A Bit About Cruising

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There are so many cruise lines and so many places cruise ships visit today, it is difficult to decide where to go and who to sail with. The choice is not easy, but in the end you must choose an itinerary that suits you. Here are a few ideas of different cruises you may wish to consider:

• 1. Mediterranean cruise
• 2. Caribbean cruise
• 3. an Alaskan cruise,
• 4. a cruise down the Amazon or Panama Canal
• 5. a Transatlantic ocean crossing
• 6. South Pacific or Hawaiian Island cruise
• 7. River cruises (the fjords in Norway, the Danube in Europe, the Nile in Egypt, the Mississippi in United States)
• 8. Polar cruises to see the penguins in the Antarctic
• 9. Russian waterways cruises
• 10. Galapagos Island cruises
• 11. New Zealand or Australia

Each are very different but are also be very appealing.

The ships themselves are like small cities. Typically there are several restaurants, pools, as well as a kiddie pool areas, hot tubs, usually several bars, huge Los-Vegas style theatres, spas, beauty salons, shops, art galleries, running tracks, movie theatres, card rooms, a library, casinos and many lounges. All are beautifully and elaborately decorated. Of course, there are also the service areas where guests are not supposed to go, like the laundry, housekeeping rooms, engine rooms, recycling areas, and so forth.

At almost every hour or minute of the day on any ship, there is something to do. You are never at a loss for entertainment or given a chance to get bored. Activities are planned throughout the day and range from art auctions, to talent shows given by the crew, seminars on shopping, photography, etc., as well as the typical lounging by the pool in the sun. There are also quite a lot of activities for kids and teens to keep them entertained and out of the way. The ship typically delivers an agenda each day to inform guests of where and what activities are planned throughout the day. You can choose which ones suit you best, but you can also choose to do nothing at all but bask in the warm sunshine. The evening entertainment is usually excellent and of Los-Vegas calibre.

One of the best things about being on a cruise is the ability to visit various destinations and always have a place to hang your hat, without having to pack and unpack every day. It is a great opportunity to explore the different ports and experience a bit of the various beaches and culture. A cruise is a great way to visit several places and be able to decide where you would like to go back to spend more time.

Every port visited typically has many tours offered, and you can swim with dolphins or stingrays, visit historical sites, butterfly or turtle farms, snorkel or scuba-dive, fish or go on a boat trip, shop, just relax on a beach or drink to your hearts content at a rollicking bar. The only thing that may be a bit difficult is that you have to watch the time more than usual when you are on shore because you don't want to miss the boat. The ship does not wait for late-comers, and the ship's staff will warn you about this many times. One Cruise Director said that the view of the ship sailing off into the sunset is a beautiful sight, but you don't want to be on the dock to see it.

The next best thing on a cruise is the food- is there ever a lot of food...and it is generally very good. It is easy to see why people have said that they gain ten pounds in a week on a cruise. On some ships it is possible to eat 16 meals a day if you choose. There are also great snack bars that kids and teens would love, with pizza and hamburgers, hot dogs and fries.

If you choose a ship that does not offer free-style dining, you are assigned a set time for dinner. If you so choose, it may be advisable to reserve the later dinner hour so that if you go on a shore excursion you do not have to rush back for dinner. Also another tip is to choose a table that sits eight people. If you do not exactly get along with your dinner companions you are not stuck with just two people to talk to.

On a cruise ship you have to buy all your drinks, from pop and beer to wine and mixed cocktails and this may prove to be expensive. It can add up to a hefty bill at the end of the trip if one is not careful. Most ships have a cashless system that, although convenient, can be the downfall of many guests. What happens is that you are given a card almost like a credit card that is swiped every time you buy something. It is easy to swipe for several drinks during the day and not even notice it. But at the end of the cruise you have to pay the piper. As the Cruise Director says, "It feels like it's all free - but it's not!"

Many people taking cruises are concerned that overcrowding is a problem. Most of the passengers typically hang out by the central pool, but there are other pools areas and hot tubs that one can find that are less crowded. There are usually enough deck chairs available and seating in the restaurants and theatre is plentiful. You may also find that in the evenings if you go for a walk on the deck there are areas where there are no people at all. The ship staff also are able to handle transfers from ship to shore in a very efficient manner, and line-ups and waiting are usually minimal.

Choosing a cruise that is right for you can seem overwhelming at the beginning, but the main point is to suit the cruise to what you want to get out of the experience. If you want a whirlwind of activity choose a party cruise line with that in mind. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, choose more time at sea. If you want to sample various cultures, choose a destination-rich cruise. Different types of cruises offer all of those things and usually much more. Don't be held back by indecision in the type of cruise you may wish to take-just go out and do it!