Plan a Cruise
By Linda Garrison, About.com Guide to Cruises
All you need to know about planning your first or next cruise. Information on selecting the right cruise for you, useful tips for first-time cruisers, government and official information, travel insurance, cruising weather, and health concerns.
- Planning a Cruise - General Topics
- Government and Official Information
- Cruise Travel Health and Safety
- Cruise Weather
- Family Cruises
Planning a Cruise - General Topics
Planning a cruise can be a daunting challenge, but if you have made all the required pre-cruise decisions, the rest of the trip will be easy. Once you are on the ship, your room, meals, itinerary, and entertainment are mostly decided, so you can focus on enjoying your cruise vacation!
- Ten Questions to Answer When Planning a Cruise
- Cruise Packing List
- Choosing a Caribbean Cruise Destination
- Planning a European Cruise
- Choosing a Cabin on a Cruise Ship
- Finding a Cruise Special or Cruise Discount
- How to Dress for Success on Your Cruise
- How to Get an Upgrade on Your Cruise Ship Cabin
- Free Things to Do on a Cruise Ship Vacation
- Tipping on Cruise Ships - Cruise Lines' Tipping Policies
- How to Find a Good Travel Agent
- Ten Myths About Cruising
- Cruise Departure and Embarkation Cities
- Cruise Ship and Nautical Term Glossary
- Using TripIt.com to Organize Your Travel Documents Online
Government and Official Information
Travel can be a mind-expanding and life-changing experience. Although sometimes government travel regulations can make travel more complicated, the lasting memories you will bring home from your cruise vacation will often make you forget (or at least lessen) the inconveniences and frustrations of your air connections or lost luggage. This list of government and official information on passports, visas, inspections, travel alerts and more will be useful in planning your first or next cruise vacation.
- How to Get a Passport
- Understanding the Government Inspection Process
- Understanding the Government Customs Process
Cruise Travel Health and Safety
Don't let a fear of illness or poor security keep you from taking a cruise. Use common sense and get informed about cruise health and safety concerns. This section includes health issues including seasickness, Norwalk virus, and food quality and safety issues such as fire and cruise crime.
- Norwalk Virus - Why Do People Get Sick on Cruise Ships?
- Seasickness - How to Avoid, Prevent, and Treat Seasickness
- Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation
- Don't Be a Cruise Crime Statistic
- Don't Let Bad Food Spoil Your Cruise
Cruise Weather
Weather is something we all worry about and talk about when traveling. We can't control the weather, but informed travelers can use the cruise destination weather forecasts for timing their cruise or for planning their cruise clothing.
Since the hurricane-prone Caribbean is the most popular cruise destination, travelers will be glad to learn that a Caribbean cruise ships go to great lengths to avoid Caribbean hurricanes. And, since many choose not to cruise to the Caribbean in the summer or fall, good bargains are often plentiful!
- Cruises and Hurricanes - How to Avoid a Caribbean Hurricane
- Fantastic Fall Cruises - Hurricane Season Equals Good Cruise Bargains
Family Cruises
Cruises make wonderful family vacations. Large cruise ships cater to all ages and many offer interesting and/or educational age-specific children's programs. With over 60 cruise lines and almost 300 cruise ships to choose from, selecting the right cruise line for your family is often difficult. For most families, a large ship offers the greatest variety of activities, but small ships often provide better opportunities for viewing nature and wildlife.
