Cruises are supposed to be relaxing vacations - and they are. But they'll go much smoother if you do some advance planning, sometimes very far in advance.
The first items, of course, are to select a destination and travel dates. Since that's a personal choice, there is little help available except to either rely on recommendations or dig in to the huge pile of options available these days. The latter can actually be a lot of fun, though.
Reading travel brochures can give you lots of ideas and images that will make some of the more tedious aspects seem very small by comparison. Fortunately, most cruises more than live up to all the romantic daydreams you form when planning your adventure.
Apply for a passport early unless you already have one that will not expire during your trip. Getting one typically only takes a few weeks after you mail in your completed application (don't forget the photos!), but it's best to play it safe. Nothing is more stressful than paying several thousand dollars for a cruise and not having your documents in hand as the date draws near.
After you take care of the passport, be sure to discover what visas and/or medical certificates are required for your destination. Different countries have different common diseases and you may need vaccinations. Fortunately, this is less common than it used to be.
Plan your budget, in terms of the cost of the cruise and the timing of payments and for any needed spare cash. Different lines require different amounts of deposit at intervals before departure. Check your specific one.
Keep in mind that, though most people use credit cards for all major purchases, not every country has developed that habit yet. Some are still largely cash-only economies.
Be prepared by having an ample supply of travelers cheques and some cash. All major lines have facilities that can change money, but you may not get the best exchange rates by relying solely on them. On board, you'll be given a 'ship credit card' for purchases during the cruise.
One to two months before departure ensure that you have received the documents from the cruise line. These will have a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo, but you should read through it anyway. Along with that you'll find useful information, such as confirmation of your reservation, due dates for payment, insurance issues and cabin assignment.
Some lines don't mail them until a few weeks before departure. Ask about your line's practice when you make your reservation.
Carry out most of your needed shopping a month before departure. You'll want to do some on board, of course. But relying exclusively on the shops on ship can be expensive.
If needed, don't forget to arrange for a dog or house sitter well in advance. Kennel reservations also typically have to be made weeks or longer ahead. Don't forget to fill prescriptions in advance, too.
Be sure to arrange mail pickup, lawn and houseplant care, etc. That will lead to much more peace of mind when you grab your passport and go!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Planning Your Cruise – Gathering Documents
Taking a cruise is quite a bit more complicated than making an airplane reservation and getting on board. Even that can be a hassle these days, but many of the difficulties of air travel don't exist in travel by ship. But, there is a laundry list of things you should think about when planning your cruise in order to ensure smooth sailing.
Depending on the type of cruise you have in mind, you'll need to ensure you have all the proper documents. Some day cruises leave Long Beach in California, make a short trip to Catalina Island and come back later the same day. Those are... well saying they're on the low end of the scale would be impolite. But they definitely are the simplest and require no documents and little planning.
For most cruises, even just a 4-day cruise from Florida to Jamaica and back, you'll need a passport. That's required anytime you enter a foreign country and return to the U.S. Yes, Jamaica is so familiar now it may not seem like a foreign country, but it is.
That effort should be undertaken at least two, and preferably up to six, months in advance. Under normal circumstances you can obtain a passport in a few weeks. But nothing is so stressful as having your departure date approach and not having that passport in hand.
When you intend to take the whole family along, the problem is compounded. Many families today are composed of children from previous marriages and may not have the same name as the father or mother. That can mean additional delays while you provide documentation to prove to the authorities that the children are legal residents of the U.S. and entitled to a U.S. passport.
You'll need visas for many of the countries that cruise ships typically visit. Once again, the more family members you have, and if they have different names, more time is required to get everything in order.
Some countries, in order to complete the visa process, require evidence of recent vaccinations. With the decrease of certain diseases over the last few decades, particularly in the U.S., many parents have opted to forego some of the traditional vaccinations. What is required differs from country to country, so, once your travel itinerary is firmed up, check those needed for your trip.
If you elect to use a travel agent to assist your planning, they will often have complete lists of required documentation and medical certificates. They often know them from memory - a sign of an experienced travel agent! They can provide you with cost options, destinations, recommendations of cruise lines and specific trips. You may or may not get the least expensive trip that way, but you'll be saving yourself much time and possibly many headaches.
Depending on the type of cruise you have in mind, you'll need to ensure you have all the proper documents. Some day cruises leave Long Beach in California, make a short trip to Catalina Island and come back later the same day. Those are... well saying they're on the low end of the scale would be impolite. But they definitely are the simplest and require no documents and little planning.
For most cruises, even just a 4-day cruise from Florida to Jamaica and back, you'll need a passport. That's required anytime you enter a foreign country and return to the U.S. Yes, Jamaica is so familiar now it may not seem like a foreign country, but it is.
That effort should be undertaken at least two, and preferably up to six, months in advance. Under normal circumstances you can obtain a passport in a few weeks. But nothing is so stressful as having your departure date approach and not having that passport in hand.
When you intend to take the whole family along, the problem is compounded. Many families today are composed of children from previous marriages and may not have the same name as the father or mother. That can mean additional delays while you provide documentation to prove to the authorities that the children are legal residents of the U.S. and entitled to a U.S. passport.
You'll need visas for many of the countries that cruise ships typically visit. Once again, the more family members you have, and if they have different names, more time is required to get everything in order.
Some countries, in order to complete the visa process, require evidence of recent vaccinations. With the decrease of certain diseases over the last few decades, particularly in the U.S., many parents have opted to forego some of the traditional vaccinations. What is required differs from country to country, so, once your travel itinerary is firmed up, check those needed for your trip.
If you elect to use a travel agent to assist your planning, they will often have complete lists of required documentation and medical certificates. They often know them from memory - a sign of an experienced travel agent! They can provide you with cost options, destinations, recommendations of cruise lines and specific trips. You may or may not get the least expensive trip that way, but you'll be saving yourself much time and possibly many headaches.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Cruises - Winter Cruise Options
Had enough of the snow? Ready to get warm again, but the season isn't cooperating? You don't have to wait - you can take a cruise!
People who live in the Northern Hemisphere, especially parts of the U.S., tend to forget that there are lots of spots around the globe that are warm from October to May... and some all year round. That's good news for those eager for a cruise. You have lots of options.
There's a truly interesting cruise down the Nile, near Luxor, Egypt. Six nights to visit everything from the Aswan Dam to the Temple of Luxor and everything in between. Some of the ships used are much smaller than the usual mega-ship and have their own special charm.
Try the Oberoi Shehrazad, which sleeps 80 in twin-bed cabins. Despite the small size, there's a library on board and a sun deck and pool.
The Virgin Islands continue to be a popular destination. There are a dozen islands to explore from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke. On the pricey side, but the package often includes scuba diving and snorkeling around the reefs as part of the deal.
There are voyages on the mega-ships, but the SV Flying Cloud is a superior adventure. It sleeps 66, with a crew of only 28, and was built as a spy ship in the 1930s. That makes for a truly fascinating voyage you can write home about while sipping a Bloody Mary.
Maybe you're interested in a little taste of the Orient? There's a winter cruise to Thailand and Malaysia with 7-night voyages from Phuket. You'll see many of the exotic islands of the area such as Phi Phi and Ko Khai Nok. You'll also find a lot to do while you're there. Phi Phi has great diving, and just to walk around it is thrilling.
The Star Flyer carries 170 passengers and has a crew of 70. That's a ratio you don't see on the mega-ships. With large teak decks and two swimming pools, it's a delightful environment. There's even an Edwardian-style library so you can sit back and imagine you are a king or queen.
If you're interested in where Charles Darwin got some of his data for the theory of evolution, or just want to visit Ecuador, there's a cruise just for you. On this three-week voyage you can canoe up the Amazon and see some of the islands, including Santa Cruz and Genovesa. The Alta takes only 16 passengers plus a crew of eight, so the atmosphere is intimate, but each cabin has a private shower.
Finally, if you just can't get enough of snow and cold, there are even voyages to and around Scandinavia in the winter. Though some areas are blocked by ice, you will still find plenty of beautiful scenery, if snow covered land is what you like.
On the way, you may well see some killer whales near the Lofoten Islands. Or, you can go where you're only a few hundred miles from the North Pole. To each his own!
Check out a winter cruise and you'll discover that prices are often much better and the ships much less crowded than other voyages.
People who live in the Northern Hemisphere, especially parts of the U.S., tend to forget that there are lots of spots around the globe that are warm from October to May... and some all year round. That's good news for those eager for a cruise. You have lots of options.
There's a truly interesting cruise down the Nile, near Luxor, Egypt. Six nights to visit everything from the Aswan Dam to the Temple of Luxor and everything in between. Some of the ships used are much smaller than the usual mega-ship and have their own special charm.
Try the Oberoi Shehrazad, which sleeps 80 in twin-bed cabins. Despite the small size, there's a library on board and a sun deck and pool.
The Virgin Islands continue to be a popular destination. There are a dozen islands to explore from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke. On the pricey side, but the package often includes scuba diving and snorkeling around the reefs as part of the deal.
There are voyages on the mega-ships, but the SV Flying Cloud is a superior adventure. It sleeps 66, with a crew of only 28, and was built as a spy ship in the 1930s. That makes for a truly fascinating voyage you can write home about while sipping a Bloody Mary.
Maybe you're interested in a little taste of the Orient? There's a winter cruise to Thailand and Malaysia with 7-night voyages from Phuket. You'll see many of the exotic islands of the area such as Phi Phi and Ko Khai Nok. You'll also find a lot to do while you're there. Phi Phi has great diving, and just to walk around it is thrilling.
The Star Flyer carries 170 passengers and has a crew of 70. That's a ratio you don't see on the mega-ships. With large teak decks and two swimming pools, it's a delightful environment. There's even an Edwardian-style library so you can sit back and imagine you are a king or queen.
If you're interested in where Charles Darwin got some of his data for the theory of evolution, or just want to visit Ecuador, there's a cruise just for you. On this three-week voyage you can canoe up the Amazon and see some of the islands, including Santa Cruz and Genovesa. The Alta takes only 16 passengers plus a crew of eight, so the atmosphere is intimate, but each cabin has a private shower.
Finally, if you just can't get enough of snow and cold, there are even voyages to and around Scandinavia in the winter. Though some areas are blocked by ice, you will still find plenty of beautiful scenery, if snow covered land is what you like.
On the way, you may well see some killer whales near the Lofoten Islands. Or, you can go where you're only a few hundred miles from the North Pole. To each his own!
Check out a winter cruise and you'll discover that prices are often much better and the ships much less crowded than other voyages.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Four Day Cruises
Often, one day just isn't enough to sail someplace spectacular. It can be too short to truly unwind and enjoy the experience. Just getting unpacked and getting familiar with the ship can take a day. Enter four-day cruises.
Carnival Cruise lines recently announced they intend to expand their offerings and sail from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada in Mexico on four and five day voyages. That announcement is great news for people who want to take a cruise, but don't have a whole week or two (or more) to do so.
It also means that, with the increase in the number of voyages, there will be more options. Demand is already heavy, but having the option to take off for a four-day weekend holiday aboard a ship is a great thing.
Even if travelers don't live in California (and many do), they can take an early flight and still make it on board for one of these outstanding trips. San Diego has a large, international airport that is not far from the dock.
Sailing from Thursday to Monday makes it possible to make the work week go really quickly, at half-length. It's also plenty of time to see the ship, enjoy many of the onboard activities and have an excursion on shore. You'll have plenty of time to relax and still get around the beach and town for shopping and sightseeing.
Because of the weather, the cruises can operate all year round. That provides several benefits. Not only can they accommodate those winter-weary travelers from the mid-West or the East Coast, but also anyone who wants to get away any time of the year. It also helps smooth out sailing schedules, since peak season isn't squeezed into just July and August.
The newest ship, the Elation, is 855-feet and offers a stunning array of amenities. Everything from a 12,000 square foot health club to 12 lounges and bars compete for a traveler's attention. With that mix, you can gain some weight with great drinks, then work off the pounds and guilt the next day.
The ship has a jogging track, an Internet cafe and (as many do these days) ship-wide WiFi facilities for those who just can't leave the computer at home. Shopping is ample. With three swimming pools and a waterslide, kids will have plenty of fun, too.
With some great food options, including three restaurants with elegant dining rooms and a 700-seat poolside eatery that offers pizza and ice cream, there's something for everyone. There's a patisserie and, of course, complementary room service. Those who think that cruising is mostly about eating may just have something.
Plan to make your next long weekend a cruise vacation.
Carnival Cruise lines recently announced they intend to expand their offerings and sail from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada in Mexico on four and five day voyages. That announcement is great news for people who want to take a cruise, but don't have a whole week or two (or more) to do so.
It also means that, with the increase in the number of voyages, there will be more options. Demand is already heavy, but having the option to take off for a four-day weekend holiday aboard a ship is a great thing.
Even if travelers don't live in California (and many do), they can take an early flight and still make it on board for one of these outstanding trips. San Diego has a large, international airport that is not far from the dock.
Sailing from Thursday to Monday makes it possible to make the work week go really quickly, at half-length. It's also plenty of time to see the ship, enjoy many of the onboard activities and have an excursion on shore. You'll have plenty of time to relax and still get around the beach and town for shopping and sightseeing.
Because of the weather, the cruises can operate all year round. That provides several benefits. Not only can they accommodate those winter-weary travelers from the mid-West or the East Coast, but also anyone who wants to get away any time of the year. It also helps smooth out sailing schedules, since peak season isn't squeezed into just July and August.
The newest ship, the Elation, is 855-feet and offers a stunning array of amenities. Everything from a 12,000 square foot health club to 12 lounges and bars compete for a traveler's attention. With that mix, you can gain some weight with great drinks, then work off the pounds and guilt the next day.
The ship has a jogging track, an Internet cafe and (as many do these days) ship-wide WiFi facilities for those who just can't leave the computer at home. Shopping is ample. With three swimming pools and a waterslide, kids will have plenty of fun, too.
With some great food options, including three restaurants with elegant dining rooms and a 700-seat poolside eatery that offers pizza and ice cream, there's something for everyone. There's a patisserie and, of course, complementary room service. Those who think that cruising is mostly about eating may just have something.
Plan to make your next long weekend a cruise vacation.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Royal Caribbean International
In business for 40 years, RCI offers a wide variety of voyages on some of the finest ships in the business.
Headquartered in Miami, Florida, but with origins in Norway, they have been sailing to the Caribbean for decades and know just how to please their guests. All of the famed sailing experience and hospitality of the Norwegians has been imported to America to offer the best vacations possible to points around the globe.
Twenty years ago, they went so far as to purchase coastal property in Haiti to provide travelers with a land stop in that exotic country. It provides a respite from sea travel and a chance to get solid earth under your feet after a delightful voyage. They have another private stopover in the Bahamas that is equally terrific.
But don't worry about the need to reach land. The RCI ships are smooth as silk on the sea. The company has some of the largest vessels afloat and the gas turbine engines keep vibrations to a minimum. Most of the time unless you look outside, you hardly know you are not on land.
As long as 10 years ago they already had a 130,000 tons ship - the size Carnival is just now deploying. Priding itself on offering the finest amenities aboard the largest ships, RCI continues the tradition with even larger ones scheduled to leave the Aker Finnyards docks of Finland over the next few years.
The future ships are being designed to hold 6,400 passengers and weigh in at 220,000 tons. These billion dollar babies offer the latest in cruising technology for both the crew and guests. Even the much smaller (158,000 tons/3,600 passengers) ships are about the size of the famed Queen Mary II from Cunard.
The choices go well beyond just size. Whether you want Vegas-style entertainment, or some Latin music, or just a great piano bar, RCI has something for you. There are voyages that have street performers and parades on board, too! The trips aren't limited to the Caribbean, either. RCI has cruises to Alaska, the Mexican Riviera and several European destinations. Soon the company will expand its offerings by sailing to and around Australia and New Zealand, as well.
If you're interested in a family style cruise, check out one of the shorter, up-to-7-day voyages. If you're looking to mingle with an older crowd, look into one of the longer trips. You will have lots to choose from among RCI's 50 different options.
RCI just keeps getting better and better.
Headquartered in Miami, Florida, but with origins in Norway, they have been sailing to the Caribbean for decades and know just how to please their guests. All of the famed sailing experience and hospitality of the Norwegians has been imported to America to offer the best vacations possible to points around the globe.
Twenty years ago, they went so far as to purchase coastal property in Haiti to provide travelers with a land stop in that exotic country. It provides a respite from sea travel and a chance to get solid earth under your feet after a delightful voyage. They have another private stopover in the Bahamas that is equally terrific.
But don't worry about the need to reach land. The RCI ships are smooth as silk on the sea. The company has some of the largest vessels afloat and the gas turbine engines keep vibrations to a minimum. Most of the time unless you look outside, you hardly know you are not on land.
As long as 10 years ago they already had a 130,000 tons ship - the size Carnival is just now deploying. Priding itself on offering the finest amenities aboard the largest ships, RCI continues the tradition with even larger ones scheduled to leave the Aker Finnyards docks of Finland over the next few years.
The future ships are being designed to hold 6,400 passengers and weigh in at 220,000 tons. These billion dollar babies offer the latest in cruising technology for both the crew and guests. Even the much smaller (158,000 tons/3,600 passengers) ships are about the size of the famed Queen Mary II from Cunard.
The choices go well beyond just size. Whether you want Vegas-style entertainment, or some Latin music, or just a great piano bar, RCI has something for you. There are voyages that have street performers and parades on board, too! The trips aren't limited to the Caribbean, either. RCI has cruises to Alaska, the Mexican Riviera and several European destinations. Soon the company will expand its offerings by sailing to and around Australia and New Zealand, as well.
If you're interested in a family style cruise, check out one of the shorter, up-to-7-day voyages. If you're looking to mingle with an older crowd, look into one of the longer trips. You will have lots to choose from among RCI's 50 different options.
RCI just keeps getting better and better.
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