Anniversary Cruises on Royal Caribbean

Nothing puts the sizzle back into a sedentary union more than setting sail on a romantic anniversary cruise on Royal Caribbean. The upscale cruise company offers passion-filled packages for couples looking to reignite the flames of love on the high seas.

Royal Caribbean anniversary cruises ooze romance and intimacy. From quiet sunsets and sweet musical tributes to sentimental ceremonies and elegant embellishments, rededicating yourself to your beloved onboard a luxury ocean liner has never been so memorable.

Fortunately, you don't have to go overboard planning a vow renewal service all by yourself. Royal Caribbean offers "Royal Romance Wedding Consultants," who create magical memories for couples looking to celebrate their wedding anniversary with a romantic vow renewal ceremony. A standard "Royal Encore" package includes:

Picturesque locale onboard a Royal Caribbean ship Vow renewal ceremony performed by the ship's social host Romantic music Elegant bridal bouquet Simple groom's boutonniere Keepsake vow renewal certificate. Four chocolate-covered strawberries and sparkling wine for married couple One-hour of professional shipboard photography service for the ceremony and post-vow exchange poses

If you decide to renew your wedding vows during an anniversary cruise onboard Royal Caribbean, keep in mind that the ceremony is not legal and couples with different last names will be required to show proof of marriage. In addition, couples interested in the vow renewal package must notify the cruise line 14 days in advance of sailing. An exact time and location of the ceremony will be coordinated once you are onboard the ship.

If you prefer a more low-key anniversary celebration onboard Royal Caribbean, then consider requesting a Royal Romance package which includes anniversary-related stateroom decorations and a "Congratulations" cake. The celebratory package deals range in price and can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. Packages vary depending on your destination and itinerary. The standard package comes with balloons, streamers, a banner and flower cake. However, if you don't mind spending a bit more, special gifts can also be included direct from the ship's boutiques and other retailers.

Some couples prefer to commemorate their anniversary with private celebrations. In these cases, Royal Caribbean offers a selection of special touches to add to your stateroom, from fresh flower bouquets to buckets of champagne and strawberries. You may request the enhancements upon boarding or order them prior to sailing, so that they are in place when you arrive in your stateroom.

Royal Caribbean loves to celebrate special occasions, but realizes that some guests prefer to observe their anniversaries without a lot of pomp and circumstance. If you are taking a cruise to commemorate five, 10 or 25 years of wedded bliss, and don't want the fanfare of balloons, streamers and banners, then opt to recognize the milestone by taking part in some couples-only activities. Onboard options include

Couples rock climbing Flowrider surf simulator lessons Pairs ice-skating lessons Couples spa treatments Golf lessons

Another way to reconnect with your beloved is to sign-up for adventurous or romantic shore excursions. Tour a European castle, stroll along a Caribbean beach or spend your anniversary hiking hand-in-hand through a tropical rain forest. Experiencing a dream date is made easy by contacting your ship's social activities coordinator.

Whether you go all out with an elaborate onboard vow renewal ceremony or you simply want to sneak off to a secluded section of the ship to enjoy a sunset cocktail with your spouse, Royal Caribbean has a litany of fun options for couples celebrating their anniversaries. You can also help pump up the passion by selecting a romantic cruise destination, such as Hawaii, Mexico or Puerto Rico. Finally, timing is everything. If you don't want to spend your anniversary rubbing elbows with large crowds, don't sail during the peak holiday season or when kids are out on summer break.

Best Family Cruise Lines

The best family cruise lines design their ships to attract passengers of all ages. Recently, the giants of the mainstream cruise lines have redesigned their ships to cater to active family vacations with amenities such as kids programs, water parks, in-line skating, teen discos and ocean laboratories. While ships catering to singles or mature passengers are still prevalent, there is an ocean of fun awaiting families aboard the best family cruise lines.

The best family cruises take into consideration the age of each child and the expectations of parents and children. Kids' programs are offered on family cruises as a free complimentary service and usually operate from morning until evening. Some ships offer private or group babysitting services as well. Certain ships occasionally offer sleep-overs or late-night teen entertainment free-of-charge on designated evenings, allowing parents free time to explore the ships casinos, dance clubs and more.

The best cruise ships for younger kids and their parents, are operated by Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Royal Caribbean is one of only a few cruise lines offering activities for children under the age of three. Some start at six months old in a specially designated nursery. Group and private babysitting services are available for a fee from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. on some ships. Carnival also accepts little cruisers not yet potty-trained in its fun kids' program known as Camp Carnival. Additional babysitting services are available for a fee from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m.

Many family cruises offer fun activities for specific age groups. However, if you want to partake in onboard activities with your children, then set sail on Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Both offer scheduled activities to help kids and parents bond on the high seas.

The best cruises for children tend to be the newer ships designed with plenty of kid-friendly amenities and activities. Some of the mainstream cruise lines that offer complimentary kids' programs are:

Some of the most popular activities for kids include basketball tournaments, private pool parties or teen-only shore excursions. Some cruise lines also offer educational activities designed around local port of calls such as art classes and scientific studies. For example, Royal Caribbean's Ocean Adventure kids' program has over 22,000 square feet of space dedicated to kids cruising. Tots to teens can participate in experiments at sea and get certified as adventure scientists. For the artistically-inclined kids, Adventure Art by Crayola offers art classes in everything from pottery to mask making.

Princess Cruises also offer kids the opportunity to participate in an interactive science program, known as Edutainment. Meanwhile. Celebrity Cruises is particularly good at offering an assortment of educational classes for adults and children. However, kids' programs are only available on select cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line, with its line of "fun ships," has always catered to a younger crowd. Carnival's signature giant water-slides, teen discos and Camp Carnival kids program appeal to kids and teens alike. Carnival's Splendor Class ships offer teen-only shore excursions designed to appeal to teen interests, leaving parents to get to know their own peers on adult shore excursions.

In addition, Disney Cruise Line's kids' program excels at catering to younger age groups, but may leave the older teens feeling left out. Royal Caribbean sets the bar high in kid's cruises with an array of unbelievable activities and onboard amenities, such as surfing, indoor skating and rock-climbing.

With so many family-friendly cruise lines catering to parents, children and teens these days, one thing is for sure; there is a sea of opportunity for family cruisers of all ages.

Eastern Mediterranean Cruises to Greece and Egypt

Most Eastern Mediterranean cruises to Greece and Egypt?offer a variety of activities that spotlight?the region's ancient history and antiquities.? In addition, passengers are treated to luxury accommodations onboard floating resorts.? The upscale sailings also offer access to?popular beaches and upscale villages along the coastline.?

Top 10 Tips for a European River Cruise

Forget about flipping through an entire book of sailing suggestions; rather, get all the help you need for your dream voyage be reading the following top 10 tips for a European river cruise. The advice will help you decide if an interior waterway sailing is right for you and how you can make the most of your European vacation.

These simple tips are applicable to cruisers looking to take a discount sailing or those with money to spare. Regardless of your budget there are things you should know before you tour Europe up close and personal on a river cruise:

River cruises are a far cry from ocean adventures. The intimate voyages are packed with scenery and a myriad of shore excursion opportunities unlike ocean cruises which can feature days at sea with little to look at other than endless blue water. In addition, river vessels in Europe, which are much smaller than ocean liners, can easily navigate the region’s narrow waterways. Most European river boats can carry about 250 passengers. The limited space creates a cozy environment, allowing you to get to know your fellow passengers very well. What’s more, due to the smaller size of the vessel, most staterooms are located on the outside of the boat, which means you are able to enjoy unobstructed exterior views.

The small size of European river boats means that you will not be offered the same amount of onboard amenities as those featured on massive ocean liners. Moreover, the type of activities offered on European river cruises are a bit more sedate than those found on larger ships. Sample activities include cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, historical lectures, and concerts.

One of the benefits of taking a European river cruise is that you are afforded the luxury of sailing to the very heart of the historic cities and ancient villages that call the continent home. As such, most cruise itineraries feature more stops than those found on traditional ocean cruises which typically grace the edges of vacation destinations. On a river journey you are given the chance to tour everything from vineyards and medieval castles to historical landmarks and world-class restaurants.

More stops means more time exploring top European tourist attractions. In many cases this translates to a lot of walking along ancient cobblestone streets and stairs. If you are planning an extensive shore excursion, it’s a good idea to know your physical limitations. If you have a heart condition or other medical condition, be sure to check with your doctor before climbing 300 steps to the top of an Austrian hilltop or a French castle.

If you are looking to take a budget European river cruise, then shoot to sail during the spring and fall. Winter voyages, especially Christmas cruises, are expensive and hard to come by given their popularity. Summer river cruises are also a bit pricey, since demand outweighs supply during the busy travel season when kids are out of school and the weather yields spectacular views of lush flora and fauna in the South of France.

European river cruises are readily available throughout the year, so be selective when booking an itinerary. Since there is no shortage of rivers in the region, you don’t need to feel as though your choices are limited to the popular Danube and Rhine rivers. Other tourist-friendly European rivers serviced by cruise companies include:

DouroElbeMoselRhoneSaoneSeineDneiper

Europe features a plethora of cruise destinations, including:

AustriaBelarusCzech RepublicFranceGermanyNetherlandsPolandPortugalRussiaSerbiaUkraine

It’s a good idea to review your options before settling on a specific region and cruise company. Some cruises combine water and land packages. An experienced travel agent will be able to help you find the European river cruise that best suits your time frame, interests and budget.

It’s likely that you will be taking a commercial airliner to get to and from your cruise ports, so you need to be mindful of packing light for the flight and cruise. Fortunately, most European river cruises don’t feature formal nights, so you can leave your fancy clothes and shoes at home. What’s more, most river boats feature onboard launderettes where you can wash your garments. Suites and other upscale staterooms include complimentary laundry service.

There’s no faster way to endear yourself to Europeans than to learn the local language. This doesn’t mean taking a crash course so you can speak fluent French for your cruise down the Seine. Rather, learn a few key phrases, such as “hello,” “thank you” and “excuse me.” Your efforts will be appreciated by local shopkeepers and restaurant staff.

If you are overwhelmed by the array of different European river cruise options, then consider narrowing your search by considering a theme sailing. Possible itineraries include everything from a three-night wine tour on the Saone to a 30-day odyssey that encompasses a litany of amazing stops on rivers and tributaries from Amsterdam to the Black Sea.

Regardless of which European waterway you choose to tour, it’s always a good idea to consult with the experts before you go. Contact a reputable travel agent in your area or query a representative at one of the leading cruise companies that specialize in European river cruises, such as AMA Waterways, Avalon Waterways or Viking Cruises.

How to Save on a Cruise

Setting sail on a high seas adventure is a lifelong dream for many travelers, but with the economy on shaky ground some would-be cruisers are shying away from taking the plunge. That's where Craig Rashid comes in. The owner and operator of CruisingVoyages.com and Elite Cruise Counselor with Cruise Lines International Association has practical advice on how to save on a cruise. LovetoKnow discusses these money-saving tips with him in this exclusive interview.

LovetoKnow(LTK): Craig, you've worked in the travel industry for 20 years and have taken nearly 70 cruises, how is the economy affecting cruise travel?

Craig Rashid(CR): A lot of people can't afford to sail on trips that require them to part with a large sum of money. My advice is to plan ahead and budget wisely. Consider booking six months to a year out or even longer, so you can take advantage of the numerous sales available for early birds. Some of these sales and special offers allow you to score onboard credits or upgrade to a cabin that may have initially been out of your price range. It's also very important to create a personal travel budget that allows you to experience popular cruise amenities, such as shore excursions, spa treatments and souvenirs.

LTK: What advice do you have for people who are flying to the point of embarkation?

CR: The most important factor is budgeting for the cost of airfare. If you have to fly from your home to your cruise departure point, it's best to book with a travel expert who has experience dealing with the major cruise lines, and knows about specific ships and itineraries. Just because you are contacting a large online travel provider doesn't mean you are going to deal with someone who can answer all of your cruise-related questions, or find you the best deals on flight and cruise packages.

Cruise for less.

LTK: What effects are you are seeing on cruise trends due to the struggling economy?

CR: There is an increasing interest in taking cruises that set sail from customers' homes, so they can save money. For example, where I live in Wisconsin, clients are looking to sail from East Coast ports such as New York, New Jersey, Boston or Baltimore. In most cases, clients can fly nonstop to these departure ports and if they have extra time such as during the summer months, they will make a road trip out of it and spend time sightseeing along the way. This is a great option for families who don't get to spend a lot of time together because of their hectic lifestyles.

LTK: What advice do you have for first time cruisers wading through various itineraries and price points?

CR: Do your research and find an agent who you believe can answer all of your questions correctly and in a timely fashion. Unless you have always wanted to travel to Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, look to take your first cruise from the United States. Most first time cruisers should consider taking a tour of the Caribbean on a 5-7day sailing to see if they like it, and if it is worth the money.

LTK: Any other tips on how to get the most bang for your buck when booking a cruise?

CR: Make sure you ask a lot of questions. Don't book a cruise unless you are comfortable with the answers and the agent you are dealing with. Also, remember that most, if not all, cruise/travel websites will list a "starting from" rate; however, this price is NOT the total amount you will pay, and you need to be ready for that. A "starting from" price is generally the least expensive inside cabin found on the lowest passenger deck. The price also does not reflect all of the taxes you will need to pay. This is a very important bit of information, as this is how a lot of large online agencies will get you to call in, but if you aren't aware of additional charges, you can easily get frustrated and lose interest in taking a cruise. When clients contact me for a rate, I quote the complete price, including all taxes and fees, so they have all of the details upfront and are not misled.

Save while you sail.

LoveToKnow would like to thank Craig Rashid for providing great insider information about the cruise industry and how to stretch your dollar when planning a dream voyage.

Royal Caribbean 14 Night European Transatlantic Cruise

Royal Caribbean's 14-night European transatlantic cruises take?passengers on an amazing?journey across the ocean to various tourist hot spots. The luxury cruise company offers amazing amenities for you to enjoy along the way, so your trip will be as memorable on day one as it is on day 14.

Royal Caribbean has?several 14-night transatlantic cruise options, which travel?both eastbound and westbound, including:

14-Night Eastbound: Leaving from Galveston, Texas, this cruise has ports of call in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Malaga, Cartagena, and Barcelona, Spain.14-Night Transatlantic: This cruise leaves from Colon, Panama, and travels through the?stunning?ports of Willemstad, Curacao, Bridgetown, Barbados, and the Canary Islands before docking at Palma De Mallorca, Spain.14-Night Westbound: This westbound cruise leaves from Barcelona, Spain. It travels to Cartagena, Malaga, the?Canary Islands, and the?Bahamas?before it docks?in New Orleans.14-Night Westbound Transatlantic: Another westbound option from Royal Caribbean leaves from Palma De Mallorca in Spain. This trip has ports of call in?the Canary Islands, St. Maarten, St. John's, Barbados, and other?exotic travel destinations?before?docking in Colon, Panama.14-Night Barcelona:? Royal Caribbean?offers a spectacular?fall transatlantic?cruise, which?leaves from Barcelona, Spain, and?stops in Cartagena, Malaga, Cadiz, the Canary Islands, and then docks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.14-Night Eastbound Brazil: Another transatlantic option is to leave in the spring from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and?cruise to?Rio De Janeiro, Salvador De Bahia, the Canary Islands, and Cadiz before ending in Lisbon, Portugal.

In addition to the aforementioned?options, the company also offers transatlantic cruises from Miami, Florida to Barcelona, Spain. Also, you can book a slightly longer sailing, a 16-night cruise, departing from Civitavecchia, Italy to Galveston, Texas.??Finally, you can?set?sail from Harwich, England and travel to Boston, Massachusetts.

Visit the Royal Caribbean website to find the company's?most current?transatlantic?voyages and to book your cruise.? The website also features a number of ways to save on your next transatlantic cruise.? Discounts are available to military personnel, law enforcement professionals (in both the U.S. and Canada) and for those over the age of 55.

All of Royal Caribbean's 14-night transatlantic?sailings yield a vast array of?exciting onboard activities and amenities including world-class dining, live entertainment, shopping, spa treatments?and luxury staterooms.? In addition, Royal Caribbean's transatlantic cruises often feature a wide selection of unique shore excursions, which explore the highlights of various port cities, from Europe's hottest shops to the Canary Islands' most famous natural wonders. The cruise company also provides a variety of?onboard?workshops?and seminars that aim to educate passengers on the various waterways and destinations covered during the two-week dream voyage across the ocean.? ?

When planning a 14-night transatlantic voyage on Royal Caribbean?it's a good idea?to book as early as possible, as the popular?cruises fill up fast.? Also, keep in mind transatlantic cruises?typically take place?during the warmer summer months.? However, cruises from Brazil may occur as early as April while northern?departing cruises don't set sail until August.??Cruise itineraries also vary, though most feature several nights at sea.? To learn more about the cruise options available, visit CruiseAdventures.com or CruiseTransatlantic.com.

Mexico 4 Day Cruises

Mexico 4 day cruises are just the right length to tour a city or two along the Mexican coast. What's more, these salings depart from various U.S. ports, making them a great option for people looking for a quick and easy getaway.

The climate and location make it easy to take Mexico cruises throughout the year. In order to experience Mexico in just four days, though, you will need to depart from one of the more southern cruise ports in the United States. The options listed below are current as of January of 2011. However, you can find more information at the cruise companies' websites.

If you live on the west coast of the United States, consider cruising to Baja, Mexico. An excursion into Ensenada, the main port in this region, will allow you to explore a market village. You can dine on local cuisine, shop in the flea markets and enjoy dancing. You can also visit the "Blow Hole" nearby, which is a waterspout in the Pacific Ocean you can see from the coastline. You may also be able to book a wine tour of the region, such as The Valle de Guadalupe. Carnival Cruise Line may help you to book the tour as part of your cruise package.

Cruises from Los Angeles, California to Baja are often four days. Stops at Catalina Island and Ensenada are part of the package offered by Carnival. In addition, Cunard also offers a getaway to Mexico for four days. This cruise leaves from the San Pedro Port in Los Angeles and travels to Ensenada, Mexico. You will be sailing on the luxury Queen Victoria cruise liner.

Another way to see Mexico is along the eastern coast. A popular destination in the Caribbean is Cozumel. This Caribbean island is a popular cruise port located 12 miles off the Yucatan coast. It offers white sand beaches, clean water and coral reefs. Shops, restaurants and cantinas are also readily available. A short excursion to the mainland will allow you to visit the Mayan Ruins, swim with dolphins and snorkel.

Cruises leaving from Miami, Florida, make the trip to Cozumel and back in four days, often stopping in Key West, Florida. Carnival offers this cruise onboard the Carnival Destiny. For those wishing to leave from Mobile, Alabama, you can do so on Carnival as well. Yet another option is to leave from Tampa, Florida, onboard the Carnival Paradise.

A four-night cruise from Royal Caribbean is another option. This cruise leaves from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and travels to Cozumel, Mexico, before arriving back in Fort Lauderdale. RCL also departs from Tampa, Florida, to Cozumel.

The length of your cruise to Mexico can limit the number of locations you are able to visit within the country. If you can extend the cruise slightly, such as to a five-day cruise, you may be able to book a cruise to Cabo San Lucas on board several cruise lines. In addition to extending your trip, consider the options for embarking from other countries and ports. You may be able to book a cruise leaving from the Caribbean and traveling to Mexico, which may give you the opportunity to book a Mexican Riviera cruise.

To find more unique cruise options for a shorter trip, contact a travel agent. Depending on where you are located and when you plan to leave, additional options may be available. Cruise companies change itineraries annually and Mexico 4 day cruises are often readily available.