At first, picking a cruise might seem a bit intimidating. There’s so many choices and why choose a cruise instead of a land vacation? If you have more questions than answers, than this section is for you. If you still have any questions after reading the information below, then ask your travel agent. Travel agents are experts and there’s virtually no question they haven’t heard before. Your travel agent is your resource, use him or her.

Can I afford a cruise?
How long do cruises last?
Where can I go?
How do I book a cruise?
Are all ships the same?


Can I afford a cruise?
The real question is whether you can afford not to cruise. Cruising is the best vacation value and there are cruise vacations to suit every budget. Your cruise fare includes all meals, your stateroom, on-board activities and entertainment, plus transportation from port to port. You'll know what your vacation will end up costing you before you go. (Typically, your only extra expenses will be drinks, optional shore excursions, and personal services such as massage or hairstyling.) When you consider all the extras that a land vacation can cost, there’s no better value than cruising. The best part is that the prices have stayed the same for more than 20 years because as the industry has grown, the small cruise companies became larger with more and more ships. That means they get volume discounts on many of their expenses and they’ve passed those savings on to you. Factoring in inflation, cruises actually cost less than they did in 1980!


How long do cruises last?
As long or short as you want. Cruise lines offer itineraries from three days to three months. Most cruises are three, four, five or seven nights in length and those are often the most popular because they fit easily into most people’s vacation schedules.


Where can I go?
Wherever you want! Cruises visit nearly 2,000 ports worldwide and practically every destination accessible by water. Although most people think first of the Caribbean (and there are thousands of cruises to choose from in this area alone), cruises are the best way to visit places like Alaska or Hawaii and are a hassle-free way of seeing many countries in an entire region like Europe, Asia, South America or Africa - all without packing and unpacking each night.


How do I book a cruise?
Visit or call your travel agent. These professionals will help you pick the cruise that fits your vacation schedule, tastes and budget. They can make all the arrangements to get you from your doorstep to your ship and back. Agents also are aware of the latest deals and can point you in the right direction.


Are all ships the same?
Far from it. Cruise lines’ ships range from intimate and yacht-like to vessels stretching longer than three football fields. You can sail with fewer than 100 fellow guests or with more than 2,600. Enjoy atmospheres ranging from casual to formal, contemporary to classic. You can even choose sail-assisted ships. Enjoy the endless activities offered on a contemporary resort-style cruise, or immerse yourself in the culture of a destination on a special interest cruise. If you like an intimate bed and breakfast, you might want to choose a smaller ship. If you enjoy vacationing at a luxury spa or vineyard, then an intimate yacht-like upscale ship may be for you. If you love large resorts and theme parks, then a large ship with many activities may be your best bet. (back to top)