Taking a cruise can be an amazing adventure, but if you have never been on a cruise before then you may not know what to expect. As the date for your cruise draws closer, you might even begin to feel a little bit of anxiety as you start to wonder exactly what it is going to be like. If you are worried too much about what can happen on your cruise then you are not going to enjoy it nearly as much, so it is a good idea to spend some time beforehand to get a better idea of exactly what you should expect for your first cruise. Here is some basic information about what can be expected on your cruise.

When first checking in for your cruise you will have to go through a basic security checkpoint. Your bags are taken by a porter at the cruise terminal, and next they are loaded into bins so that they can be placed on the ship and in your cabin. While your bags are, being loaded you can continue checking in at the terminal, which typically involve your carry-on luggage being x-rayed, and you stepping through a metal detector. The process is much the same as what you would go through at an airport, and is merely a precaution to protect you and everyone else once you are all aboard the ship.

After passing through the security checkpoint, you can finish the checking in process. You need to present your photo ID, credit card, and cruise reservation information at the check-in desk, at which point you are given your cabin key card and an on-ship charge card that can be used for shipboard purchases.

Once you have checked in, all that is left for you to do is to make your way to the pier and wait to board the ship. If you have arrived prior to boarding, you should be assigned a number or letter, which lets you know when it is time to board. When your number or letter is called, you may then board the ship, much as you would when your boarding section is called if you were waiting for a plane. Many cruise lines have photographers working at the docks, waiting to capture a shot of people boarding for a cruise vacation that they will always remember.

When you board the ship, your bags should already be in the cabin. The ship staff greets you and presents you with a map to help you find your way to your cabin and other ship locations, and in some cases, you may actually be guided to your cabin by an attendant who assists you with your carry-on luggage. The type of service that you receive when you first board the ship depends on the cruise line with which your cruise has been booked, though more cruise lines are moving to a full-service model in hopes of drawing in additional bookings.

After you have checked out your room, you should take the time to locate your assigned dining room so that you know where to go when it is time for a meal. Many cruise ships have several different dining rooms, and the one that you are assigned to should be marked on your shipboard charge card. There is a good chance that there will be alternate dining options available to you as well, though these are generally featured at an additional cost.

You should take the time to read the ship’s newsletter as well as the listing of ship excursions that are waiting for you in your cabin. This provides useful information about both on-ship activities and the various ports of call that you will visit. Some planned excursions may likely require registration, and it is important that you do so as early as possible since at least some of the more popular ones may be in danger of selling out. Read the excursion list on your first day in order to get a better idea of what you would like to do during the rest of your cruise.

Before the cruise gets underway with the majority of the planned activities, there should be a lifeboat drill to show you what to do in case of an emergency. This drill is mandatory and it does not take long. It should only occur one time during your cruise. Once it is out of the way, you can enjoy the rest of your cruise, making sure to experience some of the planned activities and on-board amenities. This can also help you to avoid missing any activities that you want to take part in during the cruise. If you are about to embark on your first cruise, you should consider these tips and you should be ready for your vacation.

Stephanie Larkin
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/what-to-expect-on-your-first-cruise-731145.html

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So you’ve heard how great cruise vacations are, and now you’ve decided to take to the high seas for a fortnight of luxury and pampering. But there’s a lot to think about. So before you select a cruise line, a cruise ship or even get in touch with a travel agent, there are certain issues that are vital to consider.

1) Who is going on the cruise?

Although this question should be easy to answer, it can have a bearing on the type of cruise line and ship that you ultimately choose.

If you and your partner want to take a relaxing cruise, there are many ships that are aimed at couples. In fact some cruise ships actively discourage or even ban people from taking children onboard.

If you will be cruising as a couple, it’s also important to consider the dining situation. On ships with assigned seating, you will have to specify the size of table that you want. However, on many ships, tables for two are in short supply, so if this is an important issue, this may influence your choice of cruise line and ship. Just make sure that you make this clear to your travel agent or the cruise line when booking.

On the other hand, if you want to take your children or travel with the rest of your extended family, there are certain cruise lines and ships within cruise lines that are specifically tailored with family vacations in mind.

2) How much have you got to spend?

It’s possible to find a cruise vacation to suit almost any budget. So before you go any further it’s important to work out how much you’re willing to spend on your holiday.

But as a general rule, you’ll need to set aside at least $150 per person per day to cover the cost of your cruise. However, bigger cabins in more luxurious ships can cost many times this figure.

However, it is possible to get more for your money if you;

a) Book early: Most cruise lines are willing to give generous discounts if you book your cruise 6-12 months in advance.

b) Book late: Likewise, if you book within 2 months of setting sail, most cruise lines will give you hefty discounts to fill the remaining cabins.

3) How long have you got?

The number of days that you want your vacation to last will determine the type and location of cruises that are available to you.

If you only have a few days, the main option is a one port cruise. This means that the ship leaves port sails around the sea/ocean for two or three days and then returns to the same port. The ship doesn’t call at any other ports, but it does give you a few days at sea. This is a good way to get the feel for a certain cruise ship, or even cruising in general.

If you have a week to spare, this gives you more choices. If you live in the US, this gives you the choice of Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, Mexico or even a Caribbean cruise. If you live in Europe this will give you access to the mediterranean, north africa, or even a nordic cruise.

Alternatively, if you want to increase the number of locations available, you could fly to and from the start/finish location of your cruise or take a one way cruise either flying to the start location or flying home after disembarkation.

If you have two weeks or longer, you can cruise almost any part of the world.

4) What time of the year?

The time of year that you take your cruise will have a major affect on two issues;

a) The Price: As with all forms of travel, your holiday will cost more during the peak season. In contrast, most cruises are cheaper in the spring or fall.

Traditionally, the winter was considered the high season for Caribbean destinations, but due to the weight of supply and demand (people who have to take their vacation during the summer) the summertime costs are almost on a par with the cost of a winter Caribbean cruise.

b) The Locations Available: The time of year that you take your cruise will also determine the locations that are available. Although this won’t make much difference to the more mainstream locations such as the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, certain places have a distinct cruise season.

If you want to go to Alaska or northern Europe, the main cruise season lasts from May till September.

For Antartica, the season is even shorter, running from November to February.

Although the tropical regions are in season all year, there is a great variation in the amount of rainfall throughout the year. Locations such as the Caribbean will have less rain during the summer months and more rain during the winter months.

And finally, although not a restriction as such, some people prefer to avoid places that may be affected by the hurricane season. If a cruise ship encounters a storm it will alter its route to avoid it, which means you may miss certain places that you wanted to visit.

5) What part of the world do you want to visit?

You can cruise almost anywhere in the world, even landlocked countries are often available to explore through river cruises. So it’s no surprise that this is one of the hardest decisions for cruise newcomers to make.

The amount of days that you have for your vacation will narrow your options, but beyond that, consider other issues, such as;

If you want to or have to take your vacation at a certain time of the year, which locations are available?

If you particularly want to use a certain cruise line, which locations do their ships visit?

What type of weather and climate do you prefer?

Are there any particular landmarks that you want to visit?

Are there any activities or adventures that you want to experience?

Now all you have to do it to get in touch with your travel agent.

Kristen Olsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/planning-your-first-cruise-things-to-consider-part-1-129768.html

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Vacations can spell enjoyment and stress at the same time. The time of planning, booking and hazards of trips are just few troubles one may encounter along the way. Nevertheless, one should consider enjoying and the fun side of it rather than divulge on the pressure that can ruin all the plans and preparation.

Family vacation requires a lot of preparation considering that you should satisfy your own desires and likes alongside the wants of your toddlers, teens and spouse. Consolidating the ideas they have and the thrills they want to gain are various points that should be dealt upon for a vacation to be fruitful.

Here are some ideas you can consider when planning to go on a family vacation:

1.Why not go on a beach vacation? It is not easy to please all members of the family and resorts can be a good option. There are beaches where multitude of activities can be done like jet skiing, surfing, and cruising which you and your teens can enjoy. There are also resorts with kids’ pools and slides for your toddlers. Prioritize the enjoyment of the family but check on the safety of the place and the water specifically.

2.The family can also go on a cruise vacation. You can free yourself from planning and other activities because there are packages provided by ships and other cruise lines. All you have to do is choose among the packages and be present on the set date of your floating vacation. Cruise activities include spas, casinos and live entertainment for teens and adults. Youngsters are offered with kids’ activities so nobody is left bored and idle. Check on the medical facilities of the cruise lines to ensure your health while on the cruise.

3.If your family enjoys a country lifestyle, you can have a family ranch vacation. There are ranches which welcome people and offer vacation packages. There are those which are near rivers where you can do rafting and engage in a river trip. The family can also involve in ranch tour, join lessons about horseback riding and take care of horses and other animals such as cattle. A special set of activities for children are designed to get them busy while on the ranch.

4.Adventure vacation is not a bad idea either. Adventures suck as kayaking, sailing, hiking, canoeing, camping, hunting and a whole lot more can excite all the members of the family. Nature tripping is a good adventure to give you and your family fun and learning at the same time.

5.Theme parks can also be a good choice. You can choose Universal Studios which offer an array of incredible rides and attractions. Universal Studios is a theme park and movie studio in one. You can also tour and watch real working films and scenes from your much loved movies. Walt Disney also offers an Animal Kingdom Theme Park and a lot more. Children and adults alike can also enjoy the Disney resorts and other wonderful areas in the Walt Disney.

6.For holiday season, the family can try a snow vacation. Snow can make your vacation a lot different! There are numerous resorts in California, New Hampshire or Vermont which offers country skiing, dog sledding, ice fishing, ice skating, sliding, ice climbing and other exciting activities. There are also schools accepting enrollees for ski lessons; or you can simply enjoy the snow by making snow man, angels, etc.

7.Volunteer vacations. Your family can try the unique but worthwhile volunteer work with helpful humanitarian and nature causes. There are global volunteer works which cater to those groups who wanted to engage in charitable projects. There are those located in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, Africa, and much much more. Projects vary from animal welfare, health and safety, education, community development, children’s issue, environment and nature or poverty. Be sure that family members all compromised with this kind of vacation because laborious work and sacrifice are involved here rather than relaxation.

There are several more ideas one family can think of while planning for their much awaited vacation. One family member differs with another so careful compromises and decision must be made to make sure that all will be satisfied and happy. A good vacation does not depend on its longevity; rather the measure is the quality of time spent with the family.

Nathalie Fiset
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/helpful-ideas-to-have-an-enjoyable-family-vacation-74831.html

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So we’re still on a cruise, on our way to some enchanted land. It’s a great weather today, and the air is warm, and so are everyone’s smiles. Here’s more of what you can expect in a ship cruise.

Onboard Activities

All in all, it’s virtually impossible to be bored on a cruise ship. There are ongoing activities throughout the day, which are usually free of charge. Contests, games, bingo, clay shooting, dance, Tai Chi and golf lessons, karaoke and sing-a-longs, etc. Swimming or relaxing in a spa or hot tub.

Children and Young Teenagers on Board

All mainstream cruise ships offer organized programmes that cater to the entire family. These programmes are usually categorized by age, which include age-appropriate activities.

Not Inclue in Cruise’s Fees

Tips

Beverages

Spa Treatments

Hairdressers

Dry cleaning

Laundry services

Shore Excursions

Guidelines to Extra Expenses

When paying for your cruise the tips will NOT be included, although you can pre-pay your tips if the cruise liner will agree to it. Some cruise lines automatically add the recommended tip amount to your account at the time of sailing. You can decide to adjust this amount based on the service received.

The onboard hospitality crew and general staffing crew earn much of their money in tips. Make no mistake, they do EARN IT – their shifts are long and they will go out of their way to make you feel welcome and well-looked after on your holiday. You won’t find better waiters, stewards, bartenders, and cabin staff anywhere.

Most cruise lines have ‘recommended tipping rates’ that can start at $10.00 per day per guest. These tips are then distributed among the personnel that service your every need for the included cruise items such as stateroom stewards, waiters, bartenders, and general cabin staff.

Spa Treatments

All cruise ships offer excellent technicians for spa treatments such as massage, facials, waxing, manicure, and pedicures. Hairdressers are available as well. Of course, all of these are extra, but are they worth it, and you’ll always look your best without much effort. Another tip, book in as soon as you get on board for your first service and you can book ongoing services easily or you’ll miss out. These services fill up very quickly.

Shore Excursions

Unfortunately, shore excursions are not included. There are dozens of things to do when your ship docks at the beautiful exotic destinations. Don’t let your next holiday turn into a fiasco. Cruise lines make it extremely easy for you to book excursions on-line even before you board the ship. If you prefer you can book shore excursions once you board.

The Best Hints to Remember

Budget for your on board expenses and include the spending money for any on shore shopping excursions.

Keep track of your spending by retaining all receipts

Check your account balance each day.

Book your shore excursions ahead of time so you won’t be disappointed.

Take care when going on tour alone. Even though most people on shore rely on tourists for their income, it’s easy to become prey to misadventure.

Don’t purchase any foodstuffs that are suspicious. Rather be safe than sorry.

Don’t buy any food that cannot be consumed before you reach your departure port.

Don’t buy anything on shore if you believe it may be confiscated by customs once you are home.

The best tip to remember is to check everything with your travel agent before paying for your cruise. If you need to find a travel agent in a hurry just browse free online classifieds, and do some shopping around for the best prices. Ask questions and then ask some more. They are there to assist you to have a really good holiday. If your travel agent doesn’t know much about the cruise line then it may be better to find another agent, otherwise you can get in touch directly with the cruise line. Bon voyage!

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Jhona
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-definitive-guide-to-going-on-the-perfect-cruise-part-three-86597.html

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Experienced bargain cruise hunters know the value of showing some patience when it comes to searching for last minute cruise deals. If you have been thinking of taking that first ship holiday and have been told to book well in advance, then it may pay to check out the last minute deals on offer and take your holiday a little sooner than you anticipated.

You see, there is a little phenomenom in the sales world that seems to apply across most areas and that is the last minute rush for bargains. The cruise line industry is no different and savvy bargain hunters have snapped up some amazing deals late in proceedings. But be warned, you will require some patience and a little nerve as you seek out the late specials.

Where To Look For LasT Minute Deals

As companies attempt to fill their staterooms before their intended departure date and realize they aren’t going to fill them as anticipated then they may start to lower their prices. Bear in mind, last minute cruise deals can be booked up to 90 days in advance so if you have got some extra vacation time owing then it still gives you plenty of time to organize the time off from work.

Believe it or not, thousands have taken advantage of the last minute deal rush over the years and in dollar terms, the aggregate savings made would run into the millions. Has this hurt the cruise lines? Well undoubtedly they would like to obtain “full tote odds” for their staterooms but let’s face it, selling them at a reduced price and having them occupied would be a lot more beneficial for them than to have them sit empty.

The trick is finding these late minute bargains. Don’t expect to see them advertised en masse in the local dailys or electronic press. After all, companies need to protect their full-fare paying business. Travel agents are normally your first “port-of-call” when searching for a discount fare. But the internet has opened up a whole new world for the and there are some excellent sites specializing in deals. Do a search online for discount or last minute cruise deals and you’ll get wide selection of sites who have done the “hard yards” and “sniffed out” the bargains.

Cruise Specials Online

Another handy tip… some of these sites, particularly the higher ranked and more established ones offer a mailing service online where you can sign up to receive regular newsletters detailing holiday bargains in a whole variety of categories.

It is also a good idea to check out the various cruise line company websites. More often than not, last minute cruise deals will be featured here. Take it a step further and give them a call. Let them know you have some spare vacation time coming up shortly, how much you have to spend and of course, if they have any discounted specials available during the next couple of months.

Performing a little due diligence will pay off for you in the long run. Last minute cruise deals in most cases are like “little nuggets of gold:” you have to search for them.

Dean Caporella
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/how-to-find-a-last-minute-cruise-deal-72092.html

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Norwegian cruises:

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruisesearch/c…

Royal Caribbean cruises:
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis…

Carnival Cruises:

http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/find_…

All of these cruise lines have programs for kids and I know that Royal Caribbean has a special area on its ships for kids called Adventure Ocean, plus a place for teens to hang out called Fuel (all of these are supervised areas). But what set Royal Caribbean apart is its ships generally have more on-board activities than the other cruise lines. I also recommend that you take your cruise on the Royal Caribbean ship, Explorer of the Seas, which goes to Bermuda out of Cape Liberty, NY (near NY City, use the Newark airport). That is one of RC’s Voyager Class ships (I have been on two of them) and it has on it the rock climbing wall, a mini-golf course, an ice skating rink, an in-line roller skating track, a ful sized basketball/tennis court, plus the over sized chess and checker sets to play on the deck, along with shuffle board, and a game room. Take a look at the ship’s features:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis…

A 5, 6, or 7 day cruise to Bermuda is plenty enough time to enjoy it. You may want to read below what I have written about what’s to do in Bermuda to help decide how many days to go for. Note also from the links that the price varies according to the date that you select. So if you are looking to save money go when the price is the lowest; its the same cruise. Also, The prices shown are for each person based on double occupancy so while the cruise lines do not give a discount for kids, the prices for your kids will be less if they are staying in your cabin; generally about 50% less.

ABOUT BERMUDA:
In my two visit it seemed to me that the majority of the people visiting the island were those on the two or three cruise ships which docked there during my stay. There are a few hotels in the town of Hamilton and about a dozen other properties/beach hotels, but they are nice. There are NO slums and ghettos in Bermuda like you may see on other islands like the Caribbean. It’s a very safe island to travel around, even on the buses. All of the houses are well maintained and painted in pastel colors. All of the public beaches are great. Be sure to go to Elbow Beach and Long Bay Beach. When you cruise there its less expensive than flying and staying in a hotel because, you stay and eat on the ship. We ate on ship and that was good because meals (and everything else) are expensive since everything has to be imported. In fact Bermuda is an expensive place for about everything.

There is not a lot to do in Bermuda other than water sports and golf. There are two main towns Hamilton, the largest (where most cruise ships dock for at least a day) and St George (also a port stop) which is like a small town.

St George is like a small new England town with a small town square and a few shops. But it has bus service that will take you anywhere on the island, and since the island is pretty small (about 22 miles long) it only takes a few minutes to go other places. You can visit one of the many forts on the island like Fort St Catherine , its walking distance from St George also. If you want to the beach from St George you have several options within walking distance of St George and if you want to snorkel, the Tobacco Bay Beach near the town of St George is great, and its walking distance (about 3/4 mile from town).

The third place ships may dock while there is The Kings Dockyard.. The Dockyard is on the far end of the 22 mile long island and has a small mall with shops and a museum. It also has a new attraction called Snorkel Park Beach. The Crystal Cave and Fantasy Caves are worth visiting as a tour, or on your own. I also visited one of the lighthouses.

In the town of Hamilton we took a walking tour from our ship which took us to the Cathedral of the Most Holy, a maritime museum and a nice garden/park a few blocks from the port. There is shopping in Hamilton and restaurants, but not much else.

The best way to get around in Bermuda is to buy a transportation pass (sold in stores and the bus station) which will let you take the buses, and the ferry, all over the island. We bought our bus pass at a store in St George, near where the ship docked. There is a big bus depot just a couple blocks from where ships dock in the town of Hamilton. You can take the buses to the beach, they are not very far away and easy to get to from the bus stop. You want to go to Elbow Beach and Long Bay Beach, both open to the public. You can rent a scooter but remember that they drive on the opposite side of the road so unless you are used to that it can be dangerous, especially in turns and circles.

I would cruise to Bermuda again and probably will because its a lovely place and a nice cruise too.

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Each year, a eminent comprise of people introduce the adjustment to rake-off a cruise. Cruise ships are a piked location to have your next vacation. If given the opportunity, many parents would choose to take a cruise alone. This isnt because of a lack of love, but because of a common misconception among parents and cruise ships. Many individuals, including parents, believe that cruise ships are not designed for children, but that is simply not true.

If you are the originate of a lad unbefitting the progress of twelve, you may be marveling whether or not they should mate you on your ulterior cruise. If you are able to financially afford an additional ticket, you are encouraged to consider bring your child along. Not only will a cruise be memorable to your child, but it will be exciting. That is because a large number of cruise lines have tailored their cruise ships to children of all ages, including those under the age of twelve.

If you have yet to give up your cruise craft reservations, you are positive to keep cruise keel activities in mind. The activities for children, below the foster of twelve, will vary from ship to ship. That is why it is important that you examine each ship before making a final decision. Despite the fact that activities will vary from ship to ship, there are many activities geared towards children, under the age of twelve, which can be found on almost all cruise ships.

One of the manifold popular activities get going aboard a cruise vessel is a gaming. Arcade quarters are frequent on abundantly cruise ships. They offer children, under the age of twelve, a safe place to have fun and be a child. Many cruise ship arcade rooms are staffed with cruise ship employees, but this should not deter you from keeping an eye on your child. When leaving them alone in an arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment.

Another witty turmoil for children, below the enroot of twelve, includes swimming. All weekend cruise ships are know onions with a swimming pool. In addition to an adult sized swimming pool, wading pools can often be found aboard a number of popular family themed cruises. As with the arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment when allowing your children to swim unattended. Lifeguards will be on duty; however, they cannot always guarantee the safety of your child.

In adjunct to a upscale trust and an arcade room, powerfully cruise ships have an onboard movie theater or a routine stage. A alpine accommodate of cruise lines offer family friendly movies, plays, and other performances. Children, under the age of twelve, may find these performances and movie showings fun and exciting. To determine if movie showing and performances are targeted to those under twelve, you are encouraged to check a cruise ships itinerary. A ships itinerary can be viewed with or without previously booked reservations.

Cruise bottom restaurants and at variance dining facilities are prospective to favor to children, underneath the enroot of twelve. Many restaurants mention childrens menus. These menus are likely to include tasty, but kid sized meals. The cost of your kids meals will vary from ship to ship; however, many cruise ships offer discounts on meals for children under the age of twelve. The author writes about a number of different topics visit : http://www.reviews3.info

Cruise boat childcare centers are facilities that abetment both parents and their children. While on a internal vacation, smooth you need a break. For gratis or a runty fee, you should be able to leave your children in the care of a trained and experienced childcare worker. Since a cruise ship is likely to have passengers of all different ages, many childcare facilities are grouped together by ages. As with most other services, you will find that a cruise ships childcare policy may vary form anothers.

The senior mentioned activities, services, and facilities are correct a few of the copious that are targeted to children, patriarchal twelve and under. If you are convivial with the senior mentioned services, facilities, and activities, you may wish to consider scheduling your next family vacation aboard a cruise ship.

Review Host
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/cruise-ship-activities-for-children-underneath-twelve-128087.html

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Onboard expenses can quickly mount up when you’re at sea. So unless you want a nasty surprise before you disembark at the end of your cruise, here’s how to reduce your costs without reducing the quality of your vacation.

Food

If you want to go a la carte, it’s possible to spend vast amounts of money dining at the alternative onboard restaurants. But with a dining room and various buffets as part of your fare, you can eat virtually round the clock at no extra expense. If you want to experience the delights of alternative dining, why not treat yourself to it every three or four days instead of daily.

Likewise, it’s possible to spend a small fortune in select cafes and coffee bars. But most ships provide complimentary tea and coffee 24 hours a day.

Gratuities

Onboard tipping is rather a thorny issue. A number of cruise lines include tips and gratuities as part of the fare. Other companies don’t include tips, but strongly advise that you reward good service. And on many ships, the management suggest a daily gratuity level which may or may not be automatically added to your onboard account. If you don’t agree with this, take the matter up at the Purser’s Office.

Ultimately, it’s up to you. But I will say one thing; the staff on most cruise ships are low paid. Most of them rely on tips to supplement their income. If passengers don’t provide tips, many of the staff may leave and seek work elsewhere. And in many cases that will lead to a drop in the quality of service, or a rise in ticket prices (if the cruise lines have to pay higher wages to attract workers).

Internet

Internet access from ship to shore is normally expensive. It’s not unusual to see charges of up to $10 per minute. So if you have to use the internet make sure that you keep your eye on the clock. Alternatively, some ships provide each person with a set amount of minutes online as part of your overall fare.

If you want to keep in touch with people while at sea, email is cheaper then telephone, but the connection speed on some ships can be rather slow. So if possible, wait until you arrive in port. Either the price of the onboard connection will be cheaper or you can use one of the onshore internet cafes which are much faster and much cheaper.

Oh, and one final word on email. Most ships will provide you with an onboard email address. Don’t use this as it will be slow and expensive. Before you leave, set up a free web based email account. There are plenty to choose from, such as Yahoo, or Google’s Gmail, and they’re all free. They can be accessed from anywhere in the world and are generally much faster that your onboard email account.

Laundry

Most laundry services will be charged per item, at rates commonly applied in land based hotels, so your costs can rise quickly. However certain cruise ships provide a complimentary laundry service in the top rooms. But I guess if you can afford those rooms you won’t be too worried about a few onboard expenses.

So if you think you’ll need to do laundry while onboard, look for a cruise line that provides a low cost self service laundry facility. Alternatively, pack a bottle of washing liquid and hand wash essential items in your bathroom.

Medical Expenses

Injury or illness can happen to anyone at anytime, so it’s best to prepare for all possible eventualities. First check out the position from the point of view of your home country. For citizens of the US, medicare does not apply when they’re out of the country. Next, look at the medical insurance position. If you already have medical insurance, make sure it will cover you when at sea. If not, consider buying medical travel insurance to provide you with adequate cover. Even the cost of a simple visit to the ship doctor will account for the whole cost of a simple travel insurance policy.

Photos

Most ships will have a photographer who is willing to take a portrait photo of you and your travelling companions…for a price. So save money by taking your own camera and asking one of your fellow passengers to take a few photos.

Shopping

Onboard ships stock many exquisite items that will remind you of your days at sea forever. Everything from jewelry and ornaments to cigarettes and alcohol is available, but it will cost you dearly. So try to limit yourself to things that are necessary. And if you forget to pack anything, it can often be cheaper buying them at the next port of call rather than paying the inflated prices at the shops onboard.

Kristen Olsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/onboard-cruise-ship-expenses-how-to-keep-them-under-control-part-2-125032.html

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