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		<title>All Inclusive Hawaiian Cruises</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-hawaiian-cruises/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-hawaiian-cruises/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:15:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[All Inclusive Hawaiian Cruises]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/?p=82</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[// The large number of all inclusive Hawaiian cruises are a firm favorite with families both young and old across Europe and the United States, the all inclusive board basis of these cruise gives families a cost effective way of visiting this amazing destination that they may not be able to afford if they were [...]]]></description>
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<p>The large number of all inclusive Hawaiian cruises are a firm favorite with families both young and old across Europe and the United States, the all inclusive board basis of these cruise gives families a cost effective way of visiting this amazing destination that they may not be able to afford if they were to visit on a flight and hotel basis like many do to the rest of the United States. The cruise ships that visit the Hawaiian Islands, as all cruise ships generally are, are fitted out with families in mind and thus have everything on board to amuse people of all ages making them ideal for that family holiday. Having the all the food and beverages included within the purchase price gives families the added security that they will not creep over budget whilst away, many of the all inclusive Hawaiian cruises will even include the tipping with this price too.</p>
<p>The many Hawaiian islands are regarded as one of the most desirable holiday destinations across the globe, because of this fact they can be one of the most costly places to visit, particularly if you are traveling to them from Europe, coupled with the hotels and expensive flights it can easily become a costly venture, for this reason many people choose to take one of the many all inclusive Hawaiian cruises as a more cost effective way to visit these breathtaking islands. As there has been such a rise in numbers of people interested in this type of holiday there are now many companies competing for their business.  </p>
<p>The islands visited by the all inclusive Hawaiian cruises are large in number, amongst the most popular though are Oahu and the Big Island (also known as Hawaii Island). Oahu is probably the most well known as it is home to the famous resort of Honolulu and Waikiki beach, undoubtedly one of the most stunning and well thought of beaches in the world, famous for its long history of surfing. Waikiki beach is home to a variety of some of the worlds best luxury resorts making it somewhat of a playground for the rich and famous. This however should not dissuade you from visiting as there are hotels and shops to suit all budgets. The Big Island is a volcanic island, actually the largest island in the United States, and is home to a whole host of natural beauties that will make your stop here one to remember. These are but 2 of the amazing islands that you will visit on whichever of the fantastic all inclusive Hawaiian cruises you choose.</p>
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		<title>All Inclusive Cruises to the Bahamas</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-cruises-to-the-bahamas/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-cruises-to-the-bahamas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:03:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[All Inclusive Cruise to the Bahamas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[All Inclusive Cruises to the Bahamas]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/?p=77</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[// The all inclusive cruises to the Bahamas are particularly popular with couples, especially younger ones, the cruise gives these couples an opportunity to visit a destination that otherwise they may not be able to afford, and if they were to book hotels on the island, it would be substantially more expensive. The all inclusive [...]]]></description>
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<p>The all inclusive cruises to the Bahamas are particularly popular with couples, especially younger ones, the cruise gives these couples an opportunity to visit a destination that otherwise they may not be able to afford, and if they were to book hotels on the island, it would be substantially more expensive. The all inclusive cruise also allows them to know exactly how much the holiday will cost them (in total) before they leave, this can be extremely popular with younger couples as they may well be coping with new mortgage payments or bills. Finally and probably the most obvious of all is the allure of the stunning scenery and the breathtaking white sandy beaches that the Bahamas has to offer, arguably some of the best beaches on the planet which gives couples the ideal backdrop for a romantic getaway, with these beaches also comes a plethora of some of the worlds finest fresh seafood.</p>
<p>The Bahamas is widely considered as one the most exotic and exclusive destinations in the world, for this reason many people think that it is out of their price range, a good way to visit this destination for a good price is to book one of the many all inclusive cruises to the Bahamas. The global increase in the number of people wishing to travel on cruise holidays has resulted in a drastic increase in the number of cruise companies operating to the Bahamas and the rest of the Caribbean.</p>
<p><a href="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivecruisestobahamas.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-78" title="allinclusivecruisestobahamas" src="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivecruisestobahamas-300x202.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="202" /></a>There are a huge number of cruise companies now offering all inclusive cruises to the Bahamas, and the large majority of them will start from Miami or Fort Lauderdale and then continue on to other destinations around the Caribbean such as the Barbados, Antigua or St Martin and finally looping back to their embarkation point. Due to the changing climate in and around the Bahamas these cruises do not operate all year round, the high season and therefore the best time to take these cruise is between November and April, most companies will relocate their ships from the Caribbean to Europe during the months of April and October to catch the summer traffic in Europe. The cruise companies that sail to the Bahamas are no different to the hotels on the various islands, they have a large spread of pricing and they endeavor to have something to suit every budget, so whether you are really wanting to indulge yourself for that special occasion or you are working to a tighter budget there will be one of the many all inclusive cruise to the Bahamas vacations to fulfill your desires.</p>
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		<title>All Inclusive Alaskan Cruises</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-alaskan-cruises/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-alaskan-cruises/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:53:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive alaskan cruise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive alaskan cruises]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/?p=73</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Packages are available for all inclusive Alaskan cruises with destination ports of your choosing. Select which ports interest you and choose the cruise package to accommodate yourself.  Another consideration before selecting the cruise package, do they offer guided tours at the destination or if you prefer group tours to see the local sites.  All inclusive [...]]]></description>
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<p>Packages are available for all inclusive Alaskan cruises with destination ports of your choosing. Select which ports interest you and choose the cruise package to accommodate yourself.  Another consideration before selecting the cruise package, do they offer guided tours at the destination or if you prefer group tours to see the local sites.  All inclusive cruises are just that everything is included in the price of the cruise. This means the food, drinks and everything on the boat in included in one price. Never have to worry about money the rest of the cruise, just relax and enjoy the cruise.</p>
<p>Some of the gorgeous places to visit in Alaska are Denali National Park, Anchorage or Juneau. Whichever one you select they are all breath taking and enable you to see glaciers, snow covered mountains and exquisite wild life. Denali National Park has a beautiful landscape with a diverse wildlife, grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, moose and caribou. The view of spectacular Mount McKinley will be memorable forever.  Mount McKinley highest peak reaches 20,320 feet in the air.  Anchorage has a special appeal of natural beauty that is undisturbed by man. Mountains, seas and glaciers are surrounding you. Anchorage offers fine restaurants to eat at and vacation lodges to relax after a long hike.</p>
<p><a href="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivealaskancruise.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-74" title="allinclusivealaskancruise" src="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivealaskancruise-300x180.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="180" /></a>Juneau is the state capital of Alaska. If fishing is an interest, you can do it here. Take a tour through the capital. Stop at the Red dog saloon and talk with the local native elders. Sightseeing in Juneau allows you to view humpback whales, seals and of course glaciers. The glaciers are the color of Windex, a blue that you have never seen anywhere else in the world.  Before booking the all inclusive Alaskan cruise look at the prices and what you planned on spending. Consider which cities in Alaska you wish to stop at and for how long. Do you want a 5 day cruise or a 7 day cruise that would allow you to go to more destinations? What time of the year do you want to travel? In the summer months it is very pleasant to walk and hike without being cold. Alaskan cruises are very popular and offer a very memorable vacation. With the all inclusive cruise it is easy to budget once you have paid the package price you are done. So allow for some souvenir shopping, but that is really all the additional money needed.</p>
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		<title>All Inclusive Cruise Holidays</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-cruise-holidays/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-cruise-holidays/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:45:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruise holiday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruise holidays]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/?p=69</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[// The All inclusive cruise holidays are a particular favorite with families, particularly the young ones, there are many factors that make the all inclusive cruise holidays appealing to families, they give the parents an opportunity to show their children a number of different places and cultures at a much lower price than visiting each [...]]]></description>
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<p>The All inclusive cruise holidays are a particular favorite with families, particularly the young ones, there are many factors that make the all inclusive cruise holidays appealing to families, they give the parents an opportunity to show their children a number of different places and cultures at a much lower price than visiting each of them individually, the cruise ships are also very well equipped with entertainment to suit all of the family no matter what age group they fall under and they are always filled with a number of children from all age groups making it easy for them to make new friends, but probably the most important of all is the value for money, not only can they get low prices on many cruises but due to the all inclusive board basis they need not worry about over spending whilst away.</p>
<p>During this climate of increasing economic uncertainty when choosing a holiday many people are choosing all inclusive cruise holidays. This genre of holiday has become increasingly more popular over the last 30 years, this has resulted in a vast increase in the number cruise holiday companies globally, and it is now an increasingly competitive part of today&#8217;s travel market, which in itself with the added pressure from the many low budget carriers has too become extremely competitive.</p>
<p><a href="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivecruiseholidays1.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-71" title="allinclusivecruiseholidays" src="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivecruiseholidays1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>There are a plethora of destinations to choose from when picking All inclusive cruise holidays, but without a doubt the most popular are the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, and for this reason this is where the largest concentration of cruise ships are. Due to the varied climates of these two destinations, many of the cruise companies that operate in these areas only operate seasonal cruises. This means that they can supply their cruises to their clients at the optimum time of year, so their European cruises will sail from April to October and their Caribbean ones will sail from November to April. With the large amount of cruise companies on the market today it is advisable to take the time and attention necessary to pick the right cruise for you there are many different styles and sizes of cruise ship and most are geared towards a particular age group or group of people, there really is a cruise to suit everyone, so whether its just a last minute booking and you are looking for a bargain or you are booking for that special occasion and you want the holiday of a lifetime, their will be one of the many all inclusive cruise holidays to suit your needs.</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>All Inclusive Cruise Vacation</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-cruise-vacation/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-cruise-vacation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:39:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruise vacation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruise vacation packages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruise vacations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive vacation cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vacation cruise packages all inclusive]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/?p=63</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[// The All inclusive cruise vacation is particularly popular with families, especially young families, this is due to a number of reasons, firstly the majority of cruise companies across the globe cater extremely well for all of the family, ensuring that there is plenty aboard to keep both children (of all ages) and adults alike [...]]]></description>
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<p>The All inclusive cruise vacation is particularly popular with families, especially young families, this is due to a number of reasons, firstly the majority of cruise companies across the globe cater extremely well for all of the family, ensuring that there is plenty aboard to keep both children (of all ages) and adults alike amused for the duration of the cruise. The second and possibly the most important factor is the value for money of the all inclusive vacation, not only are the prices of many cruises excellent value for money but due to the fact that the cruises are all inclusive it means that the family will know exactly what the vacation will cost before they depart and this is an extremely attractive option to any family, particularly those on a budget. Thirdly, the cruise gives families a chance to see a large number of destinations for the cost of just traveling to one, this is ideal for parents looking to show their children as many different cultures and landscapes without it costing them the earth.</p>
<p><a href="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivecruisevacation.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-65" title="allinclusivecruisevacation" src="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivecruisevacation-300x201.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="201" /></a>Vacations cruise packages that are all inclusive have been quite appealing in our current economic state.  In today&#8217;s economic climate, many people when choosing their annual vacation are opting for an all inclusive cruise vacation. This type of vacation has become more and more popular over the last few decades, this has caused a huge increase in the number of cruise vacations on offer across the globe, it has become a hugely competitive market with such a large number of different cruise companies competing with each other in the ever increasingly tough travel market of today.  There are an infinite number of destinations for your All inclusive cruise vacation packages, but amongst the most popular are the Caribbean and Europe, particularly the Spain and Italy. Many of the cruise companies will offer seasonal cruises to ensure that their patrons receive the perfect weather to accompany their cruise in a effect to make it all the more perfect, this means that the majority of cruises around Europe will operate from April-October and the ones around the Caribbean from November to April making sure they avoid the hurricane season in August and September. Prices can vary drastically and their truly is a cruise to fit every budget, they can start as low as $150 per person for a short cruise all the way up to the long-term luxury cruises that run into the $1000`s. So whatever your desire there will always be an All inclusive vacation cruises to suit you.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>All Inclusive Cruises Alcohol Included</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-cruises-alcohol-included/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2010/01/all-inclusive-cruises-alcohol-included/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:43:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises alcohol included]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/?p=56</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[// An all inclusive cruises alcohol included sounds like a great deal, after all everything is included.  This is a great way to budget for your trip and you should not need any extra spending money except when you go into a port.  All of this is actually a misconception. Before you book that cruise, [...]]]></description>
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<p>An all <a href="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com ">inclusive cruises alcohol included</a> sounds like a great deal, after all everything is included.  This is a great way to budget for your trip and you should not need any extra spending money except when you go into a port.  All of this is actually a misconception.</p>
<p>Before you book that cruise, do your homework, you may be very surprised.  You probably will pay for your own flight, and if the flight is late very few cruise lines will let you rebook, you just loose your place on the ship.    The all-inclusive alcohol cruise usually means accommodations, meals and entertainment.  Meals included are open to all passengers and you will be sitting with other passengers.  If you want a private dining table, it will cost you for the reservation and the table.  If you want a private room dining experience or fine dining, that will also be an additional charge.  Tips are included in the basic packages but added perks that are not included are the additional gratuity that is expected and in most cased just added onto your bill.  Snacks may not be included, you need to confirm this.  Usually with dinner, wine and champagne are offered.  Alcohol is not an all you can drink event, you may want to check the many rules and regulations about that with the cruise line you have picked. There are some exceptions, but they are very expensive.</p>
<p><a href="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivecruisesalcoholincluded.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-57 alignright" title="allinclusivecruisesalcoholincluded" src="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/allinclusivecruisesalcoholincluded.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="266" /></a><a href="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2009/11/all-inclusive-cruises-including-alcohol/">All Inclusive cruises alcohol included</a> usually have very stringent itineraries.  All activities are at a set time.  Events, and shore activities are also well timed if you are not where you need to be you can be left behind.  Entry to the casinos is included as well as beverages, but the gambling cash to use is up to you.  If you are a free spirit, this type of cruise may not be for you.  Perhaps doing a proposed spending chart to make sure this kind of cruise is advantageous for you, or booking it all individually would be better.  The advantages to booking an all inclusive cruise alcohol included for many people are the right ticket.  Plan to eat lots of great food and meet some perhaps future friends that you will meet while dining.  Planned activities are good ways to keep you moving to see the sights.  The activities are fun and the energetic cruise workers entertain and amuse you.  You will create many memories, and toast to your memories you create, is included.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>All Inclusive Cruises Including Alcohol</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2009/11/all-inclusive-cruises-including-alcohol/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2009/11/all-inclusive-cruises-including-alcohol/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:52:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[alcohol inclusive cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive alcohol cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises alcohol include]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises alcohol included]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all inclusive cruises including alcohol]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[cruises with drinks included]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/?p=44</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[// All inclusive cruises including alcohol are a major misconception among people who book cruise vacations.  The simple answer to this question is no. However, there are few cruise lines that offer their passengers an all you can drink cruise package but you should read this before you decide to buy one of these packages. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="”display: block; float: right;">
<p><script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
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<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-46" title="allinclusivecruises" src="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/allinclusivecruises.jpg" alt="allinclusivecruises" width="150" height="120" />All inclusive cruises including alcohol are a major misconception among people who book cruise vacations.   The simple answer to this question is no.  However, there are few cruise lines that offer their passengers an all you can drink cruise package but you should read this before you decide to buy one of these packages.  You might be wondering why cruise lines state that their cruises are all inclusive, when in reality, they do not give you everything with one cruise package.</p>
<p>So what exactly is included with a cruise line package?  All inclusive cruise packages include your basic amenities such as a cabin room, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), on-ship entertainment, tips, and some off-shore activities.  Airfare may or may not be included on your cruise depending on the type of package you select.  Typically, you will get a cheaper cruise if you talk with a cruise line agent and negotiate a sea and air cruise package.</p>
<p>So what isn’t included in a typical cruise?  As stated above, all cruise packages include meals and snacks, BUT if you want private dining or fine dining, then you will have to pay extra.  Most cruise lines have special restaurants that cater to people who decide that they want some peace and quiet and would like to sample 5 star cuisines, instead of the meals that are provided to the rest of the public.  These restaurants tend to have 5 star service, better wine selections, and better ambiance.  The thing about the “free” meals on board a cruise ship is that you will have to eat in an open style dining facility with many strangers.  This type of dining is fine for some, but other people do not like to talk with strangers and do not like to eat amongst loud and noisy establishments.  If you are the latter person, then you can choose to eat in the restaurants stated above, however, make sure to make your reservations early.  Also, you will need to pay for a reservation, which typically costs around $15 per person.  On an all inclusive cruise, alcohol is not included and neither are soft drinks.  However, there are a few cruise lines that offer alcoholic beverages with your meal and you can choose from a limited wine selection on many European cruise lines.</p>
<p>Here’s the deal, if you are looking to get sloshed and drink every day, then a cruise isn’t probably the best thing for you.  If you are a heavy drinker, then I suggest you go to an all inclusive style resort in Cancun, Mexico.  This way you can drink every night, party, and go clubbing to your heart’s desire.  Usually people are older in age, or go with families on cruises and if you are a party animal, make sure to select the right kind of cruise.  There are alcohol inclusive cruises, but you will have to pay a lot of money in order to partake on one of these cruises.  Think of it this way, how much will you actually drink and will you get your monies worth?  If you are a light drinker and cannot handle your alcohol, one night of heavy drinking is going to knock you out for your whole vacation and you definitely won’t be getting your value if you do not drink everyday on an all inclusive cruises including alcohol cruise.  Instead, just pay as you go as alcoholic beverages tend to be cheaper on most cruise lines and you can have one binged filled night and still save more money than you would if you paid for an all inclusive cruise that includes the cost of alcohol.</p>
<p>Cruises with drinks included typically do not charge for soft drinks and coffee beverages.  If you are with little ones, then you will get your value from these types of cruises because kids tend to drink a lot of soda and the price of soft drinks can add up over time.</p>
<p>Simply put, there is no such thing as alcohol inclusive cruises.  The reason why the majority of cruise ships do not offer these types of packages are because they would end up having too many drunk patrons on board their cruise ships, or they would have to charge an unattractive fee in order to supply enough free booze to their customers.</p>
<p>There are some all inclusive cruises with alcohol. <a href="http://www.crystalcruises.com/">Crystal Cruises</a> offers wine and champagne with their meals.  <a href="http://www.rssc.com/">Regent Seven Seas </a>and <a href="http://www.silversea.com/">Silver Seas</a> also offer wine and alcoholic beverages with their dinner meals.  However, expect to pay a premium for these luxury cruise lines and do not expect to get free mixed drinks.</p>
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		<title>Cruise Vacations for Novices</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2009/08/cruise-vacations-for-novices/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2009/08/cruise-vacations-for-novices/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:55:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[cruise vacations planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise agents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise vacations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise vacations for novices]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/?p=31</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you a beginner to cruise vacations?  Here is a your one stop shop for all information on learning how to book your first cruise.  There are many ways to book a cruise and you might be overwhelmed with the abundance of information on the internet, brochures and newspaper advertisements.  Rest be assured, by the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-34" title="cruisevacations9" src="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/cruisevacations9.jpg" alt="cruisevacations9" width="130" height="87" /></p>
<p>Are you a beginner to cruise vacations?  Here is a your one stop shop for all information on learning how to book your first cruise.  There are many ways to book a cruise and you might be overwhelmed with the abundance of information on the internet, brochures and newspaper advertisements.  Rest be assured, by the time you&#8217;re doing resting this article, you will have a great enough understanding of what to do when booking your cruise package.</p>
<p>First off, what kind of cruise are you looking for?  Are you looking for something relaxing or are you looking for adventure and a high energy environment? You must figure out what exactly you&#8217;re looking for before selecting your cruise.  There are many various types of cruises available and at least one of them can harbor the majority of your needs and desires.  That being said, the second task that you should do is select a cruise travel agent.</p>
<p>Now, most of you will want to try and book a vacation by yourself but this is not the time to book a vacation independently.   Land vacations are quite different from cruise vacation packages and more thought needs to be put into your bookings.  I personally, use travel agents to book all my cruises as I know they will actually save me money in the long run.  Cruising is not like booking airfare, there are so many other incidences that could occur and travel agents are definitely worth their coin when you&#8217;re in a pickle.</p>
<p>Internet companies cannot provide you with the customer service that a travel agent can.  For example, say you booked your travels online.  Let&#8217;s say you are looking for <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/All-Inclusive-Cruises-What-is-included">all inclusive Caribbean cruises</a>.  Typically, you have to put down ten to twenty percent of your deposit at booking and the rest 45-60 days before departure.  What if  you found a better deal in between that time?  Is it likely that the internet company will refund your package and allow you to get the cheaper package?  That is a very unlikely scenario as internet companies are not that flexible.  Travel agents on the other hand, can rearrange things so that you can get a better package or a least an upgrade.  Remember, they are trying to help you out so that you will continue to use their services.  Also, internet companies usually buy packages in bulk and do not work directly with the cruise line.  Travel agents work directly with cruise line and have access to information that an Internet company would not have.  Travel agents are more knowledgeable about cruising and it&#8217;s easier to ask them questions and get in contact with them if anything did happen to occur.  Internet companies cannot and will not provide this service.  So it&#8217;s still up to you to decide if you want to save a couple books and not have the flexibility and customer service that you would receive if you booked through a travel agent.</p>
<p>The basics of having a good cruise is selecting the right cruise agent.  Cruise agents can save you hundreds of dollars, if not thousands.  You will need an expert on cruises to get the right cruise for you.  First, how should you select a cruise agent?</p>
<p>Has your cruise agent been on more than a dozen cruises on multiple cruise lines?  This is a sign that your agent is experienced in his field.  Also, a good cruise agent will not accept the first price offered by a cruise line and can answer virtually any questions that you have about each cruise.  If they have not been on a cruise before, be wary.  This is like asking advice about the best steak from a person that doesn&#8217;t eat meat.</p>
<p>There are three ways to make a reservations: you can book directly with the cruise line, go through a cruise agent, or book on the Internet.  Personally, I would go with a cruise agent, but to each their own (especially for your first time booking).  After your first time and once you become experienced with cruising, then you can venture off and start booking your own cruises.  However,  some cruise lines might be able to cut you a better price on a cabin and have additional information that some internet companies can not provide.  Also, a cruise agent will be available most of the time to answer your questions and can accommodate special requests, something an internet company cannot do.  You can even book your next cruise once you&#8217;re on the cruise ship.  Typically, booking on the cruise ship itself is worth the time as they can provide the most-up-to date information and provide special deals that you might not find anywhere else.</p>
<p>Here are some questions you should ask your cruise agent:</p>
<p>1.  How many cruises have you personally been on?</p>
<p>2.  Why you are special compared to other agents?</p>
<p>3.  How can you provide me with a better package than other agents?</p>
<p>4.  What cruise line do you work with on a regular basis?</p>
<p>5.  How much experience and how many years have you been working in this industry?</p>
<p>6.  Ask for clients names of whom they agent has worked for in the past</p>
<p>6.  Are you accredited or have a master cruise counselor designation from the Cruise Line Industry Association?</p>
<p>If they cannot confidently answer these questions, then it&#8217;s advisable to seek help elsewhere.  So where can you find these cruise agents?  Have your friends gone a cruise before?  Ask your more experienced friends about how they booked their trips.  Word of mouth is  a great way to find an agent.  Having a friendly relationship is very important as you will be dealing with this person more than just one time.  If they are pushy and insist on pushing only one type of cruise on you, this means that they are going for the sale rather than your personal interest.  Cruise agents work on commissions and if they keep asking you to purchase one cruise line without giving you a variety, it means that they are going for a high commission, not your personal benefit.  To work your way around this, ask your agent to provide you with three other cruise lines that provide the same packages, if he is unwilling to do so, move on to another agent.</p>
<p>Be specific and firm about how much money you want to spend and what type of cruise you want to go on.  Make sure you know what you want before you go in to the office.  You need to be responsible and do a little research before talking with an agent.  Once you&#8217;ve found the perfect agent, you will want to keep going back to him or her.  Write them a note and thank them for booking the best cruise vacations for you.</p>
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		<title>Cruise Vacations Tips Series</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2009/07/cruise-vacations-tips-series/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2009/07/cruise-vacations-tips-series/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:35:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[cruise vacations planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[general cruise vacation information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise vacations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise vacations costs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise vacations tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/?p=23</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The cruise vacations tips series is a series of random tips to answer beginning cruisers questions about cruising and all elements of the trip.  How many times on a trip do you ask yourself or someone, &#8220;how do we blah blah blah?&#8221; or &#8220;I should have brought blah blah blah on this trip!&#8221;.  You can [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_24" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 140px"><img class="size-full wp-image-24" title="cruisevacations9" src="http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/cruisevacations9.jpg" alt="cruise vacations 1" width="130" height="87" /><p class="wp-caption-text">cruise vacations 1</p></div>
<p>The cruise vacations tips series is a series of random tips to answer beginning cruisers questions about cruising and all elements of the trip.  How many times on a trip do you ask yourself or someone, &#8220;how do we blah blah blah?&#8221; or &#8220;I should have brought blah blah blah on this trip!&#8221;.  You can benefit from these posts by reading and taking notes on items that you should bring on your cruise vacations.  Also, there is information in here that will help you save money and time during your travels.  Making sure that you have the best cruise vacation depends on great research, an honest travel agent and your personal preferences.  Cruise lines have personality just like you do.  Some cruises target the affluent and more sophisticated types while other cruises are more for middle class America.  Thing main point is that there is something for everyone and the best way to get the most out of your cruise is to find one that fits your personality.</p>
<p>If it&#8217;s your first time at sea, make sure you&#8217;re not sea sick.  If so, maybe cruising is the best idea for you.  Also, it&#8217;s good to &#8220;test out the waters&#8221; on your first cruise and go for a short duration cruise.  If you have kids, make sure there&#8217;s a child daycare program so you can actually have a vacation and relax a bit.</p>
<p>Millions have experienced the joys of cruising and millions more will enjoy within 2009.  There are plenty of on-board and off board activities for anything that you can imagine and it will take a very experienced traveler a lot of proper time management to fit in all the activities that they want to do.  If you are a beginner, it&#8217;s going to be that much harder for you to plan as you have no idea what you&#8217;re doing.  The key is to become as familiar as possible with all amenities and research all aspect of each cruise line that you want to go on.  For example, if you&#8217;re single and ready to mingle, you probably don&#8217;t wan to go on a family oriented Disney cruise vacation.  You&#8217;d probably want to check out the Royal Caribbean as there are more singles and people ready to party and participate in singles activities.</p>
<p>The first thing you&#8217;ll need to do is a little research.  Prepare for a cruise ship and plan ahead.  The more planning that you do ahead of time, the more enjoyable and less stressful it&#8217;ll be on your cruise.  First off, think of the reason why you&#8217;re going on this trip.  Do you want to go on a cruise ship or did one of your friends push you to go on this trip. What kind of trip do you want?  Are you planning on relaxing or do you want to jam in as many activities as possible?  What is your budget on this trip?  Remember that there are many additional shore excursions that you can participate in and all of these excursions are not free.  Make sure to factor in gratuities, drinks, taxes and spending money when budgeting your cruise.  Also, if you buy just the sailing part of the trip, make sure to factor in airfare, transportation to the port and lodging before you get on the trip.</p>
<p>Another word about budgeting.  Make sure to check the cruise lines website or the travel centers website to determine how much each shore excursion costs and how many excursions are available.  This will help you factor in how much more you will have to pay for your trip.  Throw in an additional $100 for &#8220;emergency&#8221; expenses just in case you become sick or need additional taxi fare money to get back to the ship.  Do you have your passport ready?  All international cruises require passports and won&#8217;t allow you on the vessel unless you are equipped with one.  If you are a frequent traveler or cruiser, it might be recommended to check into travel insurance.  Also, look at the cruise line or vacation centers cancellation policy and budget this into your total trip package.</p>
<p>Now, with all of these things factored in, you can start looking at the fun part of the trip!</p>
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		<title>Cruise Vacations and Cuisine</title>
		<link>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2009/07/cruise-vacations-and-cuisine/</link>
		<comments>http://cruisevacationsexpert.com/2009/07/cruise-vacations-and-cuisine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:07:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cruisevacationsexpert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[general cruise vacation information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise vacations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise vacations cuisine]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Cruise vacations are an enjoyable way to get away from the &#8220;riff-raff&#8221; and the stresses of land vacations.  An important part of any vacation is the food.  I know when I&#8217;m on a vacation, some of the highlights are the restaurants that I dined at and got to experience.  Fine cuisine is a way to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Cruise vacations</strong> are an enjoyable way to get away from the &#8220;riff-raff&#8221; and the stresses of land vacations.  An important part of any vacation is the food.  I know when I&#8217;m on a vacation, some of the highlights are the restaurants that I dined at and got to experience.  Fine cuisine is a way to create memories with friends and loved ones.  On the other hand, if the food is horrible or you have a bad experience with dining on your vacation, it could tease a sour taste in your mouth (literally).  This post is a guide to what you can expect when dining on a cruise ship.</p>
<p>Like I&#8217;ve said before, you get what you pay for in life.  This is the motto of cruising.  The more you pay the better experience you&#8217;ll have.  The more you pay the better food you&#8217;ll eat.  How good is the food on a cruise ship?  This question can only be answered with one statement, it depends.  With many cruise ships chartering the waters, there are so many varieties of service that you cannot generalize the adequacy of cuisine just by being on one cruise ship.  One cruise line could have frozen, re-heat, microwavable foods, while another cruise line could have champagne and caviar for every meal.<br />
Expect more, pay more.  These days, high-quality foods cost more and high quality ingredients cost money.  The expenses of higher quality ingredients are trickled down to the vacationer.  If you&#8217;re on a low budget cruise, don&#8217;t expect to eat steak and lobster for every meal.  The thing you have to understand is that cruise lines are serving up hundreds to thousands of meals at one sitting, it&#8217;s nearly impossible to create such fine dining for that many people.</p>
<p>The term &#8220;banquet hall&#8221; comes into mind when dining on a cruise ship.  Think of eating at a Golden Corral or at a large wedding and this is the experience you might have while cruising.  Often times, the food is tasteless, yet palatable.  Aboard low-budget boats, you will eat portioned, pre-frozen meals.  The term &#8220;fresh fish&#8221; can be laughed at because nothing is really &#8220;fresh&#8221; on a cruise ship (how could it be?).  Many times, vegetables are treated with agents to make them last longer.</p>
<p><strong>Typical Dining Schedule</strong></p>
<p>Here is what you can expect your eating schedule to be when vacationing on a cruise:</p>
<p>Early risers can expect to have coffee and tea and breakfast is generally served after 6 am.  Typically, breakfast boasts around 60-70 different types of items to choose from.  If you do not want to deal with the crowds, you can always serve yourself in a buffet style setting at an indoor or outdoor cafe.  You will be able to get the usual breakfast fare but it the selection won&#8217;t be as high as the main banquet hall breakfast.  Lunch locations are in the main dining hall, banquet style buffet at an indoor or outdoor cafe or fast food style food courts that serve hamburgers, pizza and hotdogs.  If you&#8217;re still hungry after lunch, you can always try the &#8220;high-tea&#8221; or &#8220;afternoon tea&#8221; during the latter hours of the afternoon.  Afternoon tea consists of finger sandwiches and an assortment of cookies and small cakes.  When dinner time comes around you will be able to experience a formal style banquet hall.  Usually people will dress up for dinner with casual nights being on the first and last night’s of the cruise.  IF you&#8217;re STILL hungry after all of the other meals, you can always feast on late night snacks within the public areas.  Late night snacks are served buffet style and have typical fast food fare.</p>
<p><strong>Seating Arrangements</strong></p>
<p>Many people are not used to the seating arrangements of curie ship dining.  If you are not a social person, eating in the main banquet hall is going to be difficult for you.  If you&#8217;re on a cruise ship, expect to meet people, this is a plain and simple fact.  Most ships have directed seating and you will sit wherever a seat is available.  This means you might have to sit next to strangers.  You can get out of this by having large enough group of friends or family members to occupy an entire table.   Think of it like a big barbeque where you don&#8217;t know anyone.  You grab your food and find a seat at one of the picnic table where other people are congregating.</p>
<p>Sometimes you will talk to people; sometimes people will talk to you.  The main factor is that you&#8217;re going to be amongst a lot of people and you&#8217;re going to have interact in one way or another with ship mates.  Tables for two are very rare and most tables seat around four to six people.  Some good advice is to seat at a larger table if you are a couple.   The reason for asking for a larger table is that if you do not get along with the people at a 4 person table, it could ruin your dining experience.  Having a larger seating arrangement means that you won&#8217;t have to be &#8220;face to face&#8221; with another couple. There are different seating arrangements depending on how large the cruise ship is.  Typically a smaller cruise ship will have one to two seating’s and larger cruise ships will have up to four seating’s.  You are allowed to pick your seating time on most large cruise ships.</p>
<p>Do you like buffetts? Personally, I would stay away from buffeets but many people do not mind this type of eating style.  Make sure to be careful for the angry old ladies (they really want first pickings!)  Make sure to be patient as everyone else is waiting just like you to get their food.  It&#8217;s usually good to get to the front of the line so you do not have to see the reminants of what used to be an apple cobbler.  The food looks pretty worse for the wear after a few hundred people go through a buffett line.</p>
<p>For me, I like to go on cruises not for the food, but for the water sports and for a unique experience. Cruise vacations are a great way to get away from your typical vacation and do something that is out of the norm.</p>
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