The Benefits of Sailing Alone on a Cruise

Getting away from it all sometimes means traveling alone in order to enjoy peace and quiet. If you have a busy lifestyle and you want to not have to speak to anyone for a few days or a week, taking a cruise by yourself is one way to do this. While you may meet people once aboard, you have the option to sit in your cabin, on the deck, dine alone or with the group, or you can find fun activities to participate in at nighttime. Thos e who travel alone on a cruise usually find ways to balance their social interaction and their need for some quiet, private time.

When travelling alone, it is important to keep an open mind about meeting new people. If you can afford to pay for a private cabin, you will be able to find peace during the day. There are many activities to do aboard a cruise ship. Many cruises stop in port cities where you will be able to leave the ship and visit shops, restaurants, and other tourist attractions. While you will be around people, you do not necessarily have to travel with them, which can give you more freedom to choose where you want to go and how long you want to spend there.

If you don't want to travel alone, but you want to have quiet time during the cruise, ask a friend or family member who may want the same to join you. Cabins are less expensive when they are shared, so you will be able to save money and still enjoy private time. Not everyone wants their privacy, however, so be sure to choose a person who is capable of meeting people on their own and interacting with others when on the cruise. If you want to share your cabin with a stranger, you have the option to do so.

When travelling alone, you will be able to make all the decisions concerning the trip yourself. You get to choose the type of cruise you want to go on, how long you want to travel, and which activities you want to participate in. There are cooking classes, dances, formal dinners, day spas, sporting activities, gyms, pools, and much more that will keep you busy. Even if you want to just sit on a deck chair and read a book, you will be able to do so without being bothered by the daily stresses of your life.

If you have never travelled alone before or you think it will not be as much fun, try it and see. You will be able to meet new friends aboard the ship if you get lonely, and the time will pass by very quickly once you are aboard. Many people travel alone when on a cruise because they want to meet new people. Take the opportunity to sail the ocean by yourself and enjoy the many sights and people you will see and meet along the way.

Bermuda Cruise Vacation - Top 11 Reasons to Go on a Bermuda Cruise

In recent years Bermuda has become a favorite place for Americans and Canadians to take an unforgettable cruise to this majestic island. I have listed below what I consider to be the top ten reasons to book a Bermuda cruise.

1. Nowadays you can book a Bermuda cruise at an exceptionally discounted rate.

2. You can choose cruise packages for about any special occasion whether it be a wedding and honeymoon, family reunion, an anniversary, or a wedding and honeymoon; on the island, after a bright wedding ceremony, you have the option of kissing your bride as you ride on a horse-drawn carriage by the old world charm of St. George port town.

3. Certain cruise lines offer additional discounts for repeat customers.

4. Bermuda is unmatched in its heavenly beauty, with crystal-clear water, light green plants, soft-pink sand, and skies that encompass all the shades of pastel blue.

5. Because of the Gulf stream, Bermuda boasts the ideal climate that permits all year-round cruising.

6. It only takes a short day and a half timeframe to sail from United States East Coast.

7. A Bermuda cruise allows you the unique opportunity to enjoy a high-class living.

8. At the island, you can experience typical English way of life that has a calypso beat.

9. Once at the island paradise, you are free to explore either by foot, boat, scooter, or bicycle; you can indulge in water sports, or just simply watch dolphins up close, even touch them, feed them, play with them, and go so far as to swim along with them by using a underwater scooter.

10. You can indulge in a relaxing game of golf, horse rides with horse trails leading to memorable scenic destinations; also, there are escorts for sightseeing; you can visit a shipwreck, for example.

11. You have plenty of options available to you when visiting Bermuda: You can choose what best fits your budget. You can stay at a private home that offers you bed and breakfast as you sit near green lush gardens, cottages, inns with huge rooms, modern facilities, and of course, swimming pools. Or, you can stay at either a small or large luxury hotel that provides all the modern amenities.

Learn about booking a Bermuda cruise vacation at a great discount or visit http://www.squidoo.com/last-minute-cruise-deal/

Tips On a Sailing Holiday in Croatia

The country of Croatia, which is officially called as "Republika Hrvatska", is situated in south-central Europe in the Adriatic coast's northeastern region. In the group of the Balkan states, it is located in the west-central section. Croatia's major territories include the Croatia proper, Istria (majority of its land area), Slavonia, and Dalmatia. The country is divided into 21 administrative constituencies. Its coastline, which is great for sailing, stretches as far as 3,000 miles long.

If you want to sail in Croatia's southern regions, start your journey in the port of Dubrovnik. It is one of Croatia's most visited tourist attractions, especially by yacht enthusiasts, because of its close proximity to Adriatic Sea. The city of Dubrovnik, which has a population of about 45,000, is also a cultural center because of its medieval urban walls, historic Rector Palace, and remarkable old-fashioned convents. I highly recommend that you take a couple of days of your charter and stay in a local hotel in the city. As a general guide you should regard Split to Dubrovnik as a minimum of a one week trip and allow two weeks if you want to start and finish in the same marina.

Aside from Dubrovnik, yacht charter Croatia include the ports of Zadar, Baska Voda, Vodice, Split, Pula, Biograd, Kastela, Porec, Rovinj, and Marina.

Pula is a city situated in the country's northwest region along the Adriatic Sea. It has a population of approximately 58,000 people. Pula is one of Croatia's major port areas. It is also an industrial center. The city is very Roman in culture and tradition because it was a former colony of Rome in 178 B.C. At present, Pula has still preserved some of its ancient Roman architectures. The most famous are the Roma and Augustus temples built during the 1st century A.D., the Arch of the Sergii, and the Porta Aurea triumphal arch constructed in 1st century B.C. Aside from this, the cool blue beaches of the city has made Pula a very attractive tourist center in the country.

Sailing in Croatia is available almost everywhere. Typically, you can sail the country's shores 365 days a year. But, the best time to cruise the Croatian coast is from the months of April (spring season) to October (autumn season). During this period, the weather is so nice and the sea relatively calm. However, the spring season sometimes has rain showers. Nevertheless, with the country's approximately 3,000-mile long coastline and 1,180 islands, you can never have enough of Croatia's coasts.

One of Croatia's gorgeous coasts is located in Kvarner. It has been attributed by many sailors and tourists because of its stunning coastline and rugged mountain range. The place also has a very flattering and mild climate. Because of this, many visitors have judged Kvarner as a very suitable place to have a vacation. Most of the place's tourists are upper class or elite individuals.

How To Easily Choose A Great Cruise

Choosing a great cruise that's perfect for you takes a considerable amount of planning and some insight as well. With so many different cruises offering varying combinations of activities, durations and ports of call, the plethora of choices available is absolutely mind-boggling.

First things first. You need to decide how much you can afford to splurge on this dream cruise. Its useless lusting after one of those uber-luxurious cruises if you cannot afford the sky- high prices. Instead, set your sights a bit lower and you'd be amazed as the number of options available that are just as exciting, yet will not burn a hole in your pocket.

Now its time to consider what exactly is it that you are looking for!

Looking for romance on the high seas? Opt for an elegant cruise liner that offers you a romantic atmosphere aboard ship as well as in its choice of ports.

If it's the pulsating excitement of different ports you are looking for, choose a coastal cruise and explore the sights and sounds of the many exotic ports. Sample the different cuisine and pick up unique artifacts that will serve as a reminder of your great cruise.

Want to get away from it all and are looking forward to peace and tranquility adrift in the middle of an endless ocean? Choose a larger ship that will spend more time between ports rather than at ports.

If you are looking forward to indulging in all those traditional cruise activities including gambling, great entertainment and exquisite cuisine, make sure you choose a cruise that offers you these choices.

Dreaming of icy glaciers? Go on an Alaskan tour in winter. As an added bonus you may even get to be see the wondrous sight of the Aurelia Borealis or come up close to the many humpback whales swimming nearby.

If basking in the hot tropical sun and indulging in water sports is more your thing, make sure you choose a tropical cruise that offers you plenty of opportunities to go scuba diving or snorkeling and swim with the many multicolored fish.

Luxury Cruises - A Spa Vacation for Prime Time Women

You and your girlfriends deserve the best in a luxury cruise. After working hard in a career, minding the home, raising the kids, building a family, you need to do more than have a night on the town. Why not take a spa vacation aboard a luxury cruise line and take a week on the sea?

With a little research and ingenuity, you can select a cruise with exciting shore destinations and be pampered while you sail. Then, wine and dine aboard a cruise ship that is designed to accommodate your every whim. Now, that is luxury!

So what should you look for in a top-rated spa at sea? Here are several things to consider:

Look for superior service. When you regularly visit a spa, you have come to expect attentive and professional service from experienced staff. The staff of a quality spa use first-class products and hygienic practices that are therapeutic and pleasing to the physical touch. A cruise ship spa should rival the top land or destination spas. If the ship has the credentials as an award winner, all the better.

A cruise spa should have state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, such as treatment rooms, saunas and relaxation areas. For example, Yin Yang facial treatments with essential oils can wipe away stress and leave you feeling fresh and serene. Others offer Aroma Stone therapy based upon heated basalt stones from harvested volcanic rock. And don't forget a deep tissue muscle massage to work its magic on your muscles and joints.

How about a scenic view while you are unwinding? What better place to relax in a spa than aboard a cruise vessel with ocean views from a private sun deck or relaxation area. You will not find those vistas in a desert spa setting in Arizona.

If you want to work in exercise, review complementary workout facilities. In addition to deep relaxation, you can accelerate your overall health and wellness by participating in a lap pool, sauna, steam room, fully equipped workout center, aerobics, yoga and Pilates fitness classes. You may also explore private weight training, Tai Chi and Pilates training with an experienced personal trainer. Some cruises offer health and fitness seminars to enhance your overall understanding of personal well being.

With your girlfriends, a cruise spa vacation can help revitalize you body, renew your mind and soothe your spirit. A luxury cruise may be what your "inner doctor" orders for your best health, personal abundance and wellness.

How to Get Bargain Basement Prices on a Repositioning Cruise

My Aunt Gigi is a 72 year old retired elementary school teacher who is hooked on travel. Although she lives in southern Illinois, she doesn't just drive to downtown St. Louis and back. No, Gigi is a world traveler. The world of long-duration cruises that is.

Gigi and her husband Wayne take at least two long cruises a year. And it is easy to do. They are on a number of direct mail lists, so they wait for the bargains to come to them. Like this coming November, after Thanksgiving. They will take a 30 day cruise from Greece, to Italy, Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands, across the Atlantic Ocean to St. Thomas and Jamaica. Quite an itinerary, isn't it? And all of this for only $3,300 a person, that includes airfare. Gigi and Wayne are hooked on repositioning cruises.

Repositioning cruises are most simply described as when the cruise ships move from north to south or south to north depending on the weather. A repositioning cruise offers the best bargains available for people who love to sail on a big ship. Repositioning is the way a cruise line makes money while transferring a ship to its new base. They're known as repositioning or "repo" cruises in the travel industry.

When you take a repositioning cruise ship, you will spend less time at ports and more time on the ship. Other repositioning itineraries will journey to Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Plus, repositioning voyages tend to be long (some nearly a month.

Ships sail year round, but the peak season is from November to April. Though some ships spend 365 days a year sailing the same itinerary, or at least in the same region, many relocate a few times a year depending on the season, from Canada/New England to the Caribbean, or Alaska to Hawaii, for example. Another example is the ships that sail in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe that often cross the Atlantic in the spring or fall. Therefore, the cruise lines offer some very attractive packages to ensure that their ships sail with as close to their full passenger capacity as possible during these twice-annual repositioning cruises.

In springtime, the repositioning of cruise ships is generally from the Caribbean to Alaska, which involves a westbound transit of the Panama Canal, or to Europe, which could include cruises to Scandinavia and other north European ports, or the Mediterranean, including the very popular and romantic Greek Isles.

The spirit of being with your friends or family at sea during an extended cruise is a unique experience. Repositioning cruises often incorporate lots of days at sea, providing a relaxing vacation without hectic back-to-back port calls. And because the daily rate is often lower on a repositioning cruise, sailing on one allows mainstream cruisers to make the leap to luxury at discount cruise prices. An extended cruise is frequently the better value.

Who should take an extended cruise? If you are self-sufficient and are free to travel and live months or years without depleting the bank account, this cruise is for you. The cost for a modern extended cruise is cruise quite inexpensively in some areas. But depending on where you cruise, it makes sense to budget more if you can afford it. For example, preparing for a year long cruise will your world in an unexpected way. These extended cruises can also travel from one destination to another, and frequently have a large number of other activities too.

Although cruising has never been more popular—some 31 million people are expected to take cruising vacations over the next three years—the additional capacity on these ships means good deals are out there. A repositioning cruise frequently involves ports not regularly visited and presents an opportunity to take a longer cruise for less money.

Cruise prices usually include airfare in one direction or the other, or, you can make your own arrangements for the air portion, and pay proportionately less for the cruise itself. Most travel agencies and Web sites that sell cruises can supply information about other repositioning cruises, which generally take place in spring and fall.

Consider taking an extended or repositioning cruise on your next vacation. Who knows? Maybe you'll get hooked like Gigi and Wayne.

Adventures At Sea - Epitomizing the Californian Lifestyle

The secret of success is taking pleasure in whatever you do. This clubbed with a meticulous eye for detail is what makes Adventures At Sea, established in 1980, a winner. Their organizational capabilities are legendary. If a cruise is to be planned, the dynamic staff will handle it with great aplomb. The outfit caters to the corporate sector, private individuals and groups. If you wish to be married on a yacht at sea, that too can be arranged, as can sailing and fishing trips. In short, you name it and the efficient staff will take care of everything. They have the awards to show for it. In addition, their many clients vouch for their reliability.

California cruises can be fun if you do it the Adventures At Sea way. Sailing or cruising off the coast gives you a completely new perspective of California and its magnificent lifestyle. You can sail to Southern California on a champagne cruise, or visit Orange County on a chartered boat. Yachts are available for charter in Newport Beach. It's a wonderful way to experience the luxuries of California, as cruises can be arranged through the State.

What could be more exciting than getting married on a yacht! Ensconced in opulent and comfortable surroundings, you enjoy the spectacular views of the Californian beaches. While you exchange vows, the wind flirts with your hair, making the experience all the more memorable and romantic.

Whether it's your boss you want to please or your friends you want entertained, nothing is too difficult for Adventures At Sea to handle. They manage corporate events with great proficiency. The Adventures At Sea yacht epitomises the hospitality and lifestyle of California and has made an impression on many an out-of-towner.

If you want to unwind, a holiday cruise is just the thing for you. Sightseeing buffs will have plenty to look forward to. The amazing views will astound them. If you want to loll about and have fun, you could do that too. The choice is yours. Whether you sail along the entire Californian coast or remain in the bay, the trip offers you great scenery and envelops you with a sense of well being.

Fishing charters are a dream come true for ardent anglers. A gloriously sunny day on a windswept ocean soothes frazzled nerves as nothing else can. Do all the fishing you want from the privacy of your yacht.

Vacation charters are popular especially with the locals who never seem to tire of them, judging by the frequent trips they make with Adventures At Sea in Newport Beach. If you've never experienced cruising or sailing, Newport Beach is the best place to give it a try. You won't be sorry. What's more, you'll find it addictive, and like the locals you'll be hooked! So, get on board and have a whale of a time!

Tips For Buying A Used Pontoon Boat

When buying a used pontoon boat always remember the old adage about buyer beware. With that said, there are many reasons to buy a used pontoon boat rather than a new boat. First and foremost, buying a used pontoon boat means you are going to spend less money. Second, there is often far more room for negotiating the price when buying a used pontoon boat. Follow these guidelines and you should have a happy boat buying experience.

If you are considering purchasing your used pontoon boat from a dealer then ensure that they are a member of the relevant state or national boating industry association. This should ensure that you receive professional advice that is backed up by an industry code of practice.

If the pontoon boat is on a trailer you'll be able to take a walk around the boat and inspect the pontoons and make sure they are in sound condition. Find out how many hours are on the engine and ask the owner if they can provide receipts for any work done on the boat, including engine repairs, steering maintenance and any work on the pontoons. If the pontoon boat is in the water you'll have the advantage of being able to take it for an on-water test or sea trial.

Marine Survey

A survey provides the opportunity to discover any problems, determine the condition of the pontoon boat and see if everything works properly. A survey is frequently required if you are seeking finance for the vessel and is often required by an insurance company. The buyer pays for the survey and for having the boat hauled out of the water. If the survey turns up any hidden problems you may be able to negotiate further on the final sale price. Always choose an independent marine surveyor, and always have the pontoon boat surveyed both in and out of the water.

Pontoon Boat Insurance

Insurance for your pontoon boat can be a large expense, however, boat insurance is generally less expensive if you choose a high deductible, your boat is well-supplied with safety equipment, there are no fuel burning appliances on board and you have a clean insurance record. Insure your pontoon boat immediately, even if the boat is not in the water yet. A small pontoon boat can often be added to your house insurance policy so check with your insurer.

Trailer

If you are considering buying a used pontoon boat that is already on a trailer you will need to check over the trailer thoroughly. If the boat and trailer are not compatible, your trailering experience, i.e. getting the pontoon boat to and from the waterway, and launching and retrieving your boat, can be a stressful experience that can ruin your boating enjoyment. With the right trailer under your boat, you'll barely be aware that it's behind you as you tow your pontoon boat to the lake or river. If the trailer hasn't been properly set up and adjusted, you'll become aware of problems immediately. And if the boat's pontoons aren't adequately supported, the trailer can actually damage your new pontoon boat.

Put simply, buying a used pontoon boat means you are going to spend less money, have greater room for negotiation on the sale price and probably be able to purchase your pontoon boat sooner than if you have to save for a new model.