Thinking about a maritime excursion—your first one?  Read Insight Guide’s Cruising: All Questions Answered written by Douglas Ward (2008).  Ward’s resume includes participation in more than 970 cruises, working for eight cruise companies and experience as a cruise director.

What you’ll read in this guide:

• Decisions first-time cruisegoers should make, such as determining where and when you want to go, length of trip, how to choose the right accommodations and the right ship for you.
• 50 most frequently asked questions including “should I pay the brochure price?”
• Where to go?  Alaska, Caribbean, Europe/Mediterranean?  It’s your choice, but Ward suggests finding out how much time is spent at each port to help you decide.
• Get a feel for the major lines and their décor, dining options, and entertainment accompanied by brief info about the company.
• Acquire a better understanding of cruise operators, the options they provide, and compare them with the major lines.
• Did you know that more than 3,000 passengers travel by freighter each year?  Learn about passenger-carrying freighters and what to expect on board.
• The Life on Board section discusses different kinds of cruising (solo, gay and lesbian, family, romantics, special needs), an A-Z of life aboard, and what to expect from cruise spas as well as the rules of health spa etiquette.
• How to book your first cruise and what you should take with you is covered, as well as a troubleshooting section offering suggestions on how to handle problems such as a cabin that is too small, a port of call you were looking forward to visiting is omitted from the itinerary, or the food is not “gourmet cuisine as advertised in the brochure.”

Prefer not to book a reservation with a cruise operator that Ward has given a 2-star rating (out of a 5+ star rating scale)?  Then check out this guide and with help from an industry expert you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions and avoid expensive mistakes.

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