Before you contact a travel agent or book a cruise on line, there are (at least) ten questions you must be prepared to answer. Sit down with your traveling companions and answer these questions, and you'll look more like an experienced cruiser than a first timer!
The Internet has provided all of us travelers with lots of good information to help us plan our cruise. However, often times a travel agent can add value to your cruise planning process.
Travel agents often get this question from prospective cruisers: "I am planning a cruise to ______________ (insert destination) on __________. (insert date traveling). Can you tell me what is available?" Most major cruise lines have Web sites that include itineraries for all of their ships. You might want to do some research on your own before contacting an agent.
Does my husband need a tux? You can find a cruise to match any type of dress you prefer. Many cruise lines have gone to country club casual for most nights on the cruise.
Cruise weddings are growing in popularity, and many cruise lines offer wedding packages for those who would either like to get married on the ship or have a cruise destination wedding.
Tips make up a large part of the wages paid to many cruise ship staff. It's important to understand the tipping policy on your cruise so you can budget accordingly.
Cruise ships have greatly expanded their home ports over the past several years. Unless you live very far away from an ocean, it may be possible to drive to your cruise embarkation port if the tips in the article listed above don't work.
Don't become a cruise crime statistic.
I'm not a travel agent, and I don't work for any of the cruise lines. The link above will provide some information on the pros and cons of working in the cruise industry. In addition, I have collected a list of links that will help you get started in finding that cruise job you've dreamed of. Note that some of these sites charge a fee for materials or information, and none can "guarantee" you a job.
List of links for cruise jobs
