| For those who are thinking about getting on board a | | | | range from just bigger than closet-sized spaces |
| cruise ship, here are five considerations for your first | | | | without windows (commonly referred to as inside |
| cruise. | | | | cabins) to apartment-sized suites with verandahs and |
| 1. Cruise lines have distinct personalities. It's good to | | | | hot tubs. And, of course, they are priced accordingly. |
| know which crowd each line caters to. Discriminating | | | | When you have decided what cruise line you would |
| travelers pay a premium to indulge aboard such | | | | like to go on, |
| luxury lines as Radisson Seven Seas and Silversea. | | | | * You need to decide what ship to go on. |
| More affordable luxury can be found aboard Crystal. | | | | Â Â Â Â Â |
| Holland America ships are refined and exude class. | | | | Â Â Â Â |
| Princess is both posh and pioneering. Disney beckons | | | | * Decide the type of cabin that you would like to |
| the whole family. Carnival boasts a fleet of "fun | | | | stay in.o Inside cabins (no window) are the least |
| ships". | | | | expensiveo Outside cabins will have a window. After |
| 1. | | | | that, come theo Balcony cabins. These are very |
| Timing is everything. The time of year you cruise | | | | desirable and will cost a little more. If you have one, |
| dictates a lot. Cruises during summer and holiday | | | | you may never want anything else. |
| school breaks will always have more children and | | | | * For example you can get breakfast through room |
| families. Booking cruises well in advance of their sailing | | | | service (room service is always free on a cruise) and |
| date can often translate into significant savings. Sailing | | | | enjoy it on your own private balcony.o After the |
| in a region during its slow season (i.e. the Caribbean in | | | | balcony cabins come the suites. They always have |
| summer) is usually less expensive as well. | | | | balconies and are the largest cabins on the ship. They |
| 2. | | | | usually come with a larger bath with a tub. |
| Ship size matters. Smaller ships (500 passengers or | | | | Avoid close proximity to possible noisy locations such |
| less) provide an intimate environment that often | | | | as the engine room, disco and show lounge. |
| features highly personalized service and unique | | | | When you decide all the details of your cruise, but |
| itineraries. Medium-size ships (between 500 and 1,000 | | | | before you choose your cabin, tell your Travel Agent |
| passengers) have a fair amount of onboard activity | | | | you want to book the "CATEGORY OR Better" |
| and entertainment without the volume of people | | | | which is called an open booking by category. You |
| found aboard a mega ship. Large ships (1,000 | | | | have a better chance of an upgrade within that type |
| passengers or more) cater to travelers who crave | | | | of cabin (Outside, Ocean view, Balcony or Suite) or a |
| great, diverse amounts of organized entertainment, | | | | jump up in category. You will NEVER be down graded |
| high-tech facilities and plenty of new friends. | | | | by the Cruise Lines! But, when receiving an upgrade |
| 3. | | | | find out where the cabin is located. It might be a |
| Different regions have a different focus. Canada/New | | | | higher category but you don't want to under the |
| England cruises are perfect for exploring the historic | | | | basketball court. |
| towns along the east coast. Nature lovers fall in love | | | | If you must have a specific ship, sailing date or |
| the first time they cruise Alaska. The Mediterranean | | | | accommodations, book as early as possible to avoid |
| is perfect for diving into other cultures. Adventure | | | | disappointment. What sells out first: Christmas/New |
| abounds along the Panama Canal. Fun and sun can | | | | Years, Presidents Week in February, Spring Break, |
| always be found in Hawaii and the Caribbean. | | | | Easter Week and July/August sailings when the |
| 4. | | | | children are out of school. To get the space you |
| Voyages come in all lengths. According to the Cruise | | | | want on the cruise and necessary air arrangements, |
| Lines International Association (CLIA), nearly one-third | | | | don't hesitate to book 9 to 10 months in advance if |
| of all cruises are out to sea for five days or less. | | | | possible. The remainder of February, March and April |
| Short trips are economical, great for first-time | | | | sailings usually starts to fill up once the weather |
| cruisers who want to test the waters and | | | | starts to turn cold in the Northeast and Midwest. You |
| increasingly popular. Most trips last a week or so, but | | | | can usually find bargains both in advance and at the |
| some last as long as a year. More often than not, the | | | | last minute. But if you want a specific type of cabin, |
| shorter the cruise is, the younger the crowd will be. | | | | you may consider booking as early as possible. If |
| It's not hard to find the best price. Just a little of | | | | you're flexible, consider waiting for a "deal" to show |
| your time is required. | | | | up. |
| 5. - Determine what cruise line you may be interested | | | | Cruise travel agencies will often book blocks of cabins |
| in. | | | | from the cruise lines. An agent that has one of those |
| 6. - Visit a local travel agent and pick up several | | | | blocks for your sailing date can give you a better |
| cruise brochures. | | | | rate than one that does not. |
| 7. - Find the area that you want to cruise. | | | | Now that you know how to book your cruise, set |
| 8. - Often, a good quote that you'll receive will be | | | | sail! |
| 50-60% off brochure prices. | | | | Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All |
| Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, Celebrity, and Princess | | | | Rights Reserved. |
| are the most popular First Time Cruiser's | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your website |
| choices.    | | | | and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | copyright notice, links and the resource box are |
| Â | | | | unchanged. |
| Cabins are not all alike. Depending on the ship, they | | | | |