a) Book in advance
Planning a cruise trip takes time and cruise agencies like to be assured that they will have customers on the day of the cruise. Thus, they offer discounts on cruises that are still being planned as an incentive to get people to buy the cruise package. If you have already identified an agency as well as destination that you will like to visit, check the upcoming travel dates and book in advance, preferably 6 months before.

b) Compare prices
Contact different cruise agencies and find out how much they charge for a vacation package to the destination you have chosen. If you have a travel agent, use him. He is likely to know most of the upcoming cruise travels and may know of ongoing promotions or discounts that you can take advantage of.

c) Take advantage of professional membership deals
If you are a member of a professional organization like the Rotary Club, find out whether you qualify for a discount. If you are a veteran or come from a military family, check whether there are special discounts for you. These offers may not be advertised to the masses but are usually available.

d) Loyalty pays
If this will not be your first cruise trip, choosing the same cruise agency can save you some money. You may get rewarded for loyalty by choosing the company again. Inquire for such discounts from the customer care personnel. This may need the attention of the cruise manager but it is not rare to find impromptu discounts given simply when a customer asks.

e) Carry your own belongings
If you are on a modest budget, carry most of the things you will need during the cruise. These include clothes and personal effects like toothbrush, combs and the like. While you have paid to go on a cruise vacation, you will still have to buy items that you may need while on the cruise. Carry our own stuff to minimize your spending.

If you follow the above tips, you can enjoy a cruise vacation without spending a lot of money.

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.

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!

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!

But today’s ships that take passengers on an ocean cruise are chock full of amenities and attractions for sailors of all ages. These ships are enormous, and even with perhaps 4,000 other passengers on board, it’s still possible to find plenty to do without waiting in line. It’s even possible to find a quiet, cozy corner to read that paperback you’ve wanted to get to for months.

Of course, with all the onboard activities offered during an ocean cruise, you may have little time for reading. If you feel like getting active, consider climbing a Rockwall or taking part in a basketball tournament; take a yoga class at the gym, or run on a treadmill that treats you to panoramic views of the sparkling sea.

Feeling the need for a little mental stimulation during your vacation? Plenty of cruise lines offer classes at sea. In the middle of the ocean, you can learn to line dance or make a ceramic plate, attend a lecture about handwriting analysis, or watch a cooking demonstration by a world-class chef. There are even bingo tournaments and passenger talent shows. The best way to enjoy a day at sea is to get active, and get involved!

As day winds down to evening, thoughts turn to dinner, shows, gambling, and dancing. After a memorable meal, take in a musical production or laugh along with a comedian. Try your luck at the gaming tables or slots and boogie the night away at the club. On an ocean cruise, the possibilities for fun and entertainment are as endless and varied as your imagination. Give it a try, and you might discover that a day at sea is your favorite part of the cruise!

There are four general types of ships that cruise companies employ for different styles of ocean cruises.

Contemporary Ships
Cruise ships that fall under this type usually run cruises that are low to medium in price. These ships are large, often referred to as “mega-ships”, with the capacity to accommodate upwards of 3,000 passengers. These ships are gaudy but modern and brimming with amenities like many different bars and restaurants, spas and gyms, and enormous facilities for children. They may have different types of entertainment for a variety of age groups.

Premium Ships
Premium ships can be medium to large and even include the mega-ship category. But they generally take a smaller number of passengers so the cruises are less crowded. Quality of food tends to be better and they can often provide a wider choice of destination.

Budget Ships
These tend to be the older, smaller ships and some people refer to cruises on these ships as “cheerful and cheap”. Both entertainment and food are more old fashioned than on the Premium or Contemporary ships and the other amenities like gyms, spas, and children’s areas are much more basic. The usual destinations for the budget ships are the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

Luxury Ships
These ships provide a much more lavish cruise experience. They serve gourmet-quality food in elegant restaurants with great service everywhere on the ship. Tips for staff, alcoholic beverages, and shore excursions are often included in the price of the cruise. The ship itself, including the cabins, are much more elegant. Most cabins are suites and are usually “outside” cabins, often with a private balcony. The ships are smaller and can access smaller, more unusual ports than the big mega-ships, making destinations options broader.