| Recently I've talked with some people that | | | | allow them to perhaps get some extras |
| think that the luxury cruise market is only | | | | included by way of their relationships with |
| for the uber-rich, or star-struck contest | | | | the cruise lines if they have a little wiggle |
| winners that wander around Titanic-like ships | | | | room. Be sure you know exactly what's |
| with first and third classes. They worry | | | | included and what's not in the cost of your |
| about dress codes, fork placement, the | | | | cruise fare, and consider flexibility in |
| dreaded last-day invoice, and a whole host of | | | | terms of dates, departure ports and even |
| possible faux-pas they could make while | | | | length of your cruise. It could be the cruise |
| onboard, like stumbling into the Captain's | | | | of a lifetime even if it is only a four-day, |
| personal brandy stash, and being thrown | | | | rather than a sixty-eight-day sojourn. |
| overboard for "bad form". | | | | |
| | | | Shopping & Gambling Onboard |
| First, let me put your mind at ease. Luxury | | | | |
| Cruises, while being, well, luxurious, are | | | | I have a confession to make. I love to play |
| very approachable and very affordable. The | | | | blackjack, and I especially love to play on |
| staff onboard the ships are used to folks | | | | cruise ships. I can imagine myself in a 40's |
| experiencing a higher level of service, food | | | | spy film being watched by some tall, dark, |
| and ambiance for the first time, and they are | | | | handsome man who buys me a drink… |
| very happy to help you discover all there is | | | | and… I digress. Reality is, its usually |
| to offer. | | | | my dapper tuxedoed husband desperately trying |
| | | | to keep me from losing our next month's |
| Here are some suggestions: | | | | mortgage on one hand. The point is: have a |
| | | | budget in advance and stick to it. Things can |
| Relax and Talk to Experts. | | | | add up quickly when you're shopping and |
| | | | gambling onboard. |
| As you prepare for your cruise, be honest | | | | |
| with your travel planner about your concerns. | | | | Do your Research, but Validate Them |
| The more information they know about you and | | | | Professionally |
| what you expect, the better they can match | | | | |
| you to the right cruise line and right ship. | | | | I wouldn't make a move without a travel |
| There are some luxury cruise lines which | | | | professional these days. I simply can't call |
| cater to an older crowd and so the nightlife | | | | the Internet, although I do love to surf for |
| won't be as expansive. There are some that | | | | ideas and research and despite the fact that |
| have added educational seminars rather than | | | | I can connect with people around the globe |
| Karaoke (both are fine, by the way…) - | | | | and get first-hand information, having |
| just be sure and communicate your likes and | | | | someone that knows me, what I like, what I |
| dislikes clearly so you're not disappointed. | | | | dislike and can tell me without fear of |
| | | | offense that I would be making a terrible |
| Sticker Shock Averted. | | | | mistake by doing such and such. That kind of |
| | | | unbiased "travel therapy" is crucial today, |
| Your travel planner's motto should be, "We | | | | and I appreciate it. |
| can work with any budget, What's yours?". | | | | |
| Don't be offended by this question; they | | | | So, dive in. Explore the world of the |
| aren't trying to wrangle more money out of | | | | uber-rich and take a luxury cruise. It may be |
| you. It helps them (and you) to weed out | | | | a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but aren't you |
| options which clearly won't work - but will | | | | worth it? |