All Rights Reserved. © 2018 Avid Travel Media Inc. Text and photography by Ralph Grizzle

All Rights Reserved. © 2018 Avid Travel Media Inc. Text and photography by Ralph Grizzle

Enjoying A Day At Sea: Ralph Grizzle, The Avid Cruiser.

Welcome! Let’s Make The Most Of Our Cruises — And Save Some Shekels While Doing So

You want to travel well — and not to break the bank. The trick is to find value — and not to budget so tightly that you extract any possibility for pleasure on your cruise.

Yes, inside cabins are cheaper than balcony cabins, but balcony cabins can be much more rewarding. Only you can know how much money you’re willing to part with for the best possible cruise vacation. So balance your budget against my recommendations.

I’m not asking that you break the bank, but you may want to consider my six tips, which I’ve found can make the difference between cruise vacations that are memorable and others that fail to measure up to all you had hoped they would be. — Ralph Grizzle

All Rights Reserved. © 2018 Avid Travel Media Inc. Text and photography by Ralph Grizzle

Still in their bathrobes: Guests photographing our approach to Kotor, Montenegro — from their balconies on Seabourn Sojourn.

Balcony Cabins Are Best: Book One For Maximum Enjoyment

You’ve heard the argument time and again that as you’re only sleeping there, inside cabins are a better

value than balcony cabins. Perhaps, but if you enjoy a room with a view, book a balcony.

From my balcony, I’ve watched the sun paint pastel on the morning sky during the three-hour transit of Stockholm’s archipelago. On another morning, I dined on coffee and croissants as our ship glided past a captivating landscape on the way to Kotor. I’ve pulled back the curtains to gaze upon glaciers in Alaska and to admire the fjords of Norway.

Spend a little more. After all, you may only get one shot at seeing some of the world’s greatest attractions. Why not do it from the balcony of your stateroom?

Want to see how great life can be from your balcony stateroom? See From My Balcony: Morning Has Broken In Bordeaux

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All Rights Reserved. © 2018 Avid Travel Media Inc. Text and photography by Ralph Grizzle

Lufthansa’s Incredible First Class Cabin

The Cruise Begins With Business Class — Or Even Better, First Class

Gone are the days when flying was an elegant (or even tolerable) experience — at least in economy class. If you

can afford it or if you can find a creative way to make it happen, book yourself in Business Class when flying long

distances, such as to Asia or North America.

Business Class is where the vacation begins. You’ll experience faster check-in, faster security clearance (at many airports), lounge access, comfortable on-board seating, and most times, refined dining and service.

Of course, you’ll need to weigh the benefits against the costs, but if it’s within reason, book Business to begin your vacation before arriving at the ship. Alternatively, book what the airlines are calling Economy Comfort, Economy Plus or Economy Extra, which can be had for a reasonable incremental cost (and often for free with certain loyalty programs).

I’ve saved thousands of dollars booking Business Class, and even First Class. How? See these posts: Five First Class Flying Tips and Business Class For Less (on a trip to Indonesia to board Silver Shadow).

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All Rights Reserved. © 2018 Avid Travel Media Inc. Text and photography by Ralph Grizzle

One of my best experiences on the water, ever: French Country Waterways’ Horizon II carries only eight guests.

Small Ships Offer Big Value

Big ships offer tremendous variety and activity, and for families, those huge floating resorts may just be the ticket. But small ships carrying 800 or fewer passengers often provide better value.

With only a few hundred passengers in port rather than a few thousand, you’re not part of a ultra-mass tourism experience, plus you get to see

destinations that you can’t visit on big ships.

Another plus for small ships: They are like small towns. On big ships, you may meet friendly people and never see them again for the entire cruise. On small ships, however, you’re likely to develop friendships with like-minded people.

One more plus for small ships: They are often more inclusive than big ships. That could be worth a hundred or more dollars (or euros) a day, and certainly it can be comforting to know what your costs are before setting sail as opposed to being taken by surprise at the end of your cruise.

See Featherweights: Best Small Ships Carrying 600 Or Fewer Passengers. Also, check out our sister site, River Cruise Advisor.

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All Rights Reserved. © 2018 Avid Travel Media Inc. Text and photography by Ralph Grizzle

Silver Whisper docked in Bordeaux. With a view this good, you’ll certainly want to come back.

Book Your Next Cruise On Your Current Cruise

Cruise lines know that they have a captive audience when you’re on their ships, so they typically offer

incentives for booking your next cruise during your current cruise. You’re not likely to miss the cruise line offers while on

board, but if you do, check with the on-board sales consultant for savings you might not otherwise get ashore.

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All Rights Reserved. © 2018 Avid Travel Media Inc. Text and photography by Ralph Grizzle

What’s the rush? Chill out in Stockholm’s ice bar when you spend a day or two before or after your cruise.

Pre- and Post-Cruise. Stay A Day Or Two Before And/Or After Your Cruise

Explore and enjoy the cities where your cruise begins and ends by adding on at least one hotel night. First, you’ll

get to experience a great destination — and second, you get to recover from jetlag.

There is the additional advantage in that booking a pre-cruise hotel night practically assures that you — and your luggage — arrive at the ship on time. It’s good to build in an extra day just in case flights are delayed due to inclement weather — or your baggage gets misdirected.

Post-cruise stays alleviate the dreaded end-of-cruise and back-to-real-life feeling. There’s the effort and expense to get to the great cities of the world where your cruise begins, so why not make the most of the experience by adding a few days to your vacation?

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All Rights Reserved. © 2018 Avid Travel Media Inc. Text and photography by Ralph Grizzle

I’m staying on board. Wouldn’t you?

Book Back To Back

Even better than disembarking at the end of your cruise is staying on board. Book a back-to-back cruise so that you don’t have to disembark.

Back-to-back involve combining two cruises (or segments) into one longer cruise.

You could always jump ship, from one cruise line to the other, but there are often incentives for staying on the same vessel — or with the same company. Check with your cruise seller.

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All Rights Reserved. © 2018 Avid Travel Media Inc. Text and photography by Ralph Grizzle

About Me | Ralph Grizzle | The Avid Cruiser

I’m an extremely fortunate guy who has been able to sail on more than 200 cruises. I want to help you experience the pleasures of cruising. My site, avidcruiser.com, is designed to empower you to make informed cruise travel decisions. Click. View. Cruise. If you get stuck or feel lost, please feel free to contact me.

Bon Voyage! — Ralph Grizzle

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