If you are like me and the millions of others who dream about a cruise vacation or have had the opportunity to experience one, you know cruising takes the “skill of juggling a travel planner to match your personality and budget with a cruise line.”  This is usually that once in a lifetime vacation everyone looks forward to and making it as perfect as possible is the name of the game!  Choosing the perfect destination, itinerary, cruise ship, within budget, within your time frame allotted is always a delicate dance.  Some cruise ships themselves are considered destinations while others are considered “floating resorts or floating hotels.”  Since your life will be centered on the ship, its activities and amenities for two weeks to six weeks should also be taken into consideration.

Are you the type person who doesn’t do well in crowds?  Then you may enjoy the small 24 or less person cruises on schooners or windjammers.  I’ll share a superb cruise idea with you next month regarding one in Maine.  These are perfect for intimate settings.  Usually long term friendships are made and many times guests return year after year.  Singles, seniors, and families usually enjoy the large themed or entertainment type cruise ships which go to port and offer many types of shore excursions.  Here’s the scoop on the perfect cruise – do your homework!  “Get every thing in writing such as promises from travel agents and cruise lines.”  This will protect you in the event a dispute occurs.  

Cruise Travel Magazine ( http://cruisetravelmag.com/    Phone 847-491 6440), and Cruise Industry News Phone 212-986 1025, are identifiable resources of information on the cruise industry.  The devil is in the details.  You’ve finally decided where and when you are going, now decide who will help you!  Finding a good travel agent will be the best decision you can make.  After all you are investing a small fortune into your life and the returns should be the best they can be.  The right agent can save you hundreds of dollars if not thousands.  Every dollar saved is a dollar you enjoy somewhere else.  We see ads in papers with tempting offers of cruises and fantastic discounts, but what you may not see at first glance is the hidden costs and fees, taxes which will be applied as each cost is re-introduced. 

Why not check with friends, family members, people who traveled and find out about their travel agents or read resources that list travel agents specializing in cruises.  The right agent is one who has cruised over a dozen times and will not accept the first offer by a cruise line for you, and who provides more information than you ever wanted to know about that cruise.  Here are some questions to ask a travel agent to identify whether this is the right agent for you:  1. What makes you special as a cruise agent?  2.  Why do you feel you can provide a better package than your competition?  3.  What cruise lines do you work with on a regular basis?  4.  How many years have you been involved in the cruise industry?

Armed with this information you and your travel agent should be able to find the best deal you’ll be happy with.  Remember to pack light (one carry one and one personal item bag), dress with taste (while inside the ship wear casual day or evening clothing appropriate for the activity or meal), bathing suits should only be worn outside on decks or around pools, on excursions (dress in appropriate clothing – you wouldn’t want visitors walking down your main street in bikinis!).  Remember on excursions you are a guest in that country attempt to remain polite.  Always keep yourself in control whether in the presence of alcohol, food, or volatile situations.  In a nut shell, “keep your nose clean, mind your manners, and play nice, and have fun!”

Jim West, a frequent cruise traveler and author on cruise travel has written “The Essential Little Cruise Book-Secrets from a Cruise Director for a Perfect Cruise Vacation.”  (To contact Jim travel@travelwest.com  information about Jim - http://www.travelwest.com/cruise%20director/jim_west.htm                             To purchase book go to:

 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0762728280/104-2630070-5410343?v=glance

These travel tips have come from his interesting book and you can find even more detailed information when you pick up this book prior to your cruise.  A compact little 180 pg book small enough to fit into your pocket or purse, you’ll learn more than just how to pick the perfect cruise but add to your knowledge how to upgrade your cabin, or renting cars in foreign countries while on excursion, perhaps you need to know how to talk with the captain should you be requested to dine with him.  You’ll find all this information tucked in between the covers of this book published by The Globe Pequot Press. Pick up your copy today and discover your secret to a “Perfect Cruise.”  Happy Traveling!