A cruise vacation is always a terrific value, combining onboard accommodations, dining, activities and entertainment into one attractive, upfront price – to say nothing of effortless travel between ports of call. The current economy has created some of the best opportunities in many years to receive even greater value for your cruise vacation dollars.
Here’s a brief list of “dos” and “don’ts” for anyone interested in a cruise vacation.
Don’t wait until the last minute to book your cruise. You may hear stories about people who get great prices on cruises at the last minute. However, in reality, cruise pricing is yield-driven. That means prices usually go up closer to the sail date, as more staterooms are reserved and fewer are available.
Don’t worry that you will miss out on any price reductions that go into effect after you purchase your cruise. Cruise fares are price-protected. That means if the price of a stateroom equal to the one you reserved goes down, your price will go down, too – even if you’ve already paid for the cruise. This is just one area in which the services of Cruise Holidays are invaluable. We continually monitor cruise prices and can work with the cruise line to make sure you receive the best possible price.
Do book early to reserve the stateroom of your choice. Most ships have many different categories of staterooms. The stateroom type (inside, outside, balcony, suite, etc.) may be important to you, as well as the location (for example, close to the spa or the elevators). If you book too late, the type of stateroom you prefer may not be available.
Do ask about shipboard credits. Shipboard credits are being offered by many cruise lines as an incentive for new and returning passengers. The credits are applied to your onboard account. On your cruise, you can use the credits to pay for a variety of onboard expenses, which may include beverages, babysitting services, spa treatments, merchandise, gratuities for the crew and more.
Our specialized knowledge of the latest deals and promotions offered by the cruise lines can also help you take advantage of early booking discounts, extended payment deadlines and other opportunities to build extra value into your cruise vacation. Talk with us at Cruise Holidays today.