How do you book your non Disney cruise?

[XYSRUS]

I'm starting to plan a cruise for next June. Spring break is out of the questions b/c of money and crowds(mostly money!) Who/what should I do about finding info and booking? I've looked at Cruisecon and cruisecritic. I know I want to go with RCCL and I have 4 boys 13,12,7, and 5 plus hubby. Which cruise did your family enjoy and why?

 

[mishasmom]

As far as actually booking a really good place to go is this website: Cruise Compete.com You enter cruises you are interested in and get free quotes from different travel agents. I think Royal Carribean's prices are pretty much set, though, so you'll probably get very similar prices but maybe some will offer better OBCs. Just make sure you check out all the fees they charge because they may charge you a booking fee and many have cancellation fees on top of the cruiselines cancellation fees.

 

[TLHB70]

As far as actually booking a really good place to go is this website: Cruise Compete.com You enter cruises you are interested in and get free quotes from different travel agents. I think Royal Carribean's prices are pretty much set, though, so you'll probably get very similar prices but maybe some will offer better OBCs. Just make sure you check out all the fees they charge because they may charge you a booking fee and many have cancellation fees on top of the cruiselines cancellation fees.

I never knew about this site. Thanks for the information!

 

[lecach]

We used that site too. There was a wide range in prices offered to us.

 

[mrsmom]

I booked mine through costco and we have four kids.

 

[Darcy03231]

I like to book it directly on my own. That way I don't have to go through the travel agent to do anything.

If using a travel agent make sure that when they process your payment the charge is to the cruise line, not themselves. I booked through a TA once and they processed the charge to themselves, never paid the cruise line and then went out of business. This is another reason why I like to book it myself.

 

[OhMari]

I booked mine with Rhonda, with Dreams Unlimited.
She specializes in RCCL.

 

[Bree]

I always book my own. RCCL is the only company we will cruise with. I always keep an eye on our stateroom price because if they drop the price they have always given me an adjustment in the price I paid. The last cruise we went on I booked the a balcony room and by the month prior to the cruise I was in a junior suite for the same price I had originally booked for a balcony.

As far as what islands......

I really don't like the western caribbean islands. I like the eastern and southern caribbean islands. We try to choose an itinerary that stops at Cococay or Labadee for a relaxing beach day. It's nice to get tendered off the boat and be at the beach and having lots of excursions right there (snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking, sea raycers, etc).

 

[EthansMom]

I prefer to book directly with RCCL. Their number is (866) 562-7625. Don't completely rule out going over Spring Break... it is often cheaper than summer, IMO. Also, be open to leaving out of alternate ports such as NJ, MD, SC, and TX.

For that age group, I'd look for one of the Voyager or larger ships... more activities for older kids (rock climbing wall, ice skating, and some have surfing waves). The kids' programs on RCCL are great! And the teen area looks really cool.

We've cruised on RCCL's Explorer of the Seas out of NJ a few times with our 8 and 5 year-old and we all have a great time!

 

[D&R love Disney]

I've used Cruises Only and gotten some good prices. I think I'll try Cruise Compete next time.

 

[JEmaryland]

I booked mine through Orbitz recently and received a $150 on board credit through a promotion they were running.

 

[Gina]

I have booked through TA's when there has been some amazing sort of OBC offer or something, but I greatly prefer booking with the cruise line directly. It is SO much easier to make changes, especially when there is a price drop.

Speaking of price drops, I swear by a very handy (and FREE!) program called Cruise Shark. Right now it tracks Carnival, Celebrity, and RCCL, and one other smaller boutique line whose name escapes me right now. You just put in the ship, the stateroom category, and the price you paid, and it alerts you when the price dips below that point. So far, since booking in January, I have had 3 price drops and have saved close to $600. Since my ressie is with RCCL themselves, it was super easy to have the price drop applied.


-gina-

 

[a1tinkfans]

I'm starting to plan a cruise for next June. Spring break is out of the questions b/c of money and crowds(mostly money!) Who/what should I do about finding info and booking? I've looked at Cruisecon and cruisecritic. I know I want to go with RCCL and I have 4 boys 13,12,7, and 5 plus hubby. Which cruise did your family enjoy and why?

used cruisecritic to do research.
Went with RCCL, Mariner (which now moved to LA), western Carrib (grand Cayman, Labadee, Jamaica, Cozumel) out of Port Canaveral, April trip, PERFECT.....booked online for our group, yes, a group! We got 4 rooms and they were in same section of boat (middle) and not together as we wanted balcony, others wanted inside, etc etc....Got wine plan....OH, the memories......
We then called RCCL, who linked our reservations and it was an
AMAZING AWESOME experience.
Swam with Stingrays, went parasailing, canopy trip, snorkeling, shopping, so much fun on board too.....ice skating, gambling, Johnny Rockets, basketball, climbing Wall, Game Room/clubs for kids (by ages), Mini Golf, pools, jog track, Adult Solarium, Rollerblade area and the prominade on the ship was such fun, rows of shops and little themed bars was such fun each night, the parade, the Ice SHow...Goodness, so much to do and see.....and then Labadee (private island) was absolutely the BEST!
Cruisecritic was very helpful with things to do/see that were not thru rccl and thus cost less.....
Like in COzumel we went to a local beach instead of thru RCCL, the absolute best, with water toys and was free, and a waiter brings your food and drinks talk about pampered....10 minute, easy ride by cab and the prices are Right there for you to see, so you are SAFE and comfortable.
It was a "surprise" cruise for my dh (he had no idea I planned and booked it) and he LOVED it as did the rest of us as well (all his siblings joined in) . We're planning another...........what fun!!!
Some MUSTS for us:
Balcony, it is amazing to see when you pull into port and some island just appears in all that water, LOL
Wine plan: No explaining....we all like a glass with dinner each night, great service
Hotel stay before we ship out (from NY) (stayed Raddison resort at port in canaveral, great place and great price, AAA) There is a shuttle into a clse town with shopping and they have a great pool and small shop and restaurant on premise, McD across street and Greek next door...
Also used Hyatt in MCO for a stay (they charge for several hours, have a pool and you get a room to relax/use ) Worth it if you have a late flight back, another great thing.....though Now I'd use Hotwire to book, as it is even cheaper....
Early Dinner, just our routine.
Pay tips ahead of time, so you're not "thinking" about $$ at end of trip.
Hand in passport to get them stamped, they need them 24 hours BEFORE arrival, kid was disappointed when they could not stamp it due to "rules" they have. THAT was maddening....

RCCL was a classy group of guests, very clean, wonderful food choices and restaurants, we were so pampered by everyone and again had a great trip....we're going again. OH and towel animals each night
Have Fun Planning.................