Where have you found your best deal for a cruise, and how far out did you book it ?

[sun starved Gayle]

In 2017, I found my best deal on a Uniworld River Cruise in France at Costco. This was only about two months out.

Have you had better pricing booking directly with the cruise line, or through a consolidater ? If you booked through a consolidater, or some other type of company, who was it ? It seems like a consolidaer often throws in extra perks.

I am seeing ads for 2024 cruises and also last minute cruises for 2023. I have been looking at Cruise Critic as well. There is just so much in information out there, like last minute cruises on Vacations to Go, etc.

 

[Passepartout]

It kind of depends on how exactly you want to be. If you want a certain cruise in a certain cabin on a certain departure, you're probably better off booking direct with the cruise line as early as possible so that (a) you only have a minimal down payment in the game, and (b) you have some leverage to cancel, and rebook as prices drop and they are trying to fill cabins. Oh, and first dibs on those 'special' cabins.

OR If you are flexible, go with a consolidator like Vacationstogo or CruCon or OnlineVacations. They reserve blocks of cabins and offer packages including land stays and extra OBC. Problem with these is if something goes awry, there is an extra layer of bureaucracy to go through to resolve it.

That said, the best cruise deal EVER was a last minute 7 nighter on WindStar Barcelona to Lisbon- book price $4200, Vac2go $1795, w/veteran's discount $795.

If you (or your companion) qualify, those veteran's discounts can be excellent.

Jim

 

[dougp26364]

We haven’t been cruising a lot in the last 10 years due to health considerations, but when we did, I eventually came to the conclusion it was best to book directly through the cruise line. Sure we gave up a little in cash, benefits like “free” travel insurance or onboard credit. What we gained was total control of our reservation.
When we’d go through a TA or online site, if we needed to make a change, it had to be done through the travel agency. Sometimes that was easy, sometimes it was a pain in the arse. Booking direct I could call the cruise line and make any changes directly without a third party potentially screwing things up. I’m enough of a control type person that I want responsibility for my reservation in my hands, not a third party. I prefer to cut out the middle man and be direct.

 

[zentraveler]

We have been using a really good, very experienced agent at VacationsToGo for years and have been very happy. Fabulous website for knowing what is out there regardless of where you eventually book.

 

[isisdave]

I use vacationstogo to find 'em, then check the cruise line's offering.

My observation of travel agencies is that everyone has the same price as the cruise line, and of course the same fees and taxes. What differs is the amount they rebate to you in form of their own On Board Credit. And of course, the quality of their service. A human may also be able to see available cabins that don't show up online.

I also use cruisecompete.com but often don't book through one of the agencies that responds. It has to have 1000 nearly-perfect reviews .

I'd rather book through the cruise line, because when you use an agent you have at arrange everything through them, and I'd rather do it online at the cruise line's website.

 

[dioxide45]

I'd rather book through the cruise line, because when you use an agent you have at arrange everything through them, and I'd rather do it online at the cruise line's website.

Not sure what you mean by this. When you book through an agent the only thing you book with them is the cruise cabin. You still book all your excursions, add on dining or beverage packages and anything else directly with the cruise line.

 

[beejaybee]

Lately, I've been booking direct with Celebrity and then transferring within the 30-day allowable time period to transfer the booking to a TA, which is Costco for us. IDK what the policy is for other cruise lines regarding reservation transfers, but with a grace period you can shop around for better deals/perks.

For our river cruises with Avalon we use a local TA affiliated with the Dream Vacations franchise. She makes it easy for us to organize our Siblings group of "framily" and gives free gratuities as a perk. We also are rebated post-cruise in lieu of the "free" fare usually offered for booking 4 or more cabins.

 

[zentraveler]

Not sure what you mean by this. When you book through an agent the only think you book with them is the cruise cabin. You still book all your excursions, add on dining or beverage packages and anything else directly with the cruise line.

True, but if you have questions about the cruise (laundry, cabin details etc.), onboard credits or billing the cruise lines will refer you back to your agent. Ours is so good that it is fine with me and I like dealing with one person, but this could be a plus or minus depending on one's agent and experience.

 

[dougp26364]

Not sure what you mean by this. When you book through an agent the only think you book with them is the cruise cabin. You still book all your excursions, add on dining or beverage packages and anything else directly with the cruise line.

If you need to make changes, such as stateroom location or type, you’ll need to go through the TA. It’s been awhile but it seems like even changing the dining option or adding pre-paid gratuities required a call to the TA.
Like I said, it’s been years. I do recall issues with one of our Royal Caribbean cruises and we kept getting g directed to our TA. Since then I’ve booked direct and managed our reservation ourselves

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Not sure what you mean by this. When you book through an agent the only think you book with them is the cruise cabin. You still book all your excursions, add on dining or beverage packages and anything else directly with the cruise line.

This has been my experience with our HAL cruise through Costco. We work directly with HAL website on everything.

I find trying to get ahold of HAL difficult with wait times. We were assigned a cruise consultant by HAL - never could get ahold of him so went with Costco.

 

[dioxide45]

If you need to make changes, such as stateroom location or type, you’ll need to go through the TA. It’s been awhile but it seems like even changing the dining option or adding pre-paid gratuities required a call to the TA.
Like I said, it’s been years. I do recall issues with one of our Royal Caribbean cruises and we kept getting g directed to our TA. Since then I’ve booked direct and managed our reservation ourselves

That is correct, if you want to change staterooms or dining option, it would require a call to your TA. Same to add prepaid gratuities This is where using a big corporate TA (Costco or some other website) or the cruise line really isn't of much difference. You will wait on hold with one or the other when calling to make changes. An independant TA would be easier as you just send them an email, text or quick phone call and then they go online with the cruise line and make the changes. If you book directly with the cruise line, you may or may not be able to make these types of changes online after booking and could require a call. The only advantages of using a big corporate TA is on price and incentives. Outside of that, they can be a PIA to work with as you call them, they then have to call the cruise line. Price adjustments are also the same. If you book directly through the cruise line, you can call yourself to get the adjustment. If you have an independent TA, you can email them and have them call. Some big corporate travel agents may charge a fee for any type of change. I recall United Cruises charged $50 several years ago when we used them to book a cruise.

 

[Jodyv]

I am a Carnival stockholder. Owning 100 shares of stock entitles you to an onboard credit when you cruise with them or their affiliates. I belong to their VIFP club which offers great deals sometimes. Compared to some cruise lines, Carnival is a not quite as extravagant, but for a bargain hunter, it works well. We recently booked an Australia cruise for 2025. It's 8 nights and 434 pp. (three travelers). I think it's a good deal. We'll also get a 100.00 onboard credit for the stockholder benefit.
I only knew about that benefit because I overheard someone on a cruise explaining it to another traveler. Glad I did!

 

[isisdave]

Not sure what you mean by this. When you book through an agent the only thing you book with them is the cruise cabin. You still book all your excursions, add on dining or beverage packages and anything else directly with the cruise line.

If you want to change or cancel any of those, upgrade your cabin, and in the present case for Princess, arrange transfers pre- or post-cruise, ask about hotels (even ones that the cruise line arranges) you have to use the TA. If anything goes wrong -- somehow my day of birth was recorded as "21" instead of "2" -- the TA has to fix it. Since they're commissioning the TA, they really don't want to have to provide you any personal service, although things you do online still are OK.

 

[dioxide45]

If you want to change or cancel any of those, upgrade your cabin, and in the present case for Princess, arrange transfers pre- or post-cruise, ask about hotels (even ones that the cruise line arranges) you have to use the TA. If anything goes wrong -- somehow my day of birth was recorded as "21" instead of "2" -- the TA has to fix it. Since they're commissioning the TA, they really don't want to have to provide you any personal service, although things you do online still are OK.

Adding pre or post transfers is easy for a TA. They just go in and check a box. Though even booking with an agent, this is something you should be able to buy yourself through the customer account portal with the cruise line. No different than booking excursions. Changing cabins is pretty easy for a TA too if they know which one you want to move to. An independent TA should always be more than willing to step in and give that personal service because they live off repeat customers.

If all you are doing is replacing the cruise line with a company like Costco Travel or VacationsToGo, then you aren't getting a true travel agent. Just another big company with big customer service call centers and long hold times. If you have a good independant travel agent, you should be able to send them an email with any of the things you mention and they will take care of it. Yes, you can work directly with the cruise line yourself to get any of those things done but how long will you have to wait on hold, then wait for the agent to do whatever they need to do before you are finished. An independant TA will save you from the hold times and working with customer service to get things fixed. A TA is meant for those who don't have the time or don't want to take the time to do all that stuff themselves. I suppose if you want to hang up the phone knowing it has all been fixed vs waiting a few hours or a day for the TA to get back to you, then booking directly with the cruise line is fine. In most cases, an email or text to your travel agent is all that is needed. I guess they aren't for everyone, but you really don't lose any control over your reservation since you always have to work with someone (aka the cruise line) to get something changed or fixed.

 

[Icc5]

I'm another Vacations to Go person. We aren't really drinkers, not even soda so don't do or care about the drink packages. Don't do their internet package as it gives us a break off internet. I guess both my wife and I would be considered cheap dates. Did enough drinking in college as a member of Sigma Chi for 2 lifetimes.
Bart

 

[Ken555]

I am a Carnival stockholder. Owning 100 shares of stock entitles you to an onboard credit when you cruise with them or their affiliates. I belong to their VIFP club which offers great deals sometimes. Compared to some cruise lines, Carnival is a not quite as extravagant, but for a bargain hunter, it works well. We recently booked an Australia cruise for 2025. It's 8 nights and 434 pp. (three travelers). I think it's a good deal. We'll also get a 100.00 onboard credit for the stockholder benefit.
I only knew about that benefit because I overheard someone on a cruise explaining it to another traveler. Glad I did!

The same is true for Royal and Norwegian. If you own 100 shares or more you will get obc on each cruise.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TravelTime]

I booked a 4N on Utopia the first day it came out and we got a relatively good price on a 2BR aqua theater suite. Now it is $3000 more. On a per day basis, Utopia comes out about 3x cheaper than if I book the same suite for a week on Wonder, which is the sister ship and the one released prior to Utopia.

On Icon, I booked it in July for February. I kept tracking and then one day the price for a sky suite fell by $5000 and went back up the week after I booked. The fancier suites were too expensive on Icon or I would have considered them.

On Facebook, people say those who booked right when it came out got some incredible pricing. Some of the rates they quote are unbelievable compared to booking even a few months later. RC just released the 2025 sailings and they are more or less the same pricing as all the other sailings.

I booked direct but then transferred the booking to Costco. Costco offered about 10% back in shopping cards and rebates.

 

[Talent312]

To get the eggsact cabin we want (accessible balcony),
I've found it best to book 8-10 months out... like a TS.
At 8 months out, I found the pickings rather limited.

 

[skimeup]

Does anyone know if there are opportunities for single travelers?

 

[GetawaysRus]

I'm a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned what we do.

I book directly with the cruise line, but then (before making any payment) quickly transfer the reservation to the Chase Travel Agency. That allows me to cover a good portion of the cost with Chase Ultimate Reward points earned from our credit cards.

For example, a few years ago we took an Alaska cruise with Princess. I had plenty of available points, so I booked a suite cabin. I covered 100% of my wife's fare with our points.

I can't be the only one who does this. I'd be curious to learn other travel reward points tricks. Because we limited our international travel in the first few years after Covid, I've built up a large stash of Chase U.R. points and AmEx Membership Rewards points again.

 

[Passepartout]

Does anyone know if there are opportunities for single travelers?

No personal experience, but I've read that at least a couple of lines (NCL & RCCI iirc) are building in some single occupancy cabins. If you use a TA, they can arrange these. I suppose they save something from a single supplement, (often 1 1/2 X the double occupancy rate) but don't know how much.

My DW says there is much info online for solo cruisers.

 

[TravelTime]

I'm a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned what we do.

I book directly with the cruise line, but then (before making any payment) quickly transfer the reservation to the Chase Travel Agency. That allows me to cover a good portion of the cost with Chase Ultimate Reward points earned from our credit cards.

For example, a few years ago we took an Alaska cruise with Princess. I had plenty of available points, so I booked a suite cabin. I covered 100% of my wife's fare with our points.

I can't be the only one who does this. I'd be curious to learn other travel reward points tricks. Because we limited our international travel in the first few years after Covid, I've built up a large stash of Chase U.R. points and AmEx Membership Rewards points again.

A lot of Tuggers transfer to Costco. They offer about 10% back in shopping cards and other benefits.

 

[dioxide45]

I'm a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned what we do.

I book directly with the cruise line, but then (before making any payment) quickly transfer the reservation to the Chase Travel Agency. That allows me to cover a good portion of the cost with Chase Ultimate Reward points earned from our credit cards.

For example, a few years ago we took an Alaska cruise with Princess. I had plenty of available points, so I booked a suite cabin. I covered 100% of my wife's fare with our points.

I can't be the only one who does this. I'd be curious to learn other travel reward points tricks. Because we limited our international travel in the first few years after Covid, I've built up a large stash of Chase U.R. points and AmEx Membership Rewards points again.

Why not just make the reservation directly with Chase Travel Agency? It seems you could cut off a step that way.

 

[GetawaysRus]

I find it easier to select the cabin we'll want by talking directly to the cruise line. For example, when the ship docks, we prefer to be on the side of the ship facing the port (rather than facing out to sea). The cruise line agents have usually been good about assisting with that.

 

[dioxide45]

I find it easier to select the cabin we'll want by talking directly to the cruise line. For example, when the ship docks, we prefer to be on the side of the ship facing the port (rather than facing out to sea). The cruise line agents have usually been good about assisting with that.

And Chase Travel wasn't helpful? I would expect any travel agent to be able to help with that. Though understanding which way the ship docs may not always be easy and it could be different for different ports on the same cruise.