Cruise websites

IvanOpinion

There are loads of sites out there and you simply need to do a bit of homework to get the best quote ... others to try include bolsover and cruisekings. Do not be afraid to ask for discount and 'on board credit'.

To get the best price it appears you need to book as early as possible .. we generally book up to 18 months in advance (usually when the first edition brochures come out). My target price is usually the brochure discount price less 10% (at least) plus as much onboard credit as I can squeeze out of them (usually ranges from £75 to £300 per cabin ... I also get a bit more for having shares ... at least it covers the tips).

Cruising is one industry where loyalty does seem to be rewarded.

Ivan

getmore4less

One thing to look for is a DIY package where you organise the flights and book the cruise through the US can save loads if you can get the flights,

The times I have investigated Alaska cruises getting the deals on cruise and flight to coincide were not easy.

Consider flights to Calgary and drive to Vancouver to get the rockies in as well.

hansi

Pam17 wrote: »

Thanks VickyA but we are in our 40's, time enough for SAGA later

Hansi - Why not Gills?

Firstly, they are not competitive in the majority of cruises costs, secondly you have to pay the balance 15 weeks before departure and, thirdly, I had a personal problem with them.

hansi

ellie14 wrote: »

I have been looking all weekend and to day for a specific cruise tried all the usual ones and I mean all,however I got a quote from Instant cruises some part Coop franchise so ABTA bonded,he beat all the rest could have saved hours but we like to be sure we are saving money and bartering down ,got his number if you want it pm me ,he knows his stuff,I also know quite a bit regarding cruises if you need to know anything.

I have used Instant Cruises, their rates are very good, but expect reams of paper once you have booked!

System

Thanks to you all for so many links we didn't think that booking early would be good and had thought last minute would be the way to go since that works for other holidays and so we've only started to research this holiday.

We fancy flying to Calgary and getting to Vancouver for the cruise via the Rocky mountain railroad so initially we just want the cruise and we can build the rest around it.

We also fancy the freestyle option that NCL offers basically because I find the idea of getting all dolled up and formal a bit intimidating (but that's just me:o )

IvanOpinion wrote: »

There are loads of sites out there and you simply need to do a bit of homework to get the best quote ... others to try include bolsover and cruisekings. Do not be afraid to ask for discount and 'on board credit'.

To get the best price it appears you need to book as early as possible .. we generally book up to 18 months in advance (usually when the first edition brochures come out). My target price is usually the brochure discount price less 10% (at least) plus as much onboard credit as I can squeeze out of them (usually ranges from £75 to £300 per cabin ... I also get a bit more for having shares ... at least it covers the tips).

Cruising is one industry where loyalty does seem to be rewarded.

Ivan

Ivan given that you're from Norn Iron like me can I ask do you only use the net or have you used a local agent? Apparently Oasis Travel in Lisburn have cruise specialists but as yet I'm unsure if they offer competitive deals.

colmil

Dear Pam,

We went to Alaska last year on a cruise as part of a Rockies tour, it was wonderful!

Whwn you are looking at prices, I would suggest you book a balcony cabin, more expensive I know, but you will be looking at land for a great majority of the cruise and always on the lookout for bears etc.

Please ask any questions you like, I will be pleased to help.

Regards

Colmil.

System

colmil thanks. We are hoping to push the boat out by doing what you suggested and also booking the Goldleaf service on the train and then save by cutting back on the hotels en-route. We plan to drive for the first week between Calgary and Jasper and spend the last couple of days after the cruise exploring Vancouver.

colmil

I don't suppose you will have any room in the boot by any chance, Pam?

To save some money, when you arrive in Juneau, there is a local bus from the quayside goes to the Mendenhall Glacier, will you save you a lot of money on the cruise ship prices!

Same in Skagway, there are local firms just outside the dock offering trips, we went to the Yukon for the afternoon, enjoyed it very much at half the price of the cruise ships tours.

We went last August, and had wonderful weather, but there are no guarantees, but Alaska has a unique atmosphere, enjoy it!

Let me know if you enjoyed it, I want to visit again, but further north, I looked on our trip as a taster, really.

Best wishes for a great trip,

Colmil.

IvanOpinion

Pam17 wrote: »

Ivan given that you're from Norn Iron like me can I ask do you only use the net or have you used a local agent? Apparently Oasis Travel in Lisburn have cruise specialists but as yet I'm unsure if they offer competitive deals.

Pam, we book through Cruise connections in Holywood (they used to be in Ards but have recently moved). I do my homework first though and see who is offering what. To be fair I have been a cuistomer of theirs for many years now and they know I do not make up prices in the hope of getting better discount etc. (as some people do). It may be difficult to maximise discount on your first cruise but if you find an agent you like them you should be able to deal with them

Ivan

organic_wanabe

We are doing an Alaskan cruise, departing 12th July, with RCI (this will be our 5th cruise with them). We booked in March or April 2007 so that we could get the exact cabin that we wanted, at the back of the ship, with a big balcony. We have decided to spend a week in Vancouver (where we will do a day trip to Whistler), then do the cruise, then have 3 nights on Vancouver Island and then spend a week or so driving through the Rockies (looked at the train but decided we wanted to see more and do it in our own time). We are then flying back from Calgary. We booked the cruise through a travel agent and then we did the flights and everything else. A website I use, but haven't booked through, is VacationsToGo.com. They are great at answering questions and giving you tips. You should subscribe to their newsletter.