Want to Work on a Cruise Ship and Travel the World?

Undoubtedly, working on a cruise ship is one of the most enjoyable job profiles in the world. It is a job that many regard as a working vacation because you get to work while partly being on a vacation. Some people enjoy the job because it lets them see beautiful places and travel. On the other hand, there are some individuals who like the profession because it allows them to interact and entertain guests. Bottom line is, if you want to work on a cruise ship, you have to be amiable above all. This is a job that's is centered on service. With that in mind, if you think that this is the kind of job for you, then you should start contemplating regarding what segment you feel like you ought to be in. This is because cruise ships employ almost 300 different job profiles. From waiters, bartenders, assistant captains, engineers, to housekeepers and chefs.
Find Your Area and Determine Your Expertise
When finding a job on a cruise ship, the most important thing that you have to put in mind is what kind of experience and what skills I possess. Furthermore, employers will require a STCW or an International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping for Seafarers. An STCW certification is imperative when looking for a job on a cruise ship; that is why you have to make sure that you've got this covered.
Sell Yourself
Additionally, when looking for a cruise ship job, you have to sell yourself to your employers as much as possible. Be careful not to overdo this because you will make yourself look desperate, which at the end of the day will ruin your reputation. Make sure that you present yourself as the finest person for the work either because of your skills, your experience, or your overall personality. Furthermore, when finding a job, be sure to display good conduct and moral character.
Find Your Ideal Employer
To get the job, you first have to look for your employer. Once you have found the perfect profile for you, it is now time to find an employer who'll sponsor your skills. Try to find at least 3 employers to look into. Delve into the company's philosophies, their corporate culture, what they are looking for in their crew members, and pretty much everything that will be beneficial to your employment. If you think this is a tedious task to do, you can try going to a recruitment agency to assist you directly.

Neil Maxwell, a hiring professional, reveals the secret of careers on cruise ships and assisted thousands of people all over the world to get job on cruise ships. To know more details about jobs on ships, log on to http://www.workoncruiseships.com and grab your job today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_M_Maxwell-Keys

The Reality of Working Onboard a Cruise Ship

Is it the warm thoughts of sun and sand? Is it the lure of exotic places? Is it the romantic dream of living on the 'love boat'? Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to work on a cruise ship. However, it is important to have a realistic picture of the life and work onboard. Most land-loving civilians believe that ship life is like a paid vacation. They obviously haven not worked on a cruise ship before. In a way, ship life is similar to working in the entertainment industry. It seems glamorous and exotic but this can be deceiving.
There are many benefits to working onboard a ship. They include visiting numerous ports of call and learning about the history and customs of our world's many different cultures. As a crew member, you will sample different foods, experience a simpler way of life and meet a myriad of interesting people. You will achieve independence and gain an adventurous spirit because your eyes will be opened to so many new opportunities and possibilities. Your fellow crew members will become like family to you and you'll gain friendships with people from all corners of the world. Even though the pay will vary for each position, you will always have free room, food and medical coverage so it is very possible to save money. If your schedule allows, you will be able to take free or reduced-rate shore excursions while in port. If your family enjoys cruising, they might even be able to take a discounted cruise within the same line.
However, there is a possibility that at some point during your time aboard you may feel like jumping ship. This is a term used by sailors to describe a deliberate move to break your employment contract. By requesting to leave before your contract is completed or by purposely remaining ashore while the ship sails is asking to forever end your employment with that cruise line. If you ever decide to quit, please realize that this decision could very well mean a permanent end to your cruising life. For that reason, it is important to realize that while ship life can be fun, it certainly isn't glamorous and should never be taken lightly. Strict maritime laws make for a military-type atmosphere that must be respected at all times. On the ship there is no such thing as a forty-hour work week. You will work seven days a week for months at a time. This is not a job for those that are prone to seasickness because you will see many types of weather conditions and it will not be possible to call in sick. If you are claustrophobic you may want to know that your cabin will likely be small and without a porthole. If you are someone who needs a lot of privacy you should realize that you will likely share a cabin, bathroom and sometimes even a dresser or closet with one or more cabin-mates.
Even with the lack of privacy, chance of seasickness and strict ship rules, life at sea can be a lot of fun. However, you must keep in mind that not everyone is working onboard for the same reasons. You might be there for the excitement and adventure while your co-worker is there to support a family back home that he or she hasn't seen for 8 months. Big difference, isn't it?
You may have heard stories of poor working and living conditions for some shipboard crew, but unfortunately, the fact remains that Canadians working onboard are given higher paying jobs, shorter contracts and better accommodations than crew from non-industrialized countries. I certainly do not want to thwart your anticipation of working onboard, but I believe it is important to know the real story. There is a form of racism that is seemingly acceptable onboard a ship. Why is it that while Canadians, Europeans and Americans have preferable accommodations, wages and working conditions, crew from non-industrialized countries are treated otherwise?
The International Trade Workers Federation is a seafarer's guardian angel. They are an organization committed to changing these injustices and are commended for it. They believe "in a cruise industry regulated by negotiated trade union agreements based on a respect for human rights and a fair wage."
You may wonder why the citizens of these non-industrialized countries work under such poor conditions. Most of them save every penny to send home, enabling their families to live fairly well by local standards. Others save their money in the hopes of starting a business one day. These crew members should be admired for their determination and perseverance.
In conclusion, I hope that you weren't discouraged by the realities of cruise ship living. I believe that while unjust circumstances remain for some, the chance to see the world while living among so many nationalities is a rare opportunity and I urge you to apply because you have the chance to embark on an amazing learning experience and an exhilarating adventure!

Lee Brinkman has worked onboard cruise ships in Alaska, Canada, the Panama Canal, Pacific Coast and the Caribbean. She is author of 'Cruise Ship Jobs for Canadians' which was written in response to the many people who have asked how they, too, could travel the world by ship. Continual research and networking with contacts and friends in the industry has allowed her to prepare accurate and up to date information for cruise ship job seekers. Visit the 100% free guide on cruise ship jobs at http://www.cruiseshipjobsdirectory.com which is one of the most current and popular sources of information on cruise ship employment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Brinkman

See the World As You Work

Have you ever felt like just leaving everything behind, and going off on an adventure? Except, of course, you'd like to go somewhere different, somewhere to see the sights, and maybe even find work so that you won't be unable to enjoy yourself. If this sounds like the sort of excitement you are looking for, there is a very strong possibility that working on a cruise ship would be right for you.
There are plenty of benefits to working on a cruise ship. You get to see the world, or at least, the ports that you pull in to. You get to rub elbows with some very interesting people while on board. And since you'll be living on the ship, you won't have to worry about finding a place to live, or even paying rent - the costs of living will come right out of your paycheck. Most cruise line employees don't spend much while they're on board, and as a result, disembark after each cruise with a good sum of money waiting for them.
There are, of course, some downsides to a life at sea. Depending on your position on the boat, the hours can be fairly long. The quarters you will be assigned are likely shared, and probably very small. And if you don't like the job, there's really no option to leave, until you get to the next port - and many cruise companies will withhold your pay until the ship returns to its point of origin, ensuring that you don't jump ship at the first sunny port of call.
If you decide that this sort of work might appeal to you, your best bet is to contact the cruise lines directly - they often have online job postings - and be sure to tailor your resume to the position you are looking for. Many people apply for these jobs, so you will have to sell them on your qualifications.

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Jobs on Cruise Ships - Make Good Money and Travel the World on Cruise Ships

Ever since we have been kids, we have always had a fascination about sailing the seven seas where you can travel to different continents, experience new cultures and breathe in the fresh air that you can only get from the open waters of the oceans and the seas. Hundreds of years ago only a select few who were very strong and fearless would dare to apply for a job like this, but now thanks to the many cruise ships that are safely sailing the open waters almost anyone that is ready to experience new things can apply for this line of work.
Even though we are going through very harsh economic times the cruise industry is still growing by leaps and bounds. Since 1999 the top cruise line companies have introduced over 85 different cruise ships that have already been launched and many more are scheduled to come on board in 2009, and this trend doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon. In other words, there are many jobs available in this industry.
There are many different lines of work that you can do on a cruise ship. If you are good at serving drinks then you can apply for a bartending job on any of the major ships and you can make quite a lot of money from tips because the people that are going on these cruises are usually very well off and are looking to have fun. To them, money is no object as long as they are having fun. Bartenders can expect to make between $5000 and $6000 a month the pending on their level of experience and expertise. Another great line of work on a cruise liner that you can apply for is to be a waitress. While they won't make as much in tips as bartenders do, waitresses and still make off pretty well as long as they are sociable and putting a smile on the faces of their customers. Waitering pay can be as high as $4000 a month.
Another great job that you can have in this line of work on the ship is to be a tour guide. Tour guides can either be on the cruise ships themselves or they can be waiting to greet people as they get off the port and have a day or two to go around the country that they are visiting. If you are looking to be in this line of work then you will have to gain a familiarity with the country that you are visiting. In other words, you will need to have visited that country a few times before, and if you are a newbie, this is not the line of work for you. You can also expect average pay for this sort of work unless you have a lot of experience in the field.
If the culinary field is your line of expertise, you can also find lots of work here as a chef. Many of the larger cruise lines such as Carnival are always in need of expert chefs as people will always need to eat. An expert chef can expect to make between $4000 and $5000 a month. So as you can see it is a very profitable business for you to be employed as a chef on a cruise ship.

If you are looking for the top Cruise Ship Jobs then visit http://www.seasonalemployment.com/cruise-ship-jobs.php as they are the premier job finder for jobs on all types of cruise ships. Do not wait, get employed today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Randooke

How To Get A Job On A Cruise Ship

After three and a half years of cruising the world, mainly on the Queen Elizabeth 2, I ended up traveling to over fifty countries and six continents around the world. If you've ever wondered how to get a job on a cruise ship, then keep reading so I can share with you the secrets on how to do the exact same thing.
Many people wonder what it's like working on a cruise ship and are even more curious how to get a job on one. You might be thinking it's like an insider's secret! In a way it is, but it won't be when you finish reading this article. My first job on a cruise ship came when a cruise employment agent contacted a friend of mine who was unavailable to work, so my friend told him to contact me and the rest is history. I've also got jobs for several friends who ended up traveling the world, but for the people who don't know me, it's okay because I'll show you how to do the same thing in a different way.
Here is exactly how it works. For every department on a ship, there is someone who oversees that department. That person reports to someone on land in the corporate offices for the cruise ship company, whether it is Princess, Royal Caribbean or Carnival. Now here's the hooker. That person in corporate works with an agency or contractor that hires people by qualifying them before come aboard the cruise ship. This is what happens 70% of the time. 20% are hired through the companies that are onboard contractors. These can be the onboard shops, art auctioneers, photographers or other third party revenue vendors. The other 10% are people who contact the cruise ships directly for certain positions such as Sales Specialists, Printers, Disk Jockeys and people who have jobs that only involve one or a few people.
When people are hired through an agency, there's a fee that's paid by either the cruise ship or the employer. Usually this fee is paid by the cruise ship. It's a way to hire a third party Human Resources to take care of all the logistics and coordinate with the corporate office and employers onboard. This only makes sense because there are many logistics of hiring, ticketing and travel guidelines. From there, the third party agent or administrative assistant from the corporate office will be just a phone call away for anything you need until you join.
There are plenty of jobs to choose from with the amount of ships at sea nowadays. For instance, one cruiseline will have more "entertainment" jobs, as to where another ship may have more "hotel services" positions available for you to choose from. Obviously you'll be working, but you'll also be traveling. To get days off in ports and spend as much time ashore as possible, work out schedules with your fellow co-workers. You may be thinking that sounds like a daunting task, but trust me, it's no biggie and takes about thirty seconds before everyone is happy. If you work in certain departments, like the entertainment department, your department gets to make your own schedule. Other departments, like casinos and shops are not allowed to work while in port (not a bad job to have)!
If you can, try to get a job on a ship that has a big fleet or that has alot of destinations. When I was with Premiere Cruise Lines, I transferred cruise lines three times in four months, so instead of going to just two countries, I went to ten. Another example is Princess Cruise Lines, which has several ships that all follow a similar protocal throughout. That way, crew can transfer from one ship to another with ease and confidence.
You would be quite surprised to see how many resources and agencies can help you get a job on a cruise ship. You're probably thinking, "How would I get a job out of the thousands of people who apply?"
Okay, here's the secret. Those thousands of people you're thinking about are thinking the same thing, so they don't even apply! You wouldn't believe the shortage of staff cruise ships companies always have. If there isn't a job immediately, one will open up within three months because that is how the contracts work out with multiple ships. There was NEVER a day when all the jobs were filled in ANY department. Department heads are ALWAYS asking the agencies if they have found anyone to fill the position. In many cases, positions don't even get filled! Many crew have to EXTEND their contracts because the agencies can't find the right people, because everyone is wondering, " There must be several people who would get the job before me," or they just simply don't know the people to contact.
Many people ask me everyday how to get a job on a cruise ship, after all, I achieved my dreams by twenty-four and have seen several others do the same. What I always tell people is simple. Get a database and resource guide so you can contact these hiring agencies and corporate offices directly. From all the resource guides I've seen, nothing compares to one I came across awhile ago, which was Neil Maxwell Key's resource guide. He use to work on cruise ships as well, but took it a step further to gather all the resources anybody could need to get a job on a cruise ship. If you are serious about getting a job on a cruise ship, then I highly recommend his book for less than a meal out with two friends.
If you're looking to do what only your friends and family dream of, then go get a cruise ship job for the experience if nothing else! The journey of seeing other cultures and learning more about yourself are priceless. I cannot even begin to tell you the amount of self-growth I've done over the years through travel. Also, people are fascinated by the concept and will always be asking you what it's like traveling the world and getting paid for it.

While working on cruise ships, Scott Lundergan has done two world cruises, traveled to over fifty countries and six continents. Scott was also part of the historical Queen Mary 2 Launch and Maiden Voyage and ended up staying for another nine months on the ship. He now lives in San Diego, California and whenever someone asks how to get a cruise ship job, he refers them to http://www.thecruiseshiplife.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Lundergan

Cruise Staff - Read This Vital Information If You Want to Be One

Cruise staff positions are very hard to secure nowadays due to the exclusive nature of the jobs and skills required. But lots of people are getting these jobs. You too can get hired by the best cruise companies in the world. Open your mind to the information here and you will end up getting that job you need.
Why do people desire these jobs so much? Several reasons are responsible for this huge interest. The income from working on a cruise ship is quite good. People love the fact that you can get paid weekly and that its tax free too. The extra cash can always come in handy. Lots of people looking for jobs on these luxury ships also like the opportunity it offers to travel to some of the most amazing spots on the planet. And get this... you travel and still get paid. That's nice, isn't it? No wonder so many people want to become cruise staff.
Who wouldn't want to leave behind the star and "rat race" at home and see other exciting places on earth. Working as a staff of the cruise ships also makes it possible for you to enjoy free excursions that passengers pay lots of money for.
The onboard parties too is something you would definitely want to experience and enjoy. You have cabin parties, crew - bar parties, deck parties' e.t.c. lots of free food and drinks going around. It's something you can get to experience if you take the right steps in your cruise job search.
Now, be careful and don't go running to those cruise jobs recruitment agency sites. You want to avoid losing your precious cash to them. Many of them will end up disappointing you. What you need to do, to become a cruise staff is to simply follow certain guidelines when it comes to applying for these jobs. You need to know how to go about doing this the correct way, and avoid the mistakes others make.

To read more about "Cruise staff" and to get a detailed resource that would guide you on what to do first, to succeed quickly with getting any cruise job, visit http://www.raljo.com/cruise-ship-jobs-review.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_M._Carter

Cruise Ship Jobs - Which is the Best Cruise Line to Work For?

If you are looking for cruise ship jobs, chances are you are asking around as to which cruise line is the best one to work for.
Consider this: each cruise line has a fleet of ships, and each of these ships is like a hotel run by a manager (captain) and his staff (crew). Each of these ships, is therefore run differently and independently of each other whilst operating under their particular franchise.
If you ask for advice from former or current crew members as to which cruise line you should work for, you will get a myriad different answers, that's for sure!
What's more, you will be told by one person that you should only ever work for X cruise company because they had a personally fantastic experience working for them; yet the next person will tell you about their own personal horror story of working for the same company.
Confusing? Indeed.
So, how do you win?
If you have not yet worked on a cruise ship and are serious about applying for cruise ship jobs, the best thing you can do for yourself is to simply start applying for positions that suit your experience with each and every cruise line out there so that you can get your foot in the door.
It is only through your own personal experience with a particular cruise line that you will ever know which cruise company you should work for - what fits your character and personality and which one offers the rewards and benefits that you may be looking for.
And very importantly, once you've been hired for your first cruise ship job, if you work hard and prove yourself, there will be opportunities to work on different ships within the same fleet (lateral movement), and there will be opportunities for promotion on board the ship/s you work on.
Plus your resume will start to burgeon with experience that will make you stand out above all the other applicants should you ever wish to apply for a job with a different cruise line company.
So, don't be hung up on which cruise company you should work for, each ship is different - get out there and discover the world, no matter which cruise line and which ship...remember, the ship you start on may very well not be the ship you end up on!

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hermione_Spencer-Herbst

Cruise Line Job Opportunities -- How to Score a Great Job With Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise lines are two of the largest and most popular cruise lines in the world. Many people within the industry would like to gain employment with one of these companies. Not unlike other cruise lines getting hired with Carnival or Caribbean cruise lines can be difficult, but it is not impossible.
The first step when preparing to apply with any cruise line should always be to create a tailored resume. This resume should not only highlight your professional experience, but it should also highlight you as an individual. Cruise lines are particularly interested in what you personally bring to the table and how having you aboard will enhance their passengers experience on their ship. Many of Carnivals ships have casinos on aboard so they also carry an age requirement of twenty one or older for all applicants applying for work on those ships. When applying with Carnival it is important that you note any previous experience you have working in a casino environment. Royal Caribbean bases their cruise experience heavily on entertainment, so any experience in the entertainment industry will definitely give you an advantage and should be highlighted on your resume. Additionally, keep you resume short and to the point.
When you have completed your resume and you are ready to start putting in your applications, you can either apply directly with the company of your choice or you can get connected with a recruitment agent. Recruitment agents work as a middleman between applicants and cruise lines by directing qualified candidates to companies looking to fill available positions. Unlike various other cruise lines, Carnival and Royal Caribbean do not hire solely through recruitment agents. So, if you feel prepared it is completely acceptable to submit an application and resume on your own. Both companies offer the ability to apply directly for available positions online and also list information for mailing or faxing your resume.
Most importantly, Carnival and Caribbean are looking for energetic, outgoing, fun individuals. So when interviewing keep that in mind. In the cruise industry personality and being personable can really seal the deal when it comes to getting hired.

Visit http://BigShipJobs.com Today to Learn How You Can Score an Exciting Job on a Carnival, Caribbean or Another Major Cruise Line!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Vargo

Career in Cruise Ships - The Best You Job Can Ever Find

A job on the cruise has fulfilled dreams of many people giving them a chance to travel around the world and getting paid for it as well.
So if you are here then you must have decided to work on a cruise ship. But before starting you need to know a few things that are very important
A wide range of job opportunities are available on a ship. The job will be comfortable and attractive which will give you a chance to travel different exotic destinations in the world which you have never seen before.
However, to acquire a job on a cruise ship one needs to research, spend some time in searching the right cruise ship for him and must also have the required qualifications so that he lands himself a job in the cruise ship.
Three important things that you must possess to gain a job in cruise ship are:
1. Soundness in English
The main quality which you require while working on cruise ships is to be able to speak and understand English. This is mainly important because most of the travelers are American and English-speaking. If you are working in the frontline divisions that are Food and Beverages or Cabin stewards in Hotel, you need to know English very well as interacting with the guests might impress them and you will get paid by them directly.
2. Having Passport is a must
One of the important things to have with you while traveling abroad is to have a valid passport. All the persons employed on the cruise ship must possess a valid passport.
3. SEAMAN VISA (For all those people who do not reside in the US)
Once you get a job in a cruise ship company and obtain an Employee Agreement, then the next thing you need to do is apply for visas that is C1 Transit & D1 Seaman and also B2 Visitor Visa at the United States Embassy. USA's ports are visited by most of the cruise ships. Major cruise liners like the Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruises are located in Florida. Hence Florida or any other port in USA will be the departure port for a cruise ship.
The C1 & D1 and B2 visas that you have obtained allow you to stay in the USA for a limited time only when your cruise liners calls to a US port. The visas are usually valid for 30 days.
• The C1 visa is meant for the seamen and it permits you to work in US ports for a limited period only that can be lasting for a few hours or a few days.
• The D1 visa permits you to journey through different ports in USA.
• There are "visitor visas" that is the USA B2 Tourist Visas and are very essential for foreigners who hail from countries that are not a member of the Visa Waiver Program.

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The Top 5 Cruise Ship Companies

Cruising is becoming a favorite amid vacation goers, but how do you know which one is the best for you. A lot will depend on what you are looking for. Are you looking for a family oriented cruise, or an adult oriented cruise? Listed below are the top 5 cruise ship companies.
Seabourn Cruise Line - Seabourn is the luxury brand of Carnival Cruises. Their ships are new and sleek. They offer the best linens, flat screen TVs, and fine European cuisine. There is an air of comfort and privilege without being stuffy.
Regent Seven Seas - Regent boasts the largest cabins in their class of ship. Drinks, including wine, are included and dinners are a less formal affair when compared to the Seabourn.
Silversea Cruise Line - Silversea ships generally go to Europe, South American and Asia. Food and service is outstanding, but it lacks some of the options that the other lines have. The trips are all inclusive, including concierge service that will arrange shore excursions that are like no other.
Crystal Cruise Line - Crystal has larger ships than most of the luxury lines, with 940 guest maximum capacity. This line caters to the east and west coast upscale travelers. Entertainment includes sophisticated shows and classical acts. The ships travel worldwide.
Sea Dream Yacht Club - Often referred to as the "world's best cruise line you've never heard of", Sea Dream has one week trips to the Caribbean and Europe. It is a more intimate cruising experience with each ship only holding 100 passengers a maximum capacity. This is for the laid-back travelers who detest the Vegas like atmosphere of some major lines.
While most people stick to the major cruise lines, it is good to check out some of the lesser known, luxury brands. You may be surprised when they are actually cheaper than the larger cruise lines.

The writer is a contributor for Bimini Top Hardware & Bimini Top Parts, and compares & reviews a number of products & supplies on the internet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._J._Harrison

The World's Largest Cruise Ships

It's true that size is not everything - stop laughing at the back, it is true. But for some, the true epic scale of a mammoth building or edifice makes their head spin. The excitement of seeing a truly huge piece of architecture - whatever the setting - can be genuinely impressive. For some people it is the ambition of the project that enchants, for others it is the sheer mechanical magnitude. When the Titanic was developed, its size was one of the things that impressed everyone, but what was truly astounding was that something so big would actually work from a mechanics point of view.
Just as there is no shortage of cities worldwide bringing architects in to conceptualize and build ever taller buildings, in a never-ending race to build the world's tallest (and you can be sure that once one city builds the tallest, another will try to beat it), there seems to be a tendency among cruise lines to build the biggest ship. This race is currently headed in terms of length by Cunard's RMS Queen Mary 2, a 1,132 foot, 148,528 tonne behemoth that regularly crosses the Atlantic and has carried former world leaders such as Tony Blair, Jacques Chirac and George H.W. Bush, the US Olympic Basketball "Dream Team", and the first US copy of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Although shorter than the Queen Mary 2, Royal Caribbean's Freedom class (consisting of the Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas), are all heavier than her, weighing an astounding 154,407 tonnes. Built in Finland, these ships are the current holders of the record for largest passenger ships by tonnage and sail to the Caribbean, serving Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Haiti - the final location being Royal Caribbean's private resort in Labadee. Both titles, for longest ship and heaviest ship, though, are set to be given up in this coming year, and will be held by Royal Caribbean's latest development.
Again built in Turku, Finland, Royal Caribbean's Oasis class will stretch the record yet further. 1,180 feet (360m long - that's three football pitches including endzones!), and weighing 220,000 tonnes, the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas) will be without any shadow of a doubt the biggest passenger liners that have ever been built. This will come to pass in the late stages of 2009, and if there's one thing of which you can be absolutely certain it is that once these ships hit the waves, there will be a company looking to find a way to build something longer, heavier and more remarkable.
The centre of the ship, incorporating a sliding roof, will have what amounts to a set of apartment blocs with a central area featuring a park (based on New York's Central Park) with its own microclimate to ensure that plants and trees can survive. The most amazing levels of innovation, the most ambitious ideas in shipbuilding have been put in place to ensure that this latest record-breaking ship takes its place in the press, and in the minds of lovers of luxury cruises.

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Freestyle Cruising With Norwegian Cruise Lines

The concept of freestyle cruising is rather new in the cruise industry and Norwegian Cruise Lines are the perfect example for understanding the nature of the concept and trying it as well. The cruises offered by this company are not only covering the most beautiful locations in the world, but they are also offering the tourists the possibility of being totally free on the board of the ships, meaning that no one needs to stick to a particular schedule during the cruise.
There are some traditional aspects on the ships that are still preserved. For example, the ships of the Norwegian Cruise Lines are focused on art, even the new ones. The company did not make use of contemporary artists, but they chosen the works of master renowned artists. Andy Warhol and Vincent Van Gogh are not quite the type of art that you expect to see on a cruise ship, but Norwegian Cruise Lines has crossed that boundary. While on board of the ships of the company, you will experience luxury everywhere.
The metals as well as the woodwork are created with very high quality materials as well as workmanship. They will offer you the feeling you are in the lobby of a grand hotel or in a nice mansion. You will be surrounded at every step by top visual effects suggesting a comfortable and luxury lifestyle.
The majority of the cruise lines have schedules for every single minute of the days and they even impose the tourists when and where to have dinner or lunch. Norwegian Cruise Lines are setting apart by providing a method for the passengers to choose their own way of spending time. This is the reason this type of cruising is called freestyle cruising. This is a very wide move, since nobody wants to live on a schedule when they are on vacation.
The dining arrangements are perhaps the most innovative thing of all when it comes to Norwegian Cruise Lines. You will not need to sit for having dinner at the specific assigned hour with the people that are imposed to you. There are plenty of choices for eating on board of the NCL ships. You will not need to be dressed formally and you can choose absolutely what you want to eat for dinner. The dining places are open almost all the time and with these variable eating opportunities, you should never worry about finding a seat anymore.
On the traditional cruise packages, people used to get off the ship at the times they were allowed to do so by the ship staff and crew. When you are choosing a freestyle cruising, you will be able to get off any time you want and you will not miss a port because you were a little late. As you can see, the word that perfectly describes the freestyle cruises is freedom. This is an essential thing for the passionate traveler in order to feel at ease at the time of the cruise. No one can enjoy the beauties of the world if he or she is constraint to do certain things at certain hours.
If you read the reviews for Norwegian Cruise Lines, you will notice that they are mainly focusing on the freestyle original concept of cruising, besides other interesting aspects of the journeys. You may learn a lot about this new style of cruising and there are plenty of destinations you can experience if you decide to try it with your family or friends. All you need to do is to select your preferred destination and pack your suit for a fantastic cruise.

Norwegian Cruise lines are a wonderful vacations for families, individuals, couples, and basically anyone that just wants to have a great time. Book your Norwegian cruises today!

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This Just In - Brain Food Floats!

Regardless of which term you prefer to use; Enrichment Program, Edu-tainment, Info-tainment, Purposeful Pleasure, Cultural Learnings to Make Benefit for Cruise Passenger...whatever...these on-board blends of education and entertainment are growing fast in popularity. In fact, I'm wondering if growth will continue until it surpasses food & dining as the primary reason to cruise? (Yes, I'm asking this question in all seriousness.)
Wait! Before you jump ship, thinking this is the food-for-thought equivalent of a Half-Baked Alaska, hear me out.
Reflected in cruise line advertising, passenger surveys and attendance metrics, on-board edu-tainment has become such a huge draw that cruise companies are spending lavishly on additions and enhancements, constantly improvising to maintain a competitive edge.
Example: The newest Celebrity ships have state-of-the-art glass blowing exhibition facilities - located next to a lawn area. (Yes, real hot liquid glass next to real growing grass, not Astroturf. The lawn serves as sitting area, putting green, lawn bowling course, etc.)
Passengers can sit on benches or in the grass and watch glass blowers at work. The show itself consists of professionals - supplied by the Corning Museum of Glass of Corning, NY - creating works of art before your very eyes. Long, well insulated poles are utilized to manipulate 2,000 degree glowing globs of molten silica. It is quite a show!
Personal Note - To me, that super-heated, pulsating mass of glass looks alive...ready to pounce at any moment. So, like Steve McQueen in the 1958 horror movie The Blob, I float around the periphery, poised, ready to run should it lurch in my direction.
Celebrity has obviously spent a tremendous amount of time, money, and creative energy - not to mention prime on-board real estate - to bringing this special interest attraction to reality, along with its unique, lawn-side venue. Which begs the ultimate question - is it paying off? Has on-board glass blowing proven popular?
While admittedly unscientific, my own survey says...well, maybe. The observed abundance of grass stained white shorts immediately following a demonstration indicates to me there is sufficient attendance with animated responses.
Here now, for your edification, is a quick review of some of the nomenclature versus actual content of programs for the three most popular premium cruise brands:
Celebrity Cruise Lines - Offered under the heading "Celebrity Life" with three sub-categories:
- Savor - culinary & wine tasting courses
- Discover - computers, photography & all things digital, art, writing, languages, glass blowing, etc.
- Renew - spa treatments, fitness classes and wellness seminars
Holland America Lines- A new program titled "Explorations", implemented by on-board Explorations Teams, consisting of a party planner, lifestyle coach, a "techspert" (technical expert), destination lecturer, dance instructor and book club leader. And, surprise, surprise, they work together as a team to lead:
- Lifestyle & Wellness Classes - nutrition, yoga, Tai Chi, etc.
- Cooking Classes - taught in state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Theaters by the ship's chefs
- History & Culture - seminars, guest lecturers and book club literary discussions
- Digital Workshops - computer literacy, photography, the Internet, etc.
- Dance - lessons and dance related activities
Princess Cruise Lines - Risking confusion with an email address, this line has implemented their enrichment programs under the too-clever-by-half moniker " Scholarship @ Sea ". Besides the usual Culinary Arts and Wine Tasting offerings, "@ Sea" programs abound:
- Photography @ Sea - beginners, advanced & Photoshop
- Ceramics @ Sea - complete with on-board kilns
- Navigation @ Sea - do you have to bring your own GPS?
- Computers @ Sea - basic literacy, Internet, etc.
-Scrapbooking @ Sea - ok, but is it graduate level?
(You can see why one Cruise Critic reviewer referred to some of the Princess programs as a "bit fluffy".)
In conclusion - never would I stoop to scare tactics just to sell newspapers - but still have to ask:
Is there any danger that overdosing on these programs might cause brain swelling due to information overload? At this point in time medical science simply does not know. For now, we should error on the side of safety-at-sea. We don't want otherwise well intentioned cruise lines to unwittingly contribute to a national epidemic of Informational Corpulence.
And what if this infirmity turns out to be just a figment of our imagination? We can still count on the pharmaceutical industry to come to our rescue - developing an over-priced, over-advertised supplement to cure another disease that we previously didn't even know we had.
A Big Name celebrity (Sally Fields?) is probably already under contract to testify on Nightly News commercials about how her "IC" was reversed by a once-a-month dose of Boat-Niva - on sale in the gift shop, next to the Dramamine and Maalox.
Then, once the Sugar Free &, Low Fat versions of the on-board courses are launched, we will be doubly safe, free to ingest as much floating Brain Food as our five senses can absorb. It's the American Way.
See you in class - Large Animal Taxidermy Lite - 12 noon, deck six - buffet lunch provided.

Lyn Edwin Cathey - Network Travel Services, LLC
A veteran of 25 years in the travel industry - holding positions within the industry such as trainer, educator, agent, consultant, agency owner/manager and product specialist. For 15 years prior to joining the travel industry Lyn worked as a full time entertainer/comedian, performing on banjo & guitar - often as a featured act on cruise ships. He created and currently maintains several websites, including - http://TripFinder.com

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Cruise Lines - The Floating Resorts

A cruise ship is meant for leisure trip on the waters. These types of ships are usually used for pleasure voyages wherein the voyage itself and the various amenities are an integral part of the experience. Over the years, cruising has become an important component of the tourism industry and has found much favor with the people who love to travel and enjoy the experience out on the huge water bodies.
Earlier the ships used to carry passengers to different destination but purely as a means of water transport. There were fewer amenities provided as compared to today. With the rapid growth and technological advancements, the cruise industry also saw major changes in terms of the ships used and the amenities and services being provided. It is easy to reach the farthest part of the globe on a cruise liner which is better equipped to carry long distance journeys.
The first vessel to be built exclusively for cruising was the Pinzessin Victoria Luise which was designed by Albert Ballin who was the General Manager of Hamburg-America Line. He was the first person to send his transatlantic ships on long southern cruises during the worst winter season. Others followed suit. Earlier the transatlantic crossings did not take less than four days. But it changed after the advent of such cruise liners.
Earlier the passenger ships did not have too much of amenities. But the competition to attract more and more passengers on board led to major changes and the ocean liners started adding many luxuries to it. One of the best examples of this is the Titanic, which had all the facilities for fine dining, luxurious staterooms and means of recreation and entertainment.
Until the late 80s, most of the cruise liners offered shuffleboard, deck chairs, drinks decorated exotically and little else. As of today, the ocean liners have become luxury hotels & resorts in themselves which give dozens of amenities. They are equipped with a complete hospitality staff in addition to the ship's crew.
With the demand on the rise for cruising, there are different types of vessels which serve this purpose. There is a wide choice in the cruise industry, from the ocean liners and luxury riverboats, to specialty sailboats and yachts.
There are various types of liners which ply the oceans and they can be differentiated on the basis of their size, the number of passengers they can carry, the amenities and services they can provide and the destinations that they traverse. The main categories of cruise liners could be described as follows:
Conventional Cruise Ship: This is the kind of ship which is commonly known to most people. It is a huge hunk of a thing which can carry up to 3000 passengers on board. There are facilities for recreation and entertainment apart from the standard resort facilities like the restaurants and bars, theaters and cinemas, casinos, personal care salons etc.
Small Cruise Ship: Small cruise liners can vary in sizes and load carrying capacity. There are ships carrying less than 500 passengers to some of the yachts which can accommodate only 10 people. These small liners are becoming more popular as they can access to some of the more remote locations which becomes a bit difficult for the large ocean liners. Moreover, the passengers and the crew members enjoy a more intimate relationship as opposed to the larger vessel.
Luxury Cruise Ship: These ships are motor or sail powered and are also equipped with the most sophisticated and technologically advanced systems. The features and amenities in these liners are designed to meet the special demands of an exclusive clientele.
Expedition Cruise Ship: This is a totally different set of ocean liners which are designed with specific functions in mind. Such ships are used by the researches and expedition teams who like to visit the farthest and the most inaccessible portions of the world. These vessels are equipped with the desired materials needed for research study and exploration. This cannot be possible in the conventional cruise liner which is designed more for pleasure rather than function.
River Cruise Ships: Such kinds of ships are much smaller in size as compared to the sea faring ones. They can carry a maximum of 100 passengers and are specially designed to navigate through rivers and inland waterways. The Amazon, Nile, Rhine, Seine, Mississippi and Yangtze are some such rivers which have such types of water transport.
The most popular cruise destinations include Western Caribbean Cruises, Eastern Caribbean, Mexico Cruise, Alaskan Cruises and European Cruises. One can really enjoy the wonderful journey through the waters with a variety of cruise lining companies which also offer good deals and packages on travel.

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Cruise Line Industry

A Brief History of Cruise Ships

 Ocean-going vessels were originally built to transport cargo across the oceans. In 1818, the Black Ball Line
offered regularly scheduled service between the United States and Britain. But it was slow and not designed to carry passengers.
When Cunard was granted the contract to deliver mail between Britain, Canada, and the United States in 1939, it introduced steamships that broke the speed record for crossing the Atlantic. Before long, passengers started to hitch rides, and by 1840, Cunard's Britannia sailed with a cow on board to supply passengers with fresh milk.
During the mid-19th century, more ships began to cater to travelers, and amenities like electric lights, promenade decks, and more comfortable accommodations were added. In the early 20th century, both Cunard and rival White Star Line were offering cruises aboard their ships the Mauritania, the Lusitania, the Titanic, and the Olympic. These ships offered many of the luxuries we associate with cruising today -- swimming pools, ornate dining rooms, and even a tennis court.
But the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 dealt a devastating blow to the White Star Line, and the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 similarly affected Cunard. During World War I, production of cruise ships was sidelined and many ocean liners were repurposed as troop carriers. At the end of the war, the German super liners were given to Great Britain and the United States as reparations.
Following World War I, transatlantic cruises became a preferred journey for the rich and famous. And during the 1930s, transpacific cruises aboard ships like the Empress of Japan became popular. But World War II derailed the cruise industry once again and most passenger cruises were discontinued and the cruise ships redeployed for military use.
The arrival of the jet age in the late 1950s had a dramatic impact on transatlantic cruises. Travel that once took days could now be done in hours. Cruising was not only inefficient, it was old hat, and flying became the preferred way to travel.
With no market for transatlantic cruises, many cruise lines repositioned their cruise ships and started offering Caribbean cruises. These were the first cruises that were more about enjoyment than transportation. And by the middle of the 1960s, mass-market cruise companies like Princess and Norwegian Cruise Line were offering affordable vacations to everyone.
In 1980, NCL introduced the first mega ship -- the 2,181-passenger Norway -- and the race was on. The 2,350-passenger Sovereign of the Sea, launched in 1988, was the first in a series of "biggest cruise ship" titles held by Royal Caribbean, whose Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas hold that title today.
Passengers on those original ocean liners could never have imagined the amenities on modern cruise ships. With ice skating rinks, water slides, zip lines, living gardens, grass lawns, and bowling alleys, what's next?

Learn more about cruises ships Or find repositioning cruises Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Forth