Cruise with Confidence

From packing to tipping to going ashore, follow our expert advice for your best trip ever.

This is paradise! As I sit here under the shade of a thatched-roof cabana, a warm tropical breeze ruffles the turquoise sea. I'm sipping fruity rum punch and writing postcards. My home away from home-the mammoth cruise ship Caribbean Princess-floats just offshore waiting to ferry me to my next destination.

My assignment on this trip: Figure out what travelers should know about planning, booking, and taking their first cruise. Whether you're longing for a romantic getaway or planning a special family trip, cruises make fabulous vacations, and the South claims a number of convenient ports from which to sail.

Plunking down a large lump sum can be intimidating. But calculate your per diem cost for food, lodging, transportation, and entertainment. Compared to a traditional vacation, you'll find that cruising can be quite economical. In fact, with gas prices so high, it may be the best deal going right now.

We'll walk you through the basics of cruising here, but we encourage you to question friends and family who have cruised, surf the Internet for sources of information, and visit with a trusted travel agent. Before you know it, you'll set sail on the trip of a lifetime.

Top Five Questions To Ask

Long before you ever contact a travel agent or begin searching the Internet for great deals, you'll need to answer a bevy of important questions.

1 Where do we want to go? Ocean liners leaving from Southern ports will take you to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico, the Panama Canal, and Bermuda.

2 How long is our trip going to last? Cruises can last a few days or stretch for months, but your itinerary will determine the length of your cruise. Southern Living reader Bette Pettit of Miami says she and husband Jim booked several short cruises first because they weren't sure if they'd like it. They've since signed on for longer trips, which they highly recommend.

3 What's our budget? Most cruises include standard meals, accommodations, kids' programs, and entertainment in their prices. Sodas, alcohol, shore excursions, alternative dining, spa treatments, and tips all cost extra. Plan to spend a minimum of a few hundred dollars per person in addition to the base price of your cruise.

4 Are we planning to fly or drive to meet the ship? A number of Southern ports-Galveston and Houston, Texas; Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans; Jacksonville, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; and Baltimore-have opened cruise terminals in recent years to service the drive-in market. Parking fees vary, so be sure to add this cost when calculating your budget. Whether you drive or fly, plan to arrive at least a day in advance, says Southern Living Associate Travel Editor Wanda McKinney. "You want to get there without being stressed out about missing your boat," she says. "The extra day also gives you a chance to explore the port city."

5 When can we go? As soon as you settle on the dates, you're ready to begin shopping for the cruise that best fits your needs. Be sure to check prices just before and just after your desired time frame to see if there's a significant difference. For example, prices for Caribbean cruises run highest from Christmas through mid-April, but you might be able to score a better deal if you go the week after New Year's.

Internet vs. Travel Agent

Some first-time cruisers such as Sunny Wood of Dallas, Texas, feel perfectly at ease booking a cruise online. "It could not have been easier," she claims. "We're really happy with what we got for our money."

Others use the Internet as a research tool; then they turn to an agency for expert advice. "A travel agent should be your advocate," says Becky Williams, a cruise specialist at Brownell Travel in Birmingham. "We take care of all the details. Also, because we book so many cruises, we're able to offer extra amenities such as onboard credit for the spa or gift shops."

Most important, travel agents can often meet or beat the deals online, all for a nominal fee. Becky says her average surcharge ranges from $20 to $25 per booking.

How To Choose Your Cruise

With the number of companies, ships, and itineraries available today, even sophisticated travelers have a hard time navigating the sea of options. Still, finding a cruise that meets your needs is critical.

* Picking a cruise line. There's a cruise for every personality and every budget. Place these criteria-food, service, itinerary, and entertainment- in order of importance, and you'll begin to get a feel for what's a priority for you. The questions on page 25 will help you get started.

* The early bird gets the best cabin. Thanks to the immense popularity of cruising these days, last-minute bargains are increasingly hard to find. Early-booking incentives often yield the best deals. Becky recommends her clients commit nine months to one year in advance. "If you wait to the last minute to book, you're gambling, especially if you're cruising with three or four people in your party," Becky notes. "Cruise ships only have so many rooms that will hold that many people. The best cabins in the best locations book up months in advance."