Cheap Cruises: Which ships to sail for the best value {Gadling}

Jan 23rd 2011 12:06AM Hello cruise travelers,
My advise is always consult your professional cruise specialist / travel agent. They are in this business to assist you with making all of the correct choices and to guide you through the delicate booking process. If you have not cruised before, this is practically mandatory. You may do some advanced research on your own, by logging onto various websites and checking which dates, locations and cruise lines match your vacation needs. Ask lots of questions and do your homework. My wife and I have been on five cruises and are on yet another one in February. With each cruise, you learn how to be wiser and more savy. Arrive at the port at least ONE whole day before departure, since airlines cannot and will not guarantee that they will get you to the port . . . due to weather, mechanical and other delays. We had our dinner guests arrive three days late for their cruise, because they decided to leave Virginia about six hours before the departure in Tampa. The ship left port without them, so they struggled to catch up to the ship in Cozumel . . . after taking three separate flights, at their own expense. Travel with some close friends or family members. You already know them and have something in common. This experience will give you something to reflect on whenever you see them. We took our over-21-aged children with us before they got married and started their families . . . what a wonderful time together. We also recruited some close friends to travel with us on three cruises. We cherished each day and laugh about the dusty, off-road, Jeep adventure we took in Mexico. So far, we have done cruises with Carnival to the Western Caribbean, with Royal Caribbean to the Southern Caribbean islands, with Norwegian to the East Caribbean, with Holland-America on a cruise / tour to The Yukon Territory, Denali and the Alaskan Railroad to Anchorage, on Princess to the Mexican Riviera and now to the East Caribbean again with Princess. Our favorite cruise was aboard the Serenade of the Seas with Royal Caribbean from San Juan, to St. Thomas / St. John, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados and back to San Juan. The ship and crew were by far the very best . . . so far. Our next destination may be the Mediterranean, The Holy Land, etc. Our motto: Cruise and travel while you are still physically and mentally able to enjoy all that cruising and traveling has to offer. Because, once you are "six feet under," you have procrastinated too long. Some advise from a well-traveled, adventurer, "Get out there . . . and enjoy life !"