What used to be about getting from point A to point B has evolved into one of the most exciting and sought after vacation opportunities in the country. According to CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association) 9.57 million Americans set sail on a cruise vacation in 2007. Now I know why! What better way to relax, experience new things, places, and foods then on a floating resort! Cruises are relatively inexpensive too! For a fraction of the cost of what the airfare/hotels/and meals would cost to visit all the locations on your cruise, you’re able to do so and not have any worries. All you have to do is share the memories with your loved ones.

 However, a lot of people fear the unknown when when it comes to cruising. Do you ever wonder why most people who have been on cruises continue to go on cruises year after year- while others don’t even give cruising a chance? All the good you have heard about cruising is true. I experienced it first handedly and will share some of my recently found knowledge with you. Things that I wish I had known before cruising for the first time. I also had the chance to sit down with the Hotel Director on the Norwegian Sky to get tips from a seasoned professional.

 Fillipo Bertuzzi (originally from Italy but transplanted to Spain when he was young) has been with Norwegian Cruise Line for seven years. He is head over the hotel division of the boat which includes guest services, housekeeping, food and beverage, entertainment, and all the crew. When asked the most important tip for first time cruisers he stated that it is all about the attitude you bring on board. If you come in relaxed and looking to have a good time you will have an enjoyable and memorable vacation. Choose people you’ll have fun with to join you on your cruise. If you bring someone you have problems with outside of the ship aboard and hope the problems will disappear on your trip, they most likely will not because now you are in a small confined space and problems seem to magnify. You owe it to yourself to have a good time, especially after all the time you spent saving for your vacation. I just have to add that this is completely true and true with everything in life- the experience is what you make it. So make it memorable.

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1) Worked out: I seriously gained eight pounds from my cruise, and it was only a three day cruise! But in all fairness I think some of those pounds were holiday pounds so it would have been nice to have lost those before I went so I would have looked my best

2) Gone tanning: I was whiter than snow on my cruise so instead of tanning, I was focused on not burning and getting my foundation tan. It would have been nice to have the base tan out of the way and been able to come back to show off a sweet dark complexion in January in Utah

3) Bought a cute sundress to wear on the ports: I forgot to do that and so I was stuck wearing capri pants and shirts while other women looked so comfortable in their flowing dresses

4) Bought sunscreen: I bought it on the cruise ship and it cost three times as much had I bought it at a grocery store

5) Remembered my sunglasses: It hurt to squint the whole time and I never found any cute enough to buy