Powered by

How to choose a cruise

By Patrick Crowley, Special to Travel Watch

Travel agent Carolyn Kempf has never seen better deals for cruises than the packages being offered right now.

"It's easily the cheapest I've ever seen," Kempf said from her office at Elite Travel in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. "I just booked a trip for two women on Norwegian Cruise Lines. Five days. You leave Miami go to Key West and Cozumel, with tax and everything, only $220 a person, cruise only with no airfare.

"And all the (cruise) lines are offering great deals," she said. "If people don't jump on these rates they are really missing out."

Not all cruises are the same. With more than 150 ships and 1,800 ports-of-call, how do you choose the one that best suits you?

Decide what kind of vacation you envision, says Bob Sharak, vice president of marketing for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Is it a fun-in-the-sun vacation at a beach, a cultural experience in another part of the world, or a pampering excursion that floats your boat?

Consider the size of the ship. They range in size from about 100 passengers to more than 3,000.

Where do you want to go ... and for how long? Cruises can last from three days to three months and are offered in every part of the word, from the Caribbean to Alaska, up the Amazon to the North Sea.

Who, if anyone, is traveling with you? Most cruises welcome kids, and some are geared toward seniors. But others cater to couples, singles, gourmands, historians and others.

What kind of entertainment would you like? There is plenty to do on cruises at night, including dining, dancing, catching a live show or comedian, watching a movie or just looking at the ocean in the moonlight. Some ships even daytime activities such as rock climbing, ice skating and basketball.

Once you pick a cruise, consider these tips:

Book the trip with a credit card. There are additional consumer and insurance protections guaranteed under federal law when a trip is paid for with a credit card.

Consider purchasing travel insurance, which Kempf said averages about $36. "That way, if you get sick or hurt ... you're covered. The insurance will even cover the cost of a plane ticket if you have to fly home due to the death of a family member."

The food factor. Food is served almost constantly and is included in the price of the package. Soft drinks are sometimes included, but alcoholic beverages usually are not. Travelers with special needs -- or those requesting special menus -- should notify the cruise line when the trip is being booked.

Find out if you'll need a passport. Most ports in the Caribbean require only a state issued birth certificate and a photo ID.

Determine what to pack. CLIA recommends packing like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you're on the ship or ashore. In the evening, ships vary as to dress.

Also ask if the basics of a hotel are offered, including laundry service, telephones and outlets for hair dryers and electric shavers. The less you pack, the more room for souvenirs.

Return to Cruising