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Cruise Deal...
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Cruise Deal...looking for the best deal, we'll show you. It does pay to shop, that is if you understand the details of purchasing a cruise ticket. Through your search, you'll likely find some agencies will advertise some kind of a cruise discount; however, at the same time it's unlikely that an agency will promote a full-fare cruise.
Now, you just need to find the Best Cruise Deal. We'll show you the options.
If you want to skip all the necessary research work you can go directly to the World's Largest Cruise Agency, Cruises Only and get, probably, the best deal.
Sometimes agencies will promote a specific cruise line because they make greater commissions. It helps to know what cruise line you want to sail on before buying. Each cruise line offers a little different variety; however, if you are looking for cruise deal, follow the suggestions we've outlined below...you'll save.
To give you an understanding of what to look for, we've outlined the cruise deal in 10 Tips To A Discounted Cruise. This will give you some deeper insight.
With over 20-years in the Travel/Tour Business we'll share all that we uncover to make your shopping journey simple. We're not representing nor promoting any Travel Company; therefore, you'll get the Facts to help you.
Finding The Cruise Deal...
Cruise fares vary from agency to agency. The fares also vary depending when you plan on cruising. For example, the peak season fares, summers, are much higher than off-season, Spring and Fall. The Cruise Lines differ in fares too. And of course, the planned route, your accommodations aboard ship, etc., etc., etc. Let's break this down:
Type of Cruise...It's becoming very popular to include a land tour with your cruise. For example, you could depart Seattle; cruise up the Inside Passage following the Gold Rush Voyage.
You'd depart the vessel for a land tour to Anchorage and Denali National Park. This type of cruise is more expensive than the traditional cruises and ports of call on the Alaska coast. The vessels are smaller too with fewer amenities than the large cruise ships.
Places to Shop For The Cruise Deal... To begin your search, you'll want to pay a quick visit to Orbitz. They're owned by 5-major airlines and have some leverage with the Cruise Lines.
We've found BestFares.com a good source too, sometimes offering the best value. It's a membership-based agency; however, you can avoid the membership fees and go directly to Cruises Only, the same Cruise Agency that Bestfares uses. Cruises Only is the world's largest cruise agency. (Many cruise agencies utilizes Cruises Only to purchase their tickets.)
You'll want to check your local Sunday Newspaper too, the Travel Section. Often there are hidden bargains right before your eyes offered by local agencies. If you're in a small town, get the nearest major city Sunday Newspaper near your town.
Uncover The Hidden Costs... Don't be miss-lead when you see advertised specials such as Cheap Alaska Cruises, $599! Often these advertisements are for off-season, spring and fall. And they probably do not include the Port Fees and Taxes. Port Fees and Taxes can run into a couple hundred dollars for each passenger. Just be aware.
The costs of cabins vary too. An inside cabin, without a window is by far the cheapest. If that is what you want, make sure that's what you're paying for.
When we cruise, we only use the cabin to change and sleep; therefore, it doesn't make sense for us to pay more money for a window if we aren't going to use it. If you plan on staying in your cabin, then you may want to consider getting a window.
Cabin rates are typically based on a 2-person occupancy. In other words, the first 2-people in a cabin will pay the full-fare, additional people will pay 1/2 the fare. If your Cruise Deal is $750 then 2-people will pay that fare or $1500. If you add 2-additional-people to the cabin, they will pay $375 each or $750 for the both. Your total fare equals $2250 for 4-people in one cabin.
Now, don't forget to add the Port Fees and Taxes per person. If the Port Fee is $200 per person and Taxes are $50 per person then your total Cheap Alaska Cruise for 4-people equals $3250. When you receive quotes, make sure they include the Port Fees and Taxes.
I want to reiterate one thing. Typically, the first 2-people in a cabin pay the same rate. (In our example above each person pays $750 or $1500 for both).
Beware, agencies or even group tours will charge the 3rd and 4th-person the same $750 fare. Be sure to ask about this. The 3rd and 4th-persons can receive a great discount just like our above example.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount for the 2nd-person in the cabin too. It pays to ask, and if you’re not happy, keep shopping. It pays to shop too; you can save thousands of dollars.
Cruise Insurance...When you book your cruise deal you'll be asked if you want cruise insurance. The insurance policy will typically insure you incase you default on your trip. In other words, if for some reason you cannot go on the trip you are insured. "For how much and what conditions?" That depends on the policy.
We suggest that you DO NOT take this policy from the cruise agency. Get the policy from an Insurance Agency, not a Cruise Agency. Feel free to contact us and we can make some recommendations.
Group Travel... Traveling as a group may get you some good bargains, especially if you are the group leader. You can check with some of your local travel agencies and see if they know of any Groups that you could join up with.
Check out the Group Tour Specialist, Alan Schiller. 425-775-1595, 1-800-622-3342. He's put together some fabulous group specials to Alaska and beyond. Get on their mailing list and you'll get the continual updates.
If you want to really expand on getting the best cruise deal you can start your own group cruise. All you need, is get some friends together for a cruise, you're the designated group leader, and you Cruise for FREE. You'll typically have to fill 8-cabins or 16-people before you cruise for free...
Where can you get a group? This is where your creativity comes in...Check out your local Senior Center and find out the level of interest, put an add in the paper, simply be creative.
Senior Centers may even have a group tour already that you can join.
Check out the on-line travel forums too. All of this does require a little effort; after-all, you're getting a FREE Cruise out of your efforts.
In Summary...It pays to shop around to get the Cruise Deal. Unfortunately there's no one single source that offers the absolute Best Deal. If you check out the agencies we listed above, you'll save a lot of time and money.
Also note that several agencies use the same source. For example, Sterling Cruises, Cruise Rewards, Ideas 4 Travel are all the same company, National Leisure Group. And they market through a host of other agencies. Therefore, as you shop you’ll come across the same website format with a different name.
Should you want to recommend an agency that we should look into, please Contact Us.
Enjoy your cruise deal,
The Editorial Staff
Northwest Travel Tips
