Want To Know More About Cruises and Cruise Ships?

Today, Norm Goldman Editor Sketchandtravel.com says, as the guest of Sketchandtravel.com Douglas Ward, author of Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships 2005, published today in its twentieth year of publication, Berlitz Publishing have.

Thanks be interviewed Douglas accepting our invitation, too.

Norm: Douglas Could you give us about yourself and why you wanted to write a book about cruising and cruise ships?

Douglas: I workedon board passenger ships for 17 years before it becomes an association of cruise passengers who are looking for more comparative information about cruise ships and cruises. Thus was born the idea for the book that started with 120 ships and 256 pages. Today, after 20 years the book has grown to 256 sea-going ships, 656 pages, and include a half-million words.

Norm: I noticed your first book published on cruises and cruise ships, twenty years ago, and you haveYour book has been updated every year. How do you go about gathering material every year for these updates and how long it takes you to update your annual publication?

Douglas: First, it takes me at least three hours a day, updated every single day of the year, just to the book keep up-to-date and accurate. I also travel extensively, not less than 250 days per year. So, of course, I write while I am traveling, visiting, and sailing cruise aboard the ships of the world.

Norm: WhatCruises so attractive to honeymooners?

Douglas: Cruises take the hassle out of planning a honeymoon, particularly with regard to language, cuisine / meals, entertainment, and so many other things, the production of a honeymoon a fine, affordable holiday travel, and a complete escape from the pressures of life on land. In fact, it is also a good way to find out what a newly married couple cope with life in a small space.

Norm: Are you seeing more weddings performed on cruise shipsShips lately? What should cruisers on cruise ship weddings?

Douglas challenged by nature of their (the usual) is, more marriages will be performed aboard cruise ships today, simply because there is so much help to the hand. The larger cruise lines have personnel dedicated to handling weddings and honeymoons, and attracts the support of other employees at the time Cruise Line established. Weddings can, in other words, all you need to tailorthe affected persons (and not subject to interference by well-meaning parents and other family members, the stress and pressure on couples to what for many can create) the most important ceremony of life.

Norm: With so many options, cruise, how to make the choice of a cruise and what should take into account the people before decisions may include a cruise?

Douglas: Choosing a cruise successfully depends on thepersonal requirements and expectations for a holiday. First-time cruise goers would be well advised to book to an established cruise specialist who is able to help you choose the right ship and cruise to speak for the right reasons, taking into account your personal preferences and socio-economic considerations . There are so many options today that there should be a cruise ship and to adapt the sophisticated and picky people. Perhaps the firstDecision but it should be, how many days you can for your vacation (including travel days to comment on /) from the ship, and then think about the area you wish to cruise on the most popular regions in which Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, the Norwegian fjords and Baltic ports, and Southeast Asia / Australia. Those who consider more time, the greater involvement with nature should visit Antarctica or the Arctic want (you will need ideally about threeWeeks). Then perhaps the ultimate in long distance cruises around the world cruise, which would normally have three to four months (most complete cruise ships around the world, there are about 15 in 2005 sailing from January to April from the winter ).

Norm: Have you had a bad experience on a cruise, and if so, please describe them.

Douglas: I have made many bad experiences, but most can not be written about them, and most wereon board ships and cruise lines that no longer exist or have changed their names. There was, however, a few nasty transatlantic crossings (I have done 152 of them), when the weather some unexpected clue to what else might be able to throw a wonderful, peaceful way of traveling between the Old and New Worlds.

Norm: After deciding on a specific course as you want for the trip and should note the important elements?

Douglas: Makesure that you are the right size ship for your needs. Do you want to with 100, 500, 1000 or 3000 are other passengers? Do you want to experience cruising under sail, cruising with specialist lecturers, will be aboard a ship with spa facilities, large-scale production shows (a la Las Vegas), lots of games, or shopping opportunities? Regardless of which cruise you choose, try the travel arrangements as simple as possible. Sometimes the mere act of road to and from your cruise isShip (or one-point can prove) to be frustrating. When you first cruise Goer, do not try anything on your first cruise it could end with the more of an endurance test to do.

Norm: Can our readers something about the different cabins that are on cruises and to observe what?

Douglas: First-timers would be best advised to book an outside cabin (a cabin with an outside view) rather than (an interior no view) cabin. So when you wake upup, you won t be disoriented, and see you ll be able to see how the weather is that you decide what they wear every day. In general, the more space is required, the higher the cost. Large suites with private balconies and most cost (some can be up to 3,000 square meters), while interior cabins that measure is as little as 70 square meters, of course, feel incredibly small. Typically, you get what you pay for. The average size is larger cabin on board cruise ships today (theyreally floating resorts) would be approximately 180-200 square feet.

Norm: What kind of clothing should you bring on board?

Douglas: Take clothing to the area you will cross will be in. Remember that ships are air conditioned, capable of is so layered clothing that works well. If you choose a cruise through in cold weather regions, take appropriate clothing, particularly for excursions ashore (Alaska is an example). If you take a Caribbean cruise, you could really packLight (cotton and natural fibers are the best, like many Caribbean islands have a high humidity) factor for much of the year. Most of the (large) resort ships have a very relaxed dress code, while others (especially offer ships, cruises longer than seven days, the industry standard), more formal dress code function. Tuxes are only really 2 required aboard the Queen Mary where they meet an Atlantic crossing, otherwise you can dress down and comfortable.

Norm: Is there always a doctorand clinic aboard the cruise ships?

Douglas: Almost all cruise ships carrying more than 50 passengers have a fully qualified doctor and nurse assistants who also take care of the crew. Some of the larger ships have several doctors, surgical specialists, small operating rooms, full x-ray equipment, as well as extensive pharmacies. To cope in other words, today's cruise ships in the position, with most medical emergencies. However, if you are taking medication,Remember (and take an adequate supply when you fly and maintain, or have your cruise ship, take medication in your hand luggage just in case your checked baggage does not quite make it on the same day or on the same port) you fly.

Norm: Can I call from the cruise ship?

Douglas: Almost all cruise ships) are equipped with direct dial telephone satellite-linked telephone systems (and Internet connectivity. Some ships even have specialAntennas that allow you to coast with your mobile phone, although most ships lose mobile connectivity when more than a mile before. The cost of a direct telephone call to a satellite varies between $ 4 and $ 10 per minute, so you do not use the phone if you can about fees can multiply rapidly.

Norm: What are the usual check-in schedule before the cruise start?

Douglas: Most cruise ships start embarkation about four hours before sailing. Normally you would fill in all thePaperwork and go through passport and security control in a passenger terminal before being allowed to board your cruise. Today's check-in procedure is relatively painless, although it may take some time if you are cruising aboard one of the larger ships will be 3,000 more passengers check-in (in other words, the lines as in the post office).

Norm: What happens when someone special dietary requirements?

Douglas: Most cruise shipsspecial dietary requirements can be processed, but give advance notice so that chefs can order and prepare all the food is usually not performed. It's too late, when the ship sailed, so that you (your needs and requirements at the time of reservation that is when it is better to book through an accredited cruise specialist, but instead of something from the Internet, answering questions is not known ,).

Norm: How do you make payments on board?

Douglas: An onboard creditAccount will be established, usually at check-in prior to embarkation. When you purchase things aboard ship (drinks or wine, for example), these items added to your account and your credit card provided at the end of the travel bill.

Norm: If you are on board the top, while on the ship?

Douglas: Some ships include tips, while others automatically a tip to your daily onboard account (particularly the major cruise lines like Carnival Cruise LinesCelebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International). On average, however, you should plan on about $ 10 per person per day. Aboard the ships of some of the upscale cruise lines such as Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Seabourn Cruise Lines, and Silversea Cruises, tips are included.

Norm: How safe are cruise ships and how can IThey want to know more about the record of a particular company in respect of its safety and cleanliness?

Douglas wants to: Today's cruise ships are extremely safe (no one aboard an unsafe ship to work), and most are clean. However, I have noticed lately that standards of cleanliness in the cabins and public areas (on board some of the very large ships leave much to be desired that the effect of discounting is when lines cut personnel to the prices artificially low hold). In general, if the sameStandards of food storage, handling and hygiene on board ships that are practiced today, have been applied to hotels and restaurants in the United States, most would not be with him! In other words, clean boats clean.

Norm: If you had to offer important information for our readers who were not covered, what would it be?

Douglas: Do read the book Berlitz Publishing's Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships 2005, and you are more educated than most travel agents. BonVoyage, I wish you all a wonderful cruise.

Douglas thanks for your time.

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