Too many choices, Too little information
 

My wife and I are relatively experienced travelers, but we have never been on a cruise. Having done a little research on a specific cruise that attracts us, I am developing more questions than answers. For the same cruise and same accommodations, prices seem to be all over the place: $ 4800 in the cruise line brochure, $ 2400 taking benefit of a “regional special” offered by the cruise line, $ 2000 from travelocity, $ 1800 from a travel agency special. Apparently the low price gives up some flexibility offered by the cruise line directly, and in most cases my preference is to pay more (within reason) for the flexibility. What advice can more experienced cruisers offer: Book early? Book late? Use an agent? Deal with the cruise line directly? I will greatly appreciate any good, general advice that any of you can offer.

You didn't ask, but are you sure you want to go on a cruise? If yopu have travelled a great deal, that is different than seeing places where the ship docks and disgorges itself of thousands of people all in a relatively short period of time. Pay special attention to how long it is in each port and how much each port of call will cost you either by optional cruise tour or independently. The food is still a restaurant that serves thousands of people. And, by the way - what do you mean flexibility. The ship has an itinerary that is the same whether or not you pay op dollar or less. It is the same ship. So what is there to be flexible about?

No. Actually I am not sure I want to go on a cruise. That's one reason I am looking for information. But, my wife wants to try it at least once. Of course I realize that the ship leaves on a schedule. I mean flexibility in terms of arranging air-flights a week or so early so we can do a little of our "normal" flexible drive & stay where pleases us. (Cruises we are interested in are transatlantic, originating in Europe; and fares available directly from the airlines are noticably more expensive than those which are part of the "package".)

As you explore cruise options, a few cpmments:<BR>I don't know anyone who pays brochure rate.<BR>As a frequent cruiser, we have always booked through a travel agent (preferably the agency owner) who can pass on greater savings to the consumer.<BR>If checking with t/a, ask which cruise line they sell - as many agencies are 'select accounts' with specific cruise lines. This means the t/a should offer you a better value (and he/she should also have more knowledge).<BR>Post 9/11, it's really hard to advise to book early vs. booking late. We prefer a particular cabin category. We have booked early (i.e. one yr in advance). We recently booked a cruise 6 months in advance. Should cruise price decrease prior to final payment (usually 75 to 60 days prior to sailing), you would be credited the lower rate. A good website for cruises is: www.cruisecritic.com<BR>The posters have a wealth of info to share. <BR>If you do plan to cruise, my advise (since you mention a one-week land vacation prior) is to book your own air, unless the airfare to Europe is either included (this is true on some sailings) or offers a reasonable upgrade to business class. Finally, I will mention it would be a good idea to purchase trip cancellation insurance. <BR>

You always have the option of arranging air separate, like with most other tours. We have also travelled quite a bit and just took our first cruise (granted a short one). I am glad we did, but I do not think we are "cruise people" - too many people in one place for me, even though it did not feel crowded. The dining thing with the same people each night was a little uncomfortable for us - don't think we would do it again unless it was on a ship with open seating. Why not take the cheapest rate you can get without air and book it yourself when you want to go?

I think comparing a cruise with independent travel is an apples-oranges thing. A better comparison is with any all-inclusive resort vacation - well fed and watered, lots of recreation and entertainment options, not a great deal of involuntary interaction with the locals or local culture, except at taxi stands or tourist destinations.<BR><BR>A transatlantic crossing will obviously be different in that ports of call will be minimal and "sea days" maximized. I gather many experienced cruisers enjoy the sea days the most; they certainly are relaxing and are cheaper than shore days (if one shops or goes on excursions.)<BR><BR>Go with the lowest price, and don't be afraid of booking a "guaranteed" status cabin, because the worst thing that can happen is you don't get upgraded.<BR><BR>Buy your air through the cruise line only if it's cheaper than the best you can do with an on-line service. Watch out for transfer, taxes and other "supplemental" charges which can erode your savings if any.<BR><BR>We found our first (and so far only) mega-cruise line trip to be an interesting change of pace from our usual rather frantic independent touring style. It was very relaxing. We found the food to be just what you'd expect from a hotel with 2000 guests wanting 3-5 meals per day each. It was considerably more expensive, all in, on a per-person-per-day basis than any other vacation of comparable length we've taken. Frankly, it reminded us of Las Vegas - whatever your addictive behavior is, it's promoted on the ship. (Booze, food, gambling, fitness, shopping...)<BR><BR>We'll cruise some more when we want to decompress and/or if the ship is going someplace where there are few independent travel alternatives, such as Antarctica. More likely we'll do additional freighter cruises, which offer the parts we liked most about a cruise line trip (sea days, time to read, write, walk around the boat) without the cost or commercialism of the cruise line.

Many thanks for the information so far. A couple of respondents have suggested that I book air flights myself. However, when I have checked with my preferred airlines and explained my desires (fly to the point of cruise origin in Europe, then return from to my home town from the cruise termination in the US) -- the prices that I get are effectively one-way. As such they are about 2X the price of a round trip to the same embarkation point. Althought this is technically an open-jaw ticket, the pricing is unforgiving. Maybe I do not know what to ask for -- or the right buzz words to use; but I have talked with two of the major airlines with similar results each time. Obviously, I could buy a round trip ticket and not use the second half -- but that seems like a silly work-around; and while the airlines strongly discourage that practice, they offer little alternative. Any suggestions?

Any cruise brochure I've looked at has offered a flight "deviation" that, for a fee (last time I paid attention $35pp but may be higher now), allows you to specify the route/airline etc for your flights. I'm not 100% sure if this would allow you to also change the dates of your flight, but can't hurt to ask. I think some cruiselines will be more or less flexible on what they allow as a deviation so check another one if the first says no. <BR><BR>We usually book our own air because it's generally cheaper if you're flying to and from the same destination, but in your situation I'm not surprised you're being quoted sky-high fares.

A follow-up question. My real reason for considering this trip is that my wife wants "to cross the atlantic in a ship." I don't think that either of us care much about visiting the ports on the ship's schedule. Does anyone know of cruises that would support this objective, provide the atlantic crossing with no additional port hopping?

Hi bo-jack,<BR><BR>You have really only one choice (and a good one it is) to cruise across the Atlantic without stopping and that is the Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2).<BR><BR>Air deviations for most itineraries are $35 per person. You can choose your flight times and nonstop flights if available. You can also deviate your dates of travel i.e. you do not have to fly on cruise sailing dates.<BR><BR>I think you will enjoy cruising. Give it a try. You are in a resort that does not stay in one place. You do not have to worry about rainy days since there is always something to do on a ship. The entertainment is also very enjoyable with many types of music and productions shows.<BR><BR>I believe you should see a travel agent that is a cruise expert. Ask a lot of questions and do not let anyone talk you into spending more than is necessary for upgraded categories.<BR><BR>As a rule of thumb, early booking prices are the best. They will go up as the cruise date approaches and if the ship is not filling they will go back down again. A travel agent should watch these fluctuations and reduce your price if the price reduces.<BR><BR>Paul

Bo-Jack, there are several trans-Atlantic freighter itineraries at http://www.freighterworld.com/ or http://freightercruises.com/<BR><BR>Both these agencies can help with return air bookings.

bo_jack,<BR><BR>6 day transatlantic crossings on the QE2 from New York to Southhampton (or vice versa) are usually priced to include one-way air returning from (or to) London. You would then only have to purchase the one way air to (or from) the embarkation in New York. There are lots of other cruise lines than offer seasonal transatlantic crossings usually in spring and fall when they are repositioning their ships - some offer a few port calls in between and some do not. Hope this helps.

bo_jack<BR><BR>Go to www.cruisecritic.com you will get a wealth of info on cruising. Also check out buycruises.com or cruising411 they seem to be the "top" 2 companies. I've been on 6 cruises and still refer to cruise critic for lots of things. Enjoy and let us know what you decide.