Planning an Itinerary
Choosing the best Caribbean cruise line and itinerary are the first steps necessary in planning your Caribbean cruise. After you gather all of your information, you will be better able to plan what you should pack as well as make any other necessary arrangements that you may need to make. There are often special activities planned on the island for people taking a Caribbean cruise. If you plan on leaving the ship when it makes port, be sure to book those excursions in advance. It is best to plan ahead in order to properly schedule and stay within financial constraints.

Packing the right clothes is a trickier part of planning a Caribbean cruise than you might imagine. It can be mor4e planning and packing than the average Caribbean cruise traveler bargained for,between resort wear for the ship,beach wear for excursions and evening wear for the ship's dining room. But packing wisely will have a very positive effect in terms of stress-free traveling and making the most efficient use of the limited space in your stateroom.

Choosing a single color scheme for your travel clothing that can be mixed with a few other pieces during your Caribbean cruise vacations is the best packing trip. For convenience, men can rent tuxedos on the ship, and women can bring a basic black dress that can be accessorized for day or night events. Try to cut down on luggage space for your Caribbean cruise by packing shorts that can be worn with all or most of your shirts.

There are a few things you should never forget on a Caribbean cruise deal, including sunglasses, sunscreen, and of course a camera so you can remember all those great memories. If you plan ahead and pack correctly, you will have a worry free and stress free Caribbean cruise. Plan accordingly and carefully.

But what are the basics that make a really fulfilling cruise? Is it the cruise line? Does the destination really matter? Or is there a particular time of year to spend your hard earned money for a few nights of getaway?

Getting the right information at the right time means a great deal for a newbie cruiser. It's not just about paying for your ticket, getting on board and voila you float yourself away to the destination that you wanted. If you think that's the way it's done then you are dead wrong.

Shopping around for the best cruise ship vacations line that can give you your money's worth is the first thing you should do. If you know of anyone who has went on a cruise, than ask them for some information, which cruise line to go to.

There are plenty of cruise ships from different cruise vacations that you can choose from. But not all of them can give you the deals that you really want. By comparing prices, amenities and services this will help you in narrowing down your choices.

Making a rough estimate on how much you can actually spend is helpful, plus putting aside a contingency fund will prepare you for some unexpected expenditures towards the duration of the trip, otherwise you may be the only one empty handed while the rest of the tourists carry a handful of souvenir items from a shopping spree.

Here are some of the cruise lines that you might want to take to the place of cruise destination:

- Carnival Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Holland America
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International

Another step in planning a cruise vacation is deciding which destination you want to go to. So let's take a peek of the most common destinations that these cruise lines paid a visit to.

- Alaska
- Canada and New England
- Caribbean
- Mexico
- Panama Canal
- Europe
- Bahamas and Bermuda

Here are some of the things you need to prepare:

- Passport
- Digital Camera
- Binoculars
- Clothes and Footwear
- Credit Cards

Seasoned cruisers and newbie cruisers alike are in the lookout for the latest news about cruising. They want to know the hottest trend in cruising and keep up-to-date with the latest deals from the assortment of cruise lines giving out freebies and discounts to attract more vacationers.

What better place to visit and scour cruising news than the Internet. From the destinations, cruise lines or ships to the activities and the deals.

- Cruisemates (www.cruisemates.com)

This site was recommended by Fortune magazine as the best site for cruising articles and

Click Here!

First Aid/CPR Course, 5:30 p.m. today, Dimond Center, 800 E. Dimond Blvd., Suite 3-394. American Heart Association First Aid/CPR courses offered Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Call to preregister. $75. (317-5554)

Providence Alaska Medical Center Diabetes and Nutrition Center Community Class panel discussion on diabetes management will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Providence Alaska Medical Center East Auditorium. Panel members will be Dr. Patrick Nolan, endocrinologist; and diabetes and nutrition center staff: Lindsey Schumacher, registered dietitian; and Mindy Tomazevic and Barbara Long, registered nurses. Free and open to the public. (212-7982)

Living Well with Chronic Illness, 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Christ Church Episcopal, 5101 O’Malley Road. Six sessions will present a program of self-management for those suffering from chronic illness. Traditional and innovative skills and techniques will be taught to improve the quality of life. Free. (345-7914, 244-8182)

alaska medical jobs

Collision hospitalizes driver

BIG LAKE — A Big Lake man remained in critical condition at Providence Alaska Medical Center on Monday afternoon after he ran a stop sign and collided with an oncoming car Sunday evening, according to the hospital and Alaska State Troopers.

David K. Winters, 43, was traveling west on Hollywood Road and failed to stop for the sign at Big Lake Road, troopers said. Winters’ 1990 Ford pickup continued into the path of a 2004 Ford Excursion driven by Seth L. Brower, 33, of Houston. Brower and two passengers, all wearing seat belts, were not injured, troopers said. Emergency crews extricated Winters. He was transported by LifeGuard helicopter to Providence.

Damages to Brower’s vehicle are estimated at $10,000. Winters’ vehicle was totaled.

alaska Medical

Palin Releases Clean Medical Summary Hours Before Polls Open

Just hours before voters nationwide were to head to the polls, GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin released tonight a two-page summary (PDF) of her medical history.

The letter, dated Nov. 3 and signed by her family physician, Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, who is on staff at the Providence Alaska Medical Center, says that the Alaska governor is in “very good health” and has “no major medical problems.”

Baldwin-Johnson has served as the governor’s family physician since 1997 and Palin has sought medical attention from the clinic since 1991. “Her visits have been related to routine women’s health care and pregnancy,” Baldwin-Johnson writes.
Read More?

David LaCombe

Palmer/Wasilla resident David George LaCombe, 62, died of natural causes, Oct. 25, 2008, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31, at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check Street in Wasilla, with members of the Palmer Masonic Lodge officiating.

David was born Jan. 6, 1946, in Attleboro, Mass., to Albert Leo and Olive Clara (Lussier) LaCombe. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and came to Alaska in June of 1982. He had worked as a personal care attendant in home health care, as a security guard, as a Wal-Mart people greeter, and as an assistant manager at Burger King. He was retired on disability. He enjoyed camping, fishing, gold panning and hiking.

Read More?

One of the drawbacks for many is Caribbbean cruise costs and while cruise costs in general are way down on what they used to be, if you can save money without looking cheap then we say why not. Cruise holidays range in length from a few days to a couple of weeks and the tips presented here can be applied to any cruise destination.

Cutting Carribbean cruise costs can simply relate to avoiding some of the services presented to customers on board which you really don't need. In fact, always look at whether they are cheaper elsewhere and most times they are. Here's a short list of things to watch out for.

Saving On Carribean Cruise Costs

- To begin with, you should start of by first searching for cruises that take place in the Off Season. In addition, you will also need to decide on a destination and because prices during Off Season are very low you will not encounter any big difficulties in finding some very sweet deals.

- Another option worth checking out in regard to cheap Caribbean Cruises is to look for relocation cruises which are cruises that go to places that are most in demand by travelers. In such deals it is quite common for a cruise intended for Hawaii to go to the Caribbean because of more demand for the Caribbean.

- Most cruise lines will also charge low in order to entice more customers and in the case of a cruise line offering a trip aboard its latest cruise liner the prices too will often be slashed in order to induce customers to come aboard their ship.

- For those people that are employed by the Army, trying their base Tickets and Tours agencies is a good option because then it becomes possible to get low fares as well as a chance to make payments in installments (interest free). Another good way of finding a cheap Caribbean Cruise deal is to check out the big cruise operators that generally have lower prices and a good example of big holiday travel companies is Travelocity that provide travelers with best prices.

- Lastly, you could avoid Caribbbean cruise costs by taking advantage of early and late booking for low price deals. One last tip in regard to Caribbean Cruise and cheap rates is to consider getting employment aboard a Caribbean Cruise line; especially, Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines that are the two biggest as well as most popular cruise lines operating in the world today.

From packing to medical considerations, preparing for a cruise vacation goes beyond the basics of swim trunks and guide books. To learn about how best to prepare for a cruise vacation, keep reading for great tips on everything from packing your suitcase to warding off seasickness.

What to Pack on a Cruise Vacation

Ultimately, what you pack is going to depend on your cruise destination. An Alaskan cruise will require different clothing than a Caribbean cruise at the height of summer. That said, don't let land temperatures fool you.

Particularly during the winter months, some cruises (like those leaving from L.A.) can be quite cold. Regardless of the forecasts on land, always pack a wind-resistant jacket and at least one set of clothes that will allow you comfort up on deck when things get chilly out at sea.

You'll also need proper identification and proof of purchase to board a cruise ship. These will be required at every port-of-call, so pack your papers (including your health insurance) in a water-resistant envelope that's small enough to carry with you if you plan to leave the ship.

Medical Considerations

You will most likely need travel health insurance for your next cruise vacation. When purchasing travel insurance, try to find one that's geared specifically toward cruises and the legal intricacies of international waters.

Secondly, pack any needed medications. You may even want to pack extras or a spare if you intend to go to shore. For example, an asthmatic may want to pack one inhaler to carry in a pocket and another backup inhaler just in case.

Most cruise ships have a medical clinic and doctor or health professional on-board the ship, but this is typically a stopgap measure, not a full-proof backup.

Finally, if you're prone to motion sickness, you can prepare for your voyage with basic ginger root. An herbal remedy, ginger root has been proven to help with seasickness while avoiding the side effects common with many pharmaceutical motion sickness remedies. Herbalists recommend taking the ginger root starting a few weeks before you actually leave on your cruise.

What You Should Leave Behind

Always leave behind a full travel itinerary and emergency contact information with family and friends. Most cruise lines offer an emergency number that can be used by family and friends in case they need to get in touch with you urgently.

Include Everyone
You must include every family member in the planning of the vacation. Make a list of every destination, theme park, attractions, and amusement parks that every member would like to visit first. See if you can find any similarities, then combine them into one trip. Does an amusement park pop up in a few lists? Maybe Las Vegas appeared in a number of the lists. You could combine the two by staying at the hotel/amusement park Circus Circus in Las Vegas. Or, if Disney World and water sports are on your lists they can easily be combined by staying in a hotel near the beach.

Even the smallest child in the family should be included in vacation planning. If your tot hates water, it’s probably best to avoid the beach. If he or she adores the snow, maybe a winter vacation with lots of sledding is the perfect family trip.
Remember, babies and toddlers will need lots of naps and rest stops, so don’t jam-pack your days, and try not to putschedule of activities. You may wish to arrange to put your toddlers and children in “vacation care” while you and your partner go out to dinner or dancing. Many cruises and some hotels provide these programs. Such age appropriate programs are intended to keep kids happy and entertained while giving their parents a break.

Think of Safety
Many parents don’t consider safety as a high family vacation planning step, but it should be. Ensure that the hotels or other accommodation you stay at have toddler safety devices on patio doors, a high place or safe where medicines can be put, and gates around pools. And ensure that the banister around any upper-level balconies is sufficiently high that your child will not be able to clamber over and that the spindles are close enough that your child will not be able to slip through.

Many hotels offer 360-degrees previews of the rooms on their web sites. If you cannot obtain the information you want from the website don’t be afraid to call the hotel. Most will be more than happy to give you the details you need.

More and more hotels are making their facilities child and baby friendly. Many are supplying mini fridges and nursing rooms for new mothers, cribs, play yards, and calming music for the baby and toddlers to make for a more relaxing family vacation.

Quality parent and child time is important whether at home or on vacation. Why not learn to face paint?
face painting ideas
face painting ideas
face painting ideas
Knowing how to create a number of face painting designs is so useful for many occasions such as birthday parties and of course Halloween

When you are browsing through the websites or the brochures for Caribbean cruise ship travel, you will see that there is always an area that features the layout of the vessel, which outlines the various decks where the passenger cabins are located. Along with the diagrams of the interiors floor plans of the ship, there are usually listings of the different categories of cabins. On very large ships there can be as many as 20 cabin categories, which often makes it very confusing, especially for first-time cruise travelers.

Often there are discount cruise travel deals that are available only for a certain class of cabins on cruise ships. The problem is that if you have never been on a cruise before, it is hard to know exactly what these various classifications mean. If you choose the wrong classification and discover the head of your bed is against the elevator shaft, then you might end up having a less than wonderful time.

On most ships, the cheapest cabins, and the ones that are sometimes offered as "hot deals" by some of the discount travel websites, are tiny and barely larger than some people's walk-in closets. These cabins are also generally on the lower levels of the ship and may even be below the waterline, so obviously without portholes. While many people who are more interested in the activities outside their cabin may not be dissuaded by a tiny, windowless cabin, they do need to know about the noise. The lower levels of a ship are very close to the engines and often the roar of the engines can make it very difficult to get any sleep.

However, on the newer ships that are being built today, that is less of a problem, as they are being designed better to avoid this problem. In fact, the new trend that many of the cruise lines are following with the newer ships is laying out the cabins in such a way that all the passengers at least have a port hole. There are even some ships in service now that boast balconies for all cabins, no matter what classification.

This is a great trend for cruise passengers because it helps to assure that any cabin, in any classification, will be comfortable and enjoyable. Having the ability to be in the privacy of your cabin, while relaxing with a cup of coffee or glass of wine on your own verandah, will help to make the cruising experience personal, comfortable and luxurious.

With the right deal on the price of the ticket, even a tiny cabin can make sense if you are taking a short cruise that will only last two or three days. In most cases, these cruise ships and these Caribbean cruise lines are more geared for those who are partying and the cabins are just a place to sack out for a few hours between festivities. But if you are going to be on board for more than a few days, or if partying is not your main reason for cruising, then you will want to be sure you have a comfortable cabin where you can relax and unwind and have some time to yourself.

If you're curious about cruise vacations and cruise travel, but want to learn more about what you can expect, keep reading to find out the answers to common cruise ship vacation questions.

Are cruises really all-inclusive?

Typically, no - cruises are not all-inclusive. A ticket on a cruise ship usually includes your cabin, meals and some drinks. In addition to these costs, you will need to pay for any shore excursions, alcoholic drinks, spa treatments, extra snacks, certain special activities and your transportation to and from the port of departure.

Do I need to carry cash?

Normally, you can enjoy a cruise line voyage without concern over whether your MasterCard will work or of carrying lots of cash or traveler's checks. Most cruise vacations allow you to sign and bill most items to your account.

At most, you'll need a small amount of money for daily tips and services, though even this is rare as most ships have shifted to digital invoicing technology.

Can I come and go as I please?

For the most part, no - you'll be beholden to the ship's shore schedules and dining times. However, while many ships have set dining times and activity schedules, other lines - like Norwegian - offer freestyle cruising that allows you to eat when you please and engage in entertainment at your leisure.

Whether you're on a freestyle or scheduled cruise destination, you will be restricted as to how much time you have at each port of call. Typically though, travelers are given one or two days at each land destination.

How do I find the right cruise vacation for me?

First, ask yourself who's going on the cruise? Are you looking for a romantic anniversary celebration or a family fun free-for-all with all the kids?

Some cruises cater to children and families while others focus on seniors. Some center around singles while others attract couples. You get the idea - whatever your demographic, there's a cruise for you.

Cruises also cater to interests. If you're passionate about rock climbing, there's a cruise for you and if you love golf, well then there's definitely a cruise for you. Theme cruises are another great way to find an almost all-inclusive vacation that fits your interests.

There is nothing quite like getting discounts when buying or renting something, and we expect the same thing when it concerns a car rental promotions, but there are some guidelines for this, or else you would never avail of the best deals. Before you do anything else, locate around at least four renting a car specialists and write down their numbers, you can use the Internet for this because it is quick and easy. One thing that you'll never want to happen is failing to notice the best deal that you could've got for yourself if only you have made a diligent and thorough search to as many companies as possible before you sign a contract with one.

Always look at checking out of any special deals being promoted by the rental agency just the time you contact them to avail of discounts that can save you a few dollars. Usually renting a car agencies have a business affiliation with one of the airlines or hotel chains, and this is something you need to check, as this can substantially reduce your rental costs. When renting your car, it is more likely for you to face some hassles such as details with regards to the pick-up and drop off so if you don't want to be bothered later on you should be able to fix the arrangements concerning to it. Be particular about the size of the car which you take on rental, as an oversized car for only two people can work out less economical.

Enterprise Car Rental Coupons

Adding of extra prices right after you thought you have found the best promotion deal is something that most renting a car companies are fond of doing and asking you for a reservation fee for the car that you've chosen is just an example. Renting a vehicle doesn't have to be costly and if you are looking to keep the cost down here are some more ideas which may help. Free upgrade offers are from time to time be made available by some rental offices so paying them a visit and looking for those offers first thing in the morning as soon as you have time is indeed very beneficial. One good thing about first thing arrival at the renting a car office is that there may be some event wherein there is a shortage of lower grade cars therefore you are more likely to be given a free upgrade to a more luxurious vehicle. Usually, companies will contend with each other through the Internet so checking some favourable deals online can really be worth it. To make things really user-friendly, be smart enough in handing over your budget to the company and just let them do the rest for you.

Always fill up with fuel before you return it to the rental office because you will find yourself out of pocket if you don't as they charge more per gallon than any gasoline station. Great price reductions on rentals are a must-have for you so you better look out for those especially those with packages such as fly-drive-stay or fly-drive since you will be less worried about details concerning a hotel or an airline business for they are already included. Any assistance towards getting what you need can be definitely provided by any top-rated travel agent.

Avis Car Rental Coupon

If you are a frequent flyer and have gathered some discount points it is a good idea to redeem such bonus points against your renting a car costs, and several rental companies accept these to offset the rental costs. You have to see to it whether this scheme is really beneficial since you will have to consider the time left on your deduction. Always take into consideration that shyness wont bring you anywhere near the available deductions as they wont be offered until you asked for them.