Facilities offered to kids

Each cruise line has its own activity list for kids. The fun activities would generally include water slides, video arcades, pizza parties, miniature golf, plenty of games, sports, magic shows, art classes, science projects and much more.

In addition to the above, the kids can also enjoy Jacuzzis and swimming pools on board. Certain age groups are also taken on shore excursions when the ship docks at a port. These fun activities for the kids have the added advantage of allowing the parents to have more time for their own pleasure pursuits on the cruise.

Babysitting facilities are also offered by many cruise lines. Kids are grouped together age-wise under the watchful eyes of trained professionals.

Preparations for Taking Kids with You on a Cruise

If you are planning a cruise with your kids, you need to make proper preparations. As kids are liable to fall sick, you should carry medicines such as aspirin, eardrops, cough syrups, heating pad etc.

You should also carry a collapsible stroller. Although these are available on board, it is better to carry your own to save the cost of borrowing one. Furthermore, your child and you will be accustomed to your own stroller.

It is advisable to check beforehand the type of child care facilities available on board so that you know what to expect. It is possible that you might have to entertain your kids at night so you should carry games, video games and books.

Your kids will enjoy the cruise more if they have some of comforts available at home around them. Therefore, anything that can be conveniently packed should be brought along. This will give you extra comfort during the cruise.

Next time you take a cruise, bring your kid(s) along and let them enjoy all the fun filled activities.

Research the various cruise lines. Ask your local travel agent for ideas. Many cruise ships allow children, but may not necessarily cater to their needs and interests. The great thing about cruises is that families can hang out, spend some quality time together and do a ton of activities all in one spot. Its a relatively stress-free time because the kids cant wander off you know they are somewhere on the ship.

When traveling with the family, you are always conscious of your budget. One reason cruises are becoming more popular is because of the cost. For one price, you get food, transportation, accommodations, great entertainment, many ship activities and special programs just for kids. Also, there are often cruising specials where kids can cruise for free.

Cruise ships offer a secure place for kids to have fun and play while the parents partake of the ships many adult activities. Child care is taken care of and many times the cruise ship will offer beepers for kids and parents to keep track of each other. Youth counselors (sort of like the counselors you get at a summer camp) are on board to keep children active with many activities like crafts, sports, movies and more.

If you are unsure what the cruise line offers for children, there are a few basic questions you can ask your local travel agent. First of all, are there age restrictions? As with other businesses that offer discounts for smaller children, does yours meet the criteria for any price breaks? Do the ship destinations have activities suited for kids? Are there any special activities for kids?

If you have small children, be sure to ask if there are cribs or beds available for youngsters. How big are the cabins? This is a deciding factor on if you should try and book two cabins that have adjoining doors. Are there menus designed specifically for kids? Sometimes, ships may have several dining times. Ask if there is a certain dining hour that is best for families with children.

Availability of childrens activities could be a deciding factor on booking a cruise. What kind of activities are there for kids? Will there be lifeguards specifically for the children? Do kids have their own pool to swim in? Check into babysitting services and any extra fees. Parents may want to take a break from the kids and have a dinner date alone or go dancing.

Before making a decision, do your homework on what the best cruise is for your family. Keep the timing of your family vacation in mind as well. Spring breaks and other holidays from school are busy periods for a cruise line. If you want to set sail during one of these times, you may have to book up to a year in advance. Once you get on that ship however, be prepared to leave your worries behind and have fun with your kids.

It is an incredibly tranquil place, and is home to some of the most ancient of the Peruvian peoples. Many speak Quechua (the language of the Incas) as a first language and maintain a very traditional way of life. The lake itself played a prominent part in Inca creation myths and there are many items of historical interest both in and around the lake!

The Uros are floating islands made entirely out of the reeds which go all round the lake. The largest have several hundred people living on them and one great thing to do on your holiday in Peru is to take a boat trip out to visit some of the smaller islands. The trip out to these remarkable homes amid the tranquility of the lake is definitely something to remember!

Of course, if you don’t fancy trusting to reeds, then a trip to Taquile and Amantani – two of the ‘real’ islands further out in the lake is perhaps a better idea! Both islands are absolutely beautiful and have a rich heritage of both Inca and pre-Inca ruins, and both have a famous tradition of handwoven textiles. For the more adventurous, it is also possible to stay overnight on either of these islands with a local family and sample some real Andean hospitality as part of your holiday in Peru.

The main town on the lake is Puno and this is most people’s base when visiting Lake Titicaca during their Peru holidays. It is a centre for traditional music and is a great place to buy llama and alpaca gear – much cheaper than in Cuzco or Lima! There is a large daily market in Puno and you can find it just by walking towards the lake from the town itself, along Avenida Los Incas. If you are arriving by train from Cusco, the very last stage of the journey actually goes through it!

There is also a great vantage point behind the town which you reach by following a path symbolising the stations of the cross. The views across the town and out over the lake are well worth the walk!

Outside Puno itself, there are several sites of interest within easy reach, of which the most important is Sillustani. This village has an astonishing congregation of Inca and pre-Inca funeral towers. It is still unclear exactly how they were constructed and they are defying archaeologists attempts to re-create them. There is a small museum at the site (although the exhibits and displays are all in Spanish) and the location is beautiful so if you find yourself with a few hours to spare then its definitely worth a trip. A taxi from Puno should cost about $25 and wont take more than 45 minutes – a worthwhile addition to any holiday in Peru!

Lake Titicaca should definitely be on your Peru holiday checklist so make sure you don’t get carried away thinking about Cusco and Machu Picchu and forget about when you’re looking to book your Peru holidays this year!

From weekend workshops to full-service culinary academies, men and women are drawn to cooking lessons. Now you can incorporate your love for cooking with your dreams of high seas adventure because more and more cruise ships are offering cooking-related events onboard.

Originally attributed to small cruise ships that needed an incentive to gain bookings, cooking cruises have grown over the years and are now found aboard large vessels. One of the most recent announcements is from Holland America. Working in conjunction with Food & Wine magazine, Holland America’s Culinary Arts Center will offer demonstrations and seminars from world-renowned chefs, wine experts, cookbook authors and more.

A fleet-wide enhancement, the Culinary Arts Center will be retrofit onto all 13 existing ships and will also be incorporated into the upcoming 14th ship due to launch in summer 2008. Each Culinary Arts Center will include theater-style seating, state-of-the-art show kitchen, plasma screens that allow every participant to see, a display counter for easy viewing and space for guests to participate in preparing some of the dishes. Upgrades to all Holland Americas ships will be complete by summer 2006 allowing each ship to include Culinary Arts Center activities during each cruise.

One small cruise company offers tours featuring chefs from the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu. As you cruise the Baltic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea, you can enjoy studying under talented instructors. Other small ships sail to Greece, Turkey and other worldwide destinations offering cooking classes based on each region visited.

Over 60 top chefs are slated to appear during the next 12 months on Holland Americas ships including Nick Stellino, chef and host of Nick Stellino’s Family Kitchen V; Jacques Torres, chocolatier, pastry chef and cookbook author; Aaron Sanchez, chef and owner of Paladar, New York City; Michelle Bernstein, owner and chef of MB restaurant in Cancun; Neal Gallagher, chef of Oceana (and voted Best New Chef of 2003); Charles Dale, founder of Aspen’s Renaissance, Range and Rustique restaurants, and the list goes on.

Food preparation, wine tasting, cooking classes, seminars, book signings, question-and-answer sessions and market tours in port are just a few of the activities passengers on various ships can look forward to.

When booking a cooking cruise, look for themes such as grilling, desserts, healthy entrees, Italian, Mexican, etc. In addition, also ask about group discounts. Holland’s Culinary Group Program offers special fares for groups of 25 or more, a cabin for a guest chef, two one-hour demonstration sessions, a complimentary wine tasting or cocktail party and a color group photo.

Most cooking cruises allow you to eat what has been prepared, so you can literally taste the fruits of your labor. However, samples may not be enough for an entire meal. If the cooking tour you book is aboard a smaller ship rather than a large vessel with onboard restaurants, you might be wise to ask if a meal will be served prior to booking your reservation.

Whether you opt for an intimate-sized ship with only a few hundred passengers and a defined itinerary or a large vessel capable of sailing the world, cooking cruises are fun, entertaining and exciting for every member of the family. Ask your travel agent for the details on cooking cruises available in the destinations you want to sail.

In 2003, New York announced the grand opening of a new alternative port for cruise lines. Because ports in Florida were becoming more and more crowded, additional docking facilities in interesting cities on the Eastern Seaboard were needed to provide cruise lines with a new home port. The port has been wildly popular. So much so that another has been added in nearby Brooklyn.

The Red Hook terminal in a neighborhood in Brooklyn opened in April 2006 and welcomed its first permanent resident, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 (formerly docked in Manhattan). Located on the Buttermilk Channel, the Brooklyn terminal gave the first increase in New York cruise ship pier capacity in over 30 years. With the likes of Cunard and Princess cruise lines as eager residents, the terminal has already become a success. Most other major cruise lines have also assigned vessels to sail from Brooklyn.

Princess Cruise lines will launch the Crown Princess from the Brooklyn dock in June 2006 for a Caribbean cruise. From June to October, Princess will offer numerous Caribbean tours, including calls on ports in popular destinations such as the Virgin Islands, Grand Turk and Jamaica. Star Princess will begin cruises from Brooklyn in October 2006 visiting ports up and down the New England and Canadian seacoast.

But Brooklyn? It doesn’t seem like the most exciting location for a cruise ship port. On the contrary. While not normally publicized as a vibrant city with plenty to do, Brooklyn offers cruisers an opportunity to spend a few days in New York before or after their tour.

Very similar to Manhattan, Brooklyn offers a trendy nightlife as well as diverse cultures and eclectic cuisine. Bars, clubs and restaurants line the streets, offering a tremendous variety of options for visitors and locals alike.

If culture is your thing, Chinatown is always a wonderful experience. In addition, Flatbush offers the largest Caribbean population in the United States. In either place, you’ll delight in the authentic sights, sounds and tastes on every corner.

With spectacular views of many popular attractions, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, the Red Hook terminal also offers exciting options for sightseers. However, New York City is just a short cab ride away and opens a virtual treasure trove of attractions, shows, museums and affairs.

Overall, Brooklyn offers greater value (with lower rates on hotels) and a central location, making it a wonderful choice for both vacationers and the cruise lines. If New York is closer for you than Florida, or if you’ve been longing to visit the Big Apple, consider booking your next cruise from the Red Hook terminal in Brooklyn. Your travel agent will have a complete listing of which cruise lines sail from Red Hook and the destinations available.

Options for Mediterranean Yacht Charters

Bareboat Yacht Charters

Bareboat charters work just as it sounds. You are chartering the ship and nothing else. If you are qualified, you can skipper the boat yourself. You will have to show proof of your sailing experience before you are allowed to skipper a chartered yacht. Most companies will take you out on a short trip and have you demonstrate your abilities. If you are unable to do this, you will not be able to take the boat without a crew.

If you dont have the sailing experience, you will need to hire a skipper. In most cases, the charter company or yacht broker can help you find someone. In some cases, you can arrange for sailing lessons, at an additional cost. Bareboat trips include no supplies or food. You will need to shop before you arrive at the marina.

Crewed Charters

With a crewed charter, you can generally take a larger yacht. The size of the crew varies according to the ship and number of guests. You will at least have a captain and a cook. The cook will prepare your meals according to your tastes. The menu will be discussed prior to the cruising.

Some people choose this method because they arent qualified to sail. Others can sail, but prefer to relax on a yachting vacation and not have the responsibility of being the captain. You will have more time to relax in luxury or enjoy activities like water skiing or scuba diving with a crew to look after the boat.

Flotillas

A flotilla is a group of yachts sailing together. This is a great option for less experienced skippers. You captain your ship and gain experience in sailing. The flotilla leader is on a nearby yacht to offer guidance, assistance and support as needed. If this is your first time sailing on your own, a flotilla is an excellent option. A charter broker can put you in touch with a group and help you plan your trip.

Areas to Visit

Once you have decided how you will travel, you will need to decide where you want to go on your holiday cruise. When you charter sailing yacht in Greece, the company will help you set your itinerary. The Ionian Sea offers seven islands: Paxos, Antipaxos, Corfu, Ithaca, Lefkas, Zakynthos and Kafalonia. There is plenty to explore in this area that ranges 180 nautical miles from the northern to southern islands.

The Ionian boasts beautiful weather and excellent wind conditions for smooth sailing. The islands offer beautiful beaches and lush vegetation. For evening, there are lively ports bustling with activity and night life. Your crew will help you find activities that interest you and assist in making reservations.

You may prefer to sail the Aegean. The Greek Cyclades Islands consist of fifteen islands in the Aegean. Your charter company will help you set an itinerary and decide which islands to visit. The beautiful waters of the Aegean offer great sailing. The summers are cool and the winters are mild. There is a good mixture of villages and country side to visit on your trip.

Choosing a Company for Mediterranean Yacht Charters

You can either book your trip through the charter company or through a charter broker. The fees for a broker are paid by the charter company. In either case, look for a reputable company that has been in business for ten years or more. Brokers deal with charters in Europe, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. A good broker will be familiar with the charter companies and the ships. Ask for references from people who have travelled with the company in the past.

The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the city and is a peaceful, beautiful square – the perfect place to sit and wonder where to visit next on your Peru holiday! It is surrounded on three sides by colonial arcades and on the fourth by the beautiful white cathedral. The cathedral itself is open to the public in the morning and the evening and is well worth a visit. There are also several other colonial-era churches close to the Plaza that are fine examples of the elegant mestizo style.

As well as the kind of facilities and culture you’d expect from a major city, the people of Arequipa are justly proud of the amazing sites the city offers for tourists. Probably the main attraction in Arequipa is the convent-city of Santa Catalina, 2 blocks from the Plaza. It really is a city in miniature and housed over 200 nuns and 300 servants until it opened its doors to the public in 1970. It was a closed convent and today the nuns live in a small closed area while the miniature streets and houses which were previously the nuns cells are open from 9am-4pm. Its an amazing place and you can really feel the history as you walk around.

If the sun is shining (which it always is here!) then there are some nice bars and restaurants in the Pasaje de la Catedral a pedestrianised street which lies just behind the cathedral from the Plaza. Its a lovely, tranquil place during the day and at night, and is a great place to unwind and send home those postcards making everyone feel jealous of your Peru holiday!

Outside the city itself, Colca Canyon is one of the undoubted highlights of many peoples’ Peru holidays. It is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and is 163m short of being the deepest in the world – all this at 3,500m above sea-level! It offers almost unparalleled views and is also probably the best place to see the famous giant Andean Condor. The sides of the canyon are lined with pre-Inca terraces, lying inbetween tiny villages clinging to the precipitous sides. You’ve got to see it to believe it!

And when you think that Colca Canyon was only 163m shallower than the deepest canyon in the world… it’s because a few miles away is Cotahuasi Canyon! Similarly an area of more than outstanding natural beauty, Cotahuasi canyon is slightly more remote and harder to get to but is all the more breathtaking because of it. It was declared a Zona Reserva Turistica in 1988 and is only slowly opening up to tourists.

There’s so much to see and do in Arequipa and the surrounding areas as part of your Peru holidays that your only problem is likely to be wanting to spend too long here!

For one price, you get a stateroom, meals and a variety of entertainment every night – from lavish production shows to chamber music. Dining can be casual or formal, and 24-hour room service is provided at no charge.

Although you get to visit several different places on a cruise, you’ll spend less time hauling your luggage and more time relaxing. When you arrive dockside, your luggage is whisked away to your stateroom, and you only have to unpack once during your trip.

A cruise is a great way to see new places, too. For instance, Holland America Line’s fleet of 13 ultramodern cruise ships sail to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, Eastern Canada, South America, Asia and even Antarctica.

On a typical seven-day voyage, you’ll visit three or four ports of call, usually spending plenty of time in port to explore on your own or participate in organized shore excursions.

And though you’ll experience a level of personalized service that surpasses any vacation ashore, Holland America Line cruises are quite affordable. For as little as $125 per person per day, you can enjoy port-intensive itineraries, a wide range of shipboard activities, Vegas-style entertainment and fine dining, all while being pampered to your heart’s content.

Prom night represents a rite of passage in many ways. With the remaining days of high school dwindling and the responsibilities of adulthood rapidly approaching, students want to make sure that their prom is one that can be remembered with smiles and tears far into the future. That’s why you should do something a little different when it’s time to plan your prom-celebrate this amazing night on the water!

When you enjoy all that the Big Apple has to offer from the comfort of a luxurious yacht, you’ll create wonderful memories and great photo opportunities. Your prom night will be a topic of conversation among you and your friends for years. You passed your high school years with a core group of friends that you laughed, cried, studied and partied with it’s only natural that you want to commemorate the end of those days and toast new beginnings in style.

Of course, romance is an essential element in any good prom night. The right yachts have terrific dance floors, talented DJs and beautiful outdoor decks. Whether you want to dance the night away with that special someone or hold hands under the stars as New York’s landmarks drift past, the evening will unfold exactly as you wish.

Trust Marco Polo Cruises when you want to plan a different and much-talked-about prom night. We are attentive to all of your needs and work to design a cruise that will fit within your budget. We do everything in our power to create enjoyable, comfortable and safe cruises that offer gorgeous views of New York Harbor, Chelsea Piers, the Statue of Liberty and other hallmark New York historical spots.

Browse our Web site to find out all you need to know about how Marco Polo Cruises can ensure that your prom night is all that you ever wanted it to be. Contact us at 1-212-691-6693 if you require additional assistance.

If you have come in a an economical flight to the Alicante Airport, the car hire offers are abundant and you can take a nice drive to Altea in about an hour on either the National freeway N-332 or on the pay highway AP-7. Or from the airport there are buses from the company called Ubesa which connects Alicante, Valencia and Benidorm. Just ask the driver to tell you when you get to the bar called Granada which is opposite the newly renovated train station. Or if trains seem more appealing, you go from the airport to the train station in Alicante and then on to one of the three stops made in Altea.

The tourist that you will usually find in Altea are quite different than what you think. Many of the Spanish painters, writers and show business people take shelter there because of its tranquility. These usually stay in the old neighbourhood near the church, the typical restaurants with either international cuisine or good home cooking and the quite sinnuous streets. There is a more modern part to the town at the foot of the hill, but still respecting the architecture of old.

A spin around Altea

The best way to get a close up look is to go on foot. Start at the Mestre La Musica Street, which looks like a long stone stairway leading you past small stone homes at uneven levels through a doorway into the walled town. From there upwards to the Mayor Street where you will lay your eyes on the simple church, centre of all cultural activities. The bohemian feeling and setting of the crafts market set up from Easter time to September by the local group of craftsmen characterizes this square. The most outstanding monument is the church called the Church of the Virgen of the Consolation, constructed in 1910 on top of a very old and primitive parish. The interior is very ornately decorated and the blue tiles on its dome make it very mediterranean: each one of the tiles were hand painted. There used to be a castle next to it but there are hardly any remains left.

If you want to see an entertaining and colourful show without paying or reserving a seat, go down to the docks to the public fish exchange market around six in the afternoon. That is when the typical fishing boats come in with their capture and the bargaining begins for the restaurants and bars. But the most curious aspect is that it is done in Valencian, the local language and at high speed!

Whats to eat in Altea

Thanks to the fantastic weather, every meal almost all year round can be had on the terraces overlooking the sea in the modern part along the Altea promenade. Do not miss the Bodegon de Pepe, originally decorated and serving great portions of mussels. For a nice dinner, the old area is quaint and relaxing, having menus for everyones budget.

And if you are looking for more excitement, then move onto Torrevieja for watersports or to Benidorm for a moving nightlife and shopping galore. But first come into contact with your inner self at Altea.