| So, you want to go on a cruise! It's exciting, it's fun | | | | happy medium would be 2 days at sea with the |
| and it's your way of enjoying the great life. But how | | | | other days stopping at various ports of call. |
| do you make the choice of where to go, when and | | | | 5.Once you have narrowed down your choice of |
| with whom? There are so many choices with respect | | | | cruise to when and where you wish to visit, the next |
| to cruising nowadays that it can be very confusing. | | | | hardest choice is the cruise line and size of ship you |
| Here are a few tips to consider helping you decide | | | | want to use. The size of ship can dictate the cruise |
| which cruise is right for you. | | | | line, as some cruise lines offer significantly larger ships |
| Listed below are few examples of the types of | | | | than others. Some cruise lines only use smaller, more |
| cruise you may wish to take: | | | | intimate ships for smaller groups of people. Other |
| 1.Mediterranean cruise | | | | cruise lines offer huge ships with passengers in the |
| 2.Caribbean cruise | | | | thousands. You must decide whether you like a small |
| 3.an Alaskan cruise, | | | | personal touch or like the larger groups. (We found |
| 4.a cruise down the Amazon or Panama Canal | | | | that even on a larger ship, there were still areas |
| 5.a Transatlantic ocean crossing | | | | where we could go to get away from the crowds. |
| 6.South Pacific or Hawaiian Island cruise | | | | Crowding on the huge ships was not a problem at all.) |
| 7.River cruises (the fjords in Norway, the Danube in | | | | 6.Fitting the cruise line to your individual personality is |
| Europe, the Nile in Egypt, the Mississippi in United | | | | perhaps the most important factor in determining |
| States) | | | | your cruise enjoyment. There are many different |
| 8.Polar cruises to see the penguins in the Antarctic | | | | types of ship lines that cater to varying personalities. |
| 9.Russian waterways cruises | | | | Of course, the Disney Cruise Line caters to families, |
| 10.Galapagos Island cruises | | | | but others such as Carnival Cruises cater to more of |
| 11.New Zealand or Australia | | | | a party atmosphere for adults, or Norwegian focuses |
| Each can be very appealing but are also very | | | | on a more conservative group. Discuss with your |
| different. | | | | travel agent which cruise line fits you best. Cruise |
| 1.The first thing to consider in taking one of these | | | | lines also offer themed or special interest cruises, |
| cruises is when you want to go-the time of the year | | | | such as an art collectors cruise, golfer's cruises or |
| can dictate the type of cruise. Some cruise ship lines | | | | culinary class cruises. These may be great to fit in |
| do not offer cruises to the Mediterranean in the | | | | with the interests in your life-style. |
| winter months, but transfer their ships to the | | | | 7.Once you have found the best itinerary for you on |
| warmer waters of the Caribbean. Alaskan cruises | | | | the cruise line that suits your personality, at the best |
| only run in certain months also due to weather | | | | time of year for you, there are still other choices you |
| conditions. Ocean crossing cruises (Transatlantic) take | | | | need to make. Some cruise lines offer "freestyle |
| place only as the seasons change so that cruise ship | | | | cruising", which simply put means that you don't have |
| companies can reposition their ships to match the | | | | a set dinner time at a set table, but you can choose |
| high seasons' tourist industry. | | | | to eat whenever you wish. On most cruises, |
| 2.You also have to decide on the length of your | | | | however, you have a preset dinner time at an |
| cruise. A typical choice is a 7-night cruise, but you can | | | | assigned table. You can choose an early dinner |
| take cruises from 3-4 nights to over a month in | | | | (usually around 6-6:30) or a later dinner time |
| length, or more. The length of your vacation time | | | | (7:30-8:00). In choosing your dinner time, take into |
| available may limit you, but taking a cruise for the | | | | consideration your off-ship excursions. You don't |
| first time may also be a consideration. Limiting your | | | | want to have to rush back from your shore |
| cruise to a manageable shorter cruise may help you | | | | excursion just to get back in time for dinner. You |
| decide whether a longer cruise at another time may | | | | also usually have a choice of how many people you |
| be more advisable. In other words, do you get | | | | wish to sit with (usually from 4 to 8 -10 people at a |
| seasick? Do you like the variety of visiting different | | | | table.) Our travel agent suggested a table of 8 on |
| ports? Do you wish to simply stay at one destination | | | | our cruise-she stated that if you were at a table for |
| and relax? Do you like the busy atmosphere of the | | | | 4 and you didn't get along with the other couple you |
| many activities on a ship? | | | | were stuck, but a table for 8 offered more chance |
| 3.Next, the ports that you wish to visit can be a | | | | of finding congenial soul-mates. |
| great part of which cruise is the right choice for you. | | | | 8.Shore excursions can also be a major part of your |
| Have you always wanted to visit Tortugas, the | | | | cruise experience. There are many different shore |
| Bahamas or Cayman Islands? Here is your chance to | | | | excursion packages available, from visiting butterfly |
| get a taste of it. Make sure that one of your chosen | | | | farms, swimming with dolphins, exploring ancient ruins, |
| destinations is on your cruise itinerary, and there are | | | | to snorkelling or scuba diving. Of course, if you wish |
| endless choices of various itineraries available. Cruises | | | | you do not need to go on any shore excursions. You |
| are great ways to experience various places. Then | | | | can simply choose to stay on-board and take |
| you can decide which destination you would like to | | | | advantage of the ship's amenities, or you can simply |
| see more of on a future vacation. | | | | walk around and visit or shop in the port-of-call. |
| 4.Another consideration in choosing a cruise is the | | | | Choosing a cruise can seem overwhelming, but the |
| amount of time you wish to be "At Sea". For a | | | | main point is to suit the cruise to what you want to |
| Transatlantic voyage you are at sea for many days | | | | get out of the experience. If you want a whirlwind |
| at a time, which limits you to being within the | | | | of activity choose a party cruise line with that in |
| confines of the ship at all times. This can be a bonus | | | | mind. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, |
| if you don't want the hustle and bustle of visiting | | | | choose more time at sea. If you want to sample |
| different ports, but it can also be a downside if you | | | | various cultures, choose a destination-rich cruise. |
| want a lot of variety on your vacation. Some cruises | | | | Different types of cruises offer all of those things, |
| offer very little time at sea, being in a different port | | | | and more. |
| every day, and this flurry of activity can be too | | | | Hopefully the above has given you an idea in the |
| overwhelming for some vacationers. I would | | | | choices you need to make to get the most |
| recommend a bit of both-for a 7-night cruise a good | | | | enjoyment out of your cruise. Happy cruising! |