Cruise Trips: Just How Popular is Cruising?
The results are in for 2004. The number of people looking for travel deals has reached record levels for cruise trips. 10.5 million cruise passengers got on board cruise ships last year. According to the 19 cruise line members of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) this was a new record for cruise vacations. The Association expects that number to increase in 2005 to over 11 million. Most of the cruisers included in these numbers are from North America, totaling about 8.8 million. Many of these vacationers are looking for travel deals for cruises only. Cruise vacations have become so popular that cruise lines are recommending that potential cruisers book their cruise packages at least 6 months in advance. Even this does not assure that you will be able to get your preferred cruise destination and itinerary aboard your preferred cruise ship in your preferred stateroom category. CLIA is the cruise industry's chief marketing organization and the largest travel industry association based on agency membership in North America. The president and CEO of the association says that cruise vacation bookings are coming in "fast and furious". Consumer demand on cruise ship trips continues to rise and cruisers are looking to farther destinations like Europe and the Asia. Even though there are more cruise vacation departures and more cruise ships and itineraries than ever before, the cruise lines' ships are operating at capacity. A total of 68 new cruise ships will have debuted between 2000 and the end of 2005! Since 1975 when CLIA was formed, there is about three times the number of home ports in North America. With 30 home ports, North American cruisers have more choices to start their cruise vacation trips from. For more information on cruise vacation trips, visit some of our other interesting and informative articles. To check out the best deals on-line for cruise vacations, visit our cruise discount home page at a1-discount-cruises.com. Click on the merchants' links that you will find there. Compare the values and choose the very best cruise deal. Then book your cruise on-line and get excited! Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of a1-discount cruises.com. This site is your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and deals! Visit http://a1-discount-cruises.com to book your special cruise vacation. For more interesting and informative articles relating to cruises check out our Site Map.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Luxury Cruise Expert Guide
What could be more enjoyable than relaxing by a pool
and being served with chilled champagne and caviar
while soaking up the sun under deep azure skies? It's
a dream that many people have, but on a luxury cruise
this dream is a reality. If you want high-class
pampering, attentive service that is second to none
and spacious accommodation with all those 'little
extras' added in, you'll simply love luxury cruising.
Places to See On Your Alaska Cruise, Welcome To Juneau!!
Well my sister in law is in town this week and we're playing tourist here in Juneau. Very funny how folks react to us because we're locals.
There Are Many Reasons Why You Should Choose Inflatable Boats Over Traditional Boats
If you spend any time in or around the water then you probably own or have considered owning an inflatable boat. There are many uses for inflatable boats and many people own them for a variety of very different reasons.
Orient Beach Shore Excursions - Beauty on the Beach!
When cruising to St. Martin (or Sint Maarten), some of the most beautiful land trips you could take would be the Orient Beach Shore Excursions. This fabulous clothing optional beach has much to offer cruises passengers.
Those Ellusive Crab and Prawn Traps
If you are a boater, in particular a sea or ocean-going boater, you have probably tried your hand at catching prawns and/or crabs with their respective pots. And if you have tried this, then you know how many traps or pots you have lost over the years! But it is so rewarding when the traps come up with our dinner, that we try it again, over and over every year.
Why Take a Cruise Vacation?
Have you considered taking a cruise vacation but just aren't sure if it would be right for you? With all the cruise lines available, all the cruise destinations, the range of prices, there is a cruise for just about everyone.
Buying a Used Sunfish Sailboat: Know The Ins and Outs Before Sailing Away
As anyone who's ever bought a used car knows, you have to approach the project armed with your own knowledge before you even set foot on the lot. In this situation, being uninformed is tantamount to being taken to the cleaners.
Alaska - Easy Cruise Guide
WHAT TO SEE: Legendary beautiful scenery of Alaska- magnificent coastal fjords, rugged glaciers, vast evergreen forests, sky-high mountains, 7 of which are the tallest peaks in North America (to see Mt. McKinley, North America's tallest peak, you'll need to take a tour to the shore into the Denali National Park), abundant land and marine wildlife- moose, kodiak and grizzly bears, caribou, dall sheep, puffin, otters, seals, humpback and killer whales, dolphins, bald-headed eagles and much more. Shore excursions are optional, as well as guided tours in a cruise ship's port of call. They are offered in all Alaska ports and cities and are a great way to enrich your cruise experience with visiting coastal attractions, historical places, challenging yourself in kayaking, helicopter tours, mountain biking,...
How A Boat Can Make Retirement A Pleasure
Boats are a fine part of any man's retirement. They give us something to do, offer us new places to see and keep us active mind, body and spirit. We in turn need to care for our boats. Repair and maintenance, proper crewing and proper financing including boat insurance are all things that we need to do to keep our boats safe.
Hawaii Cruise Expert Guide
Experiencing a Hawaii cruise is a dream come true for
many people around the world. Very few travel
adventures can live up to the thrill of sailing out
into the depths of the Pacific Ocean on a luxury
cruise liner in search of a paradise that is Hawaii
and her neighboring islands. And what a paradise it
is too!
What To Expect - My 1st Cruise Experience
Some years ago my wife and I decided to take a cruise. We headed for Southampton to join our cruise ship, weighed down with luggage. (Why do women take twice as much as men?) Not knowing what to expect, we arrived at the terminal whereupon our cases were taken from us and firmly assured that they would be sent to our cabin. We checked in with one of the many assistants, boarded the ship and that would be it.
School for Sails, by Capt. Cary Hanna
Gorgeous, acrobatic, and lit-up, Sailfish rank as the # 1 sporty catch of south Florida. But there is a lot involved in the catch and release of these sought after game fish, after all their not the best table fare. How much vacuum packed smoked Sailfish can you eat? So what's involved in catching the Sailfish? What kind of bait? What is the best rod and reel set-up? What are some of the techniques to use on the water? Let's start out and learn from the end result and work our way to the beginning.
World Cruise - A Relaxing Experience
Have you ever thought what it would be like to just relax quietly under the sun and at sea-no hustling or bustling, far away from the madding crowds in a casual attire and in clean air and just a small group of likeminded people as company? You are on a World Cruise- around the world, Australia and New Zealand, the Orient, South America, South Pacific, Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean. The ships are equipped with spacious, well-furnished cabins with private facilities having a well-upholstered lounge, a library, good deck space and a small pool. The fares typically range from $70 to $130 a day and the world cruise is for duration from about four to ten weeks, but some are two to three weeks and some are longer.
Celebrity Cruise! Opulence Perfectly Staged
Each generation of Celebrity ships has emerged to assume a leadership role in the cruise industry. From the contemporary elegance of Horizon to the stylish and high-tech Century, to the latest epoch, Constellation, Infinity, Millennium and Summit, all are five-star vessels of incomparable allure. In true Celebrity style every conceivable luxury awaits you. Every stateroom is a sanctuary; culinary standards are impeccable, entertainment a masterpiece! There's poetry to be found in the perfect symmetry of grace and strength, which is the hallmark of Celebrity's trim, powerful ships. The ships are designed for your complete fulfillment and beauty is in every detail. In every painting and sculpture, in foyers so grand they resemble Venetian courtyards, in the exotic fabrics tinted to rich jewel tone colors, in the handsome accommodation, and in the sophisticated restaurants and stylish lounges and bars. Polished mahogany, etched glass, soft leather and crisp linen harmonize with immaculately maintained public areas and perfectly prepared
staterooms.
If You Can Afford A Vacation - You Can Afford A Cruise!
Some vacations are just more fun than others!
Boat Cleaning Business - Bilge Clean-up Tips
These areas, like any other car engine and compartment that you may come across, can either be very clean, or be extremely greasy, dirty and grimy. Remember to mention the difficulty in locating fuel, oil or water leaks on a dirty leaky bilge. You will need to take extreme caution when doing in the bilge area as there are extra switches and wiring, like you might find underneath in a car engine. It's critical to avoid damaging any of these as they are extremely expensive, roughly two to three times the cost of a comparable car part. You'll also have to be cautious of getting any of the waste water spilled out into the fresh water if you're doing it in open water. If this happens you'll be violating The Federal Clean Water Act of 1972 and your City, County and State's NPDES permit.
At the Boat Ramp
The weekend is finally here. You're all loaded up (well, the car is loaded, you're not) and it's time to head for the lake. You get to the ramp and take your place in line. When your turn comes, you back and fill until the trailer is absolutely straight on the ramp. You back up to the water's edge, untie the cover and start transferring fishing and ski gear plus several coolers to the boat. You back into the water and launch the boat, then pull out to park while your wife and kids hold the boat. You come strolling back, jump in the boat and take off. You're happy - on the water in only 45 minutes.
Asia Cruise Expert Guide
Ever since Marco Polo returned from his 24-year trek to
China at the end of the 13th century, Asia has beckoned
travelers from around the world to explore its enchanted
lands courtesy of an Asia cruise. Befitting of a
continent that is the largest on Earth, the mesh of
countries that make up this landmass embrace some
mind-blowing extremes. The thickest forests, highest
mountains and longest coastline on the planet all belong
to Asia, as do some of the world's most varied wildlife
and plant species..
Online Shopping for Cruise Deals, Travel Deals & Great Vacation Packages!
Are you contemplating a travel vacation and don't know how to get the best deal? Online shopping for cruise deals, travel deals and vacation packages should be your first thought.
The History of Water Sports
Swimming is noted in many of the classics as relating to heroism and religion. Nicolas Wynman's Dialogue Concerning the Art of Swimming (1538) is the first recorded written document on swimming methods. Swimming first appeared in the Olympics in 1896, paralleled to the development of the swimming pool. Swimming the English Channel is the most publicized non-Olympic event. It proves excellence in strength and endurance. Matthew Webb from England was the first man to cross the English Channel in 1875, and later Gertrude Ederle of the Unites States of America became the first woman to cross in 1926.
|
