Where to Start?

The most obvious answer to that question is “At the beginning”. But what is the beginning?

First let me say that there is no way to advise you on what to pack for EVERY cruise. There are just too many itineraries and climates. And for each of you there will be incidentals that are of importance to only you. So we will deal here with the topic in a somewhat general way.

Start with choosing luggage that is suitable for your needs. The luggage that you choose should be lightweight and durable – especially if you require a flight to get you to the port of departure.

You can easily be overweight which can cost you more than adding another piece of luggage. Luggage handlers, whether at the cruise port or at the airport are not the most gentle of characters. Your luggage may get tossed, dropped, dragged or otherwise abused long before you even get on board the ship. Expensive designer luggage that is designed for looks more than utility may not be the answer here.

It is always wise if you are taking a flight to check the airline’s website for maximum luggage weight and size and make sure that you are not over their limits.

Enough said about luggage.

Formal Wear – Get the Tough Part Over With First

So let’s get on to the task of picking out your vacation cruise wear.

What you should pack will be determined by the type of cruise and the itinerary. For example, a cruise aboard one of the upscale cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas will have a much more formal dining room and dress code.

While cruise lines such as Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean are less formal you will still want to pack some formal attire to take part in the formal night. (Guys, I know that some of you dread that thought but think instead of strolling through the ship with you darling “dressed to the nines” while every other guy is watching with envy!)

So… you will want to check on how many formal nights there are so that you can pack the appropriate attire for those occasions. Men in most cases will wear a tuxedo, suit or sports jacket preferable with tie. And ladies – well I don’t need to go far here. You know what you look great in – be it a gown, dress or pant suit. (And if you don’t have what you want you now have an excuse to go on-line and buy one!)

Day Time on Board the Ship

What are your preferences for your days on board? Will you spend much of the time by the pool? Swim wear and cover-ups are the order of these days.

If you will be spending time attending the events, trainings, tastings, crafts… etc. you will want comfortable clothes. On some cruises this may mean shorts or skirts and tops or on cooler climate cruises maybe slacks, sweats and the like.

On many cruises including warm climate cruises it can be quite breezy on the decks. You may require something a little warmer including a light jacket. (This will come in handy in the evenings on deck as well).

Day Time in Port

Here again what you pack will largely be dependant on your personality and activities. If you are a “beach bum” like me you will already have your swim wear packed.

On some of the tours, your attire is recommended so you might want to check the itinerary on you cruise line’s website. They most often have the ship’s tours identified and you can even pre-book them in many cases.

Do not wear high fashions in an area where you would stand out or look out-of place. That could make you a target of less than law abiding individuals and groups.

Generally, you will want to be respectful of the customs of the place that you are visiting. Remember, you are a visitor to their country, island, village or community.

Evenings – Let the Entertainment Begin!

Evenings on board ship can be as quiet and relaxing as you would want. Or… you can party all night!

Of course the attire for each of these can be very different.

In most cases the formal dining rooms prefer dress casual attire on the nights that there is no formal event. That means slacks and shirts for men, and a dress or slacks for the ladies. (I have personally not seen anyone thrown out or barred from entering the dining room because of their attire.)

Most often the buffet is operating during dinner as well for those of you that would prefer to remain in more casual attire. Dress for dinner is the same here as it is for breakfast and lunch. (Cover-ups are requested over swimwear.)

Many of the evening events have no particular dress code although some of the night clubs and lounges may have one. The theatre on board will have great shows and entertainment – again with no particular dress code but in most cases you will find yourself looking out of place in say swimwear at these events.

Strolling on the decks in the evenings can be a little cool with the ocean breezes and the speed of the ship. You may find that a light jacket or sweater is required to remain comfortable.

Summing It Up

In general make sure that you have comfortable clothing. Remember. You are on vacation. You should feel comfortable and relaxed.

On the topic of comfortable, PLEASE make sure that you have comfortable footwear. You will be amazed at how much walking that you will do in a day on board ship or in port.

One more thing… Don’t over pack. It amazes me that after all of the cruises that we have taken that I still come home with one quarter of the clothes that I took untouched. Why drag around your whole wardrobe when a couple of outfits will be all that you wear?

If you really need something while away, you can always find something in the ship’s shops or in one of the ports-of-call. (And souvenirs are always good, right?)

So don’t get all uptight packing for your cruise. Relax. Think about what you would like to do while away and the wardrobe that you will pack will present itself to you. (But don’t forget that you have an excuse to buy that new “killer” outfit!)

Man’s hunger for travel never ends since there will always be new places to see and appreciate. If you visit one country at a time, there may not be enough time to see other exotic places. This is the reason why travel packages include several landmarks within a cruise itinerary. As an individual running a travel franchise like a Cruise Holidays franchise, which many tourists patronize, it is up to you to offer people the opportunity to see as many places as possible.

Buying into a travel franchise like a Cruise Holidays franchise may require a significant investment. Nonetheless, because the travel industry is a very strong business, the money spent to run a franchise can easily be recovered. You have the option of running your travel agency in a separate office or within the comfort of your home. Either way, making up for the investment will not be difficult.

Looking at the booking price of a cruise per person, a travel franchisee is typically awarded 15 percent as commission, if they belong to a large franchise like Cruise Holidays. They will not receive that much if they are starting out on their own. An average cost for booking a reservation is around $2,000 per person; which means realizing a commission of $300 for each client. In case you dismiss $300 as a small amount, remember that there are millions of people who want to experience travel adventures. You will realize more profit when you attract more customers.

In 2010, a study conducted by the Cruise Lines International Association showed that the United States’ economy was given a boost by the cruise industry. In that year, the cruise industry recorded a revenue of nearly $30 billion despite the country’s economic plight. Such revenue would not have been possible if less people traveled. Perhaps the study is also proof of the traveler’s preference to visit a variety of destinations.

With an average $300 commission per traveler, and thousands of customers booking their sea trips, that final profit will definitely grow. With a little bit of hard work on your part, you will realize that you just recovered your investment and still made a profit. Don’t be concerned if you have no experience in running a travel agency because the parent company will thoroughly train you. This is an excellent opportunity to earn extra money especially in these hard times.

Travel franchise opportunities may not be frequent, but they are great source of extra income for many people. Such opportunities enable people to enjoy a successful career as they act as intermediaries between customers and the cruise liner itself.

Many people will cut their food budget or other expenses but are very reluctant to pare down their vacation pleasures. Expect the cruise industry to grow even stronger in the coming years.

Disney Movies have long been the staple of the entertainment industry. Whether it is the Disney princesses or the Disney villains, these characters have embossed in our minds like nursery rhymes since we were little. No matter how old we get, we will never forget these characters. Disney Princesses get their fair share of attention. So why not write about Disney villains?

Without a doubt, the worst villain to me has to be Ursula from the Little Mermaid. Well if she is not then certainly she was the worst looking. Fat and obese, she is the least beautiful, which is unlike other Disney female villains and has a mole, which only adds to her devilish persona. She is half human and half octopus from the waist down with six black tentacles. When she first appears in the movie, she tells her story that she used to live in the palace of Triton, but was banished from the castle after she tried to usurp Triton from the throne and take his place. She has since lived in the remains of a Leviathan.

Since then, she has been plotting ways to complete her original quest. For this purpose, she instructs her minions, Jetsam and Flotsam, to keep an eye on the king’s daughter Ariel. Ariel is in love with a human and Ursula plans around this forbidden love that Ariel has. Ursula tries to forge a deal with Ariel in that she would convert Ariel into a human for three days and if she gets the true love’s kiss from the human, her transformation would be complete. However, if she fails, she would again be transformed into a mermaid and would become Ursula’s servant forever. The price that Ariel would have to pay for being transformed would be her voice.

However when it seems that Ariel is about to succeed, Ursula transformed into a beautiful human and seduces Eric (the human) into marrying her thus automatically winning the deal. Scuttle finds this out, thus revealing Ursula’s real identity. Just when Ariel and Eric kiss, the sun has already set and Ariel has practically lost the deal. Ursula drags Ariel back to the sea but Ariel’s father sees this and comes to his daughter’s rescue. The only way he can save Ariel is to take her place. However Eric comes to the rescue and after a small battle, Ursula is eventually defeated, freeing everyone.

When I saw the movie for the first time, I was so afraid of Ursula that when we went on one of the fabulous Disney cruise vacations, I was afraid the entire time that Ursula would come out of the ocean and take me with her!

Growing up, I watched my fair share of Disney movies. Who can forget Lion King, with Simba and his pride and the amazing musical score? Or who can forget Beauty and the Beast with its enchanted fairytale and the amazing redemption that comes in the end? But my personal favorite has been Aladdin. This was because I was able to identify with it so much. Being from a poor background myself, I was able to rise through the adversity and be the man that I am today. I never let my disadvantages hold me down and always raced towards my goals. This was because I had the power of focus and dedication with me that enabled me to conquer the odds. The same is the story of Aladdin, who despite his less than privileged background was able to usurp all odds in his life. Surely Disney has had a lot to offer, ranging from beautiful Disney Princesses to great Disney cruise vacations.

This is made very clear in the beginning of the movie Aladdin, when it is shown that he is from an impoverished background, living on the streets, and only has a monkey for company. He has to resort to stealing to fill his belly, yet he is so noble that when he comes across a poor kid and her brother, he gives away his food to them. The best thing about Aladdin was yet his optimism about the future. I still remember how his little monkey, Abu as he was called, used to be bogged down by all the adversity yet Aladdin always used to cheer him up and say that good times were yet to come while looking at the magnificent castle that the Sultan had. No wonder he would actually be rewarded for his patience in the best possible way since the thing that which he could only dream of actually became his by the end of the movie, as he was able to marry the sultan’s daughter herself!

Even though I just loved Aladdin, I actually loved the way the villain of the movie, Jaffar, which is one of famous Disney villains, was created. I always used to believe that there was not much that you could derive about the character of a person with looking at his face but Jaffar so made it seem otherwise. The way those lips protruded or the way that chiseled and trimmed beard looked gave him such a conniving look. Moreover the kohl laden eyes only told the same things about him. The way he looked made my just love the movie even more!

Disney movies all have their catching points. Almost every other Disney movie that has been made has been a major success at the box office. Even though there are so many similarities between the movies, the movies tend to do great and are great commercial successes. We as adults might be able to find many flaws with them but the children just love them.

Previously the Disney movies used to be 2D pictures. With the drawings being made by hand and then made into a movie according to some technique. 2D animation continued until the nineties after which they were replaced by computer generated animation or in other words 3D animation. There are many Disney villains that were famous during the 2D era such as Jaffar in Aladdin or the step mother in the movie Cinderella.

However many 3D villains have also become quite famous and contrary to what was usually portrayed in these movies, they seem to be quite mature as far as character development is concerned even though still in a quite childish way. After all, you cannot blame the Disney guys since the movies are made for kids! One such character that had some maturity in development was a Disney villain, the teddy bear in the movie Toy Story 3 which is yet another blockbuster which was released by Pixar which is a Disney studio. In this movie, the character was not described as being totally bad as is the case for usual Disney villains who are shown as being totally bad. In this movie, the character actually had a history in which he went through some heartbreak and that made him become bad. Such character development was actually not present in the previous Disney movies. Take the example of Scar in the Lion King movies that has been shown to be inherently bad. All these characters can be found on most Disney cruise vacations.

Perhaps the reason character development was used in these movies was that they were supposed to cater to a bigger audience. Of course a cartoon is normally only watched by children, but if you can make an animated CGI movie and change the storyline a bit, you can also tap into the adult market for which the movie might be more fathomable. This can be more profitable for the business who can then sell more tickets and the business can generate more revenue.

Wow. What kind of title is that – mixing danger and intrigue with cruise vacations? Well I guess that someone needs to answer the question so…

Where Should I Begin?

Well let’s start with some information regarding the location of the Bermuda Triangle. As one might guess it has something to due with the island of Bermuda. Actually there are various theories on the location of the Bermuda Triangle.

For our purposes we will take the generally accepted location of the area between Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Miami. Draw a line on a map from Bermuda to Puerto Rico to Miami and back to Bermuda and you have what many people accept as the Bermuda Triangle.

You have no doubt heard about all the mysterious disappearances in the area of the “Devil’s Triangle” as it is sometimes called. Ships and planes vanishing with no trace. Navigational instruments going crazy… It’s a wonder that anyone ever passes through the area at all!

Yet every year countless ships sail the waters in the Triangle. Planes fly over on their trans-Atlantic flights from the south-eastern U.S. to Europe, Asia and Africa.

What About Cruises?

So what about cruises? Do any cruises actually travel through the Triangle?

Believe it or not, virtually every cruise ship that travel from the east coast of the United States into the Caribbean sails in or through the Bermuda Triangle. (Some cruises out of Miami might miss most of the area if they are travelling to the western Caribbean. But they originate at or near one apex of the triangle.)

Have there been any reported disasters on board cruise ships travelling these waters? Have there been any disturbances? Have there been any concerns?

I have not been able to come across one reported incident on board cruise ships sailing the waters between Miami, Bermuda and Puerto Rico that could not be accounted for. Some weather related incidents have happened but those were related to storms in the area.

Storm Dangers in the Bermuda Triangle

As I mentioned above there have been incidents related to the weather. Any cruise in any waters of the Caribbean are subject to foul weather especially during hurricane season when the reported incident happened.

So no matter where you sail, when you sail might cause more danger than the actual location itself. Cruise ships today have the capability to identify dangerous waters and the Captains have the authority to avoid stormy weather. There are back-up plans for cruises in the events of these seasonal storms.

So How Dangerous Is It?

How dangerous is it to sail through the Bermuda Triangle? Let me ask you these questions:

How many people have you heard of in the news that are killed in car accidents? Walking down the street? Riding their bicycles?

Now how many non-natural deaths have you heard of on cruise ships sailing the waters of the Bermuda Triangle?

Any death on a cruise ship is almost international news. The traffic deaths that you hear about are only the local ones.

It is more dangerous for you to walk down a busy street than it is to cruise through the Bermuda Triangle.

An around the world cruise is essentially one of travel’s finest experiences. It is really the best of everything and also gives you dazzling places and destinations around the world. Moreover, it has the top services. It draws in tourists who would like to look into earth’s societal diversity and also the planet’s greatest attractions up close and personal, not to mention checking out the views of the intriguing visitors onboard. In touring all over the world, tourists get to check out awesome natives and then go back to the ship for supper and enjoyment. You’ll have trouble fighting off the mouthwatering meals served by the best cooks.

The goal of each and every voyager is generally to circumnavigate our planet and at the same time explore the people in the diverse ports which they get to stop over. Touring around the world is actually so popular today because it is affordable and also gives a close-up look at your world destinations, but there are various other causes why lots of people decide to go on traveling all over the world. It’s the trend these days, and it’s also the perfect way to spend your valuable time. An around the world cruise trip is the best way to enjoy your honeymoon travel, wedding anniversary, birthday, retirement or some other milestone or significant occasions in your life. Nothing is actually more pleasurable in comparison with devoting quality time on a stunning and lavish cruise liner along with your friends, loved ones and/or significant other, taking in the magnificent scenery as well as sounds of the world. You can loosen up together, laze away the times on the relaxing terrace seat, or share once-in-a-lifetime journeys.

With world cruise you’ll be able to find and also pay a visit to places you have just seen in the movies or maybe postcards. From the Buckingham Palace along with the Guards, to the Eiffel Tower and also Louvre museum, to the pyramids at Giza, the world can be your play area, and your luxury cruise ship can get you there. You are going to appreciate this particular experience throughout your life where you learn about history or various cultures around the world yourself. It’s also hassle-free journey. Stopping by various places and cities on an around the globe voyage is much more simple compared to journeying worldwide via flying.

Sure a personal plane could very well be relaxing, however the large rooms and various features a luxury cruise ship can offer tend to be more pleasant. Convenience is the most important point to be considered when you are traveling. On a cruise liner you have your very own bed, personal bath, own private area, a massive variety of food choices, and even house cleaning services. High end ships even have a private butler available. You’re only limited by your budget in regards to comfort.

An around the world cruise supplies the traditional cruise experience, circling the earth, to understand more about different places. It is quite lengthy, and a cruise ship is pretty big – you are going to meet new people, make new friends, check out new beautiful locations, and take pictures. It’s an experience you won’t forget. It’s a memory you’ll always remember.

If you are looking for an absolutely fantastic and unique holiday then why not consider Amazon cruises. These are cruises around the amazon than are at once highly fascinating and unique, while at the same time being incredibly luxurious warm and comforting.

The Amazon in South America is the second longest river in the whole world and has by far the largest amount of waterflow. Impressively the discharge of the Amazon is greater than the combination of the next seven largest rivers. It also has the largest drainage basin in the world (7,050,000 square meters) and is responsible for a total of 1/5th of the Earth’s river flow.

As you can imagine then, with statistics like that there is an awful lot of Amazon to explore and Amazon cruises will take you through much of South America. You can expect to come across Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil depending on the Amazon cruises you choose to go on and this means that you can get a highly varied and exciting trip. If you’re the sort of person who enjoys going to different countries so you can say you have and ‘tick them off your list’ then this will be an ideal way for you to get a big chunk of South America under your belt. Furthermore, if you are interested in seeing a range of different cultures and landscapes rather than just visiting one country then a cruise is also very appropriate for you.

In some ways as well Amazon cruises are more impressive than cruises on the sea. This is because you can invariably see something of interest during the cruise and not only when the boat has stopped. At it’s wider points the Amazon is around 10 kilometers wide, but at its narrowest it is around 1.6 kilometers. This means that much of the time you will be able to see the world passing by whether that’s thick jungle or mountains. If views of tropical rainforest going past your window sound good to you, then a cruise on the Amazon is probably going to go down a treat.

Likewise you can also expect to see a lot of interesting wildlife when on Amazon cruises so this will further help to keep your journey exciting and interesting. This might range from crocodiles to rare birds or to a range of safari animals at the river’s edge. Here’s something interesting – more than one third of all the species of animals in the world live in the Amazon rainforest; so you really don’t know what you might see.

Not only is this a fantastic experience in terms of culture and adventure, but also a great way to relax and unwind. The climate is warm and pleasant, and being on a cruise means that you’ll have everything you need on tap. In this respect Amazon cruises have all the benefits of going to all inclusive hotels and you can expect to take part in games, enjoy lavish meals and probably appreciate a games room or a swimming pool depending on your boat. These really are holidays that have it all.

Boasting an unparalleled atmosphere that truly captures the essence of the season, the Christmas markets you will get to visit are bursting with huts and stalls selling all manner of festive goodies. From arts and crafts, hand-made decorations, and scented candles to hand crafted sweets and gluhwein (mulled wine); you’ll find it all at these charming markets.

The great news is that there is now plenty of reputable luxury river cruise lines – like Viking River Cruises, Ama Waterways and Titan – that offer these delightful floating vacations. Available on the Rhine and Danube, these seasonal river trips usually start running in late November, with some going on right up until Christmas itself.

A true festive voyage through Europe, it’s no surprise that these vacations are so sought after. In fact, Viking River Cruises are selling out so quickly; they’ve had to book more for next year. So, if you want to embark on a Yuletide sailing, your best bet really is to book early – this way you’ll get the best pick of the bunch, and some unique gifts that will have your friends and family talking.

Market cruise durations are quite varied. You can choose from short one or two night excursions or treat yourself to a four-night break. Whatever duration you decide on, you’ll still get to stop at all those shopping hot spots.

Now, when it comes to the biggest markets, there are several found in Cologne in the heart of Germany. Divided by the Rhine river, the city’s markets are hugely popular with locals and visitors alike. Or if you’d rather take an adventure down the famous blue Danube, you can look forward to visiting the pretty markets located in Regensburg and Vienna.

You’ll find that your cruise ship itself really gets into the Christmas spirit. You can look forward to seasonally-themed menus, festive entertainment and an array of fun festivities. A festive market cruise really can offer a magical adventure from start to finish.

My Two Favourite Festive River Cruises

First up is Viking River Cruises – they have the most romantic Danube itineraries available. Departing November 6, 13, 20 and 27, and December 4 and 11, Viking River Cruises will travel from Nuremburg to Budapest – or the reverse – visiting Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg and the Main-Danube Canal along the way.

And, of course, you’ll get plenty of shore time put aside so you can get on with your Christmas shopping fix! Lucky passengers can look forward to a superb selection of shore excursions, on-board performances and more.

AmaWaterways is offering wonderful Christmas market voyages on the Danube, Rhine and Moselle, including a seven-night Christmas sailing from Budapest to Nuremberg departing December 20. For a longer duration, there’s the 14-night itinerary from Budapest to Amsterdam, which departs December 20.

Whatever Christmas Market river cruise you opt for, you won’t be disappointed. There’s simply no better way to get stuck into your Christmas shopping in true festive style – whilst getting to see some of Europe’s finest cities and ports of call. Go on… embark on the ultimate Christmas adventure this year!

Do not feel ashamed to ask the ship’s staff to show you how to use a lifeboat. If you have watched Titanic, you probably know that anything can happen while in the middle of the sea. Should the unthinkable occur, you want to make sure that you are able to safely exit the ship.

Do not go to areas of the ship that are deserted. Anyone could be on board the ship, including criminals, and you do not want to be stuck alone with one of them. Stay in the areas of the ship that have a lot of people.

If you go ashore during your cruise, be sure you do not do so alone. Many thieves and kidnappers in other countries prey on visitors that have left the ship and are looking around. They are less likely to bother a group of people than a person who is by themselves.

Whether you are in your room or not, be sure that your cabin door is locked at all times. When you are in your room and you are sleeping, anyone could sneak in and steal your belongings. The same holds true, even if you are not in your room. Also, carry your wallet with you at all times when on a cruise ship. Should anyone get into your room, at least you will have your wallet on you.

Try not to drink too much while on board the ship. Getting drunk can effect your ability of knowing your surroundings, on top of making you sick. You want to enjoy your trip, after all.

Do not stand too close to the edge of the ship. As simple as this may seem, many people do not take this advice, and when the ship hits bumpy water, they end up falling over. It is okay to go out on the deck, just do not stand too close to the edge.

Try not to gamble too much while on the cruise. Thieves will be watching you and if you win money, they could make a plan to rob you. If you do happen to gamble and you win a lot of money, do not draw a lot of attention to yourself.

If you see anything suspicious on board, do not be scared to report it. The ship’s crew is busy with many other things so they cannot keep on eye on all passengers. That is why it is important that you make them aware of anything fishy.

Going on a cruise is one of the best ways to get away from your troubles. But, if you do not want trouble to follow you, be sure that you follow and use the advice that this article has provided to you.