Cruises - Your Guide to Cruise Vacations

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO CRUISE?

Where do you live and where do you want to cruise to? The first thing you want to choose is where you would like to cruise to. Is your dream to island hop onboard a Caribbean cruise, or would you like a beautiful Alaskan cruise? Once you have selected your cruise destination you will need to figure out air transportation so that you will be able to board the ship on time.

WHO IS CRUISING? IS IT A ROMANTIC, HONEYMOON OR FAMILY CRUISE?

Who are you going to take with you on the cruise? You have to decide if this will be a romantic getaway, singles cruise, or even a family outing (see Kristy's tips for Family Cruising). Some cruise lines have a lot of activities for kids, and some have none. Also, you would not want to get on a cruise ship that is known for parties and crowds if you are looking for a peaceful getaway-so do your homework to narrow your choices.

HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO SPEND ON THE CRUISE?

Determine how much you are willing to spend on your cruise. Remember, there is the cost of the cruise and the airfare to get to the port. Then, most cruises will have excursions and drinks that will cost extra. You will want to plan ahead so that you can get the full experience of the cruise, especially since most people only cruise once or twice in their whole lifetime.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT GETTING SEASICK?

Are you unsure if a cruise will make you sick? Well, don't worry-you can test drive a cruise. That's right, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises offer one and two day cruises that just go off into the ocean with no destination and return home shortly after. They are very inexpensive, starting at around $100 an evening, and it gives you an opportunity to give cruising a try. This way, if you do get sick, you are not wasting a lot of money on a vacation, and you won't be sick for long. I actually thought cruising to nowhere would be a lot of fun, especially for a first time cruiser.

LET'S SET SAIL. WHAT ARE THE BEST CRUISE LINES OR SHIPS FOR BEGINNERS?

I have researched several cruise companies to find out in different situations what are the best and biggest. Everyone has a different theory of the best cruise, so each situation is different. Here is what I found when looking at individual cruise companies and what they have to offer. I found a lot of great information, and I think it really gets you pumped to go on a cruise. My advice to you is to do research, read cruise reviews. The more you know about the different ships and itineraries, the better you vacation will be.

For the family cruise....

The best option for the family cruise is to go on one of many cruises available from Disney Cruise Line. There is nothing better than getting the family together with something for everyone in the family, and who does it better than Disney? Disney Cruises do an excellent job in keeping everyone in the whole family happy and occupied. There are activities for the kids, adults, and for everyone together. If you are looking for a peaceful getaway, this would not be the place to go. But, with the kids you can have a lot of fun and make lots of memories.

On the Disney cruises, you can get a great spa treatment while the kids are off on supervised activities. The only complaint I have found about the Disney cruises is that they can get kind of overwhelming with noise because they have so many kids on them. While to some people this may be a downfall, others it is a great family vacation. There are tons of activities on the Disney cruises geared for all ages. My recommendations if you want to swim in the pool, reserve a chair nearby early. The pool tends to pack up quite quickly. As with all cruises, make sure you paperwork is completed before you try and board the ship. This will make the check in process a lot easier.

Another thing that Disney cruises have that most other cruise companies don't do is offer free soda. You would think all cruise lines offer complementary drinks, but they don't. It is important that you understand the cruise that you choose may have additional add-ons that will cost you more. Find out before you board so that you are not surprised by the final costs.

Note: See Cruise Reviews on Disney Magic.

For the cruiser looking for a cruise deal

Take a cruise on Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival is by far the most popular cruise line, and they have quite a variety of itineraries and destinations. Because of the large amount of cruises that Carnival offers, you can usually get great cruise deals. They are rated the best overall cruise out of all the cruise companies. It is a great opportunity for a lot of fun, for a reasonable price. And, if you are trying a cruise for the first time, this is a good place to start. See a sample Carnival Cruise review.

TIP: Carnival Cruise Line is considered to be a party ship. This cruise line may not be for some older couples if you are looking to relax. But do remember, some of their cruise ships are going to be different than others. For example, you are going to get a younger crowd on a Caribbean cruise than you would an Alaskan cruise. Thus, less of a party cruise. This is something you should consider before booking.

See our Budget Cruising Guide for more information on other cruise "deals".

For the first time cruiser or someone who just needs a quick getaway.

Like I said before, if you are unsure if you will like cruising or not, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offer cruises to nowhere. This will give you an opportunity to sail on a cruise out into the middle of the ocean, enjoy the benefits of the ship, and return home a day or two later. This also is a lot more inexpensive than traditional cruises if you are planning on a budget or just need a short getaway.

For those that want more luxurious cruising options.

Norwegian Cruise Line can be a little more expensive than some of the others and may offer more luxuries. They do a lot of things for the children on Norwegian, making it a whole lot of fun for the entire family. One bonus with Norwegian Cruise Lines is that you can decide when and where you eat, which is kind of unique to them. They have set times that the restaurants are open and you choose where and when you want to eat.

On the Norwegian Spirit Cruise, one less thing you will have to pack is formal wear. Most cruises will have one evening dinner on the cruise that is formal dress only. A lot of people like to get dressed up on the cruise and have a fancy dinner. On this cruise line, there is no required formal night so you do not have to worry about packing a dress or suit. It really makes a difference in space when you are packing. Another bonus is that you can eat with anyone you want. You are no longer stuck eating with the same strangers they assigned you to. Check out the following link to read more about the Norwegian's Spirit Cruise.

TIP: One thing to keep in mind when planning a cruise with them, however, is to never pay full price. Look in your local paper, on the internet, and even with a travel agent and shop around for the best cruise deals. Your reward for doing the work will pay off greatly with savings.

For those that want the ultimate luxury cruise, see our luxury cruise guide for lots of great cruising options with the most elite cruise lines.

Happy Cruising. Hope you have a wonderful cruise vacation!