A cruise vacation is always an exciting opportunity to unwind and see places and people that you have never seen before. And in the meantime, you can get away from the regular pace of your normal life. But before setting sail it’s a good idea to know as much as you can about cruising, especially if it’s your first cruise, and so here are some things you should know before you leave on your next cruise vacation:

* Most cruise lines have policies against bringing liquor on board with you. You can certainly buy alcoholic drinks once you are on board, as they are plentiful, but generally they do not allow you to buy alcoholic beverages at ports of call and then bring them with you to drink them on board the ship. Sometimes they will hold a bottle of liquor that you buy for you in safe keeping until the end of the cruise, but just make sure of this policy in advance though.

* Smoking policies vary considerably among the various cruise lines but all do not allow smoking in restaurants on board. They also restrict smoking in some parts of the ship for the benefit of their passengers. For those that wish to enjoy a completely smoke free atmosphere, Carnival does offer such an experience on board the Paradise cruise ship. Otherwise, just check with each cruise line to see how well they accomodate your needs in this area.

* If you are traveling alone, it may be best to look for singles cruises as most standard cruise fares are made for two people occupying the same room. If you are traveling alone then, you are obviously paying quite a bit more for the ticket than is necessary. Many singles cruises also afford an opportunity to meet others of similar interests, so they can be beneficial in many ways.

* You will still be able to stay in touch while cruising as all cruise lines make available phone calls and internet access for those that wish to email. However, expect extra charges for taking advantage of these services.

* If you are going to sail, use the right lingo when you do. Port means left, and starboard is right. The vessel is a ship, not a boat. Aft is the back of the ship and the bow is the front. All flooring is called a deck, not a floor. If you are going to enjoy the adventure, why not use the colorful language too, right?

Cruising on royal carribean cruise lines, carnaval cruises, and disney cruise ships, as well as others, can be a fun adventure for everyone if you understand in advance what requirements are involved. So be sure to read them carefully as supplied by your cruise line and you can have the vacation cruise of your life.

About Author

Jim Johnson

Find out more about royal carribean cruise lines and discount disney cruises by visiting our Vacation Guide website.

We are again embarking on a wonderful cruise holiday aboard one of the Princess Cruises’ ‘Love Boats’.  A couple of years ago, we enjoyed a family vacation aboard the Golden Princess which turned out to be a fabulous vacation for all of us – our grown-up kids and our parents as well.

This time, we are going to board the newest gem in the fleet, Ruby Princess in her debut year.  We had the pleasure of seeing her sister ship’s maiden voyage from her winter home in Ft. Lauderdale Florida.  It was quite interesting to see the fanfare with the fire boats spewing colored water into the air while spinning around and escorting her out of the harbor.

Cruises afford vacation luxury like no other holiday.  You can have a beautiful cabin with your own private balcony or even a luxury suite to rest in.  You will be pampered with impeccable service.  Enjoy fine wines and delectable cuisine.  Fantastic shows will entertain you each evening.  And on the newer Princess cruises, watch ‘Movies Under The Stars’ on the giant outdoor movie screen.

The Ruby Princess offers all of the main amenities that Princess is noted for, plus some new innovations.  These include the dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and performing street entertainers.

The beautiful new ship also includes almost 900 staterooms with balconies.  We especially enjoy this feature as we can unwind in the afternoon before going to dinner with a glass of fine wine relaxing while we watch the sun go down over the water or behind a passing island.

Waking up in the morning, we can go out on to our private balcony and take in the fresh sea air.  Often, I will grab a couple of glasses of juice and cups of coffee so that we can just mellow on our balcony before jumping into the mainstream of daily activities.

One feature of the Princess cruises is the Personal Choice Dining.  We have mixed emotion about this.  It is very nice to be able to go to the dining room whenever it suits you.  However with the fixed dining times, you could be placed at a table with other guests whose company you can enjoy.  With fixed dining as well, you have the same wait staff that are always very entertaining.

I will be posting a revue of the Ruby Princess when we get back so take a look at www.a1-discount-cruises.com, go to the bottom of the home page and you will find the link to the article.  Until then, don’t work too hard!

About Author

Brian A Schmidt

A1-Discount-Cruises.com is your one source for cruise deals and discounts on-line. Remember, the best deals can be found on-line. Visit our Carribean Cruises page for more Caribbean information, ideas and deals. For romantic getaway cruises visit Romantic Getaway Cruises.

Cruise ships are like floating resorts with all the choices fine resorts have to offer. You can be by yourself and lie back in a lounge chair, breathe in the sea air, soak up the sun, read good books, or watch the ever-changing view. Cruise ships are required to follow strict environmental regulations that ensure that treated sewage and wastewater from showers, sinks and kitchen galleys are discharged properly at designated offshore perimeters. In fact, cruise line waste management is so highly regarded that cruise lines are often consulted by state governments on pollution abatement and sewage control. Cruise ships are like floating resorts with all the amenities fine resorts have to offer.

Passengers are invariably assigned to lifeboats or similar survival craft. The total capacity of all the survival craft on board will exceed the total number of persons on the vessel. Passengers become friends; they are never just cabin numbers. Unlike other larger ships, they are proud of the intimate world they offer, where modern-day conveniences sail in harmony with traditional values.

Statistically, cruise ships are safer than hotels and resorts when it comes to fires and violent crime. However, it is in your best interest not to abandon common sense just because you board a cruise ship for a wonderful vacation. Staterooms will receive upgraded soft goods, Shear Butter bathroom amenities from L’Occitane, flat screen TVs and DVD/CD players, and Bose Sound Docks for use with iPods, which can be borrowed at no charge from reception. Wireless connectivity in public areas is promised for all three ships.

Staterooms on many ships are even equipped with televisions. While most ships now have telephones in passenger cabins, you can also call someone on shore through the ship’s radio operator while at sea. Staterooms on all of today’s modern cruise ships are equipped with satellite televisions and in some cases in-cabin internet connections. And, you can make phone calls from most ports.

Everything you’ve heard about cruise ship dining is true. At each meal, you’ll find a varied selection of appetizers, salads, soups, main courses and desserts. Everything you’ve heard about cruise ship dining is true. At each meal, you’ll find a varied selection of entrees (appetizers, salads, soups, vegetables, and desserts, too), and each day the selection will be different.

Often when we plan a vacation, especially online, we’re stuck deciding on a hotel located in a city that we don’t know. The surprises that can come from picking a hotel miles from the center of town, or perched over a noisy highway, can be avoided with simple and basic research. Keep reading for great travel tips that will help you pick a hotel for your next vacation.

First, look at a map of the city that you’re visiting. Try to pinpoint the tourist destinations that you’ll be visiting. By having an approximation of the area and a general idea of your itinerary, you can make a more educated choice about your hotel location. A number of online map resources will also let you search for hotels in the proximity of a certain area. For example, you should be able to search for “hotels” near “The Eiffel Tower.”

The second thing you should do is call the hotel yourself. Don’t always depend on the online descriptions. Pick up the phone and speak with someone, be sure to ask about amenities, what’s included, and what’s available in the surrounding area. You’ll not only get a first-hand look into the hotel, but also an idea of how friendly the staff is.

If you’re unsure about a hotel, try checking the regional guidebooks. Whether you purchase them, browse through them in the bookstore, or check them out of your local library, guidebooks can be a great way to get a first-hand testimonial of a hotel experience, as well as ideas about possible uncovered gems.

Finally, read online reviews and fellow traveler testimonials. These will give you a great insight into the experience, and should help you make your decision.

Remember, planning a vacation is fun, but you should always be diligent.