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