Breaking Blue : Helping you explore the world!

Thomson Cruises has taken over a large part of the British cruise market because it is the largest tour operator and travel agency in the country. When the company started in 1973, it did not get enough support from travellers and was forced to close shortly thereafter. Thomson Cruises reopened in 1995 by chartering the Sapphire Cruise Ship, and business has prospered ever since. Here are some of the future tourist spots that travellers can look forward to in the next decade:

1) Izmir – After Istanbul, this is Turkey’s biggest port along the waters of the Gulf of Izmir. Thomson Cruises will travel to this area via the Aegean Sea. This place used to be called the Gulf of Smyrna, but because it is Turkish, it is now known as Izmir Korfezi. The city of Izmir is at the end of this future Thomson Cruises route. Popular tourist spots are the Ethnography Museum and the Izmir Clock Tower.

2) Santorini – Thomson Cruises will soon service a tiny, spherical archipelago with volcanic islands in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. Santorini is made up of the remnants of a volcanic eruption that destroyed what was once an island and created a geological caldera. Popular tourist spots that the Thomson Cruises ships will visit are the Oia Village and the Akrotiri excavations.

3) Alexandria – Another addition to the Thomson Cruises line-up, Alexandria sports a population of more than four million people, as it is the second largest city in all of Egypt. It has a large seaport, which serves around 80% of the imports and exports of Egypt. Some of the popular tourist spots are the Greco-Roman Museum, the Corniche and the Attarine Souk.

These destinations add culture and diversity to the islands around the Mediterranean. Loyal travellers are advised to start booking their future dream holidays early.

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Beautiful vistas aren’t just found on land. Actually, many are found underneath the sea. In a diver’s paradise, you’ll surely be tantalised by white sands, and seas so blue that you won’t be able to see where sky starts. If you’re longing to take a visit in a picturesque environment, then Red Sea cruises onboard Thomson Spirit is one you should definitely try! You’ll love the spacious and clean environment of the cabins, and it’s a place where you’ll find friendly and helpful staff in the dining room.

Want to dive and snorkel while having a romantic moonlit walk on an ultimate excursion to Ras Mohamed? Or feel like sailing at Dahab where families can share a walk in a starry setting? Amazing as this could be, a Red Sea cruise differs from many other cruises all over the world. Here you can do your initial dives in a pool on deck, and then explore one of the world’s finest coral reefs throughout the ports you visit.

Travelling across the sea has never been this exciting. Imagine sailing overnight to Jordan to visit the lost city of Petra. The try-dives are one of the most unique activities you’ll see on board, plus, they’re pretty much free. From quizzes to dancing lessons, musical stage plays to talks by the resident Egyptologist, cruisers will surely love this experience of a lifetime. Cabin crew members also organise refresher sessions for experienced divers during the daytime and training sessions for beginners in the afternoon.

For over six decades now, Red Sea’s step to history has brought thousands of inspired writers and explorers to discover more about the Pharaohnic constructions close to the Nile Valley and Biblical Sinai. This long corridor of wonders explored by Captain Cousteau in the 1950’s will definitely astonish you with their imposing sights.

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One of the major cruise lines that offer the luxury of superior cruising holidays is Costa Cruises. Bearing the Italian flag, Costa Cruises with its 14 ships, operates across the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, South America, the Middle East, Northern Europe, and South East Asia.

The length of time they have been in business attests to the quality that they provide those who want to experience a cruise holiday. For 60 years now they have shown and are still showing expertise in the Italian way of luxury cruising. This should not come as a surprise since Costa Cruises is under the wing of Carnival Corporation PLC – a British-American-Panamanian corporation, which is the largest cruise operator in the world. Costa Cruises also boasts of its credentials having been “certified by RINA (Italian Shipping Register) with the B.E.S.T. 4, an integrated system of voluntary certification of corporate compliance with the highest standards governing social accountability.

Costa Cruises ships offer all the comfort and quality you’ll ever ask for from a cruise holiday. The line is also famous for its family-oriented service (they even have a Costa Kids Programme – activity sessions that will keep kids aged 3-17 entertained), friendly and accommodating staff, and sumptuous cuisine from around the globe.  You even have options of dining venue – al fresco, in your cabin, by the poolside, or at the midnight buffet – or having a formal dining experience at a Costa Cruise gala dinner.

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It’s been a couple of weeks since the magnificent Oasis of The Seas was launched and there have been no end of tv reports and newspaper stories on its magnificence since. In fact, I can’t remember as much fuss being made for a new liner for a long time and the owners must be thrilled about the positive publicity.

Since I wrote my last post, the ship has arrived in Florida and is being prepared for its maiden voyage on the 1st of December. It continues to inspire incredulity with its sheer size and facilities; 16 decks, 2700 state rooms, a ‘Central Park, a chess garden, an aqua theatre, on-board scuba, restaurants, bars, pools…….But with prices starting at £1000 per person are these kind of cruise deals really that affordable for the majority of holidaymakers?

Well, I’d have to argue that a holiday on this kind of liner is a once in a lifetime experience and considering most of the holiday is inclusive in the cost of the ticket it could work out comparable (if not a little cheaper) than a fly-drive holiday. Yes, there will be a need to spend some money but if you take advantage of the free facilities on board it shouldn’t add up to that much and in the meantime you get to enjoy the fact you are travelling on a truly beautiful ship.

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Many cruise companies offer all-inclusive packages that are not really all-inclusive. Hence, how would you know if your planned budget will sufficiently cover all the expenses of a cruise holiday? The first and most important thing to do then is to know what these extra costs are, apart from the usual costs covered when you purchased your ticket.

Generally, your cruise will include your accommodation (your suite), meals (three times a day), entertainment (which includes Broadway-style shows, musical and comedy shows, and movies), children’s programmes (which some lines offer while some don’t), and use of facilities and amenities like pools, gymnasiums, hot tubs, etc. Most cruise lines include these costs in your cruise fare, though they vary from one ship to another.

Aside from these costs, you need to bring along some extra money to spend if you want to indulge in some of the services and leisure activities on board. If you want to eat in the ship’s special restaurants then prepare $10 to $30 per person. There are also separate payments for alcoholic beverages such as beer ($3.50 to $6) and wine ($15 to $300 per bottle) as well as soft drinks ($1.50 to $2.50).

There are also special services that you can take advantage of if you like to make the most of your holiday. If you have babies, try the babysitting services that cost $8 to $10 an hour for two kids. You can also use the ship’s dry cleaning services for $2.50 to $7.50 per item, browse the Net for $0.50 to $1.50 per minute, or make phone calls by paying $5.95 to $15.95 per minute.

Also, if you want to relax and have that pampering massage, then you may have to pay $99 to $128 for 50 minutes. If you’re a gambler or just a game-lover, then try the casinos where you can spend as much as you want. Finally, to make the utmost holiday experience, you can try splurging on one of the cruise ship’s shore excursions that generally range from $30 to $400.

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Cruise lines are now catering to the community of gay and lesbian holiday makers. Whether single or attached, a cruise can be an ideal opportunity for them to meet other gay couples, relax in a familiar surrounding, and just be themselves.
 
A lot of activities are offered on a gay cruise, such as FOD meetings (Friends of Dorothy). Friends of Dorothy meetings are gatherings or meetings for gay people, and consist of social events to expand your circle of friends. Many cruise lines hold these FOD meetings regularly.

Atlantis and R.S.V.P are both all-gay charter companies that specialise specifically in gay and lesbian cruises. The environment on these ships is very accommodating to gay men, women and transgender cruisers, thanks to the special training that staff members usually receive, ensuring that all holidaymakers are made to feel welcome and accepted.

Nightly dance parties are just one of the many activities on board, as well many other entertaining events, geared towards the gay holiday maker. The cruises usually include specially gay-friendly ports.

Itineraries are also gay-friendly. Some Mediterranean summer cruises go to key gay spots like Ibiza, and cultural capitals like Venice and Barcelona. The Caribbean is also a popular destination for gay and lesbian couples.

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The Caribbean is a region that is comprised of the Caribbean Sea, various islands and beautiful coasts. This place is considered one of the most popular destinations for cruises. This is not a surprise since the area is filled with amazing resorts, perfect beaches and breathtaking views.

One way to experience the adventure of the Caribbean is to use the prominent cruise ship line, Royal Caribbean Cruises. It is one of the most innovative brands in the cruising industry. Its ships are big, bright and spacious enough for private balconies and open spaces. They offer a wide array of activities and events.

Passengers of Royal Caribbean Cruises can:

Interact and snorkel with stingrays in the Grand Caymans
Go mountain biking in Costa Rica
Climb one of Jamaica’s popular tourist destinations – Dunn’s River Falls
Dive 800 feet below the ocean’s surface and discover coral reefs off various beaches
Experience one of Royal Caribbean’s private destinations – Labadee

Since the Caribbean is a big place there are three routes that Royal Caribbean Cruises’ ships take:

Western Caribbean Cruises – expect to be oriented with the history and culture of many islands. The highlight of this route is the floating Aqua Park in Labadee.

Eastern Caribbean Cruises – take pleasure in the white sand beaches and sparkling waters of the islands. Guests can go parasailing to make the cruise more memorable. Passengers who take this route can also see picturesque mountains.

Southern Caribbean Cruises – experience a different kind of journey on this route because of the caves that passengers will see and enter. The places that passengers may visit are known to be unique and exotic. They can also enjoy pristine Magens Beach in St. Thomas.

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Time aboard a cruise ship can be a great way to spend some time with your family. A lot of cruise lines are offering tours that are appropriate for everyone in the family and are designed to keep the whole family happy during your stay. Should you decide to go on a cruise with the whole family, you should check the itinerary and the amenities that the cruise line has to offer. There are many cruise lines that have programmes designed for each member of the family. Unique amenities are often provided (although they may differ from one ship to another) – like nurseries, ice skating rinks, planetariums, and movie watching activities.

The cabins on family cruises are designed specially for every member of the family, many being child-friendly. It’s up to you decide which will suit the needs of everyone in your family.

It is important to check the minimum age required to sail if you’re travelling with a baby, because the minimum age differs from one ship to another. Disney allows 12-week old babies to sail, while Carnival sets the minimum age at four months old and Princess sets theirs at six months old. Choosing the right nursery is also one of your priorities – you’d only want the best for your baby, after all.

Kids aren’t forgotten either in family cruises. Children’s programmes are offered on board to make sure that the kids are having a great time while sea faring and in port. Some lines offer scavenger hunts, video game sessions, and arts and crafts projects, to name a few.

Teen nightclubs, spa services, and teen-only hot tubs are some of the amenities and services offered to families travelling with teens. Princess has even designed a special evening for teens with a dinner together in the main dining room.

With the right planning, everyone in the family can enjoy their time on board.

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When you decide to go on a cruise you will be expecting to relax and unwind on your holiday for some of the time; that will be no problem. However, if you want to be more active while aboard your cruise ship there are many leisure activities you can become involved in to keep you entertained.

Cruise ships usually post or announce the events for the day and the coming days of the trip. Be sure to read or listen to the announcements about the onboard activities to give yourself the opportunity to select which you will participate in. If you truly are a ‘party-person’, don’t miss the many social gatherings that will be arranged throughout the duration of the cruise.

You will never get bored on a cruise ship because they have such varied forms of entertainment. If you’re a gambler you can chance your money at the casino. If you love music and theatre, you will enjoy the cabaret shows. If you’re a movie buff, you can enjoy the selection of movies provided on the cruise. There are also disco’s or clubs for people who love to dance. Furthermore, talent shows that require the willing and enthusiastic participation of the passengers are also organised on most cruise ships.

If you’re a sports buff and are afraid that you might lose your muscle tone after eating a lot of scrumptious meals onboard, do not fret! There’s a fitness and recreation area available on all cruise ships. Top quality gym facilities are available as well as equipment for games like ping-pong and shuffleboard. Plus, some cruises provide volleyball courts and rock-climbing walls for the fitter and more adventurous passengers.

If you get tired after engaging in any activity onboard, feel free to try the relaxing treatments offered in the spa – massage, facial, manicure and pedicure.  Hair styling is almost certain to be provided.

But do not worry if you are the quiet type and prefer to unwind alone. The libraries, Internet cafes and card games rooms are perfect for you.

No matter what activity or kind of leisure you seek, the activities on cruise holidays will keep you happily entertained throughout your trip.

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Whether you are at a restaurant, office or even now in cyberspace, you are expected to act correctly. Being on a cruise ship is no exception – passengers need to conduct themselves properly. Here are the top four etiquette rules to keep in mind when on a cruise ship holiday.

Don’t talk or laugh boisterously – It doesn’t matter whether you are celebrating your birthday or your parents’ anniversary. You can still have fun, but do so with consideration. Respect the space of others. Remember that some passengers joined the cruise to relax. Slowly close your cabin doors. It’s not fun to hear them slamming and banging late in the day.

Don’t be too flashy with your wealth – you can afford the expenses for the cruise, but that doesn’t mean you need to flash expensive things – jewellery, clothes, bags, etc – just to prove that you’re one of the privileged. Remember, the other passengers were also able to pay for their trip.

Stop complaining – If the trip is not going as you expected don’t let each person on the ship know about your complaints. Approach the management if it’s an administrative problem that they can solve. Otherwise, don’t bother anyone else on the cruise, as they may want to be free from worries or distractions.

Dress appropriately – You may wear street clothes but make sure they’re decent and not offensive. Take into consideration the fact that there are people with different beliefs and philosophies aboard the ship.

Always remember that social graces will always be expected no matter how sticky situations may get. You can still have a good time even though you’re bound by certain restrictions on your behaviour.

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