The Advantages & Disadvantages of Small Luxury Cruise Lines

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There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages, ups and downs in everything in life. In cruising with small luxury lines, there are also two sides to it. Small cruise lines are those cruise lines that are often not too heard of. These smaller luxury lines however, are also competitively able to lure in the customers they need.

Choosing to cruise with smaller more intimate line might come short on your standard of quality service if you are used to cruising with the top of the line cruise ships. If you are one of those people who enjoy the crowd, small luxury cruise ships might not give you the number of heads you would consider a crowd. The amenities and different on-board classes and activities available might also be limited, considering the cruise line and crowd is smaller. But it is not all bad however.

Cruising on smaller ships can also do you wonders in terms of the privacy you might want to have during the trip. Another thing that you will not have to worry about is lining up for amenities, using the facilities, and even in getting served in a timely manner when it comes to food. There is also a higher chance of befriending the crew since there are only a number of them, but enough to give that personalized service to each and every person on board.

If you choose to sail on a smaller more private ship or a big luxury line, whichever you choose, you will surely enjoy. Weigh your options and priority and see whether it is the big or small ships that can best cater to your needs. Cruising is definitely one experience you will undoubtedly remember!

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Source by Rebecca Robbins

Cruise Lines Reviews – Which Line Is Best for You?

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Cruising has become a hugely popular vacation option, not just in the States, but in many countries around the world now. Cruise lines reviews can certainly help you make up your mind as to which line you would like to sail on and also which of the many beautiful itineraries available you would to try.

Due to the massive popularity in the cruise vacation industry, there are so many different cruise companies for you to choose from these days. They all differ from one another and have their own unique selling points. A cruise company will often try to create its own little niche within the massive cruise market. This is what you need to look for in order to determine which line you would like to sail on.

Cruise Lines Reviews – Information on a few of the leading cruise lines

Carnival Cruises:

Carnival Cruises is the flagship line of the huge Carnival Corporation & PLC, which is now the largest cruise operator in the world. The Carnival fleet itself is known for catering for the younger 'party' crowd. They currently have 23 ships in their fleet, the majority of which sail in and around US and Caribbean waters. They do have a couple of ships that go as far as Europe and Hawaii, but the younger crowd that they cater for generally prefers to spend less on a cruise and more when they get on-board.

Princess Cruises:

Princess Cruises is now actually part of Carnival Corporation as they merged back in 2002. Princess Cruises is known for its elegant ships and itineraries that span the globe. They have very elegant interiors and the typical guest on a Princess cruise is a more mature one that favors the scenic cruising rather than the busy night activities. This being said, they do have some very busy ships, especially the ones that sail in the Caribbean in the winter time.

Royal Caribbean Cruises:

Royal Caribbean are known for their enormous ships. They currently have the largest cruise ships on the seven seas and their Oasis class, which consists of the two ships, the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas. These two ships each weigh in at a staggering 225,282 gross tonnage, carry up to 6360 passengers and have a crew of over 2000 to keep them running smoothly. Royal Caribbean ships are also well known for the activities they provide on-board such as their ice-skating rinks, climbing wall, a wave surfing pool and even a boxing ring. They have massive promenades that run through the middle of the ship, with shops, bars and restaurants lining each side. The typical guest on a Royal Caribbean cruise is somewhere in the middle of a Carnival guest and a Princess guest.

Holland America Line:

Holland America line is another cruise company that operates underneath the Carnival Corporation umbrella. Carnival actually purchased Holland America Line back in 1988 and has helped them go from strength to strength. They do not go for the massive ships that other lines such as Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival have. They like to have smaller, more intimate ships that sail to beautiful itineraries all over the world. The typical guest on-board a Holland America Ship is an older guest, mostly retired and can afford to do the longer itineraries too far off places that they like to offer.

These are just brief cruise lines reviews of four very different cruise lines. There are many more to choose from, but this will give you an idea of ​​how they can vary and what they have to offer.

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Source by Paul T Hooper

EMT and Paramedic Jobs on Cruise Ships

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While EMT training can get you employment in a wide array of employment sectors, cruise ship lines are not one of them. That is not to suggest if you take a cruise you might be left without medical aid or emergency medical services. Cruise lines usually employ nurses and physicians. There is little need to employ an EMT or EMT paramedic as most of the ships are fully outfitted to deal with the majority of medical emergency or situation. Remember, EMT training and paramedic training supply a profession usually reserved for "first responders", offering essential emergency care services when medical facilities are not often accessible.

Each cruise is very different too, not only in how the cruise line is run, but because numerous ships are flagged out of other countries. Many countries have no idea the quantity of EMT training and EMT paramedic training that go in to becoming certified as an EMT or paramedic. Many countries also have a totally different definition and knowledge of the medical training and medical ability of those trained for emergency services. I personally had an uncle who had a diabetic incident while on board a cruise. His understanding of emergency medical care and that of the doctor on board were every different. There was no "first responder" EMT or paramedic available. However, once his condition was understood by a staff member of the cruise, he was immediately put into the ship's medical facility and given adequate care. The only real difference was there was no EMT trained personnel who responded instantly to see him safely to the medical facility where he'd be cared for. That was left to his wife, my aunt, and the staff.

This is not to say that a person with EMT training does not have any chance to operate on a cruise line, should that be your desire. Many cruise lines hire contract work, employing qualified EMTs and EMT paramedics. Their role is to come aboard and instruct techniques such as ACLS (advanced cardiac life support), PALS (pediatric advanced life support), and BLS (basic life support) to the medical staff, and re-train or re-certify a number of the staff and crew in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and the utilization of an AED (automated external defibrillator).

Nonetheless, most cruise lines want and employ nurses or doctors. There are a large amount of organizations hiring those with EMT training and EMT paramedic training, and you should consider looking elsewhere. If you wish to go on a cruise and were seeking to work your way on board, bypass that idea, pay the full price, and go enjoy the cruise.

One last note: Occasionally cruise lines will make special offers, including discount rates on specific cruises, to a unique selection of prospective customers. Often these offers are directed to customers who are active, retired, or volunteer EMTs or EMT paramedics. All you need to do is present a copy of your EMT training certification or EMT ID badge and a driver's license when booking and you will be eligible for exclusive discounted rates.

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Source by Linda Dahl

Off to Sea As a Dealer on a Cruise Ship

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Off to sea to being a Dealer on a Cruise Ship, all the exciting and borings bits that we need to take into account when taking this big step in life.

Now of course we have all heard these exciting stories from friends or casino colleagues of being a cruise ship dealer. It might be that we are attracted to saving tons of money, or simply having a great party lifestyle or else to travel the world. One of those previous listed things calls out to us like this little voice in our head, that we also would like to follow this path in life and go to sea on a cruise ship.

During your time as a dealer there is always someone that has done ships or their friend has. It is a matter of course in the wonderful world of casinos on land, with all that lovely word of mouth, wherever you may be in this lovely world of ours, whether in England, South Africa or in the rest of the world.

Steps to take that action to become the dealer on a ship.

Of course, you have to take that first step in deciding that you do want to take action and contact the hiring agent in your country of origin. Yes you will generally have to do the infamous table test which is part of life in casinos, so that you are not pulling a fast one on them and that they can actually physically and mentally see that you are able to deal all the games you said you can. As well as actually dealing is getting the Blackjack payouts right or the bets on roulette, knowing the Craps payouts and any payouts for other games you deal.

Getting on board the cruise ship

Now to once on board the amazing cruise ship, another world awaits you. You will generally start working that night unless you are extremely lucky and have the night off. Yes you will get shown the ropes and get on to your first live game as a dealer. The butterflies are probably going crazy in your tummy but like all things once you get over that first time on your table. Its like going on stage, you have had your stage fright, now that's all gone and done, just put a smile on your face and get on with the rest of the night. These players on cruise ships are paying to take the cruise and want to have fun, so chat and have fun, have a laugh with them and you will make some jockeys as well.

On a cruise ship you have lots of safety training to get through and some other shipboard training but like all things it passes very quickly so just get on with it and be the dealer. The first week is always a nightmare but it does fly by and of course all the very early mornings and working late at night, it will be tiring you just have to get through the first week, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

You generally do and hour or more on the tables, then you get your 20 minute break, depending on the ships rules, you can either go to your cabin, go to the shops, have a quick look at the shows or just chill. It is your time to have a break to rest your mind and be ready for your next stint on the tables.

The fun times that can be had as a dealer on board a cruise ship.

Now to after work, when you have finished for the night there are always parties, crew parties, the crew bar or staff bar, if you want that social life it is all there. Casino staff do like to party and drink, just remember if your original purpose was to see the world, do not forget to that partying until breakfast you will end up sleeping your contract on board away. You will find that at the end of your contract, firstly you will not have saved a penny, drank all your money down the drain, slept away your contract. It is all about moderation, you can still have a few but still manage to go ashore in all the ports and see those amazing places when your ship docks. You can always have a power nap before work and you will feel great to get to be th e cruise ship dealer. It is all about having fun and moderation or knowing when to get some sleep in before work. You can have both just learn how to manage your time.

To get a casino job on a cruise ship you do need a few years casino experience behind you, craps dealers or dice are always in demand, for cashiers normally working in a bank or change bureau is needed to apply for a cruise job. Some companies recommend you take this course on cruise ship work, why they do I am not sure, something about an diploma to get to do cruise ship jobs. In other countries you apply to your hiring agent for Royal Caribbean or the cruise line you would like to apply to. For casinos on cruise ships there used to be casino concessions as well but there are not that many around, mostly on the smaller vessels in the Mediterranean, most cruise lines run there own casinos nowadays.

Some of the requirement for casino dealer jobs on ships:

  1. Proof of Gaming Board and / or Commission approved dealer school or international equivalency.
  2. Two years dealer experience dealing Blackjack, Dice, American Roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker and various other casino games.
  3. Ability to rapidly discern the numbers on dice, cards, wheels, etc. and determine the outcome of the game.
  4. Ability to communicate tactfully with guests, department heads and shipboard employees to resolve problems.
  5. Ability to stand for an extended period of time.
  6. Ability to read, write and speak English clearly and distinctly.
  7. All international applicants must have the ability to obtain C1 / D1 visa (and other relevant visas) when applicable.
  8. Must meet all physical requirements, including the ability to participate in emergency life-saving drills and required training.

So if you are after fun, money or just want to travel this is a great job, all you need to do is find the hiring agent in your country and apply for the dealer on a cruise ship position with the cruise line. To find the hiring agent say for instance for Royal Caribbean you can look online at their site and then go to the link for hiring agents in your respective country. Certain companies only hire at a certain time of the year or at intervals, but there is no harm in contacting the hiring agent or cruise line concerned in the meantime.

For more info on cruise ship jobs you are welcome to look at my site on the various post and the links for the different cruise lines.

I wish you all the success in getting hired for that position as a dealer on a cruise ship, I worked for 18 years on cruise ships and seen most of the world as a dealer and loved all the travelling and meeting all those wonderful people.

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Source by Bernadette Cole

Disadvantages to Cruise Ship Travel

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Cruise ship travel is not for everybody. Although many enjoy cruises, some travelers prefer other types of vacations. Before going on a cruise, take time to consider whether or not this is the best method of travel for you. Be sure to research information about the specific companies you are considering as well as read reviews from other customers. Also consider talking to those you know who have traveled on cruises before and see if it sounds like something you would enjoy. It is important to get more information than just a recommendation from someone. What one person finds fun, you may not, so it is important to find out why a person did or did not enjoy a cruise ship experience.

Some do not enjoy cruises simply because of the nature of traveling on a boat. Those who are prone to motion sickness may not enjoy being on a boat because of the high likelihood of experiencing sea sickness. Severity differs for everybody, and sea sickness usually is not serious, but it can still be an unpleasant experience and can ruin a vacation. Consider whether or not this is something that concerns you. Medications and wrist bands help some who suffer from sea sickness, but they are not effective for everyone. For some people, sea sickness runs its course relatively quickly, but only you can decide whether or not this is a possibility you are willing to face.

Others are afraid to cruise because of the possibility of the boat sinking. Only you can decide whether or not you are a person who worries about this possibility. It may help to do some research. Any type of travel has inherent risks, of course. Some are terrified of airplane travel but sill travel on cruises. Others travel frequently on airplanes but would not consider going on a cruise. It is true that being on a boat is a different kind of experience than any other form of travel. Some are not so worried about the boat sinking but are afraid of being out in open water, unable to see the shoreline. Only you can decide whether or not being on the ocean bothers you.

Perhaps the most common fear of cruises in the last decade has been based on the media coverage of viral outbreaks on cruise ships. In the last couple years, this problem has improved, but most travelers are familiar with outbreaks of viruses such as the Norwalk virus. These viruses run rampant on cruise ships because of the large number of people in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. Although general precautions can certainly decrease a persons' chances of catching a virus on a cruise ship, it is true that illnesses are more difficult to avoid on a boat.

Along with viruses, crime on cruise ships has also been widely publicized. It is important to research each cruise line and get accurate statistics. Also, read reviews and information to learn how incidents are handled, and make sure you understand the level of security that will be present on the ship. Fortunately, most crime committed on cruise ships is property crime rather than violent crime, and this is relatively common with any type of travel.

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Source by Calista Meade