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Tips On How to Understand and Trust Cruise Reviews
One of the world's most popular cruise reviews
sites, Cruise Reviews Online includes
more than 1500 reviews and opinions, most of them targeted at 24 Major
Cruise Line Brands and over 350 Cruise Ships worldwide. Follow these cruise
review tips from cruise travel experts; Raye & Marty Trencher to learn how
to understand and trust what you read. While not the largest review site on
the web, Cruise Reviews Onlines' quality out ranks quantity, when it comes
to some very detailed and well-written cruise reviews.
Tip: Don't trust all reviewers to be honest
in their evaluation. Understand how Cruise Line and Cruise Ship Reviews,
Ratings and Rankings work.
The biggest factor in
determining a cruise line or cruise ship's popularity ranking is not the
number of reviews — because some review sites have been tainted by biased
reviews written at the request of the cruise line themselves. Often from
past guest passengers who may receive compensation, such as cabin upgrades,
or shipboard credits in return for a favorable review. This helps put a
proper perspective on cruise reviews. That, the quality of the review far
out ranks the quantity of reviews you find online. The posting of fake good
reviews cheats consumers and taints the whole process.
Cruise lines are rated on
a five-point scale – excellent, very good, good, fair or poor – in seven
categories: activities, cabins, service, design, food/dining, itineraries,
and shore excursions. Cruise Line or Cruise Ship scores reflect the average
overall satisfaction ratings submitted by our readers.
Tip: Take a "balanced" approach.
Weigh the average of
"positive" reviews against the "negative ones". Toss out the overly positive
or deeply negative remarks, as they tend to exaggerate the onboard
experience of most passengers.
Tip: Look for specific
examples to back up a passenger or professional travel writers comments.
Read the reviews of
cruise ships in the same class, size and passenger profile, along with your
interest and compare them to what you get in the same price range and to be
wary of reviewers who have posted too many cruise reviews as they likely
have not taken that many trips or are awfully rich and may have a hidden
agenda!
Tip: Review the
Professional "Travel Writers".
Check out the experience,
read a number of their reviews to get a feel for their approach to the
process. Some review sites are owned by large travel retailers, but this
fact may not be known to you at the time you read the reviews.
Tip: Check the blogs,
cruise forums as well as cruise review sites.
A blog or forum will
likely be more current and up-to-date and both blogs and forums let you take
part in social networking, allowing you to comment and give feedback on the
writer's contributions to the web site.
Tip: Consider
geographic and cultural differences.
Services onboard ship
must meet standards for quality and value. But depending on what your
"expectations" are and where you come from, may determine your level
of satisfaction with your cruise vacation. We have found people who were on
the same ship at the same time, walked away with an entirely different
feeling about their experience. The higher your expectations, the more
likely you may be disappointed. Some people "go with the flow", while others
swim upstream and write a bad review if they didn't get everything they
expected. Well over 95% of cruise ship passengers surveyed by the CLIA (
Cruise Lines International Association ) found their cruising
experience better than expected. But, if you were in the other 5%, that fact
matters little to you.
Tip: Watch out for
order takers, keep an eye out for professional travel advisors, when
looking, booking and asking questions about a cruise.
What happens when you
want to talk to a "real" person about your cruise vacation plans. Call a
very large travel retailer and you will likely find yourself at a "Call
Center" either here in the United States or overseas. Are you in need of a
lot hand-holding? Have lots of questions before you book? Call center staff
are not travel professionals. They lack in most cases, proper credentials.
Many may not have not cruised at all, and most work from "scripts" designed
to get you to book quickly, so they can move on to the next caller in the
queue. Cruise line reservation centers are just a notch better, but have
different problems. Their staff product knowledge extends only to their own
products, not the competition. So, how can can you get a true comparison of
one cruise line to the other, or one ship compared to the next? Only a true
travel professional can do that. Most likely a Travel Agent, who has cruised
extensively, is certified and neutral when it comes to finding the best
cruise experience and value for you.
Tip: Check out
multiple sources for the best cruise reviews.
The more you know, the
more educated you become. Don't rely on any one cruse review. Or, even
cruise reviews from a single source. Once you have narrowed down your
choices to a select few cruise ships, browse the web and read up, on as many
comments as you can. Objectively evaluate them all. That way, your next
cruise is most likely to be the one you enjoyed most. So, the more you know
before you go helps set your expectation level in line with the onboard
experience" says Marty and Raye Trencher of
Cruise Reviews Online.
Cruises are "not just a vacation, they're the time of your life" make that
time count, they concluded.
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Raye & Marty Trencher's Savvy Cruise Tips
Cruise Traveler Magazine
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First call or visit the cruise company's own
website. You may not find the cheapest price here, but it's the
place to start. Using the fares you find here will help make
comparison shopping a whole easier. This way you can compare
their offerings to any deals you find elsewhere on the Internet. To
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cruise line's web site. The slightest change such as a cabin
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Now, after you have done all that, have you
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Often they can, or they will to get, or keep your business.
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Here are some more tips on how to get the best cruise deal....
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. San Diego or San Francisco cruises are cheaper in May and September.
San Diego or San Francisco and San Diego or San Francisco cruises in September and October.
San Diego or San Francisco cruises
in September, October and January.
5. Do A Transatlantic, Transpacific Or Repositioning Cruise
Want to sail from San Diego or San Francisco or the San Diego or San
Francisco to the
San Diego or San Francisco, or from
San Diego or San Francisco to San Diego or San Francisco, or San Diego or
San Francisco? 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.
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