Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cruise Vacations, Second Edition

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found this book to be excellent. I read it cover to cover before my husband and I cruised last year. I felt like I already had a jump start when we boarded our boat. I liked reading about all of the boats and that was how we decided on the cruise we took. The chapters were divided so you could pick the ones that contained information that was vital to you. We are going on yet another cruise with our children so I went back and reread the Chapter that is about cruising with kids. I would recommend this book to anyone even thinking about taking a cruise vacation.

This book is too big and covers too little that the average first- or multiple-time cruiser wants or needs to know.

Much of the information -- particularly about ships -- is time-sensitive and outdated. This may be corrected in the next edition, but will probably by out-dated by the time the new and improved version "ships".

It's hard to figure out why "Cruise Lingo Word-Find" ... one of those puzzles where you draw lines around particular terms, was worth a page in the book. Many of the 446 pages are what might be called, kindly, "filler."

The set-in about meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous was particularly grating. Any member of AA knows that "Friends of Bill W" is the buzz term to be found in the ship's newspaper or anywhere else members might meet.

The tips on tipping are quite off-base. The idea of tipping one-half to either a room steward or a waiter for a child makes no sense. Anyone with children knows that they're more trouble than the average adult ... and they do take up a seat in the dining room ... and probably want to order from a kids' menu. Tipping half for more work?

Further, the author states that the tip exceptions are "ritzy Seabourne and Radisson" then goes on to say that a cruiser OUGHT to tip on Radisson?

This book would have benefitted from a good copy editor and a first-class fact-checker, to say nothing of an expert in design.

Overall, this is not a well-researched or well-presented book.

There are a few good bits of information included, but paying for the book might put the buyer in the "Idiot" class.

This is an amazing find. It has everything a rookie or a veteran to cruising will ever need. I found it very helpful in planning my sixth cruise. But, I have also passed it on to first time cruisers who couldn't be more thankful. Detailed descriptions on all types of cruise ships, ports of call, shore excursions. And helpful hints on how to save $$ on booking, why to use a travel agent and what to pack. I wish I could find a book that was similiar, I've read this one too many times...

I have been on 15 cruises, and this book is right on. I have read alot of books about crusing and if you have never been on a cruise or have been on many, you will enjoy this book. Gives you little tips and tricks and just explains how things all work on the cruise ship and in the ports you visit. Everything from the food, what to wear, how to pack, the staff and entertainment.