If you want to {go on|enjoy a} vacation, you are no doubt looking for special offers. It’s a good way to go. All inclusive cruises have many advantages over traditional holidays. This is why you should be looking for a cruise vacation deal in your newspaper, your travel service provider or even online.
There are some great advantages to choose a cruise holiday over a traditional one:
Packing and Unpacking
As simple as it sounds, when you’re onboard, it is your moving hotel. You just need to unpack once and you have all your clothes, shoes and toiletries in one place the whole vacation. This makes life so much less stressful than a vacation where you are going to a different place almost every day – packing and unpacking take up time each day, and it’s not much fun! On a ship you have the best of both worlds – you get to see a different place almost every day and you only unpack ONCE.
Food and Drinks:
This comes with the price of the cruise. The food is usually first class and always available 24/7. Usually drinks are included. Most cruise ships do charge you for alcoholic drinks though, but it’s something you need to check.
Entertainment:
This is also free and it’s wonderful to sit there and enjoy live entertainment. How often do we get the chance to do that?
Seeing {Great|Wonderful} Places:
{Obviously|Of course} your cruise includes Ports of Call and although you can go on special tours, etc. which will cost {extra|an additional fee}, you don’t have to take advantage of them. If you just want to {wander around|explore} and look for yourself, or have a relaxing swim, you won’t be paying a {dime|thing}.
The World Is Your Oyster:
There are cruises to every part of the world imaginable – South America, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Fjords, Australia and Asia, just to name a few. There’s just {something|a cruise} for everyone at any time of the year. No wonder cruising has become so popular.
To get a cruise vacation deal, you can visit your travel agent or better a cruise travel agent who is up to date on the cruising world. Afterwards, you can do further research online and maybe you’ll be lucky and get a special price.
If you are interested in a fun waterbourne adventure, you should consider a deep sea fishing trip on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. From bluewater trips in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico to light tackle excursions along the coastline in the Mississippi Sound, deep sea fishing charters provide bottom fishing trips and trolling excursions throughout the year, routinely returning to port with a variety of fish, including sharks, grouper, jack, snapper, lemon-fish and King and the smaller Spanish mackerel. Additionally, many other types of game fish are regularly caught. As a courtesy, your catch can be cleaned and dressed upon request for a standard charge, however you may opt to complete this task yourself .
Charter boats are located in several harbors along the coast. Pass Christian, Gulfport, Biloxi, Long Beach , and Ocean Springs each house several charter boats, as well as offering fresh caught gulf shrimp, oysters, fish, and other seafood for sale fresh out of the water.
A full day fishing charter customarily runs for up to eight hours with varying departure times. Most charters depart early, at 6:00- 7:00a.m. Those wishing for longer or shorter adventures might consider the overnight and 1/2 day trips. The trips are usually comprised of four to six people with standard pricing for a full day beginning at around $400.00; 1/2 day trips are priced starting at $285.00 and allow for up to six passengers although prices may vary depending on the season. Ice, bait and tackle will be provided for your convenience.
All of the fish you will be catching will definitely make for hungry fishermen. The party chartering the boat usually is required to provide food and beverages for itself as well as the captain and the crew, but special arrangements are available in advance with most captains, for an additional fee, to supply the food and refreshments if requested.
Generally, the charter boat captains have no restrictive guidelines for the consumption of alcohol on their vessels as long as local laws are followed, yet for the safety of you and others in your party, excessive consumption and alcohol abuse is not tolerated.
Make sure proper dress is worn for your deep sea fishing trip. It is recommended that soft deck shoes be worn. Head coverings, such as caps and hats, proper protective sunglasses and adequate sunscreen are essential. During the spring, fall and winter, make a point to wear warm enough clothing to provide protection from cool winds that may blow in off of the open waters. During the summer months, clothing that provides protection from the sun is needed and a liberal amount of sunscreen should be applied to anyone that will be exposed to the sun for extended periods of time while trying to hook the big one.
To avoid a scheduling disappointment, especially for seasonal holiday or weekend trips, charters should be reserved well in advance, although reservations that are made an evening before may be a sufficient amount of time for booking weekday trips.
A Mississippi saltwater fishing license is required to fish in the state waters. One must be obtained prior to the trip, unless notification has been made beforehand that the license is covered by the charter boat. Make sure to confirm when booking your charter.
Whatever type or length of trip, experiencing the wonders and creatures of the Mississippi Sound and the Gulf of Mexico will provide lasting memories and fishing stories.
http://www.mississipi-gulf-coast-tourism.com – Looking for a cost effective fun getaway? Enjoy gambling? Come down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast We’ve got plenty to keep you amused without breaking your bank.
The port offers plenty of parking, a nice ramp for launching, and ample docking area. The river here is at its widest spot for the general area, and is deep enough to accommodate boats of many sizes. Yet, it is still calm enough to be safe for even smaller boats. Waterskiing and jet skiing are also popular to this area. Barge traffic can be seen regularly here, too, and is fun to watch.
Just moments north of the port is Bluff Harbor Marina, where boaters can fill up with gas and other necessities. Beyond this, a bit more upstream, is Lock and Dam 18. This area is good fishing for things like Northerns, Bass, and Walleye. Those who wish to go further upstream can be transported through the lock and dam.
South of the port are a number of islands that allow for different types of boating adventures. Large boats will most often want to stay on the main channel, as some side channels can get a bit challenging to maneuver, especially when the water is low. When the water is high, there can be large logs and other obstacles picked up by the river that are floating downstream in these channels. Smaller boats, however, will not have much difficulty with these things as long as normal boating precautions are taken. They really don’t move too fast, and are rarely something to be overly concerned with. The main channel is most often reasonably free of these challenges. The main channel is also clearly marked with buoys to guide your way.
Other, still smaller channels that spring off of the two sides of the island channels can be maneuvered with jonboats, bass boats, pontoons, and similar watercraft. These areas offer some great fishing and lots of wildlife. The general vicinity is well-wooded. Some people like to take a weekend to boat to an island and camp on its shores.
The next town south of Burlington that boaters can dock in is Dallas City (although this is at a local bar and restaurant and not a marina type setting). This is only recommended when the water is reasonably high, though, as it is an area to exercise caution when boating. There are two islands just north of Dallas City, with lots of underwater stumps and sandbars to be maneuvered in the vicinity when the water is too low. So, unsuspecting boats do get stuck there on occasion. It’s a definite change of pace for those walking in the water and pushing a boat off of a sandbar. This is a number of miles downstream from the port, though, so isn’t a concern for most.
Overall, the entire area really is a fantastic place to boat. The best advice is just to check the water level to see what the conditions are, if you intend to travel a good ways downstream or to explore the side channels. In and around the Port of Burlington, boaters do just fine and enjoy the area on a regular basis.
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Many people wonder, is it cheaper to book their cruise on line than calling a cruise or travel agent, and the quick answer is no, it is not cheaper. That does not mean that you won’t find a bargain online but generally speaking, this isn’t always the case.
Most online booking companies are really offices that sell all over the country and world and have the option of booking online or contacting an agent in the office. What you see online is usually the same rate or even higher than you would find by contacting the company directly, either by requesting an email quote or calling in. By using the services of the agent, you are allowing them to find something you may not even be aware of which may save you money or provide a better room.
Since the majority of cruise lines offer the same prices, with some exceptions, to all the agencies, the differences in price tend to come from the agent discounting their commission. Usually what discount is offered online, the agent can match and often get an even better price.
Booking online also takes away the act of negotiating and the possibility of booking a better room or cruise for a lower price. Below is an example of a specific situation that happened with two people, one booking online and the other calling an agent they found online.
A person knows what cruise they want, sees it advertised with the cruise line for $750.00 per person for a 7 night Caribbean sailing. They shop around, see it online for $600.00 and feel like they found a great deal and book it. Happy about their choice, they tell a friend who is interested in going.
The friend calls their regular agent, who they actually found surfing the web, and gives the agent the friends price and asks if they can get the same deal. The agent tells them that there is something even better, instead of the inside room for $600.00, they can have a balcony room for $550.00 per person because they qualified for a promotion that the agent was able to move them into. In addition to the lower price, they will receive a shipboard credit, free money to spend onboard, worth $50.00.
Had the other friend not called their agent, the first person would have felt they got the best deal online, and felt that was the cheapest way to book their cruise.
There are times that using an online agency may seem to save you money however, it is the volume of business the agency has with the cruise line that gives them special pricing. These prices are available whether you book online, email the company for information or call them. There is one exception to this; some companies may discount the product so much that they will only allow you to book online. Sometimes it is possible for the price to be a little less but not always and you will not get any service down the road if something comes up.
Your best method of finding a good deal is to have a general idea of what the cruise is going for and then contacting a travel agent or cruise specialist to help you book something. They should talk to you about your price range, needs and ask questions that may qualify you for discounts and promotions the public may not know about. This type of service is just not available booking online.
Sports. Kosta. Basement. Episode 9 – watch more funny videos
As a kid I did a lot of boat building , mainly scale models that were not able to sail, although I did actual build a few boats that were, more or less, capable of sailing. I even once build a 10 feet boat, or shall I say raft. I accomplished this with a few friends and we had great fun sailing it on the local river. It was not really water proof and while one person was rowing, the others had to make sure that they removed the water quicker then it was entering our boat.
Then sadly one day we failed. I was rowing at the time, and we were in the middle of the river when it was clear we were sinking. I stopped rowing to assist with the hosing, but this only slowed down the process of sinking, it did not stop it. So I started to row again in on effort to reach dry land before we sank, thus avoiding having to swim to safety.
And guess what: We made it! Just before the boat really started to sink we managed to jump ashore. Here we watched as our pride and joy slowly sank to the bottom of the river. It was then that we realized we were at the wrong side of the river and this left us with a problem. We either had to walk to the nearest bridge, 10 kilometers upriver, so that would have been a 20 kilometer walk, or swim to the other side.
We decided on swimming. We did not see anyone around, so we quickly undressed, and with one hand holding our clothes above the water, we managed to get back to our own side of the river. Just as we were struggling to get out of the water a group of girls from our own school were passing by, and I can tell you we were not happy!
This all happened a long time ago and a few times in my live I have had plans of building a boat again. I have spent a good amount of time looking at boat building plans, but with boats size does matter.
I usually looked at boats between 30 and 40 feet, but the sheer volume of work involved has always stopped me from going ahead with my boat building plans.
Now I have decided to start small. I am going to build a 16 feet Grand Banks dory, which I want to fit with a small outboard engine. I bought the boat building plans, I got the working space, and by the time you read this article I might be finished already.
Later, who knows, I might build a 40 feet cabin cruiser, and tow my Grand Banks dory behind me. Then, if my cabin cruiser sinks, I can always row to safety in my Grand Banks dory, dry and with my clothes on.
Looking for a temporary or permanent boat slip to dock your boat? Finding the ideal location with boat slips meeting your boat’s unique needs can be challenging, but it does not have to be if you keep the following tips in mind as you search for your next slip:
Know your boat’s dimensions – the first step in finding a boat slip is to know all of your boat’s measurements, including its width, height and draft. If you are unsure of your boat’s measurements, you might end up renting a slip that will not accommodate your boat or is in water too shallow for your sailboat’s draft.
Accessibility to the boat slip – another important piece of information, particularly for sailors, is whether the slip provides sufficient access to the water in which you intend to travel. You must know whether there are any fixed bridges or other obstacles that would impede your access to and from the slip. If there are any bridges, research the clearance both at high tide and low tide to make sure your boat’s height will allow unrestricted access to your slip. Also, if there are any draw bridges in the area, you need to determine when and how those bridges are opened so that you can navigate to and from your slip.
Marina Slips – if you are searching for a marina slip, there are several factors you will want to consider. For example:
Does the marina slip have a fresh water supply on the dock?
Are there electrical hookups for each slip?
Are liveaboards or transients allowed?
Is there a fuel dock near the boat slip and does it offer the type of fuel required by your boat?
What other amenities are offered at the marina (laundry, internet access, supplies, etc.)?
Does the marina provide 24 hour access to your boat slip? What type of security is provided by the marina?
What are the marina’s procedures to protect your boat in the event of foul weather? Does the marina offer any type of insurance for both natural disasters and its own negligence?
Dry Docking – if wet slips are difficult to find or too expensive, you may want to consider a dry dock or stacked boat dock storage. Larger marina docks often have dry or stacked boat dock storage. One disadvantage to dry dock storage is that the marina will need to be notified in advance of when you intend to use your boat so that it can be removed from the dry or stacked storage. This is not the ideal situation for those boaters who want to get their boats to sea at a moments notice. However, the cost savings may outweigh the inconvenience associated with dry storage.
Following the above suggestions will take the hassle and stress out of finding the perfect boat slip.
My Port of Call makes it easy to search for boat slips meeting your exact specifications. Use these tips now to search for available boat slips.
Please visit http://www.MyPortOfCall.com for more informative articles and to search our listings of available boat slips for sale or rent.
If you are buying a new boat you should be aware that there are some basic things that you need to have for your new boat. The first thing you should do is to purchase the “Coast Guard Safety Package” that your dealer may offer you when you buy the boat. This package will usually include life jackets (PFDs), whistles and chemical lights for your (PFDs), flares, fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit with a manual.
You will also need an anchor and chain that has plenty of line. The size and length of the line depends on the size of the boat and how you will use your boat. Three or four twenty five foot lines will be enough to start. You should also have a tool box with basic tools and a good quality bilge pump and a back up bilge pump.
When it comes to certain things such as electrical equipment, it is recommended that you purchase these things from your dealer and let your dealer install them. Many people purchase these items from a catalog and they try to install on their own. Sometimes the installation that you do at home in the driveway can cause more problems for your boat if not done correctly.
No matter what kind of boating you are planning to do, every boat owner must carry some other basic safety equipment. A VHF radio is one of the most important pieces of equipment that any boater should carry. If you have more than one it will be helpful in times of emergency.
One of the best things that you could do for yourself and everyone else that will be on your boat, is to take a boating safety course with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or the US Power Squadron. This course is a good idea for all family members who will be out on the water. Many boating accidents and fatalities could be avoided if you have some basic knowledge about boating. It is definitely worth the time to take one of these courses.
Another good idea to protect yourself and others on your boat is to have a membership with a towing association, such as Boat US, Vessel Assist Association of America, or Sea-Tow. If you run your boat aground in a major metropolitan area, the average cost to rescue you is about $200.00-$300.00.
There are also many fringe benefits to membership such as radio checks, float plans, and several other things that will help you to stay safe and feel secure on the water.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant about model boats, boat parts, and model submarines. You will find the best shopping at these sites for model boats, used boat parts to fix your boat.
Boating can be fun if the boat has its durability, all safety measures and its perfectly matched marine carpets or upholstery. Gold Coast Marine Upholstery in Australia is one such company which offers its expertise in applications such as Bimini Tops, Marine Carpets, Clears, Cushions and much more.
They are the masters in their work and offer almost everything needed for the marine. The company strives to do the best in customer service. They take complete care of your vessel, whether on the dock or in water. They fully well understand the need to protect any vessel for a prolonged life of your boat and for a comfortable journey and to enjoy all leisurely boating activities.
The marine carpet looks awesome and beautiful if done nicely and a proper selection has been made regarding its color and design. Marine carpets are used for a number of reasons, safety being the first and most important is to hold up towards the outside elements and still look good. Gold Coast Marine Upholstery provides internal and external carpets.
The external ones can be applied in a variety of methods. They can either be glued, clipped. The carpeting is very well done with quality binding. Carpeting brings life to any boat or vessel. It is easy to maintain and can be cleaned easily without much hassle. They also add aesthetic sense to the boat and also act as a safety feature.
The best thing about Gold Coast Marine Upholstery is their very nominal listing of price. They are very confident in contending with competitors price. The company also offers very good carpet covers which are a protection against fading, spillage or any kind of staining.
Besides dealing in marine carpets, they also feel pride about their Clears, Mesh Screens, Bimini Tops, All Over/Storm covers and many other services available. The company believes in the quality and sustainability of their product. They very well understand the clients needs and demands and very diligently work on that.
They cater to markets from large fleet to the smallest repairs. They have abundance of experience in the art of boat repairs and a wealth of knowledge in the marine trimming sector. They offer a completely personalized work to suit the need and requirement. The carpet covers are very efficiently and beautifully customized.
Serving Australia for the past twelve years, they offer their expertise in their products. The much dedicated staff works hard to bring the best. Satisfaction of their client is their motto. Their USP is their personalized service. The product can be tailored according to your needs and desires.
They even suggest ideas for your vessels regarding the kind of upholstery required. Their Rail Covers enhance the general look of the boat and also is a safety feature for children. Gold Coast Marine Carpet protects the vessel and adds to its beauty. To know further please visit the site at http://www.goldcoastmarineupholstery.com.au
The company believes in the quality and sustainability of their product. They very well understand the clients needs and demands and very diligently work on that. Gold Coast Marine Carpet protects the vessel and adds to its beauty.
Are you thinking to yourself this summer, wouldn’t it be great to buy a sailboat?
Are you asking yourself, what things should I consider prior to splashing out the cash for a used sailboat or used boat?
Are you looking for some general advice to get you started for choosing the right sailboat for you and your families or friends needs?
For a general overview, you obviously need to write a few things down, aspects of your intended use of your sailboat etc in order to be able to come to an informed decision upon which used sailboat is the right one for you.
First you need to think about where you live and the availability of water near your home or vacation home? Is this near a river or a lake or are you on the ocean? What about storage for your boat or yacht? Do you need a mooring, or is the sailboat or yacht small enough to pull behind your vehicle?
What exactly do you want to use it for? Would you like to buy a used sailboat for day cruising, weekend getaways or for use for longer periods of time?
How many people will their generally be on board at any one time, whilst it is in use by you? Sailboats by definition can often be quite cramped on-board, so trying to fit six people on-board a four person sailboat could really be stretching it a bit, not to mention the safety aspects whilst out on the water, this is likely to be your primary concern.
Will the boat me a modern sailboat made of glass fiber or are you looking for classic good looks and a used sailboat made of wood? Do you know how much it costs to maintain regularly a wooden sailboat compared to a glass fiber one?
What about an engine? Would you prefer to go with an inboard engine or simply put an outboard engine on the stern?
What about sailboat rigging and sails? Are these in superb, very well looked after condition?
If the used sailboat can be trailered, what is the overall weight and how will this reflect on the miles per gallon for the vehicle towing your yacht or boat? What about slipway fees, have you built this into the equation? What ongoing maintenance of the hull etc, anti-fouling and keeping the used boat or yacht maintained in tip top condition?
Is the boat seaworthy, does it come with a certificate of seaworthiness from a qualified marine surveyor?
Only when you have many of these questions clear and fully answered in your mind should you consider buying a used sailboat or used yacht, if you ask yourself these questions first, you could just end up not only saving a considerable amount of money but too, remain safe on the water, after all, that is what it is all about at the end of the day, enjoying yourself with your family and friends just as much as you possibly can.
St Lucia is also known as the “Helen of the West Indies” as the island switched between British and French control so often it was likened to the mythical Helen of Troy.
St Lucia was first visited by Europeans in about the year 1500 and first colonized successfully by France who signed a treaty with the native Caribs in 1660. Great Britain then took control of the island from 1663-1667 before going to war with France over it fourteen times. The British finally took complete control of the island in 1814. On February 22, 1979 St Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations. The island nation celebrates this every year with a public holiday.
St Lucia is a small, lush tropical island that is still relatively unknown. The twin Pitons soar over 200 feet from the sea and shelter the tropical rainforest below, they are located between Soufrière and Choiseul on the western side of the island. The diversity of white sand beaches and lush green mountainous terrain make the cruising ground of St Lucia a wonderful location for a yacht charter.
St Lucia will enchants visitors with dramatic mountain scenery, tropical rain forests, waterfalls and secluded beaches. Further inland, the rain forests shelter wild orchids, giant ferns and birds of paradise. You can visit Soufriére, the world’s only drive-in volcano, or relax in the earth’s rejuvenating heat in the sulpher pools at Diamond Baths. Other tourist attractions include the Botanical Gardens and Pigeon Island National Park, which is home to Fort Rodney, an old British military base.
During the months of the summer winds in St Lucia prevail at 10 – 20 knots from the northeaSt The winter will see 15 – 20 knots generally from the eaSt The trade winds are consistent and make a yacht charter at anytime of the year a pleasure.
The major airport on St Lucia is Hewanora International. It has daily flights from London and weekly Dusseldorf and the USA via Miami. US Dollars and the Euro are used. Major credit cards may be accepted in hotels, restaurants and some shops. English is the official language and it is spoken widely throughout St Lucia
Marigot Bay offers a pristine and unspoiled landscape. You may recognize Marigot Bay from the 1960′s movie Dr. Doolittle. Although it has undergone significant changes since then, the beauty remains in tact. Marigot has 24/7 security and is a port of entry for the island. Located here are a first class resort and spa as well as many yacht charter companies.
Opening onto the Caribbean sea, Marigot Bay is conveniently situated 20 minutes South of Castries, the Island’s Capital City, 45 minutes South of Pigeon Island National Park and 60 minutes North of the majestic Pitons.
Rodney Bay is a well protected lagoon and a good yacht anchorage. There are many opportunities for provisions, fuel and water, boat repairs and anything else a sailor could possible need. Even laundry drop-off service is available. Rodney Bay is also a customs checkpoint and the marina provides tie up for this purpose.
The holding ground is not the best in the lagoon and many sailors have reported anchor dragging in the middle of the night. Some of the best beaches are located a just a short dinghy ride away. There is also a car rental agency for those who want to spend the day exploring interior St Lucia.
Visit Pigeon Island National Park, which is home to Fort Rodney, an old British military base. Don’t miss the incredible Friday night “jump-up” at Gros Islet on Rodney Bay. The most popular local drink in St Lucia is Rum punch, also called “Rocket Fuel,” “Jungle Juice,” or “The Baby Maker.”
Vieux Fort is located in the most southern part of St Lucia. It is the second-largest town on the island and a popular anchorage for yacht charters. In recent years a new modern part of Vieux Fort has been erected, yet if you walk along Clark Street and its surrounding roads, you will still see what is known as “The Old Town”.
On Fridays stroll through the open market where you can buy local goods such as fruits, ground provisions and spices. It also home to the largest fish market in St Lucia where you can buy some of the best and tastiest fish in the world, from coral fish to tuna.
One-way yacht charter options are available to Martinique, St Vincent and the Grenadines or Grenada. Check with your charter company for more details.
Diving: St Lucia’s warm clear waters and numerous spectacular reefs and marine life offer a perfect environment for both beginners and expert divers. Many hotels offer scuba diving facilities and snorkeling equipment and there are a number of independent dive centers offering short boat dives, night dives and a variety of scuba courses.
