For some, the ideal cruise consists of a lounge chair, gourmet food, and many, many drink umbrellas. And while I admit that sounds wonderfully seductive, there are those whose ideal cruise is a bit more active.
Some of you might want to spend a week immersed in your favorite sport, or engage in some sporting activities you haven't done in a long time - if ever. At the very least, you may want to do something to help ease the guilt of excesses at the ship's bountiful tables.
Staying healthy aboard today's cruise ships is fun. Modern cruise ships are equipped with some of the largest and most sophisticated fitness facilities anywhere. On Carnival's Victory, for example, passengers are making a beeline for the ship's vast two-level health club where a collection of every conceivable gleaming exercise and body- toning device awaits them. And it's always free.
The view from the deck-to-ceiling ocean view windows in the Nautica Spa is spectacular. The state-of-the-art gymnasium, with its two whirlpool baths and steam, sauna, massage and loofah rooms, provides a fitness center that rivals most land facilities.
If you desire to start a fitness program during your seagoing vacation, you can turn to the trained instructors. More experienced workout-aholics can look forward to keeping fit with the most modern high-tech weight and workout gear. From exercise bikes to treadmills, step and rowing equipment, the spa has it all, ready to raise your heart rate and tone your physique.
And of course, there's the jogging track high above the ocean, and indoor and outdoor aerobics classes. Some ships now offer you in-line roller blade tracks as well. Cruise lines are rewarding you with prizes based upon the number of physical activities you participate in throughout your cruise. You may even go home with a new fitness wardrobe from your Cruisercise programs and activities.
For you ultra-conscientious, most cruise lines offer heart smart alternative dining choices, identifying menu items lower in sodium, cholesterol, calories and fat but full of flavor and delightfully presented.
Not enough? Too regimented? Many cruise lines offer you a combination of ship and shore activities to keep your land game sharp. On Royal Caribbean's Voyager and Explorer of the Seas (and others) you can experience a rock-climbing wall towering 200 feet above the sea. Not long ago, anyone who suggested ice-skating on a cruise ship would have been laughed out of the room. Not anymore, the Voyager, Explorer and Adventure of the Seas feature Center Ice at Studio B, which accommodates professional ice shows, and open skating (complete with skate rentals). Now at sea you will find million-dollar state-of -the-art golf simulators where you can play courses around the world and golf cages to fine-tune your long game and a small-scale course to assist with your short game.
For realism, you and your friends can tailor a unique combination of a world-class cruise and championship golf on courses. You can choose from a variety of different courses in the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Mexico and Hawaii. You will play only the best golf courses each port has to offer. Just imagine driving a golf ball cleanly down a lush tropical fairway.
Looking for more? Tear yourself away from the wonders of your ship for in-port activities that include snorkeling in crystal clear waters, scuba diving along vibrant reefs, or just plain walking miles of beaches. Imagine yourself taking scuba diving training right on board combined with graduation dives in areas with stunning underwater beauty. Certified divers are offered even more exotic adventures to the home of 14 million varieties of fish and sea life.
Why not rides a raft over river rapids, or bicycle down the side of a 10,000-foot volcano? You can go horseback riding, and leave miles of hoof prints along secluded tropical beaches.
If you would rather be above the water than in it, you can take to sea aboard a world class sail ship and be part of the crew for a few wonderfully exhilarating hours. If there's still time (and you aren't ready to rest yet) play tennis or basketball, catch a record marlin or just swim the soothing waters.
Just because your cruise ship offers plenty of delicious and wonderfully tempting food, doesn't mean you have to come home out of shape. Burning calories was never so much fun!
Sid Kaplan -
Mr. Kaplan has extensive experience in the travel business having owned and operated a successful cruise only travel agency in Canada.
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Holland America Cruise Lines has initiated a program of up-scaling their cruise ships, cruise line image and passenger cruise experience. This initiative is called the Signature of Excellence program and will soon be experienced by cruise passengers on all Holland America cruises.
Й, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, and a Culinary Arts Center.
Changes will be made for children and teens cruising with Holland America as well. The program includes newly expanded youth facilities with the "Club HAL" program. For teens, Holland America has included The Loft and The Oasis.
To date, Holland America has completed the program on six of their premium cruise ships - Prinsendam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Statendam, Westerdam, and Zaandam. Holland America's cruise ship Amsterdam is due to have the program implemented by early October 2005. Volendam will see her program initiated in mid December 2005. HAL's Zuiderdam will see her program implemented in time for her holiday Caribbean cruise at the end of December 2005. Veendam will initiate her program on a western Caribbean cruise in late January 2006. Late April will see Maasdam initiate her completed program on a Canada/New England cruise. Rounding out the Holland America Signature of Excellence initiative will be Oosterdam early in November 2006 on a short 4 day cruise from Vancouver to San Fransisco.
For more information on Holland America cruises and tours, check out some of our other interesting cruise articles. To find the best deals on Holland American cruises and tours check out the merchant links on our cruise discount page. Then all there is to do is to book your fantastic cruise on-line and get excited!
Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of a1-discount-cruises. This site is your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and deals! Visit to check out the best cruise values.
There's magic in everything that team Disney touches and their cruise line is no exception. Michael Eisner himself commissioned a talented group of ship designers, cruise experts and Disney creators to produce cruise ships that would appeal to adults and children of all ages. The result was two nearly-identical ships, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic.
The ships are distinctively Disney, with the famous mouse silhouette prominently placed on the smokestacks and appearing frequently throughout the ships. That's not all; a fifteen-foot statue of Goofy is the figurehead on Disney Magic while Donald Duck adorns the front of Disney Wonder. Of course, cast members masquerade through the ship in costumes of the famous Disney characters. Disney art is featured on the walls and images of Disney characters appear everywhere. Disney excels at promoting everything Disney so expect onboard shops to be full of Disney memorabilia.
Disney Cruise Line offers three, four, seven and ten day cruises that sail from Disney's own Port Canaveral near Orlando to popular spots in the Caribbean, including St. Maarten, Nassau, Antigua, Cozumel, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman Island, St. Lucia, and Key West. All cruises stop at for a day at Castaway Cay, a private island developed by Disney solely for the enjoyment of Disney Cruise Line passengers.
The cruise can easily be combined with a stay at Walt Disney World; passengers can stay at Disney World for several days before or after a cruise for one price that includes transportation on, what else, a Disney bus to or from Port Canaveral. And with the latest technology, tourists check in only once and the key card issued to them unlocks both their hotel and stateroom doors.
As expected, Disney Cruise Line caters to children with activities for all age groups all day long. In fact, more than 15,000 square feet of ship's real estate is devoted to children. Teens have a private area of the ship dedicated to their interests that offers video games, movies, and a place to listen to CD's. Supervised teen sports are also available.
Disney Cruise Lines provides quality nighttime entertainment in a 977-seat theatre each evening with, of course, a family orientation. While other cruise lines mimic Las Vegas entertainment, Disney entertainment is similar to shows at Disney World. As might be expected, there is no casino on board the Disney ships. However, adults can find evening entertainment in a number of lounges and nightclubs.
A special feature of the Disney cruises is the dining arrangement. Dinners are served at 6:30 and 8:30 pm in one of three family dining areas. Over a three day period, a passenger will have dinner in a different restaurant each night, thus getting to experience the unique ambiance of each one. For a $10 cover charge, those wishing to avoid family dining can opt to eat at the upscale adult-only restaurant, but only after gaining sought-after advance reservations.
If you or your children adore everything Disney, you will certainly enjoy a Disney cruise.
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