Understanding Cruising
by D Casey
Cruising is one of the fastest growing methods
of taking a vacation.
In fact, over 10 million travelers in 2005 have taken a cruise and it looks
like that number will grow close to 11 million in
2007. Cruise lines are scurrying to add new vessels to their
itineraries. Surprisingly, there are still many misconceptions
about cruising that keep many people from taking one.
For years, people associated "luxury" with high costs. However,
taking into consideration what is included in the cruise, it is one of the
most affordable way to travel. The more that people
traveled via a cruise ship, the more the word got out that cruising was very
enjoyable and satisfying. So now the number of travelers experiencing their first
cruise is very high. Based on feedback from other cruisers,
taking a second cruise was their next vacation plan. This holds
true for me and my wife. We enjoyed our first cruise so much that we
plan to schedule another. Vacation cruising is that good. So based
upon my own experience and that of others who have offered feedback, I
will give my opinion on some of the most common questions that new
cruisers ask.
I'LL GET SEASICK!
Yes, some people do get motion sickness and many never experience any.
Prior to the modern ships of today, motion sickness was more common.
Now ships have thrusters to stabilize and
reduce rolling (side to side motion) for a much smoother ride.
In this technological world, ships are designed to be more stable and have very sophisticated
computers to maintain stability. Most of the time, travelers
experience motion sickness
during really rough weather and normally on the open sea. Most
ships sail faster at night while shipmates are sleeping so they are less
likely to notice or feel any of the sea swells. Of course, there
is over-the-counter medication that usually works very efficiently, plus the
ship's on board medical facility has it readily available to travelers.
 This picture was taken off
the coast of Alaska picturing a sunset that is beyond words. The
sea was calm and it was smooth sailing. |
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Suggestions to prevent motion sickness that are inexpensive.
If you are not sure how you will react to being on board a cruise line,
here are some products that you should try.
Sea Bands. These are little bands that "nub" a pressure point on the
underside of your wrist. It works for many and costs about $8.00.
Check with your pharmacy prior to your departure. It is
also available on board many cruise ships.
Bonine or Dramamine. Many travelers who travel
by air and sea take
these over-the-counter medications. For some, it may cause side
effects such as drowsiness, sleeplessness or
dry mouth. It is recommended that you avoid alcohol
consumption. If are taking prescribed medications, you should
first check with your physician and/or your pharmacist.
I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SHIPS - WHAT IF I GET
LOST? You never have to worry about getting lost on board.
Most cruise lines provide you with a "ship" map when you receive your
tickets and/or upon embarkation. There is always staff available
to direct you to where you want to go. Exploring the ship by strolling
around is part of the enjoyment of your cruise. By the end of the
first day, you'll probably know the location of the ship's facilities.
Here are points of references that you will find that come in handy.
 Bow: Front of
the ship [ "pointy end"]
Stern:
Back of
the ship.
Port:
Left left side
of the ship facing forward towards the bow (front)
Starboard: Right side
as you face forward towards the bow (front)
Dining areas: VERY
important!! ☺ Normally on the upper decks,
centralized in the
middle of the ship or towards the stern (back) and usually offers great
viewing. However, each ship may vary.
WHAT ABOUT SOCIALIZING WITH OTHER
SHIPMATES?
Well if you consider that most people on board are travelers and want to
have a good time, it is easy to find something in common with
them.
Everyone has different likes and dislikes, but just about everyone on a ship is there to
have an enjoyable time. That's a good thing and that what makes a cruise so
great. My wife find this it very enjoyable and just watch the
different people enjoying life. I enjoy learning about their
likes and dislikes. But I really never found people to be anti social.
Most are very friendly and most passengers are outgoing and sociable. But no
one is going to bug you if you just want some quite time. You will see
people reading a book or just watching the sea passing by. A
cruise ship is one of the few places on earth where you will feel peace and
friendship for people from other parts of the world.
I HEARD EVERYONE ON A CRUISE ARE OLD, IS THAT TRUE?
Years ago that use to be the case but no longer. On a recent cruise
there was college girls just wanting to see the world, a young couple who
work for NASA, a of course young newlyweds. Honeymoon
tries are getting very popular. According to the Cruise
Lines association, the majority of cruisers today are between 40 and 59 with
the 25 to 39 and 60+ age groupings about a equal. There are many
cruise lines are catering to younger cruisers and to family now. There
are also singles cruses and more.
I HEARD I HAVE TO EAT AT CERTAIN TIME AND TO FOLLOW
THE CRUISE DINNING SCHEDULE? IS THAT TRUE?
NOT AT ALL!!! Cruising now offer you much more option
and some cruise lines offer you freestyle cruising.
Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL are all leading the charge
and now pushing the envelope even further in this arena. My wife an I
really enjoy NCL new "Freestyle Cruising" concept which offer open
seating dining in the main restaurants and several other dining venues. It
is a very loosely structured environment to encourage choice and
informality. You can eat when you want too and where. Of course
all curse ships have food during the day in many places too.
There are some cruise line that have dinner sitting schedules.
Some people enjoy this and like planning there day around it. Or that
they don't have to plan to decided where they are going to ea.
It is also more formal in some ways and seating my be in a large group.
But what it comes down to is there are many of cruise lines out there so you
can decide what best for you.
The cruise lines understand that people don't want their vacations to
become overwhelming amount of it in their daily lives. Passengers on
most ships now have the option to choose when, where and with whom they
dine, what types of entertainment they will experiences and of course a
large varied array of shore excursions besides the normal bus tours.
DO I NEED A TUX?
Not to many people dress up every night like cruising did back in the
1930 and 40's On most Cruise there are one or two formal night.
But just about all cruise lines will and still do offer you the choice
of a more "traditional" experience complete with assigned seating at dinner,
formal nights and an extensive list of scheduled activities if you enjoy
such pleasures. As long as you have a dark suit that will
be enough for a formal dinning experience.
ALL THERE IS TO DO IS EAT! I HEARD YOU
JUST EAT AND EAT.
You can if you want to but there is so much going on eating is not something
you have to do. Years ago eating use to revolved around eating cruise.
But with excursions, and so many things you can do. you night just want to
have a morning snack, eat at a buffet or have a great hamburger or a sub.
On just have a full lunch or dinner. IT is now up to you. .There
are always afternoon snacks, ice cream and cookies, afternoon tea with
pastries, one the ship.
WILL I GAIN WEIGHT? If you were just sitting there and
eating the answer is probably yes. But there is so much going on many people
even lose weight and come back feeling healthier. Also cruise lines
are offering more healthier foods, lighter meals and the freestyling
you can pick what you want to eat from a large menu.
But should you choose to eat, eat, eat you can work off all of those
excess calories by using the fitness centers and climbing stairs instead of
using elevators. My wife and I on the way to Alaska used the stairs
since we were taking a trek and wanted to get into a little more shape.
We didn't gain a pound and the midnight sun walk around the deck were great.
Just walk around the ship three times it was a mile. One there
for certain on a cruise ship you will never sacrifice taste and enjoyment on
our meals.
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