How to Bag a Cruise Bargain
Whether you’re a cruise regular with plenty of superb itineraries under your belt, or you’re looking to spend your first holiday onboard, the sheer range of cruises and schedules available means it’s becoming more and more accessible to budgets of all sizes.
This style of holiday is usually considered excellent value for money – as package cruises include not just the flight and cabin accommodation, but all of your meals, entertainment and use of the facilities too. On top of this, it’s possible to find cruise deals across many itineraries – from trips around the Mediterranean and the Fjords right up to 18-night Caribbean jaunts.
If you’re looking for a great bargain on a cruise this year, you shouldn’t have to look too hard. 2012 cruise deals are available on a vast range of ships and cruise operators, so whatever you fancy, the chances are you’ll find it – with a discount.
One of the best ways to bag a discount is to book early and secure your seats as soon as the brochure or a new season is launched. Tour operators are often keen to push their new range of itineraries with incentives to encourage your custom, so look out for early bird booking discounts both in the shops and online. In many cases you will benefit from a standard online booking discount so weigh this up against the high street prices to see which is cheaper.
If you’re planning to book in a shop through a recognised tour operator, you will have the advantage of dealing with a salesperson, so don’t be afraid to ask for discounts or upgrades on your cabin, or on onboard drinks packages. If you’re on the verge of booking they will usually throw in some little extras or additional reductions to help secure your custom.
