Why Cruising With the Kids Just Got More Expensive

Getting a prime deck chair on a cruise can be a contact sport, with travelers resorting to extreme tactics like rising with the sun to stake a claim. And there's nothing more frustrating than when shipmates lay out towels and books, just to then saunter off to breakfast, the casino, or the spa. Cruise directors at Carnival heard that same complaint over and over, and decided enough was enough. So they launched a program on the new Carnival Breeze to keep cruisers from hogging the chairs. Staff members are being assigned to monitor seating areas by placing stickers on the unoccupied chairs marked with the current time. If you aren't back in 40 minutes, your belongings are removed and a note from the staff is left behind. As reported in USA Today, cruise director John Heald said "We went with 40 minutes as we felt that this was a fair amount of time if guests get up to eat, drink, pee, swim or slide." If the program is a success on the Breeze, the 40–minute policy will be rolled out on the line's other ships. What do you think of the new policy? Should deck chairs always be first–come–first–serve? Or does this put an end to one of your biggest cruise complaints? MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 10 Common Cruise Myths—Debunked 12 Top Tips from the World's Best Cruisers Your Top 5 Money-Saving Cruise Questions—Answered

When it comes to cruising, Aunt Mavis has been bragging about how many Caribbean cruises she's taken and what great deals she gets. Charlie down the street just got back from cruising in Alaska and says it was his best family vacation ever. The ads on TV sure make cruising sound like a blissfully carefree travel experience. Whatever your reason for thinking about a cruise vacation, picking the right ship and the right destination are both key to your having a good experience. There are a lot of ships to choose from – the smallest with under 100 passengers, the largest with more than 6,000 passengers. And these ships cruise to destinations literally around the world. But before you even start your planning, there are questions to be asked: Are you looking for a ship where adults and kids – including grumpy teens – will be entertained? Are you seeking a low-key, romantic cruise experience? Do you need a ship that can accommodate wheelchairs or limited mobility? Are you looking for a shipboard singles scene? Are there ships better suited for multi-generational family reunions than others? Are you looking to relax in the sun or are you looking to see the world? The good news is there really is a cruise ship and itinerary to suit nearly every taste – the possible exception being one for people who shun anything to do with group travel. If you've never cruised before – and even if you have – you will no doubt have tons of questions in the areas of finding bargains and making a booking, cabin choice, ports of call, shipboard activities and food, among others. In an upcoming issue, we will look at all things cruise. But first we want to hear your cruising questions, tips and experiences. You comments may appear in an upcoming Trip Coach column. (In addition to being Budget Travel's Trip Coach, Fran Golden is author of the upcoming eBook, Frommer's How to Plan the Perfect Cruise.) More from Budget Travel: Most Popular Cruise Ports on Earth 10 Common Cruise Myths Debunked 6 Best River Cruise Lines

As far as ideas go, there have probably been better ones than a cruise with a slasher-movie theme. Especially in light of real-life cruise horrors like the Costa Concordia fiasco that occurred in January off the coast of Italy, it might seem odd for a cruise operator to actively try to freak out its passengers. But that's the premise behind "SAW at Sea," a special cruise itinerary traveling round trip from New York to Canada on the Carnival Glory. The "SAW" refers to the franchise of twisted horror flicks featuring the "Jigsaw Killer," a maniac who physically and psychologically tortures victims before killing them. If this sort of thing sounds fun, then "SAW at Sea" may be for you. The sailing takes place this summer from August 11 to 16, with prices from $779 per person (taxes and fees additional). The package includes lodging and meals like any cruise, as well as special dances and pool parties with a handful of actors and actresses who have starred in one or more of the films. There is also a "SAW" trivia contest, as well as a competition to see who has the best "SAW"-themed tattoo. Another horror movie star, Dan Yeager, who plays "Leatherface" in the forthcoming 3D remake of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" will also be on board and available for autographs and pictures at various events. Perhaps he'll grab his chainsaw and man a carving station at one of the ship's restaurants. At least this isn't a "Titanic" themed cruise, right? Speaking of which, just such a cruise is in the works. Actually, it's an entire ship rather than a single trip: It's recently been reported that Australian billionaire Clive Palmer is having a replica of the original "Titanic" built at a Chinese shipyard. The first sailing is expected to repeat the original (and only) voyage from England to New York in 2016. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: Have the Titanic Celebrations Gone Too Far? Chernobyl Officially Opens for Tours 12 Top Tips from the World's Best Cruisers

Onboard the brand new Disney Fantasy right before the ship headed off on its inaugural Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral (near Orlando) last week, Budget Travel sat down with Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Among the topics: How is Disney Cruise Line catering to budget travelers? "We keep a very close eye on the value equation for our guests and we want to make sure we're always delivering value. That will be what we're focusing on most," Staggs said. "That said, with a great variety of itineraries and cruise lengths and ports, etc., we make ourselves more approachable for people with respect to the demographic curve and economic curve and we like to provide better accessibility." Disney Fantasy, with new features including a high tech adventure game themed on The Muppets, is commanding premium prices. But that doesn't mean there aren't savings on other vessels in the four-ship fleet. Take the new sailings launching on the Disney Magic out of New York in June and Galveston in September. "If you cruise out of New York, there's a group of people who suddenly don't have to worry about air travel. Cruising out of Galveston beginning in September, that means it's accessible for a big chunk of the Texas market," Staggs said. The New York cruises alternate Canada/New England and Bahamas itineraries. The best deal: 8-night Bahamas, from $4,924 for a family of four, including One-day Park Hopper Tickets (valued at $105 each) for Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to Port Canaveral, the itinerary includes Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney's highly rated private island. Weeklong western Caribbean cruises from Galveston are from $3,004 for a family of four, the cruises visiting Grand Cayman and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. On another topic, Staggs said plans are progressing for an Avatar attraction at Walt Disney World Resort. "Avatar will happen at Animal Kingdom. It will be some time after 2015," Staggs said. "It's actually going well. The development is going well." He said the company is also on target to begin construction of the new Disney theme park in Shanghai this summer. MORE IN BUDGET TRAVEL: How to Get a Free Upgrade Disney Cruise Line Expands into NYC Viator's New Website Offers Cheaper Shore Excursions Than Cruise Lines Offer