Cruises - Common Misconceptions

Cruises - Common Misconceptions About Cruises

Cruise ships have long been floating hotels, but today they are more like floating cities. As such, they have all the exciting things to do that any great city will have all within easy reach.

Still there are a number of views commonly held by those who haven't actually been on a cruise. Those views may be keeping them from even exploring the possibility of taking one. So, exposing some of those misconceptions may help.

Lots of people, not unreasonably, believe that cruises are dominated by the elderly or late-middle aged. While it's certainly true that many cruise goers have a bit of gray in their hair, today all different ages go on cruises. Family trips are increasingly popular and kid-specific facilities and activities are offered by all the lines now.

Teens and 20-somethings form a larger percentage of cruise goers than in the past. Many in this age group have funds from generous parents and their own savings, so they are taking advantage of cruise discounts and the shorter cruises. Even though retired individuals often have more free time and spare income from years of saving, they are no longer the majority of cruise passengers.

Also there are many theme cruises for travelers that have specific interests such as music, lecture series, sports, gourmet food, etc. Picking one of these cruises will insure you will be on board with those who share similar interests, and activities. Theme cruises usually occur once or twice a year, so advance planning is necessary.

Cruises in the past sometimes had very set schedules, for eating and recreation or entertainment, and has turned off many potential travelers. All that has changed. Though major meals do occur between certain hours, there are lots of alternatives today. There are in-between meal buffets, and alternative dining options for the more independent traveler. In essence, you can eat anytime or anywhere you choose.

A similar objection to cruises that is sometimes raised is a view that there are not enough of a choice of activities. That, too, is certainly no longer the case. In times past a walk around the deck, a little table tennis, or a good book were just about the only options.

Today, there are more things to do on board than any one person could enjoy in 10 cruises.

Aside from the daily musical and theatrical performances, and casinos, today there are so many alternatives for entertainment that you can amuse yourself a dozen different ways at any time of the day or night. You can choose from activities like bowling, ice skating, rock climbing, basketball, golf, shuffleboard, deck tennis, and ping pong. Most cruise lines also offer daily exercise classes, and many have jogging tracks. For those who like to work out on their own, you will be pleased with the state of the art exercise gyms.

Also you can pick up a new skill, or even enjoy some of your favorite hobby activities. Most cruise lines offer scuba certification and snorkeling instruction. Others offer cruise travelers the opportunity to enjoy hobbies such as scrap booking, photography, dancing, wine tasting, etc.

If you prefer something a little more sedate, there are dozens of choices such as card games, computer games, on board auctions, or you can take in a movie at the theater. The new mega ships have tons of interesting boutique shops, and state of the art spa facilities as well. And for book lovers - some of the on board libraries have a great selection, as well as being extremely comfortable. And of course you can always opt to simply lie around and soak up the sun, swim or relax in the jacuzzi too.

Even apart from all the fun and interesting activities, the ship itself has fascinating things to see. Touring most of these behemoths that sail the seas today would take a good two days or more all by itself.

Note: Even with a vast array of on board activities, some travelers do not want to be confined on board a ships for days at a time. The only cruises that are this confining are European cruise that cross the Atlantic, and some U.S. cruises. So if the thought of sailing for days before reaching land is an issue, you might want to think twice before booking these particular cruises.

Once you get acquainted with all the on board ship activities, then it's time to visit all those exciting cruise port destinations. Do a little prior homework about each destination, and take advantage of all the information given by the cruise director. Please check out our posting on offshore tours and activities for more information.

Then by the time you've become worn out with tourist hopping, shopping and sightseeing, you'll be ready to return to your cabin for some rest, and the get ready for your next days activities.

It just doesn't get any better than that!


Bon Voyage!

Linda Thompkins, Travel Consultant
Travel 2 the Caribbean
http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com

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Holland America's Prinsendam to Sail Two Grand Voyages

Holland America Line's 793-passenger Prinsendam will sail two Grand Voyages in 2009 from January through April.

The ship will cruise around South America and Antarctica on the "Grand South America and Antarctic Voyage," and explore Europe lesser-visited ports on the "Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage."

The "Grand South America and Antarctic Voyage" departs Jan. 2, 2009, on a 68-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. During the circumnavigation of the continent, Prinsendam will journey more than 17,700 nautical miles and visit 32 ports of call in 14 countries, including overnight stays in Manaus and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Callao (Lima), Peru; and Fuerte Amador, Panama. Prinsendam will visit 13 ports in Brazil, including maiden calls at Maceio, Ilhabela (Sao Sabastiao) and Itajai. Additional highlights include a daylight passage through the Panama Canal, a call at Devil's Island and four Equator crossings. Segments of 11 to 57 days are available between Fort Lauderdale, Buenos Aires and Callao.

The "Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage" departs Fort Lauderdale March 11, 2009, for a 50-day roundtrip to the Mediterranean and Black Sea. During the voyage, Prinsendam will sail more than 14,400 nautical miles and visit 25 ports of call in 15 countries, including Spain, Italy and France, as well as Bulgaria and Ukraine. Overnight stays in Barcelona and Istanbul are planned as are late-night departures in Arrecife, Canary Islands; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Kusadasi, Turkey; Santorini, Greece; and Lisbon, Portugal. Reservations are now available for Prinsendam's 2009 Grand Voyages. Early-booking bonus amenities for full-cruise guests include airfare, prepaid hotel service charges, shipboard credit, luggage delivery service and limousine transfers when booking select stateroom categories; amenities vary by cruise and booking date.

Per-person, double occupancy cruise fares start at $13,599 for the 68-day South America and Antarctica voyage and $8,749 for the Mediterranean and Black Sea cruise.

The back-to back Grand Voyages can be combined for a 118-day adventure sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 2, returning April 30, 2009 with additional savings available.

The 2009 Grand Voyages brochure is now available.

MSC Cruises Schedules Food & Wine Cruises

MSC Cruises will host five food and wine cruises on MSC Lirica, MSC Poesia and MSC Orchestra.

These cruises will feature cooking demonstrations on how to prepare regional dishes from the countries visited on the itinerary. There will also be tips on selecting and preserving the best ingredients. A sommelier will also offer advice during wine-tasting, and barmen will offer advice on mixing cocktails.

Guests will also receive a wine dictionary to increase their knowledge of wines
produced around the globe. Lessons will be offered on how to set a table, including the center piece and place cards. There will also be games and contests with a culinary theme, and aspiring chefs can compete against one another.

Food and wine themes are scheduled for the MSC Poesia's April 19 and Sept. 13 cruises departing Venice. The seven-night Eastern Mediterranean cruises will call at Bari, Olympia (Katakolon) in Greece, Izmir and Istanbul in Turkey and Dubrovnik in Croatia. Prices start at $999 per person, double occupancy.

The MSC Orchestra's culinary cruise will depart May 9 from Barcelona on a seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise. The ship will visit Marseille in France, Genoa and Naples in Italy, Palermo in Sicily and Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Prices start at $1,099.

The MSC Lirica will departs Rome Oct. 4 on a seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise to Genoa, Marseille, Valencia, Tangier and Malaga. Prices start at $999.

The MSC Poesia will depart Nov. 15 from Venice on a 10-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise concluding in Genoa. Ports of call include Bari, Corfu, Piraeus and Rhodes in Greece, Antalia in Turkey, Heraklion on Crete, Tripoli in Libya, and Valletta on the island of Malta. Prices start at $999.

All prices quoted are cruise-only based on MSC Cruises' "Best Fare, Best Room" promotion, which provides guests with the best stateroom available within their desired category at the time of booking.

NCL Renews Partnership with "Cooking Light" Magazine

NCL Corp. and "Cooking Light" magazine renewed their partnership to provide healthy meal options on NCL ships in 2008.


NCL has offered "Cooking Light"-branded menu options on its ships since 1999.

As part of the agreement, "Cooking Light" will continue to provide appetizer, entrée and dessert recipes incorporated and rotated among menus on NCL and NCL America ships, which offer up to 10 restaurants on each vessel.

A "Cooking Light" chef will board NCL ships to oversee recipe execution and taste test meals, and will provide direction and additional menu suggestions throughout the year.

Menu items include delicious fare such as jerk-style chicken with cinnamon, thyme, jalapenos and allspice; and sautéed tilapia with lemon-peppercorn pan sauce.

"Cooking Light" will also host its annual Ship Shape cruise, for the ninth year in a row, aboard Norwegian Dawn Nov. 11-18, departing roundtrip from Miami. Embarking on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, the health- and wellness-focused voyage calls on Samana, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Guests can participate in morning walks, customized shore excursions, cooking demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions with "Cooking Light" chefs, a private beach party in St. Thomas, Iron Chef-style cooking competitions, and more.

Ship Shape cruise rates start at $655 per person.

Cruise Ship Offshore Tours

In planning your cruise vacation you may want to look at offshore tours for your cruising destinations.

The most popular tours sell out quickly. So do you book the offshore cruise excursions with your cruise package, or wait until you get on board? Are the offshore cruise excursions offered by the cruise line cheaper versus booking on your own?

Cruise passengers only have a specific amount of time in each cruise port, so if you definitely want a particular tour, I would suggest booking prior to arriving onboard.

On the other hand, if your budget dictates that you could not add the additional cost at the time of booking, or you needed time to choose your offshore tours, you should immediately ask about the tour as soon as you board the ship. All inquiries should be made at the purser's desk. When you inquire, if you are told the specific tour cannot be booked yet, ask about the first available time this can be done - and be sure to follow up. As stated above, popular tours do sell out quickly.

Cruise ships sail to ports every week, and they usually have a negotiated price that may be below what you can find on your own. However, it is always good to check around - you may also find an interesting tour that the cruise company does not offer, or a cheaper price.

Independent travelers may not want to be part of a large group, structured offshore tour excursion. If you fit into this category, after you arrive at your destination, you can hire a local driver to take you around. Also look at different tour options that the cruise company does not offer.

So there are many options when it comes to exploring your cruise port destination. Cruise passengers should some thought to the best and most economical way to explore their interests at each destination.

Then again, you might just be content to stay onboard while the crowd goes ashore! Cruising vacations allow for a lot of flexibility, so it's always up to you to decide how to best enjoy your cruise vacation.

If you would like to explore worldwide tours, and other interesting things to do, check out our offerings.

We use Viator as a tour supplier because they are one of the leading tour suppliers across the globe. You can explore many different options not offered by the cruise company. And for those options that are offered by the cruise company, jot down our price vs. the cruise company - and you know what to do in that case :)

Worldwide Tours

Cruise Booking Considerations - Part 3

Cruises Booking Considerations – Part 3

This is the 3rd posting on what you should consider before booking a cruise.

Just so we are all on the same page, you can see where the conversation started by clicking here, and then read the 2nd posting, and come on back - Linda




Okay, now that we are on the same page, let's talk a little more about WHEN to book in relation to WHERE to sail.

When considering when to book - which can be a tricky choice - there are a few specifics that can guide your planning.

Cruises to Bermuda and The Bahamas are popular for a number of reasons. They are both great islands to visit, and the trip from Florida is short, making for a great two or three day cruise.

As a result, prime cabins in the summer months of July and August will sell out six to nine months in advance. Also, if in choosing Bermuda - do check the weather if you decide on "out of season cruise" - while they are much cheaper, the island can get rather chilly at times, so just passing that along. Who wants to sail to a chilly island? Count me out!

But, fortunately for Caribbean cruise-goers, usually the weather in April-May and September-October can be great. Those off-peak months give travelers many more options. Cruises can book quickly due to family summer travel - the kids are out of school - so if you are looking for a nice, romantic honeymoon cruise, or an adult getaway - this may not be the best time to go. My suggestion for honeymooners and romantics is a land vacation package in the summer months.

And keep in mind that hurricanes, or at least heavy storms, can affect travel from June to near the end of October. Be prepared to be flexible.

If you are already sailing, and a hurricane system is threatening the Caribbean, you can be assured the captain will stear the ship out of harms way. While you may not get to visit all the islands on the cruise schedule due to storms, you can still have a great time visiting alternative destinations - and most cruise ships go overboard in customer service to assure passengers are as happy as possible. I've experienced many cruise like this, and you go with the flow - mother nature always rules.

Now - if a storm approaches before your cruise ship sets sail, you should be offered a full refund, or given alternative cruise dates. Prior to booking, make sure you know the hurricane and cancellation policies for the particular cruise line. I always advise purchasing travel insurance to cover "we didn't think of this happening" expenses such as flight re-booking penalties, etc.

Now if you decide to book a last minute cruise, you will have more options by selecting an older ship or a less popular destination - and some of the older ships are still floating palaces. But again, homework is required on some of the older ships - and really give some thought whether you want to sail to the particular islands destinations offered.

Booking last minute cruises on popular ships will require that you take the cabin inventory that is being offered - and often (but not always), this includes inside cabins at the bottom of the ship. The ship staff and crew cabins are in the lower areas, along with the engine rooms, so there can be extra noise and vibration at the lower level cabins.

On the other hand, good cabins on any cruise can be had for a bargain at the last minute - it just depends on booking at the right time, and some luck.

Cruises from New York (and other U. S. ports) to Europe are still some of the best, 100 years after they first began. Cruise lines have responded by offering more trips - but demand still presses on supply, keeping the price high. The 7-night cruises to the Mediterranean are the most popular, and The Baltic also remains a popular destination. As with other European trips, plan to book a year in advance to get the type of voyage you want.

If you plan on shopping at any of the European ports, keep in mind the U.S. dollar is currently depressed against the Euro currency - so plan to get a less than expected exchange. And if the captain warns of heavy surf, do consider taking the "sea sick" medications offered - there is nothing worse than getting sick on a transatlantic cruise. These medications do not work AFTER you get sick - and keep this in mind on ANY cruise vacation.

Cruises to Australia will require booking far in advance at almost any time of the year. When it's winter in the U.S. it's summer there and vice-versa. And South America is still a hot destination, in more ways than one.

On Alaska cruises, the balcony cabins ALWAYS sell out first. Though more expensive, the demand from those who can afford it is still high enough to make booking far in advance a necessity. It's all about those beautiful scenic views! Since the economy has been fairly robust for the last few years, this trend has continued.

Hawaii is still a desirable cruise voyage for many. For those of us in the Midwest and eastern seaboard, Hawaii will be a very long flight. On the return trip, you will have an overnight stay because there are no early morning flights leaving the island. This is a rather expensive destination, and the overnight stay on the return flight must be factored into your budget and vacation time - so include an extra day getting home in your planning.

Cruising the waterways of the U.S and Mexico - Consider cruises up and down the two coasts of the U.S. and U.S. to Mexico, from San Diego to Cabo, and New England to Florida. Though not as glamorous perhaps as a European or Caribbean cruise, but the ships are still first rate. You'll have a great time on board and there are, in fact, several excellent stops on the way.
Bookings for U.S. and Mexico cruises are often less intense and less expensive, but you can still take advantage of early booking discounts. If you see a better deal a couple of months before departure, you can sometimes get it by working through a travel agent - and it's always good to check the online booking sites - just make sure it is a reputable site, and please do not fall for those cruise deals to anywhere that seem to good to be true that arrive in your mailbox, either on or offline.

Whether you choose to work with an agent, or make your own cruise reservations, just keep in mind that YOU are the only one who should decide what YOU want in a cruise vacation, and how best to spend your hard earned money. So, do a little homework, and you will get the best cruise vacation value.

Bon Voyage!
Linda Thompkins, Travel Consultant
Travel 2 the Caribbean
http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com

P.S. I plan on doing the next posting on how and when to choose offshore tours and activities at the cruise ship destination ports. Yes, even more pre-planning to save time and money. Come back on Monday for this posting . . .

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Cruise Booking Considerations - Part 2

Cruise Booking Considerations - Part 2

In the previous posting, I discussed the start of the booking process. So you may want to read the previous posting prior to reading this one . . . Linda

When considering when to book, which can be a tricky choice, there are a few specifics that can guide your planning.

On Alaska cruises, for example, balcony cabins on newer ships usually sell out long before less desirable accommodations. Though these are more expensive, the demand is still high enough (and the supply small enough) that getting in early is a must.

Route matters, too. The Gulf Route between Vancouver and Anchorage is the most popular choice for Alaska cruises. Several lines offer on shore excursions as part of a package deal. Book as far in advance as possible, certainly no later than six months ahead for May-September departures.

Round Trip cruises beginning at Vancouver often have more spaces closer to the departure date. Booking for May or September will give you more choices, too. In every case, unless you just get lucky, you can expect to pay $100 (and up) more for a ocean view cabin than for an interior one.

You'll find you have a lot of factors to weigh as you do your research. Having a checklist of your wishes, your budget and a table of options in a spreadsheet will help you decide.

The Bahamas/Caribbean cruises are slightly different. Though they too require planning in order to get a good deal, there are so many lines going so often you have much more choice. Also, the weather is less of a consideration.

Holidays, not surprisingly, sell out first.

Spring Break week (when college students flood every tourist destination), the Christmas-New Year week, and of course July and August are the most desired times.

Even with all the options to the Caribbean, demand is so high that you'll need to book almost a year in advance to get a good cabin on a nice voyage.

Increased demand in the face of limited supply leads to a higher price. (There's no escaping basic economics!)

Summers are, of course, more common vacation times for families traveling together - book accordingly.

The late winter/early spring months (in the Northern Hemisphere) of Feb-April will start to book up next. By then, many living in sections of the U.S. that get cold in winter are looking to find relief from the cold. Even though they won't leave for months, the act of booking seems to provide some relief from the winter doldrums - for sure!

Bargains abound for September-early December and you may find a good cabin available as short as 60 days before departure. If you can, take advantage of that, since the weather can still be pleasant. Take account of the possibility of hurricanes during that time of year, though. Be prepared to be flexible.

Next posting, we will discuss when to go in more detail . . .

Bon Voyage!
Linda Thompkins, Owner/Travel Consultant
Travel 2 the Caribbean
http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com

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Cruise Booking Considerations - Part 1

Cruise Booking Considerations - Part 1

We just started the new blog today, and the purpose of this blog is to assist in planning your next cruise vacation, along with what to expect.

Today we will start with the booking process, and I decided to break it down into three postings. So, let's begin with part 1 of 3 . . . Linda

Cruise planning may not be rocket science, but it can be complicated.

One of the more difficult factors to nail down is when to book your cruise. Should you book a year in advance to lock in just what you want, or hold off as long as possible in order to get the best price?

There is probably no single best answer, given the variety of cruises, changes in company policy and marketing practices, political events and other factors.

But there are some guidelines that can be helpful.

First, you should definitely shop around. No two cruises offered are exactly alike, but there are so many good cruise lines today that you can get an excellent voyage on several different ones. Also, since the Internet has made researching them not only infinitely easier but even fun, you'll find more choices than you could possibly investigate.

After you've done some initial research to get the range of prices for the season and destination of your choice, you can start to zero in.

If you have to take your vacation on specific dates, you are limiting your choices. Just as with the airlines, if you are flexible on your departure/return dates you will be on track to getting a better price. If you're locked in for whatever reason, be sure to book as early as possible - preferably at least six months in advance.

You won't usually be able to take advantage of the absolute best possible price by booking early. Some companies are not accommodating when it comes to changing dates, though you may be able to get an upgrade to your cabin. But you will have a nearly-guaranteed reservation. No company can fully guarantee any specific departure date or cabin, though most have an excellent record.

Being flexible allows you to take advantage of the deals that do pop up from time to time. You may be able to book a superior cabin on a stellar voyage with little notice that way. But you need to be prepared to act quickly. That means you need to have a passport and other documentation already in hand and be ready to leave home on short notice.

Naturally, if your destination is less popular or if you choose to go during the off-season, you'll have more options. You'll have a better chance to get a great price for a good cabin.

The Alaska season, for example, runs from May through September. That isn't just because people prefer to travel during summer months. Alaska can become horrendously difficult to travel to during the winter. Modern technology hasn't completely conquered the weather, yet.

As a result, peak sailing dates between July and August sell out around 9 months in advance. Booking for early in May will give you more choices, but keep in mind that the weather that early can be challenging in some years.

Bon Voyage!
Linda Thompkins, Owner/Travel Consultant
Travel 2 the Caribbean
http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com


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This article series (Cruise Booking Consideration), and all other written articles on this site with (signature, company and links) are the sole property of Travel 2 the Caribbean Online Agency.

You have permission to reprint these articles on your site, however you are advised not to change any wording, and all links must be included.
We thank you for your cooperation, and our cyber cops are on duty :)