Failure to Launch -- Researching My First Cruise -- Some Tips I have Learned

Yes, I have to admit it...other than charters in the BVI, small river tours, and self-cruises, I have never taken a cruise on one of those big cruise ships. I have travelled all over the world many, many times, been just about everywhere, been on cruise ships many times, but I have failed to launch. I can't explain why...or maybe I can but... Anyhow, I think it's time I tried a cruise especially since right now the prices are right.

So I am researching..both through twitter, blogs and with many friends who go on cruises constantly. I guess what has coaxed me into this voyage exploration are the many cruise tweeps, the deals ...and most recently Simone de Santi's (aka ARoadRetraveled on Twitter) upcoming cruise on which she will be tweeting.

Anyhow, here are some of the suggestions I've gotten so far, some obvious, some not so :

1. After you have decided on the type and length of cruise (probably short, if it is your first) research cruises carefully including first the cruise lines and ships that fit your needs in terms of destination, price and style. Then once you have narrowed this down, review the ship's decks and cabins and decide in advance exactly where you want your cabin to be, for instance, you may want to avoid a cabin near an elevator (sound familiar) or below the ship's theatre or nightclub. If you have concerns about seasickness, I'm told the best room location to minimize the ship's motion is in the dead center of the ship. On most large cruise ships, this location is on the lower passenger floors, in the center inside cabins. Ask a lot of questions before you book. Consider using a cruise specialist who can answer your questions and help you find the right trip for you.
2. Figure out where you are going to park (if you are driving to the embarkation point). You may, for instance, want to avoid the multiple story garage especially if you are on a large ship with lots of disembarking passengers heading for the same place.
3. Mark your luggage ideally with the tags provided by your agent or cruise line directly...make sure your name, deck number and cabin identification are on each piece clearly. Two tags per bag have been recommended.
4. Arrive early..even if it means waiting....better to be checked in early and have time to get acclimated. You will have to wait..be prepared for this.
5. Bring a travel-on that has things you will need for the first few hours on the ship. Also consider what luggage you check...you may want to wheel off luggage yourself at the end of the voyage.
6. No surprise here...there are plenty of food choices.. so you don't have to worry about food choices for the most part, but you may want to check with your agent or the cruise line if your needs are unusual
7. Worried about catching flu or other...I'm assured that sanitizers are everywhere on ships (again check) and that cruise lines are very conscientious about heath issues ....just use ordinary precautions
8. Consider going to shows -- everyone says they are fantastic...check with passengers on your ship who have already gone
9. Don't expect perfection...and have patience...there will be lines.. something may be broken..
10. Larger ships have many pools..pick the pool area that suits you. If you don't want to listen to music, find a quieter pool.
11. Think about safey and avoiding injury,e.g.. Be careful if the decks are wet, they can become very slippery. Watch for the raised lips in some doorways especially. Of course, never sit on the railings.

There's lot of ideas and suggestions on the web and twitter about first-time cruising. I don't think I agree with a lot of it. The above seems to make sense so far. But I am still researching. Here are other sources of information that look reasonable:

Sources of Advice for First Time Cruisers:

Lessons on First Time Cruising

Expert Tips for First Time Cruiser -- Good List of Tips

Recent Excellent Blog on Dining, Smoking, Tipping and among other things.

Cruise Critic Website -- Good source of information about cruise lines and ships as well as cruise tips

Suggestions on Packing Blog

Confessions of First Time Cruiser -- Day by Day Account of First Time Cruise-Taker's Alaska Cruise

Note also:

Simon DeSanti's Travel Tweets (this coming week)

And finally here is my Twitter List of Travel-Cruise-Tweeps:

Cruise Tweeps -- People who tweet about cruises that I follow.

Day of the Dead Celebrated in Mexico the US and on Twitter

A tradition believed to have started in Mexico and Latin American with similar rituals occurring in Spain and as far as New Zealand is now being celebrated throughout the U.S. as well. Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a holiday that blends Roman Catholic rituals with those from Mesoamerican cultures. The memory of dead ancestors is honored believing that their souls visit the living once a year. Officially commemorated on Novembers 2 ( All Souls Day), it is celebrated also on November 1 (All Saints Day).

In the US, while many of the older rituals are followed, new interpretations abound. In Chicago, for instance, Staff Sgt. Juan Arreola honored five fallen Marines when he ran in a 5K Race of Dead in a primarily Mexican neighborhood while mariachi music played and skeleton figures danced to mock death (full story). College classmates in Casper, Wyoming have decorated sugar skulls with colorful frosting and borrowed masked from the International Museum of Arts and Science in McAllen Texas (full story). In Virginia, the Latin Ballet has their own interpretation of the festival. Following ancient customs, the dancers set up an elaborate altar with candles and photos of departed loved ones, skulls and marigolds, . This is used as a backdrop for a dance in which African movement is combined with a modern interpretation of the traditional candlelight vigil (full story).

And in the social media world, tweeps around the world have begun tweeting away about this ancient tradition in their own way.

The origins of the Day of the Dead dates back to pre-Columbian civilizations. It is believed that it may have originated with Aztec celebrations during which they made colorful altars to welcome departed souls home.