How to Choose Alaskan Cruise-Tours with Princess Cruise Lines Vacation Packages

Are you planning to take a cruise- tour vacation to Alaska? Princess Cruise Lines has arguably the best Alaskan cruise-tour vacation packages available. Princess has their own sightseeing rail cars to transport you to one of their custom built lodges. To help you in your planning, we have put together a few hints and ideas on how to choose Alaskan cruise-tours.

How Long will I spend in Alaska?

Princess includes a seven night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise on every cruise-tour vacation package. You now need to decide how long you would like to spend exploring the natural beauty of Alaska's wilderness.

A fascinating three night vacation tour will take you directly to Denali Park for a two night stay at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.

On a four night cruise-tour you can experience some of Alaska's highlights featuring Denali, Anchorage and Fairbanks. You have the option of staying longer at your favorite destination.

The five night tour is the most popular of all Princess cruise-tour vacation packages. Explore Alaska's interior at a more relaxed pace.

Six to eight night tours allow plenty of time to leisurely travel and explore the very heartland of Alaska. Perhaps an extended look at the highest peak in North America, Mount McKinley, is on your agenda!

You can of course add extra nights to your stay in Alaska on any of the cruise-tour packages. You can even add a vacation tour package to the Canadian Rockies.

What do I want to see?

The heart of Alaska cruise-tour goes directly to the Denali Park area of heartland Alaska. Alaska Wilderness cruise-tours include Denali with some of the other fascinating areas of Alaska. You can explore the lovely Kenai Peninsula, the history-steeped Copper River Area. Perhaps you would like to cross the Arctic Circle and visit the "Land of the Midnight Sun". The longer you stay, the more there is to see and do. It's up to you to decide where to go and what fascinating areas to see.

When will I go?

From May through September, Princess offers their fantastic cruise-tours. You will need to decide, generally, when you would like to go. If wildlife viewing is a big part of your cruise tour, perhaps July would be desirable when the young are emerging. To take advantage of "special" values, perhaps early or late in the season is best. In any case, these are very popular packages and you are well advised to book early.

What cruise to select?

Once you have determined when you would like to enjoy your cruise-tour vacation package, you must check the actual cruise schedule. Find a cruise that sails either before or after your desired tour time. You are now ready to make the next important decision - what stateroom to choose. You must decide whether you would prefer an interior room, an oceanview cabin, a balcony stateroom or a mini-suite.

As was stated earlier, these cruise-tour vacation packages with Princess Cruise Lines are very popular and do sell out. It is best to plan early so that you can take advantage of early booking discounts when available. This also guarantees that you will be able to get your desired cruise date and ship, in your desired stateroom with your desired tour package.

For more information on Princess Alaskan cruise-tours check out some of the other interesting articles including Alaska Cruise and Tours a brief review of the Princess packages.

The very best way to experience all that Alaska has to offer is to enjoy a cruise through the glaciers fields to Alaska where you star your land tour of this vast wilderness. Check out your options, make your decisions based on some or all of the above tips and book your fabulous Alaska cruise and tours on-line. Then all you need to do is get excited!

By Brian A Schmidt

5 Steps to Crime Prevention at your Marina

Spending the day or weekend on your boat is one of the pleasures most boaters look forward to all the time. Unfortunately, the marinas where vessels are stored at are just as susceptible to crime as our homes and places of work, if not more so. Criminals prey on two facts. (1) Many boats are left alone for days and weeks at a time and (2) when a boater heads out onto the water, criminals know that they have more than enough time to burglarize their parked car.

With that being said, it becomes important for boat owners to learn some common-sense practices for keeping the property on their boats and in their vehicles as safe as possible. Listed below are five steps that boaters can take to help protect their property from crime.

1. Mark It This is a proven deterrent and you will have a better chance of having your property returned if it is stolen. Etch or engrave an identification number, such as you vessel ID number, onto all of your valuable items. This will enable authorities to trace lost or stolen items back to your vessel. Also, enroll in a crime prevention program, like Boat Watch USA. It is free, and you receive a Vessel ID decal which includes a warning for all would be perpetrators to avoid your vessel. Place this decal where it can be easily seen from the most common spot your vessel is boarded from. Boat Watch USA also offers smaller Boat Watch USA warning decals to affix prominently to your major equipment.

2. Record It Secondly, record in detail all of your valuable equipment. Compile a written inventory of your boat, trailer, and all onboard equipment. Boat Watch USA includes with it's free service a form to list unique details and other special identifying features of your vessel. If you have a trailer, you can include particulars about it too. List all electronics, outboard engines, and other gear by brand name, model and serial number. Be as descriptive as possible for both the police and insurance companies. Again, Boat Watch USA offers an online vessel equipment log where owners can record equipment information and keep it readily available for the law enforcement and insurance companies should they need it.

3. Photograph It Photograph or video tape the interior and exterior of your vessel, showing all the installed equipment and additional gear stowed aboard. These photographs should show any identifying marks or scratches that can be useful in the recovery efforts of law enforcement. Include photographs of open drawers and lockers with all contents revealed. Date and sign the photographs and add clarifying or identifying messages as necessary. Store these photographs or video tapes in a safe location outside of your boat, such as your home.

4. Secure It Most thieves are opportunists and seek out the easiest vessels to strike. Purchase and use quality locking devices for your boat to make entry and accessibility as difficult as possible for would be thieves. Also, remove as many items as feasible when you are going to leave your boat unattended. The best way to keep thieves from stealing property from your boat is to not leave it aboard. Remove high risk items like TV's, radios, and CB's. If you are not going to remove items, store them out of sight in a securely locked cabinet or locker. Lastly, you may consider having an alarm system installed on your vessel. Care should be taken to select security equipment that is resistant to environmental elements typically found near waterways.

5. Marina Security Many thieves are successful because they look as if they belong in the area. Become acquainted with your fellow neighbors at the marina. A tactful offer to help assist a stranger to find a person or a boat will signal to thieves that you are looking out for each other and that nobody goes unnoticed. Urge your fellow neighbors to also be observant of strangers in the area and to question their presence as well.

Be sure to always lock your vehicle when parked at a launch site, marina or dock. Remember to keep all windows secured and to remove any valuables from sight. If you are not taking your purse, cell phone, or other property with you, lock it in the trunk while you are gone. Also, to lessen the opportunity a would-be-thief has to break into your vehicle, park it in an open, visible area.

Be mindful and alert of any suspicious vehicles or persons who are lingering in the area. Record license plate numbers and remember physical descriptions of these vehicles and persons you observe loitering in the area.

Remember, a marina with good security equipment and good security practices is a good start. Having marina members who actively carry out these five steps can make the difference between crime prevention and criminal activity.

By Marc Eskew

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.

Snorkeling to view exotic fish and aquamarine life is a much-loved vacation adventure. In ancient times snorkels were crafted from hollow reeds found in lakes and marshes. Pliny the Elder, a first century A.D. Roman makes reference to the snorkel, so the activity holds rank as one of the oldest recorded water sports. Loenardo da Vinci created a more modern snorkel when the Venetian senate summonsed him to do so. Divers attached this hollow tube to leather helmets The present-day diver's snorkel is typically a J-shaped tube that is open at the top and has a mouthpiece at the other end, usually no more than 2 ft (61 cm) long.

American West-coasters go wild riding the waves on a wooden plank known as a surfboard. Originally, surfing developed in Hawaii in the nineteenth century. It became popular in California in the 1920s, and became a hit youth sport in the 1960s.

Surfers originally used long, cumbersome wooden boards but now ride lightweight synthetic boards that allow a greater degree of maneuverability. Hawaii holds annual international surfing championships.

Water polo originated in England in 1870, and American joined the bandwagon in the early 1900s. Many club and college teams exist for this rigorous sport. Americans gave the game a twist by using a softer rubber ball in a larger pool, a game known as softball water polo. Violence and rough play ended this faction of the sport, and today only the hardball version continues to be played worldwide. Men began Olympic level water polo in 1900, and women first played in the Olympics in 2000.

Diving, another favorite Olympic sport, initiated competition in 1871 off the London Bridge. Diving is now a popular sport at the high school and collegiate level, and is an amazing display of strength, control and agility.

By Keith Kingston

Six-Star Cruising on Luxury Cruise Lines

A luxury cruise is just what the name implies, a cruise at the upper end of the spectrum, not just five stars but a six-star cruise. There are six cruise lines that are in the luxury class: Crystal Cruise Line, Cunard Cruise Line, Radisson Seven Seas, The Yachts of Seabourn, Silversea Cruise Line, and Windstar Cruises.

Crystal Cruise Line has received numerous awards for excellence. For the last nine years, Conde Nast Traveler has named Crystal "Best Large-Ship Cruise Line". Also for the last nine years, Travel + Leisure magazine has given Crystal the status of "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line". And for service, a Travel + Leisure reader's poll voted Crystal "World's Best". Crystal Cruise Line operates only three ships: Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. These ships carry approximately 1,000 passengers each and Crystal Cruise Line boasts the greatest passenger space per guest of any cruise line.

Do you recognize the ship names Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth? These great ships come from Cunard, a name long synonymous with luxury and elegance in cruises. "With Cunard, the journey may be even more magnificent than the destination" states their promotional literature. Cunard operates just two award-winning luxury ships. The Queen Mary 2, launched in January, 2004, is known as the longest, tallest and largest ocean liner and carries 2,620 passengers. It is replacing the Queen Elizabeth 2 for transatlantic crossings but the QE2 will still be available for cruises.

Radisson Seven Seas is a small luxury cruise line. Small here means that the ships carry a small number of passengers. Fewer than 700 fortunate passengers per cruise are pampered by attentive staff. Radisson Seven Seas has been named by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines to be the "World's Best Small Cruise Line". Radisson Seven Seas appeals to the sophisticated traveler.

The Yachts of Seabourn cruise line advertises that they provide "Ultra Luxury" by "delivering the highest levels of personalized service to an exclusive group of guests aboard intimate, elegant ships that could visit the most enticing destinations worldwide." Seabourn sails three identical all-suite ships that cater to only 208 passengers each. Of course, dining and service is world-class.

Silversea Cruises is a new company, founded in 1994, for the express purpose of providing an ultra-luxury cruise experience aboard small and intimate ships with all the features of a large cruise vessel. The Silverseas ships Cloud, Wind, Shadow, and Whisper provide all-suite accommodations that between 250 square feet and over 1,300 square feet in size. Silversea vies with Radisson Seven Seas and Crystal Cruise Lines for the accolades of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure in the world's best categories. Silversea Cruises has also has been named by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines to be the "World's Best Small Cruise Line" many times since its inception.

Windstar Cruises offers a totally different sailing experience. Windstar Cruises offers motor-sail-yachts instead of cruise ships. Yes, their ships actually have sails that are computer-controlled with the latest in technology. Windstar's four ships carry just 148 to 308 passengers in staterooms or luxurious suites, giving the feel of being aboard a personal yacht. Even with such a small fleet, Windstar Cruises sail to over 47 countries around the world.

If you're in the market for a luxury cruise, there are a number of excellent cruise lines to chose from.


by Colin Hartness

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.

Do you commute to work every day, sitting in traffic for perhaps hours? Think about it, on a cruise you don't drive anywhere for 7, 10, 14 days or more. Now, even if you were on a bus tour with no driving yourself, you haul your luggage or at least pack and unpack it at each stop. On a cruise, you check your luggage when you check in and it magically appears in your cabin, stateroom, or suite. You unpack once, feeling at home for the duration of the cruise. The cruise staff will tell you when to place your bags outside your accommodations at the end of the cruise and, just a magically, your luggage will be waiting for you on shore at a designated pick-up point. Taking a cruise vacation frees you from some of the hassles of traveling.

If you take a driving vacation, there's always the question of where to stop to eat. All meals are included in the price of your cruise and great food is one of the main attractions of taking a cruise. Most contemporary cruises take into account the modern casual lifestyle and provide a variety of restaurants and snack bars on board. Typically, there is a varied and plentiful breakfast and lunch buffet similar to what you find in Las Vegas. Or you can eat breakfast or lunch in one of the ship's restaurants, ordering exactly what you want from the ample menu, prepared fresh for you. Restaurants are usually open for meals for extended hours and buffets are generally open all day and into the night. Have you heard of the midnight buffet available on some cruises?

Dinner is an important event on a cruise ship, a tradition dating back to the late 1800's when cruises were for royalty and the wealthy who expected elegant formal dinners. Again, in today's lifestyle the elegant dinner is optional, and for those who prefer to dine casually, the dinner buffet is available usually until 9 pm. Most cruise ships offer excellent cuisine, especially at dinner, in the main dining room or rooms plus offer meals at upscale specialty restaurants at additional cost. Cruise lines base much of their reputation on their food service, and terms such as "world class cuisine" and "gourmet meals" are combined with "impeccable service" to insure that the onboard dining experience is truly memorable. Many cruises still offer one or more optional formal dinners where ladies where long formal gowns or other evening dresses and gentlemen wear tuxedos or dark suits.

Once onboard your cruise vessel, there are activities 24 hours a day. Modern cruise ships boast state-of-the-art 700 plus seat theatres for quality shows and entertainment, all included in the cruise price. There is unique entertainment in the theatre every evening of the cruise. Most ships also have a number of themed bars, lounges, and discos with live entertainment that are open into the early morning hours. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are seldom included in the cruise price. Most ships also provide a casino that is open while the ship is in international waters.

If night life isn't your style, you can enjoy the onboard pool, spa, library, fitness center, and other amenities. Many cruises now offer instructional classes on a variety of topics during the day. If you have children on the cruise, there are usually play areas and programs geared to different age groups.

Did we forget about the cruise destination itself? Cruises typically stop at a different port of call each day or every other day, depending upon distances and sailing time between points of interest. You may stay aboard the ship all day or disembark at any stop. You are free to explore each destination on your own as long as you return to the ship by the designated time.

Also cruise lines offer a variety of shore excursions at additional cost. These adventures are geared toward the unique features of the destination. For example, Caribbean cruises offer snorkeling, diving or beach excursions while Alaskan cruises offer helicopter tours or dogsled trips. For the less adventuresome, normally there are bus tours or supervised shopping excursions in the local port. Everything, including meal stops, is prearranged. All you need to do is find the correct line onshore and an experienced guide handles the rest of your tour.

With all these great services available at a reasonable cost, why not take a cruise vacation?

Airboats - The Right Boat For Many People

The state of Florida is filled with lakes, swamps and unchartered territory that can only be reached by airboat. Airboat popularity continues to rise in Florida and boating enthusiasts are making new airboat purchases everyday. Choosing the right airboat is important and can be something like choosing a car or truck, it is a major purchase. There are a few things that you may want to consider as you shop for the right airboat.

The following is a general outline of the topics that can help you decide what you really want.

You have to ask yourself many questions when determining what airboat is best for you. Including topics such as the cost factor, whether to purchase a new or used airboat. Your stability needs to include the size of hull that you will require will help determine the size of engine. Also, what is the main purpose of the use of the airboat? In addition, you need to determine the performance expectancy meaning, what do you want your boat to be capable of?

Next is choosing your power drive and propeller design. Reliability of all welded aluminum hulls are other items of consideration. New or used, it is important to know your craft and the tolerance of the hull. In reference to the boat's warranty, materials and construction, use quality airboat industry standard parts. And finally, what options would you like on your airboat.

Whichever options you decide to choose, consider what you are doing and what you are getting into before you start. And remember, you get what you pay for, so from the safety perspective, going cheap probably isn't the best idea.

Airboat safety is important. The general population can't explore the type of territories that an airboat owner can. Airboats have the versatility that other boats don't. So in many cases and situations, when air boating in the back areas of the rivers, eddies and swamps, you are normally on your own.

It is great to have a craft that goes so many places but sometimes this can also be somewhat dangerous. Travel in two or more craft if possible and have reliable communications onboard such as a cellular or satellite phone or a two-way radio.

Once you categorize your needs, it will often determine what design is required to suit that need. This will get you into the right ballpark. Airboats hulls come in a variety of sizes of airboats. Sizes range from 10x7 ft to the large 25x8 ft airboat. Each foot-length of boat comes in three available widths: the 7, 7.5 or 8 ft. The most popular sized boats are the 12-14 ft boats. There are also companies that specialize in making large sized tour boats. Once you decide what hull is needed the rest of the boat comes easier.

It is very rewarding to step into the right airboat and enjoy the endless acres of fun and water forgotten and unused by conventional craft. Be safe, know your limitations and let it happen.

By Troy Denson

Yacht Charter From Rhodos Base - Dodecanese

The most famous of the Dodecanese, beautiful and famous for its mixed lifestyles, Rhodos has contributed the Colossus, a huge statue which stood at the port's entrance, to the seven wonders of the world. The old city is surrounded by powerful fortifications with bastions, battlements, gates and moat; a fine example of 15-16th century art. In the midst of the old city, and separated from it by an internal wall, stands the Palace of the Grand Masters of the Order of Saint John.
Now fully restored, with its fine wooden ceilings and floors paved with marble in various colors or with ancient mosaics brought over from Kos and alabaster windows, its fine 16th century furniture, this castle will fascinate you and make you understand the great diversity of Greek history. Rhodos offers beautiful holiday resorts along an endless coastline, restaurants, tavernas etc. and a famous casino. Numerous excursions and sailing trips can be made to visit sights like Kamiros, regarded as the Pompeii of Rhodes, and Butterfly valley, the Castallia fountain and many more.
Last but not least, the Acropolis of Lindos, where a spacious arcade marks the beginning of a stately staircase leading to the raised terrace on which stand the remains of 5th century BC Propylaea. Past this , the way leads to the sanctuary of the Lindian Athena with its beautiful 4th century BC temple perched on the edge of the cliff commanding a breathtaking view of the sea below.
Rhodos is the main base in the Dodecanese for bareboat charters in the area and the adjacent Turkish coast. Crewed yachts are available from Rhodos at an extra charge, due to the cost of the empty run. Click on the following link http://www.seascope-sailing.com/english/bbprices.html for bare boat charters and this one http://www.seascope-sailing.com/crewed/motoryachts.asp for our list of crewed yachts.
By Yannis Moraitis