Breaking Blue : Helping you explore the world!

Carnival Cruise Lines is one of the world’s most popular cruise providers. Carnival Cruise Lines have a fleet of 19 ships, all of which are family-friendly floating cities offering loads of activities to keep the kids happily occupied and plenty of entertainment for adults in the evenings.

The atmosphere on Carnival cruises is relaxed and informal, and there’s everything you could possibly want from a cruise holiday, with the added bonus of constantly changing views. Carnival cruises have spacious cabins for families, couples and singles alike, and there are child-friendly menus in all the restaurants as well as kids’ clubs and great excursions ashore. Or just stay on board and take advantage of the many facilities on offer.

Carnival cruises offer all the advantages of a traditional holiday, with lots of group activities thrown in as the vessel moves from one exotic destination to another. There are wine-tasting classes, trivia quizzes, and even volleyball and professional golf coaching to keep you stimulated and occupied.

With many bars, bistros, restaurants, stage shows and cinemas available across the decks, you’ll never be short of something to do, and late in the evenings with the kids safely wrapped up you can enjoy a bottle of wine on your own balcony and watch the world drift by.

The kids probably won’t want to come home after experiencing the rich variety of foods and entertainments available on a Carnival Cruise Lines break, and you’ll wonder why you’d never thought of cruise holidays before.

Try a Carnival cruise the next time you’re looking for a fun holiday.

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If you’ve never been on a cruise holiday before then you don’t know what you’re missing. Cruise liners these days are like vast, floating hotels that use all their many modern resources to provide you with a brilliant holiday experience.

From the moment you step aboard you’ll have all your needs catered for, with a comprehensive range of entertainments and activities that you can take or leave as you desire. If you have kids, this will be a godsend, as there’ll be no need to find things for them to do. First thing in the morning they’ll be up and off, taking advantage of the many activities arranged for them and looked after so you’ll never have to worry about where they are or what they’re up to.

Teenagers, notoriously difficult to please, can make new friends at the discos and other venues, and you’ll be free at last to concentrate on what interests you the most.

Singles and couples also are well catered for on cruise ships, and indeed these floating hotels often attract those looking to meet someone special as well as having a good time.

There’s nothing better than being taken from one exotic port to another, with different experiences on hand every day, new places to explore, and in the meantime having all your needs catered for on board.

There are a great many cruise deals on offer, with all the main players in competition for your custom and wanting you to come back, so there’s never been a better time for looking into cruise holidays.

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In the past, cruises have been associated, either with the elite in society, or the older generation, so a cruise holiday was not seen as suitable for either families or young people. However, there has recently been a renaissance in cruise holidays, so now anyone can take a cruise.

Some cruise lines offer cruise holidays that are particularly aimed at families. On board there will be children’s clubs and activities, as well as facilities that all the family can enjoy.

For those who are more interested in the culture and history of the places that they visit, there are cruises that are designed to appeal more to adults. These will frequently run courses in wine tasting, local history or art, and may offer cruises to some more exotic locations such as South America or the Far East. Cruises to Alaska or the Arctic Circle are also popular. The Arctic would be impossible to visit any other way, as going ashore is strictly controlled in order to preserve the fragile ecosystem. The cruises offer an opportunity to see some unique wildlife, and to gain an understanding of the scientific work carried out at the base camps.

With more young people choosing to take cruise holidays, cruise lines have designed cruises to suit people who want more excitement and activities. Royal Caribbean Cruises’s Voyager-class ships are equipped with ice-skating rinks, rock-climbing walls and the FlowRider – a powerful wave that can be surfed. Carnival cruises offer survival adventures in Belize, on which passengers can learn to cook jungle-style. P&O Cruises offers its travellers the chance to hire a Ferrari F430 for a day in Alicante, or a bike ride for a cheaper option. Princess Cruises offers zip-wiring through trees, and in Alaska this can be combined with a bobsled ride.

Other types of cruise holidays include cruise weddings or honeymoons, river cruises, Christmas cruises, mini cruises and many more. Cruise and stay holidays offer the chance to combine a cruise with a hotel stay.

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When you want to go on a cruise you will have any number of companies to choose from when you make your booking.  So what makes P&O Cruises worth considering as your premier selection?

For starters there are seven ships you can choose from as the location for your holiday.  With another one – the Adonia – launching in 2011 you will see that P&O Cruises offer the best in accommodation and facilities across all their ships.

There are lots of destinations you can book with P&O; if you have ever wanted to see the fjords and visit Iceland, there is no better way to do it than on a cruise ship.  Then again if you have the time and the budget why not go all out and book your place on a world cruise? 

Their website also has a section which allows you to find the right type of cruise for you. This makes it a lot easier to search for what you need. This could be according to the length of time you want to spend cruising, or it could be related to what the cruise will be like. For instance you can search for P&O Cruises that are perfect for families.  Conversely if you are travelling with your partner and you don’t want to be bothered by kids, you can look for cruises that don’t allow children on board.

There are plenty of reasons why you should consider P&O Cruises over the competition. Which one will tempt you?

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Those of us who have come to be a little self-conscious about our expanding waistlines may feel a little reticent about opting for cruise holidays. In the past, it has been all too easy to order calorie-crammed foods such as cheese-laden pizzas, burgers with fries, butter coated surf-and-turf and artery-clogging wedges of chocolate cake. With little else to do during the day but lounge beside the pool grazing on the occasional snack, cruises of the past were hardly a weight-watchers ideal vacation. But the tide, to use a marine analogy, has definitely turned.

Many of the big cruise operators have responded to public health concerns about the dangers of obesity, making substantial changes to their onboard fare and activities as a result. Executive Chef Johann Petutschnig of Royal Caribbean Cruises’ “Liberty of the Seas” notes that menus have started to include much more in the way of low-fat meats like fish and chicken, along with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Delicious vegetarian options have become increasingly popular. Costa Cruises newest vessels (the Concordia and the Serena) have even included a specialty spa restaurant, where vegetable lasagne comes ‘pasta and cheese lite’, resembling a salad of peas, mushrooms, hearts of Romaine lettuce and potatoes tossed in a wine sauce and lightly dusted with parmesan.

Add to this the superlative effort made by the big players to enhance their onboard facilities, and you’ll discover that cruises will help you lose your jelly belly, not cultivate it. The bigger vessels run by Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Thomson Cruises and P&O Cruises as well as Costa and Royal Caribbean include fabulous activities, including fully equipped gyms, water-surfing simulators, miniature golf courses, rock climbing walls and, of course, superb swimming pools.

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P&O is a well known name in the cruise industry. They offer cruises to destinations worldwide and can cater for very short two night breaks right up to 98 night voyages taking in 37 ports in 21 countries.

Accommodation onboard is varied and suitable for all budgets, from indoor state rooms to deluxe penthouse suites P&O Cruises caters for everyone. All accommodation has as standard a daily maid service, refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, television, radio and telephone, safe and air conditioning. Outside staterooms also have picture windows to make the most of the view.

Evening entertainment choices onboard P&O cruises are varied and as such will have something to please everyone. Casinos and theatres are available for those who do not wish to visit the cocktail bars and night clubs; live bands and classical concerts will entertain those who won’t be joining in with the quizzes. P&O Cruises also run themed fun nights including 60’s and 70’s or Black and White ball themes.

Certain itineraries allow for overnight stay in some ports including New York, Acapulco and Barbados meaning the chance to explore the nightlife and entertainment as part of a shore excursion. Daytime shore excursions include once in a life time opportunities like a helicopter ride over Monaco or exhilarating activities like travelling though the Jamaican rainforest on a zip wire.

As an added extra P&O Cruises also offer weddings and vow renewals. A unique way to spend your honeymoon is to wake up every day in a different port.

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Princess Cruises offer over 120 individual cruise holidays with over 330 ports of call so there is bound to be something to suit everyone’s taste and budget.

Priding themselves on excellent customer service Princess Cruise staff is always on hand to give help and advice to passengers who require it.

Covering all continents including Antarctica, and taking in destinations not covered by most other cruise companies such as the Falkland Islands, Midway Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, Princess Cruises has some of the most unique holiday destinations covered.

Princess Cruises offers a once in a lifetime world cruise of 107 days taking in 42 ports of call onboard the Pacific Princess (the new version of the famous Princess Cruise lines popular  ‘Love Boat’ from the television series of the same name).

Cruise options range from two days right up to the 107 day world cruise. All 17 Princess Cruise ships adhere to the same high standards, with the same wide range of onboard activities for both adults and children alike.

Princess Cruises also offer Cruise Tours. This is when part of the holiday takes place on land and allows the passenger to enjoy several nights inland to enjoy sights that cannot be accessed by ship.

One fun onboard activity is the golf simulator. You can even take golf lessons while at sea which is perfect for all abilities. While the adults are enjoying sports children can take part in scavenger hunts, themed parties and talent shows. Princess Cruises really are fun for all the family.

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There are other considerations besides money to take into account when planning a cruise. And, with some excellent cruise deals available, it may turn out to have a lower priority than you imagine. The more modest cruises cost around  £70 a day – for an en suite cabin, all meals, evening entertainment and a versatile range of onboard facilities. Are you ‘time rich’ (maybe retired and able to take a more leisurely excursion), or ‘time poor’ (needing to get back to work PDQ)? Do you have young children, or are you a young adult in search of a unique holiday experience? Whatever your ‘demographic profile,’ there’ll be plenty of bespoke cruise holidays out there for you.

Families should generally aim for the biggest ship the budget can accommodate. They come with babysitting services, so you can go for a romantic meal and a dance in the evening, kids’ clubs and plenty of swimming pools for the youngsters. You’ll even find climbing walls, spas, ice rinks and golf driving ranges on some.

Young couples can marry onboard (captains are legally empowered to do this) – the ideal prelude to romantic Caribbean cruises. Why not combine beach and ship by opting for one of the many ‘cruise and stay holidays’ run by industry giants like Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruises and Thomson Cruises?

A slightly more modest-sized ship should suit the older cruiser; in addition to being cheaper (especially on last minute cruises), they’ll let you stroll ashore every day as you meander genteelly from port to port.

You’ll soon discover that cruise holidays are no snooze holidays!

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If you are looking for the ultimate spa experience, why not go to sea. Costa Cruises have cruise liners that feature the Samsara Spa; they are the Costa Concordia, Costa Luminosa, Costa Pacifica, Costa Deliziosa and the Costa Serena. These stunning cruise liners have exclusive health and beauty centres, which will leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed.

With over 2,000sqm of space, the Samsara Spa experience is set in the most elegant of settings, designed just to help you relax on your cruise holiday. So, if you want to combine hot mineral treatments with steam baths and amazing Oriental relaxation rituals, the Samsara Spa with Costa Cruises is for you.

Some Costa Cruises spa treatments enable you to indulge in floatation therapy, rock sauna, teahouse, solarium and Turkish baths. You can benefit from these amazing treatments and surroundings by booking a cabin on any one of the cruise liners listed previously. If you decide to take your holiday in the spa area of a Costa cruise you will be treated to a Welcome Ritual, which includes a selected variety of treatments and lots of amenities to make you stay extra special. The Samsara Spa also includes an exclusive restaurant that has a menu of specially balanced meals.

Samsara spa is there to envelope you in relaxation and treat you like royalty every day of your stay onboard the cruise liner. From treatments to dinner, your wishes are taken care of by Costa Cruises and their exclusive spa.

Finding your inner self has never been so easy.

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Owned by the Walt Disney Company, the Disney Cruise Line offers a unique transatlantic cruise experience. This luxurious 14 night transatlantic cruise comes with 5 ports of call and 8 full days at sea. The Disney Magic cruise liner features all the amenities expected of a modern transatlantic passenger ship while being the perfect option for families with young children.

The Disney Magic can accommodate 2,400 passengers, with 10 decks of activities and entertainment waiting to be explored. Over 900 crew and cast members are on hand to attend and entertain the ship’s guests.

Shops, clubs, pools, nightclubs and even a spa will be sure to keep adults both relaxed and amused while onboard. As would be expected from a Disney liner, family entertainment onboard the Disney Magic is second to none. With state-of-the-art cinemas, theatres and live shows featuring all of Disney’s best-loved characters, the ship is a paradise for children of all ages.

The westbound transatlantic cruise begins in Barcelona before stopping at Gibraltar and Madeira. Passengers have time to explore both locations before the trip across the Atlantic begins. After 5 days at sea, the ship arrives in the Caribbean and the island of St. Maarten. A day is spent here before the ship heads for Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. Here, passengers can enjoy the exclusive beaches of this stunning resort.

Passengers will finally be taken to Port Canaveral in Florida, the Disney Magic’s home port. Eastbound transatlantic voyages begin from here, stopping off at all the same ports and finishing in Barcelona.

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