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If you need to cancel the trip, the agent will also help you through the refund process. You'll have a lot less stress before and during your vacation if you book with an experienced agent. Unfortunately, most cruise lines do not offer free cancellations or changes to take advantage of price drops after you book. Passengers can always negotiate with a booking site or cruise line, but they aren't obligated to refund the difference. Instead, they may offer you onboard credit, complimentary excursions or credit toward another cruise booking.
Cruise Buying Tip: Prices Are Often the Same Across Every Site
A good cruise travel agent will not only help you navigate these tricky questions they will hopefully provide you with some reassurance. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Exclusive: Princess urges agents to push 2025 as 2024 capacity 'maxes out' - Cruise Trade News
Exclusive: Princess urges agents to push 2025 as 2024 capacity 'maxes out'.
Posted: Fri, 12 Apr 2024 14:15:12 GMT [source]
Cruise travel agents receive the bulk of their income via commission from the cruise lines. Their service to you is usually free, though some might charge first-time clients a minimal fee. Once you've chosen your cruise and, with the agent's help, matched your style with your vacation goals, you've got to book the trip. Your agent will also be able to sort out travel insurance, if required, and will collect payment for the cruise (usually a deposit at the time of booking and the full amount 60 to 90 days before departure).
Learn About Credit Cards
The right ship and itinerary can make your vacation that much more enjoyable -- and an agent can help you determine the best selection for your tastes. In addition, an agent can answer any questions or assuage any apprehensions you might have about taking a cruise for the first time. If you're used to booking travel independently, consider these reasons why you might want to make use of a travel agent to book your next holiday at sea. So, you've decided to go on a cruise -- perhaps your first venture on a vacation at sea -- and you're a little overwhelmed. You have to consider how much you're willing to pay, whether to book an inexpensive inside cabin or splurge on a suite, and which cruise line and ship are right for you.
Rules to Getting the Best Deal on a Cruise
TripAdvisor is an online reviewer community where travelers share their experiences, pictures and ratings of hotels, suggested activities and more. This honest feedback and travel inspiration also make it one of the best websites to book a cruise. Like other cruise-buying websites, Costco offers rates that are in line with what you’ll find anywhere else.
Celebrity Cruises
If the incentive isn’t that strong or you don’t want to go through a third-party to your reservation, then booking directly through the cruise line is your best bet. In addition, these sites feature their phone number prominently for those who wish to talk to a person about their reservation. You don’t always find that with the large aggregation websites.
Virgin Voyages rewards agents' 'tireless hard work' with new incentive scheme - Cruise Trade News
Virgin Voyages rewards agents' 'tireless hard work' with new incentive scheme.
Posted: Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:53:46 GMT [source]
For instance, one recent search promoted free gratuities on trips booked through the site, but we couldn’t find any mention of this once we actually started the booking process. Digging further, the incentive applied only to certain cruises, despite being heavily promoted. In other words, these sites are more akin to having your own travel agent to help you with the booking process compared to only a website. From booking your first cruise to understanding onboard perks -- the questions can be overwhelming, especially for anyone that is new to cruise. All prices are per person, in US Dollars, based on double occupancy.
Travel Agent Finder
So should you just find any random site and book your cruise? Below we lay out the advantages and disadvantage of booking with each different type of website. If you’re a deal-hunter, there isn’t some magic website that has cruise fares for dramatically cheaper than everyone else (that we’ve ever found). Cruising is big business, and that’s why you have dozens of websites at your disposal, all competing for your travel dollars.
However, when it comes to booking the cruise, we recommend you still contact a travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you learn a few tips and avoid any rookie mistakes. When you have a United Airlines credit card, you'll earn up to 45,000 miles. By offering up to 4x miles per dollar spent (or 7x as a cardholder), this site is the best way to book a cruise and earn airline miles on your purchase.
For example, if you book through CostcoTravel.com, then contact them first for any price drops you see. It’s possible that if you book one day, the next day the price may go down. The good news is that the price is unlikely to move much (unlike airfare).
Above all, remember the age-old rule that if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Be wary of any websites advertising cruise deals that are significantly less than the same cruise priced elsewhere. There are dozens — if not hundreds — of websites that you can use to book your cruise. Frankly, not all of them look professional, so it is understandable you might question the legitimacy of a website or their deals.
If you have Premier status, you receive additional perks on select cruise lines, like wine and onboard credits. One of the most important things to know is that agents -- in particular, cruise specialists -- have been onboard the ships and can really give you firsthand advice about different cruise options. They have done a great deal of research through familiarization trips and cruise line seminars, so you don't have to do the work yourself. Even better, agents often have access to special discounts or perks -- or know best where to find them -- and as the cruise lines pay their commissions, you don't pay more for their services and expertise. A cruise travel agent will guide you through choosing your cabin and dining times, deposits and final payment, and options for shore excursions and specialty dining.
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