mencik
01-17-2008, 09:28 PM
Mr. Elliott wrote a column entitled "13 Ways To Save Money On A Cruise". These ways supposedly came from veteran travel agents and travellers. Here are the 13 ways, with my comments on them.
<QUOTE>1. Buy early. When Jeff Cooper worked for a cruise line, the best deals came just before wave season. "The sailings prior to Christmas and New Year's were rarely at capacity," says Cooper, who now works as a hospital administrator. And while the bargains during wave period were good, these were better.
In many case this is true. What is better is to plan the time of year to travel. For example, Caribbean cruises are least expensive in September and October. This past holiday season, many of the ships were at or near capacity, at least for the few last minute clients I tried to place.
</QUOTE>
2. Skip the air-inclusive cruise. "Cruise air is usually the worst possible deal," says Amber Blecker, an agent for CruiseResource.com. "You get bad itineraries, multiple connections and higher prices." And, she adds, don't think for a moment the cruise line will wait if your plane is late. "That's a wives' tale," she says."
This one is pretty much true. I almost always get separate air for my clients.
3. Find a preferred agent. There are travel agents, and then there are travel agents. "Find one that specializes in booking with your desired cruise line," advises Charles McCool, a consultant who specializes in finding travel deals. "Only a select few have preferred status. These agents and agencies offer better discounts and amenities, and the cruises cost between 10 percent and 20 percent less than cruises bought from other agents.
This is not as true as it once was. There is pretty much a level pricing field now. Some are willing to rebate part of their commissions to give lower rates, at the risk of losing the ability to book that cruise line. Many cruise lines now have anti-rebate policies. You may find an agency that has blocked group space on a particular sailing that may have a slightly lower rate.
4. Think small, think shoulder-season. Crystal Griffith, a nurse from Baker, Florida, scored a deep discount on her Alaska cruise by choosing a September itinerary and picking a windowless inside cabin. "We rarely spent much time in the cabin, and used it mainly for sleeping," she says. "It saved us lots of money."
This is true. It is the same as what I said earlier about booking the Caribbean in September or October. One note though. It is colder in Alaska in September than June. Many of the sailings do not go all the way north to Anchorage in September.
5. Become a shareholder. "If you buy 100 shares of Carnival or Royal Caribbean stock, you'll get between $50 and $200 of free cabin credit on every cruise," says George Smart, a consultant in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. NOTE: Carnival and Royal Caribbean own most of the cruise lines out there, so this is a pretty decent deal.
From what I remember, the discount was once per year, not every cruise. However, I could be wrong about that.
6. Ask about discounts. One of the most popular is the military discount. Some cruise lines insist on either active-duty status or evidence of a long career. But not all. "Carnival Cruise line will sell their military rate to anyone who has served for two years," says Liz Lamagese, a Tampa, Florida-based travel agent. "As long as you have your separation papers to fax them, you can get very low rates on most of their cruises."
Yes, you should definitely ask. However, Military rates are not available on every sailing. You should also ask about specific state's residents specials, past guest specials, and on some lines (notably NCL) even union members can get a special discount.
7. Private tours can save you big money. That's what Jerry Rothstein, a New York investment consultant, discovered on a recent cruise to the Greek islands. "We quickly figured out that for six people, we'd be better off having a private arrangement for shore excursions," he says. Now he regularly runs Internet searches to find less costly tours for groups that are "more intimate" and cost less than those offered by the cruise line.
Absolutely true. A good travel agent should have recommendations for you.
8. Become a frequent cruiser. Evelyn Fine, a market researcher based in Daytona Beach, Florida, has found that loyalty pays. Cruise lines offer her everything from discounts to special on-board perks, like VIP receptions and priority dinner reservations. "Becoming a loyal customer is worth it," she says.
Another truth.
9. For a free upgrade, tell them you're a VIP. Actually, get your travel agent to tell them you're a VIP, says Royce Jones, a Jackson, Mississippi, furniture manufacturer's representative. "My agent tells the cruise line I'm one of her best customers, and that if I like the trip, I'll return again in the future," he says. "And then she asks for an upgrade. It works most of the time."
This one is a joke. Your travel agent will get laughed at. I think this guy has been sold a bill of goods. The agent probably booked an upgrade through an offer he could have gotten anyway. If that's what happened, his agent was less than honest.
10. Don't get on the bus. "One of the best ways to save money on a cruise is to not take the provided transportation that meets you at the dock," says Michael Berger, an information systems consultant in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. "They usually cost more or end up taking you to their uncle's store to get a discount." Instead, he recommends walking a block or two away from the dock and finding a local transportation option. It's cheaper, and you're less likely to fall for a tourist trap.
If this is referring to shore excursions at ports, then see #7 above. If this is referring to the home ports, many times you can't walk out of the port. Even if you could, the walk from the ship to the outside of Port Everglades or Port of Miami is a lot more than 2 blocks. The cost of the shuttles that the cruise lines offer to the airports is a little bit high, and you might find a cheaper alternative, but the convenience makes up for the cost as far as I'm concerned.
11. Get a soda sticker. If you like bubbly drinks, buy the soda sticker for the cruise if your cruise line sells one. On Princess, for example, $29.50 gives you unlimited soda -- something Tom Kinsella, a Woodbridge, Virginia, softwa2re manager, discovered on his last cruise. "And bring your own large soda mug. Ours is 64 ounces, and they'll fill it any time you need it filled. That way, you're not stuck with their small glasses."
The soda stickers are a decent deal. Note that the price varies by cruise line and length of cruise. More typical for a 7-day cruise is about $40 - $45 including taxes and mandatory gratuity.
12. Or try these two booze tricks. TIP NO. 1: Bring your own wine and pay a corking fee at dinner. "It's still cheaper than the roughly $30 low-end wines offered by the cruise line," says Kirsten Taylor, an information technology manager in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. TIP NO. 2: If you prefer hard liquor, try emptying a water bottle and replacing it with your favorite vodka or gin. "No one will notice," says David Tuder, a banker from New York.
Tip #1 is valid, but remember not to put the wine in your carry-on if you are flying, or you will lose it at the security check. If packed in your luggage, it better be in a leak-proof container, unless you want to risk having your clothes smell like wine for the entire cruise.
Tip #2 is unethical at best. Yes, I know people that have done this and gotten away with it. I also know people who have had it discovered during luggage x-ray, and had it confiscated. The tips on security and smelly clothes from Tip #1 also apply. Also, if you can't afford the price of the booze in addition to the cruise, maybe you shouldn't be going. Or perhaps you should be going to an all-inclusive resort instead, where the booze is included.
13. Buy your next cruise ... on your cruise. "The cruise line will offer special deals available only onboard, with much lower base prices than you'd find off the ship," says Kevin Harris, a hotel owner from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "And when you book with the onboard person, you usually receive higher onboard credits to spend anywhere on the ship."
This is usually true. On some lines (Cunard and Princess for example) you can place a future cruise deposit to get these benefits, without even booking a specific sailing. When you decide later, this deposit is applied, and you still get the "book on board benefit." You need not feel you are "cheating" your valuable travel agent either. Whatever agent booked the cruise you are on at the time will get credit for the on-board booking, and will be able to provide you with their normal service to complete the booking later.
<QUOTE>1. Buy early. When Jeff Cooper worked for a cruise line, the best deals came just before wave season. "The sailings prior to Christmas and New Year's were rarely at capacity," says Cooper, who now works as a hospital administrator. And while the bargains during wave period were good, these were better.
In many case this is true. What is better is to plan the time of year to travel. For example, Caribbean cruises are least expensive in September and October. This past holiday season, many of the ships were at or near capacity, at least for the few last minute clients I tried to place.
</QUOTE>
2. Skip the air-inclusive cruise. "Cruise air is usually the worst possible deal," says Amber Blecker, an agent for CruiseResource.com. "You get bad itineraries, multiple connections and higher prices." And, she adds, don't think for a moment the cruise line will wait if your plane is late. "That's a wives' tale," she says."
This one is pretty much true. I almost always get separate air for my clients.
3. Find a preferred agent. There are travel agents, and then there are travel agents. "Find one that specializes in booking with your desired cruise line," advises Charles McCool, a consultant who specializes in finding travel deals. "Only a select few have preferred status. These agents and agencies offer better discounts and amenities, and the cruises cost between 10 percent and 20 percent less than cruises bought from other agents.
This is not as true as it once was. There is pretty much a level pricing field now. Some are willing to rebate part of their commissions to give lower rates, at the risk of losing the ability to book that cruise line. Many cruise lines now have anti-rebate policies. You may find an agency that has blocked group space on a particular sailing that may have a slightly lower rate.
4. Think small, think shoulder-season. Crystal Griffith, a nurse from Baker, Florida, scored a deep discount on her Alaska cruise by choosing a September itinerary and picking a windowless inside cabin. "We rarely spent much time in the cabin, and used it mainly for sleeping," she says. "It saved us lots of money."
This is true. It is the same as what I said earlier about booking the Caribbean in September or October. One note though. It is colder in Alaska in September than June. Many of the sailings do not go all the way north to Anchorage in September.
5. Become a shareholder. "If you buy 100 shares of Carnival or Royal Caribbean stock, you'll get between $50 and $200 of free cabin credit on every cruise," says George Smart, a consultant in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. NOTE: Carnival and Royal Caribbean own most of the cruise lines out there, so this is a pretty decent deal.
From what I remember, the discount was once per year, not every cruise. However, I could be wrong about that.
6. Ask about discounts. One of the most popular is the military discount. Some cruise lines insist on either active-duty status or evidence of a long career. But not all. "Carnival Cruise line will sell their military rate to anyone who has served for two years," says Liz Lamagese, a Tampa, Florida-based travel agent. "As long as you have your separation papers to fax them, you can get very low rates on most of their cruises."
Yes, you should definitely ask. However, Military rates are not available on every sailing. You should also ask about specific state's residents specials, past guest specials, and on some lines (notably NCL) even union members can get a special discount.
7. Private tours can save you big money. That's what Jerry Rothstein, a New York investment consultant, discovered on a recent cruise to the Greek islands. "We quickly figured out that for six people, we'd be better off having a private arrangement for shore excursions," he says. Now he regularly runs Internet searches to find less costly tours for groups that are "more intimate" and cost less than those offered by the cruise line.
Absolutely true. A good travel agent should have recommendations for you.
8. Become a frequent cruiser. Evelyn Fine, a market researcher based in Daytona Beach, Florida, has found that loyalty pays. Cruise lines offer her everything from discounts to special on-board perks, like VIP receptions and priority dinner reservations. "Becoming a loyal customer is worth it," she says.
Another truth.
9. For a free upgrade, tell them you're a VIP. Actually, get your travel agent to tell them you're a VIP, says Royce Jones, a Jackson, Mississippi, furniture manufacturer's representative. "My agent tells the cruise line I'm one of her best customers, and that if I like the trip, I'll return again in the future," he says. "And then she asks for an upgrade. It works most of the time."
This one is a joke. Your travel agent will get laughed at. I think this guy has been sold a bill of goods. The agent probably booked an upgrade through an offer he could have gotten anyway. If that's what happened, his agent was less than honest.
10. Don't get on the bus. "One of the best ways to save money on a cruise is to not take the provided transportation that meets you at the dock," says Michael Berger, an information systems consultant in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. "They usually cost more or end up taking you to their uncle's store to get a discount." Instead, he recommends walking a block or two away from the dock and finding a local transportation option. It's cheaper, and you're less likely to fall for a tourist trap.
If this is referring to shore excursions at ports, then see #7 above. If this is referring to the home ports, many times you can't walk out of the port. Even if you could, the walk from the ship to the outside of Port Everglades or Port of Miami is a lot more than 2 blocks. The cost of the shuttles that the cruise lines offer to the airports is a little bit high, and you might find a cheaper alternative, but the convenience makes up for the cost as far as I'm concerned.
11. Get a soda sticker. If you like bubbly drinks, buy the soda sticker for the cruise if your cruise line sells one. On Princess, for example, $29.50 gives you unlimited soda -- something Tom Kinsella, a Woodbridge, Virginia, softwa2re manager, discovered on his last cruise. "And bring your own large soda mug. Ours is 64 ounces, and they'll fill it any time you need it filled. That way, you're not stuck with their small glasses."
The soda stickers are a decent deal. Note that the price varies by cruise line and length of cruise. More typical for a 7-day cruise is about $40 - $45 including taxes and mandatory gratuity.
12. Or try these two booze tricks. TIP NO. 1: Bring your own wine and pay a corking fee at dinner. "It's still cheaper than the roughly $30 low-end wines offered by the cruise line," says Kirsten Taylor, an information technology manager in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. TIP NO. 2: If you prefer hard liquor, try emptying a water bottle and replacing it with your favorite vodka or gin. "No one will notice," says David Tuder, a banker from New York.
Tip #1 is valid, but remember not to put the wine in your carry-on if you are flying, or you will lose it at the security check. If packed in your luggage, it better be in a leak-proof container, unless you want to risk having your clothes smell like wine for the entire cruise.
Tip #2 is unethical at best. Yes, I know people that have done this and gotten away with it. I also know people who have had it discovered during luggage x-ray, and had it confiscated. The tips on security and smelly clothes from Tip #1 also apply. Also, if you can't afford the price of the booze in addition to the cruise, maybe you shouldn't be going. Or perhaps you should be going to an all-inclusive resort instead, where the booze is included.
13. Buy your next cruise ... on your cruise. "The cruise line will offer special deals available only onboard, with much lower base prices than you'd find off the ship," says Kevin Harris, a hotel owner from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "And when you book with the onboard person, you usually receive higher onboard credits to spend anywhere on the ship."
This is usually true. On some lines (Cunard and Princess for example) you can place a future cruise deposit to get these benefits, without even booking a specific sailing. When you decide later, this deposit is applied, and you still get the "book on board benefit." You need not feel you are "cheating" your valuable travel agent either. Whatever agent booked the cruise you are on at the time will get credit for the on-board booking, and will be able to provide you with their normal service to complete the booking later.