Celestial Seas

Brits and accidents abroad

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:20:51 +0000

The latest British Behaviour Abroad report released by the FCO pinpoints two areas of rising concern, namely motorbike and moped accidents and the rising number of arrests abroad.

Thailand tops the list on accidents with 269 British deaths there in 2008. The figures mean that Thailand has the highest rate of deaths in proportion to the number of British tourists of any country worldwide. In the same period, an estimated 860,000 British tourists visited Thailand. The majority of 324 reported hospitalisations in Thailand were due to motorbike accidents and a high proportion are fatal.

Thailand has one of the world’s highest road traffic accident rates, almost all of which involve motorbikes. Thai law stating that safety helmets must be worn is widely ignored, according to the FCO, which contributes to the high number of deaths each year. On average 38 people a day die in motorcycle accidents abroad in Thailand. Further to that, some vehicles are not road worthy. The FCO says that many of the motorcycles and scooters that are available for hire in beach resorts are unregistered and cannot legally be driven on a public road. This could invalidate any travel insurance policy should the driver wish to make a claim.

On the subject of travel insurance, the report found that financial pressures are causing many British holidaymakers to forgo travel insurance in a bid to save money. The Foreign Office empahasize that getting comprehensive travel insurance means that, whilst an accident may disrupt your holiday, it won’t bankrupt you in extortionate medical or repatriation bills.

Equally worrying is the rising number of arrests abroad, with Spain a particular hotspot, where 2,032 Britons were arrested last year. This is higher than any other country, although, as a proportion of visitor numbers, the highest number of arrests was in the UAE followed by Thailand. The majority of arrests are drug-related, with one in seven relating to illegal substances. This is particularly so in Thailand where a quarter of arrests were due to drugs. The UAE also has a low tolerance of drugs, according to the FCO. Many Britons arrested in the UAE are transit passengers, who fall foul of the country’s strict drug laws, which prohibit some prescription drugs that are legal in the UK.

Northern Cyprus: An Exotic Mediterranean Wedding Destination

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:52:51 +0000

Looking for an exotic location in the Mediterranean for your wedding, but don’t want to pay an extortionate price? Northern Cyprus could just be your dream answer! The island is blessed with more than 300 days of Eastern Mediterranean sunshine, hundreds of miles of white-golden sand beaches and a dramatic landscape touched by the magic of more than 6,000 years of humanity. Weddings can be arranged at a number of venues across the island. There is also a selection of fine hotels and restaurants in which to stage a daytime or evening wedding reception.

Do your research
Getting married in North Cyprus needs a bit of planning. You can obviously make the wedding arrangements yourself, but if you do no live in North Cyprus it is highly recommended that you employ the services of the one of the island’s wedding planners. They have expert local knowledge that will make it so much easier to get the wedding arrangements you want in place.

Read before you book North Cyprus hotels as a wedding venue or for your wedding reception. Many hotels have special wedding offers available that include packaged services. For example, some North Cyprus hotels provide a wedding car, wedding flowers and wedding photography services. Coastal hotels are worth investigating if you wish to have access to private gardens with sea views, or a private beach on which to have your wedding photographs taken.

Whichever venue you choose for your wedding day, you’ll need to consider the logistics of access and transport for guests. The harbour town of Kyrenia, the quaint village of Esentepe and the historic citadel of Famagusta are all great locations that are easy to reach from the airport, and offer dramatic inland and coastal backdrops for your wedding day.

Honeymoon in North Cyprus?
You may wish to combine your wedding day with a honeymoon in North Cyprus. If you do you may want to book a hotel in a quieter location away from the main tourist hotspots. If that’s the case consider staying out along the tranquil Karpaz Peninsula that runs to the northeast. You won’t be disappointed!

Budget boutique accommodation in Venice

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:09:39 +0000

Venice has become a notoriously pricey destination for holiday-goers over the last decade but staying in budget accommodation doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. The city is home to a wide range of upmarket and boutique hostels which are not only affordable but funky crash pads to rest your head for the night. Here at Celestial Seas we have picked some of the best:

Locanda Art Deco

If art deco is your thing, this funky period residence located in the San Marco district houses a unique range of art deco furnishings and just a five minute walk from the ever-popular St Marks Square. Prices start at 30euros per person per night, leaving plenty of spare cash for an evening out on the town.

Alla Vite Dorata

If you want to experience charming Venetian hospitality at its most authentic then the recently restored Alla Vite Dorata provides the perfect retreat. Conveniently located just two steps from the Rialto bridge in the heart of Venice’s historic quarter, guests can enjoy being right in the hub of the city. Admire the restored beams in the rooms, some even boasting that quintessential Venetian canal view - all at a snip starting at just 35euro per person per night.

Ca’ Arco Antico Guesthouse

If you want a slice of Venice’s historic charm without compromising on a comfortable, contemporary place to stay, this charming Venetian guesthouse tastefully combines both old and new without costing the earth. Just a stone’s throw from the Basilica of the Frari, the Grand Canal and the thriving Rialto market and bridge, you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do nearby. It is also a great spot if you’re staying during the History Regatta, being right in the hub of all the action. Prices start at a welcoming 30euros per person per night.

And finally, just as accommodation in Venice can be a pricey affair unless you do your research, dining out can also be notoriously expensive unless you know where you’re going. Avoid the tourist-thronged Venice restaurants in the Rialto and Piazza San Marco areas – these tend to be over-priced and disappointing. Instead, head for smaller, more authentic neighbourhood ‘trattorias’ off the beaten path. A general rule of thumb is if it’s popular with the locals, the food will be of a higher quality and usually less expensive. Try the Dorsoduro or San Polo areas which offer a more rustic experience at a snip of the price.

Cruise Lines - All You Need To Know

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:12:53 +0000

Abhishek Agarwal asked:

Who are the people whom you refer to when you plan a pleasure trip with your loves ones on the ship? Whom do you contact to know and compare the prices of various voyage packages? Who are the people whom you contact when you need to make sure that your safety is ensured? Well, the answer to all these questions is “cruise lines”!

CRUISE LINE-WHO?

A corporation or an organization which operates cruise ships is popularly known as cruise line. They serve two purposes, namely, transportation and leisure pleasure trips. Apart from the headquartered employees and the administrative officers, the cruise line personnel also includes the captain of the ship, the cruise crew, hospitality staff members and a hotel manager or his equivalent.

Many cruise lines that are operating currently operating are straight from the family of conventional passenger shipping lines. The others originate from the original cruising organizations which were established early in the days of 1960’s.

WELL-LIKED AND FASHIONABLE CRUISE LINES:-

Presently, there are 52 major cruise lines that are operating in many parts of the world like Europe, United States, and Asia among others. And invariably, most of the headquarters of all these cruise lines are located in Europe and the United States. So, here is the list of the most popular and well known cruise lines:-

1. Birka line:

The starting point of this cruise line is Stockholm and its cruise activities mainly take place in and around the Baltic Sea. It is an Albanian cruiser ship and it mainly focuses on cruising activities. It was created post the acquirement of this ship named M/S Princessan was later rechristened as Prinsessan. The first cruise of this ship was between Stockholm and Mariehamn.

In the year 1972, this ship, took over the M/S Olav, after which it was renamed Baronessan. Many other ships were acquired with the passage of time and passenger ferries and cars have also been introduced in the Stockholm to Helsinki route. One other addition was the M/S Drottningen, a train ferry which provides service from Stockholm to Helsinki via the Leningrad route.

2. Carnival cruise line:

The carnival cruise line is one of the ancillaries of the carnival co. which is the largest cruise corporation in the world. They used to be the leader of shorter and cheaper cruises. They have also been the producers of large ships such as the Carnival Destiny which is the greatest passenger ship weighing 101,000 tons.

In the first quarter of April of 2006, the company has successfully incorporated two more cruise ships to their already existing fleet. The new ships have been named Carnival Freedom, which would be unveiled in the year 2007 and the other one is carnival Splendor, which would be getting a spring 2008 launch.

3. Crystal cruise lines:

The crystal cruise line made its debut in the year 1988 with three high-end medium sized ships. It is more popularly referred to as Crystal Cruises. The Japanese Shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kaisha owns it. These ships have been placed as one of the best cruises almost every year by the Conde Nast Traveler magazine. They have also been placed in the top twenty in almost all guidebooks.

4. Disney cruise line:

It is held by the world renowned Walt Disney company and has its headquarters in Celebration, Florida. Two ships are operated under this line namely, the Disney wonder and the Disney magic together with Castaway Cay, an island designed as a special port for all of Disney’s ships in the Bahamas.

There variation between the two ships lies in the entertainment sections and the restaurants. They have different areas designed as per the likings and preferences of different age groups right from toddlers to children to teenagers to adults.

5. Norwegian cruise lines:

This company has its base in Florida, Miami to be precise and was initially known to be the Norwegian Caribbean Lines when it was formed in 1966. It started off by providing voyages in the Caribbean region at lower costs.

The acquirement of the France cruise ship in the year 1979 which was later renamed and rebuilt as the Norway, laid the foundation stone for the beginning of the era of huge cruise ships that are available today..

There are a variety of other cruises which would suit every other pocket and would make their voyage one of the great memories in their life.

Choosing Cruise Lines - Tips For The Best Choice & Unleash The Fun Within!

admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:21:05 +0000

Abhishek Agarwal asked:

Is cruise vacation correct for you?

Where must you go?

Which cruise lines are correct for you?

All people have various questions regarding these cruises. Some people can’t decide if one cruise vacation might be right for all or for the family. Others don’t know what the cruise to take and many can’t decide where it may go.

You should know whether a cruise vacation would right for your family and you. To begin with, anyone might go for some cruise. All that is needed for thinking about is the cruise which is correct for you. Ask this question yourself, about what you are looking for in particular?

Is it that it’s relaxing and romantic, parties, fully of activities, or some of all? Choose which appeal to you very much. Once you decided about what you would want to do during a cruise holiday, it’s easy for finding one which is correct for you all.

Ask some local travel agent which specializes on some cruise vacations which tell the different packages given by cruise lines and ask the friends who went for a cruise vacation previously about this trip.

You may have to learn about the various types of cruises. Many kinds of cruise vacation offer every people’s needs and various interests. There’re luxury cruises in which they give high-class amenities as rival those like five-star hotels on land.

You may also take exploration cruises in which cruise lines give travel for places like the Amazon, Galapagos Islands, also many such unusual destinations. There’re cruises which offer travel for many ports of various countries.

Here, you may explore various cultures of various countries which your cruise is visiting. Family oriented cruise is also available. These types of cruises are recommended for family travellers, especially with kids.

These have various onboard and inland programs which will suit some adults and children too. They give special packages for children, so they would always have things to do for not getting bored or restless even.

These types of cruises are got in the market presently. You must choose one from where all may relax and rejoice. Choosing a cruise line where you might want to spend the vacation is also very important. There are some factors which you must keep in mind while choosing some cruise. Here are some:

• Price - You must know the amount you can afford over a cruise. Prices on cruises vary. If you want one first class cruising experience, you must prepare for spending a lot of cash. There are many cruises which offer economy class which might enable you for saving money while going in some cruise.

• Itineraries - You must also know where a cruise may take you. Going destinations you like may maximize the relaxation and enjoyment during one cruise vacation. They offer various destinations; you may choose for which destination appeals as the best.

• Passengers - Cruise lines which attract various kinds of passengers. Selecting the type of people whom you want to mix with is very important for enabling you to be better and have fun.

All these information are readily available in one travel agency. However, it may also available on the internet. Using the net for obtaining information about some particular cruise is very much convenient and you may compare almost every type of cruises quite easily.

The net also gives articles which are written by various people about the opinion about a cruise vacation. You may base the decision on some articles and sites alone, but it’s still your decision about your place of visit.

Check and Compare Prices of Hotels In Order To Find the Best Deal

admin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:04:20 +0000

Darren asked:

The world of Internet is like a magic. You can get any type of information regarding any topic just by typing in a few words. The Internet has brought a revolutionary change in every business and trade. Today, you can book a room in any hotel at any corner of the world. All you need for that is just an Internet connection. So, if you wish to visit the city of Paris, you can easily avail of the services of Paris hotels just by clicking a mouse.

Online hotel booking offers various benefits. First of all, it allows you to check and compare the price of various Paris hotels so that you get the most economical deal. You get to know not only about the hotels, but also about the place when you book a hotel. Online hotel reservation will save your time, money, and energy.

Online booking of hotels in Paris gives you information about the hotel policies, such as the check in and check out time. The cancellation policies are also provided online. Whilst booking a hotel online, you will come to know about the special hotel deals offered by various hotels. These hotel deals help you make your trip affordable and enjoyable.

Online hotel reservation also provides the viewers with property description, whether it is a five star hotel, three star hotel, or a budget hotel. You can also have a glance at the images of the hotel and the amenities provided by it. You can also check what business facilities and recreational facilities you can avail of by staying in a particular hotel.

Online hotel booking offers you the opportunity to check room availability along with the room types available. You can opt for single room, double room, family room, or suite in luxury or discount hotels. The best thing about the online booking facility is that most sites offer 24 hour booking facility.

One site that offers you hotel booking facility is the Hotels Online. It contains an extensive database of hotels from all over the world. You can easily book star-rated or cheap hotels as per your specific requirements and budget. If you want to know more about booking hotels in Paris or about booking luxury or cheap hotels, log on to www.hotelsonline.com.

Make Your Stay Memorable In India By Residing In Excellent Hotels!

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:23:53 +0000

Sadhana Dhanyal asked:

Hotel industry receives the major part of revenue by foreigners visiting the country. Foreigners visiting India can look forward to exquisite stay at hotels. There are many hotels which offer excellent facility to visitors. You can choose from a range of heritage hotels, five star hotels, in the country. You are assured of excellent service.

In recent years, hotel industry in India has witnessed tremendous boom. It contributes to the growth of hotel Industry in India too. Not just that, it also creates more jobs. This also boosts the economy. Depending on your personal requirement and affordability, you can choose the hotel of your choice. You can also get affordable and luxury hotels. The hotel industry is also known to contribute to the growth of domestic and international tourism. Several steps have been taken by the government in recent years which has boosted the travel industry.

In the wake of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai on November 26, hotels across the country have beefed up security measures. The hotel industry witnessed decreased visitors after the terror strikes. To tackle the problem, the hotel industry has taken some stringent measures. India has a rich cultural heritage. There are numerous historical monuments in the country. Every state is unique and has a story of its own to tell. You can find excellent accommodation at any of the hotels in India. Travel guides will guide you to get best accommodation which offers excellent service. State your preferences and you are assured of the best service. If you are looking forward for economical hotels, you can get them too. Delhi and Calcutta hotels are known for excellent service. Make your stay in the country enjoyable and pleasant.

India’s hotels offer excellent value for money for Western travellers. You can choose from a wide variety of accommodations which fits into your budget. You can also get luxury stay or a unique boutique hotel with an Indian feel, a moderately priced Indian chain accommodation, or an overnight stay in a palace. The choice is unlimited. India’s hotel rating system revolves around size and facilities the hotels offer. Hotels with upgraded security system are available at affordable prices.

hotel finance

admin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:16:42 +0000

addy bworn asked:

Hotel Finance

A hotel finance is a type of loan which a hotel or hotel chain would look to acquire. There are a number of reasons why hotel lenders exist to help hotels looking for financing options. Some of the most common reasons a hotel or hotel chain may get hotel finance include the following:

Building a new individual hotel or a new hotel as part of a hotel chain. Hotels are expensive structures. A number of things attribute to their cost. Their size is the most notable factor. In addition, each room in a hotel will often contain many of the same amenities that would be found in a home. Because of this high build cost it is often necessary to obtain a hotel finance to cover the building expenses. Without hotel finance, it might not be attainable. Renovating a hotel is another common reason to obtain hotel finance. Typically the renovation process of a hotel is relatively expensive. The overall cost is based on the size of the hotel and the number of rooms.

Hotels looking for hotel finance will often get assistance from a commercial loan broker. These brokers will work with the hotel and several lenders to find the best possible hotel finance options available for the hotel based on its credit rating and revenue figures.

Hotels looking for hotel finance will often get assistance from a commercial loan broker. These brokers will work with the hotel and several lenders to find the best possible hotel finance options available for the hotel based on its credit rating and revenue figures.

Hotels looking for hotel finance will often get assistance from a commercial loan broker. These brokers will work with the hotel and several lenders to find the best possible hotel finance options available for the hotel based on its credit rating and revenue figures.

http://www.businessfinancebroker.com

http://www.businessfinancebroker.com/Business-Loans.html

http://www.businessfinancebroker.com/Corporate-Loans.html

http://www.businessfinancebroker.com/Constructions-Loans.html

http://www.businessfinancebroker.com/Application-Form.php

My Wife is at it Again – This Time a Cruise to Acapulco

admin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:15:46 +0000

William Lund asked:

It started out as a simple week long cruise to Alaska. My wife and I are avid cruisers…well my wife is and she drags me along. It may appear as though I am enjoying myself, but really I just want to get back to work. My wife lets me work pretty much all the time, so I want her to enjoy the cruise. For her to enjoy the cruise she has to think I am having fun too, so that’s why I pretend to enjoy myself.

Anyway, back to the Alaskan cruise…some people we met on a cruise were going to go, and so we were going to go along as well. It’s always fun to cruise with people you’ve met before…assuming you like them of course. A couple of cruises back we went on a cruise to the Caribbean where a large number of people had been yakking at each other on the Cruise Critics message board for almost a year. People all going on the Caribbean cruise of course. It turned out to be a fantastic cruise. We had so much fun with this huge group of people. We referred to it as 62 best friends meeting for the first time. We had some group party’s and a couple of blow-up dolls as mascots and we even had a Pirate theme. It made the whole cruise far more fun. Well for Kathy it was a lot of fun, I was just pretending of course. There are a lot of pictures of the cruise, the group, and even the mascots at my cruisesrfun website.

But I digress…back to the Alaskan cruise. Well, it turned out that a whole bunch of those folks that went on that Caribbean cruise decided to do another cruise together, this time to Acapulco Mexico. The next thing I knew our Alaskan cruise had become our Acapulco cruise. I much prefer hot weather to warm and warm to cold, so I had not been looking forward to the Alaskan cruise, but a cruise to sunny Mexico would be another story. Er uh at least it would be easier to pretend to enjoy the cruise.

One of the nifty things about this cruise is it stops at Zihuatanejo, which is where my step son and his wife got married on the beach. Actually, the beach was called La Playa Ropa, and the wedding was at a restaurant called La Perla. Well…we thought why not invite our son and his wife and his sister and her husband to go along too. They are great fun and our son’s wife is Mexican and speaks fluent Spanish…it makes her very handy when in Mexico.

This cruise to Acapulco is at the end of October. We will be on the ship for Halloween. You know what that means. It means that there will be a mandatory costume party. At least it will be mandatory for anyone married to my wife. Jeeze. UPS has been making stops at my house several times a week lately bringing things like big fancy ear rings and costumes, and dresses…lots of dresses. My wife Kathy really likes to dress up on these cruises. I pretend I don’t mind donning my tuxedo a couple of times each cruise. Apparently I will also be getting dressed up as a Mexican Bandito…with bandoliers holding shot glasses instead of bullets, and holsters that hold tequila bottles. Kathy is going to go as “Miss Piggy” dressed as “Big Bird”. Doesn’t make sense to me either, but check out our website in early November to see for yourself.

This cruise is aboard the Carnival Spirit, and we have never cruised on Carnival. The last cruise I was on was aboard the HAL Oosterdam, a ship we’ve traveled on twice. On that cruise I had my iphone, and I could check my email and visit my favorite websites from almost anywhere on the ship. I hope that’s the case with the Spirit. As usual I will do a cruise review and post it on cruisesrfun.

Kathy has been in near constant communication with one of that group of 64, Judy, who happens to be a Travel agent. So now we’ve been moved around, up graded and God knows what else, but we apparently have the perfect state room…with a wrap-around balcony and plenty of room for that cocktail party. On this cruise our group will be around 20 people, and I know Kathy and two of her friends are planning at least one cocktail party for the entire group. A lot of the original group of 64 still chat on the boards, and of course this upcoming cruise has a message board at cruise critics site, and there is daily chatting. I never get involved in that stuff; I leave it all to Kathy.

The cruise begins in San Diego, and we will be staying overnight in the same hotel as the last time we cruised. Kathy has booked us a room where we can stand on the balcony and watch the ship dock early in the morning. Last time it was at like 5:00 a.m. or something…I don’t really understand the attraction., but I am pretty sure that at some un-Godly hour I’ll be up watch the ship pull up to the dock.

We usually build web pages about our cruise as we go, and upload them to the CruisesRfun website from the ship. This time we will be doing the same thing. I have a new digital camera that takes nice movies, and I would really like to begin incorporating videos into my website. If we can upload at a reasonable speed I’ll certainly have some cool videos posted on the site before the end of the cruise. If I am really lucky I’ll be able to get some really embarrassing footage of my children for all of their friends to view.

On this trip at least, what happens in Mexico will definitely NOT stay in Mexico. Vive la Internet!

Locating Beautiful Budget Hotels in Delhi India

admin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:13:52 +0000

Jason Creation asked:

There are plenty of hotels in Delhi, India. Delhi Hotel prices and comfort levels differ, as they do in most other places. You can choose from guest houses, budget hotels and two, three, four and five star hotels in Delhi.

Prices for budget hotels in Delhi range from 1000 rupees a night to 8000 rupees a night, between $20 and $160 a night; a lot depends on where the hotel is situated. Most of the mid-priced budget hotels look to be fairly basic but very comfortable. 2 star hotels in Delhi also incorporate some budget hotels like the Hotel Leo Continental.

The price for the deluxe room is just over $40 a night, things like laundry, telephone and color television are all extras, which is something you need to take into account when booking budget hotels in Delhi.

3 star hotels in Delhi include the Apri Inn which is close to central shopping areas and main restaurants. Rooms at the Clark International hotel cost between sixty and a hundred dollars a night - 3000-5000 rupees - but are far closer to western notions of comfort.

The Delhi Clark International hotel has its own conference room and a large restaurant that serves a wide variety of dishes and drinks. The Dahleez Hotel is also a 3 star hotel and accommodation starts at 3000 rupees or $60 a night, again, most other services as noted above are extra. 3 star hotels are certainly superior to many of the budget hotels in Delhi and the rooms are more suited to western tastes.

4 and five star hotels in Delhi India include the Hotel Connaught in New Delhi which promises luxurious surroundings and wonderful works of art to business people and travelers. The price structure for 4 star hotels in Delhi is a bit confusing as they range from 4000 rupees at the luxurious looking Avalon Courtyards Resort to a starting price of 8001 rupees at the Hotel Connaught.

You may also find the Avalon Courtyards listed as a 5 star hotel so you need to do a bit of research to determine which level of accommodation would be best for you.

Rates at the 5 star Centaur hotel start at 8001 rupees or $160 a night but this hotel is also rated as among the deluxe hotels in Delhi, India. The hotel has 376 guest rooms and suites each with direct dial telephone, television and refrigerator.

The Centaur hotel is very close to the central airport in Delhi, which makes it popular with business people as well as tourists. The hotel has two restaurants, a bar that serves a range of Indian and imported liquors and a coffee shop where guests can get drinks and light meals around the clock.

Some of the best hotels in Delhi, India, boast their own shopping malls, beauty parlor and barber shop. Hotels like the Centaur also have fully equipped health centers and sports facilities. If you really want to splash out then you might want to try the Taj Mahal luxury hotel, with one of the most famous names in the capital and 40 minutes drive from the international airport.

The hotel is close to the seat of Government in the Lutyens area of Delhi and offers wonderful architecture together with modern facilities. Prices start at 17000 rupees a night at the Taj Mahal but come with all the facilities that you would expect from luxury hotels the world over. If you want to see the cream of hotels in Delhi then just one night at the Taj Mahal, could spoil you for life.