Want to hit the open sea without taking a massive hit to your
wallet? Cruising with style on a budget is possible, as long as you
know how.
Steps
- Choose the dates for your cruise vacation - dates in the
"off-season" will be less expensive than the "peak season". If you
can schedule your time even a few weeks before or after the peak
season you'll save substantially. For example, the peak season for
Alaska Cruises are during the summer months of June and July. If
you can sail before or after those dates you'll save.
- Decide which cruise line you want to sail on. Do a little
homework and check out the amenities on each vessel to make sure it
meets your expectations. Large ships have more features for time
when you're on-board, but the small cruise ships can get closer to
wildlife and the glaciers, and can go to ports where the large
ships cannot.
- Be wary of advertised specials such as "Discount Luxury Cruise,
$599." These advertisements are usually for the smallest interior
cabins on off-season sailings, and do not include port fees, taxes,
and the fuel surcharge.
- Get a cruise quote that includes port fees, taxes and fuel
surcharge. If the agency is unable to give that information to you
then find another agency. Your interest should be the bottom line,
the total cost with NO Hidden Fees. These costs can run several
hundred dollars per passenger, just be aware.
- Unless you plan on spending a lot of time in your cabin, get an
inside cabin. An inside cabin, without a window, is by far the
cheapest. The drawback to an inside cabin, you'll never know what
time of day it is since no "day light" comes into your room. Make
sure you have a clock.
- Cabin rates are typically based on two person occupancy. In
other words, the first two people in the cabin will pay the
full-fare, additional people will pay less.
- Cruise/travel insurance is often recommended by an agency when
booking your cruise. Don't purchase cruise insurance from the
cruise line; get a separate policy. You'll not only save money but
you'll probably have better coverage too. Insurance includes trip
cancellation for covered reasons, travel delays, medical expenses
and lost or delayed luggage.
- Cruising with a group does not always save you money on your
cruise. Some cruise lines offer a small discount (about 5%) for a
group; sometimes you can also get extra amenities like on-board
credits. But some cruise lines do not provide anything additional
for a group.
- Check out your Sunday paper's travel section for some ideas of
what the pricing is like for the different cruise lines.
Tips
- Many cruise lines offer military discounts, and discounts for
teachers, firemen and policemen.
- Many internet companies like "cruises.com" and
"vacationstgogo.com" are never good to book a cruise through. They
may help you book but if there is a future issue with your booking
they will fail in that aspect.
- The average cruise fare for a 7-day cruise depends on the
destination, the season and the cruise line. Some cruises to the
Caribbean start at less than $500 plus taxes and fees for
7-nights.
- Gratuities (tips) are rarely included in the cruise fare. Some
cruise lines automatically charge gratuities to your on-board
account; others give you envelopes for the money the night before
you leave the ship.
- Some companies charge a documentation or delivery fee for
sending the cruise documents to you, or processing your order. Be
sure to
