Deals

Hi, just wondered where the pros find their cruise deals. I've come across a couple of websites but wondering if I'm missing any of the good ones. Or is it better to book direct with the cruiseline? Thanks in advance :)

I use a TA that gives me discounts and perks for booking.

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

We are not allowed to name or discuss travel agents, on line or brick and mortar, on Cruise Critic. You just have to do the research. Check the cruise line price. Check a couple of online sites for the same cruise. If you have a real agent you can talk to, that is helpful as well.

Oops, I'm sorry about that - I should have thought. I'm new to the whole thing. Just thinking about booking our first cruise :)

I find cruise line deals online or from emails, then refer it to our TA for booking information and possibly additional OBC.

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We're on lots of lists, and get emails with offers all the time. For last minute ones, we check with other TAs and see what the cruise line is offering. They're often the same, but sometimes we'll be offered on board credit, or an upgrade from inside to outside, or once it was an hour's free wifi.

Keep checking! ;)

Give these articles a try:

Finding a Cruise Travel Agent

Secret Deals: How to find prices cruise lines don't offer

Thank you very much everyone - very helpful :)

For notification of cruise deals there is no better place to find them is right here on CC .

Monitor the forums for each cruise line that offers itineraries that interest you .

Lots of Sales going on all yearlong .

Then find a Good TA for "their deal" .

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Thank you very much everyone - very helpful :)

Hi Saigon,

If you're not too fussy about timing or embarkation port, there are usually last minute deals to be found using any of the methods listed including the cruise lines websites.

However, I recently booked an inside GTY cabin on MSC Divina (a GTY means guaranty which means the cruise ship assigns the cabin and you get what they give you in the class you requested or better.) Now, I don't normally book a GTY because I usually require a balcony or suite depending on price. This time I am taking my daughter and paying the whole cost so I figured an oceanview would be adequate for her first cruise.

Lo and behold we were upgraded to a balcony and only paid $611 (taxes and port fees incl) each which was the ocean view cost.

So, last minute deals and booking a GTY are two ways to keep your price down. I usually don't care if I cruise out of NYC, Boston, Baltimore, Canaveral, Ft. Lauderdale or Miami so I just keep an eye on them (obviously time of year is a consideration re: weather). Also, if price is your main consideration then Carnival and MSC seem to be the lowest price currently which is not to say there aren't deals on NCL, Celebrity etc.

Keep an eye out and do your homework and you'll likely score a deal.

Cheers!

HTP

:cool:

as you are looking to book your first cruise, I would suggest asking friends, family members, co-workers for any recommendations for a good TA, especially one who is a cruise specialist. One with a brick and mortar location that you can walk in with your wants (budget, time of year, itinerary such as ports you're interested in). a good TA will help you find a great cruise and won't even charge you for the info and for booking it for you. (make sure to ask re cancellation or change fees as a good tA won't charge these)

an online company will have operators taking bookings and most likely anyone you talk to has never been on a cruise, much seen the ocean.

I understand we can't discuss deals here, but does anyone know of a Facebook group or WhatsApp where deals are discussed? I am a member of a WhatsApp group where airline deals are shared... just wanted to know if something similar existed for Cruise Deals.

I understand we can't discuss deals here, but does anyone know of a Facebook group or WhatsApp where deals are discussed? I am a member of a WhatsApp group where airline deals are shared... just wanted to know if something similar existed for Cruise Deals.

This is asking people to "discuss deals".

Oops, I'm sorry about that - I should have thought. I'm new to the whole thing. Just thinking about booking our first cruise :)

You certainly have NO reason to apologize, we ALL have a 'first' at everything, that's how we learn. There are NO stupid questions, when you don't ask (for fear that others might scoff) is when a costly mistake could be made. So ASK! It's better you learn from our mistakes.

Mac

This is asking people to "discuss deals".

No, it isn't. It's asking to point me in he direction where people do discuss deals openly and freely. Let me be specific, I'm not asking you anything but thank you for responding.

I know roll calls here on CC can't advertise the fact that they have a Facebook group or provide a link, so I would think directing your Facebook groups that discuss TAs and cruise deals would be the same thing.

We're not being difficult, we're just trying to follow the rules and explain them to you. Welcome to CC.

Roz