How to bags a cruise at a bargain price.

Christabel

Ok so I've finally reached 60 and feel ready for my first cruise. We really fancy the Adriatic for next September. Because I am new to cruising, and being one of Martin's moneysavers, I don't want to pay over the odds, I am looking for advice on how to get this cruise at a good price.

Over to you money-savers please....

Mands

Christabel wrote: »

Ok so I've finally reached 60 and feel ready for my first cruise. We really fancy the Adriatic for next September. Because I am new to cruising, and being one of Martin's moneysavers, I don't want to pay over the odds, I am looking for advice on how to get this cruise at a good price.

Over to you money-savers please....

IMHO the keys to getting a good price are twofold: first you have to know what the regular price is so that you can identify a bargain and second you need to be flexible and quick to move.

If I'm looking for a deal but only have a two week window to travel, can only depart from one port, am only prepared to sail on two ships belonging to one cruise line then, the chances are, that a good deal isn't going to fall into my lap.

So, if you want September in the Adriatic then which ships/lines sail the route you want? Which ships/lines sail a less than ideal route but one that'd be worth considering for a price? What are the prices for those sailings?

Sign up for emails from those cruise lines and from travel agents who specialise in selling those cruises. Sign up with the flash sale companies (Jetsetter, Voyage Prive, Snique Away, Secret Escapes etc etc) as they are selling more and more cruises though on limited lines (NCL, Star Clipper, Windstar, Seabourne, Silversea being the most common.

Consider whether it is worth while trading September for October or even November. September is the very start of shoulder season so less expensive than high season but more expensive than later in the year. The downside is cooler temperatures and the chance of rain; the upside is cheaper fares, less tourists and less foot traffic in your ports of call.

The real key is knowing what a normal price is so that you can spot a good price so the more research you can do the better.

Happy planning!
Mands

Caz3121

When booking we have always picked the cruise we want and then call round the different agents to get the best price (have never booked direct with the cruise operator as agents tend to undercut them)
Our last couple were booked through CruiseKings as they happened to be the best deal but a few years ago actually got a best price through Thomas Cook.
Also have a look at the prices for this year for similar, it will be a gamble whether to book early or last minute - we have never taken a last minute job so usually booked early

heather8

Have a look at a website called vacations to go and a website called cruise critic, where you can pick up loads of tips.

I have just been on my first ever cruise with Disney Cruise Lines. With them, you have to book as soon as the booking windows open to get the lowest prices, sometimes they offer discounts later on if a cruise is not selling well. For example after I had booked they offered a UK discount on our med cruise. You can then ring Disney up and they will apply the discount, but won't do it automatically. I also use a US travel agent to book with, as these offer better cancellation terms (can cancel up to 75 days before boarding and get a full discount) unlike UK ones. Plus they give a generous on board discount too.

Once onboard and you get the bug (you will get the cruise bug believe me), then we could book a dummy date (2013 dates not out until october this year) and we get 10% discount on our next cruise plus $100 on board credit per cabin and also $100 OBC from our american TA.

It was fab. I know Carnival and RCL no longer allow US TA's to book for UK people so we can benefit from the cancellation policy. But once you decide on your cruise line, pop over to cruise critic and the people over there on the forums will be able to offer advise on who to book with.

Vacations to go has all the prices of all the sailings for every cruise line available to see, once you have signed up. Loads of Diseny cruise people have used these to book with. I myself use a company called Dreams Unlimited, there is also a good company called all seasons travel and Travel on a drea,. all us companies, and should anything go wrong, you are covered on your credit card, and they had money over to the cruise line for deposits as soon as its been paid.

Iwork2shop

If you want to go on a cruise to the Adriatic next September I would suggest that you look at the prices of cruises in the same area for THIS September. This will show you the CHEAPEST, LAST MINUTE prices available for similar crusies and from this you can work out ho much your cruise next September is likely to cost you. There are 3 types of cruises:

1. Cruise from the UK
2. Fly cruises from the UK (price includes flight)
3. Cruise only from abroad (you maek your own way to a foreign port as the flight isn't included in the cruise price)

Cruising from the UK SHOULD be the cheapest way of crusing but isn't always. Cruising from foreign ports often bring up the cheapest prices (Royal Carribean cruises are a good example of this) but then you have to arrange your own flights/coach/train etc to the port. With planning this COULD be cheaper but takes a lot of organising and planning.

The best way to get a good deal is have a figure in mind of how much you think you will have to pay and then simply keep looking out for special offers.

Good look!

Katiehound

I haven't managed any bargain deals but I choose places I really want to go and then look for the best price! If the travel agent sells a huge amount with a particular cruise company then they are likely to have good deals because they may have group bookings.

Cruise Critic is the place to go and read reviews of different lines and specific ships. It depends whether you want a traditional ship or one with climbing walls and waterparks.

I had a cruise booked with the cruise line and could transfer to an agent. Of the 3 agents I phoned (a 4th was unobtainable!) one offered 5%, another 10% and the firm I had already used before 11%. Needless to say they kept my custom!!

I use Ocean World Travel. I would sign up for their weekly newsletter because that will give you an idea of what bargains they have .

Incidentally be aware that some cruise lines only operate in dollars. Some have hefty service charges added to bar bills. watch out for mandatory tips to restaurant & cabin staff.These are things that can bump up the price big time. "All in" cruise prices may appear very expensive but do check what you are getting for the extra cost.

Later this month agents who are members of ACE have a cruise week- special prices and deals which include onboard spends & free travel/parking, I think that is mainly with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

loobs40

Research, Research, Research !

Before I book a cruise I go through every cruise agency web site to get an idea of prices, comparing like with like. Take into account also charges for payment by credit card or debit card and the infamous gratuities

Do you want to book your own flights or have them arrange for you ? My experience is that it is much cheaper to book them yourself. Bear in mind that it is better to book a flight the day before, just in case of flight delays. I'm happy to do that as its an extra day holiday !

Once I have all the info I need, I sit down with laptop and have http://www.cruisedeckplans.com on one page. Very useful as shows positions of all cabins and you can overlay the decks so you can see whether your cabin is situated below the disco.

The I ring all the agencies I can find, with the same spiel e.g "Looking for quote for NCL Jade sailing on 5th March from Malaga, two people looking for inside midship cabin on decks 9 or 10"

All of them will want to better the price of other agencies. Make sure you get the name of the person you are speaking to and their direct line number. I always say I will be booking that day. If you sound like you know exactly what you want you will definitely get their attention and they will bust a gut to get you a good price.

Todat one agency quoted a price of £499 for what I was looking for. As soon as I mentioned that I already had quotes for £464, they 'spoke to the supervisor' and undercut that by £5.

I don't tell lies or exaggerate, its not worth it as there is a baseprice they will not go below.

Today I am going to go with the agent who was the friendliest and most informative, as all the agents eventually came in on or around the same base price.

Christabel

Thank you all so much for your really comprehensive replies. I've printed them off and will study them carefully. Many thanks again and happy sailing!

nw_man

I concur with all the above.

Not much else to add except there is also a tripadvisor cruise forum, it is rather well hidden and even regulars there have to book mark it for future reference.

If you dont believe me, go to tripadvisor and try to find it.

If not, its here : http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g1-i10703-Cruises.html



Finally, we are going on an Adriatic cruise on October 15th this year, if you PM me I will tell you the price we paid