Cruising - Saving Tips

CerTrav.Net Certified Travel Network	*Join our network of Independent Travel Agents*
TO CORPORATE PROGRAM	HOME ABOUT US TESTIMONIALS CONTACT US
CRUISES Cruise Catalog First Time Cruisers Cruise Destinations Savings Tips TRIP PLANNING Cruises Tours Itinerary Review Passports and Visas Customs Regulations State Department Warnings Currency Conversions Traveler Health Precautions Weather Driving Directions Restaurant Reviews RESOURCE CENTER (Password Required) For further information, CLICK HERE	Money Saving Tips We are one of North America's leading seller of cruises. We have accomplished this by constantly striving to deliver the customer a cruise package that takes into consideration their needs, wants, dreams and desires at a price that represents exceptional value. Consider these "savings" tips when you plan your next cruise: Group discounts. We reserve group space on a large number of sailings to destinations around the world. By linking onto these sailings, individual cruise passengers can take advantage of rates that are normally afforded only to those traveling in a group. Affinity groups that travel together such as family reunions, religious groups, clubs/associations, corporate/incentive meetings, etc. receive group discounts depending on the number of passengers. 2-for-1's - or second passenger cruise free: This is one of the best cruise discounts currently available to consumers. 2-for-1's are offered on a consistent but selective basis by many cruise lines including Princess, Celebrity, Costa, Premier and Holland America. Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean do not typically advertise 2-for-l's, but their promotional pricing can be equivalent to a 2-for-1's discount. 2-for-1's are generally for cruise only sailings, but on occasions they include air from select cities. These offers are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn without notice. They are often offered on a "last minute" basis, 30-60 days prior to a sailing. Top of Page Added value: Offers may include a free bottle of wine, onboard credits or possibly a cabin upgrade. Reduced rate or free air add-ons: Air add-on rates are offered by many cruise lines in conjunction with their cruise only rates. Sometimes, special promotions are offered where the air is reduced. In some cases, a promotion may be featured in which the quoted air add-on rate is waived and offered free. Commonly used by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America. Repositioning cruises: A change of itinerary is common with many cruise lines, particularly with ships that reposition from the Caribbean to Europe or Alaska and back again each season. Some repositioning cruises are deeply discounted with 2-for-1 savings. Free stateroom upgrades: Popular with Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. Most of these upgrades are unadvertised and may be withdrawn without notice. Top of Page Alumni discounts: Past passenger discounts and promotions are becoming more and more popular. Most lines have some program in place, which offers extra discounts to their alumni passengers. Especially popular with Princess, Holland America, Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea. Early booking discounts: Most lines now have some equivalent to Royal Caribbean's "Breakthrough Rates" which are capacity-controlled and can be withdrawn without notice. These include Carnival (SuperSavers) Holland America (CS Rates), Princess (Love Boat Savers), Norwegian Cruise Line (Leadership Fares). Early Booking Discounts which are date controlled are Popular with Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, Princess and Holland America. Kids sail free or 3rd/4th passengers cruise for reduced rate: Some promotions are specifically for kids. American Hawaii has offered a "kids cruise free" when two accompanying adults pay full fare. 3rd/4th passengers is popular with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line, Premier and Costa. Top of Page Credit card promotions: Some credit card companies offer additional savings, shipboard credits or frequent flyer miles when you pay for your cruise in full with that credit card. VISA is our preferred credit card and frequently offers special savings to our users. 50% - 80% off the second passenger: This is a nice sounding way for a cruise line to offer a 25%-35% per person discount for a specific sailing. There is usually an expiration date to these offers. Commonly used by Holland America, Cunard, Costa, and Orient Lines. Senior citizen specials: Reduced rates for seniors on select sailings is commonly used by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Costa and Norwegian Cruise Line. One passenger in the stateroom must be at least 55 years old to receive the discounts. Top of Page