Deciding on a cruise trip can be a hectic task especially in the presence of so many cruise carriers and to add to that, millions of travel agencies offering various travel packages don’t make things any simpler. Here we have compiled a short list of ten tips for you keep in mind when you hunt for a discounted quality cruise trip.
During the peak season, prices can exaggerate up. Therefore, it’s always better to avoid peak seasons just like its better to avoid rush hours if you go for a leisure drive. Scheduling your cruise trip a couple of weeks after or before the peak time can do wonders for your savings. If you should travel during the peak season then try to book as early as possible.
Decide with caution and do some homework! Travel agents usually try to sell a specific carrier for a number of reasons, such as some carriers offer them a higher incentive. It’s always the case that some cruise carriers will not only save you money but will also provide good value for your money in the form of better facilities and service.
Special ads claiming to offer you discounted cruise could be misleading. If it seems too good to be true then it probably is. Always call to inquire if the offered discounted price includes all taxes and fees and make sure there are no hidden charges.
Last minute bookings could provide you good prices on a trip, mainly because if a cruise carrier still has vacant cabins it would usually prefer to give away those cabins at a cheaper rate than to sail with empty cabins. However, this advice is only helpful if your travel dates are flexible and you are willing to accept any available cabin.
A lower deck cabin without a window is usually cheaper because it does not have a window. Therefore, if you were planning to spend most of your cruise time outside your cabin, such as hanging out in the balcony or bars then a lower deck cabin would be your best bet.
If you plan your trip with a few other people then you can divide the cost of the cabin. If friends or acquaintances do not come along then you can ask the travel agency to arrange for a couple of more people who are also looking for a travel companion.
It is not mandatory to buy cruise insurance but it’s highly recommended due to any medical or luggage problem that should arise during your cruise. Make sure you do some homework before you decide to purchase cruise insurance because travel agents usually will try to sell you a cover for a higher premium on which they get the highest incentive. Our advice is to get the insurance cover directly from an insurance company because this way you will get a better policy.
If you have previously traveled on a specific cruise carrier then you may be entitled to attractive benefits if you decide to travel on the same carrier, such as discounted rates or free cabin upgrade. So if you decide to choose the same carrier this time then don’t forget to mention about your previous trip with them. However, this would not be possible if it’s your first cruise with that carrier.
Always keep an eye out for special cruise vacation packages and travel ads in your local paper even if you are not currently planning to go for a cruise. It will keep you updated on the cruise travel market and by the time you are ready to go for your cruise trip, you will have a fare idea and before hand to keep you from getting ripped off by some travel agency.
Be cautious and shop around before you make reservation. Always ask for any hidden charges, such as administrative charges or travel document delivery fees and if possible, do your correspondence with travel agents via email so you have their answers to your queries in writing as a proof.
