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Important Information to Help You Plan a Cruise.
Whether
you want a quick three-day jaunt to sample the pleasures of the Caribbean or a
month-long excursion to explore exotic ports in Asia and the South Pacific, chances
are a cruise ship can take you there. And with prices plummeting due to the decrease
in traveling since the attacks on September 11, now is the right time for the
budget-minded to set sail. This list, a basic run-down of the major cruiselines,
will give you the essential information you need to start planning your next cruise!
| CARNIVAL |
CUNARD |
THE
BASICS: Largest cruise line
in the world with 16 ships, has carried more passengers than any other line. Cruises
depart from Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa,
New Orleans, San Juan, Los Angeles and Galveston.
DESTINATIONS: Alaska,
Bahamas, Canada, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal.
AMENITIES: New
in-cabin amenities include baskets and terrycloth robes. Ship perks include Internet
cafés to send and receive email, expanded children's program and Nautica
Spa, where you can get a pedicure, a massage and more.
PRICE
RANGE:
from
$250 (3-Night Bahamas Cruise)
(per
person, based
on double occupancy in standard stateroom, not including airfare)
WEBSITE:
www.carnival.com
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THE
BASICS: Home
of the only transatlantic cruise, Cunard's fleet includes Queen Elizabeth 2 and
the Caronia. Coming in 2003 is
the Queen Mary 2, the largest, longest, tallest and widest passenger ship ever
built. Offers themed cruises.
DESTINATIONS:Transatlantic,
South Africa, Asia/India, the Americas, Mediterranean, Scandiavias/Europe/Africa.
AMENITIES: All
cabins include 24-hour room service, TV/radio, direct dial telephone, hair dryer,
nightly turn-down service, daily newspaper, full bathroom with shower and/or
bathtub. Spas on ship.
PRICE RANGE:
$1,200
(Summer in New England) - $24,200
(World Cruise)
(per
person, based on
double occupancy in
standard stateroom, not including airfare)
WEBSITE:
www.cunardline.com
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CRYSTAL |
HOLLAND
AMERICA |
THE
BASICS: 2
ships, carrying about 950 passengers each.
DESTINATIONS: Alaska/Canada,
Canada/New England, Transoceanic, Panama Canal, Mexico, Caribbean, South America,
Africa, Asia, Mediterrenean, Russia.
AMENITIES: In
every stateroom: Goose down pillows, Scandinavian comforters, large oversized
towels (including 17 lb. Dundee bath towels), plush terry cloth robes, wood and
padded hangers, TV and VCR, two hair dryers and makeup mirror. Ship perk: Take
computer classes while sailing the seas,Spas redesigned in Feng Shui style.
PRICE RANGE:
$3,425
(9-Night Caribbean Cruise) - $13,800 (34-Night Trans Pacific Cruise) (per
person, based on double occupancy in standard stateroom, not including airfare)
WEBSITE: www.crystalcruises.com
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THE
BASICS: 10
ships. Cruises
depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, San Juan, New York, San Diego and Vancouver.
DESTINATIONS: Alaska,
Asia/Pacific, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal,
South America, World Voyage
AMENITIES: Full-length double closets, deep dresser drawers, direct-dial
phone, A/C, closed-circuit TV with movies, world news and cruise activities in
every stateroom. Ship perks: Guests can enjoy the Ocean Spa for the full treatment, from facials
to massages to aromatherapy and hair styling.
PRICE RANGE:
$400
(5-Night Caribbean Cruise) - $25,000 (90+day World Voyage) (per
person, based on double occupancy in standard stateroom, not including airfare)
WEBSITE: www.hollandamerica.com
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NORWEGIAN |
PRINCESS |
THE
BASICS: Norwegian Cruise Line operates a fleet of nine ships sailing to more than 200
ports around the world. Currently building Norwegian Dawn, a 2,200-passenger ship
that will launch December 2002.
DESTINATIONS: Alaska,
Asia, Bermuda, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Panama Canal, South
America, Australia/S.Pacific.
AMENITIES: All
ships are new or recently refurbished and incorporate features as an Internet
cafe for those wishing to go online at sea. Also offers Freestyle Cruising --
you get one-to-one attention from a large staff and you can dine when, where and
with whomever you choose.
PRICE RANGE:
$280 (3-Night
Caribbean Cruise) - $4,000 (23-Night Orient/Asia Cruise) (per
person, based on
double occupancy in
standard stateroom, not including airfare)
WEBSITE: www.ncl.com
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THE
BASICS: Having
gained acclaim on the TV show The Love Boat, Princess is one of the three
largest cruise lines in the world. Its fleet of nine ships carries more than 600,000
passengers each year to more worldwide destinations than any other major line.
DESTINATIONS: Offering
more than 150 itineraries ranging from seven to 72 days, Princess sails to six
continents and calls at more than 230 ports around the world. Destinations include
the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Europe, Mexico, South America, South Pacific,
Hawaii/Tahiti, Orient/Asia, India, Africa, Holy Land, Canada/New England, Bermuda
and world voyages.
AMENITIES: Princess
has one of the best security systems in the cruise industry with A-PASS -- a system
that embeds detailed information on a magnetic strip on the passenger cruise identification
card. Upon check-in, A-PASS automatically takes the passenger's photo and, from
that point on, it becomes possible to verify a guest's identity at any gangway.
PRICE
RANGE:
$400
(7-Night Caribbean Cruise) - $1,900 (15-Night Panama Canal Cruise)
WEBSITE: www.princess.com |
ROYAL
CARIBBEAN |
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THE
BASICS: 17
ships.
DESTINATIONS: Alaska,
Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/New
England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Pacific Northwest, Panama Canal, South
America, Transatlantic
AMENITIES: On some Royal Caribbean ships, you'll find rock-climbing walls, basketball courts,
ice skating rinks, five-story theatres and spas/fitness centers.
PRICE RANGE:
$250
(3-Night Bahamas Cruise)
to $2,000 (15-Night Australia Cruise) (per
person, based on
double occupancy in
standard stateroom, not including airfare)
WEBSITE: www.royalcaribbean.com |
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 Don't
forget: If you want interactive, 360-degree photos of cruise ships and rooms,
make sure to check out the cruise lines' websites, where you'll also find live
web cams (and sometimes maps showing where certain ships are located in real time).
As for the photos on this page, hold your mouse over a certain photo for a few
seconds to learn more about it!
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