First Cruise Travel Tips
January 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under First Cruise Tips
If this is your first cruise, or you are thinking about taking one, don’t be apprehensive. There is plenty of information available to help make this experience “smooth sailing” for you. There is something quite magical about your first time at sea, and most likely you will find it more peaceful than anything you have experienced on other vacations. With all the new and exciting amenities onboard and wonderful ports worldwide to visit, perhaps just being at sea will be what you fall in love with the most. Of course, the pampering doesn’t hurt either.
There are some steps you should take to ensure that you select a particular cruise with features that you enjoy most. Ask yourself the following and it will help you make an informed decision.
Tip 1.
What can I afford? If you were planning on a hotel or resort vacation, keep in mind a cruise is mostly all-inclusive and the end cost most favorable. Cruises are available at rates ranging from very low to WOW!!! But with meals and onboard amenities, including entertainment, included in the price, it’s hard to go wrong!
Tip 1.
What can I afford? If you were planning on a hotel or resort vacation, keep in mind a cruise is mostly all-inclusive and the end cost most favorable. Cruises are available at rates ranging from very low to WOW!!! But with meals and onboard amenities, including entertainment, included in the price, it’s hard to go wrong!
Tip 2.
What is there to do onboard? Some first timers are afraid they will be bored on a cruise. But today’s ships make that nearly impossible. There are countless activities to keep you busy (see On-Board Section of this site) as well as expansive lounges, public rooms, and deck areas. And in today’s stress filled daily environment, there are also lots of places where you can do nothing at all (after all it is a vacation).
What is there to do onboard? Some first timers are afraid they will be bored on a cruise. But today’s ships make that nearly impossible. There are countless activities to keep you busy (see On-Board Section of this site) as well as expansive lounges, public rooms, and deck areas. And in today’s stress filled daily environment, there are also lots of places where you can do nothing at all (after all it is a vacation).
Tip 3.
How long do cruises last? Generally from 3 nights to 30 nights. Most first time cruisers opt for a week or less in order to “test drive” the product.
How long do cruises last? Generally from 3 nights to 30 nights. Most first time cruisers opt for a week or less in order to “test drive” the product.
Tip 4.
Is airfare extra? Typically, cruise lines offer your choice of a cruise-only price or cruise rate that includes flights and transfers between the airport and ship, as well as baggage handling. Note that you can often find lower airfare available directly from the air lines.
Is airfare extra? Typically, cruise lines offer your choice of a cruise-only price or cruise rate that includes flights and transfers between the airport and ship, as well as baggage handling. Note that you can often find lower airfare available directly from the air lines.
Tip 5.
Is cruising for families? More families than ever are choosing a cruise for their vacation because cruises are all-inclusive, and offer great children’s programs determined by their age group. There are kids’ menus and a variety of games and sports available just for them. Many ships offer baby-sitting for the smaller set. It is doubtful you will ever hear those dreaded words from the kids, “We’re bored and there’s nothing to do?”
Is cruising for families? More families than ever are choosing a cruise for their vacation because cruises are all-inclusive, and offer great children’s programs determined by their age group. There are kids’ menus and a variety of games and sports available just for them. Many ships offer baby-sitting for the smaller set. It is doubtful you will ever hear those dreaded words from the kids, “We’re bored and there’s nothing to do?”
Tip 6.
Do I need a passport? YES, under new rulings, U.S. citizens will need a passport for cruise travel. Please take note, it may take up to two months to get one. For more information, you can visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/
Do I need a passport? YES, under new rulings, U.S. citizens will need a passport for cruise travel. Please take note, it may take up to two months to get one. For more information, you can visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/
Tip 7.
How do I pick the right ship? This can be a daunting question, with over 200 cruise ships to pick from. First, it will help if you know if you are leaning toward a large mega ship or more toward a medium or small ship. There is something for everyone. We have included a lot of information on this site and we hope it will help you in your decision. You also have to decide where you want to go. Lots of choices here too. Some of the destinations include the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Canada and New England, Panama Canal, transatlantic, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
How do I pick the right ship? This can be a daunting question, with over 200 cruise ships to pick from. First, it will help if you know if you are leaning toward a large mega ship or more toward a medium or small ship. There is something for everyone. We have included a lot of information on this site and we hope it will help you in your decision. You also have to decide where you want to go. Lots of choices here too. Some of the destinations include the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Canada and New England, Panama Canal, transatlantic, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Tip 8.
Can I cruise solo? No problem, if you like, there are typically parties for those traveling alone, and many activities or you can just be by yourself and do what you like. As far as cost, as prices are per person based on double occupancy, there is a “single supplement,” charge ranging from 50 to 100% of the per person rate for the room. So traveling alone does come at a cost.
Can I cruise solo? No problem, if you like, there are typically parties for those traveling alone, and many activities or you can just be by yourself and do what you like. As far as cost, as prices are per person based on double occupancy, there is a “single supplement,” charge ranging from 50 to 100% of the per person rate for the room. So traveling alone does come at a cost.
Tip 9.
Am I able to “stay connected” while at sea? Indeed! Many ships now offer cell phone connectivity and virtually all offer some form of e-mail access via WiFi or an internet cafe. But try to remember, you are on vacation!
Am I able to “stay connected” while at sea? Indeed! Many ships now offer cell phone connectivity and virtually all offer some form of e-mail access via WiFi or an internet cafe. But try to remember, you are on vacation!
One of the best things about cruising is what you don’t have to do and that is pack and unpack. You do it once when you get onboard and that is it! What could be easier?
As far as clothes, most cruises are very casual these days, and call for “country club casual” wear. Some lines still have two formal nights a sailings, but a tux is optional and a dark suit will suffice.
Hopefully, these first time cruise tips and other information on this site will help you make the correct choices in sailing. Before you know it, you will be an old pro, a seasoned cruiser and one who loves to cruise!
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