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You are invited to the nature island of the Caribbean

by Royal Holiday February 11, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Sometimes you start planning your next holiday trip and suddenly you realize that the places you are thinking on going are the same as many others think about. You try very hard and the greatest idea appears: Why not going to the Caribbean? Then you decide to look up on the Internet, for instance, on Trip Advisor, and they will show you Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Cuba, and some other popular destinations. And then you feel those places will be crowded for sure, and then you research a bit more, and eventually read a post here, on Royal Holiday when we tell you that there are more than seven thousand islands in the Caribbean, each one of them very unique. We think anyone would love a place where multiple experiences are at one place: abundant outdoor spas, a pristine natural environment, a colorful Caribbean sea of volcanic waters. So let’s dig deeper on the advice of that previous post and think on that place, Dominica, when natural sights look like they ripped off of the most beautiful postcard you have ever imagined.

The call of nature

“Isle of beauty, isle of splendor”, this is the first line of Dominica’s national anthem, and it describes the intensity of the beauty of an island known as “the nature island of the Caribbean”. This is the reason why travelers from all around choose Dominica, where the splendor of nature turns and twists, rises to the mountain tops and then tumbles to waterfalls and valleys.

Image courtesy of Liam Quinn at Flickr.com

Things to do

Dominica is an ideal place to hike, bike or trek, for instance, at the newly opened Waitukubuli National Trail which is composed by 14 sections in a trail that runs 115 miles south-north, bisecting the length of the island.

If your thing is diving, Dominica claims to be one of the best diving destinations in the world. Soufriere Scott’s Head Marine Reserve, in the southwest offers unique volcanic underwater features with reefs and corals, volcanic vents and immense sea walls, an amazing scenario to watch sea turtles, sperm whales, flying gurnards, frogfish, seahorses and other species rarely found in other diving areas of the Caribbean.

When it gets to slow down, one of the natural spas of Dominica will be there for you. Hidden in the forest near Wotten Waven are the fumaroles, bubbling waters and cascades of the outdoor spas, either perched on a hill or at the bottom of a river, they will give you the best of their therapeutic properties, a very relaxing experience.

Of course, if you visit a Caribbean island, you expect to see stunning beaches. Since Dominica is a volcanic island, many powder-fine white-sand beaches found mostly in the north and the east. If you are looking for a crowded-on-holiday beach (in Dominican terms), then Woodford hill Beach is the one. But if you want a beach more for relaxation, Hodges Beach is a bit farther but will worth it. L’Anse Noir is the favorite for the most adventurous, sitting on a cove passing Woodford Hill, will be the place to find the right wave of the island.

And save some time to walk around Roseau, Dominica’s capital city, on of the best preserved collections of 18th century architecture in the Caribbean. The center of Roseau offers you civic, military and religious buildings, old sugar cane estates and mills, and the colorful ‘Ti Kaz, little houses almost all wood framed and brightly painted. The historic city has a good selection of places to eat, from beachfront Mexicans to old-style French bistros.

And a rum punch or an ice cold beer while you play with the sand and have the sea in your sight is another major reason to go around. “The Pirates Bar” certainly is a good choice. Just a few minutes on the road from Roseau to Scotts Head, is a beach bar specialized in fresh juices and local rums. You should try a Soca Rum and pineapple juice. And later on, the night falls on Dominica and the streets light up with people looking for a good time. Nightlife at Roseau is lively, full of bars and hangouts featuring folk music (cadence-zouk, jing ping), reggae, jazz, soca and calypso, where fun is guaranteed.

General facts of Dominica

Dominica (pronounced dom-in-ee-ka), is the latest island of the Lesser Antilles since is still formed by volcanic activity; it lays in the center of the Caribbean archipelago, locked between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south. This little island (just 29 miles long and 16 miles wide) is a former British colony which attained its independence in 1978 (they also drive on the left side of the road!). The official language is English, the capital is Roseau and the economy depends mainly on agriculture.

February 11, 2016 0 comments

Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

Unusual aquatic sports that will amaze you

by Royal Holiday February 3, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

If you plan to go to the beach, or a place with a lake, a canal, or a river for your next vacation, you will be probably thinking about what kind of aquatic sports you could enjoy while having a good time in your destination. You would perhaps think of some popular sports. For example, if you like to practice some sports in the water, you would probably go for swimming, diving off springboards or platforms, snorkeling, or even water polo. If your preference is more on the side of sports on the water, you will probably go for some sport related to skiing, boating, surfing, canoeing, fishing, parasailing, rafting, and so on. Or if your preference is to go underwater, you will indeed want to try other kinds of sports such as diving or finswimming.

But even though they can be a lot of fun to practice, these sports are but the most popular ones, and do not really give you a clear idea of the many options that you have at hand to enjoy your time when you travel to destinies where you have access to good bodies of water. And in fact there are plenty of options to practice some other aquatic sports during your vacation. Maybe you will enjoy that new sport so much that you will even become more serious about it, and start practicing it in a regular way when you are back home.

The following two sports may give you an idea of some unusual sports that you can take into account when you plan your next vacation. They take place in destinations that you will surely enjoy after you devote some hours to practice them.

Bog snorkeling

Bogs are not usually considered as specially good attractions for tourists when they travel around the world. After all, what could one want to see in a bog? Probably not much, most people would think. However, a group of Welsh friends thought otherwise in 1976, when they started talking about the possibility of practicing snorkeling not in the sea, in a lake, or in a river, as most people would do, but in a bog. Yes, that is right, in a bog. Since those early days, bog snorkeling has grown up so much that the World Bog Snorkeling Championship began to be held annually since 1986 near Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales, United Kingdom, the birthplace of bog snorkeling.

The main idea behind bog snorkeling is that, in the shortest possible time, competitors be able to complete two consecutive lengths of a water-filled trench. The trick, however, is that this trench, with a length of 60 yards (55 m), has been cut through a peat bog. To complete it, competitors must rely on flipper power exclusively, so conventional swimming strokes are not allowed. Wetsuits are not compulsory, but competitors are required to wear snorkels and flippers.

Image courtesy of Ethreon at Flickr.com

Bug snorkeling is practiced mainly in Wales, but some events also take place in Australia, Ireland, and Sweden.

Fierljeppen

For sure, you have seen different events of pole vaulting at some point in your life. After all, it is one of the four major jumping events in athletics, and a regular sport in the Olympics. But pole vaulting is no fun at all if you do not practice it on the water, or at least that is what the Frisian people, in the Dutch province of Friesland, have thought for centuries.

Netherlands is famous for being located under the sea-level, but one consequence of this is that the country has many waterways. In order to get around these waterways easily, farmers began to use poles to leap over water drainage channels, so they could have access to different plots of land. Thas was the origin of Fierljeppen (from the West-Frisian terms for “far”, fier, and “leaping”, ljeppen), a sport whose first official match took place in 1771, but that was properly structured in 1957.

Image courtesy of bertknot at Flickr.com

To practice this sport, you only need a long pole (between 26 and 43 feet / 8 and 13 meters long) and a body of water. The pole must have a flat round plate at the bottom, which prevents it from sinking into the muddy bottom of the river or the canal. Contrary to pole vaulting, in Fierljeppen you do not run with the pole in your hands. You run towards the pole, which is in the water, jump, grab it, and then climb to its top trying to control its movements over the body of water. You finish by landing on a sand bed located in the side opposite to your starting point.

Fierljeppen is practiced mainly for fun and for the entertainment of tourists in the Netherlands nowadays. However, an official National Fierljeppen Manifestation (NFM) still takes place annually. There are also numerous clubs in the country, and six leagues where championships are contested.

February 3, 2016 0 comments

Destination Tips Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

Exploring island adventures for your next vacation

by Royal Holiday February 1, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

We’ve all dreamed of running away to an island and spending a few days (weeks or even months) completely away from the hectic life we usually lead. A vacation on an island is an adventure in itself, but some of the ones we’re going to mention here are definitely worth putting on your bucket list.

Image courtesy of Steve Calcott at Flickr.com

Let’s begin a Polynesian atoll, Aitutaki, Cook Islands. If you’re into kayaking and having some adventures this is the island for you. Have an amazing journey while kayaking from islet to islet. It will definitely seem like you just stepped into those calendar pictures. The crystal blue water, the breathtaking sunsets and of course, we can’t leave out, the adventure waits. While you’re there you probably won’t know where to start to enjoy this paradise either kayaking the seven-mile-long lagoon, snorkeling with starfish, sponges and giant clams, or biking and hiking through to Maunga Pu, the highest spot on the island.

Continuing with some more adventures why not give St. Kitts a try. This still unexplored location lacks what most of its neighboring islands are swarming with: infinity pools and posh spas. Here is a place you can go and still enjoy the nature and magic. The plan here is to go hiking in the 3,792-foot dormant volcano, Mount Liamuiga. Be warned it’s an underdeveloped island that will not offer the best signage and only has one main road, but it will give you a two to three hour hike up the mountain to appreciate its crater’s peak and green carpeted volcano. Too much to handle? Well, there’s always Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory. This place is revered by bicyclists from all over the world as a haven for cycling routes. With it’s smooth roads you’ll find nothing but challenging but doable terrains. The locals are huge fans of cycling and even hold a race every year, the Tour de la Guadeloupe. Many of the Tour de France riders love spending their time here, but that shouldn’t throw you off. This is an experience where you can set your own pace and it is well worth the visit if you’re a bicycle enthusiastic.

If you’re all about being in the water, well you can give Barbados a go with its incredible surfing retreat. The waves are so amazing that they even hold a yearly contest, Reef Classic Barbados, where people from all over come to show their skills on those huge waves. If that’s those waves are out of your league, you can always check out the Six Men’s Bay on the west coast or the smaller, perfect-for-beginner waves in the south at Freights Bay. There are waves all year round and if you’re up for it, you’ll find just the right spot for you. Now, if you prefer being under the water, the Maldives is the place to be, with it’s unexplored and seldom visited reefs. Now the Maldives, of course can also include luxurious spas and incredible relaxing hotels, but if you can manage to get away from those for a minute you’ll be able to explore its reefs and underwater sea life.

For some less conventional island destination plans, you can also check out Cayos Cochinos, Honduras. Here you can vacation and help scientists with an underwater survey. These government-protected waters hold a collection of eight-mile coral cays that are said to be the home of innumerable kinds of species. This ecosystem is the least disturbed ecosystem in the Bay Islands. The reefs are constantly monitored by scientists and volunteers through Biosphere, an organization that does this important job. If you decide to sign up you can either bunk with the scientists, but don’t expect much on the accommodations side, or if you prefer you can book a room at the Plantation Beach Resort.

There are more options of course. Have you ever considered sport fishing off the coast of Mexico? At Isla Holbox, Mexico you can find a completely preserved island that mostly dedicates itself to fishing and diving. Here you can definitely immerse yourself in the local culture. Even give fishing a try by joining the locals out in a skiff to try your luck at finding baby tarpon. There are so many things to do here that you’ll never have a dull moment, from swimming in a sinkhole filled with fresh water to kayaking into the mangroves. You can even snorkel with migrating whale sharks in the summer. Here you can enjoy the silence, lazy strolls and local culture.

Image courtesy of Joseba Barrenetxea at Flickr.com

Finally, if you want to give kiteboarding a whirl you can head over to the Bahamas. Spanish Wells has become the perfect destination to learn how to kiteboard with its almost marshmallow sand. You can also enjoy great nightlife under the stars and eat amazing lobster meals.

Islands will always be full of adventures and opportunities to get closer to nature, the ocean and underwater experiences. So let your wanderlust lead the way and head off to the nearest island for an experience of a lifetime.

February 1, 2016 0 comments

Destination Tips Royal at Sea Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

Fantastic Adventure Islands. A short text on where to go to escape and have fun.

by Royal Holiday January 30, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

What do you think is the perfect vacation to escape from it all? Some think it is going to an all-inclusive hotel to relax and being pampered with cocktails and good food. Others think that the perfect vacation is to go deep into the jungle and experience wildlife first hand. A good handful of people think that escaping the heavy and dense city life is going to paradise islands. Better yet, islands where you can have an adventure and have it all to yourself and really forget you live a normal, 9 to 5 working life surrounded by concrete and people.

Here are 3 adventure islands around the world and some activities that can be done to feel you are really getting away from it all.

Image courtesy of John Finn at Flickr.com

Aitutaki Cook Islands:
it is located in the Central-south Pacific Ocean. A beautiful Polynesian Atoll where you can get lost among the chain of islands that are close to one and other. Also snorkel or scuba dive in the reefs. The smiling locals, pink ukuleles and translucent lagoons will greet you when you arrive. The adventure part is to go on two different types of plans. First, you can kayak or paddleboard on the 7 mile long lagoon. You can leave your boat or paddle on a deserted island and then go snorkelling around the reef to encounter cobalt blue starfish, giant clams and yellow barrel sponges. The other plan is to go biking along the back roads to feel the fresh air and the constant freedom of hot summer winds. It is mostly flat but on occasions you will have a small uphill. Remember to hydrate yourself and stop every now and then to take pictures and to rest. There are bike rentals with baskets so you can go into town and stash your fridge with the necessary things for your stay.
Cayos Cochinos, Honduras:
ever thought about going to Honduras? Cayos Cochinos (or Cochinos Cayes) are a group of two small islands, Cayo Menor and Cayo Grande, which are located 30 miles off the northern shores of Honduras. It as an area of 2 kilometres and with a population of only about 120 people. The islands are a marine protected area and it has a scientific research station in Cayo Menor. The coral reef that you will find here is part of the world’s second largest coral reef system known as the Meso-American Barrier Reef. According to national geographic “”The waters around this collection of coral cays are a marine biologist’s dream: protected by the government, off-limits to commercial divers and fishermen, and busy with creatures that may not yet have names.” You can stay at the scientific research station and share bare-bone wooden bungalows. But if you are looking for a more tourist style trip, you can stay at the Plantation Beach Resort in Cayo Grande. Take a hike through the jungle and reach the lighthouse at the very top of the island and enjoy the fine native kitchen that has to be ordered in advance to yachts nearby. You are obliged to do some snorkelling around reefs and corals that are allowed to visit. Be amazed with the ocean wildlife and some animals that you have never seen in your normal TV shows.

Image courtesy of USFWS – Pacific Region at Flickr.com
Santa Lucia. St. Lucia:
the adventure comes in the form of bike riding. You ride through the jungle. As Michael Allard, owner of Bike St. Lucia says “ it is jungle biking, not mountain biking” and David “tinker” Juarez two time Olympian states “ This is probably the sweetest bike ride in the Caribbean”. Many people stay by the beach and don’t adventure into the jungle. Much of the island’s central and northern interior is part of the St Lucia Forest Reserve. St. Lucia has many jungles, forests and natural parks that only the adventurous ones dare to see. Many bike routes for pros and rookies as well are part of this adventure island designed for bikers. Again, according to Michael Allard, jungle biking is not just for experts. “The pros come for the higher trails, but we also have people who arrive here barely having been on a mountain bike before”.

Image courtesy of Jean-Pierre Chamberland at Flickr.com

What are you waiting for? Book your holiday trip, take your bike out of the dusty garage or rent a kayak and hit the islands of adventure.

Escape from it all by doing something really different in the middle of natural parks and untouched reefs. Swim aside rare animals and Bike down hills and around islands. Always remember to be safe and not go beyond your limits and skills. You want to have a vacation to remember not an injury that you will never forget.

January 30, 2016 0 comments

Before you cruise Cruise Cruise News Cruise Tips Royal at Sea Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

Have the best cruise vacationing with the best tips and tricks

by Royal Holiday January 27, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Vacationing is always an opportunity to relax and enjoy some time away from everything, but if could help improve your experience and avoid any hardships, why not? Especially when on a cruise, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared to have the absolutely best experience.

Preparing for the cruise

When looking around be sure to analyze all of your options. Most times it will actually be cheaper to book with a travel agent than directly with the cruise line. Anyway, specialized travel agents in cruises will definitely be able to point you in the right direction, so all you have to do is choose a preferred destination.
A great way to prepare financially for a cruise is to save up for a few months until you have enough to go and book your cruise and look for last minute booking availabilities. You’ll find amazing discounts.
Being prepared for when you land is just as important as booking the cruise itself. Book online (if possible) any on-shore tours in advance, or find local tours that could be even cheaper than the cruise ones. Another good option is a taxi for sightseeing. Always keep in mind that if you decide to book one that is not directly related to your cruise, be back in time, because they will not know to wait for you and will leave you stranded.
Looking for the best of the best, go for newer ships.
Keep in mind a few tips as to whom you’re travelling with. If you know of anyone that works on a cruise, that’s one to look at. Always look into the age group for the cruise and enjoy yourself the most as possible by planning the trip with friends or family.
Scope out the terrain, especially for Alaskan cruises. Make sure your cabin is facing all the beautiful scenery.
Finally, go with the flow. Don’t overplan.

What to pack (and not pack)

You will be on a cruise that has quite a bit of amenities, including laundry. So, analyze what you really need to take or things you can maybe do without.
The previous point will also help you save some room for the things you want to buy while you’re vacationing.
Of course, don’t forget your passport! Always triple check before you leave.
Some essentials for the ride (just in case): earplugs, watch, suntan lotion and aspirin. All of these will come in handy for your trip, as they will be useful for different moments of the trip such as keeping with the cruise timetables, taking some sun on the deck or on shore and of course for those party nights.

The day of

Make sure to arrive on time.
Make sure you plan accordingly so that late flights, or other inconveniences don’t get in the way of you arriving on time. There are other options, like flying to the next port, but of course you’ll have to cover the extra expenses.
Once you get in don’t be worried if you see lines. Many times some passengers have specific things they have to do find out, so don’t rush to get on every line you see.
Prepare from ahead of time what kind of cabin you want because once you’re on it is quite difficult to upgrade or change cabins. So, when choosing consider taking a room at the front of the cruise, because even though you’ll have to walk a bit more, you won’t feel the engine.
Your luggage will arrive, but give it time. Sometimes it may arrive in the evening, so don’t worry.
If you have any problems with your cabin, don’t overly concern yourself. The most important thing is to remain relaxed, notify someone and keep enjoying your stay.

When the adventure begins

Always make sure you packed cash and a credit card, so you’re ready just in case you want to make any onboard purchases.
Remember that watch you were supposed to pack; well this is when it comes in handy. You will be assigned a dinnertime, boarding time at each of your stops, as well as other activities on the cruise, so be sure to always arrive on time.
Image courtesy of Don McCullough at Flickr.com
Be sure to be attentive when the crew is explaining the evacuations and safety norms. They could save your life in case of an emergency.
Waiters and crew members usually have a tough job and have vacations once every 8 months, so be sure to treat them well. Offer them a good tip on the first day and that will assure great service.
If you want to spend more time at a particular port, you might want to consider flying there, spending a few days and then jumping on at that port.

At the end of the day, what you really want to do is have an amazing and unforgettable vacation, so don’t let the little things affect you. Enjoy yourself and be safe.

January 27, 2016 0 comments

Destination Tips Royal at Sea Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

The 5 best party destinations in the Caribbean

by Royal Holiday January 25, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Part of taking a break from real life is to find the best ways to have fun. It doesn’t really matter what you like to do, you just have to find that special thing to do that will give you joy, happiness and that can keep your mind in a place where it can only find positive vibrations. Going on vacations is one of those things you decide doing every once in a while that will provide those positive vibrations for you for sure.

When it comes to deciding where to go and what to do, many ideas can come up. There is so much to do and so many options around the world to choose from, it is sometimes really hard to decide. One of the things you have to decide first is what activity you want to do, and second, you need to decide where you want to do that activity that makes you so happy. Some people prefer peaceful destinations with relaxing activities, some prefer spending their free time from work practicing their favorite sport and some others have a very special preference that involves excitement, music, sharing time with friends, dancing and lots, lots of fun. All these things together can only mean one thing. It means partying and enjoying the amazing things you find in places where the nightlife is something really spectacular. Nightlife activity is something any places and cities in the world are real experts in. But what if what you really want is a combination of sun, beach, warm weather, palm trees and party time? In that case, the Caribbean is the territory you should pick for your next vacations. The Caribbean islands offer a fantastic nightlife, so if you are going to be in the neighborhood and you decide that partying is your thing on your next vacation, then here is the list of the top 5 partying destinations in the Caribbean you don’t want to miss.

Aruba

Oranjestad is definitely the place for partying in Aruba, along with the major resorts. Palm Beach will also offer a great variety of clubs and bars where you can even find local bands performing, while you bar-hop or taste the delicious restaurant options. Additionally if you are in the mood for a party tour, you can take a local party bus, famous for its colorful parties. Aruba has also many casinos that offer great comedy and cabaret shows and dancefloors.

Curaçao

The party center in Curaçao is Willemstad with its Salinja sector. Bars and Casinos offer great after dark entertainment that will last till sunrise. In Curaçao you will be able to see incredible parades, and be part of a carnival energy environment, where you can dance and party all night long, even on Sundays.

Image courtesy of GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes at Flickr.com

Jamaica

Music is the king on this island, especially reggae and soca. Bars on the streets and on the beaches will offer great live entertainment and music performances. Hotels and resorts are also always full of nightlife plans and shows with local artists. Montego Bay has different options, from romantic evenings in restaurants and sunset cruise with dinner, to clubs and bars with the best reggae your will ever listen to.

Image courtesy of dubdem sound system at Flickr.com

Barbados

Barbados is the rum island. There is a rum shop everywhere you look in Bridgetown. Reggae is the music that turns up the volume in bars and dance clubs. There are British-style pubs, fantastic restaurants and live music with local musicians performed in many places. Barbados is not only great during the day. It can be a real nightlife island as well.

Image courtesy of DonDré at Flickr.com

St. Maarten

With more than a dozen casinos on the Dutch side, St. Maarten can get all the life you can imagine by night. There are numerous beach bars and all kind of restaurants with live reggae and soca musicians. The Maho district is the best place to find all the fun you are hoping for in casinos. If you are looking for some drinks or some dancing, you will find plenty of bars and clubs in Simpson Bay. And then there is the option for cabaret shows that are performed at the Casino Royal Theater, in case you are looking for a more sophisticated taste.

Image courtesy of Carol Dolin at Flickr.com

January 25, 2016 0 comments

Royal at Sea Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

New and exciting extreme aquatic sports

by Royal Holiday January 21, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

The definition of an extreme sport is a type of activity , which is also called action sport, that involves a high level of danger. Stunts and difficult movements are the main idea and the degree of risk, injury or even death is present at all times. The most common extreme sports are aggressive rollerblading, skateboarding, freestyle motocross, bmx and surf. While these are urban sports , there are other new and exciting sports popping up everywhere, especially in the water.

We give you a small guide to understand some water extreme sports that are now being practiced around the world and that someday you can get to try out.

Wakeboarding: it is a sport where you ride a wakeboard over a surface of water. It is a combination of skiing, snowboarding and surfing. The idea is that the rider is towed from a motorboat at speeds of 20 – 30 mph depending on the rider’s need and comfort. The boat creates a wake and this wake is used by the rider to do stunts and jump combinations to make it an extreme sport. As a variation, the boat is not always necessary and cable systems and customized water crafts are often used.

Flyboarding: it consists of a board with a high-octane contraption that sends the rider flying into the air. It has a long pipe which sucks the water supply and leaves a trail behind as the riders burst into the air at full speed. It is designed to reach stability in the air and then dive into the water. The rider can perform tricks as he feels comfortable in the air and do special movements as grabs and spins.

Kitesurfing: it uses a modified surf board and while it is held on to a kite that harnesses the power of the wind to gain speed and air. There are many types of kite surfing including freestyle riding, racing, freeride and jumping and kitesurfing in the waves. It is considered an extreme sport as it involves a huge amount of speed and tricks can be done with it. It is similar to skateboarding and snowboarding and some of the tricks are borrowed from these two sports. Big air jumps, grabs and spins are the basics for this type of sport. Also high speed sailing is common and a lot of world records have been broken, reaching speeds of almost 94 kphs.

Image courtesy of Zach Dischner at Flickr.com

Blob jumping: not considered a sport but more of a water activity or hobby. The idea is to place a giant, partially inflated air bag on the water, also known as a blob, and jumping on it to catapult another person into the air. You will not see any competition of any type, as it is not the most stylish way to reach air, but you can certainly do tricks and spins while you are at it. Flips are very common in this hobby and most water attractions are getting into the trend. It is dangerous and fun at the same time, and if you do it with style you can reach you adrenaline levels very easily.

Subwing: this sport is relatively new. It consists of carbon fibre hydrodynamic wing that is hanging from a boat and the person hangs on to it. It seems dangerous as nobody want to be left behind in the ocean or be trapped in a reef. You can reach speeds of 2 to 4 knots and it has a user manual. You can try to makes some spins while you fly across the water , but be sure to know what you are doing as the water and ocean deserve respect while you are underwater.

Surfing: the most popular and old extreme sport in the world. The rider uses a board to cut through waves. The current trend is to do big wave surfing, which consists of looking for the most amazing and biggest waves to surf and come out clean and alive. Only professionals should attempt this kind of surfing as the strength of the ocean can hit you very hard if you haven’t mastered the skill of surfing at its full. Common competitions are seen in San Francisco, Chile, Mexico, Oregon and Baja California.

Be sure to be on the look for these sports on your next vacation to the ocean. Some of them can be tried by normal human beings with no expertise, but other are better left to be done by the pros and people who know what they are doing. If you are driven to extreme sports, be sure to check with your adrenaline boost and remember to be safe at all times. Don’t go crazy on your new sport as it can bring injuries and even death. That is why they are called extreme water sports

January 21, 2016 0 comments

Cruise Cruise Deals Cruise News Cruise Tips Royal at Sea Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

Surprising prices to pay for cruises. Travel cheap and save a good amount of money.

by Royal Holiday January 17, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Cruises can be very luxurious and very expensive. They range from cheap cruises that are not listed in the top lists for impressive cruises to the ones that are the biggest and most amazing vessels you can find. It all depends on what you want, when you want it, who are you travelling with and what are you willing to do on board. Of course, you can get very expensive plans and activities, but you can also find cheap and enjoyable things to do while on the mini floating city you are travelling on.

First, be smart to book your room. Most boats don’t want to sail with half empty spaces and 50% accommodation rates. It is similar to booking a travel tour. The nearest the departure date, the cheapest the bookings are. Of course, you can book in advance, but since you are looking for the best prices, be patient and wait for last minute prices discounts. You will find yourself in a world where prices can go down as far as 60% on your room and your travel expenses.

Second, book your own air fare. Don’t do it through the cruise line since they charge you their fee and their commission, so it can be as high as 50% more for the flight. Do it yourself. DIY is a trend now so keep up with it and don’t be lazy to look for your own tickets. If you don’t know how to do it or never done it before. Use a trustworthy travel agent that can help you with your air tickets to the cruise destination. You will be saving a good amount of money just by doing this.

Third, sign up for alerts and try to book through an expert or a person that knows the cruise world and its business model like the back of his or her hand. Booking through an expert and waiting for alerts can save you up to 120 USD and can get you an extra 100 USD shipboard credit. Also, you can find refundable deposits and amazing deals on activities and on board sweepstakes. Children activities can also be cheap if you know what your children like to do and not pay for everything at the same time.

Fourth, look for a good cabin away from crowded places and far away from main attractions. This could sound a little bit strange but you can get big savings by just walking a little bit more on the ship. Of course, ask for a map of the ship so you don’t get lost and miss out on good things. All of the cruises have elevators and user friendly corridors and routes to get where you want to go in less than 20 minutes. Don’t be lazy and sign up for 15 minutes walks to get anywhere around the boat.

Image courtesy of Tom Jutte at Flickr.com

Fifth. Cruise in the off season. Depending on your country and where you are going, choose an off season to travel. When children are at school; in the hurricane season in the Caribbean, or in September in Alaska. These types of seasons attract less people, thus giving you the advantage of a late booking with amazing cabins and fees. Vacations like spring break or summer holidays are the most expensive. Why don’t you take a cruise in May or October ? Hurricane season in the Caribbean is always a season that everybody avoids. Try not being afraid of these seasons as the boats are totally safe and disaster is not very often in these types of vacations.

As for the last advice. Look for repositioning cruises. What does this mean? Well, it is when cruise lines move ships to very popular destinations just before the season start. As a complement for the previous point, you can sail on these type of ships and have the experience of a lifetime sailing across an ocean or down continental coasts just by hoping on ships that are being moved from one part to another. You can find these type of deals at any booking website and they come ever so cheap as the route is not designed as a touristic or seasonal trip.

These six tips can help you book a cheap vacation for you and your family and save you a lot of money in cruise deals. It is thought that cruise liners are for rich people , but now you have some advice and a starter to go and find the best vacation you can ever have and at very affordable prices. Don’t wait for people to tell you how cruises are. Go and book your cabin and plane ticket, ask your agency and use these tips. You will not regret it.

January 17, 2016 0 comments

Cruise Tips Destination Tips Royal at Sea Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

The 4 most incredible Blue Holes in the ocean you can’t miss

by Royal Holiday January 11, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

The planet has many wonderful places created by nature that have been discovered by men. Some of them are on land and can be touched and walked, some of them can be seen in the sky, through light. Some of them can be listened through the wind, and a few others can only be found in the ocean. We all know 70% of the planet is water and that means there is an enormous world that even though it can’t be seen from the outside, it can surely be explored on the surface and underneath it. The way these amazing places are explored is by using the proper equipment, skills and care, and that is how all their special details and marvels have been found. So many colors, animals, textures and scenes can be seen in the ocean, but that is not all. In a few very rare locations in the world, unique formations in the ocean called “Blue Holes” have been found. Blue Holes are very large marine caverns or underwater sinkholes that extend below sea level and most of them have deep submerged cave passages that turn out in beautiful dive ecosystems. Some of them are considered true diver’s paradises and are visited year round by divers from all around the world. Blue holes develop normally in islands composed of coral reefs or limestones and are formed by the erosion of carbonated rocks. They look like a big dark blue circle of water in the sea. They are normally located in low coasts that used to be above sea level thousands of years ago. The reason why they appear to be darker is because of their depth and the higher absorption of sunlight due to that depth. The contrast between blue holes and the rest of the colors of the ocean make them a true beauty, not only underwater but from the surface too.

Here are the 4 most famous and beautiful blue holes around the world.

The Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Blue Hole of Belize is called “The great” because of its size. It has a diameter of more than 300 meters and it is 124 meters deep. It is located next to Lighthouse Reef, an atoll 70 km from Belize City and it’s famous for being a beautiful dive spot where a great variety of flora a sharks such as nurse sharks, reef sharks and bull sharks can be found. The Great Blue Hole is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was formed about 150,000 years ago. Jacques-Yves Cousteau was the one who made it popular by saying it was one of the 10 best dive sites in the world.

Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island – Bahamas

Dean’s Blue Hole is known for being the deepest blue hole in the world, with more 200 meters of depth. It is slightly circular and has a diameter between 25 and 35 meters. The first 20 meters are not very wide, but after descending that specific depth it becomes much wider and turns into a cavern with a diameter of about 100 meters. This Blue Hole is located west of Clarence Town on Long Island Bahamas and is like a deep salt water swimming pool with beautiful clear water full of colorful tropical fish for divers and free divers to enjoy. Snappers, silver-plated tarpons, rays, turtles and seahorses can be found here.

Image courtesy of Christian Afonso at Flickr.com

Dahab Blue Hole, Egypt

The Blue Hole of Dahab is a popular dive site located east of Sinai, on the coast of the Red Sea, close to Dahab, Egypt. It is a vertical cavern with an arch that connects the Blue Hole to the Red Sea. It is about 130 meters deep and it is also known for being a dangerous diving location, due to the confusion it may cause to divers underwater. It is actually called the “Diver’s Cemetery” and is considered being the world’s most dangerous dive site, where more than 30 divers die each year, trying to dive under the arch. Despite its bad reputation, the Blue Hole of Dahab has a great variety of underwater fauna. Divers will be able to find clownfish, lionfish, Spanish dancers and turtles, among others.

Image courtesy of Felix Esteban at Flickr.com

Gozo Blue Hole, Maltese Archipelago

In the Mediterranean Sea, in Dwejra, on the west coast of the island of Gozo, which is part of the Maltese Archipelago is the Blue Hole of Gozo located. It is the smallest known Blue Hole. It is a 15 meters deep inland sea pool and has a diameter of 10 meters. It has an underwater tunnel that connects the hole to the sea. It is also known for being a beautiful dive site where you can find a great variety of marine life such as schools of bream, parrot fish, moray eels, lobsters, octopus among others.

Image courtesy of Darren Barefoot at Flickr.com

January 11, 2016 0 comments

Before you cruise Destination Tips Royal at Sea Royal Holiday

The 3 most exciting watersports to try out on an island

by Royal Holiday January 8, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Whenever you ask someone what the best vacation would be, a big percentage of the answers will include, warm weather, sun and a beach. Of course there will always be different opinions and points of view, because not everyone has the same tastes and interests, but the beach with the blue water, the sunshine and probably the idea of an island will most likely be everyone´s favorite. The whole idea of taking a vacation in a place like that, in an island like that is all about relaxing and having fun, which is why a place with those specific insights will always be a synonym of vacations. It´s hard to understand how people can live and work in a place where all you want to do is relax. And relaxing means doing what you like, when you like to, with the people you like to. Islands do that to people, and that is the magic about it. Especially Islands where you feel kind of “forced”, in a good way, to enjoy, disconnect from the real world, and why not, get a nice tan. While you do that, you will find that there are many activities that are just perfect for that specific place you chose to get some tropical energy. Tropical islands are the right place to practice and to explore a great variety of watersports that you probably didn’t imagine you would try out some day. These watersports will make your stay in any island so much exciting, entertaining and challenging. You will not only have fun, but you will find new things about yourself that maybe you didn’t know. You will be able to get rid of silly fears you thought you had with water and find a genuine and undiscovered passion for a watersport you had never tried out.

Here is a list of the 3 most exciting watersports you can tryout on an island. In case of deciding to try one of these watersports out, make sure you do it with responsible schools and instructors, especially if it is the first time. Just because it’s fun it doesn’t mean you don’t have to be careful. Watersports require a lot of physical and mental control and concentration. Most of them require some ability and skills. The good news is that just like any other activity, the more you practice it, the better you get at it, and you could even become a “pro” at it.

Surfing

Surfing is one of the most fascinating water sports. It has origins in Polynesia, where this practice was part of its culture. Others say that the first surfers were found in Tahiti and in Samoa, almost three centuries ago. The magic of surfing is that you learn to ride on the wave. Since it is a surface water sport it is very important to know the wind and currents and to know what the exact moment is to get on the board after seeking for a wave. There are many surf schools on inlands. Experimented surfers and instructors are available to teach visitors techniques and tips to find out what it really is to enjoy the waves.

Scuba Diving

The world would only have one version if it wasn’t for scuba diving. The world underwater is certainly something amazing that was able to be explored in detail and individually, because of all the technology that has been developed for scuba diving. The term scuba is an acronym for “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus”. Some say that scuba diving feels like flying, only without the fear of falling. The sensation of freedom and the astonishment you will experience once you are able to see so many animals, so close, so free, so calm, is such a breathtaking experience that you will only want to live the experience over and over again. Scuba diving schools are also always available on islands, especially if they have beautiful diving sites in the area. There are different dive courses you can take. Each one of them will give you a certificate that will be required every time you decide to dive somewhere. Make sure you take it with you.

Image courtesy of Pedro Paulo Cunha at Flickr.com

Kitesurfing

As another surface water sport, kitesurfing differs a bit from the traditional surfing. Kitesurfing includes one more element that is essential to the existence and the uniqueness of this water sport. The Kite is what makes it so special, because it allows the rider to take full advantage of the wind, in order to move forward and to make movements that are the ones that give this sort all the excitement. It combines aspects from different sports such as skateboarding, windsurfing, snowboarding and even paragliding, among others. There are courses available for people who are interested in learning how this sport works and most people easily fall in love with it.

Image courtesy of Cristian Viarisio at Flickr.com

January 8, 2016 0 comments