Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
How to Choose a Cruise. Cruises available come in all shapes and sizes. Consider these
options when planning your own cruise vacation. You will need Friends and family A travel
agent A destination A theme and a budget. Step 1. Research the many cruise options available.
Talk to friends and family who have cruised and ask about their experiences and impressions.
Ask your travel agent how many cruises they've been on. If they answer few or none, switch
to someone whose experience will benefit you. Step 2. Determine who you want to travel with.
Different cruises cater to families, singles, seniors, and people with alternative lifestyles.
Step 3. Decide where you want to spend your time – onboard where you can take advantage
of the ship’s entertainment or on land at ports-of-call to explore your destinations.
Step 4. Choose where you want to visit on your cruise. This may not matter much if you
plan to spend most of your time on the ship, but if the destination is a large part of
your trip, pick a place you’d love to see. Step 5. Choose how large a ship you want to
travel on. Big ships are usually cheaper and offer many more onboard activities, and smaller
ships are usually more expensive but can go places larger ships can’t. Step 6. Pick
a theme for your cruise. Travelers can take a cruise focused on education, eco-tourism,
or sports and recreational activities. Keep in mind that cruise prices often include lodging,
food, and many of your onboard activities, but travel to the port of departure will be
an extra expense Step 7. Shop for the best price you can find based on the criteria you’ve
chosen for your cruise. Talk to travel agents and search online for the best dates and prices.
Did you know The largest cruise ship ever built, weighing over 200,000 tons and accommodating
over 6,000 passengers, is set to launch in late 2009 from Royal Caribbean.