Cruises

Carnival Cruises Unveils New Early Booking Savings Program Offering Rate Protection Assurance

Jan 9, 2009 – Carnival is launching an exciting new cruise pricing option called Early Saver which offers fares as much as 25 percent lower than the best generally available rates and provides rate protection if rates later drop below what the consumer originally paid.

Early Saver rates will be available beginning January 12, 2009 and offered up to three months prior to sailing date for cruises of five days or less and up to five months prior to sailing date for longer length voyages, subject to availability. Early Saver fares include all stateroom types, including suites. The Early Saver rate protection feature provides that if a lower Carnival advertised rate becomes available after the booking is made, a rate adjustment can be requested and the cruise line will issue the difference in the form of a non-refundable shipboard credit. The lower fare must be for the same ship, sailing date, stateroom category and number of guests.

When booking an Early Saver fare, consumers are able to choose a specific stateroom. The standard required deposit is immediately non-refundable at time of booking. Any changes in ship or sailing date outside of Carnival’s standard penalty period require a $50 change fee. For changes inside the penalty period, normal penalties apply.

Call Jeffrey Taylor at (602) 494-1200 for details.

Disadvantages and Advantages of All-Inclusive Cruise

December 26, 2008 - Even in these tough times, spending time on a well-deserved vacation is a necessity. And, it does not matter whether you have lost employment or clients. Without a clear head there is no way that you can figure out a course of action to get back on track. Think of it as an investment in yourself and not an immature indulgence in wasteful spending.

Some cruises, called all-inclusives, include food, entertainment and drink. While others include only food and entertainment. Some say they include food but charge extra for ice cream and soda.

It is confusing and takes a while to see the advantages and disadvantages of such advertisements.

The most important and the best advantage for the all-inclusive cruise is that you don't have to worry about any other expenses during the trip. Since the all-inclusive includes everything; food, beverages and entertainment. You are able to consume as much as you want, since you already paid for everything.

It’s seem that there are many services provided and it’s too good to be true. And, from my experience, is a big rip off. Most of the people who take all-inclusives think that they are getting a bargain and forget about quality. They are attracted to the concept that you get something for nothing. If that were true than most all-inclusive lines would be out of business.

As a result, I tell potential cruises to first try an all-inclusive on land, such as Club Med, Sandals or many of the resorts on the Mexican Riviera. If you like that style than you can then take an all-inclusive cruise.

However, if you do not like mass produced food, cheap alcohol and non-Broadway quality entertainment than an all-inclusive cruise is not going to be a good experience.

What gets me the most angry is that a lot of the all-inclusives don't tell you that you need to pay for some extras such as top-shelf alcohol, specialty deserts, vending machine snacks, arcade games, photographs and their boutique restaurants.

It’s quite confusing for many travelers. From my experience, the cost of an all-inclusive is much higher than a regular cruise. So, before you think about saving money on a cruise, you may want to run it by a seasoned cruiser who can guide you.

And, the best part is that a seasoned traveler can tell you about their experience which is probably not in the tour brochure.

November 6, 2008 - The financial markets may be in turmoil, and that's got people putting off trips, but the good news for cruise lovers who still want to travel is that the downturn has resulted in some incredible deals. In order to jump start bookings, Cruise line pricing has sharply dropped for both last-minute space and cruises as far out as Summer 2009. In fact, passengers are receiving complimentary balcony upgrades on inside cabin deals.

Note from Jeffrey : I saw a 15-day cruise for December including Christmas and New Year for as low as $100/pp/day. Toby and I would have gone, however, we had already booked other plans.

Other specials I've seen include peak summer season Bermuda cruises selling for as little as $799 per person (out of Baltimore) and Alaska cruises as low as $599 for an outside cabin.

Finding the proper ship—whether a floating resort or a yacht-size schooner—can turn your cruise into the vacation of your dreams.

Way back in July 2003 Conde Nast published an article on the best cabins on 64 ships. In 2006 they created the first annual cruising guide which taught frequent cruisers how to pick the right cabin, get the right price, and customize the cruise to meet their needs.

Now, Conde Nast annually ranks cruise lines by polling their discriminating customers on issues such as ship size, quality of ports of call, content of the daily activity list, itinerary, ship features (pools, rock climbing walls, bowling alleys, shopping, hot tubs, spas, casino, tasting menus, cabaret shows, teen-specific programs) and the like.

Before you call me to book your next cruise, check out the great research at Conde Nast. And, if they don't have the answer to your question, I am sure that I do.

As a licensed travel professional, I have saved thousands of dollars in annual business and personal travel for myself and my clients. In this era of corporate downsizing and entrepreneurial pressure let me serve as your personal travel advisor.