Most of you know that in addition to other things I am a certified cruise consultant. As such I'd like to offer the following
I had an uncle who would never go in a cave. It was not that he was afraid of descending into the bowels of the Earth but an attitude he had. He had seen the magnificent Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and that was enough for him. So when we were at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico he decided to just wait for us topside saying, “When you had seen one cave you’d seen them all, after all they’re all alike. Well he was wrong, they are not all alike! I have been in many caves and there were no two the same. To be sure they are all holes in the ground with stalactites’ and stalagmites but that was about all they had in common.
Many people feel about booking a cruise as my uncle felt about visiting caves, that is, “there all alike so just go with the least expensive.” That attitude toward cruises is just as wrong as was my uncle’s attitude toward caves. All cruises are not created equal anymore than all caves are. Again, to be sure there are common elements. All cruises take place on water in a boat or ship of some kind but that’s where the similarity ends.
Truth is, buying a cruise is in many ways like buying a loaf of bread. There are so many varieties, sizes and prices from which to choose. I suspect the real reason for people always going with the same cruise time and time again is the same reason they stay with white sandwich sliced bread in a 1-1/2 pound loaf. They look at the shelf, see all the choices and finally just leave the store with the same old same old with which they are familiar.
Deciding to take a cruise is only the beginning and easiest part of the process. After that the multiplicity of variables makes the process a bit daunting for most people. That’s why I recommend engaging a cruise consultant. They generally don’t cost make the cost of a cruise more and they are a storehouse of valuable information and help. In fact, they probably will save you money, time and frustration.
But I digress. What I want to talk with you about today are some of the variables involved in selecting the right cruise for you and your family. The very first question you need to answer is, “Where do I want to go?” Today cruise ships ply the waters of the world. I remember when someone said they were going on a cruise we automatically assumed it would be to the Caribbean. Not anymore! Cruises now go to Alaska, Europe, South America, The South Pacific, Mediterranean and more. Don’t feel like you are “locked-in” to just the Caribbean simply because that is what you are familiar with. Your cruise consultant knows which cruise line offers the best cruises to each part of the world and is able to help you with this.
The second question you need to answer is, “How long do you want to be away from home?” The answer to this question will go a long way in helping you decide on a cruise line. Keep in mind that while virtually all cruise lines offer seven day cruises each one is a specialist in a certain length cruise. For example, the mass-market cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian) specialize in short cruises of seven days or less while the upscale cruise lines (Princess & Holland America) usually are ten days or longer.
The third question you need to address is, “What is my cruise budget?” Don’t try to book a champagne cruise on a beer budget. A mass-market cruise line will have prices generally starting in the range of $399 per person for a seven night cruise. This does not include port fees, taxes or gratuities. As a general rule of thumb for determining your mass-market cruise budget I recommend that you double the basic per person cost of the cruise (Fare, taxes, gratuities) and double it to get a good estimate of your “real” per person cruise cost. BTW – keep in mind that the $399 per person prices is the lead-in price and not likely to be actual price of the cruise you select.
Also, be prepared to pay for virtually everything other than what is included in the basic cruise fare. We refer to this as being “nickel and dimed to death.” The cheapest cruise is not always the best value for your buck.
The more deluxe cruise line fares will be higher but there will also be more amenities and a higher level of service. High end cruises include virtually everything in their fare price. Rates on all cruise lines vary with the season. Your cruise consultant can be of enormous help with helping you develop and stay within your cruise budget.
What is your cruise personality? Everyone has a cruise personality and that personality needs to be matched with a cruise line that is compatible. If you are fun-loving, active and filled with energy then a mass-market cruise line is probably what you want. On the other hand if you are more style conscious then something like Celebrity might be more to your liking. Point being that every cruise line offers a specific type of cruise experience and that it’s important to match your personality with a compatible cruise experience.
Another question is, “Who all is going on the cruise?” - Is it a solo event? Will it be a romantic occasion for a couple? Is it a multi-generational family affair? The answer to this question will impact your choice of a cruise line. Again, your cruise consultant can help you select a cruise that fits your need here.
I had an uncle who would never go in a cave. It was not that he was afraid of descending into the bowels of the Earth but an attitude he had. He had seen the magnificent Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and that was enough for him. So when we were at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico he decided to just wait for us topside saying, “When you had seen one cave you’d seen them all, after all they’re all alike. Well he was wrong, they are not all alike! I have been in many caves and there were no two the same. To be sure they are all holes in the ground with stalactites’ and stalagmites but that was about all they had in common.
Many people feel about booking a cruise as my uncle felt about visiting caves, that is, “there all alike so just go with the least expensive.” That attitude toward cruises is just as wrong as was my uncle’s attitude toward caves. All cruises are not created equal anymore than all caves are. Again, to be sure there are common elements. All cruises take place on water in a boat or ship of some kind but that’s where the similarity ends.
Truth is, buying a cruise is in many ways like buying a loaf of bread. There are so many varieties, sizes and prices from which to choose. I suspect the real reason for people always going with the same cruise time and time again is the same reason they stay with white sandwich sliced bread in a 1-1/2 pound loaf. They look at the shelf, see all the choices and finally just leave the store with the same old same old with which they are familiar.
Deciding to take a cruise is only the beginning and easiest part of the process. After that the multiplicity of variables makes the process a bit daunting for most people. That’s why I recommend engaging a cruise consultant. They generally don’t cost make the cost of a cruise more and they are a storehouse of valuable information and help. In fact, they probably will save you money, time and frustration.
But I digress. What I want to talk with you about today are some of the variables involved in selecting the right cruise for you and your family. The very first question you need to answer is, “Where do I want to go?” Today cruise ships ply the waters of the world. I remember when someone said they were going on a cruise we automatically assumed it would be to the Caribbean. Not anymore! Cruises now go to Alaska, Europe, South America, The South Pacific, Mediterranean and more. Don’t feel like you are “locked-in” to just the Caribbean simply because that is what you are familiar with. Your cruise consultant knows which cruise line offers the best cruises to each part of the world and is able to help you with this.
The second question you need to answer is, “How long do you want to be away from home?” The answer to this question will go a long way in helping you decide on a cruise line. Keep in mind that while virtually all cruise lines offer seven day cruises each one is a specialist in a certain length cruise. For example, the mass-market cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian) specialize in short cruises of seven days or less while the upscale cruise lines (Princess & Holland America) usually are ten days or longer.
The third question you need to address is, “What is my cruise budget?” Don’t try to book a champagne cruise on a beer budget. A mass-market cruise line will have prices generally starting in the range of $399 per person for a seven night cruise. This does not include port fees, taxes or gratuities. As a general rule of thumb for determining your mass-market cruise budget I recommend that you double the basic per person cost of the cruise (Fare, taxes, gratuities) and double it to get a good estimate of your “real” per person cruise cost. BTW – keep in mind that the $399 per person prices is the lead-in price and not likely to be actual price of the cruise you select.
Also, be prepared to pay for virtually everything other than what is included in the basic cruise fare. We refer to this as being “nickel and dimed to death.” The cheapest cruise is not always the best value for your buck.
The more deluxe cruise line fares will be higher but there will also be more amenities and a higher level of service. High end cruises include virtually everything in their fare price. Rates on all cruise lines vary with the season. Your cruise consultant can be of enormous help with helping you develop and stay within your cruise budget.
What is your cruise personality? Everyone has a cruise personality and that personality needs to be matched with a cruise line that is compatible. If you are fun-loving, active and filled with energy then a mass-market cruise line is probably what you want. On the other hand if you are more style conscious then something like Celebrity might be more to your liking. Point being that every cruise line offers a specific type of cruise experience and that it’s important to match your personality with a compatible cruise experience.
Another question is, “Who all is going on the cruise?” - Is it a solo event? Will it be a romantic occasion for a couple? Is it a multi-generational family affair? The answer to this question will impact your choice of a cruise line. Again, your cruise consultant can help you select a cruise that fits your need here.
Another question that I think is important is, “Do you like crowds?” If you don’t mind crowds then Royal Caribbean with her mega-resort ships could fit the bill. If not her sister cruise line might be a better choice. Keep in mind bigger ships mean more crowded shore tours and ports while smaller ships offer quieter ports and fewer lines.
“Is onboard entertainment important to you and if so, what type?” The mass-market cruise lines offer “Vegas” style shows while smaller ship offer more intimate nightclub style shows. Disney offer, well . . . Disney style shows.
Other questions are, “How important is a variety of dining venues?” What about the quality of food? How about “dress codes and formal events?” “Do you suffer from motion sickness?” All these and many other questions will impact the cruise you SHOULD select.
Selecting the right cruise really does matter. It is sort of like buying shoes. Select the wrong shoes make your feet hurt and you feel miserable the whole time you’re wearing them Select the right ones and you hardly know they’re on your feet. Same is true for a cruise. Select the wrong cruise and you’ll be miserable while you’re on it. Select the right cruise and you’ll have a great vacation.
That’s why the first thing you should do after deciding on a cruise vacation is “How soon can I sit down with my cruise consultant and plan my trip?
I require NO convincing! I hope we can all take a cruise together again. Funny, I was just looking at the photo's of the cruise you, Susan, Adrian and I took in 2003.
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