Who is it best to book a cruise with?
Who is it best to book a cruise with? You should book your cruise with a travel agent if you're a first time cruiser, have a lot of special requests or want to get the best deals. At Cruise Critic, we tend to think that most people should use a travel agent for the best experience.
Do cruises go cheaper closer to departure?
Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins. However, it's worth noting that a last-minute cruise doesn't always offer the most savings to travelers. Those who plan far ahead may be able to save even more.
Is it cheaper to book a cruise online or over the phone?
One other terrific benefit to using the phone is the option of getting “quiet offers.” These unpublished or advance price reductions are part of what you can get when you book via an online agent call, cruise consultant call or a travel agent call.
Is it better to book a cruise directly or through a third party?
Travel agents can get better deals on cruises Their service to you is usually free, though some may charge first-time clients a minimal fee. It's worth it. In addition to sharing their expertise, the agent may have negotiated group space at lower rates with the cruise line, which may save you money on the cruise fare.
Does it matter where you stay on a cruise ship?
The best deck on a cruise ship is different for every traveler. For example, if you get motion sickness, you won't want to stay on the same deck as those who enjoy looking at the scenery. And travelers with limited mobility may not want to stay on the vessel's top deck.
Does Royal Caribbean have sales often?
The best Royal Caribbean cruise deals show up at the very time you are most likely to be dreaming of a sunny and warm vacation -- January, February and March. Other than those three months, watch for the aforementioned Black Friday cruise deals. Royal Caribbean also offers Cyber Monday deals.
Is it more expensive to book through a travel agent?
The cost of using a travel agent is generally marginal, and often, they won't charge you at all. Much of their money comes from commissions the hotels and wholesalers pay them. Before you decide to book with a travel agent, inquire whether or not they charge fees.
Should I book cruise online or through agent?
You should consider booking a cruise through a travel agent because a knowledgeable agent can help you understand the nuances of a cruise purchase and help you make the best decisions for your vacation preferences.
Is cash or card better on a cruise?
We highly recommend paying for anything OFF of the ship in cash. Port areas in tourist areas in the Caribbean and Bahamas are typically safe from violent crime, but petty crime like theft — or credit card fraud — could happen.
How do you avoid tipping on a cruise?
If you plan to remove tips from your onboard bill, you will need to plan in advance to bring enough cash for personal tipping, then wait in a potentially long line at the guest services desk to remove the auto-gratuities and chase down all the crew members you wish to thank on the last evening.
What is the least expensive month to cruise?
What is the cheapest time to book a cruise? Prospective cruisers can usually find a lot of good deals at the beginning of the year during wave season, Goldberg-Glazer said. That period typically lasts from January until March.
What months are cruises less crowded?
To avoid crowds and experience cooler temperatures, consider traveling in the shoulder months of May and September or early October. Most Mediterranean cruises sail in the summer months, when the sun and sand in coastal ports are at their peak and cities come alive with activity.
What is the cheapest day to book cruise?
Vacations can be expensive, so naturally, whenever there's a study that suggests ways to travel cheaper, it's worth digging into. According to an extensive study that followed price drops in the cruise industry, Thursdays may be the best day to book a cruise.
What percentage of cruises are booked by travel agents?
The report, U.S. Cruise Market Report 2022-2026, by Phocuswright, found agents' share of gross cruise booking fell to 52% in 2021 from 70% in 2019. But the channel's share is in recovery, climbing to 59% last year. Phocuswright projects it to reach 71% by 2026.
Do cruises get cheaper the closer you book?
Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins. However, it's worth noting that a last-minute cruise doesn't always offer the most savings to travelers. Those who plan far ahead may be able to save even more.
Is there a best day to check cruise prices?
There's No Best Day to Book Cruise lines generally release their lowest fares when itinerary schedules are first published, and then run sales every so often to encourage bookings. As cabins fill up, the prices go up.
Can you negotiate with cruise lines?
Prices, for instance, can't be negotiated. While some cruise lines, particularly river cruise lines, may give you a set discount, most ocean lines expect you to sell your group space at the current prevailing rate (though that can include any current promotions).
Is it smart to book with a travel agent?
A Travel Agent Can Handle the Unexpected. Between weather delays, natural disasters, flight cancellations, lost luggage and much more, a lot can happen on vacation. Travel agents act as the traveler's advocate in the event something goes wrong, helping navigate the challenge of making any necessary itinerary changes.
Is it cheaper to book a cruise with a group?
Aside from the main benefit of enjoying the cruise with friends and/or family a group cruise most often is priced lower (for the same cabin categories) than regular rates. In addition to the rate reduction, most cruise lines offer certain amenities to the group such as onboard spending credit, welcome parties, etc.
What is the cheapest month to cruise the Caribbean?
The cheapest months to cruise to the Caribbean are May, September and October. The peak season for the Caribbean is December to April when it is driest – cheaper months tend to experience more rainfall and the risk of hurricanes causing changes to itineraries.