Smarter Cruising: Learn How to Save Money on Cruises

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In This Issue:

1) Which Cruise-Line Type Are You?

2) Take Advantage of These Great Last-Minute Deals!

3) Smooth Sailing Tip: Go "Premium" for Less

4) Rough Seas Ahead?: Watch for Fuel Surcharges

5) Visit Clark's SMARTER CRUISING BLOG!

==================== FEATURE EDITORIAL ===========

1) Which Cruise-Line Type Are You?

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Probably the question I'm asked most is how to tell the
difference among all the different cruise lines.

Even for veteran cruisers, picking a cruise line can be
incredibly confusing. And for first-timers, it can result
in a state of virtual paralysis.

Almost everyone is familiar with the top names: Royal
Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Disney, Holland America,
Norwegian, Celebrity, Cunard...

Many of us have also heard of Costa, MSC, Oceania, Crystal,
Windstar...

But then a lot of people get fuzzy when confronted with
names like American Canadian Caribbean Line, Imperial
Majesty, Majestic America, Star Clippers, Cruise West,
American Safari Cruises, easyCruise, SeaDream Yacht Club,
Silversea...

And then there are the cruise lines that have recently
changed their names, gone out of business, or are
teetering on the brink of survival: Orient Lines
(ceasing operation in spring 2008), Windjammer Barefoot
Cruises (currently teetering on the brink), Clipper Cruise
Line (absorbed and disbanded by new owners), Norwegian
Coastal Voyage (name change to Hurtigruten), Discovery
World Cruises (name change to Voyages of Discovery)...

I admit it: I write about this for a living, and I have
trouble keeping up with it all.

But if you book a cruise without knowing the type of
cruise line or ship you're signing onto, you're setting
yourself up for disappointment.

Cruise lines are as different as hotel chains are from
one another. If you can tell the difference between
Ritz-Carlton and Holiday Inn, you can tell the difference
between Crystal Cruises and Carnival.

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The four types of cruise lines

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Cruise lines fall into four broad categories:

   ** Mainstream

   ** Premium

   ** Luxury

   ** Small ship, niche, and expedition-style

Chances are, you'll fall into one these four cruise categories
yourself -- that is, you'll find yourself gravitating to a
particular type of cruise line time after time. That doesn't
mean you might not want to vary the experience sometime --
and there is cross-over among some of the categories -- but
you'll probably recognize your own preferences pretty quickly
when you read the descriptions in the rest of this feature.

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Mainstream lines

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The mainstream lines are mass-market lines that try to appeal
to the broadest possible base of consumers.

They usually offers lots of onboard activities (such as rock
climbing walls and ice rinks, and everything from trivia contests
to Broadway-style revues to casino gambling) and tend to visit
the most popular, easily accessible ports on relatively short
(three- to ten-day itineraries).

Their rates fall generally to the budget or "value" end of the
scale -- and frequently offer huge discounts to try to fill every
last cabin -- though you can pile up plenty of extra expenses
both onboard and on shore if you aren't careful.

You can also pay a fairly hefty rate if you book one of their
most expensive cabins, such as a verandah suite.

Mainstream lines are usually family- and group-friendly, and
their ships can approach the size of floating cities at sea, in
some cases accommodating thousands of passengers (they make
their profits on volume rather than charging for luxurious
service and amenities).

It's fair to say that when most people think of cruising, the
mainstream lines are what come to mind -- partially because they
advertise so heavily.

But many prospective passengers aren't buying, simply because
they don't like the idea of being on that big a ship, or having
to wait in long lines to eat or disembark, or having to put up
with singing waiters or constant P.A. announcements to
"gather in the Crustacean Lounge for today's art auction."

Still, mainstream lines are the heart of the cruise industry and
can offer a perfeclty enjoyable cruise experience without busting
your budget; in fact, lots and lots of frequent cruisers like
nothing better than bountiful buffets, lots of swimming pools and
hot tubs, and chatty cruise directors.

Food is always plentiful, entertainment roars nearly
round-the-clock, and you'll be transported to faraway places
in increasingly comfortable staterooms for less than you might pay
for the price of a hotel room alone on land.

It's hard to argue with that.

Major mainstream lines include:

   ** Carnival Cruise Lines (the giant of the industry)

   ** Costa Cruise Lines (Italian, right down to the toga
      parties)

   ** Disney Cruise Line (bring the kids)

   ** MSC Cruises (Italian style and flavor)

   ** Norwegian Cruise Line (pioneered "freestyle" dining, now
      widely copied)

   ** Royal Caribbean International (more activities per square
      inch than any other line)

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Premium lines

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Premium cruise lines are more upscale versions of the mainstream
lines -- generally a step up in terms of cabin size and comfort,
quality of food and amenities, and overall ambience.

The ships themselves are more often mid-sized than mega-sized --
from around 600 to 2,000 passengers -- and activities, while
still plentiful, tend to be a bit more subdued than on the
mainstream lines (cooking demonstrations, say, rather than
rock-climbing walls).

Itineraries may be longer -- sometimes considerably so -- and
more adventurous and off-the-beaten track. Some lines are quite
family-friendly, others less so.

Not surprisingly, average costs are higher, too. While it's
pretty easy to find mainstream cruises under $100 a day per
passenger, you can expect to pay at least $150 a day on
premium cruises (and much more for high-priced cabins) -- though
great deals do pop up (see the Azamara listings in "Take Advantage
of These Great Last-Minute Deals" below).

Premium lines tend to attract passengers who have cruised more
than once and are ready for a step up from the mass-market
lines, or savvy first-timers who want smaller ships and better
cuisine, service, and other amenities.

Major premium lines include:

   ** Azamara Cruises (a recent off-shoot of Celebrity,
      featuring smaller ships and exotic itineraries)

   ** Celebrity Cruises (highly regarded for all-around
      excellence)

   ** Holland America Line (known for its sometimes lengthy,
      off-the-beaten-track itineraries)

   ** Oceania Cruises (featuring top-rated cuisine and
      low-key atmosphere; no children's activities)

   ** Princess Cruises (classier than its "Love Boat" image)

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Luxury lines

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Luxury lines typically provide the highest quality
cabins (sometimes all-balcony or all-suite), food, wine, service,
and other amenities at sea. Fares, in turn, may be five or ten
times as high as those for mainstream cruise lines, though some
luxury lines do include perks like free wine and gratuities,
which can add up to hundreds of dollars or more.

The ships are often much smaller than those in the mainstream
and even premium categories, and onboard entertainment tends
to be quite refined -- such as historical lectures or wine
tastings rather than more boisterous activities.

Expect quieter atmospheres onboard and itineraries that are
more far flung and lengthy than those on mainstream lines.
Some luxury lines do include seasonal children's programs,
however.

Some major luxury lines include:

   ** Crystal Cruises (ships average 1,000 passengers; top-
      of-the-line quality)

   ** Cunard Line (venerable line with classic "Queen" ships)

   ** Regent Seven Seas Cruises (formerly Radisson; Seven Seas
      Mariner is world's first all-suite, all-balcony ship)

   ** SeaDream Yacht Club (doesn't even like to be called
      a cruise line; 100-passenger, yacht-like ships)

   ** Silversea Cruises (four all-suite ships carrying around
      400 passengers each; most suites with verandahs)

   ** The Yachts of Seabourn (three all-suite ships that
      sail the world)

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Small ship, niche, and expedition-style cruise lines

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The small ship, niche, and expedition-style lines -- which often
feature unusual itineraries and off-the-beaten-track port stops
that larger ships can't dock in -- are generally geared toward
the most adventurous cruisers (albeit, in many cases,
adventurous cruisers with money).

They frequently fall into the luxury class in terms of price,
but, like the luxury lines, often include perks not found
on other cruise lines -- such as free shore excursions.
(The latter is particularly common on expedition-style
lines).

With some exceptions, expect lots of emphasis on viewing and
experiencing natural wonders and up-close scenery, often
acommpanied by naturalists and other experts. A number of
small-ship lines are geared toward cruising rivers rather than
the open seas.

(For more on niche cruise lines, see our February 2007 Newsletter
archived here.)

Here are some of the major small ship, niche, and expedition-
style cruise lines:

   ** Amadeus Waterways (river cruising in Europe, Russia,
      Egypt)

   ** American Canadian Caribbean Line (two small ships cruise
      northeastern U.S., Canada, and Intracoastal Waterway)

   ** American Safari Cruises (small ship expeditions in
      western U.S., Mexico's Sea of Cortes)

   ** Cruise West (small ship cruises in Alaska, U.S. Northwest,
      Mexico, Asia, Pacific)

   ** easyCruise (low prices and no frills, geared toward
      younger cruisers in the Greek Islands)

   ** Elegant Cruises (Croatia, Antarctica, and beyond
      aboard two small ships)

   ** Hurtigruten (formerly Norwegian Coastal Voyage,
      now expanded to Antarctica, Greenland, and more)

   ** Imperial Majesty (runs inexpensive two-night cruises
      to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale)

   ** Lindblad Expeditions (adventurous expeditions around
      the world; partnered with National Geographic)

   ** Maine Windjammer Association (a dozen tall ships along
      coast of Maine)

   ** Majestic America Line (classic paddlewheelers and
      sternwheelers on American rivers)

   ** Monarch Classic Cruises (mid-size Greek ship exploring
      Greece, Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean)

   ** Ocean Adventures (Ecuador based small ship sailing the
      Galapagos)

   ** Peter Deilmann Cruises (five-star river cruises in
      Europe)

   ** Quark Expeditions (Arctic and Antarctic expeditions)

   ** Star Clippers (yacht-like sailing ships; casually
      elegant atmosphere)

   ** Uniworld River Cruises (river cruising in Europe,
      Russia, China, and Egypt)

   ** Victoria Cruises (Yangtze River cruising in China)

   ** Viking River Cruises (deluxe river cruising in Europe,
      Russia, China)

   ** Voyages of Discovery (new name for Discovery World
      Cruises; ocean cruises to exotic ports aboard a mid-sized
      ship)

   ** Windstar Cruises (dramatic, high-tech sailing ships;
      pricey, but with casual onboard atmosphere)

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The bottom line

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Simply this: there's a cruise for virtually every taste and
budget.

The next time someone tries to convince you otherwise, show
them this list (and there are still other lines I didn't include).

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Do you have a question for Smarter Cruising?

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If you have a topic you'd like to see covered in an upcoming
newsletter, or just a cruising question you'd like answered,
drop me a line at clark@smartercruising.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!

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2) Take Advantage of These Great Last-Minute Deals!

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All of these deals are current as of November 15/16, but you
must act fast:

** Super hot: Vacations To Go has a Norwegian week-long Hawaii

      go for it. Call Vacations to Go at 800/338-4962 and ask for Fast Deal
      #18881.

   ** Cruise Value Center is listing a five-night Royal Caribbean

Call 800/231-7447 or go to the website above for bookings.

** Cruises-N-More is offering outside cabins on a 12-night Azamara

      cruise from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Buenos Aires, Argentina, via Rio,
      Montevideo, and Punta del Este (Chile) for prices
      starting at $1,799 per person. The ship sails on
      December 11, 2007. Air and transfers are included from
      Miami and greatly reduced from other U.S. cities.
      Azamara is a premium cruise line -- jump on this one.
      Call 800/733-2048 or go to the cruises-n-more website.

   ** If you don't need the air included on the above cruise,
      Cruise Value Center is offering the same Azamara voyage

$229 for oceanview. To book, go to the website or call 800/668-6414.

** Cruise Cheap lists a five-night Western Caribbean cruise on

and Cozumel. Prices start $20 higher for a January 20, 2008, departure.
To book, go to the Cruise Cheap website or call 800/543-1915.

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For insider tips on HOW TO BOOK THE BEST CRUISE DEAL

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Our new guide, "How to Book the Best Cruise Deal" is loaded
with insider tips and techniques -- all geared toward
saving you lots of money when you book your next cruise.

And for a short time you can get it for a very special price!

That's right -- an incredible deal on information that could
easily save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars
on your next cruise.

Here's what one of our satisfied customers had to say:

"Smarter Cruising's new eBook 'How to Book the Best Cruise Deal'
is packed with useful information.

Cruise line pricing has always been mysterious to me. This book
helped me understand not only the 'whats' of booking early vs.
booking late, but also the 'whys.'

Very helpful! I recommend this book to anyone planning a cruise,
whether it will be their first or their twentieth."

-- Mary Sullivan, Oakland, California

I know that many of you are planning to book a cruise
for 2007 or 2008 in the next month or two.

Don't go into "battle" negotiating your fare
without being armed with all the money-saving secrets
contained in "How to Book the Best Cruise Deal!"

To learn more about "How to Book the Best Cruise Deal,"
check out:

http://www.smartercruising.com

And if you order right away, we'll add FREE bonus books
on saving on airfare, and even on how you can avoid airfare
altogether!

Don't miss out! Visit:

http://www.smartercruising.com

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3) Smooth Sailing Tip: Go "premium" for less

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Rather than booking an expensive cabin or suite on
a mainstream line, why not try one of the least
expensive cabins on a premium line?

In all likelihood, you'll still get a nice cabin,
and the food, service, and other amenities should be
better -- for the same price or less than you'd pay
for the pricey cabin on a mainstream line.

I'd especially suggest this tactic for cruises where
you reasonably expect to spend more time on deck or
in other public areas of the ship than in your cabin
-- such as on voyages to warm-weather destinations --
or on cruises where you plan to spend lots of time
in port.

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going back to our first, December 2006.

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4) Rough Seas Ahead?: Watch for fuel surcharges

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Several cruise lines have just announced they will
soon start adding daily fuel surcharges to their fares.

Every line in the Carnival corporate empire (Carnival,
Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess, and
Seabourn) will charge $5 per person per day (up to
a maximum of $70) for sailings beginning February 1,
2008.

Oceania will charge $7 per passenger per day
for sailings through April 2009, beginning December 1,
2007, for new bookings (or any not fully paid for by
then).

And Regent Seven Seas is charging $7.50 per passenger
per day for all 2008 voyages not fully paid for by
December 1, 2007.

Expect other cruise lines to follow suit soon -- it's
the wave of the near future, at least.

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5) Visit Clark's SMARTER CRUISING BLOG!

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If you haven't had a chance yet to check out my
Smarter Cruising Blog, you can find it at
http://SmarterCruising.blogspot.com.

It's loaded with deals on big mainstream cruise
lines, adventurous small ships, and scenic river cruisers,
ranging from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, the
Black Sea to the Amazon.

Please come for a visit!

And keep checking back often -- I often post items
that have a short window of opportunity,
such as special sales and discounts that cruise lines
offer for a short time only -- sometimes just one day!

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Do you have a comment you'd like to share with other
Smarter Cruisers?

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Leave a comment on my Smarter Cruising blog:

http://smartercruising.blogspot.com.

Let's keep the cruising conversation going!

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