HELPFUL RULES FOR TAKING A CRUISE

Taking a cruise provides one of the most amazing vacations you will ever
have.  If you enjoy being pampered, love unbelievable food and
entertainment, and want to seek adventure, then a cruise is the answer.
Although the time on the ship is busy and exciting, you also feel
refreshed and rested when you go back home.  In fact, the majority of
people having have taken a cruise turn around and book another one just
as soon as possible.

To ensure your cruise is successful, whether you are a first-time
cruiser or a long-standing cruiser, you can take several steps.
Remember, just because a cruise ship has a well-known name does not
necessarily mean it is the best choice.  In addition, just because you
pay a lot of money does not mean you will receive first class treatment.
The key to a great cruise is educating yourself so you can make the right
choices.

First, always go through a travel agent who is CLIA (Cruise Line
International Association) approved.  This way, you have the
assurance that the agent has been trained and certified to meet the
highest standards set within the industry.  These professionals often
have experience on different cruise lines so they offer personal
experience coupled by industry knowledge.

Next, try to choose a cruise that is age-specific.  For instance, if you
were retired and married, then you probably have little interest in
taking a family cruise with a bunch of small children running around or
if you have small children, a romantic couples cruise would be a bad
choice.  Choosing a cruise with other passengers close to your age
allows you to be more comfortable and relate much better.  Some great
choices for older passengers is Cunard Lines while younger people
typically choose cruise lines such as the Windjammer Barefoot or
Disney.

Although you pay a little more for nicer accommodations, having a room
with an ocean view is well worth the money.  In fact, you will find a number
of these rooms with private balconies, perfect for enjoying a romantic
sunset.  The smaller cabins are very affordable but in many cases,
small.  If you tend to feel claustrophobic, then opt for the next size
room.

For safety and wellness purposes, try to get a room that is close to both
elevator and stairs.  That way, not only will you have easy access to the
deck, spa, theater, casino, bar, and so on, you will also have quick
access should there be an emergency of some type.  For many people taking
a cruise, the greatest concern is seasickness.  In this case, you should
talk to your doctor about medication that can help and choose a room
located in the middle of the ship or middle deck to avoid heavy sway.  In
addition, many of the cruise ship cabins are set up with twin beds.  You
can request a queen bed, as long as you make the request in advance.

When booking your cruise, try to book as far out as possible.  Most cruise
lines recommend you book one year out but even six to nine months could
offer you the best selection of accommodations and possible
discounts.  If for some reason you are not able to get what you want, a
repositioning cruise might be an option.  With this, you would take a
two-week cruise using ships that relocate from the Caribbean to
Alaska.  The advantage is more time on the water and exploring ports of
call.

Finally, there is the question of cruise insurance.  While cruises are
generally safe, in reality, the number of risks associated with this
type of vacation is greater than with other types of vacations.  Keep in
mind that even if you have good health insurance, if you should need to
receive medical care in a port outside the United States, chances are it
would not provide coverage.

Additionally, cruise insurance would protect you should you need to
cancel your reservation.  Let us say you booked your cruise nine months
out and then three weeks prior to setting sail, you were in a car
accident.  The insurance would cover your reservation so you would not
be out any money, or at least very little.  This type of insurance would
also provide protection should your airline be delayed causing you to
miss the first few days on the ship.

The good news is that cruise insurance is very affordable.  You can
usually pay around $200 for $2,000 worth of coverage.  Just remember, a
little planning goes a long way when it comes to taking a cruise.  By
researching information before getting on the ship, you will know what
to expect and therefore, have a much better time.