HOW TO BAG A BARGAIN CRUISE

Well it’s that time of year. The January Sales are upon us. So How do you bag a bargain Cruise?

At this time Cruise lines often offer Drinks Packages, On-board Credit, Discounts etc so how do you know what is a good deal?

I have put together a guide with some tips for the getting the most for your money

Book in Advance. The Early Bird Gets the Worm as they Say.

Cruises are often released up to 15 months or more in advance and whilst flights are not usually out at this time the cruise deals are. Booking well in advance will often secure you extras like Drinks, On-board spending money or upgrades on your cabins. You also get a much better choice of cabins and can secure the dining option you want if you do this. It is about getting your priorities right for you. It is important to note that if you are booking a new ship in its first year of service that you should book well in advance as these book up early and especially if you want to be on the inaugural cruise as these often have added benefits above the normal campaigns.

Top Tip: Price up a similar cruise to the one you are interested in for the previous year to give you a ball park figure to go on so you know if the deal is good or not.

Repositioning cruises

Because repositioning cruises are departing from one destination and ending up in another, often a new continent, the cruise lines offer great deals on these so called repositioning itineraries. There is a downside to these as they usually have a fair number of seas days to get them where they are going in the best time possible. If you hate sea days, they are definitely not for you. Also you may experience some unfavourable weather conditions as you are leaving an area which is turning out of season and heading to an area which will be in season so to speak so the weather should improve as you near your final destination. Deals on these often include a few nights at your final stop before flying home.

Top Tip: Choose a ship with plenty going on to fill those long days at sea.

Travel in Low Season

If you can travel any time of year let your consultant know this as they may be able to find you an off-season deal e.g. winter in the Mediterranean or mid-Summer in the Caribbean. Bear in mind the Mediterranean could have rough weather and in the Summer it is Hurricane season in the Caribbean so be prepared for possible disruptions. Also avoid any peak times like school holidays, Christmas, Easter or other countries holidays like Spring Break or the 4^th July. If you don’t want to travel in off peak due to weather conditions, choose a date either side of this or what we call shoulder season instead.

Choose an inside cabin

The thought of being in an inside cabin may fill you with dread or it may not be that important to you. If this is the case, choose an Inside cabin and save money to spend on other things. You may also get a good deal on an obstructed outside cabin or balcony.

Top Tip: Ask your consultant to put you down for a complimentary upgrade if one becomes available. I am not saying you will get one but you have to be in it to win it as they say.

River Cruises:

With a River cruise look out for the deals that get advertised and pounce when you see them. They are usually very limited as the river cruise ships do not have many cabins, so as the saying goes if you snooze you will lose the deal.  If you want a specific ship or itinerary and date I would book early.

Cruise Only Deals

If you are working to tight budget cruise only prices can look attractive and you may be able to match them up with cheap low cost flights but don’t forget to add in the extras like luggage, Transfers etc as some of these can be expensive and look at any costs you will incur on-board like drinks and gratuities. Bear in mind as well what time the ship is departing and docking on the return and make sure your flights will match up ok.

Top Tip: Book it as a package with your consultant as the whole thing is then protected or at least ask their advice on times etc.

Smaller Cruise lines or Ports close to Home

These cruise lines such as Cruise and Maritime Voyages often have great deals to get away on a cruise so don’t rule them out. The ships are smaller but the service on-board is excellent and the deals can be excellent too.

Be Happy with the Price you Pay

There is nothing more infuriating than someone else on your cruise telling you they paid less than you. In my experience people often tell you they have paid less when they haven’t to save face but don’t get drawn in. Pay the price you are happy to pay and leave it at because if you start talking to others and they say they paid less it will ruin your holiday.

Be Flexible. 

If you just want a bargain cruise the more flexible you are regarding, dates, destination, cruise line, cabin type etc, the more likely you are to bag yourself a bargain.

Last Minute Deals!

It is a risky thing to leave a cruise to the last minute. If you choose to do this, keep a close eye on the prices of the cruise you are interested in. If you just want any cruise bear in mind that flight prices rise quite dramatically near to the departure date so where as you may get a great deal on your cruise, the flight may cost you 4 or 5 times as much. I would not be tempted to book cheap flights on the off chance that you will get the cruise at a cheap price later as you may lose out altogether.  Bear in mind as well that some cruise lines like celebrity and Royal Caribbean do not drop prices close to departure as part of their price promise.  The down side to booking late is that you may not be able to choose your cabin type, cabin location or dining time and you don’t usually get any little extras like drinks etc thrown in.

Top Tip: Check out our Daily Top Ten Deals.

Top Ten Deals

So decide what is most important for you and book the way you want to book.

Either way I will be happy to help so call me on 0330 303 8266

or email me at [email protected]