Cruise Specials?

[patti9600]

Hi. We have used or traded our timeshare for the last 8 years but next year our extended family would like to go on a cruise together out of NY or NJ.

Does anyone know of any great sites or cruise specials that are available? Or can you recommend a cruise. We are not that picky, just want to go south, maybe to the Caribbean, bermuda, etc.

Can you trade through II? Does have good deals?

Thanks for your help!

Patti

 

[laxmom]

I have heard that the prices aren't that good. In some cases, it appears that you are giving you week away for free by the time you pay them the difference. I think most people would say that it isn't worth it. You might be better off banking your week and paying cash or renting your week and using the cash to cruise.

One thing to remember, though, is that you are giving them lodging only and they are giving you lodging, food and entertainment so you aren't comparing apples to apples when looking at the cost and what they give you for your week. Plus you have to have a Gold membership, I beleive, so there is an additional cost also. Good luck!

 

[Linda74]

I would not use your timeshare for a cruise. Once you have chosen your cruise, figure out the $ amount you would be getting and I am sure you will see it is not much. I love www.cruisecritic.com for cruise information. We did well by choosing our cruise and the putting it for bid on www.cruisecompete.com On that site a number of travel sites will bid on the cruise for you. I would say we saved about $100 per person that way. Good luck.

 

[Passepartout]

For the most part I agree that using TS to get into a cruise is -well- overpriced. However from the OP, it looked like you are planning to book several cabins. RCI, since I know less-than-nothing about II, allows one to book 4 cabins (iirc) at the discounted rate. This may make it a better deal than a cruise discounter.

We have used www.VacationsToGo.com and found them cheaper than RCI's offerings.

Jim Ricks

 

[Mimi39]

We're going on an Alaska cruise in two weeks (hurray!) and we used www.cruise.com -- they offer discounts plus on board credits or prepaid gratuities on many cruises. We got $100.00 on board credit per cabin. A freind who is going as well booked through Costco and got a similar deal.

 

[Fern Modena]

Patti,
Right here on TUG you can find Cruise agency recommendations in the Travel sub-forum here. Its a good starting point for you.

Fern

Hi. We have used or traded our timeshare for the last 8 years but next year our extended family would like to go on a cruise together out of NY or NJ.

Does anyone know of any great sites or cruise specials that are available? Or can you recommend a cruise. We are not that picky, just want to go south, maybe to the Caribbean, bermuda, etc.

Can you trade through II? Does have good deals?

Thanks for your help!

Patti