Travel and Leisure Articles

“The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.” But it doesn’t fall in Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca.

Wouldn’t you love to have guaranteed good weather on your next vacation? Then you would do well to visit Benidorm. This beautiful city gets an average of 355 days of sunshine each year.

Benidorm is fortunate to be protected by the Sierra Helada (Cold Mountains) and the Puig Campana mountains. These mountains help make the temperate climate so ideal.

Benidorm is within the Alicante Province of Spain, along the Costa Blanca, which is known for its magnificent beaches along the Mediterranean Sea.

Benidorm has long been a fishing and farming community, having existed since Moorish times. You can still see the Moorish influence in the narrow streets of the oldest parts of town. The Mediterranean Balcony section of the old town was even built over a former castle.

In recent years, wise businessmen have undertaken efforts to capitalize on Benidorm’s rustic charm. They have put a great deal of effort to preserve the charm of the old fishing village and old Spanish architecture but make it more accessible to today’s travelers. Now, when you visit, you will feel as if you stepped into a Spanish romance. You will delight in visiting the wharf area and seeing the lovingly preserved buildings. You will see many artifacts that are hundreds of years old. Imagine what it would have been like to live so long ago.

But make no mistake; Benidorm has plenty of modern amenities: Dance clubs, shops, restaurants and hotels all offer the very latest features to make your stay the best.

Many people have enjoyed quaint little Benidorm and have returned to it as a retirement location, but now families are discovering the region. This is because it has become the home to three theme parks: Aqualandia is a waterpark designed to give the whole family a splashing good time. Terra Mitica is an up-to-date theme park with roller coasters and all sorts of thrill rides. Mundomar Park is a wildlife park that specializes in marine animals and those found in tropical rain forests. Just think: You can visit the Amazon in sunny Spain.

Benidorm is very conveniently located: only 43 km for Alicante Airport. You can easily visit many other attractions in Costa Blanca, such as the cities of Altea and Alicante. It is easy to find great discounts on air fares, hotels, car rentals and other travel planning needs. Simply go on line or consult a travel agent to start planning your getaway to sunny Spain.

As you can see Benidorm, is a fabulous vacation destination for everyone, young and old. You won’t regret spending your vacation in such a paradise. Pick up a Benidorm travel guide today.

First-time cruisers sometimes confuse about choosing the destination for neither cruising nor they aware about the hidden costs in the cruise. So this cruising tip should help them to prepare about what they need to know before they go for cruising:

1. Book early or late

You will get better deal by booking well in advance of your sailing date or at the last minute. Booking early in advance can save you between 15 to 50 percent and also lock in the cabin category of your choice. If you rather wait to book at the last minute, you will even get a better discount on a shipÂ’s unsold cabin. But of course you will not be able to choose the cabin that you like, whatever is left is available.

2. Drive rather than fly

You could save a lot if you just drive to the nearest port in the city rather than you fly. Nowadays there are more cruises than ever before departing from “close-to home” ports such as Boston, New York, Bayonne (New Jersey), Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, Jacksonville, Tampa, New Orleans, Mobile, Galveston, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco and Seattle.

3. Take a short cruise first

If you are a first-timer cruiser, it is better for you to take short-cruise 3 to 4 days on the weekend. In this case, you will be able to “test the water” before you jump-in to the real cruise. There is a good selection of ships sailing on short cruises to various destinations in the Caribbean, as well as along the Mexican Riviera and to New England/Canada.

4. Beware of added charges

You have to be prepared for added charges when you are on a cruise. Expenses such as playing in the casinos, alcoholic beverages to photos snapped by the ship’s ubiquitous are not included in your cruise fare. So, travel-smart by preparing your budget in advance when you are going on a cruise. If you must buy something, wait until the final day of the cruise—most of the stores will throw a sale then.

5. From ship to shore- savings on excursions

Perhaps the largest additional cost are escorted shore excursions offered in every port of call ranging in price from $25 per person for a tour by motor coach to as much as $300 for helicopter flight-seeing. For two couples, it is less expensive to hire a cab or rent a car for a day than for each person to join an organized excursion. Also there is no requirement to leave the ship when in port. Some passengers prefer to relax on board and lounge by the pool as the ship is much less crowded after most people have gone ashore. Shore excursions make the most sense when few attractions are within walking distance and local means of transportation are scarce.

Hope that this tip will be helpful for those first-timer cruiser. Bon Voyage!!

Making important decisions is always a great part of your life. Making the right ones can take you far in life. Making the wrong ones, teaches you a valuable lesson. Some people that make the decision to cruise for the first time, normally have little experience in vacationing and travel, so they tend to make little mistakes. If you are among the group of persons that have decided to take a cruise for the first time, here are some pointers that can help you minimize some common mistakes made by first-time travelers.

The very first thing you need, is to figure out where will you be going and how long will you want to stay. Nowadays, picking a destination is harder than one might expect at first glance. So many destinations with so many beautiful sights are available all over the world. If you want to explore the Caribbean, there are so many great places you can visit, such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Saint John and Saint Thomas, and many other tropical spots. Perhaps, you’re more into Europe and want to visit Paris, London, Spain, Italy and many other Old World wonders. Also, the time you want to spend there while cruising, should help you determine the place you want to go. Be it a week or two, the space of time can help you savor all the sights and cultures of the places you want to visit.

When cruising, determining the kind of accommodations you want is the very next big step for you. Ship accommodations are as varied as cars. Different ships have different kinds of room space. Maybe you want a room with balcony, maybe you want a ship with casinos and onboard shopping malls. It all depends on the way you want to spend your trip. Many cruise ships come with many kinds of entertainment, including concerts, gambling, dance lessons. If you can think of it, it already exists. Also, you might want to consider if you want the cruise line to arrange other methods of transportation (once you’re reached a port), the kind of meals you want (if you have a diet, this will help you out a lot), how much to tip (which is customary), etc.

Then there is the matter of documentation. If you’ve decided to cruise outside of the USA, you will need passports. Also, make sure you check the regulations of the country you want to go, so you can be prepared and ready with the documents they might require. You might want to check your baggage and make sure your clothing is appropriate to the country you’re visiting. It would be kind of ridiculous to take t-shirts and shorts if you’re going to a cold weather location like London, Argentina or Canada.

We have not quite arrived at a cash free world just yet! On your first cruise we highly recommend that you take a certain amount of small bills with you for spontaneous smaller purchases and that spur the moment tipping when least expected. For instance there are numerous ships with Casinos. Tipping will be easy with cash. Also cash is always good to have in the many ports you will be visiting. If safety is a concern, most all ship cabins have personal safes. If your cabin does NOT have a safe or you would feel more comfortable with storing your jewelry and money elsewhere, your Cruise Ship will have a ship vault. Be sure to get your itemized receipt and ask about the ship’s policies regarding your personal items stored in the vault.

Before you take your first cruise you will want to set up your own charge account for all purchases from a cup of coffee to extensive Spa Treatments! This makes everything go very smoothly. The emphasis here is on “credit” cards. If you use a “debit” card you may be limited by your Cruise line to only spending a certain amount. And what if you don’t have a credit card? Simply make arrangements to deposit a certain amount of cash before your cruise in an account for your use only. If you are sharing a cabin with a friend both of you charging will not be a problem as you will have separate charge accounts.

Taking your first cruise is exhilarating. You want everything you can possibly think of to run smoothly as there will always be a surprise or two. One of the things to clearly plan for is preparing the children for how THEY will spend their time if traveling with you. There are a couple of plans you could consider:

1. You are in charge of all the kid’s expenses and will make all transactions yourself.

2. You could have a separate credit card with a limit on it for the children’s use only. Remember, they would not be carrying this card around but would be charging items to their account.

3. You could deposit a certain amount of cash into an account for the kids before taking the Cruise for them to use, making it clear that there is only a certain amount to spend. Perhaps this could also serve as lessons in budgeting and spending habits for them.

Exchange services is an excellent thing to find out before you ever board your first cruise. Some Cruise Ships do offer money exchange services, and some don’t. Most people feel more comfortable exchanging their money in a frequented tourist port where their is an exchange bureau equipped to exchange all sorts of currency.

You are so used to using your ATMs but please know this: they are very expensive to use onboard. Using an ATM machine while visiting a Port is a much better idea. Generally, know just about what you’ve allotted to spend for your entire Cruise that way you won’t feel the pain of too many purchases and by being organized up front you will not get stuck without the proper funds nor be embarrassed when it’s that moment to tip! Have fun!

Often considered the vacation of choice for a certain age group, the demand for Caribbean cruises is increasing; this has got to be the easiest way to see a variety of Caribbean islands in a short space of time. It should be on everyone’s list of vacations with tropical Caribbean islands, clear, clean beaches and of course a fun filled time on board the cruise liner. Some people only take a short break and visit perhaps only a couple of islands as part of a larger vacation but most people are doing a tour of as many islands as they can with some lasting over two weeks.

Vacations like this are about enjoyment and it what these companies do best irrespective of weather or environment, it is your choice; enjoy the on board entertainment or that at each destination. Never worry that there will not be enough to keep you occupied as cruise liners are past masters at ensuring their travelers have everything they need.

It is always a pleasant use of your time to see what vacations on ships are available and see what choice of packages there are so why not start at the local travel operator for some advice. Almost every Caribbean island will receive cruise liner guests but they can’t call on every one each trip as it would take to long so you need to look for a package that will call at the islands you want.

Some cruise vacations to the Caribbean are for people that like to party with plenty of discos and non-stop entertainment and may not be the ideal place for families. Don’t forget that more and more information is put online these days and whilst the travel agent will be helpful, there is every chance you can take a virtual tour of the Caribbean cruise ships if you visit the website directly.

Remember that a vacation on board a ship allows you more opportunity to dress up as there are more functions than you are probably used too. These are the sort of times when you will need to have a tuxedo for men and evening gown for women as part of your attire.

The great thing about cruise vacations is that if you take your children along you can be sure they will have a fun filled time. You can even take time off for a little quality adult time as there is fully trained staff to look after them.

Some Caribbean cruises are specifically for adults only, which ideal for couples, honeymooners and people that would like to have a child free vacation. There is no end to what you can actually request on your cruise liner vacation so if you have just got married or are celebrating your fiftieth wedding anniversary, something special can be arranged.

If you let the staff on your Caribbean cruise do their job, all you will have to do is enjoy the vacation, after all isn’t that what it’s all about.

So, you’re getting ready to take your first cruise? How exciting! You’ve surely read through all the information that your travel agent provided, and you’ve probably read everything you could find on the ship’s website, and if you had time, you probably even checked out comments from previous travelers, right? That’s a great start! Here are additional tips that will help your whole experience be more pleasant. I wrote myself notes after my first cruise and have been using them every time since.

• When you pack, keep in mind that you won’t need as many clothes as you think you will. If you’re taking a 7-day cruise, you’ll really only need 4-5 outfits. Trust me! That’s the way it works out. The days that you’re on the open sea, you’ll probably live in a bathing suit and cover-up all day, if you’re in warm weather. If you’d rather have more clothes available even if you don’t wear them, keep in mind that your closet will be very small and there’s no room to leave your suitcase sitting out.
• Speaking of closets, take some of those hangers that you get from your dry cleaners that you won’t mind leaving behind. There won’t be enough for everyone in your room to use. It’s a great idea to pack your clothes already on hangers with dry cleaning bags over them. It makes unpacking a breeze and really helps ward off wrinkles!
• While we’re on the subject of clothes, forget those fancy outfits for dinner. Very few people “dress up” anymore on ships. Instead, shoot for “casual elegance” and you’ll fit right in. Women, throw in a pair of heels to wear with your black capris, or if you’re a man, tuck your shirt into your khakis, and you’ll fit in perfectly!
• Take comfortable shoes!! Make it less about style and more about comfort. You’ll need them while walking around on the ship, and you’ll definitely want them when you go ashore.
• Don’t be shocked when you see the size of your room and especially your bathroom. Don’t let the fact that you can sit on the toilet, brush your teeth in the sink, and shave your legs in the shower-all at the same time, spoil your trip. It will be fun! You’re only in your room to sleep and get dressed anyway.
• If you like to drink a lot of water throughout the day, take your own water jug and have the bartender fill it up. It’s a hassle to constantly go get water and the glasses are really small. Likewise, if you like soda, spend the money to purchase a soda card. The ship will usually give you a thermal mug that you can have the bartender fill up as often as you like. Take a travel coffee mug too, if you like more than one cup at a time.
• If you must make a choice, choose the later dining option. Even if you normally like to eat dinner early, you’re not going to want to rush back from shore to shower and get ready for dinner at 6:00. You won’t go hungry on the cruise!
• Consider eating dinner in the buffet hall a couple of nights. You can dress as casually as you want (even bathing suit cover-ups are acceptable), you can eat any time that you want, and the food is the same as in the dining room!
• When you arrive on the ship, take the opportunity to go to the dining room to check on your table arrangements. If you have children, you may want to request a table with other children so that your kids will have company. Likewise, if you have no children, you’ll probably want to request an adults-only table. At the same time, request a larger table so that you’ll have dining companions. Even if you’re shy about talking to strangers, after the first awkward night, your dining experience will be a lot more fun!
• If you enjoy soaking up the sun while the ship is at sea, scope out a good spot away from the kids where you can quietly enjoy your book. That won’t be in the main area near the pool! There are lots of spots tucked around the ship’s deck that will be perfect! Look early and you’ll be able to reserve your chair with a towel or book, while you go eat breakfast.
• Tuck a bag in your suitcase that you can use as a “pool bag” to carry all your goodies that you’ll need when you’re outside all day.
• Some areas of the deck are very breezy, so take a hat or visor that will not easily blow off. If you’re sunning yourself, and you have longer hair, you may want to take a “buff” or bandana to keep your hair out of your face.
• The sun can be very brutal on the open sea! Take plenty of sunscreen and consider throwing a regular umbrella or even a small beach umbrella into your suitcase. That can come in handy when you want to remain outside but you’ve had enough sun.
• Take advantage of the activities. They really will make your cruise experience more enjoyable. Don’t miss the shows! They are always excellent! Likewise, visit the nightclubs. They often have live bands that are fantastic!
• While we’re on the subject of activities, read the ship’s daily newsletter. You’ll find out everything that is going on from activities to shows to special shopping opportunities. In the newsletter, you’ll often see a meeting for “Friends of Bill W.” On my first cruise they met often and I found myself envious that this group I assumed was a “reunion” group, met so often. I later found out that it was a code for Alcoholics Anonymous. So, now you’ll be smarter than I was!
• Take several books if you like to read, although most ships have libraries. Also take cards or a travel scrabble game in case the weather is too bad to be outside.

Follow these 16 tips and you’ll be well prepared for your first cruise. What a fantastic time you will have!!

For the landlubbers among us the thought of staying on a ship for 7 days or more may seem a little boring. But folks let me tell you if you get bored on a cruise ship then you must be the sort who is only happy hanging off the edge of a 300′ cliff by your fingernails.

From the moment you step on board for the first time your senses tell you that you are in for a ride. The air is electrified with excitement as you enter the main atrium and are greeted by ship staff (one ship we stayed on announced each family over the ship PA system as you stepped off the gangway into the atrium - wow, talk about making you feel special).

Here are some of the activities you can experience on board as well as on shore and I think you will agree that boredom is not an option while cruising throughout the warm waters of the Caribbean.

Pool Deck

Poolside is always a boisterous place with people swimming, hanging out in the hot tubs, sitting at the bar enjoying a drink, or just sitting around a table with friends talking about what’s next. This is where the band is setup and it is common to see people being lead into some sort of dance by a crew member. Our days usually start and end around the pool deck.

Throughout the day there will be organized events on the stage by the pool. This could be a special dance, a hairy chest contest - usually for the men, a men against the women challenge which usually involves some silly activity that both parties attempt, or some other fun event. Mind you that these activities are always tasteful and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Sports Deck

Up top there is usually a basketball court where you can shoot a few hoops or play a full game in an event arranged by the crew, play some volleyball or as on one ship get a chance to ride a Segway - a two wheeled upright people mover. On the sports deck you can usually find a few ping pong tables, mini golf, or even an inline skate track. On Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, as well as other’s in their fleet, they have a 30′ Rock Climbing Wall. The ship provided all the safety gear including helmets and harnesses and trained crew members took care of belaying for each climber.

SPA and Gym

If you feel like working out you will find a well complimented gym containing various pieces of exercise equipment such as treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical trainers, weight machines and free weights. They offer aerobic classes and for any who decide to start an exercise regime onboard you can have one of the personal fitness trainers guide you through a program designed for your fitness level.

For the ultimate in pampering - hey that’s what cruises do best - you can sign up for special spa treatment such as a facial, pedicure, neck massage, back massage, or even a full body wrap. They even offer the full cosmetic treatment so you can spend the day getting ready for the formal night.

Bars and Lounges

Need a break from the sun and heat then you can head indoors to one of the many bars and lounges that your ship will offer. Do you fancy sports then head to the sports bar and watch the latest game. On our last cruise we watched the Super Bowl game on a big screen set up on the pool deck.

Maybe you are in the mood for a stogey so why not head to the cigar club, or if music is your thing head off to the piano bar for some soothing sounds and if you feel like joining in, why not, the pianist always loves a little company as you get a chance to sing one of your favorite melodies.

Once night hits you can pull out your dancing shoes and head off to the disco and for a little boogeying.

Casino

With the exception of the Disney Magic every other ship we have been on had a casino. Now I am not much of a gambler but even I tried my hand at roulette - and won! Before stepping onto a cruise ship the only gambling I did was buying the friday night lottery ticket so needless to say I was a little intimidated to take part in anything other than the slots. Now I wanted to try one of the tables, blackjack, roulette, poker, whatever but didn’t know the rules so I hung around the tables and just watched people playing trying to pick up the rules. Well the dealers are more than willing to help with the rules so you can ask them questions and they will explain the rules as you go. They even offer training sessions throughout the cruise so that you can have a chance to try your hand at a game without having to pony up any cash. Just think about it for a moment why wouldn’t they want to help you afterall the odds are in their favor that they will end up with your cash anyway. Now me and my buddies are regular fun gamblers and will head to the casino for a night or two to have a bit of fun and try to win a few bucks at the same time. I have a limit so I put aside $100 to gamble with and once it’s gone I’m gone. But you know the three times I played roulette I came out a winner each time - it feels good to go home with the casino’s money.

Kids Club

The Kids Club is a fun filled place for the younger cruisers to hang out with friends of their own age. Qualified cruise staff are always in the club to supervise the children and lead them in various activities such as games, crafts, tours, and sports. There is a separate club for each age group so you don’t have to worry about your 6 year old hanging with the teens. At some point during the cruise they usually have one night classified as a late night where the kids get a chance to stay up late with their pals. This also works great for the parents as they get a chance to dine at one of the private dining rooms sans children.

You can give permission for the older kids to sign themselves in and out of the club but younger children must be signed in and out by a pre-approved parent or guardian.

So there is no need to worry about the younger set being bored lounging by the pool all day with mom and dad. Instead you may be wondering why they seem to be having more fun than you.

Library

Did you forget to bring a book, no problem, head off to the ships library and take out novel to read or just take a break and sit in the quiet of the library and flip a few pages.

Internet Cafe

Just because you are cruising doesn’t mean that you have to be disconnected from the rest of the world, although for many, me included, that is the idea. You can head to the Internet Cafe and send an email to all your envious friends back home or just surf the net for a while and catch up on the latest happenings.

Chapel

You will find a chapel on board that can accommodate a small group - did I hear someone say they wanted to get married! On our last cruise one of the members of our group got married on board just before the ship sailed on our first day. Now that’s a romantic wedding!

Restaurants

Food will probably be one of your most memorable experiences onboard. There is lots of it and the variety will suit even the pickiest of eaters. Most will agree that the quality and quantity of food alone pays for the cruise as you could not afford to eat on land like you do on a cruise ship and spend less money than the cost of the cruise. It’s great to be able to order off a menu that doesn’t have any prices.

While the food in the main dining rooms and buffets is nothing short of fantastic for those who might like to experience more romantic dining in a quieter atmosphere there is usually separate dining rooms that you can reserve for a small fee (usually around $20 per person). I have never found the food any better but the atmosphere is certainly more romantic.

Entertainment

There is no shortage of entertainment to be enjoyed onboard. You have the pool deck band, the piano bar, karaoke, but the best of all is the evening entertainment in the main theatre. After a great meal in the dining room you can head to the main theatre where every night you get to experience a broadway like show with singers dancers and a live band. What a way to end your day!

Shopping

Did you forget something at home hey don’t worry because you can head to the shopping deck and browse around for a new shirt or dress, or buy a new sun hat. If you are in the mood to splurge you can head to the jewelry store and pick out a new diamond ring or the latest Tag Heuer watch. Most ships even offer price guarantees that protect you if you find the same item in one of the port of calls at a cheaper price.

Shore Excursions

Probably one the best parts of cruising is having the opportunity to explore some of the many islands scattered throughout the Caribbean. So not only do you get to experience great dining and entertainment on board but you also get a chance to get off the ship and head off to some exotic island for a day trip. Imagine yourself lounging on a beautiful sandy beach in St. Martin or zip lining through the jungles of Belize, my favorite. Maybe you just want to hop a cab and do some site seeing around the island.

Whatever your fancy you are bound to find it somewhere along your Caribbean cruise.