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Cruise Tips for First Timers
by Yanis O'Toole
http://www.yocruise.com
You want your vacation to be a dizzying whirl of fun and
adventure with tours and activities to keep you busy from
morning till the wee hours of the next morning. Your husband
longs for long, lazy afternoons by the pool, with a round or
two of golf thrown in to break up the luxury of having no
schedule. Can one vacation accomodate you both?
On the high seas, of course! There are so many variations on
cruise vacations that you're sure to find one that will have
something that makes everyone happy. The many options for
style, destination, activities and ships make it easy to
find one cruise that have all the luxury, games, trips,
shopping and adventure that any family could want - even
when they all want something different. If you're
considering your first cruise, take a few tips from
experienced cruise vacationers to help you get the most out
of your first trip at sea.
Pick a cruise that offers lots of choices. If everyone in
your family has a different idea of fun, an ocean cruise on
a luxury liner could be just the ticket. Ocean going cruise
ships are veritable cities at sea. Each family member can
find activities that they enjoy without interfering with
each other's fun. Most cruise ships will even provide
babysitting service so mom and dad can get away for a
romantic evening or three.
Or maybe you'd prefer a cozier trip on a smaller ship. River
cruises give you a chance to get to know your fellow
passengers better, and offer a close-up view of the culture
of your destination. Riverboats can offer all the luxury of
an enormous ocean liner without the frenetic busy-ness that
can be overwhelming if all you want is relaxation.
A cruise down one of the rivers of Europe, Asia or the
United States can make your ship a comfortable home base
while you and your family explore the ports of call along
the way. Many of the tours have a theme that will be fun for
the entire family. You might choose a Castle tour with stops
at famous castles on the Rhine River, or a leisurely cruise
down the Mississippi to enjoy the life of a riverboat
gambler.
A cruise on a luxury ocean liner is far different. You can
work out in the fitness spa, spend the day being pampered
and the nights dancing the night away in your choice of
several different dance and entertainment clubs. You can try
your luck at the roulette wheels, test your skills on a rock
climbing wall or relax around the pool all day long.
Your choice of cruise will make a difference in what you
pack as well. The handiest bit of advice for any cruise is
to pack lots of lightweight, casual clothing that you can
layer. There can be wide temperature variations out at sea,
and it's best to be able to easily add or remove layers for
warmth. Dressy clothes? On a river cruise you'll want to
pack at least one semi-formal, dressy dinner outfit. For an
ocean cruise, you'll want more than one. Dressing for dinner
is expected.
Do buy cruise insurance. It can cover the cost of your
cruise if unforseen circumstances cause you to cancel after
the latest cancellation date. It can also pay for things
emergency medical care in a foreign country, or the cost of
replacing items lost when your luggage goes awry.
Planning to take pictures? Stock up on batteries and film
before you leave. The prices abroad are high. You might also
consider packing several disposable cameras for shore trips.
How will you get your souvenirs home? One experienced cruise
passenger always makes a point of tucking an empty oversize
roll or duffel bag into her suitcase. It's just the thing to
hold all the gifts and trinkets she brings home with her.
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