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Cruising Can Be A Bargain

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By JACLYN GIOVIS South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE - In today's tough economy, cruising can offer travelers a good value - lodging, food, entertainment - all for a preset price. But the "not-included" fees and onboard "extras" add up fast.

Soda and cocktails, shore excursions, gratuities, photos, spa treatments, tuxedo rentals, Internet access and more are available at sea - for a charge. Passengers who research and plan before embarking on their cruise can help themselves have fun and avoid a shocking bill at home port.

Use A Travel Agent

Travel agents know the personalities of cruise lines and their fleets, says Lanie Fagan, spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association, a Fort Lauderdale-based trade group.

"By and large, you're not going to be paying extra for their services," she says.

They can help vacationers find a cruise that fits their budget and provide details on the fee-based onboard extras.

Consumers should ask if the travel agency is cruise-only or a member of a professional organization, such as CLIA, because those agencies are more knowledgeable than others on cruise travel. To find a travel agent affiliated with CLIA in your area, go to www.cruising.org.

Drive To The Port

Airfares to far-away cruise destinations such as Alaska and Europe have gone up. Why fly when you have a cruise terminal in short driving distance? Taking a cruise out of Tampa can save you hundreds of dollars.

Have someone drive you to the terminal at 651 Channelside Drive in downtown Tampa, and they can either drop you off or pay $1 an hour to park in the garage across the street while they see you off. If you drive yourself, you'll pay $12 a day to park at the Tampa Port Authority's long-term garage off Channelside.

Other Florida ports may be a farther drive but offer more choices for cruise destinations. Cruise out of Port Everglades and pay $15 a day for your car. At the Port of Miami, parking costs $20 per day.

Look For Special Discounts

Most cruise lines offer discounts for seniors, Florida residents, repeat passengers and active or retired military personnel, says Jeffrey Sherota, senior vice president of Cruisesonly.com, a cruise travel agency.

Discounts vary based on trip details. For example, a recent search of the cruisesonly.com Web site shows that Florida residents can save $35 to $400 per person, depending on the cruise destination, length of the cruise, location of cabin, etc.

Book Early, Be Flexible

Passengers can save by planning and reserving a year or two in advance of departure, says Jennifer De La Cruz, spokeswoman for Carnival Corp.

"The more flexible you are with your dates, the better the deal," she says.

Consumers will find lower prices on cruises from Florida during the height of hurricane season, generally August and September. Passengers willing to bunk with multiple people in a cabin also can save. Cruise fares for the third and fourth passenger in a cabin are generally lower.

Look Beyond The Ship

Some shore activities such as snorkeling or kayaking may be slightly cheaper if equipment or trips are reserved independently of the cruise line once in the port city. Cruise lines capture a portion of all shore excursion costs, so they encourage passengers to opt for convenience and book through them.

Often travel agents can guide vacationers to reputable independent on-shore operators at a port of call.

Buy Drink Cards

Soda and alcoholic beverages cost extra on cruise ships. Most major cruise lines offer a prepaid drink card-account that can help cruisers control beverage spending, or offer unlimited consumption for a set price.

Those can be cost-effective, particularly if you're cruising with kids.

Many cruise operators will automatically add gratuity to the bar tab. It's 15 percent on Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.

Don't Forget The Tips

Gratuities are a major cost not included in the cruise fare.

On all Norwegian Cruise Line ships there's a required, "prepaid service fee" of $10 per adult, $5 per child per day. Carnival automatically adds a 10 percent gratuity to the bill customers receive at the end of the cruise.

Other cruise lines do not include gratuities on the onboard account but encourage them at the end of the trip. Gratuities totaling about $10 per person per day are generally encouraged for dining room servers and cabin stewards. Passengers can put aside money for gratuities at the beginning of the trip.

Stay Out Of Touch

Most cruise lines charge heavily for Internet access. Royal Caribbean, for example, charges cruisers 55 cents per minute for an Internet connection, but customers can purchase packages such 60 minutes for $28; 90 minutes for $38; and 150 minutes for $55.

Pricing for cell phone usage aboard a ship can vary, even if roaming charges and international calls are included in a person's calling plan.

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