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Top Tips For Planning a Holiday Cruise

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:24:29 +0000

Planning and booking a cruise can be a daunting experience, especially if it is your first time going on one. Whether you are organising your cruise through a travel agency or directly with a cruise line, here are some tips to make the trip an enjoyable one.

The first thing you have to decide is who is going on the cruise. Most cruises are family friendly and will accommodate everyone from toddlers to grandparents, but if you don’t have children or don’t particularly want to be around them while on holiday, there are cruises that are adult-only. Some cruises will have a dress code, particularly for dinner services, so take this into consideration too. More information about this will be available through your travel agent or cruise line.

You’ll then have to decide on a budget. Generally all food and non-alcoholic beverages will be included in the booking price, but many ships will charge extra for specialist dining, casinos and additional shopping. You can save money by booking more than 2 people per cabin or by taking advantage of last minute and advance purchase offers. Cabin selection is normally a function of how much you want to spend and many cruisers will try to book cheaper rooms to free up cash for shore excursions or shopping.

Like most of the travel industry, holiday cruise prices are affected by the seasons, being more affordable in the spring or autumn. This is because children will be in school and the weather can sometimes be unpredictable. If you are travelling without children and don’t mind the odd spell of bad weather, this is a good time to get a great price on a holiday cruise. Some cruises, such as ones crossing the Norwegian fjords or the Baltic Sea, have limited seasons, roughly mid-May to mid-September. Tropical destinations will be available all year long, although the amount of rainfall will vary.

The next thing you have to take into account is how long your holiday is going to be. The longer the holiday, the more options you have for cruise destinations. Shorter cruises from Britain are available for Scandinavian destinations, Dublin, Amsterdam or Hamburg. Longer cruises popular with Britons include Caribbean and South American destinations.

The most critical point is where you want to go on a holiday cruise. This is often the most difficult decision for travellers. Remember that over three-quarters of the planet are covered by water, meaning you can reach each of the four continents and a great many countries on a cruise. Your choice of destination will of course be dependent on external factors dealt with previously, but remember that cruises are a relaxing and rewarding way to travel and there are many destinations to suit any budget or time period.

Going on a cruise offers a wide range of recreational activities, which will depend on your destination, and size of ship. Larger ships can offer gyms, spas, climbing walls and more, but there’s obviously the option of sitting on the sun deck and taking in the view. Scuba diving and other water sports can also be an option. Once you dock at destinations, cruises can offer port excursions to see historical and cultural sites, including museums and galleries. Your cruise line will provide a list of shore activities available to you before you book, often cheaper if you book before departure.

When arranging travel to your departure port, remember that many hotels offer long and short term hotel parking offers near international ports and docks, many with overnight accommodation, which can be a relief for early departure times.

Bearing all this in mind should help you make an informed decision to book the right holiday cruise for you and your party that will leave you with experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

Paul Jones is an avid model enthusiast and has been involved with model assembly, design and painting for over 20 years.

Author: Paul J Jones
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Top Tips For Planning a Holiday Cruise is a post from: Cruise Vistas

Tips & Tricks To Save On Your Next Cruise

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:13:42 +0000

It used to be only the wealthy took crusies. There you were, relegated to miserly quarters in steerage, or set on top of the world in palacial state rooms of pure luxury. Think of the class structure in the movie ‘Titanic’.That’s changed (somewhat) in the new age of fierce competition for cruise dollars. But there are very important ways my fellow Paupers use to dramatically lower their costs and to upgrade their accomodations on oceanic cruises.

NEWSLETTERS

How about an upgrade? Better cabins, discounted certificates, 10-40% savings off advertised prices all offered by your cruise line through their respective newsletters.
I recommend you subscribe to the online newsletter from several cruise lines to get these bargain offers. They sometimes announce fantastic ‘sweepstakes’ for free cruises, too. You can always unsubscribe at anytime.

EARLY BIRDS

The early bird still gets the cruise, just like with the airlines. If you’re good at long-range planning you can save mucho dinero. The earlier you book your cruise the more you save. Typically 10-40%. It’s funny, but on the converse side, last minute deals can also set you free to save much money. So, be early or really, really late and save.

CONNECTIONS

If you belong to an association, organization, if you have a wedding party, family reunion, belong to a church group or are planning a corporate outing you can get hefty group discounts. As always, don’t be afraid to ask! Here’s the idea: let’s say you and you significant other are planning a cruise to the Bahamas. Why not post your plans in the company, church or association newsletter or bullitin board, inviting others to join you. You’d be surprised how much of a discount you can arrange by inviting others along.

STAND BY!

Yes, it happens with cruise ships, too. Typically you’re notified three weeks prior to departure if there is space. Late notice like this means you get a nice discount fare.If you employ this strategy, it helps to be on a floating vacation schedule with your employer. If you’re self-employed, you’d be a fool not to use this trick. The more flexible your schedule the more money you save.

BONUS: Paupers Secret Confessions #14

The four ideas above are standard issue tricks of the trade.They work very well for booking a cruise. But what about an idea to save money once you’re already on board? Here is one you may not have considered before. One of the biggest expenses on a cruise ship are those delicious cocktails!Who doesn’t like to embibe a sparkling beverage of choice while soaking in the sun on deck? Buy liqour onshore or at the cruise line liquor store. Drink in your room or poolside. Get a steward to bring ice and mixers. Our Pauper hates to spend $10. for a glass of wine. If you add up the price of a drink or two for two people over a 7-day cruise—ouch!

Victor K. Pryles is the author of: “Travel Cheap- Travel Well”!- Confessions Of A Traveling Pauper. His website offers an e-course: “The Top 100 Travel Planning Websites”, articles, a forum and much more. Visit him at [http://www.paupertravel.com].

Author: Victor Pryles
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Tips & Tricks To Save On Your Next Cruise is a post from: Cruise Vistas