First Time Cruisers
July 29, 2008 
15 Comments
Pictured below are two first time cruisers. The cute couple is my brother, Mike, and Sister-in-Law, Lauren. They are similar to a lot of the people who have never been on a cruise vacation. They have done several land based resort vacations and their typical summer vacation is renting a condo or beach house for a week. To alot of cruise newbies booking their first cruise vacation seems to be an overwhelming task. So many destinations, so many cruise lines and ships…and once all of the choices have been made, then a cabin selection has to be made. Inside or balcony? There are almost too many choices. I recommend that 1st time cruisers book through an experienced cruise consultant. A great cruise consultant is one who can ask you several quick and easy questions to help you narrow down your choices to 2 or 3 based on your preferences. And like I tell everyone who is having touble deciding on their first cruise, it is like buying your first home, afterward you will find a few things you want different in your next house (cruise) but you will still be very happy that you bought your first home (cruise) and look forward to buying the second one.
Luckily for my brother they had it easy, because I was looking for the best deal possible for them. And when the NCL Sky Bahama Deal came across my desk, I booked them immediately. It was the least expensive 4 night cruise I had seen in two years, $159 per person as of today. Plus it is the youngest ship to cruise to the bahamas. The only part I feel bad about is that now they are going to be addicted to cruising….and they have agreed to let me post their vacation pics with their review of their first cruise vacation with helpful hints for first-timers.
Leading up to the cruise I am going to write posts about their preparation for their first cruise. And when they return, I will have their vacation pics and review on the site. Hopefully this helps any of you looking to go on your first cruise. First time cruisers, feel free to leave questions in the comments, I will answer them quickly. Click on the NCL Sky Link above to get more details about the NCL Sky Deals.
Related posts:
Post Written By:
This might sound dumb, but I’ve never taken a cruise before. Must you find your own way back home, after the cruise? If you sail to Canada from Florida, must you make arrangements to go back to Florida other than the boat? Thanks.
Reggie,
Not a dumb question! The cruise lines usually offer one air back to Canada if you are looking at doing a repositioning or a one way cruise. You can usually find air on your own that is cheaper than the air that the cruise line offers. Typically when you see advertised Cruise prices they do not include air.
Thank you very much! It helps to know these things before planning a cruise!
BTW, what do the terms “repositioning” and a “one cruise” mean?
Reggie,
Most Cruises are Roundtrip, where they start and end atthe same port.
A repositioning cruise is a cruise where the Ship was doing an itinerary during one part of the year and then it moves to start doing a new itinerary. These cruises are usually your best per day values because the cruise line is moving the ship and they would rather have it full of people then empty, so the rates will be a lower.
One ways, usually go back in forth between a embarkation port and a disembarkation port. Like transatlantics going back in forth between New York and London.
I would like to fly to the first port and get on the cruise from there. How can I do that?
Laura, It is called a downline Embarkation.
You ahve to get special permission from the cruise line to do it. Once it is approved by the cruise line it is easy..you still pay the full price although you are starting at the 1st port.
thanks! Rich Tucker