Guys and Cruises: A match made at sea

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GUYS AND CRUISES: A MATCH MADE AT SEA

CruiseCompete.com lists top reasons more men are enjoying cruise vacations

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 26, 2008 - Contrary to popular belief, guys and cruise travel do go together. Convincing one's husband, father or a male friend to take a vacation at sea may have been a challenge in the past, but cruises today offer men of all ages plenty to do - with or without the women in their lives in tow.

"Men are hardly bored on today's cruise vacations," said Bob Levinstein, CEO of Cruise Compete, LLC. "At sea or in port, there's plenty to keep them busy all day long or, if they choose, they can simply relax by the pool or on the beach. It's easier than ever to get a man on a cruise because they are virtually guaranteed to have an unforgettable vacation."

A number of industry reports indicate men now account for about 45 percent of all cruise guests. The following summarizes many of the most popular reasons why:

Great Food 24/7- The kitchen is always open on a cruise ship. Day or night, men can always find a meal, snack or treat to feed their appetites. In addition to a ship's main dining room, most cruises offer additional eating alternatives, including casual buffets, bistro-style cafes that offer light menu items and reservations-only specialty restaurants. Virtually all ships feature 24-hour pizzeria services and room service. The cruise lines also offer expansive menus for persons with special dietary restrictions. In many eateries, casual attire is welcome.

Beer Tasting Parties and Tours - There is no shortage of bars on most cruise ships and beer aficionados lick their lips upon boarding. International brewers showcase signature and specialty beers on the major cruise lines and sponsor special onboard beer-tasting parties for those of drinking age. For more sophisticated types, wine-tasting opportunities abound. Many cruise ships also feature cigar bars with an expansive assortment of stogies to choose from any time of day. In port, travelers are invited on special excursions to visit local pubs and brewers. Carnival guests visiting Saint John, New Brunswick, for example, can sample their favorite Moosehead beer products and other specialty beers only available in Atlantic Canada.

Teeing it Up - Men who prefer to hit the links rather than the pool or beach can enjoy the game at sea. In addition to amazingly real, on-board computerized golf simulators, many cruise lines have expanded their stops at some of the world's most picturesque and challenging golf courses. Some have even created special itineraries that visit a different course each day. Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises, for example, has expanded its "Silver Links" golf program to 12 cruises in 2008, featuring 35 world-class courses in 16 countries and islands. Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a new Golf Bermuda program; the popular cruise stop features more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

Exciting Adventure Travel - Cruise travel is ideal for men looking for adventure. A number of cruise lines offer port excursions to fulfill active lifestyles and raise everyone's adrenaline. Carnival Cruise Lines take travelers to Belize on an unforgettable cave tubing and rain forest exploration tour. Those traveling with Celebrity Cruises to Alaska have the opportunity to experience a thrilling rain forest canopy and zip line adventure. Cruisers who like it hot may enjoy Norwegian Cruise Line's mesmerizing helicopter ride over Kilauea, the Earth's most active volcano. Crystal Cruises puts travelers who enjoy speed behind the wheel of a Formula 1 race car in Monaco, with both on- and off-course instruction.

Fun in the Sun - Not everyone likes to sunbath all day, so the cruise lines have turned themselves into floating entertainment centers. The newest innovations include bowling alleys and Flowrider surfing pools. Virtually all of the major cruise ships already feature winding water slides, challenging rock-climbing walls, giant trampolines and ice skating rinks (sans hockey sticks and pucks), among other recreation amenities. The private islands many ships visit include beach and water sports, snorkeling, boat and kayak rentals, hiking and sightseeing opportunities and other fun. Port excursions include jungle and rain forest tours, horseback riding, bike tours, guided historical tours and other unforgettable experiences.

Games of Chance - For men who like to gamble, virtually all ocean cruise ships feature floating casinos, with the exception of Disney Cruise Lines. Popular games, such as blackjack, roulette, poker, craps and slot machines test one's luck while passing the time by. The casinos only operate when the ship is at sea, or when local laws allow gaming in port. If the on-board casino is not enough, many cruise ports feature land-based casinos. Insiders say Royal Caribbean's newest ships feature the largest gaming areas.

Invigorating Spa Treatments - In the past, the health spas found on many cruise ships were filled almost exclusively with female guests. Times have changed, however, as more men are enjoying the luxurious pampering and ultimate relaxation afforded spa visitors. Renowned Steiner of London, the largest spa provider in the world, operates many of the spas at sea, which now rival the very best land-based spas. It is not uncommon to see men enjoying massages, facials and pedicures. Additional services include aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy (seawater-based treatments). Herbal and seaweed wraps also are common among many spa guests.

Breathtaking Shows - There are no sappy lounge acts aboard today's cruise ships. From Carnival's Fiesta Latina and Far from Over: The 80s musical reviews, to Royal Caribbean's Invitation to Dance, based on the popular Dancing with the Stars television show, the cruise lines are producing lavish new, multi-million dollar, special effects- laden entertainment extravaganzas. These Las Vegas-style productions are sure to please even the most discerning cruise travelers - and men with short attention spans.

"From a guy's perspective, maybe the best thing about a cruise is the all-inclusive nature of the vacation, which makes it a great, yet affordable, gift to give a special woman," Levinstein added. "The cruise lines are offering a number of great deals this year on a variety of sailings to destinations near and far. Your cruise fare includes accommodations, great food all day and night, white-sand beaches, world-class golf, relaxing spas, gambling, adventure and quality entertainment and shows. There's no better value out there."

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CruiseCompete.com saves consumers time by finding the agent with the best deal for them. Consumers secure quotes for cruise deals from multiple travel agencies without having to contact each one separately. Since its launch in 2003, More than 1,000 cruise specialists have provided four million-plus customized cruise quotes in response to requests from over 425,000 registered users. CruiseCompete, LLC, is an independent company not owned by or affiliated with any travel agency. For more information, visit www.cruisecompete.com.

CruiseCompeteGroups.com helps those planning any type of group travel event to obtain the best deal for their gathering.

What a Site: CruiseCompete.com listed on "36 Web Addresses You Should Know"
The Washington Post, November 2006

CruiseCompete.com ranked among "25 Best Travel Value Sites"
Kiplinger's Personal Finance, October 2006