Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Cruise Lines Still Doling Out Hefty Discounts

Được đăng bởi Travel - Leisure
By Glenn Matthews


It used to be very expensive to go on a cruise ship. It would also be confusing due to the many classes and different restrictions per class. And they weren't very comfortable either, with barely passable accommodations owing to a lack of cruise ships. You stayed with people in your class not allowed to mix and mingle on all decks with all passengers.

However, there have been more cruise ships launched recently because of increased demand. New ships were built, each one bigger and more luxurious than the last. They've become floating hotels, resorts actually. The best news is cruising has become, and remains, an affordable holiday despite the rising cost of fuel. Still, it would be your responsibility, and that of your agent to find the most affordable cruise with good value.

Book online with travel companies, buy directly from the cruise line of choice or enlist the services of a travel agent. Try all and settle on the best deal for you. With any booking option, book early and save ten to forty percent.

Develop instant credibility and save money by making payment in full. Standby booking is good for those who are flexible with their times of departure. Standby passengers are usually notified if they made the list 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure.

If you want to get an idea of your cruise's cost, look at two things - cabin size and location. Interior cabins won't give you any view, therefore they are the cheapest - this shouldn't matter if you don't spend much time inside. If you have some room in your budget and you're cruising through a place known for its scenery, you can pay more for a cabin with a balcony or a few windows.

You also may be eligible for discounts or other special deals. For example, if you're 55 and above or a member of the AARP or AAA, you have a good chance of getting a discount from the cruise line.

You should be eligible for a discount if you're sailing with a group and specials are often offered such as buy one get one free. A good source for special offers would be newsletters, both online and offline.

You can take advantage of lower rates by traveling off-peak. If you're planning to get away before the Christmas season, that's the perfect time for a Caribbean cruise. Booking an Alaskan cruise immediately before or after the summer months could save you money.

Repositioning cruises are a bargain if you like to spend most of your time at sea. Generally, in the spring and fall, ships are moved from one part of the world to another depending on the sailing season. And in order to move these ships, they need to be sailed, and it would be more economical to sail them to their new destination with paying passengers on the ships.

Loyalty pays. The more you sail with a particular line the more discounts and perks you're offered. One such example is being allowed to book a second cruise while currently on one, at a discounted rate. When you're enjoying yourself on the cruise you're on, booking a second one at a lower rate is an offer most passengers can't refuse.

There are no age or mobility restrictions with cruises. The food, entertainment and lodging is second to none. As an added bonus, you get treated like a king or queen. If you had the money, you'd probably want to book a cruise now, preferably book your reservation to somewhere exotic. But to many, the cruise is the destination.




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