Some Tips for Choosing a Cruise Line

Some Tips for Choosing a Cruise Line

After being on over a hundred different cruise lines, good, bad and horrible, I think I can give you some advice on what to look for when selecting a cruise line whether you book it yourself or work with a seasoned travel professional who can perhaps help you get a better price for many reasons.

Frosch is part of the Signature Travel Network which does tremendous volume around the world and has clout in getting the best price for its clients, such as room upgrades, early check in, late check out, two for one prices, and many other offers from time to time.

If the Concordia disaster has taught us anything, it has to be taking safety into consideration when you choose a cruise line. You’ve all seen those pictures of packed decks and corridors with people trying to get off the ship.

It is a good idea to check out the safety record of a cruise line and also the nationality of the officers and crew. Under U.S. Coast Guard rules and the International Maritime Organization or IMO, the U.N. Agency that governs passenger shipping, cruise lines must conduct a safety drill within 24 hours of sailing. Called a “muster drill” it must include instructions on the use of life jackets and how and where to gather in an emergency.

Ships must also have public address systems for announcements to passengers and everyone is required to have a life jacket. There must be enough lifeboats for all passengers and crew, be at least partially enclosed, and capable of being loaded, launched and maneuvered away from the ship within 30 minutes of the signal to abandon ship.

You want to make sure that English is the predominant language so you will be understood and understand the instructions given by the crew. Ships that are heavily marketed in Europe will always have announcements in several languages. The most I have personally encountered is nine. Just imagine sitting through all the announcements in nine different languages. I said to myself – never again, I don’t care what a bargain price it was.

Remember, the bigger the ship, the longer it takes to get off. If you are not taking a shore excursion, some ships make you wait until all these tours have taken off.

If you are sailing in Europe, your ship make pick up and drop off passengers at most stops so you may not get the boat drill for several days. According to international Maritime Law, a ship must hold its muster drill within 24 hours of sail away. In North America, a ship must hold its muster drill within 24 hours of sail away. In North American waters, I have never been on a ship that didn’t hold the boat drill before leaving port The U.N. Convention dealing with maritime safety sets minimum standards for basic safety training for all crew members.

Another important item is if one of the passengers is on a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair. You take much longer to get into position and in a panic situation, you would need the assistance of a crew member.

Working with a travel professional is a big help in answering a lot of questions for you as if they have not been on the particular cruise line you are interested in, there is a good possibility that another agent in their office has been on it and can advise.

Cruising is a wonderful experience for all ages, and well worth the money.

Maureen Jones

All Horizons Travel/Frosch

825 Santa Cruz Ave

Menlo Park, CA 94025

650-961-2340 direct