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Lorrie Semler tried cruising 30 years ago and hated it. She traveled solo; the cruise line matched her with a roommate who wasn’t a good fit.
But about 10 years ago, Semler, 65, of Addison gave cruising another shot, this time with a friend, and loved it. Since then, she’s taken cruises to the Panama Canal, China, Cuba and the Caribbean, and plans a cruise to New Zealand and Australia next fall.
Other mature travelers might take a cue from Semler. If you’ve never tried a cruise — or written them off based on past experiences — give cruise vacations another look. The cruise industry has exploded, offering a much bigger range of itineraries and options for almost every traveler’s taste. And cruises can be a good value, especially if you’d like to hit several destinations on one trip.
„People are paying less today for a seven-night cruise than they did in 1985,“ says Bill Edwards of Cruise Escapes in Dallas. That’s partly because ships have become larger, offering better economies of scale, and partly because cruise lines are keeping ticket prices lower while making up the difference through add-ons like drink packages and shore excursions.
If you’re a newbie, follow these tips before testing the waters. Timed to save
If you’re retired and your schedule is flexible, look at the shoulder season, or less popular times, for the best bargains. That varies by destination, but April and May or between Labor Day and Christmas usually offer good deals.
„One of the cheapest weeks of the year to travel is right after Thanksgiving and before mid-December,“ says Marlene Battle, a Plano-based cruise and tour specialist with Cruise Planners.
Can you pick up and go on short notice? Some lines offer deep discounts at the last minute, because when a ship sails with empty cabins, that’s lost revenue. If you can get to Galveston or another port cheaply and quickly, and you’re not too picky about your cabin, you can snag some great deals.
As for cabins, some budget-minded travelers find great bargains with inside staterooms that now have windows. On several Royal Caribbean ships, inside staterooms come with „virtual balconies,“ or floor-to-ceiling HD display screens that give passengers real-time views of the sights and sounds outside.
Some of the best deals come in online flash sales. They’re not necessarily last-minute, but you’ll need to pull the trigger right away because they’ll disappear, as the name implies, in a flash.
Traveling solo?
Most cruise lines will charge a single supplement for those traveling solo, but a few are adding options for budget-minded singles. Some Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships offer small single rooms that share living areas with other single travelers. They’re tiny — 100 square feet — but you won’t pay the single supplement.
A plus: It’s easy to meet people on cruises. Some lines that cater to older travelers, such as Holland America, Cunard and Crystal, staff their ships with „gentlemen hosts“ to even out the gender ratio and make sure all the single ladies get a chance to dance.
Some cruise lines offer enrichment opportunities aboard, such as lectures about the destination cities and their history, politics and culture. Be sure to tell your travel agent if that’s important to you. There’s also a wide range of cruises keyed to themes, like cooking or bird-watching.
Mobility challenges
Some cruise lines have handicap-accessible cabins and other options for passengers who need them. Be sure to book early: The cabins can get snapped up six months or more in advance.
Ask about distances. On a big ship, depending on the location of your room, you might have to walk a good bit just to get to dinner. If that’s a concern, ask about renting a scooter or a wheelchair.
Remember, once you’re off the ship, you’re at the mercy of whatever terrain you encounter. Viking River Cruises — which has exploded in popularity, thanks to well-timed advertising on the popular TV show Downton Abbey — typically includes walking tours in lovely old European cities with lots of cobblestones. They’re charming to look at but can be a nightmare to navigate for people with mobility issues. Look carefully at the destinations and shore excursions before you book your trip. Itineraries with destinations rife with steep inclines and cobblestone streets might not be for you.
Also, note whether the ship will dock or anchor at each port. If the ship anchors, passengers will be tendered, meaning transferred from ship to shore via a smaller boat. That can be a problem for those with mobility issues.
Travel agent or no?
The internet has turned most of us into do-it-yourself travel bookers, but when planning a cruise, you’ll probably want to use a travel agent, at least for your first cruise. Choose an agent who specializes in cruises. While travel agents do earn commissions, they’re paid by the cruise lines. You’ll generally pay the same price whether you work with an agent or book directly with the cruise line. Plus, an experienced agent will know the many ins and outs of booking a cruise and match you with a cruise line you’ll like. Kids? No kids?
Tell your travel agent if you prefer to be surrounded by adults.
„Some upscale lines like Regent, Crystal, Oceania and Seabourn have longer trips that don’t appeal to families with children,“ says Battle. But you’ll probably run into lots of kids aboard a Disney, Carnival or Royal Caribbean cruise during the holidays.
Cruises can be a good multigenerational option if you’re looking to bring along the children and grandchildren. The ship’s staff will keep the youngsters happily occupied during the day, and the whole family can gather for dinner. Minding the budget
A few upper-end cruise lines provide all-inclusive pricing, with gratuities, alcohol and even shore excursions as part of the price. Others might leave you feeling nickel-and-dimed. Some strongly encourage passengers to tip the staff, and the list of recipients may be long: butlers, housekeepers, your waiter, assistant waiter and head waiter.
Be sure to ask whether these are included and plan accordingly: gratuities, sodas and bottled water, alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, onboard activities, specialty restaurant surcharges
Other extras to consider for your budget: souvenirs; money for casinos; spa and beauty salon services; meals, drinks and snacks off the ship (on a shore excursion, these might be included); and photos (some cruise ships have professional photographers on board).
