| Cruising makes for a great vacation, no doubt about | | | | toward the pool party crowd. Discos close at 4 AM. |
| it. Cost is reasonable and relaxation is guaranteed, but | | | | - Crystal. I myself can't afford Crystal, I admit it, but |
| how do you decide which cruise vacation is best for | | | | if you can I can tell you the experts rave about its |
| you? There are hundreds of choices and many | | | | great facilities and service. Luxury class, high cost. |
| decisions to make before you can settle back with | | | | - Norwegian. Very good entertainment, very |
| your pina colada and watch the ocean glide past. | | | | social-oriented, open-seated dining, casual. A good |
| This article will provide a broad overview of cruising, | | | | choice for a shorter cruise, 3 or 4 days. |
| then you can go online, order printed resources and | | | | So How Much Does This Cost? |
| or call your travel agent to learn more. I'll suggest | | | | Cruises are famously low-cost vacations. But be |
| some of the best Internet resources and websites | | | | careful, you can end up spending a lot more than you |
| below. | | | | planned if you take several tours, gamble, go |
| Cruise Destinations | | | | shopping, etc. All those sorts of things are extra. |
| Well, "destination" has got to be your first decision, | | | | If you take a one-week cruise in the Caribbean or |
| right? Here are the usual cruise vacation destinations | | | | Mexican Rivera and go double occupancy, the cost |
| in a nutshell: | | | | will be around $900 for an inside cabin, or up to |
| Hawaii. Yes, Hawaii really is a paradise, but it's difficult | | | | several times that for a suite with a balcony. You can |
| to see much of it if you go there and stay at a | | | | take a 3-night cruise for just a few hundred dollars. |
| resort. Cruising is the best way to see Hawaii. The | | | | For those prices you get your accomadations, meals, |
| Caribbean. Most first-cruisers go here. It's close, plus it | | | | entertainment, activities, onboard facilities (e.g., pools, |
| has a touch of the exotic and tropical. I just got back | | | | exercise equipment), and transport to ports of call. |
| from a cruise of the western Caribbean myself. The | | | | You don't get travel to/from the ship, shore |
| weather was wonderful and beaches great. A | | | | excursions (which can be expensive), bar drinks |
| negative was that some of the islands, like | | | | (usually), gambling losses, tips (though some lines add |
| Dominique, were a big disappointment -- not very | | | | these unobtrusively onto your bill without asking you) |
| clean, basically nothing much to see or do, very | | | | and special services, like massages and educational |
| tacky. San Juan PR, however, is a terrific place to | | | | courses (pottery-making, watercolors, etc.). |
| make a port of call. | | | | Plus all ships offer you innumerable opportunities to |
| The Mediterranean. Frankly I know little of this | | | | spend money onboard on merchandise and baubles. |
| first-hand. Please send me some tips on this cruise via | | | | So, as said, if you're careful and budget your cruise |
| the discussion group. I plan to visit here this October | | | | vacation ahead of time, the cost is likely to be |
| (the Aegean). From guidebooks and conversations I | | | | modest compared with, say, staying at a resort. But |
| gather that it's extremely beautiful, clean, historical, | | | | if you are enticed by the "extras," the cruise can turn |
| educational and a great experience. Mexican Riviera. | | | | out to be quite expensive. |
| This is the Caribbean for people living on the west | | | | A Few More Cruising Tips |
| coast. Archaelogically interesting, friendly people and | | | | Smoking is almost always prohibited except in bars |
| great climate. Alaska. For those of us who read Jack | | | | and some lounges and on deck or in your cabin. |
| London as kids, this one's a must. Native American | | | | Norwalk virus. I once caught it and it is terrible for |
| cultures, glaciers, mountains, maybe whales. However | | | | two days (you can't even sit up in bed) but then |
| expect cool temperatures, even in summer. | | | | quickly resolves. However I caught it not on a cruise |
| Choosing a Cruise Line | | | | ship but at a hotel in Las Vegas. It does happen |
| Each and every cruise line has a unique personality. | | | | occasionally on cruises. The best defense is to wash |
| The goal is to match yours with its. I offer thumbnail | | | | you hands very frequently -- dozens of times a day. |
| impressions below, but you'll want to research this | | | | Wheelchair accessibility. Holland America is a leader in |
| more on your own. | | | | wheelchair accessibility. For information on this for a |
| - Holland America. This line is geared toward seniors. | | | | given line, call their Special Services Department. Best |
| Sedate, comfortable. Everything moves at a slow | | | | rates. Believe it or not, your travel agent is likely to |
| steady pace on a Holland America ship at sea. Good | | | | be your best source for good rates. This can be an |
| place to do some serious reading. | | | | online or off-line agent, of course. Note, however, |
| - Celebrity Cruises. A good choice for most people. | | | | you should not pay the rates most lines advertise in |
| Big, beautiful modern megaships. Attracts mainstream | | | | their brochures (with the exception of Royal |
| passengers. Cost is about average. | | | | Caribbean and Celebrity); these brochure rates are |
| - Royal Caribbean. Hotels at sea in the best sense. | | | | much higher than actual prices. |
| Tons of activities for everybody. Moderate cost. | | | | Interested in saving some money? Book slightly |
| Their huge Freedom of the Seas is the world's | | | | offseason (in the so-called "shoulder" periods, right |
| biggest boat. If you book this one expect lots of | | | | before or after the high seasons). Here are shoulder |
| munchkins (i.e., kids). The ship even has a "rock | | | | seasons for popular destinations -- |
| climbing wall" to divert some of the kids' energies. | | | | Alaska - April, May, September |
| This is not Holland America. | | | | Caribbean - September, early December, April-June |
| - Cunard. Another luxury line, very British. I | | | | Mediterranean - April, May, September, October |
| understand they still categorize most passengers | | | | Last word: Don't jump too quickly to make a |
| according to "class" for dining purposes. This is not | | | | reservation. Spend some time on the Web before |
| my cup of tea but may be yours, especially if you | | | | booking. Explore the websites of the cruise lines that |
| can afford first class. | | | | interest you (most have outstanding sites, featuring |
| - Princess. Another British line, and I've taken a cruise | | | | virtual tours of all their ships). Visit some online cruise |
| on their Diamond. This one's very unstuffy, very | | | | evaluation/information sites like, cruisecritic.com, or |
| well-run and efficient. The ships are beautiful, the | | | | Then you'll be in a much more informed position for |
| dining excellent. Yet moderate cost. | | | | making your choice. Remember, once you're on the |
| - Carnival. Love Boat unleashed. This line is geared | | | | ship, there's no way off! |