| Why Take A
Cruise |
 |
Never been on a cruise before?
Check out this section for First Time Cruisers.
1. Take a look at a typical day's activities:
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
2. Get answers to your most
Frequently asked questions
3. Read :
Inside Cruising: A Guide with facts and figures about thecruise industry.
4. Here's
22 Reasons To Take A Cruise
5. Check out the
Special Interest Guides.
6. When
is the best time to cruise?
7.
Where's the best place to
stay onboard ship?
8. Read the
Cruise Guide - What To Know Before You Go!
9. What to
Pack For A
Cruise.
10.Preview:
Cruise
Line Videos
11.Helpful
Tips For First-Time Cruisers
Read on for more great reasons to
take a cruise!
Sponsored by Cruise Direct Online Cruise Direct Online is
an active travel agency member of Cruise Lines International Association, an
organization dedicated to educating the traveling public about the value and
benefits of choosing a vacation by cruise ship. You Haven't Lived Until You've Cruised!
Every day, more and more people are discovering the all-inclusive pleasures of a
cruise vacation. More singles, families, couples, honeymooners, second
honeymooners and groups of friends are sailing away on the vacations of their
lives. When you add it all up, it's easy to see why..... |
| |
|
So Much Fun. So Many Things To Do!
Check out a
typical day onboard. Look at these video's of activities on a Carnival Cruise.
Other cruise
lines have similar plans....
|
|
Cruise Deals
Global
discount
provider
of cruises
for
individuals and
groups.
Save up to
70% off
brochure prices!
Cruisedirectonline.com
|
....The price of your ticket includes all of your meals and in-between snacks as
well as all your onboard daytime activities and fun, nighttime parties and
entertainment. Plus, a relaxing voyage to some of the most exciting and exotic
places in the world.
You'll find a cruise ship is a floating resort, with all the things a fine
resort has to offer and more. You'll meet new friends, people like yourself who
share the same tastes and interests. And, you can spend your days and nights
being as lively or leisurely as you like.
The hassles of an ordinary vacation are completely eliminated in one convenient
package. You don't have to worry about making dinner or nightclub reservations,
running to make connections, packing and unpacking, or expensive charges at
restaurants and nightclubs.
You can just lie back and be completely pampered. Or go non-stop. Dine like
never before. Enjoy one great show after another. Let your cares float away.
It's no wonder that more people are taking cruise vacations than ever before.
And it's no wonder that, once they get a taste of cruising, they come back for
more. Again and again.
As a matter of fact, cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers
than any other vacation experience.
If you have never been on a cruise you owe it to yourself to learn more about
this exciting vacation choice.
Note: Excerpts from CLIA Information.
|
When is The Best Time To Cruise? |
| Alaska |
May-September |
| Bahamas |
All Year |
| Bermuda |
May-October |
| Canada/New England |
June-October |
| Caribbean |
All Year |
| Hawaii |
All Year |
| Mediterranean |
May-October |
| Mexico |
All Year |
| Panama Canal |
January-May, September-December |
| Baltics-Scandinavia |
May-September |
| Trans Atlantic |
May, June, July, August-October |
What's Afloat?
Print Out A Typical
Daily
Onboard Schedule (
compliments of Royal Caribbean International )
You can download a PDF of our daily onboard schedule and view it using
Adobe® Acrobat 5.0 or higher.
Here's a typical day's activities from a Carnival Cruise Line ship.
Most
cruise ships have similar activities, others somewhat different.
|
Onboard Activities - Morning
|
|
|
|
|
|
6:30
am
|
Coffee
for early risers
|
Windows on the Sea & Poolside
|
|
7:00 -
8:00 am
|
Nautica Spa and Gymnasium opens
|
Sports
Deck
|
|
7:45
am
|
Main
seating for breakfast
|
Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms
|
|
8:00 -
10:00 am
|
Light
breakfast served
|
Windows on the Sea & Poolside
|
|
8:00
am
|
Slot
machines open
|
Club
21 Casino
|
|
8:00
am
|
Beginners’ step aerobics
|
Aerobics Studio
|
|
9:00
am
|
Late
seating for breakfast
|
Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms
|
|
9:00
am - 6:00 pm
|
Shuffleboard and volleyball equipment available
|
Information Desk
|
|
9:00
am - 12:00 pm
|
Children’s morning activities
|
Playroom
|
|
9:30 -
10:30 am
|
Library opens
|
Pavilion
|
|
10:00
am
|
Ping
Pong tournament
|
Verandah Deck
|
|
10:00
am - LATE
|
Full
casino open
|
Club
21 Casino
|
|
10:30
am - 12:00 pm
|
Photo
Gallery opens
|
Empress Deck
|
|
24
HOURS
|
Coffee, tea and bouillon served
|
Windows on the Sea
|
|
11:00
am
|
Horse
racing -- cheer your favorite horses as they race down the track!
|
Lido
Deck
|
|
12:00
- 12:30 pm
|
Salad
bar opens
|
Windows on the Sea
|
|
12:00
- 2:30 pm
|
Sun
Lovers luncheon served
|
Windows on the Sea
|
|
| |
|
Onboard Activities - Afternoon
Return to top
|
|
|
|
|
|
12:00
pm
|
Main
lunch seating
|
Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms
|
|
12:00
- 2:00 pm
|
Children’s supervised Free Play
|
Playroom
|
|
1:00
pm
|
Talent
show registration
|
Shore
Excursions Desk (Empress Deck)
|
|
1:00
pm
|
Ice
carving demonstration
|
Lido
Deck
|
|
1:00
pm
|
The
Slot Tournament
|
Club
21 Casino
|
|
1:30
pm
|
Late
lunch seating
|
Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms
|
|
1:30
pm
|
Pillow
fighting and pool games
|
Lido
Deck
|
|
2:00
pm
|
Dance
class
|
Universe Lounge
|
|
2:00
pm
|
Children’s Talent Show
|
Playroom
|
|
2:00
pm
|
Men’s
“Hairy Chest” contest
|
Lido
Deck
|
|
2:00 -
2:30 pm
|
Tour
of the Bridge
|
Lido
Deck
|
|
2:00 -
5:00 pm
|
Calypso music
|
Lido
Deck
|
|
2:00 -
5:00 pm
|
Children’s afternoon activities
|
Playroom
|
|
2:30
pm
|
Newlywed and Not So Newlywed game
|
Universe Lounge
|
|
3:00
pm
|
Cooking lesson and food carving demonstration
|
Electricity Dance Club
|
|
3:30
pm
|
Jackpot bingo
|
Universe Lounge
|
|
4:30
pm
|
Debarkation briefing -- baggage handling, customs procedures, tipping, etc.,
covered by Cruise Director
|
Universe Lounge
|
|
4:45 -
5:00 pm
|
Coffee, tea, ice cream and treats
|
Windows on the Sea and Poolside
|
|
|
Onboard Activities - Evening
Return to top
|
|
|
|
|
|
4:45 -
5:45 pm
|
Main
seating “Fun Ship” party
|
Promenade Deck
|
|
5:00 -
6:00 pm
|
Children’s supervised Free Play
|
Playroom
|
|
6:00
pm
|
Main
seating for American Dinner
|
Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms
|
|
6:00 -
7:00 pm
|
Children’s Playroom closed for dinner
|
|
|
7:00 -
10:00 pm
|
Children’s evening activities
|
Playroom
|
|
7:15 -
8:15 pm
|
Late
seating for “Fun Ship” party
|
Promenade Deck
|
|
8:00
pm
|
(Main
seating) Jackpot bingo
|
Universe Lounge
|
|
8:15
pm
|
Late
seating for American Dinner
|
Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms
|
|
8:30
pm
|
Showtime for main seating
|
Universe Lounge
|
|
9:30
pm - 1:30 am
|
Party
Music
|
Crystal Lounge
|
|
9:30
pm - 1:30 am
|
Rockin’
the Night Away
|
Promenade Deck
|
|
9:30
pm - 1:30 am
|
Visit
the Spinning Piano Bar
|
Cleopatra’s Bar
|
|
9:45
pm - 1:30 am
|
Great
music for listening and dancing
|
Cats
Lounge
|
|
10:00
pm
|
Late
seating “Monster Bingo”
|
Universe Lounge
|
|
10:00
pm
|
Dance
Club opens
|
Electricity Dance Club
|
|
10:00
pm - 2:00 am
|
Children’s Pajama Party
|
Playroom
|
|
10:30
pm
|
An Ol’
English Story
|
Universe Lounge
|
|
12:00
am
|
Midnight special show
|
Crystal Lounge
|
|
12:30
- 1:30 am
|
Midnight Pasta Buffet
|
Celebration Dining Room
|
|
1:30 -
2:30 am
|
Mini
Buffet
|
Promenade Deck
|
The CLIA has the answers. Be
sure to use your back button to return to Cruise Direct Online.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
|
22 Reasons To Take A
Cruise
-
There are cruises available for any budget.
-
From 3 to 100 days, cruises fit your schedule.
-
At a hotel you check-in, on a cruise you check-out.
-
One thing you'll never see on the menu is the price.
-
Cruising allows quality time with your family.
-
Visit 4 countries in a week.
-
The awe-inspiring view from the deck of a cruise ship is
included.
-
Sailing in the Tropic of Capricorn beats sitting on the freeway.
-
Get trim in state-of-the-art fitness centers.
-
No packing-unpacking-packing-unpacking-packing.
-
Travel to over 1,800 ports around the world.
-
The world is 2/3 water. Until you go on a cruise, you really
haven't visited earth.
-
Rejuvenate mind, body and spirit in the shipboard spa.
-
For the health conscious, low calorie, low sodium and
heart-healthy meals are available.
-
A resort just sits there, but a cruise will move you.
-
Listen to interesting lectures by world-renowned experts.
-
On some cruise ships, kids sail free, and they'll love you for
it.
-
On a cruise ship, your luggage arrives in your room before you
do.
-
You don't need to make dinner reservations.
-
Live entertainment. Casinos. Spas. All within a short stroll.
-
No cover charge, ever.
-
Experience other cultures.
-
Do everything, or nothing at all.
-
You haven't lived until you've cruised.
Where's The Best Place To
Stay Onboard Ship?
To the rear? or AFT
Engine noise is loudest in the aft end of the ship, although the noise is muted
most of the time.
To the front? or FORWARD
Thrusters and clanging anchor chains are most audible forward--towards the bow,
although the noise is intermittent.
The worst place to be?
Is a cabin near the disco, or theater or the lounge where live performances
carry on through the night.
Are you're prone to seasickness?
The most stable cabins in rough seas are in midship or lower down in the hull.
Helpful Tips For First-Time Cruisers
Courtesy of Royal Caribbean
International
We've talked to guests and they've helped us
compile an invaluable list of helpful tips for first-time cruisers. Who knows?
After your cruise you may have something to add.
1. Online Check-In - Speed up the boarding process by completing the Online
Check-In process online after reserving your cruise, instead of at the port
prior to departure.
2. Shore & Land Excursions are fun, full of adventure and very popular, so they
book up fast. You have 2 options: book them online, or book them onboard the
first day . Book early so you won't miss out on any of the fun.
3. For the first day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with your travel
documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, maybe workout clothes, and any
medications you may need. This will allow you to begin enjoying your vacation
immediately, because you won't have to wait for your bags to arrive at your
stateroom.
4. If the spa is your thing, try to make your appointments on the first day, as
the most popular treatments and times fill up fast.
5. If you want to grab a bite to eat when you first get onboard, head up to the
Lido Buffet; they'll be serving.
6. Every ship has two seatings for dinner in the main dining room - 6:15 p.m.
and 8:30 p.m. When you book your cruise you can select what time works best for
you and we'll assign you a table. Also, some of our ships have specialty
restaurants (i.e., Italian, steak, etc.) we highly recommend you try. (A nominal
fee applies.)
Editors note: Some ships
( not Royal Caribbean ) have anytime dining between 5-10pm where you choose what
time and with whom you wish to dine.
7. To make your cruise even
more enjoyable, drink packages ( non-alcoholic ) may be available that entitle
you to unlimited beverages at bars and lounges. It's a great idea for families!
8. For your convenience, cruise ships use a signing system. This system allows
you to charge all onboard purchases by presenting the Cruise Card that is issued
to you upon boarding. On the last morning of your cruise vacation, an itemized
statement will be delivered to your stateroom for verification. Your onboard
charges will be billed automatically to the credit card you selected upon
check-in.
9. Getting on and off the ship - Depending on the port, there are two ways to
get on and off the ship. In some ports, ships dock right in the port so you can
get on and off whenever you want via the gangplank. And in other ports, they use
tenders (small ferry-like boats) that will take you to the port; tenders run
frequently between the ship and the port. But remember to ALWAYS bring
your Boarding Pass with you, as you will need it to get off and get back on the
ship.
10. Tipping - So that you can thank
those who have made your cruise vacation better than you could have imagined,
we've developed these gratuity guidelines:
| Suite attendant: |
$5.75 USD |
a day per guest |
| Stateroom attendant: |
$3.50 USD |
a day per guest |
| Dining Room Waiter: |
$3.50 USD |
a day per guest |
| Assistant Waiter: |
$2.00 USD |
a day per guest |
| Headwaiter: |
$.75 USD |
a day per guest |
Note: These
gratuities apply to guests of all ages.
Gratuities for other service personnel are at your discretion. A 15% gratuity
will automatically be added to your bar bill or wine check when you are served. |
Envelopes for gratuities will be
provided in your stateroom on the last night of the cruise.
Gratuities may be paid in the
following ways:
 |
Pre paid by having them added to
your reservation by your booking agent. |
|
|
Added to your onboard account. |
|
|
Paid in cash at the end of the
cruise |
Editor's Note: Some cruise
line will automatically add gratuities to your onboard account, eliminating the
need to pass out envelopes. You can review those charges and if you have any
issues with service and staff you can discuss them with the cruise line prior to
paying your bill on the last day of sailing or at the time an issue occurs.
|
|
|
|
|
