Your cruise can result in exciting new experiences

Making lasting friendships on a cruise depends on what type of people connection you’re seeking. Will it be just to be friends, or something deeper and warmer? The easiest way to make friends on board is to take the initiative and start up conversations at the pool, spa, bingo game, exercises class, buffet line, the dress-up evening sit-down dinner or any other of the scores of events that bring passengers together.

Often the results of striking up spontaneous connections at sea can be very enjoyable. There’s something about the happy mood of a cruise that makes ordinarily solitary people want to gather together, meet and talk. It could be the warm feelings of sharing a unique sailing adventure together while surrounded by the vast sparkling waters of the ocean.

There are many ways to make people connections at sea. For example, if you’re a man, ask yourself: are you looking for a new pal, someone to share your enjoyment of golf, politics, Texas hold ‘em poker and/or major league baseball? When you're looking to meet new guys on the cruise, you could seek out those fellow shipboard travelers who have similar educations, careers, military and other backgrounds.

Visit the original gambling mecca of America
You’ve been lucky or clever! Somehow, by sharp pencil or sharper mind, you’ve managed to earn a Federal Income Tax refund from Uncle Sam. Now, when that big check comes in, the problem is what to do with it. Pay the rent, buy groceries, a new outfit? Not this year. Take the money and spend it on pure enjoyment. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Take a trip to Nevada. Prices for air and hotel have never been better. The scenery is beautiful this time of year, and the casinos in Reno, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas are waiting to help you spend that refund.

2. Go on a cruise. All kinds of luxurious new ships and exotic ports of call can make spending your refund at sea lots of fun.

3. Visit the Big Apple. Many new and revived hit shows are all over Broadway. All the tourist features are waiting to welcome you: the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Greenwich Village and Fifth Avenue.

Don’t let that refund burn a hole in your pocket, and don’t spend it on unnecessary luxuries, such as food, clothing and rent. Enjoy a spree, courtesy of your generous Uncle Sam.

Cruising can be a whole new and exciting life experience
If you’ve never been on a cruise before, and have been asked or talked into sailing on your first one, many thoughts will go through your mind. For the first-time sailor, there are the typical fears based on myths we’ve all heard before. Most are mere rumors, old wives’ (and old husbands’) tales, To put your mind at ease, you should examine each one.

1. You’ll suffer from seasickness: This is an old myth that may have been true for passengers on the Mayflower. On modern cruise ships, even in high seas, there are stabilizers that tightly regulate the ships’ movements. You’ll feel about as much shaking as you’d experience in a luxury car on a smooth highway. Actually, you’ll probably find the gentle motions of the ship will lull you to peaceful sleep in your cabin at night.

Try rock climb aboard, but only if physically fit

Because of constant tight security, cruise ships are much safer than any other vacation venue, including hotels, amusement parks, beaches and mountain resorts. Everyone aboard, both crew and passengers, is registered and accounted for. There are no casual strangers aboard, as you’d find anywhere else on your travels.

However, despite all the protections, crimes and accidents do occur on cruise ships. Some tips from cruise experts and frequent sailors may help you have a safe trip on your next sailing.