Family Vacation Central

An interesting way to go when you are choosing to take a cruise is to look for a theme cruise. Theme cruises offer the vacationer the option of indulging in a favorite hobby or sport, or even offer cruises geared to singles or kids. The themes can range from art or cooking to golf, or even special singles cruises. There are many different theme cruises available and the choices are constantly changing.

The cruiser on a theme cruise will be able to increase their knowledge on the particular theme offered. There are usually celebrity or guest speakers that host seminars on the theme, and even sometimes performances by noted entertainers.

The cruise lines typically hold workshops related to the theme as well. For instance, on a photography themed cruise, seminars would be held to advance the photographers knowledge, and then perhaps a workshop on developing photographs may be offered. A music themed cruise could offer a lecture on the history of the style of music, with special performances by celebrity entertainers.

Other activities aboard the ship also deal with the theme offered. A food and wine themed cruise could offer a wine tasting event. An art themed cruise could hold an art auction, or a cruise theme of a noted author could host a book signing event. Read the rest of this entry »

Belize is located in Central America between Guatemala and Mexico, and is on the Caribbean Sea. It is just two hours away from three major US Gateways. It is a tropical location, with a hot and humid climate. It has a rainy season from May to November, and a dry season from February to May. The land is flat and swampy with a coastal plain, with low mountains seen in the south. It is also known as an adventurer’s paradise. It has a diversity of adventure opportunities with over 40% of the country set aside as parks and nature reserves.

Belize is a country of warm, peaceful, pleasant English-speaking people. It has a mixture of tropical forests, majestic mountains, and mysterious Mayan culture. Belize also offers fantastic diving and fishing opportunities for the traveler and boasts the second longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

What is there to see and do in Belize? Inland the visitor can hike or canoe under the rainforest canopy to see some of the over 500 species of birds that live here. Or they can awe at the stalactites and stalagmites in caves once inhabited by the ancient Mayans. What about discovering the brilliant colors of the sunset from the top of one of the Mayan temples, or taking a refreshing dip and letting the cool water from one of the many waterfalls splash over you?

Belize is well known for its famous barrier reef with its abundance of marine life. It also has three major offshore atolls and numerous mangrove systems (both along the coast and offshore) that harbor many birds, fish, mammals and reptiles. Belize is a favorite destination as a significant marine eco-system for scuba divers, snorkelers, marine biologists and sport fishermen alike.

And, of course, there is the sun, sea and sand that entice the frequent vacationers. The warm climate invites sun-bathing and relaxing on one the islands beautiful beaches. The coastline has over 386 km. of fantastic beaches ideal for sun-lovers and swimming enthusiast. The most popular beach area in Belize is located on Amergris, which is the largest of Belize’s cays or small islands.

Although Belize offers brilliant diving, pristine jungle and nature, along with dramatic historical ruins to visit, the unpaved roads, high prices and lack of infrastructure can make it a difficult place to travel to. Also, although most visits to Belize are trouble-free, violent crime can also be a problem on occasion (mainly in Belize City). Caution and common sense when traveling here is recommended.

Roatan is the largest and most developed of the three Caribbean islands that make up Honduras, Central America. It is a simply idyllic paradise with turquoise clear waters, various sand beaches and clear blue skies that makes an ideal vacation spot.

Roatan Island is only four miles wide and thirty-three miles long. It has a paved road running down 75% of the length of the island that leads to the various beaches, destinations and attractions that the island offers. The fantastic landscapes that the vacationer can enjoy while traveling down the highway is truly impressive.

The island is surrounded by an impressive coral reef that is considered one of the largest in the world, which is part of the large Meso-American Barrier Reef. Travelers can enjoy the marvelous underwater world with snorkeling and scuba diving, or by taking a tour on a glass-bottom boat or riding in a mini-sub. Viewing the marine life and old shipwrecks found in the reef environment is not to be missed.

The capital city of Roatan is Coxen Hole, where visitors would arrive via the sailing port or international airport, but it is not the main tourist centre of the island. French Harbor, which is the second most important town in Roatan hosts the most recognized restaurants and has great shopping, nightlife and hotels.

West End, located on the western side of the island, is one of the tourist spots to see with beautiful beaches, restaurants, hotels and attractions for tourists. Here the visitor can rent a motorcycle to tour the island, take a kayak to paddle among the ocean waves, shop in the many souvenir shops, or dance the night away in the lively nightlife activities.

West Bay offers its own beautiful beaches with calm, peaceful waters and glittering white sands. This three-mile long stretch of white sand is considered one of the prettiest in all Honduras. Sandy Bay has beach hotels and restaurants for the sun-loving tourists, as well as a research centre, The Institute of Marine Sciences, to explore. The tourist visiting this area can enjoy a dolphin show, windsurfing or even just relax with a soothing spa treatment.

A vacationer to Roatan could enjoy learning about the Garifuna people who first settled the island in 1797. Every year on November 12th an exciting festival is held to celebrate the event. A visit to Politilly Bay in Punta Gorda is a great attraction to enjoy with dancing and music of the Garifuna culture.

Oak Ridge, and Afro-Antillean community, is very picturesque and is known for its tradition of building houses on the water. Local tours include water taxis to the mangrove swamps so vacationers can view the wildlife.

Paya Bay in Roatan is perhaps the most visited place for a Roatan Island vacation. It is close to Oak Ridge and is known for its white sand beaches and sparkling clear waters.

A ferry that connects Roatan to the mainland of Honduras runs twice daily allowing the visitor more sightseeing options. Roatan also has a recently completed dock capable of docking large cruise ships.

With the spectacular white sand beaches and the majestic reef surrounding this island, Roatan makes for a great vacation spot.

If you are planning a Caribbean vacation, St. Lucia is sure to provide a memorable one for you and your family. St. Lucia can provide a wonderful beach vacation with lots of rest and relaxation for adults and a whole lot of excitement and outdoor fun for the children. Many hotels on the island are geared for families and offer special features like kids clubs, special meals for children, and cater to sleeping arrangements with beds and cots (or adjoining rooms) to accommodate families. And the beautiful beach coastline is rimmed with rain-forested mountains making it a fantastic sight to discover.

But, what is there to do in St. Lucia? Well first off, there are the land sports. St. Lucia offers volleyball, basketball and soccer games, between staff and guests, at most hotels. Vacationers can attend soccer, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, running races or swimming tournaments that are regularly offered on the island. Most hotels also offer squash or tennis courts for their guests. And, although the cricket season is from March to August, guests can enjoy the friendly matches held year-round throughout the island. St. Lucia is home to the Beausejour Cricket Grounds which is world renown.

The water sports available on this beautiful island are not to be missed either. Sailors and fishermen will love St. Lucia as it has been described as “an angler’s dream come true.” St. Lucia is home to several species of big game fish and it is not uncommon to bring home a white marlin trophy. There are many companies that provide guests with the enjoyment of deep-sea fishing or yacht charters.

Then there are the beaches…fine white sand beaches lined with gently swaying palm trees beside crystal clear warm waves lapping against them. The clear waters make for excellent snorkeling or diving opportunities. This island is well-known for some of the best underwater dive sites in the Caribbean.

Or how about a different view? Windsurfing, water skiing and para-sailing are also available. Advanced and intermediate windsurfers will enjoy the popular wave sites at Cas en Bas and Vieus Fort, while beginners can try the calmer waters of the west coast. Equipment and instruction are available at most hotels on the island. Para-sailers can be thrilled with an aerial view of this spectacular island as they soar above Rodney Bay.

St. Lucia also offers some voyages of discovery. Vacationers can visit Marigot Bay, a wonderful natural harbor that once provided a hideout for pirate ships. Another popular spot is the Maria Islands Nature Reserve, which are tiny islands located in Southern St. Lucia and are home to rare wildlife and birds. Some species that make this reserve their home exist nowhere else in the world. There is also the Pigeon Island Museum and Interpretive Centre which is a ‘hands-on’ representation of Pigeon Island’s history from the 1800’s.

Another attraction that may be of interest to St. Lucia visitors is whale or turtle watching. St. Lucia is recognized as a major whale watching site and over 20 species of whales are spotted regularly throughout the year, including sperm whales, pilot whales, humpback whales and spinning and spotted dolphins. There are also an abundance of turtles that make St. Lucia their home, and these fascinating creatures are protected by local environmental activists.

St. Lucia received the ‘2000 Ecotourism Award’ for its Heritage Tourism Programme and received the OECS Vacation Paradise Award which makes it one of the top family vacation destinations in the Caribbean.

If you choose to visit St. Lucia, you will not be disappointed. The sensational beaches and the fantastic water activities will be sure to please the entire family, not to mention the many attractions found on the island.

When you decide to take a cruise it is an exciting choice. But, it can also seem daunting because there are so many different types of cruises to choose from, and deciding which is best for you can seem very confusing. Here are a few cruise choices you may wish to take:

1. Mediterranean cruise
2. Caribbean cruise
3. an Alaskan cruise,
4. a cruise down the Amazon
5. a Panama Canal cruise
6. a Transatlantic ocean crossing
7. a cruise in the South Pacific
8. a Hawaiian Island cruise
9. River cruises (such as the fjords in Norway, down the Danube in Europe, along the Nile in Egypt, even down the Mississippi)
10. Polar cruises (to see the penguins) in the Antarctic
11. Russian waterways cruises
12. Galapagos Island cruises
13. New Zealand or Australia

Each has its own appeal, but each is also very different.

The first thing to consider in taking a cruise is the time of year you wish to travel. This can dictate the type of cruise available to you. For instance, some cruise ship lines do not offer cruises to the Mediterranean in the winter months, but transfer their ships to the warmer waters of the Caribbean, and vice versa. Or, Alaskan cruises can only run in certain months because of weather conditions. Transatlantic cruises (Transatlantic) take place only as the seasons change in order for cruise ship companies to reposition their ships to match the high seasons’ tourist industry.

You also have to decide on the length of your cruise. Many cruises are 7 nights in length, but there are also ones from 3-4 nights to over a month in length, and sometimes more. You may have a vacation time limit that dictates the length of your cruise, but you should also take into consideration if this is your first cruise. You may want to limit your cruise time to a 3-4 night or 7 night option to find out how you like cruising, or if you are prone to seasickness.

Knowing which ports you want to see can also determine which cruise is the right choice for you. Do you yearn to see the Bahamas or have you always dreamed of the Greek Islands? You can achieve your dreams by choosing the destinations you want most to see. And, you can experience various places on one vacation by taking a cruise.

You also need to consider how much time you wish to spend “at sea” or onboard the ship. On some cruises, such as a Transatlantic voyage, you are at sea for many days at a time without touching into a port. This could suit you if you don’t want the hassle of docking at different ports all the time. But, it can also prove to be a downside if you want a lot of variety on your vacation. Some cruises are very busy and dock at a different port every day. This hectic type of activity can be too much for some vacationers.

Your next choice in choosing a cruise is to decide on the cruise line and size of ship you want to take. Of course, one can dictate the other as some cruise lines have larger ships in their line than others. Some cruise lines may only have smaller vessels for smaller groups of people. Others offer huge ships to accommodate passengers in the thousands. It is up to you to decide whether you like a smaller ship with a more personal touch or the larger ships with more options and amenities onboard.

There are so many different types of cruises that cater to various personalities. You can also choose to take theme cruises, which specialize in a certain area, such as art collector’s cruises, golfer’s cruises or cooking cruises. There are some cruises that cater to families and children, some that stress the party atmosphere and others that are for adults

Finding a cruise to suit your individuality is an important factor in determining your overall cruise enjoyment. Read the many cruise brochures available, do some researching on-line and discuss with your travel agent which cruise would suit you best.