The Cruise For You

You may have heard stories from friends about their
disappointing cruise experience because their kids were bored.
Or your recently married cousin\'s honeymoon cruise was
nerve-wracking because she went during Spring Break when the
cruise ship was populated with partying college kids. Deciding
on the cruise for you takes a little time, but it is well worth
the effort.

First of all, ask yourself what you want to get out of the
cruise. Are you in it for the rest and relaxation? Are you
looking for exotic destinations so you can explore to your
heart\'s content when the ship docks? Will you be traveling with
your children? Do you want to learn something fun a la Discovery
Channel? Looking to dress up for dinner and go dancing every
night? Or are you a real partier and want to meet singles or
couples your own age?

That\'s a lot to think about, isn\'t it? If you are going on the
cruise for just rest and relaxation and partake of the ship\'s
activities, invest in a cabin that has windows or its own
veranda. You\'ll want to enjoy the sea air sometimes without
running into anyone else, so your own balcony is the perfect
solution.

Kids need constant entertainment so if you want to travel with
them, you need to find a cruise that will not only accommodate
them but also give you some adult stimulation. Some of the
cruise lines that cater to families have great rates and even
offer special \kids cruise free\ promotions. Prices often
include the cost of meals, snacks for the kids, child care
programs and other activities to keep kids occupied while the
adults go play. Be sure that if you want to go on a cruise
during the holidays to book at least a year in advance. Those
are popular travel times and fill up quickly.

If you are the swinging single type or just want to party a lot,
there are some cruise lines that cater to the young crowds.
Typically filled with rebel rousers from eighteen years of age
to mid-thirties, expect to not a get a lot of sleep. A lot of
the cruises are sunny, tropical destinations like Mexico and
Bermuda.

Are you more of the adventurer type and want to head to the
ancient ruins of Mexican cities like Chichen Itza? Or is
exploring the Nile or Amazon Rivers more your style? Consider an
enrichment cruise. Lectures offered by \National Geographic or
Discovery\ type experts are often on board and give you a closer
look at these new worlds before you head off on adventures when
your ship docks.

No matter what you decide, there is a cruise just waiting for
you! Are you a quilter or Elvis fan? Themed cruises are fun. If
you are a smoker, there are cruise ships that allow it. Don\'t
want to miss your workouts just because you are in the middle of
an ocean? No problem! Many cruise ships offer gyms, swimming
pools, rock-climbing walls and other activities to get your
blood pumping.

Do your research! You can avoid those snafus that your friends
and cousin experienced. And when you get back from your own
cruise, you can brag about the great time you had.