August, 2010
By admin
There are many different types of cruises. There are cruises that are intimate 20 person sailing, and there are cruises that can hold thousands of people. There are cruises that sail for 3 days, and there are cruises that sail for 14 days. So how does one choose which type of cruise to sail? The answer is, it depends on what the cruiser is looking for.
If this is the first time a prospective cruiser has sailed, then that cruiser would be best off sailing on a 3 day cruise and choose a large ship. The advantage of this, is that the larger ships have stabilizers which help keep the ship from rocking on rough seas. A three day cruise will also determine whether the cruiser is sea worthy.
If this is a romantic cruise, and the couple is sea worthy, then a smaller ship would be the best bet. These usually only have adults. If this is a family vacation, then the larger ships would be advantageous. Children will never be bored on these large ships. They come equipped with many amenities. There are swimming pools, ice skating rinks, work out rooms, children’s activities, mini golf to name a few.
Now that the type of ship has been determined, how does one determine where to sail. If this is a first time cruise, or a cruiser is prone to sea sickness. a cruise to Alaska would be excellent. Ships sail the inside passage, where calm waters prevail. A romantic destination would be the Caribbean.
A sailing chose may also include what type of shore excursions are available. All cruises include these at an extra charge. If a cruiser wants to see a glacier, then the Caribbean would not be the right cruise. Likewise, if a cruiser wants to go snorkeling, then an Alaskan cruise would not be the right choice.
These are some helpful hints to get a cruiser started in deciding which type of cruise is the right fit. Whichever cruise is decided, the cruiser will have an adventure never to be forgotten.
Filed in: Cruises, Ships, Tips and Preparation
By admin
There is nothing like an ocean cruise for the ultimate in a vacation that is free from hassle and stress. An ocean cruise is the vacation where someone else takes care of all the details and you simply relax and enjoy yourself.
A vacation can be work itself with all the planning, packing, and traveling just to get to the destination before the vacation actually begins. Once you arrive there is unpacking, arranging every day’s outings and meals, and getting back and forth to the sights and attractions. A trip onboard a cruise ship takes care of everything for you-except for the packing and unpacking part!
Once you have booked a cruise the rest is easy. Most cruise lines offer transportation for you and your luggage from the airport or hotel right to the ship. After you board the ship, everything is taken care of for you and your job is to experience an enjoyable vacation.
You can tailor you cruise experience to your personal likes and interests because cruises offer something for everyone. The only thing you have to do is decide what you want to do on vacation.
The cruise lines offer a variety of excursions and activities at each port of call in various price ranges. You pick out what you like and the arrangements are made for you. Most cruises give you a list of attractions and sights for each stop including shops, landmarks, and restaurants. There are often multiple tours with different levels of exertion, depending on what you feel like doing. If you like physical activity, you can take a walking tour or even a nature hike. If you don’t want to walk or have physical limitations, try a bus tour. Nature lovers, history buffs, and even thrill seekers can find something tailored to their interests. If you love to shop, every port has an area designated just for you, and on the days you are out to sea you can often shop onboard.
While out to sea and between ports of call, do not worry about being bored. Everyday, even on days the ship is in port, the activities are non-stop. In addition to the onboard facilities which range from spas and gyms to mini golf courses and casinos, there is everything from bingo and trivia contests to theme parties and movies. You can have a great vacation without ever leaving the boat!
Filed in: Cruises, Excursions, Fun on board
By admin
An ocean cruise has potential to be a fun and relaxing vacation. However, what is not fun or relaxing is an announcer demanding you to do the electric slide during your honeymoon, or your kids complaining that they are bored. Luckily, these types of situations can be avoided with thorough research. The following are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an ocean cruise.
1. Budget- Determining your budget is of utmost importance. By simply putting a budget on paper, hundreds of cruises can be eliminated, and you save yourself time. It is important to remember that, for the most part, ocean 
cruises are very economical. Therefore, you can get a lot more for your money than you may think.
2. Interests- In order to get the most out of your cruising experience, you need to ask yourself a few questions to determine where your interests lie. There is no point in investing money in a ship with an ice-skating rink, if you can barely walk on solid ground. Are you a total foodie, who has already planned out the meals for the week? Or, is it adventure aboard that you seek? Are you hoping to see live shows and go to nightclubs on the ship? Or, are you more interested in getting away and spending time alone? Asking yourself these questions and questions like these can help you determine your cruising style.
3. Company- Sometimes who you are cruising with is the biggest factor in finding the right cruise. Accommodating many interests and budgets can be difficult, but not entirely impossible. One important thing to keep in mind is the overall goal of the vacation. Are you and your girlfriends looking for a singles retreat? Or, is this a family vacation?
4. Destination- Although this may be the first thing you consider, the reality is that the experience on deck is the most important thing to plan. Chances are any place that has become a cruising destination is a place worth visiting. However, that does not mean that there are no decisions to be made. There are ocean cruises that require you to pack a jacket or two, such as an Alaskan cruise. On the other end of the spectrum, a warmer vacation to the Caribbean may float your boat.
Choosing the right cruise can be a difficult process, but well worth the reward. Happy cruising!
Filed in: Tips and Preparation