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First Time Cruisers' Guide

Top Reasons to Cruise What's Included Groups vs. Charters Common Myths

There are cruise vacations to suit every budget, from the cost-conscious to the most luxurious. Even more important, a cruise offers the best travel value for your money because almost everything is included in the upfront price. Your fare includes: Accommodations, Destinations, Dining, Entertainment, Activities, Service, and Special Programming.

For once, you'll know what your vacation will end up costing you before you go. Read on for more details about the tremendous value of cruise vacations.

Accommodations

Cruise ship accommodations can be tiny or gigantic. Think of standard cabins as being built for two guests. Generally they are smaller than hotel rooms, ranging from 120-200 square feet. Many ships have cabins that can hold up to three or four people, but they are no larger. Cabins on ships are built for efficiency and are usually quite comfortable and meticulously clean.

There are basically four types of accommodations on most cruise ships:

Inside Cabins
Inside cabins are the least expensive on the ship, located in the internal hallways of the vessel. They do not have a window or a porthole which can make the cabin feel smaller than it really is.

Oceanview Cabins
Oceanview cabins are located around the perimeter of the ship's passenger decks and will have a window or a porthole. Portholes are small and round, so the view is not as expansive. Windows can range from small to oversized.

Oceanview Cabins with Balconies
Oceanview cabins with balconies are more popular than any other type. They are often the same size as a regular oceanview cabin with a small private balcony attached.

Suites and Mini-Suites
Suites and mini-suites offer the widest variety of room sizes, amenities and facilities, and the choices will differ greatly from one ship to another. Suites on almost every ship have king-size beds and large private balconies. Just like at hotels, suites can be the size of small apartments with more than one room and can be large enough to hold pianos, wet bars and whirlpool tubs.

Destinations

One of the most appealing things about a cruise is the variety of destinations available because each itinerary make stops in different ports of call. Cruises are great for sampling new places or revisiting favorite ones.

The cruise lines are experts at itinerary planning so you don't have to be. Every single port of call has a little bit of everything you want to be on vacation, (otherwise they ship would go somewhere else!) No matter what you're looking for, you'll find that and more. It's part of the fun of discovery we all hope for when on vacation.

Dining

What makes the food so good on cruise ships? All meals are prepared on board from scratch using the best recipes from around the world. The crew works around the clock to deliver their guests the finest quality and the widest variety of mouth-watering meal choices available anywhere.

Entertainment

Every ship offers a variety of live entertainment. From Broadway-style shows to comedy acts, there's never a dull moment.

All types of music are represented can be found onboard, often performed live by the ship's musicians. The dining rooms and cocktail lounges usually have a pianist or string quartet. The bars and theme lounges offer raggae and calypso by the pool, pop and soft rock for dancing, jazz for groovin', oldies for sing-a-longs and the nightclub will always have a DJ with plenty of techno dance mixes loaded into the machine.

Nightlife is one of the best reasons to choose a cruise over another type of vacation.

Activities

Many people are concerned about being bored on a cruise. You may want to relax and enjoy some down time, but a cruise ship never offers a dull moment. Take a look at some of the activities you will find on board:

The above list goes on and on. Everyone has their own expectations and the facilities and onboard programs differ from one cruise line to the next, but all offer a huge variety of activities.

Service

A cruise is both a ship and a hotel, however, the service on a cruise differs from that of a hotel because specific staff members are assigned to serve you personally while you're on board.

The crew aboard many ships is international and you'll find men and women of all ages from exotic locations. Regardless of the origin of the staff members, it's the personal attention that makes the service on board a cruise so different from other types of vacations. Passengers and crew members often get to know one another quite well, and it's always a treat to find your old friends aboard your next cruise vacation.

Children's Program

Some cruise lines are very family-oriented and offer a comprehensive children's program. Usually the activities and playrooms are divided into four or five categories based on age and staffed by certified child counselors who entertain and educate the children both in port and at sea. There may even be a separate pool for young children.

When you board the cruise you can pay a visit to the children's area and meet the counselors. They'll help you enroll your children and get them started having fun with the other kids as soon as possible. The kids usually have such a great time it's often hard to get them to leave, but it is your responsibility to remember to take them home with you at the end of the cruise!

What's Not Included In The Upfront Price?

Below is a description of the things that are not included in the cost of the cruise. Most items not included in the price of the cruise are completely under your control, so it's hard to say how much money you'll need for "extras". Take a look a the items below and decide for your self how much additional money you want to budget for your vacation.

Air Fare

The cost of airfare is not included in the upfront price of the cruise but is almost always available for an additional charge. You can either shop for your own air travel or you can take advantage of our online booking engine.

Alcoholic Beverages & Some Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included in your cruise price, however when paying for them on board, gratuities are included. Specialty coffees are usually additional.

Gratuities

Your personal service staff works hard for you while you're enjoying your cruise, so remember to tip them before you disembark. Most cruise lines make it easy for you by automatically adding gratuities to your shipboard account, which is usually around $10 per person, per day. This amount covers your cabin steward and the waiters and assistants who have served you all over the ship.

Some Dining Options

Some cruise lines provide alternative dining options besides the main dining areas. There is an additional charge for these special onboard restaurants and reservations are required.

Shore Excursions

Optional shore excursions are a very important part of your experience in each port of call, especially if you've decided to be adventurous, but you can also take off on your own.

Excursions can often be booked in advance on the cruise line's website. Look there for a complete list of shore tours and prices offered for your itinerary.

Photography

The cruise line's photographer will take photos of you while on board capturing the best moments of fun and excitement of your cruise. The photos will be available for purchase.

Spa Treatments & Salon Services

You'll be amazed at the variety of treatments you can indulge in while on board the ship. There are even massage lessons and treatments for couples only! Whether you've never treated yourself before or you're an experienced spa-goer, there's a great time to be had by all.

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