Cruise holidays are typically associated with high-end luxury - with exquisite cuisine on tap, a list of superb destinations to visit and attentive five-star service. But you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that finding cruise deals is not that difficult.

For a start, cruise holidays usually represent excellent value for money. Many come as a complete package with flights, accommodation and all meals included in the price - and what meals they are. Cuisine of numerous different nationalities, prepared to the highest standards, is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while delicious snacks are provided in-between throughout the day. Whatever you fancy - whether it’s smoked salmon for breakfast, a Sunday roast for lunch or seafood for dinner - it’s all there. Most cruises offer a gala dinner night too, where you’ll get to glam up and be treated to waiter service complete with a delicious taster menu.


But it’s not all about food and exciting destinations. Cruise liners typically have fantastic facilities onboard too. Take Royal Caribbean cruises for instance. Its standard of service precedes it, and aside from the usual amenities such as gym equipment, pools and spa treatments, it’s constantly pushing the boundaries with new and innovative ideas. Most ships in the RCI fleet offer surfing lessons in a special pool complete with surf generator, and they also boast a rock climbing wall.

But while a cruise might be a lavish treat, it doesn’t have to come with the luxury price tag. Many cruise companies or tour operators offer great discounts on holidays throughout the year, and especially just before the ships depart. You can often bag a great deal by booking a couple of weeks before the departure date, and enjoy all the wonderful experiences of a cruise holiday at a fraction of the original price. Perfect.

If you’re after the sort of holiday where you’re partying by night and sleeping on a beach by day, Kardamena is the place to be.

Packed with bars, pubs and clubs, it’s the location of choice for thousands of party-loving sun-seekers and it’s definitely the place to be if you’re after a high-octane clubbing scene. By day it’s scorching but as the sun goes down the night hots up - bringing with it some of the best party playgrounds this side of Europe.

Head to Bar Street for a lively mix of booming bars and great clubs banging out the latest tunes, before moving onto the likes of Status and Starlight for the ultimate clubbing experience. When it comes to nightlife there’s plenty of choice in Kardamena and you’ll find everything from foam parties and lasers to school discos, perfect for hens, stags, girly weekends and lads holidays.

Then after you’ve crawled back to your pit in the early hours and woken up to rays of Grecian sun streaming through your window, it’s time to head to the beach. Kardamena has a large sandy bay boasting plenty of water sports and lively activities. What better way to clear your head than jet skiing through the surf or trying your hand at parasailing? Or for something a little less energetic, amble out on a pedalo and top up your tan in the scorching sun.

Take a wander and you’ll find plenty of other things to do in Kardamena. From boat trips and go-karting to crazy golf, it’s all here. For the really die-hard among you, why not take a booze cruise around the neighbouring beaches? Or impress your mates and burn off the burgers with a trip inland and a jaunt up the mountains.

One thing’s for sure, whatever you come here for - whether it’s lazy days, legendary nights, or both - you’ll certainly have a ball.

The Fountains of Bellagio during my visit last 2008

This is one thing I miss in Las Vegas, the choreographed show of the Fountains of Bellagio. I can't imagine how many water hoses were built in it to do all the water dancing. I guess Bellagio hotel are also using fire hose adapters in its premises.

I had the pleasure to  watch this video many times during my two months stay in Las Vegas, Nevada last 2008. I just wish to visit it again and take videos and better  pictures of it. I am crossing my fingers to hopefully visit it this summer.

I miss this place. Bally's hotel in Las Vegas Strip, Paradise, Nevada was the venue where the band of my cousin plays all the time. It is four years now since the last time I visited Las Vegas. Almost every night, I was on the strip especially inside Bally's to see my cousin's performance as a lead singer in a band.

There are just a lot of good things I miss in Las Vegas especially seeing the free shows on the strip.

This is the alley where I used to walk almost every night to see my cousin  singing in a band inside Bally's Hotel and casino.  See those lights on the ceiling. I find it  nice.

The Cloud in Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas

Visiting Las Vegas? Don't miss to visit the famous Fashion Show Mall there. I love walking inside this mall and do some window shopping inside. I can't find exactly what I was looking for that time, the Fedoras Hats. Good to know that I finally found it online.

Fashion Show Mall has a variety of named designers, U.S. retail chain stores, a large food court and several restaurants.

I hope to visit Las Vegas again this year and experience more things there.

I haven't seen the original Sphinx in   Giza, Egypt but at  least I saw  its replica in Luxor Las Vegas, Nevada. This historical monument patterned from Egypt is very interesting. I thought I can only watch it in Television but I had  truly  seen it in person. Although it is only a replica but I am still happy to see it  from  my naked eyes. I know one day, I can visit the real one in Egypt. It is  included in my travel wishlist.

Luxor Las Vegas is located in on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It is a hotel and a casino. Its architecture was based in ancient Thebes, now the city of Luxor.

I did not really  go inside  this shop located in Luxor Las Vegas. I just observed that most of its products are for kids. No wonder the Scarab Shop sells  gift items for  kids and children. I believed they have a business liability insurance for the security of their business. This Luxor's Kids shop is located  on the atrium level near the escalator that leads to the casino.

If you have children left at home, this can be a good place for you to buy gift items for them.

I had a great time gallivanting inside this luxury hotel. I wish to visit it again in the future.

If you happened to go inside the  Forum Shops in Caesars Palace, you  feel like you are outside the building because of the sky-like paintings on its ceiling.  I just find it interesting.

This shopping mall is actually connected to Caesars Palace and you can shop for its over 160 stores and boutiques inside. There are also restaurants there if ever your stomach is asking for a break.

the sky-like painted  ceiling in the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace during my Las Vegas vacation last 2008.

This is one of the malls I love it Las Vegas, Nevada.  I always have a good time window shopping at the Forums Shops  in Caesars Palace in  Las Vegas Strip. I like especially going to the Victoria's  Secret  store, which I believed  using  a POS Hardware. Their stuffs  have reasonable and  I bought last time the ones that are on sale. I also gave it as presents for my family and friends back home.

I am hoping to visit Las Vegas and other parts of the United States this  year. I miss all the fun and escapades with the new friends I met there.

It's  been four years now since my vacation in the United States of America. I stayed most of the time in Las Vegas for almost two months. The snapshot you see below was taken during our trip to California. It was around 300 miles drive from Las Vegas to  California. I enjoyed the scenery during that road trip.

I am not quite sure  if these mountains are in California or Las Vegas, Nevada. See embedded date. That was the day when we drove from Las Vegas to CA.