The Cheap Cruise

Selecting a Cruise Line: What to Consider and Where to Look

In the United States and all around the world, cruises are a popular vacation choice. Instead of visiting a beach, an amusement park, or going camping, more individuals are making the decision to book a cruise. If you are interested in vacationing aboard a cruise ship, there are a number of decisions that you will have to make. One of those decisions includes finding a cruise line to vacation on.

Selecting a cruise line to vacation on may seem like a fairly easy decision, but for many it is not. There are a large number of cruise lines currently operating vacation cruises. These cruise lines often operate all around the world. To find the perfect cruise line to vacation with, you are encouraged to research and fully examine all of your choices. This includes examining well-known and lesser known cruise lines.

If you have internet access and a television it is likely that you have heard of Carnival Cruise Lines before. Carnival Cruise Lines are one of the most well-known cruise lines in the world. Carnival Cruise Lines operate cruises in the Untied States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. They are most well-known for their family fun ships. With over twenty cruise ships available, you are sure to find the cruise ship of your dreams.

In addition to Carnival Cruise Lines, it is likely that you have heard of Royal Caribbean International before. Royal Caribbean International services the Untied States, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean is most known for their onboard cruise ship activities. Many of the activities offered onboard some of their cruise ships, such as simulated surfing, are not available on any other cruise lines.

As previously mentioned, you are encouraged to examine cruise lines that may not be as well known as the two mentioned above. If you are interested in booking a romantic cruise ship vacation, you may want to examine Windstar Cruises. Windstar Cruises is a cruise line that offers cruises aboard three ships. While the cruise line may not be well-known, the services and onboard activities they offer will forever remain in your heart. Additional cruise lines that are often considered well-kept secrets include, Costa Cruises, the Seaborn Cruise Line, and Silversea cruises.

When examining each cruise ship line, you are encouraged to view the companys online websites. These online websites are a source of valuable information. In addition to learning about onboard cruise ship activities, you can often take a virtual tour of each ship. A virtual tour will give you an idea as to what you should expect from a particular cruise ship. If you do not have internet access, similar information can be obtained by speaking to a cruise line representative.

Selecting a cruise line to vacation with is almost important as the cruise ship itself. You are encouraged to review feedback from previous customers. This feedback can easily be obtained online. You should also examine the cost of vacationing with a particular cruise line. You will see that a number of cruise lines charger higher prices for their cruises. Your ability to afford a these fees should be close examined.

Taking the time to research each cruise line is the best way to make an informed decision. You are encouraged to take what you learned and apply it to want you want and need out of a vacation. Doing so will ensure that you book a cruise with the cruise line that can provide you with want you want.

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Say you want to scuba dive but your significant other is not a diver and would rather do other activities like shopping. If you both decided to go on a Caribbean cruise vacation, is it still possible for you to go scuba diving? The answer is yes. This will be a big relief to all certified scuba divers who are going on cruises with itineraries that include such great scuba dive destinations as Cozumel and Grand Cayman. After all, as certified scuba divers, it would be a shame to go to these ports and not dive.

Many cruise ships offer scuba diving as part of their available shore excursions. Some ships even have small dive centers on board for those who want to take introductory sessions in the ship pools. These cruise lines will often have business contracts with local dive operators at each port that has scuba diving. These local dive operators will take certified scuba divers on boat trips on behalf of the cruise lines. Booking and payment will be through the cruise ships rather than the local dive operators. The cruise lines claim that if for any reason the scuba trips run late, the cruise ships will not leave port until all passengers from these cruise ship organized excursions are back on board. They wont wait around for passengers who decide to take their own excursions not booked through the cruise ship. This is how the cruise ships try to convince divers to take their excursions even if the cost is usually at a premium compared to what local dive operators would normally charge directly.

Another way to get some scuba diving in during a cruise vacation is to make arrangements and book in advance with local scuba dive operators at each port you are interested in diving at. Although there is always some risk in missing your port departure if your own outing runs late, just make sure you plan your own dive trips so that you are back on the ship well in advance of port departure. Usually if your cruise ship arrives at port early in the morning, you could book the morning dive trips with the local operator and still have the rest of the afternoon to shop or do other sightseeing. For later arrivals where you would miss the morning dive trips, it is still possible to take the local operators afternoon dive trips but in this case, it is very important to make sure that you confirm what the estimated time of return to the docks are. If you can return to the docks at least two hours before the cruise ships scheduled time of departure, than you will have ample time even if the dive boat returns a bit late. It its only an hour or less, the timing may be too tight. See if the dive operator has a shorter single tank afternoon trip which might get you back to the docks earlier.

Some local dive operators even have special pick up and drop off services to and from the cruise ship terminals to their dive shops. These dive businesses are obviously making an effort to take some dive business away from the cruise ship organized excursions. These particular local dive operators would be ideal if you could find them before your cruise vacation. Otherwise, you may have to take a local taxi to the dive shop if it is not within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal. Of course, this is usually not a problem either and even with the added cost of taxis, the overall cost of going with a local dive operator may still be lower than the cruise ship organized dive excursion.

Some cruise ship passengers have successfully gotten on local dive trips without any advance booking. These divers just walked into a local dive operator once at port. Although this is certainly feasible, it is not recommended especially in a destination that fills dive trips up quickly. With the internet, it is quite easy to make arrangements with many local dive operators in advance of your cruise vacation. Tell them which day your cruise ship will be coming in and the expected time of both arrival as well as departure. Some ports like Cozumel have more than one cruise ship terminal so its important to let them know if possible which one your ship will be docked in. They will then give you your best options for some scuba diving for that particular day.

When it comes to cruise ship safety, there are many individuals who are concerned with their physical safety. Physically staying safe aboard a cruise ship is important, but so is staying healthy. Due to a large number of individuals in a fairly small space, cruise ships have a number of health concerns.

The health problems and concerns found on cruise ships are often highly publicized. Despite this publicity, most cruise ships are fun, safe, and clean. Being concerned with your health aboard a cruise ship is one thing, but you should not let it prevent you from enjoying your vacation. Rather than letting the fear of getting sick ruin your vacation, you should take a few simple steps to ensure that your health will be the same as, if not better, when you first boarded.

Before your cruise ship is scheduled to set sail, you are urged to schedule a visit with your family physician. Be sure to inform him or her that you are planning a vacation aboard a cruise ship. Your physician will likely check your health to make sure you are fit for travel. In addition to examining your general health, it is possible that your physician may require a number of immunizations. These immunizations may offer you extra protection; therefore, you are urged to obtain them.

If you are taking multiple medications at the time of your cruise, you will want to make sure that you have an adequate supply. If you are running low on your medication, you may want to obtain a refill before you leave for your cruise. It is also likely that your doctor may request that you bring along extra medication. This request is often made to individuals who must take their medications to survive. In the event that you misplace your medication, you will have an extra supply to fall back on.

Taking health precautions before you board the cruise ship is important. However, it is also important to take precautionary measures after you board. These measures are simple; however, they may be vital to your health. One of the first things that you should do is familiarize yourself with the layout of your ship. Determining whether or not there is a doctor onboard and where they are located is important.

Since germs and illnesses spread easily aboard cruise ships, you will need to protect yourself. This protection involves washing your hands on a regular basis. When most individuals are at home, they wash their hands after completing certain activities. In addition to eating and using the restrooms, you should wash your hands after using all public facilities. If you find it difficult to wash your hands regularly, you may want to obtain a package of disinfecting wipes. If used properly, disinfecting wipes can be just as effective as soap and water.

Cruise ships are popular for their relaxing atmosphere. This relaxation may include lounging. When lounging or taking a stroll, it is advised that you keep your shoes on at all times. As previously mentioned germs can easily spread aboard a cruise ship. Keeping your feet covered at all times will not only protect you from contagious illnesses, but it will prevent you from stepping on harmful objects.

In addition to cruising along water, most cruise ships dock in a port. It is likely that you will be visiting a foreign country. In the event that you end up on foreign land, it is important that you carefully monitor what you eat and drink. If you notice drinking advisories, you are urged to follow them. Instead of drinking tap water, you may want to opt for bottled water or another bottled beverage. Many individuals are concerned only with the drinking water, but you should also be concerned with ice cubes and water in uncooked foods.

As you can see, the above mentioned precautionary measures are simple and easy to follow. Why put yourself at risk for illness; especially when it requires little or no effort to keep your health in good standing.

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You are about to take voyage aboard one of the most beautiful and celebrated Cruise Lines in the world, the Disney Cruise Line. Disney is known for their legendary service, stunning decor and wonderful activities suited for the whole family. That is why the Disney Cruise line is considered to be the best for families. As a result, many first time Cruisers are drawn to the Disney Line.

Some first time Cruisers worry that they wont fit in with the wealthy cruisers. Well there is no need to worry, Disney is known for their casual family atmosphere. Disney has taken all the needs of the first timer in mind, so relax, and have fun!

What is included in your Disney Cruise?
Cruise fares, onboard accommodations, meals, entertainment, and activities are all included. There are a number of expenses that are not covered however. Airfare to your port of embarkation and debarkation is usually not covered. As well as, hotel stays before and after your Cruise. Gratuities, taxes, and trip insurance are extra as well. Dont forget to plan for your shore excursions, alcohol, laundry, telephone calls, beauty and spa services and babysitting. They are all going to cost you more money, so be prepared. At one time, Cruising was reserved for the affluent. However, today Cruising has become much more affordable.

Here are some of the ways to save money on a Disney Cruise:

Book your Cruise early
Booking up to 18 months in advance could save you anywhere from $30 to $890 per stateroom.

Promotions and Discount
Disney has offered off-season discounts in the past. (From February-May and September to December). These discounts have been up to 40%. To learn more about Disney promotions and discounts visit MouseSavers and TheMouseforless.

Call a Travel Agent
Travel Agents are good at finding the best deal. Some Travel agents are able to book blocks of staterooms in advance, locking in discounts for you for you to grab later on.

Save with Onboard Booking
When you book your next Cruise onboard your Cruise ship, you can receive special pricing.

Florida Residents
Florida residents may qualify for 50% off discounts on selected Cruises. Call the official Disney Cruise Line phone number or visit disneycruise.com.

There are also special rates for special people
Infants and kids under 12, AAA and Costco members, the Disney vacations club, annual Passholders, Canadian residents, Military personnel and repeat Cruisers all may receive special discounts.
For more information, and to receive the free booklet and video/DVD, contact the Disney Cruise Line.

Enjoy your Dream Disney Cruise!

Introduction – Today it was announced that Panama is opening a new cruise ship port and terminal in Colon on the Atlantic side. The port will open in Dec. 2008. At the present time there is a cruise terminal in Colon to receive ships for a day stop only. Ships generally not passing through the canal will stop at Colon disembarking passengers for tours, shopping trips etc. The ships will generally pull in during the morning and leave at dinnertime. Colon is the second largest duty free zone in the world second to Hong Kong. It is simple for one to take a tour from Colon to the Panama Canal.

Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas – Royal Caribbean has announced that it will be deploying one of its modern ships by the name of Enchantment of the Seas. This cruise ship is 80,000 tons and was built in 1997 and refurbished in 1999 and again in 2005. It is not a flag ship of the line, yet still quite a respectable cruise liner. The boat was stretched out when refurbished in 2005 and is now 990 feet long, roughly as long as an aircraft carrier. The ship carries 2446 passengers and has a crew of 760. There are 6 hot tubs, three swimming pools, a rock climbing wall, spa, gym, full beauty salon, jogging track, and of course it has a rock-climbing wall. How can you cruise without a rock-climbing wall? There is a casino, 10 bars, and the ship has 11 decks extending above the water. This is no slouch of a boat. The itinerary of the boat will be Columbia, Aruba and Curacao with 17 such one-week cruises planned during the first season.

Discussion – Okay so now Panama is going to become a cruise port. The major ports in the general region, broadly speaking, are Miami, and Ft. Lauderdale. Many people in Central and South America have difficulty getting visas to go to America. To take a cruise starting or terminating in the USA one must obtain a visa to go to the USA unless they are able to travel to the country without a visa. Most of the countries are not this way with Argentina being the exception.

The visa process involves waking up early in the morning to go stand online at the USA Embassy waiting to go in for an interview. Numerous documents are required, reasons for the trip, why you are not a risk for overstaying the visa etc. There are fees involved, which are about $165 a person. Many people do not wish to go through this process. Many others are willing to go through the process but are unable to get the visa for various reasons.

Additionally people have been complaining about the treatment they get from USA immigration being unpleasant when they arrive and depart America. This has been hurting the cruise industry in the USA in a big way. Check cruise prices and it is common to see discounts of 50% most of the time from the USA ports of departure. This will give the cruise companies a chance to recover a market they have been missing out on in recent years which is the Central and South American market. It will also give Panama a chance to gain some tourism dollars. People taking cruises frequently come in a day or two before the cruise and stay a day or two after the cruise to see the local attractions.

The word we got was that the other cruise lines would follow suit and begin originating cruises from Panama as well. One could expect to see a bustling cruise port like Miami in the near future is what we were told to expect. We welcome the cruise industry and see it as having a positive effect.

Remember this port is not designed to attract the USA tourist dollar. While some USA tourists will come here the overwhelming majority of the cruisers will be from Central and South America. It is cheaper and easier for the USA resident to take a cruise departing from: Los Angeles, New Orleans, Houston, Tampa, New York, Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or Puerto Rico. This is not going to give the USA some sort of leverage to use on Panama to get them to do what they want like weaken banking laws etc. If the Caymans Islands or the Bahamas did not comply with the USA regarding bank or corporate laws the USA could make like very difficult for anyone cruising to these destinations with lots of searching, long delays clearing customs and immigration etc. Places like the Caymans and Bahamas have heavy cruise and tourism industries that provide many more jobs than the banking industry. If you have ever been to the Caymans not many locals work in the banking sector. The new cruise port in Panama has no applicability to the USA since the passengers will not be subject to USA immigration and customs since the cruise boat will not be originating, terminating or traveling to the USA and the passengers will by and large not be Americans.

We are expecting to see a lot of South and Central American destinations like Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Aruba, Curacao, and Columbia. On longer cruises of 10 days or longer the cruise ships could travel to some of the popular Caribbean destinations like Nassau, Caymans, and Jamaica etc. Panama has very wisely chosen to go after the Central and South American tourism market. Is there going to be a Disney Amusement Park in Panama? Stay tuned.

New York Rivals Florida As Favorite Homeport for Cruise Lines

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, New York is a sought after vacation spot in its own right. In recent years, however, cruise lines have discovered the benefits – for their guests and themselves – of calling New York home.

Norwegian Cruise Line was one of the first cruise lines to temporarily homeport a ship (the Norwegian Dawn) in New York during winter. According to Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Executive Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Passenger Services, docking in New York started as a result of travel agent requests. What was then considered a wild card location soon became the permanent residence of the Dawn in 2003. What has resulted is a small fleet of ships from varying cruise lines that have chosen to move several of their vessels further up the Eastern Seaboard.

The Queen Mary 2 followed suit when it named New York as homeport on April 22, 2004. This distinctive vessel was received amid a huge fanfare including a Mayoral welcome complete with a U.S. Coastguard and Fire Department of New York escort. Bands, dignitaries and hordes of people attended the festivities.

Holland America has announced New York to be the homeport of its cruise ship, the Noordam, which will take up residence February 22, 2006. Norwegian moved the Spirit from Florida to her new home in New York, making a total of two year-round vessels in that port. Most recently, however, Princess Cruise Line joined the lineup with the positioning of their newest fleet member, Crown Princess, in New York starting June 14, 2006. But why move? And why to New York?

Ports in Florida have become almost full while cruise lines are continuing to build ships to add to their fleets. This supply and demand dilemma has all but forced cruise lines to look for alternative avenues of serving guests while maintaining costs. At the same time, cruise lines need to be able to continue providing viable access for vacationers to the most popular ports of call. Because of New York’s central location and popularity, it offers local attractions equal to or better than those of Florida. With three airports – JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International – New York also provides more accessible travel accommodations for those flying in to meet their ship.

Vacationers benefit with exciting pre- or post-cruise holidays in a town that literally offers everything imaginable. From five-star, celebrity-owned restaurants to entertainment that sets a worldwide standard to a shopping experience unmatched in any other city, New York has a heavy draw with cruisers. Plus the presence of nearby hotels that fit every budget makes finding and booking accommodations simple.

Cruise lines appreciate the fact that they can now offer departures from a second desirable location. Plus, because of New York’s proximity, cruise lines are still able to offer competitively priced packages to the most popular destinations including the Caribbean and Mexico while, at the same time, offering added flexibility for their guests.

Have you thought about the destination for your next cruise?

Could it be the Caribbean which many cruise ships cruise around. Where will you visit? How about Belize, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grand Antigua, Cayman, South Carolina, Martinique, Barbados, St. Lucia, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, the Bahamas or Mexico. These are all destinations from cruises setting out from places such as Fort Lauderdale.

You could try a cruise in the Mediterranean calling at such destinations such as, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal and other Mediterranean countries. When visiting Gibraltar you must check out the Rock but look out for the Apes. These are known as the Barbary Apes and they want you to feed them. I have seen people being attacked by the apes in their search for food. It can be very scary if it is you being attacked but very funny if you are watching it. If it happens to you just let go of the food and the Apes will leave you alone. Its the food they are after.

There are other places to cruise in Europe such as Norway, cruising up the coast and fiords visiting isolated communities in the deep-sea valleys on the west coast of Norway. The scenery is dramatic and by cruising above the artic circle you can experience the land of the midnight sun. This sun never sets in summertime but in wintertime it never rises. Because of this you need to make sure you only cruise this area in the summer. Just as much fun as Norway is Alaska where you can get just as dramatic scenery and it is just as much fun.

Some cruise ships in the US spend the winter months cruising the Caribbean and the summer months cruising the West coast of Alaska. These ships need to reposition themselves during the fall and springtime and do this through the Panama Canal. These cruises are highly recommended due to the unique experience of the Panama Canal. The US completed the canal in the early part of the last century although the canal was started by the French. The canal starts at the Gatun locks at the Atlantic side of Panama and travels to the Pacific side which lowers ships over 50 feet in the series of Miraflores Locks. The Panama Canal is one of the wonders of the engineering world.

Cruises do not just take place on the sea though and you could try cruising the rivers of the world. How about the great Mississippi river from New Orleans to Little Rock, St Louis or Pittsburg. Companies also run theme cruises covering themes such as the Civil War, Steamboat racing and special Fall cruises.

You could also try Europe and cruise on the river Rhine, Elbe, Danube, Seine or Rhone rivers to name just a few, or you could try your hand at captaining your own boat on the canal systems in France or the UK. Dont forget further to the east of Europe there are many other countries offering river cruises. There are also rivers such as the Nile and Amazon as well. Whatever you choose to do, just enjoy yourselves.

How to get the Best Rates on a Carnival Cruise

This is our latest installment on helping clients find the best rates on any Carnival cruise. As one of the industrys leading online Cruise Specialists, we have put together some of easiest ways to ensure you will get the best rates on your next Carnival cruise!

First, pick a cruise specialist. Using a specialist will eliminate the uncertainty associated with using a travel agent in that a specialist knows the inner workings of the cruise line in regards to best travel dates, promotions, ship details, routes etc. When searching for a specialist, whenever possible, talk to them personally. Doing searches on the internet these days is leaving too much to chance. Everyone and their mother is selling cruises today and you want to make sure that the specialist you are buying from has actually been on a cruise! Makes sense, right? When choosing your specialist, find out if you will be taken care exclusively by the specialist through the entire booking process and not become just a number after you book. You are spending too much money to become a statistic! How do you know that you are receiving the best possible rate? Simple, call the cruise line directly and compare your rate. Make sure your rate includes all port charges and taxes. If you look close, 95% of so-called bargains on the internet are not bargains at all-you can get the same rate by dealing with the cruise line directly. Beware of outrageous internet claims-75% off your cruise!, Buy one get one free!, Free Air. Youve heard it before, if it sounds too good to be true There are literally thousands of garbage promotion hooks. That doesnt mean there are not honest promotions out there. You can usually tell the difference by how they are presented. More to come!

Each year, thousands of couples make the decision to get married. If you are planning on becoming one of those individuals, then it is likely that you and your new spouse will plan a honeymoon. When it comes to selecting a honeymoon destination, you have a number of options to choose from.

Honeymoons are often thought of as vacations. In a way, the only difference between a family vacation and a honeymoon is romance and the lack of children. Honeymoons are supposed to a fun, exciting, memorable, but private time. Instead of vacationing with the whole family, a honeymoon often only involves the bride and groom.

As previously mentioned, you have a number of different options when it comes to planning your honeymoon. Many newlyweds schedule their honeymoons at popular beaches, ski resorts, or other secluded areas. Did you know that you can also have a honeymoon aboard a cruise ship? Cruise ships are increasing in popularity, but still many individuals do not consider them as a vacation option.

One of the reasons why cruise ships are rarely thought about when selecting a vacation destination, let alone a honeymoon, is because of their cost. It is no secret that cruise ship tickets are expensive, but this cost should not prevent you from having the perfect honeymoon to go along with the wedding of your dreams. If you are concerned with the cost, you may want to try obtaining discount cruise ship tickets.

Most discount cruise ship tickets can easily be found online or with the assistance of a travel agent. Discount cruise ship tickets are nice, but they are often hard to come by. Discount cruise tickets are sought after by many newlyweds and other vacationers. If by chance you do come across discounted tickets, you are urged to purchase them while you still have the chance.

Even if you must pay full price for the cruise of your dreams, it is likely that you will still receive a good deal. Despite the large cost of tickets, it is important to examine the activities available onboard and the length of the cruise. The longer the cruise and the more services available, the more expensive tickets are likely to be. If you take the time to figure out all the services that are included and the cost of overnight accommodations, you may see that cruises arent all that expensive after all.

Once you have made the decision to spend your honeymoon aboard a cruise ship, you will have to book reservations. As mentioned above, if you are looking to save money on your honeymoon, you are encouraged to search for discounted cruise ship tickets. If money is not an option, you may want to search for cruise ships that have romantic settings and romantic destinations.

When examining cruise ship destinations, you may want to take into consideration the possibility for romance at each destination. Since your honeymoon is supposed to be a romantic and relaxing time, you will want to select an environment that will keep those feelings alive. Cruise ship destinations are located all around the world. Popular destinations include Alaska, Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico. To find the perfect honeymoon cruise, you are encouraged to select a cruise that offers stops at destinations of your choice.

In addition to taking cruise ship destinations into consideration, you are also encouraged to examine the type of cruise that you wish to set sail on. Multiple cruise lines have ships that are targeted to specific groups of individuals. These cruises often include cruises for adventure lovers, the whole family, or couples. As a couple, you should be welcome on any cruise. If you are looking for a private, romantic, and intimate setting, you may want to avoided cruises that are targeted for family vacations.

Before booking your honeymoon trip on a particular cruise ship, you are urged to examine want you want and need out of your trip. Doing so will enable you to select the perfect cruise ship for you and your new spouse.

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Taking the advice of well-traveled cruisers is the best thing for first time cruise passengers to do. After all, why not learn from someone elses mistakes or mishaps? Of course, you will still have a few of your own, but that is what makes your first cruising experience memorable.

Youve got your cruise booked and are counting the days until you set sail. However, there are a few things for you to do before you even start to think about packing. Check with the cruise line to see what vaccinations, if any, are needed for your journey. Youll have to make a trip to your doctor to get current on any shots.

While you are at the doctor, ask them about tips on staying healthy and avoiding the flu or colds before you depart for your cruise. It is no fun having to travel sick or canceling all together. Also ask about seasickness remedies. Some of these medications are prescription only.

Stock up on any other prescription medications just in case they are scheduled to run out during your trip. Often, insurance companies will make exceptions and allow a prescription to be refilled early if you are traveling with no access to a chain pharmacy. One last thing get a letter from your doctor on official letterhead listing your prescriptions and stating that they were all legitimately prescribed for you. If you have to go through customs, a letter will sometimes keep you from being detained while your medication is inspected.

If you are on a special diet, let the cruise line be aware of this fact when you book your cruise. Most diets are easily accommodated, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. A few weeks before you depart, check in with the cruise line again to go over your reservations and special needs diet.

Pack a small first aid kit for those just in case emergencies. Include antacids and anti-diarrhea medications for those episodes of Montezumas Revenge that seem to strike no matter where you travel. Aspirin, antibiotic cream and aloe vera gel for sunburns also come in handy.

Stow away sunscreen, moisturizer and lip balm in your luggage too. When you are having too much fun outdoors, you tend to forget things like sunburn. Be sure to apply the sunscreen lotion before heading outdoors. Moisturizer and lip balm keep your skin soft. Sometimes the temperature changes from the cold air conditioner to the heat outside can wreak havoc on the skin and dry it out.

In addition to the sunscreen, protect your skin by wearing hats and sunglasses. When you are on the ships deck gazing at the waves, the suns reflection off the water can be pretty bright. The sunglasses will protect you from harmful UV rays from the sun. Of course, the hats will shield you from the suns rays and possible sunburn on your ears and face, two places that people sometimes forget to apply sunscreen lotion.

With the right preparation and precautions, you are well on your way to a healthy and happy first cruise. And when in doubt about something, ask your cruise line. They want to make sure your cruising experience is trouble-free. After all, they want you to sail with them again.