See Some of the Best Sights in Europe With a Cruise From Rome

Port Location: The capital of Italy is one of the most gorgeous and cultured cities in the world an provides a fantastic experience for any visitor. Rome is located on the peninsula's western side and sits beside the third longest river in Italy - the Tiber.

Transport: Cruises from Rome have the added benefit of a substantial and efficient transport network. If you are docking at Rome then you will most likely be at the Civitavecchia port (just west of the city itself) and it is well serviced by the local trains (several trains leave the station every hour and go directly to Rome and take around 80 minutes) or indeed, the faster network that gets you to the Eternal City in less than an hour. A shuttle is available to take you from the port itself to the train station.

Description: The Civitavecchia port is located in the town of the same name just an hour or so with Rome itself. The port itself is an important gateway to the Mediterranean and Italy overall and it is also the link between the Italian mainland and the island of Sardinia.

Sightseeing and Excursions: Your cruise company should offer some great excursion to Rome itself given the close proximity and short journey time between the port and the city. Cruises from Rome benefit from having some of the greatest sights in Europe when it comes to exploring as these include the Vatican City, Pantheon and also the impressive and imposing Colosseum.

Closer to the port itself and the area of Lazio (the region that the city is based) is fantastic for both historical and natural sightseeing. If you have more time then you can look towards Tarquinia to find and explore some Etruscan tombs and also the outstanding museum that is present.

Beaches: The nearest beach to the city is Ostia which is accessible in under half an hour by train.

Shopping: One of the main attractions with cruises from Rome is the shopping opportunities that the city presents. Along with Milan, Rome is one of the most fashionable places on the Italian peninsula and you can find both designer and local outlets alike that will cater for your shopping needs. If you are looking for boutiques that specialise in women's fashion then head towards the Piazza di Spagna for shoes, dresses and jewellery.

The Via Borgognona is home to some of the more well known designer outlets including Prada and Gucci however prices here will be, understandably, high. For antique browsing then look no further than the Via Margutta and the Via del Corso.

Alicia writes for Cruise Holidays Guide, an online cruise holidays resource with news, videos and articles including mediterranean cruises.

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What Facilities to Expect on a Cruise Ship

One thing you don't have to worry about on a cruise is getting bored on those days when the ship is at sea and not in port. Besides the great dining experiences and fun shows that a typical cruise offers there are plenty of cruise ship facilities that can keep you busy.

Many people go on cruises because they can be the perfect way to relax, and what better way to relax than being indulged in the ship's spa. You can find anything in the onboard spa that you can find at the spas in your hometown. Enjoy a manicure and pedicure and work out all those kinks with a soothing massage. Spas onboard a cruise ship can offer things you may not find at a typical spa as well - like the chance to soak in a tub full of seaweed. If you plan to take advantage of the spa facility, you should book ahead and remember that these charges are not included in the cost of the cruise.

Cruise Ship Facilities can even include a Golf Course!

Believe it or not you can even take in a game of golf on some of the bigger ships. Mini golf courses similar to the ones you and the kids play on at home are very popular on these ships. There may be a charge and you should always reserve a time as early as possible.

Another of the handy cruise ship facilities is a fully equipped gym with a professionally trained staff to help with your workout. These gyms are a perfect way keep in shape while still indulging in the wonderful meals offered onboard. Some of the gym facilities include a track on which to enjoy an invigorating run around the ship's upper deck while taking in the beauty of the surrounding ocean. Use of the gym is included in the cost of the cruise.

One of the activities gaining popularity on cruise ships is rock climbing. Rock climbing walls are great fun and if you are lucky enough to make it to the top, you have the added bonus of enjoying a viewpoint very few people get to experience onboard. Some ships include use of the wall in the cruise and on others there is a charge.

During this day and age many people like to stay connected to the outside world. An Internet café is one of those cruise ship facilities that can help you do that. With their satellite connections and computers available for use you can send pictures to your friends of the great time you are having or even do some work while you cruise. Some ships even offer wireless access in certain cabins. The Internet service usually comes with a pay as you use it charge.

Danny Smith is the owner of About2Cruise, a Cruises from Southampton agency featuring all destinations and cruiselines including Cruises from Spain

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What Is There Not to Like About a Cruise Vacation?

Cruise vacations have something for everyone in the family. Most ships even have a special children and teen area with activities especially for them. Cruises are even perfect for single people. Cruise lines offer discounts and have special pricing.

You can swim, shop, go on shore excursions and visit nice places, exercise, play games, have a massage, see shows, listen to Karaoke, and gamble just to name a few of the many activities available. You can even just lounge around and read a good book or listen to your IPOD. While poolside you can watch ice carving, listen to cruise ship entertainers play music, and partake in the many games and contests being conducted. While you are doing that your child can be with you or be watched by a cruise ship employee while playing with other children their age. They even have special dances and nighttime activities for teens. Cruise ships also have special dances for singles to meet and mingle. That is the wonderful thing about cruising the choice is up to you to do what makes you happy and rejuvenate while on vacation.

What about the food and gaining weight? The dining room meals are portioned sized. Singles do not have to worry about eating alone. They are assigned seating with other singles. There is always healthy food available to choose from. Food is available almost twenty four hours a day. If you eat off of the many buffets it is up to you to portion size and chose wisely. I find that I actually lose weight while cruising, because of all the activities I partake in.

What about getting sick? Yes you hear about people getting sick on cruise ships. It can happen anywhere. To help prevent a sickness epidemic before boarding they have you fill out a questionnaire about any flu like or cold symptoms you may have. They also have many hand sanitizers around the cruise ship.

What about the cost? The cruise ship will provide you with a ship card to use while on board to pay for any gifts and shore excursions you may go on. At the end of the cruise you will get an itemized statement of your charges and they will be billed to your credit card or you may pay cash. The food, most drinks, shows, and most activities are free.

Try cruising. It is enjoyable and affordable for all members of your family. Every family member can choose an activity they want to partake in that will make them happy and rejuvenate while on vacation.

Michelle Glutz is the author and a cruise enthusiast. In the past eight years she and her husband have been on four cruises. They own MRBB Internet Corporation which promotes various businesses that they believe in. One of their product niches is cruising. Check out their WEB Site http://www.mrbboptions.com/ and see what cruise promotions are currently available.

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Cruises From the Italian Port of Genoa

Port Location: Genoa - one of the three cities that makes up the industrial triangle in Northern Italy with Turin and Milan - is located on the north-west coast of the country. Indeed, it acts to service the most northerly parts of Italy in the same way the Rome does to the central regions.

Transport: When you get to the city, for cruises from Genoa, you will find that the transportation network is fairly easy to navigate and use. In fact, the main train station for the city - the Stazione Principe - is located a short distance from the port itself and serves the whole city as well as destinations further afield. Ask your cruise liner about a shuttle service and be warned that getting a taxi can be rather difficult from the port due to passenger congestion however it will cost less than 20 Euro's to get to the city centre.

Description: Cruises from Genoa will depart from the port located in the west of the city and an estimated 58 million tonne's annually pass through the busy system. Indeed, it is a massive complex that spans some 20 kilometers up the coast and over 4 millions passengers pass through its waters every year.

Sightseeing and Excursions: Genoa is sometimes overlooked as a tourist destination in favor of more popular locations such as Rome and Milan. However, cruises from Genoa allow visitors to see some truly brilliant sights. The San Lorenzo Cathedral is a 13th century building that boasts a black and white marble facade while the Aquarium in the city is the 2nd largest in the whole of Europe.

The Old Town is a beautiful rustic feel to it however it can be easy to get lost in the many narrow passages and streets and The Renaissance and Baroque Rolli Palaces are now UNESCO World Heritage Site's and date as far back as the 16th century.

Beaches: Genoa is not a natural beach city however it does feature some decent beaches including the Bagni Maddalena however your best bet is to travel up the coast to the likes of Camogli or Rapollo and they can be reached easily by train.

Shopping: Again, the city is not renowned for its shopping experiences however that does not mean that there isn't any shopping to be done and Genoa is considered by some to be the best shopping city in the Liguria region. It is famous for its specialty goods including silvers and ceramic pottery and these types of items can be found on the Via Soziglia. Like any Italian city it features some designer and high end boutiques (although not as frequent as Rome or Milan) and they can be located on the Via Luccoli and Via XX Settembre.

Alicia writes for Cruise Holidays Guide, an online cruise holidays resource with news, videos and articles including All Inclusive Cruises.

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Family Cruise Deals: Finding the Best Way to Bond With Family

For big families and clans, arranging a reunion is very difficult. Aside from getting everyone's schedule considered, the things to do are always different. Because of the differences in ages, people want to do different things. A compromise might be more difficult to do. For this, a common ground should be considered. Opting for a cruise may be the best thing to do to ensure that everyone will enjoy.

People, regardless of age, can enjoy traveling. This can be clearly illustrated in a cruise vacation. People can spend time with family while they get to travel to different places. They may discover things on their own or with family that will build memories of their reunion. For the family members who are well-traveled, they can become tour guides and connect with their other relatives.

Another thing that cruises can do for family reunions is that they cater to a large group of people. Instead of holding a reunion in a vacation house where cleaning is going to be a problem, a cruise is the perfect spot to focus on one thing-enjoyment. People can simply leave their things and enjoy the scenes and the activities to do without having to worry about cleaning up after.

Money is also ultimately saved when people get the best cruise deals for a reunion. It is true that money will be spent, but with deals and packages, everything is accounted for-the lodging, the activities, and the food. This means that the money spent for a grand reunion might cost more because they have to consider the cleaning, the cooking, the energy used and other factors that add up to the cost-something that can be avoided when a cruise vacation is chosen instead.

With cruise specials, people can focus on bonding with family. The whole purpose of a reunion is for the family to interact and enjoy the company of each member. Family members might not know some of their relatives but with the cruise at their disposal, they can use it to bond and get to know the other members a little more. There are cruise specials that they can use for bonding and holding different activities.

Finding the best family cruise deals can be the start of a very good vacation for the whole family. Such deals enable the creation of memories and the strengthening of relationships. One thing is certain: people will surely not forget that enjoyable family reunion they had on a cruise.

If you have questions, please visit us at http://www.cruiseholidaysoakville.com/ for complete details and answers.

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The Benefits of a Cruise and Stay Holiday

There is nothing like the feeling of going on holiday, particularly when your means of travel involves standing on the deck of a luxury cruise ship dreamily, but purposefully, heading to your destination.

But when you eventually reach land, some people suffer from the 'good headache' i.e. 'What to do when I am here?' and 'What if we can't go there?' and so on, causing unwanted and avoidable stress.

With the outstanding range of cruise deals we offer, one can see why such anxieties arise. However, with a cruise and stay holiday, the dynamics all change. Here are some reasons why a cruise and stay deal could be right for you and some examples of what to expect when you get to your destination.

The best of both worlds

Ideally suited for those getting on a luxury cruise liner for the first time, a cruise and stay offers you the opportunity to enjoy your vacation in a more traditional sense. Holiday makers have the option of staying in a hotel at one of the various locations the ship stops before or after the cruise, thus returning to the familiar style of holidaying. Some also allow you to break up the cruise, stopping at a destination for a couple of days before joining back up with the boat further in its itinerary.

Do what you want...or not

Some cruises can lay on a schedule for you, offering you the very best tours and activities to participate in at your scheduled stop. If, however, you wish to visit some friends in the region or simply spend some alone time with a loved one, the opportunity to do so is there, thus ensuring a flexible, hassle free cruise experience.

Research, research and research

Cruising off to spectacular places all over the world is as exciting as it is memorable, but it is important you have explored all the options open to you before landing on your final decision. Try contacting your cruise company for more details on the opportunities that await you.

These are just a few tips to help you optimise your cruise and stay experience. A cruise and stay deal is just one option open to those who want explore the oceans in style. No longer exclusive to retired couples, cruising has become popular for the whole family and is a great way to spend your summer holidays. Why not see what all the fuss is about and book yourself on one of the fabulous Cunard cruises available?

This article was written by Thom Sanders on behalf of Reader Offers. They offer fantastic Cruise and stay holidays as well as other great cruise deals.

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Cruises From the Port of Barcelona

Port Location: The Port of Barcelona is found on Spain's Mediterranean coast in the North East of the country. Indeed, there are actually 7 cruise terminals available for cruises from Barcelona, however they are all fairly close together and transport to each port and from each port to the city centre is readily available and frequent.

Transport: Walking from the port to the centre of the city isn't really recommended as you have about a 2.5km journey; however transport services in the form of buses and taxies are easily accessible. The cruise shuttle bus can get you straight to the Columbus Monument - a couple of minutes walk from La Rambla or you can jump in a taxi. A cab will normally take about 10 minutes to get to the city centre at a cost of 8.00 Euro's.

Description: Giving you a gateway into Catalonian culture and heritage, the port of Barcelona is situated just outside of the city centre. Indeed, the port itself houses the Maremagnum, a large shopping mall with nightlife as well as a multiplex cinema and Europe's largest aquarium - so you can still enjoy the city without venturing into the centre.

Sightseeing and Excursions: One of the most attractive things about cruises from Barcelona is the vast array of culture and history that can be soaked up from sightseeing and excursions. Witnessing the architecture of Antoni Gaudí is a must for any visitor to the city - la Sagrada Família especially - as is the old Gothic Quarter of the city. A trip to the Camp Nou - home of FC Barcelona - is also highly recommended for anyone even remotely interested in football.

Beyond the city and an excursion to Sitges will give you an experience of the wealthy inhabitants of Catalonia with its combination of affluent elegance and the white quaintness of the old town. Indeed, an tour to Montserrat - which houses the Black Madonna (a statue of the Virgin Mary reportedly brought to Spain around 50 AD) - is always recommended for its cultural and religious significance.

Beaches: The nearest beach to the port of Barcelona is the Nova Icaria which is located just east of the port.

Shopping: Cruises from Barcelona give you the chance to experience some excellent shopping facilities. The La Rambla offers one of the most extensive and fashionable shopping districts in Europe with all the top designer brands as well as a few local ones present. Beyond this, the districts of Passeig de Gracia and the Bulevard Rosa also offer a broad and widespread range of shops and malls with a variety of outlets.

Alicia writes for http://www.cruiseholidaysguide.com/ an online resource with news, videos and articles including Mediterranean cruises.

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