| Cruise vacations have long been seen as the ultimate | | | | sodas may not be included in the cost of your |
| in luxury getaways. However, there are a lot of | | | | vacation and you will be charging your drinks on your |
| misconceptions about what it is like to take a cruise. If | | | | credit card or ship account. Do not be embarrassed to |
| your image of cruises is taken from old episodes of | | | | ask about the cost. You do not want any rude |
| The Love Boat or Titanic, you may be in for a surprise | | | | surprises when you get home. Keep in mind that after |
| once you set foot on the ship. If you are not sure what | | | | you get on the ship you will be invited to a "sail away |
| to expect on a cruise vacation, read on to rid of | | | | party" as your ship pulls away from doc and you kick |
| misconceptions and find out what you can expect on | | | | off what is sure to be an unforgettable vacation. |
| your first cruise experience. | | | | While your all-inclusive cruise vacation will include the |
| Arriving at the Departure Point | | | | cost of your meals and lodging, many excursions will |
| When you arrive at your departure location, you will be | | | | cost extra. Shore trips, bowling, gambling in the casino, |
| required to hand your bags and luggage to a porter. | | | | and even a drink at the bar will incur a charge on your |
| Your luggage will be delivered safely for you to your | | | | ship account. Be sure to figure those expenses into |
| cabin later in the day. It is customary to tip these | | | | your overall cost. Most cruise experts suggest that |
| porters two to three dollars per bag for taking them to | | | | you allow between two hundred to three hundred |
| your room for you. When you arrive at the departure | | | | dollars in extra expenses for each person on a seven |
| location you will be given tags to put on your luggage | | | | day cruise. |
| denoting your room location so that they arrive to the | | | | Your Cabin |
| correct room. | | | | Unless you have booked a suite, your cabin might look |
| Once your bags are checked in and you have gone | | | | very small to you at first glance. However, looks can |
| through security, it will be time for you to check in with | | | | be deceiving. You will find that there is plenty of |
| the cruise. While every cruise line handles check-in | | | | storage for all of your things. Cruise lines have also |
| differently, there are some things you can expect. | | | | worked hard over the past few years to cater to |
| There will be check-in agents who are ready and | | | | traveler comfort. The beds, linens and towels will be |
| easily identifiable at a check-in desk. You will present | | | | comfortable if not downright luxurious. Still, keep in mind |
| your confirmation documentation and a passport, if | | | | that you will be spending most of your time outside of |
| required, to the check-in agent. You will also have to | | | | your cabin. |
| present a credit card on which you want to charge | | | | Dining on a Cruise Vacation |
| your shipboard expenses and purchases. If you prefer | | | | The food is one of the main stars of any cruise |
| to pay cash for those extra expenses on board ship, | | | | vacation. Food will be readily available just about |
| you will be asked to leave a cash deposit of at least | | | | everywhere you go on the ship from the breakfast |
| two hundred and fifty dollars. | | | | served poolside to the midnight buffet complete with |
| Once you have completed the check in process, | | | | gorgeous ice sculptures. Unlike the old movies when |
| which takes about half an hour to forty-five minutes, | | | | dinner in the dining room was the highlight of the day, |
| the check-in agent will hand you your cabin card. The | | | | today's cruises feature all-day buffets at various |
| cabin card is both the key too your cabin and a | | | | restaurants, dining rooms and cafes throughout the |
| "charge card" on which you will charge all extra | | | | ship. |
| purchases while on board the ship. In addition, your | | | | That is not to say that traditional cruise dining no longer |
| cabin card will also serve as identification whenever | | | | exists. Some cruise lines still assign all passengers to a |
| you re-board the ship after a port of call trip. In order | | | | table and a meal time in a main dining room, so be sure |
| to turn your cabin card into an ID card, you will have a | | | | to check with your cruise line to find out what kind of |
| security photo taken before you board the ship. That | | | | dining plans are available. |
| photo will be embedded into your key card so that | | | | Activities |
| boarding attendants can check you in when you return | | | | There are many activities available on a cruise ship |
| to the ship. | | | | everyday. It is easy to miss ones that you would like to |
| On Board the Ship | | | | attend if you do not get an itinerary given by the cruise |
| If you have boarded the ship before 1 p.m., your cabin | | | | staff when you first board. Each evening, the cruise |
| may not yet be ready for you. You will be invited to | | | | ship's crew puts out a daily newsletter that highlights all |
| relax poolside, or be directed to a buffet restaurant or | | | | the activities scheduled for the next day. Be sure to |
| lounge to await the announcement that the cabins are | | | | read it, and keep it handy so that you know what is |
| ready. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages and | | | | going on and how to get involved. |