Douglas Ward - Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2015

Are you all at sea about cruise vacations, when it seems like everyone around you has taken a cruise, but you havent? Here are the basics youll need to know before casting off for the first time.

Actually, there are thousands of others like you. Its a bit of an obstacle course, like trying to choose between different models of car and deciding on all the optional extras before actually getting the model you want. About 75 cruise companies operate around 350 ocean-going cruise ships (not to mention over 1,000 river ships) in the business of cruise vacations.

An ocean cruise can offer variety, great value for money, and an unforgettable experience, and, with a little planning, it will hopefully all go smoothly. And, after your first cruise, be prepared for the feeling of addiction that so often hits.

Youll need to do a little planning in order to find the right ship and cruise to suit your needs whether you are a young couple, a family with children, sophisticated and well-traveled seniors, or you want unabashed luxury and total relaxation.

Royal Court Theatre aboard Queen Elizabeth .

Cunard/Indusfoto

What exactly is a cruise?

A cruise is an escape from the stresses and strains of life on land. It is a (mostly) pre-paid, hopefully hassle-free, and very importantly, crime-free vacation, where you only have to pack and unpack once. You seldom have to make blind choices, you sleep in the same bed each night, and the ship moves the scenery for you.

Everythings close at hand and there are always polite people to help you. A cruise provides a chance to explore new places and meet new people and make new friends. It can facilitate multi-generational togetherness, solo adventuring, or escapism for couples. And, some of the worlds most beautiful places are best seen from the deck of a cruise ship.

What a cruise is not

Some cruises simply arent relaxing, despite cruise brochure claims that you can do as much or as little as you want to. For example, large resort ships carrying between 2,001 and 6,500 passengers pack lots of people into small cabins and provide almost nonstop activities and entertainment.

Reasons to take a cruise

Value for money. A cruise represents excellent value for money, considering everything that is being provided in the package. As its mostly pre-paid, you dont have to constantly make financial decisions once youre on your way, either.

Convenience . You can probably drive to your port of embarkation. If not, the cruise line can make all the arrangements, including flights, baggage handling, and transfers to and from the ship. And you only have to unpack once during the vacation!

Choice . There are over 30,000 cruises to choose from! You can cruise the Caribbean, Alaska, South America, Europe, the Greek Isles, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, the Arctic, and Antarctica. And thats just the beginning.

Discover new places. A cruise provides you with a chance to see new places. You simply board and enjoy being delivered from one destination to the next, almost on a daily basis. Organized excursions ashore can add to the sense of discovery, too.

Comfort. A cruise ship suite or cabin is your home away from home. It can be as small as a tent (at about 60 sq ft/6 sq m) or as large as a villa (at 3,000 sq ft/279 sq m), or anything in between.

Good food. Dining is one of the greatest pleasures of ship life, and all your meals are included from breakfast through to late-night snacks.

Family togetherness. Cruising offers a safe, friendly environment, which is great for families with children. Many ships have well-supervised activities for kids, too. Cruising is also an excellent way for groups of friends to vacation together.

Learning experience. Most cruise ships have guest speakers/lecturers, so you can learn while you cruise.

Make new friends. A cruise ship provides a relaxed environment in which to make new friends some you may keep for life.

Adventure. A cruise can be an adventure. It can take you to places that are impossible to reach by almost any other means, such as the Antarctic Peninsula, the Arctic, or to remote islands. A cruise can inspire the explorer in you.

Staying healthy. A cruise allows you to pamper yourself in a spa, although body-pampering treatments are at extra cost. And, with all the available food, learn to pace yourself, and youll stay healthy.

Entertainment. Cruise ships provide a wide range of professional entertainment, from spectacular Vegas-style production shows to intimate piano, guitar, and jazz bars. And during the day, there are activities, fun, and games galore enough to keep even the most active occupied.