| How do I decide what cruise to take?
Book Cruises for Less wants to make your
first cruise an exciting cruise adventure.
This will depend on what part of
the world you would like to see mostly because of weather conditions.
If you want to go to Alaska then you need to
understand that most cruises are from mid-May to the end of September. Keep
in mind that the weather is still cool and winter clothing is highly
recommended
If you want warm weather, then when planning a cruise to the Caribbean, you should take into
consideration the hurricane season. A Mexican cruise is always a great
place to explore. In other words, cruising is seasonal. Other
destinations such as Hawaii can be traveled to all year round. I
love Hawaii cruises as much as an Alaska cruise.
(Many of the ports of call are right next to the town.)
OVER TEN MILLION PEOPLE TOOK CRUISES LAST YEAR!!!
Yes, that's right! Cruises
are so popular that you should book yours as soon as you can. If
time isn't a problem for you then sometimes waiting close to the cruise time
can get you some fantastic prices, however, you could miss out on the one
you really want to take. Destinations such as Alaska should always be
booked early. A good booking time period is 3 to 6 months before
the cruise lines scheduled departure. Remember there are ten
million people that have discovered how satisfying cruising was to them and
taking a second and third cruise is growing each year. Reports
have shown that cruising routinely earns the highest ratings in customer
satisfaction.
Once you have been on one, you'll be hooked.
What about DINING?
The next thing you may want to
consider about your cruise is what are you looking for in dining?
Some cruise lines as Norwegian (NCL) offer Freestyle Cruising. This
allows you to choose when and where you will dine. You can
choose to dine alone or with a group and at the time you want.
Freestyle Cruising is less formal
than some of the other lines but they do offer at least one formal night for
those who enjoy the ambiance of elegant attire. And of
course, food is something that is not scarce when you cruise.
There is an abundance of choices. So don't hesitate to try something new.
THERE ARE
 MANY
DIFFERENT KINDS OF CRUSE SHIPS:
Smaller ships can get into smaller ports so they can offer different stops
than larger ships. However, if you are
considering a yacht-like vessel for 100 passengers or the ride will
not be as smooth plus the cost
will be quite high. But what they do tout is impeccable service.
Most of the time larger ships give you the most comfortable
sailing. Some of the mega-ships hold more than 3000 people with
mid-size ships boarding around 1500. No matter
what the size is, you will be treated very well by the crew.
Can I afford a cruise?
If you can afford to go to Las Vegas or to
take a driving vacation with hotels, you just might find that cruising
may be less
expensive while getting more for your money. Cruises have one of the highest satisfaction rating of any business.
Not only that, you can sit back
and relax between ports while everything is being taken of for you. OR
join in the many activities and events that the ship's itinerary has to
offer. Cruising offers the ability to visit and see many parts of the
world at one price that includes your meals and room. There are cruises available at all price ranges - from
budget to luxury suites - and all represent perhaps the best value for your
vacation dollar. If you take a vacation to any major travel spot like
Hawaii, you
might pay $300 per night for a room, plus all of your entertainment and
meals are additional costs. The basic cruise will cost you between $50 to $150
per day depending what type of cabin you get. Most ships even offer
gambling casinos, some offer movies, bowling and much more.
What do I get for my money?
Your cruise price includes your cabin from which you may see the view of the world.
All of
your meals are included (some lines include midnight
buffets and yes, even a chocolate buffet at
midnight!). The entertainment offered are first class performers in
which nightly shows vary from country, pop, and even swingtime music.
For those of you who like to party, there are clubs with dancing and
different themes and even small lounges for a relaxing drink. You can
even take dance lessons! Most cruise lines offer a wide
selection of excursions to take at an additional fee once you get to the
port of call. The excursions are well planned. Most lines
offer a reasonable price for alcoholic beverages. There is
always something to do if you choose to do so.
Will I get bored when I'm on board?
Based on
experience and tons of feedback, you can be certain that you won't get
bored. A cruise ship is a floating resort and to the standard of
most Las Vegas casinos/hotels. There so so much happening on a ship
you can start in the early morning until way past midnight if you wanted to.
Every cruise line has it's own daily newsletter offering a fun-filled
itinerary. And when you reach the port of call, the adventures await you.
There are so many activities available that are more than you can fill in
one day.
What kind of activities and entertainment are available on a ship?
Most ships offer an
abundant list of activities for everyone's interests. Play bingo,
attend an art show, participate in dance lessons,
see guest lecturers, wet your palette with wine tasting, check out
games and books. So much is available to you.
Some cruise lines offer golf simulators, putting greens,
basketball, volleyball and even tennis courts. For those who want a
physical challenge, some ships even have climbing walls. Just about all of the ships have
excellent fitness centers with state-of-the-art equipment.
There are also spa centers, hair and nail
salons, and saunas.
Of course the
larger cruise ships have movie theaters, dance clubs, and Las Vegas style
entertainment which may include floor shows with popular acts.
There might be
singing or dancing contests. If you always want to learn to
dance, don't hesitate to join in.
And if you just
want to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the sea, just grab a chair
and relax either outside on deck or inside at the many sitting areas
offered.
How long do cruises last?
You would be
surprised how many offerings that cruise lines have. In fact,
the choices are numerous. Cruise range from 3-night weekend escapes to
many lasting up to months for around-the-world voyages.
However, for your first adventure, 6-10 days is the recommended
period of time. Most
people love their cruise so much that they immediately start planning their
next adventure. That is why new cruise ships are
being added all the time.
Is airfare included in my cruise price?
When you order your cruise you can check the box for the air package to
check the combined cost.
Cruise lines usually offer both with the savings being passed on to you.
If you live close to the port, you can drive there then park your vehicle in
secured parking. Most of the time parking fees are around $10 to 15 per
day. If you book everything in an air/sea package most of
the time it includes connecting airfare, transfers between the airport and
the ship,
and baggage handling for one combined price. There are a limited
amount of
cruises where only the cruise-only fare is available.
The prices shown on this web site are typically cruise-only, but when you
order via the internet you get a much discounted price plus you can add air fare
with one
click.
What is a shore excursion?
A shore excursion is
a planned trip that is offered by the cruise line or a private
vendor when you reach a port of call. In other words, the time you leave the ship,
it is a excursion. At each port, you'll have the option of exploring it on your own or
pay for a planned excursion. The
advantage of a planned excursion is that it is already arranged and planned.
Such trips usually include the most popular sights to see. Since
these excursions work with the cruise lines, they work hand and hand
with the ship's itinerary. They will get you to the ship and back in
time for embarking. The description of each of the excursions
offered from the cruise line are usually provided when you receive your
confirmation of your cruise booking. For private companies, you
may have to do research on your own and book it yourself. BUT, this
website can offer you suggestions and vendors that have given proven
results.
You may want to see a tropical rain forest,
take a fishing trip, tour historical sites. In Alaska, you
can trek to a glacier, whale watching, even dog sledding or tour the
historical sights and shopping in town. These shore excursions
can range from a minimal fee to several hundreds of dollars. It just
depends on what you want to do. Professional guides assist you
and can offer a lot more than just being on your own. It is well worth
the money spent to ensure that you get the most from your port of call.
Based on
experience, we recently enjoyed a six hour trek to the Mendenhall
Glacier in Alaska which included being transported by helicopter to a remote
part of the glacier. Our expert guides took us to see beautiful blue
glacial waters and breathtaking chards of ice. It is a trek that is
highly recommended. (For more on this, see Alaskan cruises).
Excursions are for all
ages and fitness. The cruise lines offers guides that rate their
excursions based on fitness and age so you can choose an adventure that is
right for you.
Will I need a passport?
This will
depend upon where you will be cruising. Currently,
not all destinations require them, BUT IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you
obtain a passport. (Click here for more
information.) It saves time when you embark and disembark
at each port of call. In fact, even for Alaskan and Hawaii
cruises, they will be required within the next few years.
The process could take up to 4-6 weeks so it is wise to start in advance of
your cruise. There are some companies that offer quick
processing, but it will cost more. It is always best to check
with your cruise line for the latest requirements. This website
will strive to keep accurate information on this as much as possible.
Can kids and family also go on a cruise?
Yes, in fact
many cruise lines are family friendly with some of them offering specific
cruises for kids. They offer a huge selection of kid orientated
entertaining including specially designed
kids-only programs, counselors, games, and educational classes.
Many ships offer daycare for parents who want to participate in activities
in the evening. Most ages are welcome on most ships. If you are not sure if a ship
has programs for children, just ask to find out more information on
what you are looking for.
Single traveler?
Cruising is now becoming even more popular with single travelers. Many
cruise lines go out of their way to make it easy for singles to meet and
mingle with other passengers. A few cruise ships offer single cabins at a single supplement rate for double staterooms. There are some
cruises
just for singles with mixers, parties, group excursions and much more.
You'll never have to feel alone on a cruise since there is so much to do.
HERE ARE A FEW OF THE MANY CRUISE LINES YOU CAN BOOK
YOUR CRUISE FROM THIS WEB SITE. |
