Discover Cruising 1st Time Cruisers After you have booked your 1st Cruise Once you have booked your cruise and your tickets arrive, they will usually be accompanied by a booklet describing the ship and cruise that you have booked and advising on things like dress codes, gratuities, shore excursions, etc. Do spend some time reading this documentation as you’ll gain valuable advice on what to pack and how much to budget for drinks, gratuities and excursions. All ships accept credit cards, though you can deposit travelers cheques or cash when you register at the start of a cruise. You’ll then run an account while you’re on board and settle at the end. A final bill will be delivered to you cabin/stateroom on the last night. For your convenience and if your tips are not pre-payable (your 1st cruise holiday consultant will advise you on this) some ships will distribute envelopes for passengers to fill and dispense on the final night. You are advised to take dollars, sterling or euros depending on the on board currency. Inside or Out? Cabins or staterooms as many cruise lines now call them come in many shapes and sizes, but to simplify matters they come in 4 categories. Inside, Outside, Balcony cabins and Suites. Inside cabins are less expensive than their outside equivalent. There is no natural light, however lighting is good and inside cabins are now designed with drawn curtains to give the impression that there is a window in the cabin. If you do suffer from claustrophobia, you are probably better to choose an outside cabin especially if it is your first cruise. The advantage of an inside cabin is the price and you do sleep well with no natural light to wake you in the morning. The disadvantage is no natural light and you are unable to view the weather. Therefore a scouting mission is required to get your weather report. Many past passengers book an inside cabin to keep costs down and as you spend little time in your cabin apart from sleeping and a quick change for dinner they do not feel the need to spend needlessly. Most cabins come equipped with TV, Phone, Safe and private facilities in the way of bath or shower. Outside cabins will either have a porthole or picture window depending on ship and/or position on ship. As you move up the cabin/stateroom scale, they become larger and better positioned on the ship. Mid ship cabins are generally more expensive than those at the front or rear of the ship. The facilities will increase and provide greater wardrobe space. Balcony cabins are now becoming much more popular and ships are providing more and more of these cabins. Suites have a lot more facilities and many include canapés being sent to your suite each night before dinner together with a glass of Champagne. Some of the larger suites include your very own butler and pianist, however, these do come at a price. Guide to Cruise Lines By clicking on the name of the cruise line you will find further information on the cruise line and their ships. Cruise Line Class Rating Passenger Mix Carnival (American) Standard/Superior 3 to 4 Star Age range 20 to 50 Kids clubs on all sailings Celebrity (American) De-luxe 4 to 5 star Age range across the board Couple/Families Costa Cruise Line (Italian/US/British) Superior 4 star Ages 30 to 65 Family Cruising Crystal Cruises (American) De-Luxe 6 star Couples/Singles Cunard (British/American) Superior/De-Luxe 4 to 5 star Couples/Singles Disney Superior 4 star Families Fred Olsen Standard/Superior 3 to 4 star Age range across the board Families Holland America (American) De-Luxe 5 star 30 to 65plus Island Cruise Lines (British) Standard 3 star Age range across the board Norwegian Coastal Voyage Standard 3 star Family Cruising Couples Norwegian Cruise Lines(American) Superior 4 star Couples/Families 30 to 65 plus Oceania Cruises (American) Superior 4 star Couples/Singles 30 to 65 plus Ocean Village (British) Standard 3 star plus Couples/Families 25 to 45 Orient Lines (British) Superior 4 star Singles/Couples 40 to 65 plus P & O (British) Superior 4 star Singles/Couples/Families Age range across the board Also have 2 adult only ships Princess Cruises (American/British) Superior 4 star Singles/Couples/Families 35 to 65 plus Radisson Seven Seas (American) De-Luxe 5 star Singles/Couples 40 to 65 plus Royal Caribbean (American/British) Superior 4 star Couples/Families Age range across the board Seabourn (American) De-Luxe 5/6 star Couples 40 to 60 plus Silversea (Italian/American) De-Luxe 5/6 star Couples 40 to 60 plus Star Clipper (European) Superior 4/5star Couples 25 to 60 plus Thomson Cruises (British) Standard 3 star Age range across the board Family Cruising Quick Destination Guides...