Booking Your Cruise

Today, practically everybody has a website, and the difference between so-called Web-based cruise sellers and more traditional travel agencies is that the former rely on their sites for most of their actual bookings, while the latter use theirs as glorified advertising space to promote their offerings and do most of their actual business in person or over the phone. As far as cruise prices go, there's no absolutely quantifiable difference between the real live travel agents and Internet-based cruise sellers. Sometimes you'll get the best price on the Web, and sometimes you'll get it through an agent -- and some lines tout a level playing field, where everybody gets the same price and agents aren't allowed to advertise discounted rates.

In deciding how to book your cruise, consider your level of experience as a cruiser and as an Internet user. Most websites give you a menu of ships and itineraries to select from, plus a basic search capability that takes into account destination, price, length of trip, and date; some sites aid your search with sophisticated options such as interactive deck plans and ship reviews. If you've cruised before and know what you want, no problem. If, on the other hand, you have limited experience with cruising or with booking on the Web, it may be better to go through a traditional agent, who can help you wade through the choices and answer your questions, from which cabins have their views obstructed by lifeboats to information on dining, tuxedo rentals, onboard kids programs, and cuisine. No matter which way you wind up booking your cruise, you may want to first check out the cruise-line websites and browse the Internet for ship reviews, virtual tours, chats, and industry news.

To find an agent, rely on referrals from trusted friends and colleagues. Some agents really know the business -- they travel themselves to sample what they sell and can reel off the differences between cabins on Deck 7 and Deck 8 down to where the towel racks are placed -- while others are not much more than order-takers. Start looking as soon as you can, which can result in early-booking rates and the best cabin choices.

Choosing a Cabin

One of your biggest decisions is what type of cabin you need. Will you be happy with a slightly cramped space without a window (the most budget-minded choice); a cabin with a private balcony; or a suite with a separate dining room, hot tub, and a personal butler on call?

Obviously, price will determine your choice. If you don't plan to spend time in your cabin except to sleep, shower, and change clothes, an inside cabin (that is, one without a porthole or window) might do just fine. If you get claustrophobic, however; or if you insist on sunshine first thing in the morning; or if you intend to hole up in your cabin for extended periods, pay a bit more and take an outside cabin, which have windows -- or even better, pay a bit more and take one with a private balcony, where you can open the door and feel the sea breezes. On smaller or older ships, your choice might be limited to inside and outside cabins, some with the old-style porthole windows.

One concern if you do go the window route is obstructed views. This isn't an issue with newer ships because the lifeboats now are housed on the decks containing the public spaces like restaurants and lounges; the passenger cabins are either above or below those decks. But check to make sure none of the cabins in the category you've selected has windows that directly face lifeboats or other objects that may block your view of the clear blue sea. You can determine this by looking at a diagram of the ship (included in the cruise brochure or found online) or by consulting with your travel agent.

Most ships offer cabins for two with private bathroom and shower. (Bathtubs are considered a luxury on most ships and are usually offered only in the most expensive cabins.) These days, most ships have a double bed, or twin beds that may be convertible to a queen. Other variations are cabins with bunk beds (referred to in the brochures as "upper and lower berths"), cabins designed for three or four people, and connecting cabins for families. Several lines, including Oceania, Holland America, and Regent have upgraded their bedding in recent years to feature fluffy mattresses and soft, down duvets.

Cabin amenities vary by line, and often include TVs (with a closed system of programmed movies and features and the occasional news channel like CNN), VCRs or DVD players, hair dryers, safes, and minirefrigerators. If any of these are must-haves, let your agent know. Cruise lines tend to one-up their amenities pretty often, so it's possible your cabin may have a flat-panel LCD TV, a powerful hair dryer, brand-name toiletries, and fresh flowers or fruit awaiting you on arrival.

Usually the higher on the ship the cabin is located, the more expensive it is. But upper decks also tend to be rockier in rough seas than the middle or lower parts of the ship, a factor to consider if you're prone to seasickness.

The size of a cabin is determined by square feet. Keep in mind that ship cabins are generally smaller than the equivalent hotel rooms you'd find on land. As a rough guide, 11 sq. m (120 sq. ft.) is low end and cramped, 17 sq. m (180 sq. ft.) is midrange and fairly roomy, and 23 sq. m (250 sq. ft.) and larger is suite-size and very comfortable.

If noise bothers you, pick a cabin far from the engine room and nowhere near the disco.

Mealtimes: Early, Late or Anytime

Dining on cruise ships has undergone a revolution in the past 10 years. Traditionally, guests ate in the large dining room, at the same time and at the same table every night. Today, you can still dine the traditional way -- many ships offer that as the default preference (if not the only preference). But there are several variations on the mealtime theme now, from complete open seating to separate restaurants specializing in seafood or steaks to proper en suite dining.

Traditional dining is still the norm. Because most ship dining rooms are not large enough to accommodate all passengers at one dinner seating, dining times and tables are assigned. When you book your trip, you will also indicate your preferred mealtime. Early, or "main," seating is usually at 6 or 6:30pm, late seating at 8 or 8:30pm. Lines catering to a majority of European clientele may offer seatings an hour or so later than these. Some of the bigger lines offer four staggered seatings, which gives you more choice and eliminates some of the crowding at the dining room door.

There are advantages to both times. Early seating is usually less crowded, and it's the preferred time for families and older passengers who want to get to bed early. Since the waiters know that the second wave is coming, they may be rushed. On the other hand, early diners get first dibs on nighttime entertainment venues, and might be hungry enough in a few hours to take advantage of a midnight buffet. Late seating allows time for a nap or late spa appointment before dinner, especially if you're returning to the ship from a full day in port. Service is slower paced, and you can linger with after-dinner drinks, then catch the late show at 10pm.

When choosing a mealtime, you also need to consider table size (on most ships, you can request to be at a table for 2, 4, 8, 10, or 12), though sometimes it's tough to snag a table for two since they're usually in great demand. On the other hand, many cruisers appreciate the fun that comes from sitting around a big table and talking up your adventures of the day. Most dining rooms are completely nonsmoking, so there's generally no need to request a smoking or nonsmoking table. You can request a different table when you get onboard, too.

If your ship has open-seating arrangements, you can dine at any hour the restaurant is open. You also choose your dinner partners, or you can ask the maitre d' to sit you with other guests. Open seating can feel more casual and less regimented. Open seating arrangements are typically offered on the smaller and/or most upscale lines, although now some of the majors offer this option as well. The pioneer in the big-ship category is Norwegian Cruise Line, which now builds its ships with up to 10 different restaurants. Princess Cruises, and now Holland America Line, have a hybrid dining policy: Passengers choose whether they want the traditional seating or the open plan, and then show up at the restaurants accordingly.

Most ships now also have one or two restaurants separate -- in location, cuisine, and atmosphere -- from the main dining room. These so-called specialty restaurants or alternative restaurants are open seating, so you can choose your dinnertime and dining companions. If you'd like to try an evening or two at these restaurants, make reservations in advance. A per-person cover charge, typically in the $20 to $30 range, often applies, so you should check in advance.

On most ships, breakfast and lunch are open seating. Most vessels also have buffet restaurants, where you can choose to have both meals at any time during open hours.

Inform the cruise line at the time you make your reservations if you have any special dietary requests. Kosher menus, vegetarian, low fat, low salt, low carb, "spa," and sugar-free are some of the options available.

Deposits, Cancellations & Extras

After you've made your decision as to which ship you will vacation on, you will be required to put down a deposit if you're booking 2 or more months in advance (with the remaining fare usually paid no later than 2 months in advance of your departure date); or you must pay the entire fare if you're booking within 60 or 70 days of your sailing date.

Cruise lines have varying policies regarding cancellations, and it's important to look at the fine print in the line's brochure to make sure you understand the policy. Most lines allow you to cancel for a full refund on your deposit and payment any time up to about 70 days before the sailing, after which you have to pay a penalty (a few lines charge an administrative fee if you cancel your cruise less than 120 days before departure). If you cancel at the last minute, you likely will lose the entire fare you paid.

An agent will discuss with you optional airline arrangements offered by the lines, transfers from the airport to the pier, and any pre- or post-cruise hotel or tour programs. Some lines also let you purchase shore excursions in advance (for more on shore excursions, see the section later in this chapter). And you may also be able to pre-book certain onboard spa services.

If you are not booking airfare through the cruise line, make sure to allow several hours between the plane's arrival and the time you must board the ship. To reduce anxiety, it may be best to fly in the day before and spend the night in a hotel.