I know a fancy Italian who tried to pooh-pooh cruising as something that’s not for him. I asked what his favorite leisure activities are, and he replied “golf, basketball and fine dining.”

It was a cinch: I pointed out that nearly all cruise lines offer golf packages in any port where golf is an option, including the Caribbean, Hawaii and Europe. Aboard the larger ships, such Royal Caribbean’s Voyager- and Freedom-class vessels, he can not only play basketball on deck but also watch games in a sports bar with live ESPN. I pointed out that if the ship’s normal culinary fare doesn’t meet his aristocratic standards, he could dine each evening in an alternative restaurant with a higher quality of food and wine. And, there are luxury ships with outstanding cuisine and golf packages.

My friend proves that no matter what your interests or tastes, there’s a perfect ship out there somewhere just for you. If the thought of traveling with thousands of people is a turn-off, you can even opt for a smaller ship such as Cruise West’s and Oceania Cruises vessels.

Cruises are vastly different from other segment of the travel industry such as airlines and hotels. Finding the perfect ship is a lifestyle decision because, in the end, the ship IS the destination. Your fellow passengers, the dining program (which vary from one cruise line to another), the presence or absence of fitness facilities and nightlife will have an enormous affect on the enjoyment of your cruise.

Here are lifestyle factors to consider when narrowing down the selection process:

*** Do You Want To Dress Up? The diversity of ships means that you can choose to dress up a few nights per week or take only casual cruise attire. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Freestyle Cruising” means that you may dress up as much or little as you please. Neither NCL nor Oceania Cruises has suggested formal attire; most passengers opt for “country club casual” on special evenings.

*** Dining Programs. While the majority of mid-priced cruise ships still have conventional assigned, two-seating dining, Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises both offer single, open seating restaurants for those who prefer to dine when and with whom they please. Another option is picking a ship that offers a choice between the conventional two-seating dining program and total flexibility. For example, both Princess Cruises offers the most options because one restaurant has assigned two seating dining or you can opt to dine in another restaurant where single, open seating is the rule. Add to that a Lido restaurant open 24 hours per day, which pleases those who like maximum freedom in dining whenever they like. However, even Royal Caribbean and Carnival offer cruisers the option of dining when they wish or booking an assigned table. For traditional assigned, two seating dining I recommend Celebrity Cruises and Crystal Cruises.

** Your priorities. For this cruiser, the quality of cuisine is very important so that I head for cruise lines which offer the best fare such as Celebrity Carnival and the luxury lines. But whenever I want an upclose look at mother nature, I’ll head for a small ship. For example, in Alaska I’ll opt for a Cruise West voyage vs. conventional cruise ships. If your passion is cooking, Holland America may be a good bet since all ships in the fleet regularly scheduled cooking classes and lectures. Golfers may be happies on NCL, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Crystal and Silversea, which offers extensive golf programs wherever they sail.

*** Active or Laid Back? Those seeking Las Vegas-style nightlife – lavish floorshows, myriad bars, hopping casinos – will love Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. Aboard Queen Mary 2 you’ll find a long roster of superb guest lectures and classes and Holland America gives you to improve your culinary skills in workshops with the ship’s chefs. If you want to experience nature up close and make new friends Star Clippers, Cruise West and Windstar offer superb small ship experiences.

*** Families with children should check out the kids’ facilities when weighing the pros and cons of various vessels, but don’t forget to consider your own passions when picking a ship. You’ll find the largest number of families aboard the ships of Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines. These ships offer the most comprehensive children’s program and non-stop activities for the whole family.

*** Singles. Two cruise lines, Crystal Cruises and Cunard Line not only offer attractive singles rates but you’ll also find the greatest number of solo cruisers and more planned activities to enable you to connect with each other. As a single cruiser I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the authentic tall ships of Star Clippers where I’ve met new friends and enjoyed the camaraderie of being under sail; this cruise line also offers attractive single rates.

What is your favorite cruise line….any why?

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As one who spends an enormous amount of time trolling online cruise agencies to check out the best deals, I can tell you that it is a great deal of work. And, because prices change constantly it is nerve racking as well.  So when a new reverse auction company turned up promising to make bargain hunting much easier I perked right up.

MyBestFareFinder bring deals right to your inbox and eliminates the need to hop around the Internet searching for the best cruise prices.  After registering at the web site you simply fill out a form with your preferences (itinerary, ship, stateroom, departure date, etc.). After it is submitted, travel agents will bid for your business by offering the lowest price.  

What is especially appealing is there is no fee and or requirement to buy anything.   Your personal information, such as email, never appears until you decide to book with a specific travel agent.   And, MyBestFareFinder screens all travel agents who sign up to participate in the reverse auction to insusre they are legit. 

You’ll start receiving no-obligation offers in a few hours to a few days.   After a half dozen so quotes arrive by email from travel agents eager to get your business, it’s pretty safe to assume you’re getting a terrific deal.

As an added perk, you’ll find a travel agent who is more likely to be experienced in selling cruises. 

Happy bargain hunting!

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Royal Caribbean announced enhancements to the cruise line’s dining program that allows passengers to dine when and with whom they please.   The new flexible dining programs called My Time Dining and My Family Time Dining is available immediately fleetwide. 

My Time Dining provides guests with the flexibility to enjoy dinner in the main dining room whenever they wish during dining hours. Guests choosing My Time Dining will not have a pre-assigned table, but will be seated in the ship’s main dining room.  In addition, passengers opting for the new program can make reservations or walk-in whenever they please and either be seated with the party they arrive with or dine with other passengers.  

Passengers opting for My Time Dining must prepay gratuities and enroll onboard or in advance through www.RoyalCaribbean.com or the cruise line’s reservations department.  Passengers already booked can ask their travel agents to enroll them in the new program.

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“For a brief period (two years) of opportunistic curiosity, I worked on cruise ships, or, as I lovingly referred to them, three thousand drunks and a designated driver,” says DJ Hazard, a comedian who once worked aboard an unnamed ship, tells all in today’s San Francisco Examiner. 

Since most cruisers are curious about what it would be like to run off to sea and work aboard a behemoth, you’ll love his funny, poignant and at times acerbic report.  click here

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I can’t imagine what fun it is to sail on Royal Caribbean as a kid.  In my opinion the cruise line is tops when it comes to children’s programs in terms of designated on-board facilities, services and activities.  And, Royal Caribbean is making it even more fun for kids and their parents by adding new features.

*  “My Family Time Dining” is aims to help kids complete dinner within 45 minutes, freeing parents to have to enjoy coffee and desert at their leisure.  Kids counselors will be at the entrance to the main dining room in order to escort children to the Adventure Ocean children’s area for play. 

* ”Lunch and Play” option.  Lunch, movies, cartoons and play time is available for kids aged 3-11 who don’t want to make a break from friends.  For a service charge of $7.95 per child, children’s counselors will feed and entertain kids between noon and 2:00 p.m.

* “Royal Babies & Royal Tots Program”  Parents traveling with infants and toddlers can order organic baby food and diapers to be delivered to the stateroom rather than lugging supplies from home.  “Stroll & Roll” is a dedicated jogging track where parents with infants in strollers can exercise together and evening baby sitting services are available at a surcharge of $10 per hour.

* The new “Adventure Family Library” will offer classics and popular family titles and each night, bedtime stories will be accompanied by cookies and milk for kids in the library.

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line with dedicated teen spaces:  the Living Room and teen disco are off limits to adults. 

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