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