So many choices... Shopping for your cruise
Posted Mon, Aug 17th 2009, 01:55
Many people shop for cruise vacations just on a cost basis. Looking only for pricing but overlooking the value and ignoring other essential facts, can make a big difference on your cruise vacation. Each line and cruise ship has its own personality and there some distinctions that make a difference in any cruise experience. The smart cruise vacation shopper shouldn't just want the cheapest cruise deal, but the cruise vacation that offers the most satisfying experience. Finding the right cruise for you and your family these days is more complicated than ever. There are so many more choices in finding the best cruise deal to meet your needs or the needs of your group. With today’s information technology, the changes in the cruise industry and the various discounts, and sometimes complicated offers, it's more valuable than ever to find a cruise expert who will direct you to the right choice vacation. Whether you are shopping for a luxury, a premium, or mainstream cruise, a professional travel agent will save you time, and in many cases, money.To determine which cruise line and cruise ship will give you the service, comfort, dining experience and of course best price, you need to know the difference between all the available choices. Cruise lines introduce new ships every year and they are getting larger and larger. There are so many activities offered and choices vary from ship to ship. Rock-climbing walls and water parks, bungee jumping, and bowing rinks, miniature golf, bocce ball, trampolines, glass blowing, onboard ice rinks and onboard surfing… The list goes on and these activities need not to be separated from enjoying the must haves. The comfort beds with luxurious linens, the elegant toiletries, the fabulous spas and fitness centers to name a few. Watching popular movies by the poolside under the stars on giant screens is another favorite attraction. Then there’s the culinary centers, wine and caviar bars, ice cream parlors, and alternative dining restaurants featuring cuisine from the world’s top chefs. Let’s not forget the butler service and the concierge class offered by premium and luxury cruise lines.
The first time cruiser can get very confused and the experienced traveler can get puzzled with all the options. A professional travel agent can help you put the puzzle together, from making the right choice and necessary pre or post cruise arrangements, to introducing exclusive offers and getting the best available pricing. The expert’s advice, the help with customized shore excursions, private car and driver services, and offering the best travel insurance tailored to your individual needs, is also part of the service you will get at no extra charge.
Why use a cruise travel expert? Your Expert Travel Agent represents you. The cruise line compensates your Travel Agent for helping you. You don’t pay for the expert’s help and advice, the cruise line does.
Mainstream CruisesRoyal Caribbean (RCCL), Carnival (CCL), and Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) are part of the Mainstream cruise lines with Princess Cruises described as the Upper Mainstream cruise line. These lines usually feature the largest cruise ships afloat or "mega ships". Improved onboard service, dining choices, amenities and comforts to meet the demand of more sophisticated travelers are enhancements of the overall experience the mainstream cruise lines offer these days compared to ten years ago. They all offer alternative dining restaurants for a nominal extra charge.
Premium Cruises
Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Holland America Line (HAL) are part of the Premium cruise lines in the larger ship category, with Azamara and Oceania Cruises in the small/mid size Upper Premium ship category. Premium cruise lines cater to a more discriminating traveler, often featuring more space and fewer passengers, and more sophisticated dining experiences and refined service than mainstream cruises.
Luxury Cruises
Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, and Cunard are part of the Luxury cruise lines in the larger ship category, with SeaDream and Windstar in the small ship category. Luxury cruises offer the best cruise deals and best value with more upscale staterooms and stylish suites, first-class service and comfort, more included services, and superior dining experiences.
