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Loyalty programmes are a wonderful way of rewarding customers for past business and, at the same time, keeping them up-to-date with news and fresh marketing initiatives such as cruise and stay options and last minutes cruises. 

Royal Caribbean has a loyalty programme called the Crown and Anchor, which passengers can join, even if they’ve only taken one cruise.

To take part in the Royal Caribbean loyalty programme, once you have taken a cruise, you simply enrol online ready to enjoy the benefits of being a Crown and Anchor member.

The following is a summary of the benefits of joining:

•    The quarterly Crown and Anchor magazine has news and information on special member cruises.
•    As a member, you will receive savings certificates for use at the on-board spas and bars.
•    When on board a ship, you can enjoy evenings just for members.
•    There are discounts for bring-a-friend promotions.
•    You will receive cruise points.  These are based on the number of nights you spend on board the ship.  Just like many airline loyalty programmes, there are tiers that give you more benefits for a greater number of nights on board.

Members of the Crown and Anchor can enjoy exclusive access to their own section on Royal Caribbean’s website, which offers personalised, member-only benefits, offers and promotions.

Royal Caribbean has a proud history of caring for its customers both before and after a cruise.  The Crown and Anchor loyalty programme is just one way of saying ‘thank you’ to its passengers for their business.

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General consensus amongst seasoned cruise travellers is that just because you get sea sick on smaller boats and ferries does not necessarily mean you will be queasy on your cruise holiday.  Some of today’s ships are truly enormous, and unless you are travelling through very rough seas you may feel very little movement, if any.

That said, you could of course be one of the unlucky ones, so it is worth packing some sea sickness tablets such as Stugeron in your bag, and take them at the very first sign that things could get choppy.  In other words, the key here is to take them BEFORE you feel sick; once you do, it may be too late!  For very severe cases, ship’s medical centres do occasionally give injections, but this is a very last resort; the heavy dosage can really knock you out, and you may get a hefty bill for your treatment.  Patches are also available to wear behind the ear, but some people can suffer side effects.

Some people swear by wrist bands such as “Sea Bands”; these are elasticated bands with plastic studs which apply pressure to an acupressure point on the underside of each arm.  Other drug free options include ginger and peppermint.  Eat regularly (interestingly, sea sickness can be much worse if your stomach is empty), but avoid very rich and fatty foods.  Pick a Caribbean Cruise rather than a transatlantic trip, but make sure you avoid the hurricane season!

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Being onboard ship on one of the seven seas for a week is a great holiday escape. Cruising can be an ideal holiday choice for anyone who wishes to enjoy a little bit of everything, from active adventures to relaxing in the sun. Another great aspect of taking a cruise holiday is the wide range of cruise deals that can be found all year round.

If you are lucky enough to have a flexible schedule, you should take the time to search the internet for sales, read passenger forums and keep your travel agent informed that you are looking for a cruise holiday. The best time to enjoy a cruise at a discounted price is during the shoulder season, which normally includes the early spring or late autumn months. 

If you manage to get a great cruise deal, consider upgrading your room. Even though inside cabins are less expensive, some companies can upgrade the room for a lot less than you might expect, so it’s worth asking.

If you have found a cruise that sails through varied climates, be sure you are prepared for them. Not only will this avoid you having to pay premium prices for items you should have brought, it will make your trip much more pleasant knowing that you will have everything you need.

It is just as important to be prepared for other events such as evening dining and nights out. Don’t be afraid to pack everything from bathing suits to wind jackets to formal eveningwear. Remember that a good cruise offers passengers a variety of diverse experiences.

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Cruises have become more affordable and popular than ever before.  Most likely, you have friends or co-workers who have been on cruise holidays, and this has you thinking about whether or not you should book your own cruise holiday.

You should be aware that there are different types of cruise holidays available.  Some have themes such as whale watching in Alaska whilst others will take you on a journey to taste the various wines of certain countries.

Some cruise lines also provide cruises for certain age groups such as singles and seniors. If you are planning to take your trip with children, then make certain in advance that your cruise line allows this. Many companies have cruises that are classified adult-only.  This is mainly because the other passengers may not want to have children around.

Pricing will be a concern when booking any cruise holidays.  You can look at the website of the cruise line itself or use a travel agent who will find the cheapest prices for you.  Sometimes it is cheaper to not book through the cruise line – a good agent can advise you on this.

When choosing which cruise to go on, take a good look at the ship’s itinerary so that you can see exactly where your cruise will take you.  You may wish to consider far east cruises or going to places such as Norway that are inaccessible by any other mode of transportation.

If you have decided upon booking your first cruise holiday, then take the plunge and start hunting for that perfect place to visit.  You will not be disappointed.

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The traditional way to see the land of Egypt was by travelling down the Nile River in a slow-moving boat powered by sails or men.  Queen Cleopatra herself is known to have voyaged this way to see her vast domain.  These days, motors have generally replaced the sails and rowers, but river cruises up the length of the Nile remain a wonderful way to experience the ancient “land of the Pharaohs.”

Benefits of the Cruise Experience

Travelling abroad can be a daunting and hectic experience, but it does not have to be.   A traditional tour or holiday you organize for yourself is most likely includes a series of hotels in various cities you would like to visit.  Every time you have exhausted the attractions in one area, you must pack up all your belongings and find your way to the airport or bus station in order to continue your journey to the next stopping point, where you will unpack and begin the process all over again.

A cruise holiday is entirely different.  Because your ‘hotel’ is itself a moving entity, you can settle down into one cabin or stateroom for the duration, knowing that you will only need to unpack your belongings once.  Rather than wasting valuable holiday time figuring out how to use public transport or waiting in airport lounges, you can enjoy a cool drink on deck whilst the land of Egypt on both banks amazes you with sights never before imagined.

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Deciding what to take with you for a cruise deal holiday can be a difficult task.  Depending on the ship and itinerary, your holiday may include events with dress codes, foreign climates and a variety of activities.  Making sure you are ready for all these situations will help you to fully relax and enjoy the experience.  This guide offers some helpful tips to consider while you are packing your suitcase. 

The most important step is to make sure you remember to pack all of the tickets and documentation that you will need for your break; including for the journey to and from the departure port.  You may like to put all tickets, passports, visa documents and other paperwork safely together in a folder or envelope, so that they do not get mislaid. 

You will need to think about what clothes to bring.  Check your cruise itinerary to see if there are any formal dinners or other events that have a dress code and make sure you bring appropriate outfits.  If activities or adventure sports are available and you would like to take part, bring suitable clothes for these too.  For day-to-day clothing, it can be a good idea to pack outfits that can be mixed and matched as this will save space in your suitcase.  It also helps to check the local weather and pack accordingly. 

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There really is no cruise holiday comparable to a Mediterranean cruise. Only Mediterranean cruises allow passengers to soak themselves in the rich history of ancient European cities. Sailing the Mediterranean will provide opportunities to sunbathe on the spectacular beaches of Greece or to indulge in the fine wines and food of Italy. Sailing along stunning coastlines and amongst picturesque islands will take passengers to the impressive Turkish ruins.  

One of the best things about choosing a Mediterranean cruise is that they are available all the year round. This means no travel limits or off-seasons that passengers may encounter when sailing to other parts of the world. Most Mediterranean cruises are offered between the months of April and into October, with an average cruise length of 14 days.  

It is possible to stay at sea longer by choosing an itinerary that goes beyond a basic sailing. Ports of call will vary, but most passengers can expect to enjoy stops at places such as Spain, Greece, London, Turkey, Paris, Portugal, France, Croatia and Italy. The combination of stops and countries visited will vary greatly with the different cruise companies.

Popular ports include Barcelona, Lisbon, Bari, Athens, Valencia, Rome, Marseille, Venice, Palma de Mallorca and the Greek Isles. Other Mediterranean destinations include exotic places such as North Africa and the Middle East. These European cruise tours are taken in combination with a Mediterranean cruise and offer passengers an intense and in-depth look at many of the world’s best known cities.  

Some Mediterranean cruises can also be combined with tours through Scandinavia. This will then include Stockholm on your list of port of calls. This combination of Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises is normally available May through August. While in Scandinavia, enjoy a land tour that can include overnight stays.  

For passengers taking long flights to reach their destination port, it is advisable that they reach their port at least one or two days before their cruise departure. This will allow time to recover from the long flight as well as to get settled.  It will also allow you to go sightseeing in your port town before heading out onto the open waters for the Mediterranean cruise of a lifetime. 

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The days of showing up at a cruise line dock hoping to negotiate your way on board have gone, now that cruise lines are obligated to submit passenger manifests within a day or two of departure. However, this does not mean that you cannot take advantage of some great last minute cruises.  

There is a large gap of time when it comes to cruising that still allows for a cruise to be considered as being last-minute. Any departure that is from one day to three months ahead can be considered a last-minute cruise. This is great news for those who live for spontaneity or are unable to book a cruise half a year in advance.  

With the evolution of the internet has come the ability for potential cruise passengers to shop around and find possibly great deals for themselves. Travel agents are also a useful source when it comes to finding attractive cruise deals. They are constantly in the loop with new information on cruise lines that are trying to fill their ships.  

For those who enjoy getting a deal, there is at least one additional expense that needs to be taken into consideration before deeming your deal a good one. If you get a cheap cruise deal but have to spend a fortune on flying to a destination port, due to getting in last-minute, then this may not be such a great deal after all.  

Last-minute cruises can include departure dates up to three months in advance. If you find a great cruise deal on a ship that is offering a longer amount of time between departure dates, you should have no problem booking a great deal on your flight as well. Most ships offer last-minute rates 60 to 90 days before their departure, allowing ample time to book a flight. 

Most cruise ship deals are booked within a week or two of the sailing date. These are available at reduced prices of often 15 to 50 per cent; to fill the ships unsold cabins. You may not get the cabin category that you were hoping for but that is part of getting in on a last-minute cruise deal.

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Going on a cruise holiday is great fun, and what makes the experience even better is to find the company that offers the best cheap cruises possible.  Traditionally, you can expect to spend more money on this type of holiday, but there are still ways to make your cruise more affordable.

When booking a cheap cruise, you may discover that not all off-shore excursions are included.  This does not mean that they are not available to you; you will just need to book them separately.  After you have booked your cruise, you will be sent an itinerary along with a list of available excursions.  Then it is simply a matter of pre-booking your chosen excursions.  Waiting until after you set sail may result in the excursion being sold out.

It is possible to book your own excursions, but the cruise line normally includes perks and extras into their excursion packages.  Plus, booking with an experienced company saves you the time and hassle of trying to arrange a trip with a local vendor.

To find the best cheap cruises, you can enlist the help of a travel agent or simply research travel websites on your own.  Look for sections such as special offers, cheap cruises and latest offers.  These offers will change quite often, so bookmark your favourite sites and check back often.

Once you find the cruise of your dreams at a cheaper price, then go ahead and book it directly.  If you wait too long, you run the risk of your chosen trip selling out completely.

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There are many reasons why cruises make the perfect holiday. For one, they are very affordable. If you were to compare apples to apples-a cruise holiday to any other kind of land based holiday-there is no way you would be able to get the same value for the price you pay for a cruise. If you think about it, cruises are basically all inclusive. Sure there are always add-ons that you can choose, such as shore excursions to do special things like scuba diving or horseback riding, or a helicopter ride to see a glacier in Alaska from a bird’s eye view, or perhaps the top of a volcano in Hawaii without the hike.

But even if you choose not to pay extra for these excursions, you will have plenty of entertainment simply by stepping off the ship into whatever beautiful and fascinating port you have sailed into or even just staying on the ship all day. The ships always have so much to do onboard that there is really no reason to leave if you do not want to, and with all the nightly entertainment and shows, daily activities and ship features like rock climbing walls, swimming pools and decks for sunning or reading, you will certainly never be bored. Plus the price includes all the basic needs like accommodation, food and beverage, and transportation.

Basically, once you pay the cruise fare you can plan to spend almost nothing else at all and still have a really wonderful holiday.

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