At sea over vacation plans?

Go cruising for cruise-ship bargains

From CNNfn Correspondent Bill Dorman

June 29, 2000
Web posted at: 12:18 p.m. EST (1618 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- More travelers are taking their vacations to the open sea, and the cruise industry is eager to make room for them.

The number of people who took a cruise rose from 5.4 million to 5.8 million between 1998 and 1999, and that's expected to leap this year to 6.5 million, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents cruise lines serving North America.

Fifteen new ships will head out of port in the next year, and the total berth capacity is expected to increase by 50 percent in the next four years.

To fill those cabins, the cruise industry says it will try to absorb rising fuel prices to attract new customers.

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"It's a great opportunity right now in terms of the bargains," said Jim Godsman, president of the cruise association. "You get those people taking that first cruise; and if you can get them, that is annuity that can pay off going down, down the path."

Cruises for shallow pockets

Cruise prices start at less than $100 a day and go up to about $1,000. You can buy direct from the cruise line, or search for bargains at a cruise consolidator. Spur of the Moment Cruises, the Cruise Value Center, Galaxy and others offer discounts of up to 50 percent.

"These are all really good, reputable companies that just happen to sell cruises for a lot less than you would pay buying from the cruise line directly," said Bill McCoy of Frommer's Budget Travel.

First-time cruisers should research the ships very carefully. There are more than 1,800 ports of call, and ships vary in size and the types of people to whom they cater. Accommodations are similarly diverse, ranging from bunks in windowless cabins to roomy suites sporting balconies, minibars and closets.

Also, travel experts recommend finding out exactly how much extras such as alcohol and shore excursions will cost, so you can budget your vacation accurately.

"All ships are not the same," Godsman said, "and it's very important that you get matched up, because if you get matched up and you have a wonderful vacation, you come back."

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