Cruises

Taking a cruise is quite a bit more complicated than making an airplane reservation and getting on board. Even that can be a hassle these days, but many of the difficulties of air travel don't exist in travel by ship. But, there is a laundry list of things you should think about when planning your cruise in order to ensure smooth sailing.

Summer cruises remain the most popular with both singles and families. The kids are out of school, and most people just enjoy taking their vacation time when the weather is fine. Fortunately, there are hundreds of options. You'll spend months just researching which of many excellent voyages you want to enjoy first.

Many people sail from San Diego to Baja Mexico, or from Vancouver to Alaska. But once you've done those short trips, you may want something a little more unusual.

Had enough of the snow? Ready to get warm again, but the season isn't cooperating? You don't have to wait - you can take a cruise!

People who live in the Northern Hemisphere, especially parts of the U.S., tend to forget that there are lots of spots around the globe that are warm from October to May... and some all year round. That's good news for those eager for a cruise. You have lots of options.

Ready to take off on your first cruise? Here are some tips about what to expect.

In decades past, cruise ships were sometimes described as floating hotels. Today, they are so gargantuan they might better be said to be floating cities. You've stepped on board and suddenly you enter an enormous maze of levels, rooms, walkways and corridors containing cabins.

Oceania Cruises is an upscale, premium cruise line that uses ships that are smaller than many other cruise lines. The ship included within this review only handles a total of 684 guests and boasts a staff to guest ratio of 1.71 to 1. Service on the ship is friendly and attentive as would be expected when cruising with a premium cruise line.

This review took place during a 10 day Mediterranean cruise that departed from Rome and concluded in Barcelona. The focus of this review is the overall on ship experience rather than the experiences uncovered during the various ports that were visited.

Once upon a time, luxury cruises were only for the rich. Others certainly did travel by ship, even 100 years ago. But they were transported in 'steerage', a dingy and uncomfortable accommodation. In the 1950s, cruises became the in thing among those with a little spare cash, even when they weren't wealthy. Today, even those on a modest budget can usually afford a cruise.

If you are one of the latter, though, you will want to plan carefully in order to get the maximum value from your travel investment. A few easy-to-learn facts can help you do just that.

Cruise planning may not be brain surgery but it can be complicated. One of the more difficult factors to get down is when to book your cruise. Should you book a year in advance to lock in just what you want, or hold off as long as possible in order to get the best price?

There is probably no single best answer, given the wide variety of cruises, changes in company policy and marketing practices, political events and other factors. However there are some guidelines that can be useful.

Booking Consideration: Part III

When considering when to book, which can be a tricky choice, there are a few specifics that can guide your planning.

Trips to Bermuda are popular for a number of reasons. It's a great island to visit and the trip from Florida is short, making for a great two or three day cruise. As a result, prime cabins in the summer months of July and August will sell out six to nine months in advance.

The name Carnival is famous in cruising circles for good reason. The company has transformed cruising from the realm of a luxury reserved for the well-to-do to a vacation available to just about anyone.

Carnival pioneered the idea that shorter cruises could be profitable. At the same time, they have designed many shorter cruises that allow not only a reduced price, but the ability of busy people to take a short vacation on ship. Stressed corporate workers can now hop off to Mexico on a ship the way they might have hopped onto a plane to Vegas 20 years ago.

Often, one day just isn't enough to sail someplace spectacular. It can be too short to truly unwind and enjoy the experience. Just getting unpacked and getting familiar with the ship can take a day. Enter four-day cruises.

Carnival Cruise lines recently announced they intend to expand their offerings and sail from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada in Mexico on four and five day voyages. That announcement is great news for people who want to take a cruise, but don't have a whole week or two (or more) to do so.

Most people who think of taking a cruise consider first their destination. They dream of romantic France or exotic Morocco or the sun-filled Greek Isles. Those are great destinations, for sure. But many cruises today go... nowhere. They simply cruise around for a few days, then return to port. They don't need to go anywhere because there is so much to do on board.