Posts Tagged ‘Prices’

Luxurious Cruises at Bargain Prices

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

The cruise business is booming. Millions of Americans are taking vacations afloat every year and 6 Huger passenger ships (including the world's largest cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas) was launched in 2006. There is a huge variety so iteneries, ships, packages and prices today may seem almost impossible to know whether you're getting the right trip at the right price. Here's more than a dozen smart strategies – - Get an Early Bird discount. If you book from 6 months to a year before departure, most cruise lines rates of published retail discount. You also get your first choice of cabin category and location. It is necessary to make a small deposit, maybe $ 200 per person for a 5-day cruise, but you can usually cancel without penalty until 60 days before departure. – If the off-season special offers. Planning the trip, when others do not. For example, people want to visit Alaska in the summer, so if you are looking for a more attractive rate, go in May or September. Caribbean cruises in the spring or summer, or try the Mediterranean in winter. Avoid holidays and school vacation weeks. Of course, compensation may be the time. For example, Athens can be quite cold in winter. – Take a "repositioning" cruise. Some of the lowest of the year can be found in the spring, when ships move from their home ports in the winter in the Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii or Mexico to their summer bases in Europe, New York, Vancouver or Alaska . The same goes for the late autumn, when the boats return to the places in the south for the season, which begins before Christmas. – Find a last-minute. Because cruise lines want to keep their ships full, you can get good discounts for booking a month or two cabins before departure, when a line is still unsold. The disadvantage is that you can get a cruise you really want, because the choice of ships and cabins will be limited. – Be flexible. If you are willing to sail on a different date than initially planned, sometimes for only a week or two, you may be able to get the same cabin on the same ship for the price significantly lower. And if they are rigid about the dates and routes, will have better luck nailing the last minute special. – If the 2 for 1 promotion. In some outlets, two people can share a cabin for the price of one. However, these agreements are based on the brochure of the full rate, and in some cases, do not include port taxes and other taxes which may be substantial. Airfare to and from the port city can also be more. Another popular promotion is a "second class ticket, 50% discount" agreement, in which the passenger pays a discount rate and the second passenger pays only half of that. – Choose a port near the house. If you can find a cruise that departs from a port, and within driving distance of home, you will not have to spend money for plane tickets or hotels. There are at least 32 home ports in North America and 75% of the U.S. population lives within driving distance of one of them. – Connect a higher discount. Cruise brokers often offer discounts to passengers of a certain age, usually 55, and fellow passenger cabin of any age, including the election of the last hour. Promotions cruise lines are very similar for trips should not be complete. – Go with a group. Many lines will give the group a reduced rate. You can even throw in a free cabin if you organize a group that exceeds a certain minimum number of people, usually 6 to 8 or 16. Negotiate! You can also get updates or additional services. – Take your children or grandchildren, free of charge. Off season departures often offer to take the kids for free. Of course, this means that all will be in the same box. With four to a cabin, can be quite busy. But remember, you probably do not spend much time in your cabin. – Share the cabin. If you're traveling with friends or relatives, you can save a bundle when you share your cabin. Sometimes adults, third and fourth also can go free. But if you're looking for air-cruise package, make the fee includes the entire group if they are within driving distance of the port city. – Ask what is included. The additional costs are not always included in the price. Factor in all port charges, taxes, management fees and other expenses, before comparing bids. – Check before you book. Before booking a cruise, call the cruise line or broker, or visit their website because you can find a sales pace, it's better than what we decided. But make sure the cabin category, location and other important considerations are equivalent. – Consult a specialist. After doing your research and get an idea of what you want to acquire the services of a travel agent who specializes in cruises. An expert can help solve all finding the best prices for your preferred itinerary, advise on how to get the best car and may even be able to throw some extras such as onboard credit, shore excursions or a bottle of wine each night.

When Should You Cruise for Best Prices

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009


to save money. Cruising is a demand-based business. The more demand, the higher the prices. If lots of people want to cruise on a certain date, the cruise lines can charge more for each cabin. Thats why the exact same cabin on a Christmas cruise can cost triple the rate for mid-January. Its also why a cruise to the warm, sunny Caribbean actually costs more in July than it does in February. This high season/low season dynamic is the same for many travel businesses—hotels, resorts, theme …