Jimmy Harrison asked:

Have you ever wondered why so many people around the world are choosing cruises for their vacation? Perhaps it’s because you can relax and stay unpacked while traveling from port to port. Perhaps it’s the fabulous food, Broadway-type shows, and dancing ’til dawn that fills the minds of potential vacationers. Or maybe it’s a little bit or a lot of everything, as fascinating ports of call always seem to be just a day or two away.

Do you think that such a vacation is reserved for the wealthy and is completely out of your price range? The truth is that cruises are now competitively priced and are financially appealing to even the tightest budget, as all meals and entertainment are included in the price. But you also don’t want to pay any more than you have to. Whatever your vacation needs and financial situation, you’ll need some tips finding and picking out the best discount cruise deals to Bermuda, Alaska and the Caribbean.

Tip #1… Always use the Internet, that’s where the best deals are. As with nearly everything else, competition yields the best price. Nothing has increased competition more in recent years than the World Wide Web.

tip #2… Find a good site with wide selection of the cruises you want to take. Even if you have already chosen your destination for this particular voyage and are merely searching for the best price, a site with a large selection of both will not only be able to get you the best price this time, but for any future cruise objectives as well.

Tip #3…The more flexible your schedule is, the better deal you’ll get. If it’s possible for you take your cruise during one particular week instead of another, you’ll most likely be able to get a better price. This is due basically to cabin availability during certain times of the year when cruise ships aren’t filled to capacity, compared to the times when everyone wants to get on board. So if possible, be flexible.

Tip #4… Being open to different destinations will help you get a lower price. Maybe the cruise to Hawaii can be put off for a few years if you’ve find the price of a lifetime on a voyage through the Panama Canal, or you found a great deal in the Caribbean this year, so you’ll take it this time and go someplace else on the next.

Finally, you need to take into consideration the fact that while cruising to your location of choice, your means of traveling from one place to another is part of the illustrious experience. There is no need for you to pack and repack your belongings and trudge them to the airport to visit another nearby locale, for your cruise will most likely stop at a pleasantly surprising location or two along the way.

Helen Hecker asked:


If you’re planning to take a cruise you want to make sure you get the best cruise deal bargain offered. And there are many ways to save a bunch of money on your next cruise if you know what to do. It isn’t hard to learn the secrets travel agents know when you’re looking for the best cruise deal. You can save as much as 65% scouting on your own or from 15-30% from the cruise line brokers and the cruise consolidators as they’re called.

There are many sites that offer clearance specials and last minute cruise deals. Then there are the possibly cheaper but much riskier last minute cruise auctions and classifieds which I won’t go into here. The last minute cruise deals are not hard to find because the cruise lines don’t want to have any empty cabins when they leave port and they make every effort to fill them.

Note that the offers you find on the cruise line sites are NOT going to be as good as those you find elsewhere or from cruise line brokers or the consolidators. So make sure you go to the other sites. Of course you can compare the prices you find with the cruise line’s site.

First of all to get the best cruise deal online you want to look for cruise sites that use the Revelex or OVS cruise reservation systems. This way you can easily compare prices on staterooms for many of the cruise ships at one time. Some of these sites have time limits on their offers so be ready but don’t buy on impulse either. Last minute deals can save you a bundle.

Once you find what you think is a bargain or a good deal you can contact your local cruise travel agent and see if they can meet it or beat it. Some of the cruise lines forbid travel agents to discount their cruises but it doesn’t mean the agents don’t know about already-discounted cruises.

Once you’ve found some good travel websites, sign up for their email alerts so you’ll get fast notice on last minute cruise deals, package deals or clearance cruise deals or any other special offers that might be floating around out there. Sign up at several sites because you want the ones that are going to email you soon and often with the alerts and some of them may be too slow.

You can ask for a discount even on the final price for any cruise. Ask if they have a senior discount, business discount, student discount, health professional discount or AARP discount or AAA for example. There are also resident discounts or special offers if you live in a particular state.

Make sure to visit several sites and compare, don’t just settle on the first one No matter what low rate you find keep searching for a lower rate. The sites that compare several cruise lines at once will often bring up comparisons that make it easy for you to find the best rate.

You want to compare the cruise lines, cruise ships and the itineraries besides the price. You’re looking for a bargain – the cheapest cruise rates. Make sure to read the fine print on any site so there are no surprises later. It’s absolutely necessary.

Remember that some offers may be for the second-rate cabins. This means the cabins that are near noisy service doors or elevators or under the ballroom floor or near children’s activity areas. You don’t want to find out later that the reason your cabin was cheap was due to the location on the ship. Be aware that the last minute cruise deals or clearance cruise specials may be non-refundable. Read the contract closely.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a Carnival cruise deal, Disney cruise deal. Royal Caribbean cruise deal, Crystal cruise deal or any other cruise line, or if you and a partner and/or your family plan to go to Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii or the Bahamas or cruise with celebrities; if you spend a little extra time learning the ropes you’ll not only save yourself a lot of money but you’ll get the best cruise deal online.

Suzane Gray asked:


 

A cheap Bahamas vacation package is not a dream anymore. You can have an access to the chain of Islands surrounded by azure oceans with a modest budget now. A decent Bahamas vacation package is all-inclusive with hotel accommodation, airfare, tour and activity fees, once one reaches these beautiful islands. Make sure that you arrive at these Islands in summer rather than in winter because the latter is the busiest season in Bahamas. During spring, discounted vacation packages can be sought as this is the rainier season in the Island, yet warm enough for the travelers. Online facilities are apt to select the perfect Bahamas vacation package with all information on rentals, plane tickets etc. Apart from that, the package includes renting a car as well, if you are planning for the same.

 

One of the most visited locations in the world, Bahamas is an ideal location for adventure lovers. Cheap Bahamas vacation packages offer you flexible packages even at the last minute of booking. An excellent option for the tourists, a number of activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, underwater diving and fishing and other underwater sports are included in them. Besides, some of the famed golf resorts are present in this captivating nation, which are ideal for the lovers of the game. In Bahamas, one can find both 9 holed and 18 holed golf courses which are landscapes carved out of lush green surroundings. A cheap Bahamas vacation package provides tourists with specialty packages for fish and the golf lovers. Also, there are all–inclusive travel packages as well as cruise ships including the provisions for meals and drinks. Spa packages are also available at the popular resorts for which plans should be drawn in advance to avail treatments and massages.

 

If looking for the best travel package in the city, an online or a regular travel agent is of immense help. It is always better to purchase a package which can be availed with the help of customers who have been previously associated with them. Travel agents guide you towards getting some of the best rates available for these vacations and packages. With the help of internet, you are able to get the cheap Bahamas vacation deals at the last moment also. There are numerous websites available which will help you in locating online vacation packages suiting every type of budget. These packages are much less expensive than what you thought and leave you with a large amount. In turn, this can be used for the purpose of shopping, eating out and sightseeing in Bahamas.

 

While traveling to Nassau, Freeport, Abaco Island or Paradise Island, different travel packages have been introduced which can take care of most of your travel needs. If one desires for complete information on the Bahamas vacation package, then Bahamas vacation info is what provides you with complete details. These include information about rentals, family vacations, resorts and villas and other cheaper options for the people in general. A perfectly planned trip to Bahamas involves the judicious use of expenses and understanding this, many travel agents provide various facilities matching the pockets of their clients. A cheap Bahamas vacation package is truly economic for most of the travelers with modest budgets, as it involves proper arrangements of accommodation, city tours and other travel schedules.

 

Alex Stewart asked:


All-inclusive travel, whether aboard a cruise ship or at a resort, definitely has an appeal. There are a limited number of hidden costs (though you never fully escape them) and you can hopefully approach your vacation more assured of close to how much you will have spent in the end – certainly a help to budget predictability. However, there are drawbacks to all-inclusive cruising as well. Keep reading to learn about both the pros and the cons of booking an all-inclusive cruise vacation.

First, what does all-inclusive actually include?

Typically, all-inclusive means that your food, entertainment and sometimes alcoholic beverages are all covered or paid for while you’re onboard the ship. For some cruise lines, “all-inclusive” also extends to shore excursions, child care, spa treatments and other extra services. Just don’t count on too many of those other already-covered “extra services.”

So, what are the benefits of all-inclusive cruises?

The greatest advantage of a cruise that includes it all, as perceived by most travelers, is the ability to fully estimate the cost of a vacation, including food and drinks, before you even begin to book it. This feature is especially helpful for families who are working under a tight budget and need to know very close to how much it’s going to cost to feed, house and entertain three kids and two adults for, say, eight days.

A second benefit is the ability to enjoy your vacation without hauling your wallet around, worrying about handling or losing traveler’s checks, or wondering if your MasterCard will be accepted on the ship. All-inclusive trips, including cruises, will either include most items for which you would ordinarily need to pay or allow you to set up an account for any incurred extra charges.

Sounds great, but what are the disadvantages of all-inclusive cruising?

Typically, the most frequent complaint from all-inclusive cruise travelers is the feeling of being “locked in” to a pre-defined and fairly inflexible schedule of events. Often, a cruise ship will have set dining times, specific buffet menus, or limited and highly organized entertainment options. Some travelers prefer to have a choice of restaurants, no set meal times, free and casual entertainment options and the ability to indulge in as many or as little shore excursions as they want.

Another disadvantage to all-inclusive cruising are the hidden costs. Little items like tips, alcoholic beverages (if they’re not included), extra shore trips, small snacks, room service, casino play, or spa treatments can all add up quickly – taking your “all-inclusive” and affordable vacation way over budget. Remember, it’s easier to sign up for a bunch of little bills when you’re thinking that the whole trip is already paid for. Budget travelers need to be especially careful of this common “all-inclusive” pitfall.

So, which type of cruise vacation should I choose?

There are benefits and disadvantages to all-inclusive cruising. The type of vacation you select depends on you – your style of vacationing, your budget and what you want to experience from your upcoming vacation.

Francis Lua asked:


A Caribbean travel vacation cruise has much to offer to sophisticated travelers who recognize the great value in traveling to the island. If you want a vacation that is rich with culture galore, quaint architecture, seas to explore, fantastic swimming and snorkeling, then the Caribbean has it and more.

Here, you will find some great Caribbean vacation travel cruise offers that are guaranteed to give you the best value in cruise traveling.

A Seven Night Dream

Dreams become reality when you find yourself floating through warm, welcoming water of the on one of several vacations travel cruise ships. Enjoy the sun, sand, and surf of a picture perfect island during brief land excursion in any one of your ports of call and spend the day indulging in duty free shopping, diving in clear blue water, or exploring Mayan ruin.

With the coming of the cold month, the Royal Caribbean, one of the leading cruise lines on the islands, is offering many fantastic vacation travel cruise offers to its visitors who opt to book early. One of these is the seven night dream travel beginning at four hundred dollar per person, the cruise and featuring fabulous inside cabins where you can get excellent views of the dazzling ocean.

The Mariner of the Seas, which departs from Port Canaveral, Florida and takes you to four different ports of call where you can go on brief land excursions Labadee, Hispaniola, Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel and Mexico before you cruise back to Port Canaveral in Florida.

The Voyager of the Seas lets you start your travel cruise fun in Miami, Florida, and making brief stops in Hispaniola, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Mexico. The ship offers you four kinds of room accommodations, ranging from five hundred dollar to two thousand plus dollar.

Other midsize ships mean a more spacious and comfortable vacation cruise, with all the service and amenities you had expect, but no waiting in long lines for meals or port of calls.

Three Night Enchantment or Four Night Excitement

Few places on earth are more conducive to relaxation than the island of the Caribbean. Perhaps, it is the light, tropical breezes that gently soothe the soul. Or the warm water and warm receptions tat await you on every shore. One thing is certain: aboard a Celebrity vacation travel cruise, a vacation offers something for everyone.

But if you want your vacation cruise to be brief but enchanting, the vacation cruise offers several short cruises for your pleasure. You will find short vacation cruises, just three nights long, out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, for as little as two hundred eighty nine dollar per person.

Or consider a bit longer, western vacation cruise, four nights starting at three hundred fifty dollar, on the Enchantment of the Seas. Take a four night Western vacation cruise aboard the Century for only three hundred thirty, starting from Miami, Florida. The cruise provides you with all the amenities you could ever wish from, from shipboard accommodation to ocean transportation, meals, beverages, and entertainment aboard the vessel.