What's more, many cruise lines have become unabashedly family-friendly. Most of the newer ships and many of the others feature pizzerias, deli-style snack bars, 24-hour buffets, specialty restaurants, and other food alternatives. (Gone are the days of assigned seating and formal dinners on many ships.) The larger ships offer rock-climbing walls (on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines only), yoga classes, cooking instruction, and seminars on subjects like entertaining and sea legends.
All of these offerings should be taken into account as you're shopping around for the best deal. Keep in mind that travelers rarely pay the brochure rate, also known as the rack rate, except during the holidays and for special cruises. With a little work, you can find rates as much as 50 percent lower. Here's how:
• Check out the deals at high-volume cruise-only agencies. Like hotel brokers, these agencies buy cabins in bulk and then resell them to consumers. Uniglobe, a cruise broker, lists deals and packages for all the major cruise lines, such as Disney and Princess, on its Web site.
• Make arrangements well before your trip. Many cruise lines offer 20 to 40 percent discounts for bookings made six months in advance.
• Share a cabin. On most cruise lines, the first two passengers pay full fare and the third and fourth persons in a cabin, whether kids or Grandma, cruise for as much as 60 percent less.
• Consider when you cruise. Value-season rates (they differ by cruise line and time of year) are often 10 to 15 percent less than peak-season prices.
Above all, when shopping for a cruise, make sure the ship you select suits your family. Read on to find out what the top cruise lines offer for families.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated June 2005.
