Nicole E. Ratner - Choose to Cruise: The ultimate resource for cruising with the family

Copyright 2019 Cruising with the Family

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

The information provided herein is the authors opinion and not intended to be a definitive set of instructions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within. Readers should also be aware that Internet websites offered as sources for further information may have changed or disappeared between the time this book was written and when it is read.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Cover and Layout Design: Cwitto Design Studio, LLC, Culpeper, VA

Editor: Kate Sprague, Flourish with Kate, LLC, Marshall, VA

Photography: Nicole Ratner, Dan Ratner and Joe Diduca, Carnival Playlist Ship Supervisor

Printed by Printopya, in the United States of America

FIRST EDITION.

ISBN: 978-1-949709-87-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019918351

STAY IN TOUCH

Cruising with the Family

9994 Sowder Village Sq., #114

Manassas, VA 20109

Email:

"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the
courage to lose sight of the shore.
--Christopher Columbus

To all those who yearn for more
this is a great place to start!

I 'm not sure that I ever thought Id be a published author and here I am. I have loved writing since my days in elementary school and then more formally in high school and college and somewhere along the way I got sidetracked. Being back on the seas has helped me recover my love of writing and I have enjoyed every minute of this journey.

It wouldnt be possible without my family and in our house its always family first. To my favorite travel companions Emma and Cecily, thank you for letting mommy work all these hours to get this done. Thank you for being willing to help me research--tough job huh? And thank you for your support and love. Being with you both at sea and experiencing it with you is pure joy. Dan, you are my true compass, in it forever right? Thank you for setting sail with me over ten years ago and thank you for helping ignite the spark to bring about Cruising with the Family. You are my sunrise and sunset and having you by my side is all I could ask for. Mom...Im fairly certain I could write an entire book about us alone. Thank you for instilling in me my love of travel and for being a constant presence traveling with us each year. Jerry...there are no words. Thank you for your support, faith, shoulder and ear since I know Ive talked your ear off on this one. We love cruising with you. To my Pops I am forever grateful that you brought us all along for the many business trips you had and for the amazing family vacations. Many of my fondest memories are of our travels together! Ellen--thank you for continuing these trips for our family and especially the amazing cruise we all took together. That is one of my favorite memories and it has guided me in some of this writing. I love you all. To my immediate family-know how much you are loved: Nancy, Rob, Christi, Oliver, Abby, Connor, David, Mara, Maya, Callie, Scott, Joel, Lisa, Ben, Paul, Julie, Sami, Holly, Ethan, Drew, Karen, John, and Chase.

To Coco, Clair, Courtnie, Jamie and Jodie I would say Im lucky to have you though I completely deserve you all in my life. Thank you for always supporting me no matter how crazy an idea I get! To those who have cheered me on, held me up and been with me this entire time without fail I am forever grateful. You know who you are. My business BFFs--you are my loudest cheerleaders and I wouldnt want it any other way.

For my amazing business team this project could not have been completed without your help. Dee, thank you for working with me to research and curate information not to mention testing everything to make sure it worked. To the talented Crystal with Cwitto Design Studio for my overall branding--you are amazing (did you all see our logo and cover art?!) and Im thankful that our paths crossed. Kate with Flourish for your skills at proofing, working with me to think outside the box and keeping me excited! Tricia for being an amazing sounding board since inception. They say surround yourself with those smarter than you are and Im confident I have.

To the many families who choose to cruise and contributed to this book by way of sharing their story. THANK YOU! I want readers to not just take it from me but from the millions who travel by sea.

My love of writing came from two incredibly important women in my life. The first, my Great Aunt Chubby. Thats what I called her but her name is Cecilia Ryan OToole. Both of my girls bear her name. She was an English teacher and an inspiration to me from an early age. I miss her everyday and know shes smiling down on me and giggling tremendously at the sight of this book. And the second is my high school journalism teacher, Gretchen Portwood. Ms. Portwood taught me all I know about writing and creating a voice of my own-not to mention ethics. Shes also a teacher of the year so that should tell you something! I had the fortune of seeing her recently and showing her a preview of the book cover and to see the delight on her face is enough to know this is exactly what I am meant to be doing.

My former band director, John Casagrande always said To be on time is to be early. I find that fitting for travel...always be early and always be eager to explore!

Thank you to everyone who made my journey and dream possible.

Chapter 1: The Choice to Cruise
Myths, Rules and Resources

Chapter 2: Your Family Plan
5 Step Booking Plan, To Agent Or Not, When and Where to Sail

Chapter 3: All Inclusive Yet Elusive
The Real Cost of Cruising

Chapter 4: DOC.ing
IDs and Documents Youll Need

Chapter 5: Packing Priorities
Top 10 Packing List

Chapter 6: Gangway!
Embarkation, How to Plan Your Days, Safety

Chapter 7: Cruise Control
Onboard Activities and Dining

Chapter 8: Making Memories
Guide to Dryland Excursions

Chapter 9: Why Fi @Sea?
How to Stay Connected in the Middle of the Ocean

Chapter 10: Sea you again soon!
Debarkation, Choose to Cruise Again, Getting Those Sea Legs Back

Dont take it from just us: Cruiser Stories

Your Turn!
Send us your cruising stories