Today, Norm Goldman Editor of Sketchandtravel.com, is pleased to have as a guest of Sketchandtravel.com Douglas Ward, author of Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships 2005, now into its twentieth year of publication, published by Berlitz Publishing.Thank you Douglas for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.Norm: Douglas could you tell us something about yourself and why did you want to write a book about cruising and cruise ships?Douglas: I had worked aboard passenger ships for 17 years before forming an association of cruise passengers, who were looking for more comparative information about cruise ships and cruising. So was born the idea for the book, which started with 120 ships and 256 pages. Today, after 20 years, the book has grown to include 256 ocean-going ships, 656 pages, and half a million words.Norm: I noticed your first book on cruises and cruise ships was published twenty years ago, and you have been updating your book every year. How do you go about gathering material every year for these updates and how long does it take you to update your annual book?Douglas: First, it takes me a minimum of three hours a day, every single day of the year, just to keep the book refreshed, up-to-date, and accurate. I also travel extensively, as much as 250 days each year. So, of course, I write while I am traveling, visiting, and sailing aboard the world's cruise ships.Norm: What makes cruises so appealing to honeymooners?Douglas: Cruises take the hassle out of planning a honeymoon, particularly with regard to language, cuisine/meals, entertainment, and so many other things that go towards making a honeymoon a fine, affordable vacation, and a complete escape from the pressures of life ashore. Actually, it's also a good way to find out how a newlywed couple cope with living in a small space.Norm: Are you seeing more weddings performed on cruise ships lately? What should cruisers know about cruise ship weddings?Douglas: By nature of their (out of the ordinary) appeal, more weddings are being performed aboard cruise ships today, simply because there is so much help at hand. The larger cruise lines have personnel dedicated to handling weddings and honeymoons, and the instant support of other personnel in cruise line head offices to draw from. Weddings can, in other words, be tailored completely to the individuals concerned (and without the interference of well-meaning parents and other family members who can create stress and pressure on couples about to undergo, what is for many, the most important ceremony of their lives).Norm: With so many cruise possibilities, how does one go about choosing a cruise and what should people take into consideration before deciding on any one cruise?Douglas: Choosing a cruise successfully depends on one's personal requirements and expectations from a vacation. First-time cruise goers would be well advised to talk to an established cruise booking specialist, who will be able to help you to choose the right ship and cruise, for the right reasons, taking into account your personal tastes and socio-economic considerations. There are so many choices today that there should be a ship and cruise to suit even the most demanding and finicky of people. Perhaps the first decision, however, should be to establish how many days you can take for your vacation (including travel days to get to/from the ship), and then think about the area you would like to cruise in. The most popular regions include the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Norwegian fjords and Baltic ports, and southeast Asia/Australasia. Those with more time who want more involvement with nature should consider visiting Antarctica or the Arctic regions (you would ideally need about three weeks). Then there is perhaps the ultimate in long distance cruising  an around the world cruise, which typically would take three to four months (most ships offering complete around the world cruises there are about 15 in 2005  sail between January and April away from winter).Norm: Have you had any bad experiences on a cruise, and if so, please describe them.Douglas: I have had many bad experiences, but most of them cannot be written about, and most have been aboard ships and cruise lines that no longer exist, or have changed their names. However, there have been a few nasty transatlantic crossings (I have done 152 of them), when the weather can throw some unexpected wrenches into what otherwise is perhaps a wonderful, serene way of traveling between the Old and New Worlds.Norm: After deciding on a particular cruise, how do you plan for the cruise and what important elements should you keep in mind?Douglas: Make sure you choose the right size ship for your needs. Do you want to be with 100, 500, 1000, or 3000 other passengers? Do you want to experience cruising under sail; cruising with specialist lecturers; be aboard a ship with spa facilities, large-scale production shows (a la Las Vegas), lots of gaming, or shopping opportunities? Whichever cruise you choose, try to make the travel arrangements as simple as possible. Sometimes, the mere act of getting to and from your chosen cruise ship (or embarkation point) can prove frustrating. If you are a first-time cruise goer, try not to do everything on your first cruise  it could end up being more like an endurance test.Norm: Can you tell our readers something about the different cabins that are available on cruises and what to look out for?Douglas: First-timers would be best advised to book an outside cabin (a cabin with an outside view) rather than an interior (no view) cabin. So, when you wake up, you wont be disoriented, and youll be able to see what the weather is like, which helps you decide what to wear each day. Typically, the more space you want, the higher the cost. Large suites with private balconies cost the most (some can measure up to 3000 square feet), while interior cabins that measure as little as 70 square feet will, of course, feel incredibly small. Typically, you get what you pay for. The average cabin size aboard today's larger cruise ships (they are really floating resorts) would be approximately 180-200 square feet.Norm: What type of clothing should I bring aboard?Douglas: Take clothing suited to the area you will be cruising in. Remember that ships are air-conditioned, so clothing that is layered works well. If you choose to cruise in cold weather regions, take suitable outer clothing, particularly for excursions ashore (Alaska is an example). If you take a Caribbean cruise, you really could pack light (cottons and natural fibers being the best, as many Caribbean islands have a high humidity factor for much of the year). Most of the (large) resort ships have a very casual dress code, while others (particularly ships that offer cruises longer than seven days the industry standard) feature more formal dress codes. Tuxes are only really needed aboard Queen Mary 2 when doing a transatlantic crossing; otherwise, you can dress down and comfortable.Norm: Is there always a doctor and clinic aboard the cruise ships?Douglas: Almost all cruise ships carrying more than 50 passengers have a fully qualified medical doctor and nursing assistants, which also take care of the crew. Some of the larger ships have several doctors, surgical specialists, small operating rooms, full x-ray facilities, as well as extensive pharmacies. In other words, today's cruise ships would be able to cope with most medical emergencies. However, if you take medication, remember to take an adequate supply (and if you have to fly to get to/from your cruise ship, take medication in your carry-on luggage just in case your checked-in luggage doesn't quite make it on the same day, or to the same port you're flying to).Norm: Can I make telephone calls from the cruise ship?Douglas: Almost all cruise ships are equipped with direct-dial satellite-linked telephone systems (and Internet connectivity). A few ships even have special aerials that let you use your mobile phone, although most ships lose mobile connectivity when more than a mile offshore. The cost of a direct-dial satellite call varies between about $4 and $10 per minute, so don't use the telephone unless you have to-the charges can add up quickly.Norm: What is the usual check-in schedule before the cruise takes off?Douglas: Most cruise ships start embarkation about four hours prior to sailing. You would normally complete all paperwork and go through passport and security checks in a passenger terminal before being allowed to board your cruise ship. Today's check-in procedure is relatively painless, although it can take some time if you are cruising aboard one of the larger ships, when there will be 3000 other passengers to check in (in other words, there will be lines just like at the post office).Norm: What happens if someone has special dietary requests?Douglas: Most cruise ships can handle special dietary requests, but do give advanced notice so that chefs can order and prepare any food items not normally carried. Its too late once the ship has sailed, so make your needs and requirements known at the time you book (this is when it's better to book through an accredited cruise travel specialist rather than picking something off the Internet which doesn't answer questions well).Norm: How do you make payments on board?Douglas: An onboard credit account will typically be established when you check in prior to embarkation. When you purchase things aboard ship (drinks or wine, for example), these items are added to your account, and charged to your credit card at the end of the cruise.Norm: Should you tip while on aboard the ship?Douglas: Some ships include tips, while others automatically add a tip to your daily onboard account (particularly the major cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International). However, on average you should plan on about $10 per day per person. Aboard the ships of some of the more upscale cruise lines, such as Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Seabourn Cruise Lines, and Silversea Cruises, tips are included in the fare.Norm: How safe are cruise ships and how can I find out more about a particular company's record pertaining to its safety and cleanliness?Douglas: Today's cruise ships are extremely safe (nobody wants to work aboard an unsafe ship), and most are clean. However, of late, I have noticed that standards of cleanliness in cabins and public areas aboard some of the very large ships leave much to be desired (this is the effect of discounting, when lines cut personnel to keep prices artificially low). In general, if the same standards of food storage, handling, and hygiene that are practiced aboard today's ships were to be applied to hotels and restaurants in the United States, most would fail consistently! In other words, ships are clean very clean.Norm: If you had any important advice to offer our readers that has not been covered, what would it be?Douglas: Do read the book Berlitz Publishing's Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships 2005, and you'll be more educated than most travel agents. Bon Voyage, I wish you all a wonderful cruise vacation.Thanks Douglas for your time.For over thirty- five years, Norm Goldman practiced as a Title Attorney and Civil Law Notary in Montreal, Canada. After his retirement from the legal profession, Norm pursued two of his passions - book reviewing and travel writing, implementing many of his research skills he had been practicing for 35 years.Norm and his wife Lily are a unique husband and wife team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic destinations and wedding destinations.Basically, they meld art and words in order to create an unusual travel story, which generates interest, particularly because of the fact that each painting appears to have been 'custom-made' for the story-original story and original art.
Combining the watercolors with travel writing provides a softer, more romantic look at the places they visit.As they specialize in web-based content, their articles and water- colors are featured on their own site, Sketchandtravel.Com, as well as several other sites.To learn more about Norm and Lily you can visit their site:
http://www.sketchandtravel.com

Holland America Cruise Lines has initiated a program of up-scaling their cruise ships, cruise line image and passenger cruise experience. This initiative is called the Signature of Excellence program and will soon be experienced by cruise passengers on all Holland America cruises.The award winning Holland America five star fleet of cruise ships will all have the unparalleled enhancements by the end of 2006. Included in the program are enhancements to the impeccable service Holland America guests have become accustomed to as well.Premium cruising aboard Holland America's fleet will be enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities and public areas. Included are stateroom amenities, luxury beds and bed linens. All Holland America cruise ships will include the Neptune Lounge, Pinnacle Grill, Explorations Caf

If you are a boater, in particular a sea or ocean-going boater, you have probably tried your hand at catching prawns and/or crabs with their respective pots. And if you have tried this, then you know how many traps or pots you have lost over the years! But it is so rewarding when the traps come up with our dinner, that we try it again, over and over every year.This is the story of our weekend boating trip and yet another lost prawn trap. My husband and I have been boating for several years with friends on their Bayliner on the west coast and enjoy our excursions through the San Juan Islands in Washington state and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia. Crabbing and prawn trapping is very popular among both pleasure boaters and commercial fisherman in these areas.Our friend Jan had just had another birthday and her husband Hank decided to buy her something that they could both enjoy. You guessed it, a prawn trap. Out they went at the first opportunity early one morning in July and dropped their prawn trap over the side of their Bayliner. The attached float was clearly visible to other boaters and had their name and boat registration number painted on the side. As the day progressed, they decided it was time to check the prawn trap for booty. Dreaming of the delectable dinner that awaited them, they took off in their dinghy to check the trap. Around and around they went looking for their trap, but it was not to be found. They took their bearings from the land and were sure that they were in the correct spot, but no such luck. Once again, yet another prawn trap had disappeared. Back to their yacht and a dinner of pork and beans.The next morning they weighed anchor and started off for the next day's location, looking as they went for the missing prawn trap. It was

Between the Alaskan mainland and its islands, lies an intriguing waterway best known as the inside passage. Abundant in wildlife and breathtaking beauty, the inside passage affords visitors an experience that cannot be found anywhere in Alaska or in the world.From the waterway of the passage, one can look upon some of the most magnificent natural scenery to be found such as coastal rainforests, deep blue fjords and tidewater glaciers. Also to be found in the passage are numerous species of wildlife including humpback whales, sea lions and seabirds.
Because of the awe-inspiring beauty of the passage and since many destinations along the Alaska inside passage are only accessible by plane or boat, inside passage cruises have become one of the most popular tourist attractions of the state.Few people have visited Alaska without experiencing once in a lifetime moments. Towering tidewater glaciers offer natural beauty that usually is only fully appreciated with an up close and personal view that only a cruise through the inland waterways can afford. From this vantage point you will stand in awe of these mighty glaciers that reach several hundred feet in height and enjoy plentiful wildlife viewing such as humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, mountain goats, brown bears and bald eagles. You will also be stricken speechless by the sheer beauty of the inside passage's botanical gardens, spectacular waterfalls, and the Alaskan sunrise as seen from the cruise ship.Alaska inside passage cruises are also popular for their exotic port destinations. Some of the most popular ports of call on the inside passage are Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Ketchikan and Victoria. Certain cruises even give passengers the opportunity to land on Annette Island and to be greeted by the Tsimshian elders of Metlakatla.Best of all, Alaska inside passage cruises are affordable. You can choose from one-day inland glacier cruise packages which are as priced as low as $69 per person to a luxurious six night cruise on a deluxe designer yacht for as little as $4,000 per person. Of course there is a wide range of cruise options that fall between these two extremes.As you can see, there is a little bit of something for everybody aboard one of Alaska's inside passage cruise ships: a change of pace, exquisite scenery, and memories to last a lifetime.A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards lives in the beautiful Matanuska Valley. Ron invites you to come and see Alaska. One excellent way to enjoy Alaska is by taking an affordable Alaska cruise vacation.

Thinking you could use an escape from the wintertime blahs, maybe even that
dream holiday you've been thinking about for years? A Caribbean cruise
vacation is the answer! What makes a cruise your dream holiday, you ask?
Well, put simply, a cruise combines all the elements of a dream vacation
into one blissful trip. There is ALWAYS something to do, no matter your age
or interests. Whether you're on your honeymoon, vacationing with the
family, or spending quality time reuniting old friends, a cruise is
guaranteed to fulfill your dreams.Picture yourself riding on a beautiful cruise ship, looking over the railing
to see brilliant blue waters, idyllic sunsets, and dolphins playing in the
white-capped waves. Do you feel dreamy already? This fantasy can be your
reality if you choose a cruise for your next vacation.With multiple
poolside decks to lay out in the sunshine while enjoying the sights and
sounds of the ocean, along with reggae music and fruity island beverages,
daytime on the cruise ship can be very relaxing. If you prefer to be more
active, most ships are fully equipped with activities. Take a jog around
the boat-top track, or spend the day in aerobics and yoga classes followed
by a massage and facial at the spa. If shopping is your one true love,
you'll be in heaven with all the shops on the ships, ranging from
inexpensive trinkets to fancy wine and fine clothing.As if there isn't enough to do aboard the boat, don't forget about island
excursions! As the ship makes stops at various tropical paradises, you can
take in the local culture or fulfill your need for adventure. Locals await
you to take you to their favorite coral to swim with the dolphins or on a
waterfall climb. Also, there is unlimited shopping on the islands, so you
can really add to your art collection or your wardrobe. Try the native food
of the islands, and maybe learn a new word or two. By the time you climb
back aboard your ship you'll truly feel like you've visited another world.Now it's time to hop in the shower to prepare for the evening. Every night
on a cruise ship is magical. Start out with a five-course meal in the fine
dining room (that's already paid for!!). Enjoy drinks, piano music, cover
bands, dancing and more in one of the several bars, or try your luck at
black jack or poker in the casino. There are always cruise-wide games to
play on the decks if you want to meet new people or just be silly with your
friends and family. No matter what you are looking for in a holiday
vacation, a cruise is sure to fulfill your dreams!Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher offering Royal Carribean cruises and cheap hotel reservations.

Owning a boat has an oxymoronic quality to it. "The simple life" can be pretty complex--I think of it as having a plane, a car, and a house compressed into a very small space. This specialized environment calls for specialized equipment and tactics...sometimes. In spite of what marine retailers would like us to think, there are a number of 'normal' (and inexpensive) items that we can put to very efficient use aboard our boats. For example:For easy lighting that won't impair your night vision, stock red cellophane (the kind you get in rolls in a gift wrap store) and rubber bands. Cut squares to fit over flashlights and rubber band them in to place.Forget buying purpose-made bag clips. Clothespins can do double duty by securing laundry to the life lines as well as keeping the bag of potato chips (or whatever) closed. And only use rubber covered clothespins--the metal hinges on the wooden ones rust out in about five seconds in a marine environment.When the clothes dryer eats a sock, don't throw away its mate. Save those unmatched socks to use as jar and bottle covers aboard the boat. They provide good shock absorbency.If you haven't completely switched over to a digital camera, you should have plastic film canisters hanging around. Reuse them for storage aboard the boat--small fittings, pill boxes, herbs/spices, anything small that needs a compact home.Have several plastic spray bottles on board. Besides their use for cleaning solutions (e.g., a bleach/water combination for controlling mildew), they are great 'hand showers'. Douse yourself on hot days to encourage evaporative cooling. And when you're out on the ocean and go over the side for a bath, use a spray bottle to rinse yourself off with fresh water-- works great. Just make sure you keep your cleaning solution bottles separate from your shower bottles!If you aren't already doing so, save your old toothbrushes for cleaning and maintenance on the boat. There are loads of tight places above and below decks where a small brush works great. One overlooked spot: Use a toothbrush to clean the inside of anchor chain links.You can never have too many zip-locking bags. Keep several sizes available, and use them for more than just food storage. Spare parts, clothes, office equipment, medicines, and lots of other stuff will pack more compactly when transferred to zip locking bags. And reuse the bags: invert, wash, and then hang to dry with those double-duty clothespins.These are just a few examples of the use of 'non-marine' things that have a place aboard a boat.(c)Copyright 2004 Kerry S. MasonAbout The AuthorKerry Mason is the webmaster for http://www.finesailing.com, The #1 resource on the Internet for sailing, boating and water sports enthusiasts. Be sure to visit his complete archive of articles at... http://www.finesailing.com/articles/index.html

Antarctica is one of the great unexplored areas of the world. It wasn't until the last fifty years that there has been any appreciable exploration or study of the vast frozen continent. Now the tourist with sufficient money can actually view and set foot on this unique part of the earth.The tourist season for Antarctica is restricted only to the months of December through February when it is the peak of summer in the southernmost part of the world. Only vessels equipped for the icy waters cruise to one of the coldest areas of the earth. Three major cruise lines offer Antarctic cruises: Celebrity Cruises, Orient Lines, and Radisson Seven Seas. Smaller specialty expedition companies also offer other trips to this destination.Celebrity Cruises travels to Antarctica with the polar icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov, a refitted 1980's Russian polar research vessel. This ship takes a fortunate 106 passengers to the polar region with the amenities expected from Celebrity Cruises such as pool, sauna, and gym. Accommodations are small by comparison to a cruise ship; staterooms can be as small as 135 square feet while a suite with private bath is only 285 square feet.Currently Celebrity Cruises has one 11-day trip to Antarctica scheduled for departure February 6, 2006. The price is approximately $10,000 per person. The cruise originates and returns to Ushuaia Tierra Del Fuego, the southernmost town in South America near Cape Horn. As with all cruises in the frozen waters, destinations depend upon actual weather conditions during the cruise.Orient Lines provides several Antarctic cruises each year aboard its world traveler ship Marco Polo. This ship was originally built in Germany in 1965 and was rebuilt in the early 1990's. It has twelve decks and carries 826 passengers, a cruise ship not a research vessel like the Kapitan Khlebnikov. Accommodations vary from deluxe and regular suites to a full complement of cabin categories to choose from. Orient Lines has a high reputation for quality and the Marco Polo is a full service ship with many restaurants and amenities.Orient offers a variety of Antarctic cruises throughout the season from December to February with the option of 11 to 33 day cruises, depending upon point of departure. The longest trip begins in the Caribbean, passes through the Panama Canal and tours the west coast of South America before touring Antarctica. Once the ship reaches the Cape Horn area, regular 11-day cruises to Antarctica depart from Ushuaia Tierra Del Fuego. Other cruises are 15 or 18-day cruises that start in Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prices start at around $5,000 per person for the 11-day cruise.Radisson Seven Seas provides cruises to Antarctica aboard the ship Explorer II. Explorer II is designed to cruise safely in the polar region. While this vessel carries 300 passengers elsewhere, only 198 people can take the Antarctic cruise. Explorer II is a small cruise ship with all the amenities expected from a luxury and award-winning cruise line such as Radisson Seven Seas.Radisson Seven Seas provides only two cruises per year in the Antarctic region, both in the month of January. Both cruises are round trip from Ushuaia Tierra Del Fuego and are 12-day trips. While the 2005 cruise itinerary shows cruising the Antarctic Peninsula, the 2006 cruises show only cruising the South Shetland Islands without mention of the Antarctic continent. Prices start at around $7,500 per person for the 12-day cruise.More Cruise - Cruise Information And More!
Go to: http://www.morecruise.com
'More Cruise' is published by Colin Hartness -
Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.morecruise.com/articles

Traveling famously on a Transatlantic crossing or cruising the world on a stately Cunard has been the exemplar of the good life for 163 years. Cunard's rich legacy of lustrous White Star Service? and realm of privileged indulgence are the gold standard by which others are measured. Few thrills compare...Cunard has launched nearly 180 ships with enough firsts and foremost to be forever inscribed in maritime history. Canadian Samuel Cunard began his steamship company in the early 1800's with a vision, but it is unlikely he foresaw ships with the size, speed or cultured, gracious living afforded by the magnificent Cunarders of today.The onboard ambience attracts a loyal following of guests with similar interests and values - the opportunity to socialize with peers who share so much in common is one of the great joys of "traveling Cunard."Cunard Cruise Lines White Star Service can only be described as truly European in that staff attends to every desire with polite, gracious and highly responsive attention - unobtrusive but very much there. When you first come on board, if you half-close your eyes, you will sense immediately that you are on a liner from the twenties or thirties. But open them fully and you will realize at once that the d

Inflatable boats such as inflatable kayaks, inflatable catamarans, and inflatable sport boats have several advantages over their traditional watercraft counterparts. They typically cost less, are easy to transport, and can operate in more shallow waters than a deep hull boat. But many people don't realize that inflatable boats are just as safe, or even more secure, than traditional boats. Because of their safety reputation, inflatable boats are now essentially the standard for use by the military, coast guard and other rescue agencies worldwide.BuoyancyBuoyancy is one of the main concerns with any watercraft. How high a boat sits in the water and how well it stays afloat are important contributors to overall safety. Buoyancy also helps determine the amount and weight of cargo that a boat can transport.Inflatable boats and inflatable kayaks tend to be more buoyant than traditional watercraft, mainly because of the inflatable collar or tubes. The inflatable sections help spread the buoyancy out over the entire area of the boat, making it more resistant to sinking. In addition, the collars or tubes on an inflatable boat are usually designed with separate chambers so that if one chamber becomes deflated, the overall buoyancy will not be noticeably affected.StabilityNot only does the design of inflatable boats contribute to increased buoyancy, it also helps make the watercraft more stable. Unlike traditional V-hulled boats, an inflatable boat sits flat in the water and has a low center of gravity, making them virtually impossible to tip. They are better able to handle rough water, and people standing up in the boat are not going to cause the craft to capsize. And swimmers and divers can use the sides to pull themselves up without causing the boat to rock or flip.Power & ManeuverabilityWith the right size motor, inflatable boats can be quicker and more powerful than traditional boats because they are much lighter. For this same reason, they are much more responsive and easy to maneuver. In fact, because inflatable boats are so light and quick, it is important that you do not use too large of a motor. For general boating and fishing on inflatable boats, an 8 horsepower motor is adequate for watercraft up to 14 feet. Larger boats and inflatable sports boats for activities such as water skiing will require a motor with around 30 horsepower.Other Safety FactorsAs with traditional boats, there are a number of other precautions that help increase the overall safety of inflatable boats. The following list provides comprehensive guidelines, both for preparing to use an inflatable boat and for operation while out on the water.Before Leaving Port? Familiarize yourself with all aspects involved with the operation of your inflatable boat and make several practice runs before heading out on the water with passengers.? Familiarize yourself with the water safety regulations for your area.? Explain basic boat operations to all passengers and make sure that there is someone else in the boat that can operate it in case you become unable to do so.? Tell someone on shore the names of all people on your inflatable boat, where you plan to go, and when you expect to be back.? If you have a cellular phone, bring it with you in case of emergency.? Be sure to bring enough life vests or other allowable floatation devices for yourself and all passengers and make sure everyone puts them on before leaving if required by law to do so.? Also pack paddles, maps, flares, and other essential navigational and safety equipment.? When loading your boat, distribute weight evenly from side to side and front to back. Tie down loose cargo so it doesn't shift.? Check weather conditions for the area and consider bringing a waterproof weather radio or hand held VHF Marine radio.? Learn about navigational concerns related to the specific body of water on which you plan to use your inflatable boat and don't exceed the capabilities of you or your boat.On The Water? Require all passengers to remain seated while the boat is in motion, and never allow anyone to ride on the bow of the boat. If anyone must stand up, be sure they maintain three points of contact.? If using a motor, keep your hands away from the propeller and be sure passengers remember to stay clear of the prop when they are in the water.? Always use the stop switch lanyard that attaches to the driver that will kill the engine should you fall overboard. Test it before leaving port to be sure it is operating correctly.? Be aware that heavy rains and other water changes can create problems with debris floating in the water or hidden under the surface.? Do not operate the inflatable boat under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.? Remember that the captain of the boat sets the standard for safety, and you are responsible for the operation of the boat as well as your passengers' behavior.Special Safety Considerations For Inflatable BoatsWhen using an inflatable boat, it is also a good idea to take along a foot pump and a repair kit. Even though boats with independent inflatable chambers can still operate when one chamber deflates, there may be instances when you may need to patch a puncture or re-inflate the boat at some point. It is important to have the necessary tools as well as an understanding of how to make repairs.In addition, organizations such as the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Safe Boating Council and the American Boat & Yacht Council provide information on boating safety. The Coast Guard, many state agencies, and private groups offer water safety classes and Web sites such as BoatEd and BoatSafe offer online testing and certification approved by many states.Although it is unlikely that your inflatable boat will capsize if you follow these safety precautions, it is also a good idea to know how to swim. Those who enjoy boating on a regular basis may also want to consider a CPR course.In addition to being easy to use and often less expensive than traditional boats, inflatable boats, inflatable kayaks, and other inflatable watercraft are more safe and secure in key areas such as buoyancy and stability. Following the tips listed in this article will add to the overall safety of your boating experience and enhance your enjoyment of your inflatable boat as well.About the Author:C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Inflatable-Boats-N-Kayaks.com, providing consumer information on
rigid inflatable
fishing boats and the best inflatable kayaks. She
and her family make frequent fishing trips to Canada's backcountry. The numerous
portages required to reach some of the smaller lakes have made her especially
appreciative of the lightweight, compact design of most
inflatable sport boats.Copyright 2005 Inflatable-Boats-N-Kayaks.com

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the
author's byline is included and all links are hyperlinked.

On a Crystal cruise it is not difficult to find what you seek. In fact, your search for a place beyond ordinary is over. "Splendidly Uncommon"! Ablaze with intoxicating color and high style, Crystal Cruises' Harmony, Symphony and Serenity are ships of superlatives that capture the aura of extravagant parties, big, snazzy cars and high tea in the Palm Court while Porter, Gershwin, Mozart and Bach float on the air.The Experience:Six-star elegance and style personified! Accommodations include ocean-view staterooms and suites, which many are with private verandahs (Crystal Harmony offers a small number of inside staterooms as well). Full 360-degree teak promenade deck, In-stateroom Internet access, and Butler Service in categories (PH, PS and CP). Choice of classic, main, or late seating in the Crystal Dining Room. Several alternatives to dining venues, 24-hour room service, and wine cellar with over 20,000 bottles (200 vintages and a special Reserve Wine List).Nights are full of life! Award-winning production shows and a host of other evening performances await where the spotlight shines on Tony