• Is a cruise for me?
• How old do I have to be to sail aboard a cruise ship?
• Where can I go?
• What types of cruises are there?
• What kinds of boats can I cruise on?
• How do I know the ship won't sink?
• How long do cruises last?
• Are cruises one-way or round-trip?
• How do I decide which cruise line to choose?
• How much do cruises cost and how do I get the best price?
• How far in advance should I plan?

Is a cruise for me?
Anyone can enjoy a cruise. You just need to find the cruise that's right for you. Different cruise lines cater to different ages of guests, price ranges, and activity levels, so you should be able to find one that fits your style. In addition, think about what type of vacation you're looking for. Do you want something that's laid-back, active, romantic, party-oriented, or a little of each?

Once you have an idea of what you want, you can judge the different cruises based on how well they meet your expectations. Ask your friends, travel agents, or anyone who has been on a cruise before what specific cruises are like. Also read cruise line brochures, cruise websites, and articles on cruising to see what types of activities particular cruises have planned. SmarterTravel.com provides profiles on each major U.S. cruise line, features on choosing the cruise that's best for you, and blog entries on the latest cruise line innovations. By doing a little research, you'll be able to tell which cruises are best for you.
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How old do I have to be to sail aboard a cruise ship?
Age requirements vary by cruise line. The majority of cruise lines state that guests under age 21 must be accompanied by a parent, relative, or guardian 25 years of age or older staying in the same stateroom. The only exceptions to this policy are when parents traveling with their children have booked more than one stateroom and when minors are traveling together as a married couple.
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Where can I go?
You can go on a cruise pretty much anywhere in the world where there is water. Although the most popular cruises are on the ocean, you can also take a cruise on a lake, river, or other waterway, depending on the cruise company. Favorite destinations for ocean-going ships include the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Europe.
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What types of cruises are there?
There are many types of cruise vacations that suit different interests and personal preferences. Luxury cruises, for example, offer high-class amenities along with cultural enrichment programs. Exploration-based cruises offer expeditions to places like Antarctica, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, and other exotic destinations. Some cruises are destination-focused, offering opportunities to tour many different countries and port cities. Others feature special interests, centering on themes such as health and wellness, wine, music, sports, and finance.
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What kinds of boats can I cruise on?
Cruises can take place on a variety of vessels, including ships (and megaliners), windjammers, barges, freighters, and yachts. These vessels can be very small (carrying only 10 people), very large (carrying over 3,000 people), or anything in between.
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How do I know the ship won't sink?
You don't need to worry whether the ship will stay afloat. All passenger-carrying vessels must abide by strict maritime standards. All cruise ships for the major cruise lines are regularly inspected for safety. In the rare case of a catastrophic event, crew members are trained in emergency procedures and can help passengers to safety.
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How long do cruises last?
A cruise can last anywhere from two days to four months.
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Are cruises one-way or round-trip?
Many cruises sail round-trip from particular ports. However, numerous cruises end in different ports such as Alaska cruises, which routinely sail between Vancouver and Anchorage.
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How do I decide which cruise line to choose?
Cruises are big-ticket items, so doing some homework is essential in helping you find a great cruise that's right for you. When it comes to picking a cruise line, there are many different factors to consider. For one thing, ships vary in size, age, and amenities—one cruise line's most luxurious ship may be equivalent to another's oldest, most run-down ship. Which cruise line you pick really depends on your vacation style and budget. Some of the things you need to consider include:

• price
• ship quality (age, size, accommodations, etc.)
• itineraries
• passengers (interests, ages, etc.)

Fortunately, this information is easily accessible. You can begin your research on the Web with SmarterTravel.com's Cruise homepage or another cruise website, or by speaking with a good travel agent. Check a variety of sources to narrow down your choices.
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How much do cruises cost and how do I get the best price?
Cruises can run from as little as $49 per person to well over $200,000 per person—the price all depends on the itinerary and cruise line. Other key factors in cruise pricing include the type of cabin (inside cabins are much cheaper than outside cabins), length of cruise, and time of year.

There's really no big secret to getting the best price. Shoulder-season and repositioning cruises tend to have lower per-night rates than peak-season itineraries. If you are willing to go last minute, there may be space available due to cancellations. Many cruise lines also offer Internet specials, which can cut the price substantially. However, it is strongly recommended that you book well in advance to ensure that you get the exact ship, sailing date, cabin, and dinner seating you want. The good news is that many cruise lines offer early booking discounts for customers who plan ahead.

The best way to really save on cruising is by being a repeat customer. Often, cruise lines offer promotions for past passengers through membership clubs, which can cut the brochure price by a substantial amount.

One other thing to consider is booking with larger, more experienced travel agencies, or agencies that have a high volume of bookings with the cruise line you are considering. Because these agencies book so many cruises a year, they have the ability to block a group of cabins on a ship and sell each cabin individually. By doing that, they can lower the individual cabin rate significantly. Plus, these agencies often get first choice for cabin upgrades, so you may end up in a nicer stateroom than you paid for.
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How far in advance should I plan?
The amount you plan in advance depends on what time of year you want to cruise and how much time you have. If your heart is set on a particular cruise and itinerary, it is best to plan as far in advance as possible, particularly if you are traveling during the busy holiday, spring break, or summer seasons. Many customers book cruises over a year in advance because they prefer the higher-class cabins that sell out rather quickly. However, if you like to travel on a whim, last-minute cruises offer great bargains—just don't expect to get the best cabins.
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