If you are a 'first-time' cruiser, the most difficult question can be 'How do I choose my cruise?'. The best answer to this question is to seek out a cruise-only specialist (such as Cruise Escapes). You'll find that the personal experience and knowledge of your cruise specialist is simply invaluable! Remember, you can spend hours and hours 'surfing the web', reading hundreds of cruise line web pages, but nothing you'll find there will bring cruising into focus as easily and effectively as your cruise specialist at Cruise Escapes. We can clarify your basic choices:

• Which cruise line should I take?
  
• Which itinerary should I choose?
  
• Which cruise offers the best rate?
  
• What type of accommodation is right for me?
  
• What is the booking process once I make my decision?

The following is a brief overview, but contact us for your specific questions and cruise options:

The most popular cruise destination is the Caribbean. Here you'll find tropical islands, beautiful beaches, interesting sights, and many cruiseline choices to take you there! Caribbean cruises operate year-round with great 7-night itineraries, with some shorter choices for 4-& 5-night sailings and Bahamas cruises for 3-nights. If you are concerned about hurricanes in the Caribbean, you really need not be. Tropical storm & hurricane season is from June until November (half the year!), but the reality is that most 'activity' is usually in very late August until early in October. Just remember, weather is weather; no one can really predict exactly when it will be the best. The good thing about a cruise is that your ship can MOVE and sail to calmer waters if bad weather is in your planned path.

Other very popular summer cruise destinations are Alaska and Europe. For details on Alaska, see our Alaska page, which can also be linked from the home page screen. (Alaska is perhaps the most magnificent cruise choice offered!) Europe cruises include Mediterranean, Baltic (Scandinavia/Russia), British Isles, Greek Isles, and a host of other options. Depending on which is of interest to you, the season is from April to October for Mediterranean or May to August for the Baltic.

Panama Canal cruises usually sail from October until May. There are variations on this route, but most Panama Canal sailings are at least 10- or 11-days. For more exotic destinations, consider South America, Tahiti, Australia/New Zealand, the Far East, Africa, or even Antarctica! For the most part, cruises operate virtually world wide; if there's a port, some cruise probably is offered to there!

Whatever your preference, once you make your decision, a deposit is required to confirm your booking. We'll make your reservation and advise the amount of your deposit (usually about $250 per person for a 7-night cruise). Then the balance, or final payment, will be due about 60 to 75 days prior to your cruise departure date. Once paid, then we receive your airline schedule (if you've purchased the cruise line's air program) about 30 days before you sail. Next the actual cruise tickets and documents are received about 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. These tickets are sent to our office at Cruise Escapes and we forward them to you. It's all pretty simple, but it can be a bit overwhelming if you've not cruised before. Just give us a call and we'll have on your very first cruise before you know it!

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