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.

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.

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.

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.

Long Cruises

If you've got the time, a long sea voyage is a great way to relax, make friends and explore a whole new world. If you don't have the time, you should seriously consider making time. You'll... well, relax, make friends and discover a whole new world. What could be better?

Even a relatively short 'long' cruise can be outstanding. Carnival offers five to seven day voyages from San Diego to Baja Mexico. Some of these are aboard the new Elation, an 855-foot long floating city. Cruise ships used to be like floating hotels. But they've gotten so large and full of things to see and do that the description is no longer adequate.

A longer voyage gives you plenty of time to get familiar with the ship and take excursions to ports of call to explore exotic new cities. On board you'll find a gym, elegant restaurants, swimming pools and tons of musical and theatrical entertainments.

The company even offers a 15-day trip to the Panama Canal. The rates are great for such a long voyage, and the group rates are outstanding. Some packages offer round-trip air fare from several spots around the U.S.

Fifteen days on a cruise is just about the perfect length for those who really want to take their time. You have ample time to relax and get thoroughly familiar with your surroundings. There's plenty of time to sample several of the dozens of things to do on board, or to just do nothing but sleep, eat and read a long book.

On the other side the world there's the 14-day cruise from Athens. You'll get a chance to see a dozen Greek islands, including Mykonos, Naxos and many others. Plenty of sunshine most of the year will have you feeling like you never want to go home.

You'll have time to enjoy the gym onboard or to get your exercise crawling over ancient ruins. You can have a swim in the pool on ship or in the surf near the shore. You can enjoy gambling on a magnificent cruise liner or in one of the small bars that dot the Greek coastline.

With some cruises, it's relatively inexpensive because airfare is not included and you pay for food onboard or feed yourself in town. But you'll find the accommodations comfortable if not luxurious.

For the full cruise experience plan a month long voyage to Europe and back. Or, cut the time in half and take the ship there and a plane back. You'll find dozens of choices with docks in Ireland to Holland to the south of France.

This is the ideal way to discover and enjoy the complete luxury that your grandparents knew in the days the Normandie was sailing from France to New York. You can get an even more comfortable journey than those who sailed the magnificent Queen Mary with many more on-ship entertainment options.

Try a long voyage and you may just find you never want to go home again.