| The Top Two Best Tips Ever For Your Specialty | | | | so that you can have immediate contact with the |
| Cruise Vacation | | | | sitter while you are out. Opt for the early dining |
| Save money, be entertained and eat like you mean it! | | | | seating since most children cannot wait until eight or |
| Have it all while taking a specialty cruise to the | | | | nine o'clock at night to eat. |
| Mexican Riviera and other exotic locals. We have | | | | If your children tend to be a little rambunctious, you |
| found you the most cost-efficient vacation packages | | | | may want an in-cabin sitter so you can enjoy your |
| on the market today. Where else can you go for | | | | fine dining, or gather the clan and choose the buffet |
| around $150 USD per day and have your room, | | | | where your time together will be less anxious. Travel |
| cruise fees, all the food, entertainment and special | | | | agents are a Godsend. If you do not have one, we |
| interest workshops (all in a friendly foreign country) | | | | can HIGHLY recommend one where they can handle |
| included in the price of your package? | | | | all your needs online or by a toll free telephone |
| In the last two years, the number of vacationers | | | | number. Just ask us and we will put you in touch with |
| cruising to Mexico has doubled. According to the U.S. | | | | this agency which specializes in cruises. They can get |
| Department of Transportation, Maritime | | | | you perks you cannot find on your own and they are |
| Administration, more than 113,000 North Americans | | | | an invaluable resource. They offer travel/cancellation |
| cruised to Mexico during 2005, and the numbers have | | | | insurance by a third party which will cover events |
| increased during 2006, at least for the first three | | | | outside of the country that your private insurance |
| quarters, to an astounding 521,000 cruisers. Right | | | | and possibly the cruise line insurance will not. Again, |
| now, theme cruising is the hottest ticket in the | | | | check with your travel agent. |
| vacation market and an exciting and unusual vacation. | | | | Peak vs. off-peak seasons are something to consider |
| And have we got tips for you! | | | | carefully. Ever wonder why cruise prices fluctuate |
| We are tired of the cold, already. Wouldn't it be | | | | throughout the year? Lesser priced cruises are priced |
| heavenly to place our feet in the warm sands of | | | | that way for a reason. Winter in Chicago could |
| Mexico and soak up the rays? Combine that with | | | | certainly be viewed as the off-season, and traveling |
| your specialty interest and you have the perfect | | | | during a hurricane season in the tropics, which is from |
| unusual vacation package. Seminars-at-sea are the | | | | June - December, is no great bargain either. Ask |
| ideal environment to learn about psychic phenomena, | | | | yourself what kind of cruise you are looking for. Do |
| with such workshops as Understanding Mediumship, | | | | you want a romantic, exciting, enriching, relaxing or a |
| Your Purpose in Life through Astrology, Discovering | | | | pampering cruise? For the first time cruiser, it is |
| your Life's Work and Dream Interpretation. Wine | | | | important to choose the right ship. If you are not |
| lovers taking a theme cruise will broaden their | | | | looking forward to huge partying crowds, don't travel |
| imbibing knowledge and make new friends who have | | | | during summer vacation or holidays. Spring Break in |
| the same interests. Whether you are a first time | | | | Mexico is loud and crowded. Some cruise ships are |
| cruiser or an experienced traveler, it is time to put | | | | geared to the party life, while others are more |
| the cold winter behind you and get out and bask in | | | | sedate and refined. Most are somewhere in between. |
| the warmth of Mexico. Theme Cruises are easy and | | | | If you are looking for the next wet T-shirt contest |
| fun getaways, but are not found on the cruise line's | | | | or believe you have a chance of winning the ship's |
| websites. | | | | belly flop competition, we suggest the party ships. |
| Today we will look at two of the top five secrets | | | | (They are a lot of fun!) When flying into the port city |
| for a successful Theme Cruise vacation. | | | | of your cruise, you will need to have transportation |
| We want to share the top secrets which will help | | | | from the airport to the ship and back again. Each ship |
| you avoid the pitfalls leading to an unhappy vacation. | | | | offers "transfers" by motorcoach for a fee, usually |
| Let's face it, you've saved for this exciting | | | | around $50 USD PP, round trip. |
| one-of-a-kind getaway and you want to get your | | | | It's important when you go online to choose a ship |
| moneys worth. As you prepare to book your | | | | that you are aware that the price stated does not |
| vacation, remember, you're there to have fun. As | | | | include your seminars-at-sea, trip cancellation |
| obvious as it may seem, take a Theme Cruise which | | | | insurance, transfers, taxes and port fees. Nor does it |
| matches your interests or curiosity. Become an | | | | cover the cost of liquor and sodas. Do budget for |
| adventurer and do something you would not do | | | | these extras. |
| every day. Learn something new about the psychic | | | | It's an excellent idea to know when your ship's |
| world while taking these enrichment seminars at sea. | | | | boarding hours are so that you can make provisions |
| Bring your best camera and take pictures in beautiful, | | | | for your flight which will allow you enough time to |
| new surroundings with a photo cruise. You will more | | | | leave the airport and get onboard before the ship |
| than get your money's worth. And then go for the | | | | leaves port. Better yet, if you are flying in, arrive a |
| gusto: eat lobster, frog legs or escargot. If you don't | | | | day early and stay at a nearby hotel overnight, |
| like it, send it back and order something new. The | | | | boarding your ship the next day. This way you can |
| staff on board are very accommodating. You do not | | | | allow for unforseen delays and not miss your |
| ever have to be dissatisfied with your meal. Book an | | | | vacation. In other words, arrive at your port city a |
| onshore excursion and go jet skiing with your | | | | day ahead of time, in case anything goes wrong with |
| sweetie. Shop with your daughter. Snorkel with your | | | | your flight. |
| sons. Learn how to scuba-dive. Get up in front of an | | | | Vacation Theme Cruises are THE hot tickets in the |
| audience with your best friends and sing karaoke | | | | industry right now and cabins book quickly. Should I |
| with the rest of us who can't carry a tune either. | | | | book early or book late, is a question we are often |
| Have a massage. The world is your oyster and the | | | | asked. BOOK EARLY! Most cruise lines require |
| pampering is divine. | | | | payment in full at least 65 days prior to travel, while |
| But first, we have just a few juicy tidbits of | | | | some cruise lines require final payment even sooner. |
| information for you before you leave on your theme | | | | Unless you have cancellation insurance, you will not |
| cruise. Let your family and friends know if your ship | | | | receive your money back once you have paid in full. |
| has a bridge cam so they can follow you on the | | | | With the insurance you can avoid cancellation fees |
| internet from port to port. If you need to contact | | | | from the travel agency, cruise line and tour directors. |
| home or the office while on vacation you will find a | | | | If needed, cruise insurance will save you a bundle! |
| number of internet on board computers available for | | | | 2) Pick the right cabin on your ship: Did you know |
| a fee. Sometimes your trip can be used as a business | | | | that each category of cabins, Inside, Window, and |
| expense, so ask your financial advisor for information. | | | | Balcony have several upgrades per category? When |
| Take the time before your vacation to go to your | | | | you book early, you'll get the better cabins. Normally |
| ship's website address and research the shore | | | | we love the dark, quiet rooms so we book an inside |
| excursions you want. If you study background | | | | cabin. But on one vacation we were celebrating a one |
| information on your ports of call before you leave | | | | year anniversary from a life-threatening illness and |
| home, you will easily be able to immerse yourself in | | | | booked an inside cabin. Today we wish we would |
| the culture when you arrive. | | | | have booked a comfortable and relaxing outside |
| Welcome aboard! It's time to take advantage of all | | | | cabin because so much time was spent in our |
| your ship has to offer. Aboard this floating city are all | | | | stateroom resting. For the most part though, we are |
| the avenues of entertainment that you would find at | | | | people-persons and do not spend much time in our |
| any top-rated resort, from Las Vegas-style shows to | | | | cabin. We say, "Book cheap and use the savings for |
| 'round the pool music and dancing. Remember that | | | | more onshore excursions (we're going jet skiing next |
| the cruise line wants you to have the perfect, fun | | | | time), onboard pampering (like a massage) or to pay |
| vacation and they will go out of their way to see | | | | for your bar and soda tab." |
| that you get it. | | | | However, there are several reasons to book the |
| While cruising we spend a lot of our time pool side, | | | | more luxurious rooms. When the outdoor decks get |
| getting to know the other happy passengers. Believe | | | | crowded, having a balcony room will give you your |
| me when I confess that people are at their friendliest | | | | own piece of private paradise. Some travelers feel |
| when on vacation. We've met people from all around | | | | claustrophobic and want to see natural outdoor |
| the world. Massage, manicures, pedicures and the hair | | | | lighting. It makes the room appear larger. |
| salon offer a type of pampering I only wish I indulged | | | | Honeymooners and anniversary couples may want a |
| in frequently. We never miss the opportunity to take | | | | more romantic environment and do not mind paying |
| a free steam at the his and hers saunas, melting | | | | for it. Some just love to live well and spare no |
| away the stress of the past year. Once underway, | | | | expense. In which case, choose a window or balcony |
| we recommend you just relax and have fun. Oh, by | | | | stateroom. If your first priority is the destination, |
| the way, bring your business cards so you can | | | | then you need not pay for the luxury rooms. Some |
| exchange contact information with all the new friends | | | | like to use the money saved on a room choice |
| you're going to meet. | | | | buying gifts for the kids and grand kids. Some like to |
| And now, on to the world's best tips to make your | | | | bring a little something home for the neighbor who |
| cruise vacation easy, memorable and interesting. | | | | has watched the pets and watered the garden. It |
| Save this information in your suitcase so when the | | | | makes a difference if the room is the "big deal," or |
| time comes to pack, you will have all the vital | | | | the port and activities are more important to you. |
| information you need for a worry-free vacation. | | | | We have never had any problems with sea sickness |
| If your Theme Cruise takes you to Mexico, for | | | | and therefore have not been concerned with where |
| example, know that you are traveling to a land | | | | on the ship our stateroom was located. |
| where the weather is warm and the people are | | | | We have yet to see a single passenger leaning over |
| friendly. Mexico opens its arms and welcomes you | | | | the side of the ship suffering from motion sickness. |
| with a hospitality that is hard to beat. | | | | Modern ships are so well equipped with stabilizers |
| 1) Choose the right cruise: Whatever price you have | | | | that you would think you were vacationing on a |
| paid for your vacation, it is no bargain if you don't | | | | land-based resort. Take your time relishing your |
| have a good time. What good is a cut rate if you're | | | | one-of-a-kind vacation. Pick and choose how you |
| snowed in and can't make the flight to your departing | | | | want to spend your themed vacation time; do a lot, |
| port? Adults have a better time taking adult cruises | | | | or do nothing. Soak up new information gained in |
| and families generally prefer family-style cruising. If | | | | your seminars. The choices are all yours and the |
| you are traveling with children choose a cruise line | | | | wonderful memories you leave the ship with will last |
| with strong kid programs (not too hard to find now, | | | | a lifetime. Next time we'll be sharing our tips about |
| but much tougher several years ago), as well as | | | | Packing, Dining & Travel Documents and the fun |
| in-cabin babysitting. Ask your cruise line if they offer | | | | types of workshops available on a Theme Cruise. |
| children's programs. There are only a couple of lines | | | | Happy cruising and we'll see you at sea! |
| which have that option. Bring a set of walkie-talkies | | | | |