Cruising Through Life is Affordable

A holiday on a cruise ship is in fact quite affordable and even more cost effective than some land holidays like going to Mexico. You can do it and I can promise you your first will not be your last. You will want to go again.

The preparation leading up to the day was quite exciting. We decided on the trip decided about a year in advance to ensure that we get the maximum number of participants. One of our planners Cleo took the lead and found a good travel agent to take care of the logistical arrangements for us. We had to pay a small deposit to start the process. Then payments at various intervals with the final amount paid a month before the sail date. The larger your party the more concessions you can ask for, with the final paid about a month before. The seven-day with ocean view cost $1100 per person. You could pay a cheaper fare for inside cabins meaning those without windows. I would highly recommend window cabins because the rooms are not terribly large. With the window you get the feeling of spaciousness. Throughout the year, our travel agent provided vital information including requirements for those of us coming from outside the USA as our ship took off from Fort Lauderdale.

I had been talking about my big cruise to my co-workers for the entire year. They were getting everything blow by blow. Of course my idea of being on a ship in the middle of the ocean was scary since I am not a good swimmer. My co-workers tried to assure me that it would be all right. I couldn't imagine just how huge these ships really are. That was the first thing that blew my mind away when we arrived at the Ft. Lauderdale dock. There were many of these huge floating what-seems-like man-made islands docked. I felt so small walking alongside the dock against these towering machines.

Anyway, when the day finally came and I said to my co-workers I'm leaving tomorrow for my virgin cruise, they were surprised and it was like they were hearing it for the first time. How quickly time flies they'd say, yet it was year I started talking about my trip. As the day of departure came closer my excitement, positive excitement was beyond belief. I could not sleep a couple nights before. I packed, repacked, and unpacked trying not to take my entire wardrobe. We had received tips about what to pack from our travel agent. We were heading for warm, very warmer climes than where most of us were heading. I was leaving Canada and its 40 degrees below zero weather to plus 70 and more. I still needed something warm to wear to go through Minneapolis that was just as bad as Manitoba. That poses a bit of problem. I had to dust out my formal dresses. Luckily I did not give them away to Sally Ann because there are not many places to wear really fancy clothes except, of course, you are a celebrity or some high-ranking individual. For ordinary folks like me, you would look totally out of place dressing in long fancy gowns to go to socials or divorce parties. It was a real treat to get a chance to wear beautiful clothes. Men or women you have to pack formal wear or you will feel out of place in the evening dining room. I'll share more of that with you later. I was traveling with my two adult daughters who are into fashion and they should, they are young and beautiful girls. They had fun packing and their excitement rivaled mine.

Finally I got all of my junk in the trunk - my jewellry, clothing, make-up, shorts, swim wear, sensible footwear, and toiletries and so on and so forth. Next we had to be sure we had our passports. This is very important in these days of terrorist alerts. I did not want anything to jeopardize my well-planned vacation. I packed my passport, my driver's license and my Canadian citizenship card to cover any unusual eventuality.

Just to reiterate, the cruise does not cover the cost of getting to the dock. It is an extra cost. We had to travel from Canada and managed to get a decent rate through Northwest Airlines. Make sure you read all the information you receive from your travel agent or your booking party because that could spell the difference between frustration and smooth sailing. Although there is a doctor on board if you feel you might get sea sick walk with some medicine for that.

Well we were all set and ready to go. See you on board!