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Choosing a Cruise
Choosing your first cruise is generally the most difficult. Once you
have the hang of it, the choices get much easier. The variables that you will need to deal with are the length
of the cruise, your budget for the cruise, the itinerary and the cruise line.
Cruise Length.
Obviously this is one of the most important determining factors due to both job and budget restraints.
3-4 day cruises: Can be a good introduction to cruising or a "quick getaway."
- Advantages: Cost and vacation time.
- Disadvantages: Only 1 or 2 ports; a feeling that it is "over before it begins"; the possibility
of rowdier passengers than on longer cruises.
7-day cruises: The most popular cruise length because it fits with more people's schedule and budget.
- Advantages: Fits in with vacation time; a reasonable cost (compared to longer cruises); will visit
anywhere from 1 to 5 ports.
- Disadvantages: Still can be "party oriented"; if you have cruised for longer periods in the
past a 7 day cruise may seem rather short.
8+ day cruises: As your cruising desires branch out to more "exotic" locations (the Panama Canal,
the Mediterranean, South America) the cruises get longer.
CruiseGuideDirect.com
Budget.
For most people, budget is the primary determining factor: prices for a 7 day cruise can range from a little over
$500 to $3000 per person or more. Convert your budget to those cruises that match, remembering that you will have
to add on for port charges if they are not included in the cruise price (as much as $150 per person on a 7-day
cruise) and the optional cruise cancellation insurance. Of course, if the cruise does not embark from your home
city, you will have to budget in the cost of airfare. An important consideration when considering airfare: if you
arrange air through the cruise line and there is a delay or re-routing, the cruise line will be responsible for
getting you to the ship. If you make your own air arrangements and there are problems, you are on your own.
Itinerary. Looking for a winter getaway? A summer vacation with the family? A nature oriented cruise?
Since all, and more, are available from the major cruise companies, the cruise itinerary will definitely be an
important factor. Another question of itinerary is: how many ports do you want to see? There are, for example,
7 day cruises that visit only 1 port (Bermuda is the most common) and others that will make 4 or 5 ports of call
in the same amount of time.
Some choices of itineraries (and available
times)
Alaska:
Available in late spring, summer, and early fall only. The "shoulder" months (spring and fall) can be
quite chilly.
Caribbean: All of the major cruise lines have various itineraries in the Caribbean. They are available
year-round and there's not a huge variation in weather temperature, but remember that mid-June through November
is hurricane season in the Caribbean.
Europe: Largely a spring, summer and fall destination due to weather.
Mexico:
There are a number of cruises both to the Pacific Coast of Mexico (the "Mexican Riviera") and the Gulf
Coast (the Yucatan--Cancun and Cozumel). Many lines cruise year-round, but the choices are more plentiful in the
winter months.
Panama Canal: There are 2 types of Canal cruises: Transit, which go from the Atlantic to the Pacific
(or vice-versa) and Circuit, which cruise to the Canal from the Caribbean, turn around in Lake Gatun, and return.
Panama Canal cruises are generally available in some form year round, but the heaviest activity is during the winter
months.
Choosing between Cruise Lines
As competition has increased, the differences between cruise
lines as far as amenities and dining have been fading a little in the last few years. Some of the luxury lines
have been able to hold the line on their prices a bit, and some of the more budget minded lines have improved services,
added amenities, and improved menus. This doesn't mean that there are no differences between the various cruise
lines--there are indeed variances, some of them subtle and some more pronounced.
One factor to remember when choosing between cruise lines is that a good portion of your time will most likely
be spent off the ship, ashore at ports. Once you go ashore, it doesn't really matter much who brought you there.
In fact, many of the shore excursions offered to you will be run by the same operators, no matter which ship you
are on.
So how do you choose between lines? Your cruise booking agency will be able to give you a lot of insight into the
differences between the various cruise lines. Most general service travel agents will be able to do the same. Make
sure to ask friends, co-workers, neighbors and family who have cruised before about their experiences with a particular
line.
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