100 TOP CRUISE DEALS & STEALS FOR 2012 - 2013

Things To Know Before You Go....

CRUISE GUIDE Cruise Tip Of The Week General Passport Information     Discover the benefits of cruising Embark on the ultimate adventure, where you can spend your days and nights as you please—playing or relaxing, or doing a little of both—while traveling from one unique destination to the next. Discover why cruising is right for you.        Questions about cruising? Find your answers here! We've listed the most common questions, from what's included (and not included) in the price of your cruise, to whether you need a passport for your trip, to what to expect once you board the ship.       Cruise lines and ships Wondering about those new mega-ships you've heard so much about? Curious if smaller ships still sail the seven seas? Ships range in size from 148 to 3,000+ passengers, with amenities and activities to please any traveler.       Cruise calendars Found the perfect ship... just don't know where it's sailing? We've compiled sailing schedules for more than 115 ships. See where your favorite is headed next.       Ports of call Cruising isn't just about island hopping in the Caribbean or visiting Alaska's glaciers and fjords. You may just be surprised about where you can sail. Think Europe, the Panama Canal, the South Pacific... Cruise Tip Of The Week Are some ships better than others for children? While most cruise lines offer supervised activities for children—such as swimming, sports, movies, and games—some ships don't, and some ships have better programs than others. In addition, some programs have minimum age requirements (generally age 2 or 3). To find the best children’s programs, we suggest you read the the cruise ship’s review. Though you may initially think of Disney Cruise Line® when shopping for a family-friendly cruise (and it certainly is family friendly), many other ships offer children's programs (and adult activities) that may be just as appealing.     Did you know? Meals are included in the price of your cruise Dietary restrictions can be accommodated Late-night or around-the-clock dining is always available 24-hour Internet cafés are located on most ships Evening entertainment is included in your cruise price Gyms and outdoor sporting activities are found on all ships Classes and seminars are offered on both sea and port days Passengers can participate in planned shore excursions Tipping is optional on some cruise lines     Vast ship options Sample shipboard activities and amenities include the following*: Vast cuisine options, from low-calorie gourmet meals to midnight chocolate buffets Various dining venues, from traditional dining rooms and alternative gourmet restaurants to free room service Quiet areas, including libraries, card rooms, and 24-hour Internet cafés Internet access right from your cabin Evening entertainment, from Broadway- and Vegas-style shows to cabaret acts Onboard movie theaters, playing everything from first-run films to classic cinema Outdoor sporting events, from classics like basketball, ping-pong, and shuffleboard to more unique activities like tennis, rock climbing, and golf Classes and seminars, including wine-tasting seminars, ethnic cooking classes, computer courses, and casino gaming instruction Duty-free shopping for anything from designer clothing and fine jewelry to high-end cosmetics and perfume     Fascinating ports of call You’ll find a cruise going to most areas of the world: Hop on a South America-bound ship and spend one day exploring ancient Mayan ruins, another scuba diving off the coast of a remote Caribbean island, and yet another traversing the Panama Canal Sail around Europe, where you can visit a dozen famous cities and only unpack your bags once Journey north to Alaska and enjoy nature at its finest, from mountains to fjords to glaciers millions of years old Head south to the Caribbean and visit some of the world’s most gorgeous beaches and dive sites Or travel down under, stopping at some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s most fascinating cities, where you can visit the Great Barrier Reef and the world's oldest rain forest on the same day * Check your ship for details on what's offered. The Insider's Guide to Booking Cheap Travel Money-Saving Tips and Tools from Travelocity   Think you know all the ways to save on travel? Think again. We've found the best money-saving tips and tools insiders use to find cheap airfares, hotels, cruises, and car rentals. Combine several of the key steps below and you could save $500 on your next vacation. Tricks and Tips to Find Cheap Airfares Flying is often the biggest expense of your trip, but it can be a source of huge savings if you know how to work the system. Use the steps below to find the cheapest airfares. Let the deals come to you. Use a free automated service that tracks fares and alerts you when the prices drop. Be flexible on dates. When you fly is one of the most important money-saving factors. Start your search by figuring out the smartest days to travel. Consider surrounding airports. In major metropolitan areas there are often several airports, and prices can vary dramatically at each. Look at flexible dates and surrounding airports in one search. You might need some extra information for this little-known trick. Bundle everything together and save a bundle. Buy a Flight + Cruise or even Flight + Cruise + Transfer package and save $315 on average per person. You can even add in Shore Excursions for extra savings. Being spontaneous pays. Traveling at the last minute limits your choices, but it could help you save up to 70%. Take off in two weeks or in two hours and enjoy final-closeout prices. Pack lighter and smarter. Many major airlines now charge from $20 each way to check a bag (and from $30 each way for a second bag). Keep your luggage to a minimum and fly cheaper. Plus, bring your own food and you could save $10 each way. These steps could save you up to $120 round-trip. The Best Ways to Save Money on Your Hotel The average nightly rate of a U.S. hotel room is topping $100 according to Smith Travel Research. Take overnight flights and sleep on the planes instead--and you could save $200. Plus, when shopping for a hotel, use the tips below. Are your dates the cheapest? Maybe not. Try doing a dateless hotel search to find the best days to save. Add value to your trip with special promotions. Many properties offer perks like complimentary spa treatments, free nights, and special discounts to reel you in. Insider Tips to Save on Cruises Not all vacations involve taking a flight to stay in a hotel. Home port cruising offers some of the best ways to stretch your budget. Check out these cheap cruise travel options. Packaging your travel components together helps keep costs down--and cruise ships often provide a boatload of savings. In fact, cruising costs $1,000 less on average than a traditional land-based vacation. Travelocity- Disclaimer Notice Use the official Travelocity web site to research all the possibilities, compare ships, staterooms and prices. You are not obligated to make a purchase online. The web site will show you all the deals and the details, so you can make informed choices. All cruises listed have the most current and up to the minute pricing. If the category you requested is not shown, this means it is not currently available as a result, the system will show you alternatives for your consideration. Cruise reservations are handled by a third party provider: Travelocity. You can choose to reserve your cruise online or contact one of their Cruise Travel Advisors about your selection. If you choose to book and reserve your stateroom and place a deposit or full payment online you will receive an Instant Confirmation. Booking your cruise online with Travelocity obligates you by requiring a deposit or full payment to be paid to the cruise line at the time of booking. Your credit card will be charged immediately. All reservations and payments are subject to the policies of Travelocity as well as the cruise line's passenger contract, reservation, payment and cancellation policy. Once you reserve, the travel agent: Travelocity  is solely responsible for your reservation, including supplying any information you may need, answering any questions, collecting final payment and making changes to your trip. Please be sure to read the cruise line's brochure and read the cruise line's booking/reservation policy online at their web site, as well as the Travelocity booking/reservation policy at their web site to learn about their policies BEFORE you make any payment. If you are purchasing a restricted fare of any kind, as an example, a Senior Citizen Rate (1 guest in each stateroom must be 55 or older), or Resident Rate, these type of rates may not be shown online. If shown, and you purchase a Restricted fare of any kind, you will asked to show proof or age, residency, or other proof as required during the check-in process at the pier. Failure to show proof that you qualify for a Special or Restricted fare will result in the cruise line charging you a higher rate at the pier and/or they may refuse you boarding. If they do, you will not get a refund. Reservations are limited to United States and Canada residents. Need help planning your Vacation? Travelocity Vacation Consultants are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For Immediate Assistance call their Sales and Customer Care Department at ( United States ) 877.815.5446 ( Canada ) 877.752.2282 Cruise lines require that guests under the age of 21 years must stay in the same stateroom and be accompanied by a parent, relative, or guardian 25 years or older. Some cruise lines age restrictions may vary. Passengers are responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents including visas or other kinds of documentation required if international travel is involved. General Passport Information Traveling abroad? New passport requirements are now in effect. Get the latest information on your passport, visa, and health requirements—which can vary by travel mode—well in advance of your trip. United States citizens can visit the State Department’s web site http://travel.state.gov, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center: (877) 4USA-PPT. Please allow at minimum 6–8 weeks for processing of the passport application. If you need to travel urgently and require a passport sooner, expedited processing is available. For information, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_898.html To find out more information about how to obtain a passport, please visit:http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html To find foreign country entry requirements, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html. To find U.S. entry requirements for non-citizens, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html.