CruiToday begins the promotional launch for a new multi-author novella called The Love Boat Bachelor. As part of this joint effort, I thought I would explain some of the process and offer a little cruising advice for those new to the sport … and hopefully take some of the mystery and angst out of your dream vacation!

Cruising is not for everyone. Some love it. Some hate it. But very few are ambivalent about the experience. And until you try it, you won’t know.

Below are a few suggestions to help you make the decision to set sail … or not.

Tip 1: If you are a first-time cruiser, I encourage you to learn everything you can about cruising BEFORE you sign on. After all, anticipation is half the fun! And Google is your friend.

Tip 2: There are tons of blogs out there. Read them. Check Trip Adviser. Talk with friends who have cruised, and ask them to recount their favorite cruise memories … and their worst.

Here are the Top Ten Travel Blogs as voted by USA Today:

John Heald                         http://johnhealdsblog.com/

Matt Hochberg                 http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/

Anita Dunham-Potter      http://www.expertcruiser.com/category/blog

Scott Sanders                    http://disneycruiselineblog.com/

Chris Gray Faust                http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog

Jim Walker                         http://www.cruiselawnews.com/

Fran Golden                       http://www.porthole.com/blog

Chris Owen                        http://www.chriscruises.com/

Danielle Fear                     http://cruisemiss.com/

Sherry Laskin                     http://www.cruisemaven.com/

Tip 3: I highly recommend you start out with a short cruise. If you determine you don’t like vacationing on the high seas, it’s easier to grit your teeth and bear it through 2 or 3 days than 7 or 8. Shorter cruises generally cost less, too, so you won’t feel like you have wasted your time and money. And if you decide you do like cruising, hey, you’ll be raring to go!

Tip 4: Figure out where you want to go. A cruise to Alaska will offer a vastly different experience than one to the Southern Caribbean.

Tip 5: Pick the right cruise line. If you bring kids along, they’ll be bored to tears (and you might be a little embarrassed) on a romantic cruise. Likewise, if you’re honeymooning, stay away from the cruises that pander to kids.

Tip 6: Be sure to check the cruise line website for “Things to Know before You Go.”

Bon Voyage!

P.S. Here are some “Shore Excursions” for The Love Boat Bachelor (TLBB):

Marji Laine blog: E-mail to Roselle: Day 1 At Sea

Fay Lamb:  AuthorJerusha Agen Discusses Her Brainchild, The Love Boat Bachelor

Julie Arduini: Cruising Experiences

Marji Laine: Interviewed on Lena Nelson Dooley’s Blog

Marji Laine: Interview on Carole Towriss blog: 8 Reasons Romance is a Joke