| At first glance, it would seem that someone planning a | | | | demographics. Some packages offer activities and |
| cruise vacation could simply make a phone call and | | | | destinations that may interest the retired tourist. Other |
| book a cruise line package. However, after a few | | | | cruise lines may cater to the young partying crowd. |
| minutes, one will come to realize that there are | | | | And yet, other cruise lines wish to attract and entertain |
| numerous cruise lines, destinations, and packages. | | | | the family vacationers. |
| Important questions that need to be answered about | | | | One of the more important choices is the type of |
| cruises and cruise lines include - | | | | cruise lines. Ships vary in style and amenities and can |
| 1) Destination - Do you want to go to the Panama | | | | be compared to the range and class of hotels. For |
| Canal, Alaska, Caribbean, South Pacific, South | | | | example, hotels are commonly rated as a "one star" |
| America, Europe, and Mediterranean? Basically, if a | | | | (typically a basic budget) all the way to "five star" |
| cruise line can reach a destination via water, then there | | | | (luxury high class and expensive) |
| is probably a cruise package to fit. | | | | Size of Cruise Lines |
| 2) Food quality and dining experience. Cruise travelers | | | | Yes, size does matter. Small ships are able to travel to |
| have cited this factor as one of the primary factors in | | | | destinations that the big ships cannot. Small ships can |
| deciding on a cruise. | | | | be more intimate with small crowds, lines, and activity. |
| 3) Do you have special interests? If you are a bargain | | | | However, the big ships are floating resorts. One can |
| shopper, you might want to consider a cruise that | | | | find activities and services to pamper and luxuriate |
| travels to destinations with bargain shopping. If you like | | | | without leaving the ship. |
| the sun, you might want to consider cruises going to | | | | Below are some of the common terms that describe |
| Hawaii or Mexico. Do you like history? Perhaps the | | | | the various sizes of ships. |
| Greece and old world destinations will interest you. | | | | Megaliner - more than 2,000 passengers |
| 4) Would you like to visit many ports or are you | | | | Superliner - between 1,000 to 2,000 |
| interested more in shipboard activities? | | | | Midsize - passenger capacity of 400 to 1,000 |
| 5) How much can you afford to pay? Different cruise | | | | Small Ship - passenger capacity under 400 |
| lines offer many different packages and pricing. | | | | Boutique Ship - passenger capacity under 300 and |
| 6) How long can you travel? Cruise lines offer | | | | popular for luxury cruise |
| packages that start at weekend excursions all the | | | | A good place to start when investigating the choices |
| way to months or more. | | | | among the cruise lines is to request a brochure from |
| 7) Do you prefer ocean cruises or river cruises? Does | | | | each cruise line. It may not be very detailed. However, |
| the Nile, Amazon, Mississippi, or Danube peak your | | | | the brochure will inform the cruise traveler the |
| interest? | | | | important facts and information needed to choose a |
| 8) When do you want to go? Depending on the | | | | cruise line. |
| destination, the time of year does matter. Remember | | | | I realize that this information on cruises and cruise line is |
| that some parts of the world get very hot or very cold | | | | very brief. However, I have tried to present the |
| certain times of the year. | | | | important questions the beginner and even the |
| 9) What sort of people are you comfortable with? | | | | advanced cruise traveler should answer if they want |
| More and more cruise lines are catering to | | | | to experience a hassle-free and memorable cruise. |