The best cruises: How to choose a cruise

• What's my vacation priority? Do you want to relax or enjoy the nightlife? Watch wildlife or shop till you drop? Go on eco-adventures or tour historic sites? Some ships are geared to older travellers, with more of an emphasis on history and culture, while others definitely set sail with "party" in mind. You don't want to end up on a ship with a crowd of passengers who are well out of your age or interest range. Some ships also offer specific "theme" cruises, ranging from music to casinos to archeology. If you have a specific focus, these can be an excellent option.

• Who's travelling with me? Your vacation priority may not be the same as that of your travelling companions, especially if you span a significant age range. In this case, you may need to compromise and choose a cruise that will keep everyone fairly happy. This is one of the big advantages of a cruise: there's always plenty to do, both on board and on shore.

• How much do I like other people? This sounds like an odd question, but it's an important one. You can set sail with a handful of other people, with a few hundred, or with a few thousand. If you'd prefer a more intimate experience, you may prefer a smaller ship, which also has the advantage of being able to dock at a greater variety of ports than the larger ships. And if you really want to be adventurous, you can hop on board a freighter. They often take paying passengers and the choices available now are as vast as the oceans and waterways served by these ships. Expect rates to range from US$80 to US$140 per day for trips from 7 days to more than 100 days, and note that there is often an upper age limit, usually 79 or 80, but sometimes 75. There are exceptions, however, especially on shorter, coastal routes, and in those cases when more than 12 passengers are on board, when a medical doctor must be on board as well.

Travel best bet!
I've seen cruises offer groups of friends and families a wonderful vacation experience. In one case, five couples of varying ages travelled together. Some wanted to tour on shore, other wanted to shop, and others just wanted to relax. The cruise gave everyone the opportunity to do their own thing, and they had a great time comparing notes when they all meet for dinner each evening.

Read more:
• Tips for women on travelling solo
• 7 reasons to visit Maui
• 7 reasons to visit Sanibel, Florida

Page 2 of 2

---

Excerpted from Travel Best Bets: An Insider's Guide to Taking the Best Trips Ever, copyright 2008 by Claire Newell. Excerpted with permission from Whitecap Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.