Destination. If your objective is to tour Europe by ship
(rather than to go cruising for cruising's sake), you'll need to begin by
selecting a region.
The busiest cruising area is the Mediterranean, where most
lines have ships operating from spring through fall. The Baltic is another
popular region, with many cruises heading east from Scandinavia to St.
Petersburg, Russia during the summer months.
You can also book cruises along the
western coast of Europe (with port calls at major cities like Amsterdam,
Bordeaux, and Lisbon) or the British Isles. If you'd like to go farther afield,
look for a cruise that includes the Faroes, Iceland, Spitsbergen, Madeira, or
the Canary Islands.
Cruise line.
Next, you'll have to pick a cruise line and ship. Some lines, like Silversea and
Windstar, have relatively small ships that emphasize intimacy and are well
suited to port-intensive cruising. Others, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian
Cruise Line, feature "megaships" that carry 4,000 or more passengers and double
as floating resorts.
Price category. A cruise line's "per diem," or price per
day for each passenger, can vary from less than two hundred dollars or euros to nearly a
thousand in a standard cabin. A cheaper line is the obvious choice if you're on
a tight budget, but things get trickier as you move up the scale. In the medium-
to high-priced categories, you'll need to compare things such as:
Cabin size and amenities. A standard cabin on an upscale
ship may be comparable to an extra-cost suite on a mass-market vessel.
Fortunately, it's easy to compare cabin sizes and layouts by visiting the cruise
lines' Web sites.
What's included. On most
cruise lines, the fare covers your stateroom, meals, shipboard activities, and
entertainment. (Air fare may also be included.)
You'll pay for drinks, and some vessels levy an extra charge for
meals in specialty restaurants. Tipping is another expense.
Silversea and Seabourn, two high-end cruise lines, go to
the opposite extreme by including tips, drinks, and luxury items such as French
Champagne and Russian caviar in the fare. A few other cruise lines provide wine
at dinner but may charge for drinks in the bar.
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Note: Even on "all-inclusive" ships, you'll
normally be expected to pay
for hairdressing, spa treatments, Internet access, laundry, and optional shore excursions.
Special deals. Most cruise lines offer discounts for
early booking. If you're flexible, choosing a less popular itinerary or
departure date can pay off in substantial savings. And if you're able to use
frequent-flyer miles for air transportation, you can request a "cruise only"
fare.
Where to book.
Unlike the airline industry, the cruise industry still relies heavily on travel
agents. Some cruise lines won't even sell directly to consumers--and, just as
important, a cruise travel agent may be able to help you get the best possible
fare and cabin.
(Tip: We'd suggest booking hotels and other ground
arrangements on your own, since many travel agents aren't familiar with the
geography of arrival and departure ports.)
