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How to book a cruise without a travel agent?

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Sparkles22

Sparkles22

Brilliant_Rock
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Apr 20, 2006
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Okay so this is the first time we are planning on going on a cruise. But trying to book it is very overwhelming. We want to fly to Hawaii and go on a week cruise and visit all the islands. We would like to go this year preferably in late July or early August (our anniversary is 8/17, so we thought we could do a second honeymoon type thing).

Does anyone have experience booking a cruise? Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks for the help!
 
I would start with a travel site like Travelocity or Expedia that will let you search by your destination and dates, and then check on individual cruise line websites to see if they have special deals booking that way. Looking at Expedia I see that Norwegian Cruise lines has regular departures from Honolulu through July and August, and they hit a bunch of places in Hawaii. The nice thing is that sites like that will let you search for flight info that coordinates with your cruise departure.

One lesson I learned recently: allow more than 3 hours between your flight arrival and your cruise departure! I was on a flight from Oakland to LA that was delayed, and the couple behind us was supposed to go on a cruise leaving that same day. Needless to say, they missed the boat. Poor planning, if you ask me.
 
Date: 2/17/2008 1:32:35 PM
Author: Selkie
I would start with a travel site like Travelocity or Expedia that will let you search by your destination and dates, and then check on individual cruise line websites to see if they have special deals booking that way. Looking at Expedia I see that Norwegian Cruise lines has regular departures from Honolulu through July and August, and they hit a bunch of places in Hawaii. The nice thing is that sites like that will let you search for flight info that coordinates with your cruise departure.

One lesson I learned recently: allow more than 3 hours between your flight arrival and your cruise departure! I was on a flight from Oakland to LA that was delayed, and the couple behind us was supposed to go on a cruise leaving that same day. Needless to say, they missed the boat. Poor planning, if you ask me.
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Thanks! It''s just hard to know where to start. Thank you for your guidence!
 
The first thing that came to mind...was just stow away. ar ar ar...
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You know you really obtain a service with an agent...sometimes it may pay for itself. Why not look into it ...before risking the unknown. Many TA have actually BEEN on that very ship and can tell you what you really want. Just my 2 cents.
 
I always book every holiday myself. Firstly tripadvisor is amazing and I review all my hotels etc through tripadvisor. I second Expedia for searching for different dates and places.
 
Date: 2/17/2008 1:38:30 PM
Author: door knob solitaire
The first thing that came to mind...was just stow away. ar ar ar...
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You know you really obtain a service with an agent...sometimes it may pay for itself. Why not look into it ...before risking the unknown. Many TA have actually BEEN on that very ship and can tell you what you really want. Just my 2 cents.
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Do you know how much they typically charge?
 
I think that''s in the height of peak season for cruises, so you might have some trouble finding your dates with the bigger cruise lines. If you can be flexible with your dates, might be a good idea to search a wider window to see if you can get a better deal or a specific cruise line (if you have a favourite in mind).
 
Date: 2/17/2008 1:40:29 PM
Author: bee*
I always book every holiday myself. Firstly tripadvisor is amazing and I review all my hotels etc through tripadvisor. I second Expedia for searching for different dates and places.
Click to expand...

So do I...I''ve never used a travel agent myself, I just obsessively research stuff on my own.
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Sparkles, it sounds like a fun trip. My friend has spent a lot of time in Kona and Hilo, and absolutely loves them as alternatives to the super touristy areas.
 
Date: 2/17/2008 1:47:40 PM
Author: Selkie
Date: 2/17/2008 1:40:29 PM

Author: bee*

I always book every holiday myself. Firstly tripadvisor is amazing and I review all my hotels etc through tripadvisor. I second Expedia for searching for different dates and places.
Click to expand...


So do I...I''ve never used a travel agent myself, I just obsessively research stuff on my own.
9.gif
Click to expand...

For me, it''s half the fun of going away! Although I do get very obsessive with the planning
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Date: 2/17/2008 1:47:37 PM
Author: gwendolyn
I think that''s in the height of peak season for cruises, so you might have some trouble finding your dates with the bigger cruise lines. If you can be flexible with your dates, might be a good idea to search a wider window to see if you can get a better deal or a specific cruise line (if you have a favourite in mind).
Click to expand...
Eek!
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I didn''t know that or I would have started looking sooner, guess I better get on it!
 
Date: 2/17/2008 1:47:40 PM
Author: Selkie

Date: 2/17/2008 1:40:29 PM
Author: bee*
I always book every holiday myself. Firstly tripadvisor is amazing and I review all my hotels etc through tripadvisor. I second Expedia for searching for different dates and places.
Click to expand...

So do I...I''ve never used a travel agent myself, I just obsessively research stuff on my own.
9.gif


Sparkles, it sounds like a fun trip. My friend has spent a lot of time in Kona and Hilo, and absolutely loves them as alternatives to the super touristy areas.
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We like the quiet island life too. We aren''t big nightclubers or parties. Just like to relax and look at waterfalls, go snorkling, etc!
 
We have used Orbitz.com in the past and have booked directly with the cruise lines through their respective websites. We tend to use frequent flyer miles for flights or buy airfare direct through the airlines website.

Have fun on your trip!
 
Does anyone know the name of the cruise lines that go around Hawaii (and stop at each island for a day)??
 
Date: 2/17/2008 2:41:48 PM
Author: Sparkles22
Does anyone know the name of the cruise lines that go around Hawaii (and stop at each island for a day)??
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I think several of the cruise lines offer Hawaii as a destination.

If you go to one of the consolidated websites like www.orbitz.com and search under the cruise area, you can choose the destination and month of travel and all the cruise lines will show up with dates and prices reflected for that destination, that still have cabins available. I''m sure others like travelocity, etc. have that same sort of feature.
 
I also wanted to add, that my favorite website for searching airfares is www.sidestep.com in case you want to compare airfare.
 
http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/area.cfm?area=11

maybe this will help. I used this site years ago for information.
 
sparkles,

Try Cruisecheap.com. We did that same cruise same time of year in 06. Nice cruise and if you book the flight thru here as well, the boat must wait for you even if yu are late.
 
You can book any cruise directly with the cruise line and if they lower their price you then get a lower rate also.You have to keep track of their prices in case it goes lower.No travel agent can match it..
 
You guys are awesome! You''re my fountion of knowledge!! Thank you!!
 
I called the cruise line (or, um, well, my Mom did :) ). It was easy, they were helpful, and it was completed in a matter of minutes....
 
The cruises I''ve been on have been booked through a site like Orbitz or Expedia. I always go to the departure city the day/night before and stay over. Then I don''t have to worry about missing the ship the next day. I went on a cruise in December that left from San Juan, PR, and FI and I spent the night before at a hotel in Old San Juan. We got there at about 2 in the afternoon and explored the city. Then the next day we got up and did some more sight-seeing. We leisurely boarded the boat later in the day. I think this is the most stress free way to cruise, and worth the extra $100-$200 for the hotel the night before.
 
www.ecruises.com
If you are an AA (American Airlines) member and get miles you can go to AA.com and book cruises there as well. Plus, you get double the miles and some "coupon books." The prices are actually competitive.
I''ve been reseraching for myself also!
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I believe Norweigan is the only ship that sails to Hawaii via US ports. If you use Royal Carribbean I think you have to port in Canada or Mexico.

Have fun! I''m jealous!
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I think Tripadvisor is great. Its also a good idea to just call and talk to the cruise lines directly. You can ask them questions about their itineraries, ships, etc. And you can get pricing form them.

You can also talk to a travel agent and get their pricing as well.

another source of info is a bookstore. there are loads of books about crusing hawaii and they can help you narrow down your search.

Once you know the cruiseline, itinerary and dates, a great place to go is www.crusiecompete.com agents bid for your business and you are under no obligation to buy anything. they offer discounts, upgrades, on board $ to spend, etc. Its a great way yo compare apples to apples.

GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!
 
If you book through Costco you get free insurance ($150 value or something). For just in case moments!
 
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