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Travel Recommendation: "First Time" Ship Cruisers













Cruising the unknown! We didn’t cruise for years fearing the following: Seasickness, Illnesses, High Cost of Tickets, Extra Costs on Board, Boredom, and Crowds. All are valid excuses in the eyes of a “first time cruiser”. The cruise lines, veteran cruisers, and travel agents do little to alleviate your anxiety; each talks their own agendas. I updated this article a few hours after getting off the ship in 2010, so I hope it will answer the “first timer’s” questions.

Seasickness:

If you get sick in a car, plane, carnival ride, or small boat, you may feel uncomfortable on the cruise but most people do not have a problem if the water is somewhat calm. If you want to take advance precautions you have two choices:
1. See your doctor and get a prescription for a seasickness patch or medicine. Take the medicine an hour before the ship departs. Yes, it will make you a little sleepy, but not enough to ruin your cruise. After about a day on the ship many people discontinue the medicine.
2. Go to a pharmacy and get the over the counter seasickness medicine ( DIMENHYDRINATE). There are two types; one that advertises less sleepiness and the old standby DIMENHYDRINATE full strength. The difference being the less drossy formula is about half strength. Read the active ingredients carefully. Just like the prescription; take the medicine an hour before the ship leaves. (I carry a 100 tablet bottle I purchased for $6.95 but have never broken the seal). (I found I didn't need anything!)

Ship Board Illnesses:

Accept it; illness could happen, but you could also get sick at home. Dozens of ships sail each week with no problem. The ship that has a problem gets national news coverage. Prepare in advance by including aspirin, an anti diarrhea medicine and a decongestant. Many problems are from eating and drinking too much.

High Cost of Tickets:

When costs are vital to being able to cruise, here are a couple of tips. Check out different “ships”; prices vary a lot even on the same cruise lines. Last minute cruises (under 30 days to departure) are the cheapest. The cruise lines want full ships because the fuel, entertainment and labor are the same no matter how many people are on board. The drawback to waiting for the cheap ticket is that the ship can fill up at any time. (A last minute ticket purchased under seven days can be discounted up to 80% but this doesn’t happen often.)

Extra Costs on Board:

Just become knowledgeable of the costs when you get aboard and budget your expenses. Check your onboard account often to keep track of expenses.
Tipping:
The latest feature is adding $10. per person per day to your final check out. I like this! It is easy to plan into the trip costs and keeps you from having to figure out how much to tip different crew members before leaving the ship.
Drinks:
The cruise lines make large sums of money on this item. Accept that you will have to pay extra for soft drinks, beer, wine, and bar drinks. A 15% gratuity is added to all drinks. (Minimum cruise drinks were as follows: Sodas ($2.20 Can/with ice), Beer ($4.75 per bottle or $20.50 for a bucket of 5), Wine ($6.90 per glass), and Bar Drinks ($6.00 per glass) which included the 15% gratuity.) Yes, they do come around often trying to serve drinks, but a "no" or "head shake" is accepted with no pressure to buy. If you buy liquor in port, they take the bottles from you and store them for you when you return to the ship. You are "scanned" each time you reboard.
Gambling:
Most ships have small casinos. Slot machines (05. to $25.), blackjack, roulette, bingo, etc. are available but there is no pressure to play. I have never won anything in a ship casino. (The last trip I lost $5.00 in 30 seconds on a 25 cent slot machine.) If you like the smell of cigarette smoke you will really enjoy the ship's casino.
Stores: On board shopping is found on most ships. Prices are high. Quality of merchandise is good if you can afford it. I generally purchase liquor to take back home from the ship store because the prices are as good as the port prices.

Excursions:

An excursion is a trip off the ship at a port to participate in an activity such as (golf, snorkeling, fishing, exploring ancient ruins, etc.. Prices are as low as $40. per person for a simple activity like shopping or a trip to the beach and up to several hundred dollars for a complex activity like deep sea fishing. Even though this is a high profit item for the ship and service providers, your options are limited if you want to enjoy these activities.
You can leave the ship “free of charge” at any port and arrange your own shore transportation or just shop. The ship has a departure time which you MUST meet or you will be left behind. If you plan your own activities, the local providers (taxis, boats, etc.) may not be watching your departure time. If you purchase your excursions from the ship, they will try to wait for you if a problem is encountered.
Excursions are booked at the time you order your tickets or can be bought on board at the “Excursions Desk”. Watch out for additional costs: For example you can book a “Beach Experience” for $40. but when you arrive at the beach there is an extra $20. to snorkel, drinks may be $8. a piece and lunch at a cost similar to a good restaurant. (On our last cruise, a shore restaurant served $13.00 hamburgers with fries! Wait until you get back aboard; the food is better and free.) To get around the extra costs, check to see if a slightly higher priced excursion may include snorkeling, beach equipment, and drinks. Ask questions when booking excursions. (Advice: Eating and drinking ashore can be a health hazard. Watch out for the ice.)

Boredom:

Forget it! Every morning there is a new schedule of events for the day. There is so much “free” entertainment provided that you have to make time for simple pleasures like reading a book. (Cruises have a free show each night, dancing, shuffleboard, basketball, wine tasting, an exercise room, lectures, watersports etc.)














Crowds:

Simple physics; the more people on board, the larger the crowds will be. If you don’t like crowds, book the cruise on a smaller ship. If you want quiet, there are areas on a ship where you can get away and enjoy a book or watch the waves. Take the cruise in the fall, winter or through mid spring if you like quiet. Avoid holidays, spring break and summer when the young crowds exhibit their limitless energy. Some cruise lines are known for their “party” atmosphere. (For example, Carnival Line’s ads promote the parties and energy intensive fun times.)

Total Costs:


Winter 2010 (5 Day) Carnival Cruise: Included Port Charges and All Taxes:
Fall 2007 (7 Day) Norweigen Cruise: Included Port Charges and All Taxes:

Quick Trip: "South Llano River Park (Bicycle/Hiking Experience)"


Not well known to many Texans is the award winning park on the South Llano River just outside Junction Texas. The visitors during the week are primarily active retired folks who seemed to enjoy hiking, biking, and bird watching. If you need supplies, want to stay in a motel, or need a restaurant break, Junction is just a couple of miles away on Highway 377 just off Interstate 10 and things are reasonably priced.

The park has an excellent off road bike trail in the hills which can also be hiked. There are wild turkey, deer,jackrabbits, squirrels, and vast array of birds. The park has bird watching blinds with comfortable chairs. The park is especially suited for the avid photographer.

The park staff were ready to help. The park's restrooms and showers were modern and clean. The campsites had electricity and tables.
Arriving on a Tuesday morning in September we expected to have the park to ourselves but found about 40 other campers. It was not crowded. There was a mixture of expensive campers and tents.

After setting up our tent and unloading the mountain bikes, it was time to see the Llano River. The crystal clear river snakes through the park with rapids for tubing. There is plenty of places on the river to be alone and listen to the rapids. A bicycle trail follows the river bank. A regular bike is fine for the level trails and roads.

The following morning we got up early and headed for the hills. The bicycle trails are marked for easy to difficult. Of course we had to try the difficult which was 6+ miles and resulted in walking the bikes over numerous large rocks and rutted steep terrain. After the first mile we had the trail to ourselves. I recommend a good supply of water on this trail.

After lunch, we road the flat trails near the river and watched the wild turkey and deer. Swimming in the rapids was a nice break from the trails.

Our stay was two nights, however it would be easy to relax for several days.

This trip is recommended for April and September. The summer is crowed and October through March much of the park is closed to allow the wild turkey to roost.

Sister Creek Winery

On the way back home we circled San Antonio on Highway 473 and came through Sisterdale, Texas. The Sister Creek Vineyards and Winery is a good stop. The winery is built in an old cotton gin. The tour of the winery is free. We took some of the wine along which was reasonably priced.
Balmorhea State Park
Davis Mountains State Park
Fort Leaton State Historic Site
South Llano River Park
Stayed tuned to this Web site if you want "SECLUDED" vacations with "CHEAP" travel and lots of fun doing it!
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