Aug. 7th, TGIT (P-F?)

Thursday is a ho-hum name, don't you think? Sounds like Thirst Day, which is really unattractive in the heat of August! The Cap'n is starting a groundswell movement today, which you are encouraged to join and carry through the Heartland, to officially re-name Thursday. Call your Congressman (or woman). Email your Senator (or Senatette). Call the President (or High Priestess). Let's get this crummy day re-named Pre-Friday! What a difference we'd all feel, if we could struggle through Wednesday and suddenly it's Pre-Friday, and the weekend is nearly upon us. Yee-HAW!!



Today's topic, aimed at 1st time cruisers, is "what type of cabin should I get?". Non-sailors assume, from watching old Love Boat re-runs that only show Fernando Lamas and Shelly Winters cavorting in their luxury suite, that cruise ship cabins are big, spacious critters that are as large or larger than hotel rooms. If money's no object, we can make that happen! But most people are going to settle into a more normal cabin, which can be as large as about 250 sq. feet or as tiny as 100 sq. feet. Perspective time: 100 sq. feet is 10' X 10', which includes your closet, shower/restroom combo, and living area. People in San Quentin might be jealous of such luxurious digs, but we always try to get our clients into something a little nicer if the budget allows. Anything around 150 sq. feet or bigger is at least livable for as long as you're on the ship. Most ships have a maximum capacity of 4 in a cabin (for families), but the more people you have in 1 room, the more space we recommend. You have suitcases and stuff! It's vacation, and you don't want to feel like you're torturing yourselves by being too tight. Another suggestion for 1st timers is to consider AT LEAST an oceanview room, instead of an "interior" cabin. Do you know what an inside or interior cabin is? It's a room on the interior hallway, with no window. Four nice pretty walls, pitch black inside, but you don't know if it's sunny, rainy, if you're in port or out to sea -- you're in what we call The Box. Can you imagine telling your family "I booked us a great hotel in Aspen. The only thing is it doesn't have a window." Your wife and young'uns will look at all 3 of your heads, and wonder when Homer Simpson took over Dad. The window cabins do cost a little more, but they are worth the difference in money! Especially if you have no idea about whether your family could experience any sort of motion sickness. When you're in The Box, the slightest movement happens and you start re-playing Titanic in your head. When you have a window, you can look out and see the waves are maybe only 5 inches high, and you're at an angle where these "ground swells" are causing a nice gentle motion. Your psyche is immediately put to rest, and you'll learn to love the motion of the ocean, while people in The Box are calling the ship's doctor for Dramamine!



By that same token, if the budget allows, we think EVERYONE should experience a private balcony cabin on a cruise ship. Many of today's ships are being built with 50%, 60% or even more balconies, and they are much more affordable than in the old days, when you had 500 cabins and only a dozen suites. Supply-and-demand. Balconies tend to be a bit larger (some with a little sitting area), and you can actually get FRESH SEA AIR, which is spectacular instead of breathing re-cycled air conditioning. Also, balconies are on the higher decks, and just like in a building you'll get a more dramatic, panoramic view than you would looking out from the 1st or 2nd floor. There are even more categories on some ships -- mini-suites and various levels of full suites, that get you extra amenities. Some offer butler service, plush bathrobes, express check-in, or many other perks. Those also tend to be significantly larger, and some of the top-end suites can be enormous. So there's something for every budget, and every style.



We have lots more tips for 1st-timers, as well as long-timers, which can be shared any time you call or email to book with us. We know what cabins you want, and what cabins you DON'T want! With these mega-ships out there now, 3 or more football fields long, and up to 20 stories high, there are lots of choices. We at Mann Travels are pros at knowing what's hot and what's not.