Great Reasons To Take a Mediterranean Cruise in 2016

Cruises to the Mediterranean have been popular with Americans for many years.  Whether you are thinking about taking a cruise in the Med in 2016, are looking for a different type of European adventure; or if your just thinking of taking a cruise, then look no further than the Mediterranean.  There are plenty of different types of cruises in the Mediterranean for nearly every type of traveler.  If your looking for a romantic getaway, a sightseeing adventure, or a family vacation, the Mediterranean is the perfect destination!  Here are some great reasons you should cruise the Med this year:


1. Great Value

Cruises in the Mediterranean offer great value for your money because the fares include almost everything needed for a fantastic trip: accommodation, food, entertainment, and transportation between intended destinations.  On some cruises, kids are allowed to sail for free or at discounted rates when sharing a cabin with two or more adults.


2. You Can Visit Multiple Destinations

In the Mediterranean, cruises offer the ultimate in city breaks by allowing you to visit lots of island and cities on one holiday without having to pack and unpack as you go.  On one cruise alone, you might visit Lisbon, Florence, Rome, Athens, and Venice.  It's an understated luxury to be able to unpack your bags and arrive at each destination without countless planes, trains and hotels.


3. Easy to Plan

Due to the fact that cruises package together accommodation, food, and transportation, they are easy to plan.  They eliminate the need to travel on a cramped tour bus, drive a rented car and check in and out of hotels.  You just need to book your cruise and wait for your departure date.  You don't have to waste your time searching for hotels in your price range or thinking of how to coordinate between cities.

4. Variety

More than 30 cruise lines have numerous vessels in the Mediterranean, with each offering everything from luxurious yachts to resort-style family-friendly vessels packed with pools and kids clubs.  There are also adult-only ships, food & wine cruises and smaller luxury cruises which host less than 800 people.

There are also many itineraries to choose from.  You can cruise for days or weeks and visit lesser-known towns or world-famous cities.  Days in port allow plenty of free time to explore one on your own.

Eastern Mediterranean itineraries tend to focus on the Greek islands, Montenegro, Croatia and Venice while Western Med itineraries focus on Spain, France and Italy.

5. Floating Cities

While on a cruise ship, you don't need to worry about being stranded in the middle of the ocean with cell phone or internet connection problems.  The vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities such as high-speed internet access, cell services, and satellite tv to enable you to stay in touch (if need be) during your cruise.

Onboard, there are shops selling toiletries, medical centers and laundry facilities to wash your clothes.  There are other facilities like restaurants, gyms, swimming pools, theaters, spas and even casinos!

6. Countless World-Class Attractions

With everything from Roman and Greek remains to historic museums, a cruise around the Mediterranean is set to give you unforgettable experiences.

The Coliseum, Pantheon, Vatican, and the Ruins of Pompeii are some of the most famous attractions that you can visit on a cruise.  Other attractions worth mentioning include the Uffizi Gallery, Galleria dell'Academia, and La Ramla.


7. Wonderful Cuisine

The Mediterranean offers some of the finest cuisines in the world.  On and off the boat, you can taste Italy's pasta, Spain's tapas, France's cheese and seafood, and Greece's yogurt-based dips.  You also have to try the local wines from Italy and France.

5 Reasons to Go to Europe this Year

If you've been on the fence about a trip to Europe this year, maybe this will make you hop off.  If you do decide to go, especially this spring, the time to shop is now.


1. Shop now for good deals.

Because of the plunge in world oil prices over the last year, U.S. airlines have reduced or dropped fuel surcharges on many of their international routes.  The good news is, an average price reduction between 6 percent and 15 percent for flights to Europe compared to the same period in 2015.


2. The dollar is strong.

This may not make a lot of difference in perennially expensive cities like Venice and Paris, but it can mean savings in hotels and restaurants in lower cost destinations.  Experts quoted in numerous media reports advise that, when in Europe, do not accept offers to "pay in dollars"when using a credit card.  Although it may sound easier, it could mean a worse exchange rate for you.


3. Plan a trip for Spring

Traveling to Europe in the Spring costs much less than in the summer, when peak season prices kick in.  Look for fares to increase in mid May.  The sooner you go, the better - better being cheaper - because you'll save 15 to 30 percent by traveling before mid May compared with after.


4. Plan a trip for late Summer

In the airline universe, autumn begins around August 20th, so if you travel on that date or after (on most airlines) you will save 15 to 30 percent over prime-time summer fares.

5. Easy ways to cut airfare costs

Compare Fares: This sounds so simple but many ignore this step. Bad idea, because no single airline always has the best prices.  If you only look at one carrier's fares, you may pay way more than you have to.

Compare non-stops with connecting flights: You can often save big bucks by avoiding the convenience of a direct flight.  This is not always true, though (it can vary by route) so again, compare fares.

Include a Saturday: Many international flight deals require a Saturday night stay and if that's the case, booking a Sunday-to-Saturday trip could cost you.  Keep a Saturday night in your itinerary.

Look for less costly destinations: Try flying to one of the cheaper cities of Europe such as Dublin and use that as a launch pad to other cities, and travel on one of the continent's ultra-cheap discounters.  If you do this, pay close attention to the fees; some of those airlines have draconian baggage allowances and the extra fees and/or overweight costs can blow any savings.

Use miles: A trip to Europe might be the perfect time to use at least some of your miles.  Maybe you don't have enough for an award trip but you may have enough to significantly reduce the price of a ticket.

Brillance of the Seas Summer Sailings

Brillance Summer Sailings

This Spring, Have Your Best Vacation Ever

Want to escape the cold weather and the stress of work this spring?  Or perhaps you decide now is the time to do that bucket list travel adventure you have been dreaming about for yours.  Here are some great destinations for this spring that offer the perfect adventure but also pinpoint the sweet spots for getting best deals.

March

Namibia
Any safari is a splurge, but the cost of this trip for this trip of a lifetime during southern Africa's green season is a bargain and plunges dramatically.  Fortunately, Namibia is a desert country and only receives 2 inches of rain in March, and the water added to the lush green of the countryside.


April

Maryland's Eastern Shore
Come summer, this charming slice of Chesapeake coastline is packed with people, but it is just as lovely-and less crowded-in the spring.  Maryland crab season starts in April, and the sailboats hit the waters in the following weeks.


May

Tokyo
Once the cherry blossoms fade and Japan's Golden Week holidays are over, hotel rates in Tokyo drop 15% to 20% according to the Japan National Tourism Association.  More good news:  air fare price between the US and Tokyo is predicted to drop 20% compared to last year.


June

Umbria, Italy
Affordable Italy in June?  High rollers might head to Venice or the Amalfi Coast, but Umbria, a two-hour drive from Rome, is more affordable and blissfully less touristy despite its wealth of vineyards, olive groves, and hilltop villages.  The average hotel cost in Umbria is $59, vs. $145 in Tuscany.