Cruising

Cruising is a lot of fun. Even if your idea of cruising is driving slowly around town on a hot summer night with the top down, it's a lot of fun.

For some, cruising is best done on a large-displacement motorcycle. Others prefer an antique motorscooter. That can also be fun. But cruising on a huge ship with luxury all around, is my favorite kind of cruising. I like pretending to be rich folks.

Cruising is not expensive. Nobody pays the rack rate. You can search for those last minute deals on the internet, but you might do better putting it in the hands of a travel agent. They know where the bargains are and can save you money. They also know how to get you a better cabin at little or no extra cost. Booking late has its risks, but it's the best way to save money. Sometimes, after all of the cheap cabins are sold, the bargains are in rooms with balconies.

And did you know that the more you cruise, the more perks you get? Cruise lines love to pamper their regular customers. Be sure you mention it, if you have sailed on one of their ships before.

So what is there to do on a cruise ship? In a word: Eat. There is usually one big formal dining room, and a cafeteria style dining room on each ship. But it doesn't stop there. Some ships had ultra-formal(for want of a better word) dining rooms where you pay a cover charge. They tell me you really get pampered, but frankly, I have never been in one. The big dining room is good enough for anybody. The service is fantastic, the food great, and the atmosphere makes you feel like you are in a technicolor movie.

You will also find snack bars and free ice cream. And there is no charge for room service. Coffee and tea are everywhere. You only pay for a drink if it comes from the bar.

Tired of eating? There are swimming pools and hot tubs. A few ships have a hydrospa with has bubbles and jets of heated salt water. Evaporation consentrates the salt content and you can float around like it was the Dead Sea or Great Salt Lake. Some ships have indoor pools or a sliding top that encloses the outdoor pool when it rains. You can swim in comfort in the Inside Passage to Alaska when it is wet and cold outside.

Do you like shows? Cruise ships have one or more theatres. The main theater usually has two shows a night. Music, dancing, jokes, jugglers, magic, acrobats, you name it. A few ships even have an ice rink, and put on an ice show. Or you can go skating yourself.

There are lounges and night clubs with music and humor. You don't pay a cover charge and you don't have to buy a drink. One of my favorite day-time shipboard passtimes is to sit in the big lounge up front, usually even higher than the bridge, and just watch the ocean go by. I've watched albatross riding the wave of air that flows over the ship. They can almost go forever without flapping their wings. You may see whales, dolphins, or flying fish. Once in Alaska I saw bald eagles soaring across in front of the ship.

There is Las Vegas style gambling on ships. Those of you who gamble help pay the bill for those of us who don't. Cruise lines make most of their money on gambling, alcohol, and shore excursions. They also sell a lot of pictures. Sometimes I think they could give cabins away free and still make a profit. I get my money's worth on the free stuff like food, shows, activities.

Many ships offer free classes on everything from napkin folding to watercolors. I once went to a lecture and slide show on the history of ship building.

Movies are available in one or more theaters. Free.

Don't expect too much from your onboard TV channels. Sometimes they just can't seem to find a satellite. You can watch TV at home.

After a dozen cruises, I'll be glad to recommend my favorite cruise lines and travel agents. Check out www.altotravel.com Tell them you want to cruise on Howard's favorite cruise line.
Howard