Cruising for the First Time
by Joe Volz
Are you one of what feels like a shrinking number of people who have not taken a cruise? You are not alone. There are probably millions of people like you who are all at sea about whether or not they should embark on a vacation cruise.
Perhaps you don't know if you would enjoy the experience. Or maybe you believe that it would cost too much, or that you would be bored, or overwhelmed by seasickness. These concerns, though widespread, are misplaced.
Seasickness Fears
For those of you who fear you may become seasick, here is a bulletin for you: cruise liners have been built these many years with stabilizers that limit the rocking motion of the waves. (Heck, many even have billiard tables that adjust to stay level--so your ear canals are no problem!) And seasick pills are quite effective. You can take them before you have a chance to get sick.
Plenty to Do
If you are afraid that spending your days at sea could become tedious, take a cruise to the Caribbean or along one of the coasts where you land in a different port just about every night. On a coastal cruise, you really don't spend that many nights at sea; however, if you decide to cross the Atlantic or Pacific then you will be shipbound for a longer period of time.
Even if you do end up spending a lot of time on the ship, never fear, for there are a huge variety of things to do on board—walking around the decks, swimming, shuffleboard, dancing, gambling, and eating. Now, that last one may sink you (and the boat, depending on how much weight you gain!) if you are not careful. Cruise lines are really floating five-star restaurants, and there is always a place to get something to eat on the ship. From sunrise breakfasts to midnight buffets to round-the-clock room service, you'll never go hungry for long!
By the way, most ships have two seatings for dinner. The second one is around 8 pm, so in order to keep your appetite under control, you may want to opt for the first seating at 6 pm.
Don't Worry About Formality
Perhaps you are afraid that shipboard etiquette is too confusing, that you will feel like an untrained, uncultured oaf. Wipe that idea from your mind—except for higher end cruiselines, there isn't too much formality on cruise vacations these days.
There might be one formal night in a five-day cruise, so you might want to rent a tux or a gown on shore to take with you (you can also do this on board the ship, but of course, everything is a bit more expensive at sea). Even then, only about half the passengers dress up formally and no one is barred from the dining room for sartorial reasons. Though most nights are casual, it is a good idea for men to bring a jacket and a sports shirt.
Luckily there are many resources for cruising on the web--you can search for activities you want and the level of formality, so you can find the cruise that's right for you.
Will It Cost a Fortune?
Cruising isn't just for the well-heeled. There are all sorts of bargains, particularly on discount Internet sites. For example, my recent five-day Caribbean cruise out of Miami, with stops in the Grand Caymans and Key West, cost $400 per person for a delightful cabin on the upper floors with a big window. The total cost did not include airfare, although you can book cruise packages that include airfare.
The service we received from both the maids and the waiters was excellent, as it is on most cruise lines. You can submit written comments at the end of most cruises, and the staff takes them seriously—a couple of bad ratings could mean that a waiter is demoted to assistant waiter for the next voyage.
However, regarding the total cost of your cruise, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Additional Expenses
The cruise experience incurs some added expenses. You are expected to tip the waiters and maids at the end of the cruise, at a rate of around $3 to $4 per day. Also, on most cruise lines the food is included in the ticket price, but any alcoholic drinks are not, so you can run up a bit of a bar bill if you aren't careful. And if you become hypnotized by the onboard casino, some dollars could float away pretty quickly there as well.
The ships also offer tours when you arrive in the various ports and run between $30 and $40 per person. To save money, opt to wander around town on your own or hire a cab, which can often be cheaper.
Arriving on Time
Since you will probably be flying to the embarkation point, you might want to leave a day before the cruise begins in case the plane is delayed or your luggage misses your flight. On my latest cruise vacation, three of my four bags did not land with me in Fort Lauderdale; luckily they were on the next flight and made it to the ship on time, but the stressful experience marred the beginning of my holiday.
What If It's Just Me?
No more is cruising just for couples--the web abounds with offerings for singles, as well as families, groups, women, gay and lesbian, alumni, themed cruising and much more. You don't need a significant other to cruise--just an Internet connection and a good head on your shoulders. Study travel website message boards for those looking for roommates and travel buddies. Get to know the person and determine whether you are looking for a constant companion or merely a bunkmate. Just keep your safety in mind as you make your plans!Bon voyage.
You can find more information here:
AARP Passport 2007 Cruise Collection
Cruise Reviews and Information
Books
Find these books online at Barnes and Noble.com.
- Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation: 2005. Steven B. Stern. Pelican Publishing. October 2004
- Berliltz 2005 Ocean Cruising and Cruise Ships. Douglas Ward. Berlitz Publishing. November 2004
- The Essential Little Cruise Book. Jim West. Globe Pequot Press. September 2003
