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Planning Your First Cruise Things To Consider Part 1
o you've heard how great couple, it's also important to
cruise vacations are, and consider the dining situation. On
now you've decided to take ships with assigned seating, you
to the high seas for a fortnight will have to specify the size of
of luxury and pampering. But table that you want. However, on
there's a lot to think about. So many ships, tables for two are in
before you select a cruise line, short supply, so if this is an
a cruise ship or even get in important issue, this may
touch with a travel agent, there influence your choice of cruise
are certain issues that are vital line and ship. Just make sure
to consider. that you make this clear to your
travel agent or the cruise line
1) Who is going on the when booking.
cruise?
On the other hand, if you want to
Although this question should be take your children or travel with
easy to answer, it can have a the rest of your extended family,
bearing on the type of cruise there are certain cruise lines
line and ship that you ultimately and ships within cruise lines
choose. that are specifically tailored
with family vacations in mind.
If you and your partner want to
take a relaxing cruise, there are 2) How much have you got to
many ships that are aimed at spend?
couples. In fact some cruise
ships actively discourage or even It's possible to find a cruise
ban people from taking children vacation to suit almost any
onboard. budget. So before you go any
further it's important to work
If you will be cruising as a out how much you're willing to
spend on your holiday. of cruises that are available to
you.
But as a general rule, you'll
need to set aside at least $150 If you only have a few days, the
per person per day to cover the main option is a one port cruise.
cost of your cruise. However, This means that the ship leaves
bigger cabins in more luxurious port sails around the sea/ocean
ships can cost many times this for two or three days and then
figure. returns to the same port. The
ship doesn't call at any other
However, it is possible to get ports, but it does give you a few
more for your money if you; days at sea. This is a good way
to get the feel for a certain
a) Book early: Most cruise cruise ship, or even cruising in
lines are willing to give general.
generous discounts if you book
your cruise 6-12 months in If you have a week to spare, this
advance. gives you more choices. If you
live in the US, this gives you
b) Book late: Likewise, if the choice of Hawaii, Alaska,
you book within 2 months of Florida, Mexico or even a
setting sail, most cruise lines Caribbean cruise. If you live in
will give you hefty discounts to Europe this will give you access
fill the remaining cabins. to the mediterranean, north
africa, or even a nordic cruise.
3) How long have you got?
Alternatively, if you want to
The number of days that you want increase the number of locations
your vacation to last will available, you could fly to and
determine the type and location from the start/finish location of
your cruise or take a one way winter Caribbean cruise.
cruise either flying to the start
location or flying home after b) The Locations
disembarkation. Available: The time of year
that you take your cruise will
If you have two weeks or longer, also determine the locations that
you can cruise almost any part of are available. Although this
the world. won't make much difference to the
more mainstream locations such as
4) What time of the year? the Caribbean or the
Mediterranean, certain places
The time of year that you take have a distinct cruise season.
your cruise will have a major
affect on two issues; If you want to go to Alaska or
northern Europe, the main cruise
a) The Price: As with all season lasts from May till
forms of travel, your holiday September.
will cost more during the peak
season. In contrast, most cruises For Antartica, the season is even
are cheaper in the spring or shorter, running from November to
fall. February.
Traditionally, the winter was Although the tropical regions are
considered the high season for in season all year, there is a
Caribbean destinations, but due great variation in the amount of
to the weight of supply and rainfall throughout the year.
demand (people who have to take Locations such as the Caribbean
their vacation during the summer) will have less rain during the
the summertime costs are almost summer months and more rain
on a par with the cost of a during the winter months.
your options, but beyond that,
And finally, although not a consider other issues, such as;
restriction as such, some people
prefer to avoid places that may If you want to or have to take
be affected by the hurricane your vacation at a certain time
season. If a cruise ship of the year, which locations are
encounters a storm it will alter available?
its route to avoid it, which
means you may miss certain places If you particularly want to use a
that you wanted to visit. certain cruise line, which
locations do their ships visit?
5) What part of the world do
you want to visit? What type of weather and climate
do you prefer?
You can cruise almost anywhere in
the world, even landlocked Are there any particular
countries are often available to landmarks that you want to visit?
explore through river cruises. So
it's no surprise that this is one Are there any activities or
of the hardest decisions for adventures that you want to
cruise newcomers to make. experience?
The amount of days that you have Now all you have to do it to get
for your vacation will narrow in touch with your travel agent.
About the Author:
If you want to know more about cruise vacations, visit Kristen Olsen's site at www.HolidayCruisesGuide.com.
Read more articles by: Kristen Olsen
Article Source: www.iSnare.com |
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