Archive for Cruise vacation
Top 10 Reasons To Take A Cruise
Every year more and more people are discovering the all inclusive pleasures of a cruise vacation. Last year alone, more than 12 million people took a cruise. So, what s the big attraction? Here are the top 10 reasons that make cruising such an attractive vacation.
Make new friends
Today, cruise travel is no longer exclusively for retired seniors, but is becoming populated by young singles, couples, honeymooners and families. Because you are on the same ship for so many days, you can really become good friends with your fellow passengers. In fact, many people have made life long friendships on cruise ships.
See the world
Cruising the high seas is one of the most relaxing ways to explore the world and every destination imaginable. Cruise lines echo the fact that one of the key attractions is that you can visit the globe s most famous destinations including intriguing world capitals and exotic tropical ports of call like Tahiti. Traveling on a cruise ship also provides for a stress free experience since you don t have to worry about oddities and discrepancies with foreign hotel rooms and food.
You only unpack once »» Top 10 Reasons To Take A Cruise
Passport Requirements For Your Cruise Vacation
Do I need a passport to go on a cruise vacation? It s a big question for many cruise travelers and there s been plenty of confusion regarding the U.S. State Department s new guidelines. Here s what you need to know when you cruise and how the new passport rules launching June 1, 2009 could affect you.
Documentation requirements
Currently, U.S. citizens need a passport for cruises that stop at ports in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Antarctica. However, U.S. citizens cruising roundtrip from a U.S. port to Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico do not need a passport under the U.S. State Department s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). These itineraries are called closed loop voyages. A closed loop voyage or itinerary occurs when a vessel departs from a U.S. port or place and returns to the same U.S. port upon completion of the voyage. Per the WHTI Land and Sea Final Rule, travelers on closed loop voyages are not subject to the same documentary requirements for entry to the United States as other travelers.
If your voyage falls under the closed loop rule you only need to carry a government issued photo ID (such as a driver s license) and a certified birth certificate (children traveling with an adult are also required to carry a birth certificate). A certified birth certificate has a registrar s raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar s office, which must be within one year of your birth.
Keep in mind this rule is for U.S. citizens cruising from a U.S. port. If you are taking one way itineraries you will have to have a passport. For example, if you start a cruise in Vancouver and end in Seward or Whittier, Alaska you must have a passport. The same is true for cruises starting in Los Angeles and ending in Acapulco, cruises starting in Miami and ending in Barbados, or cruises starting in Quebec and ending in New York City. »» Passport Requirements For Your Cruise Vacation
Honeymoon Holidays For Autumn Brides
Holding your wedding ceremony in the autumn months of September, October and November is great if you’re after a rich red autumn theme and dream of a blazing log fire at your wedding reception. Britain may be heading into the cooler season, but you can still have plenty of fun in the sun at these three perfect honeymoon holiday destinations.
September Brides
September Brides should head to beautiful South Africa for their luxury honeymoon, where they can choose to stay in a boutique hotel with breathtaking views overlooking Table Mountain. The whale season is reaching its peak on the island of Hermanus and a boat trip watching the gigantic blue mammals breach out in front of you and your new husband will certainly give you both some incredible memories of your luxury honeymoon. The problem with South Africa is that there is just so much to do and if you and your fiancé have loads of destinations in mind, then why not arrange a tailor made honeymoon which combines a tour of the famous wine regions with a stay at a big five game reserve. The Shamwari Game Reserve is an award winning destination and on a stay here you can combine a big five safari with animal conservation. The stunning Victoria and Albert Waterfront in Cape Town with its Victorian esque buildings has a number of stunning restaurants and wine bars that you and your new spouse can toast your nuptials in.
October Brides
October is the perfect time of year for a honeymoon holiday in Egypt. The destination has many excellent resorts from the diving hotspot of Sharm El Sheikh to the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. However for your luxury honeymoon where could be more romantic than the ancient world wonder of Giza’s pyramids. The Mena House Oberoi with its dramatic views overlooking the towering great pyramid is ideal for romantic honeymoon holidays and the hotel was a personal favourite of Sir Winston Churchill. You can combine your stay with a romantic cruise down the River Nile stopping off at Agatha Christie’s Aswan and enjoying a luxury afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel where ‘Death on the Nile’ was penned. The river cruise takes in some spectacular sites including the Valley of the Kings and the tomb of Tutankhamen. A romantic champagne felucca ride is the perfect ending to your luxury honeymoon and simply must be experienced whilst on your Egyptian honeymoon holiday.