My First Post!

Welcome to my first post as the Cruise, Work, Repeat blogger!  I have no experience with the blogging world, so this will be an educational experience.  Well I know that you are not reading this to find out how technically challenged I am, you will figure that out on your own, so lets talk.

I consider my self a bit of a cruising addict and wanted to share my experiences after talking to many people who are not cruisers for all the wrong reasons.  "I get seasick", "I can't afford those cruise prices", "I don't like someone telling me which activity I have to go to on the ship", "I hear cruising is a bunch of drunk people or lots of out of control kids".  Any of those ring true with you or someone that you know?  My goal is to dispel all of the rumors, myths and use my first hand experience to share what I have learned along the way.  Sound fair?

How am I qualified?  I am going on my 18th cruise soon for 11 days.  I have cruised in Europe twice, Hawaii twice, the Panama Canal, and many Caribbean islands.  I have been on several brands of ships, Disney, Princess, Norwegian (NCL), Holland America (HAL), Carnival. I have had inside cabins,obstructed ocean view, balcony, and even got upgraded to a mini-suite. (Don't get your hopes up, that never ever happens . . . I think someone was drinking or something.)

Since I am leaving on that cruise soon, let's start with how to choose a cruise:

Ports of call
Cost of cruise
Cost of air fare (I live in the Midwest)
Dates for the cruise.

You can start with any of the above, but I like to cruise this time of year as my birthday, my husbands birthday and our wedding anniversary are all within 5 days in this month, Depending on where you want to go, that  type of plan may or may not work.  March is too early to go to Northern Europe, and in Hawaii, the flowers haven't really started to bloom yet.  My husband and I both prefer the Eastern Caribbean if we are heading that way for our cruise.  I am contemplating a cruise to see the Northern Lights in Norway next year, that would require us to cruise to the Arctic Circle at the end of January 2020.  So you can find a cruise anywhere you want to go if you look hard enough.

If your cruise dates are flexible, those last minute cruise deals are amazing, but if you have your heart set on a specific place or cruise line, that may not be the way to go for you.  Just something to think about.  Go to the cruise lines web sites and ask for them to send you their catalog, or my version of a "wish book".  Where you book your cruise is something for a later discussion, but I will say, you should NEVER, EVER pay the price in those beautiful wish books.  Nobody pays that price, so don't let that detour you. 

Next time we will delve deeper into the how to choose a cruise destination.  But choosing all starts with closing your eyes and and finding your happy spot. 

Thanks for reading and I will do my best to bring discussion and clarity to the whole cruise industry mystery.