If you were able to feel the experience of premium cruises and surely satisfied, with luxury cruises its more than just satisfaction and fun. From ultra casual to formal defines its atmosphere inside and out. Accommodations and suites are spacious and very open that definitely relax and leaves you at peace. Luxury cruises are less crowded so privacy is carefully practiced in the cruise.

Luxury cruises are designed with amazing toiletries and personalized service .  Mouth watering  5 star gourmet cuisine will surely make your taste buds come alive when served with fine wines and champagnes . You can also enjoy your evening in a theater or the performance of an orchestra.  There are relaxation amenities such as spa and enrichment programs ranging from photography to wine tasting.

Private balconies are also ready to give you the peace you’re craving for. Red carpet treatment is at reach with luxury cruises. With the innovative and contemporary industry, luxury cruises are exclusively made for those people who not only seek relaxation, but fun and satisfaction as well.  You will be exploring various beautiful and breathtaking places and different ports of call. The melody of the sunsets and harmonious beaches will let you sing with enjoyment as their beauty enchants your soul.

Although it will cost you somewhat more than premium cruises,  what you will be paying will surely be all worth it. It will be an extraordinary and incomparable experience that you’ll be sharing with family and  or friends.

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These cruise are a little more expensive but the ships are more  intimate and you will avoid the mass crowds of families that are taking holiday cruises,  while avoiding the Caribbean  is also  a good idea, its considered a  prime area for families that are  on holiday also.

With so many choices of warm weather climates and exotic places on the itinerary to choose from during November and December, opt for a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands, the South Pacific,  the Orient or some other exciting ports of call.  If you do choose one of the larger ships upgrade yourself to a larger suite with amenities  for a more relaxed and peaceful trip.

Although most of the newer larger ships are more family oriented, they do try and provide equal entertainment for the younger travelers and  most lines do not have a restriction to the number of minors.

So  again if you are looking for a child free trip, try and bypass the larger  cruise ships.  The lines that do offer family cruise have an abundance of activities for them to do, from the smallest to the ever brooding teen.  They are equipped with game rooms, soda bars, video arcades, teen clubs and discos.

Kids can be troublesome at times and spoil your trip, but many lines have gone an extra step to ensure their passengers a good time.  They have developed programs to particularly keep kids in line, some will go as far as disembarking the entire family ( at their expense ) at the next port of call.

All in all most kids on cruise are well behaved.

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Most cruise lines sail to wherever your heart desires, Hawaii, the Orient, Mexico and the Caribbean, with the Caribbean being the most popular in winter.  Someone who is interested in a long weekend, the closeness of the Caribbean makes it an ideal spot for a Friday to Monday trip.

However if a week long get away is more of what you had in mind, you may want a cruise to one of the  more laid back easy going islands of the U.S.V.I.,  spending the day snorkeling or visiting historic districts or for some shopping but then spending the day on the beach doing absolutely nothing is appealing too.

Winter cruises can be cheaper in the off season, September through December, but this is due to the fact that it is considered hurricane season.  Many people fear this time of year for cruising, but a ship will alter its itinerary at the first sign of severe weather or they don’t leave port if one is in route.

If you are planning on taking a longer cruise and your heart is set on the Caribbean, try one of the 10 or 11 night itineraries, which will include a partial Panama Canal transit.  The older ships referred to as the senior ships of most major cruise lines tend to sail longer and to more exotic destinations, but do if you have a mind to take advantage of the newer bigger ships.  They offer fabulous alternative dining, ultimate spa facilities and high category staterooms.  If possible upgrade to a suite with a luxurious ocean view bathroom.  This is what I call washing your winter blues Away.

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Check out the list.

Sheraton of Old San Juan ( easy access if sailing , near Port of San Juan )
Caribe Hilton
Ritz Carlton Hotel Spa and Casino
Radisson Ambassador
Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino
6.   San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellais Casino

Hotels that have a moreover family atmosphere are:

1.     Embassy Suites
2.     Courtyard by Marriott
3.     Hampton Inns
4.     Best Western 5.     Wind Chimes Inn

6.   San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellais Casino

Whatever your preference until sail date any hotel will be accommodating

Places to Dine in San Juan:

Dining in San Juan  can be a culinary delight. From the elegant ambience in one of the many luxury hotels, to a casual  afternoon lunch to a splendid dinner, here a few choice spots.

NONO.S – casual dining with good food age groups generally range from 18 -35

MANGO’S CAFÉ -   the place for HAPPY HOUR and Dinner

MARTINI’S -  Live Caribbean Music and good food

Lobby Lounge ( inside the Ritz Carlton ) – good food and a excellent full bar

Seaview Resturant – ( inside Atlantic Bach Hotel )

Rumba for Drinks – Drinks and Dancing

Club Babylon -  Dance like you’ve never danced before ( choice spot )
Fly into a Caribbean paradise to the Oldest City under the U.S. flag. San Juan Puerto Rico. Enjoy exciting night-life, visit a Caribbean paradise beyond your wildest dreams. Stay at one of the luxury resorts and tour the countryside. From Old San Juan to the modern casinos.  San Juan is the place to see and will give you memories that will last forever.  Spend a day or two at the Sheraton in Old San Juan with its outdoor terraces, health club, open swimming pool and the open roof top.

Across from the hotel is the Port of San Juan, so indulge yourself and take a cruise to some of the most breath-taking islands in the Caribbean. Cruises range from 3 to 14 days to St Maarten, Aruba, St John, Charlotte Amalie  and many more.   Ships also sail to the Bahamas, Barbados Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic . Cruise lines offer Trans-Canal Sailings to Acapulco or San Diego.

Cruise lines out of Puerto Rico are:

Carnival Cruise Lines
Cunard Lines
Holland America
Royal Caribbean

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The President and Park Hotels are 4 and 5 star hotels but travel agents do have special rates over Greece if you have a preference. Children under the age of 16 years old  and traveling with their parents ( paying full fare ) can cruise for free.

Three and four night cruises plus one night hotel accommodations in Athens can be purchased  for as little as $369 per person on the Golden Splendor or for $629 per person on the Golden Classic.

These two ships have the same itinerary of 3 Greek Islands and one Turkish coastal city.  These are the only ships that offer this package.  The Golden Fleece has a package starting at $1165(per person ) that includes 3 nights  free hotel in Athens the Olympia Voyager and World Renaissance visit 5 Greek Islands and 2 Turkish coastal cities.  Pack your Bags, Remember your Passports, Know their Laws and have FUN !

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The lowest minimum age of for a child ( traveling with their parents ) to have  their own stateroom is 18 on all cruise lines.  The only exception is a married couple ( must show proof  of marriage ).  Children also need the same documentation as their parents. ( Passport ).

Family cruise can be great fun for the entire family.  On board you can relax and enjoy Family Game Shows , Stage Shows, Deck Partie s and many selected Shore Excursions , and keep in mind that shore excursions require adult accompaniment.  Some cruise lines offer trips with kids in mind while others do not.

A Bahama Cruise Excursion may offer water sports such as Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, and City Tours which include historic Fort Charlotte and Fort Fincastle in Nassau.  Double Decker Glass Bottom Boat rides are a real HIT!!! ( See Under The Sea on The Sea ).

There is  also the Nassau Dolphin Encounter ( Swim with the Dolphins ) , going snorkeling at Alhol Island or on to scuba diving at Stuart Cove.  There are the Water Boat Tours on the Pontoon Calypso where you can enjoy the  magnificent coastline while admiring the historical  sites and you know they will enjoy a Beach party.   Whatever your choice, cruise line offer children’s programs that are open to all kids.  Check with your cruise line if you have special requests that they may not be able to meet.

Baby Sitting is available for children as young as 3 months and up.  Some offer in stateroom babysitting while most do not.  Prices generally run from about $6.00 per hour per child with a 2 hour minimum.  In room sitting is slightly higher per hour per child.  Nursery’s are sometimes open during the day at various times but are open always in the evenings usually from 6:P.M. until 3:A.M.

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If you are an early riser , visit  the large upscale gym with all the latest equipment and highly trained instructors.  Or wake up to freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked Danish served in your stateroom if you wish while catching an early morning breeze  while sitting out on your private wrap around veranda.

Purchase a guided shore excursion or go ashore for a little sightseeing  on your own, or just relax on board and eat at one of the 5 gourmet restaurants.

1. Tapas:  serves café style breakfast and lunch during the day and both meals are a full course breakfast and lunch with what seems to be a never ending selections.

Tapas on the Terrace:  in the evening Tapas transforms into a buffet for dining under the stars with a endless selection of gourmet food

2. Polo Grill:  for a mouth watering taste of some of the finest beef, chops and freshest seafood anywhere a visit to the Polo is a must do

3. Waves: alongside the pool enjoy grilled specialties from traditional lunches to home-made ice-cream

4. Toscana: authentic gourmet Italian cuisine, sit at any table and you’re close to floor to ceiling windows and a fantastic view from any angle of the sea and sky, go ahead dine under the stars

5. Grand dining Room:  looks like any upscale European Grand Hotel dining room, excellent cuisine served on fine bone china and European crystal by tuxedoed waiters in white gloves  talk about  royal service

Tea Time:
Tea is served every day at Four O’clock sharp serving a variety of teas with fresh baked sconces. English Tea sandwiches and a selection of some of the most delicious culinary dessert masterpieces you have ever tasted.

Cocktails:
With several lounges and bars on board,  cocktail hour is a treat also. Serving over 150 varieties of imported wines in the world from delectable whites to  the finest red sparkling from Champagnes to Single Malt Scotches, Grappa and Cognacs. Champagnes include:

Mumms, Perrier- Jouet, Cristol Rose. Tattinger, Veuve Cliquot, Moet, Dom Perignon Krug Grand Cuvee Grand Marque and the list goes on.
Nighttime:

Now that its bedtime retire to your Stateroom or Penthouse Suite, staterooms are exceptionally large and spacious but the penthouse suite is the paste de resistance. Located on decks 6,7,& 8 with 8 being exclusively for the penthouse suites, which by the way are located on prime corners of the 8th deck and all have wrap around verandas, private Jacuzzi’s a 2nd bathroom with a tub, private in- suite dining  and living areas with a desk , internet access wide screen flat panel T.V. with surround sound, and entertainment system equipped with all the latest CD’s and DVD’s, refrigerated bar and floor to ceiling windows that lead out onto the veranda.

If that weren’t enough relax and fall asleep on a Pillow Top mattress covered with 500 thread count Egyptian Cotton Sheets then cover up under a plush Duvet while resting your head on over stuffed Goose Down Pillows.  Next Day wake up  ring for the Butler and Start All Over Again.  This  is definitely not a trip to include your kids, This is a TRIP for YOU.

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