Posts Tagged ‘Cruise Ship Vacation’

PostHeaderIcon Cruising - Five Quick Tips Before Taking a Cruise Ship Vacation

Cruising is a wonderful and relaxed way to see several countries while enjoying the sun. Today, cruise trips are extremely popular due to their low cost and luxury travel experience.

However, like all travelling, there are a few things you need to be aware of before you start to plan your cruise ship vacation.

Here are some cruise tips to help guide you on your journey.

All inclusive cruises are not available
Most all cruise lines do not offer an all inclusive cruise package. Alcohols, soft drinks and even water all needs to be paid for when on cruise ships. The only things included are the cruise itself, your cabin and generally at least 1-2 meals a day.

Shop around and consult different cruise travel agents
Cruise travel agents are like travel agents, but are experts in cruising. Be prepared to tell the cruise agent exactly what you are looking for. You could visit 5 different agencies and receive 5 different quotes for the same cruise. In addition, look for deals in off weeks. A fare may be $2000 one week and $800 the following week.

Be aware of added charges
If you are planning to cruise alone and don’t want to share your cabin, you can anticipate a single’s supplement charge of 10% to 100% of a per person’s rate (depending on cruise line). In addition, a lot of cruises require you to pay extra for any cruise shore excursions, or any special activities that are offered on board. Be prepared to spend an additional 30% of the cost to take part in any of these activities.

Knowing when the best time to cruise is
Cruising is usually a little cheaper during the spring or fall. Weather can be uncertain, especially in the fall given many Caribbean destinations could have hurricane seasons during this time. This is something to watch out for. The dry season for Caribbean cruises is during the summer where as the rainy season is during the winter. Other cruise lines have short cruising seasons, such as Alaska cruises which normally run from May to September.

Have fun!
One of the most important tips that I can give to you on your cruise ship vacation is to have a great time. Relax! After all it’s your vacation and you deserve to make the most out of it. There are many things for you to do, fancy dinners and dressing up, meeting new friends, visiting exotic locations, being on deck in the sun, doing cruise shore excursions, and much more! It’s important to have fun, so when you come back you feel better about yourself and that you got the most out of your time and money.

Remember, cruising is an absolutely exceptional way to spend your vacation. They are very relaxing and a very enjoyable way to spend some time away. However, like all vacations, you need to know what is required before purchasing your dream cruise ship vacation. Keep this in mind and I have no doubt your cruise trip will be a complete success!

PostHeaderIcon Your Paradise Vacation Is A Caribbean Cruise

Spending your vacation on a Caribbean cruise is enough to almost guarantee a fun vacation. But there are a few simple things you can do to help ensure that your vacation goes smoothly. We’ve put together a short list of tips to help you plan your trip and create that great Caribbean cruise experience.
There is more to plan for than warm weather and sunshine when packing for a Caribbean cruise. There are a number of other factors to think about as well. The activities and events require different attire. Make sure to pack for warm weather. But also keep in mind that you need to bring along cooler weather gear. The temperature can change quickly on your vacation. These few ideas can insure a more prepared trip. It’s also good to bring essentials such as sunscreen and a good pair of shades. Then of course don’t forget pastimes such as a magazine, binoculars and snack food also.
Medical attention is different in the Caribbean. Especially if you’re going to be at sea for a long while. It’s a good idea to pack extra medications for unexpected needs. Make sure to ask your doctor about any adverse side effects sea sickness medicine might have on your current prescriptions. Remember to pace yourself while on vacation, it’s not a race, relax and don’t tax your system. You want to make sure to enjoy the trip and stay healthy as well. Write a list of those medical needs you have but only bring what’s necessary. You don’t want to over pack either, by reading this article you should be able to find a happy median where you are able to pack the correct medications in enough quantity as to be prepared for unexpected needs but not so as to be cumbersome.
It’s important to take into consideration the amount of cash you want to carry with you. Remember that there will be ATMs on the ship and on shore. You want to deter the thieves and pickpockets that exist in any vacation climate. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you have enough cash for shopping and for tipping the staff. If you need more then this is when you can use the ATM machine to acquire more money. The withdrawal fee charged by the machines is significantly less than having your spending money stolen from you.
It is a good idea to have a trusted friend or neighbor watch you home for you while you are on vacation. This should help you feel more at ease and enjoy yourself. It’s good to use a friend whom you trust. You should continue any home services as if you were still at home. Also, let people know how to reach you if they need to.
By following the simple steps, you can make sure that you enjoy your Caribbean cruise. These small tasks will ensure your peace of mind. Keep in mind diverse weather while packing, be cognizant of the amount of cash you carry with you and have your home watched by a trusted person. This is your recipe for the worry free vacation that you so deserve.