Never Cruised Before?

You may have heard the great benefit of taking a cruise is that you unpack once in your room, and your whole room moves from destination to destination.  While that is REALLY convenient, there are some other benefits to cruising you may not know. 

Ease.  Not having to pack and unpack is only part of it….It is fantastic to wake up every morning in an exciting new port without having to get on buses, planes or trains to get there.  Each day brings a new adventure. You can enjoy ship activities, dining, and spectacular views in transit to the next destination.

Value. Cruising is a great value. You pay one price and your room, dining and entertainment are included in that price. You will find cruise ships offer great cuisine as part of your cruise price.   

Variety. There are so many new cruise ships with all different kind of activities and styles. Anyone can find a cruise that fits their dreams and their wallets. Cruise destinations vary from sun and fun, to educational, to wildlife and adventure and to everything in-between.

Entertainment. There is no end to the entertainment on cruise ships. You could keep yourself busy all day everyday with the different shows and activities. Families traveling together have all kinds of options. Many ships have children’s "camps" that entertain the kids and let parents enjoy some time on their own. Many of the ships also offer lecture series that allow passengers valuable insight and history about different destinations or other exciting topics.

Social. For outgoing people and even some shy people, cruising has an opportunity to meet some fascinating people. Many people have found great friends on board that they remain in touch with for years after. Some people have even been known to cruise again with their new friends they met on a cruise. 

Whatever vacation and destination dreams you have, there is a cruise that will meet your needs.

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New Cruise Ships Launching Over the Next 6 Months

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Picking the Right Cruise for You

Cruising offers such variety it is difficult to know where to begin to find the right cruise for you.  The best advice experts offer is to create an inventory of what you want to get out of this trip.  Here are some good questions to review with your travel professional.

• Are you looking for rest and relaxation or lots of activity and/or adventure?
• Is this a romantic getaway?  Are you celebrating a special occasion?
• Do you want to see as many different sights as possible or just a few indepth?
• What do you want to do when you are on the boat and not sight seeing?
• Do you prefer dressy or causal?
• Do you want to meet new people?
• Do you want to be pampered?
• How long would you like to be on your trip? What is your budget?

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Packing for a Cruise

Have a carryon bag that contains the items you might need in the first few hours on the ship.  Some cruise ships, especially the bigger ones, have to process a lot of bags at once before leaving port. It may take a little while that first day to get your bags, but that should not stop you from having fun right away. Pack some key items to start your cruise -  bathing suits, cameras, medications, sandals, sunscreen, a change of clothes and toiletries. If you're traveling with small children, be sure you have enough diapers and wipes to get you through a day. Using this plan will also help in the event that your bags get delayed on any flight to the cruise ship.

Check with your travel professional what type of a dining dress code is suggested on your cruise. Often, there is a formal night which means a tuxedo or dark suit for men, and an evening gown or cocktail dress for women. Some cruises have a blanket dress code, so make sure you discuss this when selecting your cruise. 

Since airlines are charging per bag, packing light is recommended. It will also be a lot more manageable to travel to the ship if you can carry or wheel the bags easily yourself.  Look through your wardrobe for things that you can mix and match. Most cruise lines also offer laundry and dry cleaning services (for a fee), as well as, a coin-operated self-service laundry facility. 

A few other items to consider packing include:  an adaptor for electronics, a good travel alarm, an extension cord, and zip-loc bags for storing wet bathing suits and sunscreen and something to keep your passport and cruise documents with you at all times while on shore excursions.

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River Cruising

A River cruise is defined as a voyage along inland waterways, often stopping at multiple ports along the way. River cruises are a unique experience in cruising reaching places that the larger cruise ships can not. Ships or vessels are no larger than 38-by-410-foot dimensions to meet the requirements of assorted locks and bridges the vessels must past through. River cruises are considered a luxury cruise category with very high service standards and staff to passenger ratios. These cruises offer an intimate look at the destinations and passages between them.  You learn all about the history and culture of the sights you see. Some of the fascinating destinations include:  

Europe: Travel along the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Elbe and other great rivers of western, central and eastern Europe

Russia and Ukraine: Travel along the Dnieper from Kiev to Odessa.

China: Highlights of Beijing, Shanghai, and/or Xian and the Yangtze River

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Cruising and Your Travel Professional

As your travel professional I am here to help you sort through all the options available for cruising. There are so many cruise companies and so many options to research to find what is best for you.  Save yourself time and aggravation by discussing what you want out of a cruise with me and where you think you would like to travel. I can match your needs and budget with the right cruise options quickly and easily.

Call me today and together we will choose the cruise designed uniquely for you. 

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