Cruise Tips for First Timers
by Yanis O'Toole
http://www.yocruise.com
You want your vacation to be a dizzying whirl of fun and
adventure with tours and activities to keep you busy from
morning till the wee hours of the next morning. Your husband
longs for long, lazy afternoons by the pool, with a round or
two of golf thrown in to break up the luxury of having no
schedule. Can one vacation accomodate you both?
Absolutely! Cruise vacations offer such a variety of choices
in styles, ships, destinations and activities that it's
possible for you both to take the same cruise - and each
have exactly the vacation you want. If a cruise is on your
list of possible vacations, here's a handful of tips from
experienced cruisers to help you choose the right trip for
you.
How can I get the best price on a cruise? If you've leafed
through a cruise line brochure, you know that cruises are
high-ticket items. Here's a secret: almost no one pay the
brochure price for a cruise. To get the best deal for your
first cruise, do a little research. Check with multiple
travel agencies and booking web sites on the internet. Don't
overlook discount possibilities. You may find discounts
sponsored by your credit card company, a businessmen's
association, senior citizen organizations or the cruise line
itself. Keep an eye out for unexpected opportunities.
Companies often offer special incentives, upgrades and
discounts to encourage first time cruisers.
How do I meet other people on a cruise? A better questions
is how do you NOT meet people on a cruise. If you're
traveling alone, let your cruise activity director know. He
or she can direct you to activities with others you'll enjoy
meeting. Mealtimes are one of the best times to meet your
fellow passengers. If you're looking to meet new people and
make friends, ask to be seated at one of the larger tables.
You'll be seated with the same folks for most of your meals,
so it's a great time to make new friends.
River tours down one of the major rivers in Europe, Asia or
the United States can give you a comfortable home base while
you explore towns and cities along the way. On board ship,
you can relax by the pool, dine at the Captain's table,
enjoy dancing and entertainment and join in on ship board
activities.
When is the best time to take a cruise? It's always a good
time to take a cruise. It just depends on where you want to
go. Some places, like the Caribbean, are great year round.
Others are seasonal. Alaskan cruises are available between
May and September, for instance, and Bermuda between April
and October. If you have a particular destination in mind,
check with your travel agent to be sure of availability.
Your choice of cruise will make a difference in what you
pack as well. The handiest bit of advice for any cruise is
to pack lots of lightweight, casual clothing that you can
layer. There can be wide temperature variations out at sea,
and it's best to be able to easily add or remove layers for
warmth. Dressy clothes? On a river cruise you'll want to
pack at least one semi-formal, dressy dinner outfit. For an
ocean cruise, you'll want more than one. Dressing for dinner
is expected.
Invest in cruise insurance. Cruise insurance will pay the
cost of your cruise if unforseen circumstances cause you to
cancel at the last minute. The price of the premium is a
small expense compared to losing thousands of dollars if a
family emergency forces you to cancel your plans.
Is there a dress code for the ship? Again, it depends on the
ship, but usually you can plan to include lots of casual
clothes, one or two formal outfits and a few informal
dresses/pantsuits for women, a suitcoat for men.
If you're planning to bring back lots of souvenirs (and who
doesn't?) roll up a collapsible duffle bag and tuck it into
your suitcase for the trip out. You'll be grateful for the
extra packing space on the return trip.
Submit An Article
Who else wants their Link to be placed here?
Who else wants their Link to be placed here?
|
|
|
