Showing posts with label Revealed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Revealed. Show all posts

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Top Cruise Secrets Revealed

There are more than 200 cruise ships that you can choose from today. But the one thing that they all have in common is that a little advance planning and "insider" knowledge can help you save time and money on your next cruise. Here are the "top ten tips":

1. Maximum flexibility = Maximum savings. Most travelers have some flexibility in their travel dates, especially if planning ahead of time. Let your cruise specialist know that you can consider alternate departure dates that may have lower rates available. Keep in mind cruise lines will offer better prices and perks on sailings that are not nearing capacity.

Tip: Shoulder or off peak sailings offer the deepest price cuts. For example, the departure right after the New Year cruise might be substantially lower.

2. Ask if guarantees are available. This requires that you have a little gambling spirit. Many cruise lines will offer a rate on a particular cabin category instead of an actual stateroom number and in effect guarantee that rate to you. Then the cruise line has the option of assigning you a stateroom in either that category or better.

Sometimes you win and end up in a cabin several grades higher and sometimes you end up in exactly the category you were guaranteed. Remember, there is both an upside and downside to this program.

Tip: Completely understand the process before booking a guarantee.

3.Upgrade programs. Often, your cruise specialist may offer a cruise line upgrade program. This means that you book and pay for category 'B' and will be moved to a higher category 'A'. Again, there is an element of risk here. The fact that a stateroom may be in a higher category does not always mean it will be a more desirable cabin. For example, you might be in a nice mid ship balcony stateroom on Deck C and get an upgrade to a balcony stateroom on Deck A.

While your new assignment may be the same size and have identical amenities you might end up in a less desirable location such as near an elevator or at the extreme end of the ship. And there are outside cabins that have views partially blocked by lifeboats or other equipment. On the other hand there are many instances of guests being upgraded several categories to wonderful staterooms.

Tip: Advise your cruise specialist that you will consider upgrades offered but you want to have final say on any changes before they happen.

4.Special Fare Eligibility - One of the reasons that savvy cruisers find a knowledgeable cruise specialist and stick with them is the fact that there are many special fare programs that may or not be visible to cruisers doing casual research on the web. These include things like regional fares that are made available to residents of selected states.

Caution: If you are offered a regional fare and you don't live in that area and can not prove residency, don't do it. Cruise lines have the right to check your eligibility on sailing day and charge for the difference before you board. It does happen. Some of the other special fares being promoted today include active duty and retired military fares, union member fares, police and public safety discounts, airline or hospitality rates and more.

Tip: If your cruise partner is a member of any of the these groups, the discounts usually apply to everyone traveling in the same stateroom.

5. Past Passenger Specials - Virtually every major cruise line has a loyalty club for its members with different levels and benefits. Joining is free and entitles you to special perks and discounts when you book on that line. For many commonly owned cruise lines such as Carnival Corporation, the offers extend across all the brands such as Carnival, Princess, Holland America etc. Ditto for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

Tip: Many cruise lines started operation before computers become common and can not easily retrieve date for cruises you may have taken several years ago. However, if you send a letter to the cruise line listing the ships and cruises you have been on, most will take your word and credit you with those unrecorded sailings. This might have the effect of moving you from Gold to Platinum level and significantly improve the benefits.

6. Check for Group Rates: Many cruise agencies hold what is known as block space on ships. That means that they have reserved space at group rates, which can be up to 20% lower than individual rates. Many agencies that reserve space for groups hold aside several cabins for individual clients who might be able to depart on this date.

While you may be traveling as a group, your cruise experience will be as an individual traveler. The downside might be that your dining time or section is affected by the group program. The upside is that you might benefit from some group amenties such as an onboard credit, free shore excursion etc.

Tip: If your cruise specialist offers group rates, understand the features, benefits and limitations completely before you book. From the cruise line perspective you are a member of the group and fall under the policies and procedures for groups.

7. On board re-booking. Most cruise lines now allow you to book your next cruise with that line while on board. They may have what is known as an on board sales consultant or even a desk. This is usually a great opportunity to save. Generally, the cruise line will throw in some strong perks to retain your loyalty to their brand. Onboard credits on the future cruise can be quite substantial. Upgrades and other benefits are usually significant.

Tip: Many cruise lines realize that you may not be sure when and where you want to cruise while on your current voyage. Not to worry, because most have a program where you can book on board with the flexibility to change to other sailings and ships via your cruise specialist when you get home and keep all the benefits. This is a truly a win win for you!

8.Seek out Value Adds. Over the past few years, cruise lines have instituted something known in the trade as The Level Playing Field. This was instituted to attempt to control the rampant rebating and discounting that occurred in the post September 11 travel slump. Basically, now the cruise lines have been partially successful in putting the genie back in the bottle by requiring cruise agents to all use the same pricing feeds.

Because cruise agents do not purchase and re-sell the cruises but are paid a commission, the cruise lines themselves totally control published rates. One of the unintended side effects of Level Playing Field pricing is that the cruise lines had to find a way to promote challenged sailing dates. And they did this by creating Value Added features. They can include benefits ranging from dollars off certificates, on-board credits, pre-paid gratuities, free spa treatments, specialty dining experiences, casino credits to a free bathrobe or camera.

Tip: Ask your cruise specialist to seek out sailings that offer value adds. They can significantly impact your bottom line.

9.Arrange your own airline tickets. If you need to fly in to your embarkation port most cruise lines have flight programs known as Air/Sea arrangements. The good news is that includes the flights and often meet and greet and transfers. The bad news is that in order to publish these add-ons the cruise lines have negotiated the fares far in advance and try to set the rates on a cost average basis.

To you, it generally means that these add-ons may be up to 50% higher than the fares you can get by arranging the flights yourself. The one exception to this in many cases are Europe cruises where many lines maintain bulk contract fares. So it is always a good idea to comparison shop. Most lines allow you to purchase just the transfer package so you are able to create your own air/sea package at significant savings. And of course if you have several thousand airline miles collecting dust, this might be a good time to try to use them.

Tip: If you are arranging your own flights, make sure to allow plenty of time for flight delays etc. Savvy cruisers will often invest in a pre-cruise hotel the night before the cruise so that they can avoid the stress caused by late arriving flights. Remember, if the airline leaves you on the tarmac for 7 hours and you miss the ship, that voucher for a free flight will not seem very appealing. And unfortunately, the airline will not compensate you nor will the cruise line refund your money as you are counted as a no show.

10. Travel Insurance: What is the one thing you must bring on your cruise that you hope never to use? Trip Insurance! As you can see in #9 above things can and do go wrong. An affordable comprehensive trip insurance policy can cover many of these contingencies including, lost baggage, trip interruption, medical evacuation and more.

Your cruise specialist can explain the various programs available as there are several. Mark sure you understand fully the coverage and limitation before accepting coverage and keep in mind that you can not get coverage retroactively. It is a small, but absolutely vital part of your vacation expenditures. Keep in mind very few medical insurance polices cover you while out of the country and basic homeowner policies often do not compensate for lost luggage or other events. Just as in land based trips, the carriers responsibility to you is extremely limited by their contract and should a medical emergency arise on board or ashore you are responsible for all expenses incurred.

Tip: Cancellation coverage is very specific. Understand what is covered and not covered. You can not decide not to go at the last minute without incurring substantial cancellation charges. And if you have any pre-existing health issues, this may or may not be a covered event. That is why it is important to actually read the coverage.

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Friday, February 25, 2011

Flight ticket booking Secrets Revealed

Recently, the ease in the procedures involved in booking air tickets, more and more people are willing to fly through the air. In addition, the increased amount of players in this sector, which has led to a sharp drop in flight prices. Today in this hectic world, the one who is able to save time and money could run the winner in the long run. This is one of the most important people prefer to give the maximumPreference of aviation travel over other modes of transport.

Many people prefer to book air travel for the simple reason that they do not know the process of the ticket. They assume that this is a difficult process and would become the regular train or bus travel to be contained. It would be a simple process and should not someone with a speech.

The emergence of the network, our life easierYou can do almost everything to do with him. Each airline has its own website where there are the times of flights and fares available for the special date.

These sites also offer membership to people and a fast lap in its member countries and to keep the news regarding the prices of flights or on flights. They also offer low-cost flights. About this site may make one Quick Comparison of costs and benefits are numerous airlines. One can also enjoy an advantage of a number of auction sites, the reference is to data with discounted costs and time of year, including a travel plan can only be up this means of assessment to support the men and women looking for their business area in the budget.

Compare offers a variety of airlines, choose the cheapest flight and comfortable. To book your ticket for the> Airline Web site, providing data and pay for the credit score or debt or internet banking.

If you want to take advantage of additional discounts offered and then book your ticket through a travel portal will be much more beneficial. You will find the cheapest flights to Delhi, Mumbai at lower prices significantly. These portals of travel supplies at very low cost in the market. That provide most of theirOffer of new income, etc.

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Secrets revealed at low cost


The old saying "time is money" certainly applies to the challenging task, cheaper air tickets. The person who deliberately sets aside time to study with all the ads from the air transport sector is a good chance to identify some low cost flights . He or she may also be able to find an airline special promotion, perhaps by a new offer.

The insistence on a flight last minute ever helped someone discover something > Cheap flight tickets. Passengers who really want to enjoy the low cost rates to remain flexible about the time of their departure. Often they want to leave on a weekday rather than weekends.

Recent reports indicate that passengers now have to spend more time on the computer. In the past, they could expect to find on the spot rates for all carriers by visiting a single find. This is no longer the case. Today, if you want more flights> Plane tickets from American Airlines, you must include these steps so that society. This change could prompt other companies to stop providing for travel websites with information on their flights.

Another good trick is selecting a destination. Today, almost every city has an airport. Sometimes a family vacation is possible for airline tickets flights to land on another terminal, but not to the point where they intend toto visit. For example, a family planning to visit Atlantic City Airport can enjoy some cheap flights from landing in Philadelphia.

From there you could go and take a taxi to the train station to the popular Oceanside. If, before the date for which they had booked a room in a hotel in Atlantic City was to come, then you could use the extra time to see some of the sights of the city of brotherly love.

This approach would allow the creation ofan itinerary of trip more interesting. It would be both historic sites and some of the hottest spots. Children look forward touch of glamor and their teachers who praise the advanced knowledge of the history behind the present government of the United States.

A well-planned trip or vacation can be exciting if you know how to find airline tickets cheap. This allows you the opportunity to have more fun-filledTime during the trip or a vacation with additional savings.

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Monday, August 23, 2010

Low cost airline tickets - The Scoop on how Rock Bottom Prices on Airline Travel Revealed!

low cost airline tickets can be hard to find that people do not really know what they are looking for. Fortunately for you are traveling shares three secrets that I use on a routine airline to get to rock bottom prices. These tips work for all, and almost every class in an aircraft, airlines, enjoy!

Before the first thing I like to travel to get the best deal for air transport is possible to see at what timeFlights are leaving for my destination. Sometimes you may be lucky and airlines now plan a delayed flight or odd. If this happens, you should embrace, because many people do not want to fly this late jump.

According Another tip for finding the cheapest airline tickets directly from airlines. I can not say how many times I heard that you are wasting your time and money, thisbecause in my experience is quite the opposite. The airlines how to help their loyal customers, but often do not even want to spend a lot of money on advertising. The real experts know that you can call the airlines directly and get special offers when you call after midnight today when the systems were just on.

The third and last method more powerful is to know someone inside. By this I mean that if you know a former employee or airline going then chancesthey can tell you how to get the best deal possible that no one else is known. This is what I did, and I regularly save hundreds of dollars every time I travel.

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Monday, June 14, 2010

Cheap Airline Tickets - The Scoop on Getting Rock Bottom Pricing on Airline Travel Revealed!

Cheap airline tickets can be hard to come by for people that do not really know what they are looking for. Fortunately for you I am going to share 3 of the secrets that I use on a routine basis to get rock bottom pricing on airline travel. These tips will work for any airline and almost any class on the plane, so enjoy!

1. The first thing that I like to do in order to get the best deals possible on airline travel is to see what times flights are leaving for my destination. Sometimes you can get lucky and the airlines will schedule a flight at a late or odd hour. When this happens you should jump on the opportunity because many people do not want to fly this late.

2. Another tip when looking for cheap airline tickets is to contact the airlines directly. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people say that you are wasting your time and money by doing this, because in my experience it is quite the contrary. The airlines like to help their loyal customers, but often times do not want to spend a lot of money advertising. The real experts know that you can call the airlines directly and get great deals, if you call after midnight when the systems have just been updated.

3. The last and most powerful method is to know someone on the inside. By this I mean that if you know a former or current airline employee then chances are they can tell you how to get the best deals possible that no one else knows about. This is what I did, and I routinely save hundreds of dollars each time I travel.

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