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Travel Talk SeriesTravel Talk SeriesBy Dianne Tuttle, CTCBy Dianne Tuttle, CTC

Cruising – Part 1Cruising – Part 1

• Is Cruising for me?

• Cruising – misconceptions & myths

• Booking your first cruise

• 9 tips for cruise safety

Is Cruising for me?Is Cruising for me?

• WHO IS A TYPICAL CRUISER?

So, you're thinking about taking a cruise for the first time, and as anyone should, you have questions. What is cruising really like? Is it right for me? Where should I go? What can I see?

Typical Cruisers….not!Typical Cruisers….not!

• I don't believe there is a "typical" cruiser

• Cruisers are as wide and varied a lot as the ships that they sail on.

• Gen-X'ers (25-35 years old)

• Gen-Tech'ers (15-25)

IS CRUISING RIGHT FOR ME?IS CRUISING RIGHT FOR ME?

• Well of course it is!!

• Cruises offer something for just about everyone

• Cruises offer excellent value as they include your accommodations for the length of the cruise, meals and entertainment.

Cruising – Misconceptions & MythsCruising – Misconceptions & Myths

• Getting people on their first cruise is the hard part.

• The number of people who continue to cruise after trying their first cruise is extremely high.

• All it takes is one cruise before all of the misconceptions are gone.

. Following are some of the most . Following are some of the most stubborn myths about cruising stubborn myths about cruising

• I‘ll get sea sick• I‘ll be bored• I know nothing about ships : I‘ll look silly • I won’t be like other people• Everyone on a cruise is old• Cruising is to regimented • All there is to do is eat!

Booking your first cruiseBooking your first cruise

• Call a travel agent

• Cabin selection is most important

• cabins to avoid such as those above, below or adjoining the disco or showroom

A good agent will provide you with: A good agent will provide you with:

• Ship and sailing date• Category and cabin booked• Dining Assignment• Cruise price• Port Charges and Taxes• Applicable Air Costs• Citizenship, Entry Requirements (Do I need a passport

and/or Visas?)• Deposit requirements• Final payment amount and due date• Applicable cancellation penalties

Your First Cruise: What to Your First Cruise: What to Expect Expect

• Embarkation

• X-ray machine and metal detector

• You'll be greeted by cruise line personnel

• Some cruise lines welcome you onboard, hand you a mini-map, and dare you to find your cabin before bedtime.

Your First CruiseYour First Cruise

• Accommodations

• Your dining assignment

• Ship's newsletter

• Boarding card

A lesson learned!A lesson learned!

• On my first cruise I think I emptied four trays of drinks, handing them to everyone nearby, before the server asked for my "card.“

• It was a $200 lesson, but it wasn't a bad way to meet new friends

mandatory lifeboat drill. mandatory lifeboat drill.

mandatory lifeboat drill. mandatory lifeboat drill.

• And when you return to your cabin each evening, the bed is turned down, a chocolate is left on your pillow and a copy of the ship's newsletter listing all the possibilities for tomorrow is waiting for you

• One cruise line ad you can believe says

• "It's like no vacation on earth."

• In my view, that applies to all cruises, and couldn't be more true!

9 Tips for Cruise Safety9 Tips for Cruise Safety

• Check out the report card• Keep your guard up• Store your money, jewelry & passport in the ship’s safe• Eat modestly, you want that swim suit to fit comfortably• Easy on the booze• Gamble prudently, you want to afford another cruise• Be cautious about getting to close to crew members• Land ho!• Report anything suspicious

Thank you!Thank you!

• Thank you for attending tonight’s • Travel Talk Series• You can contact Dianne Tuttle @• Academy Travel• “In The Creamery”• 570 Higuera St. #225• San Luis Obispo CA 93401• 781-2630