There were eight of us enjoying the Cunard Queen Mary 2’s 4D Presidents Weekend sailing to the Bahamas on 15-19 February . Here’s the list of favorite things:

photo credit: rrreynoldshome

1. Britannia Restaurant: is the main dining room where the majority of passengers enjoy their meals. This beautiful multi-level room offered great service, selection, and presentation. Plus, Cunard does a great job with the variety of offerings.

2. Cabin Stewards: Excellent, friendly service including tidying up clothes along with keeping the cabin and bathroom very clean.

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Over one million people sailed from New York’s three ports (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty, Bayonne, NJ) in 2007, according to the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and that number is expected to increase in 2008.

photo credit: Lauren Murphy

Since 9/11 the number of ships and passengers increased to the point that additional berthing facilities were opened in Red Hook, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey. Today every major cruise line has several ships that home port in New York for extended seasons of voyages ranging from a one-day party cruise to a 100+-day circumnavigation of the globe.

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Bodrum Gokova yacht cruises are a favorite of tourists who vacation in the resort town of Bodrum, in Turkey. This highly popular Mediterranean resort is situated on the Gulf of Gokova’s northern coast. Since all Bodrum yacht cruises leave from this marvelous city, there’s no need to choose between the two.

photo credit: bensonkua

The islands off Turkey’s coast are dotted all over the Gulf of Gokova, and a week will fly by as you try to explore all of them. The translucent water allows you to view the marine life beneath the water without difficulty. On Bodrum Gokova yacht cruises you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, or just basking in the sun with your favorite drink.

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A cruise excursion can be an exciting and interesting part of any cruise. You get to see the local sights and participate in enjoyable activities. However, people sometimes have trouble taking pleasure in the fun of the excursions because they have not prepared properly. Others have their trips ruined by careless actions while on shore. There are some things you can do to help your excursions run smoothly.

Gather What You Need

It is always irritating when you get off the ship and find that you have forgotten something important. You will do best if you think out what you will need for any given shore excursion. Sunscreen is almost always needed, no matter what the outing. Then, you will have to think about appropriate clothing for the activity.

Image by: hrtmnstrfr

Many people get out and suddenly remember that they have forgotten their cameras. You will want a video record of your trip. Bring your camera or camcorder and if it is appropriate, an underwater camera is a great thing to have. Also make sure you have whatever you need for your camera - film for a 35mm or batteries for a digital camera.

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So, you want to know how much cruises cost and whether they’re worth the money.

Really, it all depends on how much of a bargain hunter you are. Cruise costs overall can vary by as much as 200%, but you have to remember that you always get what you pay for. Having a stateroom to yourself vs. sharing a cabin will cost more. Going to a remote destination at the height of tourist season will cost more. Cheap cruises aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. But there are certainly ways to get great deals for those who know how to shop!

Fortunately, even if you don’t want to spend a lot of time trying to find the best deal, you’re not going to get ripped off or taken advantage of.

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From the great mountains of the Alps to the beaches of the French Riviera, and from the rolling fruit orchards of Normandy to the 1001 castles of the Dordogne there is always something new for the visitor to France to discover.

The most popular way to visit France has long been to stay in a gite - a self-catering holiday rental property. These offer many advantages, including the chance to stay in a typical French house in peaceful surroundings, and the freedom to enjoy the countryside at leisure, with no set meal times to follow.

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On November 23rd, at 5:24am the cruise liner MV Explorer hit ice, causing the haul to create a hole and take on water. There were 150 passengers aboard the MV Exporer and they all had to be evacuated from the ship. Luckily, the NordNorge, another cruise liner, swung by and picked up the passengers. None of the passengers aboard the MV Explorer were injured, but I’m assuming they know what it felt like to be on the Titanic. Brrrr….

Here’s an excerpt from THE INDEPENDENT about the collision:

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For a few a Caribbean Cruise is a common holiday option, but for most it is a once in a life time opportunity; a dream come true. With this being the case, it is vital to take the steps available in order to guarantee a good time for all, and assure an ultimately successful and satisfying experience.

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The Caribbean is a fantastic place to visit with its various activities and beautiful scenery. It offers tropical rainforests, waterfalls, white beaches and magnificently blue water. Anyone traveling to the Caribbean will want to see as much of this rich tropical scenery as possible. Caribbean Cruises can help you do just that.

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Florida is experiencing a massive decline in passengers for cruises around the Caribbean. Have the “Pirates of the Caribbean” scared off summer families wanting to visitor the murky Atlantic? Maybe so.

Port officials say the fall-off could be traced to a decline in the day-cruise business, competition from gambling venues on land such as Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and consumers preferring to visit European ports of call, not Caribbean.

The Caribbean in the last 12 months has not been as attractive as it has been in the past,” said Carlos Buqueras, Port Everglades director of business development.

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