Cruising has become increasingly popular with people of all ages as the number and size of cruise ships has grown exponentially in the past decade. Cruises offer a degree of luxury at a bargain price and a comfortable way to travel from one destination to the next. The increasing hassle of air travel also has resulted in the growth of more ports of embarkation so that it’s easier to drive to your ship.
The major cruise lines just keep on building more ships with more luxury features and more options and activities. The Caribbean is still the most popular region, but the Mediterranean is seeing more cruises also. Some ships cruise only in one area, and others shift with the seasons. One of the bargains in the industry is when ships are “repositioning” from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and vice versa.
Cruises can range from a small sailing boat to a 100-passenger riverboat to a 2,500 passenger liner crossing the oceans. Many people prefer a specific type of ship as well as have favorite destinations. Some have to sail only on the newest ship with the latest gadgets, and others prefer to seek familiar cruise lines which provide familiar amenities and quality of service.
Food has been a primary attraction of taking a cruise. At this level it’s called “cuisine”, and formal dining and expert chefs are very popular. Specialties such as cruises oriented to families, singles, seniors, educational programs, etc. are one means of distinguishing cruise lines. Unless you’re very wealthy, you can forget about the fantasy of dining at the captain’s table, unless you’re on a very small ship.
What about safety? A fire at sea can be devastating, and media reports of isolated events can be scary. With international staffs language barriers sometimes can be a problem, but all major lines take fire safety very seriously regardless of Coast Guard regulations. Outbreaks of contagious diseases are more of a problem simply because of the issues of a large number of people being confined in a relatively small area. Operators are encouraging better hygiene not only of their staff but also of passengers. On the mega ships there is very little danger of the ship sinking even in the event of an emergency. Most of the disasters have occurred in international waters with overcrowded tourist ferries.
Most travel agents recommend booking a cruise months in advance, but bargains can be available at the last minute. The risk you make in waiting until the last minute is that a particular cruise may be sold out. Reimbursements are a big issue, particularly if the problem was a result of weather. Ships can maneuver to avoid a particular storm, but cruise lines can’t control the weather. If a hurricane forces a change in ports or even a cancellation, you may expect credits but don’t expect a cash refund.
What do you do if you miss your ship? If you’re sick, late, or cancel at the last minute don’t expect a refund unless you have separate trip insurance. If you book a flight to arrive a couple of hours before departure, you’re already in trouble. Major ports are improving embarkation and debarkation procedures and the time required, but you still can expect a few hours at both ends of the trip.
Most cruises are “all inclusive” except for liquor and optional land tours, but more ships are now charging extra for more exclusive or specialty dining rooms which can only be booked after departure. Ship-to-shore telephone calls are expensive, and only the new ships offer internet access. You will be issued a “debit card” which you will use onboard instead of cash to pay for extras. You also may use your personal credit card to pay for items purchased in the ship’s stores. Gambling is a feature on some ships, and entertainment can range from the amateurish to the big names. Business leaders may like to book a “study” cruise that may be deducted from their income taxes.
What cruises have you taken, and which lines do you prefer? Tell us about your experiences, both good and bad. Here are a few online sources:
http://www.cruisemagonline.com/