Travel and Leisure Articles

Even if things seem like a fairy tale, you are going to have to use some common sense so that you can come back safely. You will find that when you are taking a vacation or honeymoon that you are going to overlook some things that will keep you and your valuables safe, but you will want to take some steps to make sure that your belongs and yourself come back safely.

Most cruise lines will ask you to sign a waiver that will say that they are not responsible for any losses that you may have on board. They take this precaution so that you can’t sue them for a theft. This is why you wouldn’t want to take any chances of getting anything stolen so that you can avoid the hassle and stress of theft. When something is stolen it is a hassle because you have a huge legal system that you will have to go through. This means that you have to go through the country laws, your country laws, and the jurisdiction of the waters that your ship is sailing. It can be a real hassle and ruin everything that you have ever planned for the trip. Most of the time nothing is ever solved and there are never any chargers written. It’s just better to always be cautious.

It can all be avoided by knowing what your carrying and where you are carrying it. You will want to write down all the credit numbers and account numbers on a piece of paper and leave it somewhere at home so that you can get the numbers easily. You will want to make sure that you have all of your phone numbers for the financial businesses with you. This way you can get the cards and the accounts closed without having to worry about anything. You will want to make sure that you regularly inventory your things (especially cards) so that you always have an idea of when and where they may have been lost.

Don’t forget that the cruise ships have a safe where you can store any of your valuables. You will be able to able to store them in your cabin safe or even the captain’s safe. This is very important because it’s not wise to allow your most valuable items to be lying around the cabin or room. With the maids and all the conspiracies, you will find that you are going to be easily targeted. The locks are not changed that often and you will find that you’ll not be safe leaving important things in your room. When it comes to the wallets, you should never leave it in your back pocket. It is so easy for others to pick pocket when the wallet is in your back pocket. You may want to wear a money belt under your clothes, but you will also want to use your front pockets, because you’ll know if someone is in your pocket. You will want to make sure that you keep your money separated. You will want to make sure that you don’t bring attention on yourself by carrying large amounts. You also don’t want to look flashy or have the bling-bling showing. When you do this, you are bringing notice to yourself by some shady characters.

These tips should not be shocking because they are common sense. You will find that there are a lot of people who don’t take these simple precautions and then they end up having their stuff taken. Rather you are staying on a ship or in a hotel it is important that you protect yourself from being a target. You will want to make sure that you have a good journey and enjoy your vacation.

Cruises are an excellent value. Food, entertainment and many onboard activities are included in the price of the trip. Still, it is easy to overspend if you’re not careful.

Where can the spending add up? Watch the beverages, shore excursions, spa treatments and items ship sell onboard. Many are over priced.

Talk to your travel agent about the port you are visiting and read online blogs. In many islands you can just walk off the ship for shopping and beaches, where on others you will want to buy an excursion or take a cab.

Spa: Want a relaxing massage or facial? Regular prices are about 20 to 30% higher than you would pay at a local spa. The best time for a Spa treatment is the days you are in port, where they will run $20 to $60 off per treatment. Keep in mind even if you have an excursion planned for the day, the spa is open until 10 p.m. Try to avoid getting your hair & nails done onboard. They are expensive and usually do not offer any specials on these services. Also, they will try to sell you products at the end of your treatment. Ask questions and write the name of the items down but purchase it when you get home. You can usually find cheaper price on the internet. Elemis for example often offers 10% off on online purchases.

Consider purchasing packages, such as the soda, wine, beer, coffee or ice cream programs. I was recently on a 7 day cruise where it cost $29 per person. When you consider that each soda costs $3, and my husband usually drinks a minimum of 5 per day, he easily would have spent $80 or $90 on soda versus the $29. Tea, coffee, milk & juice is free onboard, but name brand coffee such as Seattle Best or specialty coffee drinks, there is an additional charge. Ice cream can be ordered each night in the dining room with your choice of topping and whip cream, so perhaps pass on the $3.50 ice cream sundae and wait for dessert. You can always order 2 desserts if something else on the menu interest you. Chocolate cake with a side of vanilla ice cream perhaps?

Internet: Wifi connections are great on the newer ships, but again this can get expensive. Purchase a package prior to using the internet. Minutes can go for over .70 if you do not purchase a package, but drop down to .30 to .50 on average depending on usage if you buy one of their packages. Some ships run specials the first day of the cruise where you get 10 to 30 minutes free if you sign up for a package that day so check your cruise bulletin.

Specialty dining: In recent years ships have now offer restaurants that have a cover charge. The food & service in these venues are usually top notch, but if you are on a budget, you can skip it without being cheated. It’s not that $20 or $25 is not worth it for Brazilian Lobster or Kobe beef, but depending on the ship you are on, there is usually a great selection in the regular dining room without paying additional. The menu’s are posted early each day outside of the dining room, so take a look and see what interests you. If you don’t feel like dressing up, then the buffet usually has the same items being offered in the formal dining room.

Gratuities: Your bar bill include 15% tip each time you order. There is no need to tip additional money, unless you feel the service is “above and beyond.”

Watch the casino! Cruise lines are making it easier for you to spend your money. On many ships, In the slot machines, you just insert your room key and you can deduct the amount you’d like right from your account. It is harder to keep track of how much you are spending versus using cash, since no receipt prints out. Best bet is to have a budget in mind for each night, take cash and walk out when it’s gone.

Last but not least, shopping. Although items onboard are duty free, chances are you can purchase the items cheaper in port. You can “negotiate” with local vendors most of the time to get the price down, where on the ship it is a fixed price. Also be aware of the shopping allowance per person. When visiting the Caribbean, you are eligible for a $800 pp exemption. You may also bring back 1 liter of alcohol, up to 200 cigarettes and up to 100 non-Cuban cigars. You will be asked to complete a form prior to disembarking the ship that explains all of these exemptions. Keep all of your receipts handy just in case you are questioned by customs.

Children can spend hours in the kids club, and adults can spend an entire cruise vacation, reading, watching movies, swimming, watching live entertainment and eating, at no additional cost.

Although there are all sorts of different kinds of cruises you can go on family cruises are by far the most favorite. What can be better than bringing all the kids with you on an adventure of a lifetime?

Not only are there are so many different and exciting places all over the world to visit — it’s one of those relatively inexpensive family vacation ideas.

All inclusive family vacations can be great if you go with the right company. With the right cruise line you should be able to get everything on your family cruises for one price.

And more…

Call a travel agent to help you plan your trip.

Especially if this is going to be your first cruise you will probably want to hire a cruise specialist.

That way you’ll be comfortable knowing that all the little details are taken care of so you will be able to get the very most out of your family cruises.

Basic Information

There are a number of things that you will want to go over with your travel agent before taking one of these all inclusive family vacations. You always want to check.

This is especially important if you have younger children who will be sleeping in them. No child is really too young to go on a cruise but you will have to decide as to whether you feel it’s safe to bring a newborn baby or a toddler on one of these kid friendly cruises. Remember that you are going to want to look after them the whole time and that can be kind of tough.

Documentation

You will also need to ask your travel agent what kind of documentation is necessary for the family cruises. You will have to bring along all this necessary information for every family member.

If that’s the case even more information is usually required.

Budget

Family cruises are affordable family vacations and you can get great family cruise deals.

If you want to have the best family cruise you still need to decide where you want to go, which cruise line you want to travel on and how much extra money you will need to put aside to spend on your trip.

Bring a comfortable amount but don’t go overboard. It shouldn’t affect other bills because this can only end up causing problems. Keep in mind though that you will need to budget for some additional things like shore excursions, tips, extra food, along with infant care if you decide to bring babies along.

There is a lot to think about when taking your first cruise: where to go and what to do; which cruise line to go with; what time of year to travel; your destination; and last but not least, how much you want to spend on your cruise. When you are gay or lesbian I think you are given more options. There are the usual cruises, yes, but these days cruise lines are getting a lot more creative with their themes in an effort to compete in the market.

I think the first and most important decision to be made concerns the type of cruise that you’re looking for. Do you want to book a normal “straight” cruise or would you rather go to a more familiar place with other gay and lesbian travelers? This decision would probably depend on who will be traveling in your party. Is it family and friends? Just family? If so, your family may prefer the former, depending on their own comfort level. If your family is more open-minded, or you plan to travel with friends of a similar background, then the latter may prove to be the more interesting option.

The next thing you’ll want to consider is how you will make your travel arrangements. Would you like to book the cruise on your own, or would you prefer to book the cruise through a travel agent? Keep in mind that a travel agent may have access to better rates- particularly group rates and tour deals. So, with that said- how “private” would you like your cruise to be? If this is your first cruise, then you may want to go on a tour; this would provide a great opportunity to learn about the cruise atmosphere and explore various outlets for entertainment.

Speaking of atmosphere- what kind of cruise environment are you looking for? Many people travel to get away from their everyday habitat. Do you live in icy cold weather? A Hawaiian cruise may be a welcome retreat! If you live in a hot area, then perhaps an Alaskan cruise- complete with scenic views of icy glaciers- would be something new and exciting.

Finally, how many days do you want to be on vacation? Cruises can last anywhere from a few days to over two weeks. Depending on what type of getaway you need- a short vacation to escape from the drudgery of work or a long vacation to explore new sights and create lasting memories- you may have to shop around for the cruise that will best match your needs. Your length of travel will also depend on how comfortable you are being away from home. Some people tend to get homesick and would not want to spend so much time away from home; on the other hand, if you are frequently out, you may want to stay out longer.

There are always a lot of factors to think about when traveling, so make sure you do your research because fun is the only option when vacationing!

Before we answer that question let us tell it like it is:

Medallions of young cod with a rich shellfish sauce, prawns wrapped in pancetta, flamed in Armagnac, Potted fresh and smoked salmon seasoned with herbs, lemon and fromage blanc, New York steak cooked to perfection and served with garlic, parsley, Cognac and special savory steak sauce…Rack of lamb coated with a mushroom duxelle, wrapped in puff pastry and baked until honey gold. A creamy vanilla pudding flavored with a hint of nutmeg, diced apples and sultana grapes, warm crepes flavored with orange and Grand Marnier, oozing, melt in you mouth 7 layer chocolate cake. Still breathing?

That’s just ONE SMALL example of what Cruise Ships are creating for you. In a nut shell, Cruise Ships provide all food all the time 24/7. Why? Because they love you. And want to please, please, please you! So there it is; an ocean of food on the high seas. All styles from simple casual to sophisticated gourmet. You wanted us to be honest didn’t you? So back to answering that all important question; Will you gain a ton and sink the ship?

Before you ever climbed onboard your ship, or planned your Cruise to the inth degree you have been for years deluged with information: Low carbs, High carbs, no carbs, calorie counting, no counting, food pairing, food “blending”, fasting, metabolic rates, weight loss patches, and diets, diets diets, South Beach, the Zone, Atkins, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystems, The Chocolate Cake Diet, the Grapefruit Diet. And as we speak the Food Industry couldn’t be happier getting to market quickly a new box of cereal shouting the trend Du Jour 0% of whatever plastered all over the box. Well Okay, we could go on for a month. Here’s the deal:

You are intelligent. We are giving you all the credit. We KNOW that you know this fact: You are a direct result from all your daily actions. Yup. If you ARE overweight now, you either were never taught how to eat for your own body or never learned yourself from some time spent researching and caring enough.

YES, of course there are in very few cases comparatively exceptional biological reasons actual blocks to normal weight management occur. Most of the time it is you and your eating choices. Food types, amounts, times of day, accompanied by the lack of appropriate exercise. In reality when you are on your Cruise you will most likely continue your same culture of eating so here’s a big eating management tip: Look at the food menu or actual display in front of you and ask yourself this big question, ” CAN I GET THIS AT HOME? OR DOWN THE STREET AT MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT?” If the answer is yes, do you really need it right then?

Opt for the items you swear you have never seen or will never see again. If something is truly extraordinary go for it, it will become a part of your Cruise fond memories. If you are not overweight, watch out! You could fall prey to the “I never gain weight” aura that surrounds you at home. Remember a Cruise is an aberration in the most luxurious form. Again, you will be surrounded by food. You will say to yourself, “I’m on vacation, I’m going to get my money’s worth”. In the 50’s and 60’s there were “all you can eat” places and people painfully stuffed themselves to get “their money’s worth”. You’re not overweight now because of your selective eating habits at home. Take that same virtue with you on your Cruise… tasting only the finest offerings and you’ll be fine.

And for all of you. Again know that the Cruise Director has your best interests in mind especially in the area of soup to nuts. If you have special dietary needs just say so. You can request and get confirmed your special requests for, vegetarian, kosher, diabetic, low-fat, low-sodium, low-cholesterol, gluten-free and lactose-free diets.

Well prepared food is to be seductive, selective, sipped and savored. Enjoy the art.

“Why didn’t we do this before?”

Having spoken to so many first time cruisers, their reaction is always the same - they ask themselves “Why didn’t we do this before?” It is great value for money and should be tried at least once. Cruises are much more affordable than they were in the past and many offer better value than the conventional land based holiday as all food and entertainment is included in the price. Prices for a 7 night fly cruise to the Mediterranean can start from as low as £399, however in general prices work out at approximately £100 per day. This price includes flights where required, transfers, accommodation on board, all meals, (be prepared to put on 1lb a day, although a gym on board most ships will help to keep the weight off) entertainment and you get to see a new port each day. Unbeatable value.

1st Cruise Holiday Tip

To get the most from your evening meal, choose the second sitting where offered as you will rarely be hurried to finish and you will get more chance to make the most of the social setting.

“There is nothing to do on a cruise!”

Are you active and need lots to do? Do you want to totally relax and watch the world go by? Do you want to dress for dinner or do you require a more casual approach? Are you happy to fly and join a ship or do you prefer to cruise out of and back to the UK? We will guide you and point you in the right direction, alternatively you can contact us and one of our experienced cruise consultants will be pleased to help.

It is important to have a good idea of what you want as the range of cruises is enormous. Large vessels in excess of 100,000 tons offer superb family facilities including ice rinks, climbing, basketball and mini golf to name but a few. In the evening following a superb meal in one of the many restaurants on board, the ship really comes to life with casinos, night clubs, cinemas and a full range of entertainment to keep the fun loving active individual happy 24 hours a day.

If this all sounds too much for you and your idea of a cruise means lying back and watching the world go by in total relaxation, then there is plenty of choice to offer. These ships tend to be smaller and although they don’t offer the full range of facilities, they do make up for that in character and tradition. Dinner tends to be of a more formal nature and the range of excursions generally more interesting.

“I thought cruising was only for the well-off”

There is still the old aged perception that cruising is only for the ‘well-off’ and the upper classes. Nothing could be further from the truth! There are now cruises and cruise lines that suit all tastes from 3 star Thomson and Island Cruises through to 6 star Crystal Cruises. There are cruises that cater for families and others that are adult only. There are very traditional cruises where you have formal nights and the gents and ladies dress in dinner suits and cocktail dresses and there are ships that are totally casual and formal nights are the last thing on the agenda.

“I’m afraid I might get sea-sick!”

Most if not all cruise ships have stabilizers, however many cruise ships are so big these days that you don’t even know that you are at sea. In the event of a passenger feeling sea sick there is always a doctor and nurse on board who can give the necessary injection if required or offer sea sickness tablets. Please note that there will be a charge for any treatment from the doctor and therefore adequate travel insurance is a necessity. If you think that there is the possibility of sea sickness it is advisable to contact your own GP before travel.

Generally speaking, cruise ships travel where the weather should be good, however just occasionally the weather patterns can change and there may be an alteration to the cruise ships itinerary. This is very rare but can happen.

“What do I wear?”

There is always that temptation to take clothes for every eventuality, but it is advisable to carefully look at your destination and its climate and pack accordingly. If you are taking a fly/cruise there will be a weight allowance and that allowance will increase the further that you are flying. For Ex UK cruises there is no weight allowance.

On more traditional ships (P&O, Fred.Olsen, Cunard) you can usually expect two formal nights where gentleman wear dinner suits and ladies cocktail dress. Although a suit with tie for gentlemen is acceptable. It is advisable to look at the ships dress code and pack accordingly. Details on this will be sent with your tickets, however if you are in doubt please check with your 1st Cruise Holiday consultant who will be pleased to help.

Above all, don’t be concerned about impressing people or having enough elegant clothes; the whole point of cruising is to make yourself at home, relax and enjoy yourself.

1st Cruise Holiday Tip

It is well worth taking your time to book the cruise that suits you best.

1. Look for the destination that interests you and the itinerary.

2. Look at the cruise line that suits your needs. (Do you have a family or are you just a couple?)

3. Look at the ship and its facilities. Does it offer what you need?

4. Look at the price and that you are not too stretched. Remember on most ships you will have to pay the additional costs of drinks, gratuities and excursions. (Look at our offers page to see if any suit your requirements and pocket)

5. First time cruisers look at our Taster Cruises. 1 to 7 nights in duration.

6. If in doubt call our cruise consultants who will help you choose.

After you have booked your 1st Cruise

Once you have booked your cruise and your tickets arrive, they will usually be accompanied by a booklet describing the ship and cruise that you have booked and advising on things like dress codes, gratuities, shore excursions, etc. Do spend some time reading this documentation as you’ll gain valuable advice on what to pack and how much to budget for drinks, gratuities and excursions.

All ships accept credit cards, though you can deposit travelers cheques or cash when you register at the start of a cruise. You’ll then run an account while you’re on board and settle at the end. A final bill will be delivered to you cabin/stateroom on the last night.

For your convenience and if your tips are not pre-payable (your 1st cruise holiday consultant will advise you on this) some ships will distribute envelopes for passengers to fill and dispense on the final night. You are advised to take dollars, sterling or euros depending on the on board currency.

Inside or Out?

Cabins or staterooms as many cruise lines now call them come in many shapes and sizes, but to simplify matters they come in 4 categories. Inside, Outside, Balcony cabins and Suites.

Inside cabins are less expensive than their outside equivalent. There is no natural light, however lighting is good and inside cabins are now designed with drawn curtains to give the impression that there is a window in the cabin. If you do suffer from claustrophobia, you are probably better to choose an outside cabin especially if it is your first cruise. The advantage of an inside cabin is the price and you do sleep well with no natural light to wake you in the morning. The disadvantage is no natural light and you are unable to view the weather. Therefore a scouting mission is required to get your weather report. Many past passengers book an inside cabin to keep costs down and as you spend little time in your cabin apart from sleeping and a quick change for dinner they do not feel the need to spend needlessly.

Most cabins come equipped with TV, Phone, Safe and private facilities in the way of bath or shower.

Outside cabins will either have a porthole or picture window depending on ship and/or position on ship.

As you move up the cabin/stateroom scale, they become larger and better positioned on the ship. Mid ship cabins are generally more expensive than those at the front or rear of the ship. The facilities will increase and provide greater wardrobe space. Balcony cabins are now becoming much more popular and ships are providing more and more of these cabins.

Suites have a lot more facilities and many include canapés being sent to your suite each night before dinner together with a glass of Champagne. Some of the larger suites include your very own butler and pianist, however, these do come at a price.

For more of John Gibb’s excellent advice for first-time cruisers and more of his 1st Cruise Holiday Tips, check out 1stcruiseholidays.co.uk

1st Cruise Holidays.co.uk is filled with answers to commonly asked questions and solutions to the natural worries of cruising for the first time.

The site doesn’t only cater for travellers worried about cruising, though! With detailed information on every cruise line and ship, including ratings, itineraries, ship details, ship photos and more, you can find out everything you want to know about your cruise holiday before you book it.

1stCruiseHolidays.co.uk has an expert team of cruise consultants who will find you the best possible deal to make your first cruise experience a great one!

I know from experience that going on a cruise for the first time can be a little nerve racking. There are so many questions running through your mind. Where should we go? What cruise line should we take? Is there anything for the kids to do on a cruise? What should we pack? What documentation do we need? Well, relax. I will help you answer those questions and more.

First, where should you go. Well, as first time cruisers I recommend you take a short 3 to 5 day cruise from a port nearby. This will give you the opportunity to see if you will enjoy the experience with out keeping you on a ship for a long period of time. Think about it, if you don’t enjoy yourself, would you really want to be stuck there for 7 plus nights? Probably not. I would be surprised though if you don’t enjoy yourself. Look for cruises leaving a nearby port (if possible) that go to interesting destinations that you may want to see. This leads to the next question of, What cruise line should we take?

Deciding which cruise line to take can be as simple as finding out which ones leave that nearby port, or as difficult as deciding which one has the amenities you are interested in. Cruise lines range from the contemporary to the luxurious. Which one you choose depends on how much you want to spend on your stateroom. One thing to remember about cruising is that when you pay for your stateroom, you are also paying for your food and entertainment for that period of time. Your beverages are not included in that price so remember to keep that in mind. My first cruise was on the Carnival Paradise and it was a blast! If you are worried about getting sea sick, and yes, people sometimes do, you should get a room with a window. Avoid the interior staterooms because it helps to have a window to look out. Also, try to get a stateroom on a higher deck. They get a little more expensive the higher you go but you don’t feel the ships movement as much up there.

Taking the kids? Great! Cruising is an excellent way to give kids the opportunity to see other parts of the world they might not otherwise get to see. Most cruise lines understand that kids go on cruises too and they have kids camps for them to go to when parents want some time to themselves. Carnival for example, has Camp Carnival. This camp is structured so that kids are separated by ages. Each age group has activities geared for them to keep them entertained. For the teenagers they have a dance club just for them. The only adults allowed are the camp counselors. At night for a fee, they will watch your children in a slumber party theme, so you can have an evening on your own.

As for documents, you will need a passport, a photo I.D., and a credit card for your sail and sign card. The sail and sign card is your room key and also serves as your credit card while on the ship. All purchases of drinks, photos, and duty free shop purchases will be charged to this. At the end of the cruise you will receive a statement of all charges before it is charged to your credit card.

The most important thing to bring is your positive attitude and a big smile. Get out there and have fun! The world is waiting for you. And you don’t even have to drive! Check out my blog for more tips and to see some photos from great destinations!

“The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.” But it doesn’t fall in Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca.

Wouldn’t you love to have guaranteed good weather on your next vacation? Then you would do well to visit Benidorm. This beautiful city gets an average of 355 days of sunshine each year.

Benidorm is fortunate to be protected by the Sierra Helada (Cold Mountains) and the Puig Campana mountains. These mountains help make the temperate climate so ideal.

Benidorm is within the Alicante Province of Spain, along the Costa Blanca, which is known for its magnificent beaches along the Mediterranean Sea.

Benidorm has long been a fishing and farming community, having existed since Moorish times. You can still see the Moorish influence in the narrow streets of the oldest parts of town. The Mediterranean Balcony section of the old town was even built over a former castle.

In recent years, wise businessmen have undertaken efforts to capitalize on Benidorm’s rustic charm. They have put a great deal of effort to preserve the charm of the old fishing village and old Spanish architecture but make it more accessible to today’s travelers. Now, when you visit, you will feel as if you stepped into a Spanish romance. You will delight in visiting the wharf area and seeing the lovingly preserved buildings. You will see many artifacts that are hundreds of years old. Imagine what it would have been like to live so long ago.

But make no mistake; Benidorm has plenty of modern amenities: Dance clubs, shops, restaurants and hotels all offer the very latest features to make your stay the best.

Many people have enjoyed quaint little Benidorm and have returned to it as a retirement location, but now families are discovering the region. This is because it has become the home to three theme parks: Aqualandia is a waterpark designed to give the whole family a splashing good time. Terra Mitica is an up-to-date theme park with roller coasters and all sorts of thrill rides. Mundomar Park is a wildlife park that specializes in marine animals and those found in tropical rain forests. Just think: You can visit the Amazon in sunny Spain.

Benidorm is very conveniently located: only 43 km for Alicante Airport. You can easily visit many other attractions in Costa Blanca, such as the cities of Altea and Alicante. It is easy to find great discounts on air fares, hotels, car rentals and other travel planning needs. Simply go on line or consult a travel agent to start planning your getaway to sunny Spain.

As you can see Benidorm, is a fabulous vacation destination for everyone, young and old. You won’t regret spending your vacation in such a paradise. Pick up a Benidorm travel guide today.

First-time cruisers sometimes confuse about choosing the destination for neither cruising nor they aware about the hidden costs in the cruise. So this cruising tip should help them to prepare about what they need to know before they go for cruising:

1. Book early or late

You will get better deal by booking well in advance of your sailing date or at the last minute. Booking early in advance can save you between 15 to 50 percent and also lock in the cabin category of your choice. If you rather wait to book at the last minute, you will even get a better discount on a shipÂ’s unsold cabin. But of course you will not be able to choose the cabin that you like, whatever is left is available.

2. Drive rather than fly

You could save a lot if you just drive to the nearest port in the city rather than you fly. Nowadays there are more cruises than ever before departing from “close-to home” ports such as Boston, New York, Bayonne (New Jersey), Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, Jacksonville, Tampa, New Orleans, Mobile, Galveston, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco and Seattle.

3. Take a short cruise first

If you are a first-timer cruiser, it is better for you to take short-cruise 3 to 4 days on the weekend. In this case, you will be able to “test the water” before you jump-in to the real cruise. There is a good selection of ships sailing on short cruises to various destinations in the Caribbean, as well as along the Mexican Riviera and to New England/Canada.

4. Beware of added charges

You have to be prepared for added charges when you are on a cruise. Expenses such as playing in the casinos, alcoholic beverages to photos snapped by the ship’s ubiquitous are not included in your cruise fare. So, travel-smart by preparing your budget in advance when you are going on a cruise. If you must buy something, wait until the final day of the cruise—most of the stores will throw a sale then.

5. From ship to shore- savings on excursions

Perhaps the largest additional cost are escorted shore excursions offered in every port of call ranging in price from $25 per person for a tour by motor coach to as much as $300 for helicopter flight-seeing. For two couples, it is less expensive to hire a cab or rent a car for a day than for each person to join an organized excursion. Also there is no requirement to leave the ship when in port. Some passengers prefer to relax on board and lounge by the pool as the ship is much less crowded after most people have gone ashore. Shore excursions make the most sense when few attractions are within walking distance and local means of transportation are scarce.

Hope that this tip will be helpful for those first-timer cruiser. Bon Voyage!!

Making important decisions is always a great part of your life. Making the right ones can take you far in life. Making the wrong ones, teaches you a valuable lesson. Some people that make the decision to cruise for the first time, normally have little experience in vacationing and travel, so they tend to make little mistakes. If you are among the group of persons that have decided to take a cruise for the first time, here are some pointers that can help you minimize some common mistakes made by first-time travelers.

The very first thing you need, is to figure out where will you be going and how long will you want to stay. Nowadays, picking a destination is harder than one might expect at first glance. So many destinations with so many beautiful sights are available all over the world. If you want to explore the Caribbean, there are so many great places you can visit, such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Saint John and Saint Thomas, and many other tropical spots. Perhaps, you’re more into Europe and want to visit Paris, London, Spain, Italy and many other Old World wonders. Also, the time you want to spend there while cruising, should help you determine the place you want to go. Be it a week or two, the space of time can help you savor all the sights and cultures of the places you want to visit.

When cruising, determining the kind of accommodations you want is the very next big step for you. Ship accommodations are as varied as cars. Different ships have different kinds of room space. Maybe you want a room with balcony, maybe you want a ship with casinos and onboard shopping malls. It all depends on the way you want to spend your trip. Many cruise ships come with many kinds of entertainment, including concerts, gambling, dance lessons. If you can think of it, it already exists. Also, you might want to consider if you want the cruise line to arrange other methods of transportation (once you’re reached a port), the kind of meals you want (if you have a diet, this will help you out a lot), how much to tip (which is customary), etc.

Then there is the matter of documentation. If you’ve decided to cruise outside of the USA, you will need passports. Also, make sure you check the regulations of the country you want to go, so you can be prepared and ready with the documents they might require. You might want to check your baggage and make sure your clothing is appropriate to the country you’re visiting. It would be kind of ridiculous to take t-shirts and shorts if you’re going to a cold weather location like London, Argentina or Canada.