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Before reserving your next cruise – 2

admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:54:18 +0000

A point to consider is if you’re able to drive to the departure cruise port: You can save a plenty of money by not having to pay for airfare. Instead, do a one-way auto rental.

Will you have children traveling with you?
If so, you’ll definitely require to find out a cruise line and a special cruise ship and cruise which caters to youngsters. If you are taking kids, discover to see if the cruise has in-cabin baby sitting services available… some cruise lines do.

Important considerations if YOU DON’T desire to be on a ship with kids and college students!

Loosely the longer cruises (more than 14 days) will have older and retired couples because of school schedules. ASK the cruise ship line or your
agent before booking how many youngsters will be on this cruise?

• Also, be sure to ask yourself… is it spring break?

• Are the kids still in school?

Again, if you don!t desire youngsters on your cruise… double control the time of year and whether it!s during spring break or the holidays. These are busy times when youngsters and college students will most likely be on board.

Are you booking your cruise to relax?
If so, don’t pick a party cruise ship or a theme cruise. What’s a theme cruise? These cruises provide more of what you want your cruise to be.
Here are some examples: a certain type of food and nationality theme, fitness theme cruises, wildlife cruises, etc.

If interested to see which theme cruises are available, check with your travel agent or type in “theme cruises” (with the quotations) in Google.

Are you regarding a kid’s camp on your next cruise?
If so, be sure to get the SPECIFICS about the camp!s requirements, ages, and operating hours. You don’t desire to have ANY surprises when you get on board.

We all like the newest possible for most everything we use
It’s no different with cruise ships. Find out how old the ship is you!re regarding going on? How large or small is it?

The age of the ship can have a real impact on your comfort during the cruise. Newer ships will usually have less broken items and fewer problems. They’ll have the latest in technology to give the smoothest ride and the latest in entertainment like water slides.

Note: Usually the shorter duration the cruise, the older the cruise ship and more beat up. Of course, this shouldn’t mean the service would be any better or worse than a younger ship.

References: Ron Rougeaux – Cruise Tips & Insider Secrets

Before reserving your next cruise – 1

admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:44:04 +0000

Who’s going on the cruise
The all family, teenagers, little youngsters, somebody with limited physical and or mental abilities? Knowing who’s going will help you decide the type and size of cabin you’ll need. You should know who is coming with you. That’s the main point of choosing the size of cabin.

What kind of activities do you like to do?
All cruise lines have a look and feel of their own. Make sure you check into the cruise and cruise line you’re considering, and that they fit in with what you’re looking for in a cruise. You certainly don’t want to book a “spring break” college age type of cruise if you’re retired or have young children with you. Do your research BEFORE you book!

Where do you want to go?
The Caribbean? Europe? the Far East? Which locations you want to see, for how long and how much you!re prepared to pay… will all be questions to ensure you enjoy the “absolute finest” cruise vacation you could imagine.

What’s included in a normal cruise price your take?
So you wont get sticker shock, here is what!s included and NOT included in the quoted cruise price:
• Included: Everything that’s on the cruise ship. Your cabin, recreation, food,entertainment, gym, etc.
• Not included: Alcoholic Beverage, gratuity, port of call excursions, elegant health spa facilities, method of getting to and from the ship (unless you’ve booked a air/cruise package), governance fees (about $50 per person). Port charges will add an additional $150 to $200 per person.

First Of All determine where in the world you would like to go
The Caribbean is the most popular destination and includes the Bahamas, Jamaica and other popular exotic destinations. This area is peculiarly popular with United States citizens because its close, warm and tropical and in seven days you’re able to stop at many beautiful destinations.

How long do you want to go?
Cruises are available anywhere from 3 to 120 days and longer. Recall, if you’re having to pay for airfare to and from the cruise port, your airfare could end up being a bigger percentage of the total expenses for the cruise… especially if the cruise is of short duration.

References: Ron Rougeaux – Cruise Tips & Insider Secrets

How to choose a “cruise” travel agent

admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:20:34 +0000

Does the agent specialize in cruises only? Have they ever gone on cruises? If so, which cruise lines, which ships, how many times?

I for sure wouldn’t go with an agent who doesn’t like or has never been on a cruise ship. Check if they’re a member of the Better Business Bureau, if so… what kind of ratings do they have.

Also, ask if they’re members of the Cruise Lines International Association and the Travel Institute.

Recommendations

To get the absolute best price on your next cruise… here’s the techniques. These techniques are used this technique to find great cruise prices
and upgrades:

• Use an experience travel agent who specializes in cruises to book your cruise and find you the best price and the cruise to meet your needs.
• You should already be on the mailing lists of as many cruise websites and travel websites as possible to receive cruise specials and sales
• After you book your cruise with the journey agent, watch for your cruise in the specials and sales you receive
• If you DO find your cruise at a lower price, notify your travel agent to see if he or she can get you:
• a refund for the difference
• or a cabin upgrade
• or some additional perks or freebies

References: Ron Rougeaux – Cruise Tips & Insider Secrets

Choosing the best cruise!

admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:59:06 +0000

Should you use a travel agent?

A travel agent who “specializes in cruises only” can certainly be helpful and is usually the best way to go. However, that being said, most travel agents do not have the time to keep up with price changes that can occur which your ARE able to do on your own using the Internet.

After you’ve booked your cruise with an agent, a GOOD cruise travel agent will track the price to see if the cost of your cruise has gone down from the price you paid when you booked. If that does happenn they should be able to get you refund for the difference, or at the very least… a cabin upgrade or free perks.

Note: Internet travel websites like Expedia and Priceline are basically travel agencies. The difference between them and a normal cruise agent is that they have you do a lot of the work.

Remember, travel agents comissions are paid by the cruise lines.

That being said… it’s still worth checking out the internet travel sites. You may be able to find an unadvertised special or bargain. Also, be sure to get on the emailing lists to as many cruise websites as possible. We’ve discovered great discounted cruises this way… waiting in our email box!

This might help you decide: The number one recommendation from 9 out of 10 experienced cruise travelers was to find a really “good cruise travel agent”. This gives you the best chance of getting a great cruise at a great price.

Remember, the travel agent is going to offer you the same price the cruise line would if you contacted them directly. Usually, you cannot get a cruise at a lower price directly through the cruise line. Even though the cruise lines have to pay the agent a comission.

Note: Once you book with an agent, all future changes and requests will have to through that agent. You will not be able to go directly to the cruise line.

References: Ron Rougeaux – Cruise Tips & Insider Secrets