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Cruising: What to expect on an adventure at sea

By Scott Stegenga, Orbitz travel analyst

I'll admit that there was a time in my life when I thought beaches, cruises and overall "sunny spot" vacations were overrated.

They all seemed the same to me, with images of overdone Spring Break parties, multicolored frozen drinks with too much cheap liquor and some steel drum band selling Bob Marley paraphernalia.

Where was the uniqueness of the old way I had traveled -- backpacking through Europe, going from hostel to hostel in a new country where I could absorb some unfamiliar culture every 24 hours?

After some contemplation, my girlfriend and I decided to try one of the long-standing traditions of travel that not too long ago was only reserved for the rich and retired. I'm talking about jumping on a cruise ship.

Of course, you can't help but have images from the '70s lingering in your mind, where an eerily smiling Captain Stubing and Julie the Cruise Director greet you in front of a burnt-orange carpeted staircase. Things have changed though. Trust me.

Are you single? Married? Retired? Big family?

If you see some exclusive cruise for your particular demographic, those are fine, but also few and far between. These days, major cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean cater to just about anyone from any group at any time of the year.

So before you take the plunge, I offer you some things to consider as you plan for the big sail.

Ports

The United States alone has 20 ports around all 50 states and Puerto Rico. You can either book your flight with the cruise line itself (usually better if you don't want to bother with all the scheduling conflicts between boat and plane) or if you've got the knack for flight planning, you can get your own cheap flight. Both options are available on Orbitz, but just make sure the flight times are a few hours within the cruise's departure and arrival so you don't miss the boat.

Transport

Getting from the airport to the ship and back can be an arduous task, but cruise lines supply shuttle service to and from the airport for a nominal fee. You could also make other plans to spend a night before or after the cruise in the port city. Your cruise provider may have some special deals for this or, again, you could do it yourself.

The ship

Cruise ships are getting bigger and better. With the recent launch of the Queen Mary 2, and other large, luxurious ships in the works, there's no telling what can happen in the near future. Ships today have numerous amenities for everyone, including spas, health clubs, several pools, restaurants, bars and shops.

You can easily say there's something for everyone. If you're afraid of seasickness, it doesn't hurt to bring along your remedy of choice, but ships these days have stabilizers that rival anything you'd read about in Popular Mechanics magazine.

Food and drink

One fact that's no myth is that food on cruise ships is plentiful. It's like the old college days with the 21-meal plan. Just put some snack time in between, and you can tell when you're going overboard. The average cruise passenger can gain about a pound a day with all the available options.

Most meals are included on cruise ships, which normally include a buffet breakfast and lunch and access to the fine dining room for dinner. Since more people are on the ship during dinnertime, you're normally given a seating time when you make your vacation reservation.

If the menus don't float your boat, you can take in the optional, intimate restaurants like the sushi bar or steakhouse, which costs a nominal fee. If none of that fits your fancy or schedule, there's always the late-night diner and the occasional midnight buffet where you can feed yourself silly.

Personally, I think the dining room experience is neat because they have a different menu each night, which gives you that free chance to sample foods you've never thought of having before. The food itself may not be five-star, expensive delights, but some offerings may never come like this again. Have at it and try the escargot at least once.

One myth, though, is that all drinks are free on a ship. Most cruise lines offer coffee, juice, iced tea and water as part of the package and let the rest be subject to price. Some lines offer special flat fees for unlimited soft drinks.

Alcoholic beverages, meanwhile, are plentiful and pushed like mad on the ships, but keep in mind that they're not that cheap, and the tip is automatically included. Wine, though, is a good bet in the dining rooms, as some may allow you to finish only part of the bottle during the meal, when the waiter will then recork it and save it for the next day. Ask your server before jumping into that irresistible Shiraz.

The people

All sorts of people take cruises. Single friends, unmarried couples, retirees, families, family reunions, wedding parties, newlyweds and even business types on corporate outings. People of all shapes and sizes and backgrounds come aboard because well, it's expected. You can choose to interact with people you normally don't meet or just relax in solitary bliss. It's no problem. You're literally on a floating city.

Our dinner table consisted of a retired couple from England, a couple from a farm in Minnesota and another from the coast of Virginia. If you're traveling solo, you'll more than likely have an extra fee for single-room occupancy, but the cruise line may have special offers if you choose to share a room with another single person.

Port excursions

Whether your cruise is in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada or the Mediterranean, land can be accessed freely at your own choice.

If the port sounds interesting, book a shore excursion with the cruise line (you can do this before the cruise or on the ship), walk to the downtown area and check out the shops, jump in a cab to explore a remote beach or just stay on the ship. It's all up to you.

Personally, I like Caribbean cruises because you're literally waking up each morning in a different country. Skip all the touristy kitsch and do some duty-free shopping, find a remote beach, rent a scooter, or sample local dishes, beers and spirits. It's all there for you to try.

Shopping

A big draw on cruises in places like Mexico or the Caribbean is the shopping. After going to beach after beach, maybe some local art browsing or international duty-free shopping is your cup of tea. Make sure you know your country's laws with customs and make sure you don't exceed your limit of goods like alcohol, cigarettes and jewelry.

You also have your share of shops on the ship itself. Shops with t-shirts and towels also stand aside camera, liquor, jewelry and the like. One note: If you buy some irresistible cheap duty-free alcohol at a port of call, you may be asked at port check-in to not take it on board. They won't confiscate it but will instead hold it for you until the cruise ends. It's a nice way for the cruise line to say you can only consume their alcohol on the ship.

This is especially difficult for the U.S. Caribbean cruiser who stops in a St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, port, because your duty-free limit doubles from $600 to $1,200 for all undeclared goods. Have fun taking your stuff home. You may want to take along an empty suitcase or duffel bag before you begin.

Some larger cruise lines offer duty-free shopping right on the ship. You'll have your choice of the standard duty-free attractions like cigarettes, jewelry and clothing as well as liquor. But as mentioned before, liquor purchases are delivered to you at the end of the cruise.

Ship activities

If you choose not to leave the ship at a port or you've got a family with young children or teens who just want to play around, boredom won't be a problem. Day activities may include court sport tournaments, craft seminars, wine tasting, workout courses and even a kid's day camp.

At night you can test your luck at the casino, check out a flick in a movie theater, hang out in the bars with the house band, send your teen to the teens-only club, take in some live entertainment in the auditorium or just hang outside and try to sneak in a "king of the world" moment in the fresh ocean air.

Activities are listed on the cruise line's Web site and may have a small fee attached. You also have cruise lines publishing daily newsletters explaining the next day's activities onboard and at the port.

Special "theme nights" -- from formal to beach to '50s night -- can also happen during dinner. These can be fun for those neat group shots. Check with your cruise provider before you board about theme nights and dress codes.

Keep a watch out for the ship photographers. They're everywhere from when you get on the boat to when you leave. You don't have to keep the photos, as they're normally displayed the day after in the photo development area of the ship if you want to buy them, but don't think you're just being stalked by paparazzi.

Rooms

Rooms can range from the tiny to the extravagant. Interior rooms have no windows and are made as just a place to sleep, which may be good for the budget explorer. Exterior rooms take the interior up a notch with a nice window. Balcony rooms are almost suite-like with your own private verandah. Family and luxury rooms are also available. Check with your cruise line for any adjoining rooms, too.

As new ships are built and old ones remodeled, there's no worry on the basic amenities like closets, drawers, bathrooms and showers being unpleasant. Designers are doing a good job there. Check if you have anything for ironing or washing clothes on board too. You may be cut short in that department, although the ship provides drop-off service for an extra fee.

Money and tips

So how much will you spend? It all depends. Itineraries can last from a three-day weekend fling to a two-week excursion. Depending on your port of call, the flights could be easily accessible from a discount carrier to something steep if you start at one port and end up at another in a different location.

Sales are frequent as the departure date approaches and discounts could be easy for people who live at or near the ship's departure port.

As cashless technology becomes more apparent in our society, more ships are using an "all in one" card system where every passenger gets a credit-card like pass that helps with rentals, getting on/off the ship and all extra expenses.

Be sure to track how much you're spending before you get the whopping huge tab at the end. You'll prevent the argument later that the $15 Bahama Mama drinks were so appealing because they were in a souvenir glass.

When you buy drinks and specialty food, the tip is always included, but you're also advised to tip at the end of the cruise for your stateroom attendant, the maitre d', head table waiter and assistant waiter. The cruise line gives you advice on what the proper amounts in their newsletters.

Bon voyage.

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