Top Tips for Finding Cruise Values

That $399-seven-day Caribbean cruise may sound like a bargain, but know this: the price is really only the point of entry. As ships have become fancier and more amenity-laden than ever before, trying to figure out how much your trip will cost is a little bit more complicated. There's no one answer.

Traditionally, the only extra fees involved crew tipping, liquor and soda, ship-to-shore telephone calls, gambling, shore excursions, and gift shop indulgences. These days, cruise lines have added all sorts of nifty features on their ships, but the cost is almost always extra. Extra costs may include exercise classes, cappuccino at a ship's swanky coffee bar, onboard Internet centers with per minute rates, and alternative dining eateries charging up to $25 per person.

If you find that a lot of these "extras" are an important element of your vacation, consider upgrading: often luxury lines are more all-inclusive. Travelers who tend to ring up big shore excursion bills should consider booking a cruise with a line that's more destination-oriented; several actually include port visits in the overall cruise fare.

From bargain-hunting cruise fares to restraining onboard expenditures, here are our top tips for getting the best value for your cruise vacation budget.

1. Never Pay Brochure Price
Never. We repeat: Never. Cruise lines all issue gorgeous, glossy brochures with "sample" pricing, but unless it's a very special (and very well-sold) trip where demand's higher than supply - and that's incredibly rare -- consider those prices to be about as accurate as those per-day hotel rates posted on the back of your room's door.

2. Be Flexible
Pricing a cruise is a lot like that of an airline ticket -- the fares go up and down constantly. Travelers who have flexibility to wait until the last minute - and that, in cruise parlance, is anywhere between three-to-six weeks before departure - may find the best rock-bottom fares. Be prepared, though, for the least desirable accommodations. These days, in fact, cruise lines are wooing "advance planners" -- those who book a cruise and pay a deposit six months in advance - by offering excellent fares and throwing in otherwise-expensive upgrades. The most valuable upgrades? A "balcony stateroom for the price of an outside cabin" and free airfare.

3. Seek the Sales
The Internet is the best medium for sales, ranging from last minute to long-distance. Need help snagging a deal? Check out our cruising best deals.

4. Cruise Close to Home
Cruise lines have embraced "homeland cruising," which translates to establishing home ports - many on a seasonal basis - in cities all along the U.S. coast. This impacts itineraries that sail in regions such as the Caribbean and the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Mexican Riviera, Canada and New England, and Alaska. The primary benefit? No need to tack on the cost of an airline ticket to more traditional send-off port cities, like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and San Juan. Do plan, however, to pay $10 a day to park your car in port garages.

5. Surf the Web Before you Book
Virtual travel agencies -- particularly geared to do-it-yourself type travelers -- make it possible to act as your own travel agent, from selecting a cabin to booking a cruise. They are also a great place to shop around and gather tips.

On the Internet there are a handful of high-profile travel agencies -- with every bit as much certification as the traditional kind. The best-known names are Expedia,
Travelocity, Cruise411.com and Cruise.com. Generally, they offer a lot of bells and whistles from deck plans to cruise reviews. And you can book a cruise with or without the help of a "real" person.

6. Cruise For Free
Convince a group of friends to cruise as a group, and you can go free. Many cruise lines reward "group planners" - and it's not necessary to be a pro - who organize a trip of at least 16 people (two to a cabin) with a free cruise. Those who coordinate a group that takes a minimum of 32 people (in 16 cabins) may nab a free cabin (for two people). Admittedly, group leaders earn that free cruise by putting in a lot of planning time; requirements include working with a travel agent to determine the best trip for the group (cheapest group fares tend to be offered in May, June, September, October and early November) and choosing a ship and an itinerary that pleases everyone. The group leader also works with a travel agent to make sure all deposits and final payments are made.

If you love the idea of group cruising but can't seem to recruit at least 16 of your friends, why not connect with thousands of other cruise fanatics with our Cruise Critic community? It's easy to become a group cruise leader and you'll receive one free berth for at least eight cabins sold, or two free berths for at least 16 cabins sold.

7. Use E-mail to Stay in Touch
Calling ship-to-shore has always been exorbitant (plan to pay anywhere from $6.95 - $15.95 per minute). Most cruise ships these days have onboard Internet centers, though it is still pretty pricey (expect to pay anywhere from 35 cents to $1.25 per minute). If you're really cost-conscious, save your emailing for ports-of-call; most have cyber centers.

8. Save on Your Bar Bill
One of the quickest ways to ratchet up the onboard tab is buying sodas and alcoholic drinks. Four drinks a day -- at about $5 apiece (not to mention the occasional $40 bottle of wine with dinner) can cost $180 per person over a week long span. Discount packages involving alcoholic drinks are on the increase with "wine-and-dine" type promotions beginning to spread. For instance, one cruise line offers, on a seven day cruise, a bottle-of-wine-per-day for $109.

Cruise lines also offer occasional special discounts such as a bucket-of-beer (buy four get one free) and the "drink of the day" offer. And all-you-can-drink-soda cards, once limited to kids, can be used, in many cases, by adults as well.

9. Savor the Spa at a Discount
Cruise lines typically have state-of-the-art spa facilities. But cruise ship treatments are generally pretty pricey, about what you'd pay at a top-notch resort (rather than at a day spa), such as $99 and up for a 50-minute massage. There are strategic ways to save - even if it's just 10 - 20 percent. Spas often discount services on days-in-port. Another way to shave a couple of dollars off your treatments is to book an existing package -- or work with the spa to create your own. And finally, try not to let the pampering go to your head. A controversial tactic on cruise ship spas, most of which are operated by the United Kingdom-based Steiner Ltd., is to follow-up treatments with a sales pitch for the company's beauty products. To eliminate that extra tab, just say no.

10. Shore Excursions
Cruise lines offer a variety of shore excursions in every port of call they visit. The main advantage to booking the cruise line's own tours is that, ideally, the ship will stand behind its quality (and if the tour runs late the ship will wait). On the other hand, they tend to cost more, often involve fairly large groups -- and, particularly on larger ships, the extremely popular tours can sell out quickly. One alternative: independent shore excursion specialists book similar or better day-trips at ports-of-call for the same or less money. I know when I've arrived in the ports there is always transportation available. I've taken a taxi to the same beach excursion arranged on board and saved almost half off the cruise ship cost of the excursion.

One time we were with some friends and cruising with our kids. They booked a snorkeling shore excursion through the cruise ship for the four of them at a cost of $22.00 each. We took a taxi and rented snorkels at the beach at a cost of $8.00 each for the snorkels and the ride. We were at the same beach and in the same water and, in fact, beat them to the beach because we didn't have to wait for the bus transportation.

11. Extend Your Trip
Want to spend a few extra days in the port on either end of your trip? Cruise lines happily package hotel stays (usually with transfers to or from the ship) but you may pay a lot extra for the convenience. Either book your own hotels (you can always book a cruise line's airport-to-ship transfers on an a'la carte basis) or go with a cruise line pre- and/or post-cruise stays into the overall fare package.
 

Why A Cruise?

Cruising, in my opinion, is one of the best vacations. And 85 percent of cruisers will cruise again. And you know why? Here are just some of the reasons:

• Great deals.
• Variety of things to do.
• Live entertainment, casinos, spas, great dining and all within a short stroll away.
• You don't have to make dinner reservations and the menu is outstanding.
• Offers a great ways to travel with family.
• The atmosphere and views are extraordinary.
• You can watch the world float by.
• A cruise ship is a floating resort that can take you to several destinations.
• A convenient package with no packing or unpacking.

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How to pick a cruise line?

Cruise lines and ships have "personalities." Some lines are known for their party atmosphere, others are more popular with senior citizens, still others cater to families with children. There are also specialty cruises for dancers, sports fans, dieters, gamblers, gays and lesbians, and just about any group under the sun. So the key to your decision is to decide what kind of atmosphere you want and what you can afford. A travel agent will be able to offer brochures and make suggestions based on your needs or you can go to the cruise line web sites to check them out at your own leisure.
 

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How do I pick a cabin?

First decide if you want an inside or an outside cabin. Outside cabins offer a window. Inside cabins have a mirror, picture, or curtains in place of a window. Less expensive, inside cabins offer the same facilities and service but make some people feel claustrophobic. On newer ships, inside and outside cabins tend to be similarly sized. On converted ocean liners, however, the outside cabins are almost always larger.

One comment you will often hear is, "Don't worry about the cabin, because you won't spend much time in it." This varies with individual preferences. In very warm climates you may spend more time in your air-conditioned cabin to get away from the heat. If you think you are going to be spending a good deal of time resting, reading, sleeping, or if you just want to be alone, you may want to book a larger cabin. On the other hand, if you know that you are only going to use the cabin for changing clothes and sleeping, a smaller cabin would suffice.

Outside cabins cost more than inside ones. Prices also rise as the cabin gets closer to the top deck. More expensive cabins may have more square footage, a balcony, mini refrigerator, and bathtubs. Cabins at the bow and stern of the ship are sometimes less expensive due to space limitations imposed by the ship's structure. When deciding on a cabin, determine how important the different features are to you.

If you fear seasickness, book a cabin that is nearest to midship. The center of the ship generally has less pitch and is more stable.

Another consideration: check the location of the jogging deck, dining room, nightclub, and other public rooms in relation to the cabins. If you are a light sleeper, you may want to avoid cabins directly below or above public areas and the promenade. If you have trouble negotiating steps, you may want to book a cabin near the public rooms, since ship elevators are small and may not always be convenient.

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