How to plan the cruise of a lifetime
Often considered a dream vacation, cruising offers many experiences for travelers — from voyages aboard small sailboats in the Caribbean to river cruises in Europe, to adventure boats around the Galapagos Islands … and of course, the massive ships with thousands of passengers and amenities for all ages.
Choosing the right cruise can be daunting, whether you are seeking a quick couple’s getaway or planning a huge family reunion.
Cruises offer some universal benefits, such as the ability to sample different destinations without packing and unpacking, up-front payment for expenses and the opportunity to return to familiar accommodations each night.
What floats your boat?
Still, cruise experts agree that vacationers need to identify their idea of a “perfect” vacation on the water — before they start the booking process.
A travel agent for 33 years, Judy Rawls, the owner/manager of Great Escapes Travel in Audubon, books about 75 cruises each year.
Rawls suggests that vacationers first determine their time and budget, then ask themselves what they expect from a cruise.
Rawls says she also asks questions prior to booking: “For example … do they desire luxury and top-notch amenities? Gourmet cuisine? A small intimate ship with personalized service or a mega-liner with mega-entertainment options? Are duty-free shopping, sporting opportunities or adventure in their dreams? Or enlightening educational classes or seminars with well-known speakers? An expedition ship? Is a casino onboard a priority? These are the things we find out in order to match them to the right cruise line and itinerary.”
Although there are a number of online resources for booking and planning cruises, travel specialists can offer personal insights, Rawls says.
“They will know the best rates, promotions and ships that will provide the clients with the dream cruise vacation they are hoping for. The agent’s help and advice will be priceless and will take the work and worry out of all the details. In 2016 alone, there will be 27 new ocean, river and specialty ships scheduled to debut. It can be a confusing industry. You don’t want to end up with just any cruise; you want the one that’s just for you.”
A-B-seas of taking kids
Parents with young kids find that many cruise lines offer kids’ clubs, activities and entertainment suited for children, along with larger rooms and shared experiences for multigenerational families. Disney, Carnival, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are among those that offer a multitude of family-friendly options.
Carnival Cruise line spokesperson Vance Gulliksen says, “We carry a broad mix of passengers among our 4.5 million guests carried annually, and that includes a significant number of passengers from the Northeast who are drawn to our close-to-home cruise options from ports like Baltimore, New York and Norfolk.”
Parents with young kids should look into ship programming and activities to maximize their fun on board, while offering some much-needed ‘we’ time to spend as a couple,” Gulliksen says.
“As the leader in family cruising, hosting 700,000 kids a year, Carnival offers a variety of fun all-ages activities through its exclusive ‘Seuss at Sea’ program operated in conjunction with Dr. Seuss Enterprises,” he says. “There’s also Carnival’s ‘Night Owls’ program, where kids can enjoy supervised late-night activities while the adults enjoy Carnival’s nighttime fun.”
Rawls recommends including older children in the initial planning stages and choosing a cruise line with entertainment for all ages: “Look for a ship with a full and fun kids’ program. … Discuss the ports you’ll be visiting to see what family-friendly adventures await.”
Not surprisingly, issues of safety and security arise when planning a trip.
“Terrorism seems to be a part of our new age,” Rawls says, “But the security screenings on ships for passengers and crew are stringent, and ships remain a very safe place to be. Seasickness can be a concern if you are in the 1 percent of the population that suffers from true motion sickness. But many are just afraid it ‘might’ happen. If you’re not sick on a plane or in a car, it is unlikely that you will be on a cruise ship.”
Even the much-reported norovirus outbreaks are far more prevalent, and generally more widespread, in schools, universities, large corporations and shopping malls than on cruise ships, Rawls says.
Pros help navigate options
Terri Haas is the vice president of sales at Star Clippers, a small cruise line that operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels, the Royal Clipper, the Star Clipper and the Star Flyer. The ships visit ports that are often untouched by larger cruise ships, offering passengers activities, amenities and atmosphere of a private yacht.
Haas suggests: “Cruisers should review past vacation experiences to understand the type of atmosphere, activity, etc., they have best enjoyed and why, in order to help decide which type of cruise is best for them. Guests should always make sure they are working with companies that have a good reputation and seek advice from an experienced travel agent if unsure. The website Cruise Critic offers a way for customers to record their own travel experiences and offer advice to others who are looking for new cruise options.”
Chuck Grova of Newfield has taken about a dozen cruises with his wife, Tracy Swan, since 2007.
Over the years, the couple has reaped the benefits of repeated voyages on the same cruise company. He says, “Most cruise lines have loyalty programs, so if you jump from cruise line to cruise line, it takes longer to climb the rewards ladder.”
Grova added: “We book directly with the cruise line. I like to research first the price, cabin type, itinerary, then I’ll call to book. I like speaking with a live person, who you can interact with. We booked through AAA once, and that was fine too — we just told the agent what we wanted, and she did all the work.”
Arrive at port prepared
Kim Milnes, owner of Family Travel Boutique in Cherry Hill, has been in the industry more than five years and has booked more than 100 cruises.
She points out that timing is important when planning a cruise: “Booking your cruise early in the year can really save money. Winter season offers great specials and pricing.”
She also notes: “Here in South Jersey we are lucky to be close to four major cruise ports: Baltimore, Bayonne, New York City and Brooklyn. These ports have amazing ships that can take you to Bermuda, the Caribbean — even to England. My local clients really can see the convenience and savings because they do not have that additional cost of flights. Also, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have two of the their newest ships sailing from New York and Bayonne.”
Milnes recommends having a passport — even if your cruise does not require one. “Get a passport. It is in your best interest to not sail with a passport ‘card.’ If for some reason you need to fly back to the U.S. from a foreign country, you would not be allowed entry with a passport card. The peace of mind you have with a passport book is worth the extra money.”
She also suggests arriving at the port city a day before your cruise, especially if you are traveling during winter. “Give yourself time get to the ship and not stress with flight delays and possibly missing the ship. I work with a great supplier who has hotel and parking packages which allow you to keep your car at the hotel during your cruise — and even with a hotel stay is cheaper then parking at the port.”
Marla Cimini is a freelance journalist living in Cherry Hill. She writes about travel, food, wine and luxury for USA TODAY and other publications. www.marlacimini.com; Twitter and Instagram: @MarlaCimini
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Cruising tips
Extras: Travel specialists can offer the same pricing as online sites but also have access to special upgrades, amenities and even onboard credit.
Kids on board: Double-check the children’s activities. Some ships don’t have programs for toddlers under 3 years old.
Travel insurance: Medical insurance might not be valid outside the United States or even on the ship.
Seasickness prevention: Bring appropriate medication or “sea bands” if you are prone to motion sickness.
Celebrations: Tell your travel agent (and/or the cruise line) if you are celebrating an anniversary, birthday or other important occasion. They might offer something special onboard.
Cruise resources
Family Travel Boutique: Kim Milnes, Cherry Hill: familytravelboutique.com or (201) 353-7910.
Great Escapes Travel: Judy Rawls, 256 S. White Horse Pike, Audubon. (856) 547-8748 or greatescapesdirect.com.
Star Clippers: starclippers.com.
Carnival Cruise line: carnival.com.
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