Tag: best cruise discounts

What is the best value vacation in 2017?

by hotelsetc, posted in vacations

Stunning in every possible way, the Caribbean is always going to be a hot-spot for tourism and an automatic choice for many tourists. You can find incredible hotel discounts and vacation offers for this region through our search portal, but cruise ships over the past few years in particular are the stand out performers and with the incredible value that they offer, it’s not difficult to see why this is the case:

Here are 5 reasons cruises are thought to be the best value vacation in 2017:

1.Cruise ships now rival all-inclusive resorts

When you book a cruise you are not only guaranteed a lineup of exotic ports and entertainment but also a wide range of inclusions. Naturally your accommodation is part of the package but when you factor in the food (and sometimes drinks), nightly entertainment, sublime swimming pools and free activities during the day, the return on investment for a cruise is undeniable.

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2.It’s not just a cruise, there are also incredible destination

This one speaks for itself. You are promised some relaxing times on calm seas for most cruises and much of the attraction will in fact be in terms of spending on the sea. However, when you book a cruise you are also promised a number of incredible destinations to explore in between and while there is no obligation to jump off at any time, the fact that these can be part of the overall experience is priceless.

3.Cruise discounts and more

And just when you thought the price of a cruise couldn’t’t get any lower, you find a travel club such as ourselves to help you find the best cruise discounts. Don’t be fooled by the name, Hotels Etc offer a full range of travel service which extends from hotels and vacation packages to the above mentioned cruise discounts. You can sign up for a free trial but ultimately, this is the only place you will find legitimate cruise discounts online.

4.Day tours and shore excursions

As previously stated, you can jump off in every destination in which the cruise will stop and this allows you to take shore excursions. When you visit a city anywhere in the world, you want to see the sights, learn something about the destination or just have a day of exploring and these day tours are specially designed to help you see as much as possible while also getting you back to the ship in time. With prices starting from $25 per person, these day tours are incredible value.

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5.You pay for what you want and you go where you please

When you take a day tour the itinerary is sometimes set out in a particular way but otherwise, life on board a cruise is a very liberating experience. There are so many restaurants, bars, clubs and activities you can partake in and almost as many areas on the ship to relax. You don’t need to worry about over-spending on a cruise for the fact that you choose where to eat and then the freedom of organizing your own itinerary will leave you in no doubt that this was exactly how a vacation should be.

Click here to avail of the best cruise discounts and other offers on Hotels Etc.

Wondering which cruise ship to choose for your vacation?

by hotelsetc, posted in vacation

Are you considering a last minute cruise vacation? Or maybe planning ahead? Cruises are amazing value and most especially if you use cruise discounts, but which one is for you and how to decide on the best option?

The following are 5 examples of the best options on which to utilize your cruise discounts and for who they are most suited:

Princess Cruises

Rekindling romance, celebrating an anniversary, or just looking for a quiet getaway for two has always been the hallmark of Princess Cruises’ line. Their fleets offer a higher percentage than average of suites and mini-suites with amenities such as romantic balcony dining for two, mini-bars, upgraded bathrooms, and laundry services for that pampered feel. Deluxe dining, couples spa retreats, and private lounges are just some of the perks Princess has to offer, not to mention the price if you use cruise discounts. Cruises depart often from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and New York with destinations such as St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Kitts, The Bahamas, Aruba, and more.

Disney Cruises

For families it’s hard to beat a Disney cruise. As you can imagine, this cruise line caters to kids and families with Disney themed parties, games, and even a water park. Disney characters wander the decks taking photographs and interacting the children and families alike and there’s even classes, musicals, and other fun activities such as princess tea parties. While all this may sound tiring to the big people you can rest assured that mom and dad can also enjoy a few nightclubs, restaurants, and spa treatments while the kids are at play. Departs from New York, Miami, and Galveston Texas with destinations in The Bahamas, St. Kitts, Antigua, Mexico, and the Cayman British Virgin Islands.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s namesake Caribbean cruises are among the best on the sea for overall quality and affordability. With literally hundreds of 3, 4, and 5 night or more cruises to destinations such as Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica, The Bahamas, and more the Royal Caribbean fleet boasts innovative designs, amenities, and activities such as rock-climbing, zip-lining, flight simulators, aqua theaters, and more! A variety of restaurants, shopping options, and bars also liven up the trip. The newest ship, Harmony of the Seas, even features a water park! Royal Caribbean has a little something for everyone, catering to families and friends as well as couples.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

If you’re looking to strike it out on your own look no further than Norwegian Cruise-line’s “Norwegian Epic” which offers studio-style cabins priced affordably for solo travelers. Other ships in the fleet also include solo lodgings as well as singles events, meeting lounges, nightclubs, and more. Accommodations are snug (100 square foot cabins and that’s including the bed) but if you don’t mind the tight fit it’s hard to beat the price. With an endless supply of bars, night clubs, karaoke, and even a bowling alley- it’s hard to imagine you’ll spend too much time in your cabin anyway! Departs from New York, Boston, and Florida with cruise destinations in The Bahamas, Bermuda, and Mexico.

Carnival

Carnival cruises have long been known as affordable fun cruises for the whole family. With 25 ships in the fleet and destinations all over the world Carnival has not forgotten it’s humble beginnings in the Caribbean. With home ports in Florida, Carnival’s Carribbean destinations are almost exclusively Eastern Mexico and The Bahamas. The fleet boasts children’s activities such as water slides, Imax theaters, and live entertainment while mom and dad can enjoy casino gambling, a variety of bars and restaurants, or “dive-in” movies, a poolside cinematic experience under the stars.

Check out Hotels Etc for the best cruise discounts on all of the above.

5 Best cruise destinations in the Caribbean

by hotelsetc, posted in travel, vacation

Cruise vacations to the Craibbean have taken on a whole new meaning in recent years with a large number of new suppliers entering the market with some of the best cruise vacation packages, and some equally amazing cruise ships. However, even with so many cheap cruise packages in the market, it can still be difficult choosing which one is most suitable for your trip.

With this in mind, sometimes it can be easier to choose a vacation package based on the best cruise destinations in the Caribbean and here our recommendations:

Cozumel, Mexico

This popular cruise destination off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is the perfect blend of culture, crafts and ancient civilization.

The centre of town may be highly populated with other tourists, but Cozumel still provides some of the best souvenirs and shopping options in all of Mexico. There are many small crafts such as china sets or quaint handmade board games but arguably the most popular items in town, are the wide selection of rare diamonds on offer.

Once you have finished acquainting yourself with the main town, there is a plethora of historical attractions scattered around the island which are waiting to be explored. Cozumel is infamous for the Mayans of course, and it is here, where you can travel deep into the rainforest to visit the San Gervasio ruins or Tulum, the most popular and spectacular of all the Mayan remnants on the island.

Old San Juan
San Juan offers an excellent variety of food, attractions and as with Cozumel above, great shopping.

The city in general has a spectacular and cosmopolitan appearance with a huge number of modern café’s, restaurants and a very lively nightlife but the old town is entirely the opposite and a great showcase of the 16th century origins of San Juan. Walking is the best way to see the old town and the many historic buildings create the illusion of  stepping back in time to an old city somewhere in Europe.
In terms of excursions, there are several day trip in San Juan but the most fascinating of these is El Morro, a Spanish fortress on the very edge of the peninsula. The fortress is a photographer’s dream and the perfect place to visit for an afternoon stroll amidst ancient civilization and pleasant surroundings.

Nassau, Bahamas

Nassau is one of the most alluring ports in which to arrive on a cruise, with the appearance of a very quaint town on a particularly small island.

There are many historic buildings to explore in the town such as Christ Church Cathedral or Parliament Square, but the highlight of the town itself most visitors, is usually the myriad of alleyways and backstreets which hide beyond the face of the waterfront.

Again, Nassau is a popular cruise stop but it is easy to see why as all the main attractions on the island are a short distance away, which is vitally important when limited for time. You can easily find affordable transport to any location and with interesting attractions such as Fort Fincastle or Queen’s Staircase.

Grenada
Grenada is one of the less visited parts of the Caribbean for cruise itineraries but for anyone who prefers to see culture or more traditional experiences but still enjoy the beach at the same time, this is most certainly the place to do it.
Waterfalls, lush mountains and stunning landscapes await in Grand Etang National Park those adventurous enough to take a hike and with Grenada being a Spice island, it also offers a nice opportunity to mingle with the locals in the town markets, where they sell ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, along with many different fresh produce such as coconuts or other fruits.
However, a trip to Grenada is still about the sun, sea and relaxation and the white sands of Grand Anse Beach are amongst the finest in the Caribbean. Taking into account that the island is less crowded than most destinations, Grenada is a very peaceful destination which offers a little bit of everything, just off the beaten track.

Falmouth, Jamaica

Falmouth is the youngest of all the ports on this list with it being built only a few years ago for the sole purpose of restoring a forgotten part of Jamaica. As a result, Falmouth is an extremely unique city full of Georgian architecture with a rich history to explore.

You can take a shore excursion to Ochos Rious or Montego Bay upon arrival to visit the beach, go snorkeling or even to swim with dolphins, but the most popular activity in Falmouth is actually to visit the nearby sugar plantations, for which the area is renowned.

Provided you stay in the same area for the day, Falmouth also makes for a very quaint and charming town to walk around. There are many boutique stores, markets and craft offerings while the famous Jerky Chicken is a must try, along with the incredibly fresh fruit which are grown local to the port.

Check out Hotels Etc for all the best cruise discounts or to book the best vacation packages to the Caribbean.

How to find the best cruise discounts online – Hotels Etc.

by hotelsetc, posted in cruise

Finding a cruise discount is getting harder everyday. Spending countless hours searching the thousands of cruise websites is very time consuming.

Source: How to find the best cruise discounts online – Hotels Etc.