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Getting Ready For Your First Cruise
by Yanis O'Toole
http://www.yocruise.com
Planning a vacation for two - or a whole family - can be a
challenge. Mom wants to be pampered and catered to, Dad is
looking forward to hiking unknown trails. Meanwhile, 16 year
old Susie's plans include tennis and swimming, and 10 year
old Ben doesn't care, as long as there are video games.
Where will you find a vacation that will please them all?
Absolutely! Cruise vacations offer such a variety of choices
in styles, ships, destinations and activities that it's
possible for you both to take the same cruise - and each
have exactly the vacation you want. If a cruise is on your
list of possible vacations, here's a handful of tips from
experienced cruisers to help you choose the right trip for
you.
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.
If what you're looking for is something cozier to promote
family togetherness, a short island hopping tour or a river
cruise may be exactly what you're looking for. River cruise
ships are smaller, with lots of activities planned for the
entire group. You'll be assigned a table that you eat at
each meal, make new friends and have plenty of time for
socializing and other activities.
Should I buy trip insurance? Most experienced travelers
would say a very emphatic yes. While most people think of
trip insurance as coverage in case you have to cancel your
cruise, policies often cover far more. Each company's
policies vary, but most will offer health and accident
insurance for emergencies that happen overseas, including
the cost of transporting you home if illness or accident
makes it impossible for you to continue the cruise.
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.
Not sure what to pack? For any cruise, pack lots of casual
clothes that can be layered to account for any type of
weather. For a river cruise, at least one dressy outfit for
the Captain's reception. For ocean cruises, pack more!
Invest in cruise insurance. Cruise insurance will pay the
cost of your cruise if unforseen circumstances cause you to
cancel at the last minute. The price of the premium is a
small expense compared to losing thousands of dollars if a
family emergency forces you to cancel your plans.
Is there a dress code for the ship? Again, it depends on the
ship, but usually you can plan to include lots of casual
clothes, one or two formal outfits and a few informal
dresses/pantsuits for women, a suitcoat for men.
Can I take my kids on a cruise? Absolutely. While there are
some 'adults only' cruises, taking a cruise is becoming more
and more popular for families with children. About 32% of
all cruises are booked for families traveling with children.
Most ships provide babysitters and lots of kids' activities
to keep them entertained.
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