Some people hate crowds and love to save money. For North and South Carolinians, hopping on a cruise ship – after school begins and before the winter holidays – solves both issues. Ships are less crowded and bargains abound, making fall a good time to take a fun cruise vacation to see colorful foliage or go to the Caribbean.

Several cruise lines – including Carnival and Royal Caribbean departing from nearby ports in Charleston, Jacksonville and Norfolk within driving distance for Carolinians – offer special prices and upgrades for Caribbean and fall cruises during the autumn months, traditionally a slower time of the year for cruise lines. Book your cruises with AAA Travel and get an agent to work for you who can answer any questions and search for the best prices.

Fall foliage cruisers can visit Massachusetts, Maine and ports in Canada to see spectacular hues of oranges, yellows, reds and browns. Cool weather with picturesque scenery is a great time for cruisers to tour ports and stop for great seafood available at the fishing villages.

Caribbean Cruises
The Caribbean cruises offer a chance to swim with sting rays or visit the shops in the Grand Caymans, collect shells on white sand beaches in Nassau, or scuba dive in the Belize Barrier Reef. Or, cruisers might opt to   just stay on board and lounge by the pools and work out in the exercise rooms.

Many vacationers shy away from the Caribbean in the fall since it is prime hurricane season, but according to meteorologists who track hurricanes, the chance of getting hit by a hurricane in the Caribbean is not much different that it is in Miami or on the Gulf Coast. Cruise ships track weather conditions closely and are prepared to change routes, if necessary. Travelers can also protect their vacation investment by purchasing travel insurance.

With a sputtering economy, people are choosing to take shorter vacations that offer good value. Access to different locales during the same trip and more leisure activities are two reasons why vacationers might choose to cruise now. It can often be less costly than a more traditional beach week vacation and is a good way for families to reconnect.

A typical land-based vacation will include the costs of accommodations, which vary widely depending on the level of luxury hotel or rental home, eating out for both meals and snacks and entertainment or attractions. In addition, there are either vehicle or air travel costs.

For a cruise, vacationers would have the same travel costs – although Carolinians can often save airfare by driving to nearby ports in Charleston, Jacksonville or along the eastern seaboard – but often spend less for accommodations, food and entertainment.

Exact comparisons are difficult, but travelers can easily spend $200 to $400 a night for lodging and then add an additional $300 or more each day for food and entertainment. A recent July 4 projected travel survey for AAA by the Travel Industry Association showed travelers planned to spend an average of about $1,200 for a three-day weekend trip.

The cost of the cruise varies by the choice of interior, ocean view or balcony cabins, ranging from $349 on up on four and five-day fall cruises but that fee includes essentially all trip costs (including taxes, fuel surcharges, port fees and, sometimes, gratuities).  Lodging, five meals plus snacks each day, Las Vegas-style entertainment, parties, pools, exercise, dance floors and other activities are included.

Optional cruise costs could include drink cards (soda and alcohol) spa treatments, bingo, casino play and specialty events such as wine tasting, port excursions and souvenirs. But a cost-conscious cruise passenger can also have an almost cashless vacation if he or she desires.

“We offer something to do from morning to night for people of all ages,” said Vance Gulliksen, a spokesperson for Carnival Cruises. “Taking a cruise is like being on a floating resort with the advantage of visiting different ports of call each day.”
Doing things together or separately is a safe option on cruises. Parents can take an excursion off the ship while the kids stay behind in a supervised activity.

Family cruises are popular and Carnival has special activities for children of all ages, said Gulliksen, including Camp Carnival for children ages 2 to 11, Circle C is for ages 12 to 14 and Club 02 is for ages 15 to 17, he said.

Spending time on exotic islands or in historic seaports along scenic coastlines and harbors is a nice change of pace from the typical land-based beach vacation activities. Visiting different ports of call with new cultures and places could even stimulate planning for next year’s vacation site.