Cruises -- Why Take One? Posted By : THOMAS DESIMONE

The cruise industry offers many different kinds of cruises, for every budget, need and personality. But whatever kind of cruise you take, here are 101 reasons why to take a cruise.

1. Be waited on hand and foot.

2. Ride a helicopter over a waterfall.

3. Visit five ports, but unpack just once.

4. Cool off with a frozen margarita.

5. Take a yoga class.

6. Enjoy scrumptious food around the clock.

7. Dance under the stars.

8. Parasail high above the ocean.

9. Jump into a pool.

10. Shop onboard for French perfume and Swiss watches.

11. Treat yourself to a facial.

12. Hold a family reunion.

13. Get married in your favorite port.

14. Have Baked Alaska en route to Anchorage.

15. Disco 'til dawn.

16. Take your toddler to day-camp at sea.

17. Sleep 'til noon. 18. Go to a wine tasting.

19. Make new friends, reminisce with old friends.

20. Take a themed cruise: bingo, movies, sports, ...

21. Renew your wedding vows.

22. Laugh 'til it hurts at a comedy show.

23. Hold a business conference (maybe tax deductible) onboard a ship.

24. Dine in a tuxedo or formal gown.

25. Relax in a hot tub.

26. Go to a fashion show.

27. Be a star on Talent Night.

28. You don't need a designated driver.

29. Study at sea - genealogy, marine biology, ...

30. Turn your day from 9 to 5 to 9 to Ah-h-h!

31. Consume Caspian Caviar.

32. Snorkel in crystal clear, coral-filled waters.

33. Enjoy the best of Broadway.

34. Send your teeager to a "rock the boat" party.

35. Flex your pecs at the health club.

36. Doze in the sun.

37. Try your hand at electronic blackjack.

38. Polish your golf swing with the pros.

39. Shoot craps.

40. Capture dazzling sunsets on film.

41. Walk a mile on deck.

42. Scuba dive along a reef.

43. Get a full house under a full moon.

44. "Spike" with all your might in a volleyball tournament.

45. Watch for a green flash.

46. Play a fast game of racquetball.

47. Request a song at the piano bar.

48. Indulge in a massage.

49. Swing to the beat of a big band.

50. Eat gourmet food every night and never see a price.

51. Meditate at sunrise.

52. Meet your favorite sports stars.

53. "Disappear" during a magic act.

54. Escape from reality. 55. Play bridge or backgammon.

56. Shoot "hoops" surrounded by blue sky and sparkling
water.

57. Sip a mint julep while listening to ragtime.

58. Browse through a well-stocked library.

59. Golf - by computer or in person - on the world's best courses.

60. Spot an exotic bird or flower.

61. Wander through ancient ruins.

62. Ride horseback through jungles.

63. Be-bop with top jazz musicians.

64. Rent a moped at the dock.

65. Paddle down river in a kayak or canoe.

66. Explore a centuries-old castle.

67. Mingle with celebrities.

68. Be tempted by world-famous chefs.

69. Jet ski across turquoise waters.

70. Picnic under a palm tree.

71. Take sailboarding lessons.

72. Take your sweetie on a second honeymoon.

73. Call home from your cabin.

74. Learn Italian, French, or Spanish.

75. Charter a sailboat.

76. See whales, dolphins, and flying fish.

77. Water ski in clear blue water.

78. See America - down its coastlines and up its rivers - or take in some of these:

79. The Greek Islands.

80. Australia / New Zealand.

81. Africa.

82. Alaska.

83. The Bahamas.

84. Baltics.

85. Bermuda.

86. Canada.

87. The Caribbean.

88. Europe

89. Far East / Orient.

90. India.

91. Indonesia / Southeast Asia.

92. The Mediterranean.

93. Mexico.

94. The Panama Canal.

95. The South Pacific.

96. Scandinavia.

97. Seychelles.

98. South America.

99. Tahiti.

100. The United Kingdom.

101. Then try around the world !

Do Everything Or Nothing At All! How many more reasons do you need? Your cruise is waiting, no matter what your interests or your budget.

CRUISEDEALERSHIP can help you Save on ANY cruise - ANY ship, ANY cruise line, ANY destination! Find out how booking your cruise with us is as easy as 1-2-3. Log on at CRUISEDEALERSHIP

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Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Cruises----Why-Take-One-/97920

From davits to dinghy lifts Posted By : Clint Jhonson

Knowledge about boat lifts is probably reserved for those who actually possess a boat. They used to be known as davits, and the common image which comes to mind when hearing the term is that of a large ocean liner. However, that's not necessarily the case. Before the seventies, a davit system was used in order to lift boats; either that or a pair of davits that consisted of a front and a rear system of cables. These were linked to the holes on a boat while the davits' arms were usually tied to a pier.

It took nothing more than turning a winch, and some cables, which were attached to the boat and the davits, completed the task of lifting the boat from the water. Although davits are still used, most people nowadays prefer using boat lifts. The difference is that boat lifts offer support for the boat, which comes to underneath, unlike davits that use cables which can put a lot of pressure on the rib system of a smaller, less solid boat.

In the eighties, however, a new design swept the nation, and the whole world, for that matter. Boat lifts became more and more popular, and galvanized steel used for davits was soon replaced by aluminum. It does cost more, that's true, but rust is completely out of the question, and since it's resistant to corrosion, a neat appearance lasts longer.

Dinghy lifts can be ready within a matter of weeks, and are very strong while providing safety for you and your family. They have the great advantage of being usable by nearly anyone on the boat - it's not a complicated system at all, and everything takes place in as little as 15 seconds. Amazingly enough, dinghy lifts don't weigh much - somewhere around forty, fifty pounds, but they can lift much more than that - even up to 450 pounds, and they're always easy to keep under control.

Also, dinghy lifts cost quite a lot less than other versions of lifts, and can be installed both at port or starboard, while making every single boat trip a lot safer for everyone joining in. They extend your boat's length by very little - 12 to 18 inches to be precise, so mooring is in no way a problem. Needless to say, they're stain resistant to the fullest, since they're usually made of marine grade stainless. Installing dinghy lifts isn't complicated: you can install one yourself, since it arrives with all the necessary instructions. And this is a great way to reduce the costs by hundreds of dollars.

Changes in the design of boat lifts have been many since the eighties, and experts have been working to constantly improve their quality. Dinghy lifts are a great option if you want a reasonably priced, accessible and easy to install boat lift. We are the number one provide and you should definitely pay us a visit!

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Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/From-davits-to-dinghy-lifts/101354

Taking A Bahama Cruise Posted By : Damon87 Lindner87

What Makes The Bahamas Unique?

Every culture has they own idiosyncrasies that make them who they are. The Bahamas and their people are no different. Born of varied nationalities and heritages, they have combined each into one large mass that is entirely their own. Most of the people who call the Bahamas their home are of West African descent, their ancestors being slaves until the practice was abolished by the British in 1834. The rest of the inhabitants are descended from white settlers who either emigrated to the islands to escape religious persecution or were Loyalists who fled the United States during the American Revolution. These two groups have formed a rich culture that is uniquely their own.

Because the islands lacked fertile land for crops, the people who lived there became very proficient sea farers, learning to live off of the sea by sponging, fishing, and, in later years, gunrunning and for some, piracy. Their laidback and relaxed ways are from being able to enjoy what is about them, from food to shelter to employment. They love life and marriage celebrations start weeks before the wedding. Funerals celebrate the life of the grieved long after they are gone. They are friendly, adventurous, and very willing to share their islands and their gifts with you.

Art and music is something that is very predominant in the Bahamian culture. Tourists will find brightly coloured arts and crafts everywhere they go and will see it reflected in the many outfits the local people wear. The music is varied, a combination of African, English, and native Calypso. It is very rhythmic and usually features drums of every sort, from skin covered to steel. Some of the native music was actually used to accompany dances such as the Bahamian Quadrille and the Heel and Toe Polka, a perfect blending of the populace's cultures. Visitors who are lucky enough to attend a Junkanoo parade will be treated to colourful costumes and dancing that has origins in West Africa.

Because of the tourist trade, a visitor there can find just about any food they want. The one thing they need to do, though, is sampled the local cuisine. Seafood based, it includes dishes made with conch, lobster, crab, and fish. Souse, a soup unique to the area, is made of water, onions, lime juice, celery, peppers and meat, which could be chicken, sheep's tongue, oxtail, or pig's feet. And never expect Bahamian cooking to be anything less than spicy.

Medicine practiced in the Bahamas is very plant based, healers on the island using indigenous plants to make remedies to relieve just about any illness one can think of. This practice is called bush medicine and they are very adept at its practice. With over a hundred different plants across the islands, such as Aloe Vera, Spanish Sage, and Bagarina to use, it's no wonder they are so good at healing.

Shopping is one of the biggest tourist trades across the islands and one of the most famous markets is the Straw Market on Nassau. Half the fun is being able to haggle with the many vendors and crafters located there and American visitors do not have to worry about exchanging their dollars for something else as it is accepted throughout the islands. English is the main language spoken there, but the syncopated rhythm in the native's speech is also unique to them, a flavourful mixture of the Queen's English, African influence, and centuries of making it uniquely their own.

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Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Taking-A-Bahama-Cruise/98231