The Best "Deal" Is The Ship You Love
Chances are, you've come to iCruise to get a hot deal. And indeed, this company offers some of the most affordable rates you'll find on the internet. But too many people are caught up in the cruise industry's pricing frenzy, making price their priority when they select a cruise vacation. Read more.....

Top ten reasons to take a cruise now
In case you think everyone else is huddling under their covers at home, they're not. The cruise industry has rebounded and some of the top ships are sailing nearly full. Yet overcapacity is another factor facing the cruise lines, making this a buyers market. Read More....

The Best "Deal" Is The Ship You Love
Chances are, you've come to iCruise to get a hot deal. And indeed, this company offers some of the most affordable rates you'll find on the internet. But too many people are caught up in the cruise industry's pricing frenzy, making price their priority when they select a cruise vacation.

Top ten reasons to take a cruise now
In case you think everyone else is huddling under their covers at home, they're not. The cruise industry has rebounded and some of the top ships are sailing nearly full. Yet overcapacity is another factor facing the cruise lines, making this a buyers market.

No Ties, No Structure
If the conventional style of cruising - assigned restaurant seating, formal dress codes - isn't your idea of a fun vacation, you now have more opportunities to select the ship that meets your personal lifestyle and interest. While it's true that the luxury cruise lines, including Radisson, Seabourn and Seabourn, have open dining, those seeking a vessel in the mid-price range have been locked in to a fairly regimented vacation.

IS SEASICKNESS REAL?
Seasickness does exit and is probably the primary reason many people avoid cruises. But there are regions of the world where you are unlikely to be affected. Moreover, there are over-the- counter remedies which work for most, and procedures you can follow if you do feel queasy. And, if you do happen to hit a storm in the Atlantic, ships' doctors can administer injections that eliminate all discomfort.

THE ART OF PACKING
Here's a confession: I've packed for more than 70 cruises, and still never get it perfect. I board the ship with too many t-shirts and not enough shorts, or vice versa. At one time or another, I've forgotten an evening bag, all my make-up, Game Boy, a bathing suit and hair brushes. I'm too insecure to follow my own rule: pack your suitcase, then remove 50% of the clothing. I have a gigantic suitcase that is filled to overflowing when I'm taking a one-week cruise. It's a challenge not to overpack when preparing for a cruise, but also very disheartening when you return home with clothes never worn as I frequently have.

Fear of Flying? Drive to Your Ship
If you miss traveling to exotic places but would rather not get on a plane, you still have plenty of options. Thanks to a major redeployment of ships this year, you can embark on a cruise from as many as 16 cities in the continental U.S.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SEA SICKNESS
Mal de Mer -- seasickness -- does exit and is one of the primary reason many people avoid cruises. But the fear is often groundless when you cruise in the tranquil waters of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Alaska as well as the rivers and canals of the U.S. and Europe. Moreover, there are over-the-counter remedies which work for most people, and procedures you can follow if you do feel queasy. And, if you do happen to hit a storm one of the world's oceans, ships' doctors can administer injections that eliminate all discomfort.

Valium-Free Cruising
Take my word for it: travel of any kind can be fraught with problems that seem to pop up out of nowhere and the most effective way to avoid problems is to anticipate them.

HOW TO PICK A CABIN
While there are up to 1,500 cabins on most ships, the task of picking one isn't that difficult due to modern ship construction. Today, the cabins are nearly identical in size, configuration and amenities within each category.

TIPS FOR BARGAIN HUNTERS
By this time, you should know that no one pays full brochure rates for a cruise - it's like the sticker price of a car, a figure to base discounts on. And remember, a bargain's only a bargain when you wind up cruising on a ship that fits your personal interests and lifestyle.

Shopping For Your Cruise
The best piece of packing advice I've ever heard is to put all your clothes in the suitcase then take half of it out. I'll second that. The problem is, I'm personally unable to do it. Like most people, I buy - and take - far more than I'll ever need on a ship, feeling like a food when a repack clothes I haven't worn at the end of the voyage.

How to pick a cabin
It may seem a daunting task to decipher cruise industry jargon and pick the right cabin for you among the thousands available on a cruise ship. But rest assured it's much easier than you think when you learn a few details.

Pre- and post-cruise stays
We all know how aggravating air travel has become. In addition to the flight time, there are security checks and the hassle of just driving to the airport. But there is a way to embark your ship feeling relaxed and refreshed: plan to fly a day early to your port of embarkation and stay at a local hotel. If possible, it's also a good idea to schedule an extra night in the home port when you disembark the ship.

Anxiety Free Cruising
Along the way, I've learned - often the hard way - a few tips that help ensure smooth sailing for my ocean voyages.

Yes, You Do Need Travel Insurance
"Does your health insurance cover you in Liberia?" I was asked by a doctor aboard Celebrity Cruises' Galaxy. "Well, you're in Liberia right now," he pointed out. Like the vast majority of cruise ships, Galaxy is a foreign flag ship. But most Americans don't realize their regular health insurance may not cover them outside the U.S. When your sights are set on an exciting cruise and sun-filled beaches, it's a drag to consider options to protect oneself against unforeseen events that may mar your expensive vacation-not to mention the additional cost.

Understanding Cruise Costs
As most people know, one of the big benefits of a cruise vacation is paying a flat price up-front that covers around 80% of your vacation costs. Food and entertainment, your stateroom, are all included. It’s the small purchases which can add up quickly and leave you with a high tab, so it pays to know the basic cruise costs you’ll encounter.

Choosing an Itinerary
Picking an itinerary is frequently much easier than narrowing down the selection process of a cruise ship. If it’s winter you’ll head for warm-water ports of call in the Caribbean or Mexico. The location of your hometown will probably play a critical role in determining which area of the globe you pick for a vacation. Left coasters normally head for Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska while those of us on the east coast frequent the Caribbean, New England/Canada.

Taking The Torture Out Of Travel
Many of us only have time for a three-, four- or seven-day cruise. If you’re flying to the port of embarkation, you may use up some of the valuable sea days burned out from the ordeal of traveling to the ship. Furthermore, a cruise is an investment in money and time.

How To Pick A Cruise Ship
With nearly a hundred cruise ships to choose from, the tasking of narrowing down the selection process may seem daunting. And, with all these low fares dangling in front of you, it’s tempting to jump at the best price. Wrong.

WORRIED ABOUT SEASICKNESS?
Seasickness does exit and is probably the primary reason many people avoid cruises. But there are regions of the world where you are unlikely to be affected. Moreover, there are over-the- counter remedies which work for most, and procedures you can follow if you do feel queasy. And, if you do happen to hit a storm in the Atlantic, ships' doctors can administer injections that eliminate all discomfort.

Packing For Your Cruise
The best piece of packing advice I’ve ever heard is to put all your clothes in the suitcase then take half of them out. I’ll second that. The problem is, I’m personally unable to do it. Like most people, I buy – and take – far more than I’ll ever need on a ship, feeling like a fool when, at the end of the voyage, I repack clothes I haven’t worn.

Ship Selection: A Starter Guide
The chances are you’ve come into icruise looking for a bargain, and indeed you’ll find great deals here. But too many bargain hunters forget to first narrow down their options to a list of vessels that best suit their interests and lifestyle. Never pick a ship by price alone -- a rock-bottom price on the wrong ship isn’t much of a bargain.

Watch Your Wallet
Recently I sailed aboard Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, Carnival Glory. She is a beautiful, classy vessel with large cabins, outstanding food and top-notch entertainment. But what drove me to distraction was the constant announcements in public rooms and cabins urging me to try special drinks, attend the daily art auction and, of course, don't forget bingo! These three activities are big sources of on-board revenue for Carnival and all the cruise lines.

SIX REASONS TO TAKE A HONEYMOON CRUISE
Personally, I don't think you can pick a better destination than a cruise for your honeymoon. Aboard every ship, you'll find honeymooners of all ages and lifestyles engaging in the ship's activities or doing nothing more than enjoying each other's company. Below are my best reasons for picking a cruise for this important occasion.

Singles: The Scene at Sea
If you think about it, a cruise is like a commune at sea. A floating city of people together for days on end. If you're single and choose the right cruise, that means you'll be in close quarters with lots of hot prospects, if you get my drift. Plenty of opportunity to meet and mingle evening after evening --- by the pool, in the gym, at a bar or disco, or even just browsing in a shop or strolling the decks. It's the perfect environment. Read more . . .

Family Cruising
Talk about having your cake and eating it too. What could be better than this scenario: your kids are off with a troupe of chirpy cheerleader-type counselors living it up making ice-cream sundaes, designing T-shirts, playing dress-up, having pizza parties, or glued to the latest video game while mom and dad are just a deck (and worlds) away sipping Pina Coladas by the pool or maybe sweating it up in the gym or having a massage. Being together was never so pleasant. Read more . . .

Singles: The Scene at Sea
If you think about it, a cruise is like a commune at sea. A floating city of people together for days on end. If you're single and choose the right cruise, that means you'll be in close quarters with lots of hot prospects, if you get my drift.

Family Cruising: Fun and Games for the Whole Crowd
Talk about having your cake and eating it too. What could be better than this scenario: your kids are off with a troupe of chirpy cheerleader-type counselors living it up making ice-cream sundaes, designing T-shirts, playing dress-up, having pizza parties, or glued to the latest video game while mom and dad are just a deck (and worlds) away sipping Pina Coladas by the pool or maybe sweating it up in the gym or having a massage. Being together was never so pleasant.

Big vs. Small: You Know What They Say, Size Can Make All the Difference
More than anything else, if you ask me, a ship's size speaks volumes about its personality and the kind of vacation you'll have. Big 2,000- and 3,000-passenger ships are busy, exciting affairs, while smaller 200-passenger ones are low-key retreats with unique personalities. The difference, my friend, is like night and day.

Active: To Be or Not to Be.
Worried about being bored stiff at sea. Stuck with nothing to do but watch waves and play Bingo with a bunch of comatose cruisers. Well, you got it all wrong.

Cabins: What's What and How to Choose
Let's face it, with all those tiny little colored squares, cruise ship deck plans look like jigsaw puzzles. You may find yourself scratching your head, or at least grabbing a magnifying glass trying to figure out which cabin corresponds to which price category. There are typically anywhere from 10 to 20 different categories of cabins offered on a given ship, from the smallest inside cabins to the fanciest ocean view penthouses. And a lot in between. On the bright side, all those little colored squares mean there's lots of choice, and that's a good thing for you. Here's what I mean.

he ABCs of Honeymooning at Sea
What's not to love?! As your dream cruise sails through the deep blue seas to some exotic port of call, you and your honey can enjoy a bottle of bubbly under the stars on some quiet corner of deck, dine by candlelight at a table for two, enjoy a soothing massage in the spa, or squirrel away on your private cabin balcony for tete a tete with only each other and the great big ocean. There's no doubt about it, cruises are inherently romantic. And talk about convenient, there's no other!!

Extras, Extras, Read All About 'Em
A cruise includes a lot bang for the buck --- your accommodations, plus three meals a day and lots of in-between snacks, entertainment from Vegas-style shows to comedians, and activities out the wazoo are all covered in the cruise rates. What a great deal! That said, though, there are plenty of extras that'll cost you.

Who's Plugged In at Sea
Who says you can't stay connected at sea. If e-mailing and surfing are as crucial to your day as eating and breathing, no worries, most ships have jumped on the technology bandwagon, offering e-mail and Internet access for passengers. As fast as you can say, "you've got mail," another ship has installed an Internet center with the latest flat screen monitors and web cams; some ships even offer access in cabins (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America and Silverseas, for instance) or wireless access (many of the Norwegian and Princess ships). The SeaDream Yacht Club ships actually have their connections through cabin TVs.

The Skinny on Spring-Breaking at Sea.
If you're a high school or college student dreaming of a week grabbing a great tan and who knows what else with your friends aboard some fun ship bound for the Caribbean, dream on pardner! Ok ok, not so fast. Your choices are indeed limited, but you do have a few.

The Ins and Outs of Shore Excursions
Worried about putting on another 10 pounds from a week of over-eating and lazy days filled with nothing but sunbathing by the pool or leaning over a craps table? Doesn't have to be that way! There are plenty of opportunities to be active on a cruise.

Cutting Costs
You can't deny a cruise is a great value when you consider that the cruise price gets you three meals daily plus lots of snacks, your cabin accommodations, and entertainment and activities all day long. Not a bad deal! Still, let's be real, there are plenty of extra costs that can add up once you get on board.

Cruise Line Contacts
If you have questions about insurance or want to order a brochure or maybe book a shore excursion on-line, here's a list of cruise line toll-free numbers and web sites.

Shopping at Sea
It's no secret that s cruise offers lots of shopping opportunities. In port, you'll find local handicrafts and jewelry stores as well as fun vacation trinkets, t-shirts and beachwear. Aboard ship, you can also shop till you drop. The largest vessels have four or five different boutiques, while the smallest ships at least one. You can spend hours.

Cruise Miles
The more you cruise, the more you get! Like the frequent flyer mileage rewards the airlines dish out, for frequent cruisers, there is a slew of rewards and incentives doled out by many cruise lines. Given that repeat cruisers can be a big part of a line's business, it's no surprise cruise lines love passengers that keep sailing with them and they show their gratitude by offering special perks and services.