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Southern Living, Mar 2002 by Thompson, Annette

The Year To Cruise

Imagine lounging on a deck chair, the Caribbean sun warming your daydreams and the promise of an elegant dinner with dancing just a few hours away. If this sounds delightful, then pack your shorts, sunscreen, and evening wear-2002 promises to be one of the best years for cruising.

More ships embark from U.S. ports than ever before, while half of the vessels afloat today have been in service less than 15 years. This means that you receive more cruise choices at a lower cost, with better service. Bargains await those who purchase a cruise in advance, as well as those who book a last-minute deal. To find the best prices, surf these Internet sites, and then contact a travel agency such as the Southern Living Travel Service (11 -800-758-7477 or southernlivingvacations.com).

This may be the best year ever to sail the seas. Take a virtual cruise on the Internet to check out the best deals before booking your vacation this year.

Shipshape Savings

Late summer and fall have traditionally been the only times you could find lower fares. Although those seasons typically still feature great prices, cruise lines drop their fares quicker than an anchor in port when one of their ships doesn't fill up fast enough.

A boatload of Internet sites catalog the best last-minute deals. You'll want to check more than one or two, because each site highlights specials not offered anywhere else. Try www.cruise.com, www. cruise411.com, www.cruisestar.com, www.cruiseworldwide.com, www. cruisevacationguide.com, www.fun cruises.com, and www.cruisecritic. com. One of the most comprehensive lists of cruise bargains is at www. vacationstogo.com, while www. bestpricecruises.com helps you navigate such confusing issues as cabin selection, dining room seating and meals, smoking policies, and airfare arrangements.

If you can take a longer voyage, consider a repositioning cruise. These ships cast off from their normal routes to position themselves at new ports. You benefit from discount fares while visiting lesser-known areas.

When Different Is Better

The Titanic weighed only 46,000 tons; today's ships typically float about 70,000 to 142,000 tons. If the idea of a mega-ship sounds like a mega-- headache to you, smaller vessels focused on personalized service may be just what you're seeking.

Our favorite one-stop source for unusual sailings is at www.small shipcruises.com. Search by destination, cruise line, or even sailing ships, river cruises, freighter cruises, scuba cruises, and yacht charters. We especially like the section that explains how accessible a ship can be for wheelchairs. The site provides you with a set of tips to ensure that the ship you choose fits your needs.

If you want to take an extended ocean crossing, plan to spend an entire evening reading the selections under "Sailing Ships," which describe ship size, itineraries, and fares.

Shore Duties

Whether you're a cruise veteran or a first-time passenger, do some homework before setting sail. At www. cruisereviews.com, seasoned professionals not affiliated with a specific cruise line help determine which type of ship and itinerary are best for you.

Keep abreast of happenings in the cruise industry at www.cruisenews daily.com. The site offers information on new ships, ports of call and shore excursions, weather forecasts, and even cancellation insurance.

Direct From the Source

Before you make your final decision, look at the options on Web sites for individual cruise lines. We found excellent rates on www.raddison7seas. com, www.disneycruise.disney.go. com, www.regalcruises.com, and www.carnival.com. Bon Voyage!

ANNETTE THOMPSON

Connected Cruising

It's difficult to get totally away these days, and you may not want to. Many cruise lines now let you maintain a virtual line back home. Crystal Cruises (www.crystalluxurycruises.com) offers connections through your stateroom telephone. Princess Cruises (www.princess.com) boasts that one of its latest Love Boats, the Golden Princess, is the most cyber friendly. It features a wedding cam that beams live images of your shipboard wedding over the Internet, as well as a 24-hour AOL Internet Cafe so you can access your e-mail while plowing the deep blue sea.