Cruises

elvis1

Does anyone know where I can get a good price for a cruise, been googling for the past 2 days and they all seem expensive yet I hear people say they only paid X amount for a 2 week cruise.:beer:

Thanks

sheilanick

This is a very difficult question to answer since there are so many variables. so a £1000 for a Fred Olsen cruise might be expensive, whereas £1000 for Regent would be a good price.

But I can answer your question like this.

The brochure will have the maximum price and also show the cruise lines current discount price, usually around 40% - 50% discount, but this % will generally decrease in the later edition brochures. However I have never known anyone pay the full recommended maximum price.

If a cruise is slow to book, then the cruise line may add on extras such as free car parking or onboard credit. These offers will be available to all their agents.

Then you have the agent discounts. This can vary but expect to receive between 10-13% discount from the lowest published price by the cruiseline.

Finally some of the agents will be on a sales target promotion and may be offering an additional incentive to book with them, usually onboard credit.

Cruise prices tend to be at the lowest either when first launched, or at the point where the full outstanding balances are due and they know how many cabins are left to sell

debsjc

There is a lot of good information on the cruise critic forum, they might be able to help you.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/

getmore4less

elvis1 wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can get a good price for a cruise, been googling for the past 2 days and they all seem expensive yet I hear people say they only paid X amount for a 2 week cruise.:beer:

Thanks

Google is not a good way to find the prices.

For a list of the kind of deals that have been avaialble over that year or so

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=101339

The best deals tend to come through emails from the various cruise agents.

SOme do block bookings to get prices not available everywhere

teletext is still good for some cruises.

boysma

Have you tried the website www.cruise.co.uk. ? I am interested in taking a cruise within the next 2 years and have been checking this website. They list all cruise lines and itineraries, and also have a review section which is very useful as it shows honest opinions from travellers. Hope this helps :cool:

The_Teaahloic

Have you tried co op travel they are pretty good.

forumfan_2

The best thing to do first is work out what type of cruise you are looking for as there are many different styles that cater for different peoples requirements.

Also depends how formal/informal you want it to be and, to a certain extent, what age group you are in. Are you travelling as a couple, with a family or with friends?

elvis1

Thank you for your help everyone. We will be travelling with another couple aged between 39-45, but we do like to enjoy ourselves. Dont mind formal as long as it is not everynight.

debsjc

You are probably best starting off with a good mid-range compnay like NCL or Royal Caibbean for a first cruise, but go to some of the specific cruise sites people have recommended and read up on them. Holland America are good if they come into your price range.

As others have said different cruise lines provide very different products, and only you really know what is going to suit you, so it's worth doing some research!

Personally I love Oceania cruises for their excellent service, good food, and interesting itineraries....but they can be expensive and have smaller ships and can be an older crowd, which isn't for everyone.