Any trip worth taking requires careful preparation.  With the cost of today’s vacation whether land or sea, no one wants to waste money.  Decisions, decisions, decisions!  When to cruise, where to cruise, which line to cruise on, and then what?

What are your goals and desires for this cruise?  What experiences do you hope to have while taking this adventure?  What are your needs?  These questions determine how you’ll make the cruise decision.  Perhaps you’ve always wanted to enjoy that silica mud bath in Iceland.  If so, then you will be looking at a Radisson Seven Seas Cruise.  Maybe Alaska is dancing in your eyes.  Then Princess, Holland America, and Carnival cruise lines will be some of the ships on your checklist. 

There are many ways to book your cruise.  Cruise agents abound and all have access to the cruise lines’ web sites.  www.vacationstogo.com   If preferred go straight to the cruise line website of your choice and a “cruise specialist” will be able to further assist in your choice of cruise and details.  So you’ve made your choice of cruise.  You’ll notice that specials are offered at low prices.  This means the “inside cabin” usually and the special starts at a base cost and has fees added as you increase your amenities.  Ex:  VacationsToGo.com offers “Princess cruises at $599.”  Not bad for a cruise!  However, you must read the fine print.  At this cost you won’t be getting a balcony suite!  Low fares usually indicate “inside cabin.”  Next make sure you understand your ship’s gratuity policy.  Most cruise lines are going to the service fees of  “per-person per day”  while aboard ship.  This is charged to a credit card up front.  For many, this is the idea way of taking care of tips, and for those who never tip, this gets the money out of your tight fist!  Of course when you experience exceptional service, personal tipping is always acceptable. www.princesscruise.com

Before you put down your charge card, be sure to research who you are working with especially when brokering online agencies.  Other decisions to make will be your choice of excursions during ports.  Each cruise line has online booking for these excursions and will give you valuable information to help you determine which excursion best suits your style and activity level.  Again, you have more choices – booking excursions through the ships website or booking directly with tour operators in each port of call.  For the best security and peace of mind, booking with the cruise line enables you to “never miss the ship.”  While dealing with other agencies, if you are late getting back for embarkation, you’ll be responsible to cover the costs of meeting your ship at the next port!

When preparing to travel, it is best to work off a list.  Print out or write a list of “things to do” before you leave home.  Make arrangements for your mail, house sitting, yard care, and gather your documents for sailing.  Since April 2005, federal changes have gone into effect changing the way we travel across borders. www.state.gov  (US State Department)

Proposed Timeline for Implementation for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Requirements

The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines.   The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:

• December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
• December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
• December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.

Packing can be simplified by going to your cruise’s website and viewing their suggestions.  A rule of thumb to remember is:  wear mix and match comfortable clothing during the day and for excursions.  Layering clothing enables you to match the weather conditions.  Pack a raincoat or umbrella also.  Comfortable walking or hiking shoes, plus one pair of dress shoes for evening, and one evening or cocktail dress for women, one suit or jacket and tie, or tuxedo for men.   Be courteous to the other passengers and follow the dress code at all times.   On most cruise ships, there are additional fees to dine in the special restaurants and most require reservations.

 There are on board laundry services and some ships have self laundry facilities, so no need to take your entire closet.  Remember extra services will  have a cost!  I have firsthand experience of this.  Years ago while on vacation with my teenagers, my son decided he would have his clothes cleaned prior to our departure.  Too late, I found out about the cleaning bill and he learned a valuable lesson, nothing in life is free!  For safety reasons, ironing in your state room is discouraged!

Access for those handicapped is a huge issue when choosing your cruise.  The cruise specialist can answer questions such as:  Are the state rooms wheelchair accessible?  Do the doorways accommodate regular size wheelchairs?  Do the elevators access all decks?  How many elevators are on the ship?  Do I have to be accompanied by someone if I’m in a wheelchair?  These are just a few of the questions you’ll be interested in having answered prior to committing to your cruise purchase.

This is just the beginning, but it will all come together and you will be off on a special event of your life!  You are the consumer – don’t get caught lacking information.  For cruise specials here are just a few of the online agents:   www.vacationstogo.com, www.cheaptravel.com, www.ecruises.com, www.cruisesonly.com, www.expedia.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.traveltrader.com . 

Happy Traveling!