Cruising Still One Of The Best Deals
Travel Advice for Current Times
With all the changes in current economic conditions, I felt it appropriate to offer the readers of this blog an inside look at what is going on in the travel industry these days. No matter the challenges of our current environment, people still feel the need, and deserve the opportunity, to get away and remind themselves about the importance of family, relaxation and fun. So, where are the deals and what should readers be looking for?
For international travel, one of the best deals these days is cruising. Cruises are paid for in US dollars, so if you desire to travel internationally, especially Europe, this is your best bet for value. However, one misperception is that if you wait until the last minute you’ll get a better price. This is not necessarily true. Yes, there are deals and discounts in the market from many of what are termed the “mass market” cruise lines. However, for popular or exotic itineraries, waiting until the last minute may well find you shut out of your vacation. In addition, by waiting until last minute to book your cruise, the savings you gain may well be lost on what you’ll pay for last minute airfare. Trips to the Mexican Riviera are still selling out months ahead of time and exotic trips like South America, the Galapagos Islands, and some European itineraries are offering value added packages rather than discounting fares, especially on the premium and luxury cruise lines. These value added packages include incentives like onboard credits, including shore excursions as part of the price, discounting deposits or offering onboard discount coupons for services. What some people do not realize, is that if the cruise line does drop the price of your cruise, for the exact same cabin type you have booked, clients or their travel agents can request a price adjustment to the lower cost prior to final payment. Thus the advantage of booking early – you get better cabin selection and the benefit of any added promotional discounts!
Another option when shopping for a good deal on a cruise is to check with a professional travel agency that is affiliated with a reputable consortia, (this is not an online agency). These organizations set up several hundred cruises a year offering additional benefits to bring value to your vacation. Those benefits may include additional onboard credits, complimentary shore excursions, and private bon voyage parties in addition to a dedicated host for your cruise. These deals are not available through the cruise line websites or discount cruise sites.
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