First Time Cruisers - Answering Service Resources

Home
>
Cruising & Sailing
>
First Time Cruisers

First Time Cruisers

If you are a first time cruiser you are in for a treat! Cruising can be a great experience provided you are aware of certain things and know how to get the most out of the experience.

If you are flying or driving, I recommend getting to the city where you will board the ship the day before you sail. This will prevent you from running to the ship at the last minute, hoping it is still there, should you have any problems with flight delays, lost luggage, traffic back-ups, etc. This will allow you to rest from your travel and give you ample time to get to the ship on the day it departs. Avoid getting to the ship at the earliest time allowed or at the last minute. Getting there in the middle of the hours designated to check in sometimes reduces the time you have to stand in line to check in.

Be aware of what the cost of the cruise includes and what it does not include. Normally (there are exceptions) the cost of the cruise includes your lodging on the cruise ship, all your meals, port charges, and transfers between the airport and the cruise ship (if you arrange transfers through the cruise line). Things that are usually not included in the price of your cruise are sodas, alcoholic beverages, spa services, shore excursions, tips for services rendered, and any items you purchase while on the ship. The material you receive from the cruise line should spell out what is covered in the cost of the cruise and what is not. If you are ever in doubt ? ask!

Tipping on cruise ships is expected and there should be some guidelines on suggested amounts in the material you receive from the cruise line. Generally, the people you tip are your cabin steward, your waiters/waitresses, and the maitre 'd. After all, they do take good care of you!

Cruising is all about choices ? your choices. If you want to dress for meals and eat in the formal dining room, you can. Or, you can dress down and eat in the informal café that most cruise ships have. In the evening, a choice of activities awaits you - a show, some gambling, or karaoke in the lounge. When the ship arrives at different ports you can get off and explore or stay on the ship and lounge by the pool. If you are traveling in a group, there's something for everyone.

If you've never cruised before ? go ahead, give it a try! You'll be glad you did!

Sherry Otto
http://www.great-caribbean-vacations.com
Specializing in fun Caribbean vacations! Also offering travel tips, hot spots, and information about romantic vacations, beach vacations, sailing vacations, golf vacations, shopping vacations, and Caribbean cruises.

In The News:

Ed Perkins on Travel: It's a great time to cruise
San Jose Mercury News, USA - 6 hours ago
An early season (April 25) seven-night sailing to Alaska on the Norwegian Star starts at $429 per person. A mid-January 10-night trip to the Canary Islands, ...

Times Online
Pirate attack on cruise liner is 'unlikely to put off cruisers'
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 8 hours ago
The attack on Nautica happened at around 9.30am on November 30, when the ship was sailing through the Gulf of Aden, in an area patrolled by anti-piracy task ...
Video: Cruise Ship Attacked by Pirates Is Now Docked AssociatedPress
Cruise lines react to pirate attacks TTG live
Could Pirates Attack Your Cruise Ship? Cruise Critic
NYU Local - CBS Newsall 1,226 news articles

Cruise lines slash prices to lure consumers
Palm Beach Post, United States - 20 hours ago
That dictates that cruise ships sail full with two passengers per berth; often, they fill the third and fourth berths available in cabins. ...

Royal Caribbean to Open Office in Australia in Response to Rise in ...
MarketWatch - Dec 2, 2008
... cruise experience." Next year, Rhapsody of the Seas will embark on its third season in the South Pacific and Australia. Rhapsody of the Seas will sail ...

Home and Away
Kids Cruise Free, Ships Add Balconies
Home and Away - Dec 2, 2008
By Marge Peterson Kids sail free this winter on Costa Cruises when traveling with their parents. This value is available on all 12 seven-day ...

North Sails - A wealth of experience
Sail World, Australia - 29 minutes ago
... and his love of sailing brought him to New Zealand in 1999, when he purchased a Lidgard 44 called â€˜Hijackerâ€™ and spent two and a half years cruising the ...

2008 Sailing Industry Study
Cruising World, FL - Dec 2, 2008
Simply fill out this form to receive a complimentary issue of Cruising World! If you like it, pay just $19.97 for 11 more issues (12 in all) and receive ...

Carol Cronin's first book is full of surprises
Jamestown Press, USA - 5 hours ago
She has since retired from Olympic sailing and now focuses her life on writing for magazines such as Sailing World and Cruising World, as well as Seahorse, ...

Sailing in Hawaii at King's Cup
Sail World, Australia - Dec 2, 2008
As Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Matt Allen said after winning the IRC Division 1 aboard his Beneteau 44.7 Ichi Ban, â€˜Today it was like sailing ...
Phuket King's Cup Day: Classic conditions YACHTe.com.au
all 3 news articles

UK & France. 'Gordon Brown could learn from Fountaine Pajot' says ...
BYM News (press release), Spain - 13 hours ago
Sales success has also coincided with further improvements with the fleetâ€™s sailing performance, with the option of Fountaine Pajotâ€™s new CST (Cruising ...

cruising sailing - Google News

Answering Service ResourceAnswering Service Resource