Cruise Travel Tips from a Top Cruise Agent

Cruise travel planning tips are useful, whether you’re planning your first cruise vacation, or looking to enhance your next vacation at sea. Using a travel agent who specializes in cruises is free (it’s the cruises that pay a commission, not you), and it’s the agent’s job to find the best cruise at the best rate for their clients. The Vacation Gals are happy to have Michelle Fee on hand to answer some cruising questions and give us some worthy cruise travel tips. Michelle Fee co-founded and co-owns Cruise Planners, the largest home-based cruise travel agent franchise in the U.S.  She also sits on the advisory boards of Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as the Cruise Line International Association. Named “Travel Agent of the Year” by Travel Trade (2006), Michelle clearly is a cruise expert. Here are some of her cruise travel tips and advice for finding a great cruise vacation.

I grew up watching The Love Boat on television. How are cruise vacations different today than they were in the 1980′s?

Oh gosh, where to start? My first cruise was on a ship called M/S Dolphin — I believe it was around 1982 and the ship’s tonnage was about 12,000 tons — and yes, it rocked and rolled to the point that I was begging to get off at the next port… little did I know that I would own one of the largest cruise companies in the U.S.  To compare that cruise shop to today’s ships is impossible. My last cruise was on the Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, which is over 220,000 tons; over 20 times bigger than the Dolphin, and much easier sailing in rough waters. Today, dining is any time, as compared to the Love Boat days of designated dining times. Also, in the Love Boat days, entertainment onboard was a main show, a late show, and a late night comedy show. Today, we still have those shows…  plus Broadway caliber shows, comedy clubs, ice skating, water theater, and dinner shows. The level of entertainment has skyrocketed.

When my daughter was 7, she slightly sprained her ankle on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship trip. She was very well taken care of. Are there standards and practices across the board regardless of cruise lines, of does each company set up their own rule regarding medical non-emergencies?

I’m pretty sure that each cruise line has strict guidelines on setting up their medical facilities at sea. I was just onboard with someone who fell and broke her arm, and they had full X-ray machines and caring medical staff to accommodate her pain management until she could get back to port and to a hospital. If there is a life threatening situation, they medevac then off the ship to the closest hospital.

Do you recommend certain cruise shops for certain vacations? That is, is one cruise line considered best for Alaska trips and another for transatlantic cruise vacations?

Each cruise line definitely has a personality — so although they might all give great service, have incredible dining experiences and sail to fabulous ports of call, each one is somewhat different.  For instance, Royal Caribbean has taken the trophy for “most innovative cruise line.” Their ships have rock climbing, surfing machines, zip lines, and more that make then wonderful for active travelers. Plus, in the evenings, Royal Caribbean has many entertainment choices like the Broadway hit “Hairspray,” ice skating, comedy shows, and, on the new Royal Caribbean ship Oasis of the Seas, there is an Aqua Theater for water shows. The ship is so large, Royal Caribbean actually gave the ship neighborhoods, such as Central Park and Boardwalk!

But let’s say that you don’t want a big ship experience and you do want more personalized service, would maybe like to see less children onboard, and perhaps more luxury. Then the Regent Cruise Line, Crystal Cruise Line, or Azamara Cruise Line ships would be the perfect choice. They cater to passengers’ every whim. Also, the smaller ships like Azamara feature unique ports of call that larger ships aren’t able to dock in. This accommodates the more experienced traveler, looking for a special cruise vacation.

Someone might say, “But how do you know what cruise line is right?” My suggestion, or tip, is simply to call a travel agent. That’s what our service is all about! And, it doesn’t cost “you” the customer a single dollar more to do business with us. We earn our dollars from the cruise line and it’s NOT cheaper to go direct. Actually, to the contrary, large cruise companies negotiate special deals with travel agents that might include extra amenities such as shipboard credits or upgrades.

Are cruise lines making changes in terms of environmental friendliness?

Today’s cruise lines are very much environmentally conscious. They have spent thousands of millions of dollars upgrading their fleets to reduced waste reduction and installing systems that have cleaner burning fuel. They are definitely doing their part to keep the waters clean.

Thinking about the future of cruising, what are you most excited about — what’s on the horizon for cruise trips?

I’m really excited about the future of cruising, and that the cruise industry continues to build new exciting ships with amazing features. The new Norwegian Epic, which begins sailing in July of this year, will wow the cruise industry with features including The Blue Man Group, Legends in Concert, Cirque Dinner Show, an ice bar, a bowling alley, and a private suite area with its own pools and dining features. It’s going to be amazing!  Goodbye, old Love Boat days, today’s cruising is more like staying at a floating, moving luxury hotel.

Thanks so much for your expertise and insight, Michelle! Anyone considering a cruise vacation should consider contacting a Cruise Planner agent and describe the perfect vacation; Michelle is certain that there is a ship in the water that suits every person’s style.