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TOP 10 REASONS TO TAKE A CRUISE
Value - one price pays for accommodation, dining, entertainment and activities.
Romance - secluded beaches, in-suite dining on a balcony overlooking secluded beaches, in-suite dining on a private balcony overlooking the ocean spa services for two, and more.
Cuisine - gourmet meals that showcase exotic ingredients, old standbys like pizza and ice cream or spa cuisine for a healthy alternative.
Variety - with over 100 distinctive ships, 1800 ports of call, theme cruises and an unbelievable array of places to see and things to do, there is a perfect cruise for you.
Activities - fill your days with sightseeing, sports, activities, cultural lectures, educational tours or simply lounge by the pool and relax. At night, enjoy dance extravaganzas, musical revues, gaming or a quiet evening gazing at the stars.
Simplicity - planning a cruise is simple. Once you're onboard, nearly all expenses are pre-paid…talk about hassle free.
New Horizons - fall asleep in one destination and awake to a new horizon…and you only have to unpack once.
Family - families love cruising. Children's programs, kid-friendly menus and tours of the ship will make children happy, plus give their parents some time alone.
Pampering - regardless of the budget, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first-class service around the clock.
Satisfaction - it's a fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience!
Cruising offers exceptional value for your vacation
dollar. In fact, in most cases, a cruise vacation is less
expensive than a resort vacation. Like any holiday, there
is high and low season pricing for cruises which varies by
destination and time of year. If you have sailed before on
a certain cruise line, or are age 55 years or more, you may
be eligible for additional discounts.
Here are answers to some
pre-conceived notions of what cruising is all about.
Cruising Is Too Expensive.
Actually, what most people have found is that it’s GREAT
value and here’s why…
- Your cruise fare includes all meals, accommodation and entertainment
- See several destinations and only unpack once
- Most cruise lines offer a subsidized rate of exchange for
Canadians and Canadian resident specials. Book early and get
the best rate
I’ll Be Seasick.
Most cruises do not experience motion discomfort due to the
fact that:
- Today’s ships are equipped with state-of-the-art stabilizers
- There are several preventative measures you can take
- There are onboard medical professionals and facilities fully
equipped and experienced at handling ..seasickness.
I’m Too Young To Cruise.
Not al all. There are cruises and activities for all age groups
and today’s cruising experience is very different to
what it was years ago…
- The average age of cruisers continues to drop
- More and more families are cruising, not to mention honeymooners
- Contemporary and Premium cruisers offer areas and activities
designed for every ago group
- Disney Cruise Line has adults-only areas both on their ships
and on this private island, Castaway Cay
I’ll Be Bored.
No way. In fact, you won’t have time to do everything
that is offered. Space is abundant and there’s so much
to discover onboard. Cruise ships are floating resorts with
all the amenities and facilities the best land resorts have
to offer if not more…
- Around the clock organized activities
- Spas, sports and sundecks
- Movies & entertainment
- Shore excursions
- Education & enrichment programs
I Don’t Have Formal Clothes.
Today’s cruising is more casual…
- Some cruise lines feature resort casual attire for the entire
cruise
- Most ships have optional dining areas for those who prefer
casual dress on formal nights
- 24-hour room service allows you to enjoy dinner in the privacy
of your stateroom
Isn’t Cruising Very Regimented?
Not at all. There are now so many options and onboard life
is so flexible that you can pick and choose to be as participatory,
as active, or as laid back and relaxed as you wish. The choice
is yours.
I’ll Get Tired Of Eating In The Same Dining
Room At The Same Table.
Nowadays, cruise lines have adapted to the customer’s
needs by offering flexible dining options in addition to “traditional”
dining.
- Luxury cruise lines offer open seating dining with tables
for two or more
- NCL features up to 13 restaurant choices on some ships and
Freestyle Dining on all ships
- Princess Cruises offers Personal Choice dining – a
nice mix of traditional and open dining
- Most cruise lines offer a casual buffet alternative and/or
a specialty dining venue
I’m Single; I’ll Be Lonely And Miserable.
Cruising is one of the best places for singles. It offers:
- A multitude of opportunities to meet other people in a friendly
atmosphere
- Singles “meet and greet” cocktail parties
- Safety and security
- Some cruise lines offer a Gentlemen social Host Program
on select sailings to accompany single guests for ..card games,
meals and evening dancing.
Why Should I Pay For an Outside Stateroom?
What most people have found is that…
- They want to wake up and see the ocean or the port or check
the weather outside
- They enjoy quiet time gazing at the moon and listening to
the waves from their private balcony
- The small price difference between an inside and an outside,
or a balcony stateroom, is worth its weight in gold
Food, Food and More Food. I’ll Gain Too Much
Weight!
You don’t have to! You’ll enjoy great food on
a cruise but take note of this:
- Menus include selections that are low in calories and cholesterol
- Heart-conscious, sugar-free desserts and vegetarian dishes
are offered on all cruises
-If you’ve gained a pound or two, fitness centers are
available on every ship for a workout.
I Have Kids. I Can’t Travel.
There are fabulous cruises for families. Most cruise lines
make a point of providing supervised activities for youngsters,
especially during school holidays. Parents can relax and enjoy
themselves as the cruise staff help keep the kids busy and
entertained. Best of all, children generally travel at a substantially
reduced rate as third or fourth occupants in a room.
I Want To Relax And Cruises Are just Too Busy For
Me.
Actually, cruises are about personal choices. You can be as
laid back and relaxed as you choose.
- Today’s cruise ships offer up to 4 pools and whirlpools
- Spas and fitness areas are found on every ship and are great
places to wind down
- Large ships offer more space per guest that ever before
and many areas are designed to “get away from the ..action”
I’ve Been On A Cruise, Why Should I Go Again?
Each cruise can be tailored to enjoy a new experience…
- Ships vary in size and range from 500 to 150,000 tons holding
78 to 3,700 passengers
- Length of cruises range from 3 to 126 days
-You can take a cruise to culturally stimulating ports, to
see beautiful scenery, or to visit the best beaches on the
.islands
-Some ships sail close to home waters, others to exotic ports
such as Antarctica and South America, South .Pacific, Mediterranean
and Baltic to name a few.
Staterooms
As a general rule, most inside and ocean view staterooms,
regardless of category, are similar, but with one difference
– their location on the ship. Staterooms located mid-ship
and on higher decks are generally more expensive than staterooms
on lower decks.
Most ships have four main categories of staterooms:
Inside (Interior) Stateroom - This affordable
stateroom may accommodate up to 4 people. While there is no
window, it does offer all amenities found in other staterooms.
For budget-conscious travelers, this is the stateroom for
you!
Oceanview (Outside) Stateroom - This stateroom
features a window or porthole with views of the ocean and
may accommodate up to 4 people. It usually costs about $150
to $200 more per person than an inside cabin for a 7-night
cruise during low-season – and it is quite worth it!
Oceanview (Outside) Stateroom with Balcony
- Imaging waking to the blissful sunshine and stepping into
the invigorating ocean air steps away from your bed. This
stateroom is usually larger, sleeps 4 and sometimes more.
Just sit back and enjoy the scenery from your very own private
balcony.
Suite with Balcony - This high-end suite
is an expression of elegance – a large, appointed room,
often containing a bedroom and sitting room, as well as a
private balcony to enjoy. Many ships have family suites that
accommodate 5 or more. This is the sweetest of suites!
What’s Included?
The cruise price includes your shipboard accommodation, port
charges, government taxes, meals, snacks, most activities
and entertainment, and use of the ship’s facilities
(pools, gym, etc.).
Are there additional Charges?
Yes. When budgeting for your cruise, keep in mind the following
charges: shopping, drinks (bottled water, soft drinks and
alcohol), casino gaming, bingo, spa treatments, alternative
restaurants, specialty fitness classes, dry cleaning/laundry,
shore excursions, and personal items. Tipping is not included
in the price. Note: all purchases on board are in US dollars.
What about tipping?
Tips, or gratuities, are standard and expected on all cruise
ships. Budget approximately $10 US per traveler per day to
cover all gratuities.
Travel Documents?
It is the responsibility of every guest, regardless of citizenship,
to have the proper travel documents prior to embarking on
a cruise. The cruise lines have the right to refuse boarding
to anyone without the proper documents, and no refund will
be made.
Should I arrive a day ahead of my cruise departure?
To ensure a worry-free start to your cruise vacation, it is
advisable to arrive a day ahead of your ship’s departure.
Despite airlines’ best intentions to deliver punctual
service, delays may occur, potentially resulting in a missed
cruise connection if you have chosen to fly to your cruise
the day you are scheduled to sail.
Cruise ships depart on schedule and passengers who arrive
late due to delays of any nature will miss the ship and not
be eligible for a refund. If you must choose a flight that
arrives the same day as your ship sails, we recommend you
purchase travel insurance that covers missed cruise connections.
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