Planning your cruise
Posted 01-31-2013 at 04:14 AM by bella119
When to go
Baltic cruises are scheduled from May through September, with mid-summer being high season, when the weather is predictably more pleasant. Temperatures throughout the Baltic are somewhat unpredictable but can range from balmy mid– to high-70sF on sunny days to chilly 50sF in the evening, even if the sun doesn’t set until well into the night.
Mediterranean cruises are available year-round, with high season from late April through October when temperatures range from the upper 70s to mid-90sF.
Cruise Costs
Averages cruise fares vary considerably by itinerary and season, as well as by category of accommodations you select. Europeans are known to prefer late-summer holidays, with August being the busiest month. Typical daily per diems on a luxury line such as Silversea or Seabourn can be as much as three times or more the cost of a cruise on a mainstream line such as Royal Caribbean or even a premium Celebrity Cruises ship.
Saving money on your cruise fare
Book early: Cruise lines discount their cruises if you book early, particularly during the annual “Wave” season between January and March.
Cruise during the off-season: Take your cruise during the very early spring or late fall (especially in March, October, and November.
Book a guarantee: You won’t be able to select your own because the cruise line will assign you one in the category your book, but a guarantee fare can be substantially lower than a regular fare.
Cruise with friends and family: Book a minimum number of cabins, and your group can generally receive a special discounted fare.
Reveal your age and affiliations: Fare savings may be available for seniors, and members of certain organizations, and for cruise-line stockholders.
Cruise often: Frequent cruisers usually get discounts from their preferred cruise lines.
Book late: sometimes you can book a last-minute cruise at substantial savings if the ship hasn’t filled all its cabins.
Booking your cruise
Charting your cruising course doesn’t have to be difficult, but it isn’t as simple as booking airplane seats or reserving a hotel room. Even after you’ve settled on a cruise line and cruise ship that’s right for you, there will still be many questions to answer and details to get ring. First-time cruisers, who may want and need some additional insight and advice, may wish to stick to traditional travel agent who is close to hand. Of course, if you’ve taken numerous cruises and are more concerned with the price-and if you’re willing to go to bat for yourself if something goes wrong- a Web-based agency might be the best way to go.
10 questions to answer before visiting a travel agent or visiting a website
1. Who will be going on the cruise?
2. What can you afford to spend for the entire trip?
3. Where would you like to go?
4. How much vacation time do you have?
5. When can you get away?
6. What are your interests?
7. Do you prefer a casual or structured vacation?
8. What kind of accommodations do you want?
9. What are your dining preferences?
10. How will you get to the embarkation port?
Baltic cruises are scheduled from May through September, with mid-summer being high season, when the weather is predictably more pleasant. Temperatures throughout the Baltic are somewhat unpredictable but can range from balmy mid– to high-70sF on sunny days to chilly 50sF in the evening, even if the sun doesn’t set until well into the night.
Mediterranean cruises are available year-round, with high season from late April through October when temperatures range from the upper 70s to mid-90sF.
Cruise Costs
Averages cruise fares vary considerably by itinerary and season, as well as by category of accommodations you select. Europeans are known to prefer late-summer holidays, with August being the busiest month. Typical daily per diems on a luxury line such as Silversea or Seabourn can be as much as three times or more the cost of a cruise on a mainstream line such as Royal Caribbean or even a premium Celebrity Cruises ship.
Saving money on your cruise fare
Book early: Cruise lines discount their cruises if you book early, particularly during the annual “Wave” season between January and March.
Cruise during the off-season: Take your cruise during the very early spring or late fall (especially in March, October, and November.
Book a guarantee: You won’t be able to select your own because the cruise line will assign you one in the category your book, but a guarantee fare can be substantially lower than a regular fare.
Cruise with friends and family: Book a minimum number of cabins, and your group can generally receive a special discounted fare.
Reveal your age and affiliations: Fare savings may be available for seniors, and members of certain organizations, and for cruise-line stockholders.
Cruise often: Frequent cruisers usually get discounts from their preferred cruise lines.
Book late: sometimes you can book a last-minute cruise at substantial savings if the ship hasn’t filled all its cabins.
Booking your cruise
Charting your cruising course doesn’t have to be difficult, but it isn’t as simple as booking airplane seats or reserving a hotel room. Even after you’ve settled on a cruise line and cruise ship that’s right for you, there will still be many questions to answer and details to get ring. First-time cruisers, who may want and need some additional insight and advice, may wish to stick to traditional travel agent who is close to hand. Of course, if you’ve taken numerous cruises and are more concerned with the price-and if you’re willing to go to bat for yourself if something goes wrong- a Web-based agency might be the best way to go.
10 questions to answer before visiting a travel agent or visiting a website
1. Who will be going on the cruise?
2. What can you afford to spend for the entire trip?
3. Where would you like to go?
4. How much vacation time do you have?
5. When can you get away?
6. What are your interests?
7. Do you prefer a casual or structured vacation?
8. What kind of accommodations do you want?
9. What are your dining preferences?
10. How will you get to the embarkation port?
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