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Every week "Let's Talk Travel" host Sandy Fenton takes the audience to a different vacation destination with the travel experts sitting in the studios as guest co-hosts. 
NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK YOUR CRUISE VACATION
We're all aware of our economic challenges for 2009, however, the cruise industry expects its nearly 20-year string of annual growth to continue as the extraordinary values are actually spurring record bookings for some of the cruise lines. According to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)the primary motivator for consumers booking cruise vacations is the exceptional value currently being offered by the cruise lines. Cruises out score all other types of vacations in terms of consumer interest and perceived value with an increase in family/multigenerational , baby boomers , ultra-luxury and first-time cruiser bookings.
There are so many cruise sales and promotions going on right now (and many are very confusing) that I highly recommend taking the time to talk with a cruise expert at a trusted travel agency as soon as possible.
Here are some questions that will help to assure that your cruise vacation is exactly what you want and will love :
When do you want to take your cruise?
Where do you want to cruise?
What is your favorite itinerary?
How long do you want your cruise vacation to last? (3-5 days? 7-10 days? 2-weeks? 30-days...or more?)
Do you want to fly or drive to your point of departure?
Will you be traveling alone, as a couple, with a family or a group?
If you are traveling with a family, how old are the children?
What type of onboard entertainment and activities do you want for you - your children?
What type of shore excursions interest you and when do you make these bookings? (The cruise lines have really come a long way expanding their port excursions, and the most popular and unique tours fill up quickly.)
Do you prefer an intimate and smaller vessel or a gigantic superliner with all the bells and whistles on board - or something in the middle?
Are you celebrating a special occasion?
Do you want a port intensive itinerary or would you prefer three or four relaxing days at sea?
How important is your dining experience? (Many cruisers, including myself, consider the onboard dining experience one of the highlights of a cruise - so choose carefully as every cruise line is different.)
How important is personalized service, amenities and attention to detail? (I have found the quality of service varies from line to line, and even among ships of the same line.)
What type of accommodations do you want?
Will you be comfortable in a inside cabin, prefer a stateroom with a verandah or an ultra-luxurious suite with butler service?
Do you want an all-inclusive cruise experience? If yes, then ask about Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas.
Do you need medical care at sea? (Generally the larger ships carry more medical staff and medical equipment as they have a greater demand by both passengers and crew members.)
What to pack - casual or formal?
Do you need a passport - Yes!
And last, but certainly not least...what is your cruise vacation budget?
There is a cruise perfectly tailored for you - and there has never been a better time to take advantage of the unprecedented cruise savings and added values currently being offered by the cruise lines.
We're all aware of our economic challenges for 2009, however, the cruise industry expects its nearly 20-year string of annual growth to continue as the extraordinary values are actually spurring record bookings for some of the cruise lines. According to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)the primary motivator for consumers booking cruise vacations is the exceptional value currently being offered by the cruise lines. Cruises out score all other types of vacations in terms of consumer interest and perceived value with an increase in family/multigenerational , baby boomers , ultra-luxury and first-time cruiser bookings.
There are so many cruise sales and promotions going on right now (and many are very confusing) that I highly recommend taking the time to talk with a cruise expert at a trusted travel agency as soon as possible.
Here are some questions that will help to assure that your cruise vacation is exactly what you want and will love :
When do you want to take your cruise?
Where do you want to cruise?
What is your favorite itinerary?
How long do you want your cruise vacation to last? (3-5 days? 7-10 days? 2-weeks? 30-days...or more?)
Do you want to fly or drive to your point of departure?
Will you be traveling alone, as a couple, with a family or a group?
If you are traveling with a family, how old are the children?
What type of onboard entertainment and activities do you want for you - your children?
What type of shore excursions interest you and when do you make these bookings? (The cruise lines have really come a long way expanding their port excursions, and the most popular and unique tours fill up quickly.)
Do you prefer an intimate and smaller vessel or a gigantic superliner with all the bells and whistles on board - or something in the middle?
Are you celebrating a special occasion?
Do you want a port intensive itinerary or would you prefer three or four relaxing days at sea?
How important is your dining experience? (Many cruisers, including myself, consider the onboard dining experience one of the highlights of a cruise - so choose carefully as every cruise line is different.)
How important is personalized service, amenities and attention to detail? (I have found the quality of service varies from line to line, and even among ships of the same line.)
What type of accommodations do you want?
Will you be comfortable in a inside cabin, prefer a stateroom with a verandah or an ultra-luxurious suite with butler service?
Do you want an all-inclusive cruise experience? If yes, then ask about Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas.
Do you need medical care at sea? (Generally the larger ships carry more medical staff and medical equipment as they have a greater demand by both passengers and crew members.)
What to pack - casual or formal?
Do you need a passport - Yes!
And last, but certainly not least...what is your cruise vacation budget?
There is a cruise perfectly tailored for you - and there has never been a better time to take advantage of the unprecedented cruise savings and added values currently being offered by the cruise lines.
