Early Bird Gets the Worm

Sometimes travel agents have a hard time convincing clients to book a cruise early. If you are planning a summer cruise, don't wait until the last minute. The best deals are often found as soon as the new itineraries are published. Cruise lines often advertise their best price at this time. The low fares attract attention and for those clients who can book a cruise in advance they get the best deal.
If you are undecided about when you want to cruise in the summer tell your travel agent. Your travel agent may be able to help you find a cruise at a great price that will dictate when you cruise next summer. They only way to lock in the low price of a cruise is to put a deposit on it. Some travel agents will transfer your deposit to another cruise if that particular time does not work out. But remember, this only works if you change your mind before the final payment is due. Don't hold your breath for the same low cruise fares. www.mycruiseoutlet.com

Travel Agents

I just read this interesting article by Rick Cropp and Barbara Braidwood, Canwest News Service in the Times Colonist:
According to some eMarketers, there is an upward trend in the number of people booking vacations through a travel agent. Why? Customers feel they are getting (and often are) better service and better values when they actually talk to a travel agent who has been there and done that.
They said,"Booking through a travel agent is some of the best insurance you can buy".

Honeymoon

Honeymoon – for some this is the most anticipated event of our culture’s wedding event. Ideally, start planning your honeymoon six to eight months prior to your wedding. Sounds like a long time doesn’t it? Those of us in the travel business know that advance planning is the key to finding the best vacations at the best prices. Summer is a popular time for weddings, thus honeymoons. You have to take into consideration availability as well as price. Information is key to planning the honeymoon of your dreams.
Travel agents, especially honeymoon specialist, are great sources for information. They know how to make a great honeymoon an unforgettable honeymoon.

Big ship short cruise

The Carnival Destiny is the largest ship sailing shorter itineraries. The Destiny will sail four and five day itineraries from Miami departing Thursdays, Mondays, and Saturdays for a variety of Western Caribbean itineraries.
Shorter cruises have been a noticeable trend at Carnival. They now have 13 of its 22 ships sailing three, four and five day cruises. Ten of these ships are year round and three sail seasonally. That is 29 different short cruise itineraries from 12 U.S. home ports. No other cruise line comes close to the variety of short itineraries and home ports that a Carnival cruise offers.

Butler Service

The newest thing in high end cruises luxury staterooms suits is Butler Service. Yep, one more way to make you never want to leave the ship. Services vary between cruise lines but most butler amenities include unpacking and packing your suitcases, making dinner and excursion reservations, stocking the mini bar with your favorite items, wake up coffee or tea in the morning just to name a few. Some services include pressing your clothes and shoe shine service.

Dining, traditional vs anytime

Traditional dining has long been the standard for cruises. This includes a set time to eat, at a specific table with the same people, and the same waiters. Open seating give passengers the option of when they prefer to eat, generally the choose between first and second seating the main dining room and are seated where there is availability at any table. The good and bad, passenger has control of time to eat, different table each night, different people and waiters. Of course the buffet and casual dining options are always available! ww.mycruiseoutlet.com

Formal Night

We have seen a recent trend toward a more relaxed dinner attire on cruises. I would not go as far as to call it casual attire at dinner, but more of a "country club" casual attire. Do people miss the formal gowns, sequins, and glitter? I guess some do but believe it or not, the more seasoned travelers and cruisers are the ones who are tired of dressing up and are leaning toward the more casual attire. Actually they may have a point. As the airlines become more weight conscience than ever before they are charging a baggage fee to check a piece of luggage. Image how much space you could save if you did not have to pack the extra dresses, suits, and shoes. Think about this, you only wear them for a couple of hours to take pictures and eat. Then by the time dinner is over you can't wait to get out of those clothes. Is it worth it? You decide!