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4 Reasons to Try a New Cruise Line

By U.S. News & World Report

The cruise industry continues to lure travelers seeking a value-packed vacation experience. And while it’s often easier to sail on the high seas with a trusted cruise line year after year, you may be selling yourself short and missing out on new cruise ships. “Although it’s nice to be able to rely on a consistent experience every year with the same cruise line, sometimes loyalty can overshadow a great deal,” says Jessica Bisesto, a senior editor at TravelPirates.com, a travel deals site.

To help you determine if a climbing aboard a new cruise line is the right option for you, U.S. News asked cruise experts to share top selling points — and drawbacks — for trying a different cruise company.

[See: The 2017 Best Cruise Lines for the Money.]

You Want a Different Onboard Atmosphere

If the cruise ambiance you’re looking for is changing, you may want to consider a luxury cruise line with new ships touting sophisticated onboard areas and stimulating enrichment programs. After all, if you’ve been loyal to the same cruise line, you could be missing out on a number of new perks offered on different vessels that have debuted or improved in the time since you chose your go-to cruise line, Bisesto says. One company to consider is MSC Cruises, a European-based line with two Miami-based ships setting sail in 2017: the MSC Divina and the brand-new MSC Seaside, set to debut in December. The Seaside will boast sea-level promenades with outdoor spaces, shops, restaurants and sweeping ocean views. Other noteworthy family-friendly features include an Aqua Park with four waterslides, a ropes course and two zip lines. In total, Seaside will have 11 eateries, including a standout Pan-Asian restaurant from celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi. The Divina is another ideal pick within the MSC fleet for an intimate and refined onboard setting thanks to its elegant spa and innovative specialty dining choices.

“MSC Cruises is a European cruise line, which means that fleetwide guests enjoy offerings inspired by our Mediterranean heritage, such as a wide variety of Mediterranean and international cuisines and elegant ships, while still having an experience tailored to fit the needs they are accustomed to and the region we are sailing in,” says Roberto Fusaro, president of MSC Cruises USA. According to Fusaro, another enticement to sail with MSC Cruises is that MSC is the only cruise line that offers a status match program. “With the program, frequent travelers who are part of a rewards program from another travel company can benefit from instant status and perks with MSC,” he says. “It’s a win-win situation and travelers looking for a new experience can give MSC Cruises a try without worrying about losing the loyalty or benefits they may have built up with another brand,” he adds.

[See: 10 Amazing Cruise Ship Amenities.]

You Want to See a New Destination

If your preferred cruise line doesn’t sail to a port of call you want to visit, that’s an ideal opportunity to make a change. “If you’ve got your heart set on visiting a specific port that your normal cruise line doesn’t sail to, you might have to book another line in order to get there,” advises Simon Duvall, community manager at Cruiseline.com. For example, if you’re already sailed to the Caribbean and exploring the Hawaiian islands is on your travel bucket list, Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Pride of America is an ideal choice for you. The ship’s one-of-a-kind inter-island itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of port time and visits Hawaii’s main islands, including an overnight in Kahului, Maui, and an overnight in Nawiliwili, Kauai, as well as stops in Hilo and Kona. Plus, you can enjoy an afternoon cruise by the spectacular Na Pali Coast.

You’re Yearning for a Niche Cruise Experience

U by Uniworld, a new brand from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, aims to offer authentic and adventurous experiences geared toward travelers ages 21 to 45. According to Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld, the line is designed to meet the needs of its audience. The line’s immersive sailings along popular rivers across Europe are now available to book. U by Uniworld will begin sailings in spring 2018 with nine itineraries on the Seine, Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, aboard two renovated ships with a maximum capacity of 120 passengers.

“We are thrilled to be making history with the first river cruise experience created expressly for a young, professional audience that values authenticity and adventure,” Bettridge says. “From ‘Insta-worthy’ foodie moments and silent discos to kayaking on the Seine River, U by Uniworld is building something very cool and fresh, reimagining a beloved vacation experience for a new generation,” she adds. Experiential itineraries focus on longer stays in destinations to connect explorers to local experiences and vibrant nightlife scenes. The ships feature a contemporary look and feel in all public spaces and guest areas. What’s more, communal dining tables will complement a local fare and street food-inspired culinary program, with creative mixologists and international DJs onboard.

[See: 8 Wacky and Wild Cruise Excursions to Try This Year.]

You Want an Action-Packed and Affordable Cruise Vacation

If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly vacation option that won’t break the bank, consider Carnival Cruise Lines. “Not only do we host the most kids in the industry — 800,000 children this year alone — we offer all-ages fun that appeals to everyone,” says Vance Gulliksen, a public relations manager for Carnival. Plus, the line is known for its top-rated kids programs, massive WaterWorks parks and Seuss at Sea offerings operated in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, but there’s also plenty of diversions for adults. “From award-winning Playlist Productions shows to the unique cocktail pharmacy Alchemy Bars, luxurious spas and the only craft brewery on a North American-based cruise ship, there’s something for everyone on Carnival,” Gulliksen says. Plus, thanks to the line’s partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, Carnival boasts mouthwatering burgers and BBQ created exclusively for the cruise line. For a more formal dining experience, try one of Carnival’s steakhouses or specialty restaurants. “Cruising is all about food and Carnival certainly delivers on all counts,” Gulliksen says.

More from U.S. News

6 Reasons to Consider a Repositioning Cruise

Cruise Planning 101: Steps to Smoother Sailing

12 Tricks to Save Your Money (and Sanity) on a Family Cruise

4 Reasons to Try a New Cruise Line originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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