Archive for the 'Cruising Q & A' Category

It's an established fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers over any other vacation experience and it's no wonder that more people are taking cruise vacations than ever before. And once they get a taste for cruising they will come back again and again. Ask your CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) member travel agent about cruising. They can recommend a cruise vacation from personal experience and will offer their perspective on a particular destination or ship. This is invaluable, especially for first time cruisers. There is no better referral than from those who have been there. You can rely on the agent to fill you in on all the small details that will mean the difference between a good cruise vacation and a memorable one - one that will keep you coming back year after year. 

You will find that today's mega-cruise ships are so grand that they resemble floating resorts, with all the amenities a world-class resort has to offer and much more. After experiencing several cruises you may find that you prefer a smaller ship, some offer unique destinations but are no less equipped than their big sisters. Chances are you will meet new friends who share the same interests as you and you can explore new places together. These ships are so large that it takes some time to orient yourself to where things are but it's an adventure to explore, find quiet and out of the way places, and there is always a friendly crew member to help you if you get turned around. 

The price of your cruise includes your accommodations on board, most activities, parties and entertainment; most meals and snacks; and of course, an exciting voyage to some of the most enchanting and culturally enriching places in the world. Talk to your cruise experts about what is NOT included so that there are no surprises. Shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, some soft drinks and the occasional special show may require additional funds.

Get to know your ship.

Berth: A fancy word for where the ship parks/It's so cool to watch it maneuver in and out of the harbor from the top deck.
Bow/Stern: Front and rear of the ship, respectively/You want to visit both while at sea, porpoise frolicking off the bow and wake churning up luminescent plankton at night.
Gangway: The passageway where you board/Here is where the excitement really mounts after months of anticipation - you can feel the buzz in the air.
Stateroom: Your room onboard - just like your favorite hotel room, but floating/And so cozy!
Tender: A small vessel that transports people from ship to shore/Hard to leave the comfort of the ship but get out and absorb some of the culture, besides, the shopping is great!
Ship: A large, seaworthy… just kidding. You already knew that one

Good things to know about cruising.

Embark: To get on the ship. Getting off is called disembarking/You will want to book another cruise vacation immediately!
Excursion: Activities, tours or entertainment offered in each port/The ships staff will look after you to make sure you enjoy each port of call.
Knot: A unit of speed that equals one nautical mile an hour/Sometimes at sea it seems like you are flying but in reality you are cruising at a modest 15-20 knots.
Mustering: The safety drill conducted before every cruise/It's highly unlikely for anything to happen but it's a good idea to pay attention for the few minutes it takes.
Ports: The cities, towns and islands the ship (and you) will be visiting/Some so beautiful as seen from your ship that it's hard to believe that you are really there!
Cruisetour: A combination cruise vacation and land tour/These are great! You can spend as long as you want traveling to your favorite destinations either before or after your cruise.

Cruise Lingo 101 Courtesy of: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

It's true - For value, variety and satisfaction there is nothing like a Cruise Vacation! Every day more and more people discover the inclusive benefits of cruising. Singles, families, couples, honeymooners and groups of friends sail away on the vacation of their dreams. This year, over 12 million people will enjoy a cruise vacation. 

CLIA - Cruise Lines International Association supports CLIA approved cruise agencies by providing information to their clients that will help them plan their next and best vacation - a cruise vacation! Representing the finest cruise lines through affiliations with thousands of professional travel agencies in North America.

Look for the blue and teal CLIA Seal which designates an "Official Travel Agency of the Cruise Industry" which we are fortunate to have one of the best right in our neighborhood, Arizona Trails Worldwide Travel Services. With five experienced cruise professionals, including "Master" and "Elite" Cruise Counselors on staff to serve you and over 100 cruises among them, there is not much they don't know about cruising. 

Within these pages and with help from CLIA's publication, Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Cruising, we aspire to educate and answer basic questions about cruise vacations. But we won't stop with just general knowledge. We have expanded each question within a Cruise Q & A category that will present you with an honest assessment of a particular cruise feature. We have included much more information than you can find on any cruise line's website so that there are no surprises for the client. We happen to think that cruises are one of the best vacations around but there are some things that you should be aware of before you go.

We want to match you with the perfect cruise so call us toll-free: 1-888-799-4284 or visit us on the web at ArizonaTrails.com and stay tuned for Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Cruising!