Air And Cruise Deals

Question: Where can I find a really good deal on cruises and air fare? Should I look online, or go with a travel agent? I want to find an all-inclusive deal, because drinks tend to be expensive otherwise.

Answer: I try and tell anyone who will listen, NOT to book on-line, for several reasons. 1) You don't really want to put your credit card number out there in cyberspace; 2) There's nothing on-line that a good travel agent can't book for you - sometimes with better perks, upgrades or better priced; 3) There's no additional charge by using a travel agent; and, 4) If you have some questions, need additional information or something goes wrong, who are you going to talk to? Your computer screen? Only very high-end or specialty cruises are "all-inclusive" - and even to what extent of exclusivity varies from line to line. We were on the Celebrity Xpedition in March, doing a Galapagos cruise and everything was included! All drinks, all tips, all shore excursions, (two a day!), even a complimentary 30 minute massage! However, back to the "real world" of cruising. My wife and I were on the Radiance of the Sea in November, attending Royal Caribbean's "Seminar at Sea" - so I can give you drink prices from only 2-months ago. Most beers were $4.00 to $6.00 depending on the brand. Mixed and speciality drinks ran $6.00 to $10.00. Martinis were $9.00 and up. Wine by the glass was in the $4.50 to $9.00 range. and by the bottle - well, cruise ships are no different than restaurants. A bottle of Berringer White Zinfandel that sells for $4.50 in my local liquor store, was listed at $26.00 on board! Remember, that an automatic 15% tip is added to all these prices. The first question you need to ask yourself is where and when do you want to cruise? The choices are constantly growing: the Caribbean has three options: - Eastern, (generally; San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Nassau - this is my wife's favorite for shopping) - Western ports (generally; Jamiaca, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel - usually more adventurious shore excursions). - Southern (generally some combination of: St. Thomas, St. Martin, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Aruba, and Curacao - this is my favorite), you'll need to fly to San Juan; then there's Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riveria, Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, Hawaii, South Pacific, the Orient, Europe (too many options to list here), and a growing popularity for European River Cruising and Barging. The next question is how structured you want your cruise to be. Most ocean cruise lines have "assigned" dining times and various dress codes for dinner (formal nights, casual nights, etc.). Others have "Freestyle" or "Personal Choice" Dining. In other words, they have 6-10 restrauants for you to choose from, and you eat when, where, and with whom you want - and dress as casual as you please. Your budget does come in to play in both departure city and cabin selection. A quick scale, from least expenseive to most expensive cabin types is: Inside; Oceanview; Balcony; Suite. The best location for least motion is as close to mid-ship as possible - another factor that not too many people realize is that the higher decks have more motion than the lower decks. As far as what's included and what's not included in your cruise price, here's a little guide: - Included - Ship accommodations, ocean transportation, most meals, coffee/tea/juices, most entertainment, and port taxes. - Not Included - Any item of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages, sodas, spa and salon treatments, speciality coffees, shore excursions, gratuties, air transportation, transfers, photographs, medical services, etc. Some final thoughts; 1) make sure you use a good travel agent; 2) ask your travel agent to price out "Celebrity Cruise Line" for you - absolutely the best (our personal favorite!); and 3) remember that August - October is hurricane season in the Caribbean. Have fun - planning is a big part of the enjoyment! .

Question: What a good cruise line you took from usa to europe that includes air? im looking for a 2 week european cruise that includes airfare from new york to europe. have any ideas which site has good deals on this?

Answer: I'm not sure if its the best deal, but Royal Caribbean (my favorite cruise line) does have cruises in europe. They also have a package that has airport transportation. The website is royalcaribbean.com Hope you find a good deal! :)

Question: I am looking for cheap CRUISE - Vancouver, B.C. to Seattle, Washington? I want to go with my husband and 2 month old baby and from there we plan to go to LA with air for 5 days and come back with the cruise or air... do you know where can I get a good deal for cruise???

Answer: The distance between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia is only 72 miles or 115 kms. There are no cruises between these two cities Large cruise lines run out of both of them to other locations It would be much cheaper for you to fly to LA from Seattle You can also travel both ferry systems between Seattle to Victoria using Washington State ferry or Go to Port Angles, Washington and travel the waters to Victoria, then take a B.C.ferry to Vancouver

Question: How do we as the U.S.A balance the need for energy with the conflict of securing energy security? In recent years, new threats to energy security have emerged in the form of the increased world competition for energy resources due to the increased pace of industrialization in countries such as India and China. Although still a minority concern, the possibility of price rises resulting from the peaking of world oil production is also starting to attract the attention of at least the French government.[1] Energy security, or security of supply, is a key component of energy policy in many countries. Since all economic activity requires the use of energy resources, the continuing availability of energy at a price that protects economic growth is a major concern of governments Strategically, China's communist leaders are using a Leninist approach in an attempt to influence "those who oppose and those who support China's interest's abroad." "Once China's leaders make the distinction between friend and foe, they can develop and tailor [propaganda] themes to counter opposition and advance their overall agenda," the report said. "Moreover, such distinctions position China to reward 'friends' abroad, or alternatively, punish 'enemies' to enhance its own position in the balance of power." China continues to build up its military in utmost secrecy. Its military spending is estimated to be many times greater than the official estimate of $20 billion annually, the report said. Based on observation of U.S. forces in the 1999 conflict in Kosovo, China has adopted an air-defense system called "Three Attacks and Three Defenses," that calls for attacking stealth aircraft, cruise missiles and helicopters and defending against precision bombing and missile strikes, electronic warfare and enemy reconnaissance, the report said. China's military buildup has led the Pentagon to quietly build up its military forces in the Pacific in recent months. Attack submarines have been deployed in Guam, along with stockpiles of air-launched cruise missiles. Bombers also have been moved to the region to deal with either a conflict in Korea or possibly a war over Taiwan, defense officials said.

Answer: a_bush_family_m. Where did you come up with the figure of 900 million rural poor in China? Facts According to the CIA book of world facts, China poor accounts for 10% of their population while the USA accounts for 13% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 33.1% (2001) The USA has an equal percentage in the lowest and a lower percentage in the highest. Want me to go on? Just check out the CIA link here https://www.cia.gov/library/publications... --------------------------------- To the question asker, let me pose a question for you. First understand a few things. Since China military is outdated and their economy has improved they are now modernizing their military. Yet have reduced the number of personnel in the military And do not have a history of imperialism And are inexperienced in modern warfare And also understand they can't go head to head with the west in a war. So therefore, instead of using the military to expand, wouldn't it make more sense to use their economic power? .

Question: How to find out the suitable GDS (Airline Booking or Reservation system)system for a new travel agency? Its for a UK* based travel agency.There are 4 major GDS system(Airline Reservation System*) for travel agent to book or reserve air ticket or hotel or cruise.They are Amedues,Worldspan,Galileo and Sabre...i need to find out which one is suitable for my travel agency(non IATA or ATOL**) interms of booking air ticket, check out fare and reservation.Mostly I'll deal with Air India*,British Airlines*, Pakistan Int.Airlines*, Biman Bamgladesh Airlines*, Thai Air,Jet Air*, Emirates Airline*, Gulf Air*, Ittihad Airlines*,Kuwait Air, Qatar Airlines*, Air China, Virgin Atlantic*,Singapore Airlines, Luftahnsa Airlines,Delata Airlines and some airlines for Australia, Canada, Brazil,USA.

Answer: I would reccommend using Sabre - but then again - all GDS systems charge a fee - so you may want to look into which GDS charges less for their usage.

Question: Which should I do..Orlando, Vegas or the cruise? I won a vacation trip deal. And I have to decide on round trip air and 2 nights to Orlando or Vegas or go on a 4 night cruise in the Carribean. Which should I choose? Which sounds more fun. I've not been to vegas or the cruise.

Answer: cruise. I'm going on a Caribbean cruise trip next year worth £3000 per person and i cant wait. you can do so much and get to visit so many different countries. if you disagree, try popping down to a local travel agents and ask for brochures on each of the different deals and decide which is best for you ;) good luck and have fun xx

Question: I am from Miami and I want to take a long weekend anywhre in the states. any suggestions? Budget is a bit limit - $300-400. Are there any good deals out there? (cruises, cheap air flights, cheap hotels)... willing to do anything (from snow to the beach)

Answer: Where do people from Florida go on vacation? -is a joke in New England. okok... I've been to New Mexico and it's beautiful. You can stand outside and see 75 miles.