Catamarans vs Monohulls

Multihull Advantages

Catamarans have been popular for many years in parts of the world such as Australia, France, and South Africa but have not caught attention in North America until recently. Catamaran sales have grown significantly in the past ten years in North America, and the subject of comparing cats and monohulls has become commonplace. Catamarans have been the fastest growing segment of the sailboat market. In the past couple of years the growth of this market has been over 20% per year.

Due to this rising market’s popularity the demand is greater than the supply at this moment. Taking this into consideration, catamarans have higher resale values over monohulls. Cats have been selling at prices close to or greater than what the owner originally paid for the vessel. This advent is firing the growth of this industry.

Ocean Handling

Cats have been noticed because of their many benefits over monohulls. First and foremost is their greater stability in rough waters. When it comes to sailing this advantage is definitely noticed. Monohulls tilt to one side while sailing due to their v-shaped hull. Passengers have to deal with the fact that while the boat is sailing they have to tilt to one side the entire time. This creates discomfort when trying to move around the vessel. Catamarans stay consistently level while sailing, allowing for passengers to get around without having to bend and contort to maintain balance.

The extra stability makes it safer for children to run around and play on deck. The elderly can have more of an enjoyable time, because of the lack of physical strain involved in getting around the boat. Catamarans make it easier for novice sailors to get a handle on maneuvering and sailing the vessel.

Cats have excellent load-carrying abilities. This is why they are often used as ferries; they provide a safe and stable platform. When there is added stability and a lack of heeling the chances of someone becoming sea sick is reduced. Passengers will be more inclined to stay off land for greater lengths of time when their comfort levels are high.

Catamarans have the ability of smothering rough water. The environment that is created by having two parallel floats(hulls) causes for air to be trapped between these two apparatuses providing additional lift. This provides an invisible cushion as the vessel passes over wakes and waves.

Speed

Catamarans will take you faster to where you want to go over monohulls. It’s not a question about whether you’re sailing or under power, catamaran designs are faster overall. The overall speed of a cat compared to a monohull of the same size is about 20% faster. Cats are being designed with smaller keels this indeed improves closed-hull performance. Monohulls are limited by a maximum hull speed; this is not the case for multihulls. The elongated thin hulls of a cat limit a bow wave. The amount of wind at a certain point in time is what will limit your maximum speed while sailing. Monohulls can only travel as fast as their bow wave to stern speed. Catamarans are lighter for their length compared to monohulls. Cats usually have taller masts with bigger sails.

Along with speed, cats are much more maneuverable, especially when it comes to power cats. With the engines on each side of the boat you can move a cat around its central axis.

Capsizing

The chances of capsizing on a cat are less probable than on a monohull. Of course, if your traveling at a high rate of speed you have to be careful, but you still have a little more leeway to be reckless than on a monohull. The problem here is that when you actually capsize a catamaran it is much more difficult to get the vessel back in its proper position.

Spaciousness

Catamarans are wider than monohulls. Given this fact a catamarans interior/deck is much more spacious. A 50ft catamaran has the same room as a 60ft catamaran. In other words, a monohull has the same volume as a 10ft shorter catamaran. Cats give you the benefit of anchoring in shallow waters due to their small draft. This gives the option of having a larger list of areas to anchor in than monohulls.

Since a cat has more room it creates a home like feel. The interior layouts tend to be more private. Heads and showers are separate. The dual hull layout gives way to the advantage of having heads and showers in opposite corners. Catamarans around the 40 foot range provide enough room for queen-sized rectangular beds. You don’t have to deal with the discomfort of pointy beds as you see in monohulls of the same size. The greater surface area also creates more storage room, so passengers don’t have to leave things behind. The added room can also mean you can pack for longer trips.

The extra room around a cat gives someone the freedom of being able to find a nice quiet spot away from other crew members. A larger foredeck and interior allows an escape for those who like spending time away from other crew members. Most catamarans have larger than normal cockpits with panoramic views. One can sit and relax in the salon and still feel like their outside. The space between the two hulls has multiple functions. This space allows for a net to be placed between the hulls, this can provide an extra lounging area or creates a perfect spot for sunbathing. Also, a dinghy-davit can be placed at the transom, fitting without a problem between the hulls. All of these benefits as compared to monohulls is the reason why catamarans are have also risen in popularity for sailing vacations.

To view the top selling catamarans today please visit http://www.catamarans.com/.

What Is Best For You; An Inflatable Kayak Or A Hard-Shell Kayak?

If you are buying a kayak for the very first time it is very exciting but there are a lot of things that you need to consider and to think about. You will need to consider what type of kayak you need for the type of activity you will be doing with it.

What types of kayaks are there?

* Hard sided or rigid kayaks
* Inflatable kayaks
* Collapsible kayaks

Hard sided kayaks are also known as rigid kayaks and they are made traditionally from wood. Wood kayaks are beautiful and can be very symbolic to those that own them or make them with their own two hands; however they do require a lot of maintenance and upkeep.

More commonly, plastic kayaks are found. Plastic kayaks are typically the least expensive of all of the rigid kayaks; however you will find that they are also the heaviest of them all. If finances are an issue then you may want to choose plastic for a first kayak, because not only are they more inexpensive but they also do not damage as easily and therefore do not require frequent repairs. However, be aware that when the plastic kayak does sustain damage, they are much more expensive to repair.

There are also kayaks that are made of fiberglass, which is another very popular choice. Fiberglass is one of the most popular materials for rigid kayaks because it is much more lightweight and it is easier to repair. However, you will pay more for a fiberglass kayak.

You can also find kayaks that are made from composites such as carbon fiber or Kevlar. These composite kayaks are more expensive, but they are much lighter and easier to maneuver.

What About Collapsible Kayaks?

Collapsible kayaks are typically more expensive than hard sided kayaks or inflatable boats because they can completely collapse. Basically they are made of a fabric that stretches over a metal or wood frame to take the shape of the kayak. They are very tough and durable and although they are typically more expensive, they also hold their resale value very well.

What About Inflatable Kayaks?

Inflatable kayaks are quite possibly the best choice for someone who has never owned a kayak before. They are very portable, and extremely lightweight. There is an inflatable kayak that is created for every type of kayaker whether you enjoy easy paddling or white water rapids. The prices of inflatable boats are generally cheaper than that of hard sided boats and they also are remarkably tough and durable as well.

What Is Better, A Hard Sided Kayak Or An Inflatable Kayak?

There are a lot of different opinions about what is better, an inflatable kayak or a more traditional hard sided boat. Both have their pros and cons.

Many people are under the impression that you cannot take an inflatable boat into white water rapids. However, that is not true; in fact there are many different inflatable boats that are created especially for the purpose of white water rapids.

If you are looking for an inflatable kayak to take into class IV rapids, an excellent brand of kayaks to look at are manufactured by Sea Eagle. Sea Eagle has been one of the world’s leading manufacturers of inflatable kayaks since 1967. Sea Eagle manufactures inflatable kayaks for one to two people; they even have boats that will seat three people. If you are planning on using your boat for overnight trips or camping you will want to choose a boat that will accommodate you, your traveling partner and all of your equipment.

The beauty of an inflatable boat is that it can hold a few hundred pounds but only weighs a few pounds itself. A two person kayak can carry not only two people, but their gear and their equipment such as paddles as well. Even though the boat carries so much, only one person is necessary to carry it to the water.

With a hard sided boat, you will not be able to find a boat large enough to carry two people, their gear and equipment that is lightweight enough for only one person to carry to the waters edge.

Another major difference between boats is the price between inflatable kayaks and hard sided kayaks. Hard sided boats are generally much more expensive and require more maintenance over the life of the boat. With an inflatable boat, you will pay less for the initial purchase of the boat, and it will not cost as much to maintain it either.

What Is The Bottom Line?

The bottom line is that when you are choosing a kayak for yourself, you need to choose a boat that will suit your needs, your lifestyle and your boating needs. Depending on if you are looking for a tough and rugged sea kayak that can withstand white water rapids, or if you are looking for a light weight boat perfect for easy paddling in a lake, there is an inflatable kayak that is right for you and your budget.

© 2005 http://www.inflatable-boats-now.com

About the Author
Kevin Brown is successful author and publisher of many informative websites including http://www.inflatable-boats-now.com. His websites offer tips and advice on a wide array of topics including inflatable kayaks, small fishing boats, boat accessories, and more.

Cruising in the Grenadines Pt. 3

Though not as developed as Bequia, Clifton Harbor has
stores, water, ice, etc. It’s also the last chance to clear
customs and immigration when heading south from the St.
Vincent territory to Carriacou which is part of Grenada. The
dock isn’t much. It’s easier using the dinghy or water taxi
from the anchorage unless you have to take on water. The
customs and Immigration offices are at the airport, which is
a short walk from the harbor.

One of the best secrets of Union Island is Chatham Bay
around the other side from Clifton. It’s back to nature there
with far fewer visitors than the Tobago Cays. There’s only
one water taxi called “Shark Attack”. James, the operator
also makes carvings out of local wood there. The snorkeling
was excellent despite an algae bloom. There were eagle
rays, a nurse shark trying to hide in the algae and an 18 inch
fish called a flying gurnard that shuffles along the sand and
spreads it’s huge pectoral fins like wings when startled. We
were more startled than the fish to see the display.
The next stop was Canouan Island but not before putting
Paul in charge of the passage and having him also do his
man overboard drills. Bareboat Charter students are
required to demonstrate two different return methods to
complete the standard. Paul did three… a quick stop, a gybe
and a figure eight.

The Moorings is now operating at the Tamarind Resort in
Charlestown Bay. I ran into Michael Schantz, the CFO of The
Moorings who told me about plans to develop a marina with
a breakwater to make boarding the boats there easier
than it is with the pier now in use. Canouan is in a nice
location in the middle of The Grenadines and can be
reached on an American Eagle flight from San Juan. We
had dinner at one of the Tamarind Resort restaurants,
which has a wood fired pizza oven. The pizza and calzone
were great.

It was a close hauled sail from Canaoun back to Bequia to
position ourselves for a morning return the next day to
Sunsail. There was a fresh breeze of at least 20 knots so
we double reefed. It would have been perfect except
that I neglected to check the hatch over my forepeak cabin. I
had earlier dogged the hatch in the upper position to let in
some air so everything in the cabin became very wet by the
time we discovered the situation in Bequia. Fortunately, it
was a sunny afternoon so we were able to get the cushions
dried out. Also, Daffodil was there to take our wet linens and
laundry to wash, dry and bring back before dinnertime. It
was a bargain at $10 U.S. for each 10 pounds of laundry…
weighed dry, not the way we gave it to them.

The final passage was a relatively short beat of 8 miles back to Blue Lagoon in St. Vincent. We left early in order to
get the boats back in time to check in, have lunch and make
a 2:10 p.m. flight back to Barbados, the connection point for
St. Vincent instead of San Juan. Sunsail was very efficient in
helping us get checked in and there was plenty of time to
spare. We spent the night in Barbados at a beautiful beach
hotel. Then, the flight in the morning got us into San
Francisco by 5:00 p.m. via a Miami connection.

All in all it was an excellent trip with everybody agreeing that
it would have been nice if we’d had a few more days. That’s
the way I like it to go. Of course, I’ll be doing another trip in
just a few months. Our Tahiti trip is in September. That’s
why my job is the best job in the world.

Bob has been organizing and leading group bareboat
charter trips since 1987 and is currently doing 2 trips a
year to locations in The South Pacific, Sea of Cortez,
The Caribbean, and The Mediterranean. (Destinations
vary annually based on active interest) You may contact
him at bob@spinnakersailing.com
or visit Spinnaker Sailing at
http://www.spinnakersailing.com.

If You Can Afford A Vacation - You Can Afford A Cruise!

Some vacations are just more fun than others!

There will be very few times in your life when you are completely free. Free from cares, responsibilities, chores, deadlines, timetables, ringing phones or demanding voices. It’s time to start planning for such a vacation and you feel overwhelmed by all the choices.

You may be looking for a place the whole family can enjoy. Perhaps a romantic vacation or a place to meet people. At the same time you want great value for your money. Seem like an impossible task? Then maybe you haven’t considered cruising.

With so many destinations and so much to do on today’s cruise ships it is becoming a very popular alternative to more traditional vacations. Hold on a minute, you might be thinking, I thought cruises were not for me.

Not anymore. Dance clubs, sports facilities, live entertainment, movies, classes, casinos and supervised children’s activities are just a few examples of how cruise ships are catering to people of all walks of life.

One of the main benefits of cruising is it’s all inclusive nature. The cost includes all the meals, 24 hour room service, cabin and entertainment just to name a few. Once you’re on board you’ll be amazed at the variety of activities and land excursions to choose from – or you can choose to do nothing but lounge on the deck.

Get ready to be pampered in a safe and relaxing environment. The high quality and worry free environment will make it a true escape from the “real world”. And what other vacation hotel lets you go to sleep at night and wake up to a new country at your front door every morning?

Enjoy fine dining every night at your reserved table. Go ahead, taste several appetizers. Try more than one soup. If you can’t decide between two salads, have both. Every night indulge yourself with such international entrees as Beef Wellington and Duck a l’Orange.

And never say no to desserts that can include such masterpieces as Baked Alaska. Every meal is an event designed just for you. So satisfy your every craving, and then walk out of the dining room without ever paying a bill.

Oops, eat too much? Staying in shape is easy. Every floating resort has a spa facility featuring state of the art gym equipment and aerobics classes. And you’ll love jogging on deck in the fresh sea air. Then relax, have a massage, steam or sauna or just a dip in the swimming pool.

If you think you’re always surrounded by other guests, think again. On your ship it’s easy to find a quiet corner to contemplate the sea, read a book from the library, hold that intimate conversation or just count your blessings.

Whether you’re a newlywed or celebrating your 50th anniversary, you’ll feel the special magic of being on a cruise ship miles out to sea. Which isn’t to say singles won’t enjoy a sea going vacation. As a matter of fact they’ll have a blast.

Whether you love musicals, hard rock, country or big band you’ll find ships playing your song. In the showroom you’ll cheer the Vegas-style revues. Don’t plan on deep conversation in the high energy dance club; save your talks for the friends you’ll meet at the sing-along piano bar, or for each other as you stroll along the deck before turning in.

Nothing on earth compares to the value of a cruise vacation. Because on a cruise one low price covers just about everything. All your meals are included. Almost every shipboard activity is included. Even the entertainment is included.

Compare that to most land vacations when you’re constantly faced with the added expenses and hassles of reservations, valet parking, buying theater tickets and searching for things to do.

Can you afford a cruise? Absolutely!

And what land vacation can take you from one exotic destination to another while you dance and dine or dream the night away!

Sid Kaplan

http://www.cruisevacationsguide.com

Sid Kaplan has extensive experience in the travel business. He owned and operated a large retail cruise only agency in Canada and his wife has 25 years experience working for major cruise lines. Their website is Cruise Vacations Guide which offers advice and tips to those look to create memorable cruise vacations. Shore excursion and land tour information is also provided.

Choose A Cheap Cruise That Is Still Fun And Relaxing

If you are like many people, you may have a vacation coming up and you are not sure what you want to do during your free time. Why not take a cheap cruise? There are many cheap cruise deals available. You have many options when you search for the cruise that is right for you. You can put together a package deal if you want to integrate other travel options with your cheap cruise or you can just take the cheap cruise by itself.

A cheap cruise is just that, it is cheap. What makes them so cheap though? What are you going to forfeit by not taking one of the more expensive cruises? Many cruise lines offer cheap cruises as a way to attract customers during off-peak travel seasons or some, even on off days. You will still get the great service provided by most of the cruise lines and you get it at a substantially cheaper price.

Sometimes travel agents will have special offers for many cheap cruise lines. You can often find deals like this by calling a travel agent and specifying the fact that you want to take a cheap cruise. Sometimes it is part of a package and sometimes they are stand-alone deals. You can simply choose the cheap cruise option that is best suited to your needs.

Some of the cheap cruise lines offer package deals to attract more vacationers. These usually include not only the cruise itself but also offer many other tantalizing treats. You can often get casino chips to gamble on the cruise lines or other deals designed to entice you to take their cruise lines. Sometimes the package involves tours of islands or other luscious vacation destinations.

Perhaps you are just looking for a nice relaxing time but you are working on a limited budget. If you select the cheap cruise alone, you will still have many options available to you. A cheap cruise can provide you with the opportunity to enjoy many new and exciting culinary treats, swimming, tennis, social dances and many other events are available on the cruise ships. You can enjoy one of the many activities available on the cruise ship or you can settle by the swimming pool enjoying a drink, the fresh ocean air and the scenery.

Whatever the reason you are looking to get away from it all, your relief can be as easy as taking a couple of days off to enjoy a cheap cruise. While not every cruise line has such a deal available to you, they are easily available if you do a little research and searching. Whichever cruise line you choose, whatever your vacation destination, make sure that you shop wisely and you will definitely find a cheap cruise that is right for you.

Christian Bauer
Cruise Info World

Mexico: Going Native

If you want to expatriate to Mexico to find an affordable cost of living then there is one thing you must do–Go Native!

Now, this is not as scary as you might think. I am not talking about living in the jungles of Puerto Vallarta and hoping the locals will show you how to beat your clothes clean on the rocks “down to the river”, (I’ve seen some Mexicans still doing this).

What I am saying is that you must adopt, as much as you are able, the spending habits of a middle class Mexican family. A middle class family of four lives on about $400.00 USD a month.
I don’t mean that you should be living on so little also. You can live cheaply here if you assimilate some of the habits of the locals.

One area where you can save money is in your food bill. Shopping at the local supermarket will cost you much more than if you follow your neighbor to the local markets to buy your food. Many of the local farmers sell their produce in stands at far cheaper prices than the supermarket, which has a huge overhead.

Another area of money saving is eating out. You will mostly see upper-middle-class-looking Mexicans eating out regularly in the local restaurants. The menu prices here are so reasonable that eating out is a Go Native form of entertaining friends. In fact, you are more likely to receive an invitation to a restaurant as a guest before (if ever) being invited to someone’s home for dinner.

My wife and I could feed four adults for what it would cost us, as a couple, to eat out in the States. You can get a huge steak dinner, with all the trimmings, and drink for less than $6.00 USD each. Though we see many Mexicans in restaurants, we do know some who never eat out. But, I would have to say it is a cheap form of entertainment and a custom worth adopting.

One area in which I refuse to go native is in some of their traditional dishes, particularly pig’s head. One day, we were in the local supermarket when I saw a store flier with a pig’s head pictured in the meat section. They had its mouth turned up into a smile! I found this horror in the meat department and have suffered Post Traumatic Pig Head Stress Disorder since!

I live in constant terror of receiving an invitation to someone’s house and he or she will serve pig head as the meat dish. Can you just imagine this? There you are at the dinner table sniffing what smells like a pork roast. They bring a covered pan to the table only to reveal the head of a smiling pig staring at you (the eyes are still in its head, by the way).

And just what do you ask for? Is it like asking for dark or white meat when Dad’s carving the Thanksgiving turkey? Which part of the hideous beast is the best meat? Is it the ears (they eat a lot of those here), the neck, or perhaps the snout is the most succulent!

“Oh, that snout looks really good today. Snout please!”

Anyway, if you Go Native as much as you can (except for pig’s head), you will be able to save a large sum in your daily living expenses.

“Tha…Tha…That’s all folks!”

Expatriates Doug and Cindi Bower have successfully expatriated to Mexico, learning through trial and error how to do it from the conception of the initial idea to driving up to their new home in another country. Now the potential expatriate can benefit from their more than three years of pre-expat research to their more than two years of actually living in Mexico. The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico answers the potential expatriate’s questions by leading them through the process from the beginning to the end. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn not only how-to expatriate but will learn what to expect, in daily life, before coming to Mexico.
BUY BOOK HERE: http://www.universal-publishers.com/book.php?method=ISBN&book=1581124570

Buying a Wooden Restoration Project Boat

How to find that perfect wooden boat restoration project. There are essential just three simple steps to follow in order to obtain the a desirable brand and make of wooden boat at a discount to market price. Things to consider, for instance within the contentnental United States the value of money varies greatly. Where a job paying $16 an hour in the midwest would be a respectable job, this same wage on the west coast would barely support living conditions. Some key areas of the country to target for boats in general is the midwest region surrounding the great lakes. Typically boats are always going to be cheaper within this region then they would be in on the east or west coast. Noteably though the size of the vessel your looking for might not be
available in these regions as ocean fairing vessels will be larger.

What are the three main considerations for finding a good wooden boat restoration project, outside of boat condition, which might be a plus that is covered in another article. The three considerations to be made are as follows, what proximity to home does the restoration process have to be, finding the obscure gems, finding the unlisted gems.

What proximity to home does the project have to be, well the reason this comes up is the first topic referenced to above. Certain areas of the country will value assets at different prices, a $100,000 boat in the midwest may sell for $200,000 or more on the east and west coast. So if you have the time to work on a wooden boat restoration project within different regions of the country this might be the easiest way to save considerable money acquiring the boat of choice. Unfortunately for most of us this is not an option as we are unable to spend extended times away from home due to work or other issues. It still may be cheaper to purchase the boat and actually pay to have it moved, if the cost of the boat is $100,000 less in this region that means you can certainly cover the cost of moving the boat and still have saved considerably.

If looking in different regions on the country are not really an option then there are two more techniques that are very usefull. One looking obscure regions, within a tight geographical region prices are going to be the most expensive in metropolitan areas and
close proximity of harbors. Starting the search within the interior may lead to savings as these boats are easily over looked. Especially wooden boat restoration projects, being that they are in the interior regions they are ussually equipped to be moved. That means you won’t be stuck at some marina working on the boat. It would be considerably easier to tow the boat home and be able to work on it.

Looking in places outside of the harbors is ussually the best way to find that low cost wooden boat restoration project; however, it is still important to check with the marinas. Every year people decide to undertake a restoration project or let a wooden boat sit too
long. Many people find that they either get tired of the maintanance of wooden boat or that they are no longer interested in the restoration process. The biggest hinderance to restoration project can be the storage cost of leaving it a marina, infact many times
these storage cost are more the capital spent on the boat. These leads to the abandonment of many boats, instead of paying the storage fees they owner opts to desert the boat and relinquish claim to it. The marinas are not interested in owning a project boat and are willing to get rid of at a extremely discounted rate in order to recoup the monies previously
owed to them.

From Chandris To Celebrity

The Chandris Line was the precursor of Celebrity Cruises.

One of the ships operated by Chandris was the beautiful Liner America previously owned by the United States Line and initially captained by Demitrios Challioris who had been in charge of a crude oil tanker in Southampton.

Chandris bought the largest passenger liner ever in Greece called the Australis. The Australis had served extensively as a troop ship during the second world war so underwent a major refit and became a one-class configuration geared to carry 2300 passengers. The aft promenade decks were extended, a swimming poolwas added, and air conditioning was installed. She made 3 month voyages around the world from Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Southampton, Casablanca, Las Palmas, Cape Town,(or through the Mediterranean via Gibraltar, Naples, Malta, Piraeus, Port Said and Aden), Freemantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Suva, Tahiti, Acapulco, Balboa, Cristobal, Port Everglades and return to Southampton.

Chandris Lines also had the Australian Government’s prized immigrant contract bringing tens of thousands of new immigrants out to major ports in Australia The ships were always sold out so that there were 3 sittings for dinner and special sittings for kids. P&O, a rival cruise line, had ceased the line voyage business to Australia so that the Australis was now known as “the world’s largest express liner” .

In 1977 Australis tried a new itinerary from the South Pacific to points in South America to Portugal.

Interest in Sea Travel at that time was low and Australis and became the sole remaining liner on the trade.

New Immigrants now traveled by jet.

In November of 1977 Australis was laid up.

In 1978 she was sold to US investors.

They mismanaged the ship and their company, Venture Cruises, was declared bankrupt.

Guess who bought the ship in bankruptcy court?

Chandris Lines.

For $4 million less than the amount for which they sold her four months earlier!

The ship was laid up and sold in 1992.

Celebrity Cruises was created by Chandris Lines as a separate luxury cruise line, initially using Chandris’s Galileo, which was renamed Meridian after she was rebuilt. She was joined by the new ships Horizon and Zenith in 1990 and 1992.

In 1989 there was a need in the Cruise Industry for a luxury product at a decent price.

Chandris wanted to establish a worldwide standard for cruising by The company was determined to set a new, worldwide standard for cruising.

Exceptional Cuisine and all its facets became the mainstay of the Celebrity Cruise experience.

Master Chefs serve as the line’s revered culinary and wine consultants since its founding.

In 1995 Celebrity introduced the so called Century Class Fleet with an Industry first:

Luxurious Spa Experiences.

In 1997, Celebrity Cruises merged with Royal Caribbean International, bringing together two extraordinary cruise brands within one corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Today Royal Caribbean uses 29 Cruise Liners.

Cruising has become so popular that from 2000 to 2002 Royal Caribbean doubled its passenger capacity.

Its newest ships use gas turbine engines reducing exhaust emissions by 95% and have become traveling art shows as well. They boast original paneling and artifacts from famous transatlantic luxury liners.

In 2001, building on the strengths of both the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands,

Royal Celebrity Tours was started to offer truly unique vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe, combining outstanding cruises with exceptional pre- or post-cruise land tour packages now known as “cruisetours.”

J Shipper loves Celebrity Cruise Lines. www.celebrity-cruise-now.info www.2qz.com/condo-cruise-ship
www.condo-cruise-ship.com

Try Alaska for Your Next Family Cruise Vacation

Contemplating another summer family vacation? Tired of going to the same old beach or commercialized attraction? Would you like to experience something truly unique and awe-inspiring, something that the whole family would love? Why not take your family on a cruise to Alaska?

Alaskan family cruise destinations are so breathtakingly beautiful and teeming with wildlife that you could spend days captivated at the rail of a cruise ship and still not get enough. Much of the Alaskan terrain consists of gorgeous, formidable glaciers and ice fields. These beautiful natural phenomenons can be seen from many top tourist destinations of Alaska including Juneau, Valdez, Seward and the Matanuska Valley, but are usually only fully appreciated with an up close and personal view that only a cruise can afford. From this vantage point, you will stand spellbound by tidewater glaciers that reach several hundred feet in height and the antics of wildlife such as humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, dolphins, brown bears and bald eagles.

Far from being just a smooth ride through the clear Alaskan waters, Alaskan family cruise ships offer features such as numerous restaurants, lounges, entertainment, casinos, health clubs, movie theaters, libraries, and much, much more. Many even offer professionally guided tours and wildlife lectures.

And you will not spend the whole time on a boat. You will port at luxurious and accommodating ports of call such as Juneau (named one of the top five ports in the world), Ketchikan and Skagway; take part in exciting land excursions including helicopter glacier landing and railroad tours; and can even incorporate several days of land touring and sightseeing in your family cruise package.

Some Alaska cruise liners incorporate land packages as part of their cruise options. With an optional land package, visitors can spend an additional five to seven days exploring all that Alaska has to offer from land. You can explore one of the many cities or national parks, take advantage of Alaska’s world-renowned sport fishing, or visit famous mining towns.

Alaska family cruises are also very affordable. You can choose from one-day cruise packages which start at approximately $50 per person; week-long Alaska Gulf cruises which start at $649 per person on certain cruise lines; or luxury inside passage cruises for under $2,000 per person.

So which family cruise vacation will you treat your family to this year? That remains to be seen, but with all of the different Alaskan cruise options you may just find yourself booking a tour to this magnificent state.

A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards lives in the beautiful Matanuska Valley. Ron invites you to come and see Alaska. One excellent way to enjoy Alaska is by taking an affordable Alaska Cruise. Visit http://findanalaskacruise.com

Caribbean Cruise Lines

With the manifold increase in the volume of sea travel these days, shipping companies are attracting tourists with newer kinds of cruise lines. And the best thing about this is that there’s a cruise line for every pocket and taste. Thus, for the high fliers, there’s the luxury line; for the ones who just want to have a taste of cruise life, there’s the budget line; for the daredevils there’s the adventure line; there’s the honeymoon cruise for the lovebirds; and the family cruise for a fun-filled family outing.

In the Caribbean, there are many specialty cruise lines. These lines cater to a varied palette and are rapidly gaining in popularity. The luxury lines are the Royal Caribbean International and the Yachts of Seabourn. These ships are the ultimate in luxury, with plush suites and private balconies, spas and beauty salons, a choice of gourmet cuisine, on-board shopping, an enviable array of entertainment options, and other social activities. But the biggest draw of luxury cruise lines is the intimate atmosphere they provide, where you enjoy exclusive attention. A few luxury liners, like Windstar’s Wind Spirit and a few ships from Seadream Yacht Club, offer cruises to off-the-beaten-track places such as British Virgin Island’s Jost Van Dyke and St. John in the eastern Caribbean. Windjammer Barefoot Cruises has trips to Water Island, Norman Island and Jost Van Dyke for adventurous souls.

Families would definitely prefer the trips that take them to St. Maarten, San Juan, Tortola and St. Thomas. What with snorkeling, the underwater observatory tower at St. Thomas, swimming and the Butterfly Farm at St. Maarten, these are trips which will be ideal for the little ones. The honeymooners need not mope, for amidst the numerous Caribbean cruise lines, there are the sunset tours that are offered by almost every cruise company. These are intimate little packages with very few crowds and loads of privacy. Amidst the other special Caribbean cruise lines, the Wedding Cruises are another popular lot. Here you get to celebrate the special day in your life onboard with your fellow travelers, the setting sun and the glimmering waters as the backdrop.

The Caribbean cruise lines come in all sizes, styles and budgets. This is the main reason why they have been able garner such a sizeable seafaring clientele.

Caribbean Cruises provides detailed information about Caribbean cruises, Caribbean cruise deals, Caribbean cruise lines, luxury Caribbean cruises and more. Caribbean Cruises is the sister site of Working On Cruise Ships.