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Cruise Blog
Updates from your friends, fellow
cruise travelers, cruise industry experts, favorite cruise lines, destinations
and ships.
It's all about what’s happening
around the world of cruising.
20 Winning Strategies To Finding The Best Cruise
Deals
Forecast for 2012: Better Than Ever Cruise
Deals, If you know where to find them.
by Raye & Marty Trencher
Cruise Traveler Magazine
We predict 2012 is going to be an amazing year
for travel. We're so excited about all we have
planned, we can't wait to get going.
But, we're much more curious about how you are
feeling about 2012? Do you agree that the
economy is improving? Or is it getting
worse? Do you hope it will be a
better year for you than 2011? Will you take that
vacation you postponed last year?
Did you know that Approximately 85% of
travel-related businesses reported a significant
decline in visitors, passengers or income from
2008 to
2010. Airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and
others all were affected. However, while the
media was reporting stories of doom, and gloom
15% of them reported an increase in business
despite some having to lower prices to maintain
occupancy levels and cash flow.
We are proud to say that we were one of those
who ended the year on top. In fact, 2010 was our
best year yet. 2011 should be just as
good. We do more business with more
people than ever before. And, we recorded more
revenue per guest than ever before.
How come?
We decided early on, that we were not going to just sit on the sidelines and
watch the downturn on the economy effect our business. We knew we had to do
something to stem the tide. So we spent a lot of quality time with our
guests, found out what it would take to get them to travel now, rather than
postpone their vacation. Understood their
Cruise
Lifestyle Interests (
see
survey )
Among other things, they told us they wanted more
value for their money, but were not willing to cut corners on the quality or
value of their vacation experience. If they were going to travel in this
economy they wanted more than just a cheap vacation, they wanted a great
vacation - cheap. So, on their behalf, we burned the midnight oil,
researched and found some of the highest valued, best cruise deals around.
Not for an ordinary 3 or 4 day cruise to the Bahamas, but some great deals
full of enlightenment, enrichment and fun to
Alaska,
Europe,
Mediterranean,
Mexican Riviera,
Caribbean,
Bermuda,
South America,
Panama Canal,
Hawaii,
Asia,
Australia,
New Zealand,
South Pacific,
Tahiti, Africa,
Middle East,
Transatlantic,
World Cruise,
Grand Voyages
and elsewhere.
Now, we're not bragging. We just want to tell you, that when you have a
plan, you can find that great vacation to take your family on, despite
what's going on in the economy. AT a price you can afford.
To make it work, we want you to employ a simple but effective formula we call the 20
Winning Strategies to Finding The Best Cruise Deals. If you took a
resort-style vacation, sailed on a cruise, went on a safari, or just drove
across America, you know 2011 is a great year for travel deals. But finding
them did not come by accident, or by just shopping around on the Internet.
They came about simply, because you started 2011 with a plan and followed
it.
And we know that the travel deals for 2012 have to be better than good. So
in addition to our already established offerings, we joined with the
Travelocity to bring our guests even better bargains, more
selection and greater value. Cruise Direct Online
guests can now select from over 12,000 sailings
for 2012-2013. Guests may choose from more than
80 ports of embarkation, including 24
close-to-home within driving distance of most
residents of the US and Canada. Popular
destinations include
Alaska,
Europe,
Mediterranean,
Mexican Riviera,
Caribbean,
Bermuda,
South America,
Panama Canal,
Hawaii,
Asia,
Australia,
New Zealand,
South Pacific,
Tahiti, Africa,
Middle East,
Transatlantic,
World Cruise,
Grand Voyages
By the way, there's nothing special about it -
anybody can do it...it just takes the ability to
understand the marketplace and then implement a
plan that results in a great vacation value for
you.
If you decide to take a trip ( hopefully a cruise ), you will be
contributing to our nation's speedy recovery and return to prosperity. For
when you travel, jobs are created, income is derived and wealth is acquired.
All without government help or intervention.
All with great fun and fond memories.
So what are you waiting for...
20 Winning Secrets
To Finding The Best Cruise Deals
A bad economy
makes for some very good deals: Super cruise deals, lowest prices in years.
But don't book them directly with the cruise line. You can get "bonus"
savings from many travel agents. Not only a better price, but some agents
throw in shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities and other incentives to get
you to book. Shipboard credits, where available from the cruise line, are
house credits that are placed on your stateroom's account for you to use
during your cruise vacation. You can use the credit towards merchandise,
lounges and in some, but not all cases, for Spa Treatments or Shore
Excursions.
Contact
your credit card company. They may offer additional savings, shipboard
credits or frequent flyer miles when you pay for your cruise in full with
that credit card.
Sign up for e-mail
deal alerts that let you know where the great deals are. Some services will
e-mail you when cruise fares drop for the cruise you want.
Cruise Tip: After
you've booked your cruise keep checking the prices. If the price drop,
contact your travel agent, changes are they can you can save you more money.
Cruise lines are
offering deeper discounts earlier, with great deals rates for spring and
some offer kids to sail for free.
You can find deals
priced at less than $45 per person per day including all your meals and most
activities -- but watch out.. you will pay an "up charge" for specialty
restaurants, bar drinks, spa treatments and shore excursions.
Plan Ahead and Save Big. Get The Best Value for your Money. 
Raye & Marty
Trencher's 20 Savvy Cruise Tips
1.
Reserve Your Cruise Now
At least 3 - 6 months
prior to sailing. You get the best choice of locations and stateroom
availability and the sooner you book, the better the discount.
2. If You Can, Pay For It In
Advance
Save as much as 15%. Some cruise lines
give an extra discount if you pay in full at least six months in advance of
your sailing date.
3. Reserve Your Cruise At The
Last Minute
Depending upon when you want to
go, last minute bookings can save you money! Especially if you are not
particular about what cabin and where on the ship you are staying.
4. Cruise In The Off Season
Cruises are more expensive in
high season, so if you can go some other time you will save even more.
Alaska cruises are cheaper in May and September. Europe and Mediterranean
cruises in September and October. Caribbean cruises in September, October
and January.
5. Do A Transatlantic,
Transpacific Or Repositioning Cruise
Want to sail from Europe or the
Mediterranean to the Caribbean, or from Alaska to Hawaii, or Mexico? You
will cruise for about half the cost of the same number of days of a single
destination cruise. You'll get more lazy days at sea and fewer port stops.
6. Cruise On The Ship's Very
First Journey
If you take an inaugural cruise on a new
ship, you may save money, but don't expect everything to be ship shape.
7. Go With A Group
Groups that travel together save more.
Go with or put together your own group from your church, club, work, school
or plan a once in a lifetime a family reunion. And if you can get 15 or more
people to go, you could go for free!
8. Don't Care About The View...
Why Not An Inside Stateroom?
If you think of a stateroom as
only a place for sleeping and dressing, and a view isn't necessary, you can
save money with an inside stateroom.
9. If Four's Not A Crowd, Put
The Family In One Stateroom
Third or fourth guests go at a
substantial discount, and kids sometimes go free. If you take 4 adults,
everyone shares in the savings. However, it can be very crowded. And just
one bathroom!
10. Reserve Without A Stateroom
Assignment
Even if the stateroom category that you
want is sold out, you can reserve your place on the ship. The cruise line
guarantees to provide you a stateroom in the category you want or one higher
at the time they assign you a stateroom. However, you don't have a choice
where it will be. You may save money and get a free upgrade if at the time
they assign you a stateroom there are no more, in the category you reserved.
11. Join The Club
Cruise lines give a special discounts or
free upgrades to past passengers. Carnival give you a break even you have
sailed on Holland America, Windstar, Princess, Costa, or Cunard, as they own
them all.
12. Ask And You Shall Receive
Keep a close eye on weekly newspaper ads
and newsletters for promotional specials. You may qualify for a two-for-one
offer, kids free, or 50 percent off promotion. And, if you already have put
a deposit down or paid for your cruise, do hesitate to ask for the lower
fare if it applies to the stateroom type and category you reserved.
13. On A Honeymoon? Or Celebrating A Special Occasion?
Celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary or
a family reunion on the cruise. On some ships you may qualify for an extra
discount.
14. Look For Added Value
Some sailings offer free hotel nights
before or after your cruise, sightseeing tours, or the cruise line will
offer shipboard credits you can use in the shops.
15. Free Upgrades
Some lines offer an upgrade in cabin
category if you are a repeat passenger, on a honeymoon, celebrating an
anniversary, or your friends or family reserved more staterooms.
16. If You Like It So Much, Stay
Onboard Another Week.
If you arrange to stay on the ship for a
second cruise, you could sail the second week at a discounted rate.
17. Age Has It's Advantages
Over 55? Some cruise lines have
discounts for you. And, if a senior is traveling with other people in the
stateroom that are under 55, the discount may apply to both fares.
18. Airfare Prices Vary
Sometimes the airfare offered by the
cruise line is cheaper; sometimes not. Plan as far ahead as possible to get
the lowest priced airline tickets. Comparison shop the ship's offer and what
the airlines are offering.
19. Consider A Pre Or Post Cruise Hotel Package
Hotel stays can be arranged at the same
time you book your cruise. As with airfares, compare the ship's price with
what the hotel would charge you direct.
20. Every Cruise Line And Cruise Ship Is Different
The most important thing you can do is
research all the ships and cruises that go to your chosen destination.
Compare itineraries, accommodations, shipboard activities, shore tours and
fares. By comparing, you will find a cruise that offers what you want at a
price that fits your budget.. Be sure when you compare fares that you know
whether taxes and port charges are included or not.
More Things To Consider...
A. Become Cyber Savvy
Check online for the latest discounts
and special offerings on ships and sailings. Visit the cruise line's own web
sites and several travel agents online to get the best service and price.
But remember, don't reserve a cruise just because of price.
B. Choose The Cruise That Best
Fits Your Needs And Desires
So many people have bought the
cheapest thing around, only to be disappointed once onboard. As you know by
then it's too late to change your mind.
All About What You See & Read.
Note: This story was
accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all cruise
rates, destination, and accommodation details directly with the
cruise line mentioned before planning your cruise vacation.
The cruises shown on this web site are capacity-controlled and
similar deals may be available from competing online, neighborhood
travel agents, as well as the cruise line directly. All rates are
per person for an inside cabin unless otherwise stated, and include
port charges. Prices may vary by departure date. Please note these
recent deals were limited-time offers, when we searched the
Internet. Cruise lines raise and lower rates according to demand and
available inventory, just about every week. Sometimes daily. So, you
will need to click on an available link to check what's on offer
today, to stay updated on recent deals, and to take advantage of
opportunities to save before they are sold out or their time is (or
was) up. Prices and availability are subject to change and offers
may be withdrawn, by the suppliers at any time. There is no
guarantee that these rates, free extras or special amenities will be
available at the time of your search or actual booking. Use this
information as a starting point in your vacation planning process.
Check with your travel agent or the cruise line directly for the
latest up-to-date-offers.
Questions? Just call
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Ask
The Experts
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Did You Know:
Most cruise lines require guests to
be checked in no later than 90 minutes prior to the scheduled
sailing time*. Guests arriving late will not be permitted to
sail. This supports government regulations in some ports that
require cruise lines to submit a departure manifest 60 minutes
prior to sailing. Guests are requested to complete Online
Check-In no later than 3 days prior to the cruise in order to
expedite the pier check-in process. *Some sailings may require
an earlier check-in time. Please contact your cruise line direct
for specific boarding information.
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Booked on a Special fare or Discount?
It is important that at least one guest per stateroom be
eligible to be considered in compliance with a restricted price
program, such as a Senior, Military, or Resident rate. It is
also important to note that non-compliance of the restricted
price program terms will result in the reservation being
re-priced to the lowest available fare for that particular day.
Furthermore, you will be responsible to pay for any differences
immediately or else your boarding rights will be denied. Traveling with a minor without the
parent or legal guardian?
Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling
with them differ, the parent is required to present the child's
valid passport and visa (if required) and the child's birth
certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy).
The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through
legal documentation. |
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Secret Deals Just
for You!
Save Big With Exclusive Resident Rates Plus,
select sailings may qualify for free onboard
credits.
Take Advantage of Our Cruise Deals! 
Looking for new ways to cruise for less?
Here’s a tip that even experienced cruisers
may not know. Start your search for a
low-cost cruise by researching resident
rates. Where you live could entitle you to
exclusive savings. Just click on your home
state or region below to see qualifying
cruises for your state. Specific sail dates
will be marked with an asterisks * next to
the sailing date. It’s that easy to unlock
the special fares. |
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Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor
child traveling with them are required to present the child's
valid passport and visa or the child's birth certificate
(original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original
notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents.
The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the
traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must
authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for
participation in any activities requiring them and must
authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit
any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If
a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a
certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.
Directions to the Cruise Terminals and Parking
Information
Please visit our
Directions to the Pier web page to obtain parking
information, directions to the pier and transit
information where available.
COMMENTS
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Thank you for taking the time to contribute.
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Cruise Ship Reviews: Carnival
• Celebrity • Cruise West • Crystal • Cunard •
Disney • Avalon Waterways • Holland America • NCL •
Oceania • Princess • Regent • Royal Caribbean •
Seabourn • SeaDream • Viking River • Windstar
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2011 Cruise Direct Online. A Travel
Direct Company ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED - Fla. Seller of Travel
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