Pricing a cruise

[teller80]

Is Expedia a good starting point to price a cruise? Should I assume I'll pay close to that price? I'd like to do an Alaskan cruise but I don't know where to start. Thank you!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

If you don't know the line you would like to use, I like to start my search with cruises only.com to narrow it down then go from there. A lot of times you will get a better deal if you book through the cruise line directly. If you are interested in Disney, I suggest dreams unlimited. They have great OBC.

 

[Vijoge]

I usually begin my search with vacationstogo.com and then compare their price to the cruise line's price. I do go with whichever one will give me the best deal Sometimes it's the cruise line but usually not.

 

[klbrow11]

Check out the cruise boards on the board there is one for disney and royal carribean. I'm sure loads of people over there can help out. I think most people like going through an agent because they can get some onboard credit.

 

[tvguy]

cruise.com is a good website too.
You have the destination picked, next you need to look at itineraries and departure port that you like best.
Then look at what each line offers and price. All the ships have some sort of kids club now. Do you want that or need it? Since Alaskan cruises are generally just summer, there will be kids on every cruise on every line.
I've done 2 Alaskan cruises, 10 years apart, both on HAL out of Seattle. Since they have been doing Alaska for longer than anyone they have a slight edge in permits to get into places and docking locations.

 

[Vijoge]

Is Expedia a good starting point to price a cruise? Should I assume I'll pay close to that price? I'd like to do an Alaskan cruise but I don't know where to start. Thank you!

Are you planning a cruise only or a land/cruise vacation?

 

[Darcy03231]

I've found I get the best price using www.cruisecompete.Com after I've decided on which one I want to take.

 

[WiscMomof2]

I've found Expedia to advertise the same prices that the cruise websites do so I often use them to do initial research on itineraries/price. As others have mentioned, a TA will often give on board credits for booking with them which is a cost savings.

 

[teller80]

Are you planning a cruise only or a land/cruise vacation?

Just the cruise. I would love love love to do both, but my husband started a new job this year and has limited vacation time. I actually briefly thought of staying on without him lol.

 

[Bree]

I'd narrow it down to the line you want to sail first. Only issue with booking with 3rd parties is that they are considered travel agents and any changes and payments have to go through them. Their policies regarding changes or cancellations can vary too. Read, read, read the fine print! I've sailed twice on Disney and a bazillion times on Royal Caribbean. I use a Dreams Unlimited (the owners of Disboards) for Disney and will start using them for Royal Caribbean on my next booking.

 

[Vijoge]

I think Alaska is where Princess really shines. Holland America also does a good job there but has a much older clientele. Norwegian usually has some pretty good prices.

Of course, costs vary a lot depending on the dates you select. Early and late season are priced much more competitively than the peak of summer but the weather is also cooler and/or wetter then.

Then there is the round trip cruise from (usually) either Seattle or Vancouver. Or a one way cruise in either direction with a flight to or from Anchorage.

And keep in mind you will need a passport for any Canadian ports you may be visiting.

 

[ctinct]

If you are a member of a warehouse club, check them out, too. Just have some idea of where you'd like your cabin. I booked an NCL cruise out of New York and was able to get the cabin I wanted, but I was looking at a Holland America cruise for next year, and all the cabins they are offering on the deck I prefer are too far forward or aft. If I decide to book it, I will pay the extra $100 or so and book elsewhere to get the cabin I want.

I also strongly recommend booking a cruise that includes Glacier Bay. Only certain ships have permits to cruise there. Recently a cruise line lost their permit to cruise there due to environmental violations. I think it may have been HAL, but I'm not sure, and I don't know when the suspension starts, so double check on that. Glacier Bay is spectacular!

 

[Vijoge]

If you are a member of a warehouse club, check them out, too. Just have some idea of where you'd like your cabin. I booked an NCL cruise out of New York and was able to get the cabin I wanted, but I was looking at a Holland America cruise for next year, and all the cabins they are offering on the deck I prefer are too far forward or aft. If I decide to book it, I will pay the extra $100 or so and book elsewhere to get the cabin I want.

I also strongly recommend booking a cruise that includes Glacier Bay. Only certain ships have permits to cruise there. Recently a cruise line lost their permit to cruise there due to environmental violations. I think it may have been HAL, but I'm not sure, and I don't know when the suspension starts, so double check on that. Glacier Bay is spectacular!

Holland America, Princess, Carnival, Norwegian, and Seabourn are all sailing Glacier Bay in 2017. Nothing listed for Royal Caribbean.