Cruising Tips

A cruise can be a wonderful adventure, however, it is wise to be aware of certain facts:

1. Cruise ship engines may break-down and force re-organization of the trip itinerary. In 2005 roughly 10 percent of the Cruise Lines International Associations ships cancelled some or all ports of call. CLIA accounts for 97 percent of the North American cruise market.

2. Cruise health. Being with a large number of people in an enclosed environment is a breading ground for germs. Good hygiene - hand washing and the like is recommended to prevent viral and bacterial outbreaks. See www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp for more information on cruise health.

3. Check the web sites of the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida and the Caribbean for reports on how cruise lines deal with complaints to see how they treat their customers.