May 14, 2007
Important Guidelines & Tips For First-Time Cruisers
Going on a cruise vacation is the BEST way to vacation. But dont take our word for it, just try it. Here are 10 ways to have "Oceans of fun" on a cruise! Enjoy!
Title: 10 Tips That Make Cruises Enjoyable
Author: Barry Allen
In a world that is moving at a fast pace people treasure their vacations. And world wide vacation options and popularity are growing with cruising being among the top 5. A cruise makes a vacation exotic yet affordable, exciting not hum drum and represents a great mixture of adventure, sun and sea,
socializing and more.
A cruise offers a sumptuous range of choices you can wear
yourself thin in a tizzy of activities or just lie back and soak
in the sun. According to the ASTA, American Society of Travel
Agents the gurus of travel the way to have fun on a cruise is to:
1. Book a cruise that fulfills your dreams. Choose locations
that make your heart skip a beat. Decide what can I do that will
make my cruising vacation the best? Think what is best two
nights, one hundred days, or a fortnight?
2. Study different cruise lines and where they go. Find out
which cruise path will suit you best as far as taste and
affordability go. It is island paradises you would like or
exotic far-eastern ports? Cruise lines have so many choices and
options. Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, or Bali?
3. To make the cruise affordable book early. If you firm up
plans around 120 days before sail date you will get a nice
discount on the brochure price. Consider traveling off season
cruises are cheaper off season and more enjoyable. You cane
escape the crowds. Often a four day cruise in the middle of the
week is more affordable than a three-day weekend cruise and some
companies even throw in an extra day free.
4. To get the best deal and advice consult a cruise specialist.
They are experts and will even offer group rates, shipboard
credits, upgrades, and great prices. Experts in the
cruise-holiday business they will take care of passports, visas,
dietary requirements, and any other special needs. They will
even get you the benefits of any price drops that occur after
you book your holiday.
5. Make all arrangements carefully very often choosing an ari
-sea package is worthwhile as it takes care of transport from
airport to port and back and the cruise line will take care of
luggage transfers and all other nitty-gritties.
6. Create a file of essential travel and health documents as
well as copies of travel insurance and medical prescriptions.
7. Find out how to pack for a cruise. Many agents offer detailed
lists of what you will need on vacation including formal
clothes, camera, swim wear and more.
8. Ask about on board programs and activities so that you can
prepare well. You may want to take a crash course in dancing or
theater to win prizes during the cruise. Many cruises have
costume parties and other activities, so knowing what to prepare
for will help you enjoy the cruise.
9. Update your information on all the places the cruise ship
will dock at. Create on shore plans for the family so that you
don't miss any important events or sights.
10 Update your self on cruising etiquette. Learn shipping
terminology, dress well, socialize with other families, make
friends, ensure that your kids are not troublesome to others,
and follow the rules formulated by the cruise director.
If you make up your mind to enjoy yourself to the fullest the
cruise will be a wonderful experience that you will want to
repeat time and again.
About the author:
Barry Allen is a freelance writer for http://www.1888cruise.com
, the premier website to find cruises, cheap cruise, Discounted
Cruises, cruise travel, Luxury Cruise Line, cruise holiday,
family cruises and many more. His article profile can be found
at the premier Airline Tickets site
http://www.1888airlinetickets.com
Feel free to share your cruise adventures with us! So much to "sea", so little time! Happy sailing!
Comments
May 14, 2007
attagirl said:
I could not agree more with these tips. One of the biggest things I learned was to make sure that the cruise you go on will meet your needs and have the things that you like to do and enjoy. Make sure you are aware of the excursion's on land that are available and do not book any of them without first finding out how long you may be there. In the past I have known people who booked excursions and because of delays never made it to the destination with the layover they were expecting, so they lost out on their money. To ensure this does not happen to you, you should do like I do. I generally find things that I can do once I get there. If you choose a cruise that is not for you then simply you did not have enough information to make that choice. There is so much information that is available about the various cruises offered by each cruise line, and deciding what you need to do is up to you.
Bethany said:
These are some really great tips. I never would have thought to learn the ship terminology and such, but I suppose it makes sense. I agree with studying each cruise line and the variety of packages they offer. Then you are capable of making a choice that fits your ideal vacation to a tee. I've been doing that for the past six months or so, and I have a good idea of what cruise I want to take.
May 17, 2007
Anne said:
Some nice tips there. Other things that I think are important to consider are looking at what is included in the booking price and what isn't; and checking out how tips work on your cruise.
Since cruises are so much more accessible now than they used to be, the term 'all inclusive' has become a lot more flexible.
Tipping is sometimes done at the end of the stay, and sometimes 'as you use' - it's a good idea to find out in advance so you can plan, and avoid embarrasment.
May 19, 2007
Cymru Am Byth said:
This is my tip for cruising as you can not just pop to the pharmacy or shop so for all around care, put together a kit of first aid and emergency.
Cruise Travel First Aid Kit
bandages
first aid antibacterial cream
waterless antibacterial hand sanitizer
aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
anti-nausea medication
anti-diarrhea medication
antacid tablets
antihistamine
seasickness remedy
zipper-top plastic bags or ice bag
dental adhesive
prescription medications
June 8, 2007
Sarah said:
Nice tips, although I thought that some cruises offered pre-arranged shore excursions to take the hassle out of booking and planning your own things to do on land. Is that the case? I think that would be a lot easier than trying to make plans fit around the cruise yourself.
Thats a nice emergency list Cymru - definitely useful stuff to take, although I hope nobody really needs half of it!
June 20, 2007
avguste said:
Great article.
I don't have money for cruise, however if I ever get money to travel on a cruise, I will use those .
Sarah, I do agree that using pre-arranged excursions would be of great help and faciliate the process.
Cymru, your list is great. I just hope not many people will need it