Cruises Secrets

Travel Beyond has been sailing around the world since 1975. Over the years we’ve picked up a few bits of knowledge that we hope will help you make an informed decision.

Are you getting the best value?

It’s a real challenge figuring out if you’re getting a good deal. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get misled by appealing offers. Many premium cruises promote low introductory pricing and then charge for everything once you’re held captive on the ship. People are often shocked by the final cost and find their “Great Deal” quickly became an expensive mistake.

To help you avoid the same problem, we’ve taken the mystery out of cruise prices by creating a side-by-side breakdown. You might be surprised to learn a luxury cruise is similar in price to premium cruises. While the price is the same, the pampering experience aboard a luxury ship is very different.

Luxury Premium
Cruise Line Regent Celebrity Princess Cruises

Ship

 Seven Seas Mariner Equinox Ocean Princess
Sail Date 9/19/2010 9/19/2010 9/19/2010
Embark Port Venice Barcelona Rome
Disembark Port Athens Rome Athens
Cruise Length 7 7 7
Ports Visited 8 6 7
Size of Ship (guests) 700 2850 688
Suite Size (sq. ft.) 301 379 216
Category Deluxe Balcony Suite - H Sky Suite - S2 Balcony - BE
Cruise Fare $5,500 $3,799 $1,999
Additional Fees
Port Charges Included $156 $16
Air Including Air Carrier Imposed Surcharges and Other Taxes Included $1,329 $1,908
Airport/Port Transfers Included Included $113
Shore Excursions Included $556 $695
Gratuities/Service Charges Included $81 $70

Beer/Liquor/Wine With Service Fee

 Included $201 $201
Bottled Water and Soft Drinks Included $81 $81
Alternative Dining (3 Nights) Included $90 $60
Total Cost $5,500 $6,292 $5,142

Who offers the best price?

If you find a website offering lower prices than booking direct it should cause concern. These sites are not legitimate and your travel investment could be in jeopardy. It’s the equivalent of buying a Rolex on Craigslist. You might get a great price but chances are its fake and the seller is nowhere to be found.

All of the luxury cruise lines have established minimum rates to make it easier for consumers to find reputable booking agents. Any company in violation of this policy can be blacklisted and barred from selling cruises. This can lead to a “here today, gone tomorrow” scenario. A good test is to compare your quote against the cruise line’s website price. This will ensure you get the best legitimate rate and also let you know if the agency is trying to get a higher mark up.

Price is just one piece of the puzzle. There is a big difference in service, knowledge and access to exclusive cruises & amenities. These elements should weigh heavily on your decision.

What’s the best way to book my cruise?

We might be biased, but hiring a consultant is a common sense decision. For the same price as booking direct, you gain an independent, unbiased advocate working on your behalf. Consultants don’t have quotas or empty ships to fill. Their job is to represent you and keep your interests at heart.

Here are some additional things to consider:

When is the best time to book my cruise?

Conventional thinking tells us we should wait until the last minute to get the best deal. This idea was established by large cruise ships desperate to fill space. However, luxury cruising is much different. The smaller nature of the ships means cabins fill up quickly. In addition, cruise lines such as Silversea offer the best values for people who book early. As the sail date gets closer, the prices increase.

How can I save money on my cruise?

If you’re interested in saving a little money, here are some creative ideas to consider: