Winter break is just weeks away and some students are already preparing for spring break. Are you already dreading the winter cold and dreaming about spring break 2002? If you have never been on a cruise ship, I would highly recommend a three or four day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. Cruises offer non-stop fun, and there is the potential to meet many new friends. Carnival and Norwegian are two popular lines for short trips; perfect to take a break, soak up some sun, eat great food and get some well-deserved relaxation.

With no airport layovers or long car rides, cruises offer fun en route to your destination.

The fun begins when you board the cruise liner. Guests are greeted by numerous hosts, and often the captain of the vessel, as they set foot on their new home-away-from-home.

Once on board, your worries from the weeks before begin to fade away. No matter what cruise line you travel with, the general format of cruises are similar in nature. Food, entertainment, food, relaxation and food are the key elements of any successful cruise. On the Carnival cruise line, you are issued a “sail and sign” card which enables you to make all purchases onboard cash-free.

Keep your card with you at all times and be sure not to lose it, because photo identification is rarely checked onboard. The card also has your cabin number, dinner assignment and table number listed on it.

Food is generally the most talked about aspect on all cruises. When purchasing a cruise vacation, all food, fruit juices and entertainment are included in the price. Therefore, you can eat at your assigned meal times as well as venture to the 24-hour cafes onboard.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the price of your cruise package. If you are on a budget, it is best to stick with water and juice at all meals. If money is not an issue, the drinks are readily available at all bars on board, including poolside service.

The evening entertainment on a cruise offers something for everyone, in most cases including cigar bars, piano bars, jazz clubs, rock ?n? roll oldies, casino gambling, Las Vegas-style shows, karaoke lounges, Internet cafes and comedy shows, as well as the typical disco where you often find the college-age crowd hanging out.

Once you reach your destination, such as the Catalina Islands or Ensenda, you have the day to venture on land, or you can stay onboard the ship.Some people go on cruises and never step off the ship until they are exiting at the end of the trip. If you?re going to Ensenada however, I would recommend visiting Papas and Beer, where you can make many new friends willing to share a round of cervezas with you.

Even at dinner you have the opportunity to get to know people. On your first evening in the dining room you are seated at a table with three to six other people. These strangers quickly become your new friends as you mingle over nightly three course meals.

Other perks found on cruises include having your own cabin steward, whose main goal is to be sure you do as little housekeeping as possible. Every night your bed is turned down and a chocolate is left on your pillow while you are away at dinner. The cabin steward learns your typical schedule and enters the room after you leave in the morning and again in the afternoon to tidy up.

With all this great service, it?s essential to remember that on the last night of your cruise, gratuities should be left for everyone who assisted you while on your vacation. The following are tip recommendations provided by Carnival Cruise Lines:

Cabin Steward: $10.50 per person

Table Waiters: $10.50 per person

Assistant Waiters: $6 per person

Maitre D? and Head Waiters: No recommendation was made, but it was noted that it is customary to tip them for your dining experiences.

There are many activities on board and those guests who get involved in them often have the best vacation stories to retell later. No matter what cruise line you choose, your experience will be what you make of it.