Both my wife and I had decided to spend a longer length of time in Florida on Holiday during the summer. Part of our plan was to perhaps visit New York for a few days during our stay until we saw the fantastic offers by RCI Cruises.

So we looked into travelling to the Bahamas on a 3 day cruise. It could not have been easier or better value.

The crusies depart from Port Canaveral which is only a short drive from Orlando and so easy to get to along Highway 528 off I4. Although the parking is quite expensive but you save so much on the cruise it is insignificant in the end.

A Three day cruise work out at about £70 a day and bear in mind that was all of the accommodation and food during  the trip.

It was a party atmosphere from the start and all you had to do was pay out for your beer or wine. The weather was great but you do have to watch out for what tropical storms may be around. But we were told that they are never cancelled they just avoid the bad weather.

The accommodation was very good although you spend litte time in your cabin anyway. Food was fantastic as was the people we met. We were spoilt for choice  for food.

We visited Nassau in the Bahamas for a day and then their private Island where you could experience those white sandy beaches and water activities that you would only dream of.

I was a bit dubious about sea sickness but was never affected.

So take the plunge and try it out you will not regret it.

Why not try a short cruise during your next stay in Florida. Orlando is an idea starting point for a cruise. The nearby port of Port Canaveral is only a sixty minute drive and has terminals for Royal Caribbean, Disney, Norwegian and Carnival Cruise Lines.

From here, you can sail off into the sunset on a 3, 4, or 7-day voyage to the Bahamas, the Caribbean or Mexico’s Gulf resorts.

            We took a 3 day cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas to the Bahamas and Royal Caribbean’s own private island of Coco Cay. There are car parking facilities at the terminal within walking distance. Check in was straight forward and hassle free and your cruise experience begins immediately.

            The food, service and entertainment are first class and all staff are extremely helpful and friendly. Atlantis in Nassau was amazing to see but the highlight was definitely the visit to the uninhabited Coco Cay. This was a picturesque tropical island with clear water, silver sand and palm trees. If you take the nature trail through the island – a 15 minute walk- you arrive on the other side of the island where you will find peace, tranquillity, stunning beach scenes – paradise. Food is taken ashore from the ship for a buffet style lunch.

            Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas departs from Port Canaveral to the Eastern and Western Caribbean visiting places such as St Thomas, St Maarten, Jamaica, Haiti, Cayman Islands and Cozumel in Mexico. There is always something for everyone whilst cruising from spa treatments, sunbathing, exercising in the gymnasium, various informative talks, dining, bars and casino and fantastic evening entertainment as well as numerous shore excursions when docked. For the more adventurous there is the Rock Climbing Wall or the Flowrider to practice your surfing skills.

            The children are very well catered for and have their own kids club and also a teenagers club with their own personal area of the ship.

            Cruise holidays are a great way to meet new people, gives you the opportunity to visit many new places and your hotel accommodation travels with you. The staterooms are not large but are adequate for 2 people. It is worthwhile having an Oceanview room or better still a room with a balcony where you can sit out in the warm evenings and watch the sunset. Watch out for late deals (we had a 3 night Bahamas cruise for $129.00 each) and enjoy the experience.

Ever thought of going on a Caribbean Cruise!

We have been three times now and it is fantastic. We tried the 3 day cruise that included a visit to the Bahamas and the Disney Island Castaway Cay.

Whether you are Adults travelling together or taking the kids along, you will all enjoy the experience. There are three pools - one for the kiddies, one for the older kids and then an Adult Only Pool.

The food is wonderful and you get to try out all three themed restuarants whilst on board and what is good is that your waiters follow you around into the different restaurants - so they get to know you a little bit.

For those who wish to really relax it has a Spa on board with all the services that you would think of and for the fitness fanatics it has a gym and a running track around the deck.

Kids of all ages can join in with some of the Disney Clubs and they have recently included a nursery too.

Finally, there is plenty to do at night with deck parties, themed bars and you can even go and see a show. We enjoyed watching the latest movies on the the big screen on the main deck.

So give it a go. The Disney Cruise Ship even comes to the UK this year.

Have you ever thought of taking a cruise. Then look no further than Disney Cruise line in Florida. Their Disney wonder Ship leaves from Port Canaveral to head for the Bahamas and their own private island - Castaway Cay.

Over the last couple of years we have been lucky enough to travel on this ship on their 3 day 4 night cruise to the Bahamas.

As we boarded the ship we were announced by the staff and made really welcome. All food is included but not your alcoholic drinks.

Each night you will be seated in a different restaurant and sometimes with other guests. This is nice as you can get to know people from all over the world. You also have the opportunity to book a table at Palo’s a fantastic a la carte restaurant on the top deck. The chocolate souffles are to die for.

There are lots of different bars for the adults that provide different entertainment into the early hours.

During the day there are three seaparate pools - one for the little ones, one for families and an adults only pool. Sit by the pool and order your bucket of Buds.

There is entertainment during the day as well.

You will be astounded by the amount of food that is available. They even lay on a late night buffet following their pirates party.

During the cruise you will visit Nassau in the Bahamas and have the opportunity to go on tours of the island to see the different sights. Then you will move on to Castaway Cay Island - this is just out of this world. White sandy beaches, gloriously blue clear seas and barbecues. Get some bikes and explore the island or participate in beach games of sea activities.

It is just fantastic try it!

We found flights on the Internet from Manchester airport direct to Sanford airport return for £130 each so we bought the tickets.

We contacted Bob to let him know we would be going over for Joanne’s birthday where upon he informed us that the plans had now changed.

The new idea was to book a 3-day cruise – to the Bahamas.

Bob explained we could use an agent that he new and book the cruise ourselves. To say we were shell-shocked would be an understatement after we had finished talking to Bob all that we could think of was what would it cost us; it was close to Christmas and an unplanned visit to the Bahamas was not on our agenda it was the furthest thought from our minds but we had booked the flights so we were committed to the visit.

We contacted Bob’s agent and to our surprise the cost turned out to be much less than we had anticipated. 

For the same reason as our cheap flights (low demand due to the time of year) we were able to book an all-inclusive, outside birth, 3-day holiday on board a cruise ship including a day stop over in Nassau for £150 each. We couldn’t believe it. We decide to consider the whole visit as an early Christmas present to ourselves.

The ship departed from port Canaveral and being first time travellers on a large ship we were unsure of what to expect, we need not have concerned ourselves, as soon as we boarded we were given our first drink, our luggage was taken to our cabin and were given the key to the door. Apart from having to attend a safety brief the only decisions we had to make for 3 days were what shall we have for our next meal, which show, bar, club, casino or pool should we go to. If we had wanted we could have had all our meals and drinks brought to use were ever we were on the ship, being pampered didn’t come close. The day visit to Nassau was excellent the temperature was around 82f (about 26c) with clear blue skies, better than a summer’s day in the UK and it was December.

Anyone visiting Florida considering a similar venture please remember we booked our cruise in December 2005 but if you have flexibility with your plans I would suggest waiting until the last minute to book. A couple that decided to come along at the last minute booked tickets 2 days before departure and paid $150 each.

Brian Pearson