Cruise Nights offer flotilla of info
CHRISTINE HICKS- USTA Travel
October is National Cruise Vacation Month. That isn't new; Cruise Lines International Association has been promoting it for years. What's newer is the "World's Largest Cruise Night." The third annual event is about to happen on Oct. 17. It must be working. It can work to your advantage, too. If you're thinking of taking a cruise, leverage this event to wring the most from your vacation dollar.

To determine whether your travel agency is participating (or find one that is), visit the Web site www.cruising.org/wlcn.cfm. This is an opportunity for you to secure valuable incentives while booking your cruise vacation.

What can you expect? Every agency has a different approach. You may be wined and dined over libations and hors d'oeuvres or scooted to booths with cruise line representatives to woo you. Expect "dollars off" or shipboard credit offers valid that night only or for a short window. Expect to walk away with something more than you could get on any other day of the year.

But hold on. Are you ready for the World's Largest Cruise Night? If you go there to shop, you've, er, "missed the boat." Your strategy for cashing in on the deals at this event is critically important. The unsuspecting shopper is like a fish to bait. And you will kick yourself later. Unless you know what you want and what it costs, you can't feel confident in the deal. Be like the Scout. Be prepared.

Prepare yourself by making certain decisions now. Here are some key pointers to help you hone your choices of what you want - not what someone else wants you to buy.

What's your window of travel time? How many days did you intend to take off from work? Are your dates at all flexible? What ports of call would you like to visit? Does it matter where your ship departs from? Will you fly or drive to your port? Will you go down a day or two early? How much money did you expect the entire vacation to cost? How much of that is the cruise and what portion represents on-board costs? Once you know what you want, price it now; then compare it with offers that night. Obtain rates for both inside and outside cabins and at least one price for a cabin with a balcony. That way, you can compare not just dollars, but also how much those dollars are getting you. A little research into cruise lines is helpful, too. Cruise line brochures are OK but one-sided. A better idea is to check out opinions at independent Web sites such as cruisecritic.com or cruisereviewsonline. com. Keeping in mind that some reviewers just like to rant, reviews nonetheless offer some insight into whether a line or a ship is likely to appeal to you. Your travel agent may also have subscription or other rating materials worth a peek before you commit. With a flotilla of information to steady you, you're ready to navigate that deluge of deals that might otherwise wash you overboard at the World's Largest Cruise Night. Bon voyage. (Christine Hicks-Usta has enjoyed more than 30 years of globe-trotting as a member of the travel industry. Direct questions to her at Bee Group Newspapers, P.O. Box 150, Buffalo, NY 14231-0150.)