Voyage Masters

Discount Promotional Email from Celebrity Cruise Lines

travelndude — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:01:53 +0000

I get e-mails cruise lines almost daily offering some fantastic prices in some very good deals. Most of the time I delete these splashy announcements without even looking at them. In this case I received one from celebrity cruises and the subject was entitled dreaming of vacation modern luxury. Frankly I was looking at it more of was it an error in the title perhaps whoever put the ad up there in the first place didn’t really understand what they were trying to do it was a file name but anyway in any occasion it got my attention which is so important and what I want to talk about today.it is interesting in this case how celebrity is trying to kill two birds with one stone. First there tickling your interest by offering cruise discounts of up to 300% and then they follow with saying that these are luxury cruise options. In most cases you don’t see them quite position in such a way. Granted, if you go to the luxury cruise lines websites they do promote discounts and in some cases, rates reduced by as much as 80% off of list price.

I’m rambling so let me get back to the point that I started with and that Celebrity cruise lines promotions. so in the body of the e-mail they mentioned that for a limited time, you can save up to $300 on most itineraries if they are taken between March 2012 through April of 2013.

They mention how or at least implying that as a Captains club member you may be able to get offers up to $300 discount plus additional onboard credits. What they say is that this is supposed to be on a Solstice Class ship so you have got two limitations there right from the get go. The prices are per person double occupancy and there are going to be government “fees” (a codename for taxes) and other fees that will be assigned as well. Reading further the promotion isn’t just a flat $300 discount per person per cruise. In reality the discount is $100 for 4 to 6 nights cruise, and it’s $200 off per person on a 7 to 9 night cruise and the $300 discount per person for 10 nights for greater duration cruise and this only applies to ocean view suites, veranda and master suites. Another thing that’s interesting is that this additional incentive of $80 discount actually on board ship discounts is per room and not per person.it may not be that big of a deal or may obvious may be obvious to people that are a heck of a lot smarter than I am but it is really spelled out that correctly in I think someone that is new to cruises could potentially get very confused in thinking that they were getting a very good deal on a cruise and in fact they can do better other places directly on the Celebrity cruise site. That summarizes the e-mail and although it gives some information I think either I would go to a different website just delete the e-mail at that part or since I’m researching for an article here go ahead and go to the link it’s on the website to go directly to celebrity cruises. And that’s what we will discuss now.

So now I’m on Celebrity cruise lines webpage and the link goes basically to a page that explains the same promotion all over again. Same text. Same layout. Celebrity does explain that the time is limited. you need to book the vacation between January 9, 2012 and February 5, 2012. Itineraries include a seven night Alaska Hubbard glacier cruise that departs from Vancouver British Columbia and it goes through the icy Straight Point Alaska Hubbard glacier Juneau Alaska in the inside passage back to Vancouver. Prices start at $849. Ocean view rooms start at $1049 per person, veranda rooms start at $1749 per person and then suites start at $1949 per person double occupancy. That is just one example of the various options that you can get with Celebrity Cruise Lines for this promotion. There were dozens of more options and itineraries that have very compelling discounted rates. In summary, if you can book your cruise between January 9, 2002 and February 5, 2002 you may want to seriously consider Celebrity.

Helpful Tips on Choosing Cruises from Florida

travelndude — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:28:12 +0000

You have many choices when it comes to cruises from Florida. There are at least four major ports in the state affiliated with many of the most well-known cruise lines in the world. These ports include the Port Canaveral in Cape Canaveral, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Port of Miami-Dade in Miami and Tampa Port Authority in Tampa. You can find many cruise specials whether you want a short three-day excursion or a much longer vacation experience to further destinations. The largest and most complete options for cruises from the United States is most generally from the Port of Miami or from Florida. When Voyage Masters receives a request for information from people who have no particular itinerary in mind, I almost always start with Florida departures.

One of your shorter options from Miami is the three-day Carnival Imagination cruise from Carnival Cruise Line. This trip may be ideal if you are traveling with a family as you can get family deals on this voyage to Nassau. There are also longer cruises with stops in Key West and Cozumel. In either case, you can enjoy the fine and casual dining from this line as well as a plethora of entertainment choices from activities to live music shows.

Carnival Cruises also has a couple of cruises from Florida departing from Port Canaveral with the Carnival Dream and Carnival Ecstasy. The Dream cruise is a seven-day trip with stops in Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay and Costa Maya and offering deals such as wedding specials. The Ecstasy cruise only lasts five days but stops in Half Moon Cay, Nassau and Freeport. However, you may find different deals for this line like the crafting and scrapbooking special, but this cruise does not make many trips throughout the year.

If you need to start from your cruise from Fort Lauderdale, you have options such as Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth tour. This 14-night voyage makes stops in a number of destinations around the world including Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Panama Canal, Puntarenas, Cabo San Lucas and San Francisco. Of course with such an extended voyage, there are days in which you will only see the sea, so you need to find the amenities you are sure to enjoy on these days.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises from Florida from Tampa like RCL Jewel of the Seas. This five-night western Caribbean cruise varies with the stops which may be Cozumel and Costa Maya or George Town and Cozumel. Stops may also include Cozumel and Key West. In any case, you get to enjoy the activities and services for which this cruise line is known including the bars, casinos and theatre as well as Las Vegas style shows.

Find Great Deals on Cruises from New Orleans LA

travelndude — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:55:47 +0000

You can find cruises from New Orleans whether you are planning your next summer vacation or you need to make a winter getaway from the cold. Many well-known cruise lines schedule trips during the off season, so can plan a getaway at any time of year. Planning well in advance and shopping around for the best prices can save you a little money. Also, you can look for group discounts for specials such as girlfriend getaways or other groups.

For instance, if you wanted to find a romantic getaway for two over the Valentine’s Day holiday, you have options from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Spirit and Carnival. Royal Caribbean has a seven-night western Caribbean cruise departing on February 11 with ports in New Orleans, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica called the Voyager of the Seas. This cruise will not only get you away for a while but also offers plenty of activities like Casino Royale, golf simulators, an ice skating rink, a rock climbing wall and Royal Promenade.

The Norwegian Spirit cruise has a seven-day western Caribbean trip with stops in Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatan Island and Cozumel. Norwegian is known for its freestyle vacation form in which you can choose how you want to spend your time aboard. The cruise line offers many activities and amenities including eight restaurants and eleven bars and lounges. There are also activities for those traveling as families and plenty of chances for relaxation for those who just want to get away from it all.

Carnival has a five-day western Caribbean cruise and a seven-day trip beginning on February 11 and 12 respectively. While the five-day Carnival Elation trip has destinations in Progreso and Cozumel, the seven-day Carnival Conquest makes stops in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Cozumel. In either case, you get the amenities for which the cruise line is known including lots of food, first-class entertainment and many activities for passengers of all ages.

This is only one example of the kinds of cruises from New Orleans you can take throughout the year. You can choose from the previously mentioned lines as well as American Queen, Queen of Mississippi and Norwegian Star who also have ports in New Orleans but do not ship out as frequently. Checking for cancellations, choosing activities in advance and/or planning ahead can help you save money on these cruise lines to help you enjoy your vacation even more.

Get the Best Deals on Cruises from New York

travelndude — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:56:30 +0000

There is no doubt that cruise vacations provide travelers with a unique and exciting experience. In addition to admiring the gorgeous blue ocean, vacationers have ample time to soak up the sun and enjoy several interesting ports of call. Although many people consider cruises far too expensive for their budgets, they are not necessarily as costly as you think. The following pointers will teach you how to find discounts on cruises from New York.

The best place to start your search for cheaper tickets is online. The Internet allows you to compare a variety of cruise packages from different companies. You should always consider what the package includes for the price you pay. Also, contact your local travel agency to find out if any specials are currently on offer.

Book your cruise well ahead of the departure date to benefit from early bird specials. Usually, the benefits include better rooms and extra amenities. Do not worry if you plan late, as you can still secure a place onboard affordably. Many cruise liners offer last minute discounts for the rooms they have not yet booked. Although you will not enjoy the benefits of those who buy tickets in advance, you can still enjoy a significant saving. You will also find that taking cruises from New York during the off-peak season is the best time to grab a deal.

You can save further by taking advantage of a package designed for families. This option allows several family members to tag along, including children. In addition, most travel agents offer discounts to senior citizens and honeymoon couples. Search for all-inclusive deals to make the most of your trip for less money.

Assess the itinerary of each ship and find out the ports at which it intends to disembark. If you need to leave the cruise liner to travel to another location, you could drastically increase your expenses. Consider arranging your cruise, flight, car, and hotel bookings through the same agent. Many travel agencies are willing to offer you a bigger discount if you use them exclusively to plan your trip.

Determine what activities are available at each port. Since each cruise will take you to a different destination, the activities will differ. Some will appeal more than others do, which is a factor that could influence the cruise you select. Certain activities will increase the cost of your trip, so you should choose wisely.

Find out from your travel agent about what you can expect from life onboard. You might find that a cheaper ship sounds more interesting than an expensive one. Keep in mind, most cruise liners offer a shopping experience to remember, restaurants, live entertainment, and spa treatments. Ask your travel agent if there are any discounts or free vouchers you can take advantage of if you select a certain package.

When you consider the tips above, it is easy to see that affordable cruises from New York are not as rare as you may believe. Disney Cruises and Royal Caribbean, for example, offer some excellent deals. Research thoroughly and you can easily have a memorable holiday without spiraling into debt.

How to Find Discounts on Cruises from Galveston Texas

travelndude — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:57:16 +0000

Galveston is the USA’s fourth most important cruise port and is rated number one on the Gulf of Mexico. Cruises from Galveston are becoming increasingly popular, and they now depart all year round. Because they are so much in demand, many people want to discover how to find discounts on last minute cruises from Galveston, Texas.

The two major cruise lines operating from the port of Galveston are Carnival Cruises Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruises. Obviously it is very important to both companies to fill their vessels to capacity, as otherwise a voyage would not be economically viable. Consequently, if within 30 days of departure a cruise is not full, both lines will begin competing for your business by cutting their fares. In this period, the basic price can be discounted by as much as 75 percent, or even more. This means you have to make the decision as to whether to risk the cruise being fully booked, by waiting till a month before departure to try to get a really good deal.

The main destinations for cruising from Galveston are Mexico and the Caribbean. For 2012, Carnival has scheduled four and five night Mexico voyages to depart all year round in its new ship Triumph. The most frequent ports of call are Cozumel and Progresso, where passengers can enjoy visits to Mayan sites and amazing diving facilities. Their other new ship, the Magic, offers seven-day voyages to the east and west Caribbean. The Royal Caribbean line also has a brand new ship, the Mariner of the Seas, which also offers cruising to the western Caribbean. In addition the company provides an especially popular option, its transatlantic voyage culminating at Barcelona, Spain.

While a cruise offers a great vacation for families, usually the people that have the most time and leisure to go on a cruise are senior citizens. Both Carnival Cruises Lines and Royal Caribbean cruises are fully accessible for older people, and offer dedicated services on board for those with impaired mobility, sight or hearing, or who require special diets. There are accessible staterooms and restrooms and designated wheelchair routes, and there is also adapted seating in lounges and restaurants. Although senior citizens have the time, they do not necessarily have a great deal of money, and both lines offer senior discounts on selected cruises. These can be found on their web sites.

It is also possible to find special cruise provision for other groups, such as singles or Christians, on these cruise lines. One group that is specially catered for is wedding parties. Each of the two cruise lines has a wedding coordinator who can organize every detail of your wedding, including a ceremony ashore at one of the ports of call along the route. You can then continue your honeymoon on the ship.

Whatever you are looking for in cruises from Galveston, whether it is a last minute deal or a senior citizen discount, you are likely to find the best bargains if you book directly with the companies. It is also worth requesting extra deals, such as a stateroom upgrade, or on-board credits for free spa treatments and admissions to shows. Keep in mind that they need to fill the vessel to capacity, so you have absolutely nothing to lose by asking.

Royal Caribbean 12 Night Mediterranean Greek Isles Cruise Details

travelndude — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:33:49 +0000

I am getting quite a few requests for information about Mediterranean cruises in 2012. Most people are considering the Western Med and that is always my favorite choice. There are several cruise lines that have itineraries that overlap to a certain degree but my favorite itinerary and cruise line is Royal Caribbean.

I have never received a negative comment from my readers about Royal Caribbean’s western Med cruises and it is no wonder. For example, sailing aboard the Serenade of the Seas, their 12-night Mediterranean Greeks Isles cruise includes port of call: Departing from Barcelona, Spain; Cannes (Monte Carlo), France; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Santorini, Greece; Naples (Salerno), Italy; Returning to Barcelona, Spain. This is the most popular itinerary as voted by visitors to Voyage Masters.com. Click here to see the details.

Rates start at $2,199 per person for an inside cabin and starting at $4,999 for deluxe full ocean view suites. These prices do not include complimentary upgrades and amenities. Contact Royal Caribbean International directly for their best deals. Their toll free number is (866) 562 – 7625.

Princess Cruises for 2013 – Caribbean Promotions

travelndude — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:14:40 +0000

Many visitors to Voyage Masters have asked me to give an overview of Princess Cruises for 2013. I have been studying several options for you to consider but it looks as if Princess Cruise Lines are making a big promotional push into the Caribbean market for the 2012 season. My research was confirmed when I received a personal letter from Alan B. Buckelew, the President and CEO at Princess. He explained to me that their market segment is geared to couples who expect understated elegance n their cruises but do not want to pay exorbitant fares for the privilege. From my experience, they can be on the high end from the price perspective and that is why I excited about sharing the Caribbean itineraries and greatly discounted deals.

In the letter, Mr. Buckelew reinforced his commitment that it is Princess Cruises’ primary goal to help it passengers “unwind and escape completely” from the rigors of everyday life. That is quite an ambitious goal but frankly, my senses tell me that they will do just that. For example, sailing aboard the Crown Princess, enjoy a 7-day Southern Caribbean cruise with fares from $549 per person. This offer begins with an inside cabin which in my opinion would be a mistake on such a grand ship. For an additional $200 per person, there are balcony mini-suites available with full ocean view. Take my word for it and spend the extra money. You will be glad that you did. Incidentally, you will need to decide very quickly if you intend to book a cruise for 2012 with Princess, as the inventory of preferred cabins and mini-suites are becoming limited. Standard ocean view cabins are already sold out on several itineraries. I am not seeing such strong demand for upper end accommodations as with Princess. With such strong bookings, this tells me that smart readers like you know full well the good value to be had.

For more information about their Caribbean cruises in 2013, click here.

Crystal Cruises Announces All Inclusive Packages for 2013

travelndude — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:12:54 +0000

One of my favorite cruise lines, Crystal Cruises announced recently that all voyages will be one hundred percent all inclusive for the 2013 season. This is great news for anyone who wants to pay one price for itineraries then not have to think about money for the rest of the cruise. Well, perhaps that is not quite true. You will still need cash or credit cards for your on-shore activities. Many of the questions from visitors to Voyage Masters center around the additional costs that are typically associated with a cruise, such as alcohol, upgraded meals, gratuities and access to spas and so forth. There are only a hand full of cruise lines that offer such packages.

It is important that I mention although the fares for benefits of all inclusive cruises have a higher price tag associated with them, the packages often include airfare and are presented in a two for the price of one format. If you are looking for the lowest over all price for cruise packages the Crystal may not be suitable for you. They do offer very compelling packages but price is not the number one consideration. the demographic for their passengers tend to be couples with refined tastes that command exquisite treatment. You will also find that while children are permitted on board, the decor and atmosphere is focused on the adult segment.You will always get the best deals by booking directly with Crystal and this is the only way to get the two for one price including airfare. Destinations include ports of call in Europe, North America, the Panama Canal, South America, The Caribbean and an exquisite itinerary for an around the world voyage. For more information use this link to go to Crystal Cruises.

Bora Bora Vacation Packages – All Inclusive

Will Prices for Cruises in 2013 Increase?

travelndude — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:49:41 +0000

The quick answer is no. Prices for cruises in 2013 will not increase over previous years. At least they will not for people take their vacation planning into their own hands. People visit Voyage Masters in order to find accurate information about cruises, cruise lines, itineraries and prices. I do my best to report accurate and timely information in an easy-to-read format in order to help visitors determine what cruise line is right for them, if at all. Now is the time of year that I get buried with requests for information about cruise prices for the upcoming season, in this case it is cruises for 2013. Although profits at cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival are increasing over the previous year, I forecast that prices for cruises in 2013 will remain flat, if not declining somewhat. Granted if you study their web sites, one can readily see that prices appear to be rising but that is not the case. Remember the goal I have for helping people weave through the prices, fares and complimentary services and amenities offered by the cruise lines. I will absolutely show you how to get the best fares every time, without exception. Let other people pay list price for inside cabins or stateroom with partial ocean views! Follow my techniques and you will see that cruise prices continue to remain ridiculously reasonable compared to other forms of travel and leisure!

It is important to keep on mind that the entire travel segment is built around marketing hype and plays to a person’s emotions. When searching for the best deals on cruises leave your emotions and preconceived notions behind you. Not negotiating to get great deals is just plain stupid. As you plan your cruise for 2013, go ahead and visit travel web sites that offer compelling deals. Study itineraries that are highlighted by the cruise lines and determine everything that is included in the package. Have you noticed that I do not suggest that you contact a travel agent? Do not use a travel agent to book your cruise in 2013. You may save some time letting someone else do the leg-work that you could have done in a few minutes but you will always end up paying more in the long run. Keep your focus on the end game, which is getting the best deal on the entire package, not just the cruise. There are dozens of ways to pack complimentary benefits into the fare. In most cases all you have to do is ask, especially if you are booking early in the season. Upgrades are common, as are complimentary meals, alcohol, shows, spa treatments and local on-shore attractions.

Where to Find the Best Mediterranean Cruises for 2013

Find Mediterranean Cruises for 2012 with Princess Cruise Lines

travelndude — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:46:36 +0000

People who visit Voyage Masters on a regular basis know that my pledge is to help them find the best deals on cruises. That is why I am particularly impressed by Princess Cruise Lines’ itineraries, specifically their Mediterranean cruise 2012 promotions. I must admit that I usually do not pay a great deal of attention to Princess Cruise Lines. I have had no instances with poor service and never have I received a compliant from my readers, I am simply focused on other travel providers. As I researched visitors to Voyage Masters, I realized that many people were very eager to find out my opinion about the best Mediterranean cruise itineraries for 2012 so I decided to expand my reach to include Princess. I began by registering on their web site. That was simple enough. Now, my strategy was to wait and see if they responded with any compelling discounts and promotions. Within twenty-four hours of signing up for email updates, Princess sent me a very compelling offer for a 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise! This is a personal promotion simply for signing up for their email updates!

Here is another example of why I tell everyone that will listen that you will always get the best deals on cruises by dealing directly with the cruise lines. This statement makes my associates in the travel agency business crazy but the evidence speaks volumes. I am going a bit off point for the intention of this post, but please consider reading other pages on Voyage Masters that gives expert advice (mine) on how to get the lowest prices on cruises anywhere. So, back to Princess Cruise 2012 Mediterranean promotion. With fares starting at $1,990 per person, ports of call include Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Mykonos, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Athens (Piraeus) and Venice. There are several departure dates in 2012 but my promotion code is specifically for Sunday, May 6, 2012. There are similar sailings scheduled May through September, although ports of call and activities vary. You can book through a travel agent if you care to but heed my advice and book directly with Princess. SIgn up for their email list, enter your profile and wait for the welcome letter with the latest discounts available. Oh, and one other thing…always ask for extra incentives to book on the first call. Things like upgrade to preferred staterooms and cabins are just the start. Ask for drink coupons and on-board credits. Experienced cruises know the trick to get the largest discounts and it is not just the price of the itinerary. Look at the entire package.

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a request from my “contact” page. I am getting quite a lot of queries these days since this is prime time for booking 2012 cruises, but I pledge to respond to you as soon as I am able.