1. CRUISING IS A BUYERS’ MARKET. While airfares and hotel costs have pushed steadily upward over the last several years, cruising rates have remained relatively level. With all the new ships coming on, cruising will remain a buyers’ market this year. In that case you can expect to see plenty of “two for” prices in effect, as well as a 50 percent price cut, and other big cuts from list-price brochure rates. The best deals will be on the big lines’ sailings to Alaska, and the Caribbean and Mexico, where you’ll find rates starting in the neighborhood of $200 a day, per couple. You’ll find good prices in other areas, too.

2. CRUISING IS FOR ALL AGES. Once the exclusive province of wealthy seniors, cruising now caters to a diverse market, old and young, including families with children. No matter who you are, your travel agent can locate destinations and ships that fit your lifestyle.

3. YOU HAVE WIDE DESTINATION CHOICES. Alaska, the Caribbean, and Mexico remain the big favorites because they are easily accessible and offer a wide variety of port experience. You will also find a good selection of cruises in such diverse areas as the Great Lakes, the US/Canadian East Coast, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, South America, the Mediterranean, the Baltic and the Norwegian Coast. You’ll also find small-ship and barge river/canal cruises in dozens of regions: in North America, the Mississippi, Ohio, Columbia, Hudson, and St. Lawrence rivers and the Erie Canal; Europe’s Rhine, Elbe, Danube and Volga rivers. Their is also the extensive canal systems in England and France; the Amazon; and the Yangtze.

4. DRESS AS YOU PLEASE. If you like to dress up for dinner and dancing, some ships maintain the old formal atmosphere. You no longer have to buy a new wardrobe for a cruise. On most big ships, you can wear the same sort of clothing you’d wear at a land resort. You don’t even need to dress for the traditional “Captain’s Dinner” if you don’t want to. There are plenty of options to skip the formalities and have your meals in one of the several other ship restaurants. Let your travel agent know which sort of trip you prefer.

5. EAT WHAT YOU WANT. Certainly, the “open food service” policy on cruise ships makes it easy to overindulge. But if you’re on a diet, chances are you’ll find food options that won’t increase your waistline.

6. ENJOY PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES. Most big ships offer a range of activities like swimming (often several pools), live stage shows, in-room movies, games, casinos and onboard shopping. On the other hand, if you prefer quiet relaxation, many smaller ships will leave you alone. Your travel agent can direct you to ships that are right for your preferences.

7. FORGET SEASICKNESS. All modern cruise ships have stabilizers that eliminate most pitching and rolling motions. And cruise lines stay away from areas with really rough seas, such as the North Atlantic in winter. But if even a little bit of rolling bothers you, cruise the Alaska Inside Passage, where you sail through protected waterways, or try a barge cruise on a glassy-smooth river or canal.