Cruise Lines & Your Holiday

There are so many different types of cruise lines these days that it can be difficult to know where to begin! How do you know what each line offers, and whether it is the best one for you? There are several ways to research your options and find a cruise line ship that will give you your dream holiday. We recommend that you try the following steps if you're stumped as to what cruise line to choose:

1) Get in touch with a travel agent. This simple step can save you a lot of time and money in the end. Travel agents are experts in cruise line travel, and can quickly find the type of trip you are looking for. They also have deals with several cruise companies, and can get you special discounts and offers.

2) Check out the Cruise Lines International Association's resources. The CLIA is committed to providing accurate information to cruise line passengers. The Cruise Industry Source Book is a complete listing of all cruise ship travel lines available, and includes information about each company's ports, highlights, and news. You can refer to this book for a quick and easy way to get the facts you need in order to make a decision.

3) Browse the internet. Now that so many companies are publishing information about their cruise holiday travel options, it is easier than ever to compare services, accommodations, and rates. Most cruise line home pages list prices upfront, so you don't have to do too much digging to find the information you're looking for. You can also find out whether the company has a customer service line available to answer any questions you may have about the cruise line.

4) Decide on what is most important to you. Because cruise lines now come in so many different styles and sizes, you'll have to decide on your priorities in order to narrow down your search. Do you want the largest cruise line, the smallest, or somewhere in between? Are you looking for excitement or relaxation? Do you want the cruise to be family-friendly or more mature? These factors will all make a big difference in the cruise line you end up choosing.

5) Talk to knowledgeable friends and relatives. If you know of any people that have been on cruise trips in the past, ask them about what line they chose and what their experience was. What did they like and not like? What would they do differently if they were to go on a second cruise? This is a good way of getting 'inside' information that isn't available to you in any other way.