Tag: tourism

Why We Love Alaskan Huskies

Posted on by Kathy Fossati

More than a working dog

We all know and love a sleigh-pulling cuddly Alaskan Husky, but they are not all the same, very far from it. Below are some interesting facts and figures to enjoy, particularly if you are heading on a trip to Alaska.

The Northern Lights

Did you know…

  • Alaskan mushers bred the dogs they found in Inuit villages with Siberian Huskies, Greyhounds and German Shorthaired Pointers to create the Alaskan Husky.  
  • Because they were bred as working dogs they are classified as a category rather than a breed.
  • There is no standard breed; each breeder selects for the qualities that are most important including speed, stamina, a particular gait, and a particular size or coat type.
  • They have a larger and leaner body than the Siberian Husky.
  • Alaskan have brown eyes, while the Siberian has blue eyes.
  • They Are renown for being one of the fastest dogs in the world: recorded as traveling at 45km per hour!
  • Alaskan Huskies are also known for extreme endurance, with particular breeds able to race for up over 1,500kms.
  • Unsurprisingly, being from Alaska where temperatures can drop as low as -62.2°C, Alaskan Huskies can’t live in very hot climates and shouldn’t be exercised in temperatures above 20°C.

Working Dogs

  • Different types of Alaskan Huskies do different jobs and are bred for different types of sledding.
  • Freighting dogs pull heavy loads. Sprinters go fast for short distances. Other dogs have the stamina to go longer distances. They are used to haul logs, deliver supplies to remote locations, transportation in general, and even competing in races for money.
  • Alaskan Huskies who are top sled racing dogs may be worth US$10,000-$15,000 or more.Alaskan Husky

Just for Fun!

  • The howl of an Alaskan Husky can be heard up to 16kms away and they can be particularly talkative!
  • Their claws help them grip on the ice and they will scoop out holes in the snow for a place to burrow and shelter themselves from the wind.
  • Huskies are NOT all the same – the Alaskan Husky is much more chilled and playful than Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes – many believe making them a wonderful family pet.
  • They are very friendly and love strangers so don’t count on them being a good guard dog.
  • An odd fact but here goes anyway – NEVER shave an Alaskan Husky. It may seem a good idea to help cool down but it will only increase their risk of sunburn and eliminate her ability to regulate temperature.
  • Because Alaskan Huskies are highly intelligent, gentle with people and have a strong pack instinct, they make excellent companion dogs.
  • HOWEVER…like any wild animal if provoked, not disciplined or mistreated, they can become aggressive.

Alaskan Husky

 

For more information on several of our cruise packages for Alaska and the region, please call one our Travel Specialists on 1300 766 537 or visit wwww.cruiseexpress.com.au

 

Why You Should Add Rail To Your Holiday Journey List

Posted on by Kathy Fossati

So Many Reasons to Explore the World By Rail

The wise old adage about the journey being more important than the destination, couldn’t be more appropriate for railway journey holidays. While epic odysseys such as the Trans-Siberian Express, the Alaska Railway or The Scottish Highlands are trips of a lifetime for many, there are also many adventures to discover throughout Australia.

Cruise Express has begun introducing rail as an add on to many of our cruising holidays. Many of the rail itineraries are exclusively organised by Cruise Express so are not available elsewhere. Below are a few good reasons Rail Journey Holidays are becoming more popular:

Nostalgic Charm – Restored heritage trains are a wonderful travel alternative, taking you through spectacular landscapes, culture and history. With a touch of romance, rail journey holidays will transport you into a bygone era when rail was a common way to travel.

Rail Journey Holidays - more popular than ever

Exclusive Destinations – Cruise Express is taking iconic trains to destinations that are often untouched by heritage rail tourism. Travel in comfort through majestic alpine scenery, along panoramic coastal routes, or spectacular gorges. Remote destinations can have limited or no access by road or sea, leaving rail the best way to meander through some of the world’s most stunning landscapes.

Immersion – While air travel may be a great way to arrive at your destination faster, there is so much of the sensory experience missed, including stops along the way to really immerse yourself in a local experience. Sit back, relax and watch the scenery, culture and history unfold all around you.

Relaxing Holiday – Rail travel is affordable, comfortable and relaxing with no airport transfers, jet lag or traffic to worry about. You have the choice to mingle with other friendly passengers, sit back and relax, stretch your legs and walk around, eat, drink or sleep – the choice is yours.

Rail Journey Holidays - more popular than ever

Care-free Holidays – Rail journey escorted tours are a perfect balance of inclusions and freedom for singles, friends, couples or families. Organised local tours offer unique insider perspectives, yet we recommend getting off the beaten track to create your own priceless memories.

Keeping Couples Happy – Combining rail and cruise is a great combination for couples that don’t necessarily agree on the best way to travel – be adventurous and try both – you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Financially Friendly – Most of the holiday costs are covered in a rail or rail and sail holiday. All inclusions are clearly defined in your itinerary to make budgeting easier. Enjoy the comforts of a premium holiday for exceptional value, and let Cruise Express take care of the rest!

Quality Inclusions – Cruise Express tours are like no other, offering unique experiences including Platinum Class travel, exclusive food and wine tours, private dinners, concierge services, and ship vantage points on Sydney Harbour for one of the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Remember, when the whistle sounds and the wheels turn, your adventures begin.

Call Cruise Express today on 1300 766 537 or see our list of rail journeys here to have your own rail experience!

Rail Journey Holidays - more popular than ever

The One Thing you Should Never Travel Without!

Posted on by Clive

 

Your cruise ship leaves tomorrow, your suitcase is packed and you check your list…passport, tickets, money and credit cards, camera, phone and phone card, sunscreen, clothes and travel insurance?

You’d be shocked at how many Australians travel overseas without travel insurance but at Cruise Express we believe it’s just as important as your passport. Let’s be honest…no matter how prepared, organised or healthy you may be, sometimes things in life just don’t go to plan and that can include when you’re on holidays.

Of course, the vast majority of travellers enjoy incident-free vacations but just in case something goes wrong – you may get sick or have an accident, your flight or cruise could be cancelled or delayed or you could lose your luggage, passport or purse – it makes good sense to be prepared and cover yourself if your plans do come undone.

Over the years, Cruise Express has seen many clients benefit from travel insurance while on holidays. It’s important to note that you are not covered by Medicare overseas and if you don’t have travel insurance, you could face hefty bills. Travel insurance is also vital on shorter cruises close to home to destinations such as New Zealand or the South Pacific. ‘

Even if you cruise to ‘nowhere’ on a weekend cruise from Sydney or Perth or sail on a ship on a domestic leg from Sydney to Melbourne, you need travel insurance to cover the cost of international doctors aboard the ship as Medicare does not cover you onboard.

Some credit cards have built-in travel insurance but it’s wise to check the conditions first to ensure the coverage is adequate for your trip and any pre-existing health issues you have. The coverage credit cards offer can sometimes be basic and could leave you short so alternative travel insurance will be necessary. And these days, many of us travel overseas with expensive smartphones, laptops and other electronic and digital devices so you need to ensure these are also adequately protected in your travel insurance. An extended cover may be required for these valuable items.

Cruise Express supports the Government’s motto that if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. It’s that important. Of course, Cruise Express can organise travel insurance coverage for you. We can help organise the best policy for you, taking into account your age and pre-existing health conditions. In fact, we can help organise travel insurance that covers more than 3000 pre-existing health conditions. And if you book your travel insurance direct via our website – see the Cruise Tools tab (link) – you can enjoy a 10 percent discount.

We have compiled here a ‘Top 10’ list of tips for travel insurance which we hope helps you when deciding what coverage is best for you and your dream holiday.

Top 10 Travel Insurance Tips

1. Organise your travel insurance when you make the booking and pay a deposit on your trip to ensure you are protected right from the start in case plans change.

2. You should take out travel insurance on all cruises you do – long or short, overseas or around Australia, even weekend cruises to ‘nowhere’ as Medicare does not apply to medical centres onboard.

3. Read the conditions of your policy to ensure your coverage is adequate for the items (including expensive digital devices) and luggage you take with you and buy along the way and any pre-existing health conditions you may have.

4. Take photos and records of valuable items you will take on holiday, including your passport, and email them to a webmail address you can access if required. Also take the photos with you and keep them separate from the goods.

5. Report any stolen property to local police as soon as possible and obtain a police report to help with your insurance claim. The more paperwork you have, the easier it will be to make a claim.

6. Bring your insurance policy with you and also store copies of it on your phone, webmail or laptop.

7. If you need to make a claim, ring your insurer (be sure to carry the phone number with you) while you are still on holidays to see what action is required.

8. Check the Federal Government’s Smart Traveller website for helpful information on travel insurance.

9. Talk to a member of our Cruise Express team about travel insurance. We can help organise and book your travel insurance for you. And if you book your travel insurance direct via our website – you can enjoy a 10 per cent discount.

10. Enjoy your cruise, knowing you have travel insurance if you need it!

We’re here to help because we care about your holiday and we want to ensure you have the vital protection and invaluable peace of mind that travel insurance provides.

Call today on 1300 766 537 or visit our website to find out more!

What to do on Embarkation Day

Posted on by Clive

Make the Most of Arrival Day to Ensure A Great Start to Your Holiday!

Here are some tips on what to do on embarkation day…

It’s the big day you’ve been looking forward to for so long – the day you board your cruise ship.  We suggest you arrive early  (Unless you’ve been given a specific time to board) to maximise your organisational time onboard before sailing. If you come too early you may find you’ve joined what can often be a long queue of early birds keen to get onboard first. Time your arrival at the terminal just after the boarding period starts so the line-up has mostly cleared.

  1. Unpack your belongings in the cabin as soon as your luggage arrives so you can feel settled as soon as possible. Check the TV channels in your stateroom so you can find relaxing music to play to put you in a cruising mood as soon as possible.
  2. Introduce yourself to your cabin steward and make any special requests you have.
  3. In your carry-on bag, pack a change of clothing and swimsuit so you can feel comfortable if it’s warm and take a dip in the ship’s pools and spas when they are crowd-free on embarkation day. You’ll feel like the cruise has already started!
  4. Enjoy lunch on board the ship – remember that the buffet can often be crowded on embarkation day, so see if the ship’s other restaurants are open. If lunching at the buffet, take your meal outdoors to the pool areas where there is often more room.
  5. Take a walk around the ship to get your bearings and check on opening and closing times for the gym, pools, kids clubs and shops etc.
  6. Check out the ship’s schedule of events left in your cabin so you can see what’s on today and familiarise yourself with the layout of the daily bulletin.
  7. Book gym classes, spa sanctuary sessions and any adult/premium deck areas for the cruise to ensure you secure your spots early. Shore tours can book out very quickly so if you haven’t done so already get onto that today.
  8. The purser’s desk on boarding day can be very busy – leave any inquiries until the next day if you can or use the phone in your cabin to contact reception.
  9. Bring a calculator and work out if the onboard drink packages are good value for you.
  10. See the maitre d’ at the designated times he or she is available as advertised in the ship’s newsletter if you wish to change your allocated dining times.
  11. The lifts can be very busy on embarkation day as luggage is loaded and passenger explore the ship so take the stairs if you can.
  12. Take time to stroll onto the open decks to enjoy the excitement of sail away time as your ship officially begins your dream voyage.

We’re here to chat about these suggestions and so much more to make your cruise a holiday of a lifetime. Call us 1300 766 537 or visit our website.

Is the Cruise Fare Fair?

Posted on by Clive

We can’t recommend enough to do your homework!

Research Research Research…

You’re ready for a cruise holiday and you’ve done your research but the fares you’ve unearthed vary significantly. Should you grab the cheapest deal or is the more expensive cruise fare a better value offer? We help you solve the dilemma so you get a fair deal on your next escape to sea…Is your cruise fare fair?

Australia is now the fastest-growing cruise region in the world and with that has come an ocean of cruise fares with so much choice that selecting the right deal can often be overwhelming and confusing. A common scenario is different prices for the same cruise. The most important advice we have at Cruise Express is to compare apples with apples and to look more closely what each fare includes so you can find the true value of a package.

The lowest fare may not always offer the best deal…

As they say, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And let’s face it, holidays are very emotional purchases and far more important than buying a fridge or a car. As we grow older, we recall the great travel experiences we enjoyed more than what cars we bought during our lifetime. Holidays create life-enduring memories we cherish forever so it’s important you pick the travel deal that delivers the quality holiday you deserve.

The important factors to explore…

The cruise itinerary itself may look the same on two different fare deals but here are some vital questions you should ask yourself before you invest your hard-earned money on your dream cruise holiday…

  1. Does the fare advertised include return flights to where the cruise starts and ends?
  2. If the package does include flights, what airline will you be flying – a full-service airline with meals, more seat space, entertainment and a higher baggage allowance or a low-cost airline where you need to pay for extras?
  3. Are the flights direct, with only one stop and short connections, or longer with multiple stops?
  4. Is hotel accommodation included in the package before or after your cruise? And where are the hotels located – in the heart of the city close to major attractions and public transport or much further away? And is the hotel of budget or deluxe standard?
  5. How many meals are included in the holiday package, especially before and after the cruise itself?
  6. Are transfers included – for example, from the airport to your hotel and from the hotel to the ship and then back to the airport after your cruise? If not, these can be expensive.
  7. Is the tour hosted, with an escort or Tour Manager looking after all the travel details along the way so you can relax and enjoy the holiday – or will you be travelling on your own?
  8. How long is each package – how many days does the entire package last for?
  9. Learn what type of cruise line will you be sailing with and what style of ship – budget, mid-range or luxury?
  10. Check the inclusions for the cruise itself – beverages, shore tours, exclusive welcome aboard receptions, specialty restaurant dining, stateroom canapes and onboard spending credits?
  11. What type of cabin is offered for the fare you have found – an Oceanview, Balcony or Interior cabin?
  12. Is the cruise deal you spotted offered by a travel agency with friendly, helpful staff who will offer you personalised service, security and also help if needed until you return home or is the company just an internet site with little personal contact so that you are just a booking number in the system?

Taking all these factors into account, that low fare option may no longer look like a good deal after all if it doesn’t include direct flights on a premium airline, reputable, centrally located hotels, transfers, hotel meals or the support of a full-service travel agency staffed by experts who really care about you and your holiday.

At Cruise Express, our experienced staff are dedicated to finding the best deal for you. We believe our cruise packages offer excellent value for money. We use full-service airlines offering direct flights, premium cruise lines and centrally located, deluxe hotels in our packages. Transfers, meals and other extras are often included too and, as you know, many of our cruise tours are escorted by our expert team, delivering even more value. We also pride ourselves on friendly and personalised service from your first call to the moment you return home. And even then, we want to know all about your holiday because that’s our passion.

Cruise Express are your experienced professionals with the answers to all your cruise fare enquiries. Let us help you book a great deal for your next cruise holiday.  Call today on 1300 766 537.