| "If you build it, they will come." | | | | giving your credit card to. |
| That advice, which prompted an Iowa farmer in the | | | | Where are they located, and how long have they |
| 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" to plow | | | | been in business? Can you get references? Are the |
| over his corn field and build a baseball diamond, has | | | | web transactions secure? Is the currency my |
| become the mantra of many high-tech startups | | | | currency? How will my documents get to me and are |
| promoting electronic commerce on the Internet. And | | | | there additional charges that have not been itemized? |
| the cruise travel industry has also embraced this | | | | What happens if I do not receive the tickets? |
| “shop by computer” concept. | | | | Now for the good news! As a research tool, the |
| Indeed the Internet can be a wonderful source of | | | | Internet is second to none. Most cruiselines have |
| information to help you plan an exciting holiday, | | | | sites that provide detailed information on their |
| obtaining ship and stateroom descriptions, itineraries, | | | | offerings. Carnival Cruise Lines at offers |
| tips on sites to see, passport and visa requirements, | | | | comprehensive information on their ships, itineraries |
| shore excursion, shopping, weather and local interest | | | | and even the shore excursions available for each |
| information,but is it the right place to book your | | | | sailing. |
| dream vacation? | | | | Similar sites are available from Princess Cruises at or |
| Cruise lines are investing over US$15 billion to build at | | | | Royal Caribbean International at where you can print |
| least 50 new ships in the first half of this decade in | | | | a custom information brochure in full color if you wish! |
| addition to the over 300 vessels already in service. | | | | The official trade organization of the cruise industry is |
| Each of these ships offer different amenities with | | | | the Cruise Lines International Association ( They |
| unique ambiance and often this kind of information | | | | work in partnership with nearly 21,000 affiliated travel |
| can only be understood and communicated by face | | | | agencies throughout North America to ensure the |
| to face discussions with a cruise expert to avoid | | | | highest caliber of cruise sales expertise and service |
| turning a terrific vacation into a mediocre experience. | | | | for cruise vacationers. |
| There is a common misconception that because | | | | This is a fun place for exploring what cruising is all |
| something is offered for sale on the Internet, it will | | | | about and CLIA provides links to all major cruiselines, |
| be an exceptional or a major saving for the | | | | frequently asked questions, vacation planning |
| consumer. More often than not however it is the | | | | information and even a cruise expert locator to find |
| ease of completing a transaction that is the major | | | | an Accredited Cruise Counsellor near you. |
| benefit for certain types of travel. | | | | If you would like to create a printed mini-guide to |
| Do not assume that pricing on the Internet will | | | | your vacation destination, you may wish to visit The |
| automatically be the lowest. Often local agencies will | | | | creators of the famous travel books allow you to |
| have agreements with the cruiselines that allow them | | | | create your own mini-guides to a destination covering |
| to offer exceptional “not to be | | | | transport, lodging, dining, currency, health, and more |
| advertised” specials. | | | | in a personalized format. |
| Sometimes there are “residents | | | | The Columbus World Travel Guide ( is a resource |
| specials” which are applicable only to residents | | | | often used by travel agents for complete information |
| of a particular country, state or province. Most cruise | | | | on almost any destination in the world. This site will |
| lines offer price protection to the consumer should | | | | give you history, maps, visa and passport |
| the fare for your category of stateroom be reduced. | | | | requirements, how to get there, public holidays, |
| A good agent will watch for reductions and ensure | | | | political structure, useful addresses, accommodation, |
| you receive the adjustment. Using an electronic | | | | business profiles, climate, social profiles and much |
| service may not provide the same protection or | | | | more. |
| make available specific specials applicable to your | | | | There are also links to other very useful areas on the |
| requirements. | | | | Internet such as Mapquest, Yahoo Weather, |
| Arrangements unique to your vacation such as special | | | | Traveller’s Health Services, World Tourism |
| dietary requirements, handling disabilities, and providing | | | | Offices, the Government Travel Advisory and |
| meet and greet services, may be overlooked | | | | Information services as well as links to ship bridge |
| booking on-line and there may be no way to get | | | | cameras offering live pictures from their vessels. |
| answers your very specific questions. | | | | Having both a computer and travel background, I am |
| On the other hand booking your frequent flyer points | | | | excited by the potential of the Internet as a |
| travel directly with the airlines or even obtaining a air | | | | comprehensive research tool. My practical side |
| ticket can be a simple process with little risk if you | | | | reminds me that there is no such thing as a |
| are dealing directly with the airline’s booking | | | | “free lunch”. It is not how much you |
| engine. Above all make sure about who you are | | | | save but what you get for what you pay! |