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Smarter Cruising Newsletter
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"Smarter Cruising" Newsletter
September 12, 2007 -- Issue #10
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In This Issue:
1) Which Cruise Cabin is Right for You?
2) Take Advantage of These Great Last-Minute Deals!
3) Smooth Sailing Tip: Steer Clear of Obstructed Views
4) Rough Seas Ahead?: Avoid Motion-Sickness-Prone Cabins
5) Visit Clark's SMARTER CRUISING BLOG!
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1) Which Cruise Cabin Is Right for You?
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Which cabin you choose on a cruise ship can mean a difference
of hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your fare.
How do cruise lines price their cabins and suites? Three
general rules typically come into play:
** The higher the deck, the higher the price.
** The bigger the room, the higher the price.
** The better the water view, the higher the price. If you
include a balcony or verandah, the price can go much
higher.
While all three factors may be generally (though not always)
desirable, are they really worth all the extra money?
Only you can answer that according to your budget and
preferences. But don't automatically say yes -- think about
it first, and ask yourself some basic questions.
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How much time will you spend in your cabin?
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It makes sense that the more time you expect to spend in
your cabin, the more value you'll receive for any price
increases based on cabin size, location, and views.
To help you judge, form some mental images of yourself on
a cruise ship (if you've cruised before, you'll probably
have a clearer picture, but even if you're a novice, you can
still make a good guess).
First, picture yourself inside your cabin, perhaps reading
or watching movies or sitting by your window or on your private
verandah and ordering room service as you watch the ocean
go by.
If that's your ideal of a cruise, you may want to shell out
for a premium cabin.
Alternatively, picture yourself enjoying the sunshine and sea
breezes on deck, having a drink in the lounge, eating
breakfast in the dining room, participating in many of the
ship's organized activities, and watching the evening shows
in the ship's theater (if applicable).
If the second images appeal to you, you're a good candidate
for one of the less expensive cabins.
If you use your cabin mostly for sleeping and changing
clothes, why pay extra for features you'll only use
sparingly?
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Keep these additional factors in mind
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When figuring how much time you're likely to stay in your
cabin, take into account the typical weather where you'll be
cruising.
If you're heading to Caribbean warmth, you'll probably spend
less time inside and more time on deck and at the pool.
If you're taking a cruise through northern Europe where
you're likely to encounter cool weather and perhaps a fair
amount of rain, you may spend more time inside and want to
opt for a higher-priced cabin.
Similarly, you should also consider the time of year you'll
be cruising. Winter in northern climes argues for better cabin
accommodations; fall in the Caribbean (hurricane season) might
also argue for more inside space.
Next, take a close look at your ship's itinerary.
If it includes a lot of port stops with a good deal of time
in each port, you're likely to spend less time in your cabin.
If your cruise includes several days at sea, on the other hand,
you may well spend more time in your cabin, which would
justify spending more on your accommodations.
Finally, take into account the length of your cruise. A small
cabin that might be perfectly fine for a five-day cruise could
start feeling awfully cramped after three weeks.
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Is a higher deck really worth the cost?
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The attractions of larger cabins and ocean views may speak for
themselves. But why are higher decks typically more expensive than
comparable cabins on lower decks?
One reason is convenience.
On most ships, the higher decks are closer to the main public
areas, such as the sun deck with swimming pools and jogging
tracks. Sometimes they're nearer to the dining halls, though
not always.
But remember: most big, modern cruise ships have elevators.
So if you can walk to an elevator, being closer to the public
areas is really only a matter of a few seconds riding time.
And all cruise ships have staircases. So yes, you may have
to climb more stairs if you're on a lower deck -- but consider
it a good chance to get some exercise (perhaps in penance
for eating all those huge meals).
A second reason why higher decks are considered preferable is
related to the water-view rule: cabin windows tend to be
bigger on higher decks than those on the lower decks. Lower
deck cabins are also more likely to have obstructed views.
But you can't always count on this equation. Never assume
that any given cabin has a great view just because of its
general location on the ship. (See our Smooth Sailing Tip,
below, for more on obstructed-view cabins.)
A third reason why higher decks are considered preferable
is that higher-deck cabins are often less noisy than
lower-deck cabins, which may get more engine noise
(especially those located near the stern, or rear, of the
ship) or more anchor noise (especially those located
near the bow, or front, of the ship.)
But general rules are made to be broken, and you can't
always count on a higher-deck cabin being less noisy.
For instance, your higher-deck cabin may have a busy
hallway in front of it, or your cabin may be located
directly above or below a noisy dance floor or jogging
track.
In fact, since higher-deck cabins tend to be nearer
public spaces on the ship, they are also more likely
to get noise from them.
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Some further considerations when choosing a cabin
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** Cabin size:
Yes, roominess is always nice, but keep in mind that
on many modern cruise ships, even the smallest standard
cabins offer enough space for a queen-sized bed, a small
sofa, a writing desk, some end tables, two closets, and
a bathroom.
While they may not be quite as spacious as they appear
in cruise line brochures, they may surprise you with
their comfort level.
And the more luxurious the ship, the bigger the standard
cabins tend to be.
** Verandahs:
Keep in mind that just because you may shell out big
bucks for a verandah doesn't mean you'll get a large
one. Some verandahs are barely big enough to crowd
on a couple of chairs and a small table.
Other verandahs may lack privacy, open to public gaze
either from your next-door neighbor's balcony or from
decks above. Some may be windy or noisy, depending on their
placement on a ship.
If your verandah turns out to be less than idyllic, you
may find yourself not using it all that much, even if
you've paid a small fortune for it.
** Water views:
Water views are considered important enough that inside
cabins with no water view whatsoever are almost always the
least expensive cabins on most ships.
But keep one thing in mind: you can get all the water
views you want (and often much better) by leaving your
room, going out on deck or sitting in a lounge with a
panoramic window, and gazing at the water for hours.
Believe me, whether you're staying in the cheapest
inside cabin or the most expensive penthouse suite, all
passengers are created equal when out on deck. No one
will stop you from enjoying the same view as the big
spender with the private balcony.
One more note: While windows tend to be much bigger on
new ships, many older ships are still outfitted with small
portholes. Unless you suffer from claustrophobia when you
have no outside view at all, this type of limited ocean
view may not be worth the extra outlay.
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The bottom line
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I'm not knocking big cabins, water views, and verandah
suites. If they're worth the price to you, go for it.
But I am suggesting that if you don't have an unlimited budget,
you should consider the whole picture before plunking down the
additional fare. I've had wonderful cruises with picture
windows and verandahs -- and equally wonderful cruises in inside
cabins.
If you ask yourself some key questions before putting your
money down, you'll be able to better determine just what is
good value and what isn't.
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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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** Vantage Travel is offering up to $1600 off per couple if
you book a cabin for its 11-day Holiday Markets on the Rhine
and Main Rivers cruises on November 22 and 23 departures or
$1200 off per couple on December 11 and 12 departures, if you
book by September 22. Rates start as low as $999 per person.
You may also be eligible for free roundtrip airfare to Germany. Call
800/322-6677 and ask for promotional code EM1367.
** Both Cruise Value Center (800/231-7447) and Cruise One
(877/281-0334) are featuring an 11-night Celebrity cruise
from Ensenada, Mexico, to Honolulu, Hawaii, departing
November 12, 2007, for a starting price of $599 per
passenger in double occupancy. The $599 price is for an
inside guarantee cabin (requiring you to accept the
inside cabin of Celebrity's choice); other inside
staterooms start at $699, while oceanview guarantee
cabins start at $849.
** America's Vacation Center (877/323-0887) is offering inside
cabins starting at $499 and oceanview cabins starting at $549
per passenger for a weeklong Holland America western Caribbean
cruise roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale departing October 28, 2007.
Port stops include the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Cayman
Islands. Ask for discount code 2345-000.
** CruiseCheap.com (800/543-1915) is featuring a 13-night
Royal Caribbean Italy and Croatia cruise departing Rome
(Citavecchia, Italy) November 18, 2007, and ending in Barcelona
with inside and oceanview cabins starting at $899 per passenger.
** ecruises.com (800/223-6868) is offering three five-night
Norwegian cruises to the western Caribbean in December 2007
for prices starting at $319-$329 per passenger. Departures from
Miami are on December 2, 9, and 16 on either the Norwegian
Jewel or Norwegian Pearl. Port stops include Cozumel, Mexico,
and Georgetown, Grand Cayman.
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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: Steer Clear of Obstructed Views
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There may be nothing worse than paying hundreds of
dollars extra for a cabin with a "view" -- only to find
out when you board that that view is partially or largely
obstructed by a lifeboat or other object.
Don't count on the cruise lines to volunteer this
information -- after all, who would knowingly accept such
a cabin?
So be sure to ask your booking agent if the cabin you
have in mind has an obstructed view before putting your
money down for that "ocean view" stateroom.
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For free subscriptions to this newsletter
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If you're reading this newsletter and haven't yet subscribed,
you can get your free monthly subscription by going to:
www.smartercruising.com
and signing up. That's all there is to it!
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4) Rough Seas Ahead?: Avoid Motion-Sickness-Prone Cabins
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Which cabins are most likely to cause motion sickness?
Ironically, it may be some of the more expensive cabins
on a ship.
Higher-deck cabins, and those at either end of a ship,
are generally more likely to cause problems for the
queasy.
The "steadiest" cabins are usually those found in the
lower decks toward the center of the ship, away from
the heaviest rocking and rolling motions.
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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 daily up-to-date tips for saving money
on cruises in a wide variety of ways.
Please come for a visit -- I've recently done postings on
special cruise deals from NCL, American Canadian Caribbean
Line, Orient Lines, SeaDream Yacht Club, Cruise West,
and many others.
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!
In fact, you can find details of a one-day-only Carnival
sale by going to the Smarter Cruising Blog today!
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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!
Happy cruising,
Clark Norton
The Smarter Cruiser
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