Breaking Blue : Helping you explore the world!

Once the reserve of the very, very rich or very, very old, the popularity of cruises is currently at an all time high and these days you can find cruise deals to suit every taste and every pocket. However, it may just be worth your while to save that little bit harder over the coming months for your chance to experience the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner ever built.

Heavier, wider, taller and longer than any other previous passenger ship, the magnificent ‘Oasis of the Seas’ set sail this week from the Finnish port where it was built, on its way to Miami for its inaugural cruise. Costing almost £1bn, this outstanding 1,200 foot ship was commissioned by Cruise Line company Royal Caribbean and will begin carrying passengers from this December. The ship can carry up to 9000 people including a full crew and boasts such facilities as 21 swimming pools, a theatre, an ice rink, nightclubs, casinos and over 20 restaurants serving food from many different global cuisines. At just over 5 times the size of the Titanic, the ‘Oasis of the Seas’ is one beautiful and amazing ship.

Unfortunately, not all of us will be able to afford the five star luxury of the ‘Oasis of the Seas’ but there are still some fantastic deals to be had. If you’ve never been on a cruise holiday before, there are a few things to pack along with your swimming costume to ensure your trip is as enjoyable as possible;

Smart Clothes: There are some high end luxury cruises that request that you wear smart or formal clothes for the whole time that you are away from your cabin, and even the most casual of cruises will expect you dress smartly on at least a few occasions, like at evening dinner. It always pays to take at least two or three really good outfits so you have something smart to change into should the need arise. Besides, it’s always nice to dress up once in a while!

Walking Shoes: At 1200 feet, no other cruise ship comes near to the ‘Oasis of the Seas’ for length but even on a modest sized ship you’ll find that you’ll end up walking perhaps more than you expected to. A good pair of comfortable shoes will come into their own on trips ashore and you’ll never regret packing them after a good few hours on your feet.

Sea Sickness Pills: These days, most of the huge liners like ‘Oasis of the Seas’ have built-in motion stabilizing devices to prevent boat movement. However, there will always be some turbulent water and perhaps even some very rough seas which will mean an uncomfortable and fraught trip for those prone to nausea. Pack some good travel sickness pills and you’ll never need to worry about the odd bumpy wave.

Money: Many luxury cruises are now all inclusive but you’ll be surprised just how often you need a bit of cash particularly for excursions ashore, tips for staff and presents for friends and family.

A Good Book: A cruise holiday is always a fantastic time to catch up on some reading, particularly while sunbathing up on deck or in bed after a hectic but invigorating day. Why not stock up on a couple of those blockbusters you’ve been meaning to read for months but have never had the time for.

So, whether your budget stretches to ‘Oasis of the Seas’ or a more modest cruise you can expect the experience of a lifetime. Don’t forget to pack the sunscreen and the camera!

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When booking a Caribbean cruise, most people will use the internet, but if like me you prefer to speak to a real person it can be hard to find your local travel agents. This is where City Visitor comes in; this website is a local business search engine that gives you detailed information on all of your local services.

Searching for travel agents in your local area is quick and easy, simply type in travel agents into the business type box and your location in the other box. The City Visitor search engine will display all of the travel agents in your local area including independent ones.

What is even better is that City Visitor will also give you the phone numbers and contact information of the services chosen as well as a detailed map of its location. If you are struggling to find a certain place you can also use the route finder that gives you a visual route of where you need to go; this is a great addition and can be used to guide you from your house to a specific location.

City Visitor is a great resource for finding local businesses, whether it is a travel agent, hotel or plumber and is particularly helpful if you are travelling to a new place or are in need of a specialist service.

Finding a travel agent has never been easier with City Visitor.

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Avoided taking a trip on a ship because you’re afraid that you might get seasick? Or maybe you think you might not enjoy what goes on during a cruise? All the myths and misconceptions about cruising are listed here to let you know that you are totally wrong.

You’re afraid you’ll get seasick: Yes, you might. And this is the most valid concern of them all. Many people worry about suffering from motion sickness. However, today’s generation of modern cruise liners are all stabilised to reduce rolling, the motion that causes this sickness. There are things you can do to minimise the chances of any discomfort. Be sure to have medicine and herbal remedies in your luggage. Also, wear a sea band – a little wrist band that features a bump that is positioned on a pressure point on the underside of your wrist. You can usually find this in any pharmacy or in the gift shop onboard, and it’s usually inexpensive.

You worry you’ll get bored: Now, this is a complete myth. Every cruise ship publishes a daily newspaper and an activity schedule to keep everyone busy and entertained. Party animal? Then you may want to go to the on-deck club to meet new people, watch a bit of theatre, enjoy the whirlpool, and a lot more besides.

Maybe you’re concerned that all there is to do is eat? Yes, it used to be that a cruise revolved around eating. You’ll get a full breakfast in the dining room, buffet lunch, hamburgers, midnight snack… name it and you’ll have it. For people who worry about these eating habits, the cruise lines have adapted to suit. They now offer fitness centres, healthier foods, lighter meals, and a spa cuisine.

Cruising is fun. Don’t be put off by these myths. If you haven’t tried this amazing experience, you better go to the nearest booking agent now.

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Active people need a break too. However, when taking a break one’s life should never be put at risk. It may seem counter-productive to some, but believe it or not there are cruises that specialise in fitness and recreation.

For the Food Conscious

Dining rooms have taken into special consideration the requests of those who are interested in healthy eating. Fruit and vegetables have found a front-row seat in the kitchen of cruises. Low-calorie food variations have also made their appearance – the terms ‘low fat’, ‘high in vitamins’, and ‘sugar-free’ are mainstays as well. Celebrity Cruises even list the calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium contents of the “spa” food choices. Trans fat has also been eliminated from several cruise lines, including Crystal, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Carnival.

Laid Back Cruise Activities?

Work-out plans have been designed specifically for the health-conscious cruise-goer. Gyms on cruise lines are equipped with high quality machines and other gym facilities.

Fitness classes are also offered on spa and wellness cruises. Yoga, cycling, and even Pilates are available to those who want to engage in healthy activities while at sea. Royal Caribbean Cruises also offer group boxing sessions. Excursions are designed for getting great exercise and workout plans out of your trip.

Relax

After all the travelling and working out, nothing beats a good pampering session. Luxury ships offer spa services to help calm down the senses and soothe the body and your weary mind. Some services include a massage, facial, and steam room. Celebrity Cruises has also introduced the unique practice of acupuncture while on deck, and Royal Caribbean Cruises has followed this trend too.

Learn

Some cruises, like the Royal Caribbean Cruises, offer personal trainers to those who wish to start a fitness programme. Seminars about fitness are also offered on deck.

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Cruises epitomise the most pleasurable of holidays.

A cruise is all about rest and relaxation, a form of holiday and a rather stylish one at that; enjoyment is the foremost concern. Each cruise should present the client with the best possible experience, aiming for both variety and quality. That is where P&O Cruises comes to the fore and delivers everything that a great cruise requires – and then some.

P&O is in a league of its own in providing the best cruising experience. First, the service is of the highest quality, immediately giving the clients the kind of first-class treatment they deserve. From the start, they are made to feel their value and that their enjoyment is top priority.

P&O Cruises provides a full range of holiday activities and destinations that are sure to give create a memorable holiday. P&O’s fleet of super liners are vacation dream spots all by themselves, as they combine sleek design with comfort and function. All seven super liners are equipped with the latest equipment and amenities for vacationing families, friends, and individuals.

What makes a cruise truly compelling is the choice of destinations – the essence of any cruise. P&O Cruises offers one of the most varied and enjoyable lists of possible destinations. Travellers can choose the modern, cosmopolitan feel of cities along exotic coasts, or locations steeped with tradition and the riches of the past, or why not opt for both?

Variety spices up even the best of holidays!

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Lewis Carroll wrote in ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland‘ that you’re sure to get somewhere as long as you walk long enough. This quote doesn’t exactly apply to cruise ships; why would you even want to get somewhere else when you’re enjoying the trip itself?

Although one of the main reasons why people go on cruise ships is the enjoyable time spent onboard the ship itself, deciding the right place to go to is also one of the factors involved in this kind of holiday. There are a lot of destinations to choose from, and where you want to go will vary depending on what the places have to offer.

The Caribbean Cruise is one of the most popular cruises currently on offer. Having “1.8 million cruise-ship arrivals in 1994”, the awe-inspiring Bahamas can be considered one of the most popular ports of call. Other ports in the Caribbean that may ring a bell include Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands. Some cruise lines operating here include: Royal Caribbean International, P&O, and Carnival Corporation (Costa Cruises is part of this corporation).

For those who are seeking more of a cultural experience in a place that is rich in tradition, they may want to take a Far East cruise. Asia and the Orient are places rich in culture, offering you serenity and calmness. Some of the places included in these cruises include Singapore, Vietnam, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Hong Kong. If you are more interested in the eclectic, then these are the destinations for you.

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If you love the sound of the falling coins in Vegas, you’ll surely love the vibes at the Carnival’s casino. It feels like you’re strolling under the neon lights of Vegas while cruising on the sea. Be the luckiest person and play poker, craps, or choose your favourite slot. Gaming has never been this exciting, especially when you find yourself playing on a fine sea-based casino!

Why not try a hand at the slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and poker inside the casino? Plus, join the Carnival Player’s Club and enjoy special services offered by Carnival Cruises to their valuable customers, where everyone’s invited to bond and play. Membership is a hundred percent free. This is open to all players over the age of 18. This guarantees no hassles in signing up or filling out a form. If you play the slots and earn 1,000 points or more, you’ll automatically be enrolled in the club. Amusing, right? Carnival Players Club also gives out perks like special VIP privileges, promotions, specials, and cash-back rewards.

Ever imagine yourself winning millions in just one night? Then you may want to give it a try and savour the fun plus excitement by taking a chance on MegaCash, the world’s largest cruise ship jackpot. Who knows? You might be the next lucky cruiser to become a multi-millionaire!

Games in Carnival’s casino include state-of-the-art PokerPro Automated Texas Hold’em tables, traditional slot machines, blackjack, craps, roulette, MegaCash and a lot more. Carnival Cruises is amongst the largest and friendliest at sea. You may want to give it a ride now and try your luck at Carnival’s casino!

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People take cruise holidays for various reasons. Some like the opportunity to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities that they live in. Some want to take the chance to view different parts of the world while others want to party all day while travelling by sea. Royal Caribbean Cruises provide a liberating, fun and a rejuvenating experience.

While travelling to different parts of the world, passengers can keep themselves entertained by watching and even participating in the shows that Royal Caribbean Cruises organise.

Here’s a rundown of the productions that the passengers may enjoy:

Broadway Shows – Popular Las Vegas and New York-based Broadway style and cabaret shows are often performed during a cruise.

Ice Skating Shows – Passengers will be impressed with the ice shows performed on the ship. Many professional skaters perform throughout the cruise. In the event that there are too many passengers interested in watching ice skating performances, tickets are generally made available on a first come first served basis.

Musical Productions – Contemporary and Las Vegas-inspired performances are presented on Royal Caribbean Cruises. The cruise ship takes pride in the fact that it has its own singers and dancers. Sometimes comedy acts precede the musical productions.

Be sure to enquire about the activities, shows and events from the cruise line in advance, so that you can decide which ones you will attend. Usually, each show will have a run throughout the cruise holiday, meaning there will be re-runs of your favourite productions.

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Have you ever imagined yourself waking up each day on another new and exciting tropical island where you can see the sun shining and the sea so crystal clear? That all you have to do is choose which beach you’re going to visit for that day?

How would you like to be able to tour the grandest and most exotic destinations on Earth every day?

Cruise jobs may sound so thrilling and exciting. However, it’s worth examining the pros and cons of a career with a cruise line company.

First, let’s examine the disadvantages of having a career on a cruise line. Probably the most common is home sickness. Yes, you’re the kind of person who always gets along with so many faces and wants to travel to so many places, but ship life is so compact. No matter how many people you’ll meet, the fact is, you’re away from home.

Another disadvantage is your lack of free time. Crews juggle multiple jobs inside the ship because cruise lines only have a limited number of people working. Another thing you’ll have to deal with is the strict rules and regulations. One rule says that in cases of emergencies, one-third of the crew should be available; this is called ‘port manning’.

On the other hand, there are also various advantages in having a job in a cruise line. To those who dream of touring the world, having a cruise job is a great ticket. Travel is a big advantage. Another good thing is you’ll have a lot of savings. Crew members don’t need to pay for food and shelter inside the ship, which means they don’t have to pay for most anything while they work on board. And lastly, the priceless advantage of them all, you’ll get to establish long lasting friendships. Cruise jobs offer the chance to meet different people from various countries all over the world.

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For many people, organizing a party for the birthday of a loved one can be very frustrating and stressful. Location and theme are needed for the party, and in the end, a birthday party can turn into an event that is a lot more extravagant and complex than one anticipates. An interesting and original suggestion, however, is to celebrate a birthday on one of the many party cruises that are available.

If you’re planning a party in Sydney, Australia, an interesting birthday idea would be to reserve a spot on the Sydney Showboat. This is an excellent choice for a night-time celebration that includes a dinner cruise, which consists of a three-course meal and live entertainment. If the birthday celebrant lives in London, it is easy to get together with a group of friends and family members and book any of the cruises available that travel the Thames. This experience, combined with music in the background and a lot of food and drink, will generate fun and great memories for years to come.

Speaking of the family, it is also a great idea for children to celebrate their birthday parties on any of these party cruises; however, party cruises should be carefully analyzed to make sure that they are safe for little children. If the cruise company can satisfy the standard requirements for safety, a birthday party cruise could provide peace of mind for parents because they will not need to look after or entertain the kids; all the arrangements are taken care of by the company.

For the best results, the person planning the birthday party should carefully research available party cruises. They should consult with friends who have tried the cruises before and they should check out all the amenities that the various cruise companies offer.

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