Cheap Cruise Holidays & Latest Cruises Deals

 

GENERAL DEFINITIONS

What exactly is a cruise?
A cruise is a vacation – an escape from the stress and strain of life ashore. It offers you a chance to relax and unwind in comfortable surroundings, with attentive service, good food, and a ship that changes the scenery for you. It can be a hassle-free, and, more importantly, a crime-free vacation. Everything’s close to hand, and there are always polite people to help you. A cruise provides great value for money, variety (in ship size, destinations, facilities, cuisine, entertainment, activities and shore excursions), a chance to explore new places, meet new people, make friends, and, above all, provides the ingredients for a wonderful vacation

More than 350 ocean-going cruise ships carrying from 50 to more than 6,000 passengers visit almost 2,000 destinations throughout the world, and new ships are being constantly introduced. They range from under 200 ft (60 meters) to over 1,000 ft (300 meters) in length, and their shapes vary enormously. Facilities, food, and service vary from company to company, and according to the size of the ship.

Ambiance ranges from ultra-casual to very formal (starchy and reserved). Entertainment ranges from amateur dramatics to full-fledged high-tech production shows and circus-like theatrics, from the corner cabaret to a world-famous headliner.

How long does a cruise last?
The popular standard length is seven days, although cruises can vary from two-day party cruises to a slow exotic voyage around the world of up to 180 days (there are even passengers who stay aboard some ships all year round, and disembark only when the ship has to go into dry dock for refits). If you are new to cruising and want to “get your feet wet,” try a short cruise first. Its length will depend on the time and money at your disposal and the degree of comfort you are seeking, but more leisurely cruises can last 14 days or more. To operate long, low-density voyages, cruise lines must charge high rates to cover the extensive preparations, high food and transportation costs, port operations, fuel, and so on.

WHO GOES CRUISING

Isn’t cruising just for old people?
The average age of passengers gets younger each year, with the average age of first-timers now well under 40. But retirees find cruising a safe and comfortable way to travel and many have plenty of get-up-and-go.

On a typical cruise you’re likely to meet singles, couples, families with children of all ages (including single parents and grandparents), honey­­­mooners (some second- or third-time around), groups of friends, and college buddies. You may even run across your next-door neighbors.

Won’t I get bored?
Usually, it’s the men who ask this question, but get them aboard and often there’s not enough time in the day to try all the things they want to do – as long as you choose the right ship, for the right reasons.

There are more things to do aboard today’s ships than there is on almost any Caribbean island. So, whether you want to lie back and be pampered, or be active nonstop, you can do it on a cruise, and you will have to pack and unpack only once.

Just being at sea provides an intoxicating sense of freedom that few places on dry land can offer. And, in case you think you may feel cut off without contact, almost all large resort ships (those carrying over 1,600 passengers) offer internet access, pay-per-view movies, digital music libraries, and ship-wide wi-fi access.

Isn’t it all very regimented?
Some cruises simply aren’t relaxing, despite cruise brochure claims that “you can do as much or as little as you want to.” For example, the large resort ships carry­ing more than 1,600 passengers, and particularly those with 5,000-plus, cram lots of people into small cabins and provide nonstop activities that insult the intelligence and assault the wallet. The purpose of this book is to help you identify the cruise that’s right for you.

I’M NEW TO THIS.  WHERE DO I START?

First, think about where you want to go, how long a cruise you would like, and how much money you want to spend. How large a ship would you like to cruise aboard? Then, find a good travel agent who specialises in cruises and can match your needs, requirements, lifestyle, and personality. Be sure to ask the following questions:

1 What size cruise ship would you recommend?
2 What should I budget for the cruise?
3 What is included in the cruise price?
4 What extra costs can I expect to pay?
5 Which destinations are included?
6 What kind of accommodation would suit my tastes and budget?
7 What is the ship’s onboard ambience like?
8 What facilities does the ship have?
9 What kind of food and service does it provide?
10 What kind of entertainment should I expect?

You can also research the internet, although you won’t be able to ask those all-important questions.

Are there facilities for singles?
Yes. A cruise holiday is good for those traveling alone (over 25 percent of all passengers are solo travelers – worldwide, that’s over 4 million a year), because it is easy to meet other people in a non-competitive environment. Many ships have dedicated cabins for singles and special add-on rates for single occupancy of double cabins. Some cruise lines will even find a cabin mate for you to share with, if you so desire.

However, in cabins with three or four berths (two beds plus upper berths), personal privacy doesn’t exist. Also, some companies sell two-bed cabins at a special single rate, forgetting that many people who cruise solo do so because their spouse or partner has died, and the last thing they want is to be in a cabin with two beds.

Why is it so expensive for singles?
Because it’s a couples world. Almost all cruise lines base their rates on double occupancy, as do hotels. Thus, when you travel alone, the cabin portion of your fare reflects an additional supplement. While almost all new ships are built with cabins for double occupancy, older ships have more single-occupancy cabins. Cruise line special offers are nearly always aimed at double-occupancy passengers.

Is there enough to keep children busy?
A cruise provides families with more quality time than any other type of vacation, and family cruising is the industry’s largest growth segment. Activities are tailored to various age groups – even Disney has cruise ships for families. A cruise is also educational, allows children to interact in a crime-free environment, and takes them to destinations in comfortable, familiar surroundings. In fact, children have such a good time aboard ship and ashore, you may have difficulty getting them home after the cruise – as long as you have chosen the right ship.
If you cruise aboard one of the major cruise lines, you may find gratuities for your children automatically added to your onboard account. NCL, for example, requests $5 per day from each child of 3–12 years, while those over 13 pay the adult rate of $10 per day.

Are there child-free ships?
If you don’t like crowds, noise, and long lines, try a small ship – a sail-cruise vessel or a river or barge cruise could also provide the right escape. Companies that operate child-free ships include P&O Cruises (Arcadia, Artemis), and Saga Cruises (Spirit of Adventure, Saga Ruby).

DO CRUISES SUIT HONEYMOONERS?

 < span style="font-size: small;">Absolutely. A cruise is the ideal setting for romance, for shipboard weddings aboard ships with the right registry (they can also be arranged in some ports, depending on local regulations), receptions, and honeymoons. Most decisions are already made for you, so all you have to do is show up. Many ships have double, queen- or king-sized beds, too. And for those on a second honeymoon, many ships can perform a “renewal of vows” ceremony; some will make a charge for this service.

HEALTH ISSUES

Will I get seasick?
Today’s ships have stabilizers – large underwater “fins” on each side of the hull – to counteract any rolling motion, and most cruises are in warm, calm waters. As a result, fewer than 3 percent of passengers become seasick. Yet it’s possible to develop some symptoms – anything from slight nausea to vomiting.

Both old-time sailors and modern physicians have their own remedies, and you can take your choice or try them all (but not at the same time):
* When you notice the first movement of a ship, walk back and forth on the deck. You will find that your knees, which are our own form of stabilizer, will start getting their feel of balance and counteraction. This is known as “getting your sea legs.”
* Get the fresh sea breeze into your face (arguably the best antidote of all), and if nauseated, suck an orange or a lemon.
* Eat lightly. Do not make the mistake of thinking a heavy meal will keep your stomach anchored. It won’t.
* When on deck, focus on a steady point, such as the horizon.

Drugs: Dramamine (dimenhydrinate, an anti-histamine and sedative introduced just after World War II) will be available aboard in tablet (chewable) form. A stronger version (Meclazine) is available on prescription (Brand names: Antivert, Antrizine, Bonine, Meni-D). Ciba-Geigy’s Scopoderm (or Transderm Scop), known as “The Patch,” contains scopolamine and has proven effective. Possible side effects are dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness and problems with urinating.

If you are really distressed, the ship’s doctor can give you, at extra cost,  an injection to alleviate discomfort. It may make you drowsy, but the last thing on your mind will be staying awake during the movie.

A natural preventive is ginger in powder form. Mix half a teaspoon in a glass of warm water or milk, and drink it before sailing. This is said to settle any stomach for up to eight hours.

“Sea Bands” (or “Aquastraps”) are a drug-free method of controlling motion sickness. These are slim bands (in varying colors) that are wrapped around the wrist, with a circular “button” that presses against the acupressure point Pericardium 6 (nei kuan) on the lower arm. Attach them a few minutes before you step aboard and wear on both wrists throughout the cruise.

Another drug-free remedy can be found in ReliefBand, a watch-like device worn on the wrist. First used for patients undergoing chemotherapy, it is said to “emit gentle electrical signals that interfere with nerves that cause nausea.”

Can I go cruising if pregnant?
Yes, but most cruise lines will not allow a mother-to-be to cruise past her 28th week of pregnancy, and some set the limit at the 24th week. You may need to produce a doctor’s certificate.  

Is having hay fever a ­problem?
Actually, people who suffer from hay fever and pollen allergies benefit greatly from a cruise. Most sufferers I have talked to say that their problems simply disappear on a cruise – particularly when the ship is at sea.

Are hygiene standards high enough?
News reports often focus on hygiene and sanitation aboard cruise ships. In the 1980s, the North American cruise industry agreed with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that hygiene and sanitation inspections should be carried out once or twice yearly aboard all cruise ships carrying American passengers, and the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) was born. The original intention of the VSP was to achieve and maintain a level of sanitation that would lower the risk of gastro-intestinal disease outbreaks and assist the cruise industry to provide a healthy environment for passengers and crew.

It is a voluntary inspection, and cruise lines pay handsomely for each inspection. However, the 42 inspection points are judged to be a good system. Inspections cover two main areas:
* Water sanitation, including free chlorine residuals in the potable water system, swimming pool and hot tub filters.
* Food sanitation: food storage, preparation and serving areas, including bars and passenger service pantries.
The ships score extremely well – the ones that undergo inspections, that is. Some ships that don’t call on US ports would possibly not pass the inspections every time. Older ships with outdated galley equipment and poor food storage facilities would have a harder time complying with the USPH inspection standards. Some other countries also have strict health inspection standards. However, if the same USPH inspection standards were applied to restaurants and hotels ashore, it is estimated that at least 90 percent or more would fail, consistently.

Anyone concerned about personal hygiene should note that some ships have fixed shower heads. A removable shower and hose are better for reaching those parts that fixed head showers can’t. Check with your cruise provider before you book.

What about the Norovirus?
This temporary but highly contagious condition occurs worldwide. Humans are the only known hosts, and only the common cold is reported more frequently than viral gastro­enteritis as a cause of illness in the USA. About 23 million Americans each year are diagnosed with the effects of the Norwalk-like virus (NLV gastroenteritis, sometimes known as winter vomiting virus or norovirus). It is more prevalent in adults and older children than in the very young.

Norovirus is part of the “calicivirus” family. The name derives from the chalice or calyx, meaning cuplike; this refers to the indentations of the surface of the virus. The condition itself is self-limiting, is mild, and is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Although it can be transmitted by person-to-person contact, it is more likely to arrive via contaminated foods and water.

Shellfish (most notably clams and oysters), salad ingredients (particular salad dressings) and fruits are the foods most often implicated in Noroviral outbreaks.

 Water can also be a common source of outbreaks – water aboard cruise ships stored in tanks, etc. A mild and brief illness typically occurs 24 to 48 hours after contaminated food or water has been consumed, and lasts for 24 to 72 hours. The virus can also be brought on board when passengers are ashore in foreign ports with poor hygiene standards. If you board a large resort ship after norovirus has struck, bread and bread rolls, butter, and salt and pepper shakers may not be placed on tables, but will be available on request during meals.

Note that only cruise ships are required to report every incidence of gastrointestinal illness. Nowhere else in the health system of the US are such viruses a reportable illness.

How can you avoid them? Don’t drink from aircraft water dispensers on the way to join your cruise – they are seldom cleaned thoroughly. Always wash your hands after using the toilet.

CAN I BRING MY PETS?

 Pets are not allowed aboard cruise ships, with one exception: the regular transatlantic crossings aboard Cunard Line’s ocean liner Queen Mary 2, which has carried more than 500 pet animals since its debut in 2004. It provides air-conditioned ­kennels, plus a genuine British lamppost and New York fire hydrant for dogs’ convenience, and cat containers.

Where is smoking allowed?
Some cruise lines allow smoking in cabins, while some permit it only in cabins with balconies. Almost all cruise lines prohibit smoking in restaurants and food service areas; almost no ships have smoking sections in dining rooms. If you are concerned, check with the cruise line or your travel agent before booking.
Many ships now allow smoking only on the open decks. However, you could be sunbathing on an open deck and the person next to you can light up – not a healthy situation.

Cigar smoking lounges can be found aboard Adventure of the Seas, Amadea, Asuka II, Bleu de France, Brilliance of the Seas, Crystal Serenity, Crystal Symphony, Europa, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Grand Mistral, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, MSC Armonia, MSC Fantasia, MSC Lirica, MSC Magnifica, MSC Musica, MSC Opera, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Splendida, Navigator of the Seas, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Sun, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Radiance of the Seas, Seabourn Odyssey, Serenade of the Seas, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Voyager, Silver Shadow, Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper, SuperStar Virgo, and Voyager of the Seas.

Note, however, that ships starting or ending their cruises in a United States port are not permitted to carry genuine Cuban cigars. Instead, most cigars will be made in the Dominican Republic.

Have there been murders ­during a cruise?
Violent crime is much less common on a cruise than during land-based vacations, but there have been a few suspicious deaths, and a number of passengers have gone missing, mainly in the Caribbean and on Mexican Riviera cruises. A small number have been thrown over a balcony by another passenger, typically after an ­alcohol-fueled argument.

Murder is hard to prove if no actual body is found (did he jump or was he pushed?). Another headache is that, if the alleged crime happens at sea, the jurisdiction responsible for investigating it will depend on the ship’s registry, perhaps in Panama, Liberia or Malta.

WHAT CRUISING COSTS

Isn’t cruising expensive?
Compare what it would cost on land to have all your meals and entertainment provided, as well as transportation, fitness and sports facilities, social activities, educational talks, parties, and other functions, and you can see the remarkable value of a cruise.

Cost provides a useful guideline to a ship’s ambience, type of passengers, and degree of luxury, food, and service. What you pay determines the size, location, and style of accommodation you get. Be wary of huge discounts – it either means that the product was unrealistically priced at source or that quality will be reduced somewhere. Ships are as individual as fingerprints: each can change its “personality” from cruise to cruise, depending on the mix of passengers (and crew). The choice ranges from basic to luxury, so give yourself a budget, and ask your professional travel supplier how to make the best use of it.

A seven-day cruise is advertised at a very cheap price. Is there a catch?
As a rule, yes. If the price is a fraction of what you might pay for a decent hotel room in London or New York without meals or entertainment, something is not quite as it seems. Before booking, read the fine print. Look at all the extra costs such as tips to cabin and dining room stewards, shore excursions, drinks, plus getting to and from the ship. The price per person advertised could well be for a four-berth cabin adjacent to the ship’s laundry or above the disco, but in any event, not in a desirable location – just like a dirt-cheap hotel room in London or New York.

Should I pay the price in the brochure?
No. A cruise’s  brochure price is set by the sales and marketing departments of cruise lines, rather like the “rec­ommended retail price” of a new car is set by the manufacturer. It’s the price they would like to achieve to cover themselves against currency fluctuations, international bonding schemes and the like. But, in the real world, discounts attract business, and so there is always some leeway. Also, travel agents receive a commission (typically 10–15%, plus special overrides for volume bookings). So, as a consumer, always ask for the “best price,” watch for special offers in newspapers and magazines, and talk to your specialist travel agent.

European cruises cost more than in the Caribbean. Why?
There are several reasons. Almost all aspects of operations, including fuel costs, port charges, air transportation, supplying food to the ships, are higher. European-sourced food has more taste – eggs with real yellow yolks, and food free from chemical additives, coloring and flavoring – than is found in the processed foods that cruise lines often purchase from US-based suppliers.
Companies can make more money than in the cut-price Caribbean, where sun, sea, and sand are the main attractions, whereas sightseeing, architecture, culture, and other things are part of a more enriching cruise experience. The price of shore excursions in Europe is high. Admission prices to some historic sites and museums have risen recently.

How inclusive is “all-inclusive”?
That’s like asking how much sand is on the beach. It usually means that transportation (often including flights), accommodation, food, and entertainment are wrapped up in one neat package. Today on land, however, “super clubs” offer everything “all-in” including drinks, although mostly low-­quality brands are provided, with a much smaller selection than aboard most cruise ships.

While that concept works better aboard small ships (those carrying fewer than 500 passengers), large cruise ships (those carrying more than 1,600 passengers) provide more facilities and more reasons for you to spend money on board. So “mostly inclusive” might be a better term to use, particularly as spa treatments and medical services are definitely not included.

Do cruise lines have their own credit cards?
Most don’t. Among those that do: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Saga Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line. You’ll earn credits for any spending charged to the card. If you accrue enough points, you can exchange them for cruises, onboard credit, or discounted airfare.

Do ships have different classes?
Yes and no. Gone are the class distinctions and the pretensions of formality of the past. Differences are now found mainly in the type of accommodation chosen, in the price you pay for a larger cabin (or suite), the location of your cabin (or suite), and whether or not you have butler service.

Some cruise lines, including Holland America Line, MSC Cruises (MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida only) and Royal Caribbean International (Oasis- and Freedom-class ships only), provide a “concierge lounge” which can be used only by occupants of accommodation designated as suites (thus re-creating a two-class system).

Private areas have been created by MSC Cruises (Yacht Club) and Norwegian Cruise Line (The Courtyard) for occupants of the top suites, in an effort to insulate them from the masses. The result is like a “ship within a ship.”

Celebrity Cruises has, in essence, created three classes: 1) Suites; 2) Concierge Class (middle-level) mini-suites/cabins; 3) Standard (exterior view and interior – no view) cabins. Perhaps it’s easier to think in terms of “Balcony Class” and “Non-Balcony Class.”

Cabins advertised in newspapers aren’t always available. Why not?

Newspaper advertisements are written way ahead of publication. Meanwhile, some cabin price grades may have sold out. Often, the cheapest “lead-in” price is for a cabin that is small, or has obstructed views, or is in an “inconvenient” or “noisy” location.

What is a category guarantee?
It means you have purchased a specific grade of accommodation (just as in a hotel), although the actual cabin may not have been assigned to your booking yet. Your cabin may be assigned before you go, or when you arrive for embarkation.

What are port charges?
These are levied by ports visited, rather like city taxes imposed on hotel guests. They help pay for the infrastructure required to provide facilities including docks, linesmen, security and operations personnel, and porters at embarkation and disembarkation ports.

FACILITIES ABOARD

Can I eat when I want to?
Yes, you can – well, almost. If you’re hungry when you get aboard on the day of embarkation, you may want to head to the self-serve buffet – but, be warned that aboard the large resort ships, it’ll probably be a bit of a free-for-all, with the frustrations of lining up for food, and then trying to find a place to sit and eat. And those buffets are only really good when they first open. It’s more civilized aboard mid-sized and small ships.

Several major cruise lines offer “flexible dining” which allows you to choose (with some limitations) when you want to eat, and with whom you dine, during your cruise. Just like going out to restaurants ashore, reservations may be required, you may also have to wait in line at busy periods, and occupants of the most expensive suites get priority.

Aboard large resort ships (1,600-plus passengers) the big evening entertainment shows typically are staged twice each evening, so you end up with the equivalent of two-seating dining anyway.

What is “alternative” dining?
Mass-market dining isn’t to everyone’s taste, so some ships now have alternative dining spots other than the main restaurant. These usually cost extra – typically between $15 and $50 a person, but the food quality, preparation and presentation are decidedly better, as is service and ambience. Most alternative dining spots are also typically more intimate, and much quieter than the main dining rooms. For more details, see page 52.

What’s the difference between an “outside” and an “interior” cabin?
An “outside” (or “exterior”) cabin doesn’t mean it’s outside the ship; it simply means that it has a window (or porthole) with a view of the outside, or there is a private balcony for you to physically be – or look – outside. An “interior” (or “inside”) cabin means that it does not have a view of the outside, but it will have artwork or curtains on one wall instead of a window or patio-like (balcony) door.  Naturally, an outside cabin costs more than an interior cabin of the same size.

Should I tip for room service?
No. It’s part of the normal onboard duties that the hotel staff are paid to carry out.

Is it hard to find one’s way around large resort ships?
Well, it can take at least a few hours, so wear good walking shoes. However, in general, remember that decks are horizontal, while stairs are vertical. The rest comes naturally, with practice. If you’re arranging to meet someone, you need to be very specific indeed about the rendezvous point.

Isn’t it very noisy aboard these huge ships?
It can be, because of the constant activities and music, and many announcements. Since some cruise lines and staff seem to think that high volume enhances ambience, anyone averse to loud noise should consider taking earplugs, just in case.

Can I visit the bridge?
Usually not, for insurance and security reasons. But NCL and Princess Cruises run extra-cost “Behind the Scenes” tours, and a background video on how the ship is run may be shown on your cabin TV system.

Are there any ships with walk-in pools (instead of ladders)?
Not many, because of space considerations, although they can often be useful for older passengers. Some examples: Aurora, Crystal Serenity, Crystal Symphony and Oriana.

Can I bring golf clubs?
Yes, you can. However, although cruise lines do not charge for carrying them, some airlines do – worth checking if you have to fly to join your cruise. Some ships cater for golfers with mini-golf courses on deck and electronically monitored practice areas.
Golf-themed cruises are popular, with “all-in” packages allowing participants to play on some of the world’s most desirable courses. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Silversea Cruises, for example, operate a number of golf theme sailings each year, and if you take your own clubs, they will provide storage space and arrange everything.

What about my bicycle?
Most cruise lines will let you take your bike – preferably the folding variety due to lack of storage space. If you use a flight case, however, it may not be easy to find storage space for it. Airlines will also charge you to transport your bike. Ask your travel provider to contact the cruise line for its rules.
Note that very few ships provide bicycles for free. Those that do include Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa and Hanseatic.

Do cellular phones work on board?
Cruise passengers use cellular phones on open decks, in cabins, and, sadly, even in restaurants. Most cruise lines have contracts with land-based phone service companies – rates for usage vary, but you will typically pay international roaming rates. Mobile phone signals piggy­back off systems that transmit internet data via satellite.

When your ship is in port, the ship’s network may be switched off and you will pay the going local (country-specific) rate for mobile calls if you can access a local network.

Keeping in touch with children’s whereabouts on a big resort ship can be expensive using mobile phones. It’s permissible to use two-way radio transceivers (walkie-talkies) for this purpose; at sea they won’t interfere with any public-service radio frequency. 

Can I send and receive emails?
Aboard most ships, email facilities have now been added to some degree or other. Many ships have wi-fi, for a fee, allowing you to connect your own laptop. Several ships have an internet café, or internet-connect center, where you can log on for about 50¢ per minute. Note that connections and downloads are often very slow compared to land-based services (shipboard emails link through satellite systems, and are therefore more expensive than land-based connections). Attachments are not generally allowed. For many cruise companies, email has now become an important revenue generator. 

Where can you see movies?
Some – but not many – ships have a dedicated movie theater. The movies are provided by a licensed film distribution/leasing service. Many newer ships have replaced or supplemented the movie theater with TV sets and DVD players in cabins, or with giant poolside screens for 24-hour viewing.

DESTINATIONS

Where can I go on a cruise?
As the saying goes: The world is your oyster! There are over 30,000 different cruises to choose from each year, and about 2,000 cruise destinations in the world. A cruise can also take you to places inaccessible by almost any other means, such as Antarctica, the North Cape, the South Sea islands, and so on. In fact, if you close your eyes and think of almost anywhere in the world where there’s water, there’s probably a cruise ship or river vessel to take you there.

What is “homeland” cruising?
The term stems from cruise ships sailing out of an increased number of ports in the United States (more than 20 at last count, with over 4,000 cruises a year). While some, like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, have good facilities for checking in, many do not, and long lines are the result, particularly when 50 motorcoaches arrive at virtually the same time (see page 8 for rating of ports).
“Homeland” cruising has great appeal for people who can drive themselves to a local (regional) port of embarkation. The result, however, is that one ship sailing out of, say, Baltimore, will attract many other people from the surrounding area, and that could mean you’ll bump into any of your neighbors who’ve had the same idea as you. It also makes for particularly strong regional dialects aboard any given ship, and can even change the ways that cruise consumers act and dress.

What is expedition cruising?
Expedition cruises are operated by specialists such as Quark Expeditions (see page 153) using small ships that have ice-strengthened hulls or with specially constructed ice-breakers that enable them to reach areas totally inaccessible to “normal” cruise ships. The ships are typically converted to carry passengers in some degree of basic comfort, with comfortable accommodation and a relaxed, informal atmosphere, with expert lecturers and expedition leaders accompanying every cruise.

These cruises really are for small groups, and much care and attention is placed on minimizing the impact on the environment.

What is a Panamax ship?
This is one that conforms to the maximum dimensions possible for passage through the Panama Canal – useful particularly for around-the-world voyages. These dimensions are: 294 meters (964.56 ft) long, with a beam of 32.3 meters (105.97 ft); or below approximately 90,000 gross tons. Because of the locks, the 50-mile (80-km) journey takes from eight to nine hours. Most large resort cruise ships (examples: Carnival Dream, Celebrity Solstice, MSC Fantasia, Queen Mary 2, Ruby Princess) are too big to go through the Panama Canal, and are thus classed as “post-Panamax” ships.

Is there a cruise that skips ports?
Yes, but it isn’t really a cruise. It’s a trans­atlantic crossing, from New York to South­ampton, England (or vice versa), aboard Queen Mary 2.

Can I shop in ports of call?
Yes, you can. Many passengers embrace retail therapy when visiting ports of call such as Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, St Maarten, and St Thomas, among many others. However, it’s prudent to exercise self-­control. Remember that you’ll have to carry all those purchases home at the end of your cruise; duty-free liquor – a favorite, for example – is heavy.

Do I have to go ashore in each port?
Absolutely not. In fact, many passengers enjoy being aboard “their” ships when there are virtually no other passengers aboard. Also, if you have a spa treatment, it could be less expensive during this period than when the ship is at sea; some ships, such as Queen Mary 2, have price differentials for sea days/port days. 

MAKING BOOKINGS

Can I fly in the day before or stay an extra day after the cruise?
Cruise lines often offer pre- and post-cruise stay packages at an additional cost. The advantage is that you don’t have to do anything else. All will be taken care of, as they say. If you book a hotel on your own, however, you may have to pay an “air deviation” fee if you don’t take the cruise line’s air arrangements or you want to change them.

Can I pre-book seats on flights?
With packaged holidays such as cruises, it is normally not possible to reserve airline seats prior to check-in, and, although the cruise line will typically forward your requests for preferred seating, these may not be guaranteed. However, most airlines allow you to check-in online, access the seating plan and select a seat.

Should I book early?
The further you book ahead, the greater will be any discount applied by the cruise line. You’ll also get the cabin you want, in the location you want, and you may even be upgraded. When you book late (close to the sailing date), you may get a low price, but you typically won’t get the cabin or location you might like, or – worse still – in ships with two seatings for dinner, you won’t be able to choose early or late seating.

What legal rights do passengers have?
Very few. After reading a cruise line’s Passenger Ticket Contract, you’ll see why. A 189-word sentence in one contract begins “The Carrier shall not be liable for…” and goes on to cover the legal waterfront.

AND FINALLY…

What are cruising’s downsides?
Much anticipated ports of call can be aborted or changed due to poor weather or other conditions. Some popular ports (particularly in the Caribbean) can become extremely crowded – there can be up to 12 ships in St Thomas, or six in St Maarten at the same time, disgorging 20,000 people. Fellow passengers, and those lacking social manners can be irritating, notably in the dining room where you may have to share a table with strangers.
Many frequent irritations could be fixed if the cruise lines really tried.

Where did all the money go?
Apart from the cruise fare itself, there could be other incidentals such as government taxes, port charges, air ticket tax, and fuel surcharges. On board, extra costs may include drinks, mini-bar items, cappuccino and espresso coffees, shore excursions (especially those involving flightseeing tours), internet access, sending or receiving email, beauty treatments, casino gaming, photographs, laundry and dry-cleaning, babysitting services, wine tasting, bottled water placed in your cabin, and medical services.

A cruise aboard a ship belonging to a major cruise line could be compared to buying a car, whereby motor ­manufacturers offer a basic model at a set price, and then tempt you with optional extras to inflate the price.

Cruise lines say income generated on board helps to keep the basic cost of a cruise reasonable. In the end, it’s up to your self-restraint to stop those little extras mounting up to an unacceptably large sum.

How are ships weighed?
They aren’t. They are measured. Gross Registered Tonnage is a measurement of the enclosed space within a ship’s hull and superstructure (1 gross registered ton = 100 cubic feet of space).

How long do cruise ships last?
In general, a long time. For example, during the QE2’s service for Cunard Line, the ship sailed more than 51/2 million nautical miles, carried 21/2 million passengers, completed 25 full world cruises and crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times. But QE2 was built with a very thick hull, whereas today’s thin-hulled cruise ships probably won’t last so long. Even so, the life expectancy is typically a healthy 30 years.

Where do old cruise ships go when they’re scrapped?
They go to the beach. Actually, they are driven at speed onto a not very nice beach at Alang in India, or to Chittagong in Bangla­desh, or to Pan Yo in China – the principal shipbreaking places. Greenpeace has claimed that workers, including children, at some of these sites have to work under primitive conditions without adequate protective equipment. In 2009, a new IMO guideline – “International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships” – was adopted.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2010