10 Top Reasons Why YOU Should Cruise

1.    IT’S A GREAT VALUE – typically cruise fares include accommodation, dining, a wide range of entertainment and so much more, many luxury and river cruises operators include drinks and shore excursions as well.  All this makes cruising great value for money.

2.    There’s so much CHOICE – each cruise line and ship offers a unique style and vacation experience.  Understanding the type of vacation you enjoy helps find the perfect cruise.

3.    There’s SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE – whether you seek an action packed vacation or just want to chill out.  On a cruise you can do both. Cruising is ideal for families and couples alike as there’s something to suit all individual tastes.

4.    There are so MANY DESTINATIONS to cruise – from Asia to Australia to Alaska to the Arctic Circles. Closer to home the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska offer spectacular opportunities. And, don’t forget the seas and rivers of Europe with many diverse choices from cruises around the Med and the Adriatic to the inland waterways of Germany, Portugal or Russia.

5.    A NEW DAY = SOMEWHERE NEW TO EXPLORE – On your cruise you only have to unpack once and will wake up somewhere new most days.  You can step a shore and fill your time with sightseeing tours, learning about local cultures or do something adventurous with family and new friends. Or, you can simply stay on the ship and relax. The choice is yours!

6.    RELAX AND UNWIND – Sea days on board are the perfect way to relax.  You can join in and enjoy the ship’s entertainment or simply lounge the day away by the pool or in the spa. We specifically look for itineraries with more sea days. 

7.    DINING – Some of the very best cuisine can found on cruise ships – from formal dining to vast buffets and numerous specialty restaurants offering every type of cuisine imaginable.  And with celebrity chefs and evening dinner shows you will experience great times on board.

8.    ENTERTAINMENT - included in your fare are the shows, live music, bars and sometimes even on-board casinos. All of this entertainment offers a different choice every night. 

9.    FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY- Families love to cruise. With children’s clubs on board, child-friendly menus and new friends to make - families just love it.  Equally parents will love quality “me” time too.

10. Easy to BUDGET -with so many expenses pre-paid on a cruise it’s easy for you to pre-plan your vacation spending. With just a little planning you can have a fabulous vacation.

Formal Nights – Fun? Or the Bane of Your Cruise

Back in the dark ages, getting dressed up while on a cruise was the rule, not the exception. Today … it’s not the same. Getting dressed up is the exception vs. the rule.

The majority of major cruise lines still offer formal opportunities and depending on the length of your cruise there may be more than one nights. We look at this as an opportunity to spend a little time getting dressed up and being a little special. Usually, your cruise staff will also use these nights to dress a little more formally as well as continue the above and beyond service.

Are formal nights for everyone? No, they are not and many cruisers make a conscious decision not to participate in the formal nights. That’s OK too. If you are on a longer cruise, usually greater than 7 days, you may have more than one opportunity. We recommend taking the time to participate in at least one of these nights. Go out, have a wonderful dinner with your new cruise friends, see the show and then dance the night away.

Men … don’t have a tuxedo that is not an issue. While they are called formal nights, a suit and tie is also perfectly acceptable. And, you can also rent a tuxedo while onboard the ship. You should check with your cruise line of choice regarding these options. We’ve used that service in the past and found it very convenient. Generally, your tux is in your stateroom when you get onboard.

Women … afraid you have to bring too many clothes. That’s not the case either. A cocktail dress or dressy pants suit is perfectly acceptable. If there is more than one night, consider simply changing the top out to make another combination. It really is pretty simple.

While no longer the "norm" in cruising, the formal night is an excellent opportunity to experience life. We highly recommend participating.

Visiting The Ports ... Our Experience

Generally, based on experience, our advice is pretty simply. If you are not familiar with the port, it is a very good idea to take advantage of the tours and opportunities provided by your cruise line of choice.

The advantages are numerous. Several of the key benefits include knowing the cruise line checked out the particular tour in advance and there is a pretty good chance the tour or adventure will be pretty close to what is advertised. Secondly, you are assured of not “missing the boat.” Cruise lines monitor their “sponsored” tours and are aware of issues causing a tour to be back to the ship late. While rare, it does happen.

With that said, as we’ve gained cruise vacation experience, we’ve also gained the confidence to, at times, head out on our own. Trip Advisor is an excellent place to start looking for other opportunities in your ports of call. We also recommend going to Cruise Critic to cross check any opportunities. In our opinion, Cruise Critic contributors can be a little more discerning regarding their experiences.

Docked in Cozumel

Cruise lines want you to use their tours and we definitely recommend taking advantage of these opportunities, especially if you are new to cruising and/or you have not been in the port previously. With the said, however, experience does open up other opportunities and we encourage you to contact your travel professional and explore. If you have questions, do not hesitate to email us at contact@ltdcruises.com, we’ll be glad to help.

What To Think About ... Pre-Cruise

We talked a little about packing. Now let's talk about pre-cruise and what to think about. Where are you coming from and where is your embarkation point? These questions really are crucial. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend considering the following:

• How far do you have to travel to get to the port?
• What is the weather like at the time of year you will be leaving from home?
• What layover airports do you transition to get to your port?

The most important consideration is the time of year you are traveling. We usually recommend getting to your port one (1) day prior to the scheduled sailing date. Arriving with this “cushion” makes the travel much less stressful and gives you just a little bit of “slop” should weather or aircraft issues affect your ability to arrive at your port as expected.

Now, let’s talk about tipping. As a general rule of thumb most people tip between fifteen and twenty percent for services provided. Some people also consider tipping in other situations including cabs, bellmen, housekeeping and maître d’s. The same customs apply on a cruise ship. Royal Caribbean makes the following recommendations:

Waiter:	$3.75 USD	a day per guest
Assistant Waiter:	$2.15 USD	a day per guest
Head Waiter:	$.75 USD	a day per guest
Stateroom Attendant/ Other Housekeeping Services:	$5.00 USD	a day per guest
Suite Attendant/ Other Housekeeping Services:	$7.25 USD	a day per guest

Although generally most cruise lines are the same, you should check with us or the cruise line regarding their tipping recommendations before you leave. Your cruise staff works hard to ensure you have a wonderful vacation, don’t forget to take care of them too. Finally, don’t be surprised to see 15 percent added automatically to your drinks (including water) and other services.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at contact@ltdcruises.com. And look for our next Blog where we’ll discuss some things to consider regarding shore excursions.