I need help with booking a cruise?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

I have been on about 20 cruises on 4 different cruise lines and can give you some advice/help based on my experiences.

Travel agents DO NOT charge for their services when you want to book a cruise. They are paid in commission by the cruise line. So you can go to an agent and get all of your questions answered and book your cruise through them for the same price as if you had done it yourself on line. You can also call the cruise line and book directly with them and they will also answer questions for you.

There are a lot of factors that affect what cruise you should select. Cruises generally cost about $125.00 per day per person AND all cruises are priced based on double occupancy (2 people per cabin). But the prices that you see listed are for the whole cruise, not per day. The price you pay for a cruise will depend mostly on how many days your cruise is AND the accommodations that you select.

Then the cruise lines give the best price for early bookings that are a year or more in advance. Cruise lines also list specials on their web sites so do look for those. The specials can many times save you a couple hundred per person over the price for the exact same cruise on a different date.

There are 4 basic types of cabins/accommodations on ships to choose from:
- inside (no window),................................... least expensive
- outside (a window or porthole),
- balcony/veranda, and
- suites and penthouses.......................... most expensive.

The "FROM" prices you see will always be for an inside cabin. When you reserve a cruise, regardless of whether its on line; by calling the cruise line, or through a travel agent, you will pay at booking the minimum deposit which will be about $250 per person, depending upon the cruise line and how many days you will cruise. The balance will be due approximately 60 days before the cruise departure date. But you can make periodic payment on line or with the cruise line.

I have listed below the web sites for the medium priced cruise lines which operate from US ports. These are the cruise lines that most people use.

HOLLAND AMERICA
http://www.hollandamerica.com/

CELEBRITY:
http://www.celebritycruises.com/home .

ROYAL CARIBBEAN:
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/gohome.d.....

NORWEGIAN:
http://www.ncl.com/

PRINCESS:
http://www.princess.com/index.html

CARNIVAL:
http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/

I have been on Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean ships and can vouch that they are good cruise lines. However, there are some differences.

- Princess, Celebrity and Holland America have great ships are more classy and reserved. They are just a little more upscale and luxurious than the other cruise lines. Passengers tend to be middle aged and up and have cruised multiple times. Holland America has mostly senior citizens cruising on its ships.

-Norwegian cruise line is good, they cater to families and have mostly passengers in the range of age 35-40 and up. Its the line that you want to go on if you want to be informal for pretty much your whole cruise. They have formal nights like other cruise lines but they do not stress dressing up; the call it "dress up if you want to" night.

Carnival is the budget cruise line that generally has the lowest prices. They cater to young people, first time cruiser and families. The best of their ships are their newer ships so do pay attention to when the ship was launched is you find a really cheap cruise.

Royal Caribbean is also a cruise line that caters to young cruiser and families. It has the advantage of having the most on-board activities. Things like ice skating, roller blading, mini-golf course, a full sized basketball/tennis court, the rock climbing wall, and on the new Freedom Class ships the surfing simulator, the Flowrider. The RC ships that you should look for cruises on are the RC's Freedom Class and Voyager Class ships.

Even if you decide to use an agent you should go to the cruise lines' web sites and look at what's available and how much it cost.

Stephi sayz BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Usually, If you want a longer cruise, there are repositioning cruises which don't cost as much because you aren't in port at all except for the embarkation and disembarkation port. Travel ages don't get paid by their clients (you), they are paid in commission by the cruise line.

$500 a room is very cheap and you won't get much unless you're on a caribbean cruise with Carnival cruise lines. (That is for the whole duration of the cruise per person)

As for other cruise lines I very highly prefer Holland America Cruise Line.
I have cruise with them before (twice) and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. The first time I was very very young and went to Alaska, and the second time I was still very young and went around the Baltic. I find their crew very exceptional. HAL has mid sized ships which are perfect for older or younger couples looking you get away from it all. Their ships can be described as classy and elegant but if you want a party ship RCL or CCL would be the best cruise line to go with.

I really would say go with a travel agent because they can be very helpful and as well as the internet, they can give you really good prices on cruises as well. Unlike some websites, the could have special offers with a specific cruise line that no other website could offer you. They can also give you in depth ideas that you might not be able you get from the internet.

Celebrity and Princess are also more classy and elegant ships. Celebrity is around the same size as HAL and Princess is probably up the with Cunard and Royal Caribbean when it comes to size. HAL has about 9 decks, but Princess has at least 15 on some of their bigger ships.

Whatever you choose, there will be people to back you up with your decision.

Hope I helped!

Due September 17th with baby #1

The prices quoted online are per person for the whole duration of the cruise not per night.

Agents are not expensive because you do not pay them. They get a commission directly from the cruise line not from you. It would be best to go through an agent preferably a cruise specialist. Or call the cruise lines directly and you can speak with someone and ask all the questions you need.

$3000 is alot and you could actually afford a much longer vacation than 4 or 5 days. I am going on a cruise for $550 per person for 7 days. My anniversary is in May so I know alot about that travel period. Stay away from the weeks in March that are spring break b/c the prices will skyrocket and you will pay way more. The closer to summer it gets in May the more tickets cost. Mother's Day in May is usually more expernsive as well (this is our anniversary). We usually try to travel the last week in April to the first week of May. The temperatures are always great and the prices are good. Feel free to contact me if you need anymore information or advice.

Also, I reccommend sailing a Conquest class ship with Carnival Cruise Lines. You can visit their website at http://www.carnival.com or call them directly at 800-CARNIVAL to speak someone directly.

Royal Caribbean's website is http://www.royalcaribbean.com or you can call them at 800-ROYAL CARIBBEAN.

Princess Cruise Lines website is http://www.princess.com and you can call them at 800-PRINCESS.

If you are going to book online then I would reccommend booking on the cruise lines site. You have all the information there at hand. However, by calling them or speaking with an agent you may be able to get discounted rates not offered. Sometimes they have resident rates and military rates if these apply. (they ask you this during the booking process online with most sites so you can get the best deal). Best wishes to you and I hope you find what you are looking for. Feel free to email me or send me your phone number and I would be happy to help you select your perfect cruise and help you with the planning and booking process. Good Luck.

Mary L

I suggest you go see a travel agent! A good travel agent is worth his/her weight in gold, and that is gold that YOU will not be paying. A good travel agent is able to get prices much more favorable than you will find by working directly with the cruise companies and better than on the priceline and vacationstogo web sites. Again, the cost to you is NOTHING. Also, a travel agent will be able to offer and explain more than one "cruise insurance" package and recommend the best for you, as well as answer questions, troubleshoot, provide advice and booking on exactly the cabin you want, arrange for air and transfers, and handle any hotel booking if you need to or choose to arrive in the departure port a day early. My travel agent does all this, and even sends a bottle of wine as a gift. Finally, there is NO COST to use a travel agent. By the way, I am not a travel agent, but am a frequent passenger on cruise ships, ocean liners, and other international travel.

oceanwave

"Amazing Tours and Travel"

http://www.amazingtoursandtravel.com

This will allow you to shop and compare so you can find the best deal for you. However, this site and others like "vacations to go" or the cruise websites are for the more experienced cruisers.

Now, if you want to be absolutely sure everything goes smooth than a travel agent in your area who is experienced in cruises is your bet. You may pay a little extra for the service, but they will help you with your passports, what to bring such as clothes, shot records, how much stuff costs, what is included in the price. etc. It is better to pay a little extra for the service and be prepared. You don't want to spend all that money then get to the ship only to find you can't get on the ship because you don't have the right documentation.

Vinay Gr

Pl check the URL below for details on choosing a cruise line. There is an
extensive library of customer and Cruise Critic reviews. Photos, cruise line movies, and over 3,700 ship tours.Plus, see itineraries, deck plans,
ship details, and more. The site is of course: www.BookMyHotel.biz > Cruise link. Pl. check the URL below.

Stan

You can start at vacationstogo.com. They have the best website for looking up cruises. Their prices aren't bad either. Another expense to consider is the travel to the port. Unless you live in Florida, you'lll probably have to fly to Miami. I prefer Eastern Caribbean for a variety of islands. Western Caribbean usually takes you to Mexico.

$500 would be for the whole cruise per person. It wouldn't include tips which are pretty much compulsory which add up (about $150 for two people on a 7 day cruise). This will be for an inside stateroom (no window). Staterooms are rather small to start with, but you shouldn't spend much time other than sleeping there. There is a lot to do on board and at the ports.

I'm pretty sure agents are more expensive than on-line.

As far as cruise lines in your price range:

Royal Caribbean will probably be the most elegant.
Carnival is a little cheaper and attracts younger people.
Norwegian is the cheapest and least formal.

With a budget of $3K you can go on a 7 day cruise. I picked a cruise for example (see link below):

A seven day cruise leaving Miami going to the San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. A balcony, which means you have a much larger room with a private outdoor space is $829 for each of you. Tax, Tips and Travel and you'lll be a couple hundred under your $3000 budget.

Jen @ Law

With your budget, you have quite a few choices. I would encourage you (if you have enough vacation days) to consider going on a 7 day cruise. 5 day cruises tend to be more crazy and less relaxing. I would encourage you to check out www.cruisecritic.com which has tons of advice and can direct you toward the cruiseline or itinerary which appeals to you.

A few of my and my husband's (late 20s) list of preferences include:
Lines: Celebrity, Cunard, Princess, HAL (we are often the youngest people on board, but we prefer to cruise with older people than be surrounded by hordes of children on Carnival, NCL, RCCL).
Ships: Celebrity's Millenium Class, Princess Grand Class, all HAL & cunard ships
Rooms: DEFINITELY get a balcony if you want a little private space to enjoy the oceans and the sunsets, go for a smaller room if you are happy to be surrounded by masses of people all the time, and a nicer room if you spend a lot of time in your cabin or need to have a bathtub.
Destinations: Our most romantic cruise ports (that can be visited on a 1 week cruise) are: Barbados, BVI, Aruba and the most exotic possible destinations are the ports in Panama and Costa Rica. The baja mexico cruise is good if you plan on spending your days drinking on the beach.

I second the recommendation of www.vacationstogo.com and also recommend searching through orbitz or travelocity and then after selecting the itinerary, go to www.cruisecompete.com and travel agents will actually bid on your trip and you can see the total cost (w/ fees and taxes included).

Tim & Diane D

You can start by going to our website. www.myvactationcenter.com
We do not charge you for booking cruises. There are no hidden fees and we are very experienced cruise travel agents.
With us as your travel agents you will speak to the same two people anytime you have a question. We provide great customer service at no cost to you.
Please give us a try
Thank you

Torkal

www.priceline.com

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