Flight and Cruise

So you've worked your neck off, and vacation time is finally here. There are many options and ideas for vacations. So much to see, explore, and enjoy around the world these days, and it's easier, more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. An excellent vacation idea is a cruise. A cruise ship truly offers a unique and unforgettable experience of sailing the sea or ocean around popular cities and resorts and making stops to explore different places. A cruise ship is basically a moving hotel with world class amenities and accommodations from comfortable guests rooms with breathtaking water views, to great dinning and entertainment options and much more. A cruise is the ideal vacation trip for all, whether it's a special occasion for a couple such as anniversary or honeymoon, or fun time for the entire family. So come on board one on of the grand and colossal cruise ships that will take you for an amazing and memorable journey.

Just as with any vacation service, there is a variety of choices for the consumer looking for a cruise. Today, the largest cruise lines operators in the world are operated by Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The Carnival Corporation operates a total of eleven (11) including Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Iberocruceros, Seabourn Cruise Line, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, Ocean Village, and Carnival Air Lines. Royal Caribbean operates the five (5) cruise lines of Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Azamara Cruises and CDF Croisières de France. Both the Carnival and Royal Caribbean operators provide cruises all over the world, in the most spectacular and scenic destinations. Whether it's Asia or the pacific, Caribbean or south America, Europe or North America, there are cruises available in all of these regions. The third largest operator of cruise lines is Star Cruises, which dominates the Asia-Pacific Market with destinations of Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Additionally, Star Cruises owns a portion of Norwegian Cruise Lines. From a North American market perspective, Norwegian Cruise Lines is very popular mainly because of its Freestyle cruising concept. So when searching for the perfect cruise line, you can explore a wide selection of the sixteen cruise lines operated by Carnival and Royal Caribbean. But for now, let's explore in full detail Norwegian Cruise Lines, due to its unique character.

Norwegian Cruise Lines started under the name under the name Norwegian Caribbean Line in 1966. The signature features of Norwegian Cruise Lines is its Freestyle Cruising concept, which means that there are no set times or seating arrangements for meals, nor is formal attire required. This freestyle feature is very popular among many cruise lines passengers, providing that sense of freedom and relaxation. Norwegian Cruise Lines is owned by Star Cruises and Apollo Management, with each company owning half of the Norwegian Cruise Lines. Today, Norwegian Cruise Lines is based in Miami, where many of its cruise ships embark and disembark in the port of Miami. Miami also happens to host the headquarters of the other two cruise line giants Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers cruises to more than 150 destinations on five continents. The cruise line packages include Alaska, Bahamas & Florida, Canada and New England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera Cruises, Panama Canal, South America, Pacific Coastal, and Weekend Cruises. A cruise line typically leaves from one port city, sails the ocean or sea, stops at featured destinations along the cruise, and returns to the same port, or sometimes a different port. Norwegian Cruise Lines offers shore excursions, or activities in places that the ships makes stops along the cruise.

The first order of business is to get to the point of embarkation, or where the cruise ship is scheduled to leave. In some cruises, the ship leaves and comes back to the same city, while in other cases the ship leaves from one city and comes back to another. For example, you may leave on a Caribbean cruise from New York, but arrive at Miami. Or you preferred cruise leaves only from Miami. This situation usually forces cruise goers to fly, either at least once such as in the New York case, or twice (there & back home) such as in the Miami only case. Norwegian Cruise Lines provides complementary transportation services, such as reduced airfare and pickups and returns to airports. Typically, a flight and cruise experience happens, so it's important to make the proper arrangements beyond just the cruise.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has the youngest fleet in the world, and that means it provides the best accommodations, safety, the newest innovations at sea and with Freestyle Cruising. The fleet of cruise ships of NCL includes Norwegian Majesty, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Split, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, and Norwegian Jade. The oldest cruise ship is the Majesty, built in 1992, and the most recent cruise ship is the Gem, built in 2007. Overall, most Norwegian Cruise Lines were introduced in the new millennium.

For example purposes, let's explore a specific cruise offered by Norwegian Cruise Lines to get a better idea about this wonderful experience. NCL offers several Caribbean cruise options, varying in duration, departures, stops, and arrivals. A 7 Day Eastern Caribbean Round-trip is offered by the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship. Ley's take a look at what the itinerary of this Caribbean cruise looks like. You leave on a Saturday from Port of Miami, spend Sunday at sea, stop at Samana on Monday, St. Thomas on Tuesday, Tortola on Wednesday, spend Thursday sailing at sea, stop at Great Strirrup Cay on Friday, and return to the port of Miami on Saturday. During the cruise, many exciting activities and sightseeing are offered at the shore excursions. For example, Shore excursions at St. Thomas include Coral World, The of St. Thomas and St. John Beach Escape. For about three hours, you get the opportunity to enjoy these wonderful offering at St. Thomas, and then you are back on board on your Norwegian Pearl cruise ship.

While on board on the Norwegian Pearl, you will find plenty to do and relax. Dining options include 12 restaurants offering diverse cuisines and atmospheres, including the popular Lotus Garden Asian Restaurant, or Le Bistro French Restaurants or La Cucina Italian Restaurant. With 11 lounges/bars, there is plenty of space to hang out and have a drink, including at the Shakers Martini & Cocktails Bar or Biss Ultra Lounge & Night Club. So dining, drinking and nightlife is covered on this Caribbean cruise. Norwegian Pearl offers plenty of opportunities to play and have fun with over a dozen facilities such as Bowling alley, fitness center, spa, art gallery and internet café, library, pearl club casino, Corona Cigar Bar, and more. Let the kids have fun at the kid's pool, aqua kids club and the video arcade. As you can see, there is something for everyone at this Caribbean getaway, all on the spectacular cruise ship, the Pearl.

The rooms available at this 7 Day Eastern Caribbean Round Trip include the Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, or Suite. Additionally, these staterooms are divided into different categories or sections on the ship, such as the deck level. Therefore the same type of room may go at different prices depending on the category. For example, an Oceanview room in CC category costs over $800 per person while a G category costs $700.