A Few Words of Advice Before Booking a Cruise

We held our 22nd Annual Cruise & Vacation Supermarket on Jan. 25. There were over 3000 people who attended. I did three Europe and one Alaska seminar during the day.

At the end of one of my seminars, a 55+ gentleman approached me and told me a very familiar tale. It seems he was talked into a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise to the Caribbean. Much to his surprise, it included toga parties and nude beaches, which was, shall we say, an epic mismatch.

Not surprisingly, being sure you and your ship are a good fit lands at the top of a cruise expert’s tips list. Here’s some advice, whether you are a novice or a veteran cruiser:

Match your ship to your personality and your expectations. Looking for lots of nightlife and singing waiters? Or are string quartets and serenity your cup of tea? There’s a ships for every taste. Do you want new and flashy? As a rule, the cruise lines are now utilizing the older ships in their fleet in the short cruise market – those that do 3- or 4-night cruises. To sail on one of the newer, flashier ships, you need to invest a minimum of seven nights. The ideal length depends on the destination. Seven nights in the Caribbean is plenty, but plan on at least 10 to 14-nights in Europe or on an Alaskan cruise-tour.

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 about the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean or Mexico. Some of the cruise lines have more port-intensive itineraries than others, while some are more experiential.

Don’t expect the expenses to end when you pay your final payment. Cruising is not all-inclusive. Extras include alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, gambling, shore excursions, spa treatments, alternative restaurants, fitness classes, Internet access and gratuities, which are sometimes automatically added to your shipboard account. Especially on the new ships with lots of bells and whistles, you’ll have to pay to play, and extras can equal your cruise fare in some instances.

When you’re budgeting, factor in the cost of shore excursions. Shore excursions can be expensive, anywhere from $30 to $150 per person. You can arrange your own, but be cautious, especially about hiring a taxi in port. Remember: a taxi driver is not a guide. Your travel agent should know reputable shore excursion companies that offer alternative excursions at reduced rates.

Ask for incentives for booking early, which can defray some of the cost of your trip. The best way to get the best discounts and the cabin you want is to book as far ahead as possible – six to twelve months. In today’s economy, cruise lines are offering lots of incentives for people to book ahead. And, if the rate should go down, a good travel agent can get it adjusted to the lower rate.

Think repositioning cruises. A seasonal repositioning cruise, in which a ship is “moved”, or sailed, to another location, can be a good value. Most are offered in the spring and fall, with most days at sea, for as little as $50 per person per day. Back-to-back cruises also can be a good deal if you’re got the time and you want to save money.

Don’t judge a line by its sister ships. Not all ships in a line’s fleet offer the same experience. Only your travel agent can know for sure, so talk with her before investing in your cruise vacation.

Use a travel agent to book your cruise. Going to a specialized travel agent will save you a lot of heartaches. Your agent should be able to get your deals that are not advertised on the Internet because of group space their agency is holding, or special senior, military, resident fares that they can book for you. The expertise a travel agent who specializes in cruises can offer will keep you from ending up surrounded by cruises chanting “To-ga! To-ga!”