"Never been on a cruise before?

Check out this section for first time

cruisers. Have a question?

Call a personal Cruise Travel Advisor

for help. 800.365.1445"

 Discount Cruise Offers  15 Cruise Lines  110 Cruise Ships  Cruise Bargain Finder  Cruise Reviews Home

 
 
 
 

Consumer Guide

Why Take A Cruise

Sponsored by Expedia.com See this week’s best: Caribbean Cruise Deals, Bermuda Cruise Deals , Alaska Cruise Deals, Europe Cruise Deals, Mexico Cruise Deals. More Cruise Deals For Less. Click on the suitcase to choose your perfect cruise. Use it to plan, research or book online* 

You will be taken to Expedia.com

( also view flights, hotels, car hire and more! )

Expedia.com

Never been on a cruise before?  

Check out this section for First Time Cruisers.


1. Take a look at a typical day's activities:

    Morning  Afternoon  Evening

2. Get answers to your most Frequently asked questions

    or visit National Geographic's Choosing a Cruise guide.

3. Read : Inside Cruising: A Guide with facts and figures about the

    cruise industry.

4. Here's 22 Reasons To Take A Cruise

5. Check out the Special Interest Guides.

6. When is the best time to cruise?

7. Where's the best place to stay onboard ship?

8. Read the Cruise Guide - What To Know Before You Go!

9. What to Pack For A Cruise.

10.Preview: cruise line video presentations.

 

So Much Fun. So Many Things To Do! 

Check out a typical day onboard. Look at these video's of activities on a Carnival Cruise. Other cruise lines have similar plans

Dining
Bandwidth:
Entertainment
Bandwidth:
Activities
Bandwidth:

Read on for more great reasons to take a cruise!

Cruise Direct Online is an active travel agency member of Cruise Lines International Association, an organization dedicated to educating the traveling public about the value and benefits of choosing a vacation by cruise ship.

 

You Haven't Lived Until You've Cruised!

Every day, more and more people are discovering the all-inclusive pleasures of a cruise vacation. More singles, families, couples, honeymooners, second honeymooners and groups of friends are sailing away on the vacations of their lives. When you add it all up, it's easy to see why.

 

Cruise Deals

Global discount

provider of cruises

for individuals and

groups. Save up to

70% off brochure prices!

Cruisedirectonline.com

 


The price of your ticket includes all of your meals and in-between snacks as well as all your onboard daytime activities and fun, nighttime parties and entertainment. Plus, a relaxing voyage to some of the most exciting and exotic places in the world.

You'll find a cruise ship is a floating resort, with all the things a fine resort has to offer and more. You'll meet new friends, people like yourself who share the same tastes and interests. And, you can spend your days and nights being as lively or leisurely as you like.


The hassles of an ordinary vacation are completely eliminated in one convenient package. You don't have to worry about making dinner or nightclub reservations, running to make connections, packing and unpacking, or expensive charges at restaurants and nightclubs.

You can just lie back and be completely pampered. Or go non-stop. Dine like never before. Enjoy one great show after another. Let your cares float away.

It's no wonder that more people are taking cruise vacations than ever before. And it's no wonder that, once they get a taste of cruising, they come back for more. Again and again.

As a matter of fact, cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience.

If you have never been on a cruise you owe it to yourself to learn more about this exciting vacation choice.
 
CruiseSearch

Select Destination

Choose cruise line (optional)

Select Month

Select Year

Advance Search

by cruise line, cruise ship

or port of call.

Ultimate Cruise Guide

TOP 100! Cruise Deals


 
Note: Excerpts from CLIA Information.

When is The Best Time To Cruise?
Alaska May-September
Bahamas All Year
Bermuda May-October
Canada/New England June-October
Caribbean All Year
Hawaii All Year
Mediterranean May-October
Mexico All Year
Panama Canal January-May, September-December
Baltics-Scandinavia May-September
Trans Atlantic May, June, July, August-October 
 

What's Afloat?

A typical day's activities from a Carnival Cruise Line ship. Most cruise ships have similar activities, others somewhat different. Call us to find out what's happening on your cruise shop.

 

Onboard Activities - Morning 

 

 

 

6:30 am

Coffee for early risers

Windows on the Sea & Poolside

7:00 - 8:00 am

Nautica Spa and Gymnasium opens

Sports Deck

7:45 am

Main seating for breakfast

Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms

8:00 - 10:00 am

Light breakfast served

Windows on the Sea & Poolside

8:00 am

Slot machines open

Club 21 Casino

8:00 am

Beginners’ step aerobics

Aerobics Studio

9:00 am

Late seating for breakfast

Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Shuffleboard and volleyball equipment available

Information Desk

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Children’s morning activities

Playroom

9:30 - 10:30 am

Library opens

Pavilion

10:00 am

Ping Pong tournament

Verandah Deck

10:00 am - LATE

Full casino open

Club 21 Casino

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Photo Gallery opens

Empress Deck

24 HOURS

Coffee, tea and bouillon served

Windows on the Sea

11:00 am

Horse racing -- cheer your favorite horses as they race down the track!

Lido Deck

12:00 - 12:30 pm

Salad bar opens

Windows on the Sea

12:00 - 2:30 pm

Sun Lovers luncheon served

Windows on the Sea


Onboard Activities - Afternoon                                     Return to top

 

 

 

12:00 pm

Main lunch seating

Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms

12:00 - 2:00 pm

Children’s supervised Free Play

Playroom

1:00 pm

Talent show registration

Shore Excursions Desk (Empress Deck)

1:00 pm

Ice carving demonstration

Lido Deck

1:00 pm

The Slot Tournament

Club 21 Casino

1:30 pm

Late lunch seating

Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms

1:30 pm

Pillow fighting and pool games

Lido Deck

2:00 pm

Dance class

Universe Lounge

2:00 pm

Children’s Talent Show

Playroom

2:00 pm

Men’s “Hairy Chest” contest

Lido Deck

2:00 - 2:30 pm

Tour of the Bridge

Lido Deck

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Calypso music

Lido Deck

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Children’s afternoon activities

Playroom

2:30 pm

Newlywed and Not So Newlywed game

Universe Lounge

3:00 pm

Cooking lesson and food carving demonstration

Electricity Dance Club

3:30 pm

Jackpot bingo

Universe Lounge

4:30 pm

Debarkation briefing -- baggage handling, customs procedures, tipping, etc., covered by Cruise Director

Universe Lounge

4:45 - 5:00 pm

Coffee, tea, ice cream and treats

Windows on the Sea and Poolside


Onboard Activities - Evening                                       Return to top

 

 

 

4:45 - 5:45 pm

Main seating “Fun Ship” party

Promenade Deck

5:00 - 6:00 pm

Children’s supervised Free Play

Playroom

6:00 pm

Main seating for American Dinner

Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms

6:00 - 7:00 pm

Children’s Playroom closed for dinner

 

7:00 - 10:00 pm

Children’s evening activities

Playroom

7:15 - 8:15 pm

Late seating for “Fun Ship” party

Promenade Deck

8:00 pm

(Main seating) Jackpot bingo

Universe Lounge

8:15 pm

Late seating for American Dinner

Celebration and Jubilee Dining Rooms

8:30 pm

Showtime for main seating

Universe Lounge

9:30 pm - 1:30 am

Party Music

Crystal Lounge

9:30 pm - 1:30 am

Rockin’ the Night Away

Promenade Deck

9:30 pm - 1:30 am

Visit the Spinning Piano Bar

Cleopatra’s Bar

9:45 pm - 1:30 am

Great music for listening and dancing

Cats Lounge

10:00 pm

Late seating “Monster Bingo”

Universe Lounge

10:00 pm

Dance Club opens

Electricity Dance Club

10:00 pm - 2:00 am

Children’s Pajama Party

Playroom

10:30 pm

An Ol’ English Story

Universe Lounge

12:00 am

Midnight special show

Crystal Lounge

12:30 - 1:30 am

Midnight Pasta Buffet

Celebration Dining Room

1:30 - 2:30 am

Mini Buffet

Promenade Deck


The CLIA has the answers. Be sure to use your back button to return to Cruise Direct Online.

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Is cruising affordable and a good vacation value?
How long are cruises?
Where can I go?
How do I book a cruise?
Are all ships fairly similar?
Are there different types of cruises?
Are there any special educational programs on-board?
What's an air/sea cruise?
Do I need a passport?
Are there different classes of service?
Will I get bored? Feel confined?
What can I do in port?
Do I have to participate in the activities?
Do cruise lines welcome families with kids?
What's there to do at night?
Is there a charge for entertainment?
Will there be people like me?
What should I pack?
Will I need a tuxedo?
Can singles have fun on a cruise?
Can I use my hair dryer or shaver?
What about meal times?
Is cruise ship dining as good as I've been told?
Can I get a special diet?
What about dining companions - can I sit with my spouse and friends only, or will I have tablemates?
Are there non-smoking areas?
Can we celebrate a special occasion?
Is cruising right for honeymooners?
Can we stay in touch with the outside world?
What about tipping?
Are there medical services onboard?
Are there laundry services aboard ship?
Do cruise lines accept group bookings?
Are there meeting rooms onboard?
Can I extend my cruise vacation?
Is motion discomfort a problem?
It sounds too good to be true! Is it?
Who should I see if I have questions that haven't been answered?

Check out National Geographic's Choosing a Cruise guide or cruise security, how to pay for shipboard activities and other frequently asked questions.


22 Reasons To Take A Cruise

  • There are cruises available for any budget.

  • From 3 to 100 days, cruises fit your schedule.

  • At a hotel you check-in, on a cruise you check-out.

  • One thing you'll never see on the menu is the price.

  • Cruising allows quality time with your family.

  • Visit 4 countries in a week.

  • The awe-inspiring view from the deck of a cruise ship is included.

  • Sailing in the Tropic of Capricorn beats sitting on the freeway.

  • Get trim in state-of-the-art fitness centers.

  • No packing-unpacking-packing-unpacking-packing.

  • Travel to over 1,800 ports around the world.

  • The world is 2/3 water. Until you go on a cruise, you really haven't visited earth.

  • Rejuvenate mind, body and spirit in the shipboard spa.

  • For the health conscious, low calorie, low sodium and heart-healthy meals are available.

  • A resort just sits there, but a cruise will move you.

  • Listen to interesting lectures by world-renowned experts.

  • On some cruise ships, kids sail free, and they'll love you for it.

  • On a cruise ship, your luggage arrives in your room before you do.

  • You don't need to make dinner reservations.

  • Live entertainment. Casinos. Spas. All within a short stroll.

  • No cover charge, ever.

  • Experience other cultures.

  • Do everything, or nothing at all.

  • You haven't lived until you've cruised.

Where's The Best Place To Stay Onboard Ship?

To the rear? or AFT

Engine noise is loudest in the aft end of the ship, although the noise is muted most of the time.

To the front? or FORWARD

Thrusters and clanging anchor chains are most audible forward--towards the bow, although the noise is intermittent.

The worst place to be?

Is a cabin near the disco, or theater or the lounge where live performances carry on through the night.

Are you're prone to seasickness?

The most stable cabins in rough seas are in midship or lower down in the hull.

 

Our family of "online" travel related sites have something for everyone

Family Cruises Online - Cruise Direct Online - Cruise Search Online - Cruise Reviews Online 

-