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5 things one should avoid doing on a cruiseCruises are one of the most luxurious ways to embark on a vacation trip. You get to stay on board surrounded by amenities and services while also experiencing various places and their cultures. Luxury cruises to the Arctic are one of the best options to embark on a long journey. However, one needs to avoid certain "don'ts" while on a luxury cruise. Some of them include the following: Teeth whitening One of the many benefits of being aboard a luxury cruise to the Arctic is that you can take advantage of numerous spas and other personal grooming activities. One of those services provided is a teeth whitening treatment. You might even be able to seal a deal at a cheaper rate than usual, and the service will surely meet the cruise and personal standards. That said, the post-treatment can pose a problem. The treatment will possibly leave you with sore gums, making you incapable of enjoying any activity on board. Hoarding food Cruises have a buffet menu, and you are free to choose whatever you want. In fact, some even offer a 24X7 buffet, making sure you do not have to compromise on sleep or other activities. That said, people often tend to pile mountains of food on their plates, eventually wasting it. Instead of overindulging yourself and inviting stomach ache, you can try different dishes every day. You can even skip the buffet once in a while and try out different cafes and restaurants onboard. Unnecessary reservation of things Another thing commonly hoarded on luxury polar cruises to the Arctic is sunbed or deck chairs. If you "reserve" sunbeds for your family or friends and wait for them to come, you rob someone else of their time in the sun. It also extends to people planting themselves on the sunbed for the day. You can instead divide your time among other activities in combination with sunbathing. Overpacking People often tend to go overboard while packing for vacations. The same can be a possibility while packing for a luxury cruise to the Arctic. Don't forget to pack your essentials that might help you withstand the weather change without having to curl up in your room. But, at the same time, remember that there are laundry services available onboard, and you don't have to weigh yourself down with loads of luggage. Being rude Above all else, maintain a courteous attitude with the staff. Do not use them as an outlet for your frustrations. Be on your best behavior at all times. This will help you leave the cruise with a lifetime of memories. If you’re planning a vacation, check out cruises from renowned cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Viking Cruises. These cruise lines have a fleet of luxurious ships sailing to some of the most exciting destinations, from the Caribbean and Mediterranean to Alaska, Iceland, and New Zealand. En route to your destination, you can enjoy onboard entertainment, various cuisines, and shore excursions. These cruise lines frequently offer booking discounts and onboard credits as well, so watch out for those. You can also check out Hurtigruten, American Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Oceania Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. These lines sail to sought-after locations like the Bahamas, Alaska, and Antarctica. If you want to explore the Norwegian and Scandinavian lands resplendent with castles, palaces, and breathtaking coastlines, you can look for special discounts and deals on 2023 Scandinavian and Norway ocean cruises. Norway ocean cruise tours incorporate several stunning tourist destinations, such as North Cape and Lofoten islands, and offer the best amenities for a luxurious and unforgettable cruise experience.READ MORE
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Explore the majestic Arctic with these 4 luxury cruisesTraveling to a destination is one of the best parts of vacationing. While some venture on a road trip or simply take the next flight, others prefer voyaging the seas. With onboard entertainment, luxurious rooms, and breathtaking sea view, traveling to your destination on a cruise can be an exceptional experience. And this experience magnifies when you are traveling to the Arctic. So, here are some of the best luxury cruises to the Arctic. Explore the Polar Region in style Quark Expedition brings to you adventurous yet a luxurious cruise to the Arctic. Their newest polar-class ship – Ultramrine can board two helicopters and 20 quick deploy Zodiacs for a closer interaction with the Arctic fauna. It also has a spacious viewing deck to witness the intriguing midnight sun. The cruise is a round trip from Longyearbyen to the Arctic circle. Adrenalin-filled Arctic Expedition Lindblad Expeditions is offering an unmatched experience to its customers on a six-to-26-day excursion to the Arctic. The thrilling zodiac rides gives you an opportunity to become an adept photographer to catch a glimpse of the polar bears, multitudes of penguins, seals, and whales surfacing the blue waters. You can also mingle with Svalbard’s local community and experience their rich culture. The luxury cruise offers 24-hour beverages, meals on land, and even an onboard fitness center. Unparalleled Scandinavian Excursions Explore Scandinavian regions with Viking Ocean Cruises. The luxury polar cruise to the Arctic takes you to the most picturesque locations around Scandinavia and historic sites in the Baltic Sea and the majestic Fjords along the breathtaking Norwegian coasts. Travel back in time as the cruise also lets you explore the medieval old town of Talllinn. The luxury cruise has a spacious veranda and offers complimentary wine and beer onboard with lunch and dinner. Their Culture Curriculum® offers interactive sessions like TED Talks, Met Under the Stars, Munch Moments, and classical music performances. Witness Abundant Wildlife and Dramatic Landscapes Silversea Cruises Arctic expeditions lets you explore the beautiful landscapes and its fauna under the luminous midnight sun. Experience the Viking era through Iceland and Greenland excursions and witness the majestic polar bears of the Svalbard region. Zodiacs will let you hike the icebergs of the Tundra region. The length of the itinerary ranges from six to 42 days.READ MORE
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Top 5 cruise lines for seniorsSeniors who like going on luxury vacations every now and then probably want nothing more than a cruise trip on their bucket list. Fortunately, many cruise lines cater to senior citizens, offering everything from discounts and offers to wheelchair-accessible rooms. These cruises sail to distant and serene places, be it Alaska, the Caribbean, or a quaint town in Europe. On that note, here are some of the best cruise lines for seniors to check out. Princess Cruises This is one of the best cruise lines for seniors. Their ships are wheelchair accessible, making it easier for all passengers to enjoy their trip. Though Princess Cruises sail to many destinations around the world, they are particularly known for their Alaskan cruises, which makes them a great choice for those specifically looking to explore Alaska. They even offer cruise tours that include extended land excursions. Azamara Club Cruise If you prefer to stay for a long time in port during cruise trips, consider Azamara Cruises. Almost all their itineraries have long port stays. They even have medical facilities and onboard physicians. Azamara Cruises sail to beautiful places, such as the Caribbean. Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International cruises stand out for many reasons. Their fleet includes everything from middle-aged vessels to state-of-the-art cruise ships. They also have a wide variety of entertainment and activities on board. Plus, they offer reduced prices for seniors on select sailings. Some spectacular Royal Caribbean ships to check out include Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Cruise ships are designed keeping in mind the requirements of seniors and those with physical disabilities. Many of their ships’ staterooms can be easily accessed by people with disabilities. Their ship also includes an array of amenities, world-class dining options, and tons of entertainment. Celebrity Cruises sails to over 300 destinations worldwide, which means that there are plenty of options to choose from. Silversea Cruises Silversea Cruises is a go-to choice for many seniors looking for ultra-luxury ships. The cruise line is known for its all-inclusive services, including door-to-door transfers (from home to ship and back again). To further make the cruising experience comfortable, they offer butler service, complimentary beverages, gourmet dining, and personalized services onboard. Silversea Cruises sail to more than 900 destinations across all continents.READ MORE
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4 budget-friendly cruise linesCruises are popular these days. They allow you to sit back and relax while exploring the oceans and visiting new destinations. But, most cruise trips turn out to be very expensive. These high costs can be attributed to high cruise fares, onboard and port spending, and even travel. But, what if we tell you that there are affordable cruise lines that do not break the bank? Read on to find out more. Carnival Cruise Line If you’re looking for a budget-friendly affordable cruise line, this one fits the bill. The Carnival Cruise Line was founded in 1971. The popular cruise line offers cruises to almost 425 locations, including the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Europe, Canada, Hawaii, Australia, and even the Panama Canal. The best part about the Carnival Cruise Line is its offerings. Living on one of their ships is like attending a huge Carnival out at sea. What sweetens this deal is the fact that the 24 ships of this cruise line are as affordable as $229 per night for one person. Carnival Cruises are more family-oriented, and they ensure that they provide the best entertainment for all age groups. Princess Cruises And much like its parent company Carnival, Princess Cruises provides the best cruise experience at minimal costs. The 14-ship cruise line has itineraries to multiple destinations, including Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, and even Europe. Their cruise trips can range anywhere between one day to 72 days, and they also offer travelers the option to explore the end destinations. While onboard, the cruise line provides travelers with multiple onboard activities, poolside screenings, magic shows, and even a stage show of the popular “The Voice of the Ocean.” Princess Cruises are exclusively for 18 and older individuals. Norwegian Cruises If you’re looking for a fun yet relaxing cruise experience, this one is for you. Norwegian Cruises is the best choice when it comes to traveling with a family on a budget. They also are very relaxed with their rules. They do not have a dress code and pretty much follow a “you do you” rule. The 17-ship cruise line offers journeys from 3 days to 21 days for destinations such as Alsaka, Cube, and even Hawaii. The best part is that you need only $50 to reserve your booking early on. Scenic Cruises If you’re looking for a luxurious cruise at an affordable price, you can try Scenic cruises. The cruise line offers all-inclusive packages on Ocean and River cruises. They also provide land journeys at discounted rates. One of the most popular ships of the Scenic Cruise fleet is the Scenic Eclipse Cruise Ship. The Scenic Eclipse is the World’s First Discovery Yacht. It has almost 114 suites and 176 crewmates. And offers a top-notch spa service, water sports, and a yacht club. Aside from family and adult-only cruise trips, individuals can also look for senior cruises that cater to their programs for senior citizens. Don’t forget to compare senior cruises, to find the deals and programs that are best suited for you. If you’re newly married, you may want a drink or two daily throughout your stay. However, purchasing à la carte drinks can cost a lot. So, to save money, look for honeymoon cruise packages with drinks included. For instance, Carnival Cruise Line offers a drinks package starting at $51.95 per person per day. Similarly, the other cruises listed above have some pretty attractive deals on food and drinks.READ MORE
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Top 5 hotel booking websitesIndeed, booking hotels has become easier than ever. But there's no denying that the sheer number of booking platforms and offers can overwhelm most travelers. Typically, the best hotel booking sites feature great deals, scores of room options in any given location and allow you to filter your search results based on your preferences. We've listed some excellent hotel booking websites that can help you get a great room at an affordable price. Booking.com This is one of the most popular and reliable hotel booking websites. No matter where you are traveling and what time of the year, you can easily find amazing deals on a wide variety of hotels, apartments, and hostels on the platform. Another advantage is that the website is easy to navigate, filters search results accurately, and the search engine displays total upfront cost (pretax), allowing you to determine what fits into your budget quickly. HotelsCombined HotelsCombined is a top-rated metasearch engine or aggregator, meaning it shows you the best results after comparing listings from hundreds of travel sites in seconds, including top online travel agencies like Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Agoda, and many more. It's a great platform if you're looking for something at the lowest possible price. HotelsCombined even refunds you the difference if you find a hotel listed cheaper elsewhere after booking with them. Kayak If you've booked a flight ticket before, you're already familiar with Kayak's interface. It's uncluttered, easy to use, and has many filters that can help specifically look for something you want. Being an aggregator, you can easily find a wide range of hotels and other types of accommodation at amazing prices on Kayak. TripAdvisor Here's another popular metasearch engine that you must check out. TripAdvisor has a reputation for curating some of the best hotel deals from an array of sites, including top ones. It allows you to sort results by Best Value, Traveler Ranked, and Price. Since it is also a famous review website, you can quickly read about the experiences of other travelers to ascertain whether the accommodation you like is worth it. Agoda If you're looking for the best and cheapest accommodations anywhere in Asia, Agoda is the go-to website. It offers unrivaled deals and shows the most eclectic results across any Asian city. That said, it features good deals on hotels in US cities too. Plus, its range of filter options ensures you quickly get a hotel or other accommodation in the location you prefer and within your budget.READ MORE
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3 river cruises to board in 2022If you are planning to go on a long vacation and would love to relax on a deck overlooking a river, then river cruises are for you. From the mighty Mississippi to the scenic Columbia, you can unwind with comfort and luxury on the country's many rivers. Here are some of the best river cruises of 2022 that will help you make a memorable trip. America's Great River by Viking Cruises One of the best river cruises of 2022, Viking Cruise offers a unique opportunity to discover American folk music and learn more about the country’s civil rights movement. This 15-day river cruise spans the Mississippi River, letting you explore historic and beautiful cities such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Vicksburg, Memphis, and many more. The cruise originates from Louisiana and takes a scenic route up till Minnesota. On this cruise, you can enjoy views of the scenic coastline on the full 360-degree deck and treat yourself to a variety of cuisines. Nashville to Chattanooga (or Reverse) by American Queen Steamboat Company This is a nine-day river cruise that spans the scenic Columbia River. The cruise offers unlimited shore excursions beginning with a hotel stay at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The ship cruises along small river towns and lush landscapes. It lets you explore stories of the Civil War at Decatur and unwind to some R&B music in Florence. While on deck, the cruise offers world-class wines, locally brewed craft beers, and specialty coffees. The cruise also has a dedicated fleet of deluxe motorcoaches. Hudson River Cruise by American Cruise Lines This company offers cruises that last more than a week, and they include a wide variety of destinations. For instance, the Hudson river cruise lasts for seven days and eight nights, and takes a mesmerizing route along the Hudson river, which is surrounded by the Catskill, Taconic, and Berkshire mountains. The cruise includes a trip to the West Point Military Academy and Vanderbilt Mansion, among other sites. Onboard experiences include daily cocktail hour and drinks with meals. Through this cruise, you can get exciting insights into many aspects of American history, ecology, and culture. American Cruise Lines also offers exquisite cuisines from highly trained chefs.READ MORE
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6 best upcoming Viking Ocean Cruises in 2021-2022It’s no secret that Viking Ocean Cruises is one of the best cruise lines to enjoy a luxurious cruise vacation with your friends or family. Their fleet of state-of-the-art ocean ships takes you to the most exotic destinations around the world. This article looks at some of the best upcoming Viking Ocean Cruises sailings in 2021-2022, along with Viking cruise deals and airfares. Panama Canal and Central America If you want to explore rich Caribbean diversity, this ocean cruise is the perfect opportunity. It’s a 15-day Florida roundtrip cruise that takes you to seven gorgeous countries, including Panama, Jamaica, Honduras, and Mexico, among others. Pricing: Cruise fare starts from $4,299. With Viking’s Special Cruise Savings deal, you can save up to $300 on airfare. You can also save up to $500 on basic accommodation (Veranda). Departure dates: 26th November and 10th December Los Angeles, California, to London Witness the diverse landscapes of Oahu (Honolulu), Kauai (Nawiliwili), Bora Bora, New Zealand, Tasmania, and Brisbain, among other places. This 119 days cruise could be a vacation of a lifetime for you and your family. It departs from Los Angeles, California, and its last stop is in Tilbury, London, which lasts for two days. Pricing: Save $3,998 on air fare with this Viking cruise as the $54,995 cruise fare includes business class air. The accommodation at this cruise fare includes a Deluxe (DV4) 270 sq.ft. Veranda. Whereas, a DV6 has limited tickets left, and one can save a whopping $1000 on these tickets. Departure dates: 10th January, 2022 Southeast Asia and Hong Kong This 15-day cruise allows you to explore Southeast Asian countries like never before. It starts from Bangkok, and en route visits several sought-after places in Cambodia and Vietnam and cruises the scenic Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea before reaching Hong Kong. Pricing: Cruise fare starts from $5,999. Deals on this Viking cruise include a $500 discount per person on airfare and savings up to a few hundred dollars on certain types of accommodation. Departure date: 31st October Southern Atlantic Crossing If sailing the Mediterranean Sea and South Atlantic Ocean has always been on your bucket list, it may be time to get yourself a cruise ticket for Viking’s Southern Atlantic Crossing. The 22-day journey begins from Barcelona and sails the Mediterranean Sea to reach Granada. From there, you’ll visit Casablanca, Dakar, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, and the last stop, Buenos Aires, all while cruising the South Atlantic Ocean. Pricing: Cruise fare starts from $5,299. You can save $500 with Viking’s Special Cruise Savings offer on this cruise. Departure date: 14th November Iceland’s Natural Beauty This Icelandic tour is a nature lover’s delight. For all eight days of the tour, you get to discover Iceland’s spectacular raw beauty. The Reykjavik roundtrip cruise takes you to gorgeous places like Ísafjördur, Akureyri, Seydisfjördur, Djúpivogur, and Westman Islands. Pricing: Cruise and airfares start from $2,799 and $999, respectively. Note that Viking Ocean Cruises does not offer any deals or discounts on this cruise. Departure dates: There are several departure dates in July, August, and September. Please visit Viking’s official website for the complete list. Alaska and the Inside Passage Marvel through the skylines of Seward and Vancouver, and soak in the gorgeous evening sunset by the deck. If you’re planning a cruise holiday for 2022, check out the deals on Viking Cruises. This 11-day cruise tours through Valdez, Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, and Vancouver, among others. The cruise covers two countries and offers 7-guided tours. Pricing: The $6,199 package includes a deluxe veranda (DV2) of 270 sq. ft. and charges extra $399 for airfare per person. However, if you need no more than 3 tickets to get on-board, small families can get the $5,499 package that includes a (V2) 270 sq.ft veranda. Departure dates: The cruise departs on 2nd June, 2022, and reaches Vancouver on 12th June, 2022. Apart from the cruises mentioned above, Viking Ocean Cruises also visit Antarctica, one of the least explored places on the planet. The company features multiple cruises offering 13-day to 44-day trips, covering several countries en route. The cruise line’s Antarctica trips with airfare start at around $15,000 per person. Moreover, there are other excellent cruise lines that visit Antarctica. These include Abercrombie & Kent, Hurtigruten, Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic, PONANT, and Silversea. The cheapest cruises to the continent start at approximately $5000 per person for a 6 to 10 days trip.READ MORE
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5 essential tips to easily rent a carREAD MORE
You often require a set of good wheels before embarking on a road trip. The next best option after owning a car is renting a car. That's because a rental car offers the flexibility and freedom to travel. But renting a car has complications, such as picking up a faulty car, missing out on the fine print, and scammers. To help you have the best rental car experience, here are five car rental tips in 2021.
- Read the reviews
If you're reading car rental reviews, know that some of them could be paid reviews, while only a select few are genuine reviews. After all, a person is likely to jot down a negative review when they are upset rather than a positive one when they are content. Look for reviews concerning the cleanliness and quality of the car, customer service, and absurd or hidden charges. - Skip airport surcharges
Airports charge a premium for the convenience of picking or dropping off your car. Sometimes the convenience might be worth paying for, but at other times it can cost you quite a bit of money. So if it isn't much of a hassle, try and pick your car rental from an office located inside the city for cheaper rates. - Pick the right dealer
It's always best to pick your car rental dealership even before you start your trip. This way, you have enough time to find out if a dealership is legit. It also helps identify good cars available at low rental rates. Also, look for offers available on select credit and debit cards that can help earn discounts. - Stick to one driver
If your trip isn't long-distance, stick to one driver. A second driver will generally cost you additional driver fees. Moreover, if you and your travel buddies know how to drive, do it yourself. - Add gas yourself
Car rental companies will generally fill the gas tank before handing it over to you. But it is recommended to top up the tank yourself before handing in the vehicle. This way, you only pay for the gas you use. If the rental service tops it up later, they may charge an exorbitant convenience fee.
- Read the reviews