Cruise Holidays Appeal Across the Ages

As recent reports have revealed that the number of British individuals taking to cruise holidays is increasing, an industry expert has revealed that there is no reason that such getaways shouldn't appeal to people of all ages. And whilst the traditional cruise passenger is often stereotypically characterised by their older age, new and modern boats are attempting to attract a younger crowd.

Explaining the changing phenomenon of the cruise industry, Cruise Critic's editor in chief, Carolyn Spencer Brown, revealed that cruises with unusual destinations or a wide range of onboard activities were rising in popularity. Meanwhile with cheap flights allowing for tourists to take opportunities of more adventuresome cruises further afield, younger passengers were beginning to take note. “Cruise lines have vastly improved the variety of activities on offer and updated classes to reflect the shifting demographic of those onboard,” Ms Spencer Brown explained.

In particular, cruise deals with unusual and unique activities have been shown to attract a wide range of people, with younger passengers taking interest in onboard cookery courses or digital photography classes. And with Marco Pierre White holding cooking demonstrations regularly on several liners, there are some big names to add to the mix. Meanwhile, with the upcoming autumn and winter season traditionally slow for the industry, younger passengers may just find an appealing and discounted cruise offer that provides a new and attractive getaway that they've never experienced before.

Cruise the Caribbean with Azamara Journey and the Far East with Azamara Quest

Azamara Journey offers some great Caribbean cruise deals along with Panama Canal cruises from November 2010 till April 2011. The cruises will include a vast array of 23 ports from 13 countries.

The not-to-be-missed Caribbean cruise on the Azamara Journey will have a roundtrip from Miami, visiting ports in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, St. Barts, St. Lucia and Dominica.

This Azamara cruise ship usually has all-adult crowds, but it’s best to check the particular cruise you choose.

The Azamara Quest cruises to the Far East give you the opportunity to sail across the Indian Ocean to exotic ports such as Dubai, Bombay, Cochin, Penang, Pt Kelang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and more. This premium cruise liner also has Middle East and Europe cruises that are similarly enticing.

The Azamara Quest has two specialty restaurants, concierge service, spa, piano bar, wine bar, live entertainment: basically, the works. It is a small cruise ship, hence an exclusive cruise holiday is guaranteed.

Both ships provide the purchase service called ‘ChoiceAir’, initiated by parent company Royal Caribbean Pvt Ltd. This service allows you to choose specific airlines and flight times while looking for the best published fares. So, you know the airline itinerary as soon as you book. Also the air support team from Azamara will be available to you before, during, and after the cruise at just a $15 fee per person for domestic flights and $25 per person for international air.

Thus, cruises with the Azamara ships – Quest and Journey – are your ticket to a memorable holiday. They are convenient, fun, and abound with luxury.

Captain's to perform wedding ceremonies at sea

Azamara and Celebrity Cruises now offer weddings with a difference in that you can be married by the ship’s captain in the new captain-led ceremonies. Currently offering a vow renewal and in-port wedding service, this new service will lead the way in cruise weddings with ships such as Celebrity Millennium able to offer on board weddings.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises Vice President of Hotel Operations believes "While many of our guests come onboard seeking a once-in-a-lifetime wedding or vow renewal location, and we've been happy to provide them with in-port weddings led by a local official, their number-one request is for captains to perform the ceremony," this request has now been granted and it offers the wedding guests a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Celebrity Cruises have recently re-registers most of their ships in Malta where government regulations have changed, allowing ship’s Captains to perform weddings at sea. Azamara Cruise ships were already registered at Malta and so there is now a wider choice of cruise weddings available.