Discounts

Discounts
You can often enjoy exactly the same cruise as the family in the cabin next door for a fraction of the cost, whether your vacation is worth $1,000 or $10,000. You just need to learn a few tricks.

Cruise-ship cabins are sort of like airplane seats when it comes to pricing. The lowest, greatest, most super-duper- saver fare is advertised to get you to pick up the phone and ask about booking a trip, but usually only a limited number of cabins are available at that special rate. After those are gone, you’re going to be lumped in with everybody else trying to get aboard unless you book extremely early or take advantage of some special pricing promotions that some of the cruise lines offer. Here’s a look at a few of your best options if you want to save money on your cruise.

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Excursions Ashore

Excursions Ashore
Like airfare and land extensions, another large secondary expense you may incur is excursions during your cruise. Of course, you never- have to leave your ship if you simply prefer to stay aboard and enjoy the amenities there, but if you want to explore some of the ports where your ship will call, the odds are good that it is going to cost you extra.

It’s hard to generalize about how much each excursion will cost, as they range from less than $50 on some cruise lines to several hundred dollars apiece for higher-end opportunities aboard other cruise lines. Your best bet is to ask your cruise ship staff for literature and pricing on the excursions available during your cruise, or go to your cruise line’s Web site for a detailed list based on your sailing dates.

Some cruise lines, such as Swan Hellenic, include a good number of excursions in the price of your vacation, but for the most part you should expect to pay extra to do anything and everything you would like to on land. Even when some excursions are included in your overall rate, others will be offered to you that might be too hard to resist.
Some cruise lines, such as Holland America and Crystal Cruises, will even let you customize your excursions instead of always staying with groups from your ship. Crystal has a Land Programs Department that will do everything from extending the excursions already available (such as adding a private helicopter ride to a group hike) to creating a private excursion just for you (such as a one-on-one, behind-the-scenes tour of the Vatican).

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Family Reunion Cruises

Family Reunion Cruises
Some families cruise together without any small kids at all. In fact, cruise ships are a popular place for large- scale reunions of adult siblings, smaller-scale vacations in honor of a college graduation, or celebrations marking a grandparent’s eightieth or ninetieth birthday. You can even hold your wedding aboard some cruise ships if you want to add a new member to your family in the middle of your get- together vacation!

If the majority, or even all, of the people who plan to cruise with you are adults and older teenagers, you might consider choosing a cruise line that does not cater so much to children. Obviously, the more activities and facilities that are aboard, the more kids and younger families a cruise ship is going to attract-and if you are part of a mature family, you might want to share your experience with a more mature crowd.

You might even consider booking your trip aboard a higher- end cruise line that does not encourage children to come aboard. Silversea and Seabourn are two examples-both are excellent lines, and they focus on luxury instead of lollipops. Swan Hellenic also tends to appeal to a more mature crowd, as does Cunard. Of course, you are also likely to pay higher rates aboard these more exclusive ships, but this option is available if you think you might prefer it.
If you like the idea of fewer kids aboard but aren’t opposed to their presence-and want to try to stay more in the mainstream in terms of pricing-consider one of the cruise lines that offer children’s programming but balance it a bit more with adult interests. These include Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Radisson Seven Seas.

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Cruising with Grandchildren

Cruising with Grandchildren
For the most part, cruising with young grandchildren is a lot like cruising with young children-kids are happiest aboard the ships that cater to them. The difference when you are a grandparent cruising with grandchildren is that your health needs may require a little bit of special attention too, and you will want to be aboard a boat that can provide those services.

You should start by making sure that your cruise ship has a children’s program full of activities that will give you a break from your grandchildren during the day-while making them feel like they are part of something special at the same time. You can check on your particular ship’s facilities and programming with your travel agent or your cruise company.

Next, you should select your itinerary carefully. Some ports of call require cruise ships to anchor in a harbor instead of pulling right up to a dock, in which case it can be difficult for older people to get on and off the ship, especially if they are in a wheelchair. If you fall into that category, or if you are traveling with an elderly grandparent who does, you should select an itinerary that ensures that you and your grandchildren can both get ashore together-if you prefer not to stay aboard while the kids go exploring on their own. Ask your travel agent or your cruise-ship company about the docking situation at every port of call on your itinerary-and, while you have them on the phone, check on handicap access aboard the ship.

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Cruising with Infants

Cruising with Infants
If you plan to cruise with an infant-any child younger than age two-your cruise-ship options dwindle quickly. Some cruise companies reserve the right to refuse boarding to children in this age range, and even the ships that have extensive programming for children and teenagers don’t always have facilities or services available for babies. This is beginning to change, but the movement toward better infant cruising options is still, well, in its infancy.

By far the best company for family-value cruising with infants right now is Disney Cruise Line. It is the only mid- range cruise company that has a nursery for children between twelve weeks and three years old, and group babysitting is available. (Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, the largest cruise ship in the world, does have a nursery and British nannies available for infant care, but Cunard’s prices are far higher.) Disney’s nursery and infant care is offered along with its children’s programming for your kids age three and older. If you’re traveling with one kindergartner and one toddler, Disney is the only “family- priced” line where you will be able to use group services for both kids at once.
Royal Caribbean is working to make a dent in Disney’s business, however. In 2004, the cruise line announced a partnership with Fisher-Price toys to develop fleetwide programming for children as young as six months old. There are play-groups and other activities that use Fisher-Price toys, as well as a Fisher-Price television channel that you can watch in your cabin.

However, unlike Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean does not offer babysitting services for children younger than three years old. So even though there will be plenty of activities for you and your infant to enjoy together, you will have to bring your own nanny or babysitter aboard if you want to enjoy any nightlife on your own.

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Top Ships for Teens

Top Ships for Teens
Teens are a special breed of cruise-ship passenger (just as they often seem to be a special breed in need of entertaining back on land). Older teens, especially, don’t want to be lumped into the kiddie-pool area, but they also will not be allowed into the grown-up spaces aboard cruise ships such as casinos and wine bars, even if they are more mature than half the people already inside. Teenagers can often feel stuck in between two catered-to age groups on cruise ships, just as they occasionally do back home.

A handful of cruise ships have lounges and discos created especially for teens. In a few cases you can even find a “teen center” separate from the children’s activity zone aboard. For the most part, a cruise ship with a lot of outdoor activities as well as at least one indoor teen-friendly area will work for your older children-especially when combined with excursions that they will find interesting ashore.

As is the case with the best boats for family cruises in general, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean are the companies that most frequently pop up in surveys ranking the best cruises for older children and teenagers. Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises also get the occasional nod, just as they do for cruises with younger children.

The popular and informative Web site CruiseMates.com did a survey of teenagers themselves to find out which particular ships their age group prefers. Royal Caribbean and Carnival dominated the list.
Here is what CruiseMates.com ended up ranking as its Top Ten, with the most popular ships for teens listed first:

Mariner of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Navigator of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Adventure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Voyager of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Carnival Glory
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Miracle
Carnival Victory
Carnival Spirit
Celebrity Constellation

Each of these ships has the kinds of amenities you might expect teenagers to rate highly, from teen-friendly clubs with names like Fuel and Frankenstein’s Lab to onboard activity areas including rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, and miniature golf courses. These ships also tend to have more teenagers aboard than any other cruise line- more new friends for your child to hang out with-so perhaps that factors into the survey results, as well. If you plan to spend the majority of your time aboard the ship and not in port, or if you are taking a “cruise to nowhere,” you may want to book one of these ships so that your teenagers will have plenty of options for keeping busy.

No matter which cruise company you choose, if your child is a more studious type who would rather read books and learn about your cruising destinations than scream all night in a disco, you might consider putting your vacation dollars into a trip that offers an exotic itinerary instead of a rock-climbing wall. That way, the ship won’t be a destination unto itself, and your teenager can join you in focusing on a bit more adventurous exploration ashore.

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CHOOSING THE SHIP THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU

CHOOSING THE SHIP THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Royal Caribbean offers sign language interpreters (upon request, sixty days before your sailing date), TTY/TDD, Alertmaster, cabin strobe alarm, amplified telephones, closed-caption televisions, and more. For the mobility impaired, Royal Caribbean has corridors designed to accommodate 180-degree wheelchair turns, automatic doors on most decks, accessible staterooms, specialized vans for transfers, scooters, hydraulic lifts for a pool and Jacuzzi aboard, accessible tenders, accessible blackjack tables in the casino, and more.
Other cruise lines of course offer many of these services, as well. The point is that you should expect to receive top-notch service for special needs, just like everything else.
Don’t let any cruise company tell you differently.

Wheelchair Accessibility
Wheelchair accessibility has come a long way in recent years. It used to be a struggle aboard some cruise ships simply to turn a wheelchair around in a corridor. Today, cruise companies know that they need to provide accessibility in every possible way, especially as the American population ages and continues to want to cruise. Consider these four key areas when comparing wheelchair accessibility aboard any cruise ships:
Staterooms
Public areas
Excursion boats
Shore tours
Most cruise ships have a half-dozen to a dozen cabins set aside for passengers who use wheelchairs. To get a room like this, as well as ensure additional services, you should notify your cruise company in writing about your family member’s needs. Do this as soon as you book your trip; in fact, you can get the appropriate contact person’s name and address at the time of your booking.

Specially outfitted rooms may have wide doorways, wider areas in the living space to provide a wheelchair-turning radius, ramps toreach balconies and bathrooms, lowered closet bars, lowered light switches, roll-in showers, and bathroom fixtures as would be appropriate. In some cases, penthouses are among the wheelchair-accessible rooms (in addition to lower- priced cabins).

But who wants to sit in a stateroom all day? After you’ve nabbed one of these special rooms, your next step should be to inquire about wheelchair accessibility in the public areas aboard your ship. Be specific. You are likely to get a generic response if you ask, “Do you have wheelchair accessibility aboard?” You certainly will get farther if you inquire, “What specific public areas are accessible to wheelchairs aboard my ship? And how close to them are the wheelchair-acces-sible public restrooms?” Have a copy of the ship’s deck plans with you, and highlight the areas as the cruise-ship representative names them. You can follow up with questions like, “I see you didn’t mention the Captain’s Observatory. Is that area off-limits to passengers who use wheelchairs?”

Excursion boats are another specific area you need to ask about. Some ships have one or two specially outfitted excursion boats that will accommodate people who use wheelchairs in getting from the ship and into the port of call (and vice versa, of course). Other ships do not, or might restrict the kind of wheelchair allowed (collapsible only, for instance).

Some itineraries and ships are obviously better for people with special needs than others. Your best bet is to ask questions well in advance of booking a trip. Do not, under any circumstance, wait until you get aboard. If you do, you and your loved one are likely to be greatly disappointed.

Special Accommodations

Special Accommodations
Special accommodations aboard cruise ships include staterooms, but they also run the gamut from wheelchair-accessible doorways to special dietary preparations to assistive devices for people who are hearing or sight impaired. Different cruise lines offer different types of help-and there sometimes are differences from ship to ship within each fleet. Your best bet is to call your cruise company of choice or your travel agent to ensure that your specific needs will be accommodated on the particular ship you choose, both in your stateroom and beyond.
You can-and should-expect a lot from your cruise ship in terms of special needs assistance. Royal Caribbean is a good example of what’s out there as a benchmark for services.

For people with visual impairments, Royal Caribbean offers Braille and large-print versions of menus, elevator buttons, signage, and daily newsletters, and the cruise line also provides for service animals and early-excursion boarding.

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Payment Options

Payment Options
All cruise lines accept major credit cards such as American Express, Visa, and MasterCard. Some cruise lines also accept Discover; read the terms and conditions (all the print that’s smaller than a mosquito’s nose) in the back of your particular ship’s brochure for specifics about your personal trip.
You can pay for your entire cruise fare immediately after you book, which can often net you a substantial discount on your trip. Of course, this amount does not include shore excursions, liquor purchased aboard, and any other expenses you will incur after you embark on your cruise. Those may be tallied and given to you at the end of your trip, when you can again pay with any of the major credit cards that are accepted.

If you choose not to pay in full, you will likely be required to make a deposit in order to secure your reservation. In some cases, you will be given precious little time before booking and paying your deposit. Princess, for example, requires that deposits be made within three days of bookings. Be prepared to pay at least 10 percent of your cruise- only fare as a down payment.

The remainder of your fare will usually be due to the cruise company no later than sixty days before your departure date. In some cases, such as for holiday-week cruises, you may have to pay the balance due no later than three months before you are scheduled to sail. If you book a cruise within one to three months of the embarkation date, you may have no choice but to pay in full at the same time that you make your reservation.

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Book Back-to-Back Itineraries

Book Back-to-Back Itineraries
If your hope is to cruise for longer than just a few days, you can sometimes save serious dollars by booking a pair of shorter, back-to- back itineraries instead of booking one big ol’ mother lode trip.
Radisson Seven Seas is one of the cruise lines that promotes this concept heavily. For instance, the Seven Seas Voyager offers an eight-day, seven-night itinerary from Athens, Greece, to Monte Carlo, Monaco-a trip that ends at 7 A.M. on a Sunday. Just a half-day later, at 6:00 P.M. on that same Sunday, the Voyagersets sail again on a sixteen- day,
fifteen-night itinerary from Monte Carlo to northwestern Africa and then on to its ending port of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Radisson wants to keep its boats full, so it offers a combination of the two itineraries at a price that is quite attractive.

If you booked the lowest-price Voyager stateroom for just the Monte Carlo to Fort Lauderdale itinerary, you’d pay at least $9,190 per person without any early-booking discounts. However, if you plan ahead, book early, and combine the trips, you end up with a twenty-three-day, twenty-two-night cruise from Athens, Greece, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the same level of stateroom for a total fare of $8,341. That’s right-as long as you book early, you can do both itineraries back to back for less than you’d otherwise pay to do just one without any discounts. That’s a heck of a deal.

Talk to your travel agent or cruise line about similar opportunities that involve itineraries scheduled immediately before or after yours aboard the same ship. You’ll be surprised how eager the companies can be to entice you to stay aboard just a little longer.

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