The Essential Little Cruise Book, 3rd: Secrets from a Cruise Director for a Perfect Cruise Vacation [Paperback]

Jim West (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003 | Series: Essential Little Cruise Book

This compact collection of cruise wisdom holds everything you need to know for a perfect vacation at sea. Jim West has logged millions of nautical miles as a cruise director and doles out the answers to cruise questions with wit and style. This new edition includes two new chapters with tips directed toward cruises in the Caribbean and Alaska.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This smart little book offers helpful advice both for those embarking on their first cruise as well as salty veterans. The Essential Little Cruise Book covers everything form how to choose a cruise that's right for you, picking a travel agent and cabin, what to bring, cruise etiquette, and how to cure sea sickness: "Old-fashioned cures that sailors have sworn by: If you do begin to feel sick, go outside, look at the horizon, and stay in the middle section of the ship. Also, eat some dry crackers or bread sticks, and stay away form liquids." With more than 500 cruises under his belt as a cruise director, author Jim West provides insight and tips that can greatly improve a cruise vacation. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A very practical book with sound information for everyone, from people planning their first exciting cruise adventure to hardened travel agents."--Sir Edmund Hillary

"Cruisers will find noteworthy nuggets in The Essential Little Cruise Book by veteran cruise director Jim West."--New York Post

"Nuggets of wisdom from a veteran cruise director ... a real charmer."--Chicago Tribune

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: GPP Travel; 3rd edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762728280
• ISBN-13: 978-0762728282
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #459,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great List of Cruise Tips, June 18, 2005

By 

Lisa Shea "medieval swordfighting enthusiast" - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Essential Little Cruise Book, 3rd: Secrets from a Cruise Director for a Perfect Cruise Vacation (Paperback)

Written by Jim West, this tiny book can easily fit into a pocket or suitcase corner. It's full of short, quick to read tips on every aspect of cruising.

You're not going to get a long, drawn out planner here. This is really about quick hints to help make your cruise more enjoyable. Much of it is common sense - pack light. Have a happy attitude. Don't sweat the small things. Plan ahead. Use sunblock, carry antacid.

A lot of the wisdom, though, is common sense earned by Jim after thousands of days at seas. He recommends lower floors for their more steady ride. He suggests arriving in port a day ahead of schedule so you're more than ready for departure. When you are leaving the vessel, also don't try to rush. Have a leisurely breakfast and do a crossword puzzle while the ship's crew do all of the docking and final departure preparations.

For those who have never been on a cruise, a lot of the information is invaluable. Always bring a carry-on, because your main luggage might not get to your room until late in the evening on the first day. You always want to do the reverse on the way off the ship - the crew will take your luggage the night before. You need to have a carry-on with you to carry your PJs and toiletries off the ship with you.

The price is relatively reasonable for such a tiny book full of nuggets of wisdom. It's well worth buying a copy and passing it along to each member of your party before you leave. You never know who will find which pieces of information to be critical!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Cruise book out there!!, September 29, 2001

By 

ROBERT SELLERS (Scottsdale, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential Little Cruise Book, 2nd: Secrets from a Cruise Director for a Perfect Cruise Vacation (Paperback)

I've read seven cruise books, everything from how cruise ships are rated, what cruise lines offer what kind of products, and everything in between. The Essential Little Cruise Book is without doubt the best of all. It contains incredible enhancement tips that will literally save you hundreds of dollars. I also read some of the other reviews on this book, and I know why so many people included Jim West's toll-free number. I contacted him, and he not only took time to personally answer my questions, but he also gave me a letter to give to the captain on the ship we were going to be sailing on. He knew the captain personally, and we were treated like VIP's the entire time we were on the cruise...You should buy it from amazon.com immediately!!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for experienced cruisers, November 11, 2005

By 

Debby Williams "crazy for amazon" (Park Forest, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Little Cruise Book, 3rd: Secrets from a Cruise Director for a Perfect Cruise Vacation (Paperback)

I bought this book because it said in the title that it contained secrets from a cruise director. I have been lucky enough to go on 10 cruises so far. So, I thought to myself, "Secrets? I can't wait to hear secrets." This book does NOT contain any secrets. It is common sense info and things you may not know if you've never cruised before. Don't waste your money if you are an experienced cruiser.