Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What Size Cruise Ship is Right for You? - SmarterTravel.com
What Size Cruise Ship is Right for You? - SmarterTravel.com: "What Size Cruise Ship is Right for You?"
Friday, November 20, 2009
Beware of cruise ships’ public restrooms - Cruising- msnbc.com
Beware of cruise ships’ public restrooms - Cruising- msnbc.com: "Beware of cruise ships’ public restrooms"
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Travel | Sightseeing made easy on Europe cruise | Seattle Times Newspaper
Travel | Sightseeing made easy on Europe cruise | Seattle Times Newspaper: "Sightseeing made easy on Europe cruise"
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Top Five Baby-Friendly Cruise Lines - SmarterTravel.com
Top Five Baby-Friendly Cruise Lines - SmarterTravel.com: "Top Five Baby-Friendly Cruise Lines"
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Avoid Cruise Travel Scams to Save Time, Money, and Hassle - SmarterTravel.com
Avoid Cruise Travel Scams to Save Time, Money, and Hassle - SmarterTravel.com: "Avoid Cruise Travel Scams to Save Time, Money, and Hassle"
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Best Small Cruise Ships - SmarterTravel.com
Best Small Cruise Ships - SmarterTravel.com: "Best Small Cruise Ships"
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What Cruise Ship Butlers Will Do for You - SmarterTravel.com
What Cruise Ship Butlers Will Do for You - SmarterTravel.com: "What Cruise Ship Butlers Will Do for You"
Monday, August 24, 2009
Affordable Yacht Vacations: What You Need to Know
Affordable Yacht Vacations: What You Need to Know: "Affordable Yacht Vacations: What You Need to Know"
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Hidden Costs of Cruising - Cruises - Cruise Critic
Hidden Costs of Cruising - Cruises - Cruise Critic: "Hidden Costs of Cruising"
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Top 10 river cruises - Cruising- msnbc.com
Top 10 river cruises - Cruising- msnbc.com: "Top 10 river cruises"
Another major cruise line snuffs out smoking in cabins, casinos - Cruise Log - USATODAY.com
Another major cruise line snuffs out smoking in cabins, casinos - Cruise Log - USATODAY.com: "Another major cruise line snuffs out smoking in cabins, casinos"
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Top 10 Europe Cruise Ports
Smarter Travel
by Carolyn Spencer Brown, Cruise Critic - July 28, 2009
From Rome to Stockholm, Venice to Brugge, our sister site Cruise Critic's European Hot List offers an opinionated take on the best of the best of Europe's most fabulous ports.
What are your favorites? Scroll down to the comments section and tell us about the European ports you love most (whether they're Baltic, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean, close to home, or even somewhat farther afield—such as the Canaries and Northern Africa), and offer us some detail about what you love most about them!
1. Rome
Best Small Pleasure: Eating and drinking at one of the city's famous piazzas, like Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, or Campo dei Fiori; particularly delicious are the pastas (particularly the carbonara), pizzas and gelatos, though many cafes only serve pizza for dinner. Wash 'em down with a glass of the house wine—white or red Italian wines always taste delicious.
Biggest Surprise: Stumbling across some of Rome's most famous monuments by accident while meandering along winding, narrow streets when, suddenly, there's the Pantheon, the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps; or the neighborhood of Trastevere, with its funky boutiques and numerous sidewalk cafes.
Touristy but Fabulous: A pilgrimage to St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel in Vatican City
2. Barcelona
Best Small Pleasure: A plate of tapas. Strolling along the beach in the fishing village of Barceloneta. An afternoon siesta.
Biggest Surprise: That Barcelona's most famous cathedral—La Sagrada Familia, designed by native son Antoni Gaudi—is still unfinished more than 75 years after his death. Most fascinating was wandering around a cathedral-in-progress (as construction workers ply their trade around you) and also climbing the 365-winding, turret-esque stairs of the bell towers for a marvelous view.
Touristy but Fabulous: Wandering along Las Ramblas, Barcelona's famed pedestrian boulevard and sipping wine at one of its numerous cafes. Also, make sure to visit Las Ramblas' Boqueria, Barcelona's fabulous food market, and Museu Picasso, not just for its collection of the artist's work but also the 15th-century palace that houses them.
3. Venice
Best Small Pleasure: Tucking into a cheap—but delicious—plate of pasta with a local wine at one of the city's numerous trattorias (Tip: Generally, the farther away from San Marco Square, the less touristy they are).
Biggest Surprise: Riding the vaporreto—a water version of a city bus—around the city. Exploring the nearby island of Guidecca (where the "real" locals live).
Touristy but Fabulous: San Marco Square is awesome! During the height of summer, try to visit early before it gets too crowded (and wear a hat in case one of the ubiquitous pigeons, well, you know). Riding in a gondola, at sunset, with a tenor belting out Italian arias.
4. Paris
Best Small Pleasure: Watching the world go by from a vantage point at one of Paris' innumerable sidewalk cafes.
Biggest Surprise: As big as Paris can seem, it's really just a collection of neighborhoods. With limited time to explore, pick a neighborhood and poke around its nooks, crannies, cathedrals, shops, parks, and museums. Taking a Turkish bath at the Hammam in La Grande Mosquee, then finishing off with a mint tea in the Moorish cafe next door.
Touristy but Fabulous: Riding to the top of Eiffel Tower. The Grand Louvre for a glimpse at the Mona Lisa (and everything else in the world's biggest art museum). Haute chic shopping on the Avenue Montaigne (Chanel, Dior, Ungaro), Faubourg St-Honore (Gucci, Chloe, Hermes), and the Left Bank (Giorgio Armani, Yves St-Laurent, and Louis Vuitton).
5. Brugge
Best Small Pleasure: Supping at a sidewalk cafe on Belgium's classic moules' frites (mussels and fries), washed down with a local beer.
Biggest Surprise: The canals! You can take a boat ride that winds in and out of some fairly off-the-beaten-track (and quite beautiful) parts of Brugge.
Touristy but Fabulous: Hanging out in any of the town's numerous squares—people-watching, eating and drinking, and shopping for lace and chocolate.
6. St. Petersburg
Best Small Pleasure: Dining on Chicken Kiev at the Grand Hotel's sidewalk cafe just off vibrant Nevsky Prospekt. Strolling through the park opposite St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Biggest Surprise: St. Isaac's Cathedral, a splendid mid-19th century Orthodox church with highlights that include mosaic murals, granite pillars, and marble floors; its immense gold dome can be seen for miles around. St. Petersburg's canals (you can take a boat ride a la Venice).
Touristy but Fabulous: The summer palaces—especially Pavlovsk and Pushkin.
7. Oslo
Best Small Pleasure: The murals in City Hall that depict scenes from life in Norway along with scenes highlighting resistance activities against the Germans there during World War II.
Biggest Surprise: Oslo's got the perfect blend of art and culture, history, and lush scenery (green parks, gorgeous bays, and harbors). It's an outdoor lovers' city that reminds me of America's Seattle.
Touristy but Fabulous: A short boat ride amidst the fjords (even locals occasionally deign to get onboard)
8. London
Best Small Pleasure: Lunching at "gastro" pubs like Chelsea's Cooper's Arms and Foxtrot Oscar.
Biggest Surprise: Gorgeous Kensington Park—head for the lake (you can rent lounge chairs) and don't forget to check out the Princess Diana memorials (flowers, letters) tucked into the wrought iron gate of Kensington Palace.
Touristy but Fabulous: Riding around on the double decker buses (on the top deck!). Riding the London Eye, the city's millennial Ferris wheel. Afternoon cream tea but not necessarily at the famed Ritz; more elegant experiences can be found at olde-British hotels like Brown's. Shopping at the venerable Harrods.
9. Copenhagen
Best Small Pleasure: Kayaking through Copenhagen's canals. Lunch at a sidewalk cafe at Nyhavn beside the canal.
Biggest Surprise: Climbing the seemingly endless spiraling staircase of the historic Round Tower; you can see why Russian Czar Peter the Great actually rode his horse to the top in 1716.
Touristy but Fabulous: Tivoli Gardens is a must-see; there are rides and amusements and restaurants ranging from casual snack shacks to Michelin-starred haute cuisine. If your ship overnights in Copenhagen, go after dark when the park is lit with twinkling lights as it's quite magical. Take a guided tour of Copenhagen, via the canals, by boat.
10. Stockholm
Best Small Pleasure: Strolling along downtown's waterfront promenade.
Biggest Surprise: The Swedish Archipelago. At sunset, as ships sail from the port of Stockholm to the open ocean, they pass through (takes a couple of hours) a gorgeous, glittering string of small islands, green, lush, and largely undeveloped aside from occasional brightly painted wood homes. This view alone is worth booking a balcony cabin.
Touristy but Fabulous:
A city tour from a boat. Gamla Stan, Stockholm's walled, medieval-era old town. Head for Vasterlanggatan, the main drag, and explore from there.
by Carolyn Spencer Brown, Cruise Critic - July 28, 2009
From Rome to Stockholm, Venice to Brugge, our sister site Cruise Critic's European Hot List offers an opinionated take on the best of the best of Europe's most fabulous ports.
What are your favorites? Scroll down to the comments section and tell us about the European ports you love most (whether they're Baltic, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean, close to home, or even somewhat farther afield—such as the Canaries and Northern Africa), and offer us some detail about what you love most about them!
1. Rome
Best Small Pleasure: Eating and drinking at one of the city's famous piazzas, like Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, or Campo dei Fiori; particularly delicious are the pastas (particularly the carbonara), pizzas and gelatos, though many cafes only serve pizza for dinner. Wash 'em down with a glass of the house wine—white or red Italian wines always taste delicious.
Biggest Surprise: Stumbling across some of Rome's most famous monuments by accident while meandering along winding, narrow streets when, suddenly, there's the Pantheon, the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps; or the neighborhood of Trastevere, with its funky boutiques and numerous sidewalk cafes.
Touristy but Fabulous: A pilgrimage to St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel in Vatican City
2. Barcelona
Best Small Pleasure: A plate of tapas. Strolling along the beach in the fishing village of Barceloneta. An afternoon siesta.
Biggest Surprise: That Barcelona's most famous cathedral—La Sagrada Familia, designed by native son Antoni Gaudi—is still unfinished more than 75 years after his death. Most fascinating was wandering around a cathedral-in-progress (as construction workers ply their trade around you) and also climbing the 365-winding, turret-esque stairs of the bell towers for a marvelous view.
Touristy but Fabulous: Wandering along Las Ramblas, Barcelona's famed pedestrian boulevard and sipping wine at one of its numerous cafes. Also, make sure to visit Las Ramblas' Boqueria, Barcelona's fabulous food market, and Museu Picasso, not just for its collection of the artist's work but also the 15th-century palace that houses them.
3. Venice
Best Small Pleasure: Tucking into a cheap—but delicious—plate of pasta with a local wine at one of the city's numerous trattorias (Tip: Generally, the farther away from San Marco Square, the less touristy they are).
Biggest Surprise: Riding the vaporreto—a water version of a city bus—around the city. Exploring the nearby island of Guidecca (where the "real" locals live).
Touristy but Fabulous: San Marco Square is awesome! During the height of summer, try to visit early before it gets too crowded (and wear a hat in case one of the ubiquitous pigeons, well, you know). Riding in a gondola, at sunset, with a tenor belting out Italian arias.
4. Paris
Best Small Pleasure: Watching the world go by from a vantage point at one of Paris' innumerable sidewalk cafes.
Biggest Surprise: As big as Paris can seem, it's really just a collection of neighborhoods. With limited time to explore, pick a neighborhood and poke around its nooks, crannies, cathedrals, shops, parks, and museums. Taking a Turkish bath at the Hammam in La Grande Mosquee, then finishing off with a mint tea in the Moorish cafe next door.
Touristy but Fabulous: Riding to the top of Eiffel Tower. The Grand Louvre for a glimpse at the Mona Lisa (and everything else in the world's biggest art museum). Haute chic shopping on the Avenue Montaigne (Chanel, Dior, Ungaro), Faubourg St-Honore (Gucci, Chloe, Hermes), and the Left Bank (Giorgio Armani, Yves St-Laurent, and Louis Vuitton).
5. Brugge
Best Small Pleasure: Supping at a sidewalk cafe on Belgium's classic moules' frites (mussels and fries), washed down with a local beer.
Biggest Surprise: The canals! You can take a boat ride that winds in and out of some fairly off-the-beaten-track (and quite beautiful) parts of Brugge.
Touristy but Fabulous: Hanging out in any of the town's numerous squares—people-watching, eating and drinking, and shopping for lace and chocolate.
6. St. Petersburg
Best Small Pleasure: Dining on Chicken Kiev at the Grand Hotel's sidewalk cafe just off vibrant Nevsky Prospekt. Strolling through the park opposite St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Biggest Surprise: St. Isaac's Cathedral, a splendid mid-19th century Orthodox church with highlights that include mosaic murals, granite pillars, and marble floors; its immense gold dome can be seen for miles around. St. Petersburg's canals (you can take a boat ride a la Venice).
Touristy but Fabulous: The summer palaces—especially Pavlovsk and Pushkin.
7. Oslo
Best Small Pleasure: The murals in City Hall that depict scenes from life in Norway along with scenes highlighting resistance activities against the Germans there during World War II.
Biggest Surprise: Oslo's got the perfect blend of art and culture, history, and lush scenery (green parks, gorgeous bays, and harbors). It's an outdoor lovers' city that reminds me of America's Seattle.
Touristy but Fabulous: A short boat ride amidst the fjords (even locals occasionally deign to get onboard)
8. London
Best Small Pleasure: Lunching at "gastro" pubs like Chelsea's Cooper's Arms and Foxtrot Oscar.
Biggest Surprise: Gorgeous Kensington Park—head for the lake (you can rent lounge chairs) and don't forget to check out the Princess Diana memorials (flowers, letters) tucked into the wrought iron gate of Kensington Palace.
Touristy but Fabulous: Riding around on the double decker buses (on the top deck!). Riding the London Eye, the city's millennial Ferris wheel. Afternoon cream tea but not necessarily at the famed Ritz; more elegant experiences can be found at olde-British hotels like Brown's. Shopping at the venerable Harrods.
9. Copenhagen
Best Small Pleasure: Kayaking through Copenhagen's canals. Lunch at a sidewalk cafe at Nyhavn beside the canal.
Biggest Surprise: Climbing the seemingly endless spiraling staircase of the historic Round Tower; you can see why Russian Czar Peter the Great actually rode his horse to the top in 1716.
Touristy but Fabulous: Tivoli Gardens is a must-see; there are rides and amusements and restaurants ranging from casual snack shacks to Michelin-starred haute cuisine. If your ship overnights in Copenhagen, go after dark when the park is lit with twinkling lights as it's quite magical. Take a guided tour of Copenhagen, via the canals, by boat.
10. Stockholm
Best Small Pleasure: Strolling along downtown's waterfront promenade.
Biggest Surprise: The Swedish Archipelago. At sunset, as ships sail from the port of Stockholm to the open ocean, they pass through (takes a couple of hours) a gorgeous, glittering string of small islands, green, lush, and largely undeveloped aside from occasional brightly painted wood homes. This view alone is worth booking a balcony cabin.
Touristy but Fabulous:
A city tour from a boat. Gamla Stan, Stockholm's walled, medieval-era old town. Head for Vasterlanggatan, the main drag, and explore from there.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
How to Find a Good Cruise Travel Agent
Smarter Travel
by Kelly Ranson and Erica Silverstein, Cruise Critic - May 12, 2009
So, you've decided to go on a cruise—perhaps your first venture on a vacation at sea—and you're a little overwhelmed. You have to consider how much you're willing to pay, whether to book an inexpensive inside cabin or splurge on a suite, and which cruise line and ship are right for you. Add dinner seatings, shore excursions, and cabin location to the list, and planning a relaxing getaway suddenly seems like a second job.
In the age of the Internet, many people assume that online is the only way to book travel. But, as booking online can often be confusing, a travel agent may be just what you need. In fact, according to the Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study, nearly 75 percent of cruise travelers book their cruises through travel agents.
One of the most important things to know is that agents—in particular, cruise specialists—have been onboard the ships and can really give you first-hand advice about different cruise options. They have done a great deal of research through familiarization trips and cruise-line seminars, so you don't have to do the work yourself. Even better, agents often have access to special discounts or perks—or know best where to find them—and as the cruise lines pay their commissions, you don't pay more for their services and expertise.
Still undecided, or unsure where to find an agent to help you? Here are a few tips to get you started.
Reasons to Consider a Travel Agent
If you're used to booking travel independently, consider these reasons why you might want to make use of a travel agent to book your next holiday at sea.
Choosing a Cruise: For your first cruise, you may need help in matching your lifestyle and budget with a cruise line and destination. Choosing a cruise is not the same as picking a hotel or flight, as there are many more options to consider.
For example, do you want to cruise close to home from ports like New York, Miami, Galveston, or Seattle, or are you willing to fly to Europe for Mediterranean and Baltic sailings? Would you be happier on a large ship—such as Royal Caribbean's 154,407-ton, 3,634-passenger Freedom of the Seas—or on a smaller, more intimate ship—like Seabourn's 10,000-ton, 208-passenger Seabourn Pride? Do you prefer a casual and lively vibe, as is found on Carnival Cruise Lines, or a more formal atmosphere, such as Silversea's?
Remember, you won't just be using the ship as a home base, like you do with a hotel; it will be your home, restaurant, and entertainment venue for a week or more. The right ship and itinerary can make your vacation that much more enjoyable—and an agent can help you determine the best selection for your tastes. In addition, an agent can answer any questions or assuage any apprehensions you might have about taking a cruise for the first time.
Shopping for Great Deals: Contrary to what you might expect, travel agents may actually be able to get you better deals than Internet retailers or even the cruise lines themselves. The best travel agents have access to discounted group rates and exclusive cruise pricing that's not found anywhere else. In addition, agents occasionally give you extra value on your booking—such as prepaid gratuities, a free bottle of Champagne, or onboard credit—to sweeten the deal. And if the price of your cruise drops after you book, a good agent will notice and refund you the difference in fare. Finally, as cruise lines pay agent commissions, you don't have to worry about paying extra for their planning services.
Booking the Trip: Once you've chosen your cruise and, with the agent's help, matched your style with your vacation goals, you've got to book the trip. Again, it's a bit more complex than you might think, but a good agent will make the process go smoothly—from securing the right cabin type and location to booking the dinner seating that will suit you and your party. Your agent will also be able to sort out travel insurance, if required, and will collect payment for the cruise (usually a deposit at the time of booking and the full amount 60 to 90 days before departure). In addition, the agent can help you with the rest of your travel plans, such as pre- or post-cruise stays, airfare, and transfers.
Special Requirements: If you have special needs of any kind—whether it's help in arranging a wedding ceremony onboard, ordering gluten-free or kosher meals, or dealing with accessibility issues—a qualified agent should be able to make the proper arrangements for you or advise you on how to handle the issue yourself.
Establishing Relationships: Booking with a travel agent gives your transaction a personal touch—you have a resource for asking questions and someone to contact if something goes wrong during your travels. But your relationship with an agent doesn't tend to end after one trip. The agent will keep you in his or her database, alert you to deals or sales, and can even suggest future trip ideas.
How to Select a Travel Agent
So how do you find the right travel agent for you? Look for the following:
Training and Credentials: Many agents become accredited cruise counselors through CLIA's Cruise Academy or take courses through the different cruise lines to become more expert at selling their products. Inquire whether the agent has attended any of these training programs. In addition, you can look for affiliations with the National Association of Cruise Oriented Agencies (NACOA), Better Business Bureau (BBB), American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), or even the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Cruising Experience and Knowledge: Question the agents on cruising trends or up-and-coming destinations, and ask them to explain the differences between cruise lines. Find out how many cruises they've taken that year and with which lines they've personally cruised. The more knowledgeable an agent is, the better advice you'll get. If the agent has rarely cruised, you might want to take your business elsewhere. In addition, you might want to look for an agent who is a cruise specialist—either at a cruise-dedicated agency or within a larger general agency—to get the best service.
Inventory/Niche: If you're interested in a specific type of cruising (such as river cruising or luxury travel), look for agencies that specialize in the line or type of cruising you prefer. They'll often have more complete knowledge of your choices than a generalist. For example, if you want to cruise one of Europe's rivers in an intimate barge or riverboat, you may not want to book with an agent who specializes in selling holidays on 3,000-person mega-ships.
Interview: The best cruise agents will do a thorough job of interviewing potential clients to find out which ship, line, and itinerary would be the best fit. In that initial interview, they should ask you what kind of vacation you normally take (beach, city, active, for example), who is going (family, couple, singles), your travel style (entertainment and activity preferences, dining habits), and your budget.
Cruise Line Connections: Find out if the travel agent has preferred status with any cruise lines or whether he or she belongs to travel consortiums that would enable him or her to get you better deals, upgrades, etc. But watch out—some agents will push a particular line too aggressively for your tastes. You don't want to get caught in an agent's agenda if the cruise line isn't right for you.
Special Offers: Look for agents offering discounts, free perks, and other incentives. If you don't see a sign or advertisement, always ask—the agent may have fabulous offers the cruise lines won't let him or her publicize. In addition, ask if the agent can meet or beat the best price you've seen elsewhere.
Size: You can book a cruise through a huge travel retailer with branches around the country, a local cruise agency, or even a home-based agent who will talk cruising with you at your local coffee shop. You'll find pros and cons of working with the different types of agencies; for example, you might get more personal service from an independent agent but better deals from a large company with a high volume of bookings. Shop around and see what size fits your needs best.
How to Locate an Agent
If you'd like to book a cruise through a travel agent, you can pop into a downtown storefront or search for cruise sellers online. If you want to look for agents registered with travel organizations, here are some resources for finding agencies near you.
Cruise Lines International Association: You can search for a CLIA-certified travel agent on the organization's website. Use the search tool to locate agents in your area with a variety of levels of CLIA training.
American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA): Use ASTA's consumer website to locate a travel agent who has agreed to conduct their business activities in accordance with the organization's code of ethics.
When to Go it Alone
Using a travel agent isn't always necessary. Here's how to determine if it's okay to book on your own.
You're Experienced: If you have cruised before and know exactly what you want—the cruise line, destination, duration, and cabin—booking on the Internet can be quite easy. Most online cruise retailers have comprehensive search functions, as well as pages that list their best or newest deals. Many also offer additional resources, such as deck plans, photos, and reviews. A step-by-step process will guide you through the booking and payment procedures.
You're Independent: If you're a do-it-yourself type, and you have the time and inclination to thoroughly research your own trip using resources like our sister site Cruise Critic, then go right ahead. For many of us, planning is half the fun of taking a trip.
If you'd like help planning or booking ytour cruise, please contact World Travel Warehouse
by Kelly Ranson and Erica Silverstein, Cruise Critic - May 12, 2009
So, you've decided to go on a cruise—perhaps your first venture on a vacation at sea—and you're a little overwhelmed. You have to consider how much you're willing to pay, whether to book an inexpensive inside cabin or splurge on a suite, and which cruise line and ship are right for you. Add dinner seatings, shore excursions, and cabin location to the list, and planning a relaxing getaway suddenly seems like a second job.
In the age of the Internet, many people assume that online is the only way to book travel. But, as booking online can often be confusing, a travel agent may be just what you need. In fact, according to the Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study, nearly 75 percent of cruise travelers book their cruises through travel agents.
One of the most important things to know is that agents—in particular, cruise specialists—have been onboard the ships and can really give you first-hand advice about different cruise options. They have done a great deal of research through familiarization trips and cruise-line seminars, so you don't have to do the work yourself. Even better, agents often have access to special discounts or perks—or know best where to find them—and as the cruise lines pay their commissions, you don't pay more for their services and expertise.
Still undecided, or unsure where to find an agent to help you? Here are a few tips to get you started.
Reasons to Consider a Travel Agent
If you're used to booking travel independently, consider these reasons why you might want to make use of a travel agent to book your next holiday at sea.
Choosing a Cruise: For your first cruise, you may need help in matching your lifestyle and budget with a cruise line and destination. Choosing a cruise is not the same as picking a hotel or flight, as there are many more options to consider.
For example, do you want to cruise close to home from ports like New York, Miami, Galveston, or Seattle, or are you willing to fly to Europe for Mediterranean and Baltic sailings? Would you be happier on a large ship—such as Royal Caribbean's 154,407-ton, 3,634-passenger Freedom of the Seas—or on a smaller, more intimate ship—like Seabourn's 10,000-ton, 208-passenger Seabourn Pride? Do you prefer a casual and lively vibe, as is found on Carnival Cruise Lines, or a more formal atmosphere, such as Silversea's?
Remember, you won't just be using the ship as a home base, like you do with a hotel; it will be your home, restaurant, and entertainment venue for a week or more. The right ship and itinerary can make your vacation that much more enjoyable—and an agent can help you determine the best selection for your tastes. In addition, an agent can answer any questions or assuage any apprehensions you might have about taking a cruise for the first time.
Shopping for Great Deals: Contrary to what you might expect, travel agents may actually be able to get you better deals than Internet retailers or even the cruise lines themselves. The best travel agents have access to discounted group rates and exclusive cruise pricing that's not found anywhere else. In addition, agents occasionally give you extra value on your booking—such as prepaid gratuities, a free bottle of Champagne, or onboard credit—to sweeten the deal. And if the price of your cruise drops after you book, a good agent will notice and refund you the difference in fare. Finally, as cruise lines pay agent commissions, you don't have to worry about paying extra for their planning services.
Booking the Trip: Once you've chosen your cruise and, with the agent's help, matched your style with your vacation goals, you've got to book the trip. Again, it's a bit more complex than you might think, but a good agent will make the process go smoothly—from securing the right cabin type and location to booking the dinner seating that will suit you and your party. Your agent will also be able to sort out travel insurance, if required, and will collect payment for the cruise (usually a deposit at the time of booking and the full amount 60 to 90 days before departure). In addition, the agent can help you with the rest of your travel plans, such as pre- or post-cruise stays, airfare, and transfers.
Special Requirements: If you have special needs of any kind—whether it's help in arranging a wedding ceremony onboard, ordering gluten-free or kosher meals, or dealing with accessibility issues—a qualified agent should be able to make the proper arrangements for you or advise you on how to handle the issue yourself.
Establishing Relationships: Booking with a travel agent gives your transaction a personal touch—you have a resource for asking questions and someone to contact if something goes wrong during your travels. But your relationship with an agent doesn't tend to end after one trip. The agent will keep you in his or her database, alert you to deals or sales, and can even suggest future trip ideas.
How to Select a Travel Agent
So how do you find the right travel agent for you? Look for the following:
Training and Credentials: Many agents become accredited cruise counselors through CLIA's Cruise Academy or take courses through the different cruise lines to become more expert at selling their products. Inquire whether the agent has attended any of these training programs. In addition, you can look for affiliations with the National Association of Cruise Oriented Agencies (NACOA), Better Business Bureau (BBB), American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), or even the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Cruising Experience and Knowledge: Question the agents on cruising trends or up-and-coming destinations, and ask them to explain the differences between cruise lines. Find out how many cruises they've taken that year and with which lines they've personally cruised. The more knowledgeable an agent is, the better advice you'll get. If the agent has rarely cruised, you might want to take your business elsewhere. In addition, you might want to look for an agent who is a cruise specialist—either at a cruise-dedicated agency or within a larger general agency—to get the best service.
Inventory/Niche: If you're interested in a specific type of cruising (such as river cruising or luxury travel), look for agencies that specialize in the line or type of cruising you prefer. They'll often have more complete knowledge of your choices than a generalist. For example, if you want to cruise one of Europe's rivers in an intimate barge or riverboat, you may not want to book with an agent who specializes in selling holidays on 3,000-person mega-ships.
Interview: The best cruise agents will do a thorough job of interviewing potential clients to find out which ship, line, and itinerary would be the best fit. In that initial interview, they should ask you what kind of vacation you normally take (beach, city, active, for example), who is going (family, couple, singles), your travel style (entertainment and activity preferences, dining habits), and your budget.
Cruise Line Connections: Find out if the travel agent has preferred status with any cruise lines or whether he or she belongs to travel consortiums that would enable him or her to get you better deals, upgrades, etc. But watch out—some agents will push a particular line too aggressively for your tastes. You don't want to get caught in an agent's agenda if the cruise line isn't right for you.
Special Offers: Look for agents offering discounts, free perks, and other incentives. If you don't see a sign or advertisement, always ask—the agent may have fabulous offers the cruise lines won't let him or her publicize. In addition, ask if the agent can meet or beat the best price you've seen elsewhere.
Size: You can book a cruise through a huge travel retailer with branches around the country, a local cruise agency, or even a home-based agent who will talk cruising with you at your local coffee shop. You'll find pros and cons of working with the different types of agencies; for example, you might get more personal service from an independent agent but better deals from a large company with a high volume of bookings. Shop around and see what size fits your needs best.
How to Locate an Agent
If you'd like to book a cruise through a travel agent, you can pop into a downtown storefront or search for cruise sellers online. If you want to look for agents registered with travel organizations, here are some resources for finding agencies near you.
Cruise Lines International Association: You can search for a CLIA-certified travel agent on the organization's website. Use the search tool to locate agents in your area with a variety of levels of CLIA training.
American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA): Use ASTA's consumer website to locate a travel agent who has agreed to conduct their business activities in accordance with the organization's code of ethics.
When to Go it Alone
Using a travel agent isn't always necessary. Here's how to determine if it's okay to book on your own.
You're Experienced: If you have cruised before and know exactly what you want—the cruise line, destination, duration, and cabin—booking on the Internet can be quite easy. Most online cruise retailers have comprehensive search functions, as well as pages that list their best or newest deals. Many also offer additional resources, such as deck plans, photos, and reviews. A step-by-step process will guide you through the booking and payment procedures.
You're Independent: If you're a do-it-yourself type, and you have the time and inclination to thoroughly research your own trip using resources like our sister site Cruise Critic, then go right ahead. For many of us, planning is half the fun of taking a trip.
If you'd like help planning or booking ytour cruise, please contact World Travel Warehouse
Monday, April 20, 2009
Is That Cruise Deal Too Good to be True?
Smarter Travel
AskEd & AnswerEd
by Ed Perkins - April 17, 2009
Some of the cruise deals you see these days seem too good to be true. Whether you get them by email, see them online, or see a print ad, lots of cruises—on good ships—are going for under $100 a day per person, some are going for as little as $50 a day, and even some outside and "balcony" cabins are going at near those prices. A reader recently asked the simple question:
"Are those cruise deals we see real, or are they bait & switch come-ons?"
The short answer is that they're real—well, almost real—provided you understand the economics of cruising. You do face a few mandatory extras, but they're within reason; it's the optional extras that can gouge you.
The Base prices
In early April, I saw great deals from several of the big online cruise agencies, such as and Vacations to Go. Among the best deals was an Alaskan trip, from Whittier (Anchorage) to Vancouver, May 16, starting at $349 per person inside, $379 outside, and $599 balcony. Those are all at least 67% below brochure rates. Other good deals started at $499 per person, seven nights, Western Caribbean from Miami, May 2; $599 per person, seven nights, Western Mediterranean from Pisa, May 16; and $599 per person, seven nights, Mexican Riviera from Long Beach, May 3.
I also saw lots of good deals for later in the summer peak season and into the fall, but none quite so low as the last-minute rates available for sailings within a month to six weeks. That's par for the course.
It's too late to book most spring transatlantic repositioning cruises from the U.S. and the Caribbean to Europe. The next good transatlantic deals will be returning from Europe this fall.
How Do the Cruise Lines Do It?
These days, cruise line pricing is sort of like the pricing you find on some of the most tight-fisted low-fare airlines: Sell the basic product cheap and make your profit on the extras. Thus, cruise lines try to sell as many cabins as they can at brochure or near-brochure rates, then top off their empties with last-minute discount deals. In some cases, those deals can be almost unbelievable: A few weeks ago I heard about travelers, at the port just disembarking from a $4000 cruise, who were offered a second cruise leaving that same day for $500.
According to some recent trade sources, with today's squeezes on costs and revenues, the break-even occupancy rate on some mass market lines is 100%. They make their profits on the extras.
Extras You Can't Avoid
No matter what you do, you can't really cruise for the hyped per-day prices. You have to pay at least two extras that the cruise lines don't pocket for themselves:
Tipping, although nominally "voluntary," is a virtual necessity. The mass-market lines generally recommend a total of $10-$12 per person per day, to a mix of cabin attendants and restaurant staff; more for "special" services. A few lines assess mandatory tipping or service charges—theoretically a good idea, but not unless it's coupled with a strict "no extra tipping" policy, and it generally isn't. Here's a useful online guide to cruise tipping.
Port taxes and immigration/customs fees collected on behalf of various port and government agencies are extra, just like airport taxes, although they generally add only a few dollars a day. Fortunately, the big cruise lines no longer do what they once did: split the true fare into a low-ball featured price plus a big phony "port charge" that really went to the cruise line.
As of last December, most of the big cruise lines had eliminated fuel surcharges. All told, the unavoidable extras are generally modest.
Extras You Can Avoid
The avoidable extras are those that the cruise lines do pocket for themselves or split with someone else. Those lines are generating significant profits by a combination of adding fees to features that once were "free" and by imposing big markups on optional expenditures:
Several lines have instituted extra fees to eat at some onboard "gourmet" dining rooms, surcharges for some menu items in the remaining dining rooms, and fees to use some of the ships' recreational facilities.
Merchandise at a ship's "boutiques" generally carries a stiff markup—more than you'd pay at a conventional retailer.
Beer, wine, and liquor, once sold at "duty free" prices, are now marked up to fancy-bar price levels. And most lines forbid you from bringing your own bottles aboard (although I suspect that lots of cruisers manage to circumvent this rule).
Almost all casinos are big moneymakers, and cruise ship casinos are rumored to be less generous than those in, say, Las Vegas or Laughlin.
You're apt to be constantly pestered to pose for ship photographers, and then buy the pictures at inflated prices.
Shore excursions are marked up well beyond the price you'd pay by arranging your own tour after you arrive. We've previously covered shore excursions in greater detail; the risk you face in organizing your own tour is that if you're delayed, the ship won't wait for you.
Clearly, you can avoid any or all of these optional extras. However, avoiding all of them may limit your cruise experience to an unacceptable degree.
Buyers' Guide
The longstanding suggestion to potential cruise travelers—buy very early or very late—appears to remain valid:
For maximum choice and flexibility, buy early enough to take advantage of "early bird" discounts offered by many cruise lines.
For bottom prices, wait for really good last-minute discounts, generally a month to six weeks before sailing.
Buying late requires a bit more flexibility: The number of ships, destinations, and itineraries available at rock-bottom last-minute rates is typically limited
AskEd & AnswerEd
by Ed Perkins - April 17, 2009
Some of the cruise deals you see these days seem too good to be true. Whether you get them by email, see them online, or see a print ad, lots of cruises—on good ships—are going for under $100 a day per person, some are going for as little as $50 a day, and even some outside and "balcony" cabins are going at near those prices. A reader recently asked the simple question:
"Are those cruise deals we see real, or are they bait & switch come-ons?"
The short answer is that they're real—well, almost real—provided you understand the economics of cruising. You do face a few mandatory extras, but they're within reason; it's the optional extras that can gouge you.
The Base prices
In early April, I saw great deals from several of the big online cruise agencies, such as and Vacations to Go. Among the best deals was an Alaskan trip, from Whittier (Anchorage) to Vancouver, May 16, starting at $349 per person inside, $379 outside, and $599 balcony. Those are all at least 67% below brochure rates. Other good deals started at $499 per person, seven nights, Western Caribbean from Miami, May 2; $599 per person, seven nights, Western Mediterranean from Pisa, May 16; and $599 per person, seven nights, Mexican Riviera from Long Beach, May 3.
I also saw lots of good deals for later in the summer peak season and into the fall, but none quite so low as the last-minute rates available for sailings within a month to six weeks. That's par for the course.
It's too late to book most spring transatlantic repositioning cruises from the U.S. and the Caribbean to Europe. The next good transatlantic deals will be returning from Europe this fall.
How Do the Cruise Lines Do It?
These days, cruise line pricing is sort of like the pricing you find on some of the most tight-fisted low-fare airlines: Sell the basic product cheap and make your profit on the extras. Thus, cruise lines try to sell as many cabins as they can at brochure or near-brochure rates, then top off their empties with last-minute discount deals. In some cases, those deals can be almost unbelievable: A few weeks ago I heard about travelers, at the port just disembarking from a $4000 cruise, who were offered a second cruise leaving that same day for $500.
According to some recent trade sources, with today's squeezes on costs and revenues, the break-even occupancy rate on some mass market lines is 100%. They make their profits on the extras.
Extras You Can't Avoid
No matter what you do, you can't really cruise for the hyped per-day prices. You have to pay at least two extras that the cruise lines don't pocket for themselves:
Tipping, although nominally "voluntary," is a virtual necessity. The mass-market lines generally recommend a total of $10-$12 per person per day, to a mix of cabin attendants and restaurant staff; more for "special" services. A few lines assess mandatory tipping or service charges—theoretically a good idea, but not unless it's coupled with a strict "no extra tipping" policy, and it generally isn't. Here's a useful online guide to cruise tipping.
Port taxes and immigration/customs fees collected on behalf of various port and government agencies are extra, just like airport taxes, although they generally add only a few dollars a day. Fortunately, the big cruise lines no longer do what they once did: split the true fare into a low-ball featured price plus a big phony "port charge" that really went to the cruise line.
As of last December, most of the big cruise lines had eliminated fuel surcharges. All told, the unavoidable extras are generally modest.
Extras You Can Avoid
The avoidable extras are those that the cruise lines do pocket for themselves or split with someone else. Those lines are generating significant profits by a combination of adding fees to features that once were "free" and by imposing big markups on optional expenditures:
Several lines have instituted extra fees to eat at some onboard "gourmet" dining rooms, surcharges for some menu items in the remaining dining rooms, and fees to use some of the ships' recreational facilities.
Merchandise at a ship's "boutiques" generally carries a stiff markup—more than you'd pay at a conventional retailer.
Beer, wine, and liquor, once sold at "duty free" prices, are now marked up to fancy-bar price levels. And most lines forbid you from bringing your own bottles aboard (although I suspect that lots of cruisers manage to circumvent this rule).
Almost all casinos are big moneymakers, and cruise ship casinos are rumored to be less generous than those in, say, Las Vegas or Laughlin.
You're apt to be constantly pestered to pose for ship photographers, and then buy the pictures at inflated prices.
Shore excursions are marked up well beyond the price you'd pay by arranging your own tour after you arrive. We've previously covered shore excursions in greater detail; the risk you face in organizing your own tour is that if you're delayed, the ship won't wait for you.
Clearly, you can avoid any or all of these optional extras. However, avoiding all of them may limit your cruise experience to an unacceptable degree.
Buyers' Guide
The longstanding suggestion to potential cruise travelers—buy very early or very late—appears to remain valid:
For maximum choice and flexibility, buy early enough to take advantage of "early bird" discounts offered by many cruise lines.
For bottom prices, wait for really good last-minute discounts, generally a month to six weeks before sailing.
Buying late requires a bit more flexibility: The number of ships, destinations, and itineraries available at rock-bottom last-minute rates is typically limited
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Best Cruise Ship Sundecks
Smarter Travel
by Teijo Niemela, Cruise Critic Contributor - March 24, 2009
Cruise ship sundecks are popular hangouts for most passengers, but over the years, they've also been the source of much controversy. We've all been there: longing for a nice, long nap in the Caribbean sunshine or a dip in a refreshing pool, only to find our peaceful mentality destroyed by chair hogs (people who reserve deck chairs, then disappear for hours, preventing you from finding an empty lounger), crowded whirlpools, and rowdy kids splashing away—not to mention incredibly juvenile pool games, hosted by the entertainment staff (hairy chest contest, anyone?).
But, as cruise ships become larger and lines compete to offer the most innovative onboard amenities, sundecks—the top-deck areas of ships, more traditionally used as magnets for daytime activities—are undergoing revolutionary changes. The simplistic "one deck, one pool" mindset of the 90s has given way to modern multipool complexes—including thalassotherapy pools, adult-only pools, kiddie pools, and even waterslides. Need personal space or an escape from the poolside hubbub? On Celebrity Solstice, you can chill out in a field of real grass on the top deck of the ship. And, on all three Oceania ships and Holland America's (HAL) Eurodam, you can rent private cabanas.
The bottom line? Cruise lines are now designing pool areas that mirror on-land resorts—the best of which have always offered fabulous (and sometimes even fantastical) pool and sunning areas.
I note a few emerging trends:
The spa has headed outdoors. No longer are peaceful retreats and thalassotherapy pools hidden in the bowels of the spa. Princess' newest ships (and, soon, all of its ships) offer a new twist on the concept with The Sanctuary. This area, housed all the way forward and encircling the Lotus Spa pool a deck below, features gorgeous Italian chaise lounges, two cabanas for alfresco massages, MP3 players (with mostly relaxing music) for rent, and a special healthy menu—with waiters to fetch the food and drink. It's been so popular on Crown, Emerald, and Ruby Princess that it fills up fast—even with a $15 per half-day surcharge. Celebrity Solstice's solarium is an adults-only oasis with soothing water features, peaceful whirlpools, and a main pool large enough for laps. Or, book a spa treatment on one of Oceania's three ships, and you'll get an hour's access to a private sundeck with padded loungers and a thalassotherapy pool for some in-the-sun peace.
To solve cruisers' number one pet peeve—overcrowded sundecks with no free lounge chairs—lines like Oceania and Holland America offer private cabanas for rent. On HAL's Eurodam, you can choose from cabanas located poolside or in The Retreat, a sundeck exclusive to cabana renters. Inside your private tent, you'll find wicker couches and chairs, complimentary snacks—like fruit skewers—and Evian spray misters. Oceania's cabanas feature teak double loungers with terry-covered cushions, and waitstaff will bring in food from the poolside grill (including milkshakes!) or afternoon tea.
Sundecks have also turned into fun decks. Waterslides can be found on many Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Carnival ships (with more being added, thanks to Carnival's Evolutions of Fun refurbishments). Royal Caribbean pioneered the concept of an onboard water park for kids on its Freedom-class ships, and even upscale Celebrity Solstice has a fountain, in which both adults and kids can cool off. Think that shuffleboard is the only fun thing to do top-of-ship? Now sundecks feature entire sports decks with rock-climbing walls, paddle tennis courts, life-size chess games, mini-golf and, on Royal Caribbean, onboard surfing.
FULL STORY
by Teijo Niemela, Cruise Critic Contributor - March 24, 2009
Cruise ship sundecks are popular hangouts for most passengers, but over the years, they've also been the source of much controversy. We've all been there: longing for a nice, long nap in the Caribbean sunshine or a dip in a refreshing pool, only to find our peaceful mentality destroyed by chair hogs (people who reserve deck chairs, then disappear for hours, preventing you from finding an empty lounger), crowded whirlpools, and rowdy kids splashing away—not to mention incredibly juvenile pool games, hosted by the entertainment staff (hairy chest contest, anyone?).
But, as cruise ships become larger and lines compete to offer the most innovative onboard amenities, sundecks—the top-deck areas of ships, more traditionally used as magnets for daytime activities—are undergoing revolutionary changes. The simplistic "one deck, one pool" mindset of the 90s has given way to modern multipool complexes—including thalassotherapy pools, adult-only pools, kiddie pools, and even waterslides. Need personal space or an escape from the poolside hubbub? On Celebrity Solstice, you can chill out in a field of real grass on the top deck of the ship. And, on all three Oceania ships and Holland America's (HAL) Eurodam, you can rent private cabanas.
The bottom line? Cruise lines are now designing pool areas that mirror on-land resorts—the best of which have always offered fabulous (and sometimes even fantastical) pool and sunning areas.
I note a few emerging trends:
The spa has headed outdoors. No longer are peaceful retreats and thalassotherapy pools hidden in the bowels of the spa. Princess' newest ships (and, soon, all of its ships) offer a new twist on the concept with The Sanctuary. This area, housed all the way forward and encircling the Lotus Spa pool a deck below, features gorgeous Italian chaise lounges, two cabanas for alfresco massages, MP3 players (with mostly relaxing music) for rent, and a special healthy menu—with waiters to fetch the food and drink. It's been so popular on Crown, Emerald, and Ruby Princess that it fills up fast—even with a $15 per half-day surcharge. Celebrity Solstice's solarium is an adults-only oasis with soothing water features, peaceful whirlpools, and a main pool large enough for laps. Or, book a spa treatment on one of Oceania's three ships, and you'll get an hour's access to a private sundeck with padded loungers and a thalassotherapy pool for some in-the-sun peace.
To solve cruisers' number one pet peeve—overcrowded sundecks with no free lounge chairs—lines like Oceania and Holland America offer private cabanas for rent. On HAL's Eurodam, you can choose from cabanas located poolside or in The Retreat, a sundeck exclusive to cabana renters. Inside your private tent, you'll find wicker couches and chairs, complimentary snacks—like fruit skewers—and Evian spray misters. Oceania's cabanas feature teak double loungers with terry-covered cushions, and waitstaff will bring in food from the poolside grill (including milkshakes!) or afternoon tea.
Sundecks have also turned into fun decks. Waterslides can be found on many Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Carnival ships (with more being added, thanks to Carnival's Evolutions of Fun refurbishments). Royal Caribbean pioneered the concept of an onboard water park for kids on its Freedom-class ships, and even upscale Celebrity Solstice has a fountain, in which both adults and kids can cool off. Think that shuffleboard is the only fun thing to do top-of-ship? Now sundecks feature entire sports decks with rock-climbing walls, paddle tennis courts, life-size chess games, mini-golf and, on Royal Caribbean, onboard surfing.
FULL STORY
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Before booking a cruise, a few words of advice
Los Angeles Times - Travel
By Beverly Beyette
03:04 PM PST, January 21, 2009
Match your ship to your personality and your needs
Reggae bands and singing waiters? Carnival. String quartets and serene service? Cunard.
Do you want new and flashy? As a rule, "short cruises [three to five days] are on older, less desirable ships," says Paul Motter, publisher and president of CruiseMates.com, an online community for cruise news and reviews. "To get to the newer, flashier ships you need to invest seven days." The ideal length depends on the destination. "Seven days in the Caribbean is enough," he says, but plan on at least 10 to 14 days in Europe.
A couple or a single looking for maximum adventure and minimal frill might consider a river cruise, a small ship coastal cruise or perhaps a tall sailing ship.
And for families? "The big ships have facilities for children that probably will keep them occupied without their going out and spending extra money," says Douglas Ward, author of Berlitz's "Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2009" and Insight Guides' "Cruising: All Questions Answered." "The ship that does that best is Disney. And Holland America's newer ships are very good."
Decide whether you want a ship experience or a destination experience
If it's the ship experience -- that is, long stretches of days at sea -- consider an Atlantic or Pacific crossing or a repositioning cruise. Otherwise, think the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean or Mexico.
"Celebrity and Cunard are ship experiences," Motter says, noting that the lines generally offer more at-sea days filled with onboard activities. By contrast, Oceania Cruises, a premium line whose ships sail worldwide, and Carnival are more focused on destination experiences and include lots of ports.
Consider using a travel agent
"Going to a specialized travel agent will save you lots of heartaches," Ward says. "They can get you deals that are not advertised on the Internet." And their expertise can keep you from ending up surrounded by cruisers chanting "To-ga! To-ga!"
Read the FULL STORY
By Beverly Beyette
03:04 PM PST, January 21, 2009
Match your ship to your personality and your needs
Reggae bands and singing waiters? Carnival. String quartets and serene service? Cunard.
Do you want new and flashy? As a rule, "short cruises [three to five days] are on older, less desirable ships," says Paul Motter, publisher and president of CruiseMates.com, an online community for cruise news and reviews. "To get to the newer, flashier ships you need to invest seven days." The ideal length depends on the destination. "Seven days in the Caribbean is enough," he says, but plan on at least 10 to 14 days in Europe.
A couple or a single looking for maximum adventure and minimal frill might consider a river cruise, a small ship coastal cruise or perhaps a tall sailing ship.
And for families? "The big ships have facilities for children that probably will keep them occupied without their going out and spending extra money," says Douglas Ward, author of Berlitz's "Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2009" and Insight Guides' "Cruising: All Questions Answered." "The ship that does that best is Disney. And Holland America's newer ships are very good."
Decide whether you want a ship experience or a destination experience
If it's the ship experience -- that is, long stretches of days at sea -- consider an Atlantic or Pacific crossing or a repositioning cruise. Otherwise, think the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean or Mexico.
"Celebrity and Cunard are ship experiences," Motter says, noting that the lines generally offer more at-sea days filled with onboard activities. By contrast, Oceania Cruises, a premium line whose ships sail worldwide, and Carnival are more focused on destination experiences and include lots of ports.
Consider using a travel agent
"Going to a specialized travel agent will save you lots of heartaches," Ward says. "They can get you deals that are not advertised on the Internet." And their expertise can keep you from ending up surrounded by cruisers chanting "To-ga! To-ga!"
Read the FULL STORY
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Choose your perfect cruise
How to find the trip that floats your boat
msnbc Travel
By Adam McCulloch
updated 11:19 a.m. ET Sept. 26, 2008
“Cruise ships used to be for the newlywed or nearly dead,” quips Carolyn Spencer-Brown, Editor in Chief of Cruisecritic.com, an authority on the cruise ship industry. For years these floating clichés offered bingo, buffets and boredom in the form of shore excursions adhering to a well-trampled tourist trail. Now there’s a cruise to suit every demographic, from intellectuals to adrenaline junkies, princes to paupers and everyone in between.
There are cruises catering to those with religious and academic interests, for single travelers and families, gay travelers, wandering gourmands, adventurers and more.
In part, the renaissance of cruise vacations has been the result of vastly better boats. “Ships have become bigger and more contemporary,” says Spencer- Brown, “they have the same features as land resorts like fitness centers, movie theaters, great shopping and kids clubs.” An impressive 12.5 million people took a cruise in 2008—according to a report issued by the industry’s regulatory body Cruise Lines International Association (C.L.I.A.)—and a whopping 51 million Americans indicated that they were intending to take a cruise in the next three years. The big dilemma: which one to choose.
FULL ARTICLE
Looking for Cruises? Check out our Cruise Search
msnbc Travel
By Adam McCulloch
updated 11:19 a.m. ET Sept. 26, 2008
“Cruise ships used to be for the newlywed or nearly dead,” quips Carolyn Spencer-Brown, Editor in Chief of Cruisecritic.com, an authority on the cruise ship industry. For years these floating clichés offered bingo, buffets and boredom in the form of shore excursions adhering to a well-trampled tourist trail. Now there’s a cruise to suit every demographic, from intellectuals to adrenaline junkies, princes to paupers and everyone in between.
There are cruises catering to those with religious and academic interests, for single travelers and families, gay travelers, wandering gourmands, adventurers and more.
In part, the renaissance of cruise vacations has been the result of vastly better boats. “Ships have become bigger and more contemporary,” says Spencer- Brown, “they have the same features as land resorts like fitness centers, movie theaters, great shopping and kids clubs.” An impressive 12.5 million people took a cruise in 2008—according to a report issued by the industry’s regulatory body Cruise Lines International Association (C.L.I.A.)—and a whopping 51 million Americans indicated that they were intending to take a cruise in the next three years. The big dilemma: which one to choose.
FULL ARTICLE
Looking for Cruises? Check out our Cruise Search
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