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ShoreTrips -- an Independent Shore Excursion Provider
Now you have other options besides the same old cruise ship shore excursions.
by Rita M. Ippoliti, CruiseMates Assistant Editor
April 6, 2009
The most successful business ideas often come from fulfilling an unmet need in the marketplace. That was exactly the case for Julie and Barry Karp, founders of ShoreTrips, an independent provider of shore excursions in a variety of well-known cruise ship ports.
Since its inception in the late 1990s, ShoreTrips has given the cruise lines quite a bit of stiff competition for their passengers' shore excursion dollars. And it all started with Barry's first job -- in the travel agency his parents owned. The more he helped clients booking cruises through his agency, the more he noticed those who prearranged their shore tours had a much better time on their cruises than those who just "winged" it.
Even more importantly, Barry also decided the cruise lines didn't always provide the kind of quality he wanted for his customers' shore excursions. "My wife Julie and I travel a lot with some of those trips on cruises. We often see cruise line shore excursions where large groups of passengers from multiple ships are all bussed to the same destinations. The experience is not personalized at all, people are herded along with everything running on a very strict schedule."
Barry wanted to change all that. He envisioned a company that offered quality shore experiences at reasonable prices with a level of personalization that far surpasses what the average cruise line can offer.
"It's not like our trips are necessarily cheaper. In fact, for the lower cost excursions, generally our trips will run a bit more than the cruise lines. But the difference is that our excursions accommodate smaller groups of people and are more personalized. Most importantly, we very rarely use large tour buses, preferring instead operators with smaller vehicles, like luxury sedans or mini-buses." This adds levels of convenience, time savings and personalization that just cannot be achieved with hundreds of people on the same tour.
Once they realised they had a viable business concept Barry and his wife sold their travel agency to Carlson and embarked on ShoreTrips as a full-time endeavor.
ShoreTrips - "It's a tough Business" Step number one in starting their new business? They packed their suitcases and took off for the Caribbean. But not just for pleasure; they spent several months meeting with various tourism officials and tour operators.
"We didn't want to hire just any tour operator; we only wanted what we personally felt were the best experiences we could get. We conducted extensive interviews with many tour operators to narrow down our choices. Then we personally checked their vehicles, tour-related equipment and assessed their personalities and ability to communicate. We only selected those who could provide a really great tour experience for our customers."
On average, Barry and Julie spent a week or two in each port to fill in their menu of shore trip options. After their work in the Caribbean, they focused on Alaska and Europe.
The couple spent many months visiting several points on the globe. "Anywhere with a rate of American tourism of at least 3% is where we want to be," says Barry. "The Baltic nations were our latest region of entry. There is an explosive growth of American tourism there and we wanted to get a quality program in place as quickly as possible. The same is true with Greece and the Mediterranean where we offer some of the most unique excursions. We go beyond the standard museums and historic attractions. We offer really unique golf and SCUBA packages as well. For almost any activity in any given region, if it is possible to do it then we probably have a shore trip to provide it."
"Variety is the spice of life," according to Barry. "We want to offer something for everyone -- with lots of options not normally available from the cruise lines -- so Julie and I split our efforts and focus on our own individual special interests. I'm more adventurous, so I interview the tour operators offering SCUBA, ice climbing and soaring types of excursions. Julie focuses more on culture and the arts and usually sees the more conventional sightseeing vendors. But what we both look for are the operators who offer something unique for our customers; something they won't get through the cruise lines. So we focus on things like high quality SCUBA trips geared toward smaller groups, but still using larger, well-maintained and comfortable boats."
Continue Article >> | |
Cruise Consumer Affairs; Answers to Cruise Questions
Customer Concerns: Alcohol, Weather, Prices and Policies
by Tim Rubacky, Consumer Affairs Correspondent
Hermann,
This is because in most cases, full cancellation penalties come into effect
around the time final payment is due and most documents are only printed
21-30 days prior to sailing. If you ever need -- or just want to read over --
the contract of passage, simply request one from the cruise line or your
agent at any time. Many savvy agents keep copies on file in their offices.
Hi Tammy and Kevin!
Regarding liquor policy, the cruise lines are pretty straightforward in their
brochures, and most of them won't let passengers bring liquor aboard for
consumption. However, these policies are not always strictly enforced.
San Juan is basically a safe city as long as you practice common sense and
don't wander off the beaten path into any foreboding areas. Frankly, unless
you're into gambling, I've never found evening calls in San Juan to be
enjoyable. You could check out the casinos and nightclubs at the resort
hotels. What I highly recommend is sampling some of the excellent restaurants
in the Condado district.
Bobbi,
I've never been able to get a straight answer to that question from HAL. My
gut instincts tell me they pay higher wages, but not dramatically so because
most passengers tend to tip the staff voluntarily.
In the unlikely event you do not receive total satisfaction, you may wish to
contact your local Better Business Bureau.
Hi Cindy,
"Early Booking" fares refer to the discount off of the standard "tariff"
that Carnival publishes in its brochure. The "tariff" price is equivalent
to a full-fare airline ticket; most discounts range from 20 to 45 percent off
"tariff" rates, based on the sailing date and cabin category booked. If you
shopped around for price and found a good one, you can be pretty sure that
you got a good deal.
The Western Caribbean has generally good weather. At that time of the year,
it should be between 75 and 90 degrees. Technically, November is still
hurricane season, so there is a slight chance you could encounter a hurricane
or tropical depression. However, in my experience, I've found that region to
have better weather overall than the Eastern Caribbean, with more sun and
less rain.
As for your sons, Carnival tends to attract a wide range of ages so they
should have a good time. But nothing is guaranteed -- you could find yourself
on a ship with a good age mix, or a ship chock full of seniors or young
people. Anything is possible. That said, I don't think I've ever met any
young people who didn't have a great time on Carnival!
Hi Michael,
I can't give you a definitive answer on the Customs question because anything
can happen when Customs Officials are involved! Just make sure the wine is
packed as safely as possible for travel, and be ready for any number of
questions that Spanish Customs may have in addition to wanting to inspect the
case of wine.
Princess should not have a problem with you bringing it aboard. Just be sure
to have your travel agent notify Princess in advance, in writing. The maitre
d' should be willing to store the wine for you, although they may charge you
a corkage fee; this can usually be avoided by a nice tip up front.
Debbie,
The weather can be extremely tricky on the Atlantic. If the ship is taking a
more southerly route, the weather is generally warm and enjoyable, with
temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees. As long as the sun is shining and
the Gulf Stream cooperates, I'd say you're in for an enjoyable and relaxing
sea voyage!
Hi Bob,
Last minute discounts can be hit-or-miss. Typically, when a voyage reaches
final payment date and there are still empty cabins, the cruise lines usually
try to "top off" the sailing with strategic discounts like cabin guarantee
promotions or resident specials targeted at certain geographic areas. More
often than not, these are successful in filling up the cruise. That's not to
say you won't get a cabin at the last minute, but you can probably find just
as good a deal 45-30 days from sailing. That's not booking well in advance,
but probably better than you will do within days of a sailing.
Right now, I'm seeing some great discounts and promotions for cruises in
mid-May and September, but June, July and most of August seem pretty well
booked with firm pricing. Keep your eyes peeled and I'm sure you'll find
something at a good price...the CruiseMates Last Minute Specials and Bargains
area is a great place to watch out for deals!
Dianne,
Technically, the cruise lines reserve the right to alter
schedules/itineraries and to cancel, shorten, lengthen or substitute port
calls. Is there any recourse? Yes: I would ask my travel agent to pass along
my letter expressing disappointment and dismay at the "error," and ask for
compensation. In most instances, the cruise lines will offer you a credit
($100-$200 per person) on a future cruise as a gesture of goodwill.
You may want to refer to my feature article " ," which covers all aspects of cruise line fine print, along with
their liabilities and responsibilities, or lack thereof.
Dear Christopher,
Your quandary is certainly unique! In fact, cruise ship bathrooms are no
laughing matter; most are quite small and cramped for even the most petite
passengers. That said, you might want to consider one of the newer, larger
"Post-Panamax" cruise ships like Grand Princess, which are extra-wide in
beam. Many of the bathrooms on the Grand are quite spacious and will
hopefully accommodate your wife! Sadly, no cruise ships I know of will allow
an RV parked on deck, but you may want to check out the Norway. (I've seen
NASCARs parked on deck so NCL may make an exception!)
I hope Betty made it back safely in the boxcar, which I can only imagine was
more comfortable and safer than Amtrak.
Discount Cruises, Last-Minute Cruises, Short Notice Cruises - Vacations To Go
Cruise lines recognize the value of selling every last cabin, even at a
fraction of the regular price. But to protect the full-fare business they
receive from traditional travel agents, cruise lines will not allow many of the deals
you are about to see to be advertised in newspapers or magazines, or on
television.
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Southampton Cruises, Southampton Cruise, Cruise Southampton, Cruises From Southampton, Cruise From Southampton
For cruises that visit or depart from London (Southampton), England:
Southampton frequently serves as a departure port for trans-Atlantic crossings. Cruises from Southampton also head to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Southampton is a port for London, which is about 80 miles to the north. Tours in London visit the major attractions, including Big Ben and Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Strand. With a little planning, it's fairly easy to tour the city on your own, too. Tourists can spend time in the British Museum and the National Gallery or in one of the city's well-maintained parks.
Language: English Currency: Driving Directions and Port Information Travel time between London and the pier is approximately 1.5 hours by train.
Directions by Road - From the M3 follow signs for the M27 (West) to Junction 3. Leave the M27 at Junction 3 onto the M271 signposted Southampton. Follow signs for the Waterfront.
Directions by Rail - Direct train services link Southampton with many parts of the UK. South West Train operates 15-minute interval daytime fast service between London Waterloo and Southampton Central. Longer distance services provide direct links with Bristol, South Wales, the Midlands, the North and Scotland.
From outside the train station (southside and signed for Red Funnel and Isle of Wight) you can either use a taxi, or there is a free CityLink bus service (green coloured bus) which runs every 10-15 minutes between the rail station and Town Quay.
Directions by Air - From London Heathrow Airport, use the Rail-Air coach link to Woking Rail Station, from which a frequent rail service operates to Southampton Central Station.
From London Gatwick Airport, a rail link operates to Southampton Central Station (direct or via Clapham Junction Station).
From London Luton Airport or London Stansted Airport, catch a train or coach into London and make your way to London Waterloo Station, from where train services operate to Southampton Central Station.
The Luxury Lineup; part 3; Cunard Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises, Windstar.
In this article we look at Cunard Cruise Lines,
, and Windstar Cruises as part 3 of this three-part series. We referred to this last section of our series as the part for the lines that do not fit our exact definition of a luxury cruise line, but qualify for very honorable mention because they appeal to much the same audience.
These honorable-mention are as diverse as the entire span of luxury cruising. One of them,
, is the name I mention when someone asks me which cruise line is my personal favorite - not because I think it is the best, but because it has the combination of elements that fits my personal style, including value (what you get for what you pay). Another line, Windstar, is my second favorite for the same reasons. Cunard is different because its vessels have many elements of the larger luxury ships -- especially the new Queen Mary 2 -- but they are very large, and almost run a "two class" system; so the luxury aspects of Cunard refer to the more expensive cabins.
Different people have different definitions of luxury. We used certain criteria such as inclusive tips and spirits, generally small passenger loads compared to the number of crew, etc. Cunard is a little different, especially since it still retains elements of a two-class system, a holdover from its glory days on the transatlantic run. There is a marked difference in the way the upper crust (i.e., the higher-paying passengers) is treated on Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2: they have a separate dining room and much more posh accommodations (the very word "posh" came from Cunard, referring to the better stateroom locations as "port out, starboard home" for traveling from Britain to the "Colonies" and back).
The upper crust eats in the open, single-seating Queen's Grill on both ships, where caviar, jumbo shrimp and smoked salmon are yours for the asking. Occupants of the lesser category staterooms are relegated to the two-seating Britannia Restaurant, where the selections are fewer. Suffice it to say, with Cunard "luxury" is reserved for the elite.
It isn't the same sort of luxury as on Silversea, Seabourn or SeaDream, or even Regent Seven Seas or Crystal. The difference is the space per passenger ratio. Cunard's ships are much bigger than our luxury ships. QM2 is one of the largest liners ever built, but she does carries one-third fewer passengers than Royal Caribbean's big ships, the only other ones of equal size. QE2, although about the same size as Crystal Serenity, carries over 30 percent more passengers, and Serenity is the largest "luxury" ship in our collection.
So, Cunard's luxury is that of tasteful surroundings, palatial suites, and an aura of old-world elegance associated with formal dress, high tea, and long dinners with convivial conversation. This crowd is knowledgeable about West End Theater and the Royal Family.
If you book one of the high-end cabins, you are on a ship with a large number of people not paying the same as you -- like being in a suite on a premium cruise line. Tips are charged to your onboard account, the wine selection is respectable (but not included in the fare), and the service personnel are not all European as on most true luxury ships.
Cunard Cruises at a Glance: Oceania Cruises is a small, independent cruise line started in 2003 by two experienced cruise line executives -- Frank del Rio, formerly of Renaissance Cruises, and Joe Watters, from Crystal. The first passengers wondered which of those two lines Oceania would be most like, but it took a year before it was evident the Renaissance side had won out.
Today, with three of the smallish (30,000-ton, 684 passengers) former Renaissance R-ships, Oceania's vessels are more like floating hotels providing a new destination every day, and great food and comfortable beds at night. Thus it appeals to travelers rather than "cruisers" -- i.e., to people who are less concerned with spa appointments than the city they are in and the tours available. There is relatively little to do onboard in terms of classes or "enrichment," yet it doesn't matter because these ships are highly focused on itineraries and are in port almost every day -- often overnight -- and spend up to three days in port in cities like St. Petersburg.
Oceania does not pretend to be a true luxury line, but it does have many luxury characteristics. Each ship offers true gourmet cuisine in a main restaurant and three alternative dining venues -- none with a service charge. Two of the restaurants have open seating, while the other two (the gourmet "Polo Grill" and the Italian "Toscana") require reservations.
The onboard dress code is always informal. The casino is tiny, the nightclub shows consist of folkloric shows, a dance band or the cruise director doing his Maurice Chevalier impressions. The regular cabins are somewhat spartan; although the beds are sublime, the couches are hard and the TV sets are tiny. The suites are roomier and come with butler service. The public rooms are furnished in "All-American" decor, like the decorator ordered in bulk from Ethan Allen.
How has cruising with Oceania changed recently? We asked Tim Rubacky, a former CruiseMates contributing editor who is now an Oceania executive. "The line is bucking the trend some of the smaller yacht-like ships are bragging about - that of 'younger, hipper (passengers) and shorter (itineraries).' We are seeing an increasing demand for longer and longer voyages, and we are planning deployments so that guests can combine several voyages at a time."
Regatta sailed a 25-day Caribbean voyage in November, 2005 and Nautica's maiden voyage was 24 days. And Nautica's 20-24 day Asia sailings sold out in rapid succession while her 35-day voyage from Hong Kong to Athens was one of our fastest selling voyages.
The longer voyages have proven to be the fastest sellers and are extremely popular among repeat guests. In fact, many guests will sail a total of 62 days on Nautica - 15-day Beijing to Hong Kong, 35 day Hong Kong to Athens and then her first European cruise; 12 days from Athens Istanbul.
In 2003 and 2004, our longest voyages were 16 days. In 2005, we offered a 24 and 25 day voyage
In 2006, we offered four voyages of 24, 25, 26 and 35 days in length
In 2007, we will offer a total of EIGHT longer voyages; one 22-day voyage, two 24-day voyages, two 26-day voyages, one 26-day voyage, one 27-day voyage and one 28-day voyage.
Nautica's winter 2007-2008 season will consist of mostly 18-24 day voyages. She will only do three 15-day voyages; two in Australia-New Zealand and one in Asia.
Tim said that because the itineraries tend to be so port-intensive, it is easy for them to visit the major ports most cruises offer, but that the 30,000-ton ships can also reach much smaller destinations. "In Europe, we combine marquee ports such as Barcelona, Rome, Venice and Athens with boutique ports such as Kotor, Portoferraio, La Spezia and Monemvasia. In the Caribbean, our calling card has always been boutique ports such as St. Barts, Rouseau (Dominica), Virgin Gorda and Samana (Dominican Republic). And in 2007-2008, we will sail to Australia, New Zealand and Bali."
As a nod to those who want some luxury elements added back in, Tim tells us, "We added new private luxury cabanas on all three ships. We recently created The Perfect Table with new Versace china, Christofle silver and Reidel crystal, and we are redecorating Polo Grill and The Grand Bar on all three ships so guests who have sailed in Europe this year will find the ships substantially enhanced this winter."
Oceania Cruises at a Glance: Windstar is a small subsidiary of Holland America Line, so the policies and procedures on staffing and tipping are similar. A few years ago, both Holland America and Windstar had a "no tipping required" policy, but Holland America now charges tips to your onboard account. Windstar still promotes the "tipping not required" policy, and the web site says soliciting of tips by staff is not allowed -- but most passengers tip anyway, because even though it is not "required," it isn't discouraged, either.
Windstar has three ships -- two tiny sisters, Wind Star and Wind Spirit at 148 passengers each; and the larger Wind Surf at 308 passengers. All have tall masts and billowing white sails, with delightful nautical decor in the cabins; all are very yacht-like. Inside, cabins are dark and romantic, with just two portholes for natural light during the day. The bathrooms are dimly lit with round sinks, a round closet and shower. All shelves have raised edges, in the style of a sailboat, to keep things from sliding off. There is a railing on the wall opposite the bed to hold onto in high seas - even if you never have to use it. This is not a ship where you will forget you are at sea, even if you do not have a balcony or picture window.
The service is excellent, especially in the open-seating dining room on the smaller ships. Expect everyone to know you by name by the second day, and the maitre d' will notice who you socialized with during the day and try to seat you with them for dinner.
Expect gasps of delight when the beautiful billowing sails are unveiled, even if they are mostly for show as the ships are motor-driven most of the time. Generally, the sails come out as the ship is leaving port at sundown, and the spotlights on deck give them an iridescent glow as beautiful for the people on shore as for the passengers.
Itineraries tend to be full, usually with a port a day, or one sea day per week at most. Time in port is generous, and the line will make stops at lesser known places inaccessible to larger ships. At sea, most daytime activity is on the deck, and consists of people milling in the sun and striking up conversations. An outdoor barbeque might start almost by magic and soon the entire ship feels like one big family.
Before the debut of Renaissance, the Paul Gauguin and Tahitian Princess, French Polynesia (Tahiti to Bora Bora) was the exclusive domain for Windstar. In those days, people referred to a Windstar cruise with mystical reverence. Today, the ships focus on the Aegean and the Caribbean. In the Aegean, they visit the nicer Greek islands and take you to historical sites like Ephesus and Delos.
In the Caribbean, the focus is more on active shore tours and shorter one-week cruises for the younger clientele. Active shore tours include things like ATV rides, submarine rides, or jeep rentals. Windstar now specializes in cruises to Costa Rica, where tours include canopy zip-line tours and a mangrove boat cruise where you can see howler monkeys and even live crocodiles (watch those hands and feet).
What is new at Windstar? Holland America's "Signature of Excellence" has inspired Windstar's own "Degrees of Difference" campaign:
The Wind Surf will go into drydock in November and December, 2006, for improvements in the spas, libraries and the addition of a new public room to be called "the Yacht Club." The new room will include an an espresso bar with tables and chairs along with couches for lounging. A selection of books, DVDs and CDs will be available. A large flat panel television will be added for watching news, movies or sporting events. Eight computers will be available for email and browsing the Internet.
In suites, a second flat panel television and DVD player will also be added. Wireless internet is already available throughout the ship along with Bose SoundDock speakers in all staterooms, Apple iPod Nanos pre-loaded with music for complimentary check-out and laptops for rent.
A reconfiguration of the WindSpa will create a couples massage room where guests may relax and enjoy the art of massage. A pedicure chair will be added to the spa for guests' comfort during Windstar signature pedicures.
The Bistro, Wind Surf's alternative restaurant, will be renamed Degrees and feature a steak house menu created by Chef Joachim Splichal four nights a week and menus from Northern Italy, France and Indonesia other evenings. Degrees has been redecorated with a new burgundy color scheme, Rosenthal china and Schott Zwiesel stemware. Reservations are required but there is no additional charge to dine at Degrees. Splichal has reinvigorated the ship's cuisine in The Restaurant as well with new menus served on elegant Rosenthal china with Riedel stemware.
Other public area improvements include new furniture and awnings in the Veranda restaurant, Balinese sun beds added to Star deck, new audio/visual equipment to facilitate meetings on board and new televisions and free weights in the gym. A refreshing mist spray will be added to the decks near both pools for cooling off on hot days. Plans are also underway to provide cell phone service on all ships by the end of 2007.
Structural work on the aft water sports platform will upgrade the functionality of the platform. Currently the ship offers complimentary snorkel gear, sail boats, water skiing, kayaks and wind surfing. Other major structural projects include work on steel repair, temperature control systems, galley equipment, rigging, water systems, and upgrades to crew accommodations.
Similar work is scheduled to be done on the smaller sister ships, Wind Star and Wind Spirit, in early 2007. All in all, Windstar is a very fun and exhilirating cruise perfect for young couples and people who like to socialize, get outdoors and enjoy life as it happens.
Windstar Cruises at a Glance:
Discount Cruises, Last-Minute Cruises, Short Notice Cruises - Vacations To Go
To reserve your cabin and lock in the final price, you will be required to place a deposit on your cruise. After you have placed a deposit to secure your reservation, you will be asked to pay the remaining balance of your fare at the final payment due date.
Deposit and Final Payment Regent Seven Seas accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club International and Discover Cards.
Cancellation and Refunds Cancellation and refund policies vary by cruise line, with penalties generally increasing as the sailing date approaches. If a cancellation occurs, the following charges will be assessed:
Cruise lines do not refund in the event of "no shows," or interruption or cancellation by the guest after the start of the cruise. Please notify your Vacations To Go cruise counselor immediately of any cancellations or changes. The above charges do not include cancellation or change fees which may be applied by air carriers, hotels and/or other independent service suppliers. The purchase of trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. For more information on insurance, click
.
Timetables and rates are subject to change, and exceptions may apply for holiday sailings. Deposit, payment and cancellation terms differ for group bookings; please confirm payment and cancellation policies with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor.
A Cruisemates Review of Crown Princess Cruises Best For People Who Want: A roomy ship with ample choices for alternative dining, wide-ranging fitness programs; true onboard weddings as well as vow renewal; programs for children of all ages, tweens and teens; balcony cabins and mini-suites; plenty of nightlife choices, extensive golf and snorkeling programs.
Should Be Avoided By People Who Prefer: Small-ship cruising, extensive room service menu options, enrichment lectures, all-inclusive ships
Onboard Experience: Crown Princess entered service in June, 2006, a near sister ship to the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess presented in 1998, once the biggest cruise ship at sea, though that didn't last for long. Crown Princess comes in at a heftier 113,00-tons and carries about 410 more passengers at a capacity of 3080. Therefore, as opposed to the eerily empty feeling you can get aboard the spacious 2700-passenger Grand-class vessels, on these ships you get more of a feel of "abuzz with activity", akin to the 110,000-ton Conquest-class ships of Carnival that can hold as many as 3400 passengers.
However, thanks to shrewd layout, multiple dining venues, four expansive outdoor deck areas (1.7 acres!), multiple sports facilities, four pools, and nine hot tubs, passengers are rarely concentrated in any one area. Meanwhile, the mega-ship amenities included for those who can never get enough dining, entertainment, spa and fitness choices, means the Princess ships of this class make the best of everything for ships in this size and price range. Their programs for younger passengers are exemplary, and their Lido buffet dining spot is open around the clock.
One new feature which is a first for Princess is the Sanctuary, an adults-only spa-like space on the upper-most forward deck featuring quiet music and surroundings of lush greenery referred to by Princess as a "pocket of tranquility". There are outdoor cabanas where one can receive full massage services from the onboard Lotus Spa, or there are casual neck and shoulder massages available. The space also offers signature beverages and light meals such as smoothies, energy drinks, flavored waters and lemonade. A menu features fruit skewers, lettuce wrapped spring rolls, and spicy tuna.
An adjunct to the Sanctuary is the Thermal Suite, an area within the spa offering steam saunas infused with aromatherapy essential oils such as eucalyptus or lavender, a dry sauna, rainmist showers and heated ceramic "zero-gravity" beds to rest upon after your steam.
Another new feature is a spiced-up atrium known as The Piazza, featuring the a 24-hour International Café with sandwiches, tapas and special coffees available for very reasonable prices; and Vines, a wine bar where one can get expert advice from the on duty sommelier and sample a variety of fine wines by the glass. On the Piazza stage, various entertainers will appear seemingly out of nowhere to amuse and entertain you; jugglers, close-up magicians, tumblers and an assortment of costumed oddities.
Crown Princess also offers "Movies Under the Stars," a huge (300 sq. ft) flat panel rear-projection video screen and 6900 watts of sound power to show up to four different near first-run films daily outdoors above the pool. This was such a hit on Caribbean Princess that the concept was added to all the large Princess ships. On some ships they hand out headphones to viewers to alleviate complaints from nearby cabins.
Having offered the first wedding chapel at sea (with the Captain doing the honors) on Grand Princess, Crown Princess also offers true marriages at sea, as well as vow renewals. A complete professional digital photography studio in the F/X Digital Photo Center is perfect for those all-important wedding photos. The medical center is one of the most advanced at sea, the first to offer real-time teleconferencing support from a leading national cardiac care center in the United States.
The most incongruous, and arguably pleasing, factor about these mega-ships is that the public rooms aren't much bigger than those on much smaller ships giving it the feel of a much smaller ship than it really is. The one oddity of the "Grand-class" design is the compromised privacy of most balconies that extend out from the ship in a pyramid-like stacking arrangement which allows people from several decks above can look right down into your "private" enclave. From the Deck 11, for instance, you can watch other passengers on deck nine and ten balconies. Deck 10 occupants can in turn observe their counterparts on the Deck nine.
Decor: Unlike the theme park atmosphere of some other cruise lines, the décor on Princess ships extends an understatedly elegant and refined atmosphere, with hand-painted murals and etched glass partitions in the dining rooms. Little apparent expense was spared on materials, with rich fabrics, beautiful woods, and marble everywhere, all topped off with a $2 million art collection aboard each ship. The cabins are tastefully decorated in soft, inoffensive shades -- beiges, creams and muted pinks.
Public Rooms: The main gathering spot, the three deck tall, open Piazza, has boutiques, the 24-hour International Café, the Internet access room, the Vines wine-tasting room and and passenger services, all connected by circular glass staircases and glass elevators. It's the best people-watching place on the ship, especially when there's a string quartet playing a piece you adore, but watch out for the street performers who will sneak up on you and make you a captive audience of two. Among the nearby public rooms are the casino, entrances to the two open-seating dining rooms, and the shore excursions desk.
We favor the maritime-themed Wheelhouse Bar, full of memorabilia and paintings, not to mention comfortable leather wingback chairs, a small dance floor, and a piano singalong motif that will make you want to use it. The safari-themed Explorer's Club offers cabaret, trivia competitions, art auctions, and between-meals dancing. The gigantic Casino contains some 285 slot machines and gaming tables beyond counting. You can relax in the Cigar Lounge, or recline in leather chairs while perusing any of hundreds of books in the beautiful library.
The main showroom, the Princess Theater, presents production shows, cabaret, comedians and magicians. With seating for 1600 we found it unusually cramped with airplane-like seats jammed together and not enough footspace to allow for fast escapes during a brief production show set changes. Once you're in there, your stuck for the entire show unless you sit on the aisle. The upside is that everyone has a great view of the stage.
The Club Fusion Showlounge offers live dance combos for various kinds of music, Latin or Rhythm & Blues. Karaoke contests and theme-parties such as a "'60s British Invasion" also happen nightly. Later on, it doubles for a secondary disco for those who get light-headed scaling the heights to Skywalkers, the real disco on high at the stern of the ship. Unlike the smaller Grand-class vessels, however, Skywalkers is no longer suspended high in the air. It lies on Sky Deck and now has a large balcony included for smokers and those who favor the wind-blown look.
Cuisine: What can you say about a ship that offers three main dining rooms instead of the usual multi-tiered, bigger than life one? They are more intimate and definitely quieter, but the decor is not likely to elicit a "wow" response either. There are three dining rooms, two dedicated to "personal choice" dining which means open seating and country-club casual dress nightly from 5:30 to 11:00 p.m. For the more traditional minded, the third dining room, deck six aft, offers the standard cruise line seating, early at 6:30 and late seating at 8:15 (subject to change). Diners are assigned tables and tablemates, and are serviced at the same time and by the same waiters every night.
Unlike many cruise lines, Princess does not have an executive chef designing the recipes for the entire fleet. Each ship has its own executive chef who is responsible for the menu creation. This means cuisine is more tailored the region the ship is cruising, a nice touch. It also gives the chef the ability to change food selection according to passenger response. In talking to the executive chef on board, we were told that the best food is served in the open seating restaurants (though the menus are identical in all three main dining rooms) because of the ability to cook food as it is ordered, rather than according to a pre-determined time schedule. Our food always arrived hot and perfectly prepared.
The ship offers two alternative dining spots carrying cover charges. First is Sabatini's Trattoria where guests are required to try a little bit of everything on the menu, the only choice being your main course. The second premium dining option is Crowne Grill, featuring chops and seafood, and the one we preferred.
Service: While Princess has a well-deserved reputation for good service securely footed in its British roots, truly personalized service may be too much to expect on a ship this size. That noted, cabin stewards and waiters are both efficient and personable. And rote processes that should be standardized and well executed on other ships but often fail miserably, such as efficient disembarkation, are generally practiced and polished to the point of excellence here.
Restaurants: The three principal restaurants, the Michelango, Da Vinci and Boticelli Dining Rooms, seating just over 500 passengers, feature hand-painted murals and etched-glass partitions. The drapes and carpeting in the main dining areas absorb sound efficiently enough to preclude diners having to holler across the table to one another.
Personal Choice Dining offers either traditional cruise dining (In the Boticelli), with a set seating time (6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.) and the same waiter and tablemates each evening, or new restaurant-style seating, allowing passengers to dine when and with whom they choose, with each party seated at its own table, as at a restaurant ashore (offered in the other two dining rooms). Restaurant-style diners may be seated in either of the two elegant main dining rooms any time between 5:30 and midnight. Many passengers are understandably grateful for this reprieve from having to hurry to dress for dinner in the traditional way after a long day ashore.
Sabatini's Italian Tratorria dining begins with focaccia bread and olive oil. next comes a wonderful selection of Italian antipasti, complemented with Sevruga caviar, delicious seafood salads, homemade pastas, and soups. Salads are tossed before your very eyes, and soup ladled into fresh bread bowls. Seafood predominates on the list of main courses; there are lobster, langoustines, tiger prawns, Chilean sea bass and scallops, with red meat dishes also on offer. Save room for the exquisite Italian pastries that will be wheeled before you toward meal's end. The service charge is $20 per person.
The Crown Grill, featuring Angus beef and seafood specialties all custom-prepared in an open, theater-style kitchen, is the restaurant most preferred. The courses are served traditionally; salad, appetizer, soup, main course and dessert. The difference is in the quality and careful preparation. Using our meal as a sample, the carpaccio of pine nut-coated lamb loins with gooseberry chutney was the most unusual and delicious carpaccio I have ever tasted. Soups and salads include rockfish chowder or marinated goat's cheese. Main courses include a four-ounce Maine lobster tail, or for an additional $9.99 you can have an entire 24 to 32-ounce lobster, split and either grilled or steamed (your choice). Other main courses (no extra charge) are steaks of every traditional cut, lamb rack, pork, veal or beef chops; and seafoods including mussel pot, striped bass and tiger prawns or Australian barramundi. The recommended dessert choice is the chef's sampler which includes a small portion of every dessert offered. Service charge is $25 per person.
The Horizon Court is open 24 hours per day, with menu service at night, plus casual breakfast and luncheon buffet. There's also a festive pizzeria. For $100 per couple, you can book the Ultimate Balcony Dinner, to be served by a butler who discreetly makes himself scarce behind drapes or out in the hall between courses. The ship's photographer snaps a complimentary photo while you're eating.
At night, the Horizon Court restaurant is transformed into Cafe Caribe, offering a self-service buffet of tasty hot food in a very casual setting. Once seated there is full waiter service at fully set tables for drinks or anything else you may need. The courses change nightly, and it stays open until 4:00 a.m. (when breakfast begins). There is no service charge.
Room service on Princess ships is probably among the most limited you will find in this price range. They will not serve you a hot breakfast unless you opt for the $25 per person champagne balcony indulgence. They will bring you hot coffee, juice, rolls, cereal and yogurt. Lunch and dinner include the usual club sandwich, hamburgers and apple pie. There is no option to choose from the dining room menu, even during regular dinner hours. If you want a hot, fresh pizza they are delicious and enough for two people, but there is a $3 delivery charge.
The International Café in the Piazza offers a number of tidbits for just $1 apiece, including shrimp salads, tapas style hors d; oeuvres, and the best "service charge" items on the ship, the six scoops (choice of three different flavors) of real Italian gelato for a mere $1.50. You won't mind paying since the portion is more than enough for two people and includes toppings.
Entertainment: With a dozen or so venues for nightlife, you're virtually assured of finding something that floats your boat, to coin a phrase. There's no faulting the lavishness of the production shows, which feature extravagant special effects. The performers in the cabaret are a talented bunch. As stated, the theater itself is rather cramped and not easy to escape unnoticed.
The Internet room on these Grand-class ships do not qualify as "cafés" as there are no café-style treats available. Another drawback is the limited number of wi-fi wireless enabled areas on the ship, pretty much limited to the piazza area. It is too bad to see a modern ship without Internet access in the cabins. The connection speed was spotty, but usually fast enough to be workable. Tech support was almost invisible, but fellow passengers are knowledgeable enough these days to help in almost any situation.
Cabins: Cabins are built out from the body of the ship so as to permit bigger staterooms. 710 of the 1300 staterooms have balconies, ranging up to 257 sq. feet, but the balconies are not very private, as they're in plain view of the occupants of the cabin on the next deck up. Standard inside staterooms are 160 sq. ft., while outside cabins range from 168 to 210 sq. feet. Mini-suites with private verandas are 325 sq. feet. Vista Suites, called mini-suites on other Princess ships, range from 515 to 800 sq. feet. Sun and Dawn Princess offer larger minisuites for less money.
Closet space is minimal except in the suites; leave some things home! There are launderettes available on nearly every passenger deck, with coin-operated washers & dryers, ironing boards and soap and softener for sale in vending machines.
All staterooms have color TV with CNN and movies, a radio and small refrigerator, suites have spacious bathrooms with storage space and hair dryers, but any cabin of balcony category or less has a tiny bathroom with "huggy" shower curtains and barely enough rack space for towels for two.
Fitness/Spa: It is rare to find such ample fitness facilities, especially when you add in the Sanctuary and the thermal suite which serve as extensions to the existing spa and offer many of the same services and more. The thermal suite is offered for $10 per day, or at a reduced price for the entire cruise, reduced even further for pre-paying couples. Costs will be pro-rated if you decide to join mid-cruise.
The four pools, including a "swim-against-the-current" lap pool, are uniformly gorgeous, thanks in no small part to colorful mosaics and surrounding palm trees. Low marks, though, to whoever decided to put the separate jogging track right above the spa, as the relentless thundering of hooves overhead isn't terribly conducive to one's enjoying her massage or beauty treatment. Even though prices are substantially higher than ashore, spa services are very popular, especially in the afternoon. You'll occasionally have to stand in line for some of the more popular workout apparatuses in the gym. There's a wrap-around promenade deck for long walks, a golf simulator and 9-hole putting green, and courts for basketball, volleyball or tennis.
Attire: Seven- to 14-night cruises offer two opportunities to put on the Ritz in formal attire. Many men opt for dark suit instead of tux, while their distaff companions often prefer dressy pants to gowns. The rest of the time, think smart casual. Formal attire is only required in the traditional dining rooms, though most people opt to dress up no matter where they are headed that night.
Tipping: A charge of $10 per person per day (including children) is automatically added to your stateroom account for dining and stateroom personnel. This applies to all passengers, adult and child alike, whether or not they choose traditional or personal choice dining. The amount may be increased or lowered at the Purser's Reception desk during the cruise.
A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all beverage tabs. Gratuities for spa, casino and other staff are at your discretion. Every room service delivery must be signed for, and next to the signature line is the opportunity to add a gratuity - hint, hint.
Azamara Cruises, cruise line review, ships of Azamara.
Azamara Cruises is separate brand under the Royal Caribbean International umbrella. The two ships in the company were acquired as part of the acquisition of Spanish cruise operator Pulmatur in 2006. The ships are two of the former Renaissance R-ships, of which eight were built (all identical). At first, the ships were assigned to the Celebrity Expeditions branch of Celebrity Cruises (another cruise line under the Royal Caribbean International umbrella), but it was later decided, quite suddenly, to give these ships their own brand name in order to differentiate what they offer from Celebrity.
As discussed above, Azamara is a spinoff from Celebrity which is owned by Royal Caribbean. Unlike Carnival Corp, where every compnay in the fold is truly independently operated, in this case almost the decision making is done at the very top of the corporate ladder. So, as a brand, Azamara is designed to appeal to the more adventurous traveler who wants the sophistication of the Celebrity ships with the more exotic and adventurous itineraries a smaller ship can offer. Think of a smaller Celebrity ship where every passenger receives suite-like amenities.
This is not to say every stateroom is a suite. The ships each have the usual assortment of inside, oceanview, balcony and suite categories. But the ships themselves (there are only two of them) only carry 694 passengers, and each stateroom comes with butler service, a daily fruit basket, fresh cut flowers, 24-hour room service, a sweet surprise on your pillow each evening, afternoon canap???s, complimentary shoe-shine service, a 23" plasma television, personal stationery, Elemis bathroom products, two nights of complimentary specialty dining, new European bedding, and complimentary use of binoculars, umbrellas and plush robes.
People who book suites get, in addition; three nights of complimentary specialty dining (one night in each specialty restaurant), complimentary pressing of their laundry, a 23" plasma television, amenity bar, complimentary in-room nonalcoholic specialty coffees, soda and water, expanded Elemis bathroom amenities, afternoon tea service, a complimentary bottle of champagne and more. All suites have also been updated to include all new carpet and fine furniture.
Azamara focuses on the worldly passenger interested in knowledge and self-improvement. Even on the balmiest afternoon, far fewer fellow passengers are likely to be sunning by the pool than inside listening attentively to a guest expert lecture about destinations, technology, cultural explorations, art, music or design. Topics on tap usually relate to your destination or else cover a topic of more universal interest. Count on lectures on food and wine.
Entertainment options are simple yet diverse musical offerings that range from upbeat dance bands to intimate piano bar entertainers. The showcase theatre features a talented cast of singers and dancers as well as a host of variety entertainers.
Mostly widely-traveled couples in the 40 to 65 age group looking for good service and unusual destinations. Don't expect to see many if any children at all, especially on longer voyages.
The dress code is always resort casual with no scheduled formal nights. Formal attire is welcomed if the guest desires to wear it. No bare feet, tank tops, caps, bathing suits, or jeans are allowed in the dining room or specialty restaurants. Additionally, no tuxedo rentals will be available onboard.
Examples of resort casual attire include sportswear, shorts, casual dresses, skirts, and pants in light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk and wool gabardine for the women. For the men the line recommends sportswear, golf shirts, shorts, pants, and a sportcoat if desired, (but not required) in light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk and wool gabardine.
The focus for Azamara is adventure or intellectual destinations; itineraries will offer the far-reaching corners of the world. Azamara's shore excursions are said to go far beyond an ordinary tour; one must be prepared to be totally and completely immersed in local cultures, cuisines, history and lifestyle.
The brand boasts that each excursion is an experience unto itself solely because the ships visit the ports and cities that larger cruise ship rarely see. Let experienced guides take you down cobblestone streets; or relax in local haunts that far off the beaten path; taste authentic, local cuisine. "Experience life around the world" is part of the new brand identity.
Azamara Cruises will not offer any formal children's programming or have youth staff onboard. If you choose to take your kids, which obviously is not encouraged, you will be pretty much on your own. When in port the shore excursions deemed "easy" are said to be most suitable for families with children. The only other solace kids can look frward to on these ships will be rentals of Sony PSP (Portable PlayStation) units.
Celebrity's Captain's Club will extend to guests who become loyal guests of Azamara. Captain's Club members on Azamara will receive benefits similar to Celebrity. Reciprocal benefits apply between Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean whose Captain's Club program has been extended to cover the new brand, reciprocity benefits remain unchanged. Azamara guests who are Captain's Club members will be credited on their Celebrity's Captain's Club account.
The rewards program for Azamara Cruises is the same as for Celebrity Cruises, you can redeem credit card rewards points for onboard credits or cruise discounts with the exception of having the ability to redeem points for complimentary upgrades and cruises. If you are using your Celebrity Rewards credit card, you will receive double points for any dollars spent while onboard.
For your convenience, a gratuity in recognition of outstanding personal service of $12.25 per Guest, per day, will be automatically added to your SeaPassSM Account. This covers your Butler & Stateroom Attendant as well as all restaurant staff. Since our ships offer multiple open-seating dining venues and you will likely be served by many different staff members during the course of your stay onboard, the restaurant staff allotment is evenly distributed among them.
Please note that Bar & Wine personnel are acknowledged with the standard 18% of the beverages and wines billed for the service rendered.
Carnival Dream - Discount Cruises, Last-Minute Cruises, Short Notice Cruises - Vacations To Go
Travel aboard the innovative Carnival Dream, the largest vessel in the Fun Ship fleet. With elaborate facilities for children of all ages and high-occupancy cabins, the ship is perfect for families. Among the ship??s highlights are the two-level miniature golf course, WaterWorks aqua park, the Piazza??s live music venue and dance floor, and several lounges and bars. Three children??s programs include Camp Carnival for ages 2-11, Circle C for ages 12-14, and Club O2 for teens 15-17. While the kids are enjoying all these programs have to offer, adults have plenty to choose from as well. Visit the elaborate Cloud 9 spa, the resort-style pool or one of several scenic whirlpools extending beyond the ship's beam. For a little privacy, adults on board can also enjoy Serenity, an adults-only retreat. In addition to a variety of traditional staterooms, the Dream offers a new category of cove balcony staterooms, located closer to the water line.
Azamara Cruises, cruise line review, ships of Azamara.
Azamara Cruises is separate brand under the Royal Caribbean International umbrella. The two ships in the company were acquired as part of the acquisition of Spanish cruise operator Pulmatur in 2006. The ships are two of the former Renaissance R-ships, of which eight were built (all identical). At first, the ships were assigned to the Celebrity Expeditions branch of Celebrity Cruises (another cruise line under the Royal Caribbean International umbrella), but it was later decided, quite suddenly, to give these ships their own brand name in order to differentiate what they offer from Celebrity.
As discussed above, Azamara is a spinoff from Celebrity which is owned by Royal Caribbean. Unlike Carnival Corp, where every compnay in the fold is truly independently operated, in this case almost the decision making is done at the very top of the corporate ladder. So, as a brand, Azamara is designed to appeal to the more adventurous traveler who wants the sophistication of the Celebrity ships with the more exotic and adventurous itineraries a smaller ship can offer. Think of a smaller Celebrity ship where every passenger receives suite-like amenities.
This is not to say every stateroom is a suite. The ships each have the usual assortment of inside, oceanview, balcony and suite categories. But the ships themselves (there are only two of them) only carry 694 passengers, and each stateroom comes with butler service, a daily fruit basket, fresh cut flowers, 24-hour room service, a sweet surprise on your pillow each evening, afternoon canap???s, complimentary shoe-shine service, a 23" plasma television, personal stationery, Elemis bathroom products, two nights of complimentary specialty dining, new European bedding, and complimentary use of binoculars, umbrellas and plush robes.
People who book suites get, in addition; three nights of complimentary specialty dining (one night in each specialty restaurant), complimentary pressing of their laundry, a 23" plasma television, amenity bar, complimentary in-room nonalcoholic specialty coffees, soda and water, expanded Elemis bathroom amenities, afternoon tea service, a complimentary bottle of champagne and more. All suites have also been updated to include all new carpet and fine furniture.
Azamara focuses on the worldly passenger interested in knowledge and self-improvement. Even on the balmiest afternoon, far fewer fellow passengers are likely to be sunning by the pool than inside listening attentively to a guest expert lecture about destinations, technology, cultural explorations, art, music or design. Topics on tap usually relate to your destination or else cover a topic of more universal interest. Count on lectures on food and wine.
Entertainment options are simple yet diverse musical offerings that range from upbeat dance bands to intimate piano bar entertainers. The showcase theatre features a talented cast of singers and dancers as well as a host of variety entertainers.
Mostly widely-traveled couples in the 40 to 65 age group looking for good service and unusual destinations. Don't expect to see many if any children at all, especially on longer voyages.
The dress code is always resort casual with no scheduled formal nights. Formal attire is welcomed if the guest desires to wear it. No bare feet, tank tops, caps, bathing suits, or jeans are allowed in the dining room or specialty restaurants. Additionally, no tuxedo rentals will be available onboard.
Examples of resort casual attire include sportswear, shorts, casual dresses, skirts, and pants in light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk and wool gabardine for the women. For the men the line recommends sportswear, golf shirts, shorts, pants, and a sportcoat if desired, (but not required) in light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk and wool gabardine.
The focus for Azamara is adventure or intellectual destinations; itineraries will offer the far-reaching corners of the world. Azamara's shore excursions are said to go far beyond an ordinary tour; one must be prepared to be totally and completely immersed in local cultures, cuisines, history and lifestyle.
The brand boasts that each excursion is an experience unto itself solely because the ships visit the ports and cities that larger cruise ship rarely see. Let experienced guides take you down cobblestone streets; or relax in local haunts that far off the beaten path; taste authentic, local cuisine. "Experience life around the world" is part of the new brand identity.
Azamara Cruises will not offer any formal children's programming or have youth staff onboard. If you choose to take your kids, which obviously is not encouraged, you will be pretty much on your own. When in port the shore excursions deemed "easy" are said to be most suitable for families with children. The only other solace kids can look frward to on these ships will be rentals of Sony PSP (Portable PlayStation) units.
Celebrity's Captain's Club will extend to guests who become loyal guests of Azamara. Captain's Club members on Azamara will receive benefits similar to Celebrity. Reciprocal benefits apply between Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean whose Captain's Club program has been extended to cover the new brand, reciprocity benefits remain unchanged. Azamara guests who are Captain's Club members will be credited on their Celebrity's Captain's Club account.
The rewards program for Azamara Cruises is the same as for Celebrity Cruises, you can redeem credit card rewards points for onboard credits or cruise discounts with the exception of having the ability to redeem points for complimentary upgrades and cruises. If you are using your Celebrity Rewards credit card, you will receive double points for any dollars spent while onboard.
For your convenience, a gratuity in recognition of outstanding personal service of $12.25 per Guest, per day, will be automatically added to your SeaPassSM Account. This covers your Butler & Stateroom Attendant as well as all restaurant staff. Since our ships offer multiple open-seating dining venues and you will likely be served by many different staff members during the course of your stay onboard, the restaurant staff allotment is evenly distributed among them.
Please note that Bar & Wine personnel are acknowledged with the standard 18% of the beverages and wines billed for the service rendered.
Carnival Dream - Discount Cruises, Last-Minute Cruises, Short Notice Cruises - Vacations To Go
Travel aboard the innovative Carnival Dream, the largest vessel in the Fun Ship fleet. With elaborate facilities for children of all ages and high-occupancy cabins, the ship is perfect for families. Among the ship??s highlights are the two-level miniature golf course, WaterWorks aqua park, the Piazza??s live music venue and dance floor, and several lounges and bars. Three children??s programs include Camp Carnival for ages 2-11, Circle C for ages 12-14, and Club O2 for teens 15-17. While the kids are enjoying all these programs have to offer, adults have plenty to choose from as well. Visit the elaborate Cloud 9 spa, the resort-style pool or one of several scenic whirlpools extending beyond the ship's beam. For a little privacy, adults on board can also enjoy Serenity, an adults-only retreat. In addition to a variety of traditional staterooms, the Dream offers a new category of cove balcony staterooms, located closer to the water line.
Bequia, Grenadines
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
Cabrits, Dominica
Cancun (Calica), Mexico
Cancun (Playa del Carmen), Mexico
Cartagena, Colombia
Catalina Island, Dominican Republic
Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic
Charlestown, Nevis
Costa Maya, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
Fort-de-France, Martinique
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands
Gustavia, St. Barthelemy, Guadeloupe
Iles Des Saintes, Guadeloupe
Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
Key West, FL
La Romana (Casa de Campo), Dominican Republic
Labadee, Haiti
Majahual, Mexico
Margarita Island, Venezuela
Mayreau, Grenadines
Merida (Progreso), Mexico
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Nevis, British West Indies
Norman Island, British V.I.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Port Antonio, Jamaica
Portsmouth, Dominica
Roseau, Dominica
Saba, Netherlands Antilles
Samana, Dominican Republic
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
St. Barts
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Kitts
St. Lucia
St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
St. Martin
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Vincent
Tobago Cays, Grenadines
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
We hebben om te starten ook al een reeks extra's toegevoegd aan uw blog, zodat u dit zelf niet meer hoeft te doen. Zo is er een archief, gastenboek, zoekfunctie, enz. toegevoegd geworden. U kan ze nu op uw blog zien langs de linker en rechter kant.
U kan dit zelf helemaal aanpassen. Surf naar http://www.bloggen.be/ en log vervolgens daar in met uw gebruikersnaam en wachtwoord. Klik vervolgens op 'personaliseer'. Daar kan u zien welke functies reeds toegevoegd zijn, ze van volgorde wijzigen, aanpassen, ze verwijderen en nog een hele reeks andere mogelijkheden toevoegen.
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Om een bericht te verwijderen, zoals dit bericht (dit bericht hoeft hier niet op te blijven staan), klikt u in plaats van op 'Toevoegen' op 'Wijzigen'. Vervolgens klikt u op de knop 'Verwijderen' die achter dit bericht staat (achter de titel 'Proficiat!'). Nog even bevestigen dat u dit bericht wenst te verwijderen en het bericht is verwijderd. U kan dit op dezelfde manier in de toekomst berichten wijzigen of verwijderen.
Er zijn nog een hele reeks extra mogelijkheden en functionaliteiten die u kan gebruiken voor uw blog. Log in op http://www.bloggen.be/ en geef uw gebruikersnaam en wachtwoord op. Klik vervolgens op 'Instellingen'. Daar kan u een hele reeks zaken aanpassen, extra functies toevoegen, enz.
WAT IS CONCREET DE BEDOELING??
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- Bijvoorbeeld: u wil een blog maken als dagboek. Dagelijks maakt u een bericht aan met wat u er wenst in te plaatsen, zoals u anders in een dagboek zou plaatsen. Dit kan zijn over wat u vandaag hebt gedaan, wat u vandaag heeft gehoord, wat u van plan bent, enz. Maak een titel en typ het bericht. Zo kunnen bezoekers dagelijks naar uw blog komen om uw laatste nieuwe bericht te lezen en mee uw dagboek te lezen.
- Bijvoorbeeld: u wil een blog maken met plaatselijk nieuws. Met uw eigen blog kan u zo zelfs journalist zijn. U kan op uw blog het plaatselijk nieuws vertellen. Telkens u iets nieuw hebt, plaats u een bericht: u geeft een titel op en typt wat u weet over het nieuws. Dit kan zijn over een feest in de buurt, een verkeersongeval in de streek, een nieuwe baan die men gaat aanleggen, een nieuwe regeling, verkiezingen, een staking, een nieuwe winkel, enz. Afhankelijk van het nieuws plaatst u iedere keer een nieuw bericht. Indien u veel nieuws heeft, kan u zo dagelijks vele berichten plaatsen met wat u te weten bent gekomen over uw regio. Zorg ervoor dat u telkens een nieuw bericht ingeeft per onderwerp, en niet zaken samen plaatst. Indien u wat minder nieuws kan bijeen sprokkelen is uiteraard 1 bericht per dag of 2 berichten per week ook goed. Probeer op een regelmatige basis een berichtje te plaatsen, zo komen uw bezoekers telkens terug.
- Bijvoorbeeld: u wil een blog maken met een reisverslag. U kan een bericht aanmaken per dag van uw reis. Zo kan u in de titel opgeven over welke dag u het gaat hebben, en in het bericht plaatst u dan het verslag van die dag. Zo komen alle berichten onder elkaar te staan, netjes gescheiden per dag. U kan dus op éénzelfde dag meerdere berichten ingeven van uw reisverslag.
- Bijvoorbeeld:
u wil een blog maken met tips op. Dan maakt u telkens u een tip heeft een nieuw bericht aan. In de titel zet u waarover uw tip zal gaan. In het bericht geeft u dan de hele tip in. Probeer zo op regelmatige basis nieuwe tips toe te voegen, zodat bezoekers telkens terug komen naar uw blog. Probeer bvb. 1 keer per dag, of 2 keer per week een nieuwe tip zo toe te voegen. Indien u heel enthousiast bent, kan u natuurlijk ook meerdere tips op een dag ingeven. Let er dan op dat het meest duidelijk is indien u pér tip een nieuw bericht aanmaakt. Zo kan u dus bvb. wel 20 berichten aanmaken op een dag indien u 20 tips heeft voor uw bezoekers.
- Bijvoorbeeld:
u wil een blog maken dat uw activiteiten weerspiegelt. U bent bvb. actief in een bedrijf, vereniging of organisatie en maakt elke dag wel eens iets mee. Dan kan je al deze belevenissen op uw blog plaatsen. Het komt dan neer op een soort van dagboek. Dan kan u dagelijks, of eventueel meerdere keren per dag, een bericht plaatsen op uw blog om uw belevenissen te vertellen. Geef een titel op dat zeer kort uw belevenis beschrijft en typ daarna alles in wat u maar wenst in het bericht. Zo kunnen bezoekers dagelijks of meermaals per dag terugkomen naar uw blog om uw laatste belevenissen te lezen.
- Bijvoorbeeld: u wil een blog maken uw hobby. U kan dan op regelmatige basis, bvb. dagelijks, een bericht toevoegen op uw blog over uw hobby. Dit kan gaan dat u vandaag een nieuwe postzegel bij uw verzameling heeft, een nieuwe bierkaart, een grote vis heeft gevangen, enz. Vertel erover en misschien kan je er zelfs een foto bij plaatsen. Zo kunnen anderen die ook dezelfde hobby hebben dagelijks mee lezen. Als u bvb. zeer actief bent in uw hobby, kan u dagelijks uiteraard meerdere berichtjes plaatsen, met bvb. de laatste nieuwtjes. Zo trek je veel bezoekers aan.
WAT ZIJN DIE "REACTIES"?
Een bezoeker kan op een bericht van u een reactie plaatsen. Een bezoeker kan dus zelf géén bericht plaatsen op uw blog zelf, wel een reactie. Het verschil is dat de reactie niet komt op de beginpagina, maar enkel bij een bericht hoort. Het is dus zo dat een reactie enkel gaat over een reactie bij een bericht. Indien u bvb. een gedicht heeft geschreven, kan een reactie van een bezoeker zijn dat deze het heel mooi vond. Of bvb. indien u plaatselijk nieuws brengt, kan een reactie van een bezoeker zijn dat deze nog iets meer over de feiten weet (bvb. exacte uur van het ongeval, het juiste locatie van het evenement,...). Of bvb. indien uw blog een dagboek is, kan men reageren op het bericht van die dag, zo kan men meeleven met u, u een vraag stellen, enz. Deze functie kan u uitschakelen via "Instellingen" indien u dit niet graag heeft.
WAT IS DE "WAARDERING"?
Een bezoeker kan een bepaald bericht een waardering geven. Dit is om aan te geven of men dit bericht goed vindt of niet. Het kan bvb. gaan over een bericht, hoe goed men dat vond. Het kan ook gaan over een ander bericht, bvb. een tip, die men wel of niet bruikbaar vond. Deze functie kan u uitschakelen via "Instellingen" indien u dit niet graag heeft.
Het Bloggen.be-team wenst u veel succes met uw gloednieuwe blog!
