But that's not all. With dozen's of new ships entering the market,  the cruise lines have to fill those berths. And boy have they built them to attract even the most price conscience traveler. The new ships are bigger, better and offer more amenities, and now, rock bottom prices.

 

So, here we go.. the 7 Best Cruise Trends For 2010.

1. The Best Cruise Deals   A bad economy makes for some very good deals: Super cruise deals, lowest prices in years.  But don't book them directly with the cruise line. You can get "bonus" savings from many travel agents. Not only a better price, but some agents throw in shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities and other incentives to get you to book. Shipboard credits, where available from the cruise line, are house credits that are placed on your stateroom's account for you to use during your cruise vacation. You can use the credit towards merchandise, lounges and in some, but not all cases, for Spa Treatments or Shore Excursions.  There's more Cruise Insurance Don't get left high and dry on your next cruise. Cover your cruise with cruise travel insurance through Travel Guard. Travel Guard insurance plans include cruise insurance for cruises of all shapes and sizes. Plans may include valuable medical coverage, trip interruption, emergency travel and health services and more. ...or find more information Top 10 reason's to buy travel Insurance.

Contact your credit card company. They may offer additional savings, shipboard credits or frequent flyer miles when you pay for your cruise in full with that credit card.

 

Sign up for e-mail deal alerts that let you know where the great deals are. Some services will e-mail you when cruise fares drop for the cruise you want.

 

Tip: After you've booked your cruise keep checking the prices. If the price drop, contact your travel agent, changes are they can you can save you more money.

 

Cruise lines are offering deeper discounts earlier, with great deals rates for spring and some offer kids to sail for free.

 

You can find deals priced at less than $45 per person per day including all your meals and most activities -- but watch out.. you will pay an "up charge" for specialty restaurants, bar drinks, spa treatments and shore excursions.

 

And best of all. No more fuel surcharges.

 

2. Bigger is Better?

 

Carnival Splendor, at 3006 guests is the Carnival Cruise line's newest behemoth. The new Celebrity Solstice, welcomes 2,850 guests, and  Royal Caribbean's new Independence of the Seas, with 3,634 guests are some of 2010's biggest cruise ships.

 

Early Look: In December 2009,  Royal Caribbean introduced the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas. Yes, over 5000 guests! Onboard features include the huge Central Park, the Boardwalk, a shopping and dining promenade, featuring an antique carousel; and the Aqua Theater, a pool area and amphitheater at the ship's bow that will feature a high-diving spectacular and aqua-acrobatics.

3. Better Food and Dining Options.

But at what cost?  Are the cruise lines nickel-and-dining you?

 

For 2010 you've got more dining choices. Specialty coffee cafe's, wine bars, gourmet pastries and upscale specialty French, Asian, Italian and Chop House restaurants -- all at additional cost. Up charges range from a low of $5.00 to as high as $30.00 or more. You can still dine in the main dining room for no extra charge, included choices from a healthy-calorie counting menu. Now there are even more.

Cruise lines continue to offer flexible dining options -- dining when and where you want, rather than being assigned a specific table at a 6:30 or 8:30pm dining hour.  Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America and Princess offer flexible evening dining options. In 2009 Royal Caribbean introduces "My Time Dining" a similar concept.

With the basic price of your cruise at its lowest level in years, cruise lines will focus more on "per capita" spending onboard to make up any shortfall in cruise fare revenue. So, be sure to add up all the costs to get a true picture of what your cruise will cost.

4. Close to home cruising, best for your budget.

There will be fewer people cruising to exotic destinations like Australia, New Zealand, South America or Asia. Even Europe and the Mediterranean will see less passengers. The cost of airfare to get there is too expensive and can cost you more than the cruise these days. The cruise lines are scrambling to reposition their ships closer to home, so Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera are your best bets.

 

And if time is short and you can't take seven-day off, consider a cruise from 3 to 5 days. In 2010 you will find dozens of short cruise options at starting prices under $299 per person.

 

There are three, four- and five-night voyages that sail from Miami and offer both Eastern and Western Caribbean ports-of-call. On the West Coast, Royal Caribbean offers four- and five-night Mexican Riviera cruises. You can even take a five-night Bermuda cruise from New York. You can now sail from Baltimore on a year-round basis.  So, save the cost of airfare and drive to where the ship departs. The high cost of air travel is a compelling reason to target cruise ships that sail within a day’s drive or less of your home.  Cruising close to home has never been easier.

From the East Coast, you can sail from; Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, New York City, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Tampa.

From the West Coast; Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle.

From the Gulf Coast; Galveston, Houston, Mobile, New Orleans.

All total, some 22 close-to-home departures in the United States and Canada. With so many ships in these close-in markets, in 2009 the competition for your cruise dollar will be fierce.  And that means a great deal for you.

5. So what if you are well-off, and can afford it?

Despite the economy, luxury cruising is not dead. There are new luxury ships on the horizon.  In June of 2009 we welcomed the Seabourn Odyssey, with one of the biggest spas on a luxury ship, larger staterooms, in-cabin dining and more. In November, Silversea Cruises introduces Silver Spirit. Silver Spirit will feature a supper club and an Asian-themed restaurant.

6. What's Old is New!

Older cruise ships are no longer sent to the scrap yard. They are reborn. After weeks in dry dock, they emerge with new balconies, larger kids' facilities and luxury spas.  Some get children's water parks, 300-foot waterslides and adults-only pools. Others get brand new shopping arcades and upgraded in-cabin bedding, furniture, carpeting and bathroom amenities.  Many ships have redesigned lounges, public rooms and the addition of pizzerias, coffee and wine bars and ice-cream parlors.

7. Last-Minute Deals Are Dirt Cheap!

Be patient. It pays.

Are you holding out for the last minute so you can snag that great deal? You're not alone. More people are flexible as to when then can travel and want to take advantage of close-to-home cruising (saving the high cost of airfare)

 

Hint; Wait until 30-45 days or so before the cruise you want for the best deals. Cruise lines are cutting prices for that unsold inventory to all time lows. The cruise industry, reeling from the economic crisis and a sharp drop-off in passengers, is offering some incredible last minute cruise deals. We've even seen a 3 days cruise for $99!

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