Senior Highlights....

CRUISE DESTINATIONS AND DISCOUNTS:

STILL A TOP TRAVEL VALUE FOR SENIORS

Cruising continues to be one of the best values for vacationing seniors. Worldwide destinations, all-inclusive prices, and a wide variety of styles and budgets have allowed cruise vacations to continue unprecedented growth.

Taking to the high seas in record numbers, around five million passengers vacationed on a ship in 1995. With new ships being introduced at a record pace, new itineraries and ports of call, and a wide variety of discounts and packages, cruising has become the fastest growing segment of the travel and tourism industry.

Several unique elements have played a role in cruising's growing popularity with seniors and others. First, there's the ease of booking a cruise, as the entire vacation is arranged with one phone call or visit to a travel agent. Second, passengers, can visit a variety of ports and countries around the world without the bother of frequent packing and unpacking, not to mention numerous air and land transfers. Additionally, a cruise is an all-inclusive package which typically includes air transportation, transfers, accommodations, meals, and entertainment, thereby making budgeting easy.

One additional unique element that enhanced the popularity of cruising with seniors was the long-running "Love Boat" television show, which is still in re-runs around the world. The show brought the romance and fun of cruising into millions of homes each week. Princess Cruises, the original Love Boat fleet, has even appointed Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod) as the company's official spokesman. He is surely the ultimate senior sailor!

The rising demand over the past decade has sparked dramatic industry change, including the introduction of new cruise operators, many mergers, and competition-fed discounts. Ship design has changed as well, with the trend toward larger ships with hotel-like designs and amenities. These new ships, combined with new ports of call and discounting, mean even veteran senior cruisers can find unique sailings and discounts.

"Seniors have always been sophisticated in terms of buyer awareness," says cruise expert Larry Fishkin, president of The Cruise Line, Inc., a leading discount cruise and information center, based in Miami. "However, new ships, new destinations, and constantly changing promotional discounts demand innovative strategies for matching the clients' needs to the right ship and best values.

"The key to choosing the right cruise at the right price is finding a knowledgeable cruise agency or cruise agent," says Fishkin. "The agency must be plugged into the information highway and be able to translate that information to their agents so that consumers can benefit from both advertised and unadvertised specials."

Fishkin advises seniors to seek the advice of a qualified cruise consultant who understands the itineraries and personalities of the various ships. More importantly, the cruise agent must always be on top of the latest promotions and regional specials offered by the cruise lines, which are often unadvertised. For instance, Cruise Line, Inc. has new specials come in on a daily basis, thanks to their large volume and buying power. "This is the only way a client can be assured of getting the best cruise buy on a ship that is most suitable to his or her needs," he says.

The new mega-ships offer the biggest development in the industry. Carnival's new Destiny, Princess's Sun, and Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas are just a few of the examples of the new era in ships. Many more large ships will follow in the years to come, with an ever-expanding list of things to see and do on and off the liners.

Along with new ships, there are many popular old and new ports of call. Old favorites include the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, New England, the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal, South America, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Alaska's Inside Passage, an Atlantic crossing on the QEII, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Far East. More exotic or unique possibilities include the Orient, Asia, India, Africa, round-the-world cruises, freighters, sailing ships, river cruises, and adventure cruises. New ports are constantly being added to many of these, as well as other, itineraries. The discounts are as numerous as the ships and sailings.

Here is a brief description of 10 types of cruise discounts that were recently available through The Cruise Line, Inc. For further information, contact them at 800-777-0707 or visit knowledgeable travel agent. Cyber-seniors may also want to check out the Cruise Critic on America Online, which offers in-depth reviews and information.

1--Senior Citizen Specials: Reduced rates for seniors on select sailings are commonly used by Costa, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. One passenger in the cabin must be at least 55 years old. Seniors with flexible schedules should also ask about stand-by rates, which are not confirmed until three weeks before sailing. The Cruise Line, Inc. publishes five free guides to cruising, including Cruise Guide for Seniors.

2--Two-for-Ones: This is one of the best cruise discounts currently available. Princess offers more two-for-ones (usually regional) than any other line, but Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Holland America, Sun Line (now Royal Olympic), and Windstar also offer these discounts on a consistent, but selective, basis. Holland America and Princess also commonly offer 50%-80% discounts to second passengers.

3--Added Value: Consistently offered by Holland America, Costa, and Orient Lines, this may include gifts, free shore excursions, or free pre- or post-cruise hotel rooms.

4--Flat Rate Specials: Flat rate specials usually give one fixed price for the best available inside or outside cabin at the time of booking.

5--Reduced Rate Air Add-Ons: Air add-on rates are offered by many cruise lines in conjunction with their cruise-only rates. For example, an air rate of $499 from Los Angeles to Miami might be reduced to $99 or $199 per person.

6--Repositioning Cruises: A change of itinerary is common with many cruise lines, particularly with ships that reposition between the Caribbean and Europe or Alaska each season. Some repositioning cruises are deeply discounted.

7--Free Upgrades: Popular with Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, these upgrades are often unadvertised.

8--Early Booking Discounts: According to Fishkin, booking at the last minute doesn't always result in the lowest rate. Many lines give their best rates to early booking passengers, with specific cutoff dates.

9--Discount for Full Payment in Advance: It pays to pay ahead with lines like Seabourn and Silversea. For example, if you pay for a Silversea cruise six months in advance of sailing you receive a 15% discount.

10--3rd/4th Passenger or Kids Go for Free or at a Reduced Rate: Great for families and extended families, Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Holland, Premier, and Royal Caribbean often offer these popular discounts.