High Season: Holiday weeks; Late January - mid-April; June - August

Disadvantages and Advantages: Here too, holiday sailings and break weeks continue to be in high demand with families. The weather is in the 70’s - 80’s, making it a popular escape for northerners. In addition, the summer season continues to be popular with families, but offers a lot less choice because most lines reposition their ships in Alaska for the summer.

Low/Shoulder Season: Early January and May; October - November

Disadvantages and Advantages of Off Season: A more adult-oriented atmosphere can be found, along with a variety of cruise options since most of the major cruise lines offer at least a few sailings in the autumn months. Early-January and late-April dates can be an especially good value with smaller crowds and fewer kids, since school is back is session after holiday or spring break times.

Carnival Cruiselines offers 3 or 4 day sailings as well as 7 days sailings year around sailing out of Los Angeles. With some shorter sailings out of San Diego from now until early April.

Royal Caribbean offers year around 7 day sailings from Los Angeles.

Holland America offers 7 day sailings out of San Diego from now until early April and then their ships will head out for the Alaska Season and return in early October and sail until April 2011.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers 7 day sailings out of Los Angeles until the end of April and then will start sailing for the Holidays in December and sail until April 2011.

Princess Cruises will offer 7 day sailings out of Los Angeles until the end of April then their ships will relocate for the Alaska Season returning at the end of November and sail until April 2011.

A “guarantee” cabin selection is where you pay for the cabin category you are willing to take but you allow the cruise line to select the cabin for you. You are guaranteed to get accommodated in minimum category you have selected; you will never get a lower category. But, by choosing a guarantee you have an excellent opportunity of being upgraded to a higher category, usually within the same cabin type (inside to inside, outside to outside, verandah to verandah etc.). While it does happen, it’s rare to be upgraded to a higher cabin type.
On the other hand, you might not only end up in the category you paid for, you could get a cabin in an undesirable location that you would never have chosen for yourself; at that point, you can’t complain about it.

If you like to gamble a guarantee category cabin is for you! A guarantee can be a really good deal. For those of you that are feeling lucky and you know what the disadvantages might be, and you can accept that. Take the chance and the great deal. If, on the other hand, you’d be miserable getting that cabin all the way at the very front of the ship at the lowest level you’d be better off just choosing your cabin at the outset.

Upgrades happen sometimes when a cruise line has a ship in which a certain category of cabin has sold out or is in an “oversell” situation, meaning that more cabins have been sold in that category than actually exist. The cruise line can hardly downgrade someone who has paid for their cruise, so they select certain passengers and upgrade them to whatever has more availability. That’s where a guarantee category can be a good deal; as for the random selection, it’s the luck of the draw.

To big questions that face Cruisers who take the risk of booking a cabin guarantee are: This there a big enough savings to make the suspense worth it? And, perhaps even more important, what are the chances you’ll end up with an upgrade?

Cruisers who book their cruise with a cabin assignment, other cruisers who book a guarantee are only promised a stateroom (somewhere, anywhere on the ship) in the exact same category that they’ve chosen. The actual cabin may not be assigned until sometime after your booking usually closer to departure.
Cruisers are guaranteed a cabin in the category they’ve purchased, with the possibility of an upgrade. You give up the chance to pick your spot — midship, high deck, low deck, etc.

The Money-wise advantages of a guarantee depend on cruise lines. In some cases, even if you don’t get an upgrade you can still save a few bucks. Carnival is among those that sell guarantee cabins at slightly lower fares.

Holland America and Princess are among the cruiselines that permit cabin assignments or guarantees, in a particular category, but you’ll pay the same price. The enticement of the guarantee is the possibility of an upgrade — and it does happen with these cruiselines. If you book a guarantee in a certain category and that category is full, you might get upgraded. On the other hand, someone else (perhaps a member of the past-passenger program with higher status) might get upgraded and you might get their cabin in your category. There’s no way to tell.

Unless you will be happy with a cabin in that category don’t book a guarantee! In other words, if you will not be happy with anything less than a Balcony, don’t book an oceanview guarantee.

The cruise line is not required to give you a cabin in a higher category than you booked! Book a guarantee exactly like you would book an assigned cabin — book the least expensive category that you will be happy with. If you receive an upgrade it will be a nice surprise, but not something you should count on.

“When will I get my cabin assignment?” Sorry to say, there is no answer to that question. A lot of variables play in to that answer. Like how full your particular sailing is. Either way, waiting for a cabin assignment is a pre-cruise ritual.

If you are not a picky sailor and the cruiseline is offering a lower fare than the least expensive assigned cabin, go for it. You are guaranteed to get at least what you paid for or you just might be lucky and get a fabulous upgrade.
If you’re very particular about location, then a guarantee definitely isn’t for you.

Newer cruise ships are expanding the size of even their most basic cabins to give cruise guests the opportunity to cocoon in peace and quiet before returning to the cruise action.

There are plenty of suite categories available but some of them, especially on older ships, are neither significantly bigger nor considerably more elegant than standard cabins are on newer ships.

Suites on most ships are the first category to sell out, partly because there are fewer of them.

Family: Most of the newer ships have built “family accommodations” into the actual design. These are often suites with a separate room for the kids, sometimes a small alcove with bunk beds, sometimes an entire adjoining cabin.

Butler Service: Having one can be a wonderfully pampering experience, and some cruise lines include the butler service as part of your fare when you select a suite or “concierge level” cabin.

Choosing a stateroom can be fun and challenging at the same time, and not just a little bit frustrating on occasion. Before booking your stateroom, ask yourselves these questions:

Do you tend to get seasick?

Do you prefer to nest peaceably on your balcony rather than hangin’ with the crowd around the pool area?

Conversely, is your idea of a stateroom simply a place to flop into bed at 1 a.m. — no fancy notions necessary?

And do you, like me, tend to go just a little bit crazy if all of your cabin furnishings face aft when you know you’re moving forward?

Despite the fact that some cruise lines present as many as 20 or more “categories” per ship, it’s helpful to remember that there are essentially only four types of cabin on any cruise vessel:

Inside: no window, in an inside corridor
Outside: window or porthole with a view to outside
Balcony: a verandah allows you to step outside without going up to a public deck
Suite: mini, junior, superior, deluxe, grand, owner’s, penthouse, garden or villa

It’s the combonation (size, location, amenities and price, for example) of the four basic cabin types that can make choosing difficult, so we are providing a guide to help you make the selection that is best for you. Note: Staterooms designed for physically challenged guests can fall into any of the above categories and will not be separated out.

Location, Location, Location

The “real estate” that your stateroom occupies, no matter the type, can either make you seasick or keep you up all night with noise — or it can lull you like a baby and provide exquisite views of your surroundings.

Stability: The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. Even if you choose a balconied stateroom, choose the lowest level and the most midship one you can find.

For Your Viewing Pleasure: Aft balconied staterooms can make you feel as though you are at the end of the world, offering 180-degree views over the stern’s wake. And, the balconies are almost always at least 50 percent bigger than standard balconies located along the sides of the ship. There are some disadvantages to this location. They are at the very back and can be far away from a lot of activities. Also, they are usually uncovered or only partially covered. Finally, they are almost always “stepped out,” allowing cabins and decks above you to look down into your balcony.

Front-facing balconied cabins are almost always suites.

For assistance in choosing the right cabin for your cruise you can contact me locally in Ft Lauderdale at 954 757 8206 or by email at erdmanj@discountcruises.com to book today.

Besides her significant size, there were many elements to this ship that I found impressive – and some that I was surprised by. I expected to be overwhelmed by the distances that would have to be covered getting from one place to another. I also thought I would have trouble remembering where all the points of interest – restaurants, lounges, showrooms, shops, rides, activity areas – were located. However, I found the layout of the ship to be logical, which made navigation fairly easy. The ship also had interactive flat screen navigation aids on each floor that were quite helpful whenever I wasn’t sure exactly where a particular destination was. Getting around was surprisingly quick and convenient for a ship this large.

Following are some specific comments – positive and negative – about certain features of the ship. Since we were on board for just a few days, I was unable to take advantage of everything the ship has to offer.

Our cabin
We had an outside cabin with a balcony. It was rather small, but I found the cabin to be comfortable and well designed. The beds were the most comfortable I have slept on at sea. The balcony was spacious enough and private.

I liked the glass door (vs. curtain) in the shower.

There is In-cabin internet access (via TV) which could eliminate the need to lug a laptop onboard or to have to go to an internet café and perhaps wait for a terminal.

Public Areas and Attractions
I found the Central Park, the Boardwalk, and The Royal Promenade areas to be very well designed with lots of fun things to do. These areas clearly bring a sense of energy and liveliness to the ship, and I enjoyed spending time in these areas.

The Solarium at the front of the ship was amazing. I found it an extraordinarily relaxing place to be while out at sea. We also ate lunch at the Bistro and the found the food very delightful.

The main dining facilities were excellent, as was the service and the quality of the food.

The main showroom was excellent. We had no problem getting a good seat. The seats were comfortable and easy to get to – even middle seats. Also, even the seats in the very back of the balcony offered good viewing.

We also liked having reservations for the bigger shows. The procedure worked quite well and surely will help with crowd control when the ship is full.

The Aqua Theatre performance was still in rehearsal and still being refined, but we were quite impressed with the acrobatics and athleticism of the performers.
On this particular cruise, the Zip Line wait was too long for such a short ride.

The Fitness Center is extremely well equipped and spacious. The Spa is enormous compared to the size on other ships.

The basketball court was easily the best I’ve seen on any ship. It is also full length and is shielded for the wind.

This is a truly magnificent ship…not simply because of her size, but because of the overall planning and physical design of the vessel. We found the layout to be logical and well thought out. The innovations that Royal Caribbean has incorporated on the ship are very impressive.

You can contact me locally in Ft Lauderdale (where the Oasis is sailing on a weekly basis) at 954 757 8206 or by email at erdmanj@discountcruises.com to book today.

I am passionate about cruising as it is in my opinion the most carefree and affordable way to sample diverse cultures and experiences. I’ve been in the travel industry for over 15 years with our sister company Liberty Travel which included running several of our local businesses as a Team Leader I am now focusing my attention on my passion helping set up cruise vacations. Continual growth of my knowledge base regarding cruise lines and their destinations is something I strive for and enjoy; my end goal is to give you an extraordinary experience and second to none service. To complement your experience and service –I can turn your cruise into a total vacation package adding flights, pre and post hotel accommodations, travel insurance as well as activities on board the ships. My experience lends itself across the industry so just leave your thoughts / dreams with me and I will make them a reality! I have expertise with family cruising, cruise groups and luxury cruises along with many others.

You can contact me locally in Florida (the world’s cruise capital) at 954 757 8206 or by email at erdmanj@discountcruises.com to book today.

Great ships and terrific itineraries are on the books for 2010. Now is the time to book to ensure early booking discounts. The inside passage of Alaska is a great itinerary offering wildlife, glaciers and so much more. You can snuggle up under a blanket and drink hot chocolate on the decks or from your stateroom balcony even during the summer months. You can reach me in Coral Springs, FL at 1-800-313-9841.

Yes that’s right! The latest and greatest of Royal Caribbean’s amazing ships is coming to Florida this fall -the innovative “Oasis of the Seas“. In addition to all the incredible features Royal Caribbean’s ships have to offer there is now a public area that is open to the sky called CENTRAL PARK with restaurants, bars, and plenty of entertainment even a large carousel onboard for the kiddies. There are also balcony cabins overlooking the park. How great is that? Another incredible area onboard is the “aqua theater” offering shows in stadium style seating … and the surroundings are set on the sun deck overlooking the ocean (wow!). This area also has balcony cabins above. I am looking forward to traveling on this amazing ship in the fall (and can’t wait to tell you all about it). Call me for advance reservations to secure yourself a cabin and to ensure you get the best deal by booking early. You can reach me in Coral Springs, FL at 1-800-313-9841.

The best cruise I was ever on was a “Royal Caribbean” 12-night Mediterranean Cruise. The ports of call were very interesting; the staff couldn’t have done more for the passengers-they were all outstanding. The food and entertainment were fabulous!! It truly was a memorable time!!
I also enjoyed, more recently a two night Costa Cruise (a lot of fun too)! The staff onboard were all very warm and welcoming. And the food was quite tasty- they even had bocce ball and a toga party… Lot’s of laughs were had by all.

No cooking for me! When I discovered that the Navigator of the Seas with Royal Caribbean offered 4 day sailings… I went right for it! The Navigator is the grand experience for a short getaway. I traveled with my teenage son and a friend of mine. We hardly ever saw him, while he was busy in the teen area; we relaxed in the adult only solarium. Taking a break from the outside, we went to an afternoon ice show, and afterwards enjoyed a coffee and some sandwiches at the Promenade Cafe. The choices are endless, the service was wonderful, Thanksgiving dinner was traditional, and I didn’t have to cook or clean! It goes again this year, so look for me on it!