My Tips For Black Friday

So the long awaited Black Friday is almost upon us.

Expect to see deals deals deals hitting your email inboxes in the next few hours in prep for an eagerly anticipated weekend for the cruise trade.

Sales are much more noticeable on cruises I find, down to the generally fairly high cost, so it’s quite easy to see what savings can be made.

But let’s not forget it’s very much a sales platform for the cruise companies to make more money out of you, so here is what to look out for and some top tips from me to get the best value.

1. Don’t waste your time shopping around. Nearly every agent will have the same offers, meaning every agent will offer the same, or exceptionally similar price. Make me your first and last call. By the time you’ve finished ringing around all the other agents on 0844 numbers you’ll probably spend any difference on phone calls! Not me, I’m free to call from UK landlines on 0800 408 6131. Also by the time you’ve finished shopping around it’s likely the deal will sell out and increase in price, so strike while the iron is hot!

2. Don’t be fooled by ‘bonuses’ like free On Board Credit, or Free this and Free that. What that means is ‘included’ – want actual clarity and a rock bottom price without all that nonsense? Call me, I’m all about transparency and cannot stand all the periphery rubbish. What you’ll get with me is the cruise, at the best price. For me, a cruise is like a good whisky, nothing needs to be added, not ice, not coke, just as it is. Simplicity is the absolute key to value this Black Friday.

3. Be specific with your cruise. It’s not a good idea to go to an agent and say, ‘I can go anytime, anywhere, what have you got?’ Trust me as someone with a plethora of experience with this type of call, unless that agent has a lot of time on their hands (which most don’t), then you’re enquiry will take a back seat in favour of folks that are ready to book. Eventually you’re enquiry will get addressed, but not before the sales finish, so do some homework, use the search tools on the websites, and find what you want first. You wouldn’t walk into a supermarket and ask the cashier to guess what you want, the same applies here! Make your life easier and use that internet!!

4. Know your brands. If you are new to cruise it can be a minefield of info. Here’s a quick tip on what to look for:

Sail from Southampton? P&O, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Fred Olsen, Celebrity, Princess, MSC

Quick week in the Med? Marella, P&O, Costa, MSC

High End? Regent, Silversea, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, Celebrity, Oceania

British themed? P&O, Fred OIsen, Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), Marella

Best value? Well it’s subjective but my guess for the cheapest over the sale period would be: P&O, Marella & Costa. Of course though everyone will be pushing hard, so you can get better value than normal with everyone I reckon!

I could sit here and drone on all day about prices but the proof will be in the pudding, and the pudding will be served as of tomorrow.

I’ll be in the office from 9am until 4pm, so feel free to give me a call and I’m sure I can get you on that cruise you fancy for the very best price!

Had a quote already elsewhere? No worries, come to me before you book anything and I’m sure I’ll be able to better it!

Have a great day folks and get your rest, you’ll need it!

Thanks for reading, and as always, until next time….