Travel Q&A: Where to find best cruise deals
By Ann Tatko-Peterson
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 10/30/2009 12:00:00 PM PDT
Travel Q&A
Q: Thank you for your Oct. 4 article, "Choices abound for international airfare deals." The Web sites you listed are great resources. Might you point your readers toward some favorite Web sites that provide the same kind of service on cruise deals? My wife and I are contemplating a cruise to Alaska in 2010.
A: Try searching for "cruises" on the Internet and you will trip over hundreds of Web sites boasting discounts and deals. Picking a favorite site depends on the type of deals you want and how you like to search for them. All sites I include here allow you to search by cruise line, destination, departure city and desired travel dates.
Here's a small sample of sites that I like:
# CruisesOnly.com — If there's a great deal to be had, this site always seems to know about it. Cruise consultants are available 24-7, 365 days a year. CruisesOnly offers exclusive deals for California residents and for guests age 55 or older. Plus, it offers a "Satisfaction Guarantee," but there are restrictions, so read the terms and conditions.
# iCruise.com — This site has partnered with the 24 major cruise lines and has a "Request a Quote" option, where you submit your desired travel parameters and receive a quoted price. Special-deals sections include Hot Deals (best bargains
Advertisement
available), Last Minute, Holiday and one specifically for Alaska.
# CruiseCompete.com — This is like Priceline for cruises. You search for the cruise you want, request quotes to get competing offers from travel agents and then decide if you want to book one. It also lets you search for discounts and deals for specialty cruises such as music, family and repositioning.
# CruiseCritic.com — This is not the best site for deals, although it does feature a deal of the week. I rank it as my favorite cruise-related site because of its incredible reader-generated reviews, insider tips and message boards. Use this site to find a cruise ship and itinerary you like, then pop over to one of the above sites to find the best deal on it.
# Cruise lines — If you find cruise lines that have the amenities and destination you want, check out their deals/specials page and sign up to receive alerts. My parents are avid cruisers and they have uses these alerts to book several jaw-dropping deals (including $499 for a 10-day Mediterranean cruise).
Also consider using a travel agent, especially if you are new to cruising. (Search for one in your area at the Cruise Lines International Association's Web site, www.cruising.org.) These cruise specialists know all the tricks for getting great deals, recommending excursions and finding you the right cabin.
I used an agent a few years ago for a Mexican Riviera cruise. Not only did she save us $150 off the lowest published price, she also got us a free upgrade from an obstructed ocean view to a balcony cabin.
Have a question of general interest? Send it to Ann Tatko-Peterson at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.
ReprintPrint Email Font ResizeReturn to Top
