Aero Blog

Joe Collinsworth asked:




What type of cruise are you taking? Are you planning a week long voyage on the open seas upon one of the major cruise lines?

Who wouldn’t want to be sailing on a pleasure boat enjoying many of your favorite items all in one spot?

There is shopping, gambling, relaxing, sports and activities, great food, and different ports to venture off on. However, did you know there are other types of cruises you can enjoy on any vacation?

We are here to open your eyes to the various pleasure cruises you and your loved ones can sail off on. Are you curious? Well pack your bags, untie the ropes, and let’s venture off on the open water to see what fun we can have!!

Our favorite vacation cruises:

1. Luxury/Pleasure Cruise. A week or more on a giant cruise ship, enjoying luxury at its best. Caribbean, European, Hawaiian, Alaskan, or whichever cruise you take, you will embark on a journey that will take you places you’ve never been before.

Visit different ports of call, take in the sightseeing, shopping, food and more at any of the islands, relax or participate in as many activities as you can, or drink/eat your vacation away. It is all there and more when you splurge on a major cruise line and really treat yourselves to a life of luxury.

2. Theme Cruise. What about a Disney Cruise or company cruise? Your itinerary may be a bit different on a theme-type cruise. Great for family vacations, romantic vacations, honeymoons, or celebrations, a theme cruise can provide that little extra you may not find on a traditional cruise.

3. Gambling or Riverboat Cruises. If you are an avid gambler or love to take a weekend and hit up Vegas or any casino area, then a gambling cruise will whisk you away to do exactly what you love- play cards, take in entertainment, and enjoy great food on the open ocean. Why not add that extra enjoyment of a cruise?

4. Day Cruises. No matter what vacation destination you venture to, most tourist towns offer exciting day/night cruises. Fun for everyone to enjoy take your pick from dinner cruises usually with live entertainment, sightseeing tours, singles cruises, family cruises, and overall fun. You will see the sights, enjoy an array of activities, mouthwatering food, entertainment, and most importantly good company and miraculous views.

5. Barefoot Cruises. Instead of sailing off a huge liner, why not do a barefoot cruise on a sailboat. This type of cruise will offer an experience you’ll never forget. Gather with other sea lovers to lounge, sunbathe, read, socialize, dance and party from sun-up to sundown.

This is just the tip of the iceberg to give you an idea of how much fun you can have and what types of cruises you can enjoy. Whether you want to live in the life of luxury for a few days, hit the casinos to gamble, or spend a few days on land and a few days on the sea there is a cruise for singles to families alike.

Tim Roseland asked:




There’s far more to preparing properly for a cruise ship vacation than simply checking with the cruise line for recommended apparel and going shopping for the right items of clothing. You’ll have plenty of other details to see to besides what you intend to pack in your luggage, not the least of which is ensuring that you have all your paperwork in order.

The first item of importance is your identification. You won’t be allowed on your cruise ship without a photo ID and proof of citizenship A passport will suffice for both, but if you don’t have one, then your driver’s license and official birth certificate (with a raised seal) will work. Even your kids will need the right identification. Make sure you don’t put your ID in your checked luggage if you are flying to your cruise departure point, because checked baggage can get lost!

The cruise lines don’t set the identification requirements; the US Department of Immigration does. So if you have any questions, call their toll-free number, which will almost certainly be included in the information packet which the cruise line sends with your tickets.

If you’re cruising to or in a foreign country, you will need a passport. You can apply in person for a US passport at a designated Post Office, at different probate, state, or Federal courts in your area, or at an official passport office, of which there are thirteen around the US. You’ll need an official birth certificate and a photo ID, and you’ll also need two identical 2? x 2? photos taken within the past six months. You should have them taken professionally, because they MUST be taken with a special camera if they’re to be identical.

Where, if you’re a US citizen, won’t you need a passport? Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Cruises to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Central America require them. You should apply for your passport a minimum of eight weeks before your departure date, but the earlier you apply, the better, especially if you’ll be cruising at the height of tourist season. You can also speed up the processing of your passport by applying in person and paying an extra $35 for expedited delivery.

When you have your identification squared away, you can focus on your other paperwork: airline tickets; your boarding documents which will include your cabin assignment and possibly your dining table assignment (many cruises no let you eat whenever you like); you luggage tags; you transfers from the airport or hotel to your port of departure; and any papers for offshore excursions you’ve arranged. Make sure your flight leaves you time to get to your port of departure at least an hour in advance of the time you set sail.

Bring along your health insurance card in case you need medical treatment while on your cruise. Pack your medications, of course, and ask your doctor for a spare prescription in case your existing medication gets lost and you need a refill before returning home.

Get enough traveler’s checks to cover your estimated travel expenses. Carry only the minimum amount of cash, because all cruise lines will accept either credit cards or traveler’s checks. Before leaving home make sure to give your ship itinerary to whoever is looking after your home while you’re gone, so that you can be reached in an emergency. Most cruise ships now have Internet cafes, so you can be reached by E-mail if necessary. Also arrange to have someone be your contact person at home.

Once all your paperwork is in order, you can begin the fun by heading out to shop for your new cruise clothes!

Joe Ewart asked:




1. Maximum flexibility = Maximum savings – Most travelers have some flexibility in their travel dates, especially if planning ahead of time. Let your cruise specialist know that you can consider alternate departure dates that may have lower rates available. Keep in mind cruise lines will offer better prices and perks on sailings that are not nearing capacity. Tip: Shoulder or off peak sailings offer the deepest price cuts. For example, the departure right after the New Year cruise might be substantially lower.

2. Ask if “guarantees” are available. This requires that you have a little gambling spirit. Many cruise lines will offer a rate on a particular cabin category instead of an actual stateroom number and in effect “guarantee” that rate to you. Then the cruise line has the option of assigning you a stateroom in either that category or better. Sometimes you win and end up in a cabin several grades higher and sometimes you end up in exactly the category you were guaranteed. Remember, there is both an upside and downside to this program. Tip: Completely understand the process before booking a guarantee.

3. Upgrade programs. Often, your cruise specialist may offer a cruise line upgrade program. This means that you book and pay for category “X” and will be moved to a higher category “Y”. Again, there is an element of risk here. The fact that a stateroom may be in a higher category does not always mean it will be a more desirable cabin. For example, you might be in a nice mid ship balcony stateroom on Deck C and get an upgrade to a balcony stateroom on Deck A. While your new assignment may be the same size and have identical amenities you might end up in a less desirable location such as near an elevator or at the extreme end of the ship. And there are outside cabins that have views partially blocked by lifeboats or other equipment. On the other hand there are many instances of guests being upgraded several categories to wonderful staterooms. Tip: Advise your cruise specialist that you will “consider” upgrades offered but you want to have final say on any changes before they happen.

4. Special Fare Eligibility – One of the reasons that savvy cruisers find a knowledgeable cruise specialist and stick with them is the fact that there are many special fare programs that may or not be visible to cruiser’s doing casual research on the web. These include things like regional fares that are made available to residents of selected states. Caution: If you are offered a regional fare and you don’t live in that area and can’t prove residency, don’t do it. Cruise lines have the right to check you eligibility on sailing day and charge for the difference before you board. It does happen. Some of the other special fares being promoted today include active duty and retired military fares, union member fares, police and public safety discounts, airline or hospitality rates and more. Tip: If your cruise partner is a member of any of the these groups, the discounts usually apply to everyone traveling in the same stateroom.

5. Past Passenger Specials – Virtually every major cruise line has a loyalty club for its members with different levels and benefits. Joining is free and entitles you to special perks and discounts when you book on that line. For many commonly owned cruise lines such as Carnival Corporation, the offers extend across all the brands – Carnival, Princess, Holland America etc. Ditto for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Tip: Many cruise lines started operation before computers become common and can not easily retrieve date for cruises you may have taken several years ago. However, if you send a letter to the cruise line listing the ships and cruises you have been on, most will take your word and credit you with those unrecorded sailings. This might have the effect of moving you from Gold to Platinum level and significantly improve the benefits.

6. Check for Group Rates: Many cruise agencies hold what is known as “block space” on ships. That means that they have reserved space at group rates, which can be up to 20% lower than individual rates. Many agencies that reserve space for groups hold aside several cabins for individual clients who might be able to depart on this date. While you may be traveling as a “group”, your cruise experience will be as an individual traveler. The downside might be that your dining time or section is affected by the “group program”. The upside is that you might benefit from some group amentias such as an onboard credit, free shore excursion etc. Tip: If your cruise specialist offers group rates, understand the features, benefits and limitations completely before you book. From the cruise line’s perspective you are a member of the “group” and fall under the policies and procedures for groups.

7. On board re-booking – Most cruise lines know allow you to book your next cruise with that line while on board. They may have what is known as an “on board sales consultant” or even a desk. This is usually a great opportunity to save. Generally, the cruise line will throw in some strong perks to retain your loyalty to their brand. Onboard credits on the future cruise can be quite substantial. Upgrades and other benefits are usually significant. Tip: Many cruise lines realize that you may not be sure when and where you want to cruise while on your current voyage. Not to worry, because most have a program where you can book on board with the flexibility to change to other sailings and ships via your cruise specialist when you get home and keep all the benefits. This is a truly a win win for you!

8. Seek out “Value Adds” – Over the past few years, cruise lines have instituted something known in the trade as The Level Playing Field. This was instituted to attempt to control the rampant rebating and discounting that occurred in the post September 11 travel slump. Basically, now the cruise lines have been partially successful in putting the genie back in the bottle by requiring cruise agents to all use the same pricing feeds. Because cruise agents do not purchase and re-sell the cruises but are paid a commission, the cruise lines themselves totally control published rates. One of the unintended side effects of Level Playing Field pricing is that the cruise lines had to find a way to promote “challenged” sailing dates. And they did this by creating Value Added features. They can include benefits ranging from dollars off certificates, on-board credits, pre-paid gratuities, free spa treatments, specialty dining experiences, casino credits to a free bathrobe or camera. Tip: Ask your cruise specialist to seek out sailings that offer value adds. They can significantly impact your bottom line.

9. Arrange your own airline tickets. If you need to fly in to your embarkation port most cruise lines have flight programs known as Air/Sea arrangements. The good news is that includes the flights and often meet and greet and transfers. The bad news is that in order to publish these add-ons the cruise lines have negotiated the fares far in advance and try to set the rates on a cost average basis. To you, it generally means that these add-ons may be up to 50% higher than the fares you can get by arranging the flights yourself. The one exception to this in many cases are Europe cruises where many lines maintain bulk contract fares. So it is always a good idea to comparison shop. Most lines allow you to purchase just the transfer package so you are able to create your own air/sea package at significant savings. And of course if you have several thousand airline miles collecting dust, this might be a good time to try to use them. Tip: If you are arranging your own flights, make sure to allow plenty of time for flight delays etc. Savvy cruisers will often invest in a pre-cruise hotel the night before the cruise so that they can avoid the stress caused by late arriving flights. Remember, if the airline leaves you on the tarmac for 7 hours and you miss the ship, that voucher for a free flight will not seem very appealing. And unfortunately, the airline will not compensate you nor will the cruise line refund your money as you are counted as a “no show”.

10. Travel Insurance: What’s the one thing you must bring on your cruise that you hope never to use? Trip Insurance! As you can see in #9 above things can and do go wrong. An affordable comprehensive trip insurance policy can cover many of these contingencies including, lost baggage, trip interruption, medical evacuation and more. Your cruise specialist can explain the various programs available as there are several. Mark sure you understand fully the coverage and limitation before accepting coverage and keep in mind that you can not get coverage retroactively. It’s a small, but absolutely vital part of your vacation expenditures. Keep in mind very few medical insurance polices cover you while out of the country and basic homeowner’s policies often do not compensate for lost luggage or other events. Just as in land based trips, the carriers responsibility to you is extremely limited by their contract and should a medical emergency arise on board or ashore you are responsible for all expenses incurred. Tip: Cancellation coverage is very specific. Understand what is covered and not covered. You can’t just decide not to go at the last minute without incurring substantial cancellation charges. And if you have any pre-existing health issues, this may or may not be a covered event. That is why it is important to actually read the coverage.

Keith McGregor asked:




With volatile marine fuel prices, changes in marine fuel legislation from one country to the next and concerns over availability how does a yacht owner keep in contact with his marine fuel broker or supplier when operating from offshore?

On smaller motor yachts where range is limited to coastal cruising, surfing the internet for marine fuel prices and availability followed by a call before departure is the most efficient use of resources.

When accessing a line ashore Broadband speeds range from 2Mb, 8Mb up to 24Mb. Data limitations from unlimited, 40Gb to 1GB. Some marinas are recognising the need for a Broadband connection and offer a plug-in point providing quick and easy access which can be utilised to get fuel market data and to email brokers, when alongside.

‘Marina’ Wi-Fi’ Broadband in the event there’s no nearby local Wi-Fi signal (hotspot) from a national provider; some marinas provide a wireless internet access service. One such company is Square Mile one of Europe’s largest marina and cover within 50 u.k. marinas with Wi-Fi access. MDL marinas in the U.K. provide their own Wi-Fi.

What happens when there’s no plug-in point at say an anchorage or the yacht is no longer in the marinas Wi-Fi hotspot coverage? Where there’s mobile phone coverage offering Mobile Broadband, this is a cost effective means of getting varying online coverage..

Mobile Broadband offers mobile internet access on the go. By plugging in a mobile broadband dongle to a laptop or computer onboard connection speeds of 7.2Mb to 1.8Mb and download data size ranging from Unlimited, 15Gb, to 1Gb. Limits of 1Gb and 3Gb are ideal for checking emails and doing light browsing, not enough for large files. Speeds depend on the signal of the mobile operator with whom you have an agreement, so first ask fellow yacht owners what signal strengths they obtain locally before purchasing.

Online one can search for available hotspots some of which are provided free of charge, Jiwire.com has over thousands of hot spots registered; just enter the post code of your marina to find out availability, another the Cloud, the cloud.net and broadbandexpert.com provides good package comparisons.

For those wanting complete coverage; to make phone calls or emails to purchase marine fuel or need to keep live contact with your office and transfer files Inmarsat have delivered a new Broadband system for mariners. The Satellite Broadband ‘Fleet’ range ‘77’, ‘55’ and ‘33’ system by Inmarsat provides Voice, fax, and data communications for both ocean-going and coastal vessels, delivered via a range of antenna sizes to suit different types of.

Consider carefully your long-term requirements from broadband internet before purchasing and the benefits. If you’re checking real time weather reports, downloading updated charts, or allowing your kids to game online then look for a provider that can handle heavy broadband demand in the harbour of your choice. Mobile broadband on coastal passages is one of the less expensive means to keep in touch when there is a signal available.

When making large marine fuel purchases timely communications from offshore can reduce fuel costs and also offset the investment in Broadband on board.

john asked:




From retirees to young families, Alaska cruises are becoming one of the most requested types of travel for many travel agencies. And when you look at all the reasons to choose such a vacation, it is not very hard to see why this destination has become number one.

The Sights

Alaska is one of the few untouched wildernesses left in America. The top three reasons that people wish to go on a luxury Alaska cruise are for wildlife, glaciers and mountains. With less than one twentieth of the land inhabited, this state has the most protected land than any other, with over 65% federally held for the preserving of Alaskan wilderness. It is common to see grisly bears, bald eagles, moose, and elk from the comforts of your cruise ship. The ship also takes you closer than other tours to glaciers, and provides you a waterside view that can be replicated no where else. And your cruise line will sail right past the most amazing and picturesque mountains. An Alaskan cruise helps you catch a glimpse of the greatest sights Alaska has to offer.

The Price

Alaska has paved the way for cheap luxury cruises. Alaska sailings are relatively inexpensive. They offer travelers a way to visit a luxury destination at a budget price. With seven day Alaska cruises starting as little as $400 per person, this price includes the chance to sail into different ports and explore Alaska on your own time. Not to mention that this price includes all your food and on board entertainment. With such a good deal, it is no wonder that travelers are choosing to see Alaska on a luxury cruise.

The “Add Ons”

In addition to offering fabulous costal sights, most luxury Alaskan cruises are offering amazing “add ons” to their already great itineraries. For example, the majority of Alaska travelers wish to see the great Denali National Park. Cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises, now offers to combine your Alaska cruise with an exclusive land extension that will take you to the Alaskan interior to see the sights of Denali. When you add on to your cruise, the price is relatively small, and a number of Cruise lines offer exclusive lodges for their cruise guests who want to extend their stay. For travelers who have the need to see a more detailed version of Alaska, combining a cruise and tour with the cruise lines is a great way to get the most value out of your money.

No matter how you slice it, Alaska is best seen through the eyes of a cruiser. On a luxury Alaska cruise, you will most definitely get your fill of wildlife, mountains and glaciers. And with pricing often starting for as little as $400 per person, covering drinks, transfers and on board activities, it is an incredible deal for all travelers. And should you desire to see even more of this last American frontier, you can add on extra tours and interior extensions that will let you take full advantage of great cruise line pricing. So whether you plan to make Alaska your only stop, or if you wish to include it as part of your luxury world cruise, make sure you truly experience the sights of Alaska.

john asked:




A Carnival cruise ship is literally a floating resort with plush accommodations, first class restaurants, spas, and shopping experiences. Carnival cruise ‘Fun ships’ sail from many ports to over 60 destinations, including Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England, even to Europe. For those wanting to see Alaska, Carnival cruise lines sail to Glacier Bay and both Northbound and Southbound Alaska. For those wishing to hobnob with old tales of pirates and treasure in the blue Caribbean, ports in the Eastern, Southern and Western Caribbean are ripe for the plucking. Carnival cruise trips to Mexico sail to Baja and the Mexican Riviera and the Bermuda leg offers a Cruise to Nowhere, if you’re daring enough.

Carnival cruise lines offer both standard and luxury appointments, providing a first class sailing experience for budget travelers or those with bottomless pockets. The finest in dining, entertainment and travel ports of call are the best that a cruise line has to offer, and Carnival cruise vacations have one of the highest user ratings of major cruise lines. Carnival cruise lines don’t just offer great destinations however, but moderately priced cabins for singles or families. Don’t even think about having to sleep on an uncomfortable bunk or berth either, because Carnival cruise lines have installed ‘Carnival Comfort Bed’ sleep systems in all the ships in their globe-trotting fleet. The younger crowd is kept entertained with the new Carnival cruise ‘Club 02′, designed specifically for travelers between the ages of 15 and 17. It’s the new ‘hot spot’ on the ship for those who don’t want to hang out with the parents but want to make friends, dance to the latest music and play video games. The club is staffed with fun and energetic employees who know what your kids want and how to offer it to them.

Want to bring your golf clubs along? Carnival cruise lines offer a V1 Digital Coaching System that will help cure any ailment to your golf swing from the convenience of the ship deck so that you’ll be ready to play once you hit the ports. No matter what you like to do, Carnival cruise personnel will try to provide it for you. Day and night time entertainment keeps passengers enthralled and happy between ports of call, with dancing, singing, and other venues geared for all age groups and tastes.

A Carnival cruise adventure offers events and event planning help if you have special needs or larger groups of people in your traveling party. Online, Carnival cruise lines offer tips, suggestions, and messages posted from other Carnival cruise adventures. The Carnival cruise line’s official website is easy to navigate and offers answers to just abut any question that could possibly be asked about the Carnival cruise vacation experience.

Abhishek Agarwal asked:




Who are the people whom you refer to when you plan a pleasure trip with your loves ones on the ship? Whom do you contact to know and compare the prices of various voyage packages? Who are the people whom you contact when you need to make sure that your safety is ensured? Well, the answer to all these questions is “cruise lines”!

CRUISE LINE-WHO?

A corporation or an organization which operates cruise ships is popularly known as cruise line. They serve two purposes, namely, transportation and leisure pleasure trips. Apart from the headquartered employees and the administrative officers, the cruise line personnel also includes the captain of the ship, the cruise crew, hospitality staff members and a hotel manager or his equivalent.

Many cruise lines that are operating currently operating are straight from the family of conventional passenger shipping lines. The others originate from the original cruising organizations which were established early in the days of 1960’s.

WELL-LIKED AND FASHIONABLE CRUISE LINES:-

Presently, there are 52 major cruise lines that are operating in many parts of the world like Europe, United States, and Asia among others. And invariably, most of the headquarters of all these cruise lines are located in Europe and the United States. So, here is the list of the most popular and well known cruise lines:-

1. Birka line:

The starting point of this cruise line is Stockholm and its cruise activities mainly take place in and around the Baltic Sea. It is an Albanian cruiser ship and it mainly focuses on cruising activities. It was created post the acquirement of this ship named M/S Princessan was later rechristened as Prinsessan. The first cruise of this ship was between Stockholm and Mariehamn.

In the year 1972, this ship, took over the M/S Olav, after which it was renamed Baronessan. Many other ships were acquired with the passage of time and passenger ferries and cars have also been introduced in the Stockholm to Helsinki route. One other addition was the M/S Drottningen, a train ferry which provides service from Stockholm to Helsinki via the Leningrad route.

2. Carnival cruise line:

The carnival cruise line is one of the ancillaries of the carnival co. which is the largest cruise corporation in the world. They used to be the leader of shorter and cheaper cruises. They have also been the producers of large ships such as the Carnival Destiny which is the greatest passenger ship weighing 101,000 tons.

In the first quarter of April of 2006, the company has successfully incorporated two more cruise ships to their already existing fleet. The new ships have been named Carnival Freedom, which would be unveiled in the year 2007 and the other one is carnival Splendor, which would be getting a spring 2008 launch.

3. Crystal cruise lines:

The crystal cruise line made its debut in the year 1988 with three high-end medium sized ships. It is more popularly referred to as Crystal Cruises. The Japanese Shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kaisha owns it. These ships have been placed as one of the best cruises almost every year by the Conde Nast Traveler magazine. They have also been placed in the top twenty in almost all guidebooks.

4. Disney cruise line:

It is held by the world renowned Walt Disney company and has its headquarters in Celebration, Florida. Two ships are operated under this line namely, the Disney wonder and the Disney magic together with Castaway Cay, an island designed as a special port for all of Disney’s ships in the Bahamas.

There variation between the two ships lies in the entertainment sections and the restaurants. They have different areas designed as per the likings and preferences of different age groups right from toddlers to children to teenagers to adults.

5. Norwegian cruise lines:

This company has its base in Florida, Miami to be precise and was initially known to be the Norwegian Caribbean Lines when it was formed in 1966. It started off by providing voyages in the Caribbean region at lower costs.

The acquirement of the France cruise ship in the year 1979 which was later renamed and rebuilt as the Norway, laid the foundation stone for the beginning of the era of huge cruise ships that are available today..

There are a variety of other cruises which would suit every other pocket and would make their voyage one of the great memories in their life.