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How to approach choosing your first cruise _ Imost five million North A . Americans will take a cruise 2 _ SA vacation this year. Many will be takmg their first cruise. How did they choose it? <For some, it will be a recommenâ€" dation from their friends who have cruised before. Others will choose from the literature or advertisements. BRICES' MON.â€"FRI. TIL 9 SAT. 9â€"6 SUN. 12â€"4 LOOK OUT! Hard wearing 20 oz. comâ€" mercial in 30 colours at a knockâ€"out price. TOP PERFORMER! | stainmaster Plus saxony. A heavy 34 oz. pile Reg. 25.99 sq yd now... ] 3 Installed in a 12x 18‘ room $465* o sq y4 EASY CARE VINYL! very durable Mannington Silverado. High performance viny! at the knockâ€"out lowest price anywhere. I 7 Reg $28.99, it‘s now only... o sq yI Iravel with Cruise Holidays Alexanian carpet DOING IT RIGHT SINCE 1925 BURLINGTON . MISSISSAUGA MISSISSAUGA 870 Appleby Ln. 1655 Dundas E. _ 2222 S. Sheridan (South off QEW) (East of Dixie) _ (QEW at Southdown) 639â€"4934 624â€"0844 823â€"9410 Many will visit a travel counselor experienced with the cruise industry. Let‘s review some of the decisions in choosing your first cruise and how to approach it. First, how long do you wish to travel? One week, two weeks, longer; or perhaps, combine a cruise with a land vacation before or after. E\‘\ TOTAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! If there‘s a problem we‘ll fix it. If you‘re unhappy with your purchase we‘ll replace it. Our way of serving you best! Alexanian_‘s leads the way with low knockâ€"out prices. Plus you‘ll be floored by our great service too! Cross design, also classic Kerman CHINESE RUGS! 100% woo!l, handâ€" made. A beautiful accent anywhere! Rose, emerald, blue ivory. When will you be traveling? The ships are cruising 52 weeks of the year with varied itineraries depending on the season. You cannot cruise in Alaska or Europe during the winter. You can go to the South Pacific and the Orient then. There are cruise ships in the Caribbean yearâ€"round. . : Bx11 reg $211 now $159! HOT STYLE! Machine made area rugs. The oriental look at a knockâ€"out price! In teal, blue green, black rose. 6x8, reg. $122 only... 579 2x40...549 3x 3c...559 3x5....$5199 6x9....$5349 Oâ€"oval, Câ€"circle *Installed price includes new pad installaâ€" tion, flat surâ€" faces only. Ask for delalls. Taxes extra." About 80% of all cruisers will be taking a sevenâ€"day Caribbean cruise this year. Your budget may restrict your choices or give you the whole world to choose from. Let‘s use the price of a sevenâ€"day cruise as our yardstick. As with most products, cruises come in all price A sevenâ€"day ‘budget‘ Caribbean cruise (departing from Florida) can be purchased from about CAD$1,100, including air tickets from Toronto durâ€" ing low seasons. (Cruise lines in this group include Dolphin, Fantasy, and Majesty.) When comparing this to a land vacation, don‘t forget the cruise includes accommodations, meals, transfers, and an extensive entertainâ€" ment and activities program. At the other end of the scale are the luxury class of cruises. There is a wide range of product and cruise itineraries â€" budget $500 per day and up. (Cruise lines included here would 1011 Upper Middle Rd, Oakville airfransal ROYAL o | AirCanada Specials ! Prominent Travel be Royal Viking, Crystal, Cunard, Royal and Seaboume.) Most of us will choose to cruise on one of the major cruise lines â€" Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America. Typically, you will budget from $1,500 per person for a minimum inside cabin, for outside cabins add about $100â€"200 per perâ€" son. (Sometimes in low seasons, some bargains are to be had.) Which cruise line is for you? Your budget, vacation expectations (high energy, lots of activity, or laid back, etc.) and the cruise line‘s profile (who does this cruise line cater to?) will influence your choice. Service, food, entertainment, activâ€" ities, itineraries, ship‘s personnel, and the profile of the ship‘s typical passenâ€" ger compliment may influence your decision. An experienced cruise counâ€" selor can lead you through this maze. Once you‘ve found the ship and itinerary, there are a few more deciâ€" sions. Accommodations, an inside or outside cabin (with an ocean view), or perhaps one of the new verandah suites. Why not celebrate your "25th Anniversary" in style? Have your own balcony 10 stories up on the ship overlooking the ocean! The decisions go on and on! When doyouhketoeat"Earlyorlateseat ing? A large table or a table for 4? What shore excursions should we take? How much money do we need? Do we tip the ship‘s staff? Who? How much? SUNDAY, MAY 15, 1994 PAGE 20 It‘s really not as complicated as it may appear, if you do your homeâ€" work. The best rates are offered if you book early. Last minute specials are rare from the cruise lines. If you‘re planning a sevenâ€"day Caribbean cruise this fall, book it now! Submitted by Bob Kerby, Cruise Holidays, 338â€"2077.