Each year, thousands of couples make the decision to get married.  If you are planning on becoming one of those individuals, then it is likely that you and your new spouse will plan a honeymoon.  When it comes to selecting a honeymoon destination, you have a number of options to choose from.

Honeymoons are often thought of as vacations.  In a way, the only difference between a family vacation and a honeymoon is romance and the lack of children.  Honeymoons are supposed to a fun, exciting, memorable, but private time.  Instead of vacationing with the whole family, a honeymoon often only involves the bride and groom.

As previously mentioned, you have a number of different options when it comes to planning your honeymoon.  Many newlyweds schedule their honeymoons at popular beaches, ski resorts, or other secluded areas.  Did you know that you can also have a honeymoon aboard a cruise ship?  Cruise ships are increasing in popularity, but still many individuals do not consider them as a vacation option.

One of the reasons why cruise ships are rarely thought about when selecting a vacation destination, let alone a honeymoon, is because of their cost.  It is no secret that cruise ship tickets are expensive, but this cost should not prevent you from having the perfect honeymoon to go along with the wedding of your dreams.  If you are concerned with the cost, you may want to try obtaining discount cruise ship tickets.

Most discount cruise ship tickets can easily be found online or with the assistance of a travel agent.  Discount cruise ship tickets are nice, but they are often hard to come by.  Discount cruise tickets are sought after by many newlyweds and other vacationers.  If by chance you do come across discounted tickets, you are urged to purchase them while you still have the chance.

Even if you must pay full price for the cruise of your dreams, it is likely that you will still receive a good deal.  Despite the large cost of tickets, it is important to examine the activities available onboard and the length of the cruise.  The longer the cruise and the more services available, the more expensive tickets are likely to be. If you take the time to figure out all the services that are included and the cost of overnight accommodations, you may see that cruises aren’t all that expensive after all.

Once you have made the decision to spend your honeymoon aboard a cruise ship, you will have to book reservations.  As mentioned above, if you are looking to save money on your honeymoon, you are encouraged to search for discounted cruise ship tickets.  If money is not an option, you may want to search for cruise ships that have romantic settings and romantic destinations.

When examining cruise ship destinations, you may want to take into consideration the possibility for romance at each destination.  Since your honeymoon is supposed to be a romantic and relaxing time, you will want to select an environment that will keep those feelings alive.  Cruise ship destinations are located all around the world.  Popular destinations include Alaska, Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico.  To find the perfect honeymoon cruise, you are encouraged to select a cruise that offers stops at destinations of your choice.

In addition to taking cruise ship destinations into consideration, you are also encouraged to examine the type of cruise that you wish to set sail on.  Multiple cruise lines have ships that are targeted to specific groups of individuals.  These cruises often include cruises for adventure lovers, the whole family, or couples.  As a couple, you should be welcome on any cruise.  If you are looking for a private, romantic, and intimate setting, you may want to avoided cruises that are targeted for family vacations.

Before booking your honeymoon trip on a particular cruise ship, you are urged to examine want you want and need out of your trip.  Doing so will enable you to select the perfect cruise ship for you and your new spouse.

Spring 2007 holds wonderful things in store for cruise enthusiasts.  Princess Cruise Line is currently finalizing all the details in preparation for launching Emerald Princess this coming April.  Modern and luxurious, this ship’s theme is all about choices.

In line with other Princess vessels, Emerald Princess will offer Movies Under the Stars, a Princess innovation that began last year with great success.  With towering, outdoor, plasma movie screens that feature the latest releases in movies, concerts and sporting events, this feature has become one of the most sought after.  Other ship-wide favorites slated for inclusion on the Emerald Princess include Personal Choice dining, Lotus Spa and a very high ratio of cabins offering private verandahs.

Expanded Children’s and Teens’ Areas

Because kids and teens are an integral part of the family vacation, Emerald Princess will offer expanded children’s and teens’ areas. With three age classifications, kids and teens will find a wide range of activities, games, crafts, food and parties designed specifically with them in mind.  Parents will be delighted to know their children are having the time of their lives while being supervised by the watchful eyes of trained ship’s staff members.

Larger Staterooms With More Verandahs

In keeping with the ship’s theme of choice, Emerald Princess will offer 13 classes of staterooms (including family suites) that are larger than those offered on other cruise ships. Passengers will find greater amenities, including queen-sized beds, refrigerators, walk-in closets, massage showerheads, laundry services and more (depending on which cabin class is booked).  Plus nearly 900 staterooms will offer balconies, one of the most popular features requested by guests.

Engagements and Weddings At Sea

As the only major cruise line to offer these features, Emerald Princess passengers have the pleasure of getting engaged or getting married on the open sea with some truly memorable touches.

For those hoping to propose while on a cruise, “Engagement Under the Stars” provides help with making a personalized video to be shown on the big screen during Movies Under the Stars.  Once the question is popped, the couple can enjoy a romantic dinner prepared especially for them and receive keepsake items to remember the occasion with.

For those getting married at sea, Emerald Princess has a newly designed and expanded wedding chapel for the ceremony.  The captain officiates as the couple enjoys a completely customized day of their dreams.

From flowers and candlelight to musicians, photographers, onboard catering by the ship’s gourmet chefs and even tuxedo rentals, the ship’s staff helps to coordinate every element of the ceremony and reception to ensure this is a day no one will soon forget.

Inaugural and Primary Itineraries

Emerald Princess’s maiden voyage will be a 12-day Greek Isles cruise, which will set sail April 11, 2007.  Visiting some of the most scenic spots in the Mediterranean, passengers will thrill at every port, including Venice, Naples, Olympia and more.

Emerald Princess will sail a series of Greek Isles and Grand Mediterranean cruises before docking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in October.  From here, she’ll take up Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries.

For lovers or families, for those seeking thrills or sheer relaxation, the new Emerald Princess is sure not to disappoint.

Taking a family cruise can be a wonderful, enjoyable experience for family members of all ages.  If you’re planning on taking the little ones out to sea with you, there are a few things you should make sure to bring along to make the trip much less stressful for you and more fun for them.  A little preplanning can avoid any problems along the way and ensure everyone stays safe and comfortable.

First of all, it’s a good idea to bring a selection of over the counter medication for your child.  Smaller kids can develop a cough overnight, and it will save a lot of sleep and discomfort if you have medication to give them.  Children’s aspirin, chewable vitamins, and perhaps a heating pad can also help along the way.  Cruise ships will have a selection of baby supplies, like diapers and baby food, available on board, but don’t count on a wide selection or cheap pricing.  Try to bring a small selection of various things so you’ll be prepared for whatever crops up.

Most cruise lines will supply cribs if they are needed for very small children; however, it is an excellent idea to bring your own stroller.  For walks up and down the deck and from the shore onto the boat, a stroller can be invaluable.  A folded stroller is also fairly easy to transport and will be well worth the effort.  Again, some cruise ships will have strollers available for rent, but this is not a sure bet, and the convenience will cost you.

Some cruise lines offer babysitting services for children of certain ages.  This can be great when the parents wish to have a fancy dinner or a night together.  But in general, a family vacation equals family togetherness, and this includes the kids.  So plan ahead and think of activities for your child.  Family-friendly cruises will offer various activities geared towards children, but there will be quiet times in the cabin when it’s best for your child to have a coloring book or other game to keep them occupied.  Remember that for the little ones, vacations are huge and exciting events, but they can seem tiring and long, too.  Bring a favorite stuffed animal or pillow for naptimes, and a few little comforts and toys from home to remind your child that the vacation is a fun and relaxing time.  With a little effort, your family cruise will be a great experience for everyone.

There are a lot of amenities that are not necessarily obvious like ice, extra blankets, pillows, games, crib or high chair, etc. Just ask your cabin steward what’s available.

The crew is more than happy to help you have a pleasant stay.

Stops at ports of call are typically brief. You don’t have to spend your brief visit browsing the same old duty free shops.

Do a little research ahead and you can find some interesting local spots for the family to visit such as a museum, zoo or beach.

It’s a good idea to get the kids involved in the activities immediately rather than waiting a day or two. This gets them involved and lets them feel a part of the program.

Joining in later they may feel like outsiders and have a more difficult time interacting with the kids who already know the ropes.

Even though the programs are there to be used, don’t forget that this is a family vacation. Be sure to allot plenty of time together.

The kids can have a lot of fun with the planned programs but they also need time with Mom & Dad.

Before you book a cruise, be sure to ask a lot of question of your travel agent or the cruise line. Don’t accept vague answers. You want to know exactly what the cruise lines attitude is towards families.

Let them know what ages your children are and get specifics on the activities, programs and training of supervisory crew. Choosing the right cruise line and ship can make all the difference in the world.

Each year, thousands of couples make the decision to get married. If you are planning on becoming one of those individuals, then it is likely that you and your new spouse will plan a honeymoon. When it comes to selecting a honeymoon destination, you have a number of options to choose from.

Honeymoons are often thought of as vacations. In a way, the only difference between a family vacation and a honeymoon is romance and the lack of children. Honeymoons are supposed to a fun, exciting, memorable, but private time. Instead of vacationing with the whole family, a honeymoon often only involves the bride and groom.

As previously mentioned, you have a number of different options when it comes to planning your honeymoon. Many newlyweds schedule their honeymoons at popular beaches, ski resorts, or other secluded areas. Did you know that you can also have a honeymoon aboard a cruise ship? Cruise ships are increasing in popularity, but still many individuals do not consider them as a vacation option.

One of the reasons why cruise ships are rarely thought about when selecting a vacation destination, let alone a honeymoon, is because of their cost. It is no secret that cruise ship tickets are expensive, but this cost should not prevent you from having the perfect honeymoon to go along with the wedding of your dreams. If you are concerned with the cost, you may want to try obtaining discount cruise ship tickets.

Most discount cruise ship tickets can easily be found online or with the assistance of a travel agent. Discount cruise ship tickets are nice, but they are often hard to come by. Discount cruise tickets are sought after by many newlyweds and other vacationers. If by chance you do come across discounted tickets, you are urged to purchase them while you still have the chance.

Even if you must pay full price for the cruise of your dreams, it is likely that you will still receive a good deal. Despite the large cost of tickets, it is important to examine the activities available onboard and the length of the cruise. The longer the cruise and the more services available, the more expensive tickets are likely to be. If you take the time to figure out all the services that are included and the cost of overnight accommodations, you may see that cruises aren’t all that expensive after all.

Once you have made the decision to spend your honeymoon aboard a cruise ship, you will have to book reservations. As mentioned above, if you are looking to save money on your honeymoon, you are encouraged to search for discounted cruise ship tickets. If money is not an option, you may want to search for cruise ships that have romantic settings and romantic destinations.

When examining cruise ship destinations, you may want to take into consideration the possibility for romance at each destination. Since your honeymoon is supposed to be a romantic and relaxing time, you will want to select an environment that will keep those feelings alive. Cruise ship destinations are located all around the world. Popular destinations include Alaska, Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico. To find the perfect honeymoon cruise, you are encouraged to select a cruise that offers stops at destinations of your choice.

In addition to taking cruise ship destinations into consideration, you are also encouraged to examine the type of cruise that you wish to set sail on. Multiple cruise lines have ships that are targeted to specific groups of individuals. These cruises often include cruises for adventure lovers, the whole family, or couples. As a couple, you should be welcome on any cruise. If you are looking for a private, romantic, and intimate setting, you may want to avoided cruises that are targeted for family vacations.

Before booking your honeymoon trip on a particular cruise ship, you are urged to examine want you want and need out of your trip. Doing so will enable you to select the perfect cruise ship for you and your new spouse.