TV cruise shows.

Hello, We are planning our 2nd cruise and have been looking at the offers on the many cruise programmes on TV. Is it a good idea to book a cruise this way? I have been browsing this board and cannot see any posts at all on this topic. Can anyone advise please?

Most of the members here are in North America, and we don't get those shows here. So besically, I haveno idea what you are talking about...EM

Well, basically they are cruise specialists advertising cruises with different cruise lines. The prices they quote all seem reasonable. eg the holiday we are looking at is three days land based in Las Vegas, and then a 15 night cruise to Hawaii and Mexico with Princess Cruises for £1699 interior cabin.

Hello, We are planning our 2nd cruise and have been looking at the offers on the many cruise programmes on TV. Is it a good idea to book a cruise this way? I have been browsing this board and cannot see any posts at all on this topic. Can anyone advise please?

Hi there

So, it seems that it is just a packaged vacation.

Obviously the main concerns would always be the integrity and stability of the company offering the package. You should be able to determine their credibility with online searches and reviews.

The benefits of these kind of packages should be reflected in price because the travel agent would be getting discounts not available to retail customers, even beyond the bulk pricing discount. You can try to price it out yourself to make sure you are getting real value.

The only drawbacks would be that you would have to travel on the dates offered and in the example that you present, if you weren't interested in going to Las Vegas, you don't have the choice. Although, even in that example, if you really didn't want to spend time in Las Vegas, you would be close enough with the 3 days, to go somewhere like the Grand Canyon. Since you are traveling a long way, if you haven't been there before, you might consider driving around for a couple of days. There is much to see in the area that I would think much more of an attraction than Las Vegas itself.

hope this helps

Well, basically they are cruise specialists advertising cruises with different cruise lines. The prices they quote all seem reasonable. eg the holiday we are looking at is three days land based in Las Vegas, and then a 15 night cruise to Hawaii and Mexico with Princess Cruises for £1699 interior cabin.

You may get some answers here, but it's probably better to post this on the "UK cruisers" forum, where all the folks will know these shows.

Thank you. That does help. Sorry, didn't know there was a UK cruising forum. I am quite new to cruise critic.

Yes you do know the ones I am talking about....! Thanks for your help. Will check out UK forums.

Even if they are what we would call an "infomercial" (aka "paid programming") if it has a ship and water I would watch. ;)

Even if they are what we would call an "infomercial" (aka "paid programming") if it has a ship and water I would watch. ;)

That's what they are. An online travel agency will have a 15/30 minutes slot which they use to advertise cruises with different firms. They highlight both the ships and ports of calls and round off with the price and a number to call. I suppose some people like the idea of seeing a face rather than just a voice on the end of a telephone.

Hello, We are planning our 2nd cruise and have been looking at the offers on the many cruise programmes on TV. Is it a good idea to book a cruise this way? I have been browsing this board and cannot see any posts at all on this topic. Can anyone advise please?

I am sooo glad we are not exposed to such enticements!

Good idea to book this way? A few things to think about:

1. Is the price fair and reasonable? Do a little bit of checking to see what price you would pay if booking directly with the cruise line, with the hotel in Vegas, and for your airline tickets. The do-it-yourself approach may save you a few pounds, but if only a few, then the convenience of having someone else do the arrangements may be worth it.

2. Is the company reputable? Or are they likely to take your deposit and abscond with your funds a few days before the supposed vacation? Ask for recommendations from satisfied customers, check with any agencies that track customer complaints against firms. (Better Business Bureau here in the U.S.)

3. Are you willing to let the luck of the draw determine what stateroom you are assigned, what seats you are assigned on the flights, etc? Or do you prefer to be in control? Being in control means do-it-yourself, along with the consequent extra work on your part. Will the satisfaction of making your own choices outweigh the "cost" of doing it yourself?

4. Do you mind traveling alone (or with family and/or spouse)? Or do you like the notion of being grouped together with random strangers who have nothing in common except a predilection to watch the same cruising shows that you watch? A good group to share your experiences during and after may be a good thing. Or not.

Stan

If it is the same show that I am thinking about that we see here in Ireland, that man presenting it drives me mad. Think he is a bad presenter, despite his enthusiasm. The prices do seem good however and I had the same question in the back of my mind.