Passports

Since you will be travelling from the UK to other countries, you will need a valid passport. This gives you the right to leave your country and enter a foreign one. This is the only way authorities in both countries can establish your nationality. Furthermore, without a passport you cannot get a visa. The passport should be valid even six months after travelling to allow for any delays on the voyage.

Visas

Visa requirements are different depending on the country you intend to visit and the cruise line you are booked. Before applying for one, you need to find out if the ship will dock at the port there or it will just transit to the next destination. This way you can only apply for visas in those countries you intend to set foot.

Insurance

While cruising medical expenses are upon you. Therefore, getting a medical policy that would provide you with adequate cover in the various destinations would be appropriate.

Vaccinations

Depending on the country you get to tour ashore, it might be mandatory to get a vaccination.

Special documentation for children below 18

Children under your care will also require documents to prove their nationality and appropriate visas if required.

More information on what you need before your cruise can be found on cruise agents websites such as bonvoyage.co.uk.

Scenery in the Caribbean is equally varied.  Some islands are lush and tropical with high peaks that often turn out to be volcanoes, while others feature a flat and dry landscape.  Coral reefs are a common feature in the waters surrounding many islands in the Caribbean.  Taking advantage of this fact, Caribbean cruises frequently offer tourists the opportunity to swim or snorkel with the tropical fish inhabiting the reefs.

Cruises holidays in the Caribbean Sea often depart from ports of call in the United States, including Miami, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Houston, Texas.  This means that tourists opting to cruise the Caribbean will often have the opportunity to explore parts of the North American mainland either before or after their ocean voyages.  Common cruise destinations include Barbados, Jamaica, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Royal Caribbean has been in the business of cruise holidays for several years.  In 1988 they launched Sovereign of the Seas, one of the largest cruising ships in the world: in fact, it brought back the trend of building large, mega ships.  Similarly, in 2006, Royal Caribbean launched Freedom of the Seas – another large cruising ship –, which featured the first ever surfing machine on a cruise ship.   Even Empress of the Seas, while being the smallest in their fleet, can accommodate up to 1600 passengers.  In most Royal Caribbean cruise ships each cabin can accommodate two passengers.

Royal Caribbean ships offer some truly outstanding facilities and services.  These ships are also famous for their interior decorations and exceptional artworks with matching backdrops.  Similarly, the ships’ public area is designed with lively and vibrant decors.  The cabins for passengers, however, are subtler and have serene decorations – perfect for relaxing after a busy day’s sightseeing.

There is nothing like enjoying your cruise holiday aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.  With Royal Caribbean you can not only visit some dream locations – you will be able to do it in style.

The great advantage of exploring the islands of the Caribbean on Royal Caribbean cruise holidays is that you can make full use of your time rather than wasting a big chunk of it on logistics such as getting there and organising transport.  In addition, you’ll have no delays at airports and no traffic jams.  You simply need to be at the point of embarkation on time.  After you arrive, put your feet up in an environment well oiled to cater for your every need.

Nobody in their right mind is going to opt for a fixed hotel when you can have one whose scenery changes by the day, pulling into exotic ports of call to let you explore other ways of living, and that lets you see the sights before moving on to the next port.

There are no unexpected extra costs on cruise holidays.  The price includes everything available to you on board, so you can budget down to the last penny.

Royal Caribbean cruises make for the perfect break, letting you explore the whole of this fabled region at a slow and easy pace, yet taking it all in.  Let others do the work whilst you enjoy your holiday.

Cruises are famous for the night-time entertainment. There will always be something going on and you can choose from comedians, live shows, karaoke, dancing and games to join in with. Casinos on cruise ships have every game you get in Las Vegas from gaming tables to slot machines.

When the ship docks in a port there are usually a selection of well organised excursions to choose from. Indoor pools mean you can swim whatever the weather.

When on a cruise you need to be aware that alcohol and soft drinks are not included with the food so anything other than water is going to cost you. You should be able to use your room key as a credit card but check your bill occasionally so that you don’t get a nasty shock when you get the final bill.

Rooms on a cruise are really small and inside cabins don’t have windows. Some of the amenities like spa treatments are extra and not included in the all-inclusive price.

Many such amenities are located right out on the decks of the ships. Carnival ships include nine-hole golf courses, as well as the standard swimming pools other cruise lines also have.  Some of their ships include theatres with LED screens to broadcast sporting event, movies and more.

Inside the ships, Carnival places bars, duty-free shops and other amenities.  Like most cruise line, Carnival of course has casinos inside as well.

The fun continues well into the night on Carnival ships.  The casinos are open late.  Even those who do not wish to gamble can find something to keep them up all night.  Bars, clubs and shows entertain well after the sun sets.  The shows range from amateur karaoke hours to performances by professional singers, musicians and dancers.

Carnival makes sure to entertain children as well as adults.  Camp Carnival is aimed at very young children ages 2 to 11, while Circle C entertains 12- to 14-year-olds.  For the teenagers (ages 15 to 17) there is Club O2, which offers video games, karaoke, even pool parties and other sporting activities.

Of course, some people want something more relaxed out of their cruise.  For these travellers Carnival has fitness centres, spas and salons.  You can maintain your daily work out, or get a relaxing spa treatment to help you forget about the tension of regular life.

Sometimes this tranquillity can be achieved in a single evening.  Dinner cruises offer a short-term getaway. You can cruise for a few hours, enjoy a great meal and be with your partner in a comfortable and intimate setting.  This is a great option if you want to relax in a romantic environment, but don’t have the time for a long destination cruise.  These kinds of cruises are offered by a variety of companies, from major cruise lines to tiny yachts.  You may find yourself sailing with several other couples, or only a few. It depends on what is available in your area.

For those who have the time to devote, a destination cruise can be just as romantic as a short dinner cruise.  You can get away for several days or even weeks, enjoying a new location with your significant other.

Where you choose to go on such a cruise will play a large part in setting the mood for the holiday. Venice is a classically romantic destination, but even places like Alaska can hold romantic charm. Look to the warm, tropical setting of the Bahamas if you don’t like the cold.  Or try more traditional settings such as Rome and France.  All offer a romantic cruise experience.

All Costa Cruise ships provide an onboard programme of activities for children supervised by qualified professionals. There are four children’s clubs, Mini for three to six year olds, Maxi for seven to ten year olds, Costa Teens for 11 to 14 year olds, and Teen for 15 to 19 year olds. Activities for children include treasure hunts, parties, sporting competitions, quizzes and dance competitions.

Costa Cruises has ten ships, and they offer cruise holidays all year round. Costa Cruises is one of the few companies to offer Mediterranean cruises throughout the year. Nearly all the cruises offered by Costa Cruises are fly-and-cruise, with flights mostly from London airports, although it is possible to fly from regional airports for a supplement.

As well as Caribbean cruises, Far East cruises, Baltic cruises (and Fjords) and Red Sea cruises, destinations include Africa, the Arctic, Asia, Australasia, the Black Sea, Canada, Europe, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, North America, Pacific Islands, Dubai, the Panama Canal and South America.

The cuisine on board is mainly Italian, and can be enjoyed in one of the formal restaurants with waiter service. The menus are designed by some of the top chefs in Italy. Alternatively you can dine in a more relaxed al fresco setting.

On board the ships there are spas, internet cafes, gyms, shops, beauty salons, bars, a casino and a library and card room. Costa Cruises also run activities, including art auctions, bridge games, Italian lessons, golf lessons and trivia contests. There is entertainment every night in the bars and theatre.

There are a host of different types of cruises that will cater to anyone’s tastes. As well as the relaxing and luxurious cruises that cover the Caribbean and Mediterranean, some cruise liners can also offer adventure-style cruise getaways, in some of the most stunning corners of the world.

The Royal Caribbean has a large fleet that offer adventure holidays on the sea and in turn, this has attracted much younger travellers on a growing basis.

Royal Caribbean currently sail the biggest cruise liner in the world, the ‘Oasis of the Seas’, which is filled with an exciting array of active attractions; such as on-board surfing and abseiling. However, it is always worth checking to see what is available at the different destinations on offer, especially with cruise and stay packages.

Other companies such as P&O cruises and Thomson cruises are especially well-known for the wide variety of holidays they provide. Both of these companies are also among the best for late cruise deals and if you book just before the scheduled departure date, you could stand to save a lot of money.

Whether you are planning a romantic getaway, an action-packed sea-fairing adventure or a family holiday; there will be an abundance of choice to suit your requirements.