Now that cruising is undergoing great post-Costa Concordia scrutiny, this new website shines like a beacon.
Name:www.CruiseWise.com.
What it does: Gives the independent traveler more power to book a cruise online. If you like what Hipmunk has done for flight search, you will love what CruiseWise will do for cruises.
What's hot: It's all about the visual map. Select your destination, departure port, and dates, then watch as your search results appear on a map on your screen. Detailed info such as price and room options are in the left navigation bar, while on the right is the map tracking your route. Toggle between cruise options on the left and watch the map reconfigure to show your itinerary. Don't miss the price drop-down menu bar, which allows you to see the full, or per passenger, fare, including tax. It's a time-saver; most cruise websites make you enter more info before you find out the total bill.
