 Guide to Cruising 2008
Cruising for Romantics With more and more people taking solo trips,
Back in 1932, Warner Bros. released the film One Way Passage, a bittersweet story starring Kay Francis and William Powell. Remember the shipboard romance between Bette Davis and Paul Henreid in the film Now, Voyager? Or Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer in An Affair to Remember? All involved oceangoing passenger ships and romance. Then there was Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, in which Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell starred. In the early 1950s, Howard Hughes presented Jane Russell in an RKO movie called The French Line, which depicted life on board one of the great ocean liners of the time - the ss Liberté - as being exciting, frivolous, promiscuous, and romantic. The movie was, in fact, made on board the great ship.
Today that same romantic attraction is still very much in vogue. In 1997, in the Hollywood blockbuster Titanic, Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio wooed aboard the stricken ocean liner.
While you may not believe in mermaids, romance does happen, and a cruise ship can be the quintessential location for it. More than 4 million cruise passengers (more than 25 percent of all cruise passengers) traveled as singles in 2005. About 25 percent of all calls to travel agents are made by singles and single parents. Cruise lines are just waking up to this fact and are providing special programs for singles. Some cruise lines or tour operators advertise special cruises for singles, but remember that the age range could be anything from 7 to 70.
Make no mistake about it: the world of cruising is made for couples. Singles are an expensive afterthought. Indeed, many singles are prejudiced against cruising because most cruise lines charge a single occupancy supplement for anyone traveling alone. Why? The reason is that the most precious commodity aboard any cruise ship is space. Since a single cabin is often as large as a double and uses the same wiring, plumbing, and fixtures - and thus is just as expensive to build - cruise lines naturally feel justified in charging supplements or premiums for those who are occupying single cabins.
Single-occupancy cabins are often among the most expensive, when compared with the per-person rates for double occupancy (because single cabins are at a premium they are unlikely to be discounted). From the point of view of the crew, it takes as much time to clean a single cabin as it does a double. And, of course, there is only one tip instead of two. Note, however, that in most cabins built for double occupancy, there is typically only one personal safe.
Single Supplements
If you want to travel alone and not share a cabin, you can pay either a flat rate for the cabin or a single “supplement” if you occupy a double cabin. Some lines charge a fixed amount - $250, for instance - as a supplement, no matter what the cabin category, ship, itinerary, or length of cruise. Single supplements, or solo occupancy rates, vary between lines, and sometimes between ships.
Guaranteed Singles Rates
Although some singles travel with friends or family, many others like to travel alone, and cruise lines have established several programs to accommodate them. One is the “Guaranteed Single” rate, which provides a set price without having to be concerned about which cabin to choose. Some cruise lines guarantee singles’ rates, but the line and not the passenger picks the cabin. If the line does not find a roommate, the single passenger may get the cabin to himself/herself at no extra charge.
Guaranteed Share Programs
A “Guaranteed Share” program allows you to pay the normal double-occupancy rate, but the cruise line will find another passenger of the same sex to share the double cabin with you. Some cruise lines do not advertise a guaranteed-share program in their brochures but will often try to accommodate such bookings, particularly when demand for space is light. You could book at a guaranteed share basis rate only to find that you end up with a cabin to yourself. Cruise lines can change such things at short notice, so check with your travel agent for the latest rates and conditions.
Cruising for Single Women
Any single woman can take a cruise knowing she is going to be as safe - if not safer - than she would be in any major vacation destination, but that does not mean that a cruise ship is a totally safe, completely hassle-free environment. Common sense should be the rule. Undoubtedly though, cruising is a great way to relax, and if you are seeking that special someone, cruising somehow brings people closer together. There is always someone to talk to, be they couples or other singles, and cruising is not a “meat market” where you are always under observation. The easiest way to meet other singles, however, is to participate in scheduled activities. Be a little assertive, and get the cruise director or cruise staff to introduce you to other singles.
In the dining room, ask the restaurant manager to seat you with other singles, or a mix of singles and couples. Single black women should note that there is often a dearth of single black men for dancing or socializing with (they simply have not discovered cruising yet).
Gentlemen Cruise Hosts
The female-to-male passenger ratio is high (as much as eight-to-one on world cruises and long voyages), especially for those of middle to senior years, so some cruise lines provide male social hosts, specially recruited as dance and bridge partners, and company during social functions. First used to good effect aboard Cunard Line’s QE2 in the late 1970s, gentlemen hosts are now employed by a number of cruise lines (particularly those carrying a large number of elderly passengers).
They generally host a table in the dining room, appear as dance partners at all cocktail parties and dance classes, and accompany women on shore excursions. These gentlemen, usually over 55 years of age and/or retired, are outgoing, mingle easily, are well groomed, and enjoy cruise ships and traveling around the world almost free. If you think you would like such a job, do remember that you’ll have to dance for several hours most nights, and dance just about every kind of dance well! Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, and Silversea Cruises, among others, provide gentlemen hosts.
The Love Boat Connection
Two famous TV shows, The Love Boat (US) and Traumschiff (Germany), boosted the concept of cruising as the ultimate romantic vacation, although what is screened may not quite correspond to reality. Indeed, the real captain of one ship, when asked the difference between his job and that of the captain of The Love Boat, remarked: “On TV they can do a retake if things are not right the first time around, whereas I have to get it right the first time!”
Getting Engaged Aboard Ship
Princess Cruises has a special “Engagement Under the Stars” package whereby you can propose to your loved one in a personal video just before an evening movie at the outdoor large screen venue aboard some of the company’s ships. The cost: $695.
Getting Married Aboard Ship
As in all those old black-and-white movies, a ship’s captain can indeed marry you when at sea (unless the ship’s country of registry prohibits, or does not recognize, such marriages). In practice, however, this service is rarely offered by cruise lines today. You would need to inquire in your country of domicile (or residence) whether such a marriage is legal, and ascertain what paperwork and blood tests are required.
The onus to provide the validity of such a marriage is yours. The captain could be sued and perhaps held criminally liable if he marries a couple not legally entitled to be married (for example, an underage male or female who ?doesn’t have the consent of a parent or guardian, or if one or both parties are not legally divorced).
Arranging to get married aboard almost any cruise ship when it is alongside in port is simple, provided you take along your own registered minister (note that US citizens and “green card” residents may need to pay sales tax on wedding packages). Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises, among others offer special wedding packages. These include the services of a minister to marry you, wedding cake, champagne, bridal bouquet and matching boutonniere for the bridal party, a band to perform at the ceremony, and an album of wedding photos. Carnival Cruise Lines’ program includes a marriage ceremony on a beach in Grand Cayman or St. Thomas. Princess Cruises offers weddings on a beach in St. Thomas (prices range from $525 to $1175 per package). Or you could arrange a romantic wedding Disney-style on its private island, Castaway Cay.
Princess Cruises offers weddings aboard Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Diamond Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess, and Star Princess. The ceremonies are performed by the captain, and are legal because of the ships’ registry, Bermuda. Expect to pay about $2,000, plus about $500 for licensing fees. Harborside or shore-side packages vary according to the port. A Wedding Coordinator at the line handles all the details, enabling you to be married aboard ship and honeymoon aboard, too.
Even if you can’t get married aboard ship, you could have your wedding reception aboard one. Many cruise lines offer outstanding facilities and provide complete services to help you plan your reception. Contact the Director of Hotel Services at the cruise line of your choice. The cruise line should go out of its way to help, especially if you follow the reception with a honeymoon cruise - and a cruise also makes a fine, no-worry honeymoon.
UK-based passengers should know that P&O Cruises hosts a series of cruises called the “Red-Letter Anniversary Collection” for those celebrating 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 years of marriage; the cruise comes with a complimentary gift, such as a brass carriage clock, leather photograph album, or free car parking at Southampton
Renewal of Vows
Many cruise lines now perform “renewal of vows” ceremonies. A cruise is a wonderful setting for reaffirming to one’s partner the strength of commitment. A handful of ships have a small chapel where this ceremony can take place; otherwise it can be anywhere aboard ship (a most romantic time is at sunrise or sunset on the open deck). The renewal of vows ceremony is conducted by the ship’s captain, using a non-denominational text. Although some companies, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises, have complete packages for purchase, which include music, champagne, hors d’oeuvres, certificate, corsages for the women, and so on, most other companies do not charge (yet).
Cruising for Honeymooners
Cruising is popular as a honeymoon vacation. The advantages are obvious: you pack and unpack only once; it is a hassle-free and crime-free environment; and you get special attention, if you want it. It is also easy to budget in advance, as one price often includes airfare, cruise, food, entertainment, several destinations, shore excursions, and pre- and post-cruise hotel stays.
Once you are married, some cruise lines make a point of offering discounts to entice you to book a future (anniversary) cruise. Just think, no cooking meals, everything will be done for you.
Although no ship as yet provides bridal suites (hint, hint), many ships have suites with king- or queen-sized beds. Some also provide tables for two in the dining room should you wish to dine together without having to make friends with others.
Some cruise ships feature Sunday departures, so couples can plan a Saturday wedding and reception before traveling to their ship. Pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodation can also be arranged.
Most large resort ships accommodate honeymoon couples well; however, if you want to plan a more private, intimate honeymoon, it would be a good idea to try one of the smaller, yacht-like cruise vessels such as those of Seabourn Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, or Windstar Cruises.
And what could be more romantic for honeymooners than to stroll, by themselves on deck, to the forward part of the ship, near the ship’s bridge. This is the quietest (except perhaps for some wind noise) and most dimly lit part of the ship - ideal for stargazing and romancing.
Cruise lines offer a variety of honeymoon packages, just as hotels and resorts on land do. Although not all cruise lines provide all services, they might include:
Finally, take a copy of your marriage license or certificate, for immigration (or marriage) purposes, as your passports will not yet have been amended. Also, remember to allow extra in your budget for things like shipboard gratuities (tips), shore excursions, and spending money ashore.
If your romance includes the desire to sleep in a large bed with your loved one, check with your travel agent and cruise line to make sure the cabin you have booked has such a bed. Better still, book a suite. But check and double-check to avoid disappointment. If you need to take your wedding gown aboard for a planned wedding somewhere along the way - in Hawaii or Bermuda, for example - there is usually space to hang it in the dressing room next to the stage in the main showlounge, especially aboard the large resort ships.
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