The best time of the year to visit….

I can’t tell you how many times a customer will ask us what the best time of the year is to go to their destination. What’s interesting is that it isn’t just a matter of seasons being different in the tropics–there’s weather patterns that are very different in Fiji vs. Tahiti vs. Hawaii vs. the Caribbean…and I’m not just talking about hurricanes. Pricing varies a lot between low season and high season, and it’s very important to know EXACTLY when low season starts, as sometimes moving your departure date for your honeymoon just a few days can save you 20% or so on your air and hotel.

Of course we’ve written about this in each of our travel guides in a lot of detail, so here’s the links straight to those pages for your convenience:

• Best time to go to Hawaii
• Best time to go to Tahiti
• Best time to go to Fiji
• Best time to go to the Cook Islands

The Green Bride Guide

The eco trend of reduce, reuse and recycle has entered the famously over-the-top wedding space. One bride, Kate L. Harrison, as incorporated her experiences on planning a green wedding into a book, the Green Bride Guide. It’s not due out until the start of the 2008 engagement season – the holidays – but she’s blogging with plenty of eco wedding advice. My favorite suggestion of hers so far is the time-consuming but beautiful use of small-increment stamps.

Take a Honeymoon Break: Relax on an Alaska Cruise

Are you stressed out by your wedding plans? You should consider a relaxing Alaskan cruise for your honeymoon destination. If you are like most people today, your life is very fast paced. Planning your wedding is like adding in another job on top of all the other details and pressures of your everyday life.

If you observe others around you, you’ll see they aren’t much different. They often end up fatigued. They take no time to relax. They sacrifice even their precious sleeping time until their body gives in to the accumulated pressures and stress.

Many times, you skip meals or eat in a rush. Are you are always watching the clock, your  appointment pad, or planner to juggle it all and fit it all in?

Don’t you know that keeping to the fast rhythm of life without a break could result in some time you can not afford off work sick, or worse, to the grave?  Mental and physical fatigue accumulated, but ignored through the years could make you ill.

Wait! Work, call the caterer, work, call the photographer. Doesn’t it sound like too much? Why not give yourself a break on your honeymoon?

Life need not to be lived at a fast pace. After all, life is better enjoyed when regular breaks are squeezed into the day to day pressure of one’s job or chosen endeavor.

You can do plenty of relaxation activities during your spare time. If you are planning to make it more exciting and fun, Alaska could be the best choice for you.

Alaskan cruises are divided into three categories of packages. Each of the packages will give you an enchanting experience that you find only in Alaska. Here are the types of cruise packages you can expect to find available:

• Alaska Inland Cruise – you will have the chance to visit all the wonders that can be found in the inland passage of Alaska and even enjoy some kayaking destinations. You will surely be captivated with icebergs and glaciers.

• Alaska Day Cruise – here, you will have a clearer view of specific areas of Alaska. You will visit one location on a day cruise. You can come face to face with a huge wall of ice in Alaska from the warmth of the boat facilities.

• Alaska Celebrity Cruise – this is the so-called first class cruise in Alaska. You will also experience more royal treatment with the celebrity cruise. On the other hand, this is the most expensive among all Alaskan cruises.

The usual attractions that cruisers love about Alaska are the humpback whales, sailing the Fjords and glaciers. You can have an actual view of these depending on the package that you have chosen.

In addition, nothing can also be compared to the magic of Alaska cruises. This is one place where you can find mystery of ice and wildlife side by side. You also have the opportunity of go sailing amongst the icebergs.

The package that you choose will also help determine the length of your stay in Alaska. The seven-day cruise is one of the most popular choices. This is enough time for you to explore the entire variety of Alaska points of interest. However, the length of your stay can also be extended to 14 days or the two-week cruise.

You have the ability to choose the size of the ship where you can be most comfortable. Sometimes, it is more preferable to ride inside on smaller ships with lesser number of   passengers. You can have closer, less crowded vista.

On the bigger ships with more than a thousand of passengers, it is harder for you to get away from the crowd, get a closer look, and even experience the glaciers firsthand. However, the larger ship has more luxurious amenities and a slower pace. The smaller day ships can be more exciting and thrilling because of their speed.

You will need to plan ahead to have the chance of choosing the best package. Find the best package that will fit your honeymoon needs. Alaska Cruise is also offering amazing trips by helicopter that actually land on the glaciers. If you want to give yourself an adventure, you can also take a walk on the glaciers.

Your honeymoon Alaskan cruise will be an unforgettable experience and relaxing reward after all the wedding planning.

What are you waiting for? Leave your worries in life behind and enjoy an honeymoon Alaskan Cruise!

Hit the Best Cruise Deals

Are you thinking about taking a Cruising Honeymoon and are trying to find the best cruise deals out there? Check out Cruise Directs websites and find the best travel deal for your honeymoon destination to almost anywhere in the world!

Actually, cruise liners have taken the travel industry by storm during the previous season for the past year. In fact, according to the statistics of the number of cruisers who visit the country, it ranges between 8 to 9 million passengers have enjoyed with the luxurious cruise liners. That was the record for the year 2005 alone.

Despite of the lavish and expensive worth of cruising many American people still want to engage themselves with the activity. The industry analysts arrive at a presumption that the numbers of passengers will double this year.

As early as now, the cruising companies start to think of the new itineraries and travel packages that they can offer the passengers for this year’s cruising activity. They need to make a change so that the passengers will feel new thrill and excitement.

The cruising lines also suffer from grave competitions. More than one cruising liner introduces the best purchasing options and competitive prices. They make it a point that they have their own style of gathering passengers. Since most of the passengers do not mind for the worth anymore, you can bring them a luxurious travel as long as they find the trip comfortable.

Reality shows that the perfect months for cruising fall on the month of January, February and March. This is considered as the “wave period” for the cruise lines. They prefer this type because it can boost the adventure of the trip. The big waves move the cruising ships. This makes their adrenaline rise.

Moreover, for the past year it was also on the months of January to March when they get the most loaded bookings. There was an increase of 35% also on their sales, which is almost half-additional profit that they have.

During the peak season, it is the right timing for you to avail the greatest deals bargained by the cruising lines. It is a natural tendency for the companies to compete for every passenger that can come along their way. This is also the season when they offer their hottest deals.

Each cruising line companies have their individual strategies. Some are giving incentives for the passengers, extra drink, blackberries and sometimes phones. This is specifically entitled for the specific packages.

Make sure that when you search for the cruising line, you have exerted more than enough time in deciding. This will help you find out the cruising line that can cater all your needs as a passenger. You can also browse newspapers and magazines and search on the traveling site the leading companies that air their advertisement of the most highlighted features they have such as special discounts. If you do not prefer reading in print ads, you can surf over the net.

Locate the website of these companies online. You can search all the information that you need on their sites. Majority of the largest cruising line companies provide for their own website.

Immediately after you find out your preferred cruising line, you can now make a call. Do not forget to mention your name, age and the state where you are residing. You can also open up to them whether you are going to travel alone or with a group.

It is also more helpful if you will tell them that you had your previous travel in their cruising line. Some companies give special grants to this kind of status. This is also included in their cruise deals. All these factors can help you to avail bigger discounts.

There are times that it is more advantageous if you will have a direct contact with the agents. They know more about the do’s and don’ts that you need to consider. They are also more aware of the details in cruising line.

Going direct to the website and locking in the cheapest pass can provide you the best cruise that you look for. Almost all cruise direct websites offer a “special” so be sure to pick the one you think you will enjoy the most. Considering the competition that also exists in getting clients, the agents work hard before they can get a great deal with the client. They can offer you lesser costs for consultation fee than the actual quotes of the company.

Avail the best cruise deal!

7 Safety Tips when Riding in a Foreign Taxi

If you are going overseas on your honeymoon, or to any foreign country, taxis will be part of your trip. Chances are you will not be renting a car. The hotel shuttles we are all accustomed to here in the US are a rarity in foreign countries. Riding a taxi can generally be safe. It’s at least safer than journeying through the subway with your luggage and other travel paraphernalia.

But lets be honest, there are things, bad things, that can happen when riding in a foreign taxi. You’ve probably heard the reports of kidnappings by taxi drivers in the news. If you’ve spent the last year of your life planning your wedding, had your big wedding day, then hopped a plane and flown several hours to your honeymoon destination, you are going to be very tired and very probably jet lagged. In this state, your normal street defenses are very likely to be impaired and small details that you normally would notice as red flags may escape you. Before boarding any kind of vehicle, consider your safety first and then be alert about your surroundings when traveling. The good thing, in this case, is there are two of you– if you both use your common sense, you will be safe.

Tip # 1 – Locate a taxi stand.

If you just came out of the airport, you can easily find taxi stands in and around the area. It will be a bit similar to what you have in your country. You just look for the line of taxis under a sign that you probably won’t be able to read and that will probably be it. If unsure, ask a policeman or security guard. In general terms, only cabs that are authorized by the government to board passengers are the ones that can park under these stands. This also means that the taxi driver is licensed. Never let drivers that are aggressive bully you into riding with them. They might have a more sinister intention than bringing you to your honeymoon destination.

Tip # 2 – Know something about the place where you’re heading.

You should have some general idea regarding how to reach your hotel or lodging destination. You can find foreign city maps on line, or you can contact the property where you are staying and ask for general directions. A few minutes invested in planning at home can prevent you from being taken advantage of there. Try to avoid shortcuts because this can confuse your memory and lead to other streets that you are unfamiliar with. Notice what direction you are traveling in. If you know from asking that your hotel is south and the taxi is going north be determined to ask about it. Otherwise, be prepared to make the cab stop if something seems wrong. As a last resort, jump out of your seat and ask for help.

Tip # 3 – Pay attention to cab similarities.

Look at the color of the taxi. Is it the same as the others? Do they have certain similarities that can reassure you that the cab is really safe? You can never trust a taxi that seems different from the others because in some places, thieves use fake cabs to get your money or sometimes more.

Tip # 4 – Keep your belongings close.

If you’re traveling abroad most likely you will have a lot of big, heavy luggage. It is probably not going to be possible for both of you and your luggage to be inside the cab. But at the very least, keep your carry ons with all your valuables and important papers inside with you. Keep them very close to you. Losing your papers and money in a foreign country is a far more serious matter than losing your luggage in case anything bad happens. This is why you should be very careful when selecting your cab in the first place.

Tip # 5 – Note phone numbers.

Taxi companies love advertising. That is why legitimate taxis are always plastered with company numbers either on the trunk, doors and roofs. Never get into a taxi that doesn’t have the company’s phone number on its interior or exterior surface.

Tip # 6 – Sharing alert.

Sharing your cab with someone can minimize your expenses and might give you a false sense of safety. Generally, you should not agree if your taxi driver wants someone to share with you no matter how
peaceful the stranger looks – especially in foreign countries. You could end up being kidnapped becausethe peaceful-faced stranger is wearing a mask and is actually a monster in league with the cab driver.

Tip # 7 – Pay attention to the door handle.

Open the door to the cab and check the inside door handle before allowing your luggage to be loaded into the trunk. Do not ride in a taxi when the door handle inside is malfunctioning or is broken. It would be very difficult for you to escape a predicament with a busted cab door.

Always have an emergency line where you can call local officials. When you are setting up your honeymoon trip abroad, be sure to ask for these numbers and check with your cell phone provider that your phone will have service where you’re journeying. If you use your common sense and plan ahead, especially in foreign countries, you will honeymoon safely.

Why Honeymoon on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Cruising is considered one of the luxurious vacation treats you can give to yourself for your honeymoon. Although often considered luxurious (which is synonymous for expensive), the idea of sailing on a cruise ship to majestic and wonderful honeymoon destinations is perfect. Different cruise lines offer variety of cruise packages. These will appeal to both rich and average clients.

If you are considering a honeymoon cruise vacation, then you might consider the option of sailing with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. They offer great vacation treats without any tricks!! There will always be a wide variety of options for you. They are one of the most reputable cruise lines in the industry, and the amenities that they are providing to their passengers on-board the ship are all rated first-class.

If you are unfamiliar with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, you might think that its cruise ships are only targeting the Caribbean. You will be delighted to learn, they also include different locations like Alaska, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Hawaii, Europe, Mexico, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, the Panama Canal, and the transatlantic destinations in their cruise itineraries, as well.

They also have some great cruise tours, which include an escorted land tour that can be booked to occur before or after your cruise. You travel by first-class motor coach or train and gives you the option to see more of the country to which you are traveling.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is operated by the Royal Caribbean International which is based in Miami, Florida. It has a total of 19 ships in service and two more that are under construction. All their ships have names ending in “of the Seas”.

Each of their ships includes the signature top-of-ship lounge known as Viking Crown Lounge which offers you a panoramic view. It also has a program called Adventure Ocean that is intended for kids on-board.

So what are the best deals that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines offer to its passengers? First, are the informative lectures about your honeymoon destination and the ship itself. You will be given a tour around the cruise ship where you will find lots of amenities on-board such as ice skating rinks and on-board Casino. You will not be missing your classic Pachinko game in Las Vegas.

What about relaxing your whole body? There is an on-board massage center and spa that will make your body feel relaxed. There is also an acupuncture center, where you can experience the Chinese style of massaging and healing.

As mentioned earlier, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines also features the Adventure Ocean Youth Program for your kids. It includes Fisher-Price Aqua babies and Aqua Tots for toddlers. There is a children-friendly rock-climbing wall that will surely make your children happy. They will be pre-occupied by their own activities while you are on a land tour.

Cruising for disabled or elderly persons is not a problem. Their cruise ships are designed to cater to the needs of aged or mobility-impaired passengers. Cruise ship staff are also ready to attend to their needs as well. There are also medical services for everybody on-board, which includes an emergency clinic with CPR equipment placed on all of their ships. This is staffed by an English-speaking doctor and nurses.

Dining activities are also one of the major attractions when you go on-board with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. They offer a wide variety of culinary delicacies- Italian, Southern, European—these can be found in their dining facilities, either in the cafeteria or in the main dining area.

You’ll find you have a couple of simple ways to book your honeymoon cruise. All you have to do is to log on to travel agent’s online and ask them to book you on a cruise. You can also go direct to the official Royal Caribbean Cruise Line website. They are offering discounts on varying destinations and amazing specials designed to fill up empty spaces on the ship. Whether you book early or late, there are great deals reserved for you on every honeymoon destination that you might choose. You may even get a discount for choosing them for your honeymoon travel. Be sure to ask!

With these pleasant and first-class services at affordable prices, there is no reason for you not to consider the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines when choosing your honeymoon cruise.

All-Inclusive Honeymoon Destination

An all-inclusive honeymoon destination is a fun and convenient way to spend a vacation together. You spend a week or two with your new spouse in an exciting, often exotic location, without worries about schedule, planning, transportation, or calculating those annoying extra costs. You pay once, and enjoy the rest.

Planning an all-inclusive honeymoon destination is often half the fun. Even before you book it you can work out loads of exciting vacation ideas based on the world’s most famous all-inclusive resorts that fit your budget.

Popular all inclusive honeymoon destination favorites include Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. Other great destinations include Rocky Mountain ski resorts and Disneyland in California or Florida. Transatlantic trips are less popular, but can also be an adventure.

The best way to please you both is to plan an all-inclusive honeymoon destination with your Fiancé. Take enough time now to plan your honeymoon, as you will have fun together as a newly wed couple, learn more about the world around you, and at the same time get the most from your vacation.

The first thing that you need to do when planning a trip to an all-inclusive resort is to be clear on your location choices. Time and budget restrictions will be factors. Certain times of the year are better for vacationing families than others. For example, when you plan going to Florida, you should prepare to spend twice than average for hotel or even bed-and-breakfast accommodation during the school vacation periods. A cruising honeymoon destination might also be an option as they are also all inclusive mostly expect for alcohol and larger tours.

Among the busiest holidays with the highest tourist traffic are long weekends, Easter week, Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. April to May and September to November are the best times to take an all-inclusive honeymoon destination, especially if you are flexible, because rates are much more affordable than during the high seasons.

When picking an all-inclusive honeymoon destination, make sure you check what is included in the price of the package. All-inclusive honeymoon vacations can be expensive, but most people agree that you get lots of fun for the money. In most cases, the price of the package includes accommodation, basic activities, sports and leisure equipment, meals, alcohol, and transportation to places of interest and an airport coach. Never be shy about asking for a honeymooner’s discount – sometimes the company can offer you one even if it is not listed. You can further lower the costs by taking a smaller hotel suite.

All-inclusive rates provide convenience and comfort both for parents and kids. With a little creativity, vacation planning can be a fun, exciting, and an educational way to spend some wonderful time together with the end result being your first great vacation enjoyed as a newlywed couple.

What to Expect Inside a Cruise Ship

A vacation means freeing yourself from hassle and worries. It is important that you consider a honeymoon destination that will free you from these things and make the entire trip easy on you.

You should not tire yourself driving a hundred miles just to relax at a particular place. You should not be bothering about dragging around your bulky luggage. And, you should not be bothered by having to worry about what to do to have fun. This is what honeymoon vacation means.

If you want to have a honeymoon destination with great options, you might consider taking a If you have never been to one before and you are not sure whether it would be perfect for you, read on. The answer to those doubts are here.

Before your cruising honeymoon, certain cruise lines or vacation packages can arrange some pre-cruise vacation time. It includes passengers staying a few days on the place of the departure and having some guided tours and such along the way.

For instance, if your departure point is at Los Angeles, you can visit famous places there such as the Hollywood and the Venice Beach.

On the day of the cruise departure, you will be brought to the pier where your cruise ship is waiting for you. It could take anywhere from 45 minutes plus to check-in your luggage and board the ship. You can take some time to explore the cruise ship and mee your room steward. After a short while your luggage should be placed in your cabin room.

After unpacking and arranging your things, you can now take a real tour on-board the ship. Most cruise ships have large balconies so that you will be free on having some strolls outside.

Some items to consider- You can enjoy several relaxing moments in the spa. If you feel that you want to be healthy while on-board, there is a fitness center filled with exercise equipments.

There are swimming pools aboard, both for adults and kids. Deck chairs and benches are also provided if you just want to watch your children enjoying the water in the pool.

Entertainment is also present in your cruising vacation. A state-of-the-art theater is provided for on-board entertainment. Different shows like Hollywood films and children-oriented programs are lined-up.

In case you are looking for a different entertainment, you can go to several theme bars and disco with live music open until the wee hours of the morning.

If you want to try your luck, then there is an on-board casino where it features different games just like what you see in Las Vegas.

If you are just missing your shopping routine every week, there is also a shopping center where you can find personal items and other stuffs that you need while you are on-board.

Library and recreation centers are also placed inside the cruise ship if you are fond of reading books or want to catch the latest news in business and in sports. Coffee shops are open 24 hours a day to serve passengers who wants to have a light talk.

Foods are one of the vital services offered by cruise lines. The best chefs across different continents are hired to prepare and cook excellent cuisines to ensure that your on-board dining experience will be truly memorable.

There are formal dining areas, which has a formal dress code. Foods are served in a special way—a first class dining service.

In case you are looking for some informal style of dining, there are also snack bars, cafeteria, and a pizza parlor on-board, which generally open for meals on extended hours. All of these foods are covered in the cruise prices.

Cruise itineraries generally include stops at different ports each or every other day, depending on the schedule of a cruise line you are sailing with.

You have the option in either stay aboard the ship or you may disembark to join other passengers on a guided tour. You are also free to explore on each stop on your own as long as you return to the ship before the scheduled departure time.

Booking a is just simple. You can check into the services of a travel agency or log on to the official site of a particular cruise line directly online.

You can search through information about destinations and cruise packages that are affordable. Discounts and special offers are also available for passengers.

Your Dream Mediterranean Cruise!

A cruising honeymoon to the  Mediterranean is without doubt the most varied type of cruise available. There are more than 120 seaports around the Mediterranean coastline, offering numerous combinations of cruise vacations over one-week, two-week or longer trips.

A huge clash of cultures await all who opt for a Mediterranean cruise. You can visit no less than 17 different countries, including such nations as Spain, Italy, Greece and Egypt. Each nation has its own unique attractions, all of which you can sample as your cruise ship gracefully sails around the calm blue Mediterranean Sea during your cruising honeymoon trip.

More than 50 companies offer cruises along varied routes in the Mediterranean. Some companies specialize in providing Western Mediterranean cruises, concentrating on ports of call around Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Morocco. Other companies offer Eastern Mediterranean cruises which take in Croatia, Greece, Turkey and countries in the Middle East.

Popular specialist Mediterranean cruises include a tour of the North African nations, a Mediterranean islands cruise that visits the island nations of Cyprus and Malta, as well as cruises around the Greek Islands. If you’re after a longer vacation, it is possible to arrange a cruise itinerary that takes you around most if not all of the Mediterranean nations.

History, culture, grand cities, ancient monuments, romantic islands and breathtaking views are all within easy reach on a Mediterranean cruise. In the Western Mediterranean you can discover the traditional white Andalucian villages of Southern Spain, sample the world-famous Manzanilla sherry in Cadiz and visit the cultural hub of Europe in the shape of Barcelona, before traveling onwards to the French Riviera.

A cruise that takes in the wonderful coastline of Italy yields such treasures as the dormant volcano of Mt Vesuvius, ancient Pompeii and the stunning city of Rome. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia hold many delights too on a Western Mediterranean cruise..

In the Eastern Mediterranean, cruise passengers can discover the spectacular Croatian coastline and its beautiful city – Dubrovnik, before diving southeastwards to sample classical Greece and its sultry islands. The island of Crete is always worth a visit, if only for the historic Palace of Knossos..

A visit to the holy city of Jerusalem is a worthwhile excursion from both Israeli ports – Haifa and Ashdod – on a Mediterranean cruise of the Middle East. Egypt’s Port Said is well worth a visit too. Port Said provides access to the world famous Suez Canal, which takes vessels into the Red Sea and onwards in to the Arabian Sea..

The Mediterranean region has seen many a civilization rise and fall. It is a crucible of human evolution and is rich in relics left over by more than 6,000 years of occupation. If you’ve ever wanted to discover what it felt like to be an Egyptian pharaoh, Roman warrior or a Greek philosopher, a Mediterranean cruise can give you just that opportunity.

An Upscale Budget Honeymoon?

Budget honeymoons can become a necessity. Couples often find by the time they have doled out funds for all the other parts of the wedding…the wedding funds are pretty much spoken for when they get down to the actual business of planning their honeymoon. With a little imagination and some creative thinking, you will be surprised how upscale a budget honeymoon can be.

A cruising honeymoon is often surprisingly affordable. Because lodging, food, entertainment, and activities are all included, a cruise honeymoon often works out to be very reasonable. All you need is a budget airfare to the starting point of the cruise.

Most couples already have an apartment or a house. There are numerous reputable home exchange programs. You can trade the use of your home with another party in another city—or even another country or continent for the use of theirs in their locale.

Your honeymooning destination in the off-season can be another option. Fall or winter at a beach resort is definitely much less expensive than in full summer. You may even find all-inclusive packages exclusively for off-season visitors.

The Disney Company has an amusement park on each coast. Very nice packages are available for either. If you visit the one closest to your own location…your travel expenses can be kept to a minimum. Both parks are also near the coast and many other sites of interest.

With these options available, a budget honeymoon won’t be *cheap* or disappointing.

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