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Into ‘Twilight?’
Looking to drop a few pounds?
Want to travel with your favorite bands?
Cruises have always been a popular choice for those in need of a little sun and sea, of course, but as the array of vessels, themes and destinations have increased in recent years, so has interest in cruising.
These days, there truly is a cruise for everyone, whether you’re into music, history, politics or anything, really. Want to cruise with fellow “Twilight” fans to Forks, Wash.? There’s a cruise for that. Want to lose weight with “The Biggest Loser” star Jillian Michaels while you voyage to the Bahamas? There’s a cruise for that. Basically, if it’s bordered by water, you can cruise there.
Because of the vast array of options, a cruise can easily be your elusive “perfect vacation” — and one that may even be less expensive than you think. Once a luxury to a small portion of the population, cruises have now become more affordable: With established all-inclusive rates that include accommodations, dining, entertainment, activities and parties, cruises can cost as little as $50 to $75 a day per person (especially in the least expensive time of year, from mid-August to late December.)
That’s not to say one bill covers all: Additional costs can include airfare, alcohol, gratuities, shore activities, some dining options, spa treatments, casino gambling and Internet use. But most of these additional costs can be researched before boarding.
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These days, the most popular option continues to be the traditional leisure cruise to the Caribbean. Luckily for the Lowcountry, Carnival has a homeport just up the road in Charleston, and its Fantasy departs year-round for five- to seven-day cruises that stop at ports such as Nassau, Freeport, Key West, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. The 855-foot Fantasy boasts 1,026 state rooms, 10 decks and accommodations for 2,056 passengers.
“One recent development is the evolution of close-to-home ports,” said Terry Brennan, president of Atlanta-based Williamsburg Travel. “Years ago, most cruise departures were from Miami and San Juan. Now, departure points are close-by cities such as Charleston, Jacksonville, and Port Canaveral.”
Still, once you decide to go on a cruise, the sheer amount of selections can be overwhelming. A Google search for “cruises” will more or less cause your browser to come to a screeching halt; for this reason, using a local travel adviser can make your booking and travel experience much smoother. “There’s nothing worse than a vacation that doesn’t fulfill your dreams, taste and lifestyle,” said Cheryl Lawrence of AAA Travel. “No one wants a ‘cheap’ vacation experience. It’s our job in the travel industry to be aware of the vast number of promotions and special offers in the market at any given time, assuring that our travelers not only get the right cruise, but at the best possible price.”
Developing a relationship with a local travel adviser will allow them to steer you towards experiences, destinations and preferences they know you’ll enjoy the most. “Believe it or not, your experience can be enhanced by simply being on either the port or starboard side of the ship,” said Jim Buckley, president of Island Travel.
Local travel advisers can also handle any hiccups that may occur in an itinerary. If cruise companies slip in surprise charges or changes, the travel adviser can handle debates on your behalf. “Your travel adviser represents you, not the cruise line,” says Buckley.
Surprisingly, while other resorts and destinations have taken a hit during the recent economic downturn, the cruise industry has enjoyed smoother sailing, partly because they provide flexibility and value that their landlocked counterparts struggle to compete with.
“In my opinion, a cruise is more desirable than a resort because of the various locations visited, and because, in most instances, a cruise is less expensive than a resort,” said Sue Goodboy of Cruise Planner.
Moreover, only 20 percent of the population has ever been on a cruise, so there are always new customers. For this reason, the industry is continually evolving with new destinations, new activities and new vessels targeted to the new passenger. Whatever you want to do and wherever you want to go, rest assured, there’s a cruise for that.
“Cruising offers the opportunity to see all of the world for reasonable rates — including meals, entertainment and the comforts of home, without having to pack and unpack,” said Nancy Lee Honey of Valerie Wilson Travel. “It’s a marvelous taste of many cultures in a leisurely, safe manner. One can even discover a corner of the world in which to hide later!”
