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Advance Planning + Common Sense = Great Cruise! by Amos Croisiri http://www.farecruiser.com If you believe that a cruise is the ultimate vacation experience, you aren't alone. Every year, many thousands of people board cruise ships worldwide so that they can immerse themselves in an environment of total pampering for a few days to escape from the cares of the world. People go on cruises for many reasons, and cruise ship lines have developed a variety of specially-themed cruises to cater to many different tastes. If you're single, you can find a number of cruises that just cater to singles. Those who love the arts can find cruises that feature special exhibits, lectures, and performances. Families with young children are able to select from cruises designed just for them. Many business meetings now take place in cruise ship staterooms and are combined with relaxing vacation activities for the particpants and their companions. Use your specific intentions for cruising to guide you in planning for the following items. 1. Luggage: Storage space in most cabins on cruise ships is minimal. Keep that in mind when packing. Look at your itinerary and bring as little as you can. Don't leave essential items for your plans at home in the name of reducing the amount of luggage that you bring, but don't be so "thorough" that you plan for every contingency! If you absolutely need something that you need to bring, chances are that it can be purchased onboard ship or at one of your ports-of-call. 2. Rewarding good service: One of the attractions of most cruises is the stellar service passengers receive from dining room workers and cabin stewards. All of these people work for tips. Those tips, earned over ten to eleven months of 80+ hour work weeks help to support their families whom they seldom see. You rewarded your hard work by taking a trip where you didn't have to lift a finger. Reward those who made that possible as appropriate appreciation for their hard work and sacrifice. 3. Plan your expenses: There are activities for almost every conceivable budget and interest on every cruise. It's unnecessary to exceed your financial limitations during a cruise. If there's something you want to do on this cruise that's out-of-reach financially, start planning for your next cruise when you get home and include that particular item as a central part of that plan! 4. Time and Energy: Activities during a cruise range from the sedate to "high-adrenaline." They take place beginning at dawn and going until the wee hours of the next morning. Some require several hours journey away from the ship to participate in them. Whatever you choose, be sure to select activities that don't tax the limits of your endurance and, in the case of activities onshore, be sure to keep close track of time so you don't return to an empty dock (it does happen)! 5. You probably don't associate getting sick with taking a cruise, with the possible exception of seasickness, but it happens more often than most people realize. Much shipboard illness is avoidable simply by practicing the same healthy choices on the ship that you do at home. Yes, you do want to play hard, but not so hard that you endanger your health and well-being. I'm convinced that there's no better vacation in the world than a great cruise. If you take time beforehand to anticipate those needs you have that ship's personnel aren't likely to be able to meet, I believe you'll likely come away from your cruise experience with the same opinion! |