| Once you decide that you'd like to cruise, there are a | | | | be afraid to let the professionals take care of you. |
| number of other things to consider to enhance your | | | | Sometimes paying a few extra dollars is worth it to |
| cruise as well as make it go smoothly. | | | | know that someone else has taken care of the details. |
| Naturally you need to sort out things like when and | | | | My guides and the forum participation will still insure that |
| where you want to cruise as well as with which | | | | you are able to make informed decisions. |
| cruiseline, which ship and what things you want to do | | | | Before you go |
| off the ship. Do you want to cruise to Alaska and | | | | I'm generally not a paranoid person, but would like to |
| watch whales or stay warm and cruise the | | | | share a few security tips that could help keep things |
| Caribbean? Would you rather sail on a massive ocean | | | | secure while you're on your vacation. Before you |
| liner or does a smaller, more elegant vessel interest | | | | leave for your cruise, it might be a good idea to call the |
| you? Are you ready to leave tomorrow or would you | | | | post office and have them stop delivery of your mail. If |
| rather wait and search out the deals? When the ship | | | | you haven't arranged for someone to come and get |
| docks in the various ports of call, will you remain on the | | | | your mail while they feed your pets, you might want to |
| ship, head out shopping or go on a fun filled, exciting | | | | look into that. A large pile of mail sticking out of your |
| shore excursion? | | | | mailbox is telling sign for thieves to come and rip you |
| There are a few ways you can collect this information | | | | off. |
| and doing the leg work up front will save you time, | | | | Your home phone should either have the ringer turned |
| money and aggravation down the road I promise you | | | | off or have you answering machine set to pick up on |
| that. Saving the legwork and getting right down to the | | | | two rings. This could reduce the risk of someone |
| good stuff is what most people are after. I have | | | | figuring out that you're not home. |
| written three books on cruising and have compiled all | | | | If you happen to live in a snowy part of the world, your |
| of the slick tricks that I've learned into the books for | | | | driveway might get snowy while you're gone and if |
| you to have all the info you need together in one spot. | | | | you haven't got any tire tracks in your driveway, this |
| Follow the link in my resource box and have a look. | | | | could be all the indication thieves need to know it's |
| You should also search out, join and familiarize yourself | | | | safe to enter your home. |
| with the Cruise message boards. On these boards, | | | | Rather than rely on mail stoppages, answering |
| members will post their reviews of everything from | | | | machines and light timers, I prefer to keep things |
| flights to ships to shore excursions and more in great | | | | looking natural while away. I always have a friend |
| detail. Do take these reviews with a grain of salt | | | | come over to get the mail and feed the cat as a |
| though. Some of the people seem like they couldn't | | | | minimum. If they are a really good friend, they'll shovel |
| have fun anywhere! | | | | the driveway and walk, but people don't like to do their |
| This is an excellent way to find out about the various | | | | own shoveling let alone yours, so why not have it |
| shore excursions. Members will report back on what | | | | done? One way is to pay the neighbour kid a flat rate |
| tours they did, what operators they liked or disliked, | | | | to keep it shoveled while you're gone. Letting his/her |
| any problems they had and more. | | | | parents know when you'll be leaving and returning as |
| In many cases, someone on a forum will start a post | | | | well as what you've asked to have done is probably |
| called a "roll call". This is a gathering place for | | | | not a bad idea. |
| passengers of a specific sailing date for a specific ship | | | | If you know someone with a plow or have a local |
| and I highly recommend you search them out. If you | | | | plow service, you can ask them to come scrape your |
| cannot find a roll call for your cruise...create one! How | | | | driveway after each snow. I guess if you're really |
| you say? It's very easy... | | | | cheap, you could just have the friend drive on your |
| Let's say you are cruising on the Carnival Legend from | | | | driveway when they come to get the mail. |
| February 17th to February 24th. You would simply | | | | At any rate, chances are that someone isn't lying in the |
| search for or create a post called "Carnival Legend - | | | | bushes waiting for you to go on vacation so you'll |
| Feb. 17th to Feb. 24th" People will find it, trust me! Once | | | | have to gauge the risk and do what gives you piece |
| a few of your cruisemates find your post, you will be | | | | of mind. |
| able to swap plans and stories, maybe learn a tips or | | | | Next time I'll cover packing and preparing for your |
| two and maybe even make some friends. My wife | | | | cruise. If you want to cut to the chase and get right |
| and I always make a point to meet up somewhere on | | | | into the info, stop by and pick up one or all of my |
| the ship with our roll call friends and we've remained | | | | cruise ship tips books. They contain a vast amount of |
| friends with some of them to this day. | | | | information that will allow you to select and prepare for |
| Let's not forget your friendly local travel agent. Sure | | | | the cruise vacation of a life time! |
| you can research and book your flights and cruises all | | | | Until next time, be well and happy cruising! |
| by yourself online, but if you find it overwhelming, don't | | | | |