Preparation
So, you have decided that you think cruising sounds pretty cool. You have seen the slick ads on TV, read brochures and articles in travel magazines, but where do you really start? The following suggestions are based on our experience.
Travel Agency
Let your trusted local travel agent do all the heavy lifting. Just let them know where you want to go. If you have a dream, and sit back, write the checks, and go. This method takes a lot of the “pre-cruise” work out of the preparations. Let the professionals do their job. (Quietly Google to see if you can do better.)
Cruise Lines
Once you begin that first cruise, you will be exposed to other cruisers who are very seasoned and are only too eager to share. A lot of these cruisers always have one or two cruises booked ahead. Also while you are on board, the cruise line, in order to make sure you will become a loyal customer, will offer lower prices on future cruises – if you sign up while onboard. Be prepared to lay down some cash upon booking. Once you become a member of their “loyal customer” mailing list, you will receive periodic future cruise offerings by mail or email. Barbara and I are members of NCL’s “Latitudes” and HAL’s “Mariner” society. We wait for cruise deals from a trusted travel agent.
Every cruise line has their own agents that will be only too happy to help you fulfill your dreams, both by phone on on their web site.
