Like most of us, I’ve become accustomed to bad news about the economy. So it was hardly surprising to learn recently that consumer confidence is at a 41-year low. Nor is it a shocker that cruise lines are trying to entice you onboard by discounting nearly every cruise ship afloat.
But what I learned after 9/11 is that cruise lines are the most resilient segment of the travel industry. For example, if there’s a problem in Istanbul a ship can quickly be moved to Baltimore or wherever travelers are willing to board. And while cruise lines can’t park a vessel in the desert to cut capacity, they can lure you aboard with rock-bottom fares to ensure the crew gets paid.
I’m sure that, like most Americans, you’ve put a hold on spending money on non-essentials. But sooner or later you’re going to realize that a vacation is essential: we can put off buying a car for another year but simply must get away from CNN, CNBC and other news sources that tell us how much worse off we are today than yesterday.
And, never forget that even in normal times, the biggest bang for your vacation buck is a cruise. Included in the fare are all your meals and entertainment, not to mention accommodations for the duration of the voyage.
With that in mind, here are a few tips for keeping your wits and having a fantastic cruise as you navigate the “new normal” in cruising.
Problem: You no longer feel comfortable making future plans because your spouse could lose his/her job or an aged parent may get ill.
Solution. Travel Insurance such as Travel Guard and Access America, which you can buy directly or through your travel agent, will cover cancellation costs should either of these situations occur.
Problem: You’re cutting back costs and want to save as much money as possible this year. We should book the cheapest cruise we can find.
Solution: Here’s one thing you don’t do: pick a ship based on price alone. The rarest commodity of all is your time. If you pick a ship because it has the lowest price and wind up hating the food, service and your accommodations, you’ve wasted both time and money.
For example, if you love Holland America you’ll probably hate Norwegian Cruise Line. Keep this in mind: every cruise line is in the same boat when it comes to being affected by the economy. I’ve seen very low fares starting at $65 per person, per day, on some Celebrity and Holland America departures. This is when it pays to find a very seasoned cruise agent!
Problem: If you booked your cruise four or more months before departure, don’t be surprised to run into fellow passengers who are paying significantly less for the same category stateroom. When faced with a half-full ship, cruise lines will steeply discount fares close to departure. A travel agent told me that the only cruise companies that sometime refund money are Royal Caribbean/Celebrity/Azamara. The other cruise lines don’t ante up refunds…although a good travel agent will fight for serious upgrades.
Solution: It’s your job to keep track of discounts and then call your travel agent a few weeks before departure so he or she can try to get you upgraded. Of course, it’s also your job to book your cruise with a terrific travel agent.
And I don’t want to hear complaints that the cruise lines are trying to rip you off! It’s no different from buying a sweater at full retail Oct. 1 and finding the same sweater on sale for 50 percent less a month later. You don’t expect a store to give you a refund, so why do you expect it from a cruise line?
Problem: Some cruise lines have cut back on food and services. For example, there is a surcharge for the majority of restaurants on Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships, including the Italian pizzeria and Tex/Mex restaurant. For higher quality food than what is served in the main dining rooms (at no extra charge) be prepared to spend roughly $150 per person more for a one-week cruise. Aboard Royal Caribbean’s ships, you’ll find a $14.95 surcharge for steak in the main dining room.
Solution: Pick a higher end cruise line, such as Princess, Holland America or Celebrity. You’ll find steep discounts on these ships too, but fewer surcharges tacked on.
Problem: Since the economy is so bad should we cruise close to home instead of taking the Europe cruise we always dreamed of taking?
Solution: Wrong! For years there was an over-capacity of ships in the Caribbean so cruise lines sent them to Europe. In 2009, there will be such an over-capacity of ships in Europe you should find terrific buys on Mediterranean, Baltic, Black Sea and Aegean cruises. Expect fares to start falling in early 2009 and be ready to bag a terrific deal. Also expect airfares to be more reasonable, at least that’s the way it looks from here.
You may not feel up to booking a cruise this week, but chances are those steep discounts will be too irresistible to pass up.
Journalist Anne Campbell has been covering the cruise industry since 1992 and is editor of Cruising From New York and ShipCritic Blog, two Web sites.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article. But, many (if not most) stores will indeed give you the refund when the sweater goes on sale.
One inaccuracy in the article. You can still get a steak at no extra charge in the main dining room on Royal Caribbean. The $14.95 steak is in addition to the no charge steak and is supposedly the same quality as you’d get in the specialty restaurants.
Are cruise lines now sufficiently desperate that they’re willing to welcome single cruisers with something better than their normal “one for the price of two” penalty?
Hapgood—not likley. But you can always check out http://www.singlescruise.com
They have a ton of cabins, good pricing, and a matching service
Excellent article, Anne. It’s a fun read as well as informative. Keep up the good work!
if the cruise is just under deposit you can cancel, generally without penalty and re-book on a cheaper cruise.