Viajar en crucero te puede traer muchas ventajas. No sólo disfrutas de realizar diversas actividades en el interior, también puede ser una opción económica en la cual visitas diferentes países o sitios para conocer.
La mejor manera de disfrutar del mar y de unos días de descanso es viajando en Cruceros para disfrutar del Caribe. Esta opción te ofrece la oportunidad de visitar diferentes destinos y decidir entre una gran gama de lugares que puedes conocer.
Are you about to take a cruise? Fabulous! It is one of the most exciting and spectacular vacation experiences to be had.
That’s why we’re offering these tips: read them over, and put them into practice to get the most out of your vacation at sea. Ready?
Here we go:
1. Familiarize yourself with the ship
That way you won’t get lost, and check out every nook and cranny of the giant you’re sailing the high seas on.
2. Your card, the key to everything
Once you have boarded, you will be given a card. Keep it with you at all times, because not only is it the key to your cabin, but you will need it throughout the cruise for numerous activities and shops.
3. Smile
Your smile is the best introduction on land as well as at sea.
4. Sharing space
Try to be considerate during your cruise by not slamming doors, stomping your feet or shouting in the hallways. Act the way you would like others to act around you.
5. Dressing for the occasion
You wouldn’t wear a tuxedo to the swimming pool or a bathing suit to a formal dinner. Pay attention to the way you dress; use common sense.
6. Nothing in excess, everything in moderation!
Don’t go overboard with food and drinks, especially the latter. Keep in mind that the term “all inclusive” means not going “overboard”.
7. Above all, discretion
If you have an issue concerning something that happens on board, discuss it privately with ship staff members or the customer service department; do not do it publicly.
8. Casinos
Here you do need to have cash, since these places are not part of the All-Inclusive service.
9. Make sure the ship doesn’t leave you behind!
Punctuality is the key for events on board, as well as side trips you take on land. You must get back on time or you could be left stranded at the port.
10. Above all, respect
By following the rules for each area on the ship, you will stay on a perfectly even keel with staff and fellow guests.
Now you know! Apply these ten tips on your next cruise, and have a fabulous vacation.
Happy sailing!
Royal Holiday has expanded our cruise offerings. Now you can see the glaciers of Alaska, experience the otherworldliness of Antarctica, or discover the fascination of Japan.
With Royal Holiday and our partners, these new and exciting cruising destinations offer unparalleled adventure across all of the planet’s continents and oceans!
Princess Cruises
Alaska
Enjoy the exclusivity of Princess Cruises and set sail for Alaska—one of the cruise lines’ most popular routes.
Enjoy towering glaciers, unimaginable wildlife, and national parks that stretch all the way to the horizon—all from the luxury and comfort of your ship. Onboard activities include cultural events, concerts, Broadway-style shows, exciting nightlife, and mouth-watering cuisine options. Plan for your departure in July, August and September.
Japan
Expand your horizons even further on the sophisticated Diamond Princess cruise to the islands of Japan. Onboard, you’ll enjoy authentic regional cuisine and cultural performances, not to mention exclusive amenities such as the ship’s Izumi Japanese Bath including steam rooms, saunas, and hot tubs with spectacular ocean views. You’ll love the unforgettable luxury. Departures are scheduled for September.
Australis cruises
Antarctica
Conquer the end of the world on an Australis cruise. Sail up to impressive glaciers and take in the incredible landscapes of Patagonian from Punta Arenas in Chile to Ushuaia in Argentina. Every Australis ship is equipped to guarantee a journey of total comfort, with refined luxury that includes exquisite cuisine and onboard entertainment. Tourist expeditions are included, too. Departures are set for October.
Carnival cruises
The Caribbean
Climb on board for a Carnival cruise through the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Enjoy the onboard luxury of swimming pools, the best cuisine, and special entertainment options for children and teenagers—not to mention live music and shows for adults. There’s a great selection of boats to choose from, including the Carnival Vista, the Glory or Sensation. Plan your departure for June.
Make this your year to sail the world’s seven seas—thanks to the advantages only your Royal Holiday membership offers. Select from the cruise line, route and destination you prefer. Your cruising adventures start in June. Contact your vacation advisor today for full details or visit the Royal Holiday website.
Get on board!
Aquatic sports are a great way to spend your time on holiday being active and exercising while you are away from home. What is so great about these activities is that they are extremely fun, very safe in general if done correctly and also extremely exclusive, as they cannot be done anywhere else but out in the open ocean. Warm weather, sunny beaches, and blue waters, are the perfect environment to engage in these amazing sports that can enjoyed by everyone from the youngest members of the family to the most daring and adventurous. Today in Royal Holiday Cruises, we take a break to talk about some of the most fun water sports you can find as you travel with us around the world.
Sailing
Sailing is an activity that requires some experience in order to do alone. It is not difficult to find tours that can take small groups sailing and even teach them a thing or two about how to do the basics. Sailing is all about sing wind propulsion to push a craft through the water but in some situations, it can be done over land or even ice.
Surfing
A very popular sport and probably one of the first ones that come to mind when you think about aquatic activities. Surfing has many different variations depending on the type of board, the size of the waves and the experience of the user. Surfing is a sport that anyone can take up and in most beaches where people practice surfing, you can rent equipment so you don’t have to buy an expensive and cumbersome board in order to get started.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the best aquatic sports to get started. All you really need is a mask and knowing how to swim. Snorkeling is perfect in order to enjoy the beauties of the ocean and the whole family together can enjoy as a great bonding experience.
Scuba Diving
Image courtesy of John at Flickr.com
Scuba diving is the advanced version of snorkeling. With the use of a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, you can submerge and enjoy a prolonged stay under the ocean. Scuba is perfect for enjoying the wildlife first-hand and exploring a world that is otherwise unreachable to us. The only drawback to scuba diving is the fact that you do need to be certified to do it, even with a guide. The good news is that some places offer flash courses with just the basics you need to do the equipment and have a guided submersion under the supervision of a qualified guide.
Kite surfing
Kitesurfing if the combination of surfing on a board while holding onto a portable sail that gives you wind propulsion. Experts of kite surfing can do a lot of different tricks and gravity-defying feats under the right wind and water conditions. The sport is also great for those who want to get a good workout and probably fall quite a few times.
Parasailing
This sport has many variations and it can do in many different environments, but when it comes to the aquatic version, it usually requires a boat and a parachute. The person gets strapped into the sail or parachute and attached to the boat by a line. As the boat takes off, you get flown up into the air and follow the trajectory of the boat. One of the best things of parasailing is that you need no experience to enjoy it and the view you get from above is simply beautiful.
Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking is a beautiful way to sightsee with the whole family. Sea kayaking is great in calm waters as you watch the sunset and enjoy paddling out to different spots. You do not need any special experience and the activity is very safe if done in proper waters. Kayaks can accommodate 2 people or more in it
Standup paddling
Another aquatic sport that is becoming more popular lately and easily available in more places around the world. SUP involves the use of board similar to those used in surfing and a large paddle to row standing up. The sport can be very calm but also extreme if done by a professional who can use waves as ramps to jump up in the air.
Jet Skiing
Jet skiing is a very cool activity to practice but it is not recommended to anyone under the age of 18, as it can be very dangerous. Jet skis can be powerful machines and quite fun to pilot, especially in calmed waters.
Flyboarding
This is one of the newest aquatic sports out there that is making the rounds all over the world. A flyboard is a small board similar to a skateboard that gets strapped to your feet. Under the board, you have a hose that shoots a strong water stream that can shoot you several feet up in the air and allow you to hover and move around freely.
Going on your first cruise can be an overwhelming experience. There is so much to plan, so many things to do before you can consider yourself ready and so many ways you feel things may go wrong. Here at Royal Holiday Cruises, we try to get you prepared for your first cruising experience, so you can make the most of it and enjoy it to the fullest. However, it happens more often than not, that people do not prepare accordingly and make mistakes that while may seem funny when you look back; they sure felt terrible at the time. Here we have some of the most common rookie blunders cruisers make on their first trip, but quickly learn to never repeat again.
Don’t pack accordingly
Packing is a mix between art and science. We have talked about it before here on our blog and you can also find many guides of how to do it perfectly according to self-proclaimed experts. The biggest mistakes people make, usually have to do with packing things they think are ok, and later realizing the were not allowed on board. The secret is to do your research and find out exactly what the restrictions before hand. Oh yeah and remember to bring extra hangers! Trust us on that one.
Forget to bring a carry-on
Bringing a carry-on is one of the smartest things you can do when coming in a cruise. But the real secret is knowing what to pack in it. The trick is to have all the things you will need within the first 6 hours of the trip, because sometimes it takes that long for you to have access to the rest of your luggage. The process is long and slow, because there are a lot of passengers waiting for their things, so while they are stuck in line, you can be enjoying the pool and having fun with your loved ones.
Overdo it with the buffet
Just because is all you can eat, it doesn’t mean you have to eat all you can. Remember you are on a moving fortress that swings back and forth with the movement of the sea. Overeating can lead to seasickness, and that can make your experience a miserable one. Do stuff yourself with the food and just eat enough to feel sated and remember there are many other things to do on board. Pace yourself.
Spend too much on souvenirs
It make look like a great idea at the time, but buying a lot of clothing from the Caribbean may leave you with a bag full of flower-patterned shirts you may never ever wear again. Make sure you aren’t overpaying either, remember you are a tourist and that means they see you as an easy target. Be careful with your spending so your cruise experience doesn’t become a financial nightmare when you get back home.
Courtesy of SabrinaDan Photo at flickr.com
Buy more things that they can bring back
Part of packing accordingly includes leaving enough space for souvenirs. It would be terrible if you can’t bring with you everything you took there. Some people fight this by bringing stuff that they are purposefully going to leave behind like almost empty shampoo bottles or sandals that are almost to the end of their life cycle. Make room for gifts from the moment you pack.
Forget about sunscreen
Just because the wind is chilly, it doesn’t mean the sun is not burning your skin. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make, especially those with fair skin that are not used to the sun at sea. Even if you aren’t feeling the heat on your skin, the sun is burning you, so make sure you wear sunblock because when it comes to sunburns, by the time you detect it, it is already too late.
Don’t socialize
You have a lot in common with the people cruising with you, you are all literally on the same boat, so take the opportunity to make some friends and meet some people. Some folks forget about this aspect and pass on one of the coolest experiences from traveling aboard a cruise line. Make some friends.
Forget to book excursions in advance
Sometimes people think that going out on their own and making their own excursion arrangements can save them money. The truth is, it actually can be more expensive in most cases, and you also have to worry about being out there without any guarantee you will make the port call. Cruise lines work with local guides to give their guests the bests prices on excursions by booking them themselves and also are mindful of making it back on time you are going to be positive to not miss your boat.
Book your cruise in the wrong season
Weekend cruises are not for resting and neither are those during school break. Make sure you are ready for that the season offers and that includes many children, party people or strange weather.
Forget about visa or passport requirements.
Find out before departing which requirements do you need for the different ports you will be visiting. That way you won’t miss out on the fun by having to stay on the boat while others enjoy the local fun.
The Galapagos are a group of islands located about 500 miles away from Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is very popular for being a place where Charles Darwin concentrated much of its scientific research due to their large number of endemic species and their great biodiversity. The Galapagos Islands have been ranked in the top spots of places to visit in Central and South America as well as the best islands in the world, the best national parks, the best family summer vacation and also some of the most affordable vacation spots in South America. No other place in Earth offers such close encounters with nature and such an amazing opportunity to experience one of the most pristine and untouched ecosystems of the planet; sadly we do not know at this rate, for how long they will retain their magic and conserve all of their ecological value at the rate we are destroying the planet.
You can see The Galapagos during the whole year if you chose to do so. June through August are the busiest months to visit as well as the priciest time to go to the island, from December through May the weather is hotter and the rains are more constant but the ocean is calmer. If you are into SCUBA diving, experts recommend to go from September to November when the water is a lot colder and you can see more marine species out and about.
Without a doubt, the wildlife is the main reason why people chose The Galapagos as their holiday destination and they do it rightly so. As we mentioned before, the diversity and amount of species that you can’t find anywhere else in the world, are very abundant here.
The Galapagos are one of the few places left in the planet where human touch is practically non-existent. The islands do not have an indigenous population and they were actually the first place to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most access to the islands in restricted and requires licensed guides to take you there in order to further protect the place from our destructive influence.
The educational value of visiting the Galapagos is unmatched. Here you can witness first-hand the marvels of evolution unfolding before your eyes and understand why this place presented such a strong evidence to support Charles Darwin’s theories and his work in natural selection. Giant tortoises, sea lions, and birds like finches and boobies are all over the place and their lack of fear for humans can give you the chance of experiencing some of the closest encounters you will ever live with this amazing creatures.
If you love the water, this place is as diverse beyond its coasts as it is inland. More than 400 hundred different species of fish have been documented in this area and more than 10% of them are endemic to the region. The place is perfect for snorkeling as well with the whole family with the guidance of the experts in the subject. Finding penguins, sea lions, and even sharks is not uncommon when you venture to discover underwater life at The Galapagos.
Image courtesy of Kerry Lannert at Flickr.com
The opportunity to take amazing photographs is another great reason why people love to come here. It feels like you are cheating when you gaze upon the vistas and landscapes the Galapagos have to offer. Even the newest amateurs can be sure that they will capture some of the greatest shots they will ever be able to take in any vacation.
The beaches here are absolutely stunning. You can find some of the bluest waters and the whitest sands you have ever seen, as long as you don’t mind sharing the space with sea lions and birds instead of umbrellas, food stands, and noisy vendors. Each island is like a different world unto itself. You can find all kinds of topography, landscapes, vegetation and animal life that has existed for thousands of years untouched.
Visiting The Galapagos is both beautiful and sad at the same time, because at this rate, this amazing archipelago composed of more than 60 different islands will eventually disappear. Tourism is something that greatly contributes economically to the conservation, protection and preservation of these ecosystems, but at the same time, collective consciousness about the issues that leave the future of this beautiful in such a degree of uncertainty must be raised. Those who visit the Galapagos must leave the islands as heralds and ambassadors of the beauty they have experienced and understand their role in making sure that many more generations can enjoy that same privilege.
For more amazing places to visit, the best tips to save on your next trip and the coolest tricks to make the most out of your next vacation, visit Royal Holiday Cruises today.
Iceland is a volcanic island located on the Atlantic Ocean, filled with geysers, glaciers and hot springs and the capital of Reykjavik.
Fishing is the main economic activity of Iceland and throughout the years it has ruled the landscape of exports to the world. Products derived from fish come a close second place to fishing as they produce things like fish flour, fish oils and even fertilizers. In order to visit Iceland, the main requirement you must meet is to have enough time to spend there and see everything that it has to offer like it’s beautiful forests, impossibly blue thermal springs, interesting people and amazing landscapes.
Why should you visit Iceland?
- Iceland is one of the safest places to visit and to enjoy your vacation time. The crime rate is extremely low and the amount of money spend by government in military defense is extremely low, something that makes room to invest in better infrastructure and providing great facilities for its citizens as well as visitors.
- Nature and landscapes of Iceland cannot be compared to anything else nowhere in the world. The environment is clean and pure filled with water in many different forms like glaciers, waterfalls, rivers and ice covered volcanoes located just a few meters away from each other. Another beautiful sight of Iceland is the possibility to see the whales as they pass by seasonally and the hot springs that have made Iceland famous all over the world for their natural spas.
- Food in Iceland is also one of the reasons why people keep coming back every year as well as their vibrant and inclusive nightlife.
Where should you go in Iceland?
- One of the main spots you have to visit is the capital city of Reykjavik, that with only 18.000 inhabitants, open its doors every year to welcome all visitors to its beautiful streets filled with museums, galleries, shops, bars, nightclubs and top notch restaurants. Some of the best places to visit are the Perlan, the Hallgrímskirkja church, the thermal beach of Nauhólsvík, the National Museum, the Kjarvalsstadir Gallery and the Reykjavík boardwalk amongst others.
- After seeing the capital, another strong recommendation is to visit the Blue Lagoon, another thermal spa that is very popular and specially fitted to relax in an amazing pool of blue water perfectly acclimatized for your enjoyment.
- The Golden Circle tour is another great trip in Iceland that you can take on horseback visiting many places of interest. Before you undertake the journey, you are fitted with the right gear to withstand the cold and asked about your prior experience on horseback so you can be paired with the right companion. After a long road of snow and rocks, you can reach the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can witness the spot where the two continents are divided and also to see the beautiful ice mountains and tour around the ice caps. The second stop is the Geysir and Strokkur hot springs and lastly the Gullfoss Waterfall, a 32-meter drop and one of Iceland’s most famous bodies of water.
- Before ending your trip on Iceland, you must take the time to visit the southern coast and enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful beaches located just a few meters away from the Skogafoss Falls. Both of these places are great locations to bring your family and loved ones.
Courtesy of Moyan Brenn at flickr.com
Traditional Icelandic Food
Food in Iceland is mainly extracted from the ocean and some examples of this are trout, cod, salmon and in some cases even whale. However, lamb is also quite popular and ubiquitous through the region. Due to Iceland’s weather and being remotely located from many other countries, people through history have implemented many ways to prepare their food through smoking, drying and pickling some of its dishes. There are plates here that are not recommended to the squeamish or weak of stomach, like the hakarl for example; a delicacy made of shark meat that has been buried for over a month in a process of fermentation and then dried and served straight to your plate. Another example of a strong-flavored dish is the hrútspungur, a type of meatball made with the nether regions of a ram.
During the months of January and February, people in Iceland celebrate a festival that allows you to get a real taste of what the country has to offer in terms of culinary choices. The festival of Porramatur is the perfect place to find a large combination of traditional Icelandic food like Svio, which is the head of lamb cut in half, singed and boiled: another popular choice is the traditional dried fish, different cuts of meat, radish puree, hardfiskur, sheep liver sausages, breads, marinated fish and more. The traditional alcoholic beverage of Iceland is the brennivin, a result of the fermentation of potatoes. Another popular product of Iceland is the skyr, a dairy product similar to cheese that is used in the preparation of many dishes or simply eaten straight up.
If you want to explore more cold islands in your next holiday, make sure you check out of blog at Royal Holiday Cruises for ideas and the best information when choosing your next destination.
Royal Holiday Cruises stands behind the type of entertainment we offer with the utmost certainty that this will be an experience you will never forget. Cruising provides passengers with one of the coolest and most amazing traveling options to be had.
However, for the budget conscious traveler, it is always important to find ways to save some money and perhaps find a way to make these type of vacations something periodic ever year or so. Here we have some small ideas, tips, and tricks that can help you little by little save a bit in the way you cruise and at the same time, get the most out of your hard-earned money when you book with us.
The time when you book matters. People always think that booking early means getting the best deals, but there is such thing as booking too early. If you book too early you may not allow for prices to go down a bit before they come back up. Anything earlier than 6 months is way too early and may bar you for getting you the best deal on your package. In some cases, waiting for the last minute can pay off as well, as some lines greatly reduce prices if they feel they may not book enough passengers, but doing this is a bit risky because you could miss out and not find tickets all together. For great deals, take a look at our offers at Royal Holiday.
Cruise excursions may be the way to go. Cruise lines usually offer excursions when in port that can take you to see nice places around the area, eat at good restaurants and do a bit of shopping. While some people believe that you are better on your own finding a local guide and just exploring, the truth is that in some cases it is better to stay with the line. One of the advantages is that obviously you will not miss the call to embark once again, but also you have to consider that in some cases the cruise lines have deals with local businesses and have already negotiated for the best prices. Keep this information in mind before you decide how to proceed.
Traveling during the off-peak seasons is also a smart move if you want to significantly save on fare, but make sure you check weather patterns and read the fine print on your deals, you do not want to lose you money because you weren’t covered and you missed your flight due to bad weather.
Another good choice to consider is to make a bid online for your cruise vacation. There are websites that even let you name your own prices and in some occasions, these are the best ways to get a really low fare.
Not all on board restaurants are included. In some cases, you can simply save money by dining in the restaurants already included in your package, but if you want to take advantage of all the options available on board, you may want to look into getting a restaurant package that covers some of the extra options beforehand. You will save a lot if you do it this way instead of deciding once you are already on board.
Image courtesy of roland.gruber99 at Flickr.com
Another nice little trick is to try to go to the restaurants on the first night as they normally have special deals or check them out during lunch when prices are lower.
Take a break and disconnect. We know sometimes is very difficult to try to stay away from the world you left behind and you may want to check your email constantly and stay informed of all Facebook updates, however, paying for internet access on the ship is expensive and it can rack up quite a tab. If you absolutely need to be connected, then try to get your package on day 1 when they are usually cheaper.
The best way to save if you like to drink alcohol and sodas while you are on board is by getting a package deal as well that includes all of your drinks. Remember that most beverages are not allowed on board; so plan ahead if you want to save by buying a pass beforehand.
Compare when you are shopping. We offer different cruise lines on our websites and the prices of packages vary constantly, make sure you do your homework or even go as far as hiring an agent because they have the knowledge to help you find the best deals possible and assure a future customer.
Signing up for the “frequent cruiser” program has its advantages, you can rack up miles as well as getting small little perks just by signing up, so don’t miss it.
If you book for your next vacation while still on board, you can get really good discounts and in some cases, you don’t even have to pay penalties if you later choose to cancel your trip.
Are you one of those people who starts packing weeks in advance, weigh your luggage at every step of the way and choose carefully what to bring and what to leave behind? Or are you one of those who thinks they idea of making a list and worrying about packing earlier than the night before is just ridiculous? Whether you are an early packer or a last minute loader, we at Royal Holiday Cruises always bring you the best tips and tricks to make the most out of your next adventure.
Packing can make the difference between a great trip or a disaster if you aren’t careful and this is especially true when we talk about cruises, since the space is more limited, things that are forgotten can’t always be easily replaced and there are some restrictions and considerations that must be observed when planning your trip. So here you have it, some of our best advice on how to pack for your next adventure traveling the seas.
Your carry-on is the key
Your carry on contains all of those things that stay by your side during the trip from your home until you finally arrive to your cabin. This is important because in case the rest of your luggage gets misplaced, at least you have some things with you, but that is not all. You will not have access to your luggage for a few hours after you come aboard even if everything goes according to plan. Your carry on is the perfect place to store a change of clothes and perhaps your swimsuit so you can start enjoying the cruise as the rest of the passengers wait for their bags to arrive.
Pack a bit in each other’s bags
If you travel with a significant other, then pack at least one outfit in each other’s bag. In the event of a bag going missing or being delayed, at least you have something you can wear packed in the other person’s bag and vice versa. Pack together and make sure you aren’t occupying space by doubling down on items that can be shared.
Remember you can do laundry on board
While it can be a bit expensive, remember you can save space in your bag by having clothes you can have cleaned while on the cruise and then you can wear them again. Small sachets of laundry detergent can help you wash some essentials in your bathroom and just hang them up to dry if necessary.
If you are picky bring your own toiletries
Most of these things are already provided, but perhaps not the brands you use or like. You can bring your own in this case and save space by using travel size containers or even the big bottles if you have some at home that are almost empty; just use what’s left and discard the bottle while on the trip.
Pack according to your destination and the dress code
Your destination should dictate the clothes you bring on your cruise. Shorts are not recommended if you are traveling to Alaska and you wouldn’t forgive yourself for missing a formal evening because you simply don’t have the appropriate attire.
Don’t pack to full capacity
Remember to leave room in your bags for possible souvenirs and purchases you make while on the trip. All destinations are great places to buy things you may not be able to find anywhere else in the world, so make sure you have that in mind and that way you won’t have to worry about picking between your new ware and something that you may have to leave behind due to poor planning.
Bring a beltpack, you will use it
Yes, they may look goofy but they are great for carrying your important documents, handheld devices or just some money as you walk around the ship. They are more versatile than your wallet and you don’t need pockets, so give them a chance.
Pack by outfits
If you pack by complete set of outfits, including accessories and underwear, you will be less likely to over pack and thus save a lot of space. You can think about when you may change and consider special occasion and things like date nights on the cruise and then have it all ready. Bonus points if you separate each outfit in a different ziplock bag.
Tag your bags
Save yourself a headache by having your own personal tags on your bags in additions to the ones you get from the airline. Those pieces of paper with a flimsy elastic band will fall off easily and your bags will be unmarked.
Photograph your luggage and copy your IDs
This will make your life a lot easier if you lose any of your items. The picture can help others help you find your bag easily and the copies of your IDs will prove very useful if you misplace any of that important documentation.
Image courtesy of txinkman at Flickr.com