Can You Trust Cruise Reviews

Cruise Chatter

There was recently a rather large dust up when it was disclosed that a major cruise line had given away some free cruises to a core group of its fans who posted regularly on a large cruise community site.  There were many cries of “foul” and “reverse censorship”.  While this may have been blown a bit out of proportion, it does open the door to a question lots of novice cruisers ask.  And the question is “Should I trust the reviews I read on sites like Cruise Critic?”  The answer is Yes and No.

Why the ambiguity?  Because the most important thing to remember that what you are reading is just one person (or couple’s) opinion about a particular ship, cruise line or service amenity.  Have you ever gone to a shore side restaurant that a friend raves about and found it to be very disappointing?  I think we all have.  And what about that fabulous plumber who was recommended strongly?  The one who broke the pipe and flooded your new carpet?  Oops.

So, it is best to consider these reviews with a grain of salt.  They are good for general trends and recommendations and certainly provide some insider tips.  Generally, if there are a large number of reviews and all or most of them are negative on a topic, there is likely to be some underlying cause.  Then again, there is a certain group of people that would complain if they got a million dollars in cash that it was in old bills and not crisp new ones.  Go figure.

The fact that 80% of all people who cruise indicate they will sail again points out that if you work with a knowledgeable cruise agent and he or she matches your needs with the most suitable ship, it is almost inevitable that you will have a great vacation.

Too Many Sites Makes for Poor Eyes

Another “cutting edge” travel website was just announced.  It leads to the question of “how many websites does a person need to visit to get information about travel offers?”   Since we focus on the cruise business, let’s take a look at this particular segment to see if we can shed some light on the question.

The first thing to understand when you let your fingers do the shopping online is that virtually all cruise travel sites develop their prices from the same “feed”.   For the digitally challenged, this just means that the cruise lines deliver pricing from their central computer. This means for all practical purposes, cruise travel sites offer up the same rates. 

 One great myth is that the cruise lines who sell directly to the public (mostly the mass market lines) have special, direct rates different from a cruise agent.  Wrong, my fellow cruisers!  In fact, an independent cruise agent can often find you rates lower than the cruise line.  We will give you some hot tips.  But, first,we have to get this off our chest. 

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU ONLY SHOP DIRECTLY WITH A CRUISE LINE????  First of all, that cruise line employee is paid to get your booking as fast as possible and move on to the next sale.  And, heaven forbid, maybe instead of cruise line ABC you really belong on cruise line XYZ, what is the chance that the cruise line agent will say “Oh you really belong on cruise line XYZ and not us”.   Your local cruise agent invests time and interest in YOU and has a goal of creating repeat business.   Where, When,  and How you cruise is very important to your specialist.

Now onto those hot tips.  Your local cruise agent not only views the pricing feeds from the cruise lines, but also may have access to what is known as group rates.  Also, there are often unadvertised specials that are made available from time to time that might include special benefits such as upgrades, onboard credits, spa treatments, complimentary alternate dining.   Your agent can also check for regional promotions, senior and public safety discounts, past passenger specials and lots more.

Get the picture?  Maybe instead of surfing a dozen web sites and seeing the same information over and over put a local cruise agent to work for you.  They don’t charge for their basic services and often find these hidden lower rates.  Let them play detective for you!

Truth or Myth?

 

What do the “Abominable Snowman”, the “Loch Ness Monster” and “Booking Cruises Directly with the Cruise Line is Cheaper” all have in common?  Answer: They are all myths.  While we may not be experts on the first two subjects, at Cruise Planners we can certainly shed some light about direct booking myths.

 

First of all, let’s face it, a sales representative at a cruise line gets paid to sell only their company whether it’s the right product for you or not.  They will never recommend the competition.  That should be enough right there to make you stop and think.  But wait, there’s more!  Special prices?  At Cruise Planners we see the same rates on the computer as the cruise line sales representative.  But more importantly, in addition, we have access to unique rates such as exclusive group fares, regional specials, and other special rate programs.

 

The most important part of planning a cruise is not getting the lowest price.  The real goal should be to get the right cruise for your personal needs at the best price available.   At Cruise Planners there is no charge for our basic services as we are compensated by the cruise lines for providing personal service to you.  It’s the best deal in town.  While we can’t help with sightings of the Snowman or Lochie we can plan the cruise vacation of lifetime for you. 

 

Cruisng the Hawaiian Islands

Napali Coast

Diamond Head

Marvelous Maui

Experiencing the Hawaiian Islands by cruise ship is the way to go!  We sailed a 7 night itinerary on the Pride of America.  The beauty of Hawaii is beyond description and is truly a destination ideal for cruising. Pictures cannot do these islands justice….seeing is believing.

Here are a few pointers and highlights…..

Always arrive at least 2 days early (particularly from the east coast).  You will need to adjust to the time change and you shouldn’t miss the beautiful island of Oahu.  Do not miss Pearl Harbor and the North Shore.

Do your homework and plan your days so that you can pace yourself . Do not try to do too much in too little time.  Stop to “smell the roses” but in Hawaii, it’s more likely to be Orchids.  The flowers are abundant and tantalizing.

Gas is very expensive in Hawaii so if you rent a car, be leery of free upgrades to an SUV.  It could cost you a pretty penny in extra gas.

In Kauai, the helicopter tour is an absolute must. The Napali coast is spectacular and though you will sail by it, seeing  it from above will take your breath away.

Arguably, the best and most authentic luau is the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui.

This is a great destination for families but extremely popular for honeymoon couples as well.

Pack light and casual…..no need to dress up on this itinerary.

On your cruise you will pack and unpack  once and get to all the islands without the hassles of island hopping and dealing with the airlines and airport hassles. You will overnight in both Maui and Kauai and get to both Hilo and Kona on the big island. 

The word “shacka” means chill out or no problem.

Hawaii is truly paradise. It’s nearly perfect weather and beautiful sand beaches along with the multitude of activities, attractions and culture it offers will allow you to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. The spirit of Aloha awaits you.

Cruise for Free, Seriously!

 

 

Would you like to cruise for free? Plan a group cruise with the Cruise Chick and you’ll be able to take advantage of the special amenities and discounts offered to our group leaders.

 

The Cruise Chick usually receives free space every time she books groups of 8 cabins or more. Cruise lines love groups and so does the Cruise Chick.

 

Cruising with family, friends and social groups is not just fun…it leads to substantial savings. Think of all the people you know who would love to cruise! Get them organized and then enjoy the fruits of your labor while you are cruising for free. Your group will enjoy the vacation of a lifetime and you’ll be a hero.

Honeymoon Cruise Tips

 

Planning your honeymoon cruise should be exciting and fun and should give your marriage the perfect start! To help you begin the planning process, here are some Cruise Chick tips:

 

• - Before Planning Anything, call a certified Elite Cruise Counselor since he or she will have the right expertise to help you get started and save you time, money and energy.
• - Plan Ahead. Make your reservations at least 6 months ahead if possible. This allows you to get early booking discounts, and get the type of room that you want and the best flight times.
• - Budget. Splurge but don’t overburden yourself. This is a trip you’ll remember the rest of your life. You’ll always remember the honeymoon, but you’ll forget how much you spent. All-inclusive resorts and cruises make your budgeting much easier, because these packages include practically everything.
• - Consider Activities you’re interested in: beach bumming, golf, snorkeling, nightlife, breakfast in bed, bicycling, scuba, exploring ancient ruins, gambling, etc. This will help decide what type of cruise and itinerary is right for you.
• - Check Your Calendar. How long do you want to be gone? If you can only be gone for a few nights, look for a cruise closeby. If you’re planning for one week, try to limit your transportation time. If you have a few weeks, the whole world opens up.
• - Food. Dining is always near the top of the list for vacationers, especially honeymooners. Make sure you’ll be able to have pleasurable dining experiences.  Some cruise lines are known for their world-class food and some, well, are better known for other things but certainly not their cuisine. A cruise travel expert can give you more insight into which line is right for you if you’re looking for delicious food.
• - Surprise or Not to Surprise. Planning a surprise honeymoon is very risky. Use extreme caution. Make sure you know it will be a pleasant surprise, or the surprise might be on you.
• - Friends and Family are great resources for honeymoon ideas.
• - Photographs. Force yourself to take as many pictures as you can stand. You’ll be happy you did.
• - Plan to Relax. Especially on the first day. Unwind. Smell the roses. Enjoy each other. Weddings tend to be stressful. The honeymoon should be stress free.
• - Accommodations. Book the best room that you can afford, you won’t regret it. We do prefer to put you in the best room possible within your budget, even if we have to put you in a room without an ocean view. The cruise lines, however, are always telling us about how many clients try to upgrade once they arrive and see the ocean view rooms.
• - Packing. Always put some of her clothes in his bag, and put some of his clothes in her bag, just as a precaution. Never pack valuables such as jewelry and cameras. Pack a carry on bag with valuables, prescriptions, suntan lotion, swimwear, travel documents, and sunglasses, just in case you have to wait for your room.