If you are planning to travel by sea and if you are planning to buy cruise tickets, it is important for you to buy cruise insurance. You do not know what is in store for you so it is better to insure yourself against such disasters. People who travel by sea can face critical situations like rain and storm. In such situations you can lose your money, your baggage and so on. Thus, it would be better for you to buy cruise insurance. However, before you can buy any cruise insurance policy, it is important for you to get the insurance quotes just as you are required to get the auto insurance quotes before buying auto insurance. This is important because, if you get the quotes, you will be able to compare these and get the best of offers as per your affordability.

Facilities offered by cruise insurance
There are various facilities that are covered by the different cruise insurance are:

Trip cancellation loss – Depending on different situations, the trip by the cruise can get cancelled. It can either be because of your personal problems or any other problems, this can result in loss of your money. So, if you can buy cruise insurance, you may get coverage against such losses. However, most of these reasons will have to be included in the policy.

Trip interruption loss – When you are onboard, there can occur different kinds of natural calamities or man-made ones. This can result in excess expenditure on the cruise. Cruise insurance can help you in handling such expenditures.

Medical costs – While traveling on cruise, you can fall sick. This can result in medical expenditures and therefore debt. So, if you buy cruise insurance, it can help you in handling the medical costs. This helps you to avoid debt by lots of situations.

Baggage delay reimbursement – In case there is loss of baggage, or if there happens to be any delay in the time within which you are supposed to get back your baggage, the cruise insurance covers that cost too. The amount by which you may get reimbursement on this will depend on the terms and conditions of the policy.

Coverage on act of terrorism – If there occur any act of terrorism on the cruise and if you face any kind of loss and accidents as a result of this, you may be able to get coverage on this. There are various cruise policies which offer such coverage.

Then there can be other coverage too like coverage for the different sporting events. In addition, some may even allow you emergency cash transfer offers, legal and medical referral, passport assistance and so on.

This is the weekly roundup of events and news in the cruise community.

• Cruise ship revenue buoyant – Vancouver Sun

  Cruise ship revenue buoyant Vancouver Sun In the cruise business, that sort of “fall” campaign is still going on, but in the first three months of the year. It's called wave season. Although it has lessened slightly, it's still the time of year when cruise lines find customers who are thinking …

• Venice rebels against cruise ship intrusions – Atlanta Journal Constitution

  CruiseMates Cruise Guide

  Venice rebels against cruise ship intrusions Atlanta Journal Constitution From aboard a 12-deck cruise liner, the sight of St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs gliding past from a cabin balcony is a breathtaking thrill. CORRECTS DATE WHEN THE PHOTO WAS TAKEN TO SEPT.10, 2011 – In this photo taken on … Cruise bookings fall after Concordia shipwreckFoster’s Daily Democrat Drop in Cruise Bookings Could Lead to Cruise DealsCruise Fever Concordia's Effect on Cruise Sales ExploredCruiseMates Cruise Guide NDTV all 736 news articles »

• Seabourn Takes Top Spots in Conde Nast Traveler Cruise Ship Rankings – MarketWatch (press release)

  Seabourn Takes Top Spots in Conde Nast Traveler Cruise Ship Rankings MarketWatch (press release) 6, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — For the second year in a row, Seabourn's intimate, luxury cruise ships sailed to the top of Conde Nast Traveler's prestigious list of the world's 100 best cruise ships, based on scores achieved in the magazine's … and more »

• All aboard the Weezer cruise: an extensive report – The Guardian (blog)

  The Guardian (blog)

  All aboard the Weezer cruise: an extensive report The Guardian (blog) And a music cruise takes the destination festival to a whole new level. When I grew up, it seemed that a cruise was something you did when you retired. The sort of trip you went on when you were afraid to fly or when you'd decided pajama jeans were the …

• Royal Caribbean Cruises Beats Analyst Estimates on EPS – DailyFinance

  Royal Caribbean Cruises Beats Analyst Estimates on EPS DailyFinance By Seth Jayson, The Motley Fool Posted 10:56AM 02/06/12 Investing Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYS: RCL) reported earnings on Feb. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know. For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Royal Caribbean Cruises met expectations on … Royal Caribbean International Goes Underground to Bring the Royal Experience …PR Web (press release) Royal Caribbean Exceeds EstimateZacks.com Cruise company ends 2011 'on a strong note'bunkerworld (subscription) Wall St. Cheat Sheet all 10 news articles »

• Carnival cruise ship passengers struck with virus – Reuters

  RedOrbit

  Carnival cruise ship passengers struck with virus Reuters (Reuters) – More than 100 people on board a cruise ship operated by a unit of Carnival Corp have fallen ill with a stomach virus, the latest setback facing the world's biggest cruise company, which came under scrutiny last month for the Costa Concordia … Norovirus Hits Cruise Ship PassengersRedOrbit Hundreds of Cruise Ship Passengers Infected by Norovirus OutbreakThe Maritime Executive Virus strikes cruise ship out of New OrleansCBS News New York Daily News all 953 news articles »

• Complimentary Alaska shore tours from American Cruise Lines – Breaking Travel News

  Breaking Travel News

  Complimentary Alaska shore tours from American Cruise Lines Breaking Travel News American Cruise Lines the leader in small ship cruising, announced today a magnificent lineup of complimentary shore tours for its Alaskan itineraries beginning this summer. Each tour will take passengers to the finest local sites at each port and … and more »

• All in the same boat, or so it would theme – Sydney Morning Herald

  Sydney Morning Herald

  All in the same boat, or so it would theme Sydney Morning Herald WHEN was it decided that every cruise must have a theme? Food and wine, wellness, photography, comedy, science … think up a theme and it probably exists. There are political cruises, religious cruises, gambling cruises, even cruises for cigar lovers. and more »

• Aussie spirit on Carnival cruise – Herald Sun

  The West Australian

  Aussie spirit on Carnival cruise Herald Sun When it heads to Sydney this year, it will have a distinctly Australian feel Australian power points and outdoor barbecue area and it will also be the first Carnival Cruise Line ship not to be deployed in the US. Carnival Cruise Line is the largest … 4920-Remember when taking a cruise meant a vacation?MobileTribune.com (blog) all 8 news articles »

Cruises are one of the most cost-effective, popular ways to travel. If you’ve been cruising for years, you may have found that you’re tired of the same old, same old. If you’re new to the wonderful world of cruising, you may be wondering which cruise you should take first. In either case, there are three cruises that shouldn’t be missed in 2012. Choose one or choose them all; you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

1. River Cruises

The newest trend in cruising is the river cruise. Viking River Cruises offers vacations aboard any one of six, 190-passenger, ships inspired by the ships of the Vikings. These long ships are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Travelers can choose to cruise along the Danube or Rhine rivers. But why are they the hottest cruises of the year?

Unlike traditional cruises, these are taken at a much slower pace. Rather than spending your time rock-climbing or playing in the wave pool, the entire experience is said to be the attraction. One of the best features of these cruises is that your excursions are often included in the price of your ticket. You can use the money you’re saving to purchase great mementos like handcrafted jewelry.

While cabins aboard the Viking River line have traditionally been smaller than those you would find on a large cruise ship, Viking has recently expanded their line with four new ships with two more to arrive in the summer. These ships feature suites that are more like apartments that ship cabins; living rooms, bedrooms, dining areas and grills are included in these fabulous suites.

2. Disney Fantasy

The much heralded, and eagerly awaited, Disney Fantasy will debut in March. If you’ve taken a cruise aboard a Disney ship before, not to worry! The Fantasy promises to be an entirely new experience. To be sure, one of the most anticipated arrivals on the Fantasy is the new Animator’s Palate show. Diners are invited to draw a sketch on their placemats only to find, later, their sketch made part of the animation played on the wall of the restaurant.

Also part of the new ship: a nighttime entertainment district, an Aladdin themed show in the main theater, a children’s salon where young passengers can receive a pirate or princess makeover and a cast bronze statue of Minnie Mouse in the ship’s atrium.

The maiden voyage of the Fantasy will depart from Port Canaveral on March 31. The seven-night Caribbean cruises will alternate between Western and Eastern routes with each having a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.

3. Sea Voyager Expeditions

While touring Latin America, voyagers will visit some of the best ecotourism destinations in the world. Forget about pampered excursions and spa treatments, these cruises will give travelers the opportunity to hike, kayak, swim and snorkel. The nine-night itineraries can include as much relaxation or adventure as you like.

Naturalists accompany guests aboard the ship, as do guides, and can lead excursions into rain forests, hidden bays and onto paths less taken. Interact with indigenous peoples and get a true feeling of life in these remote areas. You’ll never take another cruise like it.

If you’re looking for a cruise that’s unlike one you’ve taken previously, look into any of these top choices for 2012. It’s easy to get bored with cruising if you don’t change it up occasionally; these three cruises allow you to do just that.

Author Tanya Peterson resides in NYC and is travel writer as well as a content contributor for watchrepairny.com, a Manhattan provider of fine services such as Rolex watch repair and engraving since 1978.  Tanya enjoys travelling the world in search of unique jewelry finds!