Be prepared to pay more for '05 cruise

By Seattle Times staff and news services

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Other links Sign up for Travel e-mail NWsource: Travel

Passengers who have been used to cruise bargains may face higher prices next year. "It's about supply and demand, as always," said Terrance Zepke, author of "The Encyclopedia of Cheap Travel."

Although demand for cruising keeps rising, fewer ships are being built. From 2000 to 2004, major cruise lines introduced 62 new vessels. Only three new ships are scheduled to set sail in 2005, and six in 2006.

Most orders for new ships take four to six years to fill, and the cruise industry had a severe slowdown in orders after the 2001 terrorist attacks. Cruise bookings then boomed, in part because lines reduced prices to fill cabins. "Now the cruise climate has changed. To get what you want, you'll need to set your sights further out," says Anne Campbell, editor of Cruisemates.com. That means booking four to six months in advance, she said.

Many Christmastime cruises were booked solid by August.

"Homeland" cruising — from drive-to ports such as New York, Baltimore, Seattle and Los Angeles — has boomed. And with Sept. 11 fears fading, Americans are cruising overseas, too.

According to the International Council of Cruise Lines, there were 7.1 million embarkations at U.S. ports in 2003, a 9.4 percent increase from 2002. CLIA estimates 10.6 million North Americans will take a cruise this year.

To find the best fares, first check with the cruise lines and look on their Web sites for specials. Comparison-shop by checking some of the larger Web travel agencies, such as Expedia, CheapTickets, Travelocity and Orbitz and the cruise specialists such as Cruise.com and Bestpricecruises.com.

If you don't have Internet access, comparison-shop by calling cruise specialists such as Cruises Inc. (800-854-0500) and Cruises Only (800-278-4737). Closer to home, many local travel agents specialize in cruises and can give advice and find discounts.

Also check end-of-season cruises (such as Seattle-Alaska cruises in May and September) and repositioning cruises, during which lines move fleets from one part of the globe to another to accommodate the seasons.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

E-mail this article

Print this article

Search archive

More travel/outdoors headlines...