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In these tough times, do not be discouraged in planning a relaxing holiday by sailing on a cruise. Do not forget that other consumers are thinking the same while bigger and bigger cruise ships are built !. So what does it mean? It means you have the edge since the cruise companies are really eager to get your business. Keep this in mind as you review the following cost saving suggestions.
Before You Get on Board:
Here's how to find the lowest fare at the best time.
•Look for bulk buyers
Get a list of cruise consolidators. Consolidators buy groups of cabins from the cruise lines and re-sell them at big cost savings to you. The majority of the offers don't include airfare, but the savings are considerable, and companies such as Cruiseone dot com, CruiseBrothers dot com, and Cruise dot com feature dozens of discounted cruises around the world every week.
•Don't forget the 'shoulder season'
The 'shoulder season' is that period in between a destination's high and low seasons. The rates are lower during these periods, because fewer people are escaping the winters. For example, try sailing to Alaska in mid-May or early September, to the Caribbean in late April or September-October, to Hawaii in late August or late November, or to the Mediterranean in March or November. In addition to better prices, cruise lines tend to offer special packages throughout the shoulder season as well as low season to entice guests to book.
•Check if school is out
Avoid any time kids are on vacation, such as spring or summer break. That's when the supply of unfilled cabins is usually the lowest, and prices for them are highest. This is why cruise prices are real bargains right after Labor Day or following Thanksgiving.
•All set ? .. Book it!
If your schedule is open, try to book your cruise until the last minute. Almost all cruise lines quietly unload any left over inventory as the departure date draws nearer. Note: 'Last minute' is a relative term. For example, security regulations now call for cruise lines to finalize their passenger list as early as 4 days before departure.
After You Board:
Since cruise lines almost try to give away the cabins just to get you on board, they try to make it up later during the cruise. That means you have to keep in mind a few simple things to minimize the impact to your wallet.
Plan for Tipping
Some cruise lines automatically add gratuities, while others still rely on passengers to make that decision. To help you figure out how much to give or not to give, go to cruisetip dot tpkeller dot com, and you will get a very good breakdown on how much to give by services (i.e. waiters, head waiter, chambermaids and so on).
Maximize the Use of the Main Dining Room:
Watch out for these specialty restaurants that can cost you a small fortune, as compared to the main dining room which is already included in the cost of your cruise. On some cruise lines, for instance, dinner at one of their designer restaurants can run you a minimum of $50 per guest!
Budget for Booze:
Don't expect to bring your own. Most cruise lines frown on this, and some actually employ a 'liquor retention team' to seize alcohol not purchased on board. Your booze is returned to you, of course, at the end of the cruise.
Abide by these simple guidelines and you are on your way to getting the best value for your money while enjoying that well deserved cruise vacation!
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