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| The Disney Dream docks at Castaway Cay. |
They sure look inviting, those glorious cruise ship ads you see on TV. But if you've never been on a cruise before, where do you begin? Is it expensive? What's included? What's not included? And how do you know if cruising is really for you?
Don't fear, Nautical Newbie! Cruising is a great, relaxing and surprisingly affordable vacation, and the questions you're asking have all been frequently asked before. Let's take them one at a time:
Is cruising expensive?
For all-inclusive vacations, cruising offers some of the best deals around. With itineraries that visit all corners of the globe—including the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the Mediterranean, northern Europe and more—traveling to new and exciting destinations has never been easier.
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| Catch a wave in the FlowRider on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. |
Cruising, when compared to land-based vacations, is a real value. Your accommodations, meals, entertainment, childcare and, of course, transportation from country to country are all included in one low price—saving the typical family thousands of dollars when compared to similar land-only vacations.
What am I paying for?
To be specific, cruising includes your cabin—your accommodations for the length of your cruise. No more packing and unpacking as you travel from one destination to the next. Cruising also includes all your meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night snacks, early-morning snacks, in-between snacks, room service—in fact, one thing you will never do on a cruise is go hungry!
Entertainment is included, too. Most large cruise lines offer evening Broadway- style shows, as well as movies, musical performers, magicians, jugglers, comics and more. You'll also find cozy options such as piano bars, string quartets, singers and accompanists. Most ships feature multiple pools, spas, salons, fitness centers and even casinos. Books, board games and shuffleboard help to round out the list.
What's not included?
Perhaps the biggest expenses not included in your cruise fare are shore excursions. But the good news is, you control that. Virtually every cruise line offers a variety of shore excursions in each port they visit. Some are more luxurious; some are bare bones. And in many destinations, you can simply walk off the ship and explore the port on your own without paying for an excursion. But don't overlook the value of a shore excursion, especially when you're concerned about transportation or if you don't speak the local language. Paying for shore excursions in advance can help you know your budget before you sail. (Gratuities for tour guides are not included in the shore excursion price.)
On board, there are a few other things that are not included in your fare. Alcoholic drinks (and on some ships, nonalcoholic drinks and sodas) are not included. Specialty coffee bars and cigar bars are not included, either.
Many ships will have a gourmet restaurant, such as a steak house or special culinary brunch, that bill a small up-charge for their services. The setting is usually much more intimate, the service is impeccable, and the selection of entrees is unique compared to the ship's main restaurants.
Duty-free shopping is a fun luxury on the ship, as is trying your luck in the casino. Some activities onboard will have a small fee (usually to cover supplies), and spa, massage and salon fees are not included—but the workout room is.
One last item to discuss is staff gratuities. (There are a few cruise lines that profess "no tipping," which simply means the gratuities are included in your fare.) On a typical cruise, you'll receive personal service from your cabin steward, your dining room waiter and assistant waiter, and possibly a room service steward, headwaiter and maitre d'. The cruise line will recommend suggested tip amounts based on the number of days of your voyage, but feel free to adjust this recommendation up or down based on your cruising experience. Many cruise lines will allow you to "pre-pay" your gratuities in advance, which helps to make the tipping process simple.
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| Young mates frolic at the H2O Zone aqua park for kids on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. The ship also features four pools and two FlowRider surf parks. |
What if I get bored?
Cruising can be as active or as passive as you want it to be. Every cruise line publishes a daily newsletter with a schedule of events geared toward young and old, from beginner to expert. Truly, a wide variety of options await you. But all activities are optional, so should you prefer relaxation and quiet time, there are many hidden nooks on board where you can enjoy a good book or work on your tan.
What if I get sick?
Today's ships feature the latest technology to ensure smooth sailing—virtually eliminating seasickness. And your crew will go to great lengths to promote hygiene with constant reminders to wash and sanitize your hands. But should some emergency befall, yes, there is a doctor on board.
Do we have to dress up?
Only if you want to. Most cruise lines are very casual (breakfast and lunch) with smart casual attire in the evenings. Usually, there is one "formal" night during a sailing, but a tuxedo and ball gown are rarely required.
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| Celebrity cruise dining. |
How do I pick a cruise?
Even with all these tips, chartering your first cruise can be a little daunting. But that's where a professional travel counselor can help. While the recommendations of family and friends are a great asset, a travel professional has typically been on dozens of cruises on a wide variety of cruise lines. After just a short conversation with you, the travel professional will be able to recommend those lines whose activities, entertainment and excursions best match you and your family's personal tastes.
So is cruising really for me?
You bet! Cruising is a vacation where you can have an active adventure or a relaxing respite; you can be pampered and preened, visit warm and sunny locales, and see exotic foreign lands. Whether you prefer luxury or casual, want to bring the family or just your sweetheart, there is a cruise and a cruise line that are perfect for you!
So what are you waiting for?
Embarking on your inaugural cruise is the first step toward memorable and varied vacations that you can enjoy again and again—without ever visiting the same place twice! And before you know it, you'll be giving "nautical newbies" your expert advice for their first cruise. Anchors aweigh!
Call your AAA Travel agent to discuss cruising options for your family.