Cruise with Confidence

My assignment on this trip: Figure out what travelers should know about planning, booking, and taking their first cruise. Whether you're longing for a romantic getaway or planning a special family trip, cruises make fabulous vacations, and the South claims a number of convenient ports from which to sail.

Plunking down a large lump sum can be intimidating. But calculate your per diem cost for food, lodging, transportation, and entertainment. Compared to a traditional vacation, you'll find that cruising can be quite economical. In fact, with gas prices so high, it may be the best deal going right now.

We'll walk you through the basics of cruising here, but we encourage you to question friends and family who have cruised, surf the Internet for sources of information, and visit with a trusted travel agent. Before you know it, you'll set sail on the trip of a lifetime.