First Time Cruisers info...

First time cruisers are in for a great vacation onboard a modern ship built just for you. Although the first cruise can seem a little intimidating, all of us were first time cruisers at one time and those of us who have cruised many times have some great tips for you first timers.

For instance, Caribbean cruises are popular because activities and amenities are easily enjoyed onboard a luxurious resort on water, which also makes stops at more than one destination. Yes, they stop at more than one port on most cruises and you only have to unpack one time.

The Caribbean is a popular spot to cruise to, however, travelers should "plan their trip according to where ships will be able to travel". Cruises stop in ports at Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen. In the Eastern Caribbean, stops include Puerto Rico, St. Martin, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Tortola, and more. If you've got your heart set on Cancún, you may want Texas Cruise Company to book you a land trip to an all inclusive resrot, (Yes, we do that too!), though some cruises sail into nearby ports such as Cozumel and you can take a boat over there.

There are plenty of itineraries and even styles for cruise passengers to try out. One of the best ways to go about booking a cruise is to decide what kind of vacation you'd like to experience, and choose a line accordingly. For example, families with younger children might find the Disney line is right up their alley, while Princess, the official line of the "Love Boat" TV show, can offer couples a romantic getaway.

Once you've chosen a destination whether it's Alaska or the Caribbean, (We help with that) there are plenty of ways to book. The easiest way is to just call us at Texas Cruise Company or book on our website. In any case, you'll want to book early. Cruises, especially during the winter, can be filled months ahead of time, and the Caribbean coast is a popular spot for cruise vacationers. Toll Free 1-325-835-7561.

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Cruise tips for new cruisers

Thinking of taking a cruise? Then you picked the right time -- and you're reading the right story.

Wave season -- the time of year when most cruises are booked -- has arrived. It runs from January to about mid-March, and because everyone's out there buying a floating vacation, there are lots of deals to be had.

But the 2009 wave season promises to be a little different than past ones. Coming off a year in which the industry trade group Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) expected to welcome a record 12.62 million cruise passengers, an increase of about a half-million guests over 2008, there's trouble on the horizon.

First, find a competent travel agent. Professional travel consultants sell nearly 9 in 10 cruises, and there are many knowledgeable agents out there who know their stuff. I always check to make sure they're members of the American Society of Travel Agents or CLIA -- signs that they're on the up-and-up.

We are just that. David & Ramona Werst of Texas Cruise Company are both CLIA certified Master Cruise Counselors. That says a lot about our ability to give great service and advice.

Next, you should know that there could be deals, and lots of them. The major cruise lines were expected to add 12 new ships totaling 22,039 beds, and if demand doesn't keep up with supply, you could see some serious discounting come wave season. So shop hard.

1. Buy early. When Jeff Cooper worked for a cruise line, the best deals came just before wave season. "The sailings prior to Christmas and New Year's were rarely at capacity," says Cooper, who now works as a hospital administrator. And while the bargains during wave period were good, these were better.

2. Skip the air-inclusive cruise. "Cruise air is usually the worst possible deal," says Amber Blecker, an agent for CruiseResource.com. "You get bad itineraries, multiple connections and higher prices." And, she adds, don't think for a moment the cruise line will wait if your plane is late. "That's a wives' tale," she says.

3. Find a preferred agent. There are travel agents, and then there are travel agents. "Find one that specializes in booking with your desired cruise line," advises Charles McCool, a consultant who specializes in finding travel deals. "Only a select few have preferred status. These agents and agencies offer better discounts and amenities, and the cruises cost between 10 percent and 20 percent less than cruises bought from other agents."

4. Think small, think shoulder-season. Crystal Griffith, a nurse from Baker, Florida, scored a deep discount on her Alaska cruise by choosing a September itinerary and picking a windowless inside cabin. "We rarely spent much time in the cabin, and used it mainly for sleeping," she says. "It saved us lots of money."

5. Become a shareholder. "If you buy 100 shares of Carnival or Royal Caribbean stock, you'll get between $50 and $200 of free cabin credit on every cruise," says George Smart, a consultant in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. NOTE: Carnival and Royal Caribbean own most of the cruise lines out there, so this is a pretty decent deal.

6. Ask about discounts. One of the most popular is the military discount. Some cruise lines insist on either active-duty status or evidence of a long career. But not all. "Carnival Cruise line will sell their military rate to anyone who has served for two years," says Liz Lamagese, a Tampa, Florida-based travel agent. "As long as you have your separation papers to fax them, you can get very low rates on most of their cruises."

7. Private tours can save you big money. That's what Jerry Rothstein, a New York investment consultant, discovered on a recent cruise to the Greek islands. "We quickly figured out that for six people, we'd be better off having a private arrangement for shore excursions," he says. Now he regularly runs Internet searches to find less costly tours for groups that are "more intimate" and cost less than those offered by the cruise line.

8. Become a frequent cruiser. Evelyn Fine, a market researcher based in Daytona Beach, Florida, has found that loyalty pays. Cruise lines offer her everything from discounts to special on-board perks, like VIP receptions and priority dinner reservations. "Becoming a loyal customer is worth it," she says.

9. For a free upgrade, tell them you're a VIP. Actually, get your travel agent to tell them you're a VIP, says Royce Jones, a Jackson, Mississippi, furniture manufacturer's representative. "My agent tells the cruise line I'm one of her best customers, and that if I like the trip, I'll return again in the future," he says. "And then she asks for an upgrade. It works most of the time."

10. Don't get on the bus. "One of the best ways to save money on a cruise is to not take the provided transportation that meets you at the dock," says Michael Berger, an information systems consultant in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. "They usually cost more or end up taking you to their uncle's store to get a discount." Instead, he recommends walking a block or two away from the dock and finding a local transportation option. It's cheaper, and you're less likely to fall for a tourist trap.

11. Get a soda sticker. If you like bubbly drinks, buy the soda sticker for the cruise if your cruise line sells one. On Princess, for example, $29.50 gives you unlimited soda -- something Tom Kinsella, a Woodbridge, Virginia, software manager, discovered on his last cruise. "And bring your own large soda mug. Ours is 64 ounces, and they'll fill it any time you need it filled. That way, you're not stuck with their small glasses."

12. Or try these two booze tricks. TIP NO. 1: Bring your own wine and pay a corking fee at dinner. "It's still cheaper than the roughly $30 low-end wines offered by the cruise line," says Kirsten Taylor, an information technology manager in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. TIP NO. 2: If you prefer hard liquor, try emptying a water bottle and replacing it with your favorite vodka or gin. "No one will notice," says David Tuder, a banker from New York.

How 'bout them credit cards?

Here are a few things to know about credit cards when traveling. You won't need them on board ship, but you will need them to settle your final bill and traveling to and from the ship.

For instance, some, repeat some, car rental companies do not accept credit cards that are a combination credit/debit card. That is because this type card does not have "deep pockets" like a regular credit card does. Their reason is that if you cause damage to the car, the car rental company will charge your card for those damages immediately. It is then up to you to resolve reimbursement from your insurance company. Having to wait it out in an airport for a car rental company that does take your type of card is a real hassle. Bottom line: Always carry a real credit card when you travel.

Whenever you travel and plan to use your credit card, be sure to call your credit card company before leaving. Let them know you will be using the card while traveling. Otherwise, the company's computers might 'flag' your card for out-of-habit usage and block your card for transaction approval. Credit card companies do this for security reasons. This could put you in a precarious situation if you are away from home and low on cash. A simple phone call before you leave home will take care of it all.

If you are traveling abroad and plan to use your debit card or credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, be sure your PIN number is only four digits long. Most foreign ATM's are not set to take PIN numbers longer than four digits. You sure don't want to find this out after you have left home. If you need to change your PIN number, call in advance. It can not always be done "on-the-spot".

Passenger Declaration Form

IMPORTANT!! YOU MUST COMPLETE YOUR PASSENGER DECLARATION FORM BEFORE YOU SAIL.

Failure to complete these documents may result in delay or denial of embarkation. Some of the cruise lines have made these documents available online, and you may be asked to create an account on their site. Please have your booking number ready, then select your cruise line below:

• Carnival Cruise Lines • Celebrity Cruises • Costa Cruise Lines • Crystal Cruises • Holland America Line • Norwegian Cruise Line • Oceania Cruises • Princess Cruises • Radisson Seven Seas • Silversea Cruises • Windstar Cruises • Windjammer Cruises

Proof Of CitizenshipOne of the requirements with any cruise line is that you have proof of U.S. citizenship. Passports AND visas may also be required on some itineraries. Your Cruise Specialist will advise you. Important! New requirements are due to take effect soon. Please review the passport requirements before you sail.

Non-U.S. CitizensMust have proper documentation for the countries your cruise will be visiting. Please refer to your cruise line information brochure for further details. All non-US citizens must have a valid Passport (not to expire within 6 months of return date). Visas may also be required to re-enter the country. You should contact your consulate for specific requirements. You may also obtain more passport related cruise vacation information by calling Immigration and Naturalization Services at 1-800-375-5283.

Classes of Cruise ShipsAnother consideration travelers will want to make when setting sail on a cruise is the cruise ship class. The classes or categories include contemporary/value, premium, luxury, and specialty. No matter what you're looking for, you're sure to find it among these choices.

Most cruise travelers will first consider Carnival and Royal Caribbean, and this is no surprise as these two currently make up approximately 90 percent of the entire cruise industry. They are found in the contemporary/value class, which is known for its reasonable prices and package specials. We guarantee you will not go wrong with either of these choices.

Those looking for a step up can find themselves in a premium cruise line. The ships are often smaller, and boast a larger waitstaff, meaning you'll never need to look far to find help. Lines like Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America fit into this class.

Still others may find themselves looking for the most luxurious lines available. These may cost a bit more, but are said to offer the best in service and amenities. Plenty of travelers feel that the cost is more than equal to the value on a luxury liner.

Specialty ships are unusual: These ships usually avoid the major Caribbean ports, like Cozumel, but may focus on smaller, less-known ports. Other specialty cruises focus on passenger groups, such as singles or senior citizens.

Ships and more.....

Lonely Planet Shop. It's a great place to find information!

ShipsCruise classes aren't the only way to define a ship. Size is one of the most important factors that people forget about when booking a cruise. Size definitely matters when trying to visit some of the less popular or smaller cruise ports. We also represent some of the great small river cruise ships including those touring the European rivers.

A Panama-class ship is a nice sized ship, although several newer ships are much larger now. Named for the Panama Canal, these liners are so large they can barely squeeze through the canal's sides. However, with a maximum of 3,000 passengers, these largest of ships can only visit the major ports.

Lesser known spots, and often luxury liners, will feature much smaller ships, some carrying no more than 300 passengers. However, these smaller liners often avoid the larger ports entirely.

More than just about where they can visit, larger ships also provide a kind of stability that is unavailable in smaller ships. The smaller the ship the more turbulence you are likely to feel along the way.

Ships are classified based on the following criteria:

Gross registered tonnage- is the measurement of the ship’s volume/vessel’s size...1 gross registered ton = 100 cubic feet

Passenger-to-crew ratio-is the number of passengers served by each crew member Smaller ratio = better service

Passenger capacity based on double occupancy (2 passengers in each cabin) More rooms = more passengers

Space ratio-comparison of ship space/tonnage to passenger capacity Higher ratio = extra spacious

CabinsWhen selecting a cabin, travelers will first choose between an inside cabin and an outside cabin. While an outside cabin is more expensive than an inside cabin, they both provide the peace of mind of knowing exactly where you'll stay the instant you book.

Let us help you decide what cabin would suit your needs best. Remember, we provide our services at NO COST TO YOU. We are compensated by the cruise lines and it adds no cost to your trip either!

Traveler's Tip: It's never a good idea to flash money or valuables - keep them tucked away in a safe spot in your cabin, and avoid carrying too much money at one time. Most newer ships have safes in your rooms.

Some additional guidelines for selecting a room:

Confirm the view you’ll have in an outside cabin—make sure you're getting what you expect. You may want to request a view of the ocean or a balcony. Travelers with younger children should avoid these outer rooms, especially those with balcony access. We have travled both inside and balcony and enjoyed both very much.

Cabins in the lower decks experience much less movement than upper rooms. This can be preferable for travelers who are subject to motion sickness.

Some folks avoid booking cabins in close proximity to anchors, elevators, nightclubs, public rooms, engine rooms, gyms, bars, casinos, stairways, pools and hot tubs, theaters, or thrusters. These areas can be particularly noisy. However, We have had cabins all over the ship and have never had a problem. Pesonally, I like being closer to the stairs or elevators. Noise has never been a problem.

ItinerariesOnce you've chosen where you'd like to visit, you'll find it's easy to locate the cruise that is right for you. Galveston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa are primary departure ports from which you may choose to visit the Caribbean. A Western Caribbean cruise might sojourn at Cozumel or other ports. Other ports that travelers often choose to depart from for a Mexican cruise are Texas and New Orleans.

First time cruise passengers often opt for a shorter cruise, though cruises can last from two days to two weeks. Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel are popular spots for shorter cruises, though they may not offer a large number of island stops along the way unless it is a long cruise.

The Mayan ruins, shopping, and underwater excursions often fight for attention in the Caribbean, where a reef and history both make popular excursions for cruise passengers. Typical excursions cost an additional $25(USD) to $100(USD) and can either be reserved when you book the cruise or once you're onboard, but remember that spots for these activities are limited.

Time of year is an important factor as well, as the summer's hurricane season can cause more turbulent seas, but the popular winter season has higher costs for its vacationers. The most popular times to cruise are major holidays: New Year’s Eve, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.

CostCruise costs are based on a number of items, including level of luxury, length of cruise, and number of persons traveling (surprisingly, single occupancy rates are higher than double occupancy rates). Most items are included in the price of the cruise - food, cabin, and onboard activities/entertainment - beverages, and activities. However shore excursions, final tip, and airfare are usually not included.

What To BringWhen packing, consider the sunny, tropical destinations you've picked, and avoid bringing excess items. It's recommended that vacationers pack bathing suits, lightweight shirts and shorts, and other cover-up items, as well as flip-flops. Hats and sunglasses provide protection for your face and eyes.

On-ship dining will require another set of clothing. Travelers should avoid shorts in the evening, as they are usually not permitted in the dining room. Instead pack slacks and blouses, or a sundress, for casual dining, suits or sport coats for informal dinners, and suits or black tie attire for formal meals. On the other hand, we have seen almost anything at mealtime on modern cruise ships. Norwegian is famous for "Freestyle Cruising" and they just ask that you cover up a bit. Don't worry too much about what to wear, you can always ask when onboard what is appropriate.

Remember that it is best to bring along clothes in which you will be comfortable in the Caribbean, and follow the guidelines for local attire when you are off the cruise ship.