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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Stock up on vitamins before going on your next cruise - apparently the stomach flu that attacked 220 passengers on a recent Hawaiian cruise is one of the most common illnesses to attack cruisers.

Janice Okubo, the spokeswoman for the Hawaii Department of Health is reported to have said that, “Most of the time, people recover.” We assume she means that they recover onboard. We hope so, anyway.

Passengers aboard this particular ill-fated voyage were asked to remain in their rooms for 24 hours while the ship was sanitized, and were given $200 worth of on-ship credit for their inconvenience.

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I suppose this could be included with that classic debate about American tourism and adhering to foreign laws.  

 Apparently, in Grenada, an island sustained in large part by its tourist draw, it is illegal for same sex couples to display affection toward one another.  A law apparently never crossed until a recent gaggle of tourists offended local sensibilities by being gay and on vacation.

  I’d imagine there was some serious hand holding going on in the streets of Grenada.  Perhaps a kiss or two over a golden sunset, because hey, that’s what happens in the Caribbean.  And that’s fine, as long as you’re a heterosexual couple. 

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Coca Cola and Carnival Cruise Lines have teamed up to create an environment especially for teens aboard their “Fun Ships,” with Club 02 (think member’s club, not night club).

Club 02 focuses on cruisers between 15 and 17, and provides them with age appropriate onboard events (like a karaoke lounge and reality show-esque challenges), and off board excursions under a teen group leader where they can experience the ports of the trip with their own age group.

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Cruises often have at least three dining options: the multi star restaurant on the top deck, the common area restaurant that most patrons frequent, and the International buffet usually full of high schoolers and older folks who want an easy meal.

I’m here to tell you the international buffet should not be ignored, avoided, or even treated as a last-stop. Here is part of your cruising experience. A chance make your mom try sushi for the first time, or have baklava on the same plate as your pizza. It can be part of your storytelling experience to tell your friends you tried kangaroo.

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Sure, the holiday season is supposed to be all about crackling fires and cuddly family gatherings around homecooked meals. We all aim for this ideal, gathering ornaments to hang and chestnuts to roast, but despite our best efforts, the result is often a few points short of that glowing classical standard.

Hollywood has made a bundle playing off of the typical chaos that generally reigns in the household under the stress of preparing mountains of food and the perfect environment for family gathering. The fall/winter holiday season has almost become synonymous with high-tension squabbles and weeks upon weeks of preparation for a day or two of payoff.

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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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