Travel nowadays has become common pastime and tourism is a booming business. There was a time when taking a cruise was something like a lifetime accomplishment and those who had the travel bug and did not have the money skimped and saved and took a cruise. Travel cruises can be taken in two different ways. Conducted Cruises or Charter Cruises and in these there are Ocean Cruises and River Cruises

Conducted Cruises
In conducted cruises you have to mingle with a lot of strangers and follow the itinerary that the tour operator has already scheduled for you and your co-passengers. Timings are rigid and you have to adhere to them. The places you get to see are also decided ahead by the tour operator and it is usual for the tour operator to hurry you through a few places of interest and them pack you off home. You do not have the freedom to roam the backstreets on your own.

Charter Cruises
At times it may turn out that a few of your friends or relatives might get together and decide to go on a cruise, a travel cruise where you want to have a flexible travel plan, decide on the type, duration and the accommodation that you and your company wishes, that is, enjoy your holiday the way you want to. For such a kind of holiday it is better that you hire a yacht or a small cruiser and go on a Charter Cruise. You can, of course, charter a boat for the express purpose of conducting a very private wedding with just your family (and close acquaintances) present.

Ocean Cruises
With comfortable accommodation to relax in, from majestic suites to shared accommodation, you will never feel that you are on travel unless you go out to the deck to get a sun tan or to take pleasure in the panorama as it glides past. Alternatively if your group of either friends or relatives just want to spend quality time just among yourself for a long time with nothing to distract you and are content to visit just a few places then a charter ocean cruise would be ideal.

Charter cruises, per see, do not come with much discounts and free offers from the operator who is hiring out the cruiser or the yacht. The charter rates are normally fixed for certain periods of time such as daily, weekends or throughout the week and also on the basis of off season and during season cruising. Almost always there is no scope for getting bargains. The best offers you can get are when you do overnight stays on shore in hotels where you are most likely to get free on-the-house breakfast, discount on lunch and dinner coupons to name a few.

River Cruises
Ocean cruises traverses the oceans to any particular destination or destinations depending on the kind that you have taken, whereas river or canal cruises necessarily take you on a travel to a number of destinations dotted along the rivers/canal course. River cruising offers you a relaxed and comfortable holiday through some of the world’s most charming rivers and canals.

If it has been your dream to go on extended a holiday, embark on a cruise ship and see the world’s most beautiful cities, glide gently along the river through the countryside enjoying the scenery and the fresh air, visit local art galleries, castles, restaurants, theatres, markets etc, – in comfort, then a river cruise is just the right one for you. With comfortable accommodation to relax in you will never feel that you are on travel unless you go out to the sun deck to take pleasure in the panorama as it moves past.

Cruises are available to suit all tastes and budgets. Excellent choices are available for an individual or for a family. Special deals and discounts are given for groups and typically at times for well advanced bookings. Couples who have just celebrated their weddings come in for special treatment. Wedding suites are largely available on most river cruises.

River cruises operate from a large variety of popular tourist destinations and in many countries such as Australia, China, Europe, England and USA, to name a few.

Tour operators present a variety of packages that come bundled with discounts and sometimes with free offers that are inclusive of accommodation in worthwhile hotel deals. Free offers come in the form of on-the-house breakfast, welcome drink etc. Lunch and dinner coupons are, at times, available on discount offers. Most of the free and discount offers depends on the season. Free accommodation is almost always given for children below the age of 12 years.

Finding the right type of cruise is fairly easy as the Internet is always there to help you. Some websites offer a wide variety of choices for online booking. So if the travel bug has bitten you and you have a yearning to be surrounded with water most of the time, get yourself a cruise, ocean or river; or get a group of friends or relatives, charter a cruise and thoroughly enjoy yourself.