Best cruising website

[blessedby3]

We are looking into a cruise (for the best price of course) and I was wondering if someone could suggest a favorite booking site to get a good rate. We are a family of 6. Me, DH, DD17, DS12, DD9 and DD4 mos. Can anyone suggest a good place to start? Any cheaper time frame to go, etc.? Thanks

 

[Jaycey'smom]

You might want to try cruisecritic dot com. That site has it all!!

 

[lg3]

That site does have a lot - What type of cruise are you thinking of? That makes a huge difference!!!!!

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Another vote for cruisecritic.com. Met a bunch of great people before our cruise and we all end up having a cocktail party on the ship to finally meet.

 

[EthansMom]

I'll third the recommendation to check out http://www.cruisecritic.com for information... it's to cruising what the DISBoards are to WDW.

I see you're in Virginia. There are many cruiselines doing cruises from other departure ports other than Miami on the East Coast. We live in CT and have found it to be much easier and more cost effective to cruise out of NY/NJ (to the Caribbean) than to fly to Miami. I know there are cruises out of Baltimore and I think there are some out of NC/SC, as well. Consider driving to one of the closest departure ports.

With a family that large, your most cost effective choice would be two side-by-side cabins. Choose interior cabins lower in the ship to save a bundle... you'll get the same service and amenities as folks who spend a lot more.

The least expensive time of year to go is the fall because it's Hurricane Season. If you choose to go then, get trip insurance (http://www.insuremytrip.com). In fact, it's always a good idea to get trip insurance when you go on a cruise.

At one time, Norwegian Cruise Line was not charging any fare (just taxes) for a child under the age of 2... I don't know if that is still their policy. Other cruise lines will charge you the full fare for your baby. Also, be warned, there are no cruiselines that I know of that will take the baby in the children's programs or will babysit a child of that age in your cabin.

Good Luck with your planning!

 

[Poohlovr]

Once you choose which cruise you'd like to take, go to www.cruisecompete.com and enter your info. TAs will respond with prices and offers for you to choose from.
The other thing I do is look for group cruises. Cruise Critic has a whole forum of group cruises to look at. The groups get a discounted rate and other amenities, usually including on board credit.

 

[tinatark]

once you decide which cruise line to use, try cruisecompete.com for great rates. We use kimskruises.com for our bookings. We've booked through there probably 8 cruises. It's sad - Kim, the agent, died about 2 years ago, and her sister Valerie took over the business. It's not the same service as Kim, but the rates are still the best out there.

 

[Esmerelda]

I have been a member of cruisecritic.com for many years....as we love to cruise. Last year we were booked on RCCL's Liberty in August and it was our BEST cruise ever...the ship is absolutely fantastic!!! Then I won a cruise that we sailed on in October. Wow...two in less than two months apart.

Our next venture.... the Genesis in 2009...we cannot wait!!


have a great time (also Esmerelda on CC.com FYI)

 

[jackdis]

Another vote for cruisecritic here.....great info. Helped us so much for our cruise last year, and our upcoming cruise this month.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

My parents and I have always had good luck with www.vacationstogo.com.
If the rate to your cruise drops they will honor the new price.

 

[meanser]

What a great question! My family and I are thinkning abot a cruise this summer, and I had just started to look into this!

As usual the DISboards are a WEALTH of info!

 

[cbrfan]

I also recommend cruisecritic.com and cruisecompete. Be sure to check the different cruiselines for their special discounts (military, regional, etc.)

 

[marcyinPA]

Another cruisecritic poster here! We're cruising on NCL in June (the Spirit out of NYC) for my big 4-0...don't know whether to or !!!

 

[LisaNJ25]

okk.. I am looking at some sites to find a cruise for my sister and her 2 friends.. Im afraid to ask but what is a African American Cruise special?

 

[accruise]

I just don't get it. Why not book with a local agent in your area. Choose one that has cruised alot. Ask if the price goes down do they adjust. Many of the places listed are just online agencies. Why not support your local businesses........Who are you going to call last minute if you have a problem.
I have owned an agency for a few years. I believe my knowledge and experience is valuable. Also, we doing charge you for any of our work with often is hours of research.

 

[Along4theRide]

We are thinking about taking a cruise for our 10yr anniversary in June of 2009. Is it too early to book? Is there a better (cheaper) time to book other other times? This will be our first cruise and really have no clue! Thanks for the great sites to check out...I will be looking into those! Also, we're interested in an Alaskan cruise. Is there a cruise line that's better suited for that!? Thanks!

 

[accruise]

Yes, many of the cruise-lines have prices in for 2009. It's great to have something to look forward to.

 

[Darth Cupcake]

Our next venture.... the Genesis in 2009...we cannot wait!!

We can't wait either!!!!!! Yes, Cruisecritic is a wonderful source of information.

 

[Darcy03231]

I just don't get it. Why not book with a local agent in your area. Choose one that has cruised alot. Ask if the price goes down do they adjust. Many of the places listed are just online agencies. Why not support your local businesses........Who are you going to call last minute if you have a problem.
I have owned an agency for a few years. I believe my knowledge and experience is valuable. Also, we doing charge you for any of our work with often is hours of research.

I don't use a local travel agent because they've never been able to beat the price I've been able to get on-line with www.cruisecompete.com. For every cruise I've taken (I'm up to 10) I've priced it both on-line and with a local agent and every time the local agent was at least $150 more.

Many of the on-line agencies specialize in cruises and I've never had any problem getting a hold of anyone if there was an issue. In fact, on one cruise there was a promo for an on-board credit when I booked which wasn't showing up. I called the on-line agent and she mailed me a check for credit as she couldn't get RCCL to post it. The check was waiting for me when I got home. I call that pretty good service. Just because the agency is on-line doesn't mean they don't provide good, or even superior, customer service.

For many people the bottom line is price. Unless you can offer the same price/perks as the on-line companies (and I realize that may be difficult given the overhead local places might have that on-line companies don't) there is really no incentive to book with a local agency. With the wealth of information now at your fingertips on-line its really easy to do your own research and not pay someone else to do it for you.

 

[accruise]

I certainly respect your opinion. I call tell you are not self-employed. Guess I just believe in supporting local business. Today, for example, I dropped a price for two of my clients. Everyone need to do what is best for them.