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ASK THE CAPTAIN Dear Captain: I’m thinking about a cruise and I need to know, is cruising a good value for my money? - Susan from Winston Salem You can get more bang for your cruise vacation buck than any other type of vacation. First, you need to understand that there’s a cruise for every budget. There are luxury cruises that cost thousands of dollars. But a first-time cruiser may opt for a three-night cruise that costs about a hundred dollars a night—and that includes all your meals and entertainment.
Cruise prices vary by cabin category, itinerary, cruise line, season of travel, and many other factors. That means your cruise specialist can always find just the right cruise for your budget. With cruising, you’ll always know exactly what your vacation will cost you before you go, but be prepared to pay extra for drinks, optional shore excursions, and personal services such as massage or hair styling. Don’t take my word for it. Sit down with your cruise specialist and ask for a cost comparison between the next land-based vacation that you were considering, and a cruise. You’ll find that a cruise is usually your best vacation value! What about “Freestyle Cruising?” A friend said it means I get to do whatever I want on my cruise. - Ann from Wilmington
Extended dining room hours help add to the flexibility of the service, and the themed restaurants and bistros are designed to provide an experience suited to every appetite. Keep in mind, however, that even the lines offering new options will be happy to provide a more traditional cruise experience, with a preset dining time and table assignment, if that is what you desire. What’s behind all this added flexibility? Well, the cruise lines realize that you have multiple vacation choices. By catering to your different desires in dining and entertainment, they increase the chance that you will join the legion of travelers who cruise again and again, year after year. That’s why more and more people are cruising than ever before. The Captain says give cruising a try. Don’t get left waving goodbye from the dock!!!
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When
was the last time you stayed at a good hotel for less than a hundred
dollars a night? And I’m sure they didn’t include the
cost of your meals, your room, all the on-board activities and entertainment,
plus transportation from port to port. 
Freestyle
Cruising is a name given to describe one cruise line’s
new efforts to appeal to the diverse tastes of their passengers.
Your cruise specialist can tell you about cruise lines that are
more flexible in the dining arrangements they offer. So if you want
to dine with an interesting couple that you just
met, or enjoy an intimate meal with your significant
other, they’ll be happy to accommodate you. 
As
the owner of CruiseOne, Kay Allred enjoys traveling the globe to learn
about destinations, cruise ships, itineraries and shore excursions to
share with her clients. She has found her life's calling in a business
where she can share her love of travel and her insistence on excellent
customer service. Kay has owned her own business for 8 years during which
time she has been on over 50 cruises and inspected over 100 ships.