Travel Cruise Review

Dean Caporella asked:


Finding cheap cruises has almost become a past time for many regular travelers who recognize the value in taking a holiday on a cruise ship.

When you compare the price of a cruise to many other vacations you simply cannot compare the value you get on a ship. It’s all inclusive and there is also the added attraction of being able to set foot on land when docking at the various stops along the way.

Shopping For Cheap Cruises

It will be difficult to find cheap deals during the high season. This includes the summer holiday months and the various school breaks. However, concentrating your efforts from fall through to spring means getting on a ship for a bargain price.

Booking ahead for these times of the year is a sensible approach. Companies offer attractive deals considering many people prefer to stick around at home during the festive season.

Online vs. Travel Agent For Cheap Cruises

There is a lot of conjecture as to which is the best approach. Online booking is now part and parcel of taking cheap cruises however, there are times when it’s definitely more beneficial to speak with a travel agent.

When shopping online the price advertised is the price you get. With a booking agent, there are deals available which will not be advertised online and without checking, then you could be missing out on some great savings.

When looking at niche cruise lines or vacations with land embarkations then you’ll need to speak with a representative. These are a little more complicated than the average straight forward cruise.

Other times requiring contact with a specialist is if you are a returning customer. Some cruise lines offer returning customers upgrades to a more expensive level as a way of rewarding them for their patronage.

Discounts can also apply to senior citizens while discounts could also apply to you if you are part of a special organization such as the armed forces.

How To Shop And Compare

Our advice is to shop online and get a guide of the prices available for advertised cheap cruises. When you have a list of possible options contact your travel agent. Better still, have a list of travel agents and spend a little time on the phone.

Your aim is to try and get down to the lowest price possible and may mean you’ll need to speak with several agents. Start with the initial price listed and simply ask if that price can be bettered. On many occasions it won’t but the chances are also extremely good that you’ll get a discount.

Dean Caporella asked:


The fall period offers some excellent opportunities to score excellent cheap cruise deals with the colder months approaching. Cruise lines will ramp up their marketing efforts during this time and offer great opportunities for people to get on a cruise ship cheap.

However, this article is not about where you can go to get a great deal, it’s about letting you know that your cheap cruise may not be the great bargain you thought it was if you are sailing for the first time and unaware of on ship costs.

For example, the marketing to get people on ships is very attractive; 7 day cruises through the Eastern Caribbean for less than $500 is hard to resist however, there’s an old saying which goes something like…”if they don’t get you on the roundabouts they’ll get you on the swings.”

The On Board Cost Factor

In other words, while your initial cost will include some onboard privileges, the cost of staying on a ship for any length of time can be expensive. That’s not detracting at all from the experience because there is little to compare with a cruise but many holidaymakers will have suffered temporary high blood pressure levels when it comes time to square up at the end of the trip.

Let’s take a look at some of the expenses you could be faced with which can blow your cheap cruise experience into an expensive one:

1. Drinking is one of the biggest expenses on a cruise ship. Just be aware, if you like a drink then be prepared to pay for it. Souvenir drinks are attractive; that is, drinks which come in specially designed glasses which you get to keep afterwards but how many souvenir glasses do you want to end up with?

2. Photos can be a brutal expense. Photographs are a great way to savor wonderful memories and there will be on board photographic services which will be happy to snap your picture everyday. But be warned they are not cheap. If you have your own camera then make sure you pack it.

3. Many inexperienced travelers will often think on shore excursions which are organized are part of the cruise experience but this is not usually the case. This is something you need to check with your travel professional before making your booking.

4. Entertainment is great on board a ship and most of it is free however, if you like to indulge in a little gambling and have a “soft spot” for slot machines be prepared to play the larger denomination machines because the smaller 1 and 2 cent machines can be hard to find.

5. On board staff and generally fantastic and it’s hard to beat the service you get on a ship. Again, it can come at a cost via gratuities and this is fair enough however, if you are from a place where tipping is foreign, just be prepared.

6. Some on board services are not included as part of the initial cheap cruise price. These include grooming and beauty services.

7. Likewise, medical services will cost you extra should you need attention on your trip.

Bryan Burbank asked:


The best thing about taking a cruise is that you can find one that fits your every needs and finding a cheap cruise can be easier than ever. With the internet now being our main way of looking for information it has become easier than ever to find deals on any vacation that we would want to take and cruises are no exception. The first thing that you want to do is to make a list of several destinations that you would like to travel to so that when you are searching for a cruise you do not get overwhelmed with so many choices.

Learn how to find a: Discount Cruise

Next you want to set your budget so that when you are looking online you know what you limit is to spend. When selecting a budget this can also limit you to the amount of days that you can spend on a cruise.

Get some Advice about: Cheap Cruises

It is also a good idea to look at the time of year you want to travel because there are times that are much cheaper than others. During the summer and holidays are usually more expensive so you may want to stay with the off season because this can be a big savings for you and your family.

There are also last minute deals were they are trying to fill a ship and you may be able to save a lot of money there as well. Cruising can be find and exciting and finding a great cruise at a reasonable price is not hard if you take your time and check with many different sources you can be successful on your next vacation destination.

Dean Caporella asked:


With the warmer months approaching, cruising will be one of the more popular summer vacations on people’s minds however, if it’s a cheap cruise you’re looking for, then you may struggle to find one.

The summer period, especially the holiday time is prime time as far as cruise companies are concerned. This is the time of the year they have little trouble in filling their cabins.

This doesn’t mean you cannot cruise cheap. Let’s take a look at two solid options which will help you land that bargain vacation on the high seas.

Travel Agents

Many people seem to overlook travel agents and one reason for this may be because they are such an obvious choice. They should be the first port of call simply because of their connection to the cruise companies. Connection as in receiving an order of tickets to fill that is.

Filling cabins is what it’s all about with cruise lines and their number one aim is to make sure there isn’t a vacant cabin left when the ship departs port. The travel agents job is to fill these cabins and they have the ability to be negotiable on the price of tickets.

A good tactic is to come up with a list of travel agents and then speak with each one individually over the phone. You are simply asking about the cruise you’re interested in, what’s the cost and what sort of a deal they can do.

Some may be hard to get on with and others will be very accommodating. This is simply shopping around for the best price and don’t be surprised if you can get your cost down anything up to 10% of the original quote.

It’s a great way to come up with a cheap cruise deal. How many travel agents should you contact? That’s entirely up to you but try to speak with at least five. Obviously time will be a factor but in the end, even if you are looking at saving $100 of your trip, it’s an extra $100 you can spend on your holiday.

Online Cruise Sites

This is a must alternative simply because of the power and competitiveness of the internet. Cruise companies proliferate the online scene all competing for your business but they also have the ability to locate and get you on a cheap cruise holiday.

Join some of the site’s who offer newsletters and correspondence with their visitors. This way, you can be kept up-to-date with what’s coming up and one of the advantages of these mailing lists are you’ll usually be the first to hear about the super deals.

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


One of best forms of spending the holidays is to go on a cruise. Usually, cruises last from 3 days to about 3 months. The price range is also different depending on the cruise.

Do things such as a cheap cruise even exist? The surprising answer is yes. Various cruise lines offer different package depending on the client’s needs and budget. The cheap cruises usually take care of food, accommodation, and all the amusements.

Contrary to popular belief, a cheap cruise never means bad service or accommodation. Cruise lines treat all their clients equally and ensure that everyone has access to all their services and facilities.

What else is included in a cheap cruise?

• In most cases, the cheap cruise price is inclusive of

• Flights, connections and sea plans

• The cruise itself

• The amusements on-board

• All your meals

• Services at any time of the day.

• Room service

• Sauna baths, Gym, swimming polls, spas etc.

What to expect on this trip?

Shopping is possible both on land as well as on the sea. Beauty parlours and salons are available as well. Cruise lines also offer shore excursions to every client of theirs.

Cheap cruises, although cheap, are kitted out with hydraulic stabilisers that will greatly reduce the motion of the ship in bad weather. This ensures that you don’t suffer sea-sickness even in foul weather.

As you know, taking about holidays automatically brings in the concept of useful tips.

Some of the more useful tips are

a) Cheap cruises, just like their more expensive sisters, vary greatly in structure and size. Some carry lesser people to smaller water bodies while others have a much greater carrying capacity.

b) You can choose the room you want on the ship depending on the amount you’ve paid.

c) Choose a cruise that takes you to places you haven’t been to before. Cheap cruises to the Caribbean Islands are available throughout the year. During summers, Alaska is an ideal destination for cruises.

d) Make sure to bring along your sleeping bag so that you can spend a night on the beach. Usually, your baggage is collected one day before the date of scheduled departure. This means that to experience the sea at night, you need to carry extra clothing.

e) If the cruise you have chosen moves from country to country, its advisable to carry your passport as it serves as a form of identification like no other.

f) Cheap cruises are extremely informal during the waking hours but most nocturnal activities are extremely formal and require that you carry along an extra set of formal clothing.

g) Although the amusements on board the ship are included in the cost of the cruise, day trips and shore excursions may cost extra.

h) Make sure that you carry along your travel insurance. Most of the cheap cruise companies cannot be held responsible for any misplaced or damaged belongings.

i) Some cheap cruise liners give you the option of checking out the cruise liner before booking your ticket. Make sure you make the full use of this option and ensure the quality of the ship before booking.

Checking out these tips and following them will make sure that your cruise is an unforgettable experience. But do remember that even if it’s a cheap cruise, it should offer you the ultimate satisfaction and comfort during and after the trip as a vacation is for relaxation and not just another way to get stressed.