How To Compare Rates When It Comes To A Vacation Ship Cruise

Posted: Jun 04, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

When you go on a ship vacation cruise, one of the first things you want to do is try to compare rates with other travel businesses to see who has the cheapest. The easiest way to compare and we're definately talking about similar cruises, is to divide the total cost by the number of full days on board. Arriving in home port at 8:00 a.m. hardly counts as a day at sea. In calculating the cost of any cruise, remember that you must figure as much as $10.00 per day for tips. The recommended sums are $3.50 per day for room stewards and waiters, $2.00 for busboys. If you order drinks or use the barber shop or beauty salon, figure a 15 percent tip on each tab. Tips for shipboard personnel who provide special services are at your own discretion.

On all cruises, port charges and government fees add about $125 per passenger on a typical seven-day Carribbean cruise, more on longer trips. If you plan to take group tours ashore, be sure to include that cost in your calculations, as it can be considerable. The more ports, the more added expense. To save money booking a cruise, you are better off reserving very early or very late. Early birds get advance booking discounts. Since the advent of so many new mega ships with huge capacities, some lines are offering better pricing for single passengers who are willing to wait until thirty to sixty days before the sailing date for confirmation. And some offer standby fares for those who will take unfilled space close to the sailing date.

For this reason, once again, passengers are wise to deal with a travel agent who specializes in cruises and is up-to-date on all the current possibilities. Larger cruise specialists also can frequently offer their own discounts, passing along the reductions they get from the cruise lines for being favored customers who buy space in bulk. Dealing with someone who is familiar with the industry will also give you an edge in choosing a ship where you will be happy, regardless of the price. Single passengers come in all demographics and tastes, as do any other cruise passengers.

Whichever cruise you choose, you are putting out a sizable sum, so don't fail to protect yourself with travel insurance. Read the regulations carefully: The two important things to cover are the cost of your fare if you must cancel or the cruise is interrupted, and the potentially large cost of major medical expenses away from home, especially in an emergency that would require evacuation from the ship. Almost all cruise lines offer insurance, as do travel agencies and independent insurance companies, so compare prices. If you are traveling to an area that your own health insurance does not cover, you may need supplemental medical insurance as well. One final thought of warning: Always pay for a cruise with a credit card. If you go through a travel agency, see that the charge is run through the cruise line's account rather than the agent's, protecting you in case the agency should go under with your money. Paying with a credit card also allows you to cancel payment if the cruise is not provided as promised.

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