Some cruise lines focus on cuisine, others on education and enrichment, and still others on health a

A note from Fodor s: As of February 1, 2013, Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, has replaced cross country ski vermont stowe inn our privacy policy with Random House's single policy. Please take a few minutes to read our updated Random cross country ski vermont stowe inn House, Inc. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .
Whether cross country ski vermont stowe inn you like it or not, cruises touch on a tantalizing cross country ski vermont stowe inn vacation trifecta: good value, hassle-free planning, and the promise cross country ski vermont stowe inn of adventure. Pay an upfront rate and you've got a floating cross country ski vermont stowe inn hotel, three meals a day, ample entertainment and activities, luxe services, and an expert itinerary in multiple destinations. Now add to that the fact that you only have to unpack your bags once. We know the reputation that cruises still have, but even staunch non-cruisers will want to become first-timers after considering this stress-free kind of travel.
Cruises of all kinds are on an upswing now, despite recent bad press and the industry offers endless options that cater to all sorts of special interests and call upon a plethora of ports the world over. So to help get your feet wet, we've broken down the cruising basics to make sure you find the perfect fit and book your trip like a pro.
Cruising is not a one-size-fits-all experience, but it's a near-guarantee that there's a cruise cross country ski vermont stowe inn vacation cross country ski vermont stowe inn out there that's practically tailored to you. With destinations spanning the globe, and ships in all shapes and sizes, your choices range from leisurely floats down French canals in intimate 12-passenger barges, to rugged Antarctic voyages cross country ski vermont stowe inn on 100-passenger expedition vessels, with the more stereotypical whirlwinds to Caribbean isles aboard 5,000-passenger in between.
Some cruise lines focus on cuisine, others on education and enrichment, and still others on health cross country ski vermont stowe inn and wellness or nature and adventure. Where some ships invite getting dolled up in evening gowns and tuxes, others are better suited for going barefoot on deck. And with that varying appeal, as well as pricing geared towards literally any budget, cruises are reeling in much more than just the newlywed and nearly dead these days.
First, let's tackle cross country ski vermont stowe inn the big complaint that non-cruise people have cruising doesn't allow for immersive, DIY, spontaneous travel. We'll give you one thing, sometimes you have to rush in a port, having as little as just a few hours to explore. But for the most part, you'll find yourself in one of these scenarios:
Sampling a specific region . Think of your cruise as a sort of reconnaissance mission for future, more in-depth, land-based travel for instance, cross country ski vermont stowe inn sail the Mediterranean and determine if Barcelona, the French Riviera, or the Amalfi Coast is more your speed.
Exploring exotic cross country ski vermont stowe inn locales. A cruise can hold your hand while exploring exotic locales, from the Amazon to Southeast Asia, where language or logistical barriers might be difficult to navigate alone. Burma, for example, is a challenge to travel to on your own, but with a cruise, you'd be able to explore with ease.
Next up the fear you'd get bored onboard. Hardly. Some larger cruise ships are like floating cities, with heaps of entertainment, actually delicious dining, and fun activities cross country ski vermont stowe inn (zip-lining, anyone?). Then, other sailings are so port-intensive, you'll cross country ski vermont stowe inn be hankering for a bit of downtime on the ship after so much exploring.
Ah, then there's cross country ski vermont stowe inn seasickness. There are plenty of ways to overcome the motion of the ocean. Most modern ships have high-tech ship stabilizers, but you can also decrease the odds of illness by booking a cabin mid-ship, where the ship is most stable; avoiding itineraries that are known for storms or rough seas; and bringing over-the-counter meds and natural remedies. Alternately, cross country ski vermont stowe inn try a river cruise, where the water is usually so calm you'll think you're still on land, and itineraries are so port intensive, that you'll spend most of your time off the ship anyway.
It's pretty hard to resist the overall value and ease of a cruise vacation and no, that doesn't make you any less of an intrepid traveler. Even the most fiercely independent traveler could resign to letting someone else deal with the logistical hassles of big trips. The siren call of the high seas is something every traveler should try at least once. If it's really not for you, you're lying. (Just kidding.)
Decide cross country ski vermont stowe inn on a destination first, cross country ski vermont stowe inn then pick your ship. Determine your itinerary based on where you'd like to go and what ports you want to visit. Then figure out what it involves to get to the embarkation point in terms of time and cost.
Itinerary options cross country ski vermont stowe inn range from close-to-home destinations to some of the most far-flung cross country ski vermont stowe inn corners of the globe (from Antarctica to Zanzibar). Sailings to the Caribbean, Alaska, and Mediterranean rank amongst cross country ski vermont stowe inn the most popular, especially for first-timers looking to get their sea legs wet.
They can last from as little as one-nighter cruises to nowhere to epic four-month voyages. The most popular sailing durations cross country ski vermont stowe inn average cross country ski vermont stowe inn about a week, with plenty of two-week options and shorter sampler itineraries running from three to five nights.
A first-time cruiser might want to start with a shorter itinerary that's heavy on port calls to test the waters, perhaps to a close-to-home destination (like the Bahamas or Mexican Riviera) that keeps both financial and time investments cross country ski vermont stowe inn down.
Do be sure to factor in travel expenses to get to your embarkation point, and to take note of whether or not your cruise also disembarks in the same spot some cruises end in different ports than the one of origin, which might translate to a heftier airfare, but offer a greater variety of port calls. If you are looking to skip the flight cross country ski vermont stowe inn and drive to your local port, your itinerary options will be limited to geographical proximity.
There are hundreds of cruise ships navigating the world's waterways mega-ships, yachts, windjammers, barges, cross country ski vermont stowe inn steamboats. Selecting your destination first will help whittle down the ship possibilities to a more manageable number. More than just a way to get from point A to B, the ship you select cross country ski vermont stowe inn will also determine the tastiness of your meals, how well you are entertained, the level of service, and who else will be onboard.
Tailor your cruise by selecting a suitable cross country ski vermont stowe inn ship in terms of size and onboard offerings (bigger cruise ships offer anonymity and oodles of amenities; smaller ships offer more intimacy and quiet, and access to smaller ports); like-minded clientele (fun-in-the-sun cross country ski vermont stowe inn partiers, toddler-toting families, or sophisticated socialites numbering anywhere from 10 passengers to 6,000), and of course, price (mass-market lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean dole out bargains, cross country ski vermont stowe inn but charge for la carte extras, while luxury lines like Silversea and Seabourn are more all-inclusive with heftier upfront price tags).
Cruise lines fall into three basic categories, ascending in level of sophistication and service, and, predictably, price: mainstream (Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean), premium (Celebrity, Holland America, Princess), and luxury (Crystal, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea).
There are also specialized small-ship adventure/tall-ship (Star Clippers, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, Windstar) and expedition (Lindblad Expeditions, Orion Expedition Cruises) lines, which focus more on action-packed itineraries than onboard cross country ski vermont stowe inn diversions; as well as river (AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, cross country ski vermont stowe inn Viking) and barge cruise lines (French Country Waterways, European Waterways), that navigate rivers and canals.
Keep in mind that within all cruise lines, individual ships may vary in age, size, and amenities, so expect to dig a little deeper on this front once you've found an overall fit. Look, too, for preferential cross country ski vermont stowe inn factors like onboard dress code requirements and whether dining times are assigned or flexible.
Booking a cruise is big-ticket purchase, so do your homework cross country ski vermont stowe inn before you commit. To delve deeper into your research, check out additional Fodor's resources including overviews on cruise lines , cruise ship reviews , and our popular cruise forum .
Fares vary greatly according to itinerary (including factors like cruise length, and popularity of the destination), season (with highest prices during summer and holiday periods), cabin accommodations, and of course, the caliber of the cruise line.
While some of the mega-ship sailings might seem priced-to-go at bargain-basement rates (a 7-night sailing for $399 I'll take it!), keep in mind that there will be plenty of extra expenses to factor in once you set off. Nearly all cruises include lodging, dining, onboard entertainment, facilities, and transportation from port to port already a terrific value but many impose extra expenses for gratuities, shore excursions, beverages, specialty dining, spa services, and more, which can really pile up. You'll need to budget for additional fees, and calculate all of your expenses especially flights and pre- or post-trip hotels to better determine the true value of your trip.
A good rule of thumb is that the less expensive the cruise, the less that's included cross country ski vermont stowe inn in the rate, as the lines try to up their profits with a lot of ancillary offerings; luxury lines might carry a higher upfront price tag, but will often operate on a more all-inclusive model.
The time of year you sail will also determine what you pay and the weather and crowds you'll encounter. Identical itineraries on the same ship can fluctuate considerably, depending on the destination's high, shoulder, or low season.
High-season (or peak) sailings are higher priced, held when temps are at their best and itineraries are in highest demand cross country ski vermont stowe inn (school breaks or holidays), while low-season (or off-peak) sailings occur when weather conditions, passenger interest, and fares taper out. Summer is an especially popular time, rife with European and Alaskan itineraries, while winter lends well to sunny escapes (cue the Caribbean).
For the best bang for your buck, a shoulder season sailing (between the high and low periods) means a happy compromise, cross country ski vermont stowe inn where moderately priced itineraries meet fewer crowds, though cross country ski vermont stowe inn you'll have to be willing to