Selecting a Cruise Line: What to Consider and Where to Look

In the United States and all around the world, cruises are a popular vacation choice.  Instead of visiting a beach, an amusement park, or going camping, more individuals are making the decision to book a cruise.  If you are interested in vacationing aboard a cruise ship, there are a number of decisions that you will have to make.  One of those decisions includes finding a cruise line to vacation on.

Selecting a cruise line to vacation on may seem like a fairly easy decision, but for many it is not.  There are a large number of cruise lines currently operating vacation cruises.  These cruise lines often operate all around the world.  To find the perfect cruise line to vacation with, you are encouraged to research and fully examine all of your choices.  This includes examining well-known and lesser known cruise lines.

If you have internet access and a television it is likely that you have heard of Carnival Cruise Lines before. Carnival Cruise Lines are one of the most well-known cruise lines in the world.  Carnival Cruise Lines operate cruises in the Untied States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.  They are most well-known for their “family fun ships.”  With over twenty cruise ships available, you are sure to find the cruise ship of your dreams.

In addition to Carnival Cruise Lines, it is likely that you have heard of Royal Caribbean International before.  Royal Caribbean International services the Untied States, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean is most known for their onboard cruise ship activities.  Many of the activities offered onboard some of their cruise ships, such as simulated surfing, are not available on any other cruise lines.

As previously mentioned, you are encouraged to examine cruise lines that may not be as well known as the two mentioned above.  If you are interested in booking a romantic cruise ship vacation, you may want to examine Windstar Cruises.  Windstar Cruises is a cruise line that offers cruises aboard three ships.  While the cruise line may not be well-known, the services and onboard activities they offer will forever remain in your heart. Additional cruise lines that are often considered well-kept secrets include, Costa Cruises, the Seaborn Cruise Line, and Silversea cruises.

When examining each cruise ship line, you are encouraged to view the company’s online websites.  These online websites are a source of valuable information. In addition to learning about onboard cruise ship activities, you can often take a virtual tour of each ship.  A virtual tour will give you an idea as to what you should expect from a particular cruise ship.  If you do not have internet access, similar information can be obtained by speaking to a cruise line representative.

Selecting a cruise line to vacation with is almost important as the cruise ship itself.  You are encouraged to review feedback from previous customers.  This feedback can easily be obtained online. You should also examine the cost of vacationing with a particular cruise line.  You will see that a number of cruise lines charger higher prices for their cruises.  Your ability to afford a these fees should be close examined.

Taking the time to research each cruise line is the best way to make an informed decision.  You are encouraged to take what you learned and apply it to want you want and need out of a vacation.  Doing so will ensure that you book a cruise with the cruise line that can provide you with want you want.

Researching Your Cruise Ship Options

Each year, a large number of individuals make the decision to book a cruise ship getaway.  When it comes to vacationing aboard a cruise ship, you are presented with an unlimited number of options.  There are a large number of cruise lines that operate numerous cruise ships.  In fact, there are so many cruise ships available that many individuals, maybe even yourself included, do not know where to start.

The first step in planning a cruise ship vacation is making the decision to take one.  Traveling aboard a cruise ship can be a fun and exciting experience, but it is not for everyone.  Cruises ships often require residing in close corridors for an extend period of time.  If you have a difficult time dealing with crowds or you are looking for an overnight vacation, you may want to reexamine your decision to schedule a cruise ship vacation.

If you have already decided that a cruise ship vacation is what you want, you will need to find a cruise ship that interests you. This is where many individuals develop a problem.  As previously mentioned, there are a number of different cruise lines. Each of these cruises lines operates a number of different cruise ships.  Each cruise ship is likely to travel to different destinations and offer different activities, services, and facilities.

When searching for the perfect cruise ship, you have numerous options.  Many travelers automatically start searching for the cruise ship of their dreams. Searching for a cruise ship is, in a way, different than searching for a cruise line.  If you do not have a preference as to which cruise ship line you’d like to travel with, it may be easier to search for cruises based on themes, destinations, or onboard activities.  A standard internet search is a great way to educate yourself on the cruise ships available.

If you prefer to travel with a specific cruise line, you will want to research that particular cruise line.  You can visit the cruise line’s online website to further educate yourself or else you can perform a standard internet search.  If you are unaware of the cruise line selection you have, you can easily familiarize yourself.  There are a number of travel websites that offer information and links to the websites of popular cruise lines.  Performing an internet search with the keywords “cruise lines,” is likely to produce a large number of results.

In your search, it is likely that you will come up with popular cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruse Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, and much more.  Once you are able to view the online website of each cruise line, you can begin to search for cruise ships with reservations still available.  When browsing through each cruise ship, you will likely be presented with standard information. This information may outline the activities available onboard, destinations, travel stops, and the cost of reserving a cabin.

The Disney Cruise Line is one of the most well-known and sought after cruise lines for individuals vacationing with a family.  If you are interested in scheduling a Disney cruise, you will see that the two cruise ships used are named Disney Wonder and Disney Magic.  Each ship has onboard Disney characters and beautiful décor.  The main differences between the two ships are the character statues found onboard.

Carnival Cruise Lines is well-known among frequent travelers.  They offer a wide range of cruises; however, their main focus seems to be on “fun” cruises.  When researching Carnival Cruise Lines, you will see that they have over 20 “fun” ships.  These ships target cruise goers who are interested in socializing, partying, and having an adventure over the water.  Popular cruise ships include, but are not limited to Fantasy, Ecstasy, Celebration Fascination, and Sensation.

Royal Caribbean is another one of the many well-known cruise lines in the world. They are famous for their international cruises.  Just a few of their many cruise ships include Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas.  With twenty-one cruise ships, you are sure to find what you are looking for with Royal Caribbean

Researching each cruise line and cruise ships, individually, may take time.  If you are pressed for time you can seek the assistance of a travel agent.  Whichever method of research you select, research is important. It is the best way to find the perfect cruise ship for you and your family.

Protecting Your Health While Aboard a Cruise Ship

When it comes to cruise ship safety, there are many individuals who are concerned with their physical safety.  Physically staying safe aboard a cruise ship is important, but so is staying healthy.  Due to a large number of individuals in a fairly small space, cruise ships have a number of health concerns.

The health problems and concerns found on cruise ships are often highly publicized.  Despite this publicity, most cruise ships are fun, safe, and clean.  Being concerned with your health aboard a cruise ship is one thing, but you should not let it prevent you from enjoying your vacation.  Rather than letting the fear of getting sick ruin your vacation, you should take a few simple steps to ensure that your health will be the same as, if not better, when you first boarded.

Before your cruise ship is scheduled to set sail, you are urged to schedule a visit with your family physician.  Be sure to inform him or her that you are planning a vacation aboard a cruise ship.  Your physician will likely check your health to make sure you are fit for travel.  In addition to examining your general health, it is possible that your physician may require a number of immunizations.  These immunizations may offer you extra protection; therefore, you are urged to obtain them.

If you are taking multiple medications at the time of your cruise, you will want to make sure that you have an adequate supply.  If you are running low on your medication, you may want to obtain a refill before you leave for your cruise.  It is also likely that your doctor may request that you bring along extra medication.  This request is often made to individuals who must take their medications to survive.  In the event that you misplace your medication, you will have an extra supply to fall back on.

Taking health precautions before you board the cruise ship is important.  However, it is also important to take precautionary measures after you board.  These measures are simple; however, they may be vital to your health.  One of the first things that you should do is familiarize yourself with the layout of your ship.  Determining whether or not there is a doctor onboard and where they are located is important.

Since germs and illnesses spread easily aboard cruise ships, you will need to protect yourself.  This protection involves washing your hands on a regular basis. When most individuals are at home, they wash their hands after completing certain activities.  In addition to eating and using the restrooms, you should wash your hands after using all public facilities.  If you find it difficult to wash your hands regularly, you may want to obtain a package of disinfecting wipes.  If used properly, disinfecting wipes can be just as effective as soap and water.

Cruise ships are popular for their relaxing atmosphere.  This relaxation may include lounging.  When lounging or taking a stroll, it is advised that you keep your shoes on at all times.  As previously mentioned germs can easily spread aboard a cruise ship.  Keeping your feet covered at all times will not only protect you from contagious illnesses, but it will prevent you from stepping on harmful objects.

In addition to cruising along water, most cruise ships dock in a port. It is likely that you will be visiting a foreign country.  In the event that you end up on foreign land, it is important that you carefully monitor what you eat and drink.  If you notice drinking advisories, you are urged to follow them.  Instead of drinking tap water, you may want to opt for bottled water or another bottled beverage.  Many individuals are concerned only with the drinking water, but you should also be concerned with ice cubes and water in uncooked foods.

As you can see, the above mentioned precautionary measures are simple and easy to follow.  Why put yourself at risk for illness; especially when it requires little or no effort to keep your health in good standing.

Popular Cruise Ship Travel Options

When it comes to planning a vacation aboard a cruise ship, many individuals focus their planning solely on their cruise. For many individuals, this can be a costly mistake. While the cruise itself is important, so is how you plan on making it to your vacation.

Unfortunately, a large number of individuals are unaware that they must make travel arrangements to their cruise ship’s departure location. When many individuals become aware of this fact, it is often too late for them to change their mind.  You are encouraged not to be one of those individuals. When booking a cruise, it is important to keep a cruise ship’s departure location in mind.  Doing so may prevent unnecessary travel expenses.

Selecting a cruise ship, with a close departure location, is advisable.  Unfortunately, for many this is impossible.  A limited number of costal locations serve as cruise ship departure ports. If you are unable to find a cruise ship departure location that is within a short distance to your home, you need to consider the cost of travel while booking your reservations.  This cost is important because it may cause your vacation costs to exceed what you had previously expected.

In the event that you must make travel plans to reach your cruise ship departure location, you should consider all options.  These options may include driving your own vehicle, renting a car, flying on an airplane, riding the bus, or taking the train.  All of the foresaid travel methods are doable, but the option you select will likely depend on convenience and the cost of travel.

There are a number of advantages and disadvantage to driving yourself to your cruise ship departure location.  The greatest advantage of doing so is that your travel will be easy. Simply by hopping into your vehicle and hitting the road, you could be on your way.  When driving your own vehicle, planning is often easier. The only downside to driving your own vehicle is the cost of gasoline.  If you are required to drive a long distance, the cost could substantially add up.

If you are worried about the excessive miles on your own vehicle, you could rent one.  Vehicle rentals are a popular way to reach your designation without an excessive amount of planning.  Unfortunately, the cost of gasoline will also have an impact on driving.  In addition to the cost of gasoline, the length of your cruise may also have an effect on the total cost of renting a vehicle. Vehicle rentals are charged by the day; therefore, if your car rental is left in a parking lot you may be wasting money.

Flying is a popular travel method; however, it can be a costly one.  Individuals trying to reach their cruise ship departure location are often encouraged not to arrive at their destination by airplane, unless absolutely necessary. This is due to the cost of flying.  If your cruise ship departure port is only a few hours a way, air travel may not be the best option.  However, there are some cases where air travel may be the only option.  If you are without your own vehicle, flying may be necessary to reach your cruise ship’s departure location.

Traveling to your cruise ship’s departure location by bus or train are other acceptable travel options.  Each is likely to take some time, but they are both inexpensive ways to travel.  Many individuals can easily afford a bus ticket or a train ticket.  Aside from excessive stops, it is possible that you may not have access to either.  Bus stations and train stations are only available in limited locations.  You may find it difficult or impossible to find a station that offers service to the location of your choice.

Each of the above mentioned travel methods all have their advantages and disadvantages.  To find the perfect method of travel to reach your cruise ship’s departure location, you should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each method.  Once you have decided which method best fits your needs, you can rest assure knowing that you will make it on time for your cruise ship’s departure.

Popular Cruise Ship Destinations and Ports of Call

When considering vacationing aboard a cruise ship, there are many individuals who are unaware of what to expect.  Individuals that have never been on a cruise ship before are likely to be a little bit confused when it comes to cruise ship destinations and ports of calls.  If you are interested in taking a cruise, it is advised that you familiarize yourself with cruise ship destinations and ports of calls.

A port of call is a termed that is used by many cruise lines.  It is used to describe stops that a cruise ship will make along the way.  If you are interested in booking a vacation aboard a ship that makes multiple port stops, you will want to consider the ports available.  Vacationing on a cruise ship is enough to make any vacation perfect, but selecting the right ports of calls will make your vacation even more enjoyable.

When examining the cruise ships offered by multiple cruise lines, you should automatically be provided with cruise ship stops.  This information will likely tell you where and when the cruise ship will stop.  Information may be available as to how long the cruise ship plans on staying at a particular port.  If the stop is long enough, you may be able to view local attractions.

All around the world, there are a number of ports that cruise ships regularly stop at.  Many of the most popular ports are found in the Caribbean.  If you are searching for a tropical cruise, you may want to consider the climate of each port before making your reservation.  Popular ports include, but are not limited to, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas.

Caribbean cruises are often viewed as the most popular types of cruises, but they are not the only ones that are available.  Vacation cruises are popular all around the world, including in Europe, Canada, and the Northern United States. The ports of call on these cruises may be not be considered tropical, but they still offer many fun and exciting attractions for cruise ship travelers.

In addition to ports of call, you will also see information on a cruise ship’s final destination.  When selecting a cruise ship, the final destination is extremely important.  This is because most, but not all cruise ships return to their originally place of departure. For prevent unnecessary travel, it is advised that you search for a cruise ship that returns to its original port of departure.

As previously mentioned, cruises ship vacations are popular all around the world.  When selecting a cruise ship to vacation on, you are encouraged to keep this in mind.  In addition to the ports of call and onboard activities, you should consider selecting a cruise ship based on its location of departure. If you are interested in vacationing on a cruise, but while on a budget, you may want to select a port of departure that is located close to your home.  Doing so will likely prevent unnecessary travel expenses.

Cruise ships depart from ports all around the world.  Popular departure locations in the Untied States include, but are not limited to, Texas, New Jersey, Louisiana, Hawaii, and Florida.  Overseas cruise ships often depart from England, Italy, Germany, Spain, Norway, and Portugal.  Additional departure ports may be available; however, it will all depend on the cruise ship in question.

With all of the available cruise ship destinations and ports of call, selecting a cruise ship to vacation on may seem overwhelming.  Despite this overwhelming feeling, you are still encouraged to research all of your available options.  Taking the time to research popular cruise ship destinations and ports of call is the best way to make the most out of your cruise ship voyage.