Cruises don't have to be boring, costly | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Cruises don't have to be boring, costly | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Posted on: Sunday, January 20, 2008

SAVVY TRAVELER
Cruises don't have to be boring, costly

By Irene Croft Jr.

Cruising has become the vacation of choice for thousands of smart travelers who savor the notion of exploring intriguing ports from the comforts of a floating hotel. There is an appealing ocean cruise for every would-be passenger, no matter what age group, pocketbook or special interest. There are more than 200 ships afloat, and a dozen on the drawing boards, to satisfy the burgeoning desires of travelers worldwide.

As popular as cruising appears to be in the 21st century, only a small fraction — 3 percent to 7 percent by most estimates — of the American traveling public has ever approached a gangway. If you, also, have been reluctant to take to the seas, you may be attached to one or more of the "big five" most frequently quoted to travel agents: fear of 1) incompatible fellow passengers; 2) boredom; 3) seasickness; 4) fattening food; and 5) high cost. Most of these fears prove unrealistic.

Fellow travelers: Your fellow passengers cannot be pigeonholed into one specific stereotype. However, certain factors determine the kinds of people attracted to a particular cruise. Upscale and retired folks, for example, are likely to sign on for longer cruises (more than 10 days) on intimate, yacht-like vessels to less-trafficked, more exotic destinations and are willing and able to pay for floating luxury. Budget-level Easter voyages in the Caribbean will be packed with college kids. Couples with children typically reserve for holiday weeks and summer cruises on large ships with lots of onboard diversions that cater to families of teens and tots. The shorter, less expensive, three- and four-day itineraries nearer to the U.S. attract singles and professional couples.

Popular or "mass market" cruise lines tend to feature a round-the-clock razzmatazz "fun" orientation for the communal-minded passenger; five and six-star ships radiate quiet elegance with an emphasis on attentive service, gourmet dining, lavish amenities and featured cultural highlights; while others are more informal, comfortably but not grandly appointed, with an adventurous, cerebral orientation.

With more than 200 ships of every imaginable physical style, destination focus and onboard ambience sailing the seven seas, one is certain to spark your interest. Determine the distinctive personality of a cruise ship and you'll glean an insight into the makeup of your prospective fellow passengers. Look at brochures: These usually display the niche of passengers that the cruise line wants to attract.

Nothing to do?: Each ship emphasizes a particular variety of shipboard experiences. If aerobics programs, swimming, bridge tournaments, golf instruction, gambling, art auctions, trapshooting, yoga, prize contests and dancing don't arouse your interest, what about financial seminars, history and culture lectures, scientific studies, computer lessons, reading and other brainy pursuits? Theme cruises are a big draw. You can select from sailings that feature a nostalgic big-band sound, wine and cuisine seminars, lectures on famous authors and adventurers, celebrities and opera stars, or other special interests that vary according to ship and season.

Nightlife can be frenetic or sedate. Glittery Las Vegas-style lounge shows and gambling rate as popular past times on some ships, while bridge, enrichment lectures and lively conversation are the activities of choice on others. You may join shore excursions offered by the ship, or explore a port on your own.

Feeling queasy: Select a cabin midship, pack ginger capsules, sea bands, patches or other anti-motion remedies and you'll probably never be affected by seasickness. Modern cruise ships are outfitted with high-tech stabilizing equipment that ensures smooth sailing on all but the roughest seas.

Packing on pounds: In keeping with the lifestyles of its more fitness-conscious passengers, many cruise lines now offer alternatives to heavy cholesterol-laden dining. Healthy alternatives are on the menus of most dining areas. And most ships now offer well-equipped spa and fitness salons to combat the devils of dining.

Big bucks?: Comfortable-to-excellent accommodation and service, tasty-to-sublime dining, a variety of interesting port destinations and shipboard diversions may be purchased at an all-inclusive brochure price stretching from as little as $150 per day for basic standards to more than $1,000 for died-and-gone-to-heaven luxury. The median fare of about $350 to $700 per day in this wide price spectrum compares favorably with per diem costs of top-notch, all-inclusive land tours. In a highly competitive field, the newer ultra-luxury lines are attracting a loyal following by including complimentary drinks and all gratuities. And with a variety of early-bird, repeat-passenger and other price incentives, your cruise can represent an irresistible travel value.

The key to a magical rather than a mediocre experience is to identify the vessel and cruise itinerary that fuels your interests and is compatible with your wallet. Once you've identified a general cruise destination — Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, Indian Ocean, South Pacific, Alaska, Orient, etc. — ask your travel agent to recommend two or three cruise ships operating in that area. Discuss your personal expectations and customary standard of travel so that your agent can play matchmaker between you and likely ships.

Study cruise line brochures, DVDs and Internet sites. Considerations for Americans should include ambience and reputation of ship; primary passenger nationality and language aboard; quality of accommodations, meals and facilities; size of vessel and passenger complement; ratio of staff to passengers; variety and interest of port calls; optimal cruising season for destinations; passenger profile; appeal of shipboard activities; and fare comparisons.

When it comes to cruising for the first time — or the 20th — a knowledgeable travel professional is indispensable for securing the right ship and itinerary, the desired accommodation and best-value fares.

Irene Croft Jr. of Kailua, Kona, is a travel writer and 40-year veteran globetrotter. Her column is published in this section every other week.

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