The ship may be ramped, and there may be a number of handicapped-accessible cabins, but what the cruise brochures don't tell you -- and what you must ask -- is, which ports on the itinerary are handicapped accessible? In many, many cases the answer is none. As a result, many cruise passengers with a physical disability find themselves confined to the ship for the duration of the cruise, and that's not what they had in mind.
Do cruise lines really "refloat" ships that have sunk? Should travelers be concerned about a ship's age?
Yes and no. Yes, a "new" cruise ship is sometimes nothing but a newly named ship. But age has nothing to do with a ship's seaworthiness, cleanliness, or style. Some older ships are preferable to many newer ones.
When booking a cruise, is it best to get a room toward the top of the boat or the bottom? Is it better to book one on the inside of the ship, or a room with a window?
It's all about how much money you want to spend, the center of gravity, and your propensity for getting seasick. On most ships, the higher the cabin the more expensive it is. However, the higher the cabin the more it moves around in rough seas. Also, forget the brochures and reruns of The Love Boat. How much time are you really going to spend in your cabin? Not much. It's where you go to sleep and take a shower. Are you going to be entertaining the entire state of Rhode Island in your cabin? Hardly. With few exceptions, a lower, inside cabin on a cruise ship is more stable and costs less, and you still get to enjoy all that the ship has to offer.
What is your advice for travelers who are afraid of getting ripped off by tour operators, fly-by-night airlines, and overzealous agents working on commission?
Always pay with a credit card, never with a check or cash. It's your only recourse if something falls apart later.
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