Summer Cruisin' - Travel Tips to Enjoy Your Cruise

By Amy Dunn

Ahh... summertime. Warm weather, school is out, longer days, and of course-vacation. Just because this summer is flying by does not mean you missed your chance to book a relaxing getaway cruise!

FINDING THE BEST CABIN LOCATION
There's a lot of confusion and misinformation concerning cabin location
choice on modern cruise ships. High speed elevators whisk passengers from lower to higher decks and return in seconds. Modular construction insures that cabins on lower decks are identical with their counterparts further up. If these premises are correct, what should the savvy cruise traveler be looking for in their cruise cabin location and does it really matter at all?

Modern cruise ships are fully stabilized and in normal weather conditions,
display no discernible difference in motion between deck locations. Our vast super liners ensure the comfort of even the most motion sensitive passengers in almost all circumstances. However, in some inclement weather scenarios, cabins closest to center ship may have less motion than forward or aft cabins. Imagining a pendulum will explain the comparative motion as it relates to deck location. Ironically, cabins located on lower decks are generally lower in cost and yet also may indicate less motion under certain conditions than a comparable higher deck cabin.

Based on these assumptions, why pay a higher rate for a higher deck cabin? It comes down to convenience. On many cruise ships, decks that contain restaurants, show rooms, pool decks, spas etc tend to be on middle to higher decks which are more easily accessible from higher deck cabins. The decision of whether to pay more is more a function of budget limitation rather than overall enjoyment of the cruise experience. The choice is yours.

UPGRADING YOUR CRUISE CABIN
Getting an upgrade on your cruise cabin means that you pay a lower rate and get a cabin which is listed in a higher category on the published deck plan without paying a supplement. Upgrades may be in the same cabin type such as inside to inside (no ocean view) but located on a higher deck or they may be in a different cabin type such as inside to outside (ocean view). How can the savvy cruise traveler arrange a cabin upgrade?

1. Special Promotions - Cruise Lines sometimes offer cabin upgrades as an incentive based on a qualifying factor. The qualification may be membership in a past passenger group, a group promotion, payment with a certain credit card, frequent flier promotion, or other qualification. Check with your agent at the time of booking to confirm whether any of these promotions are available.

2. Guarantee- To Be Assigned (TBA) Some cruise lines permit booking in a guaranteed category with the POSSIBILITY of upgrade with the actual cabin number assignment being made closer to sailing date. As the name implies, the passenger is guaranteed that his cabin will be at least the equivalent of the rate paid. Booking on a guaranteed TBA requires some flexibility on the part of the passenger but in many cases, rewards this flexibility with a cabin upgrade

3. Registration for Upgrade - Some cruise lines allow passengers to register for a possible upgrade if one becomes available. This approach normally gives the client an immediate cabin number and the option of accepting or rejecting an upgrade if available. The upgrade option is usually offered close to sailing date.