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WELCOME |
Featuring the CRUISE INSIDER'S
LISTฎ
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Special Features |
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Cruise Ships |
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...for taking the kids and teens, a high
adventure, or the best romantic cruises. All
the tips and tricks to choose the right ship
to have a successful cruise vacation.
From staterooms and dining to nightlife and
youth programs, first-time cruisers will
find all the information you need about
cruising right here. |
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Learn More |
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Cruise
Destinations |
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Read all about the most popular cruise
destinations--and view itineraries that
visit them. |
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Learn More |
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Cruise Reviews |
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Read hundreds of cruise line reviews and
cruise ship reviews by travelers and cruise
experts on today's most popular cruise
ships. Unbiased and unedited, they share
their cruise experience with you.
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Learn More |
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Cruise Resources |
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Dozen's of Articles, Cruise Tools, Tips &
Resources |
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Learn More |
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World's Largest
Cruise Ships
Online Cover Story |
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The Title of "World's Largest Cruise Ships"
goes to Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
and Allure of the Seas. And,
as
of December 1, 2010,
Allure of the Seas is the first to
welcome the DreamWorks
Experience onboard an already stunning
collection of experiences for the whole
family. Allure of the Seas will be the
exclusive ship in their fleet with the How
to Train Your Dragon Ice Show and Madagascar
Aqua Show. |
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What's Inside...
From planning to packing, from discount
rates to departure dates, everything you
need to know before you go. Such as our
Ultimate Packing List. The definitive guide
to what to pack on your next cruise....read
about exciting locales in Destinations
Uncovered...or read about readers favorite
cruise lines for taking the kids and teens.
All the Tips and tricks to have a successful
cruise vacation.
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Top Headlines |
Now That's
Entertainment...
Norwegian Epic features
performances by world-class
entertainers such as Blue
Man Group, Second City
Comedy Troupe, Legends in
Concert and Howl at the Moon
Dueling Pianos and unique
theatrical shows like Cirque
Dreams & Dinner. |
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With such as star-studded lineup,
entertainment on board Norwegian Epic will
rival that of any shows you can see in top
cities like New York or Las Vegas. With 20
different dining options, including Cirque
Dreams & Dinner, an innovative concept
mixing high flying acrobatics with dinner
under the first big top at sea, Norwegian
Epic will provide cuisines and dining styles
to fit every guests palate.
 Photo
Gallery
More
about Norwegian Cruise Line
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Cruise Tip Of The Week |
Last minute cruises have become the best
deals afloat for savvy travelers.
Last-minute cruise deals let you
book a cabin on a cruise that has not sold
out around 60 days of sailing. Just like the
airlines who want to sell every seat, cruise
lines don't like to sail with a vacant
cabin. Cruise lines make a lot of more money
than the cruise fare. Guests spend big money
on drinks, the spa, photos, gambling,
on-board shopping and shore excursions.
Empty cabins mean less profit. Because all
the cabins need to be sold so the ship sails
full,
last-minute cruises are deeply
discounted. Travel agents work with the
cruise line to make these last minute
cruises very attractive. Big retail travel
websites offer deals to cruise destinations
at prices as much as 80% off. Guests should
visit these websites often, as prices,
availability and offers change daily. Don't
forget to sign up for e-mail alerts.
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Are some ships better than others for children?
Most
cruises have supervised activities for children,
some ships don't.
To
find the best childrens programs, we suggest you
read the programs section at
Family Cruises Online.
Though you may think of
Disney Cruise Line
when looking for a
family-friendly cruise, many other ships offer kids
programs that may be just as appealing. |
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Editor's Notes....
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So, your thinking
about going on a cruise. Good. Now's a great time to go.
Looking for a great deal?...who isn't.
Starting to search the Internet, visit some 3rd party sites,
read the blogs for advice, do some social networking, or
just visiting your neighborhood travel agent?
When it comes to advice, there's a ton of it out there. Some
good, Some bad, some, not very accurate. Everyone these days
has to put their two-cents of an opinion, out there for
view. What if, you could read detailed and comprehensive
cruise reviews from professional travel writers and your
fellow cruise travelers. Oh, not the sites that have tens of
thousands or more articles or reviews to read. You'll be
there all night.
As a
matter a fact several nights just to find
what you
want, then who knows how long to filter out all the
information and mis-information. That's a daunting
task you know you don't have time for. |
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ADVERTISEMENT
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Looking to Book a Cruise Online? |
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Travelocity has
all the tools, competitive pricing, special
promotions, and customer care you'll ever
need when shopping for a cruise. Just
a few of the reasons to book with one of the
largest, most trusted sellers of travel.
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<
Click
on the pic. today! |
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Past passenger
rates? Check. Senior fares? Yep. Resident
specials? They've got those, too. And
because they are one of the largest sellers
of travel, their exclusive partnerships
enable them to negotiate some of the best
available rates and deals on cruises, shore
excursions and trip protection. There's no
need to go direct to the cruise lines, or to
anyone else--you'll find everything you need
on Travelocity. |
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Cruises are your best travel value! Save $1,000 or more compared to a land vacation! 
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Instead visit
Cruise Reviews Online
where you can read
around 1500 of some of the best cruise line reviews and
cruise ship reviews by travelers and cruise experts on
today's most popular cruise ships. You will find the
information is unbiased and unedited, the writers sharing
their cruise experience, good or bad with you. Cruise
Reviews Online, is one of the most recognized leading
resources for fair and objective cruise reviews and a social
networking site focused on information about cruise travel.
You can read about all the major cruise line, cruise ship
and destination port reviews, ratings and rankings. Read the
cruise reviews, view deck plans, ship photos, review the
ports of call and more. A lot more, than just
two-cents worth! More like a ton of penny's. Here are some
examples.
Sponsored by
Cruise Reviews
Online |
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Add your own article
Share the experience. The system only
works when users actively participate on a large scale,
so make sure to do your part and add cruise related
content that matters to you! Participate in the
collaborative editorial process and you could win a free
cruise!
Cruise-Related Articles
A great resource of relevant, on topic content for
experienced cruisers and first-time cruise guests.
Almost... everything you need to know about cruises.
Over 500 Articles.
2010
Reader Survey - Opinion polls
In their
annual readers' survey, readers of three popular
services rate the best experiences cruising has to
offerfrom 70 -passenger adventure ships to
mega-liners like Oasis of the Seas that weighs in at
220,000 tons, and can carry 5,400 passengers!
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This Just In:
Princess Cruises receives Best Itineraries
recognition. The votes are in and Princess
Cruises has earned Best Itineraries
recognition for the sixth year in a row from the
travel agents and readers of Recommend Magazine
as part of the publications annual Readers
Choice Awards. With more than 115 itineraries to
350 ports of call on all seven continents,
Princess wins for developing creative
itineraries to new and exciting destinations
each year. |
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Residents Rates
Exclusive Cruise Savings For Your State or Region |
Looking for new ways
to cruise for less? Here's a cruise tip that
even experienced cruisers may not know. Start
your search for a low-cost cruise by researching
resident rates. Click on this link:
Exclusive Resident Specials! Enjoy Reduced Rates on Select Sailings 
Where
you live could entitle you to exclusive savings.
Once the page opens, just click on your home
state or region to unlock special fares. Plus,
while you're shopping, look for resident rate
reminders under the price.
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As the
Official Cruise Tour
Guide of Cruise Traveler
Magazine, OCTG is one of the most comprehensive,
informative and up-to-date resource on cruises and
cruisetours worldwide
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Why Sail?
This week featuring: Panama Canal, Bermuda, Europe,
Caribbean |
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Official
Cruise Tour Guide |
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ADVERTISEMENT
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Why Sail The
Panama Canal?
One Canal, Two Oceans, and Unlimited Possibilities
It's not often that the scenic route is also the shortcut.
But that's exactly what you'll find on Celebrity's Panama
Canal itineraries -- the shortest distance between the East
and West coasts of the U.S. and some of the most scenic
cruising anywhere in the world. This represents not just an
opportunity to travel right to through the heart of the
rainforest, but to visit an exciting collection of ports on
either side, including the Yucatแn Peninsula, the Mexican
Riviera, and cosmopolitan cities from San Diego, California
to Miami, Florida.
Beyond the Panama Canal
While the highlight of any Panama Canal voyage is the
day-long navigation through the Canal itself, what makes
this such an enriching experience is the vast number of
shore excursions we offer at every port. Working with the
most reliable English-speaking guides, we've assembled a
collection of adventures that cater to every interest and
every level of stamina. Best of all, we handle all the
details for you so that all you have to do is choose your
shore excursions and enjoy your day.
Why
Sail To Bermuda?
Sands of a Different Color
Each of our Bermuda itineraries offers at least one
overnight in King's Wharf, providing you an ample
opportunity to experience a phenomenon found in few
other places - beaches with pink sand. Add in the
proximity to the East Coast of the U.S., and you
have a destination where you can truly escape from
it all without having to venture too far. This is
Bermuda - so close to home yet so different from any
other place. |
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Kids Sail Free
For a limited
time, Disney Cruise Line has a great Kids
Sail Free promotion.
Find Out
More |
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New Shore
Excursions Not to Miss
On Bermuda's Premier Glass Bottom Boat Tour, you'll travel
on an air-conditioned luxury cruiser, floating over coral
reefs and an 18thcenturysunken ship, where fish will rise
from the depths for a feeding. Enjoy a clear view of the
world's most vibrant ecosystems on this exciting adventure.
On Hartley's Helmet Dive, you'll be taken out to a dive site
on a glass-bottomed boat, where you'll don a diving mask
with an integrated air supply and descent into the sea with
a guide, who will point out all kinds of different marine
life, some of which you can hold or feed by hand.
Why Sail Europe?
Experience a Contemporary Cultural Odyssey
Gaze at a map of Europe and allow each point to works its
magic on you. Venice, Santorini, Istanbul, St. Petersburg or
Berlin. Each city evokes a deep sense of wonder and
intrigue. But a carefully designed European cruise is not
just a visit to places on a map, it's an adventure that
brings you face to face with every nuance of the European
experience.
Go Beyond the Coastline with a Cruise tour
Because Europe is a region of such depth and discovery, we
offer several ways for you to experience everything that
lies beyond the coastline. On a Cruise tour - one of which
travels through Italy, one that travels through Spain, and
two that travel through Northern Europe - you'll see Europe
at its finest, as we seamlessly combine a cruise itinerary
with a multi-night, escorted land journey that transports
you deep into everything this magical continent has to
offer. These longer, more comprehensive vacations, which
travel by train car and deluxe motor coach, as well as
magnificent ship, allow you to become better acquainted with
cities like Paris, London, Florence, and Venice.
Why Sail The Caribbean?
A Caribbean itinerary for everyone
Whether you're looking for a seven-night adventure or a
14-night exploration that extends as far as Mexico and South
America, cruise lines offer many exciting ways to discover
the Caribbean.
Over 100 new
shore excursions
The enchantment of the Caribbean extends far beyond these
island's pristine beaches. Discover an exhilarating
collection of tantalizing sights, sounds, tastes and
textures, with shore excursions for every age traveler and
every interest.
. Treat yourself to a champagne and lobster cruise setting
sail from St George's, Grenada.
. Experience the islands as the explorers did, on a tall
ship adventure out of Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
. Uncover the legends of region's original inhabitants, the
Carib Indians on Roseau, Dominica. |
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Contact
Your Favorite Cruise Line
Visit
Their Official Web Site |
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Websites
Worth A Visit |
This month's feature...
One of our favorites is avid traveler and an
award-winning journalist, Ralph
Grizzle. Ralph produces
cruise-related articles, video and photos
that are inspiring and informative, personal
and passionate.
Visit his web site: The
Avid
Cruiser
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Featured Video:
Holland America
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Over 8,700 sailings ,213 Cruise Ships ,29 Major
Cruise Lines ,1,600 Deck Plan images ,2,500
itinerary maps ,Hundreds of port descriptions,
Thousands of In-Depth Cruise Reviews , Cruise Ship
Ratings.
Professionally - written reviews by staff travel
writers.
So, let's get
started. You have a cruise vacation to plan.
Do you want to go
river-tubing in Ocho Rios? Glacier-hiking in Juneau?
Or gallery-hopping in Provence? We can help you
figure it out. Search our database for the
perfect cruise!
Browse the list of 1500 of the best cruise ship
reviews, ratings and rankings. |
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57% of those surveyed said they prefer
a
local travel agent over an online service.
25% said they only book online.
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Compare Cruise Deals |
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This
month we've chosen Princess Cruise Line's Web Site
as our
Best for Cruise Values Category.
Princess
Cruises prides itself on delivering fun, memorable
vacations to their guests by offering a wide array
of quality cruises which present outstanding value
for the money. Browse their offerings and you will
see their commitment to quality and value, offering
cruise vacations that appeal to a wide range of
lifestyles and budgets and sailings to some of the
world's most exciting destinations.
Find Princess Cruises |
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Cruise
line, Cruise Ship and Destination
Channels
Port reviews, ratings and rankings
from professional travel writers,
seasoned and first time cruise
travelers! |
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Cruise Reports
Compare vital statistics,
in-depth cruise reviews
and ratings of hundreds of Cruise
Ships.
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Cruise Line Rankings
The scores shown reflect
average overall satisfaction
ratings.
See Who's Number One!
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 Did You Know?
Most
cruise lines do not allow travel agents to advertise
prices lower than the cruise lines offer to those
who book directly with the cruise line.
However, some do allow travel agencies to discount
by rebating part of the commissions, when dealing
directly with a potential customer. If you are
shopping the Internet for cruise prices, you're most
likely going to find many travel sites quoting the
same price. But, the price you're seeing on a travel
agent's web site is not necessarily the best price
that travel agency is able to offer you. To find out
a travel agency's best price on a particular cruise,
you should call them, or e-mail them a request for
a price quote. Most travel agencies have toll-free
phone numbers. Don't hesitate to call or email
them-- you could save a lot! |
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Form a Group. Save BIG!
Did
you know the most overlooked way to stretch your
 dollar
is to form your own cruise group. Traveling with
family or friends, or both, can lower costs enough
so you can travel even when the economies not that
good. Of course, most of us don't have the time - or
inclination - to make the calls and do the research
for an entire group. It's a big job. On the other
hand, booking a group cruise is easy for a
professional travel agent. Your agent can create a
package that works for you, while your group will
realize across-the-board savings from group
discounts that your agent discovers.
Find Out More |
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When times are good or not....
travel agents are your secret weapon!
When it comes to ferreting out bargains for
your next cruise, whether to Alaska, the
Caribbean, Canada, Europe or Mexico, or
wherever, did you know your travel agent can
do side-by-side cost and stateroom
comparisons of over a dozen cruise lines at
one time .
First Time
Cruiser Tips:
What you need
to know before you book your cruise.
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This Week's Top 10 |
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River Cruising
You don't have to brave the ocean to enjoy cruising.
River cruising is one of the fastest
growing segments of the cruise industry!
Luxury Cruising
When you want the ultimate cruise experience and
money is no object, there is a handfull of cruise
lines that can fulfill your every desire.
New Cruise Ships!
See the
newest cruise ships
currently in production and scheduled through 2011.
Choosing a Travel Agent
Finding
the right professional to work with can be the
secret to finding the Perfect Cruise.
Passport Requirements
New rules go into effect. Make sure you have the
proper documents before your cruise.
Cruise Ship Security
Is cruising safe? Here are some safety tips to
consumer before you sail.
Booking Online
You may be tempted to book your cruise online.
Before you do, here are some things to think about. |
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Cruising Single
Cruising is a great way for single adults to travel.
Here are some new ideas for the
single cruising.
Group Cruises
Why not plan a cruise for your next family reunion,
church retreat or conference?
Cruising With Kids
Cruising
is very popular and affordable for families of all
sizes. However, there are some things to think about
when taking the kids.
Cruising with Disabilities
A physical handicap should not prevent you from
enjoying a great vacation. We offer you some new
ideas on selecting the right ships and what to ask
for.
Low-Carb Cruising
A commitment to weight loss does not mean you have
to give up one of the greatest joys of cruising!
Travel Insurance
Don't leave home without it! A good travel insurance
policy might be the most important investment you
make in your cruise, |
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Join the discussion
Join Now it's Free!
Travel Direct is pleased to provide this opportunity to
share information, experiences and observations about
cruising. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere on
this site or in our online Cruise Traveler Magazine. We
encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and
ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal
comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post
comments, you must be a registered Member. Your username
will show along with the comments you post. Your private
information is never shown. Thank you for taking the time to
contribute.
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Cruise Ship Reviews: Carnival
Celebrity Cruise West Crystal Cunard Disney
Avalon Waterways Holland America NCL Oceania
Princess Regent Royal Caribbean Seabourn
SeaDream Viking River Windstar |
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Copyright
ฉ 2001-2009 Travel Direct
Corporation | Fla.Seller of
Travel Reg. No. ST-31254