Cruise Ships -
What Price is a Cruise? By
Jerrick Foo
I find it very
interesting to read different people's opinion's of the exact same cruise -
one person loved it, the next person hated it. Before a trip, I gobble up
every review I can get my hands on - there are always some helpful tips in
the reviews, and it prepares you for some things you would never have
thought of.
I think finding a
cruise line that fits your life style and tastes makes most sense. This
requires doing research and asking fellow travelers about their experiences
and travel agents on various lines. Reviews also can also be helpful but I
think the most important factor is understanding the type of cruise, and the
tastes, of the person reviewing the ship was seeking, because this always
flavors the review. There are many contrasting reviews of the same cruise in
the various review sites on the web.
Sometimes you'll find
people on the same cruise, with the same accomodations, have paid
significantly different fares. This may have to do with whether they are
repeaters, deals from travel agents, deals from the cruise lines, etc.
Advertising and
brochures should be taken for what they are, promotional materials. Prices
in brochures are usually 30% or more higher than actual prices that TA will
be able to get.
There may be plenty
of interesting cruise lines that are not the biggest lines. The most
commonly known lines are Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norweigan
Cruise Lines, Royal Carribean, and Princess.
There's also the smaller lines
like Premiere, Disney, Costa and the luxury lines like Crystal, Cunard,
Seabourn, Radisson, Silverseas, quite expensive, and some feel well worth it.
Then on the other side of the scale there is the ultra casual, Windjammer
Barefoot cruise lines, with sailships and other tall ships such as
Windsurfer, which is a more formal line. There are, besides the big 6 lines,
quite a bit of choices available to people interested in cruising.
There are small
riverboat cruises, cruises and large boats that do specific, often very
scenic, areas of the world, like Alaska, also.
I find that some
people are very flexible, that they'll enjoy a wide variety of styles of
cruising. Others are more specific and discerning and some lines would not
meet their expectations in some way or another. So, it really boils down to
you and what experience, or range of experiences, you are interested in.
