Whether your first Cruise or one of many, IT should be one of your life’s highlights. It's important that it be a most fulfilling experience possible for the money you budget. The following information should help you choose a Cruise Package at your ideal quality vs. price.

For many cruising tourists or ‘cruisers’, cruising is an escape from the humdrum monotony or grinding pressure of their daily lives AND a reward for sacrifices they have made for their children & family over decades. For others, perhaps the thrill of living a millionaire movie star’s life for a few days.

The most important attribute of cruising to most folks, particularly, 1st-time tourists, is that a cruise can be worry-free, well planned & organized, & professionally guided to fulfill your travel dreams for the energy & budget you have.

couched midst a mind-boggling array of amenities & activities appealing to all ages & fitness levels, priced from relatively inexpensive to luxury and

Show up on time with luggage, some pocket change & you are off.
Your Cruise Company does all the rest … if you wish.

II. The Ocean Cruising experience/description:
Ocean Cruising is a mix of 2 totally different experiences:
A. ocean or big sea sailing AND B. in-port sightseeing options.

A. Daily Ocean sailing & “at-sea” days:

➥ On-board Initial Experience:

Once settled into your cabin, unpacked & relaxing from long flights & ship’s boarding process, you’ll then strikeout on a wandering walkabout of your vast ship, marveling at its colossal size, modern sophisticated design & construction. PIK K10,

Awed by seemingly endless amenities, activities & attractions appealing to all ages & fitness levels, priced from relatively inexpensive to luxury. Soon you lean at the ship’s railings gazing at the watery world surrounding you.

Within hours your ship puts out to sea en route to your next port.

Cruise ships invariably depart port in late afternoon sailing all night to arrive at the next port and its Shore Excursions. Often, however, a cruise ship spends more than a full day at sea i.e. a ‘sea-day’ usually far from land with only endless ocean vistas …. sailing to the next port-of-call. PIK K10 sunset off ship's side

(VID Embedded: from Scand Cruise: early morning port entry)

Eventually, you’ll settle into a deck chair with a cool drink savoring the expansive ocean views you have dreamt of, then, …. fall into conversation with a few of the 1000’s of other passengers. Life is good! PIK K10 peeps on deck

Depending on your cruise package’s itinerary, your next day may be either a sea-day or sightseeing your next port of call.

A sea-day is a minimum 24 hrs at sea usually far from anything interesting to see other than sea birds and the occasional seal. Unfortunately, your endless ship wandering exploration, endless unlimited buffet dining, or deck chair lounging pretending you are enjoying a book you could have read at home devolves into an ever-increasing boredom desperately hoping for diversion.

Boredom may kick in prompting you to abandon the freebie amenities & indulgences and seek out the ship’s more tempting Premium options which abound depending on the ship. Good or ill, your diversions will come from the innumerable included & Premium cost options. VID Panel: Antarctica crossing, deck walking

Now, in this order we will discuss:
1. General Ocean Cruise Factors
2. On-board Cruise Factors
3. “In-port’ sight seeing Factors.
(Use link on left to’jump’directly to a section.) ???

III. General Ocean Cruising FACTORs:

NOTE: Some Cruise Factors may have one or more links taking you deeper into that Factor’s content making you even better informed.

1. Traveler’s anxiety: IMO, all travelers (me) suffer some anxiety, but ocean cruisers justifiably suffer much less once safely onboard their giant ship & acclimated a bit. Dig Deeper.

Traveler’s Anxiety

Life & travel are very much a balance between dangers we perceive, & the knowledge & experience that reduces those danger’s risks.

Foreign travel means leaving the comfortable, confident security of our home for something often very unfamiliar: different streets, language, rules, mannerisms, foods, clothing, etc. PIK

Yet, ocean cruising is perhaps the most worry, risk-free, mode of travel once you are on board ship because your on-board ship experience is a luxurious, pampered catered version of ‘home’ with a mix of free and premium experiences not readily available elsewhere. More like a Las Vegas vacation: endless free food, gambling & stage shows. 😀 Dig Deeper.

My Anxiety-reduction’ Strategy

My ‘anxiety-reduction’ Strategy: history, novels, & cash

A. Your Pre-trip Responsibilities:
1. Understand my Cruise Factors: enough to wisely choose your ideal cruise package. PIK: Travel fear
2. Book flights: to & from cruise ship unless traveling further.
3. Book lodging: the night before & after unless unnecessary.

On Board: Your Cruise company intentionally tries to eliminate any unnerving circumstances., PIK: ITIN. K6

B. My pre-trip history & culture immersion
The more you can learn about a country’s history & culture…. the richer your travel experiences & lifetime memories will be…. AND .… the less ‘travel anxiety’ I can almost guarantee you will have.

1. Study Country & Sites: After choosing your cruise package based , in part on the Shore Excursion’s tourist sites & experiences you want, briefly Google Search a) country’s history & b) your desired tourist sites offered by the cruise package you are considering so you can better anticipate & appreciate this foreign culture.

Anecdote: 5000 years of Chinese History” video: I watched & outlined Professor Ken Hammond’s, entire. “From Yao to Mao: 5000 years of Chinese History” 18 part video lecture series before my 3 month solo independent trip throughout China: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWVlOaO8gr0&list=PL-zm2mrr9onY5hrGya2DhgBn_-xUk51p3

YT VID: great wall. or terra-cotta army

2) Read Country’s or Site’s Classic Novels: A country’s classic novels often reflect the country’s respect & love for its history & culture, kinda-like America’s “Gone with the Wind”. Such novels are a traveler’s fascinating insight into a culture & history.

Anecdote(s): Japan: Shimazaki Toson’s Before the Dawn including the Nakasendo Road. AND read 1 or 2 more classical novels
Australia: Tom Cole’s “Hell West & Crooked” about an early 1900’s ‘outback life & walkabouts’
Poland: Robert Michener’s “Poland”,
Florence, Italy’s Filippo Brunelleschi-built cathedral dome competition. YT VID: climbing thru Brunelessci's Dome

TIP: ALWAYS carry Ship’s Name, port location and Ship’s phone number AND cash hidden carefully on your person. [pplk: Safety: Soft Crime ]

Ancedote: Really 'lost' in Rome: On my student trip to Rome, I temporarily got separated from my guide & group in a main square.
I panicked until after a while I looked far down a road leading from the square & saw them going away. Later I reflected I didn’t know our hostel's name or how to find it.
I still have bi-monthly dreams of being lost in a foreign with no cash & no idea how to find my lodgings.

2. Loneliness: is our mind’s feeling of being unattached or unwanted, but Cruise ships mix you with 1000s of others. You have to TRY HARD to be alone. PIK :crowded cruise ship Dig Deeper.

Loneliness

Many single folks fear domestic or foreign travel because they may have no significant other or friend to share their travels with. They fear the loneliness of traveling alone. ‘Loneliness’ is the mind’s self-perceived emotional feeling of isolation, lack of companionship or being “unwanted”.

Not an idle concern. Human bonding has been fundamental to man’s evolution, survival and civilized advancement. We seek bonding in our personal, familial, and casual lives. The fear of traveling alone is real. Avoidance of Loneliness is 3^rd in Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs.

Anecdote: At 28 I won the Dating Game TV show(s): with an all-expense paid stay & personal tour guide at exclusive Villa d'Este Hotel on Lake Como, Italy which I then extended with 2 weeks of solo independent travel to other nearby countries. Yet, I came home early because I felt lonely without a romantic partner to share. PIK: an alone person

A Cruising experience is the complete opposite of “alone’s loneliness”. Rather, it is a crowded, jam-packed melting pot embraced in a huge cruise ship of between 1000 to 10,000 humans* in close physical proximity of fellow travelers for several days or weeks.
* Royal Caribbean Intl’s Icon of the Seas: 7600 guests & 2350 crew

Most tourists relish the new relationships & viewpoints this close mixing facilitates. Each guest seeks to be known by others as humans have for hundreds of thousands of years. A fundamental human instinct.

Ironically, a single person on a Cruise ship would have to consciously work hard NOT to meet other guests at meals, during activities or when just roaming the decks.

Most travelers appreciate the camaraderie, particularly of new relationships; recounting the day’s excitements with their new friends. You may even share ‘free-time’ excursions or self-guided walking tours.

3. Guest Age: All ages; unless age-tailored (adults only). Guest age may not seem relevant, but it actually is. An elderly couple’s calm, relaxing cruise vision might sorely conflict with a cruise ship dominated by partying youth & young families. Not an indictment of either; merely a practical consideration. Dig Deeper

Age Tailored Cruises:

Adults-Only Cruises: some entire ships dedicated to kid-free adults only focused on relaxation, nightlife, or intellectual pursuits. EX: Virgin Voyages: adult-oriented: tattoo shops, unique ‘fun’ options.
Senior or Retirement Cruises: Not explicitly marketed as such, but designed to appeal to older folks' desire for quiet ambiance, lectures, and bridge tournaments.
Minimum Age Requirements: Most cruise lines have a minimum age: 6mo to 1 year or higher for exotic cruises.
Legal Age for Certain Activities: Alcohol, bars & casino age limits; varies by departure country or port call.
Family-Oriented vs. Adult-Focused: Disney’s kid/family-oriented cruise vs caters heavily to families with children, while Holland America attracts older, more relaxed folks, inherently creating an environment less suitable or appealing to younger passengers.
Specialty Cruises: some cruise agendas are age-related by focus: music festivals at sea, educational cruises, wellness
Vaccination and Health Restrictions: not directly age-related, but requiring vaccinations for 12 and older indirectly affects age mix.
Travel Statistics by Age Group:
Dig Deeper: travelstatistics
Condor: TRAVEL TRENDS BY GENERATION:
https://www.condorferries.co.uk/travel-statistics-by-age-group#:~

4. New Friendships: Thousands of exuberant strangers of various ages & cultural backgrounds mix together in dining & many other activities If someone is boring you have several 1000 more guests yet to meet., You must be an "Introvertus maximus” not to make new friends. 😃 Dig Deeper.

New Friendships

Making new cruising friends is rewarding like discovering gold nuggets in a Yukon stream. All types of people — singles, couples, groups; all ages, genders, nationalities, cultural backgrounds — book cruises for probably the same reasons you do — an exciting alternative to their usual life, exciting new diversions, and `life long memories.’

Part of those memories may be the conversations & experiences shared with other cruise passengers. With thousands of passengers jam-packed in a huge cruise ship, participating in activities & Shore Excursions, …. you would have to ‘hide’ in your cabin to avoid making new friends.

Even during in-port ‘free times’ you & your new friends may embark on a Shore Excursion or just do a self-guided walking tour together exploring a port. Such friendships enrich your travel experience and may stretch into lifetime friends & memories.

5. Wardrobe: Casual dress: ideal woman’s ”capsule wardrobe.” & men’s smart casual PLUS more formal wear for formal diners if required. Dig Deeper.

Wardrobe

For many cruising is more about the once-in-a-lifetime diversion, fantasy, or escape from their normal lives. For a day or weeks, they can relax in catered plush surroundings, a variety of dining options, an array of novel experiences & new acquaintances, & interesting shore excursions. A lifestyle they don’t normally experience.

a. How stylish must your wardrobe be?
1) An overly-fashion conscious tourist may sense a social need to make multiple clothing changes each day, every day, PIK: stylish outfit

Anecdote: MY solo traveler's perspective: Resist the belief that others gauge your travel skills or character & status based on your luggage & wardrobe. I never dwelt on others. If they dwelt on mine, it was none of my business & I didn’t care. I doubt anyone, but pickpockets do care.

2) BEST STRATEGY: be a Fashion Clever Traveler: with a ”capsule wardrobe.”: a mixable minimalist, interchangeable wardrobe of essential, versatile clothing items that can be mixed & matched, …. creating a variety of outfits characterized by: PIK: capsule wardrobe
a) Versatility: Each piece mixed with multiple other items
b) Quality Over Quantity: that lasts longer and maintains their look.
c) Timelessness: not trendy, but simply indefinitely stylish.
d) Neutrals with Pops: neutral color base & variety of accent items.

Nordstrom: “WHAT IS A CAPSULE. WARDROBE?”

https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/content/blog/capsule-wardrobe

The more travel experienced you become, the more you whittle down & refine what you carry to the bare essentials.

Quotes
“Take half the stuff and twice the money”, Susan Heller.
“Avoid superfluous wardrobe redundancy, fashion is fatuous.” (me)

Anecdote: Hiking the Camino de Santiago over the Pyrenees into Spain, I passed a powerful young man, perhaps 30 years younger than I dressed like a WWII soldier with a large rucksack …. 2 to 3 times as large as my day pack. Terribly overloaded. PIK: rucksack

I said, “Hello” as I passed, and he responded with a simple nod. The next day I passed him again, saying, “Hello”, and his response was an UNfriendly look, a curt nod & grunt. I never saw him again.

b. What special or semi-formal activities, if any
Many may cruise to fantasize themselves a part of the wealthy & celebrity lifestyle. They may want to live, albeit briefly, in late 19th C to mid-20th C’s "Golden Age of Ocean Liners" crossing oceans epitomized by the ill-fated Titanic’s zenith of elegant pampered luxury.

Most cruise ships allow you to avoid business or formal attire by simply avoiding the activities that have dress codes e.g. casual dining venues & off-peak casino times, etc. PIK: ship dining

However, a more formal cruise ship lifestyle does require a larger wardrobe of formal ensembles for several reasons. Dig Deeper.

Formal or semi-formal Events

Formal Nights: some designated formal or semi-formal/biz exec events (men’s suit or tux, women’s evening gown or cocktail; gala dinners, captain's receptions, or themed balls.

High-end Specialty Dining: may enforce formal dress code; check package description.

Main Theater Performances: ship's main theater shows: smart casual or elegant attire; check package requirements.

High Tea: attire leans towards more ‘traditional’ formal or smart casual.

VIP Events & Private Dining: Exclusive events: business casual to black tie depending on event's theme or guest's status.

Casino Evenings: daytime casual, but ‘more’ if high-stakes or contest.

Gala Events or Themed Parties: elaborate or period-specific attire.

Welcome & Farewell Receptions: smart casual or semi-formal PIK smart casual dress

Onboard Weddings, Ceremonies: depends on wedding's formality.

Captain's Cocktail Party: formal or semi-formal to ship's captain meet.

To be bluntly honest, these kinds of dress-up fantasies are so alien to my nature & persona, that I cannot treat such ‘pretend games’ seriously, …. but you might.

3) Specialized Clothing & Equipment. Dig Deeper.

Specialized Clothing & Equipment

Water Activities (if not provided): PDF (life jackets), (snorkeling/diving mask, snorkel, fins, ‘reef’ shoes; fast-dry clothing & swimwear)

Adventure and Sports: (climbing walls, zip lines, surfing simulators): non-restrictive clothing, non-marking shoes. Check package requirements.

Fitness and Exercise: (gym, yoga, spin classes):
Clothing: moisture-wicking, layered shirt/vest/jackets (rain), hiking
boots (broken-in for comfort), long sleeve shirt, lotion & hat.
Equipment: whatever enhances your workout.
Spa & Wellness: (saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs):
Bathing suits: but NOT OK in saunas/steam rooms. Use towel
Flip-flops/spa shoes: to protect feet from hot surfaces.
Shore Excursions: (e.g., hiking, biking, cultural visits):
Clothing: layered shirt/vest/jackets (rain), hiking boots (broken-in
comfort), long sleeve shirt, lotion & hat.
Equipment: daypack, water, insect stuff, sunscreen, & trekking
poles.
Themed Nights: (even if informal): costumes, etc.,

My solo travel practices:
(The following text is a succinct version of the following link: [pplk: SIT Wadrobe & Equipment]

WADR, I have little regard for other people’s opinions of my dress style. Rather I choose wardrobe items that are 1) culturally respectful, & 2) whatever adds to my safety, comfort & ease of solo travel.

In all my travels, NO ONE ever seemed to notice or care. My ‘old-guy, foreigner’s’ persona was, perhaps, of far greater interest.

Remember, you are one of the millions traveling the world ostensibly to discover other's culture, etc. WADR, you are not Queen Elizabeth on her world Cruise of the colonies.😀

My solo traveler's practical wardrobe considerations: [pplk: SIT Wadrobe & Equipment]
a. safety: modified to hide lots of money
b. comfort: all kinds of weather & climate
c. culturally respectful: NO ONE ever voiced concern. PIK: Full
body shorts
d. necessity: truly necessary & Might Become Necessary:
e. washing ease & quick drying: overnight
f. all around utility: Cargo shorts/pant’s multiple pockets, belt
w/ cash, hand sanitizer, compass, & a mini-flashlight.
g. all weather conditions: layered shirts, vest jacket (rain/snow)

Anecdote: 3 seasons CdeS trek wardrobe: My late summer early Fall CdeS trek had to anticipate August’s central Spain’s rainy/foggy rolling-hilled vineyards PIK: cloudy vineyards TO the Meseta Plateau’s chilly September early morning starts (6 am) & blistering hot treeless afternoons TO the west’s high plateau’s cold Fall mornings & lovely middays. [ytlk: CdeS ]

h. anticipated activities: hiking trekking poles.

6. Luggage: most suggest 1 suitcase/peep for 3-5 days; 2 max for longer trips. Tip crew!! Benefit: carry on & off only once. Dig Deeper.

Luggage

A suitcase is like an ancient steamer trunk. PIK K10 They carry the bulk of what you are taking. The day-pack is ideal for Shore Excursions essentials. PIK Everything should be in those 2 except special function bags: waterproof containers, camera bags etc. I’ll will focus only on 1 suitcase & 1 daypack.

Resist the belief that other’s gauge your travel skills or character & status based on the newness, cost, or flashy look of your luggage. I never dwelt on others. If they dwelt on mine , it was none of my business & I didn’t care. I doubt anyone, but thieves do care; fancier bags attract thieves.

Please Note: Unlike big bus tours which require you to often drag ALL your luggage a block or so, & then upstairs each evening & morning, cruiser guests merely get their luggage to ship & ship’s crew gets luggage to your cabin.

A. So, Luggage has 4 parameters: 1) type, 2) size big, 3) number, & 4) durability.

Some haul a couple of suitcases, a handbag/briefcase with other bags dangling off their arms. I have often seen those extra dangling bags left behind on a plane’s overhead, bus seat or hostel dorm floor.

Quote: “Take half the stuff and twice the money”, Susan Heller.

1. Type of luggage?: my basic ideal combination: suitcase & a daypack.

2. Size: suitcase & day pac?

Anecdote: Jim & Mary’s : 3 giant suitcases: on my only big cruise ship experience my friends had 3 giant suitcases that Joe could barely lift. I vividly recall is over-weight face, bulging red with exertion as he pushed, shoved, & dragged each one separately up 2 fights of stairs. (Note: they should have only needed one in their room, other 2 left downstairs)

Anecdote: Camino de Santiago: for my 600 mi trek across north-central Spain, I purposely carried only a medium sized day pack of essentials.

3. Number of pieces? Clever Traveler’s designed ”capsule wardrobe.”

Anecdote: Jim & Mary: 3 giant suitcases: (immediately above)

BEST Strategy: be a Fashion Clever Traveler by designing a ”capsule wardrobe.”: See a complete explanation under “Wardrobe” section immediately above.[jlk: Wardrobe]

Anecdote: MY solo independent traveler’s (SIT) perspective: Resist the belief that others gauge your travel skills, character or status based on your luggage & wardrobe.

I never dwelt on others. If they dwelt on mine, it was none of my business & I didn’t care. I doubt anyone, but pickpockets do care.

4. Durability: most tech’s synthetics are essentially bombproof. Dig Deeper.

Deeper Luggage insights

1. Type of luggage? I will not delve deeply into the entire World of Luggage. Instead, I’ll focus on my basic ideal combination: 1 suitcase & 1 daypack.

2. Size:
a. Suitcase: Yes, the bigger the suitcase, the more ’stuff’ you can pack in it. You should be able to carry it in a pinch, even though once at cruise ship’s check-in, crew may haul it to your room. Tip ...Yes!!!

Anecdote: Jim & Mary’s 3 giant suitcases: on my only big cruise ship experience my friend-couple had 3 giant suitcases that Joe could barely lift. I vividly recall his overweight face, bulging red with exertion as he pushed, shoved, & dragged each 1 separately up 2 flights of stairs. (Note: they should have only needed one in their room, other 2 left downstairs)

b. Daypack: a small daypack for Shore Excursions essentials: medications, travel docs, etc.... for:
1) airline Carry-on and
2) 4-7 hour Shore Excursions [pplk: Safety: Soft Crime],
3) clothes change while waiting a few hours for your luggage
to be delivered to your cabin.

Remember it should be small & comfortable to carry around for few hours. You are not overnight camping. 😄

Anecdote: Camino de Santiago: for my 600 mi trek across north-central Spain, I purposely carried only a medium-sized day pack of essentials.

3. Number of?: Cruise ships usually recommend, but seldom enforce:
a. Number of Bags: suggest 1/person for 3-5 nights cruises, and 2 bags for 6 day+ cruises . KEY: is cabin space.
b. Size & Weight: more likely airline limitations will apply.

CAUTION: Overly-fashion conscious tourist’s may sense a social need to make multiple clothing changes each day, every day, translating into “more stuff.” & maybe more suitcases.

Anecdote: Jim & Mary: 3 giant suitcases: (immediately above)

BEST Strategy: be a Fashion Clever Traveler by designing a ”capsule wardrobe.”: See a complete explanation under “Wardrobe” section immediately above.[jlk: Wardrobe]

Anecdote: MY solo traveler’s perspective: Resist the belief that other’s gauge your travel skills or character & status based on your luggage & wardrobe.

I never dwelt on others. If they dwelt on mine, it was none of my business & I didn’t care. I doubt anyone, but pickpockets do care.

4. Durability: In the "Golden Age of Ocean Liners” the wealthy, as they do, packed many steamer trunks with everything their elite social status demanded, carried by servants etc. PIKs.

The metal & wood banded trunks were close to bomb-proof which is why they are a popular American antique at the ends of beds to hold blankets. They lasted.

New technology’s synthetic fabrics & plastic structure or aluminum make most luggage essentially bombproof.

Solo independent traveler’s perspective:
Independent travelers opt for high mobility, low volume & weight luggage because we have to transport it in a variety of vehicles, up & down stairs, long airport concourses, city streets, & rural villages. PIK: luggage in desert; PIK: my rolling PIK: my daypack

Anecdote: daypack & medium rolling soft bag: I have traveled the world as a SIT (solo independent traveler) [jlk: SIT - below] for 20 years with the same soft, but rugged, medium size rolling bag dragging it down endless rough cobbled lanes & 3^rd world dirt streets; my daypack on my back.

Over time it looked worse & worse, occasionally needing repair, but presumably a less likely target of thieves. Ironically, it was so ratty that TSA frequently ‘randomly’ (LOL) inspected it AFTER I checked it. 😄. (TSA leaves a little note each time.)

Oh, & my wardrobe & ‘stuff’ always fit because it was designed to.[jlk: Wardrobe - below, but

Legendary novice tourist mistake: Too much stuff …. including me 25 years ago for several reasons:
1) Older we get the more ‘necessities’ we require e.g. my dozen prescript drugs & vitamins. [pplk: Health: ]

2) fashion-conscious tourists may sense a social mandate to ‘compete’ with other passengers’ large stylish wardrobes AND THUS, need large, multiple suitcases to carry it all.

In fact, the fashion-clever traveler creates a "capsule wardrobe.” significantly reducing volume of wardrobe needing to be packed.

Nordstrom: “WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?”

https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/content/blog/capsule-wardrobe

3) try to anticipate every possible minor & major need that might ‘possibly ‘ arise. Look closely at my Inventory list and you will see my examples of this. [pplk” Resource: INV list]

Anecdote: Skopje, Macedonia’s hostel’s dull knives: kitchen knives were too dull for salads. So, I sharpened the knife on a brick wall outside the kitchen. Thereafter, I carried a tiny sharpening stone 3” x ¾”. Tiny, but useful. to make salads easily. also carried a very tiny emergency can opener cuz I once needed one. pik. I

Note: If a minor crisis your guide can help. Not their 1^st rodeo. 😃.

Anecdote: CdeS: walking 300+ (?) miles a woman carried a separate toiletries bag with multiple forms of soap: hand, hair, body lotion, etc. I carried a couple of small hotel soap bars.

My Independent Traveler's Inventory List (of stuff):

Over time, I developed an exhaustive (obsessive) Inventory List [pplk: Resources: INV] that detailed every single item, it's quantity & its specific location in various individual compartments & pockets of both my day pack & rolling luggage.

My Inventory List was useful for several reasons:
1. I knew exactly where each item was & could fast & easily find it.
2. I could easily add necessary items or subtract unnecessary items based on each new trip’s climate, etc. (think So Mexico vs Antarctica)
3. I could easily amend my last Inventory List for each future trips,

A cruiser can do the same.

Jarom, I did nothing with the following

1. Daily sailing & “at-sea” days:
Cruise ships invariably depart port in afternoon sailing all night to arrive at the next port and its sundry Shore Excursions. Often a cruise ship will sail 24 hours between ports-of-call usually far from land with only endless ocean vistas.

Once settled in your cabin, within hours your ship puts out to sea to your next port. Depending on its itinerary, your next day may be either an in-port Shore Excursion or an at-sea day of even more sailing.

You will likely rest for a few minutes and then strike out to explore your cruise ship with a wandering walkabout of the vast ship, marveling at its colossal size, extravagant lighting, modern design & construction, and seemingly endless amenities, activities & attractions. Soon you lean at the ship’s railings gazing at the watery world surrounding you, searching for animals & birds.

Eventually, tho, your wandering search slowly devolves into an ever-increasing boredom desperately hoping for diversion. Fortunately, your diversions will come from the innumerable included & extra-cost options.

Diversion comes from a seemingly unlimited array of free facilities and paid-for experiences; lounging in deck chairs, the sea breeze on your face, soaking in various pools, exercising in weight rooms, or attending art auctions (you don’t have to buy.)

Free included diversions usually are
1) main dining room’s 3 meals & a 24/7 buffet’s casual dining,
2) stage shows & performances, movies,
3) swimming pools, hot tubs, & water slides (if available),
4) game rooms,
5) shops,
6) gambling options & even art auctions &
7) fitness centers & classes, and finally,
8) vast ocean panoramas seen from deck railings or a deck chair.
9) engaging with others& exchanging grand kid & pet stories.

FREE included amenities & indulgences wear thin, tempting expensive Optional Activities & Perks abound depending on the ship. PIK Often passengers tire of overeating at the free buffet PIK & main dining room & seek specialty dining options, aimlessly wandering the decks or reading a book they could have read at home pretending that they are enjoying their freedom as sea days become very boring.

This gnawing boredom may push you to search out Premium luxury & optional experiences: specialty cafe, casino’s siren call or a massage. PIK

How long before you realize that sea days are a cruise company’s opportunity to fully exploit the opportunity to fleece you? And you thought cruising was all about seeing great cities & sites.😃

2. In-port days:
After any long time at sea, you'll long for the freedom and novelty of your ship’s Shore Excursions. Unlike rapid big bus tour schedules which leave you exhausted and relishing free time relaxation, the opposite is true of cruising. You can’t wait for the diversion.

Ostensibly, a prime reason for cruising is the various Shore Excursions to notable cities & tourist sites & experiences your ship will visit. That freedom offers you 4 different options:
a) Relaxation’s personal time
b) Ship’s Shore Exclusions: offered by your Cruise company’s
c) Local Shore Excursions: researched & booked yourself
d) ‘Self-guided walking tour’ of port: researched, or not, & lunch.

a) Rest & relaxation’s personal time: Hour after hour of on/off-site walkabouts can be exhausting to some guests who will seek the solitude & relaxation of a ship's ‘quiet corner’ or great on-board in-port diversions for stay-aboards.

b) Ship's Optional Shore Excursions: Cruise companies offer an array of diverse historical & cultural sites & experience Shore Excursions to satisfy foreign travel’s ‘learning & experiencing’ wishes.

Click link to go directly to FULL discussion of Cruise Ship’s Shore Excursions: [jlk:]

Guests enrich their overall cruise experience by choosing from a variety & curated Optional Shore Excursions. Most tourists choose their FINAL cruise package because of these Shore Excursions.

PROs:
1) well-curated for quality & guide skills. Check all Reviews. if any.
2) ideally schedule & guarantee’ of ‘on-time -ship-return”
3) good overall experience values
4) maybe included in cruise packages: Viking Cruises: 888-703-
2664/-888-703-2664 1 free shore excursion in each port of call.

Typical example of Ship Shore Excursion offerings: Norwegian Cruise Lines: 800 657 5773.

I did some simple research (10/1/2024) on 3 cruise companies:
1) Celebrity Cruises: exuberantly promotes individual short
excursions, BUT without much detail, including price,
2) Viking Cruises: offers “One free shore excursion in
every port of call.” but gives no further details.
3) Norwegian Cruise Lines: gives limited detail, total time & price
CAUTION: Due diligence when searching Shore Excursions.

CONs:
1) Google may offer a greater variety of Local Excursions
2) on-shore options may be less expensive.
3) Pre-trip Google Search's Local Excursion research &
booking almost as easy as booking with Cruise Operator.
4) Usually includes all transport; maybe NOT meals or entry fees.
5) Cruise operators may ignore narrow interest most guests.

c) Guest Booked Local Shore Excursions: Most, if not all, cruise ship ports have Shore Excursions either via local guides, local tour companies or through national online booking companies (think Air BnB-like). (see immediately below)

Local folks-turned-guides & local tour companies may have a highly developed knowledge of everything local and either offers specific Itineraries or will craft one for you.

Several online booking platforms offer site & experience tours/shore excursions worldwide: Vivator (TripAdvisor company), Get Your Guide.

Note: after 15 minutes of online research & from personal experience:
Shore Excursion Group: mostly positive; On Time Ship Return
guarantee PLUS $1,000 USD per customer for inconvenience of
missing ship.
Get Your Guide: mostly positive …
Tours by Locals: mostly positive except prepay requirement (which
protects against cancellations) “… think Viator, but a lot better
run…”, with both clients & guide support,
& dispute resolution that works. Guides curated before listed.

CRITICAL Guarantee: If late to boat … guarantee to, “ arrange & pay costs of overnight room & transport to your next feasible port-of-call.”

Trip Advisor & Viviator (TripAdvisor): AVOID, unreliable & overpriced

TIP: read a page or 2 of reviews on these organizations, BUT NOT reviews on their sites

PROs:
1) Google Search makes Local Excursion research & booking
almost as easy as booking through your cruise company.
2) Google Search may disclose more numerous, varied & less
expensive Shore Excursion options than cruise ship’s offerings.
3) Local Guides: deep expertise: sites, history, culture, & local
stories

Anecdote: Albania’s Petrelë fortress: original residential fortress
area’s occupant/guide)

ojhpohjpohjpuhopojhophohh .....

Anecdote: Albania’s Petrelë fortress: original residential fortress
area’s occupant/guide)

ojhpohjpohjpuhopojhophohh .....

Anecdote: Albania’s Petrelë fortress: original residential
fortress
area’s occupant/guide)

ojhpohjpohjpuhopojhophohh .....

4) Maybe same guide/company as Ship’s, but less expensive
5) Safety & Security: Safer, access to dicey sights/activities.

Anecdote: St Petersburg’s Pink Palace gypsies: npoih

6) VIP Access: private access:

Anecdote: India’s Mandawa painted havelis: ;ojn

7) greater variety of ….:
a) All Tier 1,2 & 3 tourist sites & experiences
b) Specialized Experiences: (French cooking class, hiking trails)
c) Esoteric interests: (Edinburgh Penis Museum)

Click link to go directly to FULL discussion of Local Shore Excursions: [jlk:]

CONs:
a. may be difficult to define safety & quality beforehand
b. may not offer or honor guarantee of “on-time-ship-return.
c. little recourse, if issues. — you & your ship move on.
d. Shore Excursions: typically not included in cruise package
e. can vary greatly in cost.

My Suggested Research Strategy: (Jarom: box around)
1. If you don’t already know, broadly research the continents, regions
& countries that interest you
2. Search, list & prioritize, sites & experiences in YOUR CHOSEN
regions &/or countries of interest (Mediterranean: Spain & Italy; etc.)
3. Pre-trip research a cruise package's ports-of-call to discover sites
& activities there or accessible from there.

Example:
In Cadiz, Spain is a main cruise ship port with some sites of interest: Old Town (El Pópulo) old city walls & gates, Cadiz Cathedral (Catedral de Cádiz), Plaza de San Juan de Dios, Roman Theatre, Museo de Cádiz, Tavira Watch Tower, & Santa Catalina Castle.
Accessible from Cadiz: Seville, Jerez de la Frontera, Ronda’s Puente Nuevo, Arcos de la Frontera, Gibraltar, Costa de la Luz, Tarifa, Roman Theater, and Museum of Cadiz.

4. Choose the cruise package that includes your top sites & experiences. NOTE: maybe only 1 or 2 sites far from Cadiz because there may not be enough time for multiple sites & activities.

d) Guest-designed ‘self-guided walking tour’ [jlk: Free time]

Guest-designed ‘free time’ opportunities can be the most rewarding, fulfilling & exciting Cruising experiences because you can shift into your independent travel mode by visiting a port’s sites yourself easily & far less expensively.

PROs:
1. Freedom’s flexibility: pre-plan or just wander with whimsy.

Anecdote: Tallinn, Estonia: shopping, shopping, shopping!

2. Greater Variety of sites & interests.
3. Often less expensive
4. Solitude in a foreign crowd: In Asia I often realized I was an
invisible Caucasian amongst the Asian multitude
5. Great! I'll be anxious to see photo.

CONs:
1. May require your minimal pre-trip research & planning, or not.
2. you take full responsibility for price & flexible experience.
3. fully responsible for ‘return-to-ship-on-time.’

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Factors: using Cadiz, Spain port as an example:

Planning: Pre-trip or on-board internet (Elon’s Starlink) & guidebooks, etc to map out a route. Websites and apps like GPSmyCity smart phone apps, generally positive reviews praising cost-effectiveness, organization, & offline functionality, offer self-guided walking tours for Cadiz & many others, which can be downloaded to a smartphone.

Starting Point: Ideally, a loop from ship to key sites & back, but 2nd alternative is taxi to farthest point and wander back (CAUTION: double check your timing).

Cadiz: head to nearby Monumento a la Constitución de 1812 then wander thru history & beautiful architecture. Cadiz's compact size makes it walkable,

Key Attractions: Whatever sites, est. your researched exposed that will fit limited time.

Cadiz: Cádiz Cathedral, Roman Theatre, Plaza de las Flores, Parks and Gardens: Alameda Apodaca or Genovés Park, Santa Catalina Castle, & maybe local lunch.

Navigation: on smartphone use guidebook maps, GPSmyCity app or plot yourself on Google Maps/Apple Maps —

Cadiz: allow for fun of being occasionally ‘lost.’

Local Culture and Cuisine: explore local markets, antique shops,

Cadiz: try traditional tapas or brunch on a park bench & watch world pass.

Return to Port: CRITICAL CAUTION: don’t be late - expensive to catch up.

Cadiz: Cadiz’s compressed layout reduces this concern.

Miscellaneous: pedestrian-friendly comfort shoes, hat, sun glasses, of course, IMPORTANT TIP: always carry USD & local currency for snacks, water, entry fees & the unforeseen.

Your wandering, self-guided walkabout of discovery around an Old Town with a local cafe’s meal may be your most authentic engagement with a country or city’s actual culture.

Anecdote: It was hard to wander Florence, Italy’s old downtown area one evening without reveling in Roman architectural remnants poking out of new buildings, balsamic vinegar tasting in one of San Lorenzo Market’s (Mercato di San Lorenzo) many shops, before being seduced into a genuine old world pizza shop. Ah, that aroma!

Click link to go directly to FULL discussion of Local Shore Excursions: [jlk:]

Most mass market Cruise packages ’s offer multiple priced levels of rooms, dining options and miscellaneous amenities and activities. e.g.: Inside Cabins, Oceanview Cabins, Balcony Cabins, Suite Cabins & Specialty Suites or Villas.

Show up on time with your luggage, etc, a some pocket change and you are good to go. 1^st time traveler’s easiest option. They do all the rest.

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