Comparing Cruise Ships

After you have decided to go on a cruise, the next thing that you will want to do is to choose a cruise ship. There are several ways that you can do this to make certain that you choose the ship that is right for you.

Talk to friends and family

Talk to people that you know who have gone on cruises and find out what their experiences were with the cruise ship they chose. This is one of the best ways to find out what their level of service, because they are going to give you their honest opinions.

Use the Internet

Another good way to compare different cruise ships is to go on the Internet and read about the experiences that other people have had. Don't discount a cruise ship because of one bad experience but read all of the comments to see if the negative experience was isolated.

Talk to travel agents

When you have a couple of cruise ships that you think you might want to choose from, go and talk to a travel agent. But this should be your last step, because travel agents aren't unbiased in their opinions.

It's always a good idea to do some research before you choose a cruise ship. That way, you will know what you are getting into, and there won't be any surprises when you are on your vacation. An informed traveler is a happy traveler, because they know that they made the decision that was right for them. ...Read more >>

Staying Healthy On A Cruise

The last thing that you want to do is to get sick when you are on vacation, so here are some tips to make sure that you stay healthy when you are on your cruise.

1. Prepare

If you are going out of the country, make certain that you are vaccinated against any known illnesses that you might come into contact with at your destination. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

2. Medicine

If you are on any medications, be sure to bring them with you. Make sure that you bring the actual bottle with you in case there is a question of the legality of your medicine, and that it is marked with your name and the dosage.

3. Rest

Something that people forget to do on a vacation, sadly enough, is rest. They get caught up in the excitement of the trip and they want to experience everything they can so they get their money's worth. But when you are run down, you are susceptible to becoming sick, so give you body time to recuperate.

4. Watch what you eat

Remember to maintain your recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables on the cruise, and don't load up on rich, high calorie foods. There are a lot of tempting treats on cruises, but your body will rebel if it's not used to that type of food.

5. Use common sense

Drink bottled water, and wash your hands often. This, above all else, will help you to stay healthy on your trip. ...Read more >>

What Cruise Is Right For You?

Taking a cruise is a wonderful way to have an all-inclusive vacation. When you are planning your cruise, there are a few things that you want to consider before you make your final selection.

1. Occasion

Is this a special occasion, such as a honeymoon or an anniversary, or just a vacation? If this is a romantic getaway, you might want to choose a cruise that is more suited to adults rather than children.

2. Group

Who is in your group? Are you going with all adults, or will there be some children as well? Depending on the group, you'll want to make sure that there are activities for children onboard ship so that they will have a good time too. You will also want to look into childcare facilities.

3. Interests

What kinds of things do you like to do? Do you like to shop, explore, or swim? Do you like to watch shows, or would you rather be left to your own devices? That will also help you to decide what type of cruise that you want to go on.

4. Destination

Where would you like to go? Do you have someplace tropical in mind, or would you like to go to Alaska and go whale watching? Do you want to spend time scuba diving, snorkeling and windsurfing? Or do you want to take a dog sled ride?

These are all questions to think about when you are planning a cruise. Once you know the answers, you will have the perfect destination in mind.
...Read more >>

Staying Safe On A Cruise

Even in the best cruise lines, there are always going to be people on board whose intentions are less than honorable.

To help you keep from becoming a victim, and to help you stay safe on the cruise in general, follow these simple guidelines:

1. Attend lifeboat drills

One of the first things that will happen on the cruise ship is a lifeboat drill. Don't be concerned; there will be enough for everyone on board. At the lifeboat drill, you will be told what to do in the unlikely event that you must evacuate the ship.

2. Be aware of those around you

Keep an eye on your drink, and don't leave it unattended. It will only take a moment for someone to slip something into it. It's also not a good idea to accept a drink from someone that you don't know, no matter how nice they may seem.

3. Don't have an open door policy

Don't open the door of your cabin to anyone unless you can verify that they are who they say they are. Know your cabin's steward, and if you feel uncomfortable opening the door go with your instinct. It's better to be wrong and safe than to worry about insulting someone.

Remember, except for those in your party you are traveling with strangers, so be aware of your surroundings and take precautions. If you suspect something suspicious, it's better to err on the side of caution. It's better to be safe and embarrassed than to be foolish and injured or worse.
...Read more >>

Cruise Ship Etiquette

The thing to remember when you are on a cruise is that you are traveling with a lot of other people, and what you do can affect them. We never know how what we say, do, or wear can affect other people. Here are some tips so that the cruise is enjoyable for everyone.

1. Dress appropriately

It's important to know ahead of time what the dress will be for evenings, and for on the ship. If there is a dress code for meals, make sure that you adhere to it. If you dress inappropriately, you will be uncomfortable and so will the other diners.

2. Be courteous with lounge chairs

Everyone wants to have a deck chair, but when people are constantly saving them for people who may or may not come to the pool it takes away from people who are wanting to use them. Don't eserve any more deck chairs than necessary, so that everyone has a chance to have a lounge chair and it's fair to everyone. This is one of the biggest problems on cruise ships.

3. Smoking

Make certain that when you smoke you smoke in areas that are designated for smoking. There may be people that are allergic to smoke, and it's not fair to compromise their health.

A good rule of thumb is to think about the things that make you uncomfortable about other people, and make sure that what you are doing isn't affecting someone else the same way. When people respect one another, everyone has a better time and enjoys their vacation. ...Read more >>

What To Wear On A Cruise

Depending on what type of cruise you go on, and where you are going, you will want to make certain that you pack the correct type of clothing. Here are some things that you might want to take with you on your cruise:

Formal clothing

Most cruises have at least one formal dining night, so you will want to make certain that you pack something appropriate. A long dress or skirt and top are appropriate for women, for men a tuxedo is a good idea.

Dressy clothes

Even when it's not a formal night, you are expected to dress nicely for dinner if you are eating in the main dining room. Something that you might wear for business would be appropriate, no shorts or jeans.

Casual clothing

Again, depending on where you go, you will want to make sure that you have clothing that you can wear around the ship. A bathing suit, shorts, comfortable shoes, short-sleeved tops, and a cover up are good for warm destinations. If you are going somewhere that is a cooler climate, like Alaska, you will want to take jeans, sweatshirts, and jackets with you.

It's always a good idea to check with your travel agent to find out what the dress code is for the ship so that you are comfortable and you fit right in with everyone else. There is nothing worse than feeling out of place because you didn't ring the right attire. When you are prepared, you can enjoy your cruise and not worry about wearing the wrong thing. ...Read more >>

Why Are Cruises So Popular

There are a lot of people that go on cruises, and it's often wondered why cruising is so popular. Well, if you talk to someone who has been on a cruise, there are several reasons why they enjoy a cruise.

It's a great value

When you are traveling on a budget, a cruise is a great option because you get a lot of vacation for a fraction of the cost. It may seem like a lot of money, but when you compare the price of a cruise to the money you will spend to fly on a plane, rent a car, hotel, food, and other vacation costs, you will see that the cost is comparably less.

It's a convenient vacation

With other vacations, you have to go all over for food, entertainment, and other things that you might want to do. But with a cruise, your food, entertainment, and recreation are available right there on the ship.

Incredible food

If you talk to anyone who has been on a cruise, the one thing that they are going to talk about is the incredible food that they had. The food that you will have on a cruise is the most incredible food that you will experience, and it is available almost around the clock.

Special attention

One last thing that you will find when you go on a cruise is that you feel like you are pampered. People see to your needs, at dinner your glass is filled without you asking, and you have the best of everything right there. You are treated like royalty on a cruise and like someone very special.

These are just a few of the things that you will experience when you go on a cruise. Cruising is something that you should experience at least once in a lifetime, but once you go you will want to do it again and again. ...Read more >>