites often, as prices,
availability and offers change daily. Don't
forget to sign up for e-mail alerts.
Looking for
a lower rate after you booked your cruise?
New cruise policy says you may not get
one!
If you already booked and
placed a deposit for your cruise, a new
policy could affect your plans to hold out
for the posting of a lower rate and
requesting a price change. As it has always
been, cruise lines have the sole discretion
to lower the price or not at the time you
request a price-reduction. On occasion, more
often than not, in the past, they have done
so. Perhaps no more.
Read More
24 Smart
Cruise Shopping
Tips.
By
Raye &
Marty Trencher.
Tips
to help you plan your next
cruise.
Save more. Fill your money jar with
dollars instead of ...
Read More
My First
Cruise - Everything To Know Before You Go
Solid advice for the first time cruiser from
travel professionals and cruise travelers
like you.
Read More
Learn how to
work the system
You can save a bundle on
your next cruise.
If you're willing to learn the the
ins-and-outs of online travel bargain
hunting, you can save as much as 70% off
published rates and 10-25% more from cruise
brokers, consolidators and group movers.
Bargains can be found at sites that offer
comparison shopping, clearance, last minute
deals, cruise line sites, auctions and
travel classifieds.
Read More
Disney Dream: Creativity, Innovation Take
the Helm
The new Disney Dream will take family
cruising to all-new heights, embracing the
spirit of innovation, magical entertainment
and immersive experiences that have made
Disney Cruise Line® the preeminent cruise of
choice for families since 1998.
Read More
FAQ and
More Cruise Travel Tips
Cruise News and
Travel Tips Blog
|
|
Princess Cruises
Online.
Everything you need to know about Princess Cruises |
|
 |
Editor's Notes....
 |
|
So, your
thinking about going on a cruise. Good. Now's a
great time to go. Looking for a great deal?...who
isn't.
Starting to search the Internet, visit some 3rd
party sites, read the blogs for advice, do some
social networking, or just visiting your
neighborhood travel agent?
When it
comes to advice, there's a ton of it out there. Some
good, Some bad, some, not very accurate. Everyone
these days has to put their two-cents of an opinion,
out there for view. What if, you could read detailed
and comprehensive cruise reviews from professional
travel writers and your fellow cruise travelers. Oh,
not the sites that have tens of thousands or more
articles or reviews to read. You'll be there all
night. As a matter a fact several nights just
to find
what you
want, then who knows how long to filter out all the
information and mis-information. That's a daunting
task you know you don't have time for. Instead visit
Cruise Reviews Online
where you can read around 1500 of some of the best
cruise line reviews and cruise ship reviews by
travelers and cruise experts on today's most popular
cruise ships. You will find the information is
unbiased and unedited, the writers sharing their
cruise experience, good or bad with you. Cruise
Reviews Online, is one of the most recognized
leading resources for fair and objective cruise
reviews and a social networking site focused on
information about cruise travel. You can read about
all the major cruise line, cruise ship and
destination port reviews, ratings and rankings. Read
the cruise reviews, view deck plans, ship photos,
review the ports of call and more.
A lot
more, than just two-cents worth!
More like
a ton of penny's. |
|
Find Discount Cruise Deals From The World's
Leading Travel Providers and Cruise Lines....
Right Here. Right Now!
Everyone's favorite kind of deal is an
unbeatable one - and we've got plenty of those.
If you're a fan of low, low rates, then use the
Cruise Traveler's Ultimate Search Engine
Powered by Google
below. Many of these cruises come with
great extras too, like free shipboard credit,
free upgrades, and more on select sailings.
Cruise Search TIP; Enter a Keyword. Keywords are
used to tune the search engine's results to
match your needs. Specify keywords that describe
best what you are looking for. Words such as
cruises, cruise lines, and cruise ships are more
generic.
Name
the cruise line or cruise ship to better target
your search. Keywords like cruise deals, cruise
bargains, cruise discounts, cruise reviews,
cruise ship reviews, cruise ship rankings and
cruise ship ratings are more specific and will
yield better results.
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT
|
 |
Looking to Book a Cruise Online? |
|
Travelocity has
all the tools, competitive pricing, special
promotions, and customer care you'll ever
need when shopping for a cruise. Just
a few of the reasons to book with one of the
largest, most trusted sellers of travel.
|
|
  |
<
Click
on the pic. today! |
|
|
Past passenger
rates? Check. Senior fares? Yep. Resident
specials? They've got those, too. And
because they are one of the largest sellers
of travel, their exclusive partnerships
enable them to negotiate some of the best
available rates and deals on cruises, shore
excursions and trip protection. There's no
need to go direct to the cruise lines, or to
anyone else--you'll find everything you need
on Travelocity. |
|
Cruises are your best travel value! Save $1,000 or more compared to a land vacation! 
|
|
| 16 |
First Time Cruiser Tips
What you need to know before you book
your cruise
|
So, you want to go
on a cruise? Where to begin? There are so many choices, so
many cruise lines, so many destinations. The cruise industry
has exploded over the past 20 years. Cruising is growing in
popularity because it is a safe and affordable way to enjoy
a vacation. Of course, the main reason cruising is so
popular is because it is fun!
However, before
you rush out and put down a deposit on that great Internet
special for a 7-night cruise,
here are a few things you need to know.
Cruise Tips Index
Sponsored by
Cruise
Reviews Online |
| |
Travel Direct presents:
 |
GET A QUOTE
Click on a link
below for a FREE Online Instant Travel Insurance Quote |
|
|
 |
|
More Cruise Tips:
All
About Cruising
Explore,
relax or reconnect. Find the cruise destination of your
choice. Ask The Experts then, choose a cruise that's
right for you.
Cruise
Deal Secrets Revealed!
Keyword list helps cruisers
find cruise deals online. "How to" steps make the
process faster, easier and more productive.
20
Winning Strategies To Finding The Best
Cruise Deals
Follow this strategy to
savings, great fun and fond memories.
Add
your own article
Share the experience. The system only
works when users actively participate on a large scale,
so make sure to do your part and add cruise related
content that matters to you! Participate in the
collaborative editorial process.
Cruise-Related
Articles
A great resource of relevant, on topic content for
experienced cruisers and first-time cruise guests.
Almost... everything you need to know about cruises.
Over 500 Articles.
2010
Reader Survey - Opinion polls
In their
annual readers' survey, readers of three popular
services rate the best experiences cruising has to
offer—from 70 -passenger adventure ships
to
mega-liners like Oasis of the Seas that weighs in at
220,000 tons, and can carry 5,400 passengers!
|
|
Shore Excursions :
Remember to budget for shore excursion expenses. Excursion
prices can vary greatly depending on your port of call, cruise
line and activity.You can book shore excursions with the
cruise line or with private shore excursion companies that allow
guests to book their shore excursions in advance. To the left
are firms who offer pre-booking of shore excursions.
 |
|
|
22 |
Residents Rates
Exclusive Cruise Savings For Your
State or Region |
Looking for new ways
to cruise for less? Here's a cruise tip that
even experienced cruisers may not know. Start
your search for a low-cost cruise by researching
resident rates. Click on this link:
Exclusive Resident Specials! Enjoy Reduced Rates on Select Sailings 
Where
you live could entitle you to exclusive savings.
Once the page opens, just click on your home
state or region to unlock special fares. Plus,
while you're shopping, look for resident rate
reminders under the price.
|
As the
Official Cruise Tour
Guide of Cruise Traveler
Magazine, OCTG is one of the most comprehensive,
informative and up-to-date resource on cruises and
cruisetours worldwide
|
24 |
Why Sail?
Popular Topics: This week featuring:
Panama Canal, Bermuda, Europe, Western, Eastern and
Southern Caribbean |
|
| 23 |
Official
Cruise Tour Guide |
 |
Learn all about Cruisetours.
The exciting combination of a great
cruise and land tour. An in-depth
adventure to such paces as Alaska,
Europe, China, or South America. |
|
|
| |
ADVERTISEMENT
|
|
|
|
|
Destination
Articles |
•
Alaska's Lure Of Adventure
•
Cruise lines Offer Flexible
Dining
•
A New Dawn in Shanghai
•
Mallorca: The Island Of Tranquility
•
Antarctica: The Seventh
Continent
•
Panama Canal:
The History Journey
•
Set Sail in Asia: Far East,
Far Out!
•
The Last Days of
Pompeii
•
The Yukon Flotilla
•
Giants of the Deep
•
The Paris of South
America
•
Jewels of the Jungle
•
New Year's Traditions
Around the World |
Why Sail The
Panama Canal?
One Canal, Two Oceans, and Unlimited Possibilities
It's not often that the scenic route is also the shortcut.
But that's exactly what you'll find on Celebrity's Panama
Canal itineraries -- the shortest distance between the
East and West coasts of the U.S. and some of the most scenic
cruising anywhere in the world. This represents not just an
opportunity to travel right to through the heart of the
rainforest, but to visit an exciting collection of ports on
either side, including the Yucatán Peninsula, the Mexican
Riviera, and cosmopolitan cities from San Diego, California
to Miami, Florida.
Beyond the Panama Canal
While the highlight of any Panama Canal voyage is the
day-long navigation through the Canal itself, what makes
this such an enriching experience is the vast number
of shore excursions we offer at every port. Working with the
most reliable English-speaking guides, we've assembled a
collection of adventures that cater to every interest and
every level of stamina. Best of all, we handle all the
details for you so that all you have to do is choose your
shore excursions and enjoy your day. |
Why
Sail To Bermuda?
Sands of a Different Color
Each of our Bermuda itineraries offers at least one
overnight in King's Wharf, providing you an ample
opportunity to experience a phenomenon found in few
other places - beaches with pink sand. Add in the
proximity to the East Coast of the U.S., and you
have a destination where you can truly escape from
it all without having to venture too far. This is
Bermuda - so close to home yet so different from any
other place. |
 |
Kids Sail Free
For a limited
time, Disney Cruise Line has a great Kids
Sail Free promotion.
Find Out
More |
|
New Shore Excursions Not to Miss
On Bermuda's Premier Glass Bottom Boat Tour, you'll
travel on an air-conditioned luxury cruiser,
floating over coral reefs and an 18thcenturysunken
ship, where fish will rise from the depths for a
feeding. Enjoy a clear view of the world's most
vibrant ecosystems on this exciting adventure. On
Hartley's Helmet Dive, you'll be taken out to a dive
site on a glass-bottomed boat, where you'll don a
diving mask with an integrated air supply and
descent into the sea with a guide, who will point
out all kinds of different marine life, some of
which you can hold or feed by hand.
Why Sail Europe?
Experience a Contemporary Cultural Odyssey
Gaze at a map of Europe and allow each point to
works its magic on you. Venice, Santorini, Istanbul,
St. Petersburg or Berlin. Each city evokes a deep
sense of wonder and intrigue. But a carefully
designed European cruise is not just a visit to
places on a map, it's an adventure that brings you
face to face with every nuance of the European
experience.
Go Beyond the Coastline with a Cruise tour
Because Europe is a region of such depth and
discovery, we offer several ways for you to
experience everything that lies beyond the
coastline. On a Cruise tour - one of which travels
through Italy, one that travels through Spain, and
two that travel through Northern Europe - you'll see
Europe at its finest, as we seamlessly combine a
cruise itinerary with a multi-night, escorted land
journey that transports you deep into everything
this magical continent has to offer. These longer,
more comprehensive vacations, which travel by train
car and deluxe motor coach, as well as magnificent
ship, allow you to become better acquainted with
cities like Paris, London, Florence, and Venice.
Why Sail The Caribbean?
A Caribbean itinerary for everyone
Whether you're looking for a seven-night adventure
or a 14-night exploration that extends as far as
Mexico and South America, cruise lines offer many
exciting ways to discover the Caribbean.
Over 100 new
shore excursions
The enchantment of the Caribbean extends far beyond these
island's pristine beaches. Discover an exhilarating
collection of tantalizing sights, sounds, tastes and
textures, with shore excursions for every age traveler and
every interest.
. Treat yourself to a champagne and lobster cruise setting
sail from St George's, Grenada.
. Experience the islands as the explorers did, on a tall
ship adventure out of Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
. Uncover the legends of region's original inhabitants, the
Carib Indians on Roseau, Dominica. |
|
26 |
Contact
Your Favorite Cruise Line
Visit
Their Official Web Site |
|
|
|
|
|
28 |
Websites
Worth A Visit |
This month's feature...
One of our favorites is avid traveler and an
award-winning journalist, Ralph
Grizzle. Ralph produces
cruise-related articles, video and photos
that are inspiring and informative, personal
and passionate.
Visit his web site: The
Avid Cruiser
|
 |
|
|
|
Featured Video:
Holland America
|
|
|
•
Family Travel On The Rise
•
Tips On Taking Great Pictures On
A Cruise
•
Cruise Ship Reviews, Cruise Line
Reviews, Cruise Ship Ratings
•
Cruises: NEW Passport
Requirements
•
Questions to Ask When Planning a
Family Cruise With Your Children
•
Tip Ten Most Popular Lines For
Family Cruises
•
Why should I use a travel agent?
•
How To Get The Best Cruise Deals
•
What To Pack For A Cruise
More Posts
|
Over 8,700 sailings ,213 Cruise Ships ,29 Major
Cruise Lines ,1,600 Deck Plan images ,2,500
itinerary maps ,Hundreds of port descriptions,
Thousands of In-Depth Cruise Reviews , Cruise Ship
Ratings.
Professionally - written reviews by staff travel
writers.
So, let's get
started. You have a cruise vacation to plan.
Do you want to go
river-tubing in Ocho Rios? Glacier-hiking in Juneau?
Or gallery-hopping in Provence? We can help you
figure it out. Search our database for the
perfect cruise!
Browse the list of 1500 of the best cruise ship
reviews, ratings and rankings. |
|
|
|
| 41 |
|
43 |
Compare Cruise Deals |
|
This
month we've chosen Princess Cruise Line's Web Site
as our
Best for Cruise Values Category.
Princess
Cruises prides itself on delivering fun, memorable
vacations to their guests by offering a wide array
of quality cruises which present outstanding value
for the money. Browse their offerings and you will
see their commitment to quality and value, offering
cruise vacations that appeal to a wide range of
lifestyles and budgets and sailings to some of the
world's most exciting destinations.
Find Princess Cruises |
|
|
|
46 |
Cruise line, Cruise Ship and
Destination Channels
Port reviews, ratings and
rankings from professional
travel writers, seasoned and
first time cruise travelers! |
|
Cruise Reports
Compare vital statistics,
in-depth cruise reviews
and ratings of hundreds of Cruise
Ships.
 |
 |
Cruise Line Rankings
The scores shown reflect
average overall satisfaction
ratings.
See Who's Number One!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 Did
You Know?
Most cruise lines do not allow travel agents to
advertise prices lower than the cruise lines offer
to those who book directly with the cruise line.
However, some do allow travel agencies to discount
by rebating part of the commissions, when dealing
directly with a potential customer. If you are
shopping the Internet for cruise prices, you're most
likely going to find many travel sites quoting the
same price. But, the price you're seeing on a travel
agent's web site is not necessarily the best price
that travel agency is able to offer you. To find out
a travel agency's best price on a particular cruise,
you should call them, or e-mail them a request
for a price quote. Most travel agencies have
toll-free phone numbers. Don't hesitate to call or
email them-- you could save a lot! |
|
|
Form a Group. Save BIG!
Did
you know the most overlooked way to stretch your
 dollar
is to form your own cruise group. Traveling with
family or friends, or both, can lower costs enough
so you can travel even when the economies not that
good. Of course, most of us don't have the time - or
inclination - to make the calls and do the research
for an entire group. It's a big job. On the other
hand, booking a group cruise is easy for a
professional travel agent. Your agent can create a
package that works for you, while your group will
realize across-the-board savings from group
discounts that your agent discovers.
Find Out More |
|
|
|
When times are good or not....
travel agents are your secret weapon!
When it comes to ferreting out bargains for
your next cruise, whether to Alaska, the
Caribbean, Canada, Europe or Mexico, or
wherever, did you know your travel agent can
do side-by-side cost and stateroom
comparisons of over a dozen cruise lines at
one time .
First Time
Cruiser Tips:
What you need
to know before you book your cruise.
|
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
This Week's Top 10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
River Cruising
You don't have to brave the ocean to enjoy cruising.
River cruising is one of the fastest
growing segments of the cruise industry!
Luxury Cruising
When you want the ultimate cruise experience and
money is no object, there is a handfull of cruise
lines that can fulfill your every desire.
New Cruise Ships!
See the
newest cruise ships
currently in production and scheduled through 2011.
Choosing a Travel Agent
Finding
the right professional to work with can be the
secret to finding the Perfect Cruise.
Passport Requirements
New rules go into effect. Make sure you have the
proper documents before your cruise.
Cruise Ship Security
Is cruising safe? Here are some safety tips to
consumer before you sail.
Booking Online
You may be tempted to book your cruise online.
Before you do, here are some things to think about. |
|
Cruising Single
Cruising is a great way for single adults to travel.
Here are some new ideas for the
single cruising.
Group Cruises
Why not plan a cruise for your next family reunion,
church retreat or conference?
Cruising With Kids
Cruising
is very popular and affordable for families of all
sizes. However, there are some things to think about
when taking the kids.
Cruising with Disabilities
A physical handicap should not prevent you from
enjoying a great vacation. We offer you some new
ideas on selecting the right ships and what to ask
for.
Low-Carb Cruising
A commitment to weight loss does not mean you have
to give up one of the greatest joys of cruising!
Travel Insurance
Don't leave home without it! A good travel insurance
policy might be the most important investment you
make in your cruise, |
|
Join
the discussion
Join Now it's Free!
Travel Direct is pleased to provide
this opportunity to share information,
experiences and observations about cruising.
Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere
on this site or in our online Cruise Traveler
Magazine. We encourage lively, open debate on
the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain
from profanity, hate speech, personal comments
and remarks that are off point. In order to post
comments, you must be a registered Member. Your
username will show along with the comments you
post. Your private information is never shown.
Thank you for taking the time to contribute.
|
|
Cruise Ship Reviews: Carnival
• Celebrity • Cruise West • Crystal • Cunard •
Disney • Avalon Waterways • Holland America • NCL •
Oceania • Princess • Regent • Royal Caribbean •
Seabourn • SeaDream • Viking River • Windstar |
|
|
Copyright
© 2001-2009 Travel Direct
Corporation | Fla.Seller of
Travel Reg. No. ST-31254