Cruise Vacations
Listen and Read: Listen to the recording, answer the questions, and then read along with the audio recording.
My wife and I went on a cruise vacation this summer, and it was one of the best experiences of our lives. Because there are many cruise travel destinations and cruise packages, we first contacted a cruise travel agent who supplied us with a lot of information and travel tips about the whole cruise experience. He told us that cruise lines cater to different crowds, including singles, honeymooners, and families, and each cruise provides different activities and facilities on ship. Because we were going on our honeymoon, we steered away from a family cruise and choose one geared just for people like us. I was a little worried that we would spend all our time on ship, but the cruise agent said that cruise vacations often offer land and shore excursions where you can get off the ship and explore the different lands and cultures during your vacation. Before deciding on the cruise package, the cruise agent suggested that we plan our trip during a favorable time of year in terms of price and weather. The price of a cruise is less in the off-season (fall and spring), but the fall is hurricane season in the Caribbean, so this is something to consider. In the end, proper planning helped us have a wonderful cruise experience.
Discussion
What do you think is the attraction for people to go on cruise vacations? What kinds of activities does a cruise provide that you might not be able to experience on a different type of trip?
Online Investigation
You have just been notified that you have won a “free” cruise vacation for seven nights in the Caribbean, but a friend is afraid you will end up spending more money than you think. What “hidden” fees can you expect to pay for a cruise vacation that might not be included in the “free” vacation or normal price of such a trip? Search the internet for advice and information on this topic.
Online Listening Practice (from www.esl-lab.com):