Changes to cruising

As many of the big cruise lines launch programmes promising glitzy voyages around the world for 2014, thousands of Britain’s regular cruise fans face may something of a dilemma.

A few years ago, before cruising attracted the 1.7 million Brits who booked in 2012, the choice was easy – book early for the best cabins on the most popular ships, or grab a last-minute fare for an inward-facing cabin with no views.

However, passengers who run up the gangway at the last moment and get the same treatment – and same food – as everybody else are a headache for cruise lines, especially if they brag about their haggling skills to other passengers who paid full whack.

Some cruise lines want to draw a much closer link between what you pay and what you get on board, for this summer and 2014.

P&O Cruises (0843 373 0111/www.pocruises.co.uk), for instance, has a big gulf between Vantage fares (which include parking at port of departure, on board spending money and choice of cabin) and last-minute Getaway fares (with 100 per cent deposits, 100 per cent cancellation fees, and cabin allocated on arrival) this summer.

Seven nights in the Norwegian Fjords, P&O Vantage fares start from £759 while Getaway fares start from £499.

P&O will take things further from April 2014, aiming to charge cheapest fare passengers for shuttle buses into towns they’re visiting.

They could also lose the choice between first and second sittings of dinner – changing the entire shape of their evening entertainment.

Martin Tanner at London-based Jetline Cruises (0800 082 2186, www.jetlinecruise.com) says: “Look carefully 
at what is on offer when you book for 2014.

“Most cruise lines have adopted the approach that if you book a lower rate bargain price, the cruise will have different terms to the bookings you make compared to when you book early. You may lose all the good stuff.

“In the past when you’ve booked early, you still receive standard benefits such as free parking, low or free flight fares, on board spending money. Benefits we’ve all been used to, such as choosing the deck and position, choosing dining times, paying a low deposit – might not be available to the last-minute bookers from 2014.

“If you are planning on an unusual cruise or keen to book a stateroom – then it still makes sense to book early. However, if you want a regular cruise itinerary such as a standard 14-night round trip cruise from Southampton through the Med, or you’re not particularly fussed about your choice and position of stateroom, then booking late may be best. You’ll still be able to grab a bargain.”

Agents say cruise lines had to crackdown on the bargain hunters – because canny passengers with time on their hands and computer skills are grabbing late deals for prices far below those quoted in brochures.