For all those who thought that cruise vacations were only tailored for the rich and famous, this article will certainly liberate you from your misjudged pre-conceived notions. Studies by the highly acclaimed professional cruise journalist, Jon Siskin, revealed that in the year 2007, as many as 12 million vacationers took to the sea. With cruise lines becoming more customer-friendly and trying to expand their business by reaching out to people from all walks of life, setting out to the infinite oceans to realize your most treasured vacation dream does not seem to be that far-fetched any more. Post this pep talk; it is but natural that many of you would be aching to finally satiate your greatest fantasy. It is also duly understood that all you first-timers will be quite clueless about planning and executing the perfect cruise vacation for yourself and your family. Put aside all your worries and apprehensions as the task that appears to be magnanimous right now can be a 'smooth sail' if a few crucial guidelines are strictly followed, both while planning the dream vacation and while living that dream.

As there are endless options to choose from, it would be wise to start planning well in advance. Facilitate your planning with as much information as you can get from the various cruise books and the numerous on line sites offering elaborate information about the same. This research will provide you with a clear picture of all the options available to you and you can fit any one of those within the framework of exactly what you need. This way you can save up all the extra bucks that you would have otherwise shelled out for your travel agent.

Once you have made your decision about the cruise company you want to go with, make sure that you make your bookings well in advance (at least 4 - 6 months). Cruise companies give out great discount deals for 'first come first serve basis' bookings. You can enjoy discounts up to 20% or even more if you book early and have an additional advantage of selecting a cabin category of your choice. Making your cruise booking in advance will also help you cheaply book your air tickets in advance, which would mean savings all the way.

For people who are tied up with work and fail to make bookings in advance, there is a way to economize your trip as well. Cruises have now indulged in a brilliant innovation of starting voyages from ports that are closer to the cities, like the ports of New York, New Jersey, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, to name a few. These ports can be easily driven to, which works out to be immensely cheaper than taking flights to far away seaports.

A cruise vacation does not need heavy gear. This is not a mountain-hiking trip, for which you practically need to carry your home along. Moreover, most ships have all the amenities and luxuries that you could possibly need. So, keep it light. Divide your belongings into two sections. Keep all the essentials in a bag that you will carry yourself to the ship (in case you need something in an emergency) and keep the rest in your suitcase, which might take time to reach your cabin.

For all those who thought that cruise vacations are for people who have just tied the knot or for the oldies, statistics show that almost half the cruising population comprises of families. New ships have been crafted especially to make vacations on seas memorable for families. These ships are called mega-ships and are custom built with facilities for both children (video arcades, playrooms, teen clubs, etc.) and their parents (spas, libraries, exotic restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc.)

A few pointers to be kept in mind – plan your budget in advance, be aware of added expenses, don't worry too much about the over-hyped phenomenon of sea-sickness and last but not the least, relax and enjoy every moment of your dream cruise vacation to the fullest.