The Norwegian Epic is almost ready! Find out more....

Top Tips to Avoid Overspending on Your Next Cruise Vacation
- Don't overshop pre-cruise. Review the onboard dress code. Take appropriate clothing out of your closet, and see where you can mix and match, creating more outfits with fewer pieces. Accessories can go a long way to create a new look. Remember - no on one the cruise has seen your wardrobe before. As far as they know, it's all new!

- Pack Lightly. Most airlines now charge for checking more than one bag and some may charge for every checked bag. Pack efficiently and lightly. Airlines routinely add "overweight" charges for bags more than 50 pounds. Check with your airline before you pack to find out the restrictions. Weigh your luggage on your home scale before you leave home to avoid surprises.

- Travel Smartly. If you're driving to the portm, start early in the morning - say by 3 or 4 am to avoid traffic, and drive when temperatures are cooler. You'll save a bit on gas by avoiding traffic. If you're flying, consider using frequent traveller miles.

- Take Time to Relax. While a cruie is an inclusve vacation, extra charges add up fast if you enjoy spa treatments or extensive shore trips. Step back from the "do it all" mentality. Relax, soak up the sunshine, enjoy a jog or read a good book. Have your "mani/pedi" at your home salon before you go, avoidng the pricey shipboard spa.

- Balance Shore Trip Action. Whether your are booking shore trips from the cruise line, or through a less-expensive independent tour company, it's easy to get excited and book tghe longest, most extensived tour in every port. But once onboard, you might find that tiring. Perhaps book a longer trip in your most anticipated port of call. Then balance that the next day with a shorter shore trip or evfen a self-guided walk around a port city or to a safe local beach. As the shore excursion office or Kidd's Cruises & Tours for ideas. Keep track of the cruise line deadlines for canceling any pre-booked tours so you won't lose money.

- Shop Smartly Ashore. Cruisers are huge spenders in foreign ports of call. If you want to shop, check prices of similar items at home so you can smartly compare. If bargaining is acceptable at a particular port, start low and go higher, but in many cultures, if you bargain, it's assumed you will buy. Some travelers also say they take only a limited amount of cash ashore and only one credit card (or none). That way you simply won't have a choice about overspending.

- Don't Go Ashore Hungry. Eat breakfast or lunch before you depart on any shore trip. Buying drinks, snacks and meals ashore can add up. If you're booking two half-day tours - return to the ship for lunch. If you do dine ashore, read menus and check pricing before sitting down, as well as compare several restaurants.

- Buy Drink Packages Wisely. If your family likes wine with dinner, or the kids live on soda at home, ask the line immediately upon boarding what the options are for wine, beer and soda packages.

- Save on Spa Packages. If you're a spa enthusiast, take the spa tour on arrival, and find out what's offered. Book immediately if you must have a particular treatment on a particular day, since the best times book up quickly. Be sure to ask about first-day specials and packages, which provide several treatments at a discount. Some good specials are often offered on port days.

- Temper Onboard Buying. Avoid buying on the first or second day. Remember, you're touring ashore and you might want a souvenir from a tropical island. Then, at the end of the cruise, if you want the line's t-shirt, by all means, buy. But give yourself time to shop around. Also, remember if it says "duty free" it may be a good deal (or not!), but you'll still have to pay US Customs duty when returning home.

- Have a Separate Casino Budget. Enjoy casino play but keep your wallet intact by creating a separate casino budget. Once the casino pot is gone, it's gone. Another tip is to visit the casino only an hour or less before another activity, like dinner, or the evening show. You'll leave the casino at an appropriate time, before you're tempted to keep playing when you're down.

- Watch Internet Use. If you plan to use the ship's internet service during the cruise, definitely buy a package of minutes, it's more economical than paying as you go.

- Check the Bill. During the cruise, you'll receive a copy of your estimated cruise bill. Check it carefully, as mistakes do happen. If there is one, contact the Guest Relations or Pursers desk.

the best tip of all...

- Book Early with Kidd's Cruises & Tours! This will get you the best and most competitive rates, and we can often offer shipboard credits or coupon books to help you save even more.

World's Largest Cruise Night offers savings and credits for your 2009 cruise.

See our webpage for more details: http://kiddscruises.googlepages.com/

An interesting article about those Art Auctions on cruise ships.

Scenic Tours' Sapphire to Make July 4 Debut

Scenic Tours' new riverboat Scenic Sapphire is set to welcome passengers onboard on July 4. The sold-out 2008 itineraries sail on the Rhine and Danube rivers, between Amsterdam and Budapest on the initial 15-day "Jewels of Europe" cruise. More than 80 percent of cabins have private balconies measuring over 25 square feet. The superior Danube Deck also features services of a butler, who can be summoned at the touch of a button. Scenic's fares are all-inclusive with guided shore tours, gourmet meals, wine with dinner, airport transfers and all gratuities. Each day of the two-week trip offers Scenic FreeChoice, which allows passengers to select their sightseeing option. Since launching in 1987, Australia-based Scenic Tours entered the European river cruising market in 2005 and has invested $100 million to introduce a fleet of new ships in 2008. For more information, visit www.scenictours.com.

Uniworld to Launch 10th Company-Owned Ship River Beatrice



Uniworld will launch its 10th company-owned ship, the River Beatrice, in 2009. The river ship is slated to sail next March of 2009 along the Danube. It will offer two itineraries in Europe: the nine-day Enchanting Danube from March through November and the nine-day Danube Holiday Markets, with departures in November and December. Both itineraries offer calls in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. Eighty percent of the River Beatrice's staterooms offer French balconies. The ship also offers more junior suites than any comparable ship, as well as an owner's suite. Room appointments include hotel-style beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and European comforters, plush terry robes, bottled water, individual air conditioning and flat-screen televisions offering a selection of viewing choices. The ship also boasts a lounge with panoramic views, a restaurant, a library, a sundeck, massage services and a fitness center. Complimentary bicycles are available for guests' use in ports. Call Kidd's Cruises & Tours 650-349-6223 or email for details.

TRAVEL AGENT TURNS NOVELIST WITH CRUISE LINE SAGA "QUEEN'S HOSTESS"
AUTHOR BETSEY SHAPIRO has the inside scoop about cruise ships. And she’s taken her industry knowledge, garnered from 25 years of working at cruise lines and as a travel agent, and written a fictional account of a historic cruise line and its colorful crew.

Shapiro’s debut novel, “QUEEN’S HOSTESS,” is a sweeping saga that follows the life, travels and loves of Annie Moore, the longest continuous employee of a cruise company, the fictional Queen’s Line. The story follows Moore from her first assignment, in 1962 as a novice Lady Assistant Purser on a traditional ocean liner, to her rise as Social Hostess on a 21st Century mega-cruise ship. The author’s industry knowledge provides a little-known, behind-the-scenes inside glimpse of the operations of a cruise ship.

“I’ve always found the stories of the crew and staff members on the cruise ships to be as fascinating as the guests onboard. Ocean liners have such a rich tradition and history. I wanted to share those stories about how the ships and the companies have changed over the years,” said Betsey.

Betsey Shapiro is a travel agent who also works at the Port of San Francisco assisting cruise guests and providing sightseeing tours. If you’re on a cruise in San Francisco, be sure to drop by and say hello.

“Queen’s Hostess” can be purchased online at www.lulu.com/betseyshapiro, or at http://betseyshapiro.googlepages.com/ ISBN 978-0-9724705-3-7.

For great group rates on your cruise - see our website: http://kiddscruises.googlepages.com