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