READY to book? Are you sure? Great fares are great fares, but there are many things to consider before choosing your cruise. Here, some tips for the uninitiated.
1) Inside staterooms are exactly what they sound like These are little closets, not for the claustrophobic. Unless you have no other choice, book something with at least a window. It is worth the price jump, and often the jump isn’t much. For example, on the Norwegian Pearl, the difference in cost is just $100 per person, based on double booking.
2) Know your lines Cruising is a lot like driving. A car will get you from A to B, but if you don’t like the car, the journey is hell. While some fares may be too good to ignore, look closely before you leap – else you might be leaping overboard once it’s too late to turn back. Pore over message boards at Cruise Critic (cruisecritic.com) and read passenger reviews on sites like Epinions (epinions.com).
3) Your fare is only the cover charge These days, your bill is going to add up to a lot more than glasses of Diet Coke and tips to your stateroom attendant, if you’re not careful. Cruise lines, like hotels, have found all sorts of ways to keep you happy and occupied onboard, so you won’t notice that they’re reaching into your wallet again and again. Keep your eyes peeled for access charges to premium restaurants, spa facility usage fees, Internet charges and more.
4) Stay home and save -no really! While you may dream of the Mediterranean, why not pour the money you’d spend on transportation into a more luxurious cruise, sailing round-trip from New York? Bonus: when it’s over, you’re home.
5) Forget the add-ons Unless you’re in a port that’s impossible to navigate alone, the sole purpose of shore excursions and post-cruise hotel add-ons, generally, is to pad your bill. Book your own hotels, and print out a few maps, and do it yourself.