Not your typical Cruise Port
When we think about cruise ports we normally imagine busy Italian cities, relaxing Caribbean shores or beautiful Fjords. What we do not think about is desert sands, ritz and glamour of the world’s top performers and the ding ding of casino machines! Know where I am talking about yet???
So many of us are so impatient to get on board cruise ships now that we sometimes ignore how fun the journey to the port could be. Travelling from the UK to the many ports in the West of America is a long journey and stopping off along the way to take a quick city break is one of the most overlooked things in travel.
Los Angeles and San Francisco are becoming more and more popular ports to depart from. With cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, Panama and the Caribbean leaving every week UK cruisers are opening their eyes to the great deals to be had. So why not combine it with a trip to the fantastic Las Vegas.
Las Vegas is one of my favourite holiday destinations EVER. In fact I have booked a 7 night cruise around Alaska with Holland America in September 2020 and we are going to get an internal flight after the cruise from Vancouver to Las Vegas and stay there for 7 nights. A lovely bit of heat after our scenic but very cold Alaskan Cruise. This will be my 7th visit to Las Vegas and every single time there is something different to do and some hotel that has changed. That’s the great thing about it, no matter how many times you go there are always something you come home wishing you had done.
Below are some of my favourite things to do there:
- One of the best things about Las Vegas is its year round weather. With more than 300 days of sun every year it is the perfect holiday destination. Today (Monday 15th April) it is going to be 22 degrees so no matter what time of the year you go you will be happy. This means it is perfect for those lazy days around the hotel pools enjoying a wee cocktail or two – be careful though, as Las Vegas is in the desert the hottest time of the day is early evening. You can get great deals once you are there for hiring a Cabana for the day around your hotel pool. At the Excalibur Hotel we hired one on a Tuesday, which is one of the quieter days at the Casino. It was $75 to hire it for the day compared to the $200 we were quoted for one at the weekend. You get your own Cabana which comes with a fridge full of non alcoholic drinks, snacks,a ceiling fan, TV, sofa, pool floats and you can pull the curtains closed on the Cabana and get changed in there instead of the pool side toilets. The hotel has also got waiters based around the Cabana area so someone is always around for you to be quickly able to order that cooling cocktail.
2. If it gets too hot during the day you can spend your time visiting all the hotels on the strip. With each of them having their own theme and trying to outdo each other you will never be bored. If your feeling adventurous you can even have a go on the Roller Coaster which goes inside and outside of the New York New York Casino!
- Looking for a late afternoon treat well then head to the fab Parasol Down Bar inside the Wynn Casino. It is literally my favourite place to sit and people watch in Las Vegas. Drinks are a bit on the pricy side but are the best you will have in Vegas.
4. When evening comes you will need to get your glad rags on and hit the shows on the Strip. Some of the world’s top stars visit Las Vegas throughout the year and they really put on a great show. One of our favourites are Donny and Marie – being sold out almost every night has done nothing to squash their enthusiasm and they give 100% on each performance. Tickets start from about $99 but if you are only doing one show when you are there it most definitely is the one to do. They are leaving Las Vegas this year so catch them whilst you can – oh and Visit Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville before hand for dinner and cocktails. Its also at the Flamingo so its handy for an early dinner before the show. The Volcano Nachos are amazing- try them and you will definitely agree!!
5. Las Vegas is not all about money and one of its most famous things is free. Oceans 11 brought the fantastic dancing fountains at the Bellagio to a great audience. They dance to music every day from 3-8 pm to classical music and at night they come to life dancing in front of the hotel all lit up. It is a must and you can’t help but watch every time.
So next time you are planning a cruise from America don’t rush the journey to the ship – add on a city break to Las Vegas either before or after you cruise and experience all of the city has to offer.
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About Me
My name is Danielle. I am an early thirty something (VERY, VERY EARLY) and I have a passion for not only cruise but holidays in general. If I am not currently on one then I am either planning one or sitting in my garden with a strawberry daiquiri dreaming about…
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Thank goodness they have reviewed their prices
They were pricing themselves out of the market!!
£3200 for a week ????!!!!!
Happily this new system makes things easier & cheaper BUT STILL a massive increase from Inside cabin to Balcony making it VERY EXPENSIVE CRUISING