Celebrity Cruise Line is Your Perfect Holiday Destination

Effective and Beneficial One-Stop Shop in the Cruise Review Corner


An amateur in the field of cruise traveling, you need to equip yourself with cruise knowledge to eliminate strangeness. Most travel agencies are not concerned with how limited is your knowledge, but will just provide you with quotations and brochures, which they thought would suffice.

I assume you are worried about the nagging questions in your head? Where will you likely go if you want to learn about the news and updates cruising industry has provided? Can you at least find someone or something that will provide you with the details and facts you needed?

Include Cruise Critic in your bookmark list and you are sure to be updated because they send out write-ups and updates about cruising.


Started in 1995, Cruise Critic is considered an interactive community for cruise enthusiasts. Veteran and amateur cruise voyagers are members and others encouraged to become a part of the community. You can impart your experience/s, make inquires and exploration, and start planning your initial cruise trip and or further cruise trips in mind.

A one-stop shop of cruise reviews that will aid you. You can find a comprehensive and detailed cruise traveling plan guides enumerated in the following:

• Hottest ideas and cruise reviews of more than 225 ships and still growing
• Business and Company outline of top 55 cruise lines
• Informative and helpful data regarding the how and where of more than 135 ports across the globe
• Evaluation and critical write-ups about the cruise ships according to the insight and experience of the cruise voyagers
• Various Cruise package and good deals, and
• Beneficial cruise tips that will educate both the amateur and seasoned travelers

In planning a productive and successful cruise break, Cruise Critic will help you determine the ideal ship size and comfortable traveling arrangements. It is also filled with news and insights about the latest in the cruise industry.

There is no question of integrity because Cruise Critic have more than 160,000 registered members online and is highly acclaimed with a heavy traffic to boost about.

You can find the following parts or divisions, which is provided for ease of the users.

• AT YOUR SERVICE division supply transparent and brief direct to the point justification or enlightenment on the various issues regarding the policies or rules and regulations maintained off and on-board.
• BEYOND THE DECK portion concentrates on providing the answer to the various cruise questions presented by the leaders in the cruise industry. Actual events unseen during cruise procedure are also presented in this section.

• COMMUNITY portion is where members post their diverse evaluation and analysis about the package deals and cruise ships regarding cruise vacations.

• CRUISE BARGAINS section is allotted for the different trip bargain deals and packages offered by the various cruise lines.

• CRUISE NEWS provides the newest and freshest news and evaluations relating to cruise traveling. You are assured of a daily update.

• CRUISE PLANNING is where you can find the hottest cruising fashion, various cabin package deals, and on the spit cruise accommodations, etc.

• CRUISE SHIP REVIEWS AND CRUISE LINE PROFILES division. You can see here the diverse evaluations and analysis provided by travelers. The company profiles of the 55 cruise companies is kept in this section as well.

• CRUISE STYLE is where the all-inclusive reviews, amusing truths, and various fashion of cruising style, which includes:

1. Romance
2. Family
3. Senior
4. Gay and Lesbians
5. Disabled
6. Solo
7. Luxury
8. Soft Adventure
9. Ocean Crossings
10. Holiday

• DESTINATION is where you can look up the 135 plus ports across the world and the complete profiles of the top 20 cruising companies in the region.

• EDITOR’S PICK features the Top Ten highly recommend and personal picks of the editor.

• FIND A CRUISE will assist you in determining your ship size preference in relation to your destination, your preferred cruise company, and the fare and fees rate.

• LINK EXCHANGE PROGRAM MESSAGE BOARDS lets you post your comments and suggestions including your blogs, without exception whether you are a member or visitor. Everyone is invited and encourage to post their messages.

• TRENDWATCH gives you the updates, solutions, and changes regarding the various issues in the cruising industry. Changes such as from solo travel or carbohydrate cruising into a new and enhanced level can be found in this section.

Present Forecast About Cruise Critics

Among the most important aspect in the cruise industry offered is the forecast, which is among the relevant features posted in Cruise Critics. These forecasts are conducted and updated every first quarter of each year. This aids the leaders in the cruising industry during their future planning. The following are the present forecasts from Cruise Critics in the coming 2006.

• Due to the different package deals offered for a family cruise, this is going to be the best year for families to cruise and bond together.

• If there are lively and vigorous children in the cruise, those ships that lack programs or organized activities for children may find it an arduous task to manage them.

• Swimming pools that are built in the customary way will be outdated. Try changing it into the on-board water recreational area.


• It is no longer a surprise if you see Ronald McDonald and he would say hi to you when you are already on-board. Popular names in the food industry is among the list of cruise lines must have on-board.


• A significant growth the cruise rates are to be expected due to the enhanced facilities and services provided in the ship.

• An expansion on the number of destination globally is to be assumed, especially now the Cunard Lines’ Queen Mary 2 is about to extend into around-the-world sailing.

Be updated, keep visiting Cruise Critics for your comprehensive yearly cruising information.

Get Away From It All With a Freighter Cruise

Is the noise, the traffic, the stress of everyday living getting to you? Ever wish you could just get away from it all and forget the economy, the boss, the daily upheavals for a little while? Ever dream about long, sunny afternoons sailing the high seas? Is your idea of a dream vacation a time of solitude, laid-back laziness, and a no-frills, no-nonsense atmosphere?

If you answered, “yes, yes, Yes, YES!” to the questions above, then perhaps a freighter cruise is just the relief you need from your overstressed, overdressed lifestyle. And with a freighter cruise, you can get away from it all while getting somewhere. A freighter cruise would not break the bank, either. But you need to be prepared for a bit more adventure than your average cruise.

Freighter cruises are not fancy. They are not jam packed with activities, or people. Freighters offer you a cabin, meals, a chance to get to know the crew, a lounge or recreation room, visits to various ports of call, and lots of time to just relax and unwind. Freighter cruises can be as short as a week or two, or as long as 18 weeks around the world sailing. Your choices for freighter cruises, destinations, durations and costs are nearly unlimited. With most cruises costing between $90 and $120 per night, they have got the cruise lines beat hands down on prices. In short, there is a freighter cruise for everyone.

Freighter ships cabins can range from bunk-bed-berths-share-the-bath dormitory type rooms to suites that accommodate with a queen-sized bed, refrigerator, bath with tub and large windows rather than portholes. Most freighter cabins are in the “standard” range – meaning they are about the equivalent of the lower-class cabins available on cruise liners. Some freighters cabins were initially designed for the company “big wigs,” and can be quite posh. One thing about your cabin – you may find that cabins on lower levels of the superstructure have their portholes blocked by the freight containers being carried by the ship. Just remember, the ships purpose is to carry the goods – you are just along for the ride.

Depending on the ship and the freight company, you may or not have a steward to care for your room. So, be prepared to make your own bed, set out your trash bin and, in general, tidy up after yourself. Unlike cruise lines, most freighter cruises do not penalize the single traveler for occupying a double cabin. In fact, some have gone out of their way to encourage the single traveler in joining them.

Freighter cruise cuisine can vary greatly, too, from ship to ship and company to company. Dining aboard a freighter is informal, so you have no need to pack a suit and tie or fancy dress. There is one and only one dining room aboard a freighter. Meals are generally served at fixed times, in one to two hour windows. Many freighters open the pantry or galley 24/7 for self-serve snacks or refreshment, but you may want to pack some of your favorites, or purchase them in port, just in case there is nothing to your liking. Your cook will be the crews cook, and the cuisine served will be what the crew eats. So, if your freighter is of German registry be prepared to eat German dishes.

On the other hand, if your crew is of mixed nationality, say Filipino, German, French and Scandinavian, you may just be in for a culinary adventure, as the galley tries to satisfy the varied palates. Eating in the same dining room with the crew can pose some adventures of its own, too. While English is the international language of the sea, your formerly East German captain may be more at ease with Russian, while his French First Mate ends up translating everything the Filipino Engineer adds to the dinner conversation. Some things freighters do not normally offer – endless buffets, special meals (vegetarian, diabetic, etc.) or gourmet haute cuisine.

Freighter cruises do not provide much, if any, formal, organized entertainment. There will most certainly be a lounge or recreation room, shared by crew and passenger alike, to provide a place for watching DVDs or videos, playing cards or board games, and a shipboard library of well-read paperbacks. You will definitely want to take along your own entertainment and reading material, though, as your viewing and reading choices may be as multi-linguistic as the dining room. A short wave radio might be a good idea, as AM/FM types do not receive any signals offshore. There is no internet or mobile phone connection either. Some freighter cruises do have a swimming pool, most are indoors but some can be found on deck. Some offer an exercise room, too.

Many passengers spend their time in walks around the deck, or lounging about in a deck chair, catching a few rays. There are long afternoons for napping, chatting, reading or writing. (Did you know Alex Haley wrote much of his groundbreaking bestseller “Roots” while serving aboard a freighter?) Some ships engineers offer tours of their engine room, while bridge visits with the captain or first officer are welcomed by some crews. In short, your shipboard entertainment varies widely from freighter to freighter. What you would not find on a freighter cruise are days crammed with organized nonstop activities, BINGO, casinos, Vegas style shows and trips to the spa.

Port visits with a freighter cruise can be adventures in their own right. First, while commercial cruises run on tight schedules, freighters do not. So that might mean your scheduled stop in port at 8am may not happen until 8pm. Or not happen until next Tuesday, for that matter. Secondly, most cargo docks are well off the beaten path. Be prepared to spend a good bit on taxi or bus fare just to reach “civilization” and even more to get to any tourist-y type attractions. Third, time in port usually depends on the dockhands and port master.

You may end up not having enough time to even leave the ship, if the offloading/loading is completed sooner than originally thought. Lastly, some port visits may be cancelled while en route, depending on the cargo contracts with the freight company. An expected call may not occur at all if the shipping company does not have enough out-going cargo to warrant it.

Freighter cruising may not be for everyone. It is not a glamorous or glitzy way to travel. While it does have its benefits, from a lower price than most cruise lines to a chance to really get away from it all, its drawbacks may put off some who prefer a bit more pampering to a freighter cruises adventurous nature.

Getting There With Your Pet

While on vacation, most people arrange for their pets to stay at home and have friend or family member take care of the animal. Others, who do not have this option, take to alternatives such as a boarding kennel or a professional pet sitter. There are several things that you must take into consideration before heading out of town!

Take out some time to think about whether your pet is physically capable of traveling. If you are not sure, ask the veterinarian. Let your veterinarian know where you’re going and for how long and how you’ll be traveling. This will help prevent health risks like flea, heartworm, or tick risks for places you will be traveling. Also, it’s important to ensure that all vaccinations are updated, besides obtaining current health and rabies certificates not earlier than ten days prior to your date of travel. You’ll need this in case your pet is flying.

If it’s the first time that you’re traveling with your pet, it’s worthwhile to take a short test trip. This will help you know if your pet gets carsick or restless while traveling, and obtain proper medications from your veterinarian. Also, when traveling make sure that you have your pets’ favorite toys, food and leash with you. This way, the pet will feel more comfortable at the new destination. Make sure that you use your leash when taking the pet outside, as the pets can sometimes get nervous in a new place and try to run.

While at your destination, your pet should always sport a special identification tag apart from the normal one. Be sure to mark this tag with the pet's name, your name, the person to make contact with at the destination, the person’s phone number, and a destination address. This will help you get in touch with the pet in case it’s separated. A foolproof way is to have the pet micro-chipped. Animal clinics, humane societies, kennels, and shelters all over use scanners that can read the implanted chips. This will help you reunite with your lost pet. Here’s good news! Microchip procedures are harmless, fast and inexpensive.

Don’t forget to notify the airline, bus, or train company if a Seeing Eye dog is accompanying you. This is because dogs other than Seeing Eye dogs accompanying blind persons are not allowed on buses and trains.

If you’re traveling by air, make sure that you’ve made all reservations and arrangements regarding delivery and pickup from the airport upfront. Rules vary from airline to airline. Follow airline instructions and check the airline's requirements for carrying pets. If you’re taking along smaller pets like birds, hamsters and tropical fish, consider transporting them by air express. You can obtain shipping containers from airline freight departments, pet stores and department stores as well. If you’re carrying tropical fish, have it packed by a local specialist pet shop.

Again, it’s important to make your pet comfortable with the new environment. If you’re obtaining a shipping container, have it a few days in advance so that you have time to get your pet familiar with the container. Start with placing your pet in the container for a few minutes each day and steadily stretch the time until the pet is at ease.

When traveling by air, feed your pet at least five to six hours before flight time, and give water two hours before flight. This will prevent hunger or thirst during the trip. Also, get the pet to the air terminal on time. You should get there 45 minutes in advance of your flight time if the pet is accompanying you, and two hours in advance if you’re shipping the pet. Upon arrival, you can usually pick your pet within 90 minutes from the destination airport. Don’t lose your air waybill number as it is required when making inquires.

It’s a difference experience altogether when your darling pet is at your side while on vacation. After all, for those who are passionate about their pets, getting there with the animal is half the fun!

Super Slimming Tips While on Vacation

We all know the feeling- saving up all year for our dream trips. You've been really good about keeping fit and eating less; you look in great shape for the beach. Then you arrive and it all goes out of the window. You spend your entire holiday eating lavish, high calorie meals and lying poolside while last night's cocktails take up residence around your waist. Studies show that this type of "binge" behavior has a long-lasting effect on your health, and even your emotional wellbeing. You may come back from such a trip feeling extremely depressed, and longing to leave for those vacation shores once again. To some degree, post-vacation blues are normal, but it can be a drastic and dreadful feeling if multiplied by the effects of unhealthy eating. Nutritionists say that most of us will add two pounds for each trip and will likely not shift the weight once it's there.

The rules of staying in shape- eating right, drinking plenty of water, and keeping a good exercise routine- apply as equally here as abroad. The key is in knowing which rules you can bend temporarily without significant consequences. TripMama is here to give you the information you need to keep that holiday-high long after you return.

Alcoholic drinks are a regular staple on many holiday trips, but they are also a source of a lot of calories. Cocktails are the biggest culprit; many of them contain cream or other high-sugar mixers. Try choosing cocktails with diet mixers, or opt for a decent glass of wine instead. A great way of keeping the calories down is to drink lots of water with any alcoholic beverage. It keeps your appetite down and has the added bonus of staying hydrated, a tried and tested way of keeping hangovers at bay.

When eating out, you'll often be given appetizers. Try to sample everything tasty, but eat little. Simple tricks like keeping sauces separate and only using what you need to enjoy the meal, going for the grilled meat instead of fried, or trying the local fruit or sorbets instead of heavy, rich desserts can all keep away those extra pounds. Share items with other travelers in your party so that you can taste everything, but eat smaller portions.

The biggest thing contributing to the post-holiday crash is the sudden lack of exercise. Many people find it difficult to resume their exercise program, adding to their dejection. Ironically, it is often the return home that is blamed for the depression, rather than the lax vacation, which is usually claimed to have made them feel great. You don't need to keep up with all of your fitness goals and plans. A lighter regime can still keep you trim and full of energy, and is a great way to feel good about trying all the delicious food on offer. Most people do less exercise while away, but it is a perfect opportunity to try and do more. Hike up to all those amazing views, making them that much more rewarding. There are deep, blue seas for swimming, skiing, rafting, climbing, cycling; the list goes on and on. Hotels often have a fitness area or a pool, giving you the opportunity to start the morning with a healthy burst that keeps you energized all day.

With these tips you should feel confident and positive about enjoying your holiday, and come back looking as great as you left. So look at our trip offers at http://makeup-health-beauty.blogspot.com to keep you in high spirits as well.

Andorra Ski Holidays Set To Fly

Substantially more holidaymakers flying into a new airport close to an established tourist destination will normally mean a boost in tourism - but when the established airport is nearly three hours away and the new one fifteen minutes it's almost bound to see a higher than normal increase in tourism.

And that's exactly what is happening to Andorra, the tiny tax haven set in the European Pyrenees, and home to some of the best ski runs in Europe.

Up to now a drawback that Andorra has had is the distance from a major airport, two and a half hours drive to Barcelona in Spain or Toulouse in France, with some ski holidays starting with a night in one of the Barcelona hotels before setting off for Andorra.

But that is set to change with agreement for an aiport to be built just fifteen minutes drive from the Spanish / Andorra border.

As well as the extra ski tourists the new airport will impact Andorra as a tax haven. Andorra and the more famous Monaco are Europe's leading tax havens, with residents enjoying the benefit of no income tax. Property prices in Andorra are less than a third of the price of Monaco's.

Commenting on the new airport, one Andorra estate agent who specialises in Andorra property for sale thinks that the prices of Andorra properties will rise.

'At the moment Monaco has the advantage of being ten minutes away from an international airport by helicopter, while Andorra is over two hours. With that advantage gone we anticipate more people considering a tax haven will consider Andorra, with a resulting appreciation in real estate prices.'

Property in Andorra has risen an average of ten per cent a year in recent years, with three streams of buyers - the local market, buyers for ski holiday homes who are often on a Crystal Ski holiday and like Andorra enough to buy a holiday home, plus those looking for a tax haven.

The airport is to be located in Seu d'Urgell, and the first flights are anticipated to be in 2010 or 2011, with a runway of 4,500 feet - not long enough for some medium range aircraft, and it is likely that most commercial airlines using the airport will be 60 to 80 seaters, plus private jets much favoured by the wealthy who might now consider Andorra as a viable tax haven.

As well as being welcomed by the property business in Andorra, a new airport has been greeted enthusiastically by the skiing industry.

The country has upgraded facilities in recent years, and often competes as a top ski destination in Europe, with well known ski companies like Crystal Ski operating holidays for the British market.

In the last decade the number of tourists for the Andorra ski holiday season has topped ten million visitors a year, and the ski industry is an important part of the country's economy, with the government investing in new infrastructure to help tempt visitors back for skiing for repeat visits.

However last year was the worst season for decades as the snow, which normally falls from end October, didn't arrive until mid March, and the first drop in the number of ski holidays in Andorra being sold by British and other European travel agents dropped from the previous ski season for some years.

The new airport cutting travelling time from the UK, one of the Andorra ski holiday's main markets, could boost the occupancy levels of hotels in Andorra significantly.

'When people are considering a ski holiday in Andorra', comment one travel guide, 'At the moment to reach Soldeu, one of Andorra top ski villages, it's two and a half hours from Barcelona to the capital la Vella, and then another twenty minutes on top of that - nearly a three hour trip after a flight. Cutting down resort arrival time from three to one hour will be enough to influence some people's decision on where to visit.'

Recent investment by the government has reached several million Euros designed to keep the country in line with other European winter destinations, and intended to make Andorra a natural choice for the ski and snowboard fraternity, the addition of an airport close to her border could help ensure that.

2011 can't come soon enough for Andorra and the ski resort of Arinsal.

How to Get a Cheap Flight

If you can afford to spend a little time searching, you can save money and get the flight you want and save money. With the Internet, it is easy to comparison shop and get the best deal for your dream vacation. The more you save on airfare, the more you can spend on your vacation.

Start out by going to the big airline shops online. Check prices on Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz. This is your starting point. You may wind up booking with one of these sites, but for now, just use them to get a baseline price.

Next, check prices at some of the smaller sites – Cheaptickets, Farecompare, and airfare. Again, these are sites to get a rough idea on prices. You can also visit your favorite airline and see if they have any specials.

Once you have determined price, airline, and arrival time (more important than departure time), it is time to find a local travel agent or bucket shop.

Armed with the information you found online, you can now ask specifically for the flight you want and know what price your local agent has to beat. You can bargain with them – and let them know what the online prices are (if they are lower).

Plan far enough ahead and if you find a great deal, reserve it and tell your travel agent to call if the price drops. Prices can vary by the day or even the hour. Be persistent.

Here are some more tips to help you save money.

Be very flexible in your travel plans in order to get the lowest fare. The best deals may be limited to travel on certain days of the week or particular hours of the day. After you get a fare quote, ask the reservations agent if you could save even more by leaving a day earlier or later, or by taking a different flight on the same day. Check other agents – not all agents have access to all airlines.

Be smart - plan as far ahead as you can. Some airlines set aside only a few seats on each flight at the lower rates. The real bargains often sell out very quickly. On the other hand, air carriers sometimes make more discount seats available later. If you had decided against a trip because the discount fare you wanted was not available on the desired date, try again, especially just before the advance-purchase deadline.

Some airlines may have discounts that others don't offer. In a large metropolitan area, the fare could depend on which airport you use. Also, a connection (change of planes) or a one-stop flight is sometimes cheaper than a nonstop.

Does the air fare include types of service that airlines have traditionally provided, such as meals or free baggage handling? If you have a connection involving two airlines, will your bags be transferred? Can you get advance seat assignments? If you are stranded, will the ticket be good on another carrier at no extra charge? Will the first airline pay for meals or hotel rooms during the wait?

Keep in mind that many discount fares are non-refundable; if you buy one of these fares and later cancel your trip, you will not get your money back. Some fares also have a penalty for changing flights or dates even if you don't want a refund. You may also have to pay any difference in air fares if your fare is not available on the new flight.

Some airlines will not increase the fare after the ticket is issued and paid for. (Simply holding a reservation without a ticket does not guarantee the fare.) Other airlines may reserve the right to collect more money from you if the fare that you had purchased goes up before departure time. Find out from the airline before you buy your ticket what its policy is on assessing fare increases after the ticket is purchased.

After you buy your ticket, call the airline or travel agent once or twice before departure to check the fare. Fares change all the time, and if that same fare goes down before you fly, some airlines will refund the difference. But you have to ask. Try to establish a rapport with the agent – this will pay off for future flights.

Differences in air fares can be substantial. Careful comparison shopping among airlines does take time, but it can lead to real savings. Be patient, start early, do your homework, and save money.

Airline Reservations and Ticketing Tips

* If your travel plans fall during a busy period, call for reservations early. Flights for holidays may sell out weeks - sometimes months - ahead of time. Don't buy a standby fare or an 'open return' ticket if you need to fly during a high-demand period. You could be stranded for a week or more before a seat becomes available.

* Ask the reservations agent to give you the on-time performance code for any flights that you are considering. This is a one-digit code in the reservations computer that shows how often that flight arrived on time (within 15 minutes) during the most recent reported month. For example, an "8" means that flight arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time between 80% and 89.9% of the time. If you are deciding between two flights with similar schedules and fares, you may want to choose the one with the better on-time record. (Only the largest U.S. airlines are required to maintain these codes.)

* When you make a reservation, be sure the agent records the information accurately. Before you hang up or leave the ticket office, review all of the essential information with the agent - the spelling of your name, the flight numbers and travel dates, and the cities you are traveling between. If there is more than one airport at either city, be sure you check which one you'll be using. It's also important to give the airline your home and work telephone numbers so they can let you know if there is any change in their schedule.

* Your ticket will show the flight number, departure time, date, and status of your reservation for each flight of your itinerary. The "status" box is important. "OK" means you're confirmed. Anything else means that the reservation is not yet certain (e.g., waitlisted).

* A "direct" (or "through") flight can have one or more stops. Sometimes flights with only one flight number can even involve a change of planes. Ask about your exact routing.

* If you are flying to a small city and your flight number has four digits, you may be booked on a commuter airline that has an agreement with the major carrier in whose name the flight is held out. If you are unsure, ask the reservation agent about the airline and the aircraft type; these flights are identified in the computer.

* When a reservation agent asks you to buy your tickets by a specific time or date, this is a deadline. And if you don't make the deadline, the airline may cancel your reservation without telling you.
* Try to have your tickets in hand before you go to the airport. This speeds your check-in and helps you avoid some of the tension you might otherwise feel if you had to wait in a slow-moving ticketing line and worry about missing your flight. Using an e-ticket speeds up the process also.

* If your reservations are booked far enough ahead of time, the airline may offer to mail your tickets to you. However, if you don't receive the tickets and the airline's records show that they mailed them, you may have to go through cumbersome lost-ticket procedures (see the end of this chapter). It is safer to check the telephone directory for a conveniently located travel agency or airline ticket office and buy your tickets there.

* As soon as you receive your ticket check to make sure all the information on it is correct, especially the airports (if any of the cities have more than one) and the flight dates. Have any necessary corrections made immediately.

* Bring a photo I.D. when you fly, and have your airline ticket issued using your name as it appears on that I.D. Many airlines are requesting such identification at check-in in order to reduce the re- selling of discount tickets. (Airlines don't permit tickets to be sold or given to other persons.) On international flights, make sure your name is the same on your ticket and your passport. If your name has recently changed and the name on your ticket and your I.D. are different, bring documentation of the change (e.g., a marriage certificate or court order).

* It's a good idea to reconfirm your reservations before you start your trip; flight schedules sometimes change. On international trips, most airlines require that you reconfirm your onward or return reservations at least 72 hours before each flight. If you don't, your reservations may be canceled.

* Check your ticket as you board each flight to ensure that only the correct coupon has been removed by the airline agent.