Some people love to cruise.

Take Paul Falkner of Salt Lake City, for example. He has boarded a ship twice a year for the past four years, sailing through the Panama Canal and seeing Alaska, Tahiti, the Mexican Riviera and the western Caribbean.

"The thing I like the most is that all you have to worry about is getting from your house to the airport and back home," he said. "Other than that, they take you off the airplane, take you to the ship, take care of you the whole time and take you back to the airport. There is no fuss, no muss."

Or listen to Shirley Jones of Midvale, who has taken more cruises than she can count the past few years and has visited destinations all over the world. She often elects to stay in a less expensive inside cabin so she can sail on a more expensive line such as Crystal, her favorite.

"My favorite thing about cruising is dancing," she said, adding that she favors cruise lines that have gentleman dancers and offer a night when formal clothing and dancing are offered.

That's the thing about cruising. It's possible to go on a kids' oriented line such as Disney, a company such as Carnival that caters to a more youthful, informal group or the more expensive ships that provide a more traditional, formal atmosphere.

There are also a number of "theme cruises" that offer special entertainment, a chance to mingle with celebrities or a theme. For example, former BYU football coach LaVell Edwards will host a Caribbean cruise and BYU game in September.

And there are different types of ships for different tastes as well. Cruisers looking for a more intimate experience might take a Star Clipper sailboat with only a few hundred passengers. Or they could opt for Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the seas, which is the largest ship ever built.

"Cruising is like people," said Doug Anderson, a travel agent for Salt Lake-based Cruise and Travel Masters. "Each cruise line and ship has its own feel and personality."

Cruising remains an amazing bargain. One Utah family recently enjoyed a five-day, four-night cruise to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico for $198 per person. Checking the Web, it was easy to find quick cruises from Southern California ports to the Mexican Riviera for under $250 a person. One line offered a six-day cruise to Key West, Grand Cayman Island and Jamaica out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for $469 for an interior room or $679 for a balcony.

According to Amy Ochoa, marketing manager for Morris Murdock Travel in Salt Lake City, there are seven-night cruises in the Caribbean or Mexican Riviera for as low as $339 per person and "offseason" deals to Alaska in May and September for $449 on an inside cabin or $899 for a balcony. There is also a seven-night Mediterranean cruise for as low as $599 in October.

The basics of a cruise are essentially the same. Passengers pay a set rate, which includes food and entertainment, and select from room choices that range from an inexpensive interior room, an ocean view cabin, a room with a balcony or a suite. They then can pay extra for shore excursions or on-ship auctions.

Anderson recommends not falling into a trap of booking the cheapest cruise you can find.

"One of the things I stress is value as opposed to the least expensive rate," he said. "Sometimes people get caught in the trap of finding the cheapest cruise. You can go from a standard cruise line to a premium cruise line for good prices as well. People work 50 weeks out of the year. When they have only one or two weeks to take a trip, we suggest that they not look at the cheapest. ... Frankly, they can often go on a nicer carrier and a newer ship for not much more."

One myth is that waiting until the last minute to book will almost certainly result in a bargain.

"Plan ahead," said Lanie Fagan, director of communications for the Cruise Lines International Association. "The further out you book, the more attractive the pricing is going to be."

Anderson echoed that sentiment. He said that not only do cruise lines offer the best deals months out but that airline fares are also cheaper. Even if a traveler gets a good last-minute price on a cruise ship, getting to the port by airplane could be as much as three times more costly if booked late.

He said that November and December during the non-holiday times are the times when cruise lines offer the best deals. Conversely, Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving rank among the most expensive.

Having a flexible schedule can also help save money. Sometimes cruise rates can jump or drop hundreds of dollars from one week to the next.

Fagan said that finding a travel agent who specializes in booking cruises is an excellent idea.

"Agents have access to the latest promotions, specials and enhanced amenities," she said. "It doesn't cost anything more to the consumer because the cruise lines pay those commissions. And it's always good to have a resource during your trip if an issue arises and you need someone to call.

Cruises remain a good travel bargain for seniors, couples or families looking to have a relatively hassle-free, all-inclusive experience.

wharton@sltrib.com