Cruising...once you've experienced it, you just can't get it out of your system. With each and every cruise you learn something new. Before you know it you're sharing your enthusiasm with novices as well as your fellow avid cruisers. However, before you get to that point, you have to step foot on your first ship. Beware and cast off with caution! Even the most skeptical cruiser has become hooked! You just might be next.
For those of you who are casting off for the first time, here are a few tips.
1) Basic Cruise Terminology:
embarkation: getting on the ship
debarkation: getting off the ship
port: left side of the ship (usually the side you dock on)
starboard: right side of the ship
aft: the rear of the ship
fore: the front of the ship
2) How to choose a cruise:
It's hard to go wrong on a cruise vacation, but a bit of planning will make sure you get the most bang for your buck! You'll want to consider 3 factors when choosing your cruise: cruise line or ship, itinerary, and budget. Each cruise line has a slightly different personality and amenities. With a little research you or your travel agent will match you to that perfect ship. Cruise lines fall into four categories - contemporary, premium, deluxe and luxury. Your budget and lifestyle will determine which you prefer. A few of the names you hear about so often - Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Princess are considered Contemporary lines. Whichever level of luxury you choose, a ship is a destination in itself!
Living in the Southeast, many of us think Caribbean when we think cruise, but your itinerary choices are endless! According to the Cruise Line International Association, the "hot" destinations for 2010 include the Mediterranean, Alaska, European Rivers, Europe, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and of course, the ever popular Caribbean and Bahamas. When choosing your itinerary, you should also consider your port of embarkation and debarkation. Ask yourself, "Do I want to fly or drive to the port?" The choice is yours.
3) Best Time to Cruise?
Everyone knows that anytime is a great time to cruise! If your heart is set on a specific locale, advance planning is a must. The Caribbean is a year round destination, but more exotic locations will require some scheduling. You can usually count on the following calendar as a general guide: Alaska - May to September, Europe - April to November, Bermuda - April to October, the Panama Canal -September to April.
4) Passports / Visas / Identification:
It's best practice for everyone who is cruising and traveling to foreign ports to obtain a passport. If you get sick or are detained and can't return via the ship, you will not be able to reenter the U.S. without a passport. Though unlikely, that would be a headache no one wants to deal with on vacation! It's also advisable to make three copies of your identification: passport, visa (if required), birth certificate and driver's license. Keep a copy in your checked baggage, in your carry-on baggage and leave a copy at home with someone. Visas are only required in certain countries. The list can be found on the U.S. State Department's Travel Website.
5) Best Cabin Location:
Once again, this is going to depend on personal preference. Typically, the higher you go on the ship, the more expensive the cabins become. Some people prefer the higher cabins for the view. However, if you are prone to motion sickness you are better off on a lower level and mid-ship. If noise is a concern avoid placement below large public areas or across from the elevator.
6) Will I get seasick?
The cruise ships today have stabilizers that assist in regulating the motion of the ship at sea. But let's be honest. The ocean is an unpredictable force, so rough seas are always a possibility. If you're very sensitive to motion, you'll feel less of it on the larger ships and don't forget the importance of that strategic cabin placement - lower and mid-ship! Many over the counter medications for seasickness seem to work well for most people, including Dramamine and Bonine.
7) Tipping:
First time cruisers might easily be caught off guard by the amount of tipping involved in their first cruise. Be sure to take plenty of one dollar bills just for this purpose. The tipping will begin at the port when your luggage is unloaded. Sorry do-it-yourselfers. You are probably out of luck here! You'll want to be prepared for any taxi rides in the port cities as well. Onboard gratuities are usually added to your final bill on the last night or you have the option of tipping in person. The cruise line provides recommended amounts for each service person.
8) Safety:
Modern cruise ships obey international and national maritime codes for seaworthiness and fire safety. They are equipped with lifeboats, modern telecommunications and have doctors on staff to treat cruisers during an emergency. Within a few hours of boarding your ship, you'll be required to participate in a safety drill at a "muster" station. During this drill, you'll be instructed where to find your life jacket, how to properly wear it, and where your designated area is to report to during an emergency. It's very important to participate during this drill. After all, it's part of the tradition of the first day at sea!
As far as safety in port is concerned, it's usually advisable not to wear flashy jewelry and keep an eye on your wallets and purses, as petty thefts can be a problem for tourists. If you aren't familiar with a port, the safest way to enjoy the area is through a ship-sponsored excursion. Be cautious about getting off the beaten path in unfamiliar territory. A little research before the trip will indicate which areas have safety issues. Most of the time, everyone is friendly to tourists and you'll have a wonderful time with no incidents.
9) How will the children be entertained?
A cruise is a paradise for children and parents alike. The cruise lines have awesome supervised childrens's programs, broken up into appropriate age groups. Most cruise lines require their workers to have college degrees in education or another related field to work in this program. The children will have so much fun they won't mind Mom and Dad sneaking off for a little alone time.
10) What's NOT included in a cruise?
Cruises are basically considered all-inclusive vacations. Even so, there are some
items that are extra. Usually, your gratuities are not included. Also, though food and drinks are included in your cruise fare, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not. Excursions, those fun adventures you take at the ports of call, will be extra. Specialty restaurants are fun and delicious, but they carry a small surcharge - up to $20 to $25 per person. If you're on a tight budget, the dining room and buffets will serve you just fine. Even with a few extras thrown in, cruising is still one of the best values out there!
Relaxation, fun, entertainment, food, adventure, a get-away you'll never forget! If you'd like to plan your next cruise escape, we would love to assist you at CruiseOne - Cathy & Lon Brooks. 770-456-5631. www.cruise2escape.com
Friday, June 25, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Anticipatory Fun
How do you make a one week vacation experience last for months or even up to a year? Granted, this isn't for everyone. Certainly, not for the last minute planner who gets a thrill of adrenaline from throwing things together quickly. OR the spontaneous type who likes to be free as a bird and live from moment to moment, but for those of you who like to plan...the enjoyment you receive from a cruise is not contained within that one week time frame spent on the ship. Far from it! The good times start the moment you begin planning your next cruise vacation.
What is it about human nature that allows us to receive such pleasure from anticipation? My father and I were discussing this the other day. He was describing how men who like to hunt often receive as much satisfaction from collecting and preparing their gear as they do from the actual expedition. His thoughts were that it was their personality type that attributed to this. They felt a sense of accomplishment from finishing a project that they had planned and organized. Sometimes, he said, they enjoyed the planning stage even more than the expedition itself. Not him, of course. Perhaps, this enjoyment of planning and organizing explains it for some people. However, I dare say, even if for a planner, it would be a rare cruiser who would enjoy the planning stage more than the cruise vacation itself!
I think the anticipatory stage might also bring to life what so many people seek in their lives - hope. Hope for the future...even for that one week vacation. Although, many people find hope in their spiritual lives, even those that are fulfilled spiritually, may just want a dose of hope that represents fun. A fun break away from the day to day routines of life. After all, with everything that goes on in our world today, who can have too much hope? Whatever it is that drives people to enjoy this phase of the vacation. It is a real phase. It brings much enjoyment, and it's a way of extending that vacation in a way - a pre-vacation. So research away. Make your lists. Plan. Plan. Plan. Enjoy your pre-embarkation!
What is it about human nature that allows us to receive such pleasure from anticipation? My father and I were discussing this the other day. He was describing how men who like to hunt often receive as much satisfaction from collecting and preparing their gear as they do from the actual expedition. His thoughts were that it was their personality type that attributed to this. They felt a sense of accomplishment from finishing a project that they had planned and organized. Sometimes, he said, they enjoyed the planning stage even more than the expedition itself. Not him, of course. Perhaps, this enjoyment of planning and organizing explains it for some people. However, I dare say, even if for a planner, it would be a rare cruiser who would enjoy the planning stage more than the cruise vacation itself!
I think the anticipatory stage might also bring to life what so many people seek in their lives - hope. Hope for the future...even for that one week vacation. Although, many people find hope in their spiritual lives, even those that are fulfilled spiritually, may just want a dose of hope that represents fun. A fun break away from the day to day routines of life. After all, with everything that goes on in our world today, who can have too much hope? Whatever it is that drives people to enjoy this phase of the vacation. It is a real phase. It brings much enjoyment, and it's a way of extending that vacation in a way - a pre-vacation. So research away. Make your lists. Plan. Plan. Plan. Enjoy your pre-embarkation!
Friday, June 4, 2010
How to Really Save on the Price of Your Cruise: Put Together a Group
In this modern world, many people love to search the internet for the best price on their cruise. Let's face it. It's a challenge! The problem is how do you really know if you truly found the "best" price? I understand the thrill. I'm the type person who likes that shopping thrill. It's the victory of the hunt when you find the perfect deal. Now, some people don't enjoy the endless hours on the computer searching for the perfect deal. They would rather just pick up the phone and call their travel agent. However, others actually get a kick out of the research and bargain shopping. For them it's the beginning of the cruise experience. I can relate to this. I'm a coupon shopper, a sale shopper, and before I became a travel agent, I was one of those cruise bargain shoppers. However, one of my best deals was through a travel agent when she had an exclusive offer from a cruise line. My point is....if you REALLY want the best possible deal on a cruise - Put together a group, and travel for practically free. This is the ultimate way for you bargain shoppers out there to get a great deal on a cruise!
Free? There must be some kind of catch. Right? Not if your travel agent negotiates the group contract with the cruise line and you're able to obtain the required number of group members. With most lines, a group of 16 full paying adults will earn a tour conductor credit. This is the person who is deemed to be the group leader. If you have 15 friends to travel with, why not let that person be you? If you can organize these people to join in on the fun, then you have just earned yourself a free cruise fare. Of course, if you are married or are taking another traveling companion, you'll have to pay for them, and you do have to pay for taxes and government fees. But it's a steal of a deal! Doubtful that you can beat that deal anywhere else! Usually, you'll also be awarded other amenities for your group that your agent will negotiate for you. All the cruise lines have great deals for groups, but I've grown particularly fond of working with the Princess Groups Department, as they negotiate special rates and amenities for your group.
You might ask why the cruise lines would be so generous? It's a win-win situation for everyone. You have your "berth" paid for, and they have someone out there providing free advertising to help sell those cabins. They're also counting on the fact that you just might spend some of the green stuff onboard their lovely ship. Yes! It's a win-win situation all the way around.
Free? There must be some kind of catch. Right? Not if your travel agent negotiates the group contract with the cruise line and you're able to obtain the required number of group members. With most lines, a group of 16 full paying adults will earn a tour conductor credit. This is the person who is deemed to be the group leader. If you have 15 friends to travel with, why not let that person be you? If you can organize these people to join in on the fun, then you have just earned yourself a free cruise fare. Of course, if you are married or are taking another traveling companion, you'll have to pay for them, and you do have to pay for taxes and government fees. But it's a steal of a deal! Doubtful that you can beat that deal anywhere else! Usually, you'll also be awarded other amenities for your group that your agent will negotiate for you. All the cruise lines have great deals for groups, but I've grown particularly fond of working with the Princess Groups Department, as they negotiate special rates and amenities for your group.
You might ask why the cruise lines would be so generous? It's a win-win situation for everyone. You have your "berth" paid for, and they have someone out there providing free advertising to help sell those cabins. They're also counting on the fact that you just might spend some of the green stuff onboard their lovely ship. Yes! It's a win-win situation all the way around.
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