– Finding the Best 2010 Cruise Deals

By Anne Campbell

If you took a cruise this year because fares were too low to pass up, the chances are you’ll be equally tempted in 2010. And in regions with overcapacity such as the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico, cruise prices will remain very enticing indeed.

According to Jeffrey Sherota, Sr. Vice President of Cruises Only, “ in 2010 we’ll see a gradual increase but prices won’t rebound to 2007 levels for a while.” Sherota also believes the shorter booking period – 90 to 110 days versus four to six months – will continue, although some cruise lines are offering early booking incentives.

CHEAPEST CRUISING AREAS

** According to Micky Arison who heads Carnival Corp., in 2010 capacity in the Caribbean will increase by double digit numbers due to the influx of new mega liners such as Carnival Dream and RCI’s Oasis of the seas.

** New York cruisers can expect great prices on 2010 Bermuda cruises because capacity will more than double next year.

** The cheapest prices continue to be Mexico cruises due to the number of high-capacity ships repositioned to this region and lack of itinerary options. Unless you want to cross the Pacific to Hawaii (five days of sea travel), cruisers must settle on taking one itinerary over and over. How Cheap? We’ve seen a few seven-day Mexico cruises starting at $199 per person, double occupancy

Has the frenzied building of newer and larger ships finally caught up with the cruise industry? For the first time the answer to that question appears to be “yes”. That coupled with continuing high unemployment will keep prices down throughout 2010.

Judging by the fact that I found many discounted Caribbean holiday cruises available in the fall, this overcrowded region will continue to be a buyers market. For example, a one-week Crown Princess Christmas cruise has balcony cabins priced at $899 per person, double occupancy.

GETTING THE BEST DEALS EARLY

In 2009, cruisers became ruthless bargain hunters and some waited until the last minute to book, thinking they’d get the lowest prices. And, in some cases they’ve been right. But because it’s almost impossible to operate a cruise line that way, several companies are adding big incentives to book early.

For example, Princess Cruises is offering lowest fares far in advance of departure. Those who book in October will find peak season balcony cabins starting at roughly $125 per person per day. As the inventory decreases, prices will go up. Along the same vain, Norwegian Cruise Line has is running big sales of 2010 voyages in October, such as New York/Bermuda voyages.
Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer “Price Guarantees”.

When you book a Carnival vacation, you have 48 hours from the time you book to find a lower price and your fare will be lowered. Royal Caribbean’s Price Guarantee is better: you have until 72 hours prior to departure to find a lower advertised price so that your fare is reduced.

Jeff Sherota also pointed to a positive trend: sales of travel insurance have grown significantly “because people are concerned about protecting their investment,” he said. He said consumers are very price conscious, comparing the price of a cruise with vacationing at Disney or Las Vegas.

His advice to bargain hunters: “always remember that if you book in advance and fares go down you can adjust your price through the travel agent. You have until final payment, which varies from 60-90 days before departure, depending on the cruise line.”

And, since cruise prices are entirely based on supply and demand, realize that suites (followed by balcony cabins) are the first to sell out so book early if your heart is set on a higher category stateroom.

“The cruise industry thrives in times of adversity, it is extremely resilient. Cruise lines know that if you have a half full ship you have half pay with low morale,” he said.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2010. All rights reserved

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Cruise Calendar

Cruise ship itineraries and departure dates from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty (Bayonne), NJ.

JULY, 2009

AUGUST, 2009

SEPTEMBER, 2009

OCTOBER, 2009

NOVEMBER, 2009

DECEMBER, 2009

First Time Cruisers FAQ

If you’ve never cruised before chances are you have questions about matters ranging from what to take, wear and do during a day at sea.

1. WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF MY TICKET? Roughly 80% of your vacation costs are covered in the price of a cruise: Your stateroom; all food (except specialty restaurants which come with a surcharge); entertainment and the gym. Also included a list of daily activities as long as your arm ranging from lectures to a myriad number of special activities. There is no charge for kids facilities or supervised activities.

Typical extras include tips, liquor and soft drinks ( except on some ultra-deluxe ships, where liquor and soft drinks are included); shopping; gambling; spa treatments and shore excursions.

2. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? In tropical climes, such as the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico, daytime attire includes shorts, t-shirts, sneakers or sandals and a hat. Cruise ships normally schedule two formal nights per week or three in a 10 – to – 12 day cruise. Roughly half the men bring or rent tuxedoes and the rest wear dark suits. Women can get dressed up as much, or as little, as they like. A black knit skirt or pants will take you around the world; simply add tunics or blouses and add sparkly jewelry or scarves. It’s silly to buy items you’ll only wear once and I recommend borrowing glittery costume jewelry and chiffon scarves instead of buying them.
*** E-bay is a tremendous source for buying everything you want to take, from luggage to evening separates and inexpensive costume jewelry.

3. WHAT SHOULD I PACK? The essentials are your travel documents, credit cards or debit cards, photo identification and/or passport, prescription medications (in their original pharmacy containers) and eyeglasses – these items should be in your purse or carry-on bag. In addition to clothing, shoes, hats and tote bags, I take a magnifying make-up mirror, an alarm clock and night light so my cabin-mate and I don’t wake each other crashing into furniture in a dark stateroom at night.

4. WILL I GET BORED? For me personally, the joy of cruising is that I can be as active or lazy as I please. First-time cruisers typically choose an itinerary chock full of port stops while more experienced folks opt for more days at sea. When you return to your stateroom after dinner you’ll find the ship’s newsletter for the following day chock full of dawn-to-the-wee hours activities. Of course, meals - - breakfast, lunch and dinner to afternoon tea and late-night snacks – define the day. If you want to maintain – or even start – a fitness regimen you’ll find a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, available at no extra charge. On your daily program you’ll find pilates, yoga and stretching classes (occasionally, there’s a nominal charge for some specialty classes) and ships have jogging and fast-walking tracks.

Most cruise ships have a good library with all the best sellers in stock, plus non-fiction, travel, travel guides and atlases. The list of activities you can expect to find includes guest lecturers, singles dances, Friend of Bill W. meetings, poolside games, bingo, art auctions, the casino, computer classes, dancing lessons, classes ranging from making pottery to culinary techniques to bridge. Bridge players will always find games and tournaments scheduled throughout the day.

On days at sea, my favorite activity is finding a comfortable deck chair and sittling back to read a trashy novel. And frequently, I fall asleep in the wonderful fresh air while watching the ocean glide by.

5. WHAT ABOUT EXERCISE? All cruise ships have gyms where, at no charge, you’ll find state-of-the-art exercise equipment and pushing-and-pulling equipment. You’ll find jogging and fast-walking tracks on deck.

6. WHAT’S IN MY STATEROOM? Standard in cruise ship staterooms today are beds (you decide on twin or double configuration); television with remote control and radio; closets with hangers and drawers; a safe; private bathroom with shower, sink, vanity for toiletries, toilet, hair dryer and toiletries. Many ships also provide bathrobes for your use on board.

Your stateroom staff makes up your stateroom twice a day, including turndown service before you retire for the evening. Ironing is not permitted in staterooms, but many ships have self-service laundry and ironing rooms for your convenience, in addition to the ship-operated laundry and dry cleaning services.

7. WHEN WILL MY TICKETS ARRIVE? All tickets and other documents are issued by the cruise line and sent to your travel agent. Your agent is responsible for reviewing documents for accuracy and then sending them to you. Your tickets should arrive two weeks prior to departure.

VERY IMPORTANT: Be sure not to pack your tickets in your checked baggage. Tickets, passports, etc. should always be hand-carried

8. HOW DO I CHOOSE A STATEROOM? All modern cruise ships have standard size staterooms within specific categories. For example, inside and outside staterooms are the same size and have the same amenities. The same is true for the majority of balcony cabins. and what the industry calls a suite is really just a bigger sized room, usually with a balcony. In the tranquil waters of the Caribbean, it matters little where our stateroom is located on the ship. When raveling in any of the oceans of the world, you’ll feel the least amount of motion the closer you are to mid-ship. And, the irony of ship building is the higher your stateroom, the more motion you may feel. At the same time, the most expensive staterooms are normally found on the highest decks.

9. HOW MUCH IS TIPPING? When you check in at the pier you’ll be given a plastic key card which eliminates the need for cash. Tips in the cruise industry have risen little over the years and the amounts recommended by cruise lines add up to around ten dollars per person, per day. These gratuities cover your waiter, busboy and room steward. The majority of ships have a pre-paid gratuity policy whereby your tips are billed to your credit card when you board the ship and you may adjust it upward or downward during the cruise. Whenever the maitre d’ performs a special service, I tip him or her in cash at the end of the cruise. When purchasing cocktails, wine, soft drinks or bottled water, a 15% tip will be added on to the price of the beverage. When purchasing a spa treatment, it’s normal to add a tip when signing the bill at the end of the treatment.

10. WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED? Effective June 1, 2009, U.S. cruise passengers will need a passport or other government-approved document to enter Canada, Mexico Bermuda and the Caribbean. According to the U.S. Passport office, the wait time is approximately four to six weeks. The cost for the regular blue passport is $75 but you can cut the cost by obtaining a U.S. Passport Card for $45 which is good for sea travel but not air. If you are not a U.S. citizen and are entering the U.S. to begin your cruise, you must have the proper entry documents, usually a passport and often a U.S. visa. You may also obtain a passport from the U.S. Post Office, either online or at many branches.

10. WILL I GET SEASICK? When cruising in the Caribbean, the answer is generally not. The Caribbean islands act as a buffer to the Atlantic Ocean and as a result, the Caribbean is normally as smooth as a lake. However, seasickness is no old wives tale and since you’ll be sailing in the North Atlantic, it’s good to be prepared. If you don’t have your sea-legs and plan to sail in the North Atlantic, you may want to consider the prescription medication Scopolamine, available in pill or patch. According to the Centers for Disease Control website , “The choice of medication is based on trip duration, underlying medical conditions, and concerns about sedation. Scopolamine patches are appropriate for longer voyages and should be applied four hours before departure and changed every three days if needed. Oral Scopolamine is effective for six to eight hours and can be used for short journeys or for the interval between application of the patch and onset of effectiveness.” I recommend that you consult your personal physician or travel medicine center before taking any medication.

Many cruisers find that the non-prescription medications Bonine or Dramamine are all they need. Remember to take it before you board the ship. Once you’re sick, it won’t work. If all else fails, ships’ physicians have a rather pricey ($250+) injection for seasickness that knocks many passengers out for a few hours. For general queasiness I follow the advice of a ship’s officer: do not drink anything, do not lie down. Ask room service to bring green apples and crackers, which absorb the acid in your stomach. Go outside and stare at the horizon. Some people also choose to wear “Sea Bands,” which are stretch wristbands with a plastic button that uses acupressure to prevent nausea, and is non-invasive.

12. SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT HURRICANES? The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 so you do stand the chance of encountering a storm. How big are the chances, you ask? With global warming, it’s anyone’s guess. But the odds of being aboard a cruise ship during a hurricane are practically nil. If your ship scheduled to visit a port threatened by a hurricane, the ship’s Captain can change ports and head in a direction far away from a pending storm. Unlike a hotel, which cannot move, your “floating hotel” has the option of re-directing into smooth seas. And most ships are connected to the U.S. Weather Service and have all the information available to make choices that insure the safety and comfort of passengers.

13. CAN I CARRY ALCOHOL ONBOARD? No. Today, most cruise ships have airport-type x-ray equipment and when the staff finds a bottle of spirits in a passenger’s carry-on bag, it is taken away and returned at the end of the cruise.

14. SHOULD I BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE? YES! If there is any possibility you’ll have to cancel a cruise for any unforeseen reason (sickness, sick relative, accident, snow storm, hurricane, the arrival of Brazilian bees or whatever), it is prudent to spend a few extra dollars on insurance just for the peace of mind. If your luggage goes astray, you’ll be recompensed and should you get il outside the U.S., insurance will get you the best medical care possible, even if it means evacuation by private ambulance jet. I highly recommend purchasing Travel Guard or Access America insurance, available from your travel agent or online. 15.

15. SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT NORWALK VIRUS? Norwalk Virus is a very common bug that causes diarrhea and it is everywhere onland. . Sometimes a passenger walks on a ship with the virus and it spreads to many people. The best way of avoiding this virus is to wash your hands as often as possible. Taking anti-bacterial hand cleaners and using them frequently will also prevent you from picking up this bug. This same virus can occur in hotels or any other place with a large gathering of people.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2009

Welcome to Cruises From New York

Best New York Ships & Itineraries 2010

Editor’s Pick: the best ships and itineraries of 2010.

Over one million people sailed from New York’s three ports (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty, Bayonne, NJ) in 2008/9, according to the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and that number is expected to increase in 20010.

Since 9/11, the number of ships and passengers increased to the point that additional berthing facilities were opened in Red Hook, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey. Today every major cruise line has several ships that home port in New York for extended seasons of voyages ranging from a one-day party cruise to a 100+-day circumnavigation of the globe.

Editor’s Picks for the Best Ships and Itineraries of 2009/10

The New York Star: Queen Mary 2. Ballroom dancing to a live orchestra, high tea perfectly served, scholarly guest lecturers, a dog kennel and the ultimate in creature comforts keep the British maritime heritage alive and well.   The penultimate seagoing experience in New York!

Best Ships for Families: Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas. A big kid pleaser due to her rock climbing wall, roller blading, ice-skating and private teen club, Explorer of the Seas is hugely popular with cruisers of all ages.

Top Luxury Ship: Crystal Symphony (Crystal Cruises) Boasting the top levels of food and service, penthouse suites with private butlers and onboard enrichment programs, Crystal Symphony steals the show in luxury cruising.

Best Itineraries: Princess Cruises wins the prize as the cruise line offering the most innovative itineraries.  From an eight-day Caribbean/Bermuda voyage to an 18=day voyage from New York to Dover by way of Greenland, Iceland and Scotland.

Best Ships For Laid-back Cruisers: The vessels of Norwegian Cruise Line. This company’s popular “Freestyle Cruising” program means you may opt to dine in numerous restaurants when and with whom you please. And, no tuxes required.

Best Onboard Dining Program: Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess. Princess offers the choice of single open seating dining or traditional two seating dining plus a Lido Restaurant that serves great food 24 hours per day.

BEST ITINERARIES OF 2010

Caribbean: (Princess) Caribbean Princess sails on nine-day Eastern Caribbean voyages round-trip from Brooklyn to Bermuda, Grand Turk, San Juan and St. Thomas

Bermuda: In 2010 we’ll see double the number of ships sailing round-trip from New York to Bermuda.  In terms of itinerary alone, Holland America’s Veendam wins the prize because she’s the only ship docking in Hamilton and St. Charles.   Other vessels must dock in the “Dockyards”, away from most sightseeing.  And, you’ll have to take a ferry to get to Hamilton, the capital.

NOTE:  Both Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Summit sail on five day Bermuda cruises from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), NJ.  Norwegian Cruise Line’ Norwegian Dawn makes seven-day Bermuda voyages from Manhattan from April through October in 2009/10.

Canada/New England: Princess’s Crown Princess sails on ten-night cruises between Brooklyn and Quebec City (with an overnight stay aboard the ship), departing Sept. 23, Oct. 3 and 13, 2009 . Ports of call are Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown

Europe: Six-night transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton aboard Queen Mary 2. It you only take one ship in your life I hope it is a crossing aboard QM 2

Short Cruises: Take four- or five-night Labor Day cruises aboard Queen Mary 2 from Brooklyn in 2009 to get a short sample of this magnificent liner.   And, Carnival Cruise Line’s 4- and 5-day Canada/New England cruises are a sublime escape from New York.

Best Long Cruise: The 680-passenger Tahitian Princess sails from New York on several noteworthy itineraries.  For example, the 18-day “Fire & Ice Explorer” itinerary between New York and Dover (U.K.) visits ports in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland and Norway.  From Dover to NY, departing July 7, 2009. Departing July 25, 2009 from New York to Dover.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 20010

Which Seasickness Remedies Work?

Seasickness does exist and is probably the primary reason people avoid cruises. And, cruises from New York may seem particularly daunting since ships must sail in the Atlantic Ocean where storms aren’t uncommon.

The best definition of what mal de mer is comes from the U.S. Coast Guard: “Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the areas of the body that detect Motion. This conflict typically results in motion sickness.”

Here are some steps you can take to decrease – or eliminate – seasickness.

1)The position of your cabin. One of the big ironies of shipbuilding is that the higher the cabin, the higher the price will be. However, the higher you are on a ship the more acutely you’ll feel the rocking and rolling of the ship. Cabins with the least motion will be found mid-ship on the lowest passenger deck. On his honeymoon cruise in Europe, my brother asked for access to crew quarters so he and his wife could wait out a major storm. They sat on the floor mid-ship and weren’t seasick in the least.

2) Prescription Medication. The Transderm Scopolamine Patch is the primary prescription medication. The patch is placed behind your ear before boarding the ship. The common side effects are blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth. Be sure to consult your physician before trying this drug.

3) Over the Counter Medication. Most people have excellent results with Bonine, which is found in pharmacies. The medication only works if you take it prior to rocky seas and some people start taking the medication the day before the cruise departs.

4) Ginger. I used to think this was an old wives remedy but it isn’t: even the U.S. Coast Guard recommends ginger as a motion sickness remedy. You can buy it in the supermarket or in tablet form. Many cruisers take a bag of candied ginger.

3) Accupressure. is a non-medicated wristbands which relieve motion sickness by acting on acupressure points. Tested by the Australian Yacht Club, many cruisers swear by these bands. They are available in pharmacies and aboard most ships.

4) The ship’s doctor. If all else fails, you can head for the ship’s doctor who will administer a very expensive but highly effective antihistamine injection. You’ll probably sleep for a day or so but it sure beats seasickness.

5) Aboard ship. An officer gave me invaluable advice when I felt queasy aboard ship. Eat crackers and apples (to absorb the acid in your stomach), avoid fluids and do not lie down. Go outside on deck and stare at the horizon (not the waves!) and avoid enclosed areas such as elevators.

Even if you know you suffer motion sickness, with all the options available cruising from New York shouldn’t be a problem.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2009. All rights reserved.