Today's growing number of cruise lines, ships, itineraries, onboard activities and pricing systems makes it
easier than ever to pick the right cruise for you -- a cruise that's fun and fits your pocketbook.
You can spend as little as $80 a day per person for an inside cabin for two, $150 a day for a cabin with a sea
view or $400 to $500 for a luxury cabin or suite.
You can cruise on a ship with 3,000 other passengers or on a craft with only a few hundred. If you've already
been on the familiar Caribbean routes, consider a cruise to Quebec City (Celebrity Cruises), the California
wine country (American Safari Cruises) or Monte Carlo (SeaDream Yacht Club).
Internet discounters and cruise lines themselves frequently offer cut-rate prices, but it's often wiser to book
through a travel agent, unless you're already familiar with the cruise lines and their ports of call.
Reason: Knowledgeable travel agents can give you information that cruise companies might be reluctant to
share or that Internet sites don't have.
Booking Smart
Tell the travel agent exactly why you want to go on a cruise -- to visit interesting ports, take part in onboard
activities or just to lounge on deck and enjoy the ocean.
Once the agent suggests several cruises, ask...
How large is the vessel? The number of passengers often determines the atmosphere of a cruise.
If you're one of 3,000 passengers, you'll have the opportunity to meet lots of people and participate in a wide
variety of onboard activities.
But it's usually best to choose a much smaller vessel if you're looking for a romantic cruise where you can
dine, dance and stroll the deck with someone you love.
Rule of thumb: Whenever there are more than 1,200 passengers, multiple seatings are likely to make meals
less relaxed.
Who are the other passengers? Cruise lines cater to different types of passengers. Crystal Cruises, for
instance, attracts many passengers over the age of 50. Many cruises cater to parents traveling with their adult
children. Others have activities for kids traveling with their parents or grandparents.
What activities does the cruise offer? They usually include gambling, swimming, exercise classes, dancing,
nightclub entertainment, non-gambling games and lectures on a wide range of subjects.
Examples: History, sea lore and wildlife.
What's the cabin size? Ignore pictures of cabins in brochures and on the Web that make accommodations
appear larger than they actually are. Important: Ask for the actual dimensions and ask about the number and
location of portholes.
Saving Money
Myth: To get a bargain price, you must book a cruise a few days before the ship sales.
Reality: Whenever a cruise isn't fully booked as quickly as the company anticipates, it routinely discounts the
fare, even if the departure date is months away.
Here's how to get the best value for your money...
Don't book cruises when school is out. Discounts are rarely available at these peak periods, and airfares to
the port of departure are also higher.
Moreover, cruises at high seasons are rarely as much fun as they are at other times.
Example: Crowded ships and overworked staffs are the norm for most European cruises in July and August
and for many Caribbean cruises in early January.
Book your own transportation to the port of departure. All lines provide air or transfer services to passengers
of their cruise line. In many cases, allowing your travel agent to make these reservations can provide you with
tremendous savings in the cost of these services.
Ask about the price of shore excursions. Some excursions are well worth the $40 to $200 that they typically
cost, but others are a waste of money. In many port cities, for instance, you can walk or take an inexpensive
taxi to the most interesting areas.
Ask about group rates. Some lines have group rates for organizations or a certain number of people that are
much lower than individual fares. Others offer discounts on the amount of money that group members spend
on board.
Find out what's included in the price. Some cruise lines include beverages, games and entertainment in their
prices -- others don't.
If you plan to drink alcoholic beverages on a cruise, consider bringing some of your own or buying a bottle at
your first port. Also pack some soft drink mixes, especially if you travel with children who might charge several
sodas a day to your bill.
Bringing drinks of your own can mean a huge savings because most cruise lines charge high prices for
them.
Example: A couple who enjoys several soft drinks during the day and a cocktail or two in the evening can
easily spend $300 to $400 on beverages on a week-long cruise.
Staying Healthy
Cruise ships occasionally report incidents where a large number of passengers become ill, often with
stomach problems. Though there are no complete statistics available, it's doubtful that you're more likely to
become ill on a cruise ship than at any restaurant. Recommended…
Purchase travel insurance just in case. It should cover medical expenses, including evacuation if needed.
Most policies also cover travel delays and loss of luggage. Typicalprice: $20 to $30 a day.
If you're concerned about tobacco smoke, choose a cruise that limits smoking to certain areas of the ship.
Seasickness
Don't necessarily give up on a cruise because you're vulnerable to seasickness. To reduce the chance of
becoming ill…
Book cruises on large vessels, which are less susceptible to the movements that cause seasickness.
Don't sail at a time of year when waters may be rough. Example: November in the Caribbean. Travel agents
who book cruises are usually knowledgeable on the subject.
Ask your doctor to prescribe a medication for motion sickness.
Consider a cruise on the Mississippi River (Delta Queen Steamboat Co., www.deltaqueen.com, 800-543-
1949). These cruises are as stable as boat rides can be.
Cruises: More Fun and Enjoyable Than Ever
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