| Interview: How to Book a Cruise |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-111 |
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Ninety percent of the American public has never been on a cruise and most people probably think of the Love Boat when they hear "cruise," says Ask DIY travel expert Mark Orwoll, who is also the managing editor of Travel & Leisure magazine. "But there's a lot more to choose from than big-boat, Caribbean-type cruises," he says. Here are Orwoll's basics for those considering a cruise: - Get information about the different types of cruises. The traditional seven-day Caribbean cruises are by far the most popular. They typically take you out on to the high seas and make stops at several ports where you can disembark and sightsee or shop. They always have plenty to do onboard with swimming pools and weight rooms. But there are other cruises to choose from:
Riverboat cruises last anywhere from a few hours to a few days or a week and stop at different destinations along the way. A popular option are the cruises where people gamble a bit as they go down the river.
Family cruises are very, very popular. They include activities geared to children and families.
Adventure cruises generally rely on smaller vessels with fewer passengers. Sometimes passengers interact with the crew and assist them with daily chores.
Luxury cruises are the crC(me de la crC(me of the cruising world. The food and accommodations on these ships are really topnotch. - Make some decisions before you book a cruise. Make a list of your preferences and interests. Would you prefer a lot of activities or sitting on a deck chair? A young, lively party crowd or making new friends in a quiet setting? Would you like being out on the ocean the whole time, or would you prefer to visit lots of ports of call?
- Use the Internet to help you decide. The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), to which most major cruise lines belong, sponsors a great Internet site for one-stop cruise information. It is located at www.cruising.org . It has links to the individual cruise-line Web sites, a link that answers "most frequently asked questions," a cruise newsletter that outlines special offerings and links to travel agents who can help you book a cruise. The CLIA Web site also links to individual cruise-line Web sites, which have a lot to offer. They have actual diagrams of the ships, for example, so you can see cabin placement. They'll list cruise activities and destinations and tell you what you need to bring and what it's like being onboard.
- Look for the best fares. Most cruise lines offer discounts of up to 20 percent or 30 percent off the base price of a cruise for "early bird" bookings made three to six months in advance. Most cruise lines also offer last-minute discounts, with even greater savings, but you have to take what they give you, which may not always be the most desirable cabin.
There is also a Web site, www.CruiseStandbys.com that offers great discounts on "distressed" cabins -- those that haven't been sold. You type in your departure and destination preferences and it pulls up any special deals that are available for your intended itinerary. - Find a good travel agent. Most cruise lines, even the discount sites, require that you book your travel through a travel agent. This isn't a bad thing, because travel agents can really help you with your itinerary and your budget. They'll know things you might not, like that "Central America is the best place right now to take an adventure cruise." And they don't have to be local: you can work with a travel agent via the Internet.
Carnival Cruise Line is a notable exception. It will allow you to book directly via its Web site. Web site resources for Travel Cruises: For information on Travel & Leisure Magazine, click here. Travelocity.com Cruises from Cruise Hot Deals.com Cruises from Travel-Library.com Cruises from I-Cruise.com Cruise Guide to the Americas from National Geographic.com Cruises from Marathon Cruises.com Cruise Tips from Elite.com Travel Cruise Tips and Advice from Travel City.com Cruise Tips from the Cruise Outlet.com Cruise Line Tips from Free Travel Tips.com Books: The World's Most Intimate Cruises: Be a Traveler, Not a Tourist!
By Shirley Motter Linde
Open Road Publishing (1999)
ISBN: 1883323908
P.O. Box 284
Cold Springs Harbor, NY 11724
Phone: 516-692-7192
Fax: 516-692-7193
100 Best Cruise Vacations: The Top Cruises Throughout the World for All Interests and Budgets
By Theodore W. Scull
ISBN: 0762704950
The Globe Pequot Press Inc. (1999)
P.O. Box 480
Guilford, CT 06437
Phone: 203-458-4500
Fax: 203-458-4604
Web site: www.globe-pequot.com
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