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All Cruise Newsletters
CruiseCompete Currents
Cruise News and Information
February 5, 2007
Getting the Best Deal Edition
Cabin credits (Important!)
Because of certain cruise line rules (especially on RCL and Celebrity),
agents may offer you onboard credits instead of a lower price. What
exactly does this mean?
- A "cabin credit" is money placed in your shipboard account to be used
for tips, drinks, excursions, etc.--anything you can charge while on board.
- "Spa credits", "shore excursion credits" and "casino credits" indicate that are for specific services, but in reality they can be used for any onboard expense. You can even redeem a credit in the casino, redeem it for chips, and--if you don't feel like gambling - just convert your chips into cash.
Sometimes you'll need to contact the agency to find out the amount of the
credits (cruise line rules again). Be sure to do this--it can pay off in
big savings for you!
Already Booked Directly with A Cruise Line? You Can Still Do Better.
Up until final payment, cruise lines are happy to transfer your booking to
a travel agent with no cost or penalty. If you're already booked
directly with the line, put in a quote request and include in the comments
exactly what you're paying with the line and that you are looking for an
agency to take over the booking.
Should you find a better deal, simply call the cruise line and ask them to
transfer your booking to the CruiseCompete agent of choice. This takes
very little effort and can save you hundreds on your trip.
When You Go Is As Important as Where You Go.
When is the best time to go on a cruise? From a cost perspective, it's
whenever kids are in school. Holidays, spring break, and summer vacation
are the most expensive times of the year. Non-vacation times are much
better, often as much as 50%-60% off of peak rates. The least expensive
time of the year is generally early December, or even the week before
Christmas.
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