India, May 23 -- Cruise vacations, at heart, are an excellent value.

For one price, you get access to accommodations, multiple dining options, recreational facilities like pools and a fitness center, daytime activities and evening entertainment, and transportation between several ports (often in different countries). Try to plan an equally action-packed trip on land, and you'll likely be spending much more.

Yet it's easy for vacationers to fall prey to cruise line up-charge tactics or get overwhelmed by the bewildering array of cruise lines, ships, and itineraries. To make the most of your cruise, you need to think about your spending, but you also have to start with the right ship and trip. We asked two travel advisors, Deborah Stone,...