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Advantages of Using an Online Cruise Travel Agency

March 16, 2011 By rncruise Leave a Comment


Planning any vacation can be a daunting task, and the same goes for planning a cruise. Sometimes, planning a cruise can be even more time consuming due to all of the additional variables to consider. Considering that you will be at sea for a number of days at a time, it is even more important to select the perfect cruise line that you will be one hundred percent happy with, than it is to select the right hotel. With all the variables one must consider when planning a cruise vacation, there are distinct advantages of using an online cruise travel agency.

Knowledge

If you have already decided that there is too much to consider planning and booking your cruise vacation on your own, then you are one step ahead of the game. Unfortunately, many people devote hours and hours towards research and planning before they realize that they may need a little bit of help, and have bit off a little bit more than they can chew. There are many factors that should be taken into consideration, for instance, if you are contemplating taking a trip to the Caribbean, then knowing when hurricane season strikes is an extremely important detail. It is also a good idea to know when the whales will be in Hawaii before booking that Hawaiian cruise vacation, so that you can tell everyone that you were able to catch a glimpse of their astonishing beauty and grace. An experienced cruise travel agency will be able to give you that information without having to remember to look it up.

Convenience

A quick internet search will reveal the numerous amounts of travel agents that are out there ready to help you plan the most amazing cruise vacation of your life. Unfortunately, many of them want you to come into their office during their standard business hours. Fighting traffic to get there and then sitting in a stuffy office, listening to a dozen other travelers discuss their perfect vacation while your agent digs through a dusty stack of cruise brochures is hardly the way anyone would like to begin their travel planning experience.

Instead, imagine an ideal travel planning experience where you start off by grabbing your morning coffee, and checking your e-mail before beginning to browse through the current deals. Perhaps that 10-night exotic cruise around Australia and New Zealand catches your eye. Rather than making a call or an unnecessary rip to the travel agency, you can inquire more information online by filling out a form with a small amount of information about your contact preferences and when you would like to travel. You simply carry on with your day as planned while you wait for someone else to do all the legwork for you. These days, there are not many things more convenient than an online travel agency.

One Stop Shopping

All online cruise travel agencies were not created equal. Every cruise agency is well-equipped to provide you the essential information you require about where to travel, what to pack, and when to book in order to receive the best savings. Sadly, very few of them are prepared to also get you the best deal on airfare if you find you do not live in close proximity to your chosen port of call. Granted, they may be able to get you a flight; it just will not be at the best possible price, cutting into your travel budget. Before deciding on your online cruise travel agency, make sure they also offer full service travel planning so that all your needs can be met.

More Options

You may find that some online travel agencies will only book with a particular cruise line. This severely limits your options of location, price range, cruise theme and onboard activities. Selecting an overall well- rounded online travel agency for your cruising needs will allow you to get exactly what you want without having to check multiple sites or, make multiple phone calls.

If you already know where and when you would like to set sail then your online travel agency should give you the option to compare prices and options of multiple cruise lines at the same time. For example, consider the Mexican cruise you have always wanted to take in February. A good travel agent will give you at least ten options to consider, and a great online cruise travel agency will give you double that.

Within only a matter of minutes you should be looking at specific descriptions of what makes each cruise line special while comparing their prices. Providing you can find one that fits into your budget, then you will also be able to check for availability before you get your heart set on the stateroom that might already be fully booked. This year, make sure to find a full services online cruise travel agency so you can take enjoy every minute of your care-free, relaxing retreat.

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How Much Do Cruises Cost and Are They Worth the Money-

March 16, 2011 By rncruise Leave a Comment

Is a cruise an affordable vacation for you and will the price be worth what you get-

So, you want to know how much cruises cost and whether they’re worth the money.

Really, it all depends on how much of a bargain hunter you are. Cruise costs overall can vary by as much as 200%, but you have to remember that you always get what you pay for. Having a stateroom to yourself vs. sharing a cabin will cost more. Going to a remote destination at the height of tourist season will cost more. Cheap cruises aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. But there are certainly ways to get great deals for those who know how to shop!

Fortunately, even if you don’t want to spend a lot of time trying to find the best deal, you’re not going to get ripped off or taken advantage of.

There was a lot more range in price before the Internet came along. Today there are cruise comparison sites, cruise blogs, and forums where you can get advice from other cruisers. These days, all of the companies assume that you can and will research their prices online, and so a great leveling of price structure has happened throughout the industry. For the same destination, time of year, and amenities, you’ll likely not encounter a price difference of more than 20%.

The most popular destinations are also the most affordable. Because cruise offers are capacity-controlled, as well as being time-sensitive, they are subject to availability and conditions just like airline fares.

But there is no fair comparison of airline rates to cruise ship rates. An airline, even the most luxurious, exists solely to get you from point A to point B in the fastest way possible. Airport terminals herd you through line after line, before doing the equivalent of jamming you into a seat and sending you off. For a vacation, it doesn’t make sense to go by air, since flying is often so stressful you can end up feeling like you need a vacation to recover from your vacation.

Contrast a cruise, which will be a leisurely experience even at the cheapest possible rates. A cruise ship qualifies as more of a hotel on the water, with dozens of ways to relax and have fun. A cruise line is the pinnacle of hospitality, so for the value, a cruise fare is actually cheap by comparison with other ways to travel. If you live near a seaport, you get an even better deal since you don’t have to pay for airfare to get to your ship.

While prices are similar, different cruise lines cost more than others (you’ll always pay more for more luxury), and there are still deals to be found.

If you are a senior citizen, a student, a member of a club traveling as a group, or a previous passenger, you will most likely have a special offer made to you. Lacking any of these means, your next best bet to get a discount rate on cruises is to go in the off-season, and book early. Often you will find that the earlier you reserve, the lower your fare will be. (However, you can also get good “last minute” cruise deals if you are able to travel on short notice.)

By the way, you should know that a certain part of the price is not in the hands of the cruise line. The cruise line passes along to you the port fees and taxes. This is the money charged by the various governments in the destinations where you are going, and cover the cost of docking the ship. That’s right, there is no “free parking”!

Some governments also impose a tax per-passenger, which makes sense if you consider the civic burden of having a village of 250 people suddenly have to accommodate another 250 ship passengers for a week. What these prices are may depend on who’s in charge at that time, and how friendly they’re feeling towards tourists.

So, how much cruises cost varies. Whether or not they are worth it, however, is a moot point; for the experience of a luxurious cruise vacation, they are all worth it.

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Take a Perfect Getaway by Taking One of the Florida Cruises

March 16, 2011 By rncruise Leave a Comment

Cruises in Florida are perfect. With the place’s bright, clean and clear waters, you can definitely enjoy your food while taking pleasure every moment with your family or loved one. With live band around, you can always join the fun jiving into the beat with others. Florida cruises can be your best alternative whenever you are having your family holiday vacations, traveling alone or traveling for business. There are a lot of options you can choose from, here are some of the information you need;

#1. Starlite Dining Cruises. With lunch and dinner offered while the ship cruises along the best water views of the coastal Florida, you cannot afford to miss the enjoyment and happiness that Starlite Dining Cruises offers. You have two options which can offer you the same pleasure and excitement. Choose between these two ships;

• Starlite Majesty Dining Yacht – this 115-foot ship cruises day and night along the Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Aside from its contemporary designs and ambiance, you will surely enjoy every moment while taking pleasure on your food. Live entertainment and lively dancing could be just what you are looking for to have a perfect cruise experience in Florida.

• Starlite Princess – with its authentic paddlewheel and Victorian designs, this 107-foot paddlewheeler lets you cherish all the candid moments with your loved ones. Starlite never forgets to offer taste-tempting menus if you are on board either of their two ships. Experience a slow-moving cruise along Daytona Beach Florida and witness every panoramic view.

#2. Calypso Queen. It is a triple-decked, 65-foot cruise ship with colorful tropical theme. Aside from its two fully air-conditioned decks, it is adorned with state of the art sound system as well as first class facilities and amenities. Calypso Queen was built to hold 149 passengers and approved by the Coast Guard to do cruises along the Intracoastal waterways and Clearwater. Foods are great as the ship holds some of the world’s finest chefs and cooks to prepare first class cuisine you may have not tried before.

#3. Sea Life Safari. Do you want to see sea birds, dolphins and other marine life? Sea Life Safari is proud to offer you the best experience you can ever have in Florida. If you are on board, you are entitled to have a couple of hours of full enjoyment along the bright waters of Intracoastal waterways. However, for you to be included in the trip, you should call and make reservations as the ship can only hold 30 passengers per trip. If there is a vacant seat, you will be able to get onboard even if you are a walk-in; there are so many travelers and tourists who want to take part in all the trips, so your chance maybe thin.

#4. Dolphin Racer. For some, this is kind of extreme. But for people who want to race with the dolphins, this is just the perfect cruise. Dolphin Racer Speedboat offers high-speed and exhilarating cruises on the smooth intra-coastal waters in Florida making waves for dolphins to surf. People opt to have their second ride since dolphins will really be riding and racing against the speedboat. You will surely love to see giant mammals jumping and surfing freely as the speedboat passes with large wakes. The cruise will last about an hour and 20 minutes. So, you have plenty of time taking pictures of the dolphins making poses in the air. Don’t forget to hold on tight!

To enjoy your vacation you do not need to be in the most expensive and lucrative place on earth. What you need to do is make the best of your trip with simple things that offer one of a kind experience that you can never forget your whole life. Water cruises are by nature romantic and enjoyable with plenty of panoramic views you can encounter as you cherish every passing second. Should you want to enjoy and experience a perfect vacation, be one of the people who go with Florida cruises.

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