CP: The best advice for first-time cruisers is to use a travel agent - a travel agent can find the b

Saving is important, but so is having the trip of a lifetime. Cruise Planners is an American Express Travel representative and the nation s largest network of home-based travel agents. We spoke with CEO and co-founder Michelle Fee and COO and co-owner Vicky Garcia in advance red roof inn hotel listings of our upcoming chat this Wednesday, to tap their expertise about finding and booking the best possible cruise for you.
Want to know more? Tune in to Cruise Critic Live! Finding the Best Cruise Value on February 18 at 2 p.m. ET to pick the brains red roof inn hotel listings of Michelle, Vicky and the Cruise Critic editors during an hour-long live chat. You can post your own questions now .
Cruise Planners : Wave season – from January through April – is a great time to book your next cruise! This wave season, we have seen a lot of great offers, which are more inclusive and add value for travelers.
CP: If you are traveling with a group, or a family, or want a specific stateroom – don t wait – now is the best time to book your new stateroom. Booking as soon as you know you want to travel will allow you to lock in the rate and claim your stateroom, with connecting rooms, certain location or your desired view.
CP: European river cruising will continue to blossom as more travelers want to experience red roof inn hotel listings an authentic red roof inn hotel listings Europe red roof inn hotel listings while only unpacking once – the smaller river cruise ships allow travelers to get close to the city centers in Europe. However, the cruise lines continue to focus on U.S. travelers since that remains the biggest market to date with year-round sailings to the Caribbean, red roof inn hotel listings seasonal sailings to Alaska and homeports on the east coast, the west coast and the Gulf of Mexico, which make it a desirable market.
CP: We recommend booking at least six to nine months out – and you should add more time if you want a specific stateroom, popular destination, or new ship. For example, in Alaska you should splurge for a balcony stateroom because as you cruise, the views are spectacular.
CP: To find deals, red roof inn hotel listings think about military discounts, red roof inn hotel listings senior discounts, cruise line loyalty programs, and using a travel agency that constantly monitors red roof inn hotel listings cruise line prices on your behalf to ensure you always get the best deal. You can also look at credit card point incentives, such as American Express, to help cover the cost. Also, the best time to get a great value is to book your next cruise while you are already onboard as the cruise lines offer the rich incentives; some even making them available on the current cruise.
CP: We don t recommend booking on price alone – for example, some people may think a good deal is a couple hundred dollars, red roof inn hotel listings while others red roof inn hotel listings may think a good deal is a couple thousand dollars. It s all relative. We recommend looking for a cruise ship and itinerary that will offer you the experience you want for your vacation.
CP: The best advice for first-time red roof inn hotel listings cruisers is to use a travel agent – a travel agent can find the best value that is right for you. Also, a travel agent works for you and you don t have to pay them, so it s a great way to get a customized vacation experience.
CP: The most common red roof inn hotel listings question we get is Can I get a free cruise, and we tell them yes they can – sort of. A little known cruising fact is that with a group of eight or more staterooms, there is a Tour Conductor spot and the cost of the cruise fare is free. Of course the person has to pay fees and taxes, but it s a great way to encourage people to help spread the word about cruising.
CP: Using a travel agent offers the best value, added convenience and less stress when planning. Travelers can still be part of the planning process and enjoy a customized experience at no additional cost. Cruisers do not pay travel agents, red roof inn hotel listings yet the agent is always working for the best interest of the travelers and can secure added amenities, great prices and added values not readily available red roof inn hotel listings to consumers. Why spend four weeks planning your four-day vacation? Let a travel agent do all the work for you.
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