5 Factors to Consider when Choosing a Cruise

Today’s cruising market can offer a variety of options often overwhelming to a first time passenger, while constantly offering something new for the well-seasoned traveler. A few cruising benefits include flexibility, value, options, variety, and a sampling of destinations.

“No other type of vacation offers the variety of experiences - worldwide destinations, diverse itineraries, varying cruise lengths, types of ships, different onboard experiences, and shore side activities - that the CLIA fleet provides,” said Terry Dale, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). “The aim is to enable every vacationer to choose the cruise that is exactly right for individual tastes, interests and budget.”

CLIA’s 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study reveals that in 2007, 9.57 million Americans took a cruise vacation representing 76 percent of the total 12.56 million guests carried on CLIA member cruise lines. Based on this year’s study, 33.7 million Americans stated intent to cruise within the next three years.

Ready to set sail? To keep things simple and to help identify cruise vacations that match a traveler’s desires and needs, consider the following five factors:

1. Price: The purchase of any item often involves comparing price and cruising is certainly no exception. Cruise price ranges can run from just a few hundred dollars for those on a tight budget to the tens of thousands for those seeking extravagant flair. It’s important to note some of the added expenses when researching a cruise, such as port charges, fuel supplements, gratuities and additional costs for onboard amenities. What may appear to be a budget cruise initially may very well be more expensive when add-ons are factored into the final cost.
2. Itinerary: Cruise line itinerary offerings are global in scale and can provide all the necessary elements for a cultural and geographic adventure. Sailings to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific and Mexican Riviera offer sun, sand and sea in a variety of island or coastal ports. Alaskan and exotic destinations are being offered such as South America and Australia/New Zealand for passengers whom may desire off the beaten path travel or for those who have sailed the traditional Eastern and Western Caribbean routes previously. European cruises offer a unique view of many areas and with today’s dollar value, cruising provides value. Today’s cruise itineraries can be as diverse as the passengers traveling the high seas.
3. Duration: Time is an element that often becomes the limiting factor of a vacation. Without sacrificing product quality, cruising offers vacations of varying lengths. Vacationers looking for a long weekend getaway can do so with cruises to the Bahamas from the ports of Florida in three- and four-night sailings. In need of a little longer escape, sailings of 7-14 days can keep pace with the traditional break away from the stress of everyday life.  Around the world sailings lasting in excess of 100+ days are available for those seeking to fill time with world travel. Time of travel will dictate the itineraries available.
4. Travel Dates: Be sure to match desired destination with ideal travel time frame. Alaska and Mediterranean cruises generally tend to sail from April through November, while Caribbean cruises are available year-round. Voyages to the picturesque northeastern United States and Canada are offered in the cooler months of September-November. Transatlantic sailings between the U.S. and Europe can be found in the early months of spring and late months of fall as ships reposition to their prescribed ports to begin or end seasons abroad. Panama Canal cruises that transit the entire length of the canal are in full swing from November thru April. 
5. Amenities: Today’s cruise lines offer a wide variety of onboard amenities. No longer is a cruise just transportation to and from a port, the ships themselves have become destinations. Services ranging from world-class spas to seminars at sea are enticing passengers to entertain cruising as a vacation.  Culinary demonstrations, fitness classes, wine tastings, theme lectures, acting lessons, ice skating, golf, scuba diving lessons, rock climbing, surfing,  are just a few ways that cruise lines have responded to clients’ requests and desires.

When considering a cruise vacation, take time to identify vacation goals and expectations with the entire traveling party to ensure the perfect ship and itinerary is selected. By taking some time to think about what a traveler wants from a cruise experience will result in a cruise that is custom to their needs and will help navigate through the numerous sailings offered.

PHOTO CREDIT: Tropical Latitudes Travel (http://www.tltravels.com)