Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Cruise Line dilemma
How do you know which cruise line is best for you? When selecting a cruise line, you must first consider the following items:
1. Age - Cruise lines tend to be age sensitive. Be sure you are compatible with the average age and activity level of the cruise line you have selected.
2. Price - Cruise lines vary in price from budget to extravagant. The total price of the cruise has several components: base cruise price per person, port charges, taxes, and tips. Add these items for a total price per person. Other expenses may include: travel insurance, air fare and price of pre or post cruise hotel/motel accommodations if necessary. Also keep in mind, cruise lines do not have children's fares. The price is the same for the children as it is for the adults. The price break is offered when you have 3 or more in the same cabin. The third or fouth person rate is reduced, but is not age related. If you would perfer not to share a cabin, you may choose to pay the single supplement, which of course is considerably more expensive.
3. Itinerary - Where do you want to cruise? How long do you want to be gone? The Caribbean offers several itineraries, Eastern, Western and Southern. Due to its' raw beauty and limited accessibility, Alaska is the most popular cruise offered. Also available; Europe, South America, the Mediterranean, the Galapagos Islands and many, many more. You can sail from as little as 3 days to as long as several months depending on your time and budget.
4. Kid Friendly- Are you taking the kids on this trip? What activites will the ship provide for their entertainment? Most of the curise lines have kid programs starting at the age of 2 and teen programs starting at age 12. Maybe the kids enjoy inline skating. This activity is exclusively available on selected ships in the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line fleet. Playing miniature golf is great fun for the whole family, especaily with the Alaskan glaciers as a background. Of course, now with the newest and biggest ship ever to sail, the kids and or adults can surf right on board another Royal Caribbean ship, the Freedom of the Seas. Will the kids get bored? It is doubtful with all the activities planned by the trained staff. Camp Carnival is so much fun the kids will not want to leave. After all, Carnival Cruise Line is known for it's "FUN".
5. Adult Friendly - Which cruise line caters to the adult traveler? That depends on if you are an active, adventure person or if you are more reserved and want to soak up the amibance of the ship. If you want to play bridge, ballroom dance, enjoy high tea in the afternoon, or sit by the pool and read a good book, you should choose a more up scale cruise line. If trekking, scuba diving, jungle jeep rides are what you want to do on your cruise, be sure the cruise line offers active shore excursions so you are not disappointed.
6. Dining - On all ships there are various places to eat. The more traditional dining is the preset time and table. This is where you will eat every evening at a certain time and at the same table. It is the most popular dining choice in the industry. With times changing and more folks cruising than ever before, dining has changed to meet the needs and desires of the passengers. Norwegian Cruise Line, for instance, offers free-style dining. To be sure you understand the concept of free-style dining ask your travel agent to explain the differences. Princess Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line offer personal choice dining. Again, ask your travel agent to explain this concept. The reservation only supper clubs available on some ships are more formal and have a per person service charge. The buffets have an assortment of foods for each meal. You may choose to dine in the casual buffet area and never go to the dining room. Keep in mind, if you do that, you will be missing the service that has made cruise lines famous. It is our suggestion that you try both. The presentation of the meals, the service and the overall atmosphere in the dining room will not leave you disappointed. Many ships have a 24 hour pizza palor or a 24 hour ice cream machine and 24 hour room service.
7. Entertainment - Night shows on board range from musicals, magicians, stand up comedians to fabulous Las Vegas style shows. These are held in the ship's beautifully appointed theatre. The casinos are open into the wee hours for those who enjoy gaming. The lounges offer easy listening and dance music for your enjoyment. If you are a single lady who enjoys dancing, many cruise lines have gentlement host who are on board for your dancing pleasure. Ask your travel agent which cruise line offers this program.
8. Cruise Lines - Check out our links on the different cruise lines for more detailed information. Here is a quick reference for selecting a cruise line on price, starting with the least expensive going to the high end cruise line.
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegain Crusie Line
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Princess Cruise Line
Holland America Cruise Line
Silver Seas Cruise Line
Crystal Cruise Line
Regent Cruise Line
Cunard Cruise Line
9. Cabin Accommodations - Do you want an inside cabin, ocean view (window or port hole), balcony or suite? Do you want your beds together or apart? Would you mind bunk beds? Do you want to be on the bottom deck or on the 3rd or 4th deck? What is the advantage of guarantee cabins verses cabin assignment? Which cruise line offers larger staterooms? What is provided in your cabin? These are all things you need to know when booking your cruise.
Is booking on line an option? Yes
Will you receive personal service? No
Is the price better than what a travel agent can secure? Probably not
Even if it is, do you want to worry with all the details, selecting a cabins, dining time, bed arrangements, shore excursions and special needs, if necessary. Travel agent services are free to you. So why would you hazle with all of the details when the travel agent is trained to assist you with your cruise?
Booking a cruise on a cruise.......is this possible? Yes
Who will be your agent when you book your cruise on the cruise ship?
The cruise lines perfer for you to work with your agent. The ship staff member booking your cruise will forward your booking information to your travel agent. From that point forward, the travel agent will take care of you.
We hope this information is helpful to you. If you need more information send us an email at: vacationsbydesign@hotmail.com or check out our website at: www.greatvacationsbydesign.com
1. Age - Cruise lines tend to be age sensitive. Be sure you are compatible with the average age and activity level of the cruise line you have selected.
2. Price - Cruise lines vary in price from budget to extravagant. The total price of the cruise has several components: base cruise price per person, port charges, taxes, and tips. Add these items for a total price per person. Other expenses may include: travel insurance, air fare and price of pre or post cruise hotel/motel accommodations if necessary. Also keep in mind, cruise lines do not have children's fares. The price is the same for the children as it is for the adults. The price break is offered when you have 3 or more in the same cabin. The third or fouth person rate is reduced, but is not age related. If you would perfer not to share a cabin, you may choose to pay the single supplement, which of course is considerably more expensive.
3. Itinerary - Where do you want to cruise? How long do you want to be gone? The Caribbean offers several itineraries, Eastern, Western and Southern. Due to its' raw beauty and limited accessibility, Alaska is the most popular cruise offered. Also available; Europe, South America, the Mediterranean, the Galapagos Islands and many, many more. You can sail from as little as 3 days to as long as several months depending on your time and budget.
4. Kid Friendly- Are you taking the kids on this trip? What activites will the ship provide for their entertainment? Most of the curise lines have kid programs starting at the age of 2 and teen programs starting at age 12. Maybe the kids enjoy inline skating. This activity is exclusively available on selected ships in the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line fleet. Playing miniature golf is great fun for the whole family, especaily with the Alaskan glaciers as a background. Of course, now with the newest and biggest ship ever to sail, the kids and or adults can surf right on board another Royal Caribbean ship, the Freedom of the Seas. Will the kids get bored? It is doubtful with all the activities planned by the trained staff. Camp Carnival is so much fun the kids will not want to leave. After all, Carnival Cruise Line is known for it's "FUN".
5. Adult Friendly - Which cruise line caters to the adult traveler? That depends on if you are an active, adventure person or if you are more reserved and want to soak up the amibance of the ship. If you want to play bridge, ballroom dance, enjoy high tea in the afternoon, or sit by the pool and read a good book, you should choose a more up scale cruise line. If trekking, scuba diving, jungle jeep rides are what you want to do on your cruise, be sure the cruise line offers active shore excursions so you are not disappointed.
6. Dining - On all ships there are various places to eat. The more traditional dining is the preset time and table. This is where you will eat every evening at a certain time and at the same table. It is the most popular dining choice in the industry. With times changing and more folks cruising than ever before, dining has changed to meet the needs and desires of the passengers. Norwegian Cruise Line, for instance, offers free-style dining. To be sure you understand the concept of free-style dining ask your travel agent to explain the differences. Princess Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line offer personal choice dining. Again, ask your travel agent to explain this concept. The reservation only supper clubs available on some ships are more formal and have a per person service charge. The buffets have an assortment of foods for each meal. You may choose to dine in the casual buffet area and never go to the dining room. Keep in mind, if you do that, you will be missing the service that has made cruise lines famous. It is our suggestion that you try both. The presentation of the meals, the service and the overall atmosphere in the dining room will not leave you disappointed. Many ships have a 24 hour pizza palor or a 24 hour ice cream machine and 24 hour room service.
7. Entertainment - Night shows on board range from musicals, magicians, stand up comedians to fabulous Las Vegas style shows. These are held in the ship's beautifully appointed theatre. The casinos are open into the wee hours for those who enjoy gaming. The lounges offer easy listening and dance music for your enjoyment. If you are a single lady who enjoys dancing, many cruise lines have gentlement host who are on board for your dancing pleasure. Ask your travel agent which cruise line offers this program.
8. Cruise Lines - Check out our links on the different cruise lines for more detailed information. Here is a quick reference for selecting a cruise line on price, starting with the least expensive going to the high end cruise line.
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegain Crusie Line
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Princess Cruise Line
Holland America Cruise Line
Silver Seas Cruise Line
Crystal Cruise Line
Regent Cruise Line
Cunard Cruise Line
9. Cabin Accommodations - Do you want an inside cabin, ocean view (window or port hole), balcony or suite? Do you want your beds together or apart? Would you mind bunk beds? Do you want to be on the bottom deck or on the 3rd or 4th deck? What is the advantage of guarantee cabins verses cabin assignment? Which cruise line offers larger staterooms? What is provided in your cabin? These are all things you need to know when booking your cruise.
Our suggestion is a cabin with a window on the 3rd or 4th deck.
10. Booking your cruise - How do you book a cruise?Is booking on line an option? Yes
Will you receive personal service? No
Is the price better than what a travel agent can secure? Probably not
Even if it is, do you want to worry with all the details, selecting a cabins, dining time, bed arrangements, shore excursions and special needs, if necessary. Travel agent services are free to you. So why would you hazle with all of the details when the travel agent is trained to assist you with your cruise?
Booking a cruise on a cruise.......is this possible? Yes
Who will be your agent when you book your cruise on the cruise ship?
The cruise lines perfer for you to work with your agent. The ship staff member booking your cruise will forward your booking information to your travel agent. From that point forward, the travel agent will take care of you.
We hope this information is helpful to you. If you need more information send us an email at: vacationsbydesign@hotmail.com or check out our website at: www.greatvacationsbydesign.com
