Everything for Cruises...

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...

For Gay and Lesbians

There are many things to consider when choosing a gay cruise.

Some cruise lines are more gay-friendly than others, so consult one of the companies listed below.

Tour Operators and Travel Agencies

Some of the largest agencies serving gay travelers are Kennedy Travel (314 Jericho Turnpike, Floral Park, NY 11001, tel. 516/352-4888 or 800/237-7433, fax 516/354-8849), Now, Voyager (4406 18th St., San Francisco, CA 94114, tel. 415/626-1169 or 800/255-6951, fax 415/626-8626), Pied Piper (330 W. 42nd St., Suite 1804, New York, NY 10036, tel. 212/239-2412 or 800/874--7312, fax 212/239-2275) (specializing in gay and lesbian group cruises on the major lines), and Rainbow Travel (1055 Monroe St., Santa Clara, CA 95050, tel. 408/246-1414 or 800/595-0881, fax 408/983-0677). For cruise-only agencies, try Gay Cruise Vacations (tel. 888/367-9398) or Cruising with Pride Cruises & Resorts (535 Anton Blvd., Suite 160, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, tel. 714/540-8005 or 800/627-8726, fax 714/979-8823).

Tour operators that specialize in gay and lesbian travel include RSVP Productions (2535 25th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, tel. 800/328-7787), which operates many cruises, Olivia Cruises & Resorts (4400 Market St., Oakland, CA 94608, tel. 800/631-6277, fax 510/655-4334), which focuses on lesbian travelers, and Atlantis Events (9060 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 310, West Hollywood, CA 90069, tel. 310/281-5450 or 800/628-5268, fax 310/281-5455), which offers all-gay cruises.

You can also contact the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGTLA; 52 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 237, Wilton Manors, FL 33311, tel. 800/448-8550, fax 954/776-3303), which has more than 1,500 travel-industry members.

For Seniors

For older travelers, cruise vacations strike an excellent balance: they offer a tremendous variety of activities and destinations in one convenient package. You can do as much or as little as you want, meet new people, see new places, enjoy entertainment, games, and fine dining---all within the same environment. Cruises are not a good idea for those who are bedridden, have a serious medical condition that is likely to flare up on board, or are prone to periods of confusion or severe memory loss.

No particular rules apply to senior citizens on cruises, but certain freighter cruises do have an age limit. Those who want a leisurely, relaxed pace will probably be happiest on ships that attract a higher percentage of older passengers: luxury ocean liners, cruise yachts, and expedition ships on voyages of longer than seven days. Passengers who have limited mobility should look for a ship whose public rooms are clustered on one deck and select a cabin near an elevator or stairway midship. Be careful not to book a cabin with upper and lower berths.

Several cruise lines have reduced rates for senior citizens (sometimes only on certain sailings), and seniors may be able to take advantage of local discounts ashore. When in port, showing proof of age often results in reduced admissions, half fares on public transportation, and special dining rates.

Quite a few cruise lines employ "gentleman hosts," who act as dancing and bridge partners for single ladies traveling alone.

Tour Operators for Older Passengers

Saga International Holidays (222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, tel. 877/265--6862) specializes in tours and cruises for travelers 50 and older and has its own cruise ship, the Saga Rose. SeniorTours (508 Irvington Rd., Drexel Hill, PA 19026, tel. 800/227--1100) arranges cruises. World of Knowledge Tours (107 222nd St. SW, Bothell, WA 98021, tel. 800/453--9283, e-mail info@seniorsatsea.com) provides escorted tours on cruise ships for adults over 50. SeaTurtle Cruises (260 Rain Tree Rd., Sedona, AZ 86351, tel. 800/536--9383, fax 520/284--5036, e-mail seaturtles@kachina.net) has cruise vacations for seniors and people with special medical needs. Vantage Deluxe World Travel (90 Canal St., Boston, MA 02114-2031, tel. 800/322--6677, fax 617/878--6154, e-mail journeys@vantagetravel.com) provides escorted land tours, river cruises, and ocean cruises for mature travelers. White Star Tours (26 E. Lancaster Ave., Reading, PA 19607, tel. 610/775--5000 or 800/437--2323, fax 610/775--7155) arranges senior group tours and cruises. Fun & Fitness Travel Club (7338 Dartford Dr., Suite 9, McLean, VA 22102, tel. 800/273--7607 or 800/955--9942) specializes in senior fitness cruises. Elderhostel, Inc. (11 Ave. de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111-1746, tel. 877/426-8056, TTY 877/426-2167, fax 877/426-2166) is a non-for-profit organization that offers educational travel programs for adults 55 and over, including many cruises. The AARP (601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049, tel. 800/424--3410) is a good source for senior travel information, and offers a discount travel program. Its Web site includes travel stories, tips, and an interactive bulletin board.

For Seniors

For older travelers, cruise vacations strike an excellent balance: they offer a tremendous variety of activities and destinations in one convenient package. You can do as much or as little as you want, meet new people, see new places, enjoy entertainment, games, and fine dining---all within the same environment. Cruises are not a good idea for those who are bedridden, have a serious medical condition that is likely to flare up on board, or are prone to periods of confusion or severe memory loss.

No particular rules apply to senior citizens on cruises, but certain freighter cruises do have an age limit. Those who want a leisurely, relaxed pace will probably be happiest on ships that attract a higher percentage of older passengers: luxury ocean liners, cruise yachts, and expedition ships on voyages of longer than seven days. Passengers who have limited mobility should look for a ship whose public rooms are clustered on one deck and select a cabin near an elevator or stairway midship. Be careful not to book a cabin with upper and lower berths.

Several cruise lines have reduced rates for senior citizens (sometimes only on certain sailings), and seniors may be able to take advantage of local discounts ashore. When in port, showing proof of age often results in reduced admissions, half fares on public transportation, and special dining rates.

Quite a few cruise lines employ "gentleman hosts," who act as dancing and bridge partners for single ladies traveling alone.

Tour Operators for Older Passengers

Saga International Holidays (222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, tel. 877/265--6862) specializes in tours and cruises for travelers 50 and older and has its own cruise ship, the Saga Rose. SeniorTours (508 Irvington Rd., Drexel Hill, PA 19026, tel. 800/227--1100) arranges cruises. World of Knowledge Tours (107 222nd St. SW, Bothell, WA 98021, tel. 800/453--9283, e-mail info@seniorsatsea.com) provides escorted tours on cruise ships for adults over 50. SeaTurtle Cruises (260 Rain Tree Rd., Sedona, AZ 86351, tel. 800/536--9383, fax 520/284--5036, e-mail seaturtles@kachina.net) has cruise vacations for seniors and people with special medical needs. Vantage Deluxe World Travel (90 Canal St., Boston, MA 02114-2031, tel. 800/322--6677, fax 617/878--6154, e-mail journeys@vantagetravel.com) provides escorted land tours, river cruises, and ocean cruises for mature travelers. White Star Tours (26 E. Lancaster Ave., Reading, PA 19607, tel. 610/775--5000 or 800/437--2323, fax 610/775--7155) arranges senior group tours and cruises. Fun & Fitness Travel Club (7338 Dartford Dr., Suite 9, McLean, VA 22102, tel. 800/273--7607 or 800/955--9942) specializes in senior fitness cruises. Elderhostel, Inc. (11 Ave. de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111-1746, tel. 877/426-8056, TTY 877/426-2167, fax 877/426-2166) is a non-for-profit organization that offers educational travel programs for adults 55 and over, including many cruises. The AARP (601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049, tel. 800/424--3410) is a good source for senior travel information, and offers a discount travel program. Its Web site includes travel stories, tips, and an interactive bulletin board.

For Passengers With Disabilities

The official position of the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL; 2111 Wilson Blvd., 8th Fl., Arlington, VA 22201, tel. 703/522--8463 or 800/595-9338, fax 703/522--3811, e-mail icclinfo@iccl.org), which is based in Washington, D.C., and represents the cruise industry, is that the Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply to cruise ships. The council argues that most cruise ships, as foreign-flag vessels, are not subject to domestic U.S. laws governing construction and design. The ICCL follows the direction of the International Maritime Organization (IMO; 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR, tel. 020/7735-7611, fax 020/7587-3210, e-mail info@imo.org), which recommends safety, design, and construction guidelines for elderly and disabled passengers. From 1998 to 2000, the ICCL participated on the Passenger Vessel Accessibility Advisory Committee (PVAAC), a committee of the U.S. Access Board (1331 F St., NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004, tel. 800/872--2253 or 202/272--5434, fax 202/272--5447, e-mail info@access-board.gov), which was created to provide recommendations for accessibility guidelines on passenger vessels; its final report was presented in November 2000. The Access Board is in the process of preparing accessibility guidelines based on the Committee's report.

According to the ICCL, many of its member lines are currently building new ships that will be extremely accessible, as well as modifying many of the existing ships. Nevertheless, disclaimers in every cruise brochure allow ships to refuse passage to anyone whose disability might endanger others. Most ships require that you travel with an able-bodied companion if you use a wheelchair or have mobility problems.

If you do have a mobility problem, even if you do not use a wheelchair, tell your travel agent. Each cruise line sets its own policies; choose the line that is most accommodating. Also be careful to select a ship that is easy to get around. Ships vary even within the fleet of the same line. Follow up by making sure that the cruise line is fully informed of your disability and any special needs, and ask if the ship has a full-time physician on board. (Virtually all major cruise ships have a doctor on call.) Get written confirmation of any promises that have been made to you about a special cabin or transfers to and from the airport. The line may request a letter from your doctor stating that you need neither a wheelchair nor a companion, or that you will not require special medical attention on board.

If you have any type of chronic health problem that may require medical attention, notify the ship's doctor soon after you board so he or she will be prepared to treat you appropriately, if necessary.

Passengers Using Wheelchairs

Newer cruise ships have been built with accessibility in mind, and many older ships have been modified to accommodate passengers using wheelchairs. The key areas to be concerned about are public rooms, outer decks, and, of course, your cabin. If you need a specially equipped cabin, book as far in advance as possible and ask specific questions of your travel agent or a cruise-line representative. Specifically, ask how your cabin is configured and equipped. Is the entrance level or ramped? Are all doorways at least 30 inches wide (wider if your wheelchair is not a standard size)? Are pathways to beds, closets, and bathrooms at least 36 inches wide and unobstructed? In the bathroom, is there a 42-inch clear space in front of the toilet and are there grab bars behind and on one side of it and in the bathtub or shower? Ask whether there is a three-prong outlet in the cabin, and whether the bathroom has a handheld showerhead, a bath bench, or roll-in shower or shower stall with fold-down seat, if you need them. Are elevators wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs?

The best cruise ship for passengers who use wheelchairs is one that ties up right at the dock at every port, at which time a ramp or even an elevator is always made available. Unfortunately, it's hard to ascertain this in advance, for a ship may tie up at the dock at a particular port on one voyage and, on the next, anchor in the harbor and have passengers transported to shore via tender. Ask your travel agent to find out which ships are scheduled to dock on which cruises. If a tender is used, some ships will have crew members carry the wheelchair and passenger from the ship to the tender. Unfortunately, other ships point-blank refuse to take wheelchairs on tenders, especially if the water is choppy. At some ports, ships always use a tender because docking facilities are unavailable.

Passengers with Vision Impairments

Some ships allow guide dogs to accompany passengers with vision impairments; however, if your cruise is scheduled to visit foreign ports (as most do), you may not be able to take a guide dog ashore, depending on the country. To avoid potential quarantine upon returning to the United States, guide dogs should have their shots updated within seven days of sailing, and owners should carry the dog's valid health and rabies certificates.

Hawaii is especially strict about importing animals. No dog, not even a guide dog, may step ashore without being quarantined for at least 30 days unless it arrives from an area recognized by the state as rabies-free. Guide dogs may remain aboard visiting ships during port calls for up to 48 hours. That period begins upon docking at the first Hawaiian port and includes all time spent in Hawaiian waters.

Pregnant Women

Considering advanced pregnancy a disability, cruise lines may refuse passage to pregnant women. "Advanced" usually refers to the third trimester. If you are pregnant, check on the cruise line's policy before you book passage.

Travel Agencies and Tour Operators for Passengers with Disabilities

Accessible Journeys (35 W. Sellers Ave., Ridley Park, PA 19078, tel. 800/846-4537 or 610/521-0339, fax 610/521-6959, e-mail sales@disabilitytravel.com) designs accessible vacations, arranges escorted trips for travelers with disabilities, and provides licensed health-care professionals to accompany those who require aid. ADA Medical Travel (5184 Majorca Club Dr., Boca Raton, FL 33486, tel. 800/778-7953, fax 561/361-9385, e-mail ada@medicaltravel.org) offers dialysis and oxygen cruises and tours, accessible and escorted cruises, and information about accessible cruise lines. Flying Wheels Travel (143 W. Bridge St., Owatonna, MN 55060, tel. 800/535-6790 or 507/451-5005, TTY/fax 507/451-1685, e-mail thq@ll.net) is a travel agency specializing in accessible cruises and escorted tours for people with limited mobility. In the U.K., try Travelability Ltd. (The Ferns, Framilode, Gloucester, England, U.K. GL2 7LH, tel. 1452/740-820, fax 1452/740-898, e-mail travable@aol.com,), which specializes in accessible cruising from U.K. ports. Access-Able Travel Source (P.O. Box 1796, Wheat Ridge, CO 80034, tel. 303/232-2979, fax 303/239-8486, e-mail access-able@home.com) provides extensive information for mature and disabled travelers, including travel tips and forums, travel agent and tour operator listings, and a database of cruise ships with accessible facilities.

For Sports Fans

Whether you prefer to play or watch, sports-related activities are common aboard cruise ships. Appealing to younger, more active passengers, megaliners are the best equipped and have been built with sports-loving passengers in mind.

The megaships in the biggest fleets have the greatest variety of options and the largest spaces in which to play. There are outdoor volleyball, basketball, and paddle tennis courts as well as outdoor jogging tracks, several pools for water-polo, volleyball, aqua-aerobics and swimming, and well-equipped fitness centers that rival those on shore (the biggest exceed 10,000 square ft). Keep in mind, older ships, usually those built before 1990, often do not devote nearly as much space and resources to sports and fitness.

For joggers, there are generally two options aboard big cruise liners. Some ships have specially designed and dedicated tracks, sometimes covered with a high-tech cushioned surface. Most ships have a wraparound promenade deck, which encircles the perimeter of the ship. This deck is usually covered in teak and shared with walkers and people just out for a stroll, but it does have the advantage of sea views. Smaller ships may have no place to jog at all. Fitness facilities often come with certified instructors who lead classes and group jogs around the promenade deck. Typical aerobics classes include high- and low-impact, funk, step, body sculpting, stretch and tone, abdominals, and spinning. Some fitness programs run all day, with enough activity to fill your entire schedule.

Swimmers ought to note that the bigger liners have multiple swimming pools---sometimes as many as five---and may have a pool covered by a retractable glass roof, a real bonus in misty Alaska or the inevitable tropical shower in the Caribbean. Several ships have retractable water sports platforms that, weather-permitting, can be lowered from the stern into calm waters when the ship is anchored, allowing passengers to snorkel, windsurf, kayak, and swim near the ship. However, if waters are rough, as they often can be in the Mediterranean, the platforms cannot be used.

The larger ships also have shuffleboard and Ping-Pong, and might also feature paddle-tennis courts or small basketball courts. Some ships still have skeet shooting off the stern, but the combination of guns and dumping little bits of plastic into the ocean has placed this activity in disfavor.

If golf is your bag, more and more cruises are offering the opportunity to tee off. Technologically advanced ships have golf simulators---state-of-the-art virtual-reality machines that allow you to play the great courses of the world without ever leaving the ship. Full-sized clubs are used, and a virtual reality video screen allows players to watch the path of an electronic ball they've actually hit soar high over the greens or land flat in a sand trap. Some cruise lines have outdoor golf cages---areas enclosed in netting where you can swing, putt, and whack at real golf balls.

These days you can see cruise passengers toting their clubs on itineraries worldwide. Some ships carry onboard pros to help you with your swing. Some lines promote themselves as "The Official Cruise Line of the PGA" or some variation thereof. These may include instruction and tips by the onboard golf pros, as well as scheduled tee times during port days at some of the best courses on earth.

Among sports-loving couch potatoes, onboard sports bars are scoring big points these days. During major sporting events, like the Super Bowl, many lines will outfit a public area or bar with televisions for game viewing.

For Honeymooners

It's no surprise that cruises attract honeymooners. By their very nature, cruises are romantic---moonlit nights on deck and the vast sea all around, elegant dining, dazzling entertainment, cozy cabins, private verandas, and a variety of ports. Many lines go out of their way to make a honeymoon cruise convenient and memorable. For example, Sunday departures. Honeymoon-friendly schedules have been introduced by nearly every line on at least some itineraries, so that couples who marry on Saturday can leave on a cruise the next day; in the past, most sailings departed on Fridays or Saturdays, and newlyweds, who typically marry on Saturdays, had to wait almost a week to start their cruise.

On board, many big-ship lines offer honeymooners complimentary extras like a bottle of champagne in the cabin upon arrival, a special cake served in the dining room one night, and a private cocktail party for newlyweds. To partake of the freebies, be sure to tell your travel agent or the cruise line reservation agent that you'll be celebrating your honeymoon on the cruise.

High-end small-ship lines don't offer special cocktail parties and the like, but their ultradeluxe amenities are especially pleasing to honeymooners. Guests are pampered with terrycloth bathrobes and slippers that await in walk-in closets; elegant in-cabin dining service complete with linens, china, crystal and silverware; whirlpool bathtubs; stocked mini-bars; and high crew-to-passenger ratios. Cabins may have private verandas, an especially romantic touch. All of these extra special touches are business as usual on these small, upscale ships.

If you want more than what the cruise lines offer for free, most also have a variety of wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, and vow-renewal packages that can be purchased before the cruise.

If you want to get married on board, you can legally do so on many ships, although ships' captains haven't been permitted to officiate weddings in U.S. ports since World War II. Instead, a local officiant is brought on board to perform a civil ceremony. A justice of the peace, notary public, or minister is used, depending on where the ceremony is taking place; sometimes, where permitted, you're able to request or arrange to have a priest, rabbi, or other official of your choice. Many couples tie the knot on the first day of the cruise, while the ship is still in port in the U.S.---for example, in Florida, California, New York, or San Juan---with a ceremony conducted on deck or inside in one of the public rooms. This way, friends and family are allowed to come on board for a few hours for a ceremony and a reception before the ship departs. Ceremonies can also sometimes be conducted in port, on a local beach, for example; each cruise line offers its own set of packages.

Many ships also offer opportunities to marry at one of the ports visited during the cruise, like Bermuda and the Caribbean. As a territory of the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands---St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John---are popular wedding spots. License applications must be received by the Territorial Court in the USVI at least eight days prior to your wedding day. The fee is $25 for the marriage application and $25 for the license; additional fees apply if the ceremony is performed by the Judge of the Territorial Court (download the "Application for Marriage License" form from the USVI Division of Tourism or contact them at 800/372--8784 or the Marriage Dept. direct line, 340/774--6680). In a non-U.S. or Canadian port, such as Bermuda and other islands of the Caribbean, policies vary from country to country, and you need to find out what the rules are well in advance of your sailing date.

Cruise lines that sell wedding packages will assist you with the paperwork, for example, by sending you a license application form or telling you where to get one. In Bermuda, couples are required to file a Notice of Intended Marriage with the Registrar General's Office in Bermuda no earlier than three months and no later than three weeks in advance (the fee is $186, plus $19 for the certificate, and you can get a form either from the cruise line or the Bermuda Department of Tourism, tel. 800/223--6106). The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has a Wedding and Honeymoon Unit (tel. 888/687--8425) to assist with organizing wedding ceremonies. You must be in the Bahamas at least 24 hours before applying for a marriage license (the fee is $40; contact the Bahamas Tourist Office, tel. 800/422--4262).

Remember, the cruise itinerary will limit where and when you can tie the knot; time spent in a given port generally ranges from three to 10 hours. No matter where you choose to wed, U.S. or foreign port, a wedding license must be obtained (or an application filed) in advance of the cruise, and specific arrangements must be made for the wedding ceremony itself. At the time of booking, the cruise line or your travel agent can fill you in on the rules and regulations of the ports visited as well as offer you a selection of wedding packages for purchase.

For Passengers With Kids

Children aboard cruise ships are a common sight these days. To serve this growing market, a number of cruise lines have expanded their facilities and programs aimed at children. Many offer reduced rates for younger cruisers.

Discounts

While there may be free passage for children on special off-peak sailings, typically most cruise lines charge children under age 12 third- and fourth-passenger rates or special children's fares when they are traveling with two adults in the same cabin. These rates tend to be about half---sometimes even less than half---of the lowest adult fare.

Activities and Supervision

Supervised programs for kids include arts and crafts, computer instruction, games and contests, movies, swimming-pool parties, scavenger hunts, ship tours, magic shows, snorkeling lessons, dance classes, and foreign language lessons. Find out in advance whether there are special programs for your child's age group, how many hours of supervised activities are scheduled each day, whether meals are included, and what the counselor-to-child ratio is (a 1 to 3 ratio is ideal).

Some ships provide day care and group baby-sitting for younger children at no extra charge, while most charge a nominal hourly rate. On many ships, private baby-sitting is by arrangement with crew members (at a negotiated price).

Infants

If you plan to bring an infant or toddler, be sure to ask about age requirements. Some cruise ships don't allow infants aboard, period; others require a minimum age, anywhere from 4 to 18 months. Find out exactly what the cruise line provides (some supply diapers, formula, and baby food free of charge), but plan to bring plenty of everything your baby needs with you. Be sure to request a high chair or crib in advance -- and make sure your cabin is big enough to accommodate it.
Meals

Ships with two dinner seatings routinely assign passengers with children to the earlier seating; some lines will not permit children to eat in the dining room on their own. If your kids are picky eaters, check ahead to see if special children's menus are offered; many lines offer them.

Kids' Facilities

Many lines now have supervised play areas for children and teenagers, at least during summer vacation and holiday periods. Facilities for children and teens should be separate. Some ships have playrooms for younger kids and "clubs" for teens, where no children or adults are allowed. These clubs may have a high-tech disco, nonalcoholic bar, video walls, a computer lab, and a game room. Most family-friendly cruise ships are designed to suit the needs of just about everyone, but some are better for teens than others. It pays to find out what's available before you book your cruise.

For more about kids and cruises see Cruises: Family Feud or Love Boat.

Furnishing

All cabins are equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, limited closet space, and a private bathroom---usually closet-size, with a toilet, small shower, and washbasin. More expensive cabins, especially on newer ships, may have a bathtub. Most cabins also have a small desk or dresser, a reading light, and, on many ships, a TV and sometimes even a VCR. Except on some older and smaller ships, all cabins also come with a phone.


Depending upon the ship and category, a cabin may have beds or berths. The most expensive cabins usually have king- or queen-size beds. Cabins priced in the midrange often have doubles or twins. In cabins with twins, the beds may be positioned side by side or at right angles. On most newer ships, the twin beds in many cabins can be pushed together to form a double. If this is what you want, get written confirmation that your specific cabin number has this capability. On some older ships, though, the beds are nailed to the floor, so you can't put them together. This may be especially true on ships where they beds are laid out in an L-shaped configuration. Less expensive cabins and cabins on smaller or older ships, especially those that accommodate three or four people, may have upper and lower bunks, or berths; these are folded into the wall by day to provide more living space. Sofa beds replace upper berths on some newer ships.

Location

On all ships, regardless of size or design, the bow (front) and stern (back) pitch up and down on the waves far more than the hull amidships (middle). Ships also experience a side-to-side motion known as roll. The closer your deck is to the true center of the ship---about halfway between the bottom of the hull and the highest deck and midway between the bow and the stern---the less you will feel the ship's movement. Some cruise lines charge more for cabins amidships; most charge more for the higher decks.


Outside cabins have portholes or windows (which cannot be opened); on the upper decks, the view from outside cabins may be partially obstructed by lifeboats or overlook a public deck. Because outside cabins are more desirable, newer ships are configured with mostly outside cabins or with outside cabins only. Increasingly, an outside cabin on an upper deck comes with a private veranda. Windows are mirrored in cabins that overlook an outdoor promenade so that passersby can't see in---at least by day; after dark, you need to draw your curtains.

Inside cabins on older vessels are often smaller and oddly shaped. On newer ships, the floor plans of inside cabins are virtually identical to those of outside cabins. Providing you don't feel claustrophobic without a window, inside cabins represent an excellent value.

Cabin Size

Cabins vary greatly depending upon the type of ship you choose. On every ship, though, there are different cabin categories priced according to their size, location, and amenities. Cruise brochures show the ship's layout deck by deck and the approximate location and shape of every cabin and suite. Use the deck plan to make sure the cabin you pick is not near public rooms, which may be noisy, or the ship's engines, which can vibrate at certain speeds, and make sure that you are near stairs or an elevator to avoid walking down long corridors every time you return to your cabin.

Cruise lines offer a wide variety of cabins , with a variety of names. The brochures also usually show representative cabin layouts, but be aware that configurations within each category can differ.

Accommodations

Cabins vary greatly depending upon the type of ship you choose. On every ship, though, there are different cabin categories priced according to their size, location, and amenities. Cruise brochures show the ship's layout deck by deck and the approximate location and shape of every cabin and suite. Use the deck plan to make sure the cabin you pick is not near public rooms, which may be noisy, or the ship's engines, which can vibrate at certain speeds, and make sure that you are near stairs or an elevator to avoid walking down long corridors every time you return to your cabin.

Cruise lines offer a wide variety of cabins , with a variety of names. The brochures also usually show representative cabin layouts, but be aware that configurations within each category can differ.

Sharing

Most cabins are designed to accommodate two people. When more than two share a cabin, such as when parents cruise with their children, the third and fourth passengers are usually offered a discount, thereby lowering the per-person price for the room for the entire group.

Single Travelers

If traveling alone, be aware that there are few single cabins on most ships; taking a double cabin for yourself can cost as much as twice the advertised per-person rates (which are based on two people sharing a room). The best way to avoid this is to bring a friend or get a group of friends to cruise together. Some cruise lines will find roommates of the same sex for singles so that each can travel at the regular per-person, double-occupancy rate.

That said, cruise ships are generally a great place to meet people, and many single travelers have found cruise vacations well suited to their lifestyle. Most cruise lines offer a number of singles activities, among them dance classes, lectures, bingo, afternoon teas, and singles get-together nights. Windjammer, a small ship line, offers six to eight singles cruises a year. There are also travel agencies that specialize in singles travel and sponsor singles cruises on many mainstream cruise lines.

Single Travelers

If traveling alone, be aware that there are few single cabins on most ships; taking a double cabin for yourself can cost as much as twice the advertised per-person rates (which are based on two people sharing a room). The best way to avoid this is to bring a friend or get a group of friends to cruise together. Some cruise lines will find roommates of the same sex for singles so that each can travel at the regular per-person, double-occupancy rate.

That said, cruise ships are generally a great place to meet people, and many single travelers have found cruise vacations well suited to their lifestyle. Most cruise lines offer a number of singles activities, among them dance classes, lectures, bingo, afternoon teas, and singles get-together nights. Windjammer, a small ship line, offers six to eight singles cruises a year. There are also travel agencies that specialize in singles travel and sponsor singles cruises on many mainstream cruise lines.

Tipping

At the end of the cruise, it's customary to tip your room steward, server, and the person who buses your table. Expect to pay an average of $10 per day in tips. Some cruise lines will automaticall charge daily gratuities to your shipboard account. Tips for bartenders and others who have helped you along the way may vary. A 15% gratuity is often included in bar tabs. Some cruise lines include tipping within the fare, so day-to-day tipping is not required. Whatever the policy, each ship offers guidelines.

Amuse

Video games, bingo, and gambling can set you back a bundle. If you plan to bet, budget for your losses---you'll almost certainly have them. You must be at least 21 to play the slots or tables on a cruise ship. Also, include what you expect to spend for both inexpensive souvenirs and pricey duty-free purchases.

Excursions

Costs for ship-organized shore excursions range from $20 for the least expensive city tours, to $1500 for the most exotic packages on high-end luxury lines. The cost varies depending on the activity, length, meals, and mode of transportation, as well as the cruise line. Shore excursions generally cost between $30 and $75 per person, and are bought aboard the ship.

Choosing - Cost - Pre-Trip Incidentals

These may include trip or flight insurance, the cost of boarding your pets, airport or port parking, departure tax, visas, long-distance calls home, clothing, film or videotape, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Airfare

Be sure to check whether the price of your cruise includes air transportation to and from the ship. If it does not, you can purchase your airline tickets and transfers from the cruise line. This is known as an air-sea package. Air-sea packages generally are convenient and reasonably priced, and include ground transportation and luggage handling to the ship. However, the cruise line controls which airline and flight you will be on. For an additional fee, many lines will allow passengers to customize their own airline and flight itineraries (sometimes called an "air deviation" or "custom air" program).

Lines also offer cruise-only fares, which allow passengers to purchase air transportation on their own. By arranging your own airfare, you may get a lower fare and a more convenient routing, and if you have frequent-flier miles, you may be able to get a free ticket. You will also be responsible for ground transportation and luggage handling to the ship. In this case, you can purchase an "air supplement" (usually a nominal fee) from the cruise line, which will provide transfers to the ship and baggage handling. In some cases, though not often, cruise lines will offer an international air credit for customers who book their own international air transportation.

Airline competition is fierce within the United States, and if your flights involve major U.S. hub cities -- say in and out of Miami and your home city -- you may be able to beat the cruise line's price, especially if you book far enough in advance.