Euro Travel & More

So the in-laws wants to take a cruise this fall – to celebrate their anniversary and asked me to make some inquiries and if it looked good – I should go ahead and booked it.  Like most people the in-laws were focusing mainly on the destination and not the ship they are going to be on for 10 days – well maybe 7 for most people – now that is a mistake – because one should focus on what you want to do on board – a spa cruise – a eating expedition – or just one that you can dance all night.  So be sure to talk to your travel agent face to face – with a list of cruise ship that you found online and make sure the travel agent knows what the cruise ship is offering their vacation party.

If you are booking for a cruise – make sure you try and book early – the earlier the better.  For my in-laws – I’m afraid I won’t be getting a good cabin for them – because it is pretty late to book for the fall cruise.  Early birds gets a discount – and you also get a choice of your cabin.  6 months – is a good time for booking a cruise and if you are lucky – one can get as much as 50% discount – pretty neat eh.

More cruise tips on another post.

So a few days ago – i told you how much I wanted to be on a cruise ship right about now – this is a continuation of the previous post -  just like a mini casino here.

Sunning on the sundeck – how awesome is it – to be sunning in the middle of sea/ocean.  And you know what’s best about it – you can read – you can do absolutely  nothing and listen to your music and sip margaritas and no one will disturb you.

Or you can watch your kids – playing in the pool right in front of you.

Or just stand around on the ship and watch the sun go down. More on the cruise in another post – stay tuned.

Right about now – we could use we could use a cruise – the weather is getting a lot colder now – and I wished I was in Australia – where they are having their summer.  But we ain’t that lucky – as you can see – as the cousin who is in Sydney – she went on a cruise when it was winter there.  Lucky her!  I’m so envious – anyhow – this is on board the Pacific Dawn.

Some people like my mom would never go on a cruise – I think they watch too much shows about the ship sinking – like the Titanic – hahaha! but I love cruises – everything under one roof.  From night clubs to Casinos and all kinds of food and lots of beverages – when you are sunning in the sun deck – what’s not to love right.  Well, one thing I don’t really like is size of the cabin – but if you can afford it – I suggest you get an upgrade – it would be a lot more spacious and of course more comfy.

They even have a gift store and sundry store and a book store as well.

Slot machines for those who wants to try their luck on the cruise.  I never usually do – but the kids – they love to play once at least on the machine – and when you are on the cruise – for the fun of it – they would be kind enough to let the kids go on the slot for once each.

More on the cruise – in Part 2

The cousins just came back from a Royal Caribbean cruise and I had just seen some pictures they took  – boy! am i envious!  i so missed going on cruise vacations.  Not only do you get to stop by at several ports – you also get to have your entire holiday on this huge cruise ship just doing everything or nothing if you choose not to.

Cruise vacations are usually 6 days – 8 days depending on the destination/s – and like the one that the cousins took – they took care of the travel insurance for them – now that’s a bonus.  Some people said they don’t wanna go on a cruise because they are confined on the ship – but that’s not true – in the ship itself – it’s like having the entire city 24hrs a day.  You get to swim, eat – watch a show – suntan and drink all the juices and cocktails that you want – plus drop at different ports – and shop till you drop.  Plus like the cousins – they booked their cruise when there was a huge discount – pretty awesome – a holiday without spending so much – plus the entire family with kids went along – the kids got to do lots on the ship too.  After looking at the pictures – i am also tempted to book one now.

I called it the blue boat ride because I first saw this in a movie of Jackie Chan some 15 yrs ago when i was getting an lcd monitor and the sale man wanted to show me how clear the picture was on it.   So when you are in Amsterdam  – don’t forget to take that canal cruise ride on board the Rederij Noord – Zuid (hard name to pronounce eh).   It’s really meant for tourist if you asked me.  But we had used the day pass for the ride which lasted 75 minutes.  I had motion sickness – so i had taken some gravol like 2 hours before I went for the cruise.  It was very relaxing and one can see the different views of Amsterdam -  they have these electronic voice tour guide on board the cruise.  The cruis is from 10am to 9pm and adults are charged like $12 USD and d$7 for kids – kids below 4 yrs old goes on them free.

Sometime before Christmas last year – Bay Ferries announced that they were cancelling their services between Bar Harbor, Portland and Yarmouth due to weak economy and no funding from the Canadian government.  They did this without any prior warning it seems just as easy as using an acne scar removal .  There was a big boo ha about this issue – because a lot of jobs will be lost and tourism which is already daunted because of the weak dollar – will close its gateway for the people from United States to not only Nova Scotia but Canada.   So if you are planning to take the CAT to Nova Scotia – better make other plans.  I know of many Americans who have holiday houses here in Canada -and I wonder how this is affecting them.  I’m pretty sure some people ain’t too happy.

Been on a cruise lately..?? if you haven’t .. you might want to consider the world’s largest cruise ship that set sail today.. to Florida.  The Oasis of the Seas is what it is called .. and it does have the state of the art traveling city, complete with shopping mall, several bars and restaurant.  I hear it even has an outdoor amphitheatre the size of a football field.  I know what you ladies are thinking about ?   the spa right..?? i’m pretty sure they have awesome high tech spa on board with great spa filters for every room and the works.  Yes..! it’s gigantic.. did i tell you that ..??  with 16 passenger decks..  wow..!!

I don’t know how much it is going to cost.. but i think it will be worth every penny you pay for.  But the funny thing about such huge cruise ship..  one cannot but think of the titanic.  Sure it is grand.. ! but what if something were to happen..??  hahahaha!! paranoia .. sets in.. in this helicopter mom.

Going on a cruise to Athens need not cost an arm and a leg -  no, no silly, you don’t have to go in a shipping box .  One can avoid paying more by bundling it up this fall by buying a combo package.  Airfare, hotel accommodations and an island-hopping cruise – sounds awesome right..??  An  8-day tour that includes time spent taking in the sights of Athens and a 3-day Greek Isles cruise smack in the middle of your trip. Plus, you’ll also save with special reduced rates starting from $1,059 (normally $1,359) for an additional $300 back in your pocket.After flying from New York City, travelers are escorted from the airport to the four-star Titania Hotel located in central Athens.

Thinking of a holiday..??  Save up to $1200 .. but book before 22 May and travel by April 12, 2010.  Pretty good deal if you ask me.

Sailing away to an island in the sun is always a worthwhile getaway, but not having to share your tropical paradise with flocks of other tourists is truly rare.

Cruise West just announced new itineraries to Costa Rica’s Cocos Island, and in order to do so they had to receive permission from the island’s only inhabitants — a handful of Costa Rican Park Rangers. Not only will cruise passengers have the entire island to themselves, those who book ahead can also enjoy some remarkable savings of up to $1,200 per cabin.

Located between mainland Costa Roca and the Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island is said to be the largest uninhabited island in the world, and is home to over 60 species of animals that are endemic to the island — several of which are on the endangered species list.

The best friend wanted to have her honeymoon on some Caribbean cruises but the husband to be wants to visit Paris since he is a chef by profession.  Both are very good friends.. and whoever i take sides with will offend the other.  Pray tell what kind of advice can i give..? Sometimes, having traveled as much as I did is not such a good thing afterall eh.