The Culture Bank

The majority of cruise companies, including P&O, Thomson, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Princess Cruises and others, offer fantastic shore excursions when in port.

You know the time spent on your chosen cruise ship is going to be a blast and can relax in the knowledge that the shore excursions will be just as much fun. In fact, it may be difficult to decide whether to stay on the ship or pick from the many fabulous shore excursions when you are in port.

The cruise companies will have experienced the hustle and bustle of life at each and every port they take you to, which is exactly why these shore excursions exist, to make sure you get the most out of your cruise holiday.

There is a wealth of different types of shore excursions available in pretty much every port of call. You can spend your time snorkelling, biking, fishing, taking safaris, scuba lessons, tour and taste activities, beach excursions, kart and jet boat adventures, historic tours and so much more. Onboard, there will be lists available so you can pre-book the shore excursions that appeal to you and your family the most.

There are a few who just want to experience the cruise liner for everything it has to offer, shore excursions may not appeal for a variety of reasons and if this sounds like you, then you could go on a cruise to nowhere.

A cruise to nowhere is exactly what it says; there are no ports of call, no stops, just cruising on the open seas from your chosen destination back to where you started.

Transatlantic cruises, also encompassing ‘repositioning cruises’, may not seem like the ideal choice for your cruise holiday, but you may be surprised at what is on offer. Of course, choosing the right ship for the journey across this vast ocean is essential. Though with the number of cruise companies offering routes, you are sure to be spoilt for choice.

The fact that there aren’t many opportunities to go ashore means that every cruise is going to make the most of each port of call. Easily one of the highlights of a transatlantic cruise is the stunning paradise island of Madeira, which has truly breathtaking and inspiring scenery. Part of the Madeira Islands, it was first discovered by the Portuguese in the 1400’s and the unique culture and traditions of the locals has been wonderfully maintained down the centuries.

Back on board, having the right entertainment is an absolute priority. Fortunately, the companies that run transatlantic cruises inevitably use some of their best ships in order to ensure that passengers have an abundance of activities to choose from. The thing to remember about this type of voyage is that the unique attraction of being so far out at sea will provide an enchanting and relaxing experience that you won’t find on normal cruise and stay holidays. This route is a great choice for anyone looking to get away from the stresses and strains of modern life.

While transatlantic cruises run throughout the year, you will find the majority of departure dates are in autumn and early winter.

It may seem daunting to take your children, whatever their age, on a cruise holiday. There is however, no reason to worry, because your children will have a fabulous time and for that matter, so will you!

Most cruise liners have facilities for children, the only exception to this are the cruises that are designed for adults only. You will be informed of which cruises are suitable for children at the time of booking.

Royal Caribbean have a water-park onboard some of their cruise liners, your children will have a whale of a time splashing away the hours in their H2O Zone water-park. This area has features such as water cannons, water jets, interactive fountains, heated pools, waterfalls and much more.

A parent’s worst nightmare can be eating out with their children, they become bored, restless and want to go back to whatever brilliant activity they were doing before they came to eat. However, with Royal Caribbean you can have relaxed dinners with no fuss. A recently introduced feature to Royal Caribbean is the ‘My Family Time Dining’, which means that children are seated and finished with their meals within 45minutes. After this, a trained member of staff will take them for group activities while the parents finish their meals in peace.

With babysitting services available on all family cruises, you can relax in the knowledge that your children are being taken care of by trained professionals and that they are having an excellent time without you.

Cruises are fantastic for families, with everything being in one place and easy to find, your family will have the holiday of a lifetime.

The Caribbean has long been a popular destination for cruise holidays with thousands of passengers calling at its ports each year.

With more than seven thousand islands in the Caribbean Sea, there is a wealth of opportunities for cruise holiday passengers to explore this tropical paradise. The Eastern Caribbean cruise is one popular itinerary offered by cruise operators such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, and is a great choice for those who want to take advantage of the bountiful Caribbean beaches, water sports and on shore shopping.

Highlights of the Eastern Caribbean include the beautiful Bahamas, where extreme activities such as shark feeding are on offer. Another popular port of call is the island of Puerto Rico with such attractions as the Rio Camuy Caves and Guajataca State Forest and lake.

Often Eastern Caribbean cruises take in the US Virgin Islands of St Thomas and St John – home to the world renowned Cinnamon Bay National Park and Truck Bay underwater snorkel trail.

The Eastern Caribbean cruise itinerary is a tried and tested tourist trail and is unlikely to disappoint with its promise of great onshore sights coupled with excellent onboard entertainments.

The route is also perfect for those choosing a first time cruise holiday as the proximity of the ports of call means less sailing time, allowing newer cruise converts to find their sea legs a little at a time with plenty of onshore excursions available in between.

All of the major cruise companies realise the importance of catering to families, but there is still a lot you can do to ensure that you have a smooth family break. Every family cruise will have facilities for all ages, ranging from theme parks to day-care centres. The entire ship’s crew make the safety of younger passengers a priority, but the majority of cruise companies also have specialised child minders and counsellors who have either studied in the field or have considerable experience as teachers or nannies.

Of course, just because you are on the same ship, doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get away from the kids for a while. Youth programmes are a popular way to provide entertainment for younger cruisers and on Princess and Royal Caribbean cruises parents are given a pager to enable them to stay in touch with their children. When cruise lines organise activities for children, they are split into different age groups, which normally go in three-year increments.

The great news for every parent is that most cruise lines also offer babysitting services should you care to have a night out at the casino or theatre. However, you should be aware that many have regulations that do not allow in-cabin babysitting and children are usually brought to a specified location. It is best to check this with the cruise company before you book. Obviously, especially on family orientated cruises, babysitters will be in high demand, so it is recommended that you make your arrangements as soon as you board the ship.

Anyone who is uncertain about whether a cruise is for them only needs to take a look ay the huge variety available. There are literally hundreds of cruise and stay destinations, operators and of course, ships of all sizes, to choose from, so there is sure to be a range of getaways to suit any taste.

Usually, the first concern newcomers will have is that they will be bored on the ship. This couldn’t be further from the truth and many doubters will be amazed by how much fun and entertainment can be had on board. The vast size of some of today’s cruise liners means that they can easily cater to any requirement. One of the largest cruise ships ever to take the high seas, Royal Caribbean’s, “Oasis the Seas”, can boast rock climbing, miniature golf, comedy shows, a spa and a fully equipped gym, along with a host of other amenities. There are also acrobatics, a huge hot tub and even an ice rink. You are more likely to be looking for a time-out rather than something new to do.

This isn’t the only liner that provides endless entertainment. Every cruise company has a fleet of ships, each with a rich variety of entertainment on offer. Themed cruises are an option worth considering, as you may be more likely to enjoy your holiday if surrounded by like-minded travellers.

Today’s liners are so vast that they often seem more like floating cities than cruise ships. There will always be different activities lined up for each day and you can rest assured that, if you so desire, every moment of your cruise deal will be packed full of excitement.

Celebrating that special occasion on a cruise is an unforgettable experience full of laughs, activities and parties. Whatever the occasion, you can celebrate it in style on a cruise holiday, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, a wedding or a job promotion can all become something extra special.

Carnival Cruises know how to make that special occasion extra special, it doesn’t matter whether you are going on a Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise, Carnival will make it a trip that will go down in history.

With Carnival Connections, you can plan your celebration, pick the theme and organise your cruise around you and the people joining you. You can create an invitation that will specify the itinerary, the ports of call, the events and so much more to send to friends and family. You can even create a poll on the invitation, with certain options listed, such as where to cruise to, what shore excursions to take part in and so on. Then, the person that receives the invitation can help you decide where to celebrate your special event.

To make your cruise celebration even more memorable, you can have special T-shirts made to commemorate the event. Then you can all wear them with pride and have a little fun, around the ship. You can choose from lots of different designs, such as polo shirts, tank tops and standard T-shirts.

Celebrating has never been easier when you go on a cruise ship. Carnival Cruises will help you plan ahead and make the occasion very special and personal.

Cruises are like any other holiday, they can be cheap or expensive, depending on how long you want to go for, where you want to go and how many people are travelling in your party. Much like any other, the prices of cruising holidays vary widely. However, you can opt for a last minute cruise deal, which is sure to save you money.

A last minute cruise means you will have to be flexible, ready to go at any time and be willing to travel anywhere. There are technically two choices when it comes to booking last minute cruises, either book just before it is due to embark or wait for a cancellation on an already full cruise.

Local or national travel agents may have details on last minute cruises that you can book, but be prepared to travel at only a few days notice, it could be that quick. You will have to have all your travel documents ready if you plan on booking at the last minute; some countries may require you to have a travel visa, so if you don’t have the correct documents to hand you may not be able to board the ship.

The itinerary of last minute cruises will obviously be exactly the same as you would go on if you booked months in advance, you may not get the best cabin, but the destination and ports of call will be identical. If you think you can handle the pressure of booking a cruise at the last minute, you may just get the holiday of a lifetime for a bargain price.

Carnival Cruises, originally founded in 1972, have their headquarters in sunny Miami. Today, the company is the largest cruise operator in the world and it has evolved over the years, from a party on the seas, to become a well-respected and sophisticated global business.

Over the years, Carnival has enhanced its cuisine, made a children’s programme to keep all ages entertained and happy and made its itinerary larger, by expanding beyond Caribbean and Mediterranean to offer cruises to Alaska and Canada.

Carnival Cruises was the first company to implement a completely smoke-free ship, the Carnival Paradise. After six years of operating no smoking policy, the Carnival Paradise now has a limited smoking policy, whereby certain areas are set-aside for smokers. It was also the first company to have a cruise ship that exceeded 100,000 tonnes.

Carnival Cruises aim to make every passenger aboard their cruise liners feel special, which is why every standard cabin has robes, a comfort bed system, including soft duvets, plush mattresses, top quality linen and better pillows for maximum comfort.

Carnival Cruises offer a range of packages on their ships, weddings, senior citizen discounts, golf trips, theme cruises, family cruises, childfree cruises and much more.

So, wherever you want to sail, Carnival Cruises will make sure your every wish is catered for and with their itineraries to some of the most gorgeous places on earth, you won’t go far wrong. For a magical and unforgettable cruise holiday, check the latest offers Carnival Cruises have for you and your family.

If you are new to the world of cruise holidays, you may have heard all this talk of last minute cruises offering luxury voyages for half the price. Although this may be a slight exaggeration, it is possible to get great deals that could save you a substantial amount on your ticket price. However, there is one snag – you will have to work with short notice and you might not get the cruise, or the bargain, you were hoping for.

If you are looking for the best cruise deals timing will be crucial. Thomson cruises will offer one of the widest ranges of options and will provide travellers with the chance to take a last minute cruise up to six weeks before departure.

Other companies, such as P&O and Costa, will offer reductions for late deals and as much as it is worth keeping your eye on the main cruise operators, it is highly recommended to go through travel agents, as they will be first to hear of the latest cruise deals before anyone else.

Last minute cruises are ideal for anyone who doesn’t care too much about where they are travelling, and it must be said, that no cruise ship is going to travel to an uninspiring destination.

Family and couple deals can also coincide with the last minute options, so depending on who you are travelling with you could save even more on your ticket. If you can hold out for that little while longer, a great last minute deal will be more than worth it.