Cruising - Miscellaneous Items

Most people do not know of the tricks up the sleeves of the cruise lines to watch out for, nor do they understand why the cruise lines do things in what seems to be in an illogical way.  This entry is an attempt to warn the reader of potential "gotchas" as well as explain what seems to be illogical to a casual observer.

1. Paying for the cruise.
   
   Most cruise lines will let you book a cruise months (or even years) in advance, and allow the cruisers to pay for the cruise over time.  Cruisers are required to complete paying for the cruise at a point in time of 3-to-4 months before the cruise sets sail.  Cruisers not having paid for their cruises in full at this point will often have their bookings cancelled, and will forfeit any monies paid for their cruises. This 3-to-4 month point before a cruise also affects refunds.  Often, one can get a complete refund of all monies spent on a cruise before this point.  After this point, only partial refunds are made. The 3-to-4-month complete payment date does not prevent people from making last minute choices to take their cruises.  It only means that complete payment for their cruises must be made at the time of booking.  
   
   Cruisers must take care when booking add-ons to their cruises after the 3-to-4-month payment date. In one widely reported case, a cruiser went to the cruise line site, started the process to find out what an airport transfer would cost, and accidentally triggered a situation where the cruise line cancelled a $5,000 booking over a non-payment of $135.  I would advise making all arrangements before the final payment date, and not changing any arrangements with the cruise line after that date.
   
   
2. Cabin Selection
   
   Most cruisers will need to make a cabin selection before booking a cruise.  Do they want an inside cabin, an ocean view cabin, a balcony cabin, or a mini suite? If an ocean view cabin, balcony cabin, or mini suite is selected, are they willing to accept an obstructed view cabin for a lower cost?  
   
   Assuming the cruiser knows what type of cabin is desired, then other decisions must now be made.  For example, does the cruiser need an “Accessible Cabin?” If so, then this is a requirement that must be stated during the booking process, as there are a limited number of these cabins on the typical cruise ship.  And then, does the cruiser have a requirement for where a cabin is located?  For example, I want a cabin that is surrounded by other cabins (left, right, floor below, floor above, and across the hall).  This way, I am less likely to be bothered by noises coming from places such as the ship’s theater, the ship’s restaurants, the ship’s pool, and other public amenities.  If a specific cabin is required, the cruiser will need to pay extra to get the desired cabin.  However, one can often save money by buying a “guaranteed cabin”.  This means that the cruiser will get a cabin in the category selected, and possibly get upgraded if others buy all the cabins in the selected category.
   
   Be careful of cabin upgrades.  Many lines will offer cruisers the chance to bid for a cabin upgrade, or to allow for automatic upgrades to a more expensive cabin class.  If one has selected a specific cabin which fits one’s needs, then one should not bid on a cabin upgrade or allow for an automatic upgrade.  If one is not careful, one can get “upgraded” to a higher cabin class, but one that does not meet one’s needs – such as a wheelchair bound person getting upgraded to a non-accessible cabin.
   
   
3. Bedroom Setup
   

   Most cruise lines have cabins that can accommodate 2-4 people. Typically, most cabins have a pair of twin beds that can be put together to make a single large bed if desired. (From what I understand, this is not the case on Disney ships, as their large beds cannot be split into separate beds.)  

   Additionally, some family cabins have “pullman” beds that drop down from the ceiling, and others have sofas that can be converted into beds.  This is something easily managed by one's room steward.

   Sometimes, the bed may feel a little too firm, or that you may need an extra pillow to sleep.  In these cases, the room steward can often supply a mattress topper if needed, as well as the extra pillows the cruiser may need for a restful sleep.

4. Phone service (Voice and/or Data).
   

   Marine voice and data charges incurred on a ship are very expensive.  To avoid them, I always place my phone in Airplane Mode.  This way, my phone cannot connect to the outside world unless I am using the ship’s onboard wi-fi. 

   Given that I often buy wi-fi data service for my time spent on a cruise ship, not having voice service is not much of an issue.  However, one must be careful on how one’s wi-fi connection is used.  On one of my cruises, I purchased 300 minutes of wi-fi data.  To use this data, I had to log on to the ship’s wi-fi and log off when I was done.  One person I met on a cruise forgot to log off, and burned off all of his expensive minutes needlessly.

   Wi-fi service on ships tends to be much slower than on land due to the need to transmit/receive data via satellites.  In regions with poor “line of sight” to these satellites, the quality of the ship’s internet can be less than impressive.  Therefore, unless I had a need to stream video, I would not pay for premium wi-fi unless I absolutely needed it.  Starlink™ internet is being installed on many cruise ships to improve data connectivity while at sea.  This promises to be a boon for many internet users at sea, as it can handle higher volumes of data at a faster speed than in the past.  

5. CPAP Machines (and other durable medical equipment).
   

   Many cruisers need CPAP machines in order to have a healthy sleep.  Not all rooms are configured with electric sockets near the bed.  For these rooms, the room steward can supply an extension cord (and tape it safely to the floor), as well as the distilled water needed for the unit.

   Once one has set up his/her CPAP machine, the room steward will usually be able to supply distilled water upon request.  However, not all room stewards are at ease using the English language (or other on-board languages), and one may need to go to Guest Services for help with a translation issue.

6. Smoking
   

   Virtually all US Based (and many foreign) cruise lines impose limits on where passengers can smoke on a ship.  Often, smoking is allowed in a ship’s casino, or some other area designated by the cruise line.  With one or two exceptions (which I will not note here), all lines prohibit smoking in a ship’s cabins or the ship’s balconies. This is not without reason, as a fire in 2006 on the Star Princess left one passenger dead, 11 people injured, and another 100+ rooms scorched.

7. Gambling.
   

   Many people like to gamble onboard the ship.  If one enjoys playing these games of luck, remember to have your gambling recorded by the cruise line.  This way, if you gamble long enough over the length of a cruise, you may qualify for some bonuses provided to cruisers such as free drinks while gambling on future cruises.  I know a person who, because of her gambling, was able to go on a cruise paid for by the cruise line.  (All she had to do is pay the taxes and port fees for the cruise.)  

   Most ocean cruise ships have casinos.  A notable exception is the Pride of America which does 7-day Hawaiian Island cruises. This ship does not have a casino because it is an American flagged ship sailing in a state that officially prohibits gambling.  On those ships which have casinos, all casino related activity will be closed when the ship is in port, and will stay closed until the ship reaches international waters.  One drawback to onboard gambling is the odds for each game.  They are not as generous as that in land-based casinos, as there is no competition for games of chance while on the ship.  As I always say: Bet with your head, and not over it.

8. Early Debarkation (different port than where a cruise is scheduled to end).

   Many cruise lines will allow cruisers to debark at a port early in a cruise, given that the US Passenger Vessel Services act is not violated.  However, early departures must be arranged in advance with the cruise line, as it needs to make sure that all passengers are properly accounted for during the cruise.

9. Medical Issues.

   Do not expect too much from a ship’s medical department.  Although I had to use its services on my first cruise to Alaska, it is something to be avoided for its cost alone.  Yet, for simple conditions such as a broken bone or a sprained ankle, it can supply an essential service when needed.  For things that are more complex, or out of its league, it will make the decision whether the passenger needs services it cannot provide and act accordingly.

10. Insurance.

    A smart person does not travel without travel insurance.  Ideally, money spent on insurance is for insurance that is not needed.  However, it will be needed one day, and then the money spent for it will have been a wise investment in the future.  Recently, several cruise bloggers reported that one cruiser (and wife) were both being careful when they bought travel insurance for their 5-day cruise.  The man had a heart attack and was evacuated to a hospital, then later Med-Evac’ed back home after a 2-week hospital stay.  For what this insurance cost the couple (probably under $250 total), they received $74,000 in benefits.  Getting insurance is relatively cheap.  Needing medical care in a foreign land is not.

    Often, when cruises are sold, the cruise line (or a travel agent) will ask if you want to buy insurance.  It will often be priced based on one’s age, the length of the cruise and the price of the cruise.  These policies will only cover events related to the cruise, and may not be what is needed by a cruiser.  Please note that each state regulates the type of travel insurance that a cruise line or travel agency can sell.  Prior to 2023, both cruise lines and travel agencies would try to sell me travel insurance for my cruises. However, since I live in New York State, all they can do is sell me basic trip insurance. They are no longer able to sell me “Platinum” or “Premium” insurance policies.  Therefore, I have relied on sites such as TravelInsurance.com to find and purchase an insurance policy appropriate for my needs.  So, be sure to know what insurance you have, and buy more if you think you need it.

11. Back-to-Back Cruises.

    Sometimes, one might want to book two cruises as one long trip.  I have considered doing this for a Northbound Alaska Cruise from Seattle (or Vancouver) through the Inside Passage, and onward to Seward (or Whittier), coupled with a Southbound cruise with a similar itinerary.  This makes it possible to avoid an “Open-Jaw” airplane trip, which might result in more convenient flights.

12. LGBT Issues.

    Most cruise lines are LGBT friendly. However, the conditions at some ports may be hostile to the LGBT traveler. On some Caribbean islands, same sex couples that show any public displays of affection are looked at as if they committed acts of bestiality. On others, obviously transgender people are considered criminals.  Therefore, it is best to research each port carefully before taking any shore excursions on these islands.
    
    Note: Some countries (e.g. Qatar and the U.A.E.) do not accept passports with "X" for a gender id, and deny these people the ability to enter or transit through these countries.

13. Clothing Issues not related to cruise line dress codes.

    Some ports have laws regarding the clothing that can be worn on land. For example, several Caribbean islands ban Camouflage clothing and will arrest visitors that do not obey their laws in this area.  When in doubt about what clothes to wear in any port, one should contact their travel agent to double check whether one’s desired clothing is allowed in port.

    Even if the laws in a port may allow for selected garments, many tourist attractions do impose dress codes.  For example, many churches require that all women dress “modestly”, and require that women wear a head covering, as well as a garment that keeps the legs above the knees covered. When in doubt, one should research dress requirements for each attraction to be visited before packing for a cruise.  

14. United States Passenger Vessel Services Act.

    Simply put, American law prohibits foreign flagged vessels from transporting people between American ports unless the vessel docks at a foreign port.  In theory, this protects Americans from competing against low wage foreign labor and preserve an American ship building industry.  Sadly, for the most part, this has been a failure for the American cruise industry.  There is only one large American cruise ship left in the world, and cruises on this ship cost more than twice as much as a similar cruise on a foreign flagged vessel.

Cruising - Bucket List Trips

 

The following are some cruises I think should be on everyone's "Bucket List":

1. Repositioning Cruises:
   
   Some of the best bargains in cruising can be found when a cruise starts in one port and ends in another port. For example, there is a cruise that allows a person to check off two bucket list regions on the same cruise – Alaska and Hawaii. The ship does a variant on this cruise twice each year. In Springtime, the ship leaves its Hawaii-South Pacific route to run Summertime cruises for the Alaska market. In Autumn, the same ship returns to the Hawaii-South Pacific route for Wintertime cruising. Another popular repositioning cruise is the Full Transit Panama Canal cruise. Many ships that sail the Caribbean routes in Wintertime are relocated to Alaskan cruising in Summertime, and return to the Caribbean in Autumn.
   
   The drawback to repositioning cruises is that one will likely need to travel to an embarkation port or travel from a debarkation port to enjoy the cruise. In many cases, the cost of reaching the port (or returning from the port) may exceed that of the cruise itself. But, if one can snag cheap flights, repositioning cruises can be a great way to travel.
   
   
2. Transatlantic Crossings:
   
   The transatlantic crossing is a special type of repositioning cruise. It is the type of trip that many people think of when watching old movies. These crossings are sea day intensive, as a typical crossing takes 7 days. Most crossings take place on cruise ships that are not optimized for the North Atlantic. As a result, a typical passenger is more likely to get seasick than on a typical cruise.
   
   Sadly, there is only one ocean liner left that does regularly scheduled Transatlantic crossings – Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. Cunard is very a traditional cruise line, and imposes a strict dress code in public areas on formal nights. One will not find things such as waterslides and roller coasters on their ships. If one wants to enjoy a classic Transatlantic crossing, sailing on this Queen is a great way to make this trip.
   
   
3. Hawaii Cruises:
   
   There are two common ways to take a Hawaiian cruise. The first is to sail from the West Coast and spend 4-6 days in Hawaii before returning to the West Coast via a foreign (Canada or Mexico) port. The other is a one-of-a-kind 7-day cruise on the Pride of America. This ship is the only major cruise ship that was built (mostly) in America, flies the American flag, is staffed by Americans, and follows all American laws.
   
   The first type of cruise is sea-day intensive, and offers only a limited amount of time to explore Hawaii. However, this type of cruise is often less expensive than a cruise on the Pride of America, as the ship does not carry the extra costs of a United States Flagged Ship. If one dislikes flying to Honolulu to take a cruise, this might be a good option for many cruisers.
   
   The second type of cruise is port intensive, and only has sea days when a port is inaccessible due to weather. (This will usually be Kona, as it is a tender only port.) Given that this cruise only sails between American ports, one can take this cruise using only a driver’s license for identification.
   
   
4. Alaska Cruises:
   
   Almost all major cruise lines offer cruises to Alaska.  Most of these cruises start from (and/or end at) a North American West Coast port and sail through the Inside Passage to their destinations. Most Alaskan cruises fell into one of two types:
   
   A, Inside Passage round trip
   B. One way to/from a port on the Gulf of Alaska (often Seward or Whittier) often coupled with a trip to Denali park.
   
   The inside passage round trip is the easiest cruise for most people to take, as they can begin and end their trip at the same port.  It reaches most of the ports that people want to visit, usually including 3 of the following ports:
   
   A. Ketchikan
   B. Juneau
   C. Skagway
   D. Sitka
   E. Icy Strait Point
   
   Additionally, the inside passage cruise will spend a day cruising through areas where passengers can view glaciers close up.  These areas include:
   
   A. Glacier Bay
   B. Hubbard Glacier
   C. Tracy Arm
   
   The cruises to/from ports on the Gulf of Alaska will usually travel itineraries similar to that on an inside passage.  But they will usually (but not always) be coupled with land trips to Denali National Park.  Given that these trips are longer than the usual inside passage cruise and that the starting port is different from the destination port, they are not as easy to take as a typical inside passage cruise.
   
   With above being said, the time spent in port is very important.  Lately, many ships have been making abbreviated port stops in Alaska, reducing the time passengers have to enjoy the experiences these ports have to offer. For example, Victoria, BC is often a mandated foreign stop to comply with the US Passenger Vessel Services Act.  So a stop here can be as short as 3 hours, and in the evening, making it impossible to visit places such as the Butchart Gardens.  So it is important for cruisers to research the places they want to see in each port, and choose a ship and an itinerary that fits their needs.
   
   
5. Norwegian Fjord Cruises.
   
   These cruises are similar to Alaska cruises in their natural beauty. Yet, they are very different, as the Norwegian culture and scenery in the Fjords are very different and worth visiting in their own right.  A Fjord cruise will take the cruiser many miles inland, via narrow gorges, there the landscape becomes the center of attention, something the Alaska cruise does not do.
   
   Most Norwegian Fjord cruises sail out of Mainland Europe (or Great Britain) and either do short 7-day round trips, or cruise to/from Tromso from these ports.  Like Alaskan cruise season, the Norwegian cruise season tends to be short and cruise cabins fill up quickly.
   
   A word of warning: The Norwegian Fjords are UN World Heritage sites, and cruising in conventionally fueled ships will be banned by 2032. Norway's plan is to gradually reduce the number of cruise ships visiting the fjords, and develop a more sustainable tourist industry that does not depend on fossil fuels. Given that Norway's ferries are operating on batteries/hydroelectric power, I feel they might achieve their goal before that. 
   
   
6. World Cruises.
   
   Many of the major cruise lines offer “World Cruises.” These cruises offer the affluent traveler who has time and money the chance to circumnavigate the world, or in discrete segments.
   
   There is no rule of thumb for these cruises, save that they have durations longer than the average cruise and that they are usually very expensive. However, most cruise lines offer cruisers to sail a segment of the world cruise one year, and then book another segment for a later time
   
   Assuming one sails on one of these cruises, one must make sure to have all paperwork (passports value for 6 months after the cruise’s end, visas, entry permits/travel authorizations, vaccinations, etc.) in order.
   
   
7. Polar Cruises.
   
   These cruises can be divided into twp types: Traditional cruises with more exotic locations, and Expedition cruises where individuals set foot on distant, hard to visit regions of the world.  In the case of Antarctica, traditional cruises will skirt by the outer limits of the continent, allowing cruisers to view the continent from the safety of the cruise ship.  However, expedition cruises will take cruisers to the Antarctic continent itself, and allow cruisers to see things up close.  Because there is a greater distance between the Antarctic mainland and civilization, expedition cruise companies require their cruisers to be in good physical health before starting their cruises.  The reason for this is to minimize the chance that the expedition cruise has to abort the cruise because one person has to be taken to the hospital.
   
   Arctic/Antarctic cruises provide once in a lifetime experiences for many, and should be considered when one wants to see experience something completely different from a typical cruise.  Where else but on an Antarctic cruise can one see thousands of penguins up close, creatures who have evolved without fear of humans?  If I were in the best of shape, I'd consider an expedition cruise to Antarctica, now that I have the time to take this cruise.
   
   
8. River Cruises:
   
   Due to the nature of river cruise ships, their cruises tend to be moderately expensive. River cruise ships carry fewer passengers than the average ocean-going cruise ship, and will likely give a different level of service for the price of the cruise. If there is any comparison to be made, it is with the high end, small ship cruise lines, where there is a certain intimacy among the passengers. It is very easy to be anonymous on a large, ocean-going cruise ship. It is impossible to be anonymous on a small river cruise ship.
   
   Unlike ocean-going cruise ships, river cruise ships must be aware of seasonal conditions on the rivers. If there is too much of a snow melt in the Spring, the water may be running too high for a ship to make it under some bridges. If there is too little, there may not be enough water in the river for the ship to make it between ports.
   
   Luckily, river cruises usually do not traverse as great a distance between ports. One can get a more in-depth feel for the region a cruise travels in. For example, there is a Hudson River cruise given by an American based operator. Its overnight stays are in places a short ride from each other by commuter rail. In Europe, similar conditions apply to cruises on the Rhine and Danube rivers, the two most popular routes for river cruising.

Cruising - Bargain Hunting

 

One might be amazed by this, but many cruise line price their cruises below the costs incurred to provide many cruisers with the services they’ll get while on cruising.  Food, Housekeeping, Entertainment, and Security are some of the expenses incurred by the cruise line on every sailing.  To find bargains, one must first answer the following question:

How does a sailing make money for the cruise line?

First, one must look at the goods and services sold on the ship, as well as how the finances of a cruise line are structured.  However, one should focus on the pricing of a cruise and its goods and services to figure out where bargains can be found.

Many products on cruise ships are either “overpriced” or supplied via “underpaid” labor.  For example, one can get a “free” beverage package with NCL’s “Free at Sea” promotion.  All a cruiser must do is pay the gratuities for the package.  But how much alcohol can a non-alcoholic drink?  When I priced the beverage package option for “Free at Sea”, I found that I would need to consume 3 alcoholic drinks per fay to cover what NCL was charging me for the gratuities.  It would be cheaper for me (in most cases) to buy a separate soft drink package, and buy an occasional alcoholic beverage outside of this deal.  Another product that is often overpriced is the photography package.  Most of the time, people will not look at the novelty pictures taken on the cruise.  Yet, I found that for the one or two times I wanted a nice picture of myself, the $25/picture was a tolerable price to pay.

Alcohol and photography are among the many things that can take money out of a cruiser’s pocket.  But the big money makers (based on sales floor area) are Jewelry, Watches, Alcohol (bottled spirits and liquors), and Cigarettes.  A smart cruiser will compare prices on the ship with those on land (both at home and in foreign cruise ports) to determine whether the on-ship store has a better value than that found on land.  On one cruise, I was in St. Thomas and found that I could buy a larger bottle of Grand Marnier at a lower price than I could buy it on the ship.  Since I do not buy cigarettes, jewelry or expensive watches, I cannot say much about cruise line prices from personal experience.  But I can say that if it did not have a high markup, it would not be sold on the ship unless it was absolutely necessary.  So, I avoid buying anything from the ship’s stores unless I need those items and can not wait to get them at the next port.

Another area where one can spend a lot of money is in the ship’s spa.  Although some of the prices may be reasonable, the spa is staffed with low priced labor.  This allows the cruise line to maximize its profits selling services to people who want to be pampered.

Lastly, we come to the casino.  Almost all the standard land based games can be found in a ship’s casino, as well as a few more games not found on land.  Since I do not gamble much, I walk through this area on the way to somewhere else.  When I do gamble, I always remember that the odds are often not as good as would be found in a land based casino.  The slots are often very tight, and some of the table games may have different payouts than found on land.

So, how do we find bargains before booking the cruise and while on the cruise?

First, one can use sites such as vacationstogo.com and cruiseplum.com to track cruise prices and hunt for discounts.  Recently, I did a search for cruises which had pre-paid gratuities included in the price.  When I booked such a cruise, I saved $140 on the net total price of the cruise.  Next, I check to see whether the services I want from “premium” fare options (such as NCL’s “Free at Sea” or Princess’s “Premier” upgrade options) are priced low enough to make them worth buying instead of the basic cruise fare.  Recently, I booked a cruise where the basic fare and the “premium” fare option was being sold at the same price.

Then, I would look at selecting a “Guaranteed” cabin in a selected category.  This is usually cheaper than selecting a specific cabin.  However, this may preclude one from getting any of the goodies associated with a “premium” fare option.  Yet, I have seen some fare options where one will get a guaranteed cabin with the benefits of a premium fare. 

If one wants a selected cabin type, but is willing to make sacrifices, consider an “Obstructed View” cabin.  On one cruise out of Brooklyn, my partner got a balcony with an obstructed view.  We could see the New York City skyline, but couldn’t see Governor’s Island due to the lifeboat in front of us.  Most of these cabins are not created equal, and some are better than others.  One of my favorites, and one I hope to book one day is found on some Royal Caribbean ships, is the Ben and Jerry’s Sweet. Since the Ben and Jerry’s display blocks this cabin’s view of the promenade, Royal Caribbean compensates the cruiser with one free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream treat each day.   Not bad compensation, indeed!

Instead of cruising in peak seasons, I would look for cruises in shoulder seasons.  For example, peak season for Alaskan cruising is in June, July, and August.  I would consider an Alaskan cruise in April, May, September and October. Not only does one avoid the headaches of peak season, but one can cruise at a much lower price.  Each region has peak and shoulder seasons, so a bargain hunter will continually track fares for both peak and shoulder seasons and choose a cruise that meets the selected price point.

If sea days on a cruise are more important than port days, one can consider repositioning cruises to save money.  However, one must ask whether the money saved on the cruise is lost in airfare.  In many cases, the price for a one-way flight can be more than a round trip ticket.  So, this may not be a cost saving option for all cruisers.

Cruising - Debarkation Day

 

For most people, Debarkation Day is when one returns to the Real World.  Although I once combined a 13-day cruise with 5 days on land, most people will be leaving the ship on Debarkation Day and traveling home immediately afterwards.  And the above photo should give a good idea of how confusing it can be at the final port on their cruise.

Most ships will usually reach their destination ports early in the morning, and will expect people to be ready to leave the ship once it is cleared to discharge its passengers.  This usually happens by 7:00 am.  One should be ready to leave one’s cabin as soon as possible after this time.

Because the ship arrives early in the morning, I usually do my last day packing before going to breakfast.  One should make sure that all bags have been packed, all valuables have been removed from the room’s safe, all toiletries have been packed in the carry-on or personal bag, and that nothing else has been left in the cabin. 

Since I usually will not have checked out of the cabin at this time, I go for one last breakfast on the ship. Passengers wanting one last breakfast on the ship will want to make an early visit to the main dining room or buffet, so that they can leave the ship at their assigned times.  Most of the time, the buffet areas will be overcrowded, so it may be hard to find a table on debarkation day.  If open, I try to find a table in the main dining room for my last breakfast, as I am usually not in a hurry to leave the ship.

Passengers are assigned prioritized debarkation times.  For example, “Self-Assist” passengers debark first on many ships, as they require the least assistance from cruise line personnel. Next in line often will be passengers with transfers to local airports (with or without cruise line associated tour).  Many passengers will have flights that take off sometime in the afternoon.  Finally, the remaining passengers will debark the ship.

Once passengers leave the ship for the last time, they will be reunited with their luggage at the cruise terminal.  Bags will usually be found in zones associated with their ship given luggage tags.  However, most bags look alike and can be stored in the wrong zone.  I have found that using a tracking device such as an Apple Air Tag or Tile Tracker has been quite useful.  When my bag was placed in the wrong zone at the terminal, all I had to do was activate an app at the terminal to locate my tracker device.  The device would start beeping, and my bag became easy to find.
Next (on most cruises) one will go through customs.  Although this process has been streamlined at many US cruise terminals, foreign ports may have different processes for non-citizens.  Be prepared to fill out customs declaration forms in foreign ports, as they are simply making sure that all appropriate duties have been paid, and that no contraband is being brought into their lands.

After clearing customs, one is “free.”  One will leave the terminal and seek out appropriate transportation.  If using a cruise line transfer, buses will be in front and waiting for passengers.  Otherwise, one will either go to an arrivals area to be picked up, to a cab stand to get a ride, or walk to mass transit as needed.

 

Cruising - Preparing for debarkation

 

Sadly, the most enjoyable cruises must end.  And the day before a ship returns to port is always the saddest part of the cruise for me.  Although I still have a little bit of time left on the ship, I am constantly aware that I will be back in the “Real World” the next morning.

The first thing I usually take care of is packing for debarkation.  I make sure to always keep essential toiletries and a full change of clothes with me, making sure to have an extra day’s worth of clothing with me in a carry-on or personal item in case of travel delays when returning home.  Given how many people make the mistake of packing clothes needed on debarkation day, Emma (emmacruises.com) sells a disembarkation day t-shirt on her site.

But what about the rest of one’s clothes?  Most people going on a cruise pack both a carry-on bag and a full-sized suitcase, as they often need more than a small bag for a week’s (or more) clothing and other essentials.  And this is where the first decision must be made.  Once the bag is packed, one must decide whether one uses “self-assist” debarkation (a.k.a. Express Debarkation, Express-Departure, Walk-Off, etc.) or one uses the normal debarkation procedures given by the cruise line.  In the case of self-assist debarkation, one must transport all of one’s luggage through customs and out of the cruise terminal. No help will be given by anyone from the cruise line. This can be a major problem when one must handle more than one item of luggage. Yet, there is one important advantage to this form of debarkation – most cruise lines allow “self-assist” cruisers to be among the first people to leave the ship after reaching port. However, if one chooses “normal” debarkation, cruisers will attach identification tags (provided by the cruise ship) which will be used to place bags in selected areas of the terminal building.  Once ready, cruisers will put their bags outside their stateroom door (usually between 10:00 pm and Midnight) for porters to move to the terminal building when the ship reaches port.  To prevent confusion when retrieving bags at the pier the next day, one should consider using a tracking device such as an Apple air tag or Tile tracker to help find one’s bags at the pier.

To the cruise line, the most important thing to be taken care of is the settlement of financial accounts.  All expenses incurred on the ship (minus cruise credits) will be summed and applied to one’s payment mechanism (usually a credit card account).  Because the cruise line wants to have a complete listing of cruise charges before the night is over, one’s ship steward will usually lock the mini-bar on the last evening of the cruise. 

Sometime on the last evening of the cruise, one should review the final bill to make sure that only valid charges are being applied and to make sure that all valid credits are applied as well.  For example, I have seen bar bills applied to the wrong account because an incorrect room number was associated with the charge.  Additionally, port fees and missed excursion credits (only for excursions purchased through the cruise line) for missed ports should be reflected on the bill at this time.  If not, it is much easier to talk to guest services on the last night of the cruise than to talk with them on the day of debarkation.

Cruising - Food and Beverages

 

One of the important pleasures for many when cruising is the food served onboard. Years ago, I enjoyed Baked Alaska on the final day of the cruise.  Even now, I find that the chefs on cruise ships still have goodies in their menus that make me salivate at the thought of eating them.

There are several types of dining venues on the average mass market ocean-going cruise ship:

• Buffets (Complementary)
• Lido Deck Grills (Complementary)
• Main Dining Rooms (Complementary)
• Specialty Restaurants (Extra Charge)

Each of these venues have things I like about them.  For example, the buffets are usually open from early morning until late evening, with minor closures to allow for switch-overs from breakfast to lunch to dinner food during the day.  One usually can find many kinds of foods in the buffets, from “American favorites” (such as: Pizza, Hamburgers, and Carved Meats), Indian Dishes (such as: Chicken Tikka Masala), Wok cooked dishes, and others.  If one wants to sample many different food types, the buffets are for you.

To me, there is nothing like sitting near the pool and eating food from the Lido Deck grills.  In warm sunny weather, these grills are open to serve people wanting to eat in the open air.  However, they are not open all day.  They are typically open around lunch time, and serve a simple set of dishes which might be found in a backyard barbeque.

Each cruise line has a different policy regarding its main dining rooms.  For example, NCL is very casual in both personal appearance and when a person arrives at its dining rooms.  There is no dress code, save for the specialty dining restaurants. Additionally, one is not required to sit at the same table (with the same dining companions) at the same time for the length of the cruise.  Most cruise lines have some formality, as the cruiser must select a time to dine, and dress (formally or informally) based on whether it is gala night or not.  For example, Cunard is a model of formality, and cruisers are required to be dressed formally (“Black Tie” preferred, Dark suits are OK) on gala nights when in public areas.  I recommend that every cruiser checks the dress code for each ship before cruising, as this will help the cruiser plan what to pack before the cruise.

I have often travelled solo.  This did not mean that I dined alone.  Much of the time, I requested to be seated at a “shared table” where other cruisers were seated.  Dining this way helped me make several new friends, people who I hope to again cruise with some day.

Most major cruise lines have specialty restaurants that are an upcharge from the base fare.  In general, one should expect to follow the cruise line’s wardrobe requirements being used for the main dining room (and other public areas).  Prices for these restaurants will vary from cruise line to cruise line and from restaurant to restaurant.  This where a cruiser gets to see the best from a cruise line’s chefs.

Almost all major cruise lines have a steakhouse as one of its ship’s specialty dining options.  Other specialty offerings may include Seafood, Continental/Italian Cuisine, French Cuisine, Barbeque, Hibachi rooms, and Sushi bars.  The best meals I have had when cruising have been at a ship’s specialty restaurants. Of these restaurants, the Steakhouses and the French restaurants are my favorites, as they prepare food that I would not usually eat at home.

Every good meal needs a beverage to go with it.  Most cruise lines only include juice, coffee, tea and tap water for free.  Other beverages are usually covered by individual serving sales or by the sale of beverage packages.  When I started cruising, I limited myself to these beverages, as I did not like paying “big city” restaurant prices for soft drinks.  And then I found the value of soda packages. For a “nominal” cost, I was able to drink as much soda as I liked – all I had to do was pay an upfront fee for that package.  On my last cruise, I got the drink package for the price of its gratuities and broke even on the deal.  (In NCL’s “Free at Sea” promotion, the drink package is free, but you pay the gratuities.)  Some cruise lines offer coffee packages, and if I were a specialty coffee addict, I might have bought one of these packages as well.

Please note that the terms and conditions of each beverage package will vary by cruise line, as well as the beverages that are included in the base cruise fare.  One should compute how many drinks in each category one usually consumes and compute whether purchasing a beverage package is a worthwhile deal.

Cruising - Sea Days

Most cruises have at least one or two sea days built into the schedule. These days give the cruiser a chance to enjoy the full list of amenities available on the ship. Unlike days spent in port, every amenity on the ship is usually open and available to cruisers. 

One of the best ways to find out what activities are available while at sea is the daily bulletin which is usually placed by the door (or in one’s room) the night before. In it, one usually finds the ship’s activity schedule for the day. For example, NCL’s Freestyle Daily will list which dining venues are open (and when they are open), the entertainment available during the day, special events for the day, and regularly scheduled events for the day. Some of the events that took place on my recent Hawaiian cruise included: “Canvas by U!”, “Basketball Shoot-Out”, and “Psychedelic Bingo”. I advise bringing along a highlight marker, so that one can mark the activities one wants to attend, so that one can make the most out of a sea day.

However, many people just want to enjoy themselves in their own ways. On many newer ships, both amusement park and resort amenities are available to cruisers. Things such as go-cart race tracks, roller coasters, and flow riders may be found on these ships, along with the traditional spas and casinos. All the stores will be open and one can buy jewelry, liquor, cigarettes, clothing, and other sundries when the ship is at sea. Just because something is available does not require one to use it. For example, I have never used the services of the ship’s spa, as its prices are way above what I would pay when on land. But I would consider buying a day pass for the go-carts, as I enjoyed racing one while on a business trip a few years ago. Yet, I might just find a good book and read it while relaxing in the ship’s library.

Evenings at sea are often gala nights, where people are encouraged to (or expected to, On many lines) dress to impress. One will often find a ship’s photographers out, and available to capture cruisers wearing their finest outfits. The cruiser should be extra aware on these nights, as many cruise lines enforce their standards on these nights to keep things special for all. Assuming that your cruise has one of these gala nights, be sure to pack your gala wear, so that you can look your best on these nights.

 

Cruising - Port Days

 

On almost all cruises, there will be port days.  For these days, one will need to decide whether to go off and take a shore excursion or stay on the ship and enjoy the ship’s amenities.  There are many decisions that must be made to determine how to best enjoy a day in port, the first being whether to stay on the ship or to take a shore excursion.

Staying on the ship presents a cruiser with many options on how a day can be spent. The cruise ship will usually provide its cruisers with a list of activities taking place on the ship while in port. However, do not consider this a complete list.  One can go swimming in the ship’s pool, soak in its hot tubs, exercise in its gym, or pay for services provided by the onboard spa.  Please note that the ship’s stores and casino will be closed while in port. When in ports I am not interested in, I will often soak in the hot tub on the lido deck (weather permitting), or catch up on my reading in the ship’s library.  

However, one may choose to go off the ship and participate in a shore excursion. One must be careful to synchronize one’s timepiece (watch or cell phone) with ship’s time, and be sure that one’s activities allow for a return to the ship before it leaves port.  Assuming one leaves the ship, one should copy the contact information for the port agent from the ship’s daily bulletin and always keep it handy.  If one gets back to the dock too late, the port agent can be a great help in getting you back to the ship (albeit at a very expensive price).

There are times when the off-ship activities hold my interest more than on-board activities. This is where things can get complicated.  Often, the cruise line opens shore excursion sales well before the cruise.  If one does not purchase an excursion early enough, one will often find that the specific excursion is not available later.  This is not a problem most of the time, as cruise lines often make it possible for one to back out of a shore excursion purchase 48 hours before the excursion is to take place.

There are many factors to be considered when deciding which shore excursions to go on.  For example, I prefer to take excursions with a low activity level.  So, purchasing an excursion that requires a high level of activity (such as a 5-mile hike) would not interest me.  Often, the cruise line will indicate the level of activity required for excursions they sell.  This makes it easier for one to determine which excursions fit one’s requirements.

Another factor in choosing a shore excursion is whether to purchase a shore excursion through the cruise line, or to buy it from an independent vendor such as viator.com or shoreexcursions.com.   Depending on the port and venue, one can save money by buying excursions independently, or simply exploring the port on your own.  However, many factors can be at work in making this decision. For example, when in Skagway, Alaska, I might buy tickets for the White Pass & Yukon Railroad directly through the railroad instead of letting the cruise line make a profit on the ticket.  Yet, if I were to stop in a foreign port such as Civitavecchia, Italy with an excursion in Rome, I would likely buy the excursion through the cruise line, as one has a guarantee that the ship will wait for the excursion to return.  (The cruise line does not guarantee this for passengers on excursions not bought through the cruise line.)  To me, this guarantee is important, as I was on an all-day excursion on The Road to Hana purchased through the cruise line when the van I was in got stuck returning to the ship and might not have made it back to the ship on time. (We were lucky, as the driver was able to get the van started after 30 minutes, and the ship was there when we returned to the port

Assuming one has chosen an all-day excursion, do not assume that food will be provided by the excursion supplier, or that the food provided will meet one’s dietary needs.  For example, on the first 3 days of my Hawaii cruise tour, the excursion supplier only supplied food for the day we were at the Kuoloa Valley Ranch. (We had choices of 3 box lunches that day.) For the other 2 days, we were on our own.  I was glad that both the Polynesian Cultural Center and Pearl Harbor had appropriate dining options available to me.  But what if I had severe food allergies or other dietary restrictions?  This can be a problem if food is to be consumed off the ship.

One of the things I find worthwhile when I visit some ports I’ve been to before is the search for good places to eat.  Most of the time, I have been lucky.  For example, one can find many good places to have fresh seafood near the pier in Portland, Maine.  However, if one goes to a port at the end of the season, one can get stuck eating at a mediocre restaurant (as I did in Bar Harbor, Maine).  One should be careful to note the ship’s departure time if walking around the port area, as the worst thing that I could imagine is enjoying a shorefront view while dining and seeing your ship cruise off into the distance.

Cruising - Embarkation Day

 

To a new cruiser, Embarkation Day can be quite confusing.  On my first cruise following the pandemic shutdown, I had to provide proof of vaccination, be Covid tested 3 days before the cruise, and be tested again at the cruise terminal before I could even finish the check-in process for my cruise.  Luckily, things have mostly returned to a more comfortable “normal” and most Covid protocols that would interfere with the cruise experience have been lifted.

Before one departs for the cruise terminal (but after the flight to the cruise terminal’s city), one should apply luggage tags for each bag to be checked with porters at the cruise terminal.  These tags should have the cruiser’s name, cell phone number, ship name and cabin number.  This will help the porters deliver checked luggage to the proper cabin in a timely manner.  I have bought special Cruise Luggage Tag Holders (with steel loops) from Amazon for this purpose, as they help ensure that my tags will not get separated from my luggage until it is delivered to my cabin.

At the cruise terminal, there will often be a line of people waiting to check in, as well as porters waiting to take your checked luggage to the ship.  Hand all luggage except your carry-on bags and medical equipment to the porters, and proceed to ship check-in.

Each cruise line will implement its own embarkation procedures. In all cases, your identification papers and cruise ticket will need to be displayed before going through security.  You and your carry-on bags will be scanned for contraband before you are directed to the check-in desks.   Once at the check-in desk, your paperwork will be inspected, and you will be given a cruise card.  This card will serve as your room key and a charge card, and as part of the identification you will need to get on and off the ship for shore excursions.  (Not all ships use traditional cruise cards.  For example, Princess Cruises uses a wearable medallion for this purpose.)

Once you have your cruise card, it will be time to get on the ship.  Often, you will be directed past a photo station where you will be given the opportunity to have cheesy pictures taken of you.  From there, you will board the ship, and then be able to head to your cabin when it is ready to be occupied.

Once in your cabin, you may be directed to view a safety video and then check in at a muster station.  On some ships, you may be directed to report to the muster station for a safety demonstration.  In both cases, you are required to view the safety presentation and check in at the muster station, as maritime law requires that all passengers must attend the safety drill in whatever form it is given.

At this point, all major tasks may be complete.  However, there are other tasks that should be taken care of at this time, such as making dining and entertainment reservations (if this has not been done before the cruise) and purchasing shore excursions which may not have been available for purchase before the cruise.  If you are having trouble with the cruise line’s app, the ship’s internet services desk should be able to resolve any problems you may be having, so that the rest of the cruise may be enjoyed without technology glitches.

When I took my Hawaii cruise, I had two specialty restaurant reservations to make, as well as supplying information needed for me to take one of my six scheduled shore excursions.  If one of the excursions had been cancelled (as was the case for some other passengers), this was the best time to reserve another excursion to replace the one that had been cancelled.

Assuming conditions permit, one should be now be able to change into a swimsuit and take a dip in the ship’s pool or hot tubs while waiting for luggage to be delivered to the cabin.  Embarkation day is the one day that I have found that few people make it to the ship’s pool, as they are trying to find their way around the ship. 

Please note that many people rush to the buffet on Embarkation Day.  If possible, one may find that dining in the main dining room is a better choice on this first day of cruising, as it may not be as crowded as the buffet.

 

 

Cruising - Preparing for the cruise

There are many things one must do in preparing for a cruise, that are common to most forms of travel.  Some of these things are:

• Determining whether one needs to arrive in the cruise terminal’s city the day of the cruise, or a day or two before the cruise.
• Arranging transportation to/from cruise terminal, airport, or train station.
• Making sure all of one’s documentation is in order. (e.g.: Passports & Visas)
  
• Setting up Hold Mail service with the Post Office.
• Vaccinations needed for destination(s).
• Itinerary information to be packed in each bag, in case it is not delivered to the correct destination on time.  (This will aid in the recovery of lost bags and in the delivery of those bags to the cruiser.)
• Backup copies of all identification and credit cards being carried on the cruise.  (One never knows when one may need to call a credit card company about a lost or misplaced card.)
• Cruise Documents, such as Boarding Passes and Luggage Tags.
• Luggage Locator Tags (Apple Tags, Tile Tags, etc.)
• Confirming cruise terminal check-in time with the cruise line.
  
  
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Passports, Visas, Entry Permits, and Proofs of Vaccination.

One should take care of these items as early as possible before the cruise, as many people forget one or more of them, and have been unable to go on their cruises.

Passports are a requirement for most cruises.  However, many round-trip cruises from US ports do not require passports, as they only require a birth certificate for proof of US citizenship. This is not recommended, as a person’s cruise may end suddenly due to ship malfunction or individual illness.  Affected cruisers would then need to get a emergency passport from the nearest US consulate or embassy, something which can be a major hassle in an already stressful time. 

Assuming one is using a passport for international travel, one should make sure that it will not expire before 6 months after travel has ended.  Many nations require this for entry, and one can be kept off a cruise for this reason.  However, this might not be all that a traveler needs to cruise to/from many ports, as individual countries/regions may require visas or entry permits to enter.  For example, the US and EU already require entry permits for all non-citizens, separate from any visa requirements that may exist.  The UK is implementing its own entry permit system.  This may create a logistical nightmare for US citizens flying from New York to London for a round-trip cruise from Southhampton to the Norwegian Fjords. It is not just the US, UK, and EU that has visitor rules like this.  An acquaintance of mine had to apply for 3 separate permits for her trip to visit Antarctica.  So, one must be careful to secure all required permits and visas well ahead of the cruise.

Some countries (or regions) require vaccination proofs before entry.  For example, even though Australia lifted most Covid era vaccination requirements, one of its states still required proofs of vaccination.  As a result, several people were denied boarding their cruises, even though Australia (as a nation) allowed them to be on Australian soil.

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Dining Reservations:

As soon as you are able, make your dining reservations for any specialty restaurants in which you plan to dine.  Often, many preferred dining times get closed out before the cruise, and one must settle for second and third best choices. For example, I had 4 specialty meals included with my Hawaii cruise (2 from NCL’s “free at sea” package, and 2 from my loyalty status).  I was only able to book 2 of these meals before my cruise, and had to settle for 2 meals in restaurants which I would not have chosen had my desired choices had still been available.

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Shore Excursions:

Like dining reservations, shore excursions should be purchased as early as possible.  On several cruises, I was locked out of shore excursions because they were sold out before the cruise started.  Cancelling an excursion is not much of a problem, as most excursions can be canceled with 48 hours’ prior notice.

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Packing for the cruise.

I have found that a checklist is very useful when I prepare for a cruise.  One of the ones I have found useful can be found at:

https://www.smartertravel.com/the-ultimate-packing-list/

In addition, I always pack a printed sheet of paper containing my contact information and my travel itinerary, so that if my bag is misplaced and opened, it can be forwarded to me by the airline, cruise line, or other personnel that may mishandle my luggage.  This helped me on one return to New York, as I left some luggage in the trunk of the cab, and was able to retrieve the luggage with minimal difficulty.

Assuming that the weather is warm and the ship has a pool, one might want to consider packing a swimsuit in one’s carry-on bag.  This way, on Embarkation Day, one has the option of changing into the swimsuit and going for a soak before checked luggage is delivered to one’s cabin.

However, there are items that must be packed, as they will not be permitted on the ship.  Many are prohibited because cruise ships use a different electrical system than found on land. Some of these items are:

• Hair Dryers
• Power strips with surge protection.
  (There are special power strips available on Amazon that can be used.)
• Electric Blankets
• Bottles of Alcoholic Beverages.  (Applies to many ships, but not all.)

I would read the cruise line’s list of prohibited items before packing.  Please be aware that all cruise lines currently prohibit bringing cannabis on board, as they follow both US Federal Government law, the laws of the country whose flag the ship flies, as well as those laws of each port on the cruise’s route.  In a case reported by a Vlogger, a cruiser was banned for life because ship personnel found cannabis in the cabin.

Cruisers will usually not have problems with most prescription drugs. One should keep them in a carry-on or personal bag, as it may take some time for your larger suitcase to make it from the porter to your cabin door.  Although I have never needed to do so, one may need to keep their drugs in their original containers to avoid problems in some countries. When in doubt, check with appropriate authorities in each country the ship will visit to make sure that each medication is allowed.  In some cases, your physician may need to substitute medications to comply with the laws of foreign nations.

Not all medications are in pill form.  Some are liquids that may need refrigeration. You may need to keep your medication cold on the way to a cruise ship.  However, once in your cabin, you can request that your attendant remove all purchasable items from the cabin refrigerator, so that you can access your medications at any time.

Regarding medical equipment, most major “American” cruise lines have at least one North American Standard 110v/60hz power outlet. This may not be enough for many cruisers, as couples may have equipment such as “his and hers” CPAP units. Because of this, I always travel with a cruise ready power strip and an extension cord to allow me to set up my CPAP unit next to my bed.  In the case of CPAP units, I have never had a major problem requesting distilled water from my room attendant.  In the one case where I had a problem, he had to ask for help in translating “distilled water” so that he could fetch it from the ship’s stores.

One trick many people have found to access additional power outlets is to bring a travel adapter, so that they can use the European Standard 220v/50hz power outlet with North American equipment.  Although I have not needed to do this, it is something to consider when one just needs that one extra power outlet.

If you have not done so, load the cruise line’s app onto your cell phone before going on the cruise.  This is the ideal time to set it up and become familiar with it, because you may need it to do many things on the ship.  On two of the cruise lines that I have sailed on, their app allows the cruiser to reserve meal times at the onboard restaurants, reserve seats for the ship’s onboard entertainment, order drinks and much, much more.   Knowledge of how to use the app can make a cruise more pleasant than if one cannot use a cell phone as an information utility.

Cruising - How to select a cruise

 

There are many factors that should go into selecting a cruise.  Some of these include: Length of cruise, Cruise Itinerary, and Total Price (including taxes, fees, and add-ons).  But this is simply a start to the process of selecting a cruise.  However, there are more factors that must be considered, in order to have an enjoyable cruise.

To me, the most important factor in choosing a cruise is the stage of life one is in, and that of one’s travel companions.  For example, if I were a young parent with small children that is cruising on a tight budget, my choice of cruise line would be a value conscious line that would serve the needs of both parents and children.  If I were a solo traveler who does not have to worry about budgets, I would likely choose a different cruise line from that young parent. 

Cruise Critic has a great article on How to Pick a Cruise Line. But this is only the start of the process.  Although I tend to cruise on NCL, as it sails from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, I have also sailed on Princess and Holland American lines from other ports.  The latter two lines tend to have an older group of cruisers, and do not have as many of the Kid-Friendly activities that most new NCL, Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships have. 

Once I have determined which cruise line fits my needs, I would then focus on choosing a cruise embarkation port, a cruise itinerary, and a cruise duration, as these factors further contribute to the total price of the cruise.  If one lives near a cruise port, one can minimize some expenses by driving to the cruise port and choosing a cruise that departs from that port.  (This only works for cruises that return to the port of origin.)  Both cruise itinerary and cruise duration are important factors in which cruise is best for a person.  For example, I am not a beach person, and do not enjoy cruises with a lot of beach days.  I also enjoy longer cruises, as I am retired and have the time to savor the cruising experience. 

The process of selecting a cruise should also involve determining what activity level a person wants while cruising, and to make sure that that the cruise offers that level of activity.  For example, I recently found out that I would not enjoy a Galapagos Islands cruise, as I am not prepared for the level of activity needed for the excursions.  Yet, I enjoyed a port intensive Hawaii cruise, where I was able to visit sites such as Pearl Harbor and the Halealaka Crater, then cruise the scenic Na Pali coast without causing me to get overly exhausted. 

Although I have not had to dress up for most of my cruises, a smart cruiser will check out the dress code required onboard ships in a cruise line.  NCL has the most relaxed dress code of them all, while Cunard at the other end is very formal. One must take this factor into consideration when choosing a cruise, as many areas of a ship can be off limits to cruisers if they are not wearing cruise-appropriate clothing (as defined by the cruise line).

Even a ship’s size can be a factor in choosing a cruise.  I have sailed on medium and large cruise ships, and I have found that I prefer smaller ships with fewer people on board.  My favorite cruise was one taken at the end of 2021, when a medium sized ship was sailing at 40% of capacity.  Other people thrive when a ship is at full capacity. 

Just as important as itinerary and cruise duration is when the cruise is being offered.  If one does not want to deal with lots of small children, one may want to sail when the kids are in school.  Sailing in “shoulder seasons” also provides lower cost options for many people to sail, as off-peak rates are often lower than peak rates for many cruise itineraries.

In addition to the factors above, I would also factor in the age of a ship.  Most newer ships on the 4 major ocean-going cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC) have more amusement park like amenities (e.g., Go-Carts, Flow Riders, Roller Coasters, etc.) than their smaller and older ships.  New ships on these lines tend to be larger than their older ships.  Their size allows them to carry more passengers, but also limits the places they can go because many ports can not handle large numbers of visitors. So, if one wants a more quiet and sedate experience, one might want to consider an older ship instead of a new ship.

So, how would I put all of this into practice?

Example 1 - Traveler:

• Middle-Aged Single (traveling with companion).
• Low 6 figure income ($100k-$200k).
• Wants a one-week trip.
• Lives near Los Angeles.
• Enjoys trips with moderate activity.

I might suggest that this person consider a 7-day Hawaii cruise (only NCL offers this), enjoying activities such as snorkeling and hiking while in the islands.  The same person might enjoy a 7-day Alaskan inside passage cruise out of Vancouver or Seattle.

Example 2 - Traveler:

• Young parent traveling with spouse and two young kids.
• "Value Oriented” cruiser - Mid 5 figure income ($50k-$60k)
• Can reach warm weather ports such as Galveston, New Orleans, Port Canaveral, and Miami with a ½ day drive.
• Vacations are limited to times when school is not in session.

I might suggest that this family try a 5–7-day cruise from one of these ports.  Any cruise shorter than this is likely to be a “Booze Cruise,” and not appropriate for young families. One should be sailing on one of Royal Caribbean’s, NCL’s, or Carnival’s ships that are no less than 4 years old and no more than 8 years old.  These ships are most likely to be affordable, while providing many of the amusement activities that children may enjoy.  Additionally, most of their ships have areas where children can be left under adult supervision, allowing the parents to have some “us” time for themselves.

Example 3 – Traveler:

• Older solo cruiser (under 70 y/o) in excellent physical shape.
• Retired, with mid-7-digit portfolio ($4m-$6m net worth)
• Comfortable with travel to exotic destinations
• Interested in unusual wildlife and exotic destinations.

I might suggest that this person take a 14+day cruise from South America to visit Antarctica, sailing on a line specializing in excursions to exotic destinations, such as Hurtigruten.  The southernmost continent is on many bucket lists, and traveling there on an excursion ship would be a once in a lifetime chance to visit this “empty” continent.

Example 4 – Traveler:

• Younger solo traveler (25-34 y/o) in average physical shape.
• Working, with a Mid 5 figure income ($50k-$60k)
• Looking for new, yet familiar experiences
• Has flexibility in scheduling vacations.

In this case, a cruiser has many options.  The best ones will often involve flying to the origination cruise port.  I might suggest a 7-day Alaskan cruise from Seattle or Vancouver, a 7-day Caribbean cruise from any of the major Florida ports, or a 7-day New England/Canada cruise from New York or Boston. 

No matter what cruise a person ends up taking, it is best to have done some research before selecting a cruise to have the most enjoyable cruise possible.