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Cruise fares to Alaska have reached rock bottom and are unlikely to sink this low again. At least, that’s the view of almost everyone who runs or follows cruise lines for a living including financial analysts and industry executives.

A report from UBS Securities in March confirmed that cruise prices to Alaska were down from the previous year and represented some of the greatest vacation values in the market. The UBS Cruise Pricing Survey tracks pricing across various itineraries and brands, and analyzes pricing year-over-year on a week-to-week basis.

More recently, a report published this month from Raymond James Securities concluded the weakness in pricing continues across all major cruise destinations.

“While it appears that year over year booking declines have moderated
slightly compared to the 1st quarter for European and Alaska itineraries,
it is likely due to the continued pricing declines in the face of an already weakened cruise environment,” reported Raymond James analyst Joe Hovorka.

The Raymond James report concluded that pricing for both Alaska and Europe itineraries has continued to decline: “Alaska is continuing to set a new all-time low in our survey, while Europe is currently at levels not seen since May 2003 (when the ongoing invasion of Iraq kept cruisers away and pricing soft).”

According to Stuart MacDonald, the CEO of Tripharbour.ca / Triphabor.com, Alaska cruise fares on average are down by 35% to 40% over 2008. Some of this reduction is tied to the elimination of fuel surcharges which were in effect last year. But much of it has come from the lowering of base cruise fares to fill empty berths.

“The challenge for cruise lines is that too few people have been chasing too many cruise berths,” says MacDonald. “Americans represent the bulk of cruise passengers in Alaska, and they have cut back significantly on their travel because of the recession. However, cruise lines did not reduce their inventory, and the result has been some of the largest price reductions in the history of the Alaska cruise business.”

In contrast, most cruise lines have announced reductions in the number of sailings they will be offering in Alaska next year, so inventories will be greatly reduced. This will make it possible for cruise lines to avoid the deep level of discounting required this year. In fact, cruise fares released for the 2010 Alaska season show that prices will be higher and much closer to brochure rates.

As Micky Arison, the CEO of Carnival Cruises said last week during a conference call with financial analysts, cruise fares may have finally bottomed out. Almost everyone in the cruise industry agrees, so the only remaining question is how much longer will it be before rates start creeping up again?

It’s too early to say for sure, but with 7-day Alaska cruises recently selling for as low as C$224 per person for an inside cabin (double occupancy, excluding taxes and fees), it’s unlikely we’ll ever see deals this good again.

The Internet has been a wonderful boon for the traveling public. Not only has it empowered consumers with more information about destinations and pricing, it has also made the whole discovery, comparison and purchase process much easier.

But that doesn’t mean every company in the world selling travel online can be trusted. Nor does it mean that the travelling public will automatically get a good deal when they shop online.

So how can travel consumers protect themselves against shady operators and shop online with confidence?  Here are 10 tips to help you get the most from your online cruise and travel shopping experience:

1. Security:  When a customer enters sensitive information on a website, it is important that they can see https in their address bar.  This means that the information they enter is encrypted as it travels over the Internet, and as a result is very secure as it is transmitted.  It’s akin to placing your sensitive information in an armored car.  You should be cautious of websites that use poor English, have lots of spelling mistakes, don’t list much inventory, and look a bit amateurish – they could be fraudulent.

2. Availability:  Some websites only list inventory for cruises, hotels or car rental companies that they can make the most profit on.  Others make it difficult to find the better deals. As a result, you may not be seeing a broad enough range of cruise or travel options. Why bother spending time on a website if it doesn’t give you all the choices and pricing options available to you?

3. Taxes & fees: The prices listed on websites for cruises, hotels, airfare, etc. don’t usually include taxes and fees until you click through to determine availability. For cruises, these fees can vary greatly depending on the itinerary, length of voyage and the price of oil (cruise lines reserve the right to add a fuel supplement charge if the price of oil rises to a pre-determined level). So if you want to know the full cost of a trip, make sure you click all the way through until you can see the taxes and fees. And don’t worry about inadvertently booking a trip – you can’t be charged for anything until you enter your credit card information and make a booking.

4. Accountability:  Does the website show the physical address and contact phone number of the online agency?  Is the agency a registered member of a provincial or state-governed organization like TICO that provides consumer protection including compensation in the unlikely event that a cruise line, airline or travel agency goes bankrupt? Is the agency a member of a legitimate industry association like the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)?

5. Responsiveness:  Do they answer the phone and reply to inquiries in a timely manner? Do they contact you by phone or email to follow up after you’ve made an online booking? If the answer is “no,” it could be a sign that the agency is poorly organized, understaffed, or worse – on the verge of collapsing.

6. Attitude:  Do they sound like they want your business?  Are they willing to spend time with you and help you consider your options? Do they direct you to sources of information to help with your decision making? Do they avoid using high pressure tactics? An online agency that truly wants your business will put you first in the process of helping find the cruise you’ve always wanted.

7. Pricing:  The price of a cruise or airfare listed on a website can change frequently based on a number of factors including inventory, time remaining to departure and foreign exchange rates. That’s why it’s important to go beyond the initial listing and click through to availability to ensure you are getting real-time pricing.  In addition, good websites help you find the best values by highlighting special deals, and they offer as many prices as possible in both Canadian and U.S. dollars.  

8. Too good to be true: A handful of companies run marketing schemes where they offer all kinds of free stuff – including a free vacation or cruise. These offers usually involve getting you to attend a sales pitch for a time-share, or charging you administration fees that are equal to or greater than the cost of the trip. So if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

9. Functionality: The cruise or travel website should have basic functionality, be easy to use, and help a customer make a decision that’s best for them.  If a guest gets confused, or finds it difficult to get a “comfort level” about buying a cruise, then they can reasonably suspect that the website might not have their best interests at heart.  But if the website provides value-added information via things like an online community, regular blog posts, industry news, FAQs, and helpful travel tips, the shopper is going to be a lot better informed and more confident in making a purchase.

10. Accuracy: Does the agency review online bookings for accuracy and follow-up to confirm your request? Do they advise you of the date for final payment and follow up to ensure you don’t lose your booking? Is the ticketing information accurate in terms of name spelling, address, etc? The last thing you want to do when planning a vacation is to worry about your travel or cruise agency getting things mixed up and spoiling your trip.

I hope these tips will give you comfort and value when you shop for cruises and travel online. If you have a question, please leave a comment at the end of this post, or call one of our cruise specialists at 1-877-810-TRIP.

Deciding what to pack for a vacation at sea can be a difficult dilemma – especially for novice cruisers.

In the past, one solution might have been to bring as many clothes and suitcases as you’d like. But with pay-per-bag levies ($15 per bag and up) and tighter weight restrictions on luggage (usually 50 lbs/23 kg) at many airlines today, over-packing has become a very expensive option.

So what should the savvy cruise traveler do? Here are my top 6 tips for dressing well while cruising light, followed by the “savvy cruiser’s essential packing list”:

1. Cruising is mainly country club casual: On most 7-day cruises, there are two nights when people dress up in evening dress (about half wear formal wear or evening gowns, while the rest don jackets with ties or cocktail dresses.) On the other evenings people wear the type of casual clothing you’d see at country clubs. Tip: If you like dressing up, rent formal wear from a company that delivers directly to your cabin.

2. Mix and match outfits are best: Pack one outfit for every two days of the voyage, and then mix and match in between. Casual clothes like shorts, jeans, chinos, blouses, swimsuits, and shirts for the day time, and dress slacks, pant suits, dresses, sweaters, and sports jackets for the evenings.  Tip:  Bring a cover up (sweaters, jackets, wrap, etc.) for evening walks on the deck or in case the air conditioning is too cold in public rooms like dining rooms and lounges.

3. Recycle clothing during the voyage: Most ships have dry cleaning and laundry services so that selected items can be recycled during the cruise (and the cost of the dry cleaning is usually less than bringing overweight baggage).  Some cruise ships also have self-serve laundry rooms with washers and dryers. Tip: Rinse out small items like socks, underwear and T-Shirts in the bathroom sink and hang them out to dry on the shower zip line.

4. Make a list of essential items: Cruise ships have several shops on board, so if basic items are forgotten they can be purchased on the ship at a reasonable price. However, some items are either very expensive or impossible to replace – so make sure you make a list and double-check it before leaving home. Tip: Here are 6 essential items that should be considered for every list:

1. Passport and travel documents

2. Credit cards/ATM card/cash in local currency

3. Prescription drugs

4. Prescription glasses/contact lenses

5. Camera with charger

6. Cell phone/Blackberry w/charger (even if just for emergency use)

5. Use lightweight luggage: Most standard bags weigh from 15 to 20 lbs when empty, which seriously cuts into a baggage allowance of just 50 lbs. I love my composite extra-light hard-sided upright. It weighs much less than traditional luggage, gives great protection, and is virtually indestructible. I also have a soft-sided, aircraft-friendly roll-aboard where I put all essential items and documents. Tip: Purchase a hand-held luggage scale and use it to weigh your checked luggage when packing – this is particularly useful on the return leg of the trip when your luggage may be heavier because of all that shopping! This tiny device can end up saving you extra fees at check in.

6. Don’t pack unnecessary items: There’s no need to bring bulky items like beach towels, snorkel gear, or hair dryers – they are available on the ship or with the shore excursion. Also, all but the ultra-deluxe lines either prohibit or strictly limit the amount of alcohol you can bring aboard in carry-on or checked luggage. Tip: If your ship does allow you to bring wine onboard for use in your cabin, purchase it in the port of embarkation or during the cruise to avoid the risk of breakage in your suitcase.

 The Savvy Cruiser’s Essential Packing List for a 7-day cruise:

·         Toiletries (including toothbrush, manicure set, mini bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc.)

·         Makeup

·         Sunglasses

·         Sunscreen

·         Swimsuit

·         Jewelry (just fun stuff – a vacation is not the time to worry about family heirlooms, although cabins usually do have wall safes for valuables)

·         Shoes  - 3 pairs (for evening, daytime, touring) – 4 pairs if you also workout

·         MP3 player with charger

·         Sweater for day wear

·         Reading material for poolside or a deck chair

·         Gym clothes

·         A list of suggested places to see and eat in each port

·         Underwear  (7 pairs or 4 if rinse out)

·         Socks/hosiery (7 pairs or 4 pair if  rinse out)

·         1 light shell or windbreaker (in case of rain or cool weather)

·         1 sweater, wrap or pashmina for evening wear on the ship

·         1 formal outfit (for men a tuxedo or dark suit/sports jacket with tie; for women a dress or outfit that can matched with different tops)

·         2 pairs of shorts

·         3 shirts/tops for evening wear

·         3 pairs of pants (one for touring, 2 for ship)

·         Fold up lightweight bag (for purchases ashore and to double as a pool/beach bag)

·         Mini-umbrella for trips ashore in case of rain

A lush archipelago surrounded by beautiful coral and turquoise seas, Bermuda is truly one of the great jewels of the Atlantic. Discovered 500 years ago by Spanish explorer Juan de Bermudez, this subtropical paradise is famous for its verdant hills, pink-sand beaches, and whispering breezes.

In fact, Bermuda is so beautiful that Mark Twain once said: “You die and go to heaven; I’ll stay here in Bermuda.” 

While the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda is sometimes thought of as a Caribbean island, it is actually a string of islands located in the North Atlantic some 1,000 km off the coast of North Carolina. This makes the territory’s climate warm, sunny and virtually perfect for touring from April to October.

A number of cruise lines sail to Bermuda including Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival and Princess. NCL and Royal Caribbean offer regular weekly departures throughout the summer from convenient ports on the east coast including New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, and Boston.  The others visit Bermuda on an irregular basis, and sometimes as part of a New York to the Caribbean itinerary.

The three major tourist stops on Bermuda are found in the capital city of Hamilton, the town of St. George’s, and the charming Royal Naval Dockyard area at King’s Wharf (where the largest cruise ships dock).

Founded in 1793, Hamilton is a collection of pastel-coloured houses, quaint shops (all duty free) and English Bobbies. One of those Bobbies stands in what may be Bermuda’s most photographed landmark – the famous traffic cop’s “birdcage” at Queen and Front streets.

Just down the coast from Hamilton lies the historic town of St. George’s where Bermuda’s first settlers came ashore in 1609 after striking a reef. A small, quaint town of narrow streets, St. George’s boasts the oldest Anglican church in the Western Hemisphere, a replica of the Deliverance (the rescue ship built by settlers in 1610), and the stocks and pillory in King’s Square.  

The historic Royal Naval Dockyard is located at the North West end of the archipelago and now serves as a tourist attraction.  Several warehouses have been turned into shops and artist’s galleries, a pedestrian mall has opened in the clock tower, and the keep area is now the site of the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

If you’d like to get off the beaten path, try renting a moped and visiting some of the beautiful countryside – but remember they drive on the other side of the road. You should also pick up a bottle of Outerbridge’s Sherry Peppers Sauce, which is the territory’s unique seasoning for everything from soup to cocktails. And don’t forget to try a Rum Swizzle made with the locally distilled Gosling’s Black Seal Rum at the Swizzle Inn at Bailey’s Bay. Known as the home of the Rum Swizzle, the Inn’s infamous motto is: “Swizzle Inn, Swagger Out!”

There are a variety of itineraries for Bermuda cruises, but they generally range from 5 to 9 days in length and include one or more nights on the archipelago. Unlike some Caribbean islands, Bermuda is a relatively safe and affluent society, which means it can be an expensive place to visit if you’re staying on land.

In the past, cruises to Bermuda have commanded premium pricing, but this year they’ve been selling at much lower rates. For example, fares for a five-day cruise to Bermuda start at just C$589 per person, which represents a great value when compared to the cost of hotels, meals and transportation ashore. 

So if you’d like to escape the city for somewhere special without breaking the bank, it might be time to consider a cruise to Mark Twain’s favorite paradise where: “There is just enough whispering breeze, fragrance of flowers and sense of repose to raise one’s thoughts heavenward.”

Big vs. Small? Adventure vs. Traditional? Sun Seeker vs. Culture Buff? These are just some of the questions people need to ask themselves before they embark on a cruise.

Unfortunately, people who are new to cruising may not know enough to make the right decision. And that means they could end up on a cruise that’s wrong for their lifestyle, budget and personality.

So what are some of the choices that potential cruisers should be thinking about before they sign up for a vacation at sea?

Big vs. Small: There are small ships than carry a few hundred people, and mega-ships that hold as many as 5,000 people. Bigger ships offer more amenities and facilities – they have larger swimming pools, more bars and lounges, bigger theatres, better spas and casinos, and more choices for dining, entertainment and sports. Smaller ships are more intimate, easier to get around, can visit more unusual ports, take less time to disembark and offer a more traditional cruising experience. At the end of the small spectrum, there are sail ships that provide a relaxed-style of cruise to out-of-the-way islands and ports. And there are barge and river cruises that take people through canals and meandering rivers in places like England, France, Holland, Germany, Egypt and North America.

New vs. Old: A lot of ships have been built in the last 8 years, so most of the tonnage out there is either very new or recently renovated. Newer ships tend to have larger public areas and more deck space, and lots of innovative features like surf rider pools and rock climbing walls, themed bars and restaurants, flat-screen TVs in the cabins, outdoor movie screens, solariums, and even croquet courts on real grass! However, the newest ships (built in the last 2 years) usually charge a higher per diem rate. Older ships usually have larger cabins, more character, nicer profiles, and more traditional appointments. Unfortunately, there aren’t many old ships left, and some of the remaining classics will be taken out of service next year when new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations come into effect. But if older ships appeal to you, the best place to find one is with tour operators like Saga Cruises and Thomson, or with some of the European-based lines like Fred Olsen.

Upscale vs. Economy: A small number of cruise lines such as Crystal, Regent, Seabourn, SeaDream, and Silversea offer ultra-deluxe ships, exceptional itineraries, gourmet cuisine and top-flight service. The per diem cost of these cruise lines usually runs between US$250 to $500 per person (double occupancy) for the cheapest cabin, and much more for suites. If you stay at the Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton on land, these ships are for you. However, if you’re looking for something more reasonably priced, there are plenty of cruise lines such as Cunard, Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Holland America that offer cruises in the premium and deluxe categories. There are also several budget lines like NCL, MSC, Costa and Carnival. The per diem fares on these types of ships range between US$50 and $120 per person (double occupancy) for the cheapest cabins.  

Adventure vs. Traditional: Most cruise ships travel to traditional destinations that are well known and relatively easy to get to and enjoy. However, a handful of ships offer more destination-oriented cruises to places like Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, Melanesia, the Amazon River, the Easter Islands, the Faroe Islands, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and the Arctic. These cruises usually offer excursions on small zodiac rubber inflatable boats, emphasize environmentally friendly approaches to travel, and teach passengers about the culture and history of the places they visit. Some of the better adventure cruise ships include several from Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea’s Prince Albert II, Celebrity’s Xpedition, Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic and Swan Hellenic’s Minerva.

Sun Seekers vs. Culture buffs: Some people go on a cruise to lie by the pool or beach, enjoy the lush scenery and sunshine, do some shopping, gamble in the casino, enjoy the Vegas-style revues, and stay up late in the disco. Others select a cruise that will take them to historic places where they can spend their days visiting great monuments, touring wonderful museums, tasting local cuisine and experiencing the native culture. The sun seekers will probably enjoy the Caribbean, South Pacific or the Mexican Riviera, while the culture buffs will be happier in places like Europe, the Mediterranean, South America, and Asia.

If it’s beginning to sound like there are as many types of cruises as there are personalities, you’re getting the picture. But if you’re still not sure what type of cruise would best suit you, just visit the Tripharbour.ca or Tripharbor.com community page and take the “My Cruise Personality Type” quiz.  If you’re lucky like me, you’ll discover that you have multiple cruise personalities, which means you’ll be justified in taking multiple cruises each year for the rest of your life!

There’s usually nothing more carefree than sailing away on a luxury cruise liner. And once people have selected their ship, destination and travel dates, there’s nothing else to worry about until the trip is over. Or is there?

The story of the Cortes family who were put ashore in the Bahamas a few years ago during a 5-day cruise is a case in point.

On one night during the cruise the family’s 8-month old baby began vomiting and having diarrhea, so they took her to the ship’s doctor. The doctor diagnosed Baby Zoie as being severely dehydrated and in need of hospitalization ashore.

As a result, the family were rushed off the ship late at night in Nassau and sent to the local emergency room where Zoie was diagnosed with nothing more than a common cold. Unfortunately, by this time the ship had left Nassau and the Cortes family was stranded in a foreign country without passports, lodging or transportation.

The family eventually made their way back home, but not without incurring close to $2,000 in expenses for medical bills, new passports and transportation back to Florida, never mind the cost of a ruined vacation. And the Cortes family got off lightly — if they’d been cruising further from home with a seriously ill child, they could have easily spent more than $20,000 just for medical treatment and emergency evacuation.

The saga of the Cortes family is a good example of why most vacationers – especially those travelling outside their own country — should have some form of travel insurance. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the types of travel insurance available to them, or the risks of not buying it before their trip.

There are four main types of travel insurance used by vacationers: Medical/Life insurance; Trip Cancellation/Interruption; Baggage Loss and Personal Effects Coverage; and Trip Delay. Some of these such as baggage loss and trip delay may be covered in your home insurance policy or by your credit card policy, so it pays to check them out before buying additional insurance. Likewise, if you have private medical insurance, check out your policy to see what it covers.

Medical/Life: Coverage can vary by provider, but the best type of policy will cover medical treatment, prescription drugs, emergency evacuation (if warranted), accidental loss of life, sight and limb, and repatriation benefits (flying home remains). It will also provide a toll-free number for personal assistance. This can be bought for a single trip or for multiple trips in one year.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Reimburses the policy holder for travel costs lost due to cancellation of the trip (for legitimate reasons) and/or disruption of the trip while in progress. This is a good way to protect the cost of your cruise fare should you have to cancel your trip (conditions apply). The cost of this insurance usually runs between 3 to 8% of the total cost of the vacation that you are ensuring.

Baggage Loss & Personal Effects: This policy typically covers you for loss or delay of baggage, and for personal property stolen en route or in hotels. It also provides a set amount that can be spent daily while waiting for lost luggage to arrive.

Trip Delay: Provides financial compensation for costs incurred as a result of delays in pre-booked transportation. For example, if a plane is delayed more than 4 hours, set amounts can be spent for items like food, refreshments, hotels, etc.

These types of policies can be purchased separately, and the latter three are also available in one package, which can be a better deal. However, depending on the coverage you already have via home insurance and credit cards, you may not need all of them.  

Insurance can be purchased from your travel agent or the cruise line when making your initial booking, or at a later date before the final payment is due. Or, you can buy it from your insurance broker or a financial institution like RBC Insurance.

But wherever you get it, make sure you need what you are buying. Read the policy when it arrives to ensure you understand what conditions and exceptions may apply. And if you have any questions, don’t be shy about asking.

Hopefully, your next vacation will be trouble free and you’ll never need to use your insurance. But if something does happen, you’ll be grateful you didn’t leave home without it.

While cruise ships sail to lots of wonderful places around the world, there are a handful that offer itineraries that are more unusual and out-of-the-way than most.  These are the hidden gems of cruising that not only provide an opportunity to see something off the beaten track, but usually at attractive rates. For example:

1. Trans-Atlantic Northern Route

Most trans-Atlantic cruises typically call in the Med, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and sometimes Bermuda, but a handful each year sail via out-the-way places like Iceland, Greenland, the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, the British Isles and Newfoundland, Canada. These cruises are usually very-well priced, and offer a rare but fascinating itinerary that would be prohibitively expensive if done by air and hotel. Princess has some great deals on this route in the fall.

2. Land of the Midnight Sun

Only a handful of ships sail to the top of Norway and through her majestic fjords, but it’s a breathtaking itinerary that will provide a life-time of wonderful memories. On this cruise, which the Lonely Planet guides describe as “the world’s most beautiful voyage,” you’ll get a taste of Lapland, be able to watch the midnight sun, and enjoy lots of spectacular scenery. Check out some of the itineraries from Cunard and Hurtigruten.

3. Around the Horn

The voyage around Cape Horn between Valparaiso, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina is loaded with beautiful scenery and wildlife. Whether it’s the amazing volcanoes and glaciers of Patagonia, the penguins of Otway Sound, the sea wolves of the Beagle Channel, or the rocky outcrop called Cape Horn, there’s something spectacular to see at every turn.  Princess, Holland America, RCI, Crystal and Regent have some great voyages to choose from. 

4. South Pacific

The Hawaiian and Society Islands of the South Pacific are filled with soaring peaks, lush valleys and spectacular coast lines. Whether it’s a pristine lagoon surrounding Bora Bora, or a lava flow cascading down the side of a mountain on the Big Island of Hawaii, this is nature at its best. There are currently some great deals on both itineraries, and this is the final year for Regent’s Paul Gauguin in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Princess offers a great return voyage to Hawaii from Los Angeles.

5.  Panama Canal with a Latin twist

Many cruise lines offer full and partial transits of the Big Ditch, but only a handful do it by sailing between Florida and the west coast of South America. The advantage of the latter is that in addition to a bunch of Caribbean ports, you usually get to call at several Latin ports including Valparaiso and Lima. You may also be able to arrange a pre or post cruise excursion to see the “Lost City of the Incas” at Machu Picchu. Check out the discounted fare from luxury line Crystal on a cruise that departs January 8, 2010 from Valparaiso.

6. Galapagos Islands

Whether it’s the extravagant colony of Frigate birds on North Seymour, or the blue-footed boobies, sea lions or red marine iguanas of the five million year old Espanola Island, the wildlife of the Galapagos are unlike any other in the world. Celebrity’s Expedition is offering some great deals.

In order to get passengers up the gangplank, cruise lines have been offering a variety of discounts, incentives and reduced cruise fares. This has been great for fans of cruising, most of whom have been treated to some of the lowest base cruise fares and best incentives in many years.

But in order to recoup some of this lost income, cruise lines have been trying to get passengers to spend more while at sea. And they’ve been adding new sources of shipboard revenue and fattening up margins on existing ones to do so.

While these services are optional, they can add up quickly. In fact, the extra costs for optional spending on items like shore excursions, premium restaurants, alcohol, soft drinks, specialty coffees, spa treatments and Internet service can easily exceed four figures per couple, even on a relatively short cruise.

So how can savvy passengers spend less money at sea and get more value from their cruise? Here are my top 10 ways to outsmart the cruise lines at their own game:

1. Organize your own shore excursions:  The ship’s markup on shore excursions usually exceeds 100%, and many are not worth the added cost because they can easily be done on your own for much less. Savvy cruisers get together with another couple and hire their own taxi for a tour, or just take public transportation. For example, on a recent cruise stop in Piraeus, our family of four saved a fortune by taking the electric tram into Athens for 2 Euros each for a return ticket versus the $65 per person cost for the ship’s “Athens on Your Own” bus transfer into town.

2. Avoid the premium restaurants: Most ships have one or more alternative restaurants that offer higher quality cuisine in a more intimate setting. These restaurants charge an extra tariff of $20 to $40 per person, and that doesn’t include the cost of premium coffees like espresso and cappuccino, or alcohol. In my experience, the food in the main dining is pretty good and very few of these so-called premium restaurants are worth the added charge. But if you’d like a change of dinner venue one night, why not try the evening buffet in the informal cafeteria? And if you must try the premium restaurant, limit yourself to one visit per cruise.   

3. Stock alcohol in your cabin: Consuming alcohol in the ship’s various bars and restaurants can be a very costly proposition. Some cruise lines like Celebrity permit a small amount of wine to be brought onboard the ship at the beginning of the cruise for consumption in your cabin – so check out policies in advance. If you can’t bring booze aboard, you may be able to purchase a package of wine and hard liquor on the ship for use in your cabin. Friends can also order alcohol from the cruise line as a “Bon Voyage” gift for your cabin. For those who like expensive wines, it also pays to legally bring wines onboard and pay a corkage fee to consume it in the dining room. And remember, any wine left over in the bottle can be stored for the next evening or brought back to your cabin.

4. Wait for discounted spa services: Many spa and hair treatments are more expensive on the ship than they are on land. However, you can significantly reduce what you spend in the spa by waiting for them to offer cut-rate treatments. This usually happens a day or two after the ship sails and the initial flurry of bookings have been made. The spa will then look to fill in empty time slots (typically when the ship is in port) by offering deals on selected services which they will promote in flyers that arrive with your daily program.

5. Don’t pose for ship’s photos: From the moment you board, the ship’s photographers will try to snap your image at every turn and then sell you the photos for $15 to $20 a pop. There’s no obligation to buy, but once you get caught up in the free-spending cruise-ship atmosphere, you could easily wind up owning a $100 or more worth of photos. If you want some memories of your cruise, just take your own – or ask someone to take one of you with your camera.

6. Stay away from the art auction: It may be tempting to attend, but you can quickly drop a bundle on artwork of questionable value. If you are serious about buying art, wait until you get back home so you can do some serious comparison shopping.

7. Beware of cruise line transfers & land excursions: It can often be cheaper to take a taxi from the ship to the airport (and vice-versa) than it is to purchase two bus transfers from the cruise line. It’s also cheaper to book your own limo or van rather than to do it through the ship’s concierge.  For example, on our last cruise we booked a van for our family of four from the pier at Civitavecchia to Rome airport for 120 Euros (US$160) versus the US$630 quoted by the ship’s concierge for the same trip. In addition, most people can organize pre- and post-cruise hotel and tour packages more cheaply than the cruise line (Alaska is one exception). For example, Crystal Cruises is offering a five-day pre-cruise trip to Machu Picchu in Peru from Santiago, Chile for US$5,899 per person prior to the January 8, 2010 departure of the Crystal Symphony. You can organize a similar but less regal excursion on your own for less than $2,000 per person.

8. Resist the upsell and Casino: During your cruise, crew members will try to sell you bottled water, wine with lunch, tickets to wine tastings and cooking demonstrations, flights of wine paired with dinner, premium coffees, bingo cards, and anything else the ship can dream up to separate you from more money. In addition, the ship’s casino will usually hold various tournaments and contests to make gambling more enticing. Just say “no” to upsells, and establish a strict limit on what you are prepared to spend in the casino.

9. Purchase soda pop, coffee & wine cards: If you drink lots of soda, premium coffee (espresso, cappuccino), or wine it may be more economical to purchase a flat-fee card or one that gives you a set number of these items at a discounted price. Not every cruise line offers these cards, but it’s worth asking about on your first night at sea if you think they could save you money.

10. Keep an eye on cruise fares: If you want to get the best cabins and locations, it pays to book early. However, in this kind of economic environment, cruise lines can sometimes lower fares several times before the ship sails. Some lines will pass along the lower fare to passengers, but it’s the passenger’s responsibility to advise their agent or the cruise line if their fare category has been reduced. In any event, it’s a smart policy to double-check a cruise fare a few days before the final payment is due because at that point you can still cancel without penalty. After the cancellation penalty kicks in, consumers have far less leverage to get a better deal.