How to Find Big Savings at Sea
Savvy shoppers can find cruises discounted by up to 75 percent
By Emily Coleman
Holland America Line
Vacations To Go, a national travel agency that specializes in discounted cruises, has many ways to help customers get the lowest price for their ocean voyage. But one of its best tools is the 90-Day Ticker located at the company's Web site. Here, visitors can peruse a long list of hundreds of marked-down cruises departing within three months.
"If you're looking for the best deal, and you're flexible, the 90-Day Ticker is the way to go," says Cheryl Cunningham, director of special projects and group sales for Vacations To Go. "It's perfect for somebody who has a specific week or two in mind to travel, but not a set itinerary. You can find great buys for many destinations, regardless of the time of year." Not all specific cruises or itineraries may be represented, but an adaptable consumer could find just the right trip.
These "last-minute" deals tend to offer the most value, as the deepest discounts often show up as sailing dates draw closer and cruise companies hope to fill up their ships.
"The cruise line has to sail the ship, whether it's at 50 percent capacity or it's full," says Cunningham. To avoid empty berths, cruise lines will reduce fares significantly, sometimes up to 75 percent, and depend on agencies that specialize in bargain travel to sell the excess cabins. "They rely on us to communicate the discounted rates quickly to customers," says Cunningham.
Last-minute specials can move quickly. When the lowest cabin categories sell out and the ship nears 100 percent capacity, prices will rise as cruise lines require more money for the cabins that remain. "I encourage people to act quickly if they want to guarantee that they're getting the lowest rate," says Cunningham. "You should jump on a deal, or you could miss it."
While the slashed price of a cruise is very attractive, it's important to consider other costs in your vacation. Airfare, shore excursions, shipboard gratuities and extras like onboard spa treatments and forays into the casino should all be factored into your travel budget.
Short-notice deals require flexibility, but that doesn't mean that travelers set on a specific cruise line, itinerary and departure date can't find terrific savings, too. At Vacations To Go, you can search for a specific type of cruise with the Find a Bargain tool. Choose your preferred ship, cruising region, travel date, departure city, length of cruise and even a few ports, then click "Show Me the Deals." The site will instantly produce a list of applicable itineraries with discounted rates.
Below is a sampling of cruise markdowns available from Vacations To Go at press time.
An 11-day, round-trip Mediterranean cruise aboard the 3,780-passenger Costa Concordia was reduced by almost 60 percent, bringing the $2,449 per-person cost for an inside cabin down to $999. The cruise leaves from Civitavecchia, a port for Rome, on March 5 and calls at ports in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt.
A two-week, round-trip sailing from Los Angeles to Hawaii aboard the 2,600-passenger Golden Princess was listed at $1,299 for an ocean-view cabin, a savings of 60 percent off the brochure price. The cruise departs April 1.
A weeklong Caribbean vacation aboard the 2,380-guest Norwegian Pearl was discounted by 66 percent, with rates that started at just $529 per person. An ocean-view cabin could be had for just $100 more. The trip begins March 29 in Miami and visits destinations in Honduras, Belize, Mexico and the Bahamas.
Those who love shipboard life should consider repositioning cruises, which last anywhere from nine to 20 days. Between seasons, cruise lines move ships from one sailing region to another. For example, a vessel might travel a Caribbean route in the spring and then spend summer in Europe; the cruise line sells the lengthy trans-Atlantic crossing in between as a repositioning cruise. These trips often offer the best per-diem value, usually costing well below $100 per day.
For example, Vacations To Go offers a 16-day repositioning cruise from Fort Lauderdale, FL, to Rome aboard Holland America Line's Noordam at $999 per person -- about $62 per day. This reflects a terrific savings over the original $2,549 rate. The trip starts April 3 and includes eight leisurely days at sea followed by port calls in Portugal, Spain and Monaco.
At least six cruise lines offer price breaks on select sailings to travelers 55 and older -- Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International. These can be combined with existing Vacations To Go discounts for even greater savings. A March 28 weeklong Caribbean sailing aboard the Carnival Liberty, for example, gives seniors a 74 percent discount. This cuts the inside cabin price from $1,769 to just $459 per person and lowers the ocean-view cabin rate from $1,919 to $529 per person. The ship leaves from Miami and visits spots in Mexico, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
Cruise lines require proof of age from travelers seeking the 55-and-over discount, but only one person per cabin needs to meet the age requirement in order for everyone in the cabin to receive the lower rate.
Members of the military also are rewarded with additional discounts. These vary according to the customer's level of service and the cruise line's policy. Active and retired members of the U.S. military, for example, will find discounts with Azamara Cruises, Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Norwegian, Regent Seven Seas and Royal Caribbean. Reservists will enjoy special savings on Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, while veterans will be granted discounts on Carnival and Norwegian. Holland America offers reduced rates to active members of the military only.
Proof of service is required at the time of booking, typically a photocopy of a current military identification and driver's license.
Costa and Holland America also offer "appreciation rates" for active firefighters, police officers and teachers. Police officers and firefighters must present a copy of their official ID or badge and a driver's license when booking the cruise. Qualifying teachers must produce a photocopy of a teacher's certification, union card or a letter from the principal on school letterhead.
For example, the additional discount is reflected in the appreciation rates for a 10-day itinerary aboard Holland America's Ryndam, traveling round-trip from San Diego on March 25. The cruise, which visits six ports in western Mexico, is priced at $599 per person for an inside cabin, significantly lower than the brochure price of $1,799. It's an extra savings of $100 off Vacations To Go's already reduced rate.
It also pays to be a repeat customer, as cruise lines will pass special savings on to their past passengers. Holland America allows former customers to book up to four cabins per sailing at the past-passenger rate. Those who have cruised with Carnival, Costa, Cunard Line, Holland America, Princess or Seabourn Cruise Line are eligible to receive exclusive rates offered by Carnival, Costa and Seabourn -- all are members of the Carnival family of brands.
The benefits continue once you're on board. Repeat guests are treated to shipboard credits, complimentary upgrades, private mixers and expedited check-in at embarkation. Each company has its own programs and particular perks.
But whether it's your first cruise or your fifth, you'll still benefit from the money-saving value and all-inclusive nature of a cruise. The base price that you pay up front covers your stateroom, meal, snacks and a slew of onboard entertainment and activities -- which become ever more impressive as cruise lines strive to outdo each other with each new ship they build.
Information: Find a complete listing of discounted cruises at Vacations To Go, or call the company at (800) 338-4962 to speak with a cruise agent.
The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in January/February 2009.
Please visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 338-4962 for current rates and details.
