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Cruise Holidays is a "sampler" of several exotic locations

To cruise or not to cruise – is a question that many of our friends face middle age. Many people think that cruises are a group of young people 24 / 7 parties, or elderly people enjoying their golden years.

The truth is that most cruises fall somewhere in between, although there are cruise lines and destinations known to appeal to very young or very old. We just returned from our second trip on Holland America Line – this time for the western Caribbean – and we found two of these cruises are a handful of young, a little as above, but many people like us who were in the middle.

When friends ask us if they should try a cruise, it is said by all means. We believe Cruise as a kind of sampling of the holiday – a week or 10 days in which you try several destinations and decide what you think you pleasure of visiting for a holiday together. The problem for us is that we often feel we spend more time on a port departure time.

But consider the benefits. With the crossing, you never have to unpack your bags more than once while before changing the destinies of their eyes. Most cruise lines, food is-muss, smoothly, always cooked and ready for you to eat when hungry – and when you're not. Meals are usually covered in your fee, while alcoholic beverages are extra. Most onboard activities are covered and that the shore excursions at additional cost. Dining arrangements usually placed in situations where it is easy to meet new friends.

Our most recent cruise on the Veendam from Tampa Florida, visiting Cozumel, Mexico, Montego Bay, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. This path seven days was in the right combination of shore time – a day by destination – and cruising. The Veendam produces a program each day outlining the myriad of activities that are available for passengers. The line-up is impressive – class spa, yoga classes, cooking classes, business courses, seminars, art, games and many activities entertainment, live entertainment, high-quality theaters, pubs and restaurants – and even the Catholic Mass

We stress to parents raising children, Holland America Line makes Club Hal available for passengers wishing to submit their children to primary school puberty. It was a hit with our seven years who enjoyed games and crafts, but especially liked the idea of making new friends on board who were his age. There's a separate meeting and program area for teenagers.

On the Veendam, our "triple" stateroom has given us a pair of single beds and a sofa bed for my daughter to sleep. With plenty of cupboards and drawers, the few hundred square feet does not seem particularly low. We do not have a roof – or private balcony – but going with just a window that saved us about $ 500 per week.

Although a large terrace to relax in privacy, check out a book and watching the sea, we found an excellent substitute for Veendam: Deck 6. This is the promenade deck outdoors that aligns with a row of chairs ideal for viewing the landscape. Also when we did our daily walk – four times around to walk a mile.

Port Days can be planned in advance by buying trips and boat tours, snorkeling on TRIPS and several tours. We made a diving adventure – in the Nautilus "submarine" Grand Cayman, which proved particularly important to see the fish life in abundance in the Bay George Town – but in general we have preferred to have no fixed schedule for all our days in port. Our preference is for a short walk from the city on your own, taxis and local buses needed to see the sites that we have read.

As expected, great beaches and warm water swimming and snorkeling are abundant in these three destinations. But each destination has its own flavor and attractions and we especially enjoyed destinations like Port Street Montego Bay Craft Market – where we enjoyed getting to know local merchants and vendors – and Cozumel Chankanaab National Park, where there are beaches galore, giant iguanas run wild and even a pool where visitors can swim with dolphins. On the island of Grand Cayman, we found the perfect dive beach Seven Mile Beach – ideal because the water was clear, the abundance of fish and the few.

Back on the Veendam, the food prepared in general to a high level and usually ate breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria-style Lido restaurant, and dinner in the dining room of Rotterdam. There were three formal evenings – meaning everybody gets to dress for dinner – with all other meals remaining casual. Interestingly, we heard some complaints from older passengers had no cafeteria dining room too, not enough formal – and yet, you probably would have preferred more informal dining. It is hard to please everyone all the time.

With Holland America Line, is a $ 10 each passing day to file your flight attendant, waiters and others who helped during their stay the ship. Frankly, we were happy to pay – the service was so good any thirty-six star hotel, we visited always cheerful and responsive. For decades, Holland America Line has hired most of the ship workers from Indonesia and the Philippines – to the point of creating training centers in these areas – and there appears to be a good marriage. second and third generation workers are happy to continue the footsteps of their parents and Holland America Line continues to score high with passengers in the category of services.

One thing our friends sometimes ask is this story about people falling ill during the cruise. In fact, with new arise from time to time about the illness on board cruise ships – including a very recent episode on a ship based in San Diego – it is natural that prospective passengers want to know if TV will be safe at sea, newspapers and jump over the internet history and you can almost feel the air being expelled from the industry as cruise lines try to unring the bell of the negative publicity.

In this most recent cruise, spent some time with the captain and his senior staff about precautions lines Holland America Line employees (and even cruise) to prevent an outbreak of disease gastrointestinal. The captain and his team explained that once a virus is unleashed, it is very difficult and takes time to purify the whole ship. And if the Holland America Line for some takes an active time battle – what they call a "code of" alert – that encourages passengers to wash their hands frequently and avoid physical contact with other passengers. The Veendam greeting, the captain said – only the pleasant half – is to touch your elbows, not shake his hand.

In fact, even before the foot on board the Veendam, we had been told to wash our hands with one of the dozens of Purell dispensers placed around the ship. When we went to eat, distributors were ready. Y we realized the boat ramps were cleaned and polished several times a day just to avoid transferring germs.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Veendam Holland America Line is now cruise from Tampa, Florida. This trip includes destinations in the western Caribbean.

WHAT: cruises, either in the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera or any other part of the world is becoming more popular among baby boomers who love the comfort and convenience.

WHEN: Any time year, depending on your destination. Cruise lines usually change the position of the vessels to capitalize on the interest of passengers has increased from certain destinations during certain seasons.

WHY: Cruising, in short, is nearby. Ships today are so important there are many activities to keep you busy. Cruise also a way for you to visit multiple destinations within a short trip without having to pack and unpack bags at each stop ..

HOW: For more information Holland America Line cruise, phone or visit www.hollandamerica.com 877-SAIL-HAL.

About the Author

Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer. His company publishes CaliforniaWeekend.com which focuses on California getaways, and NorthwestTravelAdvisor.com covering Washington travel, as well as getaways in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia.

Jamaican Elmo = Batty Puppet