| Planning your first holiday especially on a | | | | destinations to choose from. Even land locked |
| cruise liner is always a challenge. You could | | | | locations such as central Europe, Russia, or |
| get together with your family and friends and | | | | the Yangtze River in China can be reached on |
| discuss your travel and vacation plans so as | | | | a river cruise. Always a challenge to decide |
| to get a better idea of what needs to be | | | | your destination, it is important to keep all |
| done. The best way is to book with a travel | | | | other factors like type of cruise, budget, |
| agent who will not only advice you on which | | | | length of vacation among others in mind. |
| cruise liner and destination you should be | | | | |
| going to but also plan your entire itinerary | | | | What are your interests? |
| including air travel to the port of | | | | |
| embarkation. But before you proceed, let's | | | | Although cruises provide all kinds of on |
| first answer some questions that are bound to | | | | board activities, your destination should be |
| pop up while planning your cruise. | | | | based on your interest. While European tours |
| | | | offer a good dose of culture for the history |
| What kind of cruise is suitable for your age | | | | buffs, tropical destinations like the |
| group? | | | | Caribbean and the South Pacific are for the |
| | | | beach lovers. Whether it is glacier watching |
| Typically, there are different kinds of | | | | in Alaska, deep sea diving in Australia or |
| cruises suitable for different age groups. | | | | experiencing the fjords in Norway, you have |
| You will find a cruise designed for all | | | | to decide what you like to do best before you |
| individuals, from the toddler to the teen to | | | | choose your cruise destination. Many cruises |
| the retired. All you need to decide in who is | | | | also offer a list of off-shore activities |
| going and then select the cruise best suited | | | | before you book, so make sure that you are |
| for you. There are fun-filled holiday cruises | | | | well researched on that as well. |
| for the family, singles, newly-weds and even | | | | |
| for the slightly older and matured. | | | | What kind of accommodation would you prefer? |
| | | | |
| What kind of budget are you on? | | | | Cabin selection typically depends on what |
| | | | your budget is. Sea view cabins are obviously |
| Typically, the minimum cost of per person per | | | | more expensive than the lower deck ones. |
| day is about $100 on an average cruise liner. | | | | Also, if you are travelling to scenic places |
| Many ships charge extra for certain items and | | | | like Alaska or Scandinavia it would be |
| of course air-fare is not included in this. | | | | preferable to have a view. Deck plans are |
| You can decrease the cost somewhat by sharing | | | | available in hard copy, so make your decision |
| the cabin with another person, booking way in | | | | after doing your homework and planning your |
| advance, like almost six months prior, or | | | | budget. |
| taking a risk and booking late, less than two | | | | |
| months prior to departure. | | | | What are your dress styles and eating habits? |
| | | | |
| How many days can you spend on your cruise? | | | | In a move away from only formal wear, most |
| | | | cruise ships today are more relaxed and have |
| If you have less than a week, then the | | | | only one or two nights of dress-up nights. |
| options would be closer to home and | | | | The rest of the time, it is usually casual or |
| restricted to Mexico, Bahamas or simply a | | | | country club style dressing. Typically there |
| weekend cruise to a port in the ocean and | | | | are two seating arrangements for dinner, one |
| back. A complete week gives you more time and | | | | starting at 6:30pm and the other starting at |
| options range from the Caribbean, Europe, | | | | 9:00pm. While early seating allows you plenty |
| Hawaii, Alaska and even the South Pacific, | | | | of time for late shows, it may rush your off |
| depending on of course your current | | | | shore excursions. Late seating on the other |
| residential location. Anything longer than | | | | hand gives you time to relax but may hamper |
| that would be suitable for any kind of cruise | | | | your late evening activities. Also, table |
| vacation across the globe. | | | | seating is usually for four to eight persons |
| | | | and very rarely for two. If you do want a |
| When would you be most likely to travel? | | | | dinner for the twosome, you will have to make |
| | | | a prior request. |
| Obviously, cruise tickets are cheaper in | | | | |
| leaner times like spring or fall and most | | | | How do you get to the cruise ship? |
| expensive during the summer holidays. Winter | | | | |
| is also considered high season when | | | | Flying there or driving down if its close by |
| travelling to warmer locations like the | | | | are two of the most preferred options. |
| Caribbean. Some locations like Alaska, | | | | Sometimes the cruise lines offer you a |
| Scandinavia and the Baltic have a shorter | | | | fly-cruise package, which is easier, but may |
| cruising season and will be open only between | | | | be a trifle expensive than independent |
| May and September. While Antarctic cruises | | | | booking. These include transfers between the |
| are on between November and February, | | | | ship and the airport, which can again add up |
| Mediterranean cruises can be taken all year | | | | to the cost. |
| round. | | | | |
| | | | What are the documents needed? |
| Where would you like to go? | | | | |
| | | | Cruise vouchers and travel itineraries should |
| With the earth being covered with 75% ocean, | | | | typically reach you 2-3 weeks prior to your |
| cruise ships today can reach any of the | | | | departure. Travel insurance is not mandatory |
| continents and traverse all across the globe. | | | | but strongly advised as a carry along |
| From the Americas to Austral-Asia, Africa to | | | | document in case of any mishaps. Passports |
| Antarctica, Bahamas to Bermuda, Europe to | | | | are needed for all international |
| Canada, there are plenty of cruise | | | | destinations. |