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A cruise ship moored at Geirangerfjord, a stop in one of the many fjords of Norway,

Cruising can be an affordable vacation option if you know how to avoid getting nickeled-and-dimed aboard the ship. We turned to three leading cruise experts for easy tips on how cruisers can spend less money next time they set sail -- and still have fun.

Slideshow: See all 10 money-saving tips

1. Buy meals and spa treatments in advance

"More cruise lines are creating pre-purchase packages for meals and spa services prior to departure.” says Tiffany Neidhardt, VP of sales & marketing for Cruises-N-More. “For example, Royal Caribbean just announced 25-percent-plus savings on dinner packages aboard the Oasis and Allure of the Seas as well as Radiance and Splendour of the Seas. Guests can pre-reserve dining at three specialty restaurants for just $65 per person, which saves them more than $25 each."

2. Don't automatically buy a beverage package

"We typically don't recommend buying a drinks package for alcoholic beverages,” says Kevin Weisner, vice president of CruiseDeals.com. “By our calculations, most people won't keep up the drinking pace needed to break even on these packages. However, for families that have youngsters that consume a lot of soft drinks, juices and bottled water, these are an area for potential savings."

3. Pack light

"With the increased cost of checking bags, I recommend packing a bit lighter,” says Weisner. “Laundry services aboard cruise ships are reasonably priced, and your clothes will look fresh versus wrinkled from your suitcase. A couple could easily save $50 to $100 on luggage fees alone. That would cover a good bit of laundry, and save your back at the airports."

4. Consider a megaship

Some megaships can accommodate more than 6,000 people -- that's a lot of cabins to fill. "Book now for the best pricing on the biggest ships at sea, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. You can try an 80-foot zip-line across the aft of the ship. Fares have tumbled to a new low of $749 per person for inside cabins on 7-night cruises through late fall,” says Sherry Laskin, owner of Cruise Connexions.

5. Pick a shorter cruise

Can't afford a 7-night cruise? "Cruisers can find the best values in the shorter cruise market from January through April, and not just aboard older ships,” suggests Neidhardt. “For example, Royal Caribbean has the Jewel of the Seas sailing from Tampa for four and five nights or the Liberty of the Seas departing from Ft. Lauderdale for the same length of time. Both vessels have been updated. On the Jewel of the Seas, you can climb the rock wall or retreat to a new adults-only area. On the recently refurbished Liberty of the Seas, the family can enjoy DreamWorks-themed entertainment, 3D movies by the pool, or a Broadway-style show.”

6. Cruise during hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30)

"If you're willing to roll the dice and cruise during hurricane season, a Caribbean cruise offers the best cruise value,” says Laskin. “For instance, Carnival has some incredible deals: a 7-night cruise aboard the recently upgraded Carnival Liberty starts at $389 per person for an inside cabin on the Sept 22. sailing round-trip from Miami. That's under $60 per person a day."

But please don't forget to consider travel insurance.

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The B-29 Enola Gay is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which is a 15-minute bus ride from Washington Dulles International Airport.

Airports aren't known for being full of free goodies. They leverage their captive audiences to get travelers to pay for every minute you're sitting around, whether it's in $2.49 bags of chips or $9.99 Wi-Fi. But some airports stand out: rather than bilking and milking, they understand that travelers will want to return to a city if their first or last impression is a positive one. And what's more positive than getting something for nothing?

Slideshow: See where all the freebies are

Free movies & video games: Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore's Changi airport is the ultimate paradise of free stuff. Terminal 3's free movie theater screens big-name Hollywood flicks such as "X-Men: First Class," 24 hours a day. Terminal 2 offers free Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 gaming systems. If you want to stream your own movies, there's free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, as well as 500 free Internet kiosks. That's only the tip of Singapore's jumbo jet of airport entertainment, but it'll probably keep you occupied for at least one layover.

Free Smithsonian Museum: Washington Dulles International Airport
Okay, I'm cheating a little bit: the Udvar-Hazy museum adjacent to Washington Dulles airport requires a 50-cent, 15-minute bus ride to get there. But holey moley. This blows other little "airport museums" out of the water. Iit's a set of giant hangars stuffed with things such as an SR-71 Blackbird, the space shuttle Enterprise and the Enola Gay, which dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. They also have free tours and an observation tower where you can watch planes landing at Dulles.

Free Skype calls: Tallinn Airport, Estonia
Skype was originally written by Estonian programmers, so it's no surprise that the country is relentlessly proud of its best-known major export. In April 2011, the first free Skype video chat booth popped up at Tallinn's airport, and you can use it to make unlimited, free video calls anywhere in the world. If there's too much of a line, you can try sending an email from the 14 free Internet kiosks in the airport, or hooking up your own laptop over the airport's free Wi-Fi.

Free library: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
The Amsterdam airport is big for layovers, and the Dutch are big on reading. Let's combine the two! Schiphol Airport Library is a showcase for Dutch culture, with Dutch literature in translation, Dutch music and even its own Twitter feed (@airprtlibrarian). Nine of the 25 seats have iPads, as well. The library is part of "Holland Boulevard," the cultural area of the airport which also has a (non-free) branch of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum.

Free iPads: JFK International Airport, Terminals 2-3
JFK Terminal 3 is the worst airport terminal in America; it's literally crumbling, so Delta has declared it unsalveageable and plans to demolish it. Until then: iPads! Delta has installed 200 iPads at restaurants near the gate areas. Sure, you can use them to order food, but you can also surf the Web, check your email, stream videos or find other ways to anesthetize yourself against the misery of your surroundings. (Delta has done the same at LaGuardia, another one of the nation's worst airports.)

Free city tours: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei
If you're stuck in the airport for at least a few hours, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau offers free morning and afternoon tours of Taipei from Taoyuan International Airport. The morning tour hits an ancient temple and a center for pottery-making; the afternoon tour takes you to another temple, Taiwan's tallest skyscraper and the home of Taiwan's president. Taipei isn't the only airport offering free city tours -- Singapore's airport also offers free city breaks.

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Delta Air Lines's Economy Comfort seats have up to 4 inches more legroom and recline 50 percent more than the airline's standard international economy class seats.

How much is a good night's sleep worth? $40? How about $350? I flew to London recently in Delta's new Economy Comfort section, where a few inches of legroom made the difference between a cramped, miserable night and a peaceful sleep across the Atlantic.

Economy Comfort is the latest "premium economy" section from a U.S. airline. These are sections at the front of coach where, for a fee, you can get the legroom people used to take for granted. The premium economy market is chaotic, though -- the term means very different things at different airlines, for very different prices.

Let's start with Delta. Delta just laid in 36-inch Economy Comfort seats on most of its international flights, with the same class coming to domestic flights soon. Economy Comfort comes with free booze, AC power ports, and those precious few inches of legroom.

I've flown transatlantic in Delta coach before, and the industry-standard 32-inch legroom is just a little bit too tight for a good night's sleep. Just a touch. And I'm 5 feet 7 inches tall. On my Economy Comfort flight over, I sat next to a guy whose knees were up to his nose even in the 36-inch seat.

On my way back, the AC power outlet was the key amenity -- I could watch my own movies without worrying about running out of battery on an eight-hour flight.

Buying the seat was a no-brainer at $40 each way, because I'm a Delta gold frequent flier. For non-status fliers, that would have been $80. I'd still do that one way, though, to keep that good night's sleep.

What Is Premium Economy, anyway?

"Premium Economy" typically means a seat towards the front of the economy class section with more room and early boarding privileges. It isn't nearly as cozy as business class, and you don't get business class food or service. But if it doesn't cost a lot more, it can take some of the edge off of flying.

Along with Delta, United, Virgin America, Frontier, JetBlue and Spirit all offer premium economy seats. Prices vary but they can be reasonable, especially if you need those extra inches of legroom because you're 6-feet tall or want to sleep on a red-eye.

Read more: Compare prices and offerings of most U.S. carriers

Is it worth it?

For a while now, we've been struggling with two competing desires in travel: the desire to pay incredibly low prices and the desire to be treated like human beings. So far, the airlines have found that Americans' and Europeans' cheapness tends to win out -- thus the success of Ryanair, and the shrinking of airplane seats pretty much everywhere on both continents.

Premium economy seems like a good solution, provided it's reasonably priced, and for domestic flights, it usually is. For a little more money, you get a slightly better product. Business class fares are out of the reach of most Americans; $39 for some extra leg room isn't.

Unfortunately, only Delta is right now doing a reasonably-priced premium economy seat for international flights. United almost qualifies, but it's still more expensive, and you don't get any more room than Delta. On some planes, you get less: 35 inches to Delta's 36.

Yes, just-plain-"economy" should be like today's Economy Plus. But for tall travelers, long-haul travelers, or even just slightly cramped travelers, it's definitely worth looking out for, and worth paying a little more for.

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While a skimpy swimsuit may look great on a mannequin -- or you -- it's wise to pack what's appropriate for where you're going.

While packing for a trip, we often run across items that raise questions like: "It's functional, but is it stylish enough?" or "Can I wear this to certain tourist sites?"

Slideshow: The 10 items that should be left at home

To help you avoid any fashion blunders, we've put together a list of 10 items you should always skip when packing for your next trip.

1) Fanny pack

Though practical and lightweight, a fanny pack just doesn't look good on anyone. In fact, it's one of the most unflattering accessories you can wear. So unless your vacation falls during Halloween and you're planning to attend a party as a 1980s jogger, lose the fanny pack.

What to pack instead: If you're in need of a hands-free solution, try a money belt or a small cross-body bag. They're much more flattering -- and socially acceptable.

2) Sandals with socks

Unless you're wearing sandals on the plane and need to quickly warm up your feet, never pair sandals with socks. And even then, stick to solid-colored socks and remove them well before your plane lands -- the fewer people who spot you wearing them, the better. The best option is to avoid the geeky-looking duo altogether. 

What to pack instead: If you don't want your feet to be overexposed (or if you're trying to prevent blisters), go with closed-toe shoes. There are plenty of stylish pairs out there, including breathable sneakers and flats that will keep your toes at just the right temp.

3) Convertible pants

You know the ones that detach at the knees -- unzip them and voilà! Suddenly you're wearing shorts. In theory, convertible pants are a great idea. Unfortunately, they're not the most fashionable of options. So unless you're headed to a safari camp in eastern Africa where it'll be just be you and a guide scouting for animals, leave them at home!

What to pack instead: If you're traveling to a place where temperatures are inconsistent, pack a variety of clothing, including ample pairs of both pants and shorts. Throw extra layers in your day pack so you're not caught off-guard.

4) Stiletto heels

It can be tempting to throw a flirty pair of four-inch heels in your bag, especially if you're planning a dressy night out while on your vacation. But it's best to leave these shoes at home, especially if you're traveling to a city riddled with cobblestone streets. Not only are they bulkier than flats and take up more room in your suitcase, but stilettos are also incredibly uncomfortable (don't let the three minutes you wore them in the store fool you). 

What to pack instead: Opt for a cute pair of flats or sandals. You'll be thankful you did when you avoid a trip to the emergency room because of a sprained ankle.

5) All-white sneakers

Not only is their level of stylishness up for serious debate -- particularly in Europe where pairing them with jeans is a definite fashion "don't" -- but bright white sneakers will show every speck of dirt. So unless you plan to carry around a toothbrush and a bottle of sneaker cleaner with you, stay away from them while traveling. Plus, white shoes can make your feet look larger than they actually are.

What to pack instead: As a general rule, it's best to avoid wearing white clothing and accessories when traveling. Go with darker colors that hide dirt well.

6) Skimpy swimwear

In general, American men should avoid packing Speedo swim briefs for beach vacations. Reserve these bottoms strictly for swimming competitions where speed takes precedent over fashion. Ladies, you should only wear a thong bikini if you're modeling for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition. There's something to be said about leaving some things to the imagination.

What to pack instead: It's hard for men to go wrong with a cool pair of trunks or board shorts. Women should plan to pack at least two swimsuits: one for sunbathing and one for more active adventures. It's wise to familiarize yourself with local customs before traveling to beaches in Europe, Asia, Australia or the Middle East.

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Cho Seong Joon / via Frommers.com

The lobby of the Grand InterContinental Hotel in Seoul, South Korea.

Most hotel websites offer a "price guarantee" — a reassurance (backed by a price match, additional discounts, credits, free nights, or other promises) that you won't find a lower room rate for a similar category room elsewhere.

The potential perks should be enough to ease the mind of anyone who's thinking twice about making a reservation, right?

Sure, at least that's what hotels want you to think. But hone in on any rate guarantee to see how to cash in, and you'll be squinting at so much fine print (much of it legalese) that you may need a pair of reading glasses.

Read More: Find the best ways to book hotel rooms

When it comes to deciphering price guarantees, here is what to watch out for when reading through the requirements, and what to do if you find a lower price.

What do price guarantees cover?
So you've clicked on "book" to confirm your reservation on a hotel website — only to find a room that's priced lower on another site! Now what? Do you qualify for a price match, credit, or additional discount under the hotel's promise of the best rate? Though price guarantees vary slightly from brand to brand, here are five eligibility requirements that you can expect across the board:

1. The room that you found on a different site must be exactly equal to the one that you booked. This means that everything — including the bed size, the views, the dates of the stay, number of guests, and the cancellation policy (did you book a prepaid, nonrefundable rate?) — must be comparable to the room that you booked on the hotel website. The price must also be quoted in U.S. dollars (as foreign exchange fluctuation can often account for rate differences.)

2. Negotiated, promotional, or group rates don't count; neither do those found on opaque, auction, and membership (including flash-sale) sites. You can't compare the price of the room that you booked with a room bought with an AAA, AARP or other membership discount. You also can't compare room rates with prices posted on sites like Hotwire, Priceline, Jetsetter, SniqueAway  and Vacationist.

3. You'll need to file a claim within 24 hours after you book. The actual amount of time that you have to take advantage of a price guarantee is limited — usually 24 hours, though sometimes up to 72 — so you'll need to act fast (or even better, think before you buy).

4. The deal must be bookable at the time your case is reviewed. The sooner that your case is reviewed, the better — or else the link with the competing price may expire.

5. Guarantees are calculated on the base fare. So be sure to subtract taxes, booking fees, or other charges when comparing your reservation and the website that's offering a better deal.

If these five conditions alone seem limiting, it's because hotels know exactly what they're doing. Hotel rates — similar to airline pricing — change quite frequently, even hourly. But it's uncommon for a dramatic price decrease to occur within 24 hours of booking (and even more uncommon for a traveler to take the effort to search for it). Hotel guarantee claims typically need to be filed within 24 hours after you book, but statistics reveal that price drops are more likely to occur over a longer period of time. Out of the 200,000 hotel stays registered through hotel (and airfare) price-tracking site Yapta.com, 31 percent experienced a rate drop. Out of that percentage, only 19.56 percent happened over a period of 0-6 days; the average rate drop occurred over a period of 36 days — long after the window for filing a claim has expired.

How to file a claim for hotel guarantees
Despite the odds, chances are that you may find a more attractive room rate on a competing site. Luckily, the process of filing a claim is straightforward: most hotel groups will recommend that you call their reservations line or direct you to an online claim form. You'll have to provide your booking confirmation number, and the URL that links to the better deal. In some cases, your claim can be resolved quickly — and when price matches are offered, at least in time for your stay.

If you can't be bothered with a claim, then it's possible to cancel and rebook at the better price (assuming that your purchase was refundable, and that you won't be paying a penalty; check your hotel's cancellation policy).

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Frommer's

Frommer's Remix is a new line of on-demand, customizable guidebooks for 33 destinations around the world.

You’re not a generic, “off the shelf” traveler, so why should you settle for a generic guidebook off the bookstore shelf?

That seems to be the driving philosophy behind Frommer’s Remix, a new line of guidebooks launched this week by the New Jersey-based publisher. Working in conjunction with HP, the company is now offering on-demand, customizable guidebooks for 33 destinations around the world.

“The process of researching travel is overly complicated for many travelers,” said Craig Schickler, the company’s director of e-business development. “We wanted to take content and travel information from multiple sources, bring it together, personalize it and deliver it to your doorstep.”

To get to that point, users enter their destination, click through subsequent screens covering attractions or restaurants, and note their preferences by selecting or deselecting specific categories. Other features include integration with TripIt’s itinerary management tool and an array of discount coupons provided through a partnership with The Entertainment Book. 

The result is a perfect-bound, full-color guidebook with user-selected content, customized maps and, if desired, your own title. (Think "Jill and Fred’s Honeymoon Adventure.") With two-day delivery, they’re being offered for $9.99 with 12 included coupons through Dec. 31; after that, prices will start at $19.99 and go up based on any additional coupons selected.

How much personalization consumers are really looking for, however, is an open question. “People say they want personalization, but what they really want is relevance,” said David Sifry, CEO of Offbeat Guides, which has produced “hundreds of thousands” of customizable guides since 2008.

In fact, according to the company’s research, only 20 percent of customers actually unselect sections. “Most people don’t really want to do the work to build the book themselves,” he said. “They want someone to be their local expert, tell them what to see and do based on where they’re going to be staying.”

Equally important, he says, people love the serendipity of discovering things outside their professed areas of interest: “If you show someone only ballet and you don’t show them jazz, they’re less satisfied,” he told msnbc.com.

Nevertheless, customizable, on-demand guidebooks can be useful for those who feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of travel information currently available.

“At the end of the day, we’re all time-pressed,” said John Peters, vice president and general manager of digital strategy and business development for Rand McNally. “Anything that makes you feel like someone has done some homework for you is a positive thing.”

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Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is as important as the destination. Follow him at Twitter.