Some Things to Consider When Looking for Cruise Deals for Your Next Holiday

Many people are taking advantage of all of the attributes a cruise holiday offers, with many people choosing to sail to some of the world's most beautiful or exotic locations around the globe.

Taking a cruise holiday can often have many advantages over a conventional package holiday where you have to fly to your destination. With a cruise, you actually begin your holiday as soon as you step onto the cruise ship, so you can instantly relax and get into the holiday spirit, unlike people stuck in an airport departure lounge waiting for their flight.

Here is a brief guide and some tips which might help you find the best deal or cruise holiday which offers the best value for your holiday budget.

If you have the luxury being able to book in advance, spend plenty of time researching your cruise holiday options and try to find a deal which suits both your preferred holiday itinerary and your budget. Time spent researching on the internet could save lots of money in the long run. If you want to save even more money, book well in advance as if you can book for the following year's travel you are likely to beat inflation and currency changes in the coming year.

In contrast, if you have supreme flexibility, try to book through the last-minute offers advertised. In many cases, if you can book last-minute, perhaps within the current month of sailing, you could well find the cruise holiday operators who will cut the prices of their current cruise packages before they are due to sail.

Again, if you are flexible about you cruise plans, why not consider a cruise and fly option? In some cases, a one way cruise and a fly home option can save you money over a cruise both ways.

If you are not tied to a particular time of year, then why not sail out of the peak season to a particular location? Sailing off-season can see you make a considerable saving over sailing during peak periods of the holiday season.

How about travelling as a group? If you can organise a larger number people together for a cruise holiday, say eight or ten plus people in your family, you will find the price can be reduced over standard fares. Alternatively, if you belong to a club or an organisation and you would like travel as a group, you could either save a percentage of the cost or you might even be able to negotiate a free cabin for yourself. If you spend the time to plan your cruise holiday, the savings could be immense.

A Tale of Two Castles, Visiting Old San Juan Puerto Rico

Towering over the city, the ancient battlements stand guard. Construction of these immense forts and walls began in the 1500's by the Spaniards to protect their treasure ships. They finished over 250 years later. San Juan, Puerto Rico is one of many old fort cities that once dotted the Caribbean. Remnants of the massive walls that once surrounded the city remain visible in many parts of old San Juan. The jewels of the city, Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal still loom large. Enter the city by boat and El Morro dominates the horizon. Once docked, a short walk brings guests to San Cristobal. El Morro guarded the bay. Larger and 200 years newer, San Cristobal once guarded the land east of the old city. In the late 1800's, about a third of San Cristobal was razed to improve traffic flow through the city. The United States added bunkers and artillery during World War 2. Now both castles invite tourists to defend the city with dollars to help keep the economy viable rather than soldiers with weapons repelling the many enemies who threatened the city throughout the centuries.

Both castles are World Heritage Sites, under the protection of the National Park Service. El Morro, as it is referred to, also has a cathedral and an old cemetery with the remains of Ponce de Leon. To the delight of many visitors, iguanas mow the grass at San Cristobal. Quite used to human intrusion, they almost seem to pose for the numerous pictures people take of them.

A stroll through the blue brick cobblestone streets of town reveals colonial architecture, brightly colored buildings, and cats sleeping in fanciful doorways. The blue bricks are a remnant of Spain of the 1800's. Furnace slag brought over from Spain as ship's ballast, they make for unique and beautiful streets. Modern cars have some difficulty maneuvering on streets intended for horse and buggy use. They often ride over the curb while turning corners.

Transportation: Your own two feet can get you around Old San Juan if you have the time and the energy. Other options include the hop on, hop off bus, the free Forest Service shuttle, and bike rentals.