Arctic Travel

Winter is a dividing season; some people love the cold, crisp weather with the snow and icicles where as other people stay wrapped up warm inside resenting having to clear their car’s windscreen of snow and frost to get to work. For many of us our minds will be miles away wishing we were on a warm beach sipping cocktails.

A large proportion of UK holidaymakers are even taking their annual holidays or extra breaks around December and the New Year so that they can escape the cold for a week or two. It’s been a clever tactic for many holidaymakers as the winter period had not been known to have the skyrocket prices of July and August, the summer holidays.

The only speed bump in the road for this plan to fly away for winter is the precise reason you’re leaving this country in the first place: the weather. This is the situation many travellers have found themselves in this week as arctic conditions and masses of snow have arrived in the UK and Ireland.

With snow falling on runways up and down the country many flights have been delayed or cancelled as conditions worsened after the initial coating on Monday where the snow had melted slightly in the night and refroze in the morning making a treacherous slippy snow surface.

It became a common sight on the news where hundreds of tourists were left stranded at airports like refugees, waiting for their flights home or out to their holiday destination. With many people being told not to bother coming to the airports what options do they have and how can these unfortunate circumstances be avoided?

Whilst it’s well known that you get the best deal on cheap flights when you book early but when booking holidays in winter it’s best to check the weather before you commit. Checking the weather ahead of time as well as every week up to your date of departure is important so that you know what to expect and it could possibly help you determine what the drive to the airport is going to be like and whether to leave earlier if you’re going to be slowed down by the snow.

In the (hopefully) unlikely situation that your flight is cancelled or delayed significantly then make sure you’ve packed a sweater or a blanket of some sort, especially if travelling with young children. Children tend to deal with delays by falling asleep on the chairs in the airport so make sure they aren’t cold, you don’t want them catch a cold before you’ve even set off!

For those whose flight gets cancelled or had to rearrange a later flight then perhaps spending the night in the airport terminal doesn’t sound like much fun. Many hotels are attached to or a short taxi ride from the airport and in some instances you can put a room on hold if you think you’ll need somewhere to lay your head. If your flight is suddenly available before checking in some hotels will allow you to cancel but it’s important to check the hotel’s cancellation policy first as they may charge you.

The worst of the snowy conditions seems to have now passed in the UK and most airports are now working through the backlog of flights waiting to go. If this week has taught us anything it’s that the UK gets its snow in February and March judging by previous years experience and so this should be a time you should try and avoid for flying as it could fall victim to the Great British snow.




By: Andy Adams

Caribbean cruises are a popular vacation choice for adults, couples and families alike. One reason for this is the convenience of planning a cruise. Another reason is that Caribbean cruises visit a variety of destinations and last for a various amount of days. You can take a 3-day cruise to Cancun or a 10-day cruise with excursions to a number of places. You can virtually set up a cruise to meet your time and financial needs.

The benefit of taking a Caribbean cruise is that you get to visit multiple locations in one trip. You will enjoy fine dining, meet new people, experience adventure, have a wide variety of experiences and see some of the most beautiful places in the world.

Plan the Perfect Vacation with a Caribbean Cruise

Caribbean cruises are the perfect vacation for couples, honeymoons and family vacations because each cruise is tailored to meet your traveling needs. A family cruise typically offers babysitters (at an hourly rate), adventure camps and playgroups for kids. This allows kids to have fun at their own level while adults get some free time of their own to explore.

Caribbean Cruise Destinations

Caribbean cruises depart regularly from Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Houston, New Jersey, New York and Cape Canaveral. Just as you can plan the kind of activities on your cruise, you can plan the types of excursions you want too have too. There are many counties, cities and islands you can incorporate into a Caribbean cruise:

* Alaska cruises Stop in Alaska for scenic arctic tours, glacial waterfalls, wilderness adventures and salmon fishing.

* In Asia try exotic foods; see the worlds tallest building, and visit local markets and beaches.

* In the Bahamas enjoy warm temperatures, sandy beaches or swim with the dolphins when you stop in the Bahamas.

* In Mexico roam the colonial city of Mexico or enjoy sandy beaches, coral reefs and tropical fish.

* In Hawaii catch the waves, surf, hike through the rain forest, see volcanoes or stretch out on the beach.

* In Europe experience the culture, history, art and architecture of European cities.

All Inclusive Cruises

Sometimes you can find an all inclusive Caribbean ruise. Not only does an all inclusive cruise save you money, but it saves a lot of time and effort you would have had to put into planning the vacation otherwise. You can find deals that include your meals, drinks, taxes, tips, airport transfers, water sports, cruise entertainment and select activities on excursions.

Last Minute Caribbean Cruises

Travelers can save a lot of money with last minute cruise deals. Cruises that have limited spaces left open them up to the public at a discounted rate just to fill the empty spots. This allows people to travel in luxury for as little as $100 to $150 per night, which is less than a fine hotel without all of the perks.

The Luxury of a Caribbean Cruise

Cruise ships come in difference size, decor and price ranges. Each ship offers a variety of room choices, as well, from inside cabin rooms to rooms with a window and a private balcony. One thing that will not leave you disappointed is the food on your cruise. Large buffets of food are set up throughout the day and well into the night. Its hard not to overdo it, but as long as you remain active on the cruise ship and participate in offshore activities, you will not have a problem.




By: Thomas DeSimone

If you’ve been pining to visit North America’s last great frontier but fear such an ambitious trip is just out of your price range, take heart, get out your parka and read on about some fantastic discount cruises to Alaska!



The Basics

Nearly all available Alaskan cruises last seven days and depart mostly from Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia and head north, skirting along the Canadian west coast, making several stops at Alaskan port towns, including Juneau, Skagway and Seward along the way.



Accommodations

Accommodations aboard most seven-day Alaskan cruises range from as low as $600 and as high as $3000. The least expensive cabins will invariably be located lower on the ship and closer to the center; therefore they usually lack windows and the more spacious floor plans of higher end rooms. Upgraded rooms and suites with large windows and even balconies can be well worth the extra cost, however, offering guests a one-of-a-kind view of the pristine Alaskan coastline and wildlife from the privacy and comfort of their own cabin.



Activities on Board

Though Alaskan cruise ships venture into cooler territory, they offer the same lavish amenities of their tropical sea faring counterparts, plus some unique treats of their own. You’ll find no end of things to do on your voyage, from playing the tables at the Las Vegas style casino, mingling at the deck parties, scheduled daily, or catching a full scale musical. For those passengers searching for true relaxation, consider getting a facial or massage at the full service spa or maybe indulging in the unique thalassotherapy, a technique that uses sea water to rejuvenate the skin.

Families will find that Alaskan cruises are well suited to their needs as well. All ships offer daycare and babysitting services and many feature detailed programs tailored specifically for kids. When enrolled in these programs, which are often similar to camp, kids are broken into age-specific groups and usually get their very own section of the ship to play in safety and without mom and dad getting in the way.



Wildlife Viewing

One of the most unique and alluring advantages of an Alaskan cruise is its proximity to virgin arctic forests and the teeming wildlife that naturally resides there. It’s not uncommon to spot grizzly bears, bald eagles, moose or majestic breaching humpback whales from the deck. When the animals don’t catch your eye, however, the awe-inspiring and unspoiled landscape will. You’ll marvel at dense coniferous rainforests, glaciers slipping slowly into the sea and maybe a stray remnant ice berg or two from the luxurious, safe and relaxed atmosphere of your ship.



Tour the Glaciers

Alaskan cruises that make a stop in Juneau offer the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour a glacier both from the air and on foot. These excursions feature a guided helicopter ride through canyons and mountains populated by glaciers and the fantastic rock formations they formed. You’ll be invited to come along on a three hour hike across an actual active glacier, witnessing one of the most powerful geologic forces on earth first hand. Don’t worry if you forgot your helmet and ice axe in your cabin — expert guides will outfit you with everything you’ll need.



Dogsledding

For those Juneau visitors who prefer to skip the glacier, a guided dogsledding excursion awaits. After a helicopter whisks you to an inland dog mushing camp, you’ll learn how to control your own pack of dogs and experience one of the world’s rarer forms of travel for yourself.



Snorkeling

It’s true. Snorkeling may be an activity that tends to be associated with tropical cruises, but passengers visiting the port of Ketchikan will have the opportunity to pull on a wet suit and explore the colorful and abundant sea life that thrives on Southeast Alaska’s shores.



Culinary Tours

Another special feature that Alaska’s rich coast offers is some very out-of-the-ordinary and hands-on culinary tours. One tour in Juneau invites guests to dine creekside in the middle of an arboreal rainforest where you can watch your freshly hooked salmon steam over an open fire while you try not to spoil your appetite by saving the marshmallow roasting for dessert.

Other dining opportunities include tours where you can test your hand at commercial crabbing and help pull up some crab traps before you chow down on the very morsels you helped catch. Of course, if you don’t feel like getting your hands a little dirty, you can also take advantage of some of the world’s freshest and tastiest seafood in comfort at many fine dining restaurants and culinary tours.

Offering a bit of something for everyone: luxury, fun, spectacular vistas and one-of-a-kind experiences, discount Alaskan cruises let you decide on the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure for you. For your next vacation, consider heading north rather than south.




By: Matt Cragle