| After the destination is chosen, one of the most | | | | categories - budget, premium, or luxury. On-board |
| important decisions to be made is how to choose a | | | | amenities as well as on-shore activities play a role in |
| cruise ship. With almost 200 ships in more than 20 | | | | price, but probably the primary difference in the |
| major cruise lines that may seem like a daunting task | | | | categories will be the staff-to-customer ratio. If |
| at first, but you'll find it easier than expected to narrow | | | | personalized service and having someone at your |
| down the field. | | | | beck and call is important to you, opt for a luxury |
| Make sure to select a cruise line that matches your | | | | cruise ship. |
| personality and your expectations from your vacation. | | | | Cruise ships also come in a wide range of sizes, |
| Are you taking a family vacation? The Disney cruise | | | | although size may not be the primary concern. Cruise |
| ships, not surprisingly, are geared towards families and | | | | West and SeaDream Yachts offer some of the |
| children, but Royal Caribbean also has an excellent | | | | smallest ships, under 200 passengers. Small ships will |
| reputation for ships that are family friendly and have | | | | offer a more personalized experience, and their size |
| great teen programs. If you're looking for a cruise ship | | | | allows them to visit smaller and less-traveled ports. As |
| for the perfect honeymoon, Princess is associated | | | | a down side, smaller ships aren't able to offer the |
| with romance, while Windstar or Regent Seven Seas | | | | extravagant entertainment of larger ships. If you're |
| are outfitted for luxury and private intimate moments. | | | | prone to sea-sickness, a larger ship is definitely the |
| Decide whether you're most interested in the time | | | | better option. The larger the ship, the less noticeable |
| spent at the destination, or in how you want to spend | | | | the rolling motion of travel at sea. |
| the time on the ship itself. All but the smallest cruise | | | | One last consideration that may not come immediately |
| ships generally offer such amenities as spas, gyms, | | | | to mind - is this a maiden voyage, or will you be |
| shows or entertainment and a variety of dining options. | | | | traveling on an established ship? While the first thought |
| Travelers that are more interested in the destination | | | | may be "the newer the better," there are |
| itself will find that Carnival is known for offering some | | | | disadvantages to being on the first trip of a new cruise |
| of the best shore excursions, although lines featuring | | | | ship. Certainly everything is brand new, and there are |
| smaller cruise ships can often visit exotic smaller ports | | | | certain bragging rights when you can say, "I was on |
| that are inaccessible to the large ships | | | | the first voyage of ship XYZ." |
| On the other hand, if you're more interested in your | | | | But the first cruise is sometimes a shake-out cruise. |
| time on the ship, perhaps you should consider | | | | The staffs probably haven't worked together before |
| Norwegian, which features cruise ships known for their | | | | and are still trying to come together as a team. They |
| suites as well as their entertainment. Norwegian is also | | | | may be inexperienced and going through on-the-job |
| more casual than other cruise ships, and skips the | | | | training. And of course, a ship is a massive construction |
| assigned dining times. If you're looking forward to a | | | | project, just like building a new apartment or office |
| fantastic dining experience, Oceania is known for | | | | building, and just like a new building, a new ship may |
| wonderful specialty restaurants, while Celebrity is | | | | have glitches in the plumbing or the wiring to be |
| famous for healthful and alternative dining choices. But | | | | worked out. If you want perfection on your cruise, you |
| if luxury is the goal, Crystal Cruises offer some of the | | | | may want to make sure that you've chosen an |
| best luxury ships and fine dining to be found at sea, or | | | | established ship. |
| check out Costa Cruises' Concordia class for an | | | | Your choice of ship is a big factor in enjoying your |
| incredible spa experience. | | | | dream vacation. Take the time to choose the perfect |
| Of course, for many people, the budget is an important | | | | cruise ship for you. |
| issue. Cruises can be divided into three basic | | | | |
