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Sailing Away
Taking a cruise has always been
a popular way to spend a
vacation. Cruises provide
everything the traveler could
want under one roof - food,
accommodations, recreation and
entertainment. According to the
Cruise Lines International
Association, over 2 million
people took cruises in the third
quarter of 2002. Statistics show
that the number of people
booking cruises grows by 8.4
percent each year.
If you decide what kind
of trip you want to take,
finding a cruise that
fits your taste, style
and price range will not
be a difficult task.
The first step you
should take is to
research the various
cruise lines. Holland
America, Carnival,
Norwegian, Royal
Caribbean International,
Cunard and Disney each
offer different
destinations, prices,
and ships.
If you are traveling
with your family, book
passage on the Disney
Cruise lines. The prices
are very reasonable and
meals and activities are
included. There are
plenty of children's
activities to keep the
little ones busy, such
as Disney's Oceaneer
Club, which has been
constructed to resemble
a deck on Captain Hook's
ship. For grownups who
need a break from the
younger set, there are
separate entertainment
venues.
If your goal is to visit
the Bahamas, Bermuda, or
any part of the
Caribbean, then the
Carnival Cruise lines
are for you. With 19
ships to choose from,
you're bound to find
something that suits
your needs. The best
deals are during the
winter months, when
trips can go for as
little as $599 for a
double-occupancy room.
Ports of call vary, so
you can pick up a ship
at almost any major port.
If you're looking for
Las Vegas-style glitz,
Carnival has all the
qualities you're seeking.
A cruise line is
responsible for
providing you with safe,
healthy services and
facilities. So no matter
which line you choose,
you should make sure
that you know their
responsibilities and
your own rights. Before
you book a ticket,
request a copy of the
cruise contract and
study it. Remember,
you'll be on a ship and
that ship will be out to
sea. Therefore, you're
not governed by any land
laws. As a passenger,
the terms of your ticket
and an area of law
called maritime law
determine most of your
legal rights.
So when you do buy your
ticket, study it
carefully. If you are
injured while on a
cruise, you are entitled
to receive payments for
medical costs, lost
earnings, and pain and
suffering if the cruise
line is found
responsible for your
injury.
Karen Pratt, a State
Farm Insurance agent,
says travel insurance
must be an important
part of your travel
plans. "Many travel
agents offer refund
insurance for cruise
travel. This option
should be evaluated
closely." Don't purchase
insurance until you find
out exactly what will be
covered. In general,
you're better off buying
insurance from an
insurance company.
As an additional
precaution, you should
also check with the
Better Business Bureau
to see if any complaints
have been registered
against the cruise line.
Most cruises will be
nothing but enjoyable -
but you can be sure of
that if you take the
right precautions!
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Tips for
Choosing a
Cruise
Decide, then buy.
Once you decide
you want to take
a cruise,
determine how
you will be
purchasing your
ticket. Will you
use a travel
agent, go
online, or
purchase the
ticket directly
from the cruise
line?
When do you want
to go?
Keep in mind
that prices vary
depending on
when you take
the cruise.
How many days?
Determine how
long you want to
be on the cruise.
What's your
budget?
Decide how much
you can afford
to spend on this
vacation.
Where do you
want to go?
Pick your
favorite
location and
research the
best options in
that area.
Don't
procrastinate!
The sooner you
purchase the
ticket, the
greater your
vacation savings.
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Popular Cruise
Lines
Holland
America (www.hollandamerica.com
)
Carnival
Cruise Lines(www.carnival.com)
Norwegian
Cruise Lines
(www.ncl.com)
Royal
Caribbean
International
(www.royalcaribbean.com)
Cunard (www.cunard.com)
Disney Cruise
Lines (www.disneycruise.com)
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