Want more value for your vacation dollar? Take a cruise!

I know what many of you out there might be thinking: Taking a cruise sounds like a great time, but it’s just not an option for me. After all, plenty of people still believe cruising is expensive and something older people do in their retirement years.

It is true that a cruise can be expensive if you sail on a luxury cruise line; companies such as Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Cunard Line, Azamara Club Cruises, and Holland America Line, just to name a few, but the service they offer is well worth the cost. (They offer longer cruises and cater to those who have the means to really splurge. Someday, I hope to get a sample of some of these cruise companies—someday!) But with a little research and some planning, there are some great deals on well-known cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess. (Though I would put Princess’s regular prices in the “premium” category, their sales make them very comparable to the others.) Other cruise lines such as Norwegian, MSC Cruises, and Disney would also fall in this category. Disney is one of those everyday cruise lines, but they can be a bit expensive for some families, However, my friends and clients who have tried the Mouse say the service, food, and experience is worth every penny, so it’s definitely worth considering.

Many ask me, “Do I need a travel agent?” Well, actually, you don’t. But why spend your time in the evenings or your entire lunch break at work sifting through an overwhelming mountain of travel options? A travel agent like myself is a great resource to help you plan your vacation, making sense of what will work for your family and offering suggestions you might not have thought about. I’m not your typical travel agent. I feel my job is to get you the best price and vacation that fits your needs and wants, not pressuring you into spending more than you can afford. I don’t charge a “service fee,” like some agencies do; I get paid commission from the cruise lines and hotels for booking travel for a client, so I’m not going to ask you to pay any more than you need to. If your current travel agent charges you a service fee, hang up the phone and call me instead!

When you call Agape Travel, I just need to know a few things:

·         Where would you like to go, see, and do?

·         How many will be in your party?

·         What is your budget?

·         When do you want to go? (Consider how flexible you can be, since prices can vary greatly between the peak and off seasons. For example, September and October are usually the least expensive months to cruise, while June through early August are the most pricy.)

With this information I can start working.

But you still might not be convinced that cruising is for you. After all, you’ve gotten really used to having your feet on solid ground! Well, the 94% return rate on cruise ships means they are doing something right. There are tons and tons of helpful reviews online from past guests of all cruise lines. One good source is cruisecritic.com; you have to sign up to read the reviews, but they don’t bombard you with constant email blasts. There you can read reviews from travel professionals and real passengers, which will tell you a lot more about the experience than a pretty picture you might see on TV does. Having taken 25+ cruises myself, that’s another place where my experience as a travel agent comes into play. My clients are well prepared for their cruises; I try to give them the ins and outs, just enough to be prepared without spoiling the surprises!

Still not sure? Here’s a great way or two to find out. For your first cruise, take a short one to see how you like being at sea. Take 3 or 4 days to one nearby port, or check out a 2-day “cruise to nowhere.” Another way to ease into the cruise experience is to go with an organized group. (Check my website to see some groups I’ve got coming up.) With others around to help guide you, it takes some of the stress out. Believe me, there is a 94% chance you will have a great time.

One huge draw of cruising is that after you’ve paid for the cruise, most of everything is included. Once you’ve boarded your ship, you can have an awesome time without dropping another dime!

1)      Food: Whether you choose the dining room, the buffet, or room service, it’s all you care to eat! Some ships have specialty restaurants with a cover charge, offering premium cut steaks and seafood along with out-of-this-world desserts.

2)      Non-carbonated drinks, such as tea, coffee, and juices. (Sodas and adult drinks are extra. Some cruise lines offer unlimited soda and drinks for a price: about $7 per day and $50 per day respectively, depending on the cruise line and ship.)

3)      Entertainment: Free, free, free, and there is a LOT of it! I get frustrated because I can’t do it all. But if your idea of fun is to do nothing instead, just lay by the pool all day and relax.

So, what is extra?

1)      Tips: $12.50 per day per person is suggested. They can be prepaid before your trip or added to your bill at the end of the cruise. The crew works very hard to keep you happy, and you will see that, so the tips aren’t that big of a deal. If you get truly exceptional service or feel a bit let down, you can have them adjusted at the information desk.

2)      Shore Excursions: If it’s your first time to a port of call, I would take one of the ship-sponsored excursions. The prices range from $40 per person for a basic snorkeling adventure or city tour to $250 per person for once-in-a-lifetime adventures like swimming with the dolphins or taking a scenic helicopter ride. There are private tour companies that can be found online or at the port, and the prices might be a bit cheaper, but the quality of the tour is not guaranteed by the cruise line. (And if you don’t make it back to the ship on time, all you’ll be left with is a great picture of the ship sailing into the sunset while you’re left on shore!)

3)      Money you “donate” to the casino. Yes, there is a full casino on most ships, though not on Disney or some sponsored voyages. Play the slots from $.01 up to $5.00, or choose a table game like roulette, craps, and card games with minimums of $5.00 up to $500. (Just don’t expect free drinks while playing like you’d get in land casinos.)

4)      There are some extra charges for specialty coffees and some exercise classes (yoga and spin), but all the other activities are include in the price.

So you see, there is lots of value in the price of a cruise! Ready to try your first one? Give me a call, and we can talk about any other concerns you might have about cruising—or any other vacations, for that matter. I’m a big fan of cruises because I feel they are the best value for your money, but if you have other destinations you would like to explore, give me a call or shoot me an email.

Thanks, and happy traveling!

Rick