One of the biggest things I would recommend for people who haven't cruised before is finding a travel agent or advisor who specializes in cruisesEven with me being in the industry for as long as I have, having a travel agent is helpful. I decided to use a travel agent because I didn't want all the guests calling me, but this travel agent was with a bigger agency and the experience was awful. Travel agents don't cost money — they make their commissions from the ships and travel insurance agencies or tour companies. Travel insurance is also great because it covers anything from medical issues to trip interruption or even theftI'd never had travel insurance until my travel agent educated me on it, but it's been helpful already. I had my phone stolen in Paris last year and my travel insurance covered it.

---