Cruising can be an exciting and affordable vacation option. Of course, it's important to find the right cruise for your getaway. But selecting the right ship, cruise line, and destination can be a bit of a challenge. After all, there are more than 160 ships in the fleets of the 24 major cruise lines and thousands of itineraries worldwide. Here's what to consider when looking for the perfect cruise vacation.
Style of ship and cruise line
Cruise lines have their own distinct personalities and ships that reflect them. The size of a ship really does matter. Large ship cruise lines provide a party atmosphere with glitz and high energy. Small ship operators focus on quiet luxury and a more refined experience. Of course there are several cruise lines with a mix of big and small ships in their fleets.
So, how to choose? There are some questions to ask yourself: Do you like structure or do you balk at too many rules? Do you need a lot of personal space? Are you more interested in fancy dinners and theatrical shows or wildlife? Another item to consider is that dining rules vary on different lines. On some, you're required to eat dinner at a set time every day at the same place; others allow you to dine around and make your own restaurant reservations.
Your goal is to find a ship and cruise line that is comfortable to you. To make sure a line's usual clientele, ship, and activities are a good match for you, check over the line's brochures and Web site, and ask a knowledgeable travel agent for advice.
Where to cruise
Cruise ships can take you almost anywhere on the planet, from the Caribbean or Europe to Asia or Antarctica, so explore a range of possibilities before settling on a preferred route. When you've found a trip you love, go over the schedule carefully. If traveling internationally, make sure you have valid passports, visas, and any required immunizations.
If you need to fly to your cruise port make sure you allow enough time to get to the ship. Ideally you should try to get to the port at least a day in advance; this added buffer allows you to start off your hard-earned cruise vacation with less stress.
When to cruise
The holidays, spring break and summer are high season and that usually means higher prices. The shoulder seasons of mid-fall and early spring offer great cruise deals, and may be even more appealing than high season. An Alaska, European or Caribbean cruise in May or September, when the kids are in school, translates into fewer people in port.
Just before and after shoulder season, cruise lines move their ships from one home port to another in a strategic fleet movement that's called "repositioning". Of course, those ships don't move around empty; instead, what you get is a "repositioning cruise" - a unique, one-way itinerary that is available only once a year. Repositioning cruises are often highly discounted meaning they are a great value.
Lastly, some of the best values come during the Caribbean's hurricane season, particularly in September and October. The price can come at a cost though - your itinerary may be changed and your cruise could be shortened or prolonged.
Choosing the right stateroom
Consider your itinerary when reserving a stateroom. If you can afford to splurge, a balcony stateroom provides you a private space to relax and get away from the crowded decks. The appeal of a balcony on an Alaska, Caribbean, European or South American cruise offers amazing scenery that should not be missed. Smaller inside staterooms are adequate for budget-minded cruisers who seem more likely to spend most of their time utilizing the ship's public spaces.
It's important to study the ship's deck plan to find the right stateroom location for your needs. Passengers with disabilities might want to book near elevators. Watch out for staterooms with obstructed views - usually the lifeboat deck and those with close proximity to more active areas like lounges, discos, theaters, pool areas, room service and steward service areas. Staterooms midship on lower decks are best for those prone to seasickness.
Cruise costs
Cruise lines offer travelers a host of discounts, so consider every source when looking for a deal. Check out your credit card as many offer discounts or points towards cruises. Look at all the clubs you belong to, from AAA, airline frequent flier programs and college alumni associations, to union memberships - see if they offer any deals or special rates for members. Also, if you've previously cruised with a cruise line you may be in for a repeat cruiser discount.
The majority of cruises are booked by travel agents. Big online agencies may offer competitive prices on a number of cruises. Still, many cruisers prefer to use a local travel agent, but make sure you shop around. Visit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) at Cruising.org and search by ZIP code. When you talk to an agent, ask about last minute specials and if they are holding any group space on various cruises. But keep in mind for popular itineraries the best prices are often booked months in advance.
Finding and comparing cruise vacations doesn't need to be a vexing process. If you do a little research you can board the ship without a care in the world. And that's the only way to cruise.
Most of the newer ships offer wheelchair assessable state rooms and can provide dining room seating arrangements to avoid stairs and raised areas. Just be sure your travel agent notifies the cruise line of your wheelchair usage and any other special needs prior to sailing when making your cruise vacation reservations. Cruise travelers with physical challenges should check with the onboard tour office to ensure that all pre-reserve tours can accommodate their needs.
Cruise travel may be the ideal vacation for an individual using a wheelchair, since it provides the opportunity to visit a number of destinations in a relatively short time. A cruise vacation provides effortless travel between locations without the inconvenience of packing and unpacking. You'll appreciate the choice of experiencing the ship's destinations or relaxing and enjoying the comfort of being pampered at a "resort at sea."
Is important that if one of your party uses a wheelchair you want to ask the following questions: * How many wheelchair accessible cabins on the cruise ship? * Are the doors to the rooms and elevators wide enough to accommodate a regular wheelchair? * Can I get my wheelchair out on deck and into the public rooms during my cruise vacation? * Will I be able to access the dining areas?
In some ports of call, where the ship must anchor, access via wheelchair may not be possible.
Ships generally stock a limited number of wheelchairs but please be aware they must be pre-reserved at the time of your booking.
Due to S.O.L.A.S. (Safety of Live At Sea) Regulations, physically challenged passengers must have partial mobility, and a traveling companion who can assist them, should an emergency arise.
You'll find that the newer, larger cruise ships have been built with the goal of full-accessibility. A new ship will have wider corridors, more spacious cabins, more, and larger, elevators and ramps where needed. In addition, the designated "accessible" cabins on newer ships are outfitted with many of the following features that will make your cruise vacation a more comfortable experience:
* Stateroom and cabin doorways wide enough for wheelchairs (at least 30") * Stateroom dimensions and floor space for maneuverability and bathroom dimensions adequate for maneuvering * No "lips" or sills into bathrooms * Sink positioned so wheelchair can roll under it * Roll-in shower wit a fold-down stool in shower with detachable showerhead * Bathroom walls with handrails * Raised toilet seat, at least 17" inches high * Pull-down clothing racks * Light switches at wheelchair level * Adjustable mirror above sink * Portable telephone * Blinking lights in staterooms for the hearing challenged
In some ports, ships must anchor offshore due to size of the port or because of extreme weather (if the weather is too extreme they won't stop at that port at all). They "tender" guests to shore with small boats that may not be accessible to guests in wheelchairs. You'll want to check with the shore excursions department to determine which shore excursions are most suitable for you. In some destinations, particularly those outside of the United States, you will not always find accessible transportation and facilities.
Some of the Princess cruise line ships have hoists by the pool so a physically challenged passengers can enjoy the pool. Some of Holland American ships have the ability to tender wheelchairs into ports where they do not dock. Ask your travel agent to inquire with those lines to find the ship that is suitable for you.
There is no reason that anyone who is physically challenged should avoid a cruise vacation. Just remember when you are looking into cruise travel that you have your travel agent find the cruise ship that caters to your needs.
Now that you know that a cruise vacation may be perfect for you, call your travel agent and start packing.
Both Anita Dunham-potter & Mary Hanna are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Anita Dunham-potter has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dental Practice, Cruises and Travel and Leisure. Anita Dunham-Potter is a Pittsburgh-based travel journalist specializing in cruise travel and cruise vacations. In addition to writing pieces for , Anita is. Anita Dunham-potter's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.
Mary Hanna has sinced written about articles on various topics from amino acid, Health and Medical Condition. Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at:. Mary Hanna's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.