All About Seniors Cruising

Cruising is a popular mode of travel for Seniors. 

Traveling by cruise provides convenience onboard, a high quality of service, ease of accessibility at each port, fantastic food, and so much more. It's obvious why it is the perfect avenue to explore the world.

Millions of seniors choose to cruise for the service, food, ease of movement, amazing itineraries, and all- inclusive nature. Many cruise lines cater to the older market with a variety of onboard seniors cruise programs and amenities such as gentleman hosts, enrichment lectures, medical facilities, facilities for the disabled, special diets, and programs for those who bring their grandkids along (read below for more details).

Every cruise line appeals to a different age and style of passenger. Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises generally cater to older travelers in the moderately-priced cruise category. The Yachts of Seabourn, Cunard Line, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Crystal Cruises cater to older travelers in the luxury cruise category.

Gentleman Hosts

In a desire to enhance the cruise experience for unescorted, female, senior travelers, many luxury cruise lines have introduced a "gentleman host" program. These hosts are carefully screened and available for dining, dancing, enjoying onboard activities, and accompanying ladies on shore excursions. This program is offered on Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, and Holland America Line.

Enrichment Lectures

From music and art to sports, cooking, wine, and current events, there is something to enlighten the most-seasoned traveler on today's cruise ships. Every cruise line offers dockside lecturers to give history and details about the port. Many lines are also featuring prominent celebrities or speakers to speak on relationships, anthropology, make-up, films, sailing, hockey, and much more.

Medical Facilities

All cruise ships are fully- equipped with both medical facilities and a doctor. Passengers are encouraged to notify their Cruise Consultant about special medical needs prior to sailing. This way, the ship can stock appropriate medications should they become necessary.

Facilities for the Disabled

Cruise ships nowadays have excellent facilities for disabled travelers. While the newer ships are generally better than older ones, and facilities vary by cruise line, most cruise ships have wheelchair-accessible cabins, ramps, and elevators.

Princess Cruises publishes a brochure called Love Boat Access that answers all questions regarding their disabled facilities. It informs passengers about their amazing facilities like wheelchair-accessible cabins, a wheelchair gangway mechanism, Braille elevator buttons, visual smoke detectors, doorknocker sensors, and text telephones.

Special Diets

 While many people go on a cruise to enjoy the amazing cuisine, cruise lines understand that many people are on a special diet. That is why ships today carry a lighter choices section on their menu as well as vegetarian and kosher menus. Options include low sodium, low fat, low cholesterol, and sugar-free entrees, and desserts. Be sure to inform your Cruise Consultant and Maitre d' should you have any extra-special dietary needs.

Cruising with Grandchildren

Cruising is an excellent way to bridge the generation gap with fun activities for people of all ages. Grandparents can spend the day taking in a lecture, reading by the pool or betting in the casino. The grandkids can participate in organized children's activities, play in the pool, or watch a movie. Then everyone gets together for a dinner with grandparent and kid-friendly food before taking in a night of activities fit for kids of all ages.

Please note: While many mainstream cruise lines offer children's activities year-round, most luxury cruise lines only offer organized children's activities during peak family seasons like summer vacation and Christmas. Be sure to have your Cruise Consultant check if activities are offered when you want to sail.

BRETT SWEARINGEN

855-583-2628

brett@ResortAndCruiseDeals.com

www.Lveboat.com

Cruising With Kids

SO MANY THING TO DO!!

Water slides, magic shows, pizza parties, scavenger hunts, karaoke, kids-only shore excursions, and disco parties, who said parents get to have all the fun on a cruise? Well-trained staff, extensive facilities, and coordinated activities, mean cruising with kids can be smooth sailing for the whole family.

Most cruise lines offer private and group babysitting options from around 9 AM until the wee hours of the morning. They also provide age-specific, organized programs run by trained professionals. Although there are slight variations by cruise line, age categories for organized programs are generally geared to 3-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13-17 year old's. Over 100,000 kids were kept entertained last year on Carnival Cruise Lines with 114-foot water slides, video tournaments, talent and puppet shows, ping-pong, and scavenger hunts.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises features a full children's program during the summer and on holidays. All other times of the year, they offer a reduced program.

Princess Cruises

The Princess kids' program on Princess Cruises offers young cruisers their own deck space complete with the whale tail splash pool. Teens get their very own Jacuzzi and sunning area. There's also the video arcade, computer games, and other activities such as bingo, name that Disney tune, ring toss, and mini-Olympics.

Holland America Line

Club HAL on the Holland America Line provides fun and games for cruisers ages 5-17 and serves up movies, putt-putt golf, late-night pizza, and disco parties.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International's Adventure Youth program offers its unique brand of Edu-tainment where participants enjoy educational and culture-based activities blended with the daily itineraries, ports of call, games, and team sports.

Norewegian Cruise Line

With Norwegian Cruise Line, your kids can be circus trained and present a show for the proud parents. Other activities range from magic shows and poolside root beer float parties to wacky cooking classes, pajama parties, line dancing, and volleyball.

MSC Cruises

Why leave the kids at home when fun knows no bounds when it comes to MSC Cruises' little travelers. With spaces devoted entirely to them, including a video game room for the older children and a play room for tots, you will have the peace of mind knowing your children are safe and the whole family will have a memorable and enjoyable holiday. What's more, kids 17 years and younger sail for FREE* with MSC!

Carnival Cruise Lines: Just made for kids!

Carnival Cruise Lines' award-winning children's program is called Camp Carnival. Available year-round, the program provides elaborate facilities, age-specific programs/activities, youth playrooms with computers, children's water slides and wading pools, as well as special dining menus. The counselor-guided programs are divided into four categories, Toddlers (2-5), Juniors (6-8), Intermediate (9-11), and Teens (12-15). There is also a playroom for children under three.
The Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise house is a 2,500 square-foot children's world giving them the largest children's facilities in the Carnival fleet. Divided into three sections, the facilities offer educational computer labs and computer games, an arts and crafts section, and an indoor play area complete with a climbing maze and video wall where kids can watch movies, music videos, and cartoons. An outdoor play area has a schooner-shaped playhouse and wading pool for toddlers. The Carnival Spirit, Pride, Legend, and Miracle also offer Real Virtuality - a high-tech, game room housing video and arcade games.

Whether you are cruising with your toddler, tween, or teens, your Cruise Consultant can help you select the perfect family vacation. Best of all, you'll never hear the phrase "I'm bored" while you're away!

Brett Swearingen

www.LveBoat.com

855-583-2628

What is River Cruising??

River Cruises

River cruise lines offer contemporary travelers a more intimate experience aboard some of the most elegant vessels on water. River cruise fares include meals with wine, beer, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and teas, as well as guided shore excursions at destinations. Due to their smaller size, as they host between 100 -200 passengers, river cruises can travel to exclusive destinations.

Due to the smaller ship sizes, river cruises can offer travelers some of the most sought after destinations, along historic waterways of the world. River cruises offer travelers a plethora of destination possibilities to exotic locales such as Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Egypt; and historic rivers such as the Venice Lagoon, the Rhine, and Seine. Moreover, river cruises may visit exclusive designated UNESCO World Heritage sites, on waterways such as the Duoro River. Each destination comes with a variety of different complimentary shore excursions that guests can choose from, including walking tours, guided bike tours, majestic landmarks, and enriching cultural experiences.

Atmosphere/Décor

River cruises encompass elegant public spaces that offer views from every corner, world famous art, luscious amenities, and decor that rivals those of high end hotels. River cruises tend to reflect sophisticated charm. Travelers can expect exceptional decor in balcony staterooms that allow them to wake up to an exciting new site every day. Essentially, river cruises epitomize luxurious charm while optimizing their guests' comfort.

Ship Size

River cruises by nature are smaller vessels; this allows them to navigate calm waters and port at exclusive destinations. Often travelers who like a more intimate atmosphere enjoy the ambiance on-board river cruises. Most river cruises on average host 100 - 200 guests, which allows guests to experience a relaxed environment and get to know their fellow passengers; creating long lasting relationships.

Service

The on-board river cruise experience is elevated with superior service. Especially because the number of guests is usually smaller, travelers can expect attentive and personalized service. Some of the special services on river cruises include: Butler service, expert guided tours, complimentary bikes, and Nordic Walking sticks. Some river cruise lines provide on-board salon and spa services. Most river cruise lines also provide complimentary WiFi.

Dining

Most river cruise lines include all on-board meals, soft drinks, free flowing wine, beer and specialty coffees and teas. The dining experience on river cruises is guaranteed to entice even the most discerning diners, and many meals are created by renowned and celebrated chefs. Most river cruise lines also cater to guests with a cultural flair of the port destinations; besides local evening entertainment they also feature local culinary delights and authentic cultural cuisine. In addition, river cruise providers may extend the culinary experience offshore by combining their shore excursions with famous local restaurants at port destinations, wine tastings, and local specialties.

On-board Activities

Entertainment on-board river cruises tends to be aimed at enriching the guests' cultural experiences. Evening entertainment is usually accentuated with sophisticated performances, eloquent music or local cultural performances. Guests can also take part in lectures, culinary classes, or specially crafted shore excursions. These shore excursions allow guests to take in the very best of every destination with an expert guided tour, or explore at their own pace.

SEARCH  RIVER CRUISE LINES, TRIPS, & PRICES: CLICK HERE

Brett Swearingen
CruiseShipCenters, Tulsa
www.LveBoat.com
855-583-2628

Resort Link: www.ResortAndCruiseDeals.com

What is Deluxe Cruising?

Deluxe Cruising

For those who enjoy a more intimate experience onboard, deluxe cruise lines offer guests an unforgettable experience aboard classy ships. Deluxe cruises also take guests to exclusive destinations and ports, with more itineraries that offer longer shore days or overnight stays. Deluxe cruising is for the discerning traveler who enjoys fine dining, exceptional service, and charming decor.

Destinations

Deluxe cruise ships tend to be smaller than their contemporary counterparts, and hence are able to provide guests with exotic destinations and exclusive itineraries to ports larger cruise ships cannot reach. Destinations include India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, France, Belgium, Netherlands, U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Barts, Dominica, and more. Deluxe cruises specialize in Transatlantic and Transoceanic voyages, with these journeys spanning anywhere from two weeks to two months.

Atmosphere/Décor

The ambiance on deluxe cruises is focused on a pleasing and majestic aesthetic. Deluxe cruises have spacious staterooms designed with luxurious linens, plush decor, and elegant settings. Ships are also designed with old age charm and range from a casual to formal dress code.

Ship Size

Deluxe cruises are smaller sized ships; this allows guests to experience a more intimate experience onboard. As well, the smaller sized deluxe ships can have access to exclusive ports that larger ships simply cannot reach. Guest capacity ranges from approximately 650-1250 guests, based on double occupancy. Some of the Ship Lines are:

• Azamara Club Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Oceania Cruises
• Windstar Cruises 

Service

Deluxe cruises pride themselves on the utmost courteous service that takes care of every minute detail, and as fares include prepaid gratuities, tips are neither expected nor needed. Guests are asked to enjoy the various complimentary services available on most deluxe cruises, such as Butler service, self-service laundry, day care, and concierge service. Butler service can include coordination of shore-side dinners and entertainment, priority reservation for shore excursions, complimentary garment pressing and shoeshine service.

Dining

Exceptional culinary delights are expected on deluxe cruises, guests can also expect boutique red and white wines with their exquisite meals. Water, coffee, tea and soft drinks are complimentary at all times on most deluxe cruise ships. Each dining experience is a culinary journey, and allows guests to experience the very best in fine dining and wines. Deluxe ships also offer guests a selection of premium restaurants to choose from. Many cruise lines also offer guests high tea in the afternoon, where master chefs create delectable and colorful pastries to go along with traditional English beverages.

Onboard Activities

Deluxe cruises offer a variety of onboard entertainment and activities. Guests can take up social fitness classes such as yoga or Pilates, or learn something new through an enriching lecture or onboard library. Select deluxe cruise lines also offer culinary classes where guests can brush up on their cooking techniques with hands on instructions, or expand their knowledge of local cuisines. Deluxe cruises also offer some of the most refined spas at sea, allowing guests to relax after a busy day of exploring, or take in a spa treatment while basking in the sun on a sea day. Alternatively, guests can spend their evenings immersed in a poker game in the casino, or catch a show from one of the headline entertainers!

Brett Swearingen
bswearingen@cruiseshipcenters.com

How far out should I book a Cruise?

How far out should I book a Cruise?

The answer is simple! The farther out you book a cruise the better it is. you could get amenities such as shipboard credit, better pricing, preferred excursion openings, and of course a better location on the ship. However, the typical time is 6 months!

Be sure to use a professional Travel Adviser to make all the reservations be the best they can be. Booking online or calling a vendor direct, will normally get you what they are selling or needing to get rid of. You need to be best represented and many times you will not only get preferred positioning on your reservation, but will get better deals by using a professional Travel Adviser.

So, book out as far as you can, and do it with a professional Travel Adviser.

Brett Swearingen
brett@ResortAndCruiseDeals.com
855-583-2628
www.ResortAndCruiseDeals.com
www.LveBoat.com

Choosing the right Vacation!

Choosing the right vacation for for yourself can be tough, and even tougher when there are other people "like family members" who also have ideas of what they want. This is why the internet is so good for looking around at options, ideas, and even dreams. However, the internet is great for looking, but an experienced Travel Adviser is for booking! That is right, and Adviser is for booking. Why is is an adviser better when booking? The answer is; unless you are doing a trip for business and just need air or a quick hotel, then you are probably investing in a vacation and not spending money on a trip!

When a person or family goes on a vacation, they are using savings or money that is set back for a unique experience and a wonderful memory that will last a lifetime. When someone does that, it is not advisable to chance it with what looks good on the internet, is not verified, all because the price looks good. (When investing in a savings program for the future, people seek professional advice. When investing in a vacation for ineradicable future memories, people should also seek professional advice.) Price can look great when corners are cut by selling non preferred room locations, or many other things. When the internet says 70% off a resort or cruise, always ask yourself 70% off of what? It can be 70% of anything! Cruise sales are regulated, so a traveler can get an added amenity for booking, but the cruise pricing must be level from agency to agency and even going direct can't be lower. Most times an added amenity will be shipboard credit, but could be as little as a bottle of wine in the room.

So, when choosing a vacation, look on the internet and get ideas. Then contact a great Travel Adviser who will ask lots of questions, narrow down some trips based on those questions, then provide prices and video links for viewing, will book in the best locations of a ship (not under a dance floor) or resort, and will be sure the whole vacation flows and connects properly.

Brett Swearingen
Travel Adviser
www.ResortAndCruiseDeals.com
www.LveBoat.com
855-583-2628
bswearingen@cruiseshipcenters.com