WEDDING BELLS 2007
SMOOTH SAILING
Cruises offer honeymooners luxury and romance
A cruise to the Caribbean is still the No. 1 choice for honeymooners. But taking a cue from celebrity couples, a growing number of newlyweds are opting for a different kind of cruise experience.
As cruise options have grown, so have the cruise ships themselves. These floating resort hotels are bigger, sleeker and faster than their predecessors, offer larger, balconied staterooms and are loaded with attractions like Broadway- and Las Vegas-style productions, water parks, ice rinks, surfing pools, rock-climbing walls, shopping promenades, five-star restaurants, spas and casinos. Royal Caribbean International's new 3,600-passenger Liberty of the Seas, which debuted this year, is the largest ever built, one of 12 new mega-cruise ships being introduced this year. By 2009, it will be dwarfed by a still-unnamed Royal Caribbean behemoth that will carry more than 6,000 passengers. If you're looking for a honeymoon cruise on a more intimate scale, about a dozen cruise lines operate smaller ships (500 passengers or fewer) that have the advantage of access to secluded bays and remote natural harbors. Their unique itineraries can let you plan a honeymoon that includes snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands, sailing to Antarctica, or exploring the Norwegian coast. Many cruise lines offer special honeymoon packages with flowers and champagne in the stateroom, a cocktail party and photos. But be prepared to pay for some or all of these extras. "Research is essential," says Judy Wilson, a veteran cruise taker and cruise consultant who created www.cruisetravelspecialist.com which, among other things, provides specific honeymoon cruise advice. You must do your homework, she emphasizes. "All cruises are not the same in regard to ship size, cabin size, overall service, dining options, entertainment and type of crowd onboard." How far should you book in advance? The longer, the better, say cruise experts. Booking at least eight to 12 months ahead of time allows you to take advantage of early booking discounts and get your choice of location and type of stateroom. In most cases you can book directly though the cruise line although seasoned cruise takers and industry insiders say its better to go through a travel agent, in person or online. If you wait to catch last-minute discounts, you could wind up paying more in the end, unless you live near a major port. The cost of booking a plane flight at the last minute could wind up costing you as much if not more than what you would have spent had you booked in advance. Expect to pay anywhere from $3,500 and up for a basic weeklong honeymoon cruise - but beware that you may face additional expenses for side trips, tips, luxury dining, alcoholic drinks, beauty salon services and use of the ship's spa, which are added to your daily tab. "By nature, cruise lines offer intrinsically romantic vacation experiences," notes the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 21 member cruise lines that collectively operate 97 percent of the cruise business in North America. The association's Web site, www.cruising.org, provides a wealth of information about individual cruise lines, honeymoon packages, destinations and detailed information on ports of call worldwide. © Copley News Service Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com. |
