In every country in the world, cruises are quickly rising up the list of the most popular vacation activities. They used to be very exclusive affairs, which very few could afford and many more were not interested in as there was very little to do on a cruise ship and they were not always that reliable. However, cruising has come on a long way and not everyone knows just what variety is available to experience. Let’s take a look at five of the most popular cruise activities which are available on almost all modern ships.

Eat. You could say this is obvious. We need to eat to survive right so what is better about a cruise ship? Well they have such a large number of places to find food and such a range of styles to choice from, you will literally be spoilt for choice. Make the most of having some world class chefs all in the same place by trying out food from all the eateries.

Swim. The majority of boats have more than one pool on board where you can have a splash about, swim some lengths or sunbath on a lilo. The sun will be yours to enjoy all day long as well, due to fact there is nothing for miles around that will cast a shadow. Modern liners even have boast flumes, wave machines and surfing gadgets that will keep you entertained for hours.

Casino. If you have never gambled before or you’re a seasoned card shark, you should definitely check out the casino floor. The best place to meet new people in a relaxed and fun environment is the casinos. They always have a great atmosphere and you could even leave with more money than you went in with. You won’t have to take out your life savings to have a great time, but if it’s your first experience the casino world then Blackjack should be your first port of call. Blackjack players are usually friendly and the rules are quick to pick up.

Bar. There will be a number of different bars all over the ship and some luxury cruises are all-inclusive, so there is no excuse not to sample some liquid delights. The barmen and ladies make a million martinis a day but will jump at the chance to make something a little more interesting. Get them to suggest their favourite tipple or ask for something traditional to a country you are visiting and they will amaze you with their cocktail making skills.

Shows. Cruise ships only book top quality acts to entertain their passengers so you’re certain to leave with a smile on your face if you book in for one of the evening shows. Ask the staff around the ship for their recommendations and cruise reviews. They’ve likely seen many of the acts a number of times so can give you the insider info.

The Coromandel Peninsula on New Zealand’s east cost of the north island has a wealth of beautiful beaches, from secluded horseshoe bays to surf breaks crashing on unspoiled white sandy beaches and dotted with idyllic communities of holiday homes and traditional kiwi baches. This is our guide to the top, must visit beaches in that the Coromandel has to offer.

Cathedral Cove and Hahei Beach
This is really two beaches, but you cant mention one without the other. Hahei is a genuine beach haven of pink sand and unspoiled clear blue sea framed by cliffs and maori pa sites at either end of the beach. The adjoining marine reserve is a outstanding aquatic world, abundant with sea life. The marine reserve is also home to the famous Cathedral Cove, one of the most visited and photographed locations on the Coromandel Peninsula. Accessible only by foot (via an access track at the northern end of Hahei Beach) or by boat, this magnificent cathedral shaped cavern, white sandy beach and its stunning surroundings are a must visit destination.

For local accommodation options, consider renting one of the many private holiday homes available for rent at Hahei Beach.

Hot Water Beach
While Hot Water Beach is one of the top surfing spots on the peninsula, the real reason for its attraction is what gives this beach its name. An underground stream of hot water emerges at the beach and one hour either side of low tide, people flock there to dig their own natural hot pool in the sand . Hot Water Beach is one of those unique experiences every visitor to the Coromandel must do. Winter or summer, this is a natural occurrence that once experienced, youll never forget!

New Chums Beach
Recently rated one of the top 20 beaches in the world by UK newspaper, The Observer, New Chums is the holy grail of truly untouched beaches and virtually unknown by most New Zealanders. The reason for its obscurity is that New Chums Beach cannot be reached by road . Youll need a pair of good walking shoes because youre going to have to do a little bit of hiking to get to New Chums beach. Beginning at the far end of Whangapoua Beach, you have to wade across a shallow lagoon, then walk for 30 – 40 minutes along the coastline, over rocks and past a magnificent grove of Nikau Palms. New Chums is worth the walk as youll find a stunning stretch of unspoiled beach paradise lined with pohutukawas; no people, no houses, nothing but sandy white beach and the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Kuaotunu Beach
With a white sand beach thats perfect for swimming, fishing, sailing, kayaking and snorkelling and a village store that serves the best ice creams in Coromandel, Kuaotunu is the idyllic place that childhood memories of wonderful seaside holidays are made of. Famous for its surf break off the Blackjack Reef, Kuaotunu is a picturesque quiet country village with holiday homes and baches, and sandy white beach, surrounded by native bush and rugged farmland.

OpitoBay
A short distance from Kuaotunu along a narrow windy gravel road lies Opito Bay. Opito Bay is a sweeping, horseshoe shaped beach, framed by farmland and bush and a necklace of outlying islands. With no shops or restaurants and a small settlement of holiday homes and baches, this is as close as youll get to an untouched world thats also accessible by car or boat. This is where you come to simply enjoy whats here; the beauty, the privacy and seclusion. A safe swimming beach, and known for its friendly, laidback and family feel. For a holiday of peace and relaxation, look no further than Opito Bay .

Whangamata Beach
There are a whole lot of reasons why Whangamata should be on your must visit list namely; surf, sand, sea and endless fun. Whangamata is one of the most popular beach resorts in New Zealand with a large community of holiday homes and kiwi baches. Its local population of 4000 residents soars to 50,000 plus in summer. Whangamata is a safe seaside playground for swimming, fishing, diving and all the usual Coromandel outdoor activities which makes it a real favourite with families. But its also famous for having some of the best surf breaks in New Zealand . This is the place to come if you want to check out some of the best surfers on the planet .

With the coming of the online casinos, almost all the different casino games can be played from the comforts of ones home. One of the most popular casino games, both online and in the land based casinos is blackjack. There are hundreds of online casinos offering blackjack but when choosing a site to play, it is very important to choose a good site which has proper registrations and licenses. A good online casino should not only offer a wide variety of games, have excellent software, bonuses and promotional offers but should also have flexible withdrawal and deposit options and offer excellent round the clock customer service.

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