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David Patullo asked:


If you are a shipping cruise buff, then you might have heard of the Norwegian Cruise Line company that has a base in Miami, Florida.  The shipping company is best known for their freestyle cruise packages.  These packages have no set times and they don’t even enforce seating arrangements or formal attire just to eat a good meal.  This is probably part of the charm of the shipping companies freestyle packages because it allows one to relax to the fullest.

In 1966, this cruise line was founded and they only had one ship to begin with.  What made them a special company at the time was that they offered low-cost cruises all the way to the Caribbean.  To this very day, the Norwegian Cruise Lines still sail to the Caribbean with many more ships available to travelers and at very fair costs as well.  They have been so successful with their year-round cruise packages that they have more branches in Alaska, all around Europe, Bermuda, and Hawaii.  This gives travelers a whole range of cruises to choose from and some fantastic prices as well!

The next time that you think you are up for a world cruise on some of the finest ships to sail the seas, check out this cruise line and you will definitely find the destination of your dreams. You’ll find that since 1966, they still offer some of the best accommodations, onboard services, facilities, and unique entertainment that you will surely enjoy  on the way to your dream destination.

Activetravel Asia asked:


AUSTRALIANS are royally spoiled when it comes to world-class coastlines. Yet still we travel, chasing sandier or sunnier shores. Here are 10 of the best beaches in Asia.

1. SAUD BEACH, PHILIPPINES

On the northwest coast of Luzon, little-known Saud Beach at Pagudpud is a 2km arc of blindingly pure sand bordered by the blue of the South China Sea. It’s like an uncluttered version of that famous Philippines shore, White Beach, on Boracay Island. Beat the developers, the hair-braiders and sarong-floggers – head to Pagudpud now.

2. KO ADANG, THAILAND

Thailand’s far south Andaman Sea coast has clusters of islands that are still off the radar for tour group invaders and full-moon ravers. The towering rock formations and crystal waters of Ko Tarutao National Marine Park, a 51-island group about 30km off the mainland, are a reminder of how islands such as Phuket, Samui and Phi Phi once were. Here you’ll find Ko Adang, a jungle island with pristine shores, empty beaches and not a beer bar in sight.

3. BENTOTA, SRI LANKA

At Bentota Beach, 60km south of Colombo, grand arcs of beach sweep north and south from a rocky promontory. The Indian Ocean massages this coast of granite headlands and uncrowded beaches that surfers and European sun-seekers discovered long ago. There is a choice of three, four and five-star resorts from which you can simultaneously contemplate Bentota’s fiery sunset and your of sundowner.

4. YALONG BAY, CHINA

At the same latitude as Hawaii, Hainan is where mainland Chinese come to get that Waikiki feeling without leaving home. While Yalong Bay, near Sanya on Hainan’s southern tip, may lack Polynesia’s heaving surf and swaying skirts, its broad white beaches are better than many in Hawaii. Fishing villages and rice farms once rimmed Yalong Bay’s 7km strand. In their place, quality resorts harvest the disposable incomes of China’s leisure class.

5. CHINA BEACH, VIETNAM

China Beach, on Vietnam’s central coast near Da Nang, is 30km long and has numerous resorts and restaurants, especially around Bai Non Nuoc. The specific section of the China Beach of Vietnam War and television series fame is known locally as Bai Tam My Khe. Here, you can see fishermen paddle out through its breaking waves in flimsy wicker coracles and then, after fishing, surf right back in again.

6. CALANGUTE, INDIA

“Christmas in Goa” was the mantra for heliotropic (and psychotropic) hippies on the 1970s “Overland Trail”. Calangute’s palm-fringed shoreline was annually invaded by some of the most upbeat and beat-up minds of their generation; today it is simply built-up. Over-development hasn’t been kind to Calangute’s little fishing hamlets, but its Arabian Sea full moons are as spellbinding as ever.

7. DUNGUN, MALAYSIA

The east coast of Malaysia is a sleeping secret. Macaque monkeys swing like tiny Tarzans through a tree canopy that borders the South China Sea. Beyond the trees, Dungun, an empty swoop of beach, is one of Malaysia’s least-exploited shores. Offshore is Tenggol Island, part of Terengganu Marine Park, where you can snorkel and scuba dive amid gin-and-tonic clear waters alive with turtles, grouper, wrasse and jacks.

8. OCCHEUTEAL, CAMBODIA

Sihanoukville (aka Kompong Som) on Cambodia’s pretty south coast is home to five fine beaches, even though the best one, Sokha, is reserved for a private hotel’s guests. Sokha’s neighbour, Occheuteal Beach, comes a close second with its long stretch of white sand lined with pine trees. Popular with Cambodians and travellers alike, Occheuteal’s far northern end has become a backpacker hangout.

9. MAE NAM, THAILAND

Ko Samui’s east coast strands are almost too well known. Head up to the north coast to snoozy Mae Nam, where the sands may be narrower, but you’re not sharing them with the crowds. The water is clear and calm, the palm trees shady. In the distance you can see a flotilla of blue-grey islands that drifts just north of Samui, including Ko Phangan and Ang Thong Marine Park, where the beaches are truly empty.

10. KENTING, TAIWAN

The semi-tropical landscape of southern Taiwan is a surprise until you remember that the island’s earlier Portuguese name, Formosa, means “beautiful”. The name still fits. Unhurried and warm, Kenting, at the rugged southernmost tip of the island, has reasonable beaches for swimming, diving and surfing, plus an 18,000-ha national park. There is ample accommodation here, the seafood is excellent and, surprisingly, you’re well inside the Tropic of Cancer.

Sunday Herald Sun

Source: http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,22157694-27983,00.html

Related to China Beach, Vietnam

- Danang hotels & resorts: http://www.activetravelshop.com/?name=product&op=listProducts&subcat=DanangHotels

Derek Both asked:


We have recently got back from a stay at the Hilton Hotel and Beach Club in Ras al Khaimah, Dubai and would like to say that we were pleasantly surprised with our stay. We were aware that the hotel was quite far from Dubai itself but this was not a problem at all as there were various different ways of getting there. Our package holiday tour to Dubai was full of peace and relaxation so it was the perfect way to de – stress from work.

The hotel had high standards with friendly, helpful staff. The staff at the beach club were friendly and we liked the fact that they brought food and drinks over to us. The suites were furnished very nicely and had an Arabian feel to them. The rooms were also clean and the air conditioning was much appreciated as it gets extremely hot in Dubai.

There was plenty of food to choose from so we always managed to find something we like from seafood to more traditional British foods. Many people chose to go to the the Havana Bar after dinner as there was live entertainment there.

If you wanted to stay at the hotel there is a swimming pool and fitness room or if you prefer to go out the hotel has a private beach club. This was only a seven minute journey away and had a lovely private beach with lots of water-sports. There are lots of sun loungers by the pools and the beach so you don’t have to worry about lying on the very hot sand. Towels are even provided so you can leave your towel in the room.

There was plenty for us to do on our package holiday tour to Dubai in and around the hotel but venturing out further was never a problem either.

The Hilton Hotel and Beach Club was located within walking distance of the shopping malls, the local souk and a golf course so there was plenty for us to do. As well as this the hotel offers taxis that you can hire for eight hours a day which will give you a tour of the city with your own personal driver. There was a free shuttle bus to Dubai three times a week but using taxis in Dubai is cheap and easy making exploring in this stunning country so simple.

If you are looking for a relaxing time with no hassle from locals and just wish to chill in the sun, then this is the place for you. We could not have asked for a better package holiday tour to Dubai.