As many of you know, I created this web site with one goal and that is to help other people learn how they can save thousands of dollars on cruises. It is amazing to me how quickly Voyage Masters has become an authority on the subject, but in a way, it is not surprising. It is one thing to find cruises that have incredibly huge discounts but it is quite another to get what are great deals. You see, the problem for many people is that they do not study all the other costs associated with these “teaser” fares. They may not travel often and are unfamiliar how to use the Internet to find what are truly good deals or they simply put their faith in the lap of a travel agent. I guarantee you that if you follow my techniques, not only will you get a heavily discounted cruise rate but you will get upgrades, complimentary amenities and on-board cash credits. Here is one other benefit to – everything you need to know is outlined in these articles and on my main web site at Voyage Masters. You can check it out here but for now, simply read this post and things will fall into place for you. Oh, and one last thing to mention is there is no charge for using the information. I do not require visitors register or download some questionable e-book. I am just a regular guy who loves to help people save money on cruises.
Steps for Success in Getting Great Deals on Cruise Packages:
1) Bypass the travel agent. I will admit that when many travel agents see my articles that clearly state people should avoid using them, they go crazy and send me terse emails that contradict my stance. I mean no ill will towards them but in most cases, travel agents add no value to what you can package together on your own. This is all about saving cash and getting additional benefits at no charge. You can do better by yourself. The first line of defense is travel agents will claim that they are there for you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If something happens on your trip, they are there to assist you. No doubt about it, that is true but there are armies of representatives with the cruise lines and travel insurance companies that have more authority than anyone else can do. Remember, always deal directly with the travel operators.
2) Do some preliminary searches on the web to get an idea of costs, itineraries, side-trips and other off-board activities. It is best for me to sidestep advice on destinations and itineraries. Only you know you vacation lifestyle and preferences. My techniques work the very same way, whether your plans are Caribbean cruises or European river cruises. There is no difference whatsoever. Choose three cruise lines to study. Again, do not go to a travel agent’s web site and do not use price comparison services. Doing so creates confusion. The most efficient way to compare prices and itineraries is to open three screens and resize so they are all visible at the same time. Remember, all we are doing in this exercise to get an approximate idea of prices. Do take note of the cruise lines that offer lowest price guarantee statements. This little tidbit of information is with its weight in gold! Well, ok, maybe not gold but definitely cash. Check out what is included in the price. Be careful about the claims of the package being all-inclusive. That term is very misleading since the cost of alcohol is almost never included in the price. If consuming unlimited amounts of alcohol is part of your agenda, then upper-end cruise lines like Costa, Seabourn and MSC should be your focus. Just another note – “upper end” does not mean super expensive if you follow my guidelines. Even the most exclusive cruise lines have excellent rates and free amenities available. You just need to know how to find them and that is why you are here!
3) The next step is to call each of the three cruise lines with their toll-free hotlines. Again, talk directly with a cruise lines representative. No one knows more than the employees do about their ships and itineraries than they do. They are trained to address every possible question and they are authorized to add compelling incentive to book on the spot. You may be saying to yourself “I do not want to deal with someone because I do not like to negotiate” or “I do not want to take the time to talk to three different cruise lines. I just want to book a cruise at a cheap rate”. That is understandable and I can empathize with you on your concern. I had the same opinion until I got so fed up with the false claims that I decided to put my shy side away and concentrate on getting a much for as little as possible. To address your first concern, there is not negotiation per se. You will simply ask questions. I have more to tell you about those techniques in a few minutes. Do not worry about having to deal with all three lines and then making a decision. My techniques will help you book on your first call.
4) Be prepared to make your cruise reservation on the spot. This is key to getting the best deals because if you idea to shop around for a few weeks you have to start over. If you need to shop then postpone going any further with my methods until you are ready to commit. Being prepared book is one of the strongest motivators and deal-making leverage points in the entire process! Be very clear about your parameters and let them know that you are on their web site as well as two of their competitors.
Here is a script to follow:
“I am looking at your cruise itineraries for (your destination) I see prices ranging from (whatever amount) per person to (whatever amount). What is included in the price?”
“I am ready to book now and am looking at two other cruise lines with similar itineraries. I want to get the best prices but need to get additional incentives if I book now. What can you offer on complimentary activities and upgrades?”
“For that price do I get a full unobstructed ocean view? Does the price include a private balcony?”
“What can you do to make that additional charge go away?”
“Well, if you cannot lower the price any further, how about throwing in a complimentary spa treatment or on-shore tour package? Perhaps are on-board ship’s credits and chips for the casino an option?”
“I know this is a great deal. I see on the deck plan that the staterooms in that price range have several configurations. Which one is best? I will commit right now if I can have (whichever stateroom you are looking at).”
I think you get the idea. The idea is to know what goods and services are available and use that knowledge to your advantage.
Here is one last word of advice. These techniques work the best when planning for cruises well in advance of departure. While there are bargains to be had by waiting for last minute cruises, you do not have the leverage or selection that you do otherwise. I hope this helps and if you have any questions, by all means, feel free to contact me.
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