KNOW WHEN A DEAL IS A DEAL… AND HOW NOT TO MISS THE BOAT!!!

Cruise lines are falling over themselves trying to get your business…      and that means offering lots of goodies to entice you.

These temptations could be free drinks offers, but you need to know exactly what type of drinks offer is being made to you, whether it’s a soft drinks package, usually applicable to those booking inside or outside cabins, or a better alcoholic drinks deal usually reserved for people booking balconies and suites. Of course, you could just opt for a cruise line like Silversea, Seabourn or Regent Seven Seas with whom all drinks will be included as standard.

If it’s not free drinks, then the offer could be spending money which would vary according to the grade of accommodation you select. It could be free car parking at your UK port.

A great offer currently being promoted is free flights. Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean should be your first stop here.

Sometimes, cruise lines like to reward loyalty with cabin upgrade offers. At time of booking, watch out for any offer of a cabin upgrade which could mean paying for an outside cabin but getting assigned a balcony.

The key to all this is to know when you have a great deal.

Only this last week, I had a client contact me who had booked a fabulous 14 night Mediterranean cruise and was being offered an upgrade from an inside cabin to an outside cabin. The client obviously wanted to be sure he was getting a great deal. His original cruise was working out £46 per person per night and he was being offered an upgrade for a total price of £59 per person for the full duration. Now that’s a deal…     and you need to be quick off the mark if you’re not going to miss the boat.