Saturday, 24 March 2012

You Still Can Get A Big Cruise Line Discount

By Glenn Matthews


Taking a cruise used to be only for the rich. And depending on your class there would be some restricted areas, as well as different classes per passenger. There weren't that many cruise ships to go around either, which led to poor to average accommodations with little comfort. And for those who enjoy socializing, it wasn't too cozy either as you could only interact with your fellow passengers from the same class.

The increased demand for cruising led to an increased supply of cruise ships. Cruise ships would also evolve in terms of luxury and space, as one ship would be built after the other. Today's ships are almost as luxurious as your average resort. And best of all, cruising is now affordable even for average folk in this era of expensive fuel costs. But, it's up to you or a trusted travel agent to find the best deal available.

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.

You can get an idea of how your cruise is going to cost by looking at the size and location of the cabin. Interior cabins are cheapest with no view; but unless you plan to spend a lot of time in the room this won't matter. If you're going on a cruise where the scenery is great, you may want to fork over some dough by going for cabins with a window and/or a balcony - it will be all worth the extra cost.

Ask for discounts or special packages when you book. The cruise line is highly likely to give you a big discount if you're a senior citizen, or a member of the AAA or AARP, or other similar organizations.

If you're traveling as a group, chances are good you will be eligible for a discount as well. Sign up for newsletters to keep abreast of the latest deals.

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.

Another technique you can use to get a discount is to have your cruise repositioned. During the spring and fall seasons, cruise ships can often be relocated to a different part of the world. The only way to get ships to another location is to sail them and it's more cost efficient to have revenue paying passengers on board.

You can be rewarded for your loyalty. Cruise lines offer discounts to passengers who have booked several cruises with them in the past. You could get a chance to book another cruise at a lower rate while on your current cruise. Cruise officials know you're having so much fun it's hard to say no.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment