Some say the most important aspect of a cruise is your destination. Some say it's the itinerary. Others say it's the cruise line. They're all wrong.
The most important choice you'll make when choosing a cruise is the ship.
Here's why: Whatever ship you choose will be your home for seven days or more. The ship you choose will determine what kinds of sleeping quarters you'll have, what kind of food you'll eat, what kind of entertainment you'll see, and even what ports you'll visit. If you don't like your ship, you won't like your cruise.
With dozens of lines, hundreds of ships, and thousands of itineraries available, it's no wonder that many people become anxious when planning a cruise. But choosing and booking a cruise can be fun -- if you have a plan. The following pages contain advice about everything from where to gather information to how to evaluate cruise-ship features... Some are; cruise lines, carnival cruises, princess cruises...
Showing posts with label Booking Your Cruise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Booking Your Cruise. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Travel Insurers
Travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself against financial loss. The most useful plan is a comprehensive policy that includes coverage for trip cancellation-and-interruption, cruise line default, trip delay (including missed cruise connections), and medical expenses (with a waiver for preexisting conditions).
Without insurance you will lose all or most of your money if you cancel your trip, regardless of
the reason. Should your cruise line go out of business, default protection will reimburse you for any payments you've made -- or pay to get you home should you find yourself stranded. Another way to protect yourself is to book with a line that belongs to the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA, 342 Madison Ave., Suite 1522, New York, NY 10022, tel. 212/599-6599 or 800/468-7862, fax 212/599-6744), which requires members to maintain $1 million each in an account to reimburse clients in case of default.
Trip-delay provisions will cover unforeseen expenses that you may incur due to bad weather or sometimes mechanical delays. It's important to compare the fine print regarding trip-delay coverage when comparing policies.
For overseas travel, one of the most important components of travel insurance is its medical coverage. Supplemental health insurance will pick up the cost of your medical bills should you get sick or injured while traveling. U.S. residents should note that Medicare generally does not cover health-care costs outside the United States, nor do many privately issued policies.
Always buy travel insurance directly from the insurance company; if you buy it from a cruise line that goes out of business, your default coverage will be invalid.
In the U.S., Access America (6600 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23230, tel. 804/285-3300 or 800/284-8300, fax 800/346-9265); ASA Inc. (12223 S. 45th. St., Phoenix, AZ 85044-2415, tel. 888/ASA-8288 or 480/753-1333, fax 480/753-1330); Customized Services Administrators (CSA; P.O. Box 939057, San Diego, CA 92193-9057, tel. 800/873-9855); International Medical Group (IMG; 407 Fulton St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, tel. 800/628-4664 or 317/655-4500, fax 317/655-4505); TravelGuard International (1145 Clark St., Stevens Point, WI 54481, tel. 715/345-0505 or 877/216-4885, fax 800/826-0838).
In Canada, Royal Bank Financial Group/RBC Life Insurance Company (tel. 800/565-3129 from US & Canada or 905/799-4930 collect from anywhere, fax 905/791-5807); Travel Insurance Coordinators (#300 - 2609 Westview Dr., North Vancouver, BC, Canada V7N 4M2, tel. 604/986-4292 or 800/663-4494, fax 604/986-5797).
Without insurance you will lose all or most of your money if you cancel your trip, regardless of
the reason. Should your cruise line go out of business, default protection will reimburse you for any payments you've made -- or pay to get you home should you find yourself stranded. Another way to protect yourself is to book with a line that belongs to the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA, 342 Madison Ave., Suite 1522, New York, NY 10022, tel. 212/599-6599 or 800/468-7862, fax 212/599-6744), which requires members to maintain $1 million each in an account to reimburse clients in case of default.Trip-delay provisions will cover unforeseen expenses that you may incur due to bad weather or sometimes mechanical delays. It's important to compare the fine print regarding trip-delay coverage when comparing policies.
For overseas travel, one of the most important components of travel insurance is its medical coverage. Supplemental health insurance will pick up the cost of your medical bills should you get sick or injured while traveling. U.S. residents should note that Medicare generally does not cover health-care costs outside the United States, nor do many privately issued policies.
Always buy travel insurance directly from the insurance company; if you buy it from a cruise line that goes out of business, your default coverage will be invalid.
In the U.S., Access America (6600 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23230, tel. 804/285-3300 or 800/284-8300, fax 800/346-9265); ASA Inc. (12223 S. 45th. St., Phoenix, AZ 85044-2415, tel. 888/ASA-8288 or 480/753-1333, fax 480/753-1330); Customized Services Administrators (CSA; P.O. Box 939057, San Diego, CA 92193-9057, tel. 800/873-9855); International Medical Group (IMG; 407 Fulton St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, tel. 800/628-4664 or 317/655-4500, fax 317/655-4505); TravelGuard International (1145 Clark St., Stevens Point, WI 54481, tel. 715/345-0505 or 877/216-4885, fax 800/826-0838).
In Canada, Royal Bank Financial Group/RBC Life Insurance Company (tel. 800/565-3129 from US & Canada or 905/799-4930 collect from anywhere, fax 905/791-5807); Travel Insurance Coordinators (#300 - 2609 Westview Dr., North Vancouver, BC, Canada V7N 4M2, tel. 604/986-4292 or 800/663-4494, fax 604/986-5797).
Cancellation
Your entire deposit or payment may be refunded if you cancel your reservation between 45 and 75 days before departure; the grace period varies from line to line. If you cancel later than that, you will forfeit some or all of your deposit. An average cancellation charge is the deposit amount 30 to 45 days before sailing, 50% of the fare between 15 and 30 days prior to departure, 75% of the fare between 7 and 14 days ahead of sailing, and often 100% of the fare 7 days or less ahead of time. If you simply fail to show up when the ship sails, you will lose the entire amount. The sales cancellation policies of most cruise lines are available at the i-cruise.com. Many travel agents also assess a small cancellation fee.
Deposit
Most cruises must be reserved with a refundable deposit of $100-$600 per person, depending upon how expensive and how long the cruise is, due generally within seven days of making the reservation; the balance is due 45-90 days before you sail. If the cruise is less than 60 days away, however, you may have to pay the entire amount immediately.
Payment
Once you have made a reservation for a cabin, you will be asked to put down a deposit. Handing money over to your travel agent constitutes a contract, so before you pay, review the cruise brochure to find out the provisions of the cruise contract. What is the payment schedule and cancellation policy? Will there be any additional charges before you can board your ship, such as transfers, port fees, or local taxes? If your air connection requires you to spend an evening in a hotel near the port before or after the cruise, is there an extra cost?
Ways to Save Money
Getting the Best Cruise for Your Dollar
By selecting the right agent, you have the greatest chance of getting the best deal. But having a basic knowledge of how and why cruises are discounted will benefit you in the end. Since your vacation experience can vary greatly depending on the ship and its ports of call, it's best to pick your vessel and itinerary first, and then try to get the best price. Remember, it's only a good deal if the cruise you book, no matter what the price, meets your expectations.
Each cruise has a brochure list price. But like the sticker price on a new car, nobody actually pays this amount. These days, if you asked any 10 cruise passengers on any given ship what they paid, they would give you 10 different answers. Discounts from cruise lines and agencies can range from 5% on a single fare to 50% on the second fare in a cabin.
Approach deep discounts with skepticism. Fewer than a dozen cabins may be offered at the discounted price, they may be inside cabins, and the fare may not include air transportation or transfers between the airport and the ship.
Deals and Discounts
Seasonal Discounts. Cruise-brochure prices are typically divided into three categories based on the popularity of sailing dates and weather: high season, shoulder season, and low season. (Some lines divide their Alaska sailings into five seasons.) Obviously, prices will be higher for a Caribbean sailing in December than for the same sailing in August. Before you take advantage of a low-season rate, think about the pros and cons of off-season travel. It may be hotter (or colder) than you'd prefer -- but it also may be less crowded.
Off-season sailings always cost less, but even within the off-season, prices for different departure dates can differ considerably. Two of the major cruise lines, for instance, price their seven-day cruises in six different "seasons." The difference from the highest "high season" to the lowest "low season" can be considerable. Again, this is for the same ship on the same itinerary.
For some destinations, it may be harder to get a seasonal deal. For places like the Amazon, there is only one cruise season and it's short; the rest of the year, it's is too hot or too rainy to cruise. Some lines have departures for Canada and New England only from August through October; there may be only two or three fall foliage cruises a year. If you want to cruise Antarctica, you can do so only during the austral summer, which coincides with the North American winter. Departures typically begin in December and run through February.
Early-Bird Specials. More than ever, it's important to book early. This is especially true for the newest ships and for cabins with private verandas -- both sell out quickly. If you wait to book, you'll probably pay more even if you don't get shut out from the ship or cabin of your choice.
That's because almost all cruise lines provide a discount for passengers who book and put down a deposit far in advance; an additional discount may be provided if payment is made in full at the time of booking. These discounts, given to passengers who book at least six months before departure, range from 10% to 50% off the brochure rate. (Brochures are usually issued a year or more in advance of sailing dates.) Cruises to some of the more exotic destinations, such as Southeast Asia, are sometimes sold on a two-for-the-price-of-one basis from the outset. Most early-booking discounts in the Caribbean include round-trip airfare.
As the sailing date approaches, the price of a cruise tends to go up. Not only that, but as the ship fills, the best cabins are no longer available and you'll be less likely to get the meal seating of your choice. So it certainly pays to book early.
Last-Minute Savings. If a particular cruise is not selling well, a cruise line may pick certain large cruise-only travel agencies to unload unsold cabins. Keep in mind that your choice of cabin and meal seating is limited for such last-minute deals. On older ships -- those built before the 1980s -- special deals may be limited to smaller cabins in undesirable areas of the ship. Last-minute deals may be available only to people living in certain cities. For example, people in Vancouver may get a break on a cruise to Alaska. People in Miami may get a deal on a cruise to the Bahamas. Or people who live in Kansas City may get a discount on a cruise to the Caribbean -- because the cruise line booked too many plane tickets. Typically, these specials are unadvertised, but they may be listed in the agencies' newsletters and on their cruise telephone hot lines or Web sites.
Mixed Bag. Besides the major discounts mentioned above, agencies and cruise lines might attract passengers with price promotions such as "Sail for 12 Days and Pay for Only 10," "Free Hotel Stay with Your Cruise," and "Two Sail for the Price of One." Read the fine print before you book. The offer may be a bargain -- or just slick advertising. How can you tell? Compare the advertised price to the standard early-booking discount, and check if the promotion includes airfare. Free or discounted air on cruise-only prices are common for Caribbean sailings. Also check on senior-citizen discounts and "cruise dollars" accrued on participating credit cards. Cruise lines that target families sometimes take on a third or fourth cabin passenger for free. Some of the best cruise prices are available on repositioning cruises, when, for example, ships move from their summer cruising ground to their winter cruising ground and vice versa (between Alaska or Europe and the Caribbean, for example).
Upgrades. There are two types of cabin upgrades: One is guaranteed; the other is not. The first kind of upgrade is a promotional offer by the cruise line. For example, you may be offered a two-category upgrade if you book by a certain date. In this case, the cabin assignment that you receive with your documents prior to sailing should reflect your better accommodations. The second kind of upgrade is dispensed on board at the discretion of the cruise line. Like airlines, cruise lines overbook at their cheapest price in order to attract as many passengers as possible. When the number of bookings at these low rates exceeds the number of cabins available, some people are given better accommodations. How does the cruise line decide? Sometimes, those passengers who booked early get priority for upgrades. Other times, passengers who booked through top-selling travel agencies are at the top of the upgrade list -- just two more reasons to book early and book with a cruise-only agency that does a lot of business with your line.
By selecting the right agent, you have the greatest chance of getting the best deal. But having a basic knowledge of how and why cruises are discounted will benefit you in the end. Since your vacation experience can vary greatly depending on the ship and its ports of call, it's best to pick your vessel and itinerary first, and then try to get the best price. Remember, it's only a good deal if the cruise you book, no matter what the price, meets your expectations.
Each cruise has a brochure list price. But like the sticker price on a new car, nobody actually pays this amount. These days, if you asked any 10 cruise passengers on any given ship what they paid, they would give you 10 different answers. Discounts from cruise lines and agencies can range from 5% on a single fare to 50% on the second fare in a cabin.
Approach deep discounts with skepticism. Fewer than a dozen cabins may be offered at the discounted price, they may be inside cabins, and the fare may not include air transportation or transfers between the airport and the ship.
Deals and Discounts
Seasonal Discounts. Cruise-brochure prices are typically divided into three categories based on the popularity of sailing dates and weather: high season, shoulder season, and low season. (Some lines divide their Alaska sailings into five seasons.) Obviously, prices will be higher for a Caribbean sailing in December than for the same sailing in August. Before you take advantage of a low-season rate, think about the pros and cons of off-season travel. It may be hotter (or colder) than you'd prefer -- but it also may be less crowded.
Off-season sailings always cost less, but even within the off-season, prices for different departure dates can differ considerably. Two of the major cruise lines, for instance, price their seven-day cruises in six different "seasons." The difference from the highest "high season" to the lowest "low season" can be considerable. Again, this is for the same ship on the same itinerary.For some destinations, it may be harder to get a seasonal deal. For places like the Amazon, there is only one cruise season and it's short; the rest of the year, it's is too hot or too rainy to cruise. Some lines have departures for Canada and New England only from August through October; there may be only two or three fall foliage cruises a year. If you want to cruise Antarctica, you can do so only during the austral summer, which coincides with the North American winter. Departures typically begin in December and run through February.
Early-Bird Specials. More than ever, it's important to book early. This is especially true for the newest ships and for cabins with private verandas -- both sell out quickly. If you wait to book, you'll probably pay more even if you don't get shut out from the ship or cabin of your choice.
That's because almost all cruise lines provide a discount for passengers who book and put down a deposit far in advance; an additional discount may be provided if payment is made in full at the time of booking. These discounts, given to passengers who book at least six months before departure, range from 10% to 50% off the brochure rate. (Brochures are usually issued a year or more in advance of sailing dates.) Cruises to some of the more exotic destinations, such as Southeast Asia, are sometimes sold on a two-for-the-price-of-one basis from the outset. Most early-booking discounts in the Caribbean include round-trip airfare.As the sailing date approaches, the price of a cruise tends to go up. Not only that, but as the ship fills, the best cabins are no longer available and you'll be less likely to get the meal seating of your choice. So it certainly pays to book early.
Last-Minute Savings. If a particular cruise is not selling well, a cruise line may pick certain large cruise-only travel agencies to unload unsold cabins. Keep in mind that your choice of cabin and meal seating is limited for such last-minute deals. On older ships -- those built before the 1980s -- special deals may be limited to smaller cabins in undesirable areas of the ship. Last-minute deals may be available only to people living in certain cities. For example, people in Vancouver may get a break on a cruise to Alaska. People in Miami may get a deal on a cruise to the Bahamas. Or people who live in Kansas City may get a discount on a cruise to the Caribbean -- because the cruise line booked too many plane tickets. Typically, these specials are unadvertised, but they may be listed in the agencies' newsletters and on their cruise telephone hot lines or Web sites.
Mixed Bag. Besides the major discounts mentioned above, agencies and cruise lines might attract passengers with price promotions such as "Sail for 12 Days and Pay for Only 10," "Free Hotel Stay with Your Cruise," and "Two Sail for the Price of One." Read the fine print before you book. The offer may be a bargain -- or just slick advertising. How can you tell? Compare the advertised price to the standard early-booking discount, and check if the promotion includes airfare. Free or discounted air on cruise-only prices are common for Caribbean sailings. Also check on senior-citizen discounts and "cruise dollars" accrued on participating credit cards. Cruise lines that target families sometimes take on a third or fourth cabin passenger for free. Some of the best cruise prices are available on repositioning cruises, when, for example, ships move from their summer cruising ground to their winter cruising ground and vice versa (between Alaska or Europe and the Caribbean, for example).
Upgrades. There are two types of cabin upgrades: One is guaranteed; the other is not. The first kind of upgrade is a promotional offer by the cruise line. For example, you may be offered a two-category upgrade if you book by a certain date. In this case, the cabin assignment that you receive with your documents prior to sailing should reflect your better accommodations. The second kind of upgrade is dispensed on board at the discretion of the cruise line. Like airlines, cruise lines overbook at their cheapest price in order to attract as many passengers as possible. When the number of bookings at these low rates exceeds the number of cabins available, some people are given better accommodations. How does the cruise line decide? Sometimes, those passengers who booked early get priority for upgrades. Other times, passengers who booked through top-selling travel agencies are at the top of the upgrade list -- just two more reasons to book early and book with a cruise-only agency that does a lot of business with your line.
Spotting Swindlers
Although one is far more likely to encounter incompetent travel agents than scam artists, it's important to be on the lookout for a con. The best way to avoid being fleeced, if you don't have an established relationship with a travel agent, is to pay for your cruise with a credit card, from deposit to full payment. That way, if an agency goes out of business before your cruise departs, you can cancel payment on services not rendered. An agency that doesn't accept credit cards may be a bad apple. Also be wary of any agency that wants an unusually high deposit (check the cruise brochure). To avoid a disreputable agency, make sure the one you choose has been in business for at least five years. Check its reputation with the local Better Business Bureau or state consumer protection agency before you pay any deposits. If a cruise price seems too good to be true, it probably is. It could mean the agency is desperate to bring in money and may close its doors tomorrow. So be wary of agencies that claim they can beat any price.
To sum up, here are some do's and don'ts when working with an agent:
To sum up, here are some do's and don'ts when working with an agent:
- Do keep an open mind.
- Do consider an agent's suggestions for different options.
- Do get any price quote in writing with all the details.
- Don't succumb to high-pressure sales tactics.
- Don't book a cruise on the spot -- wait a day.
- Don't book with an agency that offers you inexplicably low prices
Full-Service Agents
More and more, full-service agencies are focusing on cruising due to its growing popularity. And while many full-service agencies may not have the best cruise discounts at their fingertips, they may know where to look and how to negotiate with a cruise line for a good rate. When calling full-service agencies, look for one that has a "cruise" desk with agents who sell only cruises. Avoid agencies that try to steer you toward a land vacation instead of the cruise you really want.
Cruise-Only Agents
As the name implies, "cruise-only" travel agencies specialize in selling cruises. However, these agencies can sell you air tickets and other travel arrangements, too, as part of your cruise package. Sometimes, your choice may be limited to a package put together by the cruise line. Increasingly, though, cruise-only agencies are putting together their own custom-designed cruise vacations. Because they sell only cruises -- and because they sell so many cruises -- cruise-only agencies can generally get you the best deal.
Travel Agents
A good travel agent is the secret to a good cruise. Since nearly all cruises are sold through travel agents, the agent you choose to work with can be just as important as the ship you sail on. So how do you know if an agent or agency is right for you? Talk to friends, family, and colleagues who have used an agency to book a cruise. The most qualified agents are members of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). Agents who are CLIA Accredited Cruise Counsellors or Master Cruise Counsellors have had extensive cruise and ship inspection experience. If you opt for a cruise-only agency, it should also be a member of NACOA (National Association of Cruise-Only Agencies). These agents are also experienced cruisers. Finally, the most reputable agencies, both full-service and cruise-only, are members of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents).
The size of a travel agency tends to matter less than the experience of its staff. A good cruise agent will ask you many detailed questions about your past vacations, your lifestyle, and even your friends and your hobbies. Only by getting to know you can an agent successfully match you to a ship and a cruise. Never book a cruise with an agent who asks a few cursory questions before handing you a brochure.
Conversely, think of an agent as your travel consultant. Ask the agent any questions you may have about cruising. Most travel agents who book cruises have cruised extensively, and they can help you to decide on a cruise line and a ship. If you have a problem with the cruise line before, during, or after your cruise, your travel agent can act as an intermediary.
Of course, you want the best price. However, it's important not to make price your single greatest concern. Value -- what you get for your money -- is just as important as the dollar amount you pay. Keep in mind that the advertised prices you see in newspapers are usually for the lowest grade cabin. A better cabin -- one with a window and maybe a private veranda -- is likely to cost more. However, it pays to be wary of agencies that quote prices that are much higher than advertised. It's a bad sign when an agency's ads are blatant lies to get you in the door.
Perhaps the best way to shop for a cruise is to decide first on a cruise line and ship, and then to shop for an agency. Most agencies have "partnerships" with certain cruise lines, which can work to your advantage. By agreeing to sell a lot of cabins (and, of course, promoting certain cruise lines), the agency gets a better rate from them. The agency can then afford to offer a "discounted" price to the public.
The agencies willing to go the extra mile for their clients are the best agencies. This means providing free cruise-discount newsletters, cabin upgrades, dollar-stretching advice, and, possibly most important of all, 24-hour service in case of a problem.
The size of a travel agency tends to matter less than the experience of its staff. A good cruise agent will ask you many detailed questions about your past vacations, your lifestyle, and even your friends and your hobbies. Only by getting to know you can an agent successfully match you to a ship and a cruise. Never book a cruise with an agent who asks a few cursory questions before handing you a brochure.Conversely, think of an agent as your travel consultant. Ask the agent any questions you may have about cruising. Most travel agents who book cruises have cruised extensively, and they can help you to decide on a cruise line and a ship. If you have a problem with the cruise line before, during, or after your cruise, your travel agent can act as an intermediary.
Of course, you want the best price. However, it's important not to make price your single greatest concern. Value -- what you get for your money -- is just as important as the dollar amount you pay. Keep in mind that the advertised prices you see in newspapers are usually for the lowest grade cabin. A better cabin -- one with a window and maybe a private veranda -- is likely to cost more. However, it pays to be wary of agencies that quote prices that are much higher than advertised. It's a bad sign when an agency's ads are blatant lies to get you in the door.
Perhaps the best way to shop for a cruise is to decide first on a cruise line and ship, and then to shop for an agency. Most agencies have "partnerships" with certain cruise lines, which can work to your advantage. By agreeing to sell a lot of cabins (and, of course, promoting certain cruise lines), the agency gets a better rate from them. The agency can then afford to offer a "discounted" price to the public.
The agencies willing to go the extra mile for their clients are the best agencies. This means providing free cruise-discount newsletters, cabin upgrades, dollar-stretching advice, and, possibly most important of all, 24-hour service in case of a problem.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Booking a Cruise
What questions should travelers with disabilities ask when booking a cruise?
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.
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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