how to book a cruise

[Golf12345]

Hello everyone, I have only used this forum a couple of times, so I hope I am posting in the correct place. Can someone please give me some advice on how to actually book our first cruise? It seems a bit overwhelming when I've looked at all the advertising in brochures, newspapers and on TV. I decided to concentrate on one cruise line's website and it seemed a bit more straightforward, but I am still nervous about booking it online. Is it a good idea to consider a cruise advertised on TV? Can I speak to someone online to help us book it? There didn't seem to be this facility on this particular cruise line. Should I consult a cruise specialist and if so , how do I find one? I have been to a general travel agent but they weren't particularly helpful. I have researched what type of cruise we want, where and when we want to go, and our budget. I just need a little bit more help!

[Clarea]

I would consult a travel agent. A good travel agent can talk to you and get an idea of what cruise line might be best for you to start with. They can also do all the booking for you and explain terms that might be confusing or unfamiliar.

[cb at sea]

Why not just call the cruise line, with the deck plans in front of you, rather than doing the online thing. It's simple, straightforward, and they will send you confirmation. The agent can give you prices, tell you which cabins are available. I much prefer the phone!

[Keith1010]

I would also try to get the assistance of a Travel Agent.

 

We can't give you suggestions on Cruise Critic.

 

Speak with friends to see if any of them have a recommendation.

 

Keith

[klepton]

I would also say that a good travel agent would probably be worth their weight in gold for you, seeing as you're so timid about this first time. But also be aware that not all travel agents are "good". A good one will have experience cruising and be able to talk you through any questions you have, and then able to manage your reservation for you. Getting a referral from people you know is key, there are a number of travel agents that will just take your booking and be hard to get in touch with later on.

 

The other thing I'll say is to just relax. :D Booking a cruise isn't super complicated, and shouldn't be that nerve-racking (it's supposed to be fun!). In most cases the rate you book will be refundable if you're more than 3-4 months before sailing, so you can have some piece of mind if you have extreme buyer's remorse or something better comes along.

 

Just out of curiosity, what types of questions do you still hope to get answered? Do you have a particular cruise (ship/date/itinerary) already picked out? Or are you looking for someone to help you choose which cruise to even take? If you have specific questions about regions, ships, ports, room categories, etc; this is a good place to get answers. Feel free to ask here on this thread or the appropriate forum. If we think you'll get a better answer in a specific forum we will let you know.

 

Assuming your cruise is far out, once you book you'll want to decide if you're going to get travel insurance. Sometimes there's a benefit to purchasing that within 14-21 days of booking the cruise, because there will be more options for "cancel for any reason" and pre-existing conditions.

 

Good luck! :D

[soccerref]

[quote name=klepton;49191163)

 

The other thing I'll say is to just relax. Booking a cruise isn't super complicated' date=' and shouldn't be that nerve-racking (it's supposed to be fun!). In most cases the rate you book will be refundable if you're more than 3-4 months before sailing, so you can have some piece of mind if you have extreme buyer's remorse or something better comes along.

 

 

Assuming your cruise is far out, once you book you'll want to decide if you're going to get travel insurance. Sometimes there's a benefit to purchasing that within 14-21 days of booking the cruise, because there will be more options for "cancel for any reason" and pre-existing conditions.

 

Good luck! :D[/quote]

 

 

Hi Golf....I just want to point out that Klepton's information about refundable deposits doesn't necessarily apply to those of us who live in the UK and book through a UK travel agent or with a UK cruise line (P&O, Fred Olsen). Our laws are different and you generally lose your deposit at whatever point you cancel before your cruise. Also UK travellers are used to buying travel insurance at the same time as making a booking as, once again, it is law.

 

However, all the advice given is useful. We have booked cruises through TV advertised travel specialists, local high street TAs and directly with the cruise company and all methods have worked well. I do make sure that I have a copy of the ship's deck plan on hand and, if booking something that is advertised on line, I have the web page open when I do the booking over the phone.....I always speak to a 'real person'!

 

As Klepton's says....the process should be 'fun' and try to remember that millions of people cruise every year and love it.

We started in 1992 and have cruised at least once every year since then on numerous different lines and the product is basically the same.

 

This is how I book my cruises:

 

Cruise ships are floating hotels so I look for things that I would expect from a hotel.

I choose my dates and places that interest me and then put this information into online cruise agency search engines.

I then get a list of 'possibles' which I go through and make a note of the ones that interest me.

I go to each cruise line's web site and look at their 'frequently asked questions', ship's information and deck plans so I get some insight into the workings of the line.

I narrow my choices by price, flights/departure ports, length of the cruise, number of ports new to me (very important to see new places for us)......

I then phone each cruise line to see what they are offering and also call the travel agencies before making a final decision.

 

I know it seems daunting but this site is a gold mine of information. Go to the forum for the cruise lines that interest you and you will find much of interest but take things with 'a pinch of salt'. Some things like food, level of service and entertainment are very subjective.

We have just completed our 45th cruise and never had a bad one.....yes, some were better than others but someone has cooked, cleaned, entertained and driven for me for xxxx days so it takes a lot to make me unhappy.

 

I hope you find what you are looking for.....happy cruising!

[klepton]

Hi Golf....I just want to point out that Klepton's information about refundable deposits doesn't necessarily apply to those of us who live in the UK and book through a UK travel agent or with a UK cruise line (P&O, Fred Olsen). Our laws are different and you generally lose your deposit at whatever point you cancel before your cruise. Also UK travellers are used to buying travel insurance at the same time as making a booking as, once again, it is law.

 

Good catch! I didn't pick up that Golf was from the UK, so you're absolutely correct!

[Flatbush Flyer]

Hello everyone, I have only used this forum a couple of times, so I hope I am posting in the correct place. Can someone please give me some advice on how to actually book our first cruise? It seems a bit overwhelming when I've looked at all the advertising in brochures, newspapers and on TV. I decided to concentrate on one cruise line's website and it seemed a bit more straightforward, but I am still nervous about booking it online. Is it a good idea to consider a cruise advertised on TV? Can I speak to someone online to help us book it? There didn't seem to be this facility on this particular cruise line. Should I consult a cruise specialist and if so , how do I find one? I have been to a general travel agent but they weren't particularly helpful. I have researched what type of cruise we want, where and when we want to go, and our budget. I just need a little bit more help!

 

 

Conde Nast Traveler magazine occasionally publishes "best of" lists that may include travel agent by destination or specialty (e.g., cruises). It's a good place to start. You might also check with your college alumni association for recommendation of who they use for their group travel.

 

If your primary destination (e.g., Italy) is represented by a cultural association in your city, that association may sponsor travel and have a TA recommendation.

 

Auto Clubs and big box stores may have group discounts. But, a top producing TA for your preferred cruise line may have access to "partner" deals that produce unequaled amenities.

 

I'd take recommendations by friends with "a grain of salt" (unless you are hearing the same agency/person repeatedly) for all the obvious reasons. Likewise, understand that "personal vacation planners" and similar cruise line employees may be very nice and somewhat helpful - BUT, they are the cruise line's employees -not yours. Added OBC or other extra amenities (based on sharing commissions) are often beyond their capabilities. At the same time, however, recognize that some of the best cruise specialists won't do arrangements for certain mass market lines where commissions aren't favorable.

 

Also, folks on CC have varying opinions on the value of a TA. But, at the bottom line, someone who may do more than a million dollars of annual business with a particular cruise line will certainly be able to get any of your reasonable concerns addressed where your calls may meet frustration.

 

Finally, when doing your research, avoid making "best value" decisions solely on the cabin cost. A better dollar comparison is the "net daily rate," which includes all of your projected costs. For example, "line A" may have a cheaper cabin cost. But, "line B" may include airfare (and/or other amenities that are extra cost on "line A"). And then there are the quality measures including what you do/don't get: smoking policies, food quality, crew-to-passenger ratio. Some CC folks will say that the ship is not as important as the itinerary. But, at the end of the day (particularly on cruises of more than a week), the ship is where you'll eat and sleep. At a minimum, read through the CC threads for the lines you are considering. After a while, you'll start to get a taste for the style and other differences.

[babs135]

Good travel agents who understand cruising seem to be thin on the ground depending where you live in the UK. Try typing something like 'cruise specialist travel agents' into your search engine and see if there is one in your local area. If you're lucky then have a word with them about your needs, etc and they should be able to help you.

 

Failing that, make a list of all your questions and don't worry if you feel some of them sound silly, they won't be, and then ring the relevant cruise line and even some of the online travel agents and see what they can do for you. We've always booked with online agents but have always rung them as well so that we have a 'name' of an operative should we need to check anything.

 

Please don't hesitate to come back here if you need any more help and don't stress, planning is often half the fun :D

[KirkNC]

We use a TA, we get 7-8% in refundable OBC.

[Golf12345]

Hi Everyone,

 

Thank you all very much for taking the time to reply to all my queries. I feel much more confident now and shall use cc a lot more when doing more research.

[Clarea]

Hi Everyone,

 

Thank you all very much for taking the time to reply to all my queries. I feel much more confident now and shall use cc a lot more when doing more research.

You're welcome, and feel free to come back and ask more questions anytime.:)