Picking your cabin...
Generally, the more desirable cabins (i.e., more expensive are on the top decks
of a ship)--and they almost always sell out first. The old adage used to
be, don't worry about your cabin, you won't spend much time there to begin
with. Actually, that's not true. Since cruise lines have shifted to the concept
of thinking of a ship as a self-contained resort, more emphasis has been
placed on making your cabin as comfortable (and larger) as possible. For
example, some people wonder about getting an outside cabin with a balcony.
This, in my opinion is almost entirely dependent on the cruise and the weather.
We did so on our cruise through the Panama Canal and it was wonderful. If
the weather is somewhat temperate, you can sit outside and enjoy splendid
scenery. On the other hand, if it is blustery weather as sometimes happens
to/fromÊAlaska, you probably won't think that a balcony is such a good deal.
Selection of your cabin may also affect whether you feel the ship "rock &Êroll." More
information for travelers
About sea sickness...
A couple of common questions that come up about cruising to begin with. First--how
should I pick the cabin I want. t feel as if it was worth the extra $$$.
Sorry to say, there is no definitive answer here. Second, what about sea
sickness. In general, this concern is overdone, perhaps more among first
time cruisers. The larger ships have several stabilizers that even out
the pitch and roll of the ship--but in heavy seas (i.e., waves 15 ft. or
more), you can certainly feel some discomfort. A tip: Book early (and save
money as a rule too!!!) and ask for a cabin near the center part of the
ship, away from the bow (front), or the stern (rear) of the ship. You'll
get relatively less movement in the center sections. One downside to this
is to be sure you get a cabin away from elevators, stairs (which are often
near the center of the ship) or other high traffic areas if you value a
more quiet night's sleep. Finally, if you are prone to motion sickness,
the ship's doctor can give you something for a nominal charge--or you may
choose to get an over the counter product from your pharmacist before you
leave. We prefer Bonnine, instead of Dramimine, since it does not induce
sleepiness.More information
for travelers
About Shopping...
If you are going to the Caribbean, do your homework about shopping before you
leave and resist the lure of "getting an irresistible bargain." My recommendation
is to stick with name brand electronics and cameras (along with specific
model numbers), and check prices before you leave. You can get "clipped" quickly
when you succumb to all those beautiful rings, broaches, and necklaces
in the hundreds of shops in St. Thomas and elsewhere. My wife and I bought
a ring that seemed like a good deal only to arrive back home to find it
was appraised for $$$ less than we paid for it.ÊEach ship will recommend
certain shops (of course, they get a "kickback" for doing so), and will
tell you that they "guarantee" your purchase. There's absolutely nothing
unethical about this, it's just a way for the cruise line to enhance its
revenue. Each cruise line's policies vary, but this frequently involves
a hassle (what you want to avoid on a cruise, of course!) to get your money
back. So the phrase for shopping is "caveat emptor."More
information for travelers
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