Carnival Cruise Holiday

It's the dream of many vacationers to be able to sail on board a luxury cruise liner and enjoy all the activities and ports of call while leaving the travel worries to the captain and crew. These kind of vacation cruises can be just what the doctor ordered when you need to get away for a while. But the whole idea of cruising may be foreign to some and so we have put together some tips on how to plan for the perfect cruise vacation:

* First you need to know what a typical cruise package contains. Most often your cruise will include ship accommodations, meals, activities, entertainment and most standard facilities on the ship. Your cruise ticket will often not include the airfare or other travel arrangements needed to get you to the cruise ship and back home again, or the extra amenities on board like massage facilities and internet access. It also does not usually cover any guided tours arranged for the ports of call that the ship visits on the cruise. And you will be responsible for all tips and gratuities on the trip.

It's important to know all of this to be able to plan your vacation cruise correctly, because you will need to bring along sufficient funds to cover any extra expenses needed on the trip if you expect to make it a pleasurable trip. Some folks that all they have to do is just show up for the cruise and everything is already paid for from then on, but this is often not the case, especially with discount cruise vacations. So be sure to check with your cruise line and get very familiar with all that is and is not included in your cruise fare.

* Having the right documentation while you are sailing is important too, especially if you happen to be visiting ports outside of your own country. So get any necessary visas, passports, and other important papers that may be needed well before you leave in order to comply with the laws of the countries that you will be visiting.

* Bring along the appropriate attire for the weather that you will encounter on the trip and also for the various activities that you plan to engage in while on the cruise. All cruise lines encourage casual attire during the day, but on some luxury cruises certain cruise lines have dress codes for the evening that can range from elegant casual to formal, so be sure to find about these in advance and have the right clothes ready if you choose to join in.

* Seasickness is a worry for a lot of people, but actually this is one area that does not usually present a problem these days as the cruise ships are so large and stable that you really can't even detect much motion as you sail along. On the off chance that you do develop seasickness though, just bring along some dramamine and that should easily take care of your needs.

Just a few simple plans made in advance can make sure that you are able to enjoy your perfect cruise vacation and return home refreshed and energized.

by Jim Johnson

1. Be waited on hand and foot.
2. Ride a helicopter over a waterfall.
3. Visit five ports, but unpack just once.
4. Cool off with a frozen margarita.
5. Take a yoga class.
6. Enjoy scrumptious food around the clock.
7. Dance under the stars.
8. Parasailing high above the ocean.
9. Jump into a pool.
10. Shop on board for French perfume and Swiss watches.
11. Treat yourself to a facial.
12. Hold a family reunion.
13. Get married in your favorite port.
14. Have Baked Alaska en route to Anchorage.
15. Disco 'til dawn.
16. Take your toddler to day-camp at sea.
17. Sleep 'til noon.
18. Go to a wine tasting.
19. Make new friends, reminisce with old friends.
20. Take a themed cruise: bingo, movies, sports, ...
21. Renew your wedding vows.
22. Laugh 'til it hurts at a comedy show.
23. Hold a business conference (maybe tax deductible) onboard a ship.
24. Dine in a tuxedo or formal gown.
25. Relax in a hot tub.
26. Go to a fashion show.
27. Be a star on Talent Night.
28. You don't need a designated driver.
29. Study at sea - genealogy, marine biology, ...
30. Turn your day from 9 to 5 to 9 to Ah-h-h!
31. Consume Caspian Caviar.
32. Snorkel in crystal clear, coral-filled waters.
33. Enjoy the best of Broadway.
34. Send your teeager to a "rock the boat" party.
35. Flex your pecs at the health club.
36. Doze in the sun.
37. Try your hand at electronic blackjack.
38. Polish your golf swing with the pros.
39. Shoot craps.
40. Capture dazzling sunsets on film.
41. Walk a mile on deck.
42. Scuba dive along a reef.
43. Get a full house under a full moon.
44. "Spike" with all your might in a volleyball tournament.
45. Watch for a green flash.
46. Play a fast game of racquetball.
47. Request a song at the piano bar.
48. Indulge in a massage.
49. Swing to the beat of a big band.
50. Eat gourmet food every night and never see a price.
51. Meditate at sunrise.
52. Meet your favorite sports stars.
53. "Disappear" during a magic act.
54. Escape from reality.
55. Play bridge or backgammon.
56. Shoot "hoops" surrounded by blue sky and sparkling water.
57. Sip a mint julep while listening to ragtime.
58. Browse through a well-stocked library.
59. Golf - by computer or in person - on the world's best courses.
60. Spot an exotic bird or flower.
61. Wander through ancient ruins.
62. Ride horseback through jungles.
63. Be-bop with top jazz musicians.
64. Rent a moped at the dock.
65. Paddle down river in a kayak or canoe.
66. Explore a centuries-old castle.
67. Mingle with celebrities.
68. Be tempted by world-famous chefs.
69. Jet ski across turquoise waters.
70. Picnic under a palm tree.
71. Take sailboarding lessons.
72. Take your sweetie on a second honeymoon.
73. Call home from your cabin.
74. Learn Italian, French, or Spanish.
75. Charter a sailboat.
76. See whales, dolphins, and flying fish.
77. Water ski in clear blue water.
78. See America - down its coastlines and up its rivers - or take in some of these: 79. The Greek Islands.
80. Australia / New Zealand.
81. Africa. 82. Alaska.
83. The Bahamas.
84. Baltics. 85. Bermuda.
86. Canada.
87. The Caribbean.
88. Europe
89. Far East / Orient.
90. India.
91. Indonesia-Bali / Southeast Asia.
92. The Mediterranean.
93. Mexico.
94. The Panama Canal.
95. The South Pacific.
96. Scandinavia.
97. Seychelles.
98. South America.
99. Tahiti.
100. The United Kingdom.
101. Then try around the world !

Do Everything Or Nothing At All

Tired of taking the family to Disneyland for vacation?

Then why not try an Alaska cruise? They offer beautiful scenery, cruise luxury and Alaskan adventure for those who want it.

But not all Alaska cruise trips are alike. You first need to decide what you want on your cruise. If you like to be pampered in the lap of luxury then you'll want to take advantage of one of the many Alaska luxury cruises. Here you can relax in the spa, have a wonderful massage and enjoy all the amenities of a first class resort. You will dine on the best foods, available at almost any hour. Just like most cruises, Alaska cruises are the ultimate in pampering guests.

Alaska cruises have something for everyone in the family. Along with the usual cruise amenities of pools, games, exercise, meeting new people and fun, Alaska cruises offer interesting scenery you won't find at home. On your cruise, not only will you'll be amazed by majestic glaciers but you might spot brown bears, eagles, humpback whales or sea lions.

If you want adventure, there are many cruise packages that can satisfy your needs as well as offer typical cruise amenities.

One popular Alaskan adventure is sea kayaking. You can pick from tours in choppy waters or, for the more tame at heart, a calmer course is offered. Sea kayaking gives you an opportunity to get outdoors and see a lot of the coastline which is abundant with local wildlife.

Hiking is another popular excursion that you can try once your cruise ship docs. You can choose from any number of guided hikes using different trails and going out for different lengths of time. It's a great chance to get out in the wilderness and experience nature Alaska style. If this isn't enough for you, you can even work in some rock climbing while you are off ship.

The best time to take an Alaska cruise is in the summer where you will be able to enjoy Alaska in fairly mild weather. There are 2 basic paths that cruises take one goes throught the inside passage which visits Alaskan panhandle ports and the other through the Gulf of Alaska visiting more glaciers and northern points. Be sure that you check the weather and pack accordingly!

For further articles about cruise holiday visit http://1st-in-carnivalcruiseholiday.com

For Americans summer has always been the time to go out on holidays and enjoy the beach and the Sun. what could be a better place for that than the Caribbean Islands with their lovely beaches, blue waters and the most pleasant sun. In fact the Caribbean has been such a huge hit with American tourists that today the tourism industry is one of the biggest industries of the place.

There are numerous islands in the Caribbean, but some have been all-time favorites with the tourists. The biggest destinations are the islands of Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Curacao and the British Virgin Islands. A visit to any of these islands will leave you with happy memories, you can hardly ever forget.

Bahamas

Bahamas has always been a very popular destination for the American tourists because of its proximity to the country. Still having a feel of the British colonial days in its buildings and architecture, the Bahamas is also very tropical in spirit. Known for its beautiful beaches pine forests, Bahamas is the perfect place to sit back and relax.

If you are in the Bahamas you should never miss the Rand Nature Center where you get to see the exact recreation of a Lucayan Village, which has everything, from the chieftain's house to the dwelling huts. And if you are a food freak you got to taste the local snacks from a Bahamian straw market.

The Atlantis Resort is located on Paradise Island, near Nassau in the formerly-British Bahamas just a hop from Florida.

The guidebook "Caribbean With Kids" calls the Atlantis on Bahamas "one of the most lavish properties in the entire Caribbean": which is saying something, considering what the region offers.

The Atlantis Bahamas grounds have waterfalls, streams, lagoons filled with sea creatures, underwater viewing areas: with 11 exhibit lagoons and 11 million gallons of water, the resort claims it has the "largest marine habitat in the world".

The world's largest marine habitat, the largest casion in the Bahamas (and the Caribbean), a 15 million dollar marina, lagoons, waterfalls and the underwater ruins of Atlantis itself....Atlantis Bahamas Resort has achieved a distinctive combination of comfort and adventure unlike any other vacation destination.

Atlantis on Bahamas is a deluxe high rise with 2300 rooms and casino situated on the beach. Three towers make up the complex, the Beach, Coral and the newest is Royal Towers.

Anguilla

One of the best family destinations in the Caribbean, Anguilla is famous for its neat beaches many of which are non-commercial. And of course you have the rare opportunity to share the waters with dolphins in Dolphin Fantaseas - one of the biggest attractions of Anguilla. Another place to b e in is Scilly Cay - which provides the perfect setting for barbecue and snorkeling. But the most special thing about Anguilla is her people. They are among the warmest in Caribbean and they go all the way to make you feel comfortable and at home Aruba

"One Cool Family" is the program organized by the Aruba government to pull in new tourists as well as bring back those who have already been to this lovely island. Such schemes emphasize how important tourism has become in these places and when the government is coming up with such ideas you can rest assure there would be enough effort to provide you with the finest holiday ever.

Apart from the exotic beaches and the clear blue seas other attractions of Aruba include Boca Prins, the perfect destination for dune sailing and land sailing. Of course there are arrangements for the regular activities like snorkeling and scuba diving.

Curacao

Just two and half hour from Miami, Curacao is unlike any other Caribbean island. Of course it has got the beaches and the lovely seas, but this dominion of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is also special because of its diverse mix of history and culture. The experience you have at Curacao is, in that sense unique among the Caribbean islands. If yours is a family which is into adventure this can be the perfect destination as you can head for the Hato Caves to witness the amazing dry land sea caves complete with underground pools, cave drawings and fossils which date back to millions of years. But if you are more interested in just lying back and enjoying your vacation you can do that too while enjoying the best of Curacao culture that has a strong influence of the Dutch.

British Virgin Islands

Once a haven for the pirates, the British Virgin Islands is today the perfect place for diving and snorkeling. It also provides you with the very best opportunities to sail. And if you have been a fan of Stevenson's Treasure Island, you can actually see for yourself from where it was inspired - the Norman Island. With calm waters, swimming is also one of the favorite activities among tourists.