subject: Go Aboard To Score The Most Luxurious Vacation Sightseeing Through Calm Stretches Of Water On Cruise [print this page] Preparing for Mediterranean Cruises Preparing for Mediterranean Cruises
Where do you start when planning those Mediterranean cruises?Determine what kind of vacation you would like to have; are you going by yourself, with friends, or with your children?Next, set your budget; ask yourself how much you are willing to spend for the cruise. You can choose between peak and off-season travel; you will have to pay higher rates but you get to cruise in great weather conditions during peak season but you can get great discounts and avoid huge crowds if you travel off-season. Know the places in the Mediterranean that you would like to see such as the Greek Islands or the French Riviera. You also need to figure out the pace of the cruise; would you like to see as many places as possible or would you prefer to stay for a few days in one port to do some exploring and soak up the culture as much as you can?Your preferences will help you wade through the countless choices available and narrow it down to one. Dont forget to pack wisely; some cruise lines help passengers by giving out checklists or you can ask travel agents or go online.
Honeymoons aboard Mediterranean Cruises
Newlywed couples can enjoy their first official vacation as husband and wife with romance, relaxation and without stress aboard Mediterranean cruises. Go ahead and splurge with luxury honeymoon packages on cruise ships that will make you feel like royalty or choose from many great packages available at affordable prices. On your honeymoon, you can visit many places in one trip not having to bother with packing and unpacking, checking in and out, and booking flights and other transport to get from one place to another. Just think, you can be visiting Monte Carlo, Monaco right now and when you get back on the boat to depart, have dinner and go to bed, you get to wake up in Florence, Italy next morning. While at sea, there are onboard activities to keep you occupied, you can play tennis games or several rounds of golf; watch a movie or a live show, or just spend a lazy day sipping champagne and eating chocolate covered strawberries. To remember your honeymoon, most cruise ships will give you keepsakes to take home such as soft and fluffy robes, engraved champagne glasses, or framed pictures of you and your partner.
Weddings on Mediterranean Cruises
Getting married by the beach is romantic but getting married at sea is definitely better. Many find that Mediterranean cruises serve as romantic backdrops to any couples wedding day. Couples can easily find the wedding package that is right for them, with available choices of onboard, shoreside, or onshore ceremonies. Right from the time the bride and groom step onto the ship, they will be given the VIP treatment and are welcomed with gifts such as champagne, fresh fruit, and flowers. Cruise lines will provide them the service of a wedding coordinator, the use of the ships chapel or an alternative venue on the ship, live or prerecorded music, and floral arrangements. Packages will also include the wedding ceremony officiated by the captain, the brides bouquet and the grooms boutonniere, a photographer to capture every moment, a bottle of champagne, and a keepsake wedding certificate. Some also cover the reception and may include an open bar for the guests; others go the extra mile to handle wedding invitations and thank you cards. Fees for marriage licenses are charged separately since they depend on the destination.
Mediterranean Cruises with the Family
A Mediterranean cruise is a great way to spend quality time with your family. They actually make great vacations for the whole family because everyone is happy, entertained, and in a secure environment. Childcare services are usually available on Mediterranean cruises to provide the parents with some time alone should they request it. Most cruise lines realize that grownups and children will have different interests and because of this, they provide tours and activities designed for both adults and children, each with their own highlights. Some even breakdown their kiddie activities further and have age-appropriate activities instead of treating the children as one group only. Menus for even the pickiest eaters are also available, another thing that parents can cross off from their worry list. Young children will certainly enjoy the thought of Mickey Mouse with them on the ship, as well as other characters found in the Disney Cruise line but older ones may think they are past that stage already. On the other hand, those who feel that they are past cartoon characters will appreciate family oriented trips on the Carnival, Crystal, and Princess Cruise lines.
