Choosing a Cruise

Cruising is a mode of transportation and for many the itinerary is the determining factor in choosing a cruise. Once you have an idea of the region you want to visit, find the cruise lines and ships that visit and compare itineraries.

• Overnights on board are very valuable as they give you more time to explore the port of call. St. Petersburg, Russia is a good example. There is so much to see and do in this magical city that at least one overnight on board is required. Some lines actually spend two nights and three days here giving you plenty of time to fly to Moscow as well, if you like.
• An overnight on board in the port of embarkation or disembarkation can save you booking a pre or post cruise hotel stay. Also consider how you will get to the port cities where your cruise begins and ends.
• Sea days let you enjoy the ship and relax between ports. Balance these with days in port to explore the region. Port intensive itineraries let you see more of the region but may be busy and tiring.
• On exotic destinations you may not visit again, be sure there are enough ports of call along the route. If the ship is passing quickly through an area, you could be missing important ports of call, like Trans-Pacific cruises that only call at Tahiti and Hawaii and skip the other islands of the South Pacific.
• Time in port is also a consideration in giving you enough time to explore, especially if the port is far form the city. The port cities for Rome and Florence, for example, are a couple of hours drive away.
• What time of year the ship is sailing is also an important factor. Is it a good time to visit the region? An excellent itinerary to the Mediterranean in mid-summer could mean uncomfortably hot weather and ports crowded with tourists. It is often better to visit in the off season. Prices are usually better then as well.
• Good value is also offered on positioning itineraries, when the ship is making a one-time sailing to a new cruising area, like when the ships position to Vancouver and Seattle for the Alaska season or to Sydney for a season of downunder cruises.

We are fortunate today to have so many different lines specializing in different types of cruising. Here are some of the distinctive features.

• Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America and Celebrity are excellent for family cruising with lots of activities and entertainment for kids and adults.
• Crystal Cruises has an outstanding enrichment program covering a wide range of topics from T'ai Chi to computer classes to music and language lessons.
• Culinary classes are offered in specially designed show kitchens aboard Holland America and Princess while celebrated chefs provide a hands-on introduction to the art of French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu workshops aboard Regent.
• Theme cruises on topics like food and wine, golf, well-being, bridge, baseball, music, photography and even chess can be found on MSC, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Crystal, Oceania and Holland America.
• Upscale amenities, all-suite luxury and superb service are found on Seabourn, Regent and Silversea.
• The comfort and ease of smaller ships is found aboard Oceania, Azamara, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn and the small ships of Princess.
• When given the option of early or late dining, versus open, restaurant-style dining, keep in mind that the set seating enables you to have the same wait staff and table mates each evening. Traditionalists prefer this dining style as it lets them organize their day around a guaranteed dinner time and service is better as the waiter gets to know them and their preferences instead of starting over each evening with different staff.
• Singles will appreciate the lower single supplement offered by Crystal and Holland America on many sailings. Also have your agent watch out for low or no supplement specials that come up occasionally with other lines.
• Although cost is a key factor in any decision, don't rule out the upscale lines immediately. Remember they have larger, more luxurious accommodations and more included extras. If you're looking at splurging on a suite, you will find good value with Seabourn, Regent, Silversea or Crystal.

Each cruise line has a fleet of ships which are distinctly theirs. Sometimes any ship in the fleet will suit your purpose but you may have special considerations like these which narrow down the choice.

• Do you have specific needs like a tennis court, squash court, golf simulator, mini golf, bowling alley, surfing pool, billiards table, fencing lessons or planetarium? Or how about a magradome covering the swimming pool that can turn it into an indoor pool? Mention this to your agent as there are ships sailing today with these on board. Amazing isn't it?
• A wrap around, teak promenade deck is an important feature for those who enjoy the romance of the evening stroll around the deck, or the daily exercise of walking the prom deck. This is a traditional feature that harkens back to the age of the great liners.
• Gourmands and gourmets will want to book a ship with a selection of fine dining options. On many ships, there is a wonderful specialty restaurant or two apart from the main dining room offering upscale cuisine by celebrity chefs. These include steak houses, authentic Italian and Japanese.
• While bigger ships of around 80,000 tons + have more on board space for entertainment and dining options, this also means a lot more walking. If you have mobility issues, or if you are travelling with children or seniors, have your agent book a stateroom close to elevators that take you near the public rooms you want to use. Otherwise, choose a smaller ship.
• Note that mid-size and smaller ships mean fewer passengers on board and ashore and have a reputation for being very friendly. They can also call at smaller ports the big ships pass by.

From cozy inside staterooms to the lavish and sprawling Owners Suite, there's a wide selection of staterooms aboard ship. Here are some things to consider.

• Inside staterooms don't have a window so there's no natural light however they are more affordable and may mean you can cruise more often. Tips: Open up the room by turning on the TV to the view from the bridge. Also take a night light.
• Oceanview or outside staterooms have a window, while balcony or veranda staterooms have a door onto their own private deck space.
• There are even different categories of suites. These more spacious accommodations have added luxury like dressing rooms, walk in closets, larger bathrooms and verandas. The top level suites have additional space and luxury appointments, like a grand piano and dining room with butler service.
• Connecting staterooms work really well for families with the added advantage of an additional bathroom. Some ships have family staterooms and suites offering more sleeping accommodation. Book early for the best choice of quad and triple cabins sleeping three and four.
• Some ships like Prinsendam have specially priced staterooms for singles. For other staterooms, singles pay a supplement from 25 to 100 percent. The advantage is having the entire room to your self.
• Today's ships are surprisingly stable, however, those who are sensitive to motion are well advised to book a mid-ship stateroom on a lower deck for the smoothest possible ride.