It would not be fair to name just one cruise operator as there are so many, all of which offer a variety of cruises with different itineraries.
Most Cruise operators have a number of ships that offer cruises to many different destinations around the world. Each one is different and each cruise ship stops at different ports around the world.
Obviously, many people do have their own personal preference when it comes to which operator they book through and also which ship they would like to sail on but what is ideal for one person’s requirements, may not be suitable for another.
If you are wanting to book a cruise, it is advisable to do your home work and spend a little time searching all the different cruise companies to see what is on offer. This will allow you to not only see which operators offer the best cruise deals for your own personal requirements but it will provide you with a very good price guide.
When To Book Your Cruise
When is the best time to book your cruise? This really is a bit like the ‘chicken and the egg’ question!
Some people may advise you to book your cruise well in advance. The reason for this is because they say that the cruise operators like to fill their cabins quickly and as a result, offer the best deals to those who book early. However, some people will advise you to hold on and book your cruise much later, such as a couple of week before travel. The reason for this is because they say that the cruise operators do not like to set sail with empty cabins as this is lost revenue and will reduce the price just to fill the cabins.
So, which one is the correct advice?
Well, both scenarios have valid points! Cruise operators obviously want to fill their ships quickly with minimum effort and obviously want to make as much money as they possibly can. This said, they also do not want to set sail with empty cabins because empty cabins equals lost revenue. The cruise operators are then left with having to strike a happy medium to ensure people book.
The cruise operators know that there will be a certain amount of people who will pay top prices regardless of the cost and that these people will not be bothered when they book. However, they know that a large amount of people who may wish to book a cruise will be on a limited budget and will only book if the price is right. These people are the people they need to entice to make the booking and ensure they get them onboard. The big problem the cruise operators are faced with is that these people will be reluctant to book early because they fear the price may go down after they have booked. This then results in the cruise operator with empty cabins for longer which is not a desirable position to be in. The cruise operators also know that if they reduce the price of the cruise considerably at a later stage, they will upset the people that have booked early and this will cause a backlash of complaints and bad publicity.
The problem you as a customer then face is whether to book early and hope you get the best deal and that the price does not drop
Wait until closer to the departure date and hope the cruise operator drops the price
It is a difficult choice, especially if you are on a limited budget because the difference in price could be huge and it is not just a few pounds as it might be on a flight or hotel booking. Many people save a long time to pay for a cruise and the cost of a cruise is significantly more than your average holiday, so it is understandable why you need to get the best deal.
Many cruise operators realise and fully understand this issue and as a result now offer ‘Price drop guarantees’. The introduction of the ‘Price Drop Guarantee’ helps the operators secure the booking and also provides the customer with peace of mind when booking the cruise.
If you are wanting to book a cruise and have reservations about booking, it is worth checking to see if the operator offers a ‘Price Drop Guarantee’.
If a cruise operator does not offer a ‘Price Drop Guarantee’ and you would like to book a cruise with them but are worried in case the price drops, simply ask them what their policy is. Many cruise operators will compensate you in other ways such as upgrades, you can even put this to them in your conversation and ask them to put it in writing.
The bottom line is that it is not guaranteed that the prices wil not drop once you have booked, nor is it guaranteed they will drop if you leave booking your cruise until closer to the departure date. If you see a cruise that is offered at a price you a happy paying and is within yourbudget, then you really have to make the decision about booking it and how you will feel if the price drops. It is then worth contacting the operator and asking them the above questions, who knows they may even offer you a better deal to secure the booking!
Remember, The cruise operators want your custom!
Finding The Right And Best Cruise Deals For You
Most people have an idea of where they would like to go and these ideas may be places they have always dreamt of visiting. It may be somewhere that has been recommended to them by friends or somewhere that they have read good reviews about.
The two main factors that most people are faced with when trying to book a cruise and that then determines which cruise they eventually choose, are simply:
Which places and destinations the cruise will visit Price
The hardest part when looking for the ideal cruise and then booking one to suit your needs and requirements, is finding the right cruise that ticks both the above boxes.
Finding a cruise that will visit all the destinations you would like to visit can be a little tricky, especially if you are restricted to a limited budget. It generally means that you will need to be flexible and allow a bit of give and take. It may be that you need to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each cruise and make your decision based on your results.
There are some fantastic cruise deals available and if you have a bit of flexibility in both your dates and your choice of destinations, you will not be disappointed!
Be Open Minded
You may not always find a cruise that is the exact perfect match to your desired itinerary or one that is visiting every single destination you wanted and at the price you were hoping to pay. However, you will certainly find one that offers many of those destinations and you may be surprised on the price you actually end up paying.
If you have an open book and do not have any particular destinations or itinerary in mind, you are in a much better position to finding the best cruise deals. Not having any specific requirements regarding destinations will allow you to be open to offers and as a result, you will have much more choice of deals.
Do Your Research
It is always best to search for cruise deals and to get a general pricing for certain cruises. Prices will always fluctuate between tour operators and spending a little time doing your research will pay dividends in helping you find the right cruise deal for your budget.
To help you with finding the latest offers, we have listed below some of the most popular cruise operators that consistently offer the best cruise deals.