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. Mexico cruises are cheaper in May and September.
Europe and Mediterranean cruises in September and October. Mexico cruises
in September, October and January.
5. Do A Transatlantic, Transpacific Or Repositioning Cruise
Want to sail from Europe or the Mediterranean to the Mexico, or from
Mexico 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.
Looking for a Family Cruise?
Here's one example....
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas or
Allure of the Seas offer families an unprecedented array of
activities.
On both Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
or Allure of the Seas, even the youngest of children have their own
dedicated space and activity programs, From Tots to teens, Royal
Caribbean has a program to please just about every kid!
Find out more. Read our latest super cruise
review:
We
believe a travel agent is a knowledgeable guide, an
experienced traveler, an invaluable resource and a
fulfiller of dreams.
A travel agent will be glad to answer any additional
questions you may have about your cruising as well
as customize your vacation to your specific needs.
To
find a travel agent nearest you, please enter your
zip/postal code, and click "Go."
Finely...
While we have just mentioned Royal Caribbean's family programs,
similar programs are available on a Carnival Cruise, Disney Cruise
Line or Norwegian Cruise
Line. To a lesser extent children's programs can also be found on
Celebrity, Princess or Holland America cruise lines.
To learn all the ins and outs of booking
family groups on a wide variety of ships, find a
Travel Agent who's
specializes in family travel. An agent who has 'been there
done that" first hand.
•
Limited Time Offers, may be
withdrawn or cancelled at the sole discretion of the cruise line
at anytime.
Thinking about going on a cruise this summer? Check out the cruise
ship reviews, ratings and rankings at
Cruise Reviews Online. This
site has cruise reviews, news and deals. There's a large community
of travelers who have written over 1500 comprehensive reviews as
they share their experiences, tips and advice with you. You're sure
to find the right cruise for you. ...
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.
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.
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.
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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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