Each year millions of Americans venture out on vacation. For some it will be a trip to the beach or the mountains. For some others, it will be a trip to another city to visit family or friends, or simply just to tour. Many more will head off to theme parks while the more adventurous will go hiking and rafting. I for one fall into the millions that enjoy taking a cruise vacation.

The opportunity to vacation is within the reach of most anyone’s budget. The vacation traveler is one of a highly sought after group of individuals. Companies offer discounts, all inclusive packages, and specific dollar amount of credit to spend at their facility. Each organization has its own “hook” to bring the traveler into their sales department.

Cruise line operators are no different than any other vacation planning enterprise. Each cruise line offers discounted fares and travel packages. You will be enticed with the phrase your ship board activities and meals are included. I am writing this to point out that a discounted fare is not the true cost of your cruise vacation. Consider these often overlooked expenses and fees that you will have to pay over and above that discounted ticket.

The first thing is you have to get to the departure city. It does not matter which mode of transportation you choose there will be a cost.

Should you choose to drive your personal vehicle to the port you will find convenient, secured parking right at the dock. Parking rates vary from port to port. I have sailed from four different ports. Parking fees ranged from $11 per day to $15 per day, payable in advance.

Now consider the porter that helps get your luggage from your car or taxi to the loading area to be put on board. This person is not usually an employee of the cruise line and is there working for your tips.

Here is another cost that experienced cruisers know will come at the end of the cruise; a tip for the ship staff that serves you during your time on board. This charge is often a surprise for first time cruisers. Depending on your cruise line this tip can be as high as $15 per day, added to your final bill before you disembark.

Understand this fact; your cruise line is a business and must earn a profit. That company does not generate the income necessary by fares alone. While the industry boast of the food and entertainment that they include in the fare, they have revenue producers to entice you once you are on board. Notice, you are told that food is included, but not drinks. If you care to drink anything other than water or tea with your meal you will incur an additional charge.

Almost from the moment that your feet hit the deck you will be approached by crew members ready to take your order for adult beverages. Each beverage that you order comes with a charge to your account. Not only will you see the price for the drink, there will be an amount added to every purchase for a tip.

The on board casino is a big income magnet for the cruise line. As with any land based casino, you can lose big bucks before you realize how deep that you are in. Some cruise lines have even eliminated the need for you to stop and go to the cashiers’ cage to replenish your cash. They have set up the slot machines to accept your ship board account card. What a convenience, you can sit there just pulling that handle. Along with the slots you will find card tables, dice tables, and roulette wheels. Anyone with the desire to gamble will find something to please.

You will be offered an opportunity to dine in a specialty restaurant. The menu is different than the main dining room. Just like any other fine dining restaurant, you must make a reservation. Oh, did I mention, food in this restaurant is not included in your ticket price. Expect the up charge along with the customary tip to appear on your bill.

My advice to anyone thinking about taking that cruise vacation is to prepare financially by recognizing that your fare is not the only fixed cost. You must know about the extra charges so you can consider them as part of the cost for this vacation. If your funds are limited you must control yourself because the cruise line has made it so easy to spend money while you are on board. Set a specific amount of money that you are willing to spend for drinks, souvenirs, and shore excursions. Monitor your account to be sure that you do not exceed your pre-set limit.

Surprises on the day that you disembark tend to diminish the fun that you had on your vacation.

I am Edmund Stolzenberg, a seasoned traveller and an avid over eater. I am called Chubby Cook and I post on the website chubbycook.com As I stated, I love to eat, so a cruise vacation is just the ticket for me

Is cruising for free a myth? No, but you will not get your free cabin by harassing the cruise line staff. All you will do if you pester them is annoy them and waste your time. We cruised once with a woman who made it a habit of booking lower priced rooms and trying to complain her way into better cabins. It never worked. Especially now with so many cruise deals and cruises are filling up there is less need to be accommodating. Yes, cruise lines want you to have fun but they are tightening their belts when it comes to the freebies. Play by their rules, though, and they are more than happy to reward you with a free cabin.

Now on to the top three ways to get a free cabin:

Now on to how to actually get a cabin for free. The best way is to put together a group of 15 passengers or more and the ship will gladly give you your cabin for free. Where will you find these other people? Try organizing a family reunion, call up your friends or organize your high school reunion shipside. Some lines will even give you this free room with a group containing as few as six people. The larger the group, the more perks you get. For a very large group they may even throw you your own cocktail party. You will probably still have to pay the taxes and maybe a small fee but the rest of the room price will be comped.

Another way to cruise for free is as a lecturer. You lecture on your subject a few times a day and the rest of the time you are free to enjoy the cruise experience. You get to talk about something you love and get rewarded for it on top of it.

If you are a doctor or nurse,you may also be in luck as these types of professionals are in high in demand. You would be expected to work a few hours in the on board clinic and be there for emergencies but the rest of the time is yours to spend as you wish.

Enjoy the shows, the casinos and the pool. Go for a spa treatment, work out in the gym or take a class. Cruising is fun and getting part or all of your fare comped is even better.

Caterina Christakos is a published author and reviewer. Read her reviews of joico hair products like the k pack reconstructor.

For many, going on a Mediterranean cruise is a dream come through.

Mediterranean holiday cruises are especially popular with Europeans. However, over recent years the Mediterranean “magic” has been luring visitors from all across the globe! Yes, taking a Mediterranean cruise is simply magical.

With shorter cruises, you get to have a sneak peak at the much envied Mediterranean lifestyle, witness the culture and explore to your heart’s delight aided with the famous Mediterranean climate.

The Mediterranean sea is blessed with an assortment of stunning port cities, guaranteed to make each stop an unforgettable experience.

Many cruise passengers go with the idea that they will essentially experience one type of culture while on a Mediterranean cruise. But you’ll be surprised how different each Mediterranean country is!

The Mediterranean is also known for its fantastic cuisine and rich history.

Some of the main ports which Mediterranean cruise ships stop at include Barcelona, Spain, Rome and Tunis. Other smaller ports include Monte Carlo and Valletta. Valletta is the capital of Malta and is said to have the most beautiful harbor from all Mediterranean countries. The island is also home to the world’s oldest free standing structures, i.e. the famous Maltese Neolithic Temples.

Mediterranean holiday cruises can be taken almost any time of year and you can choose from budget cruises or if you really want to pamper yourself, you can also choose a fabulous luxury Mediterranean cruise.

The majority of cruise passengers choose to go for a two week cruise. However, shorter or longer cruises do exist.

Summer is the most popular time to go on a Mediterranean cruise. If you’re traveling with kids, you can rest assured that children are well catered for on cruise ships. Not to mention the fact that the Mediterranean’s rich history will certainly be highly educational for your kids.

If you’re currently thinking of booking a Mediterranean cruise, try to talk to people who’ve already been to one for tips and advice. You can also visit one of the many online forums and message boards. These forums often have a wealth of information from people who have already been on a particular cruise and are sharing their cruise review.

The beauty of these message boards is that you can post questions on anything related to cruises, from what to wear on a Mediterranean cruise, to what type of entertainment is provided on board the cruise ship, etc.

As with any type of vacation, it’s best to do a little bit of research before you place your booking. This will ensure that you are choosing just the right type of Mediterranean cruise according to your specifications and needs.

To unforgettable Mediterranean Holiday Cruises!

About the Author:

Marica Zammit is the founder of MaltaBulb, a travel website that provides genuine no hype travel advice on the Maltese Islands – the Mediterranean’s best kept secret.

Find out why thousands of visitors each year are choosing to travel to Malta by cruise ship, by visiting http://www.maltabulb.com/cruise-malta.html.

If you’re thinking of booking a Western Mediterranean Cruise and would like to get insider tips on how you can best spend your time in Malta, visit http://www.maltabulb.com/time_in_malta.html today.