Over a barrel, cruise costs rise
Going on a cruise just got more expensive as eight cruise lines announced new fees to be imposed upon passengers to cover rising fuel costs. Anita Dunham-Potter explains what the new fuel surcharges mean for the consumer and the cruise lines.
Book on board, get a deal
If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you’ve no doubt received fliers and announcements touting savings if you book your next cruise while still aboard this one. Is it a good idea? Anita Dunham-Potter surveys the benefits.
Is cruising right for you?
Never been on a cruise before? Then you probably have some questions. Like, “Will I get seasick, gain weight, or go crazy cooped up on the ship?” And, “What do I wear, who does the laundry, and how much should I tip?” Here are answers to seven newcomers’ queries from our cruise maven, Anita Dunham-Potter. Anita is cruising in the Mediterranean this week with only occasional Internet access, so we reprint this column from 2006.
IPods go cruising
What’s the latest amenity on cruise ships? No, it’s not Asian spa treatments and it’s not Wi-Fi. It’s iPods. A growing number of cruise lines are now loaning out iPods, fully stocked with music, and offering tours and shipboard information as podcasts. Anita Dunham-Potter says the pocket-sized digital music phenomenon is a big hit with cruise travelers.
Piggyback your way to cruise savings
Buying a cruise can be complicated with so many choices and pricing options, so how do you score the lowest fare possible? If you’re flexible, you can take advantage of a great little-known program that allows you to “piggyback” your way to cruise savings. Anita Dunham-Potter tells how.
The problem with great expectations
What happens when an adventure cruise vacation doesn’t live up to the brochure? Are you entitled to compensation, and if so, how do you go about getting it? Anita Dunham-Potter serves as ombudsman for an Alaska cruise that doesn’t live up to expectations.
Rolling on the river with the American Queen
The prospect of cruising up the Ohio River from Cincinnati to her hometown of Pittsburgh didn’t exactly thrill our cruise columnist, Anita Dunham-Potter. Sure, the paddle-wheeler was pretty cool, and the Americana was a draw, but Anita was pretty sure it would be a dull voyage. Boy, was she wrong.
Hey, kids! No birth certificate, no cruise
The Mueller family was looking forward to their Alaska cruise aboard the Norwegian Star. Sue Mueller made a great booking for her family through Hotwire — or so she thought. She checked to make sure the family had all the necessary documentation, but when they got to the pier, the Muellers got a big shock. Anita Dunham-Potter tells the story.
Fall for these cruise deals
The kids are back in school, it’s hurricane season, and cruise lines are scrambling to fill their berths. What does that mean for you? It means a great deal on a cruise vacation and a good excuse for hiring someone else to rake those pesky autumn leaves.
Cruise discounts for military families
On most cruise lines, men and women in uniform can get a break from the barracks and cruise at a significant discount. Anita Dunham-Potter gives the details.