some relaxing, adult vacation time. • Traveling on a budget? Here are some things to consider.
o Once you choose a line, take a look at the age of the ship. Brand new ships are likely to have a higher price tag than their older counterparts. With the way cruise lines upgrade their vessels on an ongoing basis, even a five- year-old ship will have amazing amenities. o Cruise lines see a bump in family bookings during summer and school holidays, so if you can swing it, try to cruise in the off-season: there are substantial savings on offer when demand is lower. “Wave Season” runs from the first of January until the end of March, and often has the best pricing of the year. o Use an agent. This is a big one that some people overlook in our technology-driven age. There’s nothing wrong with doing your own online shopping and comparisons. But before you book, contact a travel agent and see what a difference they can make. They know when and where to look for the best deals, and they’re privy to perks and specials that aren’t available to the general public. Remember: a travel agent, especially one who specializes in cruises, knows the industry inside and out in a way that the rest of us probably never will. Please remember to always confirm all this information with your travel agent when you book your cruise, as cruise line policies can change suddenly and without notice. We hope you’ve found the information included in this guide helpful in making an informed choice about your next family cruise vacation! If you have questions about any of these programs, please email Renee@AllThingsCruise.com. If you would like help booking the cruise that best matches your budget and needs, please visit CruiseCompete.com. Chapter XXIII About CruiseCompete CruiseCompete has been the premier online cruise marketplace since 2003 (see media praises). Consumers come to CruiseCompete to research and book cruise vacations and have received almost 15 million quotes since 2003. They can compare offers from trusted travel agents, see consumer reviews of agents and agencies responding, then contact travel agents directly for more information and to book cruises. CruiseCompete is a member of the Family Travel Association, the leading authority and resource for family travel information and is home to the Family Friendly Cruise Travel Planner at Travel Resources. CruiseCompete CruiseTrends™ offers monthly stats for an inside look at consumer trends and what consumers want in cruise vacations. CruiseCompete takes top honors in Travel + Leisure’s “Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers” with an honorable mention. The Wall Street Journal praised CruiseCompete as “Best Cruise Travel Site,” The New York Times says, “… independent travel agents compete to offer you the best deal,” and follows similar praise from Travel + Leisure, Kiplinger and The Washington Post. The Street says, “Score luxury cruises at bargain prices.” For more information, please visit http://www.cruisecompete.com/ or http://www.cruisecompete.com/group_cruises/ CruiseCompete is an Iowa limited liability company and is not a travel agency nor owned by a travel agency. CruiseCompete – Find us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Our Blog! Media Contact Heidi M. Allison
Shane and Shane, Inc. +1-248-651-4491 office +1-248-935-3224 mobile Heidi@ShaneandShaneInc.com
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