Travel Cruise Review

Mary Hanna asked:


Choosing a travel agent should be easy. Go to travel agents that specialize in cruising. I cannot stress this enough. There agencies that book cruises only and then there are agents within Travel Agencies that are specialists in cruising. Either one of these will fit the bill.

Ask the agent a lot of questions, like what cruise lines that agent has sailed on? They should be very knowledgeable about all the aspects of cruising- food, activities, entertainment, the size of the cabins available, the size of the ship, what kind of facilities and the clientele. To be really sure of the agents’ expertise, ask for a CLIA accredited agent.

Ask about a variety of cruises, not just one or two lines. Some agents push one or two lines because they either have booked a big block of space on a ship or they get a higher commission from a particular cruise line, they call these their “Preferred Suppliers”. Ask them who their Preferred Suppliers are and what lines they have personally sailed on. Many times it will be the Preferred Suppliers but you want someone who has experienced many cruise lines.

Cruise Tip: When choosing an agent, ask how long she/he has worked for the agency. You want one that has been there at least two years, has been on several lines, and can answer all of your questions. It is not realistic to expect the agent to have sailed on all of the cruise lines but you want one that has sampled many.

There are a couple of tricks to get the best priced cruise. Go to one Travel Agent who specializes in cruises; go through the options available for the type of cruise you want. After the agent has narrowed it down she/he will than say it’s time to call the lines and check for availability. The next step is to put a hold on the cabin which she will put in your name. Normally the cruise line will hold a cabin for a week. .

Go home and call another cruise agency and ask for their cruise specialist. Give that agency the same information along with the price quoted by the first agent. See if this agent can beat the price. If she can, go back to the first agent and tell her your mother, sister, friend, was able to get a better price and can she meet that price. Chances are she will, especially if she has placed you on a Preferred Supplier. Don’t feel bad about this. You will probably book with the first agent, and the second agent did not do any work except make a phone call. This will also let you know if the first agent did a good job. If agent number 2 can’t beat the price or quotes you a higher price, bingo, you’ve got yourself a great agent in on the first try.

The third thing you will want to do is check the internet for any deals on that particular ship. You can check by search engine or by going to the individual cruise lines website.

Your local newspaper will have a cruise travel section with lots of ads for cruises and will list discount fares. Or go to your local bookstore and browse the Magazine section for Cruise related publications. And of course the Cruise lines all have websites where you can book directly. But if you are a new cruiser it is best to go to a Travel Agent that knows cruising and can answer all your questions including the pro and cons of each and every cruise line.

Cruise Tip: If you are strictly looking for price, go to travel agents that have booked large blocks of rooms on a particular cruise and they will be able to give you a good discount. Just make sure that this is the type of cruise you want to take. Consider the ships “personality”. There are ships that are completely casual all of the time, or ships that promote partying, and ships were people are elegantly dressed all of the time. Choosing your cruise style is one of the first things you should decide, this will help the Travel Agent find the ideal ship for you.

Copy the list below and take them with you when you visit your chosen Travel Agency (write answers below questions):

1. What is the total price for the cruise? It should include port charges, air fare and transfers to and from the airport.

2. Can any money be saved by traveling on a different cruise line with similar amenities or if I traveled at a different time of year?

3. Does the agency have a way of checking if the rate drops as the cruise date nears? If so, will the travel agent automatically lower my fare?

4. Does the cruise line offer travel insurance and what kind if they do? Does the agency offer insurance or know a reputable company?

5. What is the last day you can cancel without penalty? What are the penalties?

6. What proof of citizenship is expected? What other documents will I need?

7. If I want to change the itinerary or go earlier or stay later is that possible?

8. Who will make my airline reservations? When can I get seat assignments?

9. Find out where your cabin will be and if it is close to the dining room, the elevator, the disco, the pool etc. Ships are large and there will be considerable walking.

10. Arrange with the agent what type of beds you want, queen or twin.

11. Tell the agent when you want to dine and how large the table should be.

12. If purchasing an outside cabin has the agent checked to make sure the view is not obstructed? If this doesn’t matter to you, you may be able to save some money by booking an obstructed view.

13. What are the weight restrictions if you are flying to the port?

14. When will I get my travel documents?

15. If you have a special diet request make it now.

16. If it is your honeymoon have the travel agent notify the cruise line. The lines usually have special gatherings for newly weds.

17. If you are traveling in a large group the cruise line should also be notified.

18. If you have any special needs such as cribs or baby food now is the time to have the agent tell the cruise line.

19. If you have a health issue, ask about the infirmary

20. Do they have any cruise reviews that you can see or get a copy of?

These questions and the information above will aide you in finding the right Travel agent to book your cruise vacation. Just a little bit of work and then you can Set Sail!

Happy Cruising!

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Bruce Pickett asked:


When most people think of a luxury cruise, they visualize a hugh ship out on the ocean, sailing from one exotic tropical port to another. There is an alternative type of cruising, though, that provides quite a different cruise experience while still pampering passengers with luxury and exceptional service. It is called river cruising and it is an amazing way to cruise.

 

An alternative to traditional cruising

Whether you are a first time cruiser or have experienced many, there is much to like about river cruising. As an alternative to the traditional cruise, it provides a different view of the countries and cities visited on the ship with a more intimate and casual atmosphere. When we consider the areas where these river cruises are most popular, Europe, Asia and South America, one may wish to take a little more time to absorb the sites, culture, locals and the history. The ship`s motion on the water is quite different on a river compared to an ocean cruise, and is much less likely to bother someone who may be prone to motion sickness.

 

Smaller ships

River cruise ships are necessarily smaller than ocean cruise ships, as they have to navigate the sometimes shallow and tricky waters of an inland waterway. River cruising should not be confused with barging – where passengers float on a barg in man-made canals – because with a powered cruise ship you can explore a country via natural rivers and waterways. Most river cruise ships generally accomadate between 100 and 200 people, although, some are even smaller.

 

Casual, flexible, personal

River cruising is much more casual than traditional cruising. Dinners are casual and comfortable, and in most cases, do not even require wearing a dress jacket or suit coat. Seating is generally open rather than assigned, giving you an opportunity to dine with different people every night, and there is only one sitting rather than two. Passengers can eat what they want , when they want, and in the company of whom they want – the ultimate in flexibility.

 

Slower pace, more relaxed

A river cruise vessel travels at a much slower speed than a traditional cruise ship, allowing passengers to better appreciateand enjoy the passing countryside. The slower cruising speed allows the ship`s atmosphere to feature a slower pace and a more relaxed enviornment, something that most river cruisers particularly enjoy. The sometimes frenetic pace of activity on an ocean liner simply does not exist on a river cruise, making it an exceptionally relaxing way to vacation.

 

Intimate view of the country

River cruising allows you to have a unique and intimate view of the countries you visit. A river cruise takes you well outside of the cities that are typical stopping points and lets you explore the countryside that reflects the true culture and spirit of a country. River cruises usually include stops in smaller villages in towns, where you can mingle with the locals and enjoy a unique cultural experience.

 

Luxury and exceptional service

A slower pace and a more relaxed atmosphere does not mean that river cruising lacks in luxury and service. On the contrary, because a river cruise ship carries fewer passengers, the crew can provide exceptionally personal service, catering to your every need or want. And because river cruise ships generally do not have a hugh array of bars, entertainment facilities and other nightlife venues, they tend to be quieter and more subdued than ocean liners. You still have access to entertainment and recreational activities, just not as many as on a larger ship.

 

River cruising season

In warm weather climates, river cruising can occur year round, but most cruise lines still curtail their sailings from November to March. In northern climates the rivers freeze over the winter, necessitating a shorter season that usually runs from April or May through October or November, depending on river conditions. Because river cruise ships hold fewer and do not run as often as ocean liners, accomodations tend to fill up rather quickly. Your best bet is to book your luxury cruise on a river at the earliest date possible to ensure your place on the ship.

 

If you have any questions or want further information, please go to my web site TPI Travel-Bruce Pickett and send me an email with your thoughts.

 

Mark Hammond asked:


Need some help with packing for your cruise? While packing for a vacation may seem like a no-brainer, there are actually a few guidelines you should follow with respect to packing for cruises.

First, don’t expect to pack extremely lightly and then buy most of your essentials on board. While you will find some available merchandise, toiletries, and even clothing on the cruise ship, most items will very likely be overpriced (because of premiums), and may not be exactly what you’re looking for or what you need.

Find out whether the cruise you’ve selected is formal, casual, or both, and then pack accordingly. Keep in mind that in most cases, formal means “semi-formal” on cruises. This means that instead of donning your best tuxedo and fancy ball gown, opt for a nice suit and a pretty cocktail dress instead. Think of dressing for a nice church wedding, and you’ll be set. If you’re on a formal cruise but don’t want to dress up, eat at different times, ask about casual meals, or order room service.

Pack non-bulky, lightweight clothes that don’t wrinkle easily, and that you can wear several times on the ship. For example, a nice pair of dark jeans can be dressed up or down, a lightweight men’s blazer can also be dressed up or down, and a simple black skirt can be worn with different tops, blouses, and jackets for different looks.

Plan to do laundry at least once during your cruise, as most cruises have self-serve laundry facilities on board. This way, you can avoid over-packing, particularly if you’re going on a longer cruise. Another way to cut down on the amount of clothing you pack is to plan to wear any souvenir clothing you know you’re going to buy on the cruise, which will save you some space, and won’t force you to “make room” for your purchases for the trip home. For toiletries, use smaller containers and sizes, like travel-size shampoo, soap, and toothbrush/toothpaste.

Pack according to where your cruise ship will take you, and what season it is. For example, if you’re on a tropical cruise (no matter what time of year), pack very light cotton layers. If you’re not sure, find out what the climate is like in that area and at that time of year, or ask your cruise agent.

It’s not recommended to pack any of your most expensive items, as you’ll likely worry about them getting lost or stolen for the entire cruise. Leave them at home and bring along cheaper substitutes. Keep all your necessary valuable items-money, documents, identification, medicine, camera, cell phone-with you on your carry-on.

Finally, check with a cruise agent to make sure you’re aware of any special requirements or restrictions (for example, most lines won’t let you bring alcohol with you) with respect to packing for your specific cruise.

Alex Stewart asked:


Are you going on or thinking about a cruise? If you’re curious about cruise ship vacations, but you’re not sure what to expect - keep reading to learn about common cruise ship amenities and what you can expect from a typical cruise ship vacation.

Firstly, the activities, food and services are going to vary from ship to ship and cruise to cruise, so it’s always important to talk this over with your travel or cruise agent. However, this article will provide you a good idea of what’s commonly offered on your average cruise vacation.

All-inclusive Dining

Cruise ships are known for their elaborate dining facilities. Depending on the boat, they’ll either offer semi-formal, sit-down dinners that are served or ongoing buffets that are not only varied, but also quite large.

Most cruisers “complain” that they gain ten pounds in a week thanks to the rich meals, included desserts and a variety of food selection. Despite this, few opt to skip the next meal.

Typically, cruise ships have one major dining room with several seating rooms, accompanied by smaller, café-style snack areas that either serve smaller selections, snacks or just drinks.

Others offer continuous casual food around the clock as snacks.

Entertainment and Bars

Along with dining facilities, cruise ships typically offer a bar or dance club. Patrons can enjoy a few drinks, indulge in some dancing or simply enjoy the DJ and live entertainment.

Depending on the cruise line, these areas are usually restricted to travelers who are either 18 and up or 21 and older.

Child Care and Kid-Focused Activities

If you’ve booked or are looking at a family-oriented cruise, they should offer either direct child care or structured, recreational activities specifically geared toward kids. These “kid-only” events are not only entertaining for the children, but they also give mom and dad that much needed break.

Despite focus on children’s entertainment, though, parents still must remain vigilant about the safety and whereabouts of their loved ones. Cruise ships are typically regarded as a safe vacation experience, but accidents and crime are not limited to on shore experiences.

Flexible Entertainment Options

For single adults, young couples or teens, flexible entertainment is often offered. Most cruise ships have open swimming pools, arcades, libraries and even movie theatres that can be fun for the traveler who needs a break from shuffle board on the pool deck.

Gambling

Depending on the boat and its port of call, a cruise ship will often host a small casino, allowing for on-board gambling. In the tradition of the gambling boats that trolled the Mississippi, casino cruises can be a fun way to enjoy a favored pastime.

Whatever your interests, there’s probably a cruise that caters to it - but you have to do a little research to find the one that tickles your fancy. If you need to have a gym, make sure you book a cruise with a full gym on board. If you love visiting spas, then pick a cruise that has a variety of spa treatment options. Remember, there’s a cruise for everybody.

Jacqueline Michaels asked:


Many people are simply overwhelmed when it comes time to book the cruise vacation of their dreams. There are so many options, so many cruise lines, so many destinations, and so many considerations. The list just continues on and on until one feels like they will never be able to sort through the jumble to find the perfect vacation package. But you can book the cruise vacation that you’ve always dreamed of. And while you can use a travel agent to do it, you can do it just as easily on your own if you know how.

The first step to booking your cruise vacation is to research and gather all of the cruise information you can find. Doing a keyword search online is a great place to start. You can also visit your local travel agent for brochures and catalogues printed by Princess Cruise Lines and various other cruise lines. Compare prices, destinations, and overall service of each vacation package offered to get a basic idea of what type of package you would like to purchase.

Next you will need to choose your destination. Again, the internet is a great tool. Online you will find tourist information, pictures, and testimonials for all of the top cruise destinations in the world. Your local travel agent may also be able to give you some insight into which ports are most popular among which types of travelers. Another great source of information are friends and acquaintances that have traveled with a cruise line. They can give you a unique perspective and advice on which destinations to avoid and which ones to include in your itinerary.

Before you visit your travel agent or book online, you should have a good idea of how much money you can spend and how long of a cruise you would like to take. Keep in mind that the time of year that you book your cruise can have a huge impact on the price you will pay. This means that you may be able to book a longer cruise with more ports of call for the same price of a shorter cruise if you book during the off season.

Once you have gathered and researched all of the information, you can begin booking your cruise. You can do this through a respected and well-known travel agent of your choosing or you can book your cruise yourself online or directly through the cruise line itself. No matter which method you choose, you will have to make several decisions about your vacation at this point in the planning process. Here are just a few:

1. Choose your point of departure and the travel method that you will use to get there.

2. Decide on ports of call and any extra activities that you may wish to take advantage of.

3. Choose your stateroom. Keep in mind that staterooms vary in price, amenities, size, and services available.

4. Become familiar with cancellation policies and restrictions.

5. Find out if you will be required to put down a deposit and how much it will be. Some cruise lines will require you to pay the full amount due up front.

Travel Agent or Book Yourself?

While finding a cheap price used to be the motivation that kept people glued to their computer well into the night looking for the perfect deal on a cruise, the popularity of cruises has led to the equalization of cruise prices all across the board. This means that you will probably pay the same price for a cruise that you book yourself as you would for one that you book through a travel agency. So which method should you choose? Take a quick look at the following advantages of each before you make your decision.

Booking with a travel agent has many advantages over booking online, and since the cruise line pays the agent a commission for booking the trip with its line, there is virtually no cost to you when you use an agent. Here are just a few of the advantages of booking your vacation through an agent:

1. An agent is quite familiar with all of the cruise lines available and the packages that they offer. This helps them to quickly narrow in on a package of your choice without having to do a lot of unnecessary research.

2. Since agents are familiar with popular cruise lines but are not employed by them, they can give you unbiased advice concerning your vacation and which cruise line you should travel with.

3. Most travel agents are certified or licensed through the Cruise Line International Association and the Travel Institute.

4. A travel agent will look for reduced pricing for your trip even after it has been booked and rebook your sea voyage for you at a lower price if and when it becomes available.

5. In the unfortunate even that something goes awry during your trip, your travel agent will act as a mediatory between you and the offending cruise line.

Booking online also has many advantages. Although a rare occurrence, searching for last minute deals online can still yield results. But even if you can’t find a last minute cruise bargain, you may choose to book online for one of the following reasons:

1. Online cruise websites contain most of the information that is available to travel agents. This puts the control of your vacation directly into your hands. You may also be able to browse inside information that would not have come up during a normal meeting with your travel agent.

2. You can access online travel agencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This allows for a lot of convenience and flexibility, which is perfect for people who have a hard time keeping and making appointments.

3. When it comes to researching your vacation, there is no better place to do it than online. Here you will find numerous research tools as well as photos, diagrams, reviews, schedules, and videos just to name a few.

4. Using an online calendar, you can search for the most inexpensive package available through the cruise line of your choosing. Sometimes you can save a few hundred dollars by leaving a week earlier or later than your scheduled time frame.

5. Since your travel agent narrows in on certain lines, ships, and destinations according to your wants and needs, you may not be able to browse all of the options available. Booking online will allow you to do this and more.

As you can see, there are many advantages of each, so it may be hard to make a decision. If you’re finding this to be true, you may want to book your vacation through an agent and perform additional research online yourself. Whatever your decision, once you have looked at all the details, go for it!

David H. Urmann asked:


Wilmington is a pleasant port city in the southeastern corner of North Carolina. It is a popular destination settled on the Cape Fear River and its historic downtown. The city offers great cruises for dinner or reception, sightseeing and charters.

Wilmington is a district of New Hanover County originally located on seven hills at the east side of Cape Fear River. It was built in 1739 and named in honor of Spencer Compton, a governor’s patron. Wilmington became the most beautiful city at the south because of its four season climate, historic old homes, boulevards and lake cruises. Below are the three popular cruises that offer fun and comfort.

Jubilee Snooze & Cruise

Jubilee Snooze & Cruise is located at Ann Street that offers Bed and Breakfast, dockside dining, boat and charter rentals, dinner cruises, receptions and weddings.

A wooden 45′ motor yacht called the Sea Star is great for a retreat, business meetings and wedding receptions. Yacht accommodations provide a master suite, two cabins and another head. The salon is furnished with mahogany panels with wing chairs, leather sofa and two tables. The room is fully air-conditioned with modern facilities like DVD player, flat screen TV and an internet access.

The yacht has a galley with complete basic appliances for cooking. A midship guest and forward state rooms are available for additional companions. However, charters include a bow, a perfect place to relax, sightseeing and star night gazing.

Amenities for a group of 6 include daily breakfast, meal options, two baths, a bar, refrigerator, TV and DVD in each salon or cabin and wireless air card for internet access.

You can choose from many packages offered, whether for an overnight stay or day cruise, for special occasions like wedding, or for a group cruise.

Cape Fear Riverboats Inc.

Cape Fear Riverboats, Inc is at the south water street in Wilmington. It was founded in 1987 by Captain Carl Marchburn. They currently operate HENRIETTA III and CAPTAIN J. N. MAFFITT boats.

Henrietta III Riverboat Cruise

Henrietta III is a trailblazer steamboats launched in the mid of September 1987 in Mississippi. It is the place for a day and evening of fun for occasions and functions.

Henrietta III is located at Water and Dock Street in Wilmington. It is available during special occasions like weddings, birthdays, reunions, outings and corporate functions. Henrietta III provides fine dining restaurants, sightseeing tours, travel cruise agents, reception location and boat, charters and yacht rentals. It also features a 1 ½ hour narrated cruises during daytime and a dinner riverboat.

The ship has three decks, dancing and dining facilities at the lower decks and atrium and open deck at the upper level. There are evening cruises that lasts for four hours. Shorter cruise are also available like the murder mystery cruise from May to December, Redneck Wedding Comedy Cruise every Thursday from may to October, Friday Dinner Dance Cruises every Friday from April through December, Saturday Dinner Dance Cruises, Sunset Dinner and Narrated Sightseeing Cruises every Tuesday to Saturday from April to October.

Wedding packages include private evening and daytime packages, private ceremony and reserved daytime cruises as well as private ceremonies and reserved evening cruises. Sightseeing cruises offers lunch cruises, school groups, Water Taxi to Battleship and MAFFITT Narrated SS cruises.

Private charters cruise all year round and public cruises go out on April to December. All its cruises board thirty minutes before departure. The Henrietta III is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Captain J N Maffitt River Cruises

Captain J N Maffitt River Cruises is located at Dock Street. They offer services like river cruises and sightseeing tours. It was named for Captain John Newland Maffitt. He is one of the Confederacy’s blockade runners.

Maffiit offers a 45 minute sightseeing cruise along with historic narration of Cape Fear River. It sets daily at 11 am and 3 pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Off-season from May to Memorial Day is available. Furthermore, charters and battleship river taxis can be availed during summer.

River cruises and sightseeing is fun for all ages. Its well designed accommodations and receptions make people enjoy special occasions at its finest. Wilmington provides great cruises with rich historic experienced to locals and many tourists.

Tom Tessin asked:


There are various reasons why you need a good travel agent to plan your cruise vacation. You will gain advantage for your cruise vacation by using the services of a travel agent. Other important reason is that, you get the best possible rates for your vacation. However, it is difficult to find a good agent dealing in cruise line traveling for planning your cruise line vacations.

Need for a good agent dealing in cruise vacations:

In today’s world, where every information about traveling or planning a vacation is available on the Internet, but there comes a time, when there is a necessity to find a good agent, who deals in cruise vacations. The three main reasons, why you need a good agent are as follows:

1. If you are a first timer or an inexperienced traveler

2. Have no time or idea to research the best cruise vacation deal

3. If you are going on a cruise vacation with a large group of people

Abilities of a Good Travel Agent:

It is a more complex procedure to book a cruise vacation than booking a plane ticket or reserving a room in a hotel. With any kind of vacation, you need to make many important decisions. To help you make these important decisions, you need to find an agent experienced in cruise traveling. You need to look for the following abilities in an experienced agent:

1. The travel agent needs to have the ability to answer all your quires regarding the cruise vacation, thorough knowledge about cruise liners along with the ability to find the best cruise vacation deal.

2. Able to help you by offering flexibility in various deals, if in case you are indecisive, he/she needs to offer information with the help of brochures of different cruise liners.

3. The agent also needs to provide certain needs in special cases such as medical conditions, on-board childcare or dietary restrictions.

4. Answer queries regarding cancellation and mode of payment.

Where to Find Good Agent Experienced in Traveling?

If you want a find a good travel agent, go to a local agent, who deals in travel plans. You may also ask friends, co-workers or relatives, who have gone on a cruise vacation. You may also check local newspapers or telephone directories to call them regarding any queries.

Benefits:

Good travel agents will always help you in resolving all your problems about cruise vacation, if you are a first timer. They also help you to negotiate with the cruise liner’s executive. They may also help you get a big discount on your vacation. These agents act as planners, advisors and negotiators on your behalf.

They provide you with details of different kinds of cruise liners and explain all their features and benefits. Just be careful, if any agent forces you to choose a particular cruise liner, or else you might end up paying huge commissions.

In short, they help you in planning a memorable vacation. Just go through various brochures and details before choosing a cruise liner. This may help you save a huge amount of money, which might come in handy during the vacation.

Dean Caporella asked:


It’s one thing to shop for a discount cruise but another knowing how to get the most out of your deal. Discount cruises are virtually available all the time and there are some outstanding bargains to be found.

In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to look beyond what’s actually being advertised and how you can take advantage of some higher benefits.

Book Early Or Wait

There’s an old saying that goes something like this… “six of one, half a dozen of the other.” Basically you’ll be able to locate a discount cruise whether you book early or wait to the last minute. The crux of the matter here is what are your circumstances? Can you afford to wait to the last minute to book a cruise? Are you flexible enough with work committments to be able to take time off at short notice?

Choosing Your Discount Cruise Class Of Travel

Competition is fierce amongst cruise lines for your holiday business. The great thing about discount cruises is while you’ve secured a holiday at an excellent price, just reflect for a moment on what you get for the price you paid. When you compare it to most other holiday packages involving land or air, cruising comes out on top most of the time as the best value-for-money vacation.

When booking a stateroom and you are on a budget, naturally you’ll be looking at the cheapest alternatives first. Here are a few tips on getting the best stateroom for your budget.

- when you have your quote, always ask for the quotes on the next couple of state room categories. You’ll be surprised in many cases at how little difference there can be between the prices of different class staterooms.

- Initially, you may be looking at a stateroom without a view. The difference in price between a stateroom with or without a view may not be a lot. If it is within your scope to pay the extra amount then do it. Just having a view can make a big difference to your discount cruise enjoyment.

- Depending on availability, always choose a stateroom which is near amenities you are likely to frequent such as the restaurants and pool area. It can be a long walk back to your room when you retire for the night!

How To Locate Discount Cruise Deals

The online factor is a huge resource area in most facets of life and shopping for the best cruise deals is no different. There is some weight online these days with countless opportunities to book through online cruise agents.

Before you book though make sure the credentials of the company is listed and available. Also, make sure you can actually speak with a live customer service person rather than communicating through email. When you are happy you’ve found a helpful website, sign up for their newsletter if available as these are usually an excellent way to be kept right up to date with the latest cruise discounts being offered.

Chonticha Marijne asked:


To avoid any disappointment, you should book your cruise well in advance so that you get the package that you want. Although this approach works while booking airline tickets, it may not necessarily be the wisest thing to do when booking a cruise package. It certainly will not get you a discounted cruise.

This is because some cabins go unsold as the cruise date approaches, so the cruise line will create last minute discount packages to sell the remaining cabins rather than leave them unoccupied. You may actually be able to get these unsold cabins for a fraction of their regular price! However, the cruise lines may not promote these discounts in magazines and on television in order to protect the interests of their travel agents as well as their full-fare business. The easiest way to make sure that you’re informed of the cruise line’s promotions is to subscribe to their website’s newsletters.

You should also check with your travel agent which discount cruises are available. Don’t be surprised if you can actually choose from a number of discount cruises from a cruise line of your choice! These cheap cruises do not compromise on quality and you can rest assured that you will still get the best of everything. Your discount can range from 10% to 75% — it all depends on the time you book and the availability of the cabins.

Discount cruises are available from leading cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, Norwegian, Costa, and Disney. Sometimes it’s better to buy from your cruise agent instead of buying directly from the cruise line as your agent buys in bulk and can help you get your package at the best rate.

Booking at the right time can get you a five-night Caribbean cruise for as low as $260. You may even save as much as 81% by booking at the last minute, provided you find the right cruise agent.

You can also save on your luxury cruise if you approach a traditional travel agent as they can get you a good group deal. If enough people come to them, they can book the cruise packages at the same time and so you can get a discount for bulk booking. However, you have to decide whether you are willing to travel as a group as you may also have to do many activities together. Although you save money, you may have to compromise somewhat in the freedom department.

With some patience and research, you should be able to find a great cruise deal with all the trimmings of a full-fare cruise, but one that will leave you with some extra cash in your wallet. It will make your cruise holiday that much more enjoyable!

Anne Campbell asked:


Copyright (c) 2008 Anne Campbell

A wealthy friend decided to take a one-month vacation with Seabourn Cruises and knew the ship, itinerary, departure date and stateroom she wanted. She decided to conduct an experiment in cruise bargain hunting by calling three travel agents and, after relaying the specifics of her desired voyage, advised each agent that whoever gave her the best price would get her business. She saved thousands of dollars.

The travel agent who won her business did it by rebating. If there is one dirty word in the cruise industry it’s rebating, which means an agent kicks back part of his or her commission (generally 15% of the cruise fare) to pass along a lower fare.

After 15 years of writing about the cruise industry I still don’t see why rebating is bad - don’t real estate agents and car salesmen do the same thing? Isn’t this just basic competition? Still, several cruise lines won’t let any travel agent rebate cruise fares, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Sea Cruises and, to a large part, Norwegian Cruise Line.

The remaining cruise lines do allow rebating, but won’t permit travel agents to advertise or promote a lower price to the public. You have to ask.

This means that if your sights are set on a Princess, Holland America, Cunard, Oceania, Carnival and Seabourn cruise, it’s worth your time to ask travel agents if he/she can come up with a lower price than the one you’re first quoted.

Of course your chances are better in some cruising regions. Right now, sales of Caribbean, Mexico and South America are soft. Hence, here you stand a better chance of getting a lower price than on Alaska and Greek Island cruises, which are selling much better this year.

It’s all about supply and demand. And timing. For example, traditionally suites and balcony cabins sell out first. But now that a bad economy is upon us and there’s overcapacity in the Caribbean and Mexico you still may get a better deal on the highest-priced categories. So ask. The only thing a travel agent can say is “sorry, this is the price.”

WHEN NOT TO SHOP AROUND: When you have a wonderful travel agent you trust implicitly, who has steered you towards good deals in the past. To save $100 or so isn’t worth it.

One caveat. Travel agents can only rebate the price of a cruise. There are fixed costs, like port charges, taxes, fuel surcharges and airfare that are never negotiable.