Cruise lines normally provide you with a brochure that will give you some guidelines of what to pack. If you are travelling as a couple, pack some of your clothes in your spouse’s suitcase and vice versa. In the event that one of you looses your luggage, both of you will have something to wear.

Cruise has become a much more casual affair now than before. Some luxury cruise lines are more formal than regular cruise lines. The typical 7 day cruise will have only two formal nights with the rest being informal or casual.

Dress code can be confusing for first timers so let’s take a look together. Dress code varies from ship to ship. During the day you can wear summer cotton clothes: shorts, t-shirt, swimsuits, sandals, cotton dresses – almost anything. Please wear comfortable shoes – decks can be slippery.

Cruise ranges from 3 nights to 120 nights. A 7 night cruise is the most popular. There are more choices of ships and destinations with 7 night cruises. Also, you have more time to enjoy the on board activities. It’s up to you! A few 2 nights promotion is possible once in a while.

If you live within driving distance to the port of departure, you are lucky. If you have to fly to get there, leave at least 2 days before the cruise departure date and stay in a hotel. This will allow for airline delays etc.

Where you stay on board depends on your budget and the type of ship you are on. Two important aspects to look for are the type of room you will be staying and the location on the ship.

 Rooms on ships are called cabins or staterooms. The term is interchangeable. Cabins are not the same as your usual hotel room. Cabins are smaller and can run from 120 square feet upwards. Let’s go over the types of cabins or staterooms on a cruise ship.

Get your travel books from Amazon. Travel Books are fun way to heighten your travel vacation and build anticipation. It gives you some context to build your vacation around.

Cruises are generally “all inclusive vacation”. When you pay for your cruise experience you have covered what the majority of your vacation will cost you. Let us look at what “all inclusive” means.

This will vary from cruise line to cruise line and from ship to ship. So, let’s look at the list of things that are almost always included:

Accommodations: Your stay ON the ship is included but unless you purchase a package, airfares, port charges, government fees and taxes, and transfers between the airport and the docks are normally not included.

DO NOT book your cruise trip by yourself. A cruise vacation is not a shoe you buy and can return it if it does not fit you or if you decide you do not like it. There are so many issues involved in cruise and gambling your valuable time and well earned money by booking yourself is not a smart thing to do. Allow a professional to assist you.

If you are planning to go on a cruise during this hurricane season, check the weather update at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and your cruise line web page.  They normally have a 'latest update' icon to tell you about changes in itineary because of the storm or any other news.  Cruise ships are equipped with information systems so they are able to avoid storms.

Yes, the Caribbean Islands are known for their hurricanes. You see in the news the devastation of hurricanes as they sweep through lands. Hurricane Gustav and hurricane Hannah are threatening the Caribbean this year and the US as well. So, is it wise to visit the warm and inviting Caribbean Islands during this time? The answer is, if on a cruise, of course. Let us look at what a hurricane is and why a cruise is your best choice.

Budgeting for a vacation just makes good sense, and cruises are no exception. You proudly shop around for just the right cruise at the right price, marveling at getting such a good deal; then once on board, promptly spend the next three months’ paychecks on the many extras available. Use good dollar sense on your next cruise to feel as good after the vacation as you do during it by following just a few tips.