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8 Reasons to Book a Premium Cruise Class

By U.S. News & World Report

Today’s large cruise ships boast enticing amenities, from water parks to spacious common areas to specialty dining options to shopping promenades. But these grandiose extras don’t appeal to everyone in the cruise segment. For travelers who yearn for luxury on the high seas without compromising the nightlife and entertainment offerings of larger ships, booking a cruise cabin category with its own exclusive ship-within-a-ship experiences and amenities may be the best of both worlds. Read on for eight selling points for booking an a premium ship cabin on your next cruise.

[See: 10 Things You Shouldn’t Do on a Cruise.]

Consider the Perks of The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line

The Haven by Norwegian is an exclusive enclave that offers luxurious perks. Guests staying in The Haven will be pampered with privacy, personalized service and complimentary amenities. Among other privileges, guests staying in The Haven will enjoy 24-hour butler and concierge service, priority embarkation and disembarkation and priority boarding when tendering to shore. Guests who opt for accommodations in The Haven also benefit from in-suite espresso and cappuccino machines, gourmet treats delivered each evening, a Bliss Collection mattress, a pillow menu and plush bathrobes and slippers. In addition, guests have access to a dedicated concierge to make all arrangements and reservations upon climbing aboard.

The Haven experience is available on a variety of ships, including Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jade.

“The Haven by Norwegian brings together the best of the exclusive service and amenities available on smaller cruise lines, with the award-winning entertainment, exciting activities and wide variety of gourmet dining found on larger ships,” says Vanessa Picariello, senior director of public relations at Norwegian Cruise Line.

You Can Enjoy Access to a Yacht Club

The MSC Seaside will debut in Miami in December and promises to be one of the most elegant ships launching this year. Among the amenities of its Yacht Club, MSC Cruises‘ ship-within-a-ship concept, are 24-hour butler service and concierge services, complimentary wines and spirits, beers and soft drinks and open-seating dining in private MSC Yacht Club restaurants. What’s more, those who book accommodations in the Yacht Club can take advantage of a private entrance to MSC Aurea Spa (with treatment rooms dedicated to MSC Yacht Club guests), private shore excursions and priority check-in and disembarkation.

“Designed as an entirely self-contained private club area on the foredecks of the ship and offering the highest level of customized service, guests staying in the MSC Yacht Club are able to enjoy a vacation of privacy and exclusivity with discrete features, while still having access to the variety of choices and amenities only available on a larger ship,” says Roberto Fusaro, president of MSC Cruises USA. “In addition to enjoying their own private lounge, pool and specialty restaurant, added perks such as round-the-clock butler and concierge services, superior suites and priority check-in, make the MSC Yacht Club worth the splurge.”

[See: 10 Top Cruises for Health Nuts.]

You Can Leverage Value

The ship-within-a-ship experience gives the guest the best of both worlds, says Uf Tukel, co-president of WMPH Vacations, a travel agency in Florida. “Affluent guests can have the luxury accommodations, inclusiveness and personal service that they are looking for in a small-ship luxury vacation, but also a variety of activities, dining options and entertainment to suit an active lifestyle,” Tukel says. “Shoppers understand that there is a difference between value and price. Price is what you pay for something. Value is what you get for the price. And this ship-within-a-ship experience provides a tremendous amount of value for what you pay.”

You Can Escape the Crowds

Tukel says among the biggest objections to taking a cruise vacation by noncruisers and resort vacationers is that cruise ships feel over crowded. However, exclusive sections such as The Haven and Yacht Club provide guests with an escape from thousands of other passengers and provide amenities that are conveniently located within steps of the front door of their suites. “Amenities like mattress-covered deck chairs and beach beds with sunbrellas are included, as is lunch service by the pool and private restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lounges for cocktails and even spa services are all benefits that mean less time waiting and more time enjoying,” he says.

You Can Enjoy VIP Access

In premium cabins, you can take advantage of exclusive areas and concierge service that helps save time. Tukel highlights “priority access to get on and off the ship, reservations in the alternative restaurants, assistance with shore excursions and tours, and reservations and great seats for entertainment,” as added perks that translate to added time spent relaxing and in seclusion.

Perks Abound

Cabins in premium room categories are often bundled with additional amenities that may not always be included with other staterooms on the ship. For example, certain blackout times or exclusions apply, but there are often added benefits for guests staying in the Haven through Norwegian’s Free at Sea and other promotions.

Foodies Can Savor Elevated At-Sea Cuisine

According to travel journalist David Yeskel, aside from offering a great value for a luxury experience (think: a dedicated butler and concierge and a private pool area and sundeck), MSC’s differentiator is its cuisine. “The food is very good in all restaurants aboard, but the cuisine in the Yacht Club’s dedicated restaurant is notched up even further with a quality array of homemade pastas, seafood and meat dishes that transcends those on competing lines,” he says. “And after enjoying all of the other activities and entertainment available on MSC’s 4,000-passenger ships, it’s a special pleasure to slip back into your private Yacht Club enclave for a luxe escape,” he adds.

[See: 10 Amazing Cruise Ship Amenities.]

Families Can Take Advantage of Extra Space

Cruisers traveling with kids in tow will appreciate premium cruise cabins that offer more breathing room and can comfortably accommodate five or more guests, with separate bedrooms. “Every mom and dad wants to make sure their kids are having fun. The small ship, luxury cruise lines simply do not cater to families with small children and teenagers,” Tukel says. “But with the larger ships, families can enjoy the exclusivity and privacy of Haven and know their kids are having a ball in the kids’ program, on the water slides, playing basketball and meeting other kids,” he adds.

More from U.S. News

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4 Reasons to Try a New Cruise Line

4 Ways to Turn Your Cruise Into a Cultural Experience

8 Reasons to Book a Premium Cruise Class 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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