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Getting Ready For Your First Cruise
by Yanis O'Toole
http://www.yocruise.com

This month, thousands of people will board a cruise ship for
the very first time, and set sail for a vacation they'll
never forget. If you'll be one of them, or if you're still
deciding whether to join the fun, you probably have a lot of
questions about everything from how to pick the right cruise
to what you should bring on board. Here's a list of some of
the most commonly asked questions from first time cruise
passengers.

On the high seas, of course! There are so many variations on
cruise vacations that you're sure to find one that will have
something that makes everyone happy. The many options for
style, destination, activities and ships make it easy to
find one cruise that have all the luxury, games, trips,
shopping and adventure that any family could want - even
when they all want something different. If you're
considering your first cruise, take a few tips from
experienced cruise vacationers to help you get the most out
of your first trip at sea.

Pick a cruise that offers lots of choices. If everyone in
your family has a different idea of fun, an ocean cruise on
a luxury liner could be just the ticket. Ocean going cruise
ships are veritable cities at sea. Each family member can
find activities that they enjoy without interfering with
each other's fun. Most cruise ships will even provide
babysitting service so mom and dad can get away for a
romantic evening or three.

How do I meet other people on a cruise? A better questions
is how do you NOT meet people on a cruise. If you're
traveling alone, let your cruise activity director know. He
or she can direct you to activities with others you'll enjoy
meeting. Mealtimes are one of the best times to meet your
fellow passengers. If you're looking to meet new people and
make friends, ask to be seated at one of the larger tables.
You'll be seated with the same folks for most of your meals,
so it's a great time to make new friends.

Should I buy trip insurance? Most experienced travelers
would say a very emphatic yes. While most people think of
trip insurance as coverage in case you have to cancel your
cruise, policies often cover far more. Each company's
policies vary, but most will offer health and accident
insurance for emergencies that happen overseas, including
the cost of transporting you home if illness or accident
makes it impossible for you to continue the cruise.

When is the best time to take a cruise? It's always a good
time to take a cruise. It just depends on where you want to
go. Some places, like the Caribbean, are great year round.
Others are seasonal. Alaskan cruises are available between
May and September, for instance, and Bermuda between April
and October. If you have a particular destination in mind,
check with your travel agent to be sure of availability.

Your choice of cruise will make a difference in what you
pack as well. The handiest bit of advice for any cruise is
to pack lots of lightweight, casual clothing that you can
layer. There can be wide temperature variations out at sea,
and it's best to be able to easily add or remove layers for
warmth. Dressy clothes? On a river cruise you'll want to
pack at least one semi-formal, dressy dinner outfit. For an
ocean cruise, you'll want more than one. Dressing for dinner
is expected.

Invest in cruise insurance. Cruise insurance will pay the
cost of your cruise if unforseen circumstances cause you to
cancel at the last minute. The price of the premium is a
small expense compared to losing thousands of dollars if a
family emergency forces you to cancel your plans.

Is there a dress code for the ship? Again, it depends on the
ship, but usually you can plan to include lots of casual
clothes, one or two formal outfits and a few informal
dresses/pantsuits for women, a suitcoat for men.

How will you get your souvenirs home? One experienced cruise
passenger always makes a point of tucking an empty oversize
roll or duffel bag into her suitcase. It's just the thing to
hold all the gifts and trinkets she brings home with her.

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