There are over 200 cruises to choose from today. But the one thing they all have in common is that a little advance planning and “insider” knowledge can help you save time and money on your next cruise. Here are the “top ten tips”:
1. Maximum flexibility = Maximum savings. Most travelers have some flexibility in their travel dates, especially if they plan ahead. Let your cruise specialist know that you may consider alternate sailing dates that may have lower fares available. Please note that cruise lines will offer better prices and benefits on voyages that are less than full capacity.
Tip: Off-peak or shoulder trips offer the deepest price cuts. For example, departure right after the New Year’s cruise could be substantially lower.
2. Ask if there are any warranties available. This requires you to have a bit of gaming spirit. Many cruise lines will offer a rate in a particular cabin category instead of an actual stateroom number and actually guarantee you that rate. The cruise line then has the option of assigning you a stateroom in that category or better.
Sometimes you win and end up in a stateroom several grades higher and other times you end up in exactly the category you were guaranteed to be in. Remember, there are advantages and disadvantages to this program.
Tip: Fully understand the process before you book a guarantee.
3.Update programs. Often your cruise specialist can offer a cruise line upgrade program. This means that you book and pay for category ‘B’ and you will be moved to a higher category ‘A’. Once again, there is an element of risk here. Just because a stateroom may be in a higher category does not always mean it will be a more desirable cabin. For example, you can stay in a nice Midship Balcony Stateroom on C Deck and get an upgrade to a Balcony Stateroom on A Deck.
While your new assignment may be the same size and have the same amenities, it may end up in a less desirable location, such as near an elevator or at the far end of the ship. And there are outside cabins that have views partially blocked by lifeboats or other equipment. On the other hand, there are many cases of passengers being upgraded from various categories to wonderful cabins.
Tip: Let your cruise specialist know that you’ll consider any upgrades on offer, but want the final say on any changes before they happen.
4. Eligibility for Special Rates – One of the reasons savvy cruisers find a knowledgeable cruise specialist and stay with them is the fact that there are many special rate programs that may or may not be visible to cruisers. who perform occasional web searches. These include things like regional fares that are available to residents of select states.
Caution: If they offer you a regional rate and you do not live in that area and you cannot do the residence, do not do it. Cruise lines have the right to verify your eligibility on the day of departure and collect the difference before boarding. it happens Some of the other special rates being promoted today include active duty and retired military rates, union member rates, police and public safety discounts, airline or hospitality rates and more.
Tip: If your cruise partner is a member of one of these groups, discounts generally apply to everyone traveling in the same stateroom.
5. Special offers for previous passengers: Virtually all major cruise lines have a loyalty club for their members with different levels and benefits. Joining is free and entitles you to special benefits and discounts when you book online. For many commonly owned cruise lines like Carnival Corporation, the offers extend to all brands like Carnival, Princess, Holland America, etc. The same goes for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
Tip: Many cruise lines began operating before computers became commonplace and cannot easily retrieve the date of cruises you may have taken several years ago. However, if you send a letter to the cruise line listing the ships and cruises you’ve been on, most will take your word for it and credit you for those unrecorded trips. This could have the effect of moving you from Gold to Platinum tier and significantly improve benefits.
6. Check Group Rates: Many cruise agencies have what’s known as block space on ships. That means they have space reserved at group rates, which can be up to 20% lower than individual rates. Many agencies that reserve space for groups reserve several cabins for individual clients who might depart on this date.
While you can travel as a group, your cruise experience will be as an individual traveler. The downside could be that your lunch hour or section is affected by the group program. The advantage is that you can benefit from some group amenities, such as an onboard credit, a free shore excursion, etc.
Tip: If your cruise specialist offers group rates, fully understand the features, benefits, and limitations before you book. From the cruise line’s perspective, you are a member of the group and are subject to the group policies and procedures.
7. Change of reservation on board. Most cruise lines now allow you to book your next cruise with that line while on board. They may have what is known as a sales consultant on board or even a desk. This is usually a great opportunity to save. In general, the cruise line will offer some major perks to maintain your brand loyalty. Onboard credits on the future cruise can be quite substantial. The upgrades and other benefits are usually significant.
Tip: Many cruise lines realize that you may not be sure when and where you want to sail during your current voyage. Don’t worry, because most have a program where you can book on board with the flexibility to switch to other voyages and ships through your cruise specialist when you get home and keep all the benefits. This is a real benefit for you!
8. Look for added value. In recent years, cruise lines have instituted something known in the trade as The Level Playing Field. This was instituted to try to control the rampant discounts and rebates that occurred in the post-9/11 travel slump. Basically now the cruise lines have been partially successful in putting the genie back in the bottle by requiring cruise agents to use all the same prices.
Because cruise agents do not buy or resell cruises, but rather are paid a commission, published fares are fully controlled by the cruise lines themselves. One of the unwanted side effects of Level Playing Field pricing is that cruise lines had to find a way to promote disputed sailing dates. And they did it by creating Value Added features. They can include benefits ranging from dollar discount certificates, onboard credits, prepaid tips, free spa treatments, special dining experiences, casino credits to a free bathrobe or camera.
Tip: Ask your cruise specialist to look for sailings that offer added value. They can have a significant impact on your bottom line.
9. Organize your own plane tickets. If you need to fly to your port of embarkation, most cruise lines have flight schedules known as air/sea arrangements. The good news is that it includes flights and often meet and greets and transfers. The bad news is that in order to post these add-ons, cruise lines have negotiated fares well in advance and try to set fares based on average cost.
For you, this usually means that these add-ons can be up to 50% higher than the fares you can get by arranging the flights yourself. The one exception to this in many cases is European cruises, where many lines maintain bulk contract rates. So it’s always a good idea to compare stores. Most lines allow you to purchase just the transfer package so you can create your own air/ocean package at significant savings. And of course, if you have several thousand airline miles collecting dust, this might be a good time to try using them.
Tip: If you are arranging your own flights, make sure you allow plenty of time for flight delays etc. Savvy cruisers will often invest in a pre-cruise hotel the night before the cruise to avoid the stress caused by late-arriving flights. Remember, if the airline leaves you on the tarmac for 7 hours and you miss the boat, that voucher for a free flight will not look very attractive to you. And unfortunately, you will not be compensated by the airline nor will the cruise line refund your money since it is counted as a no-show.
10. Travel Insurance: What’s the one thing you need to take on your cruise that you hope you never use? Travel insurance! As you can see in no. In #9 above, things can and do go wrong. An affordable comprehensive travel insurance policy can cover many of these contingencies, including lost luggage, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and more.
Your cruise specialist can explain the various programs available to you, as there are several. Be sure you fully understand the coverage and limitation before you accept coverage, and note that you cannot obtain coverage retroactively. It’s a small, but absolutely vital part of your vacation expenses. Keep in mind that very few health insurance policies cover you while you’re out of the country, and basic homeowners policies often don’t compensate for lost luggage or other events. As with ground travel, the carrier’s liability to you is extremely limited by your contract, and in the event of a medical emergency on board or ashore, you are responsible for all expenses incurred.
Tip: Cancellation coverage is very specific. Understand what is covered and what is not covered. You cannot decide not to go at the last minute without incurring substantial cancellation fees. And if you have any pre-existing health problems, this may or may not be a covered event. That’s why it’s important to read the coverage.