How to Plan Cruise Holidays – apply the information and tips below when you design cheap cruise deals.Many travelers prefer cruise holidays because much of their vacation activities are pre-planned for them – after all the ships are floating resorts. Onboard activities, entertainment and onshore tours are available. Even with these amenities, potential passengers should still do some careful planning in order to enjoy cheap cruises.
Many cruise deals are available but not all of them are for you. Use the following questions as a means to narrow down your options: • Where do you want to cruise to? • How long is the cruise? • What age group normally travels on the ship? • Where is the point of departure? • How long will the ship dock at each port of call? • Is the price of air travel to/from the point of departure included in the ticket price? • What onboard activities are/are not available? • How much will the ticket cost, including taxes? • Are meals included? • Are there any service charges? • What is the cancellation policy of the cruise line and the cancellation fee? • Are there any fuel surcharges? • Are there any other hidden fees/charges? • Any other questions you can think of
• Search out cruises with low cabin bookings. Empty cabins mean no income for the cruise lines. They aim to fill the cabins even if it means discounting them. • Choose a cruise close to home in order to keep transportation costs low. • Ask about discounts for booking early and deals that include free airfare. • Book your ticket early because prices often rise as the day of departure approaches. If the price does drop, request a refund for the difference in price. • Check for 2-for-1 ticket deals. • Look for last minute cruise deals. • Ask about seniors discounts or discounts for members of the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). • Book your ticket for the last 2 weeks of August when prices fall because students are returning to school. • Avoid booking your ticket between January and March as this is the busiest time for cruises. • The cheapest cabins are on the lower decks. The higher priced cabins often have a view and are on the upper decks.
Cruise lines may seek to recoup the cost of their discount cruises through the following: • Inflated bar prices. Note that you are not permitted to bring your own liquor on board. • Fees for exercise classes and using the gym equipment. • Inflated prices for phone calls and internet use (visit an internet café in port). • Laundry charges. Some ships do have self-service Laundromats however. • Onboard casinos. • Tips for the crew. Tipping guidelines are often provided with your cruise information. • Inflated tour prices.
Cruise Lines vary in terms of quality. You pay good money for a cruise and you do not want any unpleasant surprises to impact your vacation. You can evaluate the companies/ships based on cruise reviews: 1)
quality
Visit the websites below when you are ready to shop around for your discount cruise tickets.
Study the
ship’s deck plan
so as to avoid cabin trouble i.e. noise.
You may wish to purchase travel insurance. While many cruise lines will be happy to sell you an insurance policy, consider third party insurance instead. The latter also covers your airline flight and protects you in case the cruise line declares bankruptcy.
Pre-arranged tour packages are usually available at each port-of-call of your cruise holiday. These tour packages are usually all-inclusive but they can be expensive. Alternatively, you can arrange your own tour for each port of call by doing the following: 1) Assemble your
itinerary.
3) Arrange your meal. Review Cheap Meals. Alternatively, ask for a bag lunch from the galley or take food from the breakfast buffet.
If you take a pre-arranged tour through the cruise director, the ship will not depart until the tour group returns to the dock.
There are often onboard facilities for converting your dollars into foreign currencies but there is a service charge on top of the exchange fee. If possible, use an ATM to get your foreign currency.
Avoid using a
credit card.
Cruise ships usually have dress codes. Find out the dress code in advance and pack appropriately. Review the brochures and contact the travel agent or the cruise line for further information. Some ships have formal dinners and entertainment. Dressing properly therefore includes formal evening wear like a tuxedo or cocktail dress.
If your cruise holiday brings you to foreign ports of call you will be required to clear Customs and Immigration upon arrival. Keep your passport with you at all times since you will also need it to return to the ship. Check with the travel agent and cruise line about
passport
and
visa
requirements for each country that you will visit. You can be prevented from boarding if you do not have the necessary visas for your ports-of-call. Many cruise holidays have been ruined by not having the necessary visas.
Cruise ships usually have a doctor and nurse on staff. While seasickness and other medical problems may occur during the cruise, don't forget about pre-departure issues (vaccinations) as well. Visit a travel medicine clinic before you sail.
Budget at least $130 per person per day (including tips) for each day of the cruise holiday. This does not include airfare to your point of departure or lodging if you arrive the night before departure. Remember to include the cost of a taxi to/from the airport to your hotel and to the dock. Consider other costs as well and assemble your
travel budget.
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