The Culture Bank

One of the best things about choosing a cruise holiday is the value for money.  Also, before you even start your trip, you will have a good idea of how much the total cost will be.  Food, entertainment, accommodation and excursions are all included.  The only additional cost will be alcohol, onboard shopping – and any visits to the spa.  On this type of holiday, there are no hidden extras and the service will always be first class.

The facilities

You will never be bored on a cruise whether you are at sea or in a port.  This is the ultimate relaxation holiday and passengers can indulge themselves with any number of activities, ranging from a visit to the onboard spa for a deep massage or working out in the gym.  For children of all ages, there are swimming pools, cinemas, playgrounds, and organised games like soccer or netball.  Life at sea can be as organised or carefree as you wish; it is up to you to decide.

Travel destinations

A cruise will take you to destinations all over the world at an enjoyable, relaxing pace.  From exploring the Baltic, and stopping off at cities in Finland or Russia, to the Canary Islands or the Caribbean, the variety of locations is only limited by the time and money you want to spend.  Voyages range from short 3-day breaks up to the 6-month world tour.  The beauty of life on board is easy to see for anyone who has been a passenger.  Statistically, more people re-book than any other kind of holiday.

Picture courtesy of Jeremy Burgin

There is a wide range of entertainment on offer aboard a cruise ship, with something for everyone to enjoy.

What is available?

In addition to the bars and restaurants, which provide delicious food and drink, cruise ships often feature a cinema showing the latest films.  For night-time entertainment, there may be a nightclub and a casino.  Various musical tastes are catered for and there is the opportunity to enjoy stand-up comedy.

Some specialist cruises cater for specific tastes, such as jazz music or bird watching.

Family entertainment

Cruises are immensely popular with families.  This is recognised by operators such as Carnival Cruises and P&O, who provide entertainment options for children, such as kids’ clubs.

Entertainment at ports 

Entertainment on a cruise is not confined to the ship, since there are many opportunities offered at ports.  On a Baltic cruise, there are opportunities to explore Scandinavian cities such as Stockholm and Copenhagen, as well as the historic Russian city of St. Petersburg.  Wherever a ship makes a stop, there is the prospect of visiting attractions such as art galleries and museums and sampling the local food and drink.

It is the time of year when many people dream of escaping to a warmer climate and start booking getaways to look forward to.  If the temptation is too much, then now is a good time to book cruises for the New Year, as a variety of operators are currently offering exceptional cruise deals for 2013.  A good place to start looking for your ideal trip is on comparison websites, which continue to gain popularity for their frank traveller reviews and ability to compare prices.

Blogs and comparison sites were launched with the specific intention of helping would-be cruisers find their perfect trip.  The sites allow users to compare itineraries and prices, see the views of former guests and view their photos.  By looking for the like-minded travellers, users are able to determine which ships they would like best and glean useful tips from those who have sailed on them. 

Once the perfect destination and ship has been chosen, most sites then have links to operators’ websites, where places can be booked, to make the process as easy as possible.  A range of last minute deals are still available for the beginning of 2013, including some impressive discounts, making that dream cruise closer than ever.

For those who have found their ideal holiday, but are wishing to travel later in 2013, early booking cruise deals are on offer now as well.  Websites have a range of discounts for cruises throughout the next 12 months, which offer great value for money.

Taking a cruise holiday to Asia is one of the pleasantest ways to experience a wide variety of different cultures in a relatively short time.  Asian countries are very diverse and will almost certainly have something to interest everyone.  Whether your dream is to visit the Great Wall of China or just to relax in the sunshine on a beach, a cruise to Asia should be able to make the dream come true.

The benefits of cruising

One of the foremost reasons why many people like to take cruises to Asia is to experience the culture; however sometimes it can also be good to know that there is a safe and familiar place waiting at the end of the day, and a cruise ship can offer that level of security.  This means that passengers are able to get off the ship to enjoy the sights of the docking location, and then hop back on board to enjoy the cruises nightlife or relax in their own cabin.

Most cruise ships will also have a very wide range of entertainment options to suit everybody’s needs, whether a family, solo traveller or elderly passenger.  Large cruise ships will often have their own pools, shopping centres, restaurants and clubs.

Booking cruises 2013

People who want to book cruises 2013 should start looking now to avoid disappointment and to get the best price possible.  Most cruise trips can be booked over the internet or through a travel agency.  There are plenty of really good cruise offers to find from both of these options. 

Antarctica is one of the most spectacular and breath-taking locations on the planet.  Not many people have the chance to see this region, which certainly makes it the perfect place for those who have a sense of adventure.  Apart from the massive glaciers and icebergs, one of the main tourist draws to Antarctica is the wildlife.  Passengers will almost certainly be able to see sea lions, penguins, albatross and whales.  This may come as a surprise to some people but there is plenty to do on a cruise in Antarctica even though there are very few ports.

Antarctic cruises will almost always host a number of on board lecturers and will hold seminars where passengers can learn about the continent and why it is so special.  Most cruises will also have sightseeing excursions.  For this reason cruises to Antarctica are usually boarded by people who have an active interest in science and nature.

Booking an Antarctic cruise

Cruises in Antarctica can book up very quickly due to the small number of companies that offer passages to the region.  For this reason it is recommended that people book as early as they can in order to avoid disappointment.  Antarctic cruises can be booked over the internet from sites like Imagine Cruising, which can be a convenient option as prospective holiday makers can see pictures of the locations in their own homes and decide if the trip will suit their specific needs.  Travel agents can also help people to book Antarctic cruises and can offer valuable advice to customers.

If you have managed to find a selection of cheap cruises then you may be able to take advantage of a few more shore excursions.  These excursions can add a lot to the enjoyment of your cruise.

It is easy enough to prepare for some shore excursions if you know ahead of time what you want to do.  Snorkelling, for example, requires basic equipment and a little experience.  If you want to do basic offshore snorkelling, bring your own gear, hop in a taxi and head to a location where you can snorkel for as long as you want.

You can then put these savings towards other excursions, such as archeological sites and other attractions in the city you are visiting.  Another popular type of excursion that can be found in most places is a boat trip.  Although they can be rather pricey, they often include food and drink, and are the highlight of many trips.  If your ship is docked in port for an entire day, this is the time to do your own thing.

Tropical islands combined with luxury and adventure sound ideal to those in need of a holiday. Even though many people choose to take this type of holiday in the form of a hotel, many others have opted to cruise their way to their chosen holiday destination.
 
Whether you are a first time cruiser or you have been many times before, it is always a good idea to book as far in advance as you can.  More than 50 million North Americans anticipate taking a cruise in the next one and a half years, so it is a good idea to plan your next holiday cruise ahead of time.

If you are not sold on the whole cruise idea, then perhaps you will enjoy knowing a few of the benefits gained from taking a cruise.  Not only are cruises an easy and stress-free way to travel, more than 80 per cent of first time cruise goers say they enjoyed their cruise as a way to sample destinations.

This is important if you want to get out and see a variety of places during the short amount of holiday time you have.  Most first time cruisers also admit that other aspects of the cruise including the accommodation, food, entertainment and overall quality of their experience, exceeded their expectations.

Cruising also offers travellers a great option to cruise and stay longer in places they like.  It is easy to arrange another week or two in a preferred destination after your cruise is finished.  This type of travel, which is known as cruise and stay, can easily be arranged with the help of your travel agent.

Your extended stay does not have to be at the end of your cruise.  If Costa Cruises is leaving from a port you favour, simply make arrangements to arrive a week or so in advance and enjoy an extended holiday while you wait for your ship to sail.

If you have never been on a cruise holiday then going on your first one may seem a bit daunting. We have some tips for you before you book:

Start small

A shorter cruise holiday of five to seven days is the best way to get accustomed. You can make sure you don’t suffer from sea sickness and that cruising is right for you.

Days at Sea

Days at sea are unavoidable on a cruise holiday, look for a day or two sailing for every week you’re away to avoid the feeling of been trapped.

Size of ship

The large cruise ships can be quite daunting and if you’re only on a short cruise you probably won’t get to experience as much on board. Rule of thumb is normally the bigger the ship the longer/further the holiday.

Type of cruise

Some cruise ships cater well for families, others for older travellers. Then you have some which are better for couples. And don’t forget some cruise lines also run gay friendly cruises too.

Choosing the right cabin

Many people find that they don’t spend long in their hotel rooms on holiday however, on a cruise holiday this is a bit different. Your cabin is like your home away from home especially on longer cruises so make sure the cabin you book is right for your needs. Unfortunately however this may mean more expense for better amenities i.e. a sea view balcony.

You can get some cheap cruise deals from Bonvoyage, once you have booked then there is still some preparation which should be done before you embark.

Excursions

You can normally book your excursions before you go, popular ones tend to fill up fast which is why it’s a good idea to be organised. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean Cruises offer a number of different excursions for each port so you should always find something to do.

Research

Try to do some research before you go of the ports you visit, some cultural knowledge is handy in some places. It’s also a good idea to check policy and code for your ship; dress code, smoking policy, alcohol policy and tipping policy so you don’t face any unsuspecting surprises once you’re on board.  It can be a good idea to look at deck plans of the ship so you get an idea of where everything is before you get on board, you can find deck plans at your cruise lines website or ask your travel agent.

With the whole world to explore there is no better way to discover it than in the five-star luxury of a cruise.  Imagine Cruising offers some fantastic cruise deals to fantastic destinations such as the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Alaska and Northern Europe.  Imagine Cruises can take wherever you fancy with top quality service and in unbeatable luxury.

Cruising is for everyone; couples, families and extended families all regularly enjoy the fun and diversity that only a cruise can offer.  Where else can you be treated to so many destinations, be as busy or as lazy as you like, with five-star meals and a variety of top class entertainment every single night? Cruising has finally come into its own and all of the big cruise companies now have some fantastic on-board activities ranging from the traditional pools to deck games, extreme sport activities, rock walls and even ice skating.

It does not matter whether you cruise to relax or to get busy as you will find an Imagine Cruising deal that is perfect for you.  Visit well-loved places or try destinations you have never visited before.  Take advantage of exploring different cultures and lifestyles whilst never compromising your own.

Choose from a variety of state rooms from inside and outside cabins to suites and balcony state rooms.  If you are travelling with a family then integral cabins would be just right for you.  You can grab some excellent deals if you book ahead of time.  2013 bookings are being taken now so to secure your best cruise deal log on and check out what is happening right now.  With Imaging Cruising you can relax in safe hands.  All on-board meals are prepared to the highest standard and there are buffet and snack options available throughout the ship.

Imagine Cruising is the perfect way to see the world on your terms.

Cruise and stay holidays are fast becoming the number one choice for holidaymakers who are looking for the perfect alternative to a standard cruise or fixed location holiday.  Cruise and stay provides the perfect compromise and serves as an excellent taster for those who have never cruised before.  You have the option of placing your stay either before or after you cruise so you can enjoy seven days in a hotel followed by a seven-day cruise or vice versa.

These holidays are available all over the world from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, South America, North America and Northern Europe, thereby catering to all tastes.

You also have the option of flying to meet your ship or sailing directly from English, Scottish or Irish ports if flying is not an option for you.  There are some super deals too so it is worth booking up early to grab the best one with the additional bonus of giving yourself the maximum time to savour and look forward to your holiday experience.

Check out the cruise and stay routes online and imagine yourself on board, experiencing six-star luxury all the way.  There are few holidays which help you to relax like a cruise.  A cruise and stay option is the best of both worlds.  If you are travelling with a young family they are sure to love the variety of this type of holiday and the wide range of activities specially set up by both ship and hotel staff.

There are some of the best Mediterranean and Caribbean deals to be had on this type of holiday so whether you are thinking about cruising this year or booking for 2013, think seriously about the cruise and stay option and enjoy the best of both worlds.