Why do people love cruises? Why do so many cruise vacationers swear they wouldn't go back to hotel vacations? Cruise travel represents a pinnacle of luxury. You travel around the world, or your chosen area, in cosseted pleasure.

Every whim gets catered for. Every time you're hungry, food awaits. You go ashore to sightsee a new place, but return to your own bed every night. A floating hotel, travelling to a new location every day.

But how do you choose your cruise deal? How do you know what's good or bad? Firstly, let's look at the different types of cruises.

* Size

Ships range from city size ('000s of people) right down to small sailing vessels holding less than 10 people.

* Location

Your choice of ship might depend on location. If you're cruising the Caribbean, you could try a sailing ship. If you want a world tour, you probably should go for something bigger?

Some of the newer ships from the major cruise operators allow you to cruise the world in luxury. Their high-tech stabilizers mean your wine barely ripples, even in rough seas.

So for smaller cruises in benign weather e.g Caribbean or Med, you can choose large or small. For longer cruises, such as an Atlantic crossing, Arctic visit etc., you need a big ship.

* Price

Prices vary dramatically. Only a few years ago, cruises were an expensive luxury. Now prices fall within any vacation budget. In fact, all inclusive special cruise deals can be much cheaper than land-based vacations. For less than a 5* hotel, you can get 7-days all inclusive in a luxury location.

* Internet

How do you find these great deals ? As always, use the Internet. Sure, call your local travel agent, or respond to newspaper ads, but you'll find the best deals online.

There's only a limited number of cruise ships. So you'll find exactly the same cabin standard, exactly the same food deal, for widely varying prices.

Try to narrow down your preferred location before starting. How long do you want to go for? Then start searching the web. Try 'cheap cruises deals' for a search term, and see what comes up. Immediately, you'll be faced with a bewildering array of choices.

Click on a few of these search results sites. Read some advice and info. Get an idea of prices to your preferred location.

When you've seen some deals you like. When you've seen at least three different deals to your preferred location. When you're tempted to book right there & then. Stop!

Before you book, you must seperate the wheat from the chaff. That bewildering array's about to become clear. Put the cruise company name into your search engine. Put the destination into the search engine. You're looking for reviews. You're looking for feedback from other people who've been with that cruise company. You're looking for reviews about your destination.

Do this for each of your cruise vacation shortlist. Check there's no hidden catches. Check price fully includes everything, and you won't be stung for lots of onboard extras.

Follow these simple guidelines, and you'll soon be embarking on the cruise of your dreams.

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About The Author

John Williams