From: "jmcgough" <jmcgough@rcn.com>
To: "us" <jmcgough@rcn.com>
Subject: the price of a cruise
Date: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 7:01 AM

THE PRICE OF A CRUISE

Taking a cruise is an excellent way to get away from the hustle and bustle
of busy life.  With a cruise, you will enjoy fresh air, being out on the
ocean, meeting new people, intriguing ports of call, and fantastic
activities and food.  The majority of people who have taken a cruise
agree that there is nothing like it!  If you are thinking about taking a
cruise, you probably have tons of questions.  This article provides
valuable information regarding price to help make your first cruise
an unforgettable experience.

Today, you have a choice of many different cruise lines as well as
destinations.  The price paid would depend largely on the type of ship,
the specific accommodations, the destination and number of ports, and
the length of the cruise.  For instance, you can choose a three or
five-day cruise for less than $400 or go all out and spend thousands.
Keep in mind that to enjoy a luxury cruise does not mean you have to spend a
fortune.  In fact, with good planning, you can discover a number of
options for saving money.

Considering that many wonderful cruises start as low as $100 per person
for double occupancy, it is easy to see just how affordable this
vacation option is.  In addition, the price paid includes breakfast,
lunch, dinner, snacks, various special meals, and usually, a midnight
buffet.  You will also be entertained with movies, dances, shows, and
more ñ all included!  Most people choose a six-night, seven-day cruise,
which starts around $600, also including everything mentioned.

Now, the key regarding price of a cruise are the incidentals that are not
always obvious.  For example, some cruise ships require that you pay for
any alcoholic beverage or soft drink, as well as charges per port,
excursion fees, and airfare.  Therefore, as you begin your search, be
sure to ask what all is and is not included and of course, always read the
fine print.

Another important aspect of price is the gratuities since many of the
people who will be serving you during your trip depend heavily on the
tips rather than the wages paid.  Sometimes, the tips will be included in
the package deal but not always.  Remember that many of the top cruise
lines do not allow tipping since this is a part of the overall price.
However, for those that do permit tipping, the recommendation is a per
diem of between $10 and $12 per person daily.

An excellent way to benefit substantial savings on your cruise is to
schedule it a minimum of six months out, preferably a full year.  First,
cruises have become very popular so trying to secure room at the last
minute, hoping for a good price due to someone canceling suddenly is a
thing of the past.  By scheduling so far out, you have better options for
accommodations.  Second, by booking so far in advance, many cruise
lines now offer special on-ship credits or discounts.

Although most everything you need to make your cruise an incredible
time is included, you will need to take additional money for luxury
items such as massage, visiting the hair salon or barber, gambling, and
shopping on the ship or at the various ports.  Additionally, you will
find that cruise lines offer passengers excursions in the ports of call
where you can visit historical and cultural sites, go on tours, or
attend lectures.  In this situation, the vendors generally set the rate
so you do not have much say over the price charged.  If you want to take a
tour of a city, you would expect to pay around $30 but even so, you are not
required to even get off at a port city.

Finally, if you are interested in taking a family cruise, many times
cruise lines offer special family rates.  Although the amount of the
discount depends on the cruise line, usually a full-paying adult would
receive free passage for a child under a specified age.  Just as an
example, you might think taking a cruise to the Caribbean would too
expensive for the entire family.  However, by using a cruise line that
offers family discounts, you can enjoy a full week for around $2,100 to
$2,400.  Just remember, with so many different options, there is the
perfect cruise just waiting for you!