Table Of Content
- How do I know if I'm getting a good deal when I book?
- What are the best types of cruises for first-timers?
- Choosing a Ship to Sail
- How do I book back-to-back cruises?
- If you want to fit everyone comfortably in one cabin, look for designated family accommodations.
- What are the drawbacks of booking a cruise with a travel agent?
Often they will give you the lower price, making a five-minute phone call worth the trouble. The crowd on these cruises is often a little older (especially on cruises of longer than a week). As well, if you want to sail on the newest ships, they usually sail cruises of seven days.
How do I know if I'm getting a good deal when I book?
If you change your mind and decide that the cruise you booked isn’t right for you, then you want to make a change as soon as possible. Below is a breakdown of each time of year and its impact on sailing. If you have never sailed before and are unsure if cruising is right for you, then we usually suggest looking for shorter trips. They are able to give you a sample of cruising without committing you for an entire week or more. Most itineraries from Florida include a stop a the cruise line’s island, no matter which line you sail. Maybe not every port you visit on a cruise will be your absolute favorite, but by focusing on a couple that you are excited about, it makes picking an itinerary much easier.
What are the best types of cruises for first-timers?
After you book your cruise, you’ll be given an online account. Here you can manage your booking, including pre-purchasing extras on the ship. Once you find the trip you like, you simply pull out your credit card to make a payment and reserve your spot — just like you would booking a flight. These islands are for the enjoyment of cruise passengers only. The cruise lines have taken away many of the headaches that come with other ports of call (such as aggressive vendors and distant beaches) and tailored the entire experience to passengers.
Choosing a Ship to Sail
They offer a good value vacation, and are great for budget or family cruisers. To book your first cruise, you can either book directly with the cruise line through their website, book online with a large booking engine or book with a travel agent. Since members love to share photos, you can count on getting a real, behind-the-scenes look at ships and ports that pique your interest. Reviews and live blogging are other ways cruisers share the ins and outs from their experiences to help others make the best possible decision. When comparing cruise quotes and fares, you'll find that cruise prices between sellers tend to be similar.
Useful Things to Pack For Your Cruise (Including 17 You’d Never Think Of)
It’s the same deciding whether to cruise the Caribbean or an Australian/New Zealand cruise. Before you can book, you need to know roughly where you want to go. When it comes to where you can sail on a cruise, there is no limit.
How do I book back-to-back cruises?
Best Time To Book A Cruise In 2024 - Forbes
Best Time To Book A Cruise In 2024.
Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Norwegian cruises are fun and fairly casual, while their ships are innovative and beautiful. In contrast to most other mainstream cruise lines, Norwegian doesn’t have strict cruise dress codes. Royal Caribbean are known for their large innovative cruise ships with lots to do for kids and adults.
If you want to fit everyone comfortably in one cabin, look for designated family accommodations.
Many consider this a convenience, and most sites are staffed with their own advisors who can answer questions and provide guidance in selecting the right cruise. Most of all, they also serve as your contact if an issue arises during your trip -- whether it is a flight delay or an unexpected emergency. They have connections with the cruise lines and can get through to rectify any issues without you having to call and wait on hold for hours. Moreover, the service of a travel advisor has become ever more indispensable in this era of flight delays and cancellations, and ever-changing travel requirements. Pay close attention to your final payment as most cruise lines do not send payment reminders. Most cruise lines do offer automatic payments for convenience, however.
13 expert-approved tips for saving money when booking a cruise - CNN Underscored
13 expert-approved tips for saving money when booking a cruise.
Posted: Fri, 07 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
What are the drawbacks of booking a cruise with a travel agent?
Even as an experienced cruiser, I’ve been on some cruise ships where the cabins are outdated and I’ve seen snags in the hallway carpets and pool areas which need painting. It just doesn’t make the best impression of cruising or the cruise line, and this is especially important for a first cruise. Cruise lines will not talk to you if you have booked through a travel agent. This can be frustrating if your travel agent is out sick or on vacation, or if the travel agent has made a mistake and is not fixing it.
Back to back cruises can allow you to maximize the value of your airfare. Rather than fly down for a 3-night cruise, doing a back-to-back means you get more time on the ship to justify the airline price. If that sounds like too much math homework, I recommend that you call a travel agent. A cruise-knowledgeable travel adviser can help you plan your trip and determine if the current pricing is good or if you should hold out for a deal. I could say that winter is the best time of year to book a cruise because that would cover the late-fall Thanksgiving week sales and wave season promotions. I can guarantee that your cruise line will offer some promotions during the winter, but that doesn't mean it's the best time to book.
Benefits of Older Ships (built before 2010)As a general rule of thumb, we prefer newer ships. But that’s not to say that older ships don’t have their perks. The best way to find an agent or planner is to ask around for recommendations. Friends and family (or even people online) might have someone they recommend that can help you find the right cruise. Do you have questions about how to book your cruise or tips to share?
There’s no real advantage or disadvantage to paying them now or waiting. Often this isn’t an issue, but the deposit gives you the most flexibility without putting down as much money. Bottom line, just be ready for an “out the door” price that’s significantly higher than what you might have expected. Longer Cruises (7 nights or longer) While seven nights is the most common cruise length, they can extend to almost any length imaginable. That may make choosing an itinerary daunting, however, in practice it’s actually fairly simple.
These will give you a taste of cruising with fewer passengers, and often to smaller, less-frequented ports. This means there is little penalty to reserving as early as possible. By booking early, not only will you usually get a better deal, but you’ll also get the best choices of cabins. You can also book flights, plan your onboard activities and shore excursions. While some people are flexible and can choose to cruise anytime, many others have a set vacation time or have to plan around school breaks and summer holidays. Remember that late summer through Fall is hurricane season, so while prices will be lower, I wouldn’t suggest these for first time cruisers.
If you know you want to sail, then many people like longer cruises because they give them the time to actually unwind and get away from it all. Longer cruises also have the advantage of being able to travel farther from the home port, meaning you can visit more far-flung locations. Shorter Cruises (6 Nights or Fewer) Don’t have a lot of time or simply want to get away without breaking the bank?
These are some great cruise itineraries for first time cruisers. If you know what cruise you want and prefer to book directly with the cruise line it’s easy to do so. You can reserve and pay for your cruise booking on the cruise line website or work with one of their Personal Vacation Planners over the phone or by email. You don’t have to be booked on a cruise to join or participate in Cruise Critic's Message Boards. For millions in the research stage, the boards have become a vital resource for questions, recommendations, and advice -- there's no joining fee, just sign up and you are good to start exploring.
This strategy is best if you plan to book early and aren't as concerned about the ship selling out immediately. Booking a cruise just days before sailing should only be attempted by travelers within an easy drive of the cruise port. You should also make sure that you have time to get any necessary documentation, as well as make related travel plans. All this talk of the best time to book a cruise raises the question of how far in advance you should book.
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