Tell Me What You Want…..What You Really Want…

There are so many great prices out at the moment to entice you to book with lots of added extras however, I wonder are these extras or offers what you really are looking for?

For example we can have free parking, free on board credit, free coach, wi-fi, drinks packages, speciality dining, tips included, free excursions, 3rd and 4th person discounts as well as cabin upgrades! Is this the kind of thing you are looking for?  Before you all laugh and say of course, we all know that we cant have everyone of these on our cruise (more is the pity) so what would you choose?

First off the free parking would that help? Remember car parking may not be at the port.  What about the on board credit? I personally think this is a great one as you can pay your tips with it OR excursions, any spa treatments or it goes towards drinks.  Remember the better the cabin the more you have to spend!  What about the free coach? This is currently offered on some P&O cruises. Again this may not be from your home town – might be a waste of time if it was not. Free wi fi? This one certainly seems to be very popular, would you want to be on Facebook every night? Drinks packages are the most popular of course and by far the best in terms of value.  You just have to be aware of what drinks are included. Some cruise lines will offer everything (local brands) whereas a couple will only include beer or wine – this is where we can advise the best ones to suit you.

The speciality dining is offered with NCL and again only on what grade of cabin you have. Another smashing offer though as you do pay more if you do want to try them. Tips included/free tips – If tipping makes you uncomfortable or you want a  more all-inclusive feel to your cruise, the value in prepaid gratuities comes as peace of mind.

Free excursions? Not to be sniffed at as some excursions are really quite pricey. Before you choose shore excursions as a perk, see how much an average excursion would cost you. 3rd and 4th person discounts are smashing if you are all sharing the same cabin. Please check what kind of bed/sofa/rollaway bed you would have though for these people. Might not be such a good deal as you first thought.

Finally we come to cabin upgrades.  You can of course say yes to any upgrade (eg with P&O ) but do bear in mind that their upgrade is not how we think a upgrade is.  Best upgrades are offered when you book – pay for a inside cabin and get a outside for the same price. This way you do get to see what your getting.  If you take free upgrade and you do not like the cabin you are given, you can not change it!

Finally do not discount the more luxury cruise lines.  Oceania for example do offer deals with free excursions or a drinks package. Regent include all drinks and excursions.  Do not automatically assume that the luxury brands are more expensive, they can in the long run work out cheaper.

Now can you tell me what would really “float your boat” (forgive the pun)?

Tell next time

x