February 22, 2008
Cruises from Galveston: What to Wear, Do and See
Cruises from Galveston have different occasions on a cruise ship and different expectations of how you dress. Believe it or not, there are dress codes and you have to dress a certain way at the different types of evenings on board the ship. The different evenings on a cruise ship are a casual night, a smart casual night, and a formal night.
Cruises from Galveston are a lot of fun, but you must adhere to the dress code for the dining room or you will not be allowed to enter. On casual night men are expected to wear a sport shirt and slacks to dine in the dining room and women must wear sundresses or pants. If you go into the dining room for dinner wearing shorts and a t-shirt, you will not be permitted to eat.
The smart casual night is not so casual at all. Men should wear a suit of some sort, preferably a jacket and tie and women should wear pant suits or dresses. If you have children, be sure to pack them some of their nice clothes because they should be dressed nice also.
The formal night is just as it sounds, it is formal. Most cruises from Galveston have a formal night so be prepared. Men should wear suits or tuxedos, in most cases men are wearing tuxedos. They will take professional photos of you and your family on the ship also. Women should wear a nice cocktail dress and pants will not be permitted. Formal night is taken seriously on the cruise ship. If you don’t want to partake in the formal night for dining, then you will have to eat at a buffet later, possibly midnight.
The shorter the cruise, the less formal nights there will be. On four day cruises from Galveston, you can only expect one formal night. If you are taking a 2 week cruise from Galveston, then you will have three or four formal nights in the dining room on the cruise.
Cruises from Galveston have a dress code in the dining room, most cruises do to. Think about this when you pack and be prepared to dress up and look nice at every dinner.
February 1, 2008
Cruise Boston to Bermuda – What to Pack
So you are finally going to cruise Boston Bermuda on the Norwegian Cruise lines or one of the other many cruise lines that offer cruises and you aren’t sure what to pack. Well, you have to keep the weather in mind and the time of year you are planning on taking your cruise. You have to keep in mind the airline limitations on luggage, a cruise ships limitations on luggage, and the size of the rooms on the cruise ships.
The weather in the Caribbean is fabulous. This best time of year for to cruise Boston Bermuda is from November through March. This is when the rainy season is pretty much over and it isn’t too hot and humid that it is unbearable to enjoy yourself on the cruise. The weather will average between 80-90 degrees and the humidity in Bermuda may be up to 80 % which is normal. You might get out of the shower and immediately feel sweaty. This means the clothes that you pack on this trip should be very lightweight. Linen is a favorite because it provides for breathing in the warm and moist weather and it isn’t uncomfortable. Bring a sweater for nights, but you won’t need it in the daytime. Also, don’t forget tons of sunscreen to protect yourself from the ultraviolet rays because you are going close to the equator. Bring sunglasses to protect your eyes, and if you are really fair, you might consider a hat too.
Most airlines have a weight limit on the baggage and the cruise ship for your cruise Boston to Bermuda will have a baggage limit of 200 pounds. Plus, the rooms are really small. Don’t bring too much stuff or you will be totally crammed in your room and annoyed and you will be wanting to throw things overboard. Unless, you really plan on working, there is no need for the laptop and all of the books and extra stuff. Many people bring them on the cruise and they won’t touch them the entire trip. You shouldn’t anyway, you are on vacation.
Your cruise Boston Bermuda is going to be exquisite. Don’t over pack and make sure you are bringing the right items.
August 17, 2007
Explore Cruises to Mexico
Cruises to Mexico offer visitors adventure, sun, and romance. Many cruise lines offer Mexican destinations among the ports they visit. Before you book a cruise, you should research the different destinations to find the ones that you want to have included in your cruise.
Many people visit Acapulco each year. Famous for its beaches and nightlife, the city offers many different distractions for visitors. Watch cliff divers jump 150 feet into the ocean, swim with dolphins, golf luxury courses, or discover the history of the city. Whether you dance the night away or sway in a hammock, Acapulco is a favorite destination.
Although it’s just 20 miles from California, Catalina Island feels much farther. Small towns, unspoiled wilderness, and beaches lure cruise lines in. Once you’re there, take a boat ride on a glass bottom boat, kayak along the shore, or snorkel near the kelp beds.
Puerto Vallarta blends history with a gorgeous setting. Hike to a jungle waterfall, relax on the beach, or explore the city’s historical sites. Active travelers will particularly love the variety of activities offered in this port from hiking and mountain biking to parasailing and scuba diving.
Mazatlan is another popular cruise destination. Golden beaches, blue lagoons, and great sport fishing await visitors along with art galleries and tequila tours. Sitting just below the Tropic of Cancer, the city makes a great winter destination.
Whether you are looking for excitement or a laid back day, Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas will meet your needs. This destination is a great place to go whale watching during the winter and for kayaking any time of year. Water lovers will soak up the sun and activities here.
Ensenada, the second most visited Mexican port city, produces 90 percent of Mexico’s wine. Aztec history abounds in the city’s sites. Dine on seafood while sampling some of the regions wines and stroll along the waterfront promenade.
Ixtapa offers visitors young, modern destination. You can tour the countryside or golf two of Mexico’s best courses. You’ll also love the sandy beaches and coves while you swim, relax, or participate in other beach and water activities.
Cruises to Mexico often take in at least one of these port cities, although you can also find other options. Consider what you’d like to do on your days off the cruise ship and try to find a cruise that will take you to the appropriate destination. While all the towns offer beaches and water activities, some also offer jungle hikes or historical sites.
August 13, 2007
The Allure of Tampa Cruises
Tampa cruises are extremely popular because Tampa is a common port departure for many Caribbean cruises.
What’s so Great About Tampa?
For starters, Tampa’s in a perfect location to be the launching point for Caribbean cruises. It’s right on the water so the cruises can easily leave the port and head toward a vast array of Caribbean islands including the Dominican Republic, the Virgin Islands and Mexico.
Tampa’s also very easy to get to. It’s one of Florida’s major cities and has an airport making it very easy for Tampa cruise guests to get to their cruise starting point. Because it’s such a main flight destination, Tampa also has reasonably priced tickets. It’s generally cheaper to fly to Tampa than it is to fly to Hawaii, which is another popular cruise destination.
Tampa’s also a great place to start your cruise experience because it’s a fun city. Tampa is an Americanized version of the Latin influence you’ll see on your Caribbean Tampa cruise. You can visit Latin restaurants that are located throughout Tampa. You can also visit Ybor City, which is Tampa’s Latin district.
Tampa’s nightlife is very vibrant and flavorful. But there’s a lot to do during the day too. Tampa is home to Busch Gardens, Raymond James Stadium, Lowry Park Zoo, the Museum of Science and plenty of shopping. It also has a lot of coastline so if you fee like it, you can work on your base tan before you step on the cruise ship!
Tampa is also close (about 60 miles) from Orlando. Orlando, of course, is home to the infamous Disney World! Tampa is a great place to start or end a cruise. If you plan on using Tampa as a launching point for your Tampa cruise, consider arriving early or leaving late so you can take in all Tampa has to offer.
The Cruises
No one cruise defines Tampa cruises. However, Tampa is known for sending cruisers on their way to Caribbean, Mexican and Latin American. Tampa has ports for three different cruise lines. This includes Royal Caribbean, Carnival Legend and Holland America. Most of these cruise lines offer several different cruises a day and they go to a variety of different places. Cruises to the Western Caribbean and Mexico tend to be the most popular. You can find cruises that last for three to 14 days.
You should book your cruise in advance. You can find a cruise on one of these lines by going to the cruise line’s Web site. These sites are very easy to navigate and will give you a list of cruises according to departing city, attractions, seasonal activities or part of the world. All Tampa ports for Tampa cruises are close to the interstate. Parking for Tampa cruises costs about $12 a day so be sure to include this in your vacation budget.
August 11, 2007
Spice Up Your Life with Mexican Cruises
Stick a margarita in your hand and put on your salsa shoes because this is the only way to start your adventure on Mexican cruises.
Covering the Basics
Mexican cruises literally go all over Mexico. They vary in regards of boat size, amenities and length of stay, but they all give you a delicious taste of the wonderful experiences Mexico has to offer. Obviously these trips get more expensive as you choose ships with more amenities. Some cruises are all inclusive, which means that you have access to every feature on the ship. This also means that all food and drink (including alcoholic beverages) are included in the plan. Other plans include some extras and not others. Most cruise ships have different packages so you can decide how much you want to spend.
Mexican cruises become more expensive as the length of stay increases. Some of the cruises are very short (three days) and others can last for more than a week. Longer cruises are nice because they allow you to see more of the country.
Choosing Your Port Cities
All Mexican cruises stop at various ports. Passengers are allowed to get off the ship and explore the port cities. These ports run up and down both Mexican coasts. Some even jump over to Cozumel. As you’re researching your Mexican cruise, don’t forget to research the ports included in the cruise because this is where you will be spending your time on land.
Mazatlan, for example, is a great port for history buffs because it was settled by the Spanish in 1531 and was a stop off for Americans headed to the California gold rush in the 1840s. Mazatlan also has great fishing and beaches.
Cabo San Lucas is a great place for young people. It’s a very lively area and has plenty of bars, restaurants and other evening entertainment for the party crowd. Cabo San Lucas also has great whale watching for any nature buffs.
Cruise lines have a litany of excursions that they offer to their guests. These excursions cost extra money, but many are well worth it. Once you’ve chosen your port cities, figure out what kind of excursions your cruise offers in that area and sign up for the ones you like. Excursions include the following: cliff diving, ocean-kayaking and snorkeling, whale watching, ATV adventures, mountain bike riding, horseback riding on the beach, scuba diving and many, many more.
Finding Your Cruise
You can find Mexican cruises that suit your style and cruise preferences by using the Internet or talking to a travel agent. You can also go directly to the cruise ship’s Web site and research its cruise options. The following companies are among many that cater to Mexican cruises: Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Carnival Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
