Cheap Affordable Cruises: August 2011

Celebrity Equinox - Celebrity Cruises

The 122,000-ton, 2,850-passenger Celebrity Equinox, the second ship in Celebrity Cruises' innovative Solstice class, launched in summer 2009. As a sister ship to Celebrity Solstice, which debuted in November 2008, Equinox brings back everything we loved about the first-in-class.

Expect the same interesting onboard features that made Celebrity Solstice such a knockout. These include The Lawn Club, a dedicated area on the top deck of the ship that features real, growing grass, where passengers can play croquet or golf; the Hot Glass Show, the first glass-blowing studio at sea; large, standard staterooms, 85 percent of which are outfitted with verandahs; and Quasar, a mod-futuristic disco that's James-Bond-meets-"The Jetsons."

In fact, there's really not that much differentiation between Equinox and Solstice, aside from some decor and colour palette changes. Yet, Equinox really does leave a lasting impression -- it is just as beautiful as its predecessor, featuring the same contemporary, chic-yet-classy style. And you won't feel crowded on this ship, which offers a clustered setup (entertainment forward, restaurants aft) that allows for excellent passenger flow and easy navigation.

Serenade of the Seas - Royal Caribbean

Serenade of the Seas is the third Radiance-class ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet. The 90,090-ton, 2,100-passenger vessel fits just within Panamax measurements (with one foot on either side to spare), which means it, like Radiance, Brilliance and Jewel of the Seas, has maximum geographic flexibility and can sail to and from just about any region.

That flexibility extends to the onboard milieu. Serenade of the Seas' greatest strength is that it offers plenty of options, from dining to entertainment, and yet remains a mid-sized ship. It's a good choice for a wide range of traveler -- including families, singles, couples and groups.

Royal Caribbean carries through this ship the Radiance-class' most interesting distinction is the nearly three acres of exterior glass employed in its design -- including glass elevators with ocean views -- that incorporates the outdoors, beautifully, onboard.

Royal Caribbean carries through this ship the Radiance-class' most interesting distinction is the nearly three acres of exterior glass employed in its design -- including glass elevators with ocean views -- that incorporates the outdoors, beautifully, onboard.

The effect is simply dazzling -- and there are remarkable views from nearly every public room. The decorating scheme itself emphasizes elegance, grace, and beauty, and creates quite a harmonious environment. The ship is very easy to navigate, with indoor public rooms concentrated on decks five and six and more-active areas -- sports deck, pools, spa, fitness center -- on decks 11 and 12.

Oasis of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas Cruise

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has been the most anticipated new-build to debut since Cunard's Queen Mary 2. Its innovations -- such as the first-ever Boardwalk and Central Park at sea, which uniquely occupy space that's carved out of the middle of the ship -- are already legendary.

The ship features new-to-Royal Caribbean types of eateries that range from spa cuisine to elaborately staged food and wine pairings. Its entertainment district, a hub for late owls, offers ice skating and disco, comedy and jazz, and a three-tiered theater that features a 90-minute version of "Hairspray," the popular Tony Award-winning Broadway show. Particularly dazzling is the ship's AquaTheater, with its deepest-pool-at-sea, which serves as a platform for performers such as divers and synchronized swimmers.

Innovations on Oasis of the Seas are by no means limited to passenger-friendly advances. Royal Caribbean also has introduced a number of new technical and environmental tools that enable the ship to be more efficient and more eco-responsible.

Beyond the innovations of Oasis of the Seas (and its sister Allure of the Seas, which debuted in December 2010), what kind of cruise does it really offer? Will a ship that accommodates 6,296 passengers (when all berths are filled) feel crowded? How can a vessel that's so big -- and that holds so many people -- offer the kind of attentive service that cruise ships are typically known for? And will the hordes descending from Oasis of the Seas in ports such as Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten overwhelm the islands?

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Cruises from Tampa | Cheap Cruises

Find Cheap Cruises departing from Tampa, Florida right here. Tampa, Florida Cruises sail to destinations such as Key West in Florida, Belize, Cancun, Mayan Riviera in Mexico and Caribbean Islands. Use our flight search engine to find a Tampa, Florida flight that will get you on your Tampa Cruise.

Tampa Cruise Guide - cruises from Tampa Florida

One of America's most popular departure ports for western Caribbean cruises is Tampa, Florida. This warm Gulf Coast port offers year round cruises with enough variety that there's sure to be something to fit anyone's budget. Tampa cruises are an excellent start to a vacation, but there's a lot more to do.

Take a Tampa cruise, then stay a few extra days to enjoy the other attractions in the area. Hit the rides at Busch Gardens or see the undersea world at the Florida Aquarium. Take a streetcar ride to Channelside for shopping, then on to historic Ybor City for hot Cuban sandwiches and hand-rolled cigars. Go sport fishing, jet skiing, or parasailing. It's no surprise that Tampa cruises are so popular, considering all the fun to be had before or after your voyage.