Cruise Trip Tips

My husband and I recently took our first cruise, and one thing he was smart enough to bring along was a bright yellow highlighter. I had no idea why he would bring it along, but apparently his frequent-cruiser relatives gave him this tip.

The first day of our cruise, we sat on our balcony sipping champagne reading the daily newsletter. My husband breaks out the highlighter and goes to town, highlighting all the activities that captured his interest.

I have to admit, it was a brilliant tip. There are so many activities onboard any cruise ship, and this is a simple, practical way to organize your time.

1. A power strip or extension cord (most rooms only have ONE power outlet).
2. A shoe hanger for extra bathroom storage. Counter space is limited.
3. A bungee cord to hold open the balcony door.
4. A bathroom air freshener.
5. Ziploc bags, so you can take room service food on shore excursions.
6. A large Plastic mug or plastic cups.

Any cruise virgin should be told BEFORE going on a cruise that many cruise lines automatically slap you with gratuity charges.

Different cruise lines have their own "tipping guidelines" that they use to charge you. Most charge on a per person/per day basis. With all of the people that expect to be tipped, this can get really pricey -- especially for large families.

Cruisers should know that a quick trip to the Purser's Desk can have those gratuities removed from your bill, and you'll be free to tip deserving persons accordingly.

This tip is more for the young crowd than the more experienced traveler...

Some cruisers tend to over-indulge in the spirits provided by the clubs found aboard a cruise ship. I have to admit, I was one of those recent graduates enjoying my new-found freedom. I enjoyed it so much, in fact, I couldn't locate my cabin when closing time came around.

Yes, I was one of the teenagers crawling the hallways of the cruise ship looking for her room. Therefore: I would highly recommend writing your deck and cabin number on some paper -- or snapping a photo of your door with your cellphone -- before starting the party. After all, the miles of hallways on a cruise ship do look similar.

• Thirty days before the cruise, start taking 2 ginger tablets every day.
• Seven days before the cruise, begin taking 1 non-drowsy Dramamine along with the ginger tablets.
• During the cruise, continue taking the ginger and Dramamine.

Large and small cruise companies alike have come to realize that creating opportunities for like-minded individuals to come together on a cruise is a really good thing. Thus, the "themed cruise" was born.

The sky's the limit when it comes to themed cruises; if you can imagine it, it probably already exists. Movie fans can dress like their favorite characters; Harley Davidson aficionados can bring their bikes; scrapbookers have cruises of their own; and golfers have a range (no pun intended) of cruises to choose from, as well.

In the world of theme cruises, the most popular seem to be music-themed cruises. And, in the classification of music, the theme cruises offered are inclusive of all genres ranging from country and western, to classical -- even hard rock!

Remember: if one of your traveling group happens to love only classic rock and roll, they will be miserable on a ship full of several thousand crazy jazz aficionados. So be sure all members of your group are "on board" with the chosen theme.

Most cruise ships today are multi-deck mini-cities carrying as many as 5,000 passengers. And, unless you're traveling alone, you may find yourself separated from your traveling party at some point during your cruise. How to reconnect... or stay connected in the first place?

Give each member of your group a two-way radio, all programmed to the same frequency to help keep you organized and in touch. These handy radio sets, priced from about $40, offer features like rechargeable batteries and programmable ring tones.

Remember: your cell phone may not work on a cruise ship, and even if it does, the roaming charges may be crushing.

1. Pick up an over-the-door shoe organizer. These handy devices can hold everything from make up to sunscreen.
2. Grab a portable shower caddy to easily store everything in that tiny shower.
3. Bring a surge protector for charging those camcorder and digital camera batteries.

My best cruise was one that my husband planned as an anniversary surprise.

Thinking ahead, he went on the cruiselines' website and arranged to have the cabin decorated beautifully with balloons, streamers and an anniversary banner. We received a welcome bottle of champagne and anniversary cake; something different was delivered each day. It was like a second honeymoon.

Careful planning makes for a great, worry-free vacation -- and can make a loved one feel even more special.

My best cruise trips have always been the ones in which I've put in extra effort to plan what I'm doing when I'm off the ship.

The biggest appeal about taking a cruise is the opportunity to visit multiple interesting, beautiful locations in one trip. The downside is that without planning you might find that the only thing you see are the little tourist shops right at port -- surrounded, filled, and overrun by fellow cruisers.

By researching and planning you get to your destination knowing if a less busy beach is within walking distance, or that a short taxi ride can take you to a really cool museum.

• charter a private helicopter to walk on a real glacier;
• dive through the rain forest on a zip line; or
• see real Mayan ruins.

1. Read the latest issues of Travel Weekly, especially the issues with a cruise guide. Then ask agents about specific cruises that interest you.
2. Get prices from several agents. Surprisingly, prices often vary because of the many promotional gimmicks of the cruise lines.
3. Ask about cash rebates, free airfare to the port of departure, flat rates for inside and outside cabins, and free passage for third and fourth persons.
4. Finally, check with the steamship company itself, which may give you a better deal.