Cruise Ship Activities for Children under Twelve

Each year, many individuals make the decision to take a cruise.
Cruise ships are a great location to have your next vacation. If
given the opportunity, many parents would choose to take a
cruise alone. This is mainly because of a common misconception
among parents about cruise ships. Many individuals, including
parents, believe that cruise ships are not designed for
children, but that is simply not true.

If you are the parent of a child under the age of twelve, you
may be wondering whether or not they should accompany you on
your next cruise. If you are able to financially afford an
additional ticket, you are encouraged to consider bring your
child along. Not only will a cruise be memorable to your child,
but it will be exciting. That is because a large number of
cruise lines have tailored their cruise ships to children of all
ages, including those under the age of twelve.

If you have yet to book your cruise ship reservations, you are
encouraged to keep cruise ship activities in mind. The
activities for children, under the age of twelve, will vary from
ship to ship. That is why it is important that you examine each
ship before making a final decision. Despite the fact that
activities will vary from ship to ship, there are many
activities geared towards children, under the age of twelve,
which can be found on almost all cruise ships.

One of the many popular activities found aboard a cruise ship is
a gaming. Arcade rooms are common on most cruise ships. They
offer children, under the age of twelve, a safe place to have
fun and be a child. Many cruise ship arcade rooms are staffed
with cruise ship employees, but this should not deter you from
keeping an eye on your child. When leaving them alone in an
arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment.

Another fun activity for children, under the age of twelve,
includes swimming. All vacation cruise ships are equipped with a
swimming pool. In addition to an adult sized swimming pool,
wading pools can often be found aboard a number of popular
family themed cruises. As with the arcade room, you are
encouraged to use your best judgment when allowing your children
to swim unattended. Lifeguards will be on duty; however, they
cannot always guarantee the safety of your child.

In addition to a swimming pool and an arcade room, most cruise
ships have an onboard movie theater or a performance stage. A
large number of cruise lines offer family friendly movies,
plays, and other performances. Children, under the age of
twelve, may find these performances and movie showings fun and
exciting. To determine if movie showing and performances are
targeted to those under twelve, you are encouraged to check a
cruise ship's itinerary. A ship's itinerary can be viewed with
or without previously booked reservations.

Cruise ship restaurants and other dining facilities are likely
to cater to children, under the age of twelve. Many restaurants
offer children's menus. These menus are likely to include tasty,
but kid sized meals. The cost of your kid's meals will vary from
ship to ship; however, many cruise ships offer discounts on
meals for children under the age of twelve.

Cruise ship childcare centers are facilities that benefit both
parents and their children. While on a family vacation, even you
need a break. For free or a small fee, you should be able to
leave your children in the care of a trained and experienced
childcare worker. Since a cruise ship is likely to have
passengers of all different ages, many childcare facilities are
grouped together by ages. As with most other services, you will
find that one cruise ship's childcare policy may vary from
another's.

The above mentioned activities, services, and facilities are
just a few of the many that are targeted to children, aged
twelve and under. If you are satisfied with the above mentioned
services, facilities, and activities, you may want to consider
scheduling your next family vacation aboard a cruise ship.

About the author:
For great deals on cruise vacations, visit
http://selectcruisevacations.com We have many popular cruise
lines to choose from (including Carnival Cruise and Cruise
Direct cruise lines) along with almost any destination you can
imagine. We have last minute deals, honeymoon cruise packages,
and popular shore excursions-- something for everyone!

Cruise Ships: Preparing For Your Voyage

When it comes to vacationing aboard a cruise ship, many
individuals consider preparation to be the luggage that they
plan to bring with them. Packing for your cruise ship vacation
is important; however, it is not the only preparation that
should occur. Preparation shouldn't wait until the week before
your trip. Rather, it should begin as soon as you book your
cruise ship reservation.

The type of cruise that you will be taking is vital to
preparation. A large number of cruise ships travel on
international waters. In addition to being on international
waters, many dock at international ports. Before begin able to
board your ship, you may have to show proper identification.
With international cruises, this identification often includes a
drivers licenses and a passport.

Unfortunately, when it comes to obtaining a passport, there are
many individuals who wait until the last minute. Last minute
passports can be obtained in the event of an emergency, but most
require at least a week or more to process. You will not be
automatically granted a passport; instead you are required to
apply for one. Almost all individuals that apply for a passport
are granted one, but planning ahead is the best option. If error
is made on the information you supplied, you will have enough
time to fix it before your cruise ship departs.

The proper identification is needed to board a cruise ship. Your
passport and your driver's license are not the only forms of
documentation that you should bring onboard. If you are covered
under a health insurance plan, you are encouraged to bring your
health insurance cards. In the event you fall ill while on
vacation, your insurance cards will allow you to obtain the
needed medical attention.

In addition to your medical insurance cards, it is advised that
you bring along all of your needed medications. You may even
want to consider brining along extra medication. Many physicians
will write extra prescriptions for their patients that are
traveling on a cruise ship. Should your medication become lost
or misplaced, the extra prescriptions can be used until you
return home. While requesting extra medication from your
healthcare provider, you may want to question them on safety
precautions aboard a cruise ship.

To pay for onboard and port activities, you will need to bring
along extra money. Vacationing aboard a cruise ship is similar
to vacationing anywhere else in the world. You are encouraged
not to carry large sums of cash with you. If you must bring cash
along, you are encouraged to divide your money up and place it
in safe locations. Almost all cruise ships and popular cruise
ship ports accept credit cards, cashiers checks, money orders,
or traveler's checks. These forms of payments are great
alternatives to carrying cash.

When traveling aboard a cruise ship, you are urged to give a
copy of the cruise ship's itinerary to multiple friends and
family members. This will make it possible for you to be
contacted in the event of an emergency. When registering for a
cruise ship, you may also be required to give the contact
information of someone that should be contacted in an emergency.
Your first thought may be to give the contact information of
your spouse, children, or a close friend. When doing so, it is
important to make sure that they will be on land and accessible.

Once you have made the above mentioned preparations, you can
begin focusing on other preparations, such as packing your
luggage. When packing, you are urged to keep the climate of your
cruise in mind. At the same time, you should be prepared for
unexpected weather. Making the proper cruise ship preparations
will ensure that your vacation will be a success.

About the author:
For great deals on cruise vacations, visit
http://selectcruisevacations.com We have many popular cruise
lines to choose from (including Carnival Cruise and Cruise
Direct cruise lines) along with almost any destination you can
imagine. We have last minute deals, honeymoon cruise packages,
and popular shore excursions-- something for everyone!

Diving in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, a Tourists' Mecca

Playa Del Carmen was once a small and sleepy little coastal town
with spectacular beach views whose charms weren't discovered by
mainstream travel, a true unspoiled gem. Over time though, more
and more people were able to find this Yucatan Peninsula village
and it's become less and less of a hidden treasure and more like
a must see place for a great beach vacation.

Playa Del Carmen is located about 45 miles from Cancun and
couldn't be more different! The heart of Mexico's Mayan Riviera,
this tiny fishing village is now home to international
restaurants, unique small hotels and vacation rental homes.

Playa del Carmen has fantastic weather year round and its world
class diving brings tourists in from all around the world.

You'll find miles of white sand beaches with the turquoise
waters of the Caribbean Sea to the west and lush green jungle to
the east. There are so many watersports to do, lively nightlife,
great restaurants and all sorts of jungle activities.

Known to locals just as "Playa", having a location along the
second largest barrier reef in
the world, this dive destination is fast becoming a
popular spot for both beginner and experienced divers. There's
more than 15 dive sites in a 6 km radius and the boat rides are
short leaving tons of time for diving and relaxation.

What's really cool about diving in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico is
the vast and various amount of sea life that live among the
gardens of soft coral with visibility that can reach up to
30m/100ft.

If you want to try something really different, then try cave
diving in one of the many cenotes in the jungle. Cenotes are the
water-filled limestone sinkholes of the Yucatán. Playa is famous
for its underwater cave system and is a mecca for the world's
best cave divers. One thing is for sure, diving in Playa Del
Carmen, Mexico will be an experience never to be forgotten!

About the author:
With over 450 travel destinations to offer in more than 75+
countries,
Tropical Beach Destinations is your source for the best and
most affordable vacation packages because we believe that it's
what you do when you're there that creates the most memorable
experiences.

Making The Right Cabin Choice

It is really an exciting and a bit challenging experience in
your life as you board a cruise that you had not done before.
You get ample scope to relish a stress-free lifestyle with fun
and laughter and travel may be in the midst of your family.
However, if it is your first such experience better restrain
yourself from moving in hurried steps.

Your cabin or sleeping quarter location contributes heavily in
gifting you a quality stay. If your cabin is at a lower level
under a verandah or walkway you will feel disturbed at the steps
of people walking above your head every now and then. Again, a
sea level cabin for you will mean your viewing co-passengers all
along the night in front of your door. Of course from monetary
point of view a cabin or state room under sea level is better
choice, still you need to consider what a great gain you can
expect at your journey if you choose the better alternative by
spending a little more.

You should better opt for the cabins at the rear part of cruise
ships, if however you have full confidence in your stomach
strength, for extracting maximum enjoyment from the ship
journey. Though the rooms in this part are costlier than
standard cabins, they are the most luxurious ones on the ship.
The aft or rear cabins as they are called, appear in a porch or
balcony form normally. All the time you can get there from a
stupefying view of the ocean that appears sometimes as a smooth
unending surface shining with sunlight, while at some other
moments its ash-colored large waves are on constant move.
Actually due to these giant waves you feel the necessity of

Actually due to these giant waves you feel the necessity of
strong stomach because these cabins often find it not that easy
to adjust smoothly with water turbulence.

The bow cabins are located at the other extreme of the ship. Due
to the fact that the cabins are much above sea level,
probability of seasickness is greater for passengers there.
However those with a little bit of sailor like attitude will
feel comfortable there absolutely.

Higher deck cabins are more plush cabins as compared to the
typical lower level cabins. But those are not advisable for
seasickness prone passengers. Due to their position they offer
many advantages-the sun decks, the pool, and other charms of the
deck including dance floors are within a few steps precisely.
But these higher-deck cabins have some disadvantages too like
the noise created by passengers' steps and more of sway factor.

Those who are worried of seasickness and are prepared therefore
to pay a little more for a centrally located cabin should better
choose a mid-ship cabin. These cabins equipped with the
furnishings are just like standard rooms though due to their
advantageous position you need not walk much to reach your cabin
or the elevator as well. Occasionally they will have the
provision of window or pothole through which the ocean comes
within your view.

About the author:
Eric Slarkowski usually produces newsletters on ideas relating
to Spain and Alicante. His comments on Costa Blanca are
published on href="http://www.alicante-spain.com/costa-blanca.html">http://www
.alicante-spain.com/costa-blanca.html .