| You'll have come across more and more people who | | | | and beyond. The possibilities are huge - if you are up |
| have taken a cruise (or two!). Especially in recent | | | | to it! |
| years many have decided to give cruising a try. | | | | 4. Go Wherever You Want (almost!) |
| In fact, with more choice, there's probably a cruise | | | | There is hardly a spot on the planet that you can't |
| for anyone and everyone, old or young; single or | | | | visit. The traditional cruise destinations like Hawaii, the |
| families. To get the best from your experience, | | | | Caribbean and the Mediterranean are still there, |
| especially if it's your first, take note of these six | | | | amazing as always. And now there's the far east, |
| ideas to consider:- | | | | Alaska, Mexico and South America. |
| 1. Cruises Are Just About For Anyone | | | | Newly popular are the Baltic countries, like Russia and |
| With the wide range of cruise lines around at the | | | | Norway, with a touch of the new, like Estonia too. |
| moment, you would be hard pressed to be unable to | | | | And who could resist the possibilities of arriving in |
| find something that suits you, whoever you are and | | | | Sydney to the view of the Harbour Bridge or the |
| whatever your situation. Just a short look at the | | | | Golden Gate in San Francisco, to make it nearer to |
| variety of options available will help you realize the | | | | home. It's making the decision that's the tough bit! |
| opportunity. Families - retirees - affluent - | | | | 5. Be Prepared to be Entertained |
| cost-conscious - upmarket - partying - all of these | | | | Whether you want to climb those Royal Caribbean |
| have cruise lines that tend towards these specialities. | | | | artificial rockfaces or lounge by a pool. Maybe it's the |
| 2. Your Don't Have To Be Posh To Cruise | | | | 'Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food and Wine |
| Remember Titanic, where there were very different | | | | Magazine' on Holland America. Or perhaps for kids |
| classes, from the very posh to those at the bottom | | | | there's the Fun House - the home of the Camp |
| of the ship who paid the least? Never to mix? Well, | | | | Carnival program. Each line has their own specialities, |
| there are still different price ranges, but the | | | | so it's worth to check the line that has what you |
| differences have become much less defined. | | | | want. |
| Everyone who takes a cruise can expect exceptional | | | | And not to forget the evenings! Did you want |
| service and wonderful experiences as a minimum. | | | | Broadway shows? Well, that's just what you get. |
| Whether you have a relatively small inside cabin or a | | | | The most spectacular revues are waiting for you - |
| stateroom, you will still have wonderful | | | | again line by line have their particular favorites - and |
| accommodation, activities and eating. No-one suffers | | | | guests come back year on year for more. |
| the ignominy of the earliest years of cruising and that | | | | Don't want a big show? Well, many cruises recognise |
| has grown the market immensely. | | | | that this isn't for everyone and guests want variety. |
| 3. Cruise Eating is Amazing | | | | So whether it be a few drinks in an atmospheric jazz |
| One of the unsung values of cruising is the | | | | bar or an energetic spin around the dance floor, you |
| opportunity to eat well. In fact, more than well! | | | | have to choose. But then again, maybe there's an |
| Cruising offers the chance to try out new tastes and | | | | evening to try everything! |
| eat till you pop! From expansive breakfasts to start | | | | 6. Making the Most of Onshore Excursions |
| your day, through elevenses to lazy lunchtimes, your | | | | They let you out, sometimes! Remember that this is |
| mornings will be just the beginning. | | | | a vacation where not only do you get the most |
| After resting up a little, it's time for afternoon tea, | | | | fantastic accommodation, eating and entertainment, |
| followed by the gastronomic highlights of wonderful | | | | but each day (mostly) brings a new place to visit. |
| ocean bound dinners. And if you are still hungry, | | | | Those onshore activities can be very wide-ranging. |
| there's always time for that 2am snack, whilst | | | | From a leisurely stroll round quaint backstreets, to a |
| checking out the full moon on the ocean. What could | | | | no-holds-barred mountain top trip in a four-by-four. |
| be better? Well, the choice of eating opportunities, | | | | Make no mistake the ports of call are ready for you. |
| that's what! | | | | Often you will get a whole day onshore which you |
| Almost every variant is possible, and that's on many | | | | can freely explore or buy a great trip and be shown |
| individual ships too! Any large cruise will have several | | | | the sights! |
| restaurants offering different types of fare, from | | | | And, if after all that you have doubts, make sure you |
| casual to formal. From snacks to full-blown | | | | find out more about your cruise trip and the |
| many-course offerings. And then there's the | | | | opportunities you have to make the very most of |
| wide-world of culinary delights to sample. From Sushi | | | | your cruising vacation. It may well be the memory of |
| to Indian. From traditional American fare to the | | | | your life. |
| heights of French cuisine. From Mexico to Thailand | | | | |