Most of the larger, well-known cruise lines offer family themed cruises, and there are a number of great cruise choices for families who are travelling with teenagers.  Parents who are taking a cruise with teens should check out the options on the individual ships carefully before making their final decision.

In most cases, cruises that are designed with families in mind will offer a number of extra activities specifically aimed at teenagers.  While on board, the teens (along with other family members – including parents) can enjoy a variety of fun activities which may include surf simulators, zip lines, mini-golf, and ice skating at an onboard rink.  There are also numerous dining choices that will appeal to teens which can include popular spots such as Ben & Jerry’s, Johnny Rocket’s, and Sorrento’s Pizza, along with other ice cream parlours, fast food options, and burger shacks where fries and shakes are plentiful.

For teens wanting to spend the day on their own, some ships offer a posh lounge just for them where they can make friends with other teens and hang out.  Some cruises include special dance clubs that serve ‘mocktails’ (non-alcoholic), while others offer tanning decks that are private, teen-only areas.  Some ships offer DJ lessons given by instructors from professional DJ schools such as the Scratch DJ Academy, while others feature large video arcades specifically for teen travellers.

Most family themed cruise ships will be fully equipped with a variety of teen-oriented dance clubs and lounge areas, and will also offer numerous teen-only shore excursions.  These well-supervised shore excursions are a great way for mum and dad to get a bit of time to themselves while the kids are entertained on shore.

Sample destinations

European river cruises are available at any time of the year, and each offers the opportunity to see and experience a number of unique and exciting destinations.  A Danube cruise, for example, will include the beautiful Austrian and Hungarian cities located along the river’s course, while Dutch and Belgian river cruises showcase Holland’s floral splendour and Belgium’s many medieval cities and towns.  Many German and French cheap cruises offer vineyard visits, and excursions into the picturesque countryside.

Advantages of river cruises

European river cruises tend to offer a more intimate experience than ocean cruises, and the atmosphere on board the cruise ship encourages guests to get to know each other.  Another unique advantage is that ships used for river cruising can easily reach areas that are off-limits to larger vessels.  Travellers who choose to take a European river cruise holiday are guaranteed a unique and memorable experience.

Cruise Routes and Sights 

Several cruises begin in Budapest Hungary with a day to explore the city and embark on the cruise.  A cruise typically passes through Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, through picturesque Vienna and Linz-Passau in Germany as well as the historic towns of Nuremberg, Mainz, Wertheim and finally Trier, one of Germany’s oldest towns.  The cruise ends in beautiful Luxembourg with a train ride to Paris where passengers are free to enjoy the sights of the city.  While there may be several variants of this itinerary depending on the length of the cruise, a typical cruise on the Danube usually follows this route. 

Destinations of Note 

When selecting a cruise, it is important to include as many stops as possible.  While most cruises are scheduled for 7 to 15 days, special cruises may last up to 20 days.  Stops along the route allow a visitor to go ashore and visit each country the cruise passes through.  Some of the stops that should be on every itinerary include Vilshofen during Oktoberfest and Dürnstein, a picturesque and historic town in Germany.

 For those with a busy lifestyle that simply cannot afford a long time away, a short cruise could be the answer. Approximately one in every five cruises booked in the UK is for a duration of five days or less. Short cruises still offer the same level of luxury and pampering, as the longer cruises.  

There is a big demand for quick escapes and short holidays that consist of four or five days, and there are many cruise companies out there eager to cater for the demand. Allow a cruise company to whisk you away for a few days to a great destination, all the while taking care of meals, accommodation and entertainment. A few good days away could easily feel like a two-week holiday.  

A short cruise still provides ample time for cruise passengers to visit two or three great destinations. This short time at sea also means less packing and travel preparations.

The modern cruise ships are fitted with state of the art fitness facilities, provide excellent dining and first rate entertainment, making a trip at sea the perfect short cruise holiday getaway!

Ocean Views and Whale Watching

Vancouver is unique in Canada as it offers both mountain views and ocean views.  Nestled between the two, the city has beaches, waterside parks and whale watching excursions.  Visitors can get a look at seals, sea lions, cormorants and, during the summer, pods of grey and orca whales passing through. 

Entertainment District

The three main entertainment districts in Vancouver include Yaletown, Gastown and the Granville Strip.  After a day of shopping, sightseeing or whale watching, visitors can relax and enjoy dancing and having drinks at several different bars.  For visitors with money to burn, Yaletown offers Opus Hotel and Opus Bar, plus 100 nights, although you should be prepared to dress up.  Gastown offers Pourhouse, The Diamond, and Irish Heather, while Granville Strip has barsand a number of different nightclubs. 

Events in the City

Every season there is something happening in Vancouver, from theatre to concerts.  For example, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival is an annual event showcasing the 16^th century writer’s work.  Theatre Under the Stars offers musicals and plays in famous Stanley Park, and the Chinatown Night Market offers a great shopping opportunity for visitors.

All in all Vancouver offers anyone wanting a city break a wealth of different opportunities and experiences.

Going on a cheap cruise isn’t like going to a cheap hotel or restaurant on holiday. When you go to a cheap hotel or a cheap restaurant, it can really be a totally hit or miss experience.  But when you go on a cruise, you know you are going to enjoy a certain high level of service and quality, no matter how expensive or cheap your cruise holiday is. Therefore, the difference between choosing between expensive or cheap hotels, for example, is much different than choosing between expensive or cheap cruises. With cruises, even if you get a cheap one, it’s going to be a great one.

The best thing about going on one of the many different kinds of cruise holidays that are available is that you can find something that will please everyone in your family, for a very affordable price. Mum may be looking forward to a totally relaxing break but Dad may want to hit the gym. And of course the teenage son will want to do something much different than his little sister. But on a cruise, everyone can do what they want, no matter how inexpensive the cruise was to buy.

Royal Caribbean has a range of top-class ships cruising to, and around, several different continents. 

The company goes to 233 destinations in 72 countries, across six continents.  The hardest choice could just be choosing where to go!

Just how do you decide where to go?  Here are a few guidelines to narrow down the choice:

•    What length of time do you have for your cruise holiday?  If your time is limited, a ship leaving close to your home base could be the best.
•    Do you want to spend more time on the ship or more time exploring the ports of call?
•    If your preference is for some, sun, sea and sand then you might like to consider ships that cruse around the romantic Caribbean or the Greek Islands.
•    For stunning beauty, consider a cruise taking in the majestic scenery afforded by an Alaskan cruise.  Perhaps you would prefer an exotic cruise to Asian countries.
•    If you have the time and enjoy sailing on the high seas, consider a round-the-world journey.  What better way to get lost in time.
•    Cost is another important consideration but as most incidentals are covered in the cost, budgeting is easier.

These are just some of the key questions to consider before deciding what cruise to take and where to go.

If you haven’t been on a cruise before, you might be pleasantly surprised at what’s on offer.  Cruises are no longer the reserve of the rich and famous.  Nowadays, many people who at one time went on regular package tours to Greece or Spain are opting for cruises in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and elsewhere.

Cruise holiday deals for 2011 will open your eyes to some great bargains to be had in the cruise holiday market.  Even without special promotions, the advantages of cruise vacations are obvious.

First off, there is none of the travelling and delays involved in the normal holiday getaway.  Simply get yourself to the cruise liner, then relax for the rest of the holiday and have others look after your every need.  There is plenty of evening entertainment, cinemas, live music, and scores of bars and restaurants to choose from, all serving the best food and drink.

However, for most cruise aficionados the biggest attraction is the variety of different places to see without having to examine a map or even lift a finger.  Pull into a different port every day and watch the world literally go by.

Contrary to popular belief, a ship’s Captain is not automatically licensed to conduct legal marriage ceremonies.  If this is something you would like however, it is possible with both P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises on board certain ships.  Both these lines are registered in Bermuda, and all marriages on board meet Bermuda’s legal requirements as long as the ship is at least 12 miles out to sea.  P&O also have their own team of wedding organisers, whereas Princess and most other lines use external agencies to assist in planning weddings at whatever port you request.  Carnival Cruises are also worth considering; they plan over 2000 weddings per year and have chapels on board some of their ships.

Cruise and stay holidays are also worth thinking about if you want guests to come, and yet not have to pay for cruise tickets for everyone; most providers will advise you on arranging ceremonies in whichever glamorous location you have decided to holiday in before your voyage.

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.