The Four Cruise Classes

There are usually four cruise classes: contemporary/value cruises, which is the largest cruise class; premium, luxury, and specialty cruises. Cruise lines will often offer a variety of cruise classes so that the traveler can plan a vacation to fit their specific needs Cruise pricing includes your accommodations, meals, snacks, 24-hour stateroom service, entertainment, activities, use of facilities including the health and fitness club. Cruise vacation package prices are on the increase since there is heightened demand for cruise vacations.

Cruise

Cruise lines may be able to effectively price discriminate among their customers through use of yield management systems. Cruise lines also try to “fence-in” customers who have booked by ensuring that subsequent promotional offerings are conditioned in such manner that booked passengers cannot cancel and re-book. Premium cruise ships offering the ambience and intimacy not found on mega ships. Premium cruise ships offer upscale facilities such as gourmet style cuisine, art collections and additional guest space. The premium cruise ships are also not as large as contemporary cruise ships, so you might feel more like you are riding the waves. That it was worth the expense.

The top notch cruises are the luxury cruise class ships, which may be smaller, holding around 300 people. The last classes of cruise that you can choose from are the specialty cruises. Most contemporary cruise classes are set aboard larger ships which accommodate approximately 3000 people. The last class of cruise that you can choose from is the specialty cruises. These cruises are unique in that they travel to special places, not the usual ports of Jamaica or The Bahamas. Also the specialty cruises might have exclusive passengers aboard like nudists, gays and lesbians, couples, or elderly citizens. Just as the classes of cruises vary, so do the sizes of the ships.

Cruises

Contemporary/ value cruises give travelers the cost efficient package deals, and are often appealing to those taking their first cruise. Premium cruises are more expensive than contemporary/value cruise, but you also get high-grade service and luxury accommodations for your money. The cost of your cruise will depend on several things including the class of cruise that you choose, length of the cruise, and the time of year that you are traveling. Usually, cruise vacations will include the cost of meals, some activities, and entertainment, but may not include drinks, tips, or side trips that you may want to take.

When choosing a class of cruise to embark on, also be aware that the ship size will also be important to your level of comfort on your trip. There are some other things to take into consideration when choosing a room aboard your cruise ship. Televisions and bathtubs are not usually standard on cruise ships, but may be available at an extra price. Timing is important when choosing when to go on your cruise for several reasons. Sometimes hurricane season effects when travelers plan their vacations, but hurricanes rarely effect the cruises.<