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How 5 Cruise Lines Are Redefining the All-Inclusive Experience

By U.S. News & World Report

Consistently dismissed by skeptical travelers for their bland food options, overpriced (and watered-down) drinks, screaming kids and kitschy entertainment, all-inclusive cruises have received a bit of a bad rap over the years. However, the all-inclusive concept is evolving, and so are the cheap buffets, nickel-and-diming, steep Wi-Fi charges and cramped staterooms. For many luxury cruise lines, millions of dollars have gone into renovating dining rooms and staterooms, partnering with celebrity chefs and upscale designers and offering state-of-the-art entertainment and immersive shore excursions.

So, for those who have stuck their nose up at all-inclusive cruises in the past, it’s time to give them another try. These cruise lines won’t just surprise you with their exemplary service and amenities; they might just change your mind on the all-inclusive experience entirely.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

You won’t find many splashing kids in the luxurious pools on Regent Seven Seas‘ high-end ships. With two all-suite, all-balcony passenger ships, every room is guaranteed an ocean view. In addition to a stunning stateroom, practically everything else is included on Regent, from airfare to specialty dining to unlimited premium beverages to shore excursions. Plus, Regent takes the stress out of planning activities ashore by including a variety of excursions suited for different ages and interests.

Aqua Expeditions

One of the newer companies on the list, Aqua Expeditions, a small-ship luxury line, is making waves. With smaller vessels carrying up to 32 passengers, Aqua Expeditions offers an intimate and immersive cruise experience. In addition to premium South American wines with every meal, top-notch local cuisine, airport transfers and shore excursions (complete with photography guides) are also included in the cruise price. Another bonus: Aqua Expeditions’ boats cruise through some of the world’s most remote waterways, giving you access to isolated communities in the Peruvian Amazon.

Crystal Cruises

Lauded as one of the best cruise lines in the business, Crystal Cruises has long been luring travelers to its upscale, all-inclusive ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Although the ships are large (sleeping up to 1,070 passengers on Crystal Serenity and 922 guests on Crystal Symphony), you’ll never feel like you’re on a floating resort thanks to a low passenger-to-crew ratio, which grants more personalized service. Their all-inclusive packages include standard amenities, like fine wines, premium spirits and gourmet dining, along with extras like fitness classes, golf lessons with PGO pros, shuttle service to your ports, laundry service and more. Plus, for many staying in suites, butlers, shore excursions and more are rolled into the vacation price.

Seabourn Cruise Line

As soon as you board one of Seabourn’s intimate, all-suite ships, you’re greeted with a glass of champagne and taken to your well-appointed stateroom (complete with lavish Molton Brown and L’Occitane bath amenities, a flat-screen TV and beds draped in Egyptian cotton linens). And that’s not all you should expect on these high-end ships. Apart from decadent gourmet dining options, Seabourn’s all-inclusive rates also include gratuities, airfare, premium wines and beers, onboard entertainment and immersive shore excursions, such as Thai cooking classes and Caribbean beach parties. And thanks to the small size of the ships (the largest boat features 223 cabins), travelers can count on a high crew-to-guest ratio, which enables more personalized service. Plus, the small vessels can sail on waterways not accessible on larger ships, like rivers in Chile and small islets off Phuket, Thailand.

SeaDream Yacht Club

If you’ve always wondered what it would be like to cruise along the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean in your own private yacht, SeaDream’s mega-yachts can fit the bill. The luxury ships sleep only 112 passengers and carry 95 crew members, offering more personalized service that you would expect to find on larger ocean-going ships. Plus, the all-inclusive price covers the cost of your stateroom, gratuities, use of any and all water toys (like wave runners and kayaks), high-tech golf simulators, activities at port with the crew (like shopping with the chef) and catered beachside parties, complete with caviar and champagne.

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How 5 Cruise Lines Are Redefining the All-Inclusive Experience 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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