Cruising- What you get

December 2018 my family will be aboard the Norwegian Getaway Western Caribbean cruise. The cruise starts and end in Miami with ports in Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel.I do hold group space on this cruise and it is not too late to join us. Final payments are due by September and you can chose from 2 perks to cruise.

NCl Getaway (photo courtesy of NCL.com)

When planning a cruise there are many things to consider and take into consideration. There are different levels of "all inclusiveness". Norwegian, Royal and Carnival are less inclusive. While some of the more moderate lines are more inclusive such as Azamara, Celebrity and Cunard and then you have the more expensive lines that are even more inclusive such as Oceania and Seabourn just to name a few.

What I mean by this having sailed Norwegian and Royal you can eat at any buffet or main dining room no problem it is included in the cost of the cruise. However both lines offer specialty restaurants, at these restaurants you pay a fee to eat at them. Now you can also buy dining packages or sometimes you can get them included as part of your cruise offer. Same thing applies to drinks everyone can help themselves to juice, water, milk and coffee it is included in your cruise price. Pop, specialty coffees,  smoothies, fresh juice, beer, wine and specialty drinks these are all extra. Again both lines have different levels of drink packages that you can order or sometimes you can get drink packages included as a bonus offer.

Gratuities are expected on a cruise you are expected to pay a certain amount per day per passenger, These are not included in your cruise price and are charged to your account when you board in USD. You can however prepay them. Drink and drink package also have an 18% gratuity attached. You can also chose to pay more directly to your cabin attendant or your servers in the dining room.

Excursions are another option that is not included in your cruise price. First and foremost just because the ship stops in a port does not mean you have to get off. If you want to stay on the ship you can. If you want to get off you can get off. In your daily newsletter you will know what time you can get off the ship and what time you have to be back on at. So this means you have options.

Option # 1 is book an excursion with the cruise line. They will offer many choices for each port with a different range in price, duration and activity level. These excursions come with a guarantee they will get you back to the ship in time or they will get you to the next port of call. Cruise ships can not wait long for late passengers as they receive rather hefty fines/charges if they do not leave a port on time.

Option # 2 you get off the ship hire a taxi and go where you wish. You can research in advance what you would like to see or do. You may even take a train, bust etc,, The problem with this is of course making sure you get back on time and don't get stranded or lost.

Option # 3 is nook an excursion but not through the cruise line. This option will also have many options available to chose from. You can get off the ship and there will be many locals ready and willing to set you up with many tour options. Many of the same tours the ship offers. Keeping in mind you can often barter with price this way. Also you are still the one who ultimately has to make sure you get back to the ship on time. Another option is using your travel agent to book something for you. There are companies that specialize in shore excursions and who even offer the same guarantees the cruise ship supplier offer. Some of them even have advantages of private groups which the ships can not usually offer. On one of my excursions on the Mediterranean sent out 6 buses of at least 40-50 people on the same tour. Now think if another ship or two docks the same day you do and also offers the excursion they are busy. You also have options with some travel suppliers that have day trips which again are perfect for a cruiser and sometimes offering better pricing
Travel agents all offer the same pricing. If Deck C cabin 2 is $500 with Royal direct it is $500 with me the travel agent. If they are offering perks to book that cabin the travel agent will have the same perks. The only real time pricing would be different is if an agent has group space booked and did so relatively early their pricing and incentives could better otherwise we are all the same.
By booking with a travel agent you are getting an added value in the service that is provided.We can explain all the little extras I have just touched on in this blog that you may or may not stumble upon on your own. So hopefully you will not have sticker shock when all the extra's get added. We can help you with pre booking things so that everything is taken care of and runs smoothly. Most cruises start in a port and return to the same port at the end of the sailing, but there are some who do not. Do you know how many people who get stranded at the end of a cruise they booked themselves because they missed that detail, These are the things that can turn a pleasant vacation into a nightmare. So honestly what does it cost you to go to a small business owner a reputable travel agent and let them help you make your dream vacation come true.

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto I am a home based travel agent and I live in South Dundas and can service clients anywhere in Canada but I meet with clients in the SDG area