What Singles Should Know About Taking a Cruise

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by Susan Dunn Cruises can be very good for your health. I’m single, and a presenter for cruise lines, and use these working vacations as part of my wellness regime. Thought I’d pass on some things I’ve learned:

1. The Carnival line offers a true singles rate.

It’s category A-1, bunk beds, but you don’t get charged double or have to accept a stranger for a room-mate, as you must on other cruise lines, which to me means they don’t offer a single rate.

2. Holland America, Costa, the Cunard, the Radisson and other cruise lines offer gentlemen dance hosts. (Check with your agent.)

If you’re a single male, you may want to BE one, and travel at a greatly reduced rate in exchange for “having” to meet and dance with the single women on board. If you’re a single female, you’ll enjoy these charming, proficient dancers whose job it is to dance with you! They agree in writing “not to show favoritism” and boy, can they dance - every night from 8 pm to 1 am. They must pass a proficiency test in waltz, fox-trot, rumba, cha-cha and swing, but for most of them that’s just the beginning. I formed two lifetime memories on my last cruise: Dancing with Fred, a Midwest university Spanish prof., while we both sang “Diana” at the top of our lungs; and Ted, traveling with a German polka band, who gave me the polka-of-a-lifetime. 3. For dining, your best bet is to ask to be seated at a large table.

10 people at the table will dissipate the effects of uncongenial dining companions, and you’ll be with them every night. You can also request to change seating, and the maitre d’ will arrange this in a way that doesn’t hurt anyone feelings. If you’re a “day” person, choose the later seating so your schedule won’t be rushed. If you’re a “night” person and want to make the shows and entertainment, choose the early seating.

4. Consider the pros and cons of buying excursions through the cruise ship.

Booking through the ship gives you certainty and allows you to plan. However, it costs more. In most ports there are taxi drivers waiting to take you where you want to go for much less. The excursion of one island for 3 hours was listed at $50 pp. Cruise friends and I found our own driver, and went where we wanted to for 3 hours for $10 apiece. Without exception, I’ve found the cab drivers on the Islands to be knowledgeable, pleasant and a positive addition to my cruises. However take xtreme care of yourself. If you’re leery about hopping in a cab alone in Jamaica (for example), you should be. Try and hook up with other solo travelers, or the dance hosts. There’s safety in numbers.

5. Most cruise ships offer an early get-together for singles.

You can meet new friends everywhere, as most people go on cruises because of the potential for making new friends. Go to the arts and crafts, the enrichment lectures, and other smaller group activities. If you’re express purpose on a vacation is to meet other singles, bear in mind that unless it’s a “singles” cruise, most cruisers are still married couples and families.

6. If you’re on a budget, and can forego a lot of drinking and gambling, a cruise can be the least expensive fine vacation you can have.

Cruise lines make their money off the gambling and liquor. That’s why they can offer excellent food 24 hours a day, and the extremely low rates for last-minute cruises. How about 5 nights in the Western Caribbean for $335. Other costs? Gratuities for all the staff who so graciously help you starts at $68 for the cruise. You do the math.

7. Don’t discount the fact that there are no CAR hassles.

You a host of activities available without once having to get in a car. No parking problems on board, no designated drivers, no traffic jams. What % of your daily stress revolves around the car? What would you pay to b e rid of that?

8. Check with friends who cruise to find out what to buy where. Or check with the Shopping Expert on your cruise.

Different ports have different specialties and it pays to know about them. For instance, braids cost $150 in Key West, $75 in Cozumel, $35 in Grand Cayman. It pays to inquire!

9. Resist all urges to shop immediately onboard.

Prices go down as the cruise gets underway. BTW, don’t count on the ship store having the thing you forgot to pack. You can find it in a port. However, it’s best to get off the beaten track. The stores who’ve paid for space in the port generally are charging you for their privilege.

10. Each cruise line has its own “flavor” and its plusses and minuses.

Check with someone who’s actually cruised on a particular cruise line if you can (not an agent). A cruise leaving from Galveston will be 90% Texan (scary thought), while on leaving Port Everglades is likely to have a mix of Northerners, Midwesterners, Northeasterners, and Europeans. If you cruise in late summer, expect lots of kids and teens. What's the most important thing to you - company, quality of food, entertainment? Ask someone who's actually been on that ship.

11. Are you Internet dependent?

Check with your particular cruise line, but most have Internet service on board (rather costly) and there are now Internet cafes in most ports which are quite affordable. ($5 an HOUR in Cozumel.) You can check your email at www.emailanywhere.com

12. If you have speaking skills, consider being a presenter for a cruise line.

As I say in my ebook, "How to Get to Present on a Cruise," being an enrichment lecturer gives you added visibility for socializing, and a chance to promote your practice to thousands of new people.

P.S. Many cruises offer daily tai chi. Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach, offers coaching and Internet courses on stress management and emotional intelligence. She is the author of "How to Get to Present on a Cruise" ( http://www.webstrategies.cc/development.htm ) and a regular speaker for several cruise lines. Visit her on the web at www.susandunn.cc and sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE ezine.

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