These larger online travel agencies can be a good option for those who prefer to make decisions and ask questions via chat. Just make sure you get the name and phone number of the representative for any follow-up questions. Cruise lines prefer that you use a travel agent rather than going online and booking directly.
Hotels
Which itinerary you choose impacts which destinations you'll visit and which shoreside activities will be available to you. It can be overwhelming to evaluate the options on your own if you've never cruised before. When you think of Costco, you probably think of bulk food and toilet paper. But the next time you’re booking a cruise, it’ll be worthwhile to pull up Costco Travel, which is, unexpectedly, one of the best cruise websites. Priceline is another powerhouse among cheap cruise websites.
DESTINATIONS
The good news is that cruise prices are usually the exact same across every single website you search. Cruise.com has been connecting travelers with the perfect cruise vacations since 1998. We pride ourselves in the best service possible, an accomplishment acknowledged by the most authoritative companies in the cruise industry. Cruise.com was named Agency of the Year by Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
How to Select a Travel Agent
Our travel experts craft the perfect trip for every traveler through our award-winning customer service. Avalon Waterways offers serene river cruises through Europe, Egypt, Asia, and South America along with captivating Expedition cruises to the Galapagos Islands. Ideal for travel enthusiasts seeking a fresh perspective, these journeys offer a unique way to explore the world from a new angle. A good cruise travel agent will not only help you navigate these tricky questions they will hopefully provide you with some reassurance. Remember, you won't just be using the ship as a home base, like you do with a hotel; it will be your home, restaurant and entertainment venue for a week or more. The right ship and itinerary can make your vacation that much more enjoyable -- and an agent can help you determine the best selection for your tastes.
We Make Vacation Planning Easy
North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees test of submarine-launched cruise missiles - FRANCE 24 English
North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees test of submarine-launched cruise missiles.
Posted: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Be aware that not all agents work with all cruise lines; some represent only a few preferred suppliers or specialize in higher-end cruises. You will also want to ask the travel agent if they have a preferred relationship or negotiated agreement with any specific lines that could lead to special perks for you. You should consider booking a cruise through a travel agent because a knowledgeable agent can help you understand the nuances of a cruise purchase and help you make the best decisions for your vacation preferences. Going online to book an airline ticket or hotel stay is a familiar and fairly easy transaction. When you book a cruise, however — particularly your first cruise — you might want to reconsider the impulse to handle the transaction yourself through a cruise line website or an online advertiser with cheap prices.
So, you've decided to go on a cruise -- perhaps your first venture on a vacation at sea -- and you're a little overwhelmed. You have to consider how much you're willing to pay, whether to book an inexpensive inside cabin or splurge on a suite, and which cruise line and ship are right for you. Add dinner seatings, shore excursions and cabin location to the list, and planning a relaxing getaway suddenly seems like a second job. You should also ask if the travel agency offers 24/7 assistance (usually an 800 number) in case you have last-minute questions or something goes wrong before or during your trip. Keep Cruisewatch in strong consideration—more than a typical cruise booking website, Cruisewatch bills itself as a “digital cruise advisor” that couples data power with personalization. For instance, one recent search promoted free gratuities on trips booked through the site, but we couldn’t find any mention of this once we actually started the booking process.
North Korea says it tested a new cruise missile in the latest example of its expanding capabilities - PBS NewsHour
North Korea says it tested a new cruise missile in the latest example of its expanding capabilities.
Posted: Wed, 24 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Discover Nearby Cruises
The initial interface comes off a bit clunkier than, say, Expedia’s or Kayak’s, but the tradeoff is that you can quickly search by cruise line, both standard and luxury, as well as by cruise length and departure port. Every major cruise line allows you to book online and do everything from find a cruise to make upgrades, buy extras like drink packages, and pay for the trip. In other words, you can book your spot on the ship completely online at any time of the day. That’s because some sites can offer perks like onboard credit or even a direct phone number to call to talk to someone with any questions you might have before you cruise. If you’re a deal-hunter, there isn’t some magic website that has cruise fares for dramatically cheaper than everyone else (that we’ve ever found).
The Best Sites to Book a Cruise
The agent will keep you in his or her database, alert you to deals or sales and can even suggest future trip ideas. Companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line provide online directories to help you find an experienced cruise travel agent near you. You aren't just booking general passage on a ship, either, as you will be asked to pick a specific cabin and when you prefer to dine. Making a mistake in these categories can ruin your cruise experience, as there are such thing as "bad" cabins and dining times (think noisy or claustrophobic cabins, dinner at 8 p.m. with cranky children, etc.). When you book a cruise, you are making a vacation decision that goes way beyond a flight or hotel nights. Which ship you choose determines your dining and evening entertainment choices for the duration of your vacation.
Avoya Travel
Our world-famous 90-Day Ticker is a complete listing of last-minute cruises on the world's best cruise lines. Average availability is less than seven days and many cruises sell out within hours of listing. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection elevates the river cruising experience with its boutique-style ships and itineraries that take travelers to Europe, Egypt and China. All prices are per person, in US Dollars, based on double occupancy. Rates are subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed until a specific cabin category has been confirmed and a deposit on final payment has been applied. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals.
In addition, ask if the agent can meet or beat the best price you've seen elsewhere. Find out if the travel agent has preferred status with any cruise lines or whether he or she belongs to travel consortiums that would enable him or her to get you better deals, upgrades, etc. But watch out -- some agents will push a particular line too aggressively for your tastes. You don't want to get caught in an agent's agenda if the cruise line isn't right for you. Look for travel agencies that are cruise-only or a home-based agent who specializes in cruises.
You can search for a CLIA-certified travel agent on the organization's website. Use the search tool to locate agents in your area with a variety of levels of CLIA training. Most cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, have some version of a "Find a Travel Agency" search tool on their homepage. In most cases, its located in one of the menus located near the bottom of the page.
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