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CHOOSE A CRUISE
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You've decided on to which sea or ocean you'd
like to sail, you have an idea of the countries you'd like to visit and you've also got an idea of the budget you'd like to spend on these holidays. Now's the time to select the companies offering
the itinerary of your dreams on their program, and then choose the one best suited to you.
What criteria should help you choose one
company over another?
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A company should meet your expectations: whatever your
personality, there is one company that should be more satisfactory for you. Your choice may vary, depending on whether you're seeking luxury at any price, or else you're more interested in a bit of culture or
gastronomic dining.
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Price: For so many people it's the
deciding factor. The cost of a cruise immediately provides an indication of its style, ambiance, meals and cruise activities, and the type of passengers.
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Language: On a cruise you'll be beeting
a lot of people within a fairly restricted space. What could be more frustrating than not being able to communicate with these people? If you don't speak or understand a language other than
Italian, for example, it would perhaps be wise to select a ship belonging to an Italian company?
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The right company: Although not the only criteria, a
company's publicity does give you some idea about a company. It can tell you, for example, whether it's large or small. The number of ships in its fleet is also a good indication of a company's size.
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The ship: Companies will publish interesting information
about their ships, making it easier to evaluate the ship and also the cruise:
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50 and more: exceptionally spacious;
30 to 50: very spacious;
20 to 30: reasonably spacious;
10 to 20: slightly to moderately spacious;
10 and less: not very spacious.
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Draught and speed: This terms may not
be very familiar, providing us only accessory information. Note that speed is given in nautical miles (knots), with one knot being the equivalent of 6,080 feet (1,852 km) per hour. |
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Number of passengers: This might be
important information because it gives you an idea of the type of cruise being offered. Will the ambiance on board be friendly, more intimate and family-style, or will there be an enormous crowd?
One ship may carry 400 passengers while another could accommodate 3200. |
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Number of crew members: Whether there
are 500, 2000 or 3000 passengers, most large companies apply the famous 1:3 ratio. Comparing the number of crew to passengers makes it easy to determine whether the service offered will be fairly
attentive. |
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Ship registration: companies record their
ships in ports providing them with tax shelters or other advantages. It may surprise you see ships recorded in Liberia, Bahamas or Panama, but this information does not tell you a great deal. It
might be more useful to know the crew's nationality. |
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Dates for ship's launching and the latest
renovations: The launching date tells you how new or old a ship is. In general, companies carry out renovations on a ship every 8 or 10 years. It might be useful to know when this work was last
done. |
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Small or large ship? Ships are divided
into three categories and it's up to you to choose the one you like best: |
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Small ships: Between 2,000 and 20,000 tons,
able to accommodate up to 500 passengers. These ships will satisfy those who prefer an intimate ambiance, just like people who prefer vacationing in a small inn with lots of character rather than in a
large modern hotel, where the comfort cannot be compared.
Medium ships: Between 20,000 and 50,000
tons, able to accommodate 500 to 1,000 passengers. These ships are perfect for small Mediterranean ports, since they can maneuver more easily than the larger ships. Many of them go on cruises
around the world or travel to exotic destinations. In general these ships are more stable than the smaller ones. They're neither too large nor too small, and they tend to resemble the older, more
traditional ships.
Large ships: Between 50,000 to 150,000 tons,
able to accommodate between 1,000 and 2,000 passengers, and even more. They range of facilities, comfort, activities and meals they offer are beyond compare. But, their size and the enormous
number of passengers can be a problem (getting around in this gigantic space, having to conform to rules and stricter organization, you get the impression your just one person among the masses, served in a
very effective but impersonal manner). These large ships are however equipped with the latest technology, they can sail at any time, provide more space, and offer you greater flexibility in the choice of
meals, activities and amusements.
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