Saving on Your Next Cruise

By -

Treating yourself to a vacation feels fantastic, and it’s even better when you know you’re getting good value for your vacation dollars. When you consider all that’s included, cruise vacations deliver terrific value. And, there are ways to further increase that value – here are a few tips.

Use a nearby homeport. There are cruise ship ports all along the U.S. coastline, some seasonal and some busy all year. Take a look at the ships and itineraries that sail from the port closest to your home; if you can get there by car, bus, or train, you may save on flight costs. Even if you fly to meet the ship, a shorter flight may keep more money in your pocket.

Get expert help. Even if you narrow down your choice of cruise ship and itinerary on your own, working with your professional travel advisor is especially important when it’s time to select a fare and make your reservation. Cruise fares are based on cabin type and many other factors; they can change quickly, and they do change often. And, offers of discounted fares may not be as attractive as they seem. Let your travel advisor guide your choice of a fare that will suit your budget and deliver the cruise experience you want.

Your travel professional can also be exceptionally helpful if your top cruise choice simply doesn’t fit your budget. Your travel professional will be able to suggest more affordable options, such as sailing on an older ship, reserving a different cabin, using loyalty points, or sailing near the beginning or end of a cruise season.

Wait for Wave Season. Cruise lines run short-term sales throughout the year (again, your travel professional can advise on which offers will truly save you money). But, there’s one time of year known for excellent cruise deals: Wave Season, which takes place each January through March. It’s a post-holiday tradition with some of the year’s best fares, so waiting for Wave Season can be worth it.

Sail with a group of friends or family. Some popular cruise lines offer discounts to groups that reserve multiple cabins (often, a minimum of 5 to 8 cabins). It takes some effort to organize a group like this, but your travel professional can help make the arrangements for a wonderful group vacation.

For more tips that can help you save on your next cruise, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

 

Popular posts from this blog

Letter from Cruise Holidays

By -
At Cruise Holidays, the health and safety of our clients is always top of mind. As the coronavirus situation evolves, we want you to know that we are working hard to stay up-to-date on all the facts so that we can help address any of your travel concerns. We’re here to help you travel smarter. We are also in constant contact with our suppliers (i.e. airlines, hotels, tour operators and cruise lines) to understand their latest policies and terms to benefit all of our clients whose travel has been impacted. Here is some information that may be helpful. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resources: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are monitoring the situation in real-time. Both organizations have issued guidance for preventing exposure to respiratory illnesses. Older adults or those with chronic medical conditions may want to seek the advice of a medical professional. Travel warnings and advisories: Both the U.S. State Department ...
Read more

Dining With the Kids

By -
One part of cruising that everyone looks forward to is onboard dining. But if you’re cruising with children, you may wonder how well the ship will meet their gastronomic needs. In short, don’t worry. Cruise ship chefs and servers know how to work with diners who might be a bit fussy, a little messy, and always hungry. One aspect of cruise ship dining that’s great for kids is the variety of dining spots and food available. Most ships have at least two dining options – a main dining room and a buffet – as well as themed or specialty dining venues (some ships have dozens of these). The main dining room offers sit-down, multicourse breakfasts, lunches and dinners for all ages. Some offer special children’s menus, but kids are welcome to order from the regular menu, too. If your child doesn’t find the menu appealing, get creative. Ask for a side dish as main plate; for a different preparation, such as chicken that’s fried instead of grilled; or for an unfamiliar sauce or despised vegeta...
Read more

Accommodations for Solo Cruisers

By -
If you’re interested in cruising on your own but not in sharing a cabin, good news: there is a growing number of cruise ship cabins designed for one. And, these single-occupancy cabins come at single-occupancy prices. If you cruise on your own in a cabin intended for two, you’ll probably have to pay what’s known as a “single supplement,” which can be as much as another cruise fare. So, you could pay up to double to have your own cabin, or you could consider sailing with a cruise line that provides solo accommodations, like these: Norwegian Cruise Line has been a leader in accommodating solo cruisers with cabins that are thoughtfully designed for one. You can find them on most of the line’s newer ships: the Epic , with 128 “studio” cabins, has the most. Most of the NCL studios are inside cabins, but some have windows to the corridor or virtual portholes that stream a view of the water. And when you sail in a studio cabin, you’ll have access to the Studio Complex and Lounge, a social s...
Read more